Episode 310: Understanding POTS and the Vagus Nerve Connection with Dr. Diana Driscoll

Dr. Kendal Stewart has dedicated his life’s work to uncovering root causes and tailoring individualized solutions through genetic testing, functional medicine, and integrative care. His approach emphasizes prevention as much as treatment, using lifestyle, nutrition, and nervous system support as daily fuel for better brain function. A nationally recognized expert in neuroimmune disorders— including genetic abnormalities, chronic pain, ADD/ADHD and autism spectrum conditions, he provides practical tools to regulate stress, stabilize energy, boost mental clarity, and gain overall wellness. Key Topics: - Definition of neuroimmune syndrome and how it shows interconnectedness in the brain and body - The connection between the nervous system and inflammation and insulin resistance - Auto antibodies to look at with neuroinflammation to understand the cause - How genetic SNPs play a role in neuroimmune dysfunction - The impact of GI inflammation - Individualizing the approach to healing For more info, head to drkendalstewart.com. Listen to his podcast: Coffee with Dr. Stewart Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/

Dr. Diana Driscoll, OD, FAAO is a clinical researcher, doctor, and founder of POTS Care, the only clinic focused on uncovering the root causes of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and related autonomic disorders. After becoming severely ill herself and facing years of misdiagnosis, Dr. Driscoll turned her personal struggle into groundbreaking research that now helps patients around the world. She is the President of Genetic Disease Investigators and the creator of Parasym Plus, a patented supplement designed to support vagus nerve function and restore balance to the nervous system. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and she is the author of The Driscoll Theory and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Your Eyes and EDS. Dr. Driscoll is the Clinical Director of the only clinic dedicated to treating the underlying medical causes of POTS - not just the symptoms Key Topics: - Understanding a POTS diagnosis and what that means for the whole body, not just the heart - How POTS is diagnosed - The mental health impact of a POTS diagnosis - The role of inflammation in these chronic “invisible illnesses” - The role of the vagus nerve in treating POTS - The supplement that can help relieve symptoms of POTS Learn more about Dr. Driscoll’s work with POTS at https://potscare.com/ Get information on her patented supplement for vagus nerve support, Parasym Plus at https://vagusnervesupport.com/ Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/

Dr. Aimie Apigian is a double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, revolutionizes trauma healing by revealing how our cells—not just our minds—store trauma. Her book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she developed an integrative science-based sequence for the healing journey. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, proving that repairing trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology is possible. Key Topics: - Understanding a biology-based approach to trauma - How trauma and stress are experienced differently by our physiology - The five steps of a physiological trauma response - The way modern medicine fails to put the puzzle pieces together - How to support the biology of trauma and find healing - Survival mechanisms that show the body is protecting you through a trauma response Grab her bestselling book at biologyoftrauma.com/book now! Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/

Anna Christine (A. C.) Seiple is a licensed counselor, retreat leader, instructor, and researcher. She loves integrating neuroscience with spirituality, honoring the entirety of our created being. She holds two master’s degrees—one in clinical mental health counseling and one in biblical studies—and is currently a postgraduate researcher working on her PhD at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Her book, The Sacred Art of Slowing Down, is available now wherever books are sold. Key Topics: - The concept behind A.C.'s book, The Sacred Art of Slowing Down - The disconnect we often experience with our bodies and our minds - What Internal Family Systems (parts work) is and how it is used in therapy - How the Christian faith integrates into parts work - A.C.’s approach to blending the ancient truths of the Bible into modern counseling - How anchoring plays a role into our need to slow down - Polyvagal Theory and its role in creating felt safety in the body and brain - Contemplative practices and their role in modern mindfulness practices 
Connect with A. C. on Instagram @a.c.seiple and online at acseiple.com. Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/

Erin Kerry is an integrative health coach, functional nutritionist and author of the upcoming book Live Beyond Your Label. In this solo episode, Erin discusses the fourth part of her book, “Exercise Your Body and Brain.” Key Topics: - How healthy emotional regulation impacts the way we show up in the world and help us to manage our triggers - How triggers are protective but feel a lot worse when we’re not addressing our stress - The importance of movement for mental health and three brain benefits of exercise that may transform your relationship with it - The way movement is a way to partner with and listen to you body, while also supporting your menstrual cycle symptoms - The importance of self-care, and the difference between intentional self-care and Sabbath instead of self medication and zoning out - Practical practices for a deeper, nourishing sleep routine To order Live Beyond Your Label: A Holistic Approach to Breaking Old Patterns and Rediscovering a Healthier You in Mind, Body, and Spirit, head here: erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook or find wherever books are sold! Download Erin’s devotional plan, Reset Your Stress Response with Scripture, on the Bible app: http://bible.us/r/FYO Download the plan on Life Bible app: https://tbibles.com/M1rG Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup

Erin Kerry is an integrative health coach, functional nutritionist and author of the upcoming book Live Beyond Your Label. In this solo episode, Erin discusses the third part of her book, which discusses how to add variety to your diet in how you eat, why you eat, and what you eat, along with how to create body peace. Key Topics: - How to create an optimal environment for digestion - How stress plays a role in absorption and digestion of nutrients - How to eat for balanced blood sugar to support a balanced stress response - Using the antidepressant food score to increase mood-boosting foods - Why dieting fails - Root causes of weight struggles - Noise that disrupts body peace To order Live Beyond Your Label: A Holistic Approach to Breaking Old Patterns and Rediscovering a Healthier You in Mind, Body, and Spirit, head here: erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook or find wherever books are sold! Don’t forget to grab your preorder gift, a Nourishing Habits Guide, now! Available through September 16. https://mailchi.mp/43ddced8d0e6/lbyl-preorder-gift-bundle Download Erin’s devotional plan, Reset Your Stress Response with Scripture, on the Bible app: http://bible.us/r/FYO Download the plan on Life Bible app: https://tbibles.com/M1rG

Erin Kerry is an integrative health coach, functional nutritionist and author of the upcoming book Live Beyond Your Label. In this solo episode, Erin discusses the second part of her book, which explores root issues that keep us from thriving and their impact on living a purposeful, connected life. Key Topics: - How unresolved trauma and suppressed feelings can lead to chronic disease states - The importance of reconnecting with one's body and God to promote healing - What the Bible teaches us about feeling feelings - A reframe on coping mechanisms, their potential benefits and drawbacks, and the need for a gentle approach when making changes - Reviews from the book launch team To order Live Beyond Your Label: A Holistic Approach to Breaking Old Patterns and Rediscovering a Healthier You in Mind, Body, and Spirit, head here: erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook or find wherever books are sold! Don’t forget to grab your preorder gift, a Nourishing Habits Guide, now! Available through September 16. Download Erin’s devotional plan, Reset Your Stress Response with Scripture, on the Bible app: http://bible.us/r/FYO Download the plan on Life Bible app: https://tbibles.com/M1rG

Erin’s upcoming book, Live Beyond Your Label, releases on September 16, and this episode gives you a foundation for why the book encourages you to live beyond your label and the heart behind the book. Erin shares how the book is structured into four parts: learn to address stress, identify the root issues, add variety to your diet, and exercise your body and brain. This episode highlights part one of the book: Learn to Address Stress. Key Topics: - The two types of stress Erin breaks down in the book - How the body is designed to respond to stress and how that system can get imbalanced - The importance of tuning into your body’s natural alerts in order to partner with it and find healing - To get a jump start on supporting your body, you can download Erin’s preorder gift now! Order the book, Live Beyond Your Label: A Holistic Approach to Breaking Old Patterns and Rediscovering a Healthier You in Mind, Body, and Spirit here: erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook. Grab your preorder gift here: https://mailchi.mp/d27a9ba990c0/nourishing-habits-guide Download Erin’s devotional plan, Reset Your Stress Response with Scripture, on the Bible app: http://bible.us/r/FYO Download the plan on Life Bible app: https://tbibles.com/M1rG

Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW is a speaker, writer, psychotherapist, retreat leader, and podcaster who has dedicated her work and her practice to the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, and conditions. She is the author of the books Mind Your Body (Penguin/Random House, 2025) and The Meaning of Truth as well as the online courses Freedom from Chronic Pain and Freedom From an Anxious Life. Her brand, Your BreakAwake, has a Podcast, YouTube Channel, Instagram, and newsletter. Alongside her partner Lisa Eisenpresser and their colleague Christina Sarno, Nicole created The Sarno x Sachs Solution, a practitioner training that avails clinicians and coaches worldwide of this life-changing work. Key Topics: - Nicole’s personal journey with chronic pain and how she began working in mind-body medicine - How the body stores emotions - The science behind emotional and physical pain - How your negative self-talk is playing a role in your body’s response system - How to retrain your brain - The protective element of pain - How JournalSpeak helps with repressed emotions and leads to pain reduction and healing Links: Nicole’s podcast: The Cure for Chronic Pain Website: nicolesachs.com Instagram: @nicolsachslcsw Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Preorder Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/

Dr. Joel Warsh (aka @DrJoelGator of the popular parenting Instagram) is a Board-Certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles, California who specializes in Parenting, Vaccines, Wellness and Integrative Medicine. He is the author of Between a Shot and Hard Place: Tackling Vaccine Questions with Balance, Data, and Clarity. He grew up in Toronto, Canada and completed a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology before earning his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College. He completed his Pediatric Medicine training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and then worked in private practice in Beverly Hills before founding his current practice in Studio City. Dr. Gator has published research in peer-reviewed journals on topics including childhood injuries, obesity and physical activity. This episode features an open, honest conversation about children’s health and why vaccines have become controversial and political in recent years. It gets to the heart of what all parents want: healthy kids. Key Topics: - What the word anti-vax has come to mean in recent years, and Dr. Warsh’s position on vaccines - Current vaccine schedule and the issue of informed consent - Why some parents choose to have religious exemptions for their children - Safety testing done in vaccine - Vaccines and autism: what the science says - SIDS and vaccines: what the science says - Chronic disease in children and what parents can do, no matter their stance on vaccines For more on Dr. Warsh: Get his book Between a Shot and a Hard Place on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/dRbtptW Website: https://integrativepediatricsandmedicine.com/ Instagram: DrJoelGator  Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Preorder Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/