Ep 867: Why America Is Getting Fatter — And How to Fix It (Fast!)

In this powerful and practical episode of The Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., Linda Mitchell sits down with Dan Kachtik, owner of King William District CrossFit in San Antonio, Texas, to break down what it really takes to build strength, longevity, and confidence at any age. With more than 15 years of experience coaching everyday athletes, Dan shares honest insights on sustainable training, smart nutrition, aging well, and why consistency matters far more than perfection. Together, Linda and Dan dive into how to train smarter after 40, how women should approach fitness during menopause, and why mindset—not motivation—is the real game changer. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to feel stronger, move better, and live with energy and purpose for decades to come. Questions Linda Asked Dan Why do so many people unknowingly undo their workouts through nutrition choices? Why is increasing protein so important for body composition and longevity? How does eating out sabotage even "healthy" diets? What role does food prep really play in achieving results? What type of training best supports longevity for people over 40 and 50? How should intensity change as we age—without taking it too easy? What do women need to consider during menopause when it comes to training? Why is lifting heavy essential for women's long-term health? How does walking support longevity and recovery? What has 15 years of gym ownership taught you about leadership and community? What separates people who transform their bodies from those who quit? What is the most important mindset shift in a fitness journey? Where can listeners learn more about you and your work? Main Themes from This Episode Strength Is a Longevity Tool Muscle is not about aesthetics—it's about independence, metabolism, brain health, and aging with confidence. Lifting weights is non-negotiable as we get older. Train Hard, But Train Smart Intensity still matters, but volume must be personalized. Strategic heavy lifting and occasional high heart-rate work preserve power, strength, and vitality. Nutrition Can Undo or Multiply Results Post-workout "rewards," restaurant meals, and hidden sugars often cancel out hard work. Real food, protein-forward meals, and preparation are key. Menopause Requires Strategy, Not Fear Women can and should train hard—but with intelligence. Managing cortisol, avoiding excessive HIIT, lifting weights, and supporting muscle retention are critical. Consistency Beats Motivation Results come from showing up repeatedly—not from willpower bursts. Small, daily commitments create lasting change. Mindset Determines Success The difference between people who succeed and those who don't comes down to ownership, positivity, and asking "How can I?" instead of "Why can't I?" Community Fuels Sustainability Longevity thrives in connection. Training with like-minded people keeps motivation high and loneliness low. Memorable Quotes "You're not rewarding yourself when you eat junk after a workout—you're undoing the work you just did." "Consistency becomes even more important as we age." "You don't stop training hard—you train smarter." "Muscle is the hardest thing for women to maintain over 50, and it's the most important." "What makes you feel old is saying you're old." "Just come tomorrow. That's it." "You have to stop asking why you can't and start asking how you can." "Your body isn't meant to get smaller—it's meant to get stronger." Connect with Dan Kachtik King William District CrossFit (Website) https://www.kingwilliamdistrictcrossfit.com King William District CrossFit (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/kingwilliamdistrictcrossfit/ Functional Feeding (Nutrition Coaching) Available through King William District CrossFit https://www.kingwilliamdistrictcrossfit.com YouTube – The Devil's Details How you can stay in touch with Linda: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube SoundCloud   "Proud Sponsors of the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T" Essential Formulas

Do you struggle with adversity?  Do you feel like you are out of control over your circumstances, and the events that happen in your life?  If so, you are not alone. The age of social media often causes us to play the comparison game which forces us into a dark place where we start to just pretend to be someone we are not in order to look better to the outside world.   Listen to the podcast HERE   In this episode I talk with Brandon Farbstein who at the age of two was diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism.  For much of his childhood he felt out of place and lost until he found his place on a Tedx stage. He now hope to inspire people to see the world through a different lens.  He believes that adversity and the difficult things that happen in our life can bring us to amazing new things if we switch our mentality away from the negativity. Questions I asked: How did you rise above your adversity? What steps can you take today to move forward. How do you focus on what you can do rather than what you can't do. How do you surround yourself with the right people?   Topics Discussed: How to overcome adversity. How to move forward. Finding the good in everything. Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up. Quotes from the show: "You choose your own solution." @BrandonFarbstein @LindaMitchell "Our pain is either a lesson or a blessing in disguise." @BrandonFarbstein @LindaMitchell "We can be what someone is looking for." @BrandonFarbstein @LindaMitchell "The secret to living is giving." @BrandonFarbstein @LindaMitchell "Be deliberate with those who fill your mind. @BrandonFarbstein @LindaMitchell   How you can stay in touch with Brandon: Website Facebook Instagram Get His Book Twitter   How you can stay in touch with Linda: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube SoundCloud   "Proud Sponsors of the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T" Essential Formulas

