Shows
The Health Edge: translating the science of self-careFinding The Sweet Spot For Iron And HealthSend us a textIron can be the spark for energy or the fuel for oxidative fire—and most lab reports don’t tell you which side you’re on. We dig into what really matters: tighter ferritin targets, how genetics and food shape absorption, and why the “normal range” can still mean higher risk for stroke, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and insulin resistance.We start with the fundamentals—heme vs non‑heme iron, why absorption is so uneven, and how early CBC clues like a low MCV can flag deficiency before hemoglobin drops. From there we trace the o...
2026-02-0448 min
GrowLeader Podcast with Chris Hodges92 | Mark Pettus - Celebration, Reflection, & Innovation - Chris HodgesIn Episode 92 of the Grow Leader Podcast, Pastor Chris Hodges is joined by Pastor Mark Pettus for a timely and insightful conversation on leadership, transition, and long-term impact. Recorded during the 25th anniversary season of Church of the Highlands, this episode reflects on a year of role transition, the importance of celebrating wins, and what it takes to lead with clarity and grace over time. Together, they unpack powerful leadership principles around vision, execution, personal development, and innovation, offering practical wisdom for pastors and leaders navigating growth, change, and increasing responsibility. From building healthy culture to managing...
2026-02-0236 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careThe Quality of Darkness at Night: a major disruptor of metabolic and cardiovascular healthSend us a textA quiet glow at midnight can echo through your biology like a shout. We dig into new research showing that even modest night light is tied to higher risks of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and coronary disease—and we connect the dots to circadian rhythm, metabolism, and the choices we make at home every evening. This isn’t fearmongering; it’s a roadmap for reclaiming sleep, stabilizing blood pressure, and improving insulin sensitivity with tools you already have.We break down how light at night elevates stress hormones, flattens the noctur...
2026-01-2845 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careRethinking Alkaline Eating: What Really Drives Metabolic HealthSend us a textForget the hype about a food’s pH in your glass. What shapes your health is the acid produced after digestion—and how your kidneys manage it all day, every day. We unpack the science behind dietary acid load, explain the difference between DAL, PRAL, and NEAP, and show how a modern, grain-heavy pattern quietly raises acid burden while delivering minimal nutrients. The goal isn’t to fear protein; it’s to pair it with the right plants so bones, muscles, and metabolism get stronger together.We walk through how the kidneys...
2026-01-141h 00The Health Edge: translating the science of self-careHidden Metabolic Danger In “Healthy” AdultsSend us a textFeeling “fine” with normal labs can hide the earliest signs of metabolic trouble. We dive into a revealing study of young adults that compares sedentary people to those who simply meet activity guidelines, and what it uncovers inside their muscle cells is hard to ignore: lower mitochondrial respiration, poorer cardiolipin quality, higher lactate production, and a tilt toward glycolysis that predicts insulin resistance and chronic disease years before a diagnosis.We walk through why mitochondria—not BMI or a single glucose reading—are the real engines of health. You’ll hear how cardio...
2026-01-0941 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careUric Acid, The Hidden Metabolic SignalSend us a textA quiet lab number is telling a loud story about modern health. We dig into uric acid as a powerful signal of metabolic strain, connecting the dots between rising sugar intake, sodium overload, dehydration, and that stubborn fatigue and weight gain so many of us feel. Drawing on pioneering research from Richard Johnson and Robert Lustig, we break down how fructose doesn’t just sweeten food; it drains cellular energy, elevates uric acid, and flips an ancient “fat switch” designed for survival. In an era of constant abundance, that switch can stay stuck on, pu...
2025-12-3146 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careHow Exercise Intensity Shapes Longevity, Heart Health, And Metabolic ResilienceSend us a textA minute that leaves you breathless can rival eight minutes of comfortable effort. That’s the eye-opening takeaway we unpack as we dive into fresh UK Biobank data showing how vigorous activity dramatically outperforms moderate and light movement for reducing all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, diabetes, and even cancer risk. We strip away jargon and use the talk test—can you sing, speak, or barely get a sentence out?—so anyone can gauge intensity without a lab or a smartwatch.We explore why intensity pays off under the hood: stronger left ventricular functi...
2025-12-1753 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careCoffee, AFib, And What The Science SaysSend us a textCoffee and heart rhythm don’t have to be enemies. We dig into a new randomized trial across the US, Canada, and Australia suggesting that caffeinated coffee may lower the risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation compared with abstaining, then connect the dots with real-world monitoring, ablation strategy, and day-to-day choices that influence heart health.We start by grounding AFib in plain terms: what it is, why so many people never feel it, and how stroke risk rises when the atria stop driving a steady beat. From there, we step into the el...
2025-12-1135 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careThe Delicate Balance Between Oxidative Stress And AntioxidantsSend us a textMost wellness advice tries to stamp out oxidative stress. We make a different case: the right dose of stress is the signal that builds resilience. From the first snowfall chat to a deep dive on electrons, mitochondria, and energy flow, we walk through how redox balance—reduction and oxidation—is the unseen driver of better fitness, metabolism, and healthy aging. Rather than drowning your cells in pharmacologic antioxidant doses, we show why whole foods, intelligent training, and hormetic practices switch on the body’s superior, built-in defenses.We break down how reacti...
2025-12-0352 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careHow To Love Holiday Food That Loves You BackSend us a textThe table can be joyful and nourishing at the same time. We open the season with a simple promise: keep the flavors you love, swap the parts that don’t love you back. From a resistant starch gravy that boosts your microbiome to a mushroom-forward, breadless stuffing that hits all the nostalgic notes, we map a path to a Thanksgiving that tastes great and leaves you energized.We rethink side dishes through a health-first lens without losing comfort: slow-roasted sweet potatoes finished with cinnamon for better glycemic control, and an antioxidant-rich sp...
2025-11-2628 min
The Mightiest WarriorsHow A Veteran Found Peace In The Arts And Built A Home For OthersSend us a textA battlefield doesn’t always look like a map with lines and targets. Sometimes it’s a living room at 2 a.m., a mind replaying scenes on a loop, or a rehearsal hall where a single monologue finally cracks something open. We sit down with actor, veteran, and advocate Chris Loverro to trace a life shaped by service—Army Civil Affairs, a decade in Berkeley law enforcement, a brutal line‑of‑duty injury—and a rebirth through the arts that became Warriors for Peace Theater.Chris shares how empathy became his most reliabl...
2025-11-1950 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careIf Light Is A Language, What Is Your Body Hearing?Send us a textWhat if your lighting is sending the wrong message to your biology? We dig into the science of light as information, showing how specific wavelengths trigger opsins in the eyes and skin to set circadian rhythm, shape metabolism, and influence mood, sleep, and aging. From violet and sky-blue that kick-start morning alertness to red and near-infrared that support mitochondrial function, collagen, and nitric oxide, we connect the dots between spectrum quality and everyday health.We unpack why standard LEDs, optimized for brightness and efficiency, often omit key wavelengths and oversupply blue...
2025-11-1949 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careIs Coconut Oil A Villain Or Just Misunderstood? Spoiler: It’s ComplicatedSend us a textCurious why coconut oil can raise LDL for some people yet still show up in diets that improve metabolic health, cognition, and body composition? We get clear on what coconut oil actually is—a family of saturated fats with a rare abundance of medium-chain triglycerides—and why MCTs create ketones that the brain and mitochondria can use even without fasting. Instead of stopping at cholesterol, we look at the fuller picture: insulin resistance, inflammation, triglycerides, and real-world outcomes that drive risk more than a single lab value.We dig into the diff...
2025-10-2242 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careYour gut can turn ellagic acid into urolithin A—and that shift may protect muscle, brain, and metabolismSend us a textIf pomegranates, raspberries, and walnuts could whisper a secret to your cells, it might be this: the right microbes can turn plant defense into human resilience. We dive into the journey from ellagic acid to urolithin A, mapping how polyphenols meet the microbiome to support mitochondrial function, muscle strength, and brain health. Along the way, we unpack the science of mitophagy, inflammation control, and metabolic signaling that ties colorful foods to better performance and longevity.We share why only an estimated 20–40% of people currently convert ellagic acid to urolithin A, and wh...
