Podcasts about botox

#ChrisDistefano #StandUp #comedy Steph Tolev joins Chris Distefano for one of the most chaotic episodes yet! Steph talks about filming Tires, her acting career, getting American citizenship, relationships, Botox, internet trolls and the insanity of being a comedian. Plus, the streets of New York completely take over the show as random people stop by, Chris and Steph debate just about everything, and Little Petey shows up to close out the episode. This is Chrissy Chaos exactly how it was meant to be: completely unpredictable. 00:00 Steph Tolev Joins the Chaos 03:00 Chris Has a Problem With Bangs 06:24 Steph Reacts to the Trunk Podcast 09:12 Steph on Filming Tires 11:21 Losing Her Dog & Wanting Another 13:36 Random NYC Encounters Take Over 15:21 Chris' Wife Wants Him to Be More Manly 19:23 Steph's Fiancé & Hemorrhoids 20:58 Full-Body Scans & the Longevity Obsession 22:28 Steph's Comedy Cellar Audition 24:27 Steph Becomes an American Citizen 27:07 Steph Got Arrested in High School 29:08 Chris on Getting Older & Working Out for His Kids 33:00 Why Steph Loves Living in LA 34:14 Chris' First Movie Role 37:17 Steph on Auditioning for Tires 39:32 Bangs and Botox 41:50 Steph's Tires Sex Scene 42:58 Why Steph Stopped Reading Comments 46:32 The Legend of Little Petey 50:27 Steph's Insane Childhood Story 53:51 Steph Confronts a Fan 55:24 Little Petey Crashes the Podcast 58:35 Little Petey Performs Stand-Up 1:01:17 Little Petey's Three Wishes 1:04:00 Steph Tolev Closes Out the Chaos UNCUT WILD CONTENT GO HERE

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and content creator, Kelly Grace Mae, for an unfiltered, pure-vibes conversation as always. Kelly walks us through why she put her podcast on hiatus, her skincare routine, plus her stance on PRP, Botox, and why she'll never do facial filler. Then she gets vulnerable about her miscarriage and shares where she's at mentally now with her fertility journey.Key Takeaway / Points:How she's never taken NJ transit even though she's a Jersey girlThe answer to the question everyone wants to know: will her podcast be returning?Her skincare routine and why she's not a practicing esthetician even after schoolingHer current go-to skincare product picksDeciding to openly share her miscarriage story on social mediaLinks to Kelly's skincare recommendations HEREFollow Kelly:Instagram: @kellygracemaeTikTok: @kellygracemaeFollow me:Instagram: @cameronoaksrogersSubstack: Fill Your CupWebsite: cameronoaksrogers.comTikTok: @cameronoaksrogersYouTube: Cameron Rogers

The postpartum identity shift nobody prepares you for, especially as the default parent ||⇢ WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/eCGz7VYJ1M0Today, Monica closes out the juicy postpartum glow-up series with the inner work side of it, starting with how she found herself again after having Tripp. She gets into what's keeping you feeling lost, what happens in your body when you resist the identity shift instead of surrendering to it, why she refuses to be a slave to her routines, and how becoming a mum made her an even better version of herself. Also in the episode:

Cameron is joined by Dr. Kristen Herzog, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and founder of Perfect Dose, and they discuss Kristen's journey from an ER nurse to a successful entrepreneur in the aesthetics industry, highlighting her entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she employed to build her business. They emphasize the importance of resilience, grit, and the willingness to take risks in order to achieve success. Kristen recounts her journey from being a top producer to embracing servant leadership, emphasizing the importance of hiring coaches and operators to scale her business. She shares insights on shifting focus from production to operations, the role of a CEO, and the significance of building a strong brand through social media. She also reveals her plans for franchising Perfect Dose, highlighting the benefits of a franchise model for rapid success and brand control.Listen In!Thank you for listening to this episode of Medical Millionaire!Takeaways:Cameron aims to provide value for practice owners.Kristen's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age.She transitioned from ER nursing to aesthetics after discovering her passion for Botox.Travel nursing allowed her to earn more and have a flexible schedule.She withdrew her 401k to invest in her business, Perfect Dose.Social media played a crucial role in marketing her services.Kristen worked multiple jobs to support her business in its early days.She faced challenges in hiring and managing employees as her business grew.The journey of entrepreneurship requires resilience and adaptability.Success in business often comes from a willingness to take risks and learn from failures. Taking yourself down to servant leadership grows a business.Pouring into your team is essential for true growth.Hiring a business coach can accelerate your success.You must work on the business, not just in it.Understanding your core values is crucial for scaling.Social media is instrumental for brand building.Franchising allows for brand protection and growth.A strong operator can execute your vision effectively.You need to understand your KPIs and numbers for success.The playbook for success is essential for franchisees.Medical Millionaire: The Blueprint for Scaling a World-Class Medical Aesthetics PracticeWelcome to Medical Millionaire, the go-to podcast for forward-thinking Medspa owners, Medical Aesthetics leaders, Plastic Surgery & Dermatology practices, Concierge Wellness clinics, and Elective Healthcare entrepreneurs who are ready to scale with intention and operate like a true, high-performing business.If you're building, growing, optimizing, or preparing to exit your aesthetics or wellness practice, this show is your competitive advantage.Hosted by Cameron Hemphill Your Guide to Sustainable, Scalable Growth Your host, Cameron Hemphill, is one of the most trusted growth strategists in Medical Aesthetics and Elective Wellness.With over 10 years in the industry, Cameron has helped scale 1,000+ practices and more than 2,300 providers, working alongside the most recognized KOLs, national brands, EMRs, tech companies, and private equity groups, shaping the future of aesthetics. From marketing to operations, from finance to leadership, Cameron brings a real-world, data-driven perspective on what it takes to turn a practice into a powerful business engine.What This Podcast Is All About: Each episode takes you behind the scenes of the fastest-growing practices in the country, revealing the systems, strategies, and mindset required to win in today's Medical Aesthetics landscape.Expect tactical insights, step-by-step frameworks, and conversations with:Industry thought leadersTop injectors & medical directorsEMR & tech innovatorsOperations expertsMarketing strategistsPrivate equity & M&A advisorsWellness and longevity pioneersThis is where aesthetics, business, technology, and wellness converge. What You'll Learn on Medical Millionaire Every week, you'll access expert guidance to help you scale profitably and predictably, including:Marketing & Brand PositioningCRM + Lead Management SystemsPatient Acquisition & ConversionEMR Optimization & Tech Stack ArchitectureSales Psychology & Consultation MasteryFinance, KPIs, and Practice EconomicsOperational Workflows & AutomationIndustry Trends Backed by Real Benchmark DataPatient Retention & Lifetime Value ExpansionMindset, Leadership & Team DevelopmentWhether you're opening your first location or running a multi-million-dollar enterprise, you'll gain the clarity and direction to grow with confidence. A Show Designed for Every Stage of Practice Growth Medical Millionaire breaks down the journey into four essential stages, showing you exactly how to move from one to the next:Startup – Build the foundation and attract your first wave of patientsGrowth – Scale revenue, expand services, and strengthen operationsOptimize – Increase efficiency, margins, and customer experienceExit – Prepare your practice for maximum valuation and acquisitionIf You're Ready to Grow, This Is Where You Start. Tune in weekly for actionable insights, expert interviews, and the exact playbooks high-performing practices use to dominate their markets. This is the podcast for Medspa owners who want more than a job; they want a scalable, profitable, industry-leading business. Welcome to Medical Millionaire.Let's build your practice into the empire it deserves to be.

In this episode, Lyell K. Jones Jr, MD, FAAN, speaks with Noah A. Kolb, MD, who served as the guest editor of the October 2026 Peripheral Nerve and Motor Neuron Disorders issue. They provide a preview of the issue, which publishes on October 2, 2026. Dr. Jones is the editor-in-chief of Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology® and is a professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Kolb is a professor of neurological sciences at the Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. Additional Resources Read the issue: continuum.aan.com Subscribe to Continuum®: shop.lww.com/Continuum Continuum® Aloud (verbatim audio-book style recordings of articles available only to Continuum® subscribers): continpub.com/Aloud More about the American Academy of Neurology: aan.com Social Media facebook.com/continuumcme @ContinuumAAN Host: @LyellJ Full episode transcript available here Dr. Jones: The human brain is incredibly complex. That's one of the reasons we like to study it and care for patients with neurologic problems. But to translate cognition into action, we need a functioning sensorimotor and autonomic peripheral nervous system. What do we do when those peripheral systems aren't working? Today, we're speaking with Dr. Noah Kolb, guest editor of our latest issue of Continuum on peripheral nerve and motor neuron disorders.   Dr. Jones: This is Dr. Lyell Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Continuum. Thank you for listening to Continuum Audio. Be sure to visit the links in the episode notes for information about subscribing to the journal, listening to verbatim recordings of the articles, and exclusive access to interviews not featured on the podcast.   Dr. Jones: This is Dr. Lyell Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology. Today, I'm interviewing Dr. Noah Kolb, who is Continuum's guest editor for our latest issue on peripheral nerve and motor neuron disorders. Dr. Kolb is a professor of neurology at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont, where he specializes in the care of patients with neuromuscular disorders, including patients with peripheral neuropathy and other immune-mediated neuromuscular diseases. Dr. Kolb, welcome. Thank you for joining us today. Why don't you introduce yourself to our listeners?   Dr. Kolb: Well, thank you very much for having me. Please call me Noah. I've been a longtime listener of Continuum, dating all the way back to when they came on CDs, so it's really a pleasure to be here. Like you said, I'm a neuromuscular doctor up in Vermont. I take care of the whole scope of neuromuscular disease, but kind of wear 3 different hats. I focus my research primarily in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, but also do other diseases as well. Obviously, see patients clinically, and then I'm an educator as well, so I run the neurology clerkship and the acting AIs for the medical school. So, it's a fun job.   Dr. Jones: Well, thanks for sharing that little bit of history on Continuum Audio, Noah. I got to be honest with you, I don't know if I've ever seen a Continuum Audio CD. If anybody out there in the audience has a Continuum Audio CD, post a picture online and we'll like and share it. I wonder how many of those are still out there. I really appreciate you not just joining us today, Noah, but also putting together this really stellar issue, a very timely update and overview of peripheral nerve and motor neuron disorders. A lot of good topics for us to dig into today. What I'm going to do before we get into questions is ask our audience Continuum Audio's trivia question. Dr. Kolb and I were talking about this before we started recording here. So, the trivia question, just to frame it up a little bit, the transthyretin or TTR protein receives a lot of attention in neuromuscular medicine as the protein behind the most common causes of acquired and familial amyloidosis. But transthyretin is known in clinical settings by a different name and checked for an entirely different reason. So, the trivia question is, what is the other common name for transthyretin? Stick around, and we'll share the answer at the end of our interview. So, let's get right to it. Our listeners know that peripheral neuropathy is common, right? It affects 2 to 3 percent of the general population and 6 to 7 percent of patients who are older than 60. In your mind, Noah, what's the main thing you would like clinicians to know or do differently in the care of these patients?   Dr. Kolb: Yeah, that's a great question. I think it's something that we spend a lot of time teaching our residents and working with our fellows about is understanding the right workup for people presenting with neuropathy because it's very easy to overdo it with more labs and a broader workup than you need. So, when somebody presents with sort of a garden variety neuropathy that doesn't have red flags, the important things to order in terms of a workup are hemoglobin A1C, B12, and SPEP with IFE, potentially serum light chains, and some thyroid studies as well. Because those are really the most common reasons, and then to make sure that they ask the most important historical questions, like about alcohol use, et cetera. If you're going to find a cause for neuropathy, particularly if it's slowly progressive and sensory predominant, oftentimes the answer is found right in that basic workup.   Dr. Jones: Got it. And I think that's very well taken. And I think one of the questions that commonly comes up in the neuromuscular, but also in the broader neurology setting is, when you're evaluating a patient, especially an older patient who has a new onset length-dependent sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, you've identified the neuropathy, and you're starting to consider what are those potential underlying disorders or risk factors that that neuropathy could be a warning sign of, right? So, you look for metabolic disease, B12 deficiency, paraproteinemia, et cetera. Where do you stop? In what settings do you do more expanded evaluations, genetic testing, et cetera?   Dr. Kolb: Yeah, and I think this kind of goes back a little bit to the last question where the primary focus of the workup that we do is driven by the most common causes. That's why hemoglobin A1C is so important. And so, thinking through what is likely to be the cause in the specific patient setting is kind of really critical. And again, if you don't have red flags, then the labs that we mentioned previously are probably sufficient in terms of a workup. But if there are any of the other red flags, it's really important specifically because there may be treatable causes of neuropathy or things that would affect the prognosis that'd be important to understand earlier so we can make sure we either engage the right therapies or do a broader diagnostic workup. An important part of that is understanding when to use EMG nerve conduction studies and when not to. So obviously, as a neuromuscular doc who does EMGs, I'm very fond of them. But we regularly see patients in our lab who perhaps don't need one. If somebody has a sensory predominant, slowly progressive neuropathy, particularly if you have an etiology, those patients usually don't need an EMG nerve conduction study. When it's asymmetric, when there's prominent weakness, when there's a lot of autonomic symptoms, those are the times when it can be a lot more informative and helpful to try to get an EMG nerve conduction study to see if we can get at what the underlying etiology is.   Dr. Jones: That's very helpful, Noah. Thank you. And so, let's think about a scenario that I think many of our listeners may have encountered in their practice. You're seeing a patient who has a somewhat rapidly progressive, painful neuropathy, which has some small fiber characteristics. They've got a little bit of autonomic dysfunction, and you worry about the possibility of amyloidosis. How do you approach that evaluation and treatment, and why is it important to think about that diagnosis?   Dr. Kolb: Yeah, that's great. It's important to think about that diagnosis because we now have good treatments for AL amyloid and for ATTR-based amyloid. So, because these are treatable disorders, it's really critical that you identify them. And the reality is it's not always straightforward making a diagnosis of amyloid. As you would with any other type of neuropathy, the workup is gonna begin with serum free light chains, SPEP, trying to see if there are any monoclonal gammopathies or elevation in light chains. But importantly, you need to think about what the next diagnostic steps are and understanding how likely those tests are to be abnormal in the setting of amyloid is important as well, because the easier to obtain tests don't have perfect sensitivity. So, once you've moved on kind of from the basic labs, we think about a fat aspirate or a skin biopsy to look and see if there's any evidence of amyloid. But if your clinical suspicion is high enough, it's important to move to a sural nerve biopsy and genetic testing. That's really the best way to confirm this diagnosis.   Dr. Jones: Very helpful. And obviously, that's not just academic, as it might have been at one point. This is something that we now have good disease-modifying therapies for, which leads to another question that I think our listeners may encounter in their practice. When you think about all the available gene tests in panels and other genomic tools that we have to investigate patients, when do you do a broad genetic evaluation for patients with neuropathy?   Dr. Kolb: Yeah, it's a good question. It depends partly on specifically what we're looking for. I think that as with many things in neurology, one of the reasons I got interested in it, and many people did, is we like doing detective work, and the history often lies in the examination and in our clinical history at the bedside. And for that reason, often just in getting the initial history with a patient, you start to get clues that there may be a hereditary component. Sometimes it's in the history where you're able to elicit a family history of disorder, and they may or may not know that the patient had neuropathy, but it may be that somebody walked funny later in life or somebody always complained of foot pain. Or it may simply be when a patient takes their shoes off, or in Vermont, they're wearing sandals, and you see that they have characteristic changes of a neuropathy that is much more longstanding than the patient even recognizes. That's often the case with some of these forms of hereditary neuropathy because sometimes they don't have a lot of pain. And so, you see those characteristic changes in the foot, and it cues you to the need for genetic testing. In my world where I see a lot of patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, I also think about it in patients who seem to be specifically sensitive to neurotoxic agents, where they get a much worse neuropathy than you would expect with exposure to drug, and it's important to consider it in those times as well.   Dr. Jones: That's a great framing. I appreciate the way you put that. One of the great points in the issue is that patients who have sensory findings out of proportion to their sensory complaints, a lot of times it's worth thinking about a familial or genetic mechanism and then digging a little more into that family history, right?   Dr. Kolb: I agree.   Dr. Jones: Yeah. So, let's think of a different scenario. I know you do a lot of work with immune-mediated acquired neuropathies, and we're fortunate now, obviously, we have a lot of immunotherapy tools for the treatment of patients with neuropathies like chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. When it comes to CIDP, Noah, what's your initial approach to immunotherapy? That's one question. And another is, how do you incorporate some of the newer agents like efgartigimod? What's the role of that drug, or when do you go to rituximab or rozanolixizumab? Walk us through your approach to that.   Dr. Kolb: Yeah, so I think it depends a lot on what the clinical presentation looks like and kind of what the patient's preference is. In taking care of neuropathy patients for what's been quite a while now, you find that some patients have a differing comfort level with sort of the newer drugs like efgartigimod versus some of the therapies that have been around for years and years and are tried and true. So, we know, for instance, that plasmapheresis and IVIG work well. In certain cases, we use steroids because they can work well as well, but also have long-term toxicities that you want to be aware of. It's been really exciting to see that efgartigimod is a new therapy that's on the market, and it's been a really interesting space to be involved in, in neuromuscular medicine as some of these new disease-modifying therapies have come out. The trials for efgartigimod are really exciting, and it was very important to our field when efgartigimod became available. But there have been other trials that showed similar drugs weren't that effective, and there are many studies happening right now for complement inhibition with varying results. So, it's been sort of one of these hot topics in neuromuscular medicine, trying to see what these new therapies are and figuring out how to integrate them. I find that oftentimes with patients, we'll start with the tried and true therapies like IVIG or plasmapheresis, but don't hesitate to reach to efgartigimod, particularly if it's more convenient for the patient. I think the other important point to make, and this is addressed nicely throughout some of the manuscripts, is that there are specific instances where certain drugs are preferred. So, for instance, if you're seeing somebody with CIDP that has hard-to-treat symptoms, is not responding to the normal therapies that we use, it's important to think about whether they may have a paranodal form of CIDP, in which case we often reach for things like rituximab instead because it works better.   Dr. Jones: Outstanding. And so, I think that speaks to the importance of phenotyping, right? As we learn more about these acquired immune-mediated neuropathies, we're splitting, right? We're finding that the mechanisms are different in the tools that we have, the treatments are going to be more tailored, and more personalized to the patient. I think that's a great takeaway from the issue. So, Noah, you're in a unique position here, right? You're a world-renowned neuromuscular expert, and you have just edited a bunch of articles on neuromuscular medicine, peripheral nerve, motor neuron disorders written by experts in their respective fields. So, you have this bird's eye view of the specialty up to the minute, what's the latest. When you think about the entire issue, what would you say is the one topic that our readers or listeners could go to, to close the most important education gap in neuromuscular medicine?   Dr. Kolb: It's a great question. It's akin to asking who my favorite child is, of which is all of them, but I would say that when Amro Estino and Ben Becker submitted their manuscript on paraproteinemic neuropathies, after I read it, I wrote an email back to them just telling them how well I thought it was organized and that it really addressed an issue that constantly plagues trainees and practitioners, is how to deal with monoclonal gammopathies and paraproteinemic neuropathies. It's a nice example of what happens when you give smart people the creative space to organize something in a way that they think makes sense. I certainly learned about the topic reading that, and I think it'd be very high yield for people reading Continuum.   Dr. Jones: Totally agree. It's a wonderful article among many great articles, and that is a persistent education gap. So, I would direct our listeners to that article as well. You know, one of the things that I think about, you're an educator, I'm a clinician educator myself, thinking about the really interesting world of neuromuscular medicine, right? I have a significant part of my practice is in neuromuscular medicine and EMG, and I enjoy that very much. What do you think about trainees who might be interested in neuromuscular medicine, and they want to focus in it or pursue it as a career? How should they approach it? What does the training landscape look like from your perspective?   Dr. Kolb: Yeah, that's a great question and an important one. So, I think that the case to be made for neuromuscular medicine is strong. I talk with the residents and my medical students about this regularly, but I think it's hard to find a place in medicine where the field is evolving more rapidly than it is in neuromuscular medicine, which makes it sometimes hard to stay up to date with everything that's happening, but it also makes it really interesting. To have new medicines coming online for us to change the paradigm for the way we've been treating patients for years and years is very exciting, and I think that those changes are only going to grow. Part of the future of neuromuscular medicine really is going to be in better genetic testing and broader genetic therapies. When you think about hereditary neuropathy as an example, there are tons of emerging therapies that are in pre-clinical trials and some starting in clinical trials. And so, the future of neuromuscular medicine is going to be constantly evolving where we can now treat disorders that we couldn't treat before. I mean, the easiest example is SMA, where previously that was a universally fatal disease for infants, right? And now we have treatments that are very effective. And there are multiple diseases where we're starting to develop therapies like this, so it's really exciting. From a training perspective, there are lots of opportunities for residents as they approach fellowship. There are tons of great neuromuscular fellowships around the program. I would include UVM in there as well, where there's really a wide variety of neuromuscular things that you can learn. And it's a wide and varied field, so people are learning ultrasound, which has been an emerging part of neuromuscular medicine, EMG, electrodiagnostics, Botox, but then also treating autoimmune disorders, hereditary disorders. So, it's really quite a broad field, and you can really sort of super sub-specialize into different areas, which allows you to really focus if that's what you want to do.   Dr. Jones: So now it's time for the answer to our Continuum Audio Trivia question. Just to remind our listeners, what is the other common name for transthyretin? We think about transthyretin a lot, as Noah mentioned, in terms of acquired and familial amyloidosis, but what is the other name for it? Dr. Kolb, do you want to give the answer to our audience?   Dr. Kolb: That would be prealbumin.   Dr. Jones: Prealbumin. Again, we talk about transthyretin all the time because of the neurologic and cardiac presentations of ATTR wild type and variant transthyretin amyloidosis. But the protein itself, in the non-pathologic setting, in the non-amyloid setting, is a stable tetramer. Its normal function is to transport thyroxine and vitamin A throughout the body, but it also has a relatively short half-life. And on electrophoretic gels, it segregates near the albumin band, and therefore, for a long time was just called prealbumin because it was near the albumin band. And because of that short half-life, it's used as a rough or loose marker of nutritional status. So, all those times when I was a medical student and a resident ordering prealbumin to assess nutritional status, I was really checking transthyretin, and I had no idea.   Dr. Jones: All right. So, Dr. Kolb, I really want to thank you for joining us. Thank you for such an outstanding conversation about peripheral nerve and motor neuron disease in the latest issue of Continuum. I learned a lot reading this issue. I learned a lot in our conversation today. I hope our listeners did too. I'm really grateful for your hard work taking on this issue, which I think will come in handy not only to our more junior listeners and subscribers, but also, our more experienced listeners as well.   Dr. Kolb: Thanks for the opportunity to chat with you. I'm excited for the public to see the Continuum manuscripts. I think there's a lot to learn, and it's an exciting issue.   Dr. Jones: I agree. Again, today we've been speaking with Dr. Noah Kolb, guest editor of Continuum's most recent issue on peripheral nerve and motor neuron disorders. Please check it out, and thank you to our listeners for joining today.   Dr. Monteith: This is Dr. Teshamae Monteith, Associate Editor of Continuum Audio. If you've enjoyed this episode, you'll love the journal, which is full of in-depth and clinically relevant information important for neurology practitioners. Use the link in the episode notes to learn more and subscribe. Thank you for listening to Continuum Audio.

Send us a text & leave your email address if you want a reply!What Happens When an 83 Year Old Former Nun Joins OnlyFans to Teach Sacred Sexuality? What if porn could actually teach you how to be a better lover? In this episode of Sex Reimagined, Leah Piper and Dr. Willow Brown sit down with Janelle Orion, steward of the Goddess Temple in Denver, and Barbara Penningroth, known to her fans as Gigi, an 83 year old great grandmother and former nun who admits she swings between "I was born for this" and "what would my mother think?" Together they're building educational porn on OnlyFans with a clear mission: make erotic wellness a household term. That means real bodies, no Botox, unscripted lovemaking, and a filmed consent conversation before every single scene. We get honest about the money behind OnlyFans for older women (the average creator earns $131 a month), ageism and sexuality after 60, performance pressure in the bedroom, why exposing your pleasure can actually protect you, and how to follow inner guidance when it hands you an answer you never saw coming. If you've ever wondered whether aging bodies and eroticism belong together, this conversation is your permission slip.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTSThe real OnlyFans math: how Janelle reached the top 5% of creators, and why she's investing seven times what she earns to grow a mission driven channel.The RBDSM consent conversation (relationship, boundaries, desires, sexual health, meaning, plus aftercare) that opens every shoot.Gigi's alter ego secret for dropping self consciousness, plus Leah's "this is the goddess" mirror ritual.What a legally blind partner taught Gigi about ageism and being desired.The treasure hunt method for listening to guidanceLINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE: https://www.sexreimagined.com/blog/sex-after-60-onlyfans Peak Erotic Experiences | Live Masterclass | Oct 1, 2026 @ 4pm Pacific. Your hottest moments were never random, they're built from four hidden forces researcher Jack Morin identified in his work on peak erotic experiences. Join Leah live on October 1st to find your own pattern and learn how to build more of it on purpose. Register for $33 HERE  Free Tantra Happy Hour on Zoom | Oct 2nd @ 4:30 pm Pacific / 7:30 pm EasternJoin Leah & Willow as we pull back the curtain on Sacred Spot Massage and twenty years of watching this practice transform couples from the inside out. Grab your spot at sexreimagined.com/events. The Couples Sacred Spot Retreat | Santa Barbara, Nov 6-8 We are bringing our most intimate couples workshop to California. Over three days, you will learn Sacred Spot Massage, Erotic Attunement, sensual touch as a somatic practice, and the ritual skills that change the way partners meet each other in the body. Ten couple spots only. Register Here A New Tantra Exploration, Live in Santa Barbara Leah & Willow are hosting a live 90 minute intro night called A New Tantra Exploration, tracing this ancient practice back to where it began, breath, touch, & all. Fully clothed, beginner friendly, open to solos and couples. November 6, 2026 and January 29, 2027. Grab your seat at $25 early bird / $35 at the door | 90 min https://www.sexreimagined.com/eventsSupport the showPlease help support the production costs of the show! Donate now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032242/supporters/newFREEBIE- Introduction to Tantric Kissing Video and WorkbookSxR WebsiteDr. Willow's WebsiteLeah's Website 

Gay men are perhaps the most aesthetic community out there: gym routines, filler, hair plugs, veneers, BBLs, skincare, holetox, steroids, and even surgery. This episode dives into the “looksmaxing” of it all, and other trends that inform (or infect) our community. Is everyone who gets cosmetic surgery insecure? Are you toxic for having a really strict gym regimen? How do we draw the line between affirming aesthetic body modification and unhealthy impulses informed by cultural pressure? Answering these questions with us are two guests: nurse practitioner “Injector Chris” and therapist Benjamin Goldman. Hungry for more Sniffies’ Cruising Confessions? Follow Sniffies' Cruising Confessions: cruisingconfessions.com Try Sniffies: sniffies.com Follow Sniffies on Social: Instagram: instagram.com/sniffiesapp X: x.com/sniffiesapp TikTok: tiktok.com/@sniffiesapp Follow the hosts: Gabe Gonzalez: instagram.com/gaybonez Chris Patterson-Rosso: instagram.com/cprgivesyoulife Guest featured in this episode: Chris Bustamante: https://www.instagram.com/injectorchris/ Benjamin Goldman: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminjgoldman/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can a topical serum work like a neurotoxin? Recorded live in Paris, Dr. Ted Lain sits down with Dr. Peter Bjerring to find out. Dr. Bjerring is a professor of dermatology at Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark, a laser pioneer who helped develop IPL technology, and a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog.Together they break down SkinCeuticals P-TIOX, a serum built around two viper-venom-derived neuropeptides. One acts presynaptically, like botulinum toxin. The other blocks acetylcholine receptors on the muscle side. Both are small enough to penetrate the skin, which injectable toxins can't do.Dr. Bjerring walks through two of his clinical studies. In a split-forehead sweat study using the Minor iodine-starch test, the treated side showed little to no sweating after just three applications. That suggests the peptides really do reach their targets in the skin. In an 8-week, all-male study of 36 participants across multiple ethnicities, twice-daily use reduced forehead and glabellar lines by about 15%. Crow's feet, nasolabial folds, and even marionette lines also improved, and results kept getting better between weeks 4 and 8.The conversation also covers the supporting ingredients: 5% polyhydroxy acid for gentle exfoliation, niacinamide for barrier support, tone, and redness, and Laminaria digitata for antioxidant and collagen support. They discuss why so many self-reported sensitive-skin participants had no irritation, and how P-TIOX may pair with injectable neurotoxins to target the fine, superficial texture lines that injections miss.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating and share it with a colleague. Word of mouth helps our podcast grow! Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at inquiry@scienceofskinsummit.com.Disclaimer: This clip is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Content provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician regarding any health-related diagnosis or treatment.

Crying After Stroke: What Bobby Chaggar’s Recovery Taught Him About Grief and Strength The night his stroke happened, Ramandeep “Bobby” Chaggar didn’t feel what he expected to feel. No pins and needles. No dramatic collapse. Just a left arm that wouldn’t answer him anymore.  He limped to the kitchen anyway, poured a glass of water, and brought one back for his wife because that’s what you do, even when your body has just stopped taking instructions from half of itself. It wasn’t until the ambulance service ran him through the BFAST test over the phone that the word “stroke” entered the room. A right ischaemic pontine stroke, in December 2023. He was, by his own account, in the best health of his life at the time: no blood pressure issues, no diabetes, cycling a hundred kilometres most weekends. Growing Up Believing a Stroke Meant You Were Gone Bobby grew up in an era and a family where a stroke wasn’t something you researched; it was something you heard about secondhand. “That particular cousin’s father’s grandfather had a stroke, and he’s gone,” is how the news used to travel. Nobody around him distinguished a stroke in the brain from a stroke in the heart. There was no internet to check, only the flat, final verdict that passed between relatives: he’s done for.  It’s a belief he carried into his own stroke, even as his medical training Bobby spent years as a veterinary surgeon in India before qualifying in Australia told him something else was happening. That veterinary background is exactly why he recognised what was going on in his own body faster than most people would. It didn’t make the belief disappear. It just meant he was fighting it from the inside while everyone around him was still catching up. Why His Arm Seemed to Move Then Stopped In those first disorienting hours, Bobby was convinced his arm had started moving again. He filmed it and sent the video to his sister as proof, he thought, that he was already turning a corner. By morning, the movement was gone. “It was like a bad dream,” he says. “I was like, what was that?”  What he was seeing wasn’t recovery. Doctors later explained that in the earliest hours after a stroke, the body can still fire off remnant spinal reflexes old movement patterns held in the spinal cord that can briefly activate on their own, independent of the brain damage that’s actually occurred. It’s a strange, almost cruel mechanism: the body offering a flicker of hope before the real work of recovery has even started. The Physio Who Promised Him He’d Walk Again Bobby spent 45 days in rehabilitation at Parkville, six months in a wheelchair overall, and credits one moment above almost everything else: his first physiotherapist he calls her Hannah sitting on the floor, moving his foot, and telling him he would walk again. It mattered enough that his book was originally going to be titled Walking with Hannah, before privacy considerations changed the plan. His son, who narrates the audiobook, still opens the acknowledgements by thanking her directly. Learning to Cry Again This is the part of Bobby’s story that speaks most directly to what so many stroke survivors go through and rarely say out loud. In his culture, and in his family, showing emotion, especially for the men expected to be providers and caretakers, wasn’t really an option. When his father died in 1997, he was told to be strong for his mother and sister. When his mother died in 2013, he was told the same thing again. “I’ve been told that stroke is a part of grief, and you should not suppress your feelings.” It took his brother-in-law showing up every day to help him with basic care showering, dressing, the things that felt hardest to accept before something shifted. His own psychologist eventually gave him the instruction that reframed everything: put on your own life jacket first, before you try to save anyone else. It’s advice Bobby now extends to every caregiver he talks to: the person supporting a stroke survivor needs their own support too, or they burn out trying to hold everything together. He isn’t alone in this. Bill has spoken openly on the podcast about his own experience with unexpected, involuntary crying after a neurological injury, and how much energy goes into reassuring the people around you that the tears don’t mean something is wrong. For Bobby, permission to cry didn’t erase the culture he was raised in. It just meant he stopped fighting it. A New Normal, On His Own Terms Bobby’s recovery is full of small, deliberate acts of reclaiming identity. He got his first tattoo not long after his stroke, partly, he says, because people notice ink before they notice a limp. He’s spent years slowly making peace with not tying a turban the way he used to, calling himself, with real affection, a recovering “turbanator.” He built his own incline-and-decline walking circuit near his home and quietly upped the difficulty every fortnight, the same instinct that now has him choosing stairs over the lift at the allied health course he’s completing. Running, he says flatly, is overrated. He can’t do it anymore, and he’s decided that’s fine. It’s the same acceptance that let him and his family move to Perth just one month after his stroke, and then move back again when isolation made the recovery harder than the geography ever was.  None of it looks like the version of recovery he grew up believing in, the one where a stroke simply meant a story was over. Bobby’s version has a motorbike with a sidecar he now rides himself, a book he wrote one voice note at a time because typing with one hand wasn’t fast enough, and a fairly simple message for anyone who asked him to just think positively: some things are still hard, and that’s allowed to be true at the same time as everything else.  If you’re navigating your own recovery or supporting someone who is, Bill’s book, The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened (recoveryafterstroke.com/book), walks through ten practical tools for rebuilding after a stroke. And if trauma has made your world feel smaller than it used to be, Bill’s newest book, Your World Doesn’t Have to Stay This Small, is written for exactly that.  If this episode helped you, you can support the show directly at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health or recovery plan. Bobby Chaggar: Learning to Cry After Stroke (Interview) He was taught a stroke meant you were gone. Bobby Chaggar’s story proves otherwise and shows why crying after a stroke is nothing to hide. Highlights: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Life Before the Stroke 09:28 Rehabilitation Journey 12:00 Crying After Stroke 14:52 Reflections on Recovery and Growth 26:33 The Promise of Recovery and Writing a Book 29:37 Cultural Identity and Personal Beliefs 37:28 Relocation and Its Challenges 41:44 The Importance of Caregiver Self-Care 44:10 Adjusting to a New Normal 51:09 The Journey of Riding Again 57:09 Bobby’s Journey of Unlearning and Grief Transcript: Introduction – Crying after stroke Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (00:00) I realized that I was having a stroke. because it was not their usual pins and needles and there was no sensation. I couldn’t move my arm. I managed to limp. I went all the way to the kitchen. I trudged a little to the kitchen. I had a glass of water, brought a glass for my wife. in the hospital, I thought my arm started moving. And the doctors, and when I got up in the morning, it was like a bad dream. No, it was not moving again. So I was like, what was that? Bill Gasiamis (00:19) Welcome back to Recovery After Stroke. I’m Bill Gasiamis and today I’m talking with Bobby Chaggar, a veterinary surgeon originally from India, now living in Melbourne, who survived a right ischemic pontain stroke in December 2023. Bobby’s story covers a lot of ground, the cultural belief he grew up with, that a stroke simply meant you were gone. The strange confusion of a spinal reflex that made his arm move before it didn’t. Physiotherapist whose promise changed the course of recovery and what it actually took for him as a man raised to be the strong one to let himself cry. Before we get into it, if trauma has made your world feel smaller than it used to be, my new book, Your World Doesn’t Have to Stay This Small, is exactly what it’s about. Search for it on Amazon or tap the link in the show notes to grab your copy today. And one more thing, this show exists because listeners decide it’s worth keeping going. There’s no other funding behind it. If an episode like this one has ever helped you or helped someone you love, even a few dollars a month on Patreon is what keeps these conversations free for the next person who finds themselves Googling this stuff alone at two in the morning, scared, looking for someone who’s actually been through it. That’s all. patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke.. A small amount every month makes a massive difference. But now let’s get into it. Here’s my conversation with Bobby. Bill Gasiamis (01:56) Bobby Chaggar. Welcome to the podcast. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (01:58) Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Bill. Life Before the Stroke Bill Gasiamis (02:00) So you grew up in a house with 22 dogs, three cats and a trilingual parrot as well, right? So what’s the situation there? You’re living with pets. Were you important in your family or Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (02:10) Ha ha. Bill Gasiamis (02:11) did the animals come first? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (02:14) the animals definitely did come first. my mother was also a teacher, but she decided to stay at home and be a stay you know, stay a worker from home mom for for the for the kids. And my parents never used to say no to any patient. So they used to admit everything and anything. And in India also it’s quite common to rehome pets and a lot of times they don’t get proper homes. So we used to say yes to everything. So I I specifically remember this number because my mom had fallen and broken her shoulder once while walking in Labrador. So that day we counted the animals and we said, okay, no, after this, no more. That’s it. And the parrot was trilingual because the kids would play with him, so he wouldn’t know nursery rhymes, he would know the whistles, and then my grandmom’s dialect was Punjabi, so he could he could swear in Punjabi, and he could swear in Hindi because my mom was Hindi. So that’s why trilingual. Bill Gasiamis (03:08) I love that. That’s an awesome way to grow up. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (03:09) Yep. Yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (03:12) Tell me about this bike though. So this Royal Enfield motorbike, what was the deal with that? Why was it coming to Australia? Why was it a big deal on that day? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (03:22) it was gifted to me by it was restored and gifted to me by my wife on my fortieth. And this time on my fiftieth, the guy who had restored it, he’s a friend of mine, he decided to build this sidecar and ship it to me. And it’s a vintage, it’s a nineteen seventy three. So I’ve literally grown up on motorcycles, drive riding them, and I was quite excited about the whole thing. And I was so excited because my son’s school was only five minutes away. So I was always looking forward that I’m gonna drop him off in school in the sidecar. It’s gonna be such a big thing for him. So it was quite cool. So that’s the reason we were expecting it. It took almost two months for it to come via ship. And you know, once a ship leaves the country, there’s no way of live tracking it. There they must must be ways for the guys who are doing it, but for the clients, they have no way. They have no clue. They just talk to the customer care. And you have no idea what’s happening. And suddenly one day it just pops up and they say, Yeah, it’s in customs. Here you go and you have to do this, this and this and come and pick it up. So that’s the excitement. Bill Gasiamis (04:23) So you get that phone call and that’s it. You’re on the bikes here. We’re going to go and get it. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (04:26) Yep, yep, yep. We were just looking forward for the bike. Yep. Bill Gasiamis (04:29) I love it. In your book, you wrote about your culture that when somebody Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (04:34) Mm-hmm. Bill Gasiamis (04:35) has a stroke, most people believe that you’re gone, right? And it seems like you also believe that where does a belief like that come from? And what did you do in the first few hours? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (04:47) You know the first because it’s it’s it’s not I mean in the era I’ve grown up there was not a lot of internet. They were only encyclopedias. So getting information was a little challenge. So as as kids when we were growing up, we were just here that that particular cousin’s father’s grandfather had a stroke and he’s gone. That particular person’s family member has has had a stroke and he’s done for. So you know a few things like that. But there are families who’ve been through stroke. Now I’ve realized and also met them. So they know stroke one could recover from the stroke and one also forgets about it over time. I’ve heard that. But mostly the thought process was because it was not too kind of a disease. And we also did not know what is a stroke in the heart. Some would someone would say he had a stroke in the heart, someone would say he had a stroke in the brain. So we had no idea what that meant. We could just as kids, as growing up people, we just knew that he had a stroke and he’s done for, he’s gone. That’s one. And because of my medical background, my veterinary background, I realized that I was having a stroke. because it was not their usual pins and needles and there was no sensation. I couldn’t move my arm. I managed to limp. I went all the way to the kitchen. I trudged a little to the kitchen. I had a glass of water, brought a glass for my wife. And I’ve also realized, learnt from doctors here that there are remnant spinal reflexes which work for some time. So those reflexes help you I think, navigate the initial few hours. It’s just that’s how we are made. Because I, you know, in the hospital, I thought my arm started moving. And the doctors, and when I got up in the morning, it was like a bad dream. No, it was not moving again. So I was like, what was that? And I have a video of that. I was sending it to my sister. Look, my arm is started to move. Wow, I’m so happy. So they told me that was just a part of the spinal reflex. So maybe that’s what made me go to the kitchen and back. So we called the Ambos and they did the BFAST test. It was FAST initially, but now the acronym has changed to BFAST. so they did that over the phone and they confirmed it was a stroke. And they were they said they’ll be at my place in two minutes. And then we made the second phone call to my brother in law who works with neurointerventional surgeons all over Australia. He’s also vet by education. So I thought he might be the best person to give me advice. And he always used to share his stories of patients, aneurysms, brain things, strokes. So I thought that, you know, he he will fix me, man. So we called Bill Gasiamis (07:10) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (07:11) him and he said, Come straight to Royal Melbourne and th that’s where I was. And and the Amus asked me, he they said, Your catchment is northern, but where do you want to go? I said, Please take me to Northern because my brother’s gonna be there. So they drove me to Royal Melbourne and that’s where my journey started. Yep. Bill Gasiamis (07:27) Yeah. My journey started at the Austin hospital, ended up at the Royal Melbourne as well. And I had my surgery there and I learned to walk again at the Royal Melbourne hospital and at their Parkville facility where the rehab was done. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (07:42) Yeah, that’s where I was. Yep. Bill Gasiamis (07:43) Yeah, good experience. Really helpful. So you are also a vet. Okay. A surgeon as well. Are all Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (07:52) Yes. Bill Gasiamis (07:53) vets surgeons? Do they all operate on animals? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (07:56) So in primitive times, the veterin surgery education is made around five types of animals, which is a canine, which is dogs, that that species, filine, which is cats, equines, which is horses, bovines, which is cattle, and one animal from wildlife, and one random fish, including birds. So we have to compare them in all aspects. So when we technically pass out, or rather I would say, When we used to technically pass out in those years, we were supposed to take take care of everything surgeries, medicine, prevention for all these species throughout. And obviously it was a it was a big experience learning practically as we went. Because when my father became a vet, my my grandparents were like, I don’t know whether anybody’s gonna get married to him or not. They they got worried. It was looked so down upon though that profession, you know. So he bought clamor to it. He showed everybody that passion. Can happen. It can happen in bed science also. In India. It must be good in other countries, but that’s all I know about India. Only the rich class had the dogs. The Britishers, they’re the people who were connected to the Britishers when they had gone, when they had left the country. Only that rich class was able to afford dogs because you know it was a poor country. So that’s where he started. Yep, yep. Yep. And now you have specializations Bill Gasiamis (09:05) Yeah, understood. Understood. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (09:08) on around everything. Now you can be a surgeon, you can be a bone surgeon. There’s a friend of mine, he’s a he’s a animal onko oncologist. So things like that. Yep. Bill Gasiamis (09:17) amazing how far things have come. So Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (09:19) yes, definitely. Yeah. Rehabilitation Journey Bill Gasiamis (09:20) the fact that you were kind of a surgeon, even if it was in veterinary surgery, Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (09:28) Yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (09:30) does that kind of medical knowledge that you have make it harder to face what you’re going through? Do you apply those kind of medical skills onto your own condition? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (09:42) I would say it definitely helps in doing research and digging out evidence based study because that’s how we’ve been trained, right? So we have to we have been trained to look for specific information in a specific way. So I thought I think that is what probably helps a little bit extra when someone is from that background. So most of the medical jargon we understand because it’s same. Every all animals are same, mostly, except the ruminants which have four stomachs. So Bill Gasiamis (10:06) Mm-hmm. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (10:07) so So the single stomach animals are mostly similar, and how the physiology of the body works, how the brain works, how the conduction works, all the diseases, they have things like MS, they have things like diabetes. We used to treat them all the time. So yeah, yes, it helps. It does. Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (10:22) Yeah, that’s fascinating. I love it. so give me a little bit of an idea of you’ve gone to hospital. you realize that your arm is moving and now it’s no longer moving. And then how long were you in hospital for? And what was that, experience like what, what was your hospital stay like? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (10:43) I remember I was very emotional. Even now I’m very emotional. If I talk about nice things, I end up crying sometimes. Or I laugh more, I cry more. But I was really worried at that point. I didn’t know what’s gonna happen. My cousins used to call me, my friends used to call me, doctors used to go past and they would tell me that you’ll be fine, man. And you know, that was you’ll be fine was was kind of unbelievable because nothing’s moving. I mean I I don’t know how that’s gonna happen. Bill Gasiamis (11:09) your left side your whole left side was gone. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (11:11) Yeah, I was on the wheelchair for about six months and I was in the same rehab as you just mentioned at Parkwell for 45 days. Bill Gasiamis (11:18) Hmm. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (11:18) And if we must have been to the chapel, which is just behind the Parkville camp campus. So I used to go there every day. My son used to wheel me there. Yeah. So it was it was quite overwhelming for me because I didn’t know what was going on. I had heard that there are these injections which which are given within the golden period. Crying After Stroke And they can just reverse the stroke instantly. But I did not know the concept. So those injections basically work and dissolve the clot which is in the brain. But if if if the stroke is of a bleeder’s type, it can also kill the person. So we were waiting for the MRI. We are waiting for the MRI when’s that gonna happen. And it was unfortunately a Saturday night, Sunday morning. So everything were lined up. You know how the systems are in Melbourne. So all the emergency patients who are dying are first, people who are not dying are second, people who just Got normal things, they’re third. So things like that. So probably that took a little while. So I had my MRI on Monday. So I was in the hospital till Monday. I just had nurses coming in assessing me if I could stand, if I could step forward, step backwards. I mean, obviously they were doing my cognition tests and everything. I got tested for a drug which was is which is called clopedrogel, I think. that is the one which dissolves clots. So they give that as an oral thing to you and they test the blood in the body that whether it responds to that or not. So they are ready for it. As soon as they have the result, they just shoot you with injections. But it was unfortunate that I got diagnosed only in about twenty four hours. And then they moved me to the rehab. I was lucky to get a room and this amazing partner in my room, and that’s that’s when my rehab started. Bill Gasiamis (12:47) What was the cause of the stroke? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (12:48) Nobody knows. I was pr absolutely healthy. I don’t have blood pressure. I don’t have diabetes. I don’t have anything with I was cycling hundred kilometers on the weekend. I was walking my dog twice a day. I was very, very active. Even now I’m very active. I was I was when I was in rehab, obviously I started eating I was eating the same and I was obviously not exercising. So my weight went up to 120 kilos, for example, because my activity was so high. People were literally telling me that you’re eating like a Labrador, man. What happened? What’s happening? I was just like this. And the food in Royal Melbourne rehab is really good. They come to you with a menu and they ask you what you want. And so I was ordering everything I loved. So and I was hearing in one of your podcasts before, it it was literally like that. I had the I’ve had the best time of life in the last two years. Different realization, it’s changed me, and I’ve just had the best time. I always liked exercising. I’ve exercised Bill Gasiamis (13:39) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (13:42) exercised so much at the last two years, it’s not even funny. I think he must be listening that I want to exercise. He said, Okay, go for it, man. Bill Gasiamis (13:51) You got to, you, you sounds like you were given, this like massive learning opportunity, but also a scary learning opportunity. Things were really difficult. at one point, but things have kind of progressed. Well, things are going well and that’s awesome. you’ve taken it, you’ve taken it away where this is an opportunity to grow, to learn, to try new things. but what was it like on your on the day that you noticed some movement, like in rehab, I think was that on day 28 or something like that, there was a little bit of, first Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (14:26) I think it was twenty five it was I think. Bill Gasiamis (14:28) voluntary voluntary movement first, first, yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (14:30) Yeah, correct, correct. I still have that video. I remember there was this friend of mine who used to come to the hospital and she used to massage my arm. So that is also called I think it’s called passive passive stretching. And she would really press my arm and she will caught cause me pain. And I’ve been told that I’ve got a good pain threshold. Maybe that’s because of my martial arts training when I was younger. Reflections on Recovery and Growth Bill Gasiamis (14:52) Okay. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (14:53) So she used to press my arm and it was really painful. And I remember my roommate, he he had a problem with his arm, and they had to give him Botox injections to paralyze those muscles. So he could move and the muscles could be pain free. So that’s a that’s a routine thing which they do. So Botox is basically bottleneum toxin, which causes paralysis. and they give it in the muscle which is spas spas which is spasming for the person and it it releases the muscle and they feel better. So I was fortunate that she was there and I remember after her Three, four weeks of massaging my hand, and my wife used to be sitting beside my bed and she used to be pressing on my left leg, I remember. So that particular day I could see my foot move a little like this, b which I could. So that was that was a big one for me. I just cried and I didn’t know what to what to expect. my God. Yep. Bill Gasiamis (15:41) tears of relief. Yeah. that is all often a very good sign. And then, a lot of people kind of built from that. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (15:52) Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (15:53) but were you, were you near the diabetic ward as well? Were you watching people, have amputations walking out after a few days and getting down about that, that they, why are they getting out so quick? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (16:06) So, you know, the the building which is opposite to the rehab facility on Parkville Road on the other side is the diabetic ward. Bill Gasiamis (16:11) Yep. Right. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (16:13) So those patients after their surgeries, after their treatments are shifted into rehab. And I could see that these guys are coming in and because initially I was a little curious that what’s happening here. This guy, you know, he’s he’s got an amputation and he’s just gone. After three days, four days, they would go away. So then they would new new patients come in, they would learn how to walk, then three, four, five days they’ll go away again. So I had no clue what was going on. But then over time I realized there was a diabetic ward. So those were guys was ob obviously coming in because of their neuropathies. They’ve lost some limbs. Some people were lucky, they only lost fingers, some people unlucky, they lost legs, arms sometimes. But it can be it can be quite challenging for them also, you know, certainly because it’s too quick. I I think stroke is still slow. It gets you ready, it gets you going, but it’s it’s slow paced. And now I’m an expert, I know what is gonna work. So I’m still completing three years in December. So With an exercise, I I know the stress and I know the difficulty and and and I can feel it. I can feel it that this will work. So in their in their case they don’t have time. They just lose a limb and they just have to learn in three, four days. Fortunately their brain is okay, so they are more you know, neuroplastic, I would say, but as compared to us. Bill Gasiamis (17:17) So was playing on your mind a little bit, seeing this difference in the way people were rehabilitating after an amputation compared to a stroke survivor. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (17:26) Yes, hundred percent. And considering that one of my family people, my uncles, cousins, far cousin, he had passed on because of this particular problem. And it because of the way the medicines and the medical system is in India, so I saw that he ha also had to be his one of his toes had to be amputated. and he had a neuropathy and then he lost his foot and he eventually died because of kidney problems. So this does happen in diabetic patients, very common. So it I kept thinking of those those days, you know, when I would I would hear of him, we would go and visit him in hospital. So it’s very different. They are Bill Gasiamis (18:02) Hmm. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (18:03) more conservative, they try to save the limb. Here they are more aggressive. They say that we if there’s a the there’s gangrene here, we want to cut from here and we want to make sure that you’re safe. Your life is safe. So they they are more aggressive here. Over there, they say, We’ll try to save this, we’ll try to save this, we’ll try to save this. So it’s it’s different. We have Bill Gasiamis (18:18) Yeah. So I’m to make a few huge assumptions. You’re a male, you’re Indian and your culture probably makes it difficult to accept care, especially when it comes to physical care. you know, being treated as stroke survivor in a rehabilitation hospital, when your left side’s not working means that people have to shower you and, help you at the bathroom and all that kind of stuff. What was that like for you? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (18:47) It was hard. Then that was another time when I was really crying. Maybe it happens to everyone, you know. I’m not special. But I I was I was quite emotional and it took me a couple of days to get used to my brother in law coming in, and he said, I’ll do it for you, man. And he’s he’s a champ. And he would come every day. So it’s in our culture, it’s it’s I think it’s maybe egoistic or maybe it’s how we are. That the elder people or the boys are more looked from a perspective of as providers and caretakers. So I remember when my father passed on in 97, I was told that be strong for your mom, be strong for your sister. And then when my mom passed on in 2013, I was told the same thing: be strong for your sister. But there was one of my friends, one of my uncles, who told me that, you know, you need to do something, you need to have a couple of drinks, go to a corner and just cry it out, man. It’s important. So now I know that grief is important. and I was I’ve been told that stroke is a part of a grief and you should not suppress your feelings. Like I can do with that box of tissues right now. I can go all out. No problem. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bill Gasiamis (19:50) Yeah, man. I’m the same. was just talking about my situation a few days ago. This happened to me in 2013. Brain surgery was in 2014 and I cry all the time. It’s not really like it’s strange. Have you heard of the super pseudo bulb affect? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (20:06) Which one is that? No, so no, I’ve Bill Gasiamis (20:07) It’s a condition. It’s a condition where people who with neurological injuries tend to cry, or laugh Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (20:14) More. Bill Gasiamis (20:15) more and out of the blue suddenly. And often at the beginning, it’s a very difficult to control. And then later it gets better. But then for me, I, you know, a couple of years ago, I was told to go and do a presentation for the Royal Melbourne hospital neurosciences, gala ball to, to tell them what stroke, sorry, what neurosurgery meant to me, you know, like, I’m only standing there because of neurosurgery without it, I wouldn’t be standing there. My surgeon was in the room. It was 400 people in the room. And I got up and I didn’t make it to the front lectern before I started crying. And then when I got up to say the speech, I was holding on to the lectern, just waiting for the crying to stop just so that I can start the speech. And then through the speech, I had to stop a couple of times. Now I wasn’t upset. I wasn’t sad. was, I was excited, but the 400 people and the, situation talking about me, my family, et cetera, and having to describe what neurosurgery meant to me made it impossible to get through that speech. I got through it, but it was, Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (21:16) Yep, yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (21:20) but it was interesting to go through that, you know, 13 years, you know, 12, 13 years later, like it was, yeah, crazy. So, Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (21:25) Two thirty news, huh? So Bill Gasiamis (21:28) It’s not uncommon, very, very common. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (21:30) So tell me something, is it easy for you to have a poker face? Bill Gasiamis (21:34) If the, not in a, not in a situation where I have to talk about something that’s emotional, that’s about me, my experience. And if my family involved, forget about it. can’t stay out kind of the poker face. No way. Yeah. But I can in a poker game when we’re trying to take somebody else’s money. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (21:52) I think same, same. So it’s similar. I can I can cry on animations also. And my son says that he’s crying, you it’s on animation also. It’s a good movie. Good movie story. And that’s you’re done. Bill Gasiamis (21:59) Yeah. Yeah, I used to cry with the cat tripping over or something Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (22:05) Ha ha ha. Bill Gasiamis (22:06) silly, know, crazy stuff. And my wife would be going, what are you crying about now? I don’t know. I’m just crying. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (22:12) Short short. Bill Gasiamis (22:15) And the difficult part is not me. It’s the people around me thinking that I’m sad or thinking that there’s something wrong. And that’s reeducating them so that they know that’s not what’s happening. what’s today today we’re recording on Saturday on Thursday night. I was in Melbourne at Marvel stadium. there was an electronic dance music festival, 60,000 people in a stadium for a DJ. It Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (22:39) wow. Bill Gasiamis (22:39) was a most amazing electronic dance laser show. It was sensational. Now my wife didn’t see because it was too dark and she was focusing on the show, but you know, I had about three or four moments where I cried. But it wasn’t big cries, it was just tears and excitement and something else happening that made me cry. And I was moved by the fact that I was A, at the event, B, it was such an amazing event that all the people there were having a great time. Like, it was moving rather than sad or upsetting or, Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (23:14) I understand. Bill Gasiamis (23:16) and telling, kind of trying to bring people into understanding that that’s what’s happening. That was the hard part because you know, we’re from a Greek family. They see you cry. Everything’s terrible. Everything’s bad. You know, they don’t know. They don’t know how to deal with it. You know, so you’ve got to reeducate people. That was the hardest part of that experience for me. That’s all it was. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (23:37) No, because I keep thinking that since I was always in sales and I enjoyed my sales, I don’t know if that’s gonna settle down ever with me, my emotions. Bill Gasiamis (23:47) will, it will settle down and then sometimes it will just come out of nowhere and you won’t, you wouldn’t have expected it. Yeah. It changes for a lot of people. remember interviewing one gentleman. can’t remember his name now. And on the, on his wedding day, he told me that he was almost dehydrated from crying so much, you know, and he needed to continue, continue his fluids so that he doesn’t dehydrate. It was. We laughed about it like you and I are laughing. Cause that’s he’s got to that stage where it’s like, wow, you know, it is what it is. Like no big deal. He was totally moved by the fact that he was a alive, able to be at the wedding, get married to the person that he loved. and then, and then later on they had a kid and it was down all downhill again from there, you know, more tears, more crazy stuff. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (24:33) Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (24:34) It’s, it’s, it’s involuntary. And I think it’s actually very helpful for me. It’s helpful to just get it out. Like what your mate said, you know, just go into the corner and have a cry, get it out, and this whole thing, you know, our culture is the same and many cultures are the same. It’s like, you know, the men are not supposed to show emotion. You’re supposed to toughen up, you know, be stronger for everybody else. And nobody checks in with you to say, you know, okay, how are you doing now? That’s That’s just how it is. Many cultures are like that. So who’s Hannah? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (25:05) So Hannah was my first physio who was, you know, it’s it was quite moving for me from that perspective as well. Because I I always thank and thank my stars that I got unwell in Australia. Because there are so many systems here which help younger people like NDIS and got all kinds of help. And and the medical is top-notch. The medicine is top-notch. The first day that I remember they took me to the physio room. I had this pretty girl. I c we couldn’t see them because you know it was post COVID so everybody was still using masks. But I could just see the eyes. And she was so beautiful. So she sat on the floor and she was moving my foot. So it was quite moving for me, even now. Sorry for that. Bill Gasiamis (25:41) Yeah. Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (25:42) So that was Hannah. Initially, my book was supposed to be called Walking with Hannah. So, but one of my advisors told me that look, if the book becomes really popular, then she is gonna benefit more. Change the name, man. Change it. And there are different privacy laws in Australia. So just to make sure that you are around the privacy laws, don’t put anybody’s name on it. Bill Gasiamis (26:03) Like you’re on the ground. She’s moving your leg or your foot and she makes you a promise that you would walk again. Now that’s a pretty big deal to hear that from somebody who’s in the rehabilitation space trying to help you to recover. And I think at the same time, that’s kind of when you had the realization that you should write a book. how did that come about? What was the, why did that carry so much weight that situation? The Promise of Recovery and Writing a Book Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (26:33) Should I be ready with our tissues? Have you had people who really, really break down badly on a show? Is it okay? Bill Gasiamis (26:39) Yeah, yeah, yeah. yeah, it’s okay. And yes, they have. Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (26:43) So I think in that situation For me, only that one promise coming from a physio was a big deal. I wanted to share with my friends, I wanted to share with my clients. I’ve got a lot of good people in my book, and vice versa. So I I wanted to share with all of them what I’m going through. So I was constantly taking pictures, recording voice notes. I was not so good at typing because you know I just had gone from two hands to one hand. So I just couldn’t type. So I was I was doing a lot of voice to text notes, I was writing notes, I was taking pictures, I was taking videos. We are very audiovisual. I am very audiovisual rather. So I was really doing a lot. And then I also have a habit of listening to audiobooks. And I was doing prayers and I was listening to audiobooks. I don’t even remember what book I was listening to. maybe I think it was Andrea Gossi the one. I was listening to that one. Moving story. Good story. So I thought, hey, why why don’t why can’t I convert all this what I’m writing into a book? So and I had ample time. So I thought Bill Gasiamis (27:41) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (27:42) I was like, yeah, let’s do it. It was not it was not a business model. It was not Bill Gasiamis (27:45) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (27:45) something which will actually make money. There was no thought around it. I just Bill Gasiamis (27:48) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (27:48) wanted to write a book. I was just emotionally wanted to write a book. I was just compulsive. I wanted to write a book. That’s it. Done. Yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (27:55) I love it. I know that I know that feeling like same same here when I wrote the first book, Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (28:01) Yes go. Bill Gasiamis (28:01) the unexpected way this joke became the best thing that happened. It was like, I’ve learned all of this stuff. And I kind of don’t want to forget it. I want to have it in one space. I want to capture the moment as well. Like it’s like a time in history, a snapshot Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (28:14) Yeah, yeah. Bill Gasiamis (28:14) of history, you know, that book. And if I can just put everything in a book, then I could well, I could have a book, but then if people want to buy it and it helps them. then that would be a bonus. So it was the idea was about that. And then, of course, when you have a book, you may as well have the best book, and you may as well sell as many copies as possible. Well, what’s the point of having a book otherwise, you know, you want to make sure that it gets sold. So I really relate to what you’re saying about that. My book idea came in hospital as well. So no, the podcast came in hospital as well. I was getting wheeled transferred from the Royal Melbourne. to Parkville and I was waiting in the transit lounge and that is when I had the idea to start the podcast, but I was never going to do it. I don’t think I was going to do it. A friend of mine put the idea in my head later on again. And because of that, the podcast emerged. I had the idea, he reinforced it. And then I went ahead and did it. And the book again was an idea from another friend. You’ve learned all this stuff, know, you know, how, are you going to do with it? You how are you going to… tell other people about it. The podcast was one way and then the book was another way. And of course, then it’s not just about me, it’s about other people as well. Now, if I understood correctly, are you from the religion, the Sikh religion? Did you seek right? Cultural Identity and Personal Beliefs Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (29:37) Yes, I’ve yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (29:40) And in the religion turban is quite important. How was that? How is dealing with that situation where your left side doesn’t work and the use or the need to have a turban on your head, do you kind of deal with that? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (29:57) So I’ve been through times in my life when I was without a turban for a couple of months because I had a ac I had a small unfortunate accident with my Jeep. So I had to cut off a little bit of hair, so I just didn’t bother p going back to the turban initially. So and and I was I’m not very religious, religious. So And I was very proud of my turban because people used to tell me that your turban looks fantastic, man. You’re the best looking Sikh we’ve we’ve seen around, you know. So I was quite proud of it. And I was I used to feel on top of the world with my turban. So every every trip of mine, every travel of mine, I had to pack a couple of turbans and and I’m I think I am O C D. So I used to match it with my shirt. Sometimes I used to match it with my ties. It should should be the same color. Sometimes I’ll match it with my jeans. So you know it was it was quite a task. Every time I’m traveling. But I loved it. Having said that, I decided that my son is not gonna be a turbanator. I called myself a turbanator because of the same reason. I said that’s one thing less to take care of. It’s not that I don’t w want him to be a Sikh. He he realizes he’s a Sikh. He’s a good Sikh. He does what I do in the Sikh Sikh temple as well, which is serve. But from a religious perspective, he’s okay. He you don’t have to have a turban on your head to be that religion. You know, you can be a good person from that religion perspective also. So I was very proud of it and not being able to do it initially was a big blow to my ego or my you know image in my own brain. I lost I lost my identity, I I thought, and and my my prayer consisted of that that you know I hope I can go back to tying a turban. Even you can see I still don’t dye a turban. A lot of my friends tell me that I look good like this. The man bun suits me. But you know, I’m like, okay, go with the flow. Well, let’s see, let’s see. Bill Gasiamis (31:37) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (31:38) Yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (31:39) so it’s challenging for people, right? Like if somebody is wearing a turban for their entire lives, then they have a stroke and then they can wear a turban because they can’t tie a turban. Then you can understand why that would be impactful in another way, you know, to their identity, to, their beliefs, to all the things that are associated to a turban. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (32:00) You know, it was it was more like a shame. It was more like Bill Gasiamis (32:03) Uh-huh. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (32:03) a shame of an uncovered head, nothing on the Bill Gasiamis (32:06) Uh-huh. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (32:06) head. Because whenever my father would get up in the morning, he’ll make sure that he just wraps around a cloth around his head. When I would whenever I would get up in the morning, I’ll put something on my head, then I’ll go out. So, you know, we had a smaller version, we had a bigger version, which was a formal more formal thing. So we were always used to having something on the head. So it’s what which was more shame shameful, you know? Yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (32:25) Yeah. Is it personal shame or is it or back in the day was a shame within the community from other people? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (32:33) I think we were we were brought up both ways. So personal shame number one, and a lot of times when we had gone to temples with a cap on my head, for example, some elder would come up to me and they were this is a very conservative community also in those times. You know, they would tell Why you wearing a cap? Just take it off. If you like wearing a cap, you can just cut your hair. Or if you know, Sikhs and smoking don’t go together. So it’s not that the religion says that you can’t smoke. Since they are warriors, they’re supposed to be a warrior race. It was just said that you don’t do any kind of bad thing to your body, just take care of yourself, be healthy. So if if if someone saw a Sikh smoking in public, they will definitely go up to them and tell them that if you are a Sikh, why you smoking, man? You should cut your hair. Just take it easy. So things like Bill Gasiamis (33:10) Uh-huh. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (33:10) that. It was a very conservative society and it was a taboo. Smoking was a taboo, for example. So that’s how we grew up. So that’s the turban part. But I was I was more more spiritual and I was just more Personally ashamed of not being able to do it. Bill Gasiamis (33:23) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (33:24) But I think it’s it’s it’s worked well. So I’m I’m kind of in a in a gray area now. You know, I’ve come back to hair. So I I will I will I’m open to tying it again. I want to do it, but I’m not rushing it. I know it’ll Bill Gasiamis (33:34) Yeah. Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (33:36) happen. It’ll happen one day, 100%. But I’m not Bill Gasiamis (33:38) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (33:39) too eager. Yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (33:40) a lot of stroke survivors get tattoos. Did you get a few? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (33:43) yes. This one for example And it’s got my son’s name here. is it? It’s here. That’s Raj, Raj, yeah, that’s his name. So Bill Gasiamis (33:55) Uh-huh. Is that the impact that arm that, the arm that was impacted by the stroke? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (34:00) It’s it’s very funny you asked that because you know we were not very pro tattoo. I mean, to to risk due respect to everybody who’s got a tattoo. It’s not it’s nothing negative. But we we were not very inclined to color our bodies in any r any way, right? When we grew up. So, but but there’s a friend of mine who was visiting me in hospital. He had a few, and he was in New Zealand for a long time. So he was he had that Kiwi influence, he had a Kiwi wife. my first nurse who sat with me and she told me that, you know, you’ll be fine. And she held my hand. So she had a few. So maybe that had my had an effect. And then my brother in law said, he said, just don’t worry, man. When he’s when he saw me upset, he just told me, he You don’t have to be upset, you’re alive. Just just get okay, get a few tattoos, just travel around the world, do that. So, you know, that was that’s just got stuck in me. That okay, I want to do this. So I did it. Got it done. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bill Gasiamis (34:52) Was it like also, I Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (34:54) Mm. Bill Gasiamis (34:54) think you mentioned in your book, it was like a bit of a protection. Is this some, is was a way to change the conversation? what other role did it serve? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (35:03) So, you know, at that point I got it done specifically at that point because of the same reason. So I wanted to get it done, but I didn’t know when. So I just thought of it. I remember one day I was walking past someone and he was coming to that table and he sat down and people asked him about his tattoo, which is that which he had on his leg. So I was like, hey. So people are just noticing that. He’s such a gorgeous looking guy, man. He’s well dressed and look at his specks, what he’s wearing. Look at the car, he’s come in. So he was quite polished. So and still he had tattoos. So the it broke the s the usual stereotype, you know? Everything that’s stereotypical. So I thought, yeah, I think this is the right time for me if I want to do it, because people will not notice my little limp. Because I was still limping and I was in a bad way for for at least a year. I was quite negative in my mind. I mean, and especially when I was 120 kilos, I don’t know what to do about do about it because I could not exercise, I could not cycle. Just didn’t know what to do about it. And I could not fast at that time because I I was having so many medicines morning and evening. So it it would call a cause acidity. So I was quite negative end of the spectrum. But that’s the time when I realized when I then I thought that I don’t care about anybody else. I am just doing this, man. So I looked up a few people and this lovely girl who used to come to drive for me, she took me around we were in Perth at that time. So she took me around my house and we went we visited a few places and then there was this lovely gentleman who was coming to Perth and he was apparently from Melbourne. So that was my turning point. So this happened in December. I booked him for for my appointment for for my tattoo in Perth. But then he told me that he he said, look, if you want to move back, if you are moving back eventually, because I had that in my mind. I wanted to move back. So he said if you’re moving back, I’m based out of Melbourne, just come to me there. So that’s when it happened. That was my new year gift to myself. And everybody was so, you know, amazed with my the the thing which I had done on one leg. And they were like, Wow, that’s a good one. Man, where do you do it? I was like, there’s a special guy who does this. So I was just end up talking of that and not of anything else. I was so happy. I think, Bill Gasiamis (37:00) I love it. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (37:00) yeah, that helped that helped in my recovery for sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Relocation and Its Challenges Bill Gasiamis (37:02) Great distraction, great distraction. Yeah. That’s a great idea. So one of the things my wife says to me every so often, she says, we should go live in a different location for a little bit, know, try the beach or whatever. And I’m thinking, well, you know, that sounds like a great idea. But in my immediately in my mind and in my body, I tense up and I just find that thinking about moving. emptying a house, filling another house, doing all that stuff just fills me with like dread. And I don’t know why it’s her idea is a great idea, but I just feel kind of comfortable or whatever. But I wouldn’t think of moving. You moved your family back to Perth. And what was that like? Because. I can’t imagine leaving Melbourne and going to Perth and packing up the whole family, the whole house and all that kind of stuff and doing that. Not because I can’t do them. I can’t live in another location because I can’t do all the work that comes with that before and all the work after. It feels like it’s going to take up way too much of my attention, time, energy. What was the move like for you? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (38:10) So imagine if you can say that ten, fifteen years into your stroke after recovering so much. So for for even that far recovery is difficult for them. So doing it one year into the stroke, or I would say one month into the stroke and moving everybody lock, stock, and barrel. I think that was the silliest idea I had. But my family supported me and we did it together and we did it. But it was pretty lonely for me. I was pretty lonely. We had no friends, we had no support system there. Although we were in a very good place, we were very central as compared to the country here. Because we were st always struggling to get physios in, OTs in. So it was, you know, a constant struggle. So over there we were central, so everything was okay, we’ll do this. It was just bang on. And I spent a good time just learning I mean, getting myself stronger, walking every day in the morning. So that was the positive. But I was quite negative, in here. Physically I was positive, but mentally I was quite I was a goner. Bill Gasiamis (39:03) Isolated, Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (39:03) But Bill Gasiamis (39:04) you isolated yourself Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (39:06) Yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (39:07) unwittingly. Like you didn’t expect that that would happen. Is it just something that happened later? You, realized later. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (39:14) And plus, you know, I my my job, I my job questioned me that why should we not terminate your thing? Because we don’t have much in Perth. So if even if you become okay, why should we not Not let you come back. I mean, so we had the discussion and they almost fired me, but they were happy to take me back when I was back in Melbourne, but they still let go of me. So I don’t know where what happened. I don’t have a job. Bill Gasiamis (39:36) Yeah. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (39:36) So yep. So I think that was a very silly decision. But that whole year I spent like that in December, I moved for my son’s holidays to my sister’s house in Melbourne. She’s also in Melbourne, and we were there for about two months. she’s in the Bay side. So after spending that quality time with family and people who were familiar, I had friends visiting me, I had people visiting me, I had so many doctors, I had these doctors’ support system from RMH. supportive stride strides workshop, which was happening, things like that. So it was it just helped me recover. And I thought that this is it, man, that this is what I should do. And and then I was, you know, I was still talking to my psychologist over the phone, and she in the book by mistake, I I just wrote a he. I think I missed the S because of this bloody autocorrect. She told me that look, you need to wear your seat your life jacket first. You know, that was one statement. Ha ha. made me calculate and rethink. So that’s when we decided, okay, let’s come back. So twice, twice in here. Yep, Bill Gasiamis (40:38) Well then. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (40:39) yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (40:40) You need to wear your life jacket first. That’s Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (40:42) Yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (40:44) such an amazing statement. And also, it’s really important for caregivers to remember that that they need to wear their own life jacket first. Because caregivers go through this with their loved ones, whoever they’re caring for that had a stroke, and they put themselves second. And then they suffer, they suffer because they haven’t got time to themselves because they get on well. And often with people who are very kind of motivated to help their loved one. Often they end up becoming sick and passing away before the stroke survivor. So everyone needs to put on their life raft, their own life jacket first. Once they’re stable and everything is okay, then they need to assess what they can do for the other person. I love that. Such a profound statement. I can see why it moved you so much. Often stroke survivors also complain, not complain, but they mention when somebody says, just think positively. what was it like for you to hear that? Just think positively Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (41:43) Okay. The Importance of Caregiver Self-Care Bill Gasiamis (41:44) statement. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (41:44) I think my an analyzing people was out of the window. I was not analyz analysing anyone. I’m I’m not even judgmental as a person. So I don’t easily judge. I trust people at the first instance. Sorry. So it was quite common to hear that all the time. And I wouldn’t even tell anybody that I’ve had a stroke. I wouldn’t tell them. I will just talk to them. I will try to hide my walk. I don’t know, I was a little shameful. I don’t know why. For example, I’m reskilling to be an allied health assistant at the moment in Boxhill Institute. So it took me about six months before I disclosed to my class that, you know, I walk funny sometimes because of my stroke. Because I just didn’t want to tell anybody. I was a little apprehensive. And when I warmed up when everybody got to know me and I was I’m like probably the friendliest in the class. So everybody likes me. So then I told everybody, they’re friends. I said this is this is what has happened, that’s my book. Please read it. See if it helps someone. And I don’t know if this book is gonna actually help someone or not. I don’t know if there’s no scientific information in that. There’s no medical information. But what is gonna help in that book, I’m not sure. But the idea was just if even it can help one person. Bill Gasiamis (42:46) Yeah, that’s the thing. That’s interesting. I put podcast episodes out all the time. I I’ve got no idea which part will help, but somebody will reach out and they’ll pick an obscure part of the podcast episode. I’ll say that really helped me hearing that really helped me. And I was like, okay. Cool. We’ve, we’ve, we’ve achieved our outcome. It helped you. I’m happy that it helped you. And because everyone is in a different position and they’re looking for different types of information and you know, what’s, the timeline that they’re in in their recovery, whether it’s emotional, mental or physical is unique to them. So that one word might be overlooked by you and me, but then somebody else goes, that’s just the word I needed to hear. And that’s why 400 episodes of the podcast are really good because there’s something in at least one of those episodes for everybody, you know, so it will, it will help. It will make it so that people maybe even if they just realized that they can write a book, maybe if they realize that they could just share their story, that’s all, that’s good enough. Adjusting to a New Normal So, how about this whole new normal statement? Now some people are told that they have to adjust to their new normal. And I kind of, I see why people say that it helps with acceptance in some situations when you have to let go of how you went about the past, how you did your life previously. when you were more physically able-bodied or more cognitively able. So how did you handle the new normal comment statement? Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (44:20) I obviously didn’t like it initially. But then, you know, the whole religious part and how we’ve been brought up, it’s with a lot of acceptance. So which is, I think, important for a child sitting next to someone who’s a nobody, or for a child who’s sitting next to someone who’s super duper rich. Maybe he’s a prime minister of the country, but they are sitting on the same level and having food, for example, on the floor. Someone who’s sitting next to you who’s who cleans houses on the floor. They’re humans. So I think that probably got me ready for the acceptance. I mean, that that primed me for the level of expect acceptance we had. I had to work less towards accepting things. and yeah, for example, I can’t run at the moment. But then what I say to people about that, that it’s overrated, I don’t care. You know, for example, so that’s it. That’s my acceptance. That’s what I do. Make a joke of it, man. That’s it. You can’t do it, you can’t do it. What do you do? Bill Gasiamis (45:11) Dude, it is overrated. That’s the I’m going to use that now as well. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (45:16) Yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (45:18) In a couple of weeks, I’m going to go and spend some time away with a friend of mine. I’ve got a really amazing friend. We grew up together. He used to work at the Royal Melbourne hospital when I was there. He was a radiographer and he would come and see me when I was admitted. He would do my scans. Amazing. Like I’ve known this guy my entire life since I was about four years old. And we’re going to go and spend eight days just away from the whole family, the wives, everybody. We’re just going to go to Hawaii for a little bit. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (45:46) Are you going running? Bill Gasiamis (45:46) He said to me, I wake up in the morning and I go for a run. I said, fantastic. I’m going to wake up in the morning and go for a walk. You go for a run. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (45:52) Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (45:53) I’m not running. I can’t run. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (45:55) You can run either, huh? Yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (45:56) Not anymore. No. My left leg, my left leg goes down a little bit differently from my right leg. And because I have proprioception issues and the feeling is not correct, I never know when it’s exactly in the right position. And I risk injuring my knee because sometimes I can overextend, hyper extend. And, and Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (46:15) Yep, yep, yep, yep. I know exactly what he’s saying, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (46:17) I’m really concerned. And also my ankle, I’m not comfortable with my the foot going down and my ankle being solid. So I don’t want to run. I can run across the road to make sure that I’m safe and there’s no car coming too fast or injuring me, but I’m not running two kilometers or a marathon or anything like that. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar (46:37) I think walking is better. Yep, yep, yep. Bill Gasiamis (46:38) Yeah, I have to think about it too much as well. And it makes it more fatiguing, more exhausting. Ramandeep (bobby) chaggar

