The Functional Nurse Academy Podcast

This episode is brought to you by Functional Nurse Academy Melissa is joined by functional nurse Danielle Friend, who shares how her children’s complex health challenges led her to uncover the root causes of neuroinflammation and pursue a career in functional medicine. Together, they explore how immune dysfunction, toxicity, nutrient deficiencies, and gut imbalances contribute to chronic childhood...

👉 Connect with Melissa at her next free webinar on how to start a functional nurse business   In today’s episode, Melissa is joined by functional nurse Karen Bettison, registered nurse, board-certified functional medicine nurse, and founder of Threadstone Integrative Health, to discuss the powerful connection between gut health, mental health, immune dysfunction, and chronic illness. Karen shares...

👉 Connect with Melissa at her next free webinar on how to start a functional nurse business   In today’s episode, Melissa is joined by functional nurse Lindsey Lepp, founder of Arukah Health Guild, to discuss simple yet powerful shifts that can help reduce toxic exposures, support the body’s natural healing processes, and create a healthier home environment. They also discuss Lindsey’s experience...

In this episode, Melissa is joined by functional nurse Alyssa Finley, founder of Balance and Bloom Holistic Wellness. Together, they discuss Alyssa’s personal journey from chronic illness and infertility to discovering root-cause healing through functional medicine. Alyssa shares how addressing factors like thyroid health, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, diet, and toxic burden can significant...

Joining me today is Aly, also known as “The Realistic RN” a former ER and travel nurse who developed a seizure disorder and was left with no answers from the medical system beyond lifelong medication. After experiencing medical gaslighting Aly took her healing into her own hands—using natural interventions, most notably the ketogenic diet—to fully reclaim her health. Now thriving, Aly is using her...

I’m joined by functional nurse Holly Nidifer, who shares how she healed from biotoxin illness—including chronic Lyme disease and mold toxicity—and the remarkable journey that led her from conventional hospital-based nursing to a purpose-driven role at one of Middle Tennessee’s leading functional medicine clinics, Sanctuary Functional Medicine.  Register for Holly’s upcoming class at Sanctuary Func...

 In this episode, Melissa is joined by Sunny Austin, FNP, a nurse practitioner and board certified functional medicine practitioner at Sanctuary Functional Medicine. Together, they discuss the functional medicine approach to PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), two complex condi...

Melissa is joined by Michelle Spencer, RN, a former hospital nurse who became a whistleblower after raising concerns about patient safety and transparency within the healthcare system. In this episode, Michelle shares her journey from conventional nursing to becoming a functional nurse and speaking out about what she witnessed inside the hospital setting. The conversation explores a lawsuit funded...

In this episode, I’m joined by Functional Nurse Rachel Pope, BSN, RN, BC-FMP, owner of Aligning Pathways, who shares her journey from debilitating, unresolved symptoms to true healing through functional medicine and faith. After feeling dismissed by a conventional healthcare system that primarily offered pharmaceutical or surgical solutions, Rachel sought a more comprehensive approach that address...

In this episode, I am joined by specialty pharmacist Michaela Wachal, PharmD, CSP, to discuss the safety concerns regarding aluminum adjuvants used in vaccines. We explore adjuvant levels present in vaccinations that exceed the FDA’s stated safety limits, differences in bioavailability between ingested vs. injected aluminum, and research findings showing elevated aluminum levels in post-mortem bra...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Functional Nurse Ashley Caputo to explore what happens when women are dismissed by conventional medicine despite ongoing symptoms. Ashley shares her personal experience with fatigue, weight gain, and burnout, along with the heartbreak of watching her mother navigate cancer in a system focused on symptom management. We unpack perimenopause, menopause, adrenal dys...

Melissa is joined by Jamie, also known as The Florida Functional Nurse , for a powerful conversation about healing, purpose, and building a life beyond the broken healthcare system. After surviving a devastating car accident and later developing debilitating autoimmune symptoms while working at the bedside, Jamie discovered functional medicine and made a full recovery, transforming both her health...

This episode explores why gluten intolerance and chronic gut issues are increasingly common, and how modern, industrialized wheat may be a major contributor. Melissa is joined by Lori Krol, Registered Nurse, Functional Nurse Academy graduate, and founder of Krol Wellness, to discuss how aggressive processing of commercial wheat alters protein structure, depletes key nutrients, and disrupts digesti...

This episode reveals why weight loss and chronic health struggles may not be solved with diet and exercise alone. Melissa is joined by  Kerri Takata, Functional Medicine Nurse and founder of One Together Coaching and Consulting to explore how root-cause medicine, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, and faith create true, sustainable wellness. Kerri shares her transformation from years of...