Lisa.fm Thrive!

It's barely Autumn, and it sure seems as if cold & flu season arrived early this year. I've been using Young Living Essential Oils products to keep from getting the bugs that have been going around the radio station where I work. In this podcast, I share with you how to use two Young Living essential oils blends, "Thieves" and "Purification," to support good health and eliminate germs year-round.  Essential Oils from Young Living can not only help to kill germs that might make you sick. They can also keep your home and living environment smell fresh and clean. A few drops of Purification essential oil in a diffuser or blended with water in a spray bottle is great for eliminating pet and cooking odors. Young Living essential oils and home and beauty products contain no synthetics or chemical ingredients, promoting good health and a clean living environment. To find out more about Young Living products, and to order your premium starter kit featuring at least 11 different essential oils and an electric diff

A recent story in the New York Times suggested that abrupt changes in personality may be early warning signs for Alzheimer's disease. These changes in behavior can range from - agitation - to depression - to suddenly developing an overactive sexual appetite. It can set in even before the person starts to lose their memory.  To find out more - I spoke with Dr. Kenneth Kosik, co-director of the Neuroscience Research Institute at UC Santa Barbara. Dr. Kosik is the author of Outsmarting Alzheimer's, What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk.  

At age 85, Dr. Walter Bortz still runs half marathons, writes books and a weekly blog and is showing no signs of slowing down. The clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University and author of “DARE to be 100” and several other books talks to me about the importance of “Attitude” and “Renewal” in living a long and happy life. In this podcast you’ll also find out why ‘Engagement’ is his magic word to aging gracefully, and why he’s embarrassed by his (medical) profession. Dr. Bortz will be presenting a class, "DARE to be 10 - Science-Based Secrets of Long Life," in Santa Barbara at SBCC's Center for Lifelong Learning, beginning September 19th. Click here for details.  

Ground, Release and Refill with this three-step process created by intuitive counselor Lexa Finley, to help you be more 'in the now.'  Lexa will walk you through this mindfulness meditation, which can help to release blocks and increase intuition.  This podcast is a throwback episode - from 2009

Is it time to stop being so hard on yourself! So many of us can often be - hard on ourselves. My guest in this podcast, Lalli Dana Drobny invites you to befriend your own goodness through practicing mindfulness. Drobny, who has been teaching mindfulness classes in Santa Barbara for many years, suggests that practicing 'embodied mindfulness'- listening to your body (mind, heart and gut) - to determine what you are feeling. Then, if you are able to allow yourself to feel - and stay with - the uncomfortable emotion for 90 seconds, it will dissolve.  Drobny shares a few simple mindfulness exercises, including a 'metta' meditation, in which you repeat to yourself, calmly, while inhaling and exhaling:  may i be safe​ may i be happy​ may i be healthy​ may i be at ease​   Drobny is leading a mindfulness workshop later this month at Santa Barbara Yoga Center. Click here for details.   Click here to listen to another Lisa.FM Thrive! podcast with Lalli Dana Drobny   Subscribe to this podcast at iTunes, Stitcher,

Autism - it's an all-to-common diagnosis for children on the Central Coast and across the country.  But, treatment for the disease has come a long way in the past 50 years.  One of the most effective modern therapies for Autism was developed at the UC Santa Barbara Koegel Autism Center.  I spoke with one of the center's founders, Dr. Lynn Koegel, to find out more about the Pivotal Response Treatment therapy she and her husband, Dr. Robert Koegel, developed during their 30 years of working in the field. Subscribe to this podcast at iTunes, Stitcher, Tune-In, Libsyn or search “Lisa.FM Thrive!” on your favorite podcast server. For more podcast episodes go to WellnessTalkShow.com.

We're living in stressful times.  A nasty political battle is underway in the U.S. presidential election race, and violent attacks at venues which were once considered safe places to relax seem to be becoming more common. How can you maintain your equilibrium and keep your family feeling safe amid all of the turmoil and uncertainty? I spoke with Los Angeles-based psychotherapist, John Tsilimparis, MFT, for tips on how to reduce stress in tense times, as well as how to spot warning signs of depression, suicidal thoughts and anxiety.  Subscribe to this podcast at iTunes, Stitcher, Tune-In, Libsyn or search “Lisa.FM Thrive!” on your favorite podcast server. For more podcast episodes go to WellnessTalkShow.com.

Holding a grudge only hurts yourself. But, how can you let go of old anger, or fear? Hypnotherapist Nancy Segal shares tips for how to release old wounds and live a happier life.   Subscribe to this podcast at iTunes, Stitcher, Tune-In, Libsyn or search “Lisa.FM Thrive!” on your favorite podcast server. For more podcast episodes go to WellnessTalkShow.com.

More than 29 million Americans are living with diabetes. This number is expected to rise, and many more people aren't even aware that they have the disease.  In this episode of Lisa.FM Thrive, author Michael Bedar explains the dramatic rise in diabetes, obesity and other health problems in America is linked to "the 20 year rule." That's the amount of time that has passed since highly-processed foods arrived on store shelves.    Bedar talks about how to 'eat intuitively,' by choosing and preparing foods in a way that retains their natural colors. The clothes we wear (cotton clothing can be drenched in toxic pesticides) and the water we bathe in also impact our health.  Bedar's novel, "Sweet Healing: A Whole Health Journey," has been described as a whole-life healing-themed "Way of the Peaceful Warrior"-type adventure. It tells the story of how a man on the brink of of retirement learns he has type 2 diabetes. It describes how his family comes together to offer support. The story also features seven touchstones

Getting into a state of relaxation or mindfulness is a tall order for a lot of people.  In this Lisa.FM Thrive! podcast episode, find out how easy it can be to get into a state of 'Zen' I'm joined by Michiko Rolek, great grandaughter of the first Zen-master to come to the United States. Michiko, along with her daughter Grace, an up & coming voice over talent and actress, share simple tips for reaching an immediate sense of calm and relaxation. Michiko trained Grace to be calm during auditions using these age-old Zen techniques. You will enjoy listening to them as they share simple tips. Note: This is a 'throwback' episode of Lisa.FM Thrive!, recorded in the Los Angeles area around 2008. Grace is now, an adult - and, still working in the entertainment industry. Subscribe to this podcast at iTunes, Stitcher, Tune-In, Libsyn or search “Lisa.FM Thrive!” on your favorite podcast server. For more podcast episodes go toWellnessTalkShow.com. (Pictured is Grace showing off her Kung Fu Panda moves with Jack Black.

If the idea of speaking in public makes you feel queasy, you're not alone. Public speaking tops the list of fears for many people.  In this podcast, certified hypnotist and author Nancy Seagal shares tips for keeping “CALM” while presenting in public, including an idea for feeling less intimidated in front of an audience, and how to quiet your inner critic. Subscribe to this podcast at iTunes, Stitcher, Tune-In, Libsyn or search “Lisa.FM Thrive!” on your favorite podcast server. For more podcast episodes go to WellnessTalkShow.com.  

The link between your mouth and overall health is becoming more evident. Developing a good routine of brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly can help you maintain good health into your sunset years. Dr. Chris Marchack of Pasadena Prosthodontics describes oral systemic health, and the link between periodontal disease and other health conditions, from stroke and heart attack to infertility.    He covers dental health for all ages - from kids (he'll share a story that could convince the little ones in your life to get started on a life-long solid brushing routine) to senior-citizens, and how taking prescription drugs can impact dental health. You may also be surprised to learn the value of having healthy teeth and gums when recovering from heart valve and knee or hip replacement surgeries. "There's definitely a correlation between good dental hygiene and infections," said Dr. Chris. Along with seeing patients, Dr. Chris trains dentists and speaks to other dental professionals around the world. For

A bout of bronchitis kept Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb from running in the 2016 Boston Marathon. Instead, she served as Grand Marshal of the famous race. But, 50 years ago, when women were not allowed to enter the Boston Marathon, Gibb ran the race anyway -making history and forever changing women's sports.  In this episode of Lisa.FM Thrive! Gibb explains how, dressed in her brother's Bermuda shorts, she jumped out of bushes near the starting line to run the race. She talks about what the other runners did when they figured out there was a woman in the race and what happened afterward. "We had a sense at that moment that things were never going to be the same again," said Gibb. Learn the reason Race officials gave her for not allowing her to race in 1966, and how she turned the rejection into an opportunity to speak up for social justice. Gibb also shares the experience that moved her to tears at this year's Boston Marathon. Today, Bobbi speaks up for social change. And, her interests span a wide spectrum - from art

It seems like allergy season gets longer every year. Whether it’s foods or the environment, a lot of people are suffering from allergies. In this episode of Lisa.FM Thrive!, Dr. Jacob Offenberger, allergist and specialist with Dignity Health Northridge Hospital talks about the latest trends in caring for allergy sufferers. Find out why kids living on farms are less likely to suffer with allergies than kids who live in the city; and why Dr. Offengberger recommends that parents introduce their children to a variety of foods at a very young age. Find out if air purifiers or humidifiers can provide relief, and whether there are any alternative treatments (I use a blend of essential oils to keep my sinuses dry). Subscribe to this podcast at iTunes. Or, for more podcasts like this, go to WellnessTalkShow.com  

