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In this episode, Kelly Brownell speaks with Jerold Mande, CEO of Nourish Science, adjunct professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, and former Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety at the USDA. They discuss the alarming state of children's health in America, the challenges of combating poor nutrition, and the influence of the food industry on public policy. The conversation explores the parallels between the tobacco and food industries and proposes new strategies for ensuring children reach adulthood in good health. Mande emphasizes the need for radical changes in food policy and the role of public health in making these changes. Transcript So, you co-founded this organization along with Jerome Adams, Bill Frist and Thomas Grumbly, as we said, to ensure every child breaches age 18 at a healthy weight and in good metabolic health. That's a pretty tall order given the state of the health of youth today in America. But let's start by you telling us what inspired this mission and what does it look like to achieve this in today's food environment? I was trained in public health and also in nutrition and in my career, which has been largely in service of the public and government, I've been trying to advance those issues. And unfortunately over the arc of my career from when I started to now, particularly in nutrition and public health, it's just gotten so much worse. Indeed today Americans have the shortest lifespans by far. We're not just last among the wealthy countries, but we're a standard deviation last. But probably most alarming of all is how sick our children are. Children should not have a chronic disease. Yet in America maybe a third do. I did some work on tobacco at one point, at FDA. That was an enormous success. It was the leading cause of death. Children smoked at a higher rate, much like child chronic disease today. About a third of kids smoked. And we took that issue on, and today it's less than 2%. And so that shows that government can solve these problems. And since we did our tobacco work in the early '90s, I've changed my focus to nutrition and public health and trying to fix that. But we've still made so little progress. Give us a sense of how far from that goal we are. So, if the goal is to make every child reaching 18 at a healthy weight and in good metabolic health, what percentage of children reaching age 18 today might look like that? It's probably around a half or more, but we're not quite sure. We don't have good statistics. One of the challenges we face in nutrition is, unfortunately, the food industry or other industries lobby against funding research and data collection. And so, we're handicapped in that way. But we do know from the studies that CDC and others have done that about 20% of our children have obesity about a similar number have Type 2 diabetes or the precursors, pre-diabetes. You and I started off calling it adult-onset diabetes and they had to change that name to a Type 2 because it's becoming so common in kids. And then another disease, fatty liver disease, really unthinkable in kids. Something that the typical pediatrician would just never see. And yet in the last decade, children are the fastest growing group. I think we don't know an exact number, but today, at least a third, maybe as many as half of our children have a chronic disease. Particularly a food cause chronic disease, or the precursors that show they're on the way. I remember probably going back about 20 years, people started saying that we were seeing the first generation of American children that would lead shorter lives than our parents did. And what a terrible legacy to leave our children. Absolutely. And that's why we set that overarching goal of ensuring every child reaches age 18 in good metabolic health. And the reason we set that is in my experience in government, there's a phrase we all use - what gets measured gets done. And when I worked at FDA, when I worked at USDA, what caught my attention is that there is a mission statement. There's a goal of what we're trying to achieve. And it's ensuring access to healthy options and information, like a food label. Now the problem with that, first of all, it's failed. But the problem with that is the bureaucrats that I oversaw would go into a supermarket, see a produce section, a protein section, the food labels, which I worked on, and say we've done our job. They would check those boxes and say, we've done it. And yet we haven't. And if we ensured that every child reaches age 18 at a healthy weight and good metabolic health, if the bureaucrats say how are we doing on that? They would have to conclude we're failing, and they'd have to try something else. And that's what we need to do. We need to try radically different, new strategies because what we've been doing for decades has failed. You mentioned the food industry a moment ago. Let's talk about that in a little more detail. You made the argument that food companies have substituted profits for health in how they design their products. Explain that a little bit more, if you will. And tell us how the shift has occurred and what do you think the public health cost has been? Yes, so the way I like to think of it, and your listeners should think of it, is there's a North star for food design. And from a consumer standpoint, I think there are four points on the star: taste, cost, convenience, and health. That's what they expect and want from their food. Now the challenge is the marketplace. Because that consumer, you and I, when we go to the grocery store and get home on taste, cost, and convenience, if we want within an hour, we can know whether the food we purchased met our standard there. Or what our expectations were. Not always for health. There's just no way to know in a day, a week, a month, even in a year or more. We don't know if the food we're eating is improving and maintaining our health, right? There should be a definition of food. Food should be what we eat to thrive. That really should be the goal. I borrowed that from NASA, the space agency. When I would meet with them, they said, ' Jerry, it's important. Right? It's not enough that people just survive on the food they eat in space. They really need to thrive.' And that's what WE need to do. And that's really what food does, right? And yet we have food, not only don't we thrive, but we get sick. And the reason for that is, as I was saying, the marketplace works on taste, cost and convenience. So, companies make sure their products meet consumer expectation for those three. But the problem is on the fourth point on the star: on health. Because we can't tell in even years whether it's meeting our expectation. That sort of cries out. You're at a policy school. Those are the places where government needs to step in and act and make sure that the marketplace is providing. That feedback through government. But the industry is politically strong and has prevented that. And so that has left the fourth point of the star open for their interpretation. And my belief is that they've put in place a prop. So, they're making decisions in the design of the product. They're taste, they gotta get taste right. They gotta get cost and convenience right. But rather than worrying what does it do to your health? They just, say let's do a profit. And that's resulted in this whole category of food called ultra-processed food (UPF). I actually believe in the future, whether it's a hundred years or a thousand years. If humanity's gonna thrive we need manmade food we can thrive on. But we don't have that. And we don't invest in the science. We need to. But today, ultra-processed food is manmade food designed on taste, cost, convenience, and then how do we make the most money possible. Now, let me give you one other analogy, if I could. If we were CEOs of an automobile company, the mission is to provide vehicles where people can get safely from A to point B. It's the same as food we can thrive on. That is the mission. The problem is that when the food companies design food today, they've presented to the CEO, and everyone gets excited. They're seeing the numbers, the charts, the data that shows that this food is going to meet, taste, cost, convenience. It's going to make us all this money. But the CEO should be asking this following question: if people eat this as we intend, will they thrive? At the very least they won't get sick, right? Because the law requires they can't get sick. And if the Midmanagers were honest, they'd say here's the good news boss. We have such political power we've been able to influence the Congress and the regulatory agencies. That they're not going to do anything about it. Taste, cost, convenience, and profits will work just fine. Couldn't you make the argument that for a CEO to embrace that kind of attitude you talked about would be corporate malpractice almost? That, if they want to maximize profits then they want people to like the food as much as possible. That means engineering it in ways that make people overeat it, hijacking the reward pathways in the brain, and all that kind of thing. Why in the world would a CEO care about whether people thrive? Because it's the law. The law requires we have these safety features in cars and the companies have to design it that way. And there's more immediate feedback with the car too, in terms of if you crashed right away. Because it didn't work, you'd see that. But here's the thing. Harvey Wiley.He's the founder of the food safety programs that I led at FDA and USDA. He was a chemist from academia. Came to USDA in the late 1800s. It was a time of great change in food in America. At that point, almost all of families grew their own food on a farm. And someone had to decide who's going to grow our food. It's a family conversation that needed to take place. Increasingly, Americans were moving into the cities at that time, and a brand-new industry had sprung up to feed people in cities. It was a processed food industry. And in order to provide shelf stable foods that can offer taste, cost, convenience, this new processed food industry turned to another new industry, a chemical industry. Now, it's hard to believe this, but there was a point in time that just wasn't an industry. So these two big new industries had sprung up- processed food and chemicals. And Harvey Wiley had a hypothesis that the chemicals they were using to make these processed foods were making us sick. Indeed, food poisoning back then was one of the 10 leading causes of death. And so, Harvey Wiley went to Teddy Roosevelt. He'd been trying for years within the bureaucracy and not making progress. But when Teddy Roosevelt came in, he finally had the person who listened to him. Back then, USDA was right across from the Washington Monument to the White House. He'd walk right over there into the White House and met with Teddy Roosevelt and said, ' this food industry is making us sick. We should do something about it.' And Teddy Roosevelt agreed. And they wrote the laws. And so I think what your listeners need to understand is that when you look at the job that FDA and USDA is doing, their food safety programs were created to make sure our food doesn't make us sick. Acutely sick. Not heart disease or cancer, 30, 40 years down the road, but acutely sick. No. I think that's absolutely the point. That's what Wiley was most concerned about at the time. But that's not the law they wrote. The law doesn't say acutely ill. And I'll give you this example. Your listeners may be familiar with something called GRAS - Generally Recognized as Safe. It's a big problem today. Industry co-opted the system and no longer gets approval for their food additives. And so, you have this Generally Recognized as Safe system, and you have these chemicals and people are worried about them. In the history of GRAS. Only one chemical has FDA decided we need to get that off the market because it's unsafe. That's partially hydrogenated oils or trans-fat. Does trans-fat cause acute illness? It doesn't. It causes a chronic disease. And the evidence is clear. The agency has known that it has the responsibility for both acute and chronic illness. But you're right, the industry has taken advantage of this sort of chronic illness space to say that that really isn't what you should be doing. But having worked at those agencies, I don't think they see it that way. They just feel like here's the bottom line on it. The industry uses its political power in Congress. And it shapes the agency's budget. So, let's take FDA. FDA has a billion dollars with a 'b' for food safety. For the acute food safety, you're talking about. It has less than 25 million for the chronic disease. There are about 1400 deaths a year in America due to the acute illnesses caused by our food that FDA and USDA are trying to prevent. The chronic illnesses that we know are caused by our food cause 1600 maybe a day. More than that of the acute every day. Now the agency should be spending at least half its time, if not more, worrying about those chronic illness. Why doesn't it? Because the industry used their political power in Congress to put the billion dollars for the acute illness. That's because if you get acutely ill, that's a liability concern for them. Jerry let's talk about the political influence in just a little more detail, because you're in a unique position to tell us about this because you've seen it from the inside. One mechanism through which industry might influence the political process is lobbyists. They hire lobbyists. Lobbyists get to the Congress. People make decisions based on contributions and things like that. Are there other ways the food industry affects the political process in addition to that. For example, what about the revolving door