Wild Health Podcast

Latest Episodes:

482 | Courtney Runyon | When Empathy Makes You Sick: Autoimmunity, Boundaries, and Healing (Part 2) Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

In Part 2 of our conversation with Courtney Runyon, we explore how over-giving, emotional suppression, and relational stress contributed to a life-altering autoimmune health crisis—and how, just days after ending a relationship defined by those patterns, her body began to heal. Courtney shares how empathy, when unboundaried, can drive inflammation—and how reclaiming agency over your energy can shift everything. We talk about the science of stress and the nervous system, the emotional roots of chronic illness, and how tools like psychedelics supported her recovery. This is a conversation about what happens when your body says what you won't—and how healing begins the moment you start to listen.

481 | Courtney Runyon | Resilience in Autoimmunity: Paralysis, Empathy & Self-Advocacy (Part 1) Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

In part one of this two-part conversation, Dr. Erin Faules sits down with storyteller and autoimmune survivor Courtney Runyon to explore what it means to heal in the face of uncertainty. Diagnosed with CIDP, a rare autoimmune disease that left her temporarily paralyzed from the neck down, Courtney shares the realities of navigating the medical system when clear answers are scarce. They discuss the importance of mindset, self-advocacy, and the physiological toll of chronic empathy—while also holding space for humor, joy, and post-traumatic growth. Topics include:

How paralysis reshaped Courtney's understanding of health and identity
The role of mindset and nervous system regulation in recovery
Why self-advocacy is non-negotiable in complex illness
The double-edged sword of chronic empathy and its link to inflammation
Finding humor and meaning in the most unexpected moments

Stay tuned for part two next week.

480 | Dr. Jeff Graham | Neurodegenerative Disease & Metabolic Dysfunction: Healthspan Series, Part 3 Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Description: In the third and final episode of the healthspan series, Dr. Erin Faules and Dr. Jeff Graham explore the intersection between neurodegenerative disease and metabolic dysfunction—two often-connected drivers of decline. They discuss early detection strategies, the role of genetics, and insulin resistance, and emerging clinical tools to assess and reduce long-term risk. Key Topics Covered:

Distinguishing normal aging from neurodegenerative disease
Early signs of cognitive decline and how to detect them
The role of APOE-4 and other genes in Alzheimer's risk
Metabolic dysfunction as a driver of brain aging ("Type 3 diabetes")
Blood-based biomarkers: phospho-tau, NFL, CRP, fasting insulin, and more
Lifestyle interventions: sleep, strength training, CGMs, circadian-aligned eating
Tools like CNS Vital Signs, PET scans, and neuroquant MRIs
Supplements and prescriptions: Omega-3s, creatine, berberine, GLP-1s, inositol
Connecting muscle mass to glucose control and long-term healthspan

479 | Dr. Mike Stone | Atrophy, Inflammation & Cancer: Healthspan Series, Part 2 Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

In the second episode of a three-part series on the key factors that limit healthspan, Dr. Erin Faules and Dr. Mike Stone explore the role of muscle loss, chronic inflammation, and cancer in accelerating decline—and what you can do about it. Key topics include:

How muscle mass and strength relate to longevity
Tools for assessing body composition and early signs of sarcopenia
Common blockers to building muscle—including underfueling, overtraining, and hormonal factors
The role of inflammation in aging, disease risk, and immune dysfunction
How to interpret CRP and other lab markers in context
A look at new cancer screening technologies (like liquid biopsy and full-body MRI)
The importance of individualized, risk-informed decision-making in preventive care

478 | Dr. Carl Seger | Atherosclerosis and Mental Health: Healthspan Series, Part 1 Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

In the first episode of a three-part series on the key factors that limit healthspan, Dr. Erin Faules speaks with Wild Health CEO Dr. Carl Seger about two common but often under-addressed contributors: atherosclerosis and mental health disorders.

This episode includes discussion of:

Why atherosclerosis often progresses silently, and why calcium scores may miss early disease
The link between depression, chronic stress, and cardiovascular risk
The clinical relevance of advanced screening tools like coronary CTA, LP(a), and AI-driven risk assessment
Treatment advances including GLP-1 receptor agonists and psychedelic-assisted therapy

This is Part 1 of a 3-part series exploring the 7 most common blocks to healthspan. Over the next two weeks we will dive into atrophy, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, neurodegenerative disease and cancer.

477 | Dr. Nathan Bryan | Unlocking the Health Potential of Nitric Oxide Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Nitric oxide is a vital molecule involved in nearly every aspect of human health, yet it often goes unrecognized in mainstream medicine. In this episode, Dr. Nathan Bryan—a leading researcher in the field with over two decades of work dedicated to nitric oxide science—explains how this molecule influences cardiovascular function, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial health, cognitive performance, and longevity, and why its decline with age contributes to many chronic diseases. Dr. Bryan shares practical ways to support nitric oxide levels through specific foods and lifestyle habits, and explains how certain everyday routines can actually disrupt its production. He also offers a personal story of reversing chronic illness in his father by addressing nitric oxide deficiency.

476 | Dr. Stacy Sims | Rethinking Women's Health and Performance Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Erin Faules sits down with renowned exercise physiologist Dr. Stacy Sims to explore why women need different strategies when it comes to nutrition, training, and recovery. From breaking down diet culture to optimizing fitness across life stages, Dr. Sims shares practical, research-backed insights on circadian eating, protein and carb needs, and how hormones shape health outcomes. A must-listen for anyone working with or living in a female body.

475 | Dr. Mark Goodman | Rethinking Joint Health: Beyond Surgery Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Erin Faules sits down with Dr. Mark Goodman to explore the evolving field of non-operative sports medicine. They dive into how metabolic health, inflammation, and lifestyle play critical roles in joint pain and injury recovery—far beyond what traditional orthopedic approaches consider. Dr. Goodman unpacks the promise of orthobiologics like PRP and stem cell therapies, shares insights on aging athletes, and explains why joint care must treat the whole system, not just the symptom.

474 | Alexandrea Eliman | Overcoming Autoimmune Challenges Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Erin Faules interviews entrepreneur and health coach Alexandrea Eliman about her decades-long journey with autoimmune disease. Ali shares her personal experiences with ulcerative colitis, the power of trusting your intuition, and practical strategies to reduce inflammation, manage stress, and optimize daily habits for long-term wellness.

473 | Matt Zemon | Healing with Psychedelics May 28, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Jeff Graham talks with Matt Zemon, author and expert on psychedelic therapies, about the transformative potential of psychedelics for mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Matt shares insights from his work with veterans and discusses safe practices, legal considerations, and how psychedelics may fundamentally shift our approach to emotional and psychological healing.

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