The Catalyst: Sparking Creative Transformation in Healthcare

“When we dive into the complex world of functional and integrative medicine, it can feel overwhelming. And the best asset you have is designing your own unique method that you will bestow to your patients”   In this episode, I’m sharing my six-step roadmap to help you, as a functional or integrative practitioner, build a method that’s structured, personal, and truly impactful. Imagine guiding each patient’s journey with clarity and consistency, while also reigniting your own passion for medicine.   We start with the discovery call, a powerful first touchpoint that often goes underutilized. From there, I’ll walk you through each phase, from the initial visit to long-term support, and show you how small, thoughtful touches can transform the patient experience in a micropractice. Think about it: are you helping patients feel truly seen from that very first interaction? Is the support you’re providing empowering them over time?   By the end, you’ll have fresh ideas for clarifying patient expectations and enhancing outcomes, all while creating a practice that brings you joy and fulfillment. This roadmap is about more than just steps. It’s a guide to building a micropractice rooted in connection, clarity, and compassionate care.   Quotes “The best asset you have is designing your own unique method that you will bestow to your patients.” (00:19 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “You are the face of your business. You are the embodiment of the healing modalities that you are going to use for your patients. The discovery call is a very underutilized method that has such potent power. The discovery call gives that patient an energetic connection to you. And sometimes that’s wordless. It can be just the feeling they get across the Zoom room or on the phone or in your office. No matter how you do the discovery calls, it gives them this assurance that you are their next guide.” (08:33 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “In your healing and treatment phases, what do you offer as a touch point of support? What could you offer? …Patients need to feel that kind of trust and safety. Otherwise, it’s a high ticket for them to implement and execute on all the things that you give them in that visit summary. So think about all the ways that you can encourage them like a cheerleader.” (23:59 | Dr. Lara Salyer)   Links Book a Discovery Call: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com Purchase the STREAMLINE module from our Catalyst Studio resource library to work on your unique method, as well as streamline other aspects of your work/life masterpiece! https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/streamline   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“We’re always going to be lifelong learners when we get into functional medicine. Curiosity is what brought us here,” says Meg McElroy, a physician assistant with a deep background in integrative medicine. Her journey began as a patient facing her own health struggles, which eventually fueled her passion for managing autoimmune conditions—not just for herself but for others as well. Meg’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, both for patients and practitioners.   In this episode, Meg joins me to explore the world of functional medicine training. Finding the right program can feel overwhelming since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We share valuable insights on how understanding your learning style and aligning with your professional goals can guide you toward the best choice. We also tackle the practical challenges of practicing functional medicine within insurance models versus cash-pay models.   Tune in for thoughtful reflections and actionable insights that will encourage you to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of integrative medicine with confidence and purpose.   Quotes “So much is built from community, and realizing you’re not alone and having your ability to be self-expressive in the kind of medicine you want to practice and deliver, whether it’s pulling from functional medicine or other holistic lifestyle medicine practices. It’s all a blend for each practitioner to deliver what they want, and finding that community is crucial.” (07:25 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  “Functional medicine is only as impactful as the practitioner can be efficiently and actionable in helping the patient understand.” (07:55 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “When I first got started in functional medicine, I was a part of practice where I’d say it was like test and treat everything. So, people would leave with three to five tests to do and maybe 10 supplements to take without having any data yet. And it works for some, but it’s not for everybody. Methodical is where you start with one thing at a time, even one supplement at a time.” (08:39 | Meg McElroy) “Taking charge of your health does require an investment, but it doesn’t need to be the investment that a lot of people associate with a functional medicine model.” (14:46 | Meg McElroy) “We’re always going to be lifelong learners when we get into functional medicine. Curiosity is what brought us into functional medicine.” (17:38 | Meg McElroy)   Links Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com   Connect with Meg McElroy: Website: www.megmcelroy.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/functionalmedicinepa Facebook Group: PAs/NPs in Functional/Integrative Medicine https://www.facebook.com/groups/2013000098937843/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megmcelroypa/   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“The secret to thriving is embracing change, not resisting it.” In this episode, I share how I made the shift from feeling burned out as a physician to finding success as an entrepreneur in functional medicine—all by learning to embrace change instead of fighting it. Being both a mom and a practitioner taught me to adapt and grow in ways I never expected.   To avoid burnout, it’s crucial to design a practice that evolves with you. I offer practical insights on how you can reflect on your values, lean into discomfort, and follow your curiosity to create a career that feels truly aligned and fulfilling. Whether you’re a healer, a business owner, or both, ask yourself—how can you create a professional life that not only supports your passion but also your well-being?    Through my mentorship and membership programs, I guide healthcare professionals to tap into their unique talents and deliver meaningful care without sacrificing themselves in the process.   This episode is for anyone looking to grow as a healer, an entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to stay curious and evolve—both personally and professionally.   Quotes “The secret to thriving is embracing change, not resisting it.” (00:20 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “The best healers are those that continue to grow. If you remain static in the knowledge that you have, patience would eventually reach the ceiling of that knowledge, and you wouldn’t be serving your community to your best or highest attributes.” (07:23 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “Evolution is your strength. If you lean into it and do those three things, where you reflect regularly, you trust the discomfort, and then you lean into what you’re curious about, that can help unlock a different path that could lead to greater things.” (14:57 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  “You need to design a career that evolves with you, that has that flexibility to bend and to expand and contract, one that reflects your unique skills and interests and passions.” (24:15 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “On the other side of change is always something more beautiful than you can ever imagine.” (26:15 | Dr. Lara Salyer)    Links Book a Discovery Call: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery Infographics for purchase: https://drlarasalyer.com/shop/#Infographics   Connect with Dr. Lara Salyer:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm  

“Overcommitting and overworking won’t lead to more popularity or more business success. It just means you’re not discerning your internal boundaries well enough to give yourself that permission for space and time,” I share in this episode of The Catalyst. I’ve seen how neglecting those internal boundaries can fuel burnout and overwhelm, especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare.   When we push ourselves to overcommit and chase perfection, we end up ignoring our personal needs, and that’s actually blocking us from reaching a state of flow—a powerful state where we perform and feel our best. My advice? Set firm, clear boundaries. Embrace “good enough” instead of perfection. And don’t forget to prioritize self-care and creativity. When we’re mindful of these internal boundaries, we reduce stress, find better balance, and create space for flow, leading us to a more fulfilling, productive, and healthier life.   Quotes “When you’re doing something you love, it’s so easy to say yes… And so when we do this and we say yes all the time, we’re on that highway of burnout because as you’ll see with that practitioner I talked about, burnout is three things, depersonalization, low perceived achievement, and emotional exhaustion.” (06:27 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “Overcommitting, overworking does not lead to more popularity, to more business success. It just means that you’re not discerning your internal boundaries well enough to give yourself that permission of space and time.” (10:35 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “When you neglect basic needs like snacks, rest, that derails productivity… Your productivity will actually decrease the more you try to squeeze that lemonade out of that lemon. It isn’t going to work. You need to have these routine cadences of breaks for your self-care.” (13:24 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “Creativity is part of the divine connection we have. It is the art of medicine. It is the reason we are human beings, not human doings… Creativity isn’t just painting or drawing, writing, or dancing. Creativity is a relationship that you have with yourself. It is exploring what is curious to you.” (18:54 | Dr. Lara Salyer)   Links Book a Discovery Call: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery Free Catalyst Calendar planner: https://healthinnate.activehosted.com/f/49 Past Episode referenced in this podcast: https://drlarasalyer.com/2024/03/01/episode-103-tips-on-turning-gratitude-into-greatfullness   Ads: Shop https://drlarasalyer.com/shop. Catalyst Reclamation Course https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/reclamation   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Trust your gut. That was it. That was the whole conversation,” recalls Jenn Johnson, a seasoned ER nurse with over 16 years in the field. Those simple words from her professor shaped how she approaches patient care and the importance of intuition in nursing.   In this episode, Jenn joins Dr. Lara Salyer to share how intuition has been her guiding light throughout her career, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She talks about battling burnout and how creativity and emotional resilience have helped her. Her book, “Nursing Intuition,” encourages healthcare professionals to reconnect with their passion for the field while also recognizing the emotional toll it can take.   Jenn explains how trusting your gut can lead to better assessments, even when the data doesn’t flag any issues. She points out the value of open communication within healthcare teams that will foster collaboration and improve patient outcomes. She also introduces a unique grief journal she created to help healthcare workers manage emotions and combat burnout.    By blending intuition and creativity as essential tools to thrive in the demanding world of nursing, Jenn inspires listeners to tap into their own instincts for resilience and healing.   Quotes “The easiest catalyst moment is obviously COVID. COVID, for all that it did that was negative, I try my very best to look at the silver linings, however small or minute they may be. There’s always a silver lining if you look hard enough.” (03:04 | Jenn Johnson) “Intuition is this great thing where enough of us are doing it, and enough of us have trusted it, that when you go to your physician or your coworkers and say, ‘I just don’t know about X, Y, Z,’ they respond with, ‘Okay, well, let me take a peek at it,’ or ‘What’s really tripping you up? Is there something specific?’ Being able to talk to your support people about that is huge. That’s the big skill. All I’m asking for is that people not only recognize that it’s happening, but also be able to do something about it.” (14:38 | Jenn Johnson)  “Intuition is a very soft skill. How do you teach intuition? Well, it’s one of those things that just takes time, effort, validation, and practice.” (20:50 | Jenn Johnson)   Links Connect with Jenn Johnson: Website: http://www.rxforgrowth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ernurse.jenn/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/ernurse.jenn/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-johnson-bscn-rn   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Affiliate marketing in an ethical way not only helps patients see things from a different light, it builds relationships in the community that you live in,” says Dr. Lara Salyer. In this episode, Dr. Salyer talks about how healthcare professionals can use affiliate marketing without compromising their integrity. The key is to build trust by partnering with affiliates who truly align with your values.   But can these partnerships really improve patient care? According to Dr. Salyer, the answer is yes. Drawing from her own experience with float therapy, she explains how the right affiliate relationships can enhance both business and patient outcomes. Her key takeaway? Focus on building ethical, community-centered affiliate relationships that go beyond just generating revenue.   Quotes “Your role as a functional medicine health practitioner is to make it easy for your patients to live out this life that they want. There is no perfection in functional medicine. We all are putting our own tools together to live out our goals.” (08:35 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “Affiliate marketing in an ethical way not only helps patients see things from a different light, it builds relationships in the community that you live in. They might be exposed to businesses they never would have thought to walk in their door. It also helps the businesses in your community by increasing their revenue stream. And depending on how you set it up, it might increase yours as well. But for me, that's not the main goal in marketing or affiliate relationships.” (09:33 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “I would encourage you to build trust with your patients by not jumping into an affiliate relationship until you’ve tried that product and you’ve used it, until you firsthand have seen the benefit. I even build affiliates with the expertise of the patients in my community. When they come to me, with a new product that they’ve been trying and they see benefits, it gives me that curiosity to explore more. And that’s how I build the culture in my clinic that feels aligned with me.” (19:15 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “Be very clear and transparent about what the patients are benefiting from with this affiliate and very transparent with that affiliate you’re working with on how you want to build this ecosystem. Make sure it aligns with your core values. Always revisit those core values because they can shift.” (19:46 | Dr. Lara Salyer) Links Brainstorm: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery Catalyst Advantage 1:1 session (use "LISTENER" code for discount!): https://drlarasalyer.as.me/advantage   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Functional medicine is slow cook, not fast food,” says Dr. Lara Salyer as she talks about the challenges of running a fee-for-service model in functional medicine. While it’s a common approach, this model can struggle to support the ongoing, holistic care that functional medicine requires. Dr. Salyer emphasizes practical strategies, like booking follow-up appointments before patients leave and setting clear expectations for long-term treatment. She also highlights the value of using digital tools to keep patients connected between visits.   Beyond these tactics, Dr. Salyer explores creative options such as group visits and loyalty programs, which can increase patient motivation while fostering a sense of community and accountability. Are there areas in your practice where you could incorporate more of these ideas? Dr. Salyer encourages practitioners to be open to different models—whether it’s fee-for-service, membership-based, or a blend—so they can create environments that truly engage their patients, leading to better care and a more rewarding practice.   Quotes “We have an initial tidal wave of enthusiasm when we open our practice, because anybody that is into health and wellness is curious and they’ll book appointments with you. But after that initial tidal wave of interest, we often have this shrinking of our revenue, and not as many patients making appointments. That’s an opportunity to look at your systems and see where we can make improvements that will lead to more revenue and patient flow.” (01:54 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  “You have to be proactive in scheduling. There’s no two ways about it.” (04:33 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “Functional medicine is slow cook, not fast food. It’s much like you would envision seeing a physical therapist. They’re not going to teach you your exercises once and then say bye-bye. They usually want you to come back, reassess the pain, the mobility, check your form, see if those exercises still apply, and maybe give you new ones. It’s the same exact thing.” (06:18 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “Use digital tools as much as you can. Start curating a private video archive of online classes. They can do some of that heavy lifting for you in between office visits. So patients feel supported, and they feel less embarrassed that they don’t know anything.” (09:24 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “You deserve to have the practice of your dreams, whether it is fee-for-service, membership, packages, whatever works for you. And let’s borrow Lego company’s mission, which is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow. That is you, my friend. You are a catalyst, and you are transforming healthcare.” (15:35 | Dr. Lara Salyer)    Links Brainstorm: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery Catalyst Advantage 1:1 session (use "LISTENER" code for discount!): https://drlarasalyer.as.me/advantage   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“One of my personal mantras every day is to try to bring love into the room,” shares Dr. Allison Becker, a pioneering naturopathic physician in Evansville, Wisconsin. Her approach centers on truly listening to her patients and being fully present to create a space of trust and connection that’s often missing in modern healthcare.   Dr. Becker’s practice is rooted in functional testing and personalized care, which addresses the root causes of health issues rather than following the quick, checklist-driven model that we often see in conventional medicine. She takes the time to get to know her patients to allow them to move through their health journeys at their own pace. Along the way, she emphasizes the need for setting boundaries and practicing non-attachment, understanding that each person’s path to healing is deeply individual.   Tune in to hear how Dr. Becker’s advocacy for naturopathic doctor licensure in Wisconsin is shaping the field and how her holistic approach to healthcare empowers patients on their path to healing.   Quotes “One of my personal mantras every day is to try to bring love into the room. And it’s really done through listening.” (10:47 | Dr. Allison Becker) “Medicine for me is a huge practice of faith and trust—that the people who are here are meant to be here, and that they are open, willing, and ready for a really big change.” (12:38 | Dr. Allison Becker)  “I think the art of medicine is really being able to meet your patient where they’re at and determine, even on the first visit, what works for them in terms of what’s going to resonate with them in terms of a treatment, but also, at what pace can we go?” (25:01 | Dr. Allison Becker)  “I feel like my job is to offer different options. Do we need to do more diagnostics? Can we try a therapeutic trial of something? If we do, what would that be? What can you afford? What can you work into your lifestyle? How many times a day can you take things? Are you able to exercise? Are you physically able to do these things? It’s really about meeting them where they’re at.” (25:50 | Dr. Allison Becker)  Links Catalyst Studio https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Booking a Brainstorming Session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery   Connect with Dr. Allison Becker: www.doctorallisonbecker.com   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“What we forget, and what is undertrained in our medical field, is the bottom-up processing of making a decision, where you rely on your body, your emotions, and your interoception to give you information on which of the decisions might feel right for you. That’s the art of medicine that we don’t talk about often,” begins Dr. Lara Salyer.    In this episode, Dr. Salyer introduces the “Quiet Compass,” a five-second technique designed to help people tap into their inner wisdom when faced with decisions. By blending analytical thinking with intuition, this approach offers a more balanced way to make choices, whether in personal or professional life.   Dr. Salyer highlights a common issue in healthcare—professionals are often trained to prioritize top-down decision-making, relying heavily on logic and analysis. While effective in certain situations, this method can lead to burnout and a disconnect from one’s own well-being. She explains how bottom-up processing—listening to the body’s signals and emotions—can provide clarity and help individuals make decisions that align with their core values and purpose. How often do we pause to check in with what our bodies are telling us before making important choices?   The Quiet Compass technique encourages a mindful pause: taking a breath, releasing doubt, and asking where the path to joy lies. Dr. Salyer emphasizes that regular practice strengthens this intuitive connection, making it easier to navigate life with a clearer sense of direction.   Quotes “What we forget, and what is undertrained in our medical field, is the bottom-up processing of making a decision, where you rely on your body, your emotions, and your interoception to give you information on which decisions might feel right for you. That’s the art of medicine that we don’t talk about often. And it’s the art of medicine that not only helps your patient get healthier but also helps you stay aligned with your own purpose, values, and mission.” (01:59 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “As healthcare practitioners, we’re trained to ignore these important parts of our sensation, awareness, and experience. We’re taught to think critically, logically analyze, and make decisions based on evidence-based science. But we’re missing the art. The art of medicine is just as important.” (08:16 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  “When we go too far down the road of overanalyzing and top-down processes, we end up burned out, stressed out, overworked, and running on emotional fumes. We barely have the bandwidth to participate fully in the work or life masterpiece we’re trying to build. And why did we sign up for a career that leads to burnout? You can peddle back. This is one piece of it—peddling back to reclaim what you deserve, which is to be self-expressive in your own unique healing style that you bring to the exam room, so you can transform patient lives without burning out. That’s what we need, right?” (11:26 | Dr. Lara Salyer)   Links Archetype Quiz: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“We all outgrow things,” says Dr. Lara Salyer. This week, she dives into the vital topic of recognizing when it’s time to move on from a mentor, teacher, or training organization. Reflecting on her experiences from medical school and beyond, Dr. Salyer emphasizes the importance of self-assessment in professional growth. She recalls realizing that the rigid teachings of her attendings were often more about personal preferences than universal truths, sparking the idea that healthcare professionals need to cultivate their own unique approaches to knowledge and practice.   Dr. Salyer shares ten red flags that might signal it’s time to reassess your current mentorship or training. These red flags manifest as physical feelings like depletion, dread, guardedness, and a sense of being fake or incomplete. Are these feelings popping up on your internal dashboard? If so, it might be time to pause and take a closer look at your professional relationships and learning environments. This episode invites you to stay curious about these emotions and consider whether your current path truly aligns with your evolving goals and needs.   Mentorship, as Dr. Salyer explains, should foster psychological safety, authenticity, and accountability. It’s not just about passing on knowledge, but also about supporting personal and professional growth, creating space for differing viewpoints, and encouraging open communication. She connects these red flags to burnout symptoms like emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a low sense of achievement.   But it’s not all about warnings—Dr. Salyer also highlights a green flag: the feeling of completeness. This positive sign indicates that you’ve grown significantly and are ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities. She encourages listeners to honor and express gratitude for the chapters they’ve completed before embarking on new journeys.   Quotes “When you are very adept at looking at the possibilities and expanding your imagination, you can be stuck in the gap. The gap from then to now, to the future. You’re stuck. Where do I go? What should I do? How do I make the right decision? And as I teach my catalysts, there isn’t a right decision. It’s not absolute, just like these attendings that had these absolute phrases and bestowed the wisdom to their naive third year medical students like me. There aren’t absolutes in life. It’s taking an inventory of how you feel from the inside out that will be your best guidance to make that best decision at that moment for you.” (06:44 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  “There are so many great niches in functional medicine, and so we get enamored with learning. Eventually, we might be at this juxtaposition, this fork in the road, and think, are we ready to leave? Should we look for something else? We might feel pulled in a different direction, and that’s what these 10 red flags are for.” (10:38 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  “Remember, burnout is three things: depersonalization, meaning you don’t see yourself in this process; low perceived achievement, where you don’t feel like you’re making any progress or see that you’re moving forward; and emotional exhaustion, where you’re running on fumes. Those three things are echoed in these 10 red flags.” (16:07 | Dr. Lara Salyer)   Links PODCAST coupon for free Brainstorming Session https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery Archetype Quiz: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“As doctors and clinicians in healthcare, we might have our own full moon stories. Things go a little crazy during a full moon,” says Dr. Lara Salyer. In this episode, Dr. Salyer uses the full moon as a powerful metaphor for growth and self-discovery, sharing her life experiences, including a memorable incident where a car crashed into a Nine West shoe store during a full moon, to illustrate how these lunar phases can shed light on our purpose and intuition.   Dr. Salyer dives into the cultural significance of the full moon, exploring themes of enlightenment, transformation, and balance. She challenges listeners to consider how they can harness this energy for meaningful self-reflection.    Introducing the Japanese concept of ‘ikigai,’ Dr. Salyer offers a compelling framework for finding purpose at the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. How might aligning these elements bring more fulfillment to your work and life? She outlines five actionable steps to help you connect with your purpose: reflect on peak moments, seek feedback, explore new interests, align practices with your core values, and incorporate creativity into your daily routine. These steps are designed not just to foster a deeper sense of fulfillment but to actively prevent burnout.   Dr. Salyer also highlights the importance of regular self-reflection and creative expression, suggesting that the full moon can serve as a monthly reminder to reassess and realign. She encourages listeners to engage with their communities, keep pushing the boundaries, and follow their inner light to achieve true professional satisfaction.    Quotes “As a person who’s multi-passionate myself, please take these little tips with a grain of salt. You can have multiple purposes and missions. You can be excited by many things. Your ikigai is not just one solitary thing that you must stick to your whole life. It is often welcome to change, just like the moon. As you wax and wane, you can have tidal waves of flow where you’re drawn toward other missions and purposes. And that is why we need to connect to that deeper intuition, especially around a full moon.” (07:02 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  “I talk about this all the time in my studio mentorship for Catalyst, where we discuss creating your Catalyst culture. A Catalyst culture is aligned with your flow, leverages your strengths, is anti-burnout, and helps you stay on task with your values. We regularly audit our values because they can change and shift, and that’s okay—actually, it’s always okay.” (13:33 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “Full moons are an opportunity to highlight your magnificence and to connect into that inner light that directs you.” (19:19 | Dr. Lara Salyer)    Links Use the coupon code PODCAST for free Brainstorming Session https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“When something stops being fun, I advocate that you stop doing it. It’s an adage I live by, and I tell my kids the same,” says Dr. Lara Salyer. In this episode, she dives into the concept of “intermission”—those often challenging middle phases in life and career—and how to navigate them with courage and intention. Drawing from her own experience of transitioning from dyeing her hair teal to buzzing it off, Dr. Salyer demonstrates how embracing change can be a powerful act of bravery.   What role do intermissions play in your life? Dr. Salyer believes they’re essential for reflection, growth, and redefining your path, whether they’re planned or unexpected. She shares five key strategies for making the most of these periods. First, she encourages leading with curiosity—journaling to uncover the lessons within your current challenges. Second, she stresses the importance of owning your intermission by being open about it, fostering understanding and patience from others.   Do you feel pressured to have everything figured out? Dr. Salyer’s third tip is to resist this urge and instead embrace uncertainty, allowing curiosity to guide your next steps. Fourth, she suggests inviting collaborators into your journey, drawing on their insights while staying true to your own decision-making. Lastly, she talks about the opportunity to realign your culture and values during these times, making sure they reflect your new goals and passions.   By connecting these intermissions to flow neuroscience, Dr. Salyer illustrates how they are crucial for tapping into creativity and flourishing. She reminds us that embracing the messiness and uncertainty of these periods can lead to profound personal and professional transformations. Her message is simple but powerful: be brave in the face of change, and don’t be afraid to color outside the lines for a more fulfilling and expressive life.   Quotes “Intermission is necessary. In fact, it is an important part of every story. If we're looking at intermission, we can feel uncomfortable. It is messy and discombobulated.” (07:27 | Dr. Lara Salyer) “If you are at an impasse or in a messy time of life, these tips will help you, no matter if it’s a work or life issue, as you paint that work-life masterpiece. The first tip is to lead with curiosity. Don’t be ashamed of an intermission, even if it’s unplanned… You can use this as an opportunity for curiosity.” (07:48 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  “Intermission is a beautiful gift. It’s a blessing so that you can clearly define your story and what matters for you moving forward. Embrace the pause, as messy as it is.” (14:33 | Dr. Lara Salyer)   Links Use coupon code PODCAST for free Brainstorming session https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I had a great job. I loved it. I had great work hours. I had a great life balance. I had all of these things, but there has to be more,” says Dr. Nneka Unachukwu, also known as Dr. Una, the founder of EntreMD—a company that empowers physicians to build profitable businesses and reclaim their autonomy in the medical field. This week, Dr. Una sits down with Dr. Lara Salyer to share her journey from feeling unfulfilled in a traditional medical role to finding success as an entrepreneur. What does it take to step away from the conventional path? For Dr. Una, the realization that practicing medicine wasn’t enough sparked her exploration into entrepreneurship, leading to a career that’s not only more satisfying but also more impactful.   Dr. Una shares the challenges she faced while transitioning from clinician to entrepreneur, stressing the importance of acquiring business skills and adopting a new mindset to succeed outside the traditional medical system. She emphasizes the value of recognizing and leveraging the inherent skills physicians possess, such as communication, problem-solving, and content creation, which are crucial in the business world. Dr. Una also talks about building a personal brand and how physicians can use their expertise to create diverse career opportunities through consulting, speaking engagements, and other entrepreneurial ventures.   The episode goes beyond just personal stories, delving into the systemic issues within healthcare that often lead to physician burnout. Is it time for a shift towards a more holistic and self-expressive approach to medical practice? Dr. Salyer and Dr. Una think so. They advocate for designing a career that’s more like a “work-life masterpiece” rather than chasing the elusive work-life balance, encouraging physicians to align their careers with their personal values and passions.   Dr. Una’s insights serve as a guide for physicians who are curious about entrepreneurship but want to maintain their professional integrity and personal well-being. This episode of The Catalyst is a must-listen for anyone interested in how physicians can create meaningful change in their lives and the healthcare system by embracing entrepreneurial principles and reimagining their roles beyond traditional practice.   Quotes • “The next evolution is to become an entrepreneur because opening a business does not make you an entrepreneur; there’s another evolution that’s required.” (10:22 | Dr. Nneka Unachukwu) • “The question is then, can I have enough of an impact building a private practice, the system of it, that I can earn as much as I earn as a pediatrician taking care of patients? These are all things I started thinking about… We need to retool ourselves because what is coming requires us to negotiate, understand money, and build personal brands that will work. We need to be able to evolve and explore—all of us, right?” (13:56 | Dr. Nneka Unachukwu)  • “In the entrepreneurial world, we emphasize building your dream business and your dream life concurrently. The concept is that when you were in med school, you postponed your life. When you were in residency, you postponed your life. You started the dream job that you thought would give you back your life, and you had to postpone your life a little more. While you’re building the business, you’re building your dream life. You get better at building the business, and you get better at the dream life. They’re both twins; they’re growing together.” (17:30 | Dr. Nneka Unachukwu) • “Every physician is an entrepreneur. You may be ignoring your business, but every physician is an entrepreneur. The reason I say that is because every physician has a business, and that is their personal brand. Everybody knows it’s a business except us.” (33:14 | Dr. Nneka Unachukwu)    Links Connect with Nneka Unachukwu, M.D.: Website: www.entremd.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nneka.chinemeunachukwu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drunachukwu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/druna/ The EntreMD Podcast: https://entremd.buzzsprout.com Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“In healthcare, as much as I love being a physician, there are many gaps and deficiencies. Patients often have to rely on their own persistent autonomy, badgering caregivers, doctors, and providers to get attention; otherwise, details slip through the cracks because of the way the system is,” says Dr. Lara Salyer. This week, she delves into the art of transforming patient visits into home-like experiences, drawing inspiration from a heartwarming TikTok video of a foster parent welcoming a new child.   Dr. Salyer emphasizes the importance of setting the right tone from the very first interaction. She discusses how a well-designed website can alleviate patient anxiety by clearly outlining the process, expectations, and costs associated with their care. Transparency and clear communication build trust and ensure patients feel safe and understood.   In the office, attention to the five senses can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Dr. Salyer suggests focusing on lighting, seating arrangements, offering refreshments, and ensuring privacy. Staff training is crucial for maintaining a consistent, empathetic, and friendly environment.   For online visits, tools like Zoom timers and clear agendas help manage expectations. Dr. Salyer underscores the importance of follow-up communication, providing patients with detailed visit summaries and additional resources to continue their care journey.   Feedback loops are essential for continuous improvement. Dr. Salyer encourages practitioners to be open to suggestions and foster a culture of co-creation and empathy. By doing so, healthcare providers can enhance the patient experience, making each visit a step towards healing in a supportive environment.   Quotes • “In healthcare, as much as I love being a physician, there are many gaps and deficiencies. Patients often have to rely on their own persistent autonomy, badgering caregivers, doctors, and providers to get attention; otherwise, details slip through the cracks because of the way the system is.” (03:56 | Dr. Lara Salyer) • “Imagine if you used principles like this wonderful foster mom of opening your door and giving your patients a tour of how it looks on the inside. You’d alleviate a lot of anxiety, answer many questions ahead of time, and set the tone for the catalyst culture you want to create—one that is flow-channeled, self-expressive, regulates the nervous system, and has loving boundaries. This is the catalyst culture we maintain.” (04:15 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  • “By acknowledging the full scope of welcoming people in during their first visit, both in-person and digitally, you will go a long way—further than most practitioners—in establishing trust and safety. This approach helps patients along their healing journey even before you’ve received any lab results or prescribed any treatment plans.” (24:06 | Dr. Lara Salyer)    Links Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“The dirty little secret in healthcare is that vacations are not easy,” says Dr. Lara Salyer. This week, she shares her comprehensive checklist for ensuring a worry-free vacation. Drawing from her personal experience of transitioning to a private membership-only practice, Dr. Salyer emphasizes the importance of establishing healthy boundaries and creating systems that support a balanced lifestyle business.   Dr. Salyer’s meticulously crafted vacation checklist, refined over seven years, helps solo practitioners and healthcare providers prepare for absences without compromising patient care or personal well-being. She highlights practical steps such as clear communication with patients and staff, pre-planning the calendar, and scheduling a buffer day upon return.    Dr. Salyer underscores the value of creating a lifestyle business that aligns with one’s personal and professional goals. By sharing her strategies and insights, she aims to inspire other healthcare professionals to design a self-expressive and fulfilling career that prioritizes well-being and creativity.   Quotes • “The dirty little secret in healthcare is that vacations are not easy. Boundaries are not recognized. Therefore, we need to take care of ourselves by establishing healthy boundaries. You need time off.” (01:48 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  • “As a family physician, nurse practitioner, or PA, you’ll generally have a staff member cover for you when you’re on vacation. That’s usually how it goes. But if I’m honest, it wasn’t always easy and it wasn’t always effective. They don’t know the patients like you do. When it’s your turn to cover for them, you get a dose of that medicine. Sometimes decisions are made hastily, or you’re getting to their lot of work after your long day, and so it might not be your best care. Nonetheless, we scrape by as a system until a better one is invented.” (02:03 | Dr. Lara Salyer) • “When I transitioned to my private membership-only practice, I knew I wanted to run a lifestyle business. I wanted this wonderful chapter of medicine to be self-expressive of how I would like to show up in the world and teach my patients how they can role model this as well. So, I’ve been running this vacation checklist for the last seven years, ever since I opened my practice. It has served me well.” (02:39 | Dr. Lara Salyer)    Links Catalyst Archetype https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“What do you say when it feels like the patient is stuck, and you’re stuck, and you’re not sure it’s landing?” asks Dr. Lara Salyer. In this episode, inspired by a recent mastermind session within her Catalyst Studio mentorship, she tackles the challenging moments in healthcare when both practitioners and patients feel stuck, often referred to as “plateaus.”   Dr. Salyer shares strategies for maintaining peace while helping patients, including practical scripts to foster open communication and reflection. She emphasizes setting boundaries, guiding patients toward internal tools like meditation, and leveraging community support for better outcomes. Dr. Salyer also discusses the importance of recognizing one’s limits and referring patients to specialists when necessary.   Tune in to this episode of The Catalyst to discover how creativity, community, and continuous learning can enhance patient care and overcome professional plateaus.   Quotes • “Functional medicine, being so complex, can make you feel like you’re spinning in circles. Often, the art of medicine is what keeps our sessions with patients together because we can get lost in the science and data. It’s the art of delivering a healing experience to patients that can really drive their success home.” (02:04 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  • “In functional medicine, the partnership is 50-50. You can’t heal your patient; they are healing themselves. You’re just guiding them. Often, we forget this and end up overreaching, overextending, and over-helping, which takes the power away from the patient. We need to remind ourselves that they ultimately have the choice.” (03:04 | Dr. Lara Salyer) • “There are a lot of cool and creative ideas that you can show patients so they can learn how to be self-effective, self-confident, and take back their power, while also utilizing community to lift them up because we’re all doing it. All the patients are doing it. If I’m truly at the end of the line of where I think my skills can help the patient, I remember and hold this in high priority to myself, saying I am not their final stop on their journey.” (11:33 | Dr. Lara Salyer) • “We all bring to the table unique healing styles. And that’s what I love helping practitioners do, is express those unique healing styles so that they can transform patient lives without burning out. My unique healing style is I incorporate creativity. I incorporate flow neuroscience. I incorporate very trauma-focused support so patients can align their mind, body, and spirit.” (12:03 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  • “Being curious, open-minded, and willing to be humble and grow from every patient encounter is how you can catalyze massive transformation in your patients’ and clients’ lives.” (15:23 | Dr. Lara Salyer)   Links Coupon code PODCAST for free brainstorming session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Don't switch your tech,” advises Dr. Lara Salyer. In this episode, she shares a childhood memory of playing board games to illustrate the importance of sticking with technology that works for you, rather than constantly switching to new tools. She addresses “shiny object syndrome,” where new tech can disrupt workflows and cause inefficiencies.   Dr. Salyer emphasizes stability over novelty in choosing tech tools and resources. While new solutions may seem promising, they often come with steep learning curves. Instead, she advocates for using a tech stack that works about 80% of the time, fostering efficiency and familiarity. Staying with a technology long-term also brings benefits like grandfathered pricing and beta testing opportunities.   For evaluating new tech tools, consider cost, usability, and cross-platform availability. Understanding one’s “user manual”—the unique ways individuals work best—is crucial. This episode provides valuable insights into the strategic use of technology in healthcare, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes efficiency, familiarity, and long-term stability.   Tune in to this episode of The Catalyst to discover Dr. Salyer’s favorite tech stack, learn how she chose it, and find methods to evaluate new tech tools for your processes.   Quotes • “When you sign on to learn a new technology, you’re delaying time in your current efficiency and workflows. You’re also gambling on the hope that this new tech will solve all your problems. It’s that shiny object syndrome: you get a little hit of dopamine, but is it really going to be life-changing?” (02:57 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  • “As a clinician and mentor, I don’t want to spend my precious learning time on just a new version of technology when the other one works just fine. Everything evens out, just like in the game of Sorry. When designing your own tech stack for your brain, you need to understand how you work internally. I call it the user manual for our body and brain, which we aren’t born with.” (06:37 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  • “The more you understand your own flow cadence, the more you understand the user manual of your own mind-body-spirit, and if you work with a mentor who can pull those out of you to create your beautiful self-expressive healing style, you’ll be able to transform patient lives without burnout and enjoy the career that you’ve built. Make sure this tech works for you. Make sure it really hits that personalization that you’re looking for. And keep that long-term view in mind. Technology is always going to improve.” (20:38 | Dr. Lara Salyer)    Links Archetype Quiz: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype Use coupon code PODCAST for free Brainstorming session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“There are mundane tasks, and then there are those that are so overwhelming, detailed, and comprehensive that just thinking about them exhausts our minds. We already feel depleted and suffer from cognitive drain,” begins Dr. Lara Salyer.   In this episode, Dr. Salyer shares how to turn overwhelming chores into manageable and even enjoyable activities. Drawing from her experience as a physician who overcame burnout, she provides strategies to optimize flow and boost productivity. Key tactics include eliminating unnecessary tasks, breaking them into manageable steps, automating repetitive chores, and adding elements of fun or ease.   Dr. Salyer emphasizes the importance of novelty, curiosity, and gamification in achieving a state of flow. She encourages listeners to experiment with these strategies, transforming mundane tasks into opportunities for growth and satisfaction, ultimately aiming for a world without burnout.   Quotes • “We are in adulthood, and it’s not fun. Let’s be honest. There are mundane tasks, and then there are those that are so overwhelming, detailed, and comprehensive that just thinking about them exhausts our minds. We already feel depleted and suffer from cognitive drain. But if you are a listener of this podcast, you know we have the catalyst advantage of using flow neuroscience to tackle anything in our work-life masterpiece.” (00:52 | Dr. Lara Salyer) • “Any way to make your tasks new and fun with fresh eyes is one way that you can add that novelty. Novelty is a flow enhancer. There are ways to enhance this flow and eliminate those disruptions to flow.” (13:36 | Dr. Lara Salyer)  • “Adulting can be boring and mundane, but you can use flow neuroscience to get through some of those tasks. It improves your self-reliance and confidence the more that you accomplish. It also helps you get out of feeling like things are happening to you. You move aside from that victim role, you take back more power, and you’re more likely to feel less stress and have increased job satisfaction and personal well-being. You also can use flow and creativity that enhances all of these things, so you’re left feeling like you are exactly on the path that you need to be.” (16:45 | Dr. Lara Salyer)    Links Archetype Quiz: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype Nir Eyal's Book: https://a.co/d/0iz3mQdY   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I just felt a calling to support doctors,” says Kim Downey movingly. “And so that’s what I do all day, everyday. I try to find ways to support doctors.”   In a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Lara Salyer, Kim Downey, Community Ambassador for Medicine Forward and a three-time cancer survivor, shares her mission to combat burnout in the healthcare system. Triggered by the tragic loss of her radiologist, Kim’s journey highlights the profound impact of burnout and grief within the medical community.   Kim discusses her initiatives, including her YouTube channel, Stand Up For Doctors, and her role in Medicine Forward, to build a supportive community for physicians. She emphasizes the power of gratitude, small acts of autonomy, and the importance of meaningful connections to address systemic issues in healthcare.   Dr. Salyer and Kim advocate for integrating physician coaching and creative outlets as essential tools for sustaining well-being. They call for recognizing burnout signs and seeking support through community and creative activities, aiming to restore autonomy and the sacred doctor-patient relationship.   This episode of The Catalyst offers insightful strategies for healthcare professionals to achieve well-being and resilience, emphasizing the importance of community, creativity, and support.   Quotes • “I had an incredible radiologist who performed a couple feats of miraculous technical skill on me. He was amazing. After two years of constant medical issues, I showed up for what I thought was going to be my first routine imaging visit. And when I got there, he wasn’t there. I asked where he was and they said that he died a month ago. I asked what happened and they said the family hasn't shared that… I knew at that moment that he must have taken his own life, and I found out that that was the case. After that, I just felt a calling to support doctors. And so that’s what I do all day, everyday. I try to find ways to support doctors.” (03:31 | Kim Downey)  • “You need to check in with yourself. Am I hungry? Am I prioritizing rest and all of those things and not suppressing your own really basic needs?” (20:18 | Kim Downey)  • “What would you change about the typical day in a physician right now? Well, basically just restoring their autonomy and letting them be able to have more time with patients because that sacred doctor-patient relationship is the key to everything. And I’m involved with Medicine Forward now, the organization. I’m the community ambassador, so I welcome new members. That’s what we talk about over and over again—the sacredness. And what we’re trying to do is restore the sacred doctor-patient relationship.” (22:09 | Dr. Lara Salyer & Kim Downey)    Links Connect with Kim Downey: Website: kimdowney.org YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@StandupforDoctors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-downey-a9307b72/   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I see functional medicine as a great opportunity to provide psych rehab,” says Dr. Achina Stein, clinical director of the Healing Depression Project and a board-certified psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Stein, also a best-selling author, shares insights from her book, “What If It’s Not Depression? Your Guide to Finding Answers.”   Dr. Stein recounts her journey into functional medicine, initiated by her son’s mental health crisis. Conventional medicine failed to help, but she discovered his issues were due to celiac disease and nutritional deficiencies. Addressing these root causes led to his recovery without medication.   The discussion contrasts conventional and functional medicine approaches to depression. Functional medicine looks beyond symptoms to factors like nutrition, gut health, and toxins, emphasizing personalized care and detailed lab testing. Dr. Stein highlights the importance of the autonomic nervous system, vagus nerve training, and mindset work.   This episode offers a fresh perspective on depression treatment, focusing on root causes and personalized, holistic care, providing hope for those seeking lasting solutions. Listeners will also learn about Dr. Stein’s four-week intensive program, which combines comprehensive testing, lifestyle changes, and continuous support to foster sustainable healing.   Quotes • “Root causes—I feel like that’s a common misconception and something that functional medicine inadvertently advertises that we find the root cause. And it’s rarely one root cause. There’s usually many.” (07:54 | Dr. Lara Salyer) • “I see functional medicine as a great opportunity to provide psych rehab. If you had a broken leg or were in a car accident, you’re going to want to be helicoptered to the closest hospital and have whatever surgery that you need. But no one expects to be discharged with having casts on their body for the rest of their life. But why is it that we do that with patients who are admitted to a psych unit and given medications?” (30:32 | Dr. Achina Stein)  • “To me, they’re casts on some level, but it’s an opportunity to save that person’s life, get them stabilized with medications. But then while they’re on medications, why don’t we put them into this rehab, figuring out what it was that caused their bodies to go out of balance—body, mind and spirit—to go out of balance and use the crutch of medications to be able to rehab them and figure out what went wrong and then be able to come off of that, just like you would come out of these casts.” (30:59 | Dr. Achina Stein)  • “We want people to believe in themselves to some degree, feeling like there's something going on in their bodies that's beyond just the classic depression, and want to get better. We want them to be at least willing to make changes in their life and feel that they have the ability to do these things and get better.” (34:34 | Dr. Achina Stein)    Links Connect with Achina Stein: Website: https://www.healingdepressionproject.com/ Connect with Lara:  Membership Magic Course: https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/membership-magic-design-your-3-tier-functional-medicine-membership-to-grow-and-scale Use coupon code PODCAST for discount   Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm