What happened in this episode?
Ed Mylett interviews tapping proponent Nick Ortner about Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), which Ortner describes as tapping on specific points while focusing on a stressor. Ortner argues the practice sends a “calming signal” to the brain and body, and he contrasts it with approaches that attempt to “think positive” without first engaging negative emotions. Mylett and Ortner discuss whether tapping is merely distraction; Ortner cites purported “sham tapping” trials (tapping on the “wrong” points) as evidence of point-specific effects, though no study details are provided in the episode.
A substantial section is devoted to live demonstrations. Ortner guides an on-air tapping session with Mylett’s team member (identified as Thomas) around stress, self-criticism and feeling pressured by responsibilities. Thomas reports a drop in intensity from “nine” to around “one” after two rounds. Later, Ortner leads listeners through a short, generalised five-minute routine, during which Mylett says he feels his breath deepen and reports reduced overwhelm.
Ortner also makes performance and physiology claims, saying tapping can quickly spike heart rate variability (HRV) based on his use of consumer HRV sensors, and that it affects the vagus nerve. He further claims his app has logged “18 million” measured sessions and says he is discussing that data set with researchers linked to Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard. Ortner promotes his book, Rewired, and The Tapping Solution app, and says Tony Robbins is the app’s only outside investor and donates proceeds from a 2% stake to hunger-relief causes.
