In this life, in this world, you would think that we might run out of ideas, or stories, or goals - that the human capacity will at one point exhaust itself, that all songs might be written one day. Well, clearly not so. We’ve come across this incredibly wonderful movie, as slow as a wheelchair, and as deep as human inspiration can lead us – in this case up the mountain, into the heart and soul of the viewer. It’s called 4 Wheel Bob: A True Tale of Strength, Courage, and Wisdom. It’s filmed in the San Francisco Bay Area, where this show is produced, and it was nominated as one of the Bay Area’s Most Important Environmental Film Contributions this year at the San Francisco Green Film Festival. We are speaking with the filmmaker today and with the star of the documentary.   Guest:  Tal Skloot, Director, 4 Wheel Bob, SF Bay Area Bob Coomber, Lifelong Outdoorsman, 4 Wheel Bob, SF Bay Area

If you live in a city and spend a significant amount of time on your devices, this show is for you. New research has found that a cellphone is addictive, literally. The best antidote? Nature! The temperatures are warming, a big spring cleaning is around the corner, and with it, we allow the energy of the natural environment to re-enter our lives. What does that really mean and how important is it? Just how much does the world of technology and the world outside really affect us? Today we’ll find out with new research done by Dr. David Strayer, a Professor of Cognition and Neural Science, who will speak with us about just how much our environment becomes us. Guest:  Dr. David Strayer, Professor of Cognition and Neural Science, University of Utah, Park City, UT

Imagine there is a new world out there, a different dimension, right at your fingertips, that you could enter at any time, that can bring you joy, and pleasure, and healing. That world exists, and it is our topic in this episode - Essential Oils. We have had shows on scents and the importance of our ability to smell, and while we appreciate the beauty and comfort a nice scent can give to us, we were stunned when we came across a brand new book on Essential Oils and their therapeutic use. The book is called “Healing Civilizations,” and while that seems like a bold title, the book delivers on it. It’s a tour around the world with your nose, combining ancient wisdom with modern studies of therapeutic essential oils. In this episoe, Helge Hellberg is speaking with the author, Dr. Nadim Shaath.   Guest:  Dr. Nadim Shaath, Author, Healing Civilizations: The Search for Therapeutic Essential Oils & Nutrients

Ever heard of Patience Gray? If you have – good for you! And if you haven’t, you still most likely are affected by her passion and work every day, as this woman has defined our modern way of eating and cooking more than any other woman of her time. We are talking with the author of a new book that is honoring Patience Gray's dedication to food, and her unwillingness to accept societal standards, luckily, as we are all better for it today. She was the Alice Waters of her time, helping to redefine our relationship to eating.  Guest:  Adam Federman, Author, Fasting and Feasting: The Life of Visionary Food Writer Patience Gray, Vermont

We talk a lot about sustainability on our plates on this show - organic food and agriculture as the foundation for social and environmental justice. But of course, the conversation about how to create true sustainability on this planet includes all aspects of human life. Today it’s about sustainable fashion. We are speaking with an expert about the fashion industry in this episode, specifically about the insane amount of fabric waste created every day, around the world, and even in a city near you, here in the U.S. That expert, Angela Chou, has created an alternative, a true solution to what we can do about all this fabric waste - and she will share her model with us today.   -  Host Helge Hellberg in an organic conversation with Angela Chou, Founder of Utterly, San Francisco, CA

In the world of news and politics and social and environmental justice we, as a culture, often focus disproportionately on what is not working. From a deeply human perspective, the film Love Thy Nature brings the balance back in focus by reminding us of the beauty of this planet and the blessing to be alive. Host Helge Hellberg is speaking with the filmmaker of Love Thy Nature today – an incredibly powerful conversation and the essence of why we are doing this show, what it means to be human, our opportunity for one another, and our responsibility for this one planet that we all call home. Guest:  Sylvie Rokab, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Love Thy Nature, Los Angeles, CA

The average American consumes about 150 pounds of refined sugar a year. That's almost half a pound of refined sugar each day. Refined sugar is in everything, not just in sugary drinks, but even in our cut meats, in our bread, and in most everything else. It’s there for two reasons – it makes things taste better, and, it gets us hooked, because sugar is addictive. Today we are talking with an expert on sugar, a doctor who has made unhooking from sugar his life’s career. Guest:  Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., Author, The Complete Guide to Beating Sugar Addiction, Hawaii

From trends and specialty diets to indecipherable food labels, from expensive equipment in food reality shows on TV to ingredients in processed foods that have nothing to do with nourishment, it is remarkable how complicated food has become. Today we are reversing the clock – a new book is bringing us back, to the future. Guest: Maria Rodale, Author, Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious, PA

In honor of the San Francisco Green Film Festival, we are covering a handful of outstanding documentaries, new films that are as brilliantly produced as they are critical to know as they are – hopefully – shaping our society and our way of life. We are starting today with Riverblue - a close look at the unbelievable environmental implications of fast and cheap fashion. The destruction is so extreme, overwhelming, and so visible, that even our show title, usually a hopeful note, speaks of the insane conditions in which the world produces garments. Host Helge Hellberg is interviewing both the Director and Producer of Riverblue in this week's episode. Guest: David McIlvride, Writer and Director, Riverblue Roger Williams, Producer and Director, Riverblue

What would our society be without women? Impossible to comprehend, right? And yet, women have been marginalized for hundreds and hundreds of years, fighting long and hard for equal pay, for voting rights, for a true recognition of their value in business, their leadership, and their critical role in society. Tiffany Shlain's film 50/50 explores the 10,000-year history of women + power and asks, what’s it going to take to get to a 50/50 world — not just in politics and boardrooms, but truly shifting the gender balance to be better for everyone? Guest:  Tiffany Shlain, Director, 50/50: Rethinking the Past, Present, and Future of Women + Power, Mill Valley, CA  

Can education be fun, safe, safe and affordable - even for low-income families? A new preschool is using outdoor classrooms to provide quality education in reading, math, and science; made affordable for families and designed to give children a joyful, nature-rich childhood – one full of play, exploration, and wonder.   Guest:  Andrew Jay, CEO, Tiny Trees Preschool, Seattle, WA

Many people, especially young folks, are dreaming of their own small piece of land, self-supported, away from the stresses of the city, to live a lifestyle of peace, based on a deep relationship to nature and self. Today, we are learning what it takes to make that dream a reality from people who have done it.   Guests: Shawn & Beth Dougherty, Co-Authors, The Independent Farmstead, The Sow's Ear, Ohio *Originally Aired January 20, 2017  

Governmental agencies are in place to make absolutely sure that we are protected, and that we are able to live lives that are healthy, and safe. The drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan, brought forward a picture that one can adopt to many other products and public safety areas, from drugs, to air, and food, just to name a few. So how safe are we, really? Today we’ll talk with an expert who has made public safety his career, and we’ll learn what we can do ourselves to make sure that – in this case – our water is 100% safe to drink. Guest: Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, Founder & Executive Director, Toxin Alert, McLean, VA

  San Francisco, as one of the most progressive cities in the world, has led the nation in countless ways, from equal rights and social equality to environmental protection. However, can a city of 800,000 people become waste free? That was the goal set by San Francisco a few years ago – to be zero waste by 2020. And it is fair to say at this point that the goal will, in fact, be reached! How? We’ll find out today!   Guests: Christopher Beaver, Director, Racing to Zero, San Francisco, CA Diana Fuller, Producer, Racing to Zero, San Francisco, CA  

Food is everything – from the fields to the grocery store, from our plates to our health, from community to personal and professional re-integration. We all need to eat, every day, and because of it, being trained in any aspect of food production, preparation, or nutrition, will provide a foundation for one’s life that a person will be able to stand on forever. That is the idea behind our guest today, an amazing non profit that offers food service training as a way to re-integrate people back into society – and, as we will learn, have society benefit from it in a very tangible way in return. Guest: Tracy Hitchcock, CEO, Create Common Good, Boise, ID

Just as with other large predators, from Grizzly Bears to Wolves, humans have hunted these species and in many regions of the planet have brought them to near or complete extinction. New scientific studies show the critical importance that those animals had and have on the ecosystems that they were or are a part of. As for the oceans, sharks play this critical role. There are over 400 shark species in the world, and in this episode we will hear about their function, their challenges, and what is being done to protect them. Guest:  Dean Fessler, Jr., Education Director, Shark Research Institute, Princeton, N.J.

Food is thy medicine, again today. Osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and many other Western Societies. The common answer to bone loss is usually Calcium. While Calcium has an important role in our overall bone health, there is much more to the story. In this hour, we are speaking with a physician about how to prepare and combine whole foods to prevent and treat Osteoporosis naturally. Guest:  Dr. Laura Kelly, Co-Author, The Healthy Bones Nutrition Plan and Cookbook, Topanga, CA

Today we are putting the plant world front and center again, this never ceasing to amaze interconnected web of life that offers us so much beauty and healing. We are speaking with a Naturopath about a plant that commonly does not get the attention it deserves: Comfrey. How can Comfrey, known as the great mender, provide its amazing properties to you and your body? We’ll find out today!   Guest:  Dr. Holly Lucille, ND, RN, Naturopathic Doctor, Los Angeles, CA

We are what we eat – this old saying about how much our food intake affects our physical health is now being expanded into our mental health as well. In recent years, research has been showing the direct connection between what we eat and what – or how – we think. In other words, our mental capacity and our mood are the direct result of our diet. Today Helge Hellberg is speaking with a Psychiatrist specifically about how to best address Depression through your diet. Guest: Dr. James Greenblatt, Integrative Psychiatrist & Author, Breakthrough Depression Solution: Mastering Your Mood with Nutrition, Diet and Supplementation, Waltham, MA

Food insecurity is defined by not knowing where your next meal is coming from. And yet, while food insecurity is a reality for some 50 million Americans, nearly half of the food we produce in this country is thrown away. How can that be and what can be done about it? We are speaking with an expert on food waste today and will introduce to you to an organization who has not just solved the issue but created a true win-win-win scenario for all parties involved in doing so. Guest:  Komal Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Copia, San Francisco, CA

This country needs progressive programs; ideas that can address multiple challenges that we face at once. Today we are talking about a brilliant organization that does exactly that, by offering training to young adults to become green energy auditors, and with it empowering the next generation to lead this country in its sustainability efforts. Guest:  Jodi Pincus, Executive Director, Rising Sun Energy Center, Berkeley, CA Hope Cupples, Campaign Coordinator, Rising Sun Energy Center, Berkeley, CA

Today we are entering a world that many of us will never witness – the stunningly beautiful world of Coral reefs. Like tropical birds under the water, Corals are strange, incredible, and, as we will learn today, critical in the overall ecology of the oceans. And, they are as threatened as so many other ecosystems and animals today. However, if you are not a diver, there are not many other opportunities to see Corals up close. Perhaps in an aquarium you can get a glimpse of their colors and beauty, but anyone who has had a chance to dive through a Coral reef often speaks of it as if it was a outer-world experience. We now have a chance to see this amazing underwater world up close and personal – thanks to a new documentary Chasing Coral. Guest:  Richard Vevers, Founder & CEO, The Ocean Agency, & Underwater Photographer, Chasing Coral, Sydney, Australia

The summer months are here, with evening outdoor parties, and hopefully some leisurely slow weekends, perhaps with a glass of chilled Chardonnay, or a beautiful glass of Merlot – whatever your preference is. But do you know what’s in your glass, exactly? We are expanding the notion of “Know your farmer” or “Know where your food comes from” to “Know how your food is being made” in this episode. What does it take to make a bottle of organic wine, and what goes into non-organic wine? Most of us who are following an organic diet as much as possible know the differences between organic and non-organic produce, the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in so-called conventional production systems, and many other issues that organic production addresses, when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Today we are walking through every step of organic and non-organic wine production. Guest: Katrina Frey Jonathan Frey Frey Vineyards, Redwood Valley, CA

There are foods that suddenly become super hip, such as Kale, or coconut water, or Spirulina, or Avocados. And for good reasons, as these foods are so-called superfoods – that’s a category of foods with exceptional nutritional value and benefits for our health. One of these foods recently become popular, is a powerful spice, a root of the Ginger family, called Turmeric. It’s component, curcumin, has been hailed in nutritional circles for decades, but only recently has Turmeric gained public notoriety as an incredible anti-inflammatory plant medicine. New research shows, Turmeric even possesses cancer-fighting properties, as we will learn today. Guest: Dr. Ajay Goel, Professor and Director, Center for Translational Genomics and Oncology at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Very few business areas are as close to our skin, literally, and as unregulated, as the bodycare industry. Even though our body is our largest organ, all of our shampoos, lotions, soaps, make-ups and other skin care products have little governmental oversight or production standards when it comes to our health. And right now in June, many of us begin to put vast amounts of sunscreen onto our bodies, and on the bodies of our loved ones. Children, with their tendency to spend much more time outdoors than adults do, are especially at risk to get a sunburn, or to be exposed to unhealthy ingredients in our sunscreen products. What do we need to look out for, what products and ingredients are best, and how to decode the Sun Protection Factor (SPF)? We’ll speak with an expert today, a concerned mother and nurse-turned-entrepreneur. Guest:  Lisa McHugh, Founder, Bare Belly Organics, Burbank, CA

Today we are inviting you to come explore the world south of the border with us – the Mexican border, that is. We are taking it way beyond what is commonly known as Tex-Mex food - Burritos, Enchiladas, Guacamole, and Tacos. Nothing wrong with that, but do you know what real, authentic Mexican cuisine looks like? Well, you’ll know after this hour! We are speaking with the author of a brand new, beautiful cookbook on Real Mexican Food today. Guest:  Gonzalo Gonzalez Guzman, Chef & Owner, Nopalito, San Francisco, CA Allyson Jossel, Owner, Nopa, San Francisco, CA

There are plenty of challenges to food production, including access to land, the availability of clean water, and, the right infrastructure so that the farm can be functional and productive for months and years to come, for example, access to electrical power for irrigation pumps, a cooler for appropriate post harvest handling, and so much more. Today we are exploring the intersection between ecology and technology in the form of a company that has developed a complete off-grid toolkit for operating a farm anywhere there is some land and some water. Guest: Brandi DeCarli, Founding Partner, Farm from a Box, San Francisco, CA

A carrot seed is far less than a millimeter in size, a tiny speck of dirt, dust in the wind. And yet, it contains the DNA to sprout, and to grow big, orange, beta-carotene-rich carrots, given darkness and moisture and the right temperature. Seeds have been the foundation of life for millions of years. Seeds are an incredible invention by Mother Nature – preserving life from generation to generation, often thousands of varieties of the same species, able to withstand and learn from drought, or other weather conditions, incorporate soil quality, and other environmental factors. Seeds are a living database of the growing history, to make sure the next generation of seeds is even better equipped than the generation before. Seeds are food, diversity, and resilience. There is a new film available that is talking about the role Seeds play for society, and for life itself. We are speaking with the directors and producers today in this insightful episode on life itself. Guests:  Jon Betz, Director & Producer Taggart Siegel, Director & Producer SEED: The Untold Story

When we hear about climate change we may think of harsher storms, flooding, or extreme drought. Those are the immediate consequences of weather on land and sea. But few have ever explained to us just how far reaching the ripple effects go from there. Drought means people in hunger, large populations moving, social breakdowns, and possibly war. A new film is focused exactly on that interconnectedness of problems, causes and effects. It’s called The Age of Consequences and it is playing in film festivals all around the country right now. We are speaking with the film maker today, in this not to be missed episode. Guest:  Jared Scott, Writer, Director, Producer, The Age of Consequences, Brooklyn, NY

Most of us live in an urban environment, where we sit at our desks and drive in our cars. Most of us have a fairly sedentary lifestyle, and that may have consequences to our overall physique, our posture, and consequently can lead to subluxations, misalignments in the body in the form of a vertebra out of position, or a joint being overly stressed. But there is a treatment, the beautiful practice of chiropractic care. We are speaking with a Doctor of Chiropractic to learn what the treatment does and how it works, and what we can do to support overall holistic health. Guest:  Dr. Seth Labott, D.C. Chiropractor, Cafe of Life Marin, Mill Valley, CA

In Nature, everything supports and feeds off of one another. There is no waste, only relationships. It’s a system, an endless web of life and connections. Organic farms know the strength of this system and actively cultivate it, by inviting Nature onto the farm and seeing the farm as a part of the overall ecology of the place. This episode is about connections between animals, soil, and trees, and what one expert has discovered. The system is called Silvopasture. What's that? Tune in to find out. Guest:  Steve Gabriel, Author, Silvopasture: A Guide to Managing Grazing Animals, Forage Crops, and Trees in a Temperate Farm Ecosystem, Mecklenburg, NY  

Since the #metoo movement began last year, the topic of sexual violence has finally become a part of our public focus. Today we want to dive deeper into this much-needed conversation. We are speaking with a leader in this movement, a woman that will help us understand the forms of sexual violence, what the individual path of healing from such trauma often looks like, the importance of identifying as a survivor rather than a victim, and what support is available for survivors. And we won’t stop there. Host Helge Hellberg feels strongly that this conversation is not a topic shared just amongst women, but the conversation must include men, as well. How can we expand the current conversation and make sure it is not simply a media focus for a few months, but will stay as an ongoing theme about the healing that needs to happen in our society? Tune in and be a part of this conversation. Guest:  Stephanie Burns, Founder & Director, Healing Courage, Port Townsend, WA

From metabolizing environmental pollutants to absolutely critical roles in the process of decay and renewal in Nature to the absolutely stunning medicinal benefits for human health, mushrooms are mystical powerhouses with abilities far beyond most other plants or organisms. It’s the foundation of and for life. Today, we are focusing on the human health benefits of medicinal mushrooms, and explore just how amazing they really are, with one of the top experts in the field. Guest:  Jeff Chilton, President, Nammex Organic Mushroom Extracts, Tofino, B.C. Canada

Newest research is showing us that the life around us defines the life inside of us – or, in other words, that we are mostly put together by bacteria and cells that are not human, but other life forms and that the strength and health of those bacteria very much defines how we going to live – healthfully, or not. We are speaking about a documentary series that is Unraveling the Secrets to a Healthy Life. After years of research and newest scientific findings in regard to gene expression, aging, and chronic diseases, we may have just found the key to unlock this mystery.   Guest:  Jason Prall, Director, Writer & Producer, The Human Longevity Project, Seattle, WA

The entire conversation about sustainable agriculture, food, and plant-based medicines is huge, convoluted, and full of – may we say – intentional errors? There are trillion dollar interests at stake between the agricultural and the pharmaceutical industry, and yet, medicinal marijuana is also not the cure-all easy fix. It’s a powerful and important plant and medicine that for millions of people offer incredible benefits. Still a controversial topic, but such a needed conversation. We will be discussing the health benefits, safe usage, and advice, from a doctor who is an expert on medicinal marijuana. Guest:  Dr. Rachna Patel, Medical Marijuana Doctor, The Medical Marijuana Expert, Walnut Creek, CA  

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” This beautiful quote by Mahatma Gandhi is the framework for this episode. We have come a long way in the protection of animals, as some of them do enjoy relative safety in the wild, as well as at home as domestic pets. Unfortunately, when it comes to animal welfare in commercially raised animals for consumption, such as chickens, pigs, lambs, and of course cows, there is little to no governmental protection. To make a difference, a woman in California decided to change her career and provide a safe haven for exactly those animals. Guest:  Deborah Blum, Founder, Goatlandia, Santa Rosa, CA

We all live in cycles, moon cycles, sun cycles, menstrual cycles, seasons, birth, youth, maturity, old age, and ultimately death again. Destruction and creation. We are in conversation today about cycles and the wisdom Nature holds for us with no one better than Earl Herrick. Earl lives Nature every single day in his work at Earl’s Organic, the premier organic produce wholesale business out of San Francisco, in a life dedicated to organic agriculture. Guest:  Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Last fall, Southern and Northern California experienced the worst fires in its recorded history. Fires are part of the ecological cycle, even necessary in the cycle of life. And yet, the devastation last year’s California fires left behind was unprecedented. How do we reconcile that, what can we learn from such an event, and how can we still help in the effort to restore what was lost? So while the fires have ended, the aftermath and efforts to rebuild continue. One of the areas hit hard in Northern California was the Redwood Valley, a couple of hours north of San Francisco, and the home of Frey Vineyards. We are speaking with Katrina Frey today about her experience in the middle of the chaos, as Executive Director of Frey Vineyards. Guest:  Katrina Frey, Executive Director, Frey Vineyards, Redwood Valley, CA

One of the most powerful transformations in the world of diets has occurred for the term Vegan. In its early days in the 1980’s when I learned about it, Vegan often meant overcooked carrots with a cold tofu salad. Today we know that a plant-based diet, which is exactly what a Vegan diet comprises of – plants, is the healthiest way to eat. Newest biome research – biome being the bacteria in our bodies and particularly in our gut, shows that a fiber-rich diet of fruits and vegetables – ideally organic – is the most important piece for optimal microbial health in our bodies, and with it, the foundation for our own health. And today, the plant-based dishes some chefs are coming up with are simply out of this world - and actually easy to create, even for us, at home. Guest:  Ilene Godofsky Moreno, Author, The Colorful Kitchen, Brooklyn, NY

We know that environmental health and human health are inextricably linked. So, when we talk about sustainable agriculture and organic food as the foundation for social and environmental justice – we also mean human health. This episode is about human health, for the most vulnerable of us, our children. Two doctors have made an assessment of the environmental impacts of pesticides and other chemicals in our food part of their practice in their work of healing children. And with it, they have become experts in just how much the food we eat – or rather the food we feed our children - can make them sick. Guests:  Dr. Michelle Perro, Co-Author Dr. Vincanne Adams, Co-Author What's Making Our Children Sick? How Industrial Food Is Causing an Epidemic of Chronic Illness, and What Parents (and Doctors) Can Do About It Bay Area, California

It is the blending of knowledge that makes us better, stronger, and hopefully wiser, as people, and as a species. In this episode, we are speaking with an expert about how to work with the mind and body in the most holistic way possible. For decades, he has been marrying the best practices from around the world for astonishing results, particularly Western Psychotherapy and Eastern philosophies and practices such as meditation. He has written numerous books and is one of the most renowned scholars on the topic of how to live well and cultivate happiness as a state of being. Let's take a look at what he has to say... Guest:  Dr. Jeffrey Rubin, Author, The Art of Flourishing: A Guide to Mindfulness, Love and Self-Care in a Chaotic World, Westchester, NY

Agriculture and food are our most direct and daily connection to the natural world. And the health of our environment directly impacts our own health and well-being, it is imperative that we continue to explore and push the boundaries of overall sustainable production. How can we produce food in a way that is fair, socially just, beneficial for communities, and also environmentally sound, all at the same time? We are speaking with an expert today on the equitable production of produce – in this case, about Avocados. Guest:  Nicole Vitello, President, Equal Exchange Produce, West Bridgewater, MA

As we are heading into September, the late summer sun gently touching our agricultural lands, we are once again in a transition. From summer bounty to fall, as the seasonal preparation for winter, a last push of life before the months of darkness and hibernation and recovery. Time for us get An Update from the Fields! What produce is leaving us and what is coming in, how does it need to be handled and stored, what are the prices we need to expect, and why? An entire episode to expand our understanding of agriculture, organic agriculture that is, and the reality of a farmer’s life. Host Helge Hellberg in an organic conversation with some of his dear friends in this work of advocating for and creating a more sustainable, healthier world, a more conscientious way of living this life in our attempt to be better, more responsible stewards of this beautiful planet that surely can use a bit more love these days, and always. Guest:  Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Today’s episode is all about the human potential. How can we expand from our childhood, what is possible for us as an adult? How can we create a happy and truly fulfilling life for ourselves? How can we become the fully realized authority of all of our decisions – the best version of ourselves? Today’s show is all about cultivating awareness and changing our reaction and behavior for a more aligned, successful, and happy life. Guest:  Mark diTargiani, Executive Coach, Better Leaders

Three women who have made organic food their career show us that sustainable food production and healthy agricultural practices have a tremendous impact on everything that food touches. Starting on the land with the farmer, these practices positively affect just about everything along the journey, ultimately reaching the end consumer. Us. In this episode, we celebrate the notion that life creates life, with Helge Hellberg.  Guests: Christie Biddle, Fruit Buyer Susan Simitz, Social Media & Marketing Manager Jessica Cole, Quality Assurance & Inventory Control Specialist Earls Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

American children spend four to seven minutes a day playing outdoors—that is 90 percent less time than their parents did. There is a significant physical, emotional, and mental price to pay for having such little exposure to Nature and unstructured playtime. What is at stake, how to bring Nature back into all of our lives, and specifically, How to Raise a Wild Child – that’s our topic in this hour of An Organic Conversation. Guest: Scott D. Sampson, Author, How to Raise a Wild Child, Vancouver, B.C.

There is a deep reverence and respect for the Elements of Water, Sky, and Earth, Sun and Moon that we’ll find when we engage with cultures that have developed in the middle of the ocean, away from the speed of mainland societies. Hawaiian philosophy does not consider the physical and non-physical aspects of the world to be separate, therefore, to heal one aspect, all must be healed. Hear from an Hawaiian elder about key lessons in life - how to be of service, honor your family, and always practice kindness. Guest: Kevin Hoke, CEO & President, Hawaiian Outrigger Experience, Wailuku, HI

It’s April, which means Earth Day month, happy temperatures, spring blossoms, and fresh veggies. The bunnies are out, and so should we! This is a time to get a healthy dose of Nature back into our lives, get moving, and help your body transition from Winter to spring and summer. The best way to do that is to detoxify from the sluggish, dark, inward months behind us! So today, we are creating that sense of health and abundance and vibrancy, for all of us, by learning about all the things to consider when we do a mental and physical inner spring cleaning! Happy Earth Day everyone!! Guest: Amie Valpone, Author, Eating Clean: The 21-Day Plan to Detox, Fight Inflammation and Reset Your Body, New York, NY

Luckily we have a solid foundation when we want to choose healthier food, grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and produced without thousands of potentially harmful ingredients and additives such as colorings, preservatives, flavor enhancers, or gmo’s, that are allowed in non-organic foods. The "organic" label is a federally regulated standard, focused on the healthy production of food. What organic does not address, however, are social equality, farm worker pay, or fair trade. For these aspects of food production, we are reliant on additional third-party certification agencies and organizations that have made social and environmental justice in food production their main focus. Today we have one of the leading associations with exactly this focus as a guest on our show – Equal Exchange.   Guest:  Nicole Vitello, President Oke USA/Equal Exchange Bananas, Equal Exchange, West Bridgewater, MA

The weather is on everyone’s mind. Record rainfall ending a 7-year drought in most places throughout California has had a significant impact on our food production. California feeds this country, or much of it, at least, and produce is in high demand, short supply, possibly water-logged, or otherwise affected by the rain. What does this all mean to us, the end consumer. How do we navigate this time of transition into spring, from knowing how to choose the right organic fruits and vegetables, to home storage, and how to best manage possibly high prices - it's time to bring in the expert!   Guest: Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA 

It’s a heart-wrenching topic, and nevertheless a beautiful and absolutely critical documentary – A Plastic Ocean. This new film follows researchers across all oceans to examine just how much plastic pollution has been accumulated in the sea, how it behaves in the water, and what it does to the biology of ocean life, from fish, to mammals, turtles and sea birds – and directly to humans as well. Life on this planet depends on the health of our oceans. A Plastic Ocean captures this connection we all share with the sea, and brings us a serious - and very visual - warning of the plastic pollution problem that we are facing. It's staggering, and yet some early solutions to this problem are being developed already, as we will hear from one of the chief scientists of the film.   Guest: Bonnie Monteleone, Executive Director​, Director of Science, Research and Academic Partnerships, Plastic Oceans Project, Wilmington, NC

There is still a fairly great uncertainty as to what exactly causes breast cancer. From things that can be influenced, such as lifestyle, cosmetic use, diet, and alcohol consumption, to things that cannot be influenced, such as higher age, and a family history with breast cancer, the exact causes or the exact combination of causes that may result in breast cancer are still being researched. Regardless, over a quarter million women will get diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and with that diagnosis, the long and difficult road to recovery begins. Today we are speaking with an expert about complementary treatment options and consider what additional support for a breast cancer patient may look like.    Guest: Dr. Holly Lucille, ND, RN, Naturopathic Doctor, Los Angeles, CA

The average American consumes about 270 pounds of meat a year, making the United States the country with one of the highest meat consumptions per person in the world. We know of our love for meat, and most of us know at least about some connection between meat consumption and our health, particularly cardiovascular, or heart health. So how much healthier is a diet that is much more – or entirely – plant based, that avoids animal meat or animal products all together? New studies are out that are looking at the effect of plant-based diets on our health, both for vegetarian as well as vegan diets.   Guest:  Vandana Sheth, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Los Angeles, CA

*Originally Aired on 4/04/16. Chosen as "Best of 2016" 15% of the cost is in the packaging. So what do you gain by striving for a Zero Waste lifestyle? A cleaner home, a healthier planet, deeper relationships, and up to 40% more money in your wallet. What are you waiting for? It takes less time than you think... Guest: Bea Johnson, Author, Zero Waste Home, Mill Valley, CA

*Originally Aired on 3/14/16. Chosen as "Best of 2016" An award-winning documentary shows the powerful effect music has on patients with Alzheimer's disease. By demonstrating how melody returns people to long lost memories, we explore the question, "can music make you come alive again?"   Guest:  Michael Rossato-Bennett, Writer/Director/Producer, Alive Inside, New York, NY

*Originally Aired on 3/28/16. Chosen as "Best of 2016" Anyone who has ever loved an animal knows the sublime quality of a relationship built upon unconditional love. Increasing evidence suggests that beyond the bonds of companionship, human-animal relationships can also be life saving. Tune in to learn about how animals across species are healing a spectrum of human ailments - and how animals improve their health at the same time. Guest: Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Director, Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (RECHAI), University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO

Indigenous people’s rights have been violated since the beginning of time. But one would think that by now, we would have seen and understood the injustice of the past and revised our stands and approach to land use in general, and in particular, when it includes land of the First Nations or any other indigenous groups in this country, or anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, not so. The developments around Standing Rock in North Dakota where an oil pipeline is supposed to go through sacred land, including underneath the Missouri River - the longest river in America - has raised massive political, cultural, environmental, and ethnic concerns. This week we are speaking with a Native American elder about what is happening and what is at stake at Standing Rock, and what the lessons are, that so urgently need to become a much greater part of our way of life.   Guest:  David Escobar, Lenca-Poton Indian, Member of the Indigenous Cuxcatan Collective

It’s that time of year again when we celebrate family, loved ones, food, the end of the year, and hopefully count all of our blessings. It’s Christmas, and where ever you may be listening to the show, at least the thought of a Christmas tree most likely will have occurred for you. Millions of trees are being cut, and then, a couple of weeks later, thrown away. It’s a huge loss, so massive, in fact, that it has an impact on our global climate, as we will learn today! But, ho ho ho, there is a real alternative!!   Guest:  Scott "Scotty Claus" Martin, Founder & Jolly Ol' Soul, The Living Christmas Company, California

Katrina Frey is one of the leaders and one of the heroes of organic agriculture. As a young woman she and her husband Jonathan followed their conviction and took on the challenge to create the first organic and biodynamic vineyard in the country – Frey Vineyards. Her wines have won numerous awards in national and international wine competitions, not just in the organic category, but overall, even in taste tests against highly acclaimed European wines in Europe. Today, Host Helge Hellberg and Katrina Frey are talking about the human side of organic agriculture, how a daily engagement with Nature shapes one’s life.   Guest: Katrina Frey, Executive Director, Frey Vineyards, Redwood Valley, CA

Beyond food, there are a whole host of products that we consume that we know little about when it comes to their ingredients or how they were produced. Today we are dedicating this hour to understanding the amazing world of producing alcohol, in this case "eco-positive" Rum. Guest: Tristan Mermin, Founder & CEO, Batiste Rhum, Mill Valley, CA

We commonly say that we have inherited this world from our fathers and grandfathers. But another way to look at our responsibility for this planet in this lifetime is that we are borrowing our world from our children. Today we are hearing about an initiative that promotes and celebrates the next generation for their genius ideas and sustainable solutions to save the world. Guests: Anisha Desai, Program Director, Brower Youth Awards, San Francisco, CA Susette Onate, 2016 Brower Youth Award Winner, Fostering Stewardship Through a Native Butterfly Garden, Hialeah, FL Will Amos, 2016 Brower Youth Award Winner, Engineering Possibility for Impactful Change, Irvine, CA

Beyond diets and health benefits, food has a specific function. It can make us sleepy, or wake us up. It can make us fast or enduring. It can make us focused, or calm. It can make us feel warm, or cold, it can make us feel great, or awful. The better we know how food acts in our bodies the more it can positively influence our lives. How can we learn what to pay attention to? Today we are starting that conversation. Guest: Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA Ben Herrick, Athlete, Sonoma, CA

In this presidential election, we have heard nearly nothing close to a real conversation on the concern for the environment. From energy to climate change, how do all four candidates hold environmental responsibility and what are their platforms for environmental leadership? We'll find out today! Guest: Keith Gaby, Senior Communications Director, Environmental Defense Fund Action, Washington, D.C.

Guest:  Dr. Linda Lear, Biographer, Historian & Founder of RachelCarson.org, Bethesda, MD

We all know that a diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables and unprocessed, whole foods is the foundation for overall health and well being. And we also know that even before children are born, they are already exposed to hundreds of chemicals and heavy metals, a toxic burden that could compromise the children’s health and development. And from there our young ones, just as we are, are exposed to toxins in our food and environment as they grow older. Today we are learning just how important a healthy diet is in balancing this exposure to toxins, and what a healthy children-specific diet looks like. Guest: Dr. Matthew Lederman, Co-Author, Forks Over Knives Family, Los Angeles, CA

Food is thy medicine, again today. Osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and many other Western Societies. The common answer to bone loss is usually Calcium. While Calcium has an important role in our overall bone health, there is much more to the story. In this hour, we are speaking with a physician about how to prepare and combine whole foods to prevent and treat Osteoporosis naturally. Guest: Dr. Laura Kelly, Co-Author, The Healthy Bones Nutrition Plan and Cookbook, Topanga, CA

Guest:  Elizabeth Troy, Nutritionist & Co-Author, The Stash Plan, Westport, CT

There is a small county just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area that has shaped the organic food and agriculture movement throughout the country – if not the world – forever. As the nation's only all-organic county, Marin sets an example for the future of organic farming and the evolution of the industry. How did this happen and what can be learned from this model? Listen to one of the true leaders of the organic movement, Warren Weber, owner of Star Route Farms. Guest: Warren Weber, Owner, Star Route Farms, Bolinas, CA

How could a tropical fruit native to North American soil go under the radar for generations? Such is the story of Pawpaw - and many other plant species nearly forgotten by US agriculture. Find out what made these fruits so special to Native Americans and early settlers and what is being done today to revive the existence of indigenous nutritious foods throughout our country. Guest: Andrew Moore, Author, Pawpaw: In Search of America's Forgotten Fruit, Pittsburgh, PA

  Vermont, Maine, and Connecticut have all adopted GMO labeling laws. So what does that mean for the rest of the country? And what can we take away from the fact that major food corporations like Campbell's and General Mills have agreed to institute nationwide labeling policies for their products? Get the scoop from one of the most influential people advocating for our right to know, Chairman of the Just Label It campaign.   Guest: Gary Hirshberg, Chairman, Just Label It, Washington, D.C.  

