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Explore every episode of the podcast Phoenix Helix: Autoimmune Resilience

Dive into the complete episode list for Phoenix Helix: Autoimmune Resilience. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
The Final Episode of the Phoenix Helix Podcast12 Jan 2024
Ten years ago in 2014, I recorded the very first episode of this podcast. Today is the last episode. In this final conversation, I celebrate the past 10 years and share what's coming next.
Episode 230: Healing Stories 1105 Jan 202401:22:23
If you’re a regular listener of my podcast, you know that I start every year with a Healing Stories episode. It features back-to-back interviews with autoimmune warriors just like you! I ask them to share their journey from rock bottom to reclaiming a vital life. In this episode, we talk about Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, narcolepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and also autoimmunity in general. Everyone’s story is unique, but we also have so much in common. Whatever your diagnosis, I hope these stories resonate and inspire.
Mindset Minisode – Kindness01 Sep 202300:06:28
If you're feeling sad, insecure, or anxious today, kindness is a powerful mood boost and stress reliever. In this 6 minute episode, I share some inspiration for including kindness in your day today. It's a way to give a gift to yourself and someone else at the same time!
Episode 144: Early Pandemic Podcast – Coronavirus & Autoimmune Disease with Andrea Nakayama19 Mar 202001:13:23
This is a frightening time in the world, especially for people with health vulnerabilities. Our goal today is to separate fact from fiction, reduce some of the anxiety you might be feeling, and share practical advice on how to support your health during this time – physically, mentally, and emotionally. My guest is Andrea Nakayama. You might be familiar with her from past podcasts. She's one of my favorite guests because she's highly knowledgeable, sees the big picture when it comes to health, and believes in patient empowerment, which is what we need right now. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 143: How to Survive an Autoimmune Flare06 Mar 202001:14:59
Flares are one of the scariest parts of autoimmune disease. They're unpredictable, often very painful, sometimes disabling, and always disruptive to our plans. In this episode, three autoimmune warriors share their best tips for making it through autoimmune flares with strength and self-compassion. We talk about favorite foods, lifestyle hacks, mindset techniques, and more. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 142: Osteoporosis & Autoimmune Disease with Dr. Amy Nett21 Feb 202001:09:34
Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become weak and brittle, and it’s usually associated with aging. But it turns out that autoimmune disease increases our risk of getting this condition at a younger age. In this episode, we talk about why this is true and what we can do to prevent and reverse it. What tests are available? What treatments are helpful? What self-care steps are most effective for maintaining our bone health? My guest is functional medicine physician, Dr. Amy Nett. She answers these questions and more. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 141: Overcoming Sugar Cravings with Dr. Vickie Bhatia07 Feb 202001:01:22
While not everyone has a sweet tooth, a lot of us do, and it's often hard to break the sugar habit. Why is that so true? It turns out there are a lot of forces driving those cravings: emotional, psychological, and even biological. Its no wonder they're not easy to resist. In today's episode, we dive into the details. My guest is holistic psychologist Dr. Vickie Bhatia. We discuss everything from the gut microbiome and brain chemistry, to the emotions surrounding food, to the psychology of habit change. Most importantly, we share practical tips for making empowered food choices, and breaking the sugar craving cycle. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 140: Autoimmunity & the Brain with Donna Jackson Nakazawa24 Jan 202001:00:11
If you’ve ever experienced brain fog, anxiety, or mood issues alongside your autoimmune symptoms, you’re not alone. Doctors know that mental health issues often increase with an autoimmune diagnosis, and a new scientific discovery might explain why. There are cells in the brain called microglia that are actually part of the immune system. And just as our body’s immune system can go into overdrive and cause chronic inflammation with autoimmune disease, the same thing can happen in our brains. My guest is science journalist Donna Jackson Nakazawa. Her latest book is called The Angel and The Assassin, and it’s all about these little brain cells and how they can help us or harm us. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 139: Healing Stories 710 Jan 202001:40:14
If you’re a regular listener of my podcast, you know that I often start my shows with personal stories, where my guests share their health journeys from rock bottom to reclaiming a vital life. But at a least once a year, I dedicate an episode to back-to-back healing stories, and I make an effort to speak to people with different autoimmune diagnoses each time. In this episode, we talk about Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Endometriosis, Sjogren's Syndrome, Vasculitis, Celiac Disease, Type 1 Diabetes, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Antisynthetase Syndrome, and also Autoimmunity in general. And if you want to hear the prior Healing Stories podcasts, check out episodes 1, 14, 30, 43, 61, 87, and 113. Let’s inspire each other!
Episode 138: Best Of – Exercise and Autoimmune Disease27 Dec 201901:09:14
In support of my own autoimmune health, I’m taking a sabbatical for the month of December and releasing two of my favorite episodes from the archives that you might have missed. Today’s episode is one of the most popular of all time. The right exercise has the potential to improve our health, but the wrong exercise can cause an autoimmune flare. Our needs will often change from month to month, maybe even from day to day. In this podcast, I share my own experience of how my exercise needs have changed since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I also interview 3 other people about their exercise experiences as well. One guest has multiple sclerosis, one has Crohn’s disease, and the other has Hashimoto’s. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 137: Best Of – MTHFR with Dr. Ben Lynch13 Dec 201901:11:39
In support of my own autoimmune health, I'm taking a sabbatical for the month of December and releasing two of my favorite episodes from the archives that you might have missed. Today's episode is one of the most popular of all time. Once you start researching alternative approaches to treating autoimmune disease, it isn’t long before you hear of a gene mutation that can be a root cause for chronic illness and also a healing stumbling block. It’s called MTHFR. This is a very complex topic, and it’s easy to misunderstand and make mistakes trying to treat it. Our goal today is to explain MTHFR clearly in layman’s terms, talk about how you can tell if this mutation is indeed impacting your own health, and help you find a qualified practitioner to guide treatment. My guest is Dr. Ben Lynch, a world-renowned expert on this topic. He's the expert consulted by other experts. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 136: Loneliness with Dr. Ellen Vora29 Nov 201901:09:10
When we feel lonely or isolated, it can seem like we’re the only person experiencing it, yet loneliness has become an epidemic affecting millions. Living with chronic illness can be an especially isolating experience, and it all becomes more poignant around the holidays. In addition to being emotionally painful, loneliness also carries health risks. It's been compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day for its negative impact on health and longevity. But loneliness isn't a life sentence. In this podcast episode, we share practical tips for overcoming feelings of loneliness and expanding our social connections again. My guest is Dr. Ellen Vora. She is a psychiatrist who takes a functional medicine approach to mental health. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 135: The Placebo and Nocebo Effect with Erik Vance15 Nov 201900:58:49
If the placebo effect taps into our body's natural healing capability, and the nocebo effect can turn fear into physical symptoms, these are things we need to understand. In this podcast we dive into the research to try to make sense of one of the human body's great mysteries. My guest is science journalist Erik Vance, author of the book Suggestible You. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 225: Neurology Tests with Dr. Ken Sharlin18 Aug 202300:59:04
I believe in being an empowered patient, and that means understanding the care we receive. Sometimes tests are ordered and interpreted by our doctors, but it feels like a foreign language that we don’t speak. Today's podcast is part of my testing series. Prior episodes have covered thyroid tests, rheumatology tests, GI tests, and more. Today, we're doing a deep dive into MRI’s and neurological antibodies. My guest is Dr. Ken Sharlin, an integrative neurologist who believes in a holistic approach to patient care. He is a licensed MD who is board certified in neurology. He’s also certified in functional medicine.
Episode 134: Orthorexia with Imei Hsu01 Nov 201900:57:40
What's the line between a healing diet and a harmful one? Orthorexia is a term that was first coined in the late 1990’s by Dr. Steven Bratman. It refers to an obsessive focus on healthy eating that becomes clinically impairing. This idea has become controversial in the paleo autoimmune community. Does a healing diet automatically set you up for orthorexia? What does it mean to eat in a way that supports your health? And what does it look like when this goal becomes unhealthy? My guest is Imei Hsu. She’s a registered nurse and clinical psychotherapist, and eating disorders are one of her specialties. She also has autoimmune disease herself as well as food allergies. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 133: The Gut Microbiome with Dr. Lucy Mailing18 Oct 201901:02:41
There’s a community of 38 trillion microorganisms living in and on our bodies, and most of them reside in our gut. That's equal to the number of cells in the human body. By this definition, we are only 50% human. This is why gut health has such a huge impact on human health, and research in this area is exploding. What does the science say about the intersection between the gut microbiome and autoimmune health? Where can we apply that knowledge in our own lives? And what are some common myths and misconceptions that new research is starting to dispel? My guest today is Dr. Lucy Mailing, a research scientist specializing in how diet and lifestyle impact the gut microbiome in both health and disease states. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 132: Sex and Autoimmune Disease with Kate Wolovsky04 Oct 201901:01:02
Sexual intimacy can be challenging even in healthy couples. It’s an area that many of us aren’t comfortable talking about, but when you add chronic illness, the obstacles increase exponentially. Depending on your condition, you might be experiencing extreme fatigue, chronic pain, limited range of motion, muscle spasms, disability, bowel issues, skin conditions, and more. It’s natural for this to have an impact on libido, body image, and relationships. My guest, Kate Wolovsky, is a mental health counselor who specializes in the intersection of disability and sexuality. She also has multiple sclerosis herself, and her husband is disabled as well. In today's podcast, she helps us break through taboos to talk about sexuality openly, sharing both her personal experience and professional advice. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 131: Blood Sugar & Autoimmunity with Dr. Jeff Horacek20 Sep 201901:05:31
Blood sugar is one of the building blocks of life. It gives our cells the energy they need to do their jobs. Yet when our blood sugar gets too high, drops too low, or swings wildly between these extremes, it negatively impacts our health on multiple levels, including autoimmune health. In this podcast, we'll be taking a deep dive into this topic. What factors influence blood sugar levels? How can we tell if ours is out of balance? What are the common symptoms? What tests are helpful? And what diet and lifestyle choices harm vs. help? My guest is Dr. Jeff Horacek, a functional medicine physician with over 20 years of experience. Blood sugar is one of his medical specialties. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 130: Long-Term Healing Diets06 Sep 201901:21:30
This episode marks the 5-year anniversary of this podcast! When I was thinking about how I wanted to celebrate, I decided to invite 2 friends onto the show who have been following a healing diet for 5 years or more. But that doesn’t mean our diet today looks the same as it did on day 1 of this journey. We’ve personalized it over the years, learning what does and doesn’t work for our unique bodies. We’ve had setbacks and recoveries, and we’ve learned to navigate our bodies’ changing needs. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 129: Resilience with Dr. Cynthia Li23 Aug 201901:10:20
Our topic today is Resilience, that ability to bounce back from life’s hardships. With autoimmune disease, we get lots of practice. Sometimes we feel strong and capable of overcoming suffering. Other times we feel beaten down and frightened by our body’s unpredictability. The good news is that resilience isn't something you either have or you don’t. Resilience is a trait we can nurture. My guest is Dr. Cynthia Li, a functional medicine physician who has autoimmune disease herself. The intensity of her own health challenges ended up being a masterclass in resilience, and also changed the way she practiced medicine. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 128: Best Of – Mind-Body Nutrition with Marc David09 Aug 201901:05:35
Due to a recent bout of pneumonia, I'm taking some time to focus on my health. Today's episode is a favorite from my podcast archives. At its basic level, food is sustenance. It fuels us for life. But food is more than just a source of energy. Emotions surround the experience of eating as well. Food can comfort and bring joy, yet it can also inspire feelings of guilt. People also connect with each other over food, building memories, traditions, and even identities. And when you're following a healing diet, there’s gratitude for food being medicine, often combined with feelings of deprivation, rebellion and grief. It's complex! Here's the fascinating part you might not realize: Not only does food inspire emotion, but emotions impact our ability to digest our food, including how well we tolerate foods. That's the subject of our podcast today. My guest is Marc David, the founder of the Institute for the Psychology of Eating. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 127: Best Of – Social Lives on the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol26 Jul 201901:15:37
Due to a recent bout of pneumonia, I need to take some time to focus on my health. I'm taking a sabbatical for the next few weeks and releasing two of my favorite episodes from the archives that you might have missed. Today's episode is one of the most popular ever, and summer seems like the perfect time to re-release it! It's the season of barbecues, picnics, weddings, festivals, and an increase in social events overall. When you're following a diet like the paleo autoimmune protocol, how do you manage it? Some people make the mistake of giving up their social life altogether. Today, I have 3 experienced AIP-ers on the podcast to share their tips for having a full and fun social life while still staying true to your healing diet. It can be done! Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 126: Hashimoto’s AIP Medical Study12 Jul 201901:05:11
I have some exciting research to share! It's the first medical study looking at the paleo autoimmune protocol as an intervention for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The results were impressive! In this episode, Dr. Rob Abbott and Angie Alt (the research team) give us all the details.
Episode 125: The Pursuit of Perfect Health with Dr. Terry Wahls28 Jun 201900:55:58
Most of you know Dr. Terry Wahls' story. She is a physician who developed multiple sclerosis, and in spite of the best that conventional medicine had to offer, she ended up confined to a tilt-recline wheelchair. She started to research nutrition and lifestyle interventions, eventually creating The Wahls Protocol. She's no longer in a wheelchair, and is now able to ride a bicycle to and from work. That said, she's not cured, even though she's often presented that way in the media. In this podcast we tackle the difficult conversation of what it means to heal, how not to compare your results to someone else's, the difference between progress vs. perfection, and the role acceptance plays in this journey. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Mindset Minisode – Self-Limiting Beliefs04 Aug 202300:06:02
When our mind convinces us something is impossible before we've even tried, that's a self-limiting belief. It's common for autoimmune disease to trigger them. Googling your diagnosis can lead to scary visions of the future. Symptoms can dramatically change our lives, taking away activities we used to love. With the flare-based, unpredictable nature of autoimmunity, life becomes more uncertain. The brain feels safer with certainty, so when it's possible you might fail, your brain may convince you not to try. The problem is that this keeps your life smaller than it needs to be, not only cutting you off from failure but also success. We don’t need perfect health to live a fuller life. We can expand our skills, activities, accomplishments, and relationships, and we can start with small steps. We may not be able to do everything, but we can do some things. The key to overcoming self-limiting beliefs is to focus on progress and possibilities, not perfection. Life isn’t an all-or-nothing game. In today's mindset minisode, I share a simple technique from my book, Healing Mindset, to identify the beliefs that are holding you back, and take the first steps to overcoming them.
Episode 124: The Best & Worst Things People Say When You Have Autoimmune Disease14 Jun 201901:12:35
Everything happens for a reason. What did you do to cause this? At least it's not cancer. Oh, I heard about this cure online... Is this sounding familiar? An interesting part of the human experience is that when faced with someone's pain, people are often at a loss about what to say and end up saying some really unhelpful and hurtful things. But occasionally, people say exactly the right thing. In this episode, we vent about some of the most outrageous things we’ve been told about our autoimmune diagnosis, and celebrate some of the most helpful. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 123: The Forgiveness Controversy with Dr. Harriet Lerner31 May 201901:02:02
There’s some compelling research that suggests the inability to forgive leads to negative health consequences, and the practice of forgiveness can have health benefits. When it comes to small injustices, this seems relatively easy to do. But what if you have experienced something that you find unforgiveable? Is forgiveness a requirement for healing? The pressure to forgive can feel like getting re-victimized all over again. In this podcast, we take a deep look at this topic. My guest is clinical psychologist and bestselling author, Dr. Harriet Lerner. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 122: Brain Fog with Dr. Tim Gerstmar17 May 201901:09:06
Do you ever feel like your brain isn’t working quite right – that you can’t remember things, or think clearly, or focus and make decisions? That simple tasks feel challenging, and complex tasks feel impossible? This cluster of symptoms is often called Brain Fog, because that’s what it feels like – that there’s a fog bank surrounding your brain, making everything more difficult. It’s also common to feel physically clumsy on brain fog days as well. Today, we’re doing a deep dive into the root causes of brain fog, and how we can identify and treat them. Our guest is Dr. Tim Gerstmar, ND. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 121: Time Management with Laura Vanderkam03 May 201900:52:47
In this podcast, we’re taking a big picture look at time. How can we gain clarity on where our time goes? How can we start to feel in control of time, rather than buffeted by it? What makes it slow down in some moments and speed up in others? Is it possible to be productive and feel relaxed at the same time? And how can we flex our expectations and our schedules when our health fluctuates? My guest is Laura Vanderkam, an expert on the subject of maximizing time. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 120: Scleroderma with Dr. Aly Cohen19 Apr 2019
