What's really driving the eczema and seizures showing up in kids today — and can real food, sunlight, and root-cause thinking change the picture?

In this episode of Pediatric Perspectives, I'm joined again by Lindsey Wells, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Connecticut who works with children on the autism spectrum and with PANS/PANDAS. She is also the author of Super Sam and the Battle Against PANS/PANDAS. I wanted parents to hear where autism testing and treatment can start, including for families who can't afford to do everything at once.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why autism awareness and autism acceptance are not the same thing
• Simple changes at home: water, food, fragrances, and screens
• The areas Dr. Wells looks at in a full workup
• Lower-cost places to start when full testing isn't possible
• The three tests she named when I asked about game changers
• What to look at when a child seems stuck, and why there is hope at any age

Show Notes

With the Wind with Dr. Paul – Show 214: Pediatric Perspectives: Game Changer Tests for Kids with Autism with Lindsey Wells, N.D.

Host: Dr. Paul Thomas

Guest: Lindsey Wells, N.D.

Series: Pediatric Perspectives

Length: Approximately 25 minutes

Summary

In this episode of With the Wind with Dr. Paul, Dr. Paul Thomas is joined again by Lindsey Wells, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Connecticut and author of the children's book Super Sam and the Battle Against PANS/PANDAS, for a discussion on autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in children.

Dr. Paul explains why he sees a difference between autism awareness and autism acceptance. Dr. Wells covers simple changes families can make at home, what she looks at in a full workup, and where to start when full testing costs too much. When Dr. Paul asks which tests have been game changers, she names three. She also speaks to families who feel stuck, talks about spelling to communicate and the causes she sees, and closes with hope for children at any age. The focus remains educational and informational, emphasizing context, clinical judgment, and informed decision-making, particularly as it relates to children and families.

Key Points

• 00:00 — Dr. Paul opens with Autism Acceptance Month and why he draws a line between awareness and acceptance
• 01:00 — Welcome back to Lindsey Wells, N.D., and her book Super Sam and the Battle Against PANS/PANDAS
• 02:00 — Dr. Wells explains why she sees autism as a sign of something going on underneath
• 04:00 — Where parents can start at home: water filters, diet, fragrances, and reducing electronics and EMFs
• 06:00 — Dr. Paul recalls the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) conferences of the early 2000s
• 07:00 — Dr. Wells's workup framework: gut microbiome, mitochondria, immune system and infections, and metabolic and detox pathways
• 09:00 — The cost of full testing, and lower-cost starting points through insurance labs, daily bowel movements, exercise, sleep, and time outside in the morning
• 13:00 — Game-changer testing: the organic acid test, vector-borne disease screening, folate receptor autoantibodies, and folinic acid trials
• 15:00 — Therapeutic trials, and Dr. Paul's experience with the gluten-free, dairy-free diet
• 16:00 — When families feel stuck: hidden infections, mold exposure, and helminth therapy
• 18:00 — Independence for severely affected children, and spelling to communicate
• 21:00 — Dr. Wells's view of causes as multifactorial
• 22:00 — A message of hope at any age, and the Well-Minded Mommas Club
• 24:00 — How to reach Dr. Wells, and closing

Quote

"And I also wanna close out that there is hope. There is always hope. It does not matter your child's age."

 — Lindsey Wells, N.D.

Resources

• Dr. Lindsey Wells, ND
• Super Sam and the Battle Against PANS/PANDAS — Lindsey Wells, N.D.
• Vax Facts — Dr. Paul Thomas and DeeDee Hoover — informed consent for every vaccine on the childhood schedule
• Kids First 4Ever
• Doctors and Science

Disclaimer

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

#WithTheWindWithDrPaul, #PediatricPerspectives, #RootCauseMedicine, #Eczema, #Seizures, #GutHealth, #SummerHealth, ##WithTheWindWithDrPaul, #PediatricPerspectives, #Autism, #AutismAwareness, #AutismTesting, #NeurodevelopmentalHealth, #ChildrensHealth, #KidsFirst4Ever, #DrPaulThomas

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

Be sure to check out our podcast version!

What's really driving the eczema and seizures showing up in kids today — and can real food, sunlight, and root-cause thinking change the picture?

In this episode of Pediatric Perspectives, I'm joined by Ben Edwards, M.D., founder of Veritas Clinic and Veritas Wellness in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Edwards left conventional, pharmaceutical-only symptom management behind years ago, and I wanted to hear what he's seeing now that he's practicing root-cause medicine full time.

In this episode, we cover:

• How a mentor's challenge — reviewing Dr. Edwards's ten toughest, most treatment-resistant patients — changed the course of his career
• Why eczema is so often a gut problem, not just a skin problem
• The role of leaky gut, parasites, and candida in triggering the immune system
• What Dr. Edwards is finding when he looks at seizures through the lens of toxicity and inflammation
• Practical summer tips on sun exposure, sunscreen, hydration, and cooking oils
• Why screen-free family time still matters, even in the summer

Show Notes

With the Wind with Dr. Paul – Show 213: Pediatric Perspectives: Root Causes of Eczema, Seizures & Summer Health with Ben Edwards, M.D.

Host: Dr. Paul Thomas

Guest: Ben Edwards, M.D.

Series: Pediatric Perspectives

Length: Approximately 35 minutes

Summary

In this episode of With the Wind with Dr. Paul, Dr. Paul Thomas is joined by Ben Edwards, M.D., founder of Veritas Clinic and Veritas Wellness, for an in-depth discussion on moving from conventional, pharmaceutical-based symptom management to true root-cause medicine.

This conversation explores what Dr. Edwards is seeing most often in his family practice today — eczema and seizures — and the gut-health, food-sensitivity, and toxin-related factors he looks at as possible root causes, alongside practical summer wellness tips on sun exposure, sunscreen, hydration, cooking oils, and screen time. The focus remains educational and informational, emphasizing context, clinical judgment, and informed decision-making — particularly as it relates to children and families.

Key Points

• 00:00 — Dr. Paul welcomes Ben Edwards, M.D. to Pediatric Perspectives
• 01:08 — Dr. Edwards's background: growing up watching his grandfathers practice family medicine, and his own path through seven years of conventional practice in Post, Texas
• 04:42 — The mentorship of the late Dr. Robby Mitchell ("Dr. Fitt"), and the ten toughest patients who recovered once root causes were addressed
• 08:28 — Eczema and seizures as the two most common recent presentations, viewed through the lens of chronic inflammation
• 11:00 — The gut-skin connection, leaky gut, the GALT, and parasites/candida as root causes of eczema
• 15:38 — Toxicity, glyphosate, and spike protein as factors Dr. Edwards is investigating in seizure cases
• 21:04 — Summer wellness: sun exposure and diet, sunscreen concerns, hydration, and cooking oils
• 32:28 — Screen time and device-free family habits
• 34:00 — Veritas Wellness and closing thoughts

Quote

"Our skin's our largest organ. What you put on the skin's gonna get into the body almost always. So if you wouldn't eat it, you better be careful about putting it on the skin."

 — Ben Edwards, M.D.

Resources

• Veritas Wellness
• The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years.
• What's ACTUALLY in your sunscreen?
• Vax Facts — Dr. Paul Thomas and DeeDee Hoover — informed consent for every vaccine on the childhood schedule
• Kids First 4Ever
• Doctors and Science

Disclaimer

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

#WithTheWindWithDrPaul, #PediatricPerspectives, #RootCauseMedicine, #Eczema, #Seizures, #GutHealth, #SummerHealth, #ChildrensHealth, #KidsFirst4Ever, #DrPaulThomas

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

Be sure to check out our podcast version!

Why is the health of a child’s gut so central to their overall health — and what can parents actually do about it?

In this episode of Pediatric Perspectives, Dr. Paul is joined by Michelle Perro, M.D., an integrative pediatrician and author of the new book Making Our Children Well: A Parent’s Guidebook. Dr. Perro returns to the show to talk through why the microbiome matters so much for infants and young children, how families can approach testing and probiotics without guesswork, and what her recent infant formula research uncovered.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why keystone gut microbes like Bifidobacteria infantis matter for a baby’s developing immunity
• How parents and pediatricians can approach microbiome testing, and what it costs
• Why the first three years of life are a key window for restoring the microbiome
• A “start low and slow” approach to choosing and introducing probiotics
• Everyday, low-cost ways to reduce hidden environmental burdens on children’s health
• What Dr. Perro’s infant formula testing found, and the California bill that followed

Show Notes

With the Wind with Dr. Paul – Show 212: Pediatric Perspectives: Making Our Children Well: Microbiome Health with Michelle Perro, M.D.

Host: Dr. Paul Thomas

Guest: Michelle Perro, M.D. 

 (Integrative pediatrician)

Series: Pediatric Perspectives

Length: Approximately 32 minutes

Summary

In this episode of With the Wind with Dr. Paul, Dr. Paul Thomas is joined by Michelle Perro, M.D. for a conversation on the child microbiome and its role in shaping lifelong health.

The discussion covers why keystone gut microbes matter so much in early life, how parents can approach microbiome testing, what a cautious, "low and slow" approach to probiotics looks like, and the toxic-metal concerns Dr. Perro has raised about infant formula. The focus remains educational and informational, grounded in the guest's clinical experience and the themes discussed during the episode.

Key Points

• 00:02:13 — Why the child microbiome matters and how keystone microbes like Bifidobacteria infantis shape immunity
• 00:05:30 — How parents and pediatricians can approach microbiome testing, including self-ordered lab testing
• 00:08:13 — The first three years as a window of opportunity for restoring the microbiome
• 00:10:50 — A "start low and slow" approach to probiotics, and what to look for in a product
• 00:14:53 — Feeding the microbiome through diet, fiber, and prebiotics
• 00:17:18 — Hidden environmental contributors to children's chronic health issues, including glyphosate, air quality, and EMFs
• 00:22:55 — Infant formula, toxic metal testing, and a California bill on formula labeling

Quote

"So we have to be mindful to feed ourselves and feed our bugs." 

 — Michelle Perro, M.D.

Resources

• Making Our Children Well: A Parent's Guidebook: Empowering Healthy Families with Nutrition and Homeopathy
• What's Making Our Children Sick?: How Industrial Food Is Causing an Epidemic of Chronic Illness, and What Parents (and Doctors) Can Do About It
• Study: U.S. babies lacking crucial gut bacteria
• Consumer Reports testimony calling on the California Assembly to support AB 2302 and require infant formula manufacturers to test for toxic elements and report the results
• GMO Science
• The New MDs
• The New MDs - Rumble

Disclaimer

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.

#WithTheWindWithDrPaul, #PediatricPerspectives, #MicrobiomeHealth, #MichellePerro, #InfantFormula, #GutHealth, #ChildrensHealth, #KidsFirst4Ever, @KidsFirst4Ever, @DoctorsAndScience

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

Be sure to check out our podcast version!

A doctor who treated measles on the ground in Texas, and a pediatrician forced to answer for the vaccine schedule himself — this episode covers both sides of the story.

In this episode, I'm joined by Ben Edwards, M.D., founder and medical director of Veritas Medical, who treated children directly during the Texas measles outbreak. Then Polly Tommey sits down with me to ask the questions parents are actually asking about the MMR vaccine. I'm answering them.

In this episode, we cover:

• What measles actually looks like on the ground, from a doctor who treated it firsthand in Gaines County
• Why budesonide, delivered by nebulizer, worked so well for measles pneumonitis
• Nutrition, cod liver oil, and vitamin A dosing to build a child's resilience before and during illness
• Warning signs that mean it's time for the emergency room
• What's actually in the MMR vaccine, and what changed in the package insert
• The financial incentives built into the childhood vaccine schedule
• The 1986 Immunization Act, liability, and how measles death risk compares to reported vaccine death risk

Show Notes

With the Wind with Dr. Paul – Show 211: Pediatric Perspectives: Breaking Down Measles Misinformation with Ben Edwards, M.D. and Polly Tommey

Host: Dr. Paul Thomas

Guests: Ben Edwards, M.D. — Founder and Medical Director, Veritas Medical Polly Tommey — Interviewer (Segment 2) (Credentials stated conservatively and accurately)

Series: Pediatric Perspectives

Length: Approximately 37 minutes (Segments 1–2)

Summary

In this episode of With the Wind with Dr. Paul, Dr. Paul Thomas is joined by Ben Edwards, M.D., founder and medical director of Veritas Medical, for a firsthand account of treating children during the Texas measles outbreak, including nutrition, cod liver oil, and budesonide as supportive measures, and the role of informed consent around the MMR vaccine.

In the second half of the episode, Polly Tommey turns the tables and interviews Dr. Paul directly, covering the ingredients and history of the MMR vaccine, financial incentives tied to childhood vaccination, the liability protections created by the 1986 Immunization Act, and a comparison of measles mortality risk against reported vaccine injury risk. The focus remains educational and informational, emphasizing context, clinical judgment, and informed decision-making—particularly as it relates to children and families.

(No medical advice. No promotional language. Faithful to transcript content only.)

Key Points

• 00:00:59 — Dr. Paul opens Pediatric Perspectives and introduces Ben Edwards, M.D.
• 00:03:27 — Ben Edwards' background: UT Houston medical school, chief resident in family practice at Waco, founder/medical director of Veritas Medical since 2012
• 00:04:37 — Ben Edwards describes firsthand observations treating measles in Gaines County, Texas
• 00:06:20 — Measles pneumonitis (airway inflammation) and the use of nebulized budesonide as supportive treatment
• 00:10:44 — Nutrition recommendations for building resilience, including cod liver oil and vitamin A dosing
• 00:17:20 — Warning signs for parents: respiratory distress and dehydration as reasons to seek emergency care
• 00:17:32 — Ben Edwards on informed consent and risk-benefit analysis for the MMR vaccine
• 00:24:18 — Polly Tommey interviews Dr. Paul on MMR ingredients, vaccine history, and package insert findings
• 00:27:43 — Dr. Paul explains financial incentives and admin fee bonuses tied to childhood vaccination
• 00:30:56 — The 1986 Immunization Act's liability protections, and a comparison of measles death risk versus reported MMR vaccine death risk

(Timestamps are approximate and should align clearly with the transcript.)

Quote

"I always start with food. I mean, eat real food." — Ben Edwards, M.D.

(Quotes must be verbatim and accurately attributed. Use em dash before guest name.)

Resources

• The "Tweakable" Wise Traditions Diet: Making an Ancestral Diet Work for You with Sally Fallon Morell https://www.westonaprice.org/podcast/the-tweakable-wise-traditions-diet-making-an-ancestral-diet-work-for-you-with-sally-fallon-morell/#gsc.tab=0
• Exclusive Interviews: Seminole Texas Parents https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/events/trending-news-segments/exclusive-seminole-texas-parents/
• Second Measles Death – Peter Hildebrand https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/events/the-peoples-study/second-measles-death-peter-hildebrand/
• Priorix MMR – Vaccine of the Week https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/events/vaccine-of-the-week/priorix-mmr-vaccine-of-the-week/
• MMRII – Vaccine of the Week https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/events/trending-news-segments/mmrii-vaccine-of-the-week/
• Veritas Medical https://veritaswellnessmember.com
• Vax Facts https://vaxfactsbook.com
• Kids First 4Ever https://kidsfirst4ever.com
• Doctors and Science https://doctorsandscience.com

(Resources must be discussed or referenced in the episode. Format: site title → link. Inline links may be used in the summary if appropriate.)

Disclaimer

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.

#WithTheWindWithDrPaul, #PediatricPerspectives, #MeaslesTruth, #BenEdwardsMD, #PollyTommey, #InformedConsent, #VaxFacts, #ChildrensHealth, @KidsFirst4Ever, @DoctorsAndScience

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

Be sure to check out our podcast version!

A pro-vaccine mother of one sat down with me and asked the questions most parents are afraid to ask out loud.

A mother of a nine-month-old came to this conversation already pro-vaccine, having read Vax Facts, and she wanted to press me directly on the questions that keep so many parents up at night. I welcomed it. This episode is that full conversation, unscripted and unfiltered.

In this episode, we cover:

• Trust and bias on both sides of the vaccine conversation
• Why no childhood vaccine has ever been tested against a true saline placebo
• How the 1986 Childhood Immunization Act removed liability from vaccine manufacturers
• How the clinical definition of polio changed alongside the vaccine's introduction
• The financial incentives built into a pediatric practice
• My own published study comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated patients
• Why isolating vaccines from other health variables is so difficult
• What parents told me about the guilt and isolation of this decision

Show Notes

With the Wind with Dr. Paul – Show 210: Pediatric Perspectives: Must See: Pro Vaccine Mom Meets Dr. Paul Thomas with a Mother

Host:

 Dr. Paul Thomas, MD (Retired)

Guest: New Mom

Air Date: 

 September 16, 2026, 11:30 a.m. PT

Length: 

 Approximately 63 minutes

Summary

In this episode of With the Wind with Dr. Paul, Dr. Paul Thomas is joined by a pro-vaccine mother of a nine-month-old, identified here only as New Mom, for a single continuous conversation testing his views against her own tough, direct questions.

The discussion moves through trust and bias on both sides of the vaccine debate, the absence of proper placebo testing in childhood vaccine studies, liability protections created by the 1986 Childhood Immunization Act, how the definition of polio changed alongside the vaccine's introduction, informed consent, relative risk, the financial incentives built into pediatric practice, Dr. Paul's own published practice data comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, the difficulty of isolating vaccines from other variables in chronic illness, and the emotional isolation parents feel making this decision. The focus remains educational and informational, emphasizing context, clinical judgment, and informed decision-making — particularly as it relates to children and families.

Key Points

• 00:00:59 — Dr. Paul opens the episode and introduces the format: a pro-vaccine mom asking him the tough questions
• 00:01:36 — Guest introduction: a mother of one nine-month-old who has read Dr. Paul's book Vax Facts
• 00:02:00 — New Mom frames the core problem: bias exists on both the pro-vax and anti-vax sides, making trustworthy information hard to find
• 00:07:28 — Dr. Paul on the absence of proper saline-placebo testing for childhood vaccines, and the incentives behind industry-funded studies
• 00:10:10 — Discussion of the 1986 Childhood Immunization Act and the liability protection it grants vaccine manufacturers
• 00:13:06 — Dr. Paul explains how the clinical definition of polio changed at the same time the vaccine was introduced, in both the U.S. and later in India
• 00:19:31 — The financial mechanics of a pediatric practice: admin fees, markups, bonuses, and insurance-contract pressure tied to vaccination rates
• 00:31:00 — Dr. Paul describes his practice's published vaccinated-versus-unvaccinated study, requested by the Oregon Medical Board, and its later retraction
• 00:40:56 — New Mom describes the isolation and guilt parents feel on either side of the vaccination decision
• 00:45:05 — Dr. Paul on what a properly designed vaccine safety study would require: saline placebo, years of follow-up, and all health outcomes tracked
• 01:01:03 — Closing exchange and thanks

Quote

"I think that people believe what they're saying to be true too, and that's not always the truth either."

  — New Mom

Resources

• Must See: Pro Vaccine Mom Meets Dr. Paul Thomas — CHD TV Episode Page
• Vax Facts — Dr. Paul Thomas and DeeDee Hoover, referenced directly by the guest in the episode
• Kids First 4Ever
• Doctors and Science

Disclaimer

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.

#WithTheWind, #PediatricPerspectives, #VaxFacts, #InformedConsent, #VaccineSafety, #KidsFirst4Ever, #DoctorsAndScience, @DrPaulThomas

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

Be sure to check out our podcast version!

What is the real risk of pertussis compared to the vaccine designed to prevent it — and what happens when a family isn't given the space to say no?

In this episode of Pediatric Perspectives, I was joined by Kari Bundy, a health freedom advocate whose son Mason died three days after his four-month vaccines, and by Polly Tommey, who turned the interview around to ask me about pertussis, the DTaP/Tdap vaccine, and SIDS. Kari's story is a hard one, but it's the kind of story parents deserve to hear before they're standing in an exam room being told their baby needs a shot right now.

In this episode, we cover:

• Kari Bundy's account of the pressure she and her husband faced to vaccinate her son Mason at his four-month checkup, despite his recent illness
• What happened in the days following Mason's DTaP (Pentacel) vaccine, and the loss the family experienced
• How Kari approached her next son's whooping cough differently, and what she used to support his recovery
• Kari's advice to parents on decision-making from a place of calm rather than fear
• My own clinical perspective on acellular pertussis vaccine effectiveness and comparative death-risk data
• The connection between SIDS, the Back to Sleep program, and the timing of infant deaths relative to vaccination

Show Notes

With the Wind with Dr. Paul – Show 209: Pediatric Perspectives: A Big Whoop: Pertussis + Death After DTaP with Kari Bundy and Polly Tommey

Host: Dr. Paul Thomas, MD (Retired)

Guests: Kari Bundy — health freedom advocate, national grassroots coordinator, US Council on Domestic Relations Polly Tommey — Children's Health Defense TV host and advocate

Series: Pediatric Perspectives

Length: Approximately 27 minutes

Summary

In this episode of With the Wind with Dr. Paul, Dr. Paul Thomas is joined first by Kari Bundy, who shares the story of her son Mason's death three days after his four-month vaccines, and then by Polly Tommey, who turns the interview around to ask Dr. Paul about pertussis, the DTaP/Tdap vaccine, and SIDS.

This conversation covers Kari's account of the pressure she and her husband felt to vaccinate Mason despite his recent illness, what happened afterward, and how she made a different choice for her next child when he later contracted whooping cough. The second half of the episode explores Dr. Paul's clinical perspective on pertussis vaccine effectiveness, infant death data, and SIDS, grounded in his years of pediatric practice and the research referenced in his book Vax Facts. The focus remains educational and informational, emphasizing context and informed decision-making for families.

Key Points

• 00:00:59 — Dr. Paul opens the show and welcomes guest Kari Bundy
• 00:01:18 — Kari Bundy's background in health activism, journalism, and grassroots advocacy
• 00:02:46 — Kari recounts Mason's four-month checkup, the pressure from providers, and the DTaP (Pentacel) vaccine given March 1, 2011
• 00:05:26 — Mason found unresponsive three days after the shots, on March 5, 2011
• 00:07:20 — Kari's second son, Ollie, and the family's decision not to vaccinate him
• 00:07:29 — Ollie contracts whooping cough at 13 months and recovers using a vitamin C protocol
• 00:12:00 — Kari's advice to parents on decision-making and not acting from fear
• 00:14:09 — Polly Tommey joins to interview Dr. Paul about pertussis, DTaP/Tdap, and SIDS
• 00:18:53 — Dr. Paul discusses acellular pertussis vaccine effectiveness and comparative death-risk data
• 00:21:42 — Discussion of SIDS, the Back to Sleep program, and the timing of infant deaths relative to vaccination
• 00:25:34 — Closing summary and Dr. Paul's guidance on reducing toxic exposures and supporting the immune system

Quote

"I've never made a good decision when I've made it from a place of fear. I've learned through losing Mason that when I'm afraid, it's the time to step back and try to be more logical." — Kari Bundy

Resources

• Episode 137: LIVE FROM THE V.I.E. EVENT! – The Highwire
• Kari Bundy – Facebook Videos
• The "Tweakable" Wise Traditions Diet: Making an Ancestral Diet Work for You with Sally Fallon Morell

Disclaimer

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

#WithTheWindWithDrPaul, #PediatricPerspectives, #KariBundy, #PollyTommey, #Pertussis, #DTaP, #VaxFacts, #KidsFirst4Ever, @KariBundy, @PollyTommey, @KidsFirst4Ever, @DoctorsAndScience

The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions, including starting any new diet, supplement regimen, exercise program, or wellness protocol. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you have read here. The use of this information is at your own risk. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you experience any adverse reactions or medical concerns, discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional.

Be sure to check out our podcast version!