Sterol biosynthesized by all animal cells which is an essential structural component of all animal cell membranes
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High cholesterol is one of the most common reasons people are told they're at risk for heart disease. But what if cholesterol isn't the root problem? What if it's actually a signal of deeper metabolic dysfunction—and focusing on the number alone causes us to miss what's really driving cardiovascular risk? In today's episode, we explore a functional medicine approach to cholesterol and heart health, including: Why high cholesterol is often a downstream effect of insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction The surprising role sugar, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods play in driving unhealthy cholesterol patterns How healthy fats, protein, fiber, and gut health influence cholesterol regulation and cardiovascular risk The nutrition and lifestyle changes that can improve metabolic health—and begin shifting key biomarkers in as little as 10 days When it comes to cholesterol, the better question isn't always, "How do I lower this number?" It's, "Why is it elevated in the first place?" By addressing the root causes—from blood sugar imbalance and inflammation to diet, movement, sleep, and stress—you can improve not just your cholesterol, but the underlying metabolic health that drives long-term cardiovascular risk. Resources Mentioned: Learn more about the 10-Day Detox: https://bit.ly/3PIUoxf Listen to my full conversation with Dr. Aseem Malhotra: https://bit.ly/4x5wEUR Track your metabolic and cardiovascular health biomarkers: functionhealth.com/mark for 160+ lab tests at just $365/year. Use code MARK2026 for $50 off. Have a question you'd love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here (0:25) Introduction (1:11) Understanding and Addressing Cholesterol with Functional Medicine (2:20) Metabolic Dysfunction, Health Reset, and Dietary Recommendations (8:07) Example Daily Meal Plan and Importance of Movement (12:46) Sleep, Stress, and Supplements for Cholesterol (14:27) Cardiovascular Risk Insights and Dr. Asim Malhotra Clip (20:30) Closing Remarks, Listener Engagement, and Social Media (21:57) Disclaimer, Medical Guidance, and Gratitude to Sponsors
View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter's Weekly Newsletter Tom Dayspring is a world-renowned lipidologist and one of the most thoughtful teachers in the field of lipid metabolism. In this episode, Tom returns to The Drive for a deep dive into the relationship between lipids and brain health, beginning with the fundamentals of cholesterol transport before exploring why the brain's cholesterol system operates almost entirely independently from the rest of the body. Tom examines the roles of apoB, apoA-I, and especially apoE in cholesterol homeostasis, discusses how APOE genotype influences Alzheimer's disease risk, and unpacks the complex links between cholesterol metabolism, amyloid, and tau pathology. He also reviews what is currently known—and still uncertain—about the effects of statins, ezetimibe, omega-3 fatty acids, and emerging CETP inhibitors on brain health and neurodegenerative disease risk. Although highly technical, this conversation provides an essential framework for understanding the nuanced relationship between lipid-lowering therapies, cardiovascular disease prevention, and neurodegenerative diseases in an area often clouded by misinformation. We discuss: The fundamentals of cholesterol transport in the body, and how peripheral cholesterol metabolism differs from cholesterol handling in the brain [2:45]; How cholesterol is transported through plasma and stored within cells, and why lowering LDL cholesterol does not deplete the body or brain of cholesterol [11:45]; How apoB particles drive atherosclerosis, why lowering lipids matters, and the factors that influence individual cardiovascular risk [20:00]; How the brain produces and transports its own cholesterol using apoE lipoproteins independently of circulating cholesterol and apoB-containing lipoproteins [29:00]; How apoB structure influences LDL receptor binding and LDL clearance [39:00]; How neurons acquire cholesterol from apoE-containing lipoproteins and why desmosterol serves as a unique marker of cholesterol synthesis in the brain [41:45]; The difference between the APOE gene and the apoE protein, the major APOE genotypes found in humans, and how APOE4 influences Alzheimer's disease risk [48:45]; HDL function beyond cholesterol: immune function, protein cargo, and communication with the brain [53:30]; How APOE4-associated defects in brain cholesterol transport may promote Alzheimer's disease: amyloid production, neuronal cholesterol homeostasis, and cholesterol clearance [58:00]; Statins and brain health: reviewing the evidence of the potential impact of statins on cognition and Alzheimer's disease risk [1:09:00]; Desmosterol and 24S-hydroxycholesterol as biomarkers of brain cholesterol metabolism and statin effects [1:17:15]; Possible cognitive benefits of ezetimibe beyond lowering apoB [1:19:30]; EPA, DHA, and the evidence for omega-3 fatty acids in brain health [1:23:15]; Obicetrapib: an emerging CETP inhibitor with potential implications for both cardiovascular and brain health [1:31:00]; and More. Connect With Peter on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
Amanda Decker is a family nurse practitioner, metabolic health practitioner, and founder of Clear Path Medical. After overcoming her own struggles with weight and chronic psoriasis, she shifted her focus from conventional primary care to nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Today, Amanda helps patients address the root causes of chronic disease through evidence-based approaches centered on metabolic health, low-carb nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle change. With nearly two decades of clinical experience and multiple advanced certifications in obesity medicine, ketogenic nutrition, and metabolic health, she is passionate about empowering people to take control of their health and transform their lives. In this episode, Dr. Brian and Amanda talk about… (00:00) Intro (05:54) Cholesterol and cardiovascular health (09:50) Amanda's experience switching to and working in a DPC practice (11:54) Triglycerides and coffee (13:57) Stress, community, and working in the medical field (19:11) Amanda's upcoming Low Carb for Better Health conference (link below) (22:55) Bio-individuality and the proper human diet (25:54) The speaker line-up at the upcoming Low Carb for Better Health conference (link below) (31:29) Gut health, carnivore diets, and holistic health (39:45) Gut health and fatty liver disease (40:34) Health outliers and food noise (48:18) Cortisol and Cushing's Disease (01:01:50) Outro For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening! Links: Amanda Decker: Website: https://www.clearpathmedical.net/ X: https://x.com/deckerlesscarbs?lang=en IG: https://www.instagram.com/deckerlesscarbs/?hl=en FB: https://www.facebook.com/deckerlesscarbs/?ref=NONE_xav_ig_profile_page_web# Low Carb for Better Health: https://events.humanitix.com/low-carb-for-better-health Dr. Brian Lenzkes: Arizona Metabolic Health: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Low Carb MD Podcast: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/ HLTH Code: HLTH Code Promo Code: METHEALTH • • HLTH Code Website: https://gethlth.com
You can find more here from Alan:https://alanrozanski.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanrozanski/Longevity isn't just about cholesterol, blood pressure, or diet.In this episode, Dr. Alan Rozanski — cardiologist, Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director of Nuclear Cardiology at Mount Sinai Morningside, and recently featured in TIME — explains why healthy aging is about far more than traditional heart health metrics.Dr. Rozanski is helping redefine cardiovascular care by focusing on the bigger drivers of vitality and longevity: strength, stress resilience, mindset, purpose, and social connection.He shares his research-backed framework, the Six Domains of Optimal Health & Vitality, and how high-achieving professionals can use it to stay sharp, energetic, and resilient long term.In this episode, we explore:• Why cholesterol and blood pressure don't tell the full story of heart health• The real drivers of longevity and healthy aging• How stress resilience impacts cardiovascular health• The connection between mindset, purpose, and long-term vitality• Why strength and social connection are critical for aging well• Practical ways to protect your heart and extend your performance lifespanIf you're a driven professional who wants to maintain energy, leadership capacity, and mental sharpness for decades — this conversation is essential.
Dr. Joel Kahn dives into a groundbreaking Phase 1 trial of Verve 102, a one-time intravenous gene-editing treatment that silences the PCSK9 gene to produce lasting LDL cholesterol reduction. Among 35 participants, the high-dose group saw LDL drop by 62% with mostly mild side effects — promising results, though Phase 2 and 3 trials and 15 years of follow-up still lie ahead. Also covered: updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines now starting at age 45, healthy lifestyle habits cutting mortality risk in cancer survivors by one-third, real-world weight regain data after stopping GLP-1 medications, why your B12 "normal" range may be too low, a blood test that may predict Alzheimer's years in advance, and a longevity preparedness tool from MIT AgeLab. Sponsored by Igennus — visit igennus.com/drkahn for 20% off.
Hour 2- Conway is filling in for Monks and Merrill tonight on election Tuesday. We get the latest from Alex Stone, plus let you know what is going on with the Sheriffs race, and who is in the lead currently for the mayor race and by how much. PLUS, some fun news about the weirdest things left behind in an Uber and how you can fix your cholesterol with a one-time infusion. All that and more on KFIAM-640.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chrissy Mancini Nichols joins the show again and we have a blast talking about all kinds of urban topics. We discuss the rise of electro-states, a new way to measure accessibility from Wendy Zhao, short versus long term thinking on BRT alignments, and thoughts on how we should fund transportation considering our new world of deliveries and electric vehicles. Lots of great stuff, listen in here. Discussion Items Dawn of the Electric World Order - Phenomenal World A new way of measuring accessibility - USC Price Colfax: to center run or side run BRT - Westword | Denverite Funding transportation - will we miss the gas tax? KQED | Governing Bonus Items Hormuz Jeff - Saturday Night Live Women Changing Cities - Talking Headways +++ Many thanks to Bob Nanna for our intro/outro music. Get the show ad free on Patreon! Find out about our newsletter and archive on YouTube! Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Substack ... @theoverheadwire Follow us on Mastadon theoverheadwire@sfba.social Support the show on Patreon http://patreon.com/theoverheadwire Buy books on our Bookshop.org Affiliate site! And get our Cars are Cholesterol shirt at Tee-Public! And everything else at http://theoverheadwire.com
A quarter of US adults have elevated levels of LDL, the type of cholesterol in the blood most often associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Now the American College of Cardiology has issued new guidelines for managing cholesterol, last updated … New guidelines from the American College of Cardiology for cholesterol guidelines are here, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »
If you've been told you have high LDL cholesterol in your blood, the first place to begin to try to improve it is with diet and exercise. That's according to new guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, and such … The first strategy to improve blood cholesterol levels in lifestyle management, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »
Management of blood cholesterol is a major factor in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, as reflected in new guidelines released by the American College of Cardiology, and it should start early in life and be monitored throughout the lifespan. Johns … Monitoring cholesterol and other factors should be done regularly to prevent cardiovascular disease, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »
Tim Conway Jr Show Hour 4 (5.29) Conway kicks off the hour with a look at two promising new cholesterol treatments, enlicitide and VERVE-102, both aiming to help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol — but in completely different ways. One sounds like the future of medicine, and the other sounds like Conway is ready to gamble on it like a casino bet. Then the crew dives into the viral Trader Joe’s Sweet & Sour Gummy Worms story. These innocent-looking candies are loaded with fiber, and because the bag doesn’t exactly scream “high fiber warning,” some shoppers are eating way too many and ending up with stomach rumbling, gas, and a surprise bathroom emergency. The ultimate buzzkill candy. Later, Conway tells his Egg McMuffin story after going 35 years without one, explains how he managed to annoy a pharmacist at CVS, and breaks down the chaos of picking up everyone’s Starbucks drinks. The hour wraps with one of the strangest side hustle stories yet: a 23-year-old creator making serious money selling videos of herself farting. Forget Etsy, rideshare, and vintage clothes — this is the new economy, and Conway has questions. cholesterol treatment, LDL cholesterol, VERVE-102, enlicitide, Trader Joe’s gummies, Sweet & Sour Gummy Worms, high fiber candy, bathroom emergency, Egg McMuffin, CVS pharmacy, Starbucks order, weird side hustle, fart videos, viral story, funny podcast, Conway Show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 29, 2026: Your daily rundown of health and wellness news, in under 5 minutes. Today's top stories: Noom launches at-home biomarker kits measuring 17 markers with microneedle collection, finding 70% of users have high LDL cholesterol despite appearing healthy Scientists report single gene-editing infusion lowering LDL cholesterol by 62% with results maintained 18+ months, potentially replacing years of daily medication Retro Biosciences reaches $1.8B valuation backed by Sam Altman, entering human trials testing cellular cleanup process to combat neurodegeneration and age-related disease More from Fitt: Fitt Insider breaks down the convergence of fitness, wellness, and healthcare — and what it means for business, culture, and capital. Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe Work with our recruiting firm → https://talent.fitt.co/ Follow us on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/fittinsider/ Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider Reach out → insider@fitt.co
What if the two most prescribed drug classes in America are the exact reason your body can't heal? That's not a fringe theory but an observable pattern in many people's lives. We were taught to trust the system. But when that system profits from managing your symptoms rather than addressing the cause, you have to start asking harder questions. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Reese to explore how statins and proton pump inhibitors block your body's ability to repair itself, and how the cholesterol threshold has been manipulated, presumably to sell more drugs. We also talk about why he thinks 85–90% of surgeries, tests, and treatments are simply unnecessary. Dr. Reese also shares why your pelvis is the missing link in whole-body health, and how tinnitus and vertigo are being reversed remotely through postural alignment therapy. If you've been told to manage your condition for life or you're watching a loved one spiral deeper into the medical system, this conversation is for you. "Statin drugs and proton pump inhibitors bring down the two things you need for healing: cholesterol and stomach acid." ~ Dr. Kevin Reese In This Episode: - Medical monopoly, defensive medicine, and symptom management - The top two toxic drugs that inhibit healing - Cholesterol's role in brain health and longevity - White coat programming and the problem of nutrition deficiency - Four foods you should remove for wellness - Limitations of lab blood tests and imaging - Posture and musculoskeletal alignment - Symptoms are the body's warning lights - The message in the Medical Monopoly book - Head To Toe Healing membership program Products & Resources Mentioned: Dr. Kevin Reese's Book, Medical Monopoly: The Evil Empire You've Been Tricked to Trust: https://a.co/d/0gebZ7ui Tru Energy Skincare Bio Adaptive Hydration Oil: Try the oil and save up to $197 at http://trytruenergy.com/wendy5 Organifi Collagen: Save 20% with code MYERSDETOX at https://organifi.com/myersdetox Organifi Happy Drops: Save 20% with code MYERSDETOX at https://organifi.com/myersdetox Bon Charge Red Light Face Mask: Get 15% off sitewide, plus free shipping and a 12-month warranty, with code WENDY at https://boncharge.com/ Heavy Metals Quiz: Check your toxicity score and receive a free video series on how to detox your body at https://heavymetalsquiz.com About Dr. Kevin Reese: Dr. Kevin Reese is the creator of Head-To-Toe Healing, a holistic wellness system inspiring millions to live pain- and drug-free. With over 30 books, 10 albums, and two transformative programs, his approach has produced more documented healing results than any method in history. Holding a PhD in nutrition and multiple certifications, Dr. Reese developed his method through self-study, realizing that true healing requires treating the body as a unified system. His work has delivered profound results for conditions from chronic back pain to diabetes, tinnitus, and vertigo. Learn more about this work at https://www.drkevinreese.com/ Disclaimer The Myers Detox Podcast was created and hosted by Dr. Wendy Myers. This podcast is for information purposes only. Statements and views expressed on this podcast are not medical advice. This podcast, including Wendy Myers and the producers, disclaims responsibility for any possible adverse effects from using the information contained herein. The opinions of guests are their own, and this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guests' qualifications or credibility. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to herein. If you think you have a medical problem, consult a licensed physician.
This week on the Talking Headways podcast we're joined by Jaime Benavides and Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou of Brown University to discuss their new paper showing how community severance by road infrastructure and traffic has led to more mental health related hospital visits in New York City. We talk about the role of roads cutting people off from social connections and how impacts of roads on mental health were separated out from air quality. +++ Get the show ad free on Patreon! Find out about our newsletter and archive on YouTube! Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Substack ... @theoverheadwire Follow us on Mastadon theoverheadwire@sfba.social Support the show on Patreon http://patreon.com/theoverheadwire Buy books on our Bookshop.org Affiliate site! And get our Cars are Cholesterol shirt at Tee-Public! And everything else at http://theoverheadwire.com
Most people think the cholesterol number on their lab report tells them whether their heart is at risk. But former National Lipid Association President Dr. Kevin Maki explains that LDL is just one piece of a much bigger picture and focusing on it alone can mean missing the markers that matter most.In this episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with Dr. Kevin Maki, former President of the National Lipid Association and co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, to discuss:Why ApoB and Lp(a) are better predictors of heart risk than LDL and why only about 2% of people ever get Lp(a) testedWhat a beef-vs-chicken feeding study revealed about red meat and cholesterol (the LDL results came back identical at 112 mg/dL)The evidence behind the seed oil debate, including why higher linoleic acid levels tracked with lower inflammation markers across a 2,000-person datasetWhy the balance of cholesterol-raising and cholesterol-lowering foods matters more than saturated fat aloneThe simple "ABCs" framework: A1c, blood pressure, cholesterol - for actually lowering long-term cardiovascular riskBy the end, you'll know which numbers actually predict heart risk, which tests to ask your doctor for, and how to cut through the conflicting noise around fat so you can make evidence-based decisions for the long haul.Thank you to our sponsors:OneSkin - Get 15% off at https://bit.ly/4tZnOpk with code DRLYONBodyHealth - Use the code LYON20 to get 20% off your first order https://bit.ly/48SJ7AC Amp - Visit https://bit.ly/3RcmqBz to get your AI-powered at-home gym for smarter, personalized training.Explore More from Dr. Gabrielle LyonPremium Podcast Subscription: Ad-free episodes, key takeaway summaries, exclusive Q&A, and behind-the-scenes content https://foreverstrong.supercast.comWeekly newsletter: Recipes, podcast updates, and practical weekly insights https://drgabriellelyon.com/sign-up/Apply to become a patient: Personalized care with Dr. Lyon's clinical team https://drgabriellelyon.com/new-patient-inquiry/Find Dr. Kevin Maki at:Midwest Biomedical Research: https://www.mbclinicalresearch.com/ LinkedIn: / kevin-c-maki-phd-497ba34 Connect with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon/TikTok: @drgabriellelyon X (Twitter): https://x.com/drgabriellelyonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyon Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:31 - Dr. Kevin Maki and the National Lipid Association01:04 - New dietary guidelines and the LDL confusion02:04 - What raises and lowers LDL cholesterol03:51 - Cholesterol levels from birth through puberty05:11 - The lipid panel kids should get before age 1106:42 - Lp(a): the test only 2% of people get08:18 - ApoB and the three risky particle types11:35 - Do we have evidence for "lower is better"?14:09 - The FLASH-GLICK risk factor framework17:10 - The 10% saturated fat guideline explained19:36 - Many dietary patterns can be healthy24:50 - Beef vs. chicken: identical LDL results27:10 - The balance of fatty acids that matters29:24 - Olive oil vs. corn oil feeding study31:00 - Lower for longer: 40-year risk reduction34:15 - Genetic cholesterol disorders and risk40:33 - The omega-3 index and why it matters49:10 - Are seed oils really driving inflammation?53:11 - How seed oils are processed and refined1:07:48 - Inherited beliefs and outdated nutrition science1:08:54 - Butter vs. cheese and high-fat dairy surprises1:14:48 - Exercise effects on HDL and triglycerides1:21:20 - The ABCs of reducing cardiovascular riskIf you found this episode valuable, share it with someone who would benefit from it.Disclaimers: This episode includes paid sponsorships.The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.
Episode 2805 - Vinnie Tortorich and Anna Vocino discuss a cholesterol conundrum regarding CAC scores, numbers, and how to naturally balance those numbers. https://vinnietortorich.com/2026/05/a-cholesterol-conundrum-episode-2805 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Pure Vitamin Club Pure Coffee Club NSNG® Foods VILLA CAPPELLI EAT HAPPY KITCHEN YOU CAN WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE - @FitnessConfidential Podcast Vinnie's workout videos are available to purchase! Choose from a 2-day, 4-day, or 6-day workout–or buy all three at a discount! TO PURCHASE VINNIE'S WORKOUT VIDEOS, CLICK THIS LINK: https://vinnietortorich.com/workout A Cholesterol Conundrum Vinnie recently posted on social media about the Women's Health Initiative. (3:00) The problem with Google is that you can "Google yourself right," so you can always find confirmation bias. There is a growing awareness of what constitutes a "clean" product. (17:00) For example, Anna's spices do not have fillers, preservatives, or anti-caking agents. Vinnie shares a story about a recent consultation. (28:00) CAC scans (calcium score test) are a great guide to see if heart disease will be an issue for you. Repatha was recommended even though the patient's numbers were great, and his calcium score was zero. Consider exploring natural supplements and lifestyle changes to manage cholesterol. The Cholesterol Code movie by Dave Feldman provides good information on cholesterol levels and the benefits of a low-carb diet. Anna goes over some bloodwork numbers and wants to discuss with her doctor. (50:00) Remember that the number ranges given in the results are representative of the general population. (52:00) It is often recommended to take CoQ10 alongside a statin. Statins deplete CoQ10, which can lead to muscle damage. Anna's products are now linked to PureVitamin Club's website. Look under the "Food and Snacks" section so that you can purchase them there, too. (58:30) https://purevitaminclub.com/collections/food-and-snacks The NSNG® VIP GROUP IS NOW CLOSED AGAIN AS OF SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH Anna's next cookbook, Eat Happy Cocktail Hour, is filled with cocktails, mocktails, and appetizers and is available for pre-order right now. If you pre-order, you'll get bonus goodies! You can preorder from a wide variety of booksellers at https://eathappycocktailhour.com/ Save your receipt from wherever you preorder, you'll need it for your bonuses! Physical Release Date is October 2026 A New Sponsor Jaspr Air Scrubbers has a discount code, VINNIE, that gets you $200 off for a limited time. Jaspr offers a lifetime warranty. Go to Jaspr.co for more information or to purchase. (1:05:00) You can book a consultation with Vinnie to get guidance on your goals. https://vinnietortorich.com/phone-consultation-2/ More News Serena has added some of her clothing suggestions and beauty product suggestions to Vinnie's Amazon Recommended Products link. Self Care, Beauty, and Grooming Products that Actually Work! https://www.amazon.com/shop/vinnietortorich/list/3GPVU29UHHPMY?ref_=aipsflist Don't forget to check out Serena Scott Thomas on Days of Our Lives on the Peacock channel. "Dirty Keto" is available on Amazon! You can purchase or rent it here.https://amzn.to/4d9agj1 Please make sure to watch, rate, and review it! Eat Happy Italian, Anna's second cookbook, is available! You can go to https://eathappyitalian.com You can order it from Vinnie's Book Club. https://amzn.to/3ucIXm Anna's recipes are in her cookbooks, on her website, and on Substack —they will spice up your day! https://annavocino.substack.com/ PURCHASE DIRTY KETO (2024) The documentary launched in August 2024! Order it TODAY! This is Vinnie's fourth documentary in just over five years. Visit my new Documentaries HQ to find my films everywhere: https://vinnietortorich.com/documentaries Then, please share my fact-based, health-focused documentary series with your friends and family. Additionally, the more views it receives, the better it ranks, so please watch it again with a new friend! REVIEWS: Please submit your REVIEW after you watch my films. Your positive REVIEW does matter! PURCHASE BEYOND IMPOSSIBLE (2022) Visit my new Documentaries HQ to find my films everywhere: https://vinnietortorich.com/documentaries FAT: A DOCUMENTARY 2 (2021) Visit my new Documentaries HQ to find my films everywhere: https://vinnietortorich.com/documentaries FAT: A DOCUMENTARY (2019) Visit my new Documentaries HQ to find my films everywhere: https://vinnietortorich.com/documentaries
Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions The 2026 Cholesterol Revolution: PREVENT Scores, Hidden Risk Markers, and CAC ScansThe script explains how 2026 ACC/AHA guideline changes aim to make heart attacks more preventable by shifting from short-term “10-year risk” thinking to “lower for longer,” precision prevention, and primordial prevention starting earlier in life. It critiques the older Pooled Cohort Equations for underestimating risk in younger people and introduces the PREVENT equation, which adds 30-year risk plus kidney, metabolic, and social factors. It highlights lipoprotein(a) as a largely genetic once-in-a-lifetime test and hs-CRP as an inflammation marker, and emphasizes coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring as a tiebreaker for statin decisions (0, 1–99, ≥100). Cases illustrate these tools, including tighter LDL goals (
Are you lean, exercising and eating right, but yet, your cholesterol shows a different story? Maybe it's super high and you cant explain why? So, high cholesterol may not always be a problem… and we actually may be over-treating numbers and missing what what actually drive heart disease. We cover: Why high LDL doesn't always mean high risk The real role of statins vs newer medications and if and when to use them How genetics, diet, and metabolism change cholesterol response What actually improves cardiovascular health (beyond labs) The surprising tools you never heard of that may support vascular function Trained in conventional cardiology, Dr. Husain recognized early the limits of reactive medicine. That insight led him to pursue advanced training in preventive, functional, hormonal, and cellular-based therapies, integrating these disciplines into a deeply individualized approach to cardiovascular care. Beyond the clinic, he serves as an educator and scientific advisor, helping clinicians and organizations rethink how we assess cardiovascular risk, resilience, and overall long-term health. He is also a multi-sport athlete, artist, and lifelong learner, because he believes true health is not just measured in years lived, but in vitality, creativity, and meaning. Available to see new patients at Boulder Longevity Institute: https://boulderlongevity.com/about Upcoming Vascular medicine & Cardiology Health course for practitioners available at Next Generation Medicine https://www.nextgenerationmedicine.co/ Contact Dr. Abid Husain Instagram: @dr_abidhusain Facebook: @abid.husain.7712 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/abid-husain-md-facc-abaarm-00874419 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorAbidHusain Give thanks to our sponsors: Try Vitali skincare. 20% off with code ZORA here - https://vitaliskincare.com Get Primeadine spermidine by Oxford Healthspan. 15% discount with code ZORA here - https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/ZORA Get Mitopure Urolithin A by Timeline. 20% discount with code ZORA at https://timeline.com/zora Try MitoQ for optimal mitochondrial health. Code ZORA for 20% off https://mitoq.com/zora Join the Hack My Age community on: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hackmyage Facebook Page: @Hack My Age Facebook Group: @Biohacking Menopause Biohacking Menopause Private Women's Only Support Group: https://hackmyage.com/biohacking-menopause-membership/ Instagram: @HackMyAge Website: HackMyAge.com For partnership inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Some episodes of Hack My Age are supported by partners whose products or services may be discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation or earn a minor commission if you purchase through affiliate links at no extra cost to you. All opinions shared are those of the host and guests, based on personal experience and research, and do not necessarily represent the views of any sponsor. Sponsorships do not imply medical endorsement or approval by any healthcare provider featured on this podcast.
Two bodybuilding coaches with 20+ combined years of experience answer real questions about PEDs, contest prep, health and getting the most out of bodybuilding. Retatrutide, Clenbuterol, TRT, Tren, stage conditioning, cycle length and bodybuilding health — Andrew and Scott go deep into the real-world side of enhanced bodybuilding. From blood pressure meds and ancillaries to getting freaky strong, this episode covers the questions competitors actually ask behind the scenes. Plus listener physique critiques, old-school bodybuilding stories, and a discussion about Luke Sandoe, Dallas McCarver and Justin Compton. 0:00 Intro & Welcome Back to BSG Coaching Podcast 1:00 Retatrutide + Clenbuterol — Dangerous Combo or Effective Fat Loss Stack? 4:45 Performance Health Matrix Explained 7:45 Hormone Suppression in Natural Bodybuilders 11:45 When to Add Bodybuilding Ancillaries (Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, AI Use) 16:15 Gear for Maximum Strength & Freaky Power Gains 22:20 How Much Should You Increase Dosages Each Cycle? 27:00 Fullness vs Conditioning — What Wins on Stage? 30:30 Low Dose Tren as TRT Plus 30:45 Do You Need to Time Testosterone Shots Around Workouts? 37:00 Ideal Time Off Cycle to Keep Your Muscle Gains 40:00 Would Andrew Ever Make a Bodybuilding Comeback? 41:00 Muscle Loss vs Muscle Growth During a Diet Phase 47:00 Luke Sandoe vs Dallas McCarver vs Justin Compton 55:00 Scott's Personal Experience with Luke Sandoe 1:00:00 Listener Physique Critique #1 1:06:30 Listener Physique Critique #2 — Jr USA Prep Feedback 1:18:25 Behind The Scenes Talk
Eccentric Exercise: Better Results with Less Effort. Leyla Muedin, a registered dietitian nutritionist, discusses eccentric exercise and research suggesting it may deliver better results than strenuous workouts that cause muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). She explains contraction types—isometric, concentric, and eccentric—highlighting that eccentric contractions involve muscle lengthening during the lowering phase (e.g., lowering a dumbbell, walking downstairs) and can provide greater mechanical loading with lower perceived effort, less fatigue, and broad accessibility across ages and health conditions, though requiring more focus and control. She cites studies including stair-descending in elderly obese women improving cardiovascular function, insulin sensitivity, cholesterol, and strength, and a five-minute home routine (chair squats, wall pushups, chair reclines, heel drops) improving strength, flexibility, mental health, and encouraging continued exercise. She notes athletic benefits and the need for further research.
