Modern Thyroid and Wellness

What if the future of medicine isn’t about managing symptoms—but actually helping the body rebuild and heal itself?
In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with Dr. Karolynn Halpert, a regenerative medicine specialist at BioXcellerator, to explore the powerful and rapidly evolving world of stem cell therapy.
Dr. Halpert shares her journey from emergency medicine to regenerative care, and explains how stem cells and exosomes are being used to reduce inflammation, restore function, and support healing in conditions ranging from spinal cord injuries to autoimmune disease, infertility, and neurological disorders.
This conversation dives deep into what stem cells actually are, why treatment options differ drastically between the U.S. and countries like Colombia, and how regenerative medicine may reshape the future of longevity, hormones, and chronic disease care.

🔑 Key Topics Covered
The difference between conventional medicine and regenerative medicine
What stem cells and exosomes are—and how they actually work
Why inflammation is a key driver of aging and chronic disease
How stem cells help regulate the immune system and promote healing
Why stem cell therapy is limited in the U.S. compared to other countries
The difference between autologous (your own) stem cells vs. cultured stem cells
Why BioXcellerator uses a combination of stem cells and exosomes
How specialized delivery (like intrathecal injections) improves outcomes
Real patient transformations, including spinal cord injury and autism cases
The role of stem cells in fertility, hormone balance, and perimenopause
Why lifestyle still matters—even with advanced therapies


🧠 What Are Stem Cells (And Why They Matter)
Regenerative medicine focuses on helping the body repair itself rather than simply treating symptoms.
According to Dr. Halpert:
Stem cells reduce inflammation
They modulate the immune system
They signal the body to repair damaged tissue
They work through cell signaling (paracrine effects) rather than just replacing cells

Exosomes, on the other hand, are tiny vesicles released by stem cells that carry healing signals—but unlike stem cells, they are not alive and cannot adapt to their environment.
👉 At BioXcellerator, combining both creates a powerful effect:
Exosomes = fast results (short-term)
Stem cells = long-term regeneration (up to 12–18 months)


🌍 Why People Travel for Stem Cell Therapy
One of the most important distinctions discussed:
In the United States:
Only your own stem cells can be used
No expansion (limited quantity)
Often lower potency due to age, health, and inflammation

At BioXcellerator:
Stem cells are cultured and expanded in a lab
Tens to hundreds of millions of cells can be used
Higher quality, younger, more functional cells

👉 This creates a significant difference in outcomes and effectiveness.

🧬 Real Patient Transformations
Dr. Halpert shares powerful real-life cases:
🦽 Spinal Cord Injury
Patient paralyzed from the neck down
After treatment: regained hand movement, independence, and ability to hold his child

🧠 Autism
Non-verbal child began speaking, making eye contact, and engaging socially

These cases highlight what may be possible when regenerative medicine is applied with precision and specialization.

👩‍⚕️ Hormones, Fertility & Women’s Health
Stem cells are also being explored in:
Perimenopause & menopause
Reducing inflammation
Improving energy, sleep, and mood
Fertility
Supporting ovarian function
Improving uterine environment for implantation
IVF success rates
Evidence suggests higher success when stem cells are used beforehand

Early patient feedback shows:
Better hormonal stability
Reduced symptoms
Improved response to hormone therapy


🦋 Autoimmune Conditions & Thyroid Insight
While research is still emerging, one key takeaway:
Stem cells may help modulate autoimmune activity
This could potentially benefit conditions like Hashimoto’s

However, more clinical data is still needed, especially for thyroid-specific outcomes.

⚠️ Common Misconceptions About Stem Cells
A major myth addressed in the episode:
❌ All stem cells come from embryos
✔️ Many (including those used at BioXcellerator) come from umbilical cord tissue, a discarded, ethical source
Other misconceptions:
Not all stem cells are equal
Quality, source, and processing matter significantly
Protocols and delivery methods impact results


🌱 The Bigger Message: You Still Have to Do the Work
Dr. Halpert emphasizes something critical:
Regenerative medicine works best when paired with lifestyle changes.
Key factors:
Nutrition
Sleep
Stress management
Reducing chronic inflammation

Stem cells are not a shortcut—they are a powerful tool layered on top of a healthy foundation.

