The Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast
Episodes for Entrepreneurs
While all episodes of The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast have provided value for thousands of clinicians and business owners, this curated list of episodes really lend themselves to entrepreneurs and practitioners in private practice.
If you love learning from these episodes, you can expand even further by learning practical applications and strategies through Erin’s a la carte entrepreneur courses.
Testimonials
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Brieski2416, 11/13/2021
Real Talk
This podcast is real talk, kids. Erin is no bull$#*t and it’s so refreshing in a field that’s full of so much confusing and contradictory “information.” Thanks to this podcast, I found a program (YHR) that is changing my life personally AND changing the way I talk to my own patients. Spread the word because Erin is a game changer.
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
cbrubaker05, 2/19/2022
Great informative podcast!
I love this podcast — I learn so much & Erin is a great host/podcaster. I’m an RN and I greatly appreciate how educational and evidence-based her content is!!!
Practitioners & Entrepreneurs
Jessica Flanigan, Author of The Loving Diet
Erin Holt's podcast is fantastic. Looking at a person's emotional patterning is effective to prevent the shame that is so common in the nutrition and health world, including the Intuitive Eating approach. If you are interested in going beyond the typical mindset inspo, Erin is your gal.
Franchesca, BS, IIN, Naturopathic Medical Student
I am (a) naturopathic student and I wanted to tell you that you inspire me in so many ways. You’re the person I use as a reference for when I’m active in my practice. Thank you Erin ♥️
Tiffany Rios, RD, CDE
Naomi H., FNP
I learned way more information than when I was in NP school. Can not stop listening to her podcasts.
Authenticity in Business
EPISODES
-
This episode is for you if you have a challenging time discerning your YESes from your NOs.
Erin talks a LOT about boundaries and saying no...but you don't get far in business as an entrepreneur without a saying YES a real lot. So how do you recognize the things that need your energy from the things that don't? Today Erin takes you through her 3 step process to determine my yes or no. She also addresses a listener question that came in about this very subject!
-
Fear is a natural, primitive emotion that exists to keep us safe from danger. We’ve all experienced fear in our lives. While fear has useful purposes in today’s modern world, it can also hold us back from doing, saying, or even being what we really want. This has become especially true in the online space, where fears of being misinterpreted, judged, or “canceled” run rampant.
In this episode, Erin discusses the insecurities and fears that have often held her back both in her business and in the online space, as well as trends she’s seeing on social media. Erin shares her insecurities and how she moves through this fear to show up as her most authentic self. Who do you show up for? If you’ve ever suffered from overthinking, shame, or failed to act due to a fear of failure, fear of not being enough, fear of upsetting someone, or fear of being judged, this podcast is definitely for you!
-
Have you ever felt imposter syndrome before? Put simply, it’s the feeling that you’re a fraud or that you don’t belong in a space where you are—even though you have legitimate skills and effort that got you there. We may struggle with imposter syndrome for many reasons: we’re trying something new, we’ve become the little fish in a big pond, or we just feel like a phony or fraud when pursuing something we’re passionate about. We often talk ourselves out of the thing we want to do for fear of not being good enough, and we worry that we don't have what it takes. “Who am I to do this” stampedes its way through our brain at the WORST possible times. (Like at the exact moment we’re about to make a leap forward.)
In this episode, Erin highlights things to pay attention to in your life and questions to ask yourself when you experience this phenomenon. You’ll walk away with actionable steps for when you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, and what you can do to dig yourself out of it. We even created a companion guide you can download and fill out for yourself! Are you talking yourself out of your own potential? Tune into this episode to learn how to get your brain into a new mindset.
-
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
We SAY we want success / financial freedom / bigger audience / more clients / private practice / fill in with your own personal goals… but deep down there is some part of our subconscious that is TERRIFIED of this. (Ain’t that a kick in the head?)
In order to achieve our goals, hopes and dreams, we have to first acknowledge any mental blocks, limiting beliefs and/or fears that are standing in the way. You MUST have practices in place to clear them, to move beyond them, to recognize them as untruths. (Because PS It’s not that you have LESS limiting beliefs and fears as you grow, it’s that you get better at NOT believing they are true.)
