There's an astounding difference in the cost of preventing common chronic illnesses and diseases versus treating or curing them, both in money and time spent suffering.

This year, I've spent some time in the hospital visiting loved ones who were dealing with health challenges, and (as I'm sure you already know) hospitals are awful!

• The healthcare providers working there are often rude and apathetic.
• They are full of sad, dreary people.
• They are seemingly uncomfortable and soulless by design.
• It's next to impossible to get the kind of healthy food I'd like at hospitals' cafes and restaurants.
• I'm not good at waiting. I especially despise, waiting in line to talk to a person sitting behind a desk or counter. And at the hospital, you do A LOT of waiting.
• Every year in the news we hear endless stories about egregious medical malpractice; the catastrophic death toll of medical malpractice is 250,000 souls annually in the USA alone making it the third-leading cause of death there. Which should make you seriously consider medical tourism elsewhere if you get sick in America.
• In some countries, a hospital stay is extremely expensive. In the United States, it costs on average $2000 a night, maybe a lot more depending on what you're there for. Insurance often covers a significant portion of hospital care but you have to deal with ridiculous, confusing paperwork and they make it a major pain for you to figure out how much you'll have to pay out of pocket. If you don't have insurance many hospitals and doctors take cash payment upfront, but that's also expensive and if you can't afford it you'll be stuck waiting for hours and hours in an Emergency Room.
• You getting sick and being in the hospital takes a tremendous toll on your loved ones. They spend days or weeks (or longer) stressed and concerned about your well-being. They have to take time off work and spend a lot of time coming to see you.

It's worth almost any expenditure to prevent the kinds of health issues that are going to land you in the hospital. The good news is that the cost of preventing chronic health issues and disease is between 5% - 10% of the cost of treating and curing them if they arise. It's just smart to invest in prevention.

Onnit’s Alpha Brain is Problematic AF!

A critique of the popular, celebrity-endorsed Nootropic Stack

In this article, I’ll do more than just criticize and point out flaws. I’ll point out how Onnit could improve this product and suggest some superior Nootropic stacks; products that have a whole lot more credibility and integrity behind their formulation, marketing, and creation. Of course, you might say: Jonathan, it looks like you’re getting paid by these guys to promote their products (and bash Alpha Brain.) Where’s your integrity? Yes, I am affiliated with some of these Alpha Brain alternatives and I’m certainly a fallible human but my integrity is only as good as my arguments. I’d urge you to just evaluate the arguments and evidence I present about these products.

This week, I turn 38 years old and (please forgive the not-so-humble brag) I really don't look or feel it!

Check out these photo galleries and videos of me now and nine years ago, and I think you'll agree that I barely look like I've aged a day...

Today I wrote about May...

A month I’ve always loved not just because it’s the month of my birth but because it’s the month when (in the northern latitudes, at least) spring ceases its teasing. The changing of the seasons reminds us that life is profoundly cyclical. A sense of optimism has always infused my being as the snow melts away, the sky’s gloomy grayness retreats, and the green leaves of the trees bud. Spring also urges us to seize the moment; as a glorious summer beckons, we’re compelled to drink deeply of the sunny joys of life as the chilly fingers of winter yet stroke the backs of our necks.

In this podcast, I hope to share some much-needed optimism with you - I explain in an epic rant, why I'm white-pilled about the future.

Do you feel scorned (perhaps even slightly betrayed) by your partner's insufficient support of your creative endeavors?

This person, who you share your life with, professes to be totally committed to you yet they just aren't all that enthusiastic about the creative work that may be the first thing on your mind every morning and the last thing that consumes your thoughts before sleep. You have a grand vision for the book, music, art, or other creative project that you're in the process of delivering which will deeply impact your audience yet this person who loves you seems more interested in the banal things of life. They don't care to read your book, they can't be bothered to leave a like on your (hoping it goes viral!) social media post sharing your art, or when you unveil to them your latest creation, the only feedback they can muster is "looks good."