About this episode
Ryan Sternagel—co-founder of The Stern Method, Going Integrative Plus (GIP+), and Our Health Naturally—joins Dr. Karlfeldt to share the real story behind his family’s mission: in 2014, Ryan and his wife Teddy learned their son Ryder had stage four neuroblastoma just eleven days before his first birthday. What followed was a crash course in advocacy, research, and resilience—plus a decades-worth of integrative insights earned the hard way. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a diagnosis, pressured into one path, or unsure how to “do everything” without losing your mind, this conversation is for you.In this episode, Ryan walks through the moment they knew something was wrong, the medical runaround that nearly delayed answers, and how they learned to push for imaging, ask better questions, and make decisions strategically—especially when facing institutional pressure. They discuss the chess match many families experience in pediatric oncology, including navigating treatment expectations, scan decisions, and the importance of building a supportive plan that addresses nutrition, environment, and mindset alongside medical care. Ryan also shares the evolution from documenting their journey online to creating a searchable library of expert integrative oncology guidance through GIP+—so families can learn directly from top holistic cancer doctors and “test-drive” approaches that resonate.You’ll also hear Ryan’s perspective on “cake vs. frosting”: why foundational daily practices (circadian rhythm, nature time, reducing toxic load, nervous system regulation, and belief/mindset work) often matter more than any shiny new therapy—yet how select advanced tools may fit into a larger integrative strategy. This is a grounded, motivating listen for patients, caregivers, and practitioners who want a more empowered, organized way forward.Key Topics CoveredRyder’s stage 4 neuroblastoma diagnosis and the early warning signs that were missedSelf-advocacy in pediatrics: pushing for ultrasound/MRI and trusting intuitionNavigating hospital systems, treatment escalation, and the realities of compliance pressureBuilding an “integrative support stack”: nutrition, juicing, supplements, IV vitamin C, and lifestyleThe importance of organization and implementation: turning information into a workable scheduleNon-toxic living and environmental control (EMFs, chemicals, lighting, plastics, circadian rhythm)Mindset as medicine: trauma work, belief systems, meditation/breathwork, and daily centering practices“Cake vs. frosting”: foundational habits vs. advanced/experimental therapiesRyan’s “talent scout” approach: finding top integrative cancer doctors and filtering conflicting infoGIP+ as a model for weekly expert access, Q&A, and a se
