In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I talk with functional nutritionist Laurie Hammer about amino acid therapy and how neurotransmitter imbalances affect mood, cravings, energy, and stress. Laurie shares her personal healing story, explains how she assesses serotonin, GABA, and other pathways, and walks us through her Calm Mom Method—a brain-first approach to restoring balance for overwhelmed women.

As a Functional Nutritional Therapist and founder of the Calm Mom Method, Laurie Hammer focuses on helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other neurological conditions. Her work is driven by her own healing journey—overcoming cancer, celiac disease, bulimia, and depression through holistic approaches. Today, she supports clients around the world, both virtually and in person, offering hope and practical strategies for moms facing anxiety, depression, and the overwhelming demands of daily life.

Guest Speaker: Laurie Hammer, FNTP, NNTS

Website: https://www.lauriehammer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takebackmybrain

Facebook: https://facebook.com/takebackmybrain/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-hammer-ab84ab8/

Take Back My Brain with Laurie Hammer

A compassionate, empowering journey into brain health, trauma recovery, and whole-body healing:

• ⁠⁠Listen on Spotify⁠⁠

• ⁠Listen on Apple Podcasts⁠

• ⁠Listen on iHeart Radio⁠

• Watch on YouTube

  
  

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I talk with functional health coach and bestselling author Missy Chase Lapine about how food shapes our energy, focus, gut health, and mood. We break down blood sugar swings, simple fixes for morning crashes, and the surprising power of plant diversity. Missy also shares quick recipes, smart kitchen shortcuts, and how community helps turn health knowledge into lasting habits.

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Missy Chase Lapine is a New York Times bestselling cookbook author and certified as The Functional Health Coach™, working with Gary H. Goldman, MD, one of the top functional medicine doctors in NYC. Missy is also certified in culinary medicine and chef coaching by Harvard Medical School. Missy’s mission is to help people optimize their health, prevent illness, and live a balanced, energized life.

In her private practice, she coaches clients to end cravings and sugar addiction, boost energy, reduce anxiety, design delicious meals, and achieve their optimal weight and highest health goals. Missy also supports the road to recovery for patients with chronic conditions like arthritis and autoimmune issues, and she helps people break the sugar and processed food habit so they can reduce inflammation and resulting aches and pains.

Missy is also the founder of The Sneaky Chef® cookbook series and products. Missy’s unique and creative method of recipe development has earned her the title of Top 20 Most Influential Moms in Food (Daily Meal).

Missy loves to nourish her family and friends, husband, Rick, and children, Emily and Sam.

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Guest: Chef Missy Chase Lapine

Website: https://www.missychaselapine.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesneakychef/

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with Dr. Pat McShane about women’s health and how to protect healthspan after menopause. We explore why women have been left out of research, the importance of protein, muscle, balanced nutrition, sleep, and social connection, and the practical steps women can take to stay strong, independent, and well for decades to come.

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Dr. McShane is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She earned her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She then pursued her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Boston Hospital for Women, followed by completing her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

In addition to Dr. McShane’s extensive experience with treating infertility, she has dedicated decades of her career to educating the next generation of reproductive endocrinologists. Dr. McShane has served as an instructor in OB/GYN at Boston Hospital for Women, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, UMass Medical Center, and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

After her initial practice with reproductive-aged women, mostly seeking fertility, Dr. McShane became focused on the health of postmenopausal women following her own life journey and founded a video series.

She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). To further pursue her deep interest in women’s health in developing countries, Dr. McShane completed her Certificate in Global Public Health in May 2014 at Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. McShane has authored reports and abstracts on topics such as in vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic testing, and fertility preservation.

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Guest: Pat McShane, MD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-mcshane-0535ba3/

Website: www.womenshealthspan.net

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mcshanepmcshane9303

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Women’s Healthspan Voices with Dr. Pat McShane

Clear answers and real conversations to help women thrive after menopause—because aging isn’t decline, it’s living smarter, longer, better:

• ⁠⁠Listen on Spotify⁠⁠

• ⁠Listen on Apple Podcasts⁠

• ⁠Listen on iHeart Radio

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I talk with vision scientist Dr. Deshanie Rai about the macular carotenoids—lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin—and why they’re essential for lifelong eye health. We break down their role in filtering blue light, supporting retinal resilience, improving visual performance, and even boosting cognition. We also explore diet, supplementation, and new research in both adults and children.

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Dr. Deshanie Rai, Ph.D., vice president, global science, regulatory, and advocacy at OmniActive Health Technologies and adjunct professor at Tufts University, has made consumer self-care a focus of her career contributions through the development, translation, and dissemination of rigorous science in compliance with regulatory guidelines. She has leveraged her technical skillsets across multiple therapeutic areas and her strengths as a cross-functional partner to bring several meaningful product and messaging innovations to global markets. These included gastrointestinal health and the microbiome, eye health and vision performance, women’s health, and pediatric allergy management. Dr. Rai is adept at connecting the dots and troubleshooting and has successfully identified and implemented strategies to accelerate regulatory pathways while still prioritizing product integrity and consumer safety. While the products she has worked on have reached consumers in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia, she has also made an impact in Africa through her volunteer efforts in promoting food security.

Dr. Rai was recently honored as the winner of the 2025 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, presented by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science.

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Guest: Dr. Deshanie Rai, PhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deshanie-rai-phd-facn-69348a3/

Website: https://omniactives.com/

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, Dr. Rani Banik sits down with Dr. Debbie Ozment—an integrative dentist with over 40 years of experience—to explore the mouth-body connection. They discuss how oral bacteria influence gut and brain health, why mouthwash may harm nitric oxide balance, and how small daily habits can transform your vitality, cognition, and overall wellness.

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Curiosity led Dr. Debbie Ozment down a unique path as a dentist. A 1985 graduate of Oklahoma University College of Dentistry, her clinical practice took a dramatic turn as she observed her patients’ increasing list of medications and declining vitality. In response, Dr. Ozment completed a Master's degree in Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and is a Diplomat with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Trained at Mayo Clinic, she is a Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

Dr. Ozment is the host of Vitality Made Simple, a weekly podcast committed to interviewing world experts in the area of Integrative Medicine. She is committed to early diagnosis and intervention of periodontal disease to positively affect not only the mouth but the entire body.

Enjoy her 14-minute TEDX Talk entitled “The Forgotten Orifice.”

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Dr. Debbie Ozment

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdebbieozment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdebbieozment/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drdebbieozment

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with neurologist and headache specialist Dr. Huma Sheikh about what really causes migraine—and why it’s far more than “just a headache.” We unpack the difference between migraine and tension pain, common triggers like hormones and stress, and simple, effective lifestyle shifts that can help bring your body back into balance.

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Dr. Sheikh is a highly trained and well-experienced headache specialist who provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to the diagnosis and management of chronic headaches.

In addition to migraine, she is highly experienced in the treatment of other headache and facial pain disorders, including cluster, hemicrania, and trigeminal neuralgia.

Dr. Sheikh takes pride in being knowledgeable about the latest evidence-based medications as well as incorporating the latest in herbal and complementary lifestyle approaches to managing headaches.

Services include a one-time comprehensive consultation for diagnosis as well as ongoing management, education, and support for chronic headaches.

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Huma Sheik, MD

Website: https://www.headachesnyc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headachesnyc/

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, Dr. Rudrani Banik speaks with ophthalmologist Dr. Ravi Goel about how sunlight, UV rays, and blue light affect our eyes. They break down myths about sun gazing and blue blockers, explore conditions like cataracts and pterygium, and share three easy ways to safeguard your eyes daily—without giving up sunshine or screen time.

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Ravi Goel’s family has lived in Southern New Jersey for more than 50 years. He graduated from Cherry Hill High School East and earned a B.A. in Ethics, Politics, and Economics from Yale University. He earned his medical degree (M.D.) from the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He completed a medical internship at the Cooper Health System and an ophthalmology residency at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Dr. Goel completed an Advanced Refractive Surgery (LASIK) course with the pioneers of refractive surgery at the world-renowned Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital in Chennai, India.

Dr. Goel is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and a member of the American Medical Association (AMA). He is an instructor at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia and a cataract surgeon at the Wills Eye Surgical Network in Cherry Hill, NJ.

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Ravi D. Goel, MD

Website: https://protectingsight.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravigoelmd/

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jen Pfleghaar, DO, ABOIM, to explore what really happens to women’s hormones during perimenopause—and how to navigate it with grace. We talk about hormone imbalances, migraines, liver detox, cycle syncing, fasting, and how faith and integrative medicine can help restore balance, energy, and peace of mind.

Dr. Jen Pfleghaar is a double board-certified physician in Emergency and Integrative Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed residency at St. Vincent’s Mercy Hospital, and fellowship at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. She believes true wellness thrives when body, mind, and spirit are aligned with God’s design. Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, she became passionate about autoimmune healing, hormone balance, and root-cause medicine. Dr. Jen co-authored Eat. Sleep. Move. Breathe., serves on the boards of the Invisible Disabilities Association and American Board of Integrative Medicine. Through her practice, Healthy by Dr. Jen, she provides virtual care and shares education as @integrativedrmom. She lives on a mini farm in Tennessee with her husband and four children. She loves cheering at her kids’ games, lifting weights, reading Scripture, and tending to her chickens. Her newest book, The Perimenopause Reset, was written on a mission to change the health of 500,000 women navigating perimenopause—empowering them with faith-based, science-backed strategies to reclaim their energy, clarity, and joy.

Jen Pfleghaar, DO, ABOIM

Website: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom

Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenpfleghaar

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/