Podcasts about Liver

Don't wait for fatty liver symptoms to address your liver health! Find out what to eat for a fatty liver and discover the #1 superfood for liver health that can remove fat from the liver naturally. NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is being changed to MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), which essentially means a fatty liver with inflammation. Doctors treat this condition with medications and never truly address the root cause.NAFLD is often blamed on “too much nutrition”, but what does this mean? It's not simply over-nutrition that causes a fatty liver. It's the overconsumption of sugar, starches, and seed oils. Industrial sugars like high-fructose corn syrup are especially problematic for the liver.Fatty liver symptoms include fatigue, pain or discomfort in the right upper quadrant, cognitive problems, yellow skin, hot and itchy feet, and extra weight around the midsection.The medical field has used observational studies to claim that red meat, organ meats, liver, and eggs cause a fatty liver. However, observational studies can not determine causation! Research has shown that if you go on a low-carb, ketogenic diet, you can decrease 50% of the fat from your liver in a matter of weeks! To improve liver health and remove fat from the liver naturally, add the following liver detox foods to your diet:1. Grass-fed red meat offers high-quality protein with vital nutrients such as zinc, copper, and CoQ10. It also supports healthy blood sugar levels. 2. Eggs have zero carbs and are a rich source of choline, which helps protect you from developing a fatty liver.3. Cruciferous vegetables, especially when fermented, help the liver with detoxification and also help to remove fat. 4. Wild-caught salmon and other wild-caught fatty fish are a very nutritious source of protein and are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce liver inflammation. 5. Broccoli sprouts contain sulforaphane, which has potent anti-cancer properties and helps detoxify the liver. They can also decrease A1C to stabilize blood sugar. 6. The #1 food for liver health is grass-fed liver! Beef and lamb liver are low-carb, high in choline, nutrient-dense, and contain many trace minerals, vital in reducing liver fat and inflammation. Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:Dr. Berg, age 60, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Send us a textDisclaimer: As fun as it is to kick back with friends and consume alcohol; The Couchaholics always condone drinking responsibly and never drink and drive... all of our opinions are our own,  and don't reflect upon the quality of any particular brewery or business. This podcast contains explicit language.

A former Major League pitcher named Steven Register is in the news because one of his old classmates came through for him in a big way. STORY: https://www.wdjx.com/former-mlb-player-gets-life-saving-transplant-from-former-classmate/

BUFFALO, NY - May 23, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on May 19, 2025, titled “Immune-mediated adverse events following atezolizumab and bevacizumab in a multinational Latin American cohort of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma." The study, led by first authors Leonardo Gomes da Fonseca from Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, and Federico Piñero from Hospital Universitario Austral, Argentina, investigated how patients with advanced liver cancer in Latin America respond to a widely used immunotherapy combination. The researchers found that although a minority of patients developed immune-related side effects, these events did not significantly impact overall survival. Their findings highlight the importance of early recognition and careful management of such side effects in real-world clinical settings. Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with limited treatment options for patients diagnosed at an advanced stage. Immunotherapy, particularly the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab, has become a standard approach. However, these treatments can sometimes trigger the body's immune system to attack healthy organs, leading to what are called immune-related adverse events, or irAEs. Until now, little data existed on how frequently these events occur in Latin American patients and whether they impact treatment outcomes. The researchers followed 99 patients from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, most of whom had cirrhosis or underlying liver disease. They received atezolizumab and bevacizumab for a median duration of six months. The researchers reported that only 18% of the patients experienced immune-related side effects, most commonly affecting the liver (hepatitis) and thyroid (thyroiditis). Most of these cases were mild or moderate, and half of them resolved completely within a month. Only eight patients needed treatment with steroids to control the immune response. Importantly, the occurrence of immune-related side effects did not affect how long patients survived after starting treatment. The median survival was the same—18.5 months—for both those who experienced irAEs and those who did not. This result suggests that while irAEs require careful management, they may not reduce the overall benefits of immunotherapy. Another significant finding was that patients with higher levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein often elevated in liver cancer, were more likely to experience these side effects. This information could help clinicians identify patients who need closer control during treatment. “Notably, baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) values ≥400 ng/ml were significantly associated with the development of irAEs.” The study also points to key differences between clinical trial results and real-world experiences. While clinical trials report higher rates of side effects, this real-world data showed a lower incidence, possibly due to less intensive monitoring or differences in how side effects are documented in everyday practice. In summary, this study highlights that patients require ongoing vigilance and individualized care when treating liver cancer with immunotherapy. It provides valuable information to healthcare providers in Latin America and other regions with similar patient populations, aiming to improve outcomes while minimizing risks. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28721 Correspondence to - Federico Piñero - fpinerof@cas.austral.edu.ar To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com. MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Are you unknowingly damaging your brain and raising your cancer risk with just one drink? Discover the alarming truth about alcohol from Dr. Sarah Wakeman, what every adult needs to know now. Dr. Sarah Wakeman is a senior medical director for substance use disorder at Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital, the number one research hospital in the world. She is also the Medical Director of the Mass General Hospital Addiction Consult Team and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  She explains:  How alcohol is hijacking your dopamine system. Why no amount of alcohol is good for your brain. The shocking truth about moderate drinking. How doctors are failing addiction patients on a daily basis. Why 1 in 3 people will struggle with alcohol. 00:00 Intro 02:23 Sarah's Mission 02:52 Sarah's Education and Experience 03:40 Issues With Addiction Treatment in the Modern World 04:31 What Is Addiction? 05:48 What Things Are Capable of Being Addictive? 06:47 Physiological Dependence vs. Addiction 07:25 Scale of the Problem: Why Should People Care? 08:59 Is Society Getting Better or More Addicted? 09:32 Substance-Related Deaths During the Pandemic 10:22 What Drives People to Use Substances? 12:24 Substances' Effects on the Brain 14:29 Does Trauma at a Young Age Increase Addiction Risk? 16:36 The Opposite of Addiction Is Connection 18:11 Why Addiction Matters to Sarah 19:02 Living With a Family Member Struggling With Addiction 20:43 Who Is Sarah Trying to Save? 22:57 Change Happens When the Pain of Staying the Same Is Greater Than the Pain of Change 25:53 Misconceptions About Alcohol 28:15 Is There a Healthy Level of Alcohol Consumption? 28:50 Is One Drink a Day Safe for Health? 30:38 Link Between Moderate Drinking and Cancer 33:23 Types of Cancer Linked to Alcohol Consumption 34:51 Cancer Risk Among Heavy Drinkers 35:31 Heavy Drinking and Comorbidities as Cancer Risk Factors 36:20 How Alcohol Drives Cancer Mechanisms 38:00 Alcohol and Weight Gain 38:54 The Role of the Liver 42:07 Liver's Ability to Regenerate 46:37 How Alcohol Causes Brain Deterioration 47:23 Other Organs Affected by Alcohol 48:00 Alcohol's Impact on the Heart 49:08 Body Fat Percentage and Alcohol Tolerance 50:05 Does High Alcohol Tolerance Prevent Organ Damage? 50:46 What Is a Hangover? 52:14 Balancing the Risks and Benefits of Alcohol 53:47 Is Rehab Effective for Addiction? 56:50 Psychedelic Therapy for Addiction 57:36 GLP-1 Medications for Addiction Treatment 59:03 Ads 59:59 Celebrity Addictions 1:02:24 Stigma Around Addiction 1:04:41 Addiction Cases That Broke Sarah's Heart 1:12:43 Is Empathy Positive Reinforcement for Addicted Individuals? 1:15:34 Setting Boundaries With an Addicted Person 1:18:57 Motivational Interviewing to Support Recovery 1:22:19 Finding Motivation for Positive Change 1:26:03 Habits to Support Addiction Recovery 1:29:12 Ads 1:30:18 Can the Brain Recover From Addiction? 1:34:55 Unexpected Sources of Addictive Behavior 1:35:35 How Sarah Copes With Difficult Addiction Cases 1:37:10 Importance of Language Around Addiction 1:41:40 How Labels Limit People's Potential 1:46:05 Sarah's Upcoming Book You can find out more about Dr. Sarah's profile, here: https://bit.ly/4mxu191  Ready to think like a CEO? Gain access to the 100 CEOs newsletter here: ⁠bit.ly/100-ceos-megaphone⁠ The 1% Diary is back - limited time only: https://bit.ly/3YFbJbt  The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb  Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt  Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Research document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11xEfVt4S6nFyJw8jTJNysBPVUra2CzWK/view?usp=sharing Sponsors: Ekster - https://partner.ekster.com/DIARYOFACEO with code DOACLinkedin Ads - https://www.linkedin.com/DIARY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Muscle Gain Formula - the steroids podcast#bodybuilding #TRT #Muscle #Contestprep #bodybuildingpodcastMy Book:ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ROIDS #1 BOOK ON TRUTH IN THE HISTORY OF BODYBUILDING Link -⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodybuilderinthailand.com/ultimate-guide-to-roids/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Text Msg Training 99/month and 1 Hour Phone Call Consult 59 Send Email to inquire about personal training to steroidspodcast@gmail.comBodybuilder in Thailand on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bodybuilderinthailand/⁠⁠⁠My Other Podcast: Grab the Bull Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/X6SzfCrN4NY?si=Ho2T9WIVxLjXo_AE⁠Time Stamps:0:00 Testosterone and Deca Dosages For a Real "Bodybuilder" Look5:50 Gluconeogenesis and Glycogenesis Functions of the Liver explained in Simple terms9:50 Anabolic Window10:50 PED Moderation Strategies14:51 Longer Cycle of Anadrol and Winstrol and discussion of toxicity.17:47 Generic HGH Discussion20:46 Grab the Bull Podcast21:43 Trenbolone Acetate keeping his freaky Tren Libido on a Ocean Cruise!23:24 Cosmetic Effects of Deca27:43 Been using Testosterone on and Off for 3 Years, Got bad treatment resistant ED30:50 Sympathetic Nervous System overactivation in Chronic Steroid Users33:29 A Gram of Testosterone per week and 50mg of Anadrol daily!37:30 HGH 5 days on 2 days off verus 7 days a week43:01 Lean bulking and formula of building muscle / what to do in the gymThis Podcast is for entertainment and conversational purposes only. Serious Injury and Death can occur from utilizing chemical performance enhancement. This author does not support the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs. If any substances mentioned in this video are illegal in your country do not use them. The purpose of this podcast is not to glorify the use of PED's but to bring to light the reality of what athletes are doing privately. Consult a doctor before beginning any exercise or supplement routine. Do not take anything mentioned in this video as advice. It is simply conversation, not advice.

Do you have heavy periods, feel bloated, have headaches, bad PMS, or struggle with infertility and/or fibroids? Have you ever considered that these symptoms—and many more—could be related to a hormone imbalance? Estrogen dominance is one of the most commonly misunderstood hormone issues. In this episode, we take a deep dive into what estrogen dominance actually means. We explore the critical role of your liver and gut in estrogen detoxification and how dysfunction in these systems can lead to symptoms like heavy periods, breast tenderness, anxiety, fatigue, and stubborn weight gain. You'll learn how your liver goes through a two-phase detox process to neutralize estrogen, and how the gut's microbiome—including the estrobolome—can either help or hinder that elimination process. We also unpack a lesser-known but powerful enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which can cause estrogen that was supposed to be excreted to be reabsorbed back into the body—essentially recycling hormones and contributing to estrogen dominance. This often happens when gut health is compromised due to dysbiosis, constipation, or poor diet. Whether you're in your reproductive years, navigating perimenopause, this episode will help you better understand the physiology behind estrogen dominance and how to begin addressing it at the root. We Heart Nutrition offers high-quality supplements designed specifically for women's health. Here are three standout features: Bioavailable Ingredients: Their supplements use the most absorbable forms of each nutrient, ensuring your body gets what it needs. Third-Party Tested: All products are tested for purity and potency, manufactured in NSF & cGMP certified facilities. Purpose-Driven: 10% of every purchase supports pregnancy care centers, aligning with their pro-life mission. Visit weheartnutrition.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off your first order. Medical disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

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Story at-a-glance According to research, consuming as little as 1 gram of bay leaves daily can lower fasting glucose by up to 26% and reduces LDL cholesterol by 40%, offering natural support for metabolic health Insulin sensitivity improves with regular bay leaf intake, as studies show it protects pancreatic beta cells and enhances the body's ability to regulate blood sugar Liver and kidney function benefit from bay leaf extract, which reduces inflammation, improves enzyme balance, and prevents diabetes-related organ damage Powerful antioxidants in bay leaves fight oxidative stress and inflammation, lowering the risk of metabolic dysfunction, heart disease, and complications linked to diabetes Try adding bay leaves to your meals, brewing them into tea, or using them in powdered form to provide an easy, natural way to regulate blood sugar and improve overall health

If you want glowing, youthful skin, you must work from the inside out. Discover one of the best anti-aging foods for your skin to add to your diet today! 0:00 Introduction: How to look younger 1:46 The best anti-aging food4:27 Collagen and anti-aging4:52 The best anti-aging diet Is your beauty routine actually aging you? The creams and lotions you think are helping your skin could have plastics, toxic chemicals, and hidden carcinogens. Even the products containing collagen will not be absorbed topically through the skin.Over-cleansing and excess scrubbing destroy your skin's microbiome. Tap water contains fluoride and chlorine, which are toxic and damaging to the skin. A filter for your shower can help.Statins can also destroy youthful skin. They block cholesterol, which is essential for skin health and integrity. The FDA does not do third-party testing on the chemicals in your anti-aging products. The EU has banned 1600 cosmetic ingredients, while the US has only banned 30. The best anti-aging food is high in retinol, an essential building block for connective tissue and vital for the skin's immune function. This anti-aging food contains copper and zinc, which support skin elasticity and healing. It's loaded with iron, and a single serving has more anti-wrinkle and anti-aging benefits than many expensive creams. If you haven't guessed, grass-fed liver is the #1 anti-aging superfood! Grass-fed liver contains every cofactor and nutrient necessary for healthy, youthful skin. Some people don't enjoy eating liver, and if you have preexisting liver damage, you may feel tired after eating it. If this happens, try taking one beef liver capsule before bed. Soaking liver in lemon juice can improve its taste. Many good recipes also make it more palatable. Liver pâté, grass-fed liver pills, and blending liver with ground beef can also help mask the flavor. If you consume collagen, you need many cofactors to penetrate the skin. Liver provides all of them!Ultraprocessed foods will make you look older! Low-fat diets can also have an aging effect on the skin. Low-fat protein and poor quality protein will help you lose weight, but won't help you look younger. Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:Dr. Berg, age 60, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Your liver plays a critical role in your overall health, but signs of trouble can be easy to miss. In this episode, Nurse Doza uncovers the early warning signals of liver dysfunction, from chronic fatigue to weight gain, and explains how your diet, sleep, and stress levels impact liver health. Learn practical steps to support your liver naturally and optimize your well-being. 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS Persistent fatigue is often a sign of liver dysfunction, as the liver regulates energy metabolism. Poor sleep quality, including sleep apnea, is linked to an increased risk of liver disease. Gut health and liver function are closely connected—irregular bowel movements may indicate liver issues. Cognitive decline and brain fog can be early indicators of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Weight gain and metabolic imbalances are often tied to liver health and insulin resistance. FEATURED PRODUCT Liver Boost – Packed with essential nutrients to support optimal liver function, Liver Boost promotes detoxification, enhances bile flow, and helps combat oxidative stress. Give your liver the support it needs to function at its best. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 START 03:15 The first sign: Chronic fatigue and liver dysfunction 10:30 How stress and the adrenal glands impact liver health 15:45 The second sign: Poor sleep and its link to liver disease 21:00 The third sign: Gut health and irregular bowel movements 27:10 How your liver processes toxins and the role of bile RESOURCES MENTIONED "How Fatigue and Liver Disease Are Connected" – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6676553/ "The Link Between Liver Disease and Sleep Apnea" – https://aapmd.org/sleep-disorders/the-link-between-liver-disease-and-sleep-apnea "Gut Microbiome, IBS, and Liver Disease" – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8727221/ "NAFLD and Cognitive Decline" – https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/wnl.0000000000200853 "Weight Gain and Liver Health" – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6591731/

Hair Analysis is the basis of Dr. Prather's evaluation of a patient's mental health issues, because it is the best way to measure their body's mineral levels and heavy metal toxicities.  In fact, Dr. Prather says that, if he can get a Hair Analysis on a patient, "probably 95% of the mental health issues go away".  In this episode, find out:—Why the hair reflects what is going on in the brain and in the nervous system.  And the "transformative change in people's mental health" when you "get the minerals back in Homeostasis and the heavy metals out of the system".—How the most common heavy metal toxicity Dr. Prather sees is Aluminum, which "poisons the brain" and is linked to Dementia, Alzheimer's, Osteoporosis, balance problems, aggressive behavior in children, ADHD, Autism, and Insomnia.—The problems caused by Lead, Mercury, and Nickel for mental health.  And why Dr. Prather says that Nickel is "even worse" than those toxicities and is always something he checks for on patients with severe upper motor neuron diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and ALS.—The CDC study that showed 65% of all children have some sort of heavy metal toxicity.  And how Dr. Prather has had "kids go from Special Ed. to Honors, just by getting their heavy metals out and balancing out their minerals".—How an imbalance in the Copper-Zinc ratio can lead to issues like Anxiety, Attention Deficit, Dementia, Depression, and Insomnia.  And how high Copper is more common in females than males. —The link between high Manganese and Bi-Polar, Parkinson's symptoms, and tremors.  And the importance of a proper Calcium-Magnesium ratio. —Why Dr. Prather says that you can do everything possible, but are "never going to get a person's mental health issues under control until you get rid of those heavy metal toxicities". —How Dr. Prather uses a gentle and natural detoxification process for heavy metal toxicities that is "much more effective" than Chelation, which can be damaging to the Kidneys and Liver and deplete the body of minerals.—Why Amish men who do woodworking are in danger of high Arsenic levels, which can cause Anxiety, mood disorders, antagonistic personality, Depression, and Insomnia. —Dr. Prather's surprising discovery about the importance of low Molybdenum, which can cause fatigue, Depression, and can cause someone to become so tired that they can't even sleep.http://www.TheVoiceOfHealthRadio.com

Connect with the Hosts! Dr. Charlie Website Instagram Membership  Nurse Lauren Website Instagram Email List Amazon StoreFront Membership E-Book on Natural Remedies   Check out our website: https://www.redpillyourhealthcast.com/ Welcome back to Red Pill Your Healthcast! Dr. Charlie Fagenholz and Nurse Lauren Johnson are tackling listener-submitted health questions. This week, we dive into: Cleaning the Gut while Pregnant Detox Liver post IVF Reversing Vasectomies Antibiotics during Pregnancy  Our top Multivitamin   Mentioned Supplements & Tools: Shop VerVita Supplements Shop Supreme Supplements Lauren's Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/naturalnursemomma   Dr. Charlie's Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/cfagenholz Cleaning the gut while pregnant: Vital Guard Supreme: Shop Here Scutellaria Supreme: Shop Here VerVita Black Cumin Oil: Shop Here VerVita Klenz +: Shop Here Detox Liver post IVF: Schisandra Supreme: Shop Here Cir Q Tonic: Shop Here Smidge Digestive Enzymes: Shop in Fullscript Tudca: Shop in Fullscript Phosphatidylcholine Supplement - BodyBio PC: Shop in Fullscript Reversing Vasectomies Antibiotics during Pregnancy: Scutellaria Supreme: Shop Here Megaspore: Shop in Fullscript Homemade Gelatin Gummies Aloe Juice VerVita Black Cumin Oil: Shop Here Apex Enterovite: Shop in Fullscript Favorite Multi Vitamin: Inspiracell: Shop Here VerVita RegerZyme heart: Shop Here     Search full library of our favorite supplements -   Lauren's Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/naturalnursemomma   Dr. Charlie's Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/cfagenholz Thanks for listening y'all!    

Your liver is sick and both you and your doctor may not know it until it's too late. Over 38% of the western world has fatty liver disease and up to 90% of those affected don't know they have it. Alcohol used to be the leading cause of liver cirrhosis, and now it's fatty liver... This episode is with the liver master himself, Siggi Clavien with over 28 years in phytomedicine and detroxification sciences so you can learn to catch this liver disease before it becomes a problem.   TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: The top causes of liver disease Why your doctor will miss it and what you can to to test for it How to reverse fatty liver The 500+ functions your liver has in your body How your liver health is affecting your gut, skin, hormones, moods and immune system Keeping your liver healthy with incredible detox tools   More from Siggi Clavien and his de-liver-ance elixer: Instagram: @deliverance.elixer Facebook: @deliveranceelixer Website: LoveYourLiver.com     Leave us a Review: https://www.reversablepod.com/review   Need help with your gut? Visit my website gutsolution.ca to join a program: Get help now   Contact us: reversablepod.com/tips    FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram  Facebook  YouTube        

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On this solo episode of The Wholesome Fertility Podcast, I explore one of the most underrated yet powerful organs in your fertility journey, the liver. From both a Chinese medicine and Western medicine perspective, the liver plays a pivotal role in hormone balance, detoxification, and emotional regulation. I break down the signs of liver qi stagnation (hello, PMS and irritability!), how stress directly impacts this organ's ability to function, and why supporting your liver is essential for optimal fertility and menstrual health. You'll learn practical ways to give your liver the TLC it needs, from stress-reducing rituals to the best foods and herbs that support detoxification and hormone balance. Whether you're trying to conceive naturally or going through IVF, this episode is packed with tips on how to nurture your body's natural detox pathways and create a more fertile environment from within. Key Takeaways:  The liver plays a crucial role in managing hormones, detoxifying the body, and supporting menstrual health. In Chinese medicine, liver qi stagnation often caused by stress is a major pattern that affects fertility. PMS symptoms like irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness can stem from blocked liver qi. Western medicine highlights the liver's role in clearing excess estrogen, important for conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids. Supporting the liver with stress management, acupuncture, breathwork, and liver-friendly foods can significantly enhance fertility outcomes.   For more information about Michelle, visit www.michelleoravitz.com To learn more about ancient wisdom and fertility, you can get Michelle's book at: https://www.michelleoravitz.com/thewayoffertility The Wholesome Fertility facebook group is where you can find free resources and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2149554308396504/ Instagram: @thewholesomelotusfertility Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewholesomelotus/ Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health or fertility care. --- Transcript: Michelle Oravitz: [00:00:00] Episode number 336 of the Wholesome Fertility Podcast. Welcome to the Wholesome Fertility Podcast. I'm your host, Michelle Orbitz, and today I am going to be talking about the liver when it comes to Chinese medicine, as well as how western medicine perceives it and understands it, and why it is really an important organ when it comes to your fertility health. So stay tuned. Welcome to the Wholesome Fertility Podcast. I'm Michelle, a fertility acupuncturist here to provide you with resources on how to create a wholesome approach to your fertility journey. / Today I'm going to be talking about the liver when it comes to Chinese medicine and how it is perceived as a very important organ when it comes [00:01:00] to fertility, health and menstrual health. And as we know, menstrual health is really the heartbeat of fertility health. Then also as it is seen through a Western medicine lens. I'm not a western medicine doctor, but there is a more conventional way of looking at the liver, which is a bit different as you'll see to how Chinese medicine perceives the liver. So the liver's role according to Chinese medicine is to ensure the free flow of qi, which is life force vitality or sort of an energy, but it's way more than that. also stores blood. And is really important to prepare the body right before a woman begins menstruation. It is very much related to emotions, and its emotion is anger. I. So when the liver is stagnated and is not able to ensure the free flow [00:02:00] of QI in the body, it can cause stagnation. And one of the biggest things that causes liver chi stagnation is stress. So it's actually one of the most diagnosed condition and pattern liver tree stagnation of all patterns. It is one of those things that a lot of people, and this actually reflects the state of the world today, because we just have so many demands and we're constantly being bombarded with information news. And the pace that we're going on is not a typical natural pace that we're used to or ancestors used to have, where we used to be a lot more connected with nature, which calms our nervous system and helps with stress. So some of the common signs, and it could be some and not all, or you know, the, any one of these really. If you have a few or a number of these symptoms, it might be showing that you have [00:03:00] liver chase stagnation. So you may have noticed that at times when you feel really stressed, you hold a lot of tension in your upper shoulders. That is actually a response to liver cheese stagnation. You may have also felt like you're sighing really strongly when you're stressed. That is liver cheese stagnation. It's a feeling of fullness in the chest where you feel like you need to blow off steam. I. If you felt really angry, and I mean really angry, that is definitely liberty stagnation. Or if you're feeling more irritability, that comes and goes. That is also liberty stagnation. I. Liver cheese stagnation can also impact PMS. So PMS really means premenstrual syndrome, so it could be an umbrella of many different things that can come up, and it doesn't necessarily have to be irritation. It could be other things as well. So one of those things are irritation [00:04:00] or fatigue or just really any symptoms that you have before your period. Constipation, bloating. Breast tenderness, mood swings. So those are all things that can be really under the umbrella of PMS, really having any kind of even cramping before you get your period. What that shows is that there is energy that is stuck, and since the liver has an important role of storing the blood and preparing the body for the menstrual cycle, what happens is. It also has a role for ensuring the free flow of qi, and when it is trying to do one thing, it's not, and it doesn't have as much energy to begin with, then it's not able to do all of its functions all at once. And of course, it becomes very busy. Right before a woman has her period, because it's preparing that, plus it's doing its regular job of ensuring free flow of qi. [00:05:00] So when that free flow of QI is being backed up or stagnated from the tenseness of stress, then it's not able to do its job and therefore women will experience PMS symptoms. And what happens now and what I see often in my practice is that. Women do have a lot of stress, so they may show up as having many different patterns at once. So stagnation is considered a full pattern, and then there's deficiency because sometimes a full pattern can actually cause deficiency because if something gets jammed up and blocked that being full, so it's more like a blockage. It can cause the body to not get the nourishment and. Energy that it requires, so that a stagnation, so a full type pattern can cause a deficiency. And then sometimes a deficiency can cause a full pattern and sometimes can, and sometimes deficiency can cause a full pattern. And then what can happen too is when the cheek gets stagnated for a very long time. It impacts like the next in [00:06:00] line, which is blood. And when blood gets stagnated, it can cause things like fibroids because then it becomes more of a mass. And so ultimately liver cheese stagnation is one part, but it can continue and progress to something way more severe. It can also impact endometriosis as well. And then liver cheese stagnation can also impact the spleen. So the elements of the liver when it is too stagnated can actually what's called overact on the spleen. And the spleen in Chinese medicine is in charge of your digestion. So if you've ever been in a situation where you feel really stressed, some people will either wanna overeat and then some people won't be able to eat at all, and sometimes their stress will end up. Being felt in the gut, and that is your liver overacting on your spleen and stomach, which is your digestive system in Chinese medicine. so conventional medicine sees the liver as having a [00:07:00] very important role when it comes to detoxification of your body. It really is the main organ, except of course there's other ones like your colon but the liver will detoxify a lot of chemicals and what happens often too is if your colon is backed up, it actually makes the job of the liver in cleansing your system harder. So in order to really take care of the liver, you don't just focus on the liver, you also focus on your gut health. So as we're seeing both in conventional medicine and in and in Western medicine and in eastern medicine, the liver and digestive system do work hand in hand, even though they're two different systems in the body, but ultimately the whole body has many different systems that work like a symphony. Now, how this relates to your menstrual cycle Is that one of the things that the liver does is remove excess [00:08:00] estrogen from the body, so it is important to remove excess estrogen. And nowadays we also have a lot of. Hormone mimicking chemicals like xenoestrogens, which are fake estrogens, that the body confuses for estrogens. And ultimately, when we start to get something called estrogen dominance, it causes things like endometriosis and fibroids, many different conditions, and it can also throw off our estrogen progesterone balance. Then ultimately because hormones are this intricate, delicate symphony, it can impact your hormones as a whole. This can also cause irregular cycles, which is obviously very important to regulate when you are trying to conceive. The liver also has an important role in regulating glucose and insulin, which is really important for many [00:09:00] conditions like PCOS, which tend to have many, there's many different types of PCOS, but most of it, the majority tend to have a link with insulin resistance, so that is really important as well. Some things that people might feel when their liver is more sluggish is they will feel more sluggish and tired. They'll feel hormone fluctuations. they'll have more PMS, and they might even see some skin issues like acne where their body is trying to cleanse itself. They might also feel bloated and constipated, and sometimes even might have a little more sensitivity in their right upper quadrant, which is the right section, right under the ribs. Ultimately, you want your body to be free of toxins and you want the energy to flow in order to have an optimal menstruation for women and really have optimal fertility. So there are definitely things that you can do to help your liver. [00:10:00] One of the biggest things, as we mentioned before, is actually managing stress. So in Chinese medicine, we really don't see a difference between the body, the mind, and the spirit. And there are so many different aspects that come together to really create our health. And that is why our mind and how we feel and our emotions are just as intricate and just as important as really what we put into our bodies through food and how we move and our exercise and our sleep. So all of those things really matter when it comes to your overall health and ultimately your fertility health. So some ways you can manage stress is. talk to somebody when you have a lot going on. It's really important because we as humans are meant to connect with others and it actually feels good for us to connect with community. It's important, however, to find people that you feel safe with and not people that will make you feel worse [00:11:00] for feeling your feelings. So it's important to have a safe space to talk and maybe perhaps a community. There are many different communities out there when it comes to fertility health and you can also find psychotherapists that's specifically work in the fertility category. So they really understand the stressors that come specifically from being on the fertility journey. So those are really great to seek out and there are many people that are professionals in that category. I. Another thing that is super, super important, and it's something that I actually wanna do a whole other segment on, which is breath work. So through breath work, you can actually stimulate your vagus nerve and regulate your nervous system. So it's really, really important to learn how to breathe because through the breath, that is one of the easiest ways to truly communicate with the brain that you feel safe. Then when you create a feeling of safety, your body will automatically feel at ease and it can let [00:12:00] go, and you'll also feel like you're thinking more clearly because when your liver is able to ensure that free flow of Qi, your body overall feels so much better. Meditation. I am a huge fan, and that is something that I have been doing for many years and has completely changed my life, so I highly recommend getting into meditation. You can get into many different meditations, and one of the things if you're just getting started and you don't know much. Is something that I recommend often to my patients and my coaching clients is to look into, um, something called the Headspace series. Headspace is an app, a meditation app, and there's a series on Netflix, and most everybody has Netflix. And they go through many different types of meditations. They explain exactly the science behind it and what those types of meditations do, and then at the end of each segment, they will cover and kind of guide you through that particular meditation that they spoke about. And I highly recommend doing [00:13:00] that because then you can try out different forms of meditation. The two main forms are. Paying attention to your breath or repeating a mantra in your mind. And there are many specific mantras and a lot of 'em are seed mantras that you can find from Vedic traditions, which is ancient India. And those work really amazingly. And of course, acupuncture. I'm a huge fan. it changed my own life and it helped me so much and this is really what inspired me to do it myself and to go back to school for it. Acupuncture is amazing for relaxing, but it's also great for so many other things, but it also can help with moving that energy blockage. So through acupuncture it ensures more free flow. And one of the things that I noticed when I first started acupuncture was that I came in for my periods. They did regulate and then I realized, hey, I'm a little less stressed at work. I feel a little better if somebody says something that's challenging for me to hear. I felt better [00:14:00] and I was able to receive it better. So that was one of the things that I noticed, and it was probably because, and now I understand it better. My energy and my free flow of QI was much better since I was going to acupuncture. So that is something that I highly recommend. And then just to keep in mind, things like alcohol and caffeine do get filtered by the liver, so having too much caffeine and alcohol has contributed to higher incidences of inflammation and endometriosis, and also fibroids. So the reason being is because those are things that need to get filtered by the liver. If you're giving the liver more work to do and it's going to be taxing, then it is going to impact how it is able to do its job. You ultimately don't wanna give it more toxins to worry about. So it really is something that it needs to filter out. So one of the things that you could do if you suspect that you have a more sluggish liver, or you need to give it a little [00:15:00] more TLC, I would definitely either lower your intake of alcohol and caffeine, and ideally it would be best to eliminate it completely. Similarly, you wanna avoid processed food that have ingredients that you cannot pronounce, all of those chemicals. You also wanna avoid environmental toxins, plastics, really things that will also contribute to a heavier load on the liver. You also want to ensure that you're getting proper sleep. Not only is that going to help your nervous system, but it's also gonna regulate your body overall and your overall chi. It's also going to help the liver. So one of the things that the liver does, as I mentioned before in Chinese medicine, is it soars the blood. And I remember one of my teachers early on telling me. Well, teaching the class that when you lay down, if you're really, really feeling tired and you feel really stressed, just laying down makes it easier for the liver to [00:16:00] store the blood because obviously you're not standing and you're laying. and by doing that, you're actually supporting the liver. So even taking naps sometimes can really help. There are definitely foods that can help, and cruciferous vegetables are amazing and these are really important, especially if you have endometriosis or fibroids. they specifically are really beneficial for the liver, but they're also great in eliminating toxins from your colon as well. So cruciferous vegetables are broccoli, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts. Other things that you can consider are dark leafy greens. And I would suggest cooking them slightly, not overcooking them, but those are actually really beneficial. And it's beneficial to cook because it can help your spleen digest it better. Lemon water on an empty stomach, because in Chinese medicine, the taste. Let me see. Lemon water is amazing because also in Chinese medicine, the taste for and an Ayurveda, the taste for the liver is [00:17:00] sour. And sour tastes and bitter tastes also support detoxification of the liver, so bitter greens think about things like that that will also support the liver. so examples of that are dandelion and turmeric And as far as herbal supplements, you may have heard of milk thistle. Sometimes they'll have a combination tincture that you'll find in health food stores of milk thistle and dandelion. And one of the things that I also wanna mention is that if you are going through IVF and what I typically will suggest to a lot of my clients Is to work on your liver or maybe have a little time in between treatments if possible, so that you're able to assist and maybe take those herbs like milk thistle and dandelion root, and then also something called sulforaphane, which is made from cruciferous vegetables, and it can also detoxify and support the liver. It's important to give [00:18:00] yourself that extra support if you know that your livers already being bombarded with a lot of excess hormones, which happens with cycles. So it is nice to give yourself a little break afterwards where you're able to assist the body in flushing it out. And magnesium is also a very key mineral to help support the liver's function. so ultimately you gotta love your liver. I mean, it has an incredible, incredible role when it comes to your overall health and when it comes to your fertility health. So it's important not to bombard it and really kind of take it as a two step to support it with the right foods, to eliminate things out outside in your environment or even the things that you're eating to encourage a healthier, happier liver. So I hope you enjoyed today's episode, and feel free to share this with anybody that you think can benefit from it. Thank you so much for tuning in [00:19:00] today, and I hope you have a beautiful day.[00:20:00]   

Why did I get sick as a 25-year-old? When my habits looked healthy and my eating was better than most others!?  In this episode of BodyHacking - Build a Better You, we explore the transformative power of quantum medicine and frequency scanning. Join me as I recount my recent experience with a quantum medicine practitioner who revealed fascinating insights about my cellular health, genetic predispositions, and hidden health risks. From extraordinary cellular health to underlying liver issues, acidity levels, and dormant infections, I share how these findings validate the power of nutrition, supplementation, and targeted wellness strategies. Tune in to learn how quantum medicine could uncover hidden health truths that standard tests may miss and why prevention truly is the only cure.Send us a textSupport the showIf you LOVED this episode, please LEAVE A REVIEW and help us grow!Connect with Michaela?www.foodchangeslives.com/Youtube @FoodChangesLives Instagramwww.instagram.com/michaela_morrell/ Fbwww.facebook.com/FoodChangesLives www.facebook.com/groups/omega3experience DISCLAIMER: Welcome to BodyHacking - Build a Better You podcast! Please note that the content provided on this channel is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The information shared here is based on personal experiences, research, and general knowledge. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. Additionally, some of the products and services mentioned on this channel may be affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Rest assured, I only recommend products and services that I personally use and trust in my daily life. Things I have spent countless hours researching and feel are th...

In this compelling episode of Accelerated Health with Sara Banta, I tackle the surprising truth behind some of the most popular herbal supplements on the market.

What if the clarity you're seeking—mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual—has always been hiding in the plants around you? In this solo episode, Darin Olien dives deep into the world of clarogenic plants—natural allies that indigenous cultures have used for centuries to unlock focus, purpose, and deep inner harmony. From adaptogens and dream-inducing herbs to ancient sacred botanicals used in vision quests and spiritual rituals, this episode opens a new portal to understanding clarity not as something to chase—but something to remember.     What You'll Learn in This Episode: 00:00 – Welcome to the SuperLife solo episode on clarogenic plants 01:00 – What “clarogenic” really means: mental, physical, and spiritual clarity 02:10 – These aren't just detox tools—they're consciousness-enhancers 03:00 – Why our modern world clouds our system: EMFs, stress, food, tech 04:00 – Ayahuasca, vision quests, and Darin's early plant medicine experiences 06:00 – Plants that bring clarity without psychedelics: assam, sacred tobacco, and nicotine 08:00 – Iboga and its role in trauma release and truth-seeking 09:00 – Elevation plants: kanna, kola nut, and their brain-enhancing effects 10:00 – Sage and sweetgrass: clarity of space as a spiritual detox 11:00 – Tulsi, Bacopa, sandalwood, reishi, and herbs that calm and clear 13:00 – Ginseng, Schisandra, and the “chi” of hormonal balance 14:00 – Kava for emotional stability and nervous system clarity 15:00 – Noni and durian: pungent powerhouses for detox and calm 16:00 – Studies backing bacopa, Rhodiola, and ginkgo for cognition 17:00 – Gōtu Kola and its antioxidant, brain-clearing properties 18:00 – The true purpose of herbs: they are information, not just nutrition 19:00 – Liver clarity through milk thistle, dandelion, burdock root 20:00 – Chlorella, spirulina, and their role in cellular cleansing 21:00 – Internal vs. external sage: clearing your space and your system 22:00 – Frankincense for depression, Tulsi for divine connection 23:00 – How to build your own daily ritual of clarogenesis 24:00 – Darin's parasite cleanse experience + physical stagnation 25:00 – Why detox is emotional and spiritual, not just physical 26:00 – Plants help you remember who you are 27:00 – This is more than health—it's a revolution of clarity 28:00 – Final thoughts: clarity is alignment, not hustle     Thank You to Our Sponsor: Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order. Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout.   Find More From Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien SuperLife Products: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences   Key Takeaway: "These plants don't just heal you. They help you remember who you are." – Darin Olien

In this Bonus Content, Jeff Mattocks shares how to get baby chicks off to a strong start by feeding them beef liver and boiled eggs.You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Groups:Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured

If you've been strong for everyone else and crave a space where your truth isn't too much - come exhale with us in our exclusive online community and receive the Loneliness Roadmap for free.  Join here ✨*************************************************************************************Could the secret to breaking through your anger, insomnia, and post-divorce mental fog be hiding in your liver?During divorce, emotional healing often feels impossible because your mind is exhausted and your body can't seem to rest, no matter what you do. If you're waking up at 2am, feeling stuck in resentment, or struggling to see a hopeful future, you're not alone—these are all signs your liver and emotional well-being might be more connected than you think.This episode reveals how a gentle, homeopathic liver detox can help you finally release anger, sleep more soundly, and regain the clarity you need to start manifesting the next chapter of your life.Hit play now to discover the mind-body rooted tools Dawn wishes she'd had in her own divorce recovery—and how you can use them to create real change, starting tonight.Post Divorce Roadmap - 21 Days of Guided JournalingJoin The list for A Different D Word, our personalized healing program.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyCoachDawnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnwiggins/On the Web: https://www.mycoachdawn.comA podcast exploring the journey of life after divorce, delving into topics like divorce grief, loneliness, anxiety, manifesting, the impact of different attachment styles and codependency, setting healthy boundaries, energy healing with homeopathy, managing the nervous system during divorce depression, understanding the stages of divorce grief, and using the Law of Attraction and EMDR therapy in the process of building your confidence, forgiveness and letting go.Support the show

Join Dr. Martin in today's episode of The Doctor Is In Podcast.  

