The Alternative Flight Plan Podcast
Full Episode Library
Latest Episode
Jan 2026
You don’t need a more disciplined mindset. You need a safer internal operating system. A freak accident put Jim Pehkonen in a moment where he was sure he was dying. What surprised him wasn’t fear. It was peace. If you’re navigating trauma recovery, chronic stress, or the feeling that the old way of coping isn’t working anymore, this one offers a steady framework and a human reminder: healing is possible.
Dec 22 2025
Trauma can make the body’s signals feel confusing—beyond “not trusting,” into “what does this even mean?” In this episode, Christine Ruch shares why nervous system restoration is often the starting point for making those signals intelligible again.
Nov 15, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes sits down with former Marine Gary P. Hess, who found his way out of deep trauma through intentional plant medicine, breath work, and community support. Gary leads Warrior Tribe Assembly and VAHA, helping veterans and first responders reconnect to themselves and rediscover purpose through holistic and peer-led care. This episode is about breaking stigma, rebuilding trust, and finding real ways forward — beyond pills and protocols.
Nov 3, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes welcomes Dr. Holly Christy—naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist, and founder of The Bridge Back Project—for a fascinating look into the world of fascial counterstrain, an emerging hands-on therapy changing how we understand chronic pain, trauma, and healing. Together, she and Dr. Barnes explore how this precise, physiology-based approach can help reset the body’s nervous system—offering relief where traditional medicine often falls short.
Oct 6, 2025
Finding Hope in Alternative Healing
When you’ve tried everything and the system still fails you—what’s next? In this deeply moving episode of The Alternative Flight Plan Podcast, host Dr. Kristin Barnes sits down with Angela Skudin, founder and CEO of The Casey Skudin 343 Fund, to explore healing beyond the conventional. From battling Morgellons disease and Lyme to investing in psychedelic pre/post-journey support systems, she unpacks the reality of healing on your own terms. This is more than medicine—it’s a revolution in how we care for those who serve others
Sept 15, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes and Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum discuss how mindset, daily habits, and functional medicine can reshape health outcomes. They explore the power of belief, positive psychology, and taking control of your well-being beyond genetics.
Aug 25, 2025
Kristin Barnes speaks with Dr. Erica Zelfand on bridging science and soul in healing. They discuss how psychedelic and integrative therapies can support mind, body, and spirit by uniting conventional and indigenous wisdom.
Aug 11, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes and Dan Gurley, a trauma-informed coach and former aviator, discuss healing from complex PTSD, nervous system regulation, and the power of finding purpose after trauma.
Jun 23, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes speaks with Dr. Ryan Phillips about psilocybin-assisted therapy, integrative mental health, and the shortcomings of modern healthcare. They discuss how true healing requires bridging physical and emotional care through nutrition, neurofeedback, and plant medicine.
May 19, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes talks with Navy pilot and author Kegan “Smurf” Gill about surviving a near-fatal ejection, traumatic brain injury, and the mental health challenges that followed. Kegan shares how sleep, psychedelics, and holistic healing helped him rebuild—and how he’s now guiding others through their own recovery.
May 5, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes speaks with Dr. Clarence Cutsforth about trauma recovery, addiction, and the role of functional medicine in healing the whole person. They explore the gut-brain-heart connection, community-based care, and how Mon Sana is helping veterans and first responders find lasting change.
Apr 21, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes talks with Matthew “Whiz” Buckley of No Fallen Heroes about psychedelic therapy for veterans, the barriers they face in getting help, and why community and compassion are essential to healing PTSD and trauma.
Apr 7, 2025
Dr. Kristin Barnes and Dr. Jill Richards explore how trauma and nervous system dysregulation impact chronic health conditions like TBI. They discuss acupuncture, Feldenkrais therapy, and why healing often begins outside the traditional medical system.
March 10, 2025
In the debut episode, Dr. Kristin Barnes talks with Dr. Brianna Cardenas about navigating chronic illness, the failures of traditional medicine, and how integrative care—including fascial counterstrain—can transform both patient and provider healing journeys.
