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Tune in to The Empowering Neurologist Podcast for an Inspiring Conversation with Dr. Jill Carnahan, Author of Unexpected
I’ve just finished recording a very moving interview with Dr. Jill Carnahan—Functional Medicine expert, speaker, and author. This was an unforgettable conversation about her new book, Unexpected. Dr. Carnahan’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and transformation, and her insights have changed countless lives through her compassionate approach to health.
Dr. Carnahan’s journey to becoming a functional medicine leader is anything but conventional. Early in her career, she faced serious health challenges that nearly ended her life and forever transformed her approach to patient care. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 25, Dr. Carnahan was forced to confront the fear, uncertainty, and upheaval that accompany life-altering illness. During her treatment, she developed a deeper understanding of what her patients were experiencing, not only physically but also emotionally. Just as she was beginning to regain her health, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a severe autoimmune disorder that impacted her life for years.
These back-to-back health crises became defining moments for Dr. Carnahan. They pushed her to pursue holistic healing modalities, ultimately shifting her career path toward Functional Medicine. Through her own journey of recovery, she developed a unique perspective on health that goes beyond treating symptoms, instead focusing on addressing the root causes of illness and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.
In our time together Dr. Carnahan discusses:
☑️ The pivotal moments in her life that led her to Functional Medicine and reshaped her philosophy on health
☑️ How emotional resilience and compassion are critical components of healing
☑️ Practical strategies to detoxify, restore gut health, and promote holistic recovery
☑️ Insights into managing autoimmunity and chronic illness in a way that prioritizes the whole person
☑️ The role of mindset and self-compassion in transforming personal health challenges into opportunities for growth
My hope is that you will find our conversation to be an inspiring and enlightening experience. Her warmth, empathy, and expertise make her a true pioneer in Functional Medicine and a source of hope for anyone on their own health journey.
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00:11 Intro
01:09 Introduction to Dr. Jill
04:30 Dr. Jill’s Cancer Diagnosis
09:16 How She Learned To Trust Herself: Blending Intuition with Logic
11:54 The Illusion of Certainty & Embracing Fear
14:53 Returning to Medical School Post Chemo
20:12 Where Jill’s Cancer May Have Originated
24:24 The Diet That Helped Dr. Jill’s Crohn’s, Colitis, SIBO and SIFO Flare Ups
34:51 Dr. Jill’s Journey Into Functional Medicine as a Doctor
39:45 Dr, Perlmutter Shares His Patient’s Gluten-Free Experience
41:11 Using The Human Genome in Functional & Integrative Medicine
50:00 How Personal Agency Impacts The Healing Process
51:50 Upstream From The Microbiome Is The Soil & Outro
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Dr. Jill Carnahan is Your Functional Medicine Expert® dually board certified in Family Medicine
for 10 years and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. She is the founder and Medical Director of
Flatiron Functional Medicine, a widely sought-after practice with a broad range of clinical
services including functional medical consulting, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy,
naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage.
Featured in People magazine, Shape, Parade, Forbes, MindBodyGreen, First for Women,
Townsend Newsletter, and The Huffington Post as well as seen on NBC News and Health
segments with Joan Lunden, Dr. Jill is a media must-have. Her YouTube channel and podcast
features interviews with the healthcare world’s most respected names in medicine, science,
and functional medicine. She co-authored the Personalized and Precision Integrative
Cardiovascular Medicine Textbook with Dr. Mark Houston. Her new book, Unexpected: Finding
Resilience though Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith is now available for purchase
anywhere books are sold. She is executive producer, film writer and is featured in a new
documentary about her journey overcoming illness called Doctor/Patient
Be sure to follow her @drjillcarnahan on Instagram.
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