The Healthy Doc Podcast

Episode 7: Cleo Wade

Dr. Nigma Talib

Returning to the Self with Cleo Wade

In this soulful, expansive, and joyfully real episode, Dr. Nigma sits down with the woman who has been called the poet of her generation by Time Magazine, a best-selling author and poet whose work explores hope, resilience and the power of love.

From childhood poetry camps to chlorophyll, from the pressure to homogenize to the power of weirdness, Cleo shares her rituals, reflections, and refreshingly honest takes on self-expression, self-care, and the brilliance of nature.

Her books include Heart Talk, Where to Begin, What the Road Said, Remember Love: Words for Tender Times, and May You Love and Be Loved can be found wherever you buy books.

Together, they explore what it means to glow from the inside out—without sacrificing your soul in the process.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink, fit in, or erase yourself to belong… this episode is your permission slip to come home to you.

Thank you to our sponsors

Genova Diagnostics: https://www.gdx.net/

Oxyhealth: https://www.oxyhealth.com/

Rani Lounge: https://ranilounge.com/

Koala Eco: https://koala.eco/

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Introducing Cleo Wade: poet, author, cultural force
05:00 – The poetry summer camp that changed everything
10:00 – Why naps, meditation, and rest became her lifelong therapy
14:00 – On embracing weirdness and growing up in expressive New Orleans
18:30 – How beauty became about being seen without losing self
22:00 – The dangers of homogenized beauty culture and how to resist it
26:30 – Real wellness: nature, nutrients, and feeling “juicy” not dry
32:00 – Dr. Nigma on aging gracefully and treating the root cause
36:00 – The inside-out truth behind glowing skin
40:00 – Mushrooms, seaweed, and the secret intelligence of nature
45:00 – Why we need less “no’s” and more joyful yeses in health
49:00 – Bananas, yolks, and other misunderstood foods
52:00 – Eating the rainbow, chasing nature’s wisdom, and redefining 

Follow Cleo Wade:
Instagram: @cleowade
Book: May You Love and Be Loved

Follow Dr. Nigma:
Instagram: @drnigmatalib
Podcast Instagram: @thehealthydocpod
Facebook: nigma.talib
Website: www.healthydoc.com