By J. Flowers Health Institute
In each episode of “Understanding The Human Condition”, Dr. Flowers and his most-admired mentors, respected colleagues and VIP guests, share valuable insight into underlying health causes, conditio
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The podcast currently has 90 episodes available.
In this episode, we sit down with Andrea Battle, a J. Flowers Provider and expert in Somatic Experiencing, to explore how our bodies hold and release trauma. Andrea breaks down the science behind this powerful approach to healing, and shares real-life tips for anyone looking to reconnect with their body and ease the effects of stress. Whether you are new to the concept or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode is your guide to "shaking it off" and moving towards a more balanced and peaceful life.
Interventions aim to impact the human condition by helping individuals see themselves as they truly are, rather than through the distorted lens of addiction or untreated mental illness. This process is challenging because their brains have been hardwired by years of substance abuse or mental health issues. Essentially, Marc Kantor is asking people to make logical decisions with a brain that is not functioning logically. Marc enjoys sharing his own story of recovery, but other topics that are important to us including co-dependency, trauma and intergenerational trauma, binge eating disorder, attention deficit disorder, compulsive behaviors, spirituality, and the gift of desperation. Dr. Flowers will ask Marc about his transformation and his road to J. Flowers Health Institute.
John Karren is the owner and co-founder of Elements Wilderness Program in Utah. John helps run two therapeutic wilderness programs: Elements is for boys thirteen to seventeen, and Traverse is all gender, young adults eighteen to twenty five.
Today, John joins the show to discuss ‘non-traditional’ therapies and how the outdoors can be such a great benefit to everyone.
Key Takeaways01:03 – Shay Butts welcomes John Karren to the show to discuss wilderness therapy and other ‘non- traditional’ therapy options
10:08 – How Elements Wilderness Program works
14:42 – Dealing with the negativity surrounding outdoor therapy
18:51 – Striving for excellence
23:40 – The role parents play in Elements Wilderness Program
26:53 – Shay thanks John for sharing his story today
Tweetable Quotes“I think the biggest thing for us is that if the client doesn’t buy in, there will be no change. If we’re punishing them or consequencing them, they’re going to do it until the consequence has been lifted. So, really the focus for us is to get them to buy into themselves - to get them to understand what I’m feeling.” (10:29) (John)“For us - the clinical approach - we think of ourselves as a high-intense therapeutic intervention. And so, it’s a deep dive into what’s going on for me, for my family, for everything in my life, and then working through that in different ways.” (12:09) (John)“That’s the hardest part for me, it just tears at me knowing the value of what can happen with [outdoor therapy], and the change that can occur, and the excitement, and then to hear people just bash it and speak negatively about it. It’s hard.” (17:32) (John)“When people think about Wilderness, they think it’s just sending their child off. And I tell parents all the time, ‘You’re not sending your child away. You’re going on the journey with them.’” (23:50) (John)Resources MentionedJFlowers Health Institute – https://jflowershealth.com/
JFlowers Health Institute Contact – (713) 783-6655
Subscribe on your favorite player: https://understanding-the-human-condition.captivate.fm/listen
John’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkarren/
Elements Wilderness Website – https://www.elementswilderness.com/
Shay Butts’ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shay-butts-8963b217/
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of J. Flowers Health Institute. Any content provided by our co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of J. Flowers Health Institute itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
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This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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In Part Three of this very special series, Dr. Jason Flowers welcomes back to the show Tonda Chapman, Candy Finnigan, & Jeanie Griffin.
Today, Tonda, Candy & Jeanie talk about their experiences with interventions, reflect on servant leadership and share their passion for helping others.
