Category: Lifestyle

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Be a Warrior! on Tola Talks – Ep #222

In this conversation, Rich Tola reflects on the past year, discusses the importance of reading and education, and shares insights on upcoming movies for 2026. He emphasizes the warrior mindset and life lessons drawn from films like ‘Peaceful Warrior’ and ‘Lost in Translation’, as well as gives his review of the new Timothee Chalamet film, ‘Marty Supreme’. Tola also encourages listeners to make good choices as they enter the new year.

Watch now and discover: → It’s time to refocus, recenter and wipe the slate clean for the New Year. → Reading books is crucial for child development – children with access to books complete 3 more years education than those who don’t (have access to books). → The warrior mindset is about peaceful positivity and accountability for your actions. → Make good choices and make it about the journey, not the destination → Movies can provide valuable life lessons, while 2026 is set to be a great year for movies!

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How to slow down time! on Tola Talks – Ep #221

In this conversation, Rich Tola reflects on the importance of slowing down time, especially as the year comes to a close. He discusses personal accomplishments, the psychology of time perception, and how experiences of awe can enhance our sense of time. Tola emphasizes the significance of mindfulness and setting intentions for the new year, sharing his personal goals for health and well-being.

Watch now and discover: → Take time to reflect on your accomplishments. → Setting intentions for the new year can guide personal growth. → Physical and psychological well-being are interconnected. → A varied life filled with unique experiences can stretch our perception of time. → Experiencing awe can help slow down our perception of time, while Mindfulness is the key to enjoying the present moment.

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Is Year-Round School Better for Everyone? on Tola Talks – Ep #220

In this episode of Tola Talks, Rich Tola reflects on the holiday season, shares a movie review of ‘The Housemaid’, and discusses the pros and cons of year-round schooling. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the potential benefits of a year-round school system while also addressing the challenges it may present.

Watch now and discover: → Rich reflects on his holiday food hangover and weight goals, while celebrating his 30th livestream show. → Audience ratings for ‘The Housemaid’ were mixed, with a B grade from moviegoers. → Amanda Seyfried’s performance in ‘The Housemaid’ was highlighted as a standout, while Sydney Sweeney’s love scene is worth it for all her admiring fans – young and old. → Year-round schooling may be costlier, but could also reduce learning loss for students. → Rich believes that year-round schooling will lead to better learning outcomes and should be implemented, just like the 10% of schools nationwide that already subscribe to a year-round plan.

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Should Students Wear Uniforms? Tola Talks – Ep #218

In today’s Tola Talks, Rich Tola discusses various topics including the significance of the winter solstice, celebrates the achievements of the Texas A&M volleyball team, and delves into the controversial subject of school uniforms. He presents both the pros and cons of implementing uniforms in public schools, sharing personal insights and experiences from his time as a teacher. The conversation concludes with reflections on the importance of discipline and the challenges of enforcing rules in educational settings.

Watch now and discover: → Celebrating achievements in sports fosters community spirit. → School uniforms can promote equality among students, while reducing peer pressure and bullying. → Uniforms can save time in the morning for students, while also creating a cost burden for families. → Uniforms may not effectively address issues of individuality. → Enforcement of rules is crucial for the success of uniform policies.

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📘 Feature Book: The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher by Rich Tola

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Top 7 Foods that Age your Brain on Tola Talks – Ep #217

In today’s Tola Talks, Rich Tola explores various themes including health, fitness, and nutrition, while also reflecting on current events and providing a movie review. He discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly as one ages, and shares insights on the worst foods that can negatively impact brain health. Additionally, he reviews the new film, ‘Dust Bunny’, starring Mads Mikkelsen and Sophia Sloan, offering his thoughts on its entertainment value and suitability for audiences.

Watch now and discover: → Rich discusses the significance of food choices on brain health as one ages. → He highlights seven specific foods that can age the brain and suggests avoiding them. → He reflects on current events, including social issues and volleyball highlights. → He reviews the movie ‘Dust Bunny’, sharing both positive and critical perspectives. → Rich encourages listeners to engage with the content and share their thoughts.

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Top 5 Trending Slang Words on Tola Talks – Ep #215

In today’s Tola Talks, Rich discusses the top five trending slang words of 2025, exploring their meanings and cultural significance. The conversation begins with a light-hearted introduction and transitions into a detailed examination of each slang term, including ’67’, ‘girly pop’, ‘Chad’, ‘rage bait’, and the dead rose emoji. Tola also provides context and examples for each term, reflecting on their origins and usage in contemporary language. The episode concludes with a shout-out to his threo favorite women’s volleyball teams, Purdue, Indiana and Nebraska, emphasizing community and support.

Watch now and discover: → The slang ’67’ is a nonsensical expression popular among teens. → ‘Girly pop’ is an affectionate term that can refer to anyone. → ‘Chad’ has evolved from a stereotype to a more positive term. → ‘Rage bait’ refers to provocative online content designed to elicit anger. → The dead rose emoji signifies heartbreak and has gained popularity recently.

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Breaking Free from Bad Habits on Tola Talks – Ep #212

On today’s Tola Talks, Rich discusses the concept of bad habits and the 10 best ways to quit them. Rich also compares the concept of bad habits to the works of pioneering economists, Adam Smith and Milton Friedman, and compares them to bad habits in two distinct ways: 1) individuals are driven by self-interest and thus, self-enjoyment, and 2) there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Rich also emphasizes the importance of desire, self-discipline, perseverance, fortitude and belief in oneself, as the foundation for quitting bad habits. He explores their psychological impact and offers practical strategies for quitting them, including the significance of support systems, positive thinking, and self-correction in the journey towards embracing healthier, good habits, over bad ones.

Watch now and discover: → Bad habits can be changed with desire and discipline, while understanding their nature is crucial. → It’s important to embrace the struggle of change. → Support from friends and family is essential in overcoming bad habits, as is positive thinking. → Recognizing the euphoria from bad habits helps in understanding them. → Self-correction is key to maintaining good habits while overcoming bad habits.

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50 Rules of Badassery on Tola Talks – Ep #206

Today Tola Talks about my 50 Rules of Badassery while exploring the themes of personal growth and how to stay positive, the transformative power of hypnotherapy, and the journey of overcoming addiction. The discussion emphasizes the belief that the universe supports individuals in their quest for self-improvement and highlights the importance of commitment and support in the recovery process.

Watch now and discover: → Transformation is a continuous process, not a one-time event. → Embracing change is essential for personal development. → The journey of self-improvement is unique for everyone. → Personal growth often requires facing and overcoming challenges. → The universe is conspiring for your highest good in every area of your life.

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Eat to Lose Weight on Tola Talks – Ep #205

In this episode, Tola Talks about the theme of ‘more is bad’ versus ‘less is good’ when it come to losing weight, focusing on good health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. The show also includes a Birthday shout-out to Danny DeVito while reflecting on the media’s influence through cinema, plus a review of the new Glen Powell film, Running Man. When it comes to dieting and weight loss, Rich debunks the 12 common myths about healthy eating, with practical tips for maintaining a balanced diet. Most importantly, Tola emphasizes the importance of ‘eating less’ while still enjoying your favorite foods, with insights on how to approach healthy eating without feeling deprived.

Watch now and discover: → You can enjoy your favorite foods while eating less. → Eating less is key to managing weight effectively. → It’s okay to feel hungry; it means you’re burning calories. → Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive, and can be simple and straightforward. → Debunking myths about gluten-free and vegetarian diets.

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Baby Boomers Beware on Tola Talks – Ep #193

In this episode of Tola Talks, we discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by baby boomers, emphasizing the importance of purpose in life. We also explore health concerns, particularly strokes, and share the Top 10 preventive measures. There’s also a quick movie review of the 1997 thriller ‘Con Air’ starring Nicholas Cage, plus a shout-out celebration of Taylor Swift’s new 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, highlighting the impact her of music across generations – especially the Elementary School kids I taught.

Thanks for tuning in, and as always, get your workout in! Peace – R