hol+ with Dr. Taz MD | The Future of Medicine is Holistic

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ What if heart disease, metabolic dysfunction, and other chronic health problems are developing years before you ever feel a symptom? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz MD sits down with Dr. Darshan Shah, longevity physician, board-certified surgeon, founder and CEO of Next Health, and host of the Extend podcast, to explain why waiting until you feel sick may mean waiting too long and which health markers can help you take a more proactive approach to your health. Dr. Shah shares his own journey from conventional surgery into functional and longevity medicine after struggling with fatigue, poor sleep, chronic stress, autoimmune disease, and other health issues himself. He explains why improving nutrition, metabolic health, hormones, gut health, sleep, and lifestyle changed the way he thought about medicine and eventually led him to build Next Health. Together, Dr. Taz and Dr. Shah break down the health markers people may want to understand…

If you’ve been told your thyroid is “fine” but you’re still exhausted, gaining weight, losing hair, feeling cold, constipated, or struggling with brain fog, there may be more to the story. In this episode, Dr. Taz explains why a single TSH result may not capture the full picture of thyroid health, and why symptoms can sometimes appear before traditional lab markers begin to shift. She breaks down six common warning signs of thyroid dysfunction and explores the factors that may be driving them, including Hashimoto’s, chronic stress and cortisol, nutrient deficiencies, gut health, blood sugar, and environmental exposures. You’ll also learn which thyroid markers can help provide a broader picture, including Free T3, Free T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies, and why looking at patterns over time can be just as important as looking at a single number. In this episode: Why “normal” and “optimal” thyroid function are not always the same Why TSH is only one part of the thyroid picture 6 common signs of thyroid…

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ What if your thyroid labs look "normal," but you're still struggling with fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, brain fog, or a metabolism that feels stuck? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz MD sits down with Dr. Amie Hornaman, known as The Thyroid Fixer and author of The Thyroid Fix: The No-Nonsense Guide to Fixing Your Fatigue, Fogginess, and Fat That Won’t Budge, to explain how to know if you have hypothyroidism, why a normal TSH test may not always tell the whole story, and which thyroid hormones and lab markers may deserve a closer look. Dr. Amie shares her own experience of being told by six doctors that everything was normal while she continued gaining weight, losing hair, and struggling with fatigue. She explains how she was eventually diagnosed with hypothyroidism, why Synthroid and levothyroxine did not resolve her symptoms, and what led her to investigate active thyroid hormones like free T3. Together, Dr. Taz and Dr. Amie break down TSH,…

Fatty liver can develop without obvious symptoms. So how would you know to ask about it, and what can you do if it shows up on a test? In this short episode, Dr. Taz explains the connection between fatty liver and metabolic health, including insulin resistance, blood sugar, muscle, and everyday habits. She also discusses clues that deserve a closer look, why mildly elevated liver enzymes should be followed up, and practical steps such as reducing sugary drinks, strength training, and walking after meals. Fatigue or belly weight alone cannot tell you whether you have fatty liver. If you have concerns about your liver enzymes or metabolic health, talk with a qualified healthcare provider about which tests and next steps make sense for you. Join The Circle, Dr. Taz’s private membership featuring live sessions, practical demonstrations, research discussions, real guidance, and a supportive community. Start your one-month trial at: ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ (use the code PODCAST) Learn more about hol+ and…

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ Do juice cleanses and liver detoxes actually work? Dr. Taz explains how natural detoxification works, why your liver is only one part of the process, and how your gut, kidneys, skin and lymphatic system help your body detox every day. Detox has become one of the most controversial ideas in health and wellness. On one side, there are juice cleanses, detox teas, fasting programs, and liver cleanse supplements. On the other, we are told that the body detoxes itself and needs no additional support. The truth sits somewhere in the middle. Your body has natural detoxification pathways, but their ability to function can be influenced by your nutrition, hydration, digestion, movement, nutrient status, and environmental exposure. Supporting detoxification is not about periodically putting your body through an extreme cleanse. It is about creating sustainable daily habits that support the systems doing this work continuously. In this episode, Dr. Taz…

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ Your body is detoxifying every day, but that does not mean every juice cleanse, detox tea or supplement actually supports the process. Detoxification is not something your body does only during a cleanse. It is a continuous process involving your liver, gut, kidneys, lymphatic system and skin. In this episode, Dr. Taz explains what detoxification actually means from a holistic and functional medicine perspective. She breaks down the five major pathways your body uses, the nutrients those pathways require and the everyday factors that can reduce their capacity. You’ll discover why protein is essential for liver phase two conjugation, how constipation can interfere with elimination, why your lymphatic system needs movement and how sleep supports the brain’s own clearing processes. Dr. Taz also examines popular detox methods, including juice cleanses, detox teas, foot pads and extended fasting, explaining why many of them fail to provide what the…

What if the life you want is possible, but your current beliefs are keeping you from becoming the person who can create it? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Jim Curtis, author of The Book of Possibility, to explore how the subconscious mind, emotional regulation, and the stories we tell ourselves can shape our identity, health, relationships, and future. After developing a lesion on his spinal cord and struggling with chronic pain and mobility, Jim began searching for answers beyond the conventional medical system. His experience led him to study belief patterns, visualization, self-hypnosis, and the connection between our emotional and physical well-being. Jim also guides Dr. Taz through a powerful live exercise to uncover one of her own limiting beliefs. Together, they reveal how greater awareness can help you release an old story, align with a new possibility, and begin acting as the person you want to become. In this episode, you’ll discover: • How subconscious beliefs influence your identity and…

Join The Circle and use code “PODCAST”: https://holplus.co/circle/ What if the symptoms you feel in your body are not random, but signals of something deeper happening in your energy system? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Sue Morter, master of bioenergetic medicine, founder of the Morter Institute for Bioenergetics, and author of The Anatomy of Awakening, to explore how energy medicine connects to the nervous system, chronic stress, emotional patterns, and the body’s ability to heal. In this episode Dr. Sue explains how energetic blockages can show up as a lump in the throat, tightness in the chest, a knot in the stomach, chronic tension, anxiety, digestive issues, allergies, pain patterns, and other symptoms that often appear disconnected from the deeper root cause. Dr. Sue shares how the flow of energy through the body acts like a master system, influencing the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and the body’s self-regulating…

Join The Circle and use code “PODCAST”: https://holplus.co/circle/ What if looking fit on the outside is hiding how much your body is struggling underneath? Cameron Mathison was known as the healthy, camera-ready guy on television. Behind the lean physique, however, he was under-eating, overtraining, living in a constant state of stress, and dealing with reflux, bloating, low energy, and bloodwork that did not make sense. When Cameron could not shake the feeling that something more serious was wrong, he advocated for an MRI. It revealed kidney cancer. In this episode of hol+ with Dr. Taz MD, the Emmy-nominated actor and Emmy-winning television host shares how listening to his body helped detect his cancer before it spread, what recovery taught him, and why looking healthy is not the same as being healthy. Cameron and Dr. Taz explore how functional health coaching helped him rethink nutrition, recovery, gut health, hormones, blood sugar, cortisol, sleep, and movement. Cameron also shares the personalized…

Join The Circle and use code “PODCAST”: https://holplus.co/circle/ What if your ovaries influence your metabolism, inflammation, sleep, and long-term health, not just your ability to have children? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz MD speaks with reproductive biologist and Celmatix founder Dr. Piraye Beim about the emerging field of ovarian health. Dr. Beim explains why the ovary should be understood as a metabolic, immune, and endocrine organ that communicates with tissues throughout the body. She reveals what may happen when ovarian function begins declining, why perimenopause can feel so sudden, and how those changes may influence weight, insulin signaling, inflammation, and healthy aging. The conversation also explores AMH and ovarian reserve, the overlooked 300-day process behind egg development, and the experimental treatments scientists are developing to regulate ovarian function and potentially extend ovarian health. Dr. Beim also shares practical ways women can support the ovarian function they have…

Join The Circle and use code “PODCAST”: https://holplus.co/circle/ Your children do not just hear what you say. They can also sense your stress, anxiety, and emotional state. So how can parents regulate themselves before that stress spreads throughout the family? In this episode of hol+ with Dr. Taz MD, New York Times bestselling author Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt opens up about the anxiety and overwhelm that can come with modern motherhood. She explains how learning about co-regulation changed the way she responds to tantrums, meltdowns, running late, and other stressful parenting moments. Katherine shares how introducing meditation into her morning routine helped her feel calmer, become less reactive, and better handle whatever the day brings. She emphasizes that the solution will look different for every parent, whether it involves meditation, walking, exercising, asking for help, or simply creating a few quiet moments before the day begins. Dr. Taz and Katherine also discuss: • Why children often…

Join The Circle and use code “PODCAST”: https://holplus.co/circle/ What if being productive, successful, and dependable is not proof that you are okay, but the mask hiding how much you are struggling? In this episode of hol+ with Dr. Taz MD, board-certified psychiatrist and High Functioning author Dr. Judith Joseph explores the hidden patterns often described as high-functioning depression. These are the people who continue working, parenting, achieving, and caring for everyone around them, even while feeling emotionally empty inside. Dr. Joseph explains why depression does not always look like sadness, how anhedonia can leave you feeling disconnected from joy, and why people-pleasing often comes at the expense of your own mental and physical health. She also breaks down her five Vs for thriving: • Validation: acknowledging and naming what you feel • Venting: expressing emotions in a healthy, authentic way • Values: reconnecting with what gives your life meaning • Vitals: supporting your brain through food,…

Join The Circle and use code "PODCAST": https://holplus.co/circle/ Many women first learn that they have dense breast tissue after receiving a mammogram report. But what does breast density actually mean, and could it change the type of screening a woman should discuss with her healthcare provider? In this episode of hol+ with Dr. Taz MD, ultrasound sonographer and SonoBreasts founder Jasmine Khorsandi discusses dense breasts, automated whole-breast ultrasound, early detection, and the gaps she believes exist in conventional breast screening. Jasmine explains how SonoCiné automated whole-breast ultrasound captures thousands of images that are compiled into a moving view for review. She compares the experience with handheld ultrasound and mammography and explains why she advocates greater awareness of supplemental imaging, particularly for women with dense breast tissue. Dr. Taz shares her own experience of finding a lump and moving through a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy over six months before…

Join The Circle and use code "PODCAST": https://holplus.co/circle/ Tamsen Fadal was an experienced news anchor when heart palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, and severe brain fog left her on the bathroom floor of her newsroom. Despite spending decades in the media, she had no idea she was experiencing menopause. In this episode of hol+ with Dr. Taz MD, Tamsen shares how that frightening experience led her to investigate why so many women remain unprepared for perimenopause and menopause. Tamsen reflects on losing her mother to breast cancer and later realizing that her mother had experienced medical menopause following chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. Nearly 28 years separated their experiences, yet both women suffered without the information or support they needed. That realization inspired Tamsen to step away from a three-decade career in television journalism and devote her work to menopause education and advocacy. She explains how social media revealed the scale of the problem and gave women a place to…

Join The Circle and use code "PODCAST": https://holplus.co/circle/ What if the fasting, workouts, and eating patterns that are supposed to improve your metabolism are actually working against your hormones? In this episode of hol+ with Dr. Taz MD, women’s hormone expert Alisa Vitti explains why women in their reproductive years have a second biological clock that most health and fitness advice completely ignores. Known as the infradian rhythm, this approximately month-long cycle affects metabolism, cortisol, immune function, brain activity, energy, appetite, and exercise performance. Alisa breaks down the follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and menstrual phases and explains how nutritional needs, metabolism, and stress tolerance change throughout the cycle. She shares how the Cycle Syncing Method can help women adjust their food, exercise, recovery, and daily routines to better support these biological changes. Dr. Taz and Alisa also challenge some of the most popular advice given to women about intermittent…

Join The Circle and use code "PODCAST": https://holplus.co/circle/ What if chronic disease, declining energy, cognitive issues, and fertility challenges are not isolated problems, but signs of a deeper disconnection from the natural world? In this episode of hol+ with Dr. Taz MD, Dr. Zach Bush explores the relationship between human health and the health of our environment. Drawing from his background in internal medicine, endocrinology, cancer research, and hospice care, he explains how his search for the root causes of disease led him from the hospital and laboratory to the microbiome, soil science, and regenerative agriculture. Dr. Bush describes mitochondria as essential generators of cellular energy and explains how the microbes living within and around us help support metabolism, immunity, neurological function, and communication throughout the body. He shares his perspective on how chemical agriculture, declining biodiversity, and changes in our food systems may be affecting these biological…

Join The Circle and use code "PODCAST": https://holplus.co/circle/ Kris Carr was 31 when she was diagnosed with a rare, incurable stage four sarcoma. More than 20 years later, her tumors remain stable and her work has helped people around the world take a more active, compassionate role in their health. In this episode of hol+ with Dr. Taz MD, Kris shares how she moved from fear and uncertainty toward self-trust, acceptance, and a whole-person definition of healing. She explains what it meant to become the CEO of her health, find doctors she trusted, explore integrative care, and change her relationship with food and her body. But Kris’s biggest turning point came about 10 years into her journey. Despite good scans and a thriving career, she realized she still felt like a failure because she had not made cancer disappear. That moment led her to distinguish between curing and healing, and to begin caring for her mind and emotional life as intentionally as she cared for her physical body. Kris and Dr. Taz…

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ Are you tired throughout the day but unable to switch off at night? Are you experiencing anxiety, brain fog, disrupted sleep, blood sugar swings, or stubborn belly fat? In this episode of Hol+, Dr. Taz examines what she calls the modern cortisol crisis and explains how chronic stress can affect the body far beyond your emotional health. You’ll learn how cortisol is supposed to rise and fall throughout the day, what can happen when that rhythm becomes disrupted, and why screens, artificial light, processed foods, caffeine, overscheduling, isolation, and poor sleep may keep the body in a prolonged stress response. Dr. Taz also walks through four commonly described stages of cortisol dysregulation, from elevated daytime cortisol to feeling wired at night and eventually completely depleted. She explains how cortisol may interact with blood sugar, weight, inflammation, reproductive hormones, thyroid function, mood, and cognitive health. The episode…

Can grief cause physical symptoms? Learn how loss may affect cortisol, inflammation, hormone balance, heart health, sleep, energy, and the nervous system. Grief is not only an emotional experience. It can affect the brain and body, yet many people feel pressured to stay strong, move on, or process their loss alone. In this episode, grief expert David Kessler explains what grief does to us physically and emotionally, why grief must be witnessed, and how meaningful healing can begin. We explore the five stages of grief, why they are not linear, and the misconceptions surrounding denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. David also shares how losing his 21-year-old son led him to identify meaning as the sixth stage of grief and explains why meaning is not found in the tragedy itself, but in what we choose to do afterward. David and Dr. Taz discuss the physical symptoms of grief, broken heart syndrome, post-traumatic growth, isolation, grief in men, and what to say when someone you love is grieving.…

Can stem cell therapy help the body repair itself? Learn how stem cells may influence inflammation, immune function, tissue regeneration, brain health, and aging. Stem cell therapy is one of the most talked-about areas of regenerative medicine, but not all stem cells or treatments are the same. In this episode, Dr. Joy Kong explains how stem cells work, why their source matters, and what patients should investigate before choosing a treatment or clinic. We explore the differences between bone marrow, fat-derived, and umbilical cord-derived stem cells, along with IV infusions, local injections, PRP, and exosomes. Dr. Kong also discusses emerging research and clinical observations involving chronic inflammation, neurological health, joint pain, skin, hair loss, aging, and cancer. Many of the treatments and potential applications discussed remain experimental and are not established treatments for the conditions mentioned. This conversation is for educational purposes and should not replace individualized…

https://holplus.co/appointments Are we over-treating breast cancer? Learn why metabolic dysfunction may be the real driver behind many diagnoses and how to rethink treatment. Approximately 20 to 30 percent of screen detected breast cancer cases are treated unnecessarily. This video challenges the current standard of breast cancer treatment by focusing on the underlying metabolic health factors that often go unaddressed. If you are concerned about the current approach to screening or are looking for a more preventative perspective, this discussion provides a critical look at how we diagnose and manage the disease. We break down the three major drivers that contribute to long-standing metabolic dysfunction. By identifying these root causes, we can move toward a more accurate breast cancer diagnosis and more effective, targeted strategies for long-term health. Subscribe for weekly health and metabolic disease breakdowns, and comment below with your thoughts on these new findings. If you are navigating cancer…

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ Why aren’t you losing weight, even when you’re eating well, exercising, taking hormones, or using a GLP-1? If the scale will not budge, stubborn belly fat keeps returning, or your cravings and energy feel impossible to control, cortisol may be blocking your progress. In this solo episode of hol+, Dr. Taz explains how chronic stress and disrupted cortisol patterns affect your metabolism. She breaks down the connection between cortisol, blood sugar, insulin, inflammation, gut health, and visceral fat, revealing why weight loss can stall even when you feel like you are doing everything right. You’ll also learn how cortisol patterns can change throughout the day, why a stressful event may affect your blood sugar for hours, and how chronic stress can alter your appetite, digestion, hormones, and response to weight-loss medications. In this episode: Why weight loss can stall despite diet and exercise How cortisol affects your metabolism Signs your…

What if breast cancer risk is not determined only by your genes or family history? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with double board-certified breast cancer surgeon and lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Kristi Funk to discuss why breast cancer is becoming more common, especially among younger women, and what women can do to better understand and potentially reduce their risk. Dr. Funk explains why 95% of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a BRCA mutation and why 87% do not have a first-degree relative with the disease. Together, Dr. Taz and Dr. Funk explore how food, alcohol, exercise, body weight, stress, inflammation, environmental toxins, sleep, and hormone therapy may influence breast health. They also break down some of the most confusing questions surrounding breast cancer screening and treatment. Do mammograms cause cancer? Is ultrasound a good alternative? When should women begin breast exams? Are some cases of stage zero breast cancer being overtreated? And how much does menopause…

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ Why are you always tired, even after getting enough sleep? If you wake up exhausted, struggle with brain fog, rely on caffeine, or lose your energy halfway through the day, the problem may begin inside your cells. In this solo episode of hol+, Dr. Taz explains why your body may be “biologically bankrupt,” meaning it is using energy faster than it can rebuild it. She breaks down three hidden causes of low energy: mitochondria that are not producing enough power, declining NAD levels, and old “zombie cells” that remain in the body and increase inflammation. You’ll also learn simple ways to support your energy, including better sleep, moderate exercise, stress management, intermittent fasting, and nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins, CoQ10, and quercetin. In this episode: Why you may still feel tired after sleeping How your cells create energy The connection between fatigue and brain fog What mitochondrial dysfunction means Why NAD matters…

What’s Carol Alt’s secret to glowing skin, boundless energy, and youthful vitality at 64? In this episode of Hol+, Dr. Taz MD sits down with the iconic supermodel, entrepreneur, and raw food advocate to reveal the powerful truths behind aging well, naturally. From reversing signs of aging to healing chronic health issues with food, Carol shares how raw nutrition, enzyme therapy, and a deeply holistic lifestyle transformed her health in her 30s, and why she’s never looked back. You’ll learn the raw, unfiltered truth (pun intended) about how Carol rebuilt her body from the inside out, the rituals that keep her glowing into her 60s, and her philosophy that the closer you eat to God, the better your body functions. From raw tiramisu to trail mix, from detox protocols to spiritual mindset shifts, this is a must-watch episode for anyone who wants to age with grace, energy, and empowerment, without surgery or shortcuts. If you’re listening to this and thinking, “My symptoms feel connected, but no one is helping me…

What happens when men’s health gets reduced to one testosterone number? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Brandon Smith, MD, a conventionally trained physician practicing at hol+, for a practical and eye-opening conversation about men’s health, low testosterone, sleep apnea, TRT, GLP-1s, muscle, stress, hormones, and why so many men are waiting too long to get proactive about their health. Together, they explore why men’s health needs a reframe, especially in a medical culture where many men are taught to only go to the doctor when something is clearly broken. Dr. Smith shares what he sees in the exam room, from younger men asking about testosterone before starting a family, to men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s realizing they have spent years pushing through fatigue, stress, brain fog, weight changes, low libido, poor sleep, or changes in performance without knowing where to start. Dr. Taz and Dr. Smith also unpack why low testosterone is not always a simple testosterone problem. Dr. Smith…

What if aging gracefully is not about trying to look younger, but about staying energized, purposeful, healthy, and connected to yourself? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Jane Seymour to talk about healthy aging, beauty from the inside out, energy after 70, and the daily habits that help her keep showing up with vitality. Jane shares how she thinks about sleep, movement, supplements, intermittent fasting, beauty standards, Botox, mindset, and living with purpose. Together, Dr. Taz and Jane explore why aging does not have to mean slowing down, and how women can support their bodies, chemistry, skin, energy, and confidence at every stage of life. If you’re listening to this and thinking, “My symptoms feel connected, but no one is helping me connect the dots,” join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle Stop following confusing diet trends that make you miserable. Learn how to prioritize your actual body function over endless food lists. We are constantly bombarded with instructions on how much…

What if your birth control is affecting more than your cycle? In this episode, Dr. Taz breaks down how birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, copper IUDs, and other forms of contraception may influence inflammation, mood, metabolism, nutrient levels, libido, gut health, and fertility over time. If you’re navigating hormone symptoms, birth control decisions, or long-term reproductive health and want deeper support, join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle Birth control can affect hormone balance, inflammation, fertility, gut health, mood, and metabolism. Learn more about related conditions and support here: Hormone Imbalance: https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/ Fertility Support: https://holplus.co/conditions/fertility-support/ Inflammation: https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/ In this episode, Dr. Taz explains the holistic birth control conversation every woman should have before staying on the pill or choosing another contraception option long term. You’ll learn how birth control…

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offer a different way to understand the body, especially when it comes to chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress, digestion, anxiety, inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, and unexplained symptoms. In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Jordan Barber, clinician, educator, published researcher, licensed acupuncturist, and author of Thinking in Chinese Medicine: A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture, Herbs, and Healing, for a grounded conversation about what Chinese medicine actually is, why it has been misunderstood in the West, and how it can help us see chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress, symptoms, and whole-body health through a more connected lens. Together, they explore why Chinese medicine is not just acupuncture, herbs, or “energy work,” but a way of thinking. Dr. Barber explains how Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the whole person, including sleep, digestion, emotions, stress, relationships, movement, pain patterns,…

What happens when the womb is treated as separate from the rest of women’s health? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Kemi Doll, double board-certified gynecologic oncologist, equity scientist, researcher, coach, and author of A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing, for a powerful conversation about womb health, uterine cancer, fibroids, HRT, health equity, and why so many women are still being taught to normalize symptoms that deserve care. Together, they explore why womb health is not only about pregnancy, fertility, or menopause, but a lifelong part of women’s physical, emotional, hormonal, and whole-body health. Dr. Doll shares how her grandmother’s death in childbirth, her mother’s near-death experience, and her own work as a gynecologic cancer surgeon shaped her mission to bring the uterus back into the center of women’s health. Dr. Taz and Dr. Doll also discuss why uterine cancer is rising, why Black women are twice as likely to die…

What happens when your body starts to heal, but your mind is still trapped in survival mode? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Amy Kurtz, certified health coach, patient advocate, speaker, and author "But You Look Fine", for a powerful conversation about chronic illness, Lyme disease, medical gaslighting, nervous system trauma, and what it really means to heal. Together, they explore Amy’s 20+ year journey through unexplained pain, chronic symptoms, misdiagnosis, and the search for answers that finally led to a diagnosis of late-stage neurological Lyme disease and co-infections. Amy shares what it was like to be told her labs were normal while knowing something was deeply wrong in her body, and how years of invalidation shaped her relationship with her health, her identity, and her trust in herself. Dr. Taz and Amy also discuss why so many people live in the “gray zone” between sick and well, especially when symptoms are invisible, complex, or hard to explain. They unpack why normal labs do not…

What does it really take to keep intimacy alive after years together? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Caitlin V, sexologist, educator, coach, author, and host of Good Sex, for a candid conversation about sex, connection, hormones, communication, and the relationship patterns that quietly shape long-term intimacy. Together, they explore why many couples start to feel disconnected over time, especially through the pressures of marriage, parenting, midlife, stress, changing bodies, shifting hormones, and unspoken resentment. Caitlin explains why intimacy is not something couples are simply supposed to “know how to do,” and why learning to talk about sex, desire, needs, and repair can completely change the direction of a relationship. Dr. Taz and Caitlin also discuss the role of men’s health, testosterone, cortisol, perimenopause, menopause, performance pressure, emotional shutdown, and the invisible load that many women carry. They unpack why both men and women can check out of a relationship,…

What if the best workout for your body is not the hardest one, but the one you can actually keep showing up for? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Megan Roup, founder of The Sculpt Society, celebrity trainer, mother, former professional dancer, and creator of a movement method designed to help women build strength, confidence, and consistency without burnout. Together, they explore why so many women feel overwhelmed by midlife fitness advice, especially around strength training, cardio, cortisol, pelvic floor health, menopause, and body composition. Megan shares why extreme, all-or-nothing workout plans often fail women in real life, especially during midlife when hormones, sleep, stress, family responsibilities, and energy levels are constantly shifting. She explains how shorter, well-programmed workouts can still support muscle, bone density, cardiovascular health, mobility, and emotional well-being. Dr. Taz and Megan also discuss pelvic floor function, progressive overload, cardio myths,…

What if the patterns in your relationships are not just about communication, compatibility, or choosing the wrong person, but subconscious wounds your nervous system learned years ago? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Thais Gibson, PhD, bestselling author, counselor, speaker, attachment theory expert, and founder of The Personal Development School, to explore how attachment styles, childhood conditioning, core wounds, subconscious programming, and nervous system regulation shape the way we love, fight, connect, and pull away. In this episode, Thais explains why the conscious mind often cannot overpower the subconscious mind, and why so many people keep repeating the same relationship patterns even when they know better. She breaks down the four attachment styles: secure, anxious, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant, and explains how each style can show up in adult relationships, dating, marriage, family dynamics, conflict, ghosting, love bombing, emotional shutdown, clinginess, and the painful…

What if your genes are not your destiny, but a set of clues your body has been giving you all along? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Florence Comite, endocrinologist, clinician scientist, longevity expert, and author of Invincible: Defy Your Genetic Destiny to Live Better, Longer, to explore how biomarkers, genetics, hormones, sleep, metabolism, and family history shape the way we age. In this episode, Dr. Comite explains why longevity is not just about biohacking, supplements, peptides, or the latest wellness trend. Instead, she shares why true healthspan begins with understanding your own body, your own patterns, and your own family story. She explains how changes in blood sugar, fasting insulin, free testosterone, cholesterol risk ratio, sleep quality, muscle, and metabolism can reveal early signs of disease risk long before symptoms fully appear. Dr. Taz and Dr. Comite discuss why “normal” lab ranges are not always the same as optimal health, why some people begin showing signs of metabolic…

What if the stress you feel around certain friendships is not just emotional, but something your body is carrying too? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Ericka Sóuter, journalist and author of How to Have a Kid and a Life: A Survival Guide to explore the hidden health impact of toxic friendships, toxic mom groups, social rejection, motherhood, loneliness, and the deep need for real connection. In this episode, Ericka explains why toxic female friendships can leave women feeling anxious, rejected, drained, and unsure of themselves, and how social rejection can activate the same neural pathways as physical pain. She shares how these dynamics often begin early in girlhood, continue into adulthood, and become even more complicated when motherhood raises the stakes of belonging. Ericka and Dr. Taz discuss why so many women stay in social groups that do not feel good, often because of proximity, fear of rejection, their children’s friendships, school communities, social pressure, or the emotional cost of…

What if the pain men carry is not always obvious, but quietly shaping their health, relationships, addiction patterns, and ability to feel connected? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with producer John Bard Manulis and Emmy-winning filmmaker Peter Jones, creators of Fortunate Sons, a documentary following the 1974 class of Harvard School for Boys, to explore men’s emotional repression, family secrets, addiction, father wounds, vulnerability, and the healing power of honest conversation. In this episode, John and Peter share how a group of former classmates reconnected during the pandemic and began having conversations they were never taught to have as boys. Raised in a culture of achievement, leadership, privilege, silence, and emotional control, many of these men went on to experience depression, addiction, burnout, broken relationships, hidden family trauma, and deep personal reckoning. The conversation explores how emotional repression can show up through addiction, anxiety, depression, inflammation,…

What if the symptoms you feel in your body are not random, but signals of something deeper happening in your energy system? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Sue Morter, master of bioenergetic medicine, founder of the Morter Institute for Bioenergetics, and author of The Anatomy of Awakening, to explore how energy medicine connects to the nervous system, chronic stress, emotional patterns, and the body’s ability to heal. In this episode Dr. Sue explains how energetic blockages can show up as a lump in the throat, tightness in the chest, a knot in the stomach, chronic tension, anxiety, digestive issues, allergies, pain patterns, and other symptoms that often appear disconnected from the deeper root cause. Dr. Sue shares how the flow of energy through the body acts like a master system, influencing the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and the body’s self-regulating capacity. When that flow becomes blocked by unresolved emotions, survival…

What if weight loss has never been the right goal in the first place? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with registered dietitian Ashley Koff, RD, author of Your Best Shot, to unpack why the conversation around GLP-1 medications is much bigger than Ozempic, Wegovy, or tirzepatide alone. This episode reframes the entire GLP-1 conversation by shifting away from weight loss as the goal and toward what Ashley Koff calls “weight health.” Instead of treating Ozempic, Wegovy, tirzepatide, and related medications as magic fixes or villains, the conversation explores the deeper hormonal ecosystem behind appetite, blood sugar, digestion, inflammation, body composition, and metabolic health. Ashley explains that GLP-1 and GIP are part of a larger family of peptide hormones made in the gut lining, and that when this system is disrupted by poor digestion, stress, gut lining damage, nutrient insufficiency, dehydration, medications, or microbiome imbalance, the body’s weight regulation becomes suboptimal. She argues that…

What if your anxiety, overwhelm, or constant sense of unease is not just a mental health issue, but a signal from a body that is overstimulated, under-rested, and out of balance? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with integrative psychiatrist Ellen Vora, author of The Anatomy of Anxiety, to unpack how modern life, stress, and physiology are quietly driving the rise of anxiety. If you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, or feeling “off” and want deeper, root-cause support, join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle Anxiety is rarely just about your thoughts. It often reflects a deeper imbalance involving sleep, blood sugar, gut health, inflammation, and how your nervous system is responding to the world around you. Learn more about support related to this conversation: Anxiety & Stress Support: https://holplus.co/anxiety In this episode, Dr. Ellen Vora explains the difference between true anxiety and physiological anxiety, and why many people are treating the wrong problem. She breaks down how poor…

What if your chronic pain, stiffness, or recurring injuries are not just about aging, but signals from a nervous system that feels overwhelmed, inflamed, and under-supported? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with physical therapist Dr. Dan Ginader, author of The Pain-Free Body, to unpack how modern lifestyles, stress, and sedentary habits are quietly driving the rise of chronic pain. If you’re dealing with ongoing pain, fatigue, or inflammation and want deeper, root-cause support, join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle Chronic pain is rarely just about one injury or one body part. It often reflects a deeper imbalance involving movement, mindset, inflammation, and how the brain interprets safety and threat. Learn more about support related to this conversation: Inflammation https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/ Arthritis / Chronic Joint Pain: https://holplus.co/conditions/arthritis-chronic-joint-pain/ In this episode, Dr. Dan explains why pain is not always a reliable indicator of damage,…

What if your child’s anxiety, disconnection, screen obsession, or emotional shutdown are not random at all, but signs of a deeper struggle for safety, attachment, and regulation in a world shaped by algorithms? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Shafali to unpack how technology, social media, and modern stress are quietly reshaping childhood, parenting, and emotional well-being. If you’re navigating parenting challenges, emotional overwhelm, or family disconnection and want deeper support, join the Circle here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle Struggles with attention, anxiety, and emotional regulation often point to something deeper happening beneath the surface. Learn more about support related to this conversation: Anxiety: https://holplus.co/conditions/anxiety/ Mental Health Services: https://holplus.co/conditions-and-services/ In this episode, Dr. Shafali explains why parenting today is no longer just about discipline or communication. Parents are now competing with screens, social media, and…

What if your fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, and belly fat are actually signs of high cortisol, low cortisol, or chronic stress building up over time? In this episode, Dr. Taz explains how your cortisol levels shift and why learning how to lower cortisol levels starts with understanding the pattern your body is stuck in. If you’re dealing with chronic stress, fatigue, or hormone imbalances and want to address the root cause, join the Circle and get support here: 👉 https://holplus.co/circle Chronic stress often shows up as adrenal fatigue and hormone imbalances. Learn more about conditions related to cortisol imbalance: Adrenal Fatigue: https://holplus.co/conditions/adrenal-fatigue/ Hormonal Imbalance: https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/ In this episode, Dr. Taz breaks down what she calls the cortisol loop - a chronic stress cycle where your body goes from high cortisol to low cortisol, leaving you feeling wired, exhausted, and unable to recover. You’ll learn how this loop affects your nervous…

Want deeper support? Join Circle at holplus.co/circle and use code PODCAST for a one-month trial. Optimism is often misunderstood. It gets reduced to positive thinking, good vibes, or pretending everything is fine. But real optimism is not about denying pain. It is about learning how to stay grounded in reality while still believing that healing, change, and resilience are possible. In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Deepika Chopra, known as The Optimism Doctor, to explore what optimism actually means and why it matters for both mental and physical health. Together, they unpack the difference between optimism and toxic positivity, why our brains are wired to expect worst-case scenarios, and how that pattern may no longer serve us in modern life. They also explore the science behind sensory-based visual imagery and how the brain responds to what we vividly imagine, often in ways that influence expectation, motivation, and even the body’s stress response. Dr. Deepika shares how these tools…

Want deeper support? Join Circle at holplus.co/circle and use code PODCAST for a one-month trial. Hormone therapy is often framed in extremes. It is either dangerous and cancer-causing, or it is the miracle solution to aging. For decades, women have been told to fear estrogen, avoid progesterone, and accept midlife decline as inevitable. But what if the story around hormones was shaped more by panic and oversimplified data than by the full clinical picture? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with preventive medicine pioneer Dr. Erika Schwartz to revisit the Women’s Health Initiative and the ripple effects that followed. Together, they explore how one study reshaped hormone replacement therapy guidelines, why the concept of “class effect” blurred important distinctions between different types of hormones, and how relative risk statistics can be misunderstood in ways that drive fear-based decisions. They also discuss bioidentical hormone therapy, the difference between compounded and FDA-approved…

Want deeper support? Join Circle at holplus.co/circle and use code PODCAST for a one-month trial. What if the real issue in women’s health isn’t that women are “doing it wrong,” but that the entire wellness system was built on research, protocols, and performance standards designed for male bodies? In this solo episode, Dr. Taz breaks down why bro science and modern biohacking culture often backfire for women, and how pushing harder, optimizing more, and chasing protocols can quietly drive hormone chaos, burnout, inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation. She explains why so many women are told their labs are “normal” while their bodies are clearly signaling that something is off, and how medical models that isolate symptoms fail to capture how women’s systems actually work. This episode is rooted in the same clinical patterns that led Dr. Taz to writeThe Hormone Shift. After years of watching women come into her practice exhausted, inflamed, and dismissed by conventional care, she began documenting the…

Breast cancer screening is often treated as a given. Mammograms are framed as routine, early detection as unquestionably life-saving, and following guidelines as the responsible choice. But what if the full picture is more complicated? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with integrative oncologist and breast surgeon Dr. Jenn Simmons, author of The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, to explore what breast cancer screening data actually shows, where common narratives may oversimplify reality, and how statistics can sometimes be misunderstood by both patients and providers. Together, they discuss the difference between screening and diagnostic imaging, why detecting more cancers does not always mean fewer deaths, and how concepts like overdiagnosis and lead-time bias shape our interpretation of outcomes. Dr. Jenn also explains how breast cancer behaves differently from many other cancers, why progression is not always linear, and what tumor markers like ER, PR, HER2, and triple-negative really…

OCD is often misunderstood as being about cleanliness, checking, or perfectionism. In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with therapist and author Melissa Mose, LMFT, to unpack why OCD is frequently misdiagnosed for over a decade and what’s really happening beneath the surface of obsessions and compulsions. Melissa’s book Internal Family Systems Therapy for OCD bridges compassionate parts-based work with proven science to offer a richer path to lasting change. Using clear science and compassionate explanations, this conversation explores how OCD hijacks the brain through a cycle of alarm and relief, why reassurance and family accommodation can quietly reinforce symptoms, and what actually works in treatment. Melissa breaks down why talk therapy alone often fails OCD, how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) retrains the nervous system, and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) adds depth, self-compassion, and relational healing to recovery. In this hol+ conversation, Dr. Taz sits down with therapist, educator,…

Many women reach their 30s and suddenly feel an invisible pressure set in. The clock gets louder. The messaging gets scarier. And fertility, something that once felt distant or optional, becomes charged with fear, urgency, and self-blame. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered if they waited too long, if their body is betraying them, or if turning 35 means everything has suddenly changed. This is not a failure of timing. This is not a lack of effort. And it is not a fertility cliff. In this hol+ conversation, Dr. Taz sits down with double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist Dr. Lucky Sekhon to dismantle one of the most anxiety-producing myths in women’s health: that fertility suddenly collapses at 35. Dr. Lucky explains why fertility is a continuum, not a deadline, and why the panic surrounding age often does more harm than the biology itself. Using clear science and compassionate language, she breaks down the difference between egg quantity and egg quality, why…

Many women hit midlife and feel something they cannot name. They are still doing the right things, eating well, exercising consistently, showing up for everyone, yet life suddenly feels harder and less familiar. Age Like a Girl gives language to this experience and explains why it is not a failure, but a shift happening beneath the surface. This is not a motivation problem. This is not a discipline issue. And it is not “all in your head." In this hol+ conversation, Dr. Taz sits down with New York Times bestselling author and leading voice in women’s health Dr. Mindy Pelz, host of the hit podcast The Resetter Podcast, to explore the core message behind Age Like a Girl: menopause is not a decline, it is a biologically wired reinvention. Instead of treating perimenopause and menopause as a crisis to manage, Dr. Mindy reframes the transition as a neurochemical and cognitive remodel designed to make women more focused, emotionally resilient, and aligned with who they truly are. She breaks down why modern life…