White Coat Black Sheep

Dr. Valerie Civelli
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by Dr. Val Civelli, White Coat Black Sheep explores physiology, functional medicine, and the medical questions most people are told not to ask. This is where evidence meets curiosity, where dogma gets uncomfortable, and where real world medicine takes priority over headlines. From understanding your lab work to debunking hormone myths, medication misconceptions, and optimization strategies, this podcast helps you understand what is actually happening inside your body. If you care about health and think there might be a better way to practice medicine, you’re in the right place.

  1. 1d ago

    The $17 Billion Bottled Water Industry, and Why It Might Be Lying to You

    SHOW NOTES Rhonda Vaughn works in a large orthopedic surgery practice and, outside of that role, has become an advocate for Kangen Water, a Japanese water ionization technology that's been in use for roughly 50 years. She was first introduced to it through a personal conversation and has since built it into her daily life, for herself, her Yorkshire Terrier, and her plants. In this conversation, she and Dr. Civelli cover: What ERW (electrolyzed reduced water) is and how a water ionizer separates a water stream into different pH levels, from acidic to alkalineThe claim that this technology is classified as a medical device in Japan and used in hospitals thereRhonda's personal experience coming off Gabapentin after 8 to 10 years, the brain fog she says it caused, and what the withdrawal process was likeThe range of uses she describes across the different water pH levels: drinking water, a toner for skin, a natural hair detangler, a surface disinfectant, and water for houseplants and petsA discussion of microplastics in bottled water, including Dr. Civelli's own experience finding microplastics on a personal specialty lab panelHRV (heart rate variability) and vagal nerve health as it relates to stress tracking and wearable devicesA broader conversation about the bottled water industry, food additives, and consumer trust in labelingSeveral claims in this episode, including specific health outcomes attributed to drinking this water, reflect Rhonda's personal experience and testimonials she's heard from others rather than clinical research findings. Viewers should treat these as personal accounts, not medical guidance.

  2. Sep 2

    The Doctor Who Left Medicine for a $60 Million Car Wash Empire

    SHOW NOTES "Dr. J," who goes by the Car Wash Doc online, is an internal medicine physician and former Kaiser hospitalist who spent eight years working in San Diego after training at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in the Inland Empire. At the peak of running both his medical career and a growing car wash business, he was working roughly 100-hour weeks, night shifts at the hospital combined with hands-on days managing his sites, and experienced significant burnout before leaving Kaiser in December 2025. In this conversation, he and Dr. Civelli cover: How he used SBA loans, starting with a $250,000 minimum, to acquire and turn around underperforming car washes, scaling to 21 locations worth an estimated $60 million with roughly $6 million investedThe choice he ultimately had to make between medicine, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle, and why leaving medicine became the easier pathHis advocacy for subscription-based business models, tax strategy, and replacing earned medical income with scalable business incomeWhy physician skills, empathy, diagnostic thinking, critical thinking, communication, translate directly into running and scaling a businessBuilding wellness centers of his own and the irony of being "unwell in a wellness industry"His wife's parallel career as a nurse anesthetist and YouTube content creator, and how they built their business and family life around each otherThe burnout culture in medicine: insurance red tape, prior authorizations, and the feeling of being a "paper pusher" rather than a critical thinkerHis personal health turnaround since leaving Kaiser: consistent gym time, better meals at home, red light therapy, saunas, and cold plungesHis own biological age testing through True Diagnostic, which returned a result of 55 shortly after residency during his highest-stress period, and the work since to bring that number down closer to his real ageHis closing message to physicians: you are not defined by your degree, and it's never too late to start over

