Wise Traditions

Human beings have been called "light-eaters." Basically, food is light "slowed down," so that we can ingest it and get energy from it. In today's episode, Dewey Layman explores how the light in our food and our environment shapes our health. He dives into how our brains are wired for light, why it's a good idea to include plenty of seafood in our diet, and how getting enough sunlight can decrease not only our appetite, but the actual amount of food we need to eat to function well. Dewey is the COO of Ra Optics (a blue-blocking glasses company) and the Founder and CEO of L-Dopa, a quantum health consulting company, and, as such, he shares insights from his years of research into light and its effects.   For more from Dewey, visit his website: l-dopaconsulting.com. Check out our sponsors: Mountain Rose Herbs, Vintage Tradition, and Ancestral Supplements. For the full show notes from today's episode and additional resources, visit our website: westonaprice.org.

Depression. Weight gain. Eye problems. Auto-immune conditions. The wrong light can lead to health concerns on a number of fronts. Our computers, cell phones, and indoor lifestyle are jeopardizing our well-being. The blue light, considered "junk light," emitted from many of our devices interferes with our bodies' natural functions, throwing our systems out of whack. Dewey Layman, the founder and CEO of L-Dopa, a quantum health consulting company, understands this first-hand. For a time, he worked the night shift at a pizza shop and played video games till the sun came up. His health took a nosedive. He developed myopia and hormone imbalances; he became overweight and depressed. Turning to the sun, literally, helped turn his life and health around. Today he discusses the importance of exposing ourselves to sunlight for energy and health. He also explains what blue light is, the problems it causes for our circadian rhythm, and how we can mitigate its effects in our lives.  For more from Dewey, visit his website:

Tara Couture is a farmer, holistic nutritionist, devoted mother, and wife. She lives with her family on Slow Down Farmstead, a small, organic, grass-based farm in Canada. Today, Tara shares with us her personal journey from being a vegetarian struggling with her health, to recovering through traditional nutrient-dense foods. Now, she and her husband do their best to raise healthy, strong children, but that doesn't mean it's been easy. One daughter's diet is so radically different from her teammates' that it sets her apart, socially. Tara's middle daughter, at age 11, was diagnosed with an eating disorder that had her parents sick with worry and wondering how to bring her back from the brink. In short, Tara is an open book in this episode, sharing both the highs and lows on her journey of helping her family embrace slow, real food in this fast-paced modern world. Follow Tara on Instagram @slowdownfarmstead. Visit our website for more resources: westonaprice.org. To join or for more information on membership wi

What can we do to mitigate the toxins that seem to be just about everywhere? Today, Sally Fallon Morell, the president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, reveals what’s assailing us and what we can do about it. Sally reviews highlights from our winter Wise Traditions journal, which include a look at the dark side of sunscreens, a fresh approach to cancer, and a new study comparing the health of vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Sally also touches on sugar addiction, our children’s behavioral and learning issues, and the dangers of glyphosate, and even how coffee can negatively impact our health. Visit our website for more resources: westonaprice.org. Take our listener survey here. Check out our sponsors: Serenity Farm Bread, Vintage Tradition, and Ancestral Supplements. 

Dietary fat is our friend, not our foe. Although this may seem like a radical statement, it is true. Today, Jennifer Isenhart, journalist and documentarian, reveals the weak science behind the dietary fat dogma we’ve been fed for years. She explains the consequences of the anti-fat propaganda: namely that we are more overweight and sicker than ever. Jennifer brings the data that backs up her conclusions: that fat does not make us fat or sick. Along the way, she tells us her personal story and what led her to create this "Big Fat Lie" documentary to help set the record straight.  See the Big Fat Lie Movie Facebook page. Visit our website for more resources: westonaprice.org. Take our listener survey here. Check out our sponsors: Serenity Farm Bread, Vintage Tradition, and Ancestral Supplements. 

