Real Medicine

In this deeply moving episode of Real Medicine , Laurie opens up about his battle with alcohol addiction, beginning with early life experiences and the heartbreak of raising a child with cancer. With raw honesty, he reflects on the pain he tried to numb, the moments that broke him, and the community that helped him heal. Through the lens of AA, Laurie shares how recovery gave him not just sobriety...

In this episode of Real Medicine , we sit down with John to hear his powerful journey from the depths of alcohol addiction to the clarity and connection he found through recovery. With honesty and heart, John shares what led him to seek help, how the 12-step program changed his life, and the role of community in his healing process. This is a story of resilience, transformation, and hope—because s...

In Part 2 of this series, we explore how addiction goes far beyond substances — showing up in our daily lives through food, phones, productivity, and the constant chase for approval or control. We dive into the science of dopamine , the brain’s reward chemical, and how overuse of certain behaviors creates dopamine withdrawal — a state that leaves us feeling anxious, restless, unmotivated, or numb....

What if addiction isn’t just about substances — but about the habits we use to survive? In this episode, I invite you to get curious about the ways addiction shows up in all of us — in our work, our need for approval, our phones, and even in the drive to constantly be productive. These behaviors often begin as coping strategies, but over time, they can quietly take control. Through personal storie...

In this episode of Real Medicine , Dr. Jennifer Anderson explores the deep connection between trauma and addiction through a compassionate, trauma-informed lens. Drawing from both her personal story and professional experience, she unpacks how addiction is not a failure, but a survival strategy often rooted in unprocessed pain. Using the powerful framework of genetics and epigenetics, Dr. Anderson...

In this episode of Real Medicine , we dive into the invisible wounds left by the healthcare system — the kind that don’t show up on scans but live deep in the body, mind, and memory. We talk about medical trauma — what it is, how it shows up, and why it’s so often missed. From medical gaslighting and systemic dismissal to the ripple effects on caregivers , providers , and siblings of complex patie...

In this powerful episode of Real Medicine , Dr. Jennifer Anderson sits down with former NHL enforcer turned wellness advocate Riley Cote to explore the journey from trauma to healing. Riley shares his raw and deeply personal transformation—how years of head injuries, chronic pain, and emotional toll from professional hockey led him to question everything he knew about health and recovery. Now a co...

In this deeply personal episode of Real Medicine , Dr. Anderson shares her journey through the hidden world of medical trauma — the unspoken grief, fear, and emotional injuries that many patients, caregivers, and even healthcare providers carry. Drawing from her own experiences in the Pediatric ICU with her son, and more recently navigating a new medical crisis with another child, she explores how...

In this inaugural episode of the Real Medicine podcast, Dr. Jennifer Anderson shares her personal and professional journey in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches and the need to address medical trauma. She discusses her experiences as a physician and a mother, particularly the challenges faced when traditional medicine fell short in treating her son's severe health i...