Founder’s Story, Ep 295: The Founder Who Turns Your Body Heat Into Healing Light — "It Goes 2 Inches Deep"

Guest: Seth Casden, Founder of Hologenix (makers of Salient Health Tech)
Host: Daniel, IBH Media
Date: December 29, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daniel welcomes Seth Casden, founder of Hologenix—the company behind the innovative Salient technology, a textile tech that converts body heat into therapeutic infrared energy. They dive into the journey of integrating health and wellness into daily life through clothing and bedding, exploring the science, skepticism, business decisions, and the personal philosophies that drive Seth as an entrepreneur. The conversation also touches on the broader context of the longevity and biohacking movement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin and Concept of Salient Technology

[01:35–03:11]

• Seth’s entry into the field was sparked by his fascination with science and human physiology, and his admiration for David Hornick—the inventor behind the technology.
• As an athlete and health enthusiast, Seth was attracted by how naturally-occurring minerals could optimize human bodies through everyday items.
• The core idea: use minerals in textiles to capture and reflect the body’s energy as infrared light.

Quote:
"We're basically delivering health and wellness to the body through textiles, through everyday apparel and bedding and sleep products. So it's been a great journey." — Seth [02:05]

2. How the Technology Works

[03:06–04:02]

• The body emits about 100 watts of energy per second, most of which dissipates.
• Salient’s embedded minerals capture that heat and convert it into far-infrared light, redirecting it back into the body.
• Infrared penetrates up to around 4 centimeters (2+ inches), enhancing circulation and blood flow.
• There are 11 published studies documenting Salient's physiological benefits.

Quote:
"The minerals naturally convert heat to light, and they put that light in the infrared spectrum back into our body, which improves circulation and blood flow." — Seth [03:11]

3. Acceptance, Skepticism, and Scientific Validation

[04:02–05:10]

• Early on, there was skepticism about the concept—especially since the mechanism isn’t visible.
• Over time, the field of photobiomodulation has gained credibility: 10,000+ published papers, 125,000+ subjects studied.
• The biohacking and longevity community, in particular, has embraced infrared technology as a mainstream concept.

Quote:
"Now we're at a place of fairly wide acceptance, if not universal." — Seth [04:21]

4. Impact on Recovery, Sleep, and Performance

[05:10–06:54]

• Seth shares his personal story of rapid post-surgical healing using Salient wraps.
• Notable effects observed in animals (horses, dogs, cats), where placebo effect isn’t possible.
• Customers have reported reduced need for pain meds and visible mobility improvements in both people and pets.

Memorable Moment:
Daniel jokes about needing a Salient pillow and brace for his “Rice Krispie Treat” knees, highlighting the appeal for everyday ailments. [06:44]

Quote:
"I had a Bristow procedure on my shoulder...using salient as a wrap...I could really actually feel and perceive the increase in circulation, blood flow. My doctor thought I had healed very quickly relative to what the average is." — Seth [05:40]

5. Sleep as the Ultimate Recovery Tool

[06:54–07:17]

• Salient's innovation also targets sleep: their pillow and sheets enhance restorative sleep by increasing circulation overnight.
• Daniel notes common sleep struggles among entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of recovery.

Quote:
"When we go to sleep, that's really the longest period we have for recovery...increasing circulation while you're sleeping really provides a wonderful benefit for restorative sleep." — Seth [06:54]

6. Strategic Shift: Licensing to Direct-to-Consumer

[07:17–09:00]

• Hologenix has collaborated with brands like Under Armour, Decathlon, Puma, and New Balance.
• Despite significant retail sales, public awareness of infrared tech remained low.
• The company pivoted to selling directly to consumers to control the narrative and educate users.
• Launches include the Dream Pillow and new sheets.

Quote:
"Despite really over a billion dollars at retail, very, very little brand awareness, very little consumer understanding of infrared...So we thought the best way was to launch our own brand and tell our own story directly to the consumer." — Seth [07:45]

7. The Rise of Wearable and Measurable Wellness Tech

[09:00–10:45]

• Biohacking is exploding ("billions of dollars now")—wearables and wellness textiles are integral.
• Advances allow for precise measurement (e.g., mitochondrial health, heart rate variability).
• Salient integrates seamlessly with daily routines, boosting health without major lifestyle changes.

Quote:
"You can use these devices to actually see how you're improving. And so...it helps to lift us up and to show the consumer that, you know, this is part of your routine." — Seth [09:26]

8. Lessons in Leadership and Entrepreneurship

[10:45–13:43]

• Seth values small, passionate teams over corporate environments.
• This is his fourth company—he emphasizes perseverance, reframing failure as redirection.
• Long-term fulfillment comes from enjoying the work and team, not just the product outcome.

Quote:
"Perseverance...not really losing my spirit or my hope just because something that I started out initially didn't work or the work the way I wanted it to." — Seth [12:22]

9. Critical Entrepreneurial Traits

[13:43–15:17]

• Instead of a single vital trait, Seth highlights the absence of cynicism and negativity:
  • Skepticism disguised as "realism" can kill possibilities.
  • Fixed mindsets prevent founders from envisioning new paths.

Quote:
"Things never worked until they worked...Just because it hasn't worked to that point isn't any reason to think that it can't be different in the future." — Seth [14:20]

10. Emotional Detachment from Company Identity

[15:17–17:11]

• Seth draws a line between his self-worth and company outcomes.
• By not over-identifying with the business, he’s able to weather setbacks more resiliently.

Quote:
"My identity is who I am and the efforts that I put in. And I don't really measure my success from the output. I measure it from the input and what I put into it and the sincerity and the integrity of my work." — Seth [15:32]

11. Vision for the Future & Openness to Opportunity

[17:18–19:19]

• Seth stays open: could sell, keep running the company, or move into advising—no rigid plan.
• His broad experience in global business development and supply chain could translate to future roles.

Quote:
"I try not to have an expectation, and that tends to keep you open to more possibilities." — Seth [17:47]

12. Lessons in Value Over Price

[19:19–20:58]

• Seth recounts a real estate deal that taught him the value of certainty over a potentially better (but less secure) offer.

Quote:
"A lot of times it's about the better deal, not evaluated from more money, but from more certainty." — Seth [19:50]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "We're all batteries. We're giving off about 100 watts of energy every second, just having this constant conversation." — Seth [03:11]
• "I had a Bristow procedure on my shoulder...my doctor thought I had healed very quickly relative to what the average is." — Seth [05:40]
• "Things never worked until they worked...Just because it hasn't worked to that point isn't any reason to think that it can't be different in the future." — Seth [14:20]
• Daniel’s humor about his “Rice Krispie Treat” knees [06:44], showing the everyday appeal and accessibility of the product.

Key Takeaways

• Wearable health technology, especially infrared textiles, is rapidly gaining acceptance and has strong scientific support.
• Salient’s shift from licensing to direct-to-consumer education aims to spread awareness and demystify the technology.
• Emotional resilience, open-mindedness, and team enjoyment are just as vital as grit in entrepreneurial success.
• Personal fulfillment and adaptive strategy drive Seth's outlook, keeping him open to future opportunities and grounded in purpose.

For more about Salient technology or to connect with Seth, visit their website.