Between Clinical Minds

Discover the hidden world of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) in this powerful episode of BioConcepts Between Clinical Minds. Join host Toni Chambers as she sits down with naturopath Norelle Henschel and Mum Sara Dunstan for an open, honest, and deeply human conversation about living with and managing HS.  From the first signs in childhood to the challenges of daily life, this episode explores the sc...

Get ready to shine a light on skin health in this special “Sun Smart” episode of BioConcepts Between Clinical Minds! Join host Toni Chambers as we dive deep into the realities of skin cancer with naturopath and cancer immunology expert Dr. Shala Rasouli, and hear the powerful personal journey of skin cancer survivor Jane Hermann.   Click here to complete our short community feedback survey and go...

Join Between Clinical Minds host Toni Chambers for an episode that goes beyond textbook definitions and dives into the lived experience of skin conditions. With expert guests, naturopaths Dr. Brad McEwen and Katey Weekes, you’ll explore the complexities of hives and perioral dermatitis—from diagnosis and differentiation to holistic management. Discover practical case studies, learn about the impac...

Step inside the clinic with Season 5, Episode 7 of BioConcepts Between Clinical Minds, where we dive beneath the surface of skin and nail health. Join podcast host Toni Chambers as she sits down with TCM practitioner Sandi Ross and nurse/naturopath Alexandra Brewster for a frank, open-minded discussion on fungal infections—from candida’s shapeshifting nature to the challenges of mould and nail pre...

In this episode of BioConcepts Between Clinical Minds, host Toni Chambers is joined by naturopathic experts Dr Nerida James and Kelly Gilbert for an open and insightful discussion on psoriasis. Together, they explore the complexities of this autoimmune skin condition, from clinical presentation and differential diagnosis to the many triggers—including stress, diet, gut health, and environmental to...

Step inside the lived experience of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) with this episode of Between Clinical Minds. Hear naturopath Jacinta Mullins recount decades of battling eczema, the emotional toll of dependency on steroid creams, and the difficult journey through withdrawal—marked by sleepless nights, debilitating itching, and the search for true healing. Jacinta shares how changing her diet,...

In this episode of BioConcepts Between Clinical Minds, host Toni Chambers brings together naturopath Belinda Byrnes and pharmacist-herbalist Dr. Karolina Skraskova (Phd) for a deep dive into childhood eczema—exploring not just the root causes and dietary myths, but also the powerful role of topical herbal medicine. Discover how individualised, evidence-based creams and ointments—crafted with caref...

Join host Toni Chambers in this episode of BioConcepts Between Clinical Minds as she sits down with naturopaths Rebecca Hughes and Katey Weekes to unpack the complexities of eczema and dermatitis herpetiformis. This episode explores the nuances of differential diagnosis, the impact of genetic mutations, and the importance of family history in chronic skin conditions. Learn about evidence-based man...

In this episode of BioConcepts Between Clinical Minds, host Toni Chambers is joined by naturopath Sheryl Sivell and clinical nutritionist Lynsey Koch for an in-depth discussion on rosacea—a complex, relapsing skin condition. The conversation covers the latest understanding of rosacea’s triggers, including genetic, hormonal, and gut-related factors, and highlights the importance of the gut-skin axi...

Explore the latest thinking on adult acne with naturopaths Asha Evertsz and Karina Hiscock. Discover why acne is now seen as an inflammatory disease, the role of the skin microbiome, and practical approaches for diagnosis and treatment. Real clinical stories and actionable insights for practitioners and patients alike. Are you a Healthcare Practitioner? Join us to continue the conversation at bioc...

We are often bombarded by new shiny gadgets and fads that are meant to help us achieve optimal health, but there is a return to ancient practices including breath and cold and heat therapy. Join integrative doctor Olivia Lesslar and naturopath and breathing instructor Mim Beim as they discuss the benefits of these timeless practices and learn how they can be used and monitored in conventional bloo...

In this episode, we address myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and its similarities with Long COVID. Nutritional biochemist Dr Rhona Creegan explains that ME/CFS is considered a bio-toxin illness characterised by prolonged fatigue, muscle weakness, cognitive issues (brain fog), and other systemic symptoms. One distinctive feature is post-exertional malaise, where symptoms...

In this episode, diabetes focused GP Dr Gary Deed discusses the limitations of blood tests when it comes to diabetes diagnosis. For example, haemoglobin A1C may be inaccurate in certain conditions such as iron deficiency or recent blood transfusions. He points out that testing insulin levels to assess insulin resistance is controversial since lab variability makes it unreliable for clinical practi...

This discussion spans inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and thyroid presentations, with autoimmunity bridging the two. Integrative GP Dr Charlotte Middleton highlights the complex nature of IBD, its growing prevalence, especially among children, and the importance of early and thorough diagnostic workups to manage it. Thyroid focused naturopath Tara Nelson discusses factors affecting the accuracy o...

Join naturopathic doctor Lara Briden and women’s health naturopath Katey Weekes as they discuss their philosophy around testing in general and conventional blood testing in particular. Lara Briden explains that while measuring oestrogen and progesterone levels can have their place, she prefers assessing LH, FSH, prolactin, and androgens, particularly in conditions such as PCOS. She highlights that...

Join our host Toni Chambers as she explores the foundations of conventional blood pathology with nutritional biochemist and pathology interpretation expert Dr Rhona Creegan. They discuss how laboratory reference ranges are determined, the factors that affect the results and the importance of understanding both lab reference and optimal ranges, using uric acid and TSH as examples. Dr Creegan also o...

Deepen your understanding of drug-herb-nutrient interactions in thyroid conditions. Hear from thyroid specialist naturopath Tara Nelson, pharmacist and nutritionist James Jensen and integrative GP Dr Aparna Hegde.  Are you a Healthcare Practitioner? Join us to continue the conversation at bioconceptsengage.com.au 

The increasing prevalence of toxins in the environment – whether they be from mould, plastics, heavy metals, pesticides or poor water quality – can all impact thyroid functioning, and affect younger people than ever before. Nurse practitioner Ashe Young details the many environmental insults and increasing pressure on young women as reasons for their increasing presentation with thyroid disorders....

In this episode, we talk to naturopath and thyroid cancer survivor Melissa Briggs as she shares her journey from diagnosis to recovery, through to her clinical practice supporting others through thyroid cancer. Holistic dietitian Natalie K. Douglas provides insight into how she determines those patients with cellular hypothyroidism versus hypothyroidism.  Are you a Healthcare Practitioner? Join us...

Healthcare practitioners and researchers alike have seen an increase in post COVID thyroid presentations. Hear from integrative GP Dr Ameeta Gajjar and thyroid specialist naturopath Tara Nelson on possible mechanisms, presentations and treatment approaches. A young patient also tells her story of developing hypothyroidism post COVID infection.  Are you a Healthcare Practitioner? Join us to continu...

In this episode, we continue the conversation on autoimmune thyroid disease. This time, join pharmacist and nutritionist James Jensen, along with integrative GPs Dr Aparna Hegde and Dr Charlotte Middleton as they explain the gut-thyroid and gut-kidney connections, along with testing parameters and treatment options.  Are you a Healthcare Practitioner? Join us to continue the conversation at biocon...

Autoimmune thyroid conditions are on the rise, with up to 40% of people in some part of the world presenting with Hashimoto’s and 3% with Graves diseases. Join thyroid specialist naturopath Tara Nelson and integrative GP Dr Ameeta Gajjar as they outline the triggers diagnostic markers. Also hear a patient’s journey with Graves’ disease and the impact of a delayed diagnosis on her family.  Are you...

The number of women who develop a thyroid condition in perimenopause and menopause doubles. Join integrative GP Dr Lucy Caratti and naturopath Georgia Marrion from Melbourne’s Fertile Ground group to hear why perimenopausal women are vulnerable to developing thyroid conditions, and how best to individualise treatment considerations. Are you a Healthcare Practitioner? Join us to continue the conver...

Join naturopath Shantini Iyngkaran from Melbourne’s Fertile Ground clinic as she delves into the predisposing factors for the development of postpartum thyroiditis, the pathophysiology and how to detect those affected while colleague and counsellor Suzanne Hurley describes the unique perspective she brings to her perinatal patients that often uncovers thyroid dysfunction as the driving factor for...

Join host Toni Chambers and naturopaths Belinda Kirkpatrick and Natalie Pickering, and functional medicine practitioner Alexandra Brewster as they discuss the various ways thyroid health impacts reproductive health – from menstrual regularity to ovulation, implantation and pregnancy maintenance to optimal infant development. They delve into mechanisms, contributing factors and treatment strategies...