Lillian McDermott

It's so easy to look around and measure our lives against what we see in others, their success, their happiness, their progress. Then we quietly wonder why we're not there yet. But comparisons often pull us away from our own story and into a narrative that was never meant for us. When we pause and turn inward, we begin to see that our path, with all its twists and turns, holds meaning that cannot be replicated or replaced. True peace comes not from keeping up, but from showing up as we are, fully and authentically. I will share what will shift in our lives if we stop comparing and start embracing our own journey?

Hormones influence nearly every aspect of how we feel, from energy levels and mood to metabolism and overall well-being. World-renowned New York Times bestselling author, professor, researcher, activist, and musician, Neal Barnard, MD, of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, has spent decades studying how nutrition and lifestyle choices can support the body's natural hormonal balance. It's important to understand how food, stress, and daily habits interact with the endocrine system. When we do, we can begin to see that many hormone-related struggles may be more responsive to change in those areas than we once believed. Dr. Barnard will share how the body naturally regulates hormones and empowers us to make choices that support balance, vitality, and long-term health.

There are seasons in life when we find ourselves moving through the days on autopilot, checking the boxes, meeting expectations, and yet feeling a quiet longing for something more. Not more things, but more meaning, more alignment, more action, more truth. Creating a vision for your life isn't about control or perfection; it's about pausing long enough to listen within and asking yourself, "How do I accomplish my more?" I will share how when we give ourselves permission to dream with intention, we will act with clarity. It is time to feel like we are consciously creating our life. What would change if you allowed yourself to envision a life that truly reflects your heart?

Trauma can leave lasting imprints on the brain, influencing how we process stress, emotions, and even everyday experiences. John Silva, DC, has spent years helping people understand how neurofeedback can support the brain's natural ability to regulate itself and heal from these patterns. When the brain is given real-time feedback about its activity, it can begin to shift away from survival responses and toward healthier, more balanced functioning. Dr. Silva will share how this non-invasive approach helps calm the nervous system, improve emotional resilience, and support those seeking to move beyond trauma and reclaim greater clarity, stability, and peace.

Complaints often come naturally, especially when life feels challenging. But complaining can reinforce stress, negativity, and disconnection. When not prompted to write a positive review, we are 60% to 70% more likely to write a negative review. What causes anger to prompt more action than sharing a positive experience? Practicing praise rewires our attention toward gratitude, hope, and constructive action. By noticing opportunities for appreciation, in people, in situations, or even within ourselves, we transform daily frustrations into moments of growth and positivity. I will share how turning complaints into praise allows us to reclaim our energy, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a mindset that attracts more of what we value and love.

Our bodies often hold onto emotions long after the moment that created them has passed. Stress, grief, trauma, and even unspoken thoughts can become stored tension, quietly influencing how we feel, move, and respond to life. Recall Healing and Mindbody medicine expert Michelle LaMasa-Dawson, PhD, has recently discovered Human Garage, a new technique to move emotions beyond talk therapy. When emotions are allowed to surface and clear naturally, the nervous system can reset, creating space for clarity, balance, and renewed vitality. This approach invites us to listen to the wisdom of the body and experience healing not by force, but through permission and presence. Dr Michelle will share how Human Garage maneuvers can help the body release trapped emotions through gentle, intentional movement and awareness… The results are fascinating!

Letting go is a practice that touches every part of our lives, from relationships and expectations to habits and past regrets. Have you ever reflected on how release creates room… room for peace, joy, and renewed purpose. When we pause, reflect, and intentionally choose what to hold onto and what to release, we free ourselves from the weight of resentment, fear, and self-limiting beliefs. I will share how learning the art of letting go empowers us to live more fully, to cultivate deeper relationships, and to align our daily choices with our highest values.

Imagine a 20-minute workout delivering the benefits of four hours! Maintaining strength, mobility, and longevity doesn't have to take hours each day. Krisztina Schmidt, co-founder of the VisionBody Suit, has seen firsthand how just 20 minutes, twice a week, can transform posture, alignment, and muscle engagement. By making small adjustments and practicing consistently, we can boost energy, confidence, and body awareness, empowering us to move better and live more fully at any age. Krisztina will show how using the VisionBody Suit mindfully can strengthen key muscle groups, improve balance and coordination, reduce cellulite, and support long-term health and mobility.

The Resurrection is often remembered as a miraculous moment in history. Yet its meaning reaches far beyond a single event. It represents the promise that renewal, restoration, and hope are always possible, even in the darkest seasons of life. When we reflect on the deeper message of the Resurrection, we are reminded that transformation begins within our heart and mind. Choosing forgiveness over resentment, faith over fear, and love over division allows us to live the message of renewal each day. I will share how by embracing the power of the Resurrection in our own lives, we discover that healing, purpose, and new beginnings are never out of reach.

Healing is never just physical. It's emotional, mental, and spiritual as well. Lisa Tarantino, CFNC, has learned this from firsthand experience. Now, she helps her clients explore how suppressed emotions can create stress responses in the body that interfere with healing, energy, and resilience. Lisa will share how unresolved emotional patterns may show up as inflammation, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, or chronic symptoms. She will share why acknowledging emotions is not a weakness, but a pathway to restoration. This conversation will be a gentle reminder that true healing often begins when we feel safe enough to listen to what our bodies have been trying to say all along.

We all encounter difficult people at some point in our lives. How we respond to them often reveals more about our own emotional health than theirs. It's easy to feel triggered, defensive, or even powerless when someone behaves in ways that feel disrespectful, confrontational, or dismissive. Yet these moments can become powerful opportunities to grow in patience, boundaries, and self-awareness. When we learn to pause, respond thoughtfully, and remain grounded in our values, we begin to shift the dynamic from frustration to empowerment. I will share how understanding how to navigate these relationships with clarity, compassion, and healthy limits can transform difficult encounters into lessons that strengthen our character and deepen our inner peace.

Brain health isn't something we need to wait to address in a doctor's office; it's something we can observe, track, and improve from home. John Silva, DC, knows firsthand how insights from brain diagnostics can reveal cognitive patterns, stress responses, and nervous system function. And this can be done all from the place where we often feel most comfortable, our home. When we understand these signals, we're better equipped to make supportive lifestyle choices that enhance mental clarity and long-term brain wellness. Dr. Silva shares how recognizing early signs of imbalance can empower us to strengthen focus, reduce cognitive decline, and live with a clearer, healthier, more resilient mind, without waiting for an office appointment.

The voices in our head are always speaking, often influencing how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Some are rooted in past experiences, fear, or conditioning. While others offer wisdom, intuition, and truth. When we don't pause to question these inner messages, they can quietly run our lives, fueling self-doubt, stress, and disconnection. By learning to recognize where these voices come from and how they shape our thoughts and reactions, we gain the power to respond with awareness instead of habit. I will share how choosing to rewrite the story can lead us to compassion, curiosity, and truth which allows us to create inner peace, strengthen confidence, and live with greater clarity and intention.

I have had many healthcare professionals share the dangerous side effects of GLP-1s. But, when Thomas Levy, MD, JD, a world-renowned cardiologist and expert in integrative medicine, wrote an article on this topic, I am ready to learn more. GLP-1 medications have opened new doors for people struggling with metabolic imbalance. Yet medication alone rarely tells the whole story of healing. Dr. Levy's research showed him how vitamin C, a foundational nutrient essential for cellular energy, immune resilience, and vascular health, may complement GLP-1 therapy. It supports the body at a deeper biochemical level. Rather than viewing GLP-1 as a standalone solution, Dr. Levy will teach us how vitamin C, along with intelligent nutritional support, can help protect the body, enhance outcomes, and promote long-term vitality while using a GLP-1 option.

Respectful disagreement is becoming a lost art. Yet it may be one of the most powerful tools for healing our families, friendships, and communities. Recently, I was attacked on my personal Facebook page for my beliefs. I was insulted, accused, and shamed simply for having a different perspective. That experience became a profound eye-opener, highlighting how essential respect is when differences in opinion, affiliation, or belief arise. It was clear that some people default to name-calling and accusations rather than asking thoughtful questions or creating space for an open exchange of ideas. This leads us to some important questions. How can we speak truth without hostility? How can we listen without defensiveness? And how can we remain grounded in love even when opinions differ? I will share how learning to pause, reflect, and choosing connection over conflict can become a pathway to understanding, healing, and genuine connection.

For anyone who has lived with chronic pain, especially after being told it is "incurable," the emotional toll can be just as heavy as the physical symptoms. Labels like Fibromyalgia, IBS, migraines, or other misunderstood syndromes, often come with frustration, isolation, and a sense of finality. Yet science continues to show us that the brain and nervous system are far more adaptable than once believed. Steven LaTulippe, MD, has spent over two decades helping his patients rethink what central pain truly is and how inflammation and neural signaling play a role. Understanding pain differently can change outcomes and quality of life. Dr. LaTulippe will teach us how to restore dignity, curiosity, and possibility for those who have been told there are no answers left.

Love is not just an emotion; it is a condition of the heart and a daily choice. Over the years, I've learned that many of us are generous in loving others, yet hesitant to receive love ourselves. This is often because of past hurt, rejection, or fears that have not been acknowledged or addressed. Is it easy for you to love? Is it harder for you to accept love? Why are we afraid of a functional or healthy relationship? I reflect on what it means to soften, to remain open, and to trust love again. This is not something we earn, but something we are created for. I will share how when we answer the call to love and be loved, we begin to heal at a deeper level, allowing connection, compassion, and grace to transform how we see ourselves and how we show up for others.

Neuro-inflammation is one of the most overlooked contributors to cognitive decline, emotional imbalance, and neurological stress. Yet not many know this could be happening to them. John Silva, DC, is a leading expert in neurofeedback and brain optimization. In past classes he has broken down how inflammation in the brain disrupts communication, energy, and overall function. Many people experience symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, poor memory, and lack of focus, thinking this is what happens when we age. Dr. Silva will teach us the common inflammatory triggers, the connection between the nervous system and overall health, and practical strategies that support the brain's ability to regulate, repair, and thrive. It is our goal that all who listen will feel empowered to recognize early signals and take intentional steps toward protecting their brain health naturally and proactively.

Being kind to your enemy is one of the most countercultural and healing choices we can make. I've come to understand that kindness does not mean approval, passivity, or self-betrayal. It means refusing to allow resentment, anger, or bitterness to take root within us. When we choose kindness, paired with healthy boundaries, we reclaim our peace and protect our emotional and physical well-being. I will share how this kind of living invites freedom, clarity, and strength, reminding us that how we respond to others ultimately shapes our own health, mindset, and capacity to live fully.

Some of the most challenging health journeys begin after patients are told their case is "too complex" or "beyond help." Claire Stagg, DDS, has devoted her work to resolving cases no one else would take by examining the mouth as a critical gateway to whole-body health. Through her integrative and biologically informed approach, she addresses hidden infections, dental materials, inflammation, and systemic stressors that are often overlooked. Dr. Stagg's work reminds us that healing requires curiosity, collaboration, and the willingness to ask deeper questions, especially when conventional answers fall short.