The Wellness Files with Kari Beal

Brain fog, sleep changes and weight gain can leave women wondering whether perimenopause or menopause is to blame and what might help. Kari Beal talks with nurse practitioner Kimberly Sadri about hormone replacement therapy, individual risks, exercise and questions to bring to your health care provider. 00:00 — Introduction01:05 — Meet Kimberly Sadry02:32 — What is hormone replacement therapy?04:14 — Perimenopause symptoms beyond hot flashes05:44 — When to seek care and the limits of hormone testing06:49 — HRT safety, breast cancer and individual risks11:33 — Hormone blood tests14:34 — Bioidentical vs. synthetic hormones17:00 — Testosterone for women20:23 — Menopause and weight changes23:37 — GLP-1 medications and menopause24:50 — An individualized approach to care25:48 — Exercise, resistance training and HIIT29:39 — Closing 

Rapid weight loss on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro can be transformative, but what happens when slowed digestion and suppressed appetite starve your body of vital nutrients? In this episode of The Wellness Files, host Kari Beal sits down with board-certified holistic nutritionist Rebekah Fedrowitz from Santé Vie.00:00 — Introduction01:12 — Meet Holistic Nutritionist Rebecca Fedrowitz02:22 — How GLP-1s Alter Digestion, Appetite, and Nutrient Absorption03:58 — Vitamin B1 Deficiency and Neurological Risk, study06:38 — Food Pairing, Gut Microbiome, and Nutrient Synergy08:57 — Micronutrient and Vitamin Deficiency Testing09:55 — Preventing Muscle Loss: Calculating Daily Protein Needs13:30 — Protein Quality: Animal vs. Plant and Soy Cautions16:22 — Hydration, Electrolytes, and Fluid Balance18:51 — Bone Density, Multivitamins, and Stomach Acid Changes21:41 — Root Causes of Fatigue and Low Energy on GLP-1s25:10 — Key Deficiencies to Watch: Iron, B12, and Minerals26:56 — What to Eat When Experiencing GLP-1 Stomach and Digestive Issues29:08 — Final Takeaways and How to Follow Kari Beal

Host Kari Beal talks with Greenville psychologist Joe Paciarelli about why horror movies trigger fight-or-flight, adrenaline and cortisol, yet feel fun in a safe space. Learn about recreational fear, threat simulation, morbid curiosity, the military studying cortisol and more.00:00 — Why we love scary movies 02:00 — What fear does to your brain 05:03 — You're in control: safe space 07:01 — Adrenaline junkies myth? 10:31 — Threat simulation and exposure therapy 14:07 — What is morbid curiosity? 15:50 — Cortisol, sleep and nightmares 19:17 — Why the military studies stress 27:26 — Denmark haunted house lab 30:49 — Gory movies don't mean psychopath 

Could experimental gene therapy change what’s possible for children with Hunter syndrome, also known as MPS II? In this episode, a father describes his son’s gene therapy treatment journey and reports his progress. We discuss how the therapy works, the clinical-trial process, and why access remains limited.00:00 — intro01:59 — Hunter syndrome and the gene therapy approach04:09 — Ollie’s treatment journey06:12 — Early signs and follow-up after treatment10:03 — Trial access and eligibility12:00 — Living with Hunter syndrome in the family14:08 — Trial stages and access challenges16:00 — Screening, early diagnosis and support18:13 — Questions about U.S. trials and what comes next

Recorded live at Furman University, host Kari Beal talks with pediatrician Dr. Kerry Sease and health equity researcher Dr. Shaniece Criss about why women, children and people of color were often left out of clinical trials and how that gap still affects drug dosing, device accuracy and everyday care. Learn what’s changing with inclusion, biobanks, AI, and how to ask your doctor if research applies to you.  00:00 — Introduction01:28 — Who was medicine made for? Chest pain story missed on EKG05:31 — History: white males as baseline, 1993 NIH Revitalization Act07:49 — Tuskegee, Guatemala, Henrietta Lacks10:19 — Ambien in women and driving risk11:32 — Codeine in kids and breathing risk13:48 — Pulse oximeters and darker skin15:00 — Trust: are institutions being trustworthy?16:41 — Fixing it: rides, babysitters, co-design25:03 — Biobanks and protections28:00 — AI in clinical trials Q&A

Following the tragic death of Hayden Panettiere from a lethal mix of fentanyl and other prescriptions, new focus is turning to the root causes of America's addiction crisis and how routine post-surgery prescriptions can start that dangerous cycle. We examine Journavx, the first new class of non-opioid pain medication approved by the FDA in 20 years. 00:00 — Introduction: The genetic discovery of feeling no pain01:14 — The addiction crisis & the need for surgical alternatives02:14 — How sodium channels block pain before reaching the brain03:45 — Patient Story: Laura Ziesel on surgery recovery without opioids07:31 — Dr. Kevin Walker: Opioid comparison & non-addictive science09:12 — The cost barrier: Retail price vs. manufacturer copay cards10:45 — The chronic pain question: Neuropathy vs. sciatica trials12:20 — Takeaways for upcoming surgeries & final thoughts  Cambridge study news releasehttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061213175229.htmCambridge study in Naturehttps://www.nature.com/articles/nature05413Price of Journavxhttps://news.vrtx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vertex-announces-fda-approval-journavxtm-suzetrigine-first-classPrice of opioidshttps://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-non-opioid-pain-pill

Following a coroner's report identifying five substances in Hayden Panettiere’s body, host Kari Beal sits down with addiction researcher and psychiatrist Dr. Joseph Friedman to break down the deadly reality of polysubstance overdoses and erratic street drug potency. They explore the science behind dangerous drug synergies, emerging non-opioid threats like medetomidine, and practical harm reduction tools—including where to access free naloxone and test strips in South Carolina. 00:00 - Intro01:32 - Upcoming Live Event: Furman University on Sept. 30https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/09/10/wellness-files-live-who-was-this-medicine-made/02:40 - Meet Dr. Joseph Friedman: Addiction research background03:05 - Deconstructing the autopsy: Fentanyl & 4-ANPP explained05:31 - Synergistic danger: Combining Xanax, sedatives & opioids07:20 - Muscle relaxers (Methocarbamol) & Seroquel in overdose09:42 - Evidence-based addiction treatment vs. street supply crackdown12:59 - The potency lottery: Dr. Friedman’s drug checking research15:03 - Fentanyl test strips: How they work and who they protect18:38 - Emerging threats: Medetomidine & veterinary tranquilizers20:18 - National overdose trends and the lifesaving role of Narcan21:40 - Solutions & free resources: S.C. health department kits & preview

Dry, irritated eyes are skyrocketing thanks to modern screen habits. Hormonal shifts also play a role, and microscopic eyelash mites can be mistaken for dry eye. In this episode of The Wellness Files, optometrist Dr. Cory Lappin explains what’s really drying out your eyes and the proven clinical and at-home steps to fix it. 00:00 - intro02:01 - Meet Dr. Cory Lappin / Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist04:01 - Dry eye stats & common symptoms06:13 - Why ignoring dry eye makes it worse06:56 - Drops, supplements & why to avoid baby shampoo09:12 - Advanced in-office fixes: IPL & red light12:31 - The mental health & pain toll of chronic dry eye14:41 - Screen time, "toothpaste oil," & blinking habits18:11 - Screens, myopia & skyrocketing vision issues19:16 - The surprising link between hormones & tears20:53 - Demodex eyelash mites: symptoms & collarettes23:07 - FDA-approved mite treatments & lid hygiene25:08 - Morning sunlight, sunglasses & circadian rhythm27:32 - Blue light, screen sleep habits & annual eye exams

Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia discusses his battle with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Stephen shares his aggressive treatment journey, the incredible news of a 99.8% reduction in tumor DNA, and why he launched his new nonprofit to advocate for early screening and detection. 00:00 - intro01:08 - Explaining Signatera blood scans & tumor shrinkage02:15 - Interview intro: South Carolina legend Stephen Garcia02:47 - Finding the cancer: symptoms, ultrasound, & biopsy04:20 - Hearing the diagnosis & establishing a treatment plan05:42 - Telling the kids: navigating the news with family07:31 - Undergoing aggressive chemotherapy & pelvic radiation09:45 - Upcoming surgery & the power of family support10:40 - Tumor reduction results & saving the liver13:36 - Differing medical opinions & choosing TGH14:27 - How athletic training built a resilient mindset15:12 - Surprise support from Dabo Swinney & Darius Rucker16:43 - Launching the "Quarterback Your Health" nonprofithttps://quarterbackyourhealth.store/17:55 - Why men must stop brushing off symptoms19:10 - Tough days: managing embarrassing physical side effects22:17 - Crucial advice for others: "Listen to your body"23:33 - Furman University live event announcement (September 30th)Event details: https://www.furman.edu/academics/cultural-life-program/upcoming-clp-events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D1433290230  

Reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Neha Hudepohl, Prisma Health, joins the show to discuss the complexities of postpartum psychosis in light of the national conversation surrounding the Lindsay Clancy trial. Dr. Hudepohl explains the critical differences between postpartum depression and psychosis, outlines key warning signs, and details how families can identify a psychiatric emergency to seek life-saving support.   00:00 - Intro: The Lindsay Clancy case and PPP context03:21 - Dr. Hudepohl’s background & Prisma Health programs04:58 - What is postpartum psychosis? Key symptoms to watch for07:22 - Assessing risks of self-harm and emergency responses09:16 - Sleep deprivation, genetics, and hormonal triggers10:49 - Prevention plans & specialized reproductive psychiatry11:43 - The difference: Postpartum depression vs. psychosis12:57 - Why symptoms wax and wane (the lucidity challenge)15:09 - How partners can support recovery and sleep restoration17:16 - Holistic treatment: Medication, therapy, and family care18:10 - Overcoming the fear of child separation during hospitalization20:34 - Outro: Accessing the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline