From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Lena: Hey there, fellow fitness enthusiasts! Ever been in the middle of a great run when suddenly—ow!—that sharp, stabbing pain hits you right in the side?
Miles: Oh, the dreaded side stitch! I've definitely been there, Lena. You're cruising along, feeling great, and then bam—you're doubled over, wondering what on earth just happened.
Lena: Exactly! And it always seems to happen at the worst possible time, like during a race or when you're trying to push through that last mile. What's fascinating is that according to research, about 70 percent of runners report experiencing a side stitch in a single year. That's a lot of people clutching their sides!
Miles: It really is. And what's interesting is that while most of us have experienced them, there's still debate about what exactly causes them. Some researchers think it's diaphragm spasms, others believe it's related to irritation in the abdominal cavity lining.
Lena: I've always wondered if it had something to do with what I ate before running. Is that actually a thing?
Miles: You're onto something there! Eating too close to exercise is definitely a factor. When your body is trying to digest food and simultaneously divert blood to your working muscles, your diaphragm can end up short-changed and start to cramp. Let's dive into what's actually happening in your body when that painful stitch strikes and how you can prevent it from ruining your next workout.