Episodes

  • 126. Blue Light, Melatonin & The Modern Sleep Crisis with Sam Nahna

    126. Blue Light, Melatonin & The Modern Sleep Crisis with Sam Nahna
    Jun 1 2026

    Blue light is everywhere… but most people have no idea what it’s actually doing to their bodies.

    In this episode of the Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable podcast, Susan sits down with Sam Nahna from Block Blue Light to unpack the real science behind blue light exposure, circadian rhythms, melatonin production, sleep disruption, and why modern lighting may be affecting your health more than you realize.

    From doom scrolling at night to overhead LED lights, Sam explains how constant exposure to artificial blue light impacts sleep quality, recovery, focus, mood, and long-term wellbeing. The conversation dives into the differences between clear, yellow, amber, and red blue light blocking lenses, why cheap “blue light glasses” often don’t work, and how to create a more sleep-supportive environment without completely disconnecting from modern life.

    Susan also shares her own experience using red light glasses and how dramatically they’ve helped her wind down, improve sleep quality, and support her natural rhythms during longer summer evenings.

    This episode is packed with practical, easy-to-understand information for anyone struggling with sleep, screen fatigue, nighttime stimulation, or feeling “wired but tired” at the end of the day.

    Key Takeaways:

    • What blue light actually is and how it affects the body and brain
    • Why artificial light exposure at night disrupts melatonin and circadian rhythms
    • The difference between clear, yellow, amber, and red blue light blocking lenses
    • How poor sleep impacts recovery, mental health, hormones, and overall health
    • Simple ways to reduce blue light exposure and create a healthier nighttime environment

    Connect with Sam Nahna + Block Blue Light:
    Website: https://www.blockbluelight.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blockbluelight_official/


    Learn more about Sam Nahna:

    At BlueBlockLight, we create research-backed products designed to support health, circadian biology, and light-conscious living.

    Sam has been with the company since its early stages and has become a leading product expert in the field of blue light mitigation and blue light blocking technology. His expertise spans the science of artificial light exposure, circadian health, sleep optimization, and the practical application of blue light blocking solutions in everyday life.

    Working closely across product development, education, and marketing, Sam specializes in translating the technical and scientific side of light biology into practical, real-world strategies people can actually use. He is known for his deep understanding of how different wavelengths of light impact human physiology and how targeted light environments can support better sleep, recovery, energy, and long-term health.


    RESOURCES:

    Connect with Sam Nahna:

    Website: https://www.blockbluelight.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blockbluelight_official/


    https://healthyawakening.co/2026/06/01/episode126/


    Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/


    Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast


    Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

    P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
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    50 mins
  • 125. Fear-Based Nutrition and Food Myths with Dr. Gil Carvalho

