PODCAST · health
Pathways to Well-Being
by The Institute for Functional Medicine
Functional medicine uses the latest advances in the areas of genomics, epigenetics, nutrition, and lifestyle to find personalized solutions that lead to improved patient outcomes. Now, more than ever, the functional medicine approach is critical to address the rising tide of chronic disease and increase resilience among the most vulnerable populations in the time of a pandemic. Everyone deserves to find their own pathway to optimal health, which requires expanding access to high quality medical care for all individuals. Pathways to Well-being is a clinician-focused podcast that will feature leading practitioners and researchers from around the world engaged in conversations about the foundations of health, the latest medical advances from the front lines of health care, and the ways in which we can all help increase access to quality functional medicine care for everyone.
Episodes
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Sleep, Mitochondria, and Energy Balance With Dr. Lisa Portera
We welcome IFM Bioenergetics APM educator Dr. Lisa Portera to discuss the connection between sleep and mitochondrial function, how energy balance in the body affects our daily lives, and what we can do to improve our sleep, mitochondrial functional, and overall well-being
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Nutrition, Brain Health, and the Gut-Brain Axis With Megan Lyons
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome Dr. Megan Lyons to discuss the gut-brain axis and how personalized nutritional treatment and prevention approaches support both gut function and brain health.
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The Gut Microbiome, Aging, & Optimizing Healthspan with Tom Fabian, PhD, CNTP
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome leading expert on the gut microbiome and consultant and science advisor with Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory Dr. Tom Fabian, to discuss how the gut microbiome may change over time and how supporting gut function may help extend healthspan.
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Cardiology and the Functional Medicine Approach in Academic Medicine with James Carter, MD
James Carter, MD, discusses his experiences integrating functional medicine in an academic medicine setting and how it transformed his approach to cardiology.
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Functional Medicine Oncology & Cancer Survivorship with John Neely, MD
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, John Neely, MD, discusses integrating functional medicine principles into oncology care and how it can help cancer survivors increase their health span.
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Supporting Patients in the Era of GLP-1 Medications Monique Class, MS, APRN-BC
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome IFM educator and AIC 2026 presenter Monique Class to discuss the challenges of obesity and metabolic health in America, the strengths and limitations of GLP-1 medications, and the ways we can help patients with sustainable behavior change.
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Understanding Histamine Intolerance with Amy Rolfsen, ND
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome Dr. Amy Rolfsen, naturopathic physician, educator, and medical consultant at Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory, to discuss assessment options and treatments that can help patients with histamine intolerance.
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Nutrition, Menopause, and Women’s Health at Midlife and Beyond with Annina Burns, PhD, RDN, FMCP
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, new host and IFM Director of Medical Education Kelechi Uduhiri, MD, welcomes nutritionist, women’s health expert, and AIC 2026 speaker Annina Burns, PhD, to discuss how the functional medicine collaborative care team model can help empower women to...
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In Conversation with the 2025 Linus and Ave Helen Pauling Award Winner Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, and Jeffery Bland, PhD
On this special episode of Pathways to Well-Being, IFM co-founder Dr. Jeffery Bland talks with the winner of the 2025 Linus and Ave Helen Pauling Award in Functional Medicine, Dr. Deanna Minich.
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Exploring the Potential of Psychedelics in Mental Health with Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, noted psychiatric researcher Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD, discusses the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies to better understand how these agents may be applied therapeutically to support mental health and brain function.
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Modulating the Parasympathetic Response
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Peter Staats, MD, MBA, discusses the role of the vaga nerve is modulating the body’s response to chronic and acute stressors, and explores vagus nerve stimulation therapies for restoring parasympathetic balance.
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Ketogenic Diets and Brain Health with Dr. Terry Wahls
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, legendary IFM educator Dr. Terry Wahls discusses how low-carbohydrate dietary plans like paleo and keto can provide the necessary nutrients to fuel the brain and help prevent cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, as well as how we can help patients...
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Breath, Autonomic Balance, and Health with Sachin Patel, DC
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome AIC 2025 presenter Dr. Sachin Patel to discuss the importance of breathing, mindfulness, and achieving balance from within.
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Whole Health and Transforming Healthcare Systems With Tracy Gaudet, MD
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Whole Health pioneer and featured 2025 AIC speaker Tracy Gaudet, MD, who has years of experience as an agent of change in healthcare systems, will explore what healthcare transformation means and how practices and hospital systems alike can begin to...
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Healing the Physiological Effects of Trauma
On today’s episode of Pathways to Well-Being, AIC 2025 speaker Aimie K. Apigian, MD, MS, MPH, explores physiological dysfunction rooted in past trauma, differentiates between the body’s stress response and trauma response, and discusses how trauma affects mental, emotional, and physical markers…
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Optimizing Protein Intake for Muscle Health and Improved Health Across the Lifespan
On today’s episode of Pathways to Well-Being, 2025 AIC speaker Donald Layman, PhD, FASN, explores why muscle health is so important to overall health, the lifestyle-based approaches that benefit muscle quality and preservation, and the important role that protein plays.
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Chronic Infections as an Underlying Cause of Persistent Symptoms
On today’s episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Tom Sult, MD, discusses the important clinical connections between chronic infections and common persistent symptoms and how to manage them using functional medicine strategies. Transcript:...
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Pediatric Food Allergies & Intolerances with Rebecca Carey, MD
Pediatric gastroenterologist Rebecca Carey, MD, shares how childhood GI issues and sensitivities influence adult health. Transcript: https://www.ifm.org/podcast/food-allergies-intolerances-pediatric-health
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Revisiting the Trending Topics in Functional Medicine of 2024
As a systems-based approach, the functional medicine model looks all facets of health; evaluating why disease occurs and uncovering what each patients needs to thrive. Over the past year, we’ve discussed how this personalized approach to dysfunction and disease makes a difference in clinical...
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Linking Stress and Inflammation to Chronic Disease
Mylene Huynh, MD, MPH, IFMCP, explores the connections between stress, inflammation, and disease and highlights ways to effectively transform stress to improve health. Transcript: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/stress-inflammation-chronic-disease/
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Optimizing Cancer Care & Prevention
Rebecca Knackstedt, MD, PhD, discusses the benefit of lifestyle-based modalities in supporting breast cancer treatment. Transcript: https://www.ifm.org/podcast/breast-cancer-care-and-prevention
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The Impact of Toxins on the Gut Microbiome, With Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Dr. Joseph Pizzorno discusses clinical indicators of toxic overload and how the integrity of the gut microbiome can influence an individual’s sensitivity to ubiquitous toxins. Transcript:...
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Improving Thyroid Function by Targeting the Gut Microbiome
On today’s episode of Pathways to Well-Being, clinical researcher and thyroid expert Michael Ruscio, DC, discusses the functional medicine approaches to optimizing and balancing thyroid hormone levels. Transcript: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/improving-thyroid-function-gut-microbiome/
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Biological Aging and Extending Healthspan, With Dr. Kara Fitzgerald
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald discusses epigenetics, longevity, and how diet and lifestyle-based interventions can slow biological aging to optimize the healthspan. Full transcript: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/biological-aging-health-span
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Neuroinflammation, Brain Function, & Mental Health
On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome Jaquel Patterson, ND, to explore the systemic impacts of neuroinflammation on physiological and psychiatric conditions and outline functional medicine approaches to optimizing brain health. Full transcript:...
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Whole-Person Care for Perimenopause Symptoms
Carrie Levine, CNM, IFMCP discusses whole-person care for perimenopause and personalized approaches for assessing and treating fluctuating hormonal patterns. Full transcript: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/podcast-july-2024-whole-person-care-perimenopause/
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Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion and How Functional Medicine Pharmacists Can Help
In this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome functional medicine pharmacists Dr. Lara Zakaria and Dr. Melody Hartzler to discuss drug-induced nutrient depletions and the role of pharmacists on collaborative care teams. View full transcript here:...
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Mental-Emotional-Spiritual Connections to Physiology
In this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Kara Parker, MD, discusses social determinants of health and assessing mental-emotional-spiritual well-being. Read episode transcript here: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/podcast-june-2024-mental-emotional-spiritual-connections/
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Exploring the Gut-Skin Connection
In this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Drs. Michael Chapman and Patti Devers from Genova Diagnostics discuss the connection between skin and gut health. Read episode transcript here: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/podcast-may-2024-exploring-the-gut-skin-connection/
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How the Changing Seasons Impact Nutrition, Health, & the Body’s Internal Clock
In this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome 2024 AIC speaker Dr. Deanna Minich to discuss the intricate relationship between the changing seasons, circadian rhythms, the foods we eat, and our health
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The Phytobiome, Planetary Health, and Human Disease
In this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome 2024 AIC speaker Dr. Michael Ash to discuss what we know about the phytobiome and its potential implications for planetary and human health View episode transcript: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/podcast-april-2024-phytobiome-planteray-health/
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Micronutrient Deficiencies, Ultra-Processed Foods, & Personalized Food Plans
In this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, we welcome Dr. Liz Lipski to discuss the importance of micronutrients and how emphasizing these components in personalized therapeutic food plans may benefit a patient’s health. Read episode transcript here:...
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ADHD Management: The Benefits of Lifestyle-Based Interventions & Functional Lab Testing
In this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Dr. Kate Kresge from Rupa Health discusses nutrition, exercise, and functional lab testing in the context of ADHD management. Click to view episodes transcript: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/podcast-march-2024-adhd-management/
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Long COVID & the Functional Medicine Approach to Care
In this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, functional medicine expert Dr. Elroy Vojdani discusses long COVID and how personalized care that addresses root causes may help.
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The Oral-Systemic Connection & Personalized Nutrition Interventions
The oral and gut microbiomes have a complex relationship influenced by several factors, including the micronutrients, macronutrients, and phytochemicals that we consume. Research suggests that the intestinal microbiome can be influenced by diet, and that these dietary interventions, while they…
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Intermittent Fasting and Heart Health
Intermittent fasting may be an appropriate therapeutic approach for some patients and has been associated with improved health across a range of areas.1-4 Research suggests that the potential benefits of fasting work through multiple pathways from reducing oxidative stress to triggering…
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Whole Health and Functional Medicine in 2023 and Beyond
Whole Health and the Whole Health approach received a lot of attention in 2023. The move toward a cultural transformation in care delivery to include both prevention and treatment with conventional and complementary approaches that embed each patient in a “circle of health” was noted by the...
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Diabetes Subtypes and Individualized Approaches to Metabolic Health
Metabolic dysfunction is common in many communities and contributes to many of the most debilitating chronic diseases across the globe. The spectrum of metabolic function includes several points for intervention both before and after the diagnosis of conditions such as type 2 diabetes. The...
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Environmental Toxins & Cancer: Exposure, Risks, and the Path Forward
Toxins and environmental chemicals pervade our everyday lives, and the human body has adapted over the years to withstand the increasing volume and complexities of these exposures. However, chronic exposure to known carcinogenic substances present in the environment, our indoor spaces, and even…
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Fasting and the Gut Microbiome: Exploring the Connection and Health Benefits
A therapeutic fasting intervention may be an appropriate component for a personalized treatment strategy and may improve health across a range of areas, from mental and cognitive performance to cardiometabolic health to the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Research suggests that the potential...
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Exploring Mood Disorders and Brain Health Through the Lens of Functional Psychiatry
Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are multi-factorial in nature, resulting from physiological and biochemical imbalances, and psycho-social imbalances. The field of functional psychiatry aims to identify the somatic root causes that contribute to mental health disorders. Due to the...
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Akkermansia & Gut Health With Dr. Colleen Cutliffe
In this podcast, Dr. Colleen Cutliffe, a PhD scientist and the co-founder and CEO of the microbiome company, Pendulum Therapeutics, discusses the role that different bacterium such as Akkermansia play in optimal gut health and function. Click here to view episode transcript:...
