Meet Dr. Stephan Esser: A New Era for NHA Today & The Science of True Health

Most people know what they should do to be healthier. So why is it so hard to actually do it?In this episode of NHA Today, Dr. Stephan Esser sits down with Luanne Spiros, a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200, ACSM Cancer Exercise Specialist, master beekeeper, and behavioral change expert who has spent her career helping people build healthy habits that actually last.This conversation cuts through the generic advice and gets into the real mechanics of change. Why is movement easier to start with than nutrition? What makes the social environment so powerful? And what three skills does everyone need to make healthy living stick for life?You will also hear about her work in oncology yoga and what she will be leading at the NHA Annual Conference in June.In this conversation, you will learn:Why movement tends to be the better entry point than nutrition for most peopleThe three S's: social, skills, and setting -- and why they make or break healthy livingThree skills everyone needs to build lasting health habitsWhy reward beats fear as a long-term motivator (and what the research says)The hardest parts of going plant-based and how to plan around themHow to build exercise into your life so it stops feeling like something to bolt onWhat oncology yoga is and how it gives cancer patients agency and hopeHow to handle a partner or household that isn't on the same pageBook recommendations from this episode: Atomic Habits by James Clear, Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg, Willpower by Roy Baumeister.---LINKS AND RESOURCES---Full episode and show notes:NHA Today on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgXfvjZj34HbsD3-47eEC2kjBWeIvNhHlSubscribe on your favorite platform: https://www.healthscience.org/podcast/NHA Annual Conference (June 25 to 28): https://checkout.healthscience.org/2026-nha-conferenceFollow Dr. Esser: https://www.instagram.com/esserhealth/ ---About NHA Today: The National Health Association has championed the science of true health for over 75 years. NHA Today brings that legacy into your weekly routine with honest, evidence-based conversations to help you live your most vital life.

What if one dietary change could unlock fertility, reverse autoimmune disease, and transform every area of your health — when conventional medicine said it wasn’t possible?That’s exactly what happened to Robyn Denning.In this episode of NHA Today, Dr. Stephan Esser sits down with Robyn Denning — yoga instructor, health coach, and NHA conference speaker — to trace her remarkable journey from a life fueled by Diet Coke and little sleep, through three miscarriages, celiac disease, Hashimoto’s, and an MS diagnosis, to a place of vibrant health — without medication.Robyn’s story isn’t just inspiring. It’s a practical map for anyone navigating chronic illness, struggling to build sustainable movement habits, or simply trying to stay consistent when they no longer feel urgently unwell.In this conversation, you’ll discover:→ How eliminating gluten resolved three years of unexplained fertility challenges→ The dietary shift that undiagnosed Robyn’s MS within six months→ Why the maintenance phase is often harder than the healing phase→ How to build a movement practice that actually sticks — even if you’ve tried and failed→ The yoga philosophy of ‘using poses to get into the body’ — and why it changes everything→ The role of gratitude in sustaining long-term health changes ──────────────────────────🎤 ABOUT ROBYN DENNING──────────────────────────Robyn Denning is a yoga instructor, health coach, and wellness educator whose personal health journey, including overcoming celiac disease, Hashimoto’s, and MS through diet and lifestyle. now informs the way she teaches and coaches others. She will be leading yoga sessions and sharing her story at the NHA Annual Conference, June 25–28, 2026. ──────────────────────────🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES──────────────────────────• NHA Today on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalhealthassociation/podcasts• Subscribe on your favorite platform: https://www.healthscience.org/podcast/• NHA Annual Conference (June 25–28): healthscience.org/2026-nha-conference• Follow Dr. Esser: https://www.instagram.com/esserhealth/ ──────────────────────────About NHA Today: The National Health Association has championed the science of true health for over 75 years. NHA Today brings that legacy into your weekly routine — with honest, evidence-based conversations to help you live your most vital life.

Welcome to Season 2 of the NHA Today podcast.Dr. Stephan Esser officially steps in as the new host of NHA Today - bringing a powerful legacy, a fresh perspective, and a clear vision for the future of health.A fourth-generation plant-based advocate, Dr. Esser shares the deeply personal story that shaped his path from growing up at his grandfather’s health retreat, founded by NHA pioneer Dr. William L. Esser, to witnessing firsthand the transformative power of lifestyle medicine.In this introductory episode, he outlines what listeners can expect from the show moving forward: science-based, practical, and honest conversations about what actually creates lasting health.Together, we’ll explore:The foundational principles of whole-person healthWhy lifestyle (not products) drives long-term wellnessHow to cut through misinformation and take control of your healthWhat it means to become the “CEO of your own health”This episode sets the tone for a new chapter of NHA Today focused on clarity, empowerment, and real, sustainable results.🎧 Tune in and discover how simple, science-backed choices can help you reclaim your health and vitality.

What role do antioxidants, nitric oxide, and plant diversity play in optimizing your health? In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, guest host Kylie Buckner, RN, sits down with her husband, Cyrus Khambatta, PhD, to continue their deep dive into mitochondrial health and plant-based nutrition. Together, they explore how antioxidant-rich foods, polyphenols, and nitrate-dense vegetables directly support energy production, cardiovascular health, and long-term wellness. As a plant-based family raising a daughter together—alongside two rescue cats from their time living in Costa Rica—Kylie and Cyrus bring both clinical expertise and real-life application to this conversation. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why fruit is not the enemy and how it supports metabolic health • The critical role of antioxidants and polyphenols in reducing oxidative stress • How eating a diverse range of plant foods strengthens cellular function • Why nitrate-rich vegetables (like spinach, beets, and celery) support nitric oxide production • How nitric oxide improves blood flow, exercise performance, and recovery • Simple ways to incorporate these foods into your daily routine 🔗 Links & Resources Cyrus Khambatta, PhD & Kylie Buckner, RN Website: https://www.evolution-health.co National Health Association https://www.healthscience.org

What if your gut symptoms weren't random—but signals pointing to a deeper root cause? In this episode of NHA Today, guest host Kylie Buckner, RN sits down with Dahlia Marin, RDN, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Gastrointestinal Nutritionist, to explore a functional, root-cause approach to gut health. Dahlia specializes in complex digestive conditions like SIBO, IBS, and gut dysbiosis, combining clinical experience with her own personal healing journey. Together, Kylie and Dahlia unpack why so many people remain misdiagnosed, overlooked, or stuck in symptom management cycles—and what it really takes to heal. They dive into the often-missed contributors to gut dysfunction, the importance of a full health timeline, and how nutrition—especially a plant-based, microbiome-focused approach—can support lasting gut repair. This conversation is honest, practical, and empowering for anyone navigating digestive issues or looking to better understand their body. In this episode you'll learn: • Why gut issues are often misdiagnosed or misunderstood • The root causes behind IBS, SIBO, and gut imbalances • How life events, stress, and diet shape gut health over time • The role of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics • How a plant-based approach can support gut healing • Why a personalized, whole-person intake is essential Links & Resources Dahlia Marin / Married to Health Website: https://www.marriedtohealth.com Program: https://www.marriedtohealth.com/good-gut-sibo-ibs-program Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marriedtohealth/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Marriedtohealth National Health Association https://www.healthscience.org

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What if your kitchen could become your sanctuary? In Episode 163 of NHA Today, guest host Kylie Buckner, RN sits down with whole-food plant-based chef and educator Stefanie Dougherty of Green Sage Life to explore how cooking can become a mindful, creative, and deeply nourishing ritual. Together they discuss: How plant-based cooking can shift from "chore" to creative joy Why engaging your senses reduces stress and builds mindfulness The powerful antioxidant role of herbs and spices How global spice blends transform simple meals Why beauty and nourishment go hand-in-hand The difference between "wellness rules" and the art of living well Stefanie shares practical kitchen tips, from sharpening your knife to layering flavors and reminds us that health is not just science. It's art. It's ritual. It's presence. This episode is an invitation to slow down, curate what you consume, and rediscover joy in your everyday meals. Links & Resources National Health Association (NHA): https://www.healthscience.org 🌿 Stefanie Dougherty – Green Sage Life Website: https://www.greensagelife.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greensagelife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greensagelife 🌿 Kylie BucknerWebsite: https://www.evolution-health.co Green Glow Lifestyle Podcast 🎧 More NHA Today episodes:https://www.healthscience.org/podcast

The grocery store can feel overwhelming and that's not accidental. In Episode 162 of NHA Today, guest host Kylie Buckner, RN, sits down with registered dietitian Cassandra Sampson to break down how to read food labels, avoid marketing traps, and become an empowered consumer. From the "health halo" effect to hidden added sugars and labeling loopholes, this episode gives listeners practical, real-world tools they can use immediately in the grocery aisle. If you've ever wondered: Is "plant-based" automatically healthy? What does "0g trans fat" really mean? How do I know if a packaged food is minimally processed? This conversation is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the front of the package is marketing and the back is truth The FDA labeling loophole around "0 grams" claims The 5:1 carbohydrate-to-fiber rule How fiber and protein work together in whole plant foods What "clothe the carb" means for blood sugar stability How marketing influences grocery store behavior NHA Today is the official podcast of the National Health Association, dedicated to evidence-based, healthful living. Links & Resources National Health Association (NHA): https://www.healthscience.org Cassandra Sampson, RD: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutrition_nibbles_dietitian Website: https://cassandragolden.com Kylie Buckner: Green Glow Lifestyle Podcast 🎧 More NHA Today episodes: https://www.healthscience.org/podcast

Is weight loss really the answer — or is the real work about healing your relationship with food and your body? In this episode of NHA Today, host Eileen Kopsaftis sits down with registered nurse and wellness educator Mary Marshall, creator of Mindset Over Weight, to explore a powerful shift in the conversation around weight, dieting, and health. Together, they unpack: Why weight cycling (losing and regaining weight) may be more harmful than maintaining a stable higher weight How dieting disrupts hunger and fullness hormones (ghrelin & leptin) Why intuitive (or attuned) eating is not "eat whatever you want" The neurological impact of chronic dieting The real risks behind GLP-1 medications How shame and self-criticism sabotage long-term health Mary shares why health can exist across a wide range of body sizes — and how learning to listen to internal signals can restore peace, metabolic balance, and self-trust. This is a compassionate, research-informed conversation about moving from self-judgment to self-care. Guest Information 🌿 Mary Marshall, RN – Mindset Over Weight Website: https://www.mindsetoverweight.com/ Newsletter: https://www.mindsetoverweight.com/newsletter/ Foundations Program: https://www.mindsetoverweight.com/foundations/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1959fzHkem/ 🔗 Links & Resources National Health Association (NHA): https://www.healthscience.org 🎧 More NHA Today episodes: https://www.healthscience.org/podcast NHA Today YouTube 

What if poor vision isn't permanent and glasses aren't the only solution? In Episode 160 of NHA Today, guest host Eileen Kopsaftis sits down with Mila Casey, a Russian-trained ophthalmologist turned holistic vision educator, to explore the science and philosophy behind natural vision improvement. After experiencing her own vision decline during a stressful life transition, Mila discovered the Bates Method and improved her eyesight enough to stop wearing progressive lenses. She now teaches others how stress, muscle tension, and vision habits may contribute to refractive errors and how simple daily practices can support healthier eyesight. This episode challenges conventional eye care and offers practical steps listeners can try today. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between conventional eye care and natural vision improvement Why stress and muscle tension may affect eyesight How blinking and palming support eye relaxation The role of nutrition in macular health and cataracts Why constant sunglasses use may impact eye muscle function What eye conditions may respond to lifestyle-based vision practices NHA Today is the official podcast of the National Health Association, dedicated to evidence-based, healthful living.   Guest Information Website milaswellnessvision.com Social Media: Facebook Group YouTube: @milacasey5591 Book Mentioned: Optimal Eyesight by Esther Joy van der Werf Links & Resources 🔗 National Health Association (NHA): https://www.healthscience.org Eileen Kopsaftis: https://havelifelongwellbeing.com More episodes of NHA Today: https://www.healthscience.org