The Energy Blueprint Podcast By Ari Whitten

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Achina Stein and Silvia Covelli about their soon-to-be-launched venture, The Healing Depression Project.  If you’re a long-time depression sufferer, this episode is for you. And if depression isn’t an issue you deal with, please consider passing this episode on to someone you love who lives with this disease. There are so many helpful steps we discuss…it might be what they need to finally feel a difference in their life and spark hope.  

In this episode, I’m speaking with chronic fatigue expert Dr. Evan Hirsch in his third appearance on the Energy Blueprint Podcast.  In this episode, we talk about how his approach to chronic fatigue and ME/CFS has evolved over the years and how he’s now working with patients who have long COVID. He also describes what he calls “The Toxic 5” and how these are at the root of many fatigue issues. In this podcast, Dr. Hirsch and I discuss: The “Toxic 5” primary reasons Dr. Hirsch believes people struggle with chronic fatigue The crucial importance of addressing toxicity, protocol simplification, and brain retraining in ME/CFS How long-term infections—now, including COVID—contribute to fatigue and their interplay with other root causes The usefulness of testing and how much weight you should (or shouldn’t!) place on certain test results Dr. Hirsch’s experience with ozone therapy, hyperbaric therapy, and IV vitamin C and why his stance has shifted over the years One very surprising (and scary) statistic

In this episode of The Energy Blueprint, I’m excited to share a recording of Dr. David Jockers interviewing me!    We cover a lot of fascinating topics, from how the mitochondria control our health and energy levels, the Cell Danger Response, how “stress” is often misunderstood, myths about antioxidants and plants (and the way things really work), and more.   Dr. Jockers and I discuss:   What, exactly, is the cell danger response developed by Dr. Robert Naviaux? And why does it matter if you’re experiencing symptoms that just won’t budge?  2 major roles of mitochondria and how they act as “canaries in the coal mine” when it comes to your health The 3 stages of the cell danger response and why the first stage is crucial to understand if you have chronic disease, especially chronic fatigue  How the body evolved to effectively deal with certain stressors but not others…and how any chronic stress might mean getting stuck in “wartime metabolism” A new way to understand stress’s effect on your health—cert

In this episode, I’m speaking with gut health expert, Dr. Partha Nandi on why gut health is the key to brain health. Partha Nandi, M.D., F.A.C.P is the creator and host of the internationally syndicated medical lifestyle television show, Ask Dr. Nandi. Dr. Nandi is the Chief Health Editor at WXYZ ABC Detroit, a practicing physician, and a renowned international speaker.  His latest book, Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain, published by Mayo Clinic Press, delves into the crucial connection between gut health and cognitive function, offering practical advice and insights drawn from his extensive medical expertise and personal experiences.  

In this episode of The Energy Blueprint, we’re highlighting how you can naturally address anxiety, mood disorders, and brain health thanks to the expert work of two past guests—nutritionist Trudy Scott and Uma Naidoo, MD. Trudy and Dr. Uma’s approaches complement each other to make a robust, actionable episode that I know you’ll love.  

In this episode, I’m speaking with my close friend, and a coach of mine, Mental Strength Coach Siamon Emery. Siamon has a powerful personal story that begins in an extremely stressful and traumatic environment with heroin-addicted parents, and then moves into his own personal transformation later in life, and then finding his calling as a Mental Strength Coach helping others to build resiliency and mental strength with his unique methodology of what he calls “building inner resources” and learning to self-regulate your own nervous system consciously.   His work has benefitted me tremendously (as I’ve been coached by him in recent months) and I hope this podcast will positively impact your and your family’s health too.  

