The Aware Families Podcast

Tom Flass MD
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Aware Families Podcast wants to educate parents, grandparents and kids of all ages on how to stay healthy using the principles of Functional Medicine. Episodes are hosted by a pediatric gastroenterologist and functional medicine provider (Tom Flass MD) who is trained in both conventional and functional medicine. As an experienced healthcare provider and parent, he has navigated the challenges of the modern world with his own family and patients and shares what he has learned along the way. A range of topics that impact our health are covered, including nutrition, sleep, stress and mental health, exercise and physical activity, toxic exposures, gut health, hormones and a lot more.  This podcast strives to deliver real-world actionable health information to people looking to improve their lives and the lives of their families.  

  1. 12/23/2025

    Episode 23: Interview with Krista and Rose from Logan Fitness: Fitness and Cardiometabolic Health

    Do you know where you are on the spectrum of cardiometabolic health? Millions of us are prediabetic or at risk for the other consequences of poor metabolic health, namely heart disease, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's. In light of the New Year, we are starting a series of podcasts focusing on your metabolic health, how to best assess where you are, and how to lower your risk. In this special episode, Brittany and Tom interview two people in the local community making a positive health impact.  Rose Nicholson has been a trainer and health coach for the better part of 30 years and is currently in charge of group class programming at Logan Fitness in Kalispell Montana.  Krista Rufenach has been with Logan Fitness (formerly the Summit) for 19 years and is currently the operations manager for the facility.  We discuss some of the current programming available at Logan Fitness, with a focus on the broad spectrum of ages and abilities that are currently being helped. Kids, women and seniors now have much more available to them in the way of fitness programming. The group discusses the importance of different types of cardiovascular exercises as well as the importance of strength training for men and women of all ages.  We also outline a new program: Functional Medicine Associates of Montana is gearing up to roll out a comprehensive CardioMetabolic Assessment in conjunction with Logan Fitness. This program provides an in-depth evaluation of someone's current risk for developing cardiovascular disease and other metabolic associated diseases like type 2 diabetes, (and associated brain disorders). Participants in the program receive a thorough panel of lab tests, a simple fitness and body composition evaluation, along with a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) to measure their body's glucose responses to meals, exercise and other factors.  This program allows someone to personalize their current risk and identify factors that need support.  People can reach out to us at functionalmedassociates.com or contact Rose at Logan Fitness for more information.  https://www.logan.org/fitness/logan-health-medical-fitness-center/ For more information find us at www.functionalmedassociates.com

    56 min

  2. 12/02/2025

    Episode 22: The Gluten Files Part 2- An Inside Look at Gluten Sensitivity

    In this episode of @awarefamilies, Dr. Flass contrasts gluten sensitivity with last weeks discussion about celiac disease.  How common is gluten sensitivity? What are the symptoms? How do you screen for it? What is the link with gluten and IBS? Listen to both episodes of the gluten files to get the inside look at gluten related reactions from a gastroenterologist with celiac disease.  #glutensensitivity, #celiac, #functionalmedicine, #IBS For more information find us at www.functionalmedassociates.com

    20 min

  3. 11/25/2025

    Episode 21: The Gluten Files Part 1- An Inside Look At Celiac Disease

    3 million Americans currently have celiac disease, but 80% of them don't know it yet..... In this episode of @awarefamilies, Dr. Flass does an brief but comprehensive overview of celiac disease. He reviews the common and uncommon symptoms, the genetics, the immune background of celiac, as well as proper screening and diagnostic criteria- all from a gastroenterologist who also has celiac disease.  If you or someone you know are suffering from chronic gastrointestinal issues or have been labeled as having "IBS" without a good explanation or investigation, this episode is a must listen.  This episode is the first in a two part series exploring gluten reactions, including celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.  #celiac, #glutensensitivity, #functionalmedicine For more information find us at www.functionalmedassociates.com

    41 min

  4. 10/30/2025

    Episode 20: The Magic of Breastmilk for Babies & How to Choose a Good Infant Formula

    In this episode, Dr Flass (a pediatric gastroenterologist) reviews why breastmilk is nature's most perfect food for babies, and how formula companies need to be continually using mother's milk as the template to create better infant formula.  This episode is condensed from information Dr Flass has presented at recent conferences including the Rocky Mountain Childbirth Conference as well as his book "Feeding Our Children".  Most people don't know that the last time the government updated our formula regulations was when Reagan was president in the 1980's! The US FDA is finally reviewing and potentially revising the regulations for infant formula for the first time in 40 years, so this episode is timely! We review the benefits of breastfeeding, the magic ingredients that make it nature's most perfect food and how mom's diet can impact the quality of her breastmilk.  This episode also looks at infant formulas, and what a parent should look for in a better quality formula.  This episode is a must for pregnant mothers and parents just embarking on their feeding journey with their child. Please share this with those who could benefit from this information! #infantformula, #breastfeeding, #lactation, #firstthousanddays For more information find us at www.functionalmedassociates.com

    39 min
  5. Episode 19: The Functional Form of Fitness

    10/14/2025

    Episode 19: The Functional Form of Fitness

    In this episode, Brittany and Tom host another guest- Tessa Redish from Form and Function personal fitness.  https://www.formandfunctionfit.com/ Tessa is an exercise specialist who focuses on teaching proper form and functional movement to restore health and fitness. She recently started a business in NW Montana that offers online fitness classes and videos perfect for someone new to weight training and strength training.  We discuss her background in fitness instruction with Orange Theory and Pilates and how this evolved into her current model for training and health promotion.  We review the importance of this type of training especially for women, and how it complements what we do in functional medicine.  Removing barriers to fitness helps people be proactive and address the root causes of disease. For more information find us at www.functionalmedassociates.com

    41 min
  6. Episode 18: The Synergy of Functional Medicine and Physical Therapy: An Interview with Tyler Ladenburg DPT.

    09/30/2025

    Episode 18: The Synergy of Functional Medicine and Physical Therapy: An Interview with Tyler Ladenburg DPT.

    In this episode, Brittany and Tom have a great discussion with Tyler Ladenburg, physical therapist and co-owner of OrthoRehab.  We discuss Tyler's training and professional experience, and the growth of OrthoRehab to be one of the largest physical therapy clinics in Montana. Common complaints and injuries that warrant PT assessment and treatment are reviewed. Tyler really brings home the point that physical therapy should be viewed as much for injury prevention and upstream risk factor identification, as it is for injury rehabilitation. This is very much aligned with the Functional Medicine mindset of root cause, upstream medicine!  Having a periodic physical therapy assessment for areas of weakness or vulnerability should be a part of everyone's health plan, even if there are no injuries involved.  You can find Tyler at https://orthorehab.com/our-team/tyler-ladenburg/ #physicaltherapy, #functionalmedicine  For more information find us at www.functionalmedassociates.com

    46 min
  7. Episode 17: Health Begins in the Mouth! A Conversation with Reed Thompson DDS, Pediatric Dentist.

    09/16/2025

    Episode 17: Health Begins in the Mouth! A Conversation with Reed Thompson DDS, Pediatric Dentist.

    In this episode, Dr Flass sits down with Dr Reed Thompson DDS, pediatric dentist and owner of Kalispell Kidds Dentistry.  If you have kids and are interested in getting some "inside information" about their oral health from a pediatric dentist, this episode is for you! They discuss the importance of promoting good oral health and oral development in young children by proper early feeding and being mindful of the oral microbiome. The links between oral and gut microbiome and overall health is reviewed. They look at what good oral hygiene looks like for difference ages- brushing, flossing, types of toothpaste etc.  Dr Thompson and Dr Flass are both proponents of the "First Thousand Days"  concept of pediatric health, and how optimizing a child's environment and diet from conception to age 3 really shapes their health for the rest of their life!  This episode really demonstrates that there is no health without good oral health.  Kalispell Kidds Pediatric Dental Office For more information find us at www.functionalmedassociates.com

    1h 6m
  8. Episode 16: A Conversation With Jennifer Kingan- Pediatric Speech Therapist

    09/02/2025

    Episode 16: A Conversation With Jennifer Kingan- Pediatric Speech Therapist

    In this episode, we welcome a guest to the show, Jennifer Kingan who is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and owner of Healthy Beginnings Pediatric Therapy. Healthy Beginnings is based in Kalispell, MT and has offices in Columbia Falls and Eureka and offers Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy for kids.  We discuss what each of these areas of pediatric therapy offer and who might benefit from their services. Jennifer and Dr Flass have shared a number of patients over the years, and we discuss the crucial role for SLP in infants and children with feeding difficulties, as well as those with speech and sensory integration difficulties. We discuss the importance of catching feeding issues early, and how important it is for parents to seek help if they feel something isn't right with their child's eating pattern. For parents who are curious about the potential benefits of pediatric therapy services, what is available, and what type of patients they serve, this episode is worth a listen.  For more information about the clinic, visit Healthy Beginnings at https://mtbeginnings.com/  For all things food related, check out Dr Flass' book on pediatric nutrition "Feeding Our Children" available on Amazon.    For more information find us at www.functionalmedassociates.com

    34 min
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About

The Aware Families Podcast wants to educate parents, grandparents and kids of all ages on how to stay healthy using the principles of Functional Medicine. Episodes are hosted by a pediatric gastroenterologist and functional medicine provider (Tom Flass MD) who is trained in both conventional and functional medicine. As an experienced healthcare provider and parent, he has navigated the challenges of the modern world with his own family and patients and shares what he has learned along the way. A range of topics that impact our health are covered, including nutrition, sleep, stress and mental health, exercise and physical activity, toxic exposures, gut health, hormones and a lot more.  This podcast strives to deliver real-world actionable health information to people looking to improve their lives and the lives of their families.  

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Flass MD
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Aware Families Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Aware Families Podcast