Natural Medicine Journal Podcast

A patient’s mindset not only influences their experience and satisfaction level, but research indicates it can also impact their physical, mental, and emotional health. So how can members of the healthcare team influence the patient’s mindset in a meaningful way?    Mindset researcher Kari Leibowitz, PhD, has studied this topic extensively and is helping healthcare professionals embrace the healing potential of prescribing perspective. Dr. Leibowitz, a Stanford-trained PhD, was the lead author of a newly published paper on mindset training. She discusses that research, as well as practical ways healthcare professionals can prescribe mindset.   About the Expert Kari Leibowitz is a health psychologist with a PhD in psychology from Stanford University, where she conducted research at the Stanford Mind & Body Lab. She is a U.S.-Norway Fulbright Scholar and a frequently invited writer and speaker on the power of mindset. Leibowitz has written about "wintertime mindset" for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and her work has been covered by The Guardian, CNN, National Geographic, Forbes, The Telegraph, BBC, and New Scientist. Her first book, How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days, is available now. More information at karileibowitz.com.

The field of naturopathic oncology has grown dramatically over the past decade. But how much do you know about this naturopathic sub-specialty and what does the future hold for the profession and the patients it treats? Host and Natural Medicine Journal founder Karolyn A. Gazella talks with naturopathic oncologist Payam Kiani, ND, FABNO, who is also the President of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP). Dr Kiani provides an overview of integrative oncology, describes some of the challenges the profession has faced, and previews the organization’s upcoming conference. About the Expert Payam Kiani, ND, FABNO, is a naturopathic doctor with a focus on integrative cancer care. As the president of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP), Dr Kiani is committed to supporting patients and practitioners in the journey toward improved health outcomes. Since 2005, he has been in private practice, bringing over 2 decades of clinical expertise to his patients. Dr Kiani earned his bachelor of science in life sciences from McMaster University before completing his naturopathic doctor training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). For nearly 10 years, he served as a faculty member and clinical supervisor at CCNM, an experience that solidified his passion for education, mentorship, and shaping the future of naturopathic medicine. As a father of 2, he’s dedicated to setting an example of service to his community and contributing as a global citizen. On weekends, he embraces his love for the ocean, spending as much time as possible swimming and recharging in nature.

As our understanding of the connection between the gut microbiome and illness continues to expand, it’s not surprising to learn that the thyroid gland is also involved. In this episode, host Karolyn A. Gazella talks to thyroid health expert Angela Mazza, DO, ABAARM, FAAMFM, ECNU, about how the gut-thyroid axis can be influenced to help heal thyroid health issues. Dr Mazza is a highly regarded thyroid specialist who utilizes a comprehensive, integrative approach to treating complex thyroid issues. About the Expert Angela D. Mazza, DO, ABAARM, FAAMFM, ECNU, is triple board-certified and a renowned thyroid specialist. She is founder of the Metabolic Center for Wellness in Oviedo, FL, the only center in Central Florida offering radiofrequency ablation procedures. Highly regarded for her individualized approach to patient care, Dr. Mazza empowers each person to achieve their unique goals through targeted interventions and lifestyle management. Dr. Mazza believes that hormonal changes that happen in women and men as they age play a huge part in their overall health, longevity, and quality of life. Her passion is helping her patients achieve metabolic as well as hormonal balance. Dr. Mazza is author of Thyroid Talk: An Integrative Guide to Thyroid Health and hosts the podcast “Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza.” 

Arrhythmias are on the rise, coinciding with an increase in stroke cases. In this interview, Karolyn A. Gazella talks with conventionally trained cardiologist Benjamin Remo, MD, who also recently completed a fellowship in integrative medicine. Dr Remo is a cardiologist with CHRISTUS Health in New Mexico and employs a more holistic approach to treating arrhythmias. About the Author Benjamin Remo, MD, is a cardiologist and electrophysiologist with the Lovelace Health System in Albuquerque, NM, and CHRISTUS Health in Santa Fe, NM. Dr Remo received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at the New York University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in electrophysiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. More recently, he completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.  

Maca extract has become a popular herb as scientific research continues to substantiate its traditional uses. On this podcast, respected nutrition scientist and educator Deanna Minich, PhD, provides a detailed profile of maca root including a research overview, as well as clinical advice about choosing the highest quality extract. Minich is a sought-after industry consultant and has been an educator with the Institute for Functional Medicine for nearly 12 years. About the Expert Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, IFMCP, is a nutrition scientist and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. She serves as Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health and has over 20 years of experience in academia, clinical practice, and the dietary supplement industry. Minich has authored 6 wellness books and more than 50 scientific publications. She also lectures internationally and teaches at multiple institutions, focusing on transforming lives through nutrition and lifestyle.

Treating brain cancers such as glioblastoma can be complex as many of these cancers are difficult to treat and deadly. Soma Sengupta, MD, PhD, MBA, is an accomplished physician-scientist who specializes in brain tumor treatment and research. During this interview, she talks about her innovative research work, including the use of art and music therapy.   About the Author Soma Sengupta, MD, PhD, MBA, is a professor of neurology and vice chair of neurosurgery research at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She completed her PhD and medical degree at the University of Cambridge, with fellowship training in neuro-oncology and integrative medicine. A physician-scientist with over 90 publications, she is also a creative writer and patient advocate. Dr. Sengupta recently earned an MBA from the University of Cincinnati.

In this interview, Karolyn A. Gazella explores the topic of clinical empathy with integrative internal medicine physician David Cannon, MD. Dr Cannon discusses the research associated with empathy in the healthcare setting and describes ways that clinicians can cultivate more connection with patients to create a more enhanced empathetic environment. Dr Cannon is a physician with Privia Health in Lynchburg, VA.  About the Expert  David Cannon, MD, earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Duke University, followed by postgraduate training in Primary Care Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia. After two years of active duty in the US Navy, he joined a growing multispecialty practice in Lynchburg, VA. Dr Cannon completed an Integrative Medicine fellowship at the University of Arizona in 2005. He enjoys running, vegetarian cooking, woodworking, and exploring the many dimensions of healing. He is married with 3 children.

Can the gut microbiome help determine how resilient a person is? New research sheds light on this fascinating topic. Arpana Church, PhD, who is a neuroscientist at UCLA’s Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, and her colleagues set out to explore the complex interaction between the gut microbiome and stress resilience. In this interview, Church describes the research and future implications. About the Expert Arpana Church, PhD (née Gupta), is a leading figure in medical research on brain-gut-microbiome interactions and stress-related diseases like obesity. With a PhD in psychology and a clinical internship from Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical Center, her research aims to integrate brain and gut systems to understand obesity mechanisms and related behaviors. Funded by NIH, including recent grants from NIMHD and NIA, Church has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and is featured in the Netflix documentary "Hack Your Health: Secrets of the Gut." Her work explores novel pathways in the brain-gut-microbiome system, socio-cultural stress impacts, and interventions for obesity.

Did you miss this year’s American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Convention? In this interview, Karolyn talks with the organization’s president Kasra Pournadeali, ND, FACN, about the mission/vision of the organization, conference highlights, and future directions. In addition to being the AANP President, Pournadeali is the director of the Northwest Center for Optimal Health and on the faculty of Bastyr University.   About the Expert Kasra Pournadeali, ND, FACN, is the founder and director of the Northwest Center for Optimal Health, a primary care residency training facility in Washington State. With over 30 years as a healthcare provider and more than 20 years as a practicing physician, he has been a faculty member at Bastyr University since 1999. Pournadeali serves on the boards of the ACCME-Accredited Foundation for Care Management and the Integrative Health Care Practitioner Consortium. An expert in naturopathic cardiology, insurance coding, and practice management, he has made numerous media appearances and published extensively. Listen to his radio show, Sound Living with the Doctors, Thursdays at 4 PM PST on FM 90.7, FM 89.9, or online at www.kser.org. For more information, visit www.ncoh.net.

Sponsored by Pure Encapsulations   Americans are living longer, and the number of older adults is growing. Integrative medicine has a lot to offer patients who are interested in healthy aging. In this interview, longevity expert and endocrinologist Angela D. Mazza, DO, ABAARM, FAAMFM, ECNU, discusses her integrative approach to healthy aging. Mazza is triple board-certified, a renowned thyroid specialist, and the founder of the Metabolic Center for Wellness in Oviedo, FL.   About the Expert Angela D. Mazza, DO, ABAARM, FAAMFM, ECNU is triple board-certified and a renowned thyroid specialist. She is founder of the Metabolic Center for Wellness in Oviedo, FL, the only center in Central Florida offering radiofrequency ablation procedures. Highly regarded for her individualized approach to patient care, Mazza empowers each person to achieve their unique goals through targeted interventions and lifestyle management. Mazza believes that hormonal changes that happen in women and men as they age play a huge part in their overall health, longevity, and quality of life. Her passion is helping her patients achieve metabolic as well as hormonal balance. Mazza is the author of Thyroid Talk: An Integrative Guide to Thyroid Health and hosts the podcast “Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza.” About the Sponsor At Pure Encapsulations®, we’re dedicated to providing nutritional supplements you can trust. We take high standards seriously, which is why we’re the #1 most recommended professional supplement brand by healthcare professionals.1 Our products are formulated using high-quality, pure ingredients FREE FROM unnecessary additives and many common allergens and backed by verifiable science. What makes us different is the promise of goodness that goes into every one of our supplements. We source high-quality ingredients from trusted suppliers, conduct research and clinical trials to promote efficacy and safety, and undergo laboratory testing to ensure product purity and potency. Everything your patients need and nothing they don’t — that’s goodness encapsulated.

An NIH study from last year found that new cases of chronic pain in the United States occur more often than new cases of many other common serious conditions like diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure. What’s more, among people with chronic pain, nearly two-thirds are still suffering a year later. Naturopathic clinician Timothy Schwaiger, ND, utilizes a comprehensive, integrative approach to treat and heal chronic pain. In this interview, he discusses diet, lifestyle, dietary supplements, and other integrative interventions he has found to be successful that are also backed by evidence-informed research. Dr. Schwaiger is currently the Chief Medical Director and Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Bastyr University. About the Expert Timothy Schwaiger, ND, MA, received his naturopathic degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona, and completed a two-year residency there in Family Medicine. He has a master of arts degree from Webster University in Health Care Management. Schwaiger currently serves as chief medical director, executive director of clinical operations, and professor of naturopathic medicine at Bastyr University. There, he provides vision and direction and is responsible for developing a strategic plan that fosters excellent student learning opportunities, an enriching practice environment for private practitioners, compassionate patient scheduling approaches, and effective and efficient retail operations.

What’s new with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)? Karolyn talks with integrative women’s health expert Tori Hudson, ND, about the efficacy and safety of hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. They also discuss new hormone-free drugs that are now available, as well as natural measures to manage symptoms. Dr. Hudson is a pioneering women’s health expert and an accomplished author, professor, and clinician. About the Expert Tori Hudson, ND, graduated from the National University of Naturopathic Medicine (NUNM) in 1984 and has served the college in several capacities. She is currently a clinical professor at NUNM, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and Bastyr University. Hudson is the medical director of A Woman’s Time in Portland, Oregon, and director of product research and education for VITANICA. She is the founder and codirector of Naturopathic Education and Research Consortium (NERC), a nonprofit organization for accredited naturopathic residencies. Hudson is a faculty member of the Fellowship in Integrative Health & Medicine, Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine. Dr. Hudson is a nationally recognized author and her latest book is The Menopause Companion (2023).

Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications have been in the news a lot over the past year. As a result, the availability of these drugs has expanded considerably. But how safe are they and how can integrative practitioners work with patients on these powerful medications? Karolyn talks with Daemon Jones, ND, a naturopathic physician in Washington, DC, about how these drugs work, their side effects, and other issues.    About the Expert Daemon Jones, ND, “Dr Dae,” graduated from Northwestern University and earned her naturopathic medicine degree from Bridgeport’s College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is an expert in using lifestyle as medicine to reduce chronic disease. Her Replenish. Restore. Reclaim. framework proves that diminished health and energy can be reversed with proactive choices, at any age. Dr. Dae works with individuals who are struggling with health issues such as weight gain, diabetes, thyroid problems, and issues around menopause. She is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Washington, DC, and treats patients from across the DC Metropolitan area, as well as through virtual appointments all over the world.

Earlier this year the American Heart Association published information that time-restricted feeding was linked to a 91% higher risk of cardiovascular death. In this interview, Karolyn talks with integrative medicine expert Ronald Hoffman, MD, about this study and other research published on this subject over the past couple of years. Hoffman is one of the foremost experts on integrative medicine. He is the founder of the Hoffman Center in New York City and the host of the popular podcast Intelligent Medicine.   About the Expert Ronald Hoffman, MD, is a physician in private practice of integrative medicine in New York City. He is a graduate of Columbia College and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Since 1984, he has served as Medical Director of the Hoffman Center in Manhattan. Hoffman is past president of the American College for the Advancement of Medicine (ACAM). Hoffman is the host of Intelligent Medicine, a nationally syndicated radio program, and he produces the daily Intelligent Medicine podcast. He is a certified nutrition specialist (CNS) and the author of several books, including How to Talk with Your Doctor (About Complementary and Alternative Medicine).

Integrative medicine can help enhance recovery and improve surgical outcomes. Karolyn talks with cardiac anesthesiologist and integrative medicine expert Rosanne Sheinberg, MD, about how integrative practitioners can help their patients create a more successful surgical experience and optimize recovery. About the Expert Rosanne Sheinberg, MD, is an associate professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine at the University of Washington, with expertise in anesthesiology, cardiac anesthesiology, and perioperative transesophageal echocardiography. Previously an assistant professor and the program director of the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2011 to 2022, Sheinberg has a diverse background that includes performing as a ballet dancer and in musical theater before earning her MD from Johns Hopkins. She has completed multiple fellowships, including in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona under Dr. Andrew Weil and in medical acupuncture. Sheinberg has contributed significantly to the fields of integrative and pain medicine, holding several directorship and educational roles and authoring key modules on integrative medicine approaches to pain management and perioperative care.

Treating mold illness can be challenging. That’s why an integrative approach to diagnosis and treatment is often needed. In this interview, Eric Dorninger, ND, LAc, describes his integrative mold illness protocol. At his practice in Louisville, CO, Dorninger is well-versed in finding and treating underlying causes of chronic illness, which includes mold illness. About the Expert Eric Dorninger, ND, LAc, began his healthcare journey with a pre-med degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he immersed himself in diverse medical experiences, from volunteering at Porter Care Hospice to training as an EMT under herbalist Brigette Mars. His passion for holistic healing led him to pursue a doctor of naturopathic medicine and master of science in acupuncture at Bastyr University, culminating in a residency in naturopathic primary care. In 2005, he founded Roots and Branches Integrative Health Care, focusing on uncovering the root causes of chronic illness. Dorninger is not concerned with “what you have” as much as he is with “why you have it.” He uses reproducible, validated labs and imaging to find hidden, underlying causes of mystery illnesses and brings a relentlessly thorough diagnostic approach to solving the riddles of chronic illness. Dorninger's commitment to innovative diagnosis and treatment extends to his role as a certified Shoemaker practitioner, educator, researcher, and podcast host, enriching the field with his holistic approach to health and wellness.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is dominating headlines and dinner table conversations, and many of us are interested in understanding the impacts it may have on our lives and our practices. Emerging research points to the many ways we can expect AI to play in healthcare in the coming months and years, and it would be a good idea for healthcare providers to take heed. This roundtable discussion features three experts: Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, who is a medical editor and naturopathic oncologist; Marina Sirota, PhD, who is a researcher and biomedical informatics expert and associate professor with University of California, San Francisco (UCSF); and Charlotta Lindvall, MD, PhD, who is a researcher, assistant professor at Harvard, and the Director of Clinical Informatics at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They discuss current research on AI in healthcare, and explore the concerns that need to be addressed before employing AI fully in the healthcare system. About the Experts Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, is editor in-chief of Natural Medicine Journal and the creator of Round Table Cancer Care. Kaczor is a naturopathic physician board certified in naturopathic oncology. She received her naturopathic doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine and completed her residency at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She is also the editor of the Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology and cofounder of The Cancer Pod, a podcast for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and everyone in between. Marina Sirota, PhD, is an associate professor and the acting director at the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute at UCSF. Prior to that, she worked as a senior research scientist at Pfizer, where she focused on developing precision medicine strategies in drug discovery. She completed her PhD in biomedical informatics at Stanford University. Sirota’s research experience in translational bioinformatics spans nearly 20 years, during which she has coauthored over 170 scientific publications. Her research interests lie in developing computational integrative methods and applying these approaches in the context of disease diagnostics and therapeutics with a special focus on women’s health. The Sirota laboratory is funded by the National Institute on Aging, the National Library of Medicine, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Pfizer, March of Dimes, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Dr Sirota also is the director of the AI4ALL program at UCSF, with the goal of introducing high school girls to applications of AI and machine learning in biomedicine, and she leads the outreach and advocacy efforts at the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute. Charlotta Lindvall, MD, PhD, is a practicing palliative care physician, assistant professor, and director of Clinical Informatics at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. She leads a cross-disciplinary research team of physicians, nurses, and computer scientists to develop AI to extract patient-centered outcomes from clinical narratives and conversations. ClinicalRegex, a software developed by her lab, is used to identify text-based primary outcomes in multiple clinical trials involving tens of thousands of patients in the United States. She leads the Clinical Informatics AI strategy at Dana-Farber and is a technical expert on AI for the National Quality Forum. Dr Lindvall has received multiple awards and prizes, including a NPCRC Junior Investigator Award, a Sojourns Scholar Award, and an Innovation Award from the National Quality Forum. Funding for her research includes grants from the Cambia Health Foundation, the Veteran Affairs, and the National Institutes of Health.

In this interview, Karolyn talks with Lilian Cheung, DSc, RD, who is the Director of Health Promotion & Communications and Director of Mindfulness Research and Practice at Harvard. Cheung discusses the recent release of the 2023/2024 Healthy Living Guide and her work with the new Thich Nhat Hanh Center for Mindfulness in Public Health at Harvard. About the Expert Lilian Cheung, DSc, RD, is lecturer, director of Health Promotion & Communication, and director of Mindfulness Research and Practice at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition. She is the editorial director of The Nutrition Source, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s nutrition website and co-editorial director of Asian Diabetes Prevention Initiative and Obesity Prevention Source. Her work focuses on translating science-based recommendations into public health communications and programs. Her insight into healthy living and mindfulness practice led to Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life, coauthored with Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (2010).  

On this podcast episode, you will get a “state-of-the-union” of naturopathic medicine. Karolyn is joined by 3 naturopathic medicine experts: Natural Medicine Journal Editor-in-Chief, Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO; Executive Director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), Laura Farr; and the President and CEO of the Institute for Natural Medicine (INM), Michelle Simon, PhD, ND. All 3 experts provide different perspectives on naturopathic medicine, specifically regarding consumer education, research, legislation, and future goals. About the Experts Laura Culberson Farr has served as Executive Director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians since 2017 and has worked with the naturopathic profession since 2005. A political organizer by training, her advocacy work as a grassroots organizer and consultant spans over 28 years. She has a deep knowledge of the complexities of healthcare reform, and has become an expert on how naturopathic doctors, conventional clinics and insurers can work together to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. She is married to a naturopathic physician and is passionately committed to integrating naturopathic medicine into primary care systems across the country. Michelle Simon, PhD, ND, is President and CEO of the Institute for Natural Medicine (INM), a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to educating consumers about natural medicine.  INM focuses on increasing awareness of natural medicine, demonstrating its efficacy in helping to transform healthcare systems, and connecting patients to naturopathic doctors. She earned her naturopathic doctorate from Bastyr University and her PhD in Biomedical Engineering is from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has been awarded Physician of the Year by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and Champion of Naturopathic Medicine by the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, is editor in-chief of Natural Medicine Journal and the creator of Round Table Cancer Care. Kaczor is a naturopathic physician board certified in naturopathic oncology. She received her naturopathic doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine and completed her residency at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She is also the editor of the Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology and cofounder of The Cancer Pod, a podcast for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and everyone in between.

The CDC recently announced that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is more common than previously thought. To address this condition from an integrative approach, Karolyn talks with leading CFS expert Jacob Teitelbaum, MD. Teitelbaum discusses his most recent research, as well as the integrative approach he pioneered to help patients regain their energy levels. Teitelbaum is the lead author of 8 studies looking at effective integrative treatments for fibromyalgia and CFS. About the Expert Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, is a board-certified internist and nationally known expert in the fields of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleep and pain. He has authored numerous books including the best-selling From Fatigued to Fantastic! (now in its 4th edition). He is the lead author of numerous studies on effective treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and one study on effective treatment of autism using NAET. He also developed the popular free smartphone app “Cures A-Z.” Teitelbaum lives in Kona, Hawaii.