PERSONAL GROWTH // HEALTH & HEALING // ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES // PSYCHOLOGY

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Health & Healing

EPISODE 99: WILLIAM C. MOYERS: FROM ADDICTION TO RECOVERY

WILLIAM C. MOYERS is the VP of public affairs and community relations for Hazelden Betty Ford based in Minnesota. Since 1996 Moyers has carried the message of addiction, treatment and recovery to audiences across the nation. He has appeared on Larry King Live, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America and NPR. He is the author of several books including his NYT best selling memoir, Broken: My Story Of Addiction and TRedemption. He talks honestly and openly about his personal story as well as the treatment offered at Hazelden Betty Ford and the many paths to finding recovery.

EPISODE 97: JUDY L. SCHMIDT, M.D.: CANCER, CONNECTION & HEALING

DR. JUDY L. SCHMIDT is an onclogist, hematologist and internal medicine physician who has been working with cancer patients for over forty years. She trained at the Mayo Clinic ran her own clinic for over twenty years. Her kowledge, insight and compassion for those facing their own mortality are a testament to her deep commitment as a physician. We talk about various treatments, diagnoses, cutting edge therapies and the importance of connecting with patients. Judy's current work is a culmination of all she has learned over her illustrious career in providing quality cancer care. She can be contacted at: qualitycancercare@gmail.com

EPISODE 92: JACKIE CHANDONNET: YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE

JACKIE CHANDONNET is the West coast Development Director for Be The Match, a non-profit which pairs bone marrow and blood stem cell donors with patients, saving the lives of those with otherwise incurable blood diseases. We talk about the work being done by BTM, what their ongoing needs are and how YOU can register to participate Jackie discusses the simple process of becoming a donor and talks about how lives are saved and impacted by the individuals who offer their bone marrow and blood stem cells to complete strangers. Her dedication, love and passion for her work are beautifully evident throughout our talk. Please also listen to my interview with Gary Stromberg: Ep. 31, to hear how a bone marrow transplant via Be The Match, saved his life.

EPISODE 88: KRIS NEWBY: LYME DISEASE -TRUTH & CHALLENGE

KRIS NEWBY opens up about her struggle with Lyme Disease, a tick borne infection, and her challenge in getting properly diagnosed and treated. As a former researcher at Stanford, she began to study the history of the disease and why the medical community and insurance companies do not want to acknowledge chronic Lyme disease. She learned of government sponsored programs to infect ticks and use them as bio-weapons. It is estimated there are over 500,000 cases of Lyme in the U.S., yet funding for testing, research and treatment is 1% of that for AIDS. Kris' book, BITTEN, is about to made into a documentary about the disease. She was also involved in the documentary, UNDER OUR SKIN, which illuminates the very personal stories of people struggling with Lyme. It is both a disturbing and hopeful conversation.

EPISODE 83: BRIAN CLEMENT: HIPPOCRATES HEALTH INSTITUTE

BRIAN CLEMENT co-director of the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida and has been a mentor for thousands in obtaining vibrant health and implementing progressive natural treatments. He has written books and lectured across the world on how to reestablish balance so that immunity and psyche unite to heal disease. People from around the world travel Hippocrates to learn how to heal themselves through education and a change in diet and lifestyle. Brian is a font of knowledge, with a deep purpose and passion he has explored for over 50 years. He delivers his message with clarity, kindness and alot of humor. Bon apetit!

EPISODE 81: CONSTANCE SCHARFF, PhD: NEW MODALITIES 4 RECOVERY

DR. CONSTANCE SCHARFF talks about the powerful effectiveness of complementary medicine in addiction and mental health recovery. She opens up about her personal experience with trauma, alcoholism and her road to recovery. We talk about her work in complementary modalities such as Breathwork, meditation of all kinds, music, art, poetry and all things creative. Dr. Scharff travels the world speaking, teaching, and advocating for compassionate health practices to destigmatize mental health problems.

EPISODE 76: DR. LOUISE STANGER: ADDICTION & THE FAMILY

DR. LOUISE STANGER is a renowned interventionist, lecturer, teacher and expert in the field of addiction and mental health. We talk about the role of the family in addiction and recovery and how her work has evolved over the decades. Louise also talks about the "Senior Tsunami" of increased mental health and addiction issues affecting older citizens, especially in light of the current pandemic; and the available resources and approaches families can use to mitigate these issues. Louise is warm, engaging and a font of knowledge.

EPISODE 68: TIM JAMES: A CHEMICAL FREE BODY

By the time TIM JAMES was in his mid-30's, he was suffering from a myriad of physical problems including being overweight, rashes, fatigue, eeczema and bleeding. His story of how he discovered the cause was the standard American diet he had been eating, is one of transformation for himself and inspiration for others. Through his website chemicalfreebody.com and his life-style coaching, Tim has helped hundreds of people change their diets to lose weight, eliminate stress and heal themselves from disease. His message is that "you can do it, too!"

EPISODE 67: SILAS JOHNSON: PRIMAL HEALTH COACH

SILAS JOHNSON coaches people to optimal health with expert advice and mentorship on diet and excercise. He talks frankly about unhealthy eating habits and how to access the knowledge of ancestral diet to bring the body back into a natural healthy state. He is also a Crossfit Level 1 trainer, adding that knowledge into his one-on-one coaching. Most importantly he is open-minded about health and diet being an individual undertaking, which each person must find for themselves. His vast knowledge of how the human body functions in terms of food, sleep, stress and exercise inspires us all to reach for optimal health without rigidity and dogma.

EPISODE 66: SHERI JENNINGS: ACUPUNCTURE, HERBS, FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

SHERI JENNINGS is a licensed acupuncurist who specializes in healing pain, treating addiction and improving fertility. She uses a wide variety of practices including herbs, cupping, CBD, nutritional support and stress reduction to help her patients achieve optimal health and vitality. She is a committed healer, passionate about her work and a supportive non-judgmental practitione who is always learning about new ways to help her patients.

EPISODE 65: SHAYNE ANDERSON: INTERVENTION & SERVICE

SHAYNE ANDERSON talks about his path to becoming a sober companion and Certified Intervention Professional (CIP) with his passion for service. You will hear stories from the trenches of addiction, all the way to the top !% of society and how his work helps those seeking a path to recovery. Shayne is frank, honest and compassionate in telling a story of hope and inspiration for those sufffering from addiction.

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EPISODE 57: TIM DAVIS:MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

TIM DAVIS talks about his path from show business to becoming a mental health advocate and Program Director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). After discovering his teenaged son was bipolar, Tim immersed himself in finding treatment and solutions, discovering a new passion. His life has gone in a variety of directions and has been informed by a childhood trauma. Tim is honest, vulnerable and a font of anecdotal and educational experience in the field of mental health.

EPISODE 55: THOR: REHABILITATE YOUR BODY

Rehabilitation Specialist, THOR (Ryan Thor), talks about how his personal experiences with accidents, sports injuries and surgeries led him to his work in helping others to rehabilitate their bodies. Shoulder, knee, elbow and back injuries set him on a path to learn all he could about repairing your own body through proper strength training, stretching, posture and nutrition. He is a font of anecdotal knowledge, personal tales of his own stellar recovery and a fun guy to talk with.

episode 48: CINDE DOLPHIN: FROM CANCER TO CREATOR

Four-time cancer survivor CINDE DOLPHIN, talks about how she created a new product/solution for post-surgical drain carriers, now being used in many hospitals. Potentially meeting the needs of 7 million patients, and arising out of her own experience and necessity, her simple and ingenious idea is part of a new movement of patient-driven solutions. Her mission is empowerment, advocacy and a profound sense of gratitude and the importance of giving back.

EPISODE: 31: GARY STROMBERG: BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT SUCCESS STORY

When GARY STROMBERG was told he had leukemia, he was sure it was a death sentence. Through the gift of bone marrow from a man across the world he didn't know, he was saved. Now, six years later, Gary tells us his remarkable and touching story.

EPISODE 29: MARK SCHIFF: CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE!

Comedian MARK SCHIFF talks to me about how high blood pressure, high cholesterol and constantly being out of breath led him to making major lifestyle changes, particularly in the area of diet and plant-based foods. He advocates taking responsiblity for your own health and well-being and how anyone can do it!

EPISODE 28: FRANK KALMAN: END KIDS CANCER

FRANK KALMAN is the Executive Director of the non-profit End Kids Cancer which is an amazing resource to aid parents in all aspects of navigating the very difficult situation of finding a child has cancer. Motivated by his daughter's cancer diagnosis at age 12, Frank learned to advocate and research treatment options and has written a book to help other parents. We talk about how he went about his research, how other parents can do the same and how he has dealt with his own PTSD as a result of the trauma of having a sick child. Frank is one of those amazing individuals who has dedicated himself to helping others.

EPISODE 25: DAVID WISS: GUT HEALTH & MORE

Nutritionist DAVID WISS talks to me about the significance of maintaining a healthy gut for optimal health and healing, his work with recovering addicts with food issues, the types of testing he uses and his dream of bringing nutrition into the field of Public Health. David is knowledgeable, energetic and passionate about his work, making for a lively conversation. Bon appetite!

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EPISODE 20: DAVID RIPPY PT.2: POWERING THROUGH PARALYSIS

In our second interview, DAVID RIPPY and I discuss his newest book, "Powering Through Paralysis," a continuation of his remarkable journey following an accident which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. We talk about the power of the mind in dealing with challenges and some of the other ways he has learned to thrive through nutrition, hypnosis and a connection to the spiritual realm.

EPISODE 18: GRACE CHENG-BRAUN: WISE & HEALTHY AGING

GRACE CHENG-BRAUN runs the non-profit WISE and Healthy Aging in Santa Monica, Ca.. We talk about the challenges of aging and caregiving and the many services the organization offers to assist our aging population such as enrichment programs, benefits assistance, assisted living, caregiver support and training and financial assistance. Her vast knowledge and experience in the field makes for an energetic and informative talk on all aspects of aging.

EPISODE 14: CATHY LADMAN: MANAGING ANOREXIA

CATHY LADMAN is a successful stand-up comic, actress and writer who has struggled with anorexia her entire life. She talks about her childhood, family of origin, the onset of anorexia and the "quirks" of her eating disorder and how she has learned to manage her disease. She is incredibly honest, open and always funny.

EPISODE 8: AMANDA COWAN: ENGLAND– DRUG TREATMENT & SOCIAL WORK

AMANDA COWAN talks about the differences and similarities in social work and addiction treatment between the U.S. and England based on her nine year experience working in London and other cities. In a wide-ranging, tell-it-like-it-is conversation we discuss difficult and complicated issues surrounding addiction, poverty, mental illness, street drugs, pharmaceuticals. cultural trends, government policy, the health care system and the lighter side of being stalked.

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EPISODE 6: ELENA CLARK-FAHLER: SEX ADDICTION

In this episode I talk with Elena about the various forms of sex addiction, childhood sexual abuse, and the types of treatment she uses -- including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma.

EPISODE 5: RITCH SHYDNER: GETTING OFF MEDS

Writer/Comedian Ritch Shydner and I talk about his turbulent childhood, how comedy helped him escape and how his childhood depression kicked in again when he stopped doing stand-up. We talk about pharmacology, UCLA psych ward and his mind/body/spirit approach to extricating himself from all meds.

EPISODE 2: DR. SHERYL LEWIN: PEDIATRIC PLASTIC SURGEON

I talk with pediatric plastic surgeon Dr. Sheryl Lewin about her unique work with creating prosthetic ears for children born with microtia (partial or no ear). We also talk about her philanthropic organization "Earicles" and how her surgical technique has evolved, making her one of the leaders in her field. And we have some laughs, too.