The Heal Deal Podcast with Dr. Leona

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Jackie Kirschen! Jackie is a weight loss dietitian who successfully lost 65 pounds and kept it off for 14 years. She helps women sustainably lose weight, indulge in the foods they love, end the yo-yo dieting cycle, and conquer binge eating while healing their relationship with food through Mindful Eating. Jackie's helped over 300+ women lose between 20-100+ poun...

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Michele Walter! When Gen X’ers work with Michele, they learn how to move through the uncertainty of transitions with confidence, courage, and consciousness. After the sudden death of her mom in 2012, Michele began to re-evaluate her “successful” life as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice. She battled a decade of depression, anxiety, and a loss of pu...

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Susan Salenger. Susan Salenger is the author and researcher behind SIDELINED: How Women Can Navigate A Broken Healthcare System. SIDELINED examines the many ways in which some women manage and sometimes mismanage their healthcare. Susan explores how women, typically the medical gatekeepers for their families, tend to be extremely conscientious about taking care...

Do you feel like your health and weight loss goals are out of your reach? Do you feel like it's too late to achieve the health you desire? Are you 'afraid' of becoming healthy? This episode delves into the fears that can hinder individuals from reaching their health and weight loss goals. It explores how fears of the unknown, putting the needs of others before one's own, and discomfort can act as...

This episode covers three key strategies for accelerating healthy weight loss. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on health to achieve weight loss, not just quick fixes or conventional myths regarding weight loss. Strategies include prioritizing nutrition by incorporating whole, unprocessed foods, managing stress as a crucial factor in weight loss success, and having a support system to prov...

Schedule Your Breakthrough Call   What do you want to achieve in the next 3, 6, 9 or 12 months in regards to your health and weight loss goals? Whatever it is, whether it is to eat better or get back on your exercise regimen, it’s important to have a powerful mindset and a clear roadmap in your journey to healing and weight loss. “If you are not clear with what you want, it will be very difficult...

In this episode, Dr. Leona discusses the habitual cycle of setting and failing to keep New Year's resolutions, influenced by societal expectations rather than genuine personal reflection and a clear understanding of our goals. She explores why traditional approaches to New Year's resolutions often lead to disappointment and what can be done differently. To ensure our goals align with our personal...

Are you tired of letting excuses rule your life? Are you ready to break free from the constraints of "I can't" and "I don’t have time?" Today's episode is real talk about how the excuses you make are holding you back from walking into your purpose. It’s time to stop hiding behind your excuses. “Stop hiding behind your excuses, so you can walk into your purpose." Dr. Leona   In this episode: 01:01...

There are many factors that contribute to why you may be unable to stick to a weight loss plan, but sugar cravings, feelings of food deprivation, and increased hunger are at the top of the list. But by the end of this episode, you will understand your cues, especially when it comes to distinguishing the difference between hunger, cravings or appetite, in order to achieve better health, and success...

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Dr. David Wiss. Dr. Wiss became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in 2013 and founded Nutrition in Recovery, a group practice of RDNs specializing in treating eating and substance use disorders. He earned his Ph. D. in Public Health with a minor in Health Psychology from UCLA by investigating links between adverse childhood experiences and mental health...

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Lucia Tiffany. Lucia is the owner of 3-D Health LLC and author of two plant-based cookbooks and the e-book, The Plant Based Plate Shift: 12 steps to transform your plate and palate. She has a passion for supporting women entrepreneurs in their journey to optimal health through education and coaching. She seeks to empower women to take charge of their own health...

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Earnest James. Earnest James is a family man, father, and friend, with a heart for people. As a minister, mentor, and speaker, Earnest has dedicated his life to inspiring and uplifting others. His mission is to help others deal, heal and fulfill. “Deal with your problems. Heal from your pain. Fulfill your purpose.” He spreads a message of hope and healing wherev...

In this episode, Dr. Leona is being interviewed by Danielle Emmons, RDN, host of the Ditch the Diets Online Summit. The conversation provides actionable advice for women over 40 who are looking to break free from diet hell so they can finally lose weight for good without all the mind drama. "Take those mistakes as lessons, give yourself some grace, and just believe that you can do it. It all start...

In this episode, Dr. Leona discusses the USDA’s approval of the sale of lab-grown meat and its potential impact it may have on our environment, our health, and our food choices. "Control food and you control the people." -- Henry Kissinger   In this episode: 00:00 Intro 03:04 Sponsor message: Download your Food Shopping Guide 04:09 The recent USDA approval of lab-grown meat and its significance 15...

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Keba Richardson, Author and Wholistic Life Coach. Join us in this conversation, as Keba shares her personal journey of self-discovery and transformation by Un-Becoming. “Nature has been one of my greatest teachers on this journey.”    — Keba Richardson   In this episode: 01:07 Guest introduction: Keba Richardson, Author and Wholistic Life Coach 02:50 Sponsor mes...

In this episode, Dr. Leona reflects on the symbolism of the Sankofa as she emphasizes the significance of looking to the past in order to heal the present and the future. “Always remember the past for therein lies the future, if forgotten we are destined to repeat it.” — Meaning of the Symbolism of the Sankofa Bird   In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:08 The importance of looking to the past in order...

In this episode, Dr. Leona is being interviewed by Cherie Schwartz, host of the Weight Loss For Women Over 50 Masterclass Series. The conversation provides actionable advice for women over 50 who are looking to improve their health and achieve their weight loss goals through consistent habits and lifestyle changes. "You don’t lose weight to get healthy, you get healthy to lose weight" — Dr. Leona...

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Dr. Barbara Swinney, a Life and Holistic Leadership Expert. Join us in this conversation, as Dr. Swinney shares how she uses her platform to empower women worldwide to heal, lead, and leverage their stories for life, love, and leadership. "If you want your life to go higher... you have to go DEEPER!" — Dr. Barbara Swinney   In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Gue...

Nurturing plants in a garden is a wonderful way to nurture ourselves. Not just physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. Gardening benefits our well-being in so many ways, from reducing stress to creating more peace in our lives. Allow this episode to motivate you to nurture your soul in the garden. “We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really n...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Leona shares the humble beginnings of her personal journey with gardening. She discusses how she initially tried using containers and raised garden beds for gardening but found it to be unsuccessful and not resonating with her. However, once she started tilling the soil and getting her hands dirty, she felt a sense of relief and knew she was going in the right directio...

In this episode, Dr. Leona discusses embracing the seasons of life. Just as nature experiences different seasons, our lives also go through seasons as well. Understanding this concept can help us make sense of the trials and tribulations we face. By recognizing that these are seasons in our lives, we can stay firm during difficult times and have faith in the process. Tune in to gain a deeper under...

In this episode, we dive into the importance of liver health and the vital role that liver cells play in the body. We also discuss the symptoms of liver disease, including jaundice, chronic fatigue, weight loss, and hormonal imbalances. Dr. Leona shares her personal experience with prediabetes, fatty liver, and gallbladder disease, and how she was able to reduce it through weight loss, reducing in...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of reading labels when buying packaged foods. By reading labels, you can avoid sources of toxic chemicals and make informed choices about the foods you eat. We suggest looking for foods with short ingredient lists that you can pronounce and recognize. We also encourage modifying recipes using healthy ingredients, avoiding frying and opting for steaming, b...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Leona delves into the topic of food and what it truly means. She discusses how the Standard American Diet is poisoning our bodies with denatured, processed, and highly refined artificial foods. While these foods may look and taste like food, they lack the necessary nutrients to nourish our bodies and are making us sick.  Dr. Leona provides some helpful tips for determi...

My guest, Rhonda Williams, shares the power of resilience in her healing journey. If what you want is not where you're standing, keep moving. – Rhonda Williams   In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Sponsor message: Download your Food Shopping Guide 01:24 Introduction of Guest: Rhonda Williams 03:15 Hitting roadblocks in the healing journey 05:38 The struggle with weight loss resistance and inflamma...