Today we take a detailed look at Scleroderma. How does it differ from other autoimmune diseases, and how is it diagnosed? Can diet and lifestyle make a difference? What are the best supplements? Is medication always necessary, and how do you make that decision? My guest is integrative rheumatologist Dr. Aly Cohen. Her approach combines the wisdom of Western and Eastern Medicine together. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 119: Fatigue with Andrea Nakayama05 Apr 201900:58:05
Fatigue is a common side effect of autoimmune disease, but it can have many other root causes as well. For some people, it's mild and manageable. For others, it can be disabling. In this episode, we take a detective's perspective on fatigue. If symptoms are messengers, what is our fatigue trying to communicate about our own unique body? And how can we restore our vitality again? My guest is Andrea Nakayama, a world-renowned functional nutritionist, educator and speaker, whose mission is to change the way we do healthcare by empowering patients to reclaim ownership over their own health. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 118: Boundaries and the Art of Saying No with Dr. Nicole LePera22 Mar 201901:01:26
The ability to say no is a life skill that every human being needs, but it’s even more important when you are trying to heal from chronic illness. The truth is: self-care takes time – everything from preparing homemade meals, to taking time out to manage our stress, and also prioritizing sleep at night. If we say yes to these things, we will need to say no to other things. The opposite is also true: if we don’t set boundaries, we won’t have the time we need to take care of ourselves. But our conversation isn’t just about time. Boundaries are also about respect and relationships. How do we want to be treated? What types of people do we want to surround ourselves with? And how do we have difficult conversations with those we love? In today's podcast, we answer these questions and more. My guest is holistic psychologist, Dr. Nicole LePera. Together, we share our best tips for building our boundary muscles. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 117: Eating AIP in a Non-Paleo Home08 Mar 201901:07:32
The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol is a challenging diet under the best of circumstances. But when you’re the only one in your household following this diet, and you’re surrounded by foods you cannot eat, how do you manage? Today, I’ve invited three people onto the podcast to share their experience with us. They all have autoimmune disease. They all went AIP to improve their symptoms and maximize their health. And they're all making this work in non-paleo households. We talk about everything from avoiding food temptations, to eating safely in a gluten-filled kitchen, to blending your dietary needs with those of your friends and family.
Episode 116: The Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Lili Wagner22 Feb 201901:03:11
Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach when you were nervous? Or lost your appetite when you were deeply grieving? We’ve all felt emotions in our gut – there’s even the common saying “gut feeling.” In fact, the more relaxed and content we feel when we eat, the better we digest our food. But did you know the gut-brain connection also goes the other way? That the food we eat can impact how our brain functions. Inflammatory foods can result in brain fog, mood swings, and even mental health disorders. In this podcast, we talk about the science behind this connection, and how we can harness it for our health – both mental and physical. My guest is Dr. Lili Wagner, a psychologist who specializes in this intersection between diet, lifestyle, digestion, and mental health. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 115: Easy AIP with Mickey Trescott08 Feb 201901:04:28
This episode is all about making the paleo autoimmune protocol easier to follow. We share our best tips for easy breakfasts, easy lunches, easy dinners, easy snacks, easy sleep, and easy stress management. My guest, Mickey Trescott, is one of the women behind the Autoimmune Wellness blog and podcast, the author of three AIP cookbooks, and a pioneer in the paleo AIP community. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 224: Ayurvedic Medicine & Autoimmune Disease with Dr. Akil Palanisamy21 Jul 202300:56:36
Ayurvedic Medicine is an ancient medical tradition with roots in India, which contains wisdom that still applies to our health in modern day. Today, we’re going to learn how it may help people with autoimmune disease. My guest is Dr. Akil Palanisamy. Ayurveda changed his life both personally and professionally. As a young man he developed a mystery illness that modern medicine couldn't solve. His fatigue was so intense, he couldn't sit up in a chair and had to drop out of medical school. It was Ayurvedic medicine that put him on the path to healing. Now, he is a Harvard-trained physician who practices integrative medicine, blending conventional medical expertise with the holistic approaches of functional medicine and Ayurveda. His latest book is called, The TIGER Protocol: An Integrative, 5-Step Program to Treat and Heal Your Autoimmunity.
Episode 114: Exercise Intolerance with Andrea Wool25 Jan 201901:01:31
Why does exercise feel so different after an autoimmune diagnosis? Activities that our bodies loved in the past can now cause an autoimmune flare. Yet, not moving at all isn't healthy either. So, what do we do? In this podcast, we get professional insight into this topic. My guest, Andrea Wool, is a certified personal trainer and founder of Autoimmune Strong - a fitness website designed specifically for people with autoimmune disease. She'll be teaching us about the connection between stress, inflammation, and exercise, alongside its potential risks and benefits to our health. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 113: Healing Stories 611 Jan 201901:52:18
If you’re a regular listener of my podcast, you know that I often start my shows with personal stories, where my guests share their health journeys from rock bottom to reclaiming a vital life. But at least once a year, I dedicate an episode to back-to-back healing stories, and I make an effort to speak to people with different autoimmune diagnoses each time. In this episode, we talk about Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Crohn's Disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Adult Onset Stills Disease, but also Autoimmunity in general. And if you want to hear the prior Healing Stories podcasts, check out episodes 1, 14, 30, 43, 61, and 87. Let’s inspire each other!
Episode 112: Best Of – Beyond Food: Healing Lifestyle28 Dec 201801:07:16
In support of my own autoimmune health, I'm taking a sabbatical for the month of December and releasing two of my favorite episodes from the archives that you might have missed. Today's episode originally aired 3 years ago, but it's a timeless topic. As Dr. Sarah Ballantyne says, "Dietary changes aren't effective in isolation. If you don't address lifestyle factors as well, it won't matter how ideal your food choices are." In this podcast, I interview four people about one lifestyle change that has made a big difference in their autoimmune healing journey. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 111: Best Of – Paleo Cooking and Baking Tips from the Masters14 Dec 201801:33:42
In support of my own autoimmune health, I'm taking a sabbatical for the month of December and releasing two of my favorite episodes from the archives that you might have missed. Today's episode originally aired 3 years ago, but it's a timeless topic. When you first switch to a paleo diet, you lose a lot of your standard recipes, are introduced to a bunch of new ingredients, and it’s not uncommon to feel lost in your own kitchen. Today, we have expert paleo tour guides! Mel Joulwan is the author of the bestselling Well Fed Cookbook Series, Rachael Bryant is the author of the AIP cookbook Nourish, and Laura Vein from the blog Sweet Treats is a former pastry chef turned AIP baker. They share their best tips with us today. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 110: Stem Cell Research with Dr. Jeffrey Cohen30 Nov 201800:44:53
Stem cell research is an exciting field with great potential for people with autoimmune disease. When we see the headlines, it’s easy to believe a cure is already here, especially since some commercial clinics promise that. In today's podcast, we separate the hope from the hype. We talk about current clinical trials and what they’re showing, the risks vs. benefits of these treatments, which autoimmune diseases are the focus of the studies, and what we still have to learn. My guest is Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, a physician and stem cell researcher who specializes in multiple sclerosis.
Episode 109: The Science of Gratitude with Dr. Fuschia Sirois16 Nov 201800:58:46
When I was at rock bottom with rheumatoid arthritis and experiencing excruciating pain on a daily basis, I started keeping a gratitude journal. That might seem like a strange time do this, but I deeply needed to focus on something beyond the pain and suffering that had become my entire world. And it helped! It didn’t alleviate my pain, but it did reduce my suffering, because it helped me remember there were still good things in my life. It turns out I’m not alone in feeling these benefits. Research is showing that gratitude can improve both mental and physical health. My guest is Dr. Fuschia Sirois, an expert in the field of gratitude and chronic illness. In this podcast, we discuss the research, alongside practical steps for making gratitude part of our daily lives. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 108: Trauma & Autoimmune Disease with Dr. Maureen Pierce02 Nov 201800:57:51
There's a strong link between trauma and autoimmunity. People who are diagnosed with a stress-related disorder like PTSD are 30-40% more likely to be diagnosed with autoimmune disease. Childhood trauma has an even bigger impact. And the shock of an autoimmune diagnosis combined with life-changing symptoms can qualify as a trauma itself. When it comes to maximizing our health, being aware of this connection is important. Thankfully, there are trauma therapies that can help rebuild our health resilience. My guest today is Dr. Maureen Pierce, a health psychologist who specializes in working with people with chronic pain and chronic illness. Not surprisingly, she’s a trauma specialist as well. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 107: Research – The Truth Behind the Headlines with Dr. Sarah Ballantyne19 Oct 201801:09:13
Here’s the deal – headlines are designed to grab our attention, and it’s not uncommon for reporters to simplify, exaggerate, or completely misrepresent a research study’s results. So, when we care about science and how our choices impact our health, how can we be sure we’re getting accurate information? Today, I’ve invited a research expert onto the podcast who many of you know and love: Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, also known as The Paleo Mom. She's going to teach us how to critique a scientific study for quality, bias, and limits of proof. 
Episode 106: From Victim to Empowered with Sarah Kolman05 Oct 201801:05:07
We all find ourselves in victim mode once in a while, especially when life is hard. There is a time and place for throwing ourselves a pity party. The key is not getting stuck in that pattern. How do we identify signs that we are in a victim mindset, and how can we shift to feeling empowered, strong and hopeful again? My guest today is Sarah Kolman, an expert in psychoneuroimmunology, the science of how our thoughts and emotions affect immune and autoimmune health.
Episode 105: Perimenopause & Menopause with Dr. Lara Briden21 Sep 201800:59:01
There is a complex connection between hormone balance and autoimmune health. The more balanced our hormones, the more balanced our immune system (and vice versa). Over the years, I've dedicated many podcasts to this topic, and in this episode we'll be focusing on the menopausal transition. While smooth for some, this time of life can be rocky for others, leading to sleep issues, mood swings, hot flashes, and autoimmune flares. I'm 49 years old and currently in this transition myself. My guest, Dr. Lara Briden, is a naturopathic doctor who is passionate about women's health. We'll be talking about diet, lifestyle, supplements, and bio-identical hormones - all strategies that can restore balance in this important time of life.
Mindset Minisode – 5 Senses Exercise07 Jul 202300:09:28
One of the fastest ways to tap the relaxation response is to tune into our senses. It immerses us in the present moment, offering a break from our worries, and gives us the space to simply be. It's available to us anywhere, anytime, and it only takes a minute. You can do it for longer, but even a brief pause is beneficial. In this 9 minute episode, I share some of my favorite ways to tune into the senses.
Episode 104: DNRS with Annie Hopper07 Sep 201801:01:22
If you have symptoms without a diagnosis, or symptoms that remain in spite of all the interventions you’ve tried, this episode is for you. DNRS is a home therapy based on neuroplasticity. With chronic illness, symptoms can actually become wired into our brains, even when the triggers for those symptoms are removed. DNRS rewires the brain (and body) for health. It has helped people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic Lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivity, irritable bowel syndrome, mold toxicity, chronic inflammatory response syndrome, mast cell activation, and more. These conditions are often called “mysterious illnesses”, meaning there’s no clear cause or effective treatment. DNRS approaches healing in a new way.
Episode 103: Fasting with Dr. Amy Nett24 Aug 201801:09:15
There are lots of different types of fasts: juice fasts, water fasts, bone broth fasts, detox cleanses, intermittent fasting, etc. When is fasting helpful vs. harmful? Why does one person feel better after fasting and someone else feel significantly worse? Can we predict this in advance? For people with autoimmune disease, is this something we should try or something we should avoid? My guest, Dr. Amy Nett, will be answering these questions and more. She's a functional medicine physician and will be sharing the latest research. Visit https://www.phoenixhelix.com for show notes.
Episode 102: Lupus with Dr. Daniel Lewis10 Aug 201801:07:26
In this podcast episode, we take a detailed look at Lupus. How does it differ from other autoimmune diseases, and how is it diagnosed? Can diet and lifestyle make a difference? What are the best supplements? Is medication always necessary, and how do you make that decision? My guest is integrative rheumatologist Dr. Daniel Lewis. He has over 25 years of experience combining the best that conventional, alternative, and nutritional medicine have to offer.
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