The High Functioning Hot Mess Podcast

Elizabeth Bronk McLaughlin
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The High Functioning Hot Mess is where high-achieving women come to drop the perfection act and get real about stress, health, and healing. Hosted by functional dietitian Elizabeth Bronk McLaughlin, this podcast explores the beautiful chaos of doing it all—while learning to soften, slow down, and actually feel good again.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    21. Little House on the Prairie Is Getting a Reboot… Here’s What You Need to Know (A Summer Series)

    This summer, we’re doing things a little differently. When I first heard that Little House on the Prairie is getting a reboot on Netflix (coming July 9), I had two immediate thoughts: I will absolutely be watching We need to talk about this Because over the past year and a half, the world of Little House—especially the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder—has become something really meaningful to me. Not just nostalgic… but grounding. So instead of taking a break this summer, I’m leaning into a new direction. Welcome to the Little House Summer Series on The High Functioning Hot Mess—a space where we’ll explore what this beloved story can actually teach us about slowing down, simplifying, and feeling better in our everyday lives. My love for summer and the energy I’m intentionally creating this season How this series came to life (and why now felt like the right time) What Little House on the Prairie represents beyond nostalgia A fresh perspective on wellness: why more isn’t always better What you can expect from this summer series (no reading required 😉) Yes—we’ll talk about the books.Yes—we’ll talk about the original show.And yes—we’ll absolutely be discussing the reboot. But more than anything… This series is about coming back to the basics. Slowing down Spending more time outside Nourishing your body Reconnecting with what actually feels good Letting life be a little simpler (and a little more fun) Because the truth is—we don’t need 25 supplements and a perfectly optimized routine to feel better. We need consistency.We need rhythm.We need connection. If you’re feeling inspired, I’ll mostly be pulling from: Little House in the Big Woods Little House on the Prairie But truly—no pressure. This is meant to feel easy, not like homework. Next week, we’re diving into my story and how I fell in love with this beloved series. If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or tag me on Instagram so I can see you’re listening! And if you’re craving more of this slower, more intentional approach to wellness, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s coming next. This is your invitation to a slower summer. You don’t have to do more to feel better. Sometimes… you just need to come back to what already works. Connect with Elizabeth: 💻 https://www.elizabethalicellc.com/ 📸 @elizabethalicerd on Instagram 💌 Subscribe to Vitality Vignette for cozy wellness musings Now on TikTok! The High Functioning Hot Mess ✨ In This Episode:🌿 What This Series Is Really About📚 Want to Read Along?🎧 Coming Next💌 Let’s Stay Connected🌞 A Final Thought

    8 min

  2. 20 APR

    20. Modern Dating, Nervous System Regulation & Finding Secure Love with Sarah Harkness

    Modern dating can feel like a full-body stress response… and if you’ve ever confused anxiety for attraction or felt exhausted by dating apps, this episode is for you. Elizabeth is joined by Sarah Harkness, founder of Austin Elite Matchmaking and creator of The Frequency of Love method. Together, they dive into what’s actually happening in the dating world right now—and why so many high-functioning women feel overwhelmed, burnt out, or stuck in the same relationship patterns. Sarah shares how her personal experiences with heartbreak, unhealthy relationships, and healing led her to blend psychology, nervous system regulation, and matchmaking into a completely different approach to love. This episode is a powerful reminder that the relationship you’re calling in is deeply connected to how safe you feel within yourself. Why modern dating feels so overstimulating, fast-paced, and disconnected The difference between chemistry vs. nervous system activation How attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, disorganized) show up in dating Why “butterflies” might actually be a stress response—not attraction What healthy attraction really feels like (and why it can feel… boring at first) How dating apps can amplify nervous system dysregulation The concept of The Frequency of Love and how your internal state shapes who you attract Why self-awareness and regulation matter more than strategy How to date more intentionally (without burning out) The role of community, connection, and real-life interactions in finding a partner Website: https://www.austinelitematchmaking.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austin.elite.matchmaking TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austin.elite.matchmaking If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a friend or tag me on Instagram—I love hearing what lands for you 🤍 Connect with Elizabeth: 💻 https://www.elizabethalicellc.com/ 📸 @elizabethalicerd on Instagram 💌 Subscribe to Vitality Vignette for cozy wellness musings Now on TikTok! The High Functioning Hot Mess 💫 What We Talk About🔗 Connect with Sarah🎧 Loved this episode?

    57 min

  3. 6 APR

    19. Building a Business That Actually Supports Your Life with Stephanie Ross

    In this episode of The High Functioning Hot Mess, I sit down with business educator, speaker, and founder of Sister Circle, Stephanie Ross, for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, resilience, and what it really looks like to rebuild your life when things don’t go as planned. Stephanie shares her journey from building a six-figure fitness studio in her early 20s to navigating massive financial stress, burnout, and ultimately making the difficult decision to walk away and pivot. What unfolded next wasn’t failure—it was a return to alignment. We talk about what it means to be a “high-functioning hot mess”—the kind of woman who keeps showing up, keeps achieving, keeps pushing… even when she’s exhausted underneath it all. This episode is for the woman who is holding a lot, doing a lot, and starting to feel like something needs to shift. The reality of high-functioning burnout Stephanie’s entrepreneurial journey The power of community Recognizing when it’s time for a reset Daily rituals that actually matter Your body as a messenger Letting go of hustle culture Showing up authentically (even in business) You don’t need more discipline—you need more alignment Your body will always tell you when something is off (if you’re willing to listen) Consistency doesn’t mean pushing through—it can look like soft, sustainable rhythms You are allowed to pivot, rebuild, and redefine what success looks like Sometimes the most powerful move is choosing a different way Small Business Sister Circle  www.stephanieleaross.com  Instagram: @stephanieleaross @smallbusiness.sistercircle  If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a friend or tag me on Instagram—I love hearing what lands for you 🤍 Connect with Elizabeth: 💻 https://www.elizabethalicellc.com/ 📸 @elizabethalicerd on Instagram 💌 Subscribe to Vitality Vignette for cozy wellness musings Now on TikTok! The High Functioning Hot Mess 💬 What We Talk About:🫶 Key Takeaways🔗 Connect with Stephanie🎧 Loved this episode?

    59 min

  4. 30 MAR

    18. Why Wellness Culture Isn’t Working for You (And What Seasonal Living Does Instead) with Jesie Steffes

    In today’s episode of The High Functioning Hot Mess, I’m joined by our very first returning guest, Jesie Steffes — and this conversation is every bit as nourishing, thoughtful, and grounding as you’d expect. Jesie first joined me back in episode 3, and after hearing how deeply that conversation resonated with so many of you, I knew we had to bring her back. This time, we’re diving even deeper into what it means to be a highly sensitive person in a world that often rewards rigidity, hustle, and pushing through. We talk about why traditional wellness advice can backfire for highly sensitive people, the difference between routine and ritual, and how language alone can shift the way our nervous systems respond to habits, healing, and self-care. We also explore Jesie’s beautiful work through Seasonal Self and the power of living in rhythm with both the outer seasons and our own inner ones. This episode is a gentle invitation to stop trying to become less sensitive and start building a life that actually supports the way you were made. In this episode, we talk about: Why so many HSPs grow up trying to “toughen up” How diet culture and rigid wellness routines can dysregulate sensitive nervous systems The difference between routine, ritual, rhythm, and discipline Why language matters so much in healing work How to create supportive conditions instead of obsessing over outcomes The role of intuition in nutrition, movement, and self-trust Living seasonally and why it can be so grounding for highly sensitive people The beauty of honoring inner seasons like grief, growth, rest, and emergence Small ways to begin practicing seasonal living right now A few reminders from this conversation: You do not need to force yourself into systems that were never designed for your nervous system. You are not failing because rigid routines don’t work for you. There may be a softer, more sustainable, more aligned way — and it might actually work better. Connect with Jesie:Jesie Steffes is a therapist, writer, and the creator of Seasonal Self, a beautiful monthly virtual gathering designed to help people live more rhythmically and seasonally. You can connect with her on Instagram at @jesie.steffes.healing and find her weekly essays on Substack through Sated Soul. https://www.jesiesteffes.com/ Jesie also shared upcoming Seasonal Self gatherings during this episode, including: April 12 — Values as lived orientations, with animal wisdom from the wolf. May 17 — Intuition, with animal wisdom TBD If this episode resonated with you:Send it to a friend, share it to your stories, or tag us with your biggest takeaway. And if you’ve been curious about living more seasonally, this is your sign to start paying attention to the rhythms happening both around you and within you. Connect with Elizabeth: 💻 https://www.elizabethalicellc.com/ 📸 @elizabethalicerd on Instagram 💌 Subscribe to Vitality Vignette for cozy wellness musings Now on TikTok! The High Functioning Hot Mess

    1hr 4min

  5. 23 MAR

    17. Why Doing “Everything Right” Still Isn’t Working

    If you’ve been doing all the things—tracking your food, working out, taking the supplements, trying to follow the protocols—and still not feeling the way you thought you would… This episode is for you. Because the truth is… it’s not that you’re doing it wrong. It’s that you may be skipping the very things your body needs first. In today’s episode, we’re talking about foundations—the pieces of your health that signal safety to your body and actually allow healing, fat loss, hormone balance, and digestion to happen. We’ll walk through: Why so many women feel stuck despite “doing everything right” How wellness culture has conditioned us to jump straight to fixing What it actually means for your body to feel safe The 6 core foundations I focus on in my practice: Nourishment Nervous system regulation Supportive movement Circadian rhythm + light Minerals + hydration Seasonal + rhythmic living Why skipping these can leave you feeling more overwhelmed, burned out, and stuck This episode is a gentle reminder that: You don’t need more discipline. You need more support. And healing doesn’t start with doing more… it starts with creating safety. I’ve been building something behind the scenes that walks you through these foundations in a supportive, realistic, and sustainable way. More on that very soon 🤍 Flow + Glow: Cycle Syncing Guide (free) Connect with me on Instagram Connect with me on Tik Tok https://www.elizabethalicellc.com/ If this episode supported you, I would be so grateful if you: Shared it with a friend Posted it to your stories Or left a rating + review It helps this message reach more women who need it 🤍 🌿 If this resonated with you:✨ Resources + Links🫶 Loved this episode?

    11 min

  6. 16 MAR

    16. When Your Brain Has a Million Tabs Open: A Q1 Life and Business Check-In

    In this solo episode, Elizabeth shares a candid Q1 life and business check-in, reflecting on the seasonal energy shift that spring brings and what’s currently unfolding in her world. She opens up about navigating grief after the loss of multiple family members, the surge of creative ideas that has followed, and what it’s like having a multipassionate entrepreneurial brain. Elizabeth also shares updates on her functional nutrition practice, her evolving approach to social media (including her newfound love for TikTok), and the inspiration behind new ideas like Feel Good Fit Club and an upcoming course designed for highly sensitive women. This episode is a behind-the-scenes conversation about creativity, healing, seasonal living, and learning to build a life where multiple passions can coexist. Work with Elizabeth: Click here Connect with Elizabeth: 💻 https://www.elizabethalicellc.com/ 📸 @elizabethalicerd on Instagram 💌 Subscribe to Vitality Vignette for cozy wellness musings Now on TikTok! The High Functioning Hot Mess

    18 min

  7. 9 MAR

    15. Strong Bodies, Real Life: Why Fitness & Nutrition Aren’t That Deep with Jenna Stern

    In this episode of High Functioning Hot Mess, Elizabeth sits down with fitness coach Jenna Stern, founder of The Philosophy, to talk about finding the “gray area” between diet culture and sustainable wellness. Jenna shares her journey from early-2000s dieting and over-exercising to building a more balanced approach to fitness, nutrition, and body autonomy. Together they discuss gym intimidation, how beginners can start enjoying movement, why strength training matters for women, and the role of structure in building consistency without perfection. They also unpack under-fueling, nighttime overeating, and why eating enough is essential for progress. If you’ve ever felt stuck between “all or nothing,” this conversation will remind you: it’s really not that deep—find what works and keep going. Lightning Round - Jenna’s Favorites Dinner tonight: Salmon bowls (girls’ night “divide and conquer” style) Wellness fave: Sauna time (cold plunges? “miss me with that”) Beauty product: MediCube Pink Serum (rosacea-friendly, repurchased = approved) Connect With Jenna Instagram: @thephilasophy Website: thephilasophy.com Also mentioned: Jenna recently launched a Substack for more long-form content.

    1hr 13min

  8. 2 MAR

    14. The Husband Episode: Blind Date Lore + Real-Life Love

    It’s my birthday week, so we’re doing something different. For the first time ever, I have a guest with a Y chromosome on the podcast — my husband, Tye. This episode is giving 2016 YouTube boyfriend tag energy… except we’re married, talking about grief, nervous systems, faith, law enforcement, Kwik Trip, and whether egg rolls at the Wabasha Kwik Trip taste superior (they do). We talk about: Our blind date origin story High Functioning Hot Mess marriage edition: Who spirals faster Who’s more dramatic Who apologizes first Who cries at dog videos What being married to a police officer has taught me about stress and nervous systems How grief shaped our first year of marriage The reality of faith evolving (and praying out loud feeling awkward) Big “what’s next?” season-of-life conversations And obviously… an entire segment dedicated to Kwik Trip This one is light, but it’s also layered. Send it to a friend (or your husband). Leave a rating or review — it helps the podcast reach other high-functioning hot messes. Come hang out with me beyond Instagram through the podcast + newsletter. And as always… See you next time. ✨ Work with Elizabeth: Click here Connect with Elizabeth: 💻 https://www.elizabethalicellc.com/ 📸 @elizabethalicerd on Instagram 💌 Subscribe to Vitality Vignette for cozy wellness musings Now on TikTok! The High Functioning Hot Mess 🤍 If You Loved This Episode

    1hr 11min
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About

The High Functioning Hot Mess is where high-achieving women come to drop the perfection act and get real about stress, health, and healing. Hosted by functional dietitian Elizabeth Bronk McLaughlin, this podcast explores the beautiful chaos of doing it all—while learning to soften, slow down, and actually feel good again.

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