Connecting the Dots

It is easier to make lifestyle changes if you live in a healthy environment. It isn't too difficult to make better choices if you have organic grocery stores near you or a local trail to take a walk on. Therefore, it is critical for all of us to advocate for accessible and local services that will make the community happier and healthier. To learn more about how to enact change in our neighborhoods, I talk to one of my close friends and data analyst, Mariel Geron, about how she uses data to help communities and the steps people can take to make the right food and exercise choices for them. Then, I chat with Scott Kashman, Market President with Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health, about how he creates successful wellness programs. Last, I speak with Scott's former colleague, Cheryl Schlichte, Project Manager at Healthy Lee, about her job and initiatives that have proven successful in her community in Florida. After this episode (and this series), I hope you all think about how you can start to make positive changes where you live and the initiatives you can join!Episode 12 Resource Guide: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-12-resource-guide/

Now that you have so many healthy habits that you want to implement—from eating more fruits and vegetables to practicing yoga and meditation to reducing intake of fried foods—you might be wondering how to talk to your family and friends about these changes. You also might be thinking about how you can get your partner or children on board to join you on your health journey. To help you navigate these conversations, I spoke with Nutrition Education student, Rachael Griffin, New York Times' best-selling author, Dr. Marion Nestle, and my mom and health advocate, Gail Carney. Each of these incredible women offer tips to get children to eat healthier, navigate holidays and parties without abandoning your lifestyle changes, and encourage others to make healthy choices with you.Episode 11 Resource Guide: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-11-resource-guide/

If you are committed to making positive lifestyle changes and want a little help, seeking guidance from a health coach could be the right decision for you! Throughout this season of Connecting the Dots, we have talked about so many lifestyle changes that you can make—from eating a healthier diet to moving your body more often to managing your stress. However, in today's fast-paced society, it can be incredibly difficult to make the right lifestyle changes for you and stick with them. In this episode, I chat with fashion designer and owner of Jules Collective, Jules Kim [Feng], who has found it challenging to eat healthy. She takes us through her journey with food and details how working with a health coach has made a huge impact on her well-being. Then, I speak with Holistic Health and Nutrition Practitioner, Rosy McCann, about some of the techniques she uses as a health coach. She also offers advice listeners can start implementing as soon as you finish this episode!Episode 10 Resource Guide: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-10-resource-guide/

In our society, we are so used to going to the doctor when we experience pain or discomfort and getting treated for that specific symptom. When we have a headache, we take an aspirin, or when we have heartburn, we pop an antacid. However, many of us do not stop to ask what the root cause of these symptoms are and how we can address it. Acupuncture and muscle testing are two healing modalities that work to discover and treat the root cause of illnesses instead of symptoms. To learn more about what acupuncture and muscle testing are and how they can help people heal, I talked to holistic health practitioner and founder of Alternative Bliss, Peggy Herzog, and acupuncturist and founder of South Philly Community Acupuncture, Lauren O'Brien L.Ac. Peggy is actually my family's holistic health practitioner, and my mom went to Lauren for years! Both of these incredible women have been instrumental in helping me and my family get to the root causes of our issues, and I cannot wait for you to hear more from them and learn about their specialties.Resource Guide: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-9-resource-guide/

I think we can all agree that life can be pretty stressful, especially in a pandemic. Our body's stress response can save us in some situations, but if we are chronically stressed due to work, finances, friends, family, and the news, it can take a toll on our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Luckily, there are a ton of different ways to manage stress from exercising to painting artwork to writing letters. To learn more about the many different ways to handle stress, I talked to one of my close friends Melissa Chammas, a certified yoga instructor. I also sat down with Cheryl Schlichte, Project Manager for Healthy LEE, and Christine Burke, an art teacher, health coach, and author. Each of them discusses tangible stress management techniques that you could start implementing this week! Stress management is important because it can lower anxiety and blood pressure, improve self-confidence, and help people cope with life's challenges.Resource Guide: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-8-resource-guide/

Inflammation is becoming a buzz word in the health and wellness space. You might hear that sugar is bad for you because it causes inflammation in the body or that turmeric is good for you because it reduces inflammation. But what does that even mean? To learn more about what inflammation is and the havoc that it can wreak in our bodies, I chatted with Julie Daniluk, RHN, NNCP, and Ariel Mantzoor, MSW, LCSW. I asked Ariel about her healing journey and what her practitioners found were the root causes of her mystery illnesses, like extreme fatigue, severe body aches, and SIBO. Then, I chat with nutritionist, award-winning author, TV host, Julie, about the causes of inflammation, foods that contribute to inflammation, and foods that nourish the body. You will get lots of tips on how to clean up your diet— and your home—in this episode!Episode 7 Resource Guide: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-7-resource-guide/

In today's day and age, there are so many ways to be active. You can play on sports teams, go to [solidcore] classes, engage in online workout classes, coach running clubs, or hit the gym. It is amazing that we have so many workout options, but exercise is only one component of wellness. Another key component is diet. I wanted to find out what my friends and family in the fitness world are eating to maximize their performance on the field, in the studio, or at the gym. I asked Brian O'Neill, Offensive Tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, how dietary choices played a role in his success in college and in the pros. His answers might just surprise you! Then, I talked with National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer Group Fitness Coach, Bryce Andrukitis, about the diet he follows that gives him enough energy to teach classes, manage a studio, and workout all day, every day. I end the episode by talking to Maddie Davis—PE teacher, coach, and athletic director at a middle school in Dallas—about the food choices she makes and influences her students to make on and off the field.Episode 6 Resource Guide: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-6-resource-guide/

Losing weight can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Many people are overwhelmed by all of the information available on the internet — from workouts and fad diets to fat burners and weight loss programs. It can be so difficult to sift through all of this information (or misinformation) and determine the best plan for you, your lifestyle, and your goals. If you are someone who has struggled with losing weight, managing weight, or keeping weight off, then I hope you find this episode helpful. My partner, Luke Self, starts the episode by discussing his weight loss journey, and how he was able to lose about 70 pounds (and keep the pounds off). Then, Samantha Nehmi, weight-loss nutritionist and founder of SammieNehmi Nutrition & Wellness LLC, shares the weight loss with less stress programs she offers to help people experience long-term, sustainable weight loss. Last, Sarah Tannen, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, gives tangible tips for how to live a healthy lifestyle, get in shape, and prevent chronic illness. Resource Guide for Episode 5: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-5-resource-guide/

When we are making lifestyle changes like eating healthier, exercising more, or practicing meditation, it helps to have someone to cheer you on along the way, or even better, have someone to make those changes with you. My friends, Trish Churchill and Steve Elf, taught me what it means to truly support a partner, friend, or family member who is making serious lifestyle changes. During our conversation, we talk about their journey trying to heal Trish's cancer, how they dealt with devastating news, and the changes they've made together to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Their story is one for the books, and I can't wait for you to hear it. *We recorded this episode in May 2021. In July 2021, Trish discovered that she was misdiagnosed and was actually suffering from t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After receiving conventional treatment, holistic treatment, and maintaining her lifestyle changes as best she could, Trish announced on November 5, 2021 that she was cancer free. I am so excited that this story does have a happy ending and that Trish was able to heal!Resource Guide for Episode 4: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-4-resource-guide/

It is truly incredible that foods and herbs can be used as medicine. My first guest, Alexandra Currell, certified herbalist and reiki practitioner, kicks off the episode by telling us about her 10-year healing journey that culminated when she discovered and embraced eating a plant-based diet and utilizing herbs. My next guest, Danielle Ryan Broida, Four Sigmatic's Omnichannel Education Manager, let's us in on the secret power that functional mushrooms and other adaptogens have on our health. These magical foods can be used to help with stress, reduce inflammation, and support the immune system. They are amazing to have in your back pocket (or backyard) when you need a little extra support. Resource Guide for Episode 3: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-3-resource-guide/

We are experiencing some major problems in our food system in the United States, including greenhouse gas emissions, food insecurity, rising obesity rates, and inequitable farming practices. It's important to explore and understand these major food system issues to ensure that you, your family, and your community are healthy and supported. To dive deeper into these issues, I talked to Maddie Segal, Business Development Manager at the Plant Based Foods Association, because she is a fierce advocate for health, animal welfare, and sustainability. I also spoke to New York Times bestselling author and professor, Dr. Marion Nestle, about how we can improve food system issues. You will also hear from Agricultural Lawyer and Non-Profit Founder, Jillian Hishaw Esq., about the disadvantages some rural farmers face and ways she supports them.* Please note that these interviews were conducted in March and April of 2021Resource Guide for Episode 2: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/connecting-the-dots-episode-2-resource-guide/

The processed food industry has taken over in the United States, and many studies have shown that the foods we eat can have a serious impact on our health. In this episode, you'll learn a little bit more about me and my journey with food and hear from two incredible guests. The first guest this week is Melanie Warner, best-selling author of Pandora's Lunchbox: How Processed Food Took Over the American Meal. Former food industry reporter for the New York Times, Melanie, talks about what inspired her to do some digging into the processed food industry and what she discovered. My second guest is the co-founder of NoBull Burger, Elizabeth Raymond. We discuss the inspiration for NoBull Burger and the importance of using quality ingredients in our packaged food!Resource Guide for Episode 1: https://kathlyncarney.com/product/audio-show-episode-1-guide/