Sisterhood and Self

Sisterhood and Self Podcast

Welcome back to Sisterhood & Self where we talk about all things health, wellness, mindset, spirituality and everything in between. We’re your hosts Elena and Kira. Together, we combine the science of health and wellness with intuition and alignment. We help you simplify the information you hear online so you can feel empowered to apply these practices to your own life and feel your best from the inside out. We’re so excited for you to be tuning in with us and we hope you enjoy

  1. 4d ago

    Let's Talk Shit: All Things Poop 💩

    Episode Summary Poop might not be the most glamorous topic, but your bowel movements can tell you a lot about your overall health. In this episode, we get into what a healthy poop actually looks like, how often you should be going, what different stool consistencies can mean, and why constipation and diarrhea aren't something you should simply accept as your "normal." We also talk about fiber, hydration, movement, stress, the nervous system, and how your digestion can affect how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. Specifically, We Discuss: 00:30 The Importance of Poop 00:52 Understanding Bowel Movements 04:28 What Healthy Poop Looks Like 10:17 The Impact of Diet on Digestion 15:28 Caffeine and Its Effects 19:40 Addressing Constipation and Gut Health 20:55 Understanding Constipation and Its Effects 26:27 Practical Tips for Improving Digestion 33:05 The Emotional Connection to Digestion 39:54 The Role of Fiber in Digestive Health Key Takeaways ✨Your bowel movements can provide useful insight into your digestion, hydration, fiber intake, and overall health. You don't need to obsess over your poop, but paying attention to frequency, consistency, ease of passing, and whether you feel fully eliminated can be a simple way to check in with your body. ✨Don't automatically accept constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or other digestive symptoms as your "normal." Your baseline might not actually be optimal. ✨Hydration, fiber, movement, and your nervous system all play a major role in how your GI tract functions. Resources We Mentioned Bristol Stool Chart: A way to classify stool consistency from 1-7, with 4-5 being the ideal range https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Bristol_stool_chart.svg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original  Squatty Potty: A tool to help position your body for easier bowel movements https://www.squattypotty.com/  Ayurveda: The sister science of yoga and how it focuses on digestion and daily routines. Kripalu: Health and yoga retreat in Stockbridge, Massachusetts https://kripalu.org/ Osmotic Laxatives (magnesium oxide + magnesium citrate): Types of magnesium that can work as osmotic laxatives Connect With Us! Follow along for more health, wellness, mindset, and lifestyle content: Sisterhood & Self 📸Instagram: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎵Tiktok: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎥Youtube: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Elena 📸Instagram: @laineys_loving_lifestyle 🎵TikTok: @laineyslovinglifestyle Kira 📸Instagram: @kiraoberle 🎵TikTok: @kiraoberle Support The Show If you enjoyed this episode, we would love your support! Your support helps us continue creating conversations around health, personal growth, and living a more intentional life. ⭐ Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ⭐ Share this episode with a friend or family member ⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episode Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, supplements, or medical care.

  2. Aug 27

    Peptides, GLP-1s & The Pressure to Be Thin

    Episode Summary Peptides and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic have become a huge part of the health and wellness conversation, but how do they actually work, and when do they make sense for someone to use them? In this episode, we break down the science behind peptides and GLP-1s, how they affect hunger and satiety, and how fiber and carbohydrates play an important role in our body's natural GLP-1 production. We also dive into the more complicated side of the conversation: body image, social media, unrealistic beauty standards, and learning to care for and appreciate your body without constantly feeling like you need to change it. Specifically, We Discuss: 00:30 - Peptides 101 08:00 - The Benefits & Side Effects of GLP-1s 17:06 - Food Noise, Hunger & Our Relationship With Food 18:55 - Why Your Food Environment Is Working Against You 29:07 - GLP-1s, Weight Loss & Addressing the Root Cause 33:00 - How Social Media Warps Our Perception of Bodies 44:50 - When Does Wanting to Lose Weight Become Unhealthy? 53:22 - Sustainable Change Takes Time 57:51 - Finding Your Way Back to Balance 59:07 - You Can’t Hate Yourself Into a Body You Love Key Takeaways ✨GLP-1 medications can be incredibly helpful and even life-changing for people who medically need them, but they aren't a magic solution for everyone. Understanding why you're using them and pairing them with nourishing lifestyle habits matters. ✨Your body naturally produces GLP-1! Fiber-rich foods (particularly plant foods and carbohydrates) help stimulate that process. Food noise and constant hunger aren't always a lack of willpower; they can be signals that your body isn't getting enough energy or nutrients. ✨Being thin does not automatically mean being healthy. Social media can dramatically skew our perception of what bodies, lifestyles, and even “health” are supposed to look like. The goal isn't to constantly chase a smaller body, but rather, it's to build a body and a life that allows you to feel strong, nourished, healthy, and happy. Resources We Mentioned Jamie Hines: workout programs and content around strength training, nutrition, and sustainable progress Hannah Lizzy: content around body image, eating disorders, GLP-1s, and the pressure to be thin Mentioned Episodes Episode #9: Hormones 101 Connect With Us! Follow along for more health, wellness, mindset, and lifestyle content: Sisterhood & Self 📸Instagram: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎵Tiktok: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎥Youtube: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Elena 📸Instagram: @laineys_loving_lifestyle 🎵TikTok: @laineyslovinglifestyle Kira 📸Instagram: @kiraoberle 🎵TikTok: @kiraoberle Support The Show If you enjoyed this episode, we would love your support! Your support helps us continue creating conversations around health, personal growth, and living a more intentional life. ⭐ Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ⭐ Share this episode with a friend or family member ⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episode

  3. Aug 21

    [Bonus] Reflecting on Grief After 8 Years

    Episode Summary This episode is an honest and personal conversation about grief, eight years after the sisters lost their dad to cancer. Kira, Elena, and their older sister Devon reflect on how differently they each experienced his illness, death, and the years that followed and how complicated grief can be when you’re grieving the same person but have completely different relationships with them. This episode is for anyone navigating grief or supporting someone who is and finding ways to maintain a relationship with someone you’ve lost. Specifically, We Discuss: 01:18 - Dad’s Cancer Diagnosis & Four Years of Uncertainty 05:02 - The Gift and Complexity of Knowing Someone Is Dying 10:24 - Signs, Spirits & Dad’s Final Days 18:23 - Resentment and Complicated Relationships With Grief 21:15 - Grieving the Same Person Differently 27:26 - When Grief Hits You Later 31:02 - Returning to “Normal Life” After Loss 36:10 - How Grief Changes Over the Years 39:13 - Grieving the Future He Won’t Have & the Relationships We Didn’t Get to Have 45:49 - Connecting With Dad Beyond the Physical 47:09 - What We Love & Remember About Dad 53:26 - Honoring Dad Through Anniversaries & Family Traditions 56:13 - Keeping His Memory Alive Key Takeaways ✨Everyone grieves differently and there’s no “right” way to grieve. Ages, relationships with the person who passed, and roles within the family shape different grief experiences, even if you’re grieving the same person. ✨Grief can hold conflicting emotions at the same time. Love, resentment, relief, sadness, gratitude, anger, and even happiness can all coexist. Healing involves holding all of those emotions. ✨Your relationship with someone can continue to evolve even after they die. You can keep someone’s memory alive through stories, traditions, milestones, and even a spiritual connection with the person’s “higher self.” Connect With Us! Follow along for more health, wellness, mindset, and lifestyle content: Sisterhood & Self 📸Instagram: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎵Tiktok: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎥Youtube: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Elena 📸Instagram: @laineys_loving_lifestyle 🎵TikTok: @laineyslovinglifestyle Kira 📸Instagram: @kiraoberle 🎵TikTok: @kiraoberle Support The Show If you enjoyed this episode, we would love your support! Your support helps us continue creating conversations around health, personal growth, and living a more intentional life. ⭐ Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ⭐ Share this episode with a friend or family member ⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episode

  4. Aug 20

    Building a Life You Love Outside of Your 9-5

    Episode Summary Your job is only one part of your life, so put more energy into everything that exists outside of that 9–5. In this episode, we talk about finding joy in your everyday life, prioritizing the areas that matter most to you, and creating more time for the people, hobbies, and experiences that make you feel fulfilled. We also get into the pressure to be “productive” all the time, honoring different seasons of life, romanticizing the mundane, and why you don’t need to be operating at 100% in every area of your life at once. Specifically, We Discuss: 03:00 - Your Job Isn’t Your Whole Life 06:05 - You Can’t Prioritize Everything 09:19 - Choose 1–3 Areas to Focus On 14:48 - The “Fractured Village” 20:21 - Choose Your Hard 23:35 - Make Your Mornings Yours 26:50 - Give Yourself Things to Look Forward To 28:20 - Bringing Better Energy to Work 34:40 - Rest Isn’t Wasted Time 37:52 - Put Yourself Where You’ll Thrive 42:30 - We’re Craving Community 44:21 - How Do You Want to Spend Your Life? Key Takeaways ✨You don't have to prioritize every area of your life equally all of the time. Think about the 1-3 areas that matter most to you in this current season and focus there. ✨Your life is made up of small moments that happen every day. Find ways to make your routines, commutes, workouts, meals, and everyday tasks more enjoyable instead of waiting for the “big” moments to feel happy. ✨You should love your life! If you consistently feel unhappy, depleted, or disconnected from your life, take it as an invitation to reflect on what isn't working and make a change. Resources We Mentioned Samantha Daily: the “cup of water” analogy for balancing the different areas of your life Dr. Doug Lisle: the concept of the “fractured village” and evolutionary psychology Abraham Hicks: focusing your attention on what you do like rather than what you don't Connect With Us! Follow along for more health, wellness, mindset, and lifestyle content: Sisterhood & Self 📸Instagram: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎵Tiktok: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎥Youtube: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Elena 📸Instagram: @laineys_loving_lifestyle 🎵TikTok: @laineyslovinglifestyle Kira 📸Instagram: @kiraoberle 🎵TikTok: @kiraoberle Support The Show If you enjoyed this episode, we would love your support! Your support helps us continue creating conversations around health, personal growth, and living a more intentional life. ⭐ Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ⭐ Share this episode with a friend or family member ⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episode

  5. Aug 13

    Everything You Need to Know About Your Gut Health

    Episode Summary Gut health has become a hot topic, but what does it actually mean and how does it affect your everyday health (and life!)? In this episode, Kira breaks down the gut microbiome, probiotics, prebiotics, inflammation, leaky gut, and the gut-brain connection in a way that’s simple and practical. We talk about the signs of an imbalanced gut, how food, stress, sleep, and lifestyle can impact your microbiome, and how to support your gut without getting caught up in rigid food rules or online fear-mongering. Specifically, We Discuss: 00:30 – What Is Gut Health, Really? 02:28 – Your Gut Is an Ecosystem 05:07 – Probiotics vs. Prebiotics: What’s the Difference? 07:16 – How to Build a Stronger Gut Microbiome 09:19 – Signs Your Gut Might Be Out of Balance 14:22 – The Biggest Factors Affecting Gut Health 17:58 – What Is Leaky Gut? 19:10 – Inflammation: What’s Actually Happening? 22:27 – The Foods That Can Drive Inflammation 26:47 – Should You Be Afraid of Gluten? 30:24 – Do Trendy Gut-Health Foods Actually Work? 35:40 – Using Supplements as Tools, Not Rules 38:38 – The Gut-Brain Connection 43:19 – Finding Balance Without Food Guilt 45:24 – How Stress Impacts Digestion Key Takeaways ✨Gut health is about more than digestion. It can influence energy, mood, hormones, skin, immune function and overall health. ✨Think of your gut microbiome like a garden. Supporting the “good” microbes with fiber, plant foods, polyphenols, and resistant starch can help create a healthier, more balanced ecosystem. ✨You don't need to follow every gut health trend you see or eliminate every potentially inflammatory food. Focus on your overall dietary pattern by adding in more whole plant foods and fiber, manage your stress, and experiment with what actually makes YOU feel better. Resources We Mentioned American Gut Project’s research on dietary plant diversity and gut microbiome health (https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00031-18) Comprehensive gut microbiome testing (stool tests): GI-MAP from Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory or Gut Zoomer from VibrantWellness Vagus nerve and gut-brain connection (doi: 10.2147/JIR.S384949) Connect With Us! Follow along for more health, wellness, mindset, and lifestyle content: Sisterhood & Self 📸Instagram: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎵Tiktok: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎥Youtube: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Elena 📸Instagram: @laineys_loving_lifestyle 🎵TikTok: @laineyslovinglifestyle Kira 📸Instagram: @kiraoberle 🎵TikTok: @kiraoberle Support The Show If you enjoyed this episode, we would love your support! Your support helps us continue creating conversations around health, personal growth, and living a more intentional life. ⭐ Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ⭐ Share this episode with a friend or family member ⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episode

  6. Aug 6

    Manifesting (A Partner!!)

