feelgoodery

If your anxiety seems to be getting worse as you get older . . . there might  actually a really specific, biological reason for that. 
And it has to do with something happening in your brain every single night. Or more accurately something that's stopped happening.
So today - we're breaking down a certain sleep stage that gets trickier with age, and how it's impacting our anxiety. 
We're covering: 

The specific stage of sleep that acts as your brain's nightly anxiety reset (and what happens when you don't get enough of it)
Why this isn't just about feeling "well rested" -  there's an emotional regulation piece most people have never heard about
5 evidence-backed ways to protect this stage of sleep - including one that costs literally nothing and you can try tonight
The personal stuff: what I've has actually tested on himself that's moved the needle on his own deep sleep (mouth taping, kiwis, glycine..)
today's feelgood thing

This episode is for you if...
You've noticed your anxiety creeping up and you can't really explain why
You wake up and don't feel rested even after a full night
You've been chalking things up to "just getting older" and want to actually do something about it
You're a sleep nerd, or want to be one

If you’ve been living with chronic pain, a bad back, or that quiet fear that your body is starting to ‘break down’ as you get older… today’s episode is for you.
If you've been following along with this show lately, you know I've been going through it myself. This past month, because of something so simple, was the worst back-pain of my life.

But my lucky star was on my side, because last week I had a prescheduled interview for my SiriusXM show with a very prominent  orthopaedic surgeon. And after the interview, she offered to review what's going on with my back, and perhaps get to the root of what's actually going on . . .   
And her insights have truly changed everything for me, and also given me hope.

The good news? It applies to us all . . .

So today, Dr. Erin Boynton  - renowned orthopedic surgeon and author of The Injury Guide: Eliminate Pain, Heal Your Injuries and Keep Moving Forever -  is here to give me (and us) not only answers - but a way forward...  
In this episode, we explore:
✔️ Why pain is so common - and it's upside we haven't considered
✔️ The foundational work most of us have skipped (and don't even know it) 
✔️My story and what's going on  
✔️Why injuries often happen from the smallest, most ordinary moments 
✔️ How spine deterioration and bulging discs can be addressed without jumping straight to surgery 
✔️ The connection between your body's foundation and long-term pain-free living ✔️ Where to start when everything feels overwhelming and hopeless 
✔️ The mindset shift that makes all the difference:
If you know someone who's been told pain is just part of aging, or that surgery is their only option   please share this episode with them. There is more hope than we're often led to believe.
As always, feel free to email me at [email protected] for any questions or topics you'd like to see covered on this show.
Thank you for being part of this space.

Resources
Dr Erin Boyntons website  -
https://doctorerinb.com/

Dr Erin Boyntons Best-Selling Book - click here

Just a quick note about this week.

If you’ve been hearing terms like lookmaxing, tradwives, the manosphere, or “alpha male” culture online lately - and wondering what the hell is happening . . .  you’re not alone.
From men measuring their facial symmetry… to taking steroids, experimental peptides, and even extreme shortcuts in pursuit of “perfection”… a growing online movement is pushing appearance optimization to unsettling new levels.
And while it may seem ridiculous on the surface,  what’s driving it underneath is far more complex.
In today’s episode, we unpack the rise of lookmaxing culture, where it came from, why it’s becoming more mainstream, and what it says about masculinity, power, insecurity, and social media today.
I’m joined by Jillian Sunderland, PhD candidate in sociology at the University of Toronto whose research explores masculinity, power, identity, and how online culture is reshaping the way young men see themselves.
Together, we explore how online extremism, beauty culture, and algorithm-driven content are colliding, and why many young people are being pulled into dangerous cycles of comparison.
In this episode, we explore:
✔️ What lookmaxing actually is,  and why it’s exploding online
✔️ The disturbing connection between lookmaxing and incel culture
✔️ Why some men are measuring facial ratios and chasing “hunter eyes”
✔️ The dangerous rise of steroids, peptides, and extreme body optimization trends
✔️ How social media algorithms reward extreme beauty standards
✔️ Why many young men feel increasingly powerless in today’s economy

As always, feel free to email me at [email protected]  with questions, guest ideas, or topics you'd love to hear covered on the show.
Thank you for being part of this space.
____
LINKS

My SiriusXM Show - The Exhale with Kyle Buchanan  
Katie Couric's Daily Newsletter Opt in - click here 

Jillian's Lookmaxing article - click here

If you’ve been overthinking everything lately, or stopping yourself before you start - today's episode is for you. 
Because sometimes what’s holding you back isn’t a lack of information, it’s having too much of it. Too much analysis, too much self-awareness, too many reasons not to start. . . 
So in this 12 minute episode, we're doin a little pep talk - and talking about why being a little delusional might be exactly what you need.
In this episode, we cover:
✔️ Why overthinking and high self-awareness can quietly keep you stuck
✔️ The difference between ego-driven delusion vs. grounded self-belief
✔️ What “optimism bias” is, and why successful people use it (whether they realize it or not)
✔️ How being “realistic” can become an excuse to stay small
✔️ Why you don’t need confidence before you start
✔️ Real-life examples: fitness, career moves, creative projects, and hard conversations
✔️ Why trying (even if you fail) always moves you forward
✔️ today's feelgood thing 
If you’ve been waiting to feel ready, certain, or confident before making a move… this episode is your nudge to do it anyways. 
Got a Feelgood Thing?
DM me on Instagram @itskyleb or email [email protected]