Mindfulness Book Talk: The Braided Prescription by Beth Ricanati, MD

Join physician and author Beth Ricanati in conversation with her longtime friend, television producer and community leader Francie Calfo, for a lively conversation about the rituals that help us stay grounded, connected, and well—especially when life gets stressful. Drawing from Beth’s new book, The Braided Prescription, they’ll explore what challah has to do with medicine, why small repeated practices matter, and how we can bring more meaning and connection into our everyday lives.

About the participants:

Beth Ricanati, MD is a board-certified internist, award-winning author and speaker. She has spent her career focused on improving the well-being of her patients’ lives in traditional medical clinics and wellness programs, and now also as a speaker and author. She resides in Southern California with her family.

Francie Calfo is a partner at Undisputed Cinema – Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood’s production company. Most recently they produced the fourth season of GENIUS: MLK/X, a dual biography of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Calfo oversaw Imagine Television development and production for ten years, first as President, then as Chairwoman. During her tenure she developed and produced numerous series - mega-hit Empire on FOX and Emmy-nominated Genius on NatGeo. Calfo was an honoree of Variety’s “Power of Women L.A” and was recognized by Loyola Marymount University with its prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Television. Her passion and commitment to the mentorship of women continues through Unlock Her Potential. A Los Angeles native, Calfo graduated from Loyola Marymount University. Mother of three, she currently resides in Santa Monica, CA.

About the book:

For fans of celebrated self-help books The Power of Now and Atomic Habits, an MD's soulful exploration of healing, tradition, and spirituality through the grounding and nourishing habit of baking challah.

What if an ancient ritual could transform the way you live today?

In her beloved first book, Braided, Dr. Beth Ricanati shared how making sacred bread, challah, every Friday for over a decade transformed her life. Now, in The Braided Prescription, she shares insights from her subsequent challah workshops with groups all over America and even abroad, distilling what she’s learned into seven attainable and powerful practices for managing stress in our daily lives.

Blending personal stories, scientific research, and timeless wisdom, Ricanati demonstrates how these seven practices can restore presence in a distracted world, strengthen bonds with family and community, and teach resilience through imperfection. With warmth and wisdom, she shows how the weekly ritual of making challah bread can help us mend what feels frayed, anchor what feels uncertain, and create space for what truly matters.

For readers from every walk of life—including those who have never made dough or even seen yeast—The Braided Prescription is a powerful reminder that small acts, repeated with care, can lead to profound transformation.