The Pain Factor
By: A Project Fourtress Podcast
Language: en-us
Categories: Health, Fitness, Mental, Medicine
What is pain? Where does it come from? Is there anything we can do to control it, overcome it, even leverage it?This podcast is a comprehensive exploration of physical, mental, and emotional pain. Through shared information, personal narratives, and professional insight, we aim to understand this complex reality.We want to be clear: this is not a self-help podcast. It is about fostering accountability while maintaining a human approach to sensitive issues. Religion, mysticism and positive thinking are things we purposefully, and adamantly, distance ourselves from. Before facing the challenge, we get to know it better. This is what t...
Episodes
TPF #16: Lisa Franz - A Life to Love
Jan 09, 2026In this conversation, Lisa Franz, a nutrition coach and trainer, discusses the multifaceted nature of pain and its impact on life quality, particularly in relation to nutrition and weight loss. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the deeper sources of pain, the role of shame and motivation in weight loss, and the necessity of consistency in achieving long-term health goals. Lisa shares her personal journey from a life of discomfort to one of fulfillment, encouraging listeners to embrace discomfort as a part of growth and to strive for a life they love.
You can learn more about...
Duration: 00:52:53TPF #15: Judy Gaman - Pain, balance and being at peace
Jan 02, 2026Judy Gaman is the CEO of Executive Medicine of Texas, an award-winning author, speaker, and host of the Stay Young America! Podcast
In this conversation, she shares her insights on pain, its management, and the interconnectedness of emotional and physical health. With over 25 years in the healthcare industry, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing pain as a valid experience and understanding its origins.
You can learn more about Judy's work and journey at https://www.judygaman.com/
The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.
Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist...
Duration: 00:55:41TPF #14: Darkness and Light
Nov 21, 2025In this episode of TPF, we explore the interaction between darkness and light. We discuss how true victory isn't about eliminating darkness entirely, but about understanding how to navigate and "walk on" it. The conversation concludes by challenging the fear of shadows, reframing them as the ultimate indicator of brightness.
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...
Duration: 00:11:35TPF #13: Pain and Noise
Nov 14, 2025On this episode of TPF, we explore how constant external noise—coming from news, social media, and other people's endless chatter—distracts us from our goals. We examine how this relentless input debilitates our minds and bodies, ultimately worsening our pain.
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.
Duration: 00:16:33TPF #12: Flatlines
Nov 07, 2025On this episode of The Pain Factor, we analyze the "electrocardiogram" of our lives. Are we truly living, or merely existing? We explore the inseparable link between pain and change: recognizing that growth demands discomfort, advancement requires concession, and lasting relief can only be found by facing the pain head-on.
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...
Duration: 00:14:25TPF #11: A Life to Love
Oct 31, 2025What does it mean to create a life you love when you're also living with constant pain? This idea can feel impossible, and even condescending.
On this episode of TPF, we dig into the motivations behind this powerful question and explore the difficult reality of pursuing joy amidst mental, physical, or emotional struggles. How can you practically build a fulfilling life, one detail at a time, when it feels like everything is working against you?
We'll discuss how a deeper understanding of the details and organization of your life can provide a path forward.
<... Duration: 00:20:06TPF #10: Painkillers
Oct 24, 2025On this episode of TPF, we take a respite to stop and contemplate what the one thing in your daily life that calms you down and brings you deep joy is. What offers a quiet reprieve from the everyday struggle? This week on, we take a moment to consider that question. We’ll analyze why finding your source of peace, your "painkiller" is so important and how consistently focusing on it can change your life.
The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.
Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to th...
Duration: 00:18:24TPF #9: Pain and Psychological Therapy
Oct 17, 2025Ready to stop making excuses? On this episode of TPF, we challenge you to face a simple question: Have you truly considered therapy, or have you simply dismissed it? We cut through the common myths and excuses to reveal why it’s a powerful tool for change, and why now is the time to bet on yourself instead of flat-out dismissing this powerful option for personal growth to start taking action and build a better future for yourself.
The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.
Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to fi...
Duration: 00:18:18TPF #8: Pain and Toxic Positivity
Oct 10, 2025On this episode of TPF, we challenge the myth of relentless positivity. We'll discuss how forced optimism can invalidate our struggles, sabotage our plans, and paralyze us from moving forward. This isn't about just wishing for a better future—it's about building one, starting now.
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.
Duration: 00:18:10TPF #7: Pain and asking for help
Oct 03, 2025This episode of TPF is about taking action. We dive into the struggle of admitting you need help and taking the courageous step to ask for it. We’ll examine the demands of modern life, the fear of public judgment, the anxiety of being exposed and discover how to build resilience and create powerful, positive change.
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 le...
Duration: 00:17:39TPF #6: Super Pill
Sep 26, 2025In this episode of TPF, we're diving into a topic that, while potentially uncomfortable, is supported by scientific evidence. Instead of pointing fingers, we'll get honest about the common reasons and excuses people use to avoid confronting the effectiveness of this "super pill," and look for accurate answers to some tough questions.
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...
Duration: 00:23:28TPF #5: Pain and the distractions of garbage
Sep 19, 2025In this episode of TPF, we confront a frustrating reality: how wasting time can intensify our pain. In a society where distraction has become the norm rather than the exception, we must ask ourselves which habits we need to shed and which we need to cultivate if we truly want to grow, improve ourselves, and break free from painful realities.
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...
Duration: 00:19:27TPF #4: Depression: The Relentless Beast
Sep 12, 2025In this episode of TPF, we explore the impact and the extent of control that depression can have over our lives. We also examine external factors, such as ignorance and stigma, that amplify our struggle with depression. Toward the end, we confront a pressing question: Is pain an inevitable consequence for those who battle with depression?
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...
Duration: 00:18:37TPF #3: The Useful Aspects of Pain
Sep 05, 2025In this episode of TPF, we explore pain from an unconventional perspective: How can pain be helpful? Yes, you read that right—pain can serve a purpose, even though it may seem counterintuitive at first. Are there opportunities or situations where we can harness pain for our benefit? While this episode doesn't advocate glorifying pain, it is dedicated to examining how it can function as a messenger and a valuable tool in our growth and healing.
The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.
Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to...
Duration: 00:18:35TPF #2: The Negative Aspects of Pain
Aug 29, 2025In this episode of TPF, we delve into some adverse aspects of pain. Emotions such as fear and guilt, along with others, can serve as formidable foes—burdening us with weight and crushing us down. Our goal? Exploring meaningful insights and discover ways to confront and transcend these emotional challenges.
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 vi...
Duration: 00:22:20TPF #1: What is Pain?
Aug 22, 2025In this episode of TPF, we embark on a journey to explore our relationship with pain by delving into some fundamental concepts. We discuss the basics of physical, mental, and emotional pain, highlighting their key distinctions. While this chapter may appear somewhat "technical," it serves to lay the groundwork for the episodes that will follow.
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 m...
Duration: 00:21:51TPF #0: Welcome to the TPF podcast
Aug 15, 2025On this episode of TPF, I welcome you and explain in some detail what we will be discussing and learning, as well as what the plans and goals for the future are. I've always been a strong believer in talking, in communicating and learning, so it only made sense to establish a channel through which I could do that: talk and communicate.
So, come join us on this adventure that will help us explore The Pain Factor.
The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.
Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated...
Duration: 00:14:04