Smarter Not Harder Podcast

Burnout-Proof Your Practice: Wisdom for Health Practitioners

Burnout-Proof Your Practice: Wisdom for Health Practitioners

June 4, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Jodi Duval leads a powerful conversation with Dr. Ted Achacoso, Dr. Scott Sherr, and Dr. Allen Bookatz about burnout in clinical practice — and how to actually prevent it. From saying no to draining patients to finding joy in curiosity and community, the team shares practical tools for sustaining a long, fulfilling career in medicine.

Karen DiMarco | The Study That Healed Chronic Fatigue Using Only the Mind

Karen DiMarco | The Study That Healed Chronic Fatigue Using Only the Mind

May 28, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Scott Sherr sits down with renegade nurse and educator Karen DiMarco to explore how psychosocial stress, identity, and hypervigilance can create — or dissolve — chronic illness. Karen shares her personal health journey, the groundbreaking chronic fatigue study she co-led, and why our thoughts may be the most overlooked variable in healing.

What Supplements Do Health Experts Actually Take (and What Got Weird)

What Supplements Do Health Experts Actually Take (and What Got Weird)

May 21, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, the Troscriptions and HOMeHOPe faculty get personal. Dr. Scott Sherr, Dr. Ted Achacoso, and Jodi Duval go behind the curtain on what they’re actually taking, testing, and tossing when it comes to supplements. From methylene blue pessaries to kratom gummies, designer peptides to custom troches — this roundtable reveals how experienced clinicians approach their own protocols, and the often messy process of self-experimentation.

Dr. Abid Husain | Why Cholesterol Isn’t the Problem: Rethinking Heart Health

Dr. Abid Husain | Why Cholesterol Isn’t the Problem: Rethinking Heart Health

May 14, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Abid Husain joins Dr. Scott Sherr for a masterclass on cardiovascular health — from cholesterol myths to mitochondrial truth. They explore what truly drives inflammation, plaque formation, and cardiovascular risk, while dismantling the outdated “cholesterol = heart disease” narrative.

I Tried It So You Don’t Have To: Biohacks, Fails, and Weird Protocols

I Tried It So You Don’t Have To: Biohacks, Fails, and Weird Protocols

May 7, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, we dive into the outrageous, unexpected, and sometimes uncomfortable experiments our hosts have tried in the name of health optimization. From gallbladder flushes and vitamin D megadosing to powerlifting with a colonic and hiking mountains while microdosing, this episode is full of real (and ridiculous) stories. Boomer Anderson, Dr. Scott Sherr, Dr. Ted Achacoso, Jodi Duval, and Dr. Allen Bookatz share the protocols they’ve tested so you don’t have to — and what they actually learned from pushing the limits.

Dr. Scott Sherr | Methylene Blue Myths, Media Hype, and the Truth

Dr. Scott Sherr | Methylene Blue Myths, Media Hype, and the Truth

April 30, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Scott Sherr takes us on a solo deep dive into the myths, history, physiology, and media controversies surrounding methylene blue. From Blue Brains headlines to Huberman posts and clinical dosing strategies, Scott sets the record straight and unpacks why this molecule has become a lightning rod in health optimization conversations.

Bob Troia | How to Track Your Way to Better Health

Bob Troia | How to Track Your Way to Better Health

April 23, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Bob Troia explores what it means to truly understand yourself through data. With decades of experience in both tech and personal science, Bob shares his journey from building early web innovations to becoming a leader in the quantified self and biohacking space. As the co-founder of Awesome Labs and SuppTrack, Bob discusses how his personal experiments with sleep, glucose, HRV, and nootropics like methylene blue have inspired tools that help others optimize their lives.

Dr. Larry Palevsky | Rethinking Modern Medicine: Journey Into Root Cause Healing

Dr. Larry Palevsky | Rethinking Modern Medicine: Journey Into Root Cause Healing

April 16, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Larry Palevsky shares his journey from pediatric emergency medicine to a root cause-based approach to healing. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, he explores why suppressing symptoms may interfere with true recovery, and how restoring parasympathetic balance, optimizing nutrition, and reducing environmental inputs can transform both acute and chronic illness, especially in children.

Dr. Cody Kriegel | Biological Dentistry Explained: What’s Really Happening in Your Mouth

Dr. Cody Kriegel | Biological Dentistry Explained: What’s Really Happening in Your Mouth

April 9, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Cody Kriegel takes us deep into the world of biological dentistry — a rapidly growing field that connects oral health with overall wellness. From root canals to cavitations, mercury fillings to ceramic implants, Dr. Cody shares his clinical experience, personal journey, and powerful patient transformations that reveal just how interconnected your mouth is with the rest of your body. You’ll also hear why he believes traditional dentistry is due for a major paradigm shift, and how modern technology like CBCT, PRF, and laser therapy are revolutionizing oral care.

Why You Might Be Chronically Dehydrated (Even If You Drink Water)

Why You Might Be Chronically Dehydrated (Even If You Drink Water)

April 2, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Boomer Anderson, Dr. Scott Sherr, and Dr. Ted Achacoso dive deep into the topic of hydration, debunking common myths and offering practical tips. They clarify the effects of caffeine and alcohol as diuretics and discuss the misconception about clear urine indicating proper hydration. They explore the evolutionary aspects of water's role in biology and provide specific recommendations for daily water intake, emphasizing the importance of a little salt and possibly sugar for optimal hydration. The conversation also covers various methods for ensuring clean and effective hydration, including filtration systems and the importance of not drinking calories.

Bracha Banayan | GLP-1s: The Miracle Drug Changing Weight Loss & Medicine Forever

Bracha Banayan | GLP-1s: The Miracle Drug Changing Weight Loss & Medicine Forever

March 26, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Bracha Banayan, a seasoned healthcare professional and innovator in weight management, uncovers the untold truths behind GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and their competitors. Bracha shares her personal journey from battling unexpected weight gain to discovering how these medications can not only help with weight loss but also transform overall health by reducing inflammation, moderating blood sugar spikes, and even rewiring behavior through what she calls the “pause factor.” She also dives into the science, the art of proper dosing, potential side effects, and the critical role of lifestyle modifications and supportive ecosystems in achieving long-term success.

Dr. Dylan Petkus | Why Sleep Apnea is Wrecking Your Health – And How to Fix It

Dr. Dylan Petkus | Why Sleep Apnea is Wrecking Your Health – And How to Fix It

March 19, 2025

In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Dylan Petkus delves into the intricacies of sleep apnea. Dylan discussed his educational journey and his focus on sleep apnea as an important, albeit not fun, subject. Dylan shares his experience with creating videos on specific health niches, including methylene blue and its connection to sleep apnea. The conversation branches into various aspects of sleep apnea, such as its prevalence, diagnostic methods, including the preferred home sleep studies, and the importance of addressing underlying inflammation. Breathing retraining and myofunctional therapy are highlighted as effective interventions.