Key Takeaways00:02 – Tonda Chapman, Candy Finnigan, & Jeanie Griffin all join the show today to talk about interventions
07:18 – Servant Leadership
08:41 – Dr. Flowers opens up about the passion he has for helping people and how he manifested the life that he wanted
14:47 – Dr. Flowers thanks listeners for tuning in to Part Three of this series
Tweetable Quotes“I think for me, really what an intervention is is when all else has failed and they don’t hear your voice. The worst thing about addiction, and I think mental illness, is that you don’t know how bad you are. The denial part of it is what keeps so many people from getting well.” (01:21) (Candy)“When I first got into recovery, I was so grim and so serious. And I tell people, we don’t have a hot and cold faucet for feelings - the good feelings and the bad feelings. So, when we want to try to get rid of the bad feelings, we just turn off that one faucet. When we do that, we’re leaving out all the joy and when you begin to finally start to walk through the stuff you’re so frightened of, or embarrassed about, or ashamed, you recover the joy and the laughter.” (06:03) (Jeanie)“Servant leadership goes back to the spiritual person that I am. I think servant leadership just rises above.” (07:55) (Tonda)“It’s beyond me, other than my God, as to why I’m not an alcoholic, why I’m not dead, and why I’m not alive. My family was so incredibly dysfunctional.” (10:52) (Dr. Flowers)“I didn’t inherit anything from anybody. I worked for everything I did, but I manifested it. And I did it with the help of myself, my God, education, hard work, passion the people who love me, and listening to my own intuition.” (13:03) (Dr. Flowers)Resources MentionedJFlowers Health Institute – https://jflowershealth.com/
JFlowers Health Institute Contact – (713) 783-6655
Subscribe on your favorite player: https://understanding-the-human-condition.captivate.fm/listen
Tonda’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonda-chapman-3018b2154/
Candy’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/candy-finnigan-8194068/
Jeanie’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-griffin-d-d-lmft-lpc-lcdc-25a3939/
Books Mentioned:
When Enough Is Enough - https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/when-enough-is-enough-a-comprehensive-guide-to-successful-%20intervention_candy-finnigan_sean-finnigan/372270/item/58884099/?%20utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_high_vol_frontlist_under_%20%2410&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjwu4WoBhBkEiwAojNdXvDh%20GMtRCCcYfh_74lld3vS01dihPJOw01tfPnVXGwmtgp1g7Xtj0RoCzCcQAvD_BwE#idiq=5888409%209&edition=5001608
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of J. Flowers Health Institute. Any content provided by our co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of J. Flowers Health Institute itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
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Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
In Part Two of this very special three-part series, Dr. Jason Flowers welcomes back to the show Tonda Chapman, Candy Finnigan, & Jeanie Griffin.
Today, Candy & Jeanie talk about the critical role that family plays in recovery and the value of intimacy and being vulnerable.
Key Takeaways01:31 – Tonda Chapman, Candy Finnigan, & Jeanie Griffin all join the show today to talk about intimacy and vulnerability
07:52 – Tonda speaks to the importance of family in the process of recovery
11:14 – Dr. Flowers thanks listeners for tuning in to Part Two of this episode and encourages them to return for Part Three with Tonda, Candy & Jeanie
Tweetable Quotes“My parents lost a biological child to polio. And, I always thought of myself as a ‘replacement daughter.’ So, I got asked to speak at The American Adoption Conference. And that’s all that isis fractured families. ‘Why did they give me up? I can’t believe it. I can’t find them.’ It’s just one of those things where I started realizing what family was.”(02:54) (Candy)“Every level of recovery has a family involved in it, whether it’s your home group or your community. That’s why I’m sober is my mother-in-law had a black belt in Alcoholics Anonymous.”(07:14) (Candy)“I do a three-day program and I’ll tell them that it’s designed so that the first day we think. The second day we feel. The third day we take action.”(08:09) (Jeanie)“The process of identification is the first step in healing.”(10:04) (Jeanie)Resources MentionedJFlowers Health Institute – https://jflowershealth.com/
JFlowers Health Institute Contact – (713) 783-6655
Subscribe on your favorite player: https://understanding-the-human-condition.captivate.fm/listen
Tonda’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonda-chapman-3018b2154/
Candy’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/candy-finnigan-8194068/
Jeanie’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-griffin-d-d-lmft-lpc-lcdc-25a3939/
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of J. Flowers Health Institute. Any content provided by our co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of J. Flowers Health Institute itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
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Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
In Part One of a very special three-part series, Dr. James Flowers welcomes to the show Tonda Chapman, Candy Finnigan, & Jeanie Griffin.
Today, Tonda, Candy & Jeanie Griffin get personal and share their own experiences with addiction, recovery, spirituality, and The Twelve Step Program. They talk about family, and the people in our lives who become our family. Finally, they discuss the differences between belief and faith and turning to a higher power or being.