🌐 Resources & Links
🌐 Website: BioXcellerator Official Website
👤 Guest: Dr. Karolynn Halpert
🔗 LinkedIn: Karolynn Halpert LinkedIn Profile

📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness
💻 Website:

What if sauna therapy supports more than relaxation, influencing detoxification, circulation, and long-term health?
In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with Connie Zack, co-founder of Sunlighten, to unpack the science, strategy, and real-world benefits of sauna therapy. Connie shares the deeply personal story that led her and her husband to leave careers in pharmaceutical sales and build Sunlighten after seeing infrared therapy transform her brother’s health. Connie and her husband started Sunlighten more than 20 years ago after her brother’s life changed through infrared light therapy, and the company continues to focus on science-backed infrared sauna technology.
Together, McCall and Connie break down the differences between traditional saunas and infrared saunas, why all infrared saunas are not created equal, what far infrared actually does inside the body, and how sauna use can support cardiovascular health, detoxification, skin, nervous system regulation, and overall longevity. They also discuss red light therapy, what to look for when shopping for a sauna, and how to think about sauna use as a practical part of a wellness routine.
This episode is a helpful guide for anyone curious about sauna therapy and wanting a clearer, more evidence-informed understanding of how to choose the right sauna and use it well.
Episode Highlights
Connie Zack’s personal story of how her brother’s chronic illness led her into the world of infrared light and sauna therapy
Why Connie and her husband left stable pharmaceutical careers to build Sunlighten
The difference between traditional saunas and infrared saunas
How traditional saunas heat the air, while infrared heats the body more directly
Why far infrared is the foundational wavelength in infrared sauna therapy
Why all infrared saunas are not the same and what consumers should watch out for
Why heater surface temperature matters more than cabin air temperature in infrared sauna performance
The importance of low EMF design and non-toxic building materials
How infrared sauna use may support detoxification, circulation, and skin health
Why combining far infrared, near infrared, and red light creates a more complete wellness experience
The role of red light and near infrared light in supporting collagen, skin repair, and cellular energy
Why Connie considers sauna use one of the best whole-body longevity tools available
Research discussed around cardiovascular health, blood pressure, nervous system support, and long-term wellness
How sauna can support a shift from sympathetic stress mode into a more parasympathetic, restorative state
Connie’s approach to habit stacking and using sauna time intentionally
The differences between Sunlighten’s Solo, Signature, Amplify, and mPulse collections
Why the Sunlighten red light panel and mask may be useful tools for skin, recovery, and wellness routines

Resources & Links
Sunlighten: https://www.sunlighten.com/
Connie Zack LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniezack/

📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness
💻 Website: modernthyroidclinic.com
🐦 X / Twitter: @thyroidexpert
🌐 Host Website: mccallmcpherson.com
📺 YouTube: McCall McPherson Channel
📘 Facebook: McCall McPherson PAC
📸 Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa

What if the reason many thyroid patients struggle is not the condition itself, but how thyroid care is traditionally approached?
In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson continues the clinician interview series by introducing three more members of the Modern Thyroid Clinic team: Yari Tran, PA-C, Melody Volz, FNP-C, and Nikki Abelow, APRN. Yari earned her psychology degree at Texas A&M and her physician assistant training at Texas Tech, then began in neurosurgery and pain management before shifting into root-cause thyroid and hormone care. Melody trained at the University of Texas at Austin, became a family nurse practitioner in 2014, and brings both clinical expertise and her own history of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s to patient care. Nikki, a Florida-based APRN, graduated from Chamberlain University in 2019 after working as a cardiac nurse and later pursued additional functional medicine training through the School of Applied Functional Medicine.
This conversation gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how each clinician found their way into medicine, what changed their perspective on conventional thyroid care, and why they are so passionate about individualized treatment. Across all three interviews, a shared theme emerges: thyroid care is rarely simple, TSH alone is not enough, and patients deserve to feel seen, heard, and fully supported.
Note About This Episode
Hillary Mayers was originally scheduled to appear in this episode. Due to a technical error during recording and editing, we were unable to include her segment. We greatly value Hillary’s insights and expertise, and she will be featured in a dedicated solo episode in the future. Thank you for your understanding.
We truly appreciate your patience and support as we navigate this, and we’re excited to continue bringing you meaningful content in Thursday’s episode.
Episode Highlights
Why this clinician interview series was created and what listeners can expect from future parts
Yari’s early love of medicine, from bringing an anatomy textbook to kindergarten show-and-tell to becoming a PA
The hormone conference that changed Yari’s entire view of thyroid and chronic symptom care
Why conventional, insurance-based models make nuanced thyroid treatment difficult
Yari’s take on one major misconception: thyroid treatment is never one-size-fits-all
Melody’s personal story of being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s after struggling for answers as a teenager
How Melody learned firsthand that “normal” labs do not always mean patients feel well
Why Melody believes thyroid disease is not a life sentence when treated properly
Nikki’s path from nursing into functional medicine after her own health challenges led her to question conventional care
Nikki’s experience of being told a TSH in the 3s was “normal” despite obvious symptoms
Why Nikki is passionate about creating generational health by educating mothers and daughters earlier
The shared message from all three clinicians: patients do better when care is personalized, symptom-aware, and root-cause focused
Fun personal details, from Yari’s love of 80s and 90s country to Melody being a twin and Nikki’s love of cruising and Alaska

In This Episode, You Will Learn
Why many thyroid patients still struggle when care focuses only on TSH
How thyroid symptoms can be real even when standard labs appear “normal”
Why full thyroid panels, thoughtful medication choices, and individualized dosing matter
The difference between treating Hashimoto’s and simply replacing thyroid hormone
Why many women are dismissed with “you’re just tired,” “you’re just a mom,” or “it’s not your thyroid”
How proper thyroid care can restore quality of life, energy, confidence, and hope
Why clinicians who have lived through thyroid dysfunction themselves often bring deeper empathy to care
How Modern Thyroid Clinic’s approach combines education, empowerment, and precision

About the Clinicians
Yari Tran, PA-C began her medical career in neurosurgery and pain management before a hormone education conference reshaped her clinical perspective and sparked her passion for functional thyroid and hormone care. She lives in Austin with her two daughters and enjoys reading, running, and hiking.
Melody Volz, FNP-C earned both her BSN and MSN from the University of Texas at Austin and became a certified family nurse practitioner in 2014. Her own experience with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s helped shape her patient-centered approach to thyroid and hormone care.
Nikki Abelow, APRN is a Florida-based advanced practice registered nurse who came from a cardiac nursing background and later expanded into functional medicine after her own health challenges pushed her to look beyond conventional care. She lives in Florida with her husband and son.
📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness
💻 Website: modernthyroidclinic.com
🐦 X / Twitter: @thyroidexpert
🌐 Host Website: mccallmcpherson.com
📺 YouTube: McCall McPherson Channel
📘 Facebook: McCall McPherson PAC
📸 Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa

What if the reason you still feel tired after optimizing hormones is not your hormones at all?
In this episode, Michael sits down with Patrick Sullivan Jr. and Ashley Sullivan, the executive producers behind the new documentary Breaking Big Food: How the American Food System Went Rotten and How It's Being Revived. Their mission to expose the problems within the modern food system began with a deeply personal experience: Patrick’s thyroid cancer diagnosis.
Patrick shares the emotional journey of discovering a lump in his neck, navigating multiple biopsies, and ultimately undergoing thyroid surgery. The experience sparked a deeper question that traditional medicine could not answer: why did cancer develop in the first place? That question ultimately led the couple into the world of metabolic health, food quality, and environmental influences on chronic disease.
The conversation explores how processed foods, corporate food systems, and environmental toxins may contribute to widespread metabolic dysfunction, thyroid disease, and chronic illness. Patrick and Ashley also share insights from their documentary, including shocking discoveries about how tobacco companies once controlled a large portion of the American food supply.
Inspired by their journey, the couple also launched Firefly Organic Coffee and Market, a Scottsdale-based café focused on mold-free organic coffee and nutrient-dense foods. This episode connects the dots between food, stress, environment, and long-term health while highlighting how personal pain can become a powerful purpose.
👤 About the Guests
Patrick Sullivan Jr.
Patrick Sullivan Jr. is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and thyroid cancer survivor. After his diagnosis over a decade ago, he began exploring the deeper connections between food, environmental exposures, stress, and metabolic health. Patrick is the executive producer of the documentary Breaking Big Food, which investigates the history of the American food system and its impact on chronic disease.
Ashley Sullivan
Ashley Sullivan is a business owner, producer, and wellness advocate who works alongside Patrick in both their film and food initiatives. She co-produced Breaking Big Food and co-founded Firefly Organic Coffee and Market, a Scottsdale café dedicated to providing organic, mold-free coffee and access to nutrient-dense foods that support better health.
🔑 Key Topics Covered
Patrick’s thyroid cancer diagnosis and the stress of navigating uncertain test results
Why thyroid cancer often raises deeper questions about environmental and lifestyle factors
The emotional and physical impact of living with a cancer diagnosis
The influence of chronic stress on metabolic and thyroid health
How food quality can influence inflammation and long-term disease risk
The surprising history of tobacco companies acquiring major food brands in the 1980s
Why processed foods are engineered to be addictive
The connection between metabolic dysfunction and the modern food system
Small dietary changes that can dramatically improve health outcomes
The inspiration behind the documentary Breaking Big Food
Launching Firefly Organic Coffee and Market to provide clean food options
The issue of mold contamination in coffee and why sourcing matters

🎬 Resources and Links Mentioned
📺 Watch the Documentary
Breaking Big Food: How the American Food System Went Rotten and How It's Being Revived
Available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video
📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness
💻 Website: modernthyroidclinic.com
🐦 X / Twitter: @thyroidexpert
🌐 Host Website: mccallmcpherson.com
📺 YouTube: McCall McPherson Channel
📘 Facebook: McCall McPherson PAC
📸 Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa

What if the reason many thyroid patients still feel unwell is not their labs, but how their symptoms are being interpreted?
Today’s episode is the first installment of a multi-part clinician interview series on the Modern Thyroid Clinic podcast. Host McCall McPherson sits down with three of the clinic’s clinicians, Brandy Valentino, RN, WHNP, CNM, Jessica Strauss, DNP, FNP-C, and Krystal Adams, MSN, FNP-BC, LSO, to help listeners get to know the people behind the care.
Together, they share their personal journeys into medicine, what led them to thyroid and hormone work, and why individualized, symptom-driven care matters so much for thyroid patients. You will also hear candid conversations about medical gaslighting, obesity bias, the limitations of TSH-only testing, and why many people with “normal labs” still feel miserable. Along the way, the episode brings plenty of personality and behind-the-scenes stories, including Brandy’s early inspiration from a care flight helicopter tour, Jessica’s love of travel and Disney, and Krystal’s surprising connection to a military dolphin trainer story.
Episode Highlights
Why this clinician interview series was created and what to expect in future parts
Brandy’s story of being inspired in third grade by a care flight helicopter visit
Brandy’s background in labor and delivery, women’s health, and midwifery
How Brandy transitioned into thyroid care after questioning algorithm-based hormone protocols
What Brandy finds most meaningful: the “fast forward” moment when patients get their lives back
The misconception Brandy wants patients to understand: thyroid care is highly individualized
The reality of being dismissed with “it’s not your thyroid” and why that harms patients
Jessica’s personal experience of thyroid symptoms despite consistently “normal” TSH
How Jessica’s training included a more nuanced view beyond basic thyroid teaching
A powerful story: antibodies rising dramatically and an endocrinology response of “nothing different to do”
How obesity bias impacts care and how it can delay diagnosis and worsen outcomes
Why Modern Thyroid Clinic prioritizes listening, full panels, and patient empowerment
Jessica’s favorite part of the work: celebrating symptom improvement and life restoration
Jessica’s view: thyroid issues are not a life sentence when treated appropriately
Krystal’s early foundation in prevention-focused care and integrative medicine
How Krystal’s friend’s thyroid storm and Graves disease helped pull her deeper into thyroid work
Why hormones and thyroid must be addressed together, especially in midlife
Krystal’s experience diagnosing Hashimoto’s in patients who were never told they had it, even after decades
Common misunderstandings: antibodies matter, T3 can be life-changing, lifestyle can amplify results
A striking example: a patient’s TSH dropping from around 100 to under 1 with treatment and labs normalizing quickly
Behind-the-scenes fun: Hawaii, a huge family, and the military dolphin trainer story

In This Episode, You Will Learn
Why many thyroid patients still struggle when care focuses only on TSH
How thyroid symptoms can be real even when labs appear “normal” on limited testing
Why full thyroid panels and antibody tracking can change clinical decisions and outcomes
How gaslighting and obesity bias show up in real healthcare settings
Why thyroid and hormones often need to be treated together for best results
What “no one size fits all” really means in thyroid medication and dosing
Why treating symptoms alongside labs can restore quality of life
How thyroid support can become the foundation that makes lifestyle change possible
Why patients deserve to feel well in every season of life, including perimenopause and menopause
How Modern Thyroid Clinic approaches education, empowerment, and individualized care

Featured Clinicians
Brandy Valentino, RN, WHNP, CNM
Brandy shares her path from labor and delivery and midwifery into thyroid care, including how questioning cookie-cutter algorithms led her to a more personalized, patient-centered approach.
Jessica Strauss, DNP, FNP-C
Jessica explains how her own symptoms and years of being dismissed shaped her approach to care, and why she is passionate about full thyroid evaluation, belief in patient symptoms, and restoring hope.
Krystal Adams, MSN, FNP-BC, LSO
Krystal describes her prevention-focused background, her love of hormone care, and how combining hormone and thyroid optimization can help patients finally feel normal again.
📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness
💻 Website: modernthyroidclinic.com
🐦 X / Twitter: @thyroidexpert
🌐 Host Website: mccallmcpherson.com
📺 YouTube: McCall McPherson Channel
📘 Facebook: McCall McPherson PAC
📸 Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa