My guest this episode is Brandy Buskow and we discuss what has become one of the most talked-about areas in health and wellness.; PEPTIDES We hear about them for weight loss, metabolic health, recovery, longevity—and increasingly, for applications that go far beyond the number on the scale. But what exactly are peptides? What are they actually doing in the body? And as medications like GLP-1s become more widely used, are we looking at powerful tools for improving health and preventing disease—or are we moving faster than our understanding of their long-term effects? And then there are the questions many people are asking: What does it actually feel like to take one? What happens when you stop? Do you have to stay on them for life? What about muscle loss, digestive health, food noise and our brain’s reward system? And perhaps most importantly, where does personal responsibility end and a physician’s responsibility begin when prescribing these medications? Brandy Buskow is the Chief Operating Officer of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN) and has spent more than 12 years helping shape one of the world's leading functional lab training organisations. A board-certified Health Coach, Master EFT Practitioner, Certified Hypnotherapist and FDN Practitioner, Brandy combines professional expertise with personal experience after overcoming years of chronic digestive issues and a significant health crisis. She specialises in helping people uncover the hidden stressors driving chronic illness and restore lasting health. Learning Points: • Understanding what peptides actually are—and what they can do • Exploring the benefits, limitations and unanswered questions • Discovering where peptides fit within a root-cause approach to health Social Media: https://fdntraining.com/ https://www.instagram.com/fdntraining https://www.facebook.com/FunctionalDiagnosticNutrition

In this episode we are talking with my guest Jenn Trepeck about why we should biostack rather than biohack, what it means to burn fat for fuel, the importance of a low glycemic diet, the science of food noise and naturally supporting GLP-1. And perhaps most importantly, why better health isn't about doing more. Maybe it's about understanding what matters, letting go of what doesn't, and finally making wellness simple enough to live. Jenn Trepeck is a health and lifestyle coach, award-winning podcaster, and author of Uncomplicating Wellness. Through her podcast, Salad With a Side of Fries, Jenn takes a science-based but refreshingly practical approach to nutrition and wellbeing—helping people move away from rigid rules and toward a better understanding of how their bodies actually work. Learning Points: • Why we should biostack instead of biohack • How to understand our body's signals • What uncomplicated wellness is Social Media Handles/Website Address: • https://www.instagram.com/jenntrepeck/?hl=en • https://www.instagram.com/saladwithasideoffriespod/ • https://www.facebook.com/JenniferTrepeck • https://www.facebook.com/Saladwithasideoffriespodcast • https://x.com/jenntrepeck?s=20 • https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifertrepeck/ • www.youtube.com/@jenntrepeck • https://www.tiktok.com/@jenntrepeck • https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/ • https://amzn.to/4bj8w8d

In this episode we speak with Alayna Bellquist, who brings a fascinating and very different perspective to the conversation around chronic illness and recovery. We explore what ecosystems can teach us about human health, why some people continue to struggle long after treatment, the roles that stress and environment may play in recovery, and an intriguing question: What if healing isn't simply about fighting disease, but about creating the conditions that allow a complex system to become resilient again? Alayna is a graduate of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, and spent nearly twenty years working in marine science, fisheries, and natural resource management. She is the founder of the Resilient: By Nature Workshop and The Lyme Rx Forum, where she shares resources for individuals navigating chronic illness, recovery, and personal transformation. Her work has been recognized by leaders in marine science, functional medicine, psychology, and environmental education, who have praised her ability to bridge human healing and ecological stewardship. But when her own health was challenged by chronic Lyme disease, she began to recognize striking parallels between the resilience of natural ecosystems and the resilience of the human body. That experience ultimately led her to author Resilient: By Nature where she shares resources for people navigating chronic illness, recovery, and personal transformation. Learning Points: • What nature can teach us about resilience and recovery • Why treating illness and restoring health aren't always the same thing • Rethinking our relationship with illness and the environment Social Media: https://www.alaynabellquist.com/ https://www.instagram.com/alaynabellquist/ https://www.facebook.com/AlaynaBellquist# https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaynasiddall/ https://www.youtube.com/@HealfromLyme

In this episode we are talking with Alyson Schafer about how parents can create routines and clear expectations without constant battles, how to gradually give children greater responsibility, and why sometimes allowing our kids to make a poor decision—and experience the natural consequences—is an important part of growing up. We also explore the anxiety that can come with heading back to school for both children and parents, and one of the most important questions in parenting: where is the line between supporting our children and rescuing them? Because ultimately, our job isn't to remove every struggle from our children's lives. It's to give them the structure, responsibility and confidence they need to learn that they can handle those struggles themselves. Alyson Schafer is an internationally acclaimed parenting expert, speaker, bestselling author, and media personality. Armed with years of research and clinical experience, Alyson presents concepts from ‘depth psychology’ on stages around the world, including TedX. Alyson is able to break down complex ideas and present them in ways that are easy for parents to understand and more importantly, implement. Parents seek solutions and Alyson’s forte is delivering actionable tactics that arm parents with the skills and confidence they need to face modern life challenges. Using humour and relatable storytelling, she provides a fresh and positive understanding of family dynamics. “The end goal is to raise resilient, caring and capable kids – and have fun along the way!” - Alyson Schafer Learning Points: • How to build routines, expectations and responsibility gradually • Knowing when to support—and when to step back. • Navigating back-to-school anxiety—for kids and parents Social Media: Website: https://alysonschafer.com/ FB = https://www.facebook.com/AlysonSchaferParentingExpert IG = https://www.instagram.com/alysonschafer/ LinkedIn = www.linkedin.com/in/alysonschafer X = https://x.com/alysonschafer YT = https://www.youtube.com/AlysonSchaferParentingExpert

In this episode we are speaking with Deborah Maragopoulos and exploring how the hypothalamus influences nearly every major system in the body, why it may deserve far more attention in conversations about chronic disease, and the practical steps Deborah recommends to support what she calls the five pillars of hypothalamic healing. Whether you're struggling with hormone imbalances, chronic inflammation, fatigue, digestive issues, or you're simply curious about how the body's master control center works, this is a fascinating conversation that may change the way you think about health. Deborah Maragopoulos is an intuitive integrative family nurse practitioner and is widely known as the Hormone Queen. She specializes in functional neuro-immune-endocrinology, with a particular focus on optimizing hypothalamic function. Through decades of clinical experience, research, and the collection of extensive patient data, she has developed a holistic model of care that combines conventional medicine with naturopathic therapies to help uncover what she believes are the upstream drivers of chronic illness, rather than simply managing downstream symptoms. Learning Points: • How the hypothalamus helps coordinate hormones, metabolism, immunity, digestion, sleep, temperature and the stress response. • Why seemingly unrelated symptoms may sometimes reflect disruption in the communication between the brain, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system. • Deborah’s five pillars of hypothalamic healing and practical strategies for supporting the body's ability to maintain balance. Social Media: • Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/deborahmaragopoulosfnp/ • YouTube: https://youtube.com/@deborahmaragopoulosfnp • Website: https://genesisgold.com Free for your listeners: https://thehormonequeen.com/healthhub

In this episode we are speaking with Dr. Pam Theriot and taking a closer look at dry eye, a surprisingly common condition that can cause everything from burning and redness to fluctuating vision—and may even offer clues about what’s happening elsewhere in the body. Dr. Pam Theriot is an optometrist, author, and dry eye specialist based in Louisiana. With over 20 years of experience in eye care, she leads the Dry Eye Relief Center at Lusk Eye Specialists, where she helps patients find personalized, long-term solutions to chronic eye irritation. Her own journey with dry eye began early in her career, when symptoms like dryness and discomfort began affecting her ability to wear contacts, enjoy running, or even apply makeup before work. That frustration turned into a deep, professional mission: to help others feel at ease in their own eyes again. Dr. Theriot now shares her most effective tools and strategies through her book Alleviate Dry Eye, online courses, a weekly blog, and her Editor’s Pick Award Winning TEDx talk. Her work reaches people who struggle with red, irritated eyes and fluctuating vision. Dr. Theriot is on a mission to help 1 million people learn to care for their eyes as routinely as they care for their teeth by building simple everyday habits. Learning Points • Understand what really causes dry eye • Recognize what your eyes may be telling you • Learn how to protect your eyes every day Social links and handles: Website: www.pamtheriot.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pam.theriot/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alleviatedryeyewithdr.T TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pamtheriot6 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamtheriot/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDryEyeReliefDoctors BOOK: https://www.pamtheriot.com/dry-eye-book

In this episode Martina Tisljar and I discuss what intuition really is, why so many of us struggle to access it, how stress and unresolved emotions interfere with our inner guidance system, and practical tools we can use to strengthen our intuitive abilities. We'll also explore the fascinating connection between emotional healing and intuitive clarity, and why learning to trust yourself may be one of the most important skills you can develop. Martina Tisljar is the founder of Divine Self Awakening, an Oxford Talks speaker, and an EFT and Matrix Reimprinting Master Trainer. Martina helps people quiet mental noise, regulate stress, and rebuild trust in their inner guidance. In this conversation, you’ll learn why intuition gets blocked, how emotions hijack your choices, and simple tools you can use to come back to clarity fast. Learning Points: • The answers we seek are often already within us • Stress disconnects us from our inner wisdom • Self-trust is a skill that can be rebuilt Social Media: https://divineselfawakening.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-tisljar-905327a4/ https://www.facebook.com/martina.tisljar9 https://www.instagram.com/martina_tisljar/

In this episode we are discussing a topic that affects millions of people worldwide—depression, anxiety, and the growing number of individuals who feel like they've tried everything but still aren't getting better. My guest is Dr. James Greenblatt, a pioneer in the field of functional and integrative psychiatry. For more than 30 years, Dr. Greenblatt has challenged the conventional approach to mental health by asking a different question: What if the symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions are not simply disorders to be managed, but signals pointing to underlying biological imbalances that can be identified and addressed? Dr. Greenblatt is a board-certified psychiatrist, educator, and founder of Psychiatry Redefined. He has helped transform the way clinicians think about mental health by integrating nutrition, genetics, gut health, inflammation, and metabolic factors into psychiatric care. His latest book, Finally Hopeful, offers a roadmap for those who have struggled to find answers through traditional treatment alone. In it, he explores the often-overlooked biological drivers of mental illness and shares a message that is both empowering and deeply needed: there is always another question to ask, another avenue to explore, and reason to remain hopeful. In this episode we talk about what functional psychiatry looks like in practice, why some people fail to respond to conventional treatments, and how a root-cause approach may open new possibilities for healing. Bio: Dr. James Greenblatt, a globally recognized pioneer in functional and integrative psychiatry. A dual board-certified psychiatrist with more than 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Greenblatt has dedicated his career to transforming mental health care by uncovering the biological, nutritional, and metabolic factors that influence the brain. He is the founder of Psychiatry Redefined, an internationally respected educational platform for clinicians, and the author of numerous bestselling books including Finally Focused, Finally Hopeful, and The Lithium Revolution. Today, we'll explore how precision nutrition, functional medicine, and personalized psychiatry may help reshape our understanding of mental health and brain function. Learning points: • Why mental health symptoms may be driven by underlying biological imbalances, not just brain chemistry. • The critical roles of nutrition, inflammation, gut health, and genetics in depression and anxiety. • How functional psychiatry can provide new hope for people who have not improved with conventional treatment alone. Social Media: Connect with Dr. James Greenblatt Website: https://www.jamesgreenblattmd.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jamesgreenblattmd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgreenblattmd/ Connect with Psychiatry Redefined: Website: https://www.psychiatryredefined.org LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/psychiatryredefined/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychiatry_redefined/?hl=en

We live in a world of constant notifications, endless scrolling, and information overload. A world of constant stimulation. But is this stimulation isn’t making us smarter? Or is it actually leaving us cognitively undertrained? Joining me on this episode is Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist, elite-level professional nerd, and performance consultant to world class athletes in a dozen sports. He is the author of the new book, “The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age.” Dr. Wood received an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in physiology and neuroscience from the University of Oslo. He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington School of Medicine, where his laboratory focuses on brain health across the lifespan including in babies born preterm, adults who experience brain trauma, and the confluence of factors that can affect long-term cognitive function and risk of dementia. In this conversation we are talking about how to keep your brain sharp, resilient, and thriving throughout your life. We will explore what cognitive fitness really means, why being busy isn’t the same as training your brain, how overstimulation may be sabotaging your focus and memory, and the practical daily habits that can help protect your brain against cognitive decline and dementia. Learning Points: • Cognitive fitness is trainable • More stimulation doesn’t equal better brain health • Daily habits that can shape long-term brain health SOCIAL MEDIA/WEBSITE: https://www.drtommywood.com https://www.instagram.com/drtommywood/ https://www.drtommywood.com/general-8

Fasting has become one of the most talked-about topics in modern health and wellness — but beyond the trends and social media hype, what does the science actually say, especially for women? Can fasting truly support healthy metabolism, weight management, heart health, and longevity? And how do women navigate fasting in a way that supports — rather than stresses — the body during midlife and beyond? Today’s conversation explores the growing science behind fasting and fasting mimicking diets, and why researchers are increasingly interested in their impact not just on weight loss, but on cellular health, inflammation, metabolic flexibility, and healthy aging. Joining me is Renee Fitton, MS, RD, a leader in he intersection of nutrition, healthcare, and education. As Director of Education & Healthcare Sales at Prolon, she shapes sales strategies and equips healthcare practitioners with cutting-edge insights into nutrition and longevity. Her expertise in evidence-based practices and nutritional science has made her a trusted authority. Renee is dedicated to advancing the role of nutrition in revolutionizing healthcare, blending scientific rigor with a compassionate approach to wellness. This is a thoughtful and informative conversation about how nutrition can support not only living longer — but living stronger, healthier, and with greater vitality. Learning Points: • Why fasting may support far more than weight loss • How traditional fasting and fasting mimicking diets differ • Why women need a different conversation around fasting Social Media Handles/Website Address https://prolonlife.com/ https://www.instagram.com/fittonnutrition https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneefitton/

In today's episode, we welcome Torkil Færø — Norwegian physician, emergency doctor, photographer, and internationally bestselling author of The Pulse Cure. After years on the front lines of medicine, Dr. Færø became deeply interested in one powerful question: why are so many people exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from their health despite having more technology and healthcare than ever before? In this conversation, we explore the hidden impact of chronic stress, the science of heart rate variability, and how wearable technology can give us a real-time window into our nervous system, recovery, sleep, and resilience. Dr. Færø shares practical insights on how to better understand the body’s signals, prevent burnout, and create a healthier, more balanced life in an increasingly demanding world. This is a fascinating discussion about stress, longevity, energy, and learning to listen to the rhythm of your own body. Learning Points: • Your nervous system may reveal signs of stress and burnout long before you consciously recognize them. • Heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the most powerful tools for understanding recovery, resilience, sleep, and overall health. • True health is not just about performance and productivity — it’s about balancing stress with intentional recovery and nervous system regulation. Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/dr.torkil/