
The Power of Genetics
The Power of Genetics podcast shares the stories of visionary practitioners or healthcare allies who transform lives, challenge paradigms, and inspire change. Each guest has been chosen for the role they have played in driving the fields of genetics, nutrition and medicine forward
Latest episodes

Jul 21, 2023 • 45min
From Words to Medicine: Dr. Austin Perlmutter’s Journey of Transition and Influence
Dr. Austin Perlmutter, an internal medicine physician and co-author of 'Brainwash,' shares his unique journey from fiction writer to medical expert. He emphasizes the critical role of effective health communication in the digital age and the power of storytelling to explain complex science. Delving into chronic diseases, he discusses the potential of psychedelics in mental health treatment and the need for personal accountability. Dr. Perlmutter advocates for integrative health approaches and highlights the importance of engaging emotionally in fostering wellness.

Jul 14, 2023 • 54min
Building a Nutritious Life: Kerry Glassman’s Journey as a Celebrity Dietitian and Entrepreneur
In this episode of the Power of Genetics podcast, Dr. Yael Joffe interviews Kerry Glassman, a celebrity dietitian and entrepreneur. Kerry shares her journey and passion for nutrition and wellness, discussing how she developed the pillars of her approach to a Nutritious Life. She talks about the challenges she faced in building her private practice and emphasizes the value of hard work and seizing opportunities. Kerry also highlights the importance of media exposure in spreading her message and making an impact. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of social media and its advantages for those starting their careers. Kerry discusses the significance of individualized nutrition and the role of genetics in personalized medicine. She offers advice to listeners, encouraging continuous learning, seeking mentorship, and staying focused on their own path.
Topic Points:
Kerry Glassman's journey as a celebrity dietitian and entrepreneur.
The development of the pillars of Kerry's approach to a nutritious life.
Challenges faced by Kerry in building her private practice.
The importance of media exposure and seizing opportunities to make an impact.
The evolving landscape of social media and its advantages for career starters.
The significance of individualized nutrition and the role of genetics in personalized medicine.

Jul 6, 2023 • 48min
Revolutionizing Cancer Care: Integrative Oncology and the Power of Personalized Medicine
In this episode of the Power of Genetics podcast, Dr. Yael Joffe interviews Dr. Wafaa Abdel-Hadi, a clinical oncologist, about her journey from traditional cancer treatments to functional medicine. Wafaa shares her personal experiences with her father's illness and her decision to explore alternative approaches. She discusses her studies in health coaching, functional medicine, and naturopathy, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches and incorporating genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications in healthcare. Wafaa also talks about her work with cancer patients, her collaboration with Patricia Daly on a program focusing on the ketogenic diet and nutrigenomics, and her vision for the future of integrative oncology. She highlights the significance of education and empowering patients, the challenges she faces in promoting integrative oncology in Egypt, and the importance of genetics and personalized medicine in cancer care. The conversation concludes with Dr. Abdel-Hadi expressing her gratitude for the role of genetics in advancing healthcare and advocating for collaboration and knowledge sharing among practitioners.
Topic points:
Dr. Wafaa Abdel-Hadi's transition from traditional cancer treatments to functional medicine.
The importance of personalized approaches, incorporating genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications in healthcare.
Wafaa's work with cancer patients, utilizing herbs, nutrients, and lifestyle changes to optimize health outcomes.
Collaboration with Patricia Daly on a program that educates patients about the ketogenic diet and utilizes nutrigenomics for personalized treatment plans.
Empowering patients through education and awareness in order to make informed decisions about their health.
The significance of a holistic approach to healthcare and addressing modifiable factors to improve overall well-being.

Jun 29, 2023 • 52min
Breaking Boundaries: Integrating Functional and Traditional Medicine for Personalized Care
On this episode of the Power of Genetics podcast, Dr. Yael Joffe introduces Dr. Leslie Stone and Emily Rydbom. Leslie shares her transition from obstetrics to functional medicine, while Emily discusses her passion for nutrition. They stress the need for integrating functional and traditional medicine for personalized care. The conversation centers around their work with Grow Baby, a groundbreaking nutrition program for preconception and pregnancy. They explore the role of genetics in improving health outcomes and resilience. Building relationships is highlighted as crucial for effective leadership. This episode showcases the importance of embracing complexity and seeking innovative solutions in healthcare.
Limitations of traditional approaches to nutrition and the need for a new kind of nutrition professional.
Emphasizing curiosity, open-mindedness, and challenging conventional wisdom in the field of nutrition.
Creating the Grow Baby program to support women during preconception and pregnancy with a holistic approach.
The value of genetics in optimizing health outcomes and promoting resilience.
The significance of building relationships and connections to effectively lead and make a difference.
Advocating for a holistic and personalized approach to nutrition and health for comprehensive care.

Jun 22, 2023 • 31min
Battling Breast Cancer and Discovering a Personalized Approach to Medicine: A Physician’s Story
On this episode of the Power of Genetics Podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Boham, a registered dietitian and MD specializing in functional and integrative medicine, shares her journey and insights into nutrition, genetics, and patient care. She discusses her initial interest in nutrition, her decision to pursue an MD after being inspired by Dr. Dean Ornish's work, her struggle during medical school and residency, and her personal experience with breast cancer. Dr. Boham highlights the value of genetics in guiding personalized treatment plans and emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding joy in one's work.
Key topics discussed:
Dr. Boham's initial interest in nutrition and sports performance.
The inspiration she found in Dr. Dean Ornish's work on reversing heart disease.
Her struggles during medical school and residency.
Her personal experience with breast cancer and its impact on her approach to medicine.
Joining Canyon Ranch and immersing herself in functional medicine.
The significance of genetics in patient care and the benefits of personalized treatment plans.

Jun 15, 2023 • 40min
From the Theater to Becoming an Eco-Dietitian: Mary Purdy’s Journey into Sustainable Nutrition
In this episode of the Power of Genetics podcast, host Dr. Yael Joffe interviews Mary Purdy, an eco-dietitian who focuses on the intersection of human health, food systems, and environmental degradation. Purdy discussed her transition from a clinical dietitian to a sustainability advocate, motivated by the effects of climate change on health and the environment. They discuss the importance of understanding and incorporating elements of sustainability, social science, and environmental influence into healthcare.
Purdy highlights the value of authenticity and human connection in her profession and emphasizes the role of education on sustainability in nutrition and human health. She discusses the significance of the environment, community, and food in influencing gene expression and overall well-being, explaining how our connection to nature, exposure to different environments, and engagement with the food we eat all have a direct impact on our genetic pathways.
Topic Points:
Mary Purdy's Role Shift: Her journey from clinical dietitian to eco-dietitian due to climate change's impacts on health and environment.
Health, Food, and Environment: The mutual influence of human health, food systems, and environmental degradation.
Authenticity and Education in Healthcare: The importance of authenticity, human connection, and sustainability education in healthcare.
Environment's Effect on Gene Expression: The influence of environment, community, and food on our genetic pathways and overall well-being.
Eco-Dietitian's Role: Purdy's educational efforts on sustainable food systems and food justice, along with available resources.
Purdy's Advice to Health Professionals: Her emphasis on curiosity, appreciating past experiences, and the power of collaboration.

Jun 8, 2023 • 43min
The Power of Entrepreneurship in Shaping the Future of Personalized Nutrition with Dr. Mariette Abrahams
In this episode of The Power of Genetics podcast, Dr. Yael Joffe interviews Dr. Mariette Abrahams, the CEO and founder of Qina, a platform and consultancy specializing in personalized nutrition. Mariette shares her journey from clinical nutrition to the intersection of nutrition, technology, and health. She discusses the future of personalized nutrition and the need for leveraging scientific knowledge and expertise to create innovative products and services. Mariette emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial skills and openness to innovation in advancing the field. She encourages practitioners to expand their skills beyond nutrition alone, attend conferences outside the traditional nutrition space, and engage in lifelong learning. Through Qina Mariette aims to shape the future of personalized nutrition by connecting practitioners, consumers, industry, and academia. Her inspiring journey highlights the opportunities for health professionals in nutrition, health, and wellness and the potential impact they can make by embracing new opportunities and thinking laterally.
Topic Points
Mariette Abrahams' journey from clinical nutrition to personalized nutrition and the intersection of nutrition, technology, and health.
The gap in scientific expertise within emerging companies and the need for market intelligence and strategic advice in the field of personalized nutrition.
The importance of entrepreneurial skills and openness to innovation in advancing personalized nutrition.
The role of reliable evidence and connecting practitioners, consumers, industry, and academia in shaping the future of personalized nutrition.
The current high-demand opportunity for health professionals in the fields of nutrition, health, and wellness.
Emphasizing the value of lifelong learning, attending conferences outside the traditional nutrition space, and thinking laterally to expand skills and make a lasting impact in personalized nutrition.

Jun 1, 2023 • 38min
Exploring Integrative Medicine and Entrepreneurship: Dr. Jeff Gladd’s Story and Lessons Learned
In this episode of the The Power of Genetics Podcast, Dr. Jeff Gladd, a practitioner and entrepreneur, shares his journey and insights in integrative medicine. Inspired by Michael Pollan's book "The Omnivore's Dilemma," Dr. Gladd transitioned from mainstream nutrition to integrative medicine and started his own practice. He emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and willing to share new information with patients, as well as understanding behavior change for successful health outcomes. Dr. Gladd also discusses his experience with startups and the significance of creating resources for patients, such as a web platform for nutrient depletion calculations that he has built. He acknowledges the value of genetics in nutritional medicine and praises 3X4 Genetics' practical approach in integrating genetics into patient care. The interview provides valuable insights and inspiration from Dr. Gladd's journey.
Dr. Jeff Gladd's journey from mainstream nutrition to integrative medicine and entrepreneurship.
The pivotal role of Michael Pollan's book "The Omnivore's Dilemma" in inspiring Dr. Gladd's shift in approach to health and nutrition.
The importance of being open-minded, willing to learn, and sharing new information with patients in the field of integrative medicine.
Dr. Gladd's experience with startups, including the creation of a web platform for nutrient depletion calculations.
The significance of understanding behavior change and its impact on achieving positive health outcomes.
The value of genetics in nutritional medicine and the practical approach of 3x4 Genetics in integrating genetics into patient care.

May 25, 2023 • 36min
Challenges and Opportunities in Mainstream Medicine: The Journey of an Academic Entrepreneur with Dr. Sahar Swidan
In this episode of The Power of Genetics podcast, Dr. Yael Joffe interviews Dr. Sahar Swidan, a multidimensional medical academic entrepreneur. Dr. Swidan shares her journey of integrating Eastern and Western medicine, her passion for pharmacogenomics and nutrigenomics, and her experiences in various medical fields. The discussion explores Dr. Swidan's career in academia, her work in clinical pharmacology and gastroenterology, and her involvement in integrative and holistic medicine. Dr. Swidan also discusses the challenges of adopting pharmacogenomics in mainstream medicine and the importance of business training for medical professionals. The conversation highlights the significance of genetics in healthcare and its impact on nutrition, medicine, and health. Dr. Swidan encourages individuals to embrace entrepreneurship, take calculated risks, and seek mentorship to navigate the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Dr. Sahar Swidan, a multidimensional medical academic entrepreneur, shares her
journey of integrating Eastern and Western medicine.
Dr. Swidan discusses her passion for pharmacogenomics and nutrigenomics and their potential impact on healthcare.
The conversation explores Dr. Swidan's experiences in various medical fields, including clinical pharmacology, gastroenterology, and integrative medicine.
Dr. Swidan highlights the challenges of adopting pharmacogenomics in mainstream medicine and the need for education and payment reform.
The importance of business training for medical professionals is emphasized, along with the advice to embrace entrepreneurship and take calculated risks.
The significance of genetics in healthcare is discussed, particularly its role in nutrition, medicine, and overall health outcomes.

May 18, 2023 • 28min
From Rebel to Integrative Doctor: Uncovering the Power of Genetics with Dr. Tereza Hubkova
In this episode of The Power of Genetics podcast, Dr. Yael Joffe interviews Dr. Tereza Hubkova, an integrative doctor with a passion for uncovering the root causes of disease. Dr. Hubkova shares her journey from being a rebel in communist Czech to establishing an integrative medical center in the United States. She discusses the challenges of gaining acceptance for integrative medicine and the importance of making it more affordable and accessible. Dr. Hubkova also explores the value of group visits that includes genetics. Join us as we delve into Dr. Hubkova's unique perspective on healthcare and her vision for a future focused on prevention, disease reversal, and healthy lifestyles.
Dr. Tereza Hapkova's journey from rebel to integrative doctor
Challenges and acceptance of integrative medicine
Making healthcare more affordable and accessible
Exploring the value of group visits in healthcare
Introducing group visits for genetics
A vision for a future focused on prevention, disease reversal, and healthy lifestyles