103 - From Near Death to Transformative Natural Skin Care with Andy Hnilo

Is the sun really as dangerous as we have been led to believe? I've always questioned this and have never chosen to shun the sun as a result. What if some of the most important inputs to your health aren’t found in a bottle—but in sunlight, darkness, and the timing of your daily life? In this episode, Rachel Maurice returns to continue the conversation from Episode 106 and dives deep into circadian biology, light as a biological signal, mitochondrial function, structured water, melanin, sleep, and the fundamentals of quantum biology. Rachel shares her own experience with chronic fatigue and sleep struggles after leaving the medical system in 2021—and how two simple changes, morning sunlight and blue-light blocking at sunset, dramatically changed her energy and sleep within weeks. We also explore why modern indoor environments may be disrupting the signals our biology evolved around, why when you get light matters, the importance of darkness at night, and why getting the fundamentals right may matter more than constantly searching for the next supplement or health hack. In This Episode

If you still think that high cholesterol is bad, that arterial blockages cause heart attacks and that the heart pumps your blood, then have a listen to this interview to have your heart health paradigm challenged from every angle. In this episode, I sit down with none other than Dr. Tom Cowan to challenge literally everything we've been told about cardiovascular health and disease. We dig into what really causes heart attacks (the autopsy data may surprise you), why the heart may not function as a "pump" at all, and what's actually driving heart disease. Tom is a retired alternative doctor, a speaker, educator and author of several books including Human Heart, Cosmic Heart . His fame grew over the last 6 years with a more recent book, The Contagion Myth (co-authored with Sally Fallon Morell), and his many outspoken interviews that run counter to the contagion and viral narratives. Tom walks through rarely-seen angiogram footage showing the heart's true blood supply, so if you can, you are going to want to watch this one on You Tube or Bitchute. He also explains why statins may do far more harm than good, and offers a radically different — and more empowering — way to think about heart health, autoimmunity and disease in general. This is a deep one, and it might change how you think about your next blood test, or whether you care to get one at all. Remember, this is not health advice, this is for entertainment purposes only:) Lastly, if you are looking for TRUE healthcare at a reasonable price, then please find the link below for the New Biology Clinic. This is what healthcare actually looks like! In today's show: 2:51 Tom Cowan joins to talk about heart health and circulation 3:54 Tom shares his background and how he became a doctor 7:45 Why the heart is not really a pump 9:52 Breaking down the claim that the heart pushes blood through the body 14:02 How blood actually moves through capillaries 17:31 Structured water and the gel phase of blood 21:13 Congestive heart failure and flow problems 24:41 Why high blood pressure is a compensation, not a disease 26:23 The true spiral structure of the heart 28:47 Tom questions why blocked arteries are blamed for heart attacks 31:37 Autopsy data that challenges the blockage theory 35:00 The heart as an energy generating organ 38:00 Tom shares a screen to show the real blood supply to the heart 40:11 Tom shows a catheter film proving blockages do not cause heart attacks 47:37 Study discussed showing stents do not reduce chest pain 50:15 How cholesterol was ever discovered in the blood 57:32 Tom explains why he stopped testing cholesterol in his patients 60:41 The dangers of statin drugs 63:11 Strophanthus as a heart supporting remedy 67:55 Why there is no such thing as autoimmunity 75:57 Blood tests and personal agency 78:45 Questioning the science behind genes and heredity 81:16 Tom describes a typical day in his own life 84:36 Final thoughts on taking ownership of your health

Finally! After over 100 episodes I am finally doing an interview on Medicinal Mushrooms. These foods have been a part of my life for almost two decades and I have experienced multiple personal benefits and witnessed many in others. Today I sit down with Derek Fleming, herbalist and founder of New Earth Organics, to talk about medicinal mushrooms — the science, the history, the marketing myths, and the practical ways to get them into your daily life. Derek has been deep in this world for 20 years, and his take is one grounded in practicality and tradition. He views these fungi as foods, not supplements, and the longer you use them, the more they work. Whether you're brand new to mushrooms or already taking lion's mane, reishi, a blend or otherwise, this conversation will deepen your understanding of medicinal mushrooms and further your dedication to keeping them in your life. This is what we've got for you in this episode: 4:00 – Why Derek started New Earth Organics and his passion for plant medicine and food as medicine 6:40 – The proactive vs. reactive approach to health and teaching the next generation fundamental wellness 14:52 – The history of medicinal mushrooms and how fungi have been on earth for 1.3 billion years 16:23 – Humans share 67–70% DNA overlap with fungi, making us closer to mushrooms than mushrooms are to plants 17:20 – How consuming mushrooms lets us piggyback on their evolved immune and digestive systems 20:18 – How marketing has confused the medicinal mushroom space and what to watch out for 22:02 – Mycelium as the "internet of the earth" and its role in ecosystems and regenerative agriculture 26:54 – The mycelium vs. fruiting body debate debunked and why mycelium on grain is not filler 31:19 – Why myceliated grain is like sauerkraut — the fermentation process transforms it into something completely different 33:41 – Exopolysaccharides (EPS), the mycelium-only compounds that feed beneficial gut bacteria 37:09 – How EPS drives butyrate production for natural GLP-1 activity, gut healing, and reduced brain inflammation 41:38 – Lion's mane breakdown — erinacines in the mycelium and hericenones in the fruiting body and why both matter 43:24 – Lion's mane for cognitive function, nerve damage recovery, and digestive tract support 45:36 – Why mushrooms work better the longer you take them and how they modulate the immune system over time 47:05 – Where to start with medicinal mushrooms and why blends are the easiest entry point 49:26 – Reishi for stress, liver, heart, and kidney support and the doctrine of signatures explained 51:29 – Maitake for blood sugar, insulin regulation, glutathione, and antioxidant defense 54:01 – Turkey tail for immune modulation and protection against EMFs and radiation 56:51 – Cordyceps for energy, oxygen utilization, mitochondrial support, and lymphatic stimulation — for men and women 1:02:44 – How New Earth Organics differs with a whole food, full life cycle, no chemical solvent approach 1:04:42 – Why chasing high beta-glucan content misses the point and why whole powder has superior prebiotic effect 1:10:31 – Mushrooms and serious illness — starting with a blend and layering specific ones based on individual needs 1:12:18 – Hitting the fundamentals first (food, water, sleep, mindset) and then layering mushrooms on top 1:13:25 – Mushrooms are food, easy to add to anything, and the legend of medicinal mushroom popcorn 1:16:58 – Pearl powder and its conchiolin protein for skin firmness, oral health, calming, and sleep support 1:20:14 – Pearl, poria mushroom, and jujube tea as a deeply tranquilizing combination 1:21:14 – How to incorporate mushrooms into daily food — matcha, soups, eggs, yogurt, and baking 1:22:15 – Use code SASCHA10 at newearthorganics.com to save

What if the real source of chronic pain, anxiety, poor posture, and stubborn weight isn't your muscles, but your fascia? I am so excited to be sitting down today with Deanna Hansen, founder of Fluid Isometrics and Block Therapy, to add another dimension to the fascia topic on the podcast. Today we explore more on the powerful role fascia plays in your health, movement, emotions, and longevity. In 2000, Deanna experienced a major breakthrough. Her large, heavy body stored much pain and she felt weighed down and depressed. While experiencing the worst of a series of anxiety attackIn 2000, Deanna intuitively pushed her hand into her abdomen and, at that moment, began a path of self-discovery. Deanna talks fascia and Block Therapy, a fascia release method she devised that uses sustained pressure with a specially designed wooden block to release adhesions, which in turn restores circulation, improves posture, reduces pain, and supports the body's own innate healing capacity. Whether you're interested in fascia release, mobility, chronic pain relief, biohacking, longevity, athletic performance, or optimizing your physical and mental health, this episode offers insights that could change how you think about your body forever. In this fascinating conversation, you'll learn: ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 1:07 Introduction and Block Therapy starter pack offer 4:20 Meet Deanna Hansen and the story behind Block Therapy 7:32 Deanna's chronic pain, anxiety and weight gain despite exercise 11:32 26 years of body transformation through fascia work 12:41 What fascia is and why it matters for your health 13:26 How trauma becomes stored in the fascia 15:18 Fascia decompression and restoring blood flow 15:49 The three pillars of Block Therapy 18:18 The diaphragm and the hidden effects of trauma 23:33 Why proper breathing supports weight loss 24:29 Why exhaling is more important than inhaling 25:48 Carbon dioxide and how your body absorbs oxygen 26:16 Activating the vagus nerve with your breath 27:29 Why Block Therapy starts with the core 27:59 Why healthy feet create a healthy body 30:40 Block Buddy and Block Baby explained 35:08 Why intense exercise can damage the fascia 38:38 Can you do too much Block Therapy 42:42 The real secret to healthy skin and natural beauty 46:49 What rib releases are and why they happen 48:47 Emotional releases fever and other healing responses 51:44 Tongue decompression and facial transformation 1:00:32 Where to learn Block Therapy and get the free towel series

Matt Roeske returns for his fourth appearance on the show, and as always, he challenges conventional thinking on health, nature, energy, and personal sovereignty. In this conversation, Matt shares his perspectives on radium-enriched water, Amanita mushrooms, electroculture, shilajit, linen, EMFs, free energy concepts, food independence, and the book he's currently writing that aims to connect many of these ideas into one framework. Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, this episode is designed to make you think, question assumptions, and explore ideas from a different angle. If you enjoyed Matt's previous appearances, be sure to check out Episodes 78, 87, and 102. Topics discussed include: