Everyday Ancestral with James Barry

“I used to think overwhelm was just who I was. But what if that story was written in my DNA—and I could edit it?”

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tyler Panzner, a PhD geneticist who’s on a mission to help people understand their bodies on a cellular level—literally. We met at Mindshare and hit it off in one of those rare, spark-filled conversations between interviews. I knew I had to have him on to go deeper.

What I love about Tyler is his refusal to deal in absolutes. He’s not selling a silver bullet; he’s offering something better: nuance. We talk about why so much health advice feels overwhelming or ineffective—and how genetics can serve as a filter to cut through the noise. Tyler shares his own story of discovering the COMT gene mutation that shaped his personality and stress response, and how targeted nutrition changed his life overnight.

Whether you’ve felt stuck in your healing, frustrated by generic advice, or just curious about the role of genetics in your wellness journey—this episode will reframe your understanding of what’s possible.

Key Takeaways

Genetics Are a Starting Point – Your DNA isn't your destiny, but it can provide a roadmap to understand your body's tendencies.

Nuance Over Absolutes – Anyone preaching “always” or “never” in wellness is likely missing the complexity of human biology.

The COMT Gene Explained – Tyler breaks down how slow dopamine clearance shaped his anxiety, sensitivity, and need for magnesium.

Precision Saves Time – Personalized insight helps avoid the trial-and-error trap that wastes time, energy, and money.

Supplements That Work – Knowing which genes affect your neurotransmitters can guide what nutrients you actually need.

Empowerment Through Information – Genetic testing gives people agency over their health decisions instead of blindly following trends.

Where to Find Our Guest

Dr. Tyler Panzner’s Website: https://drtylerpanzner.com/home

Dr. Tyler Panzner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtylerpanzner/

Links & Resources

Use code EA150 for $150 off Dr. Panzner’s 1:1 genetic program—covers the DNA kit!

Executive Cell Signaling Free Course: https://drtylerpanzner.com/cell-signaling

1-on-1 Genetic Work with Dr. Panzner: https://drtylerpanzner.com/startyourjourney

Subscribe to Dr. Panzner’s Newsletter: https://drtylerpanzner.com/email-newsletter

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

What if the definition of a “strong woman” we’ve been given in the West is all wrong?

In this conversation with the incredible Mary Ruddick whos’ often called the “Indiana Jones of Health”, we go deep into ancestral perspectives on female health, strength, and identity. Mary has lived with and studied traditional cultures across the globe, and what she’s found challenges almost everything we think we know about womanhood and well-being.

We explore what it really means to be strong as a woman, not through hustle or domination, but through discernment, joy, and deep connection. Mary shares how women in traditional societies exude confidence, community, and contentment in ways that are rarely seen in modern urban life. For anyone struggling with burnout, disconnection, or confusion around what it means to be healthy and whole as a woman today, this conversation is a breath of fresh ancestral air.

Key Takeaways

Redefining Strength – Female strength isn’t about doing more; it’s about discernment and choosing wisely what we say yes and no to.

Patriarchy Reimagined – Traditional societies may appear patriarchal, but often embody complementary roles where men and women deeply respect one another’s contributions.

Freedom Through Roles – In cultures with clear gender roles, women often experience more freedom, not less, because expectations are rooted in mutual support and balance.

The Power of Joy – Calm, happy, and emotionally grounded women are the norm in many ancestral communities—a sharp contrast to the overstressed, overwhelmed norm in modern life.

Community Heals – Immediate and affectionate female community is central to well-being in traditional cultures, and it’s something many Western women deeply crave.

Discernment as Health Practice – A woman’s ability to discern, not just nutritionally, but relationally and spiritually, is a key component of her health and vitality.

Where to Find Our Guest

Mary Ruddick’s Website: https://www.maryruddick.com

Mary Ruddick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryqueenofheart

Mary Ruddick on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvTUhQHUXdwpULwEyqKaWXA

Links & Resources

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

Today we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the least regulated health spaces out there: the supplement industry. I sat down with Melissa Crispell—traditional naturopath, nutrition specialist, and president of Pure Essentials—to uncover the dirty secrets hiding in your so-called “natural” supplements.

