Welcome to this episode of The Tonic, terrestrially broadcast on November 29 and 30, 2025 on AM740 and FM 96.7 in Toronto. Topics covered on the show track the lifestyle articles and themes published in The Tonic Newsletter and on the Tonic Website. We’ll discuss the importance of vaccinations with Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, why gluten sensitivity isn’t what you think it is with health and wellness researcher David Nelson, the benefits of permaculture with landscaper and author Brandy Hall, and a cancer recovery journey with author Cara Lockwood.
We specifically discuss:
The Importance of Vaccinations
- Do we still need to be concerned about Covid?
- The current prominent strain of Covid
- If you had a Covid vaccine shot last year, do you need another this year?
- Who under 50 should be getting the Covid vaccine?
- The immuno-compromised
- Can you get a Covid shot at the same time as a flu or RSV shot?
- The mild side effects of the Covid vaccination
- Does everyone in a household have to be vaccinated for optimal protection?
- Do you have to pay for a Covid or RSV vaccine?
- Where can you get a Covid vaccine
- Who should be getting the RSV vaccine?
- Which are the most important vaccines to get?
- Flu season and vaccine “mismatch”
- Why should you (if you’re on the fence) get a Covid vaccine?
- Are concerns about the side effects of the Covid vaccine warranted?
Gluten Sensitivity Isn’t What You Think It Is
- What is Celiac Disease
- Wheat Allergies
- What is (non-Celiac) gluten sensitivity?
- Fructans (fermentable carbohydrates)
- Is gluten sensitivity physiological or psychosomatic?
- The gut-brain axis
- The low FODMAP diet
- If you think you have symptoms of gluten sensitivity, what should you do?
- The research
The Benefits of Permaculture
- What is permaculture?
- Why is permaculture important?
- Supporting the soil, pollinators etc.
- The three pillars of permaculture: water, soil and plant communities
- Municipal management of water runoff
- Would permaculture work in a northern climate?
- Is permaculture accessible to amateur gardeners?
- Starter projects
A Cancer Recovery Journey
- The decision to write the book
- The diagnosis
- Leaning into humour
- Dealing with doctors
- The ‘windowless room’
- The decision to get a double mastectomy
- Researching vs. relying on doctors
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To learn more about show sponsor Moderna go here
To learn more about Dr. Paul Roumeliotis go here
To learn more about David Nelson go here
To learn more about Brandy Hall go here
To learn more about Cara Lockwood go here
