Funk Roberts; Bruce Weinstein; John Lee; Jessica Ourisman; Joe DiMeo

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The following is a paid podcast. iHeartRadio's hosting of this
podcast constitutes neither an endorsement of the products offered or
the ideas expressed.

Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome to a Moment of Zen. Time to sit back
and relax. As model, actress, mentor and super mom, Zen
SAMs takes you on a sexy and wild ride covering
the latest in film, fashion, pop culture, cryptocurrency, fintech, cannabis,
and entertainment from the millennial mom's perspective. Here's your host,

(00:29):
Zen SAMs.

Speaker 3 (00:30):
Welcome back, beautiful Tri State area. You're listening to a
moment of Zen right here on seven to ten. Wore
the voice of New York iHeartRadio. I'm your host, Zen SAMs.
Welcome to episode two hundred and twenty six. That's right,
we're celebrating five and a half years on the air.
Here's to another exciting episode. It's such a pleasure to
spend my time with you on the airwaves. Thank you

(00:51):
for tuning in every Saturday night and engaging with me
on social media thereafter.

Speaker 4 (00:55):
That truly does make it all worthwhile.

Speaker 3 (00:57):
Please continue to follow me at Zen's That's Zen with
an X, not a Z, and remember all episodes of
a Moment of Zen are available on our YouTube channel.
We upload Sunday's at two pm Eastern via digital streaming,
and you can also check us out on your home
TV platform directly on our channel at mox dot your
hoometv dot com. In this debut we Play It Forward segment,

(01:21):
we're spotlighting two change makers using their platforms for purpose,
and today's headline says it all play purpose and powerful partnerships.
Two titans are playing it forward in the fight against Alzheimer's.
Joining me are Bruce Weinstein, a philanthropic powerhouse and executive
advisor dedicated to purposeful impact, and John Lee, ESQ. A

(01:43):
founding member of Horn and Lee, former Queen's Ada and
Illegal strategists representing some of the world's most influential corporations.
In our Going Deep segment, brought to you by CO
two Lift and our expert on the Microphone series, today,
we're joined by Jessica Orsman, freelance writer and beauty editor
for publications such as Forbes dot Com, Harper's Bizarre Allure,

(02:05):
l Pop Sugar, and so many more. She joins me
today to chat all about how the media is shaping
the conversation around esthetics and how she identifies and breaks
down the latest cutting edge skincare treatments and products in
her work. In the Clean Collective segment, proudly brought to
you by Society Brands and Primal Life Organics, we're talking

(02:25):
about what every woman should know about the men they love,
because while most health conversations focus on women, we often
overlook the silent symptoms, toxic triggers and hormonal havoc affecting
the men in our lives. In the Sispera Express segment
in our Health Tip of the Week, we're chatting about
often overlooked areas when it comes to skincare your hands

(02:47):
and neck and the Hydration with Heart segment brought to
you by When Spawned Coconut. Today's story is truly one
for the history books and for the heart. He lost
eighty percent of his body in a blaze and found
one percent of his purpose. Joey Demeo's radical second chance
at life. We're chatting resilience, medical miracles, and the power
of unexpected love. How Joey DeMeo turned unspeakable trauma into

(03:11):
a love story and a message of hope. Stay tuned
for Funk Roberts coming up next and a Clean Collective
Segment brought to you by Society Brands in Primal Life Organics.
You're listening to a moment of Zen right here on
seven to ten wore the voice of New York iHeartRadio.

Speaker 4 (03:27):
We'll be right back after this.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
A Moment of Zen is brought to you by Westbridge
Academy in Essex County, where students are seen, heard and
understood Neurodiverse K through twelve. Students, many facing ADHD, anxiety,
depression or aggression, discover strength through connection with compassionate educators,
therapeutic support, and the latest technology. Students can master academics

(03:50):
and go further exploring music production, financial and automotive literacy,
social media awareness, and wellness. Visit Westbridge Academy dot org
to learn more.

Speaker 4 (03:59):
Welcome back, beautiful tri State area.

Speaker 3 (04:01):
You're listening to a moment of Zen right here on
the seven to ten wr the voice of New York iHeartRadio.
I'm your host, Zen Sam's welcome back to the Clean
Collective segment, proudly brought to you by Society Brands and
Primal Life Organics, where clean living meets conscious conversations. Today's
segment is one we all need to hear. We're calling
it what every woman should know about the men they love,

(04:23):
because while most health conversations focus on women, we often
overlook the silent symptoms, the toxic triggers and hormonal havoc
affecting the men in our lives, especially those over forty.

Speaker 4 (04:34):
Did you know that after forty a.

Speaker 3 (04:36):
Man's testosterone levels declined by about one percent per year,
and over thirty eight percent of men over forty five
suffer from low testosterone symptoms, but very few are ever diagnosed. Now,
add fluoride exposure, chronic inflammation, and poor oral hygiene to
the mix, and you've got a recipe for fatigue, weight gain,
and even cardiovascular risk. Joining me now is Funk Roberts,

(04:59):
a four time Amazon best selling author, a global authority
on men's health, hormone balance, and functional fitness.

Speaker 4 (05:05):
For men over forty.

Speaker 3 (05:06):
At fifty six years young, Funk is living proof that
age is just a number. Once overweight and battling low
t himself, he built his empire, Funk Robert's Fitness over forty,
Alpha Brotherhood and Funk Supplements to help other men reclaim
their strength, vitality, and masculinity naturally His training systems have
helped over fifteen thousand men worldwide, and his testosterone friendly

(05:28):
lifestyle is the blueprint for midlife reinvention. Welcoming now to
the show, our expert on the microphone, Funk Roberts.

Speaker 4 (05:36):
Welcome, superstar, Thank you, thank.

Speaker 5 (05:38):
You, thank you then for having me here. And that
was a great intro. I love it, thank you, I
appreciate you.

Speaker 4 (05:42):
I'm so excited to chat. Let's dive right in toxic mouth,
toxic man.

Speaker 3 (05:48):
We've all been told that that fluoride is good for
our teeth, But what if the very thing meant to
protect our mouths is actually quietly sabotaging hormone health. Research
from the Journal of Clinical into Chronology suggests that high
fluoride exposure may lower testosterone levels and distrust thyroid function.
And when you factor in mercury fillings, chronic inflammation, and

(06:11):
oral bacteria, it's no wonder so many men over forty
feel like their energy has flatlined. So, Funk, can you
break down the connection between poor oral health including fluoride,
amalgams and gum disease and hormone decline and men over forty?

Speaker 4 (06:25):
Sure?

Speaker 5 (06:25):
Absolutely, So let's talk first about gum disease right, or periodontitis,
that's chronic inflammation in the gums. Now, when you have
chronic inflammation, this spikes your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a
stress hormone, and yes, we do need cortisol throughout the day.
Like right now, my cortoso levels are high because we're
talking in the mornings. Cortisol levels are high. But when
you have chronic cortisol or chronic stress, this destroys and

(06:49):
kills your testosterone production. Because cortisol, when it's chronic, is
a villain to testosterone, which is our number one male
hormone and our hero. So we want to make sure
that you know when it comes to gum disease, we
get that checked because not only does high corzole killed testosterone,
but it causes a lot of other health issues and

(07:09):
also belly fat storage. So that's one of the major
struggles that men over forty have to begin with. And
let's move into fluoride. So fluoride specifically in water and
in toothpaste that disrupts the penogland. The penogland rule is
regulating melatonin and down straight downstreaming our hormonal rhythms, which
includes testosterone and then when it comes to mercury fillings.

(07:31):
Mercury over time will disrupt the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
Those two, the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, are the
control center for testosterone production. Tisosin production happens early in
the morning when you're in deep sleep. Starts in hypothalamus,
goes to pituitary glands, and then petutarigate gland releases some
hormones that go into testy. So when that is disrupted,

(07:54):
then your testosterone production, your control center can't work when
it needs to. Oh yeah, definitely. Taking care of oral
health is going to be one of the things that
men in their forties, fifties, sixties and the women around
them need to focus on.

Speaker 4 (08:09):
Wow, that is so eye opening. You just tied it
all together.

Speaker 3 (08:13):
You are brilliant and honestly something every woman should should hear.
Right In oral hygiene, it's not just about fresh breath,
it's a full body conversation. I mean, love your man
start with his mouth. So let's talk about your tongue.
So traditional Chinese medicine and modern functional medicine agree that
your tongue can be a mirror to your internal health.

(08:35):
A white coating might signal low testosterone or sluggish digestion.
To my understanding, scalloped edges, hello, adrenal fatigue. I mean
the symptoms are there, so funk. How can women look
through their partner's tongue literally for early signs of hormonal
or digestive imbalances, and what should they do if they
if they see raises, If what they see raises the

(08:57):
red flag for sure, for sure.

Speaker 5 (08:59):
So the tongue is like a diagnostic map. Right when
you stick the tongue out, you can see and tell
a few things like number one, pale tongue. If you
have a pale tongue, that's potentially low iron or that
means you have a sluggish metabolism, and that's often seen
with low testosterone. Right, A lot of people have a
hard time getting rid of that extra weight. The second

(09:22):
thing you would think is thick white coating. I think
you talked about that. That that really dives into the
gut issues, right, gut issues that you may have. And
when you have gut issues, that messes with testosterone and estrogen.
Men do need a little bit of estrog Estrogen's a
female hormone. Tesosphones a male hormone, so men do need

(09:42):
a little bit of estrogen. But when there's too much estrogen,
that not only kills testosterone, but that causes belly fat storage,
you know, and a whole host of other chronic health
issues that men may have over forty. And the last
thing is like cracked or red tips in the tongue.
That's that is a sign of high stress or adrenal fatigue,

(10:03):
like you talked about zen and even low grade inflammation.
But all of those things again, we talked about high stress,
We talked about cortisol, adrenal fatigue, and low grade inflammation
or even chronic inflammation, all of that kills your tea level.
So as a woman, you look at your husband or
a brother or your father, stick out your tongue, take
a look at that. Listen to some of those symptoms.

(10:28):
Pale tongue, thick white coating, crack or red tip, and
it's time to make the appointment to the dentist for sure.

Speaker 4 (10:36):
Wow.

Speaker 3 (10:37):
Now let's chat the danger of root canals. Few people
actually realize these can harbor infections that silently tax the
immune system and burden the heart. So funk, why should
women be concerned if their partners have had a root canal,
especially if they're experiencing fatigue or inflammation.

Speaker 4 (10:55):
Is there a better path forward?

Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yeah?

Speaker 5 (10:57):
I mean here's the thing. Root canals trap back in
the jaw, and the bacteria doesn't just stay in the mouth, right.
Once bacteria is there, now it starts to leak into
the bloodstream and it becomes like a low grade system infection.
So that does lead to chronic inflammation. Talked about that
before immune suppression. So when your immune system is down,
it's very difficult for you to fight health issues along

(11:20):
with hormonal you know, optimizing your hormones, optimizing your testosterone,
and then cortisol elevation too. Again that's stress, right. We
keep talking about cortisol and we need it, but all
of this will lead to a decline in testosterone. And
of course a lot of times we go to the
dentists and they say, hey, man, you need you need
a root canal. But think about it. If you if

(11:42):
you see that your husband or the man in your
life has brain fog or low energy, or joint pain
or even mood swings, then maybe you think, oh wait
a minute, I think two months ago he had a
root canal, or one year ago he had a root canal.
Let's start to look into this. Let's get tested. Let's
do an inflammation test right to see your inflammation markers

(12:03):
and address any oral health issues that may be that
may be the cause of a lot of these symptoms
that a lot of men have.

Speaker 4 (12:13):
Yeah, so let's talk about your specialty. Testosterone after forty.
It's no secret that men change after forty, but it's
not always just aging. Low T has been linked to
belly fat, mood changes, low libido, and even receiving guns.
You mentioned all of this earlier.

Speaker 3 (12:29):
But the good news, after doing some research, and I
know you might echo this, the right lifestyle can do
more than any prescription ever could. Right, So, can you
debunk some of the myths around testosterone therapy and share natural,
sustainable ways for men to booster T levels starting.

Speaker 5 (12:46):
At home TRT, which is what it's known is the
only option, and that's a massive myth. We got to
think about what testosterone placement therapy is. What it will
do is it will shut down production of your natural testosterone, right,
which most guys need. They need testosterone production in their body.
But here's the thing. Ninety five percent of men do

(13:07):
not need TRT, do not need tasosterone hormone replacement. They
can get all of this naturally. Number two, TRT is
not steroids. That's the biggest lie. What's called the what
it is testosterol placement therapy is steroids, period Right, it's
it's it's you're using synthetic testosterone. I talked about that

(13:28):
being exogynous, right, it's not natural. Unusually it's either testosterone
sipenate or an anti an anthete. Those are the types
that are used. But these are anabolic steroids, the same
exact compounds that are used by bodybuilders or athletes throughout
the years. Then the last one is TRT is harmless. Man,
it is so false. TRT can cause testicle shrinkage. As

(13:51):
I mentioned before, TRT is will shut down your production,
your natural production. So you need to depend on it
as soon as you start taking tissosal placement there, but
you need it for the rest of your life because
as soon as you come off your natural tossauce levels
will plummet, Right, We'll plummet to under one hundred, and
we want to get up the six hundred nanograms per
death leader. It also bounds to estrogen, like you'll start

(14:15):
getting really high estrogen. So, and there's a host of
other chronic health issues that come along with being on
such high dosage of testosterone, specifically if it's not natural.
So we really truly have to focus on changing our lifestyles.

Speaker 3 (14:30):
Right now, the midlife mail wake up call. Okay, so
let's be real. Bad breath, bloating, and burnout aren't sexy.
They're there, but they're but they're not just aesthetic issues.
There's signals from the body, and if we're paying attention,
they can be life saving.

Speaker 6 (14:46):
Right.

Speaker 4 (14:46):
That's that's the core of this conversation.

Speaker 3 (14:49):
So what do those three bees, breath, bloat, and burnout
tell us about a man's hormonal, digestive and metabolic health
and how can work together on cleaner routines.

Speaker 5 (15:03):
Yeah, so when it comes to all of these three things,
let's start with bad breath. Bad breath is a sign
of poor gut health, right, or and poor gut health
or liver overload equals a poor detox Your body can't
detox and get rid of the things that it needs to,
and that also leads to higher estrogen level. The second
thing we talked about, you talked about was bloating. Bloating

(15:25):
is again estrogen dominance. When you see men with big
bellies one hundred percent, they're very estrogenic. Like that's where
you can see, oh, that person's estrogen. They got a
lot of estrogen. But they can also have leaky gut.
They can also have a sluggish digestion. And again estrogen
testosterone that linkage. You know, high esrogen, you're gonna have
low testosterone and as well as a lot of other

(15:47):
chronic health issues. And then the burnout right burnout is
a sign that you're gonna have low energy, probably not
getting a lot of sleep, probably have high stress, right
chronic stress, and you maybe have poor insolent sensitivity. So
those three bees, what that looks like is Okay, there's
a lot of unhealthiness going on here.

Speaker 4 (16:09):
I know they're bad.

Speaker 5 (16:10):
You're bloating is bad, you're burning out. We've got to
together take a look and see what's going on. Let's
go to the doctor, let's get our blood work done right.
It's got to be something where if you're the woman,
you can't nag, Like nagging is the worst thing to
do because that's probably going to push your husband or
the mail in your life away. What you want to
do is try to do it together. Let's both go

(16:32):
to the doctor and get our markers done. A lot
of women in the forties fifties are they also have
hormonal issues menopause. So you know, together you can fix
one little tee on the other hand, menopause and ways
by doing it together.

Speaker 4 (16:45):
Right, they say, couples who detoks together stay together. And
when it comes to oral health, having a shared routine
can turn into an active intimacy even empowerment. Think tongue scraping,
remineralizing toothpaste, and fluoride free mouth detoxes.

Speaker 3 (17:01):
So what does your personal oral routine look like, funk,
And how can women introduce this to their partners in
a way that's empowering not shaming?

Speaker 5 (17:09):
Yeah again, I mean you hit the nail on the
head when you talked about things. And like fluoride free toothpaste, right,
I use florid free toothpaste like a charcoal based toothpaste.
In the mornings, I have a bamboo toothbrush. I do
tongue scraping, and the tongue scraping that clears bacteria helps
with the gut. Fluoride free toothpaste. Of course, we talked

(17:30):
about what fluoride can do to our bodies. And then
I fast once a week. So I fast twenty to
twenty four hours once a week. Again, this gives my
digestive system a break. And then water, water, water. I
drink a gallon of water a day. At least I
just took a drink of water. For those listening, so
get the detox oral kit. Start doing things together. And again,
it's not about nagging, right, It's not about perfection. It's

(17:52):
about progression.

Speaker 7 (17:53):
Right.

Speaker 5 (17:53):
It's gonna be slow, it's gonna be uncomfortable at first,
but when you're doing it together, it could be fun.

Speaker 3 (17:57):
Funk, thank you so much for being a voice of
transformation and proof that midlife is just the beginning. I
really I learned so much from you today and it
was so much fun chatting with you.

Speaker 5 (18:08):
Thank you so much for having me here. I appreciate
you and appreciate all the listeners and everyone who are
going to take action with what I talked about today.

Speaker 4 (18:17):
Oh there definitely will. You're very convincing and compelling. For
those of you listening. You can follow Funk on the
gram at Funk Roberts fitness or dive into his signature
over forty Alpha programs at over fortyalpha dot com and
over fortyshred dot com. And remember he's also on YouTube
at Funk Roberts. Remember your man's body is talking. It's

(18:38):
time we all learn how to listen. For more clean
collective wisdom, you can visit Primal Life Organics at primal
life Org on the Gram or head to Primal Life
Organics dot com. You're listening to a moment of Zen
right here on seven to ten wore the voice of
neuric iHeartRadio. We'll be right back after this.

Speaker 8 (18:55):
A moment of Zen is brought to you by Primal
Life Organics.

Speaker 9 (18:58):
Still brushing with chemical paste and fluoride era formulas, upgrade
to Primal Life's toothpowder powered by enamel building nano hydroxy
appetite and real organic cinnamon oil to naturally whiten, strengthen,
and restore your math's mineral balance. No phone, no dies,
just science backed minerals that really work, Cleaner, wider, stronger.

Speaker 8 (19:18):
That's the Primal Life Promise.

Speaker 9 (19:19):
Visit Primal Life Organics dot com slash zen for fifteen
percent off detox your smile today.

Speaker 4 (19:25):
Welcome back, beautiful Tri State area.

