The Wellness Files with Kari Beal

Host Kari Beal talks with Greenville psychologist Joe Paciarelli about why horror movies trigger fight-or-flight, adrenaline and cortisol, yet feel fun in a safe space. Learn about recreational fear, threat simulation, morbid curiosity, the military studying cortisol and more.
00:00 — Why we love scary movies 
02:00 — What fear does to your brain 
05:03 — You're in control: safe space 
07:01 — Adrenaline junkies myth? 
10:31 — Threat simulation and exposure therapy 
14:07 — What is morbid curiosity? 
15:50 — Cortisol, sleep and nightmares 
19:17 — Why the military studies stress 
27:26 — Denmark haunted house lab 
30:49 — Gory movies don't mean psychopath 

Could experimental gene therapy change what’s possible for children with Hunter syndrome, also known as MPS II? In this episode, a father describes his son’s gene therapy treatment journey and reports his progress. We discuss how the therapy works, the clinical-trial process, and why access remains limited.
00:00 — intro
01:59 — Hunter syndrome and the gene therapy approach
04:09 — Ollie’s treatment journey
06:12 — Early signs and follow-up after treatment
10:03 — Trial access and eligibility
12:00 — Living with Hunter syndrome in the family
14:08 — Trial stages and access challenges
16:00 — Screening, early diagnosis and support
18:13 — Questions about U.S. trials and what comes next

Recorded live at Furman University, host Kari Beal talks with pediatrician Dr. Kerry Sease and health equity researcher Dr. Shaniece Criss about why women, children and people of color were often left out of clinical trials and how that gap still affects drug dosing, device accuracy and everyday care. Learn what’s changing with inclusion, biobanks, AI, and how to ask your doctor if research applies to you. 

00:00 — Introduction
01:28 — Who was medicine made for? Chest pain story missed on EKG
05:31 — History: white males as baseline, 1993 NIH Revitalization Act
07:49 — Tuskegee, Guatemala, Henrietta Lacks
10:19 — Ambien in women and driving risk
11:32 — Codeine in kids and breathing risk
13:48 — Pulse oximeters and darker skin
15:00 — Trust: are institutions being trustworthy?
16:41 — Fixing it: rides, babysitters, co-design
25:03 — Biobanks and protections
28:00 — AI in clinical trials Q&A

Following the tragic death of Hayden Panettiere from a lethal mix of fentanyl and other prescriptions, new focus is turning to the root causes of America's addiction crisis and how routine post-surgery prescriptions can start that dangerous cycle. We examine Journavx, the first new class of non-opioid pain medication approved by the FDA in 20 years. 
00:00 — Introduction: The genetic discovery of feeling no pain
01:14 — The addiction crisis & the need for surgical alternatives
02:14 — How sodium channels block pain before reaching the brain
03:45 — Patient Story: Laura Ziesel on surgery recovery without opioids
07:31 — Dr. Kevin Walker: Opioid comparison & non-addictive science
09:12 — The cost barrier: Retail price vs. manufacturer copay cards
10:45 — The chronic pain question: Neuropathy vs. sciatica trials
12:20 — Takeaways for upcoming surgeries & final thoughts 

Cambridge study news release
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061213175229.htm
Cambridge study in Nature
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature05413
Price of Journavx
https://news.vrtx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vertex-announces-fda-approval-journavxtm-suzetrigine-first-class
Price of opioids
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-non-opioid-pain-pill

Following a coroner's report identifying five substances in Hayden Panettiere’s body, host Kari Beal sits down with addiction researcher and psychiatrist Dr. Joseph Friedman to break down the deadly reality of polysubstance overdoses and erratic street drug potency. They explore the science behind dangerous drug synergies, emerging non-opioid threats like medetomidine, and practical harm reduction tools—including where to access free naloxone and test strips in South Carolina.

00:00 - Intro
01:32 - Upcoming Live Event: Furman University on Sept. 30
https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/09/10/wellness-files-live-who-was-this-medicine-made/
02:40 - Meet Dr. Joseph Friedman: Addiction research background
03:05 - Deconstructing the autopsy: Fentanyl & 4-ANPP explained
05:31 - Synergistic danger: Combining Xanax, sedatives & opioids
07:20 - Muscle relaxers (Methocarbamol) & Seroquel in overdose
09:42 - Evidence-based addiction treatment vs. street supply crackdown
12:59 - The potency lottery: Dr. Friedman’s drug checking research
15:03 - Fentanyl test strips: How they work and who they protect
18:38 - Emerging threats: Medetomidine & veterinary tranquilizers
20:18 - National overdose trends and the lifesaving role of Narcan
21:40 - Solutions & free resources: S.C. health department kits & preview

Dry, irritated eyes are skyrocketing thanks to modern screen habits. Hormonal shifts also play a role, and microscopic eyelash mites can be mistaken for dry eye. In this episode of The Wellness Files, optometrist Dr. Cory Lappin explains what’s really drying out your eyes and the proven clinical and at-home steps to fix it.

00:00 - intro
02:01 - Meet Dr. Cory Lappin / Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist
04:01 - Dry eye stats & common symptoms
06:13 - Why ignoring dry eye makes it worse
06:56 - Drops, supplements & why to avoid baby shampoo
09:12 - Advanced in-office fixes: IPL & red light
12:31 - The mental health & pain toll of chronic dry eye
14:41 - Screen time, "toothpaste oil," & blinking habits
18:11 - Screens, myopia & skyrocketing vision issues
19:16 - The surprising link between hormones & tears
20:53 - Demodex eyelash mites: symptoms & collarettes
23:07 - FDA-approved mite treatments & lid hygiene
25:08 - Morning sunlight, sunglasses & circadian rhythm
27:32 - Blue light, screen sleep habits & annual eye exams

Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia discusses his battle with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Stephen shares his aggressive treatment journey, the incredible news of a 99.8% reduction in tumor DNA, and why he launched his new nonprofit to advocate for early screening and detection.

00:00 - intro
01:08 - Explaining Signatera blood scans & tumor shrinkage
02:15 - Interview intro: South Carolina legend Stephen Garcia
02:47 - Finding the cancer: symptoms, ultrasound, & biopsy
04:20 - Hearing the diagnosis & establishing a treatment plan
05:42 - Telling the kids: navigating the news with family
07:31 - Undergoing aggressive chemotherapy & pelvic radiation
09:45 - Upcoming surgery & the power of family support
10:40 - Tumor reduction results & saving the liver
13:36 - Differing medical opinions & choosing TGH
14:27 - How athletic training built a resilient mindset
15:12 - Surprise support from Dabo Swinney & Darius Rucker
16:43 - Launching the "Quarterback Your Health" nonprofit
https://quarterbackyourhealth.store/
17:55 - Why men must stop brushing off symptoms
19:10 - Tough days: managing embarrassing physical side effects
22:17 - Crucial advice for others: "Listen to your body"
23:33 - Furman University live event announcement (September 30th)
Event details: https://www.furman.edu/academics/cultural-life-program/upcoming-clp-events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D1433290230

Reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Neha Hudepohl, Prisma Health, joins the show to discuss the complexities of postpartum psychosis in light of the national conversation surrounding the Lindsay Clancy trial. Dr. Hudepohl explains the critical differences between postpartum depression and psychosis, outlines key warning signs, and details how families can identify a psychiatric emergency to seek life-saving support.

00:00 - Intro: The Lindsay Clancy case and PPP context
03:21 - Dr. Hudepohl’s background & Prisma Health programs
04:58 - What is postpartum psychosis? Key symptoms to watch for
07:22 - Assessing risks of self-harm and emergency responses
09:16 - Sleep deprivation, genetics, and hormonal triggers
10:49 - Prevention plans & specialized reproductive psychiatry
11:43 - The difference: Postpartum depression vs. psychosis
12:57 - Why symptoms wax and wane (the lucidity challenge)
15:09 - How partners can support recovery and sleep restoration
17:16 - Holistic treatment: Medication, therapy, and family care
18:10 - Overcoming the fear of child separation during hospitalization
20:34 - Outro: Accessing the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 

In this powerful episode, Dr. John Deloney joins host Kari Beal to discuss the tragic passing of actress Hayden Panettiere and the crushing weight of maintaining a perfect public identity. They dive deep into the messy intersections of postpartum depression, addiction, and abusive trauma bonds, providing practical advice on how to build a life-saving support system when things go sideways.
00:00 - intro
01:49 - Hayden Panettiere’s story & brand pressure
05:01 - Normalizing the messiness of life
07:54 - Surviving the media spotlight
12:49 - Support strategies for postpartum depression
17:57 - Navigating postpartum and addiction
20:52 - The complex reality of trauma bonds
25:07 - Recognizing verbal abuse & body safety signs
27:14 - Key takeaways: Building your non-work tribe
29:13 - Episode outro & connection links

In this episode of The Wellness Files, host Kari Beal sits down with obesity medicine specialist Dr. Christopher McGowan to discuss Retatrutide, the highly anticipated "triple agonist" weight loss drug currently in Phase 3 trials. They dive into its unprecedented weight loss potential, unique side effects like skin sensitivity, and the dangerous black market pathways patients are using to access it before FDA approval. 

00:00 – Intro: The massive hype surrounding Retatrutide ("RETA")
01:58 – The dangers of seeking unapproved research drugs online
02:47 – Weight loss data: Reta's gastric bypass-level results vs. Wegovy https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972
04:22 – How the "triple G" agonist works on three gut hormones
07:04 – The reality of muscle loss and preserving lean mass
08:41 – Side effects: Elevated heart rate and painful skin sensitivity
11:13 – Thyroid cancer warnings, pancreatitis, and contraindications
13:10 – Long-term safety: GLP-1 history vs. the new glucagon pathway
14:59 – Additional health benefits: Reversing fatty liver and joint pain
16:25 – The TikTok "Ratatouille" trend and black market peptide risks
19:47 – Projected FDA approval timeline and safe, legal alternatives