Wise Traditions

You might think you would never get botox, but the allure of looking younger can get to just about anyone! This is what happened to today's guest, a self-described crunchy mom who decided to get the teeniest amount of botox treatment to diminish fine lines around her eyes. And it totally wrecked her health. Megan McCue is the author of Notox and Me Tox Pretty. And today she explains how that single treatment of Botox turned her life (and health) upside down. She goes over what happened to her--how she essentially became incapacitated, unable to work or care for her children, and how her doctor dismissed her concerns, suggesting she was simply anxious. Megan goes over the history of this product, its black box warnings, its prevalent use among young people and why she is an outspoken advocate for informed consent and pharmaceutical transparency. Finally, she makes clear that the symptoms of botulism can last years, which is one of the many reasons she recommends we steer clear of it.   For more information, visit Megan's website: meganmccue.com Become a member of the Weston A. Price Foundation (and use the code pod10) Check out our sponsors: Gray Toad Tallow and One Earth Health

Have you ever felt addicted to ultra-processed foods---like you knew they were bad for you, but you couldn't stop indulging? This happened to our guest today who at age 15 weighed over 300 lbs. And she didn’t know who she was anymore. Today, Penelope Popken is 19 and she's overcome her addictive behavior. During this revealing interview, mother and daughter discuss what led to Penelope’s struggles with weight, the drugs she took, the (mostly unhelpful) therapists’ recommendations and more. They go over how most weight loss drugs (including Ozempic) and other quick fixes (like gastric bypass surgeries) have dire consequences. And they cover what it took to turn things around for Penelope. By the way, her healing path included not just returning to real nourishing food but addressing dysfunctional family patterns that contributed to unhealthy behavior. Since both Helene and Penelope have had to overcome their individual struggles with unhealthy eating and obesity, they have started the Step it UP program to help other women in just their position. After failed attempts at diets, injections, and pills, they are on a mission to help everyone learn how to nourish themselves more deeply and to thrive.   Visit Helene and Penelope's websites: Step it UP and Step It UP Accountability Group Register for the Wise Traditions conference at wisetraditions.org Check out our sponsors: Optimal Carnivore and Alive Waters

Wouldn't it be helpful to have straightforward nutrition and lifestyle advice for enhancing fertility? And to know what to avoid that may hinder your ability to get pregnant? Lily Nichols offers just what you're looking for on today's podcast. Lily is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and the author of Real Food for Fertility. Today, she goes over her recommended macro and micronutrient ratios for a healthier body (i.e. home for a baby) and what to do to have higher sperm and egg quality (so you can improve your chances of carrying the baby to term). Lily covers food, of course, but also lifestyle choices that we may not have realized impact our fertility (like our intake of alcohol, caffeine, and also our stress levels). Visit Lily's website: lilynicholsrdn.com Become a member of the Weston A. Price Foundation (and use code pod10) at westonaprice.org Check out our sponsors: Arvoti and Earth Runners

How did a guy into politics and the culture war become a health and wellness advocate? Will Witt is a 2x national bestselling author and international speaker. And today he talks about why young people need to question everything and be willing to rebel to regain their health. Will shares his own story of a serious diagnosis that had him questioning conventional medicine and taking his health into his own hands. He also talks about the transformative and healing power of raw milk.   Visit Will's new website: purebasicscollective.com Will's account on Instagram Find raw milk near you at realmilk.com Check out Meadows Bee Farm and their resources Visit our sponsor's websites: Paleovalley and New Biology Become a member of the Weston A. Price Foundation and use the code pod10

Nathalie B, the creator of Bee Mindful, blends her passion for beekeeping with sustainability. She discusses the critical role bees play in our ecosystem and clarifies the differences between natural and conventional beekeeping. Listeners will learn about the healing properties of raw honey, often called 'liquid sunshine,' and how to source the best varieties. Nathalie also shares practical tips for starting your own backyard apiary and highlights the importance of mindful gardening to support bee populations.

Alex Clark, an advocate for healthcare reform and founder of Culture Apothecary, dives into the alarming health challenges faced by Millennials and Gen Z. She shares her personal transformation from a fast-food lover to a champion of real food and holistic wellness. The discussion highlights the impact of pharmaceuticals and food toxins, sparking a critical reevaluation of traditional health narratives. Alex emphasizes the healing power of nutrition and community engagement, urging a shift in focus towards genuine health issues affecting young people's lives.

How is running bad for us? Tennis shoes aren't doing us any favors. Cold plunges may be overrated. Mark Sisson is a pioneer in the ancestral health movement, known for his blog Mark's Daily Apple and the Primal Health Coach Institute. He is also the author of “Born to Walk”. Today, Mark highlights how good walking is for health and longevity.   He also does some myth busting when it comes to current health trends. A former triathlete, Mark has shifted and now recommends walking instead of running, minimalist shoes (or going barefoot) over tennis shoes and NOT cold plunging every day (even though this has grown in popularity). He also reviews how to make the most of walking. And he goes over common injuries like plantar fasciitis and why orthotics are never the answer. His recommended health shifts just may inspire your own.   Visit Mark's website: peluva.com Join Nourishing our Children Check out Optimal Carnivore and HydroHealth

Glyphosate is a toxic carcinogenic chemical found in RoundUp, a weedkiller that is routinely sprayed on our lawns and crops. But the bad news doesn't stop there! It is making its way into the food we eat, the air, and the water. Worse still, the maker of glyphosate, Bayer, is working on passing liability shield legislation so that they cannot be sued for the way the poison in their products is affecting the nation! Today, Kelly Ryerson, known as the Glyphosate Girl, explains why she is working so hard to inform the public about the dangers of glyphosate and the company that wants to protect itself from the fallout of the harm it is causing. Kelly goes over the legislation that is being considered in various states across the country. She also explains why glyphosate is so damaging, how it personally affected her own life, and how a General Mills whistleblower helped her to connect the dots about it all. Update: The liability legislation being considered in North Dakota, at the time of the interview, has since been passed in that state.   Visit Kelly's websites: americanregeneration.org and glyphosatefacts.com Become a member of the Weston A. Price Foundation (and use the code pod10) Check out our sponsors: Arvoti and Lumiram

In Albania, olive oil is called “ilac”, medicine. It’s included as a daily ritual for generations--a source of nourishment, healing, and tradition. For many of us, in other regions of the world, we have less familiarity with olive oil. And then we see labels on olive oil bottles that say "cold-pressed", "extra virgin", and "organic". What do these terms mean? And how can we find the best quality olive oil wherever we are? Bianti Danaj, an Albanian-American entrepreneur and founder of Donika Olive Oil, today brings clarity amidst the confusion. He goes over the meaning of the wording on labels. He describes the nuances that affect the quality of olive oil, including its exposure to heat, light and oxygen. He also goes over what the polyphenols in olive oil do for our explaining brain and gut health, our overall wellbeing and longevity. In sum, he makes a strong case for including olive oil as a part of our health journey, wherever in the world we may live.   Visit Bianti's website: donikaoliveoil.com Download the Wise Traditions podcast app on your iOS or Android device. Check out our sponsors Paleovalley and New Biology Clinic

Adam and Josh Bigelsen, from the Bigelsen Academy, share profound insights on how to interpret the body's signals related to trauma. They discuss the emotional roots of physical ailments like cancer and asthma, arguing for a holistic approach to healing. The brothers emphasize the importance of mindful observation and blood analysis in understanding health. They advocate for bridging traditional and innovative health practices, encouraging listeners to nurture joyful connections with nature and loved ones for overall well-being.