Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/
Why aren’t you losing weight, even when you’re eating well, exercising, taking hormones, or using a GLP-1? If the scale will not budge, stubborn belly fat keeps returning, or your cravings and energy feel impossible to control, cortisol may be blocking your progress.

In this solo episode of hol+, Dr. Taz explains how chronic stress and disrupted cortisol patterns affect your metabolism. She breaks down the connection between cortisol, blood sugar, insulin, inflammation, gut health, and visceral fat, revealing why weight loss can stall even when you feel like you are doing everything right.

You’ll also learn how cortisol patterns can change throughout the day, why a stressful event may affect your blood sugar for hours, and how chronic stress can alter your appetite, digestion, hormones, and response to weight-loss medications.

In this episode:

• Why weight loss can stall despite diet and exercise
• How cortisol affects your metabolism
• Signs your natural cortisol rhythm may be disrupted
• Why you may feel tired all day but wired at night
• The connection between stress, blood sugar, and insulin
• How cortisol increases cravings for sugar, salt, and comfort foods
• Why stress can promote visceral belly fat
• How chronic inflammation blocks metabolic progress
• Why GLP-1 medications may appear to stop working
• How stress affects digestion and the gut microbiome
• Why cortisol may contribute to bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
• What a four-point cortisol test can reveal
• How lowering cortisol can support metabolic health

Learn more about cortisol testing, stress-related weight gain, and the hol+ approach:
https://holplus.co/services/cortisol-stress/

Learn more about hol+ and schedule an appointment:
https://holplus.co/

Listen to more episodes of the hol+ podcast:
https://holplus.co/podcast/

If you know someone who is struggling to lose weight despite doing everything right, share this episode with them. Subscribe for new episodes about hormones, metabolism, gut health, inflammation, healthy aging, and whole-person healing every week.

Stay Connected:

Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift

Chapters
00:00 Why You’re Not Losing Weight Despite Diet and Exercise
01:21 How High Cortisol Causes Weight Gain
03:37 High Cortisol Symptoms: Tired All Day, Awake at Night
04:24 How Cortisol Affects Blood Sugar and Insulin Resistance
06:47 How to Break the Chronic Stress and Cortisol Loop
08:56 Why Blood Sugar Spikes Cause Fat Storage
10:13 Why Stress Causes Sugar and Salt Cravings
14:12 How Chronic Inflammation Blocks Weight Loss
19:57 How Stress and Cortisol Affect Gut Health
23:40 How to Test Cortisol When Weight Loss Stalls

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

What if breast cancer risk is not determined only by your genes or family history? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with double board-certified breast cancer surgeon and lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Kristi Funk to discuss why breast cancer is becoming more common, especially among younger women, and what women can do to better understand and potentially reduce their risk.

Dr. Funk explains why 95% of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a BRCA mutation and why 87% do not have a first-degree relative with the disease. Together, Dr. Taz and Dr. Funk explore how food, alcohol, exercise, body weight, stress, inflammation, environmental toxins, sleep, and hormone therapy may influence breast health.

They also break down some of the most confusing questions surrounding breast cancer screening and treatment. Do mammograms cause cancer? Is ultrasound a good alternative? When should women begin breast exams? Are some cases of stage zero breast cancer being overtreated? And how much does menopause hormone therapy actually increase breast cancer risk?

Breast cancer screening is important, but screening and prevention are not the same thing. Understanding your individual risk factors can help you have better conversations with your doctor and make more informed decisions about your health.

If you are navigating cancer treatment or recovery, concerned about inflammation, or want personalized support for your hormones and nutrition, explore related Hol+ care options here:

Cancer Support:
https://holplus.co/services/cancer-support/

Inflammation:
https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/

Hormone Balancing:
https://holplus.co/services/hormone-balancing/

About Dr. Kristi Funk:

Dr. Kristi Funk is a double board-certified breast cancer surgeon, lifestyle medicine physician, bestselling author, and international speaker. She graduated from Stanford University and received her medical degree from UC Davis before completing her surgical residency and breast cancer fellowship.

Dr. Funk previously served as Director of the Cedars-Sinai Breast Center and co-founded the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles, where she continues to practice. She has helped thousands of women navigate breast health and breast cancer, including Angelina Jolie and Sheryl Crow. She is also the author of Breasts: The Owner’s Manual and the founder of the Cancer-Kicking! Summit.

Connect with Dr. Kristi Funk:
https://www.instagram.com/drkristifunk
https://pinklotus.com/

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, also known as Dr. Taz, is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician, bestselling author, and founder of hol+, a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
0:00 Why breast cancer is rising
6:20 Why most cases are not genetic
14:53 The biggest breast cancer risk factors
34:25 How stress and inflammation affect risk
40:33 Breast exams, mammograms, and screening
49:40 Are we overtreating stage zero breast cancer?
57:20 Hormone therapy and breast cancer risk

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/
Why are you always tired, even after getting enough sleep? If you wake up exhausted, struggle with brain fog, rely on caffeine, or lose your energy halfway through the day, the problem may begin inside your cells.

In this solo episode of hol+, Dr. Taz explains why your body may be “biologically bankrupt,” meaning it is using energy faster than it can rebuild it. She breaks down three hidden causes of low energy: mitochondria that are not producing enough power, declining NAD levels, and old “zombie cells” that remain in the body and increase inflammation.

You’ll also learn simple ways to support your energy, including better sleep, moderate exercise, stress management, intermittent fasting, and nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins, CoQ10, and quercetin.

In this episode:
Why you may still feel tired after sleeping
How your cells create energy
The connection between fatigue and brain fog
What mitochondrial dysfunction means
Why NAD matters for energy and cellular repair
What “zombie cells” are
How inflammation drains your energy
Why caffeine and sugar only provide a temporary boost
How sleep and exercise help rebuild cellular energy
Practical ways to stop running on empty

Learn more about hol+ and schedule an appointment:
https://holplus.co/

Listen to more episodes of the hol+ podcast:
https://holplus.co/podcast/

If you know someone who is always tired or struggling with low energy, share this episode with them. Subscribe for new episodes about hormones, gut health, inflammation, healthy aging, and whole-person healing every week.

Stay Connected:

Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift

Chapters
00:00 Why Your Energy Never Seems to Last
00:48 Chi, Prana and the Body’s Energy
01:49 Why Our Cells Are Running on Empty
02:54 What Is Biological Bankruptcy?
04:01 The 3 Pillars of Cellular Energy
05:08 How Mitochondria Produce Energy
06:24 Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Damage
07:39 How Mitochondrial Dysfunction Accelerates Aging
08:29 Chronic Fatigue, Long COVID and Cellular Energy
09:48 Your Fatigue Has an Address
10:14 Join The Circle
11:00 Why NAD Is Essential for Cellular Repair
11:44 Why NAD Levels Decline
12:13 The NAD and Inflammation Cycle
13:41 What Are Senescent or “Zombie” Cells?
15:22 How Zombie Cells Drive Inflammaging
15:57 What Fatigue May Reveal About Your Health
16:35 Cellular Energy, Focus and ADHD
17:24 How to Reverse Biological Bankruptcy
17:46 Sleep and Mitochondrial Repair
18:15 Exercise and Mitochondrial Renewal
18:41 CoQ10, Magnesium and B Vitamins
19:04 Rebuilding NAD Levels
19:39 How to Clear Out Zombie Cells
19:59 Intermittent Fasting and Autophagy
20:13 Cortisol and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
21:02 Final Takeaways

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

What’s Carol Alt’s secret to glowing skin, boundless energy, and youthful vitality at 64?

In this episode of Hol+, Dr. Taz MD sits down with the iconic supermodel, entrepreneur, and raw food advocate to reveal the powerful truths behind aging well, naturally. From reversing signs of aging to healing chronic health issues with food, Carol shares how raw nutrition, enzyme therapy, and a deeply holistic lifestyle transformed her health in her 30s, and why she’s never looked back.

You’ll learn the raw, unfiltered truth (pun intended) about how Carol rebuilt her body from the inside out, the rituals that keep her glowing into her 60s, and her philosophy that the closer you eat to God, the better your body functions. From raw tiramisu to trail mix, from detox protocols to spiritual mindset shifts, this is a must-watch episode for anyone who wants to age with grace, energy, and empowerment, without surgery or shortcuts.
 
If you’re listening to this and thinking, “My symptoms feel connected, but no one is helping me connect the dots,” join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Carol opens up about:
• The moment she knew cooked food was draining her life force
• Her enzyme-rich daily routine that supports digestion, skin, and energy
• How she healed chronic health problems (like candida) by going raw
• Why beauty really does start in your 20s, and what to do now if you didn’t know
• Her take on fats, fasting, juicing, and eating with intention
• How mindset, discipline, and food all fuel her glow at 64

If you’re dealing with fatigue, low energy, hormone changes, or want to support healthy aging from the inside out, explore related Hol+ care options here:

Longevity and Anti-Aging:
https://holplus.co/services/longevity-anti-aging/

Hormone Imbalance:
https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/

Menopause & Perimenopause:
https://holplus.co/conditions/menopause-perimenopause/

About Carol Alt
Dubbed The Face by The Fashion Industry, Carol Alt is a pioneer and chameleon in the fashion, entertainment and Health industries; she is constantly on the lookout for new challenges. Since her days as the world’s most renowned Supermodel, Carol has gone on to be multi-award winning actor, successful entrepreneur, best-selling author on Raw Food and Nutrition, and the host of A Healthy You & Carol Alt on FOX News Channel.

Follow Carol Alt
https://carolalt.com/
https://instagram.com/modelcarolalt  

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, also known as Dr. Taz, is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician, bestselling author, and founder of hol+, a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 Health, aging, and your daily choices
01:00 Meet Carol Alt
02:20 Why beauty begins earlier than we think
03:49 Why Carol changed her diet at 36
08:12 Her biggest dieting mistake and raw food basics
17:31 Raw food, digestion, and rebuilding nutrition
20:50 What Carol noticed after changing her diet
23:25 How to begin and what to remove first
27:30 Juicing, fasting, cravings, and practical food swaps
35:30 Aging after 60, oils, beauty, spirituality, and final advice

What happens when men’s health gets reduced to one testosterone number? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Brandon Smith, MD, a conventionally trained physician practicing at hol+, for a practical and eye-opening conversation about men’s health, low testosterone, sleep apnea, TRT, GLP-1s, muscle, stress, hormones, and why so many men are waiting too long to get proactive about their health.

Together, they explore why men’s health needs a reframe, especially in a medical culture where many men are taught to only go to the doctor when something is clearly broken. Dr. Smith shares what he sees in the exam room, from younger men asking about testosterone before starting a family, to men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s realizing they have spent years pushing through fatigue, stress, brain fog, weight changes, low libido, poor sleep, or changes in performance without knowing where to start.

Dr. Taz and Dr. Smith also unpack why low testosterone is not always a simple testosterone problem. Dr. Smith explains the difference between total testosterone and free testosterone, why one lab number is only a snapshot, why testosterone can fluctuate throughout the day, and why morning testing matters. They also discuss why symptoms, context, body composition, sleep, stress, inflammation, chronic illness, and lifestyle all need to be part of the conversation before jumping straight to testosterone therapy.

This conversation takes a closer look at one of the most overlooked drivers of low testosterone: sleep apnea. Dr. Smith explains why disrupted sleep can create a stress signal in the body, why men may not realize they are waking up throughout the night, and why the body may lower reproductive hormones when it does not feel safe, rested, or recovered. They also discuss how fasting, chronic stress, high cortisol, poor recovery, and underlying medical conditions can affect hormone levels.

If you’re listening to this and thinking, “I know something is off in my body, but I don’t know where to start,” join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Men’s health is not just about testosterone, TRT, libido, or muscle. It is shaped by sleep, stress, metabolism, body composition, inflammation, blood sugar, chronic illness, movement, recovery, hormone signaling, and the way men are often conditioned to ignore symptoms until they become impossible to avoid. In this episode, Dr. Taz and Dr. Smith look at men’s health through a whole-body lens, where the goal is not just replacing a number, but understanding why the body is responding the way it is.

Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Men’s Health:
https://holplus.co/services/mens-health/

Hormone Imbalance:
https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Dr. Smith shares why most testosterone deficiency is often secondary, meaning the issue may not start in the testes, but in the brain’s signal to the testes. He explains how sleep apnea, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, infections, stress, and poor recovery can all push testosterone levels down. He also explains why a more complete workup may include LH, FSH, sleep history, body composition, lifestyle patterns, symptoms, and a deeper look at what is getting in the way of healthy hormone signaling.

Dr. Taz and Dr. Smith also discuss the different approaches men may hear about, including testosterone injections, creams, pellets, Clomid, lifestyle changes, and GLP-1 medications. Dr. Smith explains why the right path depends on the individual, including whether the biggest barrier is sleep, weight, joint pain, libido, motivation, metabolic health, or body composition. They also discuss why strength training, muscle mass, and movement are essential parts of the men’s health conversation, especially for long-term resilience and aging.

If you are navigating low testosterone, low libido, fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, poor sleep, sleep apnea, high stress, low motivation, muscle loss, GLP-1 questions, TRT decisions, or the feeling that something is off but you are not sure what to test first, this episode offers a more complete way to understand what your body may be trying to tell you.

About The Guest:
Dr. Brandon Smith, MD, is a conventionally trained physician practicing at hol+. His background includes biochemistry, conventional medicine, integrative health, movement, fitness, and a deep interest in helping patients connect the dots between symptoms, lifestyle, labs, and long-term health. In his work with patients, Dr. Smith focuses on asking better questions, understanding the whole person, and creating practical, personalized plans around diet, sleep, stress, exercise, hormones, and metabolic health.

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters

00:00 Why Men’s Health Needs a Reframe
01:20 Why Men Avoid the Doctor
03:35 What Brings Men Into the Clinic
06:00 Why Younger Men Are Asking About Testosterone
07:25 What Testosterone Actually Is
09:15 Why One Testosterone Test Is Not Enough
10:10 The Best Time to Test Testosterone
11:15 Total Testosterone vs Free Testosterone
14:00 Is Testosterone Therapy Always the Answer?
15:25 Sleep Apnea and Low Testosterone
18:05 Stress, Fasting, and Hormones
20:05 Symptoms of Low Testosterone
22:15 When to Consider a Sleep Study
24:30 Why Most Low Testosterone Is Secondary
26:10 Cortisol, Stress, and Testosterone
28:20 Testosterone Shots, Creams, Clomid, and Pellets
32:20 Lifestyle Changes That Can Raise Testosterone
35:00 Why Muscle Matters for Men’s Health
40:00 How Often Men Should Strength Train
43:00 GLP-1s, Weight Loss, Muscle, and Testosterone
47:30 Why Men Need a Whole-Body Health Partner
50:20 What Makes Dr. Brandon Smith Feel Whole

What if aging gracefully is not about trying to look younger, but about staying energized, purposeful, healthy, and connected to yourself? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Jane Seymour to talk about healthy aging, beauty from the inside out, energy after 70, and the daily habits that help her keep showing up with vitality.

Jane shares how she thinks about sleep, movement, supplements, intermittent fasting, beauty standards, Botox, mindset, and living with purpose. Together, Dr. Taz and Jane explore why aging does not have to mean slowing down, and how women can support their bodies, chemistry, skin, energy, and confidence at every stage of life.

If you’re listening to this and thinking, “My symptoms feel connected, but no one is helping me connect the dots,” join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Stop following confusing diet trends that make you miserable. Learn how to prioritize your actual body function over endless food lists.

We are constantly bombarded with instructions on how much kale, blueberries, or celery we need to eat by a certain time every day. This video breaks down why most popular nutritional advice is completely impractical for the average person. Instead of tracking arbitrary ingredients, focus on understanding how your body function works so you can make sustainable choices that actually matter.

This approach is for anyone tired of the noise surrounding healthy diet habits. By cutting through the hype, you can stop obsessing over specific superfoods and start building a routine that fits your lifestyle. If you are overwhelmed by conflicting diet trends, this perspective offers a simpler way to view your health.

If you’re dealing with fatigue, low energy, hormone changes, or want to support healthy aging from the inside out, explore related Hol+ care options here:

Longevity and Anti-Aging:
https://holplus.co/services/longevity-anti-aging/

Hormone Imbalance:
https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/

Menopause & Perimenopause:
https://holplus.co/conditions/menopause-perimenopause/

About Jane Seymour:
A multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner, recipient of the Officer of the British Empire (OBE) bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth II, Jane Seymour has proven her talents in virtually all media, the Broadway stage, motion pictures and television.  As iconic star of the beloved TV series “Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman,” she became a role model to young women and girls throughout the world with her inspiring rendition of a woman who can courageously dare, achieve, and improve anything a man can do, investing it with that “woman’s touch” of caring humanity.   

Seymour currently stars in the leading role in Harry Wild for Acorn TV and BBC America as a retired college professor who cannot quite manage to stay quietly retired to the dismay of her police inspector son. 

Beyond her acting career, Seymour has made significant contributions as a producer and philanthropist. She has been involved in numerous charitable initiatives, including the creation of the Open Hearts Foundation, which supports nonprofit organizations aligned with her mother's philosophy of selfless giving. Seymour’s artistic endeavors extend to her work as a sculptor and painter, with notable exhibitions and collaborations, including designing limited-edition champagne bottles and receiving accolades for her contributions to the fine arts. Today, she continues to inspire others through her art, philanthropic efforts, and motivational speaking, all while balancing her roles as a mother and grandmother.

Follow Jane Seymour:
https://JaneSeymour.com
https://instagram.com/janeseymour

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, also known as Dr. Taz, is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician, bestselling author, and founder of hol+, a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
0:00 Jane Seymour on staying present, purposeful, and healthy
2:15 Why aging does not mean you are “done”
5:40 Breaking age barriers in Hollywood
8:30 Jane Seymour’s mindset around energy and purpose
11:10 Her daily routine for sleep, fasting, and supplements
15:20 Movement, core strength, and listening to your body
20:05 Why “less is more” with wellness routines
25:40 Beauty from the inside out
32:15 Botox, aging naturally, and Hollywood beauty standards
38:50 What makes Jane Seymour feel whole

What if your birth control is affecting more than your cycle? In this episode, Dr. Taz breaks down how birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, copper IUDs, and other forms of contraception may influence inflammation, mood, metabolism, nutrient levels, libido, gut health, and fertility over time.

If you’re navigating hormone symptoms, birth control decisions, or long-term reproductive health and want deeper support, join the Circle here:
👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Birth control can affect hormone balance, inflammation, fertility, gut health, mood, and metabolism.
Learn more about related conditions and support here:
Hormone Imbalance: https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/
Fertility Support: https://holplus.co/conditions/fertility-support/
Inflammation: https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/

In this episode, Dr. Taz explains the holistic birth control conversation every woman should have before staying on the pill or choosing another contraception option long term. You’ll learn how birth control may affect inflammation markers, nutrient levels, gut health, testosterone, ovarian reserve, and even how you feel and make decisions.

If you’ve been on birth control for years, are considering starting the pill, or are helping a daughter make informed choices, this episode will help you understand what to ask, what to test, and how to support your body.

In this episode, we cover:

• How birth control may affect inflammation
• The difference between hormonal and non-hormonal contraception
• How the pill may influence mood, libido, metabolism, and testosterone
• Why nutrient testing matters before and during birth control
• The connection between birth control, gut health, and ovarian reserve
• What labs to consider before choosing contraception
• How diet, sleep, stress, and holistic support can protect hormone health
• This is not about fear. It’s about choosing wisely, understanding your body, and making birth control decisions with the full picture in mind.

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters

00:00 Can Birth Control Change Your Brain and Hormones?
02:10 Why Long-Term Birth Control Use Needs a Deeper Look
05:25 Birth Control, Inflammation, and Disease Risk
10:20 IUDs, Gut Health, and the Microbiome Connection
13:45 Types of Birth Control: Pills, Patches, Rings, IUDs, and More
18:30 Birth Control Side Effects: Testosterone, Mood, Libido, and Nutrients
25:20 Non-Hormonal Birth Control and Fertility Awareness
29:40 What to Test Before Choosing Birth Control
36:30 Diet, Sleep, Stress, and Nutrient Support for Hormone Health
44:20 Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and the Holistic Approach to Birth Control

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offer a different way to understand the body, especially when it comes to chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress, digestion, anxiety, inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, and unexplained symptoms.

In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with  Dr. Jordan Barber, clinician, educator, published researcher, licensed acupuncturist, and author of Thinking in Chinese Medicine: A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture, Herbs, and Healing, for a grounded conversation about what Chinese medicine actually is, why it has been misunderstood in the West, and how it can help us see chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress, symptoms, and whole-body health through a more connected lens.

Together, they explore why Chinese medicine is not just acupuncture, herbs, or “energy work,” but a way of thinking. Dr. Barber explains how Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the whole person, including sleep, digestion, emotions, stress, relationships, movement, pain patterns, and the way someone experiences life. He also breaks down how the word qi became simplified into “energy,” why that translation can be misleading, and why Chinese medicine is often more practical, physiological, and science-informed than many people realize.

Dr. Barber shares his own path into Chinese medicine after working in IT, living through 9/11 in New York City, and experiencing chronic health issues that conventional care did not resolve. After trying acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and dietary changes, he saw a major improvement in his recurring sinus issues and began to understand health through a completely different framework.

If you’re listening to this and thinking, “My symptoms feel connected, but no one is helping me connect the dots,” join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Chinese medicine is not just about needles. It is about patterns, relationships, the nervous system, circulation, metabolism, pain signals, emotional stress, and the body’s ability to return to balance. In this conversation, Dr. Taz and Dr. Barber discuss why chronic disease is often connected to the mind, why stress can reshape the body, and why patient agency is such a central part of healing.

They also explore how Chinese medicine approaches chronic pain, including biomechanics, inflammation, central sensitization, scar tissue, nerve entrapment, neuromodulation, dry needling, electroacupuncture, and vagus nerve stimulation. Dr. Barber explains how acupuncture may help regulate pain signals and support the body’s ability to shift out of a chronic stress state.

Dr. Taz and Dr. Barber also take a deeper look at pelvic floor dysfunction, a condition that can affect both women and men in ways many people do not recognize. They discuss hidden signs such as urinary leaking, pelvic pain, pain after bowel movements, tailbone pain, hip pain, back pain, erectile dysfunction, painful sex, and symptoms that may be dismissed or misunderstood for years.

This episode also explores why TikTok herbal advice can be risky, why Chinese herbs should be personalized, and why the question “What are the best Chinese herbs?” is often the wrong place to start. Dr. Barber explains why ginger may help one person and aggravate another, why formulas are traditionally customized, and why Chinese medicine has always been rooted in matching the treatment to the person.

If you are navigating chronic pain, pelvic floor symptoms, stress, nervous system dysregulation, digestive issues, unexplained symptoms, or curiosity about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, this episode offers a grounded, science-informed, and deeply practical way to understand what your body may be trying to communicate.

Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Chinese Medicine: https://holplus.co/services/chinese-medicine/
Acupuncture: https://holplus.co/services/acupuncture/
Integrative Mental Health: https://holplus.co/services/integrative-mental-health-services-for-emotional-wellbeing/
Arthritis / Chronic Joint Pain: https://holplus.co/conditions/arthritis-chronic-joint-pain/

About The Guest:
Dr. Jordan Barber is a clinician, educator, author, published researcher, and licensed acupuncturist known for explaining Chinese medicine without mysticism or oversimplification. His published work includes research on acupuncture and dry needling in the Journal of Medical Acupuncture. He is a former faculty member in bioscience and acupuncture, serves on the NCCAAOM AI Task Force, and is the author of Thinking in Chinese Medicine: A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture, Herbs, and Healing. His work focuses on pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, psychosocial medicine, and helping bridge Chinese medicine with modern clinical understanding.

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, also known as Dr. Taz, is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician, bestselling author, and founder of hol+, a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Connect with Dr. Jordan Barber:
https://www.instagram.com/jbarberlac/

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 Pain, Suffering, and Changing Perception
00:19 Meet Dr. Jordan Barber
00:39 Chinese Medicine and the Mind Body Connection
01:21 Dr. Barber’s Research and Background
01:46 Dr. Taz Introduces the Episode
02:07 Dr. Taz’s Personal Connection to Chinese Medicine
02:53 From IT to Acupuncture After 9/11
04:09 How Acupuncture Changed Dr. Barber’s Health
05:28 Dr. Taz’s Healing Journey with Chinese Medicine
06:59 Acupuncturists, Herbalists, and Chinese Medicine Credentials
10:18 How to Choose a Chinese Medicine Practitioner
11:31 What Chinese Medicine Really Is
12:36 Health, Disease, and the Chinese Medicine Model
13:29 Dr. Taz Introduces The Circle
14:14 Is Chinese Medicine an Energetic System?
15:06 Why Chinese Medicine Is Not Just Energy Work
16:31 Acupuncture, fMRI, and Real Physiological Effects
17:36 Why Chinese Medicine Should Not Be Called Alternative
19:07 A Brief History of Chinese Medicine
21:51 How Chinese Medicine Came to the West
23:01 Lineage...

What happens when the womb is treated as separate from the rest of women’s health? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Kemi Doll, double board-certified gynecologic oncologist, equity scientist, researcher, coach, and author of A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing, for a powerful conversation about womb health, uterine cancer, fibroids, HRT, health equity, and why so many women are still being taught to normalize symptoms that deserve care.

Together, they explore why womb health is not only about pregnancy, fertility, or menopause, but a lifelong part of women’s physical, emotional, hormonal, and whole-body health. Dr. Doll shares how her grandmother’s death in childbirth, her mother’s near-death experience, and her own work as a gynecologic cancer surgeon shaped her mission to bring the uterus back into the center of women’s health.

Dr. Taz and Dr. Doll also discuss why uterine cancer is rising, why Black women are twice as likely to die after a uterine cancer diagnosis, and how gaps in research, screening, and diagnostic tools may leave women of color especially vulnerable. They unpack the role of ultrasound, endometrial thickness, post-menopausal bleeding, and why women need clearer conversations with their providers when something feels off.

This conversation also takes a closer look at the explosion of hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, and the questions every woman with a uterus should be asking. Dr. Doll explains why estrogen without proper progesterone protection can increase uterine cancer risk, why some women may not understand the role progesterone plays, and why monitoring the uterus matters when using hormones.

If you’re listening to this and thinking, “I know something is off in my body, but I don’t know where to start,” join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Womb health is not just about periods, pregnancy, fibroids, or menopause. It is shaped by hormones, stress, inflammation, medical history, race, research gaps, diagnostic bias, body literacy, emotional suppression, and the way women are taught to silence or normalize pain. In this episode, Dr. Taz and Dr. Doll look at the womb as a vital part of women’s health that deserves attention across every stage of life.

Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Cancer Support: https://holplus.co/services/cancer-support/
Hormone Imbalance: https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/

Dr. Doll shares why fibroids often begin earlier and become more severe for Black women, why many women are not believed until symptoms become unbearable, and how chronic stress, anger suppression, vitamin D deficiency, and delayed care can all become part of a larger womb health crisis. She also explains why some women may still have options beyond surgery, while others need honest, compassionate conversations about myomectomy, hysterectomy, fertility preservation, and quality of life.

Dr. Taz and Dr. Doll also explore the connection between traditional medicine, Chinese medicine, science, and what Dr. Doll calls “womb suffering.” They discuss why women need better language for their symptoms, why bringing an advocate to medical appointments can help, and why prioritizing your womb in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond may change the trajectory of your health.

If you are navigating fibroids, heavy bleeding, endometriosis, pelvic pain, post-menopausal bleeding, HRT, menopause, hysterectomy decisions, fertility concerns, or the feeling that your symptoms have been dismissed, this episode offers validation, education, and a deeper way to understand what your body may be trying to tell you.

About The Guest:
Dr. Kemi Doll is a double board-certified gynecologic oncologist, equity scientist, researcher, coach, speaker, and author dedicated to advancing healing, liberation, and leadership for Black women in medicine and beyond. Her groundbreaking research on racial disparities in endometrial cancer has been funded by the NIH, PCORI, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, BET, and Good Morning America. She is the author of A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing.

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/ - Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Connect with Dr. Kemi Doll:
https://kemidoll.com
https://www.instagram.com/kemidoll/

Get your copy of A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 Uterine Cancer Is Rising
02:27 Why Dr. Taz Wanted This Conversation
03:32 Dr. Kemi Doll’s Personal Connection to Womb Health
06:04 Why Womb Health Goes Beyond Pregnancy
07:16 Why Medicine Has Missed the Womb
09:05 The Uterus, Menstruation, and Scarless Repair
11:25 Uterine Cancer, Diagnosis, and Delayed Care
12:42 What Doctors Look for on Ultrasound
13:15 Why the Research May Not Protect Black Women
14:26 Why There Is No Standard Uterine Screening
15:19 Why Women Normalize Pain and Heavy Bleeding
18:08 HRT, Estrogen, Progesterone, and Uterine Cancer Risk
20:41 The Womb Health Crisis for Black Women
21:43 Why Fibroids Affect Black Women Differently
24:20 Anger Squelching, Chronic Stress, and Fibroids
25:45 Chinese Medicine, Liver Stagnation, and Estrogen
28:23 Estrogen, Progesterone, and Fibroid Growth
30:15 Vitamin D and Slowing Fibroid Growth
31:25 Medical Options Beyond Surgery
35:06 When Fibroids Become Harder to Treat Holistically
40:08 Why Women’s Pain Gets Dismissed
50:01 How Young Women Can Advocate for Themselves
53:45 Bringing an Advocate to the Doctor
54:00 Prioritizing Womb Health in Your 30s
58:05 Menopause, HRT, and Protecting the Uterus

What happens when your body starts to heal, but your mind is still trapped in survival mode? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Amy Kurtz, certified health coach, patient advocate, speaker, and author "But You Look Fine", for a powerful conversation about chronic illness, Lyme disease, medical gaslighting, nervous system trauma, and what it really means to heal.

Together, they explore Amy’s 20+ year journey through unexplained pain, chronic symptoms, misdiagnosis, and the search for answers that finally led to a diagnosis of late-stage neurological Lyme disease and co-infections. Amy shares what it was like to be told her labs were normal while knowing something was deeply wrong in her body, and how years of invalidation shaped her relationship with her health, her identity, and her trust in herself.

Dr. Taz and Amy also discuss why so many people live in the “gray zone” between sick and well, especially when symptoms are invisible, complex, or hard to explain. They unpack why normal labs do not always mean optimal health, why Lyme disease can be missed for years, and how chronic illness can impact relationships, career, emotional safety, and the nervous system.

This conversation offers a grounded and hopeful look at what happens after illness, when the body may be improving but the mind and nervous system are still bracing for the next crash. Amy introduces her concept of Medical Trauma Brain, or MTB, which describes the anxiety, hypervigilance, fear, and survival patterns that can remain after chronic illness, cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or any major health crisis.

If you’re listening to this and thinking, “I know something is off in my body, but I don’t know where to start,” join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Healing is not only physical. It is shaped by the nervous system, emotional safety, medical experiences, self-trust, community, trauma, hormones, inflammation, and the way the body and mind learn to feel safe again. In this episode, Dr. Taz and Amy look at healing as a whole-person process, especially for people who have been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told “but you look fine.”

Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Lyme Disease & Chronic Infections: https://holplus.co/conditions/lyme-disease/
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: https://holplus.co/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/

Amy shares why chronic illness can create an “illness after the illness,” why recovery often brings up grief, and why so many patients feel lost once they are expected to simply get back to normal. She explains how Medical Trauma Brain can show up as fear of relapse, obsessive symptom checking, anxiety, hypervigilance, and feeling physically better but emotionally stuck in survival mode.

Dr. Taz and Amy also explore the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, why patients need to feel believed, and how reclaiming agency can become a central part of healing. They discuss practical tools for calming the nervous system, including orienting, CBT-based stress checks, walking, rest, breathwork, meditation, exercise, and learning to pause before reacting to every internal alarm.

If you are navigating chronic illness, Lyme disease, invisible symptoms, medical gaslighting, nervous system dysregulation, fear of getting sick again, or the emotional aftermath of a long health journey, this episode offers language, validation, and practical tools to begin rebuilding trust with your body.

About The Guest:
Amy Kurtz is a certified health coach, patient advocate, speaker, and author dedicated to empowering patients to reclaim agency over their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. She is the author of Kicking Sick and But You Look Fine: Trapped in the Hell Between Sick and Well and How to Break Free. Amy has been featured on Good Morning America, Oprah Daily, The Boston Globe, and Wanderlust, where she was named one of their 35 women under 35 to watch in wellness.

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Connect with Amy Kurtz:
https://amykurtz.com
https://instagram.com/@_amykurtz

Get your copy of But You Look Fine: Trapped in the Hell Between Sick and Well and How To Break Free

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters

00:00 What Is Medical Trauma Brain?
02:35 When Your Labs Are Normal But You Still Feel Sick
03:27 Amy Kurtz’s Chronic Illness Journey
05:20 The 36th Doctor and the Lyme Diagnosis
07:10 Symptoms That Started in Childhood
09:01 Learning to Live With Discomfort
11:20 Taking Her Health Into Her Own Hands
12:35 Medical Gaslighting and Losing Self-Trust
13:10 Why the Medical System Misses the Gray Zone
14:47 Hypothyroidism, Celiac, and Still Not Feeling Well
15:21 Writing Kicking Sick While Still Searching for Answers
17:06 Why Amy Wrote Her First Book
18:45 The Rise of Chronic Illness
20:34 Trusting Your Inner Intelligence
22:14 Why Lyme Disease Is So Often Missed
24:20 Chronic Lyme, Co-Infections, and Nervous System Symptoms
27:00 Tick Prevention and What Patients Need to Know
29:18 Lyme Testing and Late-Stage Diagnosis
30:15 Treating Barto...

What does it really take to keep intimacy alive after years together? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Caitlin V, sexologist, educator, coach, author, and host of Good Sex, for a candid conversation about sex, connection, hormones, communication, and the relationship patterns that quietly shape long-term intimacy.

Together, they explore why many couples start to feel disconnected over time, especially through the pressures of marriage, parenting, midlife, stress, changing bodies, shifting hormones, and unspoken resentment. Caitlin explains why intimacy is not something couples are simply supposed to “know how to do,” and why learning to talk about sex, desire, needs, and repair can completely change the direction of a relationship.

Dr. Taz and Caitlin also discuss the role of men’s health, testosterone, cortisol, perimenopause, menopause, performance pressure, emotional shutdown, and the invisible load that many women carry. They unpack why both men and women can check out of a relationship, how resentment builds, and why emotional distance is often one of the earliest signs that a couple needs support.

This conversation offers a grounded and hopeful look at how couples can rebuild closeness, not through pressure or blame, but through communication, curiosity, physical connection, appreciation, and a willingness to keep learning each other.

If you’re listening to this and thinking, “I know something is off in my body, but I don’t know where to start,” join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Intimacy is not only about sex. It is shaped by hormones, nervous system stress, emotional safety, communication patterns, body changes, desire, identity, and the way partners repair after disconnection. In this episode, Dr. Taz and Caitlin look at intimacy as a vital part of health and partnership, especially during midlife and beyond.

Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Hormone Balancing: https://holplus.co/services/hormone-balancing/
Menopause & Perimenopause: https://holplus.co/conditions/menopause-perimenopause/
Men’s Health: https://holplus.co/services/mens-health/

Caitlin shares why sex often changes after the early years of a relationship, why many couples wait too long to talk about what is not working, and why resentment can become one of the biggest barriers to desire. She also explains how scheduled intimacy, honest repair conversations, non-sexual touch, and simple practices of appreciation can help couples reconnect before disconnection becomes the norm.

Dr. Taz and Caitlin also explore the pressures men often face around masculinity, performance, sexual confidence, and providing, as well as the ways women can support connection without shrinking themselves or taking on all the emotional labor. The result is a more balanced conversation about how both partners can participate in rebuilding intimacy together.

If you are navigating changes in desire, emotional distance, midlife hormone shifts, stress, resentment, communication breakdowns, or the feeling that your relationship needs more intentional care, this episode offers language, perspective, and practical tools to begin repairing connection.

About The Guest:
Caitlin V is a sexologist, educator, coach, author, and host focused on helping people build greater confidence, connection, and satisfaction in their sex lives. She is the author of Harder, Better, Longer, Stronger: The Science, Skills and Secrets for the Best Sex of Your Life and the host of Good Sex, a television series on HBO Max where she works

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Connect with Caitlin V
https://caitlinvneal.com/
https://www.instagram.com/Caitlinvictoriousx/
https://www.youtube.com/@CaitlinV

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 Why Intimacy Changes in Long-Term Relationships
06:11 Why Modern Relationships Feel More Complicated
10:31 The 2-Year, 4-Year, and 7-Year Relationship Patterns
16:31 Hormones, Midlife, and Relationship Connection
19:25 Men’s Health, Confidence, and Performance Pressure
23:03 Resentment, Distance, and Relationship Warning Signs
29:38 How Couples Can Reconnect and Repair
35:00 Stress, Cortisol, and the Invisible Load
44:25 Moving From Pressure to Connection
55:00 Communication, Desire, and Lasting Intimacy