Unpacking the complexities of food sensitivities, including testing methods, symptoms, and hormone interactions. The downsides of restrictive healing diets are discussed, as well as the increase in food sensitivities today. The interplay of estrogen, cortisol, and dendritic cells is explored. The episode also addresses the pros and cons of food sensitivity testing and provides guidance on healing sensitivities to food.

If you’ve been following along with TFN the last couple weeks, you’ve heard about the external sh*tstorm that severely impacted our podcast listenership. Today, Erin shares the story of what happened and why, and the overwhelming support we received from the TFN community in response (thank you!!). This show goes into some of the lessons learned from the situation and how this moment is an invitation for a total energy revamp, both for the podcast as well as for you, the listener. Right now, there are cosmic shifts taking place that bring us all to a crossroads, in which we have the choice to step into our power and make decisions for the higher good. Erin talks through these shifts as they relate to the future of the podcast, and also shares the importance of working on the energy around the heart wall, why we need to plug into our own power rather than outsource for answers, and the heart medicine of allowing others to take care of us.Timestamps(4:02) Cosmic shifts and self-sourcing for answers(7:25) What happened to the podcast(14:58) Belief in your power and capacity to heal(19:45) Third chakra excess and what it looks like(21:38) Heart wall healing work (31:42) The future of The Funk’tional Nutrition PodcastFOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/250-heart-energy-expansionCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram 

A note from Erin: This week I shared on Instagram what's been going on with the podcast and I was really, really overwhelmed (in the best way possible) with the outpouring of support. I figured I should also share this with the rest of our community. In the grand scheme of all of the things going on in this world, this is a small problem, and I fully recognize that. But after reading through all my DMs, and hearing very personalized stories of how my podcast has quite literally changed lives, I don't want to downplay this, either. It's important that I continue to show up for this work...because the reality is that people need this help. Today’s minisode has the full story.

Can we take a root cause approach to healing depression? And is our current clinical psychiatry model supportive of finding a root cause? Just like with chronic physical illness, a common pattern in psychiatric medicine is to reach the diagnosis and then manage symptoms, rather than addressing the root issue. But what would it look like to get curious and ask why depression is there, and what it might be trying to tell us on a deeper, psychospiritual level? Join Erin for a conversation with Astrid Schmidt, LCSW-R, a Certified Gestalt Therapist and the creator of the Spiral Mapping™ Method, a creative healing approach designed to help folks master their core healing themes of this lifetime. This conversation digs into the effects of being labeled a “depressed person,” the invitation of depression, working with the inner child, and ultimately how to find *your* medicine. Please note that this is NOT medical advice or a condemnation of conventional psychiatry; rather, this episode is a big-picture conversation which intends to explore new ways of thinking about our health.Timestamps:(5:45) Introducing Astrid and Gestalt Therapy(12:42) “Organic depression” vs. “clinical depression”(19:25) What is the Self?(33:15) Depression as an initiation(38:35) What does your diagnosis feel like?(42:25) Spiral Mapping™ explainedFOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/249-healing-depression-holistically

Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it can’t harm you. Herbs have the capacity to negatively alter our gut microbiome if they aren’t used properly, so it’s important to know the root cause before diving into herbal remedies for gut problems. And it’s especially important to seek professional help rather than self-diagnosing and treating with potentially harmful remedies.In this episode, Erin discusses problems with antibiotics and herbal remedies (spoiler alert: they have similar problems), why the 5R protocol needs a revamp, when it’s time to explore functional lab testing, and how to safely support your gut health at home. This conversation is also great for practitioners seeking to learn more about how to treat the gut safely and effectively!If you’re a practitioner and looking for the education and expert support system to help you level up, the Funk’tional Nutrition Academy is currently open for enrollment, with only a few seats left! Spring Cohort begins April 1.Timestamps:(14:35) Parallels between antibiotics and herbal remedies(21:32) Why you shouldn’t use grapefruit seed oil to treat your gut (30:24) Oregano oil and its effects on beneficial bacteria(37:41) The 5R protocol and where it falls short(1:07:26) Steps to support gut health at home(1:15:09) Erin’s top labs for testing the gutFOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/248-gut-health-treatmentsCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

A lot of practitioners, especially those newer to functional medicine, put pressure on themselves to be all the things and know all the things–which can often lead to crippling self-doubt. The successful practitioner, on the other hand, is one who has a solid sense of self, works within their skill sets and strengths, and acknowledges their limitations. Continuing last week’s conversation, Erin dives into the mindset piece of becoming a good practitioner. Comparison, self doubt, and imposter syndrome all hold people back from sharing their gifts, which is why doing inner work and overcoming self-doubt is REQUIRED in order to be of greater service to those who need it most.If you’re a practitioner and looking for the education and expert support system to help you level up, the Funk’tional Nutrition Academy is currently open for enrollment! PLUS, practitioners are invited to join us for a FREE Functional Lab Testing Masterclass on Thursday March 23rd at 6pm ET!Timestamps:(9:00) Who is an “expert” and the Dunning-Kruger effect(12:30) Referrals and recognizing your own limitations(24:39) Gap & Gain and knowing your zone of genius (35:03) The root cause of imposter syndrome(38:53) Strategies for building rapport with your clients(42:00) Marketing your skills and reframing “selling” FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/247-functional-practitioner-mindsetCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

There’s no question that the conventional medicine system is tragically broken. We’re seeing a greater demand for another way, and functional practitioners are filling that need. But if you’re a newer practitioner, how do you get started growing your skillset and confidence, and do so in a way that is responsible to your clients?In the first episode of a 2-part conversation, Erin presents actionable steps for practitioners to become advanced in their fields and accelerate their clients’ transformation. Seeking mentorship, developing an advanced mindset and critical thinking skills, and devoting oneself to continued education are all key elements to building a successful practice and getting tangible results. If you’re a practitioner and looking for the education and expert support system to help you level up, the Funk’tional Nutrition Academy is currently open for enrollment, with early bird enrollment bonuses available now through March 17! PLUS, practitioners are invited to join us for a FREE Functional Lab Testing Masterclass on Thursday March 23rd at 6pm ET!Timestamps:(9:05) Imposter syndrome and the catch-22 of growing your practice(13:41) Accelerating growth with mentorship(18:56) Developing an advanced clinical thought process(22:57) Importance of practicing WHILE you learn(33:15) Trying new things and sources of support(37:07) Continuing education and self-studyFOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/246-better-functional-practitionerCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

Why do some functional medicine providers have waitlists and others don’t? A functional medicine approach at its core is a root cause resolution approach, and successful providers are those who have honed their skills at quickly identifying root causes and creating effective treatment plans. And while labs can help direct that treatment, being a functional provider is more than just ordering labs–you have not only know what labs to run, but WHEN and WHY to choose them, and what to do with the results.Today, Team FN shares their most favorite functional labs – AND discusses their approach and philosophies around ordering labs and how they discern which labs are right for which client. Grab a pen and paper–this conversation has nuggets of wisdom for both practitioners who want to fine-tune their approaches to lab testing AND the layperson who wants to better understand which labs to ask for.If you’re a practitioner and you’d like to learn more about using a unique approach to functional lab testing to accelerate your clients’ transformation, join us for a FREE Functional Lab Testing Masterclass on Thursday March 23rd at 6pm ET!!Timestamps:(12:25) Two main functions of running lab tests(15:45) Rachel’s “Big 5” foundations of health(23:18) Why Rachel likes to run bloodwork on every patient(36:23) GI MAP and what to consider when stool testing(49:24) When and why to run a Wheat Zoomer(52:16) Tox/mycotox panels, DUTCH tests, and other FN favorite labsFOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/245-favorite-functional-labsCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

Thyroid dysfunction affects approximately 28 million Americans–8 out of 10 of which are women. In fact, hypothyroid is so commonplace that Levothyroxine is consistently one of the top-prescribed drugs year after year. There are a lot of ways to support the thyroid before it gets to this point, so we have to ask ourselves WHY this issue is so common and how we can be proactive about achieving optimal thyroid health.Like most other areas of our health, thyroid health is multifaceted, and there are plenty of possible causes for dysfunction. In under 60 minutes, Erin breaks down the symptoms of hypothyroid; the impact of root causes such as caloric restriction, liver health, and non-thyroid hormonal balance; things your conventional medicine practitioner might miss in lab results; and the relationship between the energetic body and the thyroid.Join Your Hormone Revival™ for our final live round!Timestamps:(5:18) Symptoms of hypothyroid (9:16) Understanding thyroid physiology (17:22) Thyroid and diet (20:22) Relationship between liver and thyroid function (23:07) Impact of non-thyroid hormone balance (30:46) Thyroid health, energetic work, and self-expression FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/244-thyroid-dysfunctionCheck out The Funk’tional Nutritionist: Website | Instagram

Learn how to balance your hormones using dietary strategies and balancing blood sugar. Explore the importance of movement, skeletal muscle, and supporting hormone detoxification. Discover the role of the nervous system in hormone regulation and the dangers of synthetic fragrances. Understand the two phases of liver detox and how to support effective detoxification. Find out how adding frozen cauliflower to smoothies can support hormone balance.