#471 Herbal Support for Perimenopause with Kari Natwick, RD

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Less Stressed Life, we're continuing our September focus on perimenopause with Integrative and Functional Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Kari Natwick to talk about how herbs can support women throughout the perimenopause transition.We talk about why some women struggle more through perimenopause than others, how changing hormones can amplify stress on underlying systems, and why herbal support may look different depending on where you are in the transition. Kari shares herbs for hot flashes, sleep, mood, libido, and nervous system support, plus where herbs fit alongside HRT.Check out Kari's other episode, #299 Mind-Body Connection for Chronic Gut Issues: https://www.buzzsprout.com/775589/episodes/12938540🌿 WISE WOMAN ERA: Kari's 12-week group program for navigating perimenopause with support around hormones, nutrition, gut health, the nervous system, and herbal medicine: https://www.gutbrainrd.com/wise-woman🎁 FREE PRIVATE PODCAST: Go deeper into perimenopause myths and the roles of hormones, gut health, the nervous system, nutrition, and herbal medicine: https://app.helloaudio.fm/feed/f8c39ba9-f4cb-437d-815f-545bfb93a51b/signupKEY TAKEAWAYS:🌿 How herbs can support perimenopause🌱 Vitex for early perimenopause🫖 Nourishing herbs for minerals & vitality🧠 Nervines for stress, mood & sleep🔥 Herbal support for hot flashes & night sweats💊 How herbs fit alongside HRTABOUT GUEST: Kari Natwick, RDN, LD, IFNCP, is an Integrative and Functional Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Kari Natwick Nutrition | Gut Brain RD. She helps women navigate perimenopause by uncovering the biological story behind their symptoms and connecting gut health, the nervous system, metabolism, hormones, and the realities of modern life. WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Website: https://www.gutbrainrd.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gutbrainrd SPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎 Get back into the swing of things with 🧴 MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, 🧠 Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, and 🍓🫐 Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration.🥳🎉 September special: From September 1–30, use code LESSSTRESSED15 for 15% off any order! Plus, get a FREE stainless steel water bottle 💦 when you start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription.✨ Any other time, use code LESSSTRESSED10 for 10% off any order.NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Less Stressed Life, we're continuing our September focus on perimenopause with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rey Hamidi to unpack why skin can seem to age so quickly in midlife and what shifting hormones have to do with it.We talk about how declining estrogen and progesterone can affect collagen, elastin, pigmentation, acne, dryness, sensitivity, and sagging. Dr. Rey also explains why supporting your skin barrier should come before adding actives, which skincare ingredients she prioritizes, how sleep and other internal factors affect aging skin, and when treatments like microneedling or lasers may make sense.KEY TAKEAWAYS:🧬 How hormones affect aging skin✨ Why skin can seem to age overnight🧴 How to support your skin barrier🫧 Why over-exfoliating can backfire💧 Which skincare actives to prioritize😴 How sleep & stress impact your skin💆‍♀️ When microneedling & lasers may helpABOUT GUEST:Dr. Rey Hamidi is a board certified dermatologist, founder and CEO of Derm Media, Inc and creator of Ageless Alchemy, a digital program for women in midlife navigating signs of aging. She still practices dermatology part time in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and 2 children. Dr. Rey is passionate about helping women in midlife feel like themselves again, even amidst the hormone chaos of perimenopause and menopause.WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Work with Dr. Rey + Freebies: https://www.doctorrey.com/work-with-me YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrReyHamidi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_rey_hamidiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_rey_hamidiSPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎 Get back into the swing of things with 🧴 MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, 🧠 Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, and 🍓🫐 Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration.🥳🎉 September special: From September 1–30, use code LESSSTRESSED15 for 15% off any order! Plus, get a FREE stainless steel water bottle 💦 when you start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription.✨ Any other time, use code LESSSTRESSED10 for 10% off any order.NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Less Stressed Life, we're continuing our September focus on perimenopause with Dr. Carrie Jones, who is back to break down what actually happens to our hormones during the perimenopause transition and why symptoms aren't always as straightforward as they seem.We talk about the stages of perimenopause, early symptoms, hormone testing, and why fatigue or changing hormones may be related to perimenopause, something else, or both. Carrie also explains how declining estrogen can affect insulin resistance, body composition, belly fat, cholesterol, and blood pressure, plus how to know when HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may make sense, why HRT isn't one size fits all, and the foundational pieces that still matter throughout the transition.Check out Carrie's other episode, #93 Hormone Testing & Stress Hormones - https://www.buzzsprout.com/775589/episodes/2394305KEY TAKEAWAYS:🧬 The different stages of perimenopause😴 Why fatigue isn't always just a hormone issue🧪 What FSH, estrogen & progesterone testing can tell you🍎 Why body composition & belly fat can change🩸 How estrogen impacts glucose, insulin & cardiovascular health💊 When HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may make sense🧠 Why foundations still matter with or without HRTFREE PERIMENOPAUSE EBOOK: Not sure which stage of perimenopause you're in? Grab Carrie's free guide here: https://www.drcarriejones.com/stagesABOUT GUEST:Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH, MSCP is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, author and educator on women's health and hormones with over 20 years in the industry. Dubbed the “Queen of Hormones” in functional medicine, Dr. Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who completed a two-year residency focused on women's health and endocrinology. She earned her Master of Public Health (MPH), became one of the first to be board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology (FABNE), and is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP). She was the first Medical Director for Precision Analytical (the DUTCH Test), the first Head of Medical Education at Rupa Health (a Fullscript Company) and served on Under Armour’s Human Performance Council. She regularly consults and educates for several women’s health, supplement, and lab-focused companies. Dr. Jones co-hosted the highly popular Root Cause Medicine Podcast, which has over 10 million downloads and now hosts her own podcast, Hello Hormones. WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Website: https://www.drcarriejones.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejonesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carriejonesPodcast: Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones find on Apple or SpotifySPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎 Get back into the swing of things with 🧴 MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, 🧠 Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, and 🍓🫐 Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration.🥳🎉 September special: From September 1–30, use code LESSSTRESSED15 for 15% off any order! Plus, get a FREE stainless steel water bottle 💦 when you start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription.✨ Any other time, use code LESSSTRESSED10 for 10% off any order.NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Less Stressed Life, we're diving into our September focus on perimenopause with Jennifer Gularson, who is back to break down the different hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options available during perimenopause and menopause.We talk about estrogen patches, progesterone, testosterone, creams, gels, and pellets, including how they work, why one option may be a better fit than another, and what to consider when starting HRT. Jennifer also explains hormone testing, why she often introduces hormones one at a time, and how treatment may change as you move through the menopause transition.Check out Jennifer's other episode, #453 Low libido, testosterone, estrogen and HRT - https://www.buzzsprout.com/775589/episodes/19164554KEY TAKEAWAYS:🧬 The different forms of estrogen, progesterone & testosterone🩹 How estrogen patches, gels & oral options compare🌙 Immediate vs. sustained-release progesterone🌸 When HRT may be considered during perimenopause🧪 Testing and adjusting hormones over time⚖️ Pros & cons of hormone pellets💗 Why vaginal estrogen may still be helpful with HRTABOUT GUEST:Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, IFMCP is a board-certified Physician Assistant and functional medicine practitioner specializing in perimenopause, menopause, hormone therapy, and women’s midlife health. With over 20 years of clinical experience, she focuses on personalized, science-based care to support longevity, metabolic health, and overall wellness for women navigating hormonal changes. WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Website: https://www.yourbestlifewithjennifer.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifergularson/SPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎 Get back into the swing of things with 🧴 MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, 🧠 Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, and 🍓🫐 Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration.🥳🎉 September special: From September 1–30, use code LESSSTRESSED15 for 15% off any order! Plus, get a FREE stainless steel water bottle 💦 when you start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription.✨ Any other time, use code LESSSTRESSED10 for 10% off any order.NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Less Stressed Life, I'm joined again by my associate registered dietitian, Jenna De Kok, to continue our conversation about CIRS and mold, this time focusing on the health of your home.After navigating multiple mold exposures herself, Jenna has learned firsthand how overwhelming the environmental side of healing can feel. We talk about what she wishes she had known earlier, including proper mold removal, small particle cleaning, HVAC maintenance, humidity, and when an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) may be helpful. We also discuss practical ways to support a healthier home without feeling like you have to figure everything out overnight.Check out Jenna's CIRS story here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/775589/episodes/19623415KEY TAKEAWAYS:🏠 What to do when you find mold or water damage🧹 Why small particle cleaning matters after mold exposure🧼 Why killing mold isn't the same as removing it💨 HVAC maintenance, airflow & indoor air quality💧 Why monitoring humidity can help prevent mold growth🔎 When an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) may help🌱 Taking practical steps without letting mold overwhelm youABOUT GUEST:Jenna is a registered dietitian via her business Nutritiously Jenna and associate practitioner at Less Stressed Life Nutrition. She started working with Christa in 2018 doing mentorship hours for her undergraduate degree. Her passion for women's wellness came from her firsthand struggles flaring with a variety of gut, detox/drainage, nervous system, and energy issues. In January 2026 was when she officially learned that CIRS was a piece of not only her health story but also, her husband's after a variety of exposures to biotoxins in their homes. Through this experience, her goal is helping other "misunderstood" clients better understand how their symptoms can be influenced by the health of their environment.WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutritiouslyjenna/SPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎 Get back into the swing of things with 🧴 MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, 🧠 Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, and 🍓🫐 Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration.🥳🎉 September special: From September 1–30, use code LESSSTRESSED15 for 15% off any order! Plus, get a FREE stainless steel water bottle 💦 when you start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription.✨ Any other time, use code LESSSTRESSED10 for 10% off any order.NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

Send us Fan MailMOLDCO DISCOUNT: Use code LESSSTRESSED20 for 20% off the Complete Panel and Home Dust Test. Find those tests here https://www.moldco.com/testing.Mold exposure can feel like an expensive and overwhelming rabbit hole, especially when symptoms span multiple systems and conventional testing keeps coming back normal. This week on The Less Stressed Life, I’m joined by Ariana Thacker of MoldCo to talk about making mold and CIRS testing and treatment more accessible and less overwhelming. We cover the symptoms and environmental clues that may point toward mold exposure, MoldCo’s $56 starter blood panel, home and genetic testing, and why some people are more susceptible than others. Ariana also walks us through their simplified approach to the Shoemaker Protocol, including prescription binders, nasal sprays, and VIP, and shares an important reminder for anyone navigating mold illness: there are solutions, and people do get better.KEY TAKEAWAYS:🦠 Common signs and symptoms of mold exposure🧪 Affordable blood, home, and genetic testing options🏠 HERTSMI vs. ERMI testing🧬 Why some people are more susceptible to mold💊 MoldCo’s detox, clear, and repair approach🌿 Using symptoms to track recovery💡 There are solutions for mold-related illnessABOUT GUEST:Ariana Thacker is the founder and CEO of MoldCo, a healthcare technology platform focused on identifying and treating mold toxicity. With a background in chemical engineering and experience as a venture capitalist, she co-founded Conscience VC, investing in early-stage, science-driven startups. Her personal health journey with mold inspired MoldCo, where she combines technical expertise and entrepreneurial insight to improve care for overlooked conditions. Ariana is dedicated to advancing patient-centered, data-driven solutions and continues to support innovative companies shaping the future of health and technology.WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Website: https://www.moldco.com/Testing: https://www.moldco.com/productsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themoldcompanyFree Questionnaire: https://access.moldco.com/signsMoldCo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moldco/Ariana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianadthacker/Dr. Scott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-mcmahon-b97191357/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoldcompany/Ariana's X: https://x.com/m0ldilocksMoldCo's X: https://x.com/themoldcompanySPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questionsFor the month of September, Jigsaw Health is giving Less Stressed Life listeners 15% off any order! Use code LESSSTRESSED15 through September 30. Stock up on MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, or Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration. Plus, start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription and get a FREE stainless steel water bottle! 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Less Stressed Life, I'm joined by my associate registered dietitian, Jenna De Kok, to share the deeply personal journey she and her husband have been on with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). After multiple exposures to water-damaged buildings, they both began experiencing unexplained symptoms, with Jenna developing debilitating panic attacks, severe insomnia, neurological symptoms, and overwhelming fatigue. Despite being told by multiple healthcare providers that it was "just anxiety," she continued searching for answers until she finally received a CIRS diagnosis. We also discuss what CIRS is, how it differs from mold illness, why environmental testing matters, and the role of the Shoemaker Protocol in recovery.KEY TAKEAWAYS: What is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) Common neurological symptoms of CIRS  The difference between CIRS and mold illness  Trusting your body when answers don't add up  Why environmental testing matters  Finding the right tools for your healing journey ABOUT GUEST:Jenna is a registered dietitian via her business Nutritiously Jenna and associate practitioner at Less Stressed Life Nutrition. She started working with Christa in 2018 doing mentorship hours for her undergraduate degree. Her passion for women's wellness came from her firsthand struggles flaring with a variety of gut, detox/drainage, nervous system, and energy issues. In January 2026 was when she officially learned that CIRS was a piece of not only her health story but also, her husband's after a variety of exposures to biotoxins in their homes. Through this experience, her goal is helping other "misunderstood" clients better understand how their symptoms can be influenced by the health of their environment.WHERE TO FIND GUEST: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutritiouslyjenna/SPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questionsFor the month of September, Jigsaw Health is giving Less Stressed Life listeners 15% off any order! Use code LESSSTRESSED15 through September 30. Stock up on MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, or Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration. Plus, start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription and get a FREE stainless steel water bottle! 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Less Stressed Life, I'm joined by Dr. Jeffrey Bland for a conversation about the evolution of functional medicine and what we're continuing to learn about immune resilience. We explore why "immune boosting" isn't the goal, how the gut microbiome influences inflammation throughout the body, and why mast cells, the 4R gut restoration protocol, and post-COVID immune changes are important pieces of the immune health puzzle. We also discuss inflammaging (chronic inflammation associated with aging) and how nutrition and lifestyle choices can help support resilience and healthy aging.KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Why immune resilience matters more than immune boosting• How the gut microbiome influences inflammation• The role of mast cells in immune health• How the 4R protocol supports gut health• Understanding inflammaging and healthy aging• Nutrition and lifestyle strategies to build resilienceABOUT GUEST:Dr. Jeffrey Bland is a world-renowned nutritional medicine expert and is widely considered the "Father of Functional Medicine." A trained biochemist, he has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications and the bestselling book The Disease Delusion. He co-founded the Institute for Functional Medicine and the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute and is the founder of Big Bold Health, where his work focuses on immune rejuvenation through nutrition, lifestyle, and regenerative health.WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Website: https://jeffreybland.com/Website: https://bigboldhealth.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjeffreybland/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JeffreyBlandPhDSPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questionsFor the month of September, Jigsaw Health is giving Less Stressed Life listeners 15% off any order! Use code LESSSTRESSED15 through September 30. Stock up on MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, or Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration. Plus, start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription and get a FREE stainless steel water bottle! 

Send us Fan MailThe Less Stressed Life turns 10 next year🤯, and as I started looking back through some of the earliest episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. This week, we're revisiting Episode 54 from 2019 with bestselling author and wellness innovator Dave Romanelli. While this conversation was recorded before the world experienced the isolation of the pandemic, its message about connection, loneliness, and learning from older generations feels even more meaningful today. In this episode, Dave shares what he learned from years of connecting with people in their 80s, 90s, and even 100s through his Drinks With Your Elders events and the conversations that inspired his book, Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest. We explore the importance of preserving family stories, why slowing down to truly listen matters, and the perspective that only comes from a lifetime of experience. We also discuss parenting, resilience, loneliness, and why meaningful relationships—not accomplishments or possessions—are what matter most at the end of life. Find David's books here: https://davidromanelli.com/#booksKEY TAKEAWAYS: Why older generations hold wisdom we can't afford to lose  The importance of preserving family stories before it's too late  Life lessons on parenting, resilience, and showing up for the people you love  How perspective can help us navigate life's everyday challenges  Why relationships matter more than achievements at the end of life  The value of creating connections across generations  Simple ways to start meaningful conversations with the elders in your lifeABOUT GUEST: Dave Romanelli is a bestselling author, wellness innovator, entrepreneur, and lifelong meditator. He is the author of several books, including Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest, and is known for bringing generations together through his Drinks With Your Elders events. His work explores connection, mindfulness, relationships, and the lessons we can learn from those who have lived the longest. His work has been featured in The New York Times, O Magazine, Newsweek, Food & Wine, and The Wall Street Journal. WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Website: https://davidromanelli.com/# Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeahdave/SPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questionsFor the month of September, Jigsaw Health is giving Less Stressed Life listeners 15% off any order! Use code LESSSTRESSED15 through September 30. Stock up on MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, or Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration. Plus, start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription and get a FREE stainless steel water bottle! 

Send us Fan MailThe Less Stressed Life turns 10 next year🤯, and as I started looking back through some of the earliest episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. This week, we're revisiting Episode 47 from 2019 with functional dietitian Olivia Wagner, whose practical approach to food as medicine continues to inspire how we think about nourishing our bodies. In this episode, we explore how every bite of food provides information to the body, why becoming a "nutrient seeker" can transform the way you think about healthy eating, and simple strategies for building meals that are both nourishing and delicious. We also discuss practical meal prep techniques, easy ways to increase the variety of plants on your plate, creative tips for helping the whole family enjoy more nutrient-dense foods, and how small, consistent changes can have a lasting impact on your health. Bonus Resource: Download the free Food as Medicine Checklist created for this episode, packed with simple, practical ways to put these nutrition strategies into action.KEY TAKEAWAYS: Food as information and the food-as-medicine approach  How to become a "nutrient seeker"  Simple ways to build colorful, nutrient-dense meals  Practical meal prep and batch cooking tips  Easy strategies to help the whole family eat more vegetables  Flavor-building techniques to make healthy meals delicious  Kitchen tools and resources that simplify healthy cookingABOUT GUEST: Olivia Wagner, MS, RDN, LDN, IFNCP, is a functional women's health and fertility dietitian and the founder of Liv Nourished. She specializes in helping women uncover the root causes of hormone imbalances, fertility challenges, and metabolic concerns through a whole-woman approach that combines functional nutrition, advanced lab testing, and nervous system support. Olivia is passionate about empowering women to better understand their bodies and create lasting health from the inside out. WHERE TO FIND GUEST:Website: https://livnourishednutrition.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livnourishednutrition/SPONSOR:Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:🍽️ Over restriction is dead🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone❤️ Do your best and leave the restWHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistPodcast Instagram: @lessstressedlifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlifeQuick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/linksCortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questionsFor the month of September, Jigsaw Health is giving Less Stressed Life listeners 15% off any order! Use code LESSSTRESSED15 through September 30. Stock up on MagRelief Lotion for stress and sleep, Brain Boost Mag L-Threonate for focus, or Berry-Licious Electrolyte Supreme for daily hydration. Plus, start a new Electrolyte Supreme subscription and get a FREE stainless steel water bottle!