"If you want to teach people about the nature of being human, you don't take them to a prison; you take them to a park where they can see families and people being free. If you want to teach people about the nature of elephants, you don't take them to a circus." A passionate documentary about man's relationship to elephants is inspiring a movement to release our world's largest land mammal from grueling entertainment and save multiple species in the process. Tune in this week for our interview with HBO's filmmaker and a renowned expert on elephant captivity. Guests: Amy Schatz, Director, An Apology to Elephants, New York, NY Ed Stewart, President & Co-Founder, PAWS, Galt, CA

A small garden plot within the concrete walls of a maximum security prison does more than just engage prisoners; it improves behavior and reduces reincarceration. Hear data and feedback from a national nonprofit whose gardening and permaculture programs promote responsibility, opportunity, and motivation. Guest: Beth Waitkus, Founder & Director, Insight Garden Program, Berkeley, CA

As a thank you to all the people who have dedicated their lives and careers to protecting the Earth, find out how one such organization helps initiatives in sustainability, social responsibility, animal welfare, nature conservation, and more with financial and administrative support so innovative ideas can make it into the world and create a healthier planet. Guest:Kevin Connelly, Associate Director, Earth Island Institute, Berkeley, CA

Movements are most often formed by a handful of people declaring the end of the current status quo and embracing a new way of relating that is both healthier and more just. That’s how the organic food movement had its re-emergence in the early 1970’s. We are honoring those early beginnings with a series of interviews with the pioneers of this movement. In this episode, we are exploring the role of mentorship with three generations of food advocates from the team at Earl's Organic Produce. Guests: Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA Ethan Abendroth, National Sales Manager, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA Nathan Evers, Produce Selector, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

15% of the cost is in the packaging. So what do you gain by striving for a Zero Waste lifestyle? A cleaner home, a healthier planet, deeper relationships, and up to 40% more money in your wallet. What are you waiting for? It takes less time than you think... Guest: Bea Johnson, Author, Zero Waste Home, Mill Valley, CA

It's here again: this year's gardening season! Time to think about forming beds, ordering seeds, blocking a weekend to get your hands dirty, and enjoying the benefits of homegrown food - all while saving money. Guest: Megan Cain, Garden Educator, The Creative Vegetable Gardener, Madison, WI

A new documentary shows the powerful effect music has on patients with Alzheimer's disease. By demonstrating how melody returns people to long lost memories, we explore the question, "can music make you come alive again?" Guest: Michael Rossato-Bennett, Writer/Director/Producer, Alive Inside, New York, NY

Just how relevant is a periodical that's been in print for 225 years - from a time in which our society was deeply connected to the land? With a blend of wisdom from nature and wit from mankind, you'll be surprised by the practicality and entertainment value of this annual publication with tide tables to know the movement of water, sunrise, moon cycles, and planting charts for the organic farmer and gardener alike, recipes for those who live in the kitchen, and forecasts for those who don’t like the question of weather left up in the air. Guest: Janice Stillman, Editor, The Old Farmer's Almanac, Dublin, NH

Join us on the journey of two filmmakers who set out to make a movie about culture and unearthed surprising details about the dangerous conditions inside nail salons, unflinching gratitude in the face of unfair circumstances, and the transformative power of a courageous spirit. Guests:Erica Jordan, Producer & Director, Painted Nails, San Francisco, CA Dianne Griffin, Producer & Director, Painted Nails, San Francisco, CA

Holistic nutrition says that overall health relies on the gut and we cannot absorb what we cannot digest. Despite our best efforts to fill our bodies with nutrient-rich fresh foods, we will not reap the benefits if we do not focus on our digestive health. Learn about the root causes of IBS, how to get the most nutrition out of your food and the truth behind the statement, "you are what you eat.” Guest: Laura Knoff, Senior Nutrition Consultant Instructor, Bauman College: Holistic Nutriton + Culinary Arts, Berkeley, CA

Up until only a few decades ago, hand-written letters were a universal way to connect with others. As we remember this forgotten art, how can we carry it into our future? A pioneering female entrepreneur in India shares the value of written word through stories left by her father, the tradition carried forward to her son in America, and a conference that inspires young change agents to voice innovative ideas that connect the world. Guest:Lakshmi Pratury, Founder & CEO, INK, Bangalore, India

The Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions across the globe will change the future of climate change, but how? Tune in to learn which countries are participating, how they'll be held accountable to their commitments, and what you can do to help. Guest:Ken Berlin, President & CEO, The Climate Reality Project, Washington, D.C.

How can connecting with man's first animal companion provide us the ability to connect with ourselves and our communities? Tune in this hour to learn about two retreat centers using wisdom from the animal kingdom to recover from today's traumas. Guest:Joni Ogle, Director of Young Adult Programs, Promises Treatment Centers, Malibu, CA*In conjunction with Wolf Connection, Acton, CA

Find yourself wondering what the Paleo Diet is all about? We uncover all of the surprising and delicious details in this hour: from what you can eat to the best substitutions for your favorite guilty pleasure foods. Guest:Ali Rakowski, Author, Bowls of Love: Paleo Soups for the Seasons, Stamford, CT

While society is more focused on food than ever, domestic labor issues remain largely unseen by the public. This hour, the AOC Team discusses a powerful new documentary that sheds light on wages and conditions of the men and women who harvest our fresh food every day. Guest:Sanjay Rawal, Director, Food Chains, New York, NY

Homo Sapiens have evolved to believe that we are separate from nature, causing disrupt to billions of years of evolution. Love Thy Nature is an award-winning documentary that shines light on the role that nature plays in our lives - how does it nourish us? Immerse yourself into the beauty and intimacy of our relationship to the natural world. Guest:Sylvie Rokab, Director, Love Thy Nature, Los Angeles, CA

When it comes to health, the world of cosmetics and body care products is tough to navigate, in great part because there are few manufacturing standards and little transparency in labeling. In this episode, we are joined by a topic expert to learn what to look for in personal care products, what to avoid, and how to get involved in improving regulations for what we put on our -- and our loved one's -- bodies. Guest: Janet Nudelman, Director of Program & Policy, Breast Cancer Fund, San Francisco, CA

What tools can best help us manage our anxiety and oh-so complex time on earth? This hour looks at how to stay centered with different methods and forms of meditation, as well as its benefits, and how you could start incorporating a little bit of more Self into your life. Guest:Dr. Judson Brewer, Director of Research, Center for Mindfulness at University of Massachusettes Medical School

This season is a time when we gather with friends and family to appreciate our lives and one another. Make the Earth a part of your celebration by reducing waste and designing get togethers with a lighter ecological footprint without sacrificing what makes the holidays so dear. Guest(s):Bea Johnson, Author, Zero Waste Home, Mill Valley, CA

A picture can say more than a thousand words. That is certainly true for the new documentary Racing Extinction which tells the story of our Planet, where we come from, how beautifully life has evolved over millions of years, and where we stand today as we face a mass species extinction not seen since before the Ice Age. Guest:Louie Psihoyos, Director, Racing Extinction

It's the time of gratitude, harvest celebrations and finding friends and family around the dinner table. The light is changing and the holidays are near. The AOC Team shares their favorite fall and winter recipes along with the stories that made those meals so exceptional. Hosted by: Helge Hellberg & Sitarani Palomar, An Organic Conversation

Chai is a drink that has moved far beyond its borders and into the world. What is Chai, how do you make a perfect cup, and why is it so good for you? All in this episode of An Organic Conversation. Guest: Rekha Sarin, Co-Author, Chai: The Experience of Indian Tea, Delhi, IndiaPurchase on Amazon

In the weeks leading up to the biggest climate conference since the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1998, the President & CEO of Al Gore's non-profit tells us what we can expect this December when all nations of the world meet to set new global emission reduction standards - PLUS how you can help with the climate change crisis. Guest:Ken Berlin, President & CEO, The Climate Reality Project, Washington, D.C.

Make this year's holiday meals the simplest in preparation and most flavor yet. We'll tell you how you can get the best price, choose optimal ripeness, and prepare in advance with tips from the experts at Earl's Organic Produce. Guests: Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA Christie Biddle, Fruit Buyer, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA Rodrigo Velasquez, Fruit Buyer, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Are you ready for the best sleep of your life? Know how to eliminate bad habits that result in insomnia and instead create a nourishing environment for deep, restful sleep. Take our word for it: the night after recording this episode, we slept better than we had in years. Guest:Dr. Tracey Marks, Psychiatrist, Marks Psychiatry, Atlanta, GA

Going gluten-free is easier than you think. This episode walks you through the basics of menu-planning and recipes, well-rounded nutrition, getting your can't-live-without-em comfort foods, and how to involve your family to lighten your load at meal-time. Guest:Elana Amsterdam, Author, Paleo Cooking from Elana's Pantry: Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free Recipes, Boulder, CO

Did you know that Monarch Butterflies lay their eggs on one single plant that protects the next generation from parasitic infection? Or that primates swallow whole leaves without chewing to literally scrape parasites from their stomach? This hour uncovers stories of nature's brilliance as it manifests in animal intuition for preservation of the species - and what we as human beings can learn from them. Guest:Mark Hunter, Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

The amazing world of organic wine pairings: How do you decide which food flavors balance well with which wines? Walk with us through a complete guide, providing hands-on tips of how to easily pair food and wine. Guest:Katrina Frey, Founder & Executive Director, Frey Vineyards, Redwood Valley, CA

Flowers have long been used as symbols of something greater than their sheer beauty. Whether to express love, friendship, gratitude, or forgiveness, journey with us this hour and learn to speak a language that dates back to ancient times. Guest:Shane Connolly, Floral Designer, Shane Connolly Company, London, UK*Shane has been awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment to the HRH the Prince of Wales

Learn the important basics of saturated and unsaturated fats, which oils can be heated, and what temperatures are safe to enjoy a variety of food preparations while maintaining your holistic health. Guest(s):Lisa TurnerChef & Nutritionist, Inspired Eating Enlightened Nutritional Healing, Boulder, COInstructor, Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition & Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

The Lipstick Angels are an important non-profit providing non-toxic natural beauty treatments to cancer patients in hospitals, helping people feel a sense of self again by feeling beautiful during a vulnerable time. Guest: Renata Helfman, Founder & Executive Director, Lipstick Angels, Los Angeles, CA

New parents: tune in! This hour helps guide you while you wean from breast milk and transition into solid foods. Learn how to make homemade baby food and which nutrients your child will need through toddler days and into early childhood. Guest:Tamika L. Gardner, Author, 201 Organic Baby & Toddler Meals, Raleigh, NC

The most nutrient dense foods of all are often called superfoods. The AOC Team responds to an important topic that was requested by our listeners, focusing on the top five most nutrient dense foods. What are they? How can you eat them? When should you eat them? What do they do? Guests: Team Organic: AOC Hosts, Helge Hellberg & Sitarani Palomar

In a celebration of the human heart, mind, and spirit, this hour looks at the documentary that tells the story of the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, Paraguay. Through the eyes of the young musicians, their teacher, and a carpenter who makes instruments from trash, we can all learn the lesson that coming from nothing is not an excuse to do nothing. Guest(s):Brad Allgood, Director & Editor, Landfill Harmonic, Los Angeles, CA Juliana Penaranda-Loftus, Producer & Co-Director, Landfill Harmonic, Los Angeles, CA

While it is the foundation for a healthy society, not every community has access to nutritious food and education about how to make better choices. This episode looks at important work being done by a non-profit organization in Philadelphia to help neighborhoods, schools, grocers, farmers, and policymakers work together to address the challenges of health and food security. Guest:Dwayne Wharton, Director of External Affairs, The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA

As society transitions to more healthier choices for food, natural body care, and greener transportation, one area of daily life remaining largely unchanged is our clothing. This hour looks at the social, environmental, and economic costs of the apparel industry and ways we can start improving lives everywhere with the choices we make today. Guest(s):Elizabeth Cline, Author, Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, Brooklyn, NY

As Farmers Markets bustle with people and burst with produce, so does Nautre show her most abundant side. This hour is devoted to the identification of which wild foods you can include on your plate, how to prepare them, and the inherent benefit of deepening our own relationship to Mother Earth. Guest(s):Kami McBride, Author, The Herbal Kitchen, Vacaville, CA

From food and water to shelter and equipment, this hour delivers tried and true tips from the AOC Team and its audience about how to make this summer's camping trips the safest, easiest and most enjoyable outdoor adventures yet. Guest(s):No Guest, AOC Hosts as experts

Can the things we eat influence what or how well we think? This hour uncovers functional foods that support mood, memory, mental clarity, and brain health. Guest(s): Rebecca Katz, Author, The Healthy Mind Cook Book, San Rafael, CA

Creating sustainable support for communities in need requires innovation, thought-partnership, and big hearts. Hear today about a non-profit that expanded the common model of giving to become the largest employer in a small town of Africa.  Guest(s): Zane Wilemon, Founder & Executive Director, CTC International, Austin, TX

In this hour we are thinking beyond the meat and exploring the world of produce. From expert tips on how to grill the season's bounty to simple, delicious recipes and the best flavor combinations, this is the episode that will get your grilling season started right. Guest: Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

This week the AOC Team speaks with an expert about what we can do to protect ourselves from the sun's potentially harmful rays while still enjoying the call of the outdoors. Guest(s):  Rebecca Hamilton, Director of Product Development, Badger Balm, Gilsum, NH

Much like us, the well-being of a dog is dependent on food and lifestyle. Tune in this hour to discover how to evaluate commercial pet foods, how to supplement your dog's diet with whole foods from your fridge, and what other recommendations will make your companion's life as happy and healthy as possible. Guest(s):Diana Laverdure, Pet Nutritionist & Co-Author, Canine Nutrigenomics, Delray Beach, FLDr. Jean Dodds, DVM, Veterinarian & Co-Author, Canine Nutrigenomics, Garden Grove, CA

The Raw Food Diet is the antidote to high heat and extensive food processing, but is it for everyone? International raw food expert Ani Phyo shares with us the specifics of how raw food works, what the health benefits are, and how anyone can improve their diet with simple raw food upgrades to their everyday meal planning. Guest(s):Ani Phyo, Author & Health, Wellness, Raw Food & Detox Expert, Los Angeles, CA

When it comes to health, the world of cosmetics and body care products is tough to navigate, in great part because there are few manufacturing standards and little transparency in labeling. In this episode, we are joined by a topic expert to learn what to look for in personal care products, what to avoid, and how to get involved in improving regulations for what we put on our -- and our loved one's -- bodies. Guest(s):Janet Nudelman, Director of Program & Policy, Breast Cancer Fund, San Francisco, CA

Whether you farm a window box or an acre of land, rejoice in the ability to be nourished at your own hand and learn the best ways to begin and sustain an abundant organic garden.  Guest(s):Willow Rosenthal,  Author, The Essential Urban Farmer, Oakland, CA Annie Spiegelman,  Author and Master Gardener, The Dirt Diva, Novato, CA

In the final part of our Mother's Day Series, a filmmaker and her mother tell their story of creating a business together and how they combine the skills of the millennial and baby boomer generations to help business professionals how to tell their own story. Guest(s):Debbie Sultan, Co-Founder & Marketing Guru, Food Guru, San Francisco, CAAriel Sultan, Co-Founder & Video Guru, Food Guru, San Francisco, CA

In Part Two of our Mother's Day Series, we visit the pages of a beautiful new memoir, Orchard House: How a Neglected Garden Taught One Family to Grow, and speak with the author about what happens when, on a common ground, differences become cherished strengths. Guest(s):Tara Austen Weaver, Author, Orchard House, Seattle, WA

In a month-long feature on motherhood throughout the month of May, we look first at a family whose business is based on caring for Mother Nature. The mother-daughter duo discusses similarities in raising a family and tending to the land, and the opportunities to build upon the wisdom from each generation. Guest(s):Katrina Frey, Executive Director, Frey Vineyards, Redwood Valley, CAEliza Frey, Winemaker, Frey Vineyards, Redwood Valley, CA

Vanilla has become a synonym for plain and predictable. Yet this spice has one of the most special stories you've never heard. Travel with us in Malagasy stories and develop a new appreciation for the orchid that produces one of the most fundamental flavors of modern cuisine. Guest(s):Nathaniel Delafield, CEO & Co-Founder, LAFAZA, Oakland, CAJames Delafield, CPO & Co-Founder, LAFAZA, Oakland, CA

