The Well Known Podcast: Exploring Longevity, Biohacking, and Alternative Medicine

Shannon Conklin
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Alternative Health

There's more wellness information than ever—and more confusion. On The Well Known Podcast, holistic practitioner and wellness entrepreneur Shannon Conklin cuts through the noise to explore what matters when it comes to health, energy, longevity, and feeling your best. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Shannon shares practical insights, honest conversations, and expert interviews that help you better understand your body and make informed decisions about your health. No hype. No one-size-fits-all protocols. Just wellness worth knowing.

  1. 1d ago

    Can Islet Cell Transplants Change Type 1 Diabetes Treatment?

    What if living with Type 1 diabetes didn’t have to mean a lifetime of insulin injections, glucose monitoring, and constantly planning around blood sugar? This week on The Well Known Podcast, Shannon Conklin sits down with Katie Beth Hand, a Type 1 diabetes advocate who became insulin independent following an experimental islet cell transplant, and Patricia Silverstein, co-founder of the Silverstein Dream Foundation. After 13 years of managing Type 1 diabetes, Katie Beth participated in a University of Chicago clinical trial involving islet cell transplantation and an investigational immunomodulatory medication. She shares what life was like before the procedure, how she found the trial, and what it feels like to live without daily insulin. Patricia shares the personal story behind her foundation, her sister’s experience with Type 1 diabetes complications, and why funding clinical research is so important to making emerging treatments accessible to more people. Together, they explore the science, the challenges, and the possibility of a very different future for people living with Type 1 diabetes. What You’ll Learn Why Type 1 diabetes can develop in adulthood and why managing it involves much more than insulin. How an islet cell transplant helped Katie Beth become insulin independent. Why immunosuppressive medications have historically limited transplantation options. How the Silverstein Dream Foundation is helping expand access to clinical research. The financial, regulatory, and scientific barriers between promising clinical trials and widely available treatment. YouTube Chapters 00:00 Meet Katie Beth Hand and Patricia Silverstein 01:00 Katie Beth’s unexpected Type 1 diabetes diagnosis 03:00 The daily reality of managing blood sugar 06:30 Patricia’s sister and the origins of her advocacy 12:45 How Katie Beth found the clinical trial 15:00 Life after insulin: what changed? 16:00 The science behind islet cell transplantation 19:00 Expanding the trial through the Silverstein Dream Foundation 21:00 Why clinical research needs funding 26:00 Could this treatment help other transplant patients? 29:00 What stands between research and accessibility? 32:00 Raising $420,000 for diabetes research 37:00 A new approach to long-term treatment 40:00 The surprising changes in Katie Beth’s health 42:00 What freedom from daily diabetes management feels like 43:00 How patients and supporters can get involved 45:00 What wellness means to Patricia and Katie Beth 46:30 Living with purpose and looking toward the future Connect With The Well Known Podcast Website: https://thewellknownpodcast.com/ Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who wants to learn more about Type 1 diabetes research and emerging treatments. Check out my Magnesium cheat sheet here: https://thewellknownpodcast.com/resources Connect with Katie Beth Hand and Patricia Silverstein: https://SilversteinDreamFoundation.com

  2. Oct 28

    Rethinking Autism: Communication, Nervous System Health & Hope with Sara Intonato

    What happens when your child has so much to say but can't communicate through speech? This week on The Well Known Podcast, Shannon Conklin sits down with Sara Intonato, a mom, wellness advocate, and founder of Autism Changemakers, to talk about raising her non-speaking autistic son, Rocco, and everything she's learned along the way. After years of being told what Rocco might never do, Sara kept looking for ways to support his communication, independence, and overall well-being. Today, at 16, Rocco communicates through spelling, attends high school, and has some pretty big plans for his future. Shannon and Sara get into the difference between non-speaking and non-verbal autism, presuming competence, nervous system regulation, parenting stress, and why supporting the entire family matters. They also discuss Sara's personal experiences with functional medicine, the gut microbiome, sleep challenges, and medical interventions, including treatments that remain experimental or controversial for autism. This conversation is about asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and remembering that someone's ability to speak doesn't determine how much they have to say. What You'll Learn The difference between non-speaking and non-verbal autismHow Rocco began communicating through spelling and letter boardsWhy Sara believes in presuming competenceThe role of parental stress and nervous system co-regulationHow Sara approaches whole-family wellnessHer family's experience navigating sleep difficulties, gut health, and alternative treatmentsWhy community support is so important for parents of autistic childrenSara's personal definition of wellness and healthy agingConnect with Sara Website: sarahintonato.comAutism Changemakers: autismchangemakers.comInstagram: @sarah.intonato Check out Shannons Magnesium Cheat Sheet: https://thewellknownpodcast.com/resources Chapters:00:00 Introduction: Meet Sara Intonato00:50 Non-Speaking vs. Non-Verbal Autism03:00 Challenging Limitations and Expectations06:00 Why One Approach Doesn't Work for Everyone08:00 Whole-Family Wellness and Everyday Choices13:20 Nervous System Regulation and Parenting Stress17:00 Finding Support Through Autism Changemakers19:45 Discovering Letter Boards and Spelling25:00 Presuming Competence and Building Trust30:30 School Challenges and Advocating for Your Child35:00 Resources for Non-Speaking Autism36:30 Sleep, Supplements, and Medical Interventions39:15 Gut Health and Micr

  3. Oct 21

    Can Pilates Help Your Nervous System? Movement, Breath & Recovery with Amanda Duckstein

    Pilates is everywhere right now. Reformer Pilates, hot Pilates, high-intensity Pilates. But how much of what we’re seeing is actually Pilates? This week on The Well Known Podcast, Shannon Conklin sits down with Amanda Duckstein, founder of Reyva Pilates in Water Mill, New York, to talk about what Pilates was designed to do, how it’s changing, and why harder doesn’t always mean better. With 16 years of experience teaching Pilates, Amanda has seen the fitness industry evolve firsthand. She and Shannon get into the difference between classical and contemporary Pilates, the importance of core strength and controlled movement, and why breathing and the mind-body connection deserve just as much attention as the workout itself. Shannon also shares her recent hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) diagnosis, opening up a conversation about joint stability, exercise modifications, and the importance of finding movement that supports your individual body. And because this is The Well Known Podcast, they don’t stop at exercise. They talk about nervous system regulation, being present, intimidating fitness spaces, wellness trends, and why finding something you genuinely enjoy might be the most important part of your routine. What you’ll learn • What separates classical Pilates from high-intensity Pilates-inspired workouts. • Why core strength, control, and breathing are central to Pilates. • How Amanda approaches movement and modifications for hypermobile clients. • The relationship between Pilates, mindful movement, and nervous system regulation. • Why fitness shouldn’t feel like punishment or require you to fit into a certain image. Connect with Amanda: https://www.reyvapilates.com | Instagram: @reyvapilates @aducks Subscribe to The Well Known Podcast for more conversations about wellness, movement, prevention, and figuring out what’s actually worth your attention. https://thewellknownpodcast.com

  4. Oct 14

    Are We Looking at Breast Health the Wrong Way? Dr. Jenn Simmons | PART 2

    In Part 2 of Shannon Conklin's conversation with Dr. Jenn Simmons, the discussion moves beyond breast cancer screening and into overdiagnosis, prevention, metabolic health, hormones, and individualized women's healthcare. Dr. Jenn shares her perspective on the difference between microscopic cellular changes and clinical disease, explains how she approaches breast imaging and risk assessment, and discusses why she believes breast health cannot be separated from metabolic and whole-body health. Then Shannon asks one of the biggest questions in women's health: What are we getting wrong about estrogen? Dr. Jenn breaks down her view of estrogen, progesterone, menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and why she believes women - including women with a history of breast cancer - deserve more individualized conversations about their options. They finish with a larger message that runs through the entire episode: breast health is health. This conversation reflects Dr. Jenn Simmons' professional opinions and interpretation of research and is intended for education and discussion, not individualized medical advice. What You'll Learn Dr. Jenn's perspective on overdiagnosis in breast cancer screeningWhy she believes imaging should be only one part of breast healthHow metabolic health connects to chronic disease and breast healthWhy treating the body as separate systems can miss the bigger pictureWhat Dr. Jenn believes women misunderstand about estrogenHow she thinks about progesterone and hormone replacement therapyWhy individualized hormone treatment mattersWhat wellness means to Dr. Jenn Simmons If this episode gave you something to think about, share it with someone who needs to hear the conversation and subscribe to The Well Known Podcast. Connect with Shannon: https://thewellknownpodcast.com/ Connect with Dr. Jenn:  https://www.perfeqtionimaging.com/ Chapters 00:00 | Are some women receiving unnecessary breast cancer treatment?01:00 | Overdiagnosis and microscopic cellular changes03:00 | Why Dr. Jenn does not rely on imaging alone04:00 | Using imaging to follow changes over time05:00 | Testing inflammation and breast cancer risk06:00 | Metabolic health and disease prevention08:00 | Breast health is whole-body health09:00 | Why metabolic dysfunction matters10:00 | The connection between oral health and whole-body health11:00 | Why the body should not be treated as separate systems13:00 | Medications, metabolism and the bigger picture14:00 | What are we getting wrong about estrogen?15:00 | Estrogen dominance and progesterone17:00 | Does estrogen cause breast cancer?18:00 | How Dr. Jenn explains estrogen and tumor growth20:00 | Hormone blockade and individualized treatment22:00 | 'The tumor is the symptom'24:00 | Menopause, detoxification and hormone loss25:00 | Hormone replacement after breast cancer26:00 | Quality of life after cancer treatment28:00 | What the hormone replacement data means to Dr. Jenn29:00 | Hormone replacement and BRCA30:00 | Bioidentical progesterone31:00 | Perimenopause and losing progesterone first32:00 | Why hormone treatment requires better training34:00 | Individualizing hormone therapy35:00 | The role of compounding pharmacies37:00 | Why dose matters38:00 | Perfection Imaging comes to New York39:00 | A new approach to breast screening40:00 | What does wellness mean to Dr. Jenn Simmons?41:00 | Where to find Dr. Jenn

  5. Oct 7

    Are We Looking at Breast Health the Wrong Way? Dr. Jenn Simmons | PART 1

    Former breast surgeon Dr. Jenn Simmons joins Shannon Conklin for a conversation about breast health, functional medicine, breast cancer screening, QT imaging, prevention, and why she believes women's healthcare needs to become more individualized. After spending 17 years as a breast surgeon, Dr. Jenn's own health journey forced her to reconsider much of what she had been taught about disease, treatment, and long-term health. In Part 1, Shannon and Dr. Jenn talk about the diagnosis that changed the direction of her career, her introduction to functional medicine, the difference between treating a symptom and understanding the whole person, and why she believes conventional and functional medicine should not exist on opposite sides. They also get into breast screening, thermography, QT imaging, mammograms, MRIs, insurance, prevention, and some of Dr. Jenn's concerns about the way the current healthcare system approaches women's health. This conversation reflects Dr. Jenn Simmons' professional opinions and personal experience and is intended for education and discussion, not individualized medical advice. What You'll Learn Why Dr. Jenn's own diagnosis changed the way she practiced medicineWhat she believes functional medicine adds to conventional careWhy she does not consider herself anti-surgery, anti-chemotherapy, or anti-radiationWhy individualized treatment matters to herWhat she wants women to understand about thermography and breast screeningHow QT imaging entered her workWhy she believes screening and prevention are two different conversationsHow insurance incentives can influence healthcare decisions If this episode gave you something to think about, share it with someone who needs to hear the conversation and subscribe to The Well Known Podcast. Connect with Shannon: https://thewellknownpodcast.com/ Connect with Dr. Jenn:  https://www.perfeqtionimaging.com/ Chapters 00:00 | Meet Dr. Jenn Simmons01:00 | The family story that shaped her career03:00 | When the breast surgeon became the patient04:00 | 'There's something more. Go find it.'05:00 | Discovering functional medicine08:00 | Leaving surgery and changing direction10:00 | Why providers start looking for another approach12:00 | Have supplements become the new pharmaceuticals?14:00 | Conventional medicine vs. functional medicine15:00 | Why treatment should not be one-size-fits-all18:00 | Health, empowerment and personal responsibility22:00 | Why not every patient wants the same approach24:00 | 'We don't suffer from a lack of information'27:00 | Shannon's experience with thermography28:00 | Dr. Jenn's warning about thermography29:00 | Discovering QT breast imaging31:00 | Breast MRI, gadolinium and screening33:00 | Why some women are opting out of screening35:00 | Resistance to new breast imaging technology36:00 | Why Dr. Jenn says imaging is not enough38:00 | Insurance and preventive healthcare41:00 | What insurance is actually designed to do43:00 | Could a different healthcare model work?45:00 | Resistance inside breast imaging47:00 | Questioning breast screening data48:00 | Understanding lead-time bias50:00 | Where Part 1 leaves the conversation

  6. Sep 30

    Can Your Mouth Reveal What’s Happening in the Rest of Your Body? with Dr. Jigar Gandhi

    Your mouth might have more to say about your health than you think. This week, Shannon sits down with biological dentist Dr. Jigar Gandhi to talk about why he views oral health as part of a much larger whole-body picture. Rather than looking only at teeth and gums, Dr. Gandhi explains how his approach considers the oral microbiome, nervous system, inflammation, dental history, lifestyle and the materials being used inside the mouth. They get into root canals, wisdom teeth, bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, tooth sensitivity, mouthwash, dental materials and why Dr. Gandhi believes patients should ask more questions before automatically jumping into treatment. Shannon and Dr. Gandhi also discuss wellness trends, biological dentistry becoming more mainstream, the importance of provider experience and why neither of them believes one practitioner, trend or treatment should become the “end all, be all” of someone’s health journey. What You’ll Learn How biological dentistry differs from traditional dentistryWhy Dr. Gandhi looks beyond pain when evaluating oral healthHis perspective on root canals, tooth extractions and dental materialsHow the oral microbiome fits into whole-body wellnessWhy the nervous system comes up repeatedly in conversations about dental healthSimple oral-health habits Dr. Gandhi recommendsWhy provider training and experience matter in biological dentistryHow he defines wellness beyond supplements, treatments or individual health trends CHAPTERS 00:00 — Meet Biological Dentist Dr. Jigar Gandhi Dr. Gandhi shares his background, surgical training and path into biological dentistry. 02:00 — What Could Be Happening Beneath Healthy-Looking Teeth? Why Dr. Gandhi believes a traditional dental exam may not always tell the entire story. 03:00 — Traditional Dentistry vs. Biological Dentistry Looking beyond form and function to what may be occurring beneath the gums. 04:00 — Wisdom Teeth, Extractions and Healing Shannon shares her wisdom-tooth story and Dr. Gandhi explains his approach to extraction sites. 09:00 — The Immune System and Hidden Oral Stressors How Dr. Gandhi thinks about chronic oral issues and the body’s overall stress load. 10:00 — Are Root Canals Always Bad? A nuanced conversation about when root canals can be useful and when further investigation may be warranted. 12:00 — The Oral Microbiome Bacteria, inflammation and why the mouth and gut should not always be considered separately. 15:00 — Coconut Oil, Toothpaste and Mouthwash Dr. Gandhi shares the oral-care habits and products he prefers. 17:00 — Whitening and Tooth Sensitivity A discussion about whitening approaches and protecting sensitive teeth. 18:00 — Bleeding Gums and Chronic Bad Breath When common dental symptoms might deserve more attention. 20:00 — Tooth Sensitivity and the Nervous System Why Dr. Gandhi sometimes looks beyond the tooth itself. 21:00 — The Vagus Nerve Connection The conversation returns to nervous-system regulation and dental health. 24:00 — What’s Actually Going Into Your Mouth? Dental metals, porcelain, bonding materials and questions patients can ask their providers. 29:00 — What Has Biological Dentistry Gotten Wrong? Why the label “biological dentist” alone may not tell you enough about someone’s training. 32:00 — Stop Starting at the Top of the Wellness Pyramid Dr. Gandhi explains why he prioritizes foundational habits before advanced wellness interventions. 33:00 — Don’t Freak Out About Your Dental History His advice for someone suddenly questioning old dental work. 35:00 — Becoming Your Own Health Advocate Shannon and Dr. Gandhi discuss research, second opinions and personal autonomy. 36:00 — Can You Trust AI With Health Questions? Why both believe context and the questions being asked matter. 38:00 — Looking Beyond the Mouth Symptoms, emotions and asking broader questions about a patient’s overall health. 39:00 — Rapid Fire: Mouthwash, Night Guards, Mouth Tape + More 41:00 — What Does Wellness Mean to Dr. Gandhi? Subscribe to The Well Known Podcast and share this episode with someone who is ready to ask better questions about their wellness. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes and should not replace individualized medical or dental advice.

  7. Sep 23

    How Do You Advocate for Yourself When Facing Cancer? A Conversation with Catherine Curtin

    For Catherine Curtin, wellness has never meant choosing between conventional medicine and a more holistic approach. After being diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, Catherine spent more than a decade navigating surgeries, recurrences, chemotherapy, complementary therapies, meditation, and some incredibly difficult decisions about her health. In this episode of The Well Known Podcast, Shannon sits down with Catherine to talk about what it actually looked like to advocate for herself through cancer while continuing to work, care for her patients, ask questions, seek additional opinions, and find ways to feel empowered when so much was outside of her control. Catherine shares how her medical background shaped the questions she asked, why listening to her body became so important, how meditation became part of her daily life, and why finding physicians willing to have open conversations about both traditional and complementary approaches mattered so much to her. What You’ll Learn Why Catherine says listening to your body matters, even when you cannot immediately explain what feels wrongHow her leiomyosarcoma diagnosis and later recurrence changed the way she approached her own healthWhy she sought additional testing, opinions, and treatment options throughout her cancer journeyHow meditation helped Catherine feel more grounded and empowered during treatmentWhy continuing to work and care for her patients became an important part of getting through some of her hardest seasonsWhat wellness means to Catherine today after everything she has experienced Chapters 00:00  Meet Catherine Curtin 00:55  From hospital medicine to aesthetics and wellness 03:05  How Shannon and Catherine met 04:10  Catherine’s original leiomyosarcoma diagnosis 06:05  When cancer returned eight years later 07:30  Surgery, recurrence and chemotherapy 09:00  Meditation and navigating treatment 09:45  Catherine’s experience with personalized testing 11:00  What she learned from cold capping 13:00  Exploring complementary wellness practices 15:00  Why patient self-advocacy matters 17:10  Learning that tumors can change over time 18:00  Additional testing and monitoring 19:15  Catherine’s experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy 21:00  Exploring treatment options outside the U.S. 23:40  How work helped Catherine keep going 24:30  Regenerative medicine and Catherine’s aesthetics practice 27:00  Finding doctors willing to listen 28:15  Catherine’s definition of wellness 30:15  Where to find Catherine If Catherine’s story resonates with you, like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. Connect with Catherine: www.beautyandfly.com Please note: This conversation reflects Catherine’s personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. Treatment decisions, testing, medications, supplements, and complementary therapies should always be discussed with qualified healthcare professionals familiar with your individual medical history.

  8. Sep 16

    Can Sunlight, Circadian Rhythm and Lifestyle Change Heart Health? with Dr. Stephen Hussey

    There’s more information about wellness than ever, but are we actually getting healthier? Dr. Stephen Hussey joins Shannon to talk about the heart attack he experienced at just 34 years old despite exercising regularly, eating intentionally, and having seemingly reassuring health markers. That experience sent him searching for answers beyond the traditional diet-and-exercise conversation and ultimately changed how he thinks about cardiovascular health, sunlight, circadian rhythm, stress, environment, nutrition, and the nervous system. This conversation gets into some big ideas, but the takeaway is surprisingly simple: before chasing the next supplement, peptide, biohack, or perfect diet, what if we paid more attention to the basic signals our bodies receive every day? What You’ll Learn Why Dr. Hussey’s heart attack changed the way he thinks about cardiovascular healthWhy he believes wellness involves much more than food and exerciseHow sunlight and circadian rhythm may influence sleep and overall healthWhy your daily environment matters when thinking about wellnessHow Dr. Hussey approaches supplements, peptides, and biohackingWhy he believes there is no single “perfect” diet for everyoneWhat it means to think about health as the ability to adapt Chapters 00:00 Dr. Hussey’s heart attack at 3401:00 Chronic illness, Type 1 diabetes, and his wellness journey02:30 The heart attack that changed everything04:15 Were there warning signs?05:45 Diabetes and cardiovascular risk07:10 Rethinking arterial plaque11:20 Is the heart really just a pump?14:15 Sunlight, infrared light, and his recovery17:10 Indoor light vs. natural light18:40 Diet, animal foods, and eating seasonally21:00 Why diet shouldn’t become dogma23:10 Circadian rhythm and the body24:00 Melatonin and cardiovascular health26:30 Vitamin D, sunlight, and seasonal rhythms30:20 When wellness itself becomes stressful31:20 Why the basics need to come before biohacks33:45 Supplements: when are they actually useful?34:15 Peptides, GLP-1s, and the pursuit of quick fixes36:40 Which health markers matter?40:10 Mitochondria and whole-body wellness42:10 Dr. Hussey’s definition of wellness44:00 Where to find Dr. Stephen Hussey If this conversation made you rethink something you’ve always assumed about wellness, send it to someone who would love to have this conversation with you. Like, subscribe, and follow The Well Known Podcast for conversations that help you separate wellness worth knowing from the noise. Connect with Dr. Stephen Hussey:Resource Your Health: resourceyourhealth.comSocial: @DrStephenHusseyBooks: Understanding the Heart, The Heart: The Most Medically Misunderstood Organ, and Pain Sense A note from The Well Known Podcast: The information shared on this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes and should not be considered medical, health, nutritional, psychological, or professional advice.  The content shared here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition.  Always consult your physician or another qualified health care provider before making decisions about your health or wellness.

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There's more wellness information than ever—and more confusion. On The Well Known Podcast, holistic practitioner and wellness entrepreneur Shannon Conklin cuts through the noise to explore what matters when it comes to health, energy, longevity, and feeling your best. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Shannon shares practical insights, honest conversations, and expert interviews that help you better understand your body and make informed decisions about your health. No hype. No one-size-fits-all protocols. Just wellness worth knowing.

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