Dominic Chianese spent decades learning that real connection cannot be faked. Known for playing Uncle Junior on The Sopranos and for his role in The Godfather Part II, he joins Dr. Kavin Mistry on Primal Shots to talk about the life behind the performances.At 95, Dominic reflects on faith, family, acting, teaching, forgiveness, loss, and the importance of staying present.He shares how his grandfather taught him to sing from the heart, why a teacher once told him, “Maybe you shouldn’t be an actor,” and how learning to draw from his own life changed the way he performed. He also explains the role Al Pacino played in believing in his talent and opening doors early in his career.But some of the most personal moments have little to do with Hollywood.Dominic speaks candidly about his relationship with his son, learning to forgive himself, the legacy he hopes to leave, and why at this stage of life the little things matter most.His advice for younger generations is simple: stop rushing through life.Enjoy the coffee. Listen to the person in front of you. Stay in the moment.Because you can end up with thousands of pictures and very few moments.Primal Shots with Dr. Kavin Mistry explores what happens when conversations move from health into purpose, relationships, mortality, and what makes us human.Subscribe for more conversations from Primal Shots.Chapters:00:00 Al Pacino, authenticity, and living in the moment01:01 Meet Dominic Chianese03:00 Tension is the enemy: faith, relaxation, and life at 9512:13 Why young performers need to listen14:17 The teacher who rebelled against the curriculum25:22 The Sopranos, acting, and “you can’t fool the audience”36:24 Al Pacino, family, and learning to forgive yourself44:43 Mortality, legacy, and staying present at 95About Dr. Kavin Mistry, M.D.Dr. Kavin Mistry is a board-certified neuroradiologist, educator, and author of Primal Health Design: 7 Paradigms to Reverse Biological Age. His work blends neuroscience, medical imaging, and ancestral wisdom to help people reverse biological age, optimize healthspan, and live with greater clarity, energy, and purpose. Through grounded daily rituals and holistic lifestyle design, he empowers individuals to reconnect with their primal health intelligence.Follow Us on All Platforms:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dr.kavinmistry?igsh=MXFkMHNxdHI1ejk0LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavin-mistry-md/Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575613360306Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-of-mistry/id6786441215Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033I86z3ETNwR6Kj8SjbH9#PrimalShots #DominicChianese #TheSopranos

Does success still require a four-year degree?Ken Rusk, author of Blue Collar Cash, joins Dr. Kavin Mistry on Primal Shots to challenge the assumption that college and white-collar work are the only credible paths to a successful life.Ken started working as a ditch digger at 15. Instead of following a traditional college route, he learned by building businesses from the ground up and developed a philosophy centered on three things: comfort, peace, and freedom.In this conversation, Ken explains why skilled trades and service businesses may become increasingly valuable as technology and AI reshape work.They discuss:• Why society pushes so many young people toward college• The difference between credentials and capability• Why skilled trades can offer income, autonomy, and control• How Ken went from mowing lawns to building businesses• Why he replaces traditional “goals” with timed pathways• How to design your life before choosing your career• Why entrepreneurs can become the limiting factor in their own companies• How to build teams that think like owners• Why family, gratitude, and perspective matter more than status• What his daughter’s cancer journey taught him about living now• Why nobody is promised 90 years• The legacy Ken wants to leave for the next generationKen’s message is not that everyone should avoid college.It is that we should stop treating one path as the definition of ambition.If your occupation cannot help create the life you actually want, Ken believes it is worth questioning the path.Watch the full conversation with Ken Rusk on Primal Shots.Chapters: 00:00 Why are we forcing everyone into white-collar work?03:20 Comfort, peace, and freedom13:25 From ditch digger to entrepreneur18:37 The case for blue-collar careers27:56 Stop setting goals. Build timed pathways.39:53 Why entrepreneurs become their own ceiling47:32 What his daughter’s illness taught him about life53:39 Legacy, family, and helping the next person upAbout Dr. Kavin Mistry, M.D.Dr. Kavin Mistry is a board-certified neuroradiologist, educator, and author of Primal Health Design: 7 Paradigms to Reverse Biological Age. His work blends neuroscience, medical imaging, and ancestral wisdom to help people reverse biological age, optimize healthspan, and live with greater clarity, energy, and purpose. Through grounded daily rituals and holistic lifestyle design, he empowers individuals to reconnect with their primal health intelligence.Follow Us on All Platforms:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dr.kavinmistry?igsh=MXFkMHNxdHI1ejk0LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavin-mistry-md/Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575613360306Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-of-mistry/id6786441215Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033I86z3ETNwR6Kj8SjbH9#BlueCollarCash #SkilledTrades #CareerAdvice #Entrepreneurship #CollegeAlternatives #LifeDesign #Leadership #FutureOfWork

What happens when someone survives prison, loss, rejection, and violence, then chooses to spend his life pulling other people forward?Edwin Desamour joins Dr. Kavin Mistry on Primal Shots for a deeply personal conversation about second chances, grief, grit, fatherhood, community, mentorship, and the people who help us become more than the environment we were given.Edwin entered prison as a teenager.He describes prison as “a cemetery for the living” and says he came back from the dead to tell young people they do not want to go there.But this conversation is not only about where Edwin has been.It is about what he chose to build afterward.Today, Edwin works through Lighthouse 1893 to create opportunities for young people and expose them to experiences, mentors, environments, and possibilities that may exist far beyond the few blocks they know.Edwin and Dr. Kavin discuss:• How Edwin begins his day after losing a son• Holding grief and gratitude at the same time• The “invisible backpack” of trauma many young people carry• Why exposure can change what a child believes is possible• Why there is more to life than a three-block radius• How Edwin’s definition of status changed as he grew• The brutal prison boxing tryout that revealed his grit• Why having the right people in your corner matters• Why Edwin rejects the idea of being self-made• The people who opened doors for him after prison• How to find a tribe that pulls you forward• Why keeping your circle small can limit your growth• What Edwin learned about legacy from watching his own son• Why children often learn more from what we demonstrate than what we tell themOne of Edwin’s most powerful messages:“The worst thing to do is be dead while you’re alive.”And his advice to anyone standing at a crossroads:Evolve.Open the door.Ask questions.Meet people who can expand your world.Watch the full conversation with Edwin Desamour on Primal Shots.Educational and informational purposes only. This episode includes discussion of grief, violence, incarceration, trauma, and loss. It is not medical or mental health advice.Chapters:00:00 “The worst thing is to be dead while you’re alive”02:42 Grief, gratitude, and beginning the day05:40 The invisible backpack young people carry10:03 There is more to life than three blocks16:37 Prison boxing, blood, and discovering grit24:11 The people who pulled Edwin forward30:49 Fatherhood, legacy, and being the one who steps in34:11 Why keeping your circle small can hold you backAbout Dr. Kavin Mistry, M.D.Dr. Kavin Mistry is a board-certified neuroradiologist, educator, and author of Primal Health Design: 7 Paradigms to Reverse Biological Age. His work blends neuroscience, medical imaging, and ancestral wisdom to help people reverse biological age, optimize healthspan, and live with greater clarity, energy, and purpose. Through grounded daily rituals and holistic lifestyle design, he empowers individuals to reconnect with their primal health intelligence.Follow Us on All Platforms:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dr.kavinmistry?igsh=MXFkMHNxdHI1ejk0LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavin-mistry-md/Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575613360306Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-of-mistry/id6786441215Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033I86z3ETNwR6Kj8SjbH9#PrimalShots #EdwinDesamour #SecondChances

Why is it so difficult to slow down, stop reacting, and actually be present?Marcus Antebi, founder of Juice Press and Good Sugar, joins Dr. Kavin Mistry for a wide-ranging Primal Shots conversation about fear, meditation, the nervous system, childhood, human connection, self-examination, and why Marcus believes there is no shortcut to greater awareness.Marcus has spent decades examining his own mind through meditation, recovery, writing, entrepreneurship, relationships, and more than 2,000 skydives.His central message is simple:“There’s no hack.”The human mind is built to think, react, anticipate, compete, and protect.Marcus argues that the work is not to eliminate those impulses. It is to become aware enough to create space between the impulse and the reaction.Dr. Kavin and Marcus explore:• Why extreme experiences do not automatically make you present• The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems• Marcus’s morning writing and reflection practice• Why he begins each day by remembering that life is temporary• The difference between knowledge and lived experience• Why self-help may ultimately come down to observing the reactive mind• Fear, anxiety, and the human survival response• Why meditation can initially make the mind feel louder• The relationship between free will, instinct, and human adaptability• Why character develops through relationships• Tribe, generosity, loneliness, and belonging• How childhood experiences may shape adult patterns• Mortality and the danger of becoming overly attached to self-protection• Why stopping and asking “Am I breathing?” can be the beginning of meditationOne of Marcus’s simplest practices:Stop.Notice what is happening.Ask yourself, “Am I breathing?”Then create enough space to observe before reacting.As Marcus puts it:“If you stop and reflect, you’ve just begun meditation.”Watch the full Primal Shots conversation with Marcus Antebi and Dr. Kavin Mistry.Educational and informational purposes only. This conversation includes personal perspectives on mental health, meditation, trauma, and the nervous system and is not medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing significant distress or thoughts of harming yourself, seek support from a qualified professional or crisis service.Chapters:00:00 The human mind, distraction, and why there is no hack00:47 Meet Marcus Antebi03:08 Skydiving, presence, and the nervous system08:59 Marcus’s morning ritual and daily self-examination16:21 Focus, reactivity, and observing your own mind22:31 Fear, anxiety, and the human survival system30:18 Tribe, relationships, loneliness, and childhood41:15 Mortality, meditation, and the practice of stoppingAbout Dr. Kavin Mistry, M.D.Dr. Kavin Mistry is a board-certified neuroradiologist, educator, and author of Primal Health Design: 7 Paradigms to Reverse Biological Age. His work blends neuroscience, medical imaging, and ancestral wisdom to help people reverse biological age, optimize healthspan, and live with greater clarity, energy, and purpose. Through grounded daily rituals and holistic lifestyle design, he empowers individuals to reconnect with their primal health intelligence.Follow Us on All Platforms:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dr.kavinmistry?igsh=MXFkMHNxdHI1ejk0LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavin-mistry-md/Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575613360306Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-of-mistry/id6786441215Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033I86z3ETNwR6Kj8SjbH9#PrimalShots #MarcusAntebi #Mindfulness

Why do talented people sabotage themselves by trying too hard? Diane Gaary explains why authenticity is not something you simply find, but something you build through awareness, listening, self-kindness, and the ability to stop forcing performance.In this episode of Primal Shots, Dr. Kavin Mistry, MD sits down with Diane Gaary, a speech coach, acting coach, professor, and private performance coach, for a conversation about authentic voice, public speaking, performance anxiety, connection, creativity, body awareness, and what happens when passionate people push too hard.Diane works with actors, singers, musicians, Broadway performers, public speakers, students, professionals, and people learning how to use their voice and body with more ease. Her central message is simple but powerful:The harder you try, the worse it gets.Dr. Kavin and Diane explore why the body often knows when we are not being authentic, why wanting to be liked can make us act strangely, and why true performance is less about forcing the result and more about listening, receiving, and creating the right conditions for expression.They also discuss:• Why Diane says, “I don’t believe you can be yourself. I believe you build yourself.”• How authentic voice comes from listening• Why your body signals when you are not being authentic• How performers, speakers, and leaders can move beyond mechanics• Why preparation helps you “fly free”• The curse of passionate people giving 175 percent when 40 percent may work better• Why connection requires safety• How kindness toward yourself changes the way you work• Why creativity and joy are connected• What legacy means when your work lives through the people you touchThis episode is for performers, speakers, leaders, physicians, educators, students, creators, and anyone who wants to communicate with more authenticity, presence, and ease.Disclaimer: This conversation is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical, mental health, or professional advice. If you are struggling with emotional distress, self-harm, or thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact a qualified mental health professional or crisis support service immediately.Chapters: 00:00 The harder you try, the worse it gets00:40 Welcome to Primal Shots with Diane Gaary04:23 Morning rituals, presence, and building yourself12:59 Authentic voice, listening, and body signals19:30 Preparation, performance, and flying free24:34 Expression, agency, and why everyone deserves to be heard36:27 The curse of trying too hard47:38 Connection, safety, legacy, and self-kindnessAbout Dr. Kavin Mistry, M.D.Dr. Kavin Mistry is a board-certified neuroradiologist, educator, and author of Primal Health Design: 7 Paradigms to Reverse Biological Age. His work blends neuroscience, medical imaging, and ancestral wisdom to help people reverse biological age, optimize healthspan, and live with greater clarity, energy, and purpose. Through grounded daily rituals and holistic lifestyle design, he empowers individuals to reconnect with their primal health intelligence.Follow Us on All Platforms:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dr.kavinmistry?igsh=MXFkMHNxdHI1ejk0LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavin-mistry-md/Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575613360306Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-of-mistry/id6786441215Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033I86z3ETNwR6Kj8SjbH9#PrimalShots #Authenticity #PublicSpeaking

What does it really take to turn a food idea, family recipe, or supplement concept into a real product?

In this episode of Primal Shots, Dr. Kavin Mistry, MD sits down with Don Rogers of PTM Food for a conversation about the future of food, functional beverages, protein, creatine, wellness trends, product formulation, and what separates lasting brands from trend-chasing ideas.

As the shots move from grounding to focus, endurance, tribal, and cosmic, Dr. Kavin and Don explore the deeper ingredients behind successful health and wellness brands: clarity, people, passion, resilience, simplicity, and mission.

Don shares what he sees from inside the food formulation industry, including why protein is being incorporated into more products, why creatine is becoming a bigger conversation, how founders can avoid overcomplicating their products, and why “when the passion is gone, so is the innovation.”

This episode is for founders, creators, health entrepreneurs, CPG brands, wellness professionals, and anyone interested in where food, supplementation, healthspan, and proactive wellness are heading.

Chapters:
00:00 Food, protein, creatine, and primal living
00:42 Welcome to Primal Shots with Don Rogers
01:29 The grounding shot and wellness trends
08:11 The focus shot and functional food innovation
17:55 The endurance shot and founder friction points
27:06 The tribal shot and building the right team
36:04 The cosmic shot, legacy, and the future of health
50:53 Rapid fire and Don’s advice for founders

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making changes to your health, nutrition, or supplement routine.

#PrimalShots
#FoodInnovation
#DrKavinMistry

Cliona shares how Napoleon Hill’s teachings shaped her morning routine, her coaching philosophy, and her work helping people clarify their goals, vision, and purpose. Together, Dr. Kavin and Cliona explore the power of gratitude, silent meditation, meaningful goals, intuition, community, and the deeper reason people keep going when the path gets difficult.

The episode also moves into an emotional conversation about legacy, including Cliona’s work with the Tiny Home Foundation and Keys of Her Own, an initiative designed to support women, single mothers, and women escaping abuse with transformational homes and resources.

As always on Primal Shots, the journey moves from the ground to the cosmos. As the shots get healthier, the questions get deeper.

Chapters:
00:00 Cold open: The paycheck, purpose, and giving your gifts away
00:42 Welcome to Primal Shots with Cliona O’Hara
01:29 The grounding shot and beginning with presence
03:49 Cliona’s 5:30 AM self-discipline camp
06:35 Gratitude, Creator’s Time, and morning intention
08:10 The focus shot and matcha for controlled focus
11:06 Goals, purpose, vision, and hypnosis
16:08 The endurance shot and why people quit
19:57 Burning desire and choosing the right goal
22:35 Dr. Kavin on leaving a title to follow his calling
27:45 The terror barrier and breaking through fear
28:43 The tribal shot and the mastermind principle
37:18 Authentic connection in the AI era
40:42 The cosmic shot and the bitter truth of finite life
43:27 Legacy, purpose, and what lives beyond us
46:11 Keys of Her Own and transformational homes for women
51:48 Rapid fire: Outwitting the Devil, meditation, and Bob Proctor
55:13 Cliona’s final message: give your gifts away

Watch the full episode for a meaningful conversation on personal growth, purpose, leadership, legacy, and how to follow the calling that keeps returning to your heart.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice.



About Dr. Kavin Mistry, M.D.
Dr. Kavin Mistry is a board-certified neuroradiologist, educator, and author of Primal Health Design: 7 Paradigms to Reverse Biological Age. His work blends neuroscience, medical imaging, and ancestral wisdom to help people reverse biological age, optimize healthspan, and live with greater clarity, energy, and purpose. Through grounded daily rituals and holistic lifestyle design, he empowers individuals to reconnect with their primal health intelligence.

Follow Us on All Platforms:
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dr.kavinmistry?igsh=MXFkMHNxdHI1ejk0
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavin-mistry-md/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575613360306
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-of-mistry/id6786441215
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033I86z3ETNwR6Kj8SjbH9

#PrimalShots #ClionaOHara #NapoleonHill

In this episode of Primal Shots, Dr. Kavin Mistry, MD sits down with Charles Levin, author, publisher, and founder of Munn Avenue Press, for a conversation about books, legacy, focus, purpose, and the stories we leave behind.

Charlie helped bring Dr. Kavin’s book, Primal Health Design, to life. In this conversation, they explore why writing a book can become more than a creative project. It can become a turning point, a mirror, a vehicle for connection, and a legacy item for future generations.

Together, they discuss Charlie’s morning routine, the role of journaling, staying focused in a distracted world, helping authors bring their vision to life, the power of kindness in business, and why books can preserve the lessons, stories, and meaning we hope to pass forward.

As always on Primal Shots, the journey moves from the ground to the cosmos. As the shots get healthier, the questions get deeper.

Chapters:
00:00 Cold open: Writing a book changed my life
00:52 Welcome to Primal Shots with Charles Levin
02:26 The grounding shot and Charlie’s morning routine
06:02 Journaling, clarity, and the birth of Munn Avenue Press
08:52 How publishing changed Dr. Kavin’s life
10:42 The focus shot and digital distraction
15:41 Books that serve a greater good
19:46 The meaning shot and what drives Charlie
22:35 Kindness as a guiding value
27:40 The tribal shot and building the right ecosystem
34:33 Relationships, purpose, and the real reward of writing a book
40:25 The cosmic shot and what we leave behind
42:49 Books as legacy items
49:54 Charlie’s advice for anyone who wants to write a book
52:08 Final reflections

Watch the full episode for a thoughtful conversation on publishing, storytelling, legacy, and why the book you keep delaying may be the one that changes your life.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

About Dr. Kavin Mistry, M.D.
Dr. Kavin Mistry is a board-certified neuroradiologist, educator, and author of Primal Health Design: 7 Paradigms to Reverse Biological Age. His work blends neuroscience, medical imaging, and ancestral wisdom to help people reverse biological age, optimize healthspan, and live with greater clarity, energy, and purpose. Through grounded daily rituals and holistic lifestyle design, he empowers individuals to reconnect with their primal health intelligence.

Follow Us on All Platforms:
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dr.kavinmistry?igsh=MXFkMHNxdHI1ejk0
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/kavin-mistry-md/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575613360306
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-of-mistry/id6786441215
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033I86z3ETNwR6Kj8SjbH9

#PrimalShots
#CharlesLevin
#WritingABook