Conversations with Joan

Biology is no longer destiny. Our DNA doesn’t determine our health as once believed. According to the new science of epigenetics, the majority of our genes are fluid and dynamic—and their expression is shaped by what we think and what we do. Dr. Pelletier, a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine, discusses how we can influence our genes by the choices we make every day. Dr. Pelletier is a...

Heart disease kills more women than cancer, diabetes, and stroke. It will claim the lives of one in three women, killing more than 400,000 each year. The good news is that a majority of these cases may be prevented through education and lifestyle changes. Dr. Mark Menolascino talks about the female heart and how we can change our genetic potential for the better. Dr. Menolascino is author of the b...

Today, more than ever, it seems like people are emotionally charged – on edge ready for conflict. It is so easy to get caught up in that energy. According to  Dr. Christian Conte, anger is natural and we’re not wrong or bad for feeling it, but it can lead to acting impulsively, with regrettable consequences. Dr. Conte discusses how we can deal with anger and inflamed emotions. Dr. Conte is a licen...

The fast pace of today’s world is creating a silent epidemic that’s impacting our physical and emotional well-being. According to Dr. Paul Napper, our accelerated lifestyles, always-on technology, and ever-increasing job demands have created a tsunami of overwhelm and anxiety. Dr. Napper warns that we’ve lost our agency, which is the ability to deal with stress and act as an effective agent for ou...

No one wants to experience the down side of life, but as sure as the sun rises each day, we will. We will lose a loved one, a child will move out, a job may be lost, and a breakup may occur. And when that happens we have the opportunity to either let it defeat and define us, or transform and lift us. Rachel Hollis  has experienced fear, grief, loss and betrayal. She talks about how to embrace the...

Regardless of our current financial state, being financially independent is something that appeals to just about everyone. While it may not appear to be the case, there are things we can do in order to be able to create the lives we want and support the people we love. Jean Chatzky, the CEO of HerMoney.com, discusses how we can make money make sense. The financial editor of NBC’s Today for 25 year...

Can you really change your brain? According to Dr. Daniel Amen, you’re not stuck with the brain you’re born with. You can change it and change your life. Dr. Amen is one of America’s leading psychiatrists and brain health experts. He has authored or coauthored 70 professional articles and more than 30 books, including the New York Times mega-bestseller Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. Dr Amen...

What is the difference between having empathy and being an empath? “Having empathy means our heart goes out to another person in joy or pain,” says Dr. Judith Orloff. “But for empaths it goes much further. We actually feel others’ emotions, energy, and physical symptoms in our own bodies, without the usual defenses that most people have.” Dr. Orloff explains how to nurture empathy and develop copi...

Many people decide to start a workout routine and get themselves into shape. The committed triumph because they understand that they have to work continuously to maintain fitness — you can’t just get fit and quit. The same is true, Jen Sincero argues, for strengthening the muscles of badassery. Jen discusses what it takes mentally and emotionally to achieve success. Jen is an author, success coach...

Many of us believe our genes doom us to the disorders that run in our families. But, according to Dr. Ben Lynch, with the right plan in place, we can optimize our physical and mental health — and ultimately rewrite our genetic destiny. Dr. Lynch is the best-selling author of Dirty Genes: A Breakthrough Program to Treat the Root Cause of Illness and Optimize Your Health, and president of Seeking He...

Women tend to over prepare and underestimate when it comes to their own readiness to try something new. Emma Isaacs didn’t draw up a plan or list her goals. She doesn’t believe in work-life balance. And yet, she managed to found a multimillion-dollar global organization, become a sought-after speaker and media commentator, and be recognized as a prominent voice in women’s leadership ― all while ra...

Many of us spend time working to identify and solve problems by using our head. But what if there was another approach, a reliable and effective pathway to realizing innermost desires? Steve Sisgold believes that we should get out of our head and into our body in order to achieve greater wisdom, confidence and success. Steve’s Whole Body Intelligence teaches how to become aware of subtle body sens...

In 2006, after building the bestselling franchise, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, with her husband Richard, author Kristine Carlson faced a shattering loss — the sudden death of her beloved spouse. She came to understand intimately how our losses are our defining moments, and that how we go through them shapes us. Kristine’s path offers a life-altering map for navigating the journey from loss to joy...

Narcissism is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit, but how much do we really know about it? Dr. Keith Campbell discusses the complexities of this surprisingly prevalent personality trait. In his book, The New Science of Narcissism: Understanding One of the Greatest Psychological Challenges of Our Time ― and What You Can Do About It, Dr. Campbell uses the latest scientific research methods t...

You might not be able to control events in your life, but you can control your responses to the events. According to Steve and Tracy Webster, what you think is what you become. They say, the good news, or for some people the bad news, is that you have created the life you are currently living. Steve and Tracy are the authors of the book, The Law of Creation. Music:  www.purple-planet.com Show site...

A recent American Psychological Association study found that 83 percent of Americans consider worry about the nation’s future a significant source of stress. And while it is a stressful time, Karen Brailsford believes that it is a period of tremendous possibility and transformation. According to Karen, when we consciously choose to align with the Divine within, we tap into wellsprings of faith, ho...

Many people today are living lives that fall short of what they truly desire. According to Kimberly Friedmutter, we have the ability to design the life of our dreams, and the power lies within us. Kimberly works with hollywood A-listers, politicians, CEOs, and titans of industry to help them connect to their subconscious to get what they truly want out of life. Kimberly believes that everyone has...

Today, more couples are divorcing later in life. As the divorce rate for older adults soars, so too does the number of adult children who are experiencing parental divorce. And these children are often overlooked. According to Dr. Carol Hughes and Bruce Fredenburg, whenever the children of gray divorce express their feelings and experiences, the most important people in their lives frequently igno...

Research has found that married people enjoy better health and longevity. Unfortunately, gray divorce is on the rise. For many couples, the empty nest forces an evaluation of their relationship. Do they know each other and more importantly, do they still like and love each other? Julia Mayer tackles the most common challenges of sustaining loving relationships and emotional wellness in the 50s, 60...

Many of us live life stressed out ready to be triggered. But are we really at the mercy of something outside us? According to Guy Finley, stress is an unseen killer that crushes its victims with the pressure of their own thoughts. When we understand where those thoughts come from and what they really mean, that pressure is released. Guy offers tools to help us live a stress-free life. Guy Finley i...

Have you ever met someone who overcame self doubt and turned their challenges into opportunities? Building mental strength is a lot like building physical strength … you need good habits. According to Amy Morin, when you give up the things that are holding you back, you can accomplish incredible feats. Amy discusses strategies we can use to exercise mental and emotional strength. Amy is a licensed...

Scientists are discovering that the thoughts and beliefs we continually repeat to ourselves create neuro-pathways like deep grooves in our brains. These pathways affect the way we see and experience the world. It is believed that if we can re-groove our minds, opportunities for success will present themselves in miraculous ways. May McCarthy has helped grow six companies to as large as $100 millio...

John Chambers, the former executive chairman and CEO at Cisco, served as the company’s global leader for more than two decades. John went from being a dyslexic kid from West Virginia to one of the world’s most successful business leaders. In his book, Connecting the Dots, John shares leadership principles that helped him outmaneuver competitors to grow a multi-billion dollar company. He has worked...

What would it take to make you happy? A fulfilling career, a big bank account, or the perfect mate? What if it didn’t take anything to make you happy? What if you could experience happiness from the inside out – no matter what’s going on in your life? Marci Shimoff offers an approach to being happy that doesn’t depend on achievements, goals, money, relationships, or anything else out there.  Marci...

Are you able to think independently no matter what is going on in your life, or do you find yourself believing that you a victim of circumstance, with little power over what you experience? Do you look outside for external validation or to things to give you pleasure? According to Michael Bernard Beckwith, you have the ability to create the inner conditions that will enable you to grow, expand, th...