Best Southern Indian Health Council Inc Podcasts (2025)

What happens when marketing meets medicine, and creativity becomes a tool for healing? In this episode, we sit down with David Dawson, Marketing Director at Indian Health Council, and Bryan Davis, IHC’s Multimedia Specialist, for a deep dive into the intersection of storytelling, social media, and mental health. From the power of digital outreach t…

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Famous Nomad Reveals His Secrets to Freedom - Featuring Michael Ridge 1:05:26

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1M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

What if the path to freedom doesn’t lead through cities—but across mountains, rivers, and wild open land? In this episode, we sit down with nomadic horseman Michael Ridge, a.k.a. the Prince of Ponies and Wildflowers, to explore a life built on survival skills, native plant wisdom, and deep respect for the earth. From crafting buckskin to navigating…

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Healing Your Trauma with Dance and Science - Featuring Move to Heal SD 29:16

2M ago29:16

29:16

What if dance could do more than entertain—what if it could heal? In this episode, we’re joined by Sydney Bartunek, founder of Move to Heal SD, to explore the powerful intersection of movement, trauma recovery, and science. Discover how dance is being used to support youth, promote emotional well-being, and build resilience in underserved communiti…

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The Body Fat Myth: What You're Not Being Told - Featuring Di Katz Shachar 35:47

3M ago35:47

35:47

What if everything you knew about body fat was wrong? In this episode, we’re joined by Di Katz Shachar to uncover the surprising truth about body fat, the growing concern of premature puberty, and how to build emotional intelligence and resilience in children. From hidden health risks to powerful strategies for growth, this conversation offers prac…

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How Kumeyaay Wisdom Can Bring You Harmony - Featuring Dr. Anthony Pico 32:41

3M ago32:41

32:41

Leadership begins with identity—and harmony sustains it. In this episode, we welcome esteemed Kumeyaay leader Dr. Anthony Pico, a U.S. veteran and former Viejas Tribal Chairman, to share timeless insights on cultural preservation, sovereignty, and community success. Discover how Dr. Pico guided Viejas to become a model of strength and resilience, a…

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Your Guide to Resilient Living - Featuring Meri McCoy-Thompson 34:49

4M ago34:49

34:49

Life is unpredictable, but resilience helps you thrive. In this episode, Dovetail Coach Meri McCoy-Thompson, MALD, shares expert insights on building resilience, shifting protective patterns, and fostering healing relationships. Discover practical tools to integrate gratitude, boost self-awareness, and apply Dovetail Learning’s approach to daily li…

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Redefining "Food as Medicine" - Featuring Tangelo 34:59

5M ago34:59

34:59

Dive into the world of Tangelo! This revolutionary diet-quality improvement platform is redefining "Food as Medicine," helping people unlock healthier, happier lives. In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Registered Dietitian Christine Pham, who breaks down the fascinating science of nutrition and shows how eating smart can slash chronic disea…

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How to Avoid Future Illnesses - Featuring Jermie-Starr Mendoza 19:42

6M ago19:42

19:42

Why are preventative screenings so important for your health and well-being? Join Jermie-Starr Mendoza, a passionate advocate for early detection, as she shares powerful insights into how preventative screenings can save lives. Learn how these simple steps can help you stay ahead of potential health challenges, protect your future, and empower your…

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Decolonizing Our Systems - Featuring Dana Brown 36:10

6M ago36:10

36:10

What does it really mean to decolonize our systems? Join trauma-resilient professional Dana Brown as she breaks down how colonial frameworks shape healthcare, education, and social services—and how cultural humility can drive real, lasting change. This episode will challenge your thinking and spark action to build more just, inclusive systems that …

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Harness Your Human Nature for Ultimate Wellness - Featuring Jenny Powers, Co-Author of On the Origin of Being 1:02:08

7M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Get ready for an eye-opening and energizing conversation with author Jenny Powers! She joins the podcast to share how you can unlock greater happiness and health by reconnecting with your authentic human nature. In her groundbreaking book, On the Origin of Being, co-written with Luke Comer, Jenny explores five essential aspects of life that have dr…

