Evolution of Medicine Podcast

Business of Functional Medicine: Four Entrepreneurial Mindsets for Practice Owners [OM1]  

Guest: Ari Meisel

Host: Kristen Brokaw

Episode # 349

October 2, 2024

 

In this Business of Functional Medicine podcast episode hosted by Kristen Brokaw, Ari Meisel, a business coach, discusses the importance of productivity and scalability for healthcare providers. He emphasizes the need for providers to shift their mindset from being indispensable to creating systems that allow for growth and delegation. The discussion covers the impact of technology on business practices, the four entrepreneurial mindsets, and strategies for improving patient experiences and communication within practices.

Ari also shares insights on effective delegation and the importance of overcoming overwhelm to find hope and success in practice management.

Tune into this episode to learn about:

  • How Ari’s "Less Doing" system can help providers become more replaceable in their businesses
  • How technology amplifies existing habits, good or bad
  • Planning for an “exit strategy” to have an eventual option of selling one’s business or stepping into less hands-on, time-intensive role
  • Using delegation to empower team members, not just offload work
  • Improving communication to improve your business and clinical practice
Direct download: 20240924_Podcast_-_Ari_Meisel.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 2:47pm CDT

In this week’s episode of the Evolution of Medicine Podcast, we dive deep into the groundbreaking work of Beth Lambert, executive director at Documenting Hope, and Dr. Heather Tallman Ruhm, medical director at Documenting Hope. This powerful conversation centers on reversing autism, addressing chronic pediatric illnesses, and how integrative medicine is playing a critical role in improving children's health.

Lambert and Dr. Tallman Ruhm share their personal journeys and the transformative impact of their research on families dealing with autism. They discuss the importance of understanding autism as a spectrum and the various factors—from environmental toxins to total body load—that contribute to chronic illness in children. You’ll also hear about their ongoing research studies and the vital role of community support in helping families navigate these complex challenges.

Lambert and Dr. Tallman Ruhm emphasize the power of integrative medicine, and the growing network of practitioners dedicated to addressing autism and chronic illness in children through a holistic lens. Their work is pushing the boundaries of pediatric health and providing new hope for families. Tune in now to learn more about the future of pediatric health and the essential role of community support.

When you listen to this episode, you’ll learn: 

  • That in some cases, autism can be reversed
  • Early intervention leads to better outcomes
  • Each child’s health journey is unique and care must be individualized
  • Environmental factors play a key role in the development of autism
  • Genetics are important but not the sole cause—understanding the total load on a child’s system is crucial
  • Community support is essential for families facing autism
  • Documenting cases is critical for scientific validation and future treatment models
  • And much more

https://documentinghope.com/

Direct download: 20240827_Podcast_-_Heather_Tallman__BethLambert_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:32pm CDT

In this inspiring episode, Erin and Gene share their powerful journey from the world of conventional medicine to founding their thriving functional medicine practice, Rising Tide Wellness, in Charleston, SC. Through personal health challenges and professional growth, they discovered the potential of functional medicine to provide the answers they were searching for—not just for themselves, but for their community.

This conversation delves into how their partnership fueled their transition, the importance of accountability, and how the support of their local community has been integral to their success. From navigating the challenges of building a practice to embracing personal transformation, Erin and Gene offer a roadmap for practitioners looking to balance heart, structure, and innovation in the evolving world of healthcare.

Tune in to learn about:

  • Solutions that functional medicine offers where conventional approaches may fall short
  • How to build a supportive partnership to drive personal and professional growth
  • How a successful practice demands both community integration and personal development
  • How workshops, group coaching, and virtual care can provide flexibility and deeper patient engagement
  • How personal and professional transformations are continuous and impactful

Tune in to hear how Erin and Gene are forging new paths in medicine and empowering their community to take charge of their wellness.

 

Rising Tide Wellness

The Business of Functional Medicine: Proactive Business Solutions for a Healthy Practice with Seth Conger

Direct download: 20240918_Podcast_-_Rising_Tide_Wellness.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 11:14am CDT

In this episode of the Evolution of Medicine podcast, James Maskell speaks with Emily Kaplan of the Broken Science Initiative. They dive deep into the flaws of modern science, particularly in the context of medicine, and discuss how these issues contribute to the chronic disease epidemic. Emily Kaplan and Greg Glassman of CrossFit co-founded the Broken Science Initiative to address these deep-rooted problems and promote true scientific inquiry.

During this episode, you will hear an argument that the modern scientific method, especially in medicine, has become corrupted by political and financial interests, leading to a replication crisis and widespread statistical manipulation. Emily Kaplan also differentiates medicine and public health, criticizing the latter as being more about political consensus than clinical significance, leading to flawed public health policies.

Tune in for a conversation that explores:

  • Why there has been a decline in moral obligation to patients in hospital settings
  • The loss of physician authority and how that impacts patients
  • Flawed research and corruption in science
  • Critiques of public health
  • How CrossFit can help reverse the chronic disease epidemic.
  • And much more!

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the deep issues within the scientific community and how they impact public health and medicine.

Episode resources: 

The Broken Science Initiative and The Journal Club.

Direct download: 20240827_Podcast_-_Emily_Kaplan.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:49pm CDT

Rob Kress, with a background in pharmacy and herbology, joins James for a compelling discussion on the critical need for men’s health-focused medical practices. This episode is meant to inspire practitioners to create successful, holistic men’s health practices that can effectively address the current men’s health crisis.

The conversation stems from the recognition that many existing practices are primarily geared toward women, leaving a gap in addressing men’s specific health needs. Rob Kress shares with listeners his program, Man Unmedicated, which is a 30+ hour training program designed to equip practitioners with both clinical knowledge and coaching skills. Man Unmedicated offers a dual approach to men's health:

  1. Functional Medicine Training: Focuses on labs, hormones, medications, and other clinical aspects related to men’s health.
  2. Holistic Wellness Training: Covers the "seven peaks of wellness," including physical health, movement, exercise, and emotional/mental well-being, providing a more comprehensive approach to men's health.

Listen to the episode to hear more about:

  • Opportunities that come with building men’s health-focused practices
  • The importance of creating relatability and trust with male patients by sharing personal health journeys
  • Strategies for building referral-based, community-centered practices around men's health groups and coaching
  • Ongoing mentorship and support to help practitioners implement this model in their communities
  • And much more

The State of Men’s Health Functional Forum, August 2024

Man Unmedicated

Direct download: 20240821_Podcast_-_Robert_Kress.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:12pm CDT

Julia Hotz is a journalist and author, who wrote a book called The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service and Belonging. James and Julia connected because her new book is strikingly synergistic in topic and title to James’ second book, The Community Cure: Transforming Health Outcomes Together, which calls for readers to adopt group care principles to make lifestyle medicine more widely accessible and sustainable.

This is an enlivening conversation, where you’ll hear about the data backing social prescribing as an antidote to the most prevalent chronic health issues of this generation: illnesses exacerbated by the loneliness epidemic, such as attention and mood issues and a slew of chronic illnesses.

Tune in to learn about:

  • Financial benefits of social prescribing
  • Business solutions for supporting community-based solutions to chronic health issues
  • How science backs social prescribing as an effective solution to ailments like chronic pain, trauma, dementia, diabetes and loneliness
  • Potential for insurance companies to incentivize social prescriptions
  • The benefits of art and nature on health
  • And much more
Direct download: 20240813_Podcast_-_Julia_Hotz_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 1:21pm CDT

VagusFest launched in spring 2024, and Dr. Kelly Livingston took the concept and ran with it, creating a sucessful event that engaged her local community members. Dr. Livingston joins this podcast episode to share her experience applying James Maskell’s VagusFest model in Darien, Connecticut.

The VagusFest model enables local practitioners to host local community events that demonstrate to local attendees the power of vagal toning, and indirectly, the benefits of lifestyle, functional, or integrative medicine. Functioning as a promotional event for local clinics, VagusFest addresses a public relations issue for functional medicine, which is that the general perception that patients must invest significant time into their health journey before seeing results. VagusFest hosts can showcase how their approach to medicine offers immediate benefits through direct experience at the event.

Download and listen to the episode to hear more about:

  • Reasons for practitioners to prioritize nervous system regulation in their practices.
  • Dr. Livingston’s favorite resources on vagal toning, including books by Deb Dana and Stanley Rosenberg.
  • Challenges and successes of previous VagusFest events.
  • The value of group medicine and community engagement.

This podcast episode is brought to you by Pulsetto. Pulsetto is a leader in the vagus nerve revolution. Their vagus nerve stimulator is extremely easy to use, great for addressing pain and sleep issues.  Order your first one at goevomed.com/Pulsetto. If you like it and want to order for your patients, you can also order wholesale much like you would do with supplements. This is potentially a powerful tool to use in your practice. 

 

Direct download: 20240723_Podcast_-_Kelly_Livingston.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Expanding upon the July 2024 Functional Forum about reversing cognitive decline, this podcast episode offers the full conversation between Dr. Heather Sandison and James Maskell.  Dr. Sandison is the author of Reversing Alzheimer’s: The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain Health.

In this episode, the guest delves deeper into the potential for functional medicine to reverse dementia, and Dr. Sandison shares her success in using a comprehensive approach to improving cognitive function for patients.  She also discusses challenges and controversies surrounding this approach, including the role of mold and toxins in brain health

This is a hopeful discussion that offers listeners:

  1. An overview of the factors that clinicans want to consider addressing with dementia patients
  2. Findings from clinical trials that use lifestyle and personalized medicine
  3. An understanding of cost saving benefits of a functional medicine approach
  4. The potential for AI to assist in supporting decision-making protocols
  5. And much more!
Direct download: 20240708_Podcast_-_Heather_Sanidson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:10am CDT

Kirkland Newman is the founder of MindHealth360, host of the London Functional Forum Community, and is organizing the Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conference, occurring October 10-13, 2024 just outside of  Washington, DC.

The conference aims to bring together various practitioners and professionals in the mental health field to discuss concrete solutions and advancements in mental health care. The conference will address topics such as brain health, technology addiction, gut-brain connection, trauma therapy, genomics, and more.

The goal is to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice and provide practitioners with a wider toolbox to address mental health issues. The conference is open to medical and mental health professionals, as well as passionate individuals interested in mental health transformation.

This episode offers a preview of cutting-edge perspectives on mental health, including cognitive decline. When you listen, you’ll learn about:

  1. Kirkland’s vision to integrate functional medicine into mainstream mental health practices.
  2. The epidemic of mental health issues, especially among young people, is a concern, and conventional medical practices seem ill-equipped to address the problem.
  3. An introduction to some IMMH speakers, including Dr. Daniel Amen, who focuses on brain health rather than mental health; Dr. Robert Lustig, who discusses technology addiction and the impact of the amygdala on mental health; Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Dale Bredesen, and more. 
  4. The gut-brain connection, trauma's impact on biochemistry and the gut, and the importance of safe connection and social engagement in healing are also highlighted in the conversation.
  5. And much more!
Direct download: 20240619_Podcast_-_Kirkland_Newman.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 10:15am CDT

In this Business of Functional Medicine episode, Kristen Brokaw hosts a conversation with Dr. Jarrod Spencer, a sports psychologist who also works with corporations and high net-worth professionals. In this episode, Dr. Spencer discusses the importance for clinicans to manage emotional energy and mental fatigue. Given that healthcare is usually a high-stress role, individuals must prioritize their emotional health and well-being.

Getting enough sleep, counseling and developing a mental toolbox to effectively manage emotional energy are examples of strategies healthcare providers should be employing. He also highlights the significance of creating a positive and supportive culture in the workplace, including practices like fist bumping and high fiving to foster camaraderie among staff members.

This episode validates physician burnout and offers helpful tools for managing emotional energy and mental fatigue.

If you listen to the full episode, you’ll hear about:

1.       Dr. Spencer’s scoring system, for measuring emotional energy, or one’s psychological capacity to effectively deal with immediate stressors in their life.

2.       Mental fatigue significantly impacts a person's perception of effort. When mentally fatigued, individuals are more likely to perceive tasks as requiring more effort, which can decrease their endurance and motivation.

3.       Emotional and mental fatigue can lead to negative thinking, decreased performance, and burnout.

4.       Compassion fatigue and neglecting one's own emotional well-being can have negative consequences on both personal and professional life.

5.       And more!

Direct download: 20240523_Podcast_-_Jarrod_Spencer___Kristen_Brokaw.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm CDT

On this episode, our guest is Mastin Kipp, a best-selling author and creator of Functional Life CoachingTM. Mastin joined the podcast to talk about his recent book titled, Reclaim Your Nervous System, which discusses the importance of prioritizing the nervous system in healing and overall well-being.

Mastin asserts that befriending and addressing resistant parts of ourselves can promote healing and improve our relationship with our nervous system. Mastin highlights the power of group care and co-regulation in creating a safe space for emotional expression and healing.

This podcast release coincides with Evolution of Medicine’s launch of VagusFest, which is a participatory nervous system healing event that practitioners can organize to promote healing in their communities. If you’re interested in hosting your own event, please contact support@goevomed.com. 

Check out the full podcast episode to hear about:

  • Mastin Kipp’s journey into coaching and the study of the nervous system.
  • The power of group settings for facilitating behavior change and creating a sense of safety.
  • Co-regulating groups can drive the adoption of functional medicine as a standard of care, with clinicians providing support and addressing root causes when necessary.
  • Challenges of expressing emotions and the societal conditioning that often discourages emotional expression.
  • And more!
Direct download: 20240528_Podcast-Mastin_Kipp_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 10:00am CDT

Robert Lustig, MD joins James for this information-packed episode that unifies mental and metabolic healthcare. Dr. Lustig is a pediatric endocrinologist and food educator, who focuses on spreading awareness about the topic of this podcast.

During this episode he walks through the connection between nutrition, brain health, and mental health. They touch on topics such as the impact of ultra-processed food on metabolic health, the role of the amygdala in fear conditioning and chronic toxic stress, and the importance of the vagus nerve in regulating the nervous system.

Dr. Lustig also highlights the need for public education and policy change to address the systemic health crisis and mental health crisis. Dr. Lustig will be speaking at the Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conference in October 2024.

Check out this informative, empowering episode to hear about:

  • Dr. Lusting’s new book on the amygdala and its connection to food.
  • The importance of understanding the difference between food science, nutrition and metabolic health.
  • The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in systemic and mental health disorders.
  • The potential for a cultural shift toward prioritizing metabolic health and the challenges facing it. 
Direct download: 20240514_Podcast-Robert_Lustig__MD-Take_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 1:00pm CDT

In this episode, Darrell Moon, founder of Aspirational Healthcare, discusses the Nuka System of Care in Anchorage, Alaska, which has been called “the best healthcare system in the world.” The system is built around the needs and aspirations of the customers, focusing on building relationships and providing support to help individuals achieve their goals in life. 

Moon encourages healthcare providers to consider offering direct primary care memberships and aligning with employers who are willing to fund this type of healthcare. He also advises business leaders to take control of their healthcare purchasing power and align with benefit consultants who work in their best interest. Nuka System of Care has achieved high levels of patient satisfaction, improved health outcomes and reduced costs.

Moon invites individuals to attend the Nuka System of Care June conference and a conference for business leaders in September to learn more about the system and how to implement an aspirational model of healthcare.

Tune in to the full episode to hear more about:

·       How hospital admissions can be reduced by focusing on preventive care and early intervention

·       How CEOs can influence healthcare systems, through their purchasing power and by practicing problem solving abilities they regularly use to lead their businesses

·       How employers can align objectives with healthcare brokers, so that the benefits consultant gets incentivized to be paid for meeting the employers’ objectives (reduced healthcare expenses through direct primary care that emphasizes prevention and customer-centric care)  

·       Nuka System of Care provides healthcare at half the cost of other systems in the US, due to their focus on providing care that is aligned with the goals and needs of the customer, rather than focusing on profit

·       Growing demand for direct primary care (DPC) membership

Check out these upcoming conferences held by Nuka System of Care:

·       June 24-28, 2024: Nuka System of Care Conference

·       September 10-12, 2024: CEO Summit in Anchorage, AK with Aspirational Healthcare

Direct download: 20240513_Podcast_-_Darrell_Moon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am CDT

In this episode James Maskell is joined by returning guest, Dr. Shilpa Saxena, MD to continue exploring the use of GLP-1 agonists, specifically Semaglutide, for weight loss and cardiometabolic diseases.

The conversation reinforces the importance of using GLP-1s responsibly and in conjunction with lifestyle medicine coaching to address underlying behavioral issues and promote sustainable weight loss. Dr. Saxena emphasizes the need to address metabolic dysfunction comprehensively, considering factors such as fatty liver disease and insulin resistance, and using a combination of interventions, including herbs, botanicals, and lifestyle modifications.

They also discuss the potential side effects of GLP-1 agonists and strategies for minimizing them. Additionally, they touch on the role of group visits and community support in facilitating behavior change and long-term success in weight management.

Check out the full episode to hear their thoughts on:

  •        Normalizing discussions around weight without enabling poor health.
  •       The role of supportive communities to support behavior change
  •       Stigma around Semaglutide use
  •        Patient personas who functional medicine providers are best able to help, and those personas that are not a good fit for the functional medicine approach to weight loss.

Learn about Group Visit Toolkits

Direct download: 20240415_Podcast_Dr._Shilpa_P_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

In James Maskell’s first-ever solo podcast, he introduces Evolution of Medicine’s upcoming event, VagusFest. On May 29, 2024, listeners can join the Evolution of Medicine’s debut VagusFest, a participatory education experience focused on toning the vagus nerve, that will provide hands-on healing experiences for participants.  

In this podcast episode, James previews themes that will be explored during VagusFest and expresses how the event will help advance health-promoting medicine.

VagusFest will serve as a model for clinicans to recreate similar events in their local communities as a strategy for carrying out public relations campaigns that promote functional medicine at the local level. VagusFest is a complete set of tools to run a VagusFest event in a community, including step-by-step guides, marketing materials, and PR assets.

Check out the full conversation to learn about:

  • James’ thoughts on what has been limiting the growth of functional medicine.
  • How to win over new patients who have been deterred by long treatment timelines and expectations to make lifestyle changes.
  • How VagusFest will give participants the tools to regulate their own nervous systems and create a sense of unity and healing in their communities.
  • Upcoming opportunities for practitioners to participate in VagusFest events and learn how to implement them in their own communities.
Direct download: 20240415_Podcast_-_VagusFest__James_solo_.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Dr. James Carter, the director of the Center for Functional Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, discusses his journey to functional medicine and his role at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Carter is also a vascular medicine specialist and is interested in vascular health from a functional medicine perspective.

He talks about the vision and growth of functional medicine at Cleveland Clinic, including the development of specialized programs for women's health, oncology, pediatrics, and cardiovascular health. Dr. Carter also discusses the importance of group visits and shared medical appointments in functional medicine practice. He shares his excitement for the upcoming Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Annual International Conference (AIC) and highlights topics he is looking forward to, such as bone health, mental health and pediatric nutrition.

Finally, Dr. Carter reflects on his decision to join Cleveland Clinic and expresses his enthusiasm for the future of functional medicine at the institution.

Check out this full conversation to learn more about:

·         A systems perspective that integrates biological systems with social context in patient care.

·         Educating medical students and integrating functional medicine into cardiology practice

·         Understanding and overcoming resistance to change with patients.

·         A preview of Dr. Carter’s upcoming IFM presentation, and what he’s looking forward to learning from other presenters.

·         And much, much more!

Register here for IFM’s AIC event, occurring May 29-June 1, 2024. You can also register for VagusFest here, which is occurring on the evening of May 29. 

Check out Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center’s new website to learn about their Group Visit Toolkits, tools to enhance patient compliance and more at lifestylematrix.com/membership.

