Gut Confidence

Janelle Caruano | IBS-D Health Coach

Welcome to the Gut Confidence Podcast, where busy professional working moms learn how to get through their workday without constant distractions from diarrhea, urgency, and other IBS-D symptoms. Hosted by Janelle Caruano, a certified health and wellness coach, board-certified infectious diseases pharmacist, and mom of two, this podcast shares gut health education, holistic strategies, and practical tools to help you uncover what's driving your symptoms, get real answers, and spend less time worrying about your stomach. Formerly The Health Happiness & Wholeness Podcast, now Gut Confidence.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode #19: Your Schedule Might Be Causing Your IBS-D

    It wasn't the gluten-free muffin or the bland chicken and rice. You wake up already feeling behind. Coffee becomes breakfast. Lunch happens while answering emails. The afternoon is a blur of meetings, deadlines, kids, errands, and trying to keep all the balls in the air. Then your gut starts acting up again. You're searching for the nearest bathroom before 9 AM for the fifth time, and you're carrying extra clothes "just in case." You're lying awake at night trying to figure out what food betrayed you this time. Sound familiar? In this first episode of the newly rebranded Gut Confidence Podcast, we're talking about one of the most overlooked reasons IBS-D-related symptoms may refuse to calm down: your schedule. Not because stress is "all in your head" or because you're doing anything wrong, but because your body was never designed to live in constant go mode. We'll explore why rushing through meals, skipping meals, running on caffeine, overbooking your schedule, and pushing through exhaustion can show up as urgency, diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain, and unpredictable digestion. Most importantly, you'll walk away with a completely different question to ask yourself when symptoms flare. If you're a busy professional mom who's exhausted from trying diets, probiotics, supplements, food elimination, and still feeling trapped by your gut, this episode is for you. Because sometimes your gut isn't asking for another restriction. Sometimes it's asking for a different pace. Follow Gut Confidence for practical conversations that help you spend less time worrying about bathrooms and more time living your life with confidence. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I am not acting as your healthcare provider. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or health routine.

    16 min
  2. Apr 20

    Episode #17: Taking Antidepressants for Irritable Bowels with Diarrhea? (Side Effects to Know)

    If you’re dealing with irritable bowels with urgent diarrhea and have been prescribed an antidepressant or considered taking one, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, Janelle Caruano breaks down why medications like SSRIs (fluoxetine and escitalopram) and tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine) are commonly prescribed for irritable bowels with diarrhea—and what you need to know before taking them. You’ll learn: Why antidepressants are used for irritable gut and urgency with diarrhea How the gut-brain connection influences diarrhea symptoms The most common side effects (like dry mouth, fatigue, constipation, nausea, and more) Why some people feel like they’re “trading one symptom for another” A simple analogy to understand what’s really happening in the body A natural, root-cause perspective on calming the gut without relying only on medication If you’ve ever felt anxious about leaving the house, sitting through meetings, or wondering where the nearest bathroom is—this episode will give you a new way to think about your symptoms. This is especially helpful for busy professionals who want to improve gut health, reduce diarrhea urgency, and feel more in control of their body, without unwanted side effects. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I am not acting as your healthcare provider. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or health routine.

    11 min
  3. Mar 12

    Episode #15: The Problem with Elimination Diets

    Have you tried cutting out foods like gluten, dairy, sugar, or nightshades hoping your gut symptoms would finally improve… only to still struggle with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or digestive discomfort? In this episode of the Health, Happiness & Wholeness Podcast, we’re talking about the problem with elimination diets and why they are often overused or misunderstood in the gut health world. Elimination diets are one of the most common tools recommended for digestive symptoms and food sensitivities. While they can sometimes help calm symptoms temporarily, many people end up stuck in a cycle of removing more and more foods without ever addressing the root cause of their gut issues. In this episode, you’ll learn: • The three problems with elimination diets and why they should not be a long-term solution for an irritable gut• What busy professionals should focus on instead to support better digestion and gut health If you’ve tried eliminating foods and still feel like your digestion isn’t where it should be, it may be time to look deeper. Learn more about Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) and how it can help identify mineral imbalances that may be affecting your gut health:👉 drjanellecaruano.com Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I am not acting as your healthcare provider. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or health routine.

    14 min
  4. Mar 5

    Episode #14: The Gut Health Basics Series (Part 3): Prebiotics, Probiotics and Postbiotics 101

    What are postbiotics and why do they matter for gut health? In this episode of the Health, Happiness & Wholeness Podcast, we’re finishing our 3-part Gut Health Basics Series: Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics 101. If you’ve been struggling with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or unpredictable digestion, understanding postbiotics might help you see the bigger picture of how your gut actually works. You’ve probably heard of probiotics—the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. But what many people don’t realize is that the real magic happens when those bacteria start producing postbiotics. In this episode you’ll learn: • What postbiotics are in simple terms• Why postbiotics are the missing piece of gut health• How prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics work together• Simple ways to support better digestion naturally If you’ve been confused by gut health terms or overwhelmed by all the advice online, this episode breaks it down in a clear and easy-to-understand way so you can start supporting your gut without adding stress to your busy life. If you want help getting started, I share specific actionable steps for improving your gut health starting with prebiotics inside my free training called "Rush to Relief." You can access the free training here 👉 Watch free training here Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I am not acting as your healthcare provider. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or health routine.

    9 min
  5. Feb 9

    Episode #12: The Gut Health Basics Series (Part 1): Prebiotics, Probiotics and Postbiotics 101

    Episode #12: The Gut Health Basics Series — Prebiotics, Probiotics & Postbiotics 101 (Part 1: Prebiotics) Confused about gut health terms like prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics? You’re not alone, and this episode is here to make it simple. In this episode of The Health, Happiness & Wholeness Podcast, Janelle Caruano kicks off a short 3-part series designed to clear up the confusion around gut health basics, especially for busy professionals struggling with bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas and irregular digestion. This first episode focuses on prebiotics, what they are, why they matter, and how they support digestion, bowel movements, immune health, and even mood. You’ll learn why prebiotics are the foundation of great gut health and why skipping this step can leave your gut out of balance, even if you’re taking probiotics. This episode sets the stage for the next two parts of the series:Part 2: Probiotics 101Part 3: Postbiotics 101 Check out my free Rush to Relief Training, where I break down three gut-friendly foods and simple strategies to calm gut urgency:👉 Watch free training here If this episode helped you, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who feels overwhelmed by gut health information — this series was made for them. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I am not acting as your healthcare provider. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or health routine.

    11 min

About

Welcome to the Gut Confidence Podcast, where busy professional working moms learn how to get through their workday without constant distractions from diarrhea, urgency, and other IBS-D symptoms. Hosted by Janelle Caruano, a certified health and wellness coach, board-certified infectious diseases pharmacist, and mom of two, this podcast shares gut health education, holistic strategies, and practical tools to help you uncover what's driving your symptoms, get real answers, and spend less time worrying about your stomach. Formerly The Health Happiness & Wholeness Podcast, now Gut Confidence.