Funky Pharmacist-Apothecary & Co: Recent Episodes
Sarah
The Funky Pharmacists podcast will discuss health topics that relate to Natural and Functional medicine. Our podcast features Dr. Hillary Howell, PharmD, FACA, owner and founder of Apothecary & Co in Oxford, Michigan, and Sarah Reinelt CpHT. After years in retail Pharmacy, we knew there needed to be a change, not just in Pharmacy but in healthcare. So Apothecary & Co and our team set out to bring total health to each individual. We strive to help everyone be there own healthcare advocate!
You’re doing all the things—supplements, testing, trends…
so why don’t you feel better?
In this episode of Ask. Tell. Confess., we break down supplement overload, peptides, too much testing, and how to actually know who to trust. Plus, a real confession you’ll probably relate to.
Quick fixes vs. true health foundations.
In this episode, we’re diving into why nutritional foundations matter more than chasing one-off supplements for every symptom.
We talk about:
- Why laying a solid nutritional foundation is the first step before addressing acute concerns
- How deficiencies often create the environment for stress, anxiety, hormone imbalance, and fatigue
- Why “throwing supplements at symptoms” rarely leads to long-term success
- The uncomfortable truth about greed medicine creeping into the functional and holistic health space
- What we’re seeing shift already in 2026 — and where we’re headed next
If you’re tired of quick fixes and want to understand how to support your body in a sustainable, grounded way, this episode is for you.
This week on The Funky Pharmacist Podcast, Sarah and Hillary dive into the FDA’s big decision to remove the Black Box Warning from hormone therapy—and what that actually means for real people seeking relief.
We unpack:
- Why the Black Box was there in the first place
- How the WHI trials shaped decades of confusion
- The difference between bioidentical vs. commercially available hormones
- What the FDA’s update means for safety, access, and prescribing today
- Where (and who) to turn to if you’re looking for expert hormone support
All sprinkled with our usual back-and-forth banter, a little myth-busting, and a whole lot of clarity on a topic that’s been misunderstood for far too long.
We’re answering your most-asked wellness questions — from hormones and fatigue to supplements and stress. Quick, real, and packed with functional tips you can use today.
In this episode, we celebrate Hillary’s huge milestone—earning her IFMCP (Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner) credential! We break down what this certification means, why it matters, and how functional medicine takes a different approach to health and healing. Plus, Hillary shares what might be next on her journey and how she plans to bring functional medicine into the lives of more people.
In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on Hillary’s most recent bloodwork results and walking you through exactly how we approach lab work from a functional and integrative perspective. Whether you’re curious about optimal vs. "normal" ranges, key markers to watch, or what we do when numbers come back less than ideal, this is a must-listen.
We cover:
- Why “normal” isn’t always optimal
- What Hillary’s labs revealed about her thyroid, iron, inflammation, and more
- How we interpret results to guide nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle
- Action steps and real-world takeaways you can apply to your own health journey
This episode is all about education, empowerment, and helping you understand what your labs might really be telling you.
We’re pulling back the curtain on a topic that hits close to home—the recent closure of our neighboring pharmacy and the troubling trend of independent pharmacies shutting their doors.
In this episode, we talk candidly about:
💊 The harsh reality of insurance and PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers)
🏥 Why the traditional model is broken—and who it’s really failing
🛒 How our self-pay model is different (and why it works)
❤️ Our mission to keep independent pharmacy alive and thriving
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on behind the pharmacy counter or why your local options are disappearing—this episode is for you.
In this episode of The Funky Pharmacist Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Rachal Mittleman, DO, founder of Authentic Physician Healthcare, a Direct Primary Care practice located just upstairs from Apothecary & Co in Oxford, Michigan.
Dr. Mittleman shares her journey from traditional healthcare to launching her own membership-based practice, where longer visits, direct access, and meaningful patient relationships are at the core of care.
We discuss:
- What Direct Primary Care is—and how it’s different
- The importance of time, trust, and transparency in medicine
- How she’s creating a space where patients feel seen and heard
If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to truly know your doctor and be known in return, this episode will inspire you.
🎧 Tune in and discover how healthcare can look—and feel—different.
In this episode, Sarah and Hillary share the heart behind Apothecary & Co’s new VIP Membership Program. Learn why this shift is happening, what it means for current and future clients, and how it allows them to offer deeper, more personal support without compromising their ability to serve the entire community. VIP members will gain access to exclusive features like direct messaging, journaling, food tracking, and priority scheduling—ideal for those who need ongoing, individualized support. But rest assured, for your everyday questions and needs, the team is still here and always happy to help. This episode is all about creating clearer boundaries and better service for everyone.
In this episode, we dive into the world of pet medications—both traditional and compounded—and why it's so important to check if you’re getting the best deal for your furry family member. We also talk about how large corporate pharmacies like Chewy and Wedgewood are impacting independent pharmacies like ours. It's a friendly PSA to remind you that staying local matters more than ever. We're always happy to help you compare prices, answer questions, and let you know if we can fill your pet’s prescriptions—or if you're already getting a great deal elsewhere. Your pets deserve the best, and so do you.
Feeling wired but tired? Stuck in a cycle of anxiety, fatigue, or weight struggles? It might be your cortisol talking. In this episode, we break down what cortisol is, how stress impacts your body, and why adrenal health is key to balanced energy, mood, hormones, and more. Tune in to learn how to support your body when life gets overwhelming.
Would You Rather? Apothecary Edition
Description:
In this lighthearted episode, join Sarah and Hillary—your favorite functional pharmacy duo from Apothecary & Co.—as they take a break from supplements and science to play a hilarious round of Would You Rather. From quirky health scenarios to off-the-wall life choices, nothing is off-limits. Get ready for laughs, a little bit of friendly debate, and maybe even a few unexpected truths. Whether you're here for the banter or the behind-the-scenes chemistry, this episode is sure to leave you smiling!
Gut Check: Digestion, Bloating, and Stomach Acid Explained!
In this episode of The Funky Pharmacist Podcast, we're diving deep into digestion and gut health! We break down how digestion works, the difference between high and low stomach acid, and why bloating, constipation, and other common gut issues happen. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to support your digestion naturally. If you've ever wondered what’s really going on in your gut, this episode is for you!
🎧 Tune in now and let’s talk gut health!
In this episode of The Funky Pharmacist Podcast, we dive into one of the most common health concerns: sleep issues. We explore the root causes behind restless nights, including blood sugar imbalances, hormonal shifts, cortisol levels, and more.
You'll also walk away with practical tips and solutions to help improve your sleep naturally—because getting quality rest isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential for your health and well-being!
Whether you're tossing and turning at night or just looking to optimize your rest, this episode has something for you.
In this episode of The Funky Pharmacist Podcast, we’re diving into a topic that affects so many of us, especially teen girls and their cycles—from PMS to cramps, irregular periods, mood swings, and everything in between. 💭✨
We’ll break down how nutrition and supplements can help nurture healthy, balanced cycles and provide natural relief for common symptoms. 🌿💖 This is a must-listen for teens, parents, and anyone looking for holistic guidance on hormone health!
💡 Topics covered:
🔸 The role of magnesium & B vitamins for cycle support
🔸 How stress impacts your period and what you can do
🔸 Nutrition tips for a smoother cycle
4o
In this episode of The Funky Pharmacist, we’re diving into a mix of personal growth and practical health tips! Join us as we reflect on our goals for 2025 and the steps we’re taking to embrace positive changes in our lives. From self-discipline to setting intentions, we’re getting real about what it takes to achieve the life we envision.
We’ll also touch on detoxification—breaking down what it really means and how to approach it safely and effectively. Forget the scary myths—detoxing can be a simple, supportive process to feel your best.
And because no podcast is complete without addressing modern life’s most persistent challenge, we’re chatting about stress. Learn how we navigate the pressures of daily life and the tools we use to stay grounded and resilient.
Tune in for inspiration, a little humor, and a lot of heart as we tackle these topics from our unique pharmacy perspective. Let’s kick off 2025 feeling empowered, balanced, and ready for what’s next!
Podcast Description:
🎙️ The Funky Pharmacist Podcast: Is Your Supplement BS? (Part 1)
With TikTok, social media, and influencers hyping supplements everywhere, how can you tell what's legit and what's BS? In this episode, we dive into a few popular ones, sharing our unfiltered opinions on whether they’re worth your time and money. 💊💸
⚡ Part 2 Sneak Peek: We want to hear from YOU! What supplements are you curious about? Let us know, and we’ll review them in our next episode. ✨
Disclaimer: Contains strong language. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.
Here is part 2 of your Facebook Questions! We cover weight loss and a hole bunch of other topics in this one.
We’re back with a brand new episode of The Funky Pharmacist Podcast, and this time we’re diving into your Facebook questions with quick, straight-to-the-point answers! These are the answers to your Facebook questions.
- **Please note, there is a 15 second gap in the middle of this podcast, we got new software, and I am still learning editing. My apologies
Tune in for practical advice, pharmacy insights, and a few surprises. And don’t forget—this is just Part 1! Stay tuned for even more answers in the next episode.
Dive into the world of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHT) from the unique perspectives of a compounding pharmacy and functional medicine in our latest podcast episode. Discover the precision behind personalized BHT, the benefits over traditional hormone therapies, and the crucial role of nutrition and adrenal health in enhancing therapy effectiveness. Gain practical insights into achieving hormonal balance through a holistic approach, integrating science with lifestyle adjustments. This episode offers a concise guide for anyone interested in optimizing health and understanding the potential of BHT.
In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of pharmacogenomics, gene testing, and the crucial role of methylfolate. Join us as we unravel how our genetic blueprint can significantly influence our response to medications. We'll explore the latest advancements in gene testing, demystify the science behind methylfolate's importance in pharmacotherapy, and discuss practical insights for both healthcare professionals and patients. Whether you're a pharmacy enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or just curious about how genetics can impact our health, this episode is packed with enlightening discussions and funky facts. Tune in to stay informed and entertained!
Episode Description:
Dive into the essentials of blood work analysis with a functional medicine pharmacist in this episode of "The Funky Pharmacist" Learn how to interpret key health markers and understand the significance of personalized health strategies based on blood tests. We also explore the growing trend of concierge medicine and its benefits for individualized patient care. Join us for an informative session that bridges the gap between complex medical data and everyday health understanding.
Join us today for a special episode where we talk with Paige Caputo about women and business. With a entrepreneurial spirit and being a successful business owner, Paige shares her insights on the unique challenges women face in the business world, the importance of building a supportive network, and the role of mentorship and leadership. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation!
We are back with a pod on weight loss, current trends, prescription options and much more. Hope you enjoy!
This is the audio from a class we did here in September. We talk about the S.A.D. diet and all if the issues with it. Then we dive into what we can do to eat better.
In this episode we go over what has been happening with us. We hope to start being able to produce some new pods about nutrition and such in the future.
In this episode Alex, our Rep from Ortho Molecular sits down with me and we talk about what sets Professional supplements apart from your big box store brands.
In this podcast we explore some of the tools available from a functional medicine approach to help with weight loss and living your healthiest life. We cover what testing can help get a good picture of your health profile, that ultimately could explain ones inability or difficulty losing weight. We cover nutrition and how important it is after bariatric surgery. Then we discuss other products and there role. Ultimately like any other aspect of your health, its about accountability.
We discuss Poly Pharmacy, what it is and why its a issue. We also discuss a amazing older lady that stopped in while we were recording. ( I apologize for the audio being low on Hillary, I think I have it fixed for the next episode)
We cover what we learned at the Symposium. Including a look at drug nutrient depletions with a focus on immune health. Also a little about Poly Pharmacy and what that means and how its a issue. Then of course our usual banter. Hope you enjoy!
We talk about Hillary's health history and all the tools she has use to work through along the way. From chronic constipation to bladder issues and much more.
In the episode we dive into being empowered in our health care! We also get into woman's empowerment as well. Hope you enjoy.
We jump in were we left off on the previous episode, discussing cortisol and adrenal health and how important it is.
Hi, Its good to be back! In this episode we talk about my(Sarah's) journey with adrenal fatigue and estrogen dominance. We cover how my lifestyle and stress led to low cortisol and some very serious symptoms. Then we cover my 8 year old daughters path and at home food sensitivity testing.
We hope to do a follow up explaining more about adrenals and cortisol and how important it is.
Hello, in this episode we are covering seasonal allergies and as usual we divert into things that blend in that general realm. Hope you enjoy
In this episode we dive into home based food allergy kits and how they work ext. We also discuss our thoughts on how children's food allergies and nutrition plays a big role in there health and cognition. We get off track a bit and dive into gut health as well.
In this episode we talk about a bunch of things that we are seeing in the world of pharmacy. We discuss one of the big box pharmacies that is rebranding itself. We then go over the many frustrations of vitamins and supplements being as accessible as prescription drugs. This episode is a bit risky, but it is
our reality.
In this episode we introduce our friend Debbie Uren who is a independent sales consultant for Bemer. Bemer is an electromagnetic medical device that helps support the body in many ways. They offer an amazing product that is versatile for both humans and pets! Thank you Debbie, for helping us understand Bemer and it's benefits! Feel free to reach out to Debbie if you would like more information.
In this episode we have 3 of our 4 children joining us. Hillary's youngest son Tanner. Sarah's girls Grace and Taylor. Our kids helped build AC, they love it here and we enjoy having them come help. They talk about what they think we do and what they like about the store and about our great community.
In this episode we have a special guest, Dr, O'Neill Bhogal from Wolfe Family Chiropractic. We discuss Dr. O'Neill's journey and her specialty, pregnancy and pediatric chiropractic care. Then we cover a bit about back to school, including sleep, nutrition and this year's challenges. This was such a pleasure to record! Thanks to Dr. O'Neill for a fun educational conversation.
First let us say you should always consult your health care provider before starting any new vitamin or supplement. In this episode we go over the top 5 vitamins and supplements we see that help people. From fatigue to constipation, sometimes it is what we are lacking that can lead to symptoms that can sometimes mimic other health issues. Proper supplementation can be a life changer.
In this episode we talk about how we are heavily censored on social media and the frustrations that come with that, especially marketing a small business with so many different modalities. Though we do have our own share of frustrations, we are still beyond grateful to face them and work through them!
In this episode we go over some back to school type immunity. We also go over new products that we have brought in over the last couple months. Then Hillary relives Pharmacy school and shares some recent notes she found. We discuss how her interpretation of Pharmacy has changed throughout the years.
In this episode we have Katie Mysen with us. Katie is a Nurse Practitioner and founder a Mobicare a home based service where she brings the healthcare to you! Offering both in person house calls and virtual house calls as a option for her patient's. We go over Mobicare and her brick and mortar location Hometown family practice as well teaching at Oakland University and Non profit Healthconnect internationalthat helps bring healthcare to those in remote areas or other countries. It is refreshing to meet with a health care provider that is so passionate about what they do!
We cover the good that bad and the ugly of sunscreen. How to choose a brand that is cleaner. As well and bug spray, ticks and westnile. We also touch on swimmers itch.
In this episode we go over Goodrx and recent consumer reports. We cover insurances and how prescription pricing works. Also when it might make sense to use Goodrx.
This was a fun one to record. Good fun banter while we discuss the basics of CBD. If you have more questions please reach out we would love to explain more if needed.
This episode we talk with Dr. Alex from Wolfe family chiropractic. We discuss the different modalities they offer. There office offers services to all ages, we discuss adjusting infants and children. We dive into what makes them unique..
We are excited to have Shari Walls, certified health coach with us today telling us about herself and her journey! We are hoping to have Shari back and expand on some topics such as gut health very soon.
We go over a typical visit with Dr. Morris. We also cover the confusing topic of naturopathic medicine and point out that not all have the same education level. We also discuss what makes Dr. Morris unique.
If you have ideas or topics for future podcasts with Dr. Morris please drop them in the comments!
Aplolagese for the background noises.
We are very excited to have Dr. Morris with us. We are going to go over how she got started on the path to Naturopathic medicine.
We discuss the corona virus and what we are seeing. We also discuss the changes we are making as a business. Then we throw in some info on allergies, herbal seeds and much more! We apologize for the road noise you can hear in the background.
In this episode we go vitamins and give you tools to help you make good educated decisions when it comes down to choosing a vitamin or supplement.
Common themes we are seeing. Children's constipation, immune support, hormones, thyroid and much more are covered in this podcast.