Global Wellness Conversations

Our guest today, Dr. Deborah Birx, catapulted to the forefront of the US national dialogue at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic at a White House press conference that became a top news story around the world. Dr. Birx sheds light on the truth behind the headlines. She’ll share insights from her four decades in public health, from the National Institutes of Health to the Centers for Disease Control to leading the charge against pandemics from AIDS to Ebola on the African continent, and how her insights can empower our individual health decisions. Learn about her current role in advancing indoor air quality, hear highlights from her eye-opening book about her time in the Trump Administration, "Silent Invasion," and understand why she believes in the crucial importance of truthful, clear communication in public health. Dive deep into the layers of protection against COVID, the critical role of women in the professional world, and the need to honor and respect our elders.To learn more, visit ActivePure Technology’s site at ActivePure.com.Resources:Connect with Dr. Deborah Birx on LinkedInRead: Silent Invasion: The Untold Story of the Trump Administration, Covid-19, and Preventing the Next Pandemic Before It's Too LateWashington Post Article: Deborah Birx’s unseen fight to stop Trump’s covid falsehoodsHosted by Kim MarshallProduced by NOVA Media

While Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are very common references in today’s Western wellness world, today we are discussing another vibrant and expansive system of healing traditions, Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM). Did you know that the 1,000-year-old TAIM tradition was first brought to Europe in the 12th century? At that time, European scholars studied Arab works and translated them into Latin—and they became the predominant principles taught in European medical schools until the Renaissance.Today, we’re speaking to one of the foremost experts on the topic, Oxford University Professor Gerry Bodeker, the author of ten books including “Wellness Traditions from the Islamic World.” Most people don’t associate Africa and the Middle East with wellness, even though advanced food-as-medicine, anti-aging and healing systems have been refined across these regions for over a millennium.The second half of this special episode is an interview with Dr. Bibi Lockhat. Holding a dual degree in Complementary Health Science and Medicine, she is the TAIM specialist at Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva Som. She is also an expert in hands-on healing, such as Hijama, massage, acupressure, and aromatherapy, and often draws on herbal remedies to improve overall health. She’ll provide an audio tour of the one-of-a-kind wellness destination that is Zulal, including describing its far-reaching sustainability programs that even impact the property’s biodiversity—from mangroves to mammals. The episode comes full circle because not only did Professor Bodeker consult on the wellness programs at Zulal, but the resort is also the location of the pre- and post-trips organized exclusively for delegates attending the 2023 Global Wellness Summit in Qatar in November.To learn more, visit Zulal Wellness Resort’s site at Zulal.com. Resources:Connect with Prof. Gerry Bodeker on LinkedInFollow Prof. Gerry Bodeker on Instagram: @gerrybodekerFollow Dr. Bibi Lockhat on Instagram: @bibilockhatRead: Wellness Traditions from the Islamic WorldExplore the 2023 Global Wellness SummitExplore pre- and post-trips for Summit delegates to ZulalHosted by Kim MarshallProduced by NOVA Media

Join us on this episode of Global Wellness Conversations as we speak with Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati about her remarkable journey from Hollywood to the Himalayas. Exploring the crucial role of spirituality in wellness, Sadhvi shares her transformational experiences in India, her profound spiritual awakening, and her dedication to a life of divine service, from her global work on sustainable development to her role on the United Nations Advisory Council on Religion. Discover the powerful impact spirituality can have on personal and societal wellbeing with us.To learn more, visit Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati’s site at sadhviji.org.Resources:Connect with Sadhvi on FacebookWatch Sadhvi’s YouTube ChannelFollow Sadhvi on Instagram: @sadhvijiHosted by Kim Marshall.Produced by Nova MediaSponsored by Magleby Development‘s Velvaere Park City.

A thriving example of the Global Wellness Summit’s 2023 “Wellness + Gathering” trend, THE WELL is a new kind of wellness hub the founders call one-stop-shopping for their members' wellness needs, with five businesses under one roof. Join us as two of the business’ three co-founders, Rebecca Parekh and Kane Sarhan, reveal how their innovative business model—that brings together best-in-class spa services, a medical office, movement & meditation studios, an organic café and retail & social spaces—was created and keeps evolving. Find out why their key differentiators include: blending ancient healing methods with modern medicine, creating innovative technology to track health journeys and breaking the mold in how they select, train and value their team. Learn why their paradigm-shifting platform is now attracting hoteliers and multi-use properties, and how their mantra of making wellness a daily lifestyle is changing what’s possible in a healthy business.To learn more, visit THE WELL’s site at the-well.com.Resources:Connect with Kane on LinkedInConnect with Rebecca on LinkedInHosted by Kim Marshall.Produced by Nova MediaSponsored by Magleby Development‘s Velvaere Park City.

Sponsored by Magleby Development's Velvaere Park City.Join us as we explore the incredible journey  of entrepreneur, environmental activist and long-distance swimmer, Oded Rahav, who organized the first ever swim across the world’s saltiest body of water to raise awareness for a famous shrinking sea in the Middle East.  You’ll also hear why this son of Holocaust survivors swam for sharks in South Africa and across the US Mexico border to a group of waiting children. Find out why businesses should take heed to Oded’s driving philosophy of Tikkun Olam in this time of ominous climate change and how everyone can make a difference for our planet.To learn more, visit Oded Rahav’s site at DeadSeaGuardians.org.Resources:Connect with Odev Rahav on LinkedInFollow Oded Rahav on Instagram: @oded.rahavHosted by Kim Marshall.Produced by Nova Media

Can bodegas and mini-marts be a force for good? In today's episode, we dive into the world of eco-conscious retail with Rachel Krupa, the innovative founder of The Goods Mart. Rachel is redefining the traditional convenience store experience by offering healthier, sustainable alternatives and championing emerging, diverse brands. We'll talk about her journey, the challenges she's faced, the communities she’s helped build, and how she's breaking barriers in an industry often overlooked when it comes to sustainable and health-forward business practices. Join us as we explore the intersection of convenience and conscious consumerism, and learn how The Goods Mart is on a mission to change the way we think about shopping for good. Rachel was a keynote speaker at the Global Wellness Summit's 2023 Wellness Real Estate and Communities Symposium held at JPMorgan Chase headquarters in NYC.To learn more, visit The Goods Mart’s site at TheGoodsMart.com.Resources:Rina Raphael's book, "The Gospel of Wellness"Follow Rachel on Instagram: @rachkrupaHosted by Kim Marshall.Produced by Nova Media

Are the buildings we live and work in supporting our wellness – or are they making us sick? Listen in as we pull back the curtain on 'sick buildings' and the adverse health impacts of traditional building design. Our expert panel features Professor Joseph G. Allen, the mind behind Harvard's Healthy Buildings Program, who enlightens us about the nine pillars of a healthy building and why they are critical to our well-being. We're also joined by Jim Dobbie and Debra Wyatte from Zeal for Living, who are revolutionizing the rental market by prioritizing health-focused living spaces. This episode uncovers the urgency of transforming our built environment and how this ground-breaking movement is setting a new standard for the future of living spaces.To learn more, visit Joseph G. Allen’s site at hsph.harvard.edu/joseph-allen and Zeal for Living at ZealForLiving.com.Resources:Book: Healthy Buildings, How Indoor Spaces Can Make You Sick or Keep You Well by Joseph G. AllenHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthHealthy Buildings Program at Harvardzealforliving.comJoseph G. Allen on TwitterJim Dobbie on LinkedInDebra Wyatte on LinkedInHosted by Kim MarshallProduced by Nova Media

Dive into an inspiring conversation with two wellness industry icons: 101-year-old Deborah Szekley, known as the godmother of the modern-day mind/body/fitness movement and her protégé, Susie Ellis, known as the godmother of the global wellness economy. They discuss the evolution of the wellness industry, their personal journeys and connection, and the importance of mentorship, collaboration, science backed findings and global citizenship. Join us as we celebrate Deborah's recent birthday and reflect on the experiences over the decades of these two wellness pioneers who gave birth to a global movement. To learn more, visit Deborah’s site at RanchoLaPuerta.com.Resources:The Godmother of the Wellness Economy – Living History of a Global Movement with Susie EllisDeborah Szekely: 100 Years Young - Global Wellness InstituteHosted by Kim Marshall.Produced by Nova Media