It’s one of the most important parts of the earth’s ecosystem. We get our food from it, walk on it, and even breathe it in, but many of us hardly give it a second thought! It's the soil. The quality and health of the soil has such a huge impact on our own health and the health of the planet. "Sustainability" is not enough. We must reverse the damage and restore the soil to avert our growing climate crisis. Award-winning documentary filmmaker and author Josh Tickell tells us why we should care about the health of the earth and how we can make a difference, once we do. Listen and learn how to become a part of the soil-ution that will help generations to come enjoy good health, springing from a peaceful, fruitful planet. For more from Josh, visit JoshTickell.com & for more on planetary health visit KisstheGround.com. Visit our website for more resources: westonaprice.org. Take our listener survey here. Check out our sponsors: Serenity Farm Bread, Vintage Tradition, and Ancestral Supplements.         

There is a push to roll out small cell towers in our neighborhoods and cities. The radiation from these small wireless antennas is not small at all. The installations--placed on streetlights, lampposts, trash cans, & mailboxes in our neighborhoods--emit microwave radiation at higher frequencies than our current technology and, thus, pose a greater threat to our health than ever before.  Ostensibly these are being approved and installed by cities in response to consumer demand for faster internet service. But 5G promises "fast" and delivers "unsafe" in its place. Theodora Scarato, the Executive Director of the Environmental Health Trust, explains in today's podcast the health ramifications of 5G radiation in and near our homes. She cites multiple studies and worldwide concern, raised by 250+ scientists, over the effects of this radiation. She also gives us practical ideas for how to protect our families and advocate for our health on a local and federal level.  Visit the Environmental Health Trust website:

Gut issues are unfortunately far too common in this day and age--people are struggling with everything from constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, and upset stomach, to more complex conditions like celiac disease, colitis, diverticulitis, IBD, IBS, candida and Crohn’s disease. All of these various conditions stem from the same source, inflammation. Today, we hear from Mike Merrill, the "Heal Your Gut Guy,” on the topic. Mike shares his healing journey from Crohn’s disease and discusses the five sources of gut inflammation. He then explains the protocol he recommends for reducing inflammation and helping the gut heal for good.  Visit Mike's YouTube channel: Heal Your Gut Guy. Visit our website at westonaprice.org. Take our listener survey here. Check out our sponsors: Ancestral Supplements and Vintage Tradition.    

We have lost the ability to think for ourselves when food is concerned. We’re the only animal on the planet that hires nutritionists and dieticians to tell us how to eat. But we’re the sickest species on the planet. Something’s wrong. And Dr. Bill Schindler wants to right that wrong. On today's episode, Bill, professor of anthropology and archaeology at Washington College, and the director of the Eastern Shore Food Lab, walks us through 3+ million years of diet history to help us get a handle on what our ancestors ate. As we learn about the tools they used and which foods provided the most nutrients, we gain insights into how we can eat and live better today. Bill describes what main foods were part of the primitive diet, how the diet shifted over time, how the dietary needs of the past compare to ours today, how our ancestors extracted the most nutrients from the raw food they hunted or gathered, and the importance of getting back in touch with our food.  Learn more from Bill's website: ancestralinsight.com

Discover the benefits of eating a low-carb, high-fat diet for health and weight loss. Learn why we don’t need to wear a mental illness label for life. And find out why there’s no such thing as a “safe vaccine.” These three topics are featured in our end-of-year “Best of 2018” episode! We have taken excerpts from our three most popular Wise Traditions episodes of the year. Professor Tim Noakes explains why he is an outspoken advocate of a low-carb, high-fat diet for weight loss and improved health. Holistic psychiatrist Kelly Brogan discusses why depression is a symptom, pointing to an imbalance in the body. And holistic physician Tom Cowan describes the risks inherent to vaccination.  To listen to the episodes in their entirety, check out: #121 “Low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet on trial”  #122 “Depression: a symptom, not a disease”  #149 “The vaccine trade-off”  Visit our website, westonaprice.org. Order your shopping guide here. Check out our sponsor: Pure Indian Foods.

Do you see exercise as punishment for food you ate? Do you diet to make your body conform to someone else's idea of what it should look like? Strength coach and nutritional therapist Steph Gaudreau used to live like that, too, but she's developed some tools to break free from unhealthy relationships with movement and food. Today, she walks us through the four core pillars that have helped her shift her mindset and live her best life. We discuss what it looks like to honor our bio-individuality, how strength training helps the mind and the body, how to recharge without caffeine or sugar, and how to change our approach to health living. The idea is to develop a relationship with food and our bodies that is free and joyful, rather than punitive or restrictive.  Visit Steph's website at stephgaudreau.com.  Order a shopping guide here.  Make a donation on our website: westonaprice.org. Check out our sponsor: Pure Indian Foods

Are you still on the fence about the flu shot? Do you find yourself wondering if you should vaccinate your family, just to “play it safe"? Are you afraid of what people will think if you don’t vaccinate? Flu season has rolled around again, and you may find yourself asking these questions yet again. There’s a lot of misinformation and confusion out there concerning the flu shot, but the truth can be uncovered. Today, filmmaker and vaccination expert Leslie Manookian brings clarity and science to the conversation. Leslie is the producer of the award-winning documentary “The Greater Good”, and she has done copious research on the subject of vaccinations. Leslie explains how the risks outweigh the supposed benefits. She exposes the truth about the numbers we hear--how many people die from the flu each year--and those we don't--how many people are injured or die as a result of the toxins in the vaccine. She also gives us the big picture of the relationship between vaccine manufacturers, the Center for Disease Cont

We know that pharmaceutical drugs have their place. But often we are too quick to prescribe and take medications when dietary or lifestyle changes could very well address our health concerns. Today, Sally Fallon Morell, the head of the Weston A. Price Foundation walks us through several articles from our fall Wise Traditions journal that highlight why seniors, in particular, are targeted by the drug companies. She discusses which drugs are most commonly prescribed--including statins, blood pressure medications, and more--and she explains their deleterious side effects. She also touches on our children’s health, why their IQ scores are plummeting, and how the environment affects their well-being.  Visit our website, estonaprice.org, for the show notes for this episode and for access to some of the articles from our fall Wise Traditions journal.

Many people are struggling with health conditions that stem from a leaky gut. These can include eczema, allergies, autoimmune conditions and more. But what is a leaky gut, exactly? And how can we heal and seal it for good? Monica Corrado, an author, nutrition consultant, and certified GAPS (Gut And Psychology Syndrome) practitioner, defines this prevalent condition, and she explains how we can address it through the power of real food. She goes over the GAPS protocol, calling it the original "heal your leaky gut" diet. She offers simple dietary advice, including suggestions for what foods to avoid to prevent further damage to the gut wall, and which we should include to help repair it. Along the way, she tells her own story, as well as the stories of people who have followed the GAPS dietary protocol and found relief and health.  For more on Monica, courses she offers and her books, visit her website at simplybeingwell.com. Visit our website for more support for your wellness journey at westonaprice.org. Take

It is increasingly common for children to develop strange rashes, eczema, eye and speech problems, and the like that seem to appear out of the blue. Doctors seem flummoxed, unable to explain what's happening with our kids. Autism, allergies, and autoimmune conditions are on the rise. And, again, there are few answers. Author and medical researcher Forrest Maready has spent years examining the evidence that is staring us in the face. His “Crooked” theory postulates that toxins are attacking our brain stem, leading to a number of mystery ailments that often leave tell-tale traces on our faces. He makes the case, on today's podcast, that aluminum and the injudicious use of antibiotics are making our children vulnerable to serious health conditions. With insight and compassion, Forrest explains what we can do to shore up their health and protect future generations. Check out our website for more resources: westonaprice.org. Take our listener survey here. Listen to our podcast through Pandora.  

Dietary trends come and go. How can we possibly know what’s best to eat? Dr. Weston A. Price traveled the world to find what the healthiest people ate. The diets varied greatly depending on what part of the world the indigenous groups inhabited---the Swiss ate a diet rich in dairy products; the Inuit in Alaska ate a lot of fish and whale blubber, etc. But while the dietary specifics were different, traditional diets had much in common, as well. This is the crux of the Wise Traditions diet. It is not a list of do’s and don’ts, but rather a guide for healthy eating, wherever you live, based on wise ancestral food ways! On today's podcast, Sally Fallon Morell, the president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, takes us back to the basics. She explains the 11 principles that were compiled, through scientific research and the work of Dr. Weston A. Price, to make up the Wise Traditions diet. The list of simple nutritional guidelines helps ease the burden of stress that comes from trying to eat well. Together, we will

You wouldn’t settle for the second-best partner in your life or for a job that you dislike, so why would you settle when it comes to your health? Thaddeus Owen, a personal trainer with a Masters in Holistic Nutrition and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, explains today how to reach optimal vitality by making the most of our surroundings. Thaddeus is a biohacker, an individual who incorporates ancestral practices with modern science to boost the body's health and natural functions. Today, he gives us the tools to overcome our indoor, sedentary, and oftentimes toxic lifestyle with a new focus on diet, light and temperature. In short, he describes how reacquainting ourselves with nature, by spending time outside, can reset our circadian rhythm, boost our mood, and help heal our mitochondria. He offers us tools that are simple, inexpensive and practical as we "biohack" our health to new levels. For more on Thaddeus, visit his website: primalhacker.com. For information on the Fire and Ice Retreat, go to thepointretr

What should we eat to live a long, healthy life? Gina Baker, a writer, farmer, and researcher, who has lived in Costa Rica for over 20 years, went to the Nicoya Peninsula to learn about the traditional diets of centenarians. Her visits and conversations with the centenarians revealed that their traditional diet featured fried pork, pork brains, and lots and lots of lard. Does this surprise you? It definitely runs contrary to what was written up about the Nicoya people in “The Blue Zones.” In that book, their diet was characterized as primarily vegetarian. On today's podcast, Gina does some serious myth-busting about what has kept the centenarians so well, for so long. She also shares secrets that she learned along the way about the key to the longevity, vitality, and strength of the centenarians of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Visit our website for resources: westonaprice.org. To contact Gina and inquire about her retreat, email her at gmuschler@gmail.com. Our listener survey is here. Check out our spo

Did you know that we’re more bacterial DNA than human DNA, and that we’re only as happy and healthy as those beneficial little bugs that live inside of us? Today, we take a walk on the wild side as we explore the beauty and benefits of wild fermentation--along with the bacteria and enzymes that come along with it. Monica Ford, ancestral cuisine educator and the founder of Real Food Devotee, explains in a lively way why fermented foods are fabulous and absolutely essential for good health and a strong microbiome. Monica talks with us not only about how food fermentation started, but what it means for our health and how/why we should reincorporate it into our diet. She shares her story, including her scrappy attempts at making her first jar of sauerkraut, and how everything evolved from that. Find out just how wild and powerful fermentation can be through this conversation. Who knows, maybe you’ll even get inspired to make your own batch of pickles or kombucha at home?! For more on Monica, visit her website: Re

Technology makes our lives easier, there’s no doubt about it. We share information, connect worldwide, and communicate in ways unimaginable just 5-10 years ago. However, our devices have unintentional side effects that interrupt our bodies’ natural functions and rhythms. The earth has always yielded natural radiation and electromagnetic frequencies, but research shows that the influx of electronic gadgets – think smart TVs, cell phones, and even baby monitors and lights – are placing an ever-growing burden on our bodies. As a result, these stressors are known to cause a host of symptoms, from headaches and night sweats to grogginess and even cancer and other autoimmune disorders. On today’s episode, Geobiologist and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Brian Hoyer explains what’s happening and what we can do about it. For more on Brian and his company, visit his website shieldedhealing.com. To learn more about our Wise Traditions conference and to register, click here.  Take our listener survey here. And check ou