The Functional Edge with Dr. Julia Ward

On this episode of The Functional Edge Podcast , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. John and Dr. Rodriguez of Eagle Dentistry to explore the powerful and often overlooked connection between oral health and whole-body wellness . This conversation dives deep into biological dentistry , an approach that goes far beyond fixing teeth to address biocompatibility, toxic burden, airway health, and chronic...

On this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with osteopathic physician Dr. Tom Moorcroft, D.O. , to explore chronic infections, tick-borne diseases (like Lyme and Babesiosis), and environmentally acquired illnesses. Dr. Moorcroft shares his personal journey from a 13.5-year battle with undiagnosed Lyme disease and Babesiosis to becoming a specialist in complex chronic illness...

On this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward (Medical Director and Founder of Balanced Body Functional Medicine) sits down with licensed therapist Alyssia Anderson to explore the deeply interconnected relationship between trauma, anxiety, and whole-body health. Alyssia shares how diet, hormones, sleep, environment, and trauma responses intertwine—and why emotional healing must include a...

On this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with neuro-nutrition expert Laurie Hammer to discuss how amino acid therapy and functional nutrition can restore brain health, stabilize mood, and calm an overwhelmed nervous system. Laurie shares her powerful personal journey—from 12 years of anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder—to discovering the root causes of emotional in...

On this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Serena and Dr. Heidi—two naturopathic doctors specializing in functional medicine and hormone health—to discuss Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). They break down what makes BHRT different from traditional hormone replacement therapy, how it supports longevity, and why optimizing hormones is key for women navi...

On this episode of The Functional Edge , I sit down with Dr. Myriah Hinchey, a licensed naturopathic physician and expert in chronic complex diseases like Lyme, other vector-borne illnesses, and Long COVID. Dr. Hinchey shares her holistic, root-cause approach to chronic illness—focusing on the underlying causes rather than just managing symptoms. We explore how she diagnoses and treats complex inf...

On this episode of The Functional Edge , I sit down with Steve Adams, CEO of Tiger Medical Institute and host of the Tiger Health podcast, to explore the power of personalized root cause care. Steve shares his journey from building a $100 million business and facing burnout at age 50 to discovering functional medicine and transforming his own health through advanced testing and lifestyle intervent...

On this episode of The Functional Edge , I sit down with Dr. Sonya Patel, an acupuncturist and integrative medicine expert, to explore how blending Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Western approaches can transform reproductive health, pain management, trauma recovery, and overall well-being. Dr. Patel shares her journey—from finding relief from migraines as a teen to recovering from a sever...

On this episode of The Functional Edge , I sit down with David Wikenheiser, a naturopathic and regenerative medicine expert, to explore a whole-body approach to healing that blends traditional naturopathic wisdom with cutting-edge regenerative therapies. David shares his philosophy of whether a person is “broken or just out of gas” and walks us through his three-step approach to health: feed, clea...

In this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Maria DeFranco, a holistic chiropractor specializing in the pelvic bowl, embodiment practices, and musculoskeletal health. Together, they explore the intersection of shame, sexual health, and intimacy, and how our bodies hold both connection and disconnection. Dr. DeFranco shares how shame and childhood conditioning impact...

In this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Daniel Chille, a functional medicine practitioner, to explore the principles of root cause medicine, the gut-brain connection, and the transformative potential of peptide therapy. Daniel shares his "Foundation Five" pillars—Eat Right, Sleep Right, Move Right, Talk Right, and Poop Right—which form the basis of his pati...

In this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with John Bohde, founder of MoldPros, to explore how his company helps families detect, prevent, and remediate mold in their homes. With over 15 years of experience and eight nationwide locations, MoldPros combines advanced technology, scientific testing, and a deep understanding of environmental illness to protect health—especially...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Clint Carter to discuss the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model—a revolutionary approach to healthcare that prioritizes patient-doctor relationships over insurance bureaucracy. Dr. Carter shares how DPC offers longer visits, transparent pricing, and 24/7 access to your physician, while freeing doctors from the administrative bur...

In this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Rosemary McKenzie, fertility awareness educator and clinical manager at Mira, to explore how at-home hormone tracking is changing functional and preventative medicine. McKenzie shares her journey from working in emergency medicine to focusing on patient education and proactive hormone health. Together, they discuss how Mira emp...

In this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Taylor Barnes, founder of Canine Mold Guide, to explore how specially trained mold-sniffing dogs can detect hidden mold that traditional testing often misses. After overcoming her own mold illness, Barnes shares how her dogs help families uncover hidden sources of mold, protect their health, and guide effective remediation. ---...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Arland Hill, a former functional medicine doctor and owner of Harvest Hills Ranch. Dr. Hill shares his journey from a 20-year clinical practice to becoming a rancher, driven by the challenge of finding high-quality, clean food for his patients. He discusses deceptive practices in the food industry, the importance of regenera...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. James Roach, MD, to explore the integration of science, spirituality, and deep healing beyond conventional medicine. Dr. Roach shares how quantum physics, botanical medicine, and the power of positive intention transform patient outcomes in chronic illness and cancer care. Conventional medicine can fall short in chronic illn...

In this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Dian Ginsberg, MD, a board-certified OBGYN and functional medicine pioneer, to explore a root cause approach to PCOS and endometriosis. Dr. Ginsberg explains why conventional treatments often fail to resolve symptoms and how diet, circadian rhythm, detoxification, and hormone balance create the foundation for lasting relief...

In this enlightening episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Terri DeNeui, a nurse practitioner, hormone optimization expert, and founder of Avexapel. Together, they demystify bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), particularly the use of hormone pellets, and discuss why so many people are unknowingly suffering from hormone deficiencies that impact every aspect...

In this episode of The Functional Edge , Dr. Julia Ward interviews Dr. Alya Ahmad, MD, FAAP—Medical Director and Co-founder of Shamynds Healing Center in Sacramento—to explore the science and promise of ketamine therapy for mental health. Dr. Ahmad explains how low-dose ketamine works as a rapid antidepressant and neuroplasticity enhancer, calming overactive brain circuits linked to trauma. She di...

In this essential episode of The Functional Edge, I welcome Dr. Peterson Sangra, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Amen Clinic in Dallas, to share invaluable insights on brain health. Dr. Sangra offers expert guidance to help you navigate your health journey with the latest advancements in functional medicine, emphasizing a holistic and integrative approach. Discover how Dr. Sangra's...

I had a fascinating talk with Dr. Maria DeFranco on The Functional Edge about her holistic approach that combines chiropractic care with fascia release, pelvic diaphragm balancing, and TMJ work. We dive into how these interconnected practices foster lasting pain relief, emotional release, and enhanced vitality. If you want to deepen your embodiment and self-care, this episode is for you. Dr. Maria...

In this eye-opening episode of The Functional Edge, I welcome Dr. Mark DeBrincat, known as the Good News Doctor, who shares his inspiring personal healing journey and introduces the revolutionary GlycoCheck system. After surviving a heart attack and severe injury despite leading a healthy lifestyle, Dr. DeBrincat set out to uncover better ways to assess cardiovascular and metabolic risk beyond tra...

In this vital episode of The Functional Edge, I welcome Dr. Nettie Jones, a licensed psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience specializing in women’s mental health. Nettie offers compassionate, expert guidance on understanding and managing chronic stress, anxiety, and depression—challenges that impact every facet of our well-being. Discover how to recognize the often-overlooked symptoms of...

In this essential episode of The Functional Edge, I welcome Dr. Jen Pfleghaar, a board-certified integrative medicine physician specializing in women's hormonal health. Dr. Pfleghaar shares invaluable insights on perimenopause and menopause, offering expert guidance to help you understand and navigate your health journey with the latest advancements in functional medicine. Discover the key signs a...