Healthy Buzz: Hormone Health, Gut Health, Perimenopause & Women’s Wellness

Brandee Hommerding, CNTP | Holistic Nutrition for Women
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Nutrition
  • Updated Weekly

Healthy Buzz is the unfiltered podcast for women who want real answers about their bodies. Hosted by Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner Brandee Hommerding, the show dives into hormones, gut health, perimenopause, PCOS, metabolic health, and the habits that actually impact how women feel. Through honest conversations, expert insights, and practical strategies, Healthy Buzz helps women understand their bodies and cut through confusing health advice so they can take back control of their wellness.

  1. 19h ago

    53. HRT Myths, Metabolism, and Midlife Health with Danielle Kepics (The Hormone Disconnect Series Episode 4)

    The biggest risk for many women isn't hormone therapy, it's the misinformation that's kept them suffering for decades. In this episode of Healthy Buzz, Brandee sits down with Danielle Kepics, physician assistant and founder of Empowered Medicine, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in women's health: hormone replacement therapy (HRT). As part four of the Hormone Disconnect series, this conversation breaks down the lasting impact of the Women's Health Initiative study, the confusion between birth control and hormone replacement therapy, and why so many women are still being denied evidence-based care. Danielle explains the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, discusses the pros and cons of various HRT delivery methods, and shares what women need to know before considering options like pellets, patches, oral hormones, creams, or testosterone therapy. If you've been told you're "too young" for HRT, dismissed by your provider, or feel overwhelmed by conflicting information online, this episode will help you ask better questions, advocate for yourself, and better understand your options. In This Episode: • Why the Women's Health Initiative study created decades of fear around HRT • Oral vs. transdermal estrogen: understanding the pros and cons • What women should know about progesterone, testosterone, and hormone pellets • How hormones influence insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular health, and metabolism • The truth about body composition, muscle mass, and midlife weight gain • Why HRT is not a replacement for nutrition, movement, and lifestyle habits • Questions to ask when searching for an HRT provider • How to advocate for yourself when you've been dismissed by your healthcare team Connect with Danielle: Website: https://www.empoweredmedicine.co/ Website: https://empoweredmindbody.practicebetter.io/#/signin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowered.medicine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielle.kepics/ Substack: https://empoweredmindbody.substack.com/ Graphic of breast cancer risk we talk about https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01-NEW-INFOGRAPHICS-NOV2025-C.pdf Perimenopause quiz: https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/69bc7d13da5211ffd6e5879c myths about HRT: https://www.empoweredmedicine.co/myths Connect with me: Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

    55 min

  2. Jun 23

    52. Functional Lab Testing: The Missing Piece Behind Your Hormone Symptoms (The Hormone Disconnect Series Episode 3)

    Being told your labs are “normal” doesn’t mean your body is functioning optimally. For many women struggling with hormone symptoms, fatigue, PMS, weight changes, gut issues, and unexplained health concerns, the answers often live in the gaps conventional testing misses. In this episode of the Hormone Disconnect Series, Brandee breaks down the differences between conventional and functional lab testing, why standard labs are designed to identify disease rather than dysfunction, and how functional testing can uncover the root causes behind persistent symptoms. She explains how the right data can help connect the dots between your symptoms, hormones, gut health, stress response, and overall wellness. You'll learn about the functional labs Brandee uses most often with clients, including comprehensive stool testing, hormone testing through saliva and urine, and real-time hormone tracking. She also shares how proper timing, interpretation, and individualized analysis can completely change the way you understand your health. What You'll Learn: Why normal lab results don't always mean optimal healthThe difference between conventional reference ranges and functional optimal rangesHow gut health directly impacts hormone balanceWhy timing matters when testing hormonesThe benefits of GI-MAP, DUTCH testing, saliva hormone testing, and Mira cycle trackingHow functional lab testing helps uncover root causes instead of masking symptomsWhy personalized interpretation is just as important as the test itself Hormone Lab Guide: https://beecollectivewellness.com/hormone-lab-guide Work With Me: https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching Connect with me: Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Work with me: https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching

    25 min

  3. Jun 16

    51. The Hidden Health Effects of Hormonal Birth Control with Nicole Jardim, Fix Your Period (The Hormone Disconnect Series Episode 2)

    For most of our lives, we've been handed a prescription and told it would fix everything — painful periods, irregular cycles, acne, you name it. But what if we were never actually given the full picture? This isn't an anti-birth-control episode. It's a pro-information one. In this episode, Brandee sits down with women's health expert Nicole Jardim for one of those conversations that makes you wish you'd had it ten years ago. They dig into what hormonal birth control is actually doing inside your body, why calling it a "cycle regulator" is more marketing than medicine, and how suppressing ovulation can quietly affect everything from your mood and gut health to your nutrient levels and long-term wellbeing. Nicole gets personal too — sharing her own experience with debilitating periods and years on the pill before she started asking the questions no one had thought to ask her. Whether you're on hormonal birth control right now, thinking about coming off it, or just realizing there's a lot about your own hormones you were never taught — this episode meets you where you are, with science and real-world experience to back it up. In This Episode: Why hormonal birth control does not actually regulate your menstrual cycleWhat happens to ovulation and hormone production while on the pillThe connection between birth control and nutrient depletionThe impact of birth control on gut health, inflammation, and the microbiomeUnderstanding the nuanced conversation around cancer risk and hormonal contraceptivesHow fertility awareness methods support body literacy and reproductive healthPractical considerations for coming off hormonal birth control and supporting your body through the transition STOP GUESSING & START ADVOCATING FOR YOUR HEALTH WITH THE RIGHT LABS: www.beecollectivewellness.com/hormone-lab-guide Connect with Nicole: The Fix Your Period Quiz (Free) - https://fixyourperiod.com/quiz/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemjardim/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolemjardim/ Fix Your Period: Six Weeks to Banish Bloating, Conquer Cramps, Manage Moodiness, and Ignite Lasting Hormone Balance – A Women's Health Protocol Beyond Birth Control: https://www.amazon.com/Fix-Your-Period-Bloating-Moodiness/dp/ Connect with me: Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/   Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

    57 min

  4. Jun 9

    50. The Hormone Disconnect Series - The Hormone Conversations Every Woman Needs to Hear (Episode 1)

    I spent 17 years on hormonal birth control without fully understanding what it was doing to my body. I almost talked myself out of HRT even when my data was literally showing me I needed it. And alcohol? I had no idea what it was quietly doing to my hormones. If you've ever felt dismissed, confused, or like you're getting half the picture from your doctor — this series is for you. In this episode: Why I stayed on hormonal birth control for 17 years and what I wish someone had told me soonerHow getting COVID triggered a hormonal shift that changed everything at 44The unexpected perimenopause symptoms nobody talks about (brain fog, itchy skin, ringing ears)How I almost gaslighted myself out of starting HRT — even with data showing I needed itMy progesterone sensitivity journey and how I had to advocate for a different protocolWhat alcohol is actually doing to your blood sugar, cortisol, sleep, and hormonesA preview of all five episodes in the Hormone Disconnect Summer Series Episodes in this series: Ep 2: Hormonal birth control with Nicole Jardim Ep 3: Functional lab testing — why standard labs miss what's actually going on Ep 4: HRT with Danielle Kepics Ep 5: Alcohol and your hormones with Dr. Brooke Scheller Connect with me: Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

    23 min

  5. Jun 2

    49. PCOS is Now PMOS: What This Historic Name Change Means for Your Diagnosis

    Something groundbreaking just happened in women's health. The Lancet officially renamed PCOS to PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome)—and if you've ever been dismissed because you don't have cysts on your ovaries, or you've been sitting with a diagnosis that never quite explained how you feel, this episode will make a lot of things click. I'm breaking down why the old name was harmful, what PMOS actually means, and why a name change alone won't automatically get women better care. Because up to 70% of affected individuals remain undiagnosed—and that needs to change. I'm also sharing my personal journey of being dismissed by three providers over three years before finally getting diagnosed at 38, and what I wish I had known then. This is a huge win for women's health, but there's still so much work to do. Let's talk about what this means for you and how to advocate for yourself moving forward. In This Episode: What PMOS stands for and why this name change matters (hint: it's not just about cysts)The Rotterdam criteria and how PMOS is actually diagnosedWhy up to 70% of people remain undiagnosed—and the serious health risks that come with thatMy personal story of medical dismissal and why "lean PCOS" needs to stop being a thingHow to advocate for yourself and what questions to ask your provider right now Resources Mentioned: The Lancet paper on PCOS to PMOS name changeRotterdam criteria for PMOS diagnosis Connect with me: Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/   Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

    14 min

  6. May 26

    48. Reframing Burnout: Understanding the Highly Sensitive Experience with Amanda Baker

    If you've spent your life being told you're “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or “too much,” this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. In this episode of Healthy Buzz, Brandee sits down with Amanda Baker of Collaborative Sage to explore the intersection of high sensitivity, ADHD, perfectionism, and burnout. Amanda shares her personal journey from corporate overachiever to complete nervous system collapse — including panic attacks, chronic illness, emergency room visits, and the deep unlearning required to recover. Together, they unpack what it actually means to be a highly sensitive person, how rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) fuels people-pleasing and perfectionism, and why so many women feel trapped in a cycle of proving themselves. Amanda also opens up about the realities of healing a dysregulated nervous system, learning to honor rest without guilt, and building a life that supports who you actually are instead of who you think you’re supposed to be. This conversation is for the woman who’s exhausted from constantly pushing harder, carrying everyone else’s emotions, and feeling like she’s one step away from falling apart — even while appearing completely “fine” on the outside. In This Episode: What burnout actually looks like for highly sensitive and neurodivergent women How ADHD and high sensitivity can amplify nervous system dysregulation The hidden role of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) in perfectionism and overachieving Why rest is a biological need — not laziness How Amanda rebuilt her life and work around her nervous system instead of fighting against it Connect with Amanda: Website: https://www.collaborativesage.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborativesage LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bakera Book a free 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/amanda-collaborativesage/free-consultation Do you want to optimize blood sugar and achieve optimal hormone health? Join Brandee’s Blood Sugar Savvy course. Use code BUZZ to save $30 at https://beecollectivewellness.com/blood-sugar-savvy   Connect with me: Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/   Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

    41 min

  7. May 19

    47. The Nervous System Changes Behind Perimenopause with Holly Finn

    Perimenopause isn’t just about hot flashes and missed periods — it’s a full neuroendocrine remodel that can completely change how your brain, body, and nervous system respond to stress. In this episode of Healthy Buzz, Brandee sits down with certified menopause coach Holly Finn, founder of A Better Pause, to unpack why so many women feel blindsided during peri and post-menopause. Holly shares her own experience navigating debilitating hot flashes, anxiety, burnout, ADHD, and being repeatedly misdiagnosed before finally realizing hormones were at the root of what she was experiencing. This conversation dives into nervous system regulation, stress, boundaries, cortisol, sleep, food apathy, over-functioning, and the grief many women experience as their bodies and identities change during this transition. Holly also explains why trying to “power through” no longer works — and why this phase may actually be an invitation to rebuild your life in a more sustainable way. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally raw, exhausted, or frustrated that your body no longer responds the way it used to, this episode is for you. In This Episode: Why perimenopause feels like a mental and emotional “remodel” The connection between hormones, cortisol, and nervous system overwhelm How stress and people-pleasing intensify peri and post-menopause symptoms Why boundaries become essential during this phase of life The small daily habits that can create massive improvements in resilience and wellbeing Connect with Holly: Website: https://abetterpause.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abetterpause Email: holly@abetterpause.com Do you want to optimize blood sugar and achieve optimal hormone health? Join Brandee’s Blood Sugar Savvy course. Use code BUZZ to save $30 at https://beecollectivewellness.com/blood-sugar-savvy   Connect with me: Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/   Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

    45 min

  8. May 12

    46. Mom Fatigue, Mood Swings and The Real Reason You Don’t Feel Like Yourself After Kids with Kim Perez

    Motherhood is not supposed to feel like chronic exhaustion, rage, and disconnection—but for so many women, it does. In this episode, Brandee sits down with functional nutritionist Kim Perez of Root & Branch Nutrition to unpack why so many moms feel depleted, overstimulated, and unlike themselves long after postpartum. Kim shares her personal journey from “doing everything right” to hitting a breaking point—and how that led her to uncover the massive gaps in support for mothers. Together, they explore the deeper root causes behind symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, poor sleep, and weight resistance, even when labs come back “normal.” This conversation dives into the often-overlooked role of mineral depletion, blood sugar instability, and nervous system dysregulation—and why typical wellness advice often fails moms in real life. You’ll also learn simple, realistic strategies to support your energy, stabilize your mood, and start feeling like yourself again—without adding more overwhelm. Key Takeaways: Why “normal labs” don’t mean optimal health—and what’s often being missed How mineral depletion and blood sugar dysregulation drive fatigue, mood swings, and poor sleep The connection between under-eating, overstimulation, and nervous system burnout Simple, realistic habits that actually support moms in the chaos of daily life How to shift out of all-or-nothing wellness and into sustainable, personalized care Connect with Kim: Website: https://rootandbranchnutrition.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootandbranchnutrition/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rootandbranchnutrition?xmt=AQF0NSRtxvBLZYxXkch1F5aF526tOpfruARxPu5HSzyxsnE Freebie: https://rootandbranchnutrition.myflodesk.com/5dayrevival Do you want to optimize blood sugar and achieve optimal hormone health? Join Brandee’s Blood Sugar Savvy course. Use code BUZZ to save $30 at https://beecollectivewellness.com/blood-sugar-savvy   Connect with me: Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/   Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

    47 min
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About

Healthy Buzz is the unfiltered podcast for women who want real answers about their bodies. Hosted by Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner Brandee Hommerding, the show dives into hormones, gut health, perimenopause, PCOS, metabolic health, and the habits that actually impact how women feel. Through honest conversations, expert insights, and practical strategies, Healthy Buzz helps women understand their bodies and cut through confusing health advice so they can take back control of their wellness.

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