In this enlightening episode, we dive deep with Megan Gaic, a holistic health advocate and expert on skin health. Megan explores the often-overlooked root causes of acne, emphasizing the crucial role of liver filtration as a powerhouse for overall wellness. She discusses the connection between insomnia, emotional health, and skin conditions, shedding light on how our mental state can significantly impact our skin.Megan shares valuable insights on how changing our mindset can lead to transformative results in managing acne. By addressing both physical and emotional factors, she empowers listeners to take a holistic approach to their skin health.Join us to discover practical tips and strategies for nurturing your skin from the inside out. Learn more at getglowmethod.com for more inspiration and guidance on your wellness journey!

On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Emmy award-winning and Golden Globe-winning comedy writer, actor, and comedian Monica Piper. After a smash-hit run off-Broadway, her one-woman show, “Not That Jewish,” returned to The Braid in Santa Monica for the show's 10 year anniversary; it runs through the end of May.   Piper was a high school English teacher, before she left to try comedy and eventually create this show. She has been a standup comic, a writer for “Roseanne” and “Mad About You,” and head writer on “Rugrats.”   “Not That Jewish” is a love letter to being Jewish, as Piper tells stories of her family - particularly her funny father and passing on the humor gene to her son - and her foray into comedy.   “Someone asked me what's my favorite thing about being Jewish … there's so many things, but right up there was food,” Piper shares. “They said, ‘Even gefilte fish?' Yes, even gefilte fish.”    In fact, a chopped liver sandwich, one of Piper's go-to comfort foods, is something she strongly associates with her Jewish identity.   “Food is so much a part of life and Jewish life, but it's the comradery,” Piper says. “As a child, my memories [of Shabbat at my aunt's home with] people talking and arguing and laughing is so much a part of me, so I associate that with food.”    Monica Piper shares food memories, the importance of laughter, and her “Not That Jewish'” origin story, which came with encouragement and assistance from The Braid founder and artistic director Ronda Spinak. There are also tangents on the Instant Pot, goals, and a shared fandom of The Braid.   Taste Buds host Debra Eckerling recently did a Sunday at the Braid event for her new book, “52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting,” via Zoom, hosted by David Chiu and along with Katie Chin and Elaine Hall, who are in the book. The Braid's newest salon show, “For the Love of Animals,” opens next week.   Learn more about “Not That Jewish” at The-Braid.org/Monica and the new show at The-Braid.org. Watch Debra Eckerling's Sundays at The Braid conversation at @TheBraidStories on YouTube.   For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.

