Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording

Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, IFNCP
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Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording is a women's health and wellness podcast about making healthy habits work in real life. Registered dietitian, author, and speaker Jess Cording shares practical, evidence-based guidance along with honest conversations about nutrition, fitness, sleep, stress, midlife health, body image, and the health experiences that shape us—without perfection, overwhelm, or feeling like wellness becomes another job.

  1. 21 Oct

    EPISODE 253: What to Do If You're at High Risk for Breast Cancer

    Episode Description Hearing that you're at high risk for breast cancer can be scary. But knowing you're high risk doesn't automatically tell you what to do next. In this episode of Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording, I'm talking about where to start, based on both my years working in breast oncology and my own experience with high-risk screening.  We'll talk about understanding your individual risk, what to ask your healthcare team, whether your screening plan may need to change, and where lifestyle fits into the picture without making yourself crazy trying to do everything perfectly.  I also get into some of the confusing advice that's out there around food, stress, alcohol, supplements, personal care products, and other everyday choices. Some of that information can be useful. Some of it can make an already stressful situation feel even more overwhelming.  Because once you know your risk, the next step isn't to panic or overhaul your entire life. It's to figure out what actually makes sense for you and your health. Key Points What to do after learning you're at high risk for breast cancer Why understanding your individual risk is an important first step Questions to ask your healthcare team about screening and risk management How genetic counseling or updated genetic testing may fit into the conversation Lifestyle habits that may help support overall health and reduce risk Why lifestyle matters without being a guarantee Common breast cancer risk myths and fear-based wellness advice Why realistic, sustainable changes matter more than trying to do everything at once How to stay informed without letting your risk profile take over your life If you've recently learned that you're at increased risk for breast cancer, or you've been navigating high-risk screening for a while, I hope this episode gives you a clearer idea of what questions to ask and where to focus your energy. And once you've gotten the information you need and made the choices that make sense for you, remember: you are more than your risk profile.  🎙️ Listen to Episode 253: What to Do If You're at High Risk for Breast Cancer on Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording. YouTube link 👉 https://youtu.be/V8pwA4Ecjno If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on Apple podcasts  HERE. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthier-happier-with-jess-cording/id1460384072  Stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com You can also find my tarot work on Instagram at @tea_and_oranges_tarot and on Substack at substack.com/@teaandorangestarot

  2. 14 Oct

    EPISODE 252: Choosing Surgery When You're Not Sick

    Episode Description: Choosing major surgery when you're not technically sick comes with a strange mix of emotions. In this episode of Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording, I'm talking about what that experience was like for me—the fear, gratitude, guilt, and the pressure I sometimes felt to explain or justify a decision that was deeply personal. I also get into something I've wrestled with for years: the idea that if we just eat the right things, manage our stress, think positively, and do wellness "correctly," maybe we can somehow control what happens to our bodies. Spoiler: bodies are a little more complicated than that. This episode is about making a difficult health decision, sitting with uncertainty, and learning that taking care of yourself doesn't always mean having every answer. Key Points The emotional side of choosing preventive surgery Why fear and gratitude can exist at the same time The guilt that can come with asking for help When wellness advice starts to feel like self-blame Making peace with not having every answer  If you've ever felt pressure to handle a health challenge perfectly—or wondered whether you should somehow be doing more—this conversation may feel familiar. Listen to Choosing Surgery When You're Not Sick on Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording. YouTube link 👉 https://youtu.be/rwaDXL79I4U If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on Apple podcasts  HERE. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthier-happier-with-jess-cording/id1460384072  Stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com You can also find my tarot work on Instagram at @tea_and_oranges_tarot and on Substack at substack.com/@teaandorangestarot

  3. 6 Oct

    Episode 251: Why I Chose a Preventive Mastectomy | Breast Cancer Risk, Breast Health & My Personal Decision

    Episode Description: Choosing to have a preventive mastectomy was never something I imagined I would do. And it definitely wasn't a decision I made overnight. In this episode of Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording, I'm sharing the personal story behind that decision—what led me there, what years of breast screening and uncertainty were really like, and why something that once felt incredibly drastic eventually started to feel very different. I also talk about something I think gets missed in a lot of wellness conversations: you can take great care of yourself and still face health situations you never expected. Healthy habits matter, but they don't give us complete control over what happens to our bodies. This is not an episode about telling anyone else what decision to make. Preventive surgery is deeply personal, and there is no single right choice for everyone. This is simply my experience and some of what I considered as I figured out what felt right for me. Key Points What brought preventive mastectomy into the conversation for me The emotional side of living with ongoing breast screening and uncertainty How I thought about risk, lifestyle, and the limits of what healthy habits can control Why a major health decision can look very different from one person to another Questions worth considering when navigating your own breast health choices with your healthcare team If you're navigating elevated breast cancer risk, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about what can go into a decision like this, I hope sharing my experience makes you feel a little less alone in the uncertainty. Listen to Why I Chose a Mastectomy on Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording. YouTube link 👉 https://youtu.be/gpZ8sz2-uz4  If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on Apple podcasts  HERE.   Stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com You can also find my tarot work on Instagram at @tea_and_oranges_tarot and on Substack at substack.com/@teaandorangestarot

  4. 6 Oct

    Episode 250: Introducing Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording | Women's Health & Wellness Podcast

    Episode Description: Welcome to Episode 250—and a new chapter of the podcast. Drama-Free Healthy Living is now Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording. In this episode, I'm sharing what inspired the evolution of the show and why this new name feels like the right fit for where I am now. As a registered dietitian, health coach, author, and speaker, I've spent years talking about nutrition, fitness, sleep, stress management, and healthy habits. But over time, I've come to see health in a much broader way—one that also includes the experiences, challenges, and changes that shape how we care for ourselves. That's what Healthier & Happier is making space for. Alongside practical, evidence-based guidance, we'll have honest conversations about women's health, midlife health, body image, and what it can look like to pursue wellness without expecting ourselves to do everything perfectly. Key Points Why Drama-Free Healthy Living is evolving into Healthier & Happier What inspired this next chapter of the podcast How my perspective on health has changed over the years Why wellness is about more than food, fitness, and healthy routines What you can expect from the conversations ahead Press play and come along for this next chapter.  If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts HERE. Stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com You can also find my tarot work on Instagram at @tea_and_oranges_tarot and on Substack at substack.com/@teaandorangestarot  YouTube link 👉 https://youtu.be/DYpRDOcJvjk

  5. 18 Jan

    Episode 249: Hitting Pause

    Episode Description: If you've been feeling a little… maxed out lately—and you can tell you're still doing things out of momentum, not meaning—this episode is for you. In this solo episode, I'm sharing why I'm hitting pause on the podcast for now. Not because I don't love it, and not because it didn't matter. But because my life has changed so much since I started this show in 2019, and I'm realizing I need space. The kind of space where you can actually hear yourself again—without forcing the next step just to keep things moving. I talk about the fear of being seen as a quitter, the pressure to keep producing even when something's quietly draining you, and that very real "does anyone even care?" voice that shows up right when you're trying to make a change. I also share what helped me get honest about what feels aligned right now—and why a pause can be a grounded, intentional choice… not a failure. Take a breath, come hang with me, and if you've been needing permission to stop pushing so hard, I hope this gives you a little of that. Press play—and if it resonates, send it to a friend who's been carrying too much and calling it "fine." Because sometimes the most productive thing you can do isn't more effort—it's more honesty. If there's something you've been holding onto out of fear, guilt, or habit, I hope this episode reminds you: you're allowed to pause before you burn out. You're allowed to make space. And you're allowed to trust that what's meant for you will still be there when you're ready. If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts  HERE.   Stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com You can also find my tarot work on Instagram at @tea_and_oranges_tarot and on Substack at substack.com/@teaandorangestarot    YouTube link 👉 https://youtu.be/c_M2VWRE7do

  6. 31/12/2025

    Episode 248: What to Let Go of in 2026

    Episode Description: If you're heading into 2026 feeling a little stretched thin—like you're carrying too much, trying too hard, or overthinking every next step—this episode is for you. Today's conversation is all about release, not in a dramatic "new year, new you" way, but in a practical, gentle, real-life way. Because sometimes the most supportive thing you can do for your health, your energy, and your goals… is let go of the habits, beliefs, and pressures that quietly drain you. We're talking about perfectionism, comparison, guilt around rest, the all-or-nothing mindset, and overcommitting out of obligation—plus a few powerful mindset shifts to help you feel lighter, more grounded, and more intentional in how you move through the year. Grab a cup of tea, take a deep breath, and let's make room for you in 2026. If you're craving a fresh start that doesn't involve burning yourself out, press play. And if this resonates, share it with a friend who could use the same reminder.  If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts  HERE. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drama-free-healthy-living-with-jess-cording/id1460384072  Stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com YouTube link 👉 https://youtu.be/1zRCKWpBMTo

  7. 16/12/2025

    Episode 247: Harnessing the Power of the Unfocused Mind w/ Dr. Srini Pillay

    📌Try the ReuLay app for mindset shifts (www.reulay.com); email solutions@reulay.com for a free 3-month subscription  👉In this episode of the Drama Free Healthy Living Podcast, host Jess Cording interviews Dr. Srini Pillay, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and executive coach, about harnessing brain science for better focus, overcoming fear, managing stress, and integrating creativity into daily life. They explore strategies like strategic unfocus (napping, doodling, daydreaming) to boost productivity, the CIRCA method (Chunking, Ignore mental chatter, Reality check, Control check, Attention shift) for fear reduction, and the ReuLay app for mindset shifts. Dr. Pillay emphasizes neuroplasticity, the mind-body connection, and personalized approaches to nutrition and wellness 🖋️ Some key points (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (01:59) Guest Introduction (02:53) Journey into Psychiatry and Neuroscience (05:08) Transformational Neuro-Coaching Explained (09:47) The Power of Belief and Hypnotherapy (12:33) Strategies for Managing Attention and Focus (21:22) Understanding and Overcoming Fear (24:42) The Importance of Chunking and Delegation (25:26) Mindfulness and Cyclic Sighing (26:46) Reality Check and Control Check (28:57) Introducing the App (31:31) Personalized Nutrition and Complex Thinking (36:35) Balancing Creativity and Professional Life (41:52) Connecting with Dr. Srini Pillay (42:47) What Healthy Living Means 🌎 Connect with Dr. Srini Pillay Try the ReuLay app for mindset shifts (www.reulay.com); email solutions@reulay.com for a free 3-month subscription. Visit Dr. Pillay's website (drsrinipillay.com) and corporate site (nbgcorporate.com). Follow on Instagram (@drsrinipillay) and LinkedIn (Dr. Srini Pillay). Buy books like Tinker Dabble Doodle Try and Life Unlocked on Amazon 👉 Guest Bio Dr. Srini Pillay is chief medical officer and co-founder of Reulay, a digital therapeutics  company that is developing strategies to delay the onset of cancer, cardiovascular disease,  neurodegenerative disease, and stroke by targeting on-demand anxiety and stress  reduction based on the well-established link between stress, epigenetics, inflammation, abnormal metabolism, and disease. Reulay's technology is built on a machine learning platform designed to personalize video, VR, AR, and XR to reduce anxiety and prolong human longevity and can also be deployed in their metaverse programming for web3. Srini graduated as the top overall medical student in South Africa and the top award-winning resident in Psychiatry at Harvard. He is a former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Outpatient Anxiety Disorders Program at Harvard Medical School's Mclean Hospital. He is also a former brain-imaging researcher at Harvard (17 years), a certified master executive coach and CEO of NeuroBusiness Group®, voted one of the top 20 movers and shakers in leadership development in the world by Training Industry.   His books include "Life Unlocked: 7 Revolutionary Lessons to Overcome Fear" (Rodale, 2010), "Your Brain and Business: The Neuroscience of Great Leaders" (FT Press, 20110, and "Tinker Dabble Doodle Try:  Unlock the Power of the Unfocused Mind" (Ballantine Books, 2017.) His books have been translated into eight languages. Dr. Pillay has lectured throughout the world including the US, Canada, UK, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Greece, India, Singapore, and Brazil. 🌎 Connect with Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, IFNCP JessicaCordingNutrition.com  Instagram / Facebook   Author of The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep, and The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety  and (Viva Editions) and The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep 🎤 Podcast post-production by Seamless Multimedia If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts  HERE.  Stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com YouTube 👉https://youtu.be/pB_yLqMucPQ

  8. 25/11/2025

    Episode 246: Empowering Women's Sleep w/ Jackie Hutson from Piper & Mint PJS

    📌Make sure to check out Piper & Mint PJs on www.piperandmint.com 👉 Jackie Hutson is a wife, mom to two energetic, sports-loving boys, and a founder who seems to live life in motion—in all the best ways. She plays in a competitive tennis league, loves diving into business and entrepreneurship, and brings an easy, grounded optimism into everything she does. Her entrepreneurial spark lit up early: at age 11, she made $5,000 selling Beanie Babies. Since then, she's launched several product-based businesses, including an accessory line created while studying abroad in Italy. After college, Jackie built her career in corporate retail merchandising before a company bankruptcy pushed her into the vendor side of retail. There, she joined a manufacturing company specializing in apparel and accessories, eventually buying into the business and becoming a managing partner. For the past eight years, she's helped others bring their products to life—but there was one idea she couldn't shake. After a decade of carrying it with her, she finally decided to bet on herself. That leap became Piper & Mint, an innovative pajama brand designed to help women sleep better through postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and every hormonal shift in between. In this episode of The Drama-Free Healthy Living Podcast, Jackie shares the journey behind her sweat-wicking, mint-infused cooling PJs—why she created them, what makes the fabric unique, and how real women shaped the product through testing and feedback. We talk openly about night sweats, temperature swings, hormonal chaos, and why so many women feel dismissed or misunderstood in healthcare settings. Jackie also dives deep into her path as a founder: what it really takes to bring an idea to life, why patience matters more than perfection, and how she built a mission-driven brand that not only supports women but also gives back through fertility-grant funding. We also explore: What cooling PJs can (and can't) do for night sweats Why mint-infused fabric changes the sleep equation How to validate a product idea when you're starting from zero The realities of slow, sustainable growth The emotional toll of not sleeping well How mindset, purpose, and optimism shape Jackie's definition of healthy living If you've ever struggled with hormonal sleep issues, wondered why your body temperature is doing the most, or thought about turning a product idea into something real, this episode offers both comfort and inspiration. Don't miss the show notes for a special listener discount on Piper & Mint PJs and links to Jackie's new podcast, The Sourcing Gals. Discount code: JESSCORDING   🌎 Connect with Jackie Hutson Website: www.piperandmint.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piperandmint/                    https://www.instagram.com/createjackiesway/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@piperandmint   Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSourcingGals    🌎 Connect with Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, IFNCP JessicaCordingNutrition.com  Instagram / Facebook   Author of The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep, and  The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety  and (Viva Editions)  and  The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep 🎤 Podcast post-production by Seamless Multimedia YouTube Link 👉 https://youtu.be/AtsiOOfVwpI    If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts HERE.

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Healthier & Happier with Jess Cording is a women's health and wellness podcast about making healthy habits work in real life. Registered dietitian, author, and speaker Jess Cording shares practical, evidence-based guidance along with honest conversations about nutrition, fitness, sleep, stress, midlife health, body image, and the health experiences that shape us—without perfection, overwhelm, or feeling like wellness becomes another job.

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