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BloomScrolling, Robot Dogs & a Tribute to My Dad | Tola Talks – Ep 356

Are you tired of doomscrolling? It’s time to start BloomScrolling!

On today’s episode of Tola Talks, I explore this positive social media trend that encourages us to replace negativity with uplifting, educational, and inspiring content. Plus, discover the rise of robot dogs and the surprising new job of walking them for $20 an hour! I also share my thoughts on The Social Reckoning and why being intentional about what we consume online can make a difference in our mental well-being.

Today’s episode is especially personal. October 28 marks two years since I lost my father, Francis “Richie the Barber” Tola. In a heartfelt tribute, I share unforgettable childhood memories of baseball lessons, swimming competitions, a trip to the University of Pennsylvania at age 14, and the importance of representing the family. These stories celebrate a father whose passion, discipline, and belief in his son helped shape the man I have become.

Join me for a mix of technology, healthy living, life lessons, and a moving tribute to a great Dad. Rest in peace, Francis Tola. You are missed and never forgotten.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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World Series Ticket Controversy, 25 Years of the iPod & 3 Horror Classics | Tola Talks – Ep 355

Happy Friday! It’s October 23, 2026, and I’m back with another episode of Tola Talks, covering sports, technology, classic horror films, and healthy living.

⚾ World Series Ticket Controversy: Milwaukee Brewers fans are trying to cash in on their so-called timeless tickets, but are they getting the seats they expected? 🎵 25 Years of the iPod: Celebrating Steve Jobs and the device that changed how we listen to music. 👻 National Horror Movie Day: I revisit three legendary horror films — The Exorcist, Halloween, and The Shining — plus a fun pick, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

We also check in on my ABC’s of healthy living: All-Body Workout, Blissful Sleep, and Colorful Diet. Plus, three Tola Takeaways to help you stay active, connect with your community, and respect other people’s opinions.

Have an awesome weekend everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Data Centers in Your Neighborhood: The Pros, Cons & What You Need to Know | Tola Talks – Ep 354

Are data centers good for your neighborhood—or could they cost you more than you think?

On today’s Tola Talks, I break down the pros and cons of data centers, from job creation, tax revenue, and technology investment to noise pollution, water consumption, rising electricity costs, and potential impacts on home values. If a data center is coming to your community, these are the questions you need to ask before it’s too late!

Plus, are independent voters on the rise? I also discuss the latest Gallup polling on Democrats, Republicans, and independents, including how Americans view the two major parties and whether they’re becoming too extreme. With the midterm elections approaching, where do you stand?

Have an awesome National Apple Day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Oregon School Shooting, No Livestream Executions & 15-Minute Workouts | Tola Talks – Ep 353

A tragedy in Oregon, a hero who stepped in, and why some things should never be live-streamed. On today’s Tola Talks, I discuss school shootings, capital punishment, National Sports Day, and the importance of keeping an open mind—even when we disagree.

Plus, I share my simple strategy for fitting a workout into a busy schedule: 15 minutes a day, right at home! Learn five basic strength-training exercises, hear a personal story from my days as a substitute teacher, and discover why the ABC’s of healthy living—All-Body Workout, Blissful Sleep, and Colorful Diet—are the foundation for feeling your best.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Bankruptcies Are Soaring, Columbus Day & The Hidden Danger in Your Bathroom! | Tola Talks – Ep 352

Bankruptcies are on the rise, Christopher Columbus’s legacy sparks debate, and toilet plume could be spreading germs throughout your bathroom!

On today’s Tola Talks, I cover personal finance, Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and simple ways to improve bathroom hygiene. Plus, get your daily ABC’s: All-body Workout, Blissful Sleep, and Colorful Diet.

Three Tola Takeaways: Respect your ABC’s, reach out to someone, and keep an open mind!

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Joe Rogan’s $250 Million Deal, Firing Squads & How to Lose the Spare Tire | Tola Talks – Ep 351

Joe Rogan just signed a new multi-year Spotify deal reportedly worth $250 million! On this Friday edition of Tola Talks, I dive into the biggest stories of the day, from celebrity podcast success and capital punishment, to losing that pesky spare tire and the future of public education.

🎙️ WHAT’S COOKING TODAY?

🔥 Joe Rogan’s $250 Million Deal — What makes The Joe Rogan Experience so successful? I discuss Rogan’s massive new deal, his incredible audience, and the importance of maintaining creative freedom.

⚖️ Capital Punishment & the Firing Squad — I share my personal perspective on the death penalty, drawing on a heartbreaking family tragedy and discussing the difficult questions surrounding justice, accountability, and consequences.

💪 How to Lose That Pesky Spare Tire — Want to manage your weight and stay accountable? I share practical advice inspired by a conversation at the gym, including his philosophy of daily weigh-ins, staying within a 5-pound weight range, making smarter food choices, and replacing traditional bread with protein bread. These ideas connect to Step 3 of my book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth — Love the Scale!

📚 Public Education, AI & the Future of Work — I examine reported math and reading proficiency figures for Indianapolis Public Schools students and explores the role of artificial intelligence, the importance of education, and opportunities in skilled trades and blue-collar careers.

Have an awesome day and amazing weekend everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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What Does Success Really Mean? | Tola Talks – Ep 350

What does success really mean? Is success about money, fame, status, and the freedom to say “F you” to the world? Or is it something deeper?

In this special Sunday edition of Tola Talks, I reflect on a conversation with a 23-year-old guy at the gym, another conversation with an older, wealthy man, and the very different ways they define success. This is also my 350th Tola Talks episode over 12 years—and it got me thinking about what really matters as we get older.

For me, success comes down to three things: Mind. Body. Spirit.

A clear and developed mind.
A strong and healthy body.
An evolved and loving spirit.

Money can make life easier. Fame can feel good. Status can open doors. But when you reach the end of your life, are those really the things you’ll wish you had more of?

I’ll share why I believe discipline, health, learning, kindness, presence, and doing the right thing are ultimately a better measure of success than the size of your bank account.

And for the younger people watching: you don’t get there overnight. You get there one workout, one decision, and one day at a time.

89 days left in the year. How many workouts are you going to get in?

My answer: 89.

Get your workout in. Stay present. Keep your mind sharp. Keep your body strong. Keep your spirit evolving. Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Capital Punishment: When Justice Meets Personal Tragedy | Tola Talks – Ep 349

Do you believe in capital punishment? And if so, which method would you choose—lethal injection, electrocution, or firing squad?

On today’s Tola Talks, I share my personal position on the death penalty and explain how a devastating family tragedy shaped the way I think about murder, justice, punishment, and accountability. I also discuss the recent case of Christa Pike, whose execution attempt in Tennessee drew renewed attention to the debate over lethal injection and the death penalty. This isn’t just a discussion about politics or statistics. It’s about what happens when an issue becomes personal—and how our own experiences can shape what we believe.

Plus, I cover my ABC’s: All-body workout, Blissful sleep, and Colorful diet, and finish with my three Tola Takeaways:

1) Respect your ABC’s every day.

2) Pick up the phone and call someone—don’t just text.

3) Be open-minded and respect that others may see things differently.

Have an awesome weekend everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Believe It. Then Know It. | Tola Talks – Ep 348

Believing in yourself is where change begins—but knowing you can do it is where real transformation happens.

In today’s episode, we continue our conversation about mindset, consistency, and drinking from the Fountain of Youth, with a reading from Step 29 of my book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth.

The message is simple: you can’t just believe change is going to happen—you have to build the habits, small victories, and mindset that make you know it’s already happening.

I also talk about my daily ABC’s: All-Body Workout, Blissful Sleep, and Colorful Diet, and why consistency matters even on the days when you don’t feel your best.

Finally, I share a few powerful lessons and quotes from Theodore Roosevelt, Venus Williams, and Sir Edmund Hillary, along with a reminder inspired by Kobe Bryant: sometimes you have to create the mindset first, then live it until it becomes who you are.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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The Fat-Burning Mindset: Change Your Normal | Tola Talks – Ep 347

What happens after you lose the weight? That’s the question we dive into today.

On today’s Tola Talks, I explore what it really means to embrace a fat-burning mindset and why creating a new psychological “normal” can be just as important as the actions themselves.

Drawing from Step 21 of my book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth, I break down six simple ways to build more movement and healthier choices into your everyday routine:

  1. Walk whenever possible
  2. Take the stairs
  3. Stand when it’s safe and appropriate
  4. Exercise every day
  5. Eat less, especially unhealthy foods
  6. Drink less, especially sugary drinks and other high-calorie beverages

I also discuss homeostasis—our tendency to return to familiar patterns—and share a powerful analogy about repeatedly walking across a grassy field to explain why old habits can be so difficult to break.

The message is simple: changing your body starts with changing your conditioning. Build the habits you want to become your new normal, reinforce them every day, and stay consistent.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency, conditioning, and believing you can change.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R