Dr. Eleanor Stein Podcast

About Dr. Eleanor Stein Podcast

On the Dr. Eleanor Stein Podcast, you will hear long-form interviews with clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience of diseases that tend to fall between the cracks of our medical system—including myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia, environmental sensitivities, chronic pain, and long COVID. Your host, Dr. Eleanor (Ellie) Stein, is a published medical doctor and psychiatrist with 25 years of clinical experience and over 36 years of personal lived experience with complex chronic diseases. She founded the first and only multidisciplinary team in Canada to provide objective medical tests for people with complex chronic diseases. Since retiring from medical practice, Dr. Stein continues to serve as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary and is currently co-PI on a clinical trial of a mind-body therapy for ME and long COVID. The good news is that she now has time to unleash her passion for learning. She is uncovering new research in mitochondrial function, neuroplasticity, hormesis, quantum biology, longevity and more. She translates these paradigm-shifting and potentially life-changing discoveries for you on her podcast and in her membership, Live with Dr. Stein! Dr. Stein and her guests share research-based, no-to-low-cost strategies to help people get their lives back. Launched in 2025, the podcast is available on YouTube and on all major podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more. "I spent the day driving today and listened to about six hours' worth of previous episodes (of Dr. Eleanor Stein's Podcast). So glad I did. Very high-quality content and a great variety of guests 🙂" - Dr. Richard Nahas, MD.

Publisher

Dr. Eleanor Stein

Category

health & fitness · health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Mar 2025

Latest episode

10 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Jul 2026

   Episode 32: Why Health Goals Fail, with Dr. Amy Behimer, PharmD

   For people living with ME, CFS, and other complex chronic illnesses, repeatedly failing to achieve your health goals can feel discouraging, especially when fatigue, post-exertional malaise, pain, or unpredictable symptoms get in the way. In this conversation, Dr. Eleanor Stein speaks with pharmacist and coach Amy Behimer about why goals fail and how to make them realistic, compassionate, and achievable. Amy explains why willpower is not enough, why tiny steps matter, and why goals must be personally meaningful, not just something a doctor, family member, or society says you “should” do. The episode offers practical hope for turning pacing, mindset, and daily habits into sustainable healing supports. Key Takeaways Most goals fail because they are never clearly set. Wanting more energy is not the same as creating a specific, doable goal. Forgetting the goal is normal—not a character flaw. Amy explains that systems, reminders, and accountability can help keep goals visible. A goal may fail because it is too big or outside your control. For someone with severe fatigue, the first goal may not be “get back to normal,” but a tiny action that supports stability. “Trust in the tiny” is especially important in chronic illness. Tiny goals may feel too small, but they can build consistency, confidence, and momentum. The goal has to be something you actually want. Goals based on “shoulds” often fail because they come from pressure rather than personal desire. Goals need to feel good along the way. Amy challenges the idea that people should white-knuckle their way toward health. Pacing is not just a strategy—it may need to become a goal. For ME/CFS, pacing can be emotionally difficult because it asks people to do less when they desperately want to do more. What is “failure gold”? Tune in to find out. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Amy Behimer & her autoimmune health journey. 07:30 The upholder personality 10:00 What gets in the way 12:10 The first reason goals fail: the goal was never truly set. 15:11 The second reason goals fail: we forget our goals. 17:41 The third reason goals fail: they're too big or outside your control. 22:09 The fourth reason goals fail: it isn't something you want 27:40 The fifth reason goals fail: it doesn't feel good 33:00 The sixth reason goals fail: nowhere to troubleshoot 37:10 Applying this process to pacing and post-exertional malaise 45:00 Belief seeds and conclusion Connect with Amy IG: @amybehimercoaching (https://www.instagram.com/amybehimercoaching/)Website: https://amybehimercoaching.com/ P (https://amybehimercoaching.com/)odcast: Autoimmune Health Secrets About Dr. Stein I’m Dr. Eleanor Stein, a retired medical doctor and psychiatrist with 37 years of lived experience with multiple complex chronic conditions and 25+ years of clinical experience working with people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, long COVID and more. Since retiring from clinical practice in 2022, I continue to learn and share accessible, evidence-informed strategies to help you improve function and quality of life. START HERE: Join my free newsletter. Practical education, trusted resources, and updates delivered directly to you every month. https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/newsletter (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/newsletter) Feeling alone? Join my subscription membership, Live! with Dr. Stein. Get direct answers to your questions, continuing guidance and a supportive community. https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/live (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/live) Explore More Resources Website: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca) Courses, webinars, books & manuals: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/store (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/store) Blog: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/blog (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/blog) Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreleanorstein/ (https://www.instagram.com/dreleanorstein/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrEleanorStein (https://www.facebook.com/DrEleanorStein) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-stein-md-748028254/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-stein-md-748028254/) Subscribe to this channel for science-based education, empowerment, and hope.

2. 

   26 Jun 2026

   Episode 31: The Dispenza Study: Miracle or Science? with Alex Jinich-Diamant

   Neuroscientist Alex Jinich-Diamant discusses his groundbreaking research on Joe Dispenza’s meditation retreats, revealing how intensive mindfulness triggers profound biological shifts in 7 days. His study at the University of California, San Diego, used advanced imaging and blood analysis to track neural and molecular changes before and after a week-long Dispenza retreat. For those with chronic illnesses like ME/CFS, this research provides scientific validation for the mind’s power to reset the body’s "predictive systems" and reduce chronic symptoms. Alex explores the role of "mystical experiences" and the "open-label placebo" effect, offering a message of empowerment and evidence-based hope for systemic healing. Key Take Aways * The Power of Open-Label Placebo: Understand how belief and expectation can trigger real biological healing even when the "treatment" is known to be non-pharmacological. * Neural Network Shifts: Discover how intensive meditation reduces connectivity in the "Default Mode Network," helping the brain break free from chronic symptom loops. * Molecular Evidence for Healing: The study observed significant changes in blood plasma proteins and endogenous opioids (natural painkillers) following the retreat. * Predictive Processing & Chronic Illness: See how the brain's predictive models can "lock in" symptoms like pain or fatigue, and how meditation helps "update" these models. * The "Mystical Experience" Factor: Scientific data shows a correlation between profound subjective experiences and objective biological changes in brain connectivity. * Metabolic Reset: Review early evidence suggesting shifts in cellular energy production (glycolysis vs. oxidative phosphorylation) after intensive meditation. * The Role of Ritual and Immersion: Why a weeklong immersive retreat may create a more powerful "container" for biological change than short daily sessions. * Scientific Rigor in Mind-Body Research: The importance of "arm’s length" funding and independent replication to ensure scientific integrity in controversial fields. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Meet neuroscientist Alex Jinich-Diamant 00:06:55 Scientific integrity: funding and bias in research 00:10:00 The Dispenza Study explained 00:16:20 How the brain works: it infers reality by predicting it 00:20:40 How the brain, as a "prediction machine", can lead to chronic symptoms 00:26:55 The Dipenza Study: what it was looking at and what it found 00:42:50 The take-home messages from Dispenza's research 00:50:50 Where the research is going Connect with Alex Jinich-Diamant https://alejandrojinich.com/science (https://alejandrojinich.com/science) https://www.instagram.com/alexjinich/ (https://www.instagram.com/alexjinich/) About Dr. Stein I’m Dr. Eleanor Stein, a retired medical doctor and psychiatrist with 37 years of lived experience with multiple complex chronic conditions and 25+ years of clinical experience working with people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, long COVID and more. Since retiring from clinical practice in 2022, I continue to learn and share accessible, evidence-informed strategies to help you improve function and quality of life. START HERE: Join my free newsletter. Practical education, trusted resources, and updates delivered directly to you every month. https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/newsletter (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/newsletter) Feeling alone? Join my subscription membership, Live! with Dr. Stein. Get direct answers to your questions, continuing guidance and a supportive community. https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/live (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/live) Explore More Resources Website: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca) Courses, webinars, books & manuals: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/store (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/store) Blog: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/blog (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/blog) Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreleanorstein/ (https://www.instagram.com/dreleanorstein/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrEleanorStein (https://www.facebook.com/DrEleanorStein) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-stein-md-748028254/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-stein-md-748028254/) Subscribe to this channel for science-based education, empowerment, and hope.

3. 

   12 Jun 2026

   Why "Invisible" Illnesses Are an Insurance Company’s Favorite Target for Denial, with Sivan Tumarkin

   In this episode, Dr. Eleanor Stein talks with disability lawyer Sivan Tumarkin to pull back the curtain on the long-term disability (LTD) industry. They explore why insurance companies frequently deny claims for "invisible" illnesses like ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, often citing a lack of "objective evidence." Tumarkin exposes common insurance tactics, including biased "independent" medical exams and social media surveillance. Listeners will learn the critical importance of detailed medical documentation, the legal shift that happens at the two-year mark, and how to transition from feeling like a "file number" to an empowered claimant who knows their rights. Learning Points - Dehumanization of Claimants: Insurance companies often view claimants as financial liabilities and "file numbers" rather than people in need. - The "Objective Evidence" Hurdle: Why traditional tests often fail to capture the reality of chronic fatigue and pain, and how to overcome this in a claim. - The Power of Documentation: Why your treating physician's notes are your most important tool in a legal battle. - Surveillance Risks: How insurance companies use private investigators and social media to "prove" you aren't disabled. - The IME Reality: Understanding that "Independent Medical Examinations" are often performed by doctors frequently hired by the insurance company. - "Own Occupation" vs. "Any Occupation": Navigating the critical definition change in disability that usually occurs after 24 months of benefits. - The Internal Appeal Trap: Why filing an internal appeal with the insurance company is often a waste of time compared to seeking legal counsel. - Empowerment through Knowledge: How understanding your specific policy and legal rights can shift the power balance back in your favor. Chapters 00:00:00 Meet the Expert: Introduction to Sivan Tumarkin and LTD law. 00:05:10 How to Apply: The steps to take. 00:07:30 Filling Out the Form: Mistakes That Cost You 00:14:04 Your Doctor’s Role: Why detailed clinical notes are your best defence and what you can do to assist 00:22:30 What to do when tests are declared invalid. 00:26:55 Debunking the IME: What to expect during an independent medical exam. 00:32:35 The Two-Year Rule: Date of denial to start a legal process 00:44:45 The Tricks that Insurance Companies use to deny a claim 00:51:40 Government Disability Differences 00:53:30 When to Start Legal Action 00:56:45 Final Words of Hope: Regaining control over your future and your health. Click here (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/tumarkin-handout) for a Free Handout Contact Sivan Tumarkin https://stlawyers.ca/disability-law/faq (https://stlawyers.ca/disability-law/faq) https://www.facebook.com/stlawyers (https://www.facebook.com/stlawyers) www.youtube.com/@SamfiruTumarkinToronto (http://www.youtube.com/@SamfiruTumarkinToronto) https://stlawyers.ca/pocket-disability-lawyer/ (https://stlawyers.ca/pocket-disability-lawyer/) About Dr. Eleanor Stein I am a retired medical doctor and psychiatrist with 37 years of lived experience with multiple complex chronic conditions and 25+ years of clinical experience working with people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, long COVID and more. Since retiring from clinical practice in 2022, I continue to learn and share accessible, evidence-informed strategies to help you improve function and quality of life. START HERE: Join my free newsletter. Practical education, trusted resources, and updates delivered directly to you every month. https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/newsletter (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/newsletter) Feeling alone? Join my subscription membership, Live! with Dr. Stein (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/live). Get direct answers to your questions, continuing guidance and a supportive community. https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/live (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/live) Explore More Resources Website: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca) Courses, webinars, books & manuals: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/store (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/store) Blog: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/blog (https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/blog) Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreleanorstein/ (https://www.instagram.com/dreleanorstein/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrEleanorStein (https://www.facebook.com/DrEleanorStein) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-stein-md-748028254/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-stein-md-748028254/) Subscribe to this channel for science-based education, empowerment, and hope.

Who has been a guest on Dr. Eleanor Stein Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Daniel Erichsen
• Tahlia Demaria Ruschioni
• Dr Theo Theoharides
• Dr Eric Gordon
• Dr Gábor Sonylai

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

993,963

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

69

Social presence

91

YouTube

86

Engagement

32

Contact Dr. Eleanor Stein Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.