hol+ with Dr. Taz MD | The Future of Medicine is Holistic

What if your anxiety, overwhelm, or constant sense of unease is not just a mental health issue, but a signal from a body that is overstimulated, under-rested, and out of balance? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with integrative psychiatrist Ellen Vora, author of The Anatomy of Anxiety, to unpack how modern life, stress, and physiology are quietly driving the rise of anxiety.

If you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, or feeling “off” and want deeper, root-cause support, join the Circle here:
 👉 https://holplus.co/circle
Anxiety is rarely just about your thoughts. It often reflects a deeper imbalance involving sleep, blood sugar, gut health, inflammation, and how your nervous system is responding to the world around you.
Learn more about support related to this conversation:
 Anxiety & Stress Support: https://holplus.co/anxiety
Hormone Health: https://holplus.co/services/hormone-health/
In this episode, Dr. Ellen Vora explains the difference between true anxiety and physiological anxiety, and why many people are treating the wrong problem. She breaks down how poor sleep, overstimulation, gut imbalances, and even mouth breathing can create anxiety symptoms, and why medications don’t always address the root cause. You’ll learn why some anxiety is actually a healthy signal, how modern lifestyles are dysregulating our nervous systems, and why addressing the body first can change everything. This conversation challenges the idea that anxiety is simply a chemical imbalance and offers a more holistic, empowering path forward. 
If you’ve ever felt like your anxiety doesn’t fully make sense, or that you’ve tried everything but still don’t feel better, this episode will help you understand what might actually be missing.
In this video, we cover:
What “true anxiety” vs. “false anxiety” really means
Why anxiety is not always a mental health disorder
How sleep, blood sugar, and gut health impact anxiety
The hidden role of overstimulation and modern life
Why medications don’t always solve anxiety long-term
The connection between ADHD and a “tired brain”
How breathing and sleep quality affect mental health
Why emotional sensitivity is not a weakness
Practical foundations to regulate your nervous system
This is not just about managing anxiety. It’s about understanding your body, restoring balance, and creating a foundation for mental clarity, resilience, and long-term well-being.
About The Guest:
Dr. Ellen Vora, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher who takes a functional, whole-person approach to mental health. She is the author of The Anatomy of Anxiety and specializes in identifying the root causes of anxiety through physiology, lifestyle, and emotional health.
About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause
Follow Dr. Ellen Vora
https://www.instagram.com/ellenvoramd/
https://ellenvora.com/

Host & Production Team
Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 Why anxiety may not be what you think
 02:00 True anxiety vs. physiological anxiety
 06:00 The “wide open antenna” and emotional sensitivity
 10:00 Why crying is a biological release
 13:00 The myth of the chemical imbalance
 18:00 The foundations: sleep, nourishment, movement
 22:00 Why medications don’t always work long-term
 25:00 Withdrawal and hidden medication effects
 30:00 Anxiety in kids and teens
 37:00 ADHD as a “tired brain”
 39:00 Sleep, breathing, and oxygenation
 41:00 Gut health, food, and inflammation
 46:00 Women, hormones, and emotional health
 53:00 Reclaiming intuition and nervous system balance

What if your chronic pain, stiffness, or recurring injuries are not just about aging, but signals from a nervous system that feels overwhelmed, inflamed, and under-supported? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with physical therapist Dr. Dan Ginader, author of The Pain-Free Body, to unpack how modern lifestyles, stress, and sedentary habits are quietly driving the rise of chronic pain.
If you’re dealing with ongoing pain, fatigue, or inflammation and want deeper, root-cause support, join the Circle here:
 👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Chronic pain is rarely just about one injury or one body part. It often reflects a deeper imbalance involving movement, mindset, inflammation, and how the brain interprets safety and threat.
Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Inflammation https://holplus.co/conditions/inflammation/
Arthritis / Chronic Joint Pain: https://holplus.co/conditions/arthritis-chronic-joint-pain/
In this episode, Dr. Dan explains why pain is not always a reliable indicator of damage, why MRIs and scans often don’t tell the full story, and how fear, stress, and inactivity can keep pain stuck in the body. He breaks down what actually drives chronic pain, why so many people feel worse as they get older, and what simple daily habits can either worsen or reverse the process.
You’ll learn why movement is essential medicine, how optimism and mindset influence recovery, and why small, consistent actions matter more than occasional intense workouts. This conversation challenges the idea that pain is inevitable with age and offers a more hopeful, practical path forward.
If you’ve been told your pain is “just part of getting older,” or feel like nothing has fully worked, this episode will help you understand what might actually be missing.
In this video, we cover:
Why chronic pain is not just about aging
The real impact of sedentary lifestyles on the body
Why scans and imaging don’t always match your pain
How fear, stress, and mindset influence recovery
The difference between acute pain and chronic pain
Why “weekend workouts” can increase injury risk
Simple daily movement habits that reduce pain over time
How to catch early warning signs before pain becomes chronic
This is not just about fixing pain. It’s about understanding your body, rebuilding resilience, and creating a lifestyle that supports long-term strength, mobility, and ease.
About The Guest:
Dr. Dan Ginader, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, author of The Pain-Free Body, and Clinic Director at Mims Method Physical Therapy in New York City. He specializes in helping patients understand the root causes of pain and build long-term resilience through movement and education.

