Functional medicine has been on the tip of the tongue and observed online and on social media for years now, more than in the past, but just what is it and how can it help our patients in pain? Dr. Lauren Castle joins us as a dual expert in the realm of functional medicine and psychedelic pharmacy to clear the fog and address any myths out there for all things functional medicine. Come one, come all, to the Pain Pod!!! P.S. Want to contribute or hear about a pain pearl of your own? Message Pain Guy on www.painguy.us or LinkedIn to directly reach Mark and have your voice heard! Guest Info Lauren Castle, PharmD, MS, AFMC Functional Medicine Pharmacists Alliance, Founder (https://www.fmpha.org/) Psychedelic Pharmacists Association, Founder (https://psychedelicpharmacist.org/)

It was an absolute honor to meet today’s guest, and I was honestly a bit starstruck! She is rooted equally in both the science of food and intuitive eating. We dove into the phytochemistry of nutrients, and most importantly, discussed the fundamental principles for healthy eating. Dr. Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, IFMCP is a pioneering nutrition scientist and thought leader with over 25 years of experience bridging science, spirituality, and art to redefine holistic health. Internationally recognized for her work on color-coded nutrition (“eating the rainbow”), detoxification, and hormone health, Dr. Minich brings a multidimensional lens to wellness that is both grounded in research and infused with a soulful approach. For over a decade, she worked closely with the “Father of Functional Medicine,” Dr. Jeffrey Bland on R&D and functional medicine education with the Institute for Functional Medicine and assisting with the start-up of the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI) and now on the Board for PLMI. In 2025, she was awarded the Linus & Ava Helen Pauling Award by the Institute for Functional Medicine, one of the highest honors in the field, for her groundbreaking contributions to science-backed integrative health. As the Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health, Dr. Minich leads the Science-Medical Team’s innovation in endocrine, metabolic, and circadian health, developing evidence-based approaches that empower people to reclaim vitality through rhythm, root-cause healing, and renewal. A passionate educator and communicator, she develops transformative curricula and continuing education for health professionals, while also creating accessible, inspiring resources for the general public. Her work meets people where they are, whether they’re practitioners seeking clinical precision or individuals seeking a deeper connection to their body’s wisdom. Connect with Dr. Deanna via: Email: info@foodandspirit.com Website: Dr. Deanna Minich FB: Deanna Minich, PhD IG: @deannaminich YT: @foodandspirit Linked In: Deanna Minich, PhD, MS, FACN, CNS, IFMCP Visit https://marinabuksov.com for more holistic content. Music from https://www.purple-planet.com. Disclaimer: Statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

THIS WEEK IN PHARMACY PBM Truth, Cash-Based Pharmacy, and Psychedelics in Medicine

Presented by SuiteRx Pharmacy Software Technologies Learn more at SuiteRx.com

Episode Overview

On this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, Todd Eury brings together two timely conversations focused on pharmacy transformation, advocacy, clinical education, and the future role of pharmacists in healthcare.

First, Todd welcomes Brad Hart, owner of Forest Park Pharmacy, a cash-based independent pharmacy model challenging the traditional reimbursement structure many pharmacies operate under. Brad has become a powerful advocate for pharmacy transparency, using TikTok and social media to expose current PBM practices, share data, and speak directly to patients, pharmacy owners, and policymakers about the realities facing independent pharmacies.

Brad’s message is clear: patients deserve transparency, pharmacy owners deserve fair treatment, and the profession needs more voices willing to educate the public with facts and truth.

In the second half of the episode, Todd is joined by Dr. Colby Burns and Dr. Andy Krut from the Psychedelic Pharmacists Association. This discussion helps set the groundwork for understanding psychedelics in medicine, the evolving role of pharmacists in psychedelic education, and the clinical potential of psychotropic therapies historically limited by regulation, stigma, and lack of provider education.

As interest in psychedelic-assisted care grows, pharmacists must be part of the conversation. Dr. Burns and Dr. Krut explain why pharmacist education, medication safety, and clinical understanding are essential as healthcare explores emerging approaches to mental health, trauma, pain, and complex patient care.

Featured Guests

Brad Hart Owner, Forest Park Pharmacy

Dr. Colby Burns Psychedelic Pharmacists Association

Dr. Andy Krut Psychedelic Pharmacists Association

Sponsored By

This episode of This Week in Pharmacy is brought to you by SuiteRx Pharmacy Software Technologies.

SuiteRx provides pharmacy software solutions designed to support independent pharmacies, improve workflow, enhance patient care, and help pharmacy teams operate more efficiently in today’s demanding healthcare environment.

Learn more at SuiteRx.com.

Women are driving innovation, improving patient care and leading independent pharmacies through a changing healthcare landscape. In this episode, hosts Jason Callori, Michelle Britt (SVP, Retail Independent, Inside Sales & First Vet Services), and Chelsie Waite (Director of Sales, Retail Independent Sales - West Region) sit down with two remarkable women leaders: Monica Nikseresht, PharmD, and Melissa Hood-Benges, PharmD.

Monica and Melissa share their personal journeys, leadership lessons and insight into key challenges and opportunities. Listen to a conversation highlighting leadership, resilience, advocacy, and innovation, while celebrating women as leaders and change-makers in pharmacy.

What happens when Estrogen and alcohol mix? In this episode we explore how alcohol affects estrogen levels and what every woman should know about drinking during different stages of life.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10397281/

https://www.mariongluckclinic.com/blog/hormones-and-alcohol-could-reducing-alcohol-help-with-hormone-balancing.html

https://news.weill.cornell.edu/news/2024/12/preclinical-study-finds-surges-in-estrogen-promote-binge-drinking-in-females

Today’s guest shares my mission to empower others to take control of their health and address the root cause. We talk about challenges to testing and addressing the foundations of health, which begins with Minerals & Metals. Jeff Lioon is the Creative Director at The Oligoscan. He’s tested over 7,000 people with the device over the last 9 years. After correlating Oligoscan Reports with what people say about their symptoms and health conditions, the test is almost always spot on. I got the opportunity to use scan myself at this year’s Integrative Health Symposium in NYC, and I was really impressed with the report. It gave me a deeper understanding of my baseline and how to optimize my health further, and further decrease exposure to heavy metals. I highly recommend checking out the scan for yourself, and for your clients. Connect with Jeff via: Email: jeff@theoligoscan.com Website: The Oligoscan IG: @jefflioon, @theoligoscan Linked In: Jeff Lioon

On this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, we bring together three powerful voices shaping the future of pharmacy, independent practice, functional medicine, and healthcare transformation.

First, we welcome Kris Rhea, MBA, Contributing Editor with Dispense Times, a digital publication dedicated to supporting independent community pharmacy owners across the United States. Kris brings a business-focused perspective on pharmacy operations, growth strategy, workflow efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and market positioning. His work with Dispense Times helps independent pharmacists navigate today’s rapidly changing healthcare landscape, including PBM pressures, evolving patient expectations, regulatory challenges, and the need for sustainable business models that keep local pharmacies strong.

We also speak with James Maskell, founder of Evolution of Medicine, an organization built to inspire, equip, and unite functional and integrative medicine practitioners. Evolution of Medicine provides education, practice-building resources, and community for clinicians who are working to build thriving practices rooted in whole-person care. James brings a national perspective on the movement toward functional medicine, community-based care, prevention, and new models that empower practitioners to better serve patients beyond the limitations of conventional healthcare.

Our third guest is Marina Buksov, PharmD, a pharmacist, herbalist, educator, podcast host, and holistic health consultant. After earning her PharmD from St. John’s University and graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2013, Marina entered pharmacy eager to serve patients, but quickly recognized that traditional allopathic pharmacy did not fully align with her deeper calling to help people thrive through prevention, root-cause care, plant medicine, and sustainable wellness strategies. Her experience behind the pharmacy counter and as a patient herself inspired her to pursue health coaching, nutrition, functional medicine, and clinical herbalism. Today, Marina helps pharmacists and healthcare professionals explore natural-minded career paths and build meaningful work that bridges pharmacology, herbal therapeutics, and holistic care.

Together, this episode explores where pharmacy is headed: independent pharmacy survival, business model innovation, functional medicine, patient-centered care, pharmacist reinvention, and the growing demand for healthcare professionals who can connect science, prevention, and real-world practice.

Listen to This Week in Pharmacy on the Pharmacy Podcast Network. Pharmacy’s future is being built by those willing to challenge the current model, support independent practice, and expand the role of pharmacists as trusted healthcare providers.