025 | What 150 Days Alone In The Wild Taught Me About Life | Miller Holstein

025 | What 150 Days Alone In The Wild Taught Me About Life | Miller Holstein

App Trail Thru-Hike | Adventure | Solitude | Resilience | Nature | Presence This episode of Hold This Thought dives deep into what happens when you remove yourself from modern life and finally confront your own mind. Miller Holstein shares the story of leaving everything behind to live in the woods for five months to thru-hike the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail (2200 miles), searching for clarity, purpose, and truth. What starts as a physical journey quickly becomes something much deeper… a confrontation with identity, discomfort, boredom, and the internal noise we all carry. We explore the realities of life on the trail, from sleeping on the ground and encountering wildlife to stripping life down to only what’s essential. But the most powerful part of the conversation isn’t survival… it’s what happens mentally when distractions disappear. This episode touches on grounding, nature, discipline, self-reflection, and the uncomfortable but necessary process of questioning who you really are. It challenges the way we think about modern life, food, technology, and the constant need for stimulation. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, stuck, or unsure of your direction… this conversation will make you think twice. Miller Hollstein is an author, speaker, and guide for those navigating change and searching for deeper direction. After stepping away from the conventional path to hike the Appalachian Trail and create space for clarity, he now helps others reconnect with themselves, trust their intuition, and move forward with purpose. millerhollstein.com YT: @themillerhollstein IG: @miller_hollstein Chapters: 00:00 | Opening + Barefoot Living, Comfort vs Conditioning 12:38 | High School Identity, Ego, and Early Self-Expression 25:11 | The Decision to Leave Society and Live in the Woods 38:47 | Expectations vs Reality of Isolation and Silence 52:26 | Wildlife Encounters, Fear, and Respect for Nature 1:06:41 | Hunting, Food, and Our Disconnection From Nature 1:21:18 | Modern Life, Convenience, and Lost Perspective 1:36:52 | Structure vs Freedom and Designing Your Life 1:50:07 | Meditation, Self-Awareness, and Mental Separation 2:03:29 | Boredom, Internal Dialogue, and Facing Yourself 2:16:44 | Identity, Beliefs, and Rewriting Your Inner Narrative 2:26:18 | Final Reflections on Meaning, Growth, and What Matters

024 | I Had to Know the Truth… Even If It Cost Me Everything | Grant Adams

Cults | Dopamine | Smartphones | Video Games | Sex | Biology | Faith | Protestantism | Catholicism In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Grant Adams for a raw, wide-ranging conversation that cuts straight through modern life. We talk about why he ditched his smartphone for a flip phone, how technology is quietly reshaping our brains and relationships, and what we lose when convenience replaces presence. From there, we dive into deeper territory… marriage, sexuality, and whether modern culture has drifted away from how humans are actually wired to live. Grant shares his journey from Protestant pastor to Catholicism, unpacking the problem of authority, the explosion of denominations, and how early Christianity shaped his beliefs. This is one of those conversations that challenges assumptions, pushes boundaries, and forces you to think about how you’re living. Grant Adams is the husband of his sweet wife, Bridgette, and father of three wild kids. After several years of children’s, youth, music, and pastoral ministry, God brought him and his family home to the Catholic Church. Grant currently serves as the teen chastity educator for an ecumenical pro-life clinic and gives talks to local parishes sharing his testimony and love for the Catholic faith. Follow Grant on: IG: @rangergrant YT: @RangerGrant Chapters: 00:00 | The Lip Bite Story & Cold Open 09:41 | Why He Switched to a Flip Phone 20:12 | GPS, Memory & Are We Getting Dumber? 30:28 | Technology Trade-Offs & Losing Presence 41:07 | Discipline vs Convenience in Daily Life 51:18 | Abstinence, Teens & Cultural Reality 1:01:29 | Sex: Good, Dangerous & Misunderstood 1:11:42 | Biology vs Society (Are We Out of Sync?) 1:22:05 | Marriage Age, Fertility & Modern Norms 1:32:18 | Meaning, Family & Long-Term Purpose 1:42:27 | From Protestant Roots to Big Questions 1:52:36 | The Authority Problem in Christianity 2:02:41 | Why Thousands of Denominations Exist 2:12:53 | Sola Scriptura & Interpreting the Bible 2:23:04 | Early Church Fathers & Getting to the Source 2:30:12 | The Turning Point Toward Catholicism

023 | The Battle With Addiction Most People Never See | Sarah Carter

Sustainable Wellness | Faith & Redemption | Fitness Mindset | Personal Growth | Real Life Transformation This episode explores the deeper layers of health, identity, and transformation through a powerful and honest conversation with Sarah Carter. We begin with her early life, from being born in Spain to growing up in an active family, and how those experiences shaped her independence and mindset. What starts as a light conversation quickly evolves into a deeper look at personality, discipline, and the way people approach growth. Sarah shares how her passion for fitness developed over time, not through trends or shortcuts, but through consistency and a desire to build a lifestyle that lasts. That foundation eventually led her to create a business centered around sustainable wellness, helping others simplify fitness and focus on what actually works. As the conversation unfolds, we dive into the realities of modern fitness culture, including misinformation, comparison, and why so many people struggle to stay consistent. From macros and metabolism to long-term habits, this episode breaks down what truly leads to lasting change. There is also a much deeper layer to this conversation. Sarah opens up about addiction, both personally and within her marriage, and the challenges that came with it. What follows is a story of struggle, faith, and transformation that reframes everything about discipline, identity, and what it really means to rebuild your life. This is not just a conversation about fitness. It is about healing, growth, and becoming the person you were meant to be. Sarah is the founder of Swellness, where she helps busy women create a sustainable, healthy lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. She is a certified health coach, personal trainer, and nutritionist, and is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle from the inside out. When she’s not working or in the gym, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and reading mystery novels. Follow Sarah at: https://swellnessllc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/swellness_llc Chapters: 00:00 | First Impressions, Personality, and Lighthearted Start 07:18 | Born in Spain and Early Childhood Story 14:09 | Middle Child Identity and Independence 21:27 | Discovering Fitness and Love for Movement 29:11 | Anti-Trend Mindset and Sustainable Approach 36:42 | Building Swellness and Starting the Business 44:03 | Group Fitness, Community, and Connection 51:36 | GLP-1 Medications and Weight Loss Debate 59:08 | Food Noise, Addiction, and Internal Struggles 1:06:41 | Faith, Surrender, and Breaking Strongholds 1:14:22 | Nutrition Education and Fixing the System 1:21:47 | Macros, Metabolism, and Building Muscle

022 | What My Family Risked Coming to America | Justin Sundara

Identity Formation | Competitive Psychology | Cultural Insight | Life Transitions | Human Resilience This episode explores the intersection of identity, competition, and perspective through a wide ranging conversation with Justin Sundara. We begin with his unconventional relationship with anime and storytelling, unpacking how symbolism and character arcs shape the way we interpret meaning in our own lives. What starts as a conversation about entertainment quickly expands into something deeper, showing how identity is influenced by what we consume, create, and pursue. Justin shares his athletic background, including years of high-level football and the moment injury forced him to make a major decision. We move onto pickleball, where competition, obsession, and community reignite his drive. We explore what it really means to compete, the psychology behind improvement, and why that mindset never fully turns off. As the conversation evolves, we zoom out into broader ideas, including travel, perspective, and how new environments reshape the way we see the world, along with glimpses into the future of technology and human potential. The episode builds toward a powerful moment as Justin shares his family’s immigration story, one that reframes opportunity, sacrifice, and what it truly means to build a life. This is a conversation about how identity is formed, how perspective is earned, and how the experiences we inherit and the ones we choose shape the way we move through the world. Follow Justin's Journey: @j_sundara4 @pickleballwithjustin Chapters: 00:00 | Anime Origins and Rediscovery Later in Life 09:47 | Anime Tattoos, Itachi, and Symbolism Behind the Eye 18:52 | Football Career, Injury, and Identity Shift 28:11 | Discovering Pickleball and Competitive Obsession 37:26 | Skill Gap, Community, and What Separates Players 46:39 | Travel, Perspective, and Expanding Worldviews 55:58 | Space, Mars, and the Future of Humanity 1:05:14 | Evolution of Sports and What Comes Next 1:14:33 | Fantasy Football vs Dungeons and Dragons 1:23:48 | Strategy, Data, and Competitive Thinking 1:33:02 | Cultural Identity and Family Background 1:42:19 | Refugee Story and Crossing the River Under Fire 1:51:36 | Immigration, Freedom, and Perspective on America 2:00:41 | Power, Corruption, and Human Nature

021 | The Reality of Growing Up as an Immigrant in America | Gonzalo Manotas

Immigrant Experience | Cultural Perspective | Global Travel | Generational Responsibility | Aging And Care In this episode of Hold This Thought, I sit down with Gonzalo Manotas to explore identity, culture, and what really matters over the course of a lifetime. Gonzalo shares what it was like growing up as an immigrant in the United States, arriving without speaking English and navigating early challenges that shaped how he saw himself and the world. From struggling with something as personal as his own name to eventually traveling across dozens of countries, his story reveals how perspective is built through experience. We dive into the power of travel, why exposure to different cultures reshapes your thinking, and how something as simple as a name can carry deeper meaning than most people realize. The conversation then shifts into family, aging, and responsibility. After a personal experience with his mother’s health, Gonzalo made a major life shift into senior care, helping families navigate one of the most difficult and overlooked stages of life. We also explore modern culture, the loss of connection, and how ideas like “success” may be pulling people away from what actually matters. This is a conversation about identity, growth, responsibility, and perspective, and how all of it evolves over time. Gonzalo was born in South America and moved to the United States at a young age. He was raised in South Florida, where he met his wife and started his family. He later moved to Georgia to raise his children while building a career in a global corporate role. Travel has always been a significant part of his life, both personally and professionally. Today, he is focused on a new venture dedicated to supporting and caring for the senior community. www.amadaduluth.com Chapters: 00:00 | The Globe, Perspective, and Being a Small Speck 05:23 | Moving From Colombia to the U.S. 10:31 | Language Barriers and Early Identity Struggles 15:28 | Names, Insecurity, and Self-Confidence 20:19 | Do Names Belong to Certain Cultures? 25:22 | Travel, Career, and Life on the Road 31:07 | The Most Memorable Trips and Experiences 36:12 | His Mother’s Health Crisis and Turning Point 41:06 | Senior Care, Culture, and Family Responsibility 46:11 | The Future of Family and Aging in Society 51:04 | AI, Technology, and the Future of Work 56:08 | Using AI as a Creative Tool 1:01:37 | Building, Iterating, and Creating Something Real