The Emotion Component of Holistic Care with Dr. Mark Sherwood
Wed Jan 28 2026
Whether you’re curious about the emotional side of healthcare, searching for ways to take more ownership of your wellbeing, or interested in holistic approaches to longevity and healing, this episode is packed with wisdom, actionable insights, and heartfelt stories.
Eric Pennington is joined by Dr. Mark Sherwood for an eye-opening conversation about the crossroads of healthcare, emotional intelligence, and the choices we make around our well-being.
In this episode, Eric and Dr. Sherwood dig deep into the emotional impact of health challenges, the staggering rise in lifestyle-related diseases, and how our everyday decisions—from what we eat to how we respond to stress—shape both our physical and emotional health. Dr. Sherwood shares fascinating perspectives on the Standard American Diet, the addictive nature of certain foods, and the importance of trust and empathy between doctor and patient.
You’ll also learn how Dr. Sherwood and his wife, Dr. Michelle Sherwood, have built an alternative medical practice centered on treating the whole person—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Mark offers practical advice for managing healthcare costs, becoming more intentional about your health, and fostering hope and compassion in medical interactions.
Moments
00:00 America's Health Crisis Worsens
05:11 "Processed Foods as Addictive Drugs"
07:34 "Relearning Lifestyle Beyond GLP1"
09:50 Focusing on Positivity First
14:44 Specialist's Approach to Personalized Care
18:46 "Creating Alternative Healthcare Systems"
20:51 "Rethinking Health Savings Systems"
25:17 Webinar for Transparency and Engagement
28:40 Holistic Health and Spiritual Connection
32:05 Freedom to Choose Beliefs
33:50 "Power of the Professional Pause"
37:26 "Patient Recognition and Connection"
40:46 "Lost Personal Connection Today"
44:08 Personalized Medicine for Diabetes
48:14 Women's Health Dismissal Struggles
52:29 "Longevity and Health Optimization"
56:10 "Mark's Inspiring Message Shared"
Here are 3 thought-provoking takeaways:
Healthcare Is More Than Just Medication and Diagnosis - Dr. Sherwood advocates for a partnership with patients, focusing on trust, empathy, and really listening to their stories. Creating genuine relationships leads to better health outcomes—and patients know when you truly care.Lifestyle Choices Account for the Majority of Our Health - The conversation highlights that up to 90% of recurring health conditions are tied to lifestyle, not just genetics or bad luck. Nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress management are critical pillars—and we have more control than we think.Treat the Whole Person, Not Just the Symptoms - Mark and Michelle Sherwood’s practice looks at physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual health—helping people feel seen, heard, and valued. It's a reminder that no one is defined by a diagnosis; we are all more than our medical charts.
Mark Sherwood, Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Michele L. Neil-Sherwood, Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), have a full-time wellness-based medical practice in Tulsa, OK called the Functional Medical Institute where they adopt a whole person approach, which is outcome based looking at each individual’s unique needs. Their goal is to lead people down a pathway of true healing. To that end, there are two purposes: 1. To eradicate all self-imposed, choice driven disease conditions, and 2. To eliminate the usage of unnecessary medications. Through their unique clinic, various diagnostic tests are used, healing and prevention of common disease patterns are the norm.
The couple has co-authored four Amazon #1...
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Whether you’re curious about the emotional side of healthcare, searching for ways to take more ownership of your wellbeing, or interested in holistic approaches to longevity and healing, this episode is packed with wisdom, actionable insights, and heartfelt stories. Eric Pennington is joined by Dr. Mark Sherwood for an eye-opening conversation about the crossroads of healthcare, emotional intelligence, and the choices we make around our well-being. In this episode, Eric and Dr. Sherwood dig deep into the emotional impact of health challenges, the staggering rise in lifestyle-related diseases, and how our everyday decisions—from what we eat to how we respond to stress—shape both our physical and emotional health. Dr. Sherwood shares fascinating perspectives on the Standard American Diet, the addictive nature of certain foods, and the importance of trust and empathy between doctor and patient. You’ll also learn how Dr. Sherwood and his wife, Dr. Michelle Sherwood, have built an alternative medical practice centered on treating the whole person—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Mark offers practical advice for managing healthcare costs, becoming more intentional about your health, and fostering hope and compassion in medical interactions. Moments 00:00 America's Health Crisis Worsens 05:11 "Processed Foods as Addictive Drugs" 07:34 "Relearning Lifestyle Beyond GLP1" 09:50 Focusing on Positivity First 14:44 Specialist's Approach to Personalized Care 18:46 "Creating Alternative Healthcare Systems" 20:51 "Rethinking Health Savings Systems" 25:17 Webinar for Transparency and Engagement 28:40 Holistic Health and Spiritual Connection 32:05 Freedom to Choose Beliefs 33:50 "Power of the Professional Pause" 37:26 "Patient Recognition and Connection" 40:46 "Lost Personal Connection Today" 44:08 Personalized Medicine for Diabetes 48:14 Women's Health Dismissal Struggles 52:29 "Longevity and Health Optimization" 56:10 "Mark's Inspiring Message Shared" Here are 3 thought-provoking takeaways: Healthcare Is More Than Just Medication and Diagnosis - Dr. Sherwood advocates for a partnership with patients, focusing on trust, empathy, and really listening to their stories. Creating genuine relationships leads to better health outcomes—and patients know when you truly care.Lifestyle Choices Account for the Majority of Our Health - The conversation highlights that up to 90% of recurring health conditions are tied to lifestyle, not just genetics or bad luck. Nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress management are critical pillars—and we have more control than we think.Treat the Whole Person, Not Just the Symptoms - Mark and Michelle Sherwood’s practice looks at physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual health—helping people feel seen, heard, and valued. It's a reminder that no one is defined by a diagnosis; we are all more than our medical charts. Mark Sherwood, Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Michele L. Neil-Sherwood, Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), have a full-time wellness-based medical practice in Tulsa, OK called the Functional Medical Institute where they adopt a whole person approach, which is outcome based looking at each individual’s unique needs. Their goal is to lead people down a pathway of true healing. To that end, there are two purposes: 1. To eradicate all self-imposed, choice driven disease conditions, and 2. To eliminate the usage of unnecessary medications. Through their unique clinic, various diagnostic tests are used, healing and prevention of common disease patterns are the norm. The couple has co-authored four Amazon #1...