IBS Freedom Podcast

Dr. Nicole DiNezza, DC, NTP and Amy Hollenkamp, RD
  • 4.5 (75)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

You can treat your gut without restrictive, awful diets... You can trust us to show you how! Whether you're newly diagnosed with IBS or a veteran, the IBS Freedom Podcast will provide clarity for your healing journey. Each week your IBS experts will cover topics within the world of IBS including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), leaky gut syndrome, dysbiosis, the low FODMAP diet, candida, and so much more.Meet your hosts!- Dr. Nicole DiNezza, DC, NTP is a functional medicine doctor and nutritional therapy practitioner from Chapel Hill, NC.- Amy Hollenkamp, RD is a registered dietitian from Cincinnati, OH.

  1. Jul 20

    Farewell Last Episode - IBS Freedom Podcast Podcast #230

    The Final Episode: Closing IBS Freedom After 230 Episodes In the last episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, hosts Nikki and Amy reflect on nearly six years and 230 episodes since launching in October 2020 after connecting in August 2020. They explain ending the show because they feel they’ve covered core IBS topics and lack bandwidth to continue, especially with a guest-heavy format, while focusing on other projects. They discuss how the podcast improved their clinical work, including Nikki’s shift toward nutrition tracking and recognizing widespread nutrient insufficiencies, and Amy’s deeper understanding of fear, compulsions, and nervous system dysregulation in IBS. They emphasize IBS as a disorder of gut-brain interaction, the need to tolerate discomfort during reintroductions, and the limits of microbiome obsession. They share favorite episodes and memories, invite listener comments, outline where to find them online, mention possible reunion content, and note Nikki’s upcoming 40th birthday. 00:00 Final Episode Welcome 01:01 How The Podcast Began 02:56 Why We Are Wrapping Up 05:15 Growth As Practitioners 07:36 Nutrition Tracking Breakthrough 12:09 Mindset And Food Fear 14:42 Reintroductions And Exposure 21:29 Nervous System Over Microbes 23:57 When Patients Reject Stress Talk 30:44 Hard Truths About Recovery 35:09 Gym Analogy For Healing 37:51 Health Anxiety And ER Emails 39:50 Poop Anxiety Spectrum 40:42 Gut Brain Balance 42:06 Favorite Guest Episodes 45:05 Nutrition Episodes Love 48:10 Undereating Reality Check 51:07 Funniest Podcast Moments 54:31 Reunion Tour Plans 58:09 Future Platforms Shift 59:37 Substack Over Instagram 01:02:02 Book Progress And Grace 01:03:25 Regenerative Work Seasons 01:05:01 Winter After Harvest 01:06:39 Rejecting Hustle Culture 01:08:18 Social Media Burnout 01:12:43 No AI In Practice 01:15:40 Where To Find Us 01:18:25 New Website New Offers 01:23:51 Microbiome Not The Star 01:27:51 Writing A Nervous System Book 01:32:11 Turning 40 And Farewell Love this episode? Be sure to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE :) Nikki's Info: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TriangleHolisticGutHealth - Instagram: @Gut.Microbiome.Queen - FODMAP Freedom in 90 Days: https://www.fodmapfreedom.com/enroll - Private Appts: https://infinityholistichealth.com/ Amy's Info: - Practice: https://sibodiaries.com/ - Instagram: @Amy_Hollenkamp_RD

  2. Jul 6

    The Internet is Making You Sick - IBS Freedom Podcast #229

    In this episode of the IBS Freedom Podcast, hosts Amy and Nikki explore how the internet - from social media and Reddit threads to Google, YouTube, and AI tools - can unintentionally keep people stuck in fear, urgency, and over-research. They reflect on how screen time has shifted from a more communal experience into something much more isolated and compulsive, and how that disconnection can be especially hard on people dealing with IBS, SIBO, gut symptoms, health anxiety, or nervous system dysregulation. Amy and Nikki caution against using the internet as a constant symptom-solving tool, explaining how researching every flare, reading disease-specific forums, or asking AI to “figure out” your gut health can reinforce the belief that your body is unsafe. While they acknowledge that AI can be useful for simple support tasks, like meal planning or preparing questions for a doctor, they emphasize that real progress usually comes from stepping away from the noise, unfollowing symptom-focused content, limiting screen time, rebuilding real-life connection, and taking consistent action on the basics. Love this episode? Be sure to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE :) Nikki's Info: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TriangleHolisticGutHealth - Instagram: @Gut.Microbiome.Queen - FODMAP Freedom in 90 Days: https://www.fodmapfreedom.com/enroll - Private Appts: https://infinityholistichealth.com/ Amy's Info: - Practice: https://sibodiaries.com/ - Instagram: @Amy_Hollenkamp_RD

  3. Jun 22

    Somatic Therapy with Mitch - IBS Freedom Podcast #228

    In this episode of IBS Freedom Podcast, Nikki and Amy sit down with somatic coach Mitch Webb to explore the powerful connection between the nervous system, chronic digestive symptoms, and the pursuit of “perfect” health. Mitch shares his personal journey through IBS, food sensitivities, restrictive diets, biohacking, and wellness obsession, explaining how his relentless search for the perfect protocol ultimately kept him stuck. Together, they discuss how symptom tracking, health anxiety, and constant attempts to control the body can reinforce nervous system dysregulation rather than resolve it. The conversation dives into neuroplasticity, somatic healing, emotional awareness, and why focusing on symptoms may actually strengthen the very patterns people are trying to overcome. The discussion also challenges common messages found in the wellness and functional medicine spaces, emphasizing resilience over perfection and capacity over symptom elimination. Mitch explains why healing often comes from learning to tolerate uncertainty, respond differently to discomfort, and gradually re-engage with life—even when symptoms are present. Listeners will learn practical insights about nervous system regulation, self-compassion, compulsive symptom-checking, food fears, and the importance of building a life centered around values rather than symptoms. The episode offers a refreshing perspective for anyone struggling with IBS, SIBO, health anxiety, or chronic symptoms who feels trapped in an endless cycle of searching for the next diet, supplement, or solution. Love this episode? Be sure to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE :) Nikki's Info: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TriangleHolisticGutHealth - Instagram: @Gut.Microbiome.Queen - FODMAP Freedom in 90 Days: https://www.fodmapfreedom.com/enroll - Private Appts: https://infinityholistichealth.com/ Amy's Info: - Practice: https://sibodiaries.com/ - Instagram: @Amy_Hollenkamp_RD

  4. Jun 8

    Parasites Part 2 - IBS Freedom Podcast #227

    Nikki and Amy continue their parasites discussion with a warning for listeners prone to health anxiety, then Amy shares a raccoon-latrine scare after finding raccoon poop in a window well and researching raccoon roundworm risk, noting severe illness is rare and typically requires ingestion, with exposure and parasite load affecting symptom likelihood. They discuss how everyday life with pets and kids increases exposure, the hygiene hypothesis, and microbiome changes with travel and traditional lifestyles.  The hosts emphasize that many parasite infections are asymptomatic, that PCR-based stool tests may be overly sensitive, yield false positives, and sometimes misidentify organisms, and that parasite load seen on microscopy may better correlate with symptoms. They criticize indiscriminate functional testing and prolonged supplement “cleanses,” recommend CDC-based evaluation, and suggest short conventional treatments (e.g., albendazole) when appropriate; they also cover pinworms’ typical symptoms and tape testing. 00:00 Parasites Part Two Begins 01:22 Raccoon Latrine Scare 04:07 Roundworm Risk Reality Check 06:45 Kids Pets and Poop Exposure 10:04 Hygiene Hypothesis and Microbes 12:07 Tribal Microbiome Stories 16:41 Parasites Nuance and Fear 21:45 Testing Pitfalls and PCR 30:18 When to Treat and Move On 31:27 Worms Load and IBS Symptoms 32:57 Symptoms Are Rare 34:51 Parasite Cleanse Pitfalls 35:09 Four Month Horror Story 38:10 Herbs Versus Prescriptions 41:02 GI Map Reliability Issues 43:34 Parasite Testing Red Flags 46:22 Pinworms In Kids 49:50 Worms And IBS Evidence 53:24 Microbiome And Worm Synergy 59:37 Prevention And Wrap Up Love this episode? Be sure to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE :) Nikki's Info: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TriangleHolisticGutHealth - Instagram: @Gut.Microbiome.Queen - FODMAP Freedom in 90 Days: https://www.fodmapfreedom.com/enroll - Private Appts: https://infinityholistichealth.com/ Amy's Info: - Practice: https://sibodiaries.com/ - Instagram: @Amy_Hollenkamp_RD

  5. May 25

    Parasites Part 1 - IBS Freedom Podcast #226

    After 226 episodes, Amy and Nikki finally tackle parasites, noting the “ick” factor and fecal–oral transmission taboo, and explaining why they’ve avoided a messy topic polarized between holistic claims (everyone has parasites and needs cleanses) and conventional under-testing. They argue stool-test findings can be incidental, advise treating a suspected parasite once or twice but reassessing if symptoms don’t improve, and criticize expensive, extreme protocols and test over-interpretation (including skepticism about GI-MAP accuracy).  They discuss post-infectious IBS research suggesting higher rates after parasitic infections than bacterial gastroenteritis, proposing mechanisms like dysbiosis, leaky gut, and unresolved inflammation rather than chronic infection. They cover Blastocystis hominis as controversial (17 subtypes; sometimes linked to diversity; symptoms and treatment effects vary; one study favored Saccharomyces boulardii over metronidazole), then review Giardia and Cryptosporidium transmission patterns and risks, ending with a tease for a worms-and-testing follow-up episode. Love this episode? Be sure to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE :) Nikki's Info: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TriangleHolisticGutHealth - Instagram: @Gut.Microbiome.Queen - FODMAP Freedom in 90 Days: https://www.fodmapfreedom.com/enroll - Private Appts: https://infinityholistichealth.com/ Amy's Info: - Practice: https://sibodiaries.com/ - Instagram: @Amy_Hollenkamp_RD

  6. Apr 27

    Weight Loss, Weight Gain - IBS Freedom Podcast #225

    Nikki and Amy discuss how increasing food intake can feel overwhelming for people who struggle with gut issues, especially after a period of underfueling. It describes working with a patient who averaged about 1300 calories per day but likely needed at least 2000 calories based on activity level; they were only able to increase her intake to about 1800. The speaker notes that a 700-calorie increase can feel like a lot, and that the gut may need time to adjust, making progress feel like an uphill battle until consistent intake is maintained and symptoms improve. Love this episode? Be sure to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE :) Nikki's Info: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TriangleHolisticGutHealth - Instagram: @Gut.Microbiome.Queen - FODMAP Freedom in 90 Days: https://www.fodmapfreedom.com/enroll - Private Appts: https://infinityholistichealth.com/ Amy's Info: - Practice: https://sibodiaries.com/ - Instagram: @Amy_Hollenkamp_RD

  7. Mar 23

    Vitamin E, Antioxidants, & Your Gut - IBS Freedom Podcast #224

    Vitamin E for IBS: Food Sources, Deficiency Rates, and Gut Barrier Benefits On the IBS Freedom Podcast, Amy and Nikki discuss vitamin E in their single-nutrient series, opening with jokes and then covering practical food sources such as wheat germ, sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, and various seed oils, while noting wheat avoidance and gluten-free diets can make intake harder. 00:00 Vitamin E Kickoff Joke 01:50 Real Food Sources 02:49 Wheat Germ Mishap 05:45 Seed Oils Debate 07:59 How Common Deficiency Is 10:27 IBS and IBD Evidence 15:21 Limits of Nutrition Research 21:25 What Vitamin E Does 24:04 Deficiency Signs and Fertility 27:13 Nutrient Interactions 28:53 Vitamin E Supplement Risks 31:11 Goldilocks Dosing Principle 36:53 Vitamin D Toxicity Caution 38:59 Who Should Supplement Vitamin E 43:45 Food Sources and Palm Oil 46:05 RDA and PUFA Ratio Debate 51:07 Vitamin E and Gut Microbiome 54:47 Final Summary and Wrap Up Love this episode? Be sure to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE :) Nikki's Info: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TriangleHolisticGutHealth - Instagram: @Gut.Microbiome.Queen - FODMAP Freedom in 90 Days: https://www.fodmapfreedom.com/enroll - Private Appts: https://infinityholistichealth.com/ Amy's Info: - Practice: https://sibodiaries.com/ - Instagram: @Amy_Hollenkamp_RD

  8. Mar 9

    Nitric Oxide & Your Gut with Cathy Eason, MS, BCHN - IBS Freedom Podcast #223

    Nitric Oxide, Dietary Nitrates, and Gut Health (IBS Freedom Podcast with Cathy Eason) Nikki and Amy host Cathy Eason, a functional nutritional therapy practitioner with over 20 years of experience, autoimmune specialist, and Chief Science Officer at Berkeley Life, to discuss the role of nitric oxide in gut health and overall physiology.  00:00 Welcome Back + Meet Kathy (Functional Medicine & Berkeley Life) 01:16 A Nitric Oxide Horror Story: The ‘Nitric Balance’ Flush 04:49 Nitric Oxide 101: What It Is, Why It Matters for Blood Flow & Gut Health 12:40 Why NO Runs Low: Enzymes, Nutrient Cofactors, Aging & Oxidative Stress 14:34 The Nitrate-to-NO Pathway: Oral Microbiome, Chewing & Stomach Acid (PPIs) 18:33 Gut Payoffs: Motility, Barrier Repair, SIBO Risk & Why Diversity Beats Restriction 26:00 Beyond Food: Trauma, Vagus Nerve, Nasal Breathing & Nervous System Balance 31:31 Morning nitric oxide boost: grounding, sunlight & nasal breathing 32:04 Mitochondria, energy, and why dietary nitrates matter for fatigue 33:08 Weight balance & the 'unsexy basics' (moderate habits over overtraining) 34:48 Food first: why a multivitamin can’t replace nitrates & polyphenols 38:07 Supplement overload & the psychology of feeling 'broken' 41:38 Smart off-ramps: using supplements strategically (and when to stop) 43:23 Long-game heart health: aging, blood flow, and monitoring BP/pulse 48:17 Bridging restricted diets: parallels with butyrate + nitrate support 50:45 Protect your oral microbiome: mouthwash, smoking, and tongue scraping 55:10 Closing Q&A setup + practical starting steps & Berkeley Life resources Love this episode? Be sure to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE :) Nikki's Info: - Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TriangleHolisticGutHealth - Instagram: @Gut.Microbiome.Queen - FODMAP Freedom in 90 Days: https://www.fodmapfreedom.com/enroll - Private Appts: https://infinityholistichealth.com/ Amy's Info: - Practice: https://sibodiaries.com/ - Instagram: @Amy_Hollenkamp_RD

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4.5
out of 5
75 Ratings

About

You can treat your gut without restrictive, awful diets... You can trust us to show you how! Whether you're newly diagnosed with IBS or a veteran, the IBS Freedom Podcast will provide clarity for your healing journey. Each week your IBS experts will cover topics within the world of IBS including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), leaky gut syndrome, dysbiosis, the low FODMAP diet, candida, and so much more.Meet your hosts!- Dr. Nicole DiNezza, DC, NTP is a functional medicine doctor and nutritional therapy practitioner from Chapel Hill, NC.- Amy Hollenkamp, RD is a registered dietitian from Cincinnati, OH.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Nicole DiNezza, DC, NTP and Amy Hollenkamp, RD
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    233
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 IBS Freedom Podcast
  • Show Website
    IBS Freedom Podcast