The Good Question Podcast

Richard Jacobs

Our goal is to make each of our guests exclaim: "hmmm... that's a good question. I don't know the answer." ...because when that happens, it means you, the listener, may be inspired to learn more beyond the interview and to ask great questions yourself that lead to new insights. In this podcast, we cover, Historical and current Anthropology, Comparative Religion and History

  1. 1d ago

    Dr. Adam Dorr Talks GLP-1s, Muscle Gain & The Future Of Health Optimization

    Could a new generation of therapies eventually reproduce some of the effects we associate with diet and exercise? In this episode, we connect with Dr. Adam Dorr to discuss the rapid evolution of GLP-1 medications and the possibility that combining fat-loss drugs with emerging myostatin- and activin-blocking therapies could change how we think about weight, muscle mass, metabolic health, and healthy aging. Adam is the Director of Research at RethinkX, an independent think tank focused on technology-driven disruption. As an environmental social scientist and technology theorist, he approaches healthcare through the same systems lens RethinkX has applied to energy, transportation, and food. Adam's recent work explores what RethinkX calls "Health Optimizer Therapies," or HOTs: combinations of treatments that may eventually target fat loss, muscle preservation or gain, metabolic health, and other aspects of physical well-being at the same time. He describes this convergence as moving medicine closer to a long-pursued idea: something resembling diet and exercise in a bottle… This conversation explores: ●       Why GLP-1 medications could represent more than a weight-loss trend. ●       The potential role of myostatin and activin inhibition in preserving or increasing muscle. ●       What could happen when fat-loss and muscle-building therapies are combined. ●       Why RethinkX views these technologies as part of a broader healthcare disruption. Adam holds a PhD from UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs and an MS from the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability. He has spent much of his career studying how rapidly improving technologies move from niche innovations to forces that can transform entire sectors. Connect with Adam: RethinkX Rethinking Health: The Health Optimizer Therapy Disruption X

  2. 4d ago

    How To Build A More Profitable Bar: Chris Schneider On Systems, Culture & Smarter Operations

    In today's episode, Chris Schneider joins us to discuss the systems, financial habits, and leadership decisions that can help independent bar owners build stronger and more sustainable businesses… Chris is the founder of The Bar Business and host of The Bar Business Podcast. He has experience in bar ownership, small-business bookkeeping, hospitality education, and coaching. This diverse background showed him why some operators struggle while others build more efficient, profitable businesses. Across those roles, he saw a consistent pattern: the strongest operators understand their numbers, rely on repeatable systems, and make decisions based on more than instinct alone. Hit play to find out: ●       The importance of creating a special dining and drinking experience. ●       Why many independent bars struggle to achieve consistent profitability. ●       The financial numbers bar owners should be paying attention to. ●       How menu engineering and pricing influence the bottom line. Chris approaches bar management through his MCC Framework: Mindset, Concept, and Culture. This helps owners view their bar as a business that can be measured, improved, and scaled. He is also the author of How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business and Menus That Sell. Through his coaching and more than 200 episodes of The Bar Business Podcast, Chris helps independent bar owners create businesses that are more profitable, organized, and less dependent on their constant presence.   Connect with Chris: The Bar Business The Bar Business Podcast Instagram

  3. Sep 15

    The AI Instinct, Human Decision-Making & The Future Of Intelligence with Rana Gujral

    In this episode of Finding Genius Podcast, AI entrepreneur Rana Gujral reveals how Cognitive AI is transforming the way humans think, communicate, and make decisions—and what happens as we move closer to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). If you've been wondering where AI is headed after ChatGPT, this conversation explores the technologies shaping the next generation of intelligence. In This Episode You'll Learn: How AI is influencing human decision-making. The science behind Cognitive AI and behavioral intelligence. Can AI detect emotion, intent, deception, and risk through voice? The future of AGI and superintelligent systems. Why understanding human cognition is becoming AI's biggest frontier. How voice AI, behavioral signals, and machine learning are changing business and society. The ethical risks of AI influencing human behavior. Rana Gujral is the CEO of Behavioral Signals, an AI company building systems that analyze speech, emotion, intent, and behavioral patterns using advanced voice intelligence and machine learning. If you enjoy deep conversations with world-leading scientists, founders, inventors, and futurists, subscribe to Finding Genius Podcast for weekly episodes exploring Artificial Intelligence, longevity, neuroscience, quantum computing, health, space, and breakthrough technology. Connect with Rana: Personal Website: https://ranagujral.com/about The AI Instinct: https://www.amazon.com/AI-Instinct-Future-Human-Decision-Making/dp/1394392125 Behavioral Signals: https://behavioralsignals.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranagujral/

  4. Aug 31

    Why Employer Healthcare Costs Are Rising And How Businesses Can Better Manage Them

    In this episode, we speak with Chris Hamilton, Partner and Employee Benefits Practice Leader at Hotchkiss Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Texas. With nearly 20 years of experience in corporate finance and employee benefits, Chris helps employers better understand healthcare costs, improve plan performance, and explore alternatives to traditional insurance models. Chris is also the founder of Benefits Insider, an educational platform focused on helping employers understand how healthcare financing works. Through case studies, industry insights, and practical examples, he gives business leaders the information they need to make smarter decisions about employee benefits and healthcare spending. Recognized as the 2025 BenefitsPro Advisor of the Year, Chris is a respected voice on healthcare transparency, employer-sponsored health plans, and cost-control strategies. His work helps simplify a complex system and gives employers a clearer view of the forces driving healthcare expenses. This conversation explores: ·       Chris's journey into healthcare and employee benefits ·       How the Affordable Care Act has affected employers and healthcare costs ·       The incentives influencing insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and other healthcare stakeholders ·       Different strategies employers can use to control healthcare spending Connect with Chris: Personal Website Hotchkiss Insurance LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr  🛍️ Recommended Products & Reads from This Episode: 🎙️ Blue Yeti USB Microphone – A top choice for aspiring podcasters and speakers who want professional-grade audio at home. 👉Check it out Note: These are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you!

  5. Aug 20

    Building Wealth Beyond The Paycheck: Lane Kawaoka On Real Estate Syndications & Financial Freedom

    How can everyday professionals move from earning income to building lasting wealth? In this episode, Lane Kawaoka, real estate investor and author of The Wealth Elevator: Real Estate Syndications, Accredited Investor Banking, and Tax Strategies for First-Gen Millionaires, shares how strategic investing and alternative assets can help create long-term financial independence. With a real estate portfolio valued at more than $2.1 billion, Lane has helped hundreds of investors gain access to opportunities beyond traditional markets. Through The Wealth Elevator and the Hui Deal Pipeline Club, he focuses on real estate syndications, passive income strategies, tax optimization, and helping individuals develop the mindset needed to become successful investors. In this conversation, we explore: ·       Lane's journey from employee to successful real estate investor. ·       The mindset shifts required to build sustainable wealth. ·       How real estate syndications work and why they appeal to many investors. ·       Common mistakes beginners make when evaluating investment opportunities. ·       How tax strategies and alternative assets can accelerate wealth creation. Whether you're looking to diversify your portfolio, create passive income, or understand new pathways to financial freedom, this episode provides valuable insights into building wealth through strategic real estate investing. Connect with Lane: LinkedIn Instagram The Wealth Elevator Website Free Masterclass Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr  🛍️ Recommended Products & Reads from This Episode: 🎙️ Blue Yeti USB Microphone – A top choice for aspiring podcasters and speakers who want professional-grade audio at home. 👉Check it out Note: These are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you!

  6. Aug 18

    Engineering Better Heart Valves Professor Michael Sacks On Personalized Cardiac Care

    What if heart valve treatments could be designed around the unique anatomy and biomechanics of each patient? In this episode, Professor Michael S. Sacks, Director of the James T. Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation at the University of Texas at Austin, explores how computational modeling could transform the future of heart valve replacement and cardiovascular care. A leading expert in cardiovascular biomechanics and patient-specific simulation, Professor Sacks develops technologies that help researchers and physicians better understand how heart valves function, predict treatment outcomes, and design therapies tailored to individual patients. In this conversation, we explore: ·       The biggest challenges facing modern heart valve replacement and repair. ·       How computational modeling is changing cardiovascular research and treatment planning. ·       Why patient-specific simulations could improve surgical decision-making and clinical outcomes. ·       The limitations of current valve replacement technologies and where innovation is needed. ·       How engineering, medicine, and simulation are converging to create the next generation of cardiac care. From virtual simulations to personalized treatment strategies, this episode offers a fascinating look at how engineering and cardiovascular medicine are coming together to improve the way heart valve disease is treated. Connect with Professor Sacks:  LinkedIn University of Texas Profile  Google Scholar Profile Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation Oden Institute for Computational Engineering & Sciences Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr  🛍️ Recommended Products & Reads from This Episode: 🎙️ Blue Yeti USB Microphone – A top choice for aspiring podcasters and speakers who want professional-grade audio at home. 👉Check it out Note: These are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you!

  7. Aug 17

    Rethinking Mental Health: Dr. Matt Bernstein On Metabolism, Psychiatry & Brain Recovery

    Could the brain's metabolism play a bigger role in mental health than we realize? In this episode, Dr. Matt Bernstein, Chief Medical Officer at Ellenhorn and CEO of Accord, explores the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry and its potential to reshape how we understand and approach complex psychiatric conditions. With more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Bernstein has dedicated his career to helping people achieve meaningful mental health improvement and long-term functional recovery. His work examines the connection between metabolic health, brain function, and psychiatric disorders while exploring new treatment models that go beyond conventional psychiatric care. In this conversation, we explore: ·       What metabolic psychiatry is and how it differs from traditional psychiatric approaches. ·       How brain metabolism may influence mental health and psychiatric symptoms. ·       Why ketogenic therapies are being investigated as potential tools for psychiatric care. ·       The relationship between metabolic health and conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and psychosis. ·       How a more comprehensive approach could change the future of mental health recovery. As research continues to uncover the relationship between metabolism and brain function, metabolic psychiatry is opening new conversations about personalized treatment and recovery. Connect with Dr. Bernstein: LinkedIn Accord's Website Ellenhorn's Website Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr  🛍️ Recommended Products & Reads from This Episode: 🎙️ Blue Yeti USB Microphone – A top choice for aspiring podcasters and speakers who want professional-grade audio at home. 👉Check it out Note: These are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you!

  8. Aug 13

    Breaking The Addiction Cycle Dr. Rachel Docekal On Prevention, Recovery & Behavioral Health

    What drives addiction, and how can we create better pathways toward prevention and recovery? In this episode, Dr. Rachel Pappert Docekal, CEO of Hanley Foundation, explores the neuroscience, behavioral patterns, and social factors shaping substance use disorders in today's world. With a focus on prevention, education, advocacy, and expanding access to treatment, Dr. Docekal is helping transform the conversation around addiction by addressing its root causes. Her work highlights the importance of early intervention, community support, and understanding the complex relationship between the brain, environment, and behavior. In this conversation, we explore: ·       How addiction changes the brain and influences decision-making. ·       Why prevention and early education are essential in reducing substance misuse. ·       The impact of social media, technology, and modern lifestyles on addictive behaviors. ·       How loneliness and emotional challenges can increase vulnerability to addiction. ·       The future of behavioral health and recovery support. Whether you're affected by addiction personally, supporting a loved one, or interested in the future of mental and behavioral healthcare, this episode offers valuable insights into building healthier communities and more effective recovery solutions. Connect with Dr. Docekal: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X Hanley Foundation Website Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr 🛍️ Recommended Products & Reads from This Episode: 🎙️ Blue Yeti USB Microphone – A top choice for aspiring podcasters and speakers who want professional-grade audio at home. 👉Check it out Note: These are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you!

About

Our goal is to make each of our guests exclaim: "hmmm... that's a good question. I don't know the answer." ...because when that happens, it means you, the listener, may be inspired to learn more beyond the interview and to ask great questions yourself that lead to new insights. In this podcast, we cover, Historical and current Anthropology, Comparative Religion and History