Shows
Mennonite Disaster ServiceMDS Podcast Episode #10 - Bill MastInterviewer Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Bill Mast, a volunteer whose connection to disaster response goes back further than MDS itself. Bill was nine years old when a tornado struck Woodward, Oklahoma -- and his Mennonite community responded. Decades later, he's still showing up.A vocational carpenter and former high school carpentry teacher, Bill has served across the U.S. from Minnesota to California, often traveling with his wife, who served as assistant cook while he led construction crews. He talks with Gloria about how MDS has evolved, the growing role of local long-term recovery groups, and...
2026-06-2926 minMennonite Disaster ServiceMDS Podcast Episode #9 - Abe EnsIn this episode, Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Abe Ens of Winkler, Manitoba, whose connection to Mennonite Disaster Service stretches back to its earliest years. Abe shares how he first became involved in disaster response during the Red River floods and reflects on decades of service in leadership roles across Manitoba, Canada, and the binational MDS board. Along the way, he recounts stories from the field, discusses the evolution of MDS and its relationship with MCC, and offers a firsthand look at how the organization has grown since its founding. Through his experiences, Abe reminds us of...
2026-06-1256 minMennonite Disaster ServiceMDS Podcast Episode #08 - Don MintmierIt started with a free trip to Alaska through a Mennonite church. What followed was 13 years, 44 project sites, and a life of service that took Don Mintmier from the coast of American Samoa to the mountains of Washington State, from High River, Canada to Marianna, Florida, and dozens of communities in between.In this conversation with host Gloria Nussbaum, Don reflects on his years as a Project Director with Mennonite Disaster Service. He talks about the rhythm of life on a project site: morning devotions, the whiteboard with the day's assignments, the work, the meeting place, the dinner table...
2026-06-0819 minMennonite Disaster ServiceMDS podcast episode #6- Esther McCoyEsther McCoy of Manheim, Pennsylvania, after learning about Mennonite Disaster Service 30 years ago, went on to serve alongside her husband Bill for 20 years, from 1995 to 2015. With skills in construction and nursing, they became long-time project directors, helping create spaces where everyone could serve and grow. The McCoy's service took them across the country and beyond, where they witnessed both hardship and deep gratitude from homeowners. Esther reflects on the many blessings received through MDS, especially the relationships built and the gift of serving others.Enjoy this episode of the MDS podcast, and don't forget to...
2026-05-0140 min
Too Curious MDsCan Spiritual Care Belong in Modern Medicine?What if the healing medicine needs most cannot be measured by data alone? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Joe Tafur explores grief, spiritual care, ayahuasca, nature, and why suffering is pushing modern medicine to reopen the conversation around psychedelic healing.What's one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments—your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs.- - - - -About the Gu...
2026-04-211h 10Mennonite Disaster ServiceMDS Podcast Episode #5 - Don and Rachel HorstDon and Rachel Horst of Newton, Kansas have been showing up for people in their worst moments for nearly five decades. First responding to the Big Thompson Canyon flood in Colorado in 1976, the Horsts have since served in some of the most far-reaching corners of MDS response work, from California and Puerto Rico to American Samoa and Saipan.But what makes Don and Rachel stand out is not just the miles traveled or the years logged, it is the way they show up. They listen they sit with survivors they offer compassion to people who have lost everything. In...
2026-04-1634 minToo Curious MDsWhat Are You Carrying? Trauma, Healing, and Connection in Hard TimesTrauma is not just personal. It lives in families, communities, world events, and the body. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Suraiya Rahman and Dr. Alya Ahmad reflect on ancestral healing, generational trauma, and the emotional weight of living through a time shaped by conflict, uncertainty, and collective distress. She explores how psychedelic healing, especially in group settings, may help people process what they are carrying and create space for resilience, embodiment, and new ways of responding.The conversation also turns toward retreat as a healing container. Dr. Rahman and Dr. Alya Ahmad discuss creativity...
2026-04-1450 min
MDS Patient & Family ReportTop MDS Updates from ASH 2025: A Conversation with Dr. Valeria Santini [MDS Patient & Family Report]In this episode, Dr. Valeria Santini, Associate Professor of Hematology at the University of Florence Medical School in Florence, Italy, joins host Dr. Nikolaos Papadantonakis to discuss advances in lower‑risk MDS anemia and review important MDS studies from ASH 2025, and what they mean for patients and families.
2026-04-0533 minToo Curious MDsFrom Meds to Meaning: A New Model of Mental HealthWhat if the biggest limitation in modern psychiatry isn't lack of tools… but lack of perspective?In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Scott Shannon reflects on his journey through conventional and integrative psychiatry, challenging the narrow focus on diagnosis and medication.The conversation explores a broader, systems-based approach to mental health—one that includes lifestyle, relationships, spirituality, and community. From physician burnout to the rise of psychedelic medicine, this episode highlights how healing becomes possible when we move beyond reductionism and reconnect with the full human experience.- - - - -
2026-03-3159 minMennonite Disaster ServiceMDS Podcast Episode #4 - Denis Sabourin“MDS changes lives.” On February 10, 2023 in Lancaster, PA Gloria Nussbaum met with Sabourin of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Denis talks about his faith journey, how he came to know MDS, and how his first trip led to him organizing over 17 MDS service trips!
2026-03-2715 minToo Curious MDsWhat Science Teaches Us About SpiritualityWhat if staying healthy today requires more than just avoiding disease and asks us to rethink how we live, eat, connect, and heal? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Russell Jaffe shares a wide-ranging conversation on toxicity, trauma, integrative medicine, and the human healing response.Our conversation explores environmental toxins, emotional burden, chronic stress, detoxification, alkaline living, and the role of love, safety, and deep listening in healing. We unpack how small daily choices can reduce toxic burden, support resilience, and help us live with more vitality, discernment, and connection in a chemically burdened world.
2026-03-241h 05Too Curious MDsBreaking Habit Loops: The Fastest Way to Change Your Life (Part 2)What actually changes when transformation happens? In Part 2 of this Too Curious MDs conversation, Jonathan Mozenter goes deeper into ego, metacognition, habit loops, and the practical mechanics of human flourishing. From neuroscience and psychedelic states to archetypes, trauma integration, and conflict resolution, this episode bridges mystical awareness with grounded, real-world change.What’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments! Your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs....
2026-03-1031 minToo Curious MDsBreaking Habit Loops: The Fastest Way to Change Your LifeTransformation isn't about adding something new, but remembering what you already are. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Jonathan Mozenter shares how identity, ego, discernment, and conscious awareness shape personal evolution, and why upgrading your 'operating system' may be the real path to human flourishing.What's one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments! Your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs.- - - - -
2026-03-0333 minMennonite Disaster ServiceMDS Podcast Episode #3 - Tom Smucker (Former Executive Director of MDS)On November 18, 2024, Gloria Nussbaum sits down with Tom Smucker of Sterling, Ohio, former Executive Director of Mennonite Disaster Service, to reflect on a lifetime of responding to disaster.Tom shares how he first became involved with MDS in 1992 following Hurricane Andrew, drawing from his background in construction and farming. He recounts the early days of MDS, its history and separation from MCC, and what it feels like to witness a disaster for the first time. From the overwhelming sight and even the smells of destruction, to the challenges of arriving early in a response, Tom offers honest...
2026-02-2431 minToo Curious MDsAre You Living Out of Sync With Your Biology?Are we sick because modern life no longer matches human biology? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Daniel Chille breaks down how microbial depletion, modern toxins, and timing-driven metabolism shifts can quietly shape everything from anxiety and insulin resistance to autoimmunity and resilience.What's one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments! Your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs.- - - - -...
2026-02-241h 02Too Curious MDsWhy Anxiety Is a Clue, Not a FlawAnxiety isn’t a character flaw. It’s often a biochemical signal that your body isn’t getting what it needs. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, functional nutritional therapist Laurie Hammer explains how targeted amino acid therapy restores neurotransmitter balance, reduces cravings, and supports calm, clarity, and nervous system regulation at the foundation.What’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments! Your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious...
2026-02-1730 minMennonite Disaster ServiceMDS Podcast Episode #2 - Steve and Connie CaucciMeet Steve and Connie Caucci from Duette, Florida. Listen to them recall hurricane Ian, their experience in the storm, and how they came in contact with MDS.“I never thought that I was going to be one of those in need” said Connie Caucci, reflecting on their hurricane encounter. Be sure to like and share this episode, and listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube to hear their full story.
2026-02-1335 minToo Curious MDsFrom No Excuse Mom to Sacred Becoming - Maria Kang's JourneyHealing starts with telling yourself the truth. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Maria Kang shares how writing ‘Sacred Becoming' during a stage 4 colorectal cancer journey became a process of release, alignment, and self-trust.What’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments! Your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs.Maria Kang is an author and speaker known for her work on women’s iden...
2026-02-1043 minToo Curious MDsWhat ADHD Actually Feels Like on the InsideWhat if the thing you were ashamed of was never a character flaw at all? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Ryan Thom shares how a late ADHD diagnosis transformed his understanding of himself, reshaped his healing, and ultimately led him into the work of therapy.What’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments! Your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs.Ryan Th...
2026-02-0351 min
Mennonite Disaster ServiceMDS Podcast Episode #1 - Jerry Grosh (Interim Director of Operations)Gloria Nussbaum interviews Jerry Grosh, Interim Director of Operations with MDS. Jerry shares how he was introduced to MDS, his first experience serving in Alabama after Hurricane Katrina, how disaster response locations are chosen, adversity faced on projects, and the nature of facing disasters as a faith based organization.Please follow and share this podcast to see future episodes.Thank you for listening!
2026-02-0142 minToo Curious MDsHow Psychedelics Reconnect Us With Our True SelfWhat if the part of you that feels broken is actually the doorway to transformation? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Jared ‘Rudrananda’ Turner shares how trauma, ritual, community, and embodied awareness can help us come back into the body, build a container for healing, and remember who we truly are.What’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments! Your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs....
2026-01-271h 00Too Curious MDsWhy Walk-and-Talk Therapy Works Better Than You ThinkIn this episode of Too Curious MDs, Phil Sarpong explains walk-and-talk therapy, how movement and nature lower psychological barriers, and why integrating lifestyle, mental health, and medical care can create lasting change.What’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments—your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs.Phil Sarpong is a clinical psychologist, academic coach, and mentor who integrates mind, body, and spirit in h...
2026-01-2034 minToo Curious MDsUnmasking Autism: Emerging Science and StoriesWhat if autism isn’t a deficit, but a different way of experiencing the world? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Julia Mirer joins us to explore masking, missed diagnoses in adults, and how shifting from a deficit lens to a difference-based understanding can transform mental health, family dynamics, and self-identity.What’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the comments! Your curiosity might just spark our next episode of Too Curious MDs.
2026-01-131h 06MDS Patient & Family ReportAllogeneic Stem Cell Transplant for MDS: Understanding the Basics (Part I) [MDS Patient & Family Report]Join host Dr. Nikolaos Papadantonakis as he welcomes Dr. Colin Vale from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Dr. Nancy Luna Torres from Moffitt Cancer Center to discuss the fundamentals of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for MDS patients. Our experts break down complex medical concepts into easy-to-understand language, helping patients make informed decisions about this important treatment option.
2026-01-0630 minToo Curious MDsMental Illness Isn’t Just in the BrainMental illness may look like a brain problem, but it can start as a body-and-energy problem. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Sophie Kwass join us to talk about metabolic psychiatry: how insulin resistance, mitochondrial function, and brain energy can shape conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis, and why a ketogenic approach can change outcomes when traditional care only stabilizes.Learn more about Accord at accordmh.comWhat’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of...
2026-01-061h 00Too Curious MDsHealing the Alarm: Dr. Russ Kennedy on Anxiety, Safety & the Inner Child Part 2Anxiety isn’t caused by broken thinking. It’s driven by a nervous system stuck in alarm. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Russell Kennedy explains how early life stress wires the body for survival, why the mind creates endless worry in response, and what restores real safety from the inside out.Learn more about Dr. Kennedy’s work at https://www.theanxietymd.comWhat’s one unasked or curious question from your own story, your healing journey, or your exploration of the science of anxiety, ketamine, or psychedelics?Post it in the c...
2025-12-301h 04Too Curious MDsHealing the Alarm: Dr. Russ Kennedy on Anxiety, Safety & the Inner Child Part 1Anxiety may not be a thinking problem at all. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Russell Kennedy, known as The Anxiety MD, joins us to explain why anxiety is often a mind-story layered over a deeper bodily signal and how early experiences shape adult symptoms. We also explore inner child work, spirituality, psychedelics, physician burnout, and how curiosity can pull us out of fear and back into connection—with ourselves and our patients.Learn more about Dr. Kennedy’s work at https://www.theanxietymd.comWhat’s one unasked or curious question from your ow...
2025-12-2352 minToo Curious MDsOpening the Gift of Life: A Psychoanalyst's Perspective on HealingIn this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Thomas Brod joins us to explore ketamine as a new kind of dreaming,’ ego dissolution, unitive experiences, and how safety, love, and loosening rigid defenses can open us back up to ourselves and the world.Dr. Thomas Brod is a psychoanalyst and ketamine clinician who weaves together neuroscience, depth psychology, and poetics in his work with patients. An English major who always knew he would become a psychoanalyst, he later immersed himself in neurofeedback and EEG, bringing a brain-based curiosity to questions of dreaming, consciousness, and ch...
2025-12-161h 00Too Curious MDsReclaiming Your Story: A Ketamine Therapy TransformationIn this episode of Too Curious MDs, Lindsey joins us to share her experience with the ketamine-assisted psychotherapy program at ShaMynds. Tune in as she talks about how childhood and relationship trauma shaped her life, how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and equine therapy helped her reclaim safety, trust, and self, and how that healing journey led her to become a therapist-in-training who now helps others find their own path forward.Lindsey Phipps is a trauma survivor and therapist-in-training whose life has been shaped by both early childhood trauma and an abusive relationship during her formative years...
2025-12-091h 12Too Curious MDsWhen Pets Mirror Their Humans: The Hidden Health ConnectionYour pet feels your stress more than you think. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Nadine Encarnacion joins us to explore the connection between our mental health and the physical and emotional wellness of our pets. Tune in as we dive into how animals often mirror their humans’ stress, illness, and environment, and how caring for ourselves can also help heal our furry family members.Dr. Nadine Encarnacion is a licensed veterinarian and intuitive strategist who has spent over a decade on the front lines of veterinary medicine, from kennel attendant and em...
2025-12-0257 minToo Curious MDsEnergy Powerhouse: Mitochondria and More!What if you could mimic exercise… without exercising? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Sundeep Dugar joins us to explore mitochondria as the true engine of human life. He shares the story behind discovering a new endogenous mitochondrial steroid and a plant compound that mimics exercise by boosting mitochondrial biogenesis.Dr. Sundeep Dugar is a veteran drug discoverer with more than three decades of experience developing therapies across oncology, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease. He is the co-founder of BlueOakNx and has held leadership roles at Schering-Plough, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Johnson and Johnson, wh...
2025-11-251h 17Too Curious MDsKetamine as a Spiritual Technology with Philip WolfsonIs psychedelic therapy safe for teens? The answer is layered and essential to understand. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Philip Wolfson joins us to share how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can help adolescents move from suicidality, trauma, and arrested development toward autonomy, balance, and kindness. We also talk about the risks, boundaries, and ethics of working with a powerful medicine in young people.Dr. Philip Wolfson is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and long-standing leader in psychedelic medicine whose career spans more than five decades. Trained at Brandeis University and NYU School of Medicine, he...
2025-11-181h 01Too Curious MDsBreaking The Cycle: A Veteran's Journey of Healing, Purpose and TransformationKetamine didn’t erase his past—it gave it purpose. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Pranil Shankar, a veteran, author, and advocate, shares how ketamine-assisted therapy helped him break long-standing cycles of fear and grief after decades of trial-and-error care. He emphasizes the importance of safety, trust, and integration practices such as journaling and meditation in transforming one's purpose, relationships, parenting, and community service.Pranil Shankar is a veteran, author, entrepreneur, and mental-health advocate whose healing journey with ketamine-assisted therapy inspired his book Breaking the Cycle. After two decades of conventional care, he f...
2025-11-1142 minToo Curious MDsFrom PTSD to Peak Performance: Rebalancing the Brain with TMSCan tuning your brain’s rhythm unlock healing? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Kevin Murphy joins Drs. Simi Rahman and Alya Ahmad to explore how personalized transcranial magnetic stimulation (Peak Logic pTMS) is redefining brain care—from PTSD and autism to chronic pain and peak performance. Discover how this data-driven approach uses EEG-guided frequencies to restore balance, optimize function, and bridge the gap between neuroscience and human experience.Kevin Murphy, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist who specializes in treating tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), or brain and spinal cord...
2025-11-041h 13Too Curious MDsMusic, Neuroscience, and CommunityCan music, mindfulness, and psychedelics rewire the brain—and your identity? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. AZA Allsop joins us to explore how music, mindfulness, and psychedelics intersect to accelerate identity change, neuroplasticity, and healing. He also shares findings from his music–mindfulness research and a vision for scalable and community-based group interventions.Dr. AZA Allsop is an artist, neuroscientist, and psychiatrist whose work bridges social cognition, music-mindfulness, and psychedelics to relieve mental suffering and boost overall health. He studied biology, philosophy, and jazz studies at North Carolina Central University, earned his...
2025-10-2855 minToo Curious MDsRewriting the Past: A Veteran’s Healing Journey with Ketamine TherapyWhat does it take to finally unlock healing after years of carrying trauma? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Richard Wood, a veteran, joins us to share his moving journey with ketamine-assisted therapy for long-term depression and trauma. He discusses how the treatment served as a ‘key’ that unlocked his ability to re-envision and heal past trauma, emphasizing the power of clear intention and self-discovery.Richard Wood is a proud veteran who embarked on a powerful journey of recovery after a long-term struggle with depression and the cycling nature of his mental health. He is a test...
2025-10-2158 minToo Curious MDsYour Body Can Heal Itself: The Truth About Regenerative MedicineRegenerative medicine isn’t magic—it’s biology done right. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. David Wikenheiser pulls back the curtain on regenerative medicine and explains how these therapies awaken the body’s natural repair intelligence. Tune in to hear real-world cases, simple nutrient protocols that reignite energy, and why supporting the microbiome may matter more than chasing the latest treatment trend.Dr. David Wikenheiser is a naturopathic physician specializing in natural and regenerative medicine. His practice integrates advanced therapies such as platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy with ultrasound guidance, and ozone therapy. He also...
2025-10-1457 minToo Curious MDsPhysician Burnout and CoachingBurnout almost ended his career—here’s what brought him back. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Joe Sherman, a physician coach, opens up about hitting burnout—and the simple shifts that brought him back to a sustainable career. He shares practical tools you can use now and a grounded take on psychedelic-assisted work with real-world integration.Dr. Joe Sherman is a pediatrician, coach, and consultant helping physicians and healthcare teams thrive through wellness, leadership growth, and career clarity. A master certified physician development coach and trained facilitator with the Center for Courag...
2025-10-0751 minToo Curious MDsWhat Saved Me: Psychedelics, Trauma, and the Long Road to HealingAt 19, Keith Kurlander faced a suicidal crisis that exposed hidden wounds and set him on a decades-long path through medication, meditation, psychotherapy, psychedelics, and integrative psychiatry. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, he shares how trauma theory, body-based healing, and ethical psychedelic use can foster growth when paired with preparation, support, and integration.Keith Kurlander is a coach and psychotherapist who helps high-performing individuals break through long-standing patterns and create deeply fulfilling lives. He specializes in guiding people struggling with mood issues like anxiety and depression, relationship challenges, financial missteps, addiction, and complex...
2025-09-3050 minToo Curious MDsInvisible Wounds, Visible Healing: A Veteran’s Journey with KetamineThe wounds were invisible. The pain was real. The healing? Unforgettable. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, we are joined by a courageous combat veteran who opens up about the invisible wounds of PTSD, the gut-punching triggers that almost broke him, and how ketamine helped turn his pain into progress. His journey is raw, real, and a reminder that healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning to ‘struggle well’ and reclaim life.Tim is a combat veteran who has lived through the invisible wounds of PTSD. After years of denial and coping thr...
2025-09-2353 minToo Curious MDsPlant Medicine as Technology: Healing Spirit, Trauma, and SocietyFrom a spontaneous awakening at 22 to becoming a maestro médico-vegetalista in the Amazon, Maestro Hamilton Souther shares how years of dieta, ceremony, and visionary diagnosis reshaped his understanding of healing, trauma, and the spirit. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, he reframes plant medicines as a form of technology, explores their resonance with meditation, and offers grounded guidance for young healers navigating fear, rupture, and the call to serve.Maestro Hamilton Souther is a maestro médico-vegetalista trained in the Peruvian Amazon, where he apprenticed beginning in 2002 and was recognized in 2004 as the first Westerner to...
2025-09-1641 minToo Curious MDsFrom Cancer Survivor to Inspire Coach in Fitness and HealingCancer, grief, and depression became the crucible for Shakil Beg’ transformation from a self-proclaimed arrogant twenty-something to a guiding light as The Inspire Coach. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, he shares how mindset, therapy, reading, faith, love, and contribution helped him transmute trauma into purpose—and why action beats intention every time.Shakil Beg, also known as ‘The Inspire Coach,’ is an executive fitness and mindset coach, podcast host, and cancer survivor whose work blends practical health strategies with emotional, spiritual, and psychological growth. After a misdiagnosed illness at 24 and the sudden loss of...
2025-09-1057 minToo Curious MDsFrom Cancer Survivor to Inspire Coach in Fitness and HealingCancer, grief, and depression became the crucible for Shakil Biggs’ transformation from a self-proclaimed arrogant twenty-something to a guiding light as The Inspire Coach. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, he shares how mindset, therapy, reading, faith, love, and contribution helped him transmute trauma into purpose—and why action beats intention every time.Shakil Biggs, also known as ‘The Inspire Coach,’ is an executive fitness and mindset coach, podcast host, and cancer survivor whose work blends practical health strategies with emotional, spiritual, and psychological growth. After a misdiagnosed illness at 24 and the sudden loss of...
2025-09-0957 minToo Curious MDsMenopause, Mood, and the Microbiome: What Every Woman Needs to KnowMenopause is more than hormones—and healing starts at the root. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Julia Ward shares how she is helping women navigate menopause through root-cause evaluation. She explains how bioidentical hormones, gut repair, mental health support, and everyday toxin reduction work together to ease symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, sleep disruption, hot flashes, and weight changes.Dr. Julia Ward is a board-certified physician with over a decade of expertise in functional medicine and a background in urgent and emergency care through her distinguished service in the United States Navy. After ea...
2025-09-0249 minToo Curious MDsThe Hidden Trauma Behind Childhood “Behavior Problems”What if your children’s “meltdowns” were really a message—and you had the tools to decode it? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Laura Fish, a therapist and educator, shares her journey from preschool teacher to private practice, exploring the vital role of attachment, trauma healing, and tools for parents and children. She explains why “seeing the child behind the behavior” and equipping adults with science-based strategies is the key to prevention, connection, and thriving.Laura Fish is a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, and consultant with over two decades of experience i...
