Small Changes Big Shifts With Dr. Michelle Robin

Qiana Thomason has dedicated her career to the improvement of health and wellbeing across the region. As the CEO of Health Forward, she focuses on communities over-represented in health injustice and those living in marginalized conditions. While Qiana has an impressive career repertoire, it’s her health journey that is the highlight of her story. After years of suffering from intense skin issues, self-isolation, and joint and gut pain, Qiana found the answer. It took stepping away from conventional medicine and discovering the root cause of her symptoms through a functional approach. The problem? An overgrowth of Candida albicans in her gut created an autoimmune response in the rest of her body. Through listening to her body, building relationships with her healthcare providers, and relentlessly pursuing wellbeing Qiana was able to find healing. Memorable Quotes: “There’s the food you get through what you eat, and the food you put on your body, and the food you put in your mind and your soul.” “I’ve always

Dr. Bowen White is an “organizational physician” who is interested in the “people piece” when it comes to the workplace and life in general. He encourages people to take responsibility for their own health and life because at the end of the day we have to start with ourselves in order to help others.  He likes to be known as a “perspirational speaker” instead of a motivational speaker because he motivates himself and makes others sweat. How so? He talks about how we are our own biggest problem but we are also our own greatest strength and how it all starts and ends with us.  Dr. White travels the world speaking to different organizations, teams, companies, schools and more on the human nature and relationships. He believes in the power of helping others and that in order to see change happen then we must be willing to change ourselves.

“Counseling helped me befriend my nervous system.” - Brooke Seiz Did you know we only need one teaspoon of sugar in our body at a time? During today’s episode, Dr. Robin invites Brooke Seiz to unpack why sugar can oftentimes be a culprit for anxiety. Brooke shares what inspired her to become a counselor and functional medicine practitioner for others, including her own bout with anxiety, an eating disorder, and other mental health challenges. She goes on to describe why there can often be many root causes of anxiety, but when our blood sugar levels are too high or low, our cortisol levels (stress response) get activated and we easily enter that fight or flight mode. Brooke also covers how sugar is often disguised on labels, and how fast our bodies can experience inflammation (even pain) after we consume too much sugar. By the end of the episode, she’ll provide some ways you can test if sugar may be causing problems. She’ll also provide what foods can help aid in regulating sugar levels. Grab a pen and paper –

Daneen West is a Cisco Customer Success Executive, mother of three, and Brain Health Coach. For the past 21 years, Daneen has worked for Cisco Systems, designing, and leading industry award-winning talent development programs  After years of being on the verge of burnout, she is professionally more resilient, energized, and mentally sharp than decades earlier because of discovering brain health, where all the power is to up-level your life. Certified through the NeuroLeadership Institute and Amen Clinics, Brain Health has transformed every area of Daneen’s life, and she is compelled to provide the opportunity for others to ease anxiety, boost focus and finally work on their sleep struggles. Daneen’s Brain-Boosting checklist is a great resource to discover practical tips to heal, protect and grow the brain (See below). Memorable Quotes: “So as parents, if we have that intuition like that, something's wrong, check it out. And if the first doctor may not, if you don't resonate there, you're not being heard. Kee

"Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius In this episode of the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast, we are joined by board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist and yoga teacher, Dr. Ellen Vora who has also authored the chapter on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Psychiatry in the textbook Mount Sinai Expert Guides: Psychiatry. Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health, considering the whole person and addressing the problem at the root, rather than reflexively prescribing medication to suppress symptoms. She also takes the whole person into consideration, focusing on everything from physical health, sleep, nutrition, digestion, thought patterns, relationships and community to our connection with nature and creativity, and the ways we find meaning in life. Ash she sits down with Dr. Michelle, we learn what drew Dr. Vora to learn more about holistic approach and other trainings to heal the human body such as Chinese medicine, movement, nutrition, a

A real giver is a generous receiver, those are two sides of the same coin. - Edith Varley Join us as we gather to reset our new daily rhythm and build resilience during this time of change. Today, I’m excited to have Edith Varley. Edith is a speaker, advisor, educator and the founder of The Varley Group where she drives an outcome-based mission to transform human potential into constructive contribution. In her practice, she uses systems thinking initiatives to identify needs and establish outcome-based objectives. Prior to founding The Varley Group in 2000, she served for 25 years in the business of chemical manufacturing where she started in sales and ultimately led the company as CEO and owner. During her tenure, Edie helped people find the meaning in their work and the value in their contribution and as CEO led the company to double-digit net operating profit. I’m happy to have Edith share how they’re finding Rhythm and Resilience right now, and how we can do the same. I invite you to tune in using the lo

