The Lyme+ Podcast

Healing the Terrain: The 10-B Framework, Herbal Medicine, and Root-Cause Lyme Protocols with Dr. Myriah Hinchey

Why is effective Lyme disease recovery so much more than just taking an antibiotic to kill a microbe? In this episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, host Kenzie Vath sits down with Dr. Myriah Hinchey, a licensed naturopathic physician, founder of TAO Center for Vitality, Longevity & Optimal Health, co-founder of LymeCore Botanicals, and founder of Lyme Bytes. Practicing in Connecticut—ground zero for Lyme disease—Dr. Hinchey shares her integrative roadmap for treating complex vector-borne illnesses, co-infections (like Bartonella and Babesia), and environmental triggers. She breaks down her proprietary 10-B Framework, detailing why nervous system regulation, blocking inflammatory cytokines, restoring gut integrity, and supporting cellular detox must happen before you go after the bugs. Dr. Hinchey also dives into the science of botanical medicine, explaining why micro-dosing single herbs often fails and how full therapeutic, synergistic doses can transform recovery. In this episode, we cover: • Beyond "Just Lyme": Co-infections (Bartonella, Babesia), viral reactivations (EBV, HSV), mold/mycotoxins, and environmental spike protein damage. • The 10-B Treatment Framework: Background checks, Band-aids, Blocking inflammation, Buffering stress, Balancing immunity, Bolstering detox, Binding endotoxins, Blasting bugs, and Breaking down biofilms. • The Missing Link in Recovery: Why buffering the autonomic nervous system, toning the vagus nerve, and getting out of "fight or flight" is often the most overlooked barrier to healing. • Food as Medicine: Using an anti-inflammatory, polyphenol-rich, organic diet to prevent endotoxin overload and build immune resilience. • The Power of Botanical Medicine: Why trading pharmaceutical antibiotics for herbal antibiotics misses the point—and how herbs modulate inflammation, break down biofilms, and heal the gut. • Dosing & Bioavailability: Why herbal tinctures often beat capsules for bio-absorption, and why taking herbs 3x daily is essential to maintaining cellular concentration. • Neuropsychiatric Lyme in Youth: A case study of a varsity athlete misdiagnosed with primary psychiatric disease who achieved full recovery after treating underlying vector-borne infections. Connect & Resources: • Clinical Practice: TAO Center for Vitality, Longevity & Optimal Health • Herbal Medicine: LymeCore Botanicals • Education: Lyme Bytes Symposium & Podcast • Recommended Brain Retraining Programs: Primal Trust, Wired for Healing Disclaimer: The views expressed on Lyme+ are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Lyme Alliance, Inc. or its affiliates. The content is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Organized Crime in the Microbiome: How Hidden Infections Drive Alzheimer’s, Autoimmunity, and Chronic Disease with Nikki Schultek

What if diseases like Alzheimer's, interstitial cystitis, or severe asthma aren't just mysterious autoimmune failures, but are actually driven by hidden, stealth infections? In this eye-opening episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, hosts Dan and Kenzie sit down with Nikki Schultek, Principal and Founder of Intracell Research Group, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative, and Founding Director of Pathobiome Research at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). After surviving a year of terrifying, multi-system illness—including air hunger, severe asthma, debilitating bladder pain, and neurological symptoms mimicking MS, Nikki turned to medical research to save her own life. Her late-night Google search unveiled the connection between stealth pathogens like Chlamydia pneumoniae and chronic inflammation, completely altering her life's work. Now, Nikki works alongside world-renowned scientists to pioneer diagnostic consensus protocols and research how polymicrobial "organized crime" in the body drives neurodegenerative and chronic conditions. Connect with Our Guest & Resources Mentioned: Research Initiatives: Learn more about the Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Pathobiome Research Center. Diagnostics Mentioned: Galaxy Diagnostics (NanoTrap urine testing for Borrelia), antibody testing for Chlamydia pneumoniae. Literature Referenced: Alzheimer's & Dementia (2023) paper on infectious dementia Dr. Bernard Raxlen & Allie Cashel (Lyme Disease: Medical Myopia) Organization Highlight: International Lyme and Associated Diseases Educational Foundation (ILADEF). Don't miss an episode of the Lyme+ Podcast! Find us and subscribe on your favorite streaming platform:🎧 Spotify | 🎙️ Apple Podcasts Disclaimer: The views expressed on Lyme+ are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Lyme Alliance Inc. or its affiliates. The content is informational and not medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Justin Carlson on CIRS Recovery and Building Tools to Find Safe Places to Stay

Justin Carlson lived with unexplained fatigue from the time he was in school. Six years ago, everything escalated. Over a period of months he developed inflammatory and neurological symptoms severe enough to leave him bed-bound for weeks at a time, unable to drive, while every standard test came back completely normal. A urine mycotoxin test finally broke the case open. His levels were extremely high, and that result led him to mold illness, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), and the Shoemaker protocol. Living in Marquette, Michigan, in the remote Upper Peninsula, Justin had no local specialists. He pieced together his care through telemedicine with Shoemaker-certified doctors and spent over a year and a half learning his own body's limits, taking steps forward and steps back, and discovering the hard way that trying to rush recovery only made it take longer. Then he started building. First came a Discord healing community for people navigating CIRS and toxic mold exposure, which grew to over 500 members and was intentionally designed to be the opposite of the negativity that dominates so many chronic illness spaces. Then came Mold Map, a crowd-sourced platform where users rate and review hotels, apartments, and vacation rentals so people with mold illness, mast cell activation, allergies, and asthma can find safe places to stay. The MVP launched this spring, and future versions will personalize ratings to your individual sensitivity level. Justin also walks us through Mold Guide AI, a tool that predicts mold risk for nearly any address using factors like the year a building was built, flood damage likelihood, neighborhood characteristics, and local humidity. And he shares the project he once thought was impossible: Airlume, a handheld real-time mold sensor inspired by how mold detection dogs work, now the subject of an NIH SBIR Phase 1 grant proposal. Woven through it all is the mindset piece. Justin opens up about fear and distrust of his own body, how resisting symptoms kept him stuck in a defensive state, and the meditation practice that gave him relief from his fatigue within twenty minutes. Today he is biking, running, hiking the trails around Marquette, and lifting weights for the first time in 15 years. His message: it is possible to heal from virtually anything, but you have to build beliefs that run contrary to what your body is telling you, and surround yourself with people who believe it too. To find Mold Map visit: https://moldmap.io/ on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moldmap/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moldmap.io/

Brain on Fire: Surviving Suicidal Psychosis, Misdiagnosed Schizophrenia, and Re-Wiring the Brain with Amy Stacey Curtis

What happens when an un-diagnosed tick-borne pathogen attacks the central nervous system? Today on Lyme+, Kenzie Bath sits down with celebrated installation artist, author, and musician Amy Stacey Curtis for one of the most raw, urgent conversations we have ever hosted. In early 2017, after completing a massive 18-year historic art opus, a switch flipped in Amy’s brain. Suddenly, she was plunged into 22 months of continuous, terrifying suicidal psychosis and a total head-to-toe loss of muscle control that confined her to a wheelchair and compromised her speech. Misdiagnosed with late-onset schizophrenia and tracked through eight heavy antipsychotic drugs, it was a dedicated primary care doctor and an open-minded specialist who finally uncovered the root cause: chronic, untreated neuroboreliosis (Lyme disease of the brain). Amy takes us through her grueling six-year physical recovery, her self-prescribed "uber-occupational therapy" using a Facebook Marketplace ukulele, and the launch of her brand new memoir, How My Brain Saved My Life Twice. Connect with Amy Stacey Curtis: Website & Book: AmyStaceyCurtis.com TikTok & Instagram: @amystaceycurtis

The Art of Tick War: Radical Prevention with "Tick Man Dan" Wolff

Most people get the "heebie-jeebies" at the sight of a single tick, but for Dan Wolff (aka "Tick Man Dan"), they are a thirty-year obsession. Having survived an estimated 250 tick bites, Dan has turned his personal history into a masterclass on public safety and prevention. In this episode of Lyme+, we go deep into the "Art of War" against our least-favorite, eight-legged enemies. Dan breaks down the terrifyingly sophisticated biomechanics of a tick bite, from the numbing agents they spit to keep you unaware, to the "cement" they use to lock themselves into your skin. Whether you are an avid outdoorsman or just someone trying to protect your kids in the backyard, this conversation is packed with the "Tick Bits" you need to stay safe this season.

Is it Anxiety or Lyme? PANS/PANDAS, Neuroinflammation, and Pediatric Chronic Illness with Dr. Somer DelSignore

What happens when a vibrant, energetic child suddenly faces severe anxiety, mood changes, OCD, or physical tics? Today on Lyme+, Kenzie Vath and Dan Wagner sit down with integrative pediatrician Dr. Somer DelSignore to pull back the rug on a hidden epidemic: pediatric neuroinflammation. When a child's personality flips overnight, mainstream medicine frequently rushes to a purely psychiatric label. But as Dr. Sommer explains, the nervous system does not exist in a vacuum. In this episode, we dive into the clinical reality of PANS and PANDAS, why commercial laboratory blood tests miss up to 50% of active tick-borne pathogens, and how stealth infections like Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia can cross a child's vulnerable blood-brain barrier to trigger an autoimmune attack on the brain. We also break down the hard data surrounding congenital Lyme and map out a comprehensive, root-cause protocol to restore a child's health from the cell up. The views expressed by guests are based on their personal clinical experiences and research. This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Global Lyme Alliance does not endorse specific alternative treatments, private laboratory facilities, or commercial health products. Always consult with a qualified, literate healthcare professional for pediatric diagnosis and treatment. Connect with Global Lyme Alliance Dr. Somer Delsignore: Hudson Integrative Health Instagram: @drsomerdelsignore Connect with Global Lyme Alliance (GLA): Website: GLA.org Instagram: @GlobalLymeAlliance

The Bag of Toxins: Surrendering the Struggle and the Power of Proactive Coaching with Jake Mayers

What happens when your "Type A" drive to heal actually becomes a barrier to your recovery? Inside the Episode: [09:21] The Perfect Storm: How a trip to India and a snowboarding accident triggered a decade of undiagnosed illness. [14:40] Rock Bottom in Portland: The moment mold toxicity broke Jake’s "mind over matter" strategy. [17:57] The Bag of Toxins: A look inside the apheresis process in Germany and the power of "visualizing" the detox. [24:30] The 20% to 80% Jump: Why stopping treatment and surrendering to faith accelerated Jake's healing. [33:10] The Mad Libs Framework: A tangible tool for communicating your struggle to doctors and loved ones without losing your power. [37:30] Case Overviews: How to turn a four-inch binder of medical records into a one-page "strategic strike" for your next appointment. [41:30] The Dental Connection: Why biological dentistry and "cavitations" are the missing piece for many chronic Lyme patients. [51:50] The 2-Minute Rule: A simple digital wellness habit to protect your nervous system every morning. The "Jubu" Path: How Jake integrated Eastern mindfulness (Tai Chi) and Western faith to find internal ease amidst physical chaos. Self-Advocacy: Why you must be the "Driver" of your health journey, while practitioners serve as the "Support Crew." Biological Dentistry: How hidden infections in the jawbone (cavitations) can constantly release toxins into your system, blocking recovery. Connect with Jake here: Lyme Warrior Workshop: https://calendly.com/jakemayerscoaching/from-invisible-to-heard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakemayerscoaching/ Substack: https://substack.com/@jakemayers Digital Resources (Daily Dose + Case Overview): https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodDayGuides Book a Free Consultation: https://calendly.com/jakemayerscoaching/chronic-illness-consultation

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From Medical Gaslighting to Building a Healing Community: Sami Kirschbaum on Lyme Resilience

Episode Title:From Medical Gaslighting to Building a Healing Community: Sami Kirschbaum on Lyme Resilience Episode Description: Sami Kirschbaum was undiagnosed with Lyme disease for nearly a decade. Growing up in Wisconsin, symptoms started in elementary school. Stomach issues, constant trips to the health room. Things escalated when she contracted Epstein-Barr virus at 16, landing her on bed rest for four months. Every year brought something new: joint pain, migraines, neck pain, fatigue that never lifted. No one connected the dots. When a surgery during grad school sent her health into freefall, a doctor told her it was "just depression." Sami pushed for testing. Her Lyme test came back positive. Then they took the diagnosis away because she had four CDC bands instead of five. That experience lit a fire. In this episode, Sami shares how she found whole body hyperthermia treatment at Clinic St. George in Germany. A 6-hour procedure under anesthesia that heats the body to temperatures Lyme bacteria cannot survive. She was inpatient for 35 days, completed two rounds, and walked away with the thing she wanted most: her cognitive function back. Sami also gives a live demonstration of brain spotting therapy with host Kenzie Bath. She breaks down how the modality works and why "where you look affects how you feel." Unlike talk therapy, brain spotting accesses the subcortical brain where trauma is actually stored, making it especially effective for the grief, medical PTSD, and chronic pain that so many in the Lyme community carry. Sami is a licensed therapist in Minnesota, currently completing her training at the Brain Spotting Institute with graduation on May 7th, and working with the Rocky Mountain Brain Institute. We also cover mold illness: how it compounds Lyme symptoms, how to navigate testing and remediation, and the emotional toll of losing your home and belongings to a problem you didn't know existed. Sami lived in a camper for two years after mold forced her out of her house before relocating to Scottsdale, Arizona for dry heat, more vitamin D, and a fresh start. Today, Sami is the founder of the Lyme Resilience Collective, where she offers individual brain spotting sessions, a 4-week Nervous System Regulation Support Group, and free monthly community meetups. She partners with the Ticked Off Foundation to provide reduced-fee services for patients facing financial hardship and recently delivered her first presentation educating mental health therapists on the impacts of Lyme disease on mental health. Her message: healing takes time, the dark seasons don't last forever, and the fact that you're listening means a part of you already knows you can get better. CONNECT WITH SAMI Email: sam@lymecollective.com Instagram: @lymeresilencecollective TikTok: @lymeresilencecollective MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Lyme Resilience CollectiveClinic St. George (Germany)Ticked Off FoundationEnvita Medical CenterBrain Spotting InstituteRocky Mountain Brain InstituteMold Finders (Brian Karr)

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What Doctors Aren't Taught About Lyme- And What ILADS Is Doing About It with Sarah Quillen

In this eye-opening episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, Sarah Quillen, Executive Director of ILADS, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, joins us to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to train physicians to recognize, diagnose, and treat tick-borne illness at every stage. Sarah brings over 25 years of nonprofit leadership to this role, and her path here is deeply personal. Her father was misdiagnosed with leukemia — steps away from starting the wrong treatment, before a correct diagnosis of Bartonella and Babesia finally changed the course of his care. That story became the entry point into a world she now helps lead. In this conversation, Sarah breaks down exactly what ILADS does, why it was founded, and why expanding physician education is the single most important lever for changing patient outcomes. Key Topics Covered: What ILADS is and why it's the only multidisciplinary medical society of its kind in the world The vectorborne illness fundamentals course, preceptorship program, and newly launched fellowship Why acute Lyme is far rarer than most assume — and what that means for the chronic patient majority The informal peer network inside ILADS that becomes a lifeline for newly practicing physicians Why "Lyme" is a catch-all — and why the real conversation is Bartonella, Babesia, and Rickettsia Lyme's political moment: HHS roundtables, the current administration, and what's on the horizon The growing global crisis and what ILADS is doing in Poland, the Nordic countries, and beyond The new pediatric committee and the gap in children's hospital education. How to find an ILADS provider, what membership costs, and how to apply for grants through ISADEV The views expressed on Lyme+ are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Lyme Alliance, Inc., or its affiliates. The content is informational and not medical advice. Global Lyme Alliance does not endorse any specific product or treatment. Always consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. We are the Global Lyme Alliance. Our mission is to cure Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through innovative research, awareness, and empowering the patient voice. Our vision is a world free of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

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Why Babesia Goes Undiagnosed: The Research, the Treatment Gap & What's Coming | Dr. Geoff Dow, 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals

Babesia is hiding in plain sight, and the data gap is bigger than most people realize. In this episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, host Kenzie Vath sits down with Dr. Geoff Dow, PhD, Founder and CEO of 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, for a conversation that starts personal and gets deeply scientific. Dr. Dow's own entry into the Lyme world came through his wife's diagnosis in Marin County, California, a region that doesn't appear on official Lyme maps. That experience shaped everything: the importance of acting on caution, not waiting for a perfect diagnosis, and the very real consequences of data gaps in tick-borne illness. The official case count for Babesiosis sits at 2,000 to 3,000 per year. 60 Degrees' own claims analysis suggests the real number is at least 25,000, and that's still likely an undercount, given how little awareness exists around the disease. Dr. Dow breaks down why the numbers are so distorted, what it takes to actually define a case without reliable diagnostics, and why the blood bank screening assay (roughly 1,000 times more sensitive than anything commercially available to physicians) represents one of the starkest diagnostic gaps in modern medicine. This is one of the most grounded, science-forward conversations we've had on the podcast, and one of the most urgent. 🔬 WHAT WE COVER: Dr. Dow's personal entry point into Lyme and tick-borne illness research How tafenoquine (ARAKODA®) targets Babesia at the cellular level Why official Babesiosis case counts are a fraction of the real burden The three active clinical trials 60 Degrees is running and the FDA timeline Why diagnostics are the foundational problem that has to be solved first The long COVID parallel and what it means for chronic illness legitimacy Why 60 Degrees is often the only pharma company at ILADS conferences and what that says about the space ABOUT GLOBAL LYME ALLIANCE (GLA) The Lyme+ Podcast is produced by Global Lyme Alliance (GLA) — the leading 501(c)(3) dedicated to conquering Lyme and tick-borne diseases through research, education, and awareness. GLA funds the most promising scientific research, accelerates better diagnostics and treatments, and empowers patients and families navigating tick-borne illness. 🔗 Visit us at: www.globallymealliance.org ABOUT DR. GEOFF DOW, PhD Dr. Geoff Dow is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SXTP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing new treatments for infectious diseases. 🔗 Learn more about 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals: ⁠www.60degreespharma.com⁠ ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Lyme Alliance (GLA). This episode is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Mold First, Parasites Next: A Lyme Recovery Plan with Meg Crockett

What if treating Lyme directly isn't actually the first step toward healing? In this episode, host Kenzie Bath sits down with board-certified health coach Meg Crockett — founder of Meg Crockett Health — to unpack why the order of your healing protocol matters just as much as the protocol itself. Meg's journey began not with a Lyme diagnosis, but with an infection following an egg retrieval procedure that landed her in the hospital multiple times, led to sepsis, and ultimately became the catalyst for a complete career and lifestyle transformation. What followed was six years of investigating the root causes hiding beneath the surface — mold toxicity, parasites, co-infections, and the nervous system's role in all of it. Her framework is simple but powerful: clear the terrain first, then address the infection. In this episode, you'll learn: Why mold toxicity is often the first layer to address — and how to test your home accurately using the ERMI test The truth about parasites: why they're more common than you think, why standard gut tests miss them, and how to cleanse safely How Lyme co-infections like Babesia and Bartonella respond to herbal protocols — and why Meg has never used antibiotics for Lyme The connection between endometriosis, cysts, and Lyme that rarely gets discussed Why emotional well-being and nervous system regulation are non-negotiable parts of physical healing What Meg's 4-month private coaching program looks like and who it's designed for Resources & Mentions: Vibrant Wellness Tickborne 2.0 Panel ERMI Home Mold Test / Micrometrics Lab (NJ) Great Plains Mycotoxin Test CellCore Biosciences parasite protocol IS-4 herbal tincture (Bartonella) GI-MAP & Vibrant Gut Zoomer Nicole Sachs — The Cure for Chronic Pain journaling method Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) Connect with Meg Crockett:🌐 megcrocketthealth.com📱 Instagram & TikTok: @megcrocketthealth The Lyme+ Podcast is produced by the Global Lyme Alliance. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

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How Theresa Piela Helped Heal Chronic Lyme Through Nervous System Safety & Tapping

What happens when you’ve tried every antibiotic, every shaman, and every "heavy hitter" protocol, but you’re still getting worse? For Theresa Piela, that breaking point came when she hit 79 pounds and was faced with the reality of a feeding tube. In this episode of Lyme+, Kenzie and Dan sit down with Theresa, an EFT practitioner and chronic illness coach—to discuss the missing piece in many healing journeys: The Nervous System. Theresa shares her harrowing journey through "medical PTSD," the trauma of being sick, and how she eventually "tapped" her way back to health, joy, and even singing in a bluegrass band. If you feel stuck in a "fixing" mindset or paralyzed by food fear, this conversation is a roadmap for moving from survival mode into true physiological safety. The "Walking Alien" Phase: Theresa’s journey through Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella, and the moment she realized her desperation to heal was actually keeping her sick. What is EFT Tapping? The science behind Emotional Freedom Technique and how it physically signals the amygdala to turn off the fight-or-flight response. Medical & Body PTSD: Why the hyper-fixation on symptoms (scanning for bloat, fatigue, and pain) creates a loop of dysregulation. The "Fixing" vs. "Healing" Mindset: Why militant research and rigid protocols can sometimes act as a stressor rather than a solution. From Carnivore to Food Freedom: How Theresa overcame severe Mast Cell (MCAS) reactions and reintroduced foods by changing her emotional response to eating. Self-Soothing for Adults: Why we stop soothing ourselves as we age, and how to bring back tonal frequencies, humming, and touch to calm the body. Finding the "Afterglow": The profound healing power of music, creativity, and scanning for beauty in the environment. Theresa Piela is an EFT practitioner, chronic illness coach, and the founder of Living Roots Wellness. Through her app, Tapping with T, she helps individuals with chronic illness navigate the complex world of nervous system regulation and trauma release. She is also a member of the bluegrass band, The Lightweight Travelers. Instagram: @livingrootswellness Website/App: Tapping with T Music: Search "Lightweight Travelers" on YouTube

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Mold, Lyme, and the Home That’s Making You Sick (with Got Mold’s Jason Earle)

In this episode, Dan and Kenzie sit down with Jason Earle, the founder of GotMold©, to explore why mold is often the "missing piece" for those struggling with chronic Lyme. Jason explains the "Building as an Organism" metaphor, detailing how our homes act as an extension of our immune systems. The conversation covers the science of inflammatory pathways, the neurotoxic effects of the "musty smell," and practical advice for listeners to "see, smell, and feel" their way to a healthier environment. [08:30] The "Kissing Cousins": Why you can't recover from Lyme in a moldy environment. [17:40] The Exo-Skin: Thinking of your home as an extension of your immune system. [24:45] See, Smell, Feel: Practical red flags for detecting hidden moisture and toxins. [43:00] The Biological Building: Comparing home maintenance to chronic inflammation and cellular health. [48:00] Future Tech: Graphene-based cement and the next generation of mold-proof housing. Ready to test your home? Use the link and code below to access professional-grade air sampling kits and a free expert guide to finding mold. Special Offer: Use code Lyme10 for 10% OFF all products and services. Welcome Page: GotMold.com/LymePlus Free eBook: How to Find Mold (available at the link above).

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The Sting That Changed Everything: Brooke Geahan on Bee Venom Therapy & The Heal Hive

In this episode of Lyme+, Kenzie sits down with Brooke Geahan, founder of The Heal Hive and a leading advocate for bee venom therapy (BVT), to unpack one of the most provocative—and misunderstood—modalities in the chronic Lyme space. Brooke shares her journey from thriving New Yorker to being bedridden, passing out from severe POTS, living on just a handful of “safe” foods, and watching her career and finances collapse under the weight of late-stage Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella. At the very end of her financial and physical rope, a chance conversation at a Lyme clinic led her back to bee venom therapy—and changed everything. Now, as the head of The Heal Hive, Brooke combines comprehensive lab testing, nervous system support, and structured BVT protocols to help patients navigate this therapy more safely and strategically. In this deeply educational and emotional conversation, she explains why she almost walked away from the Lyme community altogether—and what pulled her back in. In this episode, we discuss: Brooke’s early Lyme story: from magazine life in NYC to wheelchairs, collapse spells, and severe POTS How a Lyme nurse, a handful of bees, and a very frugal dad pushed her to seriously revisit bee venom therapy Why Brooke believes comprehensive testing (300+ biomarkers) is non-negotiable alongside any BVT protocol A lay explanation of the science she references: How components of bee venom like melittin are being studied for effects on bacteria and biofilms Why mast cell issues and immune dysregulation are such big players in chronic Lyme—and how she sees BVT interacting with them The philosophy behind The Heal Hive: slow, structured, data-driven stinging; “marathon, not sprint”; and “it’s ok to have discomfort, not ok to have dysfunction” How Brooke talks to skeptical physicians and why understanding the science helps patients advocate for themselves Sustainability & the bees: beekeeping, glyphosate, and why she believes thoughtful BVT can coexist with protecting pollinators Brooke also reflects on her appearance in the Netflix docuseries Unwell, how BVT exploded on social media, and why she still encourages listeners to move slowly, ask hard questions, and never abandon critical thinking, no matter how desperate they feel. Important Note: This episode shares Brooke’s personal experience and perspectives on bee venom therapy. It is not medical advice. Bee venom therapy can carry serious risks, including allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, and is not appropriate for everyone. Always consult with a knowledgeable expert, physician or healthcare professional before considering any new treatment. Global Lyme Alliance does not endorse any specific product or treatment. Connect with Brooke: Instagram: @thehealhive Website: thehealhive.com Personal IG: @everydayexpert (warning: lots of adorable toddler content) 💚 If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, and review Lyme+. Share this episode with someone navigating chronic illness who might need a reminder that there are still avenues to explore, and that they’re not alone.

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Behind the Scenes in Washington: The Lyme Legislation You Need to Know

What’s actually happening in Washington for Lyme and tick-borne diseases—and does it ever really move the needle? In this episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, host Kenzie Vath sits down with Megan Bradshaw, Government Relations Manager for Center for Lyme Action, to pull back the curtain on how federal funding, legislation, and advocacy campaigns are changing the landscape for Lyme patients and their families. Megan shares her personal “patient-to-advocate” story, how a virtual congressional briefing from her parents’ recliner turned into a full-time mission on Capitol Hill, and why she believes we’re entering the “golden age” of Lyme and tick-borne disease advocacy. Megan Bradshaw is the Government Relations Manager at Center for Lyme Action, where she leads federal advocacy efforts to secure funding and drive policy change for Lyme and tick-borne diseases. A patient herself, Megan channels her lived experience into strategic work on Capitol Hill—coordinating with agencies like HHS, CDC, NIH, and DoD, and helping build one of the largest Lyme advocacy networks in the country. Learn more about Center for Lyme Action and get involved at centerforlymeaction.org Episode Sponsors TickTock Naturals — Organic Insect Repellent Protect your crew from ticks, mosquitoes, and spiders—without synthetic chemicals. TickTock Naturals is organic, cruelty-free (PETA-certified), eco-friendly, and designed to last 4–5 hours, even on swim or workout days. 👉 Lyme+ listeners get 20% off with code GLA at ticktocknaturals.com. Because prevention is powerful. Vital Plan — Restore 180 by Dr. Rawls Restore 180 is a six-month herbal program designed to support the nervous system, gut repair, and microbial balance—for those focused on sustainable healing, not quick fixes. 👉 Learn more at vitalplan.com and look for Restore 180.

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"It’s Never Just Lyme": Dr. Casey Kelley on Co-Infections, POTS & What Actually Heals

Functional-medicine physician Dr. Casey Kelley, MD (Case Integrative Health) joins hosts Dan Wagner and Kenzie Vath to unpack why chronic Lyme is rarely “just Lyme.” We dig into co-infections (Babesia, Bartonella), POTS/dysautonomia, mold + MCAS, nervous-system regulation, and the biggest myths about testing and treatment. Dr. Kelley explains when antibiotics vs. herbs make sense (minocycline, rifampin/rifabutin, malarone/tafenoquine, dapsone, pulsing strategies), why gut + liver support determine tolerance, and how diet (gluten/dairy/sugar), vagus nerve work, and 80/20 consistency accelerate recovery. We also cover long-COVID overlap, ILADS clinician training, and what a “medical detective” intake actually looks like.If you or a loved one is navigating persistent Lyme symptoms, this episode offers actionable next steps, and hope. Quick takeaways ​It’s rarely just Lyme. Co-infections, mold, and MCAS commonly overlap. ​Protocols are personalized. Antibiotics and herbs both have a place; tolerance and gut health decide the pace. ​Foundations first. Removing gluten, dairy, sugar + consistent stress regulation often unlock progress. ​Nervous system > everything. Breathwork and vagus-nerve inputs calm inflammation loops. ​Clinician training matters. ILADS offers a path for complex-illness care. ​Case Integrative Health (Chicago): discovery calls, team-based care ​ILADS: fundamentals, preceptorships, international conferences ​Groundwork for Healing (Dr. Kelley’s course): diet, sleep, stress, detox basics ​Tools: Apollo Neuro, compression, high-salt hydration (for POTS) TickTock Naturals — Organic Insect RepellentProtect your crew from ticks, mosquitoes, and spiders—without synthetic chemicals. TickTock Naturals is organic, cruelty-free (PETA-certified), eco-friendly, and designed to last 4–5 hours (even on swim or workout days). Lyme+ listeners get 20% off with code GLA at ticktocknaturals.com Because prevention is powerful.) Vital Plan — Restore 180 by Dr. Rawls A six-month herbal program to support the nervous system, gut repair, and microbial balance—for those building sustainable healing, not quick fixes. Learn more at vitalplan.com.

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The Voice of the Patient: Jennifer Cyrstal on Writing, Healing, and Living with Lyme Disease

In this episode of Lyme+, hosts Kenzie Vath and Dan Wagner sit down with writer and advocate Jennifer Crystal to explore her journey through Lyme disease and the impact her words have had on the community. From her early diagnosis and treatment choices to her ongoing role as a patient voice for the Global Lyme Alliance, Jen opens up about the challenges and resilience that define her story. Jennifer is also the author of One Tick Stopped the Clock: A Memoir of Lyme Disease — her powerful personal story of resilience, advocacy, and hope. 📚 Order the book here Through honesty, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom, Jen shows how storytelling can be both a tool for healing and a beacon of hope for others still in the trenches. Jennifer’s history and diagnosis story (7:30) The reality of Herxheimer reactions (15:00) Why Jen chose a PICC line over oral antibiotics—and how it changed her recovery timeline (17:00) How her pen became a voice for the Lyme and GLA community (21:00) Discovering GLA and building a connection through writing (26:20) Where she finds inspiration for her blog posts (28:00) Kenzie and Jen discuss navigating PTSD as both podcast hosts and writers (34:00) Jen’s advice on finding LLMDs and building a care team (41:30) The most surprising and memorable FAQ Jen has ever received (30:00) Through honesty, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom, Jennifer shows how storytelling can be both a tool for healing and a beacon of hope for others still in the trenches. This episode is made possible by ⁠Restore 180 from Vital Plan.⁠ If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and , ⁠Restore180⁠ is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: ⁠https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180⁠

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When Lyme Looks Like Alzheimer’s: From Caregiver to Advocate with Nicole Bell of Galaxy Diagnostics

Nicole Bell’s family faced a devastating reality when her husband, Russ, was diagnosed with late-stage Alzheimer’s along with Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella. Nicole shares her path from caregiver to author and advocate. She discusses the painful moment of telling her children “Daddy is sick,” the lessons she’s learned about asking for help, and why she wrote What Lurks in the Woods. Nicole also offers critical insights into the evolving science of tick-borne disease testing through her work with Galaxy Diagnostics- exploring advanced PCR, strategic plans for insurance coverage, and new multi-pathogen tests coming to market. Whether you’re a caregiver, patient, or advocate, Nicole’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, offering practical advice and a vision for improved standards of care. The caregiver experience: Nicole’s advice to caregivers (8:05, 11:54, 14:50, 21:30), the emotional toll of telling her son “Daddy is sick” (17:00), and writing What Lurks in the Woods after Russ entered resident care (19:50). Why Lyme antibody testing is only ~50% accurate, how Galaxy Diagnostics uses advanced PCR to improve reliability (26:00–31:00), and what’s next in testing for Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella (38:00). Galaxy’s strategic plan: Supporting insurance reimbursement, raising standards of care, and helping physicians adopt new approaches (33:00+). Protecting kids and families from tick-borne diseases (46:40), Bartonella’s flea transmission risks (49:30), and current areas of research such as PANS/PANDAS (43:55). This episode is made possible by Restore 180 from Vital Plan. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and , Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180

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Fierce Fashion is Fighting Lyme: Inside Project Lab Coat at NYFW

What happens when the world of high fashion collides with the urgent need for Lyme disease awareness? Project Lab Coat is transforming the runway into a platform for Lyme disease awareness, research, and patient support. In this episode, Dan sits down with co-host Kenzie Vath, Christina Kovacs (Runway7), Ali Moresco (Board Chair, Project Lyme), and Phyllis Bedford (Co-founder & Executive Director, Lymelight Foundation ) to discuss the vision, challenges, and hopes behind Project Lab Coat. From the spark of an idea to its debut on the NYFW platform, they share how this collaboration can uplift advocacy, connect communities, and drive a new era of visibility for Lyme. Listeners will hear about: Why NYFW is the perfect platform to spotlight Lyme (9:40) The origin story of Project Lab Coat and its first conversations (13:05) How Project Lab Coat aims to create powerful “aha” moments of awareness (32:50) Why this initiative touches on every challenge Lyme patients face (42:30) From the spark of an idea to the power of collaboration, the guests explore how fashion can drive advocacy, highlight patient stories, and create lasting impact for the Lyme community. ✨ Learn more and get involved at projectlabcoat.com This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at: https://vitalplan.com/products/restore180

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Ravel Health: Taking Chronic Illness Care Where It’s Needed Most

In this episode of Lyme+, we sit down with the team behind Ravel Health, a groundbreaking telehealth platform built specifically for patients navigating chronic illnesses like Lyme disease, mold toxicity, MCAS, fibromyalgia, and more. Ravel Health is on a mission to dismantle barriers in chronic care — tackling affordability, access, and the devastating impact of medical gaslighting. With a growing provider network and a powerhouse Advisory Team (including the recent addition of Dr. Bill Rawls, MD, as Chief Medical Officer), Ravel is creating a future where patients are finally heard, believed, and supported Tune in to hear how Ravel is redefining care for the chronic illness community and building a new healthcare model from the ground up. ⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights: 4:00 – What is Ravel Health, and how is it different? 5:00 – Types of patients they serve: Lyme, mold, co-infections, and beyond 13:30 – Chronic illness spectrum: MCAS, fibromyalgia, mold, etc. 25:00 – The advantage of telehealth for Lyme & chronic illness patients. 37:00 – Ravel's role in research for Lyme and TBDs. 39:00 – Building a high-level treatment framework for new patients To learn more, visit ravel.health. This episode is made possible by Restore180. If you're dealing with Lyme or chronic illness, you know healing isn’t a quick fix. Backed by Dr. Bill Rawls and Vital Plan, Restore180 is a 6-month, phased program designed to restore gut health, calm your nervous system, strengthen immunity, and target the microbes driving your symptoms — all while supporting your body’s natural healing process. 👉 Learn more at vitalplan.com/restore180

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