Crunchy Stewardship

Katie Fiola Jones & Chrissy Rombach
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Christianity

In this podcast we are taking a deep dive into what it means to steward our lives as God originally intended for us with the resources that God has given us. We will look at topics like food, medicine, finances, mental health and lots more through a natural lens with a biblical foundation. 

  1. 2d ago

    The Detox Duo: Root Causes of Kidney and Liver Disease

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! First of all, please forgive us for missing last week's episode—life got a little busy, but we are back and continuing our chronic disease series! Today, we are shifting our focus to the body’s ultimate, God-given filtration system: the liver and the kidneys. Before we dive into the "Detox Duo," Katie shares a few herbal tea remedies she is using to fight off a seasonal cold (hello, rose hips and echinacea!), plus a very raw Crunchy Confession about a recent UTI and why she chose to take an antibiotic. Then, we break down how the liver and kidneys actually work. Did you know the liver is the only organ that can completely regenerate itself? We discuss how the modern American diet—specifically high fructose corn syrup and refined sugar—is driving the rise of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease. We also tackle a highly controversial topic in the medical world right now: over-the-counter painkillers. We unpack the recent studies linking Tylenol (acetaminophen) to liver toxicity and neurological issues, and why popping Advil (ibuprofen) is incredibly damaging to your kidneys. Finally, we share actionable, budget-friendly ways to open up your detox pathways and support these vital organs naturally! In this episode, you'll learn: Herbal Cold Remedies: How to use bulk herbs from Azure Standard (like ginger, rose hips, and marshmallow root) to make budget-friendly, immune-boosting teas.Katie’s Crunchy Confession: Navigating a painful UTI and the balance between holistic remedies and conventional antibiotics.The Detox Duo: How the liver and kidneys filter toxins, and the massive difference between liver regeneration and irreversible kidney damage.The Medication Problem: The hidden dangers of Tylenol and NSAIDs, plus a deep dive into the recent Duke University research linking infant Tylenol use to autism.The Decaf Coffee Surprise: Why water-processed decaf coffee is actually packed with polyphenols that actively protect the liver!Natural Remedies: How to use bitter greens, hydration with mineral salt, stinging nettle tea, and regular sweating to flush out toxins.Resources mentioned: Podcast Episodes:Culture Apothecary Tylenol Episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5j3AFyToaPxhwMb3XlKrgh?si=6bc1809e3d954fcdCulture Apothecary Childhood Cancer Episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6TKbhQ58Tqh6tbQ5ofFlU6?si=40ff0c55a66648ffHerbal Remedies: Earthley - https://earthley.com/?affiliateId=aa0c047c83cd93f47dc6c300WishGarden HerbsBulk Herbs & Coffee: Azure Standard https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=50bb0fcd9bCounter Culture Coffee https://link.amazon/B03ZpQO1zHydration: Redmond Real Salt and Celtic Sea Salt https://link.amazon/B0bu900i5Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Back & Apologies for Missing Last Week!  02:15 Herbal Teas for Cold Season & Azure Standard Bulk Herbs  06:30 Katie’s Crunchy Confession: UTIs, Marshmallow Root, and Antibiotics  11:00 How the Liver & Kidneys Filter Toxins (and Regenerate!)  15:45 Root Causes of NAFLD and CKD: Sugar and High Blood Pressure  18:30 The Truth About Tylenol, Liver Damage, and Autism Research  25:15 Why Advil and NSAIDs Destroy the Kidneys  29:40 The Surprising Liver Benefits of Water-Processed Decaf Coffee  37:30 Natural Remedies: Bitter Greens, Mineral Salt, Nettle Tea, and Sweating  41:15 Wrapping Up: Supporting Your Body for the Glory of God Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship  FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

  2. Oct 16

    The Pediatric Triad: Root Causes of Eczema, Allergies, and Asthma

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! This week, we are continuing our chronic disease series by tackling the "Pediatric Triad" - eczema, allergies, and asthma. While conventional medicine often treats these as three totally separate issues, they actually share the exact same root cause: an immune system in overdrive, usually stemming from a compromised gut. Before we dive into the pediatric triad, Katie kicks off the episode with a wild Random Revelation about lead-based paint, EMFs, and a fascinating telecom conspiracy theory! Then, we break down exactly what "leaky gut" is using a simple cheesecloth analogy, and we discuss the everyday toxins—like glyphosate, antibiotics, and artificial dyes—that are ripping holes in our families' gut barriers. Katie and Chrissy also swap some hilarious (and painful!) Crunchy Confessions about what happens when you overload your system with sugar. Let’s just say Katie’s caramel apple binge led to a dramatic night on the cold bathroom floor! Finally, we share practical, budget-friendly ways to heal the body from the inside out and soothe those uncomfortable symptoms naturally. In this episode, you'll learn: Random Revelation: Did the removal of lead-based paint actually open up our homes to EMFs and wireless radiation?The Cheesecloth Analogy: A simple way to understand leaky gut, and how undigested food proteins trigger systemic inflammation.The Glyphosate Problem: The sneaky way crops are sprayed to dry faster, and why it is so crucial to swap to organic grains.The Caramel Apple Incident: Katie’s dramatic run-in with temporary leaky gut, and Chrissy’s Chewy bar and sour gummy worm fails.Healing from the Inside Out: Why we focus on raw A2 dairy, kefir, and bone broth to actively heal the microbiome.Topical & Natural Remedies: Why you should ditch petroleum-based Aquaphor for beef tallow or calendula salve, plus the magic of breast milk baths for eczema!Allergy Relief: Using local raw honey, stinging nettle tea, and even acupuncture to calm a hyperactive immune system.Resources mentioned: Cereal Brand Mentioned: Lovebird Cereal (and the truth about conventional cereal processing)Holistic Acupuncture: Red and Black Acupuncture (Westminster, CO)Chapters: 00:00 Welcome & Introduction to the Chronic Disease Series  02:15 Random Revelation: The Lead-Based Paint & EMF Conspiracy  08:30 What is the Pediatric Triad? (Eczema, Allergies, and Asthma)  11:45 The "Cheesecloth" Analogy: Understanding Leaky Gut  13:30 Glyphosate Exposure & The Problem with Conventional Wheat  21:20 Crunchy Confessions: Katie’s Caramel Apple Disaster  30:15 Reversing the Triad: Gut-Healing Foods & Raw Dairy  34:00 Ditching Toxins: Fragrance, Laundry Detergent, and Air Fresheners  37:10 Eczema Relief: Ditching Aquaphor for Tallow & Breast Milk Baths  40:30 Allergy Relief: Local Honey, Nettle Tea, and Acupuncture  43:15 Wrapping Up: Praying Over Your Family’s Health Journey Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship  FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

  3. Oct 10

    Understanding the Adult Triad: Hypertension, Cholesterol, and Diabetes

    Send us a Message! In this first episode of Crunchy Stewardship’s chronic conditions series, the hosts introduce the “adult triad” of hypertension, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), and type 2 diabetes, noting these diagnoses often appear together. Chrissy shares a revelation about how quickly the body regenerates cells and organs (including skin, liver, intestinal lining, bone tissue, and red blood cells) and connects healing to creating a supportive environment through diet and lifestyle. They explain the pathophysiology of the triad as a cycle driven by inflammation, cholesterol buildup, narrowed vessels raising blood pressure, and insulin resistance raising blood sugar and inflammation, and they discuss common medication approaches. They emphasize prevention and reversibility through reducing inflammatory foods and toxins, especially sugar, processed foods, and certain seed oils, and close with James 5:16 on spiritual and relational aspects of healing. 00:00 Welcome and Series Intro 01:01 Adult Triad Overview 02:08 Cell Regeneration Wonder 05:17 Skin and Gut Turnover 09:27 Healing and Food Building Blocks 12:45 Epigenetics and Toxin Exposure 15:23 Fertility Drugs and Risks 22:03 Back to Adult Triad 22:52 Cholesterol and Inflammation 25:19 Blood Pressure Explained 28:52 Type 2 Diabetes Basics 32:25 Cycle and Medication Mindset 34:08 Reversing the Adult Triad 36:18 Cholesterol Police Analogy 38:47 Food Pyramid Fallout 43:55 Processed Food Nostalgia 45:41 Small Changes vs Cold Turkey 49:32 Packaged Foods to Avoid 51:55 Hidden Sugars Explained 54:16 Seed Oils and Processing 59:44 Dyes EMFs and Stressors 01:03:16 Healing Wrap Up Scripture Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship  FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

  4. Oct 2

    Chronic Disease 101: Why It’s Rising, What Drives It, and How to Prevent or Reverse It

    Send us a Message! Chrissy Rombach and Katie Fiola Jones introduce Crunchy Stewardship and kick off a new series on chronic disease—what it is, where it comes from, and how to prevent and treat it through both conventional and natural approaches. Katie shares a “random revelation” from a pelvic-floor fitness program: a full urine void is about eight seconds, and consistently shorter voids, pushing to pee, or incontinence can signal pelvic floor issues; they also note links to conditions like kidney disease and spinal problems. They list common chronic diseases and discuss prevalence statistics, emphasizing that many adults have multiple conditions. They critique time-limited, insurance-driven healthcare that often manages symptoms with medications rather than addressing root causes and lifestyle change, while acknowledging genetics and epigenetics. They share personal examples of potentially reversible issues improved through sleep and diet changes, and invite listeners to their Facebook group. 00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship 00:45 New Chronic Disease Series 01:46 Katie Workout Reset 06:08 Pelvic Floor Pee Fact 12:03 Transition to Chronic Disease 13:12 Triads and Common Patterns 15:32 Listing Chronic Diseases 20:16 How Common Are They 21:58 Medication Management Trap 27:26 Why Doctors Lack Time 29:58 Lifestyle Change and Buy In 34:05 Placebo and Homeopathy Tease 34:26 Crunchy AI Searches 36:05 Homeopathy Placebo Debate 38:45 Water Coffee Headaches 40:22 Chronic Disease Rise 43:05 Genetics Epigenetics 49:21 Faith Plus Hard Work 54:23 Reversing IBS Headaches 58:20 PCOS Metabolic Lens 01:00:56 Nail Health And Toxins 01:05:44 Next Episodes Wrap Up Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship  FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

  5. Sep 18

    From Exhaustion to Margin: How the Sabbath Changes the Way We Love Others

    Send us a Message! Following up on our recent conversations about avoiding fear and health idolatry, we are shifting gears to talk about the ultimate antidote to our exhausting, 24/7 hustle culture: the spiritual discipline of the Sabbath. Before we dive into biblical rest, Katie shares a vulnerable update on Day 14 of her cold-turkey coffee detox. We discuss the intense reality of physical withdrawals and the spiritual conviction that comes when we realize we are using something—whether it is coffee, a smartphone, or a busy schedule—as a crutch instead of relying on the Lord. Chrissy brings our Random Revelation with a fascinating timeline fact about when the Apostle Paul's letters were written compared to the Gospels, complete with the slightly comical story of Eutychus falling out a window in Acts 20! For our main topic, we unpack the history of the Sabbath, looking at why God commanded rest for the Israelites in both Exodus and Deuteronomy. We talk about the modern epidemic of "hurry sickness" and how rushing through our daily tasks (like the grocery store!) actually steals our capacity to love our neighbors well. Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, we explore how creating margin in our days and intentionally putting down our phones allows us to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus. In this episode, you'll learn: The Coffee Detox: Katie’s Day 14 update, dealing with severe withdrawals, and why she realized she needed to break coffee's hold on her life.Random Revelation: The timeline of the New Testament writings and the surprising story of Paul preaching until sunrise in Acts 20.The History of the Sabbath: Comparing the two distinct reasons God gave the Sabbath command to the Israelites in the wilderness vs. the Promised Land.Curing "Hurry Sickness": Why constantly rushing destroys our emotional capacity and keeps us from experiencing the fruit of the Spirit.The Good Samaritan: How creating margin in our weekly schedules enables us to step into the divine interruptions God has for us.Digital Boundaries: The freedom that comes from deleting social media apps off your phone and replacing scroll-time with intentional preparation for rest.Legalism vs. Freedom: Why the Sabbath is meant to be a life-giving blessing, not a heavy, rule-based burden.Resources mentioned: Book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer https://link.amazon/B04bSlJmlBook: Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer https://link.amazon/B09Cu4MNnBook: 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke https://link.amazon/B0dWjF3fVBook: How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price https://link.amazon/B0fmkFQXBChapters: 00:00 Welcome & Katie’s Day 14 Coffee Detox Update  05:15 Random Revelation: The Gospels, Paul’s Letters, and Acts  20 12:30 Did Paul Actually Rest on the Sabbath?  16:45 The Biblical History of the Sabbath (Exodus vs. Deuteronomy)  21:30 "Hurry Sickness" and Rushing Through the Grocery Store  28:45 The Good Samaritan: How Margin Allows Us to Love Others  33:10 What Real Sabbath Looks Like in Different Seasons of Life  39:20 Deleting Instagram, Phone Addictions, & Creating Daily Margin  45:15 Preparing for Rest & Avoiding Legalism 49:00 Wrapping Up Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship  FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

  6. Sep 4

    Is Going Crunchy Making You Anxious? (Plus: Katie's Coffee Detox)

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! Last week we talked about how to keep health and wellness from becoming an idol. This week, we are tackling the other side of the spectrum: how to avoid paralyzing fear when you start going down the crunchy rabbit hole. It is so easy to feel like everything in the modern world is toxic and out to get you, but we are here to remind you that God is still entirely in control! Before we dive into the heavy stuff, Katie drops a major bombshell for her Random Revelation: she is attempting a one-month coffee detox! She shares her raw experience with cold-turkey caffeine withdrawals, the science behind why caffeine masks our true energy levels, and the natural remedies (hello, Belladonna and raw chocolate milk!) she is using to survive. Then, we discuss how to handle "toxic overload" without falling into the trap of "ignorance is bliss." We share how to surrender our health anxieties to the Lord, why you should absolutely not throw away your entire pantry in one day, and how to focus on the good changes you are making. We also share some hilarious "Crunchy Confessions"—from Chrissy accidentally buying a 95% polyester pregnancy pillow to Katie scoring a bulk deal on neon-orange, artificially fragranced razors. In this episode, you'll learn: Random Revelation: Katie’s cold-turkey coffee detox, the science behind caffeine withdrawals, and how to support your body while breaking the addiction.Toxic Overload: How to avoid analysis paralysis when researching ingredients and natural products.Faith Over Fear: A powerful reminder that "nothing has ever occurred to God" and how to spiritually surrender your health anxieties.Crunchy Confessions: Why it is perfectly okay to make mistakes, use the cheap razors, and give yourself an abundance of grace on this journey.Your Action Step: Why you should focus on making just one simple, budget-friendly swap this week instead of a massive (and stressful) kitchen overhaul.Chapters:  00:00 Welcome & Continuing Last Week's Conversation  01:30 Random Revelation: Katie’s Coffee Detox & Withdrawals  10:15 The Science of Caffeine & Energy Reserves  17:30 Sugar, Heartburn, and Pregnancy Cravings  23:15 Combating Fear and "Toxic Overload"  26:45 "Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?"  32:00 Avoiding Analysis Paralysis & Finding a Holistic Dentist  38:45 Crunchy Confessions: Polyester Pillows & Neon Razors  45:00 Your Next Step: Focus on One Swap This Week Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship  FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

  7. Aug 28

    Avoiding Wellness Idolatry: Finding Balance in Your Crunchy Christian Journey

    Send us a Message! In this episode of Crunchy Stewardship, the hosts discuss how easy it is to let health and “crunchy” living shift from good stewardship into idolatry, especially when fear, anxiety, judgment of others, or rigid control replaces peace in Christ. Chrissy shares a “random revelation” about how birthing positions shifted historically from upright to lying on the back, including a popular legend involving King Louis XIV and the convenience it created for doctors. They offer practical ways to assess whether wellness has become an idol—what you spend your time and money on, whether it produces fruits of the Spirit, and how you respond when plans are disrupted or you’re offered processed food. They encourage grace, gratitude, and prayerful surrender, emphasizing that bodily training has value, but godliness matters more (1 Timothy 4:8). 00:00 Morning Check In 01:12 Avoiding Wellness Idols 02:54 Birthing Positions History 07:46 Priority Versus Idolatry 13:32 Fear Replaces Peace 18:12 Stewardship In Real Life 25:06 Conspiracies And Control 30:10 Money Time And Fruit 38:39 Grace With Kids Food 49:03 Scripture And Send Off Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship  FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

  8. Aug 21

    Biblical Mental Health: What Elijah, David, and Job Teach Us About Anxiety

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! This week, we are tackling a massive topic in today's culture: mental health. While modern society places a huge emphasis on therapy, feelings, and empathy, we wanted to take a step back and look at what the Bible actually says about walking through seasons of intense anxiety and depression. Before we dive into scripture, Katie shares a Random Revelation from the book The Anxious Generation. We discuss the eye-opening research connecting childhood screen time to rising anxiety rates, the recommended technology boundaries for kids, and how we implement digital boundaries (like keeping a "dumb TV" in the basement) to protect our own mental peace as adults. Then, we turn to the Word. We look at three major biblical figures—Elijah, David, and Job—who all experienced distress so deep they pleaded with God to let them die. We break down how they lamented, how God responded (sometimes with the simple, profound advice to eat a snack and take a nap!), and how we can apply their resilience to our modern struggles. We also discuss where modern secular therapy often misses the mark—like why practicing "gratitude" doesn't actually work unless you have a Creator to thank. In this episode, you'll learn: Random Revelation: The screen-time rules outlined in The Anxious Generation to protect children from anxiety and depression.Digital Boundaries: Why keeping a "dumb TV" in the basement, setting app limits, and ditching constant social media scrolling is crucial for adult mental health.Elijah’s Protocol: What to do when you are running on empty (hint: sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is eat a nourishing meal and take a nap).David’s Psalms: How to pour out your deepest sorrow and anger to God while still clinging to the joy of the Lord.Job’s Trial: Trusting God’s ultimate sovereignty when your entire world falls apart and you don't have the answers.The Problem with "Bad Therapy": Why society's push for endless empathy and wallowing in our feelings can actually keep us stuck, and how the Gospel calls us to resilience.Chrissy’s Testimony: How praying for a cruel coworker completely shifted her perspective from anxiety to Christ-like compassion.Resources mentioned: Book: The Anxious Generation - https://amzn.to/4g1tCubBook: Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier - https://amzn.to/3SaQa2xChapters: 00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Biblical Mental Health 02:30 Random Revelation: The Anxious Generation & Screen Time Rules  11:15 Dumb TVs, Social Media Boundaries, & Breaking Tech Addictions  22:20 Elijah: The Spiritual Power of a Snack and a Nap  26:45 David: Lamenting, Confession, and Pouring Out Your Heart  30:15 Job: Navigating Unimaginable Loss and Trusting God’s Sovereignty  35:00 "Bad Therapy," Toxic Empathy, and the Need for Resilience  44:30 Why Secular Gratitude Misses the Mark (Plus Chrissy's Coworker Story)  52:00 Wrapping Up: Casting Your Burdens on Jesus Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship  FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

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3 Ratings

About

In this podcast we are taking a deep dive into what it means to steward our lives as God originally intended for us with the resources that God has given us. We will look at topics like food, medicine, finances, mental health and lots more through a natural lens with a biblical foundation. 

Information

  • Creator
    Katie Fiola Jones & Chrissy Rombach
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Crunchy Stewardship
  • Show Website
    Crunchy Stewardship

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