After 10 successful seasons on air, Dr. Michelle Robin is ready to share how the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast will be shifting gears this coming September. Before she dives into the full announcement, she pauses to reflect on her wellness wins over the years, which includes a shoutout to her community for helping her reach those wins. She believes that every small step matters, and hopes that after 10 seasons of powerful conversations, listeners have gained more light and can see their wellness path more clearly. By the end of the episode, she will also explain why brain health is gaining her attention lately, and why some upcoming episodes will help illuminate its significance to our overall well-being. Mentioned in this episode: Wellness Consortium - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/wellness-network/  Small Changes Big Shifts - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/  Nourishing Quote Deck - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/product/quote-cards/  31 Days of Kindness series - https://smallchangesbigshifts.c

“While I was packing, the only thing I was thinking about was how grateful I felt and how I could thank that cab driver who changed my life forever with a small act of kindness.” - Tareq Hadhad  Tareq Hadhad’s life was changed forever during a cab ride home one day. His driver, who was singing and smiling as he drove, noticed that Tareq looked heavy-hearted. After explaining what was on his mind, the driver shared an idea with him that would positively impact Tareq’s entire future – and his family’s safety. It was the answer he had been searching for. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Tareq to share his awe-inspiring story about his family’s refugee journey from Syria to their new home in Canada. He provides a glimpse into what was going through in his mind during this incredibly challenging time of war in their country, but also what he noticed about his father who was losing everything he had built for his family – including his chocolate factory. Enjoy this special holiday episode, which remin

When you’re aware, you’re halfway there. - Wendy Basch Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all. He came from a great family, in a home full of God, love, support, and opportunities to reach any goal. A natural born leader, an athlete with good looks and charm, he appeared to be the all-American kid pursuing his dreams. Underneath this facade, however, was an addict in the early stages of disease. After suffering childhood sexual abuse by a babysitter at the age of nine, Damon began putting chemicals into his body to alter the way he felt. Once he was introduced to methamphetamines, however, he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit. After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the e

Today is a really special day on Small Changes Big Shifts. We have Dr. Terry Wahls on the show. In 2000, Dr. Wahls was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. By 2003 she had transitioned to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. In December 2007, she began the Wahls Protocol™. Within a year, she was able to walk through the hospital without a cane and even complete an 18-mile bicycle tour. We also have Julie Robinson on the show. Julie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. She started using the Wahls Protocol™ and within months saw huge changes in her symptoms.

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. Do you find yourself consuming more entertaining than nourishing foods? What does healthy living truly look like and how can you get started today? Author of Habit That!: How You Can Health Up in Just 5 Minutes a Day, Dr. Jaime Hope, joins us to share how we can be the creators of healthier lives with small changes today that will lead to big shifts tomorrow. One of the many important shifts that she and Dr. Michelle Robin will discuss is how we can create healthier habits around nourishing vs. entertaining foods.  More About Dr. Hope Dr. Hope is a dual board-certified physician working outside of Detroit, Michigan, in one of the busiest emergency departments in the country.  In over twelve years on the job, she has learned that no matter what brought her patients to the ER, they all want the same thing: to live happier, healthier lives.  Whether she's helping patients, teaching future doctors, or engaging the local com

1 in 5 women are affected by PCOS. That means that 20% of women worldwide are dealing with a syndrome that looks differently on and for everyone so how do they find the help they need? Amy Medling is here to help. Amy was diagnosed over 15 years ago with PCOS after years and years of unanswered questions, confusing conversations and painful symptoms. She has now taken her own experience and is using it to help women take back their power when it comes to their health and PCOS. A PCOS Diva is not only a woman who has hope and strength but is a woman who is taking charge of her health and life by listening and putting herself first. Amy has found a way to shine a light on a confusing and painful syndrome and bring women together at the same time.

"People are beginning to get comfortable with the idea that it requires just as much planning to transition out of this world as it does to give birth and bring a new soul into this world.” - Dr. Tamara MacIntyre  According to a recent study, nearly half of participants (47 percent) admitted they were afraid of death. Some of those factors include fear of pain and suffering, fear of the unknown, fear of non-existence, fear of eternal punishment, fear of loss of control, and fear of what will become of our loved ones. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Tamara MacIntyre to share why there are ways a person can begin to get comfortable with the idea of dying with the help of an end-of-life doula. Dr. Tamara will also share her story of becoming this type of doula for people, and some of the greatest lessons she has learned about living through those facing death soon. She will also unpack why it’s just as important to have an end-of-life doula as it is to have a birth doula. “People don’t even kn

If you were told you only had a couple months to live due to a terminal illness, what would you do? Dr. Nasha Winters, N.D. and CEO of Optimal Terrain, was told this at the young age of 19 as she was diagnosed with cervical cancer after dealing with multiple health issues. Dr. Nasha took her diagnosis and decided she wanted to go out on her own terms so she went to the library and the book, Quantum Healing by Deepak Chopra, popped out at her so she read it one night. By reading this book, Dr. Nasha’s diet, lifestyle and college major would all be changed overnight. Now Dr. Nasha, is helping others by educating clients, doctors, and researchers on ways to apply the integrative oncology philosophy to treatments and therapy. She finds pleasure is seeing the joy in others and finding the “blessing in the lesson” in everyday life.

“This is something that connected our region like never before.” - Eileen Weir   There’s a famous saying that goes, “It only takes one tree to start a forest, one smile to begin a friendship... one thought to change the world” and that’s exactly what happened in the Kansas City community through the Parade of Hearts that began from one drawing on a napkin. During its last auction in 2022, it raised more than $2 million for Kansas City charities. During today’s episode, Dr. Michelle invites Jenn Nussbeck and Eileen Weir to share how this project began, the doors that it opened in our community, and the opportunity it provided to build connections with people in different neighborhoods across the metro. They also explain why public art has become a crucial piece to our community’s well-being and why it evoked certain senses for the people who live here. Jenn will also tell a moving story about two people who met at one of the hearts and how that location formed their new friendship. At the end of the episode, t

At 9:00am Christmas morning, Dr. Michelle Robin was joined by author Paul Young. In an interview Paul said he had written primarily as a way to create unique gifts for his friends, until his wife repeatedly urged him to write something for their six children in order to put down in one place his perspectives on God and on the inner healing Young had experienced as an adult. The resulting manuscript, that later became The Shack. Join Dr. Michelle and Paul as they talk about: How he has cultivated the ability to be present and not get lost in anxious thoughts about the future. Why trust, love, and gratitude are always in the present tense. What you can do when you are experiencing fearful thoughts in the present moment; either let them control you or trust life’s journey. Why ‘grace’ is a freedom word that is buried in trust. Difficult moments in his marriage and the choices he faced. The abuse that both Dr. Michelle and Paul experienced early on in their own lives and how that has impacted their journeys of h

What is the blessing of fear? Join us as we gather to reset our new daily rhythm and build resilience during this time of change. I’m excited to have Adam Hamilton. Adam is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country. The Church Report named Hamilton’s congregation the most influential mainline church in America, and he preached at the National Prayer Service as part of the presidential inauguration festivities in 2013. Hamilton is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Call, Making Sense of the Bible, Love to Stay, The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours That Changed the World, Revival, Not a Silent Night, Enough, When Christians Get It Wrong, and Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White,all published by Abingdon Press. Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters. I’m happy to have Adam share how they’re finding Rhythm and Resilience right now, and how we can do the sa

With so many different diets, regimens, fads and trends out there in the world of health and wellness, how do we know what works for us? Dr. Mark Hyman is helping people take a step backwards to look at themselves from a whole person perspective in order to move forward with their health. The connection between how you feel and how you eat is so telling to the human body but so often overlooked. Instead of focusing on restrictive diets and what your body can’t break down, Dr. Mark focuses on why your body is reacting that way to certain foods. Dr. Mark is changing the way we look at and eat food when it comes to our health and wellbeing. He is using functional medicine to approach food and illnesses with a new perspective that is transforming the way we treat any and all conditions in the human body. 

“Blood sugar is like comparing water to Kool-Aid – while water flows through our body, Kool-Aid can’t flow as well because it’s stickier. When we have too much sugar in our bloodstream, our body has a harder time carrying out the processes it needs to.” - Dr. Georgia Nab   About 1 in 5 people in the United States have diabetes but don’t know it, according to the CDC. While people generally know sugar isn’t good for the body, most people don’t know why our consumption of it needs to be managed – not eliminated. In today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Georgia Nab – a Functional Medicine doctor at Your Wellness Connection – to help people understand what’s really happening in the body once we consume sugar and why it’s then converted to blood sugar. If you have ever wondered what glycemic and glucose mean – or the difference between metabolic syndrome (prediabetes), Type I, Type I.5, Type II, and Type III – this week’s episode will give you a clearer understanding of each one in very simple terms. Dr. Na

“It’s the small choices we make that determine the rest of our lives.” - Robyn Rosenberger   Each year, more than three million children are hospitalized – either for procedures or ongoing treatment for chronic or terminal illness. Additionally, one in six children have a disability in the U.S. such as autism, ADHD, Aspergers, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, to name a few. During today’s show, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Robyn Rosenberger to share her awe-inspiring story about what led her to become the founder of TinySuperheroes in 2013 to help these kids fight unimaginable battles. Since launching her tiny cape organization, she has served over 120,000 children and families by providing capes for each child. Robyn shares how it all started with a little girl named Brenna and tells how the organization has evolved into ways these kids can experience extracurricular activities since 80% of them almost never get to participate in them. By the end of the episode, your heartstrings will be pulled by some of the powerfu