These days Dr Frank Spinelli is a respected New York doctor, author and TV host, but as a child he hid a very painful secret. His memoir Pee Shy describes his childhood growing up in an Italian family in Staten Island, Unbeknownst to anyone Frank was being sexually abused by his scoutmaster who was also a respected local cop. The book is an honest account of the effect the abuse had on Frank, as a child, and it describes what happened when Frank, as an adult, discovered that his abuser had gone on to foster 15 young boys and was being hailed as a hero. Frank was aware of what these boys must be going through at the hands of someone he knew was a pedophile and in the book he sets out to rescue them by bringing his abuser to justice. Frank tells his story to Jill and gives advice to parents about how to protect their children from sexual predators. Then, in a change of pace, Jill joins her husband, Noah in the kitchen while he roasts marrow bones. Noah will explain why roasted marrow bones are good for you and share his recipe. Finally Jill talks to exercise physiologist Sarah Lehman about how much excursive is enough. Jill and Sarah discuss the trend for exercising for less time in high intensity intervals and Jill asks, “Can we get enough exercise in 7 minutes a day?"

 

Jill talks to psychiatrist Dr Kelly Brogan about her new book A Mind of Your Own. Dr. Brogan explains how conventional treatments for depression fall short and why she has put down her prescription pad in favor of a more holistic approach to treating metal illness. Jill also chats with Wu Jae Chung of Kimchi Kooks about how kimchi is made and why it's good for you. Finally Jill answers a listener's question about natural remedies for dandruff.

 

In our grow segment Jill is talking personal growth with Charlie Martell, a former soldier, who on leaving the military, devoted 5 years to clearing land mines around the world. After that Charlie took part in challenges to ski to the North Pole and row across the Atlantic Ocean, all whilst raising money for charity. In 2012, Charlie set out to row, on his own, across the Pacific Ocean, when disaster hit. On this week’s episode of GCH, Charlie explains what happened next. Then we join Jill in the kitchen with Daryl Thuroff, who is a practitioner of Chinese medicine. Daryl makes Jill a Millet Congee, especially designed to prevent hair loss. Jill also chats with oncologist and cancer researcher, Dr. Neil Spector, about his battle with undiagnosed chronic Lyme Disease. Jill asks Dr. Spector why Lyme Disease is hard to diagnose and how patients can get the best care. Finally Jill answers a listener’s question about a common hormonal imbalance that affects fertility.

 

Growing vegetables from seed is cheap and much easier that many people think. In this episode Jill is joined by her husband Noah to plant vegetable seeds, indoors in preparation for spring. Jill and Noah chat as they work and explain how it’s done. Next Jill talks to TV host and vegan chef Jason Wrobel about his new cookbook Eaternity. Jason shares healthy eating tips and some delicious recipes. Then Jill interviews Chinese medicine practitioner Christopher Peacock who has a special focus on treating the LGBTQ community. Christopher tells Jill that transgender people have high rates of attempted suicide and very specific medical needs. Jill asks Christopher how we can support this community to get the care they need. Finally Jill answers a listener’s question about how to find a qualified acupuncturist.

 

Terry Smith is a former US Marine who suffered horrible injuries that left him in a coma. When he came round he was unable to remember who he was or recognize his loved one. Part of his recovery from a severe traumatic brain was to write and that was how he discovered his gift. Terry is now an accomplished screen writer and playwright and the author of a book called Surviving Head Trauma. On this episode of GCH he tell Jill his story. The we join Jill in the kitchen with herbalist Jeremy Pulsifer who makes Jill a Levity Salad, specially designed to lift mood. Finally Jill talks to surgeon, Dr Ian Harris about his new book Surgery, The Ultimate Placebo. Jill ask Dr Harris which surgeries are no more effective than placebo and gets some surprising answers. Finally Jill answers a listeners question about how to avoid repeated yeast infections.

 

Bone broth has been used for thousands of years in China as a medicine. Jill talks to a practitioner of Chinese medicine, Heidi Lovie, who prescribes so much bone broth for her patients, that she started a company to prepare it for them. Jill and Heidi discuss how bone broth heals the gut and supports the immune system and how it’s made. Then we join Jill in the kitchen with self-nourishment coach and author, Jeanette Bronee, where they make egg salad using avocado instead of mayonnaise. Jeanette and Jill chat as they cook and Jeanette shares her thoughts on eating mindfully and cooking nourishing food that is satisfying. Jill also talks to emergency room physician and author, Dr Louis Profeta, about what happens to patients at the end of their lives. Dr Profeta talks about days gone by, when the elderly used to die at home, peacefully and surrounded by their loved ones. He compares this to modern times when most elderly people die in the ER or ICU, surrounded by strangers and having been subjected to painful and distressing interventions. Drawing on a quarter of a century of experience in emergency medicine, Dr Profeta suggests that families face this issue head on by discussing end-of-life choices with their elderly relatives. Finally Jill answers a listener’s question about using acupuncture to treat depression.

 

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution funds lifeboats around the coast of Britain to rescue seafarers who are in danger. Jill talks fisherman Sean Baxter about the 30 years he spent as the helmsman of the lifeboat in the village of Staithes on the North East Coast on England. Then Michael Lowell who hails from the island of Malta cooks a traditional Maltese dinner for Jill and some friends. Michael shares his recipe for farfalle al salmone and discusses his very Mediterranean perspective on food. Finally Jill chats to author and psychotherapist Karol Ward about how we can improve our intuition and when to rely on it. Jill also answers a listener’s question about natural ways to deal with acne.

 

In this special episode of GCH Jill takes a break from Growing, Cooking and Healing to interview Dr. Steven Greer. Dr. Greer is a medical doctor, who gave up his role as the Head of Emergency Medicine at a North Carolina hospital, to challenge the accepted norms when it comes to the information that people all over the world are given by their governments. Dr. Greer claims that since the late 1900’s there have been advances in energy generation that could free us from fossil fuels and provide the world with limitless, free and clean energy. He is the founder of the Disclosure Project, the Center of the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Orion Project and the author of 4 books. In this episode Jill asks Dr. Greer to describe the free energy technology, that he believes could be available to all of us, and to explain his conviction that this information is being suppressed. Jill also answers a listener’s question about chronic fatigue.

 

What is shrub and why is it the latest trend in healthy drinks? Jill asks Charlie Berkinshaw of Element Shrub these questions and he explains how it’s made. Then Chinese medicine practitioner Cara Frank makes Jill a salad based on the traditional five elements in Chinese medicine. Cara shares her recipe and explains why balancing tastes and colors is the key to creating delicious healing foods. Finally Jill talks to Clinical Psychologist Dr Erin Olivo about how to deal with trauma and heal from painful experiences. Plus Jill shares her thoughts on why matcha tea is good for you. And a listener asks, “Why do I wake up at the same time every night?"

 

Jill shares her search for an effective natural deodorant and talks to skincare expert Carolyn Mix about why it’s important to avoid many of the commercial deodorants on the market. Then herbalist Jeremy Pulsifer visits Jill to take care of her, because she’s had a series of colds. Together Jill and Jeremy make a healing chicken soup containing Chinese herbs that treat coughs and colds. Finally Jill chats with jiu jitsu teacher, Stewart Carroll, about how learning a martial art can make you happier and healthier. Jill also answers a listener’s question about stress and gives her tips for relieving tension and anxiety.