The loudest nutrition claims online often leave out the facts. In this myth-busting episode, Root dietitians Amy Masterson, Lauren Hanson, and Stephanie Nielsen cut through the noise with practical, science-based insights you can actually use. They share why quick fixes and viral trends spread so easily—and what really works instead. From the idea that all smoothies are healthy to confusion around seed oils, protein needs, and “sugar-free” foods, the team breaks down common myths with clarity and humor. A fast-paced Q&A covers even more hot topics like gluten-free diets, frozen produce, healthy fats, and coffee. Tune in to separate fact from fiction and build a balanced, sustainable way of eating that truly supports your health. Resources: Connect with and follow Amy Masterson on LinkedIn. Follow Lauren Hanson on LinkedIn. Connect with and follow Stephanie Nielsen on LinkedIn. Follow Root Functional Medicine on LinkedIn and visit their website. Get your own Root Cause Panel to uncover potential root causes and optimize health here!

In this episode, Spencer Smith, host of Self-Funded with Spencer and Senior Vice President of Sales at Pareto Health, shares how curiosity led him from insurance sales to a passion for self-funding. He reflects on insights gained from interviewing innovators and working with employers to design better health plans, highlighting why many are moving away from traditional insurance. Spencer also explores the cost crisis, the rise of captives, and how he sees root cause strategies, like functional medicine, reducing costs and creating healthier workplace cultures. Follow Spencer on LinkedInSubscribe to Self Funded with Spencer

Dr. Bethanie Thompson, MD, IFMCP shares how we help people make real, sustainable lifestyle changes using Root tried and tested processes. She also describes several case studies where individuals have bounced around between specialists and ER visits for years before coming to Root and finding answers and healing. Dr. Thompson has a unique background in that she was first a primary care physician before becoming a functional medicine specialist at Root and she describes the differences in this episode.

In this episode of Get to the Root, Dr. Erica Armstrong sits down with Jennifer Wangler, VP of Technology at The Right Place. Jennifer shares her story, from starting in her family business to now leading Tech Week Grand Rapids and driving growth in the region’s tech ecosystem. The conversation covers the mission to double the tech workforce and how community-driven events like Tech Week GR showcase innovation and spark new connections across industries. Resources: Learn more about The Right Place. Connect with Jennifer on Linkedin.  

What if your employees could uncover the root cause of their health concerns? In this episode of Get to the Root, Barbra Chong, Payroll and Benefits Business Partner at Fastco Industries, shares how her company partnered with Root to bring functional medicine into employee benefits. From her own relief from chronic migraines to the lasting energy and improved health employees are experiencing, Barbra highlights the impact of Root’s doctor-and-dietitian approach, advanced labs, and practical nutrition education.

What if your company could cut healthcare costs while improving employee care? In this episode, Dave Chase, founder of Health Rosetta, shares how employers can escape the broken system with transparent, value-based plans focused on advanced primary care and root-cause medicine. Hear how companies are using community-owned plans and open tools to create a more equitable, sustainable healthcare future. Plus, get a sneak peek at RosettaFest, where leaders come together to share ideas and celebrate progress. Tune in to learn how your organization can be part of this healthcare transformation. Resources: Connect with and follow Dave Chase on LinkedIn. Follow Health Rosetta on LinkedIn and visit their website. Learn more about RosettaFest 2025 here! Follow Root Functional Medicine on LinkedIn and visit their website. Get your own Root Cause Panel to uncover root potential causes and optimize health here!

In this episode, Bruce Tap, president of Fastco Industries, shares why he brought Root’s functional medicine benefits to his team and how they’re already making a difference. He talks about his goal to offer high-quality care while keeping out-of-pocket costs low, and what stood out about Root’s big-picture approach. Bruce also offers tips for other self-funded companies, like using direct primary care to reduce unnecessary visits, working with transparent pharmacy benefit managers to cut drug costs, and using advanced lab testing to catch issues early and support long-term health.

All about what you can do to support mental health. From habit stacking to limbic system retraining, blood sugar balance, and nutrition for the gut-brain connection, Dr. Armstrong and Danielle dive into practical functional medicine strategies that help improve mood, build resilience, and support your nervous system. Learn how daily habits and food choices can work together to help you feel more like yourself from the inside out.

What if your healthcare dollars actually supported root cause medicine and the community around you? In this episode of Get to the Root, Dr. Armstrong talks with Andy Schoonover, founder of CrowdHealth, about a transparent, community-based alternative to traditional insurance. After a denied claim, Andy built a model where members fund each other’s bills, skip networks, and access care focused on getting the best outcomes on their own terms. CrowdHealth empowers people to take control of their physical, emotional, and financial health—without the constraints of traditional health plans. Resources: Connect with and follow Andy Schoonover on LinkedIn. Learn more about CrowdHealth on their LinkedIn and Instagram, and explore their website.

People can develop unhealthy relationships with food for many reasons, from body image concerns, food sensitivities, chronic illness, and more. In this episode, Lauren Hanson, MS, RDN, Functional Registered Dietitian at Root, breaks down practical strategies to improve your connection to eating. Discover how to add nourishment and variety, support your microbiome, and honor your hunger cues. Learn how to adopt an "addition" mindset where you focus on the nutrient-dense foods you're adding to your plate. Tune in for an approachable and actionable conversation!

From improved gut health and dietary diversity to reduced stress and a stronger connection to food, gardening is a powerful way to practice food as medicine. In today’s episode, Michelle Seguin, MD, IFMCP, a functional medicine physician at Root and passionate gardener, joins Dr. Erica Armstrong to explore these benefits and more. Dr. Seguin shares how growing even a few herbs or vegetables can positively impact your health. She also highlights some of Root’s spring menu favorites that showcase the benefits of seasonal, homegrown ingredients. Whether you have a backyard garden or a single pot on your windowsill, this episode will inspire you to get planting and nourish your body and mind through the food you grow.

When conventional care couldn’t explain her symptoms, Madelyn kept searching for answers. In this episode, she shares her two-year struggle with unexplained weight gain, fatigue, acne, and excessive sweating. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, her concerns were repeatedly dismissed, with doctors attributing them to normal post-college changes. Madelyn’s turning point came when she connected with Root Functional Medicine. Through advanced testing, including a saliva cortisol panel, Root uncovered the true cause: Cushing’s syndrome, a rare hormonal condition caused by a pituitary tumor. She recounts the relief of diagnosis, her successful surgery, and the dramatic improvement in her health, including a 60-pound weight loss and getting her life back. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-advocacy, truly listening to piece together the full health puzzle, and going beyond routine labs to uncover the root cause.

What if the key to emotional healing lies not just in the mind, but in the gut, the cells, and the nervous system? In this episode of the Get to the Root podcast, Dr. Erica Armstrong, founder/CEO, kicks things off by discussing how functional medicine can address mental health issues by focusing on gut health, hormones, and inflammation. Amanda Larson, owner and founder of The Holistic Counseling Center, then shares how functional medicine supports mental health by addressing the root causes of physical and emotional symptoms. Amanda opens up about her personal journey with thyroid issues, infertility, and nutrient deficiencies, which led her to integrate functional medicine into her counseling practice. She highlights the connection between trauma, nervous system dysregulation, gut health, and chronic illness, and explains how therapies like EMDR, somatic work, and parts work help clients heal both mentally and physically. Amanda emphasizes the importance of nutrition, movement, and stress management, in regulating mood and promoting long-term well-being. The conversation underscores the value of personalized, integrative care that treats the whole person, not just their symptoms. Tune in to learn how functional medicine can transform mental health from the inside out!  Get your own Root Cause Panel to uncover root potential causes and optimize health here!

Functional medicine can balance the brain and address underlying deficiencies, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances to restore overall well-being. In this episode, Lindsay Buckingham, a Root Functional Medicine member, shares her journey from managing autoimmune conditions and thyroid issues with traditional medicine to discontinuing all medications through a functional medicine approach. She explains how Root's advanced testing uncovered key deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and hormones, leading to targeted, effective treatment. Lindsay emphasizes the benefits of a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of illness, resulting in improved energy, sleep quality, and mental health. She also reflects on how functional medicine helped her navigate stress and anxiety during a particularly challenging time, a struggle she believes many people, especially women in the workforce, can relate to. Additionally, Lindsay underscores the potential for functional medicine to not only enhance individual well-being but also contribute to reducing healthcare costs for businesses. Tune in and learn how functional medicine can transform your health and empower you to take control of your well-being! Get your own Root Cause Panel to uncover root potential causes and optimize health here!

Traditional healthcare often treats symptoms rather than the root causes of illness, but what if there was a better way to support employee health and well-being? In this episode of the Get to the Root podcast, Max Rispler, Vice President at Hylant, talks about the gaps in employer-sponsored healthcare and the role of functional medicine in workplace wellness. Max shares his personal health journey, including an AFib diagnosis in 2023, which led him to overhaul his lifestyle, eliminate processed foods and alcohol, and successfully stop taking multiple medications. He emphasizes that traditional healthcare focuses on symptoms rather than root causes, while functional medicine offers personalized solutions through nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle changes. Dr. Armstrong explains how Root Medicine helps employees achieve lasting health improvements by addressing inflammation, providing personalized guidance, and ensuring ongoing support. Looking ahead, Max predicts that AI and data analytics will enhance early intervention in employee healthcare, driving the broader integration of functional medicine into insurance models for more effective and sustainable solutions. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on how functional medicine is revolutionizing workplace wellness!  Get your own Root Cause Panel to uncover root potential causes and optimize health here!

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are making headlines for weight loss, but are they the ultimate solution, or is there a better way? In this episode of the Get to the Root podcast, Dr. Katherine Stam, a board-certified family and functional medicine physician at Root, discusses GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, their effectiveness for weight loss, and their potential downsides. Dr. Stam highlights high discontinuation rates due to cost and side effects, as well as significant weight regain after stopping the medication, largely due to lean mass loss. She explores concerns such as slowed metabolism, gut health issues like SIBO, and the need for a holistic, sustainable approach to weight management. Strategies to naturally support metabolism include increasing protein intake, strength training, gut microbiome optimization, and using targeted supplements like berberine and probiotics. She argues that long-term weight loss success requires addressing root causes, improving insulin sensitivity, and making lasting lifestyle changes rather than relying solely on medication. Tune in and dive into the science behind GLP-1s with Dr. Katherine Stam, exploring their benefits, risks, and sustainable alternatives for long-term health and weight management! Boost your health and uncover the root causes of your symptoms! Support your metabolism with Berberine

In this episode of Get to the Root, Dr. Erica Armstrong sits down with dietitian Danielle Fiskars-Byers to explore why gut health is the foundation of overall health. They break down the gut’s crucial role in digestion, immunity, metabolism, and mental well-being, plus how imbalances can lead to inflammation, brain fog, and hormonal issues. Learn how to support your microbiome with food, lifestyle shifts, and practical strategies. Tune in for actionable steps to heal your gut and optimize your health at the root cause. Follow us: https://rootfunctionalmedicine.com/

Discover how food can be powerful medicine in this episode of Get to the Root! Dr. Erica Armstrong is joined by Root dietitians Kelsey Stricklen and Amy Masterson to explore how their doctor-dietitian model is transforming health. They dive into the power of functional medicine, advanced testing, and personalized nutrition to support gut health, blood sugar balance, and overall well-being. Learn how small, sustainable shifts, such as embracing an "addition mindset" instead of focusing on restriction, can lead to meaningful, long-term health improvements. Tune in for expert insights on optimizing your health through food!

Are you tired of quick fixes that don’t get to the root of your health issues? In the first-ever episode of the Get to the Root Podcast, Dr. Erica Armstrong sits down with Dr. Emily Cordes, Lead Physician at Root Functional Medicine, to explore how functional medicine uncovers the why behind symptoms like fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic issues. Dr. Cordes shares her journey from primary care to functional medicine, highlighting how Root’s doctor-dietitian model pairs advanced testing, nutrition, and lifestyle changes to create sustainable health solutions. If you’re looking for answers beyond symptom management, this episode is for you!