Are you feeling stuck in your life?  Do you want something bigger than you have? Do you want to bring more money to your life? In this episode we dig into what it takes to have your dream life, and why sometimes you need a little tough love to get there. In this episode I talk with Taylor Simpson, a Motivational Speaker, Mindset & Business Coach and host of the widely downloaded " A Taylored Adventure in Happiness" Podcast, joins us to discuss how we can become our authentic selves, and what it takes to become what you want and do what you want. We talk about knowing our worth, and not settling for less when you can create whatever you want.   Questions I asked: Tell us who you are and how you got started? What would you tell young Taylor today? How do you know when you're out of alignment? Why should we fit out? How do you know your purpose? How do we avoid overwhelm with money? How can we dive more into the energy of money? What tips do you have for leaving a narcissistic relationship? Tell us about your course, and how people can get signed up? Topics Discussed: Dealing with Addiction and Anger. Creating the life you love. Impacting people to change their lives. You may have more then one purpose. Don't be like everyone else. How to know if you're out of alignment. Getting a Money Mindset. Getting away from a icky sales story. Avoiding a narcissistic relationship. How to not grow old.   Quotes from the show: "If you only knew what a hot mess I was." Taylor Simpson @SisterhoodSweat "If it feels really heavy in your gut, that's how you know you're out of alignment." Taylor Simpson @SisterhoodSweat "It's fun to be different, people like quirky." Taylor Simpson @SisterhoodSweat "Each chapter of our life, our soul has got something to shine on." Taylor Simpson @SisterhoodSweat "If you don't know your numbers, you're not respecting money." Taylor Simpson @SisterhoodSweat "The more you are you, the more you will love yourself." Taylor Simpson @SisterhoodSweat   How you can stay in touch with Taylor: https://thetaylorsimpson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/iamtaylorsimpson https://www.instagram.com/iamtaylorsimpson/ https://thetaylorsimpson.com/podcast/   How you can stay in touch with Linda: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube SoundCloud   "Proud Sponsors of the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T"   Essential Formulas  

Are you interested in entrepreneurship?  Have you been struggling with your business?  In this episode we delve into all things entrepreneurship.  This week, I talk with Dave Ruel, a former competitive physique athlete turned serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and leadership mentor, about his personal method of achievement. Dave joins us and shares how he gets done before noon, then most people get done all day. We get actionable steps to get our live, business and priorities in order to be more effective in 2021. We discuss freedom, burnout and overwhelm. This is a great episode to fuel your business in the new year. Questions I asked: What is your backstory? What are the 5 truths of an entrepreneur? How can we set better priorities? How do we align our goals with our priorities? How can we stop chasing more? How do multiprenuers choose a path? How can people get more out of their business to run itself? How do we avoid the burnout zone? How do we stay hungry when everything is working? What advice do you have for listeners? Where can they grab the book?   Topics Discussed: Training Productivity How to have freedom. Time management. Being your own boss. Finding your way to work life balance. Understand priorities Stop chasing more. Quotes from the show: "Sweat everyday." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "All entrepreneurs have the same issue when it comes to leading themselves." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "It's a lot of small things done right." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "It's a truth, Entrepreneurs actually want to work." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "Entrepreneurship isn't a clear path, you're gonna drift." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "Life and business aren't two different things, it's work life harmony." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "We tend to react to business, instead of being proactive." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat How you can stay in touch with Dave: Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Podcast Book   How you can stay in touch with Linda: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube SoundCloud   "Proud Sponsors of the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T" Essential Formulas   My daily energy stems from mushrooms... mushroom coffee that is! Have you checked out Four Sigmatic yet? If you want a coffee that contains superfoods and adaptogens like rhodiola, eleuthero, and schisandra to help you live a healthier, more enhanced life, then you need Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee in your daily routine! Check out their products here and be sure to let me know what you think of it!  

Are you interested in entrepreneurship?  Have you been struggling with your business?  In this episode we delve into all things entrepreneurship.  This week, I talk with Dave Ruel, a former competitive physique athlete turned serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and leadership mentor, about his personal method of achievement. Dave joins us and shares how he gets done before noon, then most people get done all day. We get actionable steps to get our live, business and priorities in order to be more effective in 2021. We discuss freedom, burnout and overwhelm. This is a great episode to fuel your business in the new year. Questions I asked: What is your backstory? What are the 5 truths of an entrepreneur? How can we set better priorities? How do we align our goals with our priorities? How can we stop chasing more? How do multiprenuers choose a path? How can people get more out of their business to run itself? How do we avoid the burnout zone? How do we stay hungry when everything is working? What advice do you have for listeners? Where can they grab the book?   Topics Discussed: Training Productivity How to have freedom. Time management. Being your own boss. Finding your way to work life balance. Understand priorities Stop chasing more. Quotes from the show: "Sweat everyday." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "All entrepreneurs have the same issue when it comes to leading themselves." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "It's a lot of small things done right." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "It's a truth, Entrepreneurs actually want to work." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "Entrepreneurship isn't a clear path, you're gonna drift." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "Life and business aren't two different things, it's work life harmony." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat "We tend to react to business, instead of being proactive." @dave_ruel @SisterhoodSweat How you can stay in touch with Dave: Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Podcast Book   How you can stay in touch with Linda: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube SoundCloud   "Proud Sponsors of the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T" Essential Formulas   My daily energy stems from mushrooms... mushroom coffee that is! Have you checked out Four Sigmatic yet? If you want a coffee that contains superfoods and adaptogens like rhodiola, eleuthero, and schisandra to help you live a healthier, more enhanced life, then you need Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee in your daily routine! Check out their products here and be sure to let me know what you think of it!  

Welcome back to The Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., where we empower women to step into strength, resilience, and purpose — body, mind, and spirit. Today, we're celebrating one of the most beloved holiday films of all time with someone who lived it from the inside out. Jimmy Hawkins — who played Tommy Bailey, the youngest son of George and Mary Bailey — joins us to share the heart, history, humor, and humanity behind It's a Wonderful Life. Now, nearly 80 years after its release, Jimmy has gathered decades of interviews, rare photos, cast and crew insights, and untold behind-the-scenes stories in his brand-new book, The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life, releasing September 23rd. Jimmy opens up about what Frank Capra poured into the film, how Jimmy Stewart used the emotional scars of World War II to shape his performance, and why the message — one life touches so many others — is more important now than ever. Whether you've watched the film a hundred times or you're seeing it for the first time this season, this conversation will remind you that you matter, your life has meaning, and you make a difference. Key Themes The universal message that every life has value Why viewers in today's world need that reminder more than ever How the film teaches us that ordinary acts have extraordinary impact Jimmy's story about showing the film in Attica Prison Inmates recognizing themselves in George Bailey's journey How the movie inspires personal change in unexpected places Capra refused the studio system so he could make the film his way Why the movie originally failed — and how TV saved it in 1974 The idea that "God had a plan" for when the world would discover the film How his experience in WWII shaped the raw intensity of George Bailey Why Stewart said he could not perform certain scenes twice Capra's sensitive direction and deep understanding of trauma How being part of the cast shaped his purpose The journey behind writing his new book Why the story continues to guide him personally and professionally "One Life Makes a Difference" — The Core Message The film teaches us: You matter. Your life has purpose. You are impacting others in ways you may never know. Questions Asked What has kept the message of "It's a Wonderful Life" so relevant for nearly 80 years? Why does the film resonate so deeply with generation after generation? What inspired your new book, and what did you want readers to experience? How did Frank Capra's independent vision shape the final film? What mattered most to Frank Capra in creating this story? Can you share more about Jimmy Stewart's emotional preparation and depth? How has being part of this film shaped your life? Why do you think the movie failed at release but exploded decades later? Quotes: "The movie never changed — the people changed. They need that message now more than ever." — Jimmy Hawkins "George Bailey didn't think he did anything for anyone. And look what he did." "You were born to do something in this life. Maybe you haven't done it yet — but you will." "Frank Capra didn't believe in the committee way of making movies. He wanted to make his film his way." "God had a plan. The pieces weren't there in 1946 — but they were in 1974." "This movie tells everybody: you're important. Go get your dream." "We don't think we're making a difference. But we are. What you do does matter." — Linda Mitchell Jimmy Hawkins & Book Links Book — The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life by Jimmy Hawkins — available for preorder/release: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400255104  Book (audiobook / digital) on Google Play Books / Audiobooks — https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/AQAAAEAqmWHZWM  Information & Announcement about the Book Release (2025) — https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250729801695/en/Its-a-Wonderful-Life-Actor-Jimmy-Hawkins-to-Release-His-New-Book  Where to Stream "It's a Wonderful Life" As of now, "It's a Wonderful Life" is available on: Amazon Prime Video — stream or rent the film  Xumo Play, Plex, Hoopla, and other free-with-ads platforms — depending on your region. 

Welcome back to The Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., where we help women step into strength, vitality, and purpose — body, mind, and spirit. Today's guest is a leader in the science of brain health, immune function, and evidence-based nutrition. Dr. John E. Lewis, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Dr Lewis Nutrition® and one of the most respected clinical researchers in his field. He has conducted more than 30 clinical trials, published over 180 peer-reviewed articles, and his groundbreaking Alzheimer's study — featured in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease — helped spark his popular TEDxMiami talk and his mission to bring powerful, research-backed nutrition directly to the public. After decades in academia, Dr. Lewis shifted from research to real-world impact, driven by one core belief: nutrition is our number one behavior for achieving and maintaining long-term health. For more than 27 years, he has lived what he teaches — a whole-food, plant-based diet, targeted supplementation, and a consistent, disciplined fitness routine. In this conversation, we dive into the science and practical strategies that can help you protect your brain, strengthen your immune system, and take control of your health at any age. WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE Dr. Lewis's personal journey – What inspired him to pursue clinical nutrition research – Key discoveries from his years at the University of Miami – Why he chose to leave academia and create solutions for the public The power of polysaccharides – What polysaccharides are and why they matter for brain and immune function – How plant-based sources like aloe vera and rice bran support cellular repair – Why nutrient-dense compounds can outperform isolated supplements Nutrition and long-term health – The biggest problems with the standard American diet – The role of chronic inflammation in disease – How whole-food, plant-based nutrition supports cognitive longevity Lifestyle, supplementation, and real-world habits – The dietary and supplemental strategies Dr. Lewis uses personally – Key nutrients that support immune and brain health – His top five daily behaviors for long-term vitality Simple steps to get started today – How to determine which supplements are truly beneficial – The most important action anyone can take right now to improve their health trajectory LINKS & RESOURCES Dr. Lewis Nutrition® — Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T. Discount 10% off: https://drlewisnutrition.com/sossweat Dr. John E. Lewis — Research & Publications Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gWBxU6sAAAAJ ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Lewis-24 TEDxMiami Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsPXD5YgWfE LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-e-lewis-phd Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drlewisnutrition YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@DrLewisNutrition

Welcome back to the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., where we help women build strength from the inside out. Today, we're taking a deep dive into the root of human vitality — the minerals that power every cell in your body. Our guest, Caroline Alan, is the co-founder of BEAM Minerals and a passionate educator on the critical role humic and fulvic substances play in cellular function. Years ago, Caroline found herself stuck in chronic inflammation, adrenal burnout, brain fog, anxiety, and full-body depletion while navigating a stressful corporate career. No matter what supplements she tried, nothing worked — until she discovered humic and fulvic minerals. What happened next completely changed her life. Within months, her inflammation calmed, her adrenals began recovering, her sleep normalized, and her energy returned. A follow-up test showed her adrenal function restored — even though she never took the hydrocortisone her doctor prescribed. The only change she made was adding minerals back into her body. Today, Caroline and her co-founder, Dan Howard, have built BEAM Minerals into one of the cleanest, most trusted mineral lines available — helping thousands restore balance, energy, and resilience at the cellular level. If you've been feeling drained, foggy, anxious, or "off," this conversation will change how you think about minerals, nutrition, and cellular health. UNDERSTANDING MINERALS STARTS IN THE CELLS 1. Caroline's Turning Point What was happening in your body before you discovered minerals? What symptoms were the biggest red flags that something was wrong? How did you find humic and fulvic minerals, and what changes showed up first? 2. Why Modern Humans Are Mineral-Depleted How does soil depletion affect the nutrient content of our food? Can organic food solve the problem, or is supplementation now essential? Why stress, toxins, and processed foods drain minerals faster than we realize. 