Episode 8: How Can Parents Support Their Child’s Health More Holistically? with Mariel Nasis

What happens when a parent knows something is off, but every test says their child is “fine”? In this episode of The Well Known Podcast, Shannon Conklin sits down with Mariel Nasis, founder of Integrative Pediatrics of Long Island, to talk about what personalized pediatric care can look like when a practitioner has time to listen, connect the dots, and look at the whole child. They discuss parent advocacy, gut health, nutrition, sleep, environmental exposures, individualized testing, and why helping kids thrive requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. What You’ll Learn Understand why Mariel starts with the whole child—not just one symptom or one lab result. Learn why listening to parents can uncover details that may otherwise be overlooked. Explore how diet, sleep, stress, gut health, activity, and family habits can all be part of a bigger health picture. Hear why supplements and detox protocols are not automatically the first step in Mariel’s approach. Learn how parents can ask better questions, stay informed, and find practitioners who will listen. Chapters 00:00 Meet Mariel Nasis of Integrative Pediatrics of Long Island 01:20 From traditional nursing to integrative pediatrics 03:10 Helping children thrive—not just grow 04:15 When parents know something is wrong but tests look normal 05:30 What “holistic” really means: looking at the whole person 07:20 The gut, mood, sleep and the bigger health picture 09:40 Why conventional and integrative medicine can work together 10:25 The problem with eight-minute appointments 11:15 Why children’s health looks different today 15:00 Genetics, MTHFR and individualized pediatric care 16:35 Parent advocacy vs. Dr. Google 19:20 Why one-size-fits-all wellness does not work 20:25 Testing, prioritizing and why the gut may come first 22:40 The 80/20 approach to healthy living 24:45 Are we approaching childhood health the wrong way? 25:10 Simple ways to create a healthier home 26:15 Why detox is not always step one 27:45 Making healthy habits a family affair 29:05 What a healthy immune response can look like 31:20 Why supplements are not automatically the first answer 32:15 What Mariel wants every parent to know 33:20 Why she still has hope for this generation 35:45 Mariel’s definition of wellness If this conversation helped you think differently about your child’s health, share it with another parent who has ever felt unheard or unsure of what questions to ask. Like this episode, subscribe to The Well Known Podcast, and share it with someone who believes kids deserve care that helps them truly thrive. DISCLAIMER: The information shared on this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes and should not be considered medical, health, nutritional, psychological, or professional advice. The content shared here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified health care provider before making decisions about your health or wellness.