Vital Stuff Podcast

VitalStuff

🎙️ Vital Stuff is your go-to podcast for practical health tips, expert insights, and inspiring stories to help you feel better and live well. Hosted by award-winning surgeon and innovator Dr. Gail Lebovic, each episode covers topics like nasal care, sleep, gut health, immunity, stress, and resilience - all with a holistic, empowering approach. Real advice. Real stories. Vital Stuff to help you love life.

Episodes

  1. JAN 13

    Inside Leadership’s Quiet Reality: From Loneliness to Purpose

    In this episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with Andy Morris for a thoughtful conversation about the parts of leadership and success that are rarely spoken about out loud. Andy’s career has taken him across New York, Sydney, London and beyond - not through rigid plans or titles, but by following people, curiosity, and a deep interest in human connection. Together, Gail and Andy explore what it really feels like to lead, to grow, and to carry responsibility over time. Their conversation moves beyond surface-level success into quieter territory: loneliness at every level, the energy we bring into rooms, the power of asking good questions, and what it means to see yourself not as the center of success, but as a vehicle for something larger. They also reflect on purpose, health, and awareness - and how feeling good about life often comes from small, conscious choices rather than extreme measures. Together, they explore:• Why leadership can feel lonely at every stage• The difference between transactions and real relationships• Curiosity as a discipline, not a tactic• Being interested rather than impressive• Presence, energy & what’s often lost in modern conversations• Stewardship over ego - being a vehicle, not the centre• Purpose over money and long-term thinking• Health, awareness & what it really means to feel well This conversation is calm, honest, and deeply human. A reminder that leadership isn’t always loud - and that purpose, presence, and connection are often what sustain us most over time.

    33 min
  2. 10/07/2025

    Breathing, Sleep & Oral Health: Why Your Mouth Matters More Than You Think

    What if the secret to better health, longevity, and even brain function started with your mouth and nose? In this episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with Dr. Mariangela Verano, a dentist whose career journey led her beyond teeth into the world of sleep, breathing, and whole-body health. Together, they uncover the surprising ways oral health, nasal breathing, and even diet shape not just our smiles - but our entire well-being. Dr. Verano shares how the shift from ancestral diets to modern processed foods has altered our jaws, teeth, and airways, why nasal hygiene is as essential as brushing your teeth, and how inflammation in the gums can ripple through the body to impact the heart, brain, and beyond. You’ll learn: How oral health impacts systemic health and inflammation The link between nasal breathing, nitric oxide, and immune function Why fluoride remains controversial, and what alternatives exist How diet and chewing shape facial structure and airway health Practical tips for healthier teeth, gums, and breathing every day About Dr. Mariangela Verano Dr. Verano is a UCSF-trained dentist based in Reno, Nevada, specializing in a multidisciplinary approach that integrates dentistry, sleep medicine, and breathing health. With a passion sparked by her own family’s struggles, she advocates for individualized care that looks far beyond cavities- focusing on the root causes of oral and airway health challenges. 🎧 New episodes of Vital Stuff drop every other Thursday.Follow Dr. Gail on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gaillebovic

    47 min
  3. 09/04/2025

    Food Rehab: Detoxing the Body, Mind & Pantry

    In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail sits down with world-renowned herbalist and detox specialist Brett Elliott to uncover what detoxing really means - and why it matters more than ever. What begins as a conversation about herbs quickly unfolds into a deep and personal exploration of healing, chronic inflammation, food addiction, and the rising health crises affecting millions globally. Together, Dr. Gail and Brett share their own powerful stories, both having been told they needed spinal fusion surgeries and how their paths to alternative healing led them to challenge conventional medicine and reclaim their health. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why “detox” doesn’t just mean rehab - and how it affects your energy, sleep, mood, and immune system What ultra-processed foods are doing to your body (and how they’re linked to cancer and heart disease) The role sugar plays in inflammation, hormone imbalance, and addiction Why clean eating and detoxing are more effective when done together - and how to start The surprising connection between gut health, sleep quality, and mental clarity What natural killer cells are, and how to support them through diet and herbs Practical daily tips to remove hidden toxins from your home, pantry, and routine Why your dog might need a detox too (!) Dr. Gail and Brett also cover the science behind detoxification, from the immune reset that happens during fasting, to the overlooked impact of everyday exposures -like plastics, air pollution, and even scented candles. Brett’s practical, no-nonsense 3-step guide to starting your own detox: Audit your toxic load – Make a list of potential exposures in your food, home, and lifestyle Find your “why” – Identify symptoms or health conditions that might be linked to inflammation or toxicity Take action – Clean out your fridge and pantry, reduce processed food, and begin a gentle detox with herbs and whole foods Guest Bio Brett Elliott is an herbalist, author, and founder of the Ultimate Herbal Detox — a globally used program that has helped thousands of people naturally reset their health. After healing his own severe back injury without surgery, Brett began a lifelong journey of studying natural healing, gut health, and the powerful connection between detoxification and wellness. https://www.brettelliott.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21889932864&gbraid=0AAAAAD0psruqnTYVxSwbOi5iPIPjC3V95&gclid=CjwKCAjwtrXFBhBiEiwAEKen18NqylOoVIzBmIkmA5fpI7KHSmT7HEaSsKBszjv8HLAH2_ASqFnRzBoCxOEQAvD_BwE Vital Stuff is hosted by Dr. Gail Lebovic - award-winning surgeon, inventor, and wellness advocate - to help you feel better, live smarter, and love life. Each episode delivers empowering health tips, expert conversations, and uplifting stories you can actually use. New episodes drop every other Thursday. Follow us on LinkedIn for bonus clips, takeaways, and behind-the-scenes extras.Subscribe and share if this episode resonated with you - it’s the vital stuff we all need.

    40 min

About

🎙️ Vital Stuff is your go-to podcast for practical health tips, expert insights, and inspiring stories to help you feel better and live well. Hosted by award-winning surgeon and innovator Dr. Gail Lebovic, each episode covers topics like nasal care, sleep, gut health, immunity, stress, and resilience - all with a holistic, empowering approach. Real advice. Real stories. Vital Stuff to help you love life.