Nancy Deyo is a former Silicon Valley CEO, author and speaker, and a Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute Fellow. Her forthcoming memoir, Perilous Ascent, chronicles a fifteen-year journey through misdiagnosis, chronic pain, opioid dependence, mania, and a marriage pushed to its limits.​

In this episode, Nancy shares her 15-year journey through chronic pain, opioid dependence, and personal transformation after a life-changing Kilimanjaro climb. Discover insights on pain, resilience, and redefining success beyond failure.

Follow Nancy:

• on Substack: "Life inside pain" - @nancydeyo

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Dr. Jess Armine is a functional medicine practitioner with nearly 50 years of clinical experience. He specializes in Long COVID, post-viral syndromes, and complex chronic illness. His work focuses on mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and nervous system imbalance, helping patients recover when conventional approaches fall short. He’s also a researcher, educator, and podcast host dedicated to translating complex science into practical healing strategies.

In this insightful interview, Dr. Jess Armine shares his extensive experience in functional medicine, focusing on chronic illness, pain management, and the importance of understanding the body's systems. Discover how a holistic, individualized approach can transform health and recovery.

Follow Dr. Jess Armine:

• on Instagram: #drjessarmine724
• on Facebook: facebook.com/jess.armine.2025
• on YouTube: youtube.com/@DrJessArmine

Learn more about Dr. Armine's work at www.drjessarmine.com.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Brian Desroches, PhD, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, neuroscientist, and author of Living a Triggered Free Life.

In this eye-opening episode, Brian DesRoches reveals how your brain’s survival bias keeps you stuck in self-sabotage, anxiety, and old habits—and how, with specific techniques, you can harness neuroscience to create lasting change. You’ll discover how emotional memories—both past and “of the future”—shape your reactions and why triggers aren’t just random, but neural networks stored deep in your brain.

Purchase Brian's book here.

Learn more about Brian's work at www.briandesroches.com.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Linda Feig Knipe has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the State University of UNY at Potsdam, and a Master's Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study in Counselor Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She's also the author of “Braving Therapy”, a compelling memoir about the Triumphant Journey Over PTSD, where she delves into the profound journey of healing and self discovery.

In this conversation, Linda Feig Knipe shares her profound journey through trauma and therapy, discussing the complexities of PTSD, the importance of finding the right therapist, and the challenges of addressing mental health issues. She emphasizes the need for vulnerability in therapy, the distinction between pain and suffering, and the significance of self-compassion in the healing process. Linda's insights provide a roadmap for those navigating their own journeys of healing and self-discovery.

Follow Linda:

• on Instagram: #l._feig_knipe
• on Facebook: facebook.com/linda.z.knipe

Learn more about Asher's work at feigknipe.com.

Purchase Linda's book here.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Asher Lester is a Certified 3rd Degree Krav Maga black belt instructor, with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis. He is also a breathing/meditation coach with 10 certifications in those fields

In this conversation, Gustavo and Asher explore the complex relationship between pain, fear, and personal growth. Asher shares his journey through trauma and how it shaped his understanding of pain as a necessary part of life. They discuss the importance of facing challenges, the concept of voluntary suffering, and how mindfulness and meditation can help manage pain and uncertainty. The conversation emphasizes that growth cannot occur without experiencing discomfort and that resilience is built through consistent effort and facing fears head-on.

Follow Asher:

• on Instagram: #nervousapes
• on Facebook: facebook.com/nervousapes

Learn more about Asher's work at www.nervousapes.com.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Leigh Brandon is a CHEK (Corrective, Holistic, Exercise, and Kinesiology) Practitioner and Faculty Instructor, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Manual Therapist, Emotion Code Practitioner and the author and host of "Beyond the Pain" Podcast. He has almost 30 years specializing in helping people overcome chronic pain by uncovering the root causes — whether structural, biochemical, emotional, or environmental — and guiding them through sustainable lifestyle change so they can become responsible for their own health.

In this conversation, Gustavo and Leigh explore the multifaceted nature of pain, emphasizing that it can be a gift that signals underlying issues. Leigh shares his extensive experience in helping individuals manage chronic pain through holistic approaches, including understanding the root causes, the importance of mindset, and the interplay between physical and emotional health. They discuss how societal conditioning often leads to a misunderstanding of pain, and how addressing both physical and emotional aspects can lead to effective pain management and recovery.

Follow Leigh:

• on Instagram: #beyondthepainpod
• on YouTube: @beyondthepainpodcast
• on X: Beyond the Pain

Learn more about Leigh's work at BodyCHECK.co.uy.

You can also download the Pain-Free Plate here.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Gwen Bernardo is a myofascial release therapist specializing in fascial health and chronic pain relief

In this episode of The Pain Factor, Gwen Bernardo shares her personal journey through chronic pain and the transformative power of myofascial release therapy. Gwen recounts her traumatic horseback riding accident in 2004, which led to years of physical and emotional pain. She discusses how pain can manifest from both physical trauma and emotional baggage, emphasizing the importance of understanding pain as a complex experience rather than merely a physical sensation. Through her own healing journey, Gwen discovered the profound impact of addressing the emotional aspects of pain, leading her to a breakthrough with myofascial release therapy that ultimately changed her life.

Follow Gwen on Instagram: #performancemfr

Learn more about Gwen at performancemfr.com.

Learn more about MRT at myofascialrelease.com.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Dr. Lynn Banis is a Doctor of Philosophy, with a PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She is also a Grief and Resilience Mentor, an Expert Transformational Coach, international best-selling author, and the founder and owner of Widows Rising Together, compassionate community dedicated to empowering widows as they navigate their new realities, provide unwavering support, foster resilience, and inspire transformation.

In this episode of The Pain Factor, Dr. Lynn Banis discusses the complexities of grief and the journey of healing. She shares her personal experiences of loss, having lost her mother, brother, and husband within a short span of time. She emphasizes that grief is not merely sadness but a disorienting experience that can leave individuals feeling lost and unsure of their identity. The discussion delves into the misconceptions surrounding grief, the role of guilt and shame, and the importance of accepting loss as a part of life. Dr. Banis advocates for a supportive approach to helping those in grief, highlighting the need for understanding rather than fixing, and the significance of simply being present for someone in pain.

Follow Dr. Banis:

• on Instagram: #banislynn
• on Facebook: facebook.com/lbanis
• on LinkedIn

Learn more about Widows Rising Together here.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.