Abundant Wellness With Andrea- From Surviving to Thriving in Mind, Body and Spirit

Andrea Jones
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

You were meant for so much more than just getting by and just making it through the hard things in life that get thrown your way. Discover new ways to thrive and walk in wholeness of mind, body and spirit.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 127: Mothering Through Perimenopause: Why Neurodivergent Parenting Hits Differently

    Mothering Through Perimenopause: Why Neurodivergent Parenting Hits Differently If you've found yourself feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why perimenopause seems to be hitting you harder than everyone else, this episode is for you. Andrea explores the unique challenges of raising neurodivergent and medically complex children while navigating the hormonal shifts of midlife. She explains how years of chronic stress, caregiving demands, disrupted sleep, and the invisible mental load can leave mothers depleted long before they realize they're in burnout. In this episode, you'll learn why hormones are often responding to deeper issues like nervous system dysregulation, cortisol imbalance, poor nutrient absorption, and chronic stress—and why waiting until your child is "better" before taking care of yourself may be keeping you stuck. Andrea shares practical mindset shifts and simple strategies to help you begin prioritizing your own healing, so you can continue showing up for the people who need you most. In this episode, we discuss: Why parents of neurodivergent children experience a different type of chronic stress The connection between burnout, perimenopause, and nervous system depletion How chronic stress impacts hormones, digestion, and the microbiome The belief that keeps many mothers from prioritizing their own health Why self-care is a necessity—not a luxury Practical ways to begin supporting your nervous system today If you're ready to stop surviving and start thriving, this conversation will remind you that your healing matters too.   Ready for more support? Hop into the Thriving Together community here

    15 min

  2. Jun 2

    Episode 126: The ADHD Airway Connection with Dr. Kathy Cantwell

    In this powerful conversation, Andrea sits down with pediatric chiropractor and airway-focused practitioner Dr. Kathy Cantwell to discuss one of the most overlooked contributors to behavior issues, sleep struggles, nervous system dysregulation, ADHD symptoms, and long-term health concerns in children: airway dysfunction. Dr. Cantwell shares her own personal journey with severe sleep-disordered breathing and explains how mouth breathing, tongue ties, narrow palates, and poor airway development can affect everything from emotional regulation to brain development. This episode is a must-listen for parents of children struggling with: ADHD or focus issues Chronic congestion or mouth breathing Snoring Bedwetting Poor sleep Behavioral challenges Picky eating Frequent illness Anxiety or nervous system dysregulation In This Episode, We Discuss: Why snoring in children is never “normal” or “cute” The connection between airway issues and ADHD-like symptoms How tongue ties can impact feeding, sleep, and nervous system development Signs of airway dysfunction in infants, toddlers, and older children Why open-mouth breathing changes facial development over time The relationship between airway issues, sleep deprivation, cortisol, and behavior How poor oxygenation impacts the developing brain The connection between sleep-disordered breathing and bedwetting Why many children with airway dysfunction crave carbs and struggle with picky eating How airway issues affect growth hormone, blood sugar regulation, and emotional regulation What parents can look for at home Why this issue is so commonly missed by providers The importance of a team approach when supporting children with airway dysfunction Key Signs Parents Should Watch For: Mouth breathing Snoring Dark circles under the eyes (“allergic shiners”) Chronic congestion Poor sleep quality Frequent waking Bedwetting past typical potty-training age Picky eating or gagging on tougher foods Hyperactivity or behavioral dysregulation Daytime fatigue Head-forward posture Recessed jaw or narrow palate Connect with Dr. Kathy Cantwell Follow Dr. Cantwell on Instagram   Connect with Andrea  Not sure where to start with your child's behavioral issues, mood and sleep? Schedule a discovery call with Andrea HERE Get a FREE airway consultation with Toothpillow by using the code ABUNDANTWELLNESS

    35 min

  3. May 27

    Episode 125: Stories that Help Children Overcome Fear with Randolph Schiffer

    Every child experiences fear at some point in their lives, but how we as their parents, help them through it can make all the difference in their emotional development.    In this episode, guest Randolph Schiffer shares his personal journey of helping children overcoming fear as a pediatrician and father.    Grab a copy of his book here

    25 min

  4. May 13

    Episode 124: Pregnancy, Postpartum and Their Impact on Early Childhood Development with Guest Emily Roper

    Today we are talking with Emily Roper, Certified Midwife Assistant and Neuro Developmental Delay Specialist all about how the brain develops in early pregnancy, how postpartum changes impact early childhood development and how we can prevent developmental issues from happening AND fix them with the right support.   You can find out more about Emily on INSTAGRAM    And  or on her website https://www.earlyrootstherapy.com/   To schedule a Strong Start Discovery Call, find a time here

    38 min

  5. May 5

    Episode 123: The Mistake Conventional Pediatrics is Making that is Setting You Up for Failure

    Conventional Pediatrics is a necessity for all children, however, there is one thing it does that might be setting you and your child up for failure and you don't even realize it!    In this episode, Andrea, RN, BSN and former Pediatric bedside nurse shares how the microwave culture creates unrealistic expectations for true healing, and what she is doing to change it.    To set up a Strong Start Discovery Call, find a time here!

    17 min

  6. Apr 28

    Episode 122: Being SuperMom is costing you more than you think

    Maybe you got thrust into the "super Mom" role against your will when your child was diagnosed with a complex medical diagnosis or chronic illness.   Maybe you've been trying to get out of "Super Mom" mode for years but still keep getting stuck in the cycle...   If this sounds like you, then listen up!   In this episode, Andrea explains why “super mom” parenting is unsustainable for parents of children with neurodevelopmental, mental health, or complex medical needs.   She describes how long-term overfunctioning keeps caregivers in fight-or-flight and can lead to burnout (dorsal vagal shutdown), sometimes showing up as overwhelm or doom scrolling, especially when a parent’s body stays in emergency mode even after a child improves.   She outlines common barriers to prioritizing needs—believing the child’s needs always come first, financial strain, and postponing self-support until the next medical hurdle passes—and shares practical ways to rebalance by seeking outside help, adjusting appointment frequency, using insurance-covered counseling, leveraging community resources, and asking friends for predictable respite.    00:00 Stop Being Super Mom 01:04 Special Needs Reality 01:36 Caregiver Limits Story 03:33 Why Self Care Fails 04:17 Needs Above Yours 06:15 Burnout Nervous System 08:41 Care Is Not Optional 10:17 Money Pressure Trap 11:37 When Child Gets Better 12:26 Rebalancing Resources 15:46 Creative Support Systems 17:27 Know Your Nervous State 18:07 Final Encouragement   You'll find several useful trainings in the Thriving Together community    Access for free and stay around if the vibe fits!

    20 min

  7. Apr 21

    Episode 121: When Mother's Day Hurts: A Nervous System + Faith Conversation

    With Mother's Day just a few weeks away, this is an episode you don't want to miss!   The episode addresses why Mother’s Day can feel heavy for parents of children with special needs, emphasizing that love can coexist with grief, exhaustion, and resentment.   From a nervous system lens, chronic stress, heightened expectations, sensory and emotional needs, and social comparison can make the day feel like pressure and potential failure, leaving a dysregulated body unable to access joy.   In this episode, Andrea discusses mourning the motherhood imagined, lost ease, changed relationships, lack of being seen, and diminished capacity, while providing practical insight into making this a day you don't dread anymore.      00:00 Mothers Day Reality 00:39 Expectations And Baggage 01:51 Nervous System Pressure 03:49 Grief On Holidays 06:51 Comparison And Culture 10:36 Invisible Load Seen 13:06 Faith And Lament 15:35 Plan A New Day 18:50 Boundaries And Support 19:47 Reframe And Encourage   Join the conversation! In the Thriving Together Community, we have a live group coaching session where we will brainstorm and problem solve the most difficult aspects of this day so you can create a mother's day you don't dread. Join for free HERE

    25 min

  8. Apr 14

    Episode 120:PANS/PANDAS: Homeopathy, Diagnosis Challenges, and What Parents Can Watch For

    In this episode,  Andrea interviews naturopathic doctor Dr. Bahr, who uses classical homeopathy to help families recover from PANS/PANDAS (autoimmune neuropsychiatric symptoms triggered by infections such as strep).   They discuss how Dr. Bahr’s practice built consistent, structured care so families can be supported during crises and covered when providers are away. Dr. Bahr shares how she moved from skepticism to believing in homeopathy after rapid improvement in her own chronic psychiatric condition, and explains how she shifted into specializing in PANS/PANDAS after recognizing cases in her mental-health practice.   They review common signs (episodic flares, OCD/intrusive thoughts, separation anxiety, rage, cognitive decline, urinary frequency/bedwetting, sensory changes) and why diagnosis is often missed, emphasizing provider curiosity, medical training, and listening to the full story, plus guidance for parents to connect with experienced communities and trust informed support.     00:46 What Is PANS And PANDAS 03:01 Why Homeopathy Works 05:55 Consistency In Care Model 08:11 From Skeptic To Believer 16:58 Host’s Homeopathy Turning Point 18:43 How She Specialized In PANS 22:03 Riding The Wave To Go All In 23:53 Being Truly Understood 25:31 Simplifying the Approach 26:08 Spotting PANS PANDAS Signs 28:09 OCD Tics and School Regression 29:54 Overlaps With ADHD Triggers 30:52 Why Listening Matters 33:59 Homeopathy Beyond Labels 35:41 Diagnosis Still Matters 39:13 Why Doctors Dismiss It 43:26 System Gaps and Curiosity 48:57 Next Steps for Parents 51:42 Slow and Steady Healing   This is a MUST LISTEN episode if you think your child might have PANS/PANDAS.   To connect with Dr. Bahr and her team of providers, go to Resilience Naturopathic   Not sure where to start? Schedule a complementary STRONG START discovery call with Andrea

    53 min
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5
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6 Ratings

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You were meant for so much more than just getting by and just making it through the hard things in life that get thrown your way. Discover new ways to thrive and walk in wholeness of mind, body and spirit.

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