Evolution of Medicine Podcast

In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine's Annual International Conference, host James Maskell sits down with Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark, who opened the conference that morning with its keynote address. The conversation begins with something unusual: conference attendees — mostly, as Maskell puts it, "type A, cerebral" doctors — got up and danced during her talk, a rare sight at a medical conference. Dr. Maker-Clark, who is part of a West African dance company, explains why: drumming and dance tap into something deeply primal in all of us, tied to ancestral rhythm, grief, celebration, and rites of passage — connections she says were severed largely through colonization. Maskell shares a parallel experience with communal singing, discovered through his men's group, and the two agree it produces a similarly embodied, collective effect. From there, the discussion turns to rebuilding what's been lost. Maskell describes creating a small home-school and community pod for his daughter, built around Dunbar's number, as a deliberate act of "rebuilding the tapestry" of connection. Dr. Maker-Clark reframes this broader work not as innovation but as remembrance and reclamation — recovering what our cells already know how to do. The conversation closes on health equity and food. Dr. Maker-Clark discusses her decade running a culinary medicine program at the University of Chicago Medical School, training physicians to talk with patients about food and cultural humility — a model that has now expanded to over 80 academic medical centers nationally. She and Maskell discuss group-based, cohort models of care as a scalable way to deliver this kind of medicine beyond wealthy populations, pushing back on the idea that holistic care is "just for rich people." The episode ends on a note about hope as a muscle — something we have to keep using. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark delivered the opening keynote at the Institute for Functional Medicine's Annual International Conference. She is a member of a West African dance company and runs the culinary medicine program at the University of Chicago Medical School, training physicians and medical students in nutritional science and cultural humility in patient care — a model now adopted across 80+ academic medical centers nationally. She has a book coming out later this summer. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What does it take to earn functional medicine's highest honor? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine's 33rd Annual International Conference, host James Maskell sits down with Joel Evans, MD, FMCP-M, recipient of the 2026 Linus and Ava Helen Pauling Award in Functional Medicine — awarded to Joel Evans, MD, FMCP-M in recognition of his career-long contributions to the field. Joel Evans, MD, FMCP-M shares the story of his journey from OB-GYN to functional medicine leader, crediting Jeff Bland and Bethany Hayes for pulling him into the field early on. He discusses why women's health has reached a tipping point — driven by demographic shifts in menopause and perimenopause and the fading of old prohibitions against hormone therapy — and why he's concerned about the wave of unvetted hormone-health advice flooding social media. Joel Evans, MD, FMCP-M also breaks down the three hottest areas in women's health right now: metabolic flexibility, mitochondrial health, and the judicious use of GLP-1s, plus a cutting-edge use of FSH testing to fine-tune hormone dosing. Whether you're a practitioner, patient, or simply curious about where women's health is headed, this episode offers a firsthand look at the wisdom behind this year's Pauling Award win. - - - - - About the Guest: Joel Evans, MD, FMCP-M is the recipient of the 2026 Linus and Ava Helen Pauling Award in Functional Medicine, awarded at The Institute for Functional Medicine's 33rd Annual International Conference. Joel Evans, MD, FMCP-M is an OB-GYN and longtime leader in functional medicine's approach to women's health, having served on the scientific advisory board of Metagenics and led hormone health education for IFM. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What does it actually take to build a functional medicine program that thrives inside a conventional health system? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Laura Sandquist and Kate Otremba, who've spent six years building a large integrative and functional medicine program within Allina Health, a conventional health system in Minnesota. Laura and Kate share the infrastructure they built to make it work — smart phrases, practice guidelines, and templates that help clinicians translate their functional medicine training into daily practice within the constraints of RVU requirements and insurance billing. They discuss how they addressed access issues through nutritionist-led and practitioner/nutritionist co-led group medical visits, and how a two-day CME training for primary care providers and specialists helped build trust and drive more referrals and holistic thinking across the system. The conversation also covers their new venture, Whole Health NP, launched to help other practitioners bridge the gap between learning functional medicine and actually applying it — and why this whole-health approach extends well beyond integrative nursing to physical therapists, psychologists, and beyond. Whether you're a clinician, health system leader, or someone building functional medicine programs of your own, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at what it really takes to make whole health work at scale. - - - - - About the Guest: Laura Sandquist, DNP, APRN, A-GNP-C, FMCP-M and Kate Otremba, DNP, MN, APRN, CNP, FMCP-M are co-developers of a large integrative and functional medicine program within Allina Health, a conventional health system in Minnesota, where they have worked together for six years. Their work includes building clinical infrastructure such as smart phrases and practice guidelines, launching nutritionist-led and co-led group medical visits, and developing a two-day CME training for primary care providers and specialists to build trust and collaboration across the system. They have since launched Whole Health NP, a company dedicated to teaching practitioners how to translate functional medicine training into real-world practice. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if the best way to live a long life isn't a longevity hack — but preventing chronic illness in the first place? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, a naturopathic physician and longtime functional medicine researcher, to talk about her groundbreaking work on reversing biological age. Dr. Fitzgerald shares the story behind her 2018 clinical study, which found that a diet and lifestyle intervention reversed biological age by over three years — a result that stunned the field, since even epigenetic clock pioneer Steve Horvath didn't believe bioage reversal was possible in humans. She explains how follow-up research traced most of that effect to polyphenol-dense "methylation adaptogens," and why she's now pursuing an NIH grant to understand whether polyphenols can move the needle on both exposomic aging (environmentally driven) and deeper, programmed aging (the kind tied to Yamanaka factor biology). The conversation also covers the longevity summit she hosted last year to unite the functional and longevity medicine communities, her advice for practitioners building a career in this space — community, clarity of purpose, and in-person connection — and her take on where direct-to-consumer lab testing and wearables fit into the future of patient care. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or simply curious about the science of aging, this episode offers a grounded look at what it actually takes to move the needle on healthspan and lifespan. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is actively engaged in clinical research on epigenetics and longevity using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her research and practice. She has published two clinical studies on the potential bioage-reversing effects of an 8-week DNA methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle in middle-aged men and women in the journal Aging. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What does it really mean to practice "whole health" — and how do we keep it from becoming just another buzzword? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Dr. Tracy Gaudet to unpack the evolution of whole health, the growing risk of paradigm "veneers" masking real transformation, and why the patient-practitioner relationship remains central to any lasting healing. Tracy explains how true system change begins with a different kind of conversation — one that starts with a person's purpose and meaning rather than their diagnosis — and why that shift produced measurable clinical improvements in her work with the VA. She and James also discuss the rising infighting among healthcare "tribes" (functional, integrative, lifestyle medicine) and the opportunity to synergize instead of stake out territory from a place of fear and scarcity. The conversation turns to promising green shoots of change: land-grant universities like Virginia Tech stepping into community health leadership, and the first-of-its-kind Doctorate in Whole Health Leadership at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), which Tracy helped design and James is now personally joining. Whether you're a clinician, health system leader, or an aspiring agent of change, this episode offers a grounded, honest look at what it will really take to humanize modern medicine. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Tracy Gaudet is a physician and national leader in whole health transformation, best known for spearheading the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Whole Health System — one of the largest whole-person healthcare transformation efforts in the country. She helped design and now teaches in the first Doctorate in Whole Health Leadership program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), training clinicians, administrators, and educators to lead system-wide transformation toward humanized, whole-person care. Tracy's work centers on shifting healthcare conversations from disease and diagnosis to purpose and meaning as the true foundation of lasting behavior change. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

How is functional medicine evolving from a niche practice into a global movement that is transforming healthcare? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Amy R. Mack, MSES, MPA, CEO of the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), to discuss the organization's mission, the rapid growth of functional medicine, and its future in healthcare. Amy shares how her background in nonprofit leadership—and the influence of her father, a gastroenterologist who practiced whole-person care long before it became mainstream—shaped her passion for expanding access to functional medicine. The conversation explores IFM's evolution toward making functional medicine available to more patients by educating practitioners across more than 20 healthcare professions and supporting its integration into hospitals, universities, and large healthcare systems. Amy explains why standardized certification, practitioner competencies, and collaboration across organizations are essential for maintaining quality as the field grows. James and Amy also discuss the importance of building stronger scientific evidence through functional medicine research, including emerging work on chronic disease and cognitive decline. They examine how artificial intelligence is improving public awareness of functional medicine and helping provide more accurate information than outdated online sources. Finally, they explore the growing international adoption of functional medicine, emphasizing the importance of adapting its principles to different cultures while fostering global collaboration