Wise Traditions

What happens when what we believe—and what we actually do—don't quite line up? This week on the Wise Traditions podcast, pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Palevsky explores the concept of cognitive dissonance—what it is, why it's so common in modern life, and how it quietly shapes decisions around health, parenting, and trust in authority. Dr. Palevsky has spent decades encouraging parents to think critically, ask better questions, and reconnect with their own intuition. In this episode, he explains how cognitive dissonance shows up in everyday choices—from the foods people eat to the medical decisions they make—and why it can be so difficult to reconcile conflicting beliefs, even when the stakes are high. The conversation examines the tension many feel between what they've been told is "safe" or "normal" and what they instinctively sense may not be right. Dr. Palevsky discusses how fear, conditioning, and social pressure can keep individuals stuck—and what it takes to step outside that framework and begin thinking independently. This episode offers a thoughtful look at awareness, responsibility, and the courage to question long-held assumptions. It serves as an invitation to slow down, examine inherited narratives, and consider what it truly means to make informed, conscious choices for oneself and one's family. WAPF Ad- 11 principles book - Westonaprice.org and click on the "order material" button Visit Dr. Lawrence Palevsky's website to learn more Join the Nourishing Our Children closed Facebook group Check out our sponsors: Goddess Vitality from Optimal Carnivore "Discount code WESTON10 for 10% off" and New Biology Clinic, "Discount code WISETRADITIONS"

Steve Curran, co-founder of Wild for Salmon and former Bristol Bay commercial fisherman, shares his journey from a life-changing summer on remote Alaskan shores to building a wild seafood business. He describes Bristol Bay’s pristine watershed, the science and stewardship behind sustainable harvests, the realities of commercial fishing, and why wild salmon matters for ecosystems, culture, and nutrition.

Abey Scaglione, regenerative farmer and author of Radical Farm, reflects on moving from teenage vegetarianism to raising livestock and restoring soil. She discusses the moral complexity of eating animals. Short takes cover mixed‑farm life, rotational grazing, how animals support soil and ecosystems, and practical steps city dwellers can take to reconnect with real food.

What if a single court case could redefine your right to refuse a medical intervention? And what happens when the government is given broad authority over what goes into your body? Leslie Manookian, President and Founder of the Health Freedom Defense Fund, returns for Part Two to discuss a potentially historic case that may soon be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court—one that challenges long-standing legal precedent and raises fundamental questions about bodily autonomy, informed consent, and the limits of government power. Drawing on her experience leading successful legal challenges—including the overturning of the federal travel mask mandate and efforts to halt employer vaccine mandates—Leslie explains how this case is unfolding, why it has drawn national attention, and what could be at stake if the Court takes it. At its core, she argues, this case could reshape how medical mandates are interpreted under the Constitution. She also introduces a new national effort—the COVID Justice Resolution—aimed at bringing accountability to pandemic-era policies and ensuring that similar overreach is never repeated. And in a surprising turn, Leslie shares details about a bold new initiative she's taking on—launching a national petition to address geoengineering—an emerging and largely unexamined issue that raises profound questions about environmental exposure, public health, and consent. Get a free WAPF info pack Visit Leslie Manookian's Health Freedom Defense Fund website to learn more and get involved Join the Nourishing Our Children closed Facebook group Check out our sponsors: Optimal Carnivore "Discount code WESTON10 for 10% off

What happens when one state passes a law that challenges the status quo around medical choice? Could it spark a movement across the country? And how are Americans really thinking about medical freedom today? Leslie Manookian, President and Founder of the Health Freedom Defense Fund, joins us to discuss what has unfolded since the passage of the Idaho Medical Freedom Act—and why it may be just the beginning. Leslie shares how this legislation has inspired a growing coalition of organizations working together to advance similar protections in states nationwide. She also reveals the results of a new national poll conducted in partnership with the Brownstone Institute, offering surprising insight into how Americans view informed consent, personal autonomy, and the role of government in healthcare. In this conversation, Leslie explains how the Idaho law is being strengthened, what's happening in other states, and how individuals can get involved in shaping the future of health freedom in their own communities. Visit Health Freedom Defense Fund to learn more and get involved Join the Nourishing Our Children closed Facebook group Check out our sponsors: New Biology Clinic "Discount code WISETRADITIONS", and Paleovalley "Discount code WISE" for 15% off your first order.

A pursuit of wise traditions may take you to Mongolia, Kenya, or to leave the podcast you'd been hosting and producing for over 10 years. On today's episode, Hilda Labrada Gore, our podcast host and producer, passes the baton to Kendall Nelson, an award-winning documentary filmmaker behind The Greater Good and a longtime collaborator with the Weston A. Price Foundation. Today, you'll get to know Kendall as she and Hilda discuss what they have in common--like travels around the world and a passion for preserving ancient cultures and health traditions. They share what brought them to WAPF, insights they've learned along the way about wise traditions and what's in store for the podcast. Visit Hilda's website: HolisticHilda.com Visit Kendall's website: GreaterGoodMovie.org Become a member of the Weston A. Price Foundation Check out our sponsors: Nutrition Therapy Institute and Oyster Max

Sarah Kleiner, a board-certified applied quantum biology expert and nutrition coach who created the My Circadian app, explains how tuning into light and circadian biology can transform health. She covers leptin as a master signaling hormone, seasonal eating versus extreme diets, practical light hygiene, and simple daily habits like morning sunlight that supported her weight loss and pregnancy.

Mia Rofrano, holistic mother and online creator known as the olive oil queen, shares her unconventional pregnancy, birth, and parenting choices. She talks about skipping ultrasounds, raw-food and preconception nutrition, toxin-free living, water birth and placenta practices. She also discusses co-sleeping, elimination communication, screen-free toddler life, and delaying vaccines while trusting intuition and faith.

Mollie Engelhart, former vegan chef turned regenerative farmer and author of Debunked by Nature, shares how observing nature reshaped her views. She challenges modern environmental and cultural narratives. Topics include farming realities, resilience through hard work, regenerative grazing versus industrial approaches, reproductive and food-health concerns, and practical ways to support local farms.

Trevor Warmedahl, cheesemaker, fermentation educator, and author of Cheese Trekking, has worked with artisanal cheesemakers worldwide. He explores traditional versus industrial cheesemaking. He talks about microbes as partners, cheese terroir and lost diversity, local rennet and salt, and surprising traditional cheeses and practices from around the globe.