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Functionally Speaking
Welcome to Functionally Speaking— the podcast where two clinicians share one brain cell and way too many opinions.
We’re here for the nuance, the hot takes, the facts your certification skipped over, and the occasional spiral into chaos. If you’re a health coach, practitioner, or clinician who’s slightly functional (just like our mitochondria and our recording process), you’re in the right place.
We’re not here to sugarcoat the science or pretend there’s one right way to do this work — we’re doing it our way. Unfiltered. Slightly feral. And always with love for the humans we serve.
Let’s get into it.
Functionally Speaking
23. How to Design Protocols That Actually Work (Without Overwhelming Your Clients)
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Tired of wondering where to start—or how to actually move a client forward—when it comes to protocol design? If you’ve ever second-guessed your plans, felt overwhelmed by lab results, or struggled to figure out how to balance clinical insight with client capacity, this episode is for you.
In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we break down what protocol design really looks like inside a thriving clinical practice—and why it’s so much more than just stacking supplements. We talk about the foundational pillars we never skip, how to prioritize based on labs and client history, and why slow, supportive progress always beats rigid plans. You’ll also hear the specific tools and strategies we use to individualize our recommendations and build trust and momentum with our clients.
In this episode, we cover:
- 02:25 How we start designing protocols
- 04:24 The non-negotiable foundations we always build from
- 06:37 Why client habits matter more than the perfect plan
- 12:03 How we personalize protocols based on what’s actually doable
- 17:32 When and how we integrate labs with client history
- 23:05 The value of flexibility and not rushing the process
- 26:56 Final thoughts + what’s coming next inside our community
Links and resources mentioned:
- Listen to Episode 22. The Parasite Cleanse Craze: Marketing, Myths & What You Actually Need: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506559/episodes/18452084
Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:
Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/
Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com
Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative
Connect with Laura Ligos:
Website: https://thesassydietitian.com
Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian
Connect with Danielle Kepics:
Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co
Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics
The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified provider with questions about your health and never delay seeking care because of something you heard here.
Nothing shared by Unconventional Collaborative is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, and supplement statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This podcast does not create a doctor–patient, provider–client, or supervisory relationship.
All practitioners are responsible for interpreting and applying information within the legal and ethical scope of their own training and credentials. If unsure what falls within your scope of practice, consult your licensing or certifying body.
Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility for outcomes resulting from use or misuse of this information.
