Episode Transcript
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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 ten wo R,
the voice of New York iHeartRadio. I'm your host, Zen SAMs.
Welcome to episode two hundred and thirty seven WOOF. We
are celebrating almost six years on the air. Here's to
another exciting episode. It's always such a pleasure to spend
(00:51):
my time with you on the airwaves. Thank you so
much for tuning in every Saturday night and engaging with
me on social media there after. Guys, that truly makes
it all worthwhile. Well, I do engage with each one
of your comments. Please continue to follow me at Zen SAMs.
That's Zen with an X not A z X E
N s A MS across all social handles, and all
(01:12):
episodes of a Moment of Zen are available directly on
our YouTube channel Zen SAMs. You can check that out
Sundays at two pm via digital streaming at Eastern time,
and you can also check us out on your home
TV platform at MX dot your hoometv dot com. In
our Going Deep segment brought to you by Co two
Lift in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, today, we're
(01:34):
diving into some of the top leaders in esthetics and
medical tech are advancing women's health are confidence and recovery,
especially after something as physically and emotionally brutal as breast cancer.
And on the panel today we have Lona Kerr, founder
and CEO of CO two Lift, Bradford Conlin, co founder
and CEO Bimni Health Tech, a pioneer in regenitive medicine
(01:57):
and breast reconstruction, and One Chaconquitos, founder of Establishment Labs,
the company behind Motiva Implants, also recently FDA approved. Today
they're helping women not just reclaim their bodies, but reclaim
their lives. And the Hydration with Heart segment brought to
you by one spawned a coconut. We're redefining beauty and
belonging with cerebral palsy advocate Sheian Horn. She's an advocate,
(02:22):
a speaker, an educator, founder of Give Beauty Wings, who
turned adversity into axis. You definitely want to tune in
for that inspiring interview and the Better Brighter You segment
brought to you by Sispera. Joining us is doctor Elaine Kung,
a board certified dermatologist, founder and future of Bright Dermatology
in Lower Manhattan and New York, and a clinical Assistant
(02:44):
Professor of Dermatology at Wildcornell Medical College. Today we're breaking
the stigma of skin discoloration. We're chatting about how science
is changing the malassma and hyper pigmentation conversation in our
Expert on the Microphone series. In today's Brain Blueprints segment,
we take you from hopeless to Hopeful. We are breaking
barriers in brain health with doctor Robert Malillo, a world
(03:07):
renowned expert in brain health, especially childhood and adult neurological disorders.
And Cindy Bloxham, a remarkable mother who spent the last
seven and a half years rehabilitating her daughter Emma who
was born with a severe brain disorder in the Society
Brand's Express segment today with chat about the hidden dangers
of microwaving food and plastic containers. Stay tuned, We'll be
(03:28):
right back in the Hydration with Heart segment brought to
you by Once Upon a Cocoanut with the amazing cerebral
Palsy advocate She and Horn. You're listening to a moment
of Zen. I'm your host, zen Zam's will be right
back after this.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
A moment of Zen is brought to you by toward
Torna Promotions, specializing in white glove digital marketing, social media management,
professional videography and PR services. Based in New York City
and partnering with hundreds of businesses nationwide, they deliver proven
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(04:01):
to help you stay ahead, grow your brand, and drive
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Speaker 3 (04:10):
Welcome back, beautiful Tri State Area. You're listening to a
moment of Zen right here on seven to ten WR
The Voice of Meruric iHeartRadio. I'm your host is zen
Zam's Welcome back to the Hydration with Heart segment brought
to you by Once Upon a Coconut, where we sip,
reflect and shine light on the stories that hydrate the
human spirit. Shean Horn is a joyful half Asian woman
(04:31):
living with cerebral palsy, but that's not her story. Her
story is how she used that diagnosis as a lens
for compassion, creativity, and change. She's an advocate, a speaker,
an educator, and founder of Give Beauty Wings, which is
an organization that empowers young women and marginalized communities to
embrace self esteem and purpose. She's advised Microsoft at and T,
(04:54):
the Whitney Museum, Parsons Open Style Lab, and even the
United Nations guiding global leader towards more inclusive, accessible design.
As we honor disability awareness and celebrate the unstoppable human spirit.
Shan reminds us that resilience isn't just about overcoming limitations,
it's about redefining them and turning adversity into access. This
(05:16):
conversation on Living Joyfully with cerebral palsy is going to
be about the power of inclusion and how community compassion
and courage are reimagining what beauty and accessibility truly mean.
We're going to dive in right now with Advocate, speaker,
educator and founder of Give Beauty Wings. She and Horn.
Welcome to the show, Superstar. Thank you so much. What
(05:38):
an intro. So let's talk about your diagnosis and the
defiance because that's what really captured my attention. So can
you teach us and take us back to that moment
of diagnosis or real realization and share what that meant
for your family, your identity, and ultimately your mission.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
And I was diagnosed at eight year old, so I
don't remember it, but I think when I was considering
that moment in my life, it was actually at age
nine walking through the lobby that had, I mean where
I grew up, and there was a Florida ceiling Lenk
mirror and I'm nine years old, and it's the first
(06:15):
time I looked at myself and I saw my left
ne go in. You know, I really believed that I
was just like everyone else. I just walked with ski
poles too, and so when I saw that, wait, oh
I do look different. I was so shocked that I
didn't know this, but I think that's really down to
(06:38):
the bubble that my parents created for me as an
only child. You know, I really and again as artists
who were all a little strange in my family in
a good way.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
And I think that really helped. Yeah, which brings me
into my next question, redefining beauty and representation. So, as
someone who partners with brands institutions to build inclusive design,
from Wonderman Thompson to the Cooper, Hewitt and the Whitney,
I mean you're challenging beauty standards and cultural perceptions. So
(07:11):
studies show that only two percent of models in mainstream
campaigns represent visible disabilities, and that number hasn't changed much
in any decade. So when you see beauty campaigns or
museums that still exclude people with disabilities, how do you
begin to shift that conversation toward real inclusion and representation.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
In about twenty eighteen, I became a Forbes contributor. I
wrote a piece about how fashion can be a barrier
to employment. If you can only wear stretch pants and sketchers,
you may not feel at your best in a job
interview or in a professional setting. And when someone from
(07:51):
a lure read that, she came to me and said,
is there anything about the beauty industry that you want
to share? And about ten years before for that, I
actually pitched the Dove campaign asking them to include people
with disabilities in their advertising. I made a two minute
video in my mother's living room. It wasn't you actually
it was a minute in twenty three seconds. They passed
(08:13):
on it twice, but the video went semi viral. Even
I didn't realize how big and how vast the disability
community was at that point. And so what happened though
in writing this piece is I realized that not much
had changed in ten years.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
This was twenty twenty one, and I'm happy.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
To report that in the four years since that piece
has been written, it's like the beauty industry has just
exploded with an awareness of disability.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Now.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
I just saw today Aaron Philip, who actually went to
my alma mater Lab School, is on the cover of Vogue.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Right now, there you go. It comes full circle. Now.
The power of community and belonging is extremely important in
every narrative. And you've built community not just through advocacy
but through share joy, from your work with the Real
Abilities Film Festival to advising Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and PBS
Independent Lens. I mean, you're creating spaces where everyone can
(09:12):
belong and I love that. So why is community such
a vital piece of the inclusion puzzle? And how can
each of us in our own lives and workplaces cultivate
that sense of belonging.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
As an only child living in my own bubble, I
remember when I would hear the term disability community, I thought,
what community? Because I was in a survival mode. I
was just trying to get through school, make friends, connect
with people. And the wonderful thing is, since I've become
an advocate, and with Internet, you can find community almost everywhere,
(09:47):
no matter how rare your disability is, there's usually a
group somewhere, you know. And it's been so powerful to
see people find each other. And I mean, obviously we
can do nothing alone, really, And so when I became
an advocate, it's like a whole world opened up.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
The segues into the world we're living in because we're
living in a world where gen Z is more vocal
than ever about inclusivity and identity and purpose. You said
that we came full circle in the last decade, right,
But many still struggle to find their place. So what
advice would you give to young people who may feel
different or misunderstood, those who are still learning to see
(10:32):
their difference as their superpower. Well, what advice do you
have to them?
Speaker 4 (10:36):
I think my advice is allow yourself to grow and
make mistakes.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
I think a.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Lot of times, because we live in our own body,
we're aware of the ways in which we're imperfect, you know,
to a greater degree.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
And it's almost like staring in the mirror too long.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
You start to see, you know the details, and we
can overanalyze and put so much pressure on ourselves. And
I think, you know, let yourself be inspired by the
people that are doing great things. A lot of I'm
saying that because when I was younger, I was a
fearless child.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
But as a teenager, you know, going to college.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
For example, at eighteen, I went to a place where
there are some eighteen year olds with two nonprofits already,
and I thought, well, I can never be that or
do that, And I was right. I'm not supposed to
be I'm not supposed to be Zen, I'm not supposed
to be Megan.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
I'm supposed to be me. I want to be mindful
of the time. This is the last question. So as
we sip our once upon a coconut today a brand
built on purity, vitality, and purpose, I have to ask,
if hydration were a metaphor for life, what fills you
up the most these days? What keeps your heart hydrated? Well,
(11:50):
like I said, I have a lot of love in.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
My life, but I also think my faith, you know,
because things can get very dark, and what I've learned
is that.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
We can be the light when we don't see it.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
And I think it's but what helps me to know
that I'm not alone even if I am, Let's say,
I don't you know, in the pandemic, we were isolated,
you know, in those moments.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
That were so dark.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
It was really my faith that kept me spiritually hydrated
and kept me going. And it was very healing time
in a way, to be forced to be with yourself,
because I did a lot of reflection and introspection. So
for me, I think that's probably the primary driver. And
of course all the wonderful people I'm still friends with,
(12:41):
my first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Course, of course you are, of course you are. It's community,
it's grinity. Oh, well, we are officially out of time,
but that was so poetic. I'm smart, I smiled throughout
your whole answer. Listening to you is empowering, and that's
exactly the kind of answer that refuels all of us.
So thank you for those listening. You can learn more
(13:04):
about Shean's incredible work at Sheanhorn dot com and give
beautywings dot org, and you can follow her journey directly
on the Gram at Chian for Beauty eighty three. That's
spelled xi An for Beauty eighty three. A huge thank
you to our sponsor, once Upon a Coconut for fueling
this amazing conversation. Because when we hydrate the body, we
(13:24):
awaken the heart. Until next time, stay hydrated, stay kind,
and stay tuned to a moment of Zen. We'll be
right back after this.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
A moment of Zen is brought to you by Once
Upon a Coconut.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
Discover the refreshing taste of one hundred percent pure coconut
water that actually tastes great matchet sweet with no artificial
flavors or added sugar. It's packed with electrolytes to keep
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(13:56):
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Speaker 3 (13:58):
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 Zabs.
Welcome back to the Going Deep segment brought to you
by Co two Lift in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Today,
we're diving into how some of the top leaders in
esthetic and medical tech are advancing women's health, confidence and recovery,
(14:22):
especially after something as physically and emotionally brutal as breast cancer.
Now First joining us is Lana Kerr. She is the
founder and CEO of CO two Lift. A clinical innovator,
a multi business owner, author, and public speaker with over
two decades of experience, Lana has continued to push boundaries
across the field, bringing us her flagship line CO two
(14:44):
Lift by Lumisk's Skincare, which is the first clinically proven
gel carboxy therapy. Also joining us is Brad Conlan, co
founder and CEO of Bimini Health. Tech, a pioneer in
regenerative medicine and breast reconstruction with brands like Pure Graft,
sn and Serene that support women's health worldwide. And lastly,
we welcome Juan Jose chacon Quiros, founder of Establishment Labs,
(15:08):
the company behind Motiva Implants, a trusted name now FDA
approved in the United States, also known for its focus
on natural feel, safety, and innovation. Together they're helping women
not just reclaim their bodies, but reclaim their lives. Welcome
to the show, superstars, Thank you, thank you, thank you.
So excited to dive into this Latin I'm gonna start
(15:30):
with you. So from implants to regeneritive tech to topical therapies,
each of your companies really touches a different piece of
the patient's journey. So let's break this down a bit.
Your global authority when it comes to non invasive skin
and into macare and your CO two Lift and CO
two Lift V treatments have helped countless women navigate breast
(15:51):
cancer recovery and survivorship. And with studies showing that one
innate women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, innovations
like yours are true really priceless. So, Lana, what results
have you seen co to provide for breast cancer fighters
and survivors and how did your company first begin connecting
with this community? Thank you, Sen.
Speaker 7 (16:12):
You know we've seen CO two LEFT help restore skin health,
intimate wellness for survivors. You know, many deal with dryness, thinning,
loss of elasticity from chemotherapy, radiation, or just hormone blocking treatments.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
We've seen CO two left improve.
Speaker 7 (16:27):
Hydration, circulation and healing, which really bring comfort back to
their skin, confidence back into their lives. We began connecting
with this community community organically through physicians who were using
COEO to lift with their breast cancer patients and saw
remarkable results you know, from their survivors themselves began sharing
(16:49):
their stories and we've continued listening and learning directly from
them to support their unique needs.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
It's remarkable, and I've been following this journey alongside you
for several years now, and it's powerful to hear how
science and compassion intersect. Right here now, Brad, I'm going
to shift to you.
Speaker 8 (17:06):
So.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
Bimini Health Tech is a global leader in innovative medical
devices for breast reconstruction and regenitive medicine, whether it's fat
grafting essence, acellular dermal matrix, or serene breast implants, these
are all solutions designed to really support women's health, especially postmastectomy.
So I'd love to know. Can you tell me more
(17:27):
about Bimini Tech's mission surrounding women's health and how do
you see your work intersecting with the experience of breast
cancer survivors specifically.
Speaker 9 (17:37):
Yeah, So Bimini's origin story is built on a foundation
of regenerative medicine, like you mentioned earlier, and so all
the founders are very passionate about it, and we are
really obsessed with the body's ability to feel itself. And
so one of our core technologies is called peer draft,
and it allows you to move fat from where you
(17:58):
don't want it and put it where you do, which
is a fairly revolutionary mindset and procedure for the patient
because in a lot of cases, especially with breast reconstruction,
post radio therapy, post removal of cancer, there is a
defect or a scarring that occurs in the breast, and
our paragraph technology is a great option to move that
(18:19):
from where you don't want and put it where you do. Again,
or use it in combination with the breast implant. So
it's just naturally a great.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Place for us to exist and studies.
Speaker 10 (18:28):
In fact, the studies show that up to sixty percent
of women who undergo mestectomy choose reconstruction as part of
their recovery journey, and your technology really bridges that medical
and emotional gap, helping women rebuild both tissue and trust
in their own bodies.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
I mean, you've gone to great lengths, So thank you
for that one. JJ. Let's bring you into the conversation. So,
your company, Establishment Labs is behind Motiva implants, which have
quickly become a favorite for patients seeking a more natural
look and feel, especially after your FDPRO last year. Motiva
has reshaped that conversation without a doubt, with a focus
(19:04):
on safety, biocompatibility, and comfort. So how does that vision
connect with breast cancer survivors in particular? And going one
step further, what role have you seen implants play and
not just reconstruction, but in restoring confidence?
Speaker 8 (19:20):
Yeah, I think our focus has always been around, you know,
positively impacting the journey of breast reconstruction. So number one,
you know our Floria tissue expander that tissue expander is
you know, is a complete game changer because it allows
for MRIs during the expansion process of the breast reconstruction,
and that is very important because the one thing in
(19:42):
their mind for these cancer survivors is, you know, remission.
Am I going to get you know, my breast cancer again?
So if during that process you can have an MRI,
should you know, the physician think it's it's necessary, then
you know you can do it. You can have it,
so that gives you a lot of peace of mind
and eventually you you know, many of themes of these
women are undergoing radiation therapy and this tissue expander allows
(20:06):
for a better delivery of this radiation therapy so that
you don't touch the heart or the lung, and that
is again very important because you don't want to damage
those organs in the process of bress reconstruction. And then
after that, of course, there is a possibility of having
an implant, and these implants, you know, in so many
different countries, have been able to be a fundamental part
(20:27):
of bringing these women back to who they were and
in some cases even better. So that of course is
going to help them restore that confidence. But beyond that
what I think, you know, it's amazing to see is
that you know, how breat these women are, so that
if after a breast cancer you're able to go through
the entire breas reconstruction, you know, they really become a
(20:50):
fundamental voice for so many people in their communities.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Exactly, j G. I'm going to pivot back to you, Lana,
So let's let's talk about where all of your companies intersect.
There's a documentary you're all involved in coming out next
year called Reclaiming Confidence. It's highlighting a patient's journey through diagnoses, mestectomy,
and reconstruction. So, Lana, what brought Motiva, Bimin Tech and
(21:14):
co two Lift together for this project? And more importantly,
why now?
Speaker 7 (21:19):
Well, then it really began with a conversation with one
of our favorite plastic surgeons, doctor Ziedler. You know, we
were discussing our initiative to better serve and support that
breast cancer community, and she shared with us a story
of a patient who came to her for mommy makeover.
As part of her process, doctor Zedler sends patients for
a mammogram first, and in this case, that patient discovered
(21:40):
she had breast cancer and.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
The story really moved us.
Speaker 7 (21:43):
I mean, we realized there was an opportunity to do more,
not just as individual companies, but together, and we wanted
to join for us as we're really the best partners
in the space. So with JJ's company Motiva and Brad
with Bimini Tech, you know, we thought this would be
perfect to really shine a light on this journey, raise awareness,
and provide real hope and solutions. And so for us,
(22:06):
the time is now, because really, these women, they just
can't wait.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
That's such a beautiful collaboration for the three of you. Congratulations,
it really feels like the perfect time. With more than
four million breast cancer survivors living in the US today,
storytelling like this helps bridge the science with the soul.
It gives real faces to the innovation happening behind the scenes.
Speaker 11 (22:28):
So this is so important.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Brad, I'm going to pivot back to you. This film
also highlights collaboration industry leaders uniting around a shared cause.
What made you say yes to being involved in this
film and what message do you hope this collaboration sends
to both patients and to the broader medical community.
Speaker 9 (22:46):
Yeah, it's really a unique opportunity, isn't it if you
just take a step back and think about it, there's
really three groups involved. First and foremost there's the patient
and their families. Seconds, the medical community, the physicians and
their staff. And then third are the companies and the
technology providers, which is who we are today. And the
(23:09):
first two groups do a great job of collaborating, sharing
good news and helping each other trying to improve their techniques.
Where companies, our natural tendency is to be proprietary, not secretive,
but also just kind of protect our moat and have
our stakeholders. So for me, this is really unique because
(23:30):
you have three companies that are actually complimentary and coming together,
which is rare, and providing the best technologies all at
the same time. So for me, it was it really
is a win win win, you know, three wins. So
it was the uniqueness of it. So I think as
a message to industry, I looked at JJ and Lennon
(23:51):
basically another to be like, do this and other modalities.
There's companies that are complimentary to each other that frankly,
it's a really easy to say to do this if
you just consider the patient and put the patient first.
So our view is work together and provide some help
for these patients.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
I love that perspective, Brad. I mean, so often innovation
and medicine happens in silos. So what this film represents
and what you've created together is a unified ecosystem for
women's recovery. It's hope in motion, powered by expertise and empathy,
which is which makes it so much more beautiful. JJ,
I think this documentary is a brilliant way to connect
with both the women in need and the medical community.
(24:33):
And now from your perspective, why do you think storytelling,
especially through documentary film, is such a powerful way to
raise to raise awareness and inspire change. And how do
you hope the film helps women see the options available
to them. Yeah.
Speaker 8 (24:49):
Look, I come from a family of plastic surgeons. My
mother is a nurse, obstrician and a champion of women's health,
and she always taught me, you know, let women tell
their own stories. And I think in the as you
do storytelling, that is such a powerful way to get
other women to listen. You know, if Brad or Lana
(25:09):
or me we say you know all these things, it's
completely different than if a breast cancer survivor is telling
that story so we can of course positively impact that journey,
but at the end, it's their own story and it
is the one that is really going to make other
women feel like, you know what if I ever get
breast cancer, I hope I don't. You know, that seems
(25:32):
like something that I can do to restore who I was.
So our work should be to not only give great
technology to great physicians like doctor Zeidler, but also to
help women in their storytelling. So we can, you know,
tell the woman that don't know what to do, what
is it that they can do, so that that should
(25:53):
be our job. That's that's our.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Mission, beautifully said by all of you across the board,
and every woman listening today deserves to know so that science,
technology and compassion are really working hand in hand to
lift her up. I mean, from regenitive therapies to esthetic empowerment.