The science of Ayurveda teaches us how to live in balance with our own nature and with nature around us. By eating detoxifying foods in the spring, hydrating foods in the summer, and grounding foods in the winter, we follow the seasonal rhythms of the harvest and of our own bodies. Guest(s):Dr. John Douillard, Ayurvedic Practitioner & Founder, LifeSpa, Boulder, COEmma Frisch, Author & Chef, Frisch Kitchen, Ithaca, NY

Homo Sapiens have evolved to believe that we are separate from nature, causing disrupt to billions of years of evolution. Love Thy Nature is an award-winning documentary that shines light on the role that nature plays in our lives - how does it nourish us? Immerse yourself into the beauty and intimacy of our relationship to the natural world. Guest(s):Sylvie Rokab, Director, Love Thy Nature, Los Angeles, CA

A look at front and backyard gardens, sustainable approaches to garden design, and everything we can do to make our summertime in the garden as fun and as ecologically and environmentally friendly as possible. Guest(s):Evelyn Hadden, Founder, Less Lawn, Minneapolis, MN

What is the most holistic approach to making sure our pets are healthy and happy? How to treat and take care of our animals naturally. Guest(s):Dr. Allen Schoen, MS DVM, Ph.D., Alternative and Integrative Veterinarian, The Kindred Spirits Project, Vancouver, B.C.

By combining fair trade principles and humanitarian work, the incredible efforts of one non-profit empower small-scale Central American farmers to make a living and produce a healthier harvest. Guest(s):Florence Reed, President & Founder, Sustainable Harvest International, Ellsworth, ME

What do a music movement and a food movement have in common? The power to change the face of obesity, encourage living sustainably and instilling healthy habits in our youth. Tune in this week to hear how one program is using hip hop as a tool for change.  Guest(s):Keith Tucker, Producer, Pursuit of a Green Planet, Seattle, WA

This hour goes beyond spirituality into what Jung called "the privilege of a lifetime" - "to become who you truly are." Join us as we explore the opportunity for personal growth within yourself and through community. Guest(s): Dr. J. Pittman McGehee, Episcopal Priest & Jungian Analyst, Inner Journey Retreat, Austin, TX

The vast majority of seeds is now in the hands of a few multinational companies. Why is that an issue? This week we look at the the implications for farmers, the Earth, and our plate and the critical importance of seed sovereignty. Guest(s):Sean Kaminsky, Director & Producer, Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds, New York, NY

Bring the flavor of the tropics into your home today. In this hour we look at the climates that provide us these nutrient-dense fruits, how to choose for flavor, how to cut and store, and much more. Guest(s):Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Join us as we uncover the simplest plan - and equally simple recipes - for the once-a-year ritual of Spring Cleaning. Don't be daunted: you'll have fun, save money, and keep your home toxin-free. Guest(s):Amy Kolb Noyes, Author, Nontoxic Housecleaning, Lake Elmore, VT

How can connecting with man's first animal companion provide us the ability to connect with ourselves and our communities? Tune in this hour to learn about two retreat centers using wisdom from the animal kingdom to recover from today's traumas. Guest(s):Joni Ogle, Director of Young Adult Programs, Promises Treatment Center, Malibu, CA

An exploration of what communities and people can do to make our sporting get togethers more inclusive while reducing our ecological footprint. Guest(s):Keith Peters, Executive Director, Council for Responsible Sport, Portland, OR

Find yourself wondering what the Paleo Diet is all about? We uncover all of the surprising and delicious details in this hour: from what you can eat to the best substitutions for your favorite guilty pleasure foods. Guest(s):Ali Rakowski, Author, Bowls of Love: Paleo Soups for the Seasons, Stamford, CT

Already 1200 strong, a growing movement of businesses is setting the standard for a new world economy, and it includes people, the planet, and profit. Tune in to discover how they are maximizing positive impact beyond their products and how the work you do can begin to the change the world. Guest(s):Ryan Honeyman, Author, The B Corp Handbook, SF Bay Area

While society is more focused on food than ever, domestic labor issues remain largely unseen by the public. This hour, the AOC Team discusses a powerful new documentary that sheds light on wages and conditions of the men and women who harvest our fresh food every day. Guest(s):Sanjay Rawal, Director, Food Chains, New York, NY

Learn to differentiate between allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities in this hour as we look at possible causes causes for reactions and what we can do about them. Guest(s): Dr. Todd Born, Naturopathic Doctor & Co-Owner, Born Naturopathic Associates, Alameda, CA

Matching the topic of biochemical individuality with the world of nutrients, particularly vitamins and minerals, an expert joins the AOC Team to discuss how a person's physical and genetic landscape affect their personal nutritional needs. Guest(s):Erin Livers, Integrative Clinical Nutrition Therapist, Bauman College, Boulder, CO

In this episode we celebrate the truly breathtaking world of spices, a precious commodity that has been traded for thousands of years between cultures and countries. Come on this journey with the AOC Team and explore the health benefits and culinary uses of spices. Guest(s): John Chansari, Founder, Spicely Organics, Fremont, CA

More than “presents,” the spirit of the season is “presence.” This year, get inspired to gift creatively rather than commercially. Join the AOC Team for a fun and non-traditional approach to gift-giving. Guest(s):The AOC Team

As holiday routines begin, we turn to the cherished tradition of Cookies and learn about the many ways to prepare these delights. From baking to decorating to holistic ingredients, this week everything’s on the table. Guest(s): Kasey Caletti, Holistic Chef, San Francisco, CA

Learn the components of candlemaking, from choosing your materials to making use of every last bit of wax. This episode features step-by-step instructions for creating the lovely light we associate with the holidays. Guest(s):Lori Nova Endres, Founder & Co-Owner, The Nova Studio, SF Bay Area, CA

Much more than an effort to cook healthy meals, The Ceres Community Project has become a national model for building a true social network - supporting, nourishing, and educating communities. Guest(s):Cathryn Couch, Executive Director, The Ceres Community Project, Sebastopol, CA

From savory to sweet, for many pie means “home.” Dive into an hour of pie whispering - from the perfect crust to pie for every time of day and year. Guest(s):Kasey Caletti, Culinary Program Manager, Hattery, San Francisco, CA

It's the time of gratitude, harvest celebrations and finding friends and family around the dinner table. The light is changing and the holidays are near. The AOC Team shares their favorite fall and winter recipes along with the stories that made those meals so exceptional.  Guest(s):The AOC Team

There is some beautiful and critical work being done around the world to drop the perceptions, beliefs and assumptions that we all carry around when it comes to gender, ethnicity, religion, income, social status, color - and whatever else we may choose to differentiate or separate ourselves from others. Join us as one organization shares stories from its programs, showing us the change that can occur when we no longer living in the confinement of our roles.  Guest(s):Ana Patel, Executive Director, Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding, New York, NY

Some of the most important relationships we can have are with animals. Especially this time of year, many people consider adopting a pet. Tune in to learn some critical questions to ask and tips for what can - and most likely will be - a life-changing experience. Guest(s):Temma Martin, Best Friends Animal Society, Kenab, UT

Natural food stores are truly community resource centers, addressing personal health, community health, offering culinary connections and help steer the future of sustainable agriculture. An Organic Conversation recently hosted a seminar and invited health food store managers, organic farmers and other leaders of the health food movement whom together addressed the question of what is possible. Guest(s):The AOC Team

Late summer is a transition time for farming and produce. Walk the produce dock and the fields with us as we explore the final taste of summer. Seasonal produce - what to look for, what to consider, how to buy it, store it, and what to do at home. Guest(s):Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Following up on an episode with Sandor Katz, explore the world of kraut even further, learning how to make fermented foods at home. This episode will guide you through the health benefits and the process of saving fresh produce, giving you DIY tips for fermented foods.  Guest(s):Karen Diggs, Founder, Kraut Source, San Francisco, CA

The way we love changes the world. So does the way we shop. Be a part of a conversation about the impact one dollar – when put in the right place – can have.   Guest(s):Zane Wilemon, Founder & Executive Director, CTC International, Austin, TX

Whether you’re a beginner, have never tried yoga, or practice regularly, this hour is dedicated to stretching your mind, body and perspective. Explore with the AOC Team the rich history, significance, and vast health benefits of yoga. Guest(s):Pete Guinosso, Pete G Yoga, San Francisco Bay Area, CA 

Discover how Nature, in her infinite wisdom, and 4 billion years of evolution provide brilliant solutions in our quest for greater sustainability. Guest(s):Janine Benyus, Co-Founder, Biomimicry 3.8, Montana

Is there a fountain of youth? This week, the AOC Team looks at which foods we can weave into our daily diet for health and long-term wellness. Guest(s):Rebecca Katz, The Longevity Kitchen, San Rafael, CA

How is the feminine voice heard, suppressed, or cultivated in today's society? Join us this week for insights from one of America's great writers, Terry Tempest Williams. Guest(s): Terry Tempest Williams, Author, When Women Were Birds, Moose, Wyoming

Harvesting sea vegetables is an old tradition and staple in many diets. Seaweed provides nourishment from the ocean, but what do consumers need to be aware of when it comes to choosing the right seaweed in regard to personal and environmental health? Learn how to include these vegetables in your diet.  Guest(s):John and Barbara Stephens-Lewallen, Founders, Mendocino Sea Vegetable Company, Philo, CA

Accompanied by a leading expert, the AOC Team looks at the sources of chronic inflammation, such as allergies, identifying symptoms and how you can change your diet to take the steps toward a delicious pain-free life.  Guest(s):Julie Daniluk, Author, Meals that Heal Inflammation, Toronto, Ontario

There are topics that are of fundamental significance that are less frequently discussed in the public. This week we take a look at men's sexual health and intimacy. We explore the causes of certain issues, such as erectile dysfunction, that men and their partners deal with. Learn about holistic approaches and opportunities to address these issues, pursuing optimal health.  Guest(s): Dr. Sharyn Allyson LAc, Founder, Acupuncture for Men's Health, Nationwide

California, along with many other states, is experiencing the worst drought on record. Typically a topic discussed in agriculture, this episode dives into how the drought directly and indirectly affects our plates and kitchen tables.  Guest(s): Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Beat the heat with these tips on what to eat, drink, wear and do when the temperatures soar. The tips may surprise you!  Guest(s):The AOC Hosts

An empowering discussion about how to prevent disease and cultivate lasting wellness through a plant-based diet.  Guest(s):Dr. Pam Popper, Naturopath, Forks Over Knives, Columbus, OH

A practice in nearly every culture across the world for thousands of years, the AOC team speaks with the foremost expert about the art, process, benefits, and history of fermentation. Guest(s): Sandor Katz, The Art of Fermentation, Cannon County, TN

This week the AOC Team speaks with a father-son duo whose work empowers dads to find their role as fully integrated, loving caregivers within their families – and society. Guest(s):Mark Perlman, Founder, The Nurturing Fathers Program, Sarasota, FLCory Perlman,Teacher, The Nurturing Fathers Program, Atlanta, GA

Rediscover Mother Nature's brilliant engineering and the intelligence of herbs to promote well-being in our daily lives.  Guests(s):Kami McBride, Author, The Herbal Kitchen, Graton, CA

A moving story about how the inspiration of one movement became an international symbol of hope and love for children in Africa.  Guest(s):Amy Berman, Founder, The Mother Bear Project, Minneapolis, MN

Did you know there are a billion micro-organisms in a teaspoon of healthy organic soil? Explore the magical world underneath our feet and understand soil as one of nature’s greatest gifts of creation.Guest(s):Stephen Andrews, Soil Scientist & Natural Resources Educator, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

What choices contribute to optimal health for a physically fit lifestyle? From macro-nutrients to micro-nutrients to hydration, this hour discusses what is required by all active bodies and what role bio-individuality plays in your diet.  Guest(s):Scott Jurek, Ultramarathoner, Boulder, CODr. Enette Larson-Meyer, Professor, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Debunking the myth that nontoxic cleaners are less effective, this week we look at what works for every room of the house and how to make your own with a few pantry staples. Guest(s):Amy Kolb Noyes,  Author, Nontoxic Cleaning, Stowe, VT Karl Robillard,  Communications & Outreach Manager, St. Anthony Foundation, San Francisco, CA

From coconut milk to meat to water, coconut products are everywhere in the market. Are they good for us? What’s the environmental impact of coconut production? An exploration of coconuts in this tropical hour.Guest(s): Dr. Bruce Fife,  Founder, The Coconut Research Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Ever wanted to start a garden but really didn’t know how? Do it this year - from windowsill to backyard, from herbs to flowers to vegetables Guest(s):Derek Fell, Author, Grow This!, Pipersville, PA

Everything we can do to make the time before and after birth the most healthy, happy and enjoyable time for both mother and baby.  Guest(s):Dr. Debby Hamilton, MD, MSPH, Holistic Pediatrician, Holistic Pediatric Consulting, Boulder, CO

Exploring what it means to truly listen to ourselves, our loved ones and nature, and the lifelong benefits of an attentive relationship with the world.  Guest(s): Susan Gillis Chapman, Author & Family Therapist, The Five Keys to Mindful Communication, Vancouver, B.C.

For 25 years, Bauman College has helped change the dialogue from food as fuel to food as medicine. Join us as we look at the evolution of nutrition and how society is now recognizing the power of food. Guest(s):Ed Bauman,Founder & Director, Bauman College, Penngrove, CAKaren Rotstein, Executive Director, Bauman College, Penngrove, CA

Guest(s): Lydia B. Smith, Director & Producer, Walking the Camino: Six ways to Santiago, Portland, OR

Join us in this celebration of all things organic as we reflect with an early pioneer on the beginnings of the real food movement. Guest(s): Earl Herrick,Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CAPatrick Stewart, Sales Manager, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

In the grand tradition of oral history, a new non-profit invites communities to preserve their culture through storytelling and promotes shared understanding that brings us all together. Guest(s): Angela Zusman, President, Story for All, Oakland, CA

From holding hands to massage, recent research has found that touch can improve health, address trauma, or even be life saving. Join us in this hour to explore how our hands are instruments of change. Guest(s): Tiffany Field, Director, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL

Start the New Year off right with these tips for eating better without spending more. Learn how you can plan to cook delicious organic meals for less than $5 a day. Guest(s): Linda Watson, Author, Wildly Affordable Organic, Raleigh, NC

Whether you choose to travel or you have to travel, how can you best support yourself throughout your journeys? In this hour, we are discussing veteran travel tips to make the most of your time away from home. Guest(s): The AOC Team

What do you want to create this year? How are the stars aligned, and what does 2014 hold? Join the AOC Team as we evaluate our relationships and create the possibility for change, new habits and health. Guest(s): The AOC Team

Confused about it? Concerned about it? Discover with us what “fracking” is, what “fracking” does, and decide yourself where you stand on this controversial topic. Guest: Tia Lebherz, Organizer, Food and Water Watch, Washington, D.C.

This week we explore the responsibility we have to fellow members of our community, the role food plays in creating relationships, and the unlikely places to find reward. Guest: Karl Robillard, Communications and Outreach Senior Manager, St. Anthony Foundation, San Francisco, CA

Tune in to find out which herbal remedies help your body fight illness and strengthen the immune system and how you can prepare these super-ingredients deliciously. Guest(s): Jessica Kellner, Editor-in-Chief, Mother Earth Living, Topeka, KS

Join us for an important discussion about the rapid loss of sacred sites around the world, its impact on indigenous and modern communities, and what we can do to protect the land that gives us life. Toby "Christopher" McLeod, Producer & Director, Standing on Sacred Ground, Berkeley, CACaleen Sisk, Spiritual Leader & Tribal Chief, Winnemem Wintu Tribe, Mt. Shasta, CA

Guest(s): Ruby Blume, Institute of Urban Homesteading, Oakland, CA

Guest(s): The AOC Team

Guest(s): Cheryl Long, Editor-in-Chief, Mother Earth News, Topeka, KS

Guest(s): Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Guest(s): Jennifer Sass, Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Washington, D.C.

Guest(s): Dr. Jeffrey Ventre, Blackfish Cast Member & Former SeaWorld Trainer, Blackfish, Yakima, WA Dru Rivers, Co-Owner, Full Belly Farm, Guinda, CA

Guest(s):  Denise Cerreta,Founder, One World Everybody Eats Foundation, Idaho Falls, ID*Originally Aired 3/23/13

Guest(s): Dr. Dave Kavanaugh, Chairman & Senior Curator, Department of Entomology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA

Guest(s): Genna Reed, Lead Researcher, Food & Water Watch, Washington, D.C.

Guest(s): Jimmy Wilson, Nutrition Program Director, Bauman College, Penn Grove, CA

Guest(s): Caroline Bracht, Senior Researcher, The G8 Research Group, Toronto, Canada

Guest(s): The AOC Hosts

Guest(s): Rhiannon Tomtishen, Founder, Project ORANGS, Ann Arbor, MI Madison Vorva, Founder, Project ORANGS, Ann Arbor, MI

Guest(s): Kari Hohne, Author, Nothing Bad Happens in Life: Nature's Way of Success, Tahoe, CA

The AOC Hosts, Helge Hellberg, Mark Mulcahy and Sitarani Palomar, San Francisco, CA

Guest(s): Dr. Vivianne Crowley, Professor & Wiccan Author, The Cherry Hill Seminary, Columbia, SC

Guest(s): Earl Herrick, Founder, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA