This is just a short post to let you know I’ve decided to retire The Healthy Skeptic and merge it with my professional site, chriskresser.com. I don’t have an exact date for the switch, yet, but I expect it will happen in 2-3 weeks.
Why the change? When I first started The Healthy Skeptic, my intention was to challenge mainstream myths about nutrition, health and disease. The first myth I took on was the idea that cholesterol causes heart disease. Since then I’ve tackled several subjects, ranging from heartburn/GERD, hypothyroidism, diabetes & obesity (diabesity), essential fatty acids and fish oil, and depression.
But while I continue to maintain an attitude of skepticism about mainstream medicine and nutrition, I’ve come to feel that the title “The Healthy Skeptic” is too narrow and limiting.
Skepticism is reactionary, in the sense that it always arises in response to an existing idea, belief or meme. It’s a useful attitude and analytical tool, but it does not characterize my approach. Ultimately, I want to present a positive vision of holistic health and wellness that is defined more by what it is than what it is not.
Okay, enough about me. What does this mean for you, as a reader?
Not much. The transition should be completely seamless for you. The look and feel of the new site will be almost identical to this one (rather than chriskresser.com). There’s nothing you have to do. No new web address to remember. Everything will happen in the background. Ah, the wonders of technology.
Starting in about 2-3 weeks, when you click on a link with “thehealthyskeptic.org” in the address, such as:
/heartdisease
you’ll automatically be redirected to this link:
http://chriskresser.com/heartdisease
This means that all “Healthy Skeptic” links will continue to work; they’ll just be redirected to the new location.
I’ll be creating a new Facebook page called “Chris Kresser L.Ac” and inviting those of you who are already fans of The Healthy Skeptic on Facebook to come join me at the new page. More on that to follow. My Twitter account (chriskresser) will stay the same.
The name of my podcast (currently “The Healthy Skeptic podcast”) will also change, though I haven’t settled on a name for it yet. Any ideas? Please leave them in the comments section.
The only other change to be aware of is that the email updates you get from me if you’re a subscriber will come from “Chris Kresser L.Ac” instead of “The Healthy Skeptic”. If you stop receiving email updates all of a sudden, please check your SPAM folder and make sure to add “Chris Kresser L.Ac” to your safe list.
I think that covers it. Back to the series on natural childbirth. I’ve taken a little break from the podcast since Sylvie was born, but will be recording the next episode soon. We’re going to have Chris Masterjohn back for part 2 of our cholesterol interview, and then Paul Jaminet shortly after.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
You scared me there for a minute–I was afraid you were going to quit blogging. Always liked the name “the healthy skeptic” and your posts are always concise and informative!
I agree, i was so scared when i saw this headline!! . . . so glad you aren’t really saying goodbye and i love the new concept! looking forward to learning so much more from you! cheers
What a scary headline! I’m so relieved that the message is much nicer!
I’m with Jo in liking the word ‘skeptic’. It sounds like someone who knows his own mind and isn’t going to be swayed by opinion. However, I shall continue to follow you wherever it leads…trust is not to be taken lightly. Amazing how having a child makes you question your status, your place in the Universe and just what, exactly, you are about! Good luck with the changes and your new name. See you when you get there!
Wise decision Chris. Now you are a professional and a father it is perhaps better not to present you as a “skeptic”, but to emphasize on your qualities. As you may have read, I will be closing down my CutTheCarb-site soon too. I’ll be back with a new fascinating business initiative and may appeal to you in the future. I enjoy very much your podcasts. I’ll try to come up with a name.
Will your RSS feed at this site be affected?
yes, i was scared there for a minute too. i use your blog so much and direct so many people to you, but very glad to hear your reasons, it makes sense. sounds like a good transition and people will benefit even more! I love your work! congrats with Sylvie, she is beautiful!
Wow, you freaked me out for a minute there! Glad to hear you’ll still be doing your thing….I so enjoy your point of view, and you present information in a clear, concise way that is beginner-friendly. I learned so much from your thyroid series! Thanks for everything you do!
Title was a bit of a shock as I’ve come to appreciate your advice very much. My cortisol jumped I’m sure:)
Yeah, I got a little panicked. Then I thought, more PC. I like The Healthy Skeptic. Skepticism is very healthy. I recently had some scary BS occur with mainstream doctors. Without some healthy skepticism I’d be medicated and CT scanned and otherwise mismanaged. Oh, but so long as you promise more great stuff, I’m all for it.
Can we submit questions for Paul Giamet?
Thanks for the update Chris. Evolution is good.
The healthy seeker podcast
The healthy journey podcast
Health based health podcast
Whoomp there it is podcast
The Healthy Evolution podcast
Mindful Health podcast
Best of luck with your new endeavor, Chris. I’ll keep reading whatever you post.
I also really like the name Healthy Skeptic–it just work so well on so many levels. I understand that you don’t want to project a negative image, but in my mind a healthy level of skeptism is a positive thing (especially in the current context). Maybe the new title can be something with health/wellness detective (which you use on your site). That is more descriptive (but not as clever). I just hope that you come up with something that will make my boyfriend want to read your book when it comes out!
For merging The Healthy Skeptic with your other site, make sure you get the RSS feed right, too!
Forgot to mention: I hope you don’t change the music on your podcast or ditch the graphics from the Healthy Skeptic site!
Doc! I have loved the Healthy Skeptic and have used it to develop my skepticism for the medical model. I also understand that you are approaching a more Approach mindset towards health versus an Avoidance model. Heathy Holistic sounds nice.
Thank you for showing up and presenting with high value. Your mind and intention is greatly appreciated as it navigates and sifts through thoughts and practices…always searching for a better way of living.
Much high regard to you.
Joe Valley
Yes, I’m looking into how to ensure a smooth transition with the RSS feed.
Don’t forget Google+. In my opinion, the ability to interact is much better than Facebook or Twitter.
Let me know if you need an invite.
I have a Googe+ account already. Here it is: gplus.to/chriskresser
I’m waiting for them to start their business pages, which they’ve said they will do.
IMO, healthy seeker, healthy detective, healthy investigator etc. will not work, because these just mean a seeker, detective or investigator who is healthy, with no further connotation. It works with “skeptic” because we have the idiom about healthy skepticm. That’s why it’s so clever, because it has several levels of meaning: it can be healthy to be skeptical, skepticm is necessary when it comes to your health in the current context, and the skeptic IS healthy thanks to his skepticm. Health seeker, health detective, health investigator would be acceptable, but are not particularly rich in meaning (although health detective has some potential if you replaced the eye-glasses in your site graphics with a magnifying glass, and started wearing a Sherlock Holmes hat!)
Sorry to be so nit-picky, but as we say in French, chacun son metier (everyone has his area of expertise). I am a translator (and I’ve translated lots of slogans, marketing copy etc.) so I am very aware of this sort of thing. Honestly Chris, you are going to have to work pretty darn hard to top “The Healthy Skeptic”. I suggest you jump outside the box and go for a completely different idea. Your Healthy Baby Code has a nice ring to it. What about the Healthy Human Code (cracking the healthy human code…)–anyway, you get the idea. Whatever you do, please make sure it passes the I-can-comfortably-recommend-this-site/book-to-my-friends/family test!
BTW, I recently recommended your site to someone whose doctor was trying to put her on statins, and it convinced her to discount her doctor’s advice. I know it seems upside down that this is a good thing (“discounting her doctor’s advice”) but that’s the sad reality. Maybe you should call it the Righting Upside Down Wisdom Podcast!
Thanks everyone for your feedback. Just to be clear, I’m not looking to create another name for this site. It will simply be “chriskresser.com” with a picture of me and my name in the header. I may keep the Healthy Skeptic name for the podcast. I definitely do need a name for my book, however, so it’s good to hear your ideas.
I have to say that none of the suggestions have rung well in my mind. The healthy skeptic is the way I would like to describe myself when approaching mainstream medicine. Skepticism doesn’t have to have a negative connotation… in my mind it implies a healthy mindset of challenging the status quo. Don’t give it up too quickly.
One of the meanings of skeptic is to look carefully or relect.
I love what you have to say, Derek, about how you like to describe yourself as one when approaching mainstream medicine. I strongly believe that the medical model requires a very healthy dose of skepticism to navigate its pitfalls. Allow me to quote Jurassic Park’s Ian Malcolm that gets to the point of how I feel about the medical model, “You were so preoccupied with whether or not you could, you never stopped to think if you should!” Insert table slam here.
I also agree with your comment, Derek, about the skepticism can be a positive connotation. It suggests that you are going to think for yourself. I love that. Empower yourself with the knowledge. Love it.
If you are still looking for a new name, Chris, how about “The Healthy Skeptic In You” – meaning in us?
Wendy
We all agree that skepticm is healthy, but Chris wants to change the name/brand. I agree with him that it no longer describes what he is all about (hey–maybe you should sell it to Denise Minger–she’s the expert at picking apart the studies!).
But seriously, let’s try to help him find a podcast name that’s as good as the Healthy Skeptic, and more descriptive. The more suggestions the better. Brainstorm!
From a marketing/branding standpoint, it would seem useful for the book and podcast to have the same name (or a similar one), no? From what you’ve hinted in reference to the book you are planning (basing it on the 9 steps you have on the site), Healthy Skeptic is too limited. Someone above suggested the word “mindful”, which has potential given your interest in meditation (although it’s used so much it’s becoming cliche). Someone else mentioned “evolutionary”, which is interesting (although I bet “evolutionary wellness” is already taken (and it’s a bit new-agey, I think).
The Healthy Human Code has a primal/paleo/evolutionary ring to it, and the two meanings of “code” give it some richness. It would be a bit audacious as a book title given the prescriptive connotation of “code”–but potentially also a bestseller! I could totally see myself giving it to my boyfriend and telling him “this is the one book you MUST read–if you read this and still won’t change your ways, I will stop bugging you forever!”. Honestly, I plan to live and be healthy well into my 90s, and I want another healthy human to keep me company!
Like everybody in this thread I was freaking scare for a moment.
Good decision, Chris! Both businesswise and based on your considerations about scepticism.
oohhh, you scared the heck out of me for a minute there! I’m glad you’re just merging the sites, and I truly do appreciate all of the wonderful information that you have provided for your readers. Thanks!
I, like many others, was worried when I saw the title “Farewell to the Healthy Skeptic.” Thankfully, I was thrilled to read that you will still be sharing your thoughts via podcast under a new name and location. I have learned a lot from you and the guests on your show. My dietary choices and understanding of nutrition get better everyday , thanks to the knowledge you have shared with me.
Congratulations to you and your wife! I look forward to learning more from you soon.
Sarah S.