Who I Met Today

In this podcast episode, Ann McMeans, a registered dietitian for more than four decades, and I discuss plant-based eating.

Ann retired last year from her role as a Senior Dietitian and Nutrition Research Manager at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Prior job responsibilities included managing and serving as a co-investigator in pediatric and adult nutrition research at the Clinical Research Center at Texas Children’s Hospital and the USDA Children’s Nutrition Research Center. She’s currently working part-time as a pediatric gastroenterologist intestinal research dietitian with Baylor.

Ann will explain:

• The difference between a vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based diet
• Examples of plant-focused meals
• Why these foods are important
• How many fruit/vegetable servings to consume each day
• How much protein we really need
• Benefits of various grains
• Benefits of eating a plant-based diet
• What is a healthy microbiome

In this episode, we reference:

Weekday Vegetarians by Jenny Rosenstrach

Eat More, Live Well by Megan Rossi

Forks Over Knives

7-Day Eating Plan (in Eating Well)

Article by Paul Greenberg

Other episodes you may enjoy:

How to Listen to a Podcast

The Shingles Virus with Dr. Maureen Seitz

Botox Considerations with Dr. Melissa Langley

How to Make Friends with Nina Badzin

Articles you may enjoy:

A nutritionist and fats

A cookbook author and vegetables

A neuroscientist and Alzheimer's

Photo courtesy of Ann McMeans

By popular demand, Dr. Seitz is back! In this episode, Dr. Maureen Seitz and I discuss the shingles virus. She explains nerve distributions, symptoms, and how it is transmitted. She also talks about vaccines, reactions, complications, and vaccine recommendations. Vaccines are never 100% effective, and the shingles virus is one you don't want to get!

Dr. Maureen Seitz and Bone Density

Ellen Jovin's Grammar Table

The Carville Leprosarium

Is Botox for You? 

Nina Badzin and Making Friends

After reading a couple of bee-related novels, I wanted to learn more about the intelligent little creatures and their importance to our planet. And so I reached out to beekeeping expert Kim Flottum.

In this episode, Kim explains the different sorts of honey bees, their assigned jobs in the hive, and the places they build nests. We discuss mad honey, how to support beekeepers, the reasons the bee population is decreasing, and the small steps everyone can take to help our honey bees. Kim also tells us why a beehive is almost as clean as an operating room!

Kim co-hosts The Beekeeping Today podcast.

For more than three decades, Kim edited Bee Culture—The Magazine of American Beekeeping. 

Books by Kim Flottum

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton

Dr. Maureen Seitz and Bone Density

Tanya Singer and the Joys of Knitting (with an interesting Holocaust story too)

Design Trends with Sarah Eilers and Sandy Lucas

The Science Behind Random Acts of Kindness

A car seat invention and Shark Tank

How to Listen to a Podcast

Calling all grammar nerds and language lovers! In this podcast episode, I talk with Ellen Jovin about her New York City-based pop-up grammar advice stand, the Grammar Table. Ellen is the author of several books on language, a business writing teacher, and a grammar expert. She is the co-founder of Syntaxis, a communication skills training firm.

In 2018, Ellen lugged a table, chair, and grammar necessities from her Manhattan apartment to a subway stop and set up shop dispensing grammar advice. We discuss her latest book, birdwatching in Central Park, her Grammar Table travels, and the 25 languages she's studied. She describes memorable experiences from her nationwide tour and the types of individuals who frequent her advice table.

Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian is Ellen's recent national bestselling book

Little Island Park

Learning languages online through Pimsleur

For more about Ellen, please visit her website.

Amanda Skenandore and the Carville Leprosarium

Dr. Ravi Goel and Cataract Surgery

Tanya Singer and Stories Surrounding Knitting

Dr. Maureen Seitz and Bone Density

How to Listen to a Podcast

Photos courtesy of Ellen Jovin

Making new friends in different phases of our lives is not easy for anyone, no matter our age. And friendships, social engagement, and connectivity seem to play important roles in staying sharp as we get older. In this episode, friendship guru Nina Badzin suggests a variety of ways to meet people and build friendships.

Nina is a Minneapolis creative writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, voracious reader, and podcast host. For the last almost ten years, Nina has been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic of friendship.

We discuss how she got started in the friendship arena and how all friend-making activities are not created equal. Nina cites the importance of beginner games, Facebook groups, Kaddish, and "putting yourself out there." She offers a long list of places and activities where people might make new friends.

We reference this friendship study, an online book club source, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

As always, Nina shares her one new thing.

Nina is reading Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.

For more information about Nina, her podcast, and her book club, please visit Nina's website.

If you have suggestions for how to make new friends, I'd love to hear them!

Is Botox for You? 

Tanya Singer and The Joys of Knitting

Macular Degeneration

An inspiring octogenarian

How to Listen to a Podcast

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram, visit my website, or email me at [email protected]

At some point in our lives, almost all of us will need cataract surgery. In this episode, Dr. Ravi Goel discusses when the time is right for surgery and what to expect during the procedure. Dr. Goel is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a comprehensive ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon at Regional Eye Associates in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

He talks about premium eye lenses, potential laser surgery to dissolve scar tissue, and the varying degrees of cataracts. He compares our eye's natural lens to a peanut m and m!

Before cataract surgery, Dr. Goel advises patients to inform our doctors of all previous eye surgeries, including LASIK. Be sure to check with your surgeon regarding swimming, exercising, and wearing eye makeup post-surgery.

For more information on cataracts and other eye issues, Dr. Goel suggests visiting the American Academy of Ophthalmology Eye Health website.

And, as always, Dr. Goel reveals his one new thing.

Dr. Maureen Seitz and Bone Density

The Science Behind Random Acts of Kindness

A novelist and the Carville Leprosarium

How to Listen to a Podcast

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram, visit my website, or email me at [email protected]

Is Botox for you? In this episode, Dr. Melissa Langley, a leading Nashville dermatologist, describes the ins and outs of this cosmetic procedure. She defines Botox, the different brands for the generic name, complications, precautions, and how to choose a provider.

We discuss the history of Botox and its non-cosmetic uses too. Dr. Langley describes the sorts of wrinkles Botox may treat, what is involved, and where the injections can be administered. And, of course, we always end each episode with my guest's one new thing.

For more information, please visit Dr. Langley's website.

You may also enjoy these episodes:

Dr. Maureen Seitz and Bone Density

Tanya Singer and the Joys of Knitting (with an interesting Holocaust story too)

Design Trends with Sarah Eilers and Sandy Lucas

The Science Behind Random Acts of Kindness

A car seat invention and Shark Tank

How to Listen to a Podcast

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram, visit my website, or email me at [email protected]

And—if you enjoyed this episode, I'd love you to review or rate it. Thank you!

In 2016, Laura Carney discovered her late father's bucket list. In this episode, Laura discusses how she completed his list, lived out her father's dreams, and learned a little about herself in the process.

Laura describes several of the bucket list items. We talk about how the journey—and doing a lot of scary new things—brought her gifts she had not imagined.

 My Father's List  by Laura Carney

A portion of the book's proceeds will benefit the Michael J. Carney Foundation

Instead of a bucket list, some readers may consider a teacup list. 

For more information, please visit Laura's website

In case you aren't certain—How to Listen to a Podcast

You may also enjoy these episodes:

Amanda Skenandore and the Carville Leprosarium

Tanya Singer and Stories Surrounding Knitting

Dr. Maureen Seitz and Bone Density

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram, visit my website, or email me at [email protected]

And—if you enjoyed this episode, I'd love you to review or rate it. Thank you!

In this episode, I welcome knitting expert Tanya Singer. Tanya writes about and teaches knitting, and offers loads of recommendations for beginners (like me) on where to turn for help and inspiration.

Tanya recommended helpful knitting websites and yarn sources:

Loopy Mango

Ravelry

Modern Daily Knitting

We are Knitters

Craftsy

We discussed the inspiring story of the little red dress of hope.

The study Tanya mentioned is linked here. 

Tanya raved about the book, Knitting Pearls, by Ann Hood

We chatted about teaching kids and throwing a fiber feast so young knitters may learn about fiber and the benefits of knitting. For more information, please see Tanya's article in Modern Daily Knitting.

For more information about Tanya and Ewe Can Knit, please visit her website, or follow her on Facebook or Instagram. 

You may also enjoy these episodes:

Dr. Maureen Seitz and Bone Density

Design Trends with Sarah Eilers and Sandy Lucas

The Science Behind Random Acts of Kindness

How to Listen to a Podcast

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram, visit my website, or email me at [email protected]

In this episode, Adam Lee discusses the specific exercises we should perform to maintain mobility, stay flexible, and continue doing all the things we love as we age. Adam is the owner of 28 Tenn Fitness, a workout gym in Hendersonville, TN. A fitness and nutrition guru, Adam has trained and guided a multitude of people who've wanted to lose weight, get stronger, eat better, or simply stay in shape.

His list of exercises we should prioritize:

Squats - example: Goblet Squat

Hip Hinges - example: Deadlift

Pushes - example: Dumbbell Bench Press

Pulls - example: Dumbbell Row

Carries - example: Farmer Carry

Lunges - example: Two Dumbbell Lateral Lunge

During our conversation, Adam explains why these exercises are important to do and how they benefit us. He explains progressive resistance, functional fitness, and more. 

We mention the Younger Next Year book series, written by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, M.D. 

Adam recommends the book, The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and in Life by Robin Sharma.

For more information, please visit Adam's website.

You may also enjoy these episodes:

Dr. Maureen Seitz and Bone Density

Design Trends with Sarah Eilers and Sandy Lucas

The Science Behind Random Acts of Kindness

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram, visit my website, or email me at [email protected]