What is Blooming Wellness?
Good question.
Blooming Wellness started as a blog. Somewhere along the way, it grew into the home for just about everything I do.
I’m ErinKate Stair, MD, MPH, though almost everyone calls me Dr. Eeks. Someone called me “Eeks” years ago and, well…it stuck. I wasn’t planning on building a brand around it, but here we are.
Today, Blooming Wellness is home to my writing, the Causes or Cures podcast, The Eeks Weekly newsletter, and a growing collection of wonderfully weird things that somehow all fit together. I created a few series that have become favorites: Public Health Is Weird, where I dig into bizarre (but true) stories from public health history; WTF Health News, where I break down strange and surprising health headlines; and Eeks Speakeasy, where I wander a little farther off the beaten path into the wonderfully weird, wonderfully human side of life. Apparently, I have a hard time staying in one lane.
My view of wellness is actually pretty simple. I don’t think it should be presented as a luxury brand, even though it often is. Wellness shouldn’t require endless money, seventeen supplements, or a social media influencer telling you to buy something before sunrise. I think the best approach is rooted in common sense, curiosity, and the best evidence we have—recognizing that sometimes the evidence is strong, sometimes it’s weak, and sometimes the most honest answer is simply, “We don’t know yet.”
That’s something you’ll notice around here: I care about evidence, but I care just as much about being honest about evidence. I’m not against anecdotal experiences—they’re often where great questions begin. I’m against pretending they’re stronger evidence than they are. There’s enough confusion in health already. We don’t need to manufacture more.
Over the last several years, I’ve also become increasingly interested in the different ways people think about healing. Some approaches focus on the body. Others on the mind. Others on the mind-body connection. Still others include the spiritual dimension as well. My own curiosity has led me down that road, and I don’t see science and spirituality as sworn enemies. I think they’re often asking different kinds of questions. I’m interested in both.
You’ll never find me selling supplements or pretending I’ve discovered the magic pill everyone else missed. I don’t endorse supplement brands because I think it’s important for people to do their own homework. It’s still a largely unregulated industry, and while I take supplements myself, I’d much rather encourage curiosity than sales.
One thing you’ll quickly discover is that I add humor to almost everything. Life is hard enough. Public health is weird enough. Humans have it tough out there. We might as well laugh once in a while. My humor is probably a little dry, occasionally irreverent, and heavily influenced by a blue-collar upbringing where laughing at life’s absurdities was often the healthiest option available.
You’ll also see plenty of Barnaby, my dog and self-appointed Chief Everything Officer. He didn’t apply for the position, but neither did I.
Finally, a small disclaimer.
The views expressed on this website are my own. They don’t necessarily reflect the views of any organization I work for, consult with, or collaborate with. Around here, you’ll get my honest thoughts, my honest questions, and occasionally my honest confusion—which, in my opinion, is a perfectly reasonable place to start.
I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.
But I am some people’s morning shot of vodka.
(I mean…apple cider vinegar.)
Welcome. I’m really glad you’re here.
Listen to Dr. Eeks’ podcast, Causes or Cures, that covers timely health topics with experts:
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Sign up for Eeks Weekly here!
Every Friday, you’ll receive:
☕ A personal story or observation
🎙 A fascinating conversation
🚨 One WTF Health News story
🏛 One weird public health story from history
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Need help making health make sense? Click here.
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*PLEASE NOTE: I write all of the blogs that are not in the “Other-Ad” category. The “Other-Ad” category is mostly advertisement blogs written to promote specific links & you should know that I do not scientifically review them, although the ones I have read are pretty awful.
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Things I don’t do: I don’t give out medical advice. I’ve left the person for the population and don’t practice medicine or see patients. I work as a public health consultant in the realm of applied epidemiology and creative health communication. Please don’t ask for medical advice, unless you want to be disappointed. However, I will offer my philosophical advice if you really, really, really want it.
Just ME: While I work with many great organizations and companies, views on this website and podcast are mine and mine alone.
Note: Humans love to be tribal and take sides. It’s our nature. I try to stay balanced while maintaining an open mind and an open ear. I’m not perfect at it, but that’s how I try to live my life. The goal of science isn’t to be right; it’s to stay open-minded, humble and curious. There always needs to be a space for dissent, and we shouldn’t be so quick to label dissenters with reductive labels. I never take my rights for granted and have great respect for folks who sign up to defend them. That’s one reason I will always be a fighter for free speech and open discussion…even if some of it is bat-shit cray cray. Bat-shit cray cray is better than the alternative.
Disclaimer: Please note that this website should never replace your Doctor’s Advice. Blooming Wellness provides information on interesting health and wellness topics. And tells you stories. And makes you laugh. We do not respond to questions about how to treat medical illnesses. For your knowledge, please know that none of our statements have been evaluated by the FDA or any other regulatory body, depending what country you reside in, nor should they replace or serve as medical advice. This is an informational site only.