The Crunchy Carnivore – Details, episodes & analysis

Feeling judged, attacked, or misunderstood for choosing holistic care for your pets? You’re not alone—and today, we’re tackling the elephant in the room.

In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we sit down with holistic advocate Nicole Nelson for a real, no-nonsense conversation about the opposition holistic pet parents often face—from friends and family, online communities, and even pet professionals.

This discussion isn’t about shame or conflict—it’s about giving you the tools, perspective, and confidence to navigate the conventional world while staying true to your holistic values.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why holistic choices can trigger resistance or judgment
• How to stay confident when others doubt your decisions
• Navigating pushback from vets, friends, and family
• Tips for communicating your choices calmly and effectively
• How to protect your pet’s wellness without stress or guilt
• Building a supportive community of like-minded pet parents

Whether you’re just starting your holistic journey or have been at it for years, this episode will help you feel empowered, validated, and ready to stand firm for your pets.

Resources:

AVHMA.org - Find an integrative or holistic vet

TheAVH.org- Find a homeopathic vet

NRbreeder.com - Find a breeder raising litters the way nature intended

🫶🏼 Likeminded pet professionals 🫶🏼

Puppiesfromtruenorth - Nicole Nelson on Instagram 

Tailswellhealth - Bre Drake on Instagram

Chalkpondretrievers - Aimee Heath on Instagram 

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

As a follow up to episode 9, "Healing The Whole- Part I", we want to revisit what the principals and concepts to the holistic approach are by showing you what putting them into practice can really look like.  We will use 3 real life examples with 3 different levels of holistic experience to give you more clarity on what walking the natural path really means in regard to application, cost, and effort. 

Resources:

“Direction of Cure” - All Things Homeopathy on YouTube 

“The Whole Pet Diet” - by Andi Brown

“There’s a Mushroom for That” - by Dr. Robert Silver

Carna4 Greens Plus - Sprouted seed supplement 

MycoDog - Medicinal Mushroom Supplements 

CBD Dog Health- Full-spectrum hemp extracts

Standard Process - Whole food nutritional supplements

Helios Homeopathy - Get your homeopathy kit!

GLX3- Green Lipped Mussel Oil Supplement 

“Histamines and dogs: What Every Dog Parent Should Know”- by Kimberly Gauthier

WINPRO Dog Allergy Relief Chews

Genuineessiac.com- Herbal supplement for detox and healing

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

Hear from a seasoned holistic vet and natural rearing breeder about the many facets of what truly makes up the holistic approach for animals, dispelling misconceptions, as well as dropping some other truths along the way.  Join us as we share some common and not so common perspectives through a realistic and natural lens cultivated through years of experience.

Resources:

Discover the shocking truth about the pet food industry- Pet Fooled Documentary 

Learn about all things fresh food for pets- Feed Real Institute

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

So what does it mean to heal your animal in a holistic way?  To answer that we need to look at the healing mechanisms that are built into the body's natural design, which we can really boil down to a couple of basic processes and then from there can embrace concepts that will facilitate true, deep, and long-lasting healing.  Join us as we flesh out holistic healing into its principles, concepts, and how we can begin to put them into practice.

Resources:

Holistic Animal Quick Start Guide - Our free guide

“Beyond Flat Earth Medicine” - by Dr Timothy R Dooley

“Direction of Cure” - All Things Homeopathy on YouTube 

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

Cancer in dogs is on the rise—and it’s raising questions, concerns, and a lot of fear among pet parents. In this eye-opening episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we welcome back NR Breeder Nicole Nelson to tackle one of the most important and controversial topics in the dog world today: tumors, cancers, potential causes, and whether it’s time to rethink our approach.

Dr. Levy joins the conversation with expert insights into the process of cancer, the different types of tumors, and what she’s learned from years of experience in holistic veterinary care. Together, they break down the complex science, explore potential environmental and lifestyle factors, and discuss what can be done to support our dogs’ health naturally and proactively.

Currently, an alarming 62% of dogs are diagnosed with cancer. This episode is for anyone who has ever asked: What’s causing this? Can it be prevented? What can I do to help my dog?

In this episode, we cover:
• The most common types of tumors and cancers in dogs
• Insights from a holistic veterinary perspective
• Potential root causes behind rising cancer rates
• How lifestyle, environment, and nutrition play a role
• Steps pet parents can take to support long-term wellness

Whether you’re navigating a dog cancer diagnosis or just want to understand prevention and holistic strategies, this episode provides knowledge, clarity, and hope for every pet parent.

Resources:

There’s a Mushroom For That - Dr Robert Silver

Cancer is Not a Disease-It’s a Healing Mechanism - Andreas Moritz

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

Have you ever thought that something in your home could be the very thing that's causing your pet's health problems?  In this episode we'll discuss what these culprits are that are in our control as well as the ones that are outside of what we can choose and what to do about it.  This is a huge part of what can lighten the toxic load in your animals, which has a massive impact on helping or hurting their immune system.  Time to ditch the toxins!

Resources:

Poisoned Horses 

Forever Dog Life - Karen Becker

Secrets of Soundness - Kazzrie Dodd

Forever Dog - Karen Becker

The Impact of Glyphosate on our Health

Berkey Water Filters

Superfund Site Finder

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

Think raw feeding is too expensive for your dog or cat? Think again.

In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest objections to holistic pet care: the cost. Many people assume conventional kibble is cheaper—but when you break down the numbers, consider long-term health, and factor in the true cost of veterinary care, the story isn’t so simple.

We dive deep into the differences between conventional and holistic approaches, exploring not just the price per bag or meal, but the real impact on your pet’s health, longevity, and overall well-being. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what you’re actually investing in—and which approach could save you money in the long run.

In this episode, we cover:
• The hidden costs of conventional pet food
• Raw feeding myths vs reality
• Long-term health benefits and potential savings
• How to calculate the true cost of your pet’s diet
• What to consider when choosing between holistic and conventional routes

Resources

"What Your Vet Never Told You"  by Odette Suter DVM

"Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs and Cats" by Dr. Pitcairn

"The Foundations Bundle"- Learn the foundational pieces of raising a dog the way that nature intended with our top 3 guides to help you step onto the natural path!

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

The holistic approach includes every part of our pet's life, even our own emotional state.  Trying to humanize our dogs and project our emotions onto them can burden their immune system as well as hinder our ability to recognize what might be truly going on.  Keeping calm, being patient, and observing the situation can help us navigate towards the best way to truly heal them.

Resources:

Excellent book on homeopathy/holistic philosophy- Beyond Flat Earth Medicine

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

Ever wondered what’s really in your dog’s food—or whether popular feeding practices are actually helping your pet? In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we welcome NR Breeder Nicole Nelson for a no-holds-barred discussion based on YOUR questions.

From social media polls to personal experience, Nicole and the team cover everything dog owners are curious about: the truth behind AAFCO standards, why chicken often gets a bad rap, the benefits of fasting for dogs, and much more.

Whether you’re a raw feeder, kibble user, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with insights, myths busted, and practical tips for feeding your dog in a way that truly supports health and longevity.

In this episode, we cover:
• What AAFCO standards really mean (and don’t mean)
• Why chicken gets a negative reputation—and when it’s okay
• Fasting for dogs: benefits, myths, and how to do it safely
• Audience questions answered: real concerns from real dog owners
• How to make more informed choices about your dog’s nutrition

Buckle up—it’s an informative, myth-busting ride that every dog parent should hear.

Resources:

Great article about fasting- Fast Your Dog to Support Their Immune System

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

Listen in as a holistic vet and holistic breeder duo share some very eye-opening truths about the history of dog food, truth about kibble, and why the conventional world is so opposed to a fresh raw food diet for dogs and cats.  Many of our pets' problems today can be directly linked to getting the diet wrong, so please join us as we bring some clarity to a topic that can be swirling with immense pressure and confusion.  

Resources:

Discover the shocking truth about the pet food industry- Pet Fooled Documentary 

Our free guide that includes how to transition from kibble to raw- Holistic Animal Quick Start Guide

Learn how to feed a raw diet with whole foods - Raise 'Em On Raw

"The Science Behind Canine Raw Feeding" by HB Turner

"Give Your Dog a Bone" by Dri Ian Billinghurst

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram |  wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com