Could the real source of your chronic symptoms be hidden inside your own home—in the air you breathe and the walls around you?

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski open up about their personal experiences uncovering hidden environmental toxins in their homes. What started as strange smells and persistent health symptoms turned into a deep investigation of indoor air quality, mold contamination, water damage, radon, chemical off-gassing, and other hazards that can quietly impact long-term health.

They walk through the step-by-step process of discovering issues in their crawlspaces, attics, plumbing, ventilation systems, and appliances, along with the emotional, physical, and financial challenges involved in remediation. Their stories reveal how much our living environments influence chronic disease, immune function, sleep, childhood wellbeing, and overall healing capacity.

This is an essential episode for anyone navigating chronic illness, unexplained symptoms, or concerns about environmental toxicity in their home.

About the Guest

Dr. Christian Jenski is a physician and environmental health advocate who has faced firsthand the overwhelming effects of biotoxin exposure. His personal family story fuels his passion for helping others identify and address hidden toxicity in their homes.

Key Topics Covered

• How hidden mold, bacteria, VOCs, and soil gases led to major health challenges

 • Why unusual odors should never be ignored and what they can indicate

 • Crawlspace contamination and the importance of professional encapsulation

 • When to use HEPA filtration, dehumidifiers, vapor barriers, and radon systems

 • Water leaks, attic moisture, faulty ventilation, and appliance failures

 • The dangers of plug-ins, candles, perfumes, and scented products

 • Practical warning signs of toxicity inside your home

 • How environmental cleanup improved autoimmunity, eczema, sleep, and behavior

 • Steps to take when you suspect mold or home-based toxin exposure

 • The financial and emotional reality of remediation and recovery

Takeaways

• Your home environment may be the missing piece in your health journey.

 • Strange smells are signals meant to be investigated, not covered up.

 • At least half of all U.S. homes have water damage and potential microbial issues.

 • Personal advocacy and second opinions matter more than ever.

 • Healing can accelerate rapidly once environmental triggers are removed.

📲 Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

💻 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE

If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.

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Could your “anxiety” actually be a hidden medical condition like POTS or hormonal imbalance that’s been overlooked or misdiagnosed?

In this insightful minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores the reality of medical gaslighting — a common yet deeply overlooked issue where physical symptoms are dismissed as “just anxiety” or “psychological.” Drawing from real clinical experience, he sheds light on the hidden physiological causes behind these often-minimized symptoms, especially in women.

Dr. Hartman explains how conditions like dysautonomia and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) can masquerade as anxiety, causing dizziness, heart palpitations, and low blood pressure fluctuations. He also examines how hormonal cycles, gut health, and neurotransmitter balance play critical roles in mood and energy regulation.

The episode reminds listeners that true healing starts with being heard—and that understanding your own physiology is one of the most powerful forms of advocacy.

🔑 Key Insights

• Common symptoms like anxiety, dizziness, and fatigue may have physiological—not psychological—roots.
• Dysautonomia and POTS are often missed causes of anxiety-like symptoms.
• Women’s hormonal fluctuations and monthly cycles can reveal key diagnostic clues.
• The gut-brain connection plays a major role in emotional and neurological health.
• Dismissive care delays diagnosis—patients must advocate for full evaluations and second opinions.
• Medical gaslighting disproportionately affects women and those with complex, multi-system conditions.
• Future episodes will explore gaslighting in obesity care and other misunderstood conditions.

Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE

If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.

Get the new book UnCURABLE

Could some of the biggest breakthroughs in medicine still be hiding in plain sight—overlooked by the very system meant to heal us?

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores one of the most revealing themes from his book UnCurable: From Hopeless Diagnosis to Defying All Odds—the concept of medical blind spots. Drawing from history, research, and real-world clinical experience, Dr. Hartman examines how entrenched medical beliefs and slow adoption of new evidence can leave critical gaps in patient care. From Semmelweis and handwashing to modern examples like antibiotics, mitochondrial toxicity, and research bias, he sheds light on why humility and open-mindedness are essential to progress in medicine. This episode challenges both clinicians and patients to question assumptions, advocate for themselves, and embrace a more integrative, transparent approach to health.

 👤 About the Guest

Dr. Aaron Hartman is a board-certified family physician and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine. His clinical and personal experiences inspired him to bridge conventional and functional medicine, helping patients with complex, chronic illnesses find answers when traditional care falls short. He is the author of UnCurable: From Hopeless Diagnosis to Defying All Odds, a powerful story of faith, transformation, and redefining what’s possible in healthcare.

 🔑 Key Topics Covered

• The meaning of “blind spots” in modern medicine and why they persist
• Historical lessons from Ignaz Semmelweis and the delayed recognition of smoking’s dangers
• Medical errors as a leading cause of death—and why they remain under-recognized
• Mitochondrial toxicity and gut disruption from common medications
• The antibiotic-obesity connection and long-term metabolic effects of overprescription
• Research bias: why up to 50% of published studies may later be proven false
• Editorial gatekeeping and the slow adoption of new medical ideas
• The importance of patient self-advocacy and presenting your own health history clearly
• The role of humility and collaboration in advancing integrative medicine
• Practical steps to identify and avoid medical blind spots in your own care

 🧠 Takeaways & Reflections

• Medicine evolves slowly—critical thinking and open inquiry drive true progress.
• Not every “evidence-based” study tells the full story; experience and context matter.
• Patients can play an active role in shaping their health outcomes through advocacy and education.
• Recognizing blind spots in healthcare invites both professionals and patients to grow, learn, and heal together.

📘 Book: UnCurable: From Hopeless Diagnosis to Defying All Odds

👉 https://a.co/d/8sqjZNF

🌐 Website: Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE

If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.

Get the new book UnCURABLE

Could the toxins in your air, food, and water be quietly sabotaging your energy, hormones, and long-term health?

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski dive deep into the hidden world of environmental toxins and how they affect human health. From heavy metals and pesticides to plastics and micro-pollutants, they uncover how modern life exposes us to thousands of untested chemicals—and what we can do about it.

 They explain how toxins enter and disrupt the body, the organs responsible for detoxification, and why an individualized, science-based approach is essential. Listeners will learn practical ways to reduce exposure, support the liver and kidneys, and adopt safer habits for air, water, food, and household choices. This conversation is both eye-opening and empowering, offering a clear path toward detoxing smarter, not harder.

 👤 About the Guests

Dr. Aaron Hartman is a board-certified physician and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine. With years of experience in both conventional and integrative care, he helps patients uncover root causes behind complex conditions through nutrition, lifestyle, and regenerative medicine.

 Dr. Christian Jenski is an emergency medicine and integrative physician who brings a systems-based perspective to toxin exposure and detoxification. His expertise bridges conventional toxicology and functional medicine, helping patients restore balance through practical, evidence-based strategies.

 🔑 Key Topics Covered

• Why more than 80,000 chemicals are in circulation—but fewer than 2,000 have been adequately tested for safety
• How toxins from air, water, food, and household products contribute to inflammation, endocrine disruption, and chronic illness
• Common toxic culprits: arsenic, lead, mercury, glyphosate, aluminum, and microplastics
• How phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification work, and why amino acids and B-vitamins are crucial
• The role of the kidneys and hydration in toxin elimination and pH balance
• The surprising connection between sweating, gut health, and detox efficiency
• Why chronic stress and shallow breathing interfere with the body’s natural detox pathways
• Practical detox methods: infrared saunas, cold plunges, mineral support, and hydration
• The precautionary principle—why Europe’s approach to chemical regulation is safer than America’s
• How to create a low-toxin home environment with simple, affordable steps

 🧭 Actionable Tips

• Filter your water: Use certified filters or reverse osmosis systems and test your tap water at ewg.org/tapwater.
• Improve air quality: Use HEPA filters, houseplants, and proper ventilation—especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Choose safer cookware: Replace Teflon with stainless steel or cast iron, and store food in glass instead of plastic.
• Support your liver: Eat protein-rich meals with amino acids like glycine and taurine; include cruciferous vegetables and hydration.
• Sweat regularly: Sauna sessions or exercise at least 3 times per week to promote toxin elimination.
• Prioritize gut health: Ensure daily bowel movements and balanced microbiome support.

 📚 Products and Resources Mentioned

• Environmental Working Group (EWG) – Tap Water Database and Clean 15/Dirty Dozen Lists
• Harvard School of Public Health – Healthy Home Guide
• Reverse Osmosis Filters – Suggested for drinking and cooking water
• Functional Medicine Detox Series – Available at Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

 🎧 Listen Now & Share

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend or patient who cares about holistic wellness. Subscribe, leave a review, and let us know what topics you’d like to hear next.

📲 Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

💻 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE

If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.

Get the new book UnCURABLE

What if your weight struggles aren’t about willpower at all—but signs of deeper inflammation, toxins, or trauma your body’s been carrying?

In this insightful minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman examines the issue of medical gaslighting in obesity care—when a patient’s symptoms are automatically dismissed as a result of their weight. He challenges the oversimplified view of obesity as a purely lifestyle-related condition and highlights how it is, in fact, a complex, multifactorial disease.

The episode breaks down the different types of obesity—including inflammatory, metabolic, toxin-related, and trauma-induced forms—and underscores how each requires its own diagnostic approach and treatment strategy. Dr. Hartman emphasizes the importance of listening carefully to patients, identifying root causes, and addressing underlying physiological drivers rather than applying one-size-fits-all advice.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

• What medical gaslighting looks like in obesity treatment and why it persists
• The four main types of obesity and how they differ in cause and treatment
• Why inflammation, toxins, and trauma are often overlooked in weight-related care
• The role of hormones, metabolism, and the nervous system in obesity
• Functional medicine’s approach to identifying root causes behind weight gain
• The importance of compassionate listening and individualized care plans
• How dismissing obesity as “just lifestyle” delays accurate diagnosis and healing

Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE

If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.

Get the new book UnCURABLE

What if one child’s impossible diagnosis became the spark that transformed a father—and a physician—forever?

In this moving and transformational episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman shares the extraordinary story behind his book UnCurable: From Hopeless Diagnosis to Defying All Odds. What began as a devastating medical journey with his daughter, Anna, who was born with severe neurological challenges, became a story of faith, resilience, and transformation.

Through navigating medical controversies, challenging conventional practices, and embracing integrative and functional approaches, Dr. Hartman reveals how one child’s journey changed the course of his life and career. This episode is both a heartfelt story of family and a compelling exploration of how personalized, integrative medicine can help even the most complex patients reclaim their health and hope.

 👤 About the Guest

Dr. Aaron Hartman is a board-certified family physician and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine. Drawing on both conventional and holistic modalities, he specializes in complex, chronic conditions that often fall through the cracks of traditional healthcare. His personal journey as a father to a medically complex child fuels his passion for helping others reclaim their health and vitality.

 🔑 Key Topics Covered

• Anna’s early diagnosis and the challenges of navigating a fragmented healthcare system
• How questioning “standard of care” led to unexpected resistance from medical authorities
• The importance of intuition and parental advocacy in caring for special-needs children
• Lessons learned from medical controversies involving feeding tubes, surgeries, and growth charts
• How one family’s perseverance revealed the system’s siloed nature — and the need for integrative care
• The evolution of Dr. Hartman’s practice into a refuge for complex, misunderstood patients
• Using integrative tools such as neuromuscular stimulation, nutritional medicine, and nutrigenomics
• Real-life applications of light therapy, detoxification, and regenerative medicine
• The emotional and spiritual lessons of hope, perseverance, and purpose through hardship
• How Anna’s journey continues to inspire Dr. Hartman’s mission to help others “defy the odds”

 🧠 Takeaways & Reflections

• True healing often begins when you refuse to accept “there’s nothing more we can do.”
• Integrative and functional approaches bridge the gaps between medical silos.
• Advocacy, faith, and persistence can change not only one life — but the lives of many.
• Health is the foundation of all dreams: “A person who has their health has a thousand dreams; the one who does not has but one.”

📘 Book: UnCurable: From Hopeless Diagnosis to Defying All Odds

👉 https://a.co/d/8sqjZNF

🌐 Website: Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE

If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.

Get the new book UnCURABLE

Could your chronic fatigue or slow metabolism actually trace back to struggling mitochondria—the tiny engines powering every cell in your body?

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski uncover the pivotal role of mitochondria—the body’s energy powerhouses—in maintaining metabolic health, longevity, and resilience. They explain how modern stressors like medications, environmental toxins, nutrient deficiencies, and poor lifestyle choices impair mitochondrial function, fueling chronic disease and fatigue.

 The discussion bridges scientific depth with practical insights, revealing strategies to restore mitochondrial vitality through personalized nutrition, targeted supplementation, and detoxification. Listeners will walk away with clear, actionable steps to optimize cellular energy, enhance performance, and support long-term health.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

• How common medications and environmental toxins damage mitochondrial function
• The mitochondria’s roles beyond energy — including immune modulation and inflammation control
• The influence of gut health and microbiome balance on mitochondrial performance
• Nutritional foundations for supporting mitochondria through whole foods and key nutrients
• The role of hormetic stressors like fasting, cold exposure, and exercise in building resilience
• Detoxification strategies to minimize toxin load and oxidative stress
• Top supplements for mitochondrial support: CoQ10, carnitine, NAD precursors, magnesium, and B vitamins
• Clinical tools for testing mitochondrial efficiency and identifying dysfunction
• The use of IV nutrient therapy and tailored interventions in functional medicine

📲 Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

💻 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE

If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless.

Get the new book UnCURABLE

Have you ever felt dismissed or unheard by your doctor—like your symptoms were “all in your head”?

In this thought-provoking minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman introduces the concept of medical gaslighting—a term describing when patients’ symptoms are dismissed, minimized, or misattributed by healthcare providers. Drawing from real cases and historical context, Dr. Hartman explores how this phenomenon persists today, particularly among women who are often labeled “anxious” or “overreacting” rather than heard.

He explains why intuition matters, how technology like AI can empower patients to advocate for themselves, and why practitioners must return to the fundamentals of medicine: listening to the patient’s story. The episode is both a wake-up call and an invitation to reclaim agency in your healthcare journey.

• The third leading cause of death in the U.S. stems from medical errors, misdiagnosis, and treatment complications.
• Hospitalization risks: a 10% chance of life-threatening infection during a 7–10-day stay.
• Definition of medical gaslighting—when patients’ concerns are dismissed because they don’t fit within conventional diagnostic frameworks.
• Common examples: unexplained pain, fatigue, brain fog, or gut issues labeled as “stress,” “IBS,” or “functional disorders.”
• The critical role of patient intuition—trusting your body when something feels off.
• Historical parallels: handwashing resistance in the 1800s, gender bias in heart-attack diagnosis, and outdated medical norms.
• How AI tools can help patients generate informed differential diagnoses and collaborate more effectively with their clinicians.
• The importance of listening and detailed history-taking—still the cornerstone of accurate diagnosis.
• A call for clinicians to adopt a more empathetic, patient-centered approach, especially toward women’s health concerns.
• Encouragement for patients to become advocates and co-investigators in their own care journey.

Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Could your blood sugar, hormones, and energy issues all trace back to one hidden culprit—mitochondrial dysfunction?

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman sits down with Dr. Christian Jenski to explore the deeper roots of metabolic syndrome, with a focus on diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, gout, and cognitive decline. Together, they discuss how mitochondrial dysfunction underlies many chronic metabolic conditions and why early, individualized testing is key to reversing disease progression.

The conversation dives into advanced diagnostic strategies—from fasting insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels to expanded cardiovascular and hormonal panels—and highlights how gut health, toxins, and inflammation influence metabolic dysfunction. Clinical insights and patient stories illustrate how comprehensive, root-cause medicine can restore balance and prevent chronic illness.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

• Defining metabolic syndrome as a mitochondrial and cellular energy disorder
• Advanced diagnostic markers for diabetes beyond A1C, including fasting insulin, leptin, and adiponectin
• The role of stress hormones, thyroid, and sex hormones in metabolic and insulin resistance
• The link between gut dysbiosis, toxins, and postprandial inflammation
• Clinical strategies for reversing diabetes and insulin resistance through lifestyle and targeted supplements
• Understanding PCOS as both a metabolic and autoimmune-spectrum disorder
• The connection between gut health, mold exposure, and hormone imbalance in women’s health
• Functional medicine approaches to gout, kidney stones, and oxalate metabolism
• Lipid health and why advanced lipid testing offers more insight than cholesterol numbers alone
• Integrative management of fatty liver disease and cognitive decline (Type 3 Alzheimer’s) through detoxification, nutrient optimization, and mitochondrial support
• The shared root cause across these conditions: mitochondrial dysfunction

📲 Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

💻 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

Could unexplained symptoms like fatigue, flushing, or gut issues actually be signs of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome—the hidden link behind chronic inflammation?

In the final episode of our five-part Mystery Illnesses series, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) — a complex and often misunderstood condition. He unpacks the science behind mast cells, their role in immunity, and how dysregulation can lead to multi-system symptoms affecting the skin, gut, respiratory, and nervous systems. Dr. Hartman also examines the overlap between MCAS and other chronic conditions like Lyme disease, mold exposure, autoimmune disorders, and POTS, while addressing the challenges of testing and diagnosis.

This episode provides clarity on how MCAS can manifest in seemingly unrelated symptoms — from flushing and fatigue to anaphylaxis and GI distress — and offers insight into how functional medicine can help identify and treat the root cause.

• Overview of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) as a widespread but often misunderstood condition
• Common symptoms, including spontaneous anaphylaxis, food sensitivities, and gastrointestinal issues
• Why MCAS is often misdiagnosed due to its symptom overlap with other chronic illnesses
• Research findings on the prevalence of MCAS in Germany and the United States
• Diagnostic challenges caused by short-lived lab markers and inconsistent testing practices
• How therapeutic trials can aid both management and diagnosis
• Functional and systems-based approaches to treatment, including lifestyle and nutritional interventions
• The connection between MCAS, chronic inflammation, and immune system imbalance
• Overlap with other “mystery illnesses” such as Lyme disease, mold toxicity, autoimmune disorders, and POTS
• Encouragement for listeners to share their own experiences with MCAS and histamine-related issues

Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine

Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/

YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD