In this solo episode, Dr. Don MacDonald talks about the powerful connections between chiropractic care, the nervous system, and the polyvagal theory. He shares insights from his recent events, including Level Two of the MacDonald Safety Corridor protocol. He explains how his approach continues to evolve through feedback from chiropractors in both North America and Australia. Dr. Don explains that when babies are born, they cannot self-regulate. They rely on safe, consistent co-regulators, typica...
Jul 03, 2025•24 min•Ep. 189
In this heartfelt and energizing episode of The Informed Chiropractor podcast, Dr. Don Macdonald reconnects with Kyla Butz, a former student intern in his practice and now a rising chiropractic leader preparing to graduate from Palmer College. What starts as a nostalgic catch-up quickly becomes a deep dive into the reality of chiropractic school today, the shift away from vitalism, and the importance of building community, skill, and purpose before stepping into practice. Kyla shares what it’s r...
Jun 05, 2025•35 min•Ep. 188
Are you a chiropractor trying to grow your practice but feel overwhelmed by marketing options? In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, we diversified a little to help practice members, as we talked about modern strategies that actually bring new patients through your doors. Joined by chiropractic marketing expert Billy Sticker, we explore how short-form video content, office tour videos, and simple FAQ-style reels can build trust and reduce the fear that keeps people from booking their fir...
May 24, 2025•45 min•Ep. 187
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast—the go-to chiropractic podcast for neurologically focused chiropractors—we sit down with Dr. Erina Olsen to explore her journey from a curious 11-year-old in New Zealand to becoming a powerful voice for functional neurology in Ireland. After discovering the power of manual therapy, Dr. Olsen shifted her focus from osteopathy to chiropractic, graduating in the second class of the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. She shares the intense exper...
May 08, 2025•38 min•Ep. 186
Dr. Don MacDonald hosts Dr. Kate Finlayson on this episode of The Informed Chiropractor podcast, where she discusses her journey in chiropractic care with a focus on pediatric practice. Dr. Kate shares how she transitioned from nursing to chiropractic after discovering the profession through YouTube videos and osteopathic treatments. She graduated from Macquarie University in Sydney and began working in Gladstone, Queensland, a coastal town she describes as ideal for her love of nature and small...
Apr 24, 2025•25 min•Ep. 185
On today’s episode of the Informed Chiropractor podcast hosted by Dr. Don Macdonald, Dr. Emir Lervy, a chiropractor from Northern Ireland, shares her journey from growing up in a family deeply rooted in holistic health to establishing her practice in 2008. Inspired by her mother’s recovery from sciatica and her brother’s improved sleep through chiropractic care, she pursued studies at the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic. Initially trained in a mechanistic approach, she transitioned to a vitalist...
Apr 10, 2025•25 min•Ep. 184
In this interview with Dr. Ryan Seaman, hosted by Dr. Don Macdonald, he shared his journey from practicing a pain-based model to achieving significant growth in transitioning to a subluxation-based model in Loxton, South Australia. Dr. Ryan purchased a retiring chiropractor’s practice. However, the clinic’s symptom-centered model clashed with his philosophy. He recalls feeling physically ill during patient consultations, which centered on pain complaints. After abandoning this approach and adopt...
Apr 01, 2025•37 min•Ep. 183
In this heartfelt solo episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don MacDonald shares the profound personal journey of saying goodbye to Lux, Brandi, and his beloved dog of over 12 years. Through the lens of Dr. Henry Cloud’s book Necessary Endings, Don explores what it truly means to let go, whether that’s a loyal companion, that toxic staff member, a limiting mindset, or an outdated version of ourselves or our practice. This episode dives deep into five powerful lessons born from grief, reflec...
Mar 27, 2025•27 min•Ep. 182
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don sits down with Dr. Sarah and Dr. Travis, who jointly run a chiropractic practice in Dawson Creek, BC, Canada, to talk about their journey from struggling in practice to finding success and balance. They share real challenges, from financial struggles to rebuilding their practice, offering honest insights that every chiropractor can relate to. Dr. Sarah opens up about how chiropractic care changed her life as a teenager, while Dr. Travis talks...
Mar 18, 2025•54 min•Ep. 181
HOST: Dr. Don Macdonald Guest: Dr. Talissa Shekelton This is a special episode of the Informed Chiropractor podcast. We have Dr. Talissa, who is not only a chiropractor but also a chiropractor’s patient herself. Her chiropractic journey reads like a movie script. She was born with a failing bladder, survived on antibiotics for years, and was misdiagnosed with epilepsy by 12. But here’s the twist: she didn’t just survive. She rewired her broken nervous system, stumbled into chiropractic care whil...
Mar 04, 2025•31 min•Ep. 180
🎙 Host: Dr. Don Macdonald 🎙 Guest: Dr. Rachel Swan In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don Macdonald sits down with Dr. Rachel Swan to discuss her journey in chiropractic, the impact of mentorship, and her passion for long-distance walking pilgrimages. She shares insights on personal transformation, the role of the polyvagal theory in practice, and the power of 20 seconds of courage. The conversation moves to Dr. Swan's origin story, how she got into chiropractic, her mentors, he...
Feb 14, 2025•25 min•Season 2Ep. 179
This is another solo episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast with Dr. Don, He shares practical advice and strategies to help chiropractors grow their practice and thrive in 2025. From handling real-life challenges in patient care to building better habits and setting goals, this episode is all about actionable insights to keep your practice ahead of the game. Dr. Don discusses the 2025 90-Day Program, a powerful resource designed to help you elevate your chiropractic practice and achieve me...
Jan 23, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Ali talks about how her passion for helping children and families shaped her journey into chiropractic care. Inspired by her mother’s life-changing experience with chiropractic, Dr. Ali decided to create that same kind of impact for others. She shares how her early love for working with kids led her to focus on pediatric care. After graduating from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, she opened her Family Health Chiropractic & Wellness pr...
Nov 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 178
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don MacDonald explains how strengthening your regulatory reserves supports peak performance in life and practice. Using insights from Polyvagal Theory, Dr. MacDonald shows why a regulated nervous system is key to staying resilient, adaptable, and focused, especially for chiropractors looking to enhance their personal and professional lives. Through practical advice, Dr. MacDonald emphasizes how keeping your body in a state of “ease” rather than “...
Nov 13, 2024•18 min•Ep. 177
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Nicole Leaderman, an expert in chiropractic care for pregnant women and children joins us to discuss the unique needs and benefits of chiropractic adjustments for pregnant women and children. Dr. Leaderman will join us at our upcoming seminar as a guest teacher, sharing her insights on safe and effective adjustment techniques for expecting mothers and pediatric patients. She also discusses her approach to creating a supportive environment and pra...
Oct 31, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 176
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor Dr. Don MacDonald shares his transformative MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol—a method to make chiropractic adjustments neurologically safer and more effective. Joined by Dr. Donald Francis, they explore how this approach can elevate patient care, focusing on creating a welcoming practice, co-regulating with patients, and understanding the deeper connections between the brain and body. They talked about the power of advanced techniques like cranial a...
Oct 17, 2024•50 min•Ep. 175
Welcome back to The Informed Chiropractor! In this episode, Dr. Don MacDonald talks about a game-changing protocol in the chiropractic world—The MacDonald Safety Corridor. This technique is all about making chiropractic adjustments safer, more effective, and consistent across the board. Whether you’re a seasoned chiropractor or just starting, this episode will give you valuable insights on how this approach can improve your practice and patient outcomes. Dr. MacDonald walks us through the three ...
Oct 03, 2024•23 min•Ep. 174
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don MacDonald welcomes Brandi MacDonald, the visionary behind True Concepts Inc. and True Concepts Seminars, for a special season finale before their summer break. Brandi is well-known for her expertise in chiropractic education and coaching, and today, they tackle the often-undervalued superpower of focus—a crucial element for achieving both personal growth and business success. As they reflect on their own experiences, Brandi and Don discuss ho...
Sep 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 173
Join Dr. Don MacDonald for a special episode as he welcomes Brandi MacDonald, for a final episode before their summer break. Brandi, owner of True Concepts Inc. and True Concepts Seminars, is renowned for her transformative work in chiropractic education. Together, they reflect on recent global events, observations from teaching polyvagal theory, and the profound impact of perceived safety in chiropractic practice. Brandi shares her perspective on simplifying chiropractic principles and enhancin...
Jun 20, 2024•46 min•Ep. 172
In this episode, Dr. Don MacDonald gets interviewed by his friend, Patrick Francey, host of The Everyday Millionaire Podcast. In this insightful conversation, Don delves into the world of polyvagal theory and chiropractic care, seeking to understand how they intersect and impact stress management and overall well-being. This episode offers valuable insights for chiropractors and any health practitioner. From exploring the components of polyvagal theory to discussing the essential skills of chiro...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 171
In today's episode, we sit down with the esteemed Dr. Peter Kevorkian, a renowned figure in chiropractic care and education. Dr. Peter shares insights into his recent life changes, including his transition from full-time practice to a leadership role in chiropractic education. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Peter delves into the core values of chiropractic care, emphasizing the importance of serving patients and nurturing future chiropractors. He reflects on the impact of his interactions in pra...