How can you overcome vitamin D deficiency on the carnivore diet without increasing your intake? Discover how the carnivore diet can improve gut health, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation to improve vitamin D absorption and help optimize its benefits naturally.
This week we're joined by Dabney Sanders, Project Manager of the Greensboro Downtown Greenway. We chat about opening the final section of the Greenway after 25 years of work, the amazing art projects on the route, and lessons for other cities wanting to build greenways. +++ Get the show ad free on Patreon! Find out about our newsletter and archive on YouTube! Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Substack ... @theoverheadwire Follow us on Mastadon theoverheadwire@sfba.social Support the show on Patreon http://patreon.com/theoverheadwire Buy books on our Bookshop.org Affiliate site! And get our Cars are Cholesterol shirt at Tee-Public! And everything else at http://theoverheadwire.com
Highlights from Dr. Hoffman's Scandinavian tripShould I eliminate the nightshade family of foods from my diet?My friend has been experiencing acid reflux since using a reverse osmosis water filtration system
Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) is suddenly all the rage because several drug companies are working on medications to lower this previously resistant form of cholesterol. Almost entirely genetic, unaffected by diet or lifestyle, it has numerous studies linking it to heart disease and aortic valve calcification. But it may not be the ticking time bomb some influencers like to claim. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Editor: Robyn Flynn Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: The genetic nature of Lp(a) levels: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1386087/ Prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in 500,000 US patients https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27659098/ Prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in 2.9 million Chinese adults https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40266173/ Prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in the INTERASPIRE study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40436467/ Variation of Lp(a) by sex: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27659098/ One of the many studies linking Lp(a) to cardiovascular disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33115266/ High Lp(a) and aortic stenosis: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1109034 FH and Lp(a) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32466883/ The ongoing Lp(a) trials https://familyheart.org/lpa-clinical-trials
Get Ashley's favorite heart-healthy supplements from: https://TakeYourSupplements.com Check out Dr. Kendricks awesome blog: drmalcolmkendrick.org Get his book: The Clot Thickens: The enduring mystery of heart disease: https://amzn.to/3Pszu5g
What if everything you've heard about cholesterol isn't the full story?On Believer's Voice of Victory, Courtney Copeland sits down with Dr. Don and Mary Colbert to reveal how cholesterol impacts healthy living. Learn why not all cholesterol is created equal and which numbers actually matter most.Tune in for this eye-opening conversation that will challenge common assumptions and empower you to take a smarter approach to your health.Mentioned in this episode:BVOV Podcast Link HubBVOV Podcast Link HubBVOV Podcast Link HubBVOV Podcast Link HubBVOV Podcast Link Hub
What if everything you've heard about cholesterol isn't the full story? On Believer's Voice of Victory, Courtney Copeland sits down with Dr. Don and Mary Colbert to reveal how cholesterol impacts healthy living. Learn why not all cholesterol is created equal and which numbers actually matter most. Tune in for this eye-opening conversation that will challenge common assumptions and empower you to take a smarter approach to your health.
Nick Norwitz has an MD, a PhD, and a cholesterol level that should have killed him — at least according to the standard model of cardiovascular disease. For seven years, his total cholesterol held above 700. His LDL sat in the high 500s. Every clinical algorithm flagged him as a cardiac emergency. He took none of the prescribed medications.His just-published case report shows zero coronary plaque. Not reduced. Not minimal. Zero.This episode isn't a victory lap. It's a serious conversation about what that result means — for how medicine measures risk, how it handles outliers, and why the incentive structures that shape clinical decisions may be more dangerous than any single cholesterol number. Dr. Philip Ovadia and Nick Norwitz also go deep on a fraudulent case report published in Circulation, why statins suppress GLP-1 levels and almost no cardiologist knows it, and what happens when the patient who refuses to follow the algorithm turns out to be right.#metabolichealth #cholesterol #ketodiet #heartdisease #LDLcholesterol #evidencebasedmedicine #lowcarb #preventivecardiologyBIG IDEAA patient with seven years of astronomically high cholesterol and zero coronary plaque is not an outlier to dismiss — he is a question medicine is obligated to answer.Nick Norwitz Contact InfoNewsletter: staycuriousmetabolism.com (Top 2 Best-Selling in Science, Globally)YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicknorwitzMDPhD (>1M Subscribers)Twitter: https://x.com/nicknorwitzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicknorwitz/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicknorwitz/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@nicknorwitzFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicknorwitzNick's Case Report:Seven Years of 700 Cholesterol Without CoronaryAtherosclerosis: A Lean Mass Hyper-Responder Case ReportSend Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, you must include your contact information.) Dr. Ovadia cannot respond here. To contact his team, please send an email to team@ifixhearts.com Order at Amazon: Stay Off My Kitchen Table Like what you hear? Head over to IFixHearts.com/book to grab a copy of my book, Stay Off My Operating Table. Ready to go deeper? Talk to someone from my team at IFixHearts.com/talk.Ready to take control of your health? Grab Dr. Ovadia's brand new book Stay Off My Kitchen Table now! This isn't just another diet book; it reveals why it's not just what you eat, but what your body actually absorbs that determines your health.If you're struggling with low energy, stubborn weight, or feeling like “healthy eating” isn't working… this book shows you exactly how to fix it.Learn how to reset your gutEliminate hidden foods sabotaging your progressUnlock real energy, metabolism, and longevityDon't wait until it's too late. Take action today. Get your copy of Stay Off My Kitchen Table now.Learn More:Take Dr. Ovadia's metabolic health quiz: iFixHearts Dr. Ovadia's website: Ovadia Heart HealthTheme Song : Rage AgainstWritten & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey (c) 2016 Mercury Retro RecordingsAny use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
AJ Pasciuti grew up in Sunnyvale, California, the son of Italian and Argentine immigrants. After 9/11 reshaped his sense of purpose, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division — one of the most storied units in the Corps — where he served as a rifleman and team leader. Over twenty-one years of service, he deployed three times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including the Battle of Fallujah. He led a Scout Sniper team that tracked and killed the most lethal enemy sniper in Iraq — a figure known as "Juba" — and recovered a stolen Marine sniper rifle in what was the first mission of its kind by an American service member since Vietnam. He went on to serve with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, deploying to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom and later with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. As an instructor, he taught at the Scout Sniper School at Camp Pendleton, created the Recon Team Leaders Course, and helped develop the Infantry Marine Course at School of Infantry–West, modernizing foundational training for enlisted Marines. Selected for the highly competitive Marine Gunner program, he became an Infantry Weapons Officer and rose to Chief Warrant Officer 3 before retiring from the Marine Corps in 2023. He holds a Master of Business for Veterans from the University of Southern California and a Master of Public Leadership from the University of San Francisco, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at the University of San Diego. He is the host of the Combat Story podcast and the author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, releasing May 19, 2026. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Go to https://helixsleep.com/SRS for 27% Off Sitewide Find candidates who really want YOUR job on ZipRecruiter. Try it FOR FREE at https://ziprecruiter.com/SRS Our listeners get the Harry's Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/srs #Harryspod For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com New customers can save 35% on your first month of Dose for Cholesterol by going to https://dosedaily.co/SRS or entering SRS at checkout. Go to https://meetfabric.com/SHAWN and apply today, risk-free. AJ Pasciuti Links: WEB - https://ajpasciuti.com/about IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti YT - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
☎️ Book Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULTATION and CALORIE CALCULATION Call: https://calendly.com/d/2p8-mxx-dgf/free-consultation-call-zoomHigh Cholesterol In Menopause - It has nothing to do with dietary cholesterol | MMP Ep. 240: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Nj8UUVrF6dHVQbtBkQorQ?si=OFOmYlpUR42Yp2Gvd9xsdwHeart disease is the number one cause of death in women — not cancer. And your risk doesn't just increase with age. It accelerates during perimenopause.The hormonal shift you are moving through right now isn't just about hot flashes and irregular periods. It is directly affecting your cholesterol, your blood pressure, your blood vessel flexibility, your insulin sensitivity, and your inflammatory load — and most women are never told this.In this episode, Stephanie breaks down exactly what estrogen does for your cardiovascular system, what happens when it drops, the five root-cause drivers that compound your risk during this transition, and what you can actually do about it — including what the most current research says about HRT and heart protection.This is the episode your doctor should have given you.
Hydrogen water—breakthrough or scam? Osteoporosis fixes; Nattokinase for cardiovascular prevention; Why vitamin D helps a subset of diabetics; When oral vitamin D doesn't work, sublingual D may normalize blood levels; Vitamin D found beneficial for colitis; Why fructose stokes food cravings; Flawed fluoridation study claims no IQ harms to kids.
In this powerful episode, Dr. Vaughn Lawrence shares about Biblical, holistic health and how sunlight, energy, and coffee impact your body and spirit.Sunlight & Biblical Health:
On this vintage episode of Vitality Radio, Jared takes a hard look at the cholesterol hypothesis and why it has failed to deliver true solutions for heart health. Instead of focusing on lowering cholesterol—a vital compound for hormones, brain function, and cellular integrity—he highlights the often-overlooked root cause: stiff, aging arteries. You'll learn how the blood vessels lose flexibility with age, stress, toxins, poor diet, and inactivity, and why this breakdown leads to high blood pressure and drives cardiovascular risk far more than cholesterol numbers alone. Jared explains the role of nitric oxide in reversing arterial aging and how natural boosters like beets, leafy greens, and amino acids support healthy nitric oxide production. This episode is about shifting the conversation: instead of suppressing what the body needs, learn how to encourage its own built-in repair and resilience mechanisms.Products:N.O. Cardio BoostVital D3/K2Ultimate Vitality MultiNutraBio Beet Root PowderSolaray Beet Root CapsulesNutraBio L-Citrulline PowderBlack Market Labs L-Citrulline PowderJust Ingredients Pre-Workout Visit the podcast website here: VitalityRadio.comYou can follow @vitalitynutritionbountiful and @vitalityradio on Instagram, or Vitality Radio and Vitality Nutrition on Facebook. Join us also in the Vitality Radio Podcast Listener Community on Facebook. Shop the products that Jared mentions at vitalitynutrition.com. Let us know your thoughts about this episode using the hashtag #vitalityradio and please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!Just a reminder that this podcast is for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the podcast. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The advice given is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.
Welcome back to this week's Friday Review where I can't wait to share with you the best of the week! I'm looking forward to reviewing: Strawberry DNS is Back! The High-Protein Plate (product review) Labels Don't Explain Outcomes (tip of the week) Lead in Toothpaste (research) Amla & Cholesterol (research) For all the details tune into this week's Cabral Concept 3752 – Enjoy the show and let me know what you thought! - - - For Everything Mentioned In Today's Show: StephenCabral.com/3752 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!
