hol+ with Dr. Taz MD | The Future of Medicine is Holistic

What if your anxiety, overwhelm, or constant sense of unease is not just a mental health issue, but a signal from a body that is overstimulated, under-rested, and out of balance? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with integrative psychiatrist Ellen Vora, author of The Anatomy of Anxiety, to unpack how modern life, stress, and physiology are quietly driving the rise of anxiety.

If you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, or feeling “off” and want deeper, root-cause support, join the Circle here:
 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Anxiety is rarely just about your thoughts. It often reflects a deeper imbalance involving sleep, blood sugar, gut health, inflammation, and how your nervous system is responding to the world around you.

Learn more about support related to this conversation: Anxiety & Stress Support: https://holplus.co/anxiety

In this episode, Dr. Ellen Vora explains the difference between true anxiety and physiological anxiety, and why many people are treating the wrong problem. She breaks down how poor sleep, overstimulation, gut imbalances, and even mouth breathing can create anxiety symptoms, and why medications don’t always address the root cause. You’ll learn why some anxiety is actually a healthy signal, how modern lifestyles are dysregulating our nervous systems, and why addressing the body first can change everything. This conversation challenges the idea that anxiety is simply a chemical imbalance and offers a more holistic, empowering path forward.

If you’ve ever felt like your anxiety doesn’t fully make sense, or that you’ve tried everything but still don’t feel better, this episode will help you understand what might actually be missing.

In this video, we cover:
What “true anxiety” vs. “false anxiety” really means
Why anxiety is not always a mental health disorder
How sleep, blood sugar, and gut health impact anxiety
The hidden role of overstimulation and modern life
Why medications don’t always solve anxiety long-term
The connection between ADHD and a “tired brain”
How breathing and sleep quality affect mental health
Why emotional sensitivity is not a weakness
Practical foundations to regulate your nervous system

This is not just about managing anxiety. It’s about understanding your body, restoring balance, and creating a foundation for mental clarity, resilience, and long-term well-being.

About The Guest:
Dr. Ellen Vora, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher who takes a functional, whole-person approach to mental health. She is the author of The Anatomy of Anxiety and specializes in identifying the root causes of anxiety through physiology, lifestyle, and emotional health.

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Follow Dr. Ellen Vora
https://www.instagram.com/ellenvoramd/
https://ellenvora.com/

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 Why anxiety may not be what you think
 02:00 True anxiety vs. physiological anxiety
 06:00 The “wide open antenna” and emotional sensitivity
 10:00 Why crying is a biological release
 13:00 The myth of the chemical imbalance
 18:00 The foundations: sleep, nourishment, movement
 22:00 Why medications don’t always work long-term
 25:00 Withdrawal and hidden medication effects
 30:00 Anxiety in kids and teens
 37:00 ADHD as a “tired brain”
 39:00 Sleep, breathing, and oxygenation
 41:00 Gut health, food, and inflammation
 46:00 Women, hormones, and emotional health
 53:00 Reclaiming intuition and nervous system balance

What if your chronic pain, stiffness, or recurring injuries are not just about aging, but signals from a nervous system that feels overwhelmed, inflamed, and under-supported? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with physical therapist Dr. Dan Ginader, author of The Pain-Free Body, to unpack how modern lifestyles, stress, and sedentary habits are quietly driving the rise of chronic pain.

If you’re dealing with ongoing pain, fatigue, or inflammation and want deeper, root-cause support, join the Circle here:
 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Chronic pain is rarely just about one injury or one body part. It often reflects a deeper imbalance involving movement, mindset, inflammation, and how the brain interprets safety and threat.

Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Inflammation https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/
Arthritis / Chronic Joint Pain: https://holplus.co/conditions/arthritis-chronic-joint-pain/

In this episode, Dr. Dan explains why pain is not always a reliable indicator of damage, why MRIs and scans often don’t tell the full story, and how fear, stress, and inactivity can keep pain stuck in the body. He breaks down what actually drives chronic pain, why so many people feel worse as they get older, and what simple daily habits can either worsen or reverse the process.

You’ll learn why movement is essential medicine, how optimism and mindset influence recovery, and why small, consistent actions matter more than occasional intense workouts. This conversation challenges the idea that pain is inevitable with age and offers a more hopeful, practical path forward.

If you’ve been told your pain is “just part of getting older,” or feel like nothing has fully worked, this episode will help you understand what might actually be missing.

In this video, we cover:

• Why chronic pain is not just about aging
• The real impact of sedentary lifestyles on the body
• Why scans and imaging don’t always match your pain
• How fear, stress, and mindset influence recovery
• The difference between acute pain and chronic pain
• Why “weekend workouts” can increase injury risk
• Simple daily movement habits that reduce pain over time
• How to catch early warning signs before pain becomes chronic

This is not just about fixing pain. It’s about understanding your body, rebuilding resilience, and creating a lifestyle that supports long-term strength, mobility, and ease.

About The Guest:
Dr. Dan Ginader, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, author of The Pain-Free Body, and Clinic Director at Mims Method Physical Therapy in New York City. He specializes in helping patients understand the root causes of pain and build long-term resilience through movement and education.

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Follow Dr. Dan Ginader
https://www.instagram.com/dr.dan_dpt/
https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.dan_dpt
Check out Dr. Dan's book The Pain-Free Body

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 Optimism and the surprising link to chronic pain 

01:05 The #1 contributor to chronic pain: sedentary behavior 

03:42 What most people get wrong about pain 

04:46 Where pain actually comes from 

07:51 How fear, stress, and expectation amplify pain 

12:35 When acute pain becomes chronic pain 

18:15 How much movement you actually need 

20:55 Easy movement snacks to reduce pain 

26:20 Why MRIs and scans often don’t explain your pain 

50:45 The #1 rule for staying pain-free as you age

What if your child’s anxiety, disconnection, screen obsession, or emotional shutdown are not random at all, but signs of a deeper struggle for safety, attachment, and regulation in a world shaped by algorithms? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Shafali to unpack how technology, social media, and modern stress are quietly reshaping childhood, parenting, and emotional well-being.

If you’re navigating parenting challenges, emotional overwhelm, or family disconnection and want deeper support, join the Circle here:
 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Struggles with attention, anxiety, and emotional regulation often point to something deeper happening beneath the surface.
Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Anxiety: https://holplus.co/conditions/anxiety/
Mental Health Services: https://holplus.co/conditions-and-services/

In this episode, Dr. Shafali explains why parenting today is no longer just about discipline or communication. Parents are now competing with screens, social media, and algorithms that are designed to capture children’s attention, attachment, and identity. She breaks down what children actually need most, why boys and girls often struggle differently, and how conscious parenting can help families reconnect in a distracted, dysregulated world.

You’ll learn why children need safety, soothing, significance, and belonging, how screens can become a substitute for emotional regulation, and why real healing in families starts with presence, attunement, boundaries, and connection.

If you’ve been feeling like technology is changing your child, your family dynamic, or your ability to stay connected, this conversation may help you understand why.

In this video, we cover:

•  How social media and algorithms are reshaping childhood 
•  What children really need to feel safe and connected 
•  Why boys and girls often respond differently to stress 
•  How screens affect emotional regulation and identity 
•  The difference between conscious parenting and permissive parenting 
•  Why connection must come before boundaries 
•  Practical tools to rebuild trust, presence, and co-regulation at home 

This is not just about screen time. It’s about understanding what our children are turning toward, what they are missing, and how parents can become the anchor again.

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Follow Dr. Shefali Tsabary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorshefali/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrShefali
Website: https://www.drshefali.com/

Dr. Shefali's Newest Books
- Raising Conscious Daughters
- Raising Conscious Sons

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 The algorithm is competing with parents
00:42 Introducing Dr. Shafali
01:38 What conscious parenting really means
03:02 Why parenting has changed in the digital era
05:30 How technology replaces emotional regulation
07:42 Australia banning social media for children
09:16 Dr. Taz shares her daughter’s phone battles
12:07 What parents should do instead of fighting screens
15:17 Why busy parents cannot ignore this problem
18:08 Presence, attunement, and what children really need
20:42 Stress, cortisol, and dysregulated family systems
23:20 Why parents should think deeply before having kids
25:12 The role of community, mentors, and extended family
30:16 Raising conscious sons vs. daughters
32:58 Why boys and girls are struggling differently
36:58 What boys need most from parents
42:06 What girls need most from parents
47:39 Social media, identity, and perfectionism in girls
52:26 Common parenting traps and overcorrection
57:38 Boundaries, compassion, and developmental realism
1:03:15 Parenting as a spiritual journey
1:08:24 How parents can regulate in real time
1:12:08 Mirror neurons, co-regulation, and hope
1:14:30 Final thoughts and what makes Dr. Shafali hol

What if your fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, and belly fat are actually signs of high cortisol, low cortisol, or chronic stress building up over time? In this episode, Dr. Taz explains how your cortisol levels shift and why learning how to lower cortisol levels starts with understanding the pattern your body is stuck in.

If you’re dealing with chronic stress, fatigue, or hormone imbalances and want to address the root cause, join the Circle and get support here:
👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Chronic stress often shows up as adrenal fatigue and hormone imbalances.

Learn more about conditions related to cortisol imbalance:

• Adrenal Fatigue: https://holplus.co/conditions/adrenal-fatigue/
• Hormonal Imbalance: https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/

In this episode, Dr. Taz breaks down what she calls the cortisol loop - a chronic stress cycle where your body goes from high cortisol to low cortisol, leaving you feeling wired, exhausted, and unable to recover. You’ll learn how this loop affects your nervous system, hormones, gut health, and long-term well-being, even when your labs appear “normal.”

If you’ve been feeling off and can’t explain why, this may be the missing piece.

In this video, we cover:

• What the cortisol loop actually is
• The difference between high cortisol and low cortisol
• How chronic stress keeps your body stuck in the cycle
• 7 key signs your body is dysregulated
• Why your symptoms aren’t random
• Where to start to begin breaking the loop

This is not just about stress. It’s about understanding the cycle your body has been stuck in.

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters

00:00 High Cortisol or Low Cortisol? Understanding the Cortisol Loop
00:50 What Is the Cortisol Loop? Chronic Stress Explained
01:42 Normal Labs but Still Feeling Bad? Cortisol Levels Explained
02:55 Acute vs Chronic Stress and Cortisol Response
05:00 High Cortisol Symptoms and Effects on the Body
06:50 Low Cortisol Symptoms: Burnout and Fatigue Explained
07:42 Chronic Stress, Cortisol Imbalance, and Disease Risk
09:29 Cortisol, Brain Health, and Inflammation
11:30 Cortisol in Women vs Men (Hormones and Stress Response)
14:20 Chronic Stress in Modern Life (Why It’s Getting Worse)
15:20 7 Signs of High Cortisol and Low Cortisol
17:10 Fatigue, Brain Fog, Belly Fat (Cortisol Symptoms)
18:08 How to Test Cortisol Levels (Blood Sugar, HRV, Sleep)
20:05 Nervous System Regulation and the Cortisol Loop
21:25 How to Lower Cortisol Levels Naturally
22:12 Gut Health, Diet, and Blood Sugar Stability
23:45 Best Supplements for Cortisol (Magnesium, B Vitamins, Omega-3)
25:35 Daily Habits to Reduce Cortisol and Stress
27:10 Chronic Stress, Environment, and Relationships
28:55 How to Break the Cortisol Loop (Step-by-Step)
30:37 Final Thoughts on Chronic Stress and Cortisol Recovery

Want deeper support? Join Circle at holplus.co/circle and use code PODCAST for a one-month trial.

Optimism is often misunderstood. It gets reduced to positive thinking, good vibes, or pretending everything is fine. But real optimism is not about denying pain. It is about learning how to stay grounded in reality while still believing that healing, change, and resilience are possible.

In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Deepika Chopra, known as The Optimism Doctor, to explore what optimism actually means and why it matters for both mental and physical health. Together, they unpack the difference between optimism and toxic positivity, why our brains are wired to expect worst-case scenarios, and how that pattern may no longer serve us in modern life.

They also explore the science behind sensory-based visual imagery and how the brain responds to what we vividly imagine, often in ways that influence expectation, motivation, and even the body’s stress response. Dr. Deepika shares how these tools were used in psych-oncology settings, where patients practiced visualizing treatments working with the body rather than against it, and how similar techniques can support people navigating anxiety, illness, self-doubt, and major life transitions.

The conversation expands into practical tools for everyday life, including the 12-second rule, the role of awe in calming anxious or depressive states, and the importance of collecting believable evidence rather than relying on empty affirmations. They also discuss why naming emotions honestly is more healing than suppressing them, how to shift deeply rooted self-beliefs in realistic ways, and why purpose plays such an important role in long-term well-being.

Rather than asking listeners to force positivity, this episode offers a more compassionate and evidence-based framework. It is about building optimism as a skill, strengthening resilience over time, and learning to meet hard seasons with honesty, curiosity, and hope. This conversation is for anyone feeling stuck in negative thought loops, overwhelmed by stress, or ready to approach healing with more realism and self-trust.

About Dr. Deepika Chopra
Dr. Deepika Chopra is a licensed clinical health psychologist, speaker, and author known as the Optimism Doctor. With a background in cognitive behavioral therapy, psych-oncology, and integrative mental health, her work focuses on helping people build resilience through practical, science-based tools.

She is the author of The Power of Real Optimism, a book that explores how optimism can be strengthened through everyday practices rooted in psychology, neuroscience, and emotional honesty. Her approach bridges research with real life, offering accessible strategies for navigating stress, uncertainty, and personal growth.

Order the Book
The Power of Real Optimism

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Deepika Chopra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdeepikachopra/
Website: https://www.drdeepikachopra.com/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Want deeper support? Join Circle at holplus.co/circle and use code PODCAST for a one-month trial.

Hormone therapy is often framed in extremes. It is either dangerous and cancer-causing, or it is the miracle solution to aging. For decades, women have been told to fear estrogen, avoid progesterone, and accept midlife decline as inevitable. But what if the story around hormones was shaped more by panic and oversimplified data than by the full clinical picture?

In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with preventive medicine pioneer Dr. Erika Schwartz to revisit the Women’s Health Initiative and the ripple effects that followed. Together, they explore how one study reshaped hormone replacement therapy guidelines, why the concept of “class effect” blurred important distinctions between different types of hormones, and how relative risk statistics can be misunderstood in ways that drive fear-based decisions.

They also discuss bioidentical hormone therapy, the difference between compounded and FDA-approved options, and how delivery methods like creams, patches, and pellets may affect long-term outcomes. The conversation expands beyond menopause into birth control, progesterone deficiency, teen hormone health, and the broader question of how women can advocate for themselves in a system that often prioritizes protocols over personalization.

Rather than promoting blind trust or blanket rejection, this episode focuses on clarity. It invites listeners to understand risk more accurately, ask better questions, and approach hormone care with nuance instead of fear. This conversation is for anyone navigating perimenopause, menopause, hormone therapy decisions, or simply wanting to better understand how women’s health became so complicated.

About Dr. Erika Schwartz
 Dr. Erika Schwartz is a board-certified internist and a leading voice in preventive and integrative medicine. After spending 15 years practicing conventional medicine and running a trauma center, she shifted her focus toward prevention, longevity, and personalized hormone therapy.

For more than three decades, Dr. Schwartz has advocated for bioidentical hormones and individualized care, teaching physicians, speaking internationally, and helping patients navigate midlife health with a whole-body approach. She founded one of the first compounding hormone pharmacies in New York and has worked extensively in physician education through organizations focused on longevity and preventive medicine.

She is the author of multiple bestselling books, including the newly revised edition of Don’t Let Your Doctor Kill You, which empowers patients to understand medical risk, advocate for themselves, and make informed decisions without fear.

Order the Book

Don't Let Your Doctor Kill You

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Erika Schwartz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drerikaschwartz
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrErika
Website: https://drerika.com/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Want deeper support? Join Circle at holplus.co/circle and use code PODCAST for a one-month trial.

What if the real issue in women’s health isn’t that women are “doing it wrong,” but that the entire wellness system was built on research, protocols, and performance standards designed for male bodies?

In this solo episode, Dr. Taz breaks down why bro science and modern biohacking culture often backfire for women, and how pushing harder, optimizing more, and chasing protocols can quietly drive hormone chaos, burnout, inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation. She explains why so many women are told their labs are “normal” while their bodies are clearly signaling that something is off, and how medical models that isolate symptoms fail to capture how women’s systems actually work.

This episode is rooted in the same clinical patterns that led Dr. Taz to writeThe Hormone Shift. After years of watching women come into her practice exhausted, inflamed, and dismissed by conventional care, she began documenting the repeating cycles she saw across life stages, from teens to perimenopause to post-menopause. You’ll learn why women were historically excluded from research, how that gap still shapes today’s treatment models, and why intensity, calorie restriction, and rigid optimization strategies may worsen hormonal imbalance, metabolic stress, and emotional exhaustion in female bodies. This episode reframes women’s health as a whole-body system, not a protocol stack, and explores why safety, rhythm, recovery, and regulation matter more than force.

This conversation reframes healing as a process of supporting interconnected systems, not overriding them. Hormones, gut health, immune function, nervous system regulation, emotional safety, stress load, and life stage are not separate variables. When these systems fall out of sync, symptoms multiply. When they are supported together, the body can restore balance, energy, and resilience.

Dr. Taz shares:
• Why bro science and biohacking trends often backfire for women
• How “normal labs” can still mean your body is not functioning optimally
• Why women’s bodies were historically excluded from research and how that impacts care today
• How pushing harder, restricting calories, and overtraining disrupt hormones and metabolism
• Why women’s nervous systems require safety, rhythm, and recovery to heal
• How stress physiology, trauma patterns, and life stage shape women’s health outcomes
• Why hormones don’t act in isolation, but communicate with the gut, immune system, and brain
• Where modern tools like HRT, GLP-1s, peptides, and protocols fit and where they fall short
• How to build a sustainable, personalized approach to women’s health that works with the body, not against it

Whether you’re feeling dismissed by your labs, burned out from trying every new wellness trend, or frustrated by protocols that seem to work for others but not for you, this episode offers a grounded, integrative framework for understanding what women’s bodies actually need.

Women don’t heal through force. They heal through safety, rhythm, and whole-system support.

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
0:00 Women told it’s “normal” and “in your head”
 1:13 Holistic approach and the “five bodies”
 1:25 Why Dr. Taz is done with “bro science”
 4:25 “Your labs are normal” and the dismissal problem
 5:20 Why biohacking culture worsens women’s health
 6:10 HRT, IVF, peptides, GLP-1s without a holistic context
 8:18 Why AI and protocols can’t replace the whole-woman lens
 9:01 What bro science gets wrong (intensity, restriction, isolated hormones)
 10:31 Life stage, stress load, nervous system, trauma, lineage
 11:45 Bias against women and what it means in the exam room
 13:28 Why “evidence-based” fails women when studies exclude women
 14:20 What “evidence-based holistic medicine” actually means
 16:19 Stats on women’s health disparities and research gaps
 17:55 Where are you on the health spectrum: powering through vs powering up
 18:21 Identify your biggest symptom and quality-of-life limiter
 20:00 Don’t let “normal labs” end the story, track patterns over time
 21:10 Female stress response, intuition, and cortisol sensitivity
 24:15 Hormones, gut, immune system triangle and inflammation
 27:00 Stress processing differences and guardrails
 28:15 Safety as the foundation of women’s health
 30:10 Women’s rhythms: hormones, sleep, food, nervous system
 32:50 A woman’s body doesn’t respond to force
 34:25 What holistic healing for women actually looks like
 35:39 Closing: share this with a woman who needs it

• (00:00) - Women told it’s “normal” and “in your head”

Breast cancer screening is often treated as a given. Mammograms are framed as routine, early detection as unquestionably life-saving, and following guidelines as the responsible choice. But what if the full picture is more complicated?

In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with integrative oncologist and breast surgeon Dr. Jenn Simmons, author of The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, to explore what breast cancer screening data actually shows, where common narratives may oversimplify reality, and how statistics can sometimes be misunderstood by both patients and providers.

Together, they discuss the difference between screening and diagnostic imaging, why detecting more cancers does not always mean fewer deaths, and how concepts like overdiagnosis and lead-time bias shape our interpretation of outcomes. Dr. Jenn also explains how breast cancer behaves differently from many other cancers, why progression is not always linear, and what tumor markers like ER, PR, HER2, and triple-negative really indicate.

The conversation expands beyond imaging into a whole-body view of breast health, touching on inflammation, immune function, metabolic health, toxic burden, stress, and lifestyle as factors that shape cancer risk and recovery. Rather than promoting fear or urgency, this episode focuses on helping listeners understand their bodies, ask better questions, and make informed decisions with clarity.

This episode is for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of breast cancer screening, feels overwhelmed by conflicting guidance, or wants to approach breast health with more nuance and less panic.

About Dr. Jenn Simmons

Dr. Jenn Simmons is an integrative oncologist, breast surgeon, and founder of Real Health MD. She was Philadelphia’s first fellowship-trained breast surgeon and spent nearly two decades leading one of the region’s top breast programs before transitioning into integrative oncology.

Drawing from her experience in conventional cancer care and her own health journey, Dr. Simmons now focuses on whole-body approaches to breast health, cancer prevention, and recovery, including metabolic health, inflammation, immune function, lifestyle medicine, and root-cause healing. She is the author of The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, a patient-centered resource designed to help women better understand their diagnosis, ask informed questions, and navigate treatment decisions with clarity rather than fear.

Order the Book

The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer 

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Jenn Simmons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons
Website: https://www.jennsimmonsmd.com/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

00:00 Swedish trial claim and overdiagnosis framing
00:52 Why this became a part two conversation
03:25 Reframing screening narratives and medical training gaps
04:39 Why Dr. Simmons questions mammograms as a screening tool
06:06 Origins of screening programs and “invitation to screen” bias
07:12 Relative risk vs absolute numbers example (4 vs 5 per 1,000)
08:49 Overdiagnosis explained with a vivid analogy
09:50 Autopsy-study claim and the “microscopic cancer” idea
12:11 Swedish trial claim revisited: more diagnoses, same deaths
13:38 Downstream harms: callbacks, biopsies, overtreatment
15:04 Lead-time bias and survival statistics explained
16:44 Dr. Simmons’ view on the founder’s regret narrative
18:16 Switzerland headline clarified and what actually changed
20:10 Cautionary stories and aggressive cancers discussion
22:07 Why breast cancer does not always progress linearly
24:21 Buckets: DCIS, invasive, inflammatory, receptor types
26:15 Clinical vs subclinical disease approach
28:25 Long-term tradeoffs and “forgotten woman” after treatment
32:15 What ER PR HER2 mean biologically and system incentives
35:33 Testosterone discussion and prevention claim presented
42:15 Hormones after breast cancer and the 4-year “reintroduction” idea
44:29 Triple negative: environment, toxicity, immune system focus
49:19 What to do next: pause, exceptions, whole-body workup
52:32 Prevention and breast health approach begins
53:24 At-home tears test explanation (as discussed)
56:24 Detox basics and why sweating is emphasized
59:34 Imaging preferences for screening and what to do if limited access

OCD is often misunderstood as being about cleanliness, checking, or perfectionism. In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with therapist and author Melissa Mose, LMFT, to unpack why OCD is frequently misdiagnosed for over a decade and what’s really happening beneath the surface of obsessions and compulsions. Melissa’s book Internal Family Systems Therapy for OCD bridges compassionate parts-based work with proven science to offer a richer path to lasting change.

Using clear science and compassionate explanations, this conversation explores how OCD hijacks the brain through a cycle of alarm and relief, why reassurance and family accommodation can quietly reinforce symptoms, and what actually works in treatment. Melissa breaks down why talk therapy alone often fails OCD, how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) retrains the nervous system, and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) adds depth, self-compassion, and relational healing to recovery.

In this hol+ conversation, Dr. Taz sits down with therapist, educator, and author Melissa Mose, LMFT, to unpack what OCD really is and why it often goes undiagnosed for over a decade. Melissa shares why OCD disguises itself as “just anxiety,” how well-meaning reassurance can quietly reinforce the disorder, and why many people spend years in talk therapy without real relief.

Using clear science and compassionate language, this episode explores how OCD operates through a cycle of alarm and relief, why the brain learns to depend on compulsions, and how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps retrain the nervous system. Melissa also explains how Internal Family Systems (IFS) adds a relational, self-compassionate layer to treatment, helping people work with their inner world instead of battling it.

This conversation also looks at the bigger picture. OCD does not exist in isolation. Dr. Taz and Melissa explore how neuroinflammation, PANS and PANDAS, hormonal shifts, trauma, ADHD, eating disorders, and chronic stress can overlap with or intensify OCD symptoms. They discuss why intrusive thoughts can be disturbing and taboo, why intolerance of uncertainty sits at the core of OCD, and how relationships and intimacy are often quietly impacted.

From shame and self-blame to clarity and support, this episode offers a grounded reframe of OCD as a treatable condition rooted in brain-body patterns, not personal failure. Whether you are seeking help for yourself, supporting someone you love, or trying to understand OCD beyond the stereotypes, this conversation replaces fear with understanding and helplessness with practical pathways forward.

Dr. Taz and Melissa Mose, LMFT discuss:

•  Why OCD often goes undiagnosed for 11 to 17 years
•  How reassurance and family accommodation make OCD worse
•  The obsession-compulsion cycle and why it gets reinforced
•  Why talk therapy alone often fails OCD
•  What ERP actually does to retrain the brain
•  How Internal Family Systems supports compassion and healing
•  The role of uncertainty intolerance in OCD
•  How OCD affects families, partners, and intimacy
•  Neuroinflammation, PANS, PANDAS, hormones, and symptom flares
•  Why intrusive thoughts do not define who you are

About Melissa Mose, LMFT
Melissa Mose is a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, and specialist in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she works with individuals and families navigating OCD and anxiety, and trains clinicians in evidence-based treatment approaches. Melissa integrates Exposure and Response Prevention with Internal Family Systems to support deep, sustainable change that goes beyond symptom management. Melissa is the author of Internal Family Systems Therapy for OCD: A Clinician’s Guide, a resource designed to help therapists bring compassion, parts-based awareness, and relational healing into gold-standard OCD treatment.

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Melissa Mose, LMFT
Learn more about Melissa’s work: https://melissamosemft.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissamosemft

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

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Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Many women reach their 30s and suddenly feel an invisible pressure set in. The clock gets louder. The messaging gets scarier. And fertility, something that once felt distant or optional, becomes charged with fear, urgency, and self-blame.

This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered if they waited too long, if their body is betraying them, or if turning 35 means everything has suddenly changed.

This is not a failure of timing.
This is not a lack of effort.
And it is not a fertility cliff.

In this hol+ conversation, Dr. Taz sits down with double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist Dr. Lucky Sekhon to dismantle one of the most anxiety-producing myths in women’s health: that fertility suddenly collapses at 35.

Dr. Lucky explains why fertility is a continuum, not a deadline, and why the panic surrounding age often does more harm than the biology itself. Using clear science and compassionate language, she breaks down the difference between egg quantity and egg quality, why egg quality cannot be directly tested, and what actually changes as women age.

This episode explores why fertility struggles are increasing worldwide, even among young women, and how factors like insulin resistance, PCOS, endometriosis, inflammation, environmental toxins, and chronic stress quietly shape reproductive health long before pregnancy becomes a goal.

Dr. Taz and Dr. Lucky also reframe painful and irregular periods as vital signs that should never be ignored, explain why many fertility diagnoses remain unclear, and clarify how treatments like IUI and IVF work not because the body is broken, but because human reproduction is naturally inefficient.

From fear-based fertility messaging to evidence-based clarity, this conversation offers a grounding reset. If you are trying to get pregnant, thinking about egg freezing, navigating fertility anxiety, or simply want to understand your body better, this episode replaces panic with perspective and urgency with informed choice.

Dr. Taz and Dr. Lucky Sekhon discuss:
• Why fertility does not suddenly end at 35
• The difference between egg count and egg quality
• Why egg quality cannot be directly tested
• The real drivers behind declining fertility rates
• PCOS, endometriosis, and insulin resistance as fertility blockers
• Why painful or irregular periods are red flags
• What fertility treatments actually improve and what they cannot
• How to approach pregnancy with clarity instead of fear

About Dr. Lucky Sekhon
Dr. Lucky Sekhon is a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist, and OB/GYN based in New York City. She is widely recognized for her compassionate, evidence-based approach to fertility care and her ability to translate complex reproductive science into language women can actually understand.

Dr. Lucky is the author of The Lucky Egg: Understanding Your Fertility and How to Get Pregnant Now, a practical and empowering guide designed to help individuals and couples navigate fertility decisions with confidence, clarity, and realism. Her work focuses on demystifying fertility testing, treatment options, and the emotional toll of trying to conceive.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Lucky is a trusted educator across social media and digital platforms, where she helps women move beyond fear-based fertility narratives and make informed choices aligned with their life goals.

Order the Book

The Lucky Egg: Understanding Your Fertility and How to Get Pregnant Now

Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Lucky Sekhon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucky.sekhon
Website: https://theluckyegg.com/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)