issue people talk about where industry people come into the administrative branch of government, not legislative branch, and then return to industry. And are there other ways that the political influence of the industry has made itself felt? I think first and foremost it is the lobbyists, those who work with Congress, in effect. Particularly the funding levels, and the authority that the agencies have to do that job. I think it's overwhelmingly that. I think second, is the influence the industry has. So let me back up to that a sec. As a result of that, we spend very little on nutrition research, for example. It's 4% of the NIH budget even though we have these large institutes, cancer, heart, diabetes, everyone knows about. They're trying to come up with the cures who spend the other almost 50 billion at NIH. And so, what happens? You and I have both been at universities where there are nutrition programs and what we see is it's very hard to not accept any industry money to do the research because there isn't the federal money. Now, the key thing, it's not an accident. It's part of the plan. And so, I think that the research that we rely on to do regulation is heavily influenced by industry. And it's broad. I've served, you have, others, on the national academies and the programs. When I've been on the inside of those committees, there are always industry retired scientists on those committees. And they have undue influence. I've seen it. Their political power is so vast. The revolving door, that is a little of both ways. I think the government learns from the revolving door as well. But you're right, some people leave government and try to undo that. Now, I've chosen to work in academia when I'm not in government. But I think that does play a role, but I don't think it plays the largest role. I think the thing that people should be worried about is how much influence it has in Congress and how that affects the agency's budgets. And that way I feel that agencies are corrupted it, but it's not because they're corrupted directly by the industry. I think it's indirectly through congress. I'd like to get your opinion on something that's always relevant but is time sensitive now. And it's dietary guidelines for America. And the reason I'm saying it's time sensitive is because the current administration will be releasing dietary guidelines for America pretty soon. And there's lots of discussion about what those might look like. How can they help guide food policy and industry practices to support healthier children and families? It's one of the bigger levers the government has. The biggest is a program SNAP or food stamps. But beyond that, the dietary guidelines set the rules for government spending and food. So, I think often the way the dietary guidelines are portrayed isn't quite accurate. People think of it in terms of the once (food) Pyramid now the My Plate that's there. That's the public facing icon for the dietary guidelines. But really a very small part. The dietary guidelines are meant to help shape federal policy, not so much public perception. It's there. It's used in education in our schools - the (My) Plate, previously the (Food) Pyramid. But the main thing is it should shape what's served in government feeding programs. So principally that should be SNAP. It's not. But it does affect the WIC program- Women, Infants and Children, the school meals program, all of the military spending on food. Indeed, all spending by the government on food are set, governed by, or directed by the dietary guidelines. Now some of them are self-executing. Once the dietary guidelines change the government changes its behavior. But the biggest ones are not. They require rulemaking and in particular, today, one of the most impactful is our kids' meals in schools. So, whatever it says in these dietary guidelines, and there's reason to be alarmed in some of the press reports, it doesn't automatically change what's in school meals. The Department of Agriculture would have to write a rule and say that the dietary guidelines have changed and now we want to update. That usually takes an administration later. It's very rare one administration could both change the dietary guidelines and get through the rulemaking process. So, people can feel a little reassured by that. So, how do you feel about the way things seem to be taking shape right now? This whole MAHA movement Make America Healthy Again. What is it? To me what it is we've reached this tipping point we talked about earlier. The how sick we are, and people are saying, 'enough. Our food shouldn't make us sick at middle age. I shouldn't have to be spending so much time with my doctor. But particularly, it shouldn't be hard to raise my kids to 18 without getting sick. We really need to fix that and try to deal with that.' But I think that the MAHA movement is mostly that. But RFK and some of the people around them have increasingly claimed that it means some very specific things that are anti-science. That's been led by the policies around vaccine that are clearly anti-science. Nutrition is more and more interesting. Initially they started out in the exact right place. I think you and I could agree the things they were saying they need to focus on: kids, the need to get ultra-processed food out of our diets, were all the right things. In fact, you look at the first report that RFK and his team put out back in May this year after the President put out an Executive Order. Mostly the right things on this. They again, focus on kids, ultra-processed food was mentioned 40 times in the report as the root cause for the very first time. And this can't be undone. You had the White House saying that the root cause of our food-caused chronic disease crisis is the food industry. That's in a report that won't change. But a lot has changed since then. They came out with a second report where the word ultra-processed food showed up only once. What do you think happened? I know what happened because I've worked in that setting. The industry quietly went to the White House, the top political staff in the White House, and they said, you need to change the report when you come out with the recommendations. And so, the first report, I think, was written by MAHA, RFK Jr. and his lieutenants. The second report was written by the White House staff with the lobbyists of the food industry. That's what happened. What you end up with is their version of it. So, what does the industry want? We have a good picture from the first Trump administration. They did the last dietary guidelines and the Secretary of Agriculture, then Sonny Perdue, his mantra to his staff, people reported to me, was the industries- you know, keep the status quo. That is what the industry wants is they really don't want the dietary guidelines to change because then they have to reformulate their products. And they're used to living with what we have and they're just comfortable with that. For a big company to reformulate a product is a multi-year effort and cost billions of dollars and it's just not what they want to have to do. Particularly if it's going to change from administration to administration. And that is not a world they want to live in. From the first and second MAHA report where they wanted to go back to the status quo away from all the radical ideas. It'll be interesting to see what happens with dietary guidelines because we've seen reports that RFK Jr. and his people want to make shifts in policies. Saying that they want to go back to the Pyramid somehow. There's a cartoon on TV, South Park, I thought it was produced to be funny. But they talked about what we need to do is we need to flip the Pyramid upside down and we need to go back to the old Pyramid and make saturated fat the sort of the core of the diet. I thought it meant to be a joke but apparently that's become a belief of some people in the MAHA movement. RFK. And so, they want to add saturated fat back to our diets. They want to get rid of plant oils from our diets. There is a lot of areas of nutrition where the science isn't settled. But that's one where it is, indeed. Again, you go back only 1950s, 1960s, you look today, heart disease, heart attacks, they're down 90%. Most of that had to do with the drugs and getting rid of smoking. But a substantial contribution was made by nutrition. Lowering saturated fat in our diets and replacing it with plant oils that they're now called seed oils. If they take that step and the dietary guidelines come out next month and say that saturated fat is now good for us it is going to be just enormously disruptive. I don't think companies are going to change that much. They'll wait it out because they'll ask themselves the question, what's it going to be in two years? Because that's how long it takes them to get a product to market. Jerry, let me ask you this. You painted this picture where every once in a while, there'll be a glimmer of hope. Along comes MAHA. They're critical of the food industry and say that the diet's making us sick and therefore we should focus on different things like ultra-processed foods. In report number one, it's mentioned 40 times. Report number two comes out and it's mentioned only once for the political reasons you said. Are there any signs that lead you to be hopeful that this sort of history doesn't just keep repeating itself? Where people have good ideas, there's science that suggests you go down one road, but the food industry says, no, we're going to go down another and government obeys. Are there any signs out there that lead you to be more hopeful for the future? There are signs to be hopeful for the future. And number one, we talked earlier, is the success we had regulating tobacco. And I know you've done an outstanding job over the years drawing the parallels between what happened in tobacco and food. And there are good reasons to do that. Not the least of which is that in the 1980s, the tobacco companies bought all the big food companies and imparted on them a lot of their lessons, expertise, and playbook about how to do these things. And so that there is a tight link there. And we did succeed. We took youth smoking, which was around a 30 percent, a third, when we began work on this in the early 1990s when I was at FDA. And today it's less than 2%. It's one area with the United States leads the world in terms of what we've achieved in public health. And there's a great benefit that's going to come to that over the next generation as all of those deaths are prevented that we're not quite seeing yet. But we will. And that's regardless of what happens with vaping, which is a whole different story about nicotine. But this idea success and tobacco. The food industry has a tobacco playbook about how to addict so many people and make so much money and use their political power. We have a playbook of how to win the public health fight. So, tell us about that. What you're saying is music to my ears and I'm a big believer in exactly what you're saying. So, what is it? What does that playbook look like and what did we learn from the tobacco experience that you think could apply into the food area? There are a couple of areas. One is going to be leadership and we'll have to come back to that. Because the reason we succeeded in tobacco was the good fortune of having a David Kessler at FDA and Al Gore as Vice President. Nothing was, became more important to them than winning this fight against a big tobacco. Al Gore because his sister died at a young age of smoking. And David Kessler became convinced that this was the most important thing for public health that he could do. And keep in mind, when he came to FDA, it was the furthest thing from his mind. So, one of it is getting these kinds of leaders. Did does RFK Jr. and Marty McCarey match up to Al Gore? And we'll see. But the early signs aren't that great. But we'll see. There's still plenty of time for them to do this and get it right. The other thing is having a good strategy and policy about how to do it. And here, with tobacco, it was a complete stretch, right? There was no where did the FDA get authority over tobacco? And indeed, we eventually needed the Congress to reaffirm that authority to have the success we did. As we talked earlier, there's no question FDA was created to make sure processed food and the additives and processed food don't make us sick. So, it is the core reason the agency exists is to make sure that if there's a thing called ultra-processed food, man-made food, that is fine, but we have to thrive when we eat it. We certainly can't be made sick when we eat it. Now, David Kessler, I mentioned, he's put forward a petition, a citizens' petition to FDA. Careful work by him, he put months of effort into this, and he wrote basically a detailed roadmap for RFK and his team to use if they want to regulate ultra-processed stuff food. And I think we've gotten some, initially good feedback from the MAHA RFK people that they're interested in this petition and may take action on it. So, the basic thrust of the Kessler petition from my understanding is that we need to reconsider what's considered Generally Recognized as Safe. And that these ultra-processed foods may not be considered safe any longer because they produce all this disease down the road. And if MAHA responds positively initially to the concept, that's great. And maybe that'll have legs, and something will actually happen. But is there any reason to believe the industry won't just come in and quash this like they have other things? This idea of starting with a petition in the agency, beginning an investigation and using its authority is the blueprint we used with tobacco. There was a petition we responded, we said, gee, you raised some good points. There are other things we put forward. And so, what we hope to see