    Episode Summary In this episode, we break down what manifestation actually is and how it relates to manifesting a partner. Elena shares how she consciously manifested her boyfriend, and we dicusss practical ways to become the kind of person who naturally attracts the relationship you want. Whether you're single, dating, or already in a relationship, this conversation is all about getting clear on what you want, letting go of limiting beliefs, and trusting that the right timing. Specifically, We Discuss: 00:30 – What Manifestation Really Means 02:00 – Getting Clear on What You Want (and Don't Want!) 07:30 – Specific Versus Non-specific Manifesting 12:20 – Manifestation List & Living as If 16:00 – “Dating Yourself” 20:35 – Trusting Divine Timing 25:05 – Becoming the Partner You're Looking For31:45 – Limiting Beliefs About Love & Relationships 36:20 – Creating Your Real-Life Vision Board Key Takeaways ✨Manifestation starts with clarity! Get clear on what you want to help you intentionally create the relationship you're looking for. ✨Your beliefs shape your dating experience. The stories you tell yourself about love, relationships, and what's possible influence what you notice, expect, and ultimately attract. ✨Become the person you want to attract. You don’t need to wait for a partner to make you feel loved, confident, or fulfilled. Start cultivating those feelings and qualities within yourself today.✨Trust the divine timing of your life. Letting go of control creates space for the right relationship (or anything else you want to manifest) to unfold for the highest good of all involved. Resources We Mentioned Human Design! Helps you determine if you are a "specific" or “non-specific” manifester Lots of free charts online but here is one https://jovianarchive.com/pages/get-your-human-design-chart Connect With Us! Follow along for more health, wellness, mindset, and lifestyle content: Sisterhood & Self 📸Instagram: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎵Tiktok: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎥Youtube: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Elena 📸Instagram: @laineys_loving_lifestyle 🎵TikTok: @laineyslovinglifestyle Kira 📸Instagram: @kiraoberle 🎵TikTok: @kiraoberle Support The Show If you enjoyed this episode, we would love your support! Your support helps us continue creating conversations around health, personal growth, and living a more intentional life. ⭐ Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ⭐ Share this episode with a friend or family member ⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episode

  7. Jul 30

    Nervous System 101: How to Regulate Your Nervous System

    Episode Summary Everyone loves to talk about “nervous system regulation,” but what does it actually mean? In this episode, Kira breaks down the science behind your nervous system while Elena shares the practical tools to help manage anxiety, navigate stressful seasons, and feel more grounded. Whether you're dealing with work stress, overwhelm, panic attacks, or simply want to feel calmer day-to-day, this episode will help you understand what's happening in your body and what you can do about it. Specifically, We Discuss: 01:11 – What Your Nervous System Actually Does 06:01 – Why Modern Life Keeps Us Stuck in Fight-or-Flight 09:28 – The Adaptive and Maladaptive Side of Anxiety 14:01 – Why Movement Beats Meditation During Acute Anxiety 17:00 – Nervous System Regulation, Intuition & Manifestation 22:47 – Stress Can Show Up as Physical Symptoms 25:21 – Practical Tools to Calm Your Nervous System 40:20 – EFT Tapping Explained 44:46 – Nervous System Regulation in Real Life Key Takeaways ✨ Your nervous system is always trying to protect you, even when the "threat" it’s trying to protect you from is just a work email ✨ Different regulation tools work best at different times or levels of stress. High anxiety often requires movement first, while journaling or meditation tend to be more effective once that anxious situation has passed. ✨ Nervous system regulation is a skill! It improves with practice. The more you build this “muscle,” the easier it becomes to move between the two sides of your autonomic nervous system (stress and relaxation). Resources We Mentioned Flowchart of the nervous system: https://cdn-academy.pressidium.com/academy/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nervous-System-Diagram-1.webp  Abraham-Hicks Emotional Guidance Scale (spectrum of emotions): https://seattlesparkle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/scale-of-emotions-copy.jpg  Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Maslow%27s_Hierarchy_of_Needs.svg  EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping Yoga and breathwork practices Mentioned Episodes Episode #9 | Hormones 101: Understanding Your Hormones Connect With Us! Follow along for more health, wellness, mindset, and lifestyle content: Sisterhood & Self 📸Instagram: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎵Tiktok: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎥Youtube: @sisterhoodandselfpod Elena 📸Instagram: @laineys_loving_lifestyle 🎵TikTok: @