Whole Earth Radio

Gina Rivers is an mycoherbalist and an educator. Through her work with the highly respected mycologist, Paul Stamets, Gina has traveled internationally training practitioners and the public on the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. She has served as a community herbalist throughout the South, and currently resides in the Southeastern Appalachian Mountains. When not traveling and teaching, she focuses on cultivating medicinal herbs and mushrooms through sustainable organic farming practices and foraging for wild mushrooms. In this interview she delves deep into the facts about mycelium, and the important work she and Host Defense mushrooms have done to bring this natural health resource to the world at large.  Enjoy the podcast!  http://www.hostdefense.com

Julie Dennis Fox is a communications strategist and educator in the natural products industry, currently serving as National Educator for Piping Rock Health Products with a focus on Rainbow Light, and Renew Life. With a background in journalism and marketing, she specializes in translating complex science into clear, engaging content for both consumers and professionals. Julie is also the founder of Natural Community Review, a platform dedicated to helping wellness brands tell compelling, compliant stories.  We met much earlier in the industry, but I have been encouraged to see her varied career and her early-phase CBD product CannaJoint which is still sold today! We discuss her new position with Piping Rock, and who they are, as well as who she is vis a vis her storied past as an herbal educator and recently with the group Women in Nutraceuticals. I hope you will enjoy the conversation with this talented friend of mine. https://www.womeninnutraceuticals.org https://www.renewlife.com https://www.rainbowlight.com https://www.pipingrock.com  

NTERVIEW WITH LAUREN GAFFNEY AND ALINA HORNFELDT, OWNERS OF MASTEL'S HEALTH FOODS This was great fun - Lauren and Alina are not just good friends, they are the faces of cutting edge independent natural products retail in Minnesota! This was such a pleasure to get to hear their story and also hear some personal insights on their journey to owning a legendary health food store. In March of 2024, long time employees; manager Lauren Gaffney and marketing director Alina Hornfeldt purchased Mastel's and became the celebrated new owners.  In Whole Food Magazine in April of 2023, Lauren commented "We are thrilled to take the helm of this beloved community institution and build upon its legacy. Our goal is to continue offering the same commitment to quality and wellness while exploring new and innovative ways to serve our customers. Founded 55 years ago, the store is renowned for its knowledgeable staff, who are dedicated to helping customers make informed decisions about their health and wellness."  https://www.thefoodmovement.com/pages/mastels-health-foods Article in Pioneer Press: https://www.twincities.com/2023/04/09/longtime-employees-take-over-st-pauls-55-year-old-mastels-health-foods/ Mastel's interview on Natural Products Marketer:  https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/transforming-small-scale-retail-alina-and-laurens/id1713282802?i=1000674184844&l=fr-FR  

We are kicking off season 3 of Whole Earth Radio in 2025 with an interview with an important figure in natural products. Ric Scalzo was the founder of Gaia Herbs, and now of the new natural products company Kokora. Through his nearly 40 years in the industry, he has been a driving force for education, healing and the growth and maturity of the herbal industry. Hope you enjoy the discussion, and be sure to check out the following links below... KOKORA https://kokoralife.com/ RIC SCALZO CENTER FOR BOTANICAL RESEARCH  https://www.sonoran.edu/research/ric-scalzo-institute/

SEASON 2 FINALE : What better way to wrap up Season Two of Whole Earth Radio but with natural health legend Dr Jeffrey Burke. Jeff is the Director of Education for Kokora Life, a Naturopathic Practitioner, and also Host of the Honest Health with Jeffrey Burke Podcast. He has four and a half decades of Natural Products Industry experience. As a lecturer, educator, author and a tireless natural health advocate - it was great to have him on the show! http://www.drjeffreyburke.com/ http://www.kokoralife.com/

A great discussion with Isaac Berzin, a cutting edge researcher on microalgae and sutainability. Discover why you don't want a "middle fish". Vaxa Technologies, makers of ÖRLÖ Nutrition, are bringing the world sustainable microalgae nutrition and food solutions. You can learn more about at ÖRLÖ and their amazing plant-based sustainable products at https://orlonutrition.com/ You can also hear more about ÖRLÖ on the Nutrition without Compromise podcast here  https://caremorebebetter.com/nutrition-without-compromise  

     This interview is important for anyone who takes dietary supplements, not just those who work in the natural products industry.       Daniel Fabricant, PhD, is CEO and President of the Natural Products Association (NPA), the nation's largest and oldest trade organization representing the natural products industry, including dietary supplements, foods, personal care products and more. Most recently, Dr. Fabricant served as the Director of the Division of Dietary Supplement Programs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where he directed agency policy, public affairs and regulatory action regarding regulation of the dietary supplement industry for more than three years.       For more information on the NPA visit https://www.npanational.org/

     In this episode, I am honored to address the regulatory future of the Natural Products Industry with Ashish Talati. Ashish and I discuss what is being referred to as DSHEA 2.0. DSHEA stands for the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act, and it is the law that regulates the sale and distribution of nutritional and dietary supplements in the US.       Ashish R. Talati is one of the industry's foremost experts on FDA regulatory matters. He has gained an exceptional reputation for his successful results at the cutting edge of FDA and regulatory law, where he has responded nimbly to changes in the regulatory climate and the marketplace, guiding clients through some of our industries' most complex issues. Need a DSHEA expert? Please let me highly endorse https://talati-law.com/        As mentioned in this interview, joining industry trade groups is really important. Please consider joining these groups fighting for the freedom to sell supplements in our country. PNN https://www.positivelynatural.org/ NPA https://www.npanational.org/ CRN https://www.crnusa.org/ MAHO https://maho4health.org/ SENPA https://senpa.org/ AHPA https://www.ahpa.org/ If there are other industry groups, or others, you think are important please make me aware of them by emailing robseeman@gmail.com Thank you! RS

In this video you will discover which factors are the actors, and also why the tissue is STILL the issue. Stuart Tomc is an industry pioneer and nutritional expert who has been groundbreaking in the field of human health. Listen to the Big Fat Story in this episode and find out WHY you should START testing and STOP guessing. In association with this interview we're also going to tell you how you can get your Fat Blood test as well as a free bottle of Balanced Oil. PLEASE note this is not a test that JUST measures Omega 6 and Omega 3, those are very easy to come by. Read further and discover why this test, and Balanced Oil, are the REAL DEAL Want to get your own blood spot Omega 3 test or try Balanced Oil? Follow this link https://www.zinzino.com/shop/2016369015/US/en-US/products/premier-kits/balance-tests-kits/910465/ and find out how to • Save $76 on your BalanceTest ($170 retail price) •  Get your first month of BalanceOil FREE! ($60 value) • Get a second BalanceTest FREE after 120 days* ($170 value) Please Note: BalanceTest is not available in New York. What we measure The test measures 11 fatty acids, including saturated, monounsaturated (Omega-9) and polyunsaturated (Omega-6 and Omega-3) fatty acids. Individual fatty acid values are shown in the table and expressed as percentages of the total fatty acids measured. For comparison in the table, the average range for each fatty acid (based on data obtained from a large group of balanced people) is presented as Target Value. The following fatty acids are measured: Palmitic acid, C16:0, saturated fat Stearic acid, C18:0, saturated fat Oleic acid, C18:1, Omega-9 Linoleic acid, C18:2, Omega-6 Alpha-linolenic acid, C18:3, Omega-3 Gamma-linolenic acid, C18:3, Omega-6 Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, C20:3, Omega-6 Arachidonic acid (AA), C20:4, Omega-6 Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), C20:5, Omega-3 Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), C22:5, Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), C22:6, Omega-3 Certified test kit The Zinzino Dried Blood Spot Test is certified to comply with the European regulation 98/79/EB on in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices. This means the test and all its components are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and so the Kit has the CE mark on it.  You can also read up on the research Stuart is talking about in this episode by visiting  Suicide deaths of active US military and omega-3 fatty acid status: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21903029/ Why your omega 3/6 balance score is the most important number that you do not know: https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/14/health/omega-3-omega-6-death-risk-wellness/index.html  Why omega 3 needs to be combined with olive oil: A Spoonful of Olive Oil a Day Could Lower Risk of Dementia-Related Death by 28% Consumption of Olive Oil and Diet Quality and Risk of Dementia-Related Death: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38709531/ Stuart Tomc introduction: Art Napolitano with Nutritional Marketing expert Stuart Tomc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtgiN0UtqoA  

It was a real pleasure to talk to Stacey Littlefield. She lives here in Illinois, and has been active in the health food business for many years. In her current role as product formulator at REDD Remedies, she puts her expertise in herbalism (and other modalities) to use creating great natural products.

This is part two of my discussion with Micah Corrigan (B-ALIVE nutrition in Green Bay, WI) and Billy Jones (SAVE NATURALLY). I think you will agree it is a gripping discussion of why it matters where you buy your vitamins and herbs! Do you care about treating your health naturally? So do we. Find out the exciting details within.

This is an important conversation for anyone in the natural products industry!  Micah Corrigan is the owner of BALIVE, an independent health food chain in the Green Bay market, and Billy Jones is the co-founder of SAVE NATURALLY, an independent savings system for consumers in brick and mortar health food stores.  If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure and stay tuned for Part 2 in the New Year!

I was really pleased to have Dan Champan, of Redd Remedies and Sunrise Health Foods, on the podcast for this important dicussion.  I hope you will enjoy our discussion of his company's fine products, as well as the emerging state of the American health food store. Perhaps most importantly we kick it off by delving into Redd Remedies' newest product Peaceful Mama which is one of the only natural supplements proven safe and effective for supporting mood and restful sleep naturally, even during pregnancy.  Join us and find out more!

Corinna Bellizzi, MBA is a natural products industry executive and omega-3 expert who pioneered the growth of Nordic Naturals from less than $1 million to over $100 million in annual sales. Given her concern for the future health of people and the planet, she shifted her focus from fish-sourced omegas to algae in 2016. An activist at heart, she launched her podcast, Care More Be Better, in 2021 to cover social and ecological issues that affect us all. Today she leads Örlö Nutrition, a new brand that features the world's first carbon-negative omega-3s. She hosts a new podcast, Nutrition Without Compromise, to support that effort where she covers health topics without compromising your ethics, or the health of our home planet.

Tom Dadant is a legend in the natural products industry. He has been an educator and thought leader for many years, working with some of the top names and brightest minds in the field.  Today we sat down to discuss his interesting personal background and how he got into the "business" back in the day....what a long strange trip it has been, indeed! #themyceliumabides

Kicking off season 2 with some important health food store biz! Positively Natural network is an important organization and they are the folks who put on the Vegas trade show (Positively Natural Marketplace) for the natural products industry. This year it is happening August 30-31, 2022 at the M Resort, Las Vegas, NV. Come out and support - and enjoy yourself! www.positivelynatural.org

In this episode, host Rob Seeman interviews Jerry Angelini, the national education director for Host Defense organic mushrooms.  Host Defense is a brand of beneficial mushrooms made by Paul Stamets' Fungi Perfecti.  In this wide-ranging discussion many different aspects of mycology are addressed - from mushrooms as food to mushrooms for the planet!

WER host Rob Seeman reflects on the evolution of the podcast so far, with some sneak preview of what is to come with future interviews.  A very cold walk in the woods leads to a very different vibe, the video shows it all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnHeI6gtSa0 featuring music by Jay Giles Smith IV

In this edition of Whole Earth Radio, Rob interviews Lori Murphy, the proprietor of Murphy's Health Foods in Libertyville, IL.  The discussion covers Lori's perspective on Covid-19, the Governor's mandate on social distancing, and natural medicine, as well as Lori's personal faith.  

In this episode, Rob interviews Doug Williams from Green Earth Medicinals, an Oregon-based CBD cannabis company with a clinical orientation.  The discussion covers the unique properties of CBD and cannabis, as well as GEM's unique clinical approaches to formulation and extraction.  A fascinating listen!