Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations with Dr. Izabella Wentz

In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews trauma therapist Dr. Nadine Macaluso (“Dr. Nae”), the real-life inspiration behind Naomi Belfort's character in the movie The Wolf of Wall Street. Her personal story led her to dedicate her work to helping people break free from trauma bonds and reclaim their health and identity.

Together, they explore how relational trauma can impact the stress response and inflammation, why empathetic “healer” personalities may be more vulnerable to predatory partners, and what it takes to leave safely and rebuild after a toxic, controlling relationship.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


What a trauma bond actually is (and what it isn’t). A trauma bond isn’t “bonding over shared trauma” – it’s a toxic, emotionally attached relationship where one partner seeks power and control and the other loses autonomy. Dr. Nae explains how these bonds can exist between romantic partners, friends, bosses, and even within families.


Why “empaths and healers” are often targeted – and why it’s not your fault. Many women in trauma bonds score high in agreeableness and conscientiousness: empathy, loyalty, strong morals, and the willingness to work things through. In an unhealthy dynamic, those strengths get weaponized – and the victim often gets blamed (including by herself).


The “Romeo mask” vs. “Dirty John” behavior pattern. Dr. Nae breaks down intermittent reinforcement: the cycle where a partner is cruel and controlling much of the time, then returns to being charming and loving just enough to reignite hope. That “hope hook” keeps people stuck far longer than they ever expected.


Red flags that aren’t romantic, but controlling. Jealousy framed as “love,” constant tracking/texting, broken promises, boundary-pushing, and “all my exes are crazy” stories can be early warning signs. If it feels too good to be true, Dr. Nae shares why it often is.


How to leave safely (without tipping your hand). Leaving can be the most dangerous time. Dr. Nae explains why planning matters, emphasizing the need for securing documents, money, credit, legal support, and trauma-informed care behind the scenes while acting normal – then making a safe exit.


What healing looks like after you leave. Getting out is a relief, but it can also bring grief, C-PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and physical inflammation from prolonged stress. Dr. Nae shares why real recovery includes turning the mirror back toward yourself, with nervous system regulation, attachment healing, and identity rebuilding.

Tune in to learn more about trauma bonds, relational safety, and the healing path back to yourself.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/

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In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews functional medicine pioneer Dr. Tom O’Bryan to explore why chronic inflammation is the root mechanism behind most autoimmune and degenerative diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Together, they unpack how immune activation is driven by factors like gluten sensitivity, environmental toxins, mold exposure, gut permeability, and endotoxins – often long before symptoms appear. Dr. O’Bryan explains why suppressing inflammation without addressing these triggers can stall healing, and how modern testing can uncover the hidden drivers that conventional labs miss.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why inflammation isn’t the root cause – it’s the root mechanism. Dr. Tom explains why chronic inflammation is the common denominator behind 14 of the 15 leading causes of death, and why the real question isn’t how to suppress inflammation, but what your immune system is trying to protect you from.


The surprising reason gluten affects nearly 87% of people with Hashimoto’s. Even without digestive symptoms, gluten can drive autoimmune thyroid inflammation. One exposure can elevate antibodies for months, which is why “cheat days” can quietly undo progress.


How toxins silently erode immune tolerance, starting before birth. We discuss how glyphosate, phthalates, mold, and other environmental toxins can impair fertility, brain development, and immune balance, even in people living seemingly “clean” lifestyles.


Why outdated lab tests miss the real drivers of autoimmunity. Dr. Tom shares how newer silicone chip–based testing has dramatically improved accuracy – revealing food sensitivities, endotoxins, brain inflammation, and toxic burden that conventional tests often miss.


Why healing works best when you remove obstacles one at a time. Instead of overwhelm, Dr. Tom recommends a simple approach: identify your biggest immune triggers, then address them gradually – one hour per week – to create sustainable, long-term healing.

Tune in to learn how removing immune triggers – not suppressing symptoms – can transform long-term health.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews functional medicine health coach and Hypothyroid Chef founder Ginny Mahar about creating sustainable daily rituals for thyroid health. Drawing from her personal Hashimoto’s journey and professional culinary background, Ginny shares how food, lifestyle, and mindset work together to support healing – without overwhelming patients or requiring perfection.'

Together, they explore the thyroid trifecta of care, the Eight Daily Rituals of Thyroid-Healthy Living, and how nutrition, gut health, sleep, stress management, and movement all influence thyroid hormone function. Ginny also debunks common myths around goitrogenic foods and explains how thyroid-friendly eating can be personalized, nourishing, and enjoyable.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why medication alone rarely resolves thyroid symptoms. Ginny explains the “thyroid trifecta” – medical care, nutrition, and lifestyle – and why relying on TSH and levothyroxine alone often leaves patients stuck with fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation.


The eight daily rituals that support sustainable thyroid healing. From sleep and stress management to movement, detox support, and nourishment, Ginny walks through her “Eight R’s” framework and explains how small daily habits compound into real, lasting change.


How to approach thyroid-friendly eating without overwhelm. Ginny shares how anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense eating can be made easy, why personalization matters more than perfection, and how elimination and reintroduction diets can be used as tools (not life sentences).


Why gut health plays such a central role in thyroid function. Because thyroid conditions increase the risk of gut issues, impaired nutrient absorption, and medication malabsorption, daily gut support is a cornerstone of healing.


The truth about goitrogenic foods and common thyroid myths. Ginny breaks down why cruciferous vegetables are often misunderstood, when they might be problematic, and how cooking, quantity, and iodine status change the conversation entirely.


How food can be both medicine and joy. Healing doesn’t require bland meals or culinary misery. Ginny shares how flavor, pleasure, and connection in the kitchen actually support consistency and long-term success.

Tune in to learn how small, daily choices can lead to lasting thyroid healing.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews nutrition consultant and educator Caitlin Weeks about how a carnivore-style diet helped put her Hashimoto’s into remission after years of fatigue, digestive issues, and so-called “normal” thyroid labs.

Together, they explore why some people with autoimmune thyroid disease feel worse on plant-heavy diets, how anti-nutrients and gut irritation can drive symptoms, and why personalized nutrition – not one-size-fits-all advice – is essential for healing.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why a carnivore-type diet can act as a powerful reset for Hashimoto’s: Caitlin shares how removing plant foods (and eating meat) helped calm gut irritation, bloating, and constipation and coincided with her thyroid antibodies dropping from the 600s into single digits.


How “normal” thyroid labs can mean undiagnosed autoimmune disease: Caitlin explains why she was dismissed for years due to a normal TSH, and how testing thyroid antibodies was the key to finally identifying and addressing Hashimoto’s.


The link between vegetables, anti-nutrients, and gut inflammation: This conversation explores how compounds in veggies, such as oxalates and lectins, may aggravate gut inflammation, bloating, and pain in sensitive individuals, particularly those with autoimmune conditions.


Why diet alone is not enough for healing: From shifting away from punishing exercise to addressing stress, toxic environments, and self-expectation, Caitlin explains the non-diet lifestyle changes that supported true recovery.


Who may benefit most from trying the carnivore diet, and who should proceed cautiously: Digestive issues, IBS, bloating, histamine intolerance, and stubborn thyroid antibodies may all be clues that the carnivore diet could help – but preparation, personalization, and context matter.

Tune in to learn whether less plants and more nutrient-dense foods could be the missing piece in your Hashimoto’s healing journey.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews functional medicine physician Dr. Vincent Pedre about the hidden root causes of IBS, gut inflammation, and chronic digestive symptoms that often precede autoimmune disease.

Together, they explore how stress physiology, nervous system dysregulation, environmental toxins, mold exposure, microplastics, and mitochondrial dysfunction can damage the gut – even in people who are already gluten-free and eating “clean.” Dr. Pedre also debunks common myths about coffee and gut health, sharing how high-quality, clean coffee can be enjoyed without triggering reflux or inflammation.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why IBS is often the first warning sign of deeper immune dysfunction. Dr. Pedre explains how years of gut inflammation can dysregulate the immune system, increase intestinal permeability, and eventually contribute to autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s – long before labs reveal antibodies.


How stress and nervous system dysregulation quietly sabotage digestion – even when you feel “fine.” Chronic stress suppresses vagal tone, lowers stomach acid and enzyme production, and slows gut motility. Your body always tells the truth.


The hidden gut disruptors most people never test for. Mold exposure, parasites, yeast overgrowth, microplastics, and environmental toxins can damage the gut lining and microbiome, even without classic digestive symptoms.


Why elimination diets don’t always lead to true healing. Removing foods can reduce symptoms, but true healing often requires repairing the gut barrier, addressing toxin load, supporting mitochondria, and calming the nervous system.


The truth about coffee, gut health, and thyroid symptoms. Coffee itself isn’t the enemy – poor-quality beans, mold contamination, pesticides, over-roasting, and plastic exposure are. Dr. Pedre shares information on coffee that is cleaner and gentler on the gut.


How targeted therapies can dramatically speed gut healing. Dr. Pedre shares how phospholipids, peptides, sauna therapy, and mitochondrial testing are helping patients tolerate foods again – often in months instead of years.

Tune in to learn how to heal your gut at the root – and reclaim your health.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: ⁠https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/⁠ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: ⁠https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices