The Debbie Nigro Show

Hosted by Debbie Nigro

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Oct 2026

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Nobody sees the glass of Cabernet half full like Debbie. She is fresh air with a magnetic flare. Debbie was the winner of the prestigious 'Best Nationally Syndicated Talk Show of The Year' – three years in a row, from American Women in Radio and Television. Risk it or Regret it!

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October 14, 202643 min

Keeping the 'Live' in Alive! "Capability' the new Longevity Trend, Tried BARRE?, 'Tea Tourism'?, Help for "Zippy" Kids, Smell Chocolate Exercise Better? & More

"Keeping the 'Live' in Alive!" Wellness Wednesday | October 7, 2026 | The Debbie Nigro Show (Full Show) Hey there guys ...I'm on a 30-day challenge to get myself moving more, eating better, and holding myself accountable. Apparently, telling myself I'll start tomorrow while eating more bread wasn't working. I've failed multiple times already but pressing on, and forgiving myself regularly, making a little progress and forcing myself to try new things. I even tried a BARRE class. You know, the one with the ballet bar? I used to be a ballerina, (albeit a chubby little one) so I figured, how hard could it be? Let's just say I BARRE-LY made it down the stairs afterward. But hey, I'm trying! And that's what Keeping the 'Live' in Alive! is all about. This week's show had some terrific food for thought, fascinating research, a wonderful guest, and a few things that just made me smile. Meet Dr. Katie: Helping Kids Feel Comfortable Being Themselves My special guest, Dr. Katie Prince Ferreira , is an educator, special education expert, mom of two autistic children, and creator of Regulated and Ready Learning and the adorable Zippy children's book series. Her mission? Helping children with autism and sensory challenges understand their feelings, regulate their bodies, communicate their needs, and feel proud of who they are. One of the most important things she said really stayed with me. The goal isn't necessarily to make children blend in. It's to help them feel comfortable in their own skin and become the best versions of themselves. I love that. We talked about recognizing early signs of autism, sensory overload, social challenges, and simple tools that can help children feel safe and understood. And the story of how her daughter inspired the little character Zippy is just wonderful. Her books and resources are available in English and Spanish, and I think parents, grandparents, teachers, and therapists will find this conversation especially valuable. Dr. Katie's resources: Regulated and Ready Learning on Linktr.ee. It includes her children's books, educational resources, and social-media pages. More of her resources for teachers on teacherspayteachers.com under 'Special Education Resources'. Could New Research Offer Hope for Severe Autism? I also shared a fascinating report about an experimental treatment being studied by Yamo Pharmaceuticals, including one father's account of dramatic improvements in his son's severe autism symptoms. It's an intriguing area of research, although early reports aren't proof of a miracle treatment. More clinical evidence is needed. The New Longevity Goal? Capability! Here's a word I really like: Capability. More people are focusing on staying strong, mobile, balanced, and independent rather than simply adding more birthdays. I'm right there with them! My 30-day challenge includes aiming for 8,000 steps a day and taking more exercise classes. Eight thousand steps is a stretch for me, but I'm giving it a shot. And here's more motivation: Researchers studying breast cancer survivors found that exercise may help slow certain biological markers of aging. As a grateful breast cancer survivor myself, I found that especially encouraging. The takeaway? Move your body. Walk. Dance. Stretch. Do something! What Really Happens When You Fast for Seven Days? Scientists studying prolonged fasting discovered that significant changes occur throughout the body, with some of the most interesting effects emerging after approximately three days without food. Researchers are investigating whether understanding those changes might someday lead to new treatments. Interesting science! Not a recommendation to stop eating for a week, though. Prolonged fasting can carry risks and isn't something to try without medical guidance. Personally, I love food too much. And bread and I are currently negotiating our relationship. Smell Chocolate. Exercise Better? WHAT? Now THIS study got my attention. Researchers found that men who smelled chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, were able to complete more leg-extension repetitions without feeling that they were working harder. Apparently, food aromas may influence motivation and physical performance. They only studied men. Maybe they figured the women would eat the chocolate before they had a chance to smell it. LOL. Glow-in-the-Dark Adventures Are Trending! People are increasingly interested in travel experiences that combine nature, wonder, wellness, and adventure. One especially fun trend? Bioluminescent beaches! Imagine walking along a shoreline where the water glows at night. In fact, searches for bioluminescent beaches have reportedly jumped 400% over the past year! Add mineral springs, restorative nature retreats, wellness hotels, and glamping, and you've got a whole new way to vacation. I'm all for anything that gets people out experiencing something magical. Move Over, Wine Tourism. Here Comes Tea! Another trend I discovered is travel tea . Apparently, serious tea lovers are bringing their own favorite teas, portable infusers, and little brewing kits wherever they go. And then there's tea tourism ! People are actually planning trips to tea-growing regions to visit plantations, learn how tea is made, enjoy tastings, and experience traditional tea ceremonies. Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka, and other tea-growing destinations are part of this growing interest. Who knew tea could become an adventure? One More Thought: The Voices We Love I also shared a little brainstorm about something close to my heart: the power of a familiar voice. I was touched by a story about a man who wanted to preserve his late wife's voicemail greeting so he could continue hearing her voice. It made me think about how precious the voices of people we love really are. More on that idea another day! My Daily Toast "Maybe keeping the 'Live' in Alive isn't about how many birthdays you have. It's about making sure you're strong enough, curious enough, and adventurous enough to enjoy them." — Debbie Nigro That's my mission, and I'm sticking to it! Here's to staying curious, moving more, learning something new, and making the most of this wonderfully ridiculous thing called life. Catch " Keeping the 'Live' in Alive!" every Wellness Wednesday on The Debbie Nigro Show, NY/CT WGCH 1490 AM / or hit Listen Live from anywhere at WGCH.com - find more conversations, podcasts, and Debservations™ at DebbieNigro.com

October 14, 202615 min

Meet Dr. Katie and Zippy! Helping Kids With Autism Feel Comfortable in Their Own Skin

A Wellness Wednesday Conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show Sometimes you meet somebody by chance and realize they have something important to share with the world. That's what happened when I met Dr. Katie Prince Ferreira , affectionately known as Dr. Katie, through my daughter at the gym. I liked her immediately. Then I learned about her incredible background in special education, her two young autistic children, and the wonderful books she's creating to help kids understand themselves. I knew I wanted her on my show! Dr. Katie has spent more than 20 years in education and holds a doctorate in special education with a focus on autism and intellectual disabilities. But even with all that professional knowledge, becoming the mother of two autistic children gave her a whole new perspective. Our conversation was fascinating, heartwarming, and incredibly educational. And I asked her some questions I think a lot of parents and grandparents probably have. How Did You Know Your Children Had Autism? Dr. Katie's response? "That's an excellent question." She explained that her daughter initially seemed like any other baby. But as she grew, Katie noticed she wasn't speaking, didn't always make eye contact, and had sensitivities to certain clothing and textures. Katie began teaching her sign language and eventually sought speech therapy and other support services. Today, her daughter is four and talks a mile a minute! Which led me to my next question. Now That She's Talking, What Are Her Challenges? "That's a great question," Katie said. She explained that social communication and sensory regulation are still important challenges. Her daughter loves other children and wants friends but doesn't automatically understand some of the unwritten social rules that other kids seem to pick up naturally. How do you join a group? Tell someone they're too close? Leave a game when you don't want to play anymore? These are skills Katie helps her children learn. Meet Zippy! The Little Character Born From a Big Feeling One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing how Zippy came to life. In Katie's house, being "Zippy" means having so much energy that your body just can't seem to stop moving. One day, while reading a book about emotions, her daughter announced, "Mommy, Zippy's not in the book." So they drew a little green fuzzy character, taped him into the book, and Zippy was born! That little character inspired a growing collection of children's books and educational resources called Regulated and Ready Learning . I love that! How Do You Tell the Difference Between Autism and ADHD? Another question I had, especially when children seem to have endless energy. Katie's response? "Good question." She explained that autism and ADHD can occur together, and that sensory regulation is about helping a child feel comfortable and calm in their own body. Sometimes movement is exactly what a child needs. Pushing a laundry basket, climbing, jumping, or other physical activities can help some children regulate their bodies so they're better able to communicate, concentrate, and learn. And every child is different. Do Children Eventually Learn to Blend In? This was another question I really wanted answered. As children grow, can they learn to manage their challenges well enough to blend in with everybody else? Katie said, "It's a great question." And then she gave an answer I absolutely loved. "The goal isn't necessarily to blend in and fit in. The goal is to feel comfortable in your own skin and to become the best version of yourself that you can." WOW. That really stayed with me. I'm not much of a blender-inner myself, so I get that. LOL. Katie explained that the goal is to help children recognize what they're feeling, understand what they need, and feel confident asking for it. Maybe it's headphones when a room gets too noisy. Maybe it's saying, "I need space." Maybe it's asking a trusted adult for help. The point is to help children feel understood, capable, and proud of who they are. Books That Help Children Feel Seen Dr. Katie has created 13 books, including her Zippy series, with many available in both English and Spanish. They're designed for parents, grandparents, teachers, and therapists to read with children. She also creates practical educational materials to help with everything from making friends to managing sensory challenges. And she shared something else that touched me. Some autistic children work so hard to hold themselves together during the school day that they come home emotionally exhausted. Katie has taken time away from teaching to be there when her own children need that safe place to decompress. There's a lot of love behind this work. I told Katie I think every teacher of young children should know about her books. Because sometimes the best ideas come from somebody recognizing a need and deciding to do something about it. And that's exactly what she's doing. And How Does Dr. Katie Relax? With all this going on, I had to ask! Her answer? Dance parties with her kids and reading in her hammock. Two very different sports, I told her. I'm volunteering for the next dance party. LOL. I hope you'll take a few minutes to listen to our conversation. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, educator, or simply someone who wants to better understand children who experience the world differently, I think you'll learn something valuable. And you'll meet a very special woman doing some very special work. LISTEN TO MY CONVERSATION WITH DR. KATIE Explore Dr. Katie's Books and Educational Resources: For Families on Linktr.ee.com 'Regulated and Ready Learning' For Teachers: on TeachersPayTeachers.com - Special Education Resources Her books are on Amazon.com too. Because every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and loved exactly as they are. Keep the 'Live' in Alive! — Debbie Nigro The Debbie Nigro Show | Wellness Wednesday | 11-12noon EST /WGCH NY/CT 1490 AM / Hit 'Listen Live' Online at WGCH.com

September 29, 202642 min

Bears, Brains, Creatine & a Little Adventure: "Keeping the LIVE in Alive"! Just Another Wellness Wednesday!

What good is living longer if we're not living well while we're here? That's pretty much the whole idea behind my Wellness Wednesday show, Keeping the 'Live' in Alive! Every week I go poking around for interesting things that might help us feel better, stay stronger, keep our brains working, have more fun, connect with other humans — and maybe learn something we didn't know yesterday. And this past week? I covered everything from fat bears in Alaska to creatine, younger brains, cellular "battery swaps," cold calls and why we all need a little more adventure. Fat Bear Week Is Down to the Final Two — and I'm Following This Yes, this is actually a thing — and I love it. Every year, Alaska's Katmai National Park celebrates its brown bears as they bulk up before hibernation. People around the world follow the bears on live cameras at Explore.org and vote during Fat Bear Week . Millions of people have gotten hooked on watching these magnificent creatures catch salmon, raise their cubs and basically eat like there's no tomorrow — because for hibernation purposes, there kind of isn't. September 29, is the Fat Bear Week 2026 FINAL. The final two are Bear #89 "Backpack" vs. Bear #910 . Backpack narrowly beat #164 "Bucky Dent," while #910 defeated #132 and her three cubs in yesterday's semifinals. My engineer Bob pulled up the live bear cam while I was on the air and suddenly, we were watching bears fishing for lunch during my radio show. Too bad it isn't that easy for humans to pick up some salmon for dinner. LOL HOW DO YOU WARM UP A COLD CALL WHEN NOBODY GIVES YOU A NUMBER TO CALL? Remember when you actually called somebody you wanted to do business with? Now we have LinkedIn, email, texts, DMs, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, contact forms, Calendly links — and somehow with ALL these ways to communicate, it sometimes feels harder than ever to actually connect . My conclusion? Relationships are everything. And being older has an advantage: we've had more time to put good people "in the bank." But you still must make new relationships. My advice: Be human. Be warm. Have some personality. Use somebody's name. Tell them why you thought of them. And for heaven's sake, if you're pitching somebody, include your full name, company, phone number and website! Please don't make me conduct a small FBI investigation to figure out who you are. LOL. And if somebody doesn't respond? Give them the benefit of the doubt and follow up. Your brilliant message may simply be sitting in their junk folder. A RARE GLP-1 VISION CONCERN WORTH KNOWING ABOUT One health story really caught my attention. A 66-year-old woman who had been taking Wegovy reported suddenly losing vision in one eye and was diagnosed with a rare condition called NAION , sometimes described as a type of "stroke" of the optic nerve. The possible connection between semaglutide drugs and NAION is being studied, and the show discussion noted that researchers have not established that GLP-1 medications caused this individual case . The condition has been described as a very rare potential risk, and the overall benefits of these medications may still greatly outweigh the risk for appropriate patients. Still, it's information worth knowing — and worth discussing with your own doctor, especially if you experience any sudden vision changes. CAN EXERCISE ACTUALLY HELP KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNGER? We know exercise helps the heart, muscles, bones and waistline. But what about your brain? I talked about new research involving postmenopausal women suggesting that regular aerobic exercise may improve executive function and measures associated with brain health. So maybe we need to stop thinking about exercise only as something we do to look younger . Maybe we should be moving to help our brains stay younger. Now that motivates me. CREATINE ISN'T JUST FOR BODYBUILDERS ANYMORE This one surprised me. I've always associated creatine with my daughter, son-in-law and people pumping iron at the gym. Apparently, I need to update my thinking. Research is increasingly looking at creatine in connection with muscle preservation, strength, healthy aging and potentially brain health . And maintaining muscle becomes incredibly important as we get older — particularly during weight loss, when we don't want to lose valuable lean tissue along with the fat. My takeaway? Creatine has officially made it onto my "I need to learn more about this" list. CELLS GIVING OTHER CELLS NEW "BATTERIES"? This may have been the coolest science story of the show. Stanford Medicine researchers have been studying how healthy cells from bone marrow transplants can transfer mitochondria — essentially the energy-producing machinery inside our cells — to unhealthy neighboring cells. Think of it as one cell saying: "Hey, your battery is dying. Here — take mine." Obviously, the actual science is a whole lot more complicated than that, LOL, but the research could have implications for certain rare mitochondrial diseases. Every time I read something like this, I'm reminded how many brilliant people are out there trying to solve problems that once seemed impossible. "MOVEMENT LONGEVITY" — NOW THERE'S A PHRASE I LIKE Jennifer Aniston has been talking about something called movement longevity — shifting the conversation about fitness away from punishment and appearance and toward something much more important: Staying capable. Strength. Mobility. Stability. Being able to get up, get out, travel, carry things, bend down, play with the grandkids and keep doing the things that make your life YOUR life. I've changed my own thinking about exercise lately. Some days I just tell myself: MOVE. Get away from the computer. Get outside. Walk. Stretch. Do something. Because the goal isn't simply looking better. The goal is staying in the game. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD AN ADVENTURE? I believe adventure belongs in the wellness prescription. There's growing interest in the connection between outdoor adventure, nature, physical challenges, social connection and our physical and psychological well-being. And adventure doesn't have to mean climbing the Matterhorn. Although one of my best friends seems to be somewhere around the world doing exactly that every time she sends me another photo. LOL. It could mean riding your bike on a trail. Going somewhere you've never been. Taking the longer drive. Making a left instead of the right you always make. Trying something that pushes you just a little beyond your comfort zone. We even talked about Survivor . Strip away the TV drama and think about what's happening: unfamiliar environments, problem-solving, teamwork, physical challenges, adapting under pressure and figuring things out with other human beings. That's a pretty good recipe for keeping your brain — and your life — engaged. THE DAILY TOAST I ended the show with this thought: Here's to never getting too old to try something new, go somewhere different or surprise yourself. You don't need to be on Survivor to have an adventure. You just need to keep saying YES to life. Here's to Keeping the 'Live' in Alive! Cheers, my friends. Onward! Debbie

September 16, 202613 min

The Longest Table: Bring an Open Mind and Be Ready To Talk To Somebody New

Sometimes changing the world starts with simply sitting down and talking to somebody you don't know. That's why I loved talking with Marty Shapiro, owner and publisher of City Lifestyle Magazine , and the force behind bringing The Longest Table , to Stamford, Connecticut. The idea began in Manhattan after the pandemic, when a couple put a bridge table outside their home and invited people walking by to sit down, share some food and talk about what they'd been through. That little table grew into something much bigger. Today, Longest Table events have spread to more than 50 U.S. cities and internationally , all built around one wonderfully uncomplicated idea: bring people together over food and conversation. And talk about BIG: Marty shared that a similar Longest Table-style gathering recently held in Romania brought together 20,000 people and set a Guinness record for the longest table! Now Marty is bringing Connecticut's first Longest Table to Mill River Park in Stamford , hoping to welcome 500+ people. It's free. You bring your own food and drink — maybe your grandmother's meatballs or your mother's lasagna — pull up a chair and meet somebody you might never have met otherwise. In a city where Marty says 72 languages are spoken in the school district , food becomes a wonderful cultural connector. And this isn't supposed to be a food festival. The main attraction is conversation. You might meet a new friend. A neighbor. A business connection. Someone from another generation or culture. Or somebody who's been feeling isolated and simply needed a reason to get out of the house. That especially resonated with me because after COVID I wrote How to Talk to Strangers: Advice from a Professional Stranger Talker for exactly the same reason: I wanted people to start connecting with each other again. Because for all the technology connecting us these days, there's still nothing quite as powerful as two human beings sitting across from one another and having a real conversation. I think the beautiful message behind The Longest Table says it best: Turn strangers into neighbors — and neighbors into friends. Now THAT is my kind of table. The Longest Table — Stamford Saturday, September 19 | Noon–2 PM Mill River Park, Stamford, CT Free and open to the community. Bring your own food, bring the kids — and most importantly, bring an open mind and be ready to talk to somebody new.

September 10, 202613 min

An "Anti-Diet Dietitian" Took Me Virtual Grocery Shopping. Here's What She Put in My Cart.

What if the secret to eating better isn't another diet — but changing the way you think about food? That's the refreshing philosophy of Meg Marie O'Rourke, RD-LDN , the self-described "Anti-Diet Dietitian" behind Harmony With Food. Meg joined me on The Debbie Nigro Show for a fun, eye-opening conversation about food noise, muscle, metabolism, ultra-processed foods, sneaky marketing — and what she thinks we should be putting in our supermarket carts. Her big message? Stop obsessing over diets and start paying attention to what your body needs. Meg points out that maintaining muscle matters enormously as we age because more muscle supports a healthier metabolism . She's concerned that restrictive dieting — and rapid weight loss without adequate nutrition and strength support — can mean losing valuable muscle along with fat. We also tackled the big, processed food conversation. Meg makes an important distinction: processed doesn't automatically mean unhealthy. Frozen vegetables and beans, for example, can be processed and still be nutritious. Her bigger concern is ultra-processed foods loaded with added sugars, dyes, additives and other ingredients you probably wouldn't find in your kitchen . ( …but that you might find in my car! Oh boy! ) Meg's "Put It in the Cart" Five Think berries, leafy greens, wild-caught salmon, fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir, and real sources of protein such as chicken, turkey, eggs and beans. Her point: good nutrition doesn't have to be complicated or wildly expensive. And what would she put back ? Sugary cereals, heavily processed snack foods and so-called "health" drinks that may be hiding lots of sugar or artificial sweeteners behind clever marketing. Meg's advice is to look beyond the buzzwords on the front of the package. And because no conversation with me about food could end completely normally, we also discussed my latest middle-of-the-night discovery: Pickle juice for leg cramps! Yes, I've actually stood in my kitchen drinking pickle juice straight from the jar in the middle of the night. LOL. That's what my pal "mo" told me to do. Strangely enough…it seems to work for me. We talked about why there may actually be something behind that little trick! It all fits perfectly with what "Keeping the 'Live' in Alive!" is about: not just adding more years to our lives but putting more LIFE into the years we've got. Listen to my full conversation with Meg Marie O'Rourke and maybe take her along — virtually — on your next trip through the supermarket.

September 8, 202643 min

Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive! Playing The Field with AI, Separate Blankets, Flaming Laptops, Slime & Life's Best Detours

You know my philosophy: We're not here just to exist. We're here to do more' LIVIN' while we're here. This Wellness Wednesday episode took us all over the place — AI, better sleep, flaming laptops, relationship deal-breakers, lifeguard shortages, extreme travel adventures, SLIME...and a reminder that sometimes the things that go completely wrong become the stories you remember forever. I'm Playing the AI Field I thought ChatGPT and I were getting pretty serious. We spent hours together. Then it started misbehaving — changing my photos, turning me into other people and even giving me an extra finger. I decided maybe we shouldn't be exclusive. Then someone told me, "You should try Claude." Mind you I was already involved with Gemini. So apparently, at this stage of my life, I'm dating multiple AI platforms and refusing to commit. They all offer something different — and AI is opening possibilities I never imagined. So maybe technology and dating have the same rule: Stay curious. Keep your options open. And don't commit unless you really want to. Could Two Blankets Save Your Relationship? The Scandinavians may have figured something out. One bed. Two people. Two separate duvets. Because one person is freezing, the other is sweating, somebody steals the covers and eventually: "I love you. You snore. I gotta go." The Scandinavian Sleep Method lets everybody control their own covers without moving into separate bedrooms. Honestly, this may be cheaper than couple's therapy Oh Goody Another Recall This time it was alfalfa sprouts. My reaction? "If they recall one more thing, I'm just going to gag." Check the latest FDA alerts before eating what's lurking in your refrigerator. Apparently now sprouts are suspicious too. Your Laptop Can Actually Catch Fire A laptop caught fire aboard an American Airlines flight, sending smoke through the cabin and reminding us that lithium-ion batteries can overheat. Translation: if your phone or laptop is getting unusually HOT, don't ignore it. And maybe stop burying the laptop in a blanket on the couch. "We gotta change our habits." What Counts as Cheating in 2026? Apparently, physical cheating isn't the only cheating anymore. Flirtatious texting. Secret late-night conversations. Dating apps "just to look." Deleted messages. Secret communication with an ex. Even the infamous "work spouse" raised eyebrows in a recent survey. My highly sophisticated relationship advice? "Don't do those things." Where Are the Lifeguards? Warm weather isn't finished just because the calendar says summer is ending. But lifeguard coverage at some beaches is. I've talked about the lifeguard shortage before because this isn't just about fun — it's about safety. If you're heading to the beach during these beautiful late-summer weeks, check whether lifeguards are actually on duty before jumping in. If you want to check out becoming a lifeguard – Lord knows we could all use you. Adventure Is Great. Vacation Risks Are Not. A very tragic and sad story about a French tourist who died in the U.S. after being stranded in extreme Death Valley heat was a serious reminder that when we're someplace unfamiliar, we can't let vacation brain take over. Go places. Explore. Take the trip! But know where you're going, carry water, understand the conditions and respect Mother Nature. Please Plan ahead. "Whatever Looked Wet on the Postcards — We Were Going There." Talking about driving through the desert reminded me of one of my own adventures. Dave and I were once driving a long stretch through the Mojave Desert in 116-plus-degree heat from Las Vegas heading to an Airbnb in a place called Idyllwild, CA when our Airbnb host called: Fire. Don't come. So there we were, stranded in the middle of the desert halfway to oour destination after driving 3/12 hours with no plan B. We stopped at the Barstow Outlets which had a Travel Welcome Center and developed a new travel strategy: Whatever looked wet and cool on the postcards — we were going there. The ride was very long to the cool wet postcard place, and it was VERY hot even at night. When it got very late and very dark and we got very tired, we stopped to find a room in a place called Needles, California. Located some Carls Jrs. burgers and a motel with a pool that somebody tried to tell me was closing at 11pm. My response? "Not tonight, babe." We swam until the wee hours of the morning— and years later, that's one of the memories that still makes me laugh. Which proves something: Sometimes the stupidest things that happen become your most unbelievable memories. And sometimes the giggles stay with you longer than the actual memory itself. Why Are Kids Obsessed With SLIME? My grandchildren need slime. More slime. Blue slime. Gold slime. Apparently, there is never enough slime. But I discovered there's actually something behind the craze: sensory play can be calming and satisfying, similar to fidget toys and stress balls. Who knew? I thought slime was just something I didn't want on my furniture. Perfectly Imperfect Works for Me After all the week's craziness, maybe this is the real takeaway: There is no perfection. I'm perfectly imperfect. I assume you are too. Some of the things we spend years trying to "fix" may actually be the things that make us interesting. So stay curious. Laugh at the detours. Try something new. Pay attention. Call somebody you love. And keep collecting stories. Because we're not trying merely to stay alive. We're trying to Keep the "LIVE" in Alive! — Debbie Nigro The Debbie Nigro Show | Wellness Wednesday/ WGCH Radio & WGCH.com Listen Live from Anywhere / 11-12noon eastern

August 14, 202613 min

What If You Had a Digital Twin… Who Could Help You Live Better?

Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive! — Wellness Wednesday Every week I meet someone who's helping us all Keep the "LIVE" in Alive! This week, I met a guy who made me realize I may be seriously behind. Tony Medrano is 55 years old, training for his FOURTH Ironman triathlon — and apparently works out four, five, sometimes SEVEN OR EIGHT HOURS A DAY. I had one immediate thought: Tony, you're making me feel horrible about myself. LOL. But that's not actually why I invited him on the show. Tony is the CEO and co-founder of LongevityPlan.AI , and what really got my attention was something I'd never heard of before: Your Own AI Digital Twin Yes. A digital version of YOU. The concept is that your personal health information — things like lab work, genetics, DEXA scans, VO2 max, wearable data, supplements and health goals — can help create a digital representation of you. Why? So you can learn more about how different wellness strategies might affect you before experimenting on your actual body. As Tony put it: "Why not do it digitally first?" Now THAT got my attention. Especially because I keep hearing more and more about peptides, biohacking, longevity treatments and all kinds of things people are trying in the quest to feel younger, stronger and better. And some of it sounds fascinating. Some of it also makes me think: Who the heck knows what they're doing? Tony himself stressed an important point: people interested in peptides should learn about them, consult their own doctor who knows their medical history, and proceed from there. The NFL Connection Made Me Go… "Wait, WHAT?" Tony told me he first became fascinated with digital-twin technology while working with the NFL, where he says the concept was being used to help protect valuable players from injury. His thought was basically: Why should professional athletes be the only ones who get this kind of technology? He wanted to bring the concept to regular people, too. And that led to what I thought was the most important message of our conversation. Tony said: "When people are engaged in their health, there is a cascading effect of positive outcomes." I LOVE THAT. Because underneath all the AI, digital twins, peptides and futuristic stuff is a very simple idea: Pay Attention to Your Health BEFORE Something Goes Wrong. Tony admits that for years as a busy tech executive, he wasn't particularly engaged with his own health. Now? He says his energy is through the roof, he feels better, looks better, performs better at work — and has discovered that being active has actually expanded his social life. Apparently, the daytime workout people are a pretty good crowd. I asked him if they were nicer. Tony said: "They're nicer, they're prettier, they're safer." LOL. Okay Tony. Point taken. So maybe I don't need to start training for a 140-mile Ironman tomorrow. But I probably should get on the bike. And maybe that's the real Wellness Wednesday takeaway: You don't have to become obsessed with longevity. You don't have to try every new wellness trend. And you certainly don't have to work out eight hours a day. But becoming a little more curious, a little more informed and a little more involved in your own health? That might be one of the smartest investments you can make in keeping the LIVE in alive. And Tony? We're done here and you can get back on the bike pal. But just know that you're making the rest of us look bad. LOL. — Debbie Nigro Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive! Wellness Wednesday The Debbie Nigro Show

August 3, 202643 min

"Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive!" Birthday Wisdom, A Little Laughter, A Little "Uh-Oh"...and a Whole Lot of Hope!

