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New Normal Big Life: Functional Medicine and Holistic Health

Advertise on podcast: New Normal Big Life: Functional Medicine and Holistic Health

Rating
★★★★★
4.7
from
30 reviews
This podcast has
97 episodes
Language
English
Date created
2025/06/14
Latest episode
2026/10/20
Average duration
45 min.
Release period
7 days

Description

Recognized as a Top 10 Health & Fitness Podcast by PodMatch. New Normal Big Life is a functional medicine and holistic health podcast for people who feel their body or household slipping — and are ready to take their health back, live longer, and stay strong while they do it.Hosted by traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor and former Army medic Antoinette Berrafato, The Wellness Warrior. Finding people, passion, and purpose was essential to her healing journey. Doctors, functional medicine clinicians, naturopaths, and researchers join her for plain-language conversations on root-cause medicine, nervous system regulation, longevity, holistic nutrition, and what it actually takes to stay strong when the standard answers fall short.This show is for 18-to-25-year-olds watching parents age too fast, people past 40 whose bodies changed hard and who want a simpler life they are in charge of, people over 50 who refuse to treat aging as slowing down and giving up what they love, and the veterans, first responders, caregivers, and blue-collar listeners who built the room in the first place. Different lives. Same hunger: more good years, a household that still works when daily life stops being normal, and proof that a stronger life is allowed for an ordinary person.Get answers from expert guests you’re not getting in your 7-minute doctor appointment. Listeners text the show or reach out on social with their biggest health challenge. We pull an expert from a network of more than 4,000 available guests and build a full episode around that question, with a shoutout to the listener who asked.We cover the root cause of chronic illness — not just how to manage the symptoms. Expert guests walk through the same steps they use with patients to help people take their health back from chronic illness: why your labs can look fine when you feel terrible, how to settle a nervous system that has been on high alert for years, food and home as natural health solutions, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and brain health, caregiver burnout, disaster preparedness as a health practice, and longevity that starts with how you live — place, food, skill, and medicine that fits you.This show answers questions like:* What is functional medicine, and how is it different from conventional care?* Why am I always tired, no matter how much I sleep?* What causes chronic inflammation, and how do I fix it naturally?* How do I stay strong and not age like the people I’m watching?* How do I regulate my nervous system after trauma or years of stress?* Why does my doctor keep telling me my labs are normal when I feel terrible?* How do I depend less on a fragile food, power, or healthcare system?* What actually helps after traumatic brain injury (TBI), burnout, or a body that stopped cooperating?If you want real answers, plain language, and a host who has lived it, you are in the right place. Start here: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here Disclaimer: For informational not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before pursuing any health-related procedure or activity.

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Check latest episodes from New Normal Big Life: Functional Medicine and Holistic Health podcast


Herbalist Shares How Herbal Medicine Supports Home Recovery Daily
2026/10/20
Wondering if herbal medicine can support your body while you manage a chronic condition with your MD and still feel burned out every day? Clinical herbalist Bonnie D'Arcangelo shares an encouraging framework for home recovery that helps you feel calmer, steadier, and more supported. This episode is for the 40 year old who feels wired but tired, the busy parent, and any listener who wants simple natural steps to try at home. Here on New Normal Big Life, host Antoinette Berrafato brings a root cause lens to daily renewal. You will hear how Bonnie thinks about personalizing herbs for real life, how to build a simple daily rhythm for stress and energy, and what questions to bring to your next appointment so you feel confident and prepared. You will leave encouraged, with language you can use and next steps you can discuss with your own clinician. The best part only lands when you hear how she explains it. Connect with clinical herbalist Bonnie D'Arcangelo. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% Ready Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
The 3-Step Burnout Recovery Plan to Live Authentically
2026/10/13
If you are running on empty and wondering why rest never fixes it, burnout recovery may depend less on doing more and more on living with authenticity. You will hear a simple 3-step approach that helps you spot pressure patterns, reset daily, and protect energy without quitting your goals. This episode is for driven professionals, caregivers, veterans, first responders, and those just entering the workplace who want to stay strong for others without losing themselves. Here on New Normal Big Life, host Antoinette Berrafato sits down with trauma informed coach Kurt Bush of Brimstone Coaching Group and co author of Live Fully, Lead Authentically. Kurt shares why being authentic is not soft, it is the guardrail that keeps stress from turning into shutdown, and how small daily choices protect health, focus, and relationships. Stay through the end, because Kurt walks through the moment his framework clicked in real life, and what to do when old pressures pull you back. Chapters: 00:00 Why authenticity prevents burnout 04:12 High achiever pressure trap 09:40 E plus R equals T 16:25 3 step daily reset 24:10 Imposter pressure at work 31:45 Faith values and alignment 38:20 Next strong step Connect with Kurt Bush here: https://www.brimstonecoachinggroup.com/ We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
Zeolite Detox: Hidden Toxins Your Doctor Can't Find
2026/10/06
Feeling foggy, inflamed and exhausted while carrying toxins and heavy metals in your brain and tissues, and wondering if zeolite detox can finally help? Founder of Zeolite Labs Jeff Hoyt shares why the body tucks toxins away for short term survival and what has to shift for you to recover and thrive later. This episode is for adults over 40, caregivers, veterans and first responders who want natural health solutions without feeling worse. Here on New Normal Big Life, we go past symptom masking to root cause medicine, nervous system regulation and TBI recovery without medication.  You will hear Jeff unpack why both conventional and natural protocols can leave people sicker, toxins do during a cleanse, and what Herxheimer reactions may signal. He also previews his bind first approach with purified micronized clinoptilolite zeolite plus cellular energizing tools. Chapters 02:15 Body Under Toxic Stress 05:30 Symptoms Are Signals 09:19 Why the Body Stores heavy metals 13:35 Why Protocols Backfire 15:52 Bind First Approach 20:50 Detox Reactions Explained 24:23 Jeffs Path To Zeolite 31:16 Choosing the best quality Zeolite 36:38 Dosing And Daily Use 45:03 Cellular Energy Tools 50:39 Detox As a Lifestyle 54:16 Where To Find Jeff Hosted by Antoinette Berrafato, New Normal Big Life podcast host who used nature therapy (archery and kayaking) to recover from physical limitations, finding passion, purpose, and people as a recipe for mental health.  We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% Ready Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
5 Step Protocol That Stops Teen Addiction Before Rock Bottom
2026/09/29
If you're worried your child could be heading toward addiction, you may be waiting for a clear warning sign that shows up too late. In this educational episode, drug prevention expert and author Dave Kopeny walks parents through a 5 step protocol for stepping in early, long before rock bottom. This conversation is for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone who loves a teen and wants to protect their mental health before a crisis starts. Dave has spent more than three decades working with adolescents and families. He has served as a school counselor, juvenile probation officer, gang investigator, and private investigator specializing in drug prevention and intervention. He also grew up in a family affected by addiction and has lost family members to it. Today's drug environment is not the one most parents grew up with. Dave explains what has changed, the early signs parents most often overlook, and why the old advice to wait for rock bottom can put a child at serious risk. We also look at how substance use, mental health, and family dynamics feed each other, and at the one thing Dave believes most parents underestimate about their own power to change the outcome. Chapters 1:00Meet Dave Kopeny5:39 How Teens Get Targeted Today11:53 Subtle Signs Parents Miss13:55 Finding The Real Reason Why19:07 Schools, Therapists, And Support Teams24:31 Room Checks And Drug Tests26:26 Why Rock Bottom Is Risky28:52The Tip Of The Spear Plan 35:41Sponsor Break Medicinal Herb Tea 37:28Kratom Sold Like Candy41:22 Carfentanil Narcan And What’s Next45:10 Free Tools Parents Can Use46:50 Connection As Prevention49:17 Closing And Medical DisclaimerYour host, Antoinette Berrafato, used nature therapy through archery and kayaking to recover from physical limitations. She found passion, purpose, and people as a recipe for mental health, and she brings that same practical, root cause lens to every conversation on New Normal Big Life. Resources https://www.davekopeny.com/  asapcommunity.org Buy The Tip of The Spear by David Vieth Kopeny  We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% Ready Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
Hidden Brain Injury Fueling Addiction, Homelessness, Trauma
2026/09/22
What if addiction, depression, or repeated rehab stays are not willpower failures but signs of an undiagnosed brain injury no one screened for? Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Marc McNeice explains how early screening reframes behavior, reduces shame, and opens a clearer path toward healing and stability. This conversation is for veterans, caregivers, first responders, and families supporting someone cycling through addiction, trauma, or mental health systems. Marc brings lived experience and frontline data from more than 300 screens in detox, reentry, and housing programs with a 97 percent positive history rate. He breaks down the difference between traumatic and acquired injury, why childhood impacts echo for decades, and what the NASHIA OBISSS screen surfaces that standard intake misses. Host Antoinette Berrafato, New Normal Big Life podcast host who used nature therapy (archery and kayaking) to recover from physical limitations, finding passion, purpose, and people as a recipe for mental health, adds her own TBI recovery perspective plus the gut brain link that shapes mood and cognition.  Stay through the end for a preview of Part 2, a solo walk through vitamins that support mood after injury. New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Chapters:  00:00 Welcome MarcMcNeice 01:31 TBI Versus ABI 02:30 Justice Data Point 04:16 Why Injury Hides 09:59 Marc Injury Story 16:03 Screening Gap 20:50 Injury Plus Trauma 22:38 Gut Brain axis 26:33 Acacia Fiber 34:43 Inside OBISSS Screen 41:28 Cost Of Missing It 44:45 Stop The Bleed 48:40 Part 2 Preview 51:29 Hope And Healing Guest: Marc McNeice, CBIS, brain injury specialist and survivor supporting recovery, housing, and reentry programs in Massachusetts. Connect: We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
The Juice Lady Reveals Hidden Truth About Seed Oils
2026/09/15
If you cook with canola, soy or sunflower oil and still battle fatigue, stubborn weight or brain fog, The Truth About Seed Oils reveals a hidden driver most advice misses. In this episode, Cherie Calbom The Juice Lady, shares how to spot hidden oils, what stable fats to keep and how to reset your kitchen with confidence. This conversation is for those with chronic health challenges, women over 40, veterans, caregivers and anyone focused on functional medicine and long term metabolic health who wants steady energy and less inflammation. Way back when Ancel Keys was promoting the lipid hypothesis, Cherie asks, wait a minute, we have eaten butter, eggs, dairy, red meat, beef tallow and lard for centuries. And we never had cardiovascular disease. Why would they suddenly start causing it? You will hear how seed oils moved from industrial waste management to a dominant food commodity, why the lipid hypothesis shaped guidelines even as doubts grew, and why omega 6 overload keeps inflammation high. Cherie Calbom, M.S. in Whole Foods Nutrition from Bastyr University and 11 years of real world experience practicing in these fields, author of 36 books including Juicing for Life, brings decades of clinical and culinary insight. Her new book The Truth About Seed Oils includes a free gift download at thetruthaboutseedoils.com. Chapters 00:00 Opening On Ancel Keys And Traditional Fats 03:15 Meet The Juice Lady And Her Health Journey 07:40 From Industrial Waste To Food Supply 12:30 Heart Healthy Marketing And Suppressed Voices 18:10 Lipid Hypothesis Rise And Fall 24:00 Oxidation, Lipid Peroxides And Cell Stress 30:20 Omega 6 To Omega 3 Imbalance And Daily Symptoms 36:00 Label Reading And Seed Oil Scout Tips 40:30 Healthy Swaps And Juicing Basics Connect With Cherie Calbom Website: www.juiceladyinfo.com Book: www.thetruthaboutseedoils.com IG: @juiceladycherie FB: thejuicelady  YouTube: @theJuiceLadyCherie X: @Juiceladycherie LinkedIn: Cherie Calbom Trinity Wellness We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% Ready Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
Dr. Stella Reveals How Herbal Medicine Supports Healing
2026/09/08
If chronic symptoms and conflicting supplement advice have you searching for herbal medicine that truly supports healing, this curated mashup brings the missing context together in one place. You will hear how National Institutes of Health (NIH) backed research, medicinal teas, and everyday food choices connect to immune support and metabolic balance. This is for listeners navigating fatigue, sugar cravings, diabetes, weight loss, inflammation, high blood pressure, or gut issues who want root cause options beyond quick fixes and want to take more responsibility for their health. As New Normal Big Life podcast host who used nature therapy (archery and kayaking) to recover from physical limitations, finding passion, purpose, and people as a recipe for mental health, Antoinette Berrafato curates the top 4 themes from these expert clips and notes other topics are available inside the full episodes. Chapters 00:00 - Why Herbal Medicine Matters For Chronic Symptoms 01:40 - Natural Health Solutions And Medical Trust 05:30 - How To Research Herbal Medicine With NIH Studies 09:50 - NIH Studies On Medicinal Herbs Benefits 13:40 - Supplements And Herbal Medicine Alongside Care 18:10 - Herbal Tea Benefits For Sugar Cravings 21:40 - Parasite Cleanse And Hidden Exposure Risks 24:20 - Immune Support And Natural Remedies Tools 26:05 - Dandelion Health Benefits And Insulin Resistance Basics Try this 3 Day Proof Lab: Day 1 research one herb on NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Day 2 swap one sugary drink for a medicinal tea, Day 3 audit your pantry for one whole food swap. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
How Spiritual Alignment Unlocks Nervous System Regulation
2026/09/01
Nervous system regulation after trauma feels impossible, even when you have done the therapy, followed the protocols, and pushed harder than anyone knows. You are not broken, and you are not lazy. You are missing a layer. In this episode, Antoinette Berrafato sits down with Caleb Matthews, creator of the DNA of Design framework, to reveal why medicine treats the body and therapy treats the mind, yet most healing approaches leave out the part of you that governs everything else. Caleb breaks down his Spirit, Soul, Body method, a three-part blueprint for moving out of chronic fight or flight and into a regulated, purposeful life. At the heart of the conversation is a truth he wants every listener to hear: "You have a unique purpose, a blueprint that has been customized by God and breathed into you at conception, and you are built for more than just what you're good at. You're built for something that you're designed for. Whether you're a seer, an activator, a catalyst, a navigator, a builder, a steward, or a healer. No matter what your design is, there is a place for you in the earth. There is a place for your expression to come forth." If you are a veteran, first responder, caregiver, or anyone recovering from trauma and burnout, this episode hands you a recovery method you have never heard before. Caleb shares the story that changed everything for him, the surprising difference between being good at something and being designed for it, and why your hardest seasons never disqualified you from your purpose. He also reveals the seven design types, and which one you are may reframe your entire recovery. Antoinette and Caleb unpack her design type in this episode. Chapters: 0:00 You Are Built For Purpose0:55 Meet Caleb And The Blueprint Idea2:03 Trauma Healing And The Trap Of Trying5:29 The Missing Layer Beyond Mind And Body7:34 Baby Steps Back To Childhood Joy16:19 SSB Explained With A Mirror Practice20:39 Soul Loops And Joy Versus Happiness 27:05  A Coma Story And Speaking Life31:04 The Seven Design Types Quiz In Action36:52 Nightmares As Signals Not Sentences42:02 Entrepreneurship And Designed Versus Good AtAre you a Seer, Activator, Navigator, Catalyst, Steward, Builder or a Healer? Most people are playing a game they weren't designed for.  Take the free DNA of Design Quiz in under 5 minutes and discover the unique blueprint you've been overlooking your entire life. Connect with Caleb Matthews and take the free DNA of Design quiz. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
Empty Nest Syndrome: Why You Feel Lost, Not Depressed
2026/08/25
Your child just left home and now empty nest syndrome has you feeling lost, restless, and more anxious than you expected. Jay Ramsden, the Empty Nest Coach, explains why that emptiness is often not depression at all, and hands you the tools to reclaim your identity, passion, and purpose. This episode is for the parent facing a quiet house, the retiree wondering who they are without a title, and anyone caught in the anxious space between one chapter of life and the next. If you're struggling with who will I be after leaving the military or law enforcement, or maybe your parents are struggling with an empty nest, this episode is for you. Couples are roughly 40% more likely to divorce in the years after their children leave home, according to the Journal of Marriage and Family. A phenomenon known as gray divorce. Gray divorce is the demographic trend of couples aged 50 and older ending long-term marriages. Rates have doubled since 1990, driven by longer lifespans, shifting social norms, and a greater focus on personal happiness in later life, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Here's what Jay sees in the people he coaches: unallocated energy and focus, a nervous system still revving high with no target on the radar, a high-velocity engine just idling in the driveway. And we know what happens to an engine that idles too long. It runs out of gas, runs out of oil, and burns up. Jay is a Certified Personal and Executive Coach and founder of This Empty Nest Life, ranked among Feedspot's Top 25 Empty Nester Influencers. His story is anything but ordinary: he lost his home to fire, overcame alcohol addiction, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and walked the Camino de Santiago as an empty nester. Listen in to hear the move from Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side, why going back to work can be purpose or escape, and the one honest first step you can take this week. Tune in to find out what Jay learned at 19,000 feet and on the trail. Chapters: 02:52The Energy Crash06:42Three Stages09:32The ME Era11:02Guide on the Side12:38Back to Work13:42Marriage After Nest22:19Kilimanjaro & JOMO27:09Your First Step We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
People Pleaser Psychology: Dr. Groppel on the High Achiever Trap
2026/08/18
People pleaser psychology hides inside high achievement, and Dr. Jack Groppel spent decades inside the world's most elite performance environments before recognizing the pattern in himself. Co-founder of the Johnson and Johnson Human Performance Institute and 11 years of real world experience practicing in these fields, he trained Olympic athletes, coached the Chicago White Sox, and advised Fortune 50 leaders. Then he hit a wall. Dr. Groppel calls it achievement addiction, a compulsion to succeed at all costs that came from a wound with his father and nearly cost him everything.  In this episode, he reveals the question he now asks himself three or four times a day, the single shift that separates people who break free from those who stay trapped, and why the fix does not start where most self-help advice points. This is for high achievers, caregivers, veterans, and anyone who has ever been physically present but emotionally gone, skimming across the surface of their own life while handing their energy to everyone else. Chapters 0:00 People Pleaser Psychology0:30 Meet Dr. Jack Groppel2:27 Defining The Disease To Please3:11 Gender Conditioning And Approval4:03 The Parenting Approval Wound8:40 High Achievement Without Burnout11:11 Always On Culture And Boundaries15:12 Energy Management Beats Multitasking17:49 The Hidden Cost Of Overgiving20:56 Nature As A Nervous System Reset23:56 Purpose Beyond People Pleasing30:01 Nervous System Change And Forgiveness35:40 What Matters Most Right NowNeed help forgiving someone? Forgiveness mentor Katharine Giovani shows you how in these two episodes of New Normal Big Life Podcast.  Learn How to Forgive With Katharine Giovanni How to Forgive and Heal in 3 Steps You can find Dr. Jack Groppel's Book on Amazon. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
Concierge Medicine: 40 Patients Instead of 2,500
2026/08/11
If you've ever walked out of a doctor's appointment with more questions than answers, concierge medicine may be the solution you haven't heard about. Board-certified neurologist and U.S. Navy veteran Dr. Ryan Williamson, MD, pulls back the curtain on what relationship-based care delivers when a physician manages 40 patients instead of 2,500. This episode is for anyone tired of 7-minute appointments, rushed diagnoses, and a healthcare system built around billing codes instead of health outcomes. Dr. Williamson explains why a one-degree shift in daily habits compounds into decades of better brain function, how a single supplement changed our host's cognitive performance in under three months, and what longevity medicine means beyond adding years to life. You'll also hear the stark reality of what happens when quality of life is sacrificed for quantity, and why having a target for your senior years is the first step most people skip. Start with one of the three simple levers Dr. Williamson recommends this week.  Hosted by Antoinette Berrafato, the New Normal Big Life podcast host who used nature therapy to recover from physical limitations after a traumatic-brain injury and a boken back, finding passion, purpose, and people as a recipe for mental health. Chapters 0:00 Concierge Medicine: Why Appointments Leave You Confused1:02 Broken Healthcare System: A Neurologist Explains2:44 Healthspan Before Lifespan: Longevity Explained9:00 Creatine Brain Health & The Power Of Small Habits13:22 Sleep Regularity & Wearables For Longevity17:26 VO2 Max: Never Too Early, Never Too Late29:22 Cognitive Decline: Testing Before Symptoms38:38 Concierge Medicine: Cost, Value & Tradeoffs44:44 Healthcare Future & Final TakeawaysWe want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
Stage 4 Cancer Remission: Dr. Contreras and Survivor Emma Johnson
2026/08/04
When a stage 4 cancer diagnosis leaves you searching for other options beyond the standard protocols, the choices can feel nonexistent. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given eighteen months to live by a conventional oncologist, Emma Victoria Johnson began her search. At Oasis of Hope Cancer Center, oncologist Dr. Francisco Contreras's integrative cancer treatment approach led to a cancer remission that defied every prognosis. This cancer survivor's journey from diagnosis to cancer remission is proof that integrative treatment, used alongside the best of conventional care, can change outcomes conventional medicine never anticipated. Emma was handed a terminal timeline and told to get her affairs in order. Instead of accepting that sentence, she went looking for a treatment philosophy that addressed the whole person. Integrative oncology, an approach that combines standard medical treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies like nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle changes, was exactly what she needed. At Oasis of Hope Cancer Center, she found a team led by Dr. Francisco Contreras, MD, renowned for combining conventional and alternative medical treatments long before holistic cancer care entered the mainstream conversation. Emma and Dr. Contreras walk through the day-to-day