The antidote to the loneliness epidemic is a new trend identified by Global Wellness Summit (GWS) researchers called Wellness + Gathering. The pandemic was a breaking point where people sought a change from the lonely journeys of self-care, craving connection. Today we speak to a pioneer in this space, Dr. Jonathan Leary, founder of the world’s first social wellness clubs called “Remedy Place.”  Discover how urban clubs are the springboard for creatively bringing people together with intention, illuminating the benefits of infrared saunas, ice baths, lymphatic massage, acupuncture and even chiropractic, while underscoring the increased effectiveness when done in a supportive, social setting. This episode will explain how the post-pandemic wellness industry is moving from “lonely to social self-care, from buying to belonging, from URL to IRL, from ego to empathy, from Goop to group,” as stated in GWS’s “The Future of Wellness 2023” global trends report.To learn more:Visit Dr. Jonathan Leary’s site at RemedyPlace.com Get the 2023 Global Wellness Trends Report: The Future of WellnessResources:Learn more at drjonathanleary.comConnect with Dr. Jonathan Leary on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjonathanlearyHosted by Kim Marshall.Produced by Nova Media

Music is not only an integral part of being human, but research shows that music can have a powerful effect on mood, emotion, energy, and even mental health. Our guest today, Freddie Moross, CEO of Myndstream — a wellness music company with a roster of award-winning composers — explains that when music is purposely created to be at the intersection of art, science, and culture, amazing things can happen. Winner of the Global Wellness Summit 2023 Debora Simon Award for Leader in Furthering Mental Wellness, Moross talks about his work with neurodiverse communities, helping children with Autism and seniors with Alzheimer's. We’ll hear about Myndstream’s science-backed music designed for the spa world.  You’ll find out who in the Myndstream family is the number one sleep artist in the world and we’ll even meet the duo behind Palm Reading, artists who compose music by becoming accompanists to the energy they pick up from plants around the world in a process called biosonification. Talk about music that is truly “of a place!”To learn more, visit Myndstream’s site at Myndstream.com.Resources:Connect with Freddie Moross on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/freddiemorossLearn more about Palm Reading: myndstream.com/artists/palm-reading OR https://palmreadingmusic.com/Follow Myndstream on Instagram: @myndstreamHosted by Kim Marshall.Produced by Nova Media

Looking for a way to feel more connected and improve your wellness amidst the hustle and bustle of city living? Or to create more community wellness in your workplace or real estate development? Look no further than urban planner Robert Hammond, co-founder of Friends of the High Line. Hammond's work on the iconic elevated park in New York City has transformed the way millions of locals and visitors experience the city while serving as an international symbol of urban renewal. But his vision doesn't stop there. Hammond is now focused on creating large-scale communal spaces devoted to thermal wellness, where people can gather, relax, renew and, dare we say it, have fun!  Learn more about the vital role of community in wellness and how Hammond is revolutionizing the way we think about public spaces in cities around the world.To learn more, read Robert Hammond’s recent article, “Urban Infrastructure Might Just Save Cities: excerpt from the Global Wellness Summit’s The Future of Wellness 2023 Trends report.)Resources:Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium“Urban Infrastructure Might Just Save Cities” (excerpt from the Global Wellness Summit’s The Future of Wellness 2023 Trends report)ThermeGroup.comTheHighLine.orgConnect with Hammond on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robert-hammond-3392604Follow Hammond on Instagram: @thehighlineguyHosted by Kim MarshallProduced by Nova Media

Are you ready to unlock the hidden power of the senses? Meet Ari Peralta, the visionary neuroscientist and sensory designer who is revolutionizing the way we understand and experience the world around us. With a diverse background that spans Harvard University, Parsons School of Design, and expertise in business and neuroscience, Ari is on a mission to decode the secret language of the senses and bring their impact to the forefront of human experience.To learn more, visit Ari Peralta’s site at Arigami.co.ukResources:Learn more about mycoocoonConnect with Ari on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ari-peralta-34114a149Follow Ari on Instagram: @mr_arigamiSponsored by Carillon Miami Wellness ResortHosted by Kim Marshall.

Aradhana Khowala is CEO of Aptamind Partners, a consultancy focused on regenerative tourism, travel and hospitality. She is a recognized leader in the industry, named an "Inspirational Game Changer" by the 21st Century Icon Awards from CNBC and the London School of Economics and recognized as one of the 100 most powerful executives in hospitality. A dynamic and engaging thought leader, Aradhana also speaks on diversity, gender equality and femtech, recently delivering a keynote at the Global Wellness Summit on the case for equity in women's health research and innovation called "Busting Taboos and Making Billions." Listen as this passionate and knowledgeable advocate discusses the transition from sustainability to regenerative travel, the need for action on climate change and the role of leaders in creating momentum for positive change towards equity in medical research and in the tourism, travel and hospitality industries. Resources:Follow Aradhana on LinkedInTEDx Talk: Don’t Be A Gender. Be An Airbender!Sponsored by Carillon Miami Wellness ResortHosted by Kim Marshall.

What is the true meaning of wellness? And what are the paths to attain it? The BBC set out to answer those questions. Leveraging the research and network of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), BBC StoryWorks just produced a digital series for GWI that delves into the topic of wellness and the art and science of living well.On this episode of the Global Wellness Summit’s podcast Global Wellness Conversations, host Kim Marshall welcomes Simon Shelley, the Vice-President of Programming Partnerships from BBC StoryWorks, who led the creation of this brand new series called In Pursuit of Wellness: The Art & Science of Living Well. Simon discusses the power of storytelling to change the conversation on wellness to a more accessible and inclusive one, highlighting some of the human-centric stories from different parts of the world in the series. Simon discusses how the series aims to integrate ancient practices alongside our conventional healthcare system, and how the media can be used to track audience sentiments and to help remove barriers to entry when it comes to wellness.Resources:Watch In Pursuit of WellnessConnect with Simon Shelley on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simonshelleySponsored by Carillon Miami Wellness ResortHosted by Kim Marshall.

Have you ever wondered what the secret to a long and healthy life is? Could it be the food we eat? Studying the areas of the world where people live exceptionally long lives, known as the Blue Zones, Dan Buettner may have found the answer.Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Fellow and best-selling author who recently gave a keynote at the Global Wellness Summit in Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv, Israel. Dan has dedicated his life to understanding the world’s healthiest cultures. He famously identified five regions, which he has dubbed the Blue Zones, where people live the longest and healthiest lives.In addition to his books, Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest, Blue Zones Solution, and Blue Zones of Happiness, Dan’s newest book Blue Zone American Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100 was released on December 6th, 2022. In it, he shares recipes from the Blue Zones, focusing on plant-based dishes that are both inexpensive and easy to make while passing the American-palate taste test.Food plays a critical role in longevity. Much of the life expectancy lost in the average American is due to eating processed, meaty, and cheesy foods — the kinds of foods you don’t typically see in Blue Zones. So how can we take this knowledge into our own kitchen? One quick fix Dan suggests is substituting beans for more unhealthy sources of protein and adding spices and herbs to make vegetables more palatable. Or look at some of the incredible recipes in Blue Zone American Kitchen and you’ll wonder why you ever thought healthy food was unappetizing in the first place.The secrets of longevity that we can learn from Blue Zones extend far beyond food. Dan speaks of a concept known as the “grandmother effect” to live a longer and better life. This effect is seen not only in human populations but also in animal populations, where a grandparent remains in the immediate ‘pod’. Studies have shown that children who live in a home with a grandparent have lower rates of disease and mortality and can sometimes do better in school. It is a common practice in Blue Zones to keep aging parents in the home, rather than putting them in a retirement home. The wisdom and knowledge of grandparents can be very beneficial to the family and have been linked to a longer life expectancy in children. Harnessing their resilience and childcare benefits, as well as keeping the food traditions alive, grandparents can truly have a positive effect on the family and the generations to come.Another key to a long and healthy life beyond food is the importance of friendship in the workplace. According to recent research, having a best friend at work was the biggest determinant of whether or not someone enjoyed their job and was productive. This is why Blue Zone workplaces encourage employees to form non-commercial connections with each other, such as sponsor lunches, happy hours, and even walks. It is important to remember that friends can have a powerful influence on our lives and habits and that it is beneficial to have a variety of friends in our social circle. Having a vegetarian or vegan friend can also teach us how to make delicious plant-based food, which can help us lead a healthier lifestyle. All of this underscores the importance of forming meaningful relationships with the people around us and the positive impact they can have on our lives.It's no secret that being unhealthy can lead to a variety of diseases and illnesses, including dementia. Recent research has revealed a shocking statistic – since 1970, the rate of obesity in America has increased from 15% to 43%, while the dementia rate for older people has gone from 10% to 50%. This means that if you are 85 years old, there is a 50% chance that you are either suffering from dementia or on the road to developing it. The statistics are particularly dire for women, as the rate of dementia is...

Exercise is everywhere today. It seems that most people have a gym membership, go for a daily run, or do some bodyweight exercises around the house. There are VR apps, video games, and at-home on-demand video courses to help people sweat at home and stay active. That’s the role exercise plays in the present — but what was it like in the past?Bill Hayes is the author of seven books, with his most recent title being Sweat: A History of Exercise, the result of a Guggenheim fellowship in nonfiction writing he won. Bill also writes for The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Buzzfeed, and The Guardian, and is a published professional street photographer.What led Bill to look into the history of exercise? It all began at the gym. Bill looked around at everyone else there and thought to himself: How did we all end up here? He was inspired to trace a line backward in time to the history of gyms, exercise, and where it all began. From there, he immediately went to the library to look for a book on the history of exercise. When he didn’t find that book, he decided to write it himself.The history of exercise spans over two millennia – from the beginnings of exercise in ancient Greece and Rome up through the pandemic.  The research took Bill on a globetrotting adventure – including his discovery of a Latin text believed to be the first in-depth book on exercise from the Renaissance called D’Arte Gymnastica. First published in 1569, it is "one of the earliest books to discuss the therapeutic value of gymnastics and sports generally for the cure of disease and disability, and an important study of gymnastics in the ancient world"  Inspired by his findings, the book SWEAT is also interlaced with Bill’s personal journey as he tries nearly every form of exercise he discovers.With a title like Sweat, it’s relevant to note that most people get the role of sweat wrong. While many think that sweat works to detox the body by pushing out unwanted components, the primary role of sweat is thermal regulation. Without it, we would not be able to survive.One frustration that came up in Bill’s research was the gatekeeping against women and girls where they were not allowed or encouraged to exercise—One notable exception being ancient Sparta, which trained its women in the art of warfare. It wasn’t until the suffragette movement, coinciding with the popularity of the bicycle, that women were both allowed and encouraged to exercise. In fact, Susan B. Anthony once said “The bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel—the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”The Global Wellness Institute predicted Toxic Masculinity as a recent global trend in wellness. However, information from Bill’s studies shows signs that this is not a recent phenomenon. In the ancient Greek athletic games, there was a large amount of idealization of the male form. It was taken to such an extreme that sweat from athletes was gathered and considered a valuable commodity.And for the wellness-curious out there who believe they hate to exercise, Bill offers this tip to help you get started: Replace the word “exercise” with “movement.” Whether it’s walking up and down the stairs of your apartment, walking around the park, or playing with your kids, it all counts. Exercise should be joyful. If you think you hate exercise, you just haven’t found the right kind of exercise. And while exercise has long-term benefits for your body and overall health, it’s important to exercise for how it makes you feel now.To learn more, visit Bill Hayes’ site at

While taking a proactive approach to wellness is always preferred, not everyone has that luxury. For some, taking control of your own well-being is a matter of life or death—as it is for the millions of people suffering from type 1 diabetes (T1D). No matter what their lifestyle, the body of a type 1 diabetic will never naturally produce insulin.In 2021 alone, 6.7 million people died from diabetes—that’s the population of Madrid. What will it take to ease the burden on so many and support research to find a cure once and for all?Documentary filmmaker Lisa Hepner set out to find the answer. Along with her husband Guy Mossman, they created the new film “The Human Trial,” a movie over ten years in the making that explores the human side of research and the people behind it.While on the path to curing her own type 1 diabetes, Lisa was given unprecedented access to a real clinical trial involving stem cells. After her own 30-year struggle with diabetes and always hearing the cure was five years away, she decided to take things into her own hands. The documentary follows her own intimate journey in real-time, along with the other patients and scientists involved, to be the first to give this cutting-edge and ultimately uncertain treatment a try.Most of us don’t have to consider the mental toll of type 1 diabetes. Not only do patients need daily injections to keep them alive, but they have to consider every potentiality to ensure they are never without access to this life-saving necessity. And that’s if they can afford them: One in four Americans ration their insulin because they can’t afford to use it as often as needed.While technology has come a long way in easing the burden, such as continuous glucose monitors being able to read blood sugar levels every few minutes and beam them directly to your phone or smartwatch, the process is still frustratingly manual. And T1D is one of the only diseases where the patient plays such a large role in treating themselves, which speaks to how far our healthcare has to go in supporting people with this disease.Ultimately, Lisa says this: “There is hope for a cure.” Research is heading in the right direction, it just needs funding to continue. Despite hearing for over thirty years that we are just “five years away from the cure,” based on what she’s seen, Lisa truly believes it is true today. To learn more, visit Lisa Hepner’s site at TheHumanTrial.com.Resources:thehumantrial.comFollow Lisa on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-hepner-a010145Hosted by Kim Marshall.

What does the Global Wellness Summit have in common with one of the biggest music stars in history?Colombian Reggaeton Superstar J Balvin has been very open and honest about his struggles with anxiety and depression — as well as the wellness practices he uses to find relief. To that end, he’s co-founded the development of OYE, an app designed to help everyone live better, happier lives. And, like GWS, his team relied heavily on the studies and research conducted by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI).In GWI’s 2020 “Defining the Mental Wellness Economy Report,” GWI had this to say about mental wellness: “It’s more than the absence of mental illness — it’s the active process of moving from languishing to flourishing. It also helps shift our perspective from stigma to shared humanity. It grows out of grassroots, consumer-driven movements and is multi-dimensional, holistic, and personal.” Clearly, OYE and GWI are aligned in their vision and mission around mental wellness.In this episode, we’re speaking to J Balvin’s partners and co-founders at OYE: Happiness activist and CEO of OYE Mario Chamorro, and Social Impact Executive Patrick Dowd. Their shared goal is to remove the stigma associated with mental health and to teach people across the Americas how to channel mental challenges into artistic endeavors — what they call “creative wellness.”OYE is the next generation disruption in the wellness world. It is an ecosystem — starting with an app — that embodies and brings emotional and creative wellness to the world, with the purpose of helping the world feel better.In a Health Harris poll, 40% of Hispanic Americans and 29% of Black Americans rated their mental health as poor. 62% of Hispanic respondents say they know several people battling mental illness, but only 41% were committed to speaking openly about it.J Balvin’s home country of Colombia is famous for pioneering magical realism, where the line between fantasy and reality is blurred. While many might see it as nothing more than a fairy tale, for Colombians, the magic is real. It informs what is possible in their lives. OYE seems rooted in this belief in magical realism and the possibility of transformation, and when you listen to our inspiring podcast guests you will believe, too, that together we can help the world feel better.To learn more, visit OYE’s site at oye.co. Resources:oye.comariochamorro.coLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrick-dowdGWI “Defining the Mental Wellness Economy Report”Global Wellness Summit Sponsored by Murad Skincare.Hosted by Kim Marshall.

Everyone wants to feel healthy, but none of us want to be duped—and many prefer not to be  goop-ed, for that matter. How can we navigate the world of wellness as savvy consumers and avoid the “well-washing” so often used to sell us on the next expensive fad? We know just the expert to help us navigate this increasingly complex space.Meet Rina Raphael, one of the leading wellness journalists in the world. She’s earned that reputation by working at the likes of CNN, NBC, CBS, the LA Times, the New York Times, and Fast Company.Her new book, “The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care,” takes a nuanced and critical look at the recent explosive growth of the wellness industry and how, at its worst, it can sell us over-complicated and unnecessary solutions to very real problems. Her goal is not to debunk the wellness industry but to provide a cautionary tale and urge us all to use critical thinking when it comes to wellness claims.Rina has been a part of the Global Wellness Summits for years. Stories from her newsletter, Well To Do, are often quoted on the news headlines GWS sends out, and she has written several annual trend reports for the organization including the fertility boom in wellness, how organized religion is jumping into wellness, and how tech is closing the gender gap in wellness research. She was also a part of a masterclass GWS put on called “2022 Wellness Trends Making Headlines.”The wellness industry has changed tremendously over the last ten years, and with that, the public's relationship with wellness has changed as well. Despite the concept of wellness booming, and more products and methodologies out there to improve health outcomes, women are feeling more unwell than ever before—and they are drawn to this industry to find the cure. If you find yourself buying supplements, going to specialized gyms, or obsessing over a wellness app, you’re not alone. The marketing machines behind many of these companies are very adept at what they do, but unfortunately, the evidence backing up their products can often fall short. The collective frustration over expensive wellness products that aren’t matching up to their claims and the endless flood of new information is reaching an apex. Something has to change—and it’s already begun.One major shift we’re seeing in the public perception of wellness is being driven by the up-and-coming Gen Z. These young consumers are rebelling against the perfectionist ethos pushed forward by some of the worst parts of the wellness industry. While much of the last decade of wellness has focused on an overwhelming and unattainable standard, we’re starting to realize that the stress caused by striving for perfection is actually making health outcomes worse. This more realistic, relaxed approach to wellness means people are still making healthy choices— on their own terms.We’re also seeing an epidemic of misinformation online. Not only is marketing particularly adept at misleading people, but we’re seeing potentially well-meaning influencers on social media platforms such as TikTok sharing advice—without sources or evidence—that ranges from unhelpful to downright harmful. And this advice, which may seem profound, gets shared and recirculated faster than it can be refuted. According to Rina Raphael, the best way to combat this epidemic is for each person to sharpen their critical thinking skills, question information before accepting it, and vet anything before sharing it. Before you buy in on something, look at who is putting it out there and find out what their reputation is within the industry.Overall, Rina’s book is full of a message of hope. While the wellness industry has a number of challenges to face, even from within, there is a path forward. Consumers are...

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has had many guests across various fields in the wellness industry on Global Wellness Conversations, but our guest today is a first: A visual artist who uses his talent to help people fall in love with nature and be motivated to protect it. We’re talking to the famed cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg.Louie’s visuals—which you may be familiar with from the likes of Netflix, Disney, or National Geographic—are breathtaking and awe-inspiring, soaring above mountains and oceans and swooping down to see an insect through a drop of water on a leaf or exploring beneath the surface of the ground to see the magical network of mushrooms. He’s a pioneer in time-lapse photography as well as altered speed and scale cinematography. His TED Talks have had over 53 million views on YouTube, and his goal is to make the invisible visible, to take us on journeys of time and scale… to change our perspective, touch our hearts, and move us to action.Nancy Davis, GWS executive director, had this to say about Louie: “Louie Schwartzberg is the personification of his life’s work. As he captures and shares the unfolding, unimaginable grace of nature, Louie is himself a force of nature and a gift to us all. His intelligence, warmth, humor, and elegant humanity have long been signature elements of the Global Wellness Summit. Whether he’s opening our eyes to the universal truth in a drop of rain, urging us to care about the planet by showing us its beauty—not diminishing its assets, or whether he’s demonstrating the complex network of fungi that lies beneath our feet, Louie lives a life true to his mission to leave this world better than when he found it.”Louie explains that he is part of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) Psychedelics & Healing Initiative to help support the exploration of this secret of nature’s knowledge. As a leader in the space, Louie discusses how his work is used for a new Visual Healing program in hospitals as well as in psilocybin-assisted therapy for people suffering from addiction and trauma. As he describes working on his Netflix film, Fantastic Fungi, you’ll hear how the underground mycelium network is reminiscent of the world wide web.We’ll discuss Louie’s origin story, what brought him to create moving pictures of nature, and how his 40-year opus, Gratitude Revealed, is really a tribute to his parents who are Holocaust survivors.This conversation not only illustrates why Louie is a part of the GWI and GWS family but also why sustainability and wellness go hand in hand and why each of us should seek out the wonder and awe in the lives we live each day. To learn more, visit Louie Schwartzberg’s site at MovingArt.com.Resources:Learn more: movingart.comWatch: Gratitude RevealedListen: Wonder & Awe PodcastWatch: Fantastic FungiGlobal Wellness SummitGlobal Wellness Institute Psychedelics & Healing InitiativeSponsored by Murad SkincareHosted by Kim Marshall.