Speaker 3 (19:27):
You're listening to a moment of Zen right here on
seven to ten WR the voice of neyork iHeartRadio. I'm
your host, Zen Sam's. This is the We Play It
Forward segment where we spotlight change makers using their platforms
for purpose. And today's headline says it all play purpose
and powerful partnerships. Two titans are playing it forward in

(19:48):
the fight against Alzheimer's. They're going to be joining us
in just a bit. Now here's the topic that hits home.
Alzheimer's disease effects nearly seven million Americans, with one in
three seniors passing you way with Alzheimer's or another form
of dementia. The toll isn't just emotional, it's financial, with
over three hundred and sixty billion in annual care related costs.

(20:09):
But through community connection and a little bit of competitive spirit,
there's hope. That's where the Weplate Forward Foundation comes in.
Founded in loving memory of Susie Rosenblatt, it's more than
a fundraiser, it's a movement, and it supports five incredible beneficiaries,
the Alzheimer's Foundation of America Alzheimer's Association, a long Island

(20:31):
Chapter Gerwin Healthcare System, Mid Island y JCC and the
Suffolk y JCC joining me today are two incredible forces
behind this mission. Bruce Weinstein is a philanthropic powerhouse and
an executive advisor dedicated to purposeful impact. And John Lee
ESQ is a founding member of Horn and Lee, former

(20:52):
Queen's Ada, and a legal strategist representing some of the
world's most influential corporations. Together, we're going to dive into
this powerful partnership and how they've both been playing it forward.
Welcome to the show, Superstars. So excited to have you, Bruce,
I'm going to start with you. So fundraising rooted enjoy
like golf tournaments and private concerts, silent auctions and raffles,

(21:15):
has become one of the most effective ways to keep
donors engaged. According to Giving USA, events that actually blend
social interaction with mission driven action can increase retention by
thirty percent or more. So what inspired you to get
involved with the We Played Forward Foundation? And how has
your role evolved since stepping into a leadership position.

Speaker 10 (21:36):
So you know, Zen, I have always been an avid
sports fan and participant, and I run a corporate event
for the past twenty years, and a year ago John
actually approached me and said, you know your event has
a wonderful flow. Would you consider doing a charitable tie

(21:57):
in to this to elevate it to the new level.
I immediately said no, want nothing to do with that.
After multiple dinners conversations, I saw the light and I said,
you know something, everybody loves sports and the reality is
that people that get involved are passionate about things. And
it's not the what, it's the who. You find passionate
people light a match and wonderful things happen. And I

(22:20):
unfortunately had a front seat to seeing what Alzheimer's and
you know, dementia does to a family, not only to
the individual, but to the surrounding family. And I said
to John, I'm in.

Speaker 4 (22:34):
That's beautiful, Bruce. It's clear that for you this isn't
just philanthropy, it's it's personal. I mean, you've turned honoring
a legacy into an engine of hope for so many families.
So thank you, John, So excited to have you on
my friend. Love to be here.

Speaker 3 (22:48):
So your career in LASS bands everything from criminal prosecution
to representing major international corporations, Yet here you are lending
that influence to a cause rooted and compassion and memory.
What inspired you personally to support that We Played Forward foundation,
And how has your legal background shaped your approach to philanthropy.

Speaker 11 (23:09):
In terms of my background, I represent a lot of
companies as outside general counsel, and I see Alzheimer's in
terms of family members and in terms of every aspect
of society being impacted by this terrible illness, which unless

(23:30):
you have a real loved one or family member impacted,
you don't really realize the devastation that it causes the
family and the love one surrounding because it's a cognitive death,
you know, before the physical one. And in terms of
being a lawyer, I have the network of influence that

(23:53):
I could really cultivate and try to have the foot
soldier to support this foundation and the cause. So I'm
very excited.

Speaker 4 (24:06):
That's incredibly grounded, John, Bridging legal discipline with emotional intention.
That's what legacy leadership really does look like. You're doing
a great job, and I love your motivation. My grandmother's
currently battling dementia at eighty six years old. At this
point it might very well have turned into Alzheimer's, but
my mom is your primary caregiver and it is so
hard to watch is It's devastating and when it does

(24:29):
hit home, you want to do something about it. So
thank you for supporting us in this mission now, Bruce.
Many organizations fundraise.

Speaker 3 (24:37):
But few managed to build long term emotional connection like
we played forward. It's not just about writing a check.
It's about showing up.

Speaker 4 (24:46):
What sets this foundation apart from others you've supported and
where do you see it growing in the next five years.

Speaker 10 (24:51):
The underlying theme is let's raise awareness and revenue for Alzheimer's.
How do you do that? It's more than just a check.
What we decided was we wanted to partner with sponsorship.
We wanted to partner with participants to make the event, yes,
all about Alzheimer's, but something that they want to immediately

(25:12):
engage in next time, so that when they walked away
from the experience, not only did they check the philanthropic box,
but they had an experience viscerally that they connected to.
Doing a clay it forward type of an activity, be
it golf or poker.

Speaker 3 (25:30):
Yes, and that kind of vision makes donors feel like
they're part of something real.

Speaker 4 (25:34):
Like you mentioned, it's clear This foundation isn't slowing.

Speaker 3 (25:37):
Down, It's scaling impact in every direction, and I'm so
excited to be part of it now, John. Families affected
by Alzheimer's often faced complex legal challenges from power of
attorney issues to long term care planning, and sadly, too
many fall through the cracks. So how do you believe
legal professionals can better advocate for families impacted why Alzheimer's

(25:59):
both in and out of the courtroom.

Speaker 11 (26:01):
The biggest problem you have is trying to solve a
problem when it's too late, because you're talking about cognitive decline.

Speaker 4 (26:11):
So you're dealing with.

Speaker 11 (26:13):
A situation where the person that is the decision maker
cannot doesn't have the mental capacity at that point to
make the decision, and you have everyone with conflicting interest
fighting for that decision making. And once you get to

(26:34):
that point, then it just becomes a legal issue on
many fronts. So I guess identifying the problem early and
setting the groundwork and all the legal mechanisms to prepare
for the inevitable is the key in preventing a lot

(26:55):
of issues on multiple fronts. It could be the protection
of the individual that is declining as well as protecting
the caregivers.

Speaker 3 (27:09):
Now, Bruce, you've worked with donors at every level, from
private philanthropists to corporate sponsors, and what they all want
today is meaningful return on involvement, right return on involvement.
What would you say to individual donors or potential sponsors
who are still on the fence about getting involved.

Speaker 10 (27:28):
I think the critical difference between what we're doing and
possibly some of the other organizations is we are shifting
from sponsor to partner. We really want to consider what
can be reciprocal in an introduction, in an opportunity, in
curating something that makes sense for that partner that may

(27:50):
not be available elsewhere where. They're writing a check, they're
getting a t signed audios the moment the event is over.
Our goal is to keep their name in our world
for the forward facing twelve months, so that when the
event ends, the relationship didn't stop there, but it continues,
so that there in fact is valued. Because so many

(28:13):
of the donors that are out there, and God bless
the donors, they're very philanthropic, but they write a check,
they check the box.

Speaker 5 (28:19):
That's it.

Speaker 10 (28:20):
If we pay attention to in the spirit of Stephen Covey,
fill in their rice bowl. How do we help them?
How do we approach it from that lens, I believe
that we then check the box of partner versus sponsor
and continue relationship at a much higher value.

Speaker 3 (28:39):
Well, we are officially at the end of our date.
My dear friends, Thank you so much for coming on.
I learned so much. I can't wait to kick this off.
This foundation is incredible in every way, and the both
of you have such a clear direct mission on where
you want this to go long term that I have
no doubt in my mind it's going to be a success.

Speaker 10 (28:59):
En appreciate you, and we're gonna make it fun, fueling
philanthropy and knock.

Speaker 4 (29:05):
It out of the park and to our audience.

Speaker 3 (29:06):
If you're ready to get involved, visit We Play Forward
Foundation dot org to register for their upcoming Golf Classic
event on August twenty first at the Muttontown Club. You
can donate or simply learn how you can help fuel
hope in the fight against Alzheimer's. You could head to
the Instagram page at We Play It Forward Foundation. You're
listening to a moment of zen right here on seven

(29:27):
ten WR the Voice of New york iHeartRadio We'll be
right back after this.

Speaker 2 (29:31):
A Moment of Zen is brought to you by Though
We Play It Forward Foundation t off and give back
at their annual golf outing August twenty first at the
Muttontown Club to fuel hope in the fight against Alzheimer's.
Enjoy eighteen holes, food and drink, a silent auction, raffles
and more. Head to We've played Forward Foundation dot org

(29:51):
to learn more, register and donate.

Speaker 3 (29:53):
Welcome back, beautiful Tri State Area. You're listening to a
moment of Zen right here on seven ten WR, the
voice of New york iHeartRadio.

Speaker 4 (30:01):
I'm your host, zen Zam's Welcome back to the Going
Deep segment, brought to you by Co two Lift in
our expert on the microphone series. Today, we're joined by
Jessica Orsman. She's a freelance writer and beauty editor for
publications such as Forbes, Harper's Bizarre Allure, l Pop, Sugar,
and That's just to name a few. Her professional coverage

(30:21):
includes celebrity interviews and reporting in beauty, fashion, and wellness,
spatting topics ranging from skincare, cosmetics, and plastic surgery to health,
integrative wellness, and functional medicine.

Speaker 3 (30:33):
She's going to join me right now to chat about
how the media is shaping the conversation around aesthetics and
how she identifies and breaks down the latest cutting edge
skincare treatments and products in her work.

Speaker 4 (30:44):
Welcome to the show, Superstar. Thank you for having me.
It's great to be I'm so excited to have you
my expert. Let's dive right in. So you've written for
some of the most iconic publications in beauty and wellness.
What initially drew you to this space and how do.

Speaker 3 (31:00):
You break down sometimes complex medical topics for the average
reader in a way that's both informative and approachable.

Speaker 7 (31:07):
I wanted to be a writer, and it really just
came down to the fact that beauty and wellness are
my passions. And during grad school, so originally my career
was to be a therapist, but during grad school I
developed really intense hormonal acne. Through that experience, I learned
so much about the skin. After my big break into writing,

(31:27):
it was a fashion editor that sort of mentored me
and took me under her wing, and so that's how
I had the end to write about beauty and then
as for breaking down sort of tough medical topics. What
it really comes down to is asking my experts so
many questions, I mean an annoying number of questions. I
love that I get really detailed until I feel like

(31:49):
I understand and then it's kind of just like having
a conversation with the reader.

Speaker 4 (31:52):
That's amazing.

Speaker 3 (31:53):
And as someone whose work revolves around the latest advancements
in the beauty and wellness world, why do you find
it so crucial to understand and clearly explain the science
behind the treatments you cover?

Speaker 4 (32:05):
I mean, why should consumers look beyond the before and
after photos and take the time to research and understand
the science before committing to a treatment. It really comes.

Speaker 7 (32:15):
Down to proper informed consent. And the reason I say
that is that with particularly with certain invasive procedures, what
you're hearing the marketing jargon is often misleading and different
from what's actually happening. It becomes even more complicated because
experts often disagree, so it can become really tricky. It

(32:37):
really comes down to being an informed consumer and understanding
what's happening so that you can make the best decision
for what will work for you and also understand what
can potentially go wrong because you don't often hear that.

Speaker 3 (32:50):
Yeah, doing the research is so critical, and I love
that writers like you are out there.

Speaker 4 (32:54):
During the research for us. It's great.

Speaker 3 (32:57):
Now, let's chat a bit about CO two Lift, a
company with products that have certainly proven to have staying
power and heavy scientific backing. I know you're a big
fan of the co two oft projail carboxy mask and
have spoken highly about it online, and I even quoted
saying worked magic on your facial dermatitis, taking away the

(33:18):
redness with a single application. I mean, that's a pretty
big endorsement. Talk to me more about your experience with
the mask and what makes it a staple in your routine.

Speaker 7 (33:28):
So this actually ties into what we were just talking about.
I was assigned a story for a laser that caused
me to develop persistent and chronic facial dermatitis. In the beginning,
I had no idea what to do to get rid
of it, never had it before. It was almost like
the tip of my nose was chafed and wouldn't heal,

(33:49):
and it started spreading from my nose down to the
side of my mouth. Dermatologists were prescribing me all sorts
of things. I Remember I had to give a celebrity
interview and I had dermatitis on my face and I
was so embarrassed.

Speaker 4 (34:02):
So through that process, what.

Speaker 7 (34:04):
I had essentially learned is that this laser had so
dried out my skin and compromised my barrier that my
skin's microbiome fell into dysbiosis. So from then on, treatments
that would help restore my skin barrier and also bring
the microbiome back into balance became critical. So CO two

(34:25):
lift is incredible for the skin barrier and takes away redness.
I mean, I use it after a laser treatments after
micro needling, but I also do it weekly and when
I have a dermatitis flare. It's so anti inflammatory and
soothing that it becomes one of the first steps. But
the other thing to note is that I use it
in conjunction with a microbiome serum by biojuvee, which is

(34:49):
important to do because oxygenating treatments are great, but they
can kill off bacteria that is essential for the balance
of your skin biome.

Speaker 4 (34:59):
Yeah, it sense, It's all interrelated, and aside from CO
two lifts, monotherapy benefits it. Also.

Speaker 3 (35:05):
It's also often paired with inoffice treatments preer post procedure
to enhance both the results and recovery, again utilizing the
body's natural oxygenation process to increase that blood flow. But
now recently as a whole, regenerative medicine has taken the
esthetic world by storm. If you look at it, from
exosomes to PRP and stem cell derived ingredients, in your experience,

(35:27):
what are some of the most exciting or credible, if
you will, innovations you've seen emerge in this area.

Speaker 7 (35:33):
One nanofat, they will harvest a little bit of your fat,
they purify it through a series of grades so that
what you're left with there's no more of the volumeizing tissue,
but you still have all the regenerative ingredients that are
supporting the fat cell, so certain cytokinds and growth factors,
and they're at this concentration that makes it so much

(35:54):
more powerful than say PRP. Oh and of course the
other big ingredient are the stem cells. So what they
do with nanofat, they can either combine it with PRP
or on its own inject it via a canula under
the skin. So that's the first one nanofat the other
thing that is starting to become really big is called

(36:16):
a secrotome. And so there are serums on the market
that will take a donor stem cell. And what makes
the stem cells so magical for anti aging or healing
is what it secretes.

Speaker 4 (36:30):
So they put it in.

Speaker 7 (36:30):
Additional lab and culture it and it's secreting all of
these growth factors. Instead of kinds the very same ingredients
as mentioning for nanofat, they can collect them, put them
in a serum, and you can.

Speaker 4 (36:41):
Apply it topically.

Speaker 7 (36:42):
But what a company actually called Acorn Biolabs is starting
to do now instead of taking your own fat, which
was pretty invasive, then they pluck fifty hairs from your head,
they're able to extract your stem cell from the hair
follicle and then they bank it and yeah, so they
proliferate it in the lab and they're able to collect

(37:04):
those same regenerative ingredients from your stem cell, turn it
into a serum, and then when you go in for
a micro needling treatment or a laser, instead of having
blood drawn for PRP, you have your secret tome of
your very own stem cell secretions that you can apply
to your face afterwards. And wow, that is I was
just the first journalist actually to do that like two

(37:26):
weeks ago, and I think that's something that's really exciting
just because how it's revolutionizing the ability to harvest your
stem cell and then use those regenerative ingredients.

Speaker 4 (37:35):
Wow, so fascinating. That blows Stuff like that blows my mind.
I learned something you every day on this show, by
the experts, and it's amazing that you broke it down
so easy, like I actually understand what it does and
what it's for. So thank you for that clarification.

Speaker 3 (37:50):
And now, lastly, before we wrap up, As someone who
has their finger on the pulse of both the beauty
and media industry, what role do you think the media
plays in shaping healthier or more mindful conversations around esthetic
treatments today.

Speaker 7 (38:03):
I think it's really important not just to repeat what
brands and experts are saying, but to learn to discern
between the experts. I learned pretty early on that experts
that I love even will disagree on just about everything.
So what I'm reporting, rather than trying to take a stance,

(38:24):
often it's hearing the discourse between the experts and then
putting that out there, because again, I think that's what
empowers the reader or consumer to be able to make
proper informed consent with their decision making and their esthetic
and wellness trajectory.

Speaker 3 (38:42):
Yeah, and media is responsible for a lot of misinformation,
and so is TikTok, and so is Instagram. So I
love that the real journalists that are writing about these procedures,
like yourself, are out there at the front lines demystifying
all those stigmas. Right, So, thank you for doing a
great job for keeping us informed. I try to well,

(39:03):
thank you for joining us today. It with such a
pleasure having you. I learned so much and I know
soul will the audience.

Speaker 4 (39:08):
Thank you so much again. That was our going Deep
segment brought to you by Co two Lift. And that
was the incredible Jessica Erstman, beauty and wellness journalist and editor.
You can learn more about her and check her out
on the Gram at Jessica Great Worseman and you can
head directly to her website at Jessica great Worstman dot com.
And her name is spelled in a unique way, It's

(39:28):
Jessica Gray oh u ris m a N.

Speaker 3 (39:31):
You're listening to a moment of zen right here on
seven ten w R. The voice of New york iHeartRadio.
We'll be right back after this.

Speaker 8 (39:38):
A Moment of Zen is brought to you by Co
two Lift.

Speaker 9 (39:40):
As we age, our skin loses moisture and elasticity, causing
wrinkled skin. You can reverse this aging process with CO
two Lift. CO two Lift utilizes the powerful benefits of
carbon dioxide to lift titan and regenerate your skin.

Speaker 8 (39:53):
The simple, painless at home.

Speaker 9 (39:54):
Carboxy therapy treatment is scientifically proven to reverse the aging process.
You will see reduction in wrinkles, increase a luminosity, and
improve pigmentation, sagging skin tone, and radiance.

Speaker 4 (40:04):
For more information or towards CO two Lift as your
skincare professional, or go to Co twolift dot com. Welcome back,
beautiful Tri State Area.

Speaker 3 (40:12):
You're listening to a moment of Zen right here on
seven to ten WR the voice of New york iHeartRadio.

Speaker 4 (40:18):
I'm your host, Zenzam's in our health tip of the
Week brought to you by Sispera. Today we're chatting about
often overlooked areas when it comes to skincare.

Speaker 3 (40:26):
Your hands and neck. While most people focus on protecting
their face from the sun, hands and neck are actually
among the first areas to show signs of aging, sun
damage and pigmentation. Experts remind us to extend sunscreen application
to those areas daily and to reapply after handwashing to
prevent dark spots from developing over time. Prevention and consistency

(40:48):
are key, and giving your neck and hands the same
attention as your face can go a long way in
maintaining youthful, healthy looking skin. That was our Cispera health
tip of the week. Be sure to check them out
online at za Spara dot com and on the gram
at Cispera. That's see why Spera will bear it back
After this, a moment.

Speaker 2 (41:07):
Of Zen is brought to you by Cispera. If skin
discolouration is making it hard to find your zen, Sisera
can help stubborn pigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone
concerns go beyond the surface, affecting both confidence and self
expression in a sea of skincare choices. Sisperis stands apart,
backed by science and trusted by dermatologists worldwide. Cispera is

(41:29):
powered by the advanced systamine isobonic amid complex, delivering clinically
proven results and effectively targeting mile to persistent discoloration while
restoring the skin's natural glow. Unlike harsh treatments, CISPA is
formulated for all skin types, including sensitive areas, ensuring visible
improvements without irritation. Whether pigmentation is a new concern or

(41:50):
a long standing struggle, Cispera works in harmony with the
skin to bring balance, clarity, and renewed confidence. Sispera is
science driven skincare for confidence that shines. Find your skin
zen and restore your glow with Cispera today by heading
to cispia dot com.

Speaker 3 (42:07):
Welcome back, beautiful Tri State area. You're listening to a
moment of Zen right here on seven to ten WR
the voice of New york iHeartRadio. I'm your host, Zen
Sam's welcome back to the Hydration with Heart segment, brought
to you by One Spawn a Coconut, the clean, functional
coconut water.

Speaker 4 (42:23):
Helping people live fully hydrated lives.

Speaker 3 (42:25):
Today's story is truly one for the history books and
for the heart. He lost eighty percent of his body
and found one hundred percent.

Speaker 4 (42:34):
Of his purpose.

Speaker 3 (42:35):
Joey Demeo's radical second chance at life is what we're
chatting about. Imagine waking up from a coma with burns
covering eighty percent of your body, only to become the
first person in the world to receive a successful face
and double hand transplant. But Joey's journey doesn't just stop
at medical headlines. It blossoms into a powerful love story

(42:56):
with his now wife, Jessica. We're chatting resilience, medical miracles,
and the power of unexpected love. How Joey turned unspeakable
trauma into a love story and a message of hope.
What does life look like when you've survived the unthinkable
and found love in the process.

Speaker 4 (43:14):
Joey is here to share it all. Welcome to the show, Superstar.

Speaker 6 (43:17):
Hi, thank you for having me on.

Speaker 4 (43:19):
So excited to have you. Wow.

Speaker 3 (43:21):
So let's start at the moment that everything changed. In
July of twenty eighteen. Your car accident left you with
burns covering over eighty percent of your body, and you
were in a coma for nearly three and a half months. Now, Interestingly,
when you look at these stats, Joey, According to the
American Burn Association, over four hundred thousand people seek treatment
for burn injuries each year, but very few survive injuries

(43:44):
as extensive as yours. So what do you remember about
waking up from that coma and when did you first
realize just how serious things were.

Speaker 1 (43:52):
Oh?

Speaker 6 (43:52):
Well, the first thing I said when I woke up
from a coma was my mom was there and asked
her how they're rims on my car? And where is
my belt that I had on? Because I worked hard
for that belt.

Speaker 4 (44:03):
Oh boy, I had to wait for the doctors to.

Speaker 6 (44:05):
Kind of tell me like, yeah, you're eight percent burned,
your fingers were amputated off. I just, you know, one
of my thoughts and just trying to move on and
just kept trying to do like therapy sessions.

Speaker 3 (44:17):
Hearing you say that the first thing you asked was
about your rims, it really just captures the surreal shock
of all of the whole moment, right, I mean, you
brought humor into something and unimaginable and then probably had
a rude awakening. Now, when you talk about surviving, surviving
was only the beginning. Then. The transplant surgery you underwent
in August of twenty twenty was the first of its

(44:39):
kind in the world. So from psychological testing to organ
compatibility screenings, I mean, the year long evaluation process you
endured was rigorous beyond belief. Can you walk us through
what it actually takes to qualify for a face and
double hand transplant and how you stayed mentally strong through
that waiting period.

Speaker 6 (45:00):
Yeah, Like it's a long It was a very long process.
My parents basically Joe mean every day not to get
like super medical hooks. I don't know that deeply about it.
They basically had to like match like the skin color.
I'm assuming the hikes on six to one so has
some with to match the bone density in your form,

(45:20):
blood type. But like the worst part of all that
testing was testing for the nerves. And that's where they
stick a needle deep down to your muscles. Oh, and
then you have to activate your muscles.

Speaker 3 (45:31):
So now I want to move on to your coma experience.
So nearly one in five people who've been in coma's
report some form of awareness, whether it's light, sound, or
surreal dreams. And according to a twenty twenty three study
in brain communications, many survivors of long term comas recall
vivid hallucinations or even spiritual encounters.

Speaker 4 (45:53):
Do you remember.

Speaker 3 (45:54):
Anything from those three and a half months, any dreams, voices, visions,
anything at all.

Speaker 4 (45:59):
That stayed with you.

Speaker 6 (46:00):
Oh yeah, I have a lot of dreams that I'll
probably never ever say key to myself. But like, the
one dream that I would consider is spiritual is when
I was walking my my dog got passed away back
in like twenty twelve or thirteen. He passed away, and
that was my first dog, and it was just me
walking him up the hill that I grew up on.

(46:21):
It was just constantly just walking up the hill like
for it felt like forever, and I was like, oh, this,
I think, this is it. This is my uh, this
is the next chapter, I guess. And then you know,
I woke up out of the coma. But that was
the only like spiritual thing I would consider, I say
I had. The rest are just like the movie Hostile dreams.
Like you feel pain too in the coma. That's another thing.

(46:44):
You feel the pain when they take off all the
bandages and everything. You also hear people talk to you,
so like the nurses told my parents, hey, you know,
talk to him playing music. And I guess that's where
all like the old dreams come up.

Speaker 4 (46:58):
Wow, that just gave me goose. Now let's talk about
the actual surgery. The procedure took nearly.

Speaker 3 (47:03):
Twenty three hours, from my understanding, involved over one hundred
and forty healthcare professionals, and it was a historic medical milestone. Now,
only a few full face transplants have ever been attempted globally,
and yours was the first with both hands. So what
was your mindset going into the operating room and how

(47:24):
did you prepare for that for that kind of risk
emotionally and physically?

Speaker 1 (47:29):
Uh?

Speaker 6 (47:29):
Physically, I think physically was the hardest because I had
to lease ten pounds because COVID did meitary. I gained
a lot of weight during COVID, so my doctors like,
you got to lease that weight to do this surgery.
You got to be somewhat healthy. So that was the
hardest part. The mental poe was somewhat easy because I
want this surgery. I said yes to it instantly, I
got offered it, and I knew, like, I can die.

(47:50):
My doctor did tell me a lot, you can die,
so I just understood all the process. When Dr Riguz
came in at four o'clock in the morning, I asked him,
how come we are we even starting when you get here?
Weren't we starting? So I was ready before the whole
operating room was ready, and I think, uh, I was

(48:10):
just ready for it. I was just mentally prepared. I'm
more nervous to get my cataract surgy than I was
my face in double hand chance answergy, because I don't know.
I think I had a lot of trust in my doctor, and.

Speaker 3 (48:24):
You knew you were in the right hands. Yeah, And
it's not about the surgery. It's about the hands.

Speaker 6 (48:28):
Yeah, like who the doctor is and what he's about.

Speaker 4 (48:32):
Listen, what you're describing is so real and so human
and so transparent. And you weren't just hoping for survival.
You were hoping for a second chance to live again.
And that's a different kind of bravery. Now, recovery didn't
stop after surgery.

Speaker 3 (48:46):
You underwent hundreds of hours of occupational therapy to relearn
basic functions like holding objects or facial expressions. So can
you describe the most meaningful milestone during your rehab journey,
something that made you say, I'm really.

Speaker 6 (49:00):
I think when I met my dog Bussa again. I
got to play with them, because when I was burned,
I couldn't throw a ball or hold onto his toys
and nothing. I just could pet them. But after like
I actually got to play with him like I was
actual hands Again. I think that was a huge milestone
outside of the hospital, but inside the hospital, just picking
out little things or holding a water bottle that those

(49:24):
are a huge milestones that people do every day. I
wasn't going to do that at all, but no, I can.

Speaker 4 (49:29):
Yeah, listen, Joey, it's those small victories that outsiders might
not think about. But regaining something as simple as a
smile or grip strength, that's real progress in your books.
So you're doing great, buddy.

Speaker 3 (49:42):
Now your story made international headlines, you were even in
People magazine, but behind the scenes you found something even more.

Speaker 4 (49:49):
Personal and powerful. Love your now wife Jessica. So tell
us how that first DM turned into a marriage built
on understanding, healing, and purpose.

Speaker 6 (50:00):
Yes, that's why my story is out. People will follow me.
I clicked on her profile and I DM care about
her dog, and and she didn't have Kirkulum, who's a
Boston Terrier. I would I'd never de under if she
had a Golden Achiever. She wouldn't have gotten that I
like your dog, DM. But yes, I just I just
deannder I like your dog. And it's from there. It

(50:22):
wasn't like the awkward twenty one questions you typically do.
It was just a natural conversation that led into marriage.

Speaker 4 (50:29):
Now, wow, I love it.

Speaker 3 (50:31):
I love it now Today you're building your brand eighty
percent gone, You're active on social You're a source of
hope for people dealing with trauma and facial differences. What
message do you hope people, especially those feeling hopeless take
away from your journey?

Speaker 6 (50:46):
I don't feel take away, just child learn from you.
Just I like to stay in my own lane and
worry about myself. And you know, when you worry about yourself,
you don't like, you know, you don't really matter what
people think about you, because like they have their own
problems in their own days, and it's like they're going
to stare at you for thirty seconds or less than that,
judge you for five seconds, and move on with the day.

(51:08):
So why let that thirty seconds stare ruin your day?
So that's how I look at things, because everyone stares
at me six' to. ONE i got love. Handles it's nothing,
like nothing pretty to look. At but you, know move
off my. DAY i got my own things to think. About,
yeah their own things to think? About you do?

Speaker 4 (51:24):
You AND i love that you're just doing. You that's
the definition of also using your platform for good because
you're a role model showing the world that you're not
hiding behind your. Scars you're showing us how to live
through them and beyond. Them and that's really. Inspirational. Joy
we are at the end of this incredible. INTERVIEW i
can't thank you enough for reminding us that healing isn't just,

(51:45):
medical it's, mental it's emotional and even. Romantic, yeah thank.
You to follow his, journey shop his, brand or just
soak up his infectious. Optimism head to eighty Percent gone
dot shop and you could follow him on the ground
at a eighty Percent. Gone you're listening to a moment
Of zen right here on seven TEN, wr The voice
Of new York. iHeartRadio that was The hydration With heart

(52:08):
segment brought to you By Once upon A. Coconut we'll
be right back after. THIS A moment Of zen is
brought to you By Once upon A.

Speaker 12 (52:14):
Coconut discover the refreshing taste of one hundred percent pure
coconut water that actually tastes. Great nat to be sweet
with artificial flavors or added. Sugar it's packed with electrolytes
to keep you hydrated throughout your, day and with ten
percent of profits going to, charity every sip makes a.
Difference pure, taste pure, Goodness Experience Nature's, gatorade Visit Once

(52:35):
upon A coconut Or Nature's gatorade dot.

Speaker 4 (52:38):
Com well that's a, rap my dear.

Speaker 3 (52:39):
Friends remember to join me right here on seven TEN,
wr The voice Of New, york Every saturday night from
nine to ten, pm or you could hit the seven
TEN wr Dot iHeart dot com forward slash A moment Of.
Zen also remember that we're live On TRAVERSE Tv sundays
at one Pm Eastern YouTube sundays at two Pm, eastern
and all episodes OF A moment Of zen are now

(53:01):
available on.

Speaker 4 (53:02):
Your HOME tv And Kathy island worldwide streaming. Platform you
could head directly to mox dot youorhometv dot.

Speaker 3 (53:09):
Com thank you for listening to. Us it's been an
absolute pleasure being your. Host thanks again to all of
our sponsors that continue to make the show. Possible and
remember and happiness is the only thing that multiplies when
you share.

Speaker 4 (53:20):
It we'll be back next.

Speaker 1 (53:21):
Week the proceeding was a paid Podcast iHeartRadio's hosting Of
this podcast constitutes neither an endorsement of the products offered
or the ideas expressed