This week on the Talking Headways podcast we're joined by Cardozo Law professor Michael Pollack to talk about his new book Sidewalk Nation: The Life and Law of America's Most Overlooked Resource. Michael discusses who manages, owns, and feels ownership of sidewalks and advocates for a Department dedicated to them. We also talk about the nexus between sidewalks and roads, the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Denver's successful funding and maintenance referendum. +++ Get the show ad free on Patreon! Find out about our newsletter and archive on YouTube! Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Substack ... @theoverheadwire Follow us on Mastadon theoverheadwire@sfba.social Support the show on Patreon http://patreon.com/theoverheadwire Buy books on our Bookshop.org Affiliate site! And get our Cars are Cholesterol shirt at Tee-Public! And everything else at http://theoverheadwire.com
Heart Wellness Beyond Cholesterol | Root Causes of Weight Gain, Low Energy & Midlife Health with Angie Gallagher What if your body isn't broken… but simply responding to the signals it's receiving? In this episode of The Coach Debbie Potts Show, Debbie sits down with Angie Gallagher to explore what true heart wellness really means beyond cholesterol numbers—and why so many high-performing, health-conscious adults feel stuck despite doing all the "right" things. If you're dealing with stubborn weight gain, low energy, cravings, poor sleep, or feeling like your metabolism has slowed down in midlife… this conversation will connect the dots. We go beyond surface-level advice and unpack the deeper physiology driving your results—from metabolism and hormones to the nervous system and long-term cardiovascular health. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why you can feel stuck even when eating well and exercising consistently The root causes behind weight loss resistance and low energy How stress and nervous system dysregulation impact heart health Why cholesterol alone doesn't tell the full story The connection between blood sugar, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk Midlife hormonal changes and their impact on metabolism and body composition The shift from "survival mode" to a thriving, resilient state Simple daily habits to support long-term health and vitality Key Takeaway: Your body is always responding to the signals you're sending. When you shift those signals—through how you eat, move, recover, and manage stress—you can transform your metabolism, support your heart, and build a stronger, more resilient future. Ready to Take the Next Step? Learn more and schedule your Discovery Call to start building your personalized FutureYou Blueprint™:
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and high cholesterol is a major contributor – yet it often has no symptoms. You can feel healthy and still be at risk for heart attack or stroke. So what should you really know? Is it just about diet, and when should you get tested? In this episode, preventive cardiologist Ann Marie Navar, MD, PhD, breaks down what’s changed in how we understand cholesterol, why knowing your numbers matters, and how to take practical steps to protect your heart. We also address common concerns about statins and why they’re not something to fear. The key: partner with your doctor to build a plan that works for you long term. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Ann Marie Navar, MD, PhD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brett records an episode without Christina and Jeff and chats with Melissa Davis (The Mac Mommy) about her start as a mommy blogger and longtime Mac podcaster, her tech-support work, and the strange lack of closure when online friends disappear. They trade mental-health and chronic-illness updates, Adderall vs. Vyvanse, difficulty finding curious doctors, and being labeled “worried well.” Don’t worry, they nerd out on mechanical keyboards, Karabiner, and remapping keys. GrAPPtitudes include Bartender 6 Pro, Sortio for AI tagging, Sketch Party TV, and Karabiner. Sponsor OneSkin improves your skincare routine with science-backed skin care products. With over 10,000 five-star reviews and validation from clinical studies, OneSkin has made a name for itself in the skincare industry. If you’re interested in trying OneSkin for yourself, you can get 15% off your order with the code OVERTIRED at oneskin.co/OVERTIRED. Chapters 00:00 Meet Melissa Davis 00:56 Early Podcast Days 02:20 Tech Support Seniors 05:52 Digital Legacy Work 06:50 Sponsor: OneSkin 08:14 Mental Health Check In 08:34 Insomnia And Focus 13:19 Doing Time Tracker 16:04 Suspenders And Stenosis 20:18 Mobility And Home Hacks 22:10 Melissa Health Update 23:25 ADHD Meds And Mutations 25:25 Curious Doctors Matter 27:59 Vyvanse Vs Adderall 30:26 Tracking Mood With Data 32:27 Cane And Somatic Therapy 36:09 Somatics For EDS 36:50 Yoga Modifications 38:19 Polycystic Liver Shock 39:20 Fatphobia In Healthcare 40:56 Pole Dancing Reality Check 41:55 Mechanical Keyboard ASMR 45:56 Nail Art And Picking 49:09 Keyboard Layout Rabbit Hole 01:00:59 Shortcuts And Muscle Memory 01:03:12 GrAPPtitude App Picks 01:14:07 Karabiner Power Tips 01:17:30 Wrap Up And Thanks Show Links hEDS Doing Timing Royal Kludge Keyboard Gamakey Silent Linear Switches EPOMAKER Switch Benefit Section EPOMAKER AegisSil Keycaps Set SketchParty TV Karabiner Sortio Bartender Pro Day One Join the Conversation Merch Come chat on Discord! Twitter/ovrtrd Instagram/ovrtrd Youtube Get the Newsletter Thanks! You’re downloading today’s show from CacheFly’s network BackBeat Media Podcast Network Check out more episodes at overtiredpod.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Find Brett as @ttscoff, Christina as @film_girl, Jeff as @jsguntzel, and follow Overtired at @ovrtrd on Twitter. Transcript Nails and Keys with Melissa Davis (The Mac Mommy) [00:00:00] Meet Melissa Davis Brett: Hey, this is Brett Terpstra. I am without my usual cohorts, Christina and Jeff. Um, so I, I wanted to, you know, get a, get an episode out for all of you listeners, and I reached out to Melissa Davis, known as The Mac Mommy. Um, I don’t, I, I don’t know if they’re still known as The Mac Mommy, but in m- in my lifetime they have been. Um, Melissa, why don’t you introduce yourself, let people know, like, M-Ma- long time, like Mac personality, podcaster. Tell us where you came from. Melissa: Where did I come from? Outer space. Uh, I came from being a mom. I, I, I will admit, this is hard to admit, But I will admit I started out as a mommy blogger. That’s, like, kind of a bad word nowadays. Brett: back, back, yeah, this is way Back when Melissa: [00:01:00] Yeah. Early Podcast Days Melissa: so we’re talking, like… Well, my oldest is gonna be 20, Brett. My oldest is gonna be 20 this summer. End of, end of June he’ll be 20 years old. So that’s about how long I’ve been doing podcasting. I mean, I started, I started, like, when… Well, you know what? I started listening to Adam Christianson’s The MacCast Brett: But you know what? I started Sure. Like one of the very first podcasts, Yeah. Melissa: still, I still listen to him on the Mac Geek Gab. Like, his voice is just so soothing to me. I used to… Like, that was the f- Back when I had, I had, I remember I had, like, an old G4, uh, Quicksilver Mac, and in the stinky little back room of our old house. And I used to, I used to download the podcasts, burn them on a CD, put them in my Walkman, ’cause I didn’t have an iPod yet at the time. I wasn’t that… I was never really that cutting edge. And I’d burn them on a CD, I’d put the CD in my Walkman, and then I would sit and nurse, I would nurse my baby. I, [00:02:00] and I would have to tuck the, uh, the headphones, you know, I’d have the ear- the, the wired, kinda like I have now, uh, and tuck it behind my back, like, behind my shoulder, because otherwise he’d, like, yank on the cord. And I would just listen to podcasts while I nursed. And I… And then, uh, then I met Victor Cajiao, and I started just kind of being, like, a serial podcaster, showing up here and there, and then it just kinda grew from there. Tech Support Seniors Melissa: Um, and I do… So I do tech support. I’m an IT tech s- tech support person. I… People call me their computer guru. I mostly work with, uh, the senior population, our, our vintage people, which I, I’m slowly becoming one of them. We’re all, we’re all gonna go that way. Brett: I feel like anyone who does Mac tech support deals with probably an, a, a population that skews older. Melissa: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, it’s actually, it’s actually more– I will say it’s actually more difficult to work with somebody younger. Like, especially people my age or people [00:03:00] that are like, say, in their sixties I consider pretty young, 70 even. Uh, yeah, so but it’s, you know, the people are so, so interesting. You can learn so much. I love working with this population because they’re like encyclopedias, and the stories they tell you and the things you learn, it’s pretty amazing. And I could just, I could just spend– I have actually spent all day with some of them. Some of us just have really great chemistry and, you know, it’s… They– I, I’m also– I have ADHD, that’s no secret. And I think when you get older, um, not– it doesn’t affect everybody, but I do see a lot of what could be either they, they have ADHD or it’s like a– Brett: they have Melissa: of creeps in and it’s just a natural process of aging, cognitive decline. So, yep. Brett: have a lot of patience. Sure. S- some of my, some of my most interesting relationships over the last 10 years have been with, uh, Mac users in their late 70s, [00:04:00] 80s. And, uh, like they’ve been– They’re very– Like, they’re definitely… The people that I’ve known have been technically capable and very interested in learning. That’s why they follow me. That’s how I meet them, right? They’re like, they read my blog, which is just all nerd stuff. And, and so they’re, they’re technically competent, and they’re doing things that I can only aspire to be doing in my 70s and 80s. Um, I had a guy who was writing his memoirs at, in between like mountain bike rides. And so here’s the thing, though, is when you, when you know someone online and they’re in their 80s and you stop hearing from them for a Melissa: Yes. Yes. Brett: you have to assume that they have passed on. and that is sad, and you never really get any closure because you don’t know their friends or family. You [00:05:00] never get like a notice, an obituary. You don’t, you don’t know where these people go, um, and you don’t know how to check in on them once your normal channels of communication are severed. Melissa: Yeah, we’re at that age where we probably start reading the obituaries. Like, I haven’t heard from so-and-so in a while. Let me check the obits." Brett: I had, I had– Before NVUltra went on for, what’s it, like five years now, uh, without a release, um, I had a project called BitWriter with David Halter. And Melissa: remember you mentioning that, yeah. Yeah, and you wondered. Mm-hmm. Brett: he stopped responding. Melissa: you find out any at all? Any, Any, concrete… Brett: Nothing. I have put feelers out everywhere I can think of. I have no idea what happened to him. Melissa: went Richard Simmons, huh? Brett: yeah. Yeah. With less Melissa: No contact. No contact. Aw. Digital Legacy Work Melissa: I, I’m lucky that, uh, in my line of [00:06:00] work, I do typically hear from the family if they’ve passed on, because I form kind of a bond with a lot of people. I, I typically don’t lose clients unless they die, so… Brett: and you have some, like, in real life connections to Melissa: Oh, yeah. Yeah, I do, I do both. I do… I have some clients where I’ve never met them in person, I’ve only ever done remote. Uh, and then, but most of my clients are, are local, the majority of them. But I, I still s- see them remotely too, so yeah. I’ve, I’ve actually been hired by some people, um, mostly I’ve had two male clients who they got a terminal illness, they knew they were terminal, and they followed me online and they pretty much hired me to take care of their surviving spouse. So that, that was… that’s a difficult thing, but I’m just honored that they chose me to, to help them out with that. So I’ve kind of been a bit of a digital undertaker in that regard. Sponsor: OneSkin Christina: I want to take a moment to share something that has significantly improved my skincare routine, OneSkin. [00:07:00] So we all have those days when our skin doesn’t feel its best, and I’ve certainly been in that boat, especially recovering from surgery. And I was tired of navigating through endless products that promised results, but often fell short. And that’s when I discovered OneSkin. It was founded by scientists dedicated to longevity, and this brand stands out for its commitment to real science over marketing hype. They tackle the fundamental question of how to actually slow down skin aging rather than just masking it. And their groundbreaking ingredient is, uh, ZeroS01, and it’s a proprietary peptide designed to help deactivate the damaged cells that contribute to aging skin. Since incorporating OneSkin into my routine, I’ve actually been noticing some improvements. My skin feels smoother. It looks more vibrant. Um, it’s definitely more moisturized, and so this is benefiting from its focus on supporting collagen and strengthening the skin barrier. With over 10,000 five-star reviews and validation from clinical studies, OneSkin has made a name for itself in the skincare industry. If [00:08:00] you’re interested in trying OneSkin for yourself, you can get 15% off your order with the code OVERTIRED at oneskin.co/overtired. That’s 15% off at oneskin.co/overtired using the code OVERTIRED. Thank you for supporting our show by checking them out Mental Health Check In Brett: Um, so do you wanna do a mental health Melissa: Sure. Brett: I, I know, I know you’ve listened to the show before. I know you know how this works. Melissa: how this works. Brett: Would you like to start? Melissa: I think I would like to hear you start, and then I’ll, I’ll add on Brett: that sounds good. Insomnia And Focus Brett: Um, so sleep continues to be a major issue for me. Um, I actually for four days in a row last week, I got eight hours of sleep a night, which was insane. I felt so good. Um- The first night… So I take [00:09:00] Lamictal for bipolar, and if I miss my evening dose, I crash and I sleep in the next morning, and I sleep soundly. Like, it’s the best sleep I can get. And then I wake up and all of a sudden the withdrawal kicks in, and then I’m shaky and dizzy for half an hour after I take the dose. Um, but that’s after, like, a solid night of sleep, and it never works two nights in a row. And, like, I’ve tried, like, maybe if I take Lamictal in the mornings instead of the evenings, maybe I’ll sleep through the night. It doesn’t work after that first missed dose. Um, but then I just, without making any changes in my lifestyle, started sleeping, and I thought finally after, like, two years of insomnia, I had turned a corner, because I can’t remember the last time I got eight hours of sleep for more than two nights in a [00:10:00] row. And then it ended, and then I was up. I’ve been up since 2:30 today. Melissa: I wondered, yep. Brett: I mean, I went to bed at 8:00, so that’s still nine, 10, 11, 12, 11, Melissa: I actually dozed off on the couch around 8:30. Like, if only I could just be in my bed right now, just be, like, transported. Yeah. Oh. Brett: Oh, I, I wish. If I could go back to bed… Like, sometimes I’ll, I’ll lay back down around 7:00 or 8:00 and get, like, another half hour of sleep, but it’s really that, like, uninterrupted block of deep sleep that I need, not… I take naps during the day, and I can usually fall asleep for half an hour, um, given that I’m usually functioning on five hours of sleep anyway. But anyway, um, I– That, that’s just kind of par for the course for me, so, like, any, any of our listeners know that that’s gonna be the first thing I report. Melissa: are you, [00:11:00] like, kinda competing? Like, are you trying to get eight hours because that’s what’s prescribed? Have you ever thought about Brett: be- actually, what works eight and a half, like I’ve, I’ve… Back when I had the option to sleep more than five hours, like, I did a lot of kind of experimentation and Melissa: know where your sweet spot is. Brett: Well, it… See, the sweet pot- spot changes as you age, though, and you need less sleep as you get older. So, so I can’t say for sure that eight and a half hours is still my sweet spot. Um, and I think honestly, if I can sleep seven hours, I feel pretty good, and I consider seven hours a good night’s sleep. Melissa: Yeah, ’cause mine’s like between four and six. Brett: really? Yeah. See, Melissa: feel Brett: I don’t function well. Oh, I don’t function well on anything less than seven hours. Melissa: I just have a love-hate relationship with sleep. I just don’t– I just hate to sleep. I just would rather be doing other things. Life is [00:12:00] just too interesting. Brett: I get that. I– get that. I– as someone who’s bipolar and has had like manic episodes where I’m up for five days straight, like I, I love not sleeping. Um, w- when, when I have the mania to give me energy and back it up. It’s when I’m just dragging all day and feel like a zombie. The thing– The, the plus side to it is the more tired I am, up to a certain point, the better I can focus. Like my brain slows down and it’s really easy for me to get into hyperfocus. And like most mornings I’m up at, you know, 2:30, 3:00 and I just start coding. And I can not only hyperfocus, but I can switch focus between three or four different projects like simultaneously. I hit compile on one, I move on to the next one, and I can rotate [00:13:00] through them and like keep track of all of it. And then right around 10:00 AM, my ability to do that ends and suddenly I like flip to a project and I cannot for the life of me remember what I was doing, which is why I’ve spent my life building note-taking apps and, and time tracking tools. Melissa: Yep, same thing. Doing Time Tracker Brett: dude, h- d- I don’t… You might not be familiar with my project Doing. Melissa: N-no, but I– you alluded to something. that’s not what you’re working on with Dan though, is it? Brett: No, no, that’s gonna be Melissa: Dan on that too. I, I, don’t know what it is yet, but yeah, I’m, I’m Brett: Oh, it’s… Yeah, it’s gonna be cool. Melissa: that’s so exciting. Brett: no, Doing is a command line tool where you can type things like, “Doing now podcasting with Melissa,” and it starts a timer for like what I’m doing now, and then I can ask it if I leave and come back, I can say, “What was I doing?” And it’ll tell me, [00:14:00] “You’re podcasting with Melissa.” Obviously, that’s a weird example ’cause I’m not gonna leave in the middle of this. But then it can give you like totals, time, tag-based time totals, uh, for your week and everything. It can show you like what you finished yesterday. Um, it’s not so much a task tracking app as it is a tool for keeping track of what you’re doing in the moment. Um, for, for people like me who switch between four projects at once, it’s really handy. And some guy, some fucking guy Melissa: Some fucking guy. Brett: it, rewrote it in Rust, and it is really good. it is really good. Uh, he like, I- Oh yeah, I use Melissa: Okay, ’cause Brett: This is, this is separate. this is this is a little more ‘ intentional than Timing. Um, I use both. They kind of work together, and Doing can actually import Timing’s JSON exports. So you can turn your, you can turn [00:15:00] all your Timing data into command line, uh, readable Doing files. Um, but anyway, this guy rewrote it in Rust with my permission, and he gave me full credit on the page. And I think I’m switching ’cause Doing is written in Ruby, and Ruby is slow, and Rust is fast. And like my Doing file where it stores all of my current projects, like my Doing items, gets so big that it can take Doing like up to five seconds to respond when I ask it, “What was I doing today?” Which is five seconds is a long time on the command line. Um, and his Melissa: pretty instantaneous. Brett: his version is like 100 milliseconds. Boom. But anyway, Melissa: It’s almost like you built your own little AI thing. Like, what was I doing? What Brett: kinda, kinda, yeah. Melissa: you doing, Dave? Brett: This is, this [00:16:00] was built long before AI was a common thing, but the other thing that’s contributing to my mental health Suspenders And Stenosis Brett: is suspenders. Melissa: Ah, yes. Brett: So I have I have gained 100 pounds, um, not, n-not of my own choice, but like I had rapid weight gain and I recently got a stenosis diagnosis, which I hate the Melissa: telling you, I’m telling you, we’re like 23 and me here. I’ve got that too. Brett: apparently during one of my, like when I gained 50 pounds in like six weeks, my body was looking for places to store all the new fat and decided my spine might be a good place for that. Um, so I have fat in my spine and I have degrading discs. This is separate from my love of suspenders, so I’ll get back to [00:17:00] that. I, um, Melissa: Wait till you get it in your eyeballs. Brett: Oh, for real? Melissa: Yeah, you can have… I have, um, what’s it called? Cholesterol. Yeah, if you look at your eyes really close, if you see like a white kind of w- ridge around your irises, that’s cholesterol. Brett: Oh, wow. Yeah, I hope, I hope that hasn’t happened yet, but who knows? Um, Melissa: Brings out Brett: I– So I have all this, I have all this extra weight and I had a lot of trouble with belts. A, belts hurt ’cause they dig into my, my gut, and they don’t really work. I, every, every time I stood up, my butt crack showed and I had to like wiggle my pants up. And then I I tried a pair of suspenders and it was like a l- a switch had been flipped. All of a sudden my pants just stayed up without any constriction around my waist, just like they just stayed with me wherever I went. And now I can, [00:18:00] I can tuck my shirts in and it actually looks kinda cool when you got the suspenders look going on. Which means, so like for a long time I only wore one brand of shirt, um, and because they, it was, it fit my belly and it was long enough and like it wasn’t, wasn’t baggy around the top and didn’t hang off my belly like a muumuu. Melissa: Mm-hmm, Brett: And like, so I, I, I only wore this brand of shirt and I own like 15 of them, and I would just cycle through Melissa: dresses, they’re just your Walmart $10 cotton tank dress. Love it. Brett: Yeah. But now that I can tuck my shirts in and feel okay about it, I can buy those extra large nerd shirts, ones with funny slogans and stuff on them. And normally those would hang straight down off my belly, and I hate the way that looks. But now I can tuck those in, which means I can get back to wearing funny, [00:19:00] ironic T-shirts, and it, it’s like opening up a whole new world of possibilities Melissa: That is a bonus for mental health. Brett: every day now I put on my suspenders and it makes me happy. Um, Melissa: wonderful. It’s almost like a, like a mobility aid. Brett: Kinda, yeah. Melissa: yeah. Brett: of, I– So I, I have a monopod, um, like a tripod that folds up into a walking stick, and it’s nice and light and it is an adjustable height ’cause it’s designed to be used as a camera tripod. Um, and I’ve started walking with it Melissa: yeah. kinda like you’re Brett: I c- yeah. Yeah. Like one of my fat friends has s- literal like ski poles. They’re like half height ski poles and they walk with them and it helps them a ton, and I Melissa: Yeah, hikers use those. Brett: try that out. But a walking stick [00:20:00] really does help with my stenosis, but I can still, even with a stick, I can only walk for about five minutes, which is about .3, Melissa: Yeah. Brett: 3, .3 miles. Um, and then I have to stop and sit, and it’s been a real pain, literally. Mobility And Home Hacks Melissa: And is standing difficult, too? Brett: standing is worse than walking. Melissa: thing, yeah. Standing’s worse. Brett: Yeah. Like if I am in the kitchen and I’m at the stove cooking, before the onions start to brown, I have to sit Melissa: Yeah. Yep. Brett: Uh, so we now have a stool in our kitchen, Melissa: Do you have one in the shower? Brett: yes. Well, our shower, our shower has a nice, like the back of the tub is a seat. Melissa: Oh, okay. Yeah. Brett: I don’t know if this house was designed by old people or not, but, um, but it’s certainly everything is relatively [00:21:00] accessible in that way. Um, but the stool in the kitchen means I can cook dinner. Emptying the dishwasher is the worst for me. That just like bending over, picking stuff up, and then just moving back and forth, like the five feet across our kitchen. My– I, it takes me three stops, three rests to get a dishwasher emptied. Um, and then I’m kind of ruined after that. I hate it. And I hate that I Melissa: stress mat? Brett: What’s that? Oh, you mean Melissa: mat to stand on? Gotta get, gotta Brett: think that would help? Melissa: Oh, yeah. Yeah, I have Brett: used to have one Melissa: and one in front of the kitchen, and I don’t even, I don’t even, do the cooking. Brett: Ha. I used to, I used to have one of those in front of the stove when I w- when I didn’t have pain, but just because I was really getting into cooking and I was spending a lot of time, and I was starting to feel it in my knees. Um, yeah, maybe I should do Melissa: I think it’s a fatigue [00:22:00] mat, I think they call it. Brett: Yeah. Melissa: Yeah, Brett: That sounds Melissa: plus they look cool if you get little designs on them and stuff. Yeah. Oh, we could spend the day talking about just mobility aids and ergonomics and all that kind of stuff. Melissa Health Update Brett: Well, it’s your turn. Talk about whatever you like. Melissa: Yeah, you give me some ideas to talk about. Um, yeah, I struggle with a lot of the same things that you do. Um, I’m always like kinda comparing notes every time you post something. I’m like, "Oh No, ‘Cause you talked about Have you … You haven’t started the injections yet, have you? Brett: No, and they just delayed those. I don’t get them until like June 20th or something. Melissa: nervous about those for you, because I’ve had those and I’ve decided to just swear off them, so I’ll just kinda give you just a heads-up. I mean, it does raise your blood sugar, so that’s not great, and, um, it can give you the roid rage, kinda make you angry, so that’s something to watch out for, and more weight gain, so …But it’s like one of those things where you just have to kinda try [00:23:00] it and see if it works, because if it does work, then you could be more mobile and then maybe drop a few pounds and get some of that weight off of your spine. But if it doesn’t work, just know that that can happen, Brett: my doctor did not mention any of those side effects, so good to Melissa: Yeah. Yeah. It’s, it’s the chronic life, so that’s, that’s what, that’s what, uh, affects my mental health, so I’m, I’m really good at faking it. I am actually … I will say I’m actually feeling a little bit more even. ADHD Meds And Mutations Melissa: I’m on, uh … I love when you talk about different prescriptions and stuff. Uh, I just mentioned, so I’m taking Adderall. That is, ugh, it’s a mixed bag. Um, I wanted to ask you about Vyvanse, cause that’s the next thing for me, but it’s, like, super expensive, so I’m trying to make Adderall work as best I can, but I’m, I’m in the process of playing with the dosage. But I think she told me, like, the highest was 30. The thing is, uh, I’ve had genetic testing done, and [00:24:00] I have this condit- not a condition, but it’s a I’m a mutant. It’s a genetic mutation called, it’s, it’s just initials. It’s MTHFR, lovingly known as Brett: you process your, your, chemicals twice as … fast. I have Melissa: Yes, faster processing in the liver. So that’s when she told me, ’cause she started, uh, me out on methylphenidate, and I was like, “Well, what about Adderall?” Because it, I see it work for my kids, you know? The kids are chip off the old block, right? And so I’ve had them tested too, and all three of us are positive for that. It’s lovelin- lovingly known as the motherfucker gene mutation. Um, yeah, so, and it is. It’s, it’s quite a bitch, um, ’cause it causes a whole bunch of other problems. And of course, we’ve talked about Ehlers-Danlos, so I have, uh, hypermobile Eh- Ehlers-Danlos. I’m having a hard time … I’m just having a hard time with that in general, mental health wise, because there’s just not enough awareness about it, enough people, and doctors, doctors and nurses. And you know, I’ll, I’ll say I wanna, I would love to be able to get [00:25:00] to a point where I can just say, “I have H-E-D-S,” or heads or what- however they’re gonna pronounce it, and, like, somebody know what that is when I go in for an appointment. But I still have to explain it, you know? And then that, that cuts into my time. ‘Cause they only … When you’re, when you’re our age, they only give you, like, 15 minutes, if that. When you’re much older, ’cause I’ve had to take, I’ve had to take family members to the doctor, they get a whole lot more time. But, uh, you know, it’s like, "Oh, you’re, you’re too young to be this sick. You’re too young to be this old," Brett: Right. Yeah. Curious Doctors Matter Brett: Um, I did– I found that doctor for me that knew exactly what all those acronyms meant, knew exactly, like, not only did they know what POTS was, they knew like seven different kinds of POTS and what tests to use to narrow it down. And then she got called up to National Guard Melissa: Oh, I wondered, I wondered, what happened to that doctor, ’cause it sounded so Brett: I waited. I was on a, I was on– I w- I had an appointment scheduled that was gonna be six months from the time she [00:26:00] left. Um, and I had it scheduled, and it was on July 7th. And then I got a letter in the mail saying that her Guard duty had been extended, and now I can’t see her again until September. And, like, I’ve, I’ve tried seeing other doctors that work with her, but none of them have the knowledge she has, and it was such a relief Melissa: Is this the curious one? Okay. I always think about you whenever I’m either looking for a provider or in the, in the midst of, of getting, you know, shuffled around to a new provider. I’m like, “I hope they’re curious,” ’cause that made– that meant so much to me when you explained about how a doctor needs to be curious. I’m like, “That’s what I need.” I need somebody… Or even just my therapist. I have a new, a new therapist that I see, and she’s really curious, and I really, really like that about her. That’s something that helps with mental health, is when somebody’s curious, ’cause I’m Brett: it goes h- it goes hand in hand with credulousness. Like, [00:27:00] first they have to be willing to believe you, and like, especially when it comes to invisible issues like EDS. Like, you have to be willing to believe a person and then be curious enough to look for answers. Like, the first step is believing, and the second step is curiosity. Melissa: Yes. I’ve already had my patient record marked as… Have you ever heard this one? Worried well. Brett: No. Melissa: I looked it up. It’s basically hypochondriac. Brett: Yeah, that’s what I was gonna guess. That Melissa: Yep. I actually– I was proud of myself because I actually did confront the doctor about it and I said, “What does this mean?” I said, “I, I looked it up and it kinda concerns me ’cause it makes me look like a hypochondriac.” And she said, "Oh, no, no, that’s just a, a code that we use when we don’t have something else to assign to it so that insurance will pay." Bullshit. Brett: Yeah, right? I feel like that’s exactly the kind of [00:28:00] thing insurance doesn’t pay. Melissa: Mm-hmm. so Vyvanse Vs Adderall Brett: what do you wanna know about Vyvanse? Melissa: Um, a- and I know it’s different for everybody, but I just kinda wondered what your take was on it. Um, how– can you compare it to Adderall at all for me, Brett: Yeah. Melissa: no comparison? Brett: it’s basically a non-abusable, I would call it lower lying version of, of Adderall. Like, it’s in the same family of stimulant as Adderall, but it can’t– It isn’t processed or it’s… I don’t remember how the mechanics of it work, but you can’t snort it basically. Like, it doesn’t, it doesn’t do anything Melissa: Which I wouldn’t wanna do anyway ’cause there’s nothing up here. Brett: Sure. Sure. And then, yeah, I’m not suggesting that was gonna be a problem for you. Um, but it’s also, like, it’s way, um, for me anyway, it’s way calmer. [00:29:00] Um, and there are people that say it doesn’t do anything at all. Um, especially a lot of people, a lot of people say the generic version doesn’t do anything, um, and that the name brand version does, but I haven’t found that to be true. Like the generic, which you’re correct, still costs like 200 bucks a month, um, for the generic. Um, but it is– It’s not my favorite. Melissa: I wondered why– what made you stop taking it. Did it just not work for you? Brett: No, I still take Vyvanse. Um, yeah. Um, I used to take, um, Focalin, which I loved. Melissa: That really worked for my kiddo, yep. Brett: but it also triggered my mania, Melissa: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Brett: so I was always walking this line of like, do I wanna be super productive and manic with like weeks of depression in between, [00:30:00] or do I just wanna be somewhat productive and stable? Um, which is why I’ve stuck with Vyvanse, and my doctor loves it enough for me that she won’t, she won’t prescribe anything else for me at this point. Like, I’ve asked about switching. I’ve asked about moving back to Adderall and things like that, but, Melissa: It seems like you’re, like you’re kinda on an evening out. Brett: Yeah, I haven’t had a manic episode for a couple years now. Tracking Mood With Data Melissa: Do you track it? Do you– Like, have you ever seen those– I keep seeing these ads for it ’cause, you know, the algorithm feeds us the stuff for wearables that are, um, called– I think it’s called Visible, so it makes your symptoms more visible instead of invisible. Like, do you track it? Do you Have you nerded out on your own data? Brett: like my mania and depression? Melissa: Yeah, like do you track it and look at graphs or anything like that to Brett: See, I’ve never had to use an external tool because I can just look at GitHub contribution graphs, and I can look at [00:31:00] my RSS feed, and I can see exactly, like for a period of like eight years, I can pinpoint exactly where my manic episodes were, um, because that data is historically preserved out there on the internet for all to see. Um, it’s, yeah, it’s– Well, and that’s, like I built tools that gathered that, those various sources of data. Um, and then there was a, a tool called, um, I forget. Melissa: cool, though? Hmm. We’ll think Brett: But it could pull, it could pull in all that data. Um, Bell Beth Cooper, Hello Code, I can’t remember the name of the app. Melissa: Yeah, it’ll come to you eventually. Brett: sure. Uh, but it could pull in like your GitHub, uh, commits along with like what the weather was at the time, how many songs you listened to that Melissa: Oh, day one sorta does that, yeah. Brett: Does it now? Melissa: A little bit, yeah, your locations, [00:32:00] um, if you turn on some of those things. Like not– I don’t think it does the music and things like that, but Brett: I haven’t used it for a while. I haven’t used it for a Melissa: I was gonna switch to the journal app. I was actually really… I held off on upgrading to Tahoe for the longest time, but that one kept nagging at me ’cause I thought, oh, you know, maybe. I mean, as much as I love Day One, I, I thought about, I thought about actually switching over, but no. I tried it. I’m, I’m gonna stick with Day One. Brett: Cool. All right. Cane And Somatic Therapy Brett: Um, so did you have, did you have more to add to your Melissa: Oh, I was gonna, I was gonna add on to what you were talking about with the suspenders. I did start… I think you probably… Well, yeah, you commented on it. Um, I started using a cane, and that I have mixed feelings about that. Um, I should have brought it in here so I could show you. I’ll show you later, ’cause, uh, anyway, it’s, it’s purple. I did get a pimp cane. That’s what my husband calls it. I thought, damn it, if I’m gonna use, like, a cane, then it’s gonna be [00:33:00] purple, and I’m gonna like looking at it, as much as I hate to use it, so. So I’ve been trying to use it. I… What you were talking about with, uh, with finding a curious doctor, I do have new physical therapist, um, so I’m really happy about that. Same kind of thing where she’s super booked. I think that’s just how it is. Like, the really good ones, they’re good, and, you know, it shows because it’s, it’s hard to get in to see them. So yeah. So I’m, I’m looking forward to that. We’re gonna be doing… Have you heard of somatic therapy? Brett: Yeah. Melissa: Yeah. So ha- have you tried it? Do, do you like it? Okay. That’s, that’s what I’m embarking on. Brett: I actually have a friend who teaches classes in it. Melissa: Oh, Al probably knows about that. Brett: y- yeah, Melissa: Yeah, I’ll, I’ll Brett: and it is, it is amazing how hard just doing things, doing motions you’re used to, but doing them very slowly and intentionally. It is like you– Just like, Just like, doing y- like a clamshell where you drop your knee, you’re [00:34:00] on your back and you drop your knee down to the side and bring it back up. Like that motion, most of us, even infirmed people can do that okay. You try to take… You try to do that and take like five breaths in each direction, and you’ll start shaking. It’s very Melissa: Ah, uh-huh. Yep. Brett: Yeah, but it’s good. Like it’s g- it really retrains your muscles. It really, it strengthens, retrains, and helps with, uh, finer motor control. Melissa: Oh, that’s interesting. Yeah, I, I’m, I’m a little bit on the skeptical end of it, so that’s why I’m, I’m glad that, that you, you vouch for it too. It’s like I know that it works, but I just… I guess I wanna understand the science of it a little bit more. Like, for example, I’ve tried, uh, acupuncture, and I just didn’t feel like it did, did anything for me. I think you have to be, like, a believer, and I just Brett: think so. Melissa: I, I, I even did that on purpose knowing that I kinda felt like it wasn’t gonna work. I was like, well, what if I just go into this? ‘Cause, [00:35:00] ’cause I talk to people and they’re like, "Well, you have to believe in it." I’m like, but what if I don’t? I just don’t, you know? I’m, I see it Brett: it’s not medicine if you have to believe in it. Melissa: Yeah. I mean, I see it work for other people. I know there’s, you know, such a thing as placebos and things like that, and I don’t know, it’s, it’s woo-woo and I, I, I like woo-woo stuff. I, it just, it didn’t do anything for me, so… It’s not to say that it doesn’t work for other people, but it just did not work for me, and I, I kind of, I, maybe I just, uh, did that on purpose when I, I try- probably just tripped myself up going into it thinking, well, I just don’t believe it, so if it works, then there must be science behind it. And then, then, I’ll believe. But it didn’t work out, so. So the, I’m a little bit on the fence about the somatic thing, but the, the, the gal that I’m working with is just so, she has EDS herself, and like, like what you were saying, like, she, she knows all about it and she could even, you know, tell me the, the type that she has, and I was like, I met, I met, actually last week I met two zebras in one week. [00:36:00] You, you’re familiar with the, the zebra mascot? If you, uh, the saying goes, if you hear hooves, think horses. But we’re not horses, are we? Yeah, so Yeah, so that’s, that’s our, our Somatics For EDS Melissa: EDS Brett: somatic– somatics you don’t have to believe in for them to work. Melissa: Okay, that is Brett: it’s an actual physical therapy method that trains the finer muscles, um, that surround your larger muscles and, and strengthens those, and it– Yeah, it’s for real. It’s, yeah, it’s not like a… It’s soma- I think, Melissa: w- totally Brett: ’cause I I had the same reaction when someone said somatics, ’cause I think, “Oh, that’s some holistic idea of the body, um, of soma,” and it’s… No, it’s, it’s got legit physical therapy behind it. Melissa: And, Yoga Modifications Melissa: you used to do a lot of yoga too, so that probably makes Brett: I still do. Melissa: Yeah? That’s [00:37:00] wonderful. Brett: it’s gotten really hard. Um, I can’t, I can’t– So I get dizzy Melissa: Yeah. Brett: going from sitting to standing, um, and my back gives out if I am in, like, horse or warrior two for more than a couple minutes. Um, and I can’t do cobras because I have a belly like a nine-month pregnancy. Um, so I have to do, like, prenatal yoga, um, which is actually a thing. Melissa: that’s a good idea. I’m glad you brought that up. I should look Brett: a- and I do chair yoga, um, where I I take the class that everyone else takes, but I modify it to work with… Like, there, there are defined moves that you do with a chair instead of. Instead of doing down dog, you do, like, a 90-degree down dog holding the back of a chair. Um, and you put, like, a knee on the chair to do warrior two, so you’re actually [00:38:00] resting. And Um, and you can do it fully seated too and get at least the arm exercises out of it. So I’ve been trying to maintain, maintain flexibility and some endurance. I’m not doing yoga the way I used to do it, but I am still Melissa: I’ve seen some of your poses. It’s pretty impressive. Brett: Yeah, back in the day. Melissa: W- when you could be upside down. Polycystic Liver Shock Melissa: I should look into that because I, you know, although I’m done having babies, like far done having babies, I have… You probably know about this too, I have polycystic liver disease, which is a really rare type of liver disease, and it’s not fatty liver. Oh my God, I have to keep telling doctors that. That’s the other thing. It’s like, it is not fatty liver. It is not. It- they’re cysts. It’s a totally different thing. I’m basically full of bubbles. So I… But it feels like that’s why I went in to get it. I didn’t actually get that checked. I found it accidentally when I went in for an heart, for a heart CT. That’s when they found it, and for a, a breast MRI, so [00:39:00] both those, those types of scans caught it. The other parts were fine, so my heart’s fine, so that’s a relief. But yeah, so this was a bit of a shock. And so I don’t know exactly what it means moving forward, um, but my entire liver is, like, engulfed in cysts, so. Right? But my blood work is, is fantastic right now, so I’m just gonna keep Brett: That’s good. Melissa: hoping it stays that way. Brett: That’s something. Fatphobia In Healthcare Brett: Um, I I have heard for a long time about, um, doctors being fatphobic and, and always assuming that, um, always assuming that your health i-issue is because you’re fat and not even looking for underlying issues, which has been an interesting experience for me because that really never happened to me. Melissa: Mm. Brett: Um, at least not once I switched to Gundersen from, like, a local clinic. Then I realized that it’s not just being fat that gets you [00:40:00] stigmatized, it’s being a fat woman. Melissa: Mm, I was gonna say try having a uterus and being Brett: yeah. Yeah. Um, like I talked to one of my best friends, April, who he’s, has been on Melissa: by, women doctors. Brett: Yeah. Yeah. And that’s, that’s what April tells me. She tells me all these horror stories. Even after finding care she trusted, she still has to deal with people saying, “Well, if you just lost some weight.” Like, she’s been fat her whole life. She’s in better shape than most skinny people Melissa: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Brett: I mean, she does sit-ups with 50-pound plates and does, like, five, 10 miles at a time on her, like, on her bike and, like, she’s in great shape and still has to walk with the ski poles, and she’s getting her second knee replaced this week. And, like, it, it’s just infuriating to hear the way that doctors dismiss Melissa: You know what the problem is, Brett? Brett: goes through [00:41:00] when Pole Dancing Reality Check Melissa: Not enough doctors have watched fat pole dancers. That is the problem right there. They need more education. Brett: Um, yeah. There’s, there are a couple of, um, queer burlesque shows Melissa: shows, yes. Brett: in my area that almost always include a plus-size pole dance, and it is amazing to Melissa: Oh, it’s mesmerizing. It should be an Olympic sport. Remind me to send you the, the link to, unless you’ve already seen it, have you seen the Deadpool pole dancer? Brett: No, I don’t think Melissa: you are in for a treat. We might just have to put that in the show notes, but I don’t know, I don’t know if your listeners are that, are into that It’s fully clothed, but it’s, there’s even blue Crocs involved. Brett: So this is nobody that you’re seeing on the Melissa: I wondered, yep. I wondered, yeah. Aw, he looks so soft. Mm. Mechanical Keyboard ASMR Brett: So you’ve [00:42:00] gotten really into mechanical keyboards. Melissa: have, I have. In fact, uh, I was gonna, I was gonna see how this might sound, but I, I brought my little box of key caps to show you so that I could say, welcome to my ASMR channel. Brett: That would… is is that a thing? I bet there are ASMR, like, key switch testing. Melissa: yeah, yeah. I’ve run across a couple of videos where, you know, they’ll have a hashtag ASMR in there, and that’s, that’s what it is. Do you experience ASMR yourself? Brett: No. Melissa: No? So when you listen to those videos you don’t get like the s- the tickling of the spine and stuff? Brett: No. Melissa: I do. It actually, it goes, it… I forget. I always forget what the acronym stands for, but it, you know, has something to do with the meridian. So if you can i- imagine your brain like split in half, and I feel it right on this side. It goes, it goes like the, down the back of my head, behind my ear, and down into my shoulder. It [00:43:00] is the funkiest feeling, and I love it. I love it so much. Even when we were talking about animals in the, in the beginning and I even had a cat that would come and just like kind of lick my ear and, oh, I just, I love that. Most people cannot stand that sound. They have the opposite condition where they can’t handle somebody chewing gum. My grandfather had that. Um, some, some kinda, it ends in a tonia. Misatonia or something like that, um, where… I don’t know. Do you have any of those like sound sensory issues? I have a lot of Brett: really don’t. I’m very, I’m very, like, sound Like, I like loud, heavy music. Like, that does something for my psyche. Um, but general sounds, they neither bo-bother me nor stimulate me. Melissa: imagine what that’s like. I just can’t. I’m So bothered, and my kids too, and you know, ugh, God, Brett: So El Melissa: has been problematic. Brett: El is, El is, definitely sensitive to sound, um, in a way that Like, even my [00:44:00] mechanical keyboards can’t be, can’t be on the same floor of the house as Elle. We pretty much live in silence, and that’s fine for me most of the time because, like, it just doesn’t affect me either way. So, like, keeping things quiet is easy, and I focus well in silence. And then when Elle’s gone, I blast my music, and w- when I’m in the car, I blast my music, and then the rest of the time I live in the quiet place. Melissa: Mm-hmm. In The Quiet Place. Brett: Yeah. Melissa: Yeah, we have- something a little similar, but m- my husband and I have, uh… We have our his and hers kind of setup here in, in the, in our den, in our inner study. So he’s got his side and I’ve got my side. So we’re together, and he does a lot of grading papers, and he’s really good about putting his, his earbuds in and just tuning the whole world out. He’s… It’s fascinating to watch that man just [00:45:00] execute. I mean, I just am so envious of people who can just execute. But the, the, the, yeah, the sensory, it’s all about the sensory stuff for me when it comes to keyboards. I actually thought about… I don’t know how popular it would be, but I also thought about making a podcast, a video podcast, that would highlight the intersection of nail art and mechanical keyboards. Because I’ll tell you, that’s actually what… I’ve always loved mechanical keyboards, but yeah, the, the one that I had, someone had given me a, a Matias, and oh, it’s, it’s so loud, but it’s like high-pitched. It’s kinda sharp. And it was even kind of annoying to me after a while. And then it does not, it’s not a mechanical keyboard in that you can’t pull the switches out, so you’re kinda stuck with what you got. Like, you might be able to change the key caps if you could find them, but couldn’t change the switches. And something happened to the S key, and I was like, “All right, it’s over,” so. But I can’t get rid of them either, so one of these days I wanna have like a display of, of keyboards. [00:46:00] Nail Art And Picking Melissa: But what got me, what got me into saying, “Okay, I’m finally, I’m just gonna invest in a keyboard because it’s ergonomically important to me,” is I have… And I can’t pronounce it, so I’m not even gonna try, but there’s a condition, and it’s a self-diagnosed thing. But I, I am a picker. I pick my skin a lot. Um, I think it’s called derma something Anyway, so I wasn’t gonna try to pronounce it. But, uh, I’ve always had that condition since I was a kid. I didn’t even know it was a thing. I just thought everybody get, uh, picks. But then during the pande- during the pandemic, it got super bad. Like, I had, I had, um, some panic attacks and, you know, as a lot of probab- people probably did. But it got so bad to the point where I had picked my fingers and they were bleeding and they were throbbing and they were hurting. And I said to one of my kids, I said to my youngest, I said, “Can you just, like, if I, if I’m picking, can you just let me know?” And then I regretted doing that because then he took it on as this, like, full-time job, you know? And it kinda [00:47:00] gave him anxiety, and I thought, “Oh, okay, that, that was a bad thing to do.” So I s- I let him off the hook. I said, “No, you don’t have to tell me anymore.” Um, because, yeah, ev- even if I went to, like, just kinda, like, clean under my nail or something. So it was actually causing a real problem for the family that I was just picking so much. And it’s not just my fingers, it’s, like, other parts of my body. So I thought to myself, “Well, what can I do about this?” And so I started putting fake nail tips on. And I hate to be all, like… I don’t know, I’m not, I try not to be, like, a very vain person, but I really started kinda falling into the nail art side of things, and I, I just recently learned how to do gel and work with, um, uh, what’s it called? Uh, not resin. So I… Oh, that’s another ASMR thing. Do you like to watch resin pours? Brett: I do, actually, yes. Melissa: that’s… Okay, so if you like resin pours, if you like to watch the viscosity and the way the, the chemicals, like, form together and when they, when they mix colors in and stuff, [00:48:00] that’s what it’s like with nail art but on more of, like, a macro level because it’s, you know, you’re working with small stuff. Like, just, just recently I learned how to do… So I’m showing Brett this on, on camera, but I recently learned how to do the kind of nail polish that you take a magnet and you run the magnet along it, and it makes this, like, a cat’s eye. Brett: Yeah, that’s cool. Melissa: I love it. So, so that, so combining nail art then, and I thought, “Well, now I’ve got these long nails,” but all of my keyboards have been these flat, really low-profile keyboards. And, you know, I just, I started to dread it. So then I was kinda caught between a crossroads. Like, either I leave nails off and I can type really, really fast and have high accuracy with no nails, but then as soon as, as soon as I get, like, a little snag or something, then I start picking and then it’s just, it’s all over then. Or I try to find a way to work with these nails. So that’s what I started thinking, “Well, maybe if I had higher keys.” And so then I just, yeah, rabbit hole. [00:49:00] Went down the rabbit hole, and I’ve, I’ve just kinda been there ever since. And, uh, it really, I think, uh… Let’s see. How long ago did this start? It’s only been about maybe like six months or something like that, so. Keyboard Layout Rabbit Hole Melissa: But in that time so I’ve started, um, building a collection of switches. So I’ve been really interested in both the key caps and the switches. Um, I’ve got my baseboards. I like my Royal Kludge the best. This is… I’m gonna show Brett my Royal Kludge. So, so this is what it’s looking like right now. Brett: Yeah. Melissa: It is very purpley. Um, I did post some pictures. I can… I don’t know if you do pictures in show notes, but I could take some pictures for you It’s got a knob. It’s got, um… Let me see if I can do it real Brett: Do you use the knob. I have a couple keyboards with knobs and even a joystick, and I never actually use them Melissa: Good question. Um, I, I use it, I try to use it for volume at [00:50:00] times, and that’s probably what I use it for the most. But this one does have a… Let’s see if I can get this into focus here, backwards and upside down. It’s gonna be upside down, but you see how you can put, you can put your logo Brett: Oh, yeah. Nice. Melissa: got my The Mac Mommy little logo on there. Otherwise, it gives you the time in military format, so that’s kind of handy to have. Um, but yeah, it’s… To be honest, I, I love the, I love this Royal Kludge because it’s nice and heavy, and I love the form factor. It’s got a number pad, um, because I’m, because I am a grown-ass adult and I need a number pad. Um, but it’s nice and heavy. It doesn’t, it doesn’t move around my desk a lot. I kind of have to type, like, kind of crooked, ’cause that’s just the way my neck goes to the wrong way and stuff like that. So I like being able to fit it on my desk. I have a, I had a larger one made by Red, uh, what is it? Redragon. This is the one that I started [00:51:00] out with. Gonna make lots of noise here. But as you can see, this one is way bigger. And it was, as much as I liked it, I mean, I fell in love with it, but what was happening was my accuracy was, like, really thrown off because I fe- I kept feeling like it just needs to be, like, a couple centimeters to the right or a couple centimeters to the left. It just wasn’t centered very well. So this one, my husband gets all the hand-me-downs, so that one went over onto his desk. Uh, and then I also have a baby keyboard here, and this is another Redragon. This is my little mini one. Brett: that’s, that’s the kind of keyboard I mostly use, like a 70% keyboard. Melissa: Yeah, I think this one’s even 60. Um… Brett: My– The one I’m using right now is, uh, 60. There’s no, there’s no function row, there’s no arrow, there’s no keypad or, like, arrow pad. Um, Melissa: No [00:52:00] arrows? How do you live without arrows? Oh, do you, you mapped your keys to something Brett: so it looks like this, Melissa: nice. I love the Brett: that the, the space bar is split in two. Yeah, my, my, my partner says it looks like, uh, gay ’80s. It’s all pink and blue and purple. Um, but the, the space bar is split, and the right half of mine functions as something called a mod key, and when I hold that down, then my I, J, K, and L keys become arrow keys. Melissa: Oh, wow. Brett: once you get used to it, you never have to take your hand off the home row. Melissa: Oh my God, that must be amazing. Brett: It– Yeah, once you get used to it, it, it’s so… Like, g- moving to a keyboard that doesn’t have that is kind of tortuous. On my MacBook Pro, I have remapped it using Karabiner so that Melissa: [00:53:00] That’s what I’m using. Brett: if I hold, the semicolon down with my pinky, then H-I-J-K-L become, Melissa: Oh, nice. Brett: become arrow keys, so I still don’t have to move my hand all the way down and to the right. Like, that’s such a inefficient movement that then I have to, like… Because I don’t have great feeling in my fingers, so finding, on a low-profile keyboard, finding the, the homing buttons again Melissa: Oh, do you use the humming buttons? See, that’s the thing, I was never taught that. I mean, I took like a ty- I took like a typewriting class back in high school, and I just didn’t like it. I, I just taught myself. I just… I’m an autodidact that way, so I just taught myself. Brett: my dad, back in 1984, we had a typing program on our PCjr, and I Melissa: It wasn’t Mavis Beacon, was it? Brett: remember. I don’t remember. All I know is, like, It taught you touch typing, and it would give you [00:54:00] these lessons, and you would basically just mirror what was on screen. And at the age of seven, I was typing at about 68 words per minute on an, on an old IBM PCjr keyboard. Um, got a lot faster through high school and everything. But yeah, I was, I was, from day one, I was raised to be a touch typist, and, and I took all the classes they had in school. Melissa: But you still touch Brett: labs. Yeah. Melissa: Uh-huh, yeah. So you don’t do the home rows. Brett: No, that is touch Melissa: Oh, touch typing, so you do feel… for the bumps. Brett: Yeah, I feel for the bumps, and then I just, like, my f- my key, my fingers never really leave the Melissa: Oh, yeah. See, I wish I could do Brett: centered home row. Yeah. It’s, it, it’s good. Um, Melissa: And you’re using the split, so my gosh. Brett: What– You get used to that too. Um, like, [00:55:00] I can’t do it with the split far apart. I’ve seen people use, like, splits, like, way out to the sides, and I can’t, my, my brain doesn’t do that. Like, my hands have to be within, like, six inches of each other. Melissa: I always thought, it would be so cool to have something where you could have it, like, raised up like this, right? And use your hands sideways. Brett: Yeah. Well, that’s I mean, that’s essentially, I have, on the bottom of this keyboard, I have these risers. Melissa: Oh, uh-huh. Oh, Brett: So it sits, right now I have it at about a 45-degree tent, tent, tent. Um, but it can go up to more like an 80-degree tent, where you’re actually Melissa: Wow. Brett: uh, almost like you’re clapping, you’re typing. Um, I don’t Melissa: of that. I have a, a, handshake mouse. Brett: Vertical mouse. Melissa: You like… Is that what you have for a mouse too? Brett: no, I, I love Melissa: Trackballs. Oh, trackpads. Oh, okay. Brett: Apple’s Magic Trackpad changed my life. I’ve never used– I’ve never gone back to a [00:56:00] mouse since the first Magic Trackpad came out. Melissa: So you’re all about the gestures then? Brett: yeah, Melissa: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. That’s great. Brett: Bet- bet- better touch tool for the win. Melissa: You know what it is for me, is because of the type of work that I do, and this is very much true for both of us, you do these things because of the type of work that you do. The type of work that I do, I’m in everybody’s homes, so I have to ty- I have to be able to type and use their mouse and, I mean, it’s actually a very dirty job. So I keep hand wipes with me everywhere. Um, that, that was why during the pandemic I was like, “I am not coming to your house and I am not touching the stuff that you just picked your nose and…” Yeah, mm-mm. But, so, so i- it’s been kind of keeping me almost like a purist in a way as far as keyboards have gone all these years. I, I finally just kind of let go and embraced this recently, th- which is why I’m so excited and why I’m just kind of nerding out on it, because when, when I worked [00:57:00] in, like, I’ll call it the industry, um, I got my f- my start in prepress. So I worked in prepress, I was a typesetter, and we had… That’s what I kind of miss. We had the old clunky beige keyboards, and I had my muscle memory such that I think my o- my Option key would have, like, the indentation of my nail on it. You know? ‘Cause I had, just like you have, keys that are programmed. I could… I was a Quark queen. I don’t know if you’re familiar with QuarkXPress? Brett: Oh, yeah. Yeah. I was a graphic designer. I I know Quark. Melissa: Yeah, I loved it. I was… And, and I used it back in the OS 9 days, OS 7 really, is when I started out. Uh, I did not like the OS X vers- OS 10 version of Quark. Did not like it at all. Brett: No, but that’s Melissa: it was slow. Brett: Adobe came out with, what was, what was Adobe’s… InDesign. Yeah. By the time I had started, by the time I had started my own ad agency, we were all InDesign. Melissa: Oh, [00:58:00] nice. Okay. I mean, it was a Brett: and none of the, none of the print shops expected Quark files Melissa: Yeah. Oh, it was so expensive. I remember I had to buy it when I was in college, and I remember it cost, like, $800. I’m probably still paying for that, damn it, in interest. Yeah, so that, that’s how I got my start originally, and that’s how I was doing… I, I went to… So I have, I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts. I went to college in order to be a designer. I wanted to be a designer designer, and that’s what I, what I thought I was good at and thought that I liked doing, ’cause, you know, “Oh, you’re a girl. Go to art school. You like to draw.” You know? I’m always bitter about that because I really wish that I would’ve been able to go… I mean, this was, you know… I’m, I’m 51, so this was back in the day where girls, girls don’t do computers and girls don’t do coding. G- girls don’t do computer science. They didn’t even call it computer science. They didn’t even call it graphic design back then. It was commercial art. Um, so I studied that and, you know, I liked it ’cause I thought, “Well, this is what I could, I could take my art and make [00:59:00] a living into it.” And then fast-forward, um, I just started to fall in love with the technical troubleshooting side of things. So as, as good as I was at the technical typesetting and the technical, like, putting prepress things together, you know, um, uh, key sheets and s- you know, things like that. Do you remember, was there, uh, did you ever use a program called Quick Keys? That was one of the ones Brett: familiar. Melissa: you could map your own keys to things. So w- when I was in prepress and doing typesetting, I used that program and I, I mapped all my keys, and I had all these quick keys and stuff so I could go really, really fast, you know? So when they wanted something done fast, they gave it to me, and I could just fly through documents with this. But then as people learned that I was good at this kind of stuff and troubleshooting, they’re like, “Oh, hey, Roger needs, you know, has a problem. Can you go help him?” So I’d go over to his cubicle, I sit down, and he’s got nothing. You know, he’s got [01:00:00] no quick keys, no nothing, and you just kinda get lost because your muscle memory just adapts to it. And I couldn’t help people the way… And, and that was what it was about for me. I really liked more helping people and troubleshooting and the technology side of things than the actual design process. So I kind of went to the other side with it. And so I just kind of, like, vowed that, okay, I’m not gonna do any kind of, like, customization on my own workstation because then I’ll, my, my muscle memory will map to it, and then when I go to sit down to help somebody else, I won’t… You know, I’ll be so much in my own world that I won’t be able to help them. And so I just kind of, like, remained a, a pu
Send us Fan MailWhat if the symptoms women are told to “just live with” are actually signs of hormone imbalance?In this episode of Never Been Sicker, Michael Rubino sits down with Dr. Melissa Miskell to discuss hormone health, aging, inflammation, thyroid issues, brain fog, fatigue, menopause, and why so many women are being dismissed instead of properly tested. The conversation also dives into statins, cholesterol, processed food, environmental toxins, and how modern lifestyles may be contributing to chronic illness and hormone disruption.If you've been struggling with fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, poor sleep, low libido, hot flashes, or simply “not feeling like yourself,” this episode may completely change the way you think about hormones and healthy aging.Timestamps00:00 Intro00:19 Why hormones matter01:24 When hormones start changing02:20 Symptoms women experience03:01 Why women get dismissed04:32 Why doctors avoid hormones05:07 Signs of hormone imbalance05:59 Common symptoms women ignore07:22 What hormone therapy looks like08:29 Improvements women notice first09:40 How long treatment lasts10:48 Hormones, thyroid & lifestyle11:17 Hormones and heart health12:32 Estrogen and dementia13:06 Osteoporosis explained14:12 Inflammation and brain health15:29 Thyroid problems and testing18:37 Low vs high hormones20:48 The biggest hormone myth21:16 Does estrogen cause breast cancer?22:20 The Women's Health Initiative controversy24:19 Hormone replacement controversies26:24 Statins and hormone depletion28:47 Cholesterol, sugar & heart disease31:00 Why we've never been sicker33:11 Why hormones are overlooked34:31 Hormone symptoms in men34:52 You don't have to feel this way35:23 Where to find Dr. Melissa-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Dr. Melissa Miskell
The Great Cholesterol Myth: What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling Youwith Dr. Jonny BowdenIn this eye-opening conversation, JJ reconnects with renowned nutrition expert and bestselling author Dr. Jonny Bowden to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern medicine: cholesterol.Dr. Bowden, co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, explains why the conventional cholesterol narrative is outdated, why total cholesterol tells us almost nothing about heart disease risk, and why inflammation and insulin resistance may be far more important predictors of long-term health.Together, JJ and Dr. Bowden discuss the evolution of cholesterol science, the overprescription of statins, and why people must become advocates for their own health instead of blindly outsourcing decisions to conventional medicine.In This Episode:Why total cholesterol is an outdated marker for heart disease riskThe difference between LDL cholesterol and LDL particlesWhy “good” and “bad” cholesterol is an oversimplified conceptWhat ApoB and LDL particle testing actually reveal about cardiovascular riskThe role of inflammation in chronic disease and heart diseaseHow insulin resistance predicts disease years before symptoms appearWhy stress, processed foods, poor sleep, and sedentary living fuel metabolic dysfunctionThe connection between blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular healthWhy many conventional cholesterol tests are “1963 medicine”What lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation naturallyWhy questioning medical dogma matters for your long-term healthKey Takeaways:Dr. Bowden explains that cholesterol itself is not the enemy. Instead, the real issue is the condition of the particles carrying cholesterol through the bloodstream and the inflammation damaging artery walls. He uses powerful analogies — including boats crashing in a marina and golf balls burning through a tennis net — to explain how small, dense LDL particles create more cardiovascular risk than large LDL particles.JJ and Dr. Bowden also explore how insulin resistance quietly drives many chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's, and heart disease — often decades before diagnosis.This episode is a reminder that true health requires curiosity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility.Resources Mentioned:The Great Cholesterol Myth by Dr. Jonny Bowden & Dr. Stephen SinatraApoB testingLDL particle testingFunction HealthPubMed.govConnect with Dr. Jonny BowdenWebsite: DrJonnyBowden.comBook: The Great Cholesterol MythConnect with JJJJ Flizanes Official WebsiteFeelings & Needs List
The Great Cholesterol Myth: What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling Youwith Dr. Jonny BowdenIn this eye-opening conversation, JJ reconnects with renowned nutrition expert and bestselling author Dr. Jonny Bowden to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern medicine: cholesterol.Dr. Bowden, co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, explains why the conventional cholesterol narrative is outdated, why total cholesterol tells us almost nothing about heart disease risk, and why inflammation and insulin resistance may be far more important predictors of long-term health.Together, JJ and Dr. Bowden discuss the evolution of cholesterol science, the overprescription of statins, and why people must become advocates for their own health instead of blindly outsourcing decisions to conventional medicine.In This Episode:Why total cholesterol is an outdated marker for heart disease riskThe difference between LDL cholesterol and LDL particlesWhy “good” and “bad” cholesterol is an oversimplified conceptWhat ApoB and LDL particle testing actually reveal about cardiovascular riskThe role of inflammation in chronic disease and heart diseaseHow insulin resistance predicts disease years before symptoms appearWhy stress, processed foods, poor sleep, and sedentary living fuel metabolic dysfunctionThe connection between blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular healthWhy many conventional cholesterol tests are “1963 medicine”What lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation naturallyWhy questioning medical dogma matters for your long-term healthKey Takeaways:Dr. Bowden explains that cholesterol itself is not the enemy. Instead, the real issue is the condition of the particles carrying cholesterol through the bloodstream and the inflammation damaging artery walls. He uses powerful analogies — including boats crashing in a marina and golf balls burning through a tennis net — to explain how small, dense LDL particles create more cardiovascular risk than large LDL particles.JJ and Dr. Bowden also explore how insulin resistance quietly drives many chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's, and heart disease — often decades before diagnosis.This episode is a reminder that true health requires curiosity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility.Resources Mentioned:The Great Cholesterol Myth by Dr. Jonny Bowden & Dr. Stephen SinatraApoB testingLDL particle testingFunction HealthPubMed.govConnect with Dr. Jonny BowdenWebsite: DrJonnyBowden.comBook: The Great Cholesterol MythConnect with JJJJ Flizanes Official WebsiteFeelings & Needs List
This week on Mondays at The Overhead Wire we're joined once again by Tracy McMillan to discuss a number of super interesting news items. We discuss the future of New Orleans in a time of Sea Level rise, getting amphibians across the road safely during mating season, food insecurity amidst transit deserts, the importance of weekend transit service, and a bit on meeting people where they are when planning. Below are the News items that were discussed and links to resources mentioned. Main Items SafeTrec street story - University of California at Berkeley New Orleans point of no return - The Guardian How Americans in transit deserts get groceries - The Guardian The weekend transit problem - Car Free America How planners could reduce the cost of living - Planetizen Amphibian crossings - Grist Extra Items Maul Shadow Lord Janix Transit Map YouTube Ecology Bingeing China releases horses to stop desertification - Ground Zero Channel Scotland's 250 year forest plan - Make Tech Future Nevada let five Beavers back into a dead desert - Daily Discoveries Do Redwoods Only Grow in California? - Atlas Pro Referenced Talking Headways Episodes 521: Food Deserts and Policy - Stacy Mitchell of ILSR 459: Crossings - Ben Goldfarb 325: Transport Justice - Karel Martens +++ Many thanks to Bob Nanna for our intro/outro music. Get the show ad free on Patreon! Find out about our newsletter and archive on YouTube! Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Substack ... @theoverheadwire Follow us on Mastadon theoverheadwire@sfba.social Support the show on Patreon http://patreon.com/theoverheadwire Buy books on our Bookshop.org Affiliate site! And get our Cars are Cholesterol shirt at Tee-Public! And everything else at http://theoverheadwire.com
The Great Cholesterol Myth: What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling Youwith Dr. Jonny BowdenIn this eye-opening conversation, JJ reconnects with renowned nutrition expert and bestselling author Dr. Jonny Bowden to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern medicine: cholesterol.Dr. Bowden, co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, explains why the conventional cholesterol narrative is outdated, why total cholesterol tells us almost nothing about heart disease risk, and why inflammation and insulin resistance may be far more important predictors of long-term health.Together, JJ and Dr. Bowden discuss the evolution of cholesterol science, the overprescription of statins, and why people must become advocates for their own health instead of blindly outsourcing decisions to conventional medicine.In This Episode:Why total cholesterol is an outdated marker for heart disease riskThe difference between LDL cholesterol and LDL particlesWhy “good” and “bad” cholesterol is an oversimplified conceptWhat ApoB and LDL particle testing actually reveal about cardiovascular riskThe role of inflammation in chronic disease and heart diseaseHow insulin resistance predicts disease years before symptoms appearWhy stress, processed foods, poor sleep, and sedentary living fuel metabolic dysfunctionThe connection between blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular healthWhy many conventional cholesterol tests are “1963 medicine”What lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation naturallyWhy questioning medical dogma matters for your long-term healthKey Takeaways:Dr. Bowden explains that cholesterol itself is not the enemy. Instead, the real issue is the condition of the particles carrying cholesterol through the bloodstream and the inflammation damaging artery walls. He uses powerful analogies — including boats crashing in a marina and golf balls burning through a tennis net — to explain how small, dense LDL particles create more cardiovascular risk than large LDL particles.JJ and Dr. Bowden also explore how insulin resistance quietly drives many chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's, and heart disease — often decades before diagnosis.This episode is a reminder that true health requires curiosity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility.Resources Mentioned:The Great Cholesterol Myth by Dr. Jonny Bowden & Dr. Stephen SinatraApoB testingLDL particle testingFunction HealthPubMed.govConnect with Dr. Jonny BowdenWebsite: DrJonnyBowden.comBook: The Great Cholesterol MythConnect with JJJJ Flizanes Official WebsiteFeelings & Needs List
The Great Cholesterol Myth: What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling Youwith Dr. Jonny BowdenIn this eye-opening conversation, JJ reconnects with renowned nutrition expert and bestselling author Dr. Jonny Bowden to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern medicine: cholesterol.Dr. Bowden, co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, explains why the conventional cholesterol narrative is outdated, why total cholesterol tells us almost nothing about heart disease risk, and why inflammation and insulin resistance may be far more important predictors of long-term health.Together, JJ and Dr. Bowden discuss the evolution of cholesterol science, the overprescription of statins, and why people must become advocates for their own health instead of blindly outsourcing decisions to conventional medicine.In This Episode:Why total cholesterol is an outdated marker for heart disease riskThe difference between LDL cholesterol and LDL particlesWhy “good” and “bad” cholesterol is an oversimplified conceptWhat ApoB and LDL particle testing actually reveal about cardiovascular riskThe role of inflammation in chronic disease and heart diseaseHow insulin resistance predicts disease years before symptoms appearWhy stress, processed foods, poor sleep, and sedentary living fuel metabolic dysfunctionThe connection between blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular healthWhy many conventional cholesterol tests are “1963 medicine”What lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation naturallyWhy questioning medical dogma matters for your long-term healthKey Takeaways:Dr. Bowden explains that cholesterol itself is not the enemy. Instead, the real issue is the condition of the particles carrying cholesterol through the bloodstream and the inflammation damaging artery walls. He uses powerful analogies — including boats crashing in a marina and golf balls burning through a tennis net — to explain how small, dense LDL particles create more cardiovascular risk than large LDL particles.JJ and Dr. Bowden also explore how insulin resistance quietly drives many chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's, and heart disease — often decades before diagnosis.This episode is a reminder that true health requires curiosity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility.Resources Mentioned:The Great Cholesterol Myth by Dr. Jonny Bowden & Dr. Stephen SinatraApoB testingLDL particle testingFunction HealthPubMed.govConnect with Dr. Jonny BowdenWebsite: DrJonnyBowden.comBook: The Great Cholesterol MythConnect with JJJJ Flizanes Official WebsiteFeelings & Needs List
The Great Cholesterol Myth: What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling Youwith Dr. Jonny BowdenIn this eye-opening conversation, JJ reconnects with renowned nutrition expert and bestselling author Dr. Jonny Bowden to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern medicine: cholesterol.Dr. Bowden, co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, explains why the conventional cholesterol narrative is outdated, why total cholesterol tells us almost nothing about heart disease risk, and why inflammation and insulin resistance may be far more important predictors of long-term health.Together, JJ and Dr. Bowden discuss the evolution of cholesterol science, the overprescription of statins, and why people must become advocates for their own health instead of blindly outsourcing decisions to conventional medicine.In This Episode:Why total cholesterol is an outdated marker for heart disease riskThe difference between LDL cholesterol and LDL particlesWhy “good” and “bad” cholesterol is an oversimplified conceptWhat ApoB and LDL particle testing actually reveal about cardiovascular riskThe role of inflammation in chronic disease and heart diseaseHow insulin resistance predicts disease years before symptoms appearWhy stress, processed foods, poor sleep, and sedentary living fuel metabolic dysfunctionThe connection between blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular healthWhy many conventional cholesterol tests are “1963 medicine”What lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation naturallyWhy questioning medical dogma matters for your long-term healthKey Takeaways:Dr. Bowden explains that cholesterol itself is not the enemy. Instead, the real issue is the condition of the particles carrying cholesterol through the bloodstream and the inflammation damaging artery walls. He uses powerful analogies — including boats crashing in a marina and golf balls burning through a tennis net — to explain how small, dense LDL particles create more cardiovascular risk than large LDL particles.JJ and Dr. Bowden also explore how insulin resistance quietly drives many chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's, and heart disease — often decades before diagnosis.This episode is a reminder that true health requires curiosity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility.Resources Mentioned:The Great Cholesterol Myth by Dr. Jonny Bowden & Dr. Stephen SinatraApoB testingLDL particle testingFunction HealthPubMed.govConnect with Dr. Jonny BowdenWebsite: DrJonnyBowden.comBook: The Great Cholesterol MythConnect with JJJJ Flizanes Official WebsiteFeelings & Needs List
Low AMH, high FSH, two miscarriages, told donor eggs were her only option. At 43, she conceived naturally. Here's what her clinic missed before the donor egg recommendation. This episode is for the woman sitting with a donor egg recommendation. Low AMH or high FSH on the chart. Failed IVF or recurrent miscarriage in the history. A clinic that said the numbers leave you no other options. Sarah Clark walks through the case of a 43-year-old client whose REI told her IVF or donor eggs were her only realistic path. Her FSH was 13.6. Her AMH was low. She had two pregnancy losses behind her. The diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve was not wrong. The numbers were what they were. What had not happened was a structured investigation of why those numbers looked the way they did and whether the rest of the picture had been missed. Eighteen months later, she was pregnant naturally with her own eggs. What the clinic had not investigated was a long list. Her TSH was 3. Accepted as normal, but well above the range her own REI would have flagged before IVF prep. A full thyroid panel was never run. Her stool DNA test showed H. pylori, an infection that impairs nutrient absorption and drives inflammation. She had been gluten-free everywhere else for years, but she had been taking a weekly communion wafer every Sunday without realizing it counted. The cabergoline she was on was lowering her cholesterol and impairing her ability to make sex hormones. Her male partner had not been worked up. His semen analysis showed low volume and low concentration. His blood sugar was elevated. His kidney markers showed stress. The vaginal microbiome had not been tested. The seminal microbiome had not been tested. Her night sweats and disrupted sleep had been mentioned and dismissed. Her case is not a guarantee that anyone else will get the same outcome. Every case is different. The patterns we found in hers may not be the patterns in yours. But the principle holds: a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve, low AMH, or high FSH is a starting point for further investigation, not a complete picture of what is possible. What this episode covers: Why low AMH and high FSH are not the complete picture when donor eggs are recommended Why a TSH of 3 is not normal for fertility even when a clinic accepts it How H. pylori, hidden gluten, and gut infections affect egg quality and miscarriage risk What a full male partner workup looks like when there has been pregnancy loss or implantation failure What a structured second opinion covers when you have been told IVF or donor eggs are your only path This episode is for you if: You have low AMH, high FSH, or a diminished ovarian reserve diagnosis You have had a failed IVF cycle, recurrent miscarriage, or implantation failure You have been told donor eggs are your next step and you are not ready to agree before you understand what was actually evaluated You are in your late 30s or 40s and want to understand whether natural pregnancy with your own eggs is still possible Timestamps: [00:00] Low AMH, High FSH, Donor Eggs Recommended at 43 [01:30] Functional Fertility Testing vs Standard REI Workup [03:00] Thyroid and Fertility: Why TSH 3 Is Not Normal [04:30] Cabergoline, Cholesterol, and Sex Hormone Production [06:00] H. pylori, Hidden Gluten, and Gut Infections in Low AMH Cases [08:00] Vaginal Microbiome and Implantation in Recurrent Miscarriage [09:30] Male Partner Workup: Seminal Microbiome and Sperm Health [11:00] Night Sweats, Sleep Disruption, and the Nervous System [12:30] Constipation, Liver Function, and Hormone Clearance [14:00] Pregnant Naturally at 43: The 18-Month Timeline Take action: If you have been told donor eggs are your only option and you want a structured review of your timeline, your labs, and your IVF history before the next decision, the Functional Fertility Second Opinion is where that review happens.
In this episode, Dr. Thomas Hemingway explains the Top 7 Most Important Lab Markers that most Doctors do NOT check and why they are important and what they mean and what you can DO about it. This episode may change your life. Share with a friend!**Free Resource: "The 7 lab tests your doctor likely is not checking and could be the key to why you don't feel your best." *ACCESS my FREE workshop, "GET 10 Years Younger, Stronger, and Sharper" How to turn back your biological age 10-20 years so you can do the things you want to do that you no longer thought possible due to your age. Perform at your best and live your best life!*And, in my new Performance, and Longevity medical practice we specialize in turning back your biological age and OPTIMIZING HORMONES so you can feel a decade or more younger so you can do the things you want to do that you thought were no longer possible due to your age. Join the waitlist here!Join my Free Masterclass on Midlife Hormones, "Why You Don't Feel like Yourself anymore and What to Do about it!"JET LAG Survival Guide. Free PDF!*Don't wait to Prioritize your health, Start Today with the Simple and Powerful Steps detailed in my Best-selling book.*GET DIRECT ACCESS to DR. HEMINGWAY in these AMAZING COURSES!**Free Resource: "The 7 lab tests your doctor likely is not checking and could be the key to why you don't feel your best." *Don't Forget to SHARE with a Friend and please drop a Review:) It means the world!Mahalo and Aloha andTo your health,
This week we're joined by Stephanie Dockery to discuss the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge. Stephanie discusses how a bus art can get a cult following, how artists are creating attention in their cities with temporary art, and what happens after the projects disappear. Find the Bloomberg Connects art app here which contains audio, video, and written resources. +++ Get the show ad free on Patreon! Find out about our newsletter and archive on YouTube! Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Substack ... @theoverheadwire Follow us on Mastadon theoverheadwire@sfba.social Support the show on Patreon http://patreon.com/theoverheadwire Buy books on our Bookshop.org Affiliate site! And get our Cars are Cholesterol shirt at Tee-Public! And everything else at http://theoverheadwire.com
Hour 3 for 5/6/26 Drew and Dr. Sean O'Mara discuss cholesterol and if we should we think its negative reputation (4:35). Topics/calls: statins (7:56), AMA (10:51), should I get off statins? (17:19), heat attacks (24:43), statin substitutes (30:16), MCT oils (32:55), heart disease and chemo (36:12), AI and health (41:12), seeing a doctor (43:56), advice for women (45:53), and Lipo protein A (48:59). Link: https://drseanomara.com/