Podcast
Real Food Mental Health
Hosted by Cody Cox, CMHC, FNTP · EN
Real Food Mental Health is your go-to podcast for discovering holistic mental health solutions. Hosted by nutritional and metabolic psychotherapist, Cody Cox, this podcast explores whole-person approaches to mental and physical health through real-food nutrition and natural wellness practices. Each episode delves into metabolic psychiatry, functional nutrition, and mind-body connection techniques designed to address root causes of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and stress. Since being holistic means not just focusing on one aspect of health, we may sometimes branch out to other health topics.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
059: Not Going to Therapy Because of Trauma?
Apr 1400:05:37Tap to summarizeThis is a quick check-in episode! I want to make sure you know that I appreciate you listening to my show, even though I haven't published an episode in a while. But this episode also provides some thoughts on trauma preventing people from going to therapy.
Transcribe →058: Living the Wise Traditions Way - My Personal and Professional Journey
Jan 1600:46:30Tap to summarizeIn this solo‑recorded episode, I walk listeners through the full set of questions I fielded on a recent discussion panel at the Nourish to Flourish Conference. Using the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) principles as a backbone, I share how those ideas reshaped my own health, my family’s daily habits, and the way I work with clients. Why I First Turned to Weston A. PriceThe “aha” moment – personal health clues, professional curiosity, and the first traditional food that sparked change (yes, liver and bone broth!).How the Principles Shifted My View of HealthBeyond the clinic – changes in shopping, cooking, family meals, and daily rituals that now feel non‑negotiable.Nutrient‑Dense Foods in My KitchenNon‑negotiables: raw dairy, organ meats, fermented condiments, unrefined salt, and gelatinous bone broth. A quick tour of my fridge/pantry for listeners who imagine peeking inside.The Single WAPF Principle That Transforms ClientsWhy it matters: Emphasizing nutrient‑dense whole foods (organ meats, eggs, raw dairy, shellfish) consistently produces the biggest clinical improvements.Connecting Nourishment to My DisciplineGut, oral, and mental health: Early signals I spot (teeth alignment, digestion patterns, mood stability) that reveal a shift toward true nourishment before symptoms appear.Visible Signs of a Nourished BodyWhat surprises people: stronger teeth, wider dental arches, steadier mood, better digestion—often within weeks.Mindset, Stress & Emotional NutritionHow stress blocks intake and why slowing down, mindful eating, and community support are essential for the body to receive nutrients.Modern Challenges for FamiliesConvenience vs. tradition: The biggest hurdles (time pressure, fear of “going extreme,” perfectionism) and the mental baggage families carry.Why Community & Local Chapters MatterGrassroots power: How local WAPF chapters turn theory into lived experience, create sustainable food networks, and give families a sense of belonging.Transformations Seen When Families Join a ChapterReal‑world outcomes: Stories of families who moved from fragmented meals to cohesive, nutrient‑rich plates and reported increased vitality and cohesion.One Simple First Step for ListenersStart small: Add a daily serving of a traditional, nutrient‑dense food (e.g., a spoonful of raw butter, a cup of bone broth, or a handful of fermented veggies).Getting Involved LocallyHow to act: Find a nearby WAPF chapter, attend a workshop, volunteer at a community farm, or simply start a “traditional food night” with friends.
Transcribe →057: The New US Dietary Guidelines
Jan 800:43:28Tap to summarizePLEASE NOTE: This episode was updated to include more content at the end on the afternoon of January 8th! Content includes Cody's thoughts on responses from MD's and Dietitians in the media. Some of the backlash is that the new guideline document is only 10 pages, whereas previous versions were over 100 pages. But be aware that they are merely trying to make this an easier read for the layperson, which they should. It's not lacking in science. They provide scientific references here and here.This is a solo recording where Cody discusses the new principles taught in the US Dietary Guidelines and his opinions on them. He doesn't agree with it all!Key points:Recommendation on saturated fat remains at 10% of daily caloriesEmphasis on real food. That means food that comes from a farm, not a factory.Eat protein, even red meat.Eat fat, even tallow and butter.LIMIT carbohydrates, especially grains and sugars.For more information, see realfood.gov.Want a jumpstart on eating real, whole foods? Check out the RESTART program, starting January 12th at 10:00 AM MST!See beavercreekwellness.com/restart for more details.Subscribe and review and check back for more soon.To support Cody and the production of this podcast, go to ko-fi.com/codycox To access clinical-grade (the highest quality) supplements and other health products, visit the dispensary.Visit Cody’s website at beavercreekwellness.com where you can read more about him and schedule sessions.
Transcribe →056: Is Your Gut Healthy? with Gabe Dough
Dec 1100:40:41Tap to summarizeToday's episode is with Gabe Dough, an entrepreneur with personal experience healing his own gut and associated health problems. You'll hear a bit about his story and we'll also dive into the science of dysbiosis and how to correct it using real food and lifestyle changes.Find Gabe's product at goodbru.com.Subscribe and review and check back for more soon.To support Cody and the production of this podcast, go to ko-fi.com/codycox To access clinical-grade (the highest quality) supplements and other health products, visit the dispensary.Visit Cody’s website at beavercreekwellness.com where you can read more about him and schedule sessions.
Transcribe →055: Chronic Stress, Adrenal Fatigue, and Thyroid Dysfunction with Christa Biegler, RD
Nov 2700:58:33Tap to summarizeHappy Thanksgiving!!!Do you deal with chronic stress, exacerbated by adrenal fatigue, thyroid problems, and manifesting as "I just can't deal with life right now?" This episode is for those of us who feel like we are on the verge of burnout. Featuring Christa Biegler, RD.You can find her at christabiegler.com or her podcast Less Stressed Life: Helping You Heal YourselfSubscribe and review and check back for more soon.To support Cody and the production of this podcast, go to ko-fi.com/codycox To access clinical-grade (the highest quality) supplements and other health products, visit the dispensary.Visit Cody’s website at beavercreekwellness.com where you can read more about him and schedule sessions.
Transcribe →054: The Homeschool Advantage: Nutrition, Mental Health, and Family Freedom with Rebecca Stuart, NTP
Nov 601:03:27Tap to summarize💡 Episode SummaryIn this episode, Cody reconnects with one of his very first guests, Rebecca Stuart, to explore the intersection of homeschooling, health, and holistic living in today’s post-pandemic world.They discuss how families are rethinking education, health, and freedom—and how nutrition, environment, and mindful parenting all play a role in raising resilient, critical-thinking kids.Rebecca shares her personal journey through over a decade of homeschooling, her creative approaches to individualized learning, and how she integrated whole-food nutrition and wellness into her children’s education.Topics:Rebecca’s homeschooling journey and what inspired her to startWhy more families are turning to homeschooling post-pandemicNavigating vaccine laws, exemptions, and homeschool freedomAffordable and creative ways to build your own homeschool curriculumLearning styles, child development, and the importance of playNutrition, food dyes, and how diet impacts children’s mental healthBalancing parental burnout and self-care while homeschoolingTeaching kids critical thinking, emotional awareness, and boundariesThe power of conversation and repair in healthy parent-child relationshipsThe future of education and nurturing lifelong learnersRebecca’s Online High School Health Course: LibertyWellnessAndCo.comA semester-long course for homeschoolers that teaches teens how to take ownership of their physical and emotional health.Sherri Gilford’s Health Curriculum for Kids (Ages 6–11) — playful, Weston A. Price-inspired family health learning.Homegrown Education — holistic homeschool materials introducing young children to whole foods and nutrition.The Nourishing Traditions Cookbook for Children by Sally Fallon — cooking real food together as family education.Key Takeaways:“You have to give yourself two to three years before you find your rhythm as a homeschool family.” — Rebecca Stuart“It’s not about shielding kids from ideas—it’s about teaching them how to think critically when they’re ready.” — Cody Cox“We’re not going to get everything right as parents. What matters most is that we apologize, repair, and keep learning together.” — Rebecca StuartSubscribe and review and check back for more soon.To support Cody and the production of this podcast, go to ko-fi.com/codycox To access clinical-grade (the highest quality) supplements and other health products, visit the dispensary.Visit Cody’s website at beavercreekwellness.com where you can read more about him and schedule sessions.
Transcribe →053: Regenerative Mental Health with Emma Donovan
Oct 3100:47:16Tap to summarizeListen through to the end of the episode for a bonus!🧠 Episode OverviewIn this inspiring conversation, Cody sits down with fellow holistic psychotherapist Emma Donovan, MA, LPC to explore what it really means to take a holistic approach to mental health. They unpack the difference between “holistic,” “integrative,” and “conventional” therapy, and discuss Emma’s groundbreaking concept of Regenerative Mental Health — a philosophy that goes beyond root cause healing to ask: How can we live so well that symptoms don’t arise in the first place?Defining “Holistic” Therapy: Looking beyond mindfulness or energy work to truly address the whole person — body, mind, spirit, environment, and community.Conventional vs. Integrative vs. Holistic Therapy: Why symptom management alone isn’t enough and how integration doesn’t always equal holistic.What is Regenerative Mental Health? A forward-thinking model for prevention and sustainability in mental wellness.Root Causes of Mental Illness: From trauma and toxic environments to spiritual disconnection and tech overuse — how modern life fosters disconnection.Reconnection Practices: Exploring Emma’s Holistic Wellness Questionnaire and tools like the Wellness Wheel for self-assessment and awareness.Medication and Mental Health: A nuanced discussion on when medication may serve as a temporary bridge versus a long-term solution.The Therapeutic (Naturopathic) Order: Understanding the pyramid of interventions — from foundational lifestyle supports to high-force interventions. See more about this here.Convenience Culture & Disconnection: How comfort and technology weaken our resilience — and what we can learn from nature.Depression as a Symptom: Considering depression as both a biological and adaptive response to imbalance.The “Introvert Hypothesis”: Can physical or environmental factors influence personality traits like introversion?“Holistic means truly looking at the whole person — body, mind, spirit, environment, and community.” — Emma Donovan“We’ve created a convenience culture that’s deprived us of resistance — and resistance is how we grow stronger.” — Emma Donovan“Health isn’t a luxury; it’s about meeting your basic human needs.” — Emma Donovan“Living in a city is a recipe for depression — sometimes making life less convenient can make it healthier.” — Cody CoxEmma’s Websites:Alternative Therapy STL — Holistic psychotherapy, nutrition, and spiritual counselingHolistic and Functional Psychology — Professional education, retreats, and Emma’s Holistic Wellness QuestionnaireHolistic Wellness Questionnaire: Free for practitioners and available in a brief version for the publicBook Mentioned: Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. PriceUpcoming Retreat: Costa Rica, February 2026 — for therapists and wellness professionalsInterested in free testing or becoming a practice client? Contact Cody through his website if you’re in or near Cache Valley, Utah.Subscribe and review and check back for more soon.To support Cody and the production of this podcast, go to ko-fi.com/codycox To access clinical-grade (the highest quality) supplements and other health products, visit the dispensary.Visit Cody’s website at beavercreekwellness.com where you can read more about him and schedule sessions.
Transcribe →052: My Takeaways from the Wise Traditions Conference 2025
Oct 2300:59:01Tap to summarize🌿 Episode SummaryIn this episode, Cody shares insights and takeaways from the recent Wise Traditions Conference hosted by the Weston A. Price Foundation in Salt Lake City. From the incredible nutrient-dense meals served to the deep dives into gut health, raw milk, and controversial new biology perspectives — this episode unpacks the leading edge (and sometimes provocative) conversations happening in the holistic wellness world today.🍽️ Highlights The Food Experience: Learn how the conference meals embodied Weston A. Price principles — organic, local, properly prepared, and full of life-giving nutrients. Workshops Worth Trying: From sourdough and cheese-making to the reminder that simple, traditional skills can outshine factory-made foods. Raw Milk Reality Check: Cody explores the nutritional benefits of raw milk, its enzyme and vitamin content, and why it may be easier to digest for some people compared to pasteurized milk. The GAPS Diet Explained: A look into Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride’s Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet — its focus on gut healing, connection to mental health, and practical applications for families. Toxins, Glyphosate, and Gut Health: How modern lifestyles and synthetic fragrances disrupt our microbiome — and why fermented foods like sauerkraut may help counteract daily exposures. Healing Food Sensitivities: Cody discusses the idea of intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) and how food allergies may not be permanent when gut health is restored. Pregnancy, Children, and Gut Foundations: The importance of nourishing foods before conception and during early childhood for lifelong health — and how fussy eating can signal gut imbalances. Controversial Conversations: Hear about emerging views from speakers like Dr. Tom Cowan and Drs. Mark and Samantha Bailey, who challenge mainstream ideas about viruses, Lyme disease, and modern medicine. See Sam and Mark Bailey's take on the conference here! Core Message: Holistic health isn’t about fear or quick fixes — it’s about empowerment, education, and returning to nature’s wisdom.🧩 Key Takeaways True wellness begins with whole, properly prepared foods. Gut health is central to both mental and physical well-being. Detoxification and reducing toxic load are daily acts of self-care. Always keep an open mind — but also use discernment when exploring new health ideas.🔗 Resources Mentioned Weston A. Price Foundation: westonaprice.orgReal Milk Finder: realmilk.comEnvironmental Working Group (EWG): ewg.org Books by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride: Gut and Psychology Syndrome Gut and Physiology Syndrome💬 Join the ConversationHave thoughts on raw milk, gut health, or these controversial health topics?Leave a comment on Spotify or message Cody on social media — your questions and reflections may be featured in an upcoming episode!Check out Cody's website at beavercreekwellness.com.
Transcribe →051: The Power of Heart Rate Variability with Dr. Torkil Færø: Listening to Your Body’s Pulse
Oct 1600:37:56Tap to summarize💫 Episode SummaryIn this episode of Real Food Mental Health, Cody Cox sits down with Dr. Torkil Færø—Norwegian physician, filmmaker, and author of The Pulse Cure—to explore how heart rate variability (HRV) can transform the way we understand stress, recovery, and overall well-being.Dr. Færø shares insights from his 26 years in medicine and his own personal journey to reclaim health after burnout. Together, Cody and Dr. Færø discuss how wearable devices like Garmin, Oura Ring, and Whoop can act as “a doctor on your wrist,” providing real-time feedback on stress, sleep, food reactions, and lifestyle balance.🩺 What You’ll Learn: What heart rate variability (HRV) actually measures—and why a higher HRV is a good thing How HRV reveals the balance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems Why Garmin stands out among wearable health trackers The surprising ways that food, alcohol, and sleep habits affect your HRV and stress levels How breathing exercises and slow exhalation can instantly improve HRV The eight lifestyle habits that can extend your life by up to 24 years Why taking personal responsibility for your health is more powerful than any prescription🌿 Key Takeaways Alcohol is the #1 stressor on HRV—minimize it to support recovery and longevity. Stop eating 3–4 hours before bed to improve sleep quality and HRV. Simple breathwork—four seconds in, six seconds out—can instantly calm your nervous system. HRV is a window into your physiology, showing how daily habits influence your inner balance. Lifestyle medicine is preventive medicine—what you do daily shapes your health decades from now.📘 About the GuestDr. Torkil Færø is a Norwegian general practitioner, emergency physician, filmmaker, and author of The Pulse Cure. His work bridges medicine, technology, and lifestyle science, showing how we can use wearable data to take control of our health.🌍 Website: thepulsecure.com📚 Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and major audiobook platforms.🔗 Resources Mentioned: The Pulse Cure by Dr. Torkil Færø Garmin Wearables and Body Battery metrics The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk HRV-focused practices like HeartMath and mindful breathingConnect with Cody: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with anyone who might benefit from these insights. * Have questions or suggestions? Send Cody a message on Signal Messenger: cox.07* Follow Cody on Instagram for more tips and conversations about holistic nutrition, mental health, and family wellness.* To support Cody and the production of this podcast, go to ko-fi.com/codycox * Visit his website at beavercreekwellness.com where you can read more about him and schedule sessions.
Transcribe →050: How Neuro Emotional Technique Bridges the Gap Between Physical and Emotional Health with Dr. JC Allen
Oct 900:34:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Real Food Mental Health, host Cody Cox sits down with Dr. JC Allen, a chiropractor and neuroscientist based in Logan, Utah, who integrates Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) into his practice. Together, they explore how emotions can become physically trapped in the body, how the nervous system responds to unresolved trauma, and what it really means to approach healing from a whole-person perspective.Dr. Allen explains how NET helps uncover and release stored emotions using muscle testing, breathing, and acupuncture points—combining neuroscience with holistic principles. They also discuss the connections between NET, Emotion Code, EMDR, and applied kinesiology, and why true wellness means addressing both emotional and physical root causes.💬 Key Topics Discussed What Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) is and how it works How emotions can become physically stored in the body The difference between NET and the Emotion Code The science behind muscle testing and how it reflects nervous system responses Real-world research showing NET’s impact on brain scans and physiological markers How diet, gut health, and adrenal function influence emotional well-being The importance of playfulness, curiosity, and self-reflection in healing Integrating body-based therapies with talk therapy for more complete healing👤 About Dr. JC AllenDr. JC Allen, D.C., M.S., is a licensed chiropractor with advanced training in neuroscience, Applied Kinesiology, and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET). He practices in Logan and Bluffdale, Utah, where he helps clients uncover and resolve the emotional roots of physical and mental health challenges. His approach blends structural alignment, emotional processing, and nervous system regulation for deep, lasting healing.🌐 Website: chiropracticsoul.com📸 Instagram: @mindbodysoulchiropracticSupport Cody and the production of this podcast here.Visit Cody's website here.
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