Evolution of Medicine Podcast

In this episode, we learn about anthroposophic medicine from James Maskell’s guest, Adam Blanning, MD. Anthroposophic medicine takes a holistic approach to humans, nature, illness, and healing by addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health. The principles and practices of this medicinal form incorporate elements of herbal medicine, homeopathy, movement therapies and more. Anthroposophic medicine was established in the early 1920s by Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman.

Anthroposophic medicine can be especially beneficial for children working through chronic illnesses, such as asthma, allergies or behavioral issues. Dr. Blanning also highlights the importance of understanding developmental rhythms and providing support for children during key stages of growth.

Dr. Blanning, in addition to founding the Denver Center for Anthroposophic Therapies, is also involved in consulting for Waldorf schools, which are rooted in Rudolf Steiner’s work.

Check out this full conversation to learn more about:

  • James Maskell’s personal experiences with anthroposophic medicine.

  • Application of anthroposophic medicine in various settings, including hospitals and private practices.

  • The importance of creating healing environments that consider the patient's comfort and well-being, such as reducing noise and promoting rest in hospital settings.

An upcoming training week through the Physicians’ Association for Anthroposophic Medicine on April 27 - May 4, 2024 in Loveland, Colorado.

Direct download: 20240321_Podcast__Adam_Blanning.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:50am CDT

James Maskell’s guest on this episode is Dr. Elisa Song, a holistic pediatrician whose mission is to educate clinicians and parents alike about environmental toxicity in children and how to help children thrive by improving their health. She has written books, organized conferences and is passionate about addressing environmental toxicity.  

In this episode, she discusses several sources of toxins in children and the importance of toning the vagus nerve as a strategy to improve children's well-being. Dr. Song’s upcoming book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrated Pediatrician's Guide to Whole Child Resilience, provides practical guidance to help promote health and resilience in children, including advice about how to read food labels and avoid harmful additives.

Check out this empowering conversation to learn more about:

  • Food additives that contribute to leaky gut and chronic illnesses.

  • The importance of parasympathetic exercises for children with chronic symptoms or illnesses.

  • How environmental toxins are contributing to chronic illness.

  • Dr. Song’s book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrated Pediatrician's Guide to Whole Child Resilience, available on May 14, 2024. 

 

Direct download: 20240318_Podcast_Elisa_Song.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:30am CDT

Guest: Zak Holdsworth, CEO of Hint Health

In this Business of Functional Medicine episode, we hear from Zak Holdsworth, a leader in the health technology industry and the CEO and cofounder of Hint Health.

Hint Health supports the direct primary care (DPC) movement and aims to provide affordable, high-quality health care by offering a successful alternative to the traditional fee-for-service model.

Zak Holdsworth’s company offers technology solutions for DPC clinics, including membership management systems and employer infrastructure. They have also developed an EMR system specifically designed for DPC clinics. Additionally, Hint Health has created Hint Connect, a network product that connects DPC clinics with employers and other health care practitioners.

Their goal is to create a unified network of DPC clinics that can work together to provide better care and reduce costs. The company's vision is to redesign the healthcare system to enable easy access to high-quality, affordable care.

Download and listen to the full episode to learn about:

  • The concept of unity and the value of working together in the DPC market.
  • Constraints of the fee-for-service model and how removing those constraints can lead to better patient care and alignment with functional medicine practices.
  • How Hint Connect allows for rapid patient onboarding and revenue generation for doctors.
  • A positive shift in the perception of DPC by insurance brokers, who now see the value in investing in high-value primary care.
  • And much, much more!

Plus, check out the visualization of the interconnected relationships across the Hint Health DPC ecosystem.

Direct download: 20240307_Podcast__Zak_Holdsworth_1_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

In this episode, Dr. Tom Guilliams rejoins the podcast to explore the complexities and misconceptions surrounding botanical medicine and how clinicians can maximize the therapeutic effects of herbs.

We learn from Dr. Guilliams that clinicians using herbs should consider the role of the microbiome in terms of absorption and activation of botanical compounds. He explains that because absorption varies from person to person, a personalized approach is needed for optimal outcomes.

Dr. Guilliams also discusses the limitations of traditional clinical trials in evaluating botanical medicine, and he proposes a new framework that considers individual characteristics, such as genetics and microbiome composition. While Dr. Guilliams encourages listeners to embrace the use of botanicals, he also advises questioning the source and efficacy of herbal products and considering the traditional uses of herbs in addition to the isolated compounds.

Please check out the full conversation to learn more about:

  • The limitations of curcumin and the need to consider the whole components of herbs.
  • Why herbology is complex and requires specialized knowledge.
  • The historical and traditional uses of botanical medicine for healing.
  • Issues with applying the pharmaceutical model to botanical extracts.
  • Why we need to rethink research processes and clinical trial methodologies for botanical medicine.
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20240219_Podcast__Tom_Guilliams_V2a.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:26am CDT

In this podcast episode, James Maskell interviews Dr. Navaz Habib about the importance of the vagus nerve in healing and overall health.

Dr. Habib explains that the vagus nerve plays a critical role in shifting the body from a sympathetic (fight or flight) state to a parasympathetic (rest and digest) state, which is necessary for healing. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for patients to feel connected and reduce stress. Dr. Habib also discusses the role of physical trauma, such as head injuries or spinal misalignments, in affecting vagus nerve function.

He recommends various strategies to improve vagus nerve tone, including diaphragmatic breathing, gargling, humming and physical exercise. Dr. Habib's new book, Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve, provides further information on these strategies and their impact on overall health.

Listen to the full conversation to learn how:

  • The vagus nerve is the organ of unity, connecting all organs and systems in the body.
  • Chronic diseases are diseases of disconnection, both internally and externally.
  • Breathing exercises, such as slow, nasal and diaphragmatic breathing, can help regulate the breath and shift the body into a parasympathetic state.
  • Gargling, humming and vocalization can stimulate the vagus nerve and activate the parasympathetic system.
  • The vagus nerve is a unifying topic for health professionals and can be beneficial for patients of all ages and conditions.
Direct download: 20240206_Podcast_Dr._Navaz_Habib.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:02am CDT

James Maskell’s guest on this episode is Jeffrey Morrison, MD, whose clinical approach is to use nutrition to prevent or reverse degenerative and chronic disease. In both his clinical practice and as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, he considers detoxification as a critical foundation to health.

During this conversation, Dr. Morrison emphasizes that toxins in the environment are a major cause of disease and that our bodies are not equipped to handle the vast array of chemicals present in our modern environment.

He explains that detoxification is a natural process where cells push toxins into the connective tissue, which then moves them through the lymphatic system, liver, gallbladder, and digestive tract for elimination (or through sweat or breath). However, if the body is overwhelmed with toxins or if the detoxification process is hindered, symptoms and illness can occur. Most often, this looks like visible inflammation, aches and pains, fatigue, skin issues and brain fog.  

Dr. Morrison recommends supporting detoxification through practices such as regular exercise, anti-inflammatory eating, drinking plenty of water, and maintaining regular bowel movements. He also discusses the importance of the lymphatic system in detoxification and the role of the nervous system in regulating detoxification.

 Please listen to this full episode to learn more about:

  • Group detox programs to save costs and time, for clinicans and patients alike. 
  • The role of saunas in detoxification
  • The American Academy of Environmental Medicine’s focus on educating practitioners and advocacy for environmental health
  • And much more!

 Evolution of Medicine’s partner, Lifestyle Matrix Resources Center can point you to patient education materials, as well as protocols related to detoxification as well. You can contact them at contactus@lifestylematrix.com.  

Direct download: 20240130_Podcast_Jeffrey_Morrison.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 10:30am CDT

In this episode, James interviews Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a neuro-optometrist. For the first time ever on the podcast, we learn about the field of functional optometry, including how it differs from traditional optometry.

Dr. Appelbaum discusses the importance of vision for overall health and how vision problems can impact learning, behavior and daily life. His framework is shaped by his childhood experience with overcoming visual problems through vision therapy. He is passionate about his mission to raise awareness about functional vision care, even though he faces resistance from conventional optometry.

He also introduces his online vision training program, ScreenFit, which is designed to minimize the negative effects of screens on vision and promote healthy visual habits. Podcast listeners can use the code EVOMED to receive a discount on the ScreenFit program.

Tune into the full conversation to learn more about:

  • How one in 10 children have vision problems that impact their ability to learn
  • The importance of vision for neurological function, especially in childhood
  • Waldorf education and developmentally appropriate educational philosophies
  • How inflammation and cardiometabolic health relate to eye function
  • And much, much more!

 

Direct download: 20240122_Podcast_Bryce_Appelbaum_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:00am CDT

James’ guest on this episode is Dr. Andrew Weil, the founder and leader of a fellowship program for integrative medicine through the University of Arizona. In this role and others, he has significant influence on future generations of integrative medicine practitioners.

In this conversation, Dr. Weil discusses the current state of integrative medicine and his vision for the future. Integrative medicine is becoming more mainstream in the United States, with many medical schools teaching some form of it. However, there is still a long way to go in changing the paradigm of conventional medicine and fully integrating health-promoting practices.

Dr. Weil believes that history is on the side of integrative medicine and that it will eventually become the standard of care. Listen to the full show to discover what is needed going forward to evolve medicine from our guest’s perspective.

This dynamic conversation also touched upon the following topics:

  • The role of psychedelics in integrative medicine
  • A vision of the future where allopathic medicine is a subspecialty focused on critical care, trauma and terminal care
  • The lack of financial incentives for health-promoting and preventative medicine
  • The need for studies that compare conventional and integrative medicine in terms of patient outcomes
  • And much more!

This interview was also featured in the January 2024 Functional Forum, which kickstarted the Evolution of Medicine’s year of unity.

Direct download: 20240116_Podcast_Andrew_Weil.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:00am CDT

In this episode, Dr. Joan Rosenberg discusses her book, 90 Seconds to A Life You Love, and the concept of living life by design. Many believe their circumstances dictate their lives; our guest asserts that one can design their life by having a vision or big goals and working towards them despite the circumstances.

Dr. Rosenberg shares the importance of paying attention to how thoughts and feelings are expressed and managing emotional states effectively. She introduces the concept of the "Rosenberg reset," which involves choosing awareness by experiencing unpleasant feelings for 90 seconds and using insights gained from those feelings to make decisions or act.

Dr. Rosenberg also discusses how clinicians can apply these principles in their practice, including addressing difficult topics with patients and handling their own emotions. She suggests using a soft contract with patients to discuss sensitive issues and delivering information with well-intentioned kindness. Dr. Rosenberg believes confidence and resiliency can be developed when clinicians are able to confront difficult topics and handle the responses they receive.

Download and listen to this conversation to learn more about:

  • How to develop confidence as a clinician
  • Why emotional mastery is an important component of successfully collaborating with patients
  • The eight emotions we need to accept to feel more capable in our lives
  • Using “soft contracts” and offering observations tentatively to deliver difficult messages to patients
  • And much, much more

Joan I. Rosenberg, PhD, creator of Emotional Mastery™ and Emotional Mastery Training™, is a highly regarded expert psychologist, master clinician, trainer and consultant. She is a cutting-edge psychologist who is known as an innovative thinker, trainer and speaker. 

Direct download: 20231221_Podcast_Joan_Rosenberg_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm CDT

In this episode, Dr. Mollie James shares her experiences during and after the pandemic. She transitioned from being a critical care physician in an ICU to providing functional and integrative medicine primary care services.  

Dr. James previously had a career in surgical and critical care, which ended because she spoke publicly about providing early COVID treatments and did not receive a vaccine because she has natural immunity. She was put under investigation by a medical board for 18 months, even though the board made no accusation of wrongdoing. This led to her dropping her fellowship credentials. She was also censured by The American College of Surgeons and is now unable to work in another ICU.

You’ll hear her discuss post-vaccine syndrome and how she helps patients clear and recover from excessive spike protein. She is now dedicated to providing personalized care rooted in functional and integrative medicine principles, and she treats a broad spectrum of chronic health conditions beyond COVID and post-vaccine syndromes.

Tune in and download this episode to learn more about: 

  • How Dr. James’ first attempt at building a practice failed because she was using an insurance model
  • The ethical responsibility of physicians to keep functional medicine affordable
  • Her experience working in ICUs during four waves of the pandemic, which included having her ivermectin prescriptions canceled
  • Foundational tools to treat post-vaccine syndrome
  • And much, much more
Direct download: 20231218_Podcast_Mollie_James.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:30am CDT