3. Recognizing Mineral Depletion Common signals: fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, poor sleep, cravings, dehydration, or hormonal instability. Are there accurate ways to test for mineral status? Why hair analysis and tools like Oligoscan may provide better insight than blood tests. 4. Getting Minerals Back Into the Body What makes humic and fulvic minerals different from typical mineral supplements? Why the body absorbs minerals only when they're delivered in the right ratios. What people should know about electrolyte packets, mineral blends, and isolated supplements. How to begin replenishing safely and effectively. 5. Real Results & Cellular Homeostasis How restoring mineral balance changes energy, sleep, mood, and hormone function. Why cellular homeostasis is the foundation of vitality.   BEAM Minerals https://beamminerals.com Mineral Geek (Educational Resource) https://mineralgeek.com Instagram — Caroline Alan https://instagram.com/carolinealan.official Discount for Sisterhood of Sweat Listeners: Code: SOS SWEAT (all caps) for 20% off

This week, Linda sits down with renowned molecular biologist Dr. Bill Andrews, one of the world's leading researchers on telomeres and human longevity. Dr. Andrews has dedicated over 30 years to understanding why we age—and how we might stop or even reverse the process. In this powerful conversation, he breaks down what telomeres really do, why they shorten, and what current science can (and cannot) promise when it comes to living longer, healthier lives. He also discusses Televital, the only supplement he says has been shown to induce telomerase, and why true age reversal still requires large-scale gene therapy research. If you want a grounded, science-driven look at longevity without the hype, this is an episode you'll want to hear. What Linda Talks About With Dr. Andrews What telomeres are and why they control how long our cells live Why shortening telomeres is the real driver of aging What telomerase is and why activating it matters The difference between slowing aging and reversing aging Why most "anti-aging" products only change biomarkers—not true aging The "tug-of-war" analogy that explains how telomere length changes How Televital compares to other supplements Why gene therapy may be the key to true age reversal How much research funding is needed to move longevity science forward Why some aging claims sound promising but fail the "Betty White Test" Why Dr. Andrews believes real age reversal is possible in our lifetime Main Topics Covered Understanding the Cellular Clock of Aging Dr. Andrews explains how every cell in the body loses a bit of its telomeres each time it divides. When telomeres get too short, cells can no longer replicate—and this is a major reason we age. The Telomerase Breakthrough He clarifies why the only way to actually lengthen telomeres is through telomerase activation, and why most supplements claiming to do this simply cannot. Why Slowing Telomere Shortening Still Matters Even if something cannot reverse aging, slowing the rate of cellular decline can still have meaningful long-term impact. Dr. Andrews explains why Televital is the only supplement shown to induce telomerase, and how it affects the "tug-of-war" between shortening and lengthening. Biomarkers vs. True Reversal From DNA methylation to glycosylation, many companies claim "reversed aging" based on biomarkers. Dr. Andrews outlines why these measurements don't mean actual age reversal—and what real reversal would require. The Betty White Test Dr. Andrews' signature test: if a product truly reverses aging, you should visibly look, feel, and function like you did decades earlier—not just change lab numbers. Gene Therapy: The Future of Longevity He discusses ongoing efforts to develop gene therapy capable of fully restoring telomerase to adult cells—and why he believes it's possible within the next few years with adequate research funding. The Company Bringing His Research to Market Dr. Andrews explains why he partnered with Touchstone Essentials to launch Televital and praises their commitment to health-first product development rather than profit margins. He also highlights other Touchstone Essentials products including: Glucocontrol (converts sugar into fiber) Zeolite-based detox products for heavy metals and toxins Fulvic acid (the active component of shilajit) Where to Find the Product Dr. Andrews Recommends Televital & Touchstone Essentials: https://thegoodinside.com  

Absolutely — here are your Apple-formatted show notes, matching the exact style of your ProLon and Atlas episodes, now tailored for Annemarie Conte with: ✔️ Intro ✔️ Main topics ✔️ All questions Linda asked ✔️ 3 pull-quotes ✔️ Clickable links ✔️ Clean Apple-friendly formatting 🎙️ Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T. — Holiday Shopping Without the Stress: Smarter Gifting with Wirecutter's Annemarie Conte Welcome back to the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., where we empower women to step into strength, vitality, and purpose — at every stage of life. Today's episode is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, stressed, or downright panicked about holiday shopping. And let's be honest — with this year's unusually tight holiday calendar, we need a guide more than ever. Our guest is Annemarie Conte, Deputy Editor at The New York Times' Wirecutter, the trusted authority millions rely on to figure out what's worth buying — and what's just overhyped junk. Annemarie writes the beloved Ask Wirecutter column and has built her career helping women spend smarter, reduce stress, avoid price traps, and find thoughtful gifts that actually land. This conversation is your roadmap to joyful, budget-friendly, drama-free holiday gifting. We break down smarter shopping strategies, where to find unexpected treasure-gifts, how to avoid price manipulations, and why "secondhand" is often just chic vintage in disguise. If you're ready to save time, save money, and save your sanity — this episode is your holiday survival guide. 💡 Key Topics We Cover • Why this year's holiday shopping window is unusually short • When shipping deadlines start getting risky — and how to avoid them • How to shop online without paying for shipping or getting overwhelmed • "Hidden gem" places to find meaningful gifts (yes, even in grocery stores) • Why small businesses are being hit hardest — and how to support them • What pricing tools reveal about whether a deal is real • Using Wirecutter, Keepa, and price tracking to avoid getting ripped off • The smartest gifts to buy in multiples • Secondhand gifting — how to make it feel intentional, elevated, and thoughtful • How Annemarie's ethics guide every recommendation she makes • The biggest surprises in trending products this year "Thoughtful doesn't have to mean expensive — it just needs to feel intentional." "Secondhand isn't 'used.' It's vintage, it's sustainable, and it's often more meaningful." "Retailers still want your money — so even with inflation, the deals are out there if you know where to look." 🎙️ Interview Questions 1. Holiday Crunch Reality Check • This year the holiday calendar is tighter than usual. What do people not realize about how soon they need to shop? • When exactly do shipping deadlines start to get risky? 2. Online Shopping Without the Chaos • You've said people can still shop online using curbside pickup. Why is that such a smart move? • How does this help avoid impulse buying or holiday overwhelm? 3. Hidden-Gem Gift Shopping • Grocery stores and high-end pharmacies are underrated gift sources — what "little delights" do people overlook? • Why are small businesses feeling the biggest hit right now, and how can listeners support them? 4. Inflation, Pricing & The Hunt for Real Deals • Prices are higher… but retailers still want our money. What are the best ways to track prices or spot real bargains? • How do tools like Wirecutter or Keepa help cut through the noise? 5. Strategic Gift Buying • You've mentioned buying multiples — what kinds of gifts fall into that category? • How can people keep "backup gifts" on hand without overspending? 6. The Rise of Secondhand & Vintage Gifting • When does gifting secondhand work well — and when not so much? • How can these gifts feel elevated and intentional? 7. Ethical Product Recs • Wirecutter is known for strict standards. What does it mean when you say you'd never recommend something you don't believe in? • How do listeners know a recommendation is unbiased? 8. Your Journey in Service Journalism • You've worked at iconic women's magazines — how did that shape your approach today? • What do you love most about helping people shop smarter? 9. Trending Products & Biggest Surprises • What trending product impressed you this year — and which one turned out to be hype? • What do you wish consumers knew before hitting "Buy Now"? 10. "Ask Wirecutter" Lightning Round • Best under-$25 gift right now? • Best last-minute gift? • Best eco-friendly gift? • Best gift you personally bought this year?   Annemarie Conte — Wirecutter Author Page https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/authors/annemarie-conte/ Ask Wirecutter Column https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/ask-wirecutter/ Wirecutter (The New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/ Keepa (Amazon Price Tracking Tool) https://keepa.com/ Pro Holiday Shopping Advice Articles (Wirecutter Gift Guides) https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/ If you want more of Annemarie's smart, savvy recommendations, visit her at Wirecutter or follow her Ask Wirecutter column for weekly advice.