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. 3d ago

    58. Unpacking Grief & Finding Your Way Forward with Tamara Kubacki

    Grief has been heavy in my world lately — I recently lost my sweet dog Van, my constant shadow in this office. Since so many of you are carrying your own losses too, I'm re-airing episode 3, Unpacking Grief and Finding Your Way Forward, with my dear friend and grief coach. Wherever you are in your grief, this one's for you.   Grief is universal—but often deeply isolating. In this episode, I sit down with Certified Grief Educator Tamara Kubacki, founder of Listening to Grief, to explore the many layers of loss—and why learning to grieve openly can be one of the most healing things we do. Tamara shares her personal story of losing both parents and her sister, how that shaped her understanding of grief, and the tools she now uses to support others through one-on-one coaching and communal experiences like her popular grief walks. Through her work, Tamara provides empathetic, storytelling-based grief coaching and creates events that bring people together to grieve in natural and creative spaces. Her work has been featured in The Seattle Times and West Seattle Blog, and she actively collaborates with artists, yoga instructors, herbalists, and more to destigmatize grief and make it less lonely.   STOP GUESSING & START ADVOCATING FOR YOUR HEALTH WITH THE RIGHT LABS: ⁠⁠www.beecollectivewellness.com/hormone-lab-guide ⁠ Work With Me: ⁠https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching In this episode: Why grief is misunderstood (and why our brains resist loss)How grief shows up in everyday tasks and routinesThe difference between grief coaching and therapyHelpful tools for regulating your nervous system through griefWhy platitudes like “everything happens for a reason” can be harmfulHow to truly support a grieving friend (and what not to say)Why grief isn’t just about death—and what else can trigger itHow crying can be healing and how to let it happen without shame  This episode is a beautiful reminder that your grief is valid, whether you’ve lost a person, a pet, a place, or a part of yourself. You don’t have to go through it alone.   Connect with Tamara: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listeningtogrief Website: listeningtogrief.com Tamara's Top 10 Grief Books: listeningtogrief.com/top-ten-books  Connect with me: Website: https://beecollectivewellness.com  Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/  Work with me: ⁠⁠https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching⁠⁠ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  2. Jul 28

    57. Perimenopause Deserves More Than "Just Deal With It": The Truth No One Prepared Us For with Megan Bird

    Perimenopause isn't confusing because your body is failing—it's confusing because women have been left to piece together answers on their own. In this episode, Brandee sits down with Megan Bird, founder of Uplift Menopause Coaching and co-host of the Coming of Rage podcast, for an honest conversation about navigating perimenopause without the overwhelm. Together, they unpack why so many women feel dismissed by the healthcare system, how social media can both help and hurt, and why education, self-advocacy, and community are essential during this stage of life. Megan shares her own journey through perimenopause, what led her to become a menopause coach, and how finding evidence-based education completely changed the way she viewed her symptoms. If you've been wondering whether what you're experiencing is "normal," feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice online, or searching for a more compassionate approach to midlife health, this episode will leave you feeling informed, validated, and far less alone. STOP GUESSING & START ADVOCATING FOR YOUR HEALTH WITH THE RIGHT LABS: ⁠⁠www.beecollectivewellness.com/hormone-lab-guide ⁠ Work With Me: ⁠https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching   What You'll Learn Why perimenopause is rarely a one-size-fits-all experience How to filter through the overwhelming amount of menopause information online The importance of building a healthcare team that truly listens Why hormone therapy can be a helpful tool—but not a magic solution How community, self-advocacy, and self-compassion can transform the perimenopause journey Connect with Megan: Website: https://www.upliftmenopausecoaching.com/ Website: https://www.comingofrage.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comingofrage_podcast/ Podcast: https://www.comingofrage.com/episodes  Connect with me: Website: https://beecollectivewellness.com Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/   Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  3. Jul 21

    56. Beyond Kegels: Why Your Pelvic Floor Is the Missing Link Between Nervous System, Hormones, and Healing with Dr. Tara Morrison

    We often chase symptoms, the pain, the flare-up, and try to silence them with medication, surgery, or a standard round of physical therapy. But what if the real work is looking at the fire underneath the alarm? In this episode of Healthy Buzz, Brandee sits down with Dr. Tara Morrison, doctor of physical therapy and creator of Somatic Pelvic Care, to explore why traditional pelvic floor therapy doesn't always create lasting results. Together, they unpack the powerful connection between the pelvic floor, nervous system regulation, blood sugar balance, lymphatic health, emotional wellbeing, and the body's ability to heal. Dr. Tara explains why symptoms like urinary leakage, constipation, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and low libido are often signs of deeper imbalances—not problems to simply "fix" with exercises alone. She shares how survival patterns, chronic stress, trauma, and even blood sugar instability can influence pelvic floor function, and why slowing down to reconnect with your body may be the missing piece so many women have been searching for. This conversation is for any woman who's been told her symptoms are "normal," has tried multiple treatments without lasting relief, or wants a more holistic understanding of pelvic health that addresses the whole person—not just the muscles. In This Episode: Why traditional pelvic floor therapy often falls shortThe connection between the nervous system and chronic pelvic tensionHow urinary leakage, constipation, and pelvic pain can share the same root causesWhy blood sugar balance matters for hormones, healing, and pelvic healthThe surprising link between stress, libido, and the pelvic floorHow somatic awareness helps the body heal beyond exercises aloneWhy foundational habits like movement, sleep, hydration, and sunlight still matter mostSmall, sustainable changes that create meaningful progress without overwhelm 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 Tara: Website: https://sacredbloompelviccare.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtaramorrison/ Connect with me: Website: https://beecollectivewellness.com Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  4. Jul 14

