The Two Microbiome Pandemics NO ONE Is Talking About + How To Heal Both | Ian Somerhalder

In this episode, I sit down with Ian Somerhalder, environmental activist, entrepreneur, and storyteller, to discuss the profound connection between gut health and soil health. Ian shares his powerful journey—from rural Louisiana to launching global regenerative agriculture campaigns—and how we can reclaim our health and planet by going back to the land. We dive into Kiss the Ground, Common Ground, his new supplement company, and how he’s helping spark the biggest shift in agriculture and wellness in history. This is more than a podcast—it’s a wake-up call

Ian Somerhalder, best known for his role in The Vampire Diaries, co-founded The Absorption Company in early 2024 with his wife, Nikki Reed. The company creates supplements made with highly bioavailable nutrients and groundbreaking absorption technology—designed to solve one of the biggest issues in the industry: nutrient absorption. Somerhalder’s passion for wellness runs deep and extends beyond the brand, fueled by his commitment to regenerative agriculture and environmental restoration. He’s also the producer of the documentaries Kiss the Ground and Common Ground, which spotlight the power of soil health to heal the planet. With The Absorption Company, Somerhalder is bringing his vision full circle—where better health and a better planet go hand in hand.

A few of my favorite things we cover in this episode: 

•  How Ian’s childhood in rural Louisiana shaped his passion for nature, sustainability, and Eastern medicine
• The story behind his family ancestry, and how his roots inform his work today
• How his mom introduced him to aromatherapy, massage therapy, and nutrition in the early '80s
• Why the health of the soil is directly connected to the health of the human gut
• His work with Kiss the Ground, Common Ground, and building a regenerative agriculture movement
• The launch of 50 million acres of regenerative farmland and what it means for carbon capture
• The mission behind his supplement brand, The Absorption Company, and why 84% of supplements aren’t absorbed
• The corruption of the agricultural system, agrochemical influence on policy, and the need for transparent nutrition
• How regenerative farming could reindustrialize Middle America and transform underserved communities
• His perspective on leaving acting to pursue entrepreneurship and environmental advocacy full-time

Links to things we talked about in this episode: 

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Happy listening and we hope you learned a little bit more on the art of being well!

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In Health,

Dr. Will Cole