UNCONDITIONAL

About UNCONDITIONAL

A simple question changed everything: “Am I living my most authentic, unconditional life?” My answer was “no”—and I knew it had to change. Unconditional is a podcast for anyone ready to build a life of authenticity, resilience, and freedom. I’m Norbie Schickel—father, fitness enthusiast, equestrian and entrepreneur. Join me as we explore topics related to health, fitness, food, mindset, business and creating your best life.

Publisher

Norbie Schickel

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Sept 2025

Latest episode

1 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2025

   TRAILER: Are Seed Oils Killing Me? Dark Calories, Dr. Catherine Shanahan & Metabolic Dysfunction

   Are seed oils killing me? Simply put, are they safe or sinister? 🌱🍟 In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most controversial topics in nutrition today: seed oils. Link to full episode Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unconditional/id1836510781 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unconditional/id1836510781) Link to full episode Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1UfSzEWnQYJ6HHuQIzQBWF?si=RvtjEc05QZG4fGm4Yg2eJQ (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1UfSzEWnQYJ6HHuQIzQBWF?si=RvtjEc05QZG4fGm4Yg2eJQ) For decades, we’ve been told that seed oils lower cholesterol and are “heart healthy.” Yet critics like Dr. Catherine Shanahan, author of Dark Calories, argue that these oils may be driving chronic illness, inflammation, and even the obesity epidemic. Some even compare a single French fry fried in seed oil to the toxic load of a cigarette. So which is it? Are seed oils a silent poison hiding in plain sight—or a misunderstood dietary staple? We’ll break down the evidence, explore the history of seed oils in the American diet, and unpack what the science actually says. 👉 Watch now to learn: Why Americans get up to 30% of their calories from seed oils The argument that seed oils may be more harmful than sugar Dr. Shanahan’s case against seed oils in Dark Calories The heart-health debate: cholesterol, heart disease, and risk factors This isn’t just about food—it’s about your long-term health. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into nutrition, health, and performance. #SeedOils #NutritionMyths #HeartHealth #HealthyEating #Inflammation #DarkCalories #DrCatherineShanahan #FoodTruth #HealthPodcast #MetabolicHealth #ObesityEpidemic #Cholesterol #NutritionFacts

2. 

   1 Oct 2025

   Ep 7 - Are Seed Oils Killing Me? Dark Calories, Dr. Catherine Shanahan & Metabolic Dysfunction

   Are seed oils killing me? Have I been paying for my own poison for decades? There's an uncomfortable thought. But given that seed oils make up some 30% of the calories in the average American's diet, the answer to this question is massively important. In this episode, I dive into the work of Dr. Catherine Shanahan, and her book Dark Calories - How Vegetable Oils Destroy Our Health And How We Can Get It Back. (https://a.co/d/h75vY90) Dr. Shanahan is one of the loudest and most prolific voices warning against the dangers of seed oils. But is she right? Chapters 00:00 The Health Debate: Are Seed Oils Harmful? 02:51 Whether Seed Oils Are Helpful Or Hurtful Has Massive Implications 07:38 The Experts Disagree About Seed Oils. What Are We To Believe? 09:40 Dark Calories And Dr. Catherine Shanahan 17:39 What Do We Mean By Seed Oils? The Hateful Eight 19:47 Why Are Seed Oils Harmful? Part 1 25:27 Why Are Seed Oils Harmful? Part 2 31:05 Seed Oils Disrupt The Proper Functioning of Our Body Fat 32:39 Insulin Resistance, Mitochondria, & Metabolic Dysfunction 38:56 Population Data: The Impact of Seed Oils 42:22 The Controversy Around Cholesterol 51:26 High Cholesterol is Not Associated with Heart Disease 55:26 The Controversy of Ancel Keys and Saturated Fats 59:16 The Role of Seed Oils in Health 01:00:01 Where I Am On Seed Oils Right Now 01:04:34 Conclusion and Call to Action AI Overview In this conversation, Norbie Schickel explores the controversial topic of seed oils and their impact on health, particularly focusing on cholesterol. He discusses the arguments presented by Dr. Catherine Shanahan in her book 'Dark Calories', which challenges conventional wisdom about dietary fats and cholesterol. The conversation delves into the processing of seed oils, their potential toxicity, and the implications for chronic diseases and metabolic dysfunction. Schickel emphasizes the need for critical thinking and personal investigation into nutrition science, highlighting the importance of understanding the nuances of dietary choices.

3. 

   24 Sept 2025

   Ep 6 - Be Better In Your 40s Than Your 20s. Here's How.

   Is it all downhill after 40? Is it possible to get better with age? Not just wiser and wealthier, but strong, fitter and more resilient? I think so. In fact, I know it. Because that is exactly what happened for me. A happy accident? Good genetics? Cosmic forces? Maybe, but I'm not alone. This is happening all around us. Don't miss out. Check out this episode as I share five important lifestyle changes that set me up to be better in my 40s than in my 20s. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 05:53 1. Prioritize Getting Your Nutrition & Fitness Dialed In 27:19 2. Find Something To Improve In Outside of Work 33:08 3. Read Actual Books 37:33 4. Raise Children & Pay Attention 45:56 5. Remove the Armor & Confront the Fear 51:49 Conclusion AI Overview In this episode, Norbie Schickel discusses the myth that life declines after 40, sharing his personal experiences and insights on how to improve mental and physical performance with age. He emphasizes the importance of nutrition, fitness, and finding purpose beyond work, while also addressing the value of reading and raising children as means of self-improvement. The conversation encourages listeners to challenge conventional wisdom and embrace the potential for growth and vitality in their 40s and beyond. Norbie Schickel – Biography Norbie Schickel is a father, fitness enthusiast, equestrian, entrepreneur and the host of Unconditional. With a lifelong interest in subjects related to health, fitness, history, mindset and business, he started Unconditional to share his journey and passion for these subjects with the world

4. 

   17 Sept 2025

   Ep 5 - How Much Protein? Muscle Building, The Experts & The Animal Kingdom

   Are you confused by the conflicting dietary recommendations for protein intake? If so, this episode is for you. In this conversation, we dive into the world of social media’s favorite macro-nutrient, protein. This conversation considers multiple perspectives on dietary protein, ranging from government RDA to bro-science, to the animal kingdom and ancestral diets. How much protein is optimal? Is there such a thing as too much protein? We discuss these questions and much, much more. Chapters 00:00 The Rise of Protein Consumption 05:00 The Role of Protein in Weight Loss 07:51 Aesthetic Preferences and Social Media Impact 13:00 What Do The Experts Say? What Is The RDA For Protein 15:58 Animal Kingdom Insights on Protein Consumption 27:10 What Can Traditional Societies Tell Us About Protein? 28:05 Dr. Weston A Price & His Study Of Primitive Diets 35:54 Two Traditional High Protein Diets - The Masai & The Inuit 39:45 Traditional Societies Prioritized Organ Meats Over Muscle Meat 44:40 So, How Much Protein Should I Eat? Here's How I Think About It. Norbie Schickel – Biography Norbie Schickel is a father, fitness enthusiast, equestrian, entrepreneur and the host of Unconditional. With a lifelong interest in subjects related to health, fitness, history, mindset and business, he started Unconditional to share his journey and passion for these subjects with the world #selfimprovement #health #protein #selfimprovement #healthylifestyle #hypertrophy #musclebuilding

5. 

   17 Sept 2025

   Ep 4 - Unstoppable Mindset: How To Overcome Fear, Stress & Anxiety – Without Therapy or Meditation

   Today’s episode is on building an unstoppable mindset. Despite an objective decline in physical danger for the lives of most people, we have witnessed a rise in chronic fear, stress and anxiety in society. In this discussion, we discuss how the very nature of fear has evolved in our modern society, and how two common strategies, movement and meditation, can be effective, but have their limitations. Finally, we discuss powerful important questions that have been helping me to deal with fear, stress, and all negative emotions in the moment. Chapters 00:00 Welcoming Fear Into Your Life. Huh? 02:13 The Background For This Episode - Prep for Jonathan Haidt's Book 05:31 The Fears We Face In Modern Society Have Evolved 06:45 Two Typical Strategies - Movement & Meditation 07:05 Movement As A Solution To Chronic Stress & Fear 10:57 Meditation As A Solution For Chronic Stress & Fear 11:43 Limitations of Movement And Meditation to Combat Fear 12:34 Fear & Bravery Go Hand In Hand 15:08 All Fears & Stresses Are Highly Individual - To Judge Is A Mistake 15:24 Parable Of Bearing Your Cross - You Have No Idea 18:52 Powerful Question #1 - What Would I Do If I Weren't Afraid? 24:52 Powerful Question 2 - What Is This Moment In the Absence of Fear 28:56 Conclusion References & Recommended Reading The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt https://a.co/d/bzLYiCq (https://a.co/d/bzLYiCq) Norbie Schickel – Biography Norbie Schickel is a father, fitness enthusiast, equestrian, entrepreneur and the host of Unconditional. With a lifelong interest in subjects related to health, fitness, history, mindset and business, he started Unconditional to share his journey and passion for these subjects with the world #selfimprovement #mindset #mindfulness #meditation #motivation #healthylifestyle #podcast #health #anxietyrelief #fear

6. 

   9 Sept 2025

   Ep 2 - He Traveled The World to Unlock The Mystery of Perfect Health - Dr. Weston A Price - Part 1

   Part 1 of 2. This conversation delves into the life and work of Dr. Weston A. Price, a pioneering dentist and nutritionist who studied the health of isolated populations and their dietary practices. Dr. Price’s book, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration was written nearly 100 years ago and is as relevant today as it was when it was printed. It is one of the most important books on human health and nutrition every written and belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in optimal health, ancestral diets, or hunter gatherer diets. It explores the contrast between traditional diets and modern eating habits, highlighting the implications for dental and overall health. The discussion also addresses the historical context of Dr. Price's work, including racial theories and personal motivations that shaped his research. Through a comprehensive examination of his findings, the conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding dietary choices in relation to health outcomes. Chapters 00:00 Dr. Weston A Price: A Thought Experiment 03:53 Who Is Dr. Weston A Price? 09:28 The "Why" For This Conversation 11:00 Exploring the Health of Isolated Populations 13:12 Was Dr. Weston A Price Racist? 17:55 The Impact of Diet on Dental and Overall Health 30:08 The Primitive Diet & Tuberculosis 37:05 Understanding the Primitive Diet 43:21 The Modern Diet: A Comparative Analysis References & Recommended Reading Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Dr. Weston A Price https://a.co/d/jjFvRDm (https://a.co/d/jjFvRDm) Norbie Schickel – Biography Norbie Schickel is a father, fitness enthusiast, equestrian, entrepreneur and the host of Unconditional. With a lifelong interest in subjects related to health, fitness, history, mindset and business, he started Unconditional to share his journey and passion for these subjects with the world.

7. 

   9 Sept 2025

   Ep 3 - He Traveled The World to Unlock The Mystery of Perfect Health - Dr. Weston A Price - Part 2

   Part 2 of 2. We continue our conversation into the life and work of Dr. Weston A. Price, a pioneering dentist and nutritionist who studied the health of isolated populations and their dietary practices. Dr. Price’s book, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration was written nearly 100 years ago and is as relevant today as it was when it was printed. It is one of the most important books on human health and nutrition every written and belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in optimal health, ancestral diets, or hunter gatherer diets. In this episode we discuss Price's intervention diet, critiques of his research, and the lasting impact of his work on contemporary nutrition discussions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding Price's findings in the context of modern dietary practices and the relevance of his insights today. We also discuss some common errors that are made when discussing the work of Dr. Weston A Price, his views on plant based and vegan diets, as well as some of the limitations of his work. Chapters 00:00 Exploring Dr. Weston A. Price's Work 01:43 The Impact of Nutritional Interventions 04:22 Understanding the Intervention Diet 06:48 Results of Price's Study 08:25 Key Nutritional Insights from Price 10:37 The Role of Grains and Fermentation 13:11 The Importance of Vitamins and Minerals 17:09 The Significance of Seafood in Diets 23:21 Understanding Weston A. Price's Intervention Diet 29:42 The Surprising Absence of Cod Liver Oil 33:57 Protein Perspectives in Price's Work 42:06 The Role of Organ Meats in Nutrition 45:20 Exploring Weston A. Price's Views on Diets 52:27 Critiques and Oddities in Price's Work 01:01:03 Final Thoughts on Price's Contributions and Limitations References & Recommended Reading Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Dr. Weston A Price https://a.co/d/jjFvRDm (https://a.co/d/jjFvRDm) Norbie Schickel – Biography Norbie Schickel is a father, fitness enthusiast, equestrian, entrepreneur and the host of Unconditional. With a lifelong interest in subjects related to health, fitness, history, mindset and business, he started Unconditional to share his journey and passion for these subjects with the world.

8. 

   7 Sept 2025

   Ep 1 - He Saved Millions of Lives but Died in an Insane Asylum. This is Dr. Ignac Semmelweis.

   In this conversation, we get into one of the most remarkable stories in medicine and scientific discovery. That is the story of Ignac Semmelweis – a Hungarian-born medical doctor who is credited with discovering the importance of hand washing and a protocol for preventing childbed fever in the 1840s. But rather than being hailed as a hero, and the savior thousands and eventually millions of women, he is found dead, alone in an insane asylum just a few years later. Was Semmelweis a tragic hero, sacrificed on the altar of the scientific establishment who refused to see he genius? Or is there more to the story? Chapters 00:00 The Story of Ignaz Semmelweis 04:29 Understanding Childbed Fever 08:39 Historical Context of Medicine 13:25 Semmelweis's Unique Environment 17:53 Theories of Childbed Fever 27:34 Semmelweis's Discovery and Impact References & Recommended Reading The Doctors' Plague: Germs, Childbed Fever, and the Strange Story of Ignac Semmelweis https://a.co/d/2847r4o (https://a.co/d/2847r4o) Norbie Schickel – Biography Norbie Schickel is a father, fitness enthusiast, equestrian, entrepreneur and the host of Unconditional. With a lifelong interest in subjects related to health, fitness, history, mindset and business, he started Unconditional to share his journey and passion for these subjects with the world.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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