About Dr. Taz:
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia (Dr. Taz) is a triple board-certified integrative medicine physician,
bestselling author, and founder of hol+ a multi-location integrative medicine practice.
Learn more: https://doctortaz.com/about

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.
Book a Hol+ Consultation: https://holplus.co/locations/virtual/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause
Follow Dr. Dan Ginader
https://www.instagram.com/dr.dan_dpt/
https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.dan_dpt
Check out Dr. Dan's book The Pain-Free Body
Host & Production Team
Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters
00:00 Optimism and the surprising link to chronic pain 
01:05 The #1 contributor to chronic pain: sedentary behavior 
03:42 What most people get wrong about pain 
04:46 Where pain actually comes from 
07:51 How fear, stress, and expectation amplify pain 
12:35 When acute pain becomes chronic pain 
18:15 How much movement you actually need 
20:55 Easy movement snacks to reduce pain 
26:20 Why MRIs and scans often don’t explain your pain 
50:45 The #1 rule for staying pain-free as you age

What if your child’s anxiety, disconnection, screen obsession, or emotional shutdown are not random at all, but signs of a deeper struggle for safety, attachment, and regulation in a world shaped by algorithms? In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Shafali to unpack how technology, social media, and modern stress are quietly reshaping childhood, parenting, and emotional well-being.
If you’re navigating parenting challenges, emotional overwhelm, or family disconnection and want deeper support, join the Circle here:
 👉 https://holplus.co/circle
Struggles with attention, anxiety, and emotional regulation often point to something deeper happening beneath the surface.
Learn more about support related to this conversation:
Anxiety: https://holplus.co/conditions/anxiety/
Mental Health Services: https://holplus.co/conditions-and-services/
In this episode, Dr. Shafali explains why parenting today is no longer just about discipline or communication. Parents are now competing with screens, social media, and algorithms that are designed to capture children’s attention, attachment, and identity. She breaks down what children actually need most, why boys and girls often struggle differently, and how conscious parenting can help families reconnect in a distracted, dysregulated world.
You’ll learn why children need safety, soothing, significance, and belonging, how screens can become a substitute for emotional regulation, and why real healing in families starts with presence, attunement, boundaries, and connection.
If you’ve been feeling like technology is changing your child, your family dynamic, or your ability to stay connected, this conversation may help you understand why.
In this video, we cover:
 How social media and algorithms are reshaping childhood 
 What children really need to feel safe and connected 
 Why boys and girls often respond differently to stress 
 How screens affect emotional regulation and identity 
 The difference between conscious parenting and permissive parenting 
 Why connection must come before boundaries 
 Practical tools to rebuild trust, presence, and co-regulation at home 
This is not just about screen time. It’s about understanding what our children are turning toward, what they are missing, and how parents can become the anchor again.
Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Follow Dr. Shefali Tsabary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorshefali/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrShefali
Website: https://www.drshefali.com/

Dr. Shefali's Newest Books
- Raising Conscious Daughters
- Raising Conscious Sons
Host & Production Team
Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)
Chapters
00:00 The algorithm is competing with parents
00:42 Introducing Dr. Shafali
01:38 What conscious parenting really means
03:02 Why parenting has changed in the digital era
05:30 How technology replaces emotional regulation
07:42 Australia banning social media for children
09:16 Dr. Taz shares her daughter’s phone battles
12:07 What parents should do instead of fighting screens
15:17 Why busy parents cannot ignore this problem
18:08 Presence, attunement, and what children really need
20:42 Stress, cortisol, and dysregulated family systems
23:20 Why parents should think deeply before having kids
25:12 The role of community, mentors, and extended family
30:16 Raising conscious sons vs. daughters
32:58 Why boys and girls are struggling differently
36:58 What boys need most from parents
42:06 What girls need most from parents
47:39 Social media, identity, and perfectionism in girls
52:26 Common parenting traps and overcorrection
57:38 Boundaries, compassion, and developmental realism
1:03:15 Parenting as a spiritual journey
1:08:24 How parents can regulate in real time
1:12:08 Mirror neurons, co-regulation, and hope
1:14:30 Final thoughts and what makes Dr. Shafali hol

What if your fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, and belly fat are actually signs of high cortisol, low cortisol, or chronic stress building up over time? In this episode, Dr. Taz explains how your cortisol levels shift and why learning how to lower cortisol levels starts with understanding the pattern your body is stuck in.
If you’re dealing with chronic stress, fatigue, or hormone imbalances and want to address the root cause, join the Circle and get support here:
👉 https://holplus.co/circle

Chronic stress often shows up as adrenal fatigue and hormone imbalances.
Learn more about conditions related to cortisol imbalance:
Adrenal Fatigue: https://holplus.co/conditions/adrenal-fatigue/
Hormonal Imbalance: https://holplus.co/conditions/hormone-imbalance/
In this episode, Dr. Taz breaks down what she calls the cortisol loop - a chronic stress cycle where your body goes from high cortisol to low cortisol, leaving you feeling wired, exhausted, and unable to recover. You’ll learn how this loop affects your nervous system, hormones, gut health, and long-term well-being, even when your labs appear “normal.”
If you’ve been feeling off and can’t explain why, this may be the missing piece.
In this video, we cover:
What the cortisol loop actually is
The difference between high cortisol and low cortisol
How chronic stress keeps your body stuck in the cycle
7 key signs your body is dysregulated
Why your symptoms aren’t random
Where to start to begin breaking the loop
This is not just about stress. It’s about understanding the cycle your body has been stuck in.

Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team
Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)
Chapters
00:00 High Cortisol or Low Cortisol? Understanding the Cortisol Loop
00:50 What Is the Cortisol Loop? Chronic Stress Explained
01:42 Normal Labs but Still Feeling Bad? Cortisol Levels Explained
02:55 Acute vs Chronic Stress and Cortisol Response
05:00 High Cortisol Symptoms and Effects on the Body
06:50 Low Cortisol Symptoms: Burnout and Fatigue Explained
07:42 Chronic Stress, Cortisol Imbalance, and Disease Risk
09:29 Cortisol, Brain Health, and Inflammation
11:30 Cortisol in Women vs Men (Hormones and Stress Response)
14:20 Chronic Stress in Modern Life (Why It’s Getting Worse)
15:20 7 Signs of High Cortisol and Low Cortisol
17:10 Fatigue, Brain Fog, Belly Fat (Cortisol Symptoms)
18:08 How to Test Cortisol Levels (Blood Sugar, HRV, Sleep)
20:05 Nervous System Regulation and the Cortisol Loop
21:25 How to Lower Cortisol Levels Naturally
22:12 Gut Health, Diet, and Blood Sugar Stability
23:45 Best Supplements for Cortisol (Magnesium, B Vitamins, Omega-3)
25:35 Daily Habits to Reduce Cortisol and Stress
27:10 Chronic Stress, Environment, and Relationships
28:55 How to Break the Cortisol Loop (Step-by-Step)
30:37 Final Thoughts on Chronic Stress and Cortisol Recovery

Want deeper support? Join Circle at holplus.co/circle and use code PODCAST for a one-month trial.
Optimism is often misunderstood. It gets reduced to positive thinking, good vibes, or pretending everything is fine. But real optimism is not about denying pain. It is about learning how to stay grounded in reality while still believing that healing, change, and resilience are possible.
In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Dr. Deepika Chopra, known as The Optimism Doctor, to explore what optimism actually means and why it matters for both mental and physical health. Together, they unpack the difference between optimism and toxic positivity, why our brains are wired to expect worst-case scenarios, and how that pattern may no longer serve us in modern life.
They also explore the science behind sensory-based visual imagery and how the brain responds to what we vividly imagine, often in ways that influence expectation, motivation, and even the body’s stress response. Dr. Deepika shares how these tools were used in psych-oncology settings, where patients practiced visualizing treatments working with the body rather than against it, and how similar techniques can support people navigating anxiety, illness, self-doubt, and major life transitions.
The conversation expands into practical tools for everyday life, including the 12-second rule, the role of awe in calming anxious or depressive states, and the importance of collecting believable evidence rather than relying on empty affirmations. They also discuss why naming emotions honestly is more healing than suppressing them, how to shift deeply rooted self-beliefs in realistic ways, and why purpose plays such an important role in long-term well-being.
Rather than asking listeners to force positivity, this episode offers a more compassionate and evidence-based framework. It is about building optimism as a skill, strengthening resilience over time, and learning to meet hard seasons with honesty, curiosity, and hope. This conversation is for anyone feeling stuck in negative thought loops, overwhelmed by stress, or ready to approach healing with more realism and self-trust.
About Dr. Deepika Chopra
Dr. Deepika Chopra is a licensed clinical health psychologist, speaker, and author known as the Optimism Doctor. With a background in cognitive behavioral therapy, psych-oncology, and integrative mental health, her work focuses on helping people build resilience through practical, science-based tools.
She is the author of The Power of Real Optimism, a book that explores how optimism can be strengthened through everyday practices rooted in psychology, neuroscience, and emotional honesty. Her approach bridges research with real life, offering accessible strategies for navigating stress, uncertainty, and personal growth.

Order the Book
The Power of Real Optimism
Stay Connected:
Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

Follow Dr. Deepika Chopra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdeepikachopra/
Website: https://www.drdeepikachopra.com/

Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts

Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause
Host & Production Team
Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)