Because of this, we do A LOT of belief work in the Funk’tional Nutrition Academy. As Erin says, FNA is a container for growth. We won't let you sleep on your come up. In today’s episode Erin discusses one place where your limiting beliefs may come from, and how to recognize if this is holding you back.
-
What did you do to grow your business? What strategy did you use to expand your social media presence? How do you get more clients? These are the questions so many business owners and health practitioners ask when trying to grow or expand their own business; however, the answers don’t lie in steps and how-tos.
Our subconscious beliefs and how they influence our health has been a theme on the show lately, and today Erin highlights how these beliefs can affect how we show up (or don’t show up) in our work, our business, and our life. Tune in to hear takeaways from conversations about business and life that Erin has had with other business owners and practitioners, how she uses intuition to guide decisions, creating authentic connections on social media (or any platform), investing in personal growth, and why creating a safe space for you to exist in your own work is paramount to success.
While she does talk shop about running a business, this discussion extends well beyond business and can be applied to your health and life, too. If you’re a business owner or practitioner who’s looking to grow your business in a way that feels good to you, if you’re someone who feels unfulfilled in your work or your life, if you identify as a people pleaser or codependent, or if you’re looking for ways to gain more awareness and tap into your intuition, this will be a powerful and thought-provoking episode for you!
-
This week Erin takes a step outside the nutrition realm to discuss authenticity, boundaries, and confidence. Someone who personifies these attributes is Daniele Della Valle, and Erin invited her on the show to talk more about what it really means to get to that place of confidence and self assuredness. If you’ve ever wondered about your triggers, struggle with boundaries or being radically honest with yourself, or are just curious how to live a more authentic life, you’ll want to tune into this episode!
-
A lot of practitioners, especially those newer to functional medicine, put pressure on themselves to be all the things and know all the things–which can often lead to crippling self-doubt. The successful practitioner, on the other hand, is one who has a solid sense of self, works within their skill sets and strengths, and acknowledges their limitations.
Continuing last week’s conversation, Erin dives into the mindset piece of becoming a good practitioner. Comparison, self doubt, and imposter syndrome all hold people back from sharing their gifts, which is why doing inner work and overcoming self-doubt is REQUIRED in order to be of greater service to those who need it most.
-
Is AI coming for your job? Erin tackles this pressing question head-on in a thought-provoking episode designed to help you navigate the rise of AI with clarity and confidence. Instead of reacting from fear, you'll learn how to lean into what makes your work truly irreplaceable (like your presence, intuition, clinical insight, and the ability to facilitate real transformation!)
Erin breaks down how buyer behavior has evolved, why information alone no longer sells, and what this means for those building programs, writing content, or delivering client services. Surface-level strategies just won’t cut it anymore.
Whether you’re just starting your practice or leading a growing team, this episode will re-ground you in the skills and mindset needed to thrive and stand out in an increasingly noisy and AI-influenced space.
In this episode:
How consumer behavior has shifted toward craving transformation over info-packed courses
The 4 essential focus areas you must make to futureproof your business and stay relevant in the age of AI
How overreliance on AI can damage the reputation of functional medicine if misused for lab analysis and protocols
Erin’s tips and tricks on designing experiences that are rooted in your own voice, values, and client success stories
Why presence, intuition, and clinical mentorship are irreplaceable in delivering care that changes lives
-
If you’ve been taking in alllll the health, wellness, business, and self-improvement advice, this episode is your permission slip to start curating your own intentional “board of directors.” These are the people who will help you steer the ship and hold the line for your vision when you want to default into old patterns.
You’ll learn Erin’s journaling exercise for filtering your influential inner circle into four categories: candle blower-outers, the safety police, light protectors, and expanders, so you can quickly spot who’s fueling your growth and who might be holding you back.
Erin also shares how she chooses truth-tellers and experts for her own board (some she knows, some she pays, some don’t even know her!), plus practical ways to “meet” with your board regularly.
Even if you are not a CEO of a company, you are the CEO of your LIFE, and the right board can help you stop playing small and start moving forward.How Erin runs a regular “board meeting” with herself to evaluate decisions, track growth, and stay aligned with the life she’s intentionally building
How to identify the “candle blower-outers” who feel subtle, but consistently dim your ambition and confidence
Why the “safety police” mean well, but can still keep you tethered to what’s familiar instead of what you want
The difference between “light protectors” who love you and true expanders who prove your next level is possible
How asking “where is my ship pointed right now?” can immediately reveal which voices deserve decision-making power
-
If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, felt like you’re not qualified, or doubted whether you’re truly “ready” for the next step in your career or personal growth, this episode is for you.
Here’s the truth: Feeling like an imposter is often a sign of growth—not failure.
In this episode, I break down:
What imposter syndrome is and why it happens (especially to high-achievers).
Why imposter syndrome never fully goes away—and how to manage it when it shows up.
How your brain is wired for survival, not success, and why this creates self-doubt.
A simple mindset shift to stop fear from holding you back.
A powerful journaling exercise (from Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott, PhD) to identify and overcome subconscious fears.
How taking action helps rewire your brain to build confidence and resilience.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in self-doubt, you’re not alone. Most high-achievers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners experience imposter syndrome at some point. In fact, most of the practitioners who have graduated from The Funk’tional Nutrition Academy (FNA) started in that exact place. The good news? You can train your mind to work for you, not against you.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how to reframe self-doubt and step into the next level of your growth with confidence!
-
Erin hit a breaking point last year. Her business was growing, but the behind-the-scenes reality was unsustainable. Instead of muscling through, she tore everything down, embodied the CEO / visionary role, and rebuilt the entire operation from the inside out. This episode is a raw, behind the scenes peek at the major shifts she’s made inside The Funk’tional Nutritionist since then, and how creating more clarity, spaciousness, and systems elevates the support clients receive.
How Erin’s org chart turned into a “sunflower” and the surprising ripple effects this had on her creativity, mood, and revenue
The pivotal moment in San Diego that shifted EVERYTHING and clarified the company’s next chapter
Why Erin hired an integrator, how this role works alongside a visionary, and why it was the missing link in getting her out of the weeds
What Erin learned from running Manifest Your Health, and what you can expect from her new membership
How healing actually happens, including the role of repetition and titration, and why you can’t “manifest” or rewire anything when your body is in survival mode
-
Everyone says the functional medicine space is “oversaturated.” But what are we actually seeing? And what qualities make up a fantastic clinician?
Erin is offering a peek behind the curtain into her most rigorous practitioner hiring process yet, including what consistently showed up in applications, and all the sneaky clinical skill gaps she and Rachel Heintz, MS, RDN see that are holding practitioners back.
She shares why nutrition foundations matter (but aren’t enough on their own), what real lab discernment looks like in complex cases, and why immune dysregulation requires a full-bodied approach.
If you want to deliver care with more nuance, confidence, and a deeper systems biology lens, this is exactly why the Funk’tional Nutrition Academy (FNA) exists. Open enrollment starts March 1st!In this episode:
The biggest clinical skill gaps Erin and Rachel consistently see in practitioner applications
What lab discernment really looks like and how to decide what you need before moving forward
The role mentorship plays in building confidence and shining a flashlight without punching above your clinical weight
What happens when you niche too early and grow inside a more unsustainable clinical silo
The clinical support you’ll get inside of FNA, and why you should apply for the spring cohort
Spirituality & Mindset in Entrepreneurship
-
Today’s episode is all about energy in business, and how in order to be successful in business (whether that’s increased visibility, growth, expansion, or something else), you must first understand how your energy—your subconscious beliefs, your mindset—affect it.
In this episode Erin discusses her business expansion and going viral, the framework Erin created for visibility, and how she had to work on her energy and her mindset before she could truly expand and be seen. This is one of those episodes that was originally intended for entrepreneurs and business owners, but actually speaks to anyone looking to expand themselves. Tune in to understand why!
-
Feeling overwhelmed with life’s “not-knowingness” lately? You’re not alone. It seems that emotions are really tough right now. Between the pandemic, the election, last-minute changes with school, work, and other plans—we’ve got lots going on, pulling us in many different directions.
With all this, it feels like an especially good time to talk about how to establish a grounded, sacred space for yourself. This episode is all about how to create a morning ritual that you’re drawn to and is meaningful to you. Erin unpacks what her 3-day panic attack taught her, how to create and take up space for yourself, and why it’s so important to commit to yourself, even if just for a few moments, each day.
