In this episode of Lyme+, Kenzie sits down with Brooke Geahan, founder of The Heal Hive and a leading advocate for bee venom therapy (BVT), to unpack one of the most provocative—and misunderstood—modalities in the chronic Lyme space.

Brooke shares her journey from thriving New Yorker to being bedridden, passing out from severe POTS, living on just a handful of “safe” foods, and watching her career and finances collapse under the weight of late-stage Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella. At the very end of her financial and physical rope, a chance conversation at a Lyme clinic led her back to bee venom therapy—and changed everything.

Now, as the head of The Heal Hive, Brooke combines comprehensive lab testing, nervous system support, and structured BVT protocols to help patients navigate this therapy more safely and strategically. In this deeply educational and emotional conversation, she explains why she almost walked away from the Lyme community altogether—and what pulled her back in.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Brooke’s early Lyme story: from magazine life in NYC to wheelchairs, collapse spells, and severe POTS

• How a Lyme nurse, a handful of bees, and a very frugal dad pushed her to seriously revisit bee venom therapy

• Why Brooke believes comprehensive testing (300+ biomarkers) is non-negotiable alongside any BVT protocol

• A lay explanation of the science she references:

  • How components of bee venom like melittin are being studied for effects on bacteria and biofilms

  • Why mast cell issues and immune dysregulation are such big players in chronic Lyme—and how she sees BVT interacting with them

• The philosophy behind The Heal Hive: slow, structured, data-driven stinging; “marathon, not sprint”; and “it’s ok to have discomfort, not ok to have dysfunction”

• How Brooke talks to skeptical physicians and why understanding the science helps patients advocate for themselves

• Sustainability & the bees: beekeeping, glyphosate, and why she believes thoughtful BVT can coexist with protecting pollinators

Brooke also reflects on her appearance in the Netflix docuseries Unwell, how BVT exploded on social media, and why she still encourages listeners to move slowly, ask hard questions, and never abandon critical thinking, no matter how desperate they feel.

Important Note: This episode shares Brooke’s personal experience and perspectives on bee venom therapy. It is not medical advice. Bee venom therapy can carry serious risks, including allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, and is not appropriate for everyone. Always consult with a knowledgeable expert, physician or healthcare professional before considering any new treatment. Global Lyme Alliance does not endorse any specific product or treatment.

Connect with Brooke:

• Instagram: @thehealhive

• Website: thehealhive.com

• Personal IG: @everydayexpert (warning: lots of adorable toddler content)

💚 If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, and review Lyme+. Share this episode with someone navigating chronic illness who might need a reminder that there are still avenues to explore, and that they’re not alone.

What’s actually happening in Washington for Lyme and tick-borne diseases—and does it ever really move the needle?

In this episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, host Kenzie Vath sits down with Megan Bradshaw, Government Relations Manager for Center for Lyme Action, to pull back the curtain on how federal funding, legislation, and advocacy campaigns are changing the landscape for Lyme patients and their families.

Megan shares her personal “patient-to-advocate” story, how a virtual congressional briefing from her parents’ recliner turned into a full-time mission on Capitol Hill, and why she believes we’re entering the “golden age” of Lyme and tick-borne disease advocacy.

Megan Bradshaw is the Government Relations Manager at Center for Lyme Action, where she leads federal advocacy efforts to secure funding and drive policy change for Lyme and tick-borne diseases. A patient herself, Megan channels her lived experience into strategic work on Capitol Hill—coordinating with agencies like HHS, CDC, NIH, and DoD, and helping build one of the largest Lyme advocacy networks in the country.

Learn more about Center for Lyme Action and get involved at centerforlymeaction.org

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Functional-medicine physician Dr. Casey Kelley, MD (Case Integrative Health) joins hosts Dan Wagner and Kenzie Vath to unpack why chronic Lyme is rarely “just Lyme.” We dig into co-infections (Babesia, Bartonella), POTS/dysautonomia, mold + MCAS, nervous-system regulation, and the biggest myths about testing and treatment. Dr. Kelley explains when antibiotics vs. herbs make sense (minocycline, rifampin/rifabutin, malarone/tafenoquine, dapsone, pulsing strategies), why gut + liver support determine tolerance, and how diet (gluten/dairy/sugar), vagus nerve work, and 80/20 consistency accelerate recovery. We also cover long-COVID overlap, ILADS clinician training, and what a “medical detective” intake actually looks like.If you or a loved one is navigating persistent Lyme symptoms, this episode offers actionable next steps, and hope.

Quick takeaways

• ​It’s rarely just Lyme. Co-infections, mold, and MCAS commonly overlap.
• ​Protocols are personalized. Antibiotics and herbs both have a place; tolerance and gut health decide the pace.
• ​Foundations first. Removing gluten, dairy, sugar + consistent stress regulation often unlock progress.
• ​Nervous system > everything. Breathwork and vagus-nerve inputs calm inflammation loops.
• ​Clinician training matters. ILADS offers a path for complex-illness care.
• ​Case Integrative Health (Chicago): discovery calls, team-based care
• ​ILADS: fundamentals, preceptorships, international conferences
• ​Groundwork for Healing (Dr. Kelley’s course): diet, sleep, stress, detox basics
• ​Tools: Apollo Neuro, compression, high-salt hydration (for POTS)

TickTock Naturals — Organic Insect RepellentProtect your crew from ticks, mosquitoes, and spiders—without synthetic chemicals. TickTock Naturals is organic, cruelty-free (PETA-certified), eco-friendly, and designed to last 4–5 hours (even on swim or workout days). Lyme+ listeners get 20% off with code GLA at ticktocknaturals.com Because prevention is powerful.)

Vital Plan — Restore 180 by Dr. Rawls

A six-month herbal program to support the nervous system, gut repair, and microbial balance—for those building sustainable healing, not quick fixes. Learn more at vitalplan.com.

In this episode of Lyme+, hosts Kenzie Vath and Dan Wagner sit down with writer and advocate Jennifer Crystal to explore her journey through Lyme disease and the impact her words have had on the community. From her early diagnosis and treatment choices to her ongoing role as a patient voice for the Global Lyme Alliance, Jen opens up about the challenges and resilience that define her story.

Jennifer is also the author of One Tick Stopped the Clock: A Memoir of Lyme Disease — her powerful personal story of resilience, advocacy, and hope. 📚 Order the book here

Through honesty, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom, Jen shows how storytelling can be both a tool for healing and a beacon of hope for others still in the trenches.

• Jennifer’s history and diagnosis story (7:30)

• The reality of Herxheimer reactions (15:00)

• Why Jen chose a PICC line over oral antibiotics—and how it changed her recovery timeline (17:00)

• How her pen became a voice for the Lyme and GLA community (21:00)

• Discovering GLA and building a connection through writing (26:20)

• Where she finds inspiration for her blog posts (28:00)

• Kenzie and Jen discuss navigating PTSD as both podcast hosts and writers (34:00)

• Jen’s advice on finding LLMDs and building a care team (41:30)

• The most surprising and memorable FAQ Jen has ever received (30:00)

Through honesty, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom, Jennifer shows how storytelling can be both a tool for healing and a beacon of hope for others still in the trenches.

This episode is made possible by ⁠Restore 180 from Vital Plan.⁠ If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and , ⁠Restore180⁠ is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: ⁠https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180⁠

This episode is made possible by Restore 180 from Vital Plan. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and , Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180

What happens when the world of high fashion collides with the urgent need for Lyme disease awareness? Project Lab Coat is transforming the runway into a platform for Lyme disease awareness, research, and patient support.

In this episode, Dan sits down with co-host Kenzie Vath, Christina Kovacs (Runway7), Ali Moresco (Board Chair, Project Lyme), and Phyllis Bedford (Co-founder & Executive Director, Lymelight Foundation ) to discuss the vision, challenges, and hopes behind Project Lab Coat. From the spark of an idea to its debut on the NYFW platform, they share how this collaboration can uplift advocacy, connect communities, and drive a new era of visibility for Lyme.

