My guest this week is Ari Whitten a best-selling author and the creator of the Energy Blueprint system. He is an energy and fatigue specialist who focuses on taking an evidence-based approach to energy enhancement. He's also the host of the extremely popular Energy Blueprint Podcast, which brings together leading experts on the subject of fatigue and energy enhancement to talk about their approach to health optimization. For the last 5 years, he's been working with the world's top fatigue experts to develop the most comprehensive program in the world on the science of overcoming fatigue and increasing energy -- The Energy Blueprint. To learn more about Ari Whitten click here.

My guest this week is Julie Pate, a Certified Yoga Therapist who has been teaching yoga to children and adults since 1999. As the Event and Sales Manager of YogaKids International, Jule is currently pursuing a Masters in Counseling at National Louis University and plans to pursue a career merging traditional counseling with the healing tools of yoga. In this episode, Julie and I discuss the powerful benefits of yoga for children’s health and behavior. To learn more about YogaKids click here.   Where to learn more about Julie Pate and Yoga Kids... Facebook Twitter

My guest this week is Summer Bock, a trained herbalist certified in integrative nutrition through Columbia University. A raver in her early twenties, devastating allergies emerged that left her exhausted, hive-ridden, and only able to consume 30 foods without a reaction - an outlook that stumped the medical community. Leveraging her background in microbiology and fascination with gut health, Summer healed herself through research and formulation of various digestive bitters, which she now produces for her Guts & Glory Apothecary online. Summer Bock coined the phrase “Gut Rebuilding”, which is now cornerstone terminology in the integrative health conversation. She is the founder of the Fermentationist Certification Program. In this episode, Summer and I discuss how parents can incorporate and use fermented foods to support their child's mental, physical and gut health.   Where to learn more about Summer Bock... Guts & Glory Instagram Facebook Twitter   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on... Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com   Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?  My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.  Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.  Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.

My guest this week is Mara Fleishman who turned her passion for healthy and sustainable food into a career by taking a position leading the marketing efforts for Whole Foods Market on the East Coast and in Europe.  For nearly six years, she worked to raise awareness of the importance of eating fresh, healthy food. After a move to Boulder, Colorado, Fleishman decided to join her kindergartener for lunch at school one day. Shocked by the highly processed, high-sugar lunch that she and her daughter were served, she began her crusade to reform school food.  In 2013, Fleishman left her position as Global Director of Partnerships with Whole Foods Market to work on school food reform in a full-time capacity as CEO of the Chef Ann Foundation. With three kids ranging from ages eight to eighteen, Mara brings a parent’s awareness to her work and writes about school food through that lens. Her current and archived blog posts are available on The Lunch Line.  In this episode, Mara and I discuss the reality of school food programs across the United States and how parents can advocate for healthier options within their children's school district.   Where to learn more about Mara Fleishman... Chef Ann Foundation The Lunch Box Program Instagram Facebook Twitter   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on... Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com   Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?  My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.  Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.  Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. 

My guest this week is Dr. Kendra Becker, a board-certified integrated physician who specializes in MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), fertility and treatment of “the 4As” (asthma, autism, allergies, atopy/eczema). Dr. Becker is adjunct Faculty at 2 prominent universities, where she teaches to physicians, medical students, precepts students, doctors and nurse practitioners. She lectures nationwide on topics such as autism, the immune system, MTHFR and genetic mutations that have health implications. Dr. Becker is the author of “A Delicious Way to Heal the Gut”, “All you CAN Eat” and was chosen as one of Connecticut’s “Top Naturopathic Doctors” and 10 Best APRNs. In this episode, Dr. Becker and I discuss how nutrition and diet impact sensory processing issues in children. Dr. Becker shares with the audience the top food and environmental aggressors for sensory processing systems and what actions parents can take to help their children. Children who suffer from sensory integration problems can experience sound, touch and motion sensitivities, as well as, physical symptoms such as poor gait, balance, gut and respiratory issues. Children who suffer from sensory integration issues that experience the above symptoms may greatly benefit from nutritional and environmental interventions. To learn more about Dr. Becker click here.   Where to learn more about Dr. Kendra Becker... DrKendraBecker.com Instagram Facebook   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on... Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com   Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?  My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.  Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.  Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.

My guest this week is Dr. Mona Delahooke, a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience caring for children and their families. Dr. Delahooke is a senior faculty member of the Profectum Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting families of neurodiverse children, adolescents, and adults. She holds the highest level of endorsement in the field of infant and toddler mental health in California, as a Reflective Practice Mentor (RPM). She is a frequent speaker, trainer, and consultant to parents, organizations, schools, and public agencies.  Dr. Delahooke has dedicated her career to promoting compassionate, relationship-based neurodevelopmental interventions for children with developmental, behavioral, emotional, and learning differences. She is the author of Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges.  In this episode, Dr. Delahooke and I break down the brain science behind children's mood and behavior. Often we approach our child's actions as intentional or deliberate when they are misbehaving or reacting to a situation when many times there are underlying reasons that explain the action that they are unable to communicate. Dr. Delahooke helps us understand these emotions by explaining the brain science behind children's actions with concepts like ‘neuroception’ allowing us to better approach and help our children with love and support.    Where to learn more about Dr. Mona Delahooke... Monadelahooke.com Dr. Delahooke’s Books Instagram Twitter Facebook   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on... Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com   Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?  My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.  Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.  Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.

My guest this week is Dr. Joe Tatta, a pioneering expert in lifestyle interventions for treating persistent pain. Dr. Tatta has 25 years of experience in physical therapy, integrative models of pain care, leadership and private practice innovation. He holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, is a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist and has trained extensively in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Tatta is the Founder of the Integrative Pain Science Institute, a company dedicated to reinventing pain care through education, research, and professional training. Dr. Tatta is the author of the bestselling book, ‘Heal Your Pain Now‘, and host of ‘The Healing Pain Podcast‘ which features interviews and free training from respected pain experts. In this episode, Dr. Tatta and I discuss how parents can understand and properly address chronic pain in their children and family. Dr. Tatta shares common pain symptoms children experience, such as, tension or migraine headaches, gastrointestinal or gut abdominal pain, lower back pain, and chronic regional pain syndrome. He sheds light on surprising research links to increased pain persistency in children and provides parents with resources and tips on how to normalize their child’s life again when dealing with chronic pain issues.    Where to learn more about Dr. Joe Tatta... Integrative Pain Science Institute drjoetatta.com Instagram Twitter Facebook   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on... Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com   Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?  My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.  Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.  Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. 

My guest this week is Brooke Alpert, a certified holistic cannabis practitioner, a nationally recognized nutrition expert, and a best-selling author. She is the founder of B Nutritious, a private nutrition counseling and consulting practice in New York City.   Brooke’s interest in cannabis, particularly in CBD came from trying to help her husband manage his debilitating autoimmune disease. Seeing what CBD could do for her husband, Brooke brought CBD into her private practice and saw many of her client's overall wellness improve. Having to navigate her husband and her clients through all the options and seeing how so many of the products out there were not adequate, lead Brooke to create her own brand of CBD products, called Daily Habit.    In this episode, Brooke and I discuss the importance of quality ingredients, proper usage and benefits of CBD for children and adults. CBD's benefits are unique to each user aiding various issues such as stress, anxiety, sleep, behavioral and mood disorders. To learn more about Brooke Alpert click here.   Where to learn more about Brooke Alpert... Daily Habit CBD Instagram Facebook   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on... Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com   Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?  My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.  Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.  Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.

My guest this week is Melissa Gallico, a former military intelligence officer, Fulbright scholar, and author. While serving as an intelligence specialist at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Melissa instructed classes for FBI analysts at Quantico and provided analytic support for national security investigations. She is the author of The Hidden Cause of Acne and host of The Gallico Show, a podcast dedicated to exposing the pollution story behind artificial water fluoridation in the United States. Melissa graduated with honors from Georgetown University and has a master’s degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.  In this episode, Melissa and I discuss the surprising side effects that fluoride can have on our family’s health. Melissa shares with the audience how to recognize these effects and what parents can do to minimize fluoride exposure in the home. Children and adults with excessive fluoride exposure may suffer from dental fluorosis, low thyroid function, acne, and experience neurotoxic effects or worsening symptoms to an existing behavioral or mood disorder. Over 70% of public water supplies in the United States are artificially fluoridated. To learn more about Melissa Gallico click here.   Episode Highlights Why We Should Be Concerned Fluoride in our drinking water is not only affecting our teeth Fluoride can have neurotoxic effects on children It can show up as skin problems such as acne, hives, skin rashes or even gastrointestinal problems Research has shown that fluoride can affect your IQ and influence ADHD hyperactivity   Ways to See Fluoride Overexposure When children are overexposed to fluoride while their teeth are forming they can develop dark brown stains or white spots/flecks on the tooth enamel called dental fluorosis Ask your child's dentist if they see any signs of dental fluorosis Test thyroid function as it is often tied to overexposure Mood disorders that can appear as behavior problems in children such as, irritability and agitated behavior   Sources of Fluoride  Fluoridated water, toothpaste, products and beverages made in or with fluoridated water such as tea or boxed cereals Fluoride is also used as a pesticide and foods such as grapes or grape products such as juices or raisins have high fluoride levels   Ways to Minimize Exposure  Find a source of fluoride-free water for drinking Replace your traditional toothpaste for a fluoride-free toothpaste Check your prescription drugs for fluoride and speak with your doctor about alternatives options Take the 30-day challenge    Where to learn more about Melissa Gallico... Hidden Cause of Acne Book Fluoride Pollution Website 30-Day Fluoride Free Challenge Instagram Twitter Facebook   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on... Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com   Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?  My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.  Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.  Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.

My guest this week is Dr. Elisa Song, MD is a holistic pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and mama. In her integrative pediatric practice, Whole Family Wellness, she’s helped 1000s of kids get to the root causes of their health concerns and helped their parents understand how to help their children thrive – body, mind, and spirit – by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils.  Dr. Song has lectured around the world on integrative pediatrics topics for multiple podcasts and summits, Fx Medicine Australia, Bioceuticals Australia, Integrative Medicine for Mental Health, The Center for Education and Development of Clinical Homeopathy, Academy for Pain Research, Center for Advanced Acupuncture Pediatrics, Institute for Functional Medicine, and Holistic Pediatric Association. Dr. Song created Healthy Kids Happy Kids as an online holistic pediatric resource to help practitioners and parents bridge the gap between conventional and integrative pediatrics with an evidence-based, pediatrician-backed approach.  In this episode, Dr. Song and I discuss how parents can recognize, assess and act on the common symptoms of the growing illness PANS/PANDAS. Dr. Song defines PANS/PANDAS and shares the common realities that families dealing with this illness face. She breaks down her 6-step treatment approach for the audience and provides incredible insight, tips, and resources for families. Children suffering from PANS/PANDAS experience brain inflammation commonly referred to as “brain fire” and resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. To learn more about Dr. Elisa Song click here.   Episode Highlights What is PANS/PANDAS? PANS, Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome An umbrella term for a set of conditions that causes an acute-onset of tics, OCD, behavioral issues, and cognitive processing problems There are infectious triggers for PANS and non-infectious triggers for PANS When the infectious trigger is strep we call it PANDAS There are various infections that implicate PANS, such as influenza, herpes 1, 2, and 6 (roseola virus), HFM virus, Epstein-barr (mono virus), and Lyme disease and its co-infections Non-infectious triggers such as environmental toxins, molds, heavy metals, and even metabolic disorders The underlying commonality between all of these is ‘autoimmune encephalitis’ itis - means inflammation Encephalitis - means brain inflammation   Common Symptoms Anxiety, ticks, food restrictions or phobias around food, urinary frequency and urge with little urine production, motor problems (handwriting declining) and processing problems   Assessing PANS/PANDAS It is important to note that PANS/PANDAS is a clinical diagnosis However, there are clues to help assess and determine this diagnosis Testing their reaction and results to anti-inflammatory medication Using the anti-DNase B strep antibody marker and the Cunningham panel which looks at autoimmune antibodies   Dr. Song’s Treatment Approach  For practitioners, refer to the PANDAS Physicians Network for consensus diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines First step is to use  health and medical history to be the guide in finding the underlying cause in what exactly needs to be treated Address that “brain fire” by treating the inflammation with natural methods before turning to and relying on long-term NSAIDs or using antibiotics Omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin or turmeric, eating clean whole foods and cutting out processed foods and sugars  Working with an integrative functional medicine practitioner to help guide you through the proper steps to identify and treat underlying imbalances such as gut dysfunction, nutritional insufficiencies, food sensitivities, leaky gut, detoxification issues, methylation and mitochondrial problems Work with the schools to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of the child  Use homeopathy tools, essentials oils, acupuncture, acupressure, and cranial osteopathy   Where to learn more about Dr. Elisa Song... Healthy Kids Happy Kids Website Instagram Twitter Facebook The Thriving Child Community    Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on... Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com   Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?  My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.  Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.  Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.