The Plant Yourself Podcast

Doctors Ayesha and Dean Sherzai founded the Healthy Minds Initiative (HMI) to scale their impact on the tragic epidemic of dementia plaguing the world today. The first thing that we have to understand is that the majority of dementias are preventable through diet and lifestyle. The Sherzai's acronym NEURO—nutrition, exercise, unwinding, restorative sleep, and optimization—encapsulates the pillars that can determine our cognitive trajectory as we age. Second, individual behavior change is hard. And it's especially hard when the community norms are unhealthy.Third, traditionally underserved and marginalized communities are bearing the brunt of the damage and ensuing tragic consequences.And fourth, circling around, those communities can actually become leaders in the public health crusade against toxic lifestyles, since their empowerment can become the solution. HMI exists to empower communities to spread both the message and practice of lifestyle medicine. But in order to do that, the Sherzai's and their partners can't come in as experts. Instead, they approach as curious partners, willing to learn, and willing to stick around and provide support for the long term, and not just until the latest research grant runs out. In our conversation, we talk about the need for systemic change in research models that prioritize community engagement and sustainability. And we talk about what sustainable progress looks like, and can look like—in other words, a blueprint for community engagement and empowerment that can create a grassroots, decentralized, democratic health movement.LinksThe Healthy Minds InitiativeThe Brain DocsNourishing Our Brains and Preventing Dementia with Ayesha Sherzai, MD: PYP 279The Role of Science in Public Discourse and Racial Justice: Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, MDs: PYP 414The Alzheimer's Solution, by Drs Ayesha and Dean SherzaiThe 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution: The Definitive Food and Lifestyle Guide to Preventing Cognitive Decline, by Drs Ayesha and Dean Sherzai

Lewis Bertus was following medical best practices as a physician's assistant when his wife's illness forced him to take a hard look at the limitations of the healthcare industry.The drugs weren't helping her type 2 diabetes, no matter how much her doctors insisted that the pharma route was the only responsible one.So Lewis "did his own research," which can go in all sorts of directions, some of them pretty horrifying.Fortunately, with his grounding in medicine and his deep spiritual faith, he struck gold.Once he learned that a whole food, plant-based diet can reverse type 2 diabetes, he devoted himself to spreading the word. And empowering people with the ability to get that diet off the pages of books and the frames of videos into their kitchens, onto their forks, and into their mouths.In our conversation, we talk about his work as a health coach specializing in diabetes reversal.We look at various barriers to change: cultural, biochemical, and habitual.We dive into the primacy of mindfulness as a tool for managing cravings and reducing stress.We explore the intersection of mindfulness and spiritual practices, and how the "STOP" process can tap into religious beliefs in the service of health.We also talk about the challenges of addressing health disparities in historically marginalized communities, and the urgent need for diversity in healthcare — patients can see healthcare professionals who "look like them" and have credibility talking about their lives.Enjoy!LinksLewisBertus.com

If What Lights You Up were simply an extremely practical guide to job hunting, I wouldn't have been interested in a conversation with the author, Mary Olson-Menzel.Not that job hunting isn't an important topic — it clearly is, especially if you're out of a job or in one that's making you miserable.It's just that I wouldn't be interested in having that convo, and so I'd skip it.That said, What Lights You Up is in fact an extremely practical guide to job hunting.What piqued my interest was the idea that our careers can be powered by joy, self-expression, and contribution rather than opportunism, random chance, or calculated self-interest.What if we lived in a world where people were allowed — hell, encouraged — to break free from unfulfilling work and discover their passions? What might change if that were an unalienable right?But this conversation isn't just about an inspiring thought. It's also an extremely practical guide to job hunting (have I already mentioned that?) that's powered by the principle that you can use work as a means to growing your best self and giving that self to the world.We talk about a tool to help you figure out what lights you up: the "Light Log."Mary shares with me a new (for me) way of networking, with intention and authenticity.She also offers some exercises for job-seekers, and coaches me through the 3 P's of job searching (which are also the 3 P's of prospecting, so I was taking notes!).If you want to make a difference while making a living, this conversation is for you.LinksMVP ExecWhat Lights You Up?

Just because homelessness is a complex problem doesn't mean that there aren't simple solutions.The obstacles to ending homelessness stem from the "address homelessness" industry itself, which benefits from the persistence of the problem rather than its eradication.What's needed, according to today's guest, Momma Kai Sanders, is affordable housing.That's the root of the issue: homes that people can afford to live in.And Momma Kai isn't just talking about it. She's taking action — running for mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, on a write-in ticket.She's running for her son, Wisdom, to create the policies now that can give him a chance at a good life in the future.She's fighting for the most vulnerable and marginalized from a position not just of solidarity, but identity.She's all about compassion and authentic leadership.If you can vote for her, I hope you do so.If you know folks who live in Raleigh who can spread the word, I hope you reach out to them.It's a long shot, sure, but the most important question isn't "Who's going to win?" Instead, it's "Whose team do you want to be on?"LinksMomma Kai's Instagram pageHelping the Unhoused – and Homeless – Move From Poverty to Prosperity: Momma Kai Sanders on PYP 562True Privilege is Growing Up in a Low-Trauma Environment: Momma Kai Sanders on PYP 566

Tom Solid and Paco Cantero are the minds behind the Paperless Movement, a consultancy and educational program for people who aspire to high performance in a fast-changing digital landscape.Which is to say, they're here to help us get shit done in a world of infinite bits and bytes, a world of 24/7 access to information, and a world which will grab our calendar by the short and curlies and impose a zillion external agendas upon us if we don't learn how to defend our time, our priorities, and our purpose.Rather than focus on the latest and greatest individual tools (the "it girls" of the productivity world), Tom and Paco emphasize the need to understand systems, and use tools for particular purposes to achieve desired results.We dive into their ICOR framework, and encounter such things as the Capturing Beast, the Single Source of Truth, and the pitfalls of using the internet as a "Second Brain."We also explore the difference between Deep and Shallow work, and why it's crucial to be deliberate in building time and space for the former. Here are the key takeaways, according to AI:Productivity is about performing at your best without burning out.Understanding that everything is a system can enhance productivity.Busy professionals can be productive if they have clarity in their tasks.Switching tools frequently can lead to confusion and inefficiency.A structured approach to productivity is essential for busy professionals.Continuous improvement happens naturally when systems are in place.Clarity in goals and tasks leads to better tool usage.It's not the tools that matter, but how you use them.A combination of small changes can lead to significant improvements.Ultimately, productivity is simply a means to achieve What Matters Most to us. Joyfully.With peace of mind.And on purpose.LinksPaperlessMovement.comICOR® Journey: Learn how to build your ultimate productivity system with any tools!

In the movie There's Something About Mary, there's a scene where Ben Stiller's character picks up a hitchhiker who tries to pitch him on a business idea.There's a popular exercise video called Eight Minute Abs, but the hitchhiker is going to capture market share by making a video called Seven Minute Abs.He explains, "If you walk into the video store and you see Eight Minute Abs and Seven Minute Abs, which one are you going to take? Seven minutes, of course.But he gets stumped by the question, "What if somebody else comes out with Six Minute Abs?"I thought of that scene when I got pitched for a new book called Three Minutes a Day: A Fourteen-Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life, by Richard Dixey.I thought, boy, have we really dumbed down the tradition of meditation from its origins.Starting with Buddha sitting under the tree for days or weeks at a time until enlightenment descended upon him, to the practices of of monks and nuns of the monastic orders in Europe who would sit and pray for several hours a day.And now, just like everything else in the West, we've turned it into something that you can package and microwave and sell to the masses who just want a quick fix.Then I took a look at the book and completely changed my mind.And in fact, the conversation you're about to hear with Richard Dixey, the author, is actually one of the deepest explorations of spirituality I have ever had. It's changed how I think about my own spiritual practice. And it's been a couple of weeks now of going through the exercises in the book, and my spiritual practice has transformed for the better.I understand if you're skeptical. So have a listen, and let me know what you think.A Mantis Carol, by Laurens van der PostA Story Like the Wind, by Laurens van der PostThree Minutes a Day: A Fourteen-Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life, by Richard DixeyYet Being Someone Other, by Laurens van der PostDharma CollegeRichardDixey.com

In this engaging conversation, Jodi Wellman, an executive coach and author of *You Only Die Once*, shares her insights on embracing mortality with a dose of memento mori. She discusses how acknowledging the brevity of life can motivate us to chase our dreams without hesitation. Jodi brings humor into discussions about indulgence versus restraint, encouraging listeners to find balance. The talk reveals the importance of pursuing passions amid life’s responsibilities, reminding us that life is too short for regrets.

In a fascinating conversation, Sarah Davis, a seasoned risk manager and adventurer, shares her journey as the first woman to paddle the Nile. She reflects on breaking free from a safe corporate life to pursue a more fulfilling existence. With insights on balancing caution and risk, she discusses how her professional skills shaped her daring adventures. Sarah emphasizes the importance of stepping outside comfort zones and finding passion projects, all while embracing challenges that lead to personal growth.

Huw Thomas is a change expert who has transformed the lives of countless individuals and executives. In this engaging discussion, he reveals his three keys to large-scale behavior change: leadership, management, and governance. Huw emphasizes the critical need for empathy and adaptability in driving successful change within organizations. The conversation also touches on the importance of clear goal-setting and the nuances of communication in fostering supportive environments. Their shared journeys illuminate both personal and organizational obstacles to transformation.

Dr. Richard Hodge, an expert in advanced systems thinking and education, dives into how to create meaningful global change. He emphasizes the power of holistic approaches to tackle complex issues and the importance of listening to marginalized communities. The discussion critiques traditional education and healthcare systems, advocating for innovative strategies and preventive measures. Hodge also highlights Indigenous knowledge systems in risk management and calls for grassroots movements to ensure a sustainable future. It's an inspiring exploration of collaboration and community empowerment.