A facial plastic surgeon reveals the MRI data on "Ozempic face," why repeated masseter Botox can thin the jawbone, and the topical rapamycin resetting skin cells to a 20-year-old phenotype.In this episode of Health Longevity Secrets, Robert Lufkin MD sits down with Dr. Kay Durairaj, a USC and UCLA-trained facial plastic surgeon bringing evidence-based medicine to the longevity-aesthetics frontier. Old friends from their UCLA head and neck tumor-board days, they dig into the science most aesthetic clinics gloss over: how GLP-1 drugs uniquely strip facial fat, why exosomes and peptides are a "Wild West," the surprising data on retinoids and epigenetic aging, and how collagen biostimulators and topical rapamycin may genuinely rejuvenate skin at the cellular level.Chapters:00:00 — Introduction02:03 — From Head & Neck Cancer Surgery to Longevity Aesthetics03:04 — Bringing Evidence-Based Medicine to the Aesthetics Wild West04:06 — Why Aging Should Be Treated as a Disease06:07 — Ozempic Face: The MRI Data on Facial Fat Loss09:14 — The Mid-Face Miracle Protocol: Collagen Biostimulators10:15 — Reversing Ozempic Face After Rapid Weight Loss11:15 — Exosomes Explained: Real Biology vs Marketing Hype14:18 — How to Vet Exosome Sourcing, Purity and Shelf Life16:22 — The Peptide Wild West: BPC-157, SS-31 and FDA-Approved Options19:28 — N-of-1 Peptide Risks: Angiogenesis and Oncogenes20:28 — Do Retinoids Accelerate Aging? The MitraBio Epigenetic Data23:32 — Sculptra and Radiesse: Real Regenerative Science25:33 — Masseter Botox and Permanent Jawbone Thinning29:37 — Three Facial Biomarkers of Biological Age31:38 — Does Lifting Weights Help or Hurt Your Face?36:48 — Topical Rapamycin: Resetting Fibroblasts to a 20-Year-Old40:51 — A New Peptide Skin-Longevity Line and Final AdviceKey takeaways:GLP-1 drugs uniquely attack facial fat — MRI data show roughly 7% midfacial volume loss for every 10 kg of weight lost, primarily from superficial and deep cheek fat pads, driving "Ozempic face."Collagen biostimulators (like Sculptra and Radiesse) can preserve or restore facial volume during rapid weight loss and have 20+ years and 200+ peer-reviewed papers behind their collagen-remodeling effects.The exosome and research-peptide markets are largely unregulated — source, purity, shelf life, and donor quality matter, and lyophilized "exosome" skincare is often just protein fragments.Repeated masseter Botox can thin the mandibular bone, especially in postmenopausal women — animal data are consistent, human data are mixed, so caution is warranted with aggressive long-term use.Topical rapamycin (a "rapalog") may reset the fibroblast mTOR cycle, shifting aged, bloated skin cells toward a younger, spindle-shaped phenotype — an emerging frontier in cellular skin rejuvenation.Studies & sources:Radiographic Midfacial Volume Changes in Patients on GLP-1 Agonists (7% loss per 10 kg) — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40407186/Soft Tissue Facial Changes Following Massive Weight Loss, Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum 2024 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11427949/MitraBio epigenetic skin DNA-methylation tape-strip profiling — https://mitrabio.tech/resources/unlocking-epigenetic-insights/Repeated botulinum toxin masseter injections decrease mandibular angle bone volume — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5466904/RapaLogic / Re-Q topical rapalog for fibroblast skin rejuvenation — https://www.rapamycin.news/t/a-new-rapalog-for-skin-aging-rapalogix-health-rlx-201/22010GHK-Cu copper peptide: regenerative and protective actions in skin — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6073405/Dr. Kay Durairaj — Beauty by Dr. Kay — https://beautybydrkay.com/

(1) Politici op eerste rij bij pausbezoek aan Frankrijk (2) 1 op 75 mensen kan geen boertjes laten, de oplossing: botox (3) Joeri Buiten: de (Vlaamse) Gaai (4) Nieuwe Feiten Checker: is er 140 miljoen cash gevonden bij hoge functionaris van het Oekraïense leger? (5) Hugo Matthysen

What are the latest plastic surgery trends actually worth knowing about? From Ozempic-related facial changes and Botox mistakes to awake facelifts and new approaches to breast enhancement, there's a lot to unpack. This week, Dr. Danielle DeLuca-Pytell joins me to break down the hot topics in plastic surgery, including temporal hollowing after weight loss, Botox and facial balance, facelift anesthesia, fat grafting, breast reconstruction, and newer options like Renuva and Alloclay.

What someone meant to harm you, God can use to heal you and the people around you. Starting from Joseph's words to his brothers in Genesis 50 ("You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good"), Bishop Dale C. Bronner shows how poison and cure often sit side by side, with the dose making the difference. He draws on the cyanide at the core of an apple, Botox, viper venom, and the law's limit of forty lashes to show why balance is the key to life, why isolation distorts your view of reality, and why God may be asking one question: can He trust you with trouble? You'll learn: Why God showed Joseph the palace but never the pit or the prison How to "eat around the poison" in the people and situations in your life Why God put limits on punishment, and what that says about correction versus destruction How Agur's prayer for "neither poverty nor riches" applies to a culture of extremes What Elijah's breakdown teaches about the difference between being alone and being disconnected How Fanny Crosby's blindness became the source of nearly nine thousand hymns Why unforgiveness is poison you drink yourself, and how your testimony spreads the cure

Power of Praying Scriptures over your Marriage: Special Patreon Release with Jodie Berndt   1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV) "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."   *Transcription Below*   Jodie Berndt is bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, which includes volumes for Children, Teens, Adult Children, and Life, plus the new Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage (2023). Jodie has been a trusted speaker, Bible teacher, and prayer warrior for over thirty years. She and her husband, Robbie, have four married children, and they live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.   Connect with Jodie through her website or Instagram.   Questions and Topics We Discuss: What are some ancient truths from Scripture that stand out to you, specifically as it relates to marriage? Will you share a few of the helpful questions for couples that you write in the book? How have you seen kindness open the door to changes in a marriage?   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Chick-fil-A East Peoria and The Savvy Sauce Charities (and donate online here)   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”   Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:10 - 2:47) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   I want to say a huge thank you to today's sponsors for this episode, Chick-fil-A East Peoria and Savvy Sauce Charities.   If this is your first time here, welcome! You may be wondering what it means to have a special Patreon release. So, here's the scoop. Patreon was a platform we used to generate financial support for The Savvy Sauce, and we expressed our thanks to those paying patrons by giving them a bonus episode every month. But, in 2024, we transitioned away from Patreon when we became a non-profit called Savvy Sauce Charities. The podcast is part of this non-profit, which exists to resource loved ones to inspire growth and intimacy with God and others.   So, people used to pay to support us through Patreon, but now they can just donate directly to our non-profit. We spend thousands of dollars each year to record and produce these episodes, and we do pray that they're beneficial and that God sees fit to use them to be transformational in your life. If that is the case, if you have ever benefited from an episode of The Savvy Sauce, would you consider showing your gratitude through your financial generosity? Any amount is greatly appreciated. In fact, if every listener gave only $1 per month, it would completely offset our costs. We have all the details on our website, thesavvysauce.com, but feel free to also reach out to our team anytime if you want to partner together. Our email address is info@thesavvysauce.com.   And now I'm pleased to share this episode with you that used to only be available to paying patrons. Jodie Berndt is my guest today. She is the bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, and today we're going to focus on the powerful way to pray the scriptures for our marriage. And I just want to give you a heads up that you may hear a lot of airplanes in the background during our conversation, but I hope it doesn't take away from all the goodness Jodie is about to share. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Jodie.   Jodie Berndt: (2:49 - 2:53) Laura, thank you. It is just a huge treat to be able to chat with you today.   Laura Dugger: (2:54 - 2:59) Well, will you begin by just first telling us a bit about yourself and the work that you get to do?   Jodie Berndt: (3:01 - 4:19) Sure. Yes. Well, like you, I have four children. Mine are grown now, though. I have three daughters and then a son at the end, and they're all adults and married and having kids of their own. I met my husband back when we were in college. We both went to the University of Virginia and got married right after college, kind of jumped into the whole marriage and family thing. By today's standards, it seems ridiculously young. I look back and I think I don't know what we were thinking. But as Robbie, my husband says, when you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start right now. And I think we both kind of felt that way. And so, we've been married now, I guess, nearly 38 years.   Your listeners may know that I write books. I write the Praying the Scriptures books. I've done others as well. But those are the ones that I am primarily focused on now. Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, your teens, your adult children, your life, because we needed ourselves too. And then most recently, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. So, I never set out to become a prayer writer or even a book writer. But golly, I have realized the power of prayer and my desperate need for God's help in all things. So, I think it sort of fell backwards into it. And it's been a fun journey.   Laura Dugger: (4:20 - 4:37) Well, and I first encountered that book that you mentioned, Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, when I was a new mom, and it was so powerful. So, when you look back to that one, what are some of the stories or takeaways that really stand out from that resource?   Jodie Berndt: (4:38 - 9:31) Oh, gosh. Well, thank you for asking about that one. That was a book that was sort of born, as I said, out of my own need for the Lord, because nothing reveals your flaws and inadequacies and need for help beyond yourself as much as having children does. At least for me, that was the case. I'd grown up in a Christian home. Prayer was a natural part of life for me but not sort of the specific intentional prayers and not praying the scriptures.   And for anybody who doesn't know what that means, it just means taking the words that we read in the Bible, the things that God actually says to us there and using them to shape how we think about things, how we long for things, kind of creating our desires as based on what we read and then animating our prayers so that, as Jesus says in John 15, he looks at his disciples, he's getting ready to go to the cross, and you think of all the things he could have talked about. He chose to drill down on staying connected to him primarily through our prayers. He says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you." And then he explains why. He says, "This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."   And I think I read that chapter in those specific verses, probably a hundred times over my life without fully comprehending what he was talking about there. And I think what he's talking about is that as we abide in him, as we remain in him, as we stay connected day in and day out, whether we're doing the laundry or running a carpool or anything else, we can allow the things we read in the Bible to shape our thoughts, shape our longings, and then give voice to our prayers. And when we do that, that really is the secret to living a difference-making, transformational, impactful life, to bearing fruit.   I loved being able to kind of look back over a 20-year history. And the stories in that book, in all my books, are real-life people who have real-life struggles and real-life prayers. And some of them have very happy endings. Some of them are still being played out. All of them represent times when we're having to trust God. And as I looked back over 20 years of praying parents and watched these families, where when I first was interviewing the mom or the dad, their kids might be five or seven or ten years old. And now, you know, these kids are in their 30s, some of them. And I'm like, wow, God, you know, it's like watching hair grow sometimes when we're praying and we don't see the needle moving. But with the perspective of history and time, you can see how God works. And so that was a huge blessing to me that I didn't expect when I went back and re-read the book and updated the book to be able to see what God has done.   And one particular chapter that I loved in that book was the chapter on praying for your child to promote God's kingdom. And there's a story in there about two little second grade boys, Brandon and Eddie. And I was part of a moms in prayer group at the time. And we were praying a verse, Ephesians 5:16, that our kids would make the most of every opportunity, that they would be wise in the way they live. We really didn't know how God would answer that prayer. But what parent doesn't want their child to be wise in the way they live and to make the most of the opportunities? Well, sure enough, we prayed that prayer. And two weeks later, one of the moms in our group came in and told the most jaw-droppingly beautiful story of how her son, a second grader, as part of an in-class assignment, had chosen to write a persuasive essay. And you can imagine what a second-grade essay looks like. But most of the kids in the class thought, I'm going to persuade my grandmother to give me a bicycle or I'm going to persuade my mom to let me stay up late and watch a TV show, whatever it is. This child chose to write to one of his classmates, who had been known as a real troublemaker in that class and in the school, about why he should accept Jesus as the Lord of his life. And he put these 10 points, things like, you know, God loves you. Jesus loves you. You can have anything you want in heaven. Just is a second grader's viewpoint. And I'm telling you what, I did that interview and wrote that story 20 some years ago. And still today, as I look back on that child and again, getting to watch him grow up, he's now a father with children of his own. And seeing how God has worked in that child's life in answer to that Ephesians 5 prayer that our child will be wise, making the most of every opportunity. I'm just dumbfounded. First, by how God answered that in a second grader's life and how he's continued to have the answer to that prayer unfold over this young man's life as he's grown. It's just we never can know when we pray what God will do.   Laura Dugger: (9:33 - 9:53) Absolutely. Because the fruit looks so different than the seed. And that's incredible to have that gift of perspective. But now with your newest title, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage, first of all, how do you even respond to someone if they ask you, why does prayer matter in marriage?   Jodie Berndt: (9:54 - 12:29) Yeah, well, that's actually a question that I get more than you would think. And especially from people who aren't super comfortable praying. Because a lot of us, even if we've grown up in church-going Christian homes, the idea of praying with our spouse just might not come naturally. And even for Robbie and me. But I'll tell you one of the reasons we want to do it is because prayer really does matter. As I jumped into writing this book, I started doing some research and secular research points to all of these benefits that it reinforces the idea of prayer does that you're on the same team. Psychologists have found that prayer increases a sense of satisfaction in your relationship. It heightens your own sense of emotional well-being. If you're mad, it gives you a chance to calm down. It can lower your blood pressure. And there have even been studies done that shows that when couples pray together, it even leads to better sex. And so, you get all of these things that are completely separate from maybe the spiritual side of why God would want us to pray. This is just the secular research.   But when you take it a step further and look at why God wants us to pray, oh, my goodness. You know, it opens the door to intimacy, both with ourselves and with the Lord, because honestly, it's being vulnerable, isn't it? When we pray, you know, that is asking God for help. That's acknowledging our dependence on him, admitting we can't always be kind or selfless or forgiving on our own. And, you know, I don't know any husbands or wives who can do those things because we're all inherently flawed. We're broken. We're selfish people. And we can kind of start to shrivel up under what pressure to just get it all right, you know, to be a good wife, to be a good husband. And we can feel like we're failing. And yet, when we realize that through prayer, we've got this vehicle of inviting God into the mix, into our relationship, of letting the Holy Spirit step in and do the things that only he can do to work in us, giving us, as Philippians 2:13 says, the desire and the power to do what pleases God. I mean, that just changes the equation. It removes the burden from our shoulders of trying to build a strong marriage or be a good husband or wife. And just says, God, you know what? I can't do this on my own. I need you. Our marriage needs you. And that just opens up the runway, I think, for us in marriages and really gives us a new intimacy and a new confidence in our relationships.   Laura Dugger: (12:30 - 12:45) Well, and Jodie, you did so much research on marriages in preparation for this book. So, what are some of the ancient truths from Scripture that stand out to you specifically as it relates to marriage?   Jodie Berndt: (12:45 - 16:24) I'll tell you, an ancient truth that runs throughout Scripture is God's desire for us to talk to him about all of the details of our lives. There's nothing too big or nothing too small for him to care about. And I know you shared with me that you loved the Isaiah 7:11 verse in The Message translation, which is when Ahaz and the Lord are talking together. And God says, ask anything, you know, be extravagant, ask for the moon. And that's God's invitation to us to ask big. But there are also verses in Scripture where it says, you know, he delights in the details of our lives. He bends down to listen. So, we really can talk to him about the smallest things.   And I'll tell you, in terms of what you term ancient truths, I would say, and your listeners, I'm sure, know this, that the Bible is kind of one big story of God's love for us. And the covenant of marriage really is designed to reflect that. You know, we say this in our marriage vows, but I've yet to meet a bride or groom who really knows what they're talking about when they say those vows. I know for Robbie and me, we were just starry eyed and in love and speaking these vows without even really thinking what it would mean for better, for worse, you know, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish all of those things. But I'll tell you what, marriage gives us a chance to live out the gospel every day in a million little ways.   I love what Tim Keller says about the gospel. He says the gospel is this. It's that we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe. And yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus than we ever dared hope. And, you know, isn't that a picture of marriage? Because nothing reveals our flaws and our sins as much as taking two inherently selfish people and bringing them into close proximity with each other day in and day out. We are going to love against each other. We're going to be aware of our brokenness. Nobody knows my weak points as much as my husband. Nobody knows his as much as I do. So, we're so aware that we're flawed. And yet within the covenant of our marriage, we can honestly say, OK, we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope as we do what Christ did and give ourselves up for one another.   Ephesians 5, it's that classic New Testament passage about how human relationships are supposed to work. And Paul starts out, he says, Ephesians 5:2, "Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." And you may blow by a verse like that because it sounds very theological and holy. And you think, OK, what does that really mean in my human relationships? And more specifically, what does that mean for our marriage? OK, walking in love, giving yourself up. It could be something as simple as getting out of bed to let the dog out so that your husband or your wife can sleep in. It may be going to the in-laws for dinner when everything in us wants to stay home because we know that's what our spouse longs to do. Anytime we choose to put our partner's needs and desires ahead of our own, that's partaking of the gospel. That is giving ourselves up for them as Jesus gave himself up for us. Even as we do that in the little decisions of our lives every day, we get to live out that gospel. And what a beautiful opportunity. So, if I had to take one ancient truth from all of scripture, it would be that the Bible is one big love story of God's love for us. And in our marriages every day, we can live that out in a million little decisions.   Laura Dugger: (16:26 - 16:50) Well, in your book, you open up about your journey of learning to listen to your husband instead of interrupting him. Oh, yeah. And just a crazy side note. I'm just going to quote you here where you write, the average person pays attention for about eight seconds and can only go 17 seconds before interrupting someone. 17 seconds.   Jodie Berndt: (16:50 - 19:53) Yes. I mean, I read that in my research. I think that was out of Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I think was the source there. But when I read that, I thought, oh, my goodness. A, that makes me just mortified. But B, it makes me feel better about myself because I am an interrupter. I always think that I have the answer, the solution or something that's going to be really either interesting to say or solving to say whatever it is. And I had to learn to give my husband space to speak because like a lot of men, I think he's not super verbose. He's not going to be letting his words tumble out. And so, I have to give space and time in our conversations for him to be able to get his words together instead of just leaping to a conclusion and saying, I know exactly what you mean or stepping in and trying to finish his sentence because he may have something that he's concerned about or worried about.   You know, I tell a story in the book, too, where when we taught a marriage class, we had to rate each other on all kinds of things, 20 different topics on a scale of like zero to four. I think it was. And he gave me a zero in meeting his emotional needs. And I thought zero, but that's not fair. I didn't even know you had emotional needs because you are such a steady, reliable, non-mercurial person. And I realized just because he's steady and not all over the map, doesn't mean he doesn't have fears and worries and concerns and emotional needs just like I do. I had to learn to kind of let him express those. And for his part, he had to learn to let me speak without immediately jumping in and wanting to fix something. I think men, a lot of our husbands are natural fixers. They love us. They want to solve our problems. They want to help us analyze what's wrong. And there have been times where I have had to just look at Robbie, sometimes even take a space in my hands and say, OK, I just want to tell you something. And I don't need you right off the bat to fix it. I just need to be heard. I need to know that you understand. So, will you just listen without trying to solve or analyze or fix and let me express myself, communicate? And that's been a really good listening tool. So so, between me trying to interrupt and him trying to solve and fix, we have really had to learn some some tools and some strategies that we talk about in the book for becoming better listeners.   And I think it only makes sense, right? We are not ever taught to listen or taught to speak. I've got grandchildren here and it's really fun to watch them at age one and two and three learn to mimic what we say when we say, can you say yes, please? Can you say, you know, I love you. And it's delightful to watch our children learn to form words. But nobody ever says to us, OK, let me teach you to listen. Let me teach you to wait. Let me teach you to reflect. Let me teach you to ask questions to help you understand more. All of those things may not come naturally to us. And so, there are things we have to be intentional in marriage and in every relationship about learning.   Laura Dugger: (19:54 - 20:07) Well, are there any of those game changing tools that you would like to elaborate on if someone really hasn't been trained to learn how to listen? Well, what has helped you and Robbie really listen and love?   Jodie Berndt: (20:07 - 22:13) Yeah, well, me not. Number one, expecting him to be a mind reader. I think sometimes we girls, because we intuit things, we think, oh, surely he'll pick this up. And I've had to learn that I need to really be clear in my communication. And just like I said earlier, you know, if I just want him to listen without fixing, I need to say that. And we've also had to learn things like I think sometimes listeners can try to reassure other people. We can minimize the problem saying, oh, it's going to be all right. You know, don't worry. That happened to me once, too. And while we might think we're doing someone a favor by that, what we're really doing is undermining their need to express themselves, to be heard, to say they really are afraid or concerned.   And so, I think a good listener doesn't just jump in immediately with the reassurance or another bad habit is deflecting, you know, saying, oh, yeah, that reminds me of the time I. And we think, oh, good, we're going to take their mind off the problem by telling them another story. And no, they don't maybe need to have their mind taken off it right then. What they might need right then is to know that they're being heard. Or even another bad habit that we had to learn to avoid is intellectualizing something or explaining something. You know, well, the reason it didn't go well for you at work today, honey, is that you probably started by just saying exactly what you felt without giving everybody else in the room a chance to speak or whatever it is. You know, we're going in trying to armchair quarterback our spouse's life by explaining and intellectualizing when, again, they just need to know we're listening, we're hearing, we're willing to be sympathetic and empathize, and we're willing to pray. And we don't have to have the answers.   We can say, gosh, that must be hard. You know, why don't we just stop right now and just say, God, we don't know what to do here. Just like Jehoshaphat had said, you know, he was facing vast armies. He said, God, I don't know what to do. We don't know what to do. But our eyes are on you. And we can say that in our marriage saying, I don't know how to help my spouse. We don't know what to do about this. But God, we're inviting you into this mix. And that's what a good listener can sound like. Sometimes you don't have to have all the answers.   Laura Dugger: (22:14 - 22:36) And I would even add, I guess it's part of the hope of this podcast, even, to ask really great questions. And our tagline is Practical Chats for Intentional Living. And the hope is that anyone listening would be inspired to also ask great questions and have their own practical chats for intentional living.   Jodie Berndt: (22:36 - 25:28) Yes, I love that you bring that up. Because in the book, there are questions at the end of every chapter. I didn't start out to write Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. But after these other four books came out, I kept hearing from people on Instagram or via my website saying, when are you going to write something about marriage? You know, I'm in this most important human relationship. And we are grating against each other. You know, we need God's help when it comes to knowing how to handle conflict, how to handle our finances, time with our in-laws, intimacy issues, or learning, as you and I have been talking here, how to talk well, how to listen well, how to communicate, how to make friends. You'd think that would come naturally, but sometimes it doesn't. And couples struggle to find people that they want to do life with.   So, all of these things, leaving our legacy, parenting, are things marriages want God to be involved in. And so, these are what the different chapters, the topics. And at the end of each one, there are questions that we can ask our spouse. You know, hit the pause button and say, you know, say it's the chapter on having fun together. We might get to the end of that chapter and say, what's something you'd like to do that might surprise me? Because we don't always know what our spouse's idea of relaxation or fun or laughter would look like. And so, the questions in there are designed to elicit conversation. And you know what? If your spouse isn't interested in talking to you about any of those things, you can talk to the Lord about them. You can open your journal, and you can just write things out. You can listen to God. So, the discussion starters are in there for husbands and wives to use together or for you to use in your own quiet times with the Lord.   And I'll tell you, this is the only book in the series that Robbie has really written with me. He read every word of every chapter before I would send it off to the editor. And time and again, he would come back to me, and he would say, Jodie, I don't think a husband's going to really know what you mean by that. Or I don't think you have dug deep enough on this one or been as helpful as you might be on that one. And that made it hard. I mean, talk about a chance to have conflict with your spouse, invite them to edit your book. But it was so valuable because it has created a resource where I think a wife might buy the book. But I really do think a husband now might be willing to pick up the book. And even if the husband's not digging deep into the stories of every chapter, any husband or any wife can pick it up. Pray the 10 or 12 verses at the end of each chapter or just pray one verse that seems to resonate. And then avail themselves of those discussion questions and conversation starters so that it can help communication both between husband and wife and between you and God. So, thank you for bringing up that part about questions, because that really is something we need to do more about in life. We can't ever know someone without asking those things.   Laura Dugger: (25:29 - 26:18) I agree. And so, we've covered now how listening is that one important ingredient in communication. But in addition, you write, it is still important to stay current with our spouse by also talking and sharing what's going on within and around us. And you write on page 49, The things we don't say can become wedges in our relationships. Communication involves two parts, talking and listening, and we need to be good at both. And Jodie, I think that you model a helpful way to think about this through something that you taught your children. So, will you share that illustration of serving the ball and hitting it back and how that applies to conversation?   Jodie Berndt: (26:18 - 29:16) That's so funny that you pulled that out. And its funny right now because I just read that in a very important intellectual article that showed up in my inbox from one of these institutes. I follow on family studies and different things. I thought that Robbie and I had invented this idea of serving the ball. Our son was an athlete and not much of a talker. And because he was an athlete all year round, he would go to different tournaments, different places. And I remember him being a young teen and not being super eager to engage in conversation. But because we had four kids and you can relate to this, we were not always taking our kids to all the different tournaments and activities. A lot of times they'd be riding in a car with another adult, another team dad or mom. And on one occasion, I remember popping him in the car with a friend of ours who was going to go meet a lacrosse team, you know, another state away. And we knew he'd be in the car for three or four hours. And we said, OK, you know, when Mr. So-and-so asks you a question, you can't just answer with one word, you know, like I'm good or yes, sir. We want you to hit the ball back. We want you to think of something that you can ask him. Think of a conversation. That's our son's name. We said, like you're in a game where the ball has to go back and forth, like say something to keep it in play. And for him, that was a real eye opener for how to learn to talk when he mostly knew how to hit balls back and forth.   And researchers noticed that couples who paid that attention, you know, if a spouse, if a husband said, hey, look at that bird. Isn't that a pretty bird? If the wife didn't even notice the bird, that planted a seed of contempt or indifference, coldness, the cold shoulder that could grow, whereas if the partner said, wow, gosh, that is a pretty bird, and, you know, that reminds me of the one we saw last week on our walk, and, I mean, that's a silly illustration, maybe noticing the bird, maybe it's a sunset, maybe it's saying, wow, this, you know, hamburger is really good, whatever it is, whatever the little tidbits of conversation, when we pick up, when we hit the ball back, when we pay attention and say, you know, yeah, that creates an interest in our spouse and a kindness.   Laura Dugger: (29:17 - 35:00) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Did you know you can go to college tuition-free just by being a team member at Chick-fil-A East Peoria? Free college education. All Chick-fil-A East Peoria team members in good standing can take advantage of this incredible benefit. If you're looking for a workplace that invests in your future, Chick-fil-A East Peoria is the place for you. You don't have to go into debt for college. Visit Chick-fil-A.com/EastPeoria and click on the career tab. And if you aren't located near Chick-fil-A East Peoria, make sure you check with your local Chick-fil-A restaurant to see if they also participate.   Jodie Berndt: And I'll tell you, when I started doing the kindness research, I said to Robbie, do you think some people are just more naturally kind than others? And he said, yeah, I do. I think some people are just naturally more kind. And I think he's right, but I don't think you put a period there, because kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, right? Galatians 5:22 and 23, it does talk about how love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness is what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. And researchers have found that kindness actually works with them like a muscle. It gets stronger in our lives the more we commit to using it. And I love what folks at the National Marriage Project discovered. They discovered that when we are kind to our spouse with these simple things, you know, bringing them a cup of coffee in the morning, it doesn't even have to be super important, that creates an atmosphere in which generosity toward one another can flourish. And what it does is create an upward spiral. You know, we all talk about downward spirals and how we can just descend into contempt or coldness. We can also ascend. We can create that upward spiral through simple, small words and gestures that communicate kindness in marriage. And it can change the whole climate and allow intimacy and love to flourish.   And I will tell you what, Robbie and I are in the empty nest years, and we have friends who are in our same season, and a couple of couples in particular. For the last maybe four or five years have confided to us that they're not as kind to one another as they would like to be. Their marriage is strong. They're not getting a divorce, but their kids are raised, and they each have kind of their own lanes they're in, and they're in the empty nest, and they're recognizing that they just don't treat each other with the generosity and love in their words and in their actions that maybe they did when they were younger. And you would say, oh, what a shame. Except that it's not a shame because these couples have committed to praying about it and to inviting other couples who will keep that confidential into their lives to say, hey, will you pray this for us? And I will tell you what, we are seeing the needle move in our friends' lives. It is a beautiful thing to watch someone in their 60s who thinks, you know what, I'm just not that kind, actually begin to soften and change and be kind as the Holy Spirit goes to work. So, if you're listening and you're thinking, you know what, I'm just not that nice of a person. I'm just not that kind. Or my spouse, they've been kind of cool or cold all these years. Don't give up. Keep praying. Keep trying. Keep relying on the Holy Spirit. Invite other couples into the mix who can come alongside you and pray for you and even maybe hold you a little accountable saying, okay, you know, that word was maybe harsher than it needed to be. And watch what God can do. Kindness really matters.   Laura Dugger: (45:06 - 45:45) Yes, it does. And my husband, Mark, and I love to ask questions of couples who are in the next season of life. So, we have some friends at church who are empty nesters, and we've asked them similar questions around kindness. And it was really helpful that they said what really enhanced their marital satisfaction and enjoyment of one another in those years was their tone. And I thought that was a really practical application, just to be mindful of our tone. At any season, I think of us raising little ones as well to watch our tone with our kids and our spouse.   Jodie Berndt: (45:46 - 46:16) Yeah, absolutely. And even when we speak in a tone that might, you know, I believe me, can blurt something out and it comes out sounding snippier than I meant. And I have to recognize that and say, I know that came out like I was challenging you or that I was correcting you or whatever. I didn't mean it that way. That was a genuine question of, you know, do you think we should do this or that? And I'm sorry it sounded snippy. So, we have to be aware. And when those things slip out to quickly correct that and say, gosh, sorry, let me try that again.   Laura Dugger: (46:17 - 46:38) Yeah. And I guess it's reminded me of one other quote that was really helpful. On page 63, you shared that one husband was giving a really practical definition for respect. And he said, respect looks like paying attention when I am talking, even if you have better things to do.   Jodie Berndt: (46:39 - 48:11) Yeah, I remember that couple. And I'll tell you, this was a great illustration. I'm glad you brought that one up because this is a wife who loved her husband deeply, respected what he did, said good things about him publicly and in front of people. And she would think, well, so of course he knows I respect him. Like I just praised him in front of our small group, or I just told him what a great job I thought he did on that presentation or whatever he told me about from work. And she thought, so of course he knows I respect him, but he's watching their day in, day out encounters and realizing that like so many women, you know, we do five things, 10 things at once. And he's thinking, I don't even think you're paying attention to me because I'm over here talking and you know, you're cooking the dinner or checking something on your phone or whatever. And you're listening with kind of half an ear. And she had to learn that to him, respect meant stop what you're doing and pay attention to me. And of course we can't do that all the time. Like especially if we've got little kids and they're grabbing our legs and stuff, we might have to say, hold on. I really want to pay attention to what you're saying. Can you give me five minutes to, you know, get the child settled with a coloring book or put the baby to bed or get some food in this toddler, whatever it is, because this is important to me. And I want to pay attention. So sometimes when an important need for respect is, is happening, we have to just set the stage to reassure our partner that yeah, I love you. I want to listen. I want to pay attention. I want to respect you. Let me set it up so I can do that really well. So yeah, good one.   Laura Dugger: (48:12 - 48:17) Well, do you have any other favorite stories or lessons that stand out from your book?   Jodie Berndt: (48:18 - 51:06) Well, I think a big takeaway for me is the importance of community kind of at every stage. You know, the Bible says walk with the wise and become wise for a companion of fools suffers harm. You know, that's a proverb. And I think it's really true that we need to be intentional about who we surround ourselves with. Certainly, as we're starting out young in our marriages, there's going to be adjustment phases. Even the most well-suited couples come from two different families. And as we're trying to blend our expectations, our needs, our desires, our histories, they're going to be bumps along the way. And you want to be surrounded with couples who will be able to almost laugh with you and say, yeah, you know, we had that too. And let me just tell you, here's how we navigated that. Instead of somebody who will say, oh my gosh, my husband drives me just as crazy. Like literally, I had a running group one time where I realized that there was a lot of husband bashing going on in the early morning hours as we would get out on the street, you know, before the kids went to school. And I thought this isn't really healthy. We need to change the channel on this conversation. And so, you know, and sometimes that was doable by simply changing the topic of conversation or saying something positive or just saying, “Hey, let's all list three things we're grateful about, about our spouse.”   But I think how we surround ourselves with couples really makes a difference also in the empty nest years. And I think our friendships change. Robbie and I have had friends change significantly many times over the years. Sure. There are those people that we can look back on college roommates that we're still in touch with, and that's wonderful. But we have had cross country moves four times. We have had different seasons with our kids where all of our friends might be the ones we're on the bleachers with because we are seeing them two and three times a week and traveling on the weekends to games and things like that. And now we're in the empty nest years and our friends are starting to go visit grandkids. They are in retirement, some of them and traveling for fun. Others have taken up new hobbies, new volunteer commitments. So that landscape has shifted and we've had to say, all right, let's look for life giving people, be intentional about who we want to invite over to our house for dinner, who we'd like to co-chair a project with, something where we are constantly thinking about how we can surround ourselves with people who share our faith, who will sharpen us. Again, that proverb about iron sharpening iron, our friends really matter. We want to be around people who keep us sharp and who will be intentional about pouring into our marriages. So, you know, they say divorce is catching, and it really is. If you're in a community where people are just quick to give up or quick to bash their spouse, change that, change that in your life. Look for folks who are leaning in and helping one another love well.   Laura Dugger: (51:07 - 51:27) And I think you're very encouraging to those couples that are entering or in the midst of the empty nest phase of life. And you drew out a proverb that I'd never heard in The Message version in Proverbs 4:18, where it says the longer they live, the brighter they shine.   Jodie Berndt: (51:28 - 51:58) Yeah. Isn't that a great one? I mean, you could read Proverbs 4:18 and in the NIV and the ESV and the King James, all that. And it's always good. But boy, when I hit it in The Message, and I don't know, I might've seen it around my 50th birthday or something, but I thought the longer they live, the brighter they shine. Amen. God, I want to put that on my refrigerator. Just remind me that, you know, you don't necessarily have to have all the Botox to keep shining bright. You can just have the Holy Spirit living in you and through you animating your life and making you radiant. So yeah, I love that one. I'm glad you called that out.   Laura Dugger: (51:59 - 52:06) Yeah. Are there any other ways that you see that play out as people do start to navigate these empty nest years?   Jodie Berndt: (52:07 - 53:52) I think you can become kind of insular as you get older. If we weren't being intentional about trying to have new experiences, make some new friends, your world can start shrinking because maybe your responsibilities at work aren't as demanding. So, you have more time away from work or your kids are gone. So, you're not seeing all the friends that you've done life with all that time. So, emptiness can be a time of loneliness for couples. And it can be a time when you are thinking, gosh, I'm not as active or having as much fun. But we have a friend named Jim Burns. He's written a lot of books on marriage and family issues. And he writes, he says, who would have thought that the most intimate times in a marriage aren't necessarily in the first few years, but in the empty nest. And he and his wife have navigated this transition so successfully. And I think it's in large part because they have been intentional about having fun together, about trying new things. And another couple, I know Susan and Johnny Yates, they're in their seventies. And they were like, Hey, we've never gone snowmobiling. You want to try it? Yeah, let's try it. And I just think, you know, the more we're willing to get out there and try new experiences, a new place to visit, it might even be as simple as a restaurant we've never been to, but just kind of ensuring that your world stays bigger, your friend groups stay bigger, and that you can be leaning into the fact that, you know, I think about Job where it says, God blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former. And there is a real, a real beauty to knowing that you have a lot of runway left when you hit the empty nest years and asking God, how do you want to use me in my family, in my church, in my community, and being open to the things he puts in front of you?   Laura Dugger: (53:53 - 54:02) I love that. And Jodie, you are just such an encourager. So where can we go online to learn more from you after this conversation?   Jodie Berndt: (54:03 - 55:19) Thank you for asking that. My website is jodieberndt.com. And I would really encourage people to check that out and kind of scroll around. There's an area called resources and printables where there's a lot of free stuff like 31-day prayer calendars. You can download and print to help you pray for your marriage, a verse every day, or pray for your children or your adult children, your teens, your life, all of those calendars are on there, as well as little prayer cards, things you can tuck into your kid's lunchbox or leave on their bedside table. If you have a teenager who maybe would roll their eyes, you know, if you want to walk in there and say goodnight prayers, you might say, well, you know what? I'm just going to leave this little thing on their pillow, so they know that mom or dad is praying. And again, even if they're acting like they don't want it, I've never yet met a teen, my own included, who used to sometimes roll their eyes who will now tell me, you know what mom? I really was listening. I really did appreciate that. So, a little hang in there strategy, but yes, at jodieberndt.com all those resources. And then I'm pretty active on Instagram and that's just @jodie_berndt. So, if people want to follow there, I love to share different prayer prompts or encouragements. People can DM me with questions and it's just a fun way to, to make friends in a digital way that you might not ever be able to see someone in real life, but we can all learn from each other.   Laura Dugger: (55:19 - 55:40) Well, we will add links to all of those places in the show notes for today's episode. And you may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because yes, I love it. I love it. And savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Jodie, what is your savvy sauce?   Jodie Berndt: (55:41 - 57:21) That is such a great question. I love that you asked all your guests that I think for me, this might sound boring or even holier than thou, but I don't mean it that way. For me, a scripture is my savvy sauce. Like I turn to the Bible for my answers. I turn to it to shape my prayers. Like I can be so given to worry about something. I can just naturally go to a place of panic or uncertainty. And yet in the pages of scripture, I find promises that I can hold on to in a way that I can exchange my panic for peace and just trust God's provision. And the circumstances might not have changed, but what has changed as I lean into the Lord and read of his faithfulness in the past, they can help me trust for the future and it doesn't have to be this long. Like the other thing is there was a time when I thought, oh gosh, if I don't spend a half an hour, an hour, you know, reading my Bible with a candle smelling up the room and a nice cup of coffee and my journal open, it's not going to count. And I really, especially when I had younger children, it was so beautiful. An older woman, older mother set me straight. She said, Jodie, you know, you can talk to God in the carpool line. You can read three verses of scripture and meditate on those during the day. That may be more transformational than reading an entire book of the Bible and just having permission to take that in small bites, especially if you've got little ones. I think that is a great savvy sauce. Just find yourself a verse or two, hold onto it, write it out on an index card and meditate on it during the day and see what it does.   Laura Dugger: (57:22 - 57:43) That is so good. And going back to what we had talked about earlier, I experienced so much kindness in you and have really enjoyed this conversation and appreciate all that you've brought to encourage marriages. And I'm wondering if you would just close us out now with a prayer over all the marriages that are represented right now.   Jodie Berndt: (57:44 - 59:43) Oh, I would be so honored to do that. And right back at you. I mean, you're just, your voice is so very kind and welcoming. I just know your listeners love tuning in because it's like,  just having a conversation with a dear friend. So, thank you for that. But I would love, love, love to pray.   Heavenly Father, I just thank you so much for this conversation. I thank you so much for every marriage, every household represented as folks who are listening. And I just want to pray that prayer that I think I start the book with because it just jumps out at me day in and day out from 1 Thessalonians 3:12, "May our love overflow and increase for each other and for everyone else." That's something that Paul prayed for the Thessalonians. And I just want to pray it over all of our marriages, over all of our lives, over our parenting, that our love would increase, that it would overflow for one another, for our families, for our communities. And that that would be the sign that people can look at and say, you know, that as that old song says, they'll know we are Christians by our love. And it is so true in the way that we love one another, in the way that we are kind to one another. That just speaks volumes, Lord, about your love for us. I pray that we really would, as Paul writes in Ephesians, make the most of every opportunity. I pray we would live lives marked with wisdom, that we would, as he goes on in that same chapter, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Let our marriages, let our families, let our friendships be marked by that mutual submission, by that desire to not look just to our own interests, but to the interests of others, just being humble, God. Let us live humble lives, glorifying you, looking out for one another, and growing in the knowledge and grace of your son, Jesus Christ. It's in his name we pray. Amen.   Laura Dugger: (59:44 - 59:47) Amen, Jodie. Thank you so much for being my guest.   Jodie Berndt: (59:47 - 59:55) Laura, thank you so much, and Lord bless you in the work that you are doing to just equip and encourage so many. It's just wonderful.   Laura Dugger: (59:55 - 1:03:39) Thank you. One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

What if getting older became an invitation to get stronger, more energized, and even more intentional about how you care for your body? In this LIVE Q&A episode, I share what I'm doing to build muscle, support my energy, prioritize recovery, and continue feeling my best at 40, with plenty of inspiration for your 50s, 60s, and beyond. Shop now at https://alwaysradiantskinshop.com and save 20% sitewide using code FALLSALE25 at checkout.Step into your Radiance Sanctuary in the Membership https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/membershipFor more resources related to today's episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/podcasts Follow Rachel Varga Official on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ —Catch full episodes of The School of Radiance Podcast here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RachelVargaOfficial —Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@RachelVargaOfficial —Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ Website: https://www.theschoolofradiance.com —FREE STUFF: Download my FREE Skincare Checklist, sign up for my FREE 30 minute biohack your way to clear skin and slowing aging training now, and my newsletter for promos and exclusive events just for you! https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/freebiesEveryone gets one FREE call! Book your free 15-minute call with Rachel Varga to see which options will help you achieve your skin radiance goals! https://rachelvarga.as.me/YourPersonalizedRadianceConsultation —Looking for Skincare products, Tutorials, booking YOUR private One-on-One, and the deep dive Radiance Membership?SHOP skincare: https://alwaysradiantskinshop.comBOOK your private One-on-One: https://rachelvarga.as.me/Initialconsultation REGISTER for Tutorials and/or Membership: https://theschoolofradiance.com As a disclaimer, please note that the information shared in this podcast and interview is not to be taken as medical advice, and it's always important to consult with your physician before making any lifestyle changes. Rachel disclaims any responsibility for inaccurate credentials of guests or information used that may cause harm.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The School of Radiance with Rachel Varga (formerly The Rachel Varga Podcast and The Always Radiant Skin Podcast)!Rachel Vargainfo@theschoolofradiance.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

„Du hast vergessen, Dein Gesicht zu trainieren.“ Mit diesem Satz aus einem Internetforum beginnt für einen jungen Mann ein Weg, der ihn bisher gut 11.000 Euro gekostet hat. Nase, Botox, Zähne … und als Nächstes plant er eine Operation am Kinn.Looksmaxxing heißt diese Bewegung, und sie ist längst im Mainstream angekommen. Du planst vermutlich keinen Umbau Deines Kiefers. Und trotzdem geht es in dieser Folge um Dich. Denn die Fragen dahinter stellen sich Menschen schon lange: Wie viel ist Dein Aussehen wirklich wert, für Erfolg, Beziehungen, Wohlbefinden? Ab wann wird der Wunsch, gut auszusehen, zur Last? Und woran würdest Du merken, wenn Du vielleicht schon mittendrin gesteckt hättest?Am Ende der Folge weißt Du, was in Deinem Kopf passiert, wenn Du durch einen Fitness-Feed scrollst (und warum es den meisten von uns geht wie Dir). Woran Du erkennst, ob Dein Ehrgeiz Dir noch guttut oder längst gegen Dich arbeitet. Warum der berühmte Attraktivitätsbonus bei genauer Prüfung viel kleiner ausfällt als gedacht. Und warum Dein Alter beim Thema Körperbild kein Gegner ist, sondern ein Verbündeter.Die Grenze zwischen gesundem Ehrgeiz und der anderen Seite passt am Ende in eine Frage: Trainierst Du aus Neugier oder aus Angst?Falls Dich das Thema persönlich belastet: Sprich mit jemandem, der sich damit auskennt. Das ist keine Schwäche, sondern Verantwortung für Dich selbst.____________*WERBUNG: Infos zum Werbepartner dieser Folge und allen weiteren Werbepartnern findest Du hier.____________In der Folge erwähnt:Folge 586: Wunderschön. Warum wir dem Bann des Äußeren nicht entkommen, mit Dr. Stéphane StahlFolge 485 und 486: Körperbild, die praktische SeiteBuch: Dranbleiben (die Werteübung, auf die sich Mark bezieht)Dranbleiber-Newsletter: marathonfitness.de/newsletterThe Guardian, Simon Usborne: From bone smashing to chin extensions: how ‘looksmaxxing' is reshaping young men's faces (die Geschichte von James)The Daily (The New York Times): Gespräch mit Joe Bernstein über LooksmaxxingWissenschaftliche Quellen:Veale et al. (2016): Body dysmorphic disorder in different settings. Body Image, 18, 168–186.Phillips et al. (2006): Gender similarities and differences in 200 individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. Compr Psychiatry, 47(2), 77–87.Mitchell et al. (2017): Muscle dysmorphia symptomatology in bodybuilders and resistance trainers. Sports Med, 47(2), 233–259.Luo et al. (2018): Social comparison in the brain. Hum Brain Mapp, 39(1), 440–458.de Valle et al. (2021): Social media, body image, and the question of causation. Body Image, 39, 276–292.Bortnikova et al. (2024): Beauty and professional success: A meta-analysis. CEPR Discussion Paper 18978.Ma-Kellams et al. (2017): Attractiveness and relationship longevity. Pers Relatsh, 24(1), 146–161.Diener et al. (1995): Physical attractiveness and subjective well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol, 69(1), 120–129.Limburg et al. (2017): The relationship between perfectionism and psychopathology: A meta-analysis. J Clin Psychol, 73(10), 1301–1326.Teixeira et al. (2012): Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: A systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 9, 78.Elion et al. (2012): Perfectionism in African American students. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol, 18(2), 118–127.Thai et al. (2023): Reducing social media use improves appearance and weight esteem in youth with emotional distress. Psychol Pop Media.Bonfanti et al. (2025): The association between social comparison in social media, body image concerns and eating disorder symptoms. Body Image, 52, 101841.Tiggemann & Lynch (2001): Body image across the life span in adult women. Dev Psychol, 37(2), 243–253.Callan et al. (2015): Age differences in social comparison tendency and personal relative deprivation. Pers Individ Dif, 87, 196–199.Tiggemann & McCourt (2013): Body appreciation in adult women. Body Image, 10(4), 624–627.

What if the goal of aesthetic medicine isn't to look younger but rather to age well and still look completely like yourself?This week we're joined by Dr Omid Alizadeh, a specialist in aesthetic medicine with advanced training in the UK and Europe and also with international experience from Dubai.Omid calls his philosophy positive aging. Accepting that we age while exploring how modern medicine and technology can support skin quality, collagen and natural-looking results.We talk about the shift away from frozen faces, overfilled cheeks and “fixing” every imperfection and toward regeneration, prevention and more individualized treatments.What actually works? Botox, fillers, skin boosters, biostimulators, lasers, PRP or microneedling? When should a good aesthetic doctor simply say no? And with social media constantly promoting the next miracle treatment, how do we separate promising science from clever marketing?We also explore regenerative aesthetics, collagen stimulation, exosomes and stem cells and of course we ask where the evidence stands today.And finally:If you could choose only three things to help someone age well, what would they be?A conversation about positive aging, aesthetics, science and why the best result may be the one nobody notices.You can find Dr Omid here: www.clinicvest.no@dr.omid_azi samarbeid med @osloskinlabEksklusiv rabatt med koden BIOHACK, 65% på første pakke, 30% på øvrige produkter.Takk til Micdrop media/Torgeir Johansen for redigering

News for 29th Sept covers Australia's unemployment rate rise plus SEEK's share price hit a 13-year low. CareerOne has renewed its AI partnership with Decidr for a third year, and the World Economic Forum reports women hold 65% of chief people officer roles but only 19% of CEO roles, and the Intergenerational Report says rising participation, especially among women and older Australians, will be key to the workforce ahead.

We're sleepy girls this week

✨ **Schön altern oder nachhelfen?** Kaum ein Thema wird so emotional diskutiert wie **Botox, Facelift, Fettabsaugung und Schönheitsoperationen**. Doch was ist medizinisch wirklich sinnvoll – und was ist nur ein teurer Trend? Gemeinsam mit **Dr. Dr. Dorow**, Zahnmediziner und Schönheitschirurg, sprechen ich offen über die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der modernen ästhetischen Chirurgie. Dabei geht es nicht um unrealistische Schönheitsideale, sondern um die Frage, wie man **gesund und selbstbewusst altern** kann. In diesem Interview erfährst du: ✅ Was gesunde Schönheitschirurgie ausmacht. ✅ Wann eine Operation sinnvoller sein kann als Cremes oder kosmetische Behandlungen. ✅ Wie sich ein ungesunder Lebensstil auf das Risiko einer Schönheits-OP auswirkt. ✅ Welche Möglichkeiten es bei schlaffer Haut nach Schwangerschaft oder starkem Gewichtsverlust gibt. ✅ Wann eine Fettabsaugung sinnvoll sein kann – und wann Abnehmen die bessere Lösung ist. ✅ Was gegen altersbedingten Knochenabbau getan werden kann. ✅ Wie sicher Schönheitsoperationen heute wirklich sind. ✅ Wie sich ein Facelift im Laufe der Jahre verändert. ✅ Ob Hautcremes tatsächlich einen Effekt haben oder oft zu viel versprechen. ✅ Warum täglicher Sonnenschutz eine der wichtigsten Anti-Aging-Maßnahmen ist. ✅ Für wen Botox geeignet ist, wann es sinnvoll eingesetzt werden kann und in welchen Fällen Vorsicht geboten ist. ✅ Wie lange Botox wirkt und welche Rolle Proteine für Haut, Gewebe und den natürlichen Alterungsprozess spielen. Mein Ziel ist keine Werbung für ästhetische Eingriffe, sondern eine **ehrliche, wissenschaftlich fundierte Einordnung**. Denn Schönheit beginnt nicht im OP – sondern bei einem gesunden Lebensstil. Gleichzeitig gibt es Situationen, in denen moderne Medizin sinnvoll unterstützen kann. Entscheidend ist, die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen zu kennen.

Dolly Parton family drama, Julia's Botox neck experiment, and the Real Housewives?! We're getting into the Lioness finale, Reacher, Youth, the VMAs, Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves' Dolly tribute, and the latest Real Housewives obsession. Plus, London Fashion Week, pumpkin season, Halloween costumes, a hilarious viral shower-seat story, Bob Mackie, and a chat with Twin Cities Closet Company.00:00 — Why the UK drives on the left 02:39 — Dolly Parton Day and the family security dispute 03:52 — Julia's new haircut and wedding-hair plans 04:23 — TV: Lioness, Reacher, and the upcoming Rules of Prey adaptation 12:01 — Julia's neck-muscle/Botox experiment 19:33 — The viral IKEA shower-stool story 21:08 — Trader Joe's pumpkin finds and fall food/cocktail ideas 24:16 — VMAs preview: Dolly Parton, George Michael, Taylor Swift, and more 27:52 — Remembering Naked Eyes 29:31 — Bob Mackie documentary and Fashion Week trends 32:08 — Bucket bags, Robert Pattinson, and To Catch a Predator 33:43 — Halloween costumes and Candyland's Gloopy 37:27 — Twin Cities Closet Company interview 53:10 — Real Housewives catch-upTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:Borton Overseas: https://www.bortonoverseas.com/loriandjulia/InVision Distinctive Eyewear: https://www.invision-optical.com/Let's Dish: https://letsdish.com/ Twin Cities Closet Company: https://www.tcclosets.com/ CONNECT WITH USInstagram: @loriandjuliaTikTok: @loriandjuliaListen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: loriandjulia.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Harvard morgue manager, a man who dressed as the Grim Reaper outside a hospital window, a serial butt sniffer terrorizing the Marshalls clearance rack, 200 lizards smuggled in a pair of socks, and a construction crew who may have just gotten very, very rich. Plus: a clothing-optional steakhouse dinner (on a Monday?), the fake nurse who bought her Botox on Alibaba, "tired girl" makeup, Colonel Sanders' clip-on bow tie going up for auction, and the mom group chat that started Oreogate!We have fall deals for YOU!Dose: Give your liver the support it deserves! Head to DoseDaily.co/lady or enter LADY for 35% off your first subscription!Talkiatry: Looking for an in‑network psychiatrist? Head to Talkiatry.com/lady to complete the short assessment and get matched.Progressive: Trying to save on car insurance? Head to Progressive.com today!Merit Beauty: Get your Signature Makeup Bag FREE with your first order at MeritBeauty.comClean Simple Eats: Shop the best tasting protein powder at CleanSimpleEats.comNuna Baby: Visit Nunababy.com or head to your local Nordstrom!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're recording at 7:15pm and going to bed at 7:30, which means we are bending time and space to record this. First up: TTL Mad Libs, a new segment submitted by Mike the Botox guy, in which we fill in a Kona race guide and somehow end up with Pierce Brosnan at the finish line. Then we get through a full question bag before someone's bedtime.This week we discussed:Kona apparel update: almost everything sold out; what's still available at the Castelli booth on race day and why you can't say "Kona" inside the expoYour proudest Strava CR or QOM — Eric's COVID-era Portland climb rampage, Paula's Bend segments, and Nick's Santa Monica Pier sprint UpLosing 30-45 seconds per mile in the second half of a 70.3 run: fitness limiter, pacing problem, or both?How pro personal needs bottles work at 70.3 Worlds — the sticker system, race number order, and why Paula's never actually used oneThe best triathlon commentatorsShould athlete vitals be shown on the broadcast? Alcohol before a key race — how Paula and Eric have approached it differently this year, and the NA whiskey price problemWaterproof shoes for a 240-mile trail race: Gore-Tex uppers, the bathtub water retention test, and the dry pair rotation strategyCooling techniques for extreme heat: ice bandanas, hands, neck, and where not to put ice cubesAero helmets, bucket hats, and the Omius — where the line is between functional and ridiculousTorn wetsuit: repair it, cut the sleeves off, or buy new? A big thank you to our podcast supporters who keep the podcast alive. To submit a question — or a Mad Libs — head over to ThatTriathlonLife.com/podcast

For many, many reasons, it has been several months since we have done one of our Art Angle chat-casts, where we assemble writers to talk about a few different news stories on the site. But it's September, and we're finally back at it. Today we'll be talking about three topics: First, here in New York, the fall art season kicked off with literally hundreds of gallery openings, followed by a bunch of fairs this week. The fall openings are always an event. This year, they're even more closely scrutinized, given how uncertain business has felt behind the scenes. We'll talk about highlights and observations from the galleries. Second, on the other side of the country, in Los Angeles, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has finally debuted. The brainchild of Star Wars maestro George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, the long-in-the-works, billion-dollar institution has its own quirky vision of art. We'll talk about what that is and whether it works. And finally, we'll talk about developments in the truly epic divorce of Libbie and David Mugrabi, which touches on hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars of art. I don't know if we'll even get to all the details, but the story involves a very important Jean-Michel Basquiat painting, allegations of someone hiring a Russian hitman, and a dog named Botox.

How would you spend five hundred fifty bucks if Botox were your unit of measure?Christina from Dripping Springs cleans up Minute to Win It for $550, then the table prices purses and facials in Botox units and invents a walk-in Botox trailer that parks in front of office buildings with no appointment needed. JB vows he will be there later. Gift-era birthday teases stay for the next bit.If you love The JB and Sandy Show, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a contest winner.

Avant même sa sortie en fin juillet 2023, Barbie, le film de Greta Gerwig, était déjà culte mais avec plus d'1,36 milliards de dollars de recettes au box-office, sans parler des produits dérivés, son succès est confirmé. Une vague rose a réellement déferlé sur l'entièreté de la culture populaire et évidemment, les tendances beauté n'ont pas été épargnées mais c'est allé bien plus loin. Sur TikTok, des jeunes femmes font la promotion d'une intervention de médecine esthétique, le Barbie Botox, dont le hashtag compte plus de 10 millions de vues. Ça consiste en quoi ? Ça n'existait pas avant le film Barbie ?  Mais c'est légal ? Écoutez la suite de cet épisode de "Maintenant vous savez". Un podcast Bababam Originals, écrit et réalisé par Maëlle Diallo. Première diffusion : septembre 2023 À écouter aussi : ⁠Qu'est-ce que l'allongement osseux, cette pratique dangereuse en vogue sur les réseaux sociaux ?⁠ ⁠Qu'est-ce que le mouth taping, cette méthode vantée sur TikTok pour améliorer le sommeil ?⁠ ⁠Comment les poils féminins sont-ils devenus tabous ? Retrouvez tous les épisodes de "Maintenant vous savez". Pour rester informé et recevoir le meilleur de “Maintenant vous savez” chaque semaine, abonnez-vous à notre newsletter. Suivez Bababam sur Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Schönheitsideale verändern sich ständig – und mit Social Media, Filtern und KI entstehen immer neue Vorstellungen davon, wie ein „perfektes“ Gesicht und ein idealer Körper aussehen sollen. Gerade die künstlich makellosen Bilder können den Druck verstärken und das eigene Körperbild beeinflussen.  In dieser Folge von BUNTE VIP GLOSS spricht Alina Khani offen über ihren Umgang mit Schönheitsdruck, Beauty-Trends und öffentlicher Bewertung. Sie erzählt, warum sie den zunehmenden Einheitslook kritisch sieht, wie sie KI-generierte Schönheitsideale wahrnimmt und weshalb sie sich trotz ihrer eigenen Beauty-Affinität mehr Individualität wünscht. Außerdem spricht sie über ihre persönliche Geschichte mit Körperbild und Essstörung und darüber, was ihr heute hilft, liebevoller mit sich selbst umzugehen. 

Margaret Cho stops by Steph Infection and delivers what is officially the grossest story ever told on this podcast, the one that finally made Steph gag on mic. Steph and Margaret get into being each other's Daniel Webb connection, why Margaret hasn't gone to a Hollywood party since the aughts, bangs and Botox as an anti-aging program, Forensic Files guilt and whether true crime is a cautionary tale for women or just somebody else's tragedy, the night a 500-pound man in a tow truck tried to talk a teenage Margaret into coming with him and how she knew to run, restraining orders being useless paper, threesomes being for cucks and having too many smells, the semen-is-bleach debate that got Steph called crazy on Bob the Drag Queen's podcast, the blowjob that earned a hotel suite upgrade in Charleston, Margaret's splinter that went so deep into her foot it required surgery and came out looking like a wine cork crossed with a bay scallop that she then asked to eat, toenails that grew UP like little hamburger patties from 1970s swimming pool fungus, toenail removal and nail bed cauterization, plantar warts, hemorrhoids, the 5% cream that actually works, Steph's extremely short taint, Scott Thompson cutting out his own plantar wart in a Banff cabin with vodka and scissors, why chihuahuas are the second most euthanized breed, the person reselling sidewalk gum in fake packaging, and Margaret's first special in twelve years, filming this November. Enjoy! SPONSORS: Head to https://Talkiatry.com/STEPH to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.  Follow https://www.instagram.com/margaret_cho/ on Instagram. Follow https://www.instagram.com/stephtolev/ and https://www.instagram.com/steph_infection_podcast/ on Instagram. Send in your body stories to be featured onthe podcast- just DM the Steph Infection podcast account! See Steph's "KEEPIN EM' HARD" Tour: COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 2-3DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 8-10VICTORIA, BC - OCTOBER 14KELOWNA, BC - OCTOBER 15REGINA, SK - OCTOBER 16EDMONTON, ALBERTA - OCTOBER 17PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22-24LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 29LONDON, ON - OCTOBER 6SPOKANE - NOVEMBER 12-14FORT LAUDERDALE - NOVEMBER 18FULLY LOADED CRUISE - NOVEMBER 19-22TEMPE - NOVEMBER 27-28AUSTIN - DECEMBER 3-5CHICAGO - DECEMBER 17-19 Get tickets at https://punchup.live/stephtolev/tickets Steph Tolev caught fire on the BILL BURR PRESENTS: FRIENDS WHO KILL, Netflix special. She was named a COMEDIAN YOU SHOULD AND WILL KNOW by Vulture, which recognized her as one of Canada's funniest exports. She was featured on Comedy Central's THE RINGERS stand up series, and season two of UNPROTECTED SETS. Steph has appeared in Comedy Central's CORPORATE and starred in an episode of the Sarah Silverman-produced PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME. Steph has been well received at festivals all over the world and headlines clubs across the country. She also has a hit podcast on ALL THINGS COMEDY called “STEPH INFECTION” and appears in the feature OLD DADS starring and written by Bill Burr on Netflix . Check out her tour dates to see her live! Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:17 - No Parties, No Premieres, Just The Dogs 00:07:25 - Bangs, Botox, & Forensic Files Guilt 00:12:29 - The Man In The Tow Truck 00:17:11 - Stalkers & Useless Restraining Orders 00:22:46 - Relationships, Hotel Protectors, & New Material 00:29:19 - Threesomes Are For Cucks 00:35:23 - BJ For A Hotel Upgrade & Butt Tattoos 00:40:52 - The Wine Cork In Her Foot & Big Mac Toenails 00:46:20 - Warts, Hemorrhoids, & A Very Short Taint 00:52:23 - Salads, Shitting, & Hobbies 00:59:27 - Full Dog Penis & The Worst Body Story Ever Told Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Marwa Eid was in middle school when a teacher asked the class what they wanted to be. She answered without thinking — a doctor. She still can't explain why. The teacher told her: your responsibility is heavy, may God be with you. Seven years of medical school followed, and a run of specialties that never quite fit. Then she moved to the UAE and found cosmetic medicine and dermatology.A conversation about the part of aesthetic medicine nobody films. Why she tells patients to stand up and walk out if a doctor won't name what's in the syringe. Why a bride arrived a week before her wedding with chemical burns. Why a filter is safer than a filler. Why everyone should have Botox, but not before thirty. Why losing weight without a plan costs you your face. And why divorce, as she puts it, has nothing to do with beauty.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Bladder Botox is an office procedure where BOTOX is injected into the bladder muscle to treat overactive bladder (OAB) and urge incontinence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode breaks down a real patient case of an 80 year old man who hadn't had a functional erection in a decade. He was dealing with penile retraction, high blood pressure, an enlarged prostate, and low testosterone, and his medication had completely stopped working. You'll hear exactly how the Get Hard System addressed the root cause instead of chasing the symptom, using shockwave therapy, PRP, Botox, pelvic floor training, and at home traction therapy.By the end, you'll understand why severe ED is rarely just about age, and what a real, structural recovery process actually looks like. If you or someone you love has been told ED is untreatable after years of failed medication, this one is worth your full attention.--------------Resources mentioned:Modern Man CribMediterranean DietGood Morning Wood SmoothieRenew with Dr. Anne--------------Reveal the FREE treatment most men ignore that solves thousands of erectile dysfunction cases every year, plus the 5 biggest mistakes you must avoid if you want to say goodbye to your ED. Uncover it all in my free eBook, available to download now.https://dranne.co/ebook--------------Want to regain control of your sex life? It's time to reverse the effects of ED on your life. Join the Modern Man Club and embark on your journey to complete recovery and community.--------------Follow Me On:InstagramTwitterFacebookTikTokYouTube--------------For all links and resources mentioned on the show and where to subscribe to the podcast, please visit https://truongrehab.com/reverse-erectile-dysfunction-after-80--------------If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more and get more tips, subscribe to The Modern Man newsletter for exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox! https://dranne.co/themodernman--------------Curious about how you can boost your bedroom game and build lasting confidence? Check out the course at getwoodnow.com and start your journey to feeling like yourself again!

How Two Dermatology PAs Built Skin Sisters Through CommunityTikTok can make skincare feel like a full-time job, and somehow your bathroom turns into a graveyard of half-used serums. Brooke and Lauren, the sisters behind The Skin Sisters, join me to share what actually works when you want clear, medically grounded guidance without the hype. They're both dermatology physician assistants, and they bring a rare mix of deep clinical training and real-world practicality for busy moms, dads, teens, and anyone trying to build a routine they can stick to.We talk about how Skin Sisters started in 2016 from constant “what should I buy?” texts, then took a sharp turn during the COVID-19 shutdowns when elective medicine paused and layoffs hit. That uncertain season became the catalyst for a new kind of practice, one where they can slow down, spend real time with patients, and focus heavily on cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic services like Botox, Dysport, Sculptra, chemical peels, and personalized skincare plans.We also dig into the questions so many families are asking right now: What's age appropriate skincare for preteens and teens? How do you protect the skin barrier? How do you stop layering random acids because a video told you to? If you want a simple “roadmap” approach to skincare, plus an honest conversation about motherhood, mental load, and building a business with your sister, this one will land. Subscribe, share with a friend who's overwhelmed by skincare, and leave a review with your biggest skincare question.Connect with The Skin Sisters:IG: @theskinsistersWebsite: The Skin SistersOffice Address: 7373 France Ave So. Suite 602, Edina, MN 55435Contact the Host, Kelly Kirk:Email: info.ryh7@gmail.comGet Connected/Follow:The Hue Drop Newsletter: Subscribe HereIG: @ryh_pod & @thekelly.tanke.kirkFacebook: Reclaiming Your Hue Facebook PageCAKES Affiliate Link: KELLYKIRKCredits:Editor: Joseph KirkMusic: Kristofer Tanke Thanks for listening & cheers to Reclaiming Your Hue! 

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, urologist Dr. Alex Rogers joins us to talk about today's landscape of OAB treatments, from behavioral changes and medications to Botox and neuromodulation. She also introduces us to a newer option: an implanted tibial nerve stimulation device placed by the ankle that can actually improve bladder control.  How can a nerve all the way down there possibly affect your bladder? Dr. Rogers explains the fascinating connection between the nervous system and bladder signaling, as well as how this approach differs from traditional tibial nerve stimulation and sacral neuromodulation. She also discusses who may be a candidate and why having more treatment choices can help patients find an approach that works for their individual needs.  Just as importantly, we talk about why so many people wait years before seeking help for bladder leaks, and why Dr. Rogers wants patients to know they don't have to suffer in silence.Helpful Resources:Visit Dr. Rogers' Bladder Boutique here: bladderboutique.com.Free downloadable bladder diaries can be found here: nafc.org/diaries.For more information about the National Association for Continence, visit NAFC.org, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.MusicRainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Stay in the know with all the latest hints and tips for managing incontinence. Visit NAFC.org and click the Newsletter button at top - it's free, it takes just a minute, and it can make a real difference in your life.

Charlie almost burned his kitchen down. Duji will be heading to nationals right after Christmas break. Coregasm. Botox. Burglar broke into a home and the family's golden retriever did nothing. Husband captured video of his wife engaging in sex acts with the family dog.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie almost burned his kitchen down. Duji will be heading to nationals right after Christmas break. Coregasm. Botox. Burglar broke into a home and the family's golden retriever did nothing. Husband captured video of his wife engaging in sex acts with the family dog. New video of car influencer James Wehr's McLaren car crash. A neurodivergent employee at a Wendy's in Tennessee was tied to the grill. Charlie says people who wear transition lenses look like perverts. Ed Sheeran peep show. The Moonlight Bunny Ranch is for sale. Ghosts. Is this video proof of ghost? New words in the dictionary. Pooma. Caller is mad at Charlie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the symptoms you've learned to live with are actually your body trying to tell you something? In this episode, I am joined by VJ Hamilton, The Autoimmunity Nutritionist, to explore what can happen when we slowly drift away from optimal health and how we can begin finding our way back. We also dive into nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, gut and cellular health, nervous system regulation, and why rebuilding your health doesn't have to happen all at once.You're going to love this conversation, and you're going to want to share it with everyone you care about who also desires to look and feel their best too!Learn more about VJ Hamilton:VJ Hamilton, also known as The Autoimmunity Nutritionist, is the founder of The Autoimmune Nutrition Clinic and a Registered Nutritionist, specialising in reversing hair loss, particularly alopecia areata, and other autoimmune-related conditions. With a Medical Science degree (BSc) in Biochemistry & Immunology and certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine, VJ combines scientific expertise with lived experience to deliver evidence-based, personalised therapies.After losing significant amounts of hair to alopecia areata in her 20s, alongside battling psoriasis and post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome, VJ rebuilt her health and restored her hair naturally—remaining symptom-free for over nine years. Today, she helps clients worldwide through her signature programmes and her membership, The Root RESET™ Circle, guiding them to address root causes, calm inflammation, and promote healthy, lasting hair growth.VJ's expertise has been featured in Vogue, GQ, Cosmopolitan, and The Telegraph. She also hosts The Autoimmune Reset® Podcast, where she shares practical strategies for hair regrowth, skin health, and immune resilience.Connect with VJ Hamilton:Website: https://theautoimmunitynutritionist.com/Download the The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan: https://vjhamilton.kartra.com/page/TheAutoimmunityRecoveryPlanStep into your Radiance Sanctuary in the Membership https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/membershipFor more resources related to today's episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/podcasts Follow Rachel Varga Official on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ —Catch full episodes of The School of Radiance Podcast here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RachelVargaOfficial —Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@RachelVargaOfficial —Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ Website: https://www.theschoolofradiance.com —FREE STUFF: Download my FREE Skincare Checklist, sign up for my FREE 30 minute biohack your way to clear skin and slowing aging training now, and my newsletter for promos and exclusive events just for you! https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/freebiesEveryone gets one FREE call! Book your free 15-minute call with Rachel Varga to see which options will help you achieve your skin radiance goals! https://rachelvarga.as.me/YourPersonalizedRadianceConsultation —Looking for Skincare products, Tutorials, booking YOUR private One-on-One, and the deep dive Radiance Membership?SHOP skincare: https://alwaysradiantskinshop.comBOOK your private One-on-One: https://rachelvarga.as.me/Initialconsultation REGISTER for Tutorials and/or Membership: https://theschoolofradiance.com As a disclaimer, please note that the information shared in this podcast and interview is not to be taken as medical advice, and it's always important to consult with your physician before making any lifestyle changes. Rachel disclaims any responsibility for inaccurate credentials of guests or information used that may cause harm.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The School of Radiance with Rachel Varga (formerly The Rachel Varga Podcast and The Always Radiant Skin Podcast)!Rachel Vargainfo@theschoolofradiance.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kim is answering more of your questions about life in France, from how French parents balance work, kids and weeknight dinners to what motherhood looks like when women don't completely change their style after having children.She shares how her friendships have evolved after nearly four years abroad, the one part of French culture she'd take with her anywhere, and the unexpected things her kids noticed during their recent trip back to the U.S., including screen time and the way Americans talk about food.Kim also revisits Bringing Up Bébé after raising her own children in France and shares which observations still feel true. Plus, drawing on her years working at Sephora, she compares French and American beauty standards, from skincare and “baby Botox” to perfectly polished beauty versus the French preference for leaving something a little imperfect.Resources:Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela DruckermanDon't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod coucou Podcast WebsiteProduced by NOVA

One of the deadliest poisons known to man is now used to treat wrinkles, migraines, and even, maybe, depression. How did that happen? This is a special episode from Unexplainable  podcast from Vox and the Vox Media Network. Guests: Jean Carruthers, ophthalmologist and “godmother” of cosmetic Botox. David Simpson, neurologist at Mount Sinai hospital in New York. Axel Wollmer, psychiatrist at the Asklepios clinic in Hamburg, Germany.

Dr. Terry Dubrow of Botched stops by Steph Infection and within five minutes has diagnosed Steph's frozen forehead, explained why he has built up complete immunity to four types of Botox, and claims responsibility for two of the top 5 worst reality shows of all time. Steph and Dr. Dubrow get into The Swan, where twelve women couldn't see their own face for three months after surgery, Bridal Plasty, which somehow involved competing for rhinoplasties as wedding prizes, plus the Lorenzo Lamas show where a laser pointer was used to identify women's physical deficiencies on live television, why Steph is never getting a nose job no matter what anyone says, breast implants going in through the belly button until someone went too deep and hit a heart, ballerina boobs being the new trend, the deep plane facelift and whether it actually works better, how the gerbil at Cedars rumor follows certain celebrities forever, what really happens when plastic surgery goes wrong and a good surgeon handles it, and a full breakdown of GLP-1 drugs including the new one called Retatrutide that's about to change everything. SPONSORS: If you or someone you know experienced serious mental health struggles as a result of social media use, you may be entitled to a potential recovery of over $1,000. Visit https://morganmorganpa.sjv.io/c/7729588/3841482/23429?sharedid=steph-infection to submit a claim now. Follow https://www.instagram.com/drdubrow/ on Instagram.Follow https://www.instagram.com/stephtolev/ and https://www.instagram.com/steph_infection_podcast/ on Instagram. Send in your body stories to be featured onthe podcast- just DM the Steph Infection podcast account! See Steph's "KEEPIN EM' HARD" Tour: RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 19-20COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 2-3DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 8-10VICTORIA, BC - OCTOBER 14KELOWNA, BC - OCTOBER 15REGINA, SK - OCTOBER 16EDMONTON, ALBERTA - OCTOBER 17PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22-24LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 29LONDON, ON - OCTOBER 6SPOKANE - NOVEMBER 12-14FORT LAUDERDALE - NOVEMBER 18FULLY LOADED CRUISE - NOVEMBER 19-22TEMPE - NOVEMBER 27-28AUSTIN - DECEMBER 3-5CHICAGO - DECEMBER 17-19 Get tickets at https://punchup.live/stephtolev/tickets Steph Tolev caught fire on the BILL BURR PRESENTS: FRIENDS WHO KILL, Netflix special. She was named a COMEDIAN YOU SHOULD AND WILL KNOW by Vulture, which recognized her as one of Canada's funniest exports. She was featured on Comedy Central's THE RINGERS stand up series, and season two of UNPROTECTED SETS. Steph has appeared in Comedy Central's CORPORATE and starred in an episode of the Sarah Silverman-produced PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME. Steph has been well received at festivals all over the world and headlines clubs across the country. She also has a hit podcast on ALL THINGS COMEDY called “STEPH INFECTION” and appears in the feature OLD DADS starring and written by Bill Burr on Netflix . Check out her tour dates to see her live! #stephtolev #stephinfection #comedy Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:12 - Steph's Frozen Forehead & Dr. Dubrow's Botox Immunity00:08:45 - The Swan: Ugly Duckling Beauty Contest00:15:32 - John Stockton, White Boxers & Tim Dwight00:25:17 - Human Experimentation & Breast Implants00:31:08 - Trust The Process00:44:18 - The Deep Plane Facelift00:49:16 - When Plastic Surgery Goes Wrong & Worst Thing Pulled From A Butt00:56:55 - Dr. Dubrow's Most Interesting Body Case01:00:09 - GLP-1 Drugs: Why Dr. Dubrow Is Their Biggest Fan01:08:20 - Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a culture obsessed with staying young, aging can feel like something to hide or fight. But what does the Bible say about growing older? Scripture offers a different perspective, showing that aging can bring wisdom, spiritual maturity, and opportunities to invest in the next generation. Proverbs 16:31 calls gray hair a “crown of glory,” reminding Christians that growing older is not something to fear or be ashamed of. For Christian women especially, Titus 2 offers a meaningful calling: older women are to share their wisdom and faith with younger generations. Instead of letting culture define the value of aging, we can embrace each season of life as an opportunity to grow in godliness, make disciples, encourage others, and point our families toward Christ. Highlights How the Bible offers a different perspective on aging than today’s anti-aging culture Why Proverbs 16:31 describes gray hair as a crown of glory Learning to recognize the spiritual value of growing older in Christ What Titus 2 teaches about older women mentoring and encouraging younger women Why Christian women should embrace opportunities to share wisdom across generations How aging can become an opportunity to make disciples and invest in others Encouragement to renew our minds with God’s Word rather than allowing culture to define our view of aging Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Finding the Beauty of Aging in an Anti-Aging World By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31, ESV). Botox and injectables, facelifts, tummy tucks, retinol creams, under-eye concealer and color correctors, collagen and peptide powders, weight-loss products, teeth whitening, and veneer treatment advertisements bombard us continually through television, magazines, and social media influencers. There is no getting around it; we live in an anti-aging world. This was the topic of a recent women’s leadership training at my church, as we discussed the importance of Christian women embracing the high calling of Titus 2 (older women training the younger women). Do we try to run from the title of “older woman,” or are we enthusiastically embracing it because we know how much the Bible esteems growing older in the Lord? The book of Proverbs is full of so much wisdom and highlights the beauty of aging in chapter 16: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31, ESV). The Bible does not tell us to cover up those gray hairs; it says that it is a crown of honor. We must embrace growing older because, as Christ followers, our gray hair should be a sign of a lifelong journey with Jesus! Now, I am not trying to create a law where there is none; there is Christian liberty when it comes to matters such as this. I dye my roots when I see gray hair poking through, but maybe I should pause and ask myself: How do I truly see aging? Intersecting Faith & Life: I enjoy makeup and basic skincare, but I do believe it is important to ask the Lord to search our hearts so that we do not find ourselves running away from ‘father time.’ As Christians, we must see aging rightly, which should be positive, not negative. How has the world’s view of aging influenced the church? If we are not on our guard, we can be swayed by the world’s thinking. That is why it is so important to renew our minds with God’s word daily (Romans 12:1-2). I often wonder if the Christian generations before me have become entangled by the culture’s lies instead of standing firm against them. In my own personal experience, I have prayed for many years for an older woman in the faith to come alongside me. Oh, how I long for the wisdom of a woman who has been walking with Jesus for decades longer than I have! Sadly, there seems to be a generational gap missing from my own church, which is very Biblically sound. Instead of being tempted to complain about this lack, I am reminded that I must go to God in prayer, especially when it seems so out of reach for me to find a mentor who can come alongside me and teach me to love my husband and children and love Jesus and His word even more. But much more than that, I do not want to ignore my own call to make disciples. The world may recoil from the word “older,” but the Bible is clear that age reveals great wisdom and insight. I may not feel like an older woman in the faith, but age should never limit me from the Great Commission (Matthew 28). Instead of waiting for someone to pour into me, I must look for those whom I can pour into and encourage in the Lord. I should proudly embrace the title of “older woman” at just 40 years old because it truly is a high calling to train the younger generation in the Lord. The call for women in Titus 2 is important within the church and desperately needed by our society. We need godly women (and men, too) who are strong in the faith to raise strong, godly children with strong, godly marriages. Imagine how much impact we would have in the culture if we embraced the good found in aging and taught our children the amazing plan the Lord has for us to grow in godliness, wisdom, and righteousness as we live in the here and now, with eyes and hearts also fixed on eternity with the Lord. Families like this could change the world for Christ! Lord, help us to see the beauty in growing older in age and in You! Further Reading: Titus 2 Romans 12 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you've ever felt like the more stressed you get... the more you mentally beat yourself up... it starts to reflect on your physical body with sickness, skin issues, etc... YOU'RE SPOT ON. When we hold onto a limiting thought ("I'm not good enough," "I'm not as hot as her," "finances will never be easy for me"), it creates an emotion that becomes a belief. And that energy cannot be created or destroyed, it just changes form. That emotion won't just go away when we try to shove it down or solve it with an outside thing. How many times have you tried to solve a limiting belief with a haircut, new outfit, new car, moving to a different city... only for those same issues to still be there 3 weeks later. Instead, that limiting emotion roots itself and manifests into the physical body. That's what then creates physical ailments. For instance, if you spend years worrying about how others perceive you (like how you showed up with friends at a party or how you communicated something at work in front of your team), that eventually manifests into FOREHEAD WRINKLES. The emotional root cause of forehead wrinkles is worry about how others perceive you. Want to do energetic botox in person with us?! Join us at The Glow Intensive: Our 3-day in person event Jan 22 - 24, 2027 in Dallas, TX (enrollment closes once it fills!) > https://www.alexandraninfo.com/theglowintensive

Send us Fan MailHe had the title. The salary. The corner office.Executive Vice President.And he walked away from all of it.No plan. No safety net. No income for five years.Most people would have gone back.Chris Gibson didn't.Instead he built something nobody expected — a 500K-subscriber YouTube channel, his own skincare and supplement product lines, and a book on skin health that was ahead of mainstream science before mainstream science caught up.But this conversation isn't really about skincare.It's about what happens when a casting agent tells you your skin could end your broadcasting career — and you decide to build an empire around the very thing they said would stop you.And what five years of zero income actually teaches you about building something that lasts.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meetthemess.substack.comMove over, Meet the Press—it's time to Meet the Mess!This week on Meet the Mess, Jen and Karyn discuss whether Botox can actually treat depression, why facial filler is falling out of favor, and a new study linking major album releases to an increase in fatal car crashes caused by distracted driving.Then, they get into Prince Harry and Meghan's reported move back to the UK, the Russian oligarch who allegedly paid for Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding, and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's latest drama with the neighbors over a fence!Plus, would you spend $450 on Dyson's new AI toothbrush? And what about Apple's new foldable iPhone?On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.Meet the Merch:• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMessConnect with us on Instagram:• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnakConnect with us on TikTok:• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak

Why is it important to prioritize a high-protein diet, and what does it have to do with your skin, strength, energy, sleep, and how you age?In this episode, I answer a question from one of her longtime clients who wanted to know why she eats high protein and how she cuts through all of the conflicting information around carnivore diets, ketosis, and nutrition. I also share why maintaining muscle has become such an important part of my approach to healthy aging and why what you do between your skincare and rejuvenation appointments can impact how you look and feel.Shop now at https://alwaysradiantskinshop.com and save 20% sitewide using code SUMMERSKIN20 at checkout.Step into your Radiance Sanctuary in the Membership https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/membershipFor more resources related to today's episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/podcasts Follow Rachel Varga Official on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ —Catch full episodes of The School of Radiance Podcast here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RachelVargaOfficial —Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@RachelVargaOfficial —Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ Website: https://www.theschoolofradiance.com —FREE STUFF: Download my FREE Skincare Checklist, sign up for my FREE 30 minute biohack your way to clear skin and slowing aging training now, and my newsletter for promos and exclusive events just for you! https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/freebiesEveryone gets one FREE call! Book your free 15-minute call with Rachel Varga to see which options will help you achieve your skin radiance goals! https://rachelvarga.as.me/YourPersonalizedRadianceConsultation —Looking for Skincare products, Tutorials, booking YOUR private One-on-One, and the deep dive Radiance Membership?SHOP skincare: https://alwaysradiantskinshop.comBOOK your private One-on-One: https://rachelvarga.as.me/Initialconsultation REGISTER for Tutorials and/or Membership: https://theschoolofradiance.com As a disclaimer, please note that the information shared in this podcast and interview is not to be taken as medical advice, and it's always important to consult with your physician before making any lifestyle changes. Rachel disclaims any responsibility for inaccurate credentials of guests or information used that may cause harm.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The School of Radiance with Rachel Varga (formerly The Rachel Varga Podcast and The Always Radiant Skin Podcast)!Rachel Vargainfo@theschoolofradiance.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can your home actually make you feel calmer, happier, more focused — and maybe even more abundant?This week on Talking Smack 415, Debbie Mink and Jamie the Great sit down with Lisa Morton, holistic interior designer, Feng Shui master teacher, host of the Feng Shui Living Podcast, and author of Aligned at Home.Lisa spent years designing ultra-luxury private jet interiors before burnout, anxiety and panic attacks forced her to rethink not only how she was living — but how the spaces around her were affecting her wellbeing.That journey led her to Feng Shui, energy work and holistic interior design, and completely changed the way she thinks about our homes.We get into how your physical environment can affect your nervous system, energy, productivity, relationships and overall sense of wellbeing — without requiring a massive renovation or an HGTV-sized budget.We talk about:What Feng Shui actually is — and why it's not just woo-wooThe five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and waterHow to use the Bagua map to understand the energy of your homeWhy the center of your home mattersThe importance of your front door — aka the “mouth of chi”How clutter can affect your nervous systemWhy the position of your desk can change how focused and productive you feelThe Feng Shui “command position” for working and studyingHow color psychology impacts mood and energyCreating balance when one person is a maximalist and another wants everything put awayWhy mirrors can amplify both the good AND the not-so-good in your homeSimple ways to reset the energy of a roomCrystals, plants, natural materials, space-clearing sprays and biophilic designHow to create a calmer, healthier dorm room in a tiny shared spaceWhy broken appliances, leaks and burned-out light bulbs are worth fixing ASAPAnd yes... why Lisa wants you to PUT THE TOILET SEAT DOWNOne of our favorite takeaways? Your home doesn't just need to look beautiful. It should support the way you want to feel.Whether you're sending a kid off to college, working from home, trying to get organized, living with people whose definition of “clean” is VERY different from yours, or simply craving a home that feels more peaceful, Lisa gives us small, realistic shifts that can make a surprisingly big difference.And because this is Talking Smack 415, we somehow also get into private jets, stingray-covered tabletops, Debbie's leopard print obsession, Jamie's house full of men, toilet seats, Botox and bangs.Because... obviously.

Welcome to Mikvah.org's Summer Learning Series. Throughout this series, you'll hear from esteemed Rabbanim as they discuss a variety of practical halachic topics, providing clarity, perspective, and guidance on questions that arise in everyday life.In this episode, Rabbi M. Rotenberg discusses the Halachic considerations of contemporary cosmetology, covering a wide range of procedures including Botox, fillers, laser treatments, cosmetic surgery, hair removal, permanent makeup, nails, and dental aesthetics. He outlines the core halachic concerns - including Chavala (causing a wound), Sakana (medical risk), Koseives Kaka (tattooing), and Chatzitza (an intervening substance that poses issues for mikvah) - and emphasizes that the permissibility of each procedure depends on its purpose, degree of injury, and healing process. Click Here for the Follow-Along Guide

What can you actually do to make your eyes look younger? From drooping brows and excess eyelid skin to crow's feet, puffiness, and dark circles, there are a lot of different ways the eyes can show signs of aging. Your options range from simple changes at home, like skincare and wearing sunglasses, to treatments like Botox, lasers, and eyelid or brow surgery. In this episode, we'll look at what can actually help rejuvenate the eyes and which treatments may be worth considering.

Send us Fan MailCelebrity esthetician and skincare founder Joanna Vargas joins Skin Anarchy to share what three decades of hands on work taught her: why LED and microcurrent changed her practice, what clients actually want, how she vets ingredients, and why the basics still win over hype.How did Joanna Vargas get into skincare?By a winding road. She moved to New York hoping to be a fashion photographer, found she was too shy for it, and enrolled in aesthetic school, then fell in love with the one on one work. "I felt like I could be the big sister in that situation and really help guide people." That was nearly 30 years ago.Why did LED change her practice?Because it works across every skin type and tone. Early in her career, most spas offered one kind of facial, and she saw that nothing worked for everyone. LED did. "Whether you have oily skin, acneic skin, super dry skin... LED is something that can help." She believes she was the first esthetician in Manhattan to offer it.What made microcurrent a game changer?Its evolution from painful to instant. Early microcurrent stung and reddened the skin, but a later device delivered a visible lift with no discomfort. "You could actually feel like one side of the face was lifted and the other side wasn't." It arrived as clients sought noninvasive alternatives to filler and Botox.What do clients actually want from their skin?Not what the industry assumes. Vargas expected her first hundred clients to ask for anti aging; instead every single one wrote the same three words. "They wanted clean, clear, glowing skin," regardless of age. It shaped her mission to help people feel better without feeding their self criticism.Is exfoliation good or bad for your skin?Good, when done properly. Vargas pushes back on exfoliation's bad reputation, stressing the method should match your skin. "Your keyword that you just used is proper," she says, noting pollution, oil, and mature skin all make gentle exfoliation essential for products to penetrate.How should you balance dermatologist advice with esthetician care?Treat both as trusted advisors, and keep your own voice. Vargas respects derms and urges everyone to get skin cancer checks, but warns against appointments that leave you feeling worse. "Not everybody has your best interest all the time if they're making you feel bad." Whether to get filler, she notes, is an opinion, not medical advice.Why does she stick to tried and true ingredients over hype?Because efficacy outlasts trends, and she trusts primary research and her own testing over hype. Vargas reads the actual studies, cross checks with experts, and tests on herself before adopting anything. "There's nothing that replaces being able to try something on myself." She has watched vitamin C, stem cells, and niacinamide cycle in and out repeatedly. "I don't think that at this point in skincare we need to constantly be reinventing the wheel."What is the simplest routine that actually works?Four steps, done consistently. Vargas tells clients to wash daily, use one or two targeted serums, and finish with a moisturizer, night and day is fine. "If we could just get you to do that as the baseline." From there she adds weekly exfoliation and a sheet mask as a ritual of self care.What is her advice for someone who feels stuck with their skin?Stop throwing money at it and pare down. Beautiful skin is possible with the right steps, not more products. She reframes cleansing as the most important step, done for a full minute with intention. "Think of something that you love about yourself," she says, because how you talk to yourself matters as much as the routine. Listen to the full episode with Joanna Vargas on Skin Anarchy, available wherever you get your podcasts.Shop Joanna Vargas SkincareDon't forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!Support the show

Christopher West is here to warn against the dangers of mistaking intelligence for personhood. Ep. 595 Enjoy these episodes and other exclusive content ad free, one week early with DailyWire+ : https://get.dailywire.com - - -

On today's episode, CORINNE FISHER and KRYSTYNA HUTCHINSON read an email detailing all the f*cked up comments from one listener's mom. C&K then discuss Kevin Spacey's new business venture before welcoming stand-up comedian CAITLIN PELUFFO to the studio. The trio discusses calling off an engagement with a great guy, interrogating your decision to get Botox, the gift of multiple orgasms, and having to get security after too many male fans grab your ass during the meet-and-greet.Follow CAITLIN on IG @⁠CailtinPeluffo ⁠Follow CORINNE on IG @⁠PhilanthropyGal⁠Follow KRYSTYNA on IG @⁠KrystynaHutch⁠ Follow producer JOHNNY on IG @⁠ChairsForCheap⁠Want to write into the show? Email us! SorryAboutLastNightShow@gmail.comMusic credit for today's episode:All MineJes Hudakhttps://open.spotify.com/track/0Z3RyHT9PrH2bXYZeypBCE?si=18de9e9fac874ec2&nd=1&dlsi=56c5e827d62042b0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.