Shows
Alter Life#395 = Episode 1 of Alter LifeWelcome to a NEW podcast! But sorta the same...Why I’m rebranding the podcast from Alter Your Health to Alter LifeHow this shift reflects a bigger conversation about thriving in body, mind, and lifeThe limiting beliefs I had to break through to fully step into this new directionWhy health isn’t just about biochemistry or biomarkers—it’s about alignmentWhat you can expect from future episodes—new topics, perspectives, and deeper conversationsHow this podcast will challenge conventional thinking and inspire real transformationLinks to more good stuff - Work W...
2025-02-1422 min
Alter Life#309 | MM - Alter Your Health from Head to ToeTime to spice up the podcast!We are starting a "series" called "Alter Your Health from Head to Toe" where each week we will be focusing on a new organ, system, or part of the body. We fill cover essential information around anatomy and physiology as well nutritional and lifestyle considerations to create vibrant health in each part of the body.Spoiler alert: The way to eat to optimize cardiovascular health is the same way to heal the brain, which is the same way to eat for healthy skin, which is the same way to...
2022-06-0709 min
Alter Life#204 | NOW Is A Great Time To WAKE UPThis is about growth and evolution of the collective. This is about waking up to your power to live in peace.There is no better time to be right here, right now. There is no better time to be alive and awake in this amazing life!In this episode, I share from my heart my insights and perspective on how we can come together t support the healing of our human race.Some takeaways...Health and peace is our birthright - it's who we are!There is nothing you need t...
2020-06-0844 min
Alter Life#198 | The World Needs You To Speak Your Truth!We all have different perspectives, beliefs, and opinions. With the seemingly increased polarization in our world it might feel daunting or difficult to share one's own truth - at least it has been for me (Dr. Benjamin)!When it comes down to it, there are relatively few hard truths in the world that are unarguably factual. Nevertheless, we all have our own personal truth, and the world needs to hear it!As we speak our truth, we also move our physiology into a healing state, while also promoting healthy evolution of our society.
2020-05-181h 13
Alter Life#166 | TJ David: Mindful, Balanced, and Plant-Powered Mountain EnduranceI googled "plant based athlete roaring fork valley" and found TJ... and I sure am glad that I did!TJ is not your typical extreme outdoorsman. He is mindful, grounded, soulful, creative, restorative... and plant powered!OK - so, I might be making some generalizations about mountain athletes, but he's a super cool guy and we had a great conversation.Some highlights include... How and when TJ decided to make his hobby a careerKey points and practices for staying mindful in the mountainsThe equation for balance and the necessity for r...
2020-01-201h 20
Alter Life#160 | Drs. Alter: Wisdom Bombs! Insights on Wellbeing and Being WellWE are the guests on the podcast this week!We are still in the "locals series" of the Alter Your Health podcast and Dr. Susanna and I are indeed locals now, being in Carbondale for a bout 10 months at the time of this recording.This was a great opportunity to take some time and reflect on 2019 as we both share some of the biggest learning experiences and insights over the year that have informed how we show up and live our well lives. Some highlights of this conversation include... ...
2020-01-011h 15
Alter Life#156 | Ella Yates: Spirit-Up - The Game that Lifts You to New HeightsElla is a bright and inspirational being. We met at an event in Carbondale where she invited us to play her new game, Spirit-Up.I've done a lot of things to explore the territory outside of my comfort zone, and this was an entirely new experience for me!In this conversation we talk about Ella's insight to bring this intentional game into fruition, and how this game is a powerful tool to connect, grow, and heal.Some highlights of this conversation include... Ella's journey in becoming a professional artistThe stroke o...
2019-12-161h 11
Alter Life#151 | Naturopathic vs Functional MedicineDue to popular request, we are addressing this important conversation, making a distinction between naturopathic vs functional medicine. We find it important to have this conversation, as so many people are really confused when it comes to the many holistic health practitioners that exist in today's world.We're curious what you think... what is your experience when it comes to naturopathic vs functional medicine doctors? Have you had good experiences? What is the difference to you? Feel free to leave a comment on the video and Tune in for our thoughts!Some take aways...
2019-11-2829 min
Alter Life#150 | Dr. Greg Feinsinger: After 50 Years of Medical Practice, Food Heals BestOn week two of this "local series" I sit down with an old time family doctor, Greg Feinsinger.I learned about Dr. Feinsinger before moving to Carbondale when a friend mentioned there was an awesome plant based doctor who gave lots of talks and offered free health consultations in the community. How awesome! It is so cool to be in a community where there is indeed a huge plant based movement, thanks largely to Dr. Feinsinger.In this conversation we cover a lot - from his 42 years of clinical practice to his personal health transformation.
2019-11-251h 09
Alter Life#146 | Ray Cronise: Control Your Metabolism & Live ForeverRay is a smart and passionate man, who seems to be aging in reverse!I was first introduced to the work Ray was doing a few years back on the Rich Roll Podcast (episode 212) and then again with Julieanna Hever (episode 345).I guess I was a little late to the game, as Ray has been in the world of metabolic research and longevity for quite some time. He's written some really insightful papers (linked below) and he's got some new books in the pipeline as well!I was excited to pick Ray's brain...
2019-11-111h 47
Alter Life#144 | Dr. Gemma Newman: Plant Powered Mental Wellness Dr. Gemma is a bright light in this world, and a brilliant medical doctor.I've resonated with all of the content that she speaks and shares on Instagram and was excited to dive into the topic of mental health, where we share a lot of common ground and philosophy.Some highlights include... Gemma's background and how she got into plant based nutrition (for a deeper story tune into her episode on the Rich Roll Podcast)The necessary ingredients to nurture your wellbeingAre all human emotions pathologicWhat mental health "disorders" have to...
2019-11-041h 01
Alter Life#133 | The Illusion of Balance in LifeWe talk about "balance" so often in our Healing Community meetings and with our 1-on-1 clients. We wanted to expand the conversation to fully address this topic in our "balance-seeking" society!In this conversation we are really talking about the "balance" between STRUCTURE and FLUIDITY with regard to life.I (Dr. Benjamin) have tended to be more structured in my life. Dr. Susanna, on the other hand, has been much more "go with the flow." We've got a lot to share from our two perspectives! Some highlights include... Wh...
2019-09-2629 min
Alter Life#111 | Superhuman Healing of Acute InjuriesWhile we tend to focus on big picture holistic health and reversing chronic disease, I (Dr. Benjamin) have also had my fair share of experience with healing acute injuries.In this episode we talk about some natural tips and tricks to supercharge your physical healing - all of these things blow the socks off of what conventional medicine has to offer in terms of bone, joint, and wound healing.Some take aways include...Your health FOUNDATION is still critically important in acute healingVitamin C and minerals are the essential nutrients that your...
2019-07-0428 min
Alter Life#106 | Dr. Benjamin Alter: Transform Your Life from a Battleground to a PlaygroundYou guys might know who I (Dr. Benjamin) Am... sort of.In this episode, hopefully you are able to get to know me on a more intimate level. That is the intention of this conversation anyhow. It was a stretch to open up and share myself a littler bit more vulnerably, but it is an action step that I've been wanting to take in the spirit of creating a more connected Healing Community (https://alter.health/healing-community)If you listened to the very first episode (https://alter.health/episode0) , you learned a bit about my...
2019-06-171h 15
Alter Life#96 | Dr. Benjamin Benulis: The Healing Power of a Raw Vegan DietWhat do you get when you combine two vegan doctor Benjamins...? One great conversation! I so enjoyed having Dr. Benjamin Benulis as a guest on the podcast. He's a real humble guy with an inspirational healing story. In this conversation we focus on Dr. Ben's story coming into the filed of holistic medicine after a career change via the path of chiropractic training and education. We talk about the many things that make his approach to chiropractic medicine unique, including of course his nutritional approach to healing.
2019-05-131h 07
Alter Life#85 | Slaying SIBO! How To Heal Your GutSIBO, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, is such a popular diagnosis these days... The fact of the matter is that it is NOT a diagnosis, but a laboratory finding the signifies an underlying deeper imbalance.FUN FACT: The SIBO breath test was actually developed at my alma mater, National College of Natural MedicineIn this conversation we speak to what's really causing symptoms of SIBO and how to finally heal!Some takeaways from this conversation...Conventional approach to SIBODifferent forms of SIBO - hydrogen and methane producing b...
2019-04-0426 min
Alter Life#84 | Wendy Yellen: Stop Holding Yourself Back! Breakthrough With EideticsThis conversation with Wendy is my first exposure to her work. She is such a special person! When I learned about her work as an Eidetics practitioner, I was intrigued... I have been exposed to SO many practices and processes with regard to spiritual and psychological inquiry from meditation, to emotional freedom technique, to neurolingustic programming, to psychoanalysis, to dream work, to somatic studies, and of course the 3 principles teachings of Sydney Banks. This episode was unlike most due to its experiential nature. Wendy guided me through an Eidetic process, which lis...
2019-04-011h 18
Alter Life#83 | Are You Mineral Deficient?The answer to this question is YES... you are.... but it's not your fault!FOOD IS MEDICINE... but, food today is not the same as it used to be. Our soils are depleted from minerals, and as a result, the medicinal properties of our food has largely been stripped away.For more on how GMOs and Glyphosate contribute to this, listen to this episode (https://www.alter.health/episode79) or read this blog (https://www.alter.health/blog/glyphosate-is-the-most-hazardous-chemical-of-our-time)Today we bring forward a solution to this problem. Mineral...
2019-03-2829 min
Alter Life#82 | Dr. Susanna Alter: Menstruation, Infertility, Pain, and Holistic Pelvic CareDr. Susanna is no stranger to the Alter Your Health Podcast !I'm excited to sit down and pick her brain about one of her areas of expertise: women's health and holistic pelvic care.In this conversation we just focused on Holistic Pelvic Care, a physical therapy to support the natural healing from many acute and chronic conditions. Here are some things I learned... What exactly is Holistic Pelvic Care!?The wide variety of symptoms and conditions that can be supported through this therapyWhy internal, physical therapy is not always necessaryThe po...
2019-03-251h 09
Alter Life#81 | Traumatized By Trauma? How To Truly HealThe time has come to address this topic head on!Trauma and PTSD is ubiquitous in our society today... and today we offer a fresh perspective to the conversation.Some takeaways from the conversation... Traumatic events are correlated to chronic disease BUT do not cause chronic diseaseViktor Frankl and Nelson Mandela are two popular examples of human resiliencyHealing trauma does not require revisiting and processing traumatic eventsFeelings come from thoughts 100% of the timeBeing present is the antidote to trauma and does not involve any other prescription or practice Want su...
2019-03-2129 min
Alter Life#80 | Rohini Ross: Mind, Consciousness, Thought, and RelationshipsI'm excited to have Rohini on this podcast. I have been connecting with her regularly via the Soul Centered Series that she has organized . This program dives into the teachings of Sydney Banks, the 3 Principles of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought. It has been a phenomenally enlightening experience, giving insight into how we create this crazy human experience of life!In this conversation, we dive into Rohini's "speciality:" RELATIONSHIPS. We know how relationships can be such a great source of both Love and Stress, which helps explain how maintaining healthy relationships is so critical to overall health and...
2019-03-111h 02
Alter Life#79 | What's So Bad About GMOs and Conventional Food?Today we dive into the huge abyss of GMOs...! More important we talk about the chemical, Glyhposate (active ingredient of RoundUp) that is heavily sprayed on GMO crops that are engineered to be resistant to the harmful effects of glyphosate.While it's a deep and heavy topic and we did just scratch the service, this episode has a number of important take aways that are intended to inform and empower you to live a healthy life while helping to transform the health of the planet.Some takeaways from the conversation... Glyphosate is a water s...
2019-03-0732 min
Alter Life#78 | Marco Tesi: Learn How to Breathe to Heal Your Body & MindI love talking about breath! It is FREE medicine. Modulating breath is a powerful practice that can hav ehuge impacts on your the health and wellbeing of your mind and your body.In this conversation we dive deeply into all of that, and discuss some practical tools and information to optimize your breathing patterns.Some of highlight topics in this conversation include... * Breath is the link between mind and body via the vagus nerve * The diaphragm carries tons of information and energy related to breath * Inhaling brings in oxygen which stimulates the ner...
2019-03-041h 10
Alter Life#77 | Why We're VeganI came out of the "vegan closet" back around Episode 28 (https://www.alter.health/episode28)when I was talking with Sailesh Rao.Early this week, I dove into a friendly debate with Dr. Stephen Hussey (Episode 76 - https://www.alter.health/episode76) where we discussed veganism from a health and environmentalist perspective. Here, we decided to finally dive in a little deeper into why we are both vegan along with our personal physical, psychological, and spiritual journeys in transitioning to vegan lifestyle.Some highlights from the conversation... The mistake most ve...
2019-02-2839 min
Alter Life#76 | Dr. Stephen Hussey: Is Veganism Really Sustainable - A friendly DebateWell this conversation was a hoot! Not your typical Alter Your Health interview, but more of a debate... a friendly one that is! Being very passionate about a plant based lifestyle for human health and environmental sustainability, I was hesitant to accept Dr. Hussey's request to come onto the podcast knowing he does not advocate such a lifestyle. Then, I realized the importance of broadening and deepening the conversation in order to think outside the self-constructed box and access creative ideas. Some of highlight topics in this conversation include......
2019-02-251h 34
Alter Life#75 | Invisible Toxins of the Inner WorldA lot of emphasis is put on the harshness of the toxins that we can be exposed to in this physical world. The fact of the matter is that our bodies are always creating toxins through just existing here in physical human form! Similarly, in this human experience, "toxic" thoughts are inevitable. Luckily, just like our physical body, our mind is self-cleaning, always bringing in fresh thought... that is, if we allow it to do so! Some highlights from the conversation... Thoughts have no subs...
2019-02-2127 min
Alter Life#74 | Michael Galinsky: All The Rage - The Work of Dr. SarnoMichael Galinsky is a documentary film maker, not a standard guest on the podcast! However, as he states, he is not your standard film maker!In this episode we talk all about the work of Dr. John Sarno, documented beautifully in Michaels phenomenal documentary, All The Rage. Watch the documentary at https://www.alltheragedoc.comSome of my favorite highlights include... * (at least) 80% of healing comes from within * Pain starts in the mind and manifests in the body * Journaling is a great way to access subconscious material * Pain is a physical AND...
2019-02-181h 12
Alter Life#73 | Is Vegan Keto The Best Diet Ever?With Veganism gaining popularity, it makes perfect sense that Vegan Keto would be the next big thing... and it is!We've found ourselves in an increasing number of conversations around high fat, ketogenic diets. We thought it was a good opportunity to s hare our thoughts on the matter from a rational and science based perspective.A ketogenic diet consists of an outrageous 70% of calories from fat. The other calories consist of 25% protein and a mere 5% carbohydrates. It is actually quite challenging to keep protein as low as 25% of calories, as fat and protein mostly...
2019-02-1437 min
Alter Life#72 | Dr. Patrick Vickers: Gerson Therapy HEALS Cancer with SUGAR!This episode is pretty sciencey... We dive deep into the Gerson Therapy principles and how this nutritional approach to healing cancer is so powerful!Some important highlights... Key principles of the Gerson TherapyWhy sugar DOES NOT feed cancerAcidity vs Alkalinity in the bodyWhy low salt intake is critical for healingHow coffee enemas are the secret weapon for detoxEnjoy, and be sure to leave some feedback - comments, ratings, reviews, shares, etc - wherever you watch or listen from! Links to learn more- Show no...
2019-02-111h 07
Alter Life#71 | #HEARTWEEK - The Heart-Mind ConnectionHappy #HEARTWEEK! This week is a group effort organized by Dr. Bryant Esquejo to raise awareness of natural approaches to keeping YOU and your HEART healthy!Let's face it - we know of one really phenomenal tried and true method for preventing and reversing heart disease... in fact, that is the name of the book - Prevent and Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr.In this episode we get into some more nuanced heart conditions, as well as the very interesting and important topic of heart rate variability.Some questions t...
2019-02-0829 min
Alter Life#70 | Jane Esselstyn: A Plant Strong Family and CommunityJane Esselstyn, daughter of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, is no stranger to the whole food plant-based lifestyle. She's a leader in the field with tons of wisdom to share.Some things we covered include... - Her transition to eating more plants - it actually wasn't because of her father! - Raising a plant strong family - Tips and tricks for facing society from a WFPB perspective - The prevalence of Alzheimer's and Heart Disease in women - Go-to recipes for vegans and non-vegansEnjoy, and be sure to leave some fe...
2019-02-0458 min
Alter Life#69 | Autoimmunity Goes Viral - Your Mind is the HealerThis is the 3rd of 3 episodes tackling the huge topic of Autoimmunity.Healing requires knowing 2 critical pieces of information: 1) what is going on & 2) what to do about it. - Two weeks ago we we talked about “what is going on” in Episode 65: www.alter.health/episode65(Read a blog on the topic: www.alter.health/blog/autoimmunity-goes-viral-1)- Last week we discussed “what to do about it” in Episode 67: www.alter.health/episode67(Read a blog on the topic: www.alter...
2019-01-3127 min
Alter Life#68 | Robby Barbaro: Simple Science of Mastering DiabetesRobby Barbaro is the co-founder of Mastering Diabetes, an online Group Coaching platform designed to support individuals in managing and reversing all types of diabetes.In this conversation, we talk about Robby's journey of optimally managing his type 1 diabetes and his intention of finding a way to naturally reverse this chronic "autoimmune" condition. We also of course focus on the bigger issue at hand, which is type 2 diabetes. Some important take aways include... Distinguishing Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes - blood tests and pathological differencesThe underlying cause of type 2 diabetes - in...
2019-01-2857 min
Alter Life#67 | Autoimmune LifestyleLast week, we opened up the can of worms that is Autoimmunity, discussing the TRUTH of the matter that the body NEVER attacks itself - www.alter.health/episode65Here, we go deeper into the topic, specifically talking about healing oneself with diet and lifestyle alone!To sum it up, we talked about...Where toxins may be hiding in your environmentHow the body heals when the blood is purified by the liverThe importance of nutritional excellence when healingHow chronic dehydration inhibits your healingActionable steps to take when it comes to shifting your...
2019-01-2430 min
Alter Life#66 | Chris Wark: Cancer Proof and ThrivingChris BEAT Cancer! But he didn't do it with harsh chemicals and suppressive therapies that "kill" or "fight" c ancer. Chris won the battle by naturally supporting his innate immune system through transforming his entire life! This transformation not only allowed him to "beat" cancer and survive, but THRIVE! Some other take aways include... The importance of understanding the cancer industryAccurate interpretation of cancer statistics and conventional protocolsHow it's possible to live with fear while not being incapacitated by itThe importance of taking "inspired, imperfect action"The power of forgiveness and dropping em...
2019-01-211h 12
Alter Life#65 | Autoimmunity Goes ViralWHOOPS! Forgot to turn on the microphone! Apologies for the poor audio...This is such a HUGE topic that is very important to me. More and more people are diagnosed with more and more varieties of autoimmune conditions. In this conversation I share my thoughts on the matter, along with my take on Anthony William, the Medical Medium's perspective on the matter. Take aways...1 - The body ALWAYS heals itself2 - Autoimmune conditions are chronic viral infections3 - Viruses are not much more than teeny t...
2019-01-1730 min
Alter Life#64 | Stef Sifandos: Transcending Toxic MasculinityI first connected with Stef through social media, feeling a strong resonance with his work and his message.In this conversation, we cover a lot of ground - from Stef's background and coming into the work of human transformation to what is means to be a man in this world.While a lot of the conversation was about what masculinity means in our world, this information transcends gender and social norms to discuss for purely these divine energies that manifest in our world.I particularly appreciated when the topic of "toxic masculinity" came up...
2019-01-141h 00
Alter Life#63 | How to Sleep Better and Heal FasterWe hear of peoples struggles with sleep ALLLL the time.Optimizing sleep is critical to healing any physical health condition. In this episode we talk about all the reasons WHY as well as important keys when it comes to HOW to sleep better!Some important takeaways include...Sleep is when the body repairs, heals, and regenerates cellsHuman growth hormone (aka the longevity hormone) is highest during sleepAutophagy (aka self-digestion) is like thy body's trash removal service that happens during sleepThe pineal gland secretes melatonin necessary for regulating circadian rhythm - melatonin is...
2019-01-1031 min
Alter Life#62 | Dr. Daniel Chong: Heart Attack Proof, Beyond CholesterolDr. Chong is back for round 2! After a wonderful conversation about "Healing the Heart with Food" (Alter Your Health #4) we never even touched on the massive topic of CHOLESTEROL!So, this was allllll about cholesterol, and why cholesterol alone is not the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.Some take aways from this conversation are... * What Cholesterol does in the body (hormones, cell membranes, plaque formation) * Different types of cholesterol transport proteins: HDL, IDL, LDL, VLDL - what's the difference and should we care? * Does lipoprotein particle size matter? * The pres...
2019-01-071h 11
Alter Life#61 | The Power of Though in Orthorexia and Eating DisordersI think this was one of my favorite LIVE episodes so far!Susanna starts us off by getting personal, sharing her experience with anorexia. Navigating the mental, emotional, and physical dis-ease that ultimately guided her into a place of deep inner peace and trusting... Powerful stuff!!!Orthorexia and eating disorders are clearly a huge sticky topic, but we talked about how underlying it all is anxiety and compulsivity. These mental and emotional disturbances need to be addressed to heal. Then, food choices can be made freely without restriction or discomfort.Some other...
2019-01-0434 min
Alter Life#60 | Dicken Bettinger: From stress and chaos to Peace and WisdomIn this conversation, Dicken shares how understanding the nature of the human experience leads to deepened states of peace and wellbeing in addition to expanded creative potential.In such a crazy and chaotic world, people are running around pointing fingers at one another for causing suffering.Dicken shares the one true cause of all suffering, and contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with anything outside of yourself.Throughout this conversation, we are pointing to the 3 principles - the teachings of Sydney Banks. Takeaways include...F...
2018-12-311h 13
Alter Life#59 | A Successful Mindset For Your New Years ResolutionsChristmas is over and New Years is upon us, which means many of you may be thinking about resolutions.In this episode, we talk about creating resolutions with a proper mindset that sets you up for authentic success!In addition to creating resolutions from a clear and authentic place, we talk about the "3 C's" to a successful and sustainable resolution, which include * Commitment * Creativity * CompassionTune in and learn how to infuse these qualities into your resolution.AND, if you'd like to learn more about our 10-Day Group Coa...
2018-12-2725 min
Alter Life#58 | Jeff Chilton: Magical Medicinal MushroomsI've always appreciated fungi, and today's episode is packed with powerful information from a truly fun-gi!Jeff is an expert mycologist. Our conversation traversed all things from medicinal mushroom properties, culinary mushrooms, mushroom cultivation, as well as how sketchy the mushroom supplement industry is.I learned a ton. One big take away for me was the fact that most mushroom powders today are actually mostly GRAIN due to the fact that the mycelium is grown on grain and then the mycelium and grain combined is powdered and processed.Other highlights include......
2018-12-241h 04
Alter Life#57 | Holiday Health HacksThe holidays are upon us!In this episode we talk about staying resilient and healthy through potential stressors of holiday season.So many people travel, indulge in rich foods, and face stress of family and social situations. We discuss ways to gently mitigate some of these factors as we approach the holidays.Here is a list of some of our tipsWhen travelingStay hydrated!Pack fruits and vegetablesStay hydrated!Stay hydrated!Nutrition at home and Christmas partiesConsider enjoying and sharing whole food, plant based...
2018-12-2026 min
Alter Life#56 | Dillon Holmes: Well Your WorldI came across Dillon on YouTube not too long ago, and instantly appreciated his no BS approach to nutrition.In this episode we talk about how he has come into living a healthy life, focusing on food as medicine.We also talk about how he has taken the steps to really "Well His World" by creating an online community where he continues to offer a regular stream of high quality content.Some highlights of this conversation for me include... - The value of community and support in making lifestyle changes - How...
2018-12-171h 03
Alter Life#55 | Heart Health - Food and LoveThis week, a young friend passed away suddenly due to a cardiovascular event.Heart disease is the number 1 killer, and has been for some time.The crazy thing is, like most all chronic diseases, it is COMPLETELY PREVENTIBLE AND REVERSIBLE!We talk about the most important risk factors to consider, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and STRESS (or disconnection).Like most talks, this was jam packed with content. Some important takeaways include...Heart disease STARTS EARLY - you don't need to wait another minute to start caring for your he...
2018-12-1331 min
Alter Life#54 | Reflections and learnings from Alter Your Health interviews (part 2)In this episode, I finish my reflection on the first 50 episodes of this podcast, covering episodes 22 - 50.I share some highlights and learnings from each episode. Here are the links to each of the episodes for you to go back and listen to any of interest!#22 - Dr. Satya Ambrose: Functional Medicine before it was cool + healing stories - https://alter.health/episode22#24 - Arvind Chittumalla: How to be a healthy yogi - https://alter.health/episode24#26 - Dr. Glen Nagel: The magical properties of cannabis and other weeds - https...
2018-12-1050 min
Alter Life#53 | BRAINWEEK! Holistic optimization of cognition for longevityIn honor of brain week, we focus on how to support the health of the brain with lifestyle and nutrition! With diseases like Alzheimer’s and Autism on the rise, it is extremely important to consider how our lifestyle and food choices impact the health of your brain as well as the brains of your loved ones.Topics we cover…-The power of a diet high in fruits and vegetables!-The preferred source of fuel for the brains – Glucose-The importance of dietary fat for brain health.-Speci...
2018-12-0629 min
Alter Life#52 | Reflections and learnings from Alter Your Health interviews (part 1)In this episode, I take this time to reflect on the first 50 episodes of the Alter Your Health podcast. It's been a fun and exciting learning experience for me, and I wanted to reflect and share my learnings through conducting so many interviews with such amazing people.I made it through the first 14 interviews I conducted on the podcastEpisode 0 - Dr. Susanna Alter: Our Healing Journeys - https://alter.health/episode0Episode 1 - Jere Friendman: Healing with Gong and Breath - https://alter.health/episode1Episode 2 - Dr. Leonard Laskow...
2018-12-0348 min
Alter Life#51 | Exploring a Nutritarian way of lifeIn this episode, we follow up on episode #50 with Dr. Joel Fuhrman to go into greater detail as to what the nutritarian diet really is, and more importantly, what we think about it!We love what Dr. Fuhrman is doing, and really appreciate him showing what the Gold Standard is with regard to nutritional excellence in our world today. We also appreciate how he gives freedom to individuals to choose how they want to measure up on the spectrum of nutritional excellence.Some things we cover include...Health = Nutrients / Calories - - - Wh...
2018-11-2930 min
Alter Life#50 | Dr. Joel Fuhrman: Nutritional excellence is more powerful than any drugWhat an inspiration it was to connect with Dr. Fuhrman at his beautiful nutritional healing retreat in San Diego, CA!I have really looked up to Dr. Fuhrman and admired his work for years. I especially appreciate the simple focus that he promotes through the Nutritarian diet; HEALTH = Nutrients / Calories.What this means is that each meal is an opportunity to flood the body with healing nutrients!Some things we covered in this talk are...Dr. Fuhrman's personal evolution into a food as medicine philosophySome misconceptions of other trendy dietsWhy...
2018-11-2652 min
Alter Life#49 | ACCEPTANCE - A prerequisite to GratitudeThis episode, recorded on Thanksgiving morning, we take the opportunity to talk gratitude. But we go beyond the classic gratitude discussion...We talk about...Why family provides such rich opportunity for healingHow Gratitude is a powerful predictor of healthAcceptance is more than just being OK with what isWishing All a happy and healthy Thanksgiving, and a safe Black Friday! Links to learn more- Show notes and resources: https://alter.health/episode49- Get a copy of Dr. Benja...
2018-11-2321 min
Alter Life#48 | Steve Bhaerman (Swami Beyondananda): Cosmic Comedy as an antidote to stressI LOVED connecting with our guest today, Steve Bhaerman, who also goes by his stage name, Swami Beyondanada.I've always identified myself as a serious kind of guy. I enjoy humor, but I had always judged my sense of humor as weak, often struggling to laugh, even in outright funny times! This conversation has already helped to dramatically shift my perspective on comedy in life.Some of the things we covered in this episode are...The physiologic power of a good laughHow comedy is the antidote to stressThe miracles that take place when we are...
2018-11-191h 01
Alter Life#47 | 7 Immune-boosting techniques to keep your holidays healthy and happyHoly cow! I cannot believe the holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving is 1 WEEK AWAY!With that of course comes "cold and flu season," a time when we all need to ramp up self-care and focus on the fundamental aspects to stay healthy.In this episode we cover...Fruits and veggies to focus on this seasonWhy HYDRATION is key!The importance of getting sunlight and being outdoors - even if the sun is hiding most of the time!Why focusing on moving LYMPH is so importantHYDROTHERAPY - what to do on a daily basi...
2018-11-1529 min
Alter Life#46 | The ONE MIND that heals us ALLTHIS was one powerful conversation! I so enjoyed meeting Dr. Dossey in his Santa Fe home to record this dialogue on consciousness, health, and healing. We dove into some really great stuff, things that Dr. Dossey has been immersed in throughout his long and fruitful career, pioneering the field of mind-body medicine. Things we covered include...Dr. Dossey's personal healing experience while in medical schoolAn overview of biofeedback and how it connect the mind with the bodyThe concept of "One Mind" and how it inf...
2018-11-1258 min
Alter Life#45 | Are you stressed about stress?In this episode, we use our own stressful situation as an opportunity to talk about stress and how to respond to stress in a non-judgmental or fearful way. It is true that when we become stressed about stress, the overall stress multiples and sticks around in our minds and bodies longer than it would otherwise. We talk about the physiological effect that stress has on the body that can take a toll on our health.And finally we talk about the possibility of relating to stress in a neutral way that that allows the stress to p...
2018-11-0925 min
Alter Life#44 | Dr. Susanna Alter: War and peace in relationshipsWith over 7-months of happy (and not so happy) marriage, Susanna and I are relationship experts (JOKE!).But seriously, we are both steeped in the art and science of the principles and practice of relationships. In such, we have some unique insights that we share and explore in this episode.We cover such things as...- How the two of us met and fell in love in med school- Why conflicts are awesome- The purpose of relationships (and of LIFE!)... and so much...
2018-11-051h 06
Alter Life#43 | The PROS and CONS of ANTI, PRO, and PRE bioticsBIOTICS!We all know about antibiotics in this world, maybe a little more than we should! In fact, both Dr. Susanna and I have unique stories concerning our journeys and connections with antibiotics, along with the acute and chronic consequences they have - from short term life saving to long term chronic side effects.In this episode we covered so many things including... ANTIBIOTICS - what they do in the short and long termAntibiotic Resistance - what is it, where does it come from, and why does it m...
2018-11-0132 min
Alter Life#42 | Dr. Joan Borysenko: cultivating resilience through mind-body masteryI am grateful to have had the pleasure and opportunity to connect with Dr. Borysenko and am excited to share this inspiring conversation.For those who are unfamiliar with her work, Dr. Joan Borysenko has been a true trailblazer through the field of mind-body medicine, playing a significant role developing the field to where it is today, largely integrated into the conventional medical system. But, it all didn't simply come from nothing! In this conversation, Dr. Borysenko shares her part in evolution of mind-body medicine, and so much more.We talk about...
2018-10-291h 14
Alter Life#41 | Is your liver sluggish? Learn how to promote a healthy liver!I feel like it's been a long time coming, as the Liver literally plays a central role in every aspect of health and healing. If you want to experience your optimal health and heal from any chronic health condition, you are definitely going to want to tune into this one! We talk many things including... Some of the MANY roles that the liver is responsible for on a day to day, moment to moment basis * Production of bile * Production of certain proteins for blood plasma * Production of cholesterol * Conversion of glucose into glycogen for sto...
2018-10-2529 min
Alter Life#40 | Dr. Joel Kahn: vegan nutrition for ageless livingI finally had the pleasure to connect with this thought leader and plant-based advocate out of Detroit, MI.We were supposed to meat in person at his restaurant, GreenSpace, but he had to postpone due to a last minute invitation to fly out and be on Dr. Oz!In this conversation, we reflected a bit on Dr. Kahn's recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Podcast where he took part in the very popular Vegan vs Paleo debate. (We didn't belabor the point too much, but if you'd like to get a more thorough reflection on...
2018-10-2252 min
Alter Life#39 | Releasing WEIGHT in a sustainable and satisfying wayToday we present to you a completely different approach to weight release from the norm, that is both sustainable and satisfying!We talk about how it is not just as simple as calories in and calories out. If that were the case, those on calorically restrictive diets would have much better results than they are typically seeing!We take a deeper look at some of the underlying causes of weight gain, mainly dysfunction in the thyroid, adrenals, and liver, and we talk about the power of food in restoring the function of these precious organs...
2018-10-1830 min
Alter Life#38 | Michael Brian Baker: Shamanism, plant medicine, pranayama for transformationI was so happy to reconnect with Michael for this conversation. Michael served as my introduction to breath work, now 6+ years ago. I have come to know how unique and powerful his breath work facilitation is, as it is combined with so many other potent ingredients, including those passed through shamanic lineage.The most important ingredient is Michael’s consciousness. He has cultivated his presence of a healer from the trials and tribulations his own life offered him. We talk about this journey into a healer, among so many other things in this conversation.For an...
2018-10-161h 20
Alter Life#37 | Your inherent wellbeing and self-healing powerIn this week’s episode we talk about you innate super powers! Some people call this your intuition, the collective mind, the one mind, innate wellbeing, etc. Whatever you choose to call it, it is there present with you always. Maybe you have experienced your own innate wisdom in a flash of clarity or an intuitive hit, or maybe you experienced it looking into the eyes of your grandchild, or watching a beautiful sunset. It does not always show up during profound, dramatic experiences, it can show in some of the most mundane normal time...bec...
2018-10-1128 min
Alter Life#36 | Drs. Ron & Mary Hulnick: Spiritual Psychology as a tool for evolving consciousnessIt was an honor to sit down with two of my beloved spiritual teachers!In this conversation, we talk about consciousness, health, and healing - which happens to be the title of a year long course offered at the University of Santa Monica, the school that Drs. Ron and Mary have co-directors for over 35 years! I have had the privilege of spending many years in the classroom with these two incredible souls, as well as 1 year on faculty during the latest Consciousness, Health, and Healing program.We discuss some “golden nuggets” as I see them with...
2018-10-081h 00
Alter Life#35 | A fresh perspective on Vegan vs Paleo (Re: Kahn vs Kresser on Joe Rogan)Dr. Susanna and I recently listened to the Paleo vs Vegan debate between Chris Kresser and Dr. Joel Kahn on the Joe Rogan Podcast.As the scientific claims flew back and forth, I realized the desperate need for a fresh perspective on the matter.This is a conversation about that fresh perspective.For a more in depth and articulated look, check out this recent blog post.In other news, throughout the month of OCTOBER we are offering a 25% discounts on all health programs at Alter Health. Let any friends or loved...
2018-10-0427 min
Alter Life#34 | Dr. Greg Nigh: Busting paradigms - alternative views on SIBO, cancer, and moreI’ve had the great pleasure of learning from Dr. Nigh a bit over the years. He is a true genius, and a real scientist, always thinking in working in ways to evolve thought and ideas.This conversation is a little more scientific and physical based than others, but a real demonstration of how we ought to relate to the world of science and medicine to keep the ball moving forward.We talk about SIBO, cancer, and other alternative concepts related to chronic disease.Dr. Nigh presents some mind-blowing ideas around cellular biology, ad...
2018-10-011h 15
Alter Life#33 | Supporting your ADRENALS in this crazy worldHave you or has someone you know been told they have “adrenal fatigue?”If you said yes, tune into this episode where we discuss the ever-prevalent condition of “adrenal fatigue” aka HPA-axis dysregulation, what causes it, what to do to restore proper adrenal function, and what NOT to do so you don’t further worsen the issue!You will learn about what the adrenals are, where they are located, what they do, why they are SO important for your health, and basic lifestyle practices to keep them healthy and happy!For a more in depth r...
2018-09-2732 min
Alter Life#32 | Wilfredo Benitez: Plant powered performance nutritionWilfredo, who also goes by Will, is a nutritionist who focuses on supporting athletes reach their performance goals. This conversation was a great one about Will's journey as a runner, ultimately finding his way into a nutritional science program at National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, which is where I originally met Will.We talk about achieving goals in health and in life before we take a deep dive into the world of nutrition. Will shares how fueling the body with nutrient dense plants can be such a powerful means to support individuals in their peak...
2018-09-241h 16
Alter Life#31 | Yom Kippur special - Fasting and ForgivenessIn this episode, Dr. Susanna isn't able to be with us, but we are still able to get into some great stuff on the topics of forgiveness and fasting. I see both of these practices, which are central to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, as amazing practices for cleansing and renewal.I talk about the different methods of fasting, including the ever popular intermittent fasting, bringing up some very important considerations for anyone wanting to optimize their cleansing experience.I also talk about living in a state of forgiveness, as opposed to simply forgiving...
2018-09-2022 min
Alter Life#30 | Dr. Ben Reebs: A quantum talk on vitalism and individualized healthcareDr. Ben Reebs was a classmate in Naturopathic Medical School who's ways of thinking and practicing always intrigued me. His "vitalistic" approach to healing was one that I have always strongly believed in as well, and his background and path into the field of naturopathic medicine is an inspiring one.In this conversation we talk about how there is no one-size fits all approach to health and healing, and how individualized vitalistic medicine is the way of the future (and past!).Even though healing is highly individualized, Dr. Ben gave some of great tips that...
2018-09-171h 12
Alter Life#29 | What does HOME have to do with HEALTH?In this episode, we take advantage of an opportunity to check in along our journey, now in Carbondale, Colorado, talking about a topic that is extremely pertinent to us both - HOME!We have in some ways been on the search for our next home, which is inviting us both to tune into our feelings as we navigate through beautiful towns along our journey.We talk about the Blue Zones and Dan Buettner's work (check out his books - Blue Zones, Blue Zones Solution, and Blue Zones of Happiness)We share how our...
2018-09-1325 min
Alter Life#28 | Dr. Sailesh Rao: A solution to world hunger, climate change, and violenceAfter this powerful conversation, I came fully out of the closet - the VEGAN closet! For those of you who know me well, you probably are familiar with the fact that I don't eat meat or animal products. I have been teetering on the fence for several years, being fully "plant-based" for the last year or so.Dr. Rao is a brilliant individual who offers a comprehensive and unique approach to so many of the problems that plague our world today. This conversation is more about the macro perspective, addressing these issues on a global scale.
2018-09-101h 17
Alter Life#27 | FIBER! Why you need more of itIn this episode, we turn back to nutrition to talk about my all time favorite nutrient - FIBER!It might be helpful to go back and listen to episode 15, episode 17, episode 19, and episode 23 where we cover other macronutrients.We talk about why fiber is important for:DETOXWeight lossGut healthMental Healthand moreIf you are going to focus on any one NUMBER in your diet - focus on FIBER. The recommended daily minimum of fiber is 25 grams, but the optimal diet contains at least 50g of fiber! Links to m...
2018-09-0726 min
Alter Life#26 | Dr. Glen Nagel: The magical properties of cannabis and other weedsDr. Glen Nagel was my botanical medicine professor during naturopathic medical studies. His knowledge is vast, and I've always appreciated his teachings that are infused with his light heart and athentic passion for the plants.In this talk we went into the range of therapeutic applications for many different plants, including cannabis. Dr. Nagel shares how all herbs can be used on energetic, physiologic, and pharmacologic levels to potentiate a range of desired effects in the body.We get into some scientific details with regard to a variety of plants, while also staying balanced with...
2018-09-031h 13
Alter Life#25 | Feeling emotional in this physical worldIn today’s podcast, we stray away from nutrition and into the vast world of emotions.If you listened to one of our first LIVE episodes, you will know that emotions are absolutely one of the primary determinants of health.And, if you are a human being, you know there is no escaping the emotions that come with our experience here on planet earth!Dr. Susanna leads the way as she shares about her growing and evolving emotional perspective, and I (Dr. Benjamin) also share a bit about my intimate healing journey....
2018-08-3031 min
Alter Life#24 | Arvind Chittumalla: How to be a healthy yogiYogi Arvind was my first ever proper meditation teacher! Since meeting him in Venice Beach, CA about 7 years ago, his presence has certainly influenced my path and understanding of health.In this conversation, Arvind and I discuss yoga and how it is such a powerful intervention for health and life when applied in its truest form. Arvind's work is to inspire and educate the world of the full depth and breadth of yogic wisdom, focusing beyond the yoga mat/yoga studio. We talk a bit about the other 7 limbs raja yoga, beyond Asana, or the physical movement...
2018-08-271h 09
Alter Life#23 | The truth about PROTEINIn today’s podcast, we dive into the third and final macronutrient: PROTEIN!For more on CARBS and FATS I'd recommend checking out those episodes, along with our very popular episode - Simplifying Healthy EatingWe talk about sources of protein, how much is needed, the harmful effect of eating too much protein, and what the deal is with protein powders. Similarly to the previous episodes on carbohydrates and fats, a brief but thorough description on the biochemistry and metabolism of protein is explained.We bust some popular protein myths!We al...
2018-08-2323 min
Alter Life#22 | Dr. Satya Ambrose: Functional medicine before it was cool + healing storiesDr. Satya Ambrose has served as a teacher and mentor in my Naturopathic Medical education. In addition to being one of the kindest and most compassionate humans, she is a brilliant clinician. The way that she weaves Naturopathic and Chinese medicine together so artfully to support the holistic health of her patients is an inspiration.In this conversation we talk about the evolution of medicine and science. She shares how the field has changed over the years, with more and more doctors practicing in more of a "naturopathic" way.Dr. Satya also shares some inspirational...
2018-08-201h 14
Alter Life#21 | Surrendering to life for healthIn this episode, we change directions for a moment to be present with where Dr. Susanna and I (Dr. Benjamin) are at personally in our life journey.We discuss why we are immersed in the beauty of Cortes Island, British Columbia, and how following our hearts calling continues to point us down our authentic path.Dr. Susanna shares a bit about her recent surrendering to some sudden and scary skin conditions, and how doing so led to a state of peace that fueled her recovery.I share a bit about my surrendering and...
2018-08-1622 min
Alter Life#20 | Jovinna Chan: Being fully aliveWhen I met Jovinna just over 5 years ago, I was struck by her strength, her presence, and her aliveness. She was the facilitator of my Yoga teacher training at Esalen Institute, a powerful month-long immersion that was a integral component to my own wellness journey.In this conversation Jovinna and I didn't talk much about yoga, but we explored the broader question of what it means to "Be Fully Alive." Having just led a workshop on this topic, we discussed some of the practices that Jovinna weaves through her own life.We talked about the...
2018-08-131h 05
Alter Life#19 | The truth about FATSIn this episode, we dive deeper into healthy eating by tackling another macronutrient - FATS!Last week, we dove deep into carbohydrates - tune in if you'd like a review!This week we talk about all of the different types of fats - saturated, unsaturated, short chain, medium chain, long chain, omega-3, omega-6...All of these fats are different!We pick it all apart and talk about how these fats affect the body differently.The take aways are...Focus on WHOLE FOODS (eg - olives over olive oil...
2018-08-0932 min
Alter Life#18 | Amber Ryan: Mindfully moving into wholeness with 5 rhythmsI feel fortunate to connect with Amber Ryan this week to explore a new topic: healing through dance and movement.I was introduced to 5 rhythms and other meditative movement practices several years ago. At first, I was scared and exceedingly uncomfortable, but I was also intrigued. I kept coming back, slowly feeling the joy and freedom that was available through the simple uninhibited movement of my body.NOTE: I have never been a dancer or performer in anyway. Fortunately, such a background is in no way a prerequisite to engaging in such practices....
2018-08-061h 12
Alter Life#17 | The truth about carbohydratesIn this episode, we dive deeper into healthy eating by tackling our first macronutrient - CARBOHYDRATES!The term, "CARBOHYDRATE" is thrown around recklessly in our world today. I've heard doctors compare a piece of fruit to a bag of skittles. We live in a world where low-carb dietary trends persist, and there is no sign of things quieting down.It's a bit longer than typical Alter Your Health LIVE episodes, but we covered a lot - from carbohydrate synthesis to metabolism, from fruit and fructose to potatoes and glucose. We talk about insulin and diabetes...
2018-08-0233 min
Alter Life#16 | Dr. Russell Marz: Nutrition to heal people and the planet Dr. Russell Marz is one of the most fun and fascinating individuals I know. He has a long history of teaching clinical nutrition at NUNM, my alma mater. I was not fortunate enough to have him as a professor when I attended NUNM, though I am grateful to connect with him in the naturopathic community of Portland, Oregon where he continues to practice. Like any conversation with Dr. Marz, this was a fun one!It can be hard to keep this character tethered to this planet, but what would you expect with the last name o...
2018-07-301h 42
Alter Life#15 | Simplifying healthy eatingIn this episode, we circle back around to the all important determinant of health - FOOD!The topic of food has been a hot one to handle for some time now, and there is no sign of it cooling down.In this episode we aim to CUT THROUGH THE CHAOS and find a simple and straight forward path to the optimal food choices and eating habits.To sum it up, we focus on...The importance of eating WHOLE FOODS over processed foods (this means olives over olive oil, peas over...
2018-07-2627 min
Alter Life#14 | Erin O'Rourk: Releasing trauma into the water through Watsu and aquatic therapyI was happy to connect and speak with Erin, a classmate of mine from the University of Santa Monica's Spiritual Psychology prorgam.Erin has taken a dive (no pun intended!) into using water to facility deep healing and trauma release.With trauma in our world today being such an epidemic, I was fascinated to learn of such a gentle yet powerful intervention.In this conversation we explore why trauma is and how our bodies can hold on to this energy, potentially leading to chronic mental, emotional, and physical conditions. Erin shares how the...
2018-07-2359 min
Alter Life#13 | Are relationships making you sick?In this episode, we dive into another determinant of health - RELATIONSHIPS!As divine beings having a human experience, Earth School is where we learn and grow. In Earth School, our teachers are those who we have relationships with. Each reflecting opportunities to know ourselves and love ourselves more fully.In this episode we talk about how relationships can be both a source of stress and a source of love. We also talk about how loneliness and feelings of disconnection and isolation are powerful predictors of all sorts of disease.Dr. Susanna and...
2018-07-1927 min
Alter Life#12 | Walter Werzowa: Music Medicine for Body, Mind, and SoulI am so thrilled to share this conversation with Walter Werzowa. You may not have ever heard his name, but you have certainly heard at least some of his musical creation. Walter has created the musical signature for Intel (ding.... dong-ding-dung-ding ---- I'm not very musical!), amongst many other audio signatures and musical masterpieces.Walter's classical musical career has evolved in a very unique direction that has given rise to his most recent endeavor, HealthTunes.The bulk of our discussion was focused on Music Medicine, different tune, notes, and melodies that have been proven effective...
2018-07-161h 12
Alter Life#10 | Dr. Christian Gonzalez: Keeping cancer-free in a toxic world***Enjoying this podcast??? --> Leave a RATING and REVIEW! :-)In this conversation, Dr.Gonzalez and I stay focused on the environmental toxins that accumulate to potentially wreak havoc on the health of the body on every level. We discuss how the overwhelming amount of toxins in our world today has become one of the fundamental root causes of the cancer epidemic. We discuss WHERE these toxins are hidden in households and the environment as well as HOW they accumulate to stress the body. Dr. Gonzalez shares some info about specific toxins to be familiar with along...
2018-07-091h 04
Alter Life#9 | Building blocks to radiant healthIn this episode, we kick off a whole new show; Alter Your Health LIVE!These episodes will continue to be recorded weekly, live-streamed from the Alter Health facebook page! So, if you'd like to tune in and engage with future shows feel free. And, invite any friends or family that are interested in getting a weekly dose of healthy vibes! :-)Some things we covered today include the therapeutic order, also called the hierarchy of healing (see image below). We only covered a fraction of the very first level - Establishing The Foundation For Optimal...
2018-07-0526 min
Alter Life#8 | Dr. Bill Pettit: Mental Health - One cause, one cure***Enjoying this Podcast??? --> Leave a RATING and REVIEW :-)In this conversation, Dr. Pettit offers a very brief overview of the 3 principles (mind, consciousness, and thought) and how understanding these principles create space to experience mental wellbeing. Dr. Pettit explains how chronic mental stress has a drastic impact on both mental and physical health. Most importantly, Dr. Pettit offers the simple and elegant remedy to experience peace of mind and body. He shares just briefly a couple out of the hundreds of amazingly transformational stories from the healing that he has witnessed over his career as...
2018-07-021h 25
Alter Life#7 | Meredith Klein: Finding balance with Ayurveda***Enjoying this podcast??? --> Leave a RATING and REVIEW! :-)In this conversation, Meredith shares the ancient art and science of ayurveda in a very simple, modern and practical way. We discuss how ayurvedic concepts can help bring balance to life to support health and wellbeing. While the focus on the conversation was certainly nutrition, Meredith brings up other applications of ayurveda in life, which are very fascinating. One of my favorite aspects of this conversation is the discussion on mindfulness in the kitchen. Each meal is not only a medicinal opportunity to consume, but the preparation...
2018-06-251h 03
Alter Life#6 | Benjamin Fox: Finding purpose and health through astrologyIn this conversation, Benjamin and I dive right into his passion and gifts; astrology. We discuss a brief history of astrology, as well as how it being SO much deeper than the column in the newspaper. Benjamin gives a wonderful and simple overview of the basics to know when reading a chart (sun, moon, planets, houses, relationships, etc). We final focus on the value of cultivating an elevated perspective through astrology. Benjamin emphasizes how an astrologic chart is not your destiny, but a map to support living into your fullest potential in this life. L...
2018-06-181h 11
Alter Life#5 | Dr. Christie Fleetwood: From pharmacy to farmacyIn this conversation, Dr. Fleetwood and I start by talking about her background and personal healing journey. She provides a brief history of the pharmaceutical industry and how our society has come to be so overly medicated. We talk about some of the worst/scariest drugs that are also commonly prescribed, along with some common "side effects." We didn't get so much into the complex nutritional deficiencies that can arise over time while taking most pharmaceutical medications, but we did touch on how these meds can become obstacles for natural healing. We end with some very important foundational information...
2018-06-111h 14
Alter Life#4 | Dr. Daniel Chong: Healing the heart with foodDaniel Chong, ND has been a licensed naturopathic physician, practicing in Portland, OR, since 2000, where his primary focus is on risk assessment, prevention, and drug-free treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease. He is also founder and lead coach at The Healthy Heart Academy, LLC, an online platform created to help eradicate heart attacks via direct consumer coaching, and health practitioner education. Dr. Chong has completed training in cardio-metabolic medicine from The American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine, is a member of the Society for Heart Attack Prevention and Eradication (SHAPE Society), serves as a clinical educator for Boston Heart Diagnostics Lab, an...
2018-06-041h 10
Alter Life#1 | Jere Friedman: Healing with sound and breathIn today's episode, I sit down with Jere Friedman, who happens to be my step-dad! Jere and I discuss his work with facilitating healing with gongs and breath-work. We discuss how Jere came into this form of "play" after being a full-time attorney (which he continues to masterfully balance while maintaining is presence as a healer). We discuss some of the theories around how both gong and breath promote healing of the mind and body. We finally come to discuss mindfulness in general, as a means to promote wellbeing and balance in life.It seems like Jere a...
2018-05-281h 10
Alter Life#2 | Dr. Leonard Laskow: Healing with LoveIn today's episode I sit down with Dr. Leonard Laskow. Dr. Laskow is a Stanford-trained Life Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, former Chief of OB-GYN at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in Carmel, California, and has served as faculty at the University of California, San Francisco. He was a founding diplomate of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine and a former member of HeartMath Institute’s Scientific Advisory Board. He served as a US Naval Flight Surgeon in Vietnam.Dr. Laskow has done seminal research with biophysicists, neurochemists, and crystallographers on...
2018-05-281h 11
Alter Life#3 | Andy Petranek: Living the Whole Life ChallengeIn the episode, Andy Petranek and I talk about Andy's journey of bringing The Whole Life Challenge into existence from it's inception to what it is today, a world-wide, 6-week, online and in-your-life game you play with friends and family to improve your daily fitness & well-being habits. We discuss developing healthy habits and the how community can so profoundly support accountability and enjoyment We also hammer in the power of taking personal responsibility for our own health and wellbeing throughout this episode.Links to more...- Show notes and resources: https://alter.health...
2018-05-281h 10
Alter Life#0 | Susanna Alter: Our healing journeysIn today's episode, I sit down with Susanna Alter, my new wife and partner in life. We set the foundation for this podcast by discussing our unique healing journeys, how we have come to be where we are today in the field of Naturopathic Medicine.Being the very first episode, there was a lot left unsaid with regard to our unique philosophy to health and healing. I look forward to diving more into this with my wife and partner, Susanna, in future episodes.Some things mentioned in this episode:Our studies...
2018-05-131h 19