Evolution of Medicine Podcast

Functional Forum
  • 4.8 (97)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

Hear from the experts that are driving the evolution of medicine.

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    The Blueprint for Functional Medicine in Big Health Systems

    What does it actually take to build a functional medicine program that thrives inside a conventional health system? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Laura Sandquist and Kate Otremba, who've spent six years building a large integrative and functional medicine program within Allina Health, a conventional health system in Minnesota. Laura and Kate share the infrastructure they built to make it work — smart phrases, practice guidelines, and templates that help clinicians translate their functional medicine training into daily practice within the constraints of RVU requirements and insurance billing. They discuss how they addressed access issues through nutritionist-led and practitioner/nutritionist co-led group medical visits, and how a two-day CME training for primary care providers and specialists helped build trust and drive more referrals and holistic thinking across the system. The conversation also covers their new venture, Whole Health NP, launched to help other practitioners bridge the gap between learning functional medicine and actually applying it — and why this whole-health approach extends well beyond integrative nursing to physical therapists, psychologists, and beyond. Whether you're a clinician, health system leader, or someone building functional medicine programs of your own, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at what it really takes to make whole health work at scale. - - - - - About the Guest: Laura Sandquist, DNP, APRN, A-GNP-C, FMCP-M and Kate Otremba, DNP, MN, APRN, CNP, FMCP-M are co-developers of a large integrative and functional medicine program within Allina Health, a conventional health system in Minnesota, where they have worked together for six years. Their work includes building clinical infrastructure such as smart phrases and practice guidelines, launching nutritionist-led and co-led group medical visits, and developing a two-day CME training for primary care providers and specialists to build trust and collaboration across the system. They have since launched Whole Health NP, a company dedicated to teaching practitioners how to translate functional medicine training into real-world practice. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  2. Aug 10 ·  Video

    The Bioage Reversal Breakthrough

    What if the best way to live a long life isn't a longevity hack — but preventing chronic illness in the first place? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, a naturopathic physician and longtime functional medicine researcher, to talk about her groundbreaking work on reversing biological age. Dr. Fitzgerald shares the story behind her 2018 clinical study, which found that a diet and lifestyle intervention reversed biological age by over three years — a result that stunned the field, since even epigenetic clock pioneer Steve Horvath didn't believe bioage reversal was possible in humans. She explains how follow-up research traced most of that effect to polyphenol-dense "methylation adaptogens," and why she's now pursuing an NIH grant to understand whether polyphenols can move the needle on both exposomic aging (environmentally driven) and deeper, programmed aging (the kind tied to Yamanaka factor biology). The conversation also covers the longevity summit she hosted last year to unite the functional and longevity medicine communities, her advice for practitioners building a career in this space — community, clarity of purpose, and in-person connection — and her take on where direct-to-consumer lab testing and wearables fit into the future of patient care. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or simply curious about the science of aging, this episode offers a grounded look at what it actually takes to move the needle on healthspan and lifespan. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is actively engaged in clinical research on epigenetics and longevity using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her research and practice. She has published two clinical studies on the potential bioage-reversing effects of an 8-week DNA methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle in middle-aged men and women in the journal Aging. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  3. Aug 3 ·  Video

    Why Whole Health Starts With This One Question

    What does it really mean to practice "whole health" — and how do we keep it from becoming just another buzzword? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Dr. Tracy Gaudet to unpack the evolution of whole health, the growing risk of paradigm "veneers" masking real transformation, and why the patient-practitioner relationship remains central to any lasting healing. Tracy explains how true system change begins with a different kind of conversation — one that starts with a person's purpose and meaning rather than their diagnosis — and why that shift produced measurable clinical improvements in her work with the VA. She and James also discuss the rising infighting among healthcare "tribes" (functional, integrative, lifestyle medicine) and the opportunity to synergize instead of stake out territory from a place of fear and scarcity. The conversation turns to promising green shoots of change: land-grant universities like Virginia Tech stepping into community health leadership, and the first-of-its-kind Doctorate in Whole Health Leadership at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), which Tracy helped design and James is now personally joining. Whether you're a clinician, health system leader, or an aspiring agent of change, this episode offers a grounded, honest look at what it will really take to humanize modern medicine. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Tracy Gaudet is a physician and national leader in whole health transformation, best known for spearheading the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Whole Health System — one of the largest whole-person healthcare transformation efforts in the country. She helped design and now teaches in the first Doctorate in Whole Health Leadership program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), training clinicians, administrators, and educators to lead system-wide transformation toward humanized, whole-person care. Tracy's work centers on shifting healthcare conversations from disease and diagnosis to purpose and meaning as the true foundation of lasting behavior change. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  4. Jul 27

    Inside the Growth of Functional Medicine

    How is functional medicine evolving from a niche practice into a global movement that is transforming healthcare? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Amy R. Mack, MSES, MPA, CEO of the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), to discuss the organization's mission, the rapid growth of functional medicine, and its future in healthcare. Amy shares how her background in nonprofit leadership—and the influence of her father, a gastroenterologist who practiced whole-person care long before it became mainstream—shaped her passion for expanding access to functional medicine. The conversation explores IFM's evolution toward making functional medicine available to more patients by educating practitioners across more than 20 healthcare professions and supporting its integration into hospitals, universities, and large healthcare systems. Amy explains why standardized certification, practitioner competencies, and collaboration across organizations are essential for maintaining quality as the field grows. James and Amy also discuss the importance of building stronger scientific evidence through functional medicine research, including emerging work on chronic disease and cognitive decline. They examine how artificial intelligence is improving public awareness of functional medicine and helping provide more accurate information than outdated online sources. Finally, they explore the growing international adoption of functional medicine, emphasizing the importance of adapting its principles to different cultures while fostering global collaboration and innovation. Whether you're a healthcare professional, health leader, or someone interested in personalized, root-cause medicine, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of functional medicine and the movement to make whole-person healthcare more accessible worldwide. - - - - - About the Guest: Amy R. Mack, MSES, MPA, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). With a background in nonprofit leadership, public service, and organizational development, she has led IFM's mission to expand access to functional medicine through practitioner education, research, certification, and healthcare collaboration. Under her leadership, IFM has trained more than 100,000 healthcare professionals worldwide while advancing the integration of functional medicine into hospitals, academic institutions, and healthcare systems. Amy is passionate about making root-cause, patient-centered healthcare more accessible while maintaining rigorous education and clinical standards. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  5. Jul 21

    How Functional Medicine Is Reshaping Healthcare

    How can functional medicine create healthier communities while transforming the future of healthcare? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Gail C. Christopher, DN, IFM Board Chair of The Institute for Functional Medicine, and Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, to discuss the evolution of functional medicine and its growing influence on mainstream healthcare. Drawing on decades of experience in clinical practice, public policy, philanthropy, and health equity, Dr. Christopher explains how functional medicine is expanding beyond private practice into hospitals, universities, and community health initiatives. She shares why improving access to nutritious food, maternal health, breastfeeding, and other social determinants of health is essential for creating lasting change. The conversation explores how group medical visits, patient communities, and collaborative practitioner networks can make personalized healthcare more scalable while strengthening human connection. They also discuss the importance of intergenerational relationships, volunteerism, and rebuilding social connection as powerful contributors to health and well-being. James and Dr. Christopher examine the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence and digital health technologies, emphasizing that these tools should enhance—not replace—the human-centered philosophy that defines functional medicine. Finally, Dr. Christopher explains why healthcare should focus less on disease management and more on supporting the body's innate capacity to heal through proper nutrition, movement, stress reduction, mind-body practices, and healthy lifestyle habits. Together, they explore how functional medicine can help prevent chronic disease, promote healthy longevity, and create a more equitable healthcare system for everyone. Whether you're a clinician, healthcare leader, policymaker, or someone interested in improving your own health, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of personalized, community-centered, root-cause medicine. - - - - - About the Guest: Gail C. Christopher, DN, IFM Board Chair of The Institute for Functional Medicine, and Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, is a nationally recognized leader in health equity, public policy, and community well-being. Throughout her career, she has worked across clinical practice, philanthropy, and government to advance equitable access to healthcare and improve the social conditions that shape health. As a former Senior Advisor and Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, she directed major initiatives focused on maternal and child health, nutrition, and community wellness. Her work continues to champion functional medicine as a pathway toward whole-person care, prevention, and healthier communities. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST  Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  6. Jul 13

    Frontier Care in Warfarer Populations

    How can functional medicine improve the health, resilience, and performance of military personnel? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Dr. Bryan Stepanenko and former Green Beret Geoff Dardia to discuss how functional medicine is transforming healthcare for warfighters and veterans. They explain the unique physical and psychological demands of military service, including blast exposure, traumatic brain injuries, chronic sleep deprivation, toxin exposure, and repetitive physical stress. Rather than simply treating symptoms, they demonstrate how functional medicine identifies and addresses the root causes of dysfunction to improve recovery, optimize performance, and extend long-term health. The conversation explores innovative concepts such as Personal Protective Nutrition (PPN) and Personal Protective Lifestyle (PPL), as well as the growing role of wearable technology, shared medical appointments, and performance biomarkers in motivating military personnel to take ownership of their health. Dr. Stepanenko and Jeff also introduce the Institute for Military Functional Medicine, an initiative dedicated to training healthcare providers and establishing standardized care pathways for military populations. They also discuss Allo Performance, a virtual practice focused on comprehensive assessments, accelerated recovery, and personalized functional medicine care. Whether you're a clinician, first responder, athlete, veteran, or simply interested in improving your health, this episode offers valuable insights into how performance-focused, root-cause medicine can benefit everyone. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Bryan Stepanenko is a leader in military functional medicine and has spent years educating military healthcare providers on applying functional medicine principles to improve the health, resilience, and performance of active-duty service members and veterans. His work focuses on understanding how military operational environments affect physiology and developing practical, evidence-informed strategies that optimize readiness and long-term health. Geoff Dardia is a former Green Beret and educator who transformed his own health journey through functional medicine after experiencing the cumulative effects of military service. He now works to educate military communities and healthcare professionals on performance optimization, resilience, and root-cause healthcare, helping service members better understand and improve their health through practical, actionable strategies. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  7. Jul 6

    Using CGM in Care Delivery

    In this live episode of The Evolution of Medicine Podcast, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Ryan Arnold at the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference about how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), metabolic health, and functional medicine are transforming preventive healthcare. Dr. Arnold explains how his practice uses the Dexcom Stelo Continuous Glucose Monitor to help patients understand their individual glucose responses, allowing them to make personalized nutrition and lifestyle changes before chronic disease develops. He discusses how real-time glucose data provides far more actionable insights than traditional laboratory testing and has helped patients reverse insulin resistance and prediabetes. The conversation also explores the growing connection between metabolic dysfunction and cognitive decline. Dr. Arnold shares why he considers brain health the ultimate goal of longevity medicine and discusses emerging research suggesting that personalized, root-cause interventions may help slow or even reverse certain forms of cognitive decline. Beyond brain health, the discussion highlights the importance of maintaining muscle mass, reducing visceral fat, and using collaborative care models that combine technology, coaching, fitness, and functional medicine to improve long-term health outcomes. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Ryan Arnold is a functional medicine physician and founder of CLAVA Health in Santa Barbara, California. His clinical practice focuses on longevity medicine, metabolic health, and the prevention and reversal of cognitive decline through personalized, root-cause care. Dr. Arnold integrates continuous glucose monitoring, advanced laboratory testing, nutrition, hormone optimization, exercise, and lifestyle medicine to help patients prevent chronic disease before it develops. He is an early adopter of continuous glucose monitoring for non-diabetic patients and has developed innovative care models that combine functional medicine with technology and patient education. He is also an active member of the TrueNeuro Mastermind, collaborating with clinicians across the country to advance personalized approaches to brain health and cognitive decline. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  8. Jun 29

    IFM Conference Recap – AI and Consciousness in Medicine

    What happens when artificial intelligence meets consciousness in medicine? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell speaks with psychiatrist Dr. Robert Hedaya about the transformative—and potentially dangerous—role of AI in modern healthcare. Dr. Hedaya shares how analyzing a Parkinson's patient's brain imaging using multiple AI systems led him to a breakthrough insight: AI models can correct each other when used in dialogue, reducing hallucinations and improving clinical reasoning. But he warns that AI is not truth-seeking—it is probabilistic, persuasive, and often overconfident. The conversation explores the psychological risks of AI, including over-trust, loss of agency, and the emotional "seduction" of algorithmic validation. Dr. Hedaya introduces the idea of "awe" as a double-edged psychological state that can either expand awareness or lead to submission. He also raises serious concerns about AI in mental health, particularly its ability to reinforce harmful thought patterns without ethical grounding or clinical safeguards. Beyond AI, Dr. Hedaya critiques mainstream psychiatry for its overreliance on medication and lack of focus on root causes such as inflammation, hormones, and brain physiology. He outlines a future of precision psychiatry powered by integrative medicine, neuroimaging, and AI-enhanced data interpretation. This episode challenges clinicians to rethink not just technology—but consciousness itself in the practice of medicine. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Robert Hedaya is a psychiatrist and pioneer in integrative and functional approaches to mental health. He is known for his work in whole-body psychiatry, emphasizing the role of physiology, inflammation, hormones, and brain systems in mental health disorders. Over his career, Dr. Hedaya has advocated for a shift away from purely medication-based psychiatric models toward root-cause, systems-based care. His work integrates neuroscience, clinical psychiatry, and functional medicine principles, with a focus on treating underlying biological drivers of mental illness. More recently, he has explored the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine, particularly how AI can assist in clinical reasoning while also introducing new ethical and cognitive risks. His work emphasizes the importance of clinician consciousness, critical thinking, and maintaining human judgment in an increasingly AI-driven healthcare system. Dr. Hedaya is a leading voice in precision psychiatry, integrative mental health, and the future role of AI in clinical decision-making. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

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Hear from the experts that are driving the evolution of medicine.

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