Listeners will hear about:

• Why NYFW is the perfect platform to spotlight Lyme (9:40)

• The origin story of Project Lab Coat and its first conversations (13:05)

• How Project Lab Coat aims to create powerful “aha” moments of awareness (32:50)

• Why this initiative touches on every challenge Lyme patients face (42:30)

From the spark of an idea to the power of collaboration, the guests explore how fashion can drive advocacy, highlight patient stories, and create lasting impact for the Lyme community. ✨ Learn more and get involved at projectlabcoat.com

This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180

In this episode of Lyme+, we sit down with the team behind Ravel Health, a groundbreaking telehealth platform built specifically for patients navigating chronic illnesses like Lyme disease, mold toxicity, MCAS, fibromyalgia, and more.

Ravel Health is on a mission to dismantle barriers in chronic care — tackling affordability, access, and the devastating impact of medical gaslighting. With a growing provider network and a powerhouse Advisory Team (including the recent addition of Dr. Bill Rawls, MD, as Chief Medical Officer), Ravel is creating a future where patients are finally heard, believed, and supported

Tune in to hear how Ravel is redefining care for the chronic illness community and building a new healthcare model from the ground up.

⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights:

• 4:00 – What is Ravel Health, and how is it different? 5:00 – Types of patients they serve: Lyme, mold, co-infections, and beyond 13:30 – Chronic illness spectrum: MCAS, fibromyalgia, mold, etc. 25:00 – The advantage of telehealth for Lyme & chronic illness patients. 37:00 – Ravel's role in research for Lyme and TBDs. 39:00 – Building a high-level treatment framework for new patients

  
  

  To learn more, visit ravel.health.

  
  

  This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at vitalplan.com/restore180

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In the final installment of our 3-part series with integrative physician and Vital Plan founder Dr. Bill Rawls, we go deeper into the real-world challenges- and potential- of healing Lyme and chronic illness.

From what's missing in modern healthcare to how the supplement industry often misleads consumers, Dr. Rawls brings both honesty and hope to this wide-ranging conversation. He breaks down how Restore180’s final phase is designed to help the body rebuild, not just recover, and why truly helping patients means addressing root causes—not symptoms.

In this episode, Dr. Rawls and Kenzie discuss:

• What’s missing in the traditional healthcare model for chronic illness (3:50); The history and potential limitations of antibiotics in treating Lyme (14:30); How to be a smart supplement consumer: sourcing, transparency, and safety (22:00); What separates Vital Plan’s approach to herbal medicine (26:00); Dr. Rawls' end goal: a healthcare system that actually helps patients get well (37:00)

  This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at⁠ vitalplan.com/restore180

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Bill Rawls, we explore the herbal protocols and philosophies that shaped Vital Plan and Restore180. Dr. Rawls shares how chronic illness changed the course of his life and how herbs became the foundation of his personal recovery—and his mission to help others. From nervous system regulation to detox strategies and sauna routines, this episode is full of practical, empowering insights for anyone navigating chronic Lyme or other complex illnesses.

This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at vitalplan.com/restore180

In Episode 14 of Lyme+, we kick off a powerful three-part series with Dr. Bill Rawls—renowned integrative physician, bestselling author, and founder of Vital Plan. Dr. Rawls opens up about his personal journey from chronic illness to recovery and the pivotal shift that led him to embrace herbal therapies and holistic healing for Lyme and tick-borne diseases.

In this episode, Dr. Rawls and Kenzie explore:

• His passion for surfing and kite surfing (0:14)

• How Lyme microbes operate in the body and why they’re so disruptive (19:00)

• The potential of chronic Lyme to unlock insights into all chronic illness (21:00)

• Why Lyme research remains dramatically underfunded (26:00)

• What needs to change to better support doctors treating Lyme patients (26:55)

• Kenzie’s personal advice for those in the trenches (32:30)

• An introduction to Vital Plan and its role in Dr. Rawls’ healing approach (38:30)

• His "recipe for health"—the core elements that helped him truly recover (46:20)

This episode is packed with hope, science, and practical guidance for anyone on the path to wellness.

This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at ⁠vitalplan.com/restore180⁠