and innovation. Whether you're a healthcare professional, health leader, or someone interested in personalized, root-cause medicine, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of functional medicine and the movement to make whole-person healthcare more accessible worldwide. - - - - - About the Guest: Amy R. Mack, MSES, MPA, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). With a background in nonprofit leadership, public service, and organizational development, she has led IFM's mission to expand access to functional medicine through practitioner education, research, certification, and healthcare collaboration. Under her leadership, IFM has trained more than 100,000 healthcare professionals worldwide while advancing the integration of functional medicine into hospitals, academic institutions, and healthcare systems. Amy is passionate about making root-cause, patient-centered healthcare more accessible while maintaining rigorous education and clinical standards. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

How can functional medicine create healthier communities while transforming the future of healthcare? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Gail C. Christopher, DN, IFM Board Chair of The Institute for Functional Medicine, and Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, to discuss the evolution of functional medicine and its growing influence on mainstream healthcare. Drawing on decades of experience in clinical practice, public policy, philanthropy, and health equity, Dr. Christopher explains how functional medicine is expanding beyond private practice into hospitals, universities, and community health initiatives. She shares why improving access to nutritious food, maternal health, breastfeeding, and other social determinants of health is essential for creating lasting change. The conversation explores how group medical visits, patient communities, and collaborative practitioner networks can make personalized healthcare more scalable while strengthening human connection. They also discuss the importance of intergenerational relationships, volunteerism, and rebuilding social connection as powerful contributors to health and well-being. James and Dr. Christopher examine the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence and digital health technologies, emphasizing that these tools should enhance—not replace—the human-centered philosophy that defines functional medicine. Finally, Dr. Christopher explains why healthcare should focus less on disease management and more on supporting the body's innate capacity to heal through proper nutrition, movement, stress reduction, mind-body practices, and healthy lifestyle habits. Together, they explore how functional medicine can help prevent chronic disease, promote healthy longevity, and create a more equitable healthcare system for everyone. Whether you're a clinician, healthcare leader, policymaker, or someone interested in improving your own health, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of personalized, community-centered, root-cause medicine. - - - - - About the Guest: Gail C. Christopher, DN, IFM Board Chair of The Institute for Functional Medicine, and Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, is a nationally recognized leader in health equity, public policy, and community well-being. Throughout her career, she has worked across clinical practice, philanthropy, and government to advance equitable access to healthcare and improve the social conditions that shape health. As a former Senior Advisor and Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, she directed major initiatives focused on maternal and child health, nutrition, and community wellness. Her work continues to champion functional medicine as a pathway toward whole-person care, prevention, and healthier communities. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST  Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

How can functional medicine improve the health, resilience, and performance of military personnel? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell sits down with Dr. Bryan Stepanenko and former Green Beret Geoff Dardia to discuss how functional medicine is transforming healthcare for warfighters and veterans. They explain the unique physical and psychological demands of military service, including blast exposure, traumatic brain injuries, chronic sleep deprivation, toxin exposure, and repetitive physical stress. Rather than simply treating symptoms, they demonstrate how functional medicine identifies and addresses the root causes of dysfunction to improve recovery, optimize performance, and extend long-term health. The conversation explores innovative concepts such as Personal Protective Nutrition (PPN) and Personal Protective Lifestyle (PPL), as well as the growing role of wearable technology, shared medical appointments, and performance biomarkers in motivating military personnel to take ownership of their health. Dr. Stepanenko and Jeff also introduce the Institute for Military Functional Medicine, an initiative dedicated to training healthcare providers and establishing standardized care pathways for military populations. They also discuss Allo Performance, a virtual practice focused on comprehensive assessments, accelerated recovery, and personalized functional medicine care. Whether you're a clinician, first responder, athlete, veteran, or simply interested in improving your health, this episode offers valuable insights into how performance-focused, root-cause medicine can benefit everyone. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Bryan Stepanenko is a leader in military functional medicine and has spent years educating military healthcare providers on applying functional medicine principles to improve the health, resilience, and performance of active-duty service members and veterans. His work focuses on understanding how military operational environments affect physiology and developing practical, evidence-informed strategies that optimize readiness and long-term health. Geoff Dardia is a former Green Beret and educator who transformed his own health journey through functional medicine after experiencing the cumulative effects of military service. He now works to educate military communities and healthcare professionals on performance optimization, resilience, and root-cause healthcare, helping service members better understand and improve their health through practical, actionable strategies. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

In this live episode of The Evolution of Medicine Podcast, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Ryan Arnold at the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference about how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), metabolic health, and functional medicine are transforming preventive healthcare. Dr. Arnold explains how his practice uses the Dexcom Stelo Continuous Glucose Monitor to help patients understand their individual glucose responses, allowing them to make personalized nutrition and lifestyle changes before chronic disease develops. He discusses how real-time glucose data provides far more actionable insights than traditional laboratory testing and has helped patients reverse insulin resistance and prediabetes. The conversation also explores the growing connection between metabolic dysfunction and cognitive decline. Dr. Arnold shares why he considers brain health the ultimate goal of longevity medicine and discusses emerging research suggesting that personalized, root-cause interventions may help slow or even reverse certain forms of cognitive decline. Beyond brain health, the discussion highlights the importance of maintaining muscle mass, reducing visceral fat, and using collaborative care models that combine technology, coaching, fitness, and functional medicine to improve long-term health outcomes. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Ryan Arnold is a functional medicine physician and founder of CLAVA Health in Santa Barbara, California. His clinical practice focuses on longevity medicine, metabolic health, and the prevention and reversal of cognitive decline through personalized, root-cause care. Dr. Arnold integrates continuous glucose monitoring, advanced laboratory testing, nutrition, hormone optimization, exercise, and lifestyle medicine to help patients prevent chronic disease before it develops. He is an early adopter of continuous glucose monitoring for non-diabetic patients and has developed innovative care models that combine functional medicine with technology and patient education. He is also an active member of the TrueNeuro Mastermind, collaborating with clinicians across the country to advance personalized approaches to brain health and cognitive decline. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What happens when artificial intelligence meets consciousness in medicine? In this live episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell speaks with psychiatrist Dr. Robert Hedaya about the transformative—and potentially dangerous—role of AI in modern healthcare. Dr. Hedaya shares how analyzing a Parkinson's patient's brain imaging using multiple AI systems led him to a breakthrough insight: AI models can correct each other when used in dialogue, reducing hallucinations and improving clinical reasoning. But he warns that AI is not truth-seeking—it is probabilistic, persuasive, and often overconfident. The conversation explores the psychological risks of AI, including over-trust, loss of agency, and the emotional "seduction" of algorithmic validation. Dr. Hedaya introduces the idea of "awe" as a double-edged psychological state that can either expand awareness or lead to submission. He also raises serious concerns about AI in mental health, particularly its ability to reinforce harmful thought patterns without ethical grounding or clinical safeguards. Beyond AI, Dr. Hedaya critiques mainstream psychiatry for its overreliance on medication and lack of focus on root causes such as inflammation, hormones, and brain physiology. He outlines a future of precision psychiatry powered by integrative medicine, neuroimaging, and AI-enhanced data interpretation. This episode challenges clinicians to rethink not just technology—but consciousness itself in the practice of medicine. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Robert Hedaya is a psychiatrist and pioneer in integrative and functional approaches to mental health. He is known for his work in whole-body psychiatry, emphasizing the role of physiology, inflammation, hormones, and brain systems in mental health disorders. Over his career, Dr. Hedaya has advocated for a shift away from purely medication-based psychiatric models toward root-cause, systems-based care. His work integrates neuroscience, clinical psychiatry, and functional medicine principles, with a focus on treating underlying biological drivers of mental illness. More recently, he has explored the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine, particularly how AI can assist in clinical reasoning while also introducing new ethical and cognitive risks. His work emphasizes the importance of clinician consciousness, critical thinking, and maintaining human judgment in an increasingly AI-driven healthcare system. Dr. Hedaya is a leading voice in precision psychiatry, integrative mental health, and the future role of AI in clinical decision-making. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if the future of medicine is not just about data—but about ecology? In this live episode of The Evolution of Medicine Podcast recorded at the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell speaks with Patricia Devers, Chief Clinical Officer at Genova Diagnostics, about the evolution of functional medicine into a systems-based, ecological model of care. Patricia Devers shares her journey from conventional internal medicine to functional medicine leadership, explaining why she left hospital practice after 20 years due to a lack of meaningful patient improvement. She describes how Genova Diagnostics has evolved over four decades from basic laboratory testing into advanced microbiome sequencing and functional ecosystem analysis. - - - - - About the Guest: Patricia Devers is the Chief Clinical Officer at Genova Diagnostics, one of the leading specialty laboratories supporting functional and integrative medicine worldwide. She trained as a conventionally trained internal medicine physician and spent 20 years practicing in hospital and clinical settings before transitioning into functional medicine. Frustrated by the lack of long-term patient improvement in conventional care, she moved into systems-based medicine, where she has spent the past decade helping advance clinical laboratory science and practitioner education. At Genova Diagnostics, Patricia Devers focuses on expanding the clinical utility of advanced diagnostic testing, including microbiome analysis, gastrointestinal function testing, and systems-based biomarker interpretation. Her work emphasizes an ecological model of health, where disease is understood as a disruption of interconnected biological systems. She is a leading advocate for integrating functional medicine into mainstream healthcare through better diagnostics, education, and clinical decision support, with a particular focus on gut health, chronic disease, and personalized medicine. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if the future of cardiology requires looking far beyond cholesterol numbers? In this live Evolution of Medicine Podcast episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell speaks with Dr. James Carter about the changing landscape of cardiovascular care and the growing role of functional medicine within major healthcare institutions. Drawing on his experience as an interventional cardiologist and leader of Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine, Dr. Carter explains why inflammation may be a more important driver of heart disease than many traditional risk factors. He discusses the limitations of relying solely on LDL cholesterol and risk calculators and highlights the importance of assessing inflammation, lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, gut health, and social determinants of health. The conversation explores the power of listening to patients' stories and how personal experiences, stress, trauma, and social context shape biology and influence long-term health outcomes. James and Dr. Carter also discuss innovative care models including shared medical appointments, community-based health programs, church partnerships, and teaching kitchens designed to improve access to preventive care and lifestyle medicine. Additional topics include brain health, dementia prevention, interdisciplinary collaboration, healthcare transformation, and the future of functional medicine within large healthcare systems. The episode concludes with Dr. Carter's vision for creating a healthcare model that combines scientific rigor, compassionate care, and whole-person medicine to improve health outcomes at scale. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. James Carter is an interventional cardiologist and serves as Director of the Center for Functional Medicine and Vice Chair of Clinical Services within the Department of Wellness and Preventive Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. After spending much of his career in community-based cardiology practice, Dr. Carter returned to academic medicine before being recruited to lead Cleveland Clinic's functional medicine program. His work focuses on integrating functional medicine principles into large-scale healthcare delivery systems while improving access to preventive and whole-person care. Dr. Carter's clinical and educational interests include cardiovascular disease prevention, inflammation and cardiometabolic health, lifestyle medicine, shared medical appointments, community-based health initiatives, and the integration of functional medicine within conventional healthcare settings. He is a leading advocate for addressing the biological, environmental, and social factors that contribute to chronic disease and believes that understanding the patient's story is essential to delivering effective healthcare. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript Journeys: https://fullscript.com/lp/journeys-james-maskell Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if one of the most powerful healing tools isn't a supplement or medication—but a simple movement practice rooted in breath, awareness, and human connection? In this live Evolution of Medicine Podcast episode from the Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Carol Penn about the role of Qigong in functional medicine and why it may be one of the most important foundational practices for modern health. Drawing on her background as a professional dancer, osteopathic physician, and educator, Dr. Penn explains how movement can transform physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. She shares how her experiences working with people with disabilities first revealed the healing potential of creativity and embodied movement. The conversation explores how Qigong maps onto the Functional Medicine Matrix, supporting structural integrity, nervous system regulation, breath function, and overall systems health. James and Dr. Penn also discuss the growing crisis of social disconnection and why group movement practices may help rebuild community, improve resilience, and support both mental and physical health. Additional topics include dementia prevention, healthy aging, intergenerational healing programs, osteopathic medicine, and the future of community-based wellness initiatives. The episode closes with a vision for bringing Qigong and movement-based healing into parks, healthcare systems, medical education, and everyday life as a practical tool for restoring both individual and collective health. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Carol Penn is an osteopathic physician, educator, former professional dancer, and choreographer with more than two decades of experience in movement-based arts and healing. Before entering medicine, Dr. Penn spent 22 years as a professional dancer and worked extensively with individuals with disabilities, where she witnessed the transformative impact of movement, creativity, and self-expression on physical and emotional well-being. Today, she integrates osteopathic principles, functional medicine concepts, and Qigong into her teaching, research, and clinical work. Dr. Penn serves on the faculty of the Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she teaches courses in integrative medicine and Qigong-informed osteopathic practice. Her work focuses on the relationship between movement, structure, breath, nervous system function, community connection, and whole-person health. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript: https://goevomed.com/fullscript Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc Genova Diagnostics: https://goevomed.com/genova - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if chronic disease isn't a single problem—but a breakdown across multiple biological networks? In this live Evolution of Medicine Podcast episode from the IFM conference, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Kristine Burke about the rapid transformation of functional medicine and its growing integration into mainstream healthcare systems. They explore why inflammatory markers like CRP took decades to enter standard practice, and how this reflects a broader challenge in translating research into real-world medicine. Dr. Burke shares her journey from conventional family medicine into functional medicine after seeing patients experience major cardiovascular events despite guideline-based care. This led her to focus on residual risk, root causes, and systems biology. The conversation also covers emerging biomarkers such as SII, SIRI, and suPAR, which may help detect systemic chronic inflammation and disease risk earlier than traditional approaches. A major theme is the shift toward network-based care—where clinicians collaborate through shared systems, multidisciplinary teams, and structured data to improve outcomes in complex chronic disease. The episode closes with reflections on global growth in functional medicine, the urgency of early intervention in cognitive decline ("time is brain"), and the expanding role of clinical collaboration in shaping the future of healthcare. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Kristine Burke is a physician trained in conventional family medicine who transitioned into functional medicine after recognizing the limitations of guideline-based approaches in managing chronic disease. She specializes in cardiovascular health, complex chronic illness, and cognitive decline, with a strong focus on systems biology and root-cause medicine. Dr. Burke has contributed to the development and clinical application of functional medicine frameworks, including lifestyle-based interventions, metabolic and inflammatory risk assessment, and multi-system clinical reasoning. She is also involved in TrueNeuro, a collaborative initiative focused on reversing and preventing cognitive decline through early intervention and systems-based care models. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript: https://goevomed.com/fullscript Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if chronic disease, cognitive decline, and even trauma were not fixed conditions—but modifiable biological states? In this Functional Forum episode, James Maskell and Matt Wiggins bring together leading clinicians and researchers to explore the frontiers of precision and functional medicine. They discuss SUPAR, a powerful biomarker for systemic inflammation that could reshape early disease detection. The conversation then turns to a groundbreaking cognitive decline trial showing major improvements in patients treated with functional medicine protocols compared to standard care. The episode also explores the biology of loneliness and the "cell danger response," the reversibility of trauma through epigenetic mechanisms and psychedelic-assisted therapy, and emerging ideas about measuring masculinity as a clinical health indicator. Together, these insights point toward a future where chronic disease may be detected earlier, treated systemically, and in some cases reversed. - - - - - About the Guests: This episode features multiple leading voices from the Functional Forum community, including clinicians and researchers in functional and precision medicine: Matt Wiggins – Health innovator focused on bringing advanced biomarker testing, including SUPAR, into clinical practice Dr. Kat Toups – Clinician involved in cognitive decline research using precision functional medicine approaches Dr. Molly Maloof – Physician and educator specializing in metabolic health, loneliness biology, and cellular stress responses Dr. David Rabin – Psychiatrist and neuroscientist studying trauma, epigenetics, and psychedelic-assisted therapy Dr. Brad Jacobs – Clinician exploring novel frameworks for men's health and masculinity as a clinical metric Dr. Ryan Adler – Advocate for integrating cognitive health protocols into mainstream clinical practice - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if the fastest way to grow your medical practice isn't advertising—but conversation? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine, James Maskell speaks with Bret Gregory, founder of DrTalks, about how podcasting is transforming the way doctors build authority, attract patients, and share medical knowledge. They explore how DrTalks is creating a creator economy for physicians, making it easy to become a podcast guest or host while removing technical and logistical barriers. Bret breaks down a "crawl, walk, run" strategy where doctors start as guests before launching their own shows. The conversation highlights practical tools like "signature talks," which use AI to generate compelling podcast pitches, and explains how consistency—not production scale—is what drives long-term success. A major focus is the power of local podcasting, where doctors interview referral partners and community members to build trust, visibility, and direct patient flow. Ultimately, this episode reframes podcasting as a foundational tool for modern medicine—one that builds authority, strengthens community ties, and helps doctors thrive in a founder-led media world. - - - - - About the Guest: Bret Gregory is the founder of DrTalks, a platform designed to connect doctors and patients through trusted medical content and podcasting. He is focused on building a global network that helps physicians share their expertise while also creating sustainable income streams through media and content creation. Through DrTalks, Bret has helped thousands of doctors launch podcasts, appear as guests, and build meaningful digital presence with minimal technical barriers. - - - - - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretgdrtalks/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretg/ Website: https://drtalks.com/ - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript: https://goevomed.com/fullscript Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if health is shaped less by individual optimization—and more by our relationships? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine, James Maskell speaks with Michael Trainer, author of Resonance, about how relationships influence biology, behavior, and long-term health. They explore "resonance" as a state of nervous system alignment between people, and how loneliness and weak social networks contribute to chronic disease, dementia, and mental health issues. Trainer shares personal experiences from caring for his father, overcoming OCD, and finding healing through cultural immersion in Sri Lanka. The conversation also examines "network sufficiency," community as medicine, and why AI cannot replace human relational intelligence in healthcare. Ultimately, this episode reframes health as something co-created through connection, trust, and community. - - - - - About the Guest: Michael Trainer is an author, speaker, and founder focused on relational intelligence, social health, and the role of human connection in wellbeing. He is the author of Resonance, where he explores how relationships and nervous system co-regulation shape health as much as biology or behavior. His work is informed by both personal experience—caring for his father through dementia and overcoming OCD following adolescent trauma—and global exploration, including immersive time in collectivist cultures such as Sri Lanka. Through his writing and teaching, he focuses on how individuals and communities can build deeper connections, restore emotional coherence, and strengthen the social foundations of health. - - - - - Discover Resonance — a thought‑provoking book that explores purpose, performance, and the art of thriving. Learn more today at resonance.biz. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript: https://goevomed.com/fullscript Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What does it take to bring functional medicine into mainstream insurance systems? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Robin Berzin about Parsley Health's landmark achievement: becoming the first functional medicine clinic in-network with insurance coverage for 150 million lives. They explore how a decade of building standardized protocols, training systems, and outcomes data led to proof of both clinical results and cost savings in chronic disease care. The conversation also unpacks what this shift means for independent functional medicine practitioners, and how AI, wearables, and direct-to-consumer testing are reshaping patient expectations and expanding the market for personalized medicine. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Robin Berzin is a physician and the founder and CEO of Parsley Health, a functional medicine and longevity clinic focused on treating chronic disease through a systems-based, root-cause approach. She has built Parsley Health into a nationally scaled clinical model that integrates evidence-based protocols, digital health tools, and outcomes tracking to deliver personalized, preventive care. Website: https://www.parsleyhealth.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parsleyhealth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parsleyhealth/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parsley-health/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parsleyhealth - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: Big Boost Marketing: https://goevomed.com/bigboost Freedom Practice Training: https://goevomed.com/fpc - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

What if the future of maternal healthcare began before conception? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine , James Maskell and Emily Rydbom explore how nutrition, systems biology, and integrated care models are transforming pregnancy outcomes. You'll learn how a "standard of care plus" approach—combining trimester-specific nutrition, biomarker testing, and virtual care models—has improved outcomes across multiple cohorts, including Medicaid populations. This conversation explores how early nutritional intervention may reduce preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and other complications, while also reshaping how we think about prevention in medicine. - - - - - About the Guest: Emily Rydbom is a board-certified holistic nutritionist and clinical researcher working within the Grow Baby initiative, a 13–15 year program focused on improving maternal and infant health through nutrition-first, systems-based care models. She has worked extensively on integrating nutrition into obstetric care across clinical, virtual, and hybrid healthcare systems. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FunctionalForum - - - - - Evolution of Medicine™ Mission Partners: TrueNeura: https://truneura.com/trunuera Fullscript: https://goevomed.com/fullscript - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/