Everyone's Brain Needs Primary Prevention

This week on the Evolution of Medicine Podcast, we dive into primary prevention – and why it's the future of health. Dr. Eric Topol recently published an article lamenting medicine's lack of progress in the big three killers: cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration. He's right about the problem, but I'd argue he's been going to the wrong conferences. If he had joined us at the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI) conference, he would have seen what real prevention looks like: clinicians reversing chronic disease through root-cause, systems-based care. And if he comes next year, he'll see why I'm calling 2026 "The Year of the Brain." In this episode, we explore: What Topol gets right (and what he's missing) How practitioners like you are proving primary prevention works Why improving everyone's neurobiology, as Dr. Austin Perlmutter says, is our highest work

The Evolution of Medicine podcast returns with a deep dive into the seismic shifts reshaping healthcare – from the explosion of direct-to-consumer lab testing to the most disingenuous pharmaceutical commercial ever made. Host James Maskell unpacks how companies like Function Health, Superpower, Whoop, and Aura are democratizing health data, while practitioners must evolve or risk becoming obsolete in an increasingly consumer-driven landscape. This episode exposes the uncomfortable truth: patients can now access comprehensive lab panels for under $200 annually, complete with longitudinal tracking and AI interpretation. Meanwhile, wearable giants are integrating lab testing to create powerful health ecosystems that compete directly with traditional practice models. The message is clear – practitioners who rely on static PDFs and sporadic appointments are heading toward irrelevance. The episode also features the most-watched video in Functional Forum history: Dr. Izabella Wentz's groundbreaking presentation on how thyroid dysfunction masquerades as mental illness, affecting up to 27% of the population. Her personal journey from misdiagnosis to recovery illustrates the power of root-cause medicine and why functional practitioners remain essential in an automated world. 🎙️ Tune in to learn: The direct-to-consumer lab revolution: How Function Health's 200,000+ customers and Superpower's $17/month pricing are reshaping patient expectations—and what this means for your practice model. Why wearable companies are your new competition: Whoop and Aura's integration of lab testing with biometric data creates comprehensive health platforms that threaten traditional practitioner relationships. The data integration imperative: Why practices relying on static lab reports and infrequent check-ins will become uncompetitive against real-time, longitudinal health monitoring systems. If you're ready to future-proof your practice against the consumerization of healthcare while maintaining the irreplaceable human element of functional medicine, this episode provides both the wake-up call and the roadmap you need. 👉 Listen now or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Evolution of Medicine podcast is back – weekly, longer-form, and laser-focused on giving practitioners the news, tools, and frameworks to reverse chronic disease at scale. In this premiere of "season two," host James Maskell introduces the big idea shaping the next chapter: solving "network insufficiency" at three levels – inside the body, across communities, and through a nationwide network of high-functioning practices. Borrowing from Dr. Dale Bredesen's framing of Alzheimer's as a "network insufficiency," James maps the concept onto the functional medicine matrix (clinical networks), the social fabric that shapes health (community networks), and the operational capacity of clinics themselves (practice networks). It's a unifying lens—and a rallying cry for the next five years to build the capacity required to bend the chronic disease curve. Along the way, you'll meet this season's mission partners – Fullscript, TruNeura, Freedom Practice Coaching, and Big Boost Marketing – each spotlighted for the role they play in turning "network insufficiency" into "network sufficiency," from streamlined labs and cognitive-care platforms to scalable operations and patient pre-education. 🎙️ Tune in to learn: What "network insufficiency" means clinically (via the functional medicine matrix), socially (community and group visits), and operationally (clinic capacity)—and why solving it is the master key to reversing chronic disease. Why this really is "the moment": the podcast shifts to a weekly, studio-based format to track pivotal ideas, tools, and policy conversations shaping the movement. A practical playbook for capacity building: Fullscript's evolution toward turnkey lab logistics so any clinic can offer "Function-Health-style" testing. TruNeura's clinical implementation platform and why precision medicine for cognitive decline is poised to scale. Freedom Practice Coaching's Scalability Assessment and how to use it to grow from one provider to ten. Big Boost Marketing's education-first marketing to generate qualified discovery calls at the lowest possible cost. How broader public-health debates – and a widely discussed HHS-hosted conversation—signal a cultural inflection point for our field. If you're committed to systems-level change in integrative and functional medicine, this kickoff episode sets the agenda for the year – and equips you to start building true network sufficiency in your clinic and community.

When experienced integrative physician Dr. Robin Rose discovered she had a kidney tumor and early signs of kidney disease, she was shocked—but determined. What followed was a deep dive into an often-overlooked aspect of chronic disease care: kidney health. In this powerful episode, Dr. Rose shares how her personal health journey ignited a mission to bring kidney care into the spotlight within functional and integrative medicine. She highlights how kidney dysfunction is frequently underdiagnosed or misunderstood, even in root-cause-focused care models. Through her own research and collaboration with a naturopathic kidney specialist, Dr. Rose developed a holistic framework for supporting kidney health—incorporating nutrition, lifestyle, toxin reduction, and innovative therapies like bio-regulator peptides. Her new book, Ology Peptides: Kidney Success with Bio-Regulator Peptides, explores this approach in detail. Tune in to learn: Why kidney function is the "silent factor" in many chronic disease cases The key lifestyle and environmental factors impacting kidney health How peptides—especially bio-regulator peptides—are being used to support kidney repair and resilience Why a proactive, systems-based approach is critical to reversing kidney decline How practitioners can better support patients before dialysis becomes the only option If you're interested in whole-body health and emerging tools in functional medicine, this episode will shift the way you think about kidney care.

What if health plans could cover in-home chef services to improve patient outcomes? In this episode, James Maskell sits down with Renata Jenik, founder of Foodom.com, to explore how her company is pioneering a powerful new model of food as medicine—one that's already being covered by insurance. Renata shares her personal journey from overwhelmed working mom struggling with PCOS and insulin resistance to entrepreneur with a mission to redefine healthcare through culinary empowerment. What started as a personal solution—hiring a chef to prepare healthy meals for her family—evolved into a scalable program now contracted by health plans like Anthem to serve Medicaid patients in Sacramento County. Unlike traditional meal delivery, Foodom sends trained chefs into patients' homes every two weeks to cook nourishing meals and teach basic culinary skills. It's a powerful model rooted in sustainability and empowerment. Tune in to learn about: How a personal health crisis sparked a revolutionary business idea Why health plans like Anthem are paying for in-home chef services The key differences between meal delivery and chef-led culinary education The challenges and solutions of scaling food-as-medicine at the community level Why El Dorado County is emerging as a hub for healthspan innovation And so much more! If you're interested in the intersection of culinary care, health equity, and scalable functional medicine delivery, this is a must-listen.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Javier Galvis, the first Latin American physician certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), to explore the remarkable rise of functional medicine across Latin America. Dr. Galvis shares his journey from discovering the IFM Annual International Conference (AIC) in 2010 to completing his certification in 2013—and how the AIC has continued to inspire his practice. As the founder of the Functional Medicine Academy in Colombia, Dr. Galvis is at the forefront of a growing movement, with thousands of physicians across Latin America now embracing a functional approach to care. He also gives us an exciting preview of the 2025 AIC and its cutting-edge focus on the future of medicine. Tune in to learn more about: Why the AIC has been a game-changer for clinicians around the world How functional medicine is expanding rapidly across Latin America The role of the Functional Medicine Academy in training new practitioners Hot topics at the upcoming AIC, from psychedelic and peptide therapies to longevity and energy medicine How the conference bridges traditional wisdom with modern science Why this global movement is transforming the future of healthcare Don't miss this inspiring conversation! Be sure to listen, share, and help spread the word about the transformation happening in medicine today.

What does it take to build a thriving, scalable functional medicine practice in today's healthcare landscape? In this episode of the Evolution of Medicine podcast, we're joined by Seth Conger, a seasoned entrepreneur and innovator in the functional medicine space who's helped practices grow from startup to seven-figure exits. Seth shares his own journey, from event marketing into transforming his father-in-law's clinic with cutting-edge technology and a shift to a membership-based model. The episode explores three distinct stages of practice growth—startup, growth and scale—and the critical mindset and business shifts required at each level. Tune in to learn: Why the startup phase is all about finding product-market fit and acquiring patients How the growth phase requires systems, hiring and stepping back from direct care What the scale phase looks like when your vision leads and your practice grows independently Why choosing the right business model (and ditching fee-for-service) is non-negotiable for long-term success Common mistakes that keep practitioners stuck and the high opportunity cost of not evolving Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale beyond yourself, this episode offers a roadmap for sustainable growth in functional medicine. Download today to learn how to build a profitable practice that doesn't burn you out.

In this powerful episode of the Evolution of Medicine podcast, James Maskell sits down with Tasha Blank—DJ, movement catalyst, and founder of Powerhouse DJ School—to explore how dance, music, and embodiment can be powerful tools for healing and nervous system regulation. For over a decade, Tasha has pioneered sober-conscious dance events that remove movement from the club scene and place it back into the realm of sacred, intentional expression. Her story is one of personal transformation, community leadership, and deep inquiry into how we heal—physically, emotionally and culturally. Tune in to learn about: How dance and embodiment shifted Tasha's relationship with her body and launched a decade-long journey of transformation. The health crisis in her late teens that forced her to look beyond conventional medicine and into nutrition, movement and energy work. A pandemic-fueled identity deconstruction that led to unexpected healing through metabolic, animal-based nutrition—and opened questions around gender, body image and healing. The launch of Powerhouse DJ School and teaching others to use music and dance as vehicles for transformation. The philosophy behind sober dance spaces and how reclaiming movement as medicine can heal individuals and communities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone exploring somatic healing, community-based transformation, and new paradigms for health that go far beyond prescriptions and protocols.

In this episode, Dr. Nasha Winters shares her powerful journey with cancer and the urgent need for a paradigm shift in oncology. She explores the limitations of the current cancer care model, the critical role of mitochondria in chronic illness, and why asking different questions is essential for improving patient outcomes. Dr. Winters also introduces MTOMICS, a cutting-edge data platform designed to revolutionize cancer treatment by integrating personalized, data-driven insights. Listen to the full episode to learn more:  The standard cancer care model has seen little progress in outcomes since 1971. Cancer is affecting younger populations, signaling the need for new approaches. Mitochondrial health is a cornerstone of cancer and chronic disease management. Integrative medicine offers evidence-based strategies to enhance patient care. Community and collaboration are essential for driving meaningful change. Data-driven, decentralized healthcare models can empower both patients and practitioners. And much more! Tune in to discover how integrative oncology, cutting-edge research, and patient empowerment are reshaping the future of cancer care.