Matt interviews several friends of the podcast at post-run coffee about their favorite natural high of 2025 and what natural highs they're looking forward to in 2026. The "cold open" of the episode is literally a cold open, as Matt goes surfing on his birthday in Manasquan, NJ. at sunrise. We hope this episode helps you reflect on your favorite natural high of the year and inspires you to be "dauntless" in 2026!

Finishing a marathon is a natural high, perhaps the most well documented of its type. This episode we have the podcast's very own Steve Blumenthal, finishing his first marathon in Philadelphia. Steve battled a head cold and nagging self-doubt but emerged triumphant in his quest! Congrats to Steve on an impressive effort. Matt also recounts nearly losing the footage and the natural high of celebrating his wife's 50th birthday. Jump to 7:51 to get right to the interview.

The idea for the Better High Pod started while I was biking along the side my wife's Saturday morning run club. I noticed how open the runners, many of whom did not know me at all, were with opening up to me. The 45-mintue runs felt a lot like an intake interview at the beginning of a therapeutic relationship. This episode features Alex Windrem, a New Jersey native, youth lacrosse coach and fellow pizza lover. Alex opened up about a range of range of mental health struggles on the run without any hesitation.
Also in the episode, Matt talks about his son turning 16 and speaking at his wife's alma mater.