  3. Aug 26

    Parkinson's, Dementia & the Insurance Fight Nobody Talks About

    SHOW NOTES Dr. Sulagshan "Shaun" Mahendrarajah is a board-certified neurologist practicing in Bakersfield, California, currently opening his own neurology clinic at Doctor's Park (Ming Avenue and New Stine Road). Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Montreal after his family fled the civil war, he trained in the Netherlands Antilles, completed clinicals in Chicago, and did his residency at the University of Iowa before practicing in Oregon, Texas, and now California. In this conversation, he and Dr. Civelli cover: The physical signs that let a trained neurologist diagnose Parkinson's on sight, including decreased blink reflex and masked facial expressionNon-motor early warning signs: loss of smell, constipation, REM behavior sleep disorder, and shrinking handwritingHow the DaT scan and PET scan have changed diagnostic confirmation for Parkinson's and Alzheimer'sThe role of exercise in slowing both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's progression, based on his own patient outcomesThe frustrating reality of insurance denials, peer-to-peer reviews, and step therapy requirements for dementia and Parkinson's medicationsApoE testing and the bleeding risk considerations behind infusion therapies for Alzheimer'sFunctional medicine and genomic testing as a cash-pay option in his upcoming practiceHis personal meditation practice, tied to Hindu tradition and a two-week trip to Varanasi, IndiaThe concept of svadharma, or true calling, and how it shaped his decision to leave a hospital job and open his own clinicHis father's story of being tortured while fleeing the Sri Lankan civil war, and the survivor's guilt that follows his family's story

  4. Aug 19

    Selling Wellness to the World, Then Finding Her Own

    Intro In this episode of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr. Civelli sits down with Mary Rose Gutierrez, a healthcare business development professional, aspiring actress, and luxury wellness travel expert who has spent her career selling five star escapes to the Maldives while quietly working through a reset of her own. They cover everything from her surprise role in a new Filipino-American series to the fifteen pounds she has lost since an IVF process last year, and what a gut microbiome test taught her about the way she eats. Topics Covered Splitting her career between healthcare business development and luxury resort salesHer background role in the new Filipino-American series Nurse the DeadAn upcoming short film headed to the California Film FestivalA modeling blooper from a cigar commercial shoot during her med school years in ChicagoThe biggest luxury travel booking of her career, a $400,000 stay, six nightsBuilding a business around wellness travel, not just vacationsWhat actually happens once you land at a five star Maldives resortCultural rules she had to learn quickly doing business in Saudi Arabia and the UAEYears spent living and working in Malaysia, Singapore, Grand Cayman, and St. KittsWhy she stepped back from full time nursing to focus on the business side of healthcareHer current skincare and supplement routineWhy she believes Bakersfield is ready for its own medical grade wellness destinationHer IVF process and the fifteen pounds she has lost since through intermittent fastingWhat a Viome gut microbiome test revealed about her personal food listHer scuba certification story, including a scary boat diveMentioned in Episode Nurse the Dead (iWant series)California Film FestivalSun VenturesRecovering Co, a Bakersfield sauna and recovery studio (worth confirming exact spelling before this goes out)Viome gut microbiome testDior foundationA collagen supplement discovered through a Facebook ad (brand name not confirmed on air)Spoiled Child gummiesFlame and Skewers, a Bakersfield restaurantConnect with Dr. Civelli Trifecta Medical | trifectamedical.org 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 677-2623 | info@trifectamedical.org Personal brand: www.houseofval.com Instagram: @drcivelli Services: HRT, Peptides, Health Optimization, Botox, IV Hydration, Functional Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetics, Regenerative Medicine, Hair Loss Treatments, Psychiatry, Clinical Trials

  5. Aug 12

    Banned or Not: The Real Truth About Peptides in 2026

    Intro In this special episode of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr. Civelli isn't hosting, she's the guest speaker. She joined Empire Medical Training's live peptide webinar alongside Dr. Chris Crowley, Empire's Chief Medical Officer, with founder Dr. Steven Cosentino opening the session. Together they break down what peptides actually are, which ones are FDA approved versus banned versus somewhere in between, and the legal, insurance, and advertising realities that come with offering peptide therapy in a practice. Topics Covered What a peptide is, structurally and functionallyThe four major peptide categories in demand right now: healing (BPC-157, TB-500), weight loss (GLP-1s), cognitive/longevity, and skinThe angiogenesis and undiagnosed cancer risk question with BPC-157Why her malpractice insurance premium doubled after disclosing peptide prescribingThe real meaning behind peptides being called banned, and the difference between FDA approved, removed from the prohibited list, and still prohibitedThe FDA's April 2026 removal of six peptides from the prohibited category and what still has to happen before they're fully approvedWhether compounded medications are still considered unsafe, and how to vet a compounding pharmacyTwo real legal cases involving unapproved peptide distribution and their consequencesBuilding effective, synergistic peptide stacks without overwhelming a patientHow to find and work with a healthcare attorney who helps you find compliant paths forward instead of just saying noFDA rules around advertising peptide therapy without making unsubstantiated claimsHow peptide regulation differs by state, with Florida cited as more peptide friendly than much of the SoutheastThe legal exposure of mid-level providers selling peptides without proper physician oversightMentioned in Episode BPC-157 and TB-500, together known as the Wolverine StackGLP-1 peptides: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, RetatrutideCognitive and longevity peptides, including Semax, Selank, and EpithalonGHK-Cu, a copper peptide used for skinThe FDA's April 2026 removal of six peptides from its prohibited compounding categoryUSP 797, the federal compounding lawByrd Adatto, a healthcare and med spa focused law firmCompounding pharmacy partners referenced: Empower Pharmacy, Olympia, and Anazao HealthJournal of Peptide Science and Peptides as ongoing research resourcesEmpire Medical Training's peptide certification course pathwayConnect with Dr. Civelli Trifecta Medical | trifectamedical.org 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 677-2623 | info@trifectamedical.org Personal brand: www.houseofval.com Instagram: @drcivelli Services: HRT, Peptides, Health Optimization, Botox, IV Hydration, Functional Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetics, Regenerative Medicine, Hair Loss Treatments, Psychiatry, Clinical Trials

  6. Aug 5

    Annoyingly Happy: One Mom's Hashimoto's Comeback

    Intro In this episode of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr. Civelli sits down with Jen, a mom, grandmother, and someone who calls herself a mom CEO, to talk about her long journey through Hashimoto's disease, hypothyroidism, and a healthcare system that kept telling her she was fine when she didn't feel fine at all. Jen shares how she went from burnout and 185 pounds to bioidentical hormone therapy, peptides, and a level of energy she describes as annoyingly happy, and how that shift rippled out to her husband, her kids, and even her animals. Topics Covered Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism diagnosisBeing told repeatedly that lab work was normal despite ongoing symptomsInsurance denying a referral to an endocrinologistSwitching from synthetic to bioidentical thyroid medicationStarting hormone replacement therapy, including progesterone, and its impact on sleep and moodExploring peptides for recovery, inflammation, and overall functionGut microbiome testing and how it changed her approach to foodDNA Intellect genetic testingReassessing family history as genetics versus environment, using her mother's lung cancer diagnosis as an exampleHer husband's parallel transformation, including weight loss and coming off blood pressure medicationPeptides in pets, including BPC-157 for her dog and her cousin's Great DaneThe story of her rescue horse Boss, a survivor of the 2017 Cottonwood Fire, his recovery at UC Davis, and his recent ulcer treatmentThe importance of finding the right fit between doctor and patientPrioritizing sleep and realistic movement over rigid exercise routinesLongevity patterns in both her family and her husband's familyMentioned in Episode Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidismBioidentical thyroid medicationProgesterone and hormone replacement therapyBPC-157, TB500, and KPV peptidesRetatrutide, mentioned as an unverified report about Eli Lilly pursuing biologic status for itGut microbiome testingDNA Intellect genetic testingReda TrueTide (name as transcribed, worth confirming spelling before this goes out)Ulcergard (omeprazole)UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and Dr. MadiganThe 2017 Cottonwood FireConnect with Dr. Civelli Trifecta Medical | trifectamedical.org 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 677-2623 | info@trifectamedical.org Personal brand: www.houseofval.com Instagram: @drcivelli

  7. Jul 29

    QB1 at 12: Marz Lopez on Football Dreams, Growing Pains, and Why Teen Steroid Use Is a Trap

    Intro:Twelve-year-old quarterback Marz Lopez, aka "50 West Cowboy," sits down with Dr. Civelli to talk about life as a young athlete with NFL dreams — his training, his diet, his family, and his honest curiosity about how to grow taller and build muscle. The conversation turns into a real, protective breakdown of why performance-enhancing drugs are dangerous for a still-developing body, plus a detour into mitochondria and an attempted chess match. Topics covered: 00:00 – Meeting Marz: quarterback, "50 West Cowboy," seventh grader00:56 – A day in the life: routine, breakfast, school02:30 – Football, playing quarterback, and the NFL dream02:57 – Family life: twin sister Armani, younger brother, and good genes04:09 – A quick check on dad's health history06:04 – Working out, staying fit, and the weightlifting-and-height myth07:44 – Travel for football camps: San Diego, San Jose, LA09:14 – Wanting to gain weight and eat enough protein10:04 – Building a real nutrition plan: protein targets, greens, sleep12:32 – The big question: performance enhancement and testosterone13:06 – What actually happens to a teenage body on steroids14:46 – Marz's favorite topic: mitochondria, explained simply20:22 – An attempted chess lessonConnect with Trifecta Medical:trifectamedical.orgwww.houseofval.com(661) 677-2623info@trifectamedical.org7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308 Guest intake: justin@thebeaconstudios.com

  8. Jul 22

    From the OR to Money Healing: Dr. Susan Nichols on the Spiritual Roots of Financial Trauma

    Intro:Dr. Susan Nichols spent over a decade training to become a cardiothoracic surgeon — from the University of Iowa College of Medicine through a UCSF residency and a Stanford fellowship — only to have a profound spiritual awakening mid-fellowship that redirected her entire life. Today she holds an Executive MBA from Emory's Goizueta Business School and works as a financial advisor with MassMutual out of Atlanta, blending clinical training and behavioral finance to help clients confront generational patterns around money. She's also a TEDx speaker on The Frequency of Money®, a three-time author, a Reiki energy healer, and host of the Be Conscious® Podcast. In this episode, she joins Dr. Civelli to unpack what her awakening looked like, how it connects to generational trauma around money and worth, and a practical framework for transforming stuck emotional patterns. Topics covered: 00:00 – Dr. Nichols' path from chemist to surgeon to financial advisor10:00 – The "protracted adolescence" of long medical training13:00 – Tracing sadness back to generational wounds around security and money22:00 – The Map of Consciousness and living at the frequency of shame30:00 – Out-of-body experiences during her fellowship and what shifted after34:00 – Family shame around money and sexuality, and how it's carried forward45:00 – A 3-step exercise for transforming stuck emotional patterns53:00 – Applying energy work to modern financial planningMentioned in episode: Dr. David Hawkins, The Map of ConsciousnessMaslow's Hierarchy of NeedsReiki healing training (2013–2015)The Be Conscious® PodcastTEDx talk on The Frequency of Money®About Dr. Susan Nichols, MD, MBA:Dr. Nichols is a former physician-surgeon turned financial professional, medical intuitive, and energy healer. She practices out of The Piedmont Group in Atlanta, GA as a financial advisor and registered representative with MML Investors Services, LLC (MassMutual). She is Founder and CEO of the Human Consciousness Consortium Publishing and SusanNicholas.org, a three-time author, and host of the Be Conscious® Podcast. Connect:The Piedmont Group, 6 Concourse Parkway, Suite 2700, Atlanta, GA 30328(770) 551-3404 trifectamedical.orgwww.houseofval.com(661) 677-2623 info@trifectamedical.org7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308 Guest intake: justin@thebeaconstudios.com

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5
out of 5
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About

Hosted by Dr. Val Civelli, White Coat Black Sheep explores physiology, functional medicine, and the medical questions most people are told not to ask. This is where evidence meets curiosity, where dogma gets uncomfortable, and where real world medicine takes priority over headlines. From understanding your lab work to debunking hormone myths, medication misconceptions, and optimization strategies, this podcast helps you understand what is actually happening inside your body. If you care about health and think there might be a better way to practice medicine, you’re in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Valerie Civelli
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Valerie Civelli
  • Show Website
    White Coat Black Sheep