    125. Fear-Based Nutrition and Food Myths with Dr. Gil Carvalho
    May 25 2026
    In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan Robbins sits down with physician, researcher, and science communicator Dr. Gil Carvalho for a powerful conversation about nutrition misinformation, influencer-driven fear, and what the science actually says about cholesterol, saturated fat, seed oils, oats, and popular diet trends. Dr. Gil Carvalho, founder of the Nutrition Made Simple YouTube channel, is known for breaking down complex health research into practical, understandable information without the fear tactics and sensationalism that dominate so much of the wellness world.Together, Susan and Dr. Gil unpack some of the biggest myths circulating online, including the idea that “higher cholesterol is always better,” that oats are harmful, and that seed oils are toxic. They also discuss why individualized health matters, how genetics influence risk factors like ApoB and Lp(a), and why lab work should guide decisions more than viral social media claims. This episode is a grounded, evidence-based conversation designed to help listeners think critically, ask better questions, and become stronger advocates for their own health.In this episode:Why high cholesterol should not automatically be dismissed as “healthy”The difference between cholesterol levels, ApoB, particle size, and Lp(a)How misinformation spreads through influencer cultureWhy oats are not the “worst breakfast you can eat”The truth about seed oils and inflammationHow genetics impact cardiovascular risk and dietary responsesWhy one-size-fits-all nutrition advice often backfiresThe importance of personalized nutrition and individualized lab workWhy fear-based wellness messaging can create more harm than goodHow social media oversimplifies complex health topicsThe role of lifestyle, stress, sleep, movement, and environment in long-term healthWhy learning to interpret science critically matters more than following trendsDr. Gil CarvalhoGil Carvalho is a Portuguese physician, research scientist, and science communicator known for his work in nutrition, longevity, and evidence-based health education.Born in Portugal, he earned his MD from the University of Lisbon and later obtained a PhD in Biology from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he trained under pioneering geneticist Seymour Benzer.Carvalho's research spans genetics, molecular biology, nutrition, behavior, aging, and neuroscience, with contributions including the identification of genetic and nutritional mechanisms underlying longevity; his work has been cited over 4,130 times as of 2023 according to Google Scholar.He has collaborated with neuroscientist Antonio Damasio on neural signal transmission and the basis of interoception, and his publications appear in prestigious outlets such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Nature Methods.In addition to his academic career at the University of Southern California, Carvalho is a prominent science communicator, founding the YouTube channel Nutrition Made Simple in 2018, which has amassed over a million monthly viewers by simplifying complex dietary science for lay audiences.He contributes to organizations including the Institute of Limbic Health, and his expert insights have been featured in media like Quanta Magazine and ScienceDaily.Carvalho has received awards such as the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics and a Mathers Foundation grant, underscoring his impact in bridging clinical practice, rigorous research, and public health education.RESOURCES:Connect with Dr. Gil Carvalho:Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@NutritionMadeSimpletwitter.com/NutritionMadeS3facebook.com/DrGilCarvalhotiktok.com/@nutrition.made.simpleinstagram.com/gilcarvalho.mdhttps://healthyawakening.co/2026/05/25/episode125/Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcastFind listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/linksP.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
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    59 mins
  • Ep 124. Detox Culture: Is It Helping You or Harming You?

    Ep 124. Detox Culture: Is It Helping You or Harming You?
    May 18 2026

    This episode of the Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable. podcast takes a hard look at one of the biggest trends in the wellness world: detox culture. Susan Robbins shares a raw and deeply honest perspective on the fear-based messaging surrounding parasites, mold, heavy metals, cleanses, and “toxic overload,” while explaining what true detoxification actually looks like inside the body. From harsh protocols and supplement overload to the nervous system’s role in health, this conversation challenges the idea that more detoxing always equals better wellness.

    Susan also dives into the genetics behind detox pathways, including MTHFR, COMT, PEMT, GST genes, inflammation markers, bile flow, and histamine responses. She explains why personalized health matters, why one-size-fits-all detox programs can backfire, and how stress, sleep, nutrition, circadian rhythm, and emotional safety often play a much bigger role in how the body functions than another cleanse ever will. This episode is a reminder that the body already knows how to detox when it has the right support, nourishment, and stability.

    In this episode:

    • Why the detox industry often profits from fear
    • The difference between true toxic overload and depletion
    • How the body naturally detoxifies through the liver, kidneys, gut, skin, and lymphatic system
    • Why harsh cleanses can create more stress on the body
    • The truth about parasite cleanses, binders, colonics, and juice detoxes
    • How chronic stress impacts detox pathways and hormone balance
    • Why genetics like MTHFR, COMT, GST, PEMT, IL6, and TNF-alpha matter in personalized health
    • The connection between histamine, sulfur pathways, glutathione, and detox symptoms
    • How nervous system regulation impacts healing and detoxification
    • Why lifestyle rhythms, sleep, meal timing, and stress management matter more than most people realize
    • How Susan uses epigenetics and PH360 health types to personalize detox support
    • The importance of building resilience instead of living in fear around health


    RESOURCES:

    Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes:


