Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.

Jesse Herrera is founder and chief visionary of Urban Theory, which I'd categorize as a "think tank" and an "act tank" for social and economic and environmental justice.Or as Jesse puts it, an "innovation lab" to prototype and scale solutions to urban poverty.

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Jesse Herrera is founder and chief visionary of Urban Theory (http://utheory.net), which I'd categorize as a “think tank” and an “act tank” for social and economic and environmental justice.

Or as Jesse puts it, an “innovation lab” to prototype and scale solutions to urban poverty.

Their projects include finding solutions to college homelessness, as well as food and economic insecurity.

Jesse is a former gang member, as well as a recovering architecture student. An urban planner.

A visionary realist in the lineage of his mentor Muhammad Yunus, creator of the Grameen Bank.

Jesse and I met at the World Healthcare Congress this past May, and immediately bonded by nerding out over sustainable small-plot agricultural tools and strategies, such as 2-wheel Italian tractors and compost tea.

And discovered that our missions aligned. I work with individuals and organizations, while Jesse targets cities and communities.

While there's no shortage of “good ideas” and “well-meaning programs” for dealing with pressing social issues, there's a real scarcity of battle-tested R&D to figure out what actually works, and how those gems can be scaled. Jesse and his team at Urban Theory are changing that.

His passionate vision and clear-headed appraisal of obstacles and opportunities makes for an inspiring conversation.

Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box or audio recording box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.

Links

Urban Theory

Support the Podcast

This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by . Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.

Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?

Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The WellStart Health Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.

Go to WellStartHealth.com/program to learn more, and to get notified about the next program.

Ask your questions or share your feedback

Comment on the show notes for this episode (below)

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Music

The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.

It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.

You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.

Gratitudes

Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – ...

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.

Linda Carney, MD, returns to the podcast to talk about a wholistic approach to treating depression.It turns out that while adverse childhood events, genetics, and traumatic life circumstances all contribute to the onset and severity of depression, we do have choices and tools and strategies to prevent and recover from this debilitating mental condition.

Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.

Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.

Linda Carney, MD, returns to the podcast to talk about a wholistic approach to treating depression.It turns out that while adverse childhood events, genetics, and traumatic life circumstances all contribute to the onset and severity of depression, we do have choices and tools and strategies to prevent and recover from this debilitating mental condition.

Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.

Support the show

Linda Carney, MD, returns to the podcast to talk about a wholistic approach to treating depression.

It turns out that while adverse childhood events, genetics, and traumatic life circumstances all contribute to the onset and severity of depression, we do have choices and tools and strategies to prevent and recover from this debilitating mental condition.

We can change our thoughts patterns, for example.

And – and this is even easier and more straightforward – we can improve our diets.

Yup – research and clinical practice agree that a whole-food, plant-based diet low in sugar, oil, and salt creates a biochemistry that is at odds with the formation and maintenance of depression.

In our conversation, which took place on a lovely balcony on the campus of North Carolina State University, Dr Carney unpacks the research on causes and treatments of depression.

She talks about her experience with patients and anti-depressant meds (spoiler: they're no better than placebo, and the benefits wear out after a year or two), and on the value of clean eating and regular physical activity.

So give the strength of the evidence, why does mainstream medicine love doping patients rather than getting at the roots of their problems? She notes, “It's simply not lucrative to treat people as whole persons.”

Bird-lovers, you'll hear lots of warbling and singing during our talk. And if you happen to be into loud ATVs collecting garbage from trash cans, there's something in this episode for you as well.

Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box or audio recording box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.

Links

DrCarney.com – free articles on health

AllMedPhysicians.com – Dr. Carney's practice site

Dr Carney on the dangers of excess estrogen – past Plant Yourself Podcast appearance

Depression: The Way Out, by Neil Nedley, MD

Support the Podcast

This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by . Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.

Announcements

Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?

Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The WellStart Health Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.

Go to WellStartHealth.com/program to learn more, and to get notified about the next program.

Ask your questions or share your feedback

Comment on the show notes for this episode (below)

Connect with me

Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes

Join the Plant Yourself Facebook Page

Music

The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.

Josh LaJaunie returns to the podcast for a fifth (?) time, for a conversation about our relationship with nature.We talk about the beauty and grandeur of nature, and the ways human beings benefit and grow from being exposed to that loveliness.And also about nature’s dangerous and scary and yucky and itchy and hot and humid and freezing and soaking and uncomfortable aspects - and how we need those experiences in equal measure with the pleasurable ones.

Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.

Support the show

Josh LaJaunie returns to the podcast for a fifth (?) time, for a conversation about our relationship with nature.

We talk about the beauty and grandeur of nature, and the ways human beings benefit and grow from being exposed to that loveliness.

And also about nature’s dangerous and scary and yucky and itchy and hot and humid and freezing and soaking and uncomfortable aspects – and how we need those experiences in equal measure with the pleasurable ones.

Our sport, ultrarunning, is an invitation to both faces of nature. To the beauty and grandeur, and to the hassle and discomfort. To the nurturing and the threatening.

We also explore the lessons nature holds for us; in trees and eddies, in cycles of live and death, growth and service.

Enjoy!

Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box or audio recording box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.

Links

Pure Ambrosia, by Ramona and Dustin LaJaunie – now in paperback!

WellStartHealth.com

JoshLaJaunie.com

Radical Wholeness, by Philip Shepherd

Support the Podcast

This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by . Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.

Announcements

New WellStart Coach Training begins mid-September 2019. Find out more, book an enrollment interview, and reserve your space now: WellStartCoach.com.

Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?

Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The WellStart Health Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.

Go to WellStartHealth.com/program to learn more, and to get notified about the next program.

Ask your questions or share your feedback

Comment on the show notes for this episode (below)

Connect with me

Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes

Join the Plant Yourself Facebook Page

Music

The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.

It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.

You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.

Gratitudes

Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Anthony Dissen – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Christine Nielsen – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Viktoriya Doloman...

Emma Passé is Chief Operating Officer at E-Powered Benefits, one of the renegade benefits brokers challenging a bloated and broken healthcare system.

I first met Emma a year ago at a healthcare conference, where she brought down the house with a spirited, entertaining, and incisive look at how health plans negotiate prices with providers.

You might not think that the topic of “reference-based pricing” would be all that interesting to the non-wonks in the room, but Emma has a way of making it relevant and fun. And, when you discover how you've been overpaying for healthcare all these years, you might become outraged as well.

When I found out that Emma was going to be in Charlotte, NC for the day, I drove for a couple of hours with my portable podcasting studio and met her for an interview.

And I discovered – as you're about to – that Emma is not only brilliant and passionate about her work, but a great conversationalist as well. I turned on the recorder and we just chatted like old friends.

We talked about the healthcare system, the health insurance system, and how consumers and employers can start protecting themselves from the irrational and opaque cost structure that functions more or less like an extortion racket.

We also talked about Emma's personal journey, which included losing 135 pounds and regaining her health. As well as how she was perceived differently – smarter, more competent, more powerful – as a thin woman.

And we rounded out the conversation by chatting about her initiative to empower more leaders, especially woman and millennials, to speak their truths and step into influential roles in their organizations and communities.

Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box or audio recording box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.

Links

Emma's LinkedIn Profile

E-Powered Benefits

Empowered Leadership

Whistling Vivaldi, by Claude Steele

Leading with Emotional Courage, by Peter Bregman

Support the Podcast

This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by . Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.

Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?

Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The WellStart Health Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.

Go to WellStartHealth.com/program to learn more, and to get notified about the next program.

Ask your questions or share your feedback

Comment on the show notes for this episode (below)

Connect with me

Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes

Join the Plant Yourself Facebook Page

Music

The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Seneg...

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.

Emma Passé is Chief Operating Officer at E-Powered Benefits, one of the renegade benefits brokers challenging a bloated and broken healthcare system.I first met Emma a year ago at a healthcare conference, where she brought down the house with a spirited, entertaining, and incisive look at how health plans negotiate prices with providers.You might not think that the topic of "reference-based pricing" would be all that interesting to the non-wonks in the room, but Emma has a way of making it relevant and fun. And, when you discover how you've been overpaying for healthcare all these years, you might become outraged as well.

Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.

Support the show

How can we better ourselves without going to war with ourselves?

How can we engage in “self-improvement” – around habits of mind and habits of action – without setting up a supervisor and a supervised?

How can we pursue mastery without subjugating ourselves to a master – even if that master is some part of ourselves?

Philip Shepherd is the author of Radical Wholeness: The Embodied Presence and the Ordinary Grace of Being. I'm pretty sure it's the most impactful book I've read in the last 10 years.

I was introduced to Philip's work by my friend and teacher Mark Leuchten (listen to our conversation in episode 173).

About 12 pages into Radical Wholeness, I felt my entire worldview shift. Some of the cultural blinders that had blocked my understanding of wholeness were revealed, and I began to understand where I was in conflict with myself, and why, and what I could start to do to harmonize myself. I needed to know more.

When I looked on his website, I discovered that Philip was offering a 2-day workshop in Greensboro, NC, about an hour's drive away, two months hence.

I showed up, had my mind blown by the simplicity and difficulty of some of the exercises we practiced, and found Philip to be an exemplary teacher and human being, as well as a provocative and lyrical author.

Seven years ago, I worked on a book called Whole. I've been thinking, writing, speaking, and teaching about wholism and reductionism since then.

Radical Wholeness is the experiential and philosophical foundation of all that work. It's a way of looking at reality – of experiencing reality in the body – that puts all the research and paradigm work into context. It's the larger Whole that I didn't know I was looking for.

Philip's got a great story: as a teenager in Toronto, he rejected the “safe” career path of studying physics at university, and instead flew to London and bought a bicycle, with which he intended to ride to Japan.

In Japan, he planned to study Noh Theater, so he could understand and harness the emotional power of the voice and subtle gestures of this foreign-to-him art form.

His journey, his deep dive into theater, and his subsequent explorations of cultures other than his own, primed him to become a teacher of wholeness in a deeply fragmented society.

Without invoking any dogmas or spiritual platitudes, Philip draws upon science, everyday life, and our ability to experiment with our own consciousness, to draw a map to reintegration.

We spoke about his work in general, and then looked specifically at how it relates to cravings, bad habits, addictions, and other obstacles to a healthy lifestyle.

Here's a tidbit from Radical Wholeness that we unpack: “… the urge for self-improvement tends to pull us into self-tyranny.”

Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box or audio recording box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.

Links

Radical Wholeness 

PhilipShepherd.com

Mark Leuchten on the Plant Yourself Podcast

Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition

Support the Podcast

This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help.