Advertise on podcast: Lillian McDermott

For many years, I have watched my mother's cognitive decline. Today, although her body is still strong, she can no longer care for herself. As difficult as this journey has been, my mother has also been one of my greatest teachers. Her dementia has made cognitive health one of my highest priorities outside of my relationship with God. I know many of you have watched a parent, spouse, or someone you love decline and wondered if this could happen to you, especially when you hear that genetics or DNA may increase your risk. But I don't want you to live in fear of your future. I want to share the good news and the hope that we have more power than we realize to support our brain health. That is why I'm continuing this conversation with Ravi Kumar, MD, in our upcoming Alzheimer's & Brain Health Worldwide Webinar on October 26, 2026. I will share my experiences and why this webinar can empower us to make better choices for ourselves, so perhaps our children won't have to experience what we have experienced.

Light is something we experience every day. What if specific wavelengths of light could also support the body's natural ability to heal and recover? Founder of FlexBeam, Zulia Frost, MD, DCMAc, will help us explore the fascinating world of red and near-infrared light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation. Interest continues to grow in natural approaches to supporting cellular health, recovery, circulation, inflammation, energy, and overall wellness. Red and near-infrared light are becoming increasingly recognized for their potential biological effects. Dr. Frost will explain how these wavelengths interact with the body and share how FlexBeam, a portable light therapy device designed to deliver red and near-infrared light, may fit into a broader approach to supporting our body's natural healing processes.

What if some of the toxins affecting our health aren't coming from the environment, our food, or the chemicals we encounter every day. What if they are being produced inside our own bodies? Thomas Levy, MD, JD, has been exploring the connection between chronic pathogen colonization, the toxins produced by microorganisms, and their potential role in disease. When pathogens persist in the body, could the toxins they produce contribute to inflammation, cellular damage, and chronic illness? Dr. Levy will share what he believes we need to know about these hidden toxins and why addressing the source of illness may be more important than simply managing symptoms.

Have you ever wondered how often we simply go with the current? We follow what we've been taught, what everyone else is doing, and sometimes even what we know deep down isn't right for us. But what happens when we decide to swim upstream? For me, it means becoming willing to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and take responsibility for the direction of my own life. It doesn't mean I always have the answers. And it certainly doesn't mean going against everything just for the sake of being different. It means being willing to investigate, learn, and follow the truth wherever it leads. I'll share why I believe swimming upstream can sometimes be exactly what we need to do, to grow, heal, and live more intentionally.

Cancer metabolism is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation around integrative oncology, nutrition, and whole-body health. We often hear that "sugar feeds cancer." But the relationship between glucose, insulin, growth signals, metabolism, and cancer is far more complex than a simple food-versus-cancer equation. Sean T Devlin, DO, HMD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained physician with nearly 25 years of experience in integrative oncology and functional medicine. He looks beyond the diagnosis to explore how nutrition, blood sugar regulation, fasting, exercise, and the mind-body connection may influence the cancer journey. Dr. Devlin will share his perspective on what it really means to "starve cancer" without starving ourselves and why maintaining adequate nutrition, protein, calories, and strength is essential for people facing cancer and its treatment.

As I get older, I mean bolder, I find myself asking more questions about what it really means to age well. Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline can be frightening. But I don't want to simply accept them as an inevitable part of aging. I want to understand what may be driving these changes and, more importantly, what I can do about them. When I came across Ravi Kumar, MD, a board-certified neurosurgeon on his podcast The Dr. Kumar Discovery, I knew I wanted to learn with him. Dr. Kumar has been exploring the science behind brain health, including metabolic health, insulin resistance, sleep, hearing loss, APOE4, amyloid, and lifestyle factors that may influence cognitive decline. Dr. Kumar will help us look beyond the fear of Alzheimer's and focus on what we can learn, what we can change, and how we can become more proactive about protecting our brains.

Lately, I've been thinking about what it really means to age gracefully. Getting older can bring changes we never expect. But it can also bring something incredibly valuable: wisdom, perspective, deeper relationships, and a greater appreciation for the gift of life. I'm learning that aging with grace requires gratitude. It doesn't mean ignoring the challenges that come with getting older. It means choosing how I respond to them. It means letting go of regret, forgiving others and myself, continuing to grow, and appreciating where I am rather than constantly wishing I were somewhere else. There are lessons that have helped me embrace this season of life with more gratitude, faith, responsibility, and joy. I don't want to spend my time wishing I were younger. I will share how to make the most of the life we have today and age gratefully!

Throughout the Bible, we find references to oils used for anointing the sick, caring for wounds, and honoring God. How much do we really understand about these ancient healing traditions? Professor Gordon Pennington has dedicated years to researching the healing oils of the Bible and bringing ingredients such as frankincense, myrrh, and olive oil into a modern context. His work with biblical healing oils explores the historical, spiritual, and natural significance of these ancient ingredients. These include the biblical story of the Good Samaritan and the use of oil in caring for wounds. Personally, I love the Kure-it oils. I would like to learn more about what makes their oil better than most. Professor Gordon will share what he has learned about these ancient oils and why their story continues to capture the interest of people seeking natural approaches to wellness and a deeper connection between faith and health.

Our minds are constantly generating thoughts. But not every thought deserves to be accepted as truth. Sometimes we react to assumptions, fears, old wounds, and stories we have created without ever stopping to ask whether they are actually true. I have learned that when we automatically believe every thought that enters our minds, we can become trapped in anxiety, self-doubt, anger, and unnecessary suffering. But when we pause and begin fact checking our thoughts, we create an opportunity to separate facts from fear and reality from the stories we tell ourselves. I will share how questioning our thoughts with curiosity and compassion can help us gain clarity, challenge limiting beliefs, and create greater peace and freedom in our lives.

Our brains are designed to protect us from danger. But when stress becomes constant, the survival response that once served us can begin to work against us. Many people find themselves stuck in patterns of anxiety, overwhelm, fatigue, poor sleep, and emotional reactivity without realizing that their nervous system may be operating as if a threat is always present. The founder of BrainTap, Patrick Porter, PhD, is a leader in neurofeedback, brain fitness, and stress reduction technologies. He has spent decades helping people understand how chronic stress impacts the brain and body. By learning how to calm the nervous system and retrain the brain, we may discover that thriving is possible, even after years of living in survival mode. Dr. Porter will share practical tools and strategies for creating greater balance, resilience, and peace in everyday life.

The world around us is often filled with noise, uncertainty, and distractions that compete for our attention and energy. When stress becomes constant, it can feel as though our minds are working against us, making it harder to focus, stay calm, and think clearly. John Silva, DC, has spent years helping people better understand the brain and its remarkable ability to adapt, heal, and perform under pressure. By learning how the brain processes stress and responds to challenges, we can begin to work with it rather than against it. Dr. Silva will share how we can harness the power of our brain, even in the midst of chaos, and create greater clarity, resilience, and emotional well-being, with neurofeedback.

Since February 2026, I have been researching acid reflux, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and hiatal hernias, going down more rabbit holes than I can count. I was hesitant to explore certain avenues because they seemed to lead right back to the PPI rabbit hole (proton pump inhibitors). I wanted to understand the cause rather than simply suppress the symptoms. After more testing, I had a clearer picture. Yet my gastroenterologist still recommended PPIs. Then I stumbled upon Ravi Kumar, MD, and his video The Great GERD Mistake: How Medicine Made Heartburn Worse and How to Fix It. It was the best explanation of GERD I had heard. Hearing it from an MD was empowering. I even shared it with my gastroenterologist. Dr. Kumar, a board-certified neurosurgeon, assistant professor at UNC, and host of The Dr. Kumar Discovery, spent eight years taking PPIs himself before questioning whether acid suppression was addressing the real problem. Dr. Kumar will share what he learned, how he got off PPIs, and what people should understand about reflux before accepting long-term acid suppression as the answer.

Healing is rarely a straight line. Sometimes we experience a breakthrough only to discover another question waiting for an answer. Sometimes the greatest progress comes from slowing down, listening to our bodies, and being willing to question what we thought we already understood. Over the past 6 months, I have continued researching, asking questions, exploring different perspectives, and learning more about my own health journey. I've also learned that becoming our own MD, "Medical Detective," isn't always easy. It can be discouraging when you bring your research and questions to a doctor and feel dismissed rather than heard. But that will not stop me from being curious simply because someone doesn't agree with my research. I'm back from my break and ready to share where I am today, what I've learned, what has surprised me, and what I believe we can all learn from navigating our own healing journeys.

For generations, Americans have been taught that foods labeled "enriched" and "fortified" are healthier options because vitamins and minerals have been added to the food. Yet few people stop to ask what those added nutrients are, how they are manufactured, or how they interact with the body. Thomas Levy, MD, JD, has spent decades researching nutrition, oxidative stress, cardiovascular health, and the impact of synthetic compounds on human physiology. In fact, many years ago Dr. Levy created a video about Iron in Cereals. Recently, Dr. Levy met with the 26th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to discuss concerns about enriched and fortified foods and the need for greater awareness surrounding what is being added to the modern food supply. Dr. Levy will share the science behind enrichment and fortification, the potential unintended consequences of synthetic additives, and why returning to nutrient-dense whole foods may be one of the most important steps we can take toward protecting our health.

Many of us spend years believing we are not enough. We focus on our mistakes, replay our failures, and hold ourselves to standards we would never impose on those we love or even on strangers. Yet God does not define us by our worst moments, our shortcomings, or the labels we have accepted along the way. His love is patient, compassionate, forgiving, and unconditional. When we begin to see ourselves through God's eyes, we can release self-judgment and embrace the truth of who we were created to be. I will share how learning to love ourselves like God loves us can transform our relationship with ourselves, deepen our faith, and bring greater peace, purpose, and joy into our lives.