In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Stephanie Estima about some truly incredible and unexpected differences between males and females and how women can use simple nutrition and exercise tweaks to optimize their potential. I was really surprised by the information Dr. Estima brought to this conversation—male and female bodies are different in important ways, way beyond sex organs or hormones, and women can work with these differences to improve their energy levels, workouts, and longevity! This episode was originally released in May 2022  

In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Sam Berne, a holistic optometrist who naturally overcame his own struggles with eye pathology and learning disabilities (yes, the two can be connected!), thanks to the techniques discussed in this podcast.  Even if you’re not interested in eye health, I really want to encourage you to watch or listen to this episode—it’s must-know material to keep your eyes and brain healthy for life.  

In this unique episode of The Energy Blueprint, I’m speaking with a man named Evans L., who shares his profound story of personal transformation through debilitating fatigue, physical symptoms, and pain beyond what most of us can imagine… to living a rich, full life with a level of energy and functionality he couldn’t have dreamed of just a few years ago. In this podcast, Evans and I discuss: His lifelong journey—from diagnosis to surgeries to living with chronic pain and rage—with the congenital illness Escobar syndrome or multiple pterygium syndrome A life-changing dream that kept him hanging on in the midst of severe mental, physical, and emotional pain His journey with brain retraining and how he was able to change his thought patterns for a more positive, pain-free life How Evans found The Energy Blueprint and incorporated the lessons into his healing plan to create more physical health along with more patience, gratitude, and healthier boundaries, too! Future plans now that he has regained so

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Datis Kharrazian, an award-winning researcher, academic professor, and functional medicine provider with extensive clinical experience treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Today, we focus on how the brain contributes to chronic fatigue. Dr. Kharrazian provides a really pragmatic viewpoint that both respects and, I believe, supersedes many of the other theories I’ve heard throughout the years. This podcast was initially released in Oct 2018

In this episode, I’m speaking with public health professor and environmental health scientist Dr. Yogi Hendlin about the corruption of science. Unfortunately, it’s easy to be unaware of this critically important issue that negatively influences your and your family's health. This is a must-listen podcast—the information presented by Dr. Hendlin profoundly affects us all.  This podcast was initially released in April 2022 In this podcast, Dr. Hendlin and I discuss: The critical difference between REAL science vs. industry-funded science The sad fact that despite countless real-world examples of how corruption and scientific fraud cause massive harm, many people are still unaware of these issues How big industry buys the science and bribes their way to credibility by compromising the integrity of “independent” 3rd-party institutions How many industries secretly manipulate government officials to influence their regulatory processes with money, resources, or power Just how corrupt is science? And how t

In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr. William Pawluk, one of the world’s most respected authorities on pulsed electromagnetic fields, or PEMFs, a topic that might seem confusing due to what you’ve learned about EMFs, aka electromagnetic fields.  However, PEMFs are a highly beneficial form of positive stress and are very different from EMFs emitted from wireless phones or your modem. I’m excited for you to listen to this episode as Dr. Pawluk cuts through the pseudoscience surrounding PEMFs and brings his notable expertise to the topic! (This podcast was originally released in Oct 2021)  

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Martin Picard, a mitochondrial researcher who directs the Mitochondrial Psychobiology Group at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and is an Associate Professor of Behavioral Medicine in Psychiatry and Neurology. We explore the fascinating topic of how stress affects your mitochondria and the link to aging, resilience, disease resistance, and, of course, energy levels!  This conversation was one of my personal favorites, and I can’t wait for you to hear it! (This podcast was originally released in August 2019)  

In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Heather Sandison, a naturopathic doctor, published researcher, and the author of a new book you’ll definitely want to read, Reversing Alzheimer's: The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain Health. Dr. Sandison’s work is extraordinary in many ways, but, in my opinion, one of her most impressive achievements is creating Marama Memory Care, the first residential memory care facility to have the goal of returning cognitively declined residents to independent living! I loved speaking with Dr. Sandison, and I know you’ll learn a lot from this podcast. Enjoy! In this podcast, Dr. Sandison and I discuss: The true underlying drivers of chronic illness, and dementia specifically, and why the conventional approach is not working An incredibly surprising role of amyloid beta plaque (thought to be the major contributor to dementia) that no one is talking about 6 factors Dr. Sandison addresses in her Alzheimer’s patients to achieve cognitive improvement at the cellu

In this episode, I’m speaking with Robert Lufkin, MD, a physician and medical school professor at UCLA and the University of Southern California, about his new, provocatively titled book Lies I Taught In Medical School.

In this episode, I’m speaking with my friend and brilliant functional doctor, Dr. Datis Kharrazian, on the most evidence-based and practical ways to support your brain.  This is a re-release of a MUST-LISTEN episode if you have any cognitive concerns, such as a history of brain injury or fatigue, or if you’re concerned with keeping your brain healthy as you age. Dr. Kharrazian draws on his decades of clinical experience to share his top tips for brain health and life-long optimization. We cover a LOT of ground with tons of great takeaways you’ll want to hear! This podcast was originally published in February 2021  

In this episode, I’m speaking for a third time with Borge Fagerli about some powerful mindset techniques he uses in his coaching practice that will help you achieve your fitness, muscle-building, and weight-loss goals.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to listen to our first two episodes. In them, Borge explains his simplified but highly effective approach to training, gives us some insight into his history, and explains why he’s now focused on psychology and mindset rather than the common hyper focus on relatively trivial details that tends to dominate the world of evidence-based fitness.  

In this episode, I’m speaking with holistic dentist and educator Dr. Judson Wall about how oral health is the overlooked gateway to full-body health and the most potent ways to keep your teeth and gums (and every other body system!) working optimally. This podcast was initially released in April 2022.  In this podcast, Dr. Judson and I discuss: The top nutrient deficiencies that contribute most to dental decay, decreased bone density, and nerve issues (and a whole host of other problems) Does fluoride work…in toothpaste or drinking water? And is it really as harmful as some people say it is? Why our ancestors didn’t need to brush their teeth or floss (and what we can learn from them) The best natural alternatives to commercial toothpaste products Why the pH of the mouth is the most vital aspect of avoiding gum disease…do you know your oral pH? Why root canals and silver fillings are terrible practices (along with effective alternatives and remedies) Tips for avoiding sleep apnea and poor craniof

In this episode, I’m re-releasing an episode with Dr. Stephan Guyenet and Dr. Mario Kratz, two impressively experienced nutrition researchers with a wide range of expertise, about their organization Red Pen Reviews, a non-profit dedicated to publishing unbiased, scientifically accurate reviews for current nutrition books hitting the market. Today, we focus on two popular but controversial books—Dr. Steven Gundry’s The Plant Paradox and Carnivore Code from Dr. Paul Saladino. This podcast was originally published on August 27 2022 In this podcast, Dr. Guyenet, Dr. Kratz, and I discuss: How difficult it is to parse out accurate versus inaccurate and biased information and the regulated and systematic role of Red Pen Reviews in clearing up the confusion The 3 focus areas Dr. Guyenet and Dr. Kratz use to score the books they review and the importance of each How the health claims made in Carnivore Code compare to research AND anecdotal reports of people eating the diet…and how the main claim that humans evol

In this episode, I’m happy to welcome Borge back for another conversation about fitness. But this time, he’s focusing on the importance of mindset.  However, this isn’t the same mindset information you’ve heard in other places. Borge has decades of experience as a fitness expert, and he’s now approaching health through an incredibly authentic, honest, and highly effective lens that I think will help you achieve your goals, too. In this podcast, Borge and I discuss: Why he switched his focus from purely muscle building to mindset, and the fascinating concept of the Dunning-Kruger effect that fueled this shift Why a big-picture view of health, fitness, and even life might be the best context for understanding new information (and living happily!) versus getting lost in the details Our own personal journeys in the fitness industry and why comparison truly is the thief of joy The role of social media in how we perceive ourselves and the illusion of optimal that it promotes; unfortunately, the algorithm ra