Better: Outside the Box Healthcare with Dr. Matt Kettman | Wellness, Longevity, Metabolism, Unconventional Family Doctor

Dr. Rock here. Have you ever felt mentally exhausted... even after getting enough sleep? Like you're constantly distracted, unmotivated, emotionally flat, or just not enjoying life the way you used to? You're definitely not alone. In this episode, we're talking about dopamine—the brain chemical involved in motivation, reward, habits, and attention—and why our modern world may be overwhelming the v...

Dr. Rock here. Today is a little different, and honestly, one of my favorite conversations we've had on the podcast. I'm joined by my daughter, Mary, along with her friends Louis and Arlen, for an honest discussion about what it's really like to leave home, start college, and figure out adulthood for the first time. If you're a parent preparing to send a child to college—or you're a student naviga...

Dr. Rock here. Today we're tackling a topic that affects millions of people every year but is still surrounded by confusion, misinformation, and stigma: sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. One of the biggest misconceptions out there? Most STIs don't cause symptoms. In fact, many people who are spreading infections feel completely healthy and have no idea they're infected. In this episode, we...

Dr. Rock here. Dr. Rich Manfready is back for Part 2, and this time we're diving into some of the most common digestive issues people ask about every day. From bloating and IBS to acid reflux, Crohn's disease, colon cancer screening, and everything in between, we're breaking down what these conditions actually are, why they happen, and what you can do about them. We get into: why fiber is so impor...

Dr. Rock here. Today we're tackling two of the most common skin conditions I get questions about in the office: shingles and eczema. A lot of people have heard of shingles, but they're not always sure what it is, what it looks like, or when it's something that needs immediate treatment. The good news is that early recognition can make a huge difference. We get into: what shingles actually is and w...

Dr. Rock here. Today I'm sitting down with former Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart for a conversation about leadership, resilience, service, and what comes next after a major life transition. Quentin shares his journey from growing up in Waterloo to serving on the city council and ultimately leading the city as mayor for nearly a decade. Along the way, we talk about the lessons he's learned through vic...

Dr. Rock here. Today we’re breaking down one of the most common heart rhythm problems out there: atrial fibrillation, or AFib. A lot of people have heard the term before, but they’re not totally sure what it actually means—or why doctors take it so seriously. So in this episode, I’m explaining what AFib really is, why it happens, and why an irregular heartbeat can increase your risk of stroke if i...

Dr. Rock here. Today we’re diving deep into one of the most fascinating areas of modern medicine: the connection between your gut and your brain. I’m joined by gastroenterologist, researcher, and gut-brain axis expert Dr. Manfready to talk about Parkinson’s disease, the microbiome, inflammation, fiber, and how what’s happening in your digestive system may impact your neurologic health years before...

Dr. Rock here. Today we’re pulling back the curtain on something almost everybody feels but few people fully understand: Why does healthcare feel so broken? Why are appointments rushed? Why does insurance deny things your doctor says you need? Why are costs so high even when you have insurance? In this episode, I’m walking you through what healthcare actually looks like from the doctor’s side of t...

Dr. Rock here. Today… we’re doing something a little different. I’ve got an industry insider in the studio, someone who works inside the processed food world, travels globally, and sees how this stuff is actually made. And there’s a reason he didn’t want his name attached to this one. We’re pulling back the curtain on what’s really going on with the food you’re buying and why so many people feel c...

Dr. Rock here. Today we’re talking about something millions of people deal with… and honestly, most people misunderstand it. I’m talking about acid reflux—heartburn—GERD… and what it can turn into if you ignore it. Now before you panic, let me say this: Most people with reflux are never going to get cancer. But… this is one of those topics where you need to understand what’s actually going on in y...

We’re back in the studio (aka my house) and I’ve got a fan favorite with me, my wife Chris, back by popular demand. And today? We’re cutting through the noise. Because let’s be honest… we’re all getting bombarded with: eat this, don’t eat that, more protein, less sugar, avoid this, buy that…And most people? They’re overwhelmed and doing nothing. So today we’re not doing perfection—we’re talking re...

In this episode, I’m breaking down COPD in plain English—what it is, why it happens, and what you can actually do about it. A lot of people think COPD just means “you smoked and now you’re short of breath,” but it’s way more than that. This is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States, and it often goes undiagnosed for years. I walk through how your lungs actually work...

Alright, let’s talk feet. Not exactly the sexiest topic… but if you’ve ever dealt with a bunion, ankle sprain, or chronic foot pain—you know this stuff matters. In this episode of Better: Outside the Box Healthcare, I’m sitting down with the man who literally fixed my foot—Dr. “Foote” himself—and we’re breaking down what’s actually going on when it comes to bunions, foot pain, and ankle injuries....

Alright—let’s talk about something that gets thrown around a lot and honestly scares people for good reason: congestive heart failure. But here’s the deal… it doesn’t mean your heart has stopped. In this episode of Dr. Rock’s Family Practice, I’m breaking it all the way down—no fluff, no confusion—just real talk about what’s actually going on inside your body and what you can do about it. I walk y...

This episode hits close to home. I sat down with my friend Andrew Meany, and what he shares is raw, honest, and incredibly powerful. This is a story about addiction, hitting rock bottom, losing everything, and finding a way back. Andrew opens up about his battle with alcoholism, what finally pushed him to walk into his first AA meeting, and how that single decision changed the course of his life....

Colon cancer is one of the few cancers we can actually prevent — and that’s why this topic matters so much to me. In this episode, I’m breaking down what colon cancer is, why we’re seeing more cases in younger adults, and the symptoms you should never ignore. I’ll also walk through the different screening options available today, including colonoscopy, FIT testing, and Cologuard. The truth is, col...

In this episode of I sit down with someone I really respect — Janice Hewitt. Janice spent 33 years working as a probation officer, dealing with guys coming out of prison, struggling with addiction, and trying to piece their lives back together. She’s seen the system from the inside, the heartbreak, the relapses, the successes… and everything in between. But when she retired, she realized something...

Dr. Rock talks with Stefanie Swinton, PT, DPT from Cedar Valley Physical Therapy about concussions, recovery protocols, and why the old "sleep it off in a dark room" playbook is dead. Stefanie is a 13-year veteran in physical therapy, Northeast Iowa native, UNI graduate, and doctorate holder from Des Moines University who specializes in concussion recovery, vestibular rehab, and orthopedic PT. Whe...

What's up, rockers! Dr. Rock here breaking down osteoarthritis and ALL your treatment options. Here's the deal: "Bone on bone" arthritis doesn't mean you need surgery tomorrow. You've got WAY more options than limping around on ibuprofen. The breakdown is simple—arthritis is cartilage worn down, so bone rubs on bone causing pain, stiffness, and cracking. Most common in knees, hips, and hands. MYTH...

What's up, rockers! Dr. Rock here with a powerful story of redemption. Tommy Tucker spent years addicted to meth. In 2020, he helped bury a car with two bodies in it in Evansdale, Iowa—David and Elissa. For 30 days, he carried that secret until the weight of it crushed him. Today? Tommy Tucker is a weeping spirit. A man who prays with strangers at Hardee's. A business owner. A ministry leader. He...

What's up, rockers! Dr. Rock here breaking down diabetes, pre-diabetes, and insulin resistance in a way that actually makes sense. Here's the deal: 98 MILLION Americans have pre-diabetes. 80% don't even know it. But here's the GOOD news—pre-diabetes is NOT a disease. It's a WARNING SIGN. And you have WAY more control than you think. The Simple Breakdown: Think of insulin as a KEY. Food turns into...

What's up, rockers! Dr. Rock here with a REAL SUPERHERO story for you. Today I'm sitting down with Chad "Superman" Mommer a 6'4" bodybuilder who literally dresses up as Superman to bring hope to sick kids at the Children's Hospital. But this isn't just about muscles and capes, folks. This is about a guy who had a STROKE at 36 years old while making breakfast for his daughter, and how he turned his...

What is hospice care really about? When should families consider hospice? Does going on hospice mean giving up? In this deeply moving episode of Better Outside the Box Healthcare, Dr. Matthew Kettman sits down with Sara Davis, a 20-year veteran hospice nurse from Cedar Valley Hospice in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to answer these questions and dispel common myths about end-of-life care. Sarah shares her jo...

Are you wondering when your child's ear infection really needs antibiotics? Confused about why your doctor won't prescribe medication for your sinus infection? Dr. Matthew Kettman (Dr. Rock), a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in Cedar Falls, Iowa, provides essential answers in this comprehensive episode about antibiotic resistance and appropriate antibiotic use. In this episod...