Melissa spent over 15 years teaching practitioners how to interpret functional lab data and build programs rooted in real health, but what she’s exposing today hits a whole new level. From fillers like citric acid made with mold, to chronic inflammation disguised as “sensitivity,” Melissa shares why reading a label isn’t nearly enough—and what you need to do instead. 

This one’s not just about supplements—it’s about reclaiming your family's health in a world that profits off your confusion.

Key Takeaways

The Role of Citric Acid – Understanding how this common additive is typically derived from mold and may trigger chronic inflammation in sensitive individuals.

Hidden Ingredients in “Clean” Supplements – Why even the most trusted labels may include toxic fillers like silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate that accumulate over time.

The Impact of Chronic Exposure – How long-term reactions to hidden ingredients can masquerade as autoimmune conditions and other chronic illnesses.

Knowing What You’re Buying – Why reading labels isn’t enough and how companies like Pure Essentials are changing the supplement industry standard.

How the System Keeps You in the Dark – A breakdown of how medical and supplement industries benefit from misinformation and limited consumer awareness.

Empowering Families Through Education – Why learning to decode ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes is crucial to living an “undoctored” life.

Where to Find Our Guest

Melissa Crispell’s website: https://melissacrispell.com

 Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_crispell/

Facebook (Wellness Page): https://www.facebook.com/LongTermWellness.official

Facebook (Personal Page): https://www.facebook.com/TheMelissaCrispell

Pure Essentials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ShopPureEssentials

Pure Essentials Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PureEssentialsStore

 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ShopPureEssentials

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PureEssentials

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shoppureessentials

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PureEssentials

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shoppureessentials

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pure-essentials-supplements

Links & Resources

PLUCK10 is live and ready to go for you to receive a 10% discount on your purchase at https://pure-essentials.com

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my fellow San Jose native, Sophia Nguyen, for a conversation that’s as personal as it is powerful. We go deep into what it means to truly honor your elders—especially in a culture like the Vietnamese one, where family and generational responsibility are foundational. 

Sophia shares the emotional journey of caring for her father as he declines into dementia, and how her upbringing as a first-generation Vietnamese-American shaped her response to that challenge. We talk about the grit of immigrant parents, the wisdom they quietly pass down, and how that sacrifice becomes the very foundation we build our lives on. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to live with intention, or how to balance tradition with the fast pace of modern life, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways

The Role of Elders in Vietnamese Culture – How a multigenerational household preserves dignity and honors the sacrifices of immigrant parents.

Family as Infrastructure – Sophia’s mother’s metaphor of laying asphalt speaks volumes about what it takes to create opportunity for the next generation.

Facing Dementia with Compassion – Understanding the emotional and logistical demands of caring for a parent with a degenerative condition.

Cultural Assimilation vs. Cultural Retention – The tension between preserving ancestral language and values versus adapting to American norms.

Catch-Up through Grit – Why children of immigrants often develop a relentless drive to close gaps in wealth, language, and opportunity.

Marriage Across Generational Lines – How Sophia and her husband navigate differing cultural upbringings and unify around shared values.

Intentional Living Starts with Family – The small, quiet acts of care and commitment that keep ancestral values alive in a modern context.

Where to Find Our Guest

Follow Sophia on IG : https://www.instagram.com/sprinklewithsoil

Follow the Call to Farms Podcast : https://www.instagram.com/calltofarmspodcast

Links & Resources

Join Sophia as she shows you one of her family's favorite dishes : https://sprinklewithsoil.com/pho

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

If you’ve ever thought you were eating “clean” and still found yourself dealing with nagging health issues, this episode is gonna crack things wide open for you. I’m joined by the legendary Mira Dessy—The Ingredient Guru—and let me tell you, this conversation changed how I look at every single label in my pantry. Mira’s journey from multiple autoimmune diagnoses and immune system collapse to complete health transformation started with one simple shift: understanding what’s actually in your food. Not just what it is—what’s in it.

In this episode, Mira breaks down the industry tricks hiding toxic ingredients in your favorite products, gives killer label-reading hacks (like why anything with a number or acronym should stay on the shelf), and shows us how to reconnect with food in a way that’s joyful, not overwhelming. Mira Dessy is a holistic nutrition professional, author of The Pantry Principle, and a powerful advocate for food transparency. We also touch on sweeteners, hidden additives, and the deceptive use of “natural flavors.” It’s all about reclaiming sovereignty over your food choices—and your health.

Key Takeaways

Pantry Cleanouts for Autoimmune Relief – Mira’s turnaround began when she eliminated hidden additives and reclaimed her health through real food.

Label Literacy Made Simple – Learning to read ingredient panels instead of relying on nutrition facts helps avoid toxic, processed foods.

The Truth About Sweeteners – Uncovering how sugar and its dozens of disguises can sabotage your gut, energy, and immune function.

Natural Flavor Is a Deceptive Term – Understanding how “natural flavors” can include up to 40 unlisted chemical compounds that impact your health.

The Hidden Cost of Allulose – Recognizing that even "clean" sweeteners can cause bloating, fatigue, and microbiome disruption.

Trans Fats Are Still Hiding – Realizing that serving size loopholes allow harmful fats to legally appear as “zero” on food labels.

Resetting Your Palate – Rediscovering the taste of real food by stepping away from hyper-processed, artificially enhanced products.

Food Sovereignty Starts at Home – Embracing informed choices in the kitchen as a path to true wellness and ancestral alignment.

Where to Find Our Guest

Mira Dessy’s Website  https://www.theingredientguru.com

Follow Mira on IG https://www.instagram.com/theingredientguru

Links & Resources

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

What if living more ancestrally didn’t mean giving everything up—but instead meant gaining something back?

In this episode of Everyday Ancestral, I’m joined by Melissa K. Norris—modern homesteader, author, and host of the Pioneering Today podcast—for a deep dive into what it really means to blend old-world wisdom with a modern lifestyle. Melissa and I are totally on the same page: we’re not trying to go off-grid or pretend we live in the 1800s—but we’re also not willing to outsource our health, our food, or our sovereignty.

Melissa shares how a major health scare in her twenties shook her out of “just trusting the experts” and sent her down the path of food as medicine, gut health, and ultimately, a thriving homestead life. We get into fermented foods, sourdough, and how slow cooking can actually make life easier, not harder. Plus, she busts the myth that you have to do it all to call yourself a homesteader.

This is a real, honest look at how to live with more intention in a world that wants us rushing and disconnected—and how choosing ancestral practices might just be the most modern thing you can do.

Key Takeaways

The Role of Fermented Foods – Understanding how traditional fermentation supports gut health without requiring hours in the kitchen.

The Myth of Homesteading Extremes – Why self-sufficiency doesn’t mean going off-grid or living without electricity.

Time as a Tool, Not a Burden – How slowing down in the kitchen can actually simplify your lifestyle and reduce stress.

The Wake-Up Call to Health – How Melissa’s own medical scare taught her the power of food as both medicine and prevention.

Modern Tools, Ancestral Wisdom – Why the best path forward is a blend of old-world skills and current-day conveniences.

Degrees of Homesteading – Embracing that everyone’s journey to sustainability looks different, and that’s okay.

Breaking Free from Food Marketing – Why we’ve been conditioned to equate speed with ease and how to undo that programming.

Redefining Normal – Encouraging listeners to create their own version of wellness that prioritizes health, connection, and resilience.

Where to Find Our Guest

Melissa K. Norris’ Website: https://melissaknorris.com

Melissa K. Norris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaknorris

Book your seats and get tickets to https://modernhomesteading.com/

Links & Resources

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

What if your child’s struggles with reading, focus, or headaches weren’t behavioral—but visual? In this deeply personal episode of Everyday Ancestral, I sit down with my friend and functional eye doctor, Dr. Bryce Appelbaum—someone who completely transformed my daughter’s life and, honestly, how our whole family sees health.

Bryce is a neuro-optometrist specializing in functional vision therapy, and he's here to challenge everything you thought you knew about eye care. We explore how misdiagnoses like ADHD and dyslexia often trace back to the eyes and brain not working together, and why the solution isn’t just stronger glasses. From screen resilience tools to eye workouts you can literally do while brushing your teeth, this one is packed with practical takeaways for families, educators, and anyone glued to a screen.

Key Takeaways

The Role of Functional Vision – Understanding why eyesight and vision aren’t the same, and how treating the brain, not just the eyes, can resolve learning and behavioral challenges.

The Impact of Screen Time – Recognizing how early and excessive exposure to screens is disrupting healthy visual development and contributing to rising vision problems in kids.

The Power of Vision Therapy – Learning how retraining the brain-eye connection can reverse double vision, poor depth perception, and even eliminate the need for some glasses.

The Risk of Conventional Eye Care – Rethinking glasses as a go-to solution, and why prescriptions can sometimes create dependency rather than healing the root issue.

The Eye-Brain-Body Connection – Exploring how coordination, balance, and even emotional regulation are influenced by how we see and process the world visually.

The Red Flags in Children – Spotting signs like headaches, squirming during desk work, or avoiding reading that may signal functional vision problems, not behavioral ones.

The DIY Vision Gym – Practicing two simple daily exercises anyone can do to support their visual system while brushing teeth or using the bathroom.

The Family Connection – Creating buy-in by doing vision therapy together, and how connection, variation, and play can make it sustainable and even fun.

Where to Find Our Guest

Follow Dr. Bryce Appelbaum on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/drbryceappelbaum

Watch his videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@visionfirstwithdrb

Find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bryce-appelbaum/

Links & Resources

Take the free online vision assessment: www.myvisionfirst.com/quiz

Try ScreenFit for Free: https://james933--screenfit.thrivecart.com/screenfit-vision-foundations/675a18dbd68d7/

Get $200 off ScreenFit using the code ANCESTRAL at https://checkout.screenfit.com/screenfit-vision-foundations/?coupon=ANCESTRAL

Get 10% off Digital Performance Lenses & selected products using code ANCESTRAL: https://shop.myvisionfirst.com?bg_ref=lfVJSZsyNi

Learn more about MyVisionFirst at www.myvisionfirst.com

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

Friends, this one’s a wake-up call. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Abby Kramer—a chiropractor, holistic physician, and co-founder of Fringe—to pull back the curtain on an industry that’s quietly misleading millions of health-conscious folks: the supplement world. We talk about the hidden fillers, flavorings, and proprietary “natural” blends in your favorite powders and capsules that don’t even have to be labeled.

You’ll hear why your supplements may not be what you think they are, how trace ingredients (like maltodextrin or silicon dioxide) could be slowly sabotaging your health, and how even “clean” brands often aren’t tested thoroughly enough. Abby shares why she co-created her own line of transparent, rigorously-tested products at Fringe and what you need to look for when choosing supplements. If you care about what goes into your body—and your kids’—you’ll want to take notes on this one.

Key Takeaways

The Illusion of Savings – Understanding how cheap supplements often contain low active ingredients and high filler content that undercut your health goals.

The Hidden Dangers of Flavor – Why “natural flavors” can include undisclosed additives like maltodextrin and silicon dioxide, and what that means for your long-term well-being.

Mislabeled and Misunderstood – Why you can’t trust a label alone and how third-party testing should be the new industry standard.

Real Hydration Requires Minerals – Discovering how filtered or reverse osmosis water can strip minerals from your body without proper electrolyte support.

When Stevia Isn’t Just Stevia – Exploring the processing behind common sweeteners and how even “natural” labels can hide chemical transformations.

Symptoms Are Signals – How bloat, fatigue, headaches, and hydration issues can signal deeper mineral or toxic burden imbalances exacerbated by poor-quality products.

Where to Find Our Guest

Shop Fringe: https://fringeheals.com/ 

Dr. Abby Kramer’s Website: https://drabbykramer.com

Dr. Abby Kramer’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.abbykramer

Links & Resources

Get 10% off Fringe Products using code EA10 at https://fringeheals.com

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

Dr. Bill Schindler is one of the most grounded and visionary voices when it comes to food—not just what we’re eating, but how disconnected we’ve become from the process. This is Part 2 of our conversation, so if you haven’t yet listened to Part 1, I highly recommend you scroll down and check that out first—the link’s below.

In this episode, we go even deeper. We talk about how convenience foods have stripped us of both power and participation, and why fermentation isn’t just some niche foodie trend—it’s a transformative ancestral technology. Bill brings decades of experience reviving traditional food practices, and what I love is how actionable and real his approach is. This isn’t about idealizing the past—it’s about reclaiming skills, intuition, and the kind of connection we’ve lost in our modern food system.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to eat “healthy” or frustrated by the chaos of modern food marketing, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. It’s about more than just what’s on your plate—it’s about getting back to what it means to truly nourish yourself and your family.

Key Takeaways

The Role of “How” We Eat – Shifting focus from what we eat to how it’s prepared and processed empowers us to reclaim nutrient-dense ancestral eating in a modern food landscape.

The Whole Animal Approach – Eating nose-to-tail offers ethical, economical, and deeply nourishing benefits that support fertility, longevity, and sustainable family health.

The Cost of Convenience – Industrial food systems are designed to disempower us by prioritizing profit over health, leading to chronic illness, confusion, and dependence.

True Nourishment is Multi-Dimensional – Real nourishment requires honoring emotional, cultural, and social needs alongside nutrition, helping us feel grounded and whole.

Reclaiming Food Sovereignty – Making staple foods like sourdough, butter, and cheese from scratch builds confidence, reduces overwhelm, and reconnects us with our food source.

The Danger of Nutritional Dogma – Strict diets miss the mark when they ignore the complexity of being human—flexibility and intuition are key to sustainable ancestral living.

Where to Find Our Guest

Dr. Bill Schindler’s Website: https://www.drbillschindler.com 

Dr. Bill Schindler on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbillschindler/

Links & Resources

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com

Listen to Part 1 on 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/modern-food-is-failing-us-dr-bill-schindler-on-ancestral/id1777431762?i=1000701034248

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/55iUtz4X61nRndiXjXsOPZ?si=b5cd7d841ef14a8c

Dr. Bill Schindler is a food archaeologist, chef, and ancestral nutrition expert who has traveled the world studying how our ancestors truly nourished themselves. In this conversation, we dig into how the modern food industry has stripped our meals of nutrients, flavor, and tradition—and what we can do to fix it. Bill lays it all out—most ‘healthy’ foods aren’t healthy at all, and most sourdough? Fake. He breaks down exactly how ancestral food prep restores gut health and real nourishment.

We also explore how food is deeply tied to relationships, community, and connection—things that are missing in our modern approach to eating. Bill shares his experience running the Modern Stone Age Kitchen, how he and his family have built a life around traditional food preparation, and why whole-animal eating is the key to sustainability and better health. If you’ve ever looked at your plate and thought, ‘This just isn’t right,’ you’re not crazy. This episode will open your eyes to what’s really going on with our food.

Key Takeaways

Why Modern Food is Failing Us – Dr. Schindler explains how industrial food production strips away essential nutrients and how this impacts our health.

The Truth About Sourdough – Most store-bought "sourdough" isn’t real sourdough. Bill breaks down how fermentation makes grains safer and more digestible.

Fermentation is the Missing Link – Traditional cultures ferment everything—dairy, grains, vegetables, even meat—because it enhances nutrition and digestibility.

Whole-Animal Eating is the Answer – Modern meat consumption is wasteful. Eating nose-to-tail is better for our health, the environment, and respects the animal.

Food, Ancestral Lifestyle, and Community are Inseparable – Ancestral cultures see food as more than fuel—it’s about connection, play, and storytelling. We need to reclaim that.

Practical Ancestral Diet Tips: How to Get Started – Simple, practical ways to bring real, nourishing foods back into your life without feeling overwhelmed.

Where to Find Our Guest

Dr. Schindler’s Website: https://eatlikeahuman.com

Dr. Schindler on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbillschindler/

Links & Resources

Modern Stone Age Kitchen: https://modernstoneagekitchen.com

Get 20% off Pluck Superfood Seasonings using code EA20 at http://www.eatpluck.com