This episode, I sat down with Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, renowned author of the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) books, medical doctor, and pioneer of holistic approaches to healing through food and lifestyle. Dr. Campbell-McBride joins us for a deeply insightful, no-holds-barred conversation on the foundational role of the gut in overall health, the devastating impact of modern medicine when misused, and the powerful healing potential of nature-aligned living. Expect to walk away with a fresh (and possibly radical) perspective on illness, antibiotics, pregnancy, childhood immunity, emotional healing, and the deeper purpose of human life. This episode is both an inspiring wake-up call and a heartfelt invitation to return to the real world—to nature, to love, and to the innate wisdom of the body. Join us to learn about: Pregnancy and Gut Flora Pregnant women are especially prone to thrush and imbalances in microbial flora due to hormonal and immune shifts. Dr. Campbell-McBride emphasizes the use of kefir topically and internally to restore healthy microbial balance in warm, sweaty areas like under the breasts, groin, and armpits. The Root of Recurring UTIs and Cystitis Chronic cystitis is often a result of disrupted flora in the urethra and bladder, commonly due to repeated antibiotic use. Rather than resolving the root cause, antibiotics perpetuate a vicious cycle of infection and microbial damage. Personal Healing Stories with GAPS I’m sharing my journey with chronic UTIs, candida, and digestive issues, highlighting the profound shifts experienced on the GAPS diet. Even as someone accustomed to fermented foods, the GAPS protocol induced powerful detox reactions that unveiled deeper healing layers. Antibiotics as a Last Resort While life-saving in emergencies, antibiotics are likened to a "nuclear bomb" for the gut. Overuse prevents the body from using its microbial workforce to detox, leading to long-term consequences, including cancer and chronic illness. Fever as a Healing Tool A child's first fever is a natural and crucial detoxification event. Suppressing fever with medication can hinder the body’s ability to clear prenatal and early-life toxins. Instead, fever should be respected and supported, not feared. Toxicity and Malnourishment as Root Causes of Disease All chronic illness stems from toxicity and a lack of proper nourishment. The body uses specific microbes to process different toxins, and interfering with these microbes blocks detoxification pathways, leaving the body burdened. The Body as a Microbial Ecosystem We are not individuals in isolation—we are microbial communities. The microbes are essential to our function, acting as our internal janitors, detoxifying agents, and repair systems. Health means supporting this inner ecosystem. The Technocratic Construct vs. The Real World Dr. Campbell-McBride contrasts the disharmonious, man-made technocratic world (which includes modern medicine, food, education, and more) with the balanced, self-healing real world of nature. She urges us to step out of artificial constructs and live in alignment with nature. Nature, the Creator, and Unconditional Love At the heart of healing is returning to the intelligence of the creator—nature—and living in unconditional love. This, she says, is the true purpose of human life: to love wholly and to align ourselves with the energy of creation. Follow me on Instagram Check out my Website Hair Mineral Analysis Test and Interpretation Connect with Stefanie Website - brightbeanhealth.com