    Shop the products: http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings (this link will provide you a special discount!)


    https://healthyawakening.co/2026/05/18/episode124/


    Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/


    Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast


    Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

    P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • 123. The Science of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Red Light Healing with Alan Trim

    123. The Science of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Red Light Healing with Alan Trim
    May 11 2026

    Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been around for centuries, but only recently has it started gaining attention for its powerful role in recovery, performance, longevity, and chronic illness support. In this fascinating episode, Susan sits down with Alan Trim, co-founder of Oxidise Wellness Lab, to unpack the science behind hyperbaric oxygen therapy and red light therapy, and why these technologies are becoming game changers for everything from elite sports recovery to neurological health and cancer support.

    Alan shares his deeply personal story of battling severe insomnia and how hyperbaric oxygen therapy became the turning point that changed his life. Together, Susan and Alan explore how oxygen under pressure impacts inflammation, brain health, recovery, mitochondrial function, and overall resilience. They also dive into the importance of lifestyle foundations, the future of wellness technology, and how to safely navigate the growing world of hyperbaric and red light therapy options.

    In this episode:

    • What hyperbaric oxygen therapy actually is and how it works
    • The connection between oxygen, inflammation, and healing
    • How hyperbaric therapy supports recovery, brain health, and performance
    • The role of red light therapy in mitochondrial health and collagen production
    • Why athletes are using these technologies for recovery and endurance
    • The impact of hyperbaric therapy on chronic illness and cancer support
    • What to look for when choosing a hyperbaric or red light therapy provider
    • Why lifestyle still remains the true foundation of health optimization

    Alan Trim Bio


    Alan Trim is the co-founder of Oxydise and Oxydise Wellness Lab, a UK leader in hyperbaric oxygen therapy and advanced red-light technologies. He is a passionate advocate for how these modalities can help in elite sports performance, longevity optimisation, and chronic illness recovery. He has worked with high profile clients including Strictly's Gorka Marquez, Premier League footballers Anthony Elanga and Ola Aina and boxers Joseph Parker and Ben Whittaker.

    Alan is an International Board of Undersea Medicine qualified professional and has overseen deployment and use of hundreds of hyperbaric and wellness systems across the UK. He is known for translating cutting-edge science into practical systems that enhance recovery, improve cognitive clarity, boost athletic output, and support long-term health resilience.




    RESOURCES:

    Connect with Alan Trim:

    www.oxydise.co.uk

    https://alantrim.com/

    https://www.instagram.com/alan.trim/



    https://healthyawakening.co/2026/05/11/episode123/


    Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/


    Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast


    Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

    P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
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    43 mins
  • 122. Root Causes of Chronic Illness in Kids with Dr. Somer DelSignore

    122. Root Causes of Chronic Illness in Kids with Dr. Somer DelSignore
    May 4 2026

    This episode goes straight to the root of what is happening beneath chronic illness in children, and it is far more complex than a single diagnosis or quick fix. In this conversation, Dr. Somer DelSignore joins Susan Robbins to explore the real drivers behind immune and neurological dysfunction in kids. From hidden infections and toxin exposure to nutrient depletion and chronic stress, this discussion connects how everyday lifestyle patterns shape long term health. It challenges the habit of chasing symptoms and instead brings attention to patterns, history, and the deeper factors that build over time.

    What makes this episode powerful is how grounded and practical it feels. You will hear how modern life, including screen time, poor sleep, and highly processed food, keeps kids in a constant stress response and how that shows up in ways many parents miss. The conversation brings clarity without making things complicated. It highlights how small, consistent changes can shift a child’s health in a meaningful way and why prevention starts earlier than most people realize.