here with the Kessler petition is that the FDA would put out what's called an advanced notice of a proposed rulemaking with the petition. This moves it from just being a petition to something the agency is saying, we're taking this seriously. We're putting it on the record ourselves and we want industry and others now to start weighing in. Now here's the thing, you have this category of ultra-processed food that because of the North Star I talked about before, because the industry, the marketplace has failed and gives them no incentive to make sure that we thrive, that keeps us from getting sick. They've just forgotten about that and put in place profits instead. The question is how do you get at ultra-processed food? What's the way to do it? How do you start holding the industry accountable? Now what RFK and the MAHA people started with was synthetic color additives. That wasn't what I would pick but, it wasn't a terrible choice. Because if you talk to Carlos Monteiro who coined the phrase ultra-processed food, and you ask him, what is an ultra-processed food, many people say it's this industrial creation. You can't find the ingredients in your kitchen. He agrees with all that, but he thinks the thing that really sets ultra-processed food, the harmful food, is the cosmetics that make them edible when they otherwise won't I've seen inside the plants where they make the old fashioned minimally processed food versus today's ultra-processed. In the minimally processed plants, I recognize the ingredients as food. In today's plants, you don't recognize anything. There are powders, there's sludges, there's nothing that you would really recognize as food going into it. And to make that edible, they use the cosmetics and colors as a key piece of that. But here's the problem. It doesn't matter if the color is synthetic or natural. And a fruit loop made with natural colors is just as bad for you as one made with synthetics. And indeed, it's been alarming that the agency has fast tracked these natural colors and as replacements because, cyanide is natural. We don't want to use that. And the whole approach has been off and it like how is this going to get us there? How is this focus on color additives going to get us there. And it won't. Yeah, I agree. I agree with your interpretation of that. But the thing with Kessler you got part of it right but the main thing he did is say you don't have to really define ultra-processed food, which is another industry ploy to delay action. Let's focus on the thing that's making us sick today. And that's the refined carbohydrates. The refined grains in food. That's what's most closely linked to the obesity, the diabetes we're seeing today. Now in the 1980s, the FDA granted, let's set aside sugar and white flour, for example, but they approved a whole slew of additives that the companies came forward with to see what we can add to the white flour and sugar to make it shelf stable, to meet all the taste, cost, and convenience considerations we have. And profit-making considerations we have. Back then, heart disease was the driving health problem. And so, it was easy to overlook why you didn't think that the these additives were really harmful. That then you could conclude whether Generally Recognized as Safe, which is what the agency did back then. What Kessler is saying is that what he's laid out in his petition is self-executing. It's not something that the agency grants that this is GRAS or not GRAS. They were just saying things that have historical safe use that scientists generally recognize it as safe. It's not something the agency decides. It's the universe of all of us scientists generally accept. And it's true in the '80s when we didn't face the obesity and diabetes epidemic, people didn't really focus on the refined carbohydrates. But if you look at today's food environment. And I hope you agree with this, that what is the leading driver in the food environment about what is it about ultra-processed food that's making us so sick? It's these refined grains and the way they're used in our food. And so, if the agency takes up the Kessler petition and starts acting on it, they don't have to change the designation. Maybe at some point they have to say some of these additives are no longer GRAS. But what Kessler's saying is by default, they're no longer GRAS because if you ask the scientists today, can we have this level of refined grains? And they'd say, no, that's just not Generally Recognized as Safe. So, he's pointing out that status, they no longer hold that status. And if the agency would recognize that publicly and the burden shifts where Wiley really always meant it to be, on the industry to prove that there are foods or things that we would thrive on, but that wouldn't make us sick. And so that's the key point that you go back to when you said, and you're exactly right that if you let the industry use their political power to just ignore health altogether and substitute profits, then you're right. Their sort of fiduciary responsibility is just to maximize profits and they can ignore health. If you say you can maximize profits, of course you're a capitalist business, but one of the tests you have to clear is you have to prove to us that people can thrive when they eat that. Thrive as the standard, might require some congressional amplification because it's not in the statute. But what is in the statute is the food can't make you sick. If scientists would generally recognize, would say, if you eat this diet as they intend, if you eat this snack food, there's these ready to heat meals as they intend, you're going to get diabetes and obesity. If scientists generally believe that, then you can't sell that. That's just against the law and the agency needs them to enforce the law. Bio: Jerold Mande is CEO of Nourish Science; Adjunct Professor of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University. Professor Mande has a wealth of expertise and experience in national public health and food policy. He served in senior policymaking positions for three presidents at USDA, FDA, and OSHA helping lead landmark public health initiatives. In 2009, he was appointed by President Obama as USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety. In 2011, he moved to USDA's Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, where he spent six years working to improve the health outcomes of the nation's $100 billion investment in 15 nutrition programs. During President Clinton's administration, Mr. Mande was Senior Advisor to the FDA commissioner where he helped shape national policy on nutrition, food safety, and tobacco. He also served on the White House staff as a health policy advisor and was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Occupational Health at the Department of Labor. During the George H.W. Bush administration he led the graphic design of the iconic Nutrition Facts label at FDA, for which he received the Presidential Design Award. Mr. Mande began his career as a legislative assistant for Al Gore in the U.S. House and Senate, managing Gore's health and environment agenda, and helping Gore write the nation's organ donation and transplantation laws. Mande earned a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science in nutritional science from the University of Connecticut. Prior to his current academic appointments, he served on the faculty at the Tufts, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and Yale School of Medicine.
Check out the collection of fidgets Team Shiny loves! There's a particular kind of tired that seeps past your muscles—it settles in your body memory. The kind that comes from years spent reshaping yourself around other people's comfort. If you've ever been told your joy was too big, your voice too loud, your questions too many—this conversation might feel like exhaling.In this episode of Something Shiny: ADHD, therapist Grace Gautier joins Isabelle Richards and David Kessler for a deeply human conversation about what it means to hide your corners to stay connected. Grace, a trans woman who works closely with trans and neurodivergent communities, puts language to something so many of us have felt but couldn't name: carceral logic—that cultural instinct to isolate or correct those who struggle, instead of shifting the environment to support them.We talk about what happens when systems teach us to monitor ourselves before anyone else can. How masking gets confused for maturity. How survival strategies get mislabeled as flaws. And why returning to connection—not perfection—is the real work of healing.We explore:The overlap between neurodivergent and trans lived experiencesWhy we learn to tuck away the most beautiful, vital parts of ourselvesThe difference between being managed and being metHow community becomes the repairDavid brings in the metaphor of the uncarved block—this tender image of a version of you untouched by the sanding-down of social expectation. Grace recognizes herself immediately. She traces how her sensory overwhelm, emotional intensity, and clutter-as-memory weren't signs of dysfunction—they were adaptations. Signals. Ways of being.Grace also shares the ache of her father's deportation and the clarity that arrived when she was finally diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Suddenly, things made sense. She didn't need to try harder—she needed support that didn't punish her nervous system.By the end of this conversation, you'll realize the parts you were taught to hide were actually never flaws to fix, but rather truths you were carrying alone. What shifts when you stop mistaking survival for failure? What changes when you see your ADHD traits not as obstacles, but as signals? Maybe, for the first time, things make sense. And maybe that sense brings a kind of peace you didn't know you were allowed to feel.
A lot of people build firms.Very few sell them.Even fewer?Walk away from it all to start again.But that's exactly what Toussaint Bailey did.After building and selling a $2B RIA, he's back on the founder path, this time leading Uplifting Capital, a values-first platform rethinking what private market investing could look like.In this episode, he sits down with Stacy to discuss: His backstory – How growing up in SoCal shaped his belief in “actionable faith in possibility”Why he left a law partnership to help build an RIAThe cultural ethos that scaled Enso Wealth to $2B AUM and an eventual exitWhy he launched Uplifting Capital and how it's redefining access to values-aligned private marketsA storytelling framework any fund manager can use to stand out (hint: it starts with “we're not that.”)About Toussaint Bailey:Toussaint's career has been built on a belief in the promise of possibility. As Founder and Managing Partner at Uplifting Capital, this belief manifests itself as investment in “Impact Alpha,” funds, and companies that produce compelling financial performance through gap-closing solutions in critical areas like education, healthcare, affordable housing, and renewable energy. Prior to founding Uplifting Capital, he was CEO and Chairman of Enso Wealth Management, a private wealth firm with a mission to translate wealth into fulfillment for clients and advisors. Toussaint joined Enso shortly after its formation in 2017, overseeing the firm's rapid growth to nearly $2 billion of assets under management and its eventual acquisition. Before financial services, Toussaint spent over a decade as a practicing attorney. Toussaint has served in several advisory and board capacities, including Impact Investment Subcommittee of the Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association; Investor Advisory Board of HBCU Founder Initiative; Advisory Board of Catalyst Housing Group; Advisory Board of SIY Global; and Board of Regents of Saint Mary's College of California. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Book: Finding Meaning by David Kessler (the “sixth stage” of grief: finding meaning).Want More Help With Storytelling? + Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital's exclusive membership ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn't be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus
Join Nailea and Justus at the table with David Kessler. David is a world-renowned grief expert who shares what we often misunderstand about grief, and how moving through it is less about “getting over it” and more about making space for healing and meaning. He opens up about how Gen Z can approach loss with more self-compassion, emotional awareness, and community. Enjoy!ease:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ease?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@easeradio?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51x8OhqmT9r3HLyenR52ER?si=f22fa8decdd84c78 NAILEA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naileadevora?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@billlnai?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/naileadevoraDAVID KESSLER:Website: https://grief.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdavidkessler?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Book: https://a.co/d/49Gk3dOSegments:00:00 - Introduction01:35 - David Kessler's Journey with Grief Work06:25 - Nailea's First Experience with Grief 09:00 - You Can't Compare Loss12:07 - Your First Loss & The End of Your Childhood14:30 - Love Can't Die15:00 - Justus's First Experience with Grief16:40 - The Confusion of Divorce for a Child20:20 - Denial in Grief 24:40 - They Are With Us, Always 25:05 - We Need Our Grief Witnessed 28:02 - The Body Keeps Score 29:59 - Stop Anticipating Grief 31:15 - How Can We Comfort Others? 32:16 - Breakups, Mental Health, and Grief 34:50 - We Are Desensitized 35:47 - Audience Questions 42:23 - How Can Talking About Grief Give Us ease?
Have you ever wondered how grief can completely change the direction of your life—and even help you discover your strength?I had the honor of sitting down with guest Rachel Blatt to explore her journey through sudden loss, the unexpected ways she coped, and how she's found meaning and new purpose. Highlights from our chat include:Rachel's Widow Story: The shocking diagnosis and rapid loss of her husband, Dave, to a rare form of sarcoma, and how she balanced caregiving, parenting, and her own survival during and after his illness.The Early Days of Widowhood: Why she dove into life with a sense of urgency—traveling to Paris, sending her sons to camp, and even adopting a new dog in a moment of “manic” decision-making.Navigating Grief with Kids: The unique challenges and bittersweet solutions she found to help her boys cope, especially around Father's Day and family milestones.Distraction Actions & Dating Again: Rachel's candid take on seeking distraction (including jumping into dating), the guilt and judgment widows face, and the unexpected friendships that blossomed from those choices.Healing Through Writing: How Rachel's lifelong love of writing became a lifeline in her grief, leading to published work in The Washington Post and a supportive writing group.Signs and Spiritual Connection: Fascinating stories about connecting with her late husband through signs, lost-and-found wedding rings, and sessions with mediums.Becoming a Grief Educator: Rachel's journey to becoming a certified grief educator with David Kessler's program, the insights it brought her, and the importance of “witnessing” grief in a safe community.This conversation is packed with wisdom, relatable moments, and hard-earned hope. Don't miss it—follow Rachel at @widow-tales on Instagram and Widow Tales on Substack!Get the newest Widow 180 Workbook, The New To Widowhood? Start Here! Workbook at https://www.widow180.com/newwidow Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQFor more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.comQuestions? Email me at jen@widow180.com
Obesity is often seen as a matter of willpower, but science tells a different story. My guest today, Dr. David Kessler—former FDA commissioner, lawyer, physician, and the man who took on Big Tobacco—explains why biology, not blame, drives our struggles with weight. On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, we talk about why weight struggles are so common today, what new drugs can and can't do, and how his new FDA petition targets one of the biggest culprits: processed refined carbs. Catch the full conversation on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. [YOUTUBE THUMBNAIL] You'll learn: • How food companies use ingredients like processed refined carbs to make products irresistible • Why GLP-1 drugs help many lose weight—but can't fix the food environment driving the crisis • How belly fat fuels heart disease, diabetes, and cancer—and why ultraprocessed foods are a big part of the problem • Simple ways to break free from foods engineered to make you overeat • What Dr. Kessler's FDA petition could mean for limiting processed carbs in our food supply and improving our collective health Plus, here's a bonus: We've adapted Dr. Kelsser's petition into a free PDF guide—The Hard Truth About Processed Carbs—so you can see exactly how these ingredients affect your health…and why his FDA petition REALLY matters. Tune in, download the guide, and find out how you can be part of the solution. View Show Notes From This Episode Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman's Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Seed, Paleovalley, Function Health, Timeline and AirDoctor. Visit seed.com/hyman and use code 25HYMAN for 25% off your first month of Seed's DS-01® Daily Synbiotic. Get nutrient-dense, whole foods. Head to paleovalley.com/hyman for 15% off your first purchase. Join today at FunctionHealth.com/Mark and use code HYMAN100 to get $100 toward your membership. Support essential mitochondrial health and save 20% on Mitopure. Visit timeline.com/drhyman to get 20% off today. Get cleaner air. Right now, you can get up to $300 off at airdoctorpro.com/drhyman.
Trump has fired Fed governor Lisa Cook for lying on her mortgage, part of a broader pattern of using mortgage fraud as a political weapon while allies skate by. Former FDA head David Kessler joins again to explain how GLP-1 drugs reshape the fight against obesity and what they mean for health long term. In the Spiel, the spectacle of Laura Loomer's chaotic influence. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Use Code gist at the link to get an exclusive 60% off an annual incogni plan: https://incogni.com/gist
Today on The Gist, the Trump administration's lowering of FBI recruitment standards, where irony gives way to petty tyranny. Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler joins to discuss his new book Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine and his petition urging the FDA to strip refined carbohydrates of their “generally recognized as safe” status. Kessler explains why ultra-processed foods act more like narcotics than nourishment, how GLP-1 drugs change the weight-loss landscape, and why toxic fat may be the new tobacco. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What if our inability to process grief is quietly shaping our culture—and our lives? In this moving episode, Boysen Hodgson sits down with world-renowned grief expert David Kessler to unpack the hidden costs of unacknowledged loss, the transformative power of meaning, and how we can begin to heal—together.David shares the origins of his life's work, including how the death of his mother during a mass shooting—and later, the death of his son—propelled him into a lifelong exploration of grief, healing, and human connection. He offers insights into the five stages of grief, and the powerful sixth stage he added: meaning.Together, they explore:How grief infiltrates our relationships and sense of identityThe harm caused by toxic positivity and “fix-it” cultureWhy healing can't happen in isolationHow the ManKind Project helped David's son begin his healing journeyWhether you're grieving a loved one, supporting someone in loss, or curious about how to live more fully, this episode is a must-listen.
Grief is not one-size-fits-all. In this episode of The Patient From Hell, grief coach Holly Gainsboro breaks down anticipatory grief after a cancer diagnosis (incl. glioblastoma/GBM), the harm of “be strong,” and simple daily practices that actually help patients, caregivers, and clinicians. We cover how to talk to kids after diagnosis, caregiver exhaustion, why grief isn't linear, and what to ask when seeking a therapist with real grief training.About Our Guest: Holly Gainsboro, founder of Golden Heart Grief Support & Education, is a Grief Coach/Support Specialist & Grief Educator. Holly's late husband, Steven, died in December 2010, from glioblastoma. Holly began her work in the grief field more than a decade ago, earning her first certification as a Grief Recovery Specialist. She continued her studies and received her certification as a Grief Educator with world renowned grief expert, David Kessler, as well as being certified as a Grief Support Specialist from the University of Wisconsin. Holly believes that learning never stops and recently completed another training and certification as a Grief & Loss Provider with Claire Bidwell Smith. Holly recognizes that grievers don't need to be fixed, they need to be heard, seen, and supported. Holly's passion/purpose is to be present for those who have experienced losses by guiding them through the feelings of grief and leading them to a place of peace and hope while honoring their relationships/experiences. Holly says," I normalize grief and invite growth and learning throughout the journey using a heart centered, and holistic approach.”Holly works 1:1 with women who have lost a loved one to a brain tumor or are caring for a loved one diagnosed with a brain tumor, facilitates grief support groups, and leads grief education workshops for various organizations. She is the co-host of the podcast Creating Space for Grief & Hope. What you'll learn:What anticipatory grief is (and why it's not just anticipating death)How to support a spouse/partner & children after a GBM diagnosisThe difference between platitudes and evidence-informed supportPractical tools: movement, journaling, nature, hydration, restWhy feeling your feelings = real strengthConnect with Us:Enjoyed this episode? Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Linkedin @MantaCares and visit our website at MantaCares.com for more episodes and updates. Disclaimer:All content and information provided in connection with Manta Cares is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only. This content and information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Tags:grief, anticipatory grief, glioblastoma, GBM, brain tumor, cancer caregiving, caregiver support, oncology, oncology support, patient advocacy, grief coach, grief educator, grief myths, grief practices, palliative care, bereavement, grief tools, cancer diagnosis, mental health in medicine, The Patient From Hell, Manta Cares
There are plenty of words in the English language that are distainful, hurtful, nasty, & downright awful, but there are two words that are unavoidable and from which we often run: death & dying - no one enjoys grief, sadness, or loss - those words are so dam final! When I was in social work school, I read Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's book aptly titled On Death and Dying, seminol work at that time. Kubler-Ross introduced what is known as the 5 stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance; a 6th stage was more recently added by a colleague of Kubler-Ross', David Kessler, Finding Meaning. It turns out that this concept may have been in Kubler-Ross' initial model, but her editor told her to remove it, as 5 stages are better than 6, although, as anyone who has experienced grief knows, this is not a linear process. One incredibly gifted creator, producer, and writer decided to take on this subject, but not as a passive project, but a fully engaging, head-on discussion to move us, make us think, and maybe make us less afraid of the inevitable. Grief Dialogues: The Experience brings timely conversations about death, dying, and grief to the stage in innovative, humorous, and touching ways. Part theatre, part therapy, this “edutainment” love that creative name, project began in 2016 with an open call for short plays and was developed from nearly 200 submissions. The original performance was composed of 6 short plays from playwrights across the country. It is a thought-provoking and honest look at the subject of death that invites audiences to reconsider some of the rhetoric and stigmas around the topic. As one of my guests shares: Theatre is the great empathy generator, and out of grief, comes art. Grief Dialogues is also committed to offering accessible and affordable training in compassion for health care providers, counselors and therapists, end-of-life specialists, funeral homes, and at-home caregivers. Let's Write a Musical was born out of this concept of 'out of grief, comes art.' A Musical About Love, Loss, and the Power of Storytelling. A joyous celebration of the power of love and an ode to classic musicals. A heartfelt and inspiring journey that follows David Hamilton and his wife, Lucy (based on Ben and Lawrie), as they write a romantic comedy in the wake of David's cancer diagnosis. As their real-life challenges unfold, so does the story of Olive and Blake, a young couple in the 1950s navigating love, laughter, and misadventures. For more information, check out their website: https://www.griefdialogues.com/ Tickets for Let's Write a Musical are on sale now: https://www.griefdialogues.com/lets-write-a-musical/
Dr. David Friedman interviews Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner and author of Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine, about why diets often fail and how ultra-processed foods hijack the brain's reward system. They discuss the rise of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, its benefits and limitations, and the importance of combining medication with nutrition, exercise, and behavior change for lasting results. Dr. Kessler also emphasizes better food labeling, the dangers of visceral fat, and how brain chemistry drives cravings and relapse.
As humans, we're natural storytellers. The stories we tell shape how we see ourselves, others and the world around us. But not all of our stories are helpful — some keep us trapped in cycles of fear, blame or regret. In this week's episode, Leah shares a simple exercise from grief expert David Kessler to help you investigate how you tell your stories and rewrite the ones keeping you stuck. Using three examples from her own life, Leah breaks down her narratives, separating fact from fiction and discovering more empowering versions of her stories. To go deeper, check out David Kessler's Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief Workbook, which includes this and other tools for healing and reflection. Listen to Leah's full conversation with David here.
#AnnHarris #PerPETualLove #author #dogtraining #animaltraining #therapyanimals #drkimberleylinert #incrediblelifecreatorpodcast Ann Harris lives in Australia and is a puppy and dog trainer, animal trainer for TV and film, animal therapy advocate, author, and certified Grief Educator who has dedicated her life to working with animals and supporting those who love them.Her career has evolved naturally, blending her own experiences with the many people she has connected with along the way.After losing her beloved Labrador, Matilda, Ann was inspired to write her book, PerPETual Love: Forever In Your Heart – A Guide Through Pet Loss Grief. Dedicated to Matilda, the book offers comfort, guidance, and practical strategies to help those anticipating the loss of a pet, grieving a loss, or supporting someone through their grief — helping them, one day, remember their cherished companions with more smiles than tears.Ann is also the founder of the Rainbow Bridge Compassionate Pet Loss Support Group, a new online community where people can connect, share memories, and find comfort in knowing they are not alone.As a certified Grief Educator through David Kessler's programme, Ann combines her professional insights with her personal experiences to offer support that is compassionate, practical, and deeply understanding.On 1st April, Ann will be visiting the United States to film a segment for the TV show Legacy Makers, where she hopes to raise awareness about pet loss grief — encouraging greater compassion and understanding for those mourning the loss of a beloved pet, whether furry, feathery, or scaly.Contact Ann Harris:Website: www.perpetuallove.com.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@animalloverscollective1Legacy Makers TV: https://www.legacymakerstv.com/homeBook: Recently released #1 Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWL5FR8J (Kindle and Paperback)Spotify plus other audio platforms, waiting for Audible to be approved https://open.spotify.com/show/0zoB9ujzq5b0B7Rp0WNgBhDr. Kimberley LinertSpeaker, Author, Broadcaster, Mentor, Trainer, Behavioral OptometristEvent Planners- I am available to speak at your event. Here is my media kit: https://brucemerrinscelebrityspeakers.com/portfolio/dr-kimberley-linert/To book Dr. Linert on your podcast, television show, conference, corporate training or as an expert guest please email her at incrediblelifepodcast@gmail.com or Contact Bruce Merrin at Bruce Merrin's Celebrity Speakers at merrinpr@gmail.com702.256.9199Host of the Podcast Series: Incredible Life Creator PodcastAvailable on...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/incredible-life-creator-with-dr-kimberley-linert/id1472641267Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DZE3EoHfhgcmSkxY1CvKf?si=ebe71549e7474663 and on 9 other podcast platformsAuthor of Book: "Visualizing Happiness in Every Area of Your Life"Get on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cmTOMwWebsite: https://www.DrKimberleyLinert.comThe Great Discovery eLearning platform: https://thegreatdiscovery.com/kimberleyl
Visceral fat, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction are driving the chronic disease epidemic—and yet, they're still misunderstood. In this compelling conversation, former FDA commissioner Dr. David Kessler, MD, explains why he believes visceral adiposity is the greatest public health failure of our lifetime.Dr. Kessler brings decades of experience (as a pediatrician, legal expert, policy leader, and author of “The End of Overeating” and “Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine”) to explore how ultra-formulated foods impact our biology, why GLP-1 drugs are only a short-term tool, and how we've misunderstood addiction when it comes to food. He also opens up about his own struggles with weight gain and metabolic health, despite having all the professional knowledge and discipline in the world.This interview covers:The link between processed food, dopamine, and metabolic diseaseWhy insulin—not just glucose—should be front and centerThe role of ketogenic and lower-carb diets for people with visceral fat or food addictionWhat went wrong with the dietary guidelinesAnd what it will take to reverse course and reclaim our healthIf you're a clinician, researcher, or someone navigating your own metabolic journey, this conversation is compelling viewing. Dr. Kessler doesn't offer easy answers, but he does help clarify where the real problem lies and how we might begin to fix it.Expert Featured:Dr. David Kessler, FACHEResources Mentionedhttps://www.amazon.com/Diet-Drugs-Dopamine-David-Kessler-ebook/dp/B0D33Y6L42/Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.
In today's episode, Gina discusses the five stages of grief and how important grief is in overcoming anxiety. Grief can be a powerful tool for moving through the uncertain world we all face and understanding it can help us to cope with stress.The Five Stages of Grief go to https://grief.com/ by David Kessler for more on this subjectBook mentioned in this episode Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler https://amzn.to/345c35DPlease visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching linkACPGroupCoaching.comTo learn more, go to:Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership ProgramLearn more about our One-on-One Coaching What is anxiety? Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/Here's what's included for $5/month:❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind❤ And more fun surprises along the way!All this in your favorite podcast app!Quote:When we face the worst that can happen in any situation, we grow. When circumstances are at their worst, we can find our best. -Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David KesslerChapters0:27 Grief and Anxiety2:32 Understanding Denial6:31 Embracing Anger8:33 The Bargaining Stage11:03 Navigating Depression12:27 Acceptance and Moving Forward15:12 Closing ThoughtsSummaryIn this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, we delve into the intricate relationship between anxiety and the stages of grief. Our discussion is informed by the foundational work of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, who introduced the five stages of grief, and the insights of David Kessler, whose book, "Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief," expands on this model. The conversation is tailored for those navigating their own grief, particularly in the context of a global experience that has intensified feelings of loss and anxiety across the board.We begin by unpacking the five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Each stage represents a unique emotional response to loss, and understanding these can offer clarity to those grappling with their own feelings. I emphasize that these stages do not unfold in a strict order and that each individual will traverse them at their own pace. This understanding is crucial, especially during times of heightened anxiety, as it legitimizes the feelings of discomfort and confusion many may be experiencing.Initially, we explore denial, the first stage in the grieving process. I highlight how this state can be an instinctual protective mechanism, allowing individuals to process loss at a manageable pace. It is natural to feel overwhelmed and numb, particularly given the current societal turmoil. By recognizing that these feelings are valid, listeners can afford themselves the grace they may not realize they need.Next, we discuss anger, a common emotional response to grief. I encourage listeners to acknowledge their anger—whether it's directed at themselves, others, or even the universe—for what it is: a part of the healing journey. I explain that anger, while uncomfortable, is an opportunity to unearth deeper emotions and ultimately contributes to the process of healing.#GriefProcess #AnxietyRelief #EmotionalWellness #HealingJourney #MentalHealthMatters #LossAndGrief #CopingWithLoss #AnxietySupport #EmotionalSupport #SelfCareIsHealthcare #MindfulnessPractice #TherapyWorks #FindYourMeaning #ResilienceBuilding #OvercomingAdversity #EmbraceTheJourney #YouAreNotAlone #GriefAndLoss #MentalWellbeing #HealingFromTrauma #StressReduction #InnerStrength #PersonalGrowthJourney #HolisticHealing #EmotionalFreedom #LivingWithAnxiety #GriefAwareness #ProcessingEmotions #SupportEachOther #CompassionateLiving #FindingPeace #BeyondGrief #KublerRoss #DavidKessler #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #ACPSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In America, body weight has become a pain point shrouded in self-recrimination and shame, not to mention bias from the medical community. For many, this battle not only takes a mental toll but also becomes a physical threat: three-quarters of American adults struggle with weight-related health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. We know that diets don't work, and yet we also know that excess weight starves us of years and quality of life. Where do we go from here? This evening, Dr. David Kessler will discuss some key points from his new book, Diet, Drugs and Dopamine, which unpacks the mystery of weight in the most comprehensive work to date on this topic, giving readers the power to dramatically improve their health. About the Speakers Dr. David Kessler is a prominent figure in public health, medicine and academia. He served as the commissioner of the FDA from 1990 to 1997, making significant contributions to drug approval, food safety and consumer protection. He is also a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco. Additionally, he has served as dean of the Yale School of Medicine and the UCSF School of Medicine. The moderator is Anahad O'Connor. He is a health columnist who writes about food and nutrition for The Washington Post's Well+Being desk. Anahad joined the Post in 2022; before that, he was a staff reporter for The New York Times, where he spent two decades covering health and science. A Nutrition, Food & Wellness Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. ORGANIZER: Patty James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic have dominated headlines over the past couple of years. When writing his new book, Diet, Drugs and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight, former FDA commissioner David Kessler wanted to unpack the science beyond those headlines. He also has a personal relationship with the subject, having taken GLP-1 medications himself. Host Flora Lichtman joins Kessler to talk about the latest science on metabolism, weight loss, and how these blockbuster drugs actually work.Guest: Dr. David Kessler is the former commissioner of the FDA and the author of Diet, Drugs and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.
Grief can feel overwhelming, heavy, and lonely. In this episode, we talk about practical tips for navigating grief whether you're grieving a person, a relationship, a season, or even a version of yourself. I'll share faith-based encouragement, simple coping stategies, and tools that can help you process the pain, honor your emotions, and begin to experience peace, one step at a time. You are not alone in this. Scriptures to hold onto:Psalm 34:18 "The lord is close to the brokenhearted."Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you."Books and other resources to help with Grief (I am not an afiiliate, nor do I get paid to offer these resources. I have personally read them and these are the ones that I feel have helped me in my journey.)The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Lossby Mary-Frances O'ConnorHow to Carry What Can't Be Fixed: A Journal for Griefby Megan DevineOn Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Lossby Elisabeth Kübler-Ross , David Kessler , et al.A Grief Observedby C. S. Lewis and Madeleine L'EngleForgiving What You Can't Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That's Beautiful Againby Lysa TerKeurstSuffering Is Never for Nothingby Elisabeth Elliot
Resources for the Community:___________________________________________________________________https://linktr.ee/theplussidezpodcast Ro - Telehealth for GLP1 weight management https://ro.co/weight-loss/?utm_source=plussidez&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=comms_yt&utm_content=45497&utm_term=55______________________________________________________________________Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner and author of Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine, joins us to break down the science behind food addiction, obesity, and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Zepbound.He doesn't just study this—he lives it. Dr. Kessler has obesity, takes GLP-1s, and knows firsthand what it's like to battle food noise and weight stigma.In this episode, we discuss:What makes ultra-processed food addictiveHow GLP-1s affect the brain and reduce cravingsWhether some people can stop taking GLP-1sHis personal experience starting, stopping, and restartingWhy weight regain happens and what the body is really fightingHis bold policy ideas to regulate Big Food like Big TobaccoDr. Kessler helped bring HIV drugs to market faster, led Operation Warp Speed, and took on the tobacco industry. Now, he's focused on the next public health crisis: food addiction and obesity.Subscribe to The Plus SideZ Podcast for more expert conversations on GLP-1s, weight, and wellness.Specialist and Community Guest Dr. David KesslerBIO: David. A. Kessler, MD, served as chief science officer of the WhiteHouse COVID-19 Response Team under President Joe Biden and previouslyserved as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration underPresidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He is the author of the_New York Times_ bestsellers _The End of Overeating_ and_ Capture_ andtwo other books:_ Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs_ and _A Question of Intent_.Dr. Kessler is a pediatrician and has been the dean of the medicalschools at Yale and the University of California, San Francisco. He is agraduate of Amherst College, the University of Chicago Law School, andHarvard Medical School.Social Media:https://x.com/DavidAKesslerMDLink to Book:https://www.audible.com/pd/B0D5KS9P4D?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdpSpecial community guest Mike on a Health Mission Social MedSend us Fan Mail! Support the showKim Carlos, Executive Producer TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dmfkim?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dmfkimonmounjaro?igsh=aDF6dnlmbHBoYmJn&utm_source=qr Kat Carter, Associate Producer TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katcarter7?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mrskatcarter?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
According to the CDC, 1 in 5 American adults is living with obesity. In recent years, many have turned to weight loss drugs containing GLP-1, a hormone that slows digestion and helps with sustained weight loss. In a new book, former FDA head Dr. David Kessler advocates for their use, but says they shouldn’t be seen as a quick and easy fix. Ali Rogin speaks with Kessler for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
According to the CDC, 1 in 5 American adults is living with obesity. In recent years, many have turned to weight loss drugs containing GLP-1, a hormone that slows digestion and helps with sustained weight loss. In a new book, former FDA head Dr. David Kessler advocates for their use, but says they shouldn’t be seen as a quick and easy fix. Ali Rogin speaks with Kessler for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
On Saturday night, the U.S. military attacked several Iranian nuclear facilities in an attempt to eliminate their potential. Following the announcement, President Trump addressed the nation, boasting the U.S. "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities. Some Americans fear this may drag the United States into an open-ended war. However, the Trump administration rejects those claims. Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01) joins the Rundown to discuss what inspired the President to act in a swift, secretive manner while enabling the U.S. military to strike the Iranian nuclear facilities. He shares his hope that the strike will embolden the Iranian people to rise against their repressive regime. President Donald Trump is taking a closer look at infant formula, a topic that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't thoroughly examined in decades. The last comprehensive review of infant formula was conducted in 1998, over two decades ago. Currently, a new FDA panel is seeking answers regarding childhood diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler, the author of "Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight," joins to discuss strategies for improving health, the popularity of Ozempic-like drugs, and whether or not food companies are trying to get us addicted to junk food. Plus, commentary from senior policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Ben Lieberman. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On Saturday night, the U.S. military attacked several Iranian nuclear facilities in an attempt to eliminate their potential. Following the announcement, President Trump addressed the nation, boasting the U.S. "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities. Some Americans fear this may drag the United States into an open-ended war. However, the Trump administration rejects those claims. Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01) joins the Rundown to discuss what inspired the President to act in a swift, secretive manner while enabling the U.S. military to strike the Iranian nuclear facilities. He shares his hope that the strike will embolden the Iranian people to rise against their repressive regime. President Donald Trump is taking a closer look at infant formula, a topic that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't thoroughly examined in decades. The last comprehensive review of infant formula was conducted in 1998, over two decades ago. Currently, a new FDA panel is seeking answers regarding childhood diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler, the author of "Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight," joins to discuss strategies for improving health, the popularity of Ozempic-like drugs, and whether or not food companies are trying to get us addicted to junk food. Plus, commentary from senior policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Ben Lieberman. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On Saturday night, the U.S. military attacked several Iranian nuclear facilities in an attempt to eliminate their potential. Following the announcement, President Trump addressed the nation, boasting the U.S. "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities. Some Americans fear this may drag the United States into an open-ended war. However, the Trump administration rejects those claims. Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01) joins the Rundown to discuss what inspired the President to act in a swift, secretive manner while enabling the U.S. military to strike the Iranian nuclear facilities. He shares his hope that the strike will embolden the Iranian people to rise against their repressive regime. President Donald Trump is taking a closer look at infant formula, a topic that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't thoroughly examined in decades. The last comprehensive review of infant formula was conducted in 1998, over two decades ago. Currently, a new FDA panel is seeking answers regarding childhood diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler, the author of "Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight," joins to discuss strategies for improving health, the popularity of Ozempic-like drugs, and whether or not food companies are trying to get us addicted to junk food. Plus, commentary from senior policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Ben Lieberman. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Americans are unusually overweight and chronically ill compared to similarly rich countries. This episode presents a grand, unified theory for why that's the case. Our food environment has become significantly more calorie-rich and industrialized in the past few decades, sending our obesity rates soaring, our visceral fat levels rising, and our chronic inflammation surging. The result is an astonishing rise in chronic illness in America. That's the bad news. The good news is that GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic and Zepbound, seem to be astonishingly successful at reversing many of these trends. This episode blends two interviews with Dr. David Kessler and Dr. Eric Topol. Kessler was the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under the Bush and Clinton administrations, from 1990 to 1997. He helped lead Operation Warp Speed in its final months. He is the author of the book 'Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine.' Topol is a cardiologist and the founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. He is the author of the book 'Super Agers.' If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guests: Dr. David Kessler and Dr. Eric Topol Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Food addiction isn't about willpower.It's about biology.This week's guest, Dr. David A. Kessler, pulls back the curtain on GLP-1 drugs, the medications everyone's talking about but few truly understand. As a former FDA Commissioner, bestselling author of Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine, and someone who has personally used Ozempic, Dr. David reveals what pharmaceutical companies aren't telling you about how they actually work.David shares his own journey with GLP-1 medications, the science behind why they're so effective, and the critical conversations we're not having about safety, proper use, and what happens when you stop taking them.Through science, candor, and vulnerability, he explains:Why food addiction is real, and how it rewires the reward circuits of the brainHow GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are changing the conversation about obesity and self-blameWhy “just eat less” doesn't work… and never didHow visceral fat creates an invisible storm of inflammation, starting in childhoodAnd what it means to actually change your relationship with food for goodDr Kessler doesn't offer a magic solution. He offers tools: from nutritional rewiring to behavioral insight, from emotional honesty to policy change.Ultimately, he reminds us that health isn't about being perfect. It's about understanding what drives us, learning how to interrupt the cycle, and reclaiming agency in a world designed to overwhelm it.Real healing isn't about restriction. It's about relief.It's not about weight. It's about freedom.Love,Sarah Ann
My guest today is Debra Kiva. Debra is a certified grief educator and coach who works with, and is trained by, renowned grief expert, David Kessler. Debra facilitates loss groups for Kessler's online grief community, Tender Hearts, and co-facilitates loss groups for grieving complex relationships. And she supports people facing anticipatory grief, the grief of losing a loved one by long term illness/dementia, as she has deep experience in dementia and sibling loss. As an adult she has experienced the loss of her brother, both parents (who were very difficult/abusive when she was a child), and many friends. Debra also devotes her time as the Director of the Hummingbird Choir, a joyful singing community for those with memory challenges and she is the Co-Director of Yuba Spirit Threshold Singers and a member of Whidbey Island Bedside Singers which brings gentle songs to those on the threshold of life, bringing moments of ease and comfort for clients, family and caregivers. Debra has begun a new group for working with those who are grieving parents or caregivers were neglectful, narcissistic, emotionally absent, addicted, or mentally ill. She and her co-facilitator Katia Miniovich have created a place where participants can feel understood within the complexities and confusion which may arise from these losses, as these losses are often not recognized by the culture or peers who have had different upbringings. Debra believes that healing happens within connection and she is dedicated to serving others, letting them know they are not alone and are held with compassion. She supports clients on Zoom and in person in her office on Whidbey Island, Washington.I first saw Debra's name through a notice of her grief group and was so intrigued by this offering, recognizing complex grief and loss. I reached out and I'm so glad she agreed to come on the podcast. She and I talk about this deep complexity of grieving loss when the relationships were difficult, for many different reasons. This isn't something that I've seen talked about in this way before and I share various pieces of my own journey of losing my first husband Eric and the complexity of grieving while recognizing the challenges of our marriage and relationship.We recorded this conversation in early April and it is serendipitous that it's being published now, as my father passed away just a few days ago, after a slow decline from Dementia with Lewy Bodys. I was listening to this conversation to get it ready for publication while with my family during my dad's final few days and wow, I was so grateful!Debra, I'm so incredibly grateful for the connection with you and for this conversation. Your beautiful and graceful presence is a gift in this world. Creating spaces for talking about and experiencing grief without judgement is an incredible way to make life less difficult. And one final thing before we jump into our conversation, I just want to share this quote from Debra: You don't get over grief, you just continue and grow around it…. You have to figure out how to move forward and grow around it and find more love than pain.If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, please know that you are not alone. Don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to connect. Debra KivaCertified Grief Educator/Support Provider Certified Grief Coach Certified Grief Movement Guide debkiva@gmail.com530 913-0320Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Dr. David Kessler is a renowned pediatrician, lawyer, public health advocate, and former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A graduate of Amherst College, the University of Chicago Law School, and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Kessler has spent his career at the intersection of science, policy, and consumer protection. He served as Dean of the Yale School of Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco Medical School, and most recently held the role of Chief Science Officer for the White House COVID-19 Response Team. Dr. Kessler is the acclaimed author of several influential books including the New York Times bestseller The End of Overeating, Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs, and his latest work, Diet, Drugs & Dopamine: The New Science on Achieving a Healthy Weight. His writing and research have been pivotal in shifting the public health conversation from willpower to biological understanding—especially regarding food addiction, the manipulation of hyper-palatable foods, and the role of dopamine in modern eating behaviors. A true trailblazer in the field, Dr. Kessler has dedicated decades to unraveling the powerful science behind why we eat the way we do—and how we can reclaim our health in a world of ultra-processed foods. Dr. Kessler shares his personal journey with weight regain and the "aha moment" that led him to call it what it is—addiction. He explores the role of GLP-1 medications, the dark side of food addiction, and how we must move beyond willpower to tackle this epidemic with compassion, science, and actionable tools.
The Nutrition Diva's Quick and Dirty Tips for Eating Well and Feeling Fabulous
Today's episode explores whether certain foods can be addictive, with insight from Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner and author of "Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine." Monica and Dr. Kessler discuss the concept of food addiction, compulsive eating, and the brain's reward system.Transcript: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/can-we-really-be-addicted-to-food-with-dr-david-kessler/transcriptReferencesEvidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake - PubMedAddiction-like reward dysfunction and compulsive eating in obese rats: Role for dopamine D2 receptors - PMCFemale mice are more prone to develop an addictive-like phenotype for sugar consumption | Scientific ReportsFrontiers | Shifts in naturalistic behaviors induced by early social isolation stress are associated with adult binge-like eating in female ratsAddictive Junk Food: A Simple Story for a Complex Problem - ConscienHealthChemical Complexity of Food and Implications for Therapeutics | New England Journal of Medicine New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age. Have a nutrition question? Send an email to nutrition@quickanddirtytips.com. Follow Nutrition Diva on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more diet and nutrition tips. Find Monica's blog and other programs at Nutrition Over Easy. Nutrition Diva is a part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network. LINKS:Transcripts: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QDTNutrition/Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/nutrition-diva-newsletterNutrition Over Easy: https://nutritionovereasy.comQuick and Dirty Tips: https://quickanddirtytipscom
"Unconscionable." That's how the United Nations' Human Rights Chief describes fatal attacks on Palestinians trying to reach aid in Gaza. Chaos erupted at a distribution site in Rafah today, where Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli forces opened fire. It's the third day in a row that people have been killed on their way to collect critically needed aid at the site, which is run by the controversial new "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation." This time the Israeli military says its forces did open fire multiple times, after identifying quote "several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated access routes." Jeremy Diamond joins the program from Jerusalem. Also on today's show: Janti Soeripto, President and CEO, Save the Children US; former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacina Ardern; Dr. David Kessler, author of “Diet, Drugs and Dopamine” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why is there an obesity epidemic? Are “fat jabs” the answer? How culpable are the food multinationals for making and marketing addictive “ultra-formulated” foods? Steph and Robert are joined by US public health expert ex-FDA commissioner, who rolled out COVID vaccines in America, Dr David Kessler. We appreciate your feedback on The Rest Is Money to help make the podcast and our partnerships better: https://opinion-v2.askattest.com/app/41f5060f-0f52-45bc-bf86-bf3c9793618e?language=ENG Sign up to our newsletter to get more stories from the world of business and finance. Email: restismoney@gmail.com X: @TheRestIsMoney Instagram: @TheRestIsMoney TikTok: @RestIsMoney https://goalhanger.com Visit: https://monzo.com/therestismoney/ Assistant Producer: India Dunkley, Alice Horrell Producer: Ross Buchanan Head of Content: Tom Whiter Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Trump administration regard many of the US's most prestigious universities as hotbeds of antisemitism and left-wing ideology. In addition to threatening to remove millions of dollars in funding the State Department has now issued a ban to American embassies around the world to stop holding student visa appointments. Social media vetting is also expected to be introduced for prospective students from abroad.Also on the programme: the V&A museum in London is giving the public the opportunity to choose which objects they want to see at the brand-new East Storehouse, a site that combines storage space with art exhibitions. And; about 2.5 billion people around the world are overweight. Weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy have made it easier for people to lose the extra kilos, but how safe are these drugs? Former commissioner for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Dr David Kessler, visits the studio to discuss our relationship with food.(Photo: A supporter with a sign reading 'We Love Our International Students,' arrives to a rally in support of the international student population at Harvard and other US Universities, outside the Science Center on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 27 May 2025. Credit: CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Monday, April 19, and reports on President Trump's free speech crackdown with James Comey, Trump's flip-flop on tariffs and House Republicans' effort to gut healthcare for millions of Americans. Dr. David Kessler, Maya Wiley and David Ziblatt join.
Katelyn and Abdul break down the latest news in public health and policy, including: RFK's appearance at the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health Committee The House budget proposal to cut Medicaid Donald Trump's Executive Order to bring down drug prices Trump's nominee for Surgeon General Then Abdul interviews former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler about his new book Diet, Drugs and Dopamine. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don't miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: de Beaumont Foundation: For 25 years, the de Beaumont Foundation has worked to create practical solutions that improve the health of communities across the country. To learn more, visit debeaumont.org. Lumen: Go to lumen.me/AD to get 15% off your Lumen. Our Big Shot: Search for and subscribe to “Our Big Shot: Wiping Out Disease” on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.
Dr. David Kessler had previously described for Rachel Maddow how Donald Trump benefitted from the federal medical establishment in surviving a sever case of Covid, only to make drastic cuts to that institution, including firing the doctor responsible for Trump being able to receive his Covid treatment. Now Dr. Kessler returns to point out that Trump's medical records show another benefit of the federal medical system, and again he is cutting the very thing that has helped improve his health.
In part two of The Journey Beyond Death begins a powerful three-part arc on Mental Health Resiliency. In this deeply honest and emotionally raw episode, we explore how the grieving mind struggles to stay grounded after the loss of someone irreplaceable — and what survivors can do to regain emotional equilibrium. Certified grief educator and thanatologist Elreacy Dock joins us to offer expert insight on the early stages of grief and the emotional turbulence that can last for years. Elreacy shares why year two is often more emotionally taxing than year one, and how avoiding emotions too long can trigger delayed grief and breakdowns. We also discuss the dangers of using substances to suppress grief, and instead offer healthier rituals that restore stability and self-expression. Joining Elreacy are Carole Brody Fleet, Joyce Hocker, and Mark Henick — all of whom bring unique expertise and lived experience. From suicide prevention and emotional sobriety to reclaiming identity after widowhood, this episode offers guidance that is fiercely compassionate and unapologetically real. Mental health isn't about “getting over” death. It's about learning how to live beside the wound. --------------------------------------- Featuring in order of appearance: 01:00 – Certified Grief Educator Elreacy Dock 09:54 – Carole Brody Fleet 27:18 – Psychologist Dr. Joyce Hocker 38.52 - Mark Henick --------------------------------------- Elreacy Dock Elreacy Dock is a certified grief educator, thanatologist, behavioral health consultant, and death educator. She serves as Chair of the Thanatology Department at Capstone University, where she designed a graduate-level program in grief studies. Trained by renowned grief expert David Kessler, Elreacy combines academic depth with compassionate support for those experiencing loss. She is also a published co-author of Integrated Healthcare: Applications for Social Work, and her work has been featured in major outlets such as Vogue, Newsweek, and Harper's Bazaar Arabia. website: www.elreacydock.com. --------------------------------------- Carole Brody Fleet Carole Brody Fleet is the multi-award winning author of the forthcoming book, “Loss is a Four-Letter Word…” (HCI Books, September, 2018); as well as the #1 release in its genre, “When Bad Things Happen to Good Women…” (Viva Editions). She is also the author of “Happily EVEN After… “(Viva Editions); winner of the prestigious Books for a Better Life Award, one of the top national awards in publishing; as well as the critically praised, national bestseller, “Widows Wear Stilettos…” (New Horizon Press). Carole is additionally the author and executive producer of the best selling spoken-word CD, entitled, “Widows Wear Stilettos: What Now?”. Website: http://www.widowswearstilettos.com/ --------------------------------------- Joyce Hocker Joyce Hocker, Ph.D., a former professor at the University of Montana, is the author of Interpersonal Conflict, used in more than 250 colleges and universities and now in its 10th edition. Now semi-retired, Hocker teaches in the Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Montana, and at Red Willow Learning Center, a nonprofit in Missoula, which supports resilience in people who suffer difficult life experiences. Her latest book is The Trail to Tincup. Website: http://www.redwillowlearning.org/ --------------------------------------- Mark Henick With over three and a half million views, Mark Henick's TEDx talk, “Why We Choose Suicide,” is among the most watched in the world. His story of searching for “the man in the light brown jacket” who saved his life from a teenage suicide attempt captured global attention, and when he learned of products being sold on Amazon that promoted suicide, his successful online petition to have them removed garnered tens of thousands of signatures. As the National Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), his talks are informed by his direct experience with stigma and the mental health care system, and he has dedicated his life from an early age to opening minds and creating change. Henick brings his diverse and unique perspective to every audience, as someone who has been a patient, a professional, and a policy influencer in the mental health system. Website: https://markhenick.com/ ---------------------------------------
There is no doubt that we are living in a rapidly changing world. Whether the topic is politics, technology, or climate - the future that our children face will likely look very different than previous generations. Given the modern challenges of smartphones, social media, and rising mental health issues, should our parenting also be evolving? Sissy Goff is the author of 13 books full of practical parenting advice for just such questions. She's been counseling kids and families for over 30 years, and her latest project focuses on building resilience in children. In this episode Sissy shares practical strategies every parent can use to help their children flourish, as well as advice for adults navigating the digital age. Show Notes Resources: Sissy's Podcast Sissy's Books “Breath” by James Nestor “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt “How to Find Meaning After Loss” by David Kessler “The Road Back to You” by Suzanne Stabile “Quiet Power” by Susan Cain Similar Episodes: Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz Angela Duckworth Alfie Kohn Transcript Want more NSE? Join NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes designed specifically to help you live a good life, ad-free listening, and early access to tickets to our live shows. Great Feeling Studios, the team behind No Small Endeavor and other award-winning podcasts, helps nonprofits and brands tell stories that inspire action. If your organization has a message that deserves to be heard, start your podcast at helpmemakeapodcast.com. Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.com See Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a… Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chaya Hott joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about... -grief, resilience, and the power of turning personal tragedy into a source of healing for others -her experience navigating secondary infertility, a devastating stillbirth, and an early loss -how each heartbreak deepened her grief and after years of heartbreak, pain and healing, she welcomed her rainbow baby, but her story didn't end there -how she took her pain and transformed it into purpose -her journey of becoming a grief educator, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the unbearable weight of loss Chaya will be running our Second/Third Trimester Loss group and the new Recurrent Loss group, which will be starting in May 2025. More about Chaya: Chaya is a Certified Grief Educator, trained by renowned expert David Kessler, and a Certified Trauma Coach through Daniel Schonbuch at the Torah Psychology School for Coaching and Counseling. She founded Jewish Grief Groups to support bereaved women after the loss of a pregnancy, baby, child, parent, spouse, sibling, or loved one. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chaya endured the stillbirth of her baby boy after a decade of infertility due to a medical condition. Months later, a miscarriage compounded her grief, leaving her isolated and lost—until she found IWSTHAB, whose support carried her through her losses and a subsequent pregnancy with her rainbow baby. Inspired by the healing she experienced, Chaya now helps others navigate grief with compassion and understanding. Chaya lives in Pomona, NY, with her husband, three children, and one forever in her heart. She finds joy in working out, hiking, and cake decorating. Connect with Chaya: -Send her an email Connect with us: -Check out our Website - Follow us on Instagram and send us a message -Watch our TikToks -Follow us on Facebook -Watch us on YouTube
Dr. David Kessler, former FDA commissioner and chief science officer of the White House Covid-19 Task Force, talks with Rachel Maddow about the devastating effects of Donald Trump's cuts to HHS, not only in dismantling important services, but compromising U.S. medical and scientific leadership to a degree that may not be recoverable for decades.
On this week's episode, we're talking with Connie Harrington about the Murder-Suicide Loss Network, the power of community support when grieving and healing, and what it means to tell our own stories. Connie Harrington is a content strategist, mom of two, and a survivor of murder-suicide loss. She is on the leadership team of Triumph over Trauma: Northern Shenandoah Valley Resilience Initiative and on the board of the Murder-Suicide Loss Network. Referenced Resources: Murder-Suicide Loss Network: https://www.mslnetwork.org/ My Grief Connection: https://www.mygriefconnection.org/ David Kessler's Work: https://grief.com/ Dr. Alan Wolfelt's Work: https://www.centerforloss.com/ TAPS: https://www.taps.org/ The Perversion of Virtue by Thomas Joiner (book) Topics discussed in this episode include suicide and homicide. It may be difficult for some listeners. Help is always available- The suicide and crisis lifeline can be reached by texting or calling 988. The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.
#808: Join us as we sit down with David Kessler – a world-renowned grief expert! With decades of experience helping individuals navigate trauma, loss, and healing, David shares his personal journey through grief and how he reclaimed his power after loss. In this episode, Lauryn opens up about her own experiences with grief, while they discuss the five stages of grief, offer practical advice for supporting others through loss, & reveal powerful lessons on how grief can unlock the secrets to living a happier, more fulfilled life. If you or someone you know is grieving or has experienced loss, this is an episode you won't want to miss! To Watch the Show click HERE For Detailed Show Notes visit TSCPODCAST.COM To connect with David Kessler click HERE To connect with Lauryn Bosstick click HERE To connect with Michael Bosstick click HERE Read More on The Skinny Confidential HERE To Call the Him & Her Hotline call: 1-833-SKINNYS (754-6697) This episode is brought to you by The Skinny Confidential Head to the HIM & HER Show ShopMy page HERE and LTK page HERE to find all of Michael and Lauryn's favorite products mentioned on their latest episodes. Visit grief.com to learn more about David Kessler and the resources he offers! This episode is sponsored by Kettle & Fire Go to kettleandfire.com/skinny to save 20% off your next purchase with code skinny. This episode is sponsored by Vivrelle Go to vivrelle.com and apply for a membership today using code SKINNY for 30% off 4 months of membership - the code will also allow you to skip the Vivrelle waitlist. This episode is sponsored by Ritual Start a Ritual that's backed by science, without the B.S. Ritual is offering 25% off your first month at ritual.com/SKINNY. This episode is sponsored by Lancôme Shop now on lancome-usa.com and use code TSC20 for 20% off Genifique Ultimate. This episode is sponsored by YNAB TSC Him & Her Show listeners can claim an exclusive three-month free trial, with no credit card required at YNAB.com/skinny. This episode is sponsored by Purely Elizabeth Visit purelyelizabeth.com and use code SKINNY at checkout for 20% off. This episode is sponsored by Nutrafol For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code SKINNYHAIR. Produced by Dear Media
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcastsIn this episode, Dr. Taz sits down for an impactful conversation with David Kessler, a leading expert on grief and loss, who has worked closely with leaders like Elizabeth Kubler Ross and Mother Teresa. They explore the importance of community support, resilience, and the non-linear nature of grieving. Kessler approaches the experiences of death and grieving in a way that is both tangible and easy to digest, providing simple, actionable strategies for navigating life's most difficult experiences. With insights drawn from Kessler's extensive work, including his new book 'Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief,' this conversation honors the grieving process and offers tools to find comfort and purpose amid loss. The discussion also explores how to find meaning after loss—of any kind—and the physical and emotional manifestations of grief. Kessler also shares his personal journey through childhood trauma, the death of his mother at a young age, and the devastating loss of his son. About David KesslerDavid Kessler is one of the world's foremost experts on grief and loss. His experience with thousands of people on the edge of life and death has taught him the secrets to living a happy and fulfilled life, even afterlife's tragedies. He is the author of six books, including the new bestselling book, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. He co authored two books with Elisabeth Kubler Ross, including On Grief and Grieving updated her 5 stages for grief. His first book, The Needs of The Dying received praise from Saint (Mother) Teresa.Thank you to our sponsorBiOptimizers: bioptimizers.com/holplus06:24 David Kessler's Journey Through Trauma12:14 The Five Stages of Grief29:08 Understanding Grief and Its Impact30:43 Releasing Fear and Embracing Mortality31:59 Misconceptions About Grief35:36 Physical and Emotional Manifestations of Grief40:25 Finding Meaning After Loss47:41 The Importance of Community in HealingStay ConnectedSubscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribeSubscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcastsFollow Dr. Taz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/Join the conversation on X: https://x.com/@drtazmdTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drtazmdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtazmd/Connect with David Kessler:https://www.instagram.com/iamdavidkessler/https://linktr.ee/DavidKesslerHost & Production TeamHost: Dr. Taz; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Lead Producer: Lauren Feighan; Editors: Jeremiah Schultz and Patrick Edwards)Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+
How can we remember those who have died with more than just love and pain? For decades David taught doctors, counselors, and first responders about end-of-life and trauma. Yet despite that knowledge, his life was upended by the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son. His journey through that tragic loss ultimately led him to discover and write about the sixth stage of grief—meaning.This episode originally aired on October 23, 2019.Watch David Kessler's Commune course, Help for the Hurting Heart, with a 14-day trial of Commune Membership. Sign up for free at onecommune.com/trial. This podcast is supported by:Transparent Labs10% off and free shipping at transparentlabs.com/commune.StemregenGet 20% off your first order at stemregen.co/commune with the code COMMUNEPODBon Charge Get 15% off when you order at boncharge.com and use promo code COMMUNE LMNTGet a free sample pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/COMMUNE VivobarefootUse code COMMUNE25 and get 25% off https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/commune
What if the greatest lessons about life came from those who are facing the end of it? In this episode, grief expert David Kessler shares what he's learned from over 20 years of guiding people through their final transition. We explore how fear holds us back from truly living, why processing grief is key to a meaningful life, and how our relationships —especially the challenging ones— teach us the most about ourselves.This conversation reminds us that it's never too late to embrace life and cherish the moments that truly matter. Share this episode with someone who needs this reminder today!In this episode, you'll find information about:How “grieving well” helps us move forward with purpose.How fear holds us back and practical steps to overcome it.Why embracing both big and small moments brings meaning to life.If you enjoyed this episode, you can also listen to:The power of being yourself | Alok Vaid-MenonLa persona que quiero ser | The person I want to become | Elizabeth GilbertLiving without a mask | Lewis Howes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Running a business is hard enough without feeling like your own brain is working against you. If ADHD has you stuck in cycles of procrastination, perfectionism, or overwhelm, you might wonder if you'll ever get a handle on your own productivity. Many entrepreneurs struggle to balance their creative bursts with the structure and discipline needed for success. So how do you work with your brain instead of against it? And what if the quirks of ADHD are actually your greatest asset? In this episode, hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting sit down with David Kessler, co-founder of the Willow Center for Integrative Health and co-host of the Something Shiny Podcast, to unpack the connection between ADHD and entrepreneurship. You'll learn practical strategies for creating flexible structures, breaking free from shame spirals, and leaning into your unique work style to unlock your full potential. Listen in and learn how to use ADHD as an asset, not a barrier, to thrive in both business and life. Get free access to the Something Shiny ADHD Focus & Flow Finder at SomethingShinyPodcast.com/BMS. -- BIG NEWS! After three amazing years, the Business Made Simple Podcast will be ending, and starting January 6, 2025, this feed will become home to an exciting new show: Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI, hosted by Donald Miller. It's been an honor providing you with the tools and frameworks to help you become a better business owner, and this new podcast will continue giving incredible value with actionable insights you can immediately apply. Stay subscribed to this feed so you don't miss a single episode of Why That Worked starting January 6, 2025! Need proven strategies and actionable tactics to drive your coaching business and make a bigger impact on more people in 2025? Don't miss our upcoming How to Land 5 High-Value Clients in the Next 30 Days, hosted by Donald Miller and Michael Hyatt, on December 12, 2024 at 10am CST. Register now at CoachBuilder.com. FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple
The point of contemplating this unthinkable reality isn't morbid, it's purposeful.
In this episode, John sits down with author David Kessler to have a conversation about grief. Next Steps: Learn more about David Kessler and resources for grief Follow David on Instagram