-
There’s a universal theme among many of us that says we aren’t good enough unless we’re doing more, being more, creating more. Our society is set up to reward this behavior, too: from pay raises and promotions to likes and comments that say, “You’re crushing it!!” it’s hard to think you’re still worthy or enough if you slow down or take a step back.
Today Erin speaks from the heart and draws from examples in her own life and business to discuss the concept of unpacking core beliefs about ourselves, how they tend to show up in our lives, and how shifting these core beliefs can radically change your life in ways you wouldn’t see otherwise. It touches on a lot of things many of us are experiencing right now (burnout, stress) and things we may be wanting to tap into or bring more into our lives (intuition, boundaries).
-
This episode is for you if you’ve been struggling with feeling spun out or paralyzed (or even both!) by life’s circumstances. Erin delves deep into intuition, energy medicine, personal power, and how this all relates to her “witchier side.” Erin discusses the solar plexus and all the ways it manifests in our lives, how it feels to be out of balance with it, and ways you can harness your own unique energy to step into your power and regain a sense of control with your health—and in your life.
-
In this episode, Erin explores how to overcome the challenges of building a thriving business. These common struggles shared by many private practice and business owners highlight two major themes: the overwhelming burden of ‘too much’, or the frustrating sense of ‘not enough’.
Throughout this discussion you’ll find thought-provoking questions that will help you identify the value you hold and bring to your work. Get ready for a mindset shift – one that builds your belief in yourself by accurately identifying what’s holding you back (and how to work on it). By the end of this episode you’ll be able to take action towards confidently expanding your business with authenticity.
-
This episode is a bit different. Erin talks about how she renegotiated her relationship with money, receiving and abundance over the past 5 years. And how this allowed her to take her company from under 6 figures to over 7 figures in just a few short years. But don’t get it twisted - it’s not just about the money, it’s about the IMPACT that this has allowed TFN to create.
We all have money stories and narratives. We have a collective money story, based on the society we live in. We also have a personal money story, based on how we were raised, our upbringing and our own unique experiences in life. We need to look at both to understand why we believe what we believe – especially if we’re looking to create a new and different relationship with money and wealth.
There’s always room to improve your money mindset, and this episode is gonna get the ball rolling. To keep it going, join Erin in her brand new training series, Manifest Your Wealth.
-
After launching podcast episode 307: Starting a Business from Scratch, Erin received a lot of questions about how she’s grown her successful multi-seven figure business in a way that’s not only highly profitable, but also deeply fulfilling.
This podcast is a live recording from the Manifest Your Wealth private group where Erin answers questions about her new program IMPACT. This program sheds light on how Erin grows a simple idea into a full blown program in a very non-traditional way - by using energy and a whole lot of self trust.
-
In this episode, Erin gets real about something every high achiever faces: fear before a big leap. Recorded right before leading a major training, she shares her raw, in-the-moment experience with imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the internal dialogue that often surfaces when we’re stepping into something new.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, practitioner, or simply pushing your own edge, Erin shows you how to reframe fear as a sign of expansion—not a setback. You’ll uncover the #1 subconscious growth limiter that quietly holds most people back, and learn how to identify emotional triggers, shift limiting beliefs, and take bold action anyway.
The episode also features a powerful live coaching call with FNA students and grads, where Erin dives into the exact mindset work needed to build confidence, make brave decisions, and trust yourself more deeply. If you’ve ever wondered, Can I really do this?—this is your reminder that not only can you… you absolutely should.
-
After receiving overwhelming feedback the first time it aired, Erin is re-releasing the only podcast episode she’s ever recorded on the topic of money — and it couldn’t be more timely. In this powerful conversation, she explores how our beliefs about self-worth, identity, and finances are shaped by the narratives we absorb, especially as women, moms, caretakers, and over-functioners.
This episode goes far beyond dollars and cents — it's about how we reclaim our power and rewire our mindset in a world that constantly pushes fear and scarcity. Erin shares why it’s so important to look for evidence of possibility and how doing so can reshape your entire reality.
This message is the heartbeat behind her program Manifest Your Wealth, returning June 1st by popular demand. If you’ve ever struggled to view yourself as a worthy investment, this is more than a podcast — it’s your reminder that everything can change when you do.
Private Practice & Business Strategies
-
Part of managing your anxiety is managing your energy, and in Episode 123 Erin discussed how establishing your own sacred, grounding practice is a smart antidote to festering anxiety. While a morning ritual doesn't magically make all of the world's problems disappear, it *does* give you the fortitude to navigate whatever lies ahead. We tend to be much less reactive and much more grounded and calm when we are making sure our own needs are being met, and when we are not sacrificing our own needs to keep other people comfortable.
This episode is part one of a three-part Strictly Biz series all about entitlement in business. You’ll want to listen to this one if you’ve ever struggled with setting boundaries in your business or finding more of the people you want to work with. Erin talks about her realization of needing to up her boundary game, building resilience, and how setting boundaries in her business has not only NOT hurt it, it’s actually enhanced it. Setting (& keeping) boundaries has allowed Erin to find more of the people who respect them, and that, in turn, allows her to keep showing up in a big way.
Just a heads up: this conversation is in true, straight-shooting-Erin form, and she says some things that may make you feel a bit...seen. Buckle up!
-
On this Strictly Biz episode of the Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast, Erin continues the conversation about energetics in business and dives into what it means to invest in yourself, when to know it’s time to invest, plus the different ways to do it. Erin unpacks the energy surrounding many of our struggles with money and pricing your services, consumer culture, and how to get the return on investment you seek…without feeling like you’re bleeding out.
-
In this episode, Erin talks to practitioners who may be considering the Funk’tional Nutrition Academy™ and those who are interested in the world of functional nutrition and functional medicine. She discusses pressing issues she sees in the space, such as template medicine, lab testing, and clinical application, and also unpacks how her program fills a gap she and other colleagues have felt was missing from the functional nutrition training space.
Tune in if you’ve been thinking of joining this program or another functional nutrition program, want to know how the FNA will help you clinically and in terms of your marketing/business, or are just interested in the world of functional nutrition and functional medicine.
-
If you’re a business owner or even a content creator, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced a sense of entitlement from others who take what you’ve learned and what you produce for granted. Unless you’re in it, it’s hard to understand how much time, effort, energy, and work goes into producing what you put out for the world. What’s worse, if you have a presence on social media, you also contend with a growing sense (or pressure) that you *have* to do this all for free.
Erin picks up the conversation from Episode 124 and continues the discussion on the ways entitlement in business often arises, especially surrounding the seemingly innocuous question of whether to allow someone to pick your brain. If you’ve ever been asked for coffee (or have done the asking) with the question, “Can I pick your brain?” this episode is for you!
-
Erin shares the various ways she broke through her self-imposed ceiling to grow and level up her business. She explains why it can be hard to talk about money (especially as a woman), the necessary mindset shifts for better returns on your investments, and the value of reciprocity in your business. Erin shares strategies she uses to grow her business and revenue—and it may not be what you think or assume. If you’re a practitioner you’ll definitely want to listen to this because if you’re not thinking about your practice as a business...well, you need to start. Erin will tell you exactly why!
-
Erin celebrates some big podcast milestones: 200 episodes and 2 million downloads!! Tune in to reminisce with Erin and hear answers to a smorgasbord of listener questions ranging from career pivots (is it ever too late? How about with a baby?) to whether coffee enemas are actually beneficial (and how to do one properly!) She also covers questions about molecular mimicry with gluten and thyroid, detoxing mycotoxins, what you should know about binders, and serves up thought-provoking questions to ask yourself when healing feels like a struggle.
-
There is this collective freak out happening with most small business owners about what to do with their businesses moving forward. So, Erin is talking about something different—business—which is why this is a bonus episode. Erin shares some of what’s in her head, like how to be a leader and why you need to be a leader, what NOT to do on social media, where to invest your time, and what to watch out for. She also covers how her mid-pandemic program launch went. Tune in if you’re a small business owner!
-
Today on the show Erin highlights the differences between functional medicine and conventional medicine in terms of how we approach lab testing. While oftentimes healthcare can be cost prohibitive for some, Erin discusses how you can utilize very basic lab work—that doctors will run and is covered by insurance—through a functional lens. Tune in to hear the differences in functional and conventional lab interpretations, limitations of conventional lab reference ranges, and real world examples of how to approach common lab markers with a functional lens.