Every week I go looking for people, products, ideas and research that can help all of us " Keep the LIVE in Alive!" Sometimes I find inspiration. Sometimes I find things that make me laugh out loud. And sometimes I discover something that makes me say... "Whoa…Didn't see THAT coming!" This episode had all three. Another birthday came and went...and I couldn't be more grateful. As we get older, birthdays become less about counting candles and more about appreciating the gift of getting another one. After surviving a few things that could have taken me out over the years, I don't take birthdays for granted anymore. I'm loving my family and friends and making a real effort to spend quality time with them. I'm also reconnecting in person with business associates because I've always believed that's where trust is built. I'm fortunate to be working with some incredibly innovative entrepreneurs bringing exciting new products to market, and I have to admit...I'm feeling pretty good about being at that stage of life where I know what I know. I'm also trying to try more new things...while trying very hard not to get hurt. (Welcome to this new phase of life!) This past year brought its share of aggravating aches, pains and unexpected physical issues. They tested my patience, stretched my sense of humor...but thankfully never took it away. Oh and I noticed something else. I talk to myself a lot more these days. Usually it starts with... "Seriously, Debbie?" Funny...but not funny. Humor, I can tell you for sure, is critical to survival. Debservation: "If you've still got a pulse...you've still got a shot!" SO...I celebrated my birthday a little too enthusiastically. Translation? I overate. I overdrank. 'Recovery' definitely isn't as quick as it used to be. Translation? Took me 3 days to recover from two. Which is exactly why every Wellness Wednesday I go searching for the newest ideas, smartest people and most interesting discoveries that might help all of us age a little healthier—and a whole lot happier. This Week We Talked About... Why red-light therapy and biohacking are exploding in popularity. The growing shortage of blood donations—and why donating could someday save someone you love. Important food, medication and child car seat recalls worth knowing about. Why buying GLP-1 medications online without proper medical supervision may not be the smartest idea. How AI can be incredibly helpful...but still can't replace real human connection...or a real human voice. Guest Spotlight: Red Light Therapy & Biohacking One of my favorite conversations this week was with Reverend Dr. Jessica Chichester , co-founder of HAUTE HEALING OASIS in Stamford, CT. Jessica is one of those fascinating people who makes you think differently the minute she starts talking. She explained how therapies like infrared saunas, red-light therapy and other science-backed wellness technologies are helping people improve energy, recovery and overall vitality by supporting the body's own natural healing systems. I'll admit it... After hearing her explain everything, I was ready to leave the radio station and drive straight there. I even told her I wished she had a "wellness car wash." You'd shuffle in exhausted... ...and twenty minutes later burst out the other side ready to conquer the world! Now that's a business model I can get behind. Debbie's Recall Round-Up Apparently, a big theme in the news this week week was... "Don't eat it, don't sit in it, and don't take the allergy pill." This reported recalls included: 19 million eggs linked to a salmonella outbreak. Lettuce and ready-made salad concerns. Ricotta cheese. Evenflo Revolve360 child car seats. Cetirizine allergy medication. Debservation: "Every time I go to put something in my mouth these days somebody yells...' Wait! Wait!...spit it out that's been recalled!" The upside? This may become the "Didn't See That Coming" Diet of 2026! My Favorite Laughs of the Week I admitted on the air... I think I'm personally one of the few people these days keeping the snack industry in business. Pretty soon they'll invent GLP-1 salad dressing...once we're allowed to eat lettuce again! My three grandchildren together are like psychedelic soup ...or Pop Rocks exploding all at once. And grandmas everywhere understand this one: taking a car seat in and out of the car should qualify as an Olympic event. My Challenge To You This Week Do one thing your future self will thank you for. Maybe it's donating blood. Maybe it's cleaning out that spice cabinet from 2013. (Yes...I actually found one!) Maybe it's finally scheduling that wellness appointment you've been putting off. Or maybe it's simply deciding that another birthday is something to celebrate—not fear. One more birthday. One more chance to laugh. One more chance to learn something new. One more chance to help somebody else. That's really what " Keeping the LIVE in Alive!" has always been about. Until next Wellness Wednesday... Remember "If you've still got a pulse...you've still got a shot! Enjoy This Full Show Wellness Wednesday Podcast Episode of "Keeping the LIVE in Alive!" Best, Debbie

August 3, 202613 min

Seeing Red Never Felt So Good! Can Red Light Therapy Really Recharge Your Body in Just 20 Minutes? Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive!

Seeing Red Never Felt So Good! Can Red Light Therapy Really Recharge Your Body in Just 20 Minutes? Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive! Every Wellness Wednesday, I invite you to meet someone who's helping us all keep the "LIVE" in alive. Sometimes it's a doctor. Sometimes it's a scientist. Sometimes it's an entrepreneur—or someone who's simply discovered a better way to live. This week...I found myself seeing red...and it never felt so good. If you've been hearing all the buzz about red light therapy , you're not alone. It's one of today's fastest-growing wellness trends, with people exploring it to support recovery, boost energy, healthier skin, and overall well-being. Naturally, I had to find out what all the excitement was about. So, I recently sat down with one of the most fascinating women I've met in a long time— Jessica Chichester , founder of Hope Healing Oasis in Stamford, Connecticut. This isn't your typical spa. It's a wellness playground filled with cutting-edge therapies designed to help your body do what it naturally wants to do...heal itself. As is typical on my show there are always a couple of laughs. You Can't Make This Stuff Up! Jessica casually mentioned she's taking a group to Ecuador for an ayahuasca retreat. So naturally I blurted out... "All the psychedelics everybody thinks their grandkids are on...but instead it's them!" We both cracked up. Later I told her I wished she had a wellness car wash. You'd shuffle in feeling completely exhausted... ...and twenty minutes later come flying out the other side like a rocket ship! Now THAT'S a drive-thru image I can't get out of my head. Meet This Week's Guest Jessica's story is remarkable. She battled depression as a young woman, discovered holistic health while working in a health food store, went on to become one of the strongest women in America, and eventually reinvented herself after a career-ending injury. Today she's helping others improve their health through therapies focused on energy, recovery, and whole-body wellness. One of my favorite things she said was: "People think they're supposed to stay who they are. That's such a boring lie." I absolutely loved that. Because isn't that true for all of us? No matter our age or stage of life, we always have permission to reinvent ourselves. What I Learned Jessica explained why therapies like red light therapy , infrared saunas , cold plunges , and other wellness technologies are attracting so much attention. Her philosophy is refreshingly simple: Your body already knows how to heal. Sometimes it just needs the right environment. She also explained that red light therapy uses concentrated wavelengths of light similar to beneficial sunlight—but without harmful UV exposure . While research is still evolving, studies suggest it may support cellular energy production, muscle recovery, skin health, and overall wellness. Whether you're brand new to these therapies or already curious about biohacking , Jessica made the science surprisingly easy to understand. I walked away thinking less about machines...and more about giving our bodies every opportunity to do what they were designed to do. Debbie's Debservation I think one of the biggest wellness breakthroughs isn't a machine... It's giving yourself permission to become a new version of yourself. Jessica reinvented herself more than once. Maybe that's the real secret to longevity. Keep growing. Keep learning. Keep changing. Because the minute we think we've arrived... ...we stop living. And I don't know about you, but I'm planning to stay wonderfully curious for a very long time. This Week's Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive! Challenge Try one thing this week you've never tried before to improve your health. Maybe it's visiting a wellness center. Maybe it's relaxing in an infrared sauna. Maybe it's trying red light therapy. Or maybe it's simply spending twenty peaceful minutes outside soaking up some sunshine. Whatever you choose, give yourself permission to explore something new. Your body—and your mind—just might thank you. Catch the Full Conversation Jessica Chichester shares her remarkable personal journey, explains why energy matters more than most of us realize , and offers a fascinating look inside today's world of wellness technologies. You may leave thinking exactly what I did... "Where's that wellness car wash when I need it?" I know I did. Until next Wellness Wednesday ... Keep that "LIVE" in Alive! Best, Debbie Nigro

July 31, 202614 min

Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive! Debservation: "Sometimes the Best Nutrition Advice Isn't New...It's OLD!"

Keeping the "LIVE" in Alive! In this Wellness Wednesday Feature Interview , I got a sneak peek at one of the world's biggest nutrition gatherings— Nutrition 2026 , hosted by the American Society for Nutrition. Researchers from around the globe gather to reveal the latest discoveries about how food affects our health. My guest was Dr. Diane Stadler , professor of medicine and director of graduate programs in Human Nutrition at Oregon Health & Science University. One of the first things we agreed on? Food really is medicine. I laughed remembering my Italian grandmothers feeding us what we used to call "peasant food" —beans, greens, fresh vegetables and simple meals from the garden. Funny how those same foods are now considered some of the healthiest things you can eat! As I joked on the show: "Our ancestors already knew what to do... somewhere along the way we forgot." Dr. Stadler explained that convenience and processed foods gradually replaced home cooking over the past several decades—and while they've made life easier, they've also made healthy eating more complicated. A Few Big Takeaways Whole foods still win. Whenever possible, choose foods closer to their natural form instead of heavily processed versions. GLP-1 medications work—but nutrition still matters. As these weight-loss drugs become more common, researchers are emphasizing the importance of getting enough protein, vitamins, minerals, and exercise to help preserve muscle while losing weight. Food safety matters too. With recent produce recalls making headlines, Dr. Stadler recommends buying whole vegetables when possible, washing them well, and preparing them yourself. And my favorite surprise? The humble red pepper! When I asked Diane why she always adds one to her salad, she smiled and said: "Red peppers are one of the highest sources of vitamin A and vitamin C... they supercharge my day." By the end of the interview I had officially declared: "I'll always use a red pepper from now on because of Diane!" Debservation: Sometimes the newest science simply reminds us of what our grandparents and ancestors practiced all along. Eat more real food. Move your body. Don't overcomplicate it. That's the kind of wellness advice that never goes out of style. This Week's Keeping the LIVE in Alive! Challenge Add one extra colorful vegetable to your plate every day this week. Maybe it'll be a red pepper... like mine. :-) Hope you enjoy our conversation. Best! Debbie