The Hunger Beneath: Food, Trauma & the Journey Back to Wholeness with Jillian Acosta, RD, LDN – Episode 379

We don’t just eat to nourish our bodies—we eat to soothe, to cope, to connect. True healing begins when we ask: what is the hunger really for? In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Jillian Acosta, a registered dietitian who specializes in functional medicine, the psychology of eating, and trauma-informed care. Jillian is the founder of The Root Cause Method, where she blends nutritional therapy with psychedelic integration to help clients heal their relationship with food, emotions, and self—while uncovering the trauma often hidden beneath chronic health struggles. Drawing from her own lived experience with childhood food issues and disordered eating, Jillian shares how her personal healing journey shaped the innovative programs she leads today, including Wildflower and The Garden. Together, we explore how food can become a bridge to deeper emotional truths—and how curiosity, compassion, and connection are the real medicine.

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Rethinking Mental Health in Education with Brandy Samuell – Episode 378

Every educator is a first responder to student behavior, let’s make sure they’re equipped to respond with confidence. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Brandy Samuell, a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience spanning the classroom, district leadership, and crisis response. From teacher to assistant superintendent, Brandy has dedicated her career to supporting the emotional and behavioral needs of students. Now serving as Director of Mental Health and Related Services at eLuma, Brandy helps schools implement proactive mental health strategies and crisis intervention systems. With a background in Business Administration and School Counseling, as well as advanced work in Educational Diagnostics and Leadership, she brings both breadth and depth to the conversation. She is also certified in Critical Incident Stress Management. Together, Graham and Brandy discuss the evolving role of mental health in education, the essential need for staff wellness, and how we can build school cultures that support both students and the adults who serve them.

The Question Is the Bridge: How Curiosity Connects Us with Topaz Adizes – Episode 377

The quality of your life is shaped by the quality of your questions. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Topaz Adizes, an Emmy Award-winning writer, director, and experience design architect. Topaz is the founder and executive director of The Skin Deep, a studio known for its powerful explorations of human connection. A Sundance and Skoll Foundation fellow, his work has appeared at Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, and in publications like The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times. We’re thrilled to welcome Topaz back to the show to explore how curiosity and intentional questions can deepen connection, dismantle bias, invite vulnerability, and create safe spaces for honest dialogue.