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Surprising VA Benefits Veterans Need to Know - Featuring Raymond McMurphy 26:09

8M ago26:09

26:09

Meet Raymond McMurphy, the Quality Consultant and Liaison for Indian Health with the VA! He's on a mission to help Native veterans receive the care they deserve. Many veterans aren't aware of all the amazing benefits the VA has waiting for them, and that's where we come in! “Of all minority veterans, American Indians represent almost two times the …

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Unlock Your Child’s Potential with Online Schooling - Featuring Elev8 Online Schools 34:09

8M ago34:09

34:09

Meet Jenna Unis, the Principal of Elev8 Online Schools! She’s on a mission to enhance your children's future through online education. Think you know what to expect with online school? Think again! Find out what type of student benefits most from online school and the unbelievable flexibility Elev8 can offer you! Elev8 Schools are a certified Traum…

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Diabetes Solutions You Didn't See Coming - Featuring Viviana Chavez, SDPI Coordinator 18:07

8M ago18:07

18:07

Meet Viviana Chavez, the dynamic SDPI Coordinator at SIHC! She’s on a mission to reveal the incredible benefits of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and how it’s here to transform lives. Think you know what SDPI offers? Think again! From resources you’ve probably never heard of to support you didn’t even know was possible, Viviana is …

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Turning Food Waste into Full Plates - Featuring Produce Good 39:55

9M ago39:55

39:55

Get ready to turn lemons into lemonade with the incredible Alexandra White, Co-Founder of Produce Good! In this episode, Alex breaks down why gleaning is a powerful concept that can help millions. Discover how you can make a real difference in helping everyone gain access to fresh, healthy, and delicious produce! “It's really the community itself t…

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Unlocking Aquatic Therapy Secrets - Featuring Healing Wave Aquatics 30:38

10M ago30:38

30:38

Get ready to make a splash with the wonderful Elizabeth Berg, Executive Director of Healing Wave Aquatics! In this episode, Elizabeth takes the plunge and spills all the details on the transformative powers of aquatic therapy. From the ripple effects of water’s healing magic to the deep dive into its incredible benefits, we’re swimming through ever…

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The Healing Power of Theater! - Featuring Kenny Ramos 37:25

10M ago37:25

37:25

Meet the talented Kenny Ramos, a shining star from the Barona Band of Mission Indians and a passionate theater performer! Join us as he dives into the vital importance of having accurate representation of Native cultures in entertainment and how he is helping the cause. Kenny shares his personal stories on how the transformative power of theater ha…

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Veterans Powering Up Their Mental Health - Featuring Dallas Lamm of Solara Mental Health 27:43

11M ago27:43

27:43

Meet the incredible Dallas Lamm of Solara Mental Health, a champion for U.S. veterans on their journey to healing and empowerment! Join us as he passionately reveals the extraordinary mental health resources Solara provides and shares inspiring stories of transformation through the power of community. Get ready to be moved and motivated with the wa…

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Food Sovereignty Can Save Your Life - Featuring Lacey Rae Cannon 33:03

11M ago33:03

33:03

Meet the unstoppable Lacey Rae Cannon, your go-to mentor for living a vibrant, healthy, and fiercely independent life! Dive into her journey as she passionately unpacks the secrets to achieving food sovereignty and taps into how her Kumeyaay board is inspiring cultural revitalization and equitable access to culture. Get ready to be inspired and tak…

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A Doctor's Journey from War to Wellness - Featuring Dr. Safavi 27:40

12M ago27:40

27:40

Today I sat down with one of our newest providers to find out his secrets to providing high quality care. Learn how his background growing up in the middle of a war in Iran inspired him to heal the world. Dr. Safavi joined the SIHC family in early 2024 and has already made a large impact on the community! “To be happy, it's not just the physical si…

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Shattering the Stereotypes of "Disabilities" - Featuring A Better Life Together 34:24

1y ago34:24

34:24

Clyde Williams joins the podcast to break down all the fantastic resources that are available for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. His modo "how can we help?" is an understatement as his only goal and the only goal of A Better Life Together is to assist in any way they can. Find what transformations into independence are poss…

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Becoming a Better Lover - Featuring Kathryn Krug 47:58

1y ago47:58

47:58

Our guest Kathryn Krug is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist who loves love and is ready to help you be the best partner you can be! Learn how to not only build a more fruitful relationship, but how you can maintain your personal values along the way. “If it's in the realm of convincing, it's likely a useless cause and it's going to end up making…

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Surviving a Deadly Explosion Using Dance - Featuring Dancing Veterans San Diego 42:43

1y ago42:43

42:43

Today, we are speaking with a man who might love dance more than he loves his own mother! Dr. Robert Morgan is a veteran of the Jamaican military and of the U.S. Navy who's always loved dancing, however, after a near-death explosives accident, doctors told him he would never walk again. Dr. Morgan recovered and returned to dance, eventually created…

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From Battlefields to Pottery Wheels - Featuring Steve Dilley, MFA 26:32

1y ago26:32

26:32

The Veterans Art Project (VETART) is a community-based arts organization that is transforming the lives of hundreds of veterans all across California. Offering free art classes is just the beginning because the connections made inside the VETART studio have been truly life-changing. “When they moved on, they would become doctors and lawyers and arc…

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Are You Being Compliant? - Featuring Lyndon Peters 29:03

1y ago29:03

29:03

Lyndon Peters is our Quality Compliance Director who knows a thing or two about compliance in the world of healthcare. With many years of experience, Lyndon breaks down the differences between "quality" and "compliance" while explaining how compliance can save lives. “Getting people to understand that they ARE compliance is the hardest part.” -Lynd…

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Putting the UNITY Back in Community 39:57

1y ago39:57

39:57

The future is bright with this group of young, inspired leaders. 18-year-old Joanay Benton and 13-year-old Malayiah Jones are the chairwomen of their schools' Native UNITY programs and have big plans for the future. Lynne Ray Smith and Denari Rangel also join us to show the true power of UNITY. “Being assertive and being bossy are two different thi…

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Overcoming Addiction on the Big Screen - Featuring Bobby Wallace 1:06:11

1+ y ago1:06:11

1:06:11

See what movie magic is all about! The creators of our documentary "Everlasting Steps: The Path to Healing" share what it took to bring this cinematic movement to life. Three stories of overcoming addiction collide to prove there is everlasting hope for a brighter future. “People can mess up, but people can also change, and people can also do good …

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Seeing Healthcare with a Brand New Vision - Featuring CEO, Laura Caswell 33:41

1+ y ago33:41

33:41

I gathered the leaders of SIHC to join the podcast for a deep dive into our new and improved vision statement. Laura Caswell (CEO), Laura Quaha Parkhurst (COO), and Mary Johnson (Executive Secretary) share their thoughts on how the new vision will affect the clinic, how you can get the most out of your healthcare, and how SIHC became what it is tod…

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The Healing Powers of Music - Featuring The City Ranch Band 48:34

1+ y ago48:34

48:34

I teamed up with The City Ranch band to discuss how music has contributed to each member's health, wellness, and happiness. The enthusiastic bunch made up of Daryl Lawrick, Rena Armstrong, Michael Garcia, and Ken Strauss each have their own wacky stories on how music has changed their lives forever. “Music gave me a reason to be. A reason to live..…

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Healthy by Choice, Not by Chance - Featuring Jo Eager 46:40

1+ y ago46:40

46:40

In this episode, I'm joined by author, health and wellness advocate, and helicopter crash survivor, Jo Eager. We discuss nutrition tips, the dangers of corrupt media, and her multiple near-death experiences including a helicopter crash and a snake attack. “You don't have to do a marathon the first day, just go a little bit at a time.” -Jo Eager Cli…

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Protecting Our Past with Cultural Knowledge Keepers - Featuring Frank Salazar 47:00

1+ y ago47:00

47:00

Campo Native, Frank Salazar has joined the podcast to enlighten me on the importance of cultural preservation, life on the rez, and plenty more! We dive into Frank's many experiences such as being an infantry soldier in the military, working in museums as a Cultural Knowledge Keeper, and his transition from a Senior to an Elder. Stick around to hea…

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Helping You Understand Health Insurance 27:24

1+ y ago27:24

27:24

Noelia Acevedo, Health insurance expert, has joined our podcast to help you better understand how to find the best health plan for yourself and your loved ones. “Healthcare is the best thing to have. It gives you peace of mind.” -Noelia Acevedo Call (619) 445-1188 Ext. 543 to contact Noelia and find out what you qualify for. Click here to follow us…

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Making a Change - Featuring Chairwoman Erica Pinto 46:59

1+ y ago46:59

46:59

We were fortunate to sit down with Erica Pinto, Chairwoman of Jamul and Chairwoman of SIHC, to discuss some of the most pressing issues impacting our communities today. With years of experience putting in the work to make positive changes for her people, Erica shares her perspective on what we can do to set ourselves up for success. “The Kumeyaay p…

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Combatting Racism with Cultural Intelligence 47:23

2y ago47:23

47:23

We sat down with a very special guest from Viejas, Debbie Stein, to discuss her encounters with racism and what she believes are the best ways to respond to racism. SIHC members Alexis Spratt and Sean Allen also joined us to offer their perspectives on the issue. This might be our most insightful episode yet! “Strength is not about tearing somebody…

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Supporting Loved Ones Through Suicidal Thoughts 48:07

2y ago48:07

48:07

Today our Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) department joins us to discuss the true meaning of a happy and healthy mindset and how you can best assist a loved one suffering from suicidal thoughts. Listen to the experts Alexis Spratt, Sean Allen, Candace Willis, and Jocelyn Gardner break down the intricacies of these topics. “There's so much p…

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How to Maintain Family Values (Saying Goodbye to Terry Baines) 51:07

2y ago51:07

51:07

It's never easy saying goodbye to a family member. In this episode, I'm joined by Natascha Davis and Kassandra Mason as we say goodbye to Terry Baines. Terry gives some great insight on what it's like working at SIHC and how his family values have led him into a new chapter in his life. Click here to follow us on social media and stay connected wit…

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Inspiring Our Youth - Featuring The Kumeyaay Boys & Girls Club 52:09

2y ago52:09

52:09

In this episode, we were able to meet the inspiring people behind the Kumeyaay Boys & Girls Club and learn about some of the incredible activities they're providing for the youth. Lynne Ray Smith, Kiana Arruda, and Mary Johnson all had a lot to say and I had a lot to ask so get ready for another great episode of It's Wellness Time. "If you don't be…

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The Meaning of "Quality" in Healthcare 27:45

2y ago27:45

27:45

We are officially back from our podcast hiatus! Join us as we speak with three “Quality” experts to see what it takes to keep your healthcare running smoothly. Rosie Soto, Rawan Sger, and Jermie-Starr Mendoza each help to break down common misconceptions and decode some acronyms for us to better understand. CLICK HERE to follow us on social media a…

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Get to Know Mellisa Beck ICSS Family Support Worker 30:57

2y ago30:57

30:57

We have an exciting new episode of our podcast! We had the pleasure of speaking with Mellisa Beck, a Family Support Worker for Indian Child Social Services at SIHC and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. In this episode, Melissa shares her experiences working with indigenous children and families, and the challenges she faces in advocating …

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Strengthen Wellness Through Art - Featuring Kat Pinning 50:44

2+ y ago50:44

50:44

In this episode with have an amazing guest, a talented female Native American artist who is a member of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. Throughout the interview, our guest shared her experiences as a Native American artist and the challenges she has faced in her life. She also talked about the inspiration behind her creative work and how her cu…

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Get to know Dean Garcia, Pharm.D. Pharmacy Director at SIHC 55:52

2+ y ago55:52

55:52

We have a new episode of our podcast series, where we interviewed the Director of Pharmacy of Southern Indian Health Council, Dean Garcia Pharm.D., BCPS. The episode is now available on all platforms. In this episode, Mary, Nathan, and I had the pleasure of speaking with Dean, who shared his inspiring life journey as a Native American and his exper…

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A Conversation with Angie Heredia ICSS Program Coordinator 39:19

2+ y ago39:19

39:19

In this episode, our guest is Angelica Heredia, (Indian Child Social Services) ICSS Program Coordinator at Southern Indian Health Council, who specializes in child welfare and is well-versed in the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted in 1978 in response to the high rates of Native American children being remove…

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Connecting Back with Your Spirit - Featuring Mark Romero 49:33

2+ y ago49:33

49:33

In this episode, we had a beautiful conversation with an elder from the Mesa Grande Mission Indians tribe, Mark Romero. It was a chat that made us feel many emotions, he told us about his life as a young man and what it means to be a native to him, as well as some scary stories, listen to it, I'm sure you'll love it just like we did. We appreciate …

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Representing the Culture - Featuring Nino Amaru 39:20

2+ y ago39:20

39:20

In this episode, we had an enjoyable conversation with a local artist; his name is Nino Amaru, a Muralist, Rapper, and activist; with Native roots from the Luiseño Nation and Mexican on his father’s side. He tells us how he began his journey representing the culture and other things that represent being native, from his childhood until now. We appr…

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The Milkshake Experiment - Featuring Adam Rozell ACSW 41:39

2+ y ago41:39

41:39

In this episode we have a very interesting conversation with Adam Rozell, Associate Clinical Social Worker, he talks about mindsets and how to motivate ourselves in different aspects of life, Adam tells us about some experiments that scientists have carried out that will leave us impressed. Listen to this episode on all podcast platforms. I appreci…

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A conversation with Blue Eagle Vigil 45:43

2+ y ago45:43

45:43

In this episode with have a conversation with Blue Eagle Vigil, a member of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, and a Bird Singer. In this interview, Blue Eagle shares his life journey and how he overcame obstacles. Blue' story is one of resilience, determination, and hope. It's a reminder that no matter what challenges we may face, we can overcom…

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A Conversation with Alexis Spratt MA S.E.L. 41:08

2+ y ago41:08

41:08

A fascinating conversation with Alexis Spratt, MA S.E.L. (Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning), a young educated Native American, who tells us about her master's degree in Social Emotional Learning and how she applies it within the community. Also, as in Marvel movies, stay at the end; this episode has extra material.…

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Get to know Dr. Salehi, Medical Director at SIHC 38:50

2+ y ago38:50

38:50

In this episode, we had the opportunity to learn more about Dr. Niloufar Salehi, our Medical Director at SIHC. This is a conversation that you should listen to and get to know the excellent human being behind our medical service, we got to know a little about her life and her philosophy in practicing medicine, and she even told us a joke! Also, in …

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Intuitive Eating - Featuring Amy Cochran, RD. 33:47

2+ y ago33:47

33:47

The formula they proposed is very simple: eat when you feel like it, stop when you're full, and don't pay for heartbreak or stress with an ice cream binge or a fast food meal. Although from time to time, it is okay to do it. All about eating intuitively with an expert on the subject, Amy Cochran, Registered Dietician – Nutritionist. We had a great …

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The Covid Vaccine - Featuring Zoe Zhou, Pharm.D. 29:48

2+ y ago29:48

29:48

In this episode, we discuss the Covid Vaccine with Zoe Zhou Pharm. D., our Vaccine Coordinator at Southern Indian Health Council. Zoe answered common questions that we had about the Covid vaccine. Should I have gotten the vaccine? Can I get the Flu and Covid Vaccines together? Should I get the Boosters? Does the vaccine interact with my DNA? And mo…