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The Hedge: Todd Johnson and the Story of Pomifera® Oil
THE HEDGE is that rare story that takes a candid personal memoir and melds it into a bold portrait of self-discovery—in this case the best that science, botany and the world of business have to offer. This is Todd Johnson’s story, taken from interviews with Dr. Johnson on how a well-orchestrated journey of research, discovery and learning to navigate the complex universe of “entrepreneurial chemistry” helped him uncover one of Nature’s modern miracles—Pomifera® Oil, and all the wonders that follow.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2018
13 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Todd Johnson
67 books4 followersTodd Johnson was born 27 April 1956 in Montclair, New Jersey as the second son and middle child of Horace Wright Johnson (deceased 2009), who worked for DuPont, and Anne McCaffrey(deceased 2011), who had her second short story published that year. He has two siblings: Alec Anthony, born 1952, and Georgeanne ("Gigi", Georgeanne Kennedy), born 1959.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 5, 2018
The Hedge is the life story or Todd Johnson written in the form of an interview. It traces Todd's life from his childhood to the present day. The Hedge is somewhat of a rag to riches story although Todd and his family were never that downtrodden to be actually in rags. While the story itself is interesting, the things that make it special are the intrinsic values and the leadership lessons. Few of the takeaways in leadership are cultivate relationship with everyone and especially with your family and your peers, surround yourself with people who are more intelligent than you and who share the same goals- this confirms and escalates your growth, make everyone at your company competent in everything so that there is no loss of manpower in case of emergency, etc. The book is thoroughly motivational and would be a good gift for teenager's and young adults.
May 31, 2018
‘Synchronicity – a divinely inspired occurrence disguised as a coincidence’ – Carl Jung
Iowa chemist, creator, and now author Todd Johnson earned his Chemistry PhD from Indiana University and in addition to his many scientific articles and patents has opened a new door to health and beauty with his work with a healing seed oil called Pomifera® Oil. He has recently transitioned from drug development to an Eastern medicinal approach to healing skin. He is founder of the Pomifera® Oil revolution—Where Folklore Meets Beauty. California co-author/playwright/producer/director Robert Joseph Ahola, enjoying success in each of his specialty fields, adds a new front as an author/co-author of fourteen published books including The Silent Healer, The Return of the Hummingbird Wizard, I, Dragon, Delusion is Good, and this overview of Johnson’s success – THE HEDGE.
In the Author’s Note, the direction of this fascinating journey begins: ‘There is no perfect time to write a book. What I have learned in the process of putting this together is that stories that need to be told take on a life of their own. They are like seeds of truth that, once planted, cannot be denied the right to flourish. They have to be sewn and watered and given room to grow — finally revealing the truth of what they are. That is what the story of Pomifera® has been for me. In its way this strange natural phenomenon has always been a fringe player in my life. The trees were everywhere in southern Iowa where I grew up. In fact Maclura Pomifera (the Latin designation) are prolific in about 37 of the 48 contiguous United States. And up until recently, it was the tree that was believed useful and very much in demand while its strange “ugly duckling” fruit was regarded as little more than a curious kind of seasonal outgrowth and something of nuisance at that. Hedgeballs, hedge apples, horse apples, Osage oranges, “monkey balls,” bois d’arc, bodark, bodock — all these names and more were attributed to the sticky, crusty, pockmarked green fruit that adorned its branches only to fall to the ground somehow castoff by Nature, unused, undesirable and (seemingly) unacceptable. But wait a minute! I have a science background, a PhD in Chemistry. And I’m not telling you this to impress you (maybe a little bit), as much I am willing to share with you the one thing we learn in every laboratory in the world: Virtually nothing in Nature goes to waste. There does seem to be a purpose for all things under Heaven. And as Aristotle once observed: “Nature abhors a vacuum.” This certainly applies to the Osage Orange, aka Pomifera®. I admit to a bias here. I grew up surrounded by arbors and woods filled with these strange castoffs. And Native American lore about their medicinal uses were more than supported by my dear departed, larger-than-life, self-made millionaire great uncle Don Prevo who insisted until the day he died that, “There’s something ‘magical’ in those hedge balls.” Uncle Don was a man with impeccable instincts. And his insistence that these little rogue green clumps cluttering the groves of Iowa contained one of life’s great secrets stuck to me all through the course of my career in science. From legends of its uses to treat everything from eye infections to skin cancer and uterine complications in women, I held onto the healthy curiosity that any committed scientist must embrace — that there is some strain of truth in every legend, and that everything in this garden of Nature deserves a second look. So, in a way, for years my career path and Pomifera’s ran along parallel lines — finding touching points at various times — but always on the periphery of my awareness. It stayed with me through some of the major science and technology companies in the world, through a dozen plus patents and a host of science and compliance realities that only come when one learns to navigate that narrow corridor between the laboratory and the boardroom, and how to “develop the business side of science.” Finally there came that point of critical mass when enough “hedge apples” crossed my path to bring me to make that final intersection — that leap of faith to dare and uncover the treasure locked inside. The rest that followed is a miracle of discovery that has brought life-changing experiences to thousands of people, and set free a “One Drop WonderTM” whose mysteries have only begun to be explored. Along the way it has generated a cottage industry that is about to blow up along with a network marketing mega-movement beyond all our expectations. Inspired by Pomifera’s phenomenal, life-changing potentials, I knew I had to share all the remarkable experiences that have already unfolded on this journey. It has turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime undertaking. ‘
What follows is the progress of a scientist’s awareness of the miracles of nature – even as found in hedge apples – the ‘trash fruit of Iowa’ into one of the fastest growing cosmetic and health sources of the day. As the synopsis states, ‘THE HEDGE is that rare story that takes a candid personal memoir and melds it into a bold portrait of self-discovery—in this case the best that science, botany and the world of business have to offer. This is Todd Johnson’s story, taken from interviews with Dr. Johnson on how a well-orchestrated journey of research, discovery and learning to navigate the complex universe of “entrepreneurial chemistry” helped him uncover one of Nature’s modern miracles—Pomifera® Oil, and all the wonders that follow.’
Fun, funny, inspiring and rewarding to read, THE HEDGE is the marriage of science and common sense and serendipity – and a fine success story from the road bushes of Iowa!
Iowa chemist, creator, and now author Todd Johnson earned his Chemistry PhD from Indiana University and in addition to his many scientific articles and patents has opened a new door to health and beauty with his work with a healing seed oil called Pomifera® Oil. He has recently transitioned from drug development to an Eastern medicinal approach to healing skin. He is founder of the Pomifera® Oil revolution—Where Folklore Meets Beauty. California co-author/playwright/producer/director Robert Joseph Ahola, enjoying success in each of his specialty fields, adds a new front as an author/co-author of fourteen published books including The Silent Healer, The Return of the Hummingbird Wizard, I, Dragon, Delusion is Good, and this overview of Johnson’s success – THE HEDGE.
In the Author’s Note, the direction of this fascinating journey begins: ‘There is no perfect time to write a book. What I have learned in the process of putting this together is that stories that need to be told take on a life of their own. They are like seeds of truth that, once planted, cannot be denied the right to flourish. They have to be sewn and watered and given room to grow — finally revealing the truth of what they are. That is what the story of Pomifera® has been for me. In its way this strange natural phenomenon has always been a fringe player in my life. The trees were everywhere in southern Iowa where I grew up. In fact Maclura Pomifera (the Latin designation) are prolific in about 37 of the 48 contiguous United States. And up until recently, it was the tree that was believed useful and very much in demand while its strange “ugly duckling” fruit was regarded as little more than a curious kind of seasonal outgrowth and something of nuisance at that. Hedgeballs, hedge apples, horse apples, Osage oranges, “monkey balls,” bois d’arc, bodark, bodock — all these names and more were attributed to the sticky, crusty, pockmarked green fruit that adorned its branches only to fall to the ground somehow castoff by Nature, unused, undesirable and (seemingly) unacceptable. But wait a minute! I have a science background, a PhD in Chemistry. And I’m not telling you this to impress you (maybe a little bit), as much I am willing to share with you the one thing we learn in every laboratory in the world: Virtually nothing in Nature goes to waste. There does seem to be a purpose for all things under Heaven. And as Aristotle once observed: “Nature abhors a vacuum.” This certainly applies to the Osage Orange, aka Pomifera®. I admit to a bias here. I grew up surrounded by arbors and woods filled with these strange castoffs. And Native American lore about their medicinal uses were more than supported by my dear departed, larger-than-life, self-made millionaire great uncle Don Prevo who insisted until the day he died that, “There’s something ‘magical’ in those hedge balls.” Uncle Don was a man with impeccable instincts. And his insistence that these little rogue green clumps cluttering the groves of Iowa contained one of life’s great secrets stuck to me all through the course of my career in science. From legends of its uses to treat everything from eye infections to skin cancer and uterine complications in women, I held onto the healthy curiosity that any committed scientist must embrace — that there is some strain of truth in every legend, and that everything in this garden of Nature deserves a second look. So, in a way, for years my career path and Pomifera’s ran along parallel lines — finding touching points at various times — but always on the periphery of my awareness. It stayed with me through some of the major science and technology companies in the world, through a dozen plus patents and a host of science and compliance realities that only come when one learns to navigate that narrow corridor between the laboratory and the boardroom, and how to “develop the business side of science.” Finally there came that point of critical mass when enough “hedge apples” crossed my path to bring me to make that final intersection — that leap of faith to dare and uncover the treasure locked inside. The rest that followed is a miracle of discovery that has brought life-changing experiences to thousands of people, and set free a “One Drop WonderTM” whose mysteries have only begun to be explored. Along the way it has generated a cottage industry that is about to blow up along with a network marketing mega-movement beyond all our expectations. Inspired by Pomifera’s phenomenal, life-changing potentials, I knew I had to share all the remarkable experiences that have already unfolded on this journey. It has turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime undertaking. ‘
What follows is the progress of a scientist’s awareness of the miracles of nature – even as found in hedge apples – the ‘trash fruit of Iowa’ into one of the fastest growing cosmetic and health sources of the day. As the synopsis states, ‘THE HEDGE is that rare story that takes a candid personal memoir and melds it into a bold portrait of self-discovery—in this case the best that science, botany and the world of business have to offer. This is Todd Johnson’s story, taken from interviews with Dr. Johnson on how a well-orchestrated journey of research, discovery and learning to navigate the complex universe of “entrepreneurial chemistry” helped him uncover one of Nature’s modern miracles—Pomifera® Oil, and all the wonders that follow.’
Fun, funny, inspiring and rewarding to read, THE HEDGE is the marriage of science and common sense and serendipity – and a fine success story from the road bushes of Iowa!
July 17, 2018
An intelligently written work on self-realization and the benefits of pomifera oil
Todd Johnson has taken his time to give us the insights into his own life. In this book which contains questions and answer, we can see Todd’s determination to succeed and how he channeled this strength in making the best out of nature through research.
The Hedge looks at the benefits of the Pomifera Oil as well as its rich properties. This is certainly a well-researched work. This book is very educative and certainly enriches the knowledge greatly. I’ve always known that the Pomifera oil had some benefits, reading this book provided me with the rich properties and methods of application.
Todd grew up in a small not-so-rich town of Bloomfield, Iowa. His background though not so much with a silver lining did not stop him from dreaming big. He rather looked around him and tried to explore the rich properties of what he has found around him.
This book serves as a motivational book based on real facts. It made me see reasons to think differently with an open mind. This book is really a source of encouragement to me. I know for sure others who will come across this book will benefit from it.
Todd Johnson has taken his time to give us the insights into his own life. In this book which contains questions and answer, we can see Todd’s determination to succeed and how he channeled this strength in making the best out of nature through research.
The Hedge looks at the benefits of the Pomifera Oil as well as its rich properties. This is certainly a well-researched work. This book is very educative and certainly enriches the knowledge greatly. I’ve always known that the Pomifera oil had some benefits, reading this book provided me with the rich properties and methods of application.
Todd grew up in a small not-so-rich town of Bloomfield, Iowa. His background though not so much with a silver lining did not stop him from dreaming big. He rather looked around him and tried to explore the rich properties of what he has found around him.
This book serves as a motivational book based on real facts. It made me see reasons to think differently with an open mind. This book is really a source of encouragement to me. I know for sure others who will come across this book will benefit from it.
June 2, 2018
Todd Johnson is a pioneer in his own right as he covers new ground in the health benefits of the Hedge balls in which we all have mystical beliefs. Growing up, we gathered them to keep spiders and bugs out of attics and basements. Todd is described as a passionate man who believe in helping others and throughout his interview with Robert Joseph Hola, Todd expounds on his Rules of the Road. These are rules he applies in his business that allows everyone to work at their full potential. The respect and ethnics in which he treats his employees show what a great man he is.
As I read the interview, The Hedge: Todd Johnson and the Story of Pomifera Oil; I was quite impressed with Todd's integrity and passion for others. He gave credit to his mentors for any success he achieved and humbly allowed RJH to praise his success throughout the interview. I found this book similar to a living motivational seminar, very uplifting and inspiring.
As I read the interview, The Hedge: Todd Johnson and the Story of Pomifera Oil; I was quite impressed with Todd's integrity and passion for others. He gave credit to his mentors for any success he achieved and humbly allowed RJH to praise his success throughout the interview. I found this book similar to a living motivational seminar, very uplifting and inspiring.
June 5, 2018
Todd Johnson’s, “The Hedge: Todd Johnson and the Story of Pomifera Oil,” is a memoir devoted to Todd Johnson’s experiences on the journey that uncovered a multi-purposeful item that was beneficial by the grace of nature. I had not ordinarily known and understood all of the benefits and possibilities of Pomifera Oil, but the memoir educated me on its properties and purposes, which was very interesting. It is also well-written, as it is indicating the various health benefits that it contains, while displaying all of the work and experiences that Todd went through, trying to prove and support the benefits through research. He does a fantastic job of trying to show the integrity of Pomifera Oil, while also trying to be nonbiased in regards to its properties. I think it might have been a bit shorter of a novel though, as some parts felt drawn out and over explained, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading on anew topic and experience.
June 14, 2018
When it comes to people’s attitudes towards supplements and drugs, very often it can seem that the world is divided between those who examine nothing, and those who fear a conspiracy behind every label.
The reality, of course, is that there are many who are honestly curious and open-minded regards the pharmaceuticals industry, want the best for their health, and don’t go for the tinfoil hat-wearing naturalistic fallacy or (the opposite extreme) write off anything “natural” as new age crystal woo.
This book is aimed at these reasonable people of the middle ground; hopefully, dear reader, that’s you. If it is, you’ll get a lot out of it, if you’re looking for an insider view of an industry often shrouded in mystery and disinformation.
I highly recommend this book if what you’re most interested in getting is that kind of demystification, presented in a very transparent and accessible fashion.
The reality, of course, is that there are many who are honestly curious and open-minded regards the pharmaceuticals industry, want the best for their health, and don’t go for the tinfoil hat-wearing naturalistic fallacy or (the opposite extreme) write off anything “natural” as new age crystal woo.
This book is aimed at these reasonable people of the middle ground; hopefully, dear reader, that’s you. If it is, you’ll get a lot out of it, if you’re looking for an insider view of an industry often shrouded in mystery and disinformation.
I highly recommend this book if what you’re most interested in getting is that kind of demystification, presented in a very transparent and accessible fashion.
May 27, 2018
I have never heard about Todd Johnson but reading the premise and the other reviews I thought it could be a good read and I was not disappointed.
The book offers a terrific insight into how he made his incredible discoveries that not only benefited his life but had a tremendous positive impact on the life of so many people. We can follow the story of his scientific breakthrough and how he turned into a successful entrepreneurial. The language is easy and accessible, even for ones who don’t have a science background. It’s a story about hard work, talent, and perseverance that ultimately turn into a success story.
There are very strong and positive passages and I think it can be a wonderful read for anyone who is struggling professionally. Either feeling stuck in a job or research or that his/her breakthrough moment never arrives. It’s positive and inspirational.
The book offers a terrific insight into how he made his incredible discoveries that not only benefited his life but had a tremendous positive impact on the life of so many people. We can follow the story of his scientific breakthrough and how he turned into a successful entrepreneurial. The language is easy and accessible, even for ones who don’t have a science background. It’s a story about hard work, talent, and perseverance that ultimately turn into a success story.
There are very strong and positive passages and I think it can be a wonderful read for anyone who is struggling professionally. Either feeling stuck in a job or research or that his/her breakthrough moment never arrives. It’s positive and inspirational.
June 2, 2018
It’s amazing how further you can go in life if you never compromise or abandon your beliefs and passions, this man, Todd Johnson is a prime example of that, following his research and breaking boundaries for the benefits of others, to help others, we should all follow this example.
The insight provided here is flawless; it’s baffling how much we are unaware in these so called ‘high tech times’ but Todd is aware of his surroundings and using this book as a fundamental base of knowledge is a great way to start research and knowing more about the world. Just reading about his discoveries and how helpful he has been improving the life of many people, it’s inspiring.
This book is about science and discovery and yet it’s language and writing is very easy to assimilate and follow, so don’t hesitate and buy this book, we need more Todd Johnson in this world.
The insight provided here is flawless; it’s baffling how much we are unaware in these so called ‘high tech times’ but Todd is aware of his surroundings and using this book as a fundamental base of knowledge is a great way to start research and knowing more about the world. Just reading about his discoveries and how helpful he has been improving the life of many people, it’s inspiring.
This book is about science and discovery and yet it’s language and writing is very easy to assimilate and follow, so don’t hesitate and buy this book, we need more Todd Johnson in this world.
May 25, 2018
This was a memoir turned into motivational guidance for readers. I really liked Todd's story on the scientific research, discovery, and usage of the popular Pomifera oil. Todd shares his success story which I found both inspirational and motivating. I really like that he shares his plan for success and offers guidance as well as encouragement for those entrepreneurs that have a product and want to be able to successfully market and sell it. Reading Todd's story and learning from someone that has success doing just that offers not only an incredible memoir, but a plan of attack. I enjoyed the strategies he shared and how he used them to get where he is today. A good read for anyone looking to market or sell tangible products.
May 23, 2018
The story of success and how to achieve it
This is a book about Todd Johnson and his discovery and successful marketing of Pomifera Oil. Todd combines his scientific skills and knowledge with a great business and distribution plan to create a successful business. The Hedge is this journey and how anyone can achieve the same level of success. There is a plan that is revealed that will help anyone with a product and a dream to achieve and succeed. I recommend this book for anyone who is considering a business and has a desire to succeed. There are some good strategies and information in this book.
This is a book about Todd Johnson and his discovery and successful marketing of Pomifera Oil. Todd combines his scientific skills and knowledge with a great business and distribution plan to create a successful business. The Hedge is this journey and how anyone can achieve the same level of success. There is a plan that is revealed that will help anyone with a product and a dream to achieve and succeed. I recommend this book for anyone who is considering a business and has a desire to succeed. There are some good strategies and information in this book.
May 31, 2018
The Hedge: Todd Johnson and the Story of Pomifera Oil is a motivational book that tells a great story about the creation of an innovative product and the steps necessary to become a success in business. This product is supposed to be one of the best with many benefits, and those benefits are touted in this book. Johnson tells how he used his admirable scientific background along with marketing acumen to successfully market and distribute the product. There are some solid strategies in this book that will motivate and inspire even the most downtrodden entrepreneur. Highly recommend for a true story look at business prosperity.
May 23, 2018
Motivational!
The book is actually the story of Todd Johnson, who discovered Pomifera Oil produced from Osage Orange that is said to have many benefits for human. The story is a Dr. Johnson journey to this discovery that is motivational, encouraging for anyone looking to set up their own business. It is educational and shows path of self discovery, and benefits of Pomifera Oil.
The book is actually the story of Todd Johnson, who discovered Pomifera Oil produced from Osage Orange that is said to have many benefits for human. The story is a Dr. Johnson journey to this discovery that is motivational, encouraging for anyone looking to set up their own business. It is educational and shows path of self discovery, and benefits of Pomifera Oil.
May 17, 2020
Excellent look at the man of Science
Todd Johnson is an amazing scientist, looking to “God’s Nature” for powerful and effective products. This book tells his adventure on the way to Pomifera.
Todd Johnson is an amazing scientist, looking to “God’s Nature” for powerful and effective products. This book tells his adventure on the way to Pomifera.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews