The Energy Blueprint Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I’m excited to welcome Dr. Mel Hopper Koppelman back for the third time! Today, we continue our conversation on the overlooked importance of brain development but go on to explore heart rate variability (and how it can easily be misinterpreted), Polyvagal Theory, and her fascinating, physics-based thoughts on how our heart rate variability connects us to the universe!

In this podcast, Dr. Mel and I discuss:

• An easy way to visualize brain development: the brainstem is the root that grows up into the trunk of our brain and branches off into the right and left hemispheres

• The underlying driver of illness for many people with chronic symptoms and why gut or immune health might continue to suffer if this isn’t addressed

• A clear, easy-to-understand explanation of heart rate variability and why this often-misinterpreted marker is crucial for vital health

• The 10-second at-home test Dr. Mel recommends to better understand your heart rate variability findings AND the functioning of your vagus nerve!

• Her physics-backed belief that our heart rate variability connects us to the “breath” or wave of the universe…and how this connection (or lack of connection!) relates to the vagus nerve, inflammation, nervous system development, and long-term health

• 2 major predictors of mortality, i.e., how long you will live and the interesting pattern often found in people with autism

• The extreme importance of working with the body and tracking test results versus cleverly attempting to biohack or manipulate the body with supplements or drugs 

In this episode, I’m back with Dr. Mel Hopper Koppelman, discussing what she believes is one of the most important and overlooked areas in health—how brain development in childhood might be at the root of the health problems you’re experiencing as an adult.

You’ll likely have some ‘aha!’ moments (maybe big ones) while listening to the podcast. 

In this podcast, Dr. Mel and I discuss:

• The fascinating fact that we actually have 2 brains…and how brain imbalances impact your immune system and overall health

• How evolution led to our specialized, complex brain design and the main purposes it serves

• Myths debunked: The misunderstood idea that the left brain controls math and logic and the right brain controls creativity, and whether it’s true that we only use 10% of our brain 

• The overlooked brain imbalance called “functional disconnection” and why this might be at the root of health problems such as autism, ADHD, gut dysfunction, autoimmunity, dyslexia, depression, anxiety, or even chronic infections 

• The surprisingly easy-to-test primitive reflexes (that start in the womb!) and how they’re connected to chronic disease 

• Could you have an immature brain stem? Dr. Mel tells us the symptoms that let you know AND how to address this issue

• Why some popular health solutions might actually make you worse based on the specific brain imbalance you’re experiencing 

• How brain imbalance can lead to changes in blood tests, such as low white blood cell count

• Practical ways you can assess if you have an imbalanced brain, accounting for your particular skills, health history, and childhood experiences

• The important distinction between pathologizing neurodiversity vs. helping those who wish to improve their brain’s functionality in certain areas

• The liberating knowledge that our brains are malleable and trainable, and we can heal even longstanding brain-related issues!  

In this episode, I’m back for the second part of my conversation with Dr. Mark Cronshaw, a highly respected expert in photobiomodulation (PBM), more commonly known as red light therapy. 

The same warning applies to this episode as part 1! Again, this conversation is not a simple “how to” practical guide to photobiomodulation. It’s a continuation of going very deep into the scientific, technical, and even theoretical nuances of PBM based on Dr. Cronshaw’s vast research and clinical understanding of the topic. 

Be prepared for lots of nerdy PBM science, along with a few practical pearls as our discussion unfolds.

Please listen to part 1 if you haven’t already, and leave any questions you have in the comments on YouTube…we’ll do our best to answer questions in future episodes.

In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Mark Cronshaw, a highly respected expert in the field of photobiomodulation (PBM) – what most people commonly think of as red light therapy. 

This is the first of many podcasts with Dr. Cronshaw, who is one of the most brilliant and knowledgeable experts I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with on this topic. Our conversation goes deep into the science of photobiomodulation—there are some practical pearls that Dr. Cronshaw discusses, but be prepared for deep, nuanced, and technical scientific discussion about light therapy.

WARNING: Please be aware that this conversation with Dr. Cronshaw is NOT just a simple practical how-to guide of “go buy this device and use it this way.” This is a podcast series that intends to go deep into the scientific, technical, and theoretical nuances of PBM science. So it’s NOT for everyone. If you just want a simple practical how-to guide, we will eventually get there, but there are several hours of geeky technical science stuff before we get there. These podcasts with Dr. Cronshaw are for people who want to nerd out on PBM science. So please don’t say I didn’t warn you! :) 

In this episode, I’m speaking with Miriam Rahav, M.D., a triple-board certified physician in the fields of internal medicine, hospice, and palliative care, along with extensive training in functional medicine.

During this conversation, Dr. Rahav and I catch up for the first time since the height of the COVID pandemic, when she and her team bravely worked on the front lines supporting patients. 

We then shift to the primary focus of this episode: neural therapy. Dr. Rahav makes neural therapy easy to understand and gives us some interesting and practical stories of her clinical use of the technique. 

If you’ve had a difficult time finding answers for your symptoms, I highly recommend you listen to this episode—neural therapy might be the solution you’ve been searching for.

In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Mike T. Nelson, a self-described research fanatic who has more than two decades of experience studying and obsessing over how the human body works.

Dr. Mike has a Ph.D. in exercise physiology, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, and is an associate professor at the Carrick Institute and a university instructor at Rocky Mountain University. 

He’s also the creator of the Flex Diet and Physiologic Flexibility Certifications, has published research in both physiology and engineering scientific journals, and has even been asked to share his techniques with top military agencies.

Today, Dr. Mike and I go deep into the research and practical applications of heart rate variability. HRV has gained popularity as a performance metric, but after listening to our conversation, you’ll have a much broader understanding of HRV, how to apply it to your life (whether you’re athletic or not), and ways to improve your HRV score.

In this episode, I’m back with Victoria LaFont, co-host of the Influenced to Death podcast. Be sure to listen to part 1 of our conversation if you haven’t already.

In each episode of Influenced to Death, Victoria and her co-host, Hannah Wright, draw on their graduate-level education in nutrition and functional medicine. But they’re very upfront about their own biases and dive deep into the research to provide a more balanced view on controversial topics, particularly ones that have been portrayed in a one-sided way.

Today, Victoria and I discuss specific topics they’ve covered, such as The Medical Medium, seed oils, the carnivore diet, the ketogenic diet, and, believe it or not, breatharianism! 

I hope you enjoy the second part of our discussion! Be sure to follow Influenced to Death to get more insight into all the topics they cover.

In this episode, I’m speaking with Victoria LaFont, co-host of the Influenced to Death podcast, owner of The LaFont Agency, and someone I’ve been working with for a few years now and consider a friend and trusted peer.

It might seem strange that I’m recording a two-part podcast about another podcast, but the reason is very clear in my mind: There are many highly controversial topics in health science, and many experts cherry-pick and distort the evidence. 

Influenced to Death is a podcast specifically about taking on these controversial topics and trying to systematically bring greater clarity to them, in a balanced, evidence-based way. Plus, it does so in a way that’s entertaining and actually fun to listen to.

I know you’ll enjoy my conversation with Victoria, and I highly encourage you to listen to Influenced to Death, as well, to get a new perspective on some of the most controversial topics in natural health and functional medicine.

In this episode, I’m speaking with Vincent Pedre, MD, known as America’s gut doctor. We explore what the latest research and his extensive clinical experience can teach us about fixing gut problems.

In this episode, I’m speaking with neuroscientist Ariel Garten, the co-inventor of Muse, a brain-sensing headband that makes meditation easier. Ariel’s research has mainly focused on Parkinson’s disease and hippocampal neurogenesis, but she also has a background as a fashion designer and artist!

Honestly, I was extremely impressed with Ariel during our conversation; she was highly knowledgeable about meditation and the impact it has on our lives and health, but also because of her integrity and balanced view as a businessperson. 

I’ve been using Muse for a few weeks now, and I have been absolutely loving it.

Ariel is gifting us a generous 20% off both Muse devices! >> Click here to claim your special discount on the Muse S or Muse 2 and start 2025 with your new meditation practice.