    In this episode:

    • Why chronic illness in children is rarely caused by one single factor and how multiple stressors build over time
    • The impact of hidden infections on inflammation, behavior, focus, and common misdiagnoses
    • How sleep, nutrition, and daily habits directly influence immune strength and brain function
    • What a constant stress response looks like in children and how it affects growth, mood, and focus
    • Simple ways to support your child’s nervous system, detox pathways, and overall health without overwhelm

    Dr. Somer DelSignore Bio


    Dr. Somer DelSignore is a pediatric board-certified provider who blends integrative pediatric care with evidence-based medicine to address the root causes of immune and neurological dysfunction. Trained at the University of Pennsylvania and SUNY Upstate and further mentored in integrative medicine, Lyme, and PANS, she is known for highly personalized, research-driven treatment plans for children. Dr. DelSignore is an ILADS Member, a MAPS Fellow, and holds a Fellowship with the American Academy of Ozone Therapy. Her holistic 10-key approach emphasizes nutrition, environmental factors, and mental health, reflecting her commitment to whole-child care. She is the founder of Hudson Valley Integrative Health, where she helps families find clarity, hope, and a better quality of life.




    RESOURCES:

    Connect with Dr. Somer DelSignore:

    Website: https://hudsonvalleyintegrativehealth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nylymesandpans/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nylymesandpans/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somerdelsignorekidslyme/


    https://healthyawakening.co/2026/05/04/episode122/


    Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/


    Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast


    Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

    P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 121. More Exercise Isn’t Making You Healthier, Here’s Why

    121. More Exercise Isn’t Making You Healthier, Here’s Why
    Apr 27 2026

    Episode Show Notes

    We’ve been taught to believe that more exercise equals better health, stronger bodies, and faster results. This episode challenges that belief in a big way. Susan breaks down how pushing harder and training longer can actually backfire, leading to chronic inflammation, disrupted recovery, and even long-term health consequences that often go unnoticed.

    This conversation goes deeper than surface-level fitness advice. It connects the dots between genetics, lifestyle, and training patterns to show why two people can follow the exact same workout plan and experience completely different outcomes. From inflammatory gene responses to stress hormone regulation and recovery capacity, your body has a unique threshold, and ignoring it can quietly work against you.

    Susan also walks through how overtraining shows up beneath the surface, even when you feel “fine.” Blood markers, nervous system dysregulation, sleep disruption, and metabolic shifts all play a role in whether your body is adapting or breaking down. The goal isn’t to stop moving, it’s to train with precision, honoring your body’s rhythms, recovery needs, and individual design.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll have a new lens on exercise, one that prioritizes alignment over intensity, and sustainability over burnout. Because real progress doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing what actually works for your body.

    In this episode:

    • Why too much exercise can trigger chronic inflammation and slow recovery
    • How genetics influence your response to stress, training, and inflammation
    • The role of stress hormones like cortisol in overtraining and burnout
    • Key gene variants (like COMT, IL-6, TNF-alpha) and what they mean for your body
    • How different health types respond to exercise, and why personalization matters
    • The hidden signs of overtraining, even when you feel “healthy”
    • Blood markers to watch for (fasting insulin, triglycerides, CRP, glucose)
    • How chronobiology (timing) impacts performance and recovery
    • Why recovery, not intensity, is where real progress happens
    • How to train smarter by aligning with your body’s natural capacity


    RESOURCES:

    Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes:


    Shop the products: http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings (this link will provide you a special discount!)


    https://healthyawakening.co/2026/04/27/episode121/


    Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/


    Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast


    Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

    P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
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    48 mins
  • 120. Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids Starts with How You Speak with Cara Tyrell

    120. Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids Starts with How You Speak with Cara Tyrell
    Apr 20 2026

    In this episode of the Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable. podcast, Susan is chatting with early language expert and parent educator Cara Tyrrell to explore how the words we use with children shape their identity, emotional intelligence, and lifelong ability to connect. From infancy through the toddler years, communication isn’t just about what we say, it’s about how we create safety, trust, and connection through both our words and our presence.

    Cara introduces her “Core Four” connection framework and her BEND method, offering practical, real-life strategies for navigating challenging moments with children in a way that builds confidence, emotional resilience, and mutual respect. This conversation goes far beyond parenting, it’s a powerful reminder that true connection is a learned skill, and one that impacts our health, relationships, and epigenetic expression from the very beginning.

    In this episode:

    • Why the first three years of life are critical for emotional and neurological development
    • The “Core Four” connectors that build strong, lasting relationships
    • How language shapes a child’s identity, confidence, and behavior
    • The BEND method for navigating tantrums and emotional moments
    • Why connection and not control, is the foundation of effective parenting
    • How these communication tools apply to adults, relationships, and everyday life

    Learn more about our guest Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed.

    Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is an early language expert, teacher trainer, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Masters in Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to teach parents and educators the power of intentional language in shaping children’s identity, confidence, and future success. She is the host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years and author of the Talk to Them Early and Often , an intentional language guide for infant and toddler caregivers.



    RESOURCES:

    Connect with Cara Tyrrell:

    Website: www.caratyrrell.com

    Podcast: Transforming the Toddler Years

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transforming-the-toddler-years-parents-and/id1646535788

    Book Pre-Order: https://www.caratyrrell.com/talktothemearlyandoften

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caratalkstoddler


    https://healthyawakening.co/2026/04/20/episode120/


    Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/


    Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast


    Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

    P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
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    52 mins
  • 119. Lyme Disease, Misdiagnosis & Missed Answers with Nicole Bell

    119. Lyme Disease, Misdiagnosis & Missed Answers with Nicole Bell
    Apr 13 2026

    In this deeply raw and eye-opening episode, Susan sits down with Nicole Bell to uncover the devastating reality of chronic Lyme disease, misdiagnosis, and the critical gaps in modern testing.

    Nicole shares the powerful and heartbreaking story of her husband’s journey, from subtle personality changes and memory loss to a misdiagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s… and ultimately, the truth that was missed for far too long. His experience sheds light on a much bigger issue: how thousands of people are falling through the cracks of a system that isn’t equipped to detect complex, stealth infections.

    This conversation goes far beyond Lyme disease. It’s about advocacy. It’s about asking better questions. And it’s about understanding that symptoms are not random, they are signals.

    Susan and Nicole break down why traditional testing often fails, how infections can mimic neurological and psychiatric conditions, and why getting the right diagnosis could change everything.

    If you’ve ever felt like something is “off” in your body but no one can explain why, this episode is for you.

    In This Episode:

    • How Lyme and co-infections can mimic conditions like Alzheimer’s, anxiety, and psychiatric disorders


    Learn more about our guest Nicole Bell

    Nicole is an experienced executive in the medical device and diagnostics industries in roles ranging from science and engineering to business development and marketing. At Advanced Liquid Logic, a company that sold to Illumina for $96M, she ran product management and interfaced with top companies across medical diagnostics. At TransEnterix Surgical, she served as the Vice President of Research and Development, driving the development of the surgical robot from breadboard design to FDA submission in 3 years and propelling the company’s market cap to over $500M.

    She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from MIT in Materials Science and Engineering, as well as a Master’s of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. Her best-selling and award-winning memoir, What Lurks in the Woods, vividly details her family’s experience with undiagnosed tickborne infection. This firsthand knowledge of the devastating impact of misdiagnosed chronic illness fuels her passion to drive a new diagnostic standard of care for the industry. She also served as the primary author of “The State of Lyme Disease Research in the United States,” and regularly collaborates with the Center for Lyme Action to change the political landscape for Lyme Disease and related coinfections.


    RESOURCES:

    Connect with Nicole Bell:

    Website: https://www.galaxydx.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galaxydiagnostics/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galaxydx

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GalaxyDiagnosticsVideos

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/galaxy-diagnostics-inc-/posts/?feedView=all


    https://healthyawakening.co/2026/04/13/episode119/


    Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/


    Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast


    Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

    P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast
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    1 hr and 26 mins