Get to the Root of It is a podcast for the curious health-seekers hoping to figure out the root causes of symptoms in order to live a happier & healthier life. We look through the lens of functional and integrative medicine, occupational therapy, yoga, health coaching, and environmental wellness in hopes of sharing valuable ideas that may help someone in some way. We will take deep dives into root causes of autoimmunity and all types of dementia and cognitive decline in order to increase our understanding so that we can reduce our risk and optimize health for ourselves and loved ones.
Misdiagnosed for Years: The Truth About Lyme Disease Testing, Co-Infections & Mold with Tricia Soderstrom (Eps. 32)
So many of you have asked me about Lyme disease and mold, and today I'm bringing you someone who has studied - and lived - them both.
Tricia Soderstrom spent two years chasing a diagnosis while her joint pain, fatigue, and cognitive fog got dismissed as "normal pregnancy stuff" and then "just getting older." When she finally tested positive for Lyme, her doctor gave her the real news: she'd likely had it a long time, probably had co-infections too, and this wasn't going to be quick.
In this episode, we get into:
Why standard Lyme tests miss the diagnosis roughly 70% of the time — and why a negative result doesn't mean you're in the clear
What co-infections like Bartonella and Babesia are, and why they change your treatment entirely
What happened when Tricia's kids started showing symptoms too, and how a single dose of "prophylactic" antibiotics can quietly sabotage future testing
Four and a half years on antibiotics with zero nutritional support — and what she wishes she'd known before starting that protocol
The mold connection neither of us expected: how it can make Lyme symptoms worse, and why "the inspector said it's fine" isn't always true (we've both heard that one)
Learning to live outside again without holding your breath every time you walk through the grass
If you've ever been told "your bloodwork is normal" while your body told you something else, this one's for you.
Find Tricia at aboundinginhopewithlyme.com, and follow her @aboundinginhopewithlyme on Instagram and Facebook.
You can find Laurel Brennan @rootcauseology and www.rootcauseology.com
22 Jun 2026
Mold, Brain Fog & Autoimmune: How to Test What's Making You Sick (Eps. 31)
Your bloodwork came back normal. Your doctor says you're fine. But the brain fog, the joint pain, the fatigue that won't lift — something is off, and no one can tell you what.
It might be in your house.
In this episode, functional medicine practitioner Laurel Brennan tells the story of her own mold exposure — what it did to her health and her family's, how long it went undetected, and the moment she finally connected the dots. She breaks down how mold drives inflammation behind autoimmune conditions, brain fog, and neurological symptoms, and why so many people live in water-damaged homes for years without knowing it.
You'll learn why standard air sampling can miss the problem, how dust-based testing like the ERMI gives you a clearer picture of what's actually in your environment, and the first steps to take if you suspect mold in your home.
Because when you don't know, you don't know. And once you do, you can't unknow it.
Takeaways
Mold can cause a wide range of symptoms, from neurological issues to joint pain.
Air samples may not be reliable; an ERMI, like The Dust Test, provides better insights.
Curiosity and instinct are important in detecting mold problems.
Water-damaged homes often harbor hidden mold that affects health.
Testing your environment can help prevent long-term health issues.
Chapters
00:00Introduction and Personal Journey
01:00Understanding Mold and Its Health Impacts
03:18Mold Inspection Experiences
06:03Symptoms and Family Health Issues
10:19Moving to a New Home and Initial Relief
12:08Emerging Symptoms and Concerns
15:46Learning About Mold Testing
19:50Deciding on Remediation or Moving
20:34Challenges in a New Apartment
22:49The Impact of Mold on Health
24:20Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
Resources
Dust Test (https://tinyurl.com/ERMIDustTestMoldScreener)
EnviroBiomics (https://envirobiomics.com/)
Episode #9 with Brian Karr from WeInspect (https://open.spotify.com/episode/77GESUgKMklXjxNxJS7quV?si=19852e2b67ba4589)
15 Jun 2026
Stress, Cortisol, and Heart Health in High-Performing Women (Eps. 30)
Summary
In this episode, Dr. Jen Belew shares her journey from traditional pharmacy to functional medicine, focusing on hormone health, stress management, and cardiovascular wellness for high-performing women. Discover practical insights on testing, hormone therapy, and lifestyle strategies to optimize health and prevent chronic disease.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Functional Medicine and Hormones
02:34 Personal Journey into Functional Medicine
05:24 Common Patterns in High-Performing Women
07:08 Understanding Cortisol and Its Effects
10:52 Testing for Cortisol Levels
12:46 The Connection Between Stress and Cardiovascular Health
18:16 Listening to Your Body's Signals
26:46 The Importance of Comprehensive Health Assessments
27:42 Unwinding the Past: Understanding Health Journeys
30:00 The Importance of Sleep and Gut Health
31:04 Hormones, Stress, and Brain Function
38:12 Exploring Hormone Replacement Therapy
46:08 Supplements: Tools for Wellness
50:05 Fueling the Body: Nutrition and Self-Care
Resources
Beyond the Dose - Dr. Jen Belew - https://www.beyondthedose.com
Functional Medicine Pharmacists Alliance - https://www.fmpa.org
Dutch Testing for Cortisol - https://dutchtest.com
RootCauseology -
https://rootcauseology.com/
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
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