2025-08-261h 07Too Curious MDs"The No Excuse Mom", transforming through Story, through CancerShe faced stage four cancer—and found strength in surrender, faith, and fierce self-trust. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Maria Kang, known as the “No Excuse Mom,” joins us to share her powerful journey of transformation after a stage four colon cancer diagnosis. She opens up about healing through storytelling, embracing vulnerability, and reclaiming the feminine power of intuition, faith, and self-leadership.Maria Kang—fitness leader, author, and founder of the “No Excuse Mom” movement—dives into the power of resilience, discipline, and self-love in the journey toward health and wholeness. Known for sparking g...
2025-08-1957 minToo Curious MDsIntegrative Pediatrics: A New Path for Autism, ADHD, and Chronic IllnessWhat happens when psychiatry meets integrative care? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Laila Contractor, a double board-certified integrative child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, joins us to share her insights on the intersection of mental health, medicine, and holistic care. She discusses her unique approach to treating mental health challenges by blending conventional psychiatry with integrative strategies that address the whole person.Dr. Laila Contractor is a double board-certified integrative psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health. She blends conventional psychiatry with holistic and psychedelic-assisted modalities to offer personalized care...
2025-08-121h 12Too Curious MDsCan Movement Really Rewire the Brain?Neuroplasticity is real—and it’s helping patients regain what they thought was lost. In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Nupur Hajela shares her inspiring journey as a neuroscientist and physical therapist working at the forefront of neurorehabilitation. She explores the power of movement, neuroplasticity, and innovative technologies like transcranial magnetic stimulation and virtual reality to help stroke patients and those with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s.Dr. Nupur Hajela is a licensed physical therapist, neuroscientist, and professor at California State University, Fresno, where she teaches neurological evaluation and management for future...
2025-08-0555 minToo Curious MDsBig Beautiful or Big Ugly Bill?What happens when the system meant to protect the most vulnerable starts failing them? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Farah Karipineni joins us on the podcast again to unpack the devastating impact of Medicaid cuts and reveals what we need to address today’s healthcare crisis. This is more than a healthcare discussion—it’s a rallying cry for collective action, empathy, and systemic change.Dr. Farah Karipineni is an endocrine surgeon, writer, and associate professor at UCSF Fresno whose work lives at the intersection of medicine, narrative, and justice. A graduate in comparative litera...
2025-07-291h 00Too Curious MDsThe Healer's Art: A Practitioner's Call to Integrating Eastern Body and Western MindWhat if ancient wisdom held the missing piece to your chronic illness recovery? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Greg Lee, founder of the Lyme Research and Healing Center, shares how he blends modern medicine and ancient healing modalities to help patients build true resilience against chronic infections. Discover how personalized bio-scanning, ancient wisdom, and spiritual guidance unlock deep healing for thousands struggling with chronic illness.Greg Lee is the founder of the Lyme Research and Healing Center, where he’s become a recognized expert in the use of herbs and alternative medicine fo...
2025-07-2649 minToo Curious MDs"Medical Vulnerability as an Artistic Movement" with Ted MeyerWhat if your scars could tell the story your doctor never hears? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Ted Meyer joins us to share his journey from growing up with a rare illness to creating art that bridges the gap between patients and doctors. Tune in now to discover how his work humanizes healthcare, celebrates survival, and invites medical students to see patients as more than just diagnoses.Ted Meyer is an artist, designer, and patient advocate whose ‘Scarred for Life’ series transforms the trauma of illness into powerful visual storytelling. Living with a ra...
2025-07-151h 01Too Curious MDsKetamine for Mental health in Pediatric Emergency MedicineCould ketamine save a teen’s life? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Tanya Vayngortin, a pediatric emergency physician, opens up about the youth mental health crisis and her pioneering research using ketamine to help teens in emotional distress. She also shares her mission to bring innovation, compassion, and community healing into an overburdened healthcare system.Dr. Tanya Vayngortin is a pediatric emergency medicine physician and Wellness Director at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. After witnessing a dramatic rise in adolescent depression and emotional distress during the pandemic, she spearheaded pion...
2025-07-0840 minToo Curious MDsNarrative Medicine in Action Series: Ways of Integration and ArtWhat happens when a physician rediscovers her inner artist? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, join Dr. Simi Rahman and Dr. Alya Ahmad as we explore the layered meaning of ‘integration’ in both psychedelic medicine and narrative healing. Through deep conversation and a creative self-love exercise, we unpack how art, ritual, and symbolic language bring fragmented parts of the self back into wholeness.Dr. Simi Rahman is a pediatrician, narrative medicine educator, and integrative thinker who bridges clinical science with soulful storytelling. With a passion for reshaping the culture of care, she draws on decades of e...
2025-06-2438 minToo Curious MDsNarrative Medicine in Action Series: The Artistry of Medicine with Hisla BatesWhat happens when a physician rediscovers her inner artist? In this episode of Too Curious MDs, Dr. Hisla Bates shares how art, narrative medicine, and creative expression can heal not only doctors facing burnout, but medicine itself. Dr. Hisla Bates is a psychiatrist, artist, and founder of the Doctor’s Art School, a transformative space where physicians reconnect with their creativity to heal from burnout and rediscover meaning in medicine. Trained at Yale, Mount Sinai, and Harvard, Dr. Bates blends her background in both fashion design and psychiatry to pioneer a deeply integrative approach to physician wel...
2025-06-1736 minToo Curious MDsEmpowerment through Voice - Women SpeakWhat if your truest voice could heal more than your words? In this powerful episode of Too Curious MDs, speaker and voice coach Jen Oliver explores the link between self-expression, somatic truth, and emotional healing, revealing how reclaiming your voice can unlock profound transformation and inner freedom.Jen Oliver is a nationally recognized speaker, voice coach, and executive producer specializing in women’s empowerment through authentic self-expression. As the executive producer and speaker coach for TEDx Folsom and co-creator of the internationally acclaimed Women Speak program, Jen helps women connect to the truth of wh...
2025-06-031h 02Too Curious MDsTrauma - What Emerges in Healing with Ketamine Assisted Therapy - A Gulf War Veteran StoryWhat happens when a veteran finds healing through spiritual insights and ketamine? In this powerful episode of Too Curious MDs, we hear from Cedric Leviticus-Orange, a military veteran and patient, who shares his deeply personal healing journey through ketamine-assisted therapy. From medicine-resistant depression and PTSD to profound spiritual insights and emotional recovery, Cedric opens up about how integrative care helped him reclaim his life.Cedric Leviticus-Orange is a U.S. Army veteran who has navigated the complex challenges of PTSD, depression, and trauma-related mental health struggles for decades. After years of trying conventional medications...
2025-05-2650 minToo Curious MDsHealing Beyond Borders: Dr. Monica Jauregui & Dr. Ahmad on Root Cause Medicine in Functional and Integrative CareWhat made a top hospital doctor walk away from conventional medicine? In this episode of the Too Curious MDs Podcast, Dr. Monica Jauregui, a former hospitalist turned functional medicine expert, joins us to share her journey from conventional medicine to becoming a medical detective focused on healing chronic illness at the root cause. She opens up about patient burnout, environmental toxicity, chronic infections, and why a personalized, integrative approach to health is the future of medicine.Dr. Monica Jauregui is a board-certified internal medicine physician and a leader in functional and integrative medicine. With...
2025-05-2038 minToo Curious MDsHow exactly does Spiritual Healing Occur: Ways and Means Part 2 with Dr Jack RoachThis is Part 2 of the podcast episode with Dr. Jim Roach, continuing the powerful conversation from Part 1.Join host Dr. Alya Ahmad as she speaks with Dr. Jim Roach, a triple board-certified physician in integrative, holistic, and family medicine. Dr. Roach shares his insights on healing, spirituality, and quantum physics in this episode. From near-death experiences to the science behind consciousness and cellular health, he uncovers how intention, love, and mindset play a crucial role in well-being. He also explores how quantum physics connects to healing, the impact of emotions on the body, and...
2025-05-1335 minToo Curious MDsFrom Inflammation to Intuition: Ayurveda’s Healing SecretsIn this episode of the Too Curious MDs Podcast, Dr. Shivani Gupta joins us to share her personal and professional journey of integrating the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with modern science to heal chronic inflammation and balance the mind-body connection. We also delve into how understanding doshas, gut health, and personalized self-care can help us reclaim health and prevent disease.Dr. Shivani is an Ayurvedic practitioner and expert in fusing Eastern and Western practices that help our bodies achieve equilibrium. She’s passionate about teaching at-home remedies to reduce inflammation naturally will help you enjoy more energy, le...
2025-04-2957 minToo Curious MDsKetamine Chronicles: The Too Curious MDs Explore Therapeutic FrontierIn this episode, we delve deep into curiosity, narrative medicine, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. We explore why storytelling belongs in medicine, how ketamine is revolutionizing mental health treatment, and why the term “treatment-resistant " needs to be rethought. If you’re curious about how healing happens at the intersection of science and narrative, this episode is for you.In this episode, we tackle narrative medicine, ketamine-assisted therapy, and the mental health crisis. We explore why traditional antidepressants often fail, how ketamine offers a new path forward, and why storytelling belongs in medicine. If you’re curious about...
2025-02-2547 minMDS Patient & Family ReportASH 2024: MDS in Focus [MDS Patient & Family Report]Join Dr. Madanat (UT Southwestern, Texas), Dr. Stahl (Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts), and Dr. Papadantonakis (Emory University, Georgia) as they break down key Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) abstracts from the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting.Tune in to gain valuable insights and stay informed about the evolving landscape of MDS management.
2025-02-2534 min
MDS Professional ReportPathogenesis and inflammaging in MDS [MDS Professional Report]Dr. Moshe Mittelman is hosting the world-leading expert Dr. Michael Savona and they have an attractive conversation on several mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of MDS, including the interaction between genetics, inflammation and aging.
2025-02-0128 min
MDS Professional ReportTreatment of lower-risk MDS [MDS Professional Report]Prof. Uwe Platzbecker from Leipzig and Prof. Moshe Mittelman from Tel-Aviv in an interesting conversation on the various available therapeutic modalities for patients with lower-risk MDS.
2024-12-1528 min
MDS Professional ReportTreatment for Higher-risk MDS [MDS Professional Report]Prof. Nicolaus Kröger from Hamburg and Prof. Moshe Mittelman from Tel-Aviv, in a stimulating conversation on the various therapeutic modalities, including hematopoietic transplantation, in patients with higher-risk MDS.
2024-12-0128 minMDS Patient & Family ReportMDS Highlights of the 2024 European Hematology Association Congress [MDS Patient & Family Report]Dr. Rena Buckstein and Dr. Moshe Mittelman join Dr. Nikolaos Papadantonakis to discuss key MDS abstracts presented in the 2024 European Hematology Association Congress. Topics covered include anemia and the role of ivosidenib in higher risk MDS.
2024-10-2835 minMDS Patient & Family ReportIntroduction to cytogenetics and mutational testing in MDS [MDS Patient & Family Report]Dr. Nikolaos Papadantonakis discusses cytogenetics and mutational testing in MDS with Dr. Hetty Carraway and Dr. Moshe Mittelman and how they utilize this information in the clinical setting.
2024-07-2930 min
MDS Professional ReportUpdate on Higher-Risk MDS - Lessons from 2023 ASH [MDS Professional Report]Dr. Nicolaos Papadantonakis from Emory Atlanta and Dr. Moshe Mittelman from Tel-Aviv, describe several updated abstracts from 2023 ASH with a special focus on Higher-risk MDs, and providing their take home messages.
2024-05-2721 minMDS Patient & Family ReportOverview of MDS treatments [MDS Patient & Family Report]In this episode, Dr. Papadantonakis from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, US, and Dr. Mittelman, chairman of the MDS Foundation scientific board, discuss the range of treatment options for patients with MDS.
2024-04-3026 minMDS Patient & Family ReportNew drugs for anemia of lower-risk MDS [MDS Patient & Family Report]MDS experts Drs Nikolaos Papadantonakis of Emory, Atlanta, US, and Moshe Mittelman, Tel-Aviv, Israel, discuss new trials presented in the last meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2023. They focus on luspatercept, imetelstat and roxodustat.
2024-03-2727 minMDS Patient & Family ReportCommonly asked questions - Part II [MDS Patient & Family Report]Mrs. Iris Yahal, founder and director of MDS Israel Support Group (Israel MDS Foundation), discusses with Dr. Moshe Mittelman of Tel-Aviv, an MDS expert, several issues that are within the interest of MDS patients and families, including issues related to quality of life and the participation in clinical trials.
2024-02-2321 minMDS Patient & Family ReportCommonly asked questions - Part l [MDS Patient & Family Report]In this part I of the frequently asked questions episode, Mrs. Iris Yahal, the founder and director of the MDS Israel Support Group (Israel MDS foundation), asks and discusses with Dr. Mittelman, of Tel-Aviv, several topics that are within the interest of patients and families. The questions of MDS as an inherited disease or as a cancer, as well as issues related to patient-physician relationship, are discussed.
2024-01-2620 minMDS Patient & Family ReportClinical trials – What’s important to know? (Part I) [MDS Patient & Family Report]In this episode of the MDS-Foundation Podcast Projects – The Patient and FamiliesProgram, Dr. Moshe Mittelman, Chief MDS Center of Excellence, Tel Aviv Sourasky(Ichilov) Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, and Mrs. Noa Goldshmidt, Chief Study Coordinatorat TASMC, discussing various issues related to clinical trials. The episode is directedto MDS patients, their families, and all interested parties, with a special focus onclinical trials for MDS patients. Among other topics, they explain what clinical trialsare, why they are so important, they describe the stages and process of clinicaltrials, and explain why pa...
2023-11-1919 min