The Fringe

Dr. Alyson Evans, DC; Dr. Genevieve Newton, DC, PhD; & Dr. Abby Kramer, DC

The Fringe is a podcast about how humans heal. Each week, Fringe’s medical team breaks down the science behind light, supplements, sleep, stress, pain, hormones, and recovery in a way that’s warm, clear, and actually useful. From red light therapy to minerals, gut health to brain health, fertility to menopause, inflammation to injury care, we explore the tools and routines that help real people feel better in real life. You’ll hear simple explanations, practical takeaways, surprising science, and honest conversations with clinicians, researchers, athletes, parents, and people healing on the edges of modern wellness. If you want to understand your body, feel better, and learn what the science actually says. Welcome to The Fringe.

  1. Sep 25

    The Dirt We Engineered Out of Childhood

    Did we over sanitize and synthesize everything? And are our kids' immune systems paying the price for it? Dr. Abby Kramer, from Fringe, sits down with Dr. Carly and Dr. Rachel of Kale Blossom to dig into the hygiene hypothesis and the mineral-rich earth we've slowly scrubbed away in the name of "clean." They explore why dirt, sunshine, and time outdoors helps develop resilient kids, and what happens when hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and indoor living take their place. From rashes and allergies to autoimmunity, they discuss the unexpected cost of a childhood without enough dirt under the fingernails and grass stains on shirts. Closing with simple steps any family can try today. Speaker Bios: Dr. Rachel Marynowski, a licensed Naturopathic Physician with over over 20 years of experience in healthcare. In addition to her functional medicine practice, she co-founded an integrative clinic with a birthing center, has written a children’s book and facilitates women’s therapy groups. She supports both women and children by getting to root-cause health issues, while also empowering and educating. Dr Carly Egoavil, is a licensed Chiropractor & Functional Medicine leader with over 15 years of clinical experience. She continues to study Functional Medicine, with particular interest in women’s and children’s health. As a provider, Dr. Carly believes true healing occurs in the choices we make daily, and that we all have the ability and power to heal from within. Where to find Kale Blossom: Instagram: @kale.blossom Facebook: Kale Blossom Website: https://kaleblossom.com/about/ Pinterest: https://ca.pinterest.com/kaleblossom/ Learn more about Fringe: https://fringeheals.com/

  2. Sep 11

    Boredom Has a Bottom: The Hidden Cost of Endless Stimulus

    Have we engineered boredom out of existence? And have our youth lost something essential in its absence? This episode digs into what happens to a nervous system that's never prompted to be still, never asked to sit with nothing. Gwen Wild an Occupational Therapist and creator of BrainWorks™, has spent 25 years working with children's development and sensory needs — supporting kids with autism, sensory processing disorders, and neurological and developmental conditions — and she's seen firsthand what happens when the capacity to be bored disappears: self-regulation, creativity, imagination, and the ability to tolerate even the smallest amount of distress go with it. In this episode, we get to the bottom of boredom and talk about: Whether boredom is an emotion or a state of beingThe Default Mode Network Microdoses of boredom Digital pacifiers Co-regulation, modeling & narration We trace the hidden cost of endless screens, infinite stimulus, and quick dopamine loops that promise relief but deliver discontentment. Asking the question that been sitting still in our mind since the start of the conversation — whether boredom was actually the best thing to happen to us, and what it may take for us to get it back. Gwen's answer carries real concern, and real hope. Speaker Bio: Gwen Wild, MOT, OTR/L,Gwen Wild, is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorders, neurological disorders and a wide variety of developmental disorders in numerous settings. Gwen is the creator of BrainWorks™ tools, a system for creating effective sensory diets that empowers kids to take charge of their sensory needs. After selling Sensational Brain LLC in 2020, Gwen returned to school-based OT as a consultant. In 2023, she accepted a position with PESI where she designs and develops continuing education programs alongside professionals in the field. Where to find Gwen: Instagram: @otgwenwild LinkedIn: Gwen Wild BrainWorks: https://sensationalbrain.com/brainworks/ Learn more about Fringe: https://fringeheals.com/

  3. Aug 27

    Why Everyone Feels Tired, Wired and Depleted

    Nearly everyone walking into a care practice right now says some version of the same thing: tired, wired and depleted. This episode explores the nervous system stuck in overdrive, the inputs that keep it there, and the toll it takes on sleep, mood, energy, and so much more. Dr. Abby Kramer sits down with her good friend Dr. Nicole Huffman, Naturopathic Doctor, former strength coach of 12 years, and a "Terrain First" practitioner, to unpack what depletion actually looks like clinically and what's causing so much of it. In this conversation, they dive into: ➜ The cortisol curve, and why an inverted one makes people feel terrible ➜ Nicole's morning light prescription — and why it's completely free ➜ The blood sugar roller coaster and where it starts ➜ A tangent on smoothies, protein powders, and why chewing matters ➜ Why minerals are so often the missing piece ➜ The life audit most moms need but never do Drawing on physiology and simple reset tools, they look at how to step off the wire. Because feeling okay shouldn't be hard, and it doesn't have to be. Speaker Bio: Dr. Nicole Huffman, is a naturopathic doctor, educator, and wellness practitioner with more than 16 years of experience in health and wellness. She takes a personalized, whole-person approach to care, focusing on identifying root causes and supporting the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Nicole is skilled in several areas of care including hormones, thyroid health, autoimmune, fertility, and more. Dr. Nicole earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from the National University of Health Sciences and works with patients both virtually and in person in Wisconsin. Where to find Dr. Nicole: Website: https://www.drnicolehuffman.com/ Instagram: @drnicolenmd Learn more about Fringe: https://fringeheals.com/

  4. Aug 14

    The Postpartum Burnout No One's Testing For...

    Postpartum burnout has a name. It isn't "just motherhood." Stacia Scott, CEO and founder of Postpartum Care USA, joins Dr. Abby Kramer for a conversation about the exhaustion that so often gets labelled normal — and what she finds when she looks for a cause instead. "This is the biggest hormonal shift in the shortest amount of time in a woman's entire life." Stacia argues, and she walks through what she sees driving exhaustion... ➜ Hormone crashes within hours of delivery, in what she calls one of the fastest drops in human physiology. ➜ Nutrient stores, already low before conception, get drawn down further by pregnancy and breastfeeding. ➜ Cortisol resets. The Immune system shifts and thyroid dysfunction surfaces. Meanwhile, she gets real about the bigger changes that need to happen. Sharing how standard care is a single six-week visit, typically without lab work — right as many women are starting to experience shifts and looking for answers. Together, Stacia and Abby cover a lot of ground — why she calls mom rage biological, how to separate ordinary postpartum shedding from a thyroid signal, why you should nourish before you restrict, and what she tells patients to prioritize instead of trying to bounce back. This is the conversation that keeps getting skipped - not this time. Speaker Bio: Stacia Scott, MSN, FNP-BC, has spent years in family practice, and founded Postpartum Care USA to close the gap between the standard six-week visit and what postpartum recovery actually requires. She leads a multidisciplinary team — nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, nurses, and health coaches — delivering root-cause postpartum care in all 50 states. Every protocol is designed and supervised by licensed Postpartum Practitioners specialized in postpartum physiology. Postpartum Care USA has supported more than 8,000 moms and counting. Where to find Stacia: Website: https://ppcareusa.com/ Instagram: @postpartumcare_usa Facebook: Postpartum Care USA Learn more about Fringe: https://fringeheals.com/

  5. Jul 16

    How Care "Down There" Is Changing Women's Health

    What would pregnancy and postpartum look like if pelvic floor care were part of the plan from day one? On this episode, Fringe Women's Health Director, Liz Frey, PT, sits down with Dr. Marcy Crouch, PT — better known as the Down There Doc — a pelvic health physical therapist with 15+ years of experience and a mission to make women's bodies a whole lot less of a mystery. Marcy shares the moment that redirected her entire career, why she treats "vaginas like elbows," and how her own experiences reshaped the way she cares for her patients. Together, they dive into birth-injury prevention, why she believes information beats fear every time, what she wishes every provider understood about postpartum care, and the one message she'd give every woman before giving birth. Honest, open, and deeply human. Exactly the kind of conversation we're here to have on The Fringe. Speaker Bio: Dr. Marcy Crouch, PT, DPT, WCS, is a Board Certified Women’s Health Physical Therapist, mom of two, TEDx speaker, and your internet BFF for all things down there. She created The Down There Doc because she was tired of watching women navigate pregnancy and postpartum like it was some secret hazing ritual. Dr. Marcy has helped thousands of women push smarter, heal faster, and feel strong again—physically, emotionally, and yes, even sexually. Her programs are rooted in real clinical experience and actual science, not myths or mom-group roulette. Dr. Marcy has been featured in Today, Parents, Scary Mommy, and more. At the heart of all her work is a simple belief: every mom deserves access to quality, affordable birth prep and postpartum recovery. Where to find Dr. Marcy: Website: https://www.thedowntheredoc.com/ Instagram: @thedowntheredoc TikTok: @thedowntheredoc LinkedIn: Dr. Marcy Crouch, PT, DPT, WCS Down There Doc: The App Learn more about Fringe: https://fringeheals.com/

  6. Jun 26

    Restoring the Flow Within: Reconnecting with the Body's Lymphatic System

    Some people pick paths. Dr. Perry Nickelston, carves them out. In this episode, Dr. Alyson sits down with her longtime friend and one of the most exciting thinkers in the health and wellness field — the self-described "lymphatic ninja" behind Stop Chasing Pain. They go all the way back to 2011 where they first started working together, but this conversation is about where Perry's work has landed 15 years later: the lymphatic system, and why it may be the most overlooked system in your body. Dr. Perry shares his personal health journery that changed everything for him — the brain fog, fatigue, recurring infections, puffiness, and weight he couldn't shake, even while doing "all the right things." What finally moved the needle was understanding how fluid actually moves through the body, and working with it in the right order. This episode is full blown mechanism-first thinking we love: how light supports cellular energy and lymphatic flow, why you have to be fringe enough to ask a different type of question, and why the goal isn't doing more — it's doing the right things, consistently. What we dive into: Perry's journey from fascia and movement into lymphatics — and the 30-day turnaround that redirected his career. What a stagnant lymphatic system actually looks and feels like. Why "looking beyond the site of pain" changes your results. Laser, LED, Sun — why it's all just light, and how to use it well. The "snow globe" model of waste, swelling, and inflammation. Tummy time, crocodile breathing, and calming the nervous system. One take that transforms wellness - "More isn't better, better is better". Dr. Perry's Big 6 self-care technique for improving fluid flow in the body Speaker Bio:  Dr. Perry Nickelston, DC is a chiropractic physician with 28+ years of clinical experience who treats chronic pain and inflammation at the source - through the lymphatic and vascular systems. He's the founder of Stop Chasing Pain and creator of the MOJO Self-Care Ceminars and Body Ecosystem Algorithms. After healing his own severe back injury and autoimmune disease with the methods he now teaches, Perry built his work around one idea: the body's systems are meant to work together, and when you restore the flow, everything else gets better. Dr. Perry is a certified Functional Movement (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) specialist and an expert in myofascial and trigger point soft tissue therapy, he also serves as a member of the Board of Directors and as Medical Staff Advisor for AIMLA (American Institute of Medical Laser Application). Dr. Perry isn't here to simply chase down symptoms. He looks beyond the site of pain, and helps you take back control of your body. Where can you find Dr. Perry?: Website: https://www.stopchasingpain.com/Instagram: @stopchasingpainTikTok: @stopchasingpainLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrynickelston/ Learn more about Fringe: https://fringeheals.com/

  7. Jun 17

    It Takes More Than Hormones to Fix Our Hormones - Rethinking Menopause with The Girlfriend Doctor

    In this episode, Dr. Genevieve Newton, PhD sits down with Dr. Anna Cabeca, DO, OBGYN, FACOG, the beloved "Girlfriend Doctor", to bring the science (and heart) to what's really happening during menopause, and why chasing symptoms in isolation rarely works. Together they trace menopause back to the roots: inflammation, adrenal dysregulation, and hormone imbalance, what Dr. Anna calls the "devil's pitchfork." Rather than reaching for a prescription pad, this conversation explores how nutrition, lifestyle, stress, and the gifts of the natural world can help women feel like themselves again. You'll hear Dr. Anna's journey from conventional OB-GYN to functional medicine, her Keto-Green and Magic Menopause approaches, and a refreshingly honest take on hormone replacement, intimacy, pelvic health, and what it means to build your own personal "blue zone." Speaker Bio:  Anna Cabeca, DO, OBGYN, FACOG, is best selling author of The Hormone Fix and Keto-Green 16 and MenuPause. Dr. Anna is triple-board certified and a fellow of gynecology and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine. She holds special certifications in functional medicine, sexual health, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.  She lectures frequently on those topics and shares the secret behind the ebb and flow of intimacy as she demystifies the fascinating hormonal changes over time. She will help you discover how the “love hormone”, Oxytocin can breathe life into your relationship, and how Cortisol can take it away - and how the delicate balancing act of those hormones can reignite your libido and support a healthy relationship, most importantly the one you have with yourself. Where can you find her?: https://drannacabeca.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DrAnnaCabecahttps://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctorhttps://www.youtube.com/thegirlfrienddoctorhttps://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabecahttps://drannacabeca.com/blogs/podcasthttps://www.linkedin.com/company/drannacabeca Learn more about Fringe: https://fringeheals.com/

About

The Fringe is a podcast about how humans heal. Each week, Fringe’s medical team breaks down the science behind light, supplements, sleep, stress, pain, hormones, and recovery in a way that’s warm, clear, and actually useful. From red light therapy to minerals, gut health to brain health, fertility to menopause, inflammation to injury care, we explore the tools and routines that help real people feel better in real life. You’ll hear simple explanations, practical takeaways, surprising science, and honest conversations with clinicians, researchers, athletes, parents, and people healing on the edges of modern wellness. If you want to understand your body, feel better, and learn what the science actually says. Welcome to The Fringe.