Today’s guest is Ray Raghunath Cappo, a hardcore punk singer and pioneer of the straight-edge movement in NYC during the ‘80s who is now a devoted Bhakti yoga practitioner. Touching on his story in his recently published memoir, Punk to Monk (2024), Ray shares his transformative journey from being a leader of the globally-recognized punk band Youth of Today to a spiritual leader, teacher, and advocate of yoga.

In this conversation, Ray reflects on his journey as a monk, the importance of finding balance in life, and the concept of Seva – service – in spirituality. The discussion also highlights how yoga serves as a path to self-discovery and the significance of serving others as a means to connect with a higher purpose and why men should get into yoga. 

As a complementary bonus to episode 76 (“Becoming Fearless with the Bhagavad Gita”), Hari shares his own path and story with devotional yoga beginning with his curiosity spark while watching The Adams Family as a kid and seeing Gomez performing headstand and other yoga poses. A decade-lius later, as a young New Yorker during the hey day of late 70s and early 80s, his spiritual awakening started to root while zig-zagging and chanting mantras on foot across Manhattan as courier – a foreshadowing of his true calling as one who delivers ancient philosophy packed in contemporary wisdom, and evolved into a bhakti practice, and his eventual discovery of a Hare Krishna

Hari-kirtana Das — yoga teacher, spiritual mentor, and author of two books on yoga philosophy — delves into yoga philosophy and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and shares how such ancient wisdom still relates to the challenges of modern life. An eighteen chapter dialogue between Krishna and the warrior Arjuna, the Bhagavad Gita is a story about following your dharma and being fearless in the face of life’s many challenges, by recognizing your essential nature and call to duty.

Additionally, the conversation touches on how individuals can find their unique paths in yoga, especially during times of identity crisis, to become fearless in the face of uncertainty. The themes of masculinity, fearlessness, and the transformative power of yoga as illustrated in the Bhagavad Gita are the backbone of Hari’s conversation with Derek and Larry.

Known professionally as Amandi Music, “Mandi” is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer based in Boston. His transformative journey began while sitting at a gas station on the Mass Pike, en route to the Berkshires, debating whether to attend a yoga retreat at the Kripalu Center.

At the time, Amandi tipped the scales at 400 pounds and was determined to break old patterns and prioritize his health. That weekend retreat became a turning point. Since then, the practice of yoga — and its ability to harmonize mind, body, and spirit — has completely transformed his life. He has become a source of energy and frequency to those around him.

Amandi shares his story and insights into how yoga helped him lose weight, feel younger, move more freely, improve his fitness, shift his mindset, and ultimately, save his life.

In 2008, Mark Stefanowski sought a life change after a DUI charge on Christmas Day. He began watching VHS tapes of Bryan Kest’s power yoga classes, which led him from a basement practice to the systematic and consistent practice of Bikram yoga. Eventually, he found his place—and later completed his training—at CorePower Yoga.

Now a Harley-riding, charismatic, and thoughtful yoga instructor, Mark teaches online classes, in-person donation-based sessions at breweries, and maintains a regular schedule at CorePower Yoga in Colorado. Passionate about making yoga both accessible and challenging, he brings his signature Full Throttle style to the greater Boulder area, helping others embrace the practice as he has.

Repeat guest Dave Johnson returns following his 2022 GTY conversation to share his journey and practice with handstands. In this episode, Dave reflects on how handstands have taught him not only commitment to a goal but also the importance of patience and staying calm to release tension while balancing in one of the most challenging inversions. He also explores the benefits of incorporating handstands into a yoga practice, offering insights on preparation, building strength, and the essential role of recovery.

A teacher and lecturer in  Kinesiology, Religious Studies, and Sociology at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Colin Hall is also a yoga teacher and co-director of Bodhi Tree Yoga and Bodhi Tree Yoga College in Canada. Derek and Larry came across Colin’s informative and entertaining Yoga History Podcast during the pandemic, and were blown away by his passion and knowledge of yoga history.

The guys discuss Colin’s path in yoga, the inspiration behind his Yoga History Podcast, his academic background in religious studies and kinesiology, and the philosophical aspects that have shaped his practice. They also explore the cultural differences between yoga practices in India and the West, highlighting the contributions of key figures like Vivekananda and Krishnamacharya in shaping modern yoga. Lastly, Colin emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the benefits of yoga for men, encouraging them to embrace the practice for both its physical and mental health advantages.

Four years of service in the United States Marine Corps, extensive martial arts training, and a back injury sustained from snowboarding left Tim McDevitt's body broken, weak, and in pain. Tim sought out yoga simply to strengthen his core, back, arms, and legs, but his practice evolved into the exploration of a deeper path with the holistic powers of sound baths, chakras, and breath work. In addition to touching on the community and mission of the Empowered Wellness Studio after he completed his teacher training in 2016, Tim shares his perspective on various aspects of fitness, teaching methods, and the historical significance of and working with Indian clubs.

In this conversation, Andrew Tanner, a longtime practitioner and founder of the Berkshire Yoga Festival, shares his journey into yoga and spirituality. He describes how witnessing the positive impact of alternative healing practices during his father’s battle with cancer transformed him into a believer in the power of aligning the mind, body, and spirit. Covering a range of topics that reflect his deep background in yoga over the past two decades, Andrew discusses the healing of injuries through yoga, cultivating inner wisdom, letting go of the ego, speaking one’s truth, making better choices, and connecting mind, body, and spirit. These practices, he believes, help men become better versions of themselves and discover their Dharma in life.

In this conversation with the guys, Dr. Roger Jahnke shares his journey into the realms of yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong in the late 1960s. He reflects on how personal experiences as a young man in Ohio, along with a road trip across the country, shaped his spiritual growth. He recounts the ‘mesmerizing’ experience of watching a young Chinese engineering student lead a small Tai Chi class in a park in Berkeley, and how that moment sparked his interest in Chinese medicine. Dr. Jahnke discusses how the Eastern arts influenced his career within "the medical industrial complex," ultimately leading him down a path toward alternative healing practices with the discovery of Tai Chi and Qigong.

Dr. Jahnke also explores the historical roots and benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi, their similarities to the practice of yoga, and the importance of engaging with one's inner self. He emphasizes managing consciousness and embracing the physiological benefits of these mind-body practices, which foster discernment and personal empowerment, enabling individuals to experience life more fully.

Frequent guest Johnny Gillespie revisits the show to reflect on the success of last year's mens yoga workshop at Kripalu, The Way of the Empowered Man, and share his plans for the follow up retreat in January. 

The discussion covers the integration of yoga and fitness, the importance of adjusting to participants' needs and the common challenges faced by men in health and wellness, and the unique benefits of yoga retreats for men where they can deepen their practice. Johnny and the guys emphasize the significance of community, breathing techniques, and mobility in achieving overall well-being. 

With a deeper understanding on the significance of biomechanics and movement, Johnny emphasizes the connection between the feet, legs, hips, and spine while highlighting the critical role of breathing mechanics in overall health, including the diaphragm and pelvic floor, and the ability to experience significant shifts in their neurological patterns. Johnny also shares insights about the building his business and community at his studio, Empowered Wellness, and celebrating over 25 years in the industry, along with reflections on personal and professional growth for 2025.