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)
TikTok Naturals — Organic Insect Repellent
Protect your crew from ticks, mosquitoes, and spiders—without synthetic chemicals. TikTok 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 tiktoknaturals.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.
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
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
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
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, a powerhouse Medical Advisory Board (including the recent addition of Dr. Bill Rawls), and plans to expand into in-person care, 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
In the final installment of our 3-part series with integrative physician and Vital Plan founder Dr. Bill Rawls, we go deeper into the real-world challenges- and potential- of healing Lyme and chronic illness.
From what's missing in modern healthcare to how the supplement industry often misleads consumers, Dr. Rawls brings both honesty and hope to this wide-ranging conversation. He breaks down how Restore180’s final phase is designed to help the body rebuild, not just recover, and why truly helping patients means addressing root causes—not symptoms.
In this episode, Dr. Rawls and Kenzie discuss:
What’s missing in the traditional healthcare model for chronic illness (3:50); The history and potential limitations of antibiotics in treating Lyme (14:30); How to be a smart supplement consumer: sourcing, transparency, and safety (22:00); What separates Vital Plan’s approach to herbal medicine (26:00); Dr. Rawls' end goal: a healthcare system that actually helps patients get well (37:00)
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
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Bill Rawls, we explore the herbal protocols and philosophies that shaped Vital Plan and Restore180. Dr. Rawls shares how chronic illness changed the course of his life and how herbs became the foundation of his personal recovery—and his mission to help others. From nervous system regulation to detox strategies and sauna routines, this episode is full of practical, empowering insights for anyone navigating chronic Lyme or other complex illnesses.
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
In Episode 14 of Lyme+, we kick off a powerful three-part series with Dr. Bill Rawls—renowned integrative physician, bestselling author, and founder of Vital Plan. Dr. Rawls opens up about his personal journey from chronic illness to recovery and the pivotal shift that led him to embrace herbal therapies and holistic healing for Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
In this episode, Dr. Rawls and Kenzie explore:
His passion for surfing and kite surfing (0:14)
How Lyme microbes operate in the body and why they’re so disruptive (19:00)
The potential of chronic Lyme to unlock insights into all chronic illness (21:00)
Why Lyme research remains dramatically underfunded (26:00)
What needs to change to better support doctors treating Lyme patients (26:55)
Kenzie’s personal advice for those in the trenches (32:30)
An introduction to Vital Plan and its role in Dr. Rawls’ healing approach (38:30)
His "recipe for health"—the core elements that helped him truly recover (46:20)
This episode is packed with hope, science, and practical guidance for anyone on the path to wellness.
🔗 Learn more about Dr. Rawls’ herbal healing protocol at VitalPlan.com
Kristen Harris has a big job to do... At the Global Lyme Alliance, the focus is driving research and investing in and guiding our grantees in whatever capacity we are able. But so much of the work is informed and inspired by the patient community. To wit, GLA offers a suite of patient focused services, including a peer-to-peer program in which mentors and mentees are matched. Kristen Harris spearheads this bedrock program. She is joined by Arianna Cavallino is a PCN and success story from this mentorship program.
Arianna and Kristen both share their backstory, their "welcome to Lyme" moments, and the work that they do. If you are interested in participating in this vital program as a mentor, or are seeking guidance and support as a mentee, you can learn more and apply here: https://peertopeer.globallymealliance.org/
Dr. Keith Berkowitz joins Kenzie and Dan for a deep dive into the overlapping worlds of chronic Lyme and Long COVID. In this episode, they explore how fasting, glucose regulation, mitochondrial support, and cortisol management play roles in chronic illness recovery.
Dr. Berkowitz also breaks down the MTHFR mutation, MCAS, and the importance of being your own health advocate. From misunderstood inflammation markers to personalized treatment approaches, this conversation sheds light on the complexities of post-infectious disease care and the need for individualized healing paths.
The deck, "How to Approach Long Covid and Vaccine Injured Patients" can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/11U7ZxgotsHviIbE83Br_Wn3EXM4xG4oq
Dr. Keith Berkowtiz can be found at the Center for Balanced Health in NYC: www.centerforbalancedhealth.com
To learn more about his practice, reach out to Center for Balanced Health @ 212-459-1700 or info@centerforbalancedhealth.com
GLA CSO Dr. Armin Alaedini is the next guest on the Lyme+ Podcast. He is joined by co-hosts Kenzie and Dan on this conversation where they dive into the out-of-the-box process and approach to research and grants approval at GLA. Learn how GLA research is shaping the landscape of Lyme and tickborne disease research, and how GLA's newly tenured CSO plans to man the helm.
Visit gla.org to learn more about Dr. Alaedini
In this episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, hosts Kenzie Vath and Dan Wagner sit down with artist and casting director Jon James to explore his intense journey with Lyme disease. Jon shares the emotional and physical toll Lyme has taken on his life, including severe isolation, weight loss, and misdiagnoses that left him in and out of the hospital. He opens up about his struggle to maintain his career in fashion and art while navigating extreme fatigue, depression, and memory loss. Jon’s story highlights the complexities of Lyme treatment, from doubts about his diagnosis to breakthroughs with antibiotics that sparked a return to painting. Alongside his insights on resilience and healing, Jon touches on how his dogs have been a source of comfort and strength during his hardest moments. Tune in for a raw and inspiring discussion about overcoming adversity and rediscovering creativity.
Jon can be found at @jonjamesstudio & @jonjamescasting
Co-hosts Kenzie and Dan are joined by Dr. Christina Burns, a doctor of eastern medicine, herbalist, and a lifestyle coach. Dr. Christina has been treating Lyme patients since her two year old son was infected, the same week her husband was also infected. Antibiotics worked well for her husband, but her son became chronically ill. After taking him to every conventional and holistic Lyme specialist, nothing helped. Dr Christina kept trying different angles with Chinese herbal medicine to ultimately help him recover, and has gone on to help many others since. Learn the tricks of her trade when it comes to Chinese medicine and treating Lyme disease, and a full discussion around healthy living.
To learn more about Dr. Christina's practice, you can find her here and on instagram here: @drchristinaburns @naturna_life
It's the top of the new year, and it's time to set the record straight. Co-hosts Kenzie Vath and Dan Wagner sit for a one-on-one and discuss their shared health journeys, their "welcome to Lyme" experience, favorite therapies, diets, hopes, aspirations, and so much more.
Co-host Dan Wagner sits down with the founder of Foundations Wellness, Theresa Haselmayer, R.N., to discuss her journey from patient to healer. With over 33 years of varied clinical experience, Theresa trained for 4 years at the Uprooting Lyme Clinic in Hudson Valley NY, a hotbed of Lyme Disease. She is currently one of dozens of highly knowledgeable certified Uprooting Lyme practitioners nationwide. Theresa is also a member of ILADS, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, as well as ISEAI – The International Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness.
From the arrows in her quiver as a holistic practitioner, to her story of healing, Theresa story is inspiring, and full of great information.
As a young adult, just hitting the high note of your career, being sidelined by the symptoms of Lyme and co-infections can be devastating.
Meet JUJ Seeley. She and her best friend, music partner, and health advocate- Kiana Tebyani, compose the up-and-coming electronic/ dance tandem Z3LLA Music. Today Z3LLA is scaling up the billboard music charts at breakneck speed, delivering their unique brand of energy and feeling to the house music scene; a genre often dominated by legendary male artists, JUJ and Kiana are poised to disrupt the party.
In the face of thrilling success and the fruition of years of hard work, JUJ is confronted by the challenges of chronic Lyme disease and co-infections, namely Bartonella. Every single day, JUJ and Kiana work overtime to support JUJ’s health, all while pouring their hearts into their music, and striving to live up to the monumental opportunity before them. Their shared journey has only deepened their gratitude, friendship and commitment to their art.
Co-Host Kenzie Vath joins Dr. Charles Chiu, a Scientific Advisory Board Member at GLA. Dr. Chiu leads a fascinating conversation that weaves through the landscape of Lyme diagnostics, and some of the fascinating work on metagenomics coming out of Dr. Chiu's lab. Dr. Chiu is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Medicine Divergent of Infectious Disease at the University of California San Fransisco and Director of UCSF Clinical Microbiology Laboratory.
Dr. Chiu currently leads a transitional research laboratory focused on the development and clinical validation of metagenomic next generation sequencing for diagnostics of infection, outbreak investigation, and pathogen discovery.
On this episode, Kenzie sits down with none other than Lindsay Keys, filmmaker, photographer, writer and co-director of The Quiet Epidemic. The grit, perseverance, and journey it took to bring this story to life is an awe-inspiring conversation, and one we are so excited to share with you.
The Quiet Epidemic has been showcased at over 20 film festivals and gained national attention, including mentions by celebrities and features on PBS and TIME. Lindsay is now co-leading an impact campaign to use the film to advocate for Lyme disease awareness and policy change, including a congressional hearing on health agency negligence.
In the 3rd episode of Lyme+, Kenzie sits down with the incomparable Jody Hudson of the Alex Hudson Foundation. Jody shares her incredibly powerful story of a mother's love for her child, and the inspired action that ultimately came from the tragic passing of her daughter, Alex. This is a story of courage, loss, and faith, and we sincerely hope you are as moved as we are. Learn more about the Alex Hudson Foundation here
In this episode of Lyme+, Kenzie sits with co-founder and Executive Director of the Lymelight Foundation to discuss congenital Lyme disease. From mother to mother, what do you need to know? We dive in to Phyllis' very own story, from her experience pregnant with Lyme, to her establishment of the LymeLight foundation: a nonprofit whose mission is to advance awareness and provide grants for children and young adults to pursue Lyme disease treatment. Learn more about the Lymelight Foundation here