In this episode, I’m back with Roman Bystrianyk, co-author of Dissolving Illusions, and y’all—we go deep. We break down the story behind polio, and spoiler alert: it’s not what we were taught. From DDT and lead arsenate to the shifting definitions of polio cases post-vaccine rollout, Roman shows how much of what we “know” has been shaped by fear, not facts. We talk about how public health declined when we started relying on meds instead of nutrition, and how the obsession with vaccination overshadowed basic immune system support like sunlight, vitamin C, and, I don’t know—eating real food?

We also hit on MMR, the autism connection, and the crazy idea that maybe, just maybe, you can take charge of your health without waiting on the government or your pediatrician to get it right. If you’re a parent trying to make sense of a very confusing system, this is one you need to hear.

And yes—I’m still fired up. Let’s go.

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Today’s episode is a real eye-opener. I’m sitting down with Roman Bystrianyk, co-author of Dissolving Illusions, and we’re diving into some seriously uncomfortable truths about the Industrial Revolution. We’ve all heard about how vaccines saved the day, right? Well, Roman’s here to flip that narrative. We talk about the grim reality of life back then—think poor sanitation, awful working conditions, and unhealthy living.

Roman breaks it down: it wasn’t vaccines that dropped those mortality rates, it was public health improvements, like better living conditions, cleaner water, and, yep, hygiene. We also unpack the history of vaccines, how people fought back against mandatory shots, and how, shocker, a lot of the time they didn’t work the way we were told.

This episode is a wake-up call, and trust me, it’ll make you rethink a lot of what you thought you knew about health, medicine, and how we got here today. And that's not all-- stay tuned for part II, dropping next Thursday.

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Y'all, buckle up because this episode is WILD! I sat down with Meredith Oke and learned more about light in one hour than I have in my entire life. We're talking about how those stupid blue lights and screens are basically destroying our health, why sunglasses might be the enemy, and how something as simple as morning sunlight can totally transform your body. If you're tired of feeling like garbage and popping supplements like candy, this episode is gonna blow your mind. Trust me, I went from thinking this was gonna be another nerdy health talk to being completely mind-blown about how light literally controls EVERYTHING in our bodies. Get ready to change how you think about sunlight, screens, and sleep - I know I did!

Learn more about Meredith: https://www.instagram.com/meredith_oke/
Check out her podcast: https://www.instagram.com/quantumbiologycollective/

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Today I’m unpacking what it really means to set ‘stretch goals’ for myself and my kids—beyond just keeping them from turning into little jerks. Inspired by a recent convo, I’m reflecting on how we can prepare our children to be like Joshua—ready to take on God’s plan, no matter where it points.

From dealing with daily messes without losing our cool to thinking big about their futures, I’m exploring how embracing flexibility and readiness for change is crucial. This episode is all about pushing boundaries and preparing our kids to not only face the world but to make it better, wherever and however God calls them. Tune in for some straight talk on making life’s unexpected turns work in our favor and why teaching our kids to adapt is the best way forward.

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This week, I’m sitting down with John Brock—my husband Luke’s boss and business partner—who also happens to be one of the most unexpected, unconventional lawyers you’ll ever meet.

John didn’t take the typical path to success. As a kid, he struggled in school, barely knew how to read in elementary, and had to fight for every win. Now? He’s running one of the most forward-thinking law firms in Knoxville. We talk about what it took to get here, the hustle (he’s a 4 a.m. workout guy, y’all), and how he and his wife Stacy built a life and marriage that could handle the chaos of it all.

But John’s not just about winning cases—he’s about building something different. He’s creating a law firm where young attorneys actually want to stay, where work-life balance matters, and where the old-school, burnout culture of law gets left behind. And, of course, we get into what’s next—mission work, maybe a Nashville expansion, and why he’s always looking for the next challenge.

If you’ve ever felt like the traditional path wasn’t for you, this one’s gonna hit home. John’s proof that you can do things your own way—and do them well.

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Moms, I don’t know about y’all, but I am over it—the busy-for-the-sake-of-being-busy nonsense, the never-ending school events that do nothing but stress parents out, and the homework that somehow becomes my responsibility. Who decided we needed a themed snack day every other week? And don’t get me started on the over-scheduling—kids don’t need another enrichment class, they need to go play in the dirt.

This week, I’m breaking down why less is more when it comes to motherhood and why I refuse to let society guilt me into running myself ragged. We’re talking about the pressure to be a “productive” mom, why school uniforms are an underrated blessing, the problem with tech, and why our kids deserve to just be kids.

If you’re tired of the modern mom rat race and just want to raise good, grounded kids without losing your damn mind, this episode is for you. Let’s break the mold and get back to what actually matters.

Hit play, pour a strong cup of coffee (or wine, I don’t judge), and let’s get into it.

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I'm in a mood, y'all. Today, I'm talking about why I believe society’s got it all wrong when it comes to raising our kids and making life choices. I’m laying it all out—no filter, no apologies. So if you're feeling easily offended, go ahead and skip to the next episode. 

From the myths of birth control and the push towards late marriages, I'm over it. I'd rather have real conversations about the benefits of homeschooling and the magic of breastfeeding. I talk about why I think early marriage can be a game changer and why it’s super important to have upfront discussions about life goals with your kids.

Plus, more about my homeschooling dreams and why I believe staying true to your family values beats following the crowd every time. Strap in y'all, thanks for tuning in.

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Today's conversation is deeply personal, and deeply important. I sit down with my dear friend Emily Smith to discuss her incredible journey with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Just months after her shocking diagnosis, Emily's cancer had already spread to her brain - a rare and aggressive progression that left her doctors uncertain of the path forward. But today, we talk about the courage and grace Emily carried in the midst of her fight. It will leave you in awe and eager to embrace each day with renewed purpose.

Through it all, Emily has maintained an unwavering spirit of hope, positivity, and determination. Rather than letting the diagnosis consume her, she has focused on being present for her family, finding humor in the darkest moments, and using her experience to uplift and support others facing similar battles. She openly shares the emotional rollercoaster of her diagnosis, the invaluable support she's received, and the profound shift in her perspective on what truly matters in life. 

For anyone seeking inspiration, comfort, or a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable challenges, this story is a reminder that there is always reason to hope. This is about celebrating this remarkable woman and the beauty that can emerge from the darkest of circumstances.

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To me, Matt Kaye is a true embodiment of the American dream. From his humble beginnings in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to creating a booming $300 million business that cleaned up old explosives from military sites, Matt’s story is iconic. Now, retired at 49 and diving into the restaurant world with Cazzy’s, he’s living life on his terms. We’re gonna dig into how he made it big, the challenges along the way, and what it’s like stepping away from the corporate grind to spend more time with his beautiful family and his latest passion project. 

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Ever feel invisible while doing the hardest job in the world? Yeah, me too. Today I’m talking about losing it over the lack of ‘thanks’ I get and why we need to smash the perfect mom façade. You'll hear about my first big trip away from the kids and how we handled it at home—after we saved a chicken in the freezing cold, of course.

This year, it’s all about  ditching impossible standards and actually enjoying the experience. Forget perfection—let’s get real about making sure our identity stretches beyond just being a mom and setting goals that don’t drive us crazy. So, if you’re feeling unseen or overwhelmed, this one’s for you.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production