Best Tanyas Table Podcasts (2025)

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82. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau Wants Us To Open Up and Slow The F Down 51:37

16h ago51:37

51:37

If you're familiar with the name Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, there's a lot more to it than the former First Lady of Canada. A best-selling author, celebrated public speaker, and a passionate mental health advocate, Sophie has championed gender equality, female empowerment, youth self-esteem, and the importance of physical activity for over two decades…

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BtC - Richard Heayes on Protecting Your Idea 35:10

2d ago35:10

35:10

Ellie Dix is joined by Richard Heayes, former design director for Hasbro and current co-founder of 7pips. They discuss the ins and outs of trademarking, idea infringement, and the benefits of freely sharing your ideas. Topics include trademark law, game submission portals, when and how to share your designs, and why it’s important the game design c…

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Season: RPGs - Ben Robbins on GMless Games 51:51

10d ago51:51

51:51

Dirk and David are joined by Ben Robbins, designer of Microscope and many other narrative games. They discuss the play culture of Microscope, the differences between it and trad TTRPGs, and the ways games of Microscope can flourish or break down. Topics include expected participation, growing pains in trying new TTRPGs, and what even is an RPG?…

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81. Longevity Lessons From Dolphins + Pecorino cheese, with Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson 57:47

15d ago57:47

57:47

Is removing dairy fat from our diets the culprit behind why we are now living sicker than we were in the 1990s? And what do dolphins have to do with human longevity? Fair questions. A new supplement called Fatty15 may have been on your radar recently, there's a good reason to pay attention. It’s a groundbreaking product of pure C15:0, the first ess…

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BtC - Mandela Grandon on Co-Designing 42:30

16d ago42:30

42:30

Ellie Dix is joined by Mandela Grandon, designer of Glasgow, Overstocked, and The Shakespeare Game. They talk about the benefits and process of co-design, the difficulties in working with another person, and how to even get a co-designer. They also discuss the finer points, like how to address experience gaps, outline goals and partnership structur…

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S7E3: Is That A Stone In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me? 57:21

17d ago57:21

57:21

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 3 Is That A Stone In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me? On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we dive into understanding why so many medicine people carry items such as stones, crystals, amulets and what not on their person. Is it superstition or science?…

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RPG - Cosmere RPG with Andrew Fischer 47:55

24d ago47:55

47:55

The season of RPGs starts off with flare! Dirk and David are joined once more by Andrew Fischer, here to discuss his experience designing the Cosmere RPG. They discuss the difficulties in adapting the expansive work of Brandon Sanderson, the unique mechanics developed for the system, and the difficulty in bridging the gap between readers new to RPG…

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80. Tipsy Tuesday: It's April 15...take a deep breath. And buy a book, pretty please! 5:28

24d ago5:28

5:28

Quick reminder that I'm here to give you tools to help you get through stressful times! Starting like, now. Last week's newsletter had some great nuggets on breathwork techniques to help you self-regulate as fast as possible. Here's a link to that issue. And, big news: I wrote a book! Check it out here. *********************************************…

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79. New Rules For Kids' Health & Nutrition For Parents and Non-Parents, with Dr. Tanya Altmann 48:36

29d ago48:36

48:36

Not just for the mamas and the papas! This conversation with pediatrician and child health expert Dr. Tanya Altmann is jam-packed with useful information and insights that I only wish we had had when WE were growing up. Gen X might have been able to conquer the world if only we had focused on drinking more water... :) WE DISCUSS We eat differently …

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BtC - Rikki Tahta on Designer Community 39:47

1M ago39:47

39:47

In this episode, Ellie chats with Rikki, creator of Coup, The Chameleon, and Melee, about his inspiring journey in design. He highlights the importance of process and how a supportive community has influenced his path. They discuss what makes the design community unique and the benefits of connecting with fellow creatives.…

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S7E2: You Cry Over A Little Ol' Lemon? 1:16:46

1M ago1:16:46

1:16:46

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 2 You Cry Over A Little Ol' Lemon? On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we look at the importance of the four manifestations -- mental, physical, emotional and spiritual -- and how to bring them into balance. Are you taking care of yourself or taking yourself out …

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Season: RPG - Prologue 1:04:05

1M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

TDGRT kicks off its first season on RPGs with a discussion on Dirk and David’s experiences, and where they want to take the season from here. They talk about the pros and cons of modern Dungeons and Dragons, and alternative styles of game design that better suit different genres of play.

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78. The Hidden Aches and Pains of Perimenopause: Holistic PT Patricia Ladis Returns 54:38

1M ago54:38

54:38

Unexplained hip pain? Shoulders don't quite move the way they used to? What other ailments can we expect when we're least expecting them? Returning to the pod is Holistic Physical Therapist Patricia Ladis, my trusted expert on all things related to moving our bodies, in particular our lady bodies. We assume that only when we're injured do we need t…

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BtC - Adam Porter on Playtesting 38:56

1M ago38:56

38:56

Ellie Dix is joined by Adam Porter, designer of Kompromat, Pikoko, and Doodle Rush. Together, they discuss the playtesting process, why it’s so important, and the biggest mistakes people make while playtesting. Topics include tracking confusion during sessions, structuring how and what feedback is given, and being a good playtester.…

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Civ Series Finale Part 2 - Civilization VII 58:12

2M ago58:12

58:12

Dirk and David continue their discussion in part 2 of TGDRT’s Civilization Series Finale! They dive into many of the systems that didn’t work for them, and what they wish had been done instead. Topics include religion and trade, the problems with Civ VII’s map generation, and the costs associated with stripping away flavor in favor of starker mecha…

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77. Does Your Job Match Your Time Zone? And other sleep questions for Lynne Peeples, author of The Inner Clock 51:34

2M ago51:34

51:34

So many questions that need good answers: Why do so many schools have no windows when natural light is critical to growth and brain development? What happens to performance when athletes have to travel to new time zones before a big game? Does a 5 o'clock shadow really happen at 5 o'clock? (spoiler: it does!) My guest today, Lynne Peeples, wrote th…

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BtC - Scott Rogers on Prototyping 52:50

2M ago52:50

52:50

Ellie Dix is joined by Scott Rogers, designer Alien: Fate of Nostrodomo, Pantone the Game, and Marvel Villainous and writer of many books on game design. Together, they discuss how to build the prototype for a game, how to decide whether to continue with a design, and what makes a prototype attractive for publishers among other topics.…

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76. Tipsy Tuesday: March Madness! It's not just for basketball anymore. 4:34

2M ago4:34

4:34

It's been a while so it's time for some tips on Tipsy Tuesday! Happy March, celebrating women, honoring sleep, and honoring YOU for being a loyal listener. Throw me a quick review or even just a handful of stars if you have 5 seconds to spare, that's literally all it takes! I read everything and it means a lot! xo Erica ****************************…

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S7E1: Happy Maya New Year from the Maya Nation - Welcome to the year of Oxlaju Tz'ikin!! 46:21

2M ago46:21

46:21

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 1 Happy Maya New Year from the Maya Nation: Welcome to the year of Oxlaju Tz'ikin!! On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, Nataline comes to us from the Maya Nation in Guatemala. On a post fire ceremony high, she gives us some insight on the "energies" of the past 1…

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Civ Series Finale Part 1 - Civilization VII 53:59

2M ago53:59

53:59

The time has finally come; Civilization VII is out! After many hours with the game, Dirk and David come together to share their thoughts on the game. Did it live up to the hype? How does Civ VII stack up to previous games? Will David ever play another Civ game again? All these questions and more on part 1 of 2 for TGDRT’s Civ Series Finale. Topics …

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75. Kale Is Not Your Friend, with Catharine Arnston, CEO of Energy Bits 46:53

2M ago46:53

46:53

If algae is just about the un-sexiest topic you can think of, think again. You have no idea what you don't know. Algae is a multibillion-dollar food crop in Asia, used for health and longevity benefits for years, but it's still virtually unknown here in the US. Enter Catharine Arnston, here to tell us why algae is not a superfood – it's a SUPERDUPE…

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BtC - Naming Games with Peter Hayward 35:34

2M ago35:34

35:34

Ellie is joined by Peter Hayward, designer of games such as Robotopia, Fiction, and That Time You Killed Me. Ellie and Peter discuss not only the process for naming a game, but also how names affect pitching and publishing, naming your prototypes, and how the process works for indie and mass market titles.…

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Civ Series 10 - Listener Questions 1:03:14

3M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

Civilization 7 approaches! As we prepare to share our thoughts on Civ 7, we answer another round of listener questions. Topics include Dirk and David’s ideal Civ game, how to approach kingmaking in multiplayer games, and why diplomacy in Civilization is often so underwhelming.By TGDRT

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S6E11: From Soil To Salve - 4' 10" Badass Kitchen Witch!! 1:31:35

3M ago1:31:35

1:31:35

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 6 Episode 11 From Soil To Salve: 4' 10" Badass Kitchen Witch!! On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we visit with a tough little cookie, Andrea Francisco Smith, better known as "Drea," a spry curandera/kitchen witch from Pueblo, Colorado. Drea brings to the table her life's…

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74. So WTF Am I Supposed To Eat? With Julie Ruelle, R.D. 54:52

3M ago54:52

54:52

Fun fact: More people are now dying from food-related diseases than smoking. I'll let that sink in for a moment. Julie Ruelle is a Registered Dietitian with over 20 years of experience and the bearer of this disturbing information. In this episode, we're diving into the world of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs), the confusion and misinformation we are …

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BtC - Sen-Foong Lim on Motivation 46:14

3M ago46:14

46:14

This week on Behind the Cardboard, Ellie is joined by Sen-Foong Lim, ENNIE winner and designer of Mind: MGMT, Corpse of Discovery, and The Revenant Society.

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S6E10: What Happens In Vegas, DOESN'T Always Stay In Vegas! 1:24:02

3M ago1:24:02

1:24:02

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 6 Episode 10 What Happens In Vegas, DOESN'T Always Stay In Vegas! On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we visit with infamous Candace Sgaggio, aka, "G" -- healer, Maya Spiritual Guide, owner and proprietor of an Indigenous Cannibis Church -- Sinsemillas House Of Worship. Ca…

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Civ Series 9 - Where are we now with Soren Johnson 1:07:56

3M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

The Civilization Series returns with Soren Johnson, lead designer of Civilization IV, Offworld Trading Company, and Old World. They discuss the teasers for Civilization VII, what they’re excited for, what they’re worried about, and what they hope will change about the series. They also discuss the 4X releases since their last meeting, including Hum…

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73. Sleep Is A Skill And You Can Hone It, with Mollie Eastman 50:54

3M ago50:54

50:54

Fact: The average doctor has approximately TWO hours of training in sleep science. So it's up to us to seek outside expertise to find our own answers. Enter, Mollie Eastman! A fellow sleep geek and source of inspiration for yours truly, she is the creator of Sleep Is A Skill, and the host of The Sleep Is A Skill Podcast, an approach that optimizes …

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BtC - Daryl Andrews on Generating Ideas 37:17

3M ago37:17

37:17

Ellie Dix is joined for the inaugural episode of Behind the Cardboard by Daryl Andrews, designer of Sagrada, The Real Truth, and Kodama 3D among many others. Together, they discuss Daryl’s career, how he comes up with new games, and how he pitches to publishers. How long to stick with an idea, where to put them, and how should you keep track of the…

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#334 New Year, New Format, New Us 54:09

4M ago54:09

54:09

2024 was an excellent year for game design, and 2025 is looking to be even better. As time moves forward, TGDRT must evolve just as our favorite games do. Dirk and David discuss the state of the show; what worked, what didn’t, and what the future holds for the show. They also announce TGDRT’s brand new programming, Roundtable Retrospective and Behi…

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S6E9: Out Of Discomfort & Into The Smoke 1:38:01

4M ago1:38:01

1:38:01

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 6 Episode 9 Out Of Discomfort & Into The Smoke In this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we visit with a bright rising star, spiritual guide Mya Miller. Ms. Miller is a practitioner of Ancestral Medicine & Medical Qigong and proprietor of Into The Smoke. She is a young, just tur…

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72. Not Your Mama's Menopause, with Jancee Dunn 48:07

4M ago48:07

48:07

Original Air Date October 19, 2023 Jancee Dunn is the author of “Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You about Menopause and How to Feel Like Yourself Again” and also my new hero. For too long women have suffered through menopause in silence. It’s time to talk about the taboo subject and explore ways of feeling better. Jancee and I discuss menopaus…

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#333 App-Integration with Andrew Fischer 51:31

4M ago51:31

51:31

Dirk and David are joined by Andrew Fischer, lead designer of the Cosmere RPG. In this first of two interviews, the crew discusses Andrew’s career, from working at Fantasy Flight Games to being the lead designer of the world’s biggest Kickstarter game. Topics include the pros and cons of app-integration for games, surprise elements in RPGs, and the…

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71. You Are Manifesting Every Day, with Jen Mazer 53:23

4M ago53:23

53:23

Original Air Date February 15, 2024 If you think you've heard it all about manifestation, you're not done. Jen Mazer, the Queen of Manifestation herself, is here to break it down into common sense, explain the unexplained and most importantly- give you the usable tools you need to start shifting your mindset TODAY. She is an acclaimed author, coach…

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#332 Listener Questions with Ellie Dix Show 36:58

5M ago36:58

36:58

The Game Design Round Table rounds out its best year yet with another set of Listener Questions! Dirk and David are joined by Ellie Dix once more to answer your questions about hidden information, designing for different group sizes, and exploring a world in which you only played board games once.By Dirk Knemeyer, David Heron

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S6.E8: Get In The Car Elizabeth❗❗ 1:10:48

5M ago1:10:48

1:10:48

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 6 Episode 8 Title: Get In The Car Elizabeth❗❗ In this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we dive into the energy of determination. When we make the decision to get $#!% done, the energy that fuels the momentum is often determination. So, if determination is the foot on the gas or…

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S6E7: Lack Is Whack! Let's Go Fishing! 1:10:38

5M ago1:10:38

1:10:38

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 6 Episode 7 Lack Is Whack! Let's Go Fishing! In this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we dive into the energy of lack and prove it to be true. If you fish in the stream of lack, you will find nothing there. Nothing. Nada. Zero. But if you fish in the "Sacred Waters", the waters…

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70. Living Joyfully By Facing Death With Grace, with Alua Arthur 49:29

5M ago49:29

49:29

Original air date: April 25, 2024 This is one of those conversations that changed me. "The only fact of our life is death," yet we spend most of our time trying to ignore it, instead of developing the tools to embrace it. But don't think for a second that this episode will bum you out or make you feel icky-it's quite the opposite! Alua Arthur is th…

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#331 Solforge Fusion with Justin Gary 56:08

5M ago56:08

56:08

Dirk and David are joined this week by Justin Gary, founder of Stone Blade Entertainment and co-designer of Solforge Fusion. They discuss the life, death, and rebirth of Solforge, as well as its unique approach to content generation. Topics include the history of Solforge, how the usage of the Blockchain affects monetization, the community of Solfo…

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69. Thomas Edison Ruined Everyone’s Sleep, with Dr. Michael " The Sleep Doctor" Breus 56:09

5M ago56:09

56:09

This is the most tactical episode on sleep I've done so far, and you're gonna want to write this stuff down. Dr. Michael Breus is one of the most influential voices in the sleep conversation today, and these 55 minutes are just the tip of the iceberg. We covered a range of topics, all worth taking to heart when it comes to your own sleep experience…

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#330 Xenolanguage with Kathryn Hymes 52:58

6M ago52:58

52:58

This week, Dirk and David are joined by Kathryn Hymes, co-owner of Thorny Games and former co-host of the show. Together, they discuss Kathryn’s new game Xenolanguage, a roleplaying game where players take the role of humans tasked with deciphering an alien language. They give their thoughts on designing GMless games, especially focusing on how to …

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68. Everybody Get Together and Try To Love One Another Right Now: Sean Hoess of Eudemonia on The Importance of Gathering In Health 32:33

6M ago32:33

32:33

According to Sean Hoess, an event needs to be greater than the sum of its parts, and that's exactly what we saw at the inaugural Eudemonia Summit that took place on November 1st, 2nd and 3rd in West Palm Beach. So today we have a friendisode! Join me and my co-host Kim Marshall, fellow wellness warrior and podcast princess who hosts the Global Well…

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S6E6: Sacred Trust - The Abuelita At The Door 1:34:32

6M ago1:34:32

1:34:32

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 6 Episode 6 Sacred Trust: The Abuelita At The Door Have you ever needed that special Grandmother energy? You know the one that greets you at the door with the "sacred smoke"? She balances your energy, welcomes you with a gentle hug, and a warm cup of tea? That grandmother. On this …

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#329 Small Games with Ellie Dix 52:48

6M ago52:48

52:48

This episode, Dirk and David are joined by Ellie Dix, owner of The Dark Imp and author of The Board Game Family. They discuss Ellie’s career and path into game design, as well as the intricacies of how she manages to design so many games. Topics include managing small projects, how to choose which designs to focus on, the importance of managing a p…

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Empowering Patients w/ Recorded Discharge Education: Dr. Andy Little, AdventHealth ER, Host: Julie Soukup 26:16

6M ago26:16

26:16

--Dr. Andy Little, Program Director for the ER at AdventHealth Central Florida discusses with Julie Soukup, host of Take 1: Patient Podcast, his experience recording patient interactions for better communication and patient education. He shares that he has been recording discharge instructions since 2017, particularly for pediatric patients and tho…

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67. Being Cool With Getting Hot, with Andrew Lachlan of Saunahouse 47:26

6M ago47:26

47:26

"A bond is formed in adversity." This is the sentiment shared by anyone who has participated in a communal sauna experience. And Andrew Lachlan, Founder and CEO of Saunahouse, is building these bonds in communities throughout the country, with a modern take on the age-old ritual of sauna and cold plunge. A lifelong athlete, Andrew's journey to sobr…

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S6E5: Who Am I In All This? 1:31:02

7M ago1:31:02

1:31:02

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 6 Episode 5 Who Am I In All This? Can you find yourself in the depths of your darkness? Can you find yourself in the light of your spiritual heights? On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we host another incredible guest who shares her life's experiences from pain & sufferin…

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#328 Civilization Series 8 - Ara 55:59

7M ago55:59

55:59

Dirk and David convene once more to discuss the release of Ara: History Untold by Oxide Games. They analyze the game’s strengths and weaknesses, how it feels to play, and how it compares to the actual Civilization series of games. Topics include managing expectations, the clunkiness of the crafting and relationship systems, performance and technica…

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66. Tidbit Tuesday: This Is More Than A Tidbit 3:46

7M ago3:46

3:46

PSA: which stands for Pretty Sweet Announcement- y'all know I don't do ads, and this is not an ad, it's just a head's up on an event you need to be at next week. The Eudēmonia Summit is coming to West Palm Beach on November 1 - 3. Come hang with me and my new friends- Dr. Andrew Huberman, Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and Dr. Sara Gottfried, j…

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