Brain Health and Neuroplasticity - Part 4

The Foundations of Pet Health Part 1: with Dr. Katie Kangas

What if the key to your pet's longevity was already sitting in your kitchen? In this episode, host Dr. Sveta Selvamann sits down with Dr. Katie Kangas — holistic, integrative, and functional veterinarian, owner of Integrative Veterinary Care in San Diego, and creator of Dr. Katie's Remedies. With 33 years in practice, Dr. Kangas shares how getting to the root cause of chronic conditions, rather than just managing symptoms, can transform an animal's health and lifespan. Together they unpack the foundations of true pet wellness: why ultra-processed pet food drives inflammation, how even a 10–20% fresh-food "topper" can dramatically improve your dog's health, and which functional foods (organ meats, tripe, bone broth, sardines, and eggs) deserve a place in the bowl. Dr. Kangas explains why nine out of ten dogs are deficient in omega-3s, why flax and hemp won't cut it, and how movement, grounding, and time in nature keep both pets and their people healthier. Whether you're a devoted pet parent or a busy single-income household, this conversation meets you where you are — with practical, budget-friendly steps toward feeding fresher, moving more, and raising a genuinely thriving companion.

Foundations of Health & Seasonal Reset with Karen Schenk

After a long winter break, Dr. Sveta Silverman returns—with her pet therapy dog Fiddler in tow—for a full-circle conversation with her very first podcast guest, Karen Schenck, CEO of Iconium Media. As Alberta stumbles through what feels like its "eleventh winter of spring," the two friends dig into why the season leaves us feeling depleted, both emotionally and physically, and what oxidative stress and free radicals have to do with the way we feel. At the heart of the episode is Karen's own transformation. After being told her bloodwork was "perfect" and that her exhaustion, brain fog, and weight gain were simply things to accept, Karen chose to take charge of her own body instead—no Ozempic, no shortcuts. She shares how she lost 52 pounds and returned to her early-twenties weight through intermittent fasting, a Mediterranean-meets-keto approach, and learning to spot the inflammatory foods hiding in a "healthy" diet. Along the way, Dr. Silverman breaks down the science: the cortisol-insulin diurnal cycle and why breakfast matters, the case for stopping food after 6pm, insulin resistance and why we reach for snacks when we're not truly hungry, and the everyday wins—raw nuts over roasted, blueberries, 85–90% dark chocolate, and greens over carbs even at a gas station. A warm, honest conversation about aging well, listening to your body, and showing up as the best version of yourself—for you and for the people who love you.

The Science of Hydration: Exploring Nutrition, Wellness, and the Body's Need for Balance

Most of us know we should drink more water — but are we actually hydrating our bodies the right way? In this episode, Dr. Sveta is joined by Lisa Barnes, Chief Science Officer and VP of Research & Development at LifeVantage, for a deep dive into what true hydration really means. Together they unpack the science behind oxidative stress, electrolyte balance, and why up to 70% of people are dehydrated without even knowing it. Lisa also breaks down two new products in the LifeVantage Axial line. Axial X is a pre-workout formula featuring adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms (cordyceps and reishi), and natural caffeine for sustained energy. Axial Hydrate is an advanced electrolyte formula packed with trace minerals, tart cherry extract, rosehip, and glycine to support cellular recovery and performance. Whether you're an athlete, a busy professional, or just someone who wants to feel sharper and less fatigued, this episode will change the way you think about what's in your water.

A Path to Wellness: Prevention and Nutrition

In Episode 21 of Health with Sveta, Dr. Sveta Silverman sits down with Dr. Melody Rodarte, a Scottsdale-based bariatric and functional medicine physician and seven-time Best Doctor in Phoenix. Together, they explore obesity beyond the scale — unpacking its metabolic, hormonal, and environmental drivers, the long-term consequences of untreated weight gain, and why metabolic health is essential for longevity and independence as we age. Dr. Rodarte also shares insight into the growing importance of geriatric medicine in today’s aging population. In the second half of the episode, the conversation shifts to physician leadership. Why are successful doctors stepping into entrepreneurship and network marketing? What gaps exist in conventional healthcare? And how can physicians expand their impact while maintaining scientific integrity? This episode is a powerful discussion on responsibility, longevity, and the evolving future of medicine.

Brain Health and Neuroplasticity - Part 4

In this continuation episode of Health with Sveta, Dr. Sveta Silverman reconnects with Anna Merrill to go deeper into the realities of daily life while raising children with physical and mental challenges. Building on their previous conversation about neuroplasticity, this episode focuses on what living with these challenges actually looks like day-to-day.