Evolution Of Medicine Podcast

In this episode, James Maskell is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Morrison, the newly elected president of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM). Since its founding in the 1960s, AAEM has been at the forefront of understanding and addressing environmental causes of illness. Dr. Morrison shares how AAEM is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by a new generation of passionate practitioners dedicated to tackling chronic illnesses like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and metabolic dysfunction through the lens of environmental health. Key topics include: The impact of mold exposure, heavy metal toxicity, EMFs, and other environmental toxins on chronic disease. How AAEM is training practitioners to integrate environmental factors into their care strategies. Building a community of practitioners to advocate for policy changes that improve public health. Highlights from the upcoming AAEM conference in San Antonio, featuring renowned speakers like Del Bigtree and Erin Brockovich. James also reflects on

In this episode, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Staci Whitman, a holistic pediatric dentist who shares her transformative journey from advocating for fluoride use to opposing its inclusion in public water systems. Dr. Whitman integrates dental health with whole-body wellness. She is an IFM Certified Provider (IFMCP), Board Certified in Naturopathic Medical Dentistry and Integrative Biological Dental Medicine (NMD), and an active member of several professional dentistry organizations. The conversation explores recent studies and court rulings that highlight concerns about fluoride’s neurotoxic effects, particularly its association with reduced IQ in children—even at the so-called “optimal” levels used in most water supplies. Dr. Whitman emphasizes the cumulative nature of fluoride exposure, from water and toothpaste to processed foods, complicating efforts to measure total intake—especially for vulnerable groups like infants and children. Key Topics Discussed: The alarming lack of safety data on fluoride and i

In this podcast episode, Dr. Alaina Gair delves into her approach to cancer care through group support, inspired by the transformative principles of The Community Cure and events by Dr. Meghan Walker. In this compelling conversation, Dr. Gair reveals how integrating community-based practices into her naturopathic care has redefined patient experiences by prioritizing emotional support, empowerment, and connection. We explore how the unpredictable journey of cancer can be positively transformed through shared experiences, group healing, and collaboration with oncologists. Discover why creating a space for empathy, education and solidarity is essential in navigating chronic illnesses like cancer. Download and listen to the full episode to learn more about: How community-based approaches can improve cancer care outcomes Groups can work well even when patients have different diagnosis Integrating naturopathic and conventional oncology for more comprehensive support. The value of shared experiences,

Dr. Joel Warsh is an integrative pediatrician who has built a successful practice in Los Angeles. He discusses his journey into integrative medicine, initially being frustrated by the overuse of medications in traditional pediatric care and seeking out alternative approaches. He talks about the challenge of getting the necessary education in integrative pediatrics, as there was limited formal training available at the time. Dr. Warsh describes the experience of interacting with his more traditional pediatric colleagues, noting that he had to develop a thick skin but has seen the tide starting to shift as more doctors become interested in integrative approaches. He emphasizes the importance of open-minded communication and not being overtly contrarian. A key theme of the conversation is the concept of "doing nothing" as the best approach in many pediatric cases, allowing the body's natural healing processes to work. Dr. Warsh shares his dramatic reduction in antibiotic prescriptions by taking a more watchfu

In this episode, Dr. Achina Stein and Silvia Covelli share their experience leading the Healing Depression Project, a holistic approach to treating depression that integrates functional medicine, lifestyle changes, and community support. Drawing from their personal experiences with conventional psychiatry, they discuss the frustrations with traditional treatments and the need to address both physical and mental health simultaneously.  The project challenges the conventional narrative around mental health treatment, offering a comprehensive recovery program built on evidence-based practices and a supportive community. Tune into this episode to learn: Why we need alternative approaches to traditional psychiatry How the project integrates functional medicine with metabolic psychiatry to enhance mental health outcomes. How a holistic approach may be especially helpful for those who don’t benefit from medication. How community support is leveraged to support the recovery process. Future goals include

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, goo

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 addressin

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

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

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

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

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

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: An overview of the factors that clinicans want to consider addressing with dementia patients Findings from clinical trials that use lifestyle and personalized medicine An understanding of cost saving benefits of a functional medicine approach The potential for AI to assist in supporting decision-making proto

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: Kirkland’s vision to integrate fun

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 me

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 [email protected].  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 set

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,

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 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 enabl

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 det