2025-10-1539 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careFour Days to Metabolic Flexibility: What a Danish Crossover Trial Reveals About Carbs, Fat, and Fatty LiverSend us a textA 35% drop in liver fat in under a week sounds impossible—until you see how a simple macro shift can redirect your metabolism. We dive into a Danish crossover study where calories stayed equal, protein held steady, and the only real change was carbohydrates versus fat. The result: rapid reductions in hepatic fat, lower triglycerides, improved insulin sensitivity, and clear signs of metabolic flexibility, all in four to five days. We unpack what that means for everyday eating, how to use CGM feedback to reduce glucose spikes, and why outcomes like organ fat an...
2025-10-0830 minThe Health Edge: translating the science of self-careChildhood Night Light Exposure and the Hidden Cost of “Junk Light”Send us a textThe clock isn’t just on your wall—it’s in your cells. As autumn settles in and daylight wanes, we dig into how light acts as information for your biology, shaping sleep depth, hormone timing, and metabolic health. A standout 15-year cohort of 200,000+ children links persistent artificial light at night to higher obesity risk, and it pairs with wearable data from tens of thousands of people that reveals how little real sunlight most of us get—even at the height of summer.We break down what’s actually happening under the hood...
2025-10-0137 minThe Mightiest WarriorsSoil, Service, and SovereigntySend us a textJuan Whiting's vision bridges worlds that rarely intersect: military service and regenerative agriculture. As president and co-founder of the Hinterland Institute, he's created a powerful model that places veterans as stewards of America's federal and private lands. This conversation reveals how former service members, particularly those from special operations backgrounds, bring unique skills to landscape regeneration—their understanding of ecosystems, adaptability, and mission-focused approach perfectly aligns with the demands of healing degraded soil.The stakes couldn't be higher. With global topsoil degradation threatening food security for billions and the Department of De...
2025-09-3057 minThe Mightiest WarriorsThe EP Challenge: Rediscovering Our Ancestral Health WisdomSend us a textWhat if everything you've been told about your health destiny being determined by genetics is wrong? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Mark Pettus and Ashley Sheridan challenge conventional wisdom about our ability to transform our health at any age through whole foods nutrition.Ashley shares her personal motivation for embarking on what she calls the "EP Challenge" – a one-month experiment using Essential Provisions meals as the cornerstone of a nutrition reset. At sixty-something, she's noticed concerning changes: decreased energy, mental fog, and high blood pressure that doctors dismissed as "hereditary." Her jo...
2025-07-1848 minThe Mightiest WarriorsBeyond Diets: How Lifestyle Changes Create Lasting TransformationSend us a textWhat happens when you challenge the belief that your energy levels, mental clarity, and weight are simply "fixed" parts of who you are? In this captivating follow-up conversation with Ashley Sheridan, we explore how small, sustainable lifestyle shifts created remarkable, lasting change.Ashley shares her experience with the Essential Provisions challenge—replacing just one meal six times weekly with whole food nutrition while eliminating high-glycemic carbs and aligning with her natural circadian rhythms. The transformation unfolds through her story: sustained weight loss of eight pounds over three months, dramatically increased energy le...
2025-07-1634 minThe Mightiest WarriorsFrom Kansas to the Cadillac Dirtbag: Potter Wonderland's Journey of HappinessSend us a textPotter Wonderland wasn't always the free-spirited rock climber known as "The Cadillac Dirtbag." Growing up in Kansas, he followed society's prescribed path—college, steady employment, material pursuits—yet found himself profoundly unhappy until age 24. Everything changed when an algorithm-suggested documentary about rock climbing appeared on his screen after watching a PCT hiking film. The very next day, Potter drove to Joshua Tree, where fate arranged a life-altering encounter with climbers who handed him a harness instead of just letting him watch.That first successful climb triggered an awakening so profound that Pott...
2025-07-0254 minThe Mightiest WarriorsTransforming Trauma into Resilience: Dr. Joseph Maroon's Journey from Burnout to BalanceSend us a textWhat if the key to brain health isn't found in a pill bottle but in how we live each day? Dr. Joseph Maroon, neurosurgeon and former medical director for the Pittsburgh Steelers, brings forty years of experience to this profound conversation about transforming our approach to brain health.Dr. Maroon's journey begins with a breakthrough moment in sports medicine. When legendary coach Chuck Knoll demanded objective data before benching concussed players, Maroon created what would become the IMPACT test—now used over 25 million times to protect athletes from dangerous second impacts. Th...
2025-06-1748 minThe Mightiest WarriorsFrom Tennis Champion to Metabolic Health Pioneer: Dr. Paul Arciero's JourneySend us a textWhat happens when a tennis prodigy hits rock bottom at 19, only to discover an inner strength that transforms not just his game, but eventually the science of nutrition, fitness and human performance? Dr. Paul Arciero takes us on his remarkable journey from struggling student to pioneering protein metabolism researcher whose work is changing how we think about nutrition and exercise.Growing up in a bustling household with seven siblings, Paul often felt lost in the shuffle, finding his identity through movement rather than academics. His story pivots on profound moments of...
2025-05-2357 minThe Mightiest WarriorsFrom Neuroscience to Military Excellence: Dr. Allison Brager's JourneySend us a textDr. Allison Brager lives at the fascinating intersection of elite athletics, military service, and cutting-edge neuroscience. As one of the Army's "71 Foxes" - a small, specialized group of uniformed neuroscientists and neuropsychologists- she's revolutionizing how we understand human performance in extreme conditions.This conversation reveals how Brager's journey from collegiate pole vaulter to professional CrossFit competitor shaped her approach to sleep science and resilience research. After feeling out of place in traditional academia, where fellow researchers dismissed her as a "dumb jock meathead," Brager found her true community in military service. "...
2025-05-1532 min
The Health Edge: translating the science of self-careForest Bathing: Nature Heals Our DisconnectSend us a textNature deficit syndrome is silently affecting millions as we spend over 95% of our lives indoors beneath artificial lighting that disrupts our biology at the most fundamental level. Dr. Mark Pettus delivers a compelling exploration of this modern disconnection, introducing the powerful concept that our current "junk light" epidemic may soon be viewed with the same concern we now direct toward processed foods.Drawing from both scientific research and ancient wisdom traditions, Dr. Pettus reveals how the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) offers a profound antidote to our indoor, technology-dominated existence...
2025-05-0724 min
The Health Edge: translating the science of self-careNourishing the Mind: Food, Light, and Lifestyle for Better MoodSend us a textAt a time when anxiety and depression rates are soaring across all age groups, Dr. Mark Pettus cuts through the noise with revelatory insights into how our daily choices shape our mental landscape. This compelling exploration connects the dots between what's on your plate, how you move through your day, and the remarkable resilience of your brain.Dr. Pettus introduces the concept of allostatic load—how our bodies interpret and respond to environmental stressors—and reveals why our modern lifestyle creates the perfect storm for mental health challenges. Rather than viewing mood...
2025-05-0132 minThe Mightiest WarriorsWarriors Beyond War: Casey Harver's Journey from Navy SEAL to Alaskan Wilderness GuideSend us a textWhen the mountains meet the sea in Kodiak, Alaska, something transformative happens to those who embrace its challenges. Retired Navy SEAL Captain Casey Harver discovered this power during military training and never looked back, eventually establishing Kodiak Big Timber and the Kodiak Survival School to share these life-changing experiences with others.Casey's story begins with an over-the-beach training exercise that changed everything. Swimming to shore and emerging beneath ancient spruce trees draped with moss, he experienced what he describes as an "enchanted forest dream state." That moment planted a seed that...
2025-04-2251 min