On today's episode of The Wholesome Fertility Podcast, I'm joined by Jiaming Ju @kunhealth, a second-generation traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner and health economist who co-founded Kun Health with her father. From leading one of the world's largest longevity data projects to creating personalised Chinese herbal formulations, Jiaming brings a rare and fascinating perspective to holistic fertility care. We dive deep into the roots of Chinese medicine and its powerful role in treating unexplained infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and postpartum recovery. Jiaming shares why customized herbal medicine—rather than a one-size-fits-all approach—is key, and how stress, liver qi stagnation, and over-medicalisation can often stand in the way of conception. We also discuss the importance of preparing the body and mind for pregnancy, how men's health is often overlooked in fertility journeys, and the practice of wu wei—doing nothing—as a healing principle. This is an eye-opening and empowering conversation for anyone navigating fertility or seeking a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of health, mindset, and tradition. Key Takeaways:  Chinese herbal medicine offers a deeply personalized and effective approach to treating fertility challenges, especially unexplained infertility and miscarriage. Liver qi stagnation and chronic stress are common root causes in fertility struggles. True healing goes beyond quick fixes—it involves preparing the whole body and mind for pregnancy, not just aiming for a positive test. Partner health, especially sperm quality, is often under-acknowledged and under-tested in fertility journeys. Practicing wu wei—intentional rest and non-productivity—can help calm the nervous system and enhance reproductive health. Guest Bio: Jiaming Ju is the co-founder of KUN Health, where she partners with her father to offer personalised Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) care rooted in decades of lineage and wisdom. Before stepping into the world of herbal medicine, Jiaming led one of the largest global data projects on aging, spanning from New York to Singapore. With a background in health economics and longevity research, she brings a unique perspective to healing—bridging ancient Chinese traditions with modern insights. Together with her father, she helps individuals restore balance, improve fertility, and honour the heritage of Chinese medicine through customised herbal formulations and deep one-on-one care. Websites/Social Media Links: Learn more about KUN Health hereFollow Jiaming Ju in Instagram —------------- For more information about Michelle, visit www.michelleoravitz.com To learn more about ancient wisdom and fertility, you can get Michelle's book at: https://www.michelleoravitz.com/thewayoffertility The Wholesome Fertility facebook group is where you can find free resources and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2149554308396504/ Instagram: @thewholesomelotusfertility Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewholesomelotus/ _____ Transcript: **Michelle Oravitz:** [00:00:00] Welcome to the podcast Jiaming.  **Jiaming Ju:** Thank you for having me.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Yes. I would love for you to share your background. I know you're second generation, um, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, which is really cool. Um, I love the fact that you actually have your roots there and your father does too, and I feel like. That kind of takes it to a whole other level when you're working and learning from your parents. So I'd love to hear your background and have you share it with the listeners. **Jiaming Ju:** Uh, so I'm a health economist first. So I was in health, I was in economics basically for 10 years. Um, and. I think before Covid I was running one of the largest think tank on longevity, uh, data collecting in the world at the time in Singapore. Um, and then I came back to the States in 2019 and decided to [00:01:00] retrain for four years. It takes four years in California. And then, um, that's when also around the same time I opened Quinn.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Awesome. So, um, do you Longevity? I think of longevity and I think about fertility. 'cause a lot of times when we treat fertility, we're actually doing a lot of anti-aging. Um, we don't call it that 'cause we're working on mitochondria and really kind of getting the health, um, of the eggs and the uterine lining. So tell us about your experience with fertility and what you've, um, what you've seen. In practice. **Jiaming Ju:** Well, I mean, I work with a lot of people who have unexplained infertility. That's actually an area that, um, that I work a lot in. And, uh, this applies to both men and women among my patients. So I will have. A lot of patients who, uh, you know, they probably had a failed, failed rounds of IVF. [00:02:00] Um, and then that's when we work together. I also have a lot of patients, um, who have repetitive miscarriage, uh, which is increasingly, uh, common, unfortunately. And then I also work with a lot of women on postpartum, which is more on the traditional side, as you know, in Chinese medicine.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Yes, and so I know that we often get asked this, and I get asked this too, but I love always hearing the different perspectives on Chinese medicine. To explain to people in layman terms, why does acupuncture and Chinese medicine, I know Chinese medicine's a big umbrella. Acupuncture is really one part. I think most people think just acupuncture, but of course there's MOA herbs. I mean, there's so many different things. There's also auricular, you can get really detailed on that. So can you explain what Chinese medicine could do really to regulate periods, to regulate ovulation? Just kind of help fertility.[00:03:00]  **Jiaming Ju:** Well, I mean, first off, I think I grew up in the Chinese medicine family business, so to me it's very bizarre when people separate them. Um, you  **Michelle Oravitz:** the acupuncture and the herbs and the, **Jiaming Ju:** treatment from the, herbal treatment. However, I think, um, customized herbal formulation has always been the elitist form of Chinese medicine. It takes a lot of family lineage. Um, you know, pre bottled stuff aside for the modern human really, you know, whether you have fertility issues or not is really that one has to take a one-on-one approach to effectively treat something that's very complex. So having said that, um, I only work at Quinn for customized herbal formulation, so we don't do, although I'm licensed, I don't do acupuncture, uh,  **Michelle Oravitz:** Oh, got it. Oh, I didn't know that. I thought you did acupuncture as  **Jiaming Ju:** no I don't.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Oh, okay.  **Jiaming Ju:** We have all of you guys who are.  **Michelle Oravitz:** actually, um, I know in China they do separate it. A lot of times people will get really, really [00:04:00] focused on one aspect.  **Jiaming Ju:** Um, yes and no. I think in if, because in China and Korea they have TCM hospitals, right? So you have different departments where post-stroke, you go first off to the acupuncture people, which is the physical therapy part of Chinese medicine. And then. Depending on the severity of the stroke, you likely will get customized herbal formulation on top of that. Um, I usually say that, um, acupuncture is amazing, is like a great deep spring cl that everyone needs it often, um, customized herbal formulation and diagnosis is more like a renovation, so they're entirely different projects. I think when you consider a human as a house, right, you're building a house, you need, you have different needs. Um, in terms of female, I think we go back to the topic. I always like to talk about how, uh, women are fundamentally very, very important in Chinese medicine [00:05:00] because Chinese historically are obsessed with babies. Um, so this is the reason why a long time ago in all these empress, like, you know, like palaces, you will have. Uh, a whole college of hundreds of royal physicians, and they're all Chinese medicine doctors. And their goals are not only to keep, to make sure the emperor can live for as long as possible, is to make sure all these concubines can produce as many kids as possible. So this is why I think the, the practice, um, has a lot more interest in the history, right? The history is being that. We love kids and you want, China has one of the largest population in the world throughout history and you know, so it has a lot of that. You want kids and you need to care about women's health. So in a nutshell, I really like what you mentioned before, like when I actively worked as a, basically a longevity economist and my job was to advise countries in terms of, um, you know, fertility policies, aging population, right? How can you encourage, [00:06:00] and I often say that women's. Women friendly policies are essentially longevity policies. You don't have women giving birth to kids, then you won't have a, you know, sustainable population. This is one of the same. So I really liked you pointed that out. That is totally right. I think not many people think like that. Um. And so in a nutshell, like there is the historical interest then that would mean that in terms of research, there is the interest in the research, there is interest in data, there is, uh, Chinese medicine has been around for 3000 years and gynecology in particular in that field has been around for 3000 years. This is very different with how western medicine has developed. Right? Like c-section technique for example, was developed, I dunno, a hundred years ago, like it is very. It's, it is, it is. So it's really like not comparable in terms of history, even sheer patient number and uh, patient cases. So I think Chinese medicine really in many ways excel in understanding women's health [00:07:00] and fertility. I.  **Michelle Oravitz:** For sure. And I, I always say like with medicine, one of the key things that you wanna look at is how well does it age And Chinese medicine ages really well. So a lot of times you'll see new things, new pharmaceuticals, and then a couple years later you find out it's not as great and then something else comes out with Chinese medicine. I mean, it looks at nature, it really looks at like the elements of nature. That is something that is consistent. It's just part of really understanding that and then understanding ourselves. So I think that that is so cool about Chinese medicine. **Jiaming Ju:** Right. The internal is very much so the physical, right. I have, I'm sure you have too, a lot of patients who on the surface they're like. Really healthy. Uh, but they haven't had a period for three years. So, you know, this is, this is not, and then they will spend the money on Botox. But which then you're like, okay, you look good for maybe a [00:08:00] month, and then you have to do this again. Right. It, it is very different perspective. I think, um, many people say that, you know, why do, for example, in the practice of, uh, postpartum recovery, right? I'm sure you see it, and I see it a lot from the practice where. People who don't have, who are not on top of their health condition, especially in terms of digestive health. I'm more prone to have thyroid issues or, you know, uh, preeclampsia in the last trimester and then post burst. This doesn't only drag their health just downhill. And then also impact how you're going to have a second kid or a third kid if you want to. It really completely like, you know. Like it really completely wrecks your house in a ways that you didn't even see this coming. And that is a completely different perspective, right? Because often I will have patients who say that, oh, you are the first person who listens. How do you know I have these issues? Before I even tell you, I. It is really patterns. And I go back because [00:09:00] I am a nerd and I am an economist. Like I go back to data collecting Chinese medicine like in my father's, you know, practice. Like he will start seeing a kid at the age from the age of five and then she's, he sees the same kid when the kid is 35. You see a person's in a whole families right Conditions throughout their whole life, and That's The best possible data collection you can dream of, and you can think of. This is not just a, oh, here is some pills for antidepressant, for postpartum depression. Like give a women a pill like that. They will still have gazillion other issues, like what does this solve? And you will hear often for people who have postpartum depression, for example, right? Like they will then be dependent on depre antidepressant for the rest of their life. Then one questions. What does that serve? Right? Where does that put you as a human? Do you feel like you are out of control for your own health? Um, so Yeah. it's a different approach.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Yeah, completely. Uh, it's interesting you say about [00:10:00] antidepressants because I feel like it's almost, um, a screen in between me and the person. I feel like I'm not able to fully get through to the person with the treatments because there's something in the middle, in the way I. And um, and of course I don't tell them just stop because I know that that is a whole process. They have to be under the care of a doctor and tell them how to come out of it, because it's not something that you can just suddenly take out. I often feel like that. And I'd much rather if I can just treat it with nothing else, it'll be a lot easier. And then another thing too is um, that I thought you said that was really interesting and true is, um, you know, I think a lot of times often people just want that positive pregnancy, but you talked about something that is actually crucial. If people want a healthy pregnancy and then also healthy afterwards for more kids, you really have to think big picture and not just quick fix. And I [00:11:00] think that we're so conditioned for the quick fix that we don't think about the whole garden and really tending the soil. And I always think about it like that. It's like, yeah, we could throw a seed in and maybe that's gonna sprout. But if we don't give it the conditions it needs, those roots aren't gonna go deep and it's not gonna be a sustainable, like rooted sprout, which I think similar with pregnancy, you want not just pregnancy, but you want a healthy pregnancy, and you also want a healthy mom and baby. You need it all. It's not like you can have an unhealthy mom, healthy baby. You have to have the whole picture working together. **Jiaming Ju:** I think that's why like many people getting on IVF, and if you consider it a percentage of success rate for IVF is actually not that high. Right? Um, and then everyone is, and a lot of people are disappointed because they feel like I paid all this money and I, I, I got it. Why is it not happening? I think first off is because we're all conditioned to think that pregnancy is such a simple thing, right? You do it and you'll get [00:12:00] pregnant. Uh, the, in Chinese medicine we always say mental is the physical and vice versa. The impact of stress of our day-to-day demand, of being a modern human, whatever, whatever that means, has a huge number in other fertility potential, right? I often says to, I often say to my, uh, patients, um, and I say like, you know, often because. My patients might, in the middle of it, they're, they didn't come to see me For, fertility, but like after they healed from like long covid or something, they're like, I want to have kids. You know? Now I can really think about it and I will usually say that, you know, definitely be careful with like when you wanna get pregnant, because the healthier you are, the fertile you are, the more fertile you are. Often I think in this society where we talk about IVF technology, ever since it has been introduced, it has become a thing where people feel like, oh, so long as I do it right, I will, it will happen. And often people get very disappointed when [00:13:00] it doesn't happen. And I'm sure you see in your practice a a lot in recent, in the past five years, you know the, there is an increasing percentage of people who have to DOIs. IVF like twice or three times and still maybe without success. Right? Um, so I think there is a lot of, um, a lot to be said about looking at fertility, not just as a functionality that you as a woman or you as a human will just somehow have, but it's really about your overall health, right? Like, and I often talk to people who have repetitive miscarriage. I'm like, your digestive health is everything. Who is gonna carry the baby is gonna be you. Now, if you are having, already having like nausea, dry gagging, like five times a day, even when you're not pregnant, your chances of basically having repetitive miscarriage is probably quite high, right? So we have to fix what's, what is the fundamental thing. It is. Not that let's have a kid, because often [00:14:00] I, um, and I very, I talk about this not very often. But I do treat kids, and you often see a lot of kids who have incredible intolerance for food early in age is due to the fact that mother had a very difficult pregnancy.  Um, so this is very much so linked. It's not, like you said, it's not like the mother has to be in perfect house. So you have a chance, the mother and father in perfect house. So you have a chance of this baby being in perfect house often, even if you could get pregnant, if you have a kid who has so many problems, um, in the first two or three years there, basically. Um, you know, there was one time with a patron of mine who, when he came to see me, he was two and a half years old and he was basically deemed a failure to thrive because he couldn't gain weight and he was having leg diarrhea. Often. He was having crazy eczema. And then you find out the mom during [00:15:00] pregnancy and before pregnancy had a lot of issues. So this is all interlinked. Yeah.  **Michelle Oravitz:** it really is. Another thing I see often is people who do IVF and then they go to the doctor and the doctor says, well, you barely have anything. You really need to start immediately. And I always encourage them, spend a little time prote, you know, preparing yourself if they've never, if they haven't come to me and I say, you're much better off waiting a few months. Taking care of yourself, nourishing yourself, then doing IVF, then rushing into it. 'cause we're just looking at numbers and not kind of thinking about the quality and the preparation.  **Jiaming Ju:** Mm-hmm. ' **Michelle Oravitz:** cause in three months, it's not like you're gonna just lose everything. It's gonna just drop off a cliff. I mean, it's gonna be a few more months. You're gonna be in much better position. **Jiaming Ju:** I think that's totally true. I mean, in, in the old country, in East Asia, when you prepare for pregnancy, six months is very standard. That's when your partner quits smoking. They quit drinking, you know, you both eat [00:16:00] healthy. All of those stuff, Right. Um, and in this country we don't, it's almost like nobody necessarily prepare it. Everyone just expect it would just happen until it doesn't happen after a while and suddenly it goes from, oh, I'm really casual about it, to now I'm in a panic. I must do IVF. Right? Um, and. A large, obviously unexplained infertility has a lot to do with, there are multiple root causes. One of the most common ones I have seen is actually intense liver g stagnation, where often a women consider themselves as a failure for not being able to get pregnant. And the more you and I usually be able to tell with a patient when the first, for the first consultation, they'll say, I need to be pregnant by this date. **Michelle Oravitz:** Right. **Jiaming Ju:** You're not a machine, we're not ai. It doesn't work like that. And often, I also, I don't know whether you experienced this in your practice as well, but I [00:17:00] often, uh, I always ask about better the partner, uh, or whoever, is the sperm donor better? They have tested, oftentimes they have not.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Yeah, I agree.  **Jiaming Ju:** has done all the  work then,  **Michelle Oravitz:** I've seen that a lot and and sometimes the doctors don't even mention it.  **Jiaming Ju:** Right. And it is shocking to me because as we all know. through research, uh, I believe it was the newest study done using collective data from Europe, uh, the sperm quality, both in terms of speed and quality per say, is 50% lower than like. 20, 30 years ago, and this is understandable due to drugs, due to not sleeping, due to not taking care of ourselves, Right. Due to stress. So why is it always that we're plowing the field of a women? And I always say this, I said the worst thing would be I'm p plowing your field. And the seed is subpar then. So,  **Michelle Oravitz:** Correct.  **Jiaming Ju:** right? Like, it's so, like, it's So easy. for the man to get checked. [00:18:00] It takes no time at all.  **Michelle Oravitz:** I know. **Jiaming Ju:** So like how is it in this, like, you know. this is almost common sense both in terms of money, in terms of time, get your, get your sperm donor, you know, partner  checked first. Um, it's, uh, It is interesting. **Michelle Oravitz:** It is for sure. And then also, I mean it's, what's interesting is, yeah, you can get checked and everything looks normal and they're like, everything's perfect. But then the DNA might have something off, which. A normal analysis does not cover that. It's a special test that people take after, and usually they won't do that unless there were like miscarriages or there were failures with, um, the embryos to grow. So they'll, they'll then they'll check the sperm. DNA fragmentation. **Jiaming Ju:** It is always a little too late. And interestingly, um, I think even given my own experience, like I have two kids and they were born in different, two different countries, and I. Uh, [00:19:00] the second one who was born in the us I think the, the, even the md, the gynecologist like checkup is very minimum. There was, you know, like if you want like a, a better, clearer picture, you gotta pay more. Like there is like, I think the, the, the standard of what women are provided in this country in terms of like basic, you know, um, like a, a basic kind of gynecological service, um, throughout is very low compared to other countries. Uh, but I mean that also creates a lot of. Tension and anxiety from first time moms. Right. You don't know. And then you show up and then you said you're having some pain and doctor's like, it's okay. And then You know, there  **Michelle Oravitz:** supported because you know, internally something's off. Like, you're like, I know something's off. I'm not crazy, but like, ah, you're fine. It's in your head.  **Jiaming Ju:** right. And I think through and, and I think that's really the fundamental difference between [00:20:00] Chinese medicine and western medicine. Right. Chinese medicine. This is why a lot of people ask me, they're like, you're a Columbia educated economist. You wrote for the Economist magazine, and then you know, you run Nobel Prize winner think tank like, but like Chinese medicine, it must be so different. It's actually not. Health economics is all about getting subjective health data from. The person you interview, that's not so different from what, what we do in Chinese medicine. It's about you being the patient who knows best about your health, right? So if you say you have a pain, you have a pain, I'm, I'm don't live in your body. I don't get to judge you. I think this is also the reason why so many people feel heard. Chinese medicine clinics, um, where they feel like you're just another pregnant person, like time is up, you are leaving. So it's um, it's a very different process. Yeah.  **Michelle Oravitz:** It is such a different process and I actually remember myself the first time I went to an [00:21:00] acupuncturist. This is like kind of what started it all. I was, uh, in a completely different career and I all I could get from every single doctor I went to was the birth control pills. And people hear hearing this, a lot of my listeners already know my story, but it was just basically I had irregular periods and that was the only answer I can get. Never made sense to me on a intuitive sense. I was like, this just doesn't make sense. There's gotta be something. They're like, Nope, that's just your body. The only time you can have normal periods is if you take this. So I went through 12 years of that and the first time I met. My first doctor, Dr. Lee, who's from China, and he actually happened to specialize in gynecology. He sat with me and one of the biggest takeaways, like the biggest impacts that it had, was him listening to me and asking me questions and showing me interest in every part of my life. And I was like, wow, this is crazy. This is so cool. I've never gotten this much attention from anybody [00:22:00] on like, what's going on in my body? **Jiaming Ju:** right.  **Michelle Oravitz:** And then, um, so that was really fascinating. Of course, that did change my period and I was resolved. I, I did the, you know, real raw herbals and the acupuncture. But then also, uh, looking back when I went to school, one of my teachers said, and it kind of like never left my mind that part of the healing, like the therapy starts before a needle goes in. Just by listening and the second you feel heard, that by itself has an impact on your healing. **Jiaming Ju:** Right. The, the physical is mental and that is, um, observed and in every single way we treat patients. I have, I would just say like 90% of my patients not only have like physical ailments, they have a lot of like mental. Concerns as well. Right. Um, and usually as both the, the [00:23:00] mental improved physical improvement and vice versa. And this usually seems very, like, it's like a huge surprise or a big relief to the patients because they're like you. I mean, I, I didn't have to take antidepressant pill for this whole time. Right. Um, it's, I think is, is is, it is a very interesting. Myth we are told, um, and I, I don't mean this as a, as a, something like a, like I'm simply raising this as a question. How is it that we all come in different shape and form, race, color, experience, lifestyle, choices, all of that, and sexes. And then when you say, okay, someone is suppressed, you give everybody exactly the same. The only thing that varies is in the dosage. **Michelle Oravitz:** Yep. **Jiaming Ju:** Isn't that weird?  **Michelle Oravitz:** Mm-hmm.  **Jiaming Ju:** Right? Like it, and if you ask people who are depressed, um, I'll give you an example because I have a lot of A DHD patients, um, [00:24:00] especially, um, and The first thing I always ask when I examine the tongue, um, for A DHD patients is better. You have anemia. And often they do. Um, but as we know in Chinese medicine, even if the lab says you don't have anemia, your tongue can tell me you have anemia. The, the chance of you being anemic and showing a DHD symptoms is very high. So is that actually a DHD or not? Oftentimes is actually not true. A DHD. This is the reason why a lot of women who, uh, thought they have a DHD got on A DHD medication and then they crash when they don't take the medication, right, their energy crash, their focus crash. Then if, I mean, this is really a questions like if you take something, it works. The minute you stop, it doesn't work. Did they ever work? Right. It's almost  **Michelle Oravitz:** it resolve it? It's not resolving, it's not a, a true solution.  **Jiaming Ju:** Right. And then [00:25:00] when we talk about pregnancy, it's a similar process, Right. Is this just we implant a child in your body? Great. I'm glad technology works, but I think if I recall back in the days when, uh, IVF was invented, It was not supposed to be used so widely in today's environment. It was for, I believe, for specific reason, Right. There was a, a really strong infertility, I believe structurally for. Was it the researcher? We invented it. So like it was not supposed to be. It's the same thing with C-section. It was not supposed to be widely used. Like today's, I remember when I lived in Singapore, uh, C-section was so popular. It was like, you can pick your date. It was a thing you can pick, pick a auspicious date to give birth to your child, and everyone goes to have a csection on the same day. It wasn't designed like that. It wasn't meant to be used like that. So I think. Modern human need of getting things done. [00:26:00] Like I need to have a child. Here is the child, and here the child is delivered like this need of doing, boom, boom, boom. Just click on your life. To-do list is preventing us to see the garden you talked about is preventing us from really taking care of ourselves and really do the way that we are supposed to do that. Nature enables it because we probably wants too much. I don't know.  **Michelle Oravitz:** It's a too quick to, you know, quick fix. It's, it's going against the dao. It's going against that present moment, that being present because I, my theory or 'cause it wasn't really something that I specifically learned, but like, the more present you are, the more life force q you have because you, in this portal, your energy, your attention, like you said, no separation between the mind and the body. So the more present we are, the more energy could be here. If our minds are here and then it's somewhere else, or our bodies are just here and our minds somewhere else, we're scattered all over the place. [00:27:00] And, uh, so let's actually go back 'cause I thought that was really interesting what you were saying about the liver chi, like really, really severe liver cheese stagnation. Uh, for people listening, I've talked about the liver before, but liver cheese stagnation is severe stress. It's really being, to me it's kinda like being in major fight or flight chronically. **Jiaming Ju:** Mm-hmm. And it is interesting because the liver store is the blood. So some people will say like, especially, it's funny because I lived in New York for a long time and I will always spot a patient from New York, uh, from a mile away because whenever you ask them like, are you stressed? They're like, no, they look really stressed, but they're like, no, I can't handle it. This is intense Stress.  Handling it, you know,  doesn't  **Michelle Oravitz:** first of all, I lived in New York, so I know exactly what you're talking about. 'cause I'm a re recovering New Yorker. And then secondly ahead, I have a, like, I have a patient I could just picture in my head right now. I'm like, how are you doing? Everything's perfect. Everything's fine. Sleep is good. Good, good, good. Great. You know, and I'm like, she, and, [00:28:00] and then like every needle that goes in, oh, oh, you know, she's. **Jiaming Ju:** I think this is the hardest lesson in life. Um, I feel. Um, is to desire something and not getting it, like, either, not on your timeline or like not the way you want it. And I think, um, liver cheese stagnation is exactly that. I mean, traditionally we say, oh, it's anger is more manifested in road rage. But really in today's society, I like to interpret liver cheese technician manifested in ways. That is like a mild, like a irritability, like a constant irritability. You're just waiting people to, to do something wrong and you are snap at them, right? We are all familiar with that kind  **Michelle Oravitz:** It's resistance. It's resistance to life.  **Jiaming Ju:** frustration, right? You're like constantly frustrated. Someone [00:29:00] else got a promotion, you think you are deserve the promotion, you're not seeing anything frustration. It is. What you think in your head you deserve. And the reality, and there is a gross, like mismatching here. Um, and I, every single time I have a patient who comes because of, you know, infertility issues and I will always spend so much time talking to them about their psychology, like mental health. I, the way I do consultations. I have a huge part, at least I think. Total 30% of my total questions about the mental this matters in particular to people who have been having difficulty pregnant because, and I explain it to my patients like this, if you are so stagnant, if your body is so full of stagnation and cheat, where do you think a baby can sit? The baby. The baby has nowhere to sit. There is no room for the child. And [00:30:00] that in a way. Is indeed the hardest lesson because to be pregnant, to be a parent to me personally, I think is the hardest thing in life is, is the uncertainty. You can do everything you do. Right, right. In, in parenthood. You don't know how it's gonna turn out, and this is, this process actually start from getting pregnant. Like so many people feel so certain, oh, I just do it, you know, a couple of times. And during ovulation I will be pregnant. It doesn't work like that in Chinese medicine. You know, when it advocates for healthy pregnancy, it is the Jing, it is the Chi, it is the Ansys, it is the spirit and body of you and your partner.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Yep. **Jiaming Ju:** I'm not even a religious person, but I would say that is rather agno agno agnostic like process, right? Because it depends. You need a bit of luck For a [00:31:00] person who is intensely chi stagnant, they don't believe in luck. You, I'm, I don't know whether you've checked this with your patients,  **Michelle Oravitz:** yeah. No, they, they put everything on their shoulders. They think that it's all up to them, and that's why they feel like they need to control, and it's being in that fight or flight because you're in survival mode. And when you're in survival mode, there's not plenty to go around. You need to scrounge and you need to work, and you need to fight to get whatever you need. And that's, um, that's ultimately, you know, from an observer's perspective. Yeah, that's what I see. **Jiaming Ju:** Right. And it is, you will see whenever that happens, you know, it's almost like you as a provider, you are being told like. This is the only thing you're doing. You're, you're giving me a child and then like, this is never gonna work. This is never gonna work because liver cheese stagnation. Really, I feel like clinically is one of the major reasons for unexplained fertility. And that in turn frustrates the person even more because you're telling them structurally there is nothing wrong, [00:32:00] but they just cannot get pregnant no matter what they do. Right. Um, so this is already a deeply frustrating process and telling them that, leave it to. Just follow the protocol and leave it to fate. And you, I will always notice that 50, not 50%, like you always have like 20% of people or 30% of people who are just not, they'll ask you like, what are the best thing I can eat to make this happen faster? Right? Like, what, what is, um, you're going against what you, you know, you're, you're doing exactly the opposite of what you're supposed to. Um, but that is hard. I think  **Michelle Oravitz:** It is hard. Yeah. It, it's, it's one of those things that is often missed and I, I, I actually wrote a book about that. 'cause in the book I don't give any diet tips or anything. Like, I'm like, that's not what's needed. Because everybody can look up like the best diet and there's plenty of great books about what can help. And of course everybody's different and, you know, really understanding kind of your own sensitivities and et cetera. But. [00:33:00] My point is, is that many times people going through the fertility journey are actually very smart. They're very educated, and they educate themselves on. Supplements and what to do. And so they're, they, they have that down, but that's not what it's about. I mean, it's about also the nervous system and I, I say the nervous system 'cause it's more late layman terms, but it's ultimately what the QI does. Like the QI needs to move and to flow. And if we're in this fight or flight, it's stagnates. And so you see that often? **Jiaming Ju:** I think that's really true because it is really about the difficult, the most difficult thing in life is to dive into uncertainty.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Mm-hmm. **Jiaming Ju:** You have two types of people who, well, you have three types. One type who just like go with the flow, right? Nothing wrong with that. You have one type who always wanna get ahead before everybody else. They always wanna know everything that's supposed to be done, it comes to being pregnant, having a healthy delivery, [00:34:00] that's actually not how it works. And I think that's, you gotta have a openness. To say, I'm going to dive into this uncertainty because you know what, when a baby is here, when you have to raise this child, right, um, you're gonna need that when they start going to school or even when you homeschool them. It doesn't matter. Like you cannot control everything. And I think that is a very important thing that, uh, really starts even during pregnancy preparation.  **Michelle Oravitz:** You know, I will say it's kind of like meeting the love of your life  **Jiaming Ju:** Right,  **Michelle Oravitz:** and you're not like, you are gonna be the one that I marry. You know, you can't, you, it doesn't work like that. Then the person's gonna wanna run, run away.  **Jiaming Ju:** right. you. can't just come with your list and be like, well, You check every single list here. Right. Um.  **Michelle Oravitz:** it's gotta be a little more romantic and have those, you know, moments of quiet and silence and, and kind of have this dance [00:35:00] happen. **Jiaming Ju:** Yeah. But you know, I, I think the world has in increasingly, has increasingly become a place where. People want bandage solutions. And I think that where, uh, the economy, if you're looking at some like rising industries, that that's what it gives like, right? A product. This is especially the case in America where it's all about something has a product, right? Like what is the one-off solution you could give to that? But things where humans have been doing for centuries, like procreation. Defies the odd of that, no matter how many one-off Band-aid solutions you're gonna have, it's not going to click. And I keep telling this to all my patients who not only just for fertility, but for every odd syndromes under sun, as I have a lot of patients who have very difficult, complex disorders, [00:36:00] is that. When you commit to something that is trying to get pregnant or trying to get better, it's like when you go to a Taoist pimple or you go to any church or any religious place you go and you put a slice of your peace of your heart and peace of your mind there because you are really committed right in that given moment. And that's all I'm asking for as a provider. Um, I always don't always go into it with. But what about this? What about this? What about this? Like, why don't we settle this one first? Um, so, you know, talk about nervous system. You can come down first. Otherwise your nervous system is all over the place where you are like, you're not doing anything like, you know, fully. So.  **Michelle Oravitz:** And what other suggestions do you ever give people, um, suggestions that they could do outside of the. What you're helping [00:37:00] them with. Because I would typically say even like you can come in, do the acupuncture, even take the herbs and supplements. But if you're going back and having a crazy stressful time, then it's going to pretty much negate a lot of what we did. So I'll suggest things even like rounding or spending a little time in the morning of silence or peace just to kind of get themselves into a partnership really with me on their health. **Jiaming Ju:** Um. We have a 16 page behavior report that we customize for every single new patient, um, that I will hold 'em to it. That includes  nutrition and also lifestyle tips for people who try to get pregnant specifically. Um, I give, like, I consider this not as tips. I consider this as just like you need to do it is to get your [00:38:00] husband or your partner or whoever donates the sperm tested as soon as possible and making sure they're not drinking like six. Bottles of beer a day. Like, you know, like if you're in this like, you know, situation prep, pre uh, preparing for pregnancy, they should too. Um, and I usually advocate for morning intercourse rather than night intercourse. During ovulation to increase the chances. Um, and there are a bunch of specific ones. I usually give like on a patient to patient base, but I also will tell people to, um, spend at least one or two hours of, of a day to practice the Daoist principle of Uwe. **Michelle Oravitz:** I love that. That's my favorite, by the way.  **Jiaming Ju:** and I, you know, your New York patients will be like, no. But like, um, can I actually go cycling during that time? I'm like, no. The point of Uwe is you do nothing productive. [00:39:00] Then they have, you put them in a conundrum because they're like, then I'm just wasting my time. I'm like, no.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Wait, so people who don't know wwe, can you explain. **Jiaming Ju:** So WWE is the Daoist principle of doing nothing. Um, it's a practice I regularly issue to people to forcefully calm their mind. So I give a bunch of suggestions through what you can do for your wwe. Like for example, uh, you can knit, but not because. You're knitting for a nephew or something, you're learning to knit, not because you're good at it, it is because you want to. So it's to completely deviate from a lifestyle where we are chasing daily achievement all the time, right? It's more about resting your body and mind and focus on what matters on the present, which traditionally you to think it doesn't matter. So one of my favorite thing, even when I lived in New York City, was to really sit in a random coffee shop and just sit there, read my book or like judge [00:40:00] people's sense of fashion. So I will like people judge when I'm in the cafes. Like, what did you do during that time? Nothing. But I always feel like, great.  **Michelle Oravitz:** But it's like effortless effort. You're still there. It's not like you're totally inactive. You're, you're still there, but you're like in this neutral flow  state.  **Jiaming Ju:** Right, and then that's very important because there is nothing more difficult to a person who tries to get pregnant than thinking they're losing time. They're being told that they're losing time. They're late by every possible doctor under the sun. But you know, that is a time, is a, being late or not is a relative concept, as we say in Chinese medicine,  **Michelle Oravitz:** It's true. **Jiaming Ju:** So oftentimes you'll see people like signing off for IVF, not because they're physical ready, It's because they are told they are short on time, right? You don't do this now, you can't do it in three months. But statistics don't work like that. Like you said, you know, [00:41:00] within three months, your body's not going to dramatically change. You, you must well spend the time to take care of yourself, then really increase your chances rather than, I'm gonna dive into this when I'm super stressed. Um, pinning so much hope on this. Um, so yeah, again, I mean, I, I think that's really the thing, like having a child and being pregnant is not just something you must do in life. It's a, it's more than that. It's a mild, it's, it's, um. It's a face in life. One doesn't have to have it, but if you do decide to have it, I, I really think that people need to take a broader view on it.  **Michelle Oravitz:** 100%. I think that is so beautifully put because it is a big picture and it's um, you can't just take the part and then look at the part and say, okay, that's it. You have to look at like. How it interplays and works together as a [00:42:00] whole organism. And that's when you get the big picture. And, um, yeah. And I think about like, you know, the yin and the yang, you know, being too young all the time, you're gonna burn out the yin and that's ultimately the nervous system right there, having that balance. **Jiaming Ju:** Yeah, exactly. I think the society demands us to constantly deliver.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Mm-hmm. **Jiaming Ju:** The question is, what are you delivering? There isn't a return policy for a parent once the child is here. You are responsible for them for life. Um, so this is not just, I'm just, I just wanna get pregnant. This is a how it's going to completely transform your life wrecking you because your identity will be rewritten the minute you are pregnant, uh, when you become a parent. Um, and I think people need to probably, you know, take it, I always say like, take it more seriously, but [00:43:00] also take it less seriously. I. Because I think people take it really seriously on the, am I pregnant or not pregnant part, Right. But that don't take that too seriously, but like people need to consider what that means. The implication at your health more seriously.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Yeah, for sure. And so if people, and it's, it, it really helps to have somebody to work with because I think that. There's a lot of reminders that can be done from somebody who's looking at it more objectively and not in it because it's very hard to understand, um, what you're sharing if you're not working with somebody else. And I think that that's like the benefit on top of obviously getting the therapy, but also getting, you know, the treatments and also. Getting that perspective because when you're too in it, it's very hard to decipher. So I think that that is very priceless. Um, so for people who want to work with you, what do you offer? **Jiaming Ju:** [00:44:00] I think the, if you're interested in, and I always say this as a dare and those are kinds of my favorite tongue, tongue readings to do, is that people who say like, no, I won't tell you anything. I just give you my tongue, and then they're completely in shock when I spell out all your, their life secrets. So I think That's the number one thing you can do. Um, and in these tongue readings, I also give three quick suggestions, but I give a very good overview of like what you're not telling me about what's happening, wizard Health. Um, and that's a very fun thing to do. 'cause everyone has a tongue, right? And tongue reading is one of the most traditional things we offer in Chinese medicine. Uh, but usually the serious, more serious part. Is the one-on-one consultation with me online. And um, and then customized herbal formulation. I would say like 95% of my one-on-one patients on customized herbal formulation. And then. We do the monthly follow up for [00:45:00] that. And then there is also a bunch of digital small booklets, recipe books like that we, um, that I have written. For example, I have a postpartum recipe booklet that I highly recommend for anybody who is pregnant. And you don't know what, what really you heard about this myth about Chinese women eating different things postpartum. You don't know what that is. Uh, I wrote. A 20 page I believe, recipe book that  includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner and snack. Uh, for that. So That's a lot of like self study resources as well. Yeah, **Michelle Oravitz:** That's great. Um, sounds awesome. And you do raw herbs.  **Jiaming Ju:** no, I only do gran.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Oh, granule, which is so easy, but it also is effective because it's easy to digest, easier  **Jiaming Ju:** right. And everything is made to order. So we have patients from Scotland to, to Singapore. It's, it. is we, so it's, uh, everything is made to order and I co-write a formula with my dad for every single [00:46:00] patient. So,  **Michelle Oravitz:** Fantastic. And how can people find you? **Jiaming Ju:** Uh, you can follow us at Quinn House, KUN House. Uh, I believe we're on TikTok as well, but I never check TikTok. I'm a little bit scared of TikTok, so, um, Instagram is my  **Michelle Oravitz:** It's funny, I never got into TikTok too. I just do reels on Instagram. I just love Instagram. **Jiaming Ju:** Yeah, I think TikTok is a little bit of a wild scenario, but, um, yeah, Instagram is where I, I think do the most, so.  **Michelle Oravitz:** Awesome. Well, it was such a pleasure talking to you. You sound like a wealth of knowledge and I love your perspective and really how you understand, um, really from diet and, and also herbals, which is an art in itself. So thank you so much for coming on today. It was such a pleasure talking to you.  **Jiaming Ju:** you. [00:47:00]     

Please support our sponsor Modern Roots Life: https://modernrootslife.com/?bg_ref=rVWsBoOfcFIn this episode of Ancient Roots of Life and Wellness, hosts JT and Josh Truex delve into the foundational aspects of health and wellness. They discuss the importance of hydration, the role of electrolytes, and the nutritional benefits of beef and cod liver. The conversation emphasizes the significance of starting with the basics and understanding how to optimize one's health through proper nutrition and hydration.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jt-s-mix-tape--6579902/support.

Okay, let's be honest—when was the last time you actually thought about your liver?Probably… never.But here's the thing: if your hormones are out of whack, if you're struggling with perimenopause symptoms, or if weight loss feels impossible, your liver might be the missing piece.And if you're on bio-identical hormones? It's even more important.And in this episode, we're breaking down exactly why.----------You can find Elizabeth at strongchoices.com or on Instagram at @strongchoices1And here are the links to the supplements she mentioned:Detox Diva Toxic Tamerand you can use Discount Code: RUTH10 for 10% off----------Want to learn more about how our program can help you lose weight and get healthy FOR LIFE without dieting or drugs, then I'd love to invite you to join me for my FREE training!It will walk you through it all, and it's really good and really helpful.To get all the info and get signed up, just go to thinlicious.com/happy. 

This week is one of our favorite topics: food as medicine from a Chinese Medicine perspective. On this episode, your host, Stephanie, gets into the main patterns she sees in her clinical practice: Spleen Qi deficiency, Damp accumulation in the Middle Jiao/Middle Burner, Cold accumulation, Stomach Fire, Stomach Yin deficiency, Liver overacting Spleen, and a touch on Blood deficiency. She also covers the following topics: - how to decipher between pain due to Qi deficiency vs Qi stagnation - how dampness forms in the body and how it can lead to substantial and nonsubstantial phlegm- which in turn can lead to a pattern of mental illness- how to live and eat for your microbiomeand so much more. Stephanie also answers the questions you've shared with her on Instagram! If you're looking for an episode which gets into the foundations of food therapy, of Yin and Yang theory, and the Five Elements Theory, you can listen to episode #10: Whispers of the Energy of Our Food Other related episodes: 10 Ways You're Hurting Your Health According to a Student of Chinese Medicine: part 1 and part 2Whispers of Qi and BloodShow Notes: Healing with Whole Foods, Third Edition by Paul PitchfordMary Ruddick blog posts- Gamma Waves: The Neuroelectric Alchemy of GraceGalaxy of Good and Evil Bacteria: Navigating the Microbial Scales Research on antibiotic use and mental illness- Early life exposure to antibiotics and the risk of mood and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: A population-based cohort studyLong-term antibiotic use during early life and risks to mental traits: an observational study and gene–environment-wide interaction study in UK Biobank cohort Five Element Theory: https://www.tcmworld.org/what-is-tcm/five-elements/If you'd like to connect with or work with Stephanie, you can find her here:Instagram-@schoolofwhispers @__steef___ email-schoolofwhispers@gmail.com If you would like to schedule an acupuncture appointment with Stephanie at Balance Point Acupuncture, you can either visit ⁠www.balancepointacu.com⁠ or call 561-615-4535 to schedule your appointment today.DISCLAIMER: This podcast is presented for educational and exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for diagnosing or treating any illness. Those responsible for this show disclaim responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information presented by Stephanie or her guests.

Anger isn't bad - it's a messenger! It gives you clarity, even growth, but you do want to keep your system in balance and excessive anger in TCM is associated with the liver. In this episode of the Ancient Health Podcast, Dr. Christopher Motley explores the intricate relationship between liver health and emotional well-being, particularly focusing on anger.  TOPICS DISCUSSED: How the liver's functions in Chinese medicine relate to emotional states, especially during the spring season when liver energy is heightened.  The importance of methylation. The impact of liver stagnation on mood.  Practical strategies for maintaining liver health through diet, acupressure, and emotional processing techniques. Want more of Dr. Motley and the Ancient Health Podcast? Subscribe to his YouTube Channel!  ------  Show Notes: Breathwork Journaling Talking to your Organs Herbs:  Xia Yao San, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Camu: http://bit.ly/3EG9oGy Mimosa: https://bit.ly/4iPlJ9u ------  Follow Doctor Motley! Instagram Twitter Facebook Tik-Tok Website *If you're a health coach and you're looking for more in-depth knowledge about the body and healing,  consider joining Dr. Motley's membership where you can dive into his clinical wisdom on emotions and the body, Traditional Chinese Medicine and more + regular Q+As where you get the chance to pick his brain: https://www.doctormotley.com/store 

This week, Joe and Terry discuss liver health with two specialists. You may not have spent much time thinking about your liver. It is, however, an absolutely essential organ. When the liver is working properly, every part of the body gets the nutrients it needs and no parts are exposed to damaging toxins. These are […]

Today's episode is personal—and powerful. I'm giving you an intimate and inspiring update on my healing journey and sharing the incredible news about my liver regeneration. After facing serious health challenges, I received stem cells six months ago at Carolina Cell Therapy Clinic—and the results are in. My liver is back to a healthy looking texture and state! My body is regenerating. And I want to bring you into the process, not just as a listener, but as someone walking the same road of learning, unlearning, and reclaiming your health.  As the Alternative Rebel, I'm not here for surface-level solutions. I believe your body was created to heal—and I'm living proof that when we align with God's design, radical things happen. I'm also closing this solo episode with five know-better-do-better tips—areas we must wake up to if we want to walk in lasting wellness, clarity, and truth. This is the kind of episode where I get to sit with you, heart to heart. We don't get to do that often—and I'm so grateful you're here for it.

We've been fed the wrong advice when it comes to heat and cold therapy—especially for women. In this empowering episode, we dive into the research and real-life experience that proves heat therapy (like sauna sessions) outshines cold plunges for supporting hormone health, metabolism, muscle recovery, and overall vitality. You'll learn why extreme cold isn't necessary for women to see benefits—and how milder cold exposure (think 55°F) can be just as effective. Let's challenge the male-centric wellness norms and reclaim what actually works for our bodies.-----Herbal formula for hormone regulation, fertility, and for PMS management: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soothe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Immediate period discomfort and cramp relief: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crampy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Peace Love Hormones website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code "podcast" to save on your first order!-----You may also like:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overmedicated and Undereducated: How I Found Healing Through Herbal Medicine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – My personal journey of discovering the power of herbal medicine and creating Peace Love Hormones.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Menstrual Cycle Shapes Brain Health with Emily McDonald ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– How your cycle influences brain function and mental well-being with neuroscientist Emily McDonald.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unlock the Benefits of Burdock Root for Gut, Liver, and Hormone Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – The powerful benefits of burdock root for digestion, detox, and hormone balance.-----

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In this week's episode, we'll hear about how researchers look toward the lung, and find uniquely programmed blood stem cells. This study is the first to fully characterize hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the adult human lung. After that: researchers develop a neural network-based probabilistic classifier, DLBclass, that assigns all diffuse large B-cell lymphomas into one of five genetic subtypes. It's an inclusive taxonomy that they say provides actionable genetic information in almost all patients with DLBCL. Finally, new insights on NETS, or neutrophil extracellular traps. In the liver vasculature, NET removal leads to secondary inflammation, resulting in new waves of NETS that may impact future infection. We'll review these and other findings from this recent mouse model study.Featured Articles:Decoding functional hematopoietic progenitor cells in the adult human lungDLBclass: a probabilistic molecular classifier to guide clinical investigation and practice in diffuse large B-cell lymphomaDonor regulatory T-cell therapy to prevent graft-versus-host disease

Introducing Liver Lineup: Updates & Unfiltered Insights — an exciting new podcast delivering timely, candid perspectives on the most pressing topics in the fast-moving world of hepatology. Created by Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, and hosted by HCPLive, this series dives into the cutting edge of liver disease research, clinical care, and real-world practice. Intended for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, and other clinicians managing liver disease, Liver Lineup will unpack the latest research, debate emerging controversies, and spotlight developments that could shape — or sharpen — day-to-day practice, all with unfiltered perspective and clarity. Brown is division chief of gastroenterology and hepatology and the Associate Medical Director of the Henry Ford Hospital Transplant Institute at Henry Ford Hospital. She is also a Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University Reau is a professor of internal medicine, the Richard B. Capps Chair of Hepatology, Associate Director of Solid Organ Transplantation, and the section chief of Hepatology at Rush University Medical Center. In the inaugural episode, Brown and Reau introduce the mission behind Liver Lineup and share why they created the podcast. Driven by a shared commitment to education, clinical excellence, and elevating the conversation around liver disease, the hosts describe their hope to offer practicing clinicians a clear, concise, and engaging way to keep up with the latest news and innovations in hepatology. They aim to highlight data that's not only new, but meaningful — spotlighting developments that can improve patient care today and shape best practices tomorrow. Together, the Brown and Reau set the stage for what's to come: expert commentary on major liver meetings including Digestive Disease Week, European Association for the Study of the Liver Congress, The Liver Meeting from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting; coverage of key topics like MASLD, liver cancer, viral hepatitis, and transplant; and conversations with colleagues across the hepatology spectrum. From debates over practice-changing data to discussions on care pathways and diagnostics, Liver Lineup aims to keep clinicians informed, engaged, and ready to translate insight into impact. Looking ahead, Brown and Reau preview upcoming episodes covering major hepatology updates from Digestive Disease Week 2025 and European Association for the Study of the Liver Congress 2025 — with more to follow throughout the year.

In this episode, Sinclair Kennally dives deep into how hidden parasites inflame the body and the surprising ways they affect your overall health. Learn why parasites aren't just confined to your gut, and how they can trigger symptoms like brain fog, joint pain, and even anxiety.   Sinclair explains why conventional testing often misses parasites and what key signs to look for in your own body. You'll discover the importance of understanding your unique health symptoms and how they connect to hidden infections.   Parasite cleansing isn't as simple as taking a supplement. In this episode, Sinclair reveals why a strategic, well-rounded approach is necessary, covering everything from supporting bile flow to opening drainage pathways to avoid overwhelming your system.   In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction and Tapeworm Anecdote 05:56 Interview with Sinclair Kennally: Hidden Parasites and Gut Health 07:35 Understanding Parasite Exposure and Gut Dysbiosis 12:51 Challenges in Parasite Testing and Diagnosis 15:33 Common Mistakes in Parasite Elimination 19:38 Starting Your Detoxification and Healing Process 22:48 Favorite Bowel Supports 23:11 Importance of Liver and Kidney Function 23:55 New Year's Resolutions and Gut Health 25:57 Getting the Liver Moving 27:40 Understanding Binders 30:09 Effective Parasite Killing Herbs 33:33 Strategies for Parasite Cleansing 38:29 Final Thoughts and Encouragement       Did you know collagen production declines as you age? Boost your body's collagen with Paleovalley Bone Broth Protein, made from 100% grass-fed beef bones. It supports healthy skin, joints, and digestion in just 30 seconds a day. No time to simmer bones? No problem! Simply mix the protein powder with hot water or add it to smoothies. Get yours today at paleovalley.com/drjockers and use code JOCKERS to save 15%!   Struggling with digestion? Just Thrive Digestive Bitters help stimulate the production of stomach acid, bile, and pancreatic enzymes, improving digestion, easing bloating, and enhancing nutrient absorption. It's the natural way to support your gut health and feel better after every meal. Visit justthrivehealth.com and use code JOCKERS to save 20% off your order!   This episode is brought to you by Vibrant Blue Oils. If you want to enhance your body's natural healing abilities, try their Parasympathetic Essential Oil Blend. This non-invasive oil helps calm stress, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion, detoxification, and immune function. Start feeling fantastic today by visiting vibrantblueoils.com/jockers and grab your $15 full-size bottle of the Parasympathetic Blend.   Experience a new efficiency level with Freed AI, the AI medical scribe that transforms how healthcare professionals manage documentation. It listens, transcribes, and finalizes clinical notes instantly, perfect for both in-office and virtual visits across all specialties. HIPAA-compliant and incredibly user-friendly, Freed AI lets you reclaim hours each day, allowing you to focus more on your patients. Start your free trial today—no credit card is needed. For my listeners, use promo code Jockers50 for 50% off your first month when you subscribe. Learn more at getfreed.ai.       "Parasites don't just affect your gut—they can cause brain fog, anxiety, and even joint pain." ~ Dr. Jockers     Subscribe to the podcast on: Apple Podcast Stitcher Spotify PodBean  TuneIn Radio     Resources: Paleovalley - visit paleovalley.com/jockers Visit justthrivehealth.com and use code Jockers for a 20% discount Visit https://vibrantblueoils.com/jockers Visit getfreed.ai.     Connect with Sinclair Kennally: Website: https://detoxrejuvenation.com/     Connect with Dr. Jockers: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drjockers/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DrDavidJockers YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/djockers Website – https://drjockers.com/   If you are interested in being a guest on the show, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us here! - https://drjockers.com/join-us-dr-jockers-functional-nutrition-podcast/  

For some, the path to motherhood comes with unexpected thyroid challenges—and understanding those hidden imbalances can make all the difference. In this Save My Thyroid Health Audit, Jenny shares her journey with Hashimoto's and secondary infertility, two challenges that often go hand in hand but are rarely talked about together. Despite being told her thyroid levels were “normal,” deeper testing revealed elevated antibodies and imbalances that standard panels missed. We walked through the key tests that matter (from T3 and T4) to functional medicine insights on gut health, stress, and hormone metabolism. We explore how addressing root causes, not just lab numbers—can open new possibilities for healing and conception. Tune in to learn how getting the right tests and asking the right questions can move you closer to healing.Episode Timeline: 0:00 - Episode Overview1:45 - Podcast Intro2:17 - Welcoming Jenny to the Podcast3:10 - Jenny Navigates Secondary Infertility3:24 - Initial OB Visit and TSH Concerns4:04 - Referral to a Reproductive Endocrinologist5:20 - Diagnosis: Hashimoto's and Mild Hypothyroidism6:08 - How Jenny Found Dr. Eric Osanski7:09 - Challenges with Blood Work and Thyroid Testing8:02 - The Importance of T3 and T4 in Thyroid Testing9:17 - Understanding Antibodies and Their Role in Fertility11:24 - Addressing T4 to T3 Conversion Issues12:13 - The Role of the Liver and Gut in T4 to T3 Conversion12:45 - Jenny's Frustration with Rising TPO Antibodies13:34 - The Challenge of Normalizing Antibodies13:58 - The Importance of Diet, Lifestyle, and Identifying Triggers14:22 - Have You Done Any Functional Medicine Testing?15:12 - Jenny's Experience and Interest in Functional Medicine Testing16:14 - Balancing Blood Sugar and Addressing Gut and Liver Health16:46 - Understanding Liver Function and Thyroid Medication17:36 - Minimizing Exposure to Environmental Toxins18:27 - Addressing Iron and Nutrient Deficiencies in Thyroid Health19:02 - Exploring the Role of B12 in Thyroid Health20:28 - Jenny's Focus on Sleep and Stress Management21:52 - Testing for Adrenal Health and Hormonal Imbalances23:19 - The Importance of Functional Medicine Testing for Gut and Adrenal Health24:10 - Next Steps: Diet, Stress Management, and Functional Medicine Testing25:23 - Final Words of Support for Jenny's Journey26:34 - Final Thanks for Jenny's Insights26:52 - Podcast Outro27:13 - Episode Takeaways and ConclusionMentioned in this Episode: Dr. Eric' BooksNatural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease Amazon.com: The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet: Reverse Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease and Save Your Thyroid Through Diet and Lifestyle Changes Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune TriggersFree resources for your thyroid healthGet your FREE Thyroid and Immune Health Restoration Action Points Checklist at Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid? Access hundreds of free articles at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com Visit Dr. Eric's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/NaturalThyroidDoctor/ To work with Dr. Eric, visit https://savemythyroid.com/work-with-dr-eric/

Author and liver of life absolutely describes our guest this episode, Pat Backley. As Pat says, she was an English woman until the age of 59 when she decided to become a Kiwi and moved full time to New Zealand. Pat grew up in a poor household, but she will tell you that she never regrets not having as much money as many of the people around her. However it happened, Pat grew up with a various curious oriented mind and a desire to explore the world.   During her life which today spans 73 years, Pat has held a number of jobs. She also has been married twice, but clearly really is not bitter over being divorced from both husbands, although the 2nd one simply wasn't ready to be as adventurous as Pat and live in New Zealand.   Pat wrote her first book at the age of 70. Over the past three years she has written eight books and has a number of future books inside her. As with other authors I have met over the years, Pat's characters essentially write their stories. Pat has plans and ideas, but the characters take over and create the stories.   I find Pat to be extremely articulate and personable to converse with. I think you too will enjoy her and what she has to say. So, sit back, or walk or do whatever you are doing, but get ready to hear a most enjoyable and thought-provoking conversation.       About the Guest:   Pat Backley is an English woman who, at the age of 59 , decided to become a Kiwi and she now lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Passionate about people and travelling the world, she has spent the last 73 years living a colourful and interesting life and her books reflect these passions.   She published her first book DAISY in late 2020, just before her 70th birthday, and now says that she intends to write till she dies!   She has published eight books and contributed to several anthologies, as well as writing articles and short stories for various magazines and has several more books in the pipeline.   Ways to connect Pat:   www.patbackley.com I am on Facebook and Instagram @patbackleyauthor. Also on X (Twitter) @Pat Backley Books. And LinkedIn @Pat Backley   About the Host:   Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/   https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening!   Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast   If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset .   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review   Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.       Transcription Notes:   ichael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:20 Well, hi everyone, and I want to welcome you to another edition of unstoppable mindset. And today we are going to chat with Pat Backley. Pat is a British woman, as she will tell you, but at the age of 59 which has now been some what, 1314, years ago, 13 years ago, she decided to become a kiwi and moved to New Zealand. We'll have to find out what brought that about. I've been to New Zealand. It's a fun place. I'd love to go back. But anyway, and of late, certainly much later in her life, Pat decided to become an author. She wrote her first book at the age of 70, and that is another fascinating story, I am sure. So we will delve into all of that, and we're going to grill Pat until she's tired of us. Pat, welcome to unstoppable mindset.   Pat Backley ** 02:20 Thank you so much, Michael, I can assure you, I won't be tired of being grilled by you. I'm I'm thrilled to be here. Thank you. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 02:29 we're really glad that you're here. What time is it in New Zealand right now? It's 10 o'clock   02:33 in the morning. Yeah, it's about what I thought.   Michael Hingson ** 02:38 So you're 21 hours ahead of us. Yeah, yes.   Pat Backley ** 02:42 And I have to say, I have to say that tomorrow is looking very good. You'll be glad to know, Oh, good.   Michael Hingson ** 02:49 Should be good. It Well, I'm glad to hear that it's going to look good, and it's actually going to warm up a little bit. Here. We're only getting up to about 65 Fahrenheit, so that's what about 17 Celsius or so. But tomorrow it's supposed to start getting a little bit warmer. We're approaching our winter as you approach your summer, which is kind of interesting.   Pat Backley ** 03:14 Yes, very interesting. When I first moved to New Zealand, that was one of the things I found very strange to have Christmas in the sunshine, because obviously I was, I was born with Christmas in the cook.   Michael Hingson ** 03:29 Yeah. Well, and you could have moved to Australia, where they use kangaroos to pull Santa slay.   Pat Backley ** 03:38 I could have done. I could have done. But Australia didn't have the same appeal for me as No, I   Michael Hingson ** 03:43 like New Zealand. I haven't been to Australia. I'd like to go, but I really enjoyed being in New Zealand. I've been to both the North and the South Island. I spent almost three weeks there, back in 2003 and gave something like 17 or 18 speaking opportunities in 15 days. And I only had one day that I had mostly off and that we spent. What is the the town on the South Island, the the tourist town, oh, Queenstown. Queenstown. Yeah, and so but that only lasted until about six that evening, and then I had to go off and speak again. But it was a lot of fun.   Pat Backley ** 04:28 You must have been exhausted because it's quite a lot of distance. I was I'm what I'm about to say is going to sound ridiculous now, because I've just been to America, and I know about your distances I was going to say, because you have a lot of driving distance between the towns you would have had to speak at. But then, as I was about to verbalize it, I thought, Pat, that's stupid. In America, the distances are far greater   Michael Hingson ** 04:51 well, and also a number of airplane flights between the North and the South Island to make it go faster as well.   Pat Backley ** 04:57 Yes, absolutely, yes. So. It was fun. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 05:01 why don't we start by you telling us a little bit kind of about the early Pat growing up and all that. We'll start with that. Okay,   Pat Backley ** 05:08 well, I, I was born in 1951 so it was just after the war, and England was still suffering from the effects of the war. You know, there was a lot of it was a bit of a gray place, so my parents couldn't afford to buy their own home, so I lived with my parent, my paternal grandparents, for the first three and a half years of my life. And of course, I had a lovely time because I had four adults doting on me. Then we moved out to the country. We were given a council house, which is like a state house. I'm not sure what they called in in the in America, you know, where the government provides them, right? Which, at that time was very acceptable, because there wasn't much housing, because it had all been bombed out, because we lived in London. So, so I grew up in the country. I didn't realize we were poor until I was 11, and went to secondary school, and suddenly I was the because I was quite bright, I was put in a grammar stream class, so I was suddenly with all these rich kids. One girl was driven to school in a chauffeur driven rolls, Royce and I lived in the little government house opposite the school, so everyone knew I was poor. So yeah, it was, it was tough. I would say it was tough my teenage years, but I   Michael Hingson ** 06:26 did, they teach you a lot about that. Oh, yeah,   Pat Backley ** 06:28 I got, I got, I mean, these days they would call it bullying, bullying. I just, I just, it was just, what my luck you know that I remember one time, and I actually did write about this in my memoirs, because it's still in my head after 60 odd years, one time I was the only kid in the class that went home for school lunches, and one because mum couldn't afford to pay for school lunches, so I used to go home because we lived just opposite. And I remember one day I came back to school and it was raining, so all the kids were back in the classroom early, and the teacher wasn't there yet. And there was this one girl whose name will live in my memory forever. She's etched on my soul, Angela Barrett. And she was standing at the front of the class, pretending to be the teacher, writing on the blackboard, and then wiping it off with this black cloth. And then she said, this is all this rag is fit for. And it was actually my school raincoat, which until then I'd been very proud of, but it was second hand, it'd be my cousins. And I can remember that afternoon thinking, I don't want to be here anymore. I hate it here. Everyone hates me. And I went home and I told mom, and I cried, and she said, Look, love, just because they've got more money than you doesn't make them any better people. And at 11, I could not see that at all like that. I just thought, why don't you just get more money? Why don't you buy me a nicer and go blah, blah, blah. But now in hindsight, I just think she that was the wisest thing she could say, because the time I rebelled, it made me realize that actually it's not an equal playing field in the world. You know, you're going to have people that are on this side and down at the bottom and up at the top, and you just have to grit your teeth and fight your way through it,   Michael Hingson ** 08:13 yeah, and, and the reality is, there are only so many things that you can truly control, and what you what you can control is how you dealt with that situation and situations like that. Yes, that's   Pat Backley ** 08:25 right. Um, and then I think I was a, I was definitely a product of the 60s. You know, we had all the lovely pop music and the short skirts and burning out bras and all that sort of stuff. But when I was just two weeks after my 20th birthday, I got married for the first time, which was ridiculous in hindsight, but at the time, you think you know everything when you're that age, don't you? My parents begged me not to marry him, but of course, I knew best, so that marriage lasted 14 years, and he wasn't always very kind. So then I left, then I was on my own for a beer. Then I had a living boyfriend, and I was desperate to have a child, Michael, but I'm not. I'm I'm old fashioned. I only would have a child if I had a husband. And so I didn't. I got married again when I was 41 and we had a child. I had a child when I was 43 my daughter, and that was that I thought life was going to be great. And then 26 years later, he decided he didn't love me anymore, didn't want to live in New Zealand anymore, and that was that so. So I kind of found myself living in New Zealand on my own, having we emigrated here together just before my 59th birthday. But anyway, I've picked up the pieces. It's been six years now, and because of COVID and because of him leaving me, that's how my life changed, really. And your daughter, my and my beloved daughter, my only child, yes, she's 30 now, and she is the love of my life. Yes, and I'm sorry. I've just realized I probably. Probably haven't answered your question very well. You must always pull me back, because I tend to get very excited and passionate and you know, don't necessarily toe the line with question answering. So forgive me, not   Michael Hingson ** 10:11 a problem. That's why this is a conversation and not a big deal. So is your daughter in New Zealand? She   Pat Backley ** 10:20 is now. When her dad she she was 16 when we came to New Zealand, so she did her last bit of school here, then she went to university in Auckland, and then she decided she wanted to do her master's degree back in London. So she went back to London, and then she got a job there, and she was away for five and a half years, which nearly broke my heart, but she's home now. She's been back four years, and she's got a lovely Kiwi boyfriend, and she's here to stay, so I'm   Michael Hingson ** 10:49 thrilled. What did she get? Her degree in art history. Ah, now, do you? Did you go to college? No, sadly,   Pat Backley ** 10:57 I because we were poor, I just had to leave school at 16, and so now I never went to college. I would have loved to, I would have liked to have been a teacher, but, you know, it wasn't to be and and I've had a great life, regardless of that.   Michael Hingson ** 11:13 So did you during all your married life and then the time in between and so on. What kind of work did you   Pat Backley ** 11:20 do? Well, I started work. I started work in the bank when I was 16. Barclays Bank was a really good place to work, so I spent 10 years working there. Then I lived for two years in the Fiji Islands and just did voluntary work back to the UK. My first husband and I started a furniture business, and then when I left him. Obviously I needed a job, because I didn't claim anything in the divorce. And so I got a job with bernardo's, the children's charity, as a general fundraiser. And that was great, because I just traveled all around the south of England supporting all the fundraising groups and things which I loved. And then I moved on to after a few years, I moved on to cancer research, um, again, as a fundraiser, but this time, setting up all their charity shops in the south, and that was a wonderful thing as well, because during the course of both those jobs, I met so many interesting people. You know, now that I'm an old gray haired lady, well, not actually Gray, because I color it, but now that I'm an old gray head lady. I feel very bad that the 35 year old me went to my new job with with Barnardos and sat there looking at these hundreds of gray head old ladies. And I thought, Oh, I'm too young to deal with all these old people. What on earth am I going to talk to them about? And of course, within a couple of days, I've realized that all these gray head old people were fabulous, that most of them had had really interesting, fascinating lives, and that I could learn an awful lot from them. So now the old gray head me looks back and feels very guilty at how I was at that age. But I guess that's what happens when you're young. You just think anyone over the age of 50 is is past it, don't you really well, but   Michael Hingson ** 13:03 you did learn a lot, I bet, from them, which is, oh, wow,   Pat Backley ** 13:07 oh, I learned so much, and I had so much fun, so much fun. Yeah, in fact, when I got married for the second time, a whole bunch of those ladies and a few of the men came to my, like, hen party the night before I got married, we went to the local, very smart hotel and had cocktails, and I just smiled to myself, thinking, oh, and I thought you were all so boring at the beginning, and actually, you're fabulous. So, yeah. So then, then my then I, then I stopped working, had my daughter, and I desperately didn't want to go back to my well paid job with cancer research. I wanted to be home with my baby because I was 43 I'd lost two children in the year before, with miscarriages, and so I stayed at home for four months, and then my husband said, oh, we need more money. You need to get a job. So I ended up doing having other people's children at my house, looking after them so doing like child minding. And that was when I look back. I don't know how I managed, because sometimes I had five under four year olds running around the house, which was quite a challenge. But we survived. I did that, I think, for seven years altogether, and oh, and in between that time, we came and lived in New Zealand for a year because my husband was a teacher, and he got a year's teaching exchange. So we basically swapped lives with a New Zealand teacher. He and his family moved into our house in England, and we moved into their house here in New Zealand. So for a whole year, we lived like a proper Kiwi family, which was wonderful. Lucy was only two, so it was the ideal time to do it. And I just, I just fell in love with New Zealand and desperately wanted to emigrate there. And then it took me 14 years to persuade him to get back here eventually. And in hindsight, I've probably pushed it too much, because. After he left, he said, I didn't like living in New Zealand. I didn't ever really settle there. So I have to hold up my hand and say, probably I persuaded him to do something that he really didn't want to do. But anyway, it's easy to be wise in hindsight, isn't it, as always, yeah. And then so we went back after our year here, we went back to the UK and we set up a business training and assessing construction workers, because the government realized, the UK government realized that, because they'd stopped formal apprenticeships some 20 odd years earlier, that there were now hundreds of 1000s of men working on construction sites who had all the necessary skills, but no paper qualifications. And so they wanted to redress that, but they realized that these men would not be willing to go back to college for three years to learn, learn their trade that they could already do. So they started this fast track program, and we used to go onto sites. We obviously, I had to get lots of qualifications and things to do it, trainers and assessors, qualifications. But then we used to go on two sites and watch the men working ask them loads of questions. We obviously had trade specific instructor assessors, and they could get that qualification that they would have taken three years to get going to college, they could then get in in a matter of six months or so, just by being observed doing their job. So it was a really, really good system, and it was very rewarding for me personally, because I used to go onto the sites and do the initial talks and whatever. And I've always liked men. I've always enjoyed their company, so I could cope with all the banter, you know, all the right, darling, what you're going to do after work, that kind of thing. I enjoyed all that. The bit I hated was wearing a hard hat, because they're very unflattering and they squash your hair do. But the most rewarding thing for me, we did that, that business for 20 years. The most rewarding thing was when a guy who I'd met on site who didn't even want to do it because he felt inadequate, which I later discovered was because he couldn't read or write, but he'd hidden it from all his colleagues. The most satisfying thing was once he'd passed, which obviously he sailed through. I sent him his certificate in the post, and the next day he phoned me, and he said, Pat. Thank you so much for that certificate. He said, it's the only thing I've ever had in my whole life that says I'm good at anything. He said, My wife is framing it and putting it on the living room wall. And that just made me cry, because I thought, this is, this is a man who's 45 who's gone through his whole life thinking he's stupid, and suddenly, just that one action can give him something to be proud of. So that was, I loved doing that, and we made that's how we made our money. For a few years, it was incredibly successful, and then it tailed off, and that's when we immigrated to New Zealand, and since I've been here, I've just basically been having a lovely time, doing a bit of voluntary work, lots of socializing and becoming an author. So   Michael Hingson ** 18:10 what, what attracted you to New Zealand? Why did you fall in love so much with New Zealand? Do you think   Pat Backley ** 18:19 it's a it's a hard question to answer. Michael, it was something deep inside me after I'd been here for a year, or when I'd been here probably only for a few weeks, I got this real feeling deep inside, inside me that I needed to be here. I just think sometimes places in the world draw you in for whatever reason. Who knows? You don't know if it's because perhaps you've got some association with it through an ancestor or I don't know, but I felt very, very drawn to New Zealand, and once we went back to the UK, we were back there for 14 years. Whenever I spoke to friends from New Zealand, whenever they'd phone me, I would end up in tears for hours. I want to go back to New Zealand. So it was a need rather than a desire, almost. And it's not something I've ever regretted. Even after he even after he abandoned me, we were back in England when he announced he didn't want to be married anymore, and he never came back to New Zealand. I just had to come back alone. Even then my friends in England were saying to me, oh, Pat, just stay in England. You know, we're all here. We'll, you know, we'll all be here for you. And I said, No, no, home is just New Zealand, even though I knew I was coming back all alone because Lucy was still living in London, I had, I've got no family here, so, but there was something that pulled me back.   Michael Hingson ** 19:45 I understand that I really enjoyed New Zealand a lot. And if there's when people ask me a place in the world that I regard as my favorite place to visit, New Zealand always comes out first, but I enjoy. Way wherever I go. I actually took my first trip to London in late October of this year. I was only there for a couple of days, but it was to do a speech. And, you know, it was pretty similar to being here. It just wasn't the same feeling as as being in New Zealand, which I had the opportunity to do, as I said before, for a little over three weeks. So it was really a lot of fun and and the the environment is just so different.   Pat Backley ** 20:28 Yes, I think New Zealand, I think one of the, I mean, obviously it's an incredibly beautiful country, but I think one of the main differences is that we, we've got a land mass pretty similar to the UK, but we we've only got like 5 million people, and the UK has got more than 70 million. And I think that's the thing. You know, the more people you try to cram into a small space, the more the social problems are, are enlarged, don't they? You know, we have exactly the same social problems here that are anywhere else in the world, but because our population is relatively small, it's not such a such such a huge feature of life, I think, yeah. Mm,   Michael Hingson ** 21:10 well, I haven't explained to everyone listening that Pat and I met through the RV Book Festival, virtual book festival, which both of us being authors, we spoke at and participated in, gosh, a little over a month ago now. Mm,   Pat Backley ** 21:28 yes, time flies, doesn't it does. It does.   Michael Hingson ** 21:32 And one of the things that I said, as I usually do when I get a chance to meet with people, is we'd love to have you all come on the podcast. And Pat is the second of the three people who were there. And so I'm glad that that that we got to do this. But let's talk about you being an author. So you started being an author. What, just three years ago or four years ago? Yes, yes. What? Yeah. Go ahead. Oh,   22:01 no, sorry, you carry on. Well, so   Michael Hingson ** 22:03 what just caused you to decide that you're going to try to write a book?   Pat Backley ** 22:09 Okay? Well, when I was a little girl, I had a massive list of things I wanted to be when I was growing up, I wanted to be a nurse, a missionary, a writer, a teacher, a ballerina. They were all my that was my list. So when I was about eight, I edited my first magazine. Is I have one limited copy of it. It was a limited, very limited edition. It only lasted one, one time. But so I guess probably I've always had that desire deep inside me, but because of circumstances, and not coming from, you know, a very privileged background, it meant that I didn't have the opportunity. But in the days when we used to write letters, I always love to write long, long letters to all my friends, my family. And when I lived in Fiji for two years, I wrote, there was no other way of communicating with my parents. They had no telephone. So for two years, I wrote them letters and when my when, when they died, and I had to clear out their house, I found this enormous pile of blue Air Mail, letters that I'd written to my parents over a two year period. They'd kept every single one. So I think I'd always loved writing, but it never occurred to me that I would ever have the chance to write a book. And then we get to COVID, and we, here in New Zealand, went into lockdown on the day of my 69th birthday. It was a beautifully sunny day, and I was all alone because Lucy was in England, and I made myself chocolate brownies, stuck a candle in it, sat in the garden and cried because my marriage was over. My daughter was gone. We had COVID. There were, you know, there were lots of things to cry about. And I then spent the next three weeks lying on my sofa watching rubbish on Netflix, eating too much chocolate, drinking too much red wine. And then I thought to myself, Pat, this is ridiculous. This could go on for a few more weeks, because at the time, we thought COVID was going to be quite short lived, didn't we, and I thought, why don't you do something practical? Why don't you write a book? So I just got out some paper and pen and started writing, and stayed up, probably mostly day and night, for two weeks, and then within two weeks, my first book, Daisy was done, and that was that really the rest is history. Since then I have so I published it self. Published it just before my 70th birthday, and in the three years since then, I've written and published eight more. Contributed to five anthologies, written a little Yes, so yeah, written articles for magazines and been interviewed by lovely people like you, and the rest is history. Are you alright? Have I sent you to sleep? Talking?   Michael Hingson ** 24:58 No, I. Well, I'm just listening. I didn't know whether you were done. You know, it's, it's fascinating to to listen to the story and to hear you talk about what, what brought you to it, what made you decide what kind of books to write. I   Pat Backley ** 25:18 don't think I really did decide, um, my daughter for my birth, for the previous Christmas, had sent me a very dry little textbook, which she knew I love, called, I can't think exactly what it's called, something like the history of architecture, of council houses in the UK, something very boring like that. And it was, it was basically a textbook, because I love architecture as well. It was basically a textbook with just a few pictures in so I'd kind of put it on my coffee table, but not but ignored it. You know how you do when there's books? You know, you should, you kind of don't get around to it. So at the beginning of COVID, I picked it up one day, or a couple of days before I started writing, I picked it up, and within five minutes, I was enthralled. I got out post it notes. I'd stuck those all over little bits and written quotes, and I think that was kind of an inspiration. So I expected the book to be more about, have more of a theme of architecture. And in fact, the book doesn't. There is one guy who becomes an architect in it towards the end. But I think that kind of just just pushed something in my head into gear, because I firmly believe Michael. I mean, they always say that everyone has a book inside them, and I, when I do my talks now, I'm often photographed at a very funny stage where I'm going like this, because I'm just saying how somebody's it feels as though somebody's taken off the top of my head, and 70 years worth of words are just flying out. Because I find writing incredibly easy. The first book Daisy wrote itself pretty much, you know, I just kind of had an idea and and I wrote down a few things about possible people, and then they just wrote their own story, really, which I'm, you know, I know, as an author, you will understand that. And I would say, for all my other books, I've had an idea, but they've kind of, they've kind of written themselves, themselves   Michael Hingson ** 27:17 as well. Yeah. Well, you know, you talk about textbooks. I've been an advocate for some time about the concept that people should rewrite textbooks or make textbooks different than they are, and technical manuals, the same way, as you said, they're very boring and and they don't need to be in textbooks could draw people in a lot more than they than they do. For example, my master's degree is in physics, and when you're looking at a physics textbook, there are lots of mathematical equations and so on, and that's fine, but think of how much more interesting the book might be, and think of how much more you might draw the interest of people to the science by including in the book some stories about the the author. Their their, I don't want to necessarily say adventures, but their experience is why they became a physicist, why they do what they do, and bringing some humanity to the textbook, I think would make a significant difference to textbooks in general, but we don't see that, because people just want to get the facts out there.   Pat Backley ** 28:32 I couldn't agree more. I absolutely, totally agree. When I was at school, I hated doing research because it was boring. You had to learn the names of all the kings of England, and King, you know, Henry, the eighth wives, and when their heads got chopped off and all that stuff. And apart from the really scandalous bits, I wasn't really interested. But now I absolutely adore research. I discovered that my first book, Daisy is is a historical fiction, and so I had to do lots of research to make sure it was accurate, because you you know, if you write something in a book and it's not right, people are going to pick holes in it. I mean, they're going to pick holes in your work anyway, so you don't want to give them extra ammunition, right? But I discovered that I absolutely loved doing research. And of course, these days it's so easy because you just click a button on your computer and you can find out what cold scuttles were used in 1871 whereas in my youth, we had to trudge to the library get out all the encyclopedias. And so because of I've discovered that love of research, all my all my novels, are now historical because it's almost it gives me an excuse to go researching and finding out stuff. So it's opened up a whole new world to me, Michael and I just realized now that that expression education is wasted on the young is so true, because now in my seven. Is I am so open to learning new things, whereas in my teens, I was bored to death and just wanted to go home and play.   Michael Hingson ** 30:09 So what was Daisy about? Oh, well,   Pat Backley ** 30:11 Daisy, I'll just, I'll just read you a little bit on the back to give you an idea. Um, Daisy is a gentle family saga spanning almost 100 years, from 1887 to 1974 It is set in Alabama, Harlem and London, and incorporate some of the evils of society, poverty, racism and snobbery, as well as some of the greatest that life has to offer, family, friendship and love and a couple of quotes, being born poor was a scar that never faded, and she had never experienced racial hatred first hand, so had no real idea of how it could erode a person's whole life. So basically, it's just a story of a young woman born in the slums of London and a young man born into an affluent lifestyle on an Alabama plantation in 1871 and how their lives interwove, they never got together, but, you know, or all their extended people did, so it's right, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 31:14 right. Well, the thing about about that kind of a story is, again, it draws you in. I I would would say something slightly different. Being poor is a scar that that never fades. On the other hand, being poor also gave you, or would give Daisy the life that she had, which was, was so I would suspect so very invaluable to her overall life experiences.   Pat Backley ** 31:50 Yes, absolutely yes. And her life changes quite dramatically midway because of the people she meets. Yeah, it's I, it was in, it's interesting, because sometimes I reread it and I just think, Wow, this is quite a good story. And I then I feel bad for thinking that about my own writing, but I've written the second Daisy, which is obviously the follow up. And then I thought, actually I and then I wrote a little travel book and my life story and whatever. And then I thought, Oh, I really miss doing research. Perhaps I could write about my own family, my own ancestors. So I then wrote the ancestors series. I've done three in it, and wrote about my paternal grandparents, my maternal grandparents and my own parents. I've just published that book about them that was glorious, but very emotive, because obviously I knew certain bits about them. But delving back further and further into the family histories, you discover lots of things and very emotional to write, yeah, particularly one about my parents, because your parents are just your mom and dad, aren't they? You kind of don't think of them really, as people in their own right, but when you start writing their life story, you're living life through their shoes and and it, yeah, it made me very emotional. I cried every day writing my parents story, but now I'm really glad I did it, because it's kind of honored, honored their lives, and also it means they'll never die their even their photographs are on the cover. And my daughter said that she cried all the way reading it, and she said, Mom, it was wonderful, because I hardly knew them. You know, they died when she was quite young. Yeah, she's but now I understand, yeah, so because she's had, you know, she's had a reasonably nice upbringing. She hasn't had the upbringing that they had, or even I had. So, yeah, I think I try. I've become a bit I've become a bit of a pain now, because everyone I meet, I say, like last week, I did a talk at the local genealogy society, and I said to them, please write your story down or record it some way. Because once you die, your story dies with you, no one knows your life as well as you do. So, yeah, yeah. But I just love research. So now I'm thinking, oh, what else can I write about and do some research? I write about people. Michael, people are my passion. I love people and and ordinary people. I don't need to write about, you know, worthy things people, right?   Michael Hingson ** 34:24 But the other part about it is that you got, as you write about your parents, I'll bet you got to know them better, too, and it helps you understand the kind of life you had and they had. And I still bet overall, you could talk about wealth and all that, but you wouldn't trade your life for anything because it made you who you are today. Abs,   Pat Backley ** 34:49 you're absolutely right, and yes, you're right. Writing about their stories and all that they went through, it was Yeah. Just made me really, really realize that they were even. Special people than I knew they were. But no, I wouldn't trade anything. I mean, I had a wonderfully happy childhood, if you put aside that silly bit of bully in that, you know, I tend to know for the years. But, yeah, we I, I because I didn't know, really, that I got snippets of there being other kind of lives like, you know, I had rich friends who had lots of clothes, traveling all the time and stuff, but basically, my life was just my little nuclear family. In our little we had a little two bedroom house for six of us, and that was my life. We were very happy. There were very rarely raised voices, and that's why I didn't cope very well in my first marriage, when my husband, my first husband, suddenly showed me that he had a rather violent temper because I didn't know how to handle it, because I had never experienced that before in my whole life. So I in that way, I wasn't prepared. But yeah, I will always be grateful to my parents, because with very little, they gave us all a very happy childhood.   Michael Hingson ** 36:05 Well, so you started writing at the age of 70. Do you wish that you had started writing earlier? Or did you think about that? I   Pat Backley ** 36:17 think about it. I don't really, because I think I had to live through everything I've lived through get to the point now of being able to write in the way I do. And also, yeah, no, I don't really. I mean, the only thing I think is, oh, I hope I don't die before I before I get everything written, I want to write. That's my only thing. But no, I I've learned, Michael, not to regret anything in life, because if you do, the only person it hurts is yourself. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 36:47 because you are who you are, because of your life   Pat Backley ** 36:51 exactly, and you would understand that better than most. I mean, you cope so well with with being blind, which is absolutely remarkable, because most of us, if we suddenly can't see and need to wear a stronger pair of glasses, we just go down, you know, go down into a depressive state. So you're a wonderful beacon of hope. I think for an awful lot of people, of course,   Michael Hingson ** 37:15 the issue, and using that as an example, the issue is that you don't know anything about being blind or blindness, and people generally don't, and they make a lot of assumptions that are not necessarily true, but it is again, the lives that they live, and the reality is there's nothing wrong with being blind. We live in a world where most people are light dependent, that is, they can see. But the reality is, of course, in the perspective I try to oftentimes nowadays, to convey to people, is light dependence is just as much a disability as being light independent or blind, because as soon as the lights go out, you lose power, and if you don't have an immediate light source. You're in a world of hurt. And we really should think of disability as a characteristic that everyone has, except it manifests itself differently for different people. But unfortunately, people aren't ready to do that. And the reasons for bringing up the concept in that way is that I think that because disability is really a characteristic everyone has, it is also a way to help level the playing field. And that's something that is so hard to get people to do, because they really think, well, you're blind, you're not as good as I   Pat Backley ** 38:37 Oh, wow. Very profound. I love talking to you. Michael, this is fascinating stuff. Fascinating. I had, I had a little niece. Sadly, she died when she was 14. She had a dreadful genetic disease called battens, but she went blind for the last couple of years. It broke my heart. It broke my heart, but she seemed to just deal with it somehow. You know, it's, I guess we all get the strengths we need at the times we need them. Do you think   Michael Hingson ** 39:04 I think, I think that's true, or we can if, long as we accept it. But the reality is that, of course, she lost her her eyesight, but if she developed an attitude that I have other things that are available to me, so I'm going to be fine, then she would be fine. Yes,   Pat Backley ** 39:23 yeah, yeah. I mean, sadly, she lost all her faculties. She couldn't talk. She so everything went but, but it was when her eyes went and she was still able to understand, that was the hardest thing. So I remember years ago when I worked in Barclays Bank, when I was quite in my 20s, and we were, I worked in a big branch at the time, and we had a blind telephonist, because in those days, back in the 60s, I think it was kind of what they did. It was when there were all those great big telephonic boards, you know, press all the buttons. And we had a guy called Peter, and he had. His dog was called penny, and our branch was on the corner of this huge, wide road in a place called Kingston, just outside London. And to cross the road, there were like six lanes of traffic, and it was really, really dangerous. And we would come out of work in the afternoon, and we'd all be standing there hesitant to cross the road, and Peter would suddenly just march across the road with Penny, and we'd all be standing there in awe. And one day I crossed with I've got brave, and I crossed over with him, and we got to the other side, and I said, Peter, how can you do that? He said, Oh, well. He said, It's always useful being blind, because traffic feels sorry for you, so they all kind of slow down anyway. He said, But, but. He said, But Penny leads me. He said, she just, she just, she just knows it's fine, so she just the dog just, just takes me over. I was fascinated, but he had just recently married about two years earlier he'd been, he'd been fully sighted till he was 11, and then he and some friends were messing about on the railway lines, and he fell over and bashed his head, and he went blind. So he had been sighted and but now he he was married, he had a little baby, and I said, Oh, Peter, can you actually see your baby, or do you just kind of have to feel the outline? He said, Oh no. He said, I got a tiny, tiny bit of vision. He said, so I can see the shape of the baby. And I just always remember thinking you're so brave. That was, that was what I thought. I just felt he was so brave. Well, just remember   Michael Hingson ** 41:27 the dictionary, you know? Well, just remember the dictionary defines to see is to perceive. It doesn't necessarily need to be with the eyes and and there's so many other senses that give us this a lot of information as well. For me, I don't want my dog to decide when we cross the street in general, unless the dog refuses to go because there's a hybrid car or something coming that I don't hear. But it's my job to know when to go and and I know how to do that, and so I can listen for the traffic flow and and, and go accordingly. And at the same time, if I then tell the dog to go forward and the dog won't go my immediate assumption is there's a reason for that, and and, and usually there is because the dog and I have developed that kind of a relationship where the dog knows it's my job to tell the dog where to go, and it's the dog's job to make sure that we get there safely. It's a very close knit team. It's as close knit of a team as you can imagine, and it's what it's really all about. So the dog and I each do our jobs, and when we do them correctly together, what a wonderful world. It becomes   Pat Backley ** 42:47 fabulous. And it obviously works because you're still standing, you're still here,   Michael Hingson ** 42:54 and my and my dog is over here, breathing very deeply, asleep. Oh, so you you stick with historical fiction. Have you ever thought of writing other kinds of books, like adventures or novels or that are not historic in nature, fantasy or any of those? I   Pat Backley ** 43:17 don't think I've got the right brain set to do fantasy or horror or crime. I, I I'm writing historical because I've discovered a great love for it, but I've also, I also have a great love for travel. So I wrote a little travel book, and I've just done a big trip, so I'm going to write another travel book, because that's another great love I wrote. I wrote my memoirs, which was very satisfying, you know, to write my own story down so it's there forever, if you like. And I also wrote a little book called The abandoned wives handbook, which I didn't want to write. I just kept putting it off. And then one day, I woke up at three in the morning and this voice saying to me, Pat, you have to write this book to help other people. So I just wrote this. I cried all the time. Writing it, as you've probably deduced, I'm a great crier. I think crying is is the best way of getting stress out of your system, out of my system. So I wrote this book. It's just a tiny little book that you can pop into a handbag called the abandoned wives handbook. And I've just made it like a little dictionary. I call it a dictionary of distress, and it's just to I'll just just briefly read you the backseat and understand the pain of abandonment is huge. The partner you loved and cherished for so many years has decided you are no longer required past your sell by date of no use to them anymore, so tossed out like a piece of garbage, abandoned with barely a backward glance, in an attempt to keep this a gentle, light hearted read, each chapter is divided into letters of the alphabet, rather like a dictionary of distress, something you can dip into at any time. I am not an expert, merely someone who has survived one of life's great traumas and has come through. Is a stronger, more resilient person, so I didn't want to write it. I hated doing it. I've, I published it, and it's, ironically, one of my best selling books people buy   Michael Hingson ** 45:13 all the time. Do you publish your own books, or do you have a publisher? I   Pat Backley ** 45:17 have, I have done till this point, Michael, but simply because I'm feeling I'm too old to hang around waiting to get noticed. But I have just written, I have just finished another book, which I I just feel might be slightly more commercial, so I may try seeing if I can get an agent for that. But I will probably only try one or two, and then if they say no, I'll just give up and self publish. The only thing against self publishing for me now is that it because I want to do it properly. You know, I pay an editor, I pay a cover designer, I pay a formatter. It becomes quite expensive to pay people. So that's my that's my only downside. But I do like to be totally in control. You know, I can choose my own covers. I can choose when it's published. I can choose what the content is. And if you go with a traditional publisher, you often lose the ability to have the same control   Michael Hingson ** 46:11 well, or you you negotiate, but, but, yeah, I understand what you're saying. I also have to say I understand fully this whole concept of abandonment. When my seventh guide dog Africa retired, and she retired because she wasn't seeing well and she was slowing down, so I knew it was time to get a new guide dog. So it was February 9 of 2018, and we lived here, and her puppy raiser, the people who raised her, they call them, I think, in New Zealand, puppy walkers, but they live about 140 miles south, or about 120 miles in a town called Carlsbad. And they came and I, and I said that they could have Africa, and the only reason I gave her up was because we already had my wife's service dog and a cat, and I was going to get another dog, and Karen wasn't really going to be able to handle taking care of two dogs and a cat when I traveled to speak, so we agreed that Africa could go live with the bill And Peggy, and they came and picked her up, and she walked out the door without a backward glance. I was abandoned.   47:26 Oh, that's awful,   Michael Hingson ** 47:28 yeah. Well, we actually, we went. We went down and visited her several times. She was just excited. No, she's, she was a great dog. And, yes, yeah, you know. And they got to have her for two years before she passed. But she was, she was a good dog and and she had a good life. And I can't complain a bit, but it's fun to tease about how obviously we have abandoning issues here. Yes, yeah.   Pat Backley ** 47:53 And I think that's the secret in life, Michael, to always find something to be happy about and smile about, because life can be very tough, can't it? I mean, you know, it's, yeah, life is tough. And so I think if we don't find, try and seek a little joy, we might as well all give up, you know, yeah, yeah. And   Michael Hingson ** 48:14 there's no need to do that. I mean, God put us on this earth to live an adventure. And life is an adventure,   48:21 absolutely,   Michael Hingson ** 48:22 no matter what we do. Yes,   48:25 absolutely. Well, how do you   Michael Hingson ** 48:26 develop your characters? I mean, you're writing historical fiction, so you're you're using history and and periods of time as the the setting for your books, but you're creating your own characters primarily, I gather,   Pat Backley ** 48:39 yes, yes. To be honest, in my head, when I start writing, I almost have an exact picture of my characters. I know exactly what they look like. I mean, if I was to, if I was to suddenly get a film offer, I could easily say how these people should look, because I they're real for for example, a few months after I oh no, maybe a year or so after I published Daisy, I was talking to my daughter one day, and I just said, Oh, do you remember when Theo did whatever? And she looked me straight in the eye, and she said, Mum, I don't know your characters as well as you do. And I just, we both burst out laughing, because to me, they're real people. You know, I I can picture them. I know exactly what they look like. And I think even when I start a new book in my head, I already know what my characters look like. They may not as the plot goes on, behave in the way I want them to, but I know how I know who they are. I know how they how they look. Yeah, they're going   Michael Hingson ** 49:43 to write the book and they're going to tell you what you need to do. Yeah, totally. But you use, but you use, I assume, real places in your books. I always   Pat Backley ** 49:51 use real places, always Yeah, and always places I know, because I think you can write more authentically then, like in days. I wrote about Harlem and Alabama and New York and London, or not New York in that one, but London and because I know all those places, I've been there and you know, they're, they're familiar to me, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 50:13 yeah. So you, you, you let them do what they do, and out comes the book.   Pat Backley ** 50:21 Absolutely, that's right, yes, yeah, have you   Michael Hingson ** 50:25 written any yet in New Zealand?   Pat Backley ** 50:29 You mean, based in New Zealand? The funny thing is, Michael, being an immigrant is and I have spoken to lots of other immigrants about this. In fact, I co authored a book in lockdown called the warrior women project, a sisterhood of immigrant women, which is based in the States. And all the other women are are living in the States, except me, and I caught up with them when I came over to the states. Couple of months ago, we had a reunion, met for the first time, which was wonderful, but we all said, once you are an immigrant, you never truly belong anywhere. You know, when I go, I always feel a little bit of an outsider here. I've been here 14 years now, and that's nobody's that's nothing anybody does. That's just my feeling deep inside. I go back to England, and I feel like an outsider. I used to live in Fiji when I was in my 20s, and then I had a house there. Until my divorce, I go back there, and I've got a lot of extended friend family there, I go back there, and I always feel like an a bit of an outsider. So I think that's the price you pay for wanting a life less ordinary. You know, you somehow become like a little bit of a floating person. And I don't to answer your question, I don't really feel qualified to write about New Zealand. Obviously, I talk about it in my travel book and I talk about different places, but to base the whole story here, I don't feel qualified. There are enough fabulous New Zealand authors who are doing that already, who've been born here, who understand the country, who, you know, who, yeah, they're   Michael Hingson ** 52:07 just at the same time you wrote Daisy, which took place in part in Alabama. How much time did you spend, you know? So it may be, it may be something in the future where a character will pop out and say, I want to be in New Zealand, but that's something to look at.   Pat Backley ** 52:23 Yes, I love it when somebody like you calls me out on my own, my own things, because you're absolutely right. I That's That was a silly argument to say. I don't know it enough. So thank you for that. You've made me rethink. That's good.   Michael Hingson ** 52:37 Well, so I gather that when you're writing, you think you have the plot planned out, or you you try to have the plot planned out, but it doesn't necessarily go the way you plan it. Does it?   Pat Backley ** 52:49 No, not at all. I mean, I know roughly what I want to say. I think what I'm definitely, definitely know what I want to do is get certain little messages across. And that doesn't matter what my characters do, because I can weave that in, like in Daisy. I wanted to get across that slavery was dreadful, and racism is dreadful, and the way black people were treated when they went to England in the 1950s was dreadful. So I managed to we, and that's and that's snobbishness and stuff is dreadful. So I managed to always weave those kind of themes into my books. And apparently, it has been said by reviewers that I do it so well that people it just makes people think about what that how they think how Yeah, so, so those main themes, if you like, I managed to weave into my stories, regardless of how badly my characters behave.   Michael Hingson ** 53:45 So when you're writing, are you pretty disciplined? Do you have certain times that you write, or do you just sit down and write till you're ready to stop for the day? Or what I   Pat Backley ** 53:56 am very non disciplined, undisciplined, whatever the term is supposed to be. I have great intentions. I think, right, I'm going to spend tomorrow writing. I'll be at my desk by eight o'clock, and I'll sit little five. And then at nine o'clock, I get up to go make a cup of coffee. And at 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock, 12 o'clock, I'm out weeding the garden, and then I might come back in and do a little bit, and then I go off and do something else. So I am dreadfully undisciplined, but I work really well to deadlines. Just before I went away on my big trip in September, I was part way through a book, probably a third way through writing a new book, and I woke up one day and I thought, right, I'm going to get that book finished before I go. I had three weeks left. In that three weeks, I had masses of appointments. I had to sort out my wardrobe, which, as a woman, is a huge problem, one that you've probably never had, but you know, you have to decide what goes with what and how many dresses you should take, and it's a huge issue for a lot of women. So I had a lot of jobs to do in that three. Weeks instead of which, I decided to set myself as self imposed time to get the book finished. Crazy. Just, I mean, why? Why? Why crazy?   Michael Hingson ** 55:09 And did you the day   Pat Backley ** 55:11 before? There you are. I was so proud of myself because I just that was it. I decided I and what I did to make myself accountable, I actually put a post on Facebook and Instagram saying, why, and all these little yellow post it notes, and I'd written on their pack suitcase, Do this, do this, do this. And so I just said to everyone that I'd given myself this self pointed deadline so I had made myself publicly accountable. If I hadn't done that, I probably wouldn't have finished it, but I find, for me, that's the best way of disciplining myself is to have a deadline with everything in life, really, yeah. But the   Michael Hingson ** 55:49 other part about it is, even when you're as you would put it, being undisciplined, your brain is still working on the book, and the characters are are mulling things over, so it does pop out. Oh, totally,   Pat Backley ** 56:00 totally. And I end up with lots of little scrappy notes all over the house, you know, where I've just grabbed a piece of paper and written down something. And then, of course, I have to gather them all together. And when I was in the States recently, I spent two months, and I've got scrap I was doing a lot of research, and I've got scrappy notes everywhere. So I've now got to try and pull those all together while my brain still remembers what they were meant to be, you know, like lady in red dress in New Orleans. Well, what does that really mean? So, right? I'm, I'm my own worst enemy in many ways, but,   Michael Hingson ** 56:37 but she thought, and so you went through it exactly, exactly, yeah, that's okay. Where did you travel in September?   Pat Backley ** 56:45 I went to Atlanta first to meet up with these warrior women, which was truly fabulous. Then I went to New Orleans, and my friend who lives in Alabama, picked me up, and we went to New Orleans, and then we drove back to Alabama. She lives in Huntsville. So I was there for a week and was doing lots of research, because Daisy is partly based right and then we then she drove me back to Nashville, and I flew to New York, where I was meeting some friends from New Zealand who lived there six months of the year. So I spent six days there and went to Harlem for more research and stuff like that, and then flew to Canada, to Toronto, where two friends, a lady I'd met when we had our daughters together, and her daughter, they now live in France. They flew from France, met me in Toronto, we hired the biggest SUV I've ever seen in my life, and we drove across Canada for three weeks, which was such fun, such fun. And then I came home. So I've got millions of scrappy notes that I need to pull together to write a travel book and to use as inspiration for my novels.   Michael Hingson ** 58:01 So you so you're going to write another travel book? I   58:05 am going to write another travel book. Yeah, yeah.   Michael Hingson ** 58:09 And the the abandoned wives handbook, that's kind of a self help book. That's a self help book, yes, yeah. Just you think you'll write another one of   Pat Backley ** 58:17 those? No, no, I'm done with that one's enough of those, huh? Yeah, that's right. I'm not an expert, Michael and the I just, I just, but the funny thing is, when I do talks, I always talk about all my books. And a few weeks ago, I was talking at this very smart meeting of ex business people, both ladies and gentlemen, and they were all over 60. Um, so quite a conservative audience. And at the end, or towards the end, I just mentioned this abandoned Wise Book, I tend to skim over it. I don't really, I don't really talk about it too much unless the audience is particularly relevant. But I just said to them, oh, and this is my little book. And someone said, Oh, could you read us an excerpt from it? So I said, Okay, I'll just open the book at random. And I opened the book and the title, what you won't be able to see here, the title of that chapter was K for kill. And I thought, no, no, I don't want to read about kill front of this audience. So I just made a joke of it and and I'll just read it to you, because it will make you laugh, as I have said previously under Section indecisive. You may, in your darkest moments, think about hurting him. This is not really a great idea, as you would undoubtedly be caught and end up in prison. Yeah, you so, you know, I and then I went on a bit more, but, you know, it's some yeah and no, I'm done with that book. I've, I've done my bit for humanity with that. It seems to be helping a lot of people. So that's that's enough.   Michael Hingson ** 59:45 Yeah, I would never make a good criminal, because I know I'd be caught and and I don't know how to keep from getting caught, and frankly, don't care about trying to get worry about getting caught or not getting caught. It's easier just not to be a criminal. So it works out fine. So. Yes,   1:00:00 exactly. Yeah, me too. Me too. So much   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:02 easier. So much easier. Absolutely, absolutely yes. Well, if people want to reach out to you and maybe learn a little bit more about you or meet you, how do they do that? Okay,   Pat Backley ** 1:00:12 well, my website is just patch back league com, so it's very easy. Um, I'm Can you spell that please? Yes, yes, of course, P, A, T, B, A, C, K, L, E, y.com.com, yeah, and I'm on all the channels, as you know, Facebook and Instagram and x and LinkedIn and stuff as Pat Backley author or pat Backley books. And my books are all available from Amazon, all the online retailers, Barnes and Noble stuff like that, as ebooks or paperbacks, or if someone desperately wanted a signed copy, I'm very happy to send them a signed copy, and you can get them from you can request them from libraries.   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:59 Have you? Have you thought about making any of them an audio format?   Pat Backley ** 1:01:05 I have someone's. A few people have suggested that this year, when I've been doing talks, they've come up to me afterwards, and yes, I think I'm going to, as long as it's not too costly, because at the moment, my budget is extremely limited, but I'm going to do them myself, because everyone feels that my books will be come come across better in my own voice so well,   Michael Hingson ** 1:01:25 and you read well. So I think that makes a lot of sense to consider.   Pat Backley ** 1:01:29 Thank you, Michael, that's very kind of you. Well, Pat,   Michael Hingson ** 1:01:33 this has been fun, and I've enjoyed it. I've learned a lot of things as well, and I'm and I'm glad that we've had this chance. We need to do it again. When are you going to start a podcast?   Pat Backley ** 1:01:47 Well, funny, you should say that I've decided I'm going to I'm going to just dip my toes in very gently. I'm going to start it in the new year, and I'm going to call it and this makes everyone who knows me laugh. I'm going to call it just 10 minutes with Pat Backley. And everyone has said, Oh, don't be ridiculous. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:05 I agree, 10   Pat Backley ** 1:02:06 minutes, but I thought it's a way of just gently edging in. And then if people enjoy listening to me, they might want to listen for longer after a while. But I thought initially, just 10 minutes, little snippets, if they like what they hear, they might come back.   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:21 They'll come back. Oh, I don't think there would be a problem. Well, if you, if you ever need a guest to come and spend at least 10 minutes, just let me know. I   Pat Backley ** 1:02:30 certainly shall. I have absolutely loved talking to you. Michael, thank you so much for inviting me as well. This is a very joyful morning. I've really loved it. Thank you. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:39 this has been fun, and I want to thank all of you for listening. I hope you've enjoyed it and reach out to Pat. I'm sure she would love to communicate with you, and maybe in some way, you'll end up in a book, which is always a nice, good thing to think about as well. I'd love to hear what you think about our podcast today. So please feel free to email me. Michael, h, i, m, I, C H, A, E, L, H i at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, I b, e.com, or go to our podcast page, which is at w, w, w, dot Michael hingson.com/podcast, and Michael hingson is spelled M, I, C, H, A, E, L, H, I N, G, S O n.com/podcast, wherever You're listening. We would really appreciate it if you would give us a five star rating. And we we value that. We value your thoughts and input. Pat for you and all of you listening. If you know an

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Host Niall McKay speaks with Dr. Sharron Millen, a health psychologist at Queen's University Hospital, Belfast in Northern Ireland. Dr. Millen, a two-time liver transplant recipient, completed her PhD on psychological well-being in liver transplant patients. Her research found a significant link between physical recovery and mental well-being. Niall and Dr. Millen also share their personal experiences with liver transplant, discussing the psychological impact on patients and emphasizing the importance of mental preparation, social support, and counseling. They highlight the challenges faced both before and after transplant, including social isolation, financial difficulties, and post-operative complications.

In this episode of The Path, I'm joined by my longtime friend and brother Aleks Rybchinskiy—a practitioner who's walked the holistic performance path for decades and played a key role in the creation of BERSKI, a nutrient-dense organ meat snack line co-founded by Richard Blomberg of Eleiko.This conversation is for the man who's done a lot of things right—built a strong body, built a business, maybe even a family—but is still seeking more alignment with his values. We explore how nutrition, especially ancestral foods like liver, can become a tool for reclaiming energy, clarity, and leadership from the inside out. We also get real about fatherhood, time, and discerning what's truly worth showing up for.In this episode, we cover:Why liver outperforms muscle meat in protein and micronutrient contentThe problem with most liver supplements—and what “desiccated” really meansUnderstanding the labels: grass-fed vs. grass-finished vs. pasture-raisedHow Aleks reversed his father's fatty liver through daily liver intakeHow conscious nourishment supports masculine leadership and family lifeLINKS:BERSKI10% Discount Code: THEPATHWork with Mike:1:1 Coaching | Vital Man Collective | RetreatsFollow Mike:Website: Coaching.mikesalemi.ioMay 17-20th Primal Reset Retreat, Mt. Shasta, CAInstagram: @Mike.salemi

To support muscle growth in menopause, you need to understand the critical role of liver health.  If you're struggling with muscle loss and fat gain, your liver is an essential player in the game.  Stick with me as we uncover actionable strategies for boosting liver health and achieving muscle growth in menopause and beyond during this moment in time post pandemic.    My Guest: Sara Banta is a certified Dietary Supplement Professional, member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals, and founder of Accelerated Health Products, recognized as the Most Innovative Supplement Company. Sara pioneers innovative solutions to support holistic well-being. She empowers others to achieve optimal health through supplements, DNA-based nutrition, and lifestyle changes.   Questions We Answer in This Episode: [00:10:53] How is the liver related to muscle growth in menopause? [00:20:31] How can certain proteins help you reach fitness goals, while others may actually get in the way? [00:22:53] Why are essential amino acids crucial for supporting muscle building? [00:31:21] How can you take care of your liver to help with muscle gain and fat loss? [00:40:20] What are the side effects of GLP-1? [00:42:50] What are safe alternatives to ozempic?   Liver Health's Role in Menopausal Muscle Growth Roles: detox, bile production, hormone regulation, protein metabolism. Chemicals and toxins overload the liver, impairing fat and protein processing.   Protein Intake Challenges & Solutions Protein intake alone isn't enough without liver support. Women need more protein with age, not less - 1g protein per pound of body weight. Wild animal protein, like bison and venison, are most nutrient dense. Warning against mold and hidden toxins in common protein powders.   Essential Amino Acid Supplements Key ingredients: HMB, Synactive, OKG, TMG - aimed at absorption and recovery Benefits: prevent muscle breakdown, enhance gut health, better protein absorption.   Key Takeaways for Muscle Growth in Menopause: Liver function is foundational for hormone balance, energy, and muscle development during and after menopause. Most women are under-consuming quality protein and not absorbing it effectively due to liver or gut issues. Supplements can be powerful, but they must be clean, effective, and well-formulated—many aren't. Shift your mindset: It's not about shrinking your body but about strengthening it with muscle. Bloat, brain fog, fatigue, and poor recovery may all link back to impaired liver detox and insufficient amino acids. Whole, wild animal proteins are superior due to nutrient density and bioavailability.   Connect with Sara: Get your Accelerated Health Products - Liver Care & Aminos here! Facebook - Accelerated Health Products Instagram - @acceleratedhealthproducts   Other Episodes You Might Like: To Detox and If So How to Detox: Midlife Woman to Midlife Woman Where Protein Recommendations for Women Come From?   Resources: Get your lean, clean Flipping 50 Protein Powders to maintain muscle and support metabolism. Short & Easy Exercise videos in this 5 Day Flip Challenge. Don't know where to start? Book your Discovery Call with Debra.

Story at-a-glance Fatty liver disease affects nearly 25% of adults globally and progresses silently, leading to cirrhosis, heart disease, diabetes, and liver cancer Research shows that fatty liver disease significantly increases mortality risk, especially from endocrine disorders and during the first year after diagnosis Cardiovascular disease ranks as a top threat for people with fatty liver disease, with advanced liver fibrosis substantially increasing the risk of serious adverse events Excessive fructose consumption from processed foods triggers de novo lipogenesis (fat creation) in the liver and promotes insulin resistance, even without alcohol consumption Treatment focuses on addressing root causes through dietary changes, regular physical activity, weight management, muscle-building, and addressing metabolic imbalances like insulin resistance

In this episode, we're spilling the tea on how we accidentally became supplement company owners. Yep, we're fertility coaches turned owners of Jool Wellness—because why not start a beef liver and oyster empire on a random Tuesday?We also break down why BOTH beef liver and oyster are absolute gold for hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery—and why your body actually prefers liver and oyster over multivitamins.If you've ever wondered how to support your hormones (or how we ended up owning a supplement company), you'll want to tune in.Check out Jool Wellness - use code HASOCIETY for 12% offhttps://joolwellness.comJoin The HA Societyhttp://thehasociety.com/joinWork 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarcia/The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-hypothalamic-amenorrhea-podcast/donations

In this episode, Ben breaks down a simple 7-day breakfast protocol designed to reduce visceral fat, balance insulin and cortisol, and jumpstart fat-burning metabolism—without counting calories or relying on willpower. These strategic breakfasts are quick, satisfying, and loaded with nutrients to keep blood sugar stable and energy levels high. You'll learn how to fuel your body to: ✅ Reduce inflammation ✅ Improve liver function ✅ Boost satiety and fat oxidation ✅ Balance cortisol and insulin ✅ Tap into stored fat for fuel—even while fasting Whether you're new to metabolic flexibility or stuck on a plateau, this episode provides a simple plan to reboot your morning routine and burn more fat by lunchtime.

In this episode of the Gutsy Health Podcast, Dr. Rodgers and Juanique Grover unpack the powerful connection between liver health and hormone balance — and why true healing starts far upstream. They explain the "order of healing" (mindset → mitochondria → gut → liver → hormones) and why treating hormone issues without addressing liver health leads to more problems down the line. You'll learn how CIRS impacts mitochondria and hormone production, why the liver is crucial for hormone detoxification, and how sugar, insulin resistance, and gallbladder dysfunction tie into it all. They also break down why traditional lab ranges often miss liver stress, why cholesterol is a key liver marker, and how healing your liver is foundational for restoring energy, brain function, fertility, and overall vitality.Helpful LinksTake the Root Cause Quiz to uncover hidden imbalances.Explore the Liver Reset Program to deeply support liver health.Free Detox Class: https://www.mygutsyhealth.com/detoxKey TakeawaysHormones are a symphony; imbalance creates dysfunction.True healing order: mindset → mitochondria → gut → liver → hormones.The liver is essential for detoxifying and converting hormones.CIRS severely disrupts mitochondrial energy and hormone balance.Signs of liver dysfunction: fatigue, mood swings, skin issues, heavy periods, brain fog.Proper nutrient absorption is critical for liver and hormone health.Cholesterol (made in the liver) is the backbone for hormone production.High LDL and insulin resistance often signal liver distress.High fructose consumption (especially from processed foods) damages liver function.Gallbladder health is critical for fat digestion and hormonal support.Post-gallbladder removal: ox bile supplementation is important.Healing liver and gut health leads to natural hormone balance — without relying solely on bioidentical hormones.Optimal lab ranges (not just "normal") are key for assessing liver and hormone health.Episode TitlesThe Hormonal Symphony: Finding BalanceHealing Order: Mindset to Liver HealthLiver's Role in Hormonal HarmonyCholesterol: The Hormone PrecursorCIRS: The Hidden Factor in Hormone HealthChapters00:00 — The Symphony of Hormones03:01 — Understanding the Order of Healing06:10 — The Role of the Liver in Hormone Health09:02 — Cholesterol, Hormones, and Liver Function12:06 — CIRS and Its Impact on Hormones14:56 — Symptoms of Liver and Hormone Dysfunction17:57 — The Importance of Balance in Hormone Treatment23:08 — Understanding Liver Enzymes and GGT26:04 — The Role of Insulin and Cholesterol in Liver Health30:48 — The Impact of Sugar and Fructose on Liver Function35:10 — Recognizing Liver Stress and Functionality37:39 — Gallbladder Health and Its Importance46:01 — Balancing Hormones for Optimal HealthLove what you're hearing?If you enjoyed this episode of the Gutsy Health Podcast, please take a moment to rate and review the show! Your feedback helps us reach more people looking for real answers and natural healing solutions. Subscribe to stay updated on upcoming episodes — and don't forget to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Thank you for being part of the Gutsy community!Send us a text

Episode Highlights With Ashley What are the foundational differences between Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine? It's all about constitution in TCM and what the differences are hereWhat it might mean if you wake up at 3 am each morning The way TCM looks at taste and temperature of foods and supplements The elements and how they pertain to organs in TCM- and how they all show upHow to know what element/constitution you might be in TCMA lot of women tend to be more earth-oriented in TCMUnderstanding emotions in TCM What lung and skin issues are connected to in TCM and how this can relate to grief and sadness, especially in kids Liver health in a TCM perspective and ways to support yours- including why the liver needs movement like daily walking How fast-paced modern life and being out of alignment with nature stresses the liver Biohacking for women and how we might do this differently if we had a TCM perspective TCM: With every child, you give away half of your chiRed meat is the most nourishing food to build up your chi Resources MentionedDr. Ashley Beckman on Instagram and her cellular detox Instagram pageMastering Mold program - use code wellnessmama for an exclusive discount. $100 off all pricing options (both full payment and installment plans)Labs UnveiledMold Resource Guide - how to recognize mold exposure, detox tips, and creating a mold-free environment.