May 16, 2024•39 min•Ep. 170
Dive into the world of chiropractic care with Dr. Martin Lamarre, a veteran chiropractor passionate about promoting a true principled chiropractic lifestyle. In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, we explore Dr. Lamarre's journey from chiropractic school to serving on the Montreal Alouettes team as a chiropractor. Discover insights into chiropractic philosophy, choosing the right school, overcoming doubts, and lessons learned in practice. Dr. Lamarre shares valuable advice for aspiring ch...
May 02, 2024•42 min•Ep. 169
Join us on "The Informed Chiropractor" as we delve into the remarkable journey of Dr. Eric Chu, a visionary in the chiropractic field whose work spans continents. From his initial training and early career decisions to establishing a thriving practice in Hong Kong, Dr. Chu's story is a testament to the power of innovation and determination in healthcare. Host Dr. Don MacDonald explores Dr. Chu's pioneering approach to chiropractic care, highlighting his integration of traditional techniques with...
Apr 18, 2024•46 min•Ep. 168
In this fun episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don MacDonald joins forces with the esteemed Dr. Damien O'Dwyer to explore the fascinating intersection of Chiropractic Neuroscience and their shared experiences as dyslexic chiropractors. With 19 years under his belt, Dr. O'Dwyer brings a wealth of knowledge from his upbringing in Australia, his PhD studies, and his chiropractic education at the AECC in Bournemouth, UK. The duo delves into case studies and the latest research, shedding light...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 167
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, host Dr. Don Macdonald flies over to Germany (virtually) for an insightful interview with Dr. Aileen Hurkett, a passionate and dedicated chiropractor based in the picturesque town of Spire in the Southwest of Germany. Dr. Hurkett, an AECC grad from Bournemouth, UK, in 2015, has been a long standing member of The Informed Chiropractor group and an active participant in several of Dr. Macdonald’s seminars. Throughout the episode, she shares her unique ...
Mar 21, 2024•40 min•Ep. 166
In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, host Dr. Don McDonald interviews Dr. Whitney Wihlidal, a seasoned chiropractor with over 24 years of experience practicing in Orillia, Ontario. Dr. Willedahl shares an in-depth look at his career, starting from his initial encounter with chiropractic during his university years, his decision to pursue a chiropractic career, and the subsequent steps that led to him owning a successful practice. Throughout the interview, Dr. Wihlidal emphasizes the imp...
Mar 07, 2024•38 min•Ep. 165
In this episode of the The Informed Chiropractor podcast, host Dr. Don McDonald speaks with Dr. Tanya Chambers, a chiropractor from Ontario. Dr. Chambers discusses her journey into chiropractic, sharing that she was nudged toward the discipline after initially considering pediatrics. She emphasizes the importance of feeling comfortable with one's chiropractor for effective care. She also discusses how she applies the principles of Polyvagal theory to her practice, stressing the vital role of mak...
Feb 22, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 2
After a hiatus, Dr. Don is relaunching the podcast today with a brand new name. In this solo episode, Dr. Don discusses rebranding from Vitality Shift Podcast for Chiropractors to The Informed Chiropractor and how the principles of chiropractic care can blend with the revolutionary insights of the Polyvagal Theory. He describes how implementing the Polyvagal Theory with chiropractic principles can more profoundly impact patients' nervous systems. He also talks about neuroception and interoceptio...
Feb 08, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 1
After a short summer hiatus from the podcast, we’re back with a new episode. Today, we’re talking about the polyvagal theory, the two branches of the vagus nerve, the hierarchy of the nervous system, and how increased knowledge on these topics improves the quality of care for practice members. Our nervous system greatly influences the way we interact with the world, especially socially. As a chiropractor, you can use the polyvagal theory to signal cues of safety and enhance the adjustment experi...
Jul 31, 2023•27 min•Ep. 164
In this podcast episode, Dr. Don Clum, a chiropractor, and functional fitness expert, joins us to discuss his focus on advanced metabolic nutrition, emphasizing insulin resistance. He aims to help individuals with various body system issues, including weight management, diabetes, and cardiac problems. Dr. Clum provides insight into his nutrition philosophy and the benefits of fasting. He recommends certain foods while advising against others, particularly those containing oxalates. The podcast c...
Apr 27, 2023•53 min•Ep. 163
