Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD

Dr. Jill Carnahan
  • 4.9 (57)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, ABoIM, IFMCP is a globally recognized leader in functional and integrative medicine, specializing in complex chronic illness, environmental toxicity, immune dysfunction, and resilience-based healing. She is dually board-certified and the founder and Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine in Colorado, where she practices personalized precision medicine using advanced diagnostics and systems-based, root-cause care. A survivor of breast cancer, Crohn's disease, and severe mold-related illness, Dr. Jill brings both scientific expertise and lived experience to her work—bridging cutting-edge medical research with compassionate, patient-centered care. Her clinical approach focuses on restoring physiological resilience, optimizing immune and metabolic function, and supporting long-term health through individualized, evidence-informed protocols. Dr. Jill is the best-selling author of Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith and the executive producer and featured physician in the award-winning documentary Doctor/Patient, which explores the future of medicine through the lens of healing, personalization, and human connection. As host of Resiliency Radio, Dr. Jill engages leading experts in functional medicine, longevity science, neuroscience, nutrition, environmental health, spirituality, and human performance. Each episode translates complex research into practical insights to help listeners build resilience, improve healthspan, and thrive in the face of modern health challenges. A sought-after international speaker, educator, and mentor, Dr. Jill is known for making advanced medical science accessible, hopeful, and actionable—delivered with clarity, compassion, and authenticity. Follow @drjillcarnahan for podcasts, research-backed education, articles, and resources. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide individual medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for personal medical care.

  1. 5d ago

    Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Heal Hive: Creating a Community Where Healing Thrives

    What if healing isn't meant to happen alone? Dr. Jill welcomes Nicole Fox, co-creator of the Hive Agreements, for a powerful conversation about belonging, sisterhood, self-trust, and creating communities where people feel safe enough to heal and thrive. 🔑 5 Key Discussions ① 🐝 The Six Hive Agreements Nicole shares six principles for creating safe, supportive communities rooted in wholeness, belonging, mutual honor, learning, sustainability, and connection. ② ❤️ Belonging Without Having to Earn It True belonging begins with accepting ourselves and others as we are—without performing, changing, or diminishing ourselves to fit in. ③ 🤝 From Competition to Collaboration The Hive Agreements encourage women to move beyond comparison and competition toward supporting, celebrating, and learning from one another. ④ 🪞 Self-Trust, Mirroring & Growth Nicole explores how relationships can act as mirrors, helping us recognize our gifts, confront our shadows, and reconnect with our own inner guidance. ⑤ 🍯 What Bees Teach Us About Healing From cooperation and diverse roles to rest and sustainability, the hive offers a powerful model for creating communities where individuals and the collective can flourish. ⭐ Key Takeaways 🔹 Belonging is inherent—it doesn't need to be earned through performance or perfection. 🔹 Safe communities allow vulnerability without trying to fix, rescue, or override another person's experience. 🔹 Trusting your own intuition and inner guidance is an important part of personal growth. 🔹 Community can shift relationships from competition and comparison toward collaboration and mutual support. 🔹 Like a healthy hive, sustainable communities thrive when individuals embrace their unique gifts while supporting the whole. 👩 Guest Biography Nicole Fox is the Founder and CEO of Integrative Medicine Consulting Group, helping physicians and medical practices integrate functional, lifestyle, and integrative medicine into patient care. With more than 20 years of experience, Nicole has worked with hundreds of physicians nationwide and collaborated with functional medicine pioneer Dr. Jeffrey Bland and the Functional Medicine Research Center. She is also co-creator of the Hive Agreements, a framework designed to foster belonging, connection, and supportive community. Integrative Medicine Consulting Group: https://integrativemcg.com/  BE Sisterhood: https://www.beesisterhood.com/

    Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Heal Hive: Creating a Community Where Healing Thrives

  2. Sep 23

    Protecting Your Brain: The Latest Science on Cognitive Longevity with Dr. Majid Fotuhi

    Can you actually build a more resilient brain as you age? Dr. Jill welcomes neurologist and neuroscientist Dr. Majid Fotuhi, author of The Invincible Brain, to explore cognitive reserve, brain aging, inflammation, and the lifestyle strategies that may help protect memory and cognitive function for life. 🔑 5 Key Discussions ① 🧠 Building Cognitive Reserve Exercise, learning, and mentally challenging activities help strengthen neural connections and build greater resilience against age-related cognitive decline. ② 🏃 The Five Pillars of Brain Health Exercise, quality sleep, real food, stress reduction, and brain training form the foundation of Dr. Fotuhi's approach to cognitive longevity. ③ 🔥 Inflammation & Cognitive Decline Diet, gut health, chronic stress, air pollution, mold, Lyme disease, and other environmental factors may contribute to inflammation that affects brain health. ④ 🧩 Beyond an Alzheimer's Diagnosis Dr. Fotuhi discusses why cognitive decline should be evaluated broadly, including potentially treatable medical and lifestyle factors rather than focusing only on plaques and tangles. ⑤ ❤️ Connection, Learning & Longevity Social connection, continued learning, positive thinking, and meaningful relationships can play an important role in maintaining a resilient brain. ⭐ Key Takeaways 🔹 Cognitive reserve can be strengthened throughout life through exercise, learning, and new experiences. 🔹 Regular aerobic and resistance exercise supports blood flow, neurogenesis, mitochondrial function, and brain health. 🔹 Seven to eight hours of quality sleep supports the brain's essential restoration and waste-clearing processes. 🔹 Whole foods, stress management, and reducing inflammatory exposures can support long-term cognitive wellness. 🔹 Social connection and continually challenging your brain are important components of healthy cognitive aging. 👨‍⚕️ Guest Biography Dr. Majid Fotuhi, MD, PhD, is a neurologist, neuroscientist, and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University specializing in brain health, cognitive aging, and dementia prevention. He is the author of The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life, which translates decades of clinical experience and neuroscience research into practical strategies for lifelong cognitive health. Website: https://drfotuhi.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_fotuhi/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-fotuhi-md-phd/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt99-8fdMIitv5YZi7jvfQQ  Book – The Invincible Brain: https://www.amazon.com/Invincible-Brain-Clinically-Proven-Age-Proof-ebook/dp/B0FBRTPKPH/

    Protecting Your Brain: The Latest Science on Cognitive Longevity with Dr. Majid Fotuhi

  3. Sep 19

    336: Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Mold Toxicity, TPE & Finding Hope with Jenny McCarthy

    Jenny McCarthy joins Dr. Jill to share her deeply personal battle with mold toxicity, from severe brain fog and gut issues to infections, eye problems, and debilitating pain. They explore how she finally identified mold as a potential trigger, why conventional detox strategies weren't enough for her, and her experience turning to Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE). 🔑 5 Key Discussions ① 🧠 The Hidden Signs of Mold Toxicity Jenny shares how brain fog, word-finding problems, fatigue, SIBO, food sensitivities, infections, and severe pain eventually led her to investigate mold. ② 🏠 Finding the Environmental Trigger Her investigation pointed toward years spent in an old dressing room with aging air conditioning, demonstrating how mold exposure isn't always obvious. ③ 🩸 Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) After months of detox protocols, Jenny turned to TPE, a procedure that removes and replaces plasma, which Dr. Jill describes as an "oil change" for the blood. ④ 🦠 Environment, Immunity & Post-Viral Health Dr. Jill and Jenny discuss how environmental toxins and post-COVID immune changes may compound chronic illness and make recovery more complex. ⑤ 🙏 Faith, Hope & Purpose Jenny shares how faith helped her persevere through years of illness and inspired her to use her experience to help others searching for answers. ⭐ Key Takeaways 🔹 Mold-related illness can present with cognitive, gastrointestinal, immune, skin, eye, and pain symptoms. 🔹 Identifying and addressing ongoing environmental exposure is an important part of Jenny's story. 🔹 TPE may be considered in specialized settings when conventional approaches haven't produced sufficient progress. 🔹 Complex environmental illness can involve multiple factors affecting detoxification and immune function. 🔹 Jenny's experience emphasizes persistence, self-advocacy, faith, and continuing to search for answers. 👩 Guest Biography Jenny McCarthy is an actress, comedian, television host, New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and health advocate. She has appeared across television and film and has served as a judge on The Masked Singer. In this episode, Jenny shares her personal experience with mold-related illness and the treatments she has pursued. She is also the founder of Formless Beauty, an EWG-verified clean beauty brand created with ingredient-conscious consumers in mind. Formless Beauty: https://formlessbeauty.com/ Discount Code: JENNY10

    336: Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Mold Toxicity, TPE & Finding Hope with Jenny McCarthy

  4. Sep 15

    335: Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: The Cell Membrane: Your Body's Power Grid with Bob Miller

    What if mitochondria aren't the beginning of the cellular energy story? Dr. Jill welcomes back Bob Miller to explore the cell membrane as the body's power grid and how cardiolipin, ATP, oxidative stress, genetics, and membrane damage may influence energy, inflammation, neurological function, and complex chronic illness. 🔑 5 Key Discussions ① ⚡ The Cell Membrane How the phospholipid membrane controls nutrients, toxins, communication, and cellular energy. ② 🔋 Cardiolipin & ATP Why cardiolipin helps stabilize mitochondrial energy production—and what happens when it becomes damaged. ③ 🔥 Lipid Peroxidation How oxidative stress can damage cellular membranes and create a cycle of worsening mitochondrial dysfunction. ④ 🧠 ATP, Calcium & Neurotransmitters How impaired cellular energy can disrupt calcium regulation, glutamate clearance, GABA signaling, and nervous system balance. ⑤ 🧬 Genetics & Environmental Triggers How genetic vulnerabilities may interact with mold, Lyme disease, inflammation, toxins, and other stressors to affect mitochondrial resilience. ⭐ Key Takeaways 🔹 Cell membranes are essential for energy, communication, nutrient transport, and cellular regulation. 🔹 Cardiolipin plays a critical role in maintaining the mitochondrial electron transport chain and ATP production. 🔹 Lipid peroxidation may create a vicious cycle of membrane damage, oxidative stress, and declining mitochondrial function. 🔹 Low ATP can affect calcium balance, ion transport, neurotransmitters, immune function, and cellular repair. 🔹 Protecting and restoring cellular membranes may be an important foundational strategy in complex chronic illness. 👨‍⚕️ Guest Biography Bob Miller is a Traditional Naturopath specializing in genetic-specific nutrition and functional nutritional genetics. He has spent decades researching the connections between genetic variants, nutrition, mitochondrial pathways, and complex chronic illness. Bob is the founder of the NutriGenetic Research Institute and has trained hundreds of healthcare professionals in genetic nutrition and personalized approaches to health. Tree of Life Health: https://tolhealth.com/  Functional Genomic Analysis: https://functionalgenomicanalysis.com/

    335: Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: The Cell Membrane: Your Body's Power Grid with Bob Miller

  5. Sep 9

    Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Childhood Immunity & Lifelong Health with Dr. Somer DelSignore

    In this episode of Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill, Dr. Jill Carnahan welcomes pediatric integrative medicine expert Dr. Somer DelSignore to explore why childhood immune health may have profound implications for lifelong health and disease risk. As chronic illness, immune dysfunction, behavioral challenges, and neurodevelopmental conditions become increasingly complex in children, Dr. DelSignore explains why symptoms shouldn't always be viewed in isolation. Instead, she investigates the interconnected roles of inflammation, infections, gut health, environmental toxins, nutrition, genetics, and immune regulation. Together, they explore her R.E.S.E.T. Protocol, the potential biomedical drivers behind conditions such as ADHD and PANS/PANDAS, the importance of investigating mold and vector-borne infections, and practical ways parents can help build greater immune resilience in their children. 🔑 5 Key Discussions ① 🛡️ Why Childhood Immune Resilience Matters ⇨ Dr. DelSignore describes seeing increasingly complex chronic conditions in children whose immune systems appear to remain in a persistent state of dysregulation. ⇨ Modern environmental exposures, processed foods, infections, stressors, and lifestyle changes may interact with individual biology and influence long-term health. ② 🔄 The R.E.S.E.T. Protocol & Root-Cause Medicine ⇨ Dr. DelSignore uses her R.E.S.E.T. framework: Reduce Inflammation, Eliminate Toxins, Support Gut Health, Eradicate Infection, Transform Health. ⇨ Rather than treating each symptom independently, the approach looks for connections between immune function, neurological health, gastrointestinal health, infections, and environmental exposures. ③ 🧠 ADHD, PANS/PANDAS & the Brain-Immune Connection ⇨ Behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms may sometimes have underlying biomedical contributors that deserve investigation. ⇨ Dr. DelSignore discusses the potential roles of inflammation, infections, toxins, and immune activation in children presenting with ADHD, anxiety, depression, PANS/PANDAS, and other complex symptoms. ④ 🦠 Infections, Mold & Environmental Exposures ⇨ Her evaluation considers mold, heavy metals, VOCs, plastics, and other potential environmental exposures alongside a child's medical history. ⇨ She also investigates infections including Strep, EBV, HHV-6, Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella when clinically relevant to a child's presentation. ⑤ 🌱 Building Healthier, More Resilient Kids ⇨ Whole foods, gut health, thoughtful supplementation, reducing unnecessary exposures, and appropriate testing can all form part of an individualized approach. ⇨ Free play, outdoor activity, exploration, and meaningful human connection are also important components of healthy neurological and immune development. ⭐ Key Takeaways 🔹 Childhood symptoms should be considered within the context of the whole child rather than as isolated diagnoses. 🔹 Immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation may contribute to both physical and neurological symptoms. 🔹 Gut health is closely connected to immune regulation and systemic inflammation. 🔹 Mold, environmental toxins, and chronic infections may be important factors to investigate in complex pediatric illness. 🔹 Conditions such as PANS/PANDAS highlight the important relationship between infection, immunity, and the brain. 🔹 Diet changes are often most sustainable when introduced gradually, especially with picky eaters. 🔹 Root-cause medicine seeks to understand why symptoms are occurring rather than focusing solely on suppressing them. 🔹 Supporting immune resilience early in life may help create a stronger foundation for lifelong health. 👩‍⚕️ Guest Biography Dr. Somer DelSignore is a pediatric board-certified provider, Fellow at MAPS and AAOT, and a member of ILADS and SSRP. Inspired to combine the depth of integrative care with the precision of medical science, she created the R.E.S.E.T. Protocol to address the root causes of pediatric and congenital illness. Her graduate and doctorate studies at PENN and SUNY Upstate Medical University, combined with integrative medicine internships with world-renowned experts, have helped establish her expertise in developing precision-based treatment plans for children with neuro-immune conditions, chronic illness, and congenital vector-borne diseases. Dr. DelSignore is the Founder and CEO of Hudson Valley Integrative Health and Wholesome Root Nutraceuticals in Beacon, New York, where her work focuses on identifying the complex factors contributing to pediatric illness and helping children build greater health and resilience. 🌐 Website: https://www.hudsonvalleyintegrativehealth.com/  💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somerdelsignorekidslyme/  🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nylymesandpans/

    Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Childhood Immunity & Lifelong Health with Dr. Somer DelSignore

  6. Sep 8

    333: Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Vision as a Gateway: How to Optimize Focus & Resilience with Dr. Meenal Agarwal

    In this episode of Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill, Dr. Jill Carnahan welcomes board-certified optometrist and spatial awareness expert Dr. Meenal Agarwal for a fascinating look at how our eyes can provide a window into brain health, cognitive function, metabolic health, and overall resilience. Drawing from her own childhood diagnosis of glaucoma, Dr. Agarwal explains why healthy vision goes far beyond seeing 20/20. Together, they explore the relationship between the retina and brain, the effects of excessive screen time, peripheral vision and spatial awareness, blue light, cognitive decline, and emerging tools such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Most importantly, Dr. Agarwal shares practical strategies—from morning sunlight and the 20-20-20 rule to nutrition and outdoor movement—that can help protect vision, sharpen focus, and support lifelong brain health. 🔑 5 Key Discussions ① 👁️ The Eyes as a Window Into Brain & Systemic Health ⇨ The retina is embryologically brain tissue, while the optic nerve is part of the central nervous system, creating a powerful connection between vision and neurological health. ⇨ Because the eyes contain a dense vascular network, changes in eye health may provide valuable clues about metabolic dysfunction, vascular health, and neurodegenerative processes. ② 🧠 Why Healthy Vision Goes Beyond 20/20 ⇨ A standard 20/20 eye test evaluates only a small central portion of vision and doesn't capture the full picture of visual function. ⇨ Peripheral vision and spatial awareness engage important areas of the brain involved in navigation, problem-solving, movement, and our ability to interact confidently with the world around us. ③ 📱 Screen Time, Blue Light & the "Flat World" ⇨ Constant close-up screen use keeps the visual system focused on a flat, narrow environment and may contribute to eye strain and reduced engagement with peripheral vision. ⇨ Dr. Agarwal explains that blue light itself isn't proven to cause diseases such as glaucoma, but prolonged screen exposure can contribute to visual fatigue and disruption of healthy visual habits. ④ 🥬 Protecting Vision Through Everyday Habits ⇨ Morning sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythms, neurotransmitters, hormones, and healthy wakefulness. ⇨ The 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look approximately 20 feet away for 20 seconds—gives the eyes a break from sustained near-focus. ⇨ Leafy greens rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidant-rich berries, and omega-3 fatty acids can provide nutritional support for retinal and overall eye health. ⑤ 🔬 Vision, Cognitive Decline & the Future of Eye Exams ⇨ Poor or uncorrected vision may compound cognitive challenges by reducing the quality of information being delivered to and processed by the brain. ⇨ Technologies such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) allow clinicians to examine detailed retinal structures and may become increasingly valuable in identifying changes associated with neurological and neurodegenerative disease. ⭐ Key Takeaways 🔹 Vision health is closely connected to brain, vascular, metabolic, and neurological health. 🔹 Seeing 20/20 doesn't necessarily mean your entire visual system is functioning optimally. 🔹 Peripheral vision and spatial awareness are important components of cognitive function and resilience. 🔹 Excessive close-up screen use can contribute to visual fatigue and limit engagement with the wider environment. 🔹 Natural morning light can support both circadian rhythm and healthy brain function. 🔹 Follow the 20-20-20 rule to reduce the strain associated with prolonged near-focus. 🔹 Support eye health with leafy greens, berries, omega-3-rich foods, movement, and time outdoors. 🔹 Comprehensive eye examinations and technologies such as OCT may reveal important information that extends far beyond eyesight. 👩‍⚕️ Guest Biography Dr. Meenal Agarwal is a board-certified optometrist and spatial awareness expert who takes a holistic approach to vision as a gateway to brain health, focus, and overall well-being. She integrates optometry, neuroscience, and lifestyle medicine to explore the root causes of visual problems and their potential impact on cognition, neurodegeneration, and everyday performance. A vocal advocate for reducing digital overload, Dr. Agarwal helps people restore sharper focus, balance, spatial awareness, and presence in an increasingly screen-driven world. Dr. Agarwal owns three thriving practices in the Greater Toronto Area and specializes in dry eye therapy, myopia control, and laser vision correction. She is also the host of Uncover Your Eyes: The Truth About Health & Wellness, and her insights have been featured in TIME, Forbes, and Fox News. Her upcoming book, Stuck in a Flat World, explores how modern visual habits affect the brain and what we can do to reclaim healthier vision and spatial awareness. 🌐 https://www.drmeenal.com/  📸 https://www.instagram.com/dr.meenalagarwal/  🔵 https://www.facebook.com/meenalagarwaldr  💬 https://www.threads.com/@dr.meenalagarwal

    333: Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Vision as a Gateway: How to Optimize Focus & Resilience with Dr. Meenal Agarwal

  7. Sep 2

    Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Infections & the Brain: The Overlooked Drivers of Chronic Inflammation with Nikki Schultek

    In this episode of Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill, Dr. Jill Carnahan sits down with researcher and collaboration architect Nikki Schultek to explore an often-overlooked contributor to chronic disease: persistent infections and their impact on inflammation, immunity, and the brain. Drawing from her own experience with severe chronic illness, Lyme disease, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and autoimmunity, Nikki shares how her personal health journey led her into research and a mission to connect scientific disciplines that too often operate in isolation. Together, they explore the emerging concept of the pathobiome, the potential infectious drivers of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, the challenges of diagnosing persistent infections, and why understanding the body as an interconnected ecosystem could transform the future of chronic illness research and treatment. 🔑 5 Key Discussions ① 🦠 Chronic Infections as Hidden Drivers of Disease ⇨ Persistent infections may play an overlooked role in autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue, asthma, neurological illness, and other complex chronic conditions. ⇨ Pathogens including Lyme-associated organisms, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma, Epstein-Barr virus, Bartonella, and Babesia may persist or reactivate under certain conditions rather than behaving solely as short-lived infections. ② 🧠 The Brain Is Part of a Larger Ecosystem ⇨ Brain health cannot be separated from immune function, systemic inflammation, the gut, environmental exposures, and infectious burden. ⇨ Emerging research challenges the traditional view of the brain as an isolated, sterile environment and raises important questions about microbes, immune activity, and chronic neuroinflammation. ③ 🔬 Rethinking Alzheimer's & Neurodegeneration ⇨ Researchers are investigating whether infections and immune responses may contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis. ⇨ The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative is bringing researchers together to investigate whether amyloid plaques, tau changes, and other features of neurodegeneration may be connected to microbial activity and the body's response to infection. ④ 🧬 Understanding the Pathobiome ⇨ The pathobiome expands beyond simply identifying which microorganisms are present—it considers the relationship between microbes, the host immune system, hormones, environmental exposures, and the body's overall terrain. ⇨ Disease may emerge when changes in this ecosystem allow normally controlled or latent organisms to proliferate, reactivate, or provoke damaging immune responses. ⑤ 🤝 Building a New Model for Chronic Illness Research ⇨ Complex illnesses rarely fit neatly into one medical specialty, making collaboration between immunologists, neurologists, infectious disease researchers, clinicians, and other experts essential. ⇨ Nikki's work as a collaboration architect focuses on breaking down scientific silos and accelerating the translation of emerging research into meaningful clinical understanding. ⭐ Key Takeaways 🔹 Chronic infections may be important but frequently overlooked contributors to complex chronic illness. 🔹 Brain inflammation can be influenced by immune dysfunction and processes occurring throughout the body. 🔹 Chlamydia pneumoniae and other atypical pathogens deserve greater attention when investigating persistent illness. 🔹 Current testing may not always clearly distinguish between historical exposure and clinically relevant persistent infection. 🔹 COVID-19 may disrupt immune function and potentially contribute to the reactivation of latent infections. 🔹 The pathobiome provides a broader framework for understanding interactions between microbes, immunity, environment, and disease. 🔹 Infectious and immune mechanisms are increasingly being investigated in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions. 🔹 Collaboration across scientific disciplines will be critical for advancing research into complex chronic disease. 👩‍🔬 Guest Biography Nikki Schultek is the Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Principal Founder of Intracell Research Group, LLC, and Founding Director of the Pathobiome Research Center at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). After earning a BS in Business Administration from Villanova University, Nikki began her career with Pfizer and Genentech. Her professional direction changed following her own recovery from Lyme disease and other chronic infections, inspiring her to focus on advancing research into infection-associated chronic illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease, PANDAS/PANS, and asthma. Since founding Intracell Research Group in 2017, Nikki has built global collaborations connecting researchers, clinicians, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. She is also a co-investigator on the 3,200-patient iTREAT-PC asthma clinical trial and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Education Foundation. Nikki has helped secure philanthropic funding to launch AlzPI research across eight academic centers and co-led the development of a research roadmap published in Alzheimer's & Dementia in 2023. Her work is helping advance rigorous investigation into the potential role of microbial infections in Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other brain disorders. 🌐 Connect & Learn More 🔗 Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative: https://www.alzpi.org/  🔗 Intracell Research Group: https://www.intracellresearchgroup.com/  🔗 Pathobiome Research Center at PCOM: https://www.pcom.edu/research/pbrc/  🔬 Current Mission The global consortium is working to secure funding to fully operationalize its international research collaboration and accelerate investigation into the role infections may play in Alzheimer's disease and other brain diseases.

    Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Infections & the Brain: The Overlooked Drivers of Chronic Inflammation with Nikki Schultek

  8. Aug 26

    Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Immune Resilience: The Future of Longevity with Dr. Isaac Melamed

    In this episode of Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill, Dr. Jill Carnahan welcomes renowned immunologist Dr. Isaac Melamed for a fascinating exploration of the immune system and its powerful influence on whole-body health, resilience, and longevity. Dr. Melamed explains why the immune system is far more than our defense against infections. Its intricate connections with the brain, nervous system, mitochondria, environment, and even our emotional experiences may help explain everything from autoimmunity and chronic pain to cognitive decline, Long COVID, allergies, and cancer. Together, they explore the emerging science of neuroimmunology, immune aging, IVIG, epigenetics, and a new vision for proactive "Immuno Wellness" focused on identifying dysfunction before it progresses into disease. 🔑 5 Key Discussions ① 🧠 The Neuroimmune Connection ⇨ The nervous and immune systems constantly communicate, creating a powerful connection between immune function and brain health. ⇨ Infections and immune activation may contribute to neurological, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms, including those seen with Long COVID. ② 🛡️ Immune Dysfunction & Chronic Disease ⇨ Immune dysfunction extends far beyond traditional autoimmune disease and can influence infections, chronic pain, cognitive decline, allergies, and cancer. ⇨ Conditions such as Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) may present in diverse and unexpected ways, making deeper immune evaluation important. ③ 💉 IVIG & Immune Modulation ⇨ Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) can both replace missing antibodies and help modulate abnormal immune responses. ⇨ Its use in conditions such as Kawasaki disease and Guillain-Barré syndrome demonstrates the therapeutic potential of influencing the immune system even when every underlying mechanism isn't fully understood. ④ 🧬 Stress, Environment & Epigenetics ⇨ Genetics aren't the entire story. Stress, nutrition, infections, environmental exposures, and lifestyle can influence gene expression and immune behavior. ⇨ Childhood stress and other environmental triggers may contribute to persistent immune activation and potentially increase susceptibility to autoimmune disease later in life. ⑤ 🔬 The Future of Immune Resilience & Longevity ⇨ Emerging research is expanding beyond B and T cells to investigate mast cells, complement, innate immunity, mitochondria, biologics, immunotherapy, and immune aging. ⇨ Dr. Melamed's concept of Immuno Wellness shifts the focus toward prevention—understanding immune health early rather than waiting until significant disease develops. ⭐ Key Takeaways 🔹 The immune system is deeply interconnected with the brain and nervous system. 🔹 Chronic illness may involve multiple interacting components of immunity rather than one isolated abnormality. 🔹 Immune deficiencies can present differently between patients and throughout a person's lifetime. 🔹 IVIG can provide both immune replacement and immune-modulating effects. 🔹 Stress, infections, nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental exposures can influence immune function through epigenetic mechanisms. 🔹 Immune aging may contribute to declining immune memory and resilience as we get older. 🔹 Listening carefully to patients—and taking unexplained symptoms seriously—is essential when investigating complex immune disorders. 🔹 The future of longevity may include proactively measuring and supporting immune resilience before disease develops. 👨‍⚕️ Guest Biography Dr. Isaac Melamed is a nationally recognized immunologist, physician, and researcher with more than 35 years of clinical experience and over two decades dedicated to advancing the understanding of immune-related diseases. As the founder of Veros Health, Dr. Melamed is known for his pioneering work in primary and secondary immune deficiencies and for exploring the critical relationship between the immune system and nervous system. He has authored more than 100 scientific publications, lectured internationally, and received numerous honors for his contributions to clinical immunology. Through his innovative, patient-centered approach, Dr. Melamed is committed to identifying immune dysfunction early, investigating the underlying drivers of disease, and developing proactive strategies that help patients achieve greater health, resilience, and longevity. https://www.drmeenal.com/  https://www.facebook.com/meenalagarwaldr?mibextid=LQQJ4d  https://www.instagram.com/dr.meenalagarwal/?hl=en  https://www.threads.com/@dr.meenalagarwal

    Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill: Immune Resilience: The Future of Longevity with Dr. Isaac Melamed
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About

Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, ABoIM, IFMCP is a globally recognized leader in functional and integrative medicine, specializing in complex chronic illness, environmental toxicity, immune dysfunction, and resilience-based healing. She is dually board-certified and the founder and Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine in Colorado, where she practices personalized precision medicine using advanced diagnostics and systems-based, root-cause care. A survivor of breast cancer, Crohn's disease, and severe mold-related illness, Dr. Jill brings both scientific expertise and lived experience to her work—bridging cutting-edge medical research with compassionate, patient-centered care. Her clinical approach focuses on restoring physiological resilience, optimizing immune and metabolic function, and supporting long-term health through individualized, evidence-informed protocols. Dr. Jill is the best-selling author of Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith and the executive producer and featured physician in the award-winning documentary Doctor/Patient, which explores the future of medicine through the lens of healing, personalization, and human connection. As host of Resiliency Radio, Dr. Jill engages leading experts in functional medicine, longevity science, neuroscience, nutrition, environmental health, spirituality, and human performance. Each episode translates complex research into practical insights to help listeners build resilience, improve healthspan, and thrive in the face of modern health challenges. A sought-after international speaker, educator, and mentor, Dr. Jill is known for making advanced medical science accessible, hopeful, and actionable—delivered with clarity, compassion, and authenticity. Follow @drjillcarnahan for podcasts, research-backed education, articles, and resources. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide individual medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for personal medical care.

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