The Lyme+ Podcast

Global Lyme Alliance
  • 5.0 (14)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Lyme+ is a podcast by the Global Lyme Alliance dedicated to exploring the complexities of Lyme disease and Lyme-adjacent health concerns. Hosted by GLA Board Member Kenzie Vath and Ambassador Dan Wagner—both Lyme warriors themselves—each episode features interviews with experts, researchers, advocates, and patients to share insights, research breakthroughs, and personal stories. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or simply want to learn more, Lyme+ is your go-to resource for understanding this misunderstood illness. Listen and learn to new episodes dropping every other Wednesday!

  1. Mold, Lyme, and the Home That’s Making You Sick (with Got Mold’s Jason Earle)

    FEB 3

    Mold, Lyme, and the Home That’s Making You Sick (with Got Mold’s Jason Earle)

    In this episode, Dan and Kenzie sit down with Jason Earle, the founder of GotMold©, to explore why mold is often the "missing piece" for those struggling with chronic Lyme. Jason explains the "Building as an Organism" metaphor, detailing how our homes act as an extension of our immune systems. The conversation covers the science of inflammatory pathways, the neurotoxic effects of the "musty smell," and practical advice for listeners to "see, smell, and feel" their way to a healthier environment. [08:30] The "Kissing Cousins": Why you can't recover from Lyme in a moldy environment. [17:40] The Exo-Skin: Thinking of your home as an extension of your immune system. [24:45] See, Smell, Feel: Practical red flags for detecting hidden moisture and toxins. [43:00] The Biological Building: Comparing home maintenance to chronic inflammation and cellular health. [48:00] Future Tech: Graphene-based cement and the next generation of mold-proof housing. Ready to test your home? Use the link and code below to access professional-grade air sampling kits and a free expert guide to finding mold. Special Offer: Use code Lyme10 for 10% OFF all products and services. Welcome Page: GotMold.com/LymePlus Free eBook: How to Find Mold (available at the link above).

    41 min
  2. The Sting That Changed Everything: Brooke Geahan on Bee Venom Therapy & The Heal Hive

    12/11/2025

    The Sting That Changed Everything: Brooke Geahan on Bee Venom Therapy & The Heal Hive

    In this episode of Lyme+, Kenzie sits down with Brooke Geahan, founder of The Heal Hive and a leading advocate for bee venom therapy (BVT), to unpack one of the most provocative—and misunderstood—modalities in the chronic Lyme space. Brooke shares her journey from thriving New Yorker to being bedridden, passing out from severe POTS, living on just a handful of “safe” foods, and watching her career and finances collapse under the weight of late-stage Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella. At the very end of her financial and physical rope, a chance conversation at a Lyme clinic led her back to bee venom therapy—and changed everything. Now, as the head of The Heal Hive, Brooke combines comprehensive lab testing, nervous system support, and structured BVT protocols to help patients navigate this therapy more safely and strategically. In this deeply educational and emotional conversation, she explains why she almost walked away from the Lyme community altogether—and what pulled her back in. In this episode, we discuss: Brooke’s early Lyme story: from magazine life in NYC to wheelchairs, collapse spells, and severe POTS How a Lyme nurse, a handful of bees, and a very frugal dad pushed her to seriously revisit bee venom therapy Why Brooke believes comprehensive testing (300+ biomarkers) is non-negotiable alongside any BVT protocol A lay explanation of the science she references: How components of bee venom like melittin are being studied for effects on bacteria and biofilms Why mast cell issues and immune dysregulation are such big players in chronic Lyme—and how she sees BVT interacting with them The philosophy behind The Heal Hive: slow, structured, data-driven stinging; “marathon, not sprint”; and “it’s ok to have discomfort, not ok to have dysfunction” How Brooke talks to skeptical physicians and why understanding the science helps patients advocate for themselves Sustainability & the bees: beekeeping, glyphosate, and why she believes thoughtful BVT can coexist with protecting pollinators Brooke also reflects on her appearance in the Netflix docuseries Unwell, how BVT exploded on social media, and why she still encourages listeners to move slowly, ask hard questions, and never abandon critical thinking, no matter how desperate they feel. Important Note: This episode shares Brooke’s personal experience and perspectives on bee venom therapy. It is not medical advice. Bee venom therapy can carry serious risks, including allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, and is not appropriate for everyone. Always consult with a knowledgeable expert, physician or healthcare professional before considering any new treatment. Global Lyme Alliance does not endorse any specific product or treatment. Connect with Brooke: Instagram: @thehealhive Website: thehealhive.com Personal IG: @everydayexpert (warning: lots of adorable toddler content) 💚 If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, and review Lyme+. Share this episode with someone navigating chronic illness who might need a reminder that there are still avenues to explore, and that they’re not alone.

