The DNA Talks Podcast

How do the clothes we wear shape not only our comfort, but also our healing, identity, and empowerment as women?In this inspiring conversation, Krista sits down with Keira Kotler, founder of Everviolet, a company dedicated to creating intimate apparel that supports women through the many changing seasons of life. From breast cancer recovery to pregnancy, menopause, and beyond, Keira shares how garments can nurture both body and spirit, offering comfort, inclusivity, and empowerment.This episode explores the intersection of personalized medicine, women’s health, and clothing design, reminding us that healing is not only medical but also deeply personal and embodied.Key Topics Covered✨ Keira’s Journey – From brand marketing to lingerie design after her own breast cancer diagnosis and bilateral mastectomy. ✨ The Birth of Everviolet – How the lack of supportive, feminine, and comfortable garments inspired her to create a new kind of intimate wear. ✨ Inclusivity in Design – Garments that accommodate reconstruction, prosthetics, asymmetry, surgical drains, and diverse body types. ✨ Fabric Matters – Why natural, breathable, and environmentally conscious fabrics are essential for healing and comfort. ✨ The Beauty of Change – EverViolet’s tagline and mission to support women through puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, illness, menopause, and beyond. ✨ Personalized Support – Free fit and style consultations, both in-person and virtual, to help women find their best fit. ✨ Community Storytelling – In Her Words, EverViolet’s journal series where women share their health and life journeys.If you wish to learn more from Keira Kotler and her company, Everviolet, check out the following links:Website: Use the code "DNATALKS20" for a 20% off discount at everviolet.com; you may also explore their community series, In Her Words: Journal series on their websiteContact: hello@everviolet.comInstagram: @everviolet ______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

 “Every time we visited my grandmother in India, she went to the kitchen first before the pharmacy. Nine out of ten times, she came back with something that made us feel better.” -Gita VellankiIn this episode of DNA Talks, host Krista Kostroman sits down with Gita Vellanki, founder of Neeshi, a food-based wellness brand inspired by Ayurvedic traditions.Gita shares her personal journey from working in high tech to creating products that support women through hormonal transitions—from teenage years to perimenopause—using nutrient-dense foods instead of conventional hormone therapies.Together, Krista and Gita explore the intersection of Ayurvedic medicine, genetics, and functional nutrition, highlighting how food can act as medicine when used consistently and thoughtfully. They discuss the importance of empowered choice, the limitations of supplements, and how traditional wisdom aligns beautifully with modern genomic insights.Here are the highlights of this episode:01:59 Background Story05:35 Ayurvedic Medicine07:06 Innate or Born Constitution09:55 Gita, Her Daughter, and the Kitchen13:46 The Role of the Clinician24:15 Leveraging Food as Medicine for People in Perimenopause and Menopause29:34 Gaps in the Medical MarketIf you wish to learn more from Gita Vellanki and her company, Neeshi, check out the following links:Website: Use the code "DNACO20" for a discount at https://neeshi.com/Instagram: @neeshiwellness, @shopneeshi______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

What if the very behaviors you judge in yourself and others are not flaws at all, but echoes of subconscious programming and unresolved trauma waiting to be understood?In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Tracey Steady-Hardcastle sits down with Kelley Oswin and Laura Slinn of New Avalon to explore their unique approach to Evolved Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Together, they unpack how subconscious programming, trauma awareness, and values levels shape human behavior—and how practitioners can use these insights for healing, transformation, and sustainable coaching practices.Laura Slinn and Kelley Oswin are the co-founders of New Avalon, a graduate-level training platform for coaches, practitioners, and leaders ready to integrate advanced neuroscience, trauma-informed facilitation, and identity-level transformation into their work.With over 30 years of combined experience across clinical social work, applied neuroscience, creative direction, and values-level coaching, Laura and Kelley have worked with thousands of individuals through one-on-one mentorship, group coaching, live retreats, and practitioner certifications. They certify coaches and practitioners across multiple modalities and are known both for their ethical, evidence-informed approach and for the profound, miracle-driven results they help facilitate through deep subconscious and cellular-level transformation.They are co-authors of the best-selling books Evolved NLP and Is Coaching Your Calling?, and are widely respected for translating deep inner work into clear, embodied leadership. Their methodology blends neurosomatic tools, evolved NLP, and developmental theory to support the next generation of ethical, impact-driven practitioners.This conversation blends science, spirituality, and psychology, offering practical tools for coaches, healers, and anyone navigating personal growth in complex times. This episode is a must for anyone seeking:Tools to integrate trauma awareness into their practiceInsights into values levels and spiral dynamicsStrategies to avoid burnout and navigate high-functioning codependencyInspiration from two leaders blending science, spirituality, and psychologyExcitingly, Kelley and Laura are launching a brand-new course with our very own DNA University, bringing their evolved NLP framework and trauma-conscious coaching practices to a wider audience of learners and practitioners.If you wish to learn more from Kelley and Laura, check out the following links:Website: https://www.avalonempowerment.com/Instagram: @kelleyoswin, @laura_slinn______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

In this deep‑dive conversation, Dr. Krista Kostroman and Dr. Richard Horowitz explore what may be one of the most comprehensive frameworks for understanding chronic disease today: Dr. Horowitz’s 16‑point MSIDS model (Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome).Dr. Richard Horowitz is an internationally recognized physician practicing in Hyde Park, NY. He is an award-winning author of two bestselling books on Lyme disease and chronic illness, and co-author of the 2018 HHS Tick-borne Disease Working Group report to Congress. He has received humanitarian awards from the Turn the Corner Foundation and Project Lyme, has appeared on numerous local and national media outlets—including the Today show and Fox News, for his work on Lyme disease and COVID-19—and is now providing novel solutions for our climate emergency.Across 40+ years and 13,000+ chronically ill patients, Dr. Horowitz has repeatedly seen that chronic illness is never caused by just one thing. Instead, it’s the collision of infections, toxins, gut disruption, hormonal imbalance, immune dysregulation, and more. Together, they break down:Why the “one cause, one cure” medical model no longer fits modern chronic diseaseHow inflammation is the central biological event behind most conditionsWhy the same 16 factors appear across Lyme disease, long‑COVID, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disease, mood disorders, metabolic disorders, and beyondThe role of genes and epigenetics in both illness and healingWhy younger and younger people now present with high inflammation markersHow we can meaningfully reverse disease trajectories — including cognitive declineWhat a future “Chronic Disease Center of Excellence” could look likeAnd why patient advocacy is reshaping the medical system more than ever beforeIf you wish to learn more from Dr. Richard Horowitz, check out the following links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drrichardhorowitz/Book Website: https://cangetbetter.com/ending-chronic-illness/Contact him at medical@hvhac.com______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Menopause and perimenopause affect women greatly, yet they remain shrouded in stigma and misinformation. With that, how do we become equipped to embrace these stages of life without being overwhelmed with how to take care of ourselves whilst knowing our medical needs?In this episode of DNA Talks, Dr. Tracey Steady-Hardcastle sits down with Amy Alkon — award-winning writer, syndicated columnist, and author of Going Menopausal. With her trademark wit and rigorous approach to science, Amy unpacks the realities of menopause and perimenopause, exposing the vast gap between evidence-based research and the medical care women often receive.From battling misinformation in doctor’s offices to uncovering the overlooked role of progesterone, Amy shares how women can reclaim agency over their health during one of life’s most transformative stages. This episode is both a wake-up call and a toolkit for navigating hormonal transitions with clarity, courage, and humor.Dr. Tracey and Amy talk about Amy's self-journey into perimenopause and menopause with her gynecologist, leading her to dive into Here are the highlights of today's episode: 01:12 The Story Behind "Going Menopostal"10:50 One Concerning Thing and One Hopeful Thing20:44 Shifting Power from Institutions Towards the Individual?32:24 The Role of Pharmacogenomics and  Pharmacogenetics TestingIf you wish to learn more from Amy Alkon, check out the following links:Website: https://www.amyalkon.net/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyalkonbookstagram______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

What if the key to supporting autism lies in understanding the body’s environment as much as the brain itself? In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection of biohacking and autism based on the experience and study of Jackie McMillan as she joins Dr. Tracey Steady Hardcastle for our interview today. Jackie McMillan has autism, and has spent the years since 1976 - a period of dramatic functional gains and losses - figuring out what helps, what hurts, and the science which explains this.  Drawing on a degree in Environmental Studies, two years of premedical training, and many years in complementary health, she demystifies autism recovery, with a particular focus on inexpensive and DIY options for all ages and stages.Here are the highlights of today's episode:00:58 Jackie's Interest in Biohacking07:53 Interventions that Help with Autism and Environmental Toxicity08:56 The Goldilocks Zone09:58 Using a "SMART" System12:53 The Evaluation Process20:02 Optimizing vs Pathologizing Autism24:11 Does Tylenol Cause Autism?27:55 Social Services in CanadaIf you wish to learn more from Jackie McMillan, you may do so from the following channels:YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/jackiethrivesFaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/Thrive.With.AutismGoogle+: https://plus.google.com/+ThriveWithAutismCaLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/autismrecoveryguide______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Artificial Intelligence, or more commonly called and shortened as “A.I.” has become a household term during the past couple of months. In fact, from the simplest of tasks to the most complicated, a huge population of the world would consult AI applications such as ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Meta AI, and several more that can also be found integrated into different software and hardware today. In this episode, Dr. Krista Kostroman is joined by Dr. Shane Saunderson. Dr. Shane Saunderson is an expert in the design and psychology of interactions with social machines. He is an Assistant Professor at McMaster University researching the social implications of increasingly humanlike technologies through the Research on Artificial Persons (RAP) Lab. Shane also lectures on digital transformation, design thinking, and emerging technologies with Schulich Executive Education at York University. He has spent over a decade consulting for Fortune 500 clients on digital strategy, disruptive innovation, and technology projects. Shane has helped found several startups, has chaired numerous industry boards, is a prolific technology writer, and frequently gives talks on robotics, AI, design thinking, and the future of technology in society. He is a former Vanier scholar who holds a PhD in robotics with a specialization in psychology from the University of Toronto, a MBA in technology and innovation from the Ted Rogers School of Management, and a B. Eng. from McGill University.Dr. Krista and Dr. Shane discuss situations in which AI is a friend or a foe specifically in the healthcare space. They tackle issues such as the dangers of AI responding with suicidal ideations, AI giving out false information, AI allowing experts to develop their research further, and so much more. Tune in, and be educated about the impact of Artificial Intelligence today!______________________________________________________If you wish to learn more from Dr. Shane Saunderson, you may do so from the following channels:Website: https://shanesaunderson.com/home/______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3______________________________________________________Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Is affordable healthcare still possible to attain in this day and age?In this episode of WTF, Tracy, Dr. Krista, and Dr. Betty discuss the reality of healthcare in the US. From insurance companies, to the overall cost of healthcare treatments, and how the medical system is less for the people and more for profit - how can people survive their medical conditions but also stay away from bankruptcy?Join us as we determine what things we are able to control but also get educated on what changes can be implemented in the system to get affordable and accessible healthcare. ______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dnatalkspodcast/Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Have you started your health journey this year? With that in mind, taking care of and ensuring that your thyroid is in good condition is one thing you should not overlook as it regulates several of your bodily functions.In this episode, Dr. Tracey Steady Hardcastle is joined by Dr. Eric Osansky, a chiropractor, clinical nutritionist, and a certified functional medicine practitioner who has over 20 years of experience in health in wellness, and has been helping people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions since 2009. Dr. Osansky was personally diagnosed in 2008 with Graves’ disease, and after taking a natural treatment approach has been in remission since 2009. After seeing how well natural treatment methods helped with his condition, he began using these natural thyroid treatment protocols to help others with different types of thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, including hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease, and hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.Here are the highlights of this episode:01:58 Getting Into Thyroid Health04:33 Evaluating and Helping People's Conditions08:13 The Bugleweed and Thyroid Treatment10:19 Types of Thyroid Conditions13:10 TSH16:14 What Sets Autoimmune Conditions Apart19:44 The Gut-Thyroid Connection22:29 Misconceptions on Thyroid Conditions25:11 The Most Common Nutritional Deficiencies32:13 The Legacy______________________________________________________If you wish to learn more from Dr. Eric Osansky, you may do so from the following channels:Instagram: @drericosanskyYouTube: @NaturalThyroidDoctorDr. Eric has helped thousands worldwide understand and manage their thyroid health through his books:Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease Hashimoto’s Triggers The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3______________________________________________________Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Happy New Year! This time of the year, most declare their resolutions - a huge majority including diet and weight loss, but what is the best way to do it?In this episode, our Chief Science Officer, Dr. Krista Kostroman, N.D., is joined by Ashley Koff, R.D., the founder of The Better Nutrition Program (BNP), the nutrition course director for UC Irvine’s Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute’s Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship, and a faculty member at the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy (IFNA), where she teaches “An Integrative and Functional Nutrition Approach to Obesity and Weight Management.”She is also the author of the recently released book Your Best Shot (HarperOne, Jan. 6, 2026). With over 25 years of practice, Ashley leads a transformative movement in personalized nutrition — turning “better, not perfect” choices into practical, sustainable strategies that create meaningful health outcomes. Through patient stories and personal experience, she demonstrates that optimal health isn’t just possible — it’s essential to living a full life.Her work has been recognized widely: she was named one of CNN’s Top 100 Health Makers, featured in InStyle as “Hollywood’s Leading Dietitian,” and selected as Westin’s Global Nutrition Ambassador.Join us today as we uncover the science and truth about weight health and nutrition! This includes the following highlights:What our genetics says about our weight, diet, and nutritionWhat GLP-1s arePersonalized Nutrition and how to create sustainable strategies for optimal health and weight lossHow supplements affect our diet and nutritionAshley Koff’s book, “Your Best Shot”If you wish to learn more from Ashley Koff, you may do so through the following channels:Website: https://thebetternutritionprogram.com/about/Instagram: @thebetternutritionprogramCheck out Ashley’s book at: Your Best Shot: The Personalized System for Optimal Weight Heath - GLP-1 Shot or Not(Harper One, January 6, 2026). Out now wherever books are soldThe real revolution of the GLP-1 shots is the insight that the body regulates appetite and more with the hormones GLP-1, GIP, PYY, and CCK—and with Your Best Shot in hand, you can learn to optimize their function and your weight health for life______________________________________________________Keep yourself up to date on The DNA Talks Podcast! Follow our socials below:The DNA Talks Podcast Instagram: @dnatalkspodcastThe DNA Company Instagram: @thednacoThe DNA Company's Official Tiktok Account: @thednaco3______________________________________________________Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided in this communication is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.