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Food and Mood: Nutritional Psychiatry, the Microbiome, and Mental Health
Mental health disorders including depression and anxiety are a major cause of disability and reduction in quality of life worldwide. Many people who experience these conditions do not achieve lasting remission from pharmaceuticals or talk therapy alone. In the past ten years, the practice of...
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Navigating Menopause: Hormones, Mental-Emotional Function, and Sexual Health
The transition to menopause is a significant hormonal shift that marks each woman’s life and every journey is different depending on the person’s unique hormonal profile, health history, and wellness path. Along with the common vasomotor symptoms, women may also experience changes in arousal or...
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Nutrition’s Role in Anxiety Disorders: Evaluating Mental Wellness With Dr. Kate Henry
What role does nutrition play in anxiety disorders? Kate Henry, ND Head of Medical Education at RUPA Health, speaks with IFM podcast host Kalea Wattles, ND on this pertinent topic. Anxiety disorders in the US are common, affecting approximately 40 million adults every year. Concerns about mental...
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Phytocannabinoids for Treating Common Conditions
Description: Understanding medical cannabis, how it interacts with the human brain and body and the current clinical applications is necessary for all healthcare professionals now that it is available in most states and many countries. Bonni Goldstein, MD, will discuss her clinical experience…
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Increasing Healthspan: From Micronutrients to Hormetic Stressors, With Dr. Rhonda Patrick
In this podcast, Rhonda Patrick, PhD, discusses healthy aging and longevity using personalized lifestyle-based approaches and emphasizes the importance of micronutrients, healthy fat intake, physical activity, and hormetic stress for disease prevention. Click here to view episode transcript:...
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The Oral Microbiome & Systemic Disease
After the gut, the second largest and most diverse microbiome in the body is located in the mouth. The oral microbiome is becoming an increasing area of interest in the medical community as research highlights several connections between chronic oral dysbiosis and systemic diseases, with...
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Fueling for Fitness: Igniting Metabolism Through Personalized Lifestyle Interventions
Jade Teta, ND discusses modifiable lifestyle factors integral to metabolic health, explores the intricate connections between hormones and an individual’s metabolism, and shares clinical pearls for collaborative, effective and sustainable personalized interventions. Click here to view episode...
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Healthy Aging and Longevity with Mark Hyman, MD
Dr. Mark Hyman discusses the hallmarks of aging and how to optimize health and longevity through modifiable lifestyle factors and hermetic therapies. Click here to view episode transcript: https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/healthy-aging-and-longevity-staying-young-forever-with-mark-hyman-md/
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Functional medicine uses the latest advances in the areas of genomics, epigenetics, nutrition, and lifestyle to find personalized solutions that lead to improved patient outcomes. Now, more than ever, the functional medicine approach is critical to address the rising tide of chronic disease and increase resilience among the most vulnerable populations in the time of a pandemic. Everyone deserves to find their own pathway to optimal health, which requires expanding access to high quality medical care for all individuals. Pathways to Well-being is a clinician-focused podcast that will feature leading practitioners and researchers from around the world engaged in conversations about the foundations of health, the latest medical advances from the front lines of health care, and the ways in which we can all help increase access to quality functional medicine care for everyone.
HOSTED BY
The Institute for Functional Medicine
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Pathways to Well-Being have?
Pathways to Well-Being currently has 97 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Pathways to Well-Being about?
Functional medicine uses the latest advances in the areas of genomics, epigenetics, nutrition, and lifestyle to find personalized solutions that lead to improved patient outcomes. Now, more than ever, the functional medicine approach is critical to address the rising tide of chronic disease and...
How often does Pathways to Well-Being release new episodes?
Pathways to Well-Being has 97 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Pathways to Well-Being?
You can listen to Pathways to Well-Being on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Pathways to Well-Being?
Pathways to Well-Being is created and hosted by The Institute for Functional Medicine.
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