This week we give you a conversation from Tricia's other show: Shifting Schools.

In this episode, host Tricia Friedman sits down with Dr. Michael Greger, bestselling author and founder of NutritionFacts.org, to explore why non-commercial, evidence-based health guidance matters more than ever. They discuss lifestyle medicine, plant-based nutrition, scientific integrity, cannabis research, and how small, testable behavior changes can dramatically improve long-term health.

What This Conversation Is Really About

Health advice is everywhere — but trustworthy guidance is not. This conversation slows things down and examines how to make informed choices in a noisy, commercialized health landscape, without absolutism, hype, or fear-based messaging.

Dr. Greger shares:

• Why he donates 100% of book proceeds to charity

• How lifestyle medicine transformed his own family's health

• What the science actually says about cannabis — both risks and benefits

• Why updating guidance as evidence evolves is a strength, not a weakness

• How social support, not willpower, determines whether health changes last

Key Topics Covered

• Why non-commercial health information matters How financial incentives distort nutrition and medical guidance — and how to recognize bias.

• Lifestyle medicine in practice Diet, movement, and daily habits as powerful tools for disease prevention and reversal.

• Plant-based eating (defined clearly) What "plant-based" actually means — and what it doesn't.

• Cannabis: separating evidence from ideology What newer human studies reveal about cancer risk, pain management, and safer use.

• Scientific uncertainty and misinformation How peer-reviewed research works, where it fails, and how to interpret studies responsibly.

• Behavior change that sticks Why short-term "experiments," bodily feedback, and social support outperform rigid rules.

Who This Episode Is For

• Listeners overwhelmed by conflicting health advice

• Educators, parents, and caregivers navigating cannabis conversations

• Anyone curious about plant-based nutrition without extremism

• People interested in evidence-based, non-commercial wellness guidance

• Listeners looking for sustainable, realistic behavior change

About the Guest

Dr. Michael Greger is a physician, internationally recognized speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of How Not to Die. He is the founder of NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit providing free, evidence-based nutrition research, and a leading voice in lifestyle medicine.

Chapters

1. Introduction and Non-Commercial Guidance - 0:00
2. Dr. Greger's Personal Story and Motivation - 3:15
3. Importance of Repeated Guidance and Lifestyle Changes - 6:30
4. Updated Book Topics: COVID, Cannabis, and Misinformation - 10:45
5. Science Communication and Challenges - 15:00
6. Plant-Based Diet and Personal Health Experiments - 19:15
7. Social Support and Sustainable Lifestyle Changes - 23:30
8. Closing Thoughts and Positive Messages - 27:45