Key Takeaways04:21 – Tonda Chapman, Candy Finnigan, & Jeanie Griffin all join the show today to talk about spirituality, addiction, recovery and family
10:04 – Turning to God or a higher power
15:23 – Family and the spiritual world
22:39 – Jeanie’s approach to family programs
32:41 – Belief and faith
35:07 – Dr. Flowers thanks listeners for tuning in to Part One of this episode and encourages them to return for Parts Two and Three with Tonda, Candy & Jeanie
Tweetable Quotes“I guess I’ve been on a spiritual journey my whole life. I just keep going to the wrong address.” (06:44) (Jeanie)
“Along the way, I think I’ve been introduced to different levels of spirituality. Some of it is pretty crazy, but we don’t get to tell you how you feel in Twelve Step and that’s the magic of it. I don’t think you’re gonna stay unless you have some sort of spiritual awakening.” (13:14) (Candy)
“I think that’s the way we have to approach people that are looking for recovery. Everyone comes from a different place. And, one commonality I’ve found is that the people who bring family in and the family takes a part in their recovery, are so much more successful.” (19:02) (Tonda)
“I grew up in an alcoholic home. It was a loving alcoholic home, and there is such an animal. I knew I was loved. I knew we were loved. I also knew that there was something that crept in under the door that nobody could do anything about. And it fractured our family.” (26:02) (Jeanie)
“The spiritual life is not a theory; you have to live it. And we have to live it because we are spiritual beings.” (28:56) (Jeanie)
Resources MentionedJFlowers Health Institute – https://jflowershealth.com/
JFlowers Health Institute Contact – (713) 783-6655
Subscribe on your favorite player: https://understanding-the-human-condition.captivate.fm/listen
Tonda’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonda-chapman-3018b2154/
Candy’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/candy-finnigan-8194068/
Jeanie’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-griffin-d-d-lmft-lpc-lcdc-25a3939/
Books Mentioned:
Another Chance: Hope and Health for the Alcoholic Family - https://www.amazon.com/Another-Chance-Health-Alcoholic-Family/dp/0831400722
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of J. Flowers Health Institute. Any content provided by our co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of J. Flowers Health Institute itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
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Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Amanda Blanco is the CEO of the Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire, who started her career with UHS as a Mental Health Technician over 10 years ago. In her tenure with UHS, she has successfully driven initiatives to convert a facility to seclusion free and started clinical trials on acute schizophrenic patients through MERCK, a research organization.
Today, she joins the show to talk about how a personal tragedy led her into the field of mental health, advice she would give to other mental health technicians, and the improvements she hopes to see in the mental health industry.
Key Takeaways01:23 – Amanda Blanco joins the show to talk about her amazing journey from mental health technician to CEO of a hospital system
06:09 – Turning tragedy into hope
07:14 – Achieving a Bachelors & Masters degree while working at UHS and what it’s like working at Universal Health Services
09:59 – Advice Amanda would give to mental health technicians
13:24 – What’s next for Amanda
14:31 – Amanda speaks to her hope for the evolution of mental health
17:03 – Dr. Flowers thanks Amanda for joining the show and lets listeners know where they can connect with her and the Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire
Tweetable Quotes“It’s funny because we talk about crossroads and how there’s a fork in our road where you really start to see which way you’re gonna go. At that time I had the interview as a mental health tech, I also had an interview as a store manager for a very big store chain. It was a lot more money, but when I did the tour at the residential treatment center for kiddos, I loved it. There was something so intriguing about it.” (05:39) (Amanda)
“I started to realize, as I got deeper into case management, that I needed to do something more extreme. I needed to be at a higher level in order to make change. The people in the trenches - the case managers, the direct care staff - they do a lot of work. But a lot of change comes from the top.” (07:54) (Amanda)
“I would not be at a company if I didn;’t share the same virtues, the same philosophy, the same everything as the President.” (09:01) (Amanda)
“Sometimes, doing jobs or taking on responsibility that goes outside of our comfort zone, that’s where you’re gonna grow. That’s what we do as humans, we grow. We grow from challenge. We grow from obstacles.” (10:47) (Amanda)
“Right now, I want to make BHB - Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire - as successful as possible. I want patients to come in and when they leave I want them to call their parents, family and friends and say, ‘I feel better.’” (13:37) (Amanda)
Resources MentionedJFlowers Health Institute – https://jflowershealth.com/
JFlowers Health Institute Contact – (713) 783-6655
Subscribe on your favorite player: https://understanding-the-human-condition.captivate.fm/listen
Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire Website – https://bhbhospital.com/
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of J. Flowers Health Institute. Any content provided by our co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of J. Flowers Health Institute itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
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Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Aproteem Choudhury is a mind-body interventionist who focuses on integrative behavioral health consultancy and public health with six years of experience empowering traumatized clinical populations, communities, and healthcare institutions. He’s incredibly skilled at building relationship-driven partnerships that activate our capacity to heal trauma, understand ourselves, and face challenges with practical and accessible mind-body skills.
Today, he joins the show to talk about generational trauma, his passion for serving others and the incredible work he’s doing with families and pediatric populations at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Key Takeaways01:22 – Aproteem Choudhury joins the show to talk about his background as a mind-body interventionist and the incredible work he’s doing in the community of Uvalde, Texas
06:38 – Service-oriented activities
11:35 – How trauma spans multiple generations both in the past and in the future
20:18 – Working with families at Texas Children’s Hospital
23:20 – Dr. Flowers thanks Aproteem for joining the show and for the great work he’s doing and lets listeners know where they can connect with him
Tweetable Quotes“The work that we’re now doing in Uvalde is coming together, sharing what needs to be shared. No one is diagnosing you. No one is trying to fix you. We’re coming together as humans. and we’re teaching skills that help us connect more deeply to what’s happening in that moment. And that’s a lot of what mind-body medicine is.” (07:24) (Aproteem)
“So, what’s in our subconscious mind and what’s living in ourselves signals to ourselves and sends messages to ourselves. That’s a lot of what mind-body medicine allows us to look at and interact with - this process that’s already happening.” (15:45) (Aproteem)
“I think working with kids and families is such a privilege because you get to work with a complete system. So much of what happens in general with pediatric populations is that the child or the adolescent might think that they’re responsible for the challenges they’re facing. And that creates a whole other complex - shame, guilt - that complicates the healing process.” (20:42) (Aproteem)
Resources MentionedJFlowers Health Institute – https://jflowershealth.com/
JFlowers Health Institute Contact – (713) 783-6655
Subscribe on your favorite player: https://understanding-the-human-condition.captivate.fm/listen
Aproteem’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/breathewithapro/
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of J. Flowers Health Institute. Any content provided by our co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of J. Flowers Health Institute itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
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Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Chef Eric James is a private chef, content creator with over 450,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, & Facebook. A self-proclaimed, Culinary Misfit, Chef Eric possesses exceptional skills to create personalized culinary journeys that surpass all your expectations.
Today, he joins the show to talk about what drew him to the wellness and healthcare industry, how an awakening impacted his relationship with food, and the correlation between food and comfort.
Key Takeaways01:23 – Chef Eric James joins the show to talk about his role as a ‘Culinary Misfit,’ and how he got into the food world
06:30 – What drew Chef Eric James to the wellness and healthcare industry
08:49 – Chef Eric gets vulnerable and opens up about his mother and his childhood
11:06 – Chef Eric speaks to a recent health awakening and how it’s impacted his relationship with food
13:11 – Advice Chef Eric would give to those looking to cook healthier meals for themselves
14:05 – The relationship between food and comfort
17:18 – Dr. Flowers thanks Chef Eric James for joining the show and lets listeners know where they can connect with him on questions about food
Tweetable Quotes“We [at Culinary Misfits] care more about the experience. The food has to be good, but my mindset was I want people to approach Culinary Misfits with a question like, ‘Oh, wow what is this?’” (03:43) (Chef Eric James)
“The reason why I don’t even do a lot of food competitions is because I don’t believe it’s about the chef. I really don’t believe it’s about the food. The food makes the journey better, but I believe it’s about us as human beings, as the journey that we take that food can help guide us on that journey. For me, I believe that food can cure the soul.” (07:15) (Chef Eric James)
“For me, my favorite style of food is Spanish, because I believe that Spanish flavors are so deep. They’re beautiful flavors. I love Italian, but Spain goes so deep and rich with their flavors.” (10:30) (Chef Eric James)
“Here’s what the people eating my food get when they eat my food. They know when it was made, how it was made, who it was made by, and what’s going in it.” (13:37) (Chef Eric James)
Resources MentionedJFlowers Health Institute – https://jflowershealth.com/
JFlowers Health Institute Contact – (713) 783-6655
Subscribe on your favorite player: https://understanding-the-human-condition.captivate.fm/listen
Chef Eric James’ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefericjames/
Chef Eric James’ Website – https://www.chefericjames.com/
Chef Eric James’ Email – [email protected]
Culinary Misfits – https://culinarymisfitscp.com/
Culinary Misfits TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@culinarymisfits?lang=en
Culinary Misfits YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-YDorDe1lhrSKyHdwfF8A
Culinary Misfits Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/culinarymisfitscp/
Shay Butts’ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shay-butts-8963b217/
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of J. Flowers Health Institute. Any content provided by our co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of J. Flowers Health Institute itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
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Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Farideh Banafshei is a relational integrative therapist who integrates and tailors evidence-based psychological interventions, drawing knowledge from diverse schools of thought, to optimally create the most supportive approach to best suits her patients’ needs. She specializes in areas such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, phobias, and personal development.
Today, she joins the show to discuss trends in Artificial Intelligence and telemedicine in the aftermath of the global pandemic, alternative medicine options, and therapeutic approaches that she employs with her patients.
Key Takeaways01:25 – Farideh Banafshei joins the show to discuss everything from the recent coronation of King Charles III to her journey to psychology
09:54 – What impressed Farideh the most about J. Flowers Health Institute
10:41 – The growth of A.I. and Telemedicine in the aftermath of Covid
13:53 – Alternative medicine and the use of saffron
16:32 – Other techniques that Farideh uses for therapeutic approaches
21:10 – Why it is so difficult to find good mental healthcare in the UK
25:14 – Dr. Flowers thanks Farideh for the incredibly work she continues to do in mental health
26:40 – Dr. Flowers thanks Farideh for joining today’s show and Farideh leaves listeners with her thoughts on what it means to understand the human condition
Tweetable Quotes“I picked that university because they’ve got a really strong background in the medical field here. You get to work with some of the best in the field and you talk with some of the best in the field. And, with that, it sort of unlocked this new passion in me. I did a lot of research on the effects of migration on developing effective disorders. I did a lot of research with perinatal women, with people with additions. And that kind of drew this passion in me and I ended up working in addictions for quite a few years.” (08:12) (Farideh)
“And I think one thing, for me, that settled really nicely in my brain when I came out to see J. Flowers Health Institute at the end of last year was actually how much at the forefront of medicine you actually are.” (09:54) (Farideh)
“The idea of a holistic, natural way of life is really coming forward in all these different ways of being.” (14:24) (Farideh)
“We have The National Health Service, which is obviosuly free healthcare. However, what it was fifty years ago is very different to how it is today. It’s really, for lack of a better term, almost on its knees. It’s really difficult to access mental healthcare, or actualy healthcare in general. It’s extremely hard. The waiting lists are as long as one year. You’ve got hundreds of people waiting to access care.” (21:55) (Farideh)
“You need someone to say, ‘Hey, sit down with us. We’ll do a ten-day evaluation and find out what’s wrong with you. We’ll understand you from all these different angles, and we’ll give you this intervention and treatment program and help you moving forward. And I think that’s one thing that J. Flowers does so beautifully. And that’s the thing that’s missing in London. It’s a lot of self-knowledge. You’ve got to go out there and search and seek. And that’s what people find difficult, and I think that’s what people are really struggling with here.” (23:55) (Farideh)
Resources MentionedJFlowers Health Institute – https://jflowershealth.com/
JFlowers Health Institute Contact – (713) 783-6655
Subscribe on your favorite player: https://understanding-the-human-condition.captivate.fm/listen
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of J. Flowers Health Institute. Any content provided by our co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of J. Flowers Health Institute itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
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Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast
The podcast currently has 90 episodes available.