-
This GLT episode provides a peek into the business content from the Funk'tional Nutrition Academy. The module shared today addresses a question from practitioners and business owners alike: "How do I get more clients?"
-
Erin answers the question, “If you had to start a business from scratch, what would be the first three things you would prioritize?” Erin covers the basic, more tangible topics, like starting an email list, networking with your existing community and getting confident speaking about what you offer. She also dives into more unpopular opinions, like getting started before you have everything perfect and avoiding niching down at the start. Although Erin mentioned three takeaways, you’ll get more than expected from this episode!
-
In a recent Instagram poll, Erin saw that 70% of practitioners want to run their own practice, while 30% do not. This week, Erin speaks to the 30% of practitioners who are looking to work for another company and offers some pointers from her perspective as someone in a position to hire. While credentials matter, being able to apply what you’ve learned and having the skillset to help your clients is non-negotiable. Leave this episode with tangible steps to approach a practice you'd like to work for.
-
Inflammatory title? Totally. In this think piece, Erin discusses the drawbacks, red flags and potential issues with certain functional medicine philosophies. She's getting honest with caveats to consider with functional lab testing — including how both the placebo and nocebo effects can play a role in a patient's healing process. This episode is not only geared for practitioners who are practicing functional medicine and analyzing lab tests, but also for the client on the receiving end.
-
Simply offering to run functional labs in your practice isn't what makes them valuable—it’s being able to use them to meet your clients' needs that does. Learn the bennies of running functional labs—from validating your clients' symptoms to figuring out the next best step in treatment, and using the results to make lasting changes for your clients…and so much more.
-
"Inflammation hunting" is a term we use often here at TFN, but what does it actually mean? Erin sits down with Rachel, the Lead Practitioner and Lead Clinical Mentor of FNA, to discuss all things inflammation - what it is, what causes it, and how we use functional labs in our practice to take a deeper dive. This episode is great for practitioners and clients alike!
-
This episode is for practitioners who want more from their private practice but aren’t sure where to start. Learn the methods Erin uses to guide herself through seasons of growth and development. These practices are tried and true, and we hope you find success using them, too.
-
In this episode, Erin addresses a common concern: the cost of functional nutrition services, and why they may be different than conventional medicine fees. She explains what a functional approach should deliver—and why many big-name clinics fall short despite their high price tags. Learn how to prioritize your health investments, get your partner on board, and discover affordable, effective solutions to support your wellness journey.
-
This episode is for practitioners curious about joining FNA. You’ll hear directly from FNA graduates on how the program helped them bridge the gap between theory and practice, gain confidence in interpreting labs, deliver better outcomes for their clients, and build sustainable, values-aligned businesses.
You’ll walk away with a clear picture of what’s possible inside The Funk’tional Nutrition Academy™ mentorship and the path to becoming a Functional Health Practitioner-Certified (FHP-C)™.
-
This episode is for practitioners who feel called to move beyond quick-fix protocols and deepen their impact. Erin shares how Intuitive Functional Medicine™ expands on systems biology and root-cause thinking by integrating the nervous system, trauma, and the lived human experience. You’ll learn how weaving together labs with storytelling, science with discernment, and clinical skill with true coaching can strengthen both your practice and the functional medicine field as a whole.
You’ll walk away with a clear picture of what’s possible inside The Funk’tional Nutrition Academy™ mentorship and the path to becoming a Functional Health Practitioner-Certified (FHP-C)™.
Erin’s Unique Spin on Health Topics
-
There’s a growing trend in Wellness Culture where opinions and recommendations are increasingly standardized, leaving little room for nuance or exception. Today Erin gives us a peek into how her mind operates in this opinion episode on our wellness and diet culture, and it’s centered on a recently released intuitive eating nutrition book that has a large portion of the wellness world falling into two camps: FOR or ANTI.
Unfortunately, this leaves a lot of folks who are simply searching for some help to think they have to “choose a side” when it comes to their health. Who’s to blame for this polarization and distortion? Where has our compassion gone? In this episode, you won’t hear Erin take a hard stand for or against this topic, or even defend her own position. Instead, she asks questions about our collective reactivity—in the nutrition space and beyond—and attempts to understand what that means about us. How can we utilize that reactivity to affect the change we’re looking for? This one is certainly food for thought...
-
Women hear an enormous amount of “you should…” statements on a daily basis—from social media to our family to our friends to our own self-talk. And when it comes to weight, body image, and our intentions surrounding it, women often receive messaging that promotes weight loss as salvation AND anti-diet messages that promote body acceptance.
These conflicting, black and white, either/or messages create fragmentation within ourselves and shame surrounding whichever direction we lean. There’s no room for gray area, for both thoughts to be true, and this can be especially pronounced for those who have struggled with eating disorders or even dealt with chronic illness. It’s not wrong to have a body image goal, but in order to achieve sustainable change, health, and wellbeing, it’s necessary to understand the “why” behind these goals first.
In this episode, Erin taps into these whys to really get to the root of our body intentions and offers up thought-provoking questions to uncover our own belief patterns. You might hear yourself in some of the examples Erin showcases, and you wouldn’t be alone if you did—these are conversations Erin has had with others both in her group programs and 1:1 work, as well as in real life with friends and family.
If like so many others, you’ve ever found yourself somewhere in the gray area between diet culture and anti-diet culture, this will be an especially important episode to hear!
-
Fear is an emotion that affects everyone on varying levels, and in this episode, Erin unpacks not just the science behind fear, but also how this can play into our happiness and health. If you've ever been labeled a hypochondriac, are someone who is hypervigilant or on guard (with your body or symptoms, as a parent or caretaker, or in relationships), or someone in your life is hypervigilant, this episode will help you better understand what's going on in the brain physiologically.
With nuggets of info for just about everybody, Erin discusses the concept of neuroplasticity, the relationship between fear, anxiety, pain, flow state, and how fear affects ongoing issues with food, sensitivities, and autoimmunity. Is there a way to enhance our overall experience of life by better understanding our fear? Simply listening in may shift something within you.
-
In honor of the new year, Erin is sitting down today and speaking from the heart with reflections on 2021 and some thoughts on new years goals. Hearing how folks navigate their own struggles & inner beliefs often helps others to do the same, and that’s the intention of this episode: to help you in some way—small or large. Listen in as she shares some personal experiences with you, advice you may need to hear, and the biggest lesson she learned in 2021.
-
Functional lab testing has been gaining in popularity over the last few years. More and more folks are seeking answers to their health issues, and providers are responding by offering various options for hormone and other functional lab testing. But not all providers provide in the same way, and we’re increasingly seeing an algorithmic, “if this, then that” approach to labs in the functional medicine space. This doesn’t give folks the answers they need, it doesn’t get to the root of their issues, and it doesn’t help them feel better.
Hormone testing is a great tool to help uncover and confirm imbalances in the body, but it doesn’t answer ALL the questions you might have. Namely, WHY and HOW the imbalance came to be in the first place. This is where a la carte lab testing falls short because it doesn’t consider your full, unique picture.
On today’s episode Erin explains the approach she and the Funk’tional Nutritionist Team takes to health, healing, and hormone testing in our private practice and in Your Hormone Revival™, our 3-month balancing program to revive adrenal, thyroid, and hormone health through root cause restoration. You’ll hear not just what kind of hormone testing we do, but also WHY we do it the way that we do, all while sprinkling in answers to a lot of your questions about hormone testing along the way. By the end you’ll understand the value of a provider who can not only look at lab markers, but also interpret what those lab markers mean in conjunction with one another, AND in conjunction with YOUR unique context.
Whether you’re looking to test your thyroid hormones, you’re wondering about your estrogen or progesterone levels, or perhaps you suspect something is up with your adrenals or cortisol, you’ll want to tune in to this episode! This also provides valuable information to practitioners who want to understand the true meaning of taking a functional, root cause approach to labs and supporting their clients.
-
Food sensitivities are a growing problem—and the reasons behind it are complex. Unpacking food sensitivities is NOT a straightforward task, and for the first time in nearly 5 years of podcasting, Erin addresses this tricky topic and helps to make sense of all the moving parts and considerations. In today’s episode you’ll hear Erin discussing food sensitivity testing (the good, the bad, & the confusing), the differences between food allergies and food sensitivities, obvious (and not so obvious) symptoms and signs you might have a food sensitivity, the nitty gritty science behind our body’s reactions to foods, how our hormones relate, downsides to restrictive healing diets, and considerations to take if you suspect you may be dealing with a food sensitivity.
The truth is, getting to the root of food sensitivities is a lot more complicated than an at home food sensitivity test commercial will ever tell you. After listening to this episode you’ll understand why, and come away with more knowledge, potential solutions, and even hope for getting to the root of your own sensitivities. Please share with anyone who could also benefit from this valuable information!
-
There’s no question that the conventional medicine system is tragically broken. We’re seeing a greater demand for another way, and functional practitioners are filling that need. But if you’re a newer practitioner, how do you get started growing your skillset and confidence, and do so in a way that is responsible to your clients?
In the first episode of a 2-part conversation, Erin presents actionable steps for practitioners to become advanced in their fields and accelerate their clients’ transformation. Seeking mentorship, developing an advanced mindset and critical thinking skills, and devoting oneself to continued education are all key elements to building a successful practice and getting tangible results.
-
At The Funk’tional Nutritionist, we’ve seen that lasting solutions for our clients aren’t limited to functional medicine strategies alone. This is why Team FN has always utilized a truly root cause approach to healing, with resources and support for the body AND the mind. In this episode, Erin defines the Intuitive Functional Medicine™ approach, how it can be used in practice, and why it’s so important. This episode is intentionally designed to get you to think outside of the box and shake up some of your beliefs!
-
In this episode, Erin Holt sits down with JP Errico—inventor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of electroCore—to explore the powerful role of the vagus nerve in whole-body health. If you’ve never heard of the vagus nerve before, you’re not alone—but this key player connects the brain, gut, immune system, and autonomic nervous system, impacting everything from inflammation and digestion to stress and chronic illness. Erin and JP dive into the explosion of autoimmune conditions, the mind-body connection, and how vagus nerve stimulation could be the missing link to better health. Tune in to discover how activating this vital nerve may help restore balance and unlock healing.
-
Have you ever felt dismissed by a doctor when trying to get answers about your health? You’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into the reality of medical gaslighting—especially for women struggling with autoimmune diseases. From misdiagnosis to being told symptoms are “just stress,” we explore why this happens, how it impacts long-term health, and what you can do to advocate for yourself. Tune in for expert insights, real stories, and practical strategies to take control of your health journey.
-
In this episode, Erin Holt explores the link between ambition, burnout, and hormone health—especially for high-achieving women. She unpacks how perfectionism and over-functioning can lead to hormonal imbalances like low cortisol, thyroid issues, and chronic fatigue. Erin also shares her personal journey through burnout and how redefining ambition with rest and support can restore both energy and well-being.
-
In this episode, Erin breaks down the six major findings from the client’s GI Map stool test, including H. pylori, low commensal bacteria, opportunistic overgrowths, low digestive enzymes, sky-high immune markers, and gluten reactivity. You’ll hear how each result connects to her symptoms and how traditional medicine overlooked all of it.
-
In this episode, Erin and Rachel Heintz, MS, RDN, are revealing the most common reasons that keep people stuck in the SIBO loop, including why standard protocols and restrictive diets often miss the mark, and the deeper, more nuanced reasons SIBO recurs.
You'll learn what your stool test might be trying to tell you, how stress and low stomach acid sabotage gut healing, and the critical roles bile flow, mineral status, and even meal timing play in your recovery.
Whether you're dealing with persistent bloating, IBS-like symptoms, or have been told you just need “another round of antibiotics”, this conversation will help you finally move forward.
-
In this episode, Erin Holt explores the powerful connection between the mind and the body—and why multiple food sensitivities are rarely just about the food itself.
Erin breaks down how gut-immune mechanisms intersect with the nervous system, explaining why eating in a fight-or-flight state can prime the body to react before the first bite even reaches the stomach. She walks through what actually drives multiple food sensitivities from both directions: the body up and the mind down.
She also dives into one of her favorite topics—the expectant state—and how fear-based eating patterns can amplify symptoms. Erin explains how beliefs, anticipation, and perception can directly influence physiological responses in the body.
If you’ve found yourself stuck in cycles of restriction or feeling like you react to everything, this episode offers a new lens to help you stabilize and move forward.
