Ep. 160 – The Power Of Behavior-Centric Health & Wellness: Trade-Offs for a Long and Happy Life with Jon Levy

The pandemic has changed so much for so many of us. Our children are growing up facing unforeseen challenges, and many of us feel uncertain and fearful about what lies ahead. Human beings were never meant to be alone. Yet today, people are suffering from social isolation, a lack of contact, and not touching or connecting physically with anyone.

I am happy to have Jon Levy joining me as my guest for today! Jon is a behavioral scientist best known for his work in influencing, human connection, and decision making. More than a decade ago, Jon founded The Influencers Dinner, a secret dining experience for industry leaders ranging from Nobel laureates, Olympians, celebrities, and executives, to artists, musicians, and even the occasional princess. With thousands of members, Influencers is the largest community of its type worldwide.

My Wellness Routine

I get a lot of questions about what I actually do to support my self-care and health. I have been transparent about my journey from complete burn-out, weight gain, and leaky gut, to where I am today! Feeling better than I did ten years ago and loving life! Ever find yourself curiously thinking, “What exactly … Read more

Ep. 314 Optimizing Eye Health: Migraines, Hormones, and Beyond with Dr. Rudrani Banik

I am privileged to connect with Dr. Rani Banik today, America’s integrative eye doctor. Dr. Banik is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a fellowship-trained neuro-ophthalmologist with additional certifications in functional integrative medicine.
In our discussion today, we dive into the evolution of migraines, exploring whether genetics and epigenetics have a role to play in the development of neurological headaches. We delve into the role of nutrition in maintaining optimal eye health, highlighting the specific nutrients essential for our eyes throughout the various stages of our lives. Our conversation touches on how hormone replacement therapy affects eye health, particularly in people with dry eyes, and we look at the effects of sunlight and ways to modulate the impact of blue light exposure. We also get into chronobiology and share strategies for safeguarding our vision as we age.
Dr. Rani shares a wealth of helpful information today that many women in the everyday wellness community have asked for. You are bound to be enlightened by her insights and wisdom!

Ep. 311 Addiction and the Impact of Lifestyle on Mental and Emotional Health with Dr. Joseph Yi

I am honored to have Dr. Joseph Yi joining me on the podcast today. He is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist specializing in holistic psychiatry and detoxification who embraces a lifestyle medicine approach to mental and behavioral well-being.

Dr. Yi caught my attention when he appeared on the Model Health Show with Sean Stephenson. I was instantly captivated by his bright and inquiring mind and knew I had to share his wisdom on Everyday Wellness.

In our conversation, we dive into the effects of the pandemic on screen time and addiction behaviors in children. Dr. Yi shares his expertise on the role of Fentanyl and drug overdose fatalities, challenges the notion that marijuana is entirely benign, and highlights the lack of education among traditionally trained medical professionals regarding lifestyle medicine. We also explore the transformative potential of psychedelics, including ketamine therapy, and the societal acceptance of addictive substances like alcohol and nicotine. Our conversation also journeys through the realm of low vibrational frequencies and spirituality, concluding with a discussion on the role of supplements in enhancing our mental and emotional well-being.

I have no doubt you will find today’s conversation enlightening and thought-provoking. Stay tuned for more!

Ep. 284 HRT’s Misconceptions & Misinformation with Cynthia Thurlow, NP & Intermittent Fasting Expert 

Today, I am thrilled to welcome all of my wonderful, Everyday Wellness listeners to a special episode of the podcast they specifically requested – an Ask Me Anything session with yours truly!

Interestingly, the subject that resonated most among listeners was hormone replacement therapy. To be crystal clear, I am here only to provide general insights and share information. If I answer your question today, I earnestly recommend that you listen, learn, and then find a practitioner who can best support your particular needs.

It is essential to remember that we are all bio-individuals. So what works for me may not work for someone else. I also want to ensure that women who choose not to pursue HRT are fully informed about the potential consequences of that choice. So, I appeal to you not to let fear dictate your decision-making around HRT if it is appropriate for you.

I believe informed consent is paramount, regardless of how you navigate the perimenopause and menopause phases of your life, and I ask you to embark on this journey with me, free from judgment.

Stay tuned for my advice, recommendations, and resources!

Ep. 356 Menopause, Heart Health and HRT with Dr. Felice Gersh

I am delighted to reconnect with Dr. Felice Gersh today for our fourth discussion.
Dr. Gersh is a globally recognized expert on women’s hormones. As the Medical Director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, she often collaborates with numerous research organizations.
In our discussion today, we dive into cardiovascular disease risks and menopause, highlighting the metabolic transition that menopause represents and exploring risk factors like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and PCOS. We get into the use of oral contraceptives, particularly before the age of 20, early puberty, and premature ovarian failure, while examining the role of the RAS system, synthetic hormones, and the differences between estrone and estradiol. We discuss the optimal timing for starting hormone replacement therapy and explain why we should love our menstrual cycles, addressing the risks related to circadian rhythm disruption. We also look at arterial changes, cholesterol dynamics, the autonomic nervous system, gut health and cardiac wellness in menopause, and proactive ways to support our bodies.
I am confident you will find today’s conversation with Dr. Felice Gersh most enlightening and informative.

Ep. 355 Embracing Growth: The Impact of Gratitude and Connection with Doug Bopst

I am thrilled to have the award-winning personal trainer, Doug Bopst, joining me today.
Doug is also an author and host of the Adversity Advantage Podcast. He is a former convicted felon and drug addict who spent time in jail and is now on a mission to inspire others to conquer adversity and realize their fullest potential.
Today, Doug and I engage in a thought-provoking conversation on gratitude, how exercise enables individuals to confront their fears and connect with themselves, the distinction between healthy and unhealthy habits, and the restrictions associated with seeking validation externally. We also discuss the transformative power of resilience, faith, and learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Doug’s remarkable journey from adversity to triumph serves as a beacon of inspiration for countless individuals seeking transformation, and I am confident that our conversation will resonate deeply with listeners. Stay tuned for Doug’s profound insights on personal development.

Ep. 354 Metabolism Myths Debunked: Weight Gain Insights with Dr. William Li

I am delighted to have the remarkable Dr. William Li joining me again today. He was previously with me on Episode 260, which became one of the most popular podcasts in 2023.
Dr. Li is a world-renowned physician-scientist and New York Times bestselling author known for his role as President and Medical Director of the Angiogenesis Foundation.
In our conversation today, we dive into the vocabulary surrounding health and microbiome-supporting foods, exploring how to measure the microbiome, the benefits of fermented foods, and the role of the appendix. We also look at pre, and post-biotics, strategies for supporting the microbiome after a colonoscopy prep, foods to avoid, immune function, and metabolic nuances, and discuss the differences between subcutaneous visceral fat, brown fat, and white fat, and polyphenol-rich beverages.
I know you will find today’s conversation with Dr. William Li as enlightening as I did. I eagerly anticipate inviting him back to the podcast later this year.

Ep. 352 Lipid Masterclass: Apo-B Labs and Women’s Heart Health with Dr. Thomas Dayspring

Dr. Thomas Dayspring joins me again today for the third class in our Lipid Masterclass Series. Dr. Dayspring brings a wealth of expertise as a certified specialist in internal medicine and clinical lipidology, holding fellowships with the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association.
This hour-long class is devoted to women’s health and abnormal lipids. We continue with our conversation about ApoB, discussing ways to look at other lipid abnormalities related to abnormal ApoBs and talking about our ideal lab values and lifestyle modifications, briefly touching on my lipid journey and the medication I have been taking for the past six months. We examine diagnostics and their limitations, getting into CACs, coronary artery calcification scoring, CIMT, the labs we need to look at, the role of Lp(a), and how it affects our heart. We look into the changes women experience from losing estrogen in menopause, clues women can use to predict future cardiovascular risk, how estrogen helps clear LDL from the body, and the changes occurring with menopause, including higher ApoBs. We also dive into risks women face for cardiovascular disease, the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative study, and absorption and synthesis challenges with cholesterol.
Stay tuned for more!

Ep. 351 Unlocking Nature’s Secrets: Essential Oils 101 with Jodi Cohen

It is my pleasure today to introduce Jodi Cohen, a best-selling author, award-winning journalist, functional practitioner, and the Founder of Vibrant Blue Oils, where her training in nutritional therapy and aromatherapy come together to craft unique and exclusive proprietary blends of organic and wildcrafted essential oils.
Jodi has assisted more than 50,000 individuals in overcoming brain-related issues such as anxiety, insomnia, and autoimmunity. In our discussion today, we dive into the fundamental aspects of essential oils, looking at what they are and how they work. We examine the role of the blood-brain barrier and the influence of the autonomic nervous system, focusing on the parasympathetic nervous system and vagus nerve. We explore the importance of vagal tone, the implications of vagal nerve dysfunction and toxicities, and the lymphatic system while also looking at the role of fascia in memories and trauma and the profound effects of essential oils on sleep quality, weight management, and more.
I am excited to share this insightful conversation with Jodi Cohen, as it provides invaluable insights into the vast potential of essential oils in promoting holistic well-being.