Pulse Ox

About Pulse Ox

Pulse Ox, hosted by Eric Stopper, explores the intersection of science, spirituality, and high performance. Each week, health professionals and entrepreneurs reveal their secrets to human optimization—secrets that often come from love, loss, psychedelics, mystical experiences, or good old fashion failure. Expect practical insights on mental wellbeing, physiology, leadership, and growth strategies to help you elevate your life and hit ambitious goals. - Pulse Ox

Publisher

Eric Stopper

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

23 Jan 2024

Latest episode

24 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

112 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Feb 2026

   How Susan Ibitz Turned Life’s Curveballs Into a Journey of Storytelling

   Dive into this episode with human behavior hacker Susan Ibitz, as she unpacks her unconventional career path, resilience in the face of adversity, and the science of human irrationality. Host Eric Stopper guides the conversation through life lessons, personal growth, and the importance of storytelling. In this episode, you'll learn: How Susan’s journey from a diplomat’s daughter to a behavioral neuroscientist shaped her expertise The role of failure, dyslexia, and self-discovery in forging a unique career Why irrational decisions drive most of our lives and choices The power of journaling and storytelling in overcoming trauma and guiding personal paths How embracing mistakes and open-mindedness leads to unexpected opportunities in life and work In this thought-provoking episode, host Eric Stopper sits down with the enigmatic “human behavior hacker,” Susan Ibitz, as she shares her extraordinary life journey – from a childhood filled with international intrigue to becoming a sought-after behavioral neuroscientist and negotiation expert. Inside the Episode: Susan’s Unconventional Origins: Discover how a whirlwind, first-class romance led to Susan’s not-so-ordinary upbringing, where learning through Italian family stories and detective shows set the foundation for her fascination with human behavior. Harnessing Dyslexia & Asperger’s: Susan talks candidly about her challenges with highly dyslexic and Asperger’s diagnoses – and how these “kicks in the back of the head” redirected her life toward unique superpowers in behavioral profiling. From Political Consulting to Hostage Negotiation: Hear how bartending in a foreign land connected Susan to the world of political consulting, leading her to become one of the few civilian Level 3 international hostage negotiators—and how she used these skills to help companies better understand human irrationality. Why We’re All Irrational: Susan breaks down behavioral economics, discussing Nobel winner Kahneman’s insights and why up to 95% of our 35,000 daily decisions are truly irrational (yes, even your shoe collection or six cats!). Power of Storytelling & Journaling: The duo delves into how storytelling and journaling can rewire our brains, help us process trauma, and even influence others for the better—with nods to DOD and DARPA’s research on storytelling as a tool for healing PTSD. Key Takeaways: Embrace the messy, non-linear journey of life—mistakes are mile markers, not misfortunes. The importance of being open to unexpected opportunities—and how so-called “irrational” decisions often lead to life’s most meaningful relationships and experiences. Journaling isn’t just for reflection; it can be a therapeutic practice supported by neuroscience and behavioral research. Everyone’s life has three stories: your own, another’s, and the story you co-create. Sharing these is a responsibility and a gift. Even the quirkiest life paths (hello, six cats vs. six dogs!) can lead to the perfect serendipity. About Susan Ibitz: A “human behavior hacker,” behavioral neuroscientist, international hostage negotiator, and expert in behavioral economics. Find her at susanaibitz.com, and on LinkedIn or Facebook. Don't miss her podcast “Humans.” Connect with the show: Enjoyed the episode? Like, share, and subscribe on Spotify. Tag a friend who’d love these insights into the irrational, unpredictable magic of being human! Pulse Ox Podcast – Where Stories Meet Science, and Mistakes Make Magic. Find Susan at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ibitz/

2. 

   18 Feb 2026

   How Avalaura Gaither Found Purpose After Losing Her Job and Rediscovered Herself

   Just wrapped up a powerful episode of "Pulse Ox Podcast" featuring the incredible Avalaura Gaither—life coach, intuitive consultant, and holistic mental health expert. She shared her inspiring journey from the world of traditional mental health to carving her own path in holistic healing. Here are three key takeaways anyone navigating career transitions or personal growth should hear: Trust Your Breaking Point: Sometimes, hitting a wall is the exact nudge you need to surrender control, listen inward, and create real change. Avalaura Gaither described how her own "sick and tired of being sick and tired" moment led her to completely rethink her life and career. Your Journey is Yours: Your relationship with faith, spirituality, or alignment doesn't have to mirror anyone else's. Avalaura Gaither reminds us that what we're taught as children is just a starting point—give yourself permission to evolve and find what truly resonates with you. Breakdowns Lead to Breakthroughs: Whether it’s losing a job or letting go of old expectations, breakthroughs often come after breakdowns. Vulnerability and surrender are what create the space for the next chapter—not just grinding harder. If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or at a crossroads, give this episode a listen and check out Avalaura Gaither's story for some honest inspiration. #CareerGrowth #HolisticHealth #PersonalDevelopment #PodcastInsights

3. 

   11 Feb 2026

   Building Resilience: Startup Founder Ajay Bam’s Experience with Endurance, Teamwork, and Philanthropy

   In the latest Pulse Ox Podcast Eric Stopper sits down with Ajay Bam, the CEO and co-founder of Warl, a video insights and commerce platform based in San Francisco. Ajay Bam shares his inspirational journey, not only as a startup founder, but also as someone who takes on daunting personal challenges to fuel his professional life. Listen as he recounts his transformative experience biking 600 miles across Zambia to raise money for children affected by HIV—an adventure that offered unexpected clarity for his business and taught invaluable lessons about focus, community, and gratitude. Whether you’re a founder looking for perspective or someone who believes in the power of pushing your limits, this episode is filled with powerful takeaways on resilience, leadership, and the value of giving back.00:00 Startup Journey and Health Priorities04:06 Impactful Journey: Bike Zambia Initiative06:56 "Adventure Racing and Insights"10:10 "Lessons on Startup Focus"13:23 Cycling Journey to Victoria Falls16:42 "Connect, Travel, and Explore"

Who has been a guest on Pulse Ox

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dave Kline
• John Mark Pero
• Dan Tyre
• Fred Bays
• Claude Blanc

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

94

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Pulse Ox

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.