    49 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    Behind the Scenes in Washington: The Lyme Legislation You Need to Know

    What’s actually happening in Washington for Lyme and tick-borne diseases—and does it ever really move the needle? In this episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, host Kenzie Vath sits down with Megan Bradshaw, Government Relations Manager for Center for Lyme Action, to pull back the curtain on how federal funding, legislation, and advocacy campaigns are changing the landscape for Lyme patients and their families. Megan shares her personal “patient-to-advocate” story, how a virtual congressional briefing from her parents’ recliner turned into a full-time mission on Capitol Hill, and why she believes we’re entering the “golden age” of Lyme and tick-borne disease advocacy. Megan Bradshaw is the Government Relations Manager at Center for Lyme Action, where she leads federal advocacy efforts to secure funding and drive policy change for Lyme and tick-borne diseases. A patient herself, Megan channels her lived experience into strategic work on Capitol Hill—coordinating with agencies like HHS, CDC, NIH, and DoD, and helping build one of the largest Lyme advocacy networks in the country. Learn more about Center for Lyme Action and get involved at centerforlymeaction.org Episode Sponsors TickTock Naturals — Organic Insect RepellentProtect your crew from ticks, mosquitoes, and spiders—without synthetic chemicals. TickTock Naturals is organic, cruelty-free (PETA-certified), eco-friendly, and designed to last 4–5 hours, even on swim or workout days.👉 Lyme+ listeners get 20% off with code GLA at ticktocknaturals.com.Because prevention is powerful. Vital Plan — Restore 180 by Dr. RawlsRestore 180 is a six-month herbal program designed to support the nervous system, gut repair, and microbial balance—for those focused on sustainable healing, not quick fixes.👉 Learn more at vitalplan.com and look for Restore 180.

    37 min
  4. "It’s Never Just Lyme": Dr. Casey Kelley on Co-Infections, POTS & What Actually Heals

    10/18/2025

    "It’s Never Just Lyme": Dr. Casey Kelley on Co-Infections, POTS & What Actually Heals

    Functional-medicine physician Dr. Casey Kelley, MD (Case Integrative Health) joins hosts Dan Wagner and Kenzie Vath to unpack why chronic Lyme is rarely “just Lyme.” We dig into co-infections (Babesia, Bartonella), POTS/dysautonomia, mold + MCAS, nervous-system regulation, and the biggest myths about testing and treatment. Dr. Kelley explains when antibiotics vs. herbs make sense (minocycline, rifampin/rifabutin, malarone/tafenoquine, dapsone, pulsing strategies), why gut + liver support determine tolerance, and how diet (gluten/dairy/sugar), vagus nerve work, and 80/20 consistency accelerate recovery. We also cover long-COVID overlap, ILADS clinician training, and what a “medical detective” intake actually looks like.If you or a loved one is navigating persistent Lyme symptoms, this episode offers actionable next steps, and hope. Quick takeaways ​It’s rarely just Lyme. Co-infections, mold, and MCAS commonly overlap.​Protocols are personalized. Antibiotics and herbs both have a place; tolerance and gut health decide the pace.​Foundations first. Removing gluten, dairy, sugar + consistent stress regulation often unlock progress.​Nervous system > everything. Breathwork and vagus-nerve inputs calm inflammation loops.​Clinician training matters. ILADS offers a path for complex-illness care.​Case Integrative Health (Chicago): discovery calls, team-based care​ILADS: fundamentals, preceptorships, international conferences​Groundwork for Healing (Dr. Kelley’s course): diet, sleep, stress, detox basics​Tools: Apollo Neuro, compression, high-salt hydration (for POTS)TickTock Naturals — Organic Insect RepellentProtect your crew from ticks, mosquitoes, and spiders—without synthetic chemicals. TickTock Naturals is organic, cruelty-free (PETA-certified), eco-friendly, and designed to last 4–5 hours (even on swim or workout days). Lyme+ listeners get 20% off with code GLA at ticktocknaturals.com Because prevention is powerful.) Vital Plan — Restore 180 by Dr. Rawls A six-month herbal program to support the nervous system, gut repair, and microbial balance—for those building sustainable healing, not quick fixes. Learn more at vitalplan.com.

    45 min

  5. 10/02/2025

    The Voice of the Patient: Jennifer Cyrstal on Writing, Healing, and Living with Lyme Disease

    In this episode of Lyme+, hosts Kenzie Vath and Dan Wagner sit down with writer and advocate Jennifer Crystal to explore her journey through Lyme disease and the impact her words have had on the community. From her early diagnosis and treatment choices to her ongoing role as a patient voice for the Global Lyme Alliance, Jen opens up about the challenges and resilience that define her story. Jennifer is also the author of One Tick Stopped the Clock: A Memoir of Lyme Disease — her powerful personal story of resilience, advocacy, and hope. 📚 Order the book here Through honesty, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom, Jen shows how storytelling can be both a tool for healing and a beacon of hope for others still in the trenches. Jennifer’s history and diagnosis story (7:30) The reality of Herxheimer reactions (15:00) Why Jen chose a PICC line over oral antibiotics—and how it changed her recovery timeline (17:00) How her pen became a voice for the Lyme and GLA community (21:00) Discovering GLA and building a connection through writing (26:20) Where she finds inspiration for her blog posts (28:00) Kenzie and Jen discuss navigating PTSD as both podcast hosts and writers (34:00) Jen’s advice on finding LLMDs and building a care team (41:30) The most surprising and memorable FAQ Jen has ever received (30:00) Through honesty, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom, Jennifer shows how storytelling can be both a tool for healing and a beacon of hope for others still in the trenches. This episode is made possible by ⁠Restore 180 from Vital Plan.⁠ If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and , ⁠Restore180⁠ is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: ⁠https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180⁠

    44 min
  6. When Lyme Looks Like Alzheimer’s: From Caregiver to Advocate with Nicole Bell of Galaxy Diagnostics

    09/10/2025

    When Lyme Looks Like Alzheimer’s: From Caregiver to Advocate with Nicole Bell of Galaxy Diagnostics

    Nicole Bell’s family faced a devastating reality when her husband, Russ, was diagnosed with late-stage Alzheimer’s along with Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella. Nicole shares her path from caregiver to author and advocate. She discusses the painful moment of telling her children “Daddy is sick,” the lessons she’s learned about asking for help, and why she wrote What Lurks in the Woods. Nicole also offers critical insights into the evolving science of tick-borne disease testing through her work with Galaxy Diagnostics- exploring advanced PCR, strategic plans for insurance coverage, and new multi-pathogen tests coming to market. Whether you’re a caregiver, patient, or advocate, Nicole’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, offering practical advice and a vision for improved standards of care. The caregiver experience: Nicole’s advice to caregivers (8:05, 11:54, 14:50, 21:30), the emotional toll of telling her son “Daddy is sick” (17:00), and writing What Lurks in the Woods after Russ entered resident care (19:50). Why Lyme antibody testing is only ~50% accurate, how Galaxy Diagnostics uses advanced PCR to improve reliability (26:00–31:00), and what’s next in testing for Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella (38:00). Galaxy’s strategic plan: Supporting insurance reimbursement, raising standards of care, and helping physicians adopt new approaches (33:00+). Protecting kids and families from tick-borne diseases (46:40), Bartonella’s flea transmission risks (49:30), and current areas of research such as PANS/PANDAS (43:55). This episode is made possible by Restore 180 from Vital Plan. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and , Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180

    53 min
  7. Fierce Fashion is Fighting Lyme: Inside Project Lab Coat at NYFW

    08/27/2025

    Fierce Fashion is Fighting Lyme: Inside Project Lab Coat at NYFW

    What happens when the world of high fashion collides with the urgent need for Lyme disease awareness? Project Lab Coat is transforming the runway into a platform for Lyme disease awareness, research, and patient support. In this episode, Dan sits down with co-host Kenzie Vath, Christina Kovacs (Runway7), Ali Moresco (Board Chair, Project Lyme), and Phyllis Bedford (Co-founder & Executive Director, Lymelight Foundation ) to discuss the vision, challenges, and hopes behind Project Lab Coat. From the spark of an idea to its debut on the NYFW platform, they share how this collaboration can uplift advocacy, connect communities, and drive a new era of visibility for Lyme. Listeners will hear about: Why NYFW is the perfect platform to spotlight Lyme (9:40) The origin story of Project Lab Coat and its first conversations (13:05) How Project Lab Coat aims to create powerful “aha” moments of awareness (32:50) Why this initiative touches on every challenge Lyme patients face (42:30) From the spark of an idea to the power of collaboration, the guests explore how fashion can drive advocacy, highlight patient stories, and create lasting impact for the Lyme community. ✨ Learn more and get involved at projectlabcoat.com This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180

    42 min

  8. 07/25/2025

    Ravel Health: Taking Chronic Illness Care Where It’s Needed Most

    In this episode of Lyme+, we sit down with the team behind Ravel Health, a groundbreaking telehealth platform built specifically for patients navigating chronic illnesses like Lyme disease, mold toxicity, MCAS, fibromyalgia, and more. Ravel Health is on a mission to dismantle barriers in chronic care — tackling affordability, access, and the devastating impact of medical gaslighting. With a growing provider network and a powerhouse Advisory Team (including the recent addition of Dr. Bill Rawls, MD, as Chief Medical Officer), Ravel is creating a future where patients are finally heard, believed, and supported Tune in to hear how Ravel is redefining care for the chronic illness community and building a new healthcare model from the ground up. ⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights: 4:00 – What is Ravel Health, and how is it different? 5:00 – Types of patients they serve: Lyme, mold, co-infections, and beyond 13:30 – Chronic illness spectrum: MCAS, fibromyalgia, mold, etc. 25:00 – The advantage of telehealth for Lyme & chronic illness patients. 37:00 – Ravel's role in research for Lyme and TBDs. 39:00 – Building a high-level treatment framework for new patients To learn more, visit ravel.health. This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at vitalplan.com/restore180

    42 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Lyme+ is a podcast by the Global Lyme Alliance dedicated to exploring the complexities of Lyme disease and Lyme-adjacent health concerns. Hosted by GLA Board Member Kenzie Vath and Ambassador Dan Wagner—both Lyme warriors themselves—each episode features interviews with experts, researchers, advocates, and patients to share insights, research breakthroughs, and personal stories. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or simply want to learn more, Lyme+ is your go-to resource for understanding this misunderstood illness. Listen and learn to new episodes dropping every other Wednesday!

Information

  • Creator
    Global Lyme Alliance
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Global Lyme Alliance
  • Show Website
    The Lyme+ Podcast

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