An Organic Conversation

A Plastic Ocean: A Critical View on the Planet's Pollution

It’s a heart-wrenching topic, and nevertheless a beautiful and absolutely critical documentary – A Plastic Ocean. This new film follows researchers across all oceans to examine just how much plastic pollution has been accumulated in the sea, how it behaves in the water, and what it does to the biology of ocean life, from fish, to mammals, turtles and sea birds – and directly to humans as well. Life on this planet depends on the health of our oceans. A Plastic Ocean captures this connection we all share with the sea, and brings us a serious - and very visual - warning of the plastic pollution problem that we are facing. It's staggering, and yet some early solutions to this problem are being developed already, as we will hear from one of the chief scientists of the film.

 

Guest:

Bonnie Monteleone, Executive Director​, Director of Science, Research and Academic Partnerships, Plastic Oceans Project, Wilmington, NC

Breast Cancer: Natural Medicine on the Road to Recovery

There is still a fairly great uncertainty as to what exactly causes breast cancer. From things that can be influenced, such as lifestyle, cosmetic use, diet, and alcohol consumption, to things that cannot be influenced, such as higher age, and a family history with breast cancer, the exact causes or the exact combination of causes that may result in breast cancer are still being researched. Regardless, over a quarter million women will get diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and with that diagnosis, the long and difficult road to recovery begins. Today we are speaking with an expert about complementary treatment options and consider what additional support for a breast cancer patient may look like. 

 

Guest:

Dr. Holly Lucille, ND, RN, Naturopathic Doctor, Los Angeles, CA

Vegetarian or Vegan: The Health Benefits of Plant Based Diets

The average American consumes about 270 pounds of meat a year, making the United States the country with one of the highest meat consumptions per person in the world. We know of our love for meat, and most of us know at least about some connection between meat consumption and our health, particularly cardiovascular, or heart health. So how much healthier is a diet that is much more – or entirely – plant based, that avoids animal meat or animal products all together? New studies are out that are looking at the effect of plant-based diets on our health, both for vegetarian as well as vegan diets.

 

Guest: 

Vandana Sheth, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Los Angeles, CA

Zero Waste Living: Practical Tips for Every Day

*Originally Aired on 4/04/16. Chosen as "Best of 2016"

15% of the cost is in the packaging. So what do you gain by striving for a Zero Waste lifestyle? A cleaner home, a healthier planet, deeper relationships, and up to 40% more money in your wallet. What are you waiting for? It takes less time than you think...

Guest:

Bea Johnson, Author, Zero Waste Home, Mill Valley, CA

Alive Inside: Music to Remember

*Originally Aired on 3/14/16. Chosen as "Best of 2016"

An award-winning documentary shows the powerful effect music has on patients with Alzheimer's disease. By demonstrating how melody returns people to long lost memories, we explore the question, "can music make you come alive again?"

 

Guest: 

Michael Rossato-Bennett, Writer/Director/Producer, Alive Inside, New York, NY

Animal & Human Companionship: Proven Benefit to Our Health

*Originally Aired on 3/28/16. Chosen as "Best of 2016"

Anyone who has ever loved an animal knows the sublime quality of a relationship built upon unconditional love. Increasing evidence suggests that beyond the bonds of companionship, human-animal relationships can also be life saving. Tune in to learn about how animals across species are healing a spectrum of human ailments - and how animals improve their health at the same time.

Guest:

Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Director, Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (RECHAI), University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO

Ancient Wisdom and Indigenous Rights: Lessons from Standing Rock

Indigenous people’s rights have been violated since the beginning of time. But one would think that by now, we would have seen and understood the injustice of the past and revised our stands and approach to land use in general, and in particular, when it includes land of the First Nations or any other indigenous groups in this country, or anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, not so. The developments around Standing Rock in North Dakota where an oil pipeline is supposed to go through sacred land, including underneath the Missouri River - the longest river in America - has raised massive political, cultural, environmental, and ethnic concerns. This week we are speaking with a Native American elder about what is happening and what is at stake at Standing Rock, and what the lessons are, that so urgently need to become a much greater part of our way of life.

 

Guest: 

David Escobar, Lenca-Poton Indian, Member of the Indigenous Cuxcatan Collective

Living Christmas Tree Rentals: Carbon Friendly Holidays

It’s that time of year again when we celebrate family, loved ones, food, the end of the year, and hopefully count all of our blessings. It’s Christmas, and where ever you may be listening to the show, at least the thought of a Christmas tree most likely will have occurred for you. Millions of trees are being cut, and then, a couple of weeks later, thrown away. It’s a huge loss, so massive, in fact, that it has an impact on our global climate, as we will learn today! But, ho ho ho, there is a real alternative!!

 

Guest: 

Scott "Scotty Claus" Martin, Founder & Jolly Ol' Soul, The Living Christmas Company, California

In Vino Veritas: A Woman's Journey in Biodynamic Winemaking

Katrina Frey is one of the leaders and one of the heroes of organic agriculture. As a young woman she and her husband Jonathan followed their conviction and took on the challenge to create the first organic and biodynamic vineyard in the country – Frey Vineyards. Her wines have won numerous awards in national and international wine competitions, not just in the organic category, but overall, even in taste tests against highly acclaimed European wines in Europe. Today, Host Helge Hellberg and Katrina Frey are talking about the human side of organic agriculture, how a daily engagement with Nature shapes one’s life.

 

Guest:

Katrina Frey, Executive Director, Frey Vineyards, Redwood Valley, CA

Responsible Rum Production: Sustainability in a Bottle

Beyond food, there are a whole host of products that we consume that we know little about when it comes to their ingredients or how they were produced. Today we are dedicating this hour to understanding the amazing world of producing alcohol, in this case "eco-positive" Rum.

Guest:

Tristan Mermin, Founder & CEO, Batiste Rhum, Mill Valley, CA