A smile is a sign of friendliness that’s understood in any language. What can you do if you were not born with a beautiful smile but would like to improve yours? In this episode, Dr. Christopher Marchack with Pasadena Prosthodontics offers options for what you could do to improve your smile, as well as tips for how to find a dentist that’s right for you. For more podcasts like this, go to WellnessTalkShow.com

Listening to the soothing sound of mellow music can promote relaxation. Now, sound technologies are being developed to help people go into a deeper state of meditation. In this Lisa.FM Thrive! podcast Karen Newell, co-founder of Sacred Acoustics, explains how what she calls 'brain entrainment technology' can help a person get into a deeper state of relaxation during meditation. To try this for yourself, download the free 20 minute sample on the Sacred Acoustics website.  This podcast was recorded at the 14th Annual Conscious Life Expo in Los Angeles For more podcasts like this, go to WellnessTalkShow.com

You’ve probably heard the old adage "you are what you eat." If this is the case, America's obsession with fast food is becoming alarmingly destructive. Research out of UCLA recently revealed that more than half of all adults in California have either pre-diabetes or diabetes that hasn't been diagnosed. In this podcast you'll hear about the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, who is more at risk, and what pregnant women should know about diabetes. My guest is Ellen Goodstein, executive director of the William Sansum Diabetes Center in Santa Barbara, California. She will explain the work that Sansum Diabetes does, including development of an artificial pancreas, which could be helpful to those who are living with diabetes. Here are some highlights from the UCLA study:  — 13 million adults in California (46%) have pre-diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes — 2.5 million adults (9%) have already been diagnosed with diabetes.  That adds up to 15.5 million people, 55% of the state’s population  33% of young ad

Meeting the demands of daily life can be overwhelming. Developing healthy boundaries – physical and energetic - can help you reduce stress and feel more in control. In this podcast, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) Brian D. Mahan explains why it’s hard for many people to set clear boundaries (because most of us didn’t learn how in childhood).   “We weren’t allowed to have those boundaries in our family situation and then we don’t know how to take that…. Into our social lives.” “The more we are able to identify what our energetic boundaries are, what our values are, then the more we are able to……  sit in the strength of our own sense of what’s right and wrong,” said Mahan. Mahan says identifying your core values is key a first step toward establishing healthy boundaries. “It’s important to get in touch with ‘what’s important to us, what’s not important, what we like and what we dislike.” When values are defined, he says, a person can make a decision and take action, or what he calls ‘healthy aggression.

Can being overly-responsible be giving you an aching back?  Pain relief expert Dr. Ken Pfeiffer says it can! In this podcast, Dr. Pfeiffer explains that many aches and pains are caused by the emotions fear or anger. “Anytime you experience pain, that experience not only has a sensation but it also has an emotion,” explained Pfeiffer.“ And, the emotions are associated with fight or flight. “ The ‘fight’ emotion is linked to anger while ‘flight’ is associated with fear. “So anytime we’re having any kind of pain there’s also anger and there’s fear.” Pfeiffer says these emotions have a profound effects on our bodies. “When you’re angry it has effects on your heart. Your heart rate increases, your blood pressure changes….. because our bodies are preparing to fight or flee.” Pfeiffer warns that chronic anger is associated with long-term profound physiological effects. “Very often people become angry and they don’t even realize it. And so they don’t realize that they have a choice in how to deal with that anger.” Th

Have you ever awakened from a dream that was so steamy that you wanted to go back to sleep?  Dreams expert Kelly Sullivan Walden offers insight in this Lisa.FM Thrive! podcast. In her latest book "The Love, Sex and Relationship Dream Dictionary," she decodes the meanings of all kinds of dreams. This podcast goes beyond steamy dreams, Kelly offers a simple tip that will help you to decode any dream in seconds.  Do you have recurring dreams or nightmares? Kelly explains that these happen when you wake up before a dream is finished. In this podcast she will explain how you can get to the ending, and get them to stop. She suggests getting a free app called Dreams Cloud to record your dreams. Have trouble remembering your dreams? Make a Declaration. Kelly offers a free 'dream declaration meditation' audio experience on her website. I caught up with Kelly at the Conscious Life Expo.