In this episode of The Nick Standlea Show, Olympic swimmer Hank Wise, a world-record holder, takes us on an emotional journey recounting his life after losing an eye and bravely adopting a prosthetic one. He candidly discusses his fears, the struggle of adjusting, and the power of resilience. Hank's stirring narrative revolves around growing up influenced by legends like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and how losing an eye changed his life. He shares personal experiences ranging from the...

Optimize the college application process. We provide actionable steps for each year of high school, 9th to 12th grade, to help students make the best college admissions choices. We meticulously strategize each phase of high school with Jenn, a renowned private college counselor, professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, and author of the best-selling book 'The Parent Compass' who supplements this episode with her valuable experiences and expertise. Jenn...

In this episode of the Nick Standlea Show, we journey into the world of psychedelic therapies, exploring the use of psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, ketamine, and ayahuasca for treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. We unpack the efficacy of psychedelics for treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, and maladies. We also examine the potential dangers of unregulated psychedelics and discuss the importance of set, setting, and integration in psychedelic therapy to amplify positive...

California Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal delves into his forthcoming visit to Israel, the need for effective conflict resolution in the Israel–Palestine war, and his commitment to understanding the complexities of the situation from all perspectives.   The conversation ventures into bills the Assemblyman has recently passed on critical societal issues to combat roofied drinks, sexual assault, and body-shaming. We also explore his ongoing work to remedy the negative influences of social media...

Dr. Donald D. Hoffman offers us the chance to take the red pill, stay in Wonderland, and show us how deep the rabbit hole goes. In this conversation, best-selling author of "The Case Against Reality" and UCI professor emeritus Don Hoffman takes us on a journey through cutting-edge research that points to an interconnected consciousness beyond space and time, that could potentially be the true architect of our reality (and others).  In a conversation that challenges the norms, Dr. Hoffman...

In recent years, the relevance of SAT and ACT tests in college admissions has been questioned, prompting some colleges to switch to test-optional policies. However, extensive research and data analysis now suggest that this may not have been the best approach. New articles in the NY Times and Forbes reveal that standardized test scores are the single most powerful predictors of college grades, college graduation rates, graduate school placement, and job placement. Unlike high school grades,...

🎙️✨ Louis CK's hilarious take on flight delays hits close to home because, let's admit it, we've all been there. Complaining about minor inconveniences when we live in a world of convenience. ✈️🤣 This bit serves as a reminder of how we tend to overlook the miraculous surrounding us daily. From pocket-sized supercomputers to AI conversations, innovations that were once unthinkable are now part of our routine. But here's the catch: familiarity breeds indifference. We become accustomed to these...

A short story about my kids that demonstrated how context is everything. We often think we know where everyone is coming from, what their agenda is, what their history is, who they are, but in reality, we can’t ever see the whole picture. What can we do about that?  We can choose.  Choose to be conscious of what that other person might be going through. Choose to be aware of the fact that whatever the situation is, we don’t have all the information. Choose to give people a little grace....

College rankings are an illusion. Despite the power they hold in popular culture, they were made up by a magazine that was going out of business. But not all colleges play the rankings game. In fact, Pitzer College won the rankings game by not playing it and telling their own story. Learn how students can do the same to reach their goals for college and beyond.     Category: Nick Solo Episode - Learning & Higher Education   Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsor: Test...

This episode is on the future of college admissions. I’m with with Johnny Rastello, the Director of College Counseling and Dean of the 12th Grade at Tarbut V’ Torah Community Day School, a top tier independent high school in Newport Beach. An expert in college admissions, Johnny has worked in higher education for a decade and a half at public and private high schools as well as working in admissions at Chapman University. In this episode, we discuss the future of college admissions, how...

Two priests are driving down the highway...  This is the beginning of a joke I told at my grandfather's funeral. It was a risk, a deviation from the expected script of somberness. What followed was a lesson in the unexpected rewards that come from taking little risks when we step outside our comfort zones.    Category: Nick Solo Episode    Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsor: Test Prep...

Today I’m speaking with world champion jujitsu competitor Leo Vieira. He’s known as the Yoda of Jujitsu because of his ability to take lessons from a lifetime of overcoming challenges on the mat and to impart that knowledge to others how to live a better, fuller life. He did not disappoint, dropping one nugget of wisdom after another. He talks about growing up poor in the rough part of Rio Dejanero, leveraging competition to change his life, he shares insights into his epic battle with MMA...

Dr. Paul Rohdenburg answers questions on the fat loss drug Ozempic (semaglutide, Ozempic, and Wegovy) and then dives deep into what people in their 40's, 50's and 60's need to do now regarding their fitness and nutrition to maximize their healthspan into their 70's, 80's, 90's, and beyond. We discuss a holistic approach to well-being, the benefits of cold-plunging & sauna, protein & creatine supplements, the importance of muscle mass in mid-life, sleep monitoring, glucose monitors,...

Nick is a curious guy. He likes to talk to interesting people. If you’re not curious, this show isn’t for you.  But if you like to ask questions, dive beneath the surface, and learn about fascinating individuals, you’ve found your home. Join Nick Standlea for long-form conversations with authors, entrepreneurs, writers, creators, athletes, doctors, scientists, historians, activists, entertainers, and other brilliant guest experts.  You can follow Nick and the show on Instagram:...

Jim O’Brien is the co-owner of Cleobella, an artisan clothing line for women, a former pro surfer, serial entrepreneur, creator of the Hab Hats podcast group, global traveler, and cold plunging enthusiast. We discuss how to design your life and how to fund it. Jim describes some surf adventures, tells us how he met Angela O'Brien, the love of his life and partner at Cleobella, and then goes into his passion for cold plunging and pushing himself to his limits at this stage of life.   Category:...

Hank Wise holds the world record for the fastest male swim from Catalina to the Mainland (20 miles!), is a national champion Stanford swimmer, the reigning King of the Catalina Channel, and the owner of Rocket Fish swimming. During this episode, we dive deep into open ocean swimming, learn what it’s like to be followed by sharks in the middle of the night miles from shore, discuss coaching, parenting, flow, eudaimonia, and process vs. achievement. It's the legendary character that is Hank...

Jodi Okun is the founder of College Financial Aid Advisors. She has successfully helped thousands of families navigate the financial aid process. Nick and Jodi discuss how all families can earn more college financial aid and scholarships, as well as building a business and growing it through social media.

Deren Finks is the former Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Harvey Mudd College (one of the five Claremont Colleges) and a college consultant. He breaks down how to write better college essays, mistakes kids make when they apply to college, tips on applying to public vs private colleges, how to help your counselor write a recommendation letter, the secret importance of ACT and SAT scores in a "test-optional" landscape, and describes some of the best college applications he's ever seen...