This conversation proves healing as possible on every level body, mind,
and spirit. And I thank all of you for coming
(26:15):
here today and being part of my expert panel. Thank you,
thank you for everyone listening. Reclaiming Confidence is more than
a film. It's a movement, a reminder that with innovation
and collaboration, survivorship can mean not just living, but truly
reclaiming life. To learn more, you can head directly to
Co two lift dot com, check them out on the
Gram at Co two Lift, and you can check out
(26:37):
Lana at the Lanacur. That's double R Bimini health Tech.
You could head directly to their website at Biminihealthtech dot
com and check them out on the Gram at Bimini
Health Tech. And Motiva Implants. You candad directly to Motiva
USA dot com and on the Gram at Motiva Underscore USA.
That was our Going Deep segment brought to you by
Co two Lift. I'm your host, Zen Sam's We'll be
(26:59):
right back after this.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
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Speaker 3 (28:00):
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 Iart Radio. I'm your host
zen Zam's Today in the Better Brighter You segment brought
to you by Sispera, We're taking on a powerful conversation
that too often goes unspoken, breaking the stigma of skin discoloration.
How science is changing the malasma conversation. It's an important
(28:23):
one to have. Hyperpigmentation and particularly malasma affects millions worldwide,
nearly forty percent of women over age thirty, Yet it's
often dismissed as just cosmetic. In reality, the emotional toll
can be as profound as the physical one, with studies
linking visible pigmentation disorders to lower quality of life scores
(28:43):
comparable to chronic disease. That's why this topic is so important.
We'll be unpacking the emotional impact of pigmentation, the myths
and misconceptions that hold patients back, and the innovative new
treatments including cispera powered by cistiamine, that are reshaping how
we think of about brighter, healthier skin. And who better to
guide us through than Doctor Elaine Kung, a Board certified dermatologist,
(29:08):
founder of Future Bright Dermatology in Lower Manhattan, and Clinical
Assistant Professor of Dermatology at wild Cornell Medical College. She's
a Yale trained physician whose research in tissue engineering has
earned national recognition. Doctor Kung is known not only for
her clinical expertise, but also for her role as a
thought leader, featured in outlets like NBC News, A Lure,
(29:29):
and BuzzFeed. Doctor Kong, Welcome to the show, Superstar. It's
an honor to have you here.
Speaker 5 (29:35):
Hello, nice to see you, Thank you for inviting me.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
So excited, so let's chat with malasma and the emotional impact.
It isn't just a skin condition, It's a story patients
carry every day, and research shows that people with pigmentation
disorders often report emotional distress at levels comparable to that
chronic illness, which is what I alluded in the introduction.
So why does pigmentation is especially malasma, have such a
(30:02):
deep emotional impact on your patients.
Speaker 5 (30:04):
This is a topic that I'm very passionate about. I
personally deal with hyperpigmentation issues myself since the age of eighteen,
and I spent almost the entirety of my career helping
patients with complex hyperpigmentation issues. In particular, malasma is the
absolute most distressing of them all. Malasma itself is this
(30:29):
dark patches map like that's in the center of the
face and then also mustache like shadow above the upper
lip that for some people even makeup can't hide, and
because of that it is so distressing. Meta analysis of
clinical studies say that upwards of forty three percent of
(30:53):
patients dealing with malasma also have some depressive symptoms. So
there's a big emotional impact to the condition compared to
having a lot of fractals.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
Yeah, that really captures. How pigmentation is about far more
than appearance, right, It's about identity, confidence, and emotional health.
So it's important that we're talking about this right now,
which brings me to the causes and triggers. So malasma
is often nicknamed the mask of pregnancy, but we know
that the causes extend far beyond hormones. So sun exposure, genetics,
(31:28):
and even certain medications can all contribute. So in your
diverse patient populations right here in New York City, what
are the most common causes and triggers you encounter?
Speaker 5 (31:39):
As you were saying, malasma is not due to one
singular factor, it's multi factorial. It's almost the collision of
the perfect storm creates malasma. The top three triggers that
we know of is a genetic disposition, then it becomes
hormonal changes, and then environmental factors UV light and high
(32:05):
energy visible light being the most important instigating factors. So,
for example, myself, a few years ago, I started taking
oral contraceptives because my period was so erratic, And after
about five or six months, I went on a trip
to Thailand. I came back home and then started discovering
(32:28):
like light patches right on my upper cheeks. I recognized
that as the beginning of malasma, so I had to
alter my approach and stop the oral contraceptives even though
I was using it as a treatment for erratic periods.
The oral contraceptives and then just sun exposure in Thailand
(32:49):
collided together and I started developing the symptoms of malasma.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
That's an eye opener. I mean, it helps people understand
it's not just one cause. But like you said, con
stallation of triggers working together. Right, So let's forward to
the myths and the misunderstandings. Right. Online information is just everywhere,
these diy lemon juice masks, miracle creams, and the false
hope of overnight cures. But malasma is a chronic condition
(33:17):
that requires science backed care without a doubt. So what
are some of the biggest myths about pigmentation that you
wish more people understood.
Speaker 5 (33:25):
Some myths about malasma that I want to debunk is
h well. Number one, that it's only a woman's problem.
It's true that nine out of ten patients with malasma
or women, the men can have it too. Now, another
myth that is very common and it's really like far
(33:48):
out reaching beyond malasma is the thought that photo protection
is only when you're going outside, only when you're going
on vacation, only when you're going to the beach. That's
absolutely not true. Besides ultraviolet light, we now know that
high energy visible light that we could get indoors and
(34:10):
even in front of our screens, our electronic devices, our
computers can actually cause roseat and pigmentary issues like malasma.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
So let's chat prevention versus treatment. I mean, we often
hear that prevention is the best chure and sunscreen, like
you've been saying, remains the cornerstone of pigmentation management. But
once malasma sets in, as you know, doctor Kung, prevention
alone isn't enough. So how do you counsel patients on
balancing daily prevention with realistic treatment expectations.
Speaker 5 (34:44):
There is no quick fix to malasma, and the treatment
journey is more of a marathon being persistent, being patient
rather than any quick fixes. Prevention is key, but it's
also part of treatment. So when we were talking about sunscreen,
(35:06):
like a mineral based sunscreen SPF fifty or higher with
iron oxides, that's the most protective of UV and high
energy visible light. Now traditionally the gold standard of AT
home therapy for malasma was the cligment formula. Cligment formula
(35:27):
is the combination of hydrocrenone, retinoids and a cortical steroid. However,
it was limited to using it for three months six months.
I'm sure a lot of people who dealt with malasma
have heard their doctors tell them two weeks on, two
weeks off, two months on, two months off.
Speaker 3 (35:49):
And because there are problems.
Speaker 5 (35:51):
With using long term hydrocrenone, the problem is called exogynous
or chronosis, which is blue bluish brown discoloration that sets
in with long term use. And then on top of that,
quartful steroids can increase blood vessel development in thinning of
(36:12):
the skin, which is not ideal as well. And because
of these new innovations, for people to be able to
use long term is really now the new cornerstone of
treating melasma.
Speaker 3 (36:28):
And I guess that's why cisteamine, the starr ingredient in sispera,
is such a breakthrough.
Speaker 5 (36:33):
Cisteamine basically performs as well as the clickment formula, but
has less side effects. However, cistiamine will take longer to
work than the old clickment formula six months or more so,
in my clinical practice, I have some patients who are
(36:54):
using cistiamine or Sispera for over a year now and
their skin tone has improved dramatically that it's really evened out.
And I think some of our patients with malasma, what
they're seeking is that the maps on their faces are
(37:14):
not so visible that it blends with the rest of
their skin. And Separa was able to help my patients
achieve that, but it took longer than the traditional clickment formula. However,
it's something that they could use for a long period
of time, and that's the difference.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
I love how we came full circle on this interview.
It was so informative and transparent. Thank you so much
for coming on our expert on the microphone series.
Speaker 5 (37:41):
Thank you so much for inviting me to learn more.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
You can visit cispa dot com or follow them on
the Gram at Cispera and don't forget. You can find
doctor Kong on the Gram at Future Bright Skin or
at her Manhattan practice, Future Bright Dramatology. You could add
directly to her website at Future Brightdermatology dot com. You're
listening to a moment of zen right here on seven
ten woar the voice of New York iHeartRadio. We'll be
(38:07):
right back after this well.
Speaker 2 (38:08):
Moment of Zen is sponsored by Fintech TV.
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Head to Fintech dot TV slash Invest Fintech dot tv
slash Invest. Welcome back, beautiful Tri State area. You're listening
to a Moment of Zen right here on seven ten.
Woar the voice of neuyik iHeartRadio. I'm your host is Zenzam's.
In the Clean Collective Express segment, brought to you by
Society Brands, we are chatting the pitfalls of microwaving your
(38:48):
food in plastic containers. The FDA has approved certain plastics
as microwaves safe, but that only means the container won't melt,
not that it won't leach chemicals. Research which published in
Environmental Health Perspectives, found that over ninety five percent of
tested plastics, including many labeled as BPA free, still released
(39:10):
estrogenic chemicals when heated. These compounds have been linked to infertility,
developmental disorders, and even cancer. So here's your health swap.
Transfer leftovers to glass or ceramic before reheating. A small
change that keeps toxins off your plate and peace of
mind on it. Protect your health one meal at a time.
You're listening to a moment of Zen. I'm your host
(39:32):
Zen Sam's. That was the Clean Collective Express segment brought
to you by Society Brands.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
A Moment of Zen is brought to you by Klean.
Kleanamic zip bags are certified compostable. They break down into
nutrient rich fertilizer that nourishes the earth. They're BPA free,
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hidden microplastic particles by heading to kleanomic dot com today.
Speaker 3 (40:07):
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, Zenzam's
Welcome back to the Brain Blueprint segment brought to you
by the Malilo Centers and doctor Robert Mililo.
Speaker 11 (40:22):
Today we're live at headquarters.
Speaker 3 (40:24):
And we're chatting from hopeless to hopeful, breaking barriers in
brain health. We're going to explore how one mother refused
to accept a dire prognosis, discovered doctor Robert Milillo's groundbreaking
brain balance work and helped her daughter Emma thrive against
all odds to set the stage. According to the National
Institutes of Health, an estimated eighty percent of children with
(40:46):
neurological disorders are told their prognosis is limited and that
little progress should be expected. Yet emerging science paints a
much different picture. We know the brain is plastic, it
can adapt, rewire, and it can change, and when we
apply targeted stimulation consistently, breakthroughs become possible.
Speaker 11 (41:07):
Today's guest is doctor Robert Malillo.
Speaker 3 (41:09):
He's a world renowned expert in brain health, especially childhood
and adult neurological disorders. He's a clinician, a professor, brain researcher,
and best selling author of Disconnected Kids. Now joining us
alongside doctor Robert Malillo is Cindy Bloxham. She's a remarkable
mother who has spent the last seven and a half
years rehabilitating her daughter, Emma, who was born with a
(41:31):
severe brain disorder. And after being told in New Zealand
that Emma's case was too severe to improve, Cindy.
Speaker 11 (41:39):
She just refused to give up hope.
Speaker 3 (41:41):
Her journey led her to doctor Robert Malillo and his method,
and today Emma is thriving, a beautiful, joyful, cheeky nine
year old who proves the brain's blueprint can indeed be rewritten.
Welcome to the show, Superstars.
Speaker 12 (41:55):
Yes, thanks, I'm so happy to be here again.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
Of course, So, Cindy, you were told emma condition was
too severe for improvement. But what gave you the strength
to challenge that prognosis and search for answers outside the
traditional system?
Speaker 13 (42:09):
I recall being in this pediotrician's office and she was
all she did was focus on what was wrong with Emma.
And I'm like, oh, okay, so what are we going
to do to help her? And she couldn't answered that question?
And I asked her, I said, could you do me
a favor? Could you tell me when did you get
your degree? And she looked at me complexed, and I said,
(42:30):
you when did you get your degree? And she said
twenty years ago? And I said okay, and do you
know how long ago those books you based your thesis
on were written? And she looked at me. She said,
how Micino that's in England could be eighty two, one
hundred years ago. And I said exactly. I said, you
don't know me, and you don't know my child, and
you don't know the god I save. So you can
(42:50):
take your somewhat diagnosis and you can stick it, because
I'm going to go and find my child the right
help and wonder I'll pop in here and my daughter
will walk in here. And she just looked at me,
and I said, well, thank you, got up, picked my child,
and I walked out. And just like many other mothers
and yourself, like explained earlier, se in you research, you
go and find the answers. And after trying a couple
(43:13):
of therapists in the beginning, I soon found out this
is not what my daughter needed. Nobody's actually explaining what's
going on with Emma's brain, because that's where the issues right.
And I remember I bought a vibration tool of someone
and When I bought it, the person included doctor Mallilo's book,
(43:33):
and I'll never forget. I had the book for like
over six weeks and I didn't get into it yet,
and she kept pestering me, have you read the book?
Have you read the book? And it was a Sunday
evening I started reading the book. I went to bed
at eleven and I couldn't shut off. I was like,
I need to get up, and I got up and
I hate to finish this book. That night I read
it in one go. I found our person and that
(43:55):
led me to New York, all the way from New Zealand.
And it's been four years working with him and neven looking.
Speaker 3 (44:02):
Back, Wow, that's such a powerful example of advocacy. And
the research supports it. Right, Yeah, because a study and
it's serendipitous. There are no coincidences. You were meant to meet.
Speaker 13 (44:14):
Oh, it was written in the stars.
Speaker 11 (44:15):
It was written in the stars.
Speaker 3 (44:16):
And studies show that children whose parents remain actively involved
and you are amos therapist in seeking alternative or even
complementary therapies have up to a forty percent greater chance
of functional improvement compared to those who don't. So your
instinct to ask, what's possible if we try is exactly
what opened the door for Emma's transformation, right, one hundred percent,
(44:38):
Doctor Mililo, you are at the center of this conversation.
What are you thinking right now?
Speaker 12 (44:44):
You know when people out there that they may be
listening to say, wait a second, how come they don't
know what's going on? What was really fascinating was, you know,
there was no obvious signs of anything with em They
did mrize of her brain and his brain was perfect.
The doctor said it was one of the best brains
he ever saw. Genetic testing, everything came up negative. Blood tests,
(45:06):
everything came up negative. But here was a girl who
was profoundly impaired. Like she said, she could only really
barely move one side of her body. And you know
from in the end she was I mean literally when
I first saw her, she was could only crawl on
the ground, like dragging her legs behind her like they
were dead, meaning that this was this little girl, this
(45:26):
is the only way she could ambulate. She couldn't sit up,
she couldn't speak, and nobody knew why. And this was
the whole idea of you know, when you talk about
a functional neurology, a functional neuroscience. What does that mean.
This is the best example of it because there's obviously
something going on that's profound in the brain, but yet
there's no organic illness, there's no injury, there's no genetic mutations. No,
(45:50):
there's nothing really that you can see wrong with the brain.
And that makes it really challenging. And that's been my focus.
And that's when we look at kids with autism severely
pro you know, profoundly impaired, but yet there's nothing wrong
with their brain. There's no genetic mutation, and this is
the mystery of it. And there's very few people that
really understand how the brain works from a functional perspective
(46:14):
and can change that. And that's been my mission.
Speaker 3 (46:17):
Yeah, yeah, now, Emma, I'm sorry, Emma send on your
fourth trip to see doctor Malilo. What specific kinds of
progress have you witnessed in Emma since those early days.
Speaker 13 (46:29):
My very first strap, I got back home and I
had a pediatrician appointment, and Emma's head grows sixteentimeters. She
had something what's the term, doctor milia when a child's.
Speaker 11 (46:39):
Head is really small microph yep, she had that.
Speaker 13 (46:42):
So her brain they stopped growing very early on, and
there hadn't been changed in years. And the fact that
her head had grown sixteenimeters at a very first intensive,
that's scientific proof in real time her brain was growing.
And then fast forward to now and I'll see week
of this intensive, she's doing stuff she couldn't do. Last Monday,
(47:05):
doctor Ty's got her pulling herself up from a seated
to standing position, keeping one she probably doesn't even feel
the bottom of her legs. And yesterday she was showing
off to Dr rob like, hey, look at me. She's
doing She's doing a minute plank, she's doing sit ups.
She always needed assistance with set up, so holding the hands,
(47:26):
she's doing it, no hands. She's doing Superman's over Bosu
ball throwing a ball. And what we're trying to do
is encourage lifting this. But because the back muscles, because
doctor Milli Laiss look at it like this, how do
you expect Emma to walk if her brain can't even
feel her back muscles? Right, So we're stimulating those muscles.
She's doing the neurosage program, which is the brain stimulation program,
(47:51):
and she's got at the moment for the first time,
we switched from left to right because her left brain
had held so much in the last three years working
with doctor Rob and was what's so bad when we
first started. Now it's time to integrate her whole brain.
We're doing bridges and she does it for one hundred
and fifty one hundred and fifty seconds. Most kids can't
(48:13):
even do forty seconds. She's her vestibular. Doctor Milila took
me through her program and her progress and how a
chart is moving in the right direction, some better than others,
and then some she's nailing. But collectively we have progress.
Speaker 12 (48:31):
And I think what's really important is the first thing
she said. When we look at our research and we say,
what is the actual problem. One of the problems is
that there's immaturity of the brain. The brain is being
held back in its growth, and it's partly related to
these things called routine reflexes. And so I always say
to parents, what are we trying to do? Ultimately we're
trying to do is literally get your child's brain to
(48:51):
catch up to where they should be in catch up
to the other area of their networks. Emma's left side
of her brain was even more delayed than a rite.
Her whole brain was delayed and her her head was small,
very small for its age, and they looked at it like, well,
it's never going to change. That's never going to change,
and so we're literally trying to get it to grow
(49:13):
at an accelerated rate. A lot of people say it's impossible.
When the skull and the head grow six centimeters in
a matter of a couple of weeks from where they were.
That means we're getting the brain underneath to grow at
an accelerated, faster than normal rate and try to create
balance in the brain and in the networks in the brain. Really,
which is the root cause, because we're always trying to
(49:34):
get to the root cause.
Speaker 3 (49:35):
Yeah, what you're saying is really extraordinary. Let's move on, So, Cindy,
you've been open about Emma's journey on social media.
Speaker 11 (49:42):
You have a profile setup.
Speaker 3 (49:44):
Emma Bums Journey Emma Bum's Journey. Why was it important
for you to share publicly and what kind of response
have you received from other families.
Speaker 13 (49:53):
The biggest thing Game has told me so far is
big glass of full Look at her. She's got a
complex list of what is not going well for her,
but she's the happiest little child.
Speaker 11 (50:04):
You're ever going to meet.
Speaker 13 (50:05):
So that's how I live my life, and I want
to see a positive outlook and I want parents to
go actually look, put the hard work in, gain the benefits.
Speaker 11 (50:14):
He's no easy road.
Speaker 13 (50:15):
I remember when I first met Dr Rob. He says,
you know a lot of people always say to me,
when is my child going to talk? When is my
child going to walk? And he goes, how long is
a piece of strange? If I had that answer, I'd
give it to you. But it all depends on the
amount of work you're going to put in back home.
And if you look at me, I'm seven and a
half years in and if he told me when you
first met me could be ten years, I'd be like,
(50:36):
how that's you know, that's a big commitment. But I
see why now and I look at her and she
is a picture of health. We discovered last year. Doctor
Mililo's offers Emma can fully read even though traditional doctors
set my child's brain disorder so severe and her global
developmental delay is so severe that she was stuck as
(50:57):
a newborn, and that's going to be her for the
rest of her life. And it actually facts, she's probably
smarter than us. They's so much more to them, and
this is coming back to my page. I want us
to stop focusing on what's wrong with them. Our kids
are not broken. We're not yet to fix them. We're
year to help them on the journey, equip them, to
(51:17):
get them to the best of the ability, and tap
into your kid's gifts. These kids are amazing.
Speaker 11 (51:24):
Beautiful, beautiful.
Speaker 3 (51:25):
While we were at the end of our date, my friends,
what an extraordinary and deeply educational conversation.
Speaker 11 (51:29):
I mean, Cindy, thank you for sharing.
Speaker 3 (51:31):
Thank you. I'm having an aspiring journey and giving hope
to so many parents. And of course doctor Mililo, thank
you for your groundbreaking work and showing us that the
brain's blueprint is not fixed, it can be rewritten. And
then then that's the biggest takeaway from me.
Speaker 11 (51:44):
So thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (51:45):
And for those of you listening, you can follow Emma's
story directly on the gram at Emma Bum's Journey. You
can connect with Cindy personally on her profile page on
the ground a blocky seventy eight, and to learn more
about doctor Robert Milillo and his work, you could head
directly to this website at Dorobertmilillo dot com. This has
been our brain Blueprint segment and the expert on the
(52:05):
Microphone series.
Speaker 11 (52:06):
Right here on a moment of Zen.
Speaker 3 (52:08):
Stay tuned.
Speaker 11 (52:09):
We'll be right back after this.
Speaker 3 (52:10):
On seven ten WR, the Voice of New York iHeartRadio,
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Speaker 2 (52:14):
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Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome to a Moment of Zen. Time to sit back
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Zen SAMs.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Welcome back, beautiful Tri State area. You're listening to a
Moment of Zen right here on seven ten wo R,
the voice of New York iHeartRadio. I'm your host, Zen SAMs.
Welcome to episode two hundred and thirty seven WOOF. We
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(00:51):
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TV platform at MX dot your hoometv dot com. In
our Going Deep segment brought to you by Co two
Lift in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, today, we're
(01:34):
diving into some of the top leaders in esthetics and
medical tech are advancing women's health are confidence and recovery,
especially after something as physically and emotionally brutal as breast cancer.
And on the panel today we have Lona Kerr, founder
and CEO of CO two Lift, Bradford Conlin, co founder
and CEO Bimni Health Tech, a pioneer in regenitive medicine
(01:57):
and breast reconstruction, and One Chaconquitos, founder of Establishment Labs,
the company behind Motiva Implants, also recently FDA approved. Today
they're helping women not just reclaim their bodies, but reclaim
their lives. And the Hydration with Heart segment brought to
you by one spawned a coconut. We're redefining beauty and
belonging with cerebral palsy advocate Sheian Horn. She's an advocate,
(02:22):
a speaker, an educator, founder of Give Beauty Wings, who
turned adversity into axis. You definitely want to tune in
for that inspiring interview and the Better Brighter You segment
brought to you by Sispera. Joining us is doctor Elaine Kung,
a board certified dermatologist, founder and future of Bright Dermatology
in Lower Manhattan and New York, and a clinical Assistant
(02:44):
Professor of Dermatology at Wildcornell Medical College. Today we're breaking
the stigma of skin discoloration. We're chatting about how science
is changing the malassma and hyper pigmentation conversation in our
Expert on the Microphone series. In today's Brain Blueprints segment,
we take you from hopeless to Hopeful. We are breaking
barriers in brain health with doctor Robert Malillo, a world
(03:07):
renowned expert in brain health, especially childhood and adult neurological disorders.
And Cindy Bloxham, a remarkable mother who spent the last
seven and a half years rehabilitating her daughter Emma who
was born with a severe brain disorder in the Society
Brand's Express segment today with chat about the hidden dangers
of microwaving food and plastic containers. Stay tuned, We'll be
(03:28):
right back in the Hydration with Heart segment brought to
you by Once Upon a Cocoanut with the amazing cerebral
Palsy advocate She and Horn. You're listening to a moment
of Zen. I'm your host, zen Zam's will be right
back after this.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
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Speaker 3 (04:10):
Welcome back, beautiful Tri State Area. You're listening to a
moment of Zen right here on seven to ten WR
The Voice of Meruric iHeartRadio. I'm your host is zen
Zam's Welcome back to the Hydration with Heart segment brought
to you by Once Upon a Coconut, where we sip,
reflect and shine light on the stories that hydrate the
human spirit. Shean Horn is a joyful half Asian woman
(04:31):
living with cerebral palsy, but that's not her story. Her
story is how she used that diagnosis as a lens
for compassion, creativity, and change. She's an advocate, a speaker,
an educator, and founder of Give Beauty Wings, which is
an organization that empowers young women and marginalized communities to
embrace self esteem and purpose. She's advised Microsoft at and T,
(04:54):
the Whitney Museum, Parsons Open Style Lab, and even the
United Nations guiding global leader towards more inclusive, accessible design.
As we honor disability awareness and celebrate the unstoppable human spirit.
Shan reminds us that resilience isn't just about overcoming limitations,
it's about redefining them and turning adversity into access. This
(05:16):
conversation on Living Joyfully with cerebral palsy is going to
be about the power of inclusion and how community compassion
and courage are reimagining what beauty and accessibility truly mean.
We're going to dive in right now with Advocate, speaker,
educator and founder of Give Beauty Wings. She and Horn.
Welcome to the show, Superstar. Thank you so much. What
(05:38):
an intro. So let's talk about your diagnosis and the
defiance because that's what really captured my attention. So can
you teach us and take us back to that moment
of diagnosis or real realization and share what that meant
for your family, your identity, and ultimately your mission.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
And I was diagnosed at eight year old, so I
don't remember it, but I think when I was considering
that moment in my life, it was actually at age
nine walking through the lobby that had, I mean where
I grew up, and there was a Florida ceiling Lenk
mirror and I'm nine years old, and it's the first
(06:15):
time I looked at myself and I saw my left
ne go in. You know, I really believed that I
was just like everyone else. I just walked with ski
poles too, and so when I saw that, wait, oh
I do look different. I was so shocked that I
didn't know this, but I think that's really down to
(06:38):
the bubble that my parents created for me as an
only child. You know, I really and again as artists
who were all a little strange in my family in
a good way.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
And I think that really helped. Yeah, which brings me
into my next question, redefining beauty and representation. So, as
someone who partners with brands institutions to build inclusive design,
from Wonderman Thompson to the Cooper, Hewitt and the Whitney,
I mean you're challenging beauty standards and cultural perceptions. So
(07:11):
studies show that only two percent of models in mainstream
campaigns represent visible disabilities, and that number hasn't changed much
in any decade. So when you see beauty campaigns or
museums that still exclude people with disabilities, how do you
begin to shift that conversation toward real inclusion and representation.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
In about twenty eighteen, I became a Forbes contributor. I
wrote a piece about how fashion can be a barrier
to employment. If you can only wear stretch pants and sketchers,
you may not feel at your best in a job
interview or in a professional setting. And when someone from
(07:51):
a lure read that, she came to me and said,
is there anything about the beauty industry that you want
to share? And about ten years before for that, I
actually pitched the Dove campaign asking them to include people
with disabilities in their advertising. I made a two minute
video in my mother's living room. It wasn't you actually
it was a minute in twenty three seconds. They passed
(08:13):
on it twice, but the video went semi viral. Even
I didn't realize how big and how vast the disability
community was at that point. And so what happened though
in writing this piece is I realized that not much
had changed in ten years.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
This was twenty twenty one, and I'm happy.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
To report that in the four years since that piece
has been written, it's like the beauty industry has just
exploded with an awareness of disability.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Now.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
I just saw today Aaron Philip, who actually went to
my alma mater Lab School, is on the cover of Vogue.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Right now, there you go. It comes full circle. Now.
The power of community and belonging is extremely important in
every narrative. And you've built community not just through advocacy
but through share joy, from your work with the Real
Abilities Film Festival to advising Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and PBS
Independent Lens. I mean, you're creating spaces where everyone can
(09:12):
belong and I love that. So why is community such
a vital piece of the inclusion puzzle? And how can
each of us in our own lives and workplaces cultivate
that sense of belonging.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
As an only child living in my own bubble, I
remember when I would hear the term disability community, I thought,
what community? Because I was in a survival mode. I
was just trying to get through school, make friends, connect
with people. And the wonderful thing is, since I've become
an advocate, and with Internet, you can find community almost everywhere,
(09:47):
no matter how rare your disability is, there's usually a
group somewhere, you know. And it's been so powerful to
see people find each other. And I mean, obviously we
can do nothing alone, really, And so when I became
an advocate, it's like a whole world opened up.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
The segues into the world we're living in because we're
living in a world where gen Z is more vocal
than ever about inclusivity and identity and purpose. You said
that we came full circle in the last decade, right,
But many still struggle to find their place. So what
advice would you give to young people who may feel
different or misunderstood, those who are still learning to see
(10:32):
their difference as their superpower. Well, what advice do you
have to them?
Speaker 4 (10:36):
I think my advice is allow yourself to grow and
make mistakes.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
I think a.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Lot of times, because we live in our own body,
we're aware of the ways in which we're imperfect, you know,
to a greater degree.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
And it's almost like staring in the mirror too long.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
You start to see, you know the details, and we
can overanalyze and put so much pressure on ourselves. And
I think, you know, let yourself be inspired by the
people that are doing great things. A lot of I'm
saying that because when I was younger, I was a
fearless child.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
But as a teenager, you know, going to college.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
For example, at eighteen, I went to a place where
there are some eighteen year olds with two nonprofits already,
and I thought, well, I can never be that or
do that, And I was right. I'm not supposed to
be I'm not supposed to be Zen, I'm not supposed
to be Megan.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
I'm supposed to be me. I want to be mindful
of the time. This is the last question. So as
we sip our once upon a coconut today a brand
built on purity, vitality, and purpose, I have to ask,
if hydration were a metaphor for life, what fills you
up the most these days? What keeps your heart hydrated? Well,
(11:50):
like I said, I have a lot of love in.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
My life, but I also think my faith, you know,
because things can get very dark, and what I've learned
is that.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
We can be the light when we don't see it.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
And I think it's but what helps me to know
that I'm not alone even if I am, Let's say,
I don't you know, in the pandemic, we were isolated,
you know, in those moments.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
That were so dark.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
It was really my faith that kept me spiritually hydrated
and kept me going. And it was very healing time
in a way, to be forced to be with yourself,
because I did a lot of reflection and introspection. So
for me, I think that's probably the primary driver. And
of course all the wonderful people I'm still friends with,
(12:41):
my first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Course, of course you are, of course you are. It's community,
it's grinity. Oh, well, we are officially out of time,
but that was so poetic. I'm smart, I smiled throughout
your whole answer. Listening to you is empowering, and that's
exactly the kind of answer that refuels all of us.
So thank you for those listening. You can learn more
(13:04):
about Shean's incredible work at Sheanhorn dot com and give
beautywings dot org, and you can follow her journey directly
on the Gram at Chian for Beauty eighty three. That's
spelled xi An for Beauty eighty three. A huge thank
you to our sponsor, once Upon a Coconut for fueling
this amazing conversation. Because when we hydrate the body, we
(13:24):
awaken the heart. Until next time, stay hydrated, stay kind,
and stay tuned to a moment of Zen. We'll be
right back after this.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
A moment of Zen is brought to you by Once
Upon a Coconut.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
Discover the refreshing taste of one hundred percent pure coconut
water that actually tastes great matchet sweet with no artificial
flavors or added sugar. It's packed with electrolytes to keep
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pure goodness, experience Nature's Gatorade, Visit Once Upon a Coconut
(13:56):
or Nature's Gatorade dot Com.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
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 Zabs.
Welcome back to the Going Deep segment brought to you
by Co two Lift in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Today,
we're diving into how some of the top leaders in
esthetic and medical tech are advancing women's health, confidence and recovery,
(14:22):
especially after something as physically and emotionally brutal as breast cancer.
Now First joining us is Lana Kerr. She is the
founder and CEO of CO two Lift. A clinical innovator,
a multi business owner, author, and public speaker with over
two decades of experience, Lana has continued to push boundaries
across the field, bringing us her flagship line CO two
(14:44):
Lift by Lumisk's Skincare, which is the first clinically proven
gel carboxy therapy. Also joining us is Brad Conlan, co
founder and CEO of Bimini Health. Tech, a pioneer in
regenerative medicine and breast reconstruction with brands like Pure Graft,
sn and Serene that support women's health worldwide. And lastly,
we welcome Juan Jose chacon Quiros, founder of Establishment Labs,
(15:08):
the company behind Motiva Implants, a trusted name now FDA
approved in the United States, also known for its focus
on natural feel, safety, and innovation. Together they're helping women
not just reclaim their bodies, but reclaim their lives. Welcome
to the show, superstars, Thank you, thank you, thank you.
So excited to dive into this Latin I'm gonna start
(15:30):
with you. So from implants to regeneritive tech to topical therapies,
each of your companies really touches a different piece of
the patient's journey. So let's break this down a bit.
Your global authority when it comes to non invasive skin
and into macare and your CO two Lift and CO
two Lift V treatments have helped countless women navigate breast
(15:51):
cancer recovery and survivorship. And with studies showing that one
innate women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, innovations
like yours are true really priceless. So, Lana, what results
have you seen co to provide for breast cancer fighters
and survivors and how did your company first begin connecting
with this community? Thank you, Sen.
Speaker 7 (16:12):
You know we've seen CO two LEFT help restore skin health,
intimate wellness for survivors. You know, many deal with dryness, thinning,
loss of elasticity from chemotherapy, radiation, or just hormone blocking treatments.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
We've seen CO two left improve.
Speaker 7 (16:27):
Hydration, circulation and healing, which really bring comfort back to
their skin, confidence back into their lives. We began connecting
with this community community organically through physicians who were using
COEO to lift with their breast cancer patients and saw
remarkable results you know, from their survivors themselves began sharing
(16:49):
their stories and we've continued listening and learning directly from
them to support their unique needs.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
It's remarkable, and I've been following this journey alongside you
for several years now, and it's powerful to hear how
science and compassion intersect. Right here now, Brad, I'm going
to shift to you.
Speaker 8 (17:06):
So.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
Bimini Health Tech is a global leader in innovative medical
devices for breast reconstruction and regenitive medicine, whether it's fat
grafting essence, acellular dermal matrix, or serene breast implants, these
are all solutions designed to really support women's health, especially postmastectomy.
So I'd love to know. Can you tell me more
(17:27):
about Bimini Tech's mission surrounding women's health and how do
you see your work intersecting with the experience of breast
cancer survivors specifically.
Speaker 9 (17:37):
Yeah, So Bimini's origin story is built on a foundation
of regenerative medicine, like you mentioned earlier, and so all
the founders are very passionate about it, and we are
really obsessed with the body's ability to feel itself. And
so one of our core technologies is called peer draft,
and it allows you to move fat from where you
(17:58):
don't want it and put it where you do, which
is a fairly revolutionary mindset and procedure for the patient
because in a lot of cases, especially with breast reconstruction,
post radio therapy, post removal of cancer, there is a
defect or a scarring that occurs in the breast, and
our paragraph technology is a great option to move that
(18:19):
from where you don't want and put it where you do. Again,
or use it in combination with the breast implant. So
it's just naturally a great.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Place for us to exist and studies.
Speaker 10 (18:28):
In fact, the studies show that up to sixty percent
of women who undergo mestectomy choose reconstruction as part of
their recovery journey, and your technology really bridges that medical
and emotional gap, helping women rebuild both tissue and trust
in their own bodies.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
I mean, you've gone to great lengths, So thank you
for that one. JJ. Let's bring you into the conversation. So,
your company, Establishment Labs is behind Motiva implants, which have
quickly become a favorite for patients seeking a more natural
look and feel, especially after your FDPRO last year. Motiva
has reshaped that conversation without a doubt, with a focus
(19:04):
on safety, biocompatibility, and comfort. So how does that vision
connect with breast cancer survivors in particular? And going one
step further, what role have you seen implants play and
not just reconstruction, but in restoring confidence?
Speaker 8 (19:20):
Yeah, I think our focus has always been around, you know,
positively impacting the journey of breast reconstruction. So number one,
you know our Floria tissue expander that tissue expander is
you know, is a complete game changer because it allows
for MRIs during the expansion process of the breast reconstruction,
and that is very important because the one thing in
(19:42):
their mind for these cancer survivors is, you know, remission.
Am I going to get you know, my breast cancer again?
So if during that process you can have an MRI,
should you know, the physician think it's it's necessary, then
you know you can do it. You can have it,
so that gives you a lot of peace of mind
and eventually you you know, many of themes of these
women are undergoing radiation therapy and this tissue expander allows
(20:06):
for a better delivery of this radiation therapy so that
you don't touch the heart or the lung, and that
is again very important because you don't want to damage
those organs in the process of bress reconstruction. And then
after that, of course, there is a possibility of having
an implant, and these implants, you know, in so many
different countries, have been able to be a fundamental part
(20:27):
of bringing these women back to who they were and
in some cases even better. So that of course is
going to help them restore that confidence. But beyond that
what I think, you know, it's amazing to see is
that you know, how breat these women are, so that
if after a breast cancer you're able to go through
the entire breas reconstruction, you know, they really become a
(20:50):
fundamental voice for so many people in their communities.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Exactly, j G. I'm going to pivot back to you, Lana,
So let's let's talk about where all of your companies intersect.
There's a documentary you're all involved in coming out next
year called Reclaiming Confidence. It's highlighting a patient's journey through diagnoses, mestectomy,
and reconstruction. So, Lana, what brought Motiva, Bimin Tech and
(21:14):
co two Lift together for this project? And more importantly,
why now?
Speaker 7 (21:19):
Well, then it really began with a conversation with one
of our favorite plastic surgeons, doctor Ziedler. You know, we
were discussing our initiative to better serve and support that
breast cancer community, and she shared with us a story
of a patient who came to her for mommy makeover.
As part of her process, doctor Zedler sends patients for
a mammogram first, and in this case, that patient discovered
(21:40):
she had breast cancer and.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
The story really moved us.
Speaker 7 (21:43):
I mean, we realized there was an opportunity to do more,
not just as individual companies, but together, and we wanted
to join for us as we're really the best partners
in the space. So with JJ's company Motiva and Brad
with Bimini Tech, you know, we thought this would be
perfect to really shine a light on this journey, raise awareness,
and provide real hope and solutions. And so for us,
(22:06):
the time is now, because really, these women, they just
can't wait.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
That's such a beautiful collaboration for the three of you. Congratulations,
it really feels like the perfect time. With more than
four million breast cancer survivors living in the US today,
storytelling like this helps bridge the science with the soul.
It gives real faces to the innovation happening behind the scenes.
Speaker 11 (22:28):
So this is so important.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Brad, I'm going to pivot back to you. This film
also highlights collaboration industry leaders uniting around a shared cause.
What made you say yes to being involved in this
film and what message do you hope this collaboration sends
to both patients and to the broader medical community.
Speaker 9 (22:46):
Yeah, it's really a unique opportunity, isn't it if you
just take a step back and think about it, there's
really three groups involved. First and foremost there's the patient
and their families. Seconds, the medical community, the physicians and
their staff. And then third are the companies and the
technology providers, which is who we are today. And the
(23:09):
first two groups do a great job of collaborating, sharing
good news and helping each other trying to improve their techniques.
Where companies, our natural tendency is to be proprietary, not secretive,
but also just kind of protect our moat and have
our stakeholders. So for me, this is really unique because
(23:30):
you have three companies that are actually complimentary and coming together,
which is rare, and providing the best technologies all at
the same time. So for me, it was it really
is a win win win, you know, three wins. So
it was the uniqueness of it. So I think as
a message to industry, I looked at JJ and Lennon
(23:51):
basically another to be like, do this and other modalities.
There's companies that are complimentary to each other that frankly,
it's a really easy to say to do this if
you just consider the patient and put the patient first.
So our view is work together and provide some help
for these patients.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
I love that perspective, Brad. I mean, so often innovation
and medicine happens in silos. So what this film represents
and what you've created together is a unified ecosystem for
women's recovery. It's hope in motion, powered by expertise and empathy,
which is which makes it so much more beautiful. JJ,
I think this documentary is a brilliant way to connect
with both the women in need and the medical community.
(24:33):
And now from your perspective, why do you think storytelling,
especially through documentary film, is such a powerful way to
raise to raise awareness and inspire change. And how do
you hope the film helps women see the options available
to them. Yeah.
Speaker 8 (24:49):
Look, I come from a family of plastic surgeons. My
mother is a nurse, obstrician and a champion of women's health,
and she always taught me, you know, let women tell
their own stories. And I think in the as you
do storytelling, that is such a powerful way to get
other women to listen. You know, if Brad or Lana
(25:09):
or me we say you know all these things, it's
completely different than if a breast cancer survivor is telling
that story so we can of course positively impact that journey,
but at the end, it's their own story and it
is the one that is really going to make other
women feel like, you know what if I ever get
breast cancer, I hope I don't. You know, that seems
(25:32):
like something that I can do to restore who I was.
So our work should be to not only give great
technology to great physicians like doctor Zeidler, but also to
help women in their storytelling. So we can, you know,
tell the woman that don't know what to do, what
is it that they can do, so that that should
(25:53):
be our job. That's that's our.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Mission, beautifully said by all of you across the board,
and every woman listening today deserves to know so that science,
technology and compassion are really working hand in hand to
lift her up. I mean, from regenitive therapies to esthetic empowerment.
This conversation proves healing as possible on every level body, mind,
and spirit. And I thank all of you for coming
(26:15):
here today and being part of my expert panel. Thank you,
thank you for everyone listening. Reclaiming Confidence is more than
a film. It's a movement, a reminder that with innovation
and collaboration, survivorship can mean not just living, but truly
reclaiming life. To learn more, you can head directly to
Co two lift dot com, check them out on the
Gram at Co two Lift, and you can check out
(26:37):
Lana at the Lanacur. That's double R Bimini health Tech.
You could head directly to their website at Biminihealthtech dot
com and check them out on the Gram at Bimini
Health Tech. And Motiva Implants. You candad directly to Motiva
USA dot com and on the Gram at Motiva Underscore USA.
That was our Going Deep segment brought to you by
Co two Lift. I'm your host, Zen Sam's We'll be
(26:59):
right back after this.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
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Speaker 3 (28:00):
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 Iart Radio. I'm your host
zen Zam's Today in the Better Brighter You segment brought
to you by Sispera, We're taking on a powerful conversation
that too often goes unspoken, breaking the stigma of skin discoloration.
How science is changing the malasma conversation. It's an important
(28:23):
one to have. Hyperpigmentation and particularly malasma affects millions worldwide,
nearly forty percent of women over age thirty, Yet it's
often dismissed as just cosmetic. In reality, the emotional toll
can be as profound as the physical one, with studies
linking visible pigmentation disorders to lower quality of life scores
(28:43):
comparable to chronic disease. That's why this topic is so important.
We'll be unpacking the emotional impact of pigmentation, the myths
and misconceptions that hold patients back, and the innovative new
treatments including cispera powered by cistiamine, that are reshaping how
we think of about brighter, healthier skin. And who better to
guide us through than Doctor Elaine Kung, a Board certified dermatologist,
(29:08):
founder of Future Bright Dermatology in Lower Manhattan, and Clinical
Assistant Professor of Dermatology at wild Cornell Medical College. She's
a Yale trained physician whose research in tissue engineering has
earned national recognition. Doctor Kung is known not only for
her clinical expertise, but also for her role as a
thought leader, featured in outlets like NBC News, A Lure,
(29:29):
and BuzzFeed. Doctor Kong, Welcome to the show, Superstar. It's
an honor to have you here.
Speaker 5 (29:35):
Hello, nice to see you, Thank you for inviting me.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
So excited, so let's chat with malasma and the emotional impact.
It isn't just a skin condition, It's a story patients
carry every day, and research shows that people with pigmentation
disorders often report emotional distress at levels comparable to that
chronic illness, which is what I alluded in the introduction.
So why does pigmentation is especially malasma, have such a
(30:02):
deep emotional impact on your patients.
Speaker 5 (30:04):
This is a topic that I'm very passionate about. I
personally deal with hyperpigmentation issues myself since the age of eighteen,
and I spent almost the entirety of my career helping
patients with complex hyperpigmentation issues. In particular, malasma is the
absolute most distressing of them all. Malasma itself is this
(30:29):
dark patches map like that's in the center of the
face and then also mustache like shadow above the upper
lip that for some people even makeup can't hide, and
because of that it is so distressing. Meta analysis of
clinical studies say that upwards of forty three percent of
(30:53):
patients dealing with malasma also have some depressive symptoms. So
there's a big emotional impact to the condition compared to
having a lot of fractals.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
Yeah, that really captures. How pigmentation is about far more
than appearance, right, It's about identity, confidence, and emotional health.
So it's important that we're talking about this right now,
which brings me to the causes and triggers. So malasma
is often nicknamed the mask of pregnancy, but we know
that the causes extend far beyond hormones. So sun exposure, genetics,
(31:28):
and even certain medications can all contribute. So in your
diverse patient populations right here in New York City, what
are the most common causes and triggers you encounter?
Speaker 5 (31:39):
As you were saying, malasma is not due to one
singular factor, it's multi factorial. It's almost the collision of
the perfect storm creates malasma. The top three triggers that
we know of is a genetic disposition, then it becomes
hormonal changes, and then environmental factors UV light and high
(32:05):
energy visible light being the most important instigating factors. So,
for example, myself, a few years ago, I started taking
oral contraceptives because my period was so erratic, And after
about five or six months, I went on a trip
to Thailand. I came back home and then started discovering
(32:28):
like light patches right on my upper cheeks. I recognized
that as the beginning of malasma, so I had to
alter my approach and stop the oral contraceptives even though
I was using it as a treatment for erratic periods.
The oral contraceptives and then just sun exposure in Thailand
(32:49):
collided together and I started developing the symptoms of malasma.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
That's an eye opener. I mean, it helps people understand
it's not just one cause. But like you said, con
stallation of triggers working together. Right, So let's forward to
the myths and the misunderstandings. Right. Online information is just everywhere,
these diy lemon juice masks, miracle creams, and the false
hope of overnight cures. But malasma is a chronic condition
(33:17):
that requires science backed care without a doubt. So what
are some of the biggest myths about pigmentation that you
wish more people understood.
Speaker 5 (33:25):
Some myths about malasma that I want to debunk is
h well. Number one, that it's only a woman's problem.
It's true that nine out of ten patients with malasma
or women, the men can have it too. Now, another
myth that is very common and it's really like far
(33:48):
out reaching beyond malasma is the thought that photo protection
is only when you're going outside, only when you're going
on vacation, only when you're going to the beach. That's
absolutely not true. Besides ultraviolet light, we now know that
high energy visible light that we could get indoors and
(34:10):
even in front of our screens, our electronic devices, our
computers can actually cause roseat and pigmentary issues like malasma.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
So let's chat prevention versus treatment. I mean, we often
hear that prevention is the best chure and sunscreen, like
you've been saying, remains the cornerstone of pigmentation management. But
once malasma sets in, as you know, doctor Kung, prevention
alone isn't enough. So how do you counsel patients on
balancing daily prevention with realistic treatment expectations.
Speaker 5 (34:44):
There is no quick fix to malasma, and the treatment
journey is more of a marathon being persistent, being patient
rather than any quick fixes. Prevention is key, but it's
also part of treatment. So when we were talking about sunscreen,
(35:06):
like a mineral based sunscreen SPF fifty or higher with
iron oxides, that's the most protective of UV and high
energy visible light. Now traditionally the gold standard of AT
home therapy for malasma was the cligment formula. Cligment formula
(35:27):
is the combination of hydrocrenone, retinoids and a cortical steroid. However,
it was limited to using it for three months six months.
I'm sure a lot of people who dealt with malasma
have heard their doctors tell them two weeks on, two
weeks off, two months on, two months off.
Speaker 3 (35:49):
And because there are problems.
Speaker 5 (35:51):
With using long term hydrocrenone, the problem is called exogynous
or chronosis, which is blue bluish brown discoloration that sets
in with long term use. And then on top of that,
quartful steroids can increase blood vessel development in thinning of
(36:12):
the skin, which is not ideal as well. And because
of these new innovations, for people to be able to
use long term is really now the new cornerstone of
treating melasma.
Speaker 3 (36:28):
And I guess that's why cisteamine, the starr ingredient in sispera,
is such a breakthrough.
Speaker 5 (36:33):
Cisteamine basically performs as well as the clickment formula, but
has less side effects. However, cistiamine will take longer to
work than the old clickment formula six months or more so,
in my clinical practice, I have some patients who are
(36:54):
using cistiamine or Sispera for over a year now and
their skin tone has improved dramatically that it's really evened out.
And I think some of our patients with malasma, what
they're seeking is that the maps on their faces are
(37:14):
not so visible that it blends with the rest of
their skin. And Separa was able to help my patients
achieve that, but it took longer than the traditional clickment formula. However,
it's something that they could use for a long period
of time, and that's the difference.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
I love how we came full circle on this interview.
It was so informative and transparent. Thank you so much
for coming on our expert on the microphone series.
Speaker 5 (37:41):
Thank you so much for inviting me to learn more.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
You can visit cispa dot com or follow them on
the Gram at Cispera and don't forget. You can find
doctor Kong on the Gram at Future Bright Skin or
at her Manhattan practice, Future Bright Dramatology. You could add
directly to her website at Future Brightdermatology dot com. You're
listening to a moment of zen right here on seven
ten woar the voice of New York iHeartRadio. We'll be
(38:07):
right back after this well.
Speaker 2 (38:08):
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Head to Fintech dot TV slash Invest Fintech dot tv
slash Invest. Welcome back, beautiful Tri State area. You're listening
to a Moment of Zen right here on seven ten.
Woar the voice of neuyik iHeartRadio. I'm your host is Zenzam's.
In the Clean Collective Express segment, brought to you by
Society Brands, we are chatting the pitfalls of microwaving your
(38:48):
food in plastic containers. The FDA has approved certain plastics
as microwaves safe, but that only means the container won't melt,
not that it won't leach chemicals. Research which published in
Environmental Health Perspectives, found that over ninety five percent of
tested plastics, including many labeled as BPA free, still released
(39:10):
estrogenic chemicals when heated. These compounds have been linked to infertility,
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Transfer leftovers to glass or ceramic before reheating. A small
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mind on it. Protect your health one meal at a time.
You're listening to a moment of Zen. I'm your host
(39:32):
Zen Sam's. That was the Clean Collective Express segment brought
to you by Society Brands.
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Speaker 3 (40:07):
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, Zenzam's
Welcome back to the Brain Blueprint segment brought to you
by the Malilo Centers and doctor Robert Mililo.
Speaker 11 (40:22):
Today we're live at headquarters.
Speaker 3 (40:24):
And we're chatting from hopeless to hopeful, breaking barriers in
brain health. We're going to explore how one mother refused
to accept a dire prognosis, discovered doctor Robert Milillo's groundbreaking
brain balance work and helped her daughter Emma thrive against
all odds to set the stage. According to the National
Institutes of Health, an estimated eighty percent of children with
(40:46):
neurological disorders are told their prognosis is limited and that
little progress should be expected. Yet emerging science paints a
much different picture. We know the brain is plastic, it
can adapt, rewire, and it can change, and when we
apply targeted stimulation consistently, breakthroughs become possible.
Speaker 11 (41:07):
Today's guest is doctor Robert Malillo.
Speaker 3 (41:09):
He's a world renowned expert in brain health, especially childhood
and adult neurological disorders. He's a clinician, a professor, brain researcher,
and best selling author of Disconnected Kids. Now joining us
alongside doctor Robert Malillo is Cindy Bloxham. She's a remarkable
mother who has spent the last seven and a half
years rehabilitating her daughter, Emma, who was born with a
(41:31):
severe brain disorder. And after being told in New Zealand
that Emma's case was too severe to improve, Cindy.
Speaker 11 (41:39):
She just refused to give up hope.
Speaker 3 (41:41):
Her journey led her to doctor Robert Malillo and his method,
and today Emma is thriving, a beautiful, joyful, cheeky nine
year old who proves the brain's blueprint can indeed be rewritten.
Welcome to the show, Superstars.
Speaker 12 (41:55):
Yes, thanks, I'm so happy to be here again.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
Of course, So, Cindy, you were told emma condition was
too severe for improvement. But what gave you the strength
to challenge that prognosis and search for answers outside the
traditional system?
Speaker 13 (42:09):
I recall being in this pediotrician's office and she was
all she did was focus on what was wrong with Emma.
And I'm like, oh, okay, so what are we going
to do to help her? And she couldn't answered that question?
And I asked her, I said, could you do me
a favor? Could you tell me when did you get
your degree? And she looked at me complexed, and I said,
(42:30):
you when did you get your degree? And she said
twenty years ago? And I said okay, and do you
know how long ago those books you based your thesis
on were written? And she looked at me. She said,
how Micino that's in England could be eighty two, one
hundred years ago. And I said exactly. I said, you
don't know me, and you don't know my child, and
you don't know the god I save. So you can
(42:50):
take your somewhat diagnosis and you can stick it, because
I'm going to go and find my child the right
help and wonder I'll pop in here and my daughter
will walk in here. And she just looked at me,
and I said, well, thank you, got up, picked my child,
and I walked out. And just like many other mothers
and yourself, like explained earlier, se in you research, you
go and find the answers. And after trying a couple
(43:13):
of therapists in the beginning, I soon found out this
is not what my daughter needed. Nobody's actually explaining what's
going on with Emma's brain, because that's where the issues right.
And I remember I bought a vibration tool of someone
and When I bought it, the person included doctor Mallilo's book,
(43:33):
and I'll never forget. I had the book for like
over six weeks and I didn't get into it yet,
and she kept pestering me, have you read the book?
Have you read the book? And it was a Sunday
evening I started reading the book. I went to bed
at eleven and I couldn't shut off. I was like,
I need to get up, and I got up and
I hate to finish this book. That night I read
it in one go. I found our person and that
(43:55):
led me to New York, all the way from New Zealand.
And it's been four years working with him and neven looking.
Speaker 3 (44:02):
Back, Wow, that's such a powerful example of advocacy. And
the research supports it. Right, Yeah, because a study and
it's serendipitous. There are no coincidences. You were meant to meet.
Speaker 13 (44:14):
Oh, it was written in the stars.
Speaker 11 (44:15):
It was written in the stars.
Speaker 3 (44:16):
And studies show that children whose parents remain actively involved
and you are amos therapist in seeking alternative or even
complementary therapies have up to a forty percent greater chance
of functional improvement compared to those who don't. So your
instinct to ask, what's possible if we try is exactly
what opened the door for Emma's transformation, right, one hundred percent,
(44:38):
Doctor Mililo, you are at the center of this conversation.
What are you thinking right now?
Speaker 12 (44:44):
You know when people out there that they may be
listening to say, wait a second, how come they don't
know what's going on? What was really fascinating was, you know,
there was no obvious signs of anything with em They
did mrize of her brain and his brain was perfect.
The doctor said it was one of the best brains
he ever saw. Genetic testing, everything came up negative. Blood tests,
(45:06):
everything came up negative. But here was a girl who
was profoundly impaired. Like she said, she could only really
barely move one side of her body. And you know
from in the end she was I mean literally when
I first saw her, she was could only crawl on
the ground, like dragging her legs behind her like they
were dead, meaning that this was this little girl, this
(45:26):
is the only way she could ambulate. She couldn't sit up,
she couldn't speak, and nobody knew why. And this was
the whole idea of you know, when you talk about
a functional neurology, a functional neuroscience. What does that mean.
This is the best example of it because there's obviously
something going on that's profound in the brain, but yet
there's no organic illness, there's no injury, there's no genetic mutations. No,
(45:50):
there's nothing really that you can see wrong with the brain.
And that makes it really challenging. And that's been my focus.
And that's when we look at kids with autism severely
pro you know, profoundly impaired, but yet there's nothing wrong
with their brain. There's no genetic mutation, and this is
the mystery of it. And there's very few people that
really understand how the brain works from a functional perspective
(46:14):
and can change that. And that's been my mission.
Speaker 3 (46:17):
Yeah, yeah, now, Emma, I'm sorry, Emma send on your
fourth trip to see doctor Malilo. What specific kinds of
progress have you witnessed in Emma since those early days.
Speaker 13 (46:29):
My very first strap, I got back home and I
had a pediatrician appointment, and Emma's head grows sixteentimeters. She
had something what's the term, doctor milia when a child's.
Speaker 11 (46:39):
Head is really small microph yep, she had that.
Speaker 13 (46:42):
So her brain they stopped growing very early on, and
there hadn't been changed in years. And the fact that
her head had grown sixteenimeters at a very first intensive,
that's scientific proof in real time her brain was growing.
And then fast forward to now and I'll see week
of this intensive, she's doing stuff she couldn't do. Last Monday,
(47:05):
doctor Ty's got her pulling herself up from a seated
to standing position, keeping one she probably doesn't even feel
the bottom of her legs. And yesterday she was showing
off to Dr rob like, hey, look at me. She's
doing She's doing a minute plank, she's doing sit ups.
She always needed assistance with set up, so holding the hands,
(47:26):
she's doing it, no hands. She's doing Superman's over Bosu
ball throwing a ball. And what we're trying to do
is encourage lifting this. But because the back muscles, because
doctor Milli Laiss look at it like this, how do
you expect Emma to walk if her brain can't even
feel her back muscles? Right, So we're stimulating those muscles.
She's doing the neurosage program, which is the brain stimulation program,
(47:51):
and she's got at the moment for the first time,
we switched from left to right because her left brain
had held so much in the last three years working
with doctor Rob and was what's so bad when we
first started. Now it's time to integrate her whole brain.
We're doing bridges and she does it for one hundred
and fifty one hundred and fifty seconds. Most kids can't
(48:13):
even do forty seconds. She's her vestibular. Doctor Milila took
me through her program and her progress and how a
chart is moving in the right direction, some better than others,
and then some she's nailing. But collectively we have progress.
Speaker 12 (48:31):
And I think what's really important is the first thing
she said. When we look at our research and we say,
what is the actual problem. One of the problems is
that there's immaturity of the brain. The brain is being
held back in its growth, and it's partly related to
these things called routine reflexes. And so I always say
to parents, what are we trying to do? Ultimately we're
trying to do is literally get your child's brain to
(48:51):
catch up to where they should be in catch up
to the other area of their networks. Emma's left side
of her brain was even more delayed than a rite.
Her whole brain was delayed and her her head was small,
very small for its age, and they looked at it like, well,
it's never going to change. That's never going to change,
and so we're literally trying to get it to grow
(49:13):
at an accelerated rate. A lot of people say it's impossible.
When the skull and the head grow six centimeters in
a matter of a couple of weeks from where they were.
That means we're getting the brain underneath to grow at
an accelerated, faster than normal rate and try to create
balance in the brain and in the networks in the brain. Really,
which is the root cause, because we're always trying to
(49:34):
get to the root cause.
Speaker 3 (49:35):
Yeah, what you're saying is really extraordinary. Let's move on, So, Cindy,
you've been open about Emma's journey on social media.
Speaker 11 (49:42):
You have a profile setup.
Speaker 3 (49:44):
Emma Bums Journey Emma Bum's Journey. Why was it important
for you to share publicly and what kind of response
have you received from other families.
Speaker 13 (49:53):
The biggest thing Game has told me so far is
big glass of full Look at her. She's got a
complex list of what is not going well for her,
but she's the happiest little child.
Speaker 11 (50:04):
You're ever going to meet.
Speaker 13 (50:05):
So that's how I live my life, and I want
to see a positive outlook and I want parents to
go actually look, put the hard work in, gain the benefits.
Speaker 11 (50:14):
He's no easy road.
Speaker 13 (50:15):
I remember when I first met Dr Rob. He says,
you know a lot of people always say to me,
when is my child going to talk? When is my
child going to walk? And he goes, how long is
a piece of strange? If I had that answer, I'd
give it to you. But it all depends on the
amount of work you're going to put in back home.
And if you look at me, I'm seven and a
half years in and if he told me when you
first met me could be ten years, I'd be like,
(50:36):
how that's you know, that's a big commitment. But I
see why now and I look at her and she
is a picture of health. We discovered last year. Doctor
Mililo's offers Emma can fully read even though traditional doctors
set my child's brain disorder so severe and her global
developmental delay is so severe that she was stuck as
(50:57):
a newborn, and that's going to be her for the
rest of her life. And it actually facts, she's probably
smarter than us. They's so much more to them, and
this is coming back to my page. I want us
to stop focusing on what's wrong with them. Our kids
are not broken. We're not yet to fix them. We're
year to help them on the journey, equip them, to
(51:17):
get them to the best of the ability, and tap
into your kid's gifts. These kids are amazing.
Speaker 11 (51:24):
Beautiful, beautiful.
Speaker 3 (51:25):
While we were at the end of our date, my friends,
what an extraordinary and deeply educational conversation.
Speaker 11 (51:29):
I mean, Cindy, thank you for sharing.
Speaker 3 (51:31):
Thank you. I'm having an aspiring journey and giving hope
to so many parents. And of course doctor Mililo, thank
you for your groundbreaking work and showing us that the
brain's blueprint is not fixed, it can be rewritten. And
then then that's the biggest takeaway from me.
Speaker 11 (51:44):
So thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (51:45):
And for those of you listening, you can follow Emma's
story directly on the gram at Emma Bum's Journey. You
can connect with Cindy personally on her profile page on
the ground a blocky seventy eight, and to learn more
about doctor Robert Milillo and his work, you could head
directly to this website at Dorobertmilillo dot com. This has
been our brain Blueprint segment and the expert on the
(52:05):
Microphone series.
Speaker 11 (52:06):
Right here on a moment of Zen.
Speaker 3 (52:08):
Stay tuned.
Speaker 11 (52:09):
We'll be right back after this.
Speaker 3 (52:10):
On seven ten WR, the Voice of New York iHeartRadio,
A Moment.
Speaker 2 (52:14):
Of Zen is brought to you by your Home TV
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Speaker 3 (52:50):
That's a rap beautiful tri state area. You've been listening
to a moment of Zen right here on seven ten WAR,
the Voice of New York iHeartRadio. I'm your host, Zenzan.
We'll be back next week. Also remember that we're live
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