Should We Put Fluoride in Our Drinking Water? (Part 2)

Live at USC School of Medicine Greenville: The 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, Explained

USC School of Medicine Greenville experts break down lifestyle medicine and the evidence behind its “six pillars.” They discuss how food, exercise, sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoiding risky substances can improve chronic disease outcomes—and even support brain health in depression, Alzheimer’s risk, and more. 00:00 Intro 00:47 Welcome + live event at USC School of Medicine Greenville 02:10 Guest intros: Dean/primary care, neuroscientist, lifestyle program director 03:00 Why lifestyle medicine matters in med school + patient care 07:27 Real-life examples: hypertension, sodium, “food as medicine” (beets/flax) 09:13 Exercise & depression: blood flow, muscle-brain signaling, BDNF 12:35 Brain health + dementia risk: six pillars may slow cognitive decline 14:05 Parkinson’s study: tandem cycling benefits patients + caregivers 14:49 Curriculum: 109+ hours integrated across 4 years 15:51 Gut-brain connection: microbiome, fiber, ultra-processed foods 19:03 Social connection: loneliness, group care, “social capital” 22:21 Lifestyle vs functional medicine; the six pillars defined 23:40 Supplements + misinformation; magnesium; third-party testing (USP) 26:02 How to vet health info online (“too good to be true”) 29:02 Audience Q&A: antidepressants timeline; exercise outdoors 31:06 Motivation strategies: small goals, remove barriers, prioritize sleep 32:27 Organic vs frozen produce: cost-effective options + washing 35:07 Exercise guidelines by age + strength training + bone health 38:05 Cooking skills: culinary medicine + mobile teaching kitchen

News anchor Tori Carmen talks recovery, resilience, and lifestyle changes one year after brain cancer

After a seizure led to the discovery of a brain mass, FOX Carolina news anchor Tori Carmen shares the whirlwind from surgery to an unexpected malignant diagnosis and how recovery has challenged her physically and emotionally. One year later, she explains the tools that helped her cope (therapy, nature, faith, community) and the lifestyle shifts she’s made to support long-term health. 00:00 Intro 02:23 Seizure night, ER trip, CT scan, loss of right-side function. 04:12 Tumor location/size; next steps; wedding plans change; surgery set at Northwestern. 05:28 Meningioma explained; surgery + early recovery; can’t drive; pathology surprise. 07:23 Grade 3 malignant diagnosis; neuro-onc/radiology consults; choosing gamma knife. 10:18 Radiation day + side effects; returning to work; hair loss grief/identity shift. 13:18 Ongoing MRIs; seizure meds; rebuilding strength; stress on body/mind. 14:27 Coping tools: therapy, walks, nature, prayer, dogs; purpose + advocacy. 16:17 “Be kind” message; invisible battles; connection and support systems. 22:28 New normal: rest, boundaries, saying no; redefining productivity. 26:07 Staying active: weighted-vest walks, Pilates, shorter workouts; heat sensitivity. 28:05 Nutrition/toxin reduction: local/organic, baking soda wash, fewer plastics/chemicals. 28:50 Giving up alcohol; mocktails; better sleep/skin/gut. 34:04 Western + functional medicine balance; tests, supplements, inflammation focus. 38:20 Birth control + meningioma discussion; hormone caution + research. 41:18 Migraine scare + ER fear; stress triggers; clear MRI. 44:27 Fear of recurrence; faith + focusing on the present; advice to others.

X Ambassadors keyboardist Casey Harris on blindness and the Vision Through Music Program

X Ambassadors keyboardist and Grammy-winning musician Casey Harris shares what it’s like living with Leber’s congenital amaurosis and how learning music by ear shaped his career. He also explains why he partnered with Vision Through Music to connect blind and visually impaired kids with trained music teachers and why more educators are urgently needed. Vision Through Music: https://childrenseyefoundation.org/what-we-do/vision-through-music/ Sign up for The Wellness Files event: https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/05/04/join-our-live-event-learn-about-lifestyle-medicine 00:00 Intro 01:02 Host welcome; Wellness Files live event + where to watch featured story 01:58 Casey’s role with X Ambassadors + Vision Through Music partnership overview 02:30 Quick tangent: screens/eye health takeaway 03:24 Casey’s upbringing in Ithaca, NY; music-filled home and early lessons 05:30 Mentors/teachers + learning to play by ear; jamming as “wordless” communication 08:24 Early recording/producing at home; building bands with friends/brother 09:49 What his vision is like; adapting to dark venues and fully blind workflows 11:46 Ear training/transcription vs. sheet music; how it shaped his musicianship 13:21 Diagnosis: Leber’s congenital amaurosis + Senior-Løken syndrome; importance of aides/teachers 14:57 Vision Through Music mission: matching/training teachers for blind/low-vision students 18:20 More blind musicians he’s met; piano tuning program experience 20:00 Call to action: need teachers (incl. Carolinas); virtual training/resources 22:19 Why music is empowering for disability community; confidence and purpose 24:35 Wrap-up + links/resources; where to follow the podcast/host

Should We Put Fluoride in Our Drinking Water? (Part 2)

A groundbreaking randomized trial in Kinston, North Carolina is testing fluoridated vs. non-fluoridated water in young children to produce the most rigorous evidence yet on fluoride’s real-world benefits today.   00:00 Intro 01:01 Quick history setup: how fluoridation began and why it became widespread. 01:20 Early clues: mottled teeth but fewer cavities; investigators suspect water. 01:40 Fluoride identified in water; dental fluorosis linked to high levels. 02:13 Grand Rapids becomes first to fluoridate; endorsements follow. 02:38 UNC dentistry expertise and an under-the-radar, ongoing study. 03:33 Kinston removes fluoride—setting up the WaterBeST Treatment Study. 03:52 Observational vs. randomized research and why randomization matters. 04:31 Study design: 200 families, blinded fluoridated vs. non-fluoridated bottled water. 04:53 Measuring total fluoride exposure via toenail clippings. 05:21 Potential expanded outcomes (e.g., IQ) if funded; results expected 2029. 06:34 How fluoride’s cavity-prevention benefit has changed; biggest gains for low-income families. 07:20 Promo: live event on lifestyle medicine (May 21, 2026) + wrap-up.

Should We Put Fluoride in Our Drinking Water? (Part 1)

Cities across the U.S. are battling over a question that hits close to home: what’s really in your tap water and what could it mean for kids? In Part 1, host Kari Beal goes on the road to investigate fluoride fears concerns, breaking down the latest science on thyroid markers, IQ findings, and why dosage matters, with a leading researcher explaining what we know (and what we still don’t). RSVP for The Wellness files live here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d96a1f3f77b339a49f323e7064032 Studies: Thyroid: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11003687/ IQ: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/research/assessments/noncancer/completed/fluoride IQ: https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/fluoride-drinking-water-does-not-harm-childrens-iq 00:00 Tap water question; why fluoride is controversial 00:00:37 Welcome + episode setup (broadcast story format) 00:01:21 Brevard, NC intro; notable choice: no fluoride in tap water 00:02:03 Parent/council member Maurice Jones shares child health concerns 00:02:26 Hypothyroidism explained; why fluoride studies worry some families 00:02:58 Expert interview: USC chemist Susan Richardson explains fluoride basics 00:03:24 Benefits at low levels; risks of too much (fluorosis) 00:03:48 EPA level (0.7 mg/L); thyroid review discusses higher exposures (~2.0 mg/L) 00:04:24 2025 IQ meta-analysis: higher levels (>1.5 mg/L) linked to small decrease; limits noted 00:05:09 “How much water?” Dose matters; bottled water as an option if concerned 00:05:36 Topical vs swallowed fluoride; toothpaste use in Jones’ family 00:06:11 What’s next: how removing fluoride affects dental health; providers decline due to politics 00:06:38 Host adds study context + new IQ study update; links mentioned 00:10:05 How to find your local water quality report + fluoride levels 00:11:07 Toothpaste backwash + kid toothpaste guidance; host’s personal note 00:12:22 Preview Part 2: higher-quality NC randomized study using toenail clippings