Learn how to use your intuition to navigate life’s uncertainty and lead in a turbulent world with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, Icelandic author, filmmaker, and global thought leader on imagination, resilience, and inner wisdom. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore InnSaei—the Icelandic word for intuition—and how it can help us reconnect with ourselves in a noisy, fast-paced world.

We discuss topics such as emotional resilience, the decline of imagination in adulthood, Icelandic culture, leadership, and the neuroscience behind intuitive intelligence. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your inner voice or wondered how to use your intuition in times of change, this episode is for you.

About Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir:

Hrund is a multidisciplinary force—part artist, part systems thinker. She’s the co-director of the documentary InnSaei: The Power of Intuition, which aired globally on Netflix, and the author of the new book InnSaei. She’s held over 30 professional roles across the UN, arts, statistics, and innovation, and she brings Icelandic wisdom into conversations about global complexity and personal healing.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

What “InnSaei” really means and why it's more than just intuition

Why so many adults lose their imagination—and how to get it back

How journaling and stillness help you sharpen intuition

The neuroscience of emotional healing and intuitive insight

Why vulnerability is actually a leadership superpower

— Episode Chapter Big Ideas (timing may not be exact) —

00:00 – Intro: Why intuition matters more than ever

02:00 – Hrund’s book and the meaning behind the stunning cover

04:30 – Skiing in Iceland, connection to nature, and climate grief

11:30 – Losing the sparkle: Hrund’s personal low point and awakening

15:00 – What InnSaei really means in Icelandic (and in life)

19:00 – Education and the decline of imagination after age 5

23:45 – “Generalists,” ecosystem intelligence & breaking out of boxes

28:15 – Resilience, trauma, and trusting your inner compass

33:50 – Journaling: stream of consciousness vs. attention journaling

37:30 – How intuition improves leadership and emotional intelligence

41:15 – When intuition is domain-specific (and when it fails us)

45:00 – Science of intuitive breakthroughs (Nobel Prize study)

50:40 – Filming the InnSaei documentary across the globe

55:00 – Why success = alignment with your intuition

58:45 – Three practices to develop intuition today

1:02:10 – Where to find Hrund’s book, documentary, and more

— Key Quotes from Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir —

“To trust your intuition, you must first honor your own experiences and emotions.”

“Our imagination is just as valid a way of knowing as the news—maybe even more.”

“Intuition is a rhythm between doing and being. We need both to thrive.”

— Connect With Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir —

Website: https://hrundgunnsteinsdottir.com/

Book (INNSaei): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063430681/

Hrund’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKufhUZRJ1E

Follow Hrund on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrundgunnsteinsdottir/

Connect with Hrund on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrundgunnsteinsdottir/

— Connect with Julian and Executive Health —

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/

Ready to take your health, leadership, and performance to the next level? Book a complimentary private executive health diagnostic call with Julian Hayes II. Link below. https://calendly.com/julian-exechealth/chemistry

Website — https://www.executivehealth.io/

***DISCLAIMER: The information shared is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. This is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. The content here is not intended to replace your relationship with your doctor and/or medical practitioner.

Chris Burres is a scientist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of MyVitalC, best known for bringing ESS60—a purified form of Carbon 60—to the health and wellness world. In this episode, Chris shares how this NASA-researched and Nobel Prize-winning longevity molecule is making waves in the worlds of biohacking, recovery, and cellular health.

We dive into the science behind ESS60, how it supports your cells in managing oxidative stress, and what it means for energy, sleep, inflammation, and healthy aging. Chris also opens up about his surprising path to entrepreneurship, the value gleaned from improv comedy, and why optimizing your health is as much about consistency as innovation.

This episode is a must-listen if you're interested in cutting-edge wellness, performance, and the truth about supplements.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

What ESS60 is and how it differs from regular C60

Why NASA and scientists were originally interested in this molecule

How it works at the mitochondrial level to buffer oxidative stress

Real-world benefits users report, from sleep to energy to inflammation support

Chris's entrepreneurial journey and improv background

The critical importance of protein as you age

— Episode Chapter Big Ideas (timing may not be exact) —

00:00 – Introduction

00:53 – How Chris Burres got into improv and what it taught him about life & communication

07:08 – What is ESS60 and how did Chris discover it?

14:00 – The difference between C60 and ESS60 (and the supplement industry’s quality problem)

20:36 – Antioxidant mechanism explained: The BOSS Theory

28:24 – Can ESS60 help with inflammation and oxidative stress?

34:45 – The FDA, claims, and why language matters in supplements

37:49 – Alcohol, hangovers, and “party recovery”

39:27 – What it was like writing a book with a 2x NYT #1 bestselling author

43:16 – Chris’s current biohacking experiments: peptides, HCL, MOTC

49:20 – Ultra-endurance athletes using MyVitalC to recover

55:02 – Chris’s views on diet, protein, and aging

58:42 – Longevity, muscle retention, and avoiding the “standard American diet”

1:02:57 – What success really means to Chris

1:10:25 – Where to find Chris Burres and his special offer

— Key Quotes from Chris Burres —

"Success is boring. It’s doing the same small things over and over until they add up to something great.”

"I never thought a molecule used in batteries and tires would end up helping people sleep better and live longer.”

"Your only job in improv—and in life—is to make the other person look brilliant."

— Connect With Chris Burres —

Website (and Get $15 off): https://www.myvitalc.com/ehl/

Live Longer and Better book: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Longer-Better-Journey-Achievable/dp/B0CFCPVVH3

Live Longer and Better (signed book copy & part of proceeds go to Operation Underground Railroad): http://www.livelongerandbetterbook.com/

Podcast (Live Beyond The Norms): http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/myvitalc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MyVitalC/videos

— Connect with Julian and Executive Health —

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/

Ready to take your health, leadership, and performance to the next level? Book a complimentary private executive health diagnostic call with Julian Hayes II. Link below. https://calendly.com/julian-exechealth/chemistry

Website — https://www.executivehealth.io/

***DISCLAIMER: The information shared is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. This is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. The content here is not intended to replace your relationship with your doctor and/or medical practitioner.

In this episode, we uncover the hidden dangers of sleep deprivation and its overlooked impact on leadership, decision-making, and long-term performance. If you're a CEO, founder, or high-performing professional who believes sleep is optional, this is your wake-up call.

Julian explains the science of sleep, how it shapes executive function, and why your sleep habits may silently erode your leadership edge. Discover how strategic sleep can elevate your performance, sharpen your clarity, and future-proof your health.

You’ll also learn to measure your sleep like a high performer, use wearables and tech tools wisely, and develop habits that protect your edge, even during crises and travel.

— Episode Chapter Big Ideas (timing may not be exact) —

00:00 – Intro: Why CEOs can’t afford to sacrifice sleep

01:45 – Rethinking sleep as a strategic recalibration tool

02:30 – What actually happens in your brain during sleep

03:50 – The cost of sleep deprivation on judgment and decision-making

06:00 – Quality vs. quantity: The metrics that really matter

07:45 – 4 key sleep indicators for high-performing leaders

10:30 – Wearables and tools for tracking sleep effectively

14:25 – How to protect your sleep during a crisis (3-level protocol)

18:50 – Sleep and travel: Staying sharp on the road

20:55 – Delegation as a hidden driver of better sleep

22:32 – The 7 Sleep Habits of Highly Effective CEOs

26:40 – Final message: Sleep as leadership leverage

27:45 – Invitation to book a 1:1 health and performance session

— Key Quotes —

"Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a leverage tool that is severely underutilized by leaders.”

"Every hour of missed sleep can drop cognitive performance by 2.4%. That’s the difference between a billion-dollar decision and a million-dollar mistake.”

"Don’t chase perfection. Chase consistency. Sleep like a leader, not a martyr."

— Connect with Julian and Executive Health —

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/

Ready to take your health, leadership, and performance to the next level? Book a complimentary private executive health diagnostic call with Julian Hayes II. Link below. https://calendly.com/julian-exechealth/chemistry

Website — https://www.executivehealth.io/

***DISCLAIMER: The information shared is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. This is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. The content here is not intended to replace your relationship with your doctor and/or medical practitioner.