reality of her treatment at Oasis of Hope, the emotional turning points, what it is like to seek treatment outside your passport country, and the protocols that moved her from a stage 4 diagnosis to near-complete remission in under a year. Dr. Contreras also offers actionable steps for reducing your cancer and chronic health risk. Be sure to catch this episode on video to see what treatment is like at Oasis of Hope Cancer Center. If you or someone you love is facing a diagnosis, out of options, or simply wants to understand cancer prevention and what integrative cancer care looks like in practice, this episode was made for you. Remember, every healing journey is unique, and hope is always possible, no matter the diagnosis. You are not alone on this path. Chapters 0:00 Cancer Rates Are Rising Fast1:14 Why This Conversation Matters4:10 Oasis Of Hope’s Holistic Philosophy6:40 Emma’s Shocking Diagnosis And Rapid Growth9:42 Prevention Vs Early Detection12:55 Simple Diet And Exercise Targets15:58 Refusing The Prognosis And Choosing Treatment Abroad20:20 What Treatment Felt Like at Oasis of Hope23:55 The Power Of Mind26:58 Integrative Care And Patient Dignity31:32 Cancer Genes, Good Information, Real Choice36:42 Turbo Cancers, Toxins, And Immune Therapy42:42 Courage To Travel And Family Pushback48:30 Finding Community With Other Patients55:08 Health Systems, Money, And Time WindowsWe want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
The Parasite Cleanse Danger No One Warns You About
2026/07/28
Dr. Kate Davis is a functional medicine doctor who spent nearly a decade battling unexplained gut issues before discovering a three-foot parasite living inside her own body. She now treats women with chronic constipation, IBS, bloating, and acid reflux. She joins Antoinette Berrafato, host of New Normal Big Life to walk through the exact healing sequence that prevents detox disaster. Dr. Davis explains why going straight to killing parasites without preparing your drainage organs can trigger gallbladder attacks, migraines, and emergency room visits. She breaks down what leaky gut actually does to nutrient absorption, why the "expensive pee" phenomenon keeps people sick despite spending thousands on supplements, and the biggest gut health myths she sees causing harm on social media. If you have tried every protocol, diet and supplement and still aren't better, this conversation maps out what functional medicine treats that conventional approaches miss. Connect with Dr. Kate Davis: Instagram: @drkatedavis — DM the word "100" for $100 off an initial consult plus labs package. Chapters 0:00 A Shocking Parasite Wake Up Call2:44 What Parasites Are And How You Get Them8:52 Why Doctors Miss Parasites11:41 Why Random Cleanses Can Backfire17:39 SIBO And The Gallbladder Link20:29 Leaky Gut And The Absorption Problem25:10 Drainage Organs And Poop Basics28:15 Medication Culture Versus Root Cause38:30 Heavy Metals Sources And Safer Detox41:34 Why Constipation Is So Common43:42 Gut Health Myths To Ignore46:01 Hope For Healing And How To ConnectJoin Antoinette on a doctor-formlated parasite cleanse. Revive Herbal Parasite Cleanse & Toxin Binder. Shop now using promo code NNBL for 5% off.  https://marketplace.drstellamd.com/revive-herbal-parasite-cleanse-&-toxin-binder/2120 Get the NOW brand acacia fiber powder we talked about in this episode on Amazon using my paid link. Follow the show on social media to learn more. X: https://x.com/NNBLBlog IG: https://www.instagram.com/nnblpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newnormalbiglifep F: https://www.facebook.com/NewNormalBigLifePodcast/ In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinetteberrafatomba/ We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% Ready Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
Hidden Organ Damage Wildfire Smoke Causes Right Now
2026/07/20
That campfire smell outside your window is fine particulate matter from over 850 wildfires burning across Canada and the Midwest. And it's doing more than irritating your throat. This episode breaks down exactly what wildfire smoke does to your brain, your heart, and your lungs, plus the protection steps that can reduce your indoor particle exposure by up to 85%. If you're watching the haze roll in and wondering what it means for you or your family's long-term health, this episode is for you. Chapters 0:00 The Hidden Threat In Smoke1:16 PM2.5 And Toxic Smoke Chemistry3:14 Inflammation In Lungs And Blood4:24 Brain Risks Anxiety And Dementia5:48 Who Is Most Vulnerable Right Now6:36 Three Steps To Protect Yourself8:33 Hydration Food And Herbal SupportNew Normal Big Life podcast host Antoinette Berrafato used nature therapy; archery and whitewater kayaking, to recover from physical limitations, finding passion, purpose, and people as a recipe for mental health. She brings functional medicine and 11 years of real-world experience practicing in these fields to every conversation, stripping away the overwhelm and handing you the exact steps to protect what matters most. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% Ready Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.
Why Nervous System Healing Starts Where You Live
2026/07/14
Your nervous system healing might have nothing to do with supplements or breathwork, and everything to do with the four walls you come home to every night. Wellness educator and Homes That Heal podcast host Jen Heller reveals how a toxic home environment keeps your limbic system locked in survival mode, and the practical, budget-friendly steps to turn any space into a sanctuary that supports deep regulation. If you're navigating chronic stress, caregiver burnout, or unexplained fatigue that no doctor has solved, this conversation was built for you. Jen walks us through her own survival story; brain injury, stroke, and the environmental triggers she never saw coming. She shares the PET Framework she developed from interviewing dozens of healing-space experts. You'll hear why the woods test works, what heavy house energy signals, and the one free exercise that costs nothing and creates a measurable nervous system shift before the weekend is over. This episode pairs perfectly with episode 102 of Homes That Heal, Toxic Homes, Chronic Stress & Healing Spaces: A Story of Survival, and episode 77 of New Normal Big Life, Can Biophilic Design Reset Your Nervous System At Home? Chapters 0:00 Look Inward Before You Buy1:03 Meet Jen And The Sanctuary Idea2:59 Trauma, Stroke, And Environmental Triggers10:52 EMFs, The Woods Test, Body Signals13:14 Limbic System On High Alert14:36 PET Framework And Heavy House Energy19:14 Free First Step With Pen And Paper22:49 Healing Design For Renters And Budgets29:12 Declutter, Simplify, Or Start Fresh33:21 Make The Bedroom A Sleep Sanctuary36:24 Color, Mood, And Room Behavior Shifts38:21 Walk Your Home Like A GuestConnect With Jen Heller: Podcast: https://pod.link/1746448155 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JenHellerLifestyle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenhellerlifestyle/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560317546116 LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-heller-30b8a0126/ We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultations Code NNBL 5% BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

Podcast reviews

Read New Normal Big Life: Functional Medicine and Holistic Health podcast reviews


4.7 out of 5
30 reviews
★★★★★
Billy Dees 2026/07/19
Great Podcast!
Antoinette is one of those rare personalities who immediately commands your attention. She joined me as a guest on my podcast and shared her deeply pe...
★★★★★
Angie H in WI 2026/07/12
So informational!
I listened to the most recent episode about cyclosporiasis. I’d heard of the outbreak, but honestly didn’t know much about it. Thanks to this podcast,...
★★★★★
Living Testimonies 2026/07/11
Informative
Love all the informative content on the podcast.
★★★★★
vcjcg 2026/07/02
Important and Necessary
I actually had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Antoinette on my podcast and I decided to check hers out as well now that it has grown since we last s...
★★★★★
maj8614 2026/07/01
Important discussions!
Love listening to New Normal Big Life. It’s the best place to learn and hear about functional medicine and holistic health in an approachable way. It’...
★★★★★
socalpsych 2026/06/27
Wonderful podcast
Terrific host asking great questions to her guests, really bringing some authentic conversations to this space. Thank you.
★★★★★
The Influence Exchange 2026/04/27
Educational
Enjoy the podcast and the educational tools that Antoinette and her guest brings to each episode.
★★★★★
PCR NC 2026/04/25
Great podcast!
You have such great guests and this podcast is full of so much valuable information. Thank you for creating it.
★★★★★
Dr. Laurette Willis 2026/04/10
Walking in Newness of Life
What an honor being with Antoinette Lee! A powerful and empowering example of transformation and a woman determined to "walk in newness of life," help...
★★★★★
Happilyhere11 2026/03/12
Super Helpful
This podcast provides helpful information for listeners who are working on improving their whole health. Antoinette’s story is inspiring!
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