EP. 2: “What’s the Meaning of Life?” with Rick Alan Ross, leading cult expert, author and media consultant

On this episode, we explore life's alluring question, "What’s the Meaning of Life?,” with Rick Alan Ross – a prominent figure and expert in the study of destructive cults and controversial movements like Jonestown, NXIVM and Heaven’s Gate. A cult intervention specialist, media consultant and court expert who testifies in high-profile cult-related legal cases, Rick shares how his life’s work – educating people about destructive cults – gives him, and others, important meaning. Author of the well-researched, resourceful book, “Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out," Rick shares how he was introduced to a destructive cult at his grandmother’s nursing home, and offers stimulating facts, deep truths and personal experiences that illustrate how people who join cults aren’t the only ones seeking a greater purpose in this world. Learn more about what a cult is – and why meaning and logical thinking are critical in our modern world – in this special episode of “We’re Not Blowing Hot Air."

Do us a solid and smash a subscribe, share or 5-star rating button for the show. That way more people can elevate their mental wellness as they explore some of life’s biggest, most important questions with remarkable and fascinating guests.

Oxygen Plus powers “We’re Not Blowing Hot Air.” Nice Guy Creative Services is our producer, and brought the beats. Lesley Blennerhassett is designer. Lauren Carlstrom is creator and host. Arlene Appelbaum is editor.

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Listen to the full episode, where we explore life's pivotal question "What Is Love?" with Rick Ringbakk – an accomplished television director and producer who received two primetime Emmys for his work on "The Amazing Race."  Rick explains how he sees love, and how all of us can create love in our own lives, as he shares about his past and present family and career. Rick’s expertise spans from wildlife documentaries to reality competitions and game shows, having produced over 1,000 hours of programming for major networks like NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, Discovery, MTV, TNT, and TBS. An only child from a small, tightknit family, Rick has been married for more than 20 years to, as he says, “the only girl I’ve ever loved.” Learn more about love – how to create it and live it – in this special episode of “We’re Not Blowing Hot Air.”

Catch Oxygen Plus at @oxygenplus on TikTok and Instagram

On this episode, we explore life's pivotal question "What Is Love?" with Rick Ringbakk – an accomplished television director and producer who received two primetime Emmys for his work on "The Amazing Race."  Rick explains how he sees love, and how all of us can create love in our own lives, as he shares about his past and present family and career. Rick’s expertise spans from wildlife documentaries to reality competitions and game shows, having produced over 1,000 hours of programming for major networks like NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, Discovery, MTV, TNT, and TBS. An only child from a small, tight-knit family, Rick has been married for more than 20 years to, as he says, “the only girl I’ve ever loved.” Learn more about love – how to create it and live it – in this special episode of “We’re Not Blowing Hot Air.” 

Do us a solid and smash a subscribe, share or rating button for the show. That way more people can elevate their mental wellness as they explore some of life’s biggest, most important questions with remarkable and fascinating guests. 

Oxygen Plus powers “We’re Not Blowing Hot Air.” Nice Guy Creative Services is our producer, and brought the beats. Lesley Blennerhassett is designer. Lauren Carlstrom is creator and host. Arlene Appelbaum is editor. 

About Rick Ringbakk:

Rick Ringbakk is a highly respected, creative and accomplished television developer, director and producer, having filmed in more than 80 countries across six continents. His expertise spans from wildlife documentaries to reality competitions and game shows, having produced over 1,000 hours of programming for major networks like NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, Discovery, MTV, TNT, and TBS. Notably, he received two primetime Emmys for his work on "The Amazing Race." An only child from a small, tight-knit family, Rick has been married for more than 20 years to, as he says, “the only girl I’ve ever loved.” Together with his wife, Promise LaMarco Ringbakk, they adopted their daughter, Music, at birth. Music has Down Syndrome, autism, is legally blind and “is the greatest thing ever!” A Florida native, Rick recently returned to the Sunshine State after a long stint in Los Angeles. Regardless of his location, Rick lives for his family, friends, laughter, and his passions—creative endeavors, travel, the ocean and live music!

Catch Oxygen Plus at @oxygenplus on TikTok and Instagram

During the fourth season of “We’re Not Blowing Hot Air,” we’ll focus on mental wellness as we explore some of life’s biggest, most important questions. Each month, chosen experts across a variety of disciplines, will answer fascinating questions of the human heart. We’ll learn intricacies of “What is Love?” with a TV producer; “Must I Fear Death?” with an authority in psychedelics; and “What Must I Know About Power?” with someone who’s been around the blockchain. Veteran "We’re Not Blowing Hot Air" host, Lauren Carlstrom, and her experts, will offer a fresh perspective on age-old questions. You can expect a colorful, curious exploration of this beautiful thing called Life. 

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After you have mastered a zone of apposition (ZOA) during exhalation, you must be able to maintain it.  Dr. Sarah Petrich reviews the ZOA and the diaphragm biomechanics during the breathing cycle. She then demonstrates three exercises that train the ZOA and strengthen one’s ability to acquire and maintain the ZOA with the coordination of the abdominal muscles.

The adduction drop test and apical expansion tests were used with permission from the Postural Restoration Institute®.

About Sarah Petrich, PT, DPT, PRC, NCPT:

As a specialist in Postural Restoration, Pilates, & Dance Medicine, Dr. Sarah Petrich provides physical therapy and Pilates training focusing on re-balancing posture, alignment and breathing for patients and wellness clients. When not in the clinic or on zoom, she's often traveling around the nation teaching educational courses to healthcare professionals, Pilates instructors and other movement specialists. You can find her and her courses on her website www.sarahpetrich.com or on Instagram at @drsarahpetrich.

Catch Oxygen Plus at @oxygenplus on TikTok and Instagram

In order to have good diaphragm mechanics on inhalation, you must first master exhalation and be able to acquire a “zone of apposition” (or ZOA).  Dr. Sarah Petrich defines what a ZOA is, and the corresponding diaphragm biomechanics.

The adduction drop test and apical expansion tests were used with permission from the Postural Restoration Institute®.

About Sarah Petrich, PT, DPT, PRC, NCPT: 

As a specialist in Postural Restoration, Pilates, & Dance Medicine, Dr. Sarah Petrich provides physical therapy and Pilates training focusing on re-balancing posture, alignment and breathing for patients and wellness clients. When not in the clinic or on zoom, she's often traveling around the nation teaching educational courses to healthcare professionals, Pilates instructors and other movement specialists. You can find her and her courses on her website www.sarahpetrich.com or on Instagram at @drsarahpetrich.

Catch Oxygen Plus at @oxygenplus on TikTok and Instagram

Dr. Sarah Petrich takes us through airflow and diaphragm mechanics of belly breathing, and why it is not the best way to breathe for posture or spine alignment.  She explains the best way to breathe utilizes your core and diaphragm simultaneously for proper posture and spine decompression.

About Sarah Petrich, PT, DPT, PRC, NCPT: 

As a specialist in Postural Restoration, Pilates, & Dance Medicine, Dr. Sarah Petrich provides physical therapy and Pilates training focusing on re-balancing posture, alignment and breathing for patients and wellness clients. When not in the clinic or on zoom, she's often traveling around the nation teaching educational courses to healthcare professionals, Pilates instructors and other movement specialists. You can find her and her courses on her website www.sarahpetrich.com or on Instagram at @drsarahpetrich.

Catch Oxygen Plus at @oxygenplus on TikTok and Instagram

Dr. Sarah Petrich demonstrates the tests she uses in the clinic to assess breathing mechanics and imbalances for her patients. She also explains how shoulder and hip motion can also be affected by poor breathing. See Part 1 for “Visual Signs Your Breathing Posture Is Impaired.

The adduction drop test and apical expansion tests were used with permission from the Postural Restoration Institute®.

About Sarah Petrich, PT, DPT, PRC, NCPT:

As a specialist in Postural Restoration, Pilates, & Dance Medicine, Dr. Sarah Petrich provides physical therapy and Pilates training focusing on re-balancing posture, alignment and breathing for patients and wellness clients. When not in the clinic or on zoom, she's often traveling around the nation teaching educational courses to healthcare professionals, Pilates instructors and other movement specialists. You can find her and her courses on her website www.sarahpetrich.com or on Instagram at @drsarahpetrich.

Catch Oxygen Plus at @oxygenplus on TikTok and Instagram

Dr. Sarah Petrich shares how your posture can hold clues or signs that your breath is impaired or unbalanced.  See Part 2 for “Objective Tests” Your Breathing Posture Is Impaired.

About Sarah Petrich, PT, DPT, PRC, NCPT:

As a specialist in Postural Restoration, Pilates, & Dance Medicine, Dr. Sarah Petrich provides physical therapy and Pilates training focusing on re-balancing posture, alignment and breathing for patients and wellness clients. When not in the clinic or on zoom, she's often traveling around the nation teaching educational courses to healthcare professionals, Pilates instructors and other movement specialists. You can find her and her courses on her website www.sarahpetrich.com or on Instagram at @drsarahpetrich.

Catch Oxygen Plus at @oxygenplus on TikTok and Instagram

Get ready for a two-part series from Dr. Sarah Petrich on how to tell if your breathing posture – that's how you hold yourself when you breathe – is impaired or optimal.  Optimal breathing posture allows you to breathe and function at your peak! 

Breathing series includes: 

Part 1 of 2: “Visual Signs Your Breathing Posture Is Impaired"
Part 2 of 2: “Objective Tests Your Breathing Posture Is Impaired"

About Sarah Petrich, PT, DPT, PRC, NCPT: 

As a specialist in Postural Restoration, Pilates, & Dance Medicine, Dr. Sarah Petrich provides physical therapy and Pilates training focusing on re-balancing posture, alignment and breathing for patients and wellness clients. When not in the clinic or on zoom, she's often traveling around the nation teaching educational courses to healthcare professionals, Pilates instructors and other movement specialists. You can find her and her courses on her website www.sarahpetrich.com or on Instagram at @drsarahpetrich.

Catch Oxygen Plus at @oxygenplus on TikTok and Instagram