The Functional Edge with Dr. Julia Ward

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Taylor Barnes, founder of Canine Mold Guide, to explore how specially trained mold-sniffing dogs can detect hidden mold that traditional testing often misses. After overcoming her own mold illness, Barnes shares how her dogs help families uncover hidden sources of mold, protect their health, and guide effective remediation.

-----

You’ll learn how mold-detection dog...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Arland Hill, a former functional medicine doctor and owner of Harvest Hills Ranch. Dr. Hill shares his journey from a 20-year clinical practice to becoming a rancher, driven by the challenge of finding high-quality, clean food for his patients. He discusses deceptive practices in the food industry, the importance of regenerative agriculture, and how transpare...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. James Roach, MD, to explore the integration of science, spirituality, and deep healing beyond conventional medicine. Dr. Roach shares how quantum physics, botanical medicine, and the power of positive intention transform patient outcomes in chronic illness and cancer care.

Conventional medicine can fall short in chronic illness and cancer care. In this episode...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Dian Ginsberg, MD, a board-certified OBGYN and functional medicine pioneer, to explore a root cause approach to PCOS and endometriosis. Dr. Ginsberg explains why conventional treatments often fail to resolve symptoms and how diet, circadian rhythm, detoxification, and hormone balance create the foundation for lasting relief and hormonal health.

In this epi...

In this enlightening episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Terri DeNeui, a nurse practitioner, hormone optimization expert, and founder of Avexapel. Together, they demystify bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), particularly the use of hormone pellets, and discuss why so many people are unknowingly suffering from hormone deficiencies that impact every aspect of health.

Discover how hormone pell...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward interviews Dr. Alya Ahmad, MD, FAAP—Medical Director and Co-founder of Shamynds Healing Center in Sacramento—to explore the science and promise of ketamine therapy for mental health.

Dr. Ahmad explains how low-dose ketamine works as a rapid antidepressant and neuroplasticity enhancer, calming overactive brain circuits linked to trauma. She discusses why ketamine-assisted psychot...

In this essential episode of The Functional Edge, I welcome Dr. Peterson Sangra, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Amen Clinic in Dallas, to share invaluable insights on brain health. Dr. Sangra offers expert guidance to help you navigate your health journey with the latest advancements in functional medicine, emphasizing a holistic and integrative approach.

Discover how Dr. Sangra's unique background in occupational th...

I had a fascinating talk with Dr. Maria DeFranco on The Functional Edge about her holistic approach that combines chiropractic care with fascia release, pelvic diaphragm balancing, and TMJ work. We dive into how these interconnected practices foster lasting pain relief, emotional release, and enhanced vitality. If you want to deepen your embodiment and self-care, this episode is for you.

Dr. Maria DeFranco, founder of OM3 Body, ...

In this eye-opening episode of The Functional Edge, I welcome Dr. Mark DeBrincat, known as the Good News Doctor, who shares his inspiring personal healing journey and introduces the revolutionary GlycoCheck system. After surviving a heart attack and severe injury despite leading a healthy lifestyle, Dr. DeBrincat set out to uncover better ways to assess cardiovascular and metabolic risk beyond traditional testing.

Discover how the G...

In this vital episode of The Functional Edge, I welcome Dr. Nettie Jones, a licensed psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience specializing in women’s mental health. Nettie offers compassionate, expert guidance on understanding and managing chronic stress, anxiety, and depression—challenges that impact every facet of our well-being.

Discover how to recognize the often-overlooked symptoms of chronic stress, how your daily patt...

In this essential episode of The Functional Edge, I welcome Dr. Jen Pfleghaar, a board-certified integrative medicine physician specializing in women's hormonal health. Dr. Pfleghaar shares invaluable insights on perimenopause and menopause, offering expert guidance to help you understand and navigate your health journey with the latest advancements in functional medicine.

Discover the key signs and symptoms of perimenopause, the in...

In this insightful episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward welcomes Dr. Tom Larkin, a proactive and preventative dentistry pioneer. Moving beyond traditional reactive care, Dr. Larkin shares his unique "Larkin Protocol," which integrates advanced diagnostics and treatments to transform oral health.

Discover how imbalances in the oral microbiome contribute to systemic inflammation and chronic diseases like heart dise...

In this cutting-edge episode of The Functional Edge, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Beth McDougall, functional medicine pioneer and co-founder of Jysen, a state-of-the-art bio-optimization center in Marin County, CA.

We explore the science and strategies behind reversing biological aging, from mitochondrial health to structured water, quantitative brain mapping, and NAD IVs. Dr. McDougall shares her powerful blend of foundational lifes...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward welcomes Dr. Monica Jauregui, MD, IFMCP, a leading voice in integrative medicine with a deep personal and clinical understanding of mold and mycotoxin illness. With roots in internal medicine and ICU care, Dr. Jauregui now focuses on helping patients navigate complex chronic conditions, particularly those caused by environmental toxins like mold.

Together, they uncover how mycot...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Saumil Manek, founder of Union is Creation, to explore the deep and transformative power of sound healing. Saumil opens up about his journey into wellness, from his early experiences with singing bowls to leading immersive wellness festivals that blend sound, breathwork, and conscious movement. Tune in to learn how vibrational sound therapy, cold exposure, and in...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward interviews Gene Barnett, founder and CTO of Advanced Light Devices (Aldi), about how Aldi is pioneering light therapy for medical applications. Gene shares insights into Aldi’s high-tech laser devices and phototherapy tools, explaining how light wavelengths, including red, green, and ultraviolet, are being used to treat conditions like carpal tunnel, joint pain, and infections....

In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Shivani Gupta, an expert in Vedic and integrative health, to explore Ayurveda's powerful role in combating chronic inflammation. Dr. Gupta explains how inflammation, rather than aging alone, is the key contributor to many age-related issues like fatigue, joint stiffness, digestive problems, and weight gain. She shares practical Ayurvedic tools—such as die...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, I'm honored to sit down with Dr. John Neustadt, medical director and founder of Balanced Body Functional Medicine, and a leading expert in bone health. We dive deep into common misconceptions about osteoporosis, revealing why bone density tests are not the full picture, and exploring the limitations of conventional medications. Dr. Neustadt shares his groundbreaking research on overlooked...

In this episode of The Functional Edge, I sit down with Lori Lowell, a trailblazer in the fitness and wellness industry, to explore how yoga transforms both the body and mind. We dive into her unique approach to training yoga teachers, the science behind yoga’s impact on the 11 major body systems, and why music is a powerful tool for deepening practice. Lori also shares how breathwork, mindfulness, and movement create lasting healt...