Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable.
Listen into "Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable" podcast! Hosted by Susan Robbins, Certified Epigenetic Human Performance Coach, and Kate King, licensed psychotherapist and board-certified art therapist. This podcast is your go-to guide for living a radiant, authentic life, by understanding you. We’re breaking down how your lifestyle, environment, mindset, and relationships impact your genetic expression (yes, seriously!). No one-size-fits-all advice here, just real talk, expert insights, and personalized strategies to help you feel your best. Get ready for deep, soulful convos with a side of science. We’re ditching the mask, tapping into your unique design, and helping you create a life that actually feels good.
Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable.
75. Living Through Gadolinium Deposition Disease: A Story of Survival, Science, and Hope with Dr. Richard Semelka
In this raw and deeply personal episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan opens up about her terrifying journey with Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD), a condition triggered by contrast injections commonly used in MRIs. What started as a routine scan for hip pain spiraled into months of excruciating suffering, disbelief from doctors, and a desperate search for answers.
Susan is joined by Dr. Richard Semelka, one of the world’s leading experts on MRI safety and the physician who has dedicated his career to researching, identifying, and treating GDD. Together, they shine light on a condition too often dismissed, ignored, or misdiagnosed, and discuss why awareness could be life-saving for countless people undergoing MRIs with contrast.
This conversation is equal parts personal testimony, medical expertise, and call to advocacy. If you or someone you love has ever had, or may need, a contrast MRI, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.
In this episode:
- Susan’s unfiltered story of surviving GDD and finding validation after years of pain and dismissal
- What Gadolinium Deposition Disease actually is, its symptoms, and why it’s often overlooked
- Who is most at risk, and why some people may react while others don’t
- The latest research on heavy metal toxicities and how GDD is treated
- The critical role lifestyle and immune system regulation play in recovery
- Why informed choice matters when doctors recommend contrast MRIs
This episode is not only about awareness, it’s about reclaiming your voice, listening to your body, and refusing to be silenced when you know something is wrong.
Learn more about our guest Dr. Richard Semelka
Dr Semelka's career is shown to be the #10 in MRI, # 12 in Medical Imaging worldwide by Scholar GPS. He has written 6 editions of textbooks on MRI of the abdomen and pelvis, 5 editions of a textbook on MR physics, a textbook on quality improvement in Radiology and over 380 peer-reviewed articles, including the broadest range of subjects on safety issues in Radiology. Most recently he has described the entity Gadolinium Deposition Disease, on which he has written more than 16 articles. He has lectured around the world on topics in Radiology over a 35 year career. Presently he devotes his medical career to treating individuals with Gadolinium Deposition Disease and other metal toxicities. He is the president of the nonprofit GadTTRAC, an organization devoted to helping sufferers with Gadolinium and other heavy metal toxicity.
RESOURCES:
Connect with Dr Richard Semelka:
Website: gadttrac.org
Website: www.richardsemelka.com
Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes:
https://healthyawakening.co/2025/0915/episode74
Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/
Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/
Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast
Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links
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