The Informed Chiropractor Podcast

The Informed Chiropractor Podcast

Dive into the vibrant world of chiropractic care through a Polyvagal Lens with ”The Informed Chiropractor.” Hosted by Dr. Don MacDonald, this illuminating series explores chiropractic’s vitalistic and salutogenic models through the insightful lens of the Polyvagal Theory. Each episode offers a blend of engaging interviews with industry experts and personal reflections on chiropractic’s foundational principles. Here, we unravel the keys to human health, wellness, and innate potential, bridging the time-tested truths of chiropractic practice with cutting-edge neuroscientific understanding of the Polyvagal Theory. Whether you’re a seasoned chiropractor seeking to refine your approach or a student eager to tap into the roots and future of chiropractic care, this podcast promises to enlighten, challenge, and inspire. Join us on a transformative journey as we explore the nuances, challenges, and triumphs of a practice dedicated to unlocking the body’s inherent vitality through the quest for Safety through a Polyvagal Lens.

Episodes

June 5, 2025 35 mins

In this heartfelt and energizing episode of The Informed Chiropractor podcast, Dr. Don Macdonald reconnects with Kyla Butz, a former student intern in his practice and now a rising chiropractic leader preparing to graduate from Palmer College. What starts as a nostalgic catch-up quickly becomes a deep dive into the reality of chiropractic school today, the shift away from vitalism, and the importance of building community, skill, a...

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Are you a chiropractor trying to grow your practice but feel overwhelmed by marketing options? In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, we diversified a little to help practice members, as we talked about modern strategies that actually bring new patients through your doors.

Joined by chiropractic marketing expert Billy Sticker, we explore how short-form video content, office tour videos, and simple FAQ-style reels can build t...

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In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast—the go-to chiropractic podcast for neurologically focused chiropractors—we sit down with Dr. Erina Olsen to explore her journey from a curious 11-year-old in New Zealand to becoming a powerful voice for functional neurology in Ireland. After discovering the power of manual therapy, Dr. Olsen shifted her focus from osteopathy to chiropractic, graduating in the second class of the ...

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Dr. Don MacDonald hosts Dr. Kate Finlayson on this episode of  The Informed Chiropractor podcast, where she discusses her journey in chiropractic care with a focus on pediatric practice. Dr. Kate shares how she transitioned from nursing to chiropractic after discovering the profession through YouTube videos and osteopathic treatments. She graduated from Macquarie University in Sydney and began working in Gladstone, Queensland, a co...

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On today’s episode of the Informed Chiropractor podcast hosted by Dr. Don Macdonald, Dr. Emir Lervy, a chiropractor from Northern Ireland, shares her journey from growing up in a family deeply rooted in holistic health to establishing her practice in 2008. Inspired by her mother’s recovery from sciatica and her brother’s improved sleep through chiropractic care, she pursued studies at the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic. Initially ...

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In this interview with Dr. Ryan Seaman, hosted by Dr. Don Macdonald, he shared his journey from practicing a pain-based model to achieving significant growth in transitioning to a subluxation-based model in Loxton, South Australia. Dr. Ryan purchased a retiring chiropractor’s practice. However, the clinic’s symptom-centered model clashed with his philosophy.

He recalls feeling physically ill during patient consultations, which ...

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In this heartfelt solo episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don MacDonald shares the profound personal journey of saying goodbye to Lux, Brandi, and his beloved dog of over 12 years. Through the lens of Dr. Henry Cloud’s book Necessary Endings, Don explores what it truly means to let go, whether that’s a loyal companion, that toxic staff member, a limiting mindset, or an outdated version of ourselves or our practice.

This epis...

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In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don sits down with Dr. Sarah and Dr. Travis, who jointly run a chiropractic practice in Dawson Creek, BC, Canada, to talk about their journey from struggling in practice to finding success and balance. They share real challenges, from financial struggles to rebuilding their practice, offering honest insights that every chiropractor can relate to.

Dr. Sarah opens up about how chiropr...

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HOST: Dr. Don Macdonald Guest: Dr. Talissa Shekelton

This is a special episode of the Informed Chiropractor podcast. We have Dr. Talissa, who is not only a chiropractor but also a chiropractor’s patient herself. Her chiropractic journey reads like a movie script. She was born with a failing bladder, survived on antibiotics for years, and was misdiagnosed with epilepsy by 12. But here’s the twist: she didn’t just survive. She rew...

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🎙 Host: Dr. Don Macdonald 🎙 Guest: Dr. Rachel Swan In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don Macdonald sits down with Dr. Rachel Swan to discuss her journey in chiropractic, the impact of mentorship, and her passion for long-distance walking pilgrimages. She shares insights on personal transformation, the role of the polyvagal theory in practice, and the power of 20 seconds of courage.

The conversation moves to Dr. ...

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This is another solo episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast with Dr. Don, He shares practical advice and strategies to help chiropractors grow their practice and thrive in 2025.

From handling real-life challenges in patient care to building better habits and setting goals, this episode is all about actionable insights to keep your practice ahead of the game. Dr. Don discusses the 2025 90-Day Program, a powerful resource desig...

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In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Ali talks about how her passion for helping children and families shaped her journey into chiropractic care. Inspired by her mother’s life-changing experience with chiropractic, Dr. Ali decided to create that same kind of impact for others.

She shares how her early love for working with kids led her to focus on pediatric care. After graduating from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic Col...

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In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don MacDonald explains how strengthening your regulatory reserves supports peak performance in life and practice. Using insights from Polyvagal Theory, Dr. MacDonald shows why a regulated nervous system is key to staying resilient, adaptable, and focused, especially for chiropractors looking to enhance their personal and professional lives.

Through practical advice, Dr. MacDonald em...

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In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Nicole Leaderman, an expert in chiropractic care for pregnant women and children joins us to discuss the unique needs and benefits of chiropractic adjustments for pregnant women and children. Dr. Leaderman will join us at our upcoming seminar as a guest teacher, sharing her insights on safe and effective adjustment techniques for expecting mothers and pediatric patients. She also di...

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In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor

Dr. Don MacDonald shares his transformative MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol—a method to make chiropractic adjustments neurologically safer and more effective. Joined by Dr. Donald Francis, they explore how this approach can elevate patient care, focusing on creating a welcoming practice, co-regulating with patients, and understanding the deeper connections between the brain and bo...

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Welcome back to The Informed Chiropractor! In this episode, Dr. Don MacDonald talks about a game-changing protocol in the chiropractic world—The MacDonald Safety Corridor. This technique is all about making chiropractic adjustments safer, more effective, and consistent across the board. Whether you’re a seasoned chiropractor or just starting, this episode will give you valuable insights on how this approach can improve your prac...

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In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don MacDonald welcomes Brandi MacDonald, the visionary behind True Concepts Inc. and True Concepts Seminars, for a special season finale before their summer break. Brandi is well-known for her expertise in chiropractic education and coaching, and today, they tackle the often-undervalued superpower of focus—a crucial element for achieving both personal growth and business success.

As...

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Join Dr. Don MacDonald for a special episode as he welcomes Brandi MacDonald, for a final episode before their summer break.

 

Brandi, owner of True Concepts Inc. and True Concepts Seminars, is renowned for her transformative work in chiropractic education. 

 

Together, they reflect on recent global events, observations from teaching polyvagal theory, and the profound impact of perceived safety in chiropractic practice.

 

Brandi sh...

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In this episode, Dr. Don MacDonald gets interviewed by his friend, Patrick Francey, host of The Everyday Millionaire Podcast. 

 

In this insightful conversation, Don delves into the world of polyvagal theory and chiropractic care, seeking to understand how they intersect and impact stress management and overall well-being. 

 

This episode offers valuable insights for chiropractors and any health practitioner. From exploring the com...

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In today's episode, we sit down with the esteemed Dr. Peter Kevorkian, a renowned figure in chiropractic care and education. 

 

Dr. Peter shares insights into his recent life changes, including his transition from full-time practice to a leadership role in chiropractic education.

 

Throughout the discussion, Dr. Peter delves into the core values of chiropractic care, emphasizing the importance of serving patients and nurturing futu...

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