Blog
Have you heard of "supplement stacking"? Not that long ago, it was trending on social media which brought this concept to the forefront. On this show, Karolyn talks with Karen Todd, aka The Supplement Dietician, about this important topic. Karen is a registered dietitian with over 30 years of experience in exercise performance and nutritional product development and education so she is the perfect expert to help us all understand supplement stacking.
Caring for someone with brain cancer means asking not only how to treat the tumor, but how to support the person living with it. Joining us is Dr. Soma Sengupta, a neuro-oncologist, integrative oncologist, and physician-scientist who serves as Chair of Neurology and Neurologist-in-Chief at Tufts Medical Center. In this episode of Five to Thrive Live, we’ll explore how integrative care fits alongside brain cancer treatment, what the evidence does and doesn’t tell us, and where new research offers reasons for hope.
Dr. Peter Bongiorno is a mental health expert with extensive experience treating anxiety. On this episode, Dr. Bongiorno talks with Karolyn about anti-anxiety nutrients and herbs, and he also explains why someone may want to try natural anxiolytics before taking a prescription medication. Anxiety is a common problem, but anti-anxiety medications have side effects. Are natural ingredients a safe and evidence-based alternative? We'll find out on this show. In addition to being a sought-after mental health expert, Dr. Bongiorno is an acupuncturist and best-selling author.
Acupuncture is a powerful tool that can help people heal, including those diagnosed with cancer. On this show, Dr. Alix Bjorklund talks with Karolyn about how acupuncture works and how it can help people diagnosed with cancer. She also discusses how she uses acupuncture to help her patients with end-of-life care. Dr. Bjorklund is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a licensed acupuncturist who has been in private practice in Santa Fe, NM, since 1993.
Naturopathic integrative oncology blends conventional cancer treatment with evidence-informed natural medicine, and few clinicians embody that balance better than Dr. Eliot Edwards ND, FABNO, who brings 24 years of practice and board certification in naturopathic oncology to his new role leading Sonoran University's Integrative Oncology Clinical Center of Excellence. In this episode we explore the quality-of-life issues patients live with every day, including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and the practical realities of ostomy function and diet. We also look ahead to the fast-moving world of (K)RAS-targeted therapies and ask a provocative question: could colon cancer be largely prevented?
Are you familiar with Radical Candor? It's an innovative communication style that Karolyn will explore with Bernadette Paley, a human resources and management expert. Bernadette has incorporated Radical Candor into the workplace at Sonoran University of Health Sciences and will discuss what it is, how it works, and its effectiveness. As Assistant Director of Human Resources at Sonoran University Bernadette is passionate about helping others move from difficult conversations to meaningful action and building cultures where people can communicate openly, grow confidently, and thrive together.
Registered dietitian Ashley Koff joins Five to Thrive Live to tackle the question everyone's asking: can AI be my doctor? Together we explore how matching the right AI tool to your health goals, using AI to collaborate with (not replace) your practitioner, and knowing when to step away from AI entirely can help you walk into your next appointment more informed and better prepared.
Recent scientific research reveals that creatine monohydrate's benefits extend far beyond muscle growth. In addition to enhancing exercise performance, studies are highlighting its potential to improve brain function, energize immunity, and support menopausal health. On this show, Karolyn talks to Karen Todd, a Registered Dietitian and Strength and Conditioning Specialist dedicated to sharing evidence-based dietary supplement information and education. Together they will profile this important nutrient by not only talking about its benefits but also its safety profile and how to take it as a dietary supplement.
In this episode of Five to Thrive Live, we’re joined by Dr. Beth DuPree, breast surgeon, integrative physician, and author, for a fascinating conversation about one of the body’s most powerful yet often overlooked systems: the vagus nerve. From sleep and mood to energy, immunity, and even resilience under stress, the vagus nerve plays a central role in how we feel and function every day. Dr. DuPree unpacks the science and shares practical insights on how understanding and supporting this critical pathway can transform your health in ways you may not expect.
As a newly trained Certified Grief Educator, Karolyn has new insights into the complex topic of grief and grieving. On this show, Lise interviews Karolyn about what she learned during the certification program and how to apply those strategies to daily living. Lise also shares her thoughts on loss and grief. Karolyn was trained by world-renowed grief expert David Kessler who has authored many books on this topic, including books with Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a pioneer in the area of death, dying, and grieving. This is a difficult topic but it's one that deserves more attention!
In this episode of Five to Thrive Live, Dr. Jen Green ND, FABNO, integrative oncology leader, and cancer survivor, shares a powerful clinical and personal perspective on co-managing head and neck cancer. Drawing from over two decades of experience and her own journey through treatment, she explores how nutrition, integrative pain management, and mind-body medicine can meaningfully improve patient outcomes and quality of life. This conversation offers practical, evidence-informed strategies for clinicians seeking to deliver truly collaborative, patient-centered cancer care.
Have you heard of Treatment-Induced Accelerated Aging (TIAA)? It's been called the Achilles' heel for cancer survivors. But what is it and more importantly, how can it be prevented or addressed? On this show, Karolyn talks with integrative oncologist Dr. Nathan Handley, Director of the Integrative Cancer Recovery Program at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Jefferson Health in Pennsylvania. Because Dr. Handley specializes in cancer recovery, he is well-versed in addressing TIAA. Tune in to learn more!
In this episode of Five to Thrive Live, you will learn about your “hidden organ” – your fascia. What if your nagging pain isn’t coming from your muscles or joints at all, but from the connective web that holds everything together? Fascia expert and integrative pain Doctor Amoz Van Dyke joins us to explain how fascia influences pain, posture, and performance.
Are you struggling to manage the stress in your life? Maybe it's time to take a deeper dive into stress management by finding out more about your nervous system and why regulation is so important. On this show, Karolyn interviews Lise about stress and building resilience, one of Lise's areas of expertise. Find out how to regulate your nervous system naturally and effectively.
Eating healthy after a cancer diagnosis is a common goal, but can you go too far? On this show, Karolyn talks with cancer and nutrition expert Conner Middelmann a Certified Nutrition Professional (CNP) and the founder of Modern Mediterranean. Some studies indicate that people diagnosed with cancer are at risk of developing a disordered eating pattern called orthorexia, characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with healthy eating and a fixation on food purity. Conner will discuss how to avoid and identify this extreme eating pattern and provide strategies to address it.
In this episode of Five to Thrive Live, Dr. Joseph Vazquez, a naturopathic physician, joins us to talk about the heart of community medicine — bringing healthcare directly to the places where people live, work, and connect. Dr. Vazquez shares innovative examples of how integrative medicine is reshaping care delivery and creating meaningful change where it’s needed most.
GLP-1 medications are certainly getting a lot of attention these days. But how safe are these medications? And do they have additional benefits beyond weight loss? On this show, Karolyn talks with researcher Kristin Altwegg, PhD, recipient of the AICR/WCRF Marilyn Gentry Fellowship. Dr. Altwegg's research is looking at GLP-1 weight loss drugs and their influence on obesity-related cancer risk, specifically breast, endometrial, and colon. Dr. Altwegg will discuss her research and the pros and cons of these medications.
In this episode of Five to Thrive Live, naturopathic doctor, Dr. LaDeana Jeane will unpack how environmental toxins – everything from plastics to hidden chemical exposures - interact with the body, influence hormonal balance, and potentially contribute to breast cancer risk. Join us as we separate fear from fact and share practical strategies to reduce exposure and support long-term wellness.
Balanced blood sugar is important for many reasons including managing weight, optimal brain function, maintaining consistent energy levels, and reducing the risk of several chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. On this show, Karolyn profiles herbs that help balance blood sugar with herbal expert Dr. Patricia Gaines who is the Chair of the Botanical Medicine Department and a supervising physician at Sonoran University Medical Center.
