Brigitte Sager, NP

02/04/2026

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-5c4iv-1a35e37

Functional psychiatry is one of the least common niches in the functional medicine world, but it is often where patients experience some of the most profound “whole person” care. In this episode, Brigitte Sager interviews Everest Goldstein, board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and IFM certified clinician, about what functional psychiatry really means, how she built her practice, and why nursing is uniquely positioned to lead in this space.

Everest shares her own turning point after Lyme disease, when a provider spent the time to take a full functional history and connect the dots. From there, she explains how functional psychiatry treats depression and anxiety as symptoms with root causes, not labels that end the conversation. You’ll hear practical, surprising examples of how gut health, cortisol dysregulation, dysbiosis, H. pylori, constipation, and yeast overgrowth can drive mood symptoms, and why foundations like sleep, stress, movement, and nutrition matter more than “shiny objects” like endless supplements, peptides, or IVs.

They also discuss building community as a clinician, the realities of starting a practice, and how nurses can confidently work within scope by focusing on foundational health behaviors and patient education.

🌟 Missed the Redefining the Future of Nursing Summit? To get access to all the session replays: https://learn.fxnursing.com/summit-replays

Key Takeaways:
➡️ Functional psychiatry is a root-cause approach that integrates conventional and functional tools to restore whole-person health
➡️ Depression and anxiety can reflect underlying physiology such as gut dysfunction, cortisol patterns, hormones, sleep disruption, or unresolved trauma
➡️ Gut health is a recurring driver in mental health cases, including dysbiosis, H. pylori, constipation, and yeast overgrowth
➡️ “Treatment-resistant depression” often signals an incomplete root-cause workup, not a lack of options
➡️ Many medication side effects and poor responses make more sense when you evaluate stress physiology (including low cortisol patterns)
➡️ Nurses can create major impact within scope by prioritizing foundations: nutrition, sleep, movement, stress regulation, and lifestyle change support
➡️ New functional providers often overuse supplements; experienced clinicians typically simplify and return to the basics
➡️ Sustainable practice building requires boundaries, community, and a clear niche that patients can understand

Featured Guest:
Everest Goldstein, PMHNP-BC, IFMCP
Founder, Everest Functional Psychiatry: https://everestpsychandwellness.com/ and Wellness, and Evergreen Functional Collective: https://evergreenfunctional.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnesswitheverest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswitheverest/

02/02/2026

It’s not radical to care about root causes. It’s responsible.

The science supports it. The outcomes demand it.
Functional nursing honors the full complexity of what healing really takes.

01/28/2026

Did you miss this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast? Host Brigitte Sager, DNP, IFMCP, sat down with Megan Kroeker, MSN, NP, IFMCP, to talk about her journey into functional medicine, the importance of prioritizing personal health, and the growing value of functional nursing in today’s healthcare landscape.

They discussed the challenges and rewards of starting a private practice in Canada, the power of using timelines in patient care, and the role of intuition in functional nursing. Megan also shared her perspective on building community among nurses and why functional nursing is such an essential part of the future of healthcare.

🎬 Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/ZwcII-MwLmI

Connect with Megan:
Visit her website: https://functionalnp.ca/
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megankroeker_functionalnp/ #
Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/functionalnpmegankroeker

💻 Want to stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing? Sign up for the newsletter at: https://learn.fxnursing.com/newsletter-sign-up

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, a functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator. https://www.brigittesager.com/

This episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast is proudly sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN). At IFN, we equip RNs and NPs with the knowledge, confidence, and community to lead the future of healthcare through root-cause, patient-centered practice. We offer membership programs, continuing education, and a comprehensive, evidence informed education in functional nursing, all grounded in systems biology, clinical relevance, and the nursing process. Learn more about our offerings, upcoming courses, and how to join the movement at: https://www.fxnursing.com

01/26/2026

It’s not about leaving the profession. It’s about leading it back to what it was meant to be.

You don’t have to abandon nursing to find fulfillment. You just have to practice in alignment with your values.

01/22/2026

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing – Explore courses and training at www.fxnursing.com

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-ak8t7-1a24709

Elimination diets sound simple on paper, but in real life, they can create confusion, overwhelm, and unexpected setbacks for both nurses and their patients. In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager breaks down the top 7 challenges functional medicine nurses face when guiding clients through an elimination diet, and how to set the stage for success from the start.

You’ll learn how to help patients navigate challenges and avoid common reintroduction mistakes that sabotage their hard work. Topics include:
➡️ How to choose the right timing and “create space” before starting
➡️ Simplifying to reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout
➡️ What to do when patients feel worse before they feel better
➡️ How to handle slip-ups
➡️ Making the reintroduction phase a true experiment with structure and tracking
➡️ Avoiding common mistakes like reintroducing foods during illness or flare-ups
➡️ Why food sensitivities are not the root cause

This episode empowers nurses to guide patients with confidence, empathy, and clarity while also keeping the focus on gut repair, root cause healing, and sustainable behavior change.

Access the full course: https://learn.fxnursing.com/offers/peb6Dejb/checkout

Learn more about IFN's trainings and resources for functional medicine nurses at: www.fxnursing.com/learn

01/21/2026

Excited to share my new blog post: 'Rethinking Protocols in Functional Medicine in Nursing Practice: Alternative Approaches That Work.' Discover how to implement flexible and effective strategies that can truly benefit your patients. Read more: https://wix.to/i4XvV2o

When I was first diving into the world of functional medicine, I did what a lot of us do. I looked for protocols in the courses I took. I wanted something structured. Something safe. A set of steps I could follow with confidence and consistency. Something that would work for every patient. I was a p...

01/19/2026

We were born to advocate. To disrupt. To heal.

Nurses have always been the backbone of healthcare. Now we’re becoming its changemakers.

01/14/2026

Did you miss this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast? Brigitte Sager, DNP, shared her key takeaways from the PLMI Thought Leaders Consortium, a leading functional healthcare conference founded by Dr. Jeffrey Bland. She discussed emerging trends shaping the future of functional nursing and healthcare, including immunometabolism, immune resilience, epigenetics, personalized care, and practical ways nurses can track patient health using wearables and basic lab data like the CBC.

Brigitte also explored important topics in functional health such as trust, communication, prescriptions, GLP-1 agonists, longevity, cognitive decline, and the evolving role of nurses as disruptors in healthcare. She reflected on practicing functional nursing with integrity, maintaining strong patient-provider relationships, and supporting patients through a true root-cause approach. This episode is perfect for nurses, nurse practitioners, and holistic healthcare professionals who want to stay current and apply conference insights to real-world practice.

📱 Watch it here: https://youtu.be/OzKwDF50Dzo

Resources & Links Mentioned:
PLMI Thought Leaders Consortium membership and conference recordings: https://members.plminstitute.org/

Podcast referenced by Robert Lustig: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE_H7rijrVk

Functional Nursing Program: https://learn.fxnursing.com/the-functional-nursing-program

01/12/2026

You’re not broken. You’re misaligned. Burnout is a signal, not a flaw.

Many nurses are waking up to the truth. It’s not the work. It’s the way we’re being asked to work. Functional nursing gives you a new path.

01/08/2026

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at fxnursing.com

Functional Medicine is meant to be about healing the root cause, not just managing symptoms—but not every provider or clinic claiming to practice “FM” is truly doing it. In this powerful episode, I share a personal (and fully permitted) story about a loved one who finally sought Functional Medicine help—only to end up in a clinic focused more on selling expensive labs and supplements than offering real clinical strategy, support, or individualized care.

This isn’t about calling out individuals. It’s about protecting patients—especially those who are vulnerable, overwhelmed, or desperate for answers. I've had this same type of conversation with hundreds of RNs and NPs, and its an all too common problem. Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, searching for integrative support, or trying to help a loved one who’s struggling, this conversation will help you understand how to identify red flags, ask the right questions, and recognize when a provider isn’t truly practicing root-cause Functional Medicine.

🎧 Listen here: https://thefunctionalnursepodcast.podbean.com/e/the-hard-truth-about-functional-medicine-not-every-provider-is-legit/?token=cb0c2e2002d87f99276af4e4c1e341d4

✅ Learn how to vet Functional Medicine providers
✅ Discover the red flags of “brand-based” FM vs. process-based FM
✅ Understand why supplement-heavy protocols often miss the mark
✅ Explore the importance of patient readiness before starting care
✅ See why IFM training is a valuable (but not foolproof) signal

If you're looking for ethical, effective, and personalized root-cause care—this episode is for you.

In This Episode:
- Signs a clinic may be using "Functional Medicine" as a sales tactic
- Why supplement-first protocols often backfire
- How to ask better questions before spending thousands
- The role of readiness in healing (and how to support someone who’s not ready yet)
- The value of proper Functional Medicine training (like IFM)

🔁 If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

01/05/2026

The truth? Nurses were never meant to be medication passers and task doers. We are clinical experts, advocates, and leaders.

It’s time to reclaim our role in healthcare. We’re not simply here to take orders. We’re here to transform the system from the inside out.

12/31/2025

Did you miss this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast? With the foundational Functional Medicine for Nurses™ course coming to a close, many nurses were asking, “What now?” In this episode, Brigitte Sager, DNP, answered that question and mapped out the next steps for nurses ready to bring functional approaches into practice.

She explained why functional nursing is more than just a rebrand, how it reclaims the nursing role as healer, teacher, and leader, and why nurses need clear scope, community, and clinical support to apply these concepts safely. Brigitte also shared details about the Institute for Functional Nursing, current CE opportunities, the membership community with live case reviews, and the full Functional Nursing Program launching in early 2026.

If you’ve been wondering how to integrate functional care into your work or where to find mentorship and resources built by nurses, for nurses, this episode is a must-listen.

🎞️ Catch the full episode here: https://thefunctionalnursepodcast.podbean.com/e/functional-medicine-for-nurses-what-now/

💻 Stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing. Sign up for the newsletter so you never miss an update: https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator: www.brigittesager.com

✔️ Share this episode with fellow nurses or listen together. You can also find our video episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/

This episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast was proudly sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN). At IFN, we equip RNs and NPs with the knowledge, confidence, and community to lead the future of healthcare through root-cause, patient-centered practice. Explore membership programs, continuing education, and our comprehensive functional nursing curriculum at www.fxnursing.com

Be well!