Intentionally Well

Vanessa Lopez
  • 5.0 (42)
  • Alternative Health

A podcast for those ready to unlearn, relearn, and walk with intention toward true well-being. Together, we explore what it really means to be well—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. With open minds and honest hearts, we dive into evolving conversations that challenge mainstream health narratives and invite deeper understanding. Expect thoughtful guests, perspective-shifting insight, and a space that honors both curiosity and conviction.

  1. Jun 10

    Cellular Health, Sulforaphane, GLP-1 Pathways & Detoxification with David Roberts

    Send Vanessa a Text Message A special listener discount is available for Mara Labs products featured in this episode: Explore Mara Labs (Code is VANESSA) If you enjoy the podcast and want to support Vanessa's work, you can do so here: Buy Me a Coffee – Intentionally Well In this episode, I’m joined by David Roberts, founder of Mara Labs, for a conversation exploring cellular health, modern environmental stressors, and the body’s natural resilience systems. David’s journey into this space began after his late wife Mara’s cancer diagnosis, which led him to deeply explore plant-based compounds and how they interact with cellular protection and repair mechanisms. That path eventually led to the development of BrocElite, a stabilized sulforaphane supplement designed to support detoxification pathways, mitochondrial function, and overall cellular resilience. We discuss topics including sulforaphane, oxidative stress, detoxification and autophagy pathways, metabolic health and GLP-1 signaling, genetic variability such as MTHFR and COMT, and how modern environmental exposures like microplastics may be impacting overall health. This is a wide-ranging conversation aimed at helping make complex biology more understandable and grounded in real-life application. Key Topics Covered:  Sulforaphane and cellular defense systems  Detoxification pathways and autophagy  Mitochondrial health and oxidative stress  Modern environmental exposures (including microplastics)  Metabolic health and GLP-1 signaling  Genetic variability (MTHFR / COMT) and sensitivity  Why some people feel more reactive in today’s environment Sulforaphane and pet health BrocElite and Mara Labs story Connect with David: Mara Labs on InstagramExplore Mara LabsConnect with Vanessa and the podcast:  IWP Website: Intentionally Well PodcastIWP Recommended ProductsPodcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubeVanessa on TikTokVanessa on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.comSupport the show This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

    1h 32m

  2. May 27

    How “Heart-Healthy” Became Harmful: The Hidden Story of Seed Oils with Cherie Calbom

    Send Vanessa a Text Message  If you’d like to support Vanessa and the podcast, you can do so here:  Buy Me a Coffee In today’s episode, I’m joined by Cherie Calbom, widely known as The Juice Lady. Cherie holds a Master’s degree in nutrition and has been a pioneer in whole-food nutrition and the juicing movement for decades. She is the author of 36 books, including the global bestseller Juicing for Life, which has helped millions of people reclaim their health through vibrant, nourishing foods. Her latest book, The Truth About Seed Oils, explores one of the most controversial and overlooked topics in modern nutrition:  How industrial seed oils became widely promoted as “heart healthy,” and what that shift may have meant for public health over time. But this conversation goes far beyond just seed oils. Together, we explored:  The history and rise of industrial seed oils  How marketing and dietary guidelines shaped public perception  The role of industry influence and lobbying in modern food systems  The contrast between whole, traditional foods and ultra-processed oils  And the deeper question of how far we’ve drifted from real, nourishing food We also found ourselves moving into a more reflective space as we discuss our cultural disconnection from food, the loss of reverence around eating, and what it might look like to return to a more grounded and intentional relationship with nourishment.  This is a conversation that blends history, nutrition, culture, and deeper reflection on what it means to truly nourish the body. I also mentioned my daily vitamin E supplement during this episode: Mitolife PUFA Protect Vitamin E You can use code Vanessa15 for 15% off if you choose to try it.  Connect with Cherie:  Cherie’s Seed Oil Book & Resources: The Truth About Seed Oils Cherie’s Website: Juice Lady Info Instagram: @juiceladycherieConnect with Vanessa and the podcast:  IWP Website: Intentionally Well PodcastIWP Recommended ProductsPodcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubeVanessa on TikTokVanessa on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.comSupport the show This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

    1h 32m

  3. May 13

    Health Trauma: How Chronic Illness Shapes the Brain and Body with Dr. Krista Morton

    Send Vanessa a Text Message Support Vanessa and the podcast: Buy me a coffee IWP Recommended Products What happens when the experience of chronic illness itself becomes traumatic? In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of chronic illness, health trauma, the nervous system, and the brain-body connection. This conversation goes beyond root causes and diagnoses to examine what living in survival mode for long periods of time can do to the body, mind, and healing process over time. Dr. Krista Morton and I discuss how chronic illness can shape the nervous system, reinforce fear patterns, impact emotional safety, and create physiological adaptations that many people living with complex illness know all too well. We also talk about the nuanced relationship between real physical illness and nervous system involvement—and why acknowledging the brain’s role in healing is not the same as dismissing physiological dysfunction. This was a deeply thoughtful conversation that weaves together physiology, trauma, emotional health, nervous system regulation, and faith in a grounded and compassionate way. Dr. Krista Morton, D.Sc., MA, INHC is an integrative medicine practitioner and founder of SomaSonder Wellness, where she works with individuals navigating complex chronic illness through a whole-body, root-cause approach that honors both physiology and lived experience. Her work focuses on conditions including mold illness, Lyme disease, MCAS, CIRS, autoimmune conditions, and nervous system dysregulation. In this episode, we discuss:  Health trauma and the long-term impact of chronic illness  How the brain and nervous system adapt to prolonged stress and illness  Chronic illness as a survival state  Fear, hypervigilance, and symptom amplification  Complex PTSD and the nervous system  Brain retraining and neural pathways  The relationship between physiology and emotional health  Mold illness, Lyme disease, MCAS, and chronic inflammatory conditions  Root-cause healing and whole-body approaches  The role of faith, resilience, and emotional safety in healingConnect with Dr. Krista Morton: Dr. Krista’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Krista on InstagramBooks Referenced: You Were Never BrokenHealing the Shame That Binds YouConnect with Vanessa and the podcast:  IWP Website: Intentionally Well PodcastPodcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubePodcast on TikTokPodcast on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.comSupport the show This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

    1h 38m

  4. Apr 29

    A Deeper Look at Homeopathy: Why It’s So Often Misunderstood | Krista Rivet

    Send Vanessa a Text Message Support Intentionally Well: Support the Intentionally Well Podcast IWP Recommended Products In this episode, I’m joined by classically trained homeopath Krista Rivet for a deeper conversation about homeopathy—what it is, how it’s used, and why it continues to be widely misunderstood. Rather than staying at the surface level of “homeopathy basics,” we explore the nuance behind this practice: how remedies are selected, why two people with the same diagnosis may require completely different approaches, and what it actually means to treat the individual rather than just the condition. We also discuss some of the most common misunderstandings around homeopathy (especially in real-world use), along with the role of emotional and mental states in the healing process, and how practitioners think about supporting the body as a whole system. This conversation is both educational and reflective, and is intended for anyone curious about homeopathy, whether you’re completely new to it or already have experience but want a deeper understanding of how it works in practice. Topics covered include:  What homeopathy is and how it differs from conventional approaches  Why it is often misunderstood  The importance of individualized treatment  Emotional and mental health in relation to physical symptoms  Common misconceptions and mistakes in usage  How homeopathy can be used alongside other approaches Krista Rivet is a classically trained homeopath based in Canada with a background in psychology and health. She works extensively with women and children and continues to expand her studies through ongoing education and training. Connect with Krista and resources mentioned: Krista Rivet’s WebsiteHomeopathy Research InstituteAIH Guide to Homeopathic ResearchKrista on InstagramConnect with Vanessa and the podcast:  IWP Website: Intentionally Well PodcastPodcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubePodcast on TikTokPodcast on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.comSupport the show This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

    1h 35m

  5. Apr 15

    What You Haven't Heard: Episode 100 Unfiltered

    Send Vanessa a Text Message Support the Intentionally Well Podcast This is not your typical interview episode. For this milestone, I am the one being interviewed in a role reversal conversation that brings out a more personal and unfiltered side of this journey. If you have ever been curious about the deeper story behind this work, or about the lived experience of navigating long term health, healing, and building something meaningful while going through your own human challenges, this episode will resonate in a different way.  In this conversation, I am joined by Gretch Elizabeth, lead admin of NeverTox, a worldwide community supporting individuals who have experienced adverse reactions to botulism-related treatments. She leads the questions in this episode and guides a deeper look into the story behind this show. We talk about the evolution of Intentionally Well, the experience of creating long form health and wellness conversations, and the personal growth, challenges, and reflections that come with showing up week after week. This episode is honest, reflective, and unfiltered. It offers a behind the scenes look at the podcast, the mission behind it, and the lived experience of building something in real time. If you are new here, this is also a powerful entry point into the heart of the show. You'll hear:  Behind the scenes perspective on life and growth over time  Unfiltered conversation that goes beyond surface level interviews  Episode 100 milestone reflection and personal journey insight  Deeper connection to the voice behind Intentionally WellConnect with Vanessa and the podcast:  IWP Website: Intentionally Well PodcastProducts mentioned on the show: Recommended productsPodcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubePodcast on TikTokPodcast on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.comSupport the show This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

    1h 18m

  6. Apr 1

    Lyme, Misdiagnosis & Hidden Infections: What Medicine Overlooks in Chronic Illness with Dr. Pamela Cipriano

    Send Vanessa a Text Message Support the Intentionally Well Podcast IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast What happens when a diagnosis becomes the end of the conversation...instead of the beginning? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Pamela Cipriano, a doctorally prepared nurse practitioner specializing in functional and integrative medicine, to unpack what’s often missed in modern healthcare. After years working in conventional medicine, and through her own son’s complex health journey with Lyme disease, Dr. Pamela began to see patterns that couldn’t be ignored: patients being labeled, managed, and medicated…without ever truly understanding what was driving their illness. We dive into the challenges of misdiagnosis, exploring how patients are often given a label while the underlying cause remains hidden. We talk about why conventional testing can miss what’s really going on, when antibiotics may be necessary and how to approach them responsibly, and the impact of chronic inflammation, diet, and other lifestyle factors on reversing disease processes. Dr. Pamela also sheds light on hidden contributors to conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, why the medical system often stops investigating too soon, and the gap between managing disease and truly resolving it. If you’ve ever felt like your diagnosis didn’t tell the full story, this episode will give you a completely different lens to look through. Key Takeaways  A diagnosis is often the description of a problem, not the explanation Testing is not always definitive, especially with chronic infections  Many chronic conditions may have underlying drivers that are never explored The body is often responding to something deeper, not randomly “breaking down”  Asking better questions can completely change the direction of healingConnect with Dr. Pamela Cipriano: Visit Her WebsiteMention Intentionally Well or Vanessa for 10% off patient servicesFollow on FacebookFollow on InstagramWatch on YouTubeConnect with Vanessa and the podcast:  Podcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubePodcast on TikTokPodcast on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.comSupport the show This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

    1h 35m

  7. Mar 18 ·  Bonus

    A Little Check-In + Sneak Peek at What's Coming

    Send Vanessa a Text Message Support the Intentionally Well Podcast This episode is a quick, in-between episode — a few clips from my conversation with Dr. Pamela Cipriano that I wanted to share. The full, rerecorded episode will feature a complete conversation with all the stories and insights, and is really where the full value is. Think of this as a sneak peek to give you a sense of what’s coming. These clips touch on misdiagnosis, hidden drivers of disease, and factors that conventional medicine often overlooks. They are valuable perspectives on their own, even before the full episode is ready. If you haven’t already, check out the most recent episode (98) with Matt Blackburn, and feel free to explore older episodes, recommended products, and other resources on the website. I wanted to share these clips because I felt they were worth hearing, even before the full conversation is ready. I hope they give you a little insight and something to think about.  Connect with Vanessa and the Podcast: Website: Intentionally Well PodcastPodcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubePodcast on TikTokPodcast on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.com  Support the show This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

    13 min

  8. Mar 4

    Burnout, Cellular Aging & The CLF Protocol: What Most Health Advice Misses | Matt Blackburn

    Send Vanessa a Text Message Mitolife Listener Code: Vanessa15 for 15% off at https://www.mitolife.co/ Feeling exhausted, burned out, or like your health efforts aren’t giving you the results you want? In this episode, I sit down with repeat-guest Matt Blackburn, founder of Mitolife, to explore the hidden drivers of burnout, cellular aging, and chronic degeneration. Matt explains his CLF protocol (calcification, lipofuscin, and fibrosis), and how these processes affect energy, recovery, and long-term health. We discuss why conventional wellness advice like “eat clean, sleep well, get sun” is essential but often not enough in today’s modern, high-stress, high-toxin world. In his well-researched opinion, strategic and foundational supplementation can provide the support your body needs to recover and thrive. We touch on: The science of calcification, fibrosis, and lipofuscinHow modern stressors and environmental toxins impact recoveryKey nutrients that support cellular health (Examples: Vitamin E, Vitamin K2, etc.)Systemic enzyme therapy and why it mattersHis recent experience with peptide therapyListener questions about health foundations, supplements, and practical takeawaysThis episode is for anyone ready to go deeper than surface-level health advice. We break down the foundations most people overlook and highlight strategies that can truly help your body recover, perform, and thrive. Connect with Mitolife/Matt Blackburn: Mitolife Website (use code Vanessa15 for 15% off): https://www.mitolife.co/Instagram: @mattblackburnMitolife Instagram: @mitolifeMitolife YouTube Channel: Mitolife OfficialMitolife Radio Podcast: Apple PodcastsPeptide Resource: Peptide InitiativeConnect with the Podcast: Website: Intentionally Well PodcastPodcast on InstagramVanessa on InstagramPodcast on YouTubePodcast on TikTokPodcast on XEmail: intentionallywellpodcast@gmail.comSupport the show This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

    2h 41m
See All (105)

5
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

A podcast for those ready to unlearn, relearn, and walk with intention toward true well-being. Together, we explore what it really means to be well—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. With open minds and honest hearts, we dive into evolving conversations that challenge mainstream health narratives and invite deeper understanding. Expect thoughtful guests, perspective-shifting insight, and a space that honors both curiosity and conviction.

Information

  • Creator
    Vanessa Lopez
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Intentionally Well
  • Show Website
    Intentionally Well

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