 

Direct download: 20240321_Podcast__James_Carter_Jr__MD_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 10:35am CDT

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

Peter Kozlowski, MD is a functional medicine physician based in Chicago, Illinois. In this episode, we discussed the importance of detoxification and gut health in his practice. He emphasizes the need to address the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of health because they play a significant role in detoxification.

Dr. Kozlowski recommends focusing on the basics of detox, such as sleep, hydration, bowel movements, and sweating, before considering more advanced testing and treatments. He also highlights the importance of community and social support for maintaining a healthy detoxification system in the body. Dr. Kozlowski encourages practitioners to work together and collaborate rather than compete in order to better serve patients and improve outcomes.

Download and listen to learn more about the following:

  • How recovering from an alcohol-use disorder led Dr. Kozlowski to functional medicine
  • The value of testing for heavy metals, mycotoxins and glyphosate
  • Addressing the skin and gut barrier during detoxification protocols  
  • Dr. Kozlowski’s experimentation with different payment models and in-person versus virtual visits
  • Using cortisol labs, stool cultures and other tests to show patients how trauma impacts their health
  • And much, much more 
Direct download: 20231211_Podcast_Peter_Kozlowski_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:30am CDT

 This episode’s guest is Dr. Michelle Thompson, the medical director of the Lifestyle Medicine Institute at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). This conversation explores how Dr. Thompson is bringing lifestyle and integrative medicine into major health systems.

She began her journey practicing integrative medicine but leveraged the six pillars of lifestyle medicine to bridge the gap with conventional medicine. This hybrid path allowed her to excel at practicing in traditional settings and facilitated introducing integrative and lifestyle medicine principles into larger health systems.

Dr. Thompson also shared evidence that there is growing momentum behind the integrative and lifestyle medicine movements, including acceptance and adoption of its principles within health systems. She encourages physicians who may have previously left the system to consider returning and joining a hospital system that is open to change and supportive of these modalities.

Building upon recent podcast conversations, such as the episode with Dr. Joe Pizzorno, this episode emphasizes the importance of unity amongst the many disciplines within health-promoting care.

Download and listen to this episode to learn more about:

  • How clinicans can transform medicine by being bold and authentic in how they choose to practice
  • The responsibility of clinicians, residents and medical students to help shift the culture in medicine to better align with the principles of lifestyle medicine
  • The importance of showing empathy towards patients and letting them drive their own health journey
  • Physician burnout and the importance of clinicians prioritizing self-care
  • And much, much more

Related resources:

American College of Lifestyle Medicine: About the UMPC Lifestyle Medicine Program

Whole Hearted Medicine: Meet Dr. Michelle 

Direct download: 20231122_Podcast_Michelle_Thompson_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:00am CDT

Dr. Joe Pizzorno, a prominent naturopathic doctor and Board Chair at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), joins James to discuss the unifying factors among the many channels of health medicine, which include acupuncture, naturopathic, functional, integrative, chiropractic, and Ayurvedic medicine.

This conversation addresses foundational aspects of health, such as nutrition and lifestyle, that support optimal mitochondrial function for vitality. Dr. Pizzorno also shared the need for scientific research to support the effectiveness of health medicine practices and calls for increased funding in this area. For example, he hopes that we will have access to reliable clinical testing for mitochondrial energy and ATP production in the future.

Listen to the episode to learn more about:

  •   Preventing neurodegeneration by eating organically grown food
  •   The importance of flavonoids 
  •   Vitalism (creating health) versus pathogenesis and salutogenesis
  •     The need for a clear conceptual basis for integrative medicine
  •   The great potential for Health Medicine Alliance to improve the public health baseline

Related resources:

Direct download: 20231024_Podcast_Joe_Pizzorno.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:45am CDT

ummary 

Our guest, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret, and he now shares his skills and experience as a storyteller, speaker, actor, playwright and leadership trainer. During this podcast episode, he joined Kristen Brokaw, our host for the Business of Functional Medicine quarterly series, to discuss the importance of emotional recovery and human connection for clinicians so they can combat burnout and build trust with patients.

Scott Mann's experience in the Special Forces, where relationships were crucial to his survival, has shaped his approach to leadership and communication. He now helps business, nonprofit and corporate leaders develop interpersonal influence skills to bridge trust gaps and engage with others effectively. He also highlights the power of storytelling in healing and fostering connections.

Scott encourages practitioners to share their own stories and ask thoughtful, open-ended questions to build trust and understanding with patients and peers.

Check out this episode to learn more about the following:

·       Scott Mann’s Pre-Engagement Preparation (PEP) technique (demo video) 

  • What the world should learn from acting and storytelling practices
  • High performers and mental health issues, and why clinicians must protect their well-being
  • Storytelling heals and is a sense-making tool
  • Why narrative competence may be the most important soft skill for clinicians to foster  
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20231019_Podcast_Scott_Mann.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:15am CDT

In this podcast episode, James Maskell speaks with Swathi Rao, PA-C. She is the owner of Be Well Family Care in Indianapolis, and she was featured in James’ book, The Community Cure, to showcase her successful implementation of group visits.

We explored the clinical applications of vitamin K2, which range from musculoskeletal and immune health to aesthetics and longevity. Swathi also shared how her knowledge on vitamin K2 nutrient therapy has developed throughout her career, how to identify patients who may benefit from vitamin K2 therapy and the benefits of combining vitamin K2 with vitamin D, including dosing recommendations.

Swathi emphasized the importance of patient education to enable informed decision-making when it comes to controversial health topics like vitamin K2 supplementation. She also provided insights on building a successful practice and the role of non-MD professionals in healthcare.

Please download and listen to learn more about:

  •       The forms of vitamin K and which are most beneficial
  •       When it is appropriate to recommend this nutrient
  •       Swathi’s experience with local Functional Forum meetups
  •      Vitamin K2 uses for aesthetics and longevity
  •       And much, much more!

Related resources:

Direct download: 20230914_Podcast_Swathi_Rao.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Our podcast guest, Michael Mabry, DO, works in a fully capitated medical group in Johnson City, Tennessee. Capitation is a fee-per-patient model, which tends to promote health by incentivizing preventative medicine, chronic disease reversal and helping patients maintain their health. 

Implementing group medical visits has allowed Dr. Mabry’s practice to improve patient outcomes and increase the local community’s access to lifestyle medicine. In his group visits, patients who have similar medical issues come together once a month for a two-hour visit to learn relevant health information.

Dr. Mabry also shared that he can spend more time with patients individually because he has systemized patient education. Part of the success of the group visits, according to Dr. Mabry, comes from the much-needed sense of community experienced by participants.

Early in his career, he learned about how to build and scale his practice through some of the first Functional Forum events and the Group Visit Toolkits from Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center.

When you listen to this episode, you’ll also learn about the following:

  • How to connect your business needs with your passion for lifestyle medicine to evolve health care
  • The benefits of capitation as a business model
  • How you can foster connections with your local community to build your business
  • Practical alternatives for dysfunctional payment models in the health care industry
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20230920_Podcast_Michael_Mabry_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

This week’s podcast guest is Jonathan Jones, PhD, a plant polyphenols researcher and the Chief Scientific Officer at Monteloeder, a company that provides innovative, scientifically researched botanical ingredients by assessing the botanicals’ components, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities, and mechanisms of action.

They developed a product called metabolaid®, which contains a standardized ratio of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and lemon verbena extract to deliver active compounds, primarily anthocyanins and verbascoside, respectively. This product reduces triglyceride buildup in fat cells in the liver and adipose tissue.

We learned from Dr. Jones about how metabolaid® activates AMPK, which can switch on fat burning and block fat storage. There are numerous other cardiovascular and weight-loss benefits linked to this product, including improved microbiome diversity and others discussed by Dr. Jones in this episode.

Please listen to the full conversation to learn the following about this powerful botanical:

  •       Its cardiovascular and fat-loss benefits
  •        The plant components and mechanisms of action
  •        The research and extraction process
  •        How this product differs from incretin agonists and increases GLP-1 expression
  •        And much, much more!
Direct download: 20230920_Podcast_Jonathan_Jones-.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Zandra Palma, MD practices what she calls “sub-diagnostic analysis and disease reversal,” which is primarily environmental medicine with a touch of functional medicine. Environmental medicine, according to our guest, looks for elegant solutions to chronic health conditions. This often means removing environmental toxins that trigger mitochondrial dysfunction. 

Common environmental toxins include heavy metals, pesticides, plastics like BPA, and biotoxins like Lyme and mold—among many others. She also discusses the treatments she uses to reboot mitochondrial function.

Her passion is to spread the word about the gravity of the effects environmental toxins have on human health, especially the hormone-disrupting impacts of plastics and BPAs.

She recently gave a TEDx talk, which was censored by the TED organization. Thankfully, she was able to rip the video so you can still watch it online. In her talk, she provides specific tips to protect yourself from environmental toxins and recommendations for initiating grass roots movements in your community.

Other topics Dr. Palma covered in the conversation include:

  •  Factors that motivate patients to care about their environment, such as weight loss, fertility and the health of future generations
  •   The CLARITY-BPA Program
  •  Why environmentalism is a public health issue
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20230830_Podcast_Zandra_Palma_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:30am CDT

Our guest for this episode is Zeev E. Neuwirth, MD, an advocate for transforming healthcare delivery.

He is a healthcare executive with over 15 years of clinical practice in internal medicine and another 15 years in clinical operations, quality improvement, care redesign and population health. Dr. Neuwirth is also a digital health industry advisor, podcast host and author.

His most recent book released in September 2023 is called Beyond The Walls: Megatrends, Movements and Market Disruptors Transforming American Healthcare. It outlines a three-part strategy for the transformation of American healthcare and documents dozens of examples of the visionary, courageous entrepreneurs and leaders who are transcending the constraints of our legacy past.

Dr. Neuwirth is closely aligned with the Evolution of Medicine’s values, and he has been working to change healthcare from a high level within conventional systems.

Download and listen to the episode to learn more about the following:

  • How digital technology and group visits can improve healthcare
  • The importance of reducing or preventing physician burnout
  • The urgency behind transforming payment models to reduce healthcare expenses
  • Practical strategies for transforming healthcare from within large healthcare systems and “beyond the walls” of those systems
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20230830_Podcast_Zeev_Neuwirth2.0.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am CDT

On this episode, Jon D. Kaiser, MD taught us about the mitochondrial health and chronic disease connection.

Dr. Kaiser is a mitochondrial specialist with over thirty years of clinical and research experience in applying functional medicine approaches to treat complex medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia and long COVID.

Dr. Kaiser began his career as an HIV/AIDS specialist in San Francisco at the height of the HIV epidemic. He found that many of his patients needed nutritional and mitochondrial support, especially after manifesting antiviral medication side effects.

He developed protocols to help patients improve their baseline health with an original nutraceutical formulation that supports mitochondrial health. Dr. Kaiser joined James to discuss how he has applied his protocols to help patients with other chronic illnesses and post-infection syndromes.

Tune in to learn more from Dr. Kaiser about the following topics:

  •        Lifestyle factors that support healing beyond other integrative interventions 
  •         How mitochondria are chemically and electrically connected and communicate with each other throughout the body
  •         Parasympathetic activation as a critical component of recovery  
  •        How the poor mitochondrial function impacts the neuro-endocrine-immune axis and gastrointestinal tract
  •        His vision for the next steps in medicine, including the need for a readily available blood test that assays the health of mitochondria in blood cells

This episode continues to explore the theme laid out in the August 2023 Functional Forum, Mitochondrial Mayem, where we learned how mitochondrial dysfunction leads to a wide range of chronic illnesses—from autoimmunity to cardiometabolic disease, neurologic disorders and more. 

Direct download: 20230814_Podcast_Jon_Kaiser.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

This week, we address a hot and controversial topic in medicine: weight loss pharmaceuticals. 

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP) agonists are gaining popularity for their use in treating type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, obesity. These medications stimulate insulin secretion and are shown to increase weight loss and improve blood pressure.

However, significant gastrointestinal and other rare but concerning side effects make these medications controversial. Patients often also gain back much of the lost weight when these medications are stopped.

Our guest this episode is Christina Robins, MD, who has a successful clinic called RevitaLife, which blends family medicine, women’s health care, antiaging medicine and medical weight loss, among other services. Dr. Robins has long been using GLP-1 agonists with her patients, and she joined James to share her strategies for supporting patients using those medications in combination with nutraceutical support.

Listen to the full conversation to learn about the following:

  • Lifestyle and nutraceutical support before, during and after the use of weight-loss medications
  • How to prevent connective tissue and muscle loss during weight loss
  • FDA approval for weight loss and type 2 diabetes drugs
  • Appropriate uses for these medications and potential off-label uses
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20230810_Podcast_Christina_Robins2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:38am CDT

Molly Maloof, MD joins the Evolution of Medicine podcast to discuss a shared vision: connection as a critical pillar of healthcare.

Dr. Maloof recently authored and released a book called The Spark Factor, which teaches readers how to personalize biohacking strategies for better energy and health. Dr. Maloof wrote portions of the book to fill the information gaps in biohacking for women, but 80% of its content is also applicable to men.

If you listen to this short yet powerful episode, you’ll quickly recognize how well-aligned Dr. Maloof is with our year of connection. She discussed how loneliness and lack of connection—either social or connecting with your own body and health—is a leading crisis, especially post-pandemic. 

Please listen to the full audio to learn more about the following:

  • How The Spark Factor helps readers personalize their journey to improve their mitochondrial energy
  • How the Functional Forum will be even more critical in the age of digital and medical censorship
  • The seriousness of the loneliness and mental health crises
  • Some practical tips for women to better align with their cycles
  • Tips on fasting and exercise for different patient groups
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20230607_Podcast_Molly.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:42am CDT

Dan Strause is the president and CEO of Hometown Pharmacy, which is a network of 70 independent functional pharmacies across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan that deliver patient-focused care.

The Hometown Pharmacy group seeks to connect prescribing clinicians with pharmacists to collaborate and achieve the goal of moving patients from pharmaceuticals to nutraceuticals to food. They see a critical need for pharmacists to reconnect and work with prescribing clinicians, especially to mitigate or address drug-induced nutrient deficiencies.

Building relationships between patients, prescribing clinicians and pharmacists often starts with patients asking questions and engaging with their health care. Thus, the functional pharmacy approach involves empowering and inspiring patients through health education.

Listen to this full conversation to learn from Dan about the many innovative strategies the group incorporates, including: 

  • Sending dieticians and nutritionists to speak within communities about functional pharmacies to educate and inspire at a grassroots level
  • A test-teach-therapy-test approach with patients
  • Using scientific literature and dialog to build relationships with like-minded clinicians 
  • Learning how to best work with patients to foster adherence
  • And much, much more!

Dan Strause is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Functional Pharmacy Symposium on September 23 in Nashville, TN. He will be joined by other former Functional Forum and Evolution of Medicine podcast guests, such as James LaValle, RPh; Thomas G. Guilliams, PhD; Mark Houston, MD; and Jeff Robins, RPh. Register to attend the conference to learn more functional medicine best practices that will support the future success of your pharmacy.

Direct download: 20230724_Podcast_Dan_Strause.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Our guest this week on the podcast is Robert Pearl, MD, a lifestyle medicine champion and leader. He is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group (1999-2017), the largest United States medical group, and the former president of The Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (2009-2017). In those two roles, he led 10,000 physicians and 38,000 staff. Currently, he cohosts a podcast and is an author, clinical professor, contributor to Forbes, and speaker.

In this podcast episode, we discussed the economics of health care and different payment models that can support preventative care and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Pearl laid out his perspective on the issues with fee-for-service payment models—mainly that it incentivizes disease treatment rather than prevention. He proposed an alternative model known as capitation, which is the model Kaiser Permanente uses. Capitation pays a group of doctors an established, upfront fee to fulfill medical needs for a defined population of patients.

 Listen to this fascinating conversation to learn more about the following:

  • Capitation versus fee-for-service models
  • Dr. Pearl’s vision for how clinicians can contribute to building an alternative market for lifestyle medicine
  • The role of artificial intelligence in supporting patient education, compliance and outcomes
  • Using telemedicine and groups to make lifestyle medicine more economical
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20230714_Podcast_Robert_Pearl.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:44am CDT

Izabella Wentz, PharmD is an author and pharmacist who previously spoke on the Functional Forum and specializes in helping patients overcome thyroid dysfunction. In this episode, she joins James to talk about her personal journey with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis after years of debilitating symptoms.

Her most recent book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol, was released on April 18, 2023. The book focuses on resetting the body’s stress response through targeted safety signals, and it features a four-week program that has already helped over 3,500 people. 

Dr. Wentz is also an advocate for spreading awareness about how thyroid dysfunction can produce psychiatric symptoms, which is often overlooked by conventional health care providers. Check out the full episode to learn more about:

  • The stigma around the term “adrenal fatigue”   
  • Dr. Wentz’ experience addressing adverse drug events and drug-induced nutrient depletion
  • The mental health and adrenal connection
  • Options for supporting patients with thyroid dysfunction
  • How to help your patients achieve lifestyle changes
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20230626_Podcast_Izabella_Wentz.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 12:30pm CDT

Dr. Carrie Jones rejoins the Evolution of Medicine podcast to discuss the functional medicine approach to depression, anxiety and attention issues. She is an avid educator who specializes in stress and endocrine health.

A recent systematic review found that the serotonin theory of depression is scientifically unsupported,  which raises the question: What does this mean for patients who use either SSRIs or SNRIs? Dr. Jones explains how she answers this for concerned patients and discusses her approach to resolving mood issues by looking for root causes.

Other topics discussed in this conversation include rising mental health issues amongst teenagers in particular, group care, and mental health lifestyle factors, such as balancing neurotransmitters, stress management, social connection, nutrition, gut health and physical activity.

Tune in and listen to the whole conversation to learn about the following from Dr. Jones:

  • Examples of how blood sugar dysregulation can harm sleep quality and mental health
  • Problems that can arise when supporting only one neurotransmitter
  • Specific nutrients she uses for patients with mood dysregulation
  • The potential for technology, especially continuous glucose monitors, to empower patients in their health journeys
  • And much, much more!

 

Direct download: 20230626_Podcast_Carrie_Jones.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Kristen Brokaw hosts this episode which features Andy Sutton, CEO of Kare Health & Wellness. 

Andy and his wife, Keri Sutton, cofounded and grew a successful integrative health center. Andy’s background is in architecture as a project manager, and his wife is a nurse practitioner who serves as the chief medical officer of Kare Health & Wellness. At the clinic, Andy also oversees marketing, new staff hires and training.

Their clinic prioritizes developing and nurturing a strong culture amongst staff. Andy believes his staff’s cohesiveness and shared values has a downstream effect of benefiting patients and allowing their business to be more efficient, which is one of the keys to their success.

This episode belongs to the Evolution of Medicine’s Business of Functional Medicine series. Once a quarter, we bring you conversations that focus on the business and practice management side of functional medicine. 

Check out the full recording to learn more about Andy’s approach to the following:

  •        Developing a standardized staff training program
  •        Staff hiring and fostering a team culture
  •        Leveraging emotional appeal to acquire and retain patients
  •        New patient onboarding
  •        And much, much more!
Direct download: 20230519_Podccast_Andy_Sutton3.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Guest:  Amanda Wilson, MD, CEO, Founder

In this episode, we learned about emerging, research-based treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) that pair well with functional medicine values. 

Traditional 12-step programs have startlingly low success rates (8% for Alcoholics Anonymous) and teach some principles that are not supported by scientific literature—for example, that patients must abstain and avoid exposure indefinitely to stay in recovery.  

James’ guest, Amanda Wilson, MD, is an addiction physician who cofounded NorthStar Care, an alcohol treatment center that approaches AUD as a medical issue and offers a year-long, physician-monitored, at-home program. They incorporate functional medicine elements, including nutrition therapy, genomics for personalized medication selection, social support groups, and several technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and wearables. 

NorthStar Care is partnering with a company developing a wearable device to continuously track not only blood alcohol levels but also glucose and sleep patterns. For their peer support group meetings, they use VR headsets so patients can participate remotely using anonymous avatars, virtual backgrounds and even voice changers for privacy. 

Download and listen to the full conversation to learn about:

  • A genetic factor that makes naltrexone ineffective for a portion of the population
  • The shortcomings of rapid-detox, inpatient rehabilitation and 12-step programs
  • The importance of medical support throughout the recovery process
  • The benefits of using VR for peer support networks
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20230612_Podcast_Amanda_Wilson2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Adrian den Boer, DC, ND joins the podcast this week to share his clinical success with collagen. As a functional medicine practitioner with extensive experience in naturopathic and chiropractic care, Dr. den Boer is just the person we needed to speak with to learn about the benefits of collagen for the musculoskeletal system.  

Tune into this episode to hear his astounding success stories, including one that did not even seem possible, according to his medical school training. He also provided clinical pearls that will help you achieve the best outcomes and improve compliance when using collagen with your patients.

Listen to the full episode to learn:

  •         How collagen helps athletes recover from injury
  •         Benefits of collagen for the aging musculoskeletal system
  •         How Dr. den Boer’s highly successful practice got started, and why he is passionate about quality testing for supplements
  •         Issues and risks with using bone broth in place of collagen supplements
  •         And much, much more!
Direct download: 20230511_Podcast_Dr._Den_Boer.2mp3_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Functional Forum Local Communities connect like-minded practitioners, enabling dialog, information sharing, interdisciplinary discussion, and community building for those who attend.

In this episode we hear from a Functional Forum Community host and a loyal attendee. Kristen Brokaw, this week’s host, is the leader of Saint Louis’ local Forum Community, and founder of the St. Louis Institute for Integrative Medicine (SLIIM).

Guest Grant Corsi is the Community Host of the Orange County Functional Forum Community.  He shares his story about what drove him to begin planning community events and what has made his community successful.

Our second guest is Anthony Pasek, DC who has been attending St. Louis Forum Community events for at least seven years. He speaks to the value of his community, including professional camaraderie and collaboration.

Listen to this short episode to learn:

·       Valuable tips for initiating community meetups

·       Why you should consider hosting your own local Community

·       What challenges to expect, and how to prepare for them as a new host

·        The benefits of attending local community events for physicians

·       And much, much more.

Help us honor this year’s theme of Connection by sharing this episode and consider joining or hosting a local Forum Community near you.

Find a community near you.

Host a community.

Request a community.  

Direct download: 20230503_Podcast_Grant_Corsi_V3.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:30am CDT

“Everyone needs a good coach in life,” according to our podcast guest this week.

For this Business of Functional Medicine episode, Kristen Brokaw interviewed Coach Micheal Burt to explore his perspective on becoming and staying motivated.

He applies the term prey drive—the instinctual motivation of certain animals to find, pursue and capture prey—to human behavior and motivation.

Coach Burt began his career as a basketball coach and is now an author, speaker and professional coach for multiple industries. He has clients who are the most successful preventative doctors and functional health care providers in the country.

Check out this full episode to take in empowering messages about:

  • Every individuals’ potential to express a strong prey drive
  • The parts of oneself that may need to be supported (body, mind, heart and spirit)
  • How to foster motivation on a daily basis
  • The importance of building and maintaining dynamic energy in business
  • Business coaching for preventative and functional medicine providers
  • And much, much more!

Visit his website to learn more about activating the drive to pursue your goals.

Direct download: 20230403_Podcast_Micheal_Burt.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

On this episode of the podcast, James is joined by two doctors from the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) to learn about their upcoming annual conference from June 1-3 in Orlando, FL.

Aly Cohen, MD is an integrative rheumatologist who speaks about the importance of environmental medicine and why autoimmunity needs to be understood by providers across medical specialties.

Dan Lukaczer, ND is the Director of Medical Education at IFM. He was previously Director of Clinical Research at the Metagenics Functional Medicine Research Center in Gig Harbor, WA, where he served as the principal investigator on various clinical trials on diet and nutrition.

This event will be the first in-person IFM event since 2019 and will not be limited to any one topic or health issue. Instead, they offer an agenda featuring a wide range of subject matter. Consider registering for the IFM conference to learn more about:

·       Contaminants in drinking water—from artificial turf, fluoride and more

·       Data about environmental chemicals and how they contribute to human health conditions, specifically diseases of the immune system

·       Dietary approaches and lifestyle changes to reduce toxicity

·       Functional medicine approaches to oncology and cancer care

·       Understanding mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)

·       Innovative treatment options for mental health care

·       Updates on the microbiome, oral microbiome and systemic disease

·       Impacts of intermittent thermal stress on aging and longevity

·       Therapeutic applications of medical cannabis and endocannabinoids

·       Wearable devices and the unlocked potential of remote health monitoring

·       And much more!

Direct download: 20230411_Podcast_Aly_Cohen.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:00am CDT

This episode explores Kalibra, a new healthcare AI tool. It aggregates patient data from multiple sources and helps clinicians and patients alike prioritize health information based on functional and lifestyle medicine principles. 

Our guest on this episode of the podcast, Ivan Vatchkov, the CEO of Kalibra, shares with us how Kalibra.ai performs diverse functions, including bringing together all patient data into one dynamic place. It digitizes, organizes and analyzes the many PDFs from health wearables and lab, gut microbiome, and functional medicine testing.

Listen to the full conversation to: 

  •       Understand how you can simplify your practice management
  •        Consider how data collection and analysis can streamline healthcare, especially in conventional medicine
  •        Discover how lifestyle medicine principles were built into Kalibra
  •        Explore the potential of AI health coaches as powerful tools to help patients make lifestyle changes
  •        And much, much more

The Evolution of Medicine has sought to be inspiring, present valuable clinical content, and highlight technology and practice management topics that advance lifestyle and functional medicine. Now that AI is becoming more prevalent, we are asking, “how will this impact the evolution of medicine?”

Kalibra is tangible, it is real, and it is exciting. This is the Evolution of Medicine. Enjoy.

Direct download: 20230322_Podcast_Ivan_Vatchkov.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30pm CDT

Approximately one quarter (25%) of the United States population has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients with this reversible condition have accumulated fat in their liver cells. Over time, this creates inflammation and if left unaddressed, will eventually lead to permanent scarring or cirrhosis of the liver. The condition is highly associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, and it is projected to become the leading cause of liver transplantation by 2030.

Our guest on this episode of the podcast is Elizabeth Boham, MD. She is trained as both a medical doctor and nutritionist, teaches with the IFM and is the Medical Director for the UltraWellness Center.

 She joins James to share:

            Which symptoms and test results are red flags for NAFLD

            That toxins and alcohol significantly impact liver health and metabolic syndrome

            How lifestyle and nutrition strategies will help patients with the condition  

            Resources and approaches that will help your patients with cardiometabolic disease

            And much more!

Direct download: 20230313_Podcast_Elizabeth_Boham.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Nathan S. Bryan, PhD is an academic and entrepreneur who has focused his career on the study of nitric oxide for nearly 25 years. He joins the podcast to contribute to the Evolution of Medicine’s current focus on cardiovascular and endothelial health.  

Nitric oxide production is foundational to overall health. Unfortunately, many contemporary environmental and lifestyle factors reduce or prevent nitric oxide production in the body. Suboptimal nitric oxide production is a factor in insulin resistance, cardiovascular issues, erectile dysfunction, long COVID and other post-viral syndromes, chronic fatigue, cognitive disorders, and more.

Tune into this episode to learn about the many lifestyle and environmental factors that can impede or support the production of this important molecule. Some may even surprise you!

Listen to the episode to learn more about:

  • Nitric oxide’s role in cardiovascular, immune and nervous system function
  • The gold standards for measuring functional nitric oxide production
  • James’ and Dr. Bryan’s views on the public health response during the COVID era
  • Using nitric oxide to heal inflammation caused by excess spike protein
  • The risks of using some commercially available products that claim to boost nitric oxide

Also, check out Dr. Bryan’s educational website, which includes a blog, videos and more: https://drnathansbryan.com/

Direct download: 20230208_Podcast_Nathan_Bryan_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Dr. Patricia Restrepo is a Practice Accelerator alumna who joins the podcast to share her experience growing two businesses with the help of the Accelerator program.

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 14 years old, Dr. Restrepo pursued an education and career that allowed her to research natural solutions for weight management and diabetes. She was able to reverse her own diabetes, and now helps patients with similar diagnoses. Both of her businesses, one in Miami and the other in Mexico, help patients manage weight loss and diabetes.

 Dr. Restrepo used what she learned in the Practice Accelerator program to establish a business model that allows her to allocate time according to her personal lifestyle goals: 20% of her time is spent in clinic with patients (including groups), 40% is spent on remote consultations, and 40% is spent on her own continuing education and developing medical education for her patient community.

 Listen to this full episode from the Success Leaves Clues Series to learn about:

  • ·       The key elements that allowed her businesses to run efficiently
  • ·       How the Practice Accelerator program helped her build a patient database
  • ·       The importance of recording patient education videos
  • ·       The aspects of the business can best be delegated
  • ·       And much more!

To explore what the Practice Accelerator program has to offer, consider registering for the free 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint at goevomed.com/sprint.

Direct download: 20230117_Dr_Restrepo.2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Yaa Boakye, CPT, RDN from the Practice Accelerator team joins James on this special episode to announce an upcoming resource that will help practitioners develop their businesses: the 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint. During this free webinar on February 17 at 8 p.m. PST/11 p.m. EST, James and Yaa will share practical, actionable, no-fluff guidelines to help practitioners set goals to grow their practices.

Register for the Sprint here: https://goevomed.com/sprint 

With her experience in marketing, personal training, nutrition and coaching healthcare providers, Yaa guides practitioners to develop the business side of their practices with efficiency and focus.

As she explains in this podcast episode, building a successful practice requires knowledge of multiple domains, including understanding your target patient, having solid marketing strategies, utilizing technology systems to streamline day-to-day operations, and understanding how to successfully deliver patient education to maximize clinical results.

However, without the right tools in place, healthcare providers may attract the wrong patients and adopt ineffective practices that consume their limited time and resources. The 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint was designed to help practitioners avoid these problems and streamline their business development strategy.

Listen to the episode to learn more about:

  • Why it’s important to market your practice online and offline
  • How to overcome unhelpful patterns that hold back your business development
  • How the 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint can help you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your practice growth
  • The many other benefits and free resources you’ll receive when you join us live for the 90-Minute Private Practice Sprint

 

Direct download: 20230130_Podcast_Ya.mp3_with_preview.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:13am CDT

Dr. Tom Guilliams, a longtime friend of the podcast, returns to share his experience researching and foraging for mushrooms.

Dr. Guilliams also speaks about the difficulties of accurately identifying mushrooms due to inconsistent documentation and characterization across scientific resources. These inconsistencies present significant challenges for manufacturers developing medicinal mushroom products since the extracts and powders may not be reliably labeled. Therefore, manufacturers must be diligent in verifying the mushrooms they purchase.

There may also be unintended differences between mushrooms grown commercially versus those foraged from their natural setting. Practitioners and patients should be aware that many marketing claims around consumer-facing mushroom products are likely unsubstantiated. 

This episode honors this year’s theme of connection and builds upon what we recently learned from Dr. Zach Bush, who spoke about the role that environmental networks play in human health. Mushrooms are a literal example of biologic networks. Root-like networks of fungi and mushrooms, called mycelia, facilitate communication and allocate resources between plants within ecosystems.

Check out the full conversation to learn more about:

  • The benefits of dietary versus supplemental mushrooms
  • The components of mushrooms and their medicinal applications
  • The immune-modulating qualities of medicinal mushrooms
  • The potential benefits of mushrooms for autoimmune patients
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20230123_Podcast_Tom_Guilliams.mp3_fixed.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:46pm CDT

This is the first podcast episode of the 2023 year of connection. How can we employ connection to advance the functional and lifestyle medicine movement?

One answer is that we must continue to leverage group care and community networks to support reconnection in the post-COVID era, improve patient outcomes and increase the awareness and accessibility of our movement.

Our guest on this episode is an innovator and thought leader on health creation and chronic disease reversal. Zach Bush, MD teaches about the intersections between the environment and the individual by identifying the themes that connect diverse systems, such as microbiologic processes and macroeconomics. To him, the original human wound is a false belief that we are not all connected—to ourselves, nature and everyone around us.

To be healthy—physically and mentally—is to be connected. In this episode, Dr. Bush and James explore the many repercussions of disconnection, from autoimmune disease to war, while also covering how connection can transform and heal.

The full episode will bring you more insights about:

  • The negative effects of cellular disconnection, and what environmental or lifestyle factors trigger that dysfunction
  • How a scarcity mentality leads to fear, guilt, shame and economic disparity
  • Empowering perspectives that help people heal
  • Flaws in peer-reviewed, evidence-based medicine
  • Quorum sensing and Dr. Bush’s new organization, The Institute for Natural Law and Governance

  

The Journey of Intrinsic Health: 

 

 Institute of Natural Law and Governance:

 

FARMER’S FOOTPRINT:   

Direct download: 20221230_Podcast_PODCAST__Zach_Bush_.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

In this final episode of 2022, James reviews key topics from the year of growth and provides a sneak peek of what is to come in 2023, the year of connection.

The Evolution of Medicine community has experienced impressive growth and witnessed significant shifts in 2022. We learned about deprescribing to help patients escape the polypharmacy public health disaster. We have applied functional medicine principles to help patients who experience long COVID and other post-viral syndromes.

Increasingly, we are also seeing signs that the mainstream is moving in our direction, and we must position ourselves to be ready when more patients come our way. Functional medicine needs to scale up, in part to help address the mental health crisis that exploded during the COVID era. More patients are also seeking support from functional medicine providers for vaccine injuries, such as myocarditis.

Healthcare systems are now adopting functional medicine and building integrative care into their hospital and insurance systems. Group care is being delivered on a larger scale as well, which increases access to functional medicine.

While the Evolution of Medicine is apolitical, James also discusses how medicine has been impacted by the economic and political climates in the US and UK.

Listen to the full episode to hear more of James’ reflections about:

  • Long COVID, controversies regarding its prevalence and why our community is able to provide the best help for patients
  • Signs that mainstream medicine is moving in our direction
  • Censorship, authoritarianism and technology
  • The effects of the pandemic on mental health, especially for children
  • Upcoming 2023 initiatives well-worth anticipating 
Direct download: 20221223_Podcast_Year_in_Review_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

In this episode of the Business of Functional Medicine series, our guest, Erwin Raphael McManus, is a pastor, author, filmmaker and thought leader at the intersection of entrepreneurship, spirituality and psychology. He joins this podcast to share his model of communication archetypes called The 7 Frequencies and how understanding them can help practitioners work and communicate more effectively with patients.

Erwin also talks through the frequencies most often adopted by practitioners and offers insights on how to better support and motivate patients to get healthy before they get sick.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

  • Erwin’s thoughts on the theory of quantum entanglement
  • Descriptions of the frequencies, including the Challenger, Seer and Maven
  • How healthcare providers benefit from understanding their communication style
  • The importance of interpersonal relationships and interactions between patients and clinicians
  • And much more

Erwin McManus is also the host of The Genius Of podcast and the founder of McManus Gallery and Mosaic, a church movement based in the heart of Hollywood, CA. Visit his website to learn more about The 7 Frequencies along with his other work.

Direct download: 20221201_Podcast_PODCAST__Erwin_McManus_.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Dysautonomia is a condition where the nervous system becomes dysregulated, causing disruption in the functions of various organ systems. Common symptoms include fluctuations in blood pressure, fatigue and anxiety. The condition seems to be increasingly common in the post-COVID era, and conventional medicine is unable to resolve the causes of this condition for patients.

Shilpa P. Saxena, MD, an expert in cardiometabolic health and regular guest on the podcast, joins us to explore why functional medicine clinicians are uniquely positioned to support patients experiencing dysautonomia.

Listen to the full conversation to learn more about:

  • The importance of polyvagal theory for understanding dysautonomia 
  • How vagal tone impacts multiple organ systems
  • How to regulate and improve vagal tone
  • Functional medicine tools that help heal dysautonomia
Direct download: 20221201_Podcast_PODCAST_Shilpa_Saxena.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Sandra Scheinbaum, PhD is the founder and CEO of Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. As a leader in the field of integrative psychiatry, she joins James to speak about the advantages of leveraging a group coaching model for mental health services.

For many reasons—from the current shortage of licensed clinical psychologists to improved patient compliance—mental health group coaching offers compelling advantages. Patients often feel more comfortable being honest and open with coaches they can relate to more as peers. Because traditional therapy still carries a cultural stigma, shame is a common barrier that prevents people from seeking support. Coaches, on the other hand, can be more approachable and provide a friendly dynamic that builds trust with patients.

There is also a strong economic rationale behind practitioners adopting a coaching model: demand for mental health care is increasing, while the supply of licensed therapists is limited. Dr. Scheinbaum shares ample evidence of the benefits group coaching offers both patients and mental health practitioners. We also encourage more people who are interested in supporting their community to either employ coaches or consider becoming a coach via the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

  • The data on the effectiveness of health coaching
  • Conditions that often co-occur with mental health challenges
  • The downsides to patients over-identifying with mental health diagnoses
  • Issues with and opportunities for billing coaching sessions to insurance
Direct download: 20221129_Podcast_PODCAST_Sandra_Sheinbaum-Draft3_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am CDT

We are all familiar with functional medicine and perhaps even functional fitness, but have you heard of functional joy? Our guest for this podcast episode is Radha Agrawal, a successful entrepreneur and the author of the book Belong. Radha joins us to discuss her organization, Daybreaker, which spans 28 cities and five continents with a mission to foster joy and community.

Daybreaker’s very first events in 2013 were community dance meetups held early in the morning that aimed to replicate the positive aspects of nightlife while excluding alcohol. The scope of their work continues to expand nine years on, but dance is still their primary tool. Radha is now writing another book and developing a curriculum to teach clinicians and others to systematically foster joy in their communities. Community is a factor critical to chronic disease prevention and reversal, so we invited Radha to share her extensive experience with this powerful predictor of health outcomes often overlooked by healthcare institutions.

Download the episode to learn about:

  • Consciously building communities
  • How to foster joy for yourself and your patients
  • The importance of hospitality and designing welcoming spaces in medicine
  • The biochemistry of joy (D.O.S.E.)
  • And much more!

If this episode uplifts and inspires you, we encourage you to share it with your friends, colleagues and community.

EvoMed listeners have access to a 25% discount off the Dose membership with code "EVOMED."  http://dose.daybreaker.com?code=evomed

Direct download: 20221102_Podcast_AUDIO_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Patrick Holford is the author of 46 books on nutrition and lifestyle factors for wellness. He is also the founder of a charity, Food for the Brain Foundation, and the voluntary director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Project.

He joins James on this episode to showcase the foundation’s resources for reversing cognitive decline and preventing Alzheimer’s disease. They discussed targeted nutrition approaches and other tools available to patients and practitioners on the foundation’s website.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

  • Which nutrient deficiencies correlate with poorer cognitive function
  • How to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease through supplementation
  • The success rates of targeted nutrition therapy for reversing cognitive decline—and how nutrition therapy can be more successful than pharmaceuticals
  • Cognitive function data collected from 377,000 participants via the foundation's test

Discover more valuable resources on the Food for the Brain Foundation’s website, where you can also register for their virtual Masterclass on Alzheimer’s prevention. Registrants will have access to a recording if they cannot attend the live event on November 1, 2022.

Direct download: 20221025_Podcast_AUDIO_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

This episode features Leo Galland, MD, who outlines a systems biology approach to understanding and treating post-COVID syndrome.

Dr. Galland created the graphic below to model factors and biological repercussions of long COVID. In the interview, Dr. Galland walks us through each element in the web of long COVID.

During the pandemic, he also created and published two hour-long videos—one for patients and one for providers—containing research and recommendations on addressing long COVID. The information he shares is intended to empower and educate both health care providers and patients.

Download and listen to this episode to learn more about:

  • The deficiency that both contributes to and results from long COVID
  • Key information about what causes long covid
  • How to prevent severe infection and address symptoms
  • Downstream effects of viral damage that should be addressed by functional medicine providers

 

Episode assets:

Direct download: 20221019_Podcast_AUDIO_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Direct download: 20221012_Podcast_AUDIO_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Julie Funt is the CEO of Juliet Funt Group and author of A Minute to Think, which describes the importance of metaphoric white space in everyone’s regular schedule. Her firm provides efficiency training to change the way we work, making it more sane, more human, and a more positive experience for all. In this Business of Functional Medicine episode, Kristen Brokaw speaks with Juliet about how this concept applies to the medical field, and we learn from the author some practical habit adjustments that can create more productive “white space.”

Download and listen to the full conversation to learn more about:

  • Why we need white space to be creative, productive and decisive
  • Studies showing how small breaks improve performance
  • Why pushing harder does NOT always equal better results
  • Practical tips to conquer busyness and communicate efficiently
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20221214__Minute_to_Think__Podcast_VIDEO__MP3_.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Our guest in this episode, Greg Leyer, PhD, has an academic background in deadly pathogenic bacteria, such as botulism and other foodborne illnesses. Now, he focuses on healthy bacteria and joins James to discuss benefits of probiotics for the vaginal microbiome.

While gastrointestinal health is thought to depend on microbiome diversity, the vaginal cavity requires a more homogenous population of Lactobacillus species. By producing organic acids—mainly lactic acid—lactobacilli help maintain a pH below 4, which prevents bacterial vaginosis.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

  • How and why taking oral probiotics affects the vaginal microbiome
  • Forms of microbiome supplementation, like probiotics, spores and heat-inactivated bacteria
  • Efficacy of probiotic supplementation in different geographic locations and ethnicity

And check out Dr. Leyer’s ongoing work:

Direct download: 20220921_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:30am CDT

Dr. Shane Holland joins this week’s podcast to share his experience with the Practice Accelerator. Shane’s story is one we hear over and over amongst our Practice Accelerator participants. In this series, Success Leaves Clues, we celebrate alumni stories in conjunction with our current open enrollment period, running September through October 2022.

Shane began his career as a teacher and later became an emergency medicine physician, and he is currently transitioning into operating a functional medicine practice. Over the years, Shane has been interested in treating patients with chiropractic manipulation, herbs and supplements, and lifestyle adjustments. Still, he did not have access to a clear path toward building his own clinic around those strategies.  

As an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Holland observed that roughly 90% of his patients did not require emergency care and were using emergency services in lieu of primary care. The training he received from The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) provided him with greater clinical insights into preventative medicine to better serve his community, and the Practice Accelerator program then guided him through building his practice.  

Listen to the full episode to hear Dr. Holland’s story, including:

Direct download: 20220907_Podcast_AUDIO_v5_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Dr. Tom Guilliams, our go-to expert for anything related to nutrition research, returns to the Evolution of Medicine podcast for the second part of our Controversies in Nutrition series. Dr. Guilliams has written several books on the therapeutic uses of nutritional supplements.

Our guest opens the discussion by rebutting attempts by major medical journals to discredit nutraceuticals. He breaks down the weaknesses of their research and arguments, along with how the studies are biased and unscientific. He also reviews the limitations of specific nutrient biomarkers, realistic expectations for improving methylation through folic acid supplementation, and how to assess optimal vitamin D levels in individuals who receive plentiful sun exposure.

Listen to this episode if you’re interested in:

  • Why treating based on genetic testing may or may not be beneficial
  • The significance of tracking homocysteine levels in patients
  • When to evaluate methionine levels
  • The NAC controversy between the FDA and Amazon
Direct download: 20220831_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Sandi and Steve Amoils are Medical Doctors who built a multi-disciplinary functional medicine clinic in Cincinnati, which includes chiropractors, energy healers, therapists and doctors. They talk about what first steps they took to work towards this vision, how they made their business work in a cash-based model, and why they partnered with a larger hospital system. Their clinic also runs an accredited fellowship integrative medicine program.

Download and listen to the full episode to learn more about:

  • Their insights on how they became successful
  • Increasing patient demand for functional healthcare
  • Building credibility for functional medicine
  • Why a large hospital system wants to run an integrative health clinic, and why the doctors singed onto that partnership
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20220817_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Dr. Shilpa P. Saxena adds to her series of Evolution of Medicine interviews with a discussion on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). With both personal and professional experience reversing the condition, she walks us through the functional medicine approach to treatment.

Dr. Saxena explains how insulin resistance often accompanies and must be addressed through the “matrix” of each patient’s overall health and lifestyle. Since PCOS is a clinical diagnosis, she also describes the signs practitioners should look out for in their patients and how to confirm the diagnosis with the aid of laboratory testing.

Developing a niche in PCOS can be a great opportunity for practitioners since it is so prevalent, affecting between 6-12% of women, and because functional medicine provides the most robust treatment approach for complex metabolic conditions. 

Listen to the full conversation to learn more about:

  • Tailoring treatments to patients with PCOS
  • Which supplements to utilize in a PCOS treatment protocol
  • Common root causes and co-conditions
  • The importance of securing Phase I and Phase II detox pathways
  • How group visits can be a powerful aid to treatment
Direct download: 20220810_Podcast_AUIDO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Michael Fishman is a top advisor on marketing and business growth, aiding successful health and wellness companies. He leads the Consumer Health Summit (CHS) annually, which is now in its 24th year, and acts as an angel investor for over 20 health and wellness businesses. With his expertise, he advises his clients on how to effectively formulate their brand messaging and ensure it is communicated consistently, from training team members to sharpening taglines and from online messaging to in-person trust. In this episode of the podcast, Michael shares with Kristen Brokaw the principles and psychology behind his guidance.

Tune in if you’d like to learn more about:

  • How and why you need to develop a powerful tagline
  • Avoiding overselling or “trying too hard” in online marketing
  • Ensuring that your message cannot be misunderstood by your audience
  • Why patients also need to feel understood—emotionally and intellectually
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20220727_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Functional medicine providers have the best tools and scientific understanding of topics like immunology, the microbiome and mitochondria. This constellation of knowledge and tools makes functional and integrative doctors optimally equipped to address osteoarthritis. Dr. Thomas Guilliams is an expert in nutrition research and immunology, and he has written several books on the therapeutic uses of nutritional supplements.

During this conversation, we hear about the gut-joint relationship and an expanded understanding of osteoarthritis. We also explore best practices for nutrition and supplementation alongside lifestyle modifications to resolve chronic conditions.

Listen in to learn more about:

  • The evolution of the scientific understanding of osteoarthritis
  • Issues with nutrition and supplementation research
  • Addressing autoinflammatory conditions (as differentiated from autoimmunity)
  • Guilliams’ take on the paleo dietary pattern
  • And much more!
Direct download: 20220720_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

Josh Gunn, PhD is the Chief Scientific Officer for Ethos Laboratories. Ethos began with the mission to incorporate more functional medicine principles into conventional care and to help patients gain access to the root causes of their pain. 

With a background in forensic toxicology, Dr. Gunn and the team have developed a new tool at Ethos called the Foundation Pain Index. The Pain Index is a biometric test designed to identify potential biochemical origins of patients’ chronic pain. The test results categorize health insights in a way that is actionable for all physicians, even if they are not trained in functional medicine. This personalized method also acknowledges that patient recovery often requires a multimodal approach, including lifestyle and community considerations.

Practitioners who run OAT tests or other labs may already have access to some of these data points, but uniquely, the Foundation Pain Index test is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans. This is especially important for chronic pain patients with a lower socioeconomic status because statistically they have been over-prescribed opioids.

The full conversation is densely packed with insights such as:

  • Socioeconomic factors are strong factors in opioid over prescription, misuse and abuse  
  • Why it is essential to bring elements of functional medicine into conventional care
  • How nutrient depletion may contribute to pain
  • An interdisciplinary approach is required to help patients with chronic pain
  • And much more
Direct download: 20220706_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 11:42am CDT

James interviews Michelle Simon, PhD, ND, president and CEO of the Institute for Natural Medicine (INM). Dr. Simon sees an increasing awareness that our current healthcare system is not delivering the results we need. She advocates for alternate solutions through her work with INM.

Some have argued that iatrogenic disease is the third-largest cause of death in America. Applying the Therapeutic Order, which is a guiding principle for naturopathic medicine, can reverse that trend. Naturopathic medicine combined with the group visit model has the potential to address most of the population’s health issues. It is an excellent option to improve healthcare on a large scale. 

Listen to the full conversation to learn about:

  • The Therapeutic Order: what it is and why its important
  • The reasons we need to change how we view primary care
  • A new residency program for naturopathic doctors
  • Projects that the Institute for Natural Medicine is working on
  • How lifestyle and naturopathic medicine prevent iatrogenic disease

This week’s podcast is a series of interviews with a handful of physicians who are involved with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). Dr. Luby is the Director of Medical Education Initiatives at IFM, which works to scale functional medicine and make it more accessible and easier to adopt into larger healthcare systems. The pandemic brought to light weaknesses in our healthcare system for which functional medicine offers solutions!

Dr. Penn is an infectious disease specialist and works in epidemiology and infection prevention at Nebraska Methodist Hospital. He has worked closely with Dr. Luby, and Dr. Penn is planning to implement more of the IFM’s principles into his healthcare system. Dr. Nancy Cutter and Sharon Williams are from the Veterans Affairs (VA) in New Jersey. They are also working towards integrating lifestyle medicine into their systems in part by utilizing group visits.

Listen to the full panel discussion to learn more about:

  • The benefits offered by functional medicine for the VA in New Jersey
  • The problems in our healthcare system, which functional medicine can help
  • How Nebraska Methodist Hospital has seen the IFM’s principles improve their COVID outcomes
  • And much, much more!

Our guest on this episode, Dr. Michael Ash, is a researcher who discusses lipid replacement therapy. The applications for this treatment include all fatigue related illnesses, including but not limited to environmental toxin exposure, Lyme disease and long COVID. Oxidative damage, which this therapy addresses, occurs in aging and all chronic and acute illness.

When the immune system is activated (e.g., after an infection), mitochondria can be damaged. The defective mitochondria become swollen and leak electrons, which results in the oxidation of membranes. Oral lipid replacement therapy is used to remove and replace damaged membranes. Listen to this episode to learn:

  • Mechanisms of action of inflammasomes
  • What causes danger signals in cells
  • Supplement dosing and sources of this nutrient through diet
  • Symptoms and consequences of poor membrane health
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20220525_Podcast_AUDIO_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Dr. Mary Pardee, who specializes in fecal macrobiotic transplantation (FMT), explores how personal history with trauma (emotional or physical) often contributes to chronic disease, the necessity of physicians acknowledging their patients’ journey into disease, and the paramount importance of community during the healing process.

Highlights include:

  • Empaths are more susceptible to chronic illness
  • Connection, bonding and community are pillars of health
  • Why group medical visits are necessary to transform the future of medicine
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20220518_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

On this episode, we speak with Josiah Bartz from the Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center. The LMRC is driven by the same purpose as Evolution of Medicine and supports growth of lifestyle and functional medicine by providing clinicians with practical resources and tools to get their practices off and running.

The LMRC was born out of thousands of hours of speaking and working with functional medicine practitioners who want to start or build their practices but feel overwhelmed and in need of support or guidance. After years of developing a library of resources, the LMRC is now offering a membership to provide clinicians with ongoing, thorough and personalized practice management and clinician education support. Listen to learn more about:

  • The history of shared medical appointments or Group Visit Toolkits
  • Successful frameworks to empower patients
  • Features available to members of the LMRC
  • Business growth for functional medicine practices
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20220510_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am CDT

Penney Stringer, a family medicine physician, shares her journey into functional medicine and her experiences moving in and out of conventional medicine. Dr. Stringer shares anecdotes from her exceptionally successful HealCommunity group. Listen in to hear Dr. Stringer and James explore:

 

  • The power of community in medicine
  • How patients with chronic illness are underserved
  • The importance of group support for behavior change
  • And much, much more!
Direct download: 20220420_Podcast_AUDIO.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:00am CDT

Cheng Ruan, MD is a Functional Medicine practitioner who trains other physicians to work through insurance systems. He discusses value-based care and it’s current limitations, physician services that are currently billable to Medicare or insurance which are underutilized, how to foster a sense of empowerment with patients, rather than trying to be the “hero” as a physician. Listen to the full conversation to hear about:
  • How physician entrepreneurs should be thinking about scalable growth
  • Coaching concepts for physicians
  • Statements of guidance and focusing positive energy towards collaborative health care 
  • And much, much more!

 

Direct download: 20220413_Podcast_8.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:00am CDT

Chris McChesney is a behavior change expert who wrote The 4 Disciplines of Execution. His fascinating perspective offers practical tips about how to manage “The Whirlwind” of competing priorities and make meaningful strides towards focused goals. James dives into the business-oriented concepts exploring their applications in the Business of Functional Medicine series on the podcast.  Listen to the full episode for insights that will help you build your own practice, improve patient relationships and trust, and encourage positive behavior change.

Direct download: 20220323_Podcast_6.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:30am CDT

When we started Evolution of Medicine, we saw a theme emerging that conversations about evolution were going to be critical for understanding all the different ways in which medicine was evolving. With that in mind, who better to have on the podcast than two evolutionary biologists?

Direct download: 20220316_Podcast_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 3:39pm CDT

On this episode, we share an amazing story of four doctors from across the country brought together to form new friendships that transformed their businesses. Tune in as we hear from three chiropractors, Dr. Bill Hammer, Dr. Russell Sher and Dr. Todd Di Leo, and Tracy Jones, DO, as they share how they've moved toward their own practice vision in the last five years, how those visions differ dramatically, and how they've built strong connection and friendship, even though they've never met in person.

Direct download: 20220223_Podcast.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:55pm CDT

In this episode, we have Dr. David Perlmutter on to talk about his new book, Drop Acid. Dr. Perlmutter talks about how he chose this topic and the profound impact of restoring metabolic health and controlling uric acid with simple dietary and lifestyle tweaks.
Direct download: 20220216_Podcast_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 3:27pm CDT

This episode is part of our Success Leaves Clues Series and features Helen Perks, a nutritionist from the UK. She joined the Practice Accelerator in 2017, and as you listen to her story, you’ll hear just how valuable a supportive community of practitioners can be when building your practice.
Direct download: 20220201_Podcast.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 3:00pm CDT

On this episode, we talk about the changes in the 2022 coding, with guest, Sonda Kunzi. She runs Coding Advantage, and is a leading biller and understands the world of not just medical billing, but medical billing as it applies to the functional medicine community.
Direct download: 20220126_Podcast_v3.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 11:30am CDT

Every year, Evolution of Medicine picks a theme, and this year’s theme is Growth. And who better to kick off our year of growth than Dr. Mark Hyman? In this episode, we talk about the growth of the movement and the surprising places where functional medicine is really starting to take off.

Direct download: 2022019_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 10:00am CDT

Today, we are talking with Dr. Sunjya Schweig, you may know him as a leader in the Lyme and biotoxin illness space. However, over the last few years he has been working on an interesting project to bring functional medicine principles, and clinical nutrition to a very special population; firefighters and policemen.

Direct download: 20211222_Podcast_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 1:30pm CDT

On this episode, we have Dr. Elroy Vojdani returning to the podcast. A few months ago, he came onto the podcast and did our most popular show of the year, talking about the role of food and autoimmunity and how it relates to COVID-19.

Direct download: 20211215_Podcast_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:00am CDT

This week, we are talking about enzymes. Enzymes are used and recommended by practitioners across our ecosystem. There are many different supplement companies that are recommending enzymes, so we wanted to get to the guy behind the guy, like where are these enzymes coming from?

Direct download: 20211117_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 11:30am CDT

On this week’s episode, we’re going to go right to the heart of the Evolution of Medicine, looking to solve the biggest issues and the biggest gaps that exist not only in conventional care, but also in functional medicine.

Direct download: 20211110_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 9:00am CDT

In this episode, we feature Dr. Jessica Drummond, as a part of our New Models series. You’ll learn what a big deal endometriosis is, and to what degree it acts like many other chronic illnesses that you're probably treating in your practices.

Direct download: 20211027_Podcast_2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

This week on the podcast we have an exciting episode announcing our launch of Functional Forum Communities! I'm joined by Toni Wolley and Kristen Brokaw, who are both leaders of their local communities in St. Louis and Indianapolis but are also sales reps.

Direct download: 20211013_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

This week we have guest host, Kristen Brokaw on to interview Dr. Miles Bodzin about the business of functional medicine. Dr. Bodzin discusses what to do for your practice overwhelm. He shares what he struggled with as well as tips and tricks he has learned to improve patient retention.

Direct download: 20210929_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative healthd -- posted at: 3:30pm CDT

This week on the podcast, we are going deep into immune health with Dr. Elroy Vojdani. The Vojdani family, Elroy and his father Aristo have been very helpful for James in sense-making over the last year and a half in the most important topic on the planet, immunology.

Direct download: 20210922_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

This week on the podcast, we feature Dr. Aimie Apigian. This episode is an incredibly inspiring story about her journey from general surgery residency to addiction medicine, and now to teaching other practitioners and doctors about the nervous system and how it affects addiction.

Direct download: 20210901_Podcast_v2_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am CDT

This week on the podcast, we have another episode in our New Models Series focused on concierge care for the poor. Dr. Angela Bymaster and her husband Brett are on to talk to us about a really unique community-focused model of business that they created. They're able to take concierge medicine patients at full price and use that money to pay for other people in the community who don't have access to care.

Direct download: 20210825_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 5:30am CDT

This week, we are talking pharmacies, pharmacists, and the reinvention of medicine. Melody Hartzler, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM is a pharmacist on the frontlines, organizing a new model of functional medicine-trained pharmacists integrated with primary care and specialty care.

Direct download: 20210818_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

This week on the podcast, we have another episode in our New Models Series focused on the terrain theory with Dr. Maya Shetreat. Maya was on the Functional Forum back in 2017 in Guernsey. She talked all about plant medicine. In this episode, she talks about her journey with terrain medicine and how that concept aligned all her clinical interests and passions. We also talk about how terrain and community connections go hand in hand, and how functional medicine practices can use her insight to treat patients with the terrain theory mindset.

Direct download: 20210728_Podcast_v2.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 6:00am CDT

This week, we are going clinical with Dr. Tom Guilliams. This is a new podcast segment that we're doing called Controversies in Nutrition, and in each session we are going to take some big controversies that have been brought to us by listeners and ask Dr. Tom Guilliams about them.

Direct download: 20210721_Podcast_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 4:00am CDT

In this year of reinvention, we are going to need partners that can deliver incredible value to clinicians and make it easier for them to run successful practices. This week on the podcast, we spoke to Josh Crolle from Evexia Diagnostics, who are going to be one of our new partners. We talked about the genesis of Evexia, what it means.

Direct download: 20210630_Podcast_v2_1.mp3
Category:health, alternative health -- posted at: 6:00am CDT