Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Dr. Neil Fiore

Broadcast and podcast starting: November 2, 2009 on webtalkradio.net. After 9-9-09 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 The Mental and Emotional Skills for Dealing with Cancer and Life Threatening Diseases [52:01m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

Hopefully, you won’t experience cancer, heart disease, or other life threatening illnesses. Should it happen you need to be prepared. And sooner or later it will happen to someone close to you. There is lots of information on the physical part of these diseases, but what about how to take charge rather than be emotionally overwhelmed and devastated? Today’s guest, Dr. Neil Fiore is a forty year survivor of “terminal” cancer and author of Coping with the Emotional Impact of Cancer.

Dr. Fiore gives us a formula for coping with life threatening illnesses. The individual pieces aren’t unique but putting them all together is. The formula starts with taking charge, asking lots of questions, and you choosing the hospital, the doctor, and the treatments. The formula calls for getting the feelings out, whether by talking to friends, family, healthcare workers, or therapists, writing it down, or singing or screaming. As you are getting the feelings out, it is important to ask good questions. Why and philosophical questions like why me, how could God do this to me? are counterproductive. Rather, you want questions like, How can I grow more white blood cells? What nutrition would be best for me now?

I love the movie Waiting to Exhale, which is the way cancer patients often feel. Dr. Fiore’s formula includes taking charge of anxiety, which can be stopped in seconds just by taking a deep breath, tightening muscles, and exhaling. This simple skill you can help you the rest of your life. Rather than fighting cancer being like 12 rounds in a Rocky movie, Dr. Fiore suggests trusting your body to do what it knows how to do—or as he puts it, You don’t have to tell a killer T-cell what to do. From there it is one step at a time—what do I need to do now.

Dr. Fiore and I are both very big on the role of beliefs, questions, and metaphors. The one slight divergence I have with him is that just getting feelings out can result in spinning your wheels if it isn’t soon paired with making sure you are asking helpful questions instead of negative or philosophical questions. I agree that you don’t have to figure them out, you just need to get them out.

I have seen a lot of patients, however, rant and rave only to get stuck there. That’s where counseling or psychotherapy can be especially helpful. He makes an interesting point that patients may be more comfortable seeing cancer as a physical disease and not a psychological problem. While it starts as a physical disease and is primarily a physical disease, it ends up being a huge psychological challenge as well. Fortunately, people are becoming much more accepting of psychological help. My experience is that most people with life threatening illnesses in hospitals and nursing homes are happy to talk with anyone who can help. The boredom, time on their hands, fear, and short time that they often get to talk with other professionals conspires to make them even more receptive.

Finally, I would underscore that the same principles we talked about with cancer apply to other life threatening illness as well. If you want to hear how a leading cardiologist and cardiac psychologist approach heart disease, give a listen to the show with Dr. Joel Okner and Dr. Jeremy Clorfene that is archived on AgelessLifestyles.com. The centered their approach on starting with dealing with stress, then address diet, exercise, and other lifestyle issues.

Dr. Fiore’s website is www.NeilFiore.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Natural Health Nutritionist Dr. Gary Null

Broadcast and podcast starting: June 8, 2009 on webtalkradio.net. After 6-15-09 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Alternative Health Approaches to Better Health [56:08m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

There is a rich literature on natural cures for headaches, digestive problems, allergies, and other health problems. But how do you tell help from hype? Is it safe and does it work? Natural Health Nutritionist Dr. Gary Null is the author of 70 books on health including his most recent book, Be a Healthy Woman, has been studying and advising millions on alternative health and natural healing for three decades. Today he shares his knowledge with us.

Dr. Null has never shared his real secret to health and longevity. With more than 70 books, more than 20 films, competing in marathons, counseling thousands, and bridging  nutrition, self-development, politics, and even pet care. I’m convinced that he has figured out how to clone himself. Dr. Null’s is a renaissance man who has an extraordinarily holistic view of health and wellness including physical, mental, and spiritual. He is into mindfulness and is a wonderful story teller.

His books excoriate  caffeine, alcohol, and meat. At a more controversial level, he advocates removing mercury fillings from teeth, chelation, magnet therapy, and questions the safety of vaccines. The sources he typically cites are experts he has interviewed. If you are looking for traditional research that footnotes lots of references, you will be frustrated. If you are looking for new ideas to consider or try, you are at a feast.

A note on his references to some people living well into Mediterranean, Eastern European, and Eastern countries living extremely long lives are controversial: The oldest well documented centenarian was Jeanne Calment, a Frenchwoman who lived to 122. There are many claims of people living much longer but researchers as skeptical as documentation is poor and their cultures revere living long which gives an incentive to exaggerate.

The concept that that the biggest factor in health and longevity is being happy is profound. Also profound is his epiphany that getting healthier starts with beliefs and values. I was also impressed with how Gary generally supported a Mediterranean diet but emphasized how you eat is as important as what you eat. Thus, slow leisurely meals with family do wonders for your health.

Dr. Null’s website is www.GaryNull.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Preventive Health Researcher Dr. Duke Johnson

Broadcast and podcast starting: May 11, 2009 on webtalkradio.net. After 5-18-09 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 How to Prevent Heart Disease, Cancer, and Other Chronic Diseases [54:19m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

When health study results are announced, the news feeds us sketchy, piecemeal results with little attention to the quality or limitations of the study. Radio and TV thrives on the diet of the week and sensationalism.  No wonder Americans are confused about what to do to be healthier. Research is becoming increasingly clear, however, that there is a common denominator to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and other chronic diseases. Dr. Duke Johnson, author of The Optimal Health Revolution, shares with us what that commonality is and how it can guide us in preventing chronic diseases.

Most health and wellness gurus and authors emphasize their niche or try to be comprehensive and cover diet and exercise. Dr. Johnson or Dr. Duke as he is often called, presents a very holistic approach with avoiding inflammation as a key integrating concept. In interviews, I try to focus on what is most unique about the expert and their area of greatest expertise. Consequently, time did not permit going into all of the issues and recommendations Optimal Health covers.

To recap Dr. Johnson’s big picture, a century ago, most Americans died from acute illnesses. Today modern medicine can prevent or cure most acute illnesses. We also are better educated, more informed, and have money to take care of ourselves. Consequently it is the chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes that kills most Americans. In the last decade, researchers are increasingly converging on inflammation as the common denominator of most chronic diseases. We also are seeing a convergence on the Mediterranean diet. Thus, Dr. Johnson’s comments on how few people in Mediterranean countries are following that diet anymore is an important heads up. We need to be following the principles and not the current practices.

Of course we are also seeing a convergence on the importance of exercise-both cardiovascular and strength (and I might add flexibility and balance). Most researchers also give a passing nod to the importance of stress. I really like way Dr. Johnson not only underscores stress, but also ties it to a sense of purpose and whether how you use your time fits with your values and purpose.

Some take aways are to, at least once, include a C-reactive protein test in your next physical, avoid high fructose corn syrup, and choose whole grain rather than multi-grain. I also note that in his book Dr. Johnson recommended investing in a whole house water filter. I heartily agree. Including the plumbing bill you should be able to do this for about $600 and about $15 a month in filters and charcoal material.

Dr. Johnson’s website is www.DrDukeJohnson.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guests: Cardiologist Dr. Joel Okner and Cardiac Psychologist Jeremy Clorfene

Broadcast and podcast starting: March 16, 2009 on webtalkradio.net. After 3-23-09 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 What You Need To Know About Heart Disease [56:24m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

If you or someone you love has a heart attack, the cardiologist probably gives you a brief technical assessment. Anxiety levels are so high you only hear a small fraction of what the doctor says, and remember even less. Typically, there is no discussion about the psychological factors and dealing with the stress, changes, and how different your life has become. Cardiologist Dr. Joel Okner and Cardiac Psychologist Dr. Jeremy Clorfene stepped in to fill the gap with their just released book, The No Bull Book On Heart Disease: Real Answers To Winning Back Your Heart and Health.

It is easy to miss how unique their message is. First, they put cardiology in language that lay people can understand and use. In their book, in particular, they take you step-by-step through exactly what happens physically and emotionally with various diagnoses, tests, and surgeries. That kind of information is surprisingly hard to find.

The even more profound thing they do is address how heart disease impacts patients and families emotionally. Managed care initially offered great promise. Kiser Permanente in particular, was very good at offering supportive and preventive services to help subscribers avoid even bigger problems down the road. Thus, managed care done right would encourage every heart disease patient to see a cardiac psychologist. But most of managed care deteriorated to cost containment. Consequently, we are left with a perfect storm that largely ignores cardiac psychological needs. Pharmaceutical companies advertise pills as the solution. Patients want pills and quick fixes, and compensation for doctors encourages 5-minute-medicine. Even the rehab programs medicalized rehab and made it mostly about diet, exercise, and physical therapy.

The Okner and Clorofene message is that pills may be necessary but without addressing stress, lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition, a heart attack or stroke is just around the corner.

My suggestion for finding a psychologist who is particularly familiar with heart disease and other health problems is to contact a hospital’s Medical Staff office and ask for a list of psychologists who are on the medical staff or affiliate staff. Then compare that list to psychologists covered by your insurance.

Dr. Okner and Dr. Clorfene practice in Chicago and host a weekly two-hour Radio call in show, “The Doctors Are In” on WKRS 1220 AM. Information on their book is at www.nobulldocs.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guests: Debra Corbo PT, CPT and Doug Splittgerber, CPT

Broadcast and podcast starting: 12-1-08 on webtalkradio.net. After 12-8-08 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Resistance Training: Better Posture, Less Pain, Better Health [60:42m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

What if the fitness gurus are giving us terribly bad advice-advice that results in poor posture, back pain, losing muscle, and putting on weight when you exercise? Certified Professional Trainer Doug Splittgerber and Physical Therapist Debra Corbo say that is exactly what is happening. Overcoming their own health challenges, they developed a system of exercises that vastly improves posture and fully stretches muscles. They say that a lot of knee surgeries, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other painful conditions can be prevented with proper exercise. Get ready for some very surprising challenges to what you think you know about fitness.

Their book Your Body Your Responsibility is a profound paradigm shift that destroys many of your beliefs about fitness and health with replaces them with a more intelligent approach to fitness that results in better posture, less pain, and better health. It comes with a DVD that walks you through the exercises they developed. Their website is www.YourBodyYourResponsibility.com. They also host live call in radio shows on www.1100kfnx.com on Saturdays 9-10AM EST and on www.healthylife.net on Tuesdays noon-3-4PM EST. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Special Edition: Stephen Ladd interviews  Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Broadcast and podcast starting: 11-10-08 on webtalkradio.net. After 11-17-08 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 How to Use Anti-Aging Psychology to Be More Youthful [51:21m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

A big part of aging as little as possible is a mind game. Indeed only 30% of aging is genetic. The rest is how you think and the choices you make. How do you win the mind game? In this special edition of Ageless Lifestyles, Stephen Ladd interviews me on the how to use anti-aging psychology to think, feel, look, and be more youthful. The focus is on my Anti-Aging ABCs® (Attitudes, Beliefs, and Coping Skills) and practical beliefs shifts you can use instantly.

The special offer link for Ageless Lifestyles listeners is at the bottom of www.NotAging.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Gini Maddocks

Broadcast and podcast starting: 10-27-08 on webtalkradio.net. After 11-3-08 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Easy Ways to Relieve Stress, Aches, and Pains [54:23m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

Your body’s tissues other activities. become cold and stiff after being inactive for a mere 12 minutes. Muscles shorten and pull bones together, squishing the cushioning that keeps bones from rubbing against each other and rubbing against cartilage. The result is pain, swollen joints, arthritis and other health problems. Our guest, Gini Maddocks, is a genius at teaching how to prevent this from happening and how to reverse damage that has occurred-and she does it with easy to do, simple, sweatless movements. She is a licensed medical message therapist and the award-winning author of R&R: Rescue and Relief for Computer Users and those at Risk of Repetitive Motion Injury. Today she will help you learn how to be kind to your body and prevent or undo aches and pains from computer use, driving, gardening, and many other activities.

Ms Maddocks’ website is www.holisticmatters.net. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guests: Dr. Marc Paulsen and Ashley Marriott

Broadcast and podcast starting: 10-6-08 on webtalkradio.net. After 10-13-08 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Fire Your Personal Trainer—Be Your Own Pesonal Trainer [51:29m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

In Woody Allen’s movie Bananas, Wood Allen’s character Fielding Mellish has become El Presidente of San Marcos and is greeted at the airport by a US State Department interpreter. El Presidente speaks perfect English and the interpreter speaks broken English but still insists on interpreting. It reminds me of a lot of personal trainers. I think we all know how to count to twenty, the weight equipment isn’t that complicated, and if the trainer holds our hand while we are on the treadmill, it slows us down. Do we really need a personal trainer? Sports medicine physician Dr. Marc Paulsen and Personal Trainer Ashley Marriott, say in most cases we should dump the trainer and do it ourselves. Hence the title of their brand new book, Dump Your Trainer. The program looks at why you don’t need a personal trainer and how to do it yourself.

Their website is www.DumpYourTrainer.com. Trainer/Dancer/Choreographer Ashley Marriott also has produced dance exercise videos at www.BurnNFirm.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

REMINDER: Be sure to catch my free one hour teleseminar on October 14^th (9PM EST) on How to Use Anti-Aging Psychology to Be More Youthful. Free registration is at www.healthteleclass.com.

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Judith Gilchrist

Broadcast and podcast starting: 9-29-08 on webtalkradio.net.

After 10-6-08 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 Health Coaching to Get Healthier [54:32m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Dr. Stephen Schimpff

Broadcast and podcast starting: 9-15-08 on webtalkradio.net. After 9-22-08 the podcast is also on the links below

 

 The Future of Medicine [52:55m]: Play NowDownload

(to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

You had a CAT scan and blood tests on Friday and you are stuck in the hospital for the weekend, anxiously waiting to hear test results, which will have to wait until your doctor makes rounds on Monday. But wait, Dr. Rounder, a robot cart with a monitor on top wheels into your room. Your doctor, who is at home, looked up the results online and is in a videoconference with you about the results. Welcome to the hospital of the future.

Our guest today Dr. Stephen Schimpff, is author of The Future of Medicine: Megatrends in Healthcare that will Improve Your Quality of Life. Dr. Schimpff is the retired CEO of the University Medical Center at University of Maryland-a hospital with 30,000 patients a year. He is a prominent cancer researcher and more recently a medical futurist. In preparing to write The Future of Medicine, he interviewed more than 100 leaders in medicine to learn firsthand what their specialties were likely to contribute to megatrends in healthcare.

Dr. Schimpff’s website to order The Future of Medicine and hear his podcasts is www.medicalmegatrends.com.

The sponsor sites are:

for health coach training: www.healthcoachtraining.com/judith

for Judith’s health coach training seminar on October 1www.healthteleclass.com/specialhc68z

and to register for free classes: www.healthteleclass.com.

Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.