April 1, 2022
I'd like to thank everyone for subscribing to my Substack newsletter, Common Sense Health and Wellness. I switched over from my previous newsletter host to Substack as it allowed more functions especially public comments and community sharing.
One of the goals of Common Sense Health and Wellness is to build a community of individuals sharing common sense healthy lifestyle hacks without the polarization, censorship, name calling, peer pressure or mandates that are becoming so common in the world today. We are best if we talk, think, listen and learn from each other’s experiences even if we don’t agree.
The majority of Common Sense Health and Wellness posts are available free to all subscribers, otherwise known as no cost, nada, zero. For those of you who have upgraded to a paid subscription, $5/month or $50/year I give you an extra special thanks. Each paid member has allowed me to have an extra grass-fed ribeye steak every now and then which as you know is my favorite cut of meat.
Is your mouth now watering too??
Paid subscribers also get 25% off of nutritional supplements at Wellevate, a discount nutritional supplement distributor, and in the future may be offered group Zoom meetings. Regardless of type of subscription I truly enjoy the community comments that have been increasing. No two people are the same and we can all learn from each others experiences. So if you have been commenting I thank you and please continue.
Substack now has the ability to allow for both audio podcasts and video blogs. Let me know if you believe audio or video podcasts would be helpful. It doesn’t mean I will do them but it is food for thought as well as one of the reasons for this post.
Common Sense Health and Wellness has grown.
Why do I mention the growth? It is not to toot my own horn. It is more to tell you that instead of being a small newsletter meant for members of my practice, the IMW, it is now being read by others all over the online world. In fact as one of my readers pointed out, Common Sense Health and Wellness has been ranked at one point as one of the Top 50 Health newsletters on Substack. I find that intriguing and never considered that possible and was never my aim.
Top rankings can have both good and bad consequences.
The good:
It is an ego boost to know that people enjoy what I have to say/write and that people are learning more about common sense options to improve their health other than what I call the mainstream MOI, medicate, operate and inoculate. Oops I left out the new "ate", the mand “ate”. Well that would change the MOI to MOMI or MOIM which doesn’t flow as well as MOI.
The bad:
You would be surprised at the vitriolic comments I receive at times just for writing my common sense health and wellness views. Please someone look up the definition of vitriolic and tell me if I used it correctly. Some people need to get a life and learn to get along with people who have other views. They need to wake up to the realities of the world. I don't ask everyone to agree with me. I just ask them to have healthy discussions and be civil. Not every issue should be polarizing and destroy social interactions or the fabric of communities. That many friends and families were split due to a virus and treatment option disagreements is stunning and horrifying at the same time.
The opportunities:
I never thought this would occur, ever. As I said earlier, Common Sense Health and Wellness has grown quickly and is now being noticed. Here is the opportunity. I have been approached by Spottiffy to host a podcast discussing Common Sense Health and Wellness Topics. They want the podcasts to be short and sweet. They envision short 5 minute podcasts just to get people thinking. They didn’t mention anything about changing anyone’s mind. I believe they like my concept of just putting it out there, getting people to civilly discuss health and wellness topics, create a community to learn from each other, and most importantly for individuals to own their own beliefs and actions. So I think we are there in concept.
But, I have yet to even host a podcast. I have been a guest on many podcasts so maybe that is part of what is being noticed.
Listen to DrH on LowCarbMD Podcast
Watch Dr. Horvitz discuss Wellness Lab interpretations on the Fat Emperor podcast
Listen to DrH on Lifes Best Medicine Podcast
Spottiffy wants me to continue writing as well as mix in an audio podcast and perhaps a video podcast. They said they like all the cooking and food talk and think that would be appreciated if seen by a larger audience. I enjoy cooking but I am no Emeril LaGasse. (BAM) If you want to see many of my home made meals then follow me on Instagram. Look for @IMWHorvitz .
The question is:
Should I pursue the Spottiffy opportunity?
It is a paid gig, but if I accept the Spottiffy opportunity I would have to stop writing this Common Sense Health and Wellness blog as I would not be contractually able to do both. They said I could write or say whatever I wanted, but I am not sure I believe them. I definitely don't want to be the next Joe Rogan. anyway 5 minute podcasts are not the same as the 3 hour podcasts that Joe Rogan does.
I don’t want Spottiffy to affect my work at the IMW.
I still enjoy going to work every day and I do not want that to change.
How many docs can say they enjoy their job?
I'll bet you not many.
The IMW is my professional baby. I founded it back in 2008 and have nurtured it while watching it evolve and grow.
I do not want anything to change the path the IMW is taking.
So I am at a crossroads.
What do you think?
Should I consider Spottiffy or just stick with Common Sense Health and Wellness?
I am looking for real advice, not just rah rah responses.
We really enjoy reading and discussing your newsletters at dinner. Not sure we would have the time to follow another podcast. We also think maybe Spotify might have more influence on what you can and cannot record and limit your freedom of speech. Just be cautious.
I enjoy your newsletter very much. I am a recent patient. From the few times I have met with you, it seems to me you really enjoy your job of helping people. For selfish reasons, I would like you to continue the newsletter. Unless you think the podcast would bring more joy and fulfillment to your life.
Hopefully this is an April Fools and you will not have to make a decision.