Keeping pets healthy goes beyond basic checkups and pet store food! In this episode of the Believe Big Podcast, Dr. Judy Jasek, an integrative veterinarian with over 35 years of experience, dives into holistic approaches to pet health that focus on nutrition, natural therapies, and reducing unnecessary medical interventions. Here are five takeaways that can help you give your pets a healthier, happier life.

1. Good Nutrition is Key to Your Pet’s Health

“Like us, our pets are dealing with a toxic world. Feeding them fresh, balanced diets can significantly reduce their toxic load and help them fight disease.” — Dr. Jasek

Many pets suffer health problems due to processed kibble, which is loaded with carbohydrates. Dr. Jasek recommends a fresh food diet, ideally raw, to support pets’ natural health. By investing in quality food now, pet owners can help prevent costly medical issues down the line.

2. Integrative Medicine Treats the Whole Pet, Not Just Symptoms

“Conventional medicine often addresses symptoms instead of the underlying health of the pet. Integrative care supports the body’s natural healing abilities.” — Dr. Jasek

Integrative veterinary care is all about helping the pet’s body heal itself. Dr. Jasek explains that instead of being “on the attack” against diseases with drugs and chemicals, integrative medicine supports the body’s immune system through natural remedies, like herbal medicine and homeopathy.

3. Natural Cancer Therapies Like Mistletoe Can Improve Quality of Life

“Mistletoe therapy can help manage aggressive cancers and improve quality of life, often enhancing a pet’s appetite and comfort.” — Dr. Jasek

Dr. Jasek uses mistletoe therapy as part of her holistic approach to cancer care. This therapy helps boost pets’ energy levels and comfort, even in advanced cancer stages. Mistletoe is also easy for pet parents to administer at home, reducing stress for both the pet and the owner.

4. Ozone Therapy for Oxygenation and Healing

“Ozone therapy oxygenates tissues and boosts immune function, creating a less favorable environment for disease.” — Dr. Jasek

For pet parents interested in taking a proactive approach, Dr. Jasek recommends ozone therapy, which oxygenates cells and boosts the immune system. This therapy is especially helpful for pets with cancer, as it can be administered easily at home using a simple kit.

5. Finding the Right Integrative Vet for Your Pet’s Needs

“Having a vet who respects your choices and understands holistic care can make all the difference. Take time to find one before an emergency arises.” — Dr. Jasek

Not every vet will support an integrative approach. Dr. Jasek advises pet owners to visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) website, where they can find holistic vets nearby. Meeting a potential vet beforehand can save time and stress when your pet needs immediate care.

By adopting some of these integrative practices, pet owners can help their pets live longer, healthier lives. For more insights, tune in to the full podcast with Dr. Jasek on Believe Big.

Navigating cancer treatment can often feel like stepping into an unknown world, where the balance between medical care and inner healing becomes an overwhelming challenge. In our latest episode of the Believe Big podcast, we’re honored to welcome Kristi Gaultiere, a compassionate psychologist and spiritual guide, to share her journey and insights with us. Kristi joins Ivelisse Page, Believe Big’s co-founder and a resilient stage IV colon cancer survivor, to talk about her and her husband’s book, Journey of the Soul. Together, they explore how to find emotional and spiritual grounding during life’s most trying times.

Kristi and Ivelisse dive into the importance of building resilience—not just physically, but spiritually—for anyone facing a health crisis. For those moments when faith feels out of reach, Kristi shares gentle yet powerful ways to connect with God. Through “spiritual rhythms” like prayer, quiet retreats, and fasting, they explain how these practices can offer a sense of peace and purpose, even when things feel overwhelming. Many of our Believe Big listeners will find reassurance in knowing that cancer treatment doesn’t have to consume every aspect of life; it can be paired with supportive, grounding practices that help bring clarity and calm.

This episode is more than a conversation about health; it’s an invitation to listen—to God’s voice and to your own heart. Kristi’s wisdom encourages us to find strength and serenity beyond the medical journey. She also offers compassionate, practical advice on seeking God’s guidance when difficult choices arise, helping us all to take steps forward with peace and trust.

Spiritual Rhythms refer to intentional practices that help create a deeper connection with God, nurturing emotional and spiritual health. Kristi Gaultiere describes how spiritual rhythms can help people—especially those facing life challenges like cancer—by fostering peace, resilience, and a closer relationship with God. Here’s a breakdown of the spiritual rhythms discussed:

1. Prayer as a Foundation
   Prayer is essential for spiritual health, providing a direct line to connect with God, seek guidance, and express gratitude. It reinforces trust and faith, becoming a daily anchor for one’s spiritual life.
2. Rhythms of Solitude and Silence
   Regular moments of solitude and silence offer deep reflection and a chance to hear God’s guidance, free from life’s distractions. Solitude brings clarity, peace, and reconnection with faith.
3. Community Support and Safe Relationships
   Alongside solitude, supportive community interactions are essential. Engaging with others who offer understanding and empathy provides mutual encouragement and helps process thoughts and emotions, strengthening the journey.
4. Rest and Retreat for Restoration
   Rest and regular retreats—whether daily, quarterly, or annually—allow individuals to reset spiritually. Stepping away from daily routines for focused spiritual time refreshes one’s spirit and brings peace, preparing them to approach challenges with new strength.
5. Listening to God’s Voice
   Cultivating the ability to discern God’s voice involves practicing silence, engaging with scripture, and paying attention to experiences where He might be speaking. Using a GPS approach—God’s Word, Providence, and Spirit—can help confirm that insights align with God’s guidance.
6. Practicing Fasting for Spiritual Clarity
   Fasting, or temporarily abstaining from food or other comforts, helps shift focus to spiritual needs and strengthens prayer life. This practice reminds individuals of their dependence on God and helps deepen their relationship with Him.
7. Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading)
   Lectio Divina is a contemplative way to read scripture that invites God to speak personally through His Word. By meditating on specific passages, individuals can gain new insights and a stronger personal connection to God’s teachings.

Each of these rhythms fosters a holistic connection with God, balancing the need for personal reflection and community support to strengthen both emotional and spiritual well-being. For those going through treatment or facing other difficult journeys, these spiritual rhythms provide ways to feel grounded, gain strength, and deepen faith.

In this enlightening episode of the Believe Big Podcast, Ivelisse Page interviews Sasha Kalcheff-Korn, Executive Director of Realm of Caring, to delve into the role of cannabis in oncology. Sasha brings her wealth of experience in cannabis advocacy and education to shed light on how cannabis can be an effective tool for cancer patients seeking holistic and plant-based treatments.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

1. Cannabis and Its Benefits for Cancer Patients
Sasha begins by explaining that cannabis is a plant with over 100 cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, which have a wide range of health benefits. She emphasizes that not all cannabis is the same, making it important to source high-quality, tested products. Cannabis can help alleviate cancer-related symptoms like pain, nausea, and anxiety while potentially offering anti-tumor benefits.

2. The Importance of Sourcing Credible Cannabis Products
As cannabis plants can absorb toxins from the soil, it’s crucial to find products that are third-party tested for purity. Patients should look for a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to ensure their cannabis is free from pesticides, heavy metals, and other harmful substances.

3. THC vs. CBD: Understanding the Difference
Sasha clarifies the differences between hemp-derived CBD (which contains minimal THC) and cannabis from the marijuana plant. She shares that while THC can be psychoactive, it also has significant therapeutic benefits for pain management and sleep, especially for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

4. Research and Cannabis Use in Oncology
The conversation highlights ongoing research with Johns Hopkins University, where Realm of Caring collaborates on studies exploring how cannabis affects various health outcomes. This research aims to build a stronger scientific foundation for the medicinal use of cannabis.

5. The Role of Medical Teams and Patient Advocacy
Sasha advocates for transparency and collaboration with medical teams when incorporating cannabis into treatment plans. While not all healthcare providers are familiar with cannabis therapies, resources like Realm of Caring help bridge the gap by providing education and connecting patients with reliable products.

6. Personal Stories of Hope
Sasha shares inspiring stories of cancer patients, like one who used cannabis suppositories to manage her colon cancer and achieved remission. These real-life experiences demonstrate how cannabis can serve as an adjunct therapy to conventional cancer treatments.

Final Thoughts

The episode underscores the potential of cannabis as a complementary tool in cancer care, offering relief from treatment side effects and improving quality of life. Sasha encourages patients to do thorough research, consult with their healthcare team, and approach cannabis use with an open mind.

To learn more, listen to the full episode and explore the resources provided by Realm of Caring.

Learn more about Sasha and Realm of Caring:
https://realmofcaring.org/about/who-we-are/

Suggested Resources:

• Realm of Caring
• Realm of Caring Blog – Education
• Realm of Caring Blog – Client Stories
• Charlotte’s Web 
• 55 Plus
• Aspen Green
• NuuMe
• Peaceful Roads
• Long-Term CBD Study

Your donations power our podcast’s mission to support cancer patients with hope, insights, and resources. Every contribution fuels our ability to uplift and empower. Join us in making a lasting impact. Donate now! 🌟

In the latest episode of the Believe Big podcast, Ivelisse Page speaks with mental health and mindfulness expert Tomek Wyczesany. Tomek shares his journey from academic stress to self-awareness and transformation through mindfulness. With over 20 years of meditation practice and 4 million plays on his meditations, he offers listeners practical insights on how mindfulness can improve mental and physical well-being.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Know Thyself: Tomek emphasizes the ancient wisdom of self-awareness as a foundation for healing.
• Mindfulness vs. Meditation: Understand the difference between being fully present in the moment and the deeper internal exploration that meditation offers.
• Relaxation First: Before jumping into mindfulness or meditation, Tomek encourages starting with relaxation to ease stress and allow the body to reset.

Whether you’re on a cancer journey or seeking everyday wellness, Tomek’s advice to “be your own guide” empowers you to take control of your health.

Tune in to learn more about integrating mindfulness into your life, and how it can support your overall healing.

Learn more about Tomek on his website:
https://tomekwyczesany.com/

Suggested Resources:

• Insight Timer app
• Tomek’s profile on Insight Timer
• Tomek on Instagram

Looking for a journal to expand your spiritual journey and deepen your relationship with God? Check out our new Healing Journals available now: https://store.believebig.org/nourishing-the-soul-healing-journal/

Your donations power our podcast’s mission to support cancer patients with hope, insights, and resources. Every contribution fuels our ability to uplift and empower. Join us in making a lasting impact. Donate now! 🌟

In today’s digital age, wireless technology is an integral part of our lives. From cell phones to Wi-Fi routers, these devices offer convenience but also come with risks that are often overlooked. In a recent episode of the Believe Big podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Devra Davis, founder of the Environmental Health Trust, about the hidden dangers of wireless radiation, including the effects of 5G technology.

Key takeaway: “Distance is your friend.” Dr. Davis emphasized the importance of keeping your devices away from your body to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). She also noted that the pulsed radiation from wireless devices is what causes the most harm over time, not necessarily the power of the radiation itself.

The Unseen Risk of Wireless Radiation
Dr. Davis shared eye-opening information on how wireless devices, especially cell phones, emit radiation that can have serious health implications. One startling revelation was that the last time safety standards for cell phones were set was 25 years ago. Since then, technology has advanced, but safety regulations have not kept pace. This outdated standard puts everyone, especially children, at risk.

The Impact on Children’s Health
One of the most alarming topics discussed was the effect of EMF exposure on children. Studies have shown that children who begin using cell phones at a young age are at a higher risk of developing brain cancer as they grow older. The proximity of cell towers and the increased use of devices in classrooms only add to this risk.

Dr. Davis strongly advocates for wired connections in schools and limiting children’s exposure to wireless devices. She also highlighted the quadrupling of rectal cancer rates in American adults under 40, which she believes could be linked to the habitual carrying of cell phones in pockets.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Family
While the dangers are significant, there are practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your family:

• Turn off your Wi-Fi router at night or program it to operate at the lowest power necessary.
• Use wired connections for your internet whenever possible. It’s faster, safer, and more secure.
• Keep cell phones out of bedrooms or place them in airplane mode to minimize exposure while you sleep.
• Educate your children about the risks and encourage them to keep devices away from their bodies.
• Davis also mentioned the importance of community action. By getting educated and working with others, you can advocate for safer technology and push for updated regulations that protect public health.

The Road Ahead
As Dr. Davis pointed out, there is a growing international movement to demand safer wireless technology. The Environmental Health Trust provides numerous resources, including fact sheets and guidelines, to help individuals and communities take action.

Final thought: We should not have to choose between convenience and health. It’s time to push for technological advancements that prioritize safety alongside innovation.

Your donations power our podcast’s mission to support cancer patients with hope, insights, and resources. Every contribution fuels our ability to uplift and empower. Join us in making a lasting impact. Donate now! 🌟

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Aimie Apigian, a medical expert in trauma healing, for our latest podcast episode. Dr. Aimie, a double board-certified physician in both preventative and addiction medicine, is renowned for her work in understanding how life experiences get stored in the body. Her approach, known as the biology of trauma, has helped countless individuals accelerate their healing journeys.

The Importance of Quality Sleep
Our conversation kicked off with Dr. Aimie sharing her top health tip: prioritizing quality sleep. “Make sleep a non-negotiable,” she emphasized. Quality sleep is fundamental for various bodily functions, and Dr. Aimie provided three practical tips for improving sleep: taking magnesium at bedtime, using blackout curtains to ensure darkness, and keeping the bedroom cool.

Defining Trauma
One of the key topics we explored was the nature of trauma. Dr. Aimie explained that trauma is not defined by the external event but by the internal response of the body. She illustrated this with examples of how two people can experience the same event but have completely different reactions based on their body’s internal responses. Trauma, she clarified, is the body’s response of overwhelm.

Stored Trauma and Its Impact
Delving deeper, Dr. Aimie discussed how trauma gets stored in the body. When our bodies experience overwhelming events, these responses can become default patterns. This stored trauma can significantly impact our nervous system, leading to chronic issues like fatigue, pain, and even metabolic and immune system dysregulation.

Stress vs. Trauma
A crucial part of our discussion was differentiating between stress and trauma. While stress is a normal response meant to propel us into action and growth, trauma is a state of overwhelm where the body’s response system gets stuck. Recognizing when our bodies are crossing from stress into trauma is vital for maintaining health and wellbeing.

Healing from Stored Trauma
Dr. Aimie introduced us to several effective strategies for releasing and processing stored trauma. One simple yet powerful technique involves using physical objects, like a pillow over the stomach, to create a felt sense of safety. These somatic exercises, which work directly with the body’s tissues, help shift the nervous system out of a trauma state and into a place of safety and support.

The Impact of Trauma on the Immune System
We also learned about the impact of stored trauma on the immune system. Dr. Aimie explained that trauma can lead to immune dysregulation, making the body either overreactive or under reactive. This dysregulation can have serious health consequences, including chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress, which can hinder the body’s ability to fight diseases like cancer.

Trauma-Informed Approaches
Unlike traditional medical or psychological treatments, trauma-informed approaches focus on resolving the body’s response of overwhelm. Dr. Aimie highlighted the importance of creating a felt sense of safety and support to facilitate healing. She emphasized that healing is not just about talking through events but about changing the body’s physiological response to those events.

Practical Strategies for Healing
Dr. Aimie shared several practical strategies for healing from trauma, including somatic exercises and techniques to create moments of safety throughout the day. She stressed the importance of understanding and responding to the body’s needs, which can improve physical and emotional health.

Our conversation with Dr. Aimie Apigian was enlightening and filled with valuable insights into the biology of trauma and the healing process. Her unique approach and practical tips offer hope and guidance for anyone struggling with the effects of stored trauma.

To dive deeper into Dr. Aimie’s work and learn more about her healing strategies, be sure to listen to the full podcast episode. You won’t want to miss this transformative conversation.

Your donations power our podcast’s mission to support cancer patients with hope, insights, and resources. Every contribution fuels our ability to uplift and empower. Join us in making a lasting impact. Donate now! 🌟