The FWD Think Tank

Jamie Mazza
  • 5.0 (5)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with a chronic health condition? Wondering if there is a better way of healing your body than standard of care? Perhaps there is a way integrative, holistic therapies and the best of modern medicine can work together, you're in the right place to learn more! This podcast is a place for sharing stories of inspiration and hope from those on the other side of their healing, the latest advancements in functional, holistic and integrative medicine, and out of the box conversations from wellness experts to help YOU get informed and live a fully healed life.

  1. Vanessa Risetto on Self-Advocacy, Treatment & Healing from HER2+ Breast Cancer

    4D AGO

    Vanessa Risetto on Self-Advocacy, Treatment & Healing from HER2+ Breast Cancer

    What happens when a registered dietitian and healthcare CEO becomes the patient? In this deeply candid conversation, I sit down with Vanessa Risetto, RD — CEO and co-founder of Culina Health — to share her personal journey through HER2-positive breast cancer, from the subtle signs that led to her diagnosis to the empowered, individualized path she took through treatment and healing. Vanessa opens up about the early symptoms she knew weren’t right — even when doctors reassured her she was fine — and why trusting your intuition and advocating for yourself in the medical system can be lifesaving. Together, Jamie and Vanessa explore what it truly means to build the right cancer care team, ask better questions, and move beyond a one-size-fits-all treatment approach to find what aligns with your body and needs. This episode also dives into the emotional and mental landscape of cancer: the overwhelm of conflicting “healing” advice, the pressure of doing everything perfectly, and why stress itself can become a hidden burden in recovery. Vanessa shares how her faith supported her resilience, how her relationship with food evolved after diagnosis, and why doctors — while essential — don’t always have every answer when it comes to whole-person healing. You’ll also hear an honest conversation about survivorship realities: why well-intentioned words can miss the mark, why life must exist beyond illness, and how reclaiming normalcy is part of healing. This is an empowering, nuanced discussion for anyone navigating cancer — or supporting someone who is — and a reminder that informed self-advocacy and individualized care matter deeply. ✨ In this episode, we discuss:• Early signs and symptoms that led to Vanessa’s breast cancer diagnosis• Trusting your intuition when doctors say you’re “fine”• How to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system• Finding and building the right cancer care team• Personalizing treatment vs one-size-fits-all oncology• Information overload and stress in the modern healing world• The role of faith in coping with cancer• Nutrition and eating habits after diagnosis• Why doctors don’t always have every answer• Living life beyond cancer and reclaiming normalcy• What support actually feels helpful during illness If you or someone you love is navigating breast cancer, survivorship, or medical self-advocacy, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and hope. --- To connect with Vanessa or learn more about her offerings at Culina Health visit www.culinahealth.com or connect with her on Instagram @vanessarisettord

    53 min

  2. FEB 17

    How to Get Unstuck in the New Year: Powerful Questions for Growth

    Feeling stuck in a rut as the new year begins? In this powerful solo episode, Holistic Health Coach and FWD Think Tank host Jamie Mazza shares transformative self-reflection questions to help you reset, reconnect, and move forward with clarity and intention in the year ahead. If you’ve been craving change but unsure where to start, this episode will guide you back to your inner wisdom — helping you tune into what your body needs, challenge limiting beliefs, and intentionally design the growth you want to experience this year. Jamie explores how the stories we tell ourselves shape our reality, why resistance to change often holds the biggest clues for growth, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate your evolution. You’ll also learn how to reconnect with curiosity, embrace being a beginner again, and define what meaningful success looks like for you this year. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and choose your next chapter consciously — so you can look back at the end of the year knowing you honored your growth. ✨ In this episode, you’ll reflect on:• What your body is asking for more of right now• The narratives and beliefs you’re ready to rewrite• Where you’re resisting change — and why• Areas of life you want to grow into this year• Who you can learn from that’s living in alignment with what you desire• How to cultivate supportive relationships for your evolution• What you want to accomplish and embody by year’s end If you’re ready to get unstuck, reconnect with yourself, and step into intentional growth, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

    21 min

  3. 11/25/2025

    When You Want to Give Up: How to Keep Going on Your Healing Journey

    What do you do when you want to give up on your healing journey? When you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, burnt out, and ready to throw in the towel — mentally, emotionally, and physically? In this deeply personal solo episode, I share a raw, honest conversation about the moments in healing that feel impossible. Whether you're navigating chronic illness, recovering from cancer, dealing with chronic symptoms that won’t let up, or supporting a loved one through their health struggle, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone — and you’re not failing. I explore what happens when your mental health dips, when your hope feels thin, and when your body asks more of you than you think you have to give, and offer practical tools and gentle mindset shifts to help you get through the hardest days of the healing process. ✨ In this episode, we dive into: What to do when you feel like giving up on your healing journey The mental and emotional burnout that comes with chronic illness How shifting your focus can regulate your nervous system Being gentle with yourself when your energy or symptoms fluctuate Creating micro-moments of joy to interrupt fear and overwhelm Reframing your healing by asking better questions How to return to possibility when everything feels impossible Support for caregivers & loved ones who are equally exhausted Jamie also shares vulnerable moments from her own experience healing from thymoma cancer, and myasthenia gravis, offering insight, compassion, and hope for anyone walking a long-term healing path. 🌟 This is your reminder: You can want to give up and still keep going. You can be exhausted and still incredibly strong. You can feel lost and still be healing. If you need a reason to hold on today — let this episode be it. 🎧 Listen If You’re Searching For: chronic illness healing, cancer recovery, myasthenia gravis support, mental health during chronic illness, how to stay motivated on your healing journey, what to do when you feel like giving up, chronic fatigue, burnout recovery, emotional resilience, nervous system healing, holistic cancer care, inspiration for tough days, healing mindset shifts, chronic illness podcast, integrative healing tools, trauma and illness connection. It helps this show reach others who are struggling on their healing journey. ▶️ If this episode helped you, please subscribe + leave a review! RESOURCES: Use code "JAMIE10" for 10% off Leah Crescenzo's Rewrite: Invisibility Program. Learn more here: https://leahcrescenzo.com/rewrite-invisibility-1 Use code "JAMIE5" for 5% off a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber rental with Affordable Hyperbaric Solutions. Learn more here: www.affordablehyperbaricsolutions.com Support the podcast and my road to recovery: https://gofund.me/c9fabfc53

    32 min

  4. 11/18/2025

    How Alcohol Changes Your Brain, Gut & Hormones and Exploring Sobriety With Dr. Brooke Scheller

    In this episode of the FWD Think Tank, I sit down with Dr. Brooke Scheller—Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, sobriety expert, and author of How to Eat to Change the Way You Drink—to explore the science of how alcohol affects the body and how nutrition can support a healthier, more empowered relationship with drinking. We dive deep into how alcohol impacts the brain, gut health, hormones, metabolism, and the nervous system, and why these changes can make it harder to regulate stress, cravings, mood, and overall wellbeing. Dr. Brooke also shares her personal journey to sobriety, what life has looked like since becoming alcohol-free, and the emotional, mental, and physical shifts she experienced along the way. You’ll learn: How alcohol alters gut health, neurotransmitters, and hormone balance Common nutritional deficiencies caused by long-term alcohol use The key nutrients, foods, and targeted supplementation that support recovery How to create safety in your nervous system when reducing or removing alcohol Why addressing mental health is crucial in any change to drinking habits Where to find support, accountability, and lifestyle tools as you reassess your relationship with alcohol Small, approachable steps to begin making healthier choices around drinking Whether you’re sober-curious, ready for a lifestyle shift, or simply want to understand the biochemical effects of alcohol, this conversation gives you a science-backed, compassionate framework for change. Dr. Brooke blends clinical nutrition, lived experience, and practical tools to help you rebuild your health, restore balance, and feel more in control of your choices. This episode is for anyone exploring sobriety, holistic health, hormone balance, mental wellness, gut healing, and a more intentional relationship with alcohol. About Dr. Brooke Scheller: Dr. Brooke Scheller is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Certified Nutrition Specialist, International Author, and the founder of Scheller Collective. She is also a Psychiatry Redefined Certified Functional Psychiatry Provider (CFPP) and works with clients on using nutrition & health practices to improve mental health. In 2021, Dr. Brooke created the Functional Sobriety approach, focused on nutrition and supplementation to support an alcohol-free lifestyle. In December 2023, Dr. Brooke released her debut title: How to Eat to Change How You Drink, which has been published in the US, UK, Australia, and Spain. You can learn more about Dr. Brooke's work here: https://www.brookescheller.com/ ---- Looking for a hyperbaric oxygen chamber rental? Check out Affordably Hyperbaric Solutions. Mention the code "Jamie5" for 5% off a monthly rental. Support the podcast and my healing journey directly: https://gofund.me/39f585f4

    1h 1m

  5. 11/11/2025

    Are You in Perimenopause? Signs, Hormones & Real Solutions with Jen McCormick, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

    In this episode, I sit down with one of my childhood besties of over two decades, Jen McCormick, a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner who specializes in perimenopause, menopause, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Jen opens up about the personal experience that inspired her to focus on women’s hormonal health — her postpartum journey after her second son and the hormonal shifts that revealed major gaps in care for perimenopausal and menopausal women. Together, we cover everything you need to know about navigating hormonal change with confidence and clarity:What perimenopause really is — and when it startsThe key hormones involved (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and how they impact mood, sleep, metabolism & libidoThe most common signs and symptoms of perimenopauseWhat bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is, who it’s for, and how it differs from traditional HRTThe different methods of BHRT delivery (creams, pellets, oral, etc.) and how to find the right dose for you Why transparency with your provider is key for balancing hormones safely and effectively Whether you’re in your late 30s, 40s, or beyond, this episode will help you better understand your hormones and empower you to take charge of your health during the perimenopausal transition. Psst: Send this to a girlfriend who may need to hear this! See below for resources to get in touch with Jen: RESOURCES:You can find Jen on instagram at @that_np_jen To book a consult with Jen: https://alignyogaandwellness.com/empowher-np Other menopausal resources Jen mentions in this episode: Dr. Heather Hirsch @heatherhirschmdDr. Mary Clair Haver  @drmaryclaire  Looking for a hyperbaric oxygen chamber rental? Check out Affordably Hyperbaric Solutions. Mention the code "Jamie5" for 5% off a monthly rental. Support the podcast and my healing journey directly: https://gofund.me/39f585f4

    57 min

  6. 11/04/2025

    Metabolic Nutrition for Cancer Care & Healing with Jen Nolan of Remission Nutrition

    In this episode, I sit down with Jen Nolan, Nutritional Oncology Consultant and founder of Remission Nutrition, to explore the powerful connection between metabolic health, blood sugar balance, and cancer care. Jen shares her expertise on how metabolic flexibility—the body’s ability to efficiently switch between fuel sources—plays a key role in preventing and healing from chronic disease. We discuss the relationship between carbohydrate intake, inflammation, and disease progression, and why balancing blood sugar is essential for both prevention and healing. In her work as a nutritional oncology consultant, Jen more often than not recommends carbohydrate restriction and/or getting her clients in ketosis for optimal results that can also complement treatment. Jen also emphasizes the importance of addressing stress, emotional health, and mindset as critical components of any healing journey. Jen and her team at Remission Nutrition work with clients around the world to create personalized, functional nutrition plans that support the body’s innate ability to heal. Using tools like the Nutrition Genome test and other functional lab testing, they tailor each plan to the individual’s genetic and metabolic profile—meeting clients exactly where they are in their journey. If you’re interested in understanding how nutrition, lifestyle, and metabolic health intersect to create a foundation for healing, this conversation is full of science-backed insight and compassionate wisdom. See below for resources and to get in touch with Jen and her team. --- RESOURCES: Use code JAMIE10 for 10% off a Starter Package with Remission Nutrition, book here: https://remissionnutrition.practicebetter.io/#/5db86b122a83260698517c74/bookings?r=65df58b0625ee4f724ad9963&step=services Join The Nest Membership, giving community access and group support via 2 monthly Zoom calls with the Remission Nutrition Team. Learn more here: https://www.remissionnutrition.com/the-nest Follow Remission Nutrition on Instagram @remissionnutrition and learn more at www.remissionnutrition.com

    1h 11m

  7. 10/28/2025

    Living with Chronic Illness: Nitika Chopra on Myasthenia Gravis, Nervous System Healing & Persevering Through Health Challenges

    This week I had the honor of sitting down with the delightful Nitika Chopra — founder of Chronicon and The Chronicon Foundation,  a pioneering platform and nonprofit uplifting those living with chronic illness through community, advocacy, and education. A seasoned host, speaker, and entrepreneur, she’s collaborated with brands like Google, Microsoft, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, hosted a globally distributed talk show, and now leads Truth Talks via her publication The Truth Today. Her mission: to create healing spaces where people are empowered to live fully and thrive—on their terms, and truly a beautiful human who has navigated most of her life living with multiple (and at times debilitating) chronic illnesses — to discuss her journey navigating these health challenges, how her pain turned to purpose in her work, and why she believes your challenges in life are not the WHOLE truth of who you are. Nitika shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with psoriasis at a young age, later developing psoriatic arthritis, and most recently, being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, including symptoms she was experiencing and how her diagnosis She opens up about the early symptoms she experienced, how she’s learned to listen to her body, and the healing practices that have supported her — from therapy and learning about nervous system regulation to creating safe, empowering spaces for others through her foundation, Chronicon. We explore how her struggles led her to create Chronicon, a movement and community for people living with chronic illness, and her Life Mastery program that helps individuals reclaim joy, purpose, and connection even in the midst of health challenges. We also discuss the importance of the relationships in her life and how those have helped her persevere during challenges with her health and the hard days. Whether you live with chronic illness yourself or support someone who does, this conversation is filled with wisdom, compassion, and hope. This conversation touched my heart personally, as Nitika was the first person I have interviewed who has been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune condition that has also affected me the last two years. She is a true inspiration and example that so much goodness is possible despite our challenges we face. See below resources for how to get in touch with Nitika. For nearly two decades, Nitika has paved the way as a changemaker in both the wellness and chronic illness landscapes. Her work transcends diagnosis—offering space, strategy, and spirit for anyone seeking to live a more liberated and meaningful life -- RESOURCES: Book a discovery call with Nitika Subscribe to Nitika's Substack --- To rent or buy a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber (HBOT) visit https://affordablehyperbaricsolutions.com/ and mention Jamie Mazza when inquiring. To support the podcast and my healing journey: https://gofund.me/5a8764f20

    1h 2m

  8. 10/21/2025

    This 27 Year Ovarian Cancer THRIVER Shares Her Story with Hayley Dubin

    Imagine being 29 years old and being faced with a devastating diagnosis of advanced stage ovarian cancer. This week, Hayley Dubin, a Certified Health Coach, owner of reVIVE wellness and host of the Cancer Liberation Project Podcast and I sit down and discuss her inpsiring journey healing ovarian cancer with strength, courage and purpose. After enduring chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and a life-changing hysterectomy, she faced the emotional reality of infertility and made the courageous choice to adopt a child and expand her family- this story alone gave me goosebumps im how it unfolded! Through it all, she transformed her pain into purpose—becoming a coach and mentor for other cancer survivors navigating life during and after treatment. We discuss how cancer can become a catalyst for personal growth, how to find meaning in adversity, and what it takes to rebuild your life after a devastating diagnosis. Topics covered: Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and the road to diagnosisEmotional and physical challenges of chemo and surgeryHealing after hysterectomy and infertilityThe adoption journey after cancerTurning survivorship into service and support for othersIf you or someone you love has been touched by cancer, this episode offers hope, guidance, and a reminder that purpose can grow from even the deepest pain. See below for resources to get in touch with Hayley. --- RESOURCES: Website: www.revivewellness.com Free Gift: 7 Top Tips to Keep Cancer Away and Feel Confident in Your Body Again! Podcast: The Cancer Liberation Project Instagram | Facebook | Linked in

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with a chronic health condition? Wondering if there is a better way of healing your body than standard of care? Perhaps there is a way integrative, holistic therapies and the best of modern medicine can work together, you're in the right place to learn more! This podcast is a place for sharing stories of inspiration and hope from those on the other side of their healing, the latest advancements in functional, holistic and integrative medicine, and out of the box conversations from wellness experts to help YOU get informed and live a fully healed life.

Information

  • Creator
    Jamie Mazza
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jamie Mazza
  • Show Website
    The FWD Think Tank