Health Power: The OG Health Podcast & Dog-Eared Podcast

Lisa Davis MPH
  • 4.5 (79)
  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Remember when health podcasts were just starting out? That was us!  Health Power has been empowering listeners to live their healthiest lives for over a decade, and we're still going strong. We're old school in the best way possible: no fads, just facts. Host Lisa, with her Master's in Public Health and 26 years in health media, offers time-tested wisdom and practical strategies to help you truly thrive. On Health Power, you'll discover: Evidence-based guidance: Straightforward facts for a healthier you.Holistic well-being: Connecting mind, body, and spirit.Sustainable habits: Practical steps for lasting change.Insightful discussions: Expert interviews that cut through the noise. Join the Health Power community—we've been your trusted source for a healthier life for years. Subscribe today!  POSTS EVERY TUESDAY  "DOG-EARED" PODCAST - Do you like to read books about dogs? Would you love to hear from the authors of your favorite dog-related books? Listen to "DOG-EARED" every Thursday! 

  1. EP #1616: Making New Year's Resolutions You'll Keep For Ultimate Self-Care

    1H AGO

    EP #1616: Making New Year's Resolutions You'll Keep For Ultimate Self-Care

    Send us a text While some individuals can follow through with New Year's resolutions, research shows that certain people are more susceptible to failure.The new year is a time when many people make promises to "do better" or "work harder." While some individuals can follow through with these resolutions, research shows that certain people are more susceptible to failure. For instance, people who don't like exercising or eating healthy and who may be in recovery from an addiction will fall off the wagon when they've had a close encounter with someone who gives them grief.  Mark Goulston, MD, author of Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life, says there are ways to combat both the negative people and the tendency to fail. It's a very simple plan. Take a sheet of paper and put a line down the middle. On the left side, list the people who drain the life out of you. On the right side, list all the people who give you energy. Then, make a commitment for 30 days (and eventually for a lifetime) to minimize your exposure to the people on the left and maximize the time you spend with the people on the right.  A key part of the success of this plan is to thank the people on the right.  Dr. Goulston explains the three parts of a "power thank you." When you contact the recipient, take these steps: "You did this for me." (be specific)"You went out of your way."Explain what it personally means to you.  Listen in as Dr. Goulston shares more ideas for keeping those resolutions and minimizing the negative people in your life.

    10 min

  2. 5D AGO

    EP #1615: How a Challenging Pet Relationship Can Lead to Unexpected Personal Growth and Healing

    Send us a text Have you ever wondered if your pet is trying to teach you something about love and healing? Many people adopt pets hoping for companionship and love, but sometimes, those pets come with unexpected challenges. This episode delves into a story about a dog with severe anxiety and the profound impact she has on her owner's journey of self-discovery. In this episode, you'll discover:  How a challenging pet relationship can lead to unexpected personal growth and healing.Learn about the lengths one person will go to for their beloved animal, from unconventional treatments to emotional exploration.Explore the powerful lessons of selflessness and unconditional love that can be found in the bond between humans and their pets.Press play to hear a heartwarming story of how a golden retriever named Edie helped her owner, Meredith, open her heart and heal her past.

    45 min
  3. EP #1614: Resolutions vs. Lifestyle Choices For Ultimate Self-Care

    JAN 13

    EP #1614: Resolutions vs. Lifestyle Choices For Ultimate Self-Care

    Send us a text Instead of resolutions this year, perhaps you can take a hard look at some of your lifestyle choices.Immediately after the clock strikes midnight on January 1, many people are geared up for their New Year's resolutions. It's evidenced mostly at your now-busy gym. If you're a regular gym-goer, have no fear... it's predicted to be back to "normal" as soon as January 17. Why do so many people fail at resolutions? For one, resolutions present a great deal of pressure. If you're not ready to actually make adjustments in your life, you're not going to change.  If you're resistant to change, you need to discover why you're experiencing that resistance. Are others sabotaging your health goals? Are you fearful of change? Are your goals just a bit too lofty? Instead of resolutions this year, perhaps you can take a hard look at some of your lifestyle choices. You don't have to wait for January 1 to start, either. You can take note of certain behaviors at any time, and then make the decision to work on them. Listen in as Naturally Savvy hosts Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis present some tips for making better lifestyle choices this year and beyond.

    10 min
  4. EP #1613: BOOK:"Another Good Dog: Our Family and Fifty Foster Dogs." AUTHOR: Cara Sue Achterberg

    JAN 8

    EP #1613: BOOK:"Another Good Dog: Our Family and Fifty Foster Dogs." AUTHOR: Cara Sue Achterberg

    Send us a text A regular listener Ray brought to my attention that Cara's sound was much lower than mine. I have no idea how that happened. I put together every show and I must have hit something just before bouncing the file. Anyway, I evened out the sound and it's a MUST LISTEN. Cara is phenomenal and so is her book! Lisa is joined by Cara Sue Achterberg who talks with Lisa about her book, "Another Good Dog: Our Family and Fifty Foster Dogs." Cara shares her experience fostering fifty dogs and in this interview you will get to hear about quite a few of them. In addition Cara's book and this interview touches on mothering older children who don't need you quite as much and the challenges that comes with that. Cara Achterberg is the author of seven books, a creative writing teacher, and a shelter dog advocate. Her memoir, Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs was a People magazine ‘people’s pick’ and featured on the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family Show. Her book, One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues led to Cara cofound Who Will Let the Dogs Out, a nonprofit initiative to raise awareness and resources for shelter dogs. Cara lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, three rescue dogs, and a rotating cast of foster dogs and cats. For more information visit CaraWrites.com.BOOK DESCRIPTION:   In 2015, Cara Achterberg’s Pennsylvania farm became a haven for Operation Paws for Homes, which rescues dogs from high-kill shelters in the rural south and shuttles them north to foster homes. Nine puppies arrived with less than a day’s notice; a heart-worm positive dog; a deeply traumatized stray pup from Iraq; and countless others who just needed a gentle touch and a warm place to sleep. The stories of these remarkable dogs—including an eighty-pound bloodhound who sang arias for the neighbors—and the joy they bring to Cara and her family (along with a few chewed sofa cushions) fill the pages of this touching and inspiring book.When asked how she can possibly say goodbye to that many lovable pups, Cara says, “If I don’t give this one away, I can’t possibly save another.” Filled with humanity and hope, Another Good Dog will take the reader on a journey of smiles, laughs, and tears—and lead us to wonder how many other good dogs are out there and what we can do to help.

    58 min
  5. EP #1612: How to Make the Most Out of the New Year (Hint: Start with Self-Care)

    JAN 6

    EP #1612: How to Make the Most Out of the New Year (Hint: Start with Self-Care)

    Send us a text How can you make the most out of the coming year?With the new year comes exciting possibilities.  How can you make the most out of the coming year? A big part of that is discovering what you love and how to make more time for that.  Oftentimes, it can be as simple as one word, such as "balance."  Another tactic is to identify your old belief systems and work on changing them.  For example, if you're constantly berating yourself with negative self-talk, try listening to yourself like you are your own best friend.  Would you say to a friend, "You're worthless" or "You can't do anything right"? Not likely. You need to learn how to speak to yourself in a loving way. Shaman Isabella Stoloff, founder of the Orange County Healing Center in Southern California, joins Naturally Savvy hosts Andrea and Lisa to share more about how you can make the most out of this year, as well as specific ways you can leave the negative behind.

    10 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    EP #1611: How to Set Boundaries and Avoid Codependent Behaviors for Healthier Relationships

    Send us a text Do you often find yourself putting others' needs before your own, sometimes to your own detriment? This episode explores the often blurry line between empathy and codependency, offering clarity on how to support others without sacrificing your own well-being. It addresses the common struggle of wanting to help while maintaining healthy boundaries. Listeners will learn: How to distinguish between healthy empathy and codependent behaviors, recognizing the signs of self-sacrifice.The importance of setting and maintaining boundaries when helping others, preventing overextension and resentment.Practical strategies for offering support without imposing solutions, fostering independence and self-reliance in those you care about.Click here to listen and discover how to nurture healthy relationships by understanding the difference between empathy and codependency. Keywords: codependency, empathy, helping others, sacrifices, boundaries TO WORK WITH DR. JOHN - text him here: 719-310-9495  and let him know you are interested in a 15 minute FREE consultation.  Get Dr. John's books here:   Making Movies in Our Minds: Working Through Our Anxiety - July 3, 2023:  https://tinyurl.com/b7kp2etk Connecting In A Disconnected World: Activities That Build Connections With Children:   https://tinyurl.com/53vswdby

    24 min
  7. EP #1610: BOOK: Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other AUTHOR: Craig Grossi

    12/25/2025

    EP #1610: BOOK: Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other AUTHOR: Craig Grossi

    Send us a text Lisa is joined by Craig Grossi, the author of Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other. Raised in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, Craig Grossi is a Marine Corps veteran, recipient of the Purple Heart and Georgetown University graduate. When not travelling with Fred, he devotes his time to veteran organizations including the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program and other nonprofits that benefit dogs and veterans. He now lives in Maine with his partner Nora, and their dogs Fred and Ruby. In 2010, Sergeant Craig Grossi was doing intelligence work for Marine RECON—the most elite fighters in the Corps—in a remote part of Afghanistan. While on patrol, he spotted a young dog "with a big goofy head and little legs" who didn’t seem vicious or run in a pack like most strays they’d encountered. After eating a piece of beef jerky Craig offered—against military regulations—the dog began to follow him. "Looks like you made a friend," another Marine yelled. Grossi heard, "Looks like a 'Fred.'" The name stuck, and a beautiful, life-changing friendship was forged.Fred not only stole Craig’s heart; he won over the RECON fighters, who helped Craig smuggle the dog into heavily fortified Camp Leatherneck in a duffel bag—risking jail and Fred’s life. With the help of a crew of DHL workers, a sympathetic vet, and a military dog handler, Fred eventually made it to Craig’s family in Virginia. Months later, when Craig returned to the U.S., it was Fred’s turn to save the wounded Marine from Post-Traumatic Stress. Today, Craig and Fred are touching lives nationwide, from a swampy campground in a Louisiana State Park to the streets of Portland, Oregon, and everywhere in between. A poignant and inspiring tale of hope, resilience, and optimism, with a timeless message at its heart—"it is not what happens to us that matters, but how we respond to it"—Craig & Fred is a shining example of the power of love to transform our hearts and our lives.

    56 min
  8. EP #1609: Top 10 Self-Care Holiday Tips for Improved Energy & Sleep

    12/23/2025

    EP #1609: Top 10 Self-Care Holiday Tips for Improved Energy & Sleep

    Send us a text As fun and festive as the holidays are, they can tap you of energy.As fun and festive as the holidays are, they can tap you of energy. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, shares his top 10 tips for improving your sleep and energy levels this holiday season (and all year round). 1) You can have your cake and eat it too. There are health benefits to pleasure, so enjoy your dessert, but in small quantities, not as the main course. Shocking factoid: 85 percent of the pleasure is experienced in the first few bites. Also, it takes 15 minutes for the brain to experience the satiation response, so wait 20 minutes before going back for seconds. Small dessert servings equal pleasure without guilt! 2) Chocolate is a health food, but it’s rich, so go for quality, not quantity. Enjoy a square of premium chocolate and savor the sensation as it melts in your mouth. Apply a little mindfulness to the holiday food experience and you’ll enjoy the sweetness more deeply and feel satiated and satisfied. In this case, less is better. 3) Russell Stover makes dynamite sugar-free chocolates. Also, high-end Abdullah chocolates (with sugar) are just so good you won’t need much to feel satisfied. They also have an excellent sugar-free line. 4) Stay away from “energy loan sharks” like sugary, caffeinated drinks that provide a temporary boost but end in a crash, and often insomnia. They do give quick energy but then take away twice as much by dropping your blood sugar. 5) An excellent alternative? Find healthy sources of energy that make you feel good throughout the day and improve overall health. I recommend D-ribose (5 mg per day) mixed with the Energy Revitalization System (replaces 35 vitamin pills in a single scoop) to start the day off with a healthy, legitimate energy source that supports you for many hours. Two studies (by Dr Teitelbaum) showed that ribose increased energy a dramatic average of 61 percent. You often can’t get enough energy-making vitamins and minerals from the Standard American Diet (SAD), especially B vitamins and magnesium. Most people are amazed at how much more energy they feel after taking a high potency B vitamin with magnesium as found in the Energy Revitalization System. 6) A quick fix for getting energized is to drink 12 ounces of cold water. Most of us don’t drink enough water and are actually dehydrated. Instead of reaching for a soda, try good old H2O. The cold water also acts like a bracing splash of cold water on your face... only for your whole body. 7) Make time for sleep by entering it in your appointment scheduler. Schedule sleep as a priority and you’re likely to take it more seriously. 8) Cut out things you don’t enjoy; the stuff that doesn’t make you feel good. To that end, consider cutting back on the 24-hour news cycle that rehashes election fallout featuring endless rants by “talking heads.” Just flick the OFF button and you’ll probably feel more relaxed immediately and ready for sleepy-time. 9) Try natural sleep supplements like Revitalizing Sleep and Healthy ZZZs before you go for sleeping pills or antihistamines that knock you out and often leave you feeling groggy the next morning. 10) Avoid “energy vampires” who leave you feeling drained after speaking with them. Don’t be afraid to say “no.”

    19 min
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4.5
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

Remember when health podcasts were just starting out? That was us!  Health Power has been empowering listeners to live their healthiest lives for over a decade, and we're still going strong. We're old school in the best way possible: no fads, just facts. Host Lisa, with her Master's in Public Health and 26 years in health media, offers time-tested wisdom and practical strategies to help you truly thrive. On Health Power, you'll discover: Evidence-based guidance: Straightforward facts for a healthier you.Holistic well-being: Connecting mind, body, and spirit.Sustainable habits: Practical steps for lasting change.Insightful discussions: Expert interviews that cut through the noise. Join the Health Power community—we've been your trusted source for a healthier life for years. Subscribe today!  POSTS EVERY TUESDAY  "DOG-EARED" PODCAST - Do you like to read books about dogs? Would you love to hear from the authors of your favorite dog-related books? Listen to "DOG-EARED" every Thursday! 

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