Who Thought We'd Be Here?
Both seeking answers from the Universe as they turned 30, co-hosts and longtime pals Steven Aigner and John Pugh found themselves improving in ways their younger and much more wild selves could have never seen coming. They began conquering and healing their past selves with unfamiliar mindfulness tools like meditation, yoga, breath-work, journaling, reading transformative books, and experimenting with mind expanding remedies.
Ignited by a passion to help others struggling with complex problems of their own and a desire to create a new narrative surrounding men's mental health in today's modern society, they created their first collaborative podcast "Who Thought We'd Be Here?" This podcast is all about exploring the boundless potential within ourselves, and to inspire each and every one of us to be fearless in our own unique human experience.
Their goal is to make mindfulness more accessible for folks all around the world, and express the genuine benefits of redesigning your life in a more thoughtful way.
We'd love for you to join us on this spiritual journey, as we try to shine a little light into what it really and truly means to be a good human in this Universe.
NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!!!
A mental health podcast with two guys who never would have thought they'd be here podcasting. Hosted by Steven Aigner (@_itssteve__) & John Pugh (@jay_pugh).
Find all of our full length episodes and content here:
https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod
Who Thought We'd Be Here?
The MOST Masculine Thing You Can Do: OPEN Up Your Heart & STOP Hiding From Yourself w/ Federico Fridman | EP068
In this powerful and heart-centered episode, we sit down with Federico Fridman, co-founder of Cacao Lab, to explore how plants, fatherhood, and men’s work transformed his relationship with himself and the world around him.
Federico shares how ceremonial cacao went from a personal healing practice to a thriving business built with his sister and rooted in ancestral connection. He opens up about what it means to lead as a man today — one who holds space, embraces softness, and unlearns shame — all while navigating the real-life challenges of entrepreneurship, emotional growth, and fatherhood.
This episode is an honest look at how we break cycles, find purpose, and choose presence — even when life doesn’t go as planned.
Whether you're curious about cacao, evolving as a leader, or simply trying to show up more fully in your life, this conversation is a beautiful starting point.
Join Federico's Men's circle and other mindful events at Kelta here: https://www.kelta.life/events
Support Cacao Lab Here: https://www.instagram.com/cacaolaboratory/ https://cacaolaboratory.com/
And watch our episode with Federico's partner Taylor Lyons here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMWk3V0MoAY&t=880s
00:00 – Intro: What ceremonial cacao really is and why it matters
05:20 – Building a business rooted in ancestral respect & family healing
12:00 – From personal ritual to a global cacao brand
17:40 – Men's circles: creating space for honesty, softness & safety
22:00 – How fatherhood shifted everything emotionally & spiritually
30:50 – Burnout, boundaries & showing up as a leader who’s still healing
38:50 – Sobriety, ceremony, and the joy that came after nightlife
46:30 – The moment Federico found out he was becoming a father
52:50 – Identity, roots, and building a life between Argentina & upstate NY
59:00 – Legacy, love, and preparing for what's next
01:10:30 – Final reflections & where to connect with Federico
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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!
"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.
https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod
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