    55. Healing Hashimoto's, Weight Loss Resistance & the Nervous System with Jasmine Harnden IHP

    Your body isn't working against you—it's working to protect you. If you've been eating well, exercising consistently, taking the supplements, and still struggling with stubborn weight, fatigue, thyroid symptoms, or gut issues, this conversation will completely shift the way you think about healing.   In this episode, Brandee sits down with integrative health practitioner, Pranic energy healer, and spiritual life coach Jasmine Harnden to explore why nervous system regulation is often the missing piece in women's health. After reversing her own Hashimoto's naturally, Jasmine now helps burned-out, high-achieving women uncover the deeper physiological and emotional factors driving symptoms like hormone imbalances, weight loss resistance, chronic fatigue, and digestive issues.   Together, they dive into why "normal" lab work doesn't always mean optimal health, how chronic stress changes the way your body stores fat, and why healing isn't about doing more—it's about helping your body finally feel safe enough to heal. They also discuss functional lab testing, unresolved trauma, detoxification, and why a truly root-cause approach requires looking beyond food and supplements alone. STOP GUESSING & START ADVOCATING FOR YOUR HEALTH WITH THE RIGHT LABS: ⁠⁠www.beecollectivewellness.com/hormone-lab-guide ⁠ Work With Me: ⁠https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching   In This Episode: Jasmine's personal journey of reversing Hashimoto's through root-cause healingWhy nervous system dysregulation can block weight loss and hormone balanceThe connection between chronic stress, thyroid health, gut function, and fatigueWhy "normal" blood work doesn't always mean everything is functioning optimallyWhy healing isn't just about food and supplementsThe role unresolved trauma can play in physical symptomsWhy healing is rarely linear—and what to expect along the wayPractical ways to begin supporting your nervous system without adding more stress  Connect with Jasmine: Website: www.theluminoussoul.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminous.soul.healing/ Transform Your Wellness Journey with My Free Weight Loss & Wellness Journal: https://jasmine-s-site-7d75.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/wellness-journal-weight-loss Connect with me: Website: https://beecollectivewellness.com Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  5. Jul 7

    54. What Alcohol Is Really Doing to Your Health: The Alcohol-Hormone Connection with Dr. Brooke Scheller (The Hormone Disconnect Series Episode 5)

    That nightly glass of wine may be doing far more than helping you unwind. Did you know that alcohol impacts your hormones, gut health, blood sugar, sleep, mood, and cravings in ways many women never realize? In Part 5 of the Hormone Disconnect Series, Brandee sits down with Dr. Brooke Scheller, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Certified Nutrition Specialist, author of How to Eat to Change How You Drink, and creator of the Functional Sobriety approach.   Dr. Brooke explains how alcohol influences hormone balance, increases cortisol, disrupts the gut microbiome, alters blood sugar regulation, and fuels cravings that can feel impossible to control. She also breaks down the biology behind the infamous 5 PM urge to drink and shares practical nutrition strategies that can help reduce cravings naturally.   Whether you're sober-curious, questioning your relationship with alcohol, or simply trying to optimize your health, this episode offers a science-backed, judgment-free perspective on what happens when you take a closer look at alcohol's role in your life. STOP GUESSING & START ADVOCATING FOR YOUR HEALTH WITH THE RIGHT LABS: ⁠⁠www.beecollectivewellness.com/hormone-lab-guide ⁠ Work With Me: ⁠https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching   In This Episode: How alcohol impacts hormone balance beyond just estrogen Why alcohol increases cortisol and contributes to chronic stress The connection between alcohol, gut health, and hormone metabolism How blood sugar swings drive cravings, mood changes, and anxiety The science behind the 5 PM "wine o'clock" craving Why alcohol often masks nervous system dysregulation The overlap between alcohol use, dopamine, and ADHD How nutrition can support alcohol reduction and recovery Navigating social situations when you're drinking less Why sober curiosity is growing and what it can teach you  Connect with Dr Brooke: Website: www.functionalsobriety.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbrookescheller/ Book Website: www.functionalsobriety.com/book Amazon: How to Eat to Change How You Drink: https://a.co/d/6hjCXTE Connect with me: Website: https://beecollectivewellness.com Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  6. Jun 30

    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. STOP GUESSING & START ADVOCATING FOR YOUR HEALTH WITH THE RIGHT LABS: ⁠⁠www.beecollectivewellness.com/hormone-lab-guide ⁠ Work With Me: ⁠https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching 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: Website: https://beecollectivewellness.com Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  7. 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 STOP GUESSING & START ADVOCATING FOR YOUR HEALTH WITH THE RIGHT LABS: ⁠www.beecollectivewellness.com/hormone-lab-guide Work With Me: https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching Connect with me: Website: https://beecollectivewellness.com Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Work with me: ⁠https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching⁠ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

  8. 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: Website: https://beecollectivewellness.com Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/ Work with me: ⁠⁠https://beecollectivewellness.com/nutrition-coaching⁠⁠ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com

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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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