In today’s world, there’s an interesting juxtaposition between constant (and often necessary) use of technology coupled with conversations around unplugging. In this episode, we dive into digital detoxing, why everyone suddenly wants a flip phone, and how our nervous systems are begging for boundaries. From nostalgic phone memories to the psychology of being “always on,” we’re asking: can we ever truly unplug? (Spoiler: you don’t have to throw your phone in the ocean… but we get it.)

This episode covers:

• 05:48 - Tea & Crumpets: Tokyo Disney & Sunrise On The Reaping
• 10:47 - Step Into My Office: Setting tech boundaries while working from home
• 15:43 - The DSM: Digital Detox + Unplugging
• 39:41 - Now That's What I Call...OKAAAAY!
• 42:32 - Val's Pick: "All You Wanted" by Michelle Branch
• 44:06 - Em's Pick: "Two Ghosts" by Harry Styles
• 44:23 - Wait...What? - The concept of “reheating nachos
• 46:46 - Fire Dumpster Phoenix: Clarksville, TN 4 year old saves her daycare teacher’s life & an 81-year-old waitress said she couldn’t retire, so a stranger raised over $300K for her

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Sunrise On The Reaping
• Business of Apps Push Notifications Statistics of 2025
• How Multitasking Drains Us
• All You Wanted by Michelle Branch
• LOVE/HATE LIST by DREAM BABY PRESS
• Two Ghosts- Harry Styles
• Clarksville, TN 4 year old saves her daycare teacher’s life
• An 81-year-old waitress said she couldn’t retire, so a stranger raised over $300K for her

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG: @valkaymartin
• The Gaia Center website:

In this episode, we have our first installment of a special new mini series titled Living Your Activism. In this series, we're talking to activists and advocates across a wide variety of missions and passions about how they found their thing, what they do to stay grounded and connected with joy amidst all the chaos in the world, and what it means to truly live their activism, not just as a checkbox or some burnout inducing giant commitment, but as something that's interwoven throughout their life in a nourishing, sustainable way.

Our guest for this first installment is Ella Magers, MSW, a holistic fitness rebel on a mission to ignite fierce compassion and revolutionize what it means to be healthy and fit.

She’s a thought-leader, professional speaker, podcast host, and the dynamic creator and host of the Evolution of Fitness with Ella YouTube show—a space where strength meets soul and transformation goes way beyond the physical.

Vegan since 1995, Ella holds a Master’s in Social Work and is a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, and food freedom coach. With over two decades of experience in the wellness space, she’s helped thousands break free from toxic diet culture, rewire self-sabotaging patterns, and build powerful, plant-strong bodies they love living in.

Ella is a former bikini bodybuilding champion and lifelong athlete who blends mindset, movement, and plant-based nutrition into transformational coaching that sticks. She was named one of the world’s top trainers by Bodybuilding.com and Shape Magazine, and serves on the board of Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary.

Based in Miami Beach, you’ll find her training, teaching, filming, and adventuring with her beloved rescue chihuahua, Fiona.

This episode covers:

• 01:39 - Tea & Crumpets: Emerson’s experience with trying hair glossing
• 05:07 - Step Into My Office: Can seasonal depression happen in summer?
• 10:26 - Living Your Activism Interview with Ella Magers
• 40:46 - Fire Dumpster Phoenix: A triple organ transplant recipient met with his donors family

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Triple organ transplant recipient meets with donors family

Connect with Ella Magers:

• Website: https://www.ellamagers.com
• IG: @sexyfitvegan

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG: @valkaymartin
• The Gaia Center website:...