Back to Human

On this episode of the Back to Human Podcast we dive into a sensitive and controversial topic: vaccine injuries.

I’m joined by Sonja Osborne-Figueroa, a mother of two boys, one of whom became nonverbal after receiving the MMR vaccine. Sonja shares how she began noticing developmental regressions in both of her sons following wellness visits, and how those early signs raised concerns when her younger son was required to receive the MMR shot in order to attend school.

Despite strong hesitation, she moved forward.

After the MMR vaccination, her son Austin became nonverbal, withdrawing into his own world. Once aware of his surroundings and able to communicate, Austin can no longer function independently and now requires constant supervision.

Her story is emotional, raw, and difficult to hear. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon.

This episode marks the first installment in an ongoing vaccine series. If you are a parent or know someone who would like to share their lived experience with vaccine injury, please fill out the contact form at BacktoHuman.us.

In this episode we discuss:

• ​What life was like before becoming a parent
• ​Early developmental regressions in her first son and how they raised concerns for her second
• ​Her hesitation around the MMR vaccine and the pressure she felt to vaccinate her son so he could attend school
• ​Realizing afterward that an exemption may have been an option
• ​The moment they felt they “lost him” after the shot
• ​Being gaslit, talked down to, and losing trust in Western medicine
• ​How a disappointing neurology appointment that fueled her search for alternatives
• ​How to approach the topic of vaccines with others
• ​Accountability and how taking responsibility helped her move forward
• ​Interventions Sonja found helpful: diet changes, chelation therapy, and supplements
• ​The financial reality of raising a special-needs child
• ​The emotional impact of witnessing other children his age thrive
• ​Sonja’s greatest daily fear: dying without proper care in place for her son
• ​Why she does not support mainstream autism campaigns like Light It Up Blue
• ​Why this experience has not come with “blessings” or “gifts”
• ​The role of genetics, including MTHFR, and predisposition
• ​Thoughts on delayed vaccine schedules or selective vaccination
• ​Why boys—particularly African American boys—appear disproportionately affected
• ​MAPS Doctors (Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs)
• ​ABLE Accounts for special-needs children
• ​TACA (The Autism Community in Action)
• ​Recovering Kids: Biomedical Healing (Facebook group)
• ​Vaxxed documentaries
• ​Advice for parents newly facing this reality
• ​What the future looks like for her son and how she’s preparing him for adulthood

On this episode of the Back to Human Podcast, I sit down with John Geisheker to expose the barbaric and unnecessary practice of infant circumcision.

John is the pro bono Director and General Counsel of Doctors Opposing Circumcision (DOC), an international nonprofit dedicated to protecting genital integrity, autonomy, and ethical pediatric care. For over 30 years, John has litigated and mediated medical disputes involving unwanted circumcisions and premature, forcible foreskin retraction — which he calls the “gateway drug” to circumcision.

This conversation is packed with history, ethics, psychology, and eye-opening realities most parents have never been told.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 – Intro

01:20 – John’s early deep-dive into the research

03:55 – Attitudes and beliefs regarding circumcision in New Zealand

04:35 – What DOC actually does

08:45 – The obsessive epiphany adult men are confronted with

10:52 – If there’s no medical purpose, why is it still practiced?

13:00 The anatomical design of the penis

16:47 Circumcision was intended as a form of punishment

19:10 Informed consent

28:00 – No regulation & no anesthesia

31:00 – What happens to the foreskin afterward (medical waste, cosmetics, industry ties)

32:40 – Jewish context: humiliation ritual, bris, Bruchim, Beyond the Bris

35:47 – Cognitive dissonance, conformity & the illusion of choice

41:15 – “It’s not a medical system, it’s a marketplace”

43:18 – Why parents avoid acknowledging loss

45:05 – Adamant Father Syndrome

48:47 – Justifications for circumcision (circulation myths, necrotic tissue, cancer claims)

51:39 – How to properly care for an intact penis

55:42 – Forcible retraction

58:19 – Foreskin restoration & reported benefits

1:02:05 – Demonstration of sensitivity & the science of touch

1:08:25 – How many adults are electing circumcision today

1:09:37 – Sign-off & resources

1:13:11 – Jewish support: Bruchim & Bris Shalom

1:15:18 – Your Whole Baby

If you’d like to explore this topic further, here are some helpful resources:

https://www.bruchim.online/

https://www.beyondthebris.com/

https://www.yourwholebaby.org/

https://www.restoringforeskin.org/

https://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/

I hope you find value in this episode — even if the subject is uncomfortable — and that you share it with any parent who’s unsure or questioning this practice.Subscribe to stay in the loop for future content.

In this episode, I sit down with returning guest and carnivore expert Dr. Anthony Chaffee to explore how a carnivore diet applies to two challenging situations: Type 1 diabetes and gallbladder issues.

We break down common misconceptions, nutritional pitfalls, and practical strategies for people navigating these conditions while trying to optimize their health.

Topics we cover include:

00:00 – Intro

01:21 – Primary Function of the Gallbladder 03:45 – How a lack of dietary fat contributes to gallstones

07:00 – Can gallstones be dissolved and passed?

14:00 – Carnivore without a gallbladder

18:00 – Should you supplement with ox bile?

21:13 – Fat-soluble vitamins and deficiency risks

24:00 – Age-related brain degeneration or malnutrition?

26:00 – Dr. Weston A. Price & dental health

30:13 – Low vitamin D and cancer risk

34:07 – Infant brain scans showing B12 deficiency

43:29 – Can a vegan diet provide enough fat?

47:10 – Why common nutritional references may be suboptimal

49:50 – Western diets are “hyper-vegetarian”

56:58 – What is type 1 diabetes?

59:10 – The real cause of autoimmune disorders

1:02:45 – Can Type 1 diabetes improve on carnivore?

1:08:24 – Type 2 diabetes is carbohydrate poisoning

1:10:21 – Ketogenic diets are the gold standard for treating both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

1:13:42 – Humans aren’t designed to eat carbohydrates

1:18:03 – What is ketoacidosis?

1:20:40 – “Is everything diabetes?”

1:21:29 – PCOS is easy to fix

1:22:27 – Is cancer “Type 5 diabetes”?

1:27:14 – Autophagy on ketogenic diets

1:29:17 – Insulin, weight gain, and fat loss

1:31:00 – Building muscle is effortless on a carnivore diet

1:38:52 – Can Type 1 diabetes be improved even if not caught early?

Learn more about Dr. Chaffee’s work on:

• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@UCzoRyR_nlesKZuOlEjWRXQQ

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonychaffeemd

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/AnthonyChaffeeMD

In this episode, I sit down with Joe Newman, author of the bestselling book Raising Lions and creator of one of the most effective approaches for understanding and motivating difficult behavior in children.

Joe was diagnosed with ADHD in the 1970s, and his own childhood challenges shaped a 30-year career working with the toughest kids and helping parents bring calm, clarity, and confidence back into their homes.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to respond when your child pushes your limits… this episode will change the way you see behavior.

In this episode we discuss:

If you found this episode helpful please share it with a parent in need!

To learn more about Joe's method, book a consultation, or purchase his book, visit RaisingLions.com

In this episode of the Back to Human Podcast, Jade shares her powerful and deeply transformative journey through a wild pregnancy and an ecstatic, orgasmic free birth.

After experiencing a less-than-ideal first home birth that ended in a hospital transfer—a decision made by our midwife—Jade felt called to forego outside help, trust her intuition, and fully reclaim the sacredness of birth

Through deep self-connection, surrender, and trust in her body, she navigated her pregnancy without medical management—ultimately birthing in complete freedom and bliss.

We explore:

• ​What was Jade’s first home birth experience like
• ​What gave her the confidence to pursue a wild pregnancy & free birth
• ​Why she trusted me through the process
• ​What Jade was experiencing physically and emotionally during labor
• ​How her preparation for this pregnancy differed from her first
• ​How the birth was… FREE! (Financially)
• ​How women “testing” men can serve as an opportunity for masculine growth and deeper trust
• ​What it was like to be at home after the birth—completely “normal,” peaceful, and so much more pleasant than a hospital experience
• ​What testing did Jade do?
• ​The fears Jade faced during pregnancy and how she worked through them
• ​The altered states of consciousness she experienced during labor
• ​Her ecstatic, orgasmic experience of birth and what that truly felt like
• ​Why even well-intentioned coaching or guidance during labor can become a distraction and stall progress

If you’ve ever questioned the medicalization of birth or felt the call to reconnect with the primal, intuitive power of the feminine, this episode will open your heart to what’s possible when you trust your body, your partner, and the sacred design of birth itself.

In this episode of the Back to Human Podcast, Jennifer Linton shares her incredible journey from chronic gut pain, bloating, and years of digestive struggles to lasting freedom and vibrant health on a carnivore diet.

After being diagnosed with SIBO and diverticulitis, Jennifer continued to suffer until discovering the carnivore diet. Within just a week, she experienced significant relief: her bloating was gone, her stomach was flat, and for the first time in years, she felt free. Two years later, she's symptom-free, off thyroid medication, and no longer dealing with bleeding gums, gut pain, gas, or food fermenting in her gut.

We explore:

• ​ Why everyone’s baseline of health is likely lower than they realize
• ​ The impact of your environment on your physical well-being
• ​ Her thoughts as a coach on disordered eating
• ​ Why challenges (like 30-day resets) may backfire without a long-term goal or proper preparation
• ​ The obstacles Jenny faced early on with carnivore: not eating enough fat or electrolytes
• ​ What oxalate dumping looked like for her
• ​ How she supported her mom in trying carnivore briefly—and the surprising improvements in osteoporosis and arthritis symptoms during that time
• ​ Raw vs. cooked meat
• ​ Navigating social situations while following a carnivore lifestyle
• ​ How carnivore gave her food freedom
• ​ The Carnivore Community

If you've struggled with digestive issues like SIBO, diverticulitis, or bloating, this episode will inspire you with what’s possible when you fuel your body the way it was designed to thrive.

Welcome to Episode 54 of the Back to Human Podcast

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rebekah Heishman, a health & life coach whose personal health journey—from debilitating illness to vibrant wellness—has shaped her powerful approach to healing through food. Once told she’d never live to see 30 or become pregnant, she defied the odds after struggling with osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s, mood disorders, and a life-threatening C. diff infection that left her severely underweight. Her recovery involved multiple rounds of antibiotics and three fecal transplants— ultimately leading her to adopt a ketogenic lifestyle.

Now, she helps others reclaim their vitality through metabolic healing, nourishing foods, and hormone support.

In this conversation, we explore:

• ​ Why she doesn’t rely on the scale to measure progress—and what markers she uses instead
• ​ How dietary fat plays a vital role in hormone production and metabolic health
• ​ The ideal balance of fat to protein in a healing diet—and how to gradually increase fat intake
• ​ Why it often takes women longer to restore their menstrual cycles—and how nutrition plays a role
• ​ The concept of metabolic flexibility
• ​ How her nutrition impacted her breastmilk supply postpartum
• ​ Whether she tracks her macros—and if she recommends it to her clients
• ​ Her take on fasting
• ​ Which foods she personally avoids and why
• ​ Where people commonly go wrong with keto and how to avoid those pitfalls
• ​ How she approached her birth plan going into the hospital
• ​ How nourishing the body supports not only physical recovery, but also emotional resilience and hormonal balance

This is a powerful episode for anyone interested in women’s health, healing chronic illness, or approaching food as a foundational tool for thriving.

To learn more about Rebekah and her work, follow her on Instagram & Youtube @tailoredketohealth

Welcome to Episode 53 of the Back to Human Podcast
In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Zev Mellman, a chiropractor based in South Florida who brings a radically holistic and human-centered approach to healing. Dr. Zev works with everyone from elite athletes and music artists to members of the general population—including underserved communities and even the homeless. His mission is simple: restore function, reduce suffering, and make quality care accessible to all.

We dive deep into the philosophy, science, and controversies behind chiropractic care, and explore why Zev believes this work is about far more than just cracking backs.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Zev first discovered chiropractic and what drew him to this path

• The history of chiropractic—and how the Flexner Report nearly wiped it out

• What actually happens physiologically during an adjustment

• Why people return for care even when it "works" the first time

• Why chiropractic hasn’t been fully adopted by Western medicine despite its results

• Whether Zev has ever regretted an adjustment or unintentionally caused harm

• The difference between spinal adjustments and soft tissue/fascial work

• Why self-adjusting can do more harm than good

• How modern medicine often suppresses symptoms rather than resolving root issues

• Vitalism vs. Mechanism — the fundamental worldview shift between chiropractic and conventional medicine

• How research like the Manga Report highlights chiropractic's superiority for certain conditions

• The connection between posture, mood, stress hormones, and performance

• How spinal adjustments have both localized and systemic effects

• Why Zev adjusts barefoot—and what it says about his connection to the healing process

• Allostasis, allodynia, and the body’s burden of chronic stress

• The spine as a sensory organ—and how it constantly communicates with the brain

• Why chiropractic may help with emotional regulation, neurological resilience, and overall well-being—not just back pain

• How Zev responds to criticism and handles being labeled a “quack”

• The impact of diet, emotions, and lifestyle on pain and healing

• Why he built his pricing model around accessibility—with the single mother of three in mind

To learn more about Zev and his work, follow him on all platforms @drzevtv.

Welcome to Episode 52 of the Back to Human Podcast

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Simone Davies, author of The Montessori Toddler and host of The Montessori Notebook Podcast. Simone is an AMI-trained Montessori educator with over 20 years of experience, and she’s dedicated to helping parents bring an authentic Montessori approach into the home.

We dive deep into the philosophy and practical application of Montessori, especially during the early years of parenting.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Simone was introduced to Montessori education

• The importance of setting up a Montessori environment as early as pregnancy

• Key principles of Montessori education

• How Montessori differs from traditional public schooling

• What a Montessori classroom and day of learning looks like

• Whether there is a set curriculum or specific subjects that need to be taught

• The concept of agreements vs. rules

• How Montessori children transition into adulthood and even college

• Sensitive periods of learning in toddlerhood

• Fostering independence and giving children a meaningful role in the family

• How to set up and present Montessori activities at home

• Why traditional praise may undermine intrinsic motivation

• Montessori-approved toys and their purpose

• How to gain cooperation from a toddler in refusal—without bribes or threats

• The passive nature of screens vs. active engagement in real-life activities

• How to handle meltdowns and model emotional regulation (including apologies)

• Smooth transitions between activities

• How parents can prioritize themselves—without guilt

To learn more about Simone’s work, visit her website at themontessorinotebook.com and follow her on Instagram @themontessorinotebook This episode is packed with insight and practical tools for anyone looking to foster more connection, independence, and respect in their parenting journey.

Welcome to the 51st episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this deeply human and introspective conversation, I sit down with Julian Bermudez—a psychedelic integration guide whose work centers around emotional healing and reconnecting with our authentic selves.

Julian shares how his own upbringing and personal struggles led him to explore the power of psychedelics as a means of true emotional integration—not escape. Together, we unpack the emotional imprints of childhood trauma, addictive patterns, and how modern busyness can mask our deepest pain.

In this episode we dive into:

• ​ Julian’s journey into psychedelic therapies and the events that shaped his path
• ​ The messages we internalize from childhood, including the cost of “crying it out”
• ​ How we often trade one addiction for another—from destruction to obsession
• ​ The subtle ways we sacrifice authenticity for attachment—and why that matters
• ​ Why resisting emotion gives it more control over us
• ​ What makes an experience “bad” during a psychedelic session
• ​ The value of having a guide: holding space vs. controlling outcomes
• ​ Success as a front—what are we really chasing? Respect? Control? Worth?
• ​ How busyness can be a distraction from distress
• ​ The unintended messages we send our children when we’re always “busy”
• ​ Why we’re so driven to escape discomfort—and how psychedelics disrupt that pattern
• ​ My personal experience with food addiction and where it really came from
• ​ The importance of showing up for your family with presence
• ​ Understanding addiction as short-term relief with long-term harm
• ​ How your environment shapes your behavior, often unconsciously
• ​ The potential to misuse plant medicine—and bypass the real work
• ​ Our disconnection from nature, each other, and ourselves
• ​ What are the core human emotions?
• ​ Tools for managing emotion: not suppressing, but accepting
• ​ How acknowledging a child’s emotion often diffuses its intensity
• ​ The power of painful emotions as portals for growth and reconnection
• ​ How “negative” emotions can bring us back to the present
• ​ The connection between repressed emotion and physical pain

This episode is a compassionate exploration of the emotional landscapes we often avoid—and how the right tools, perspectives, and conversations can help us come back to ourselves and show up for those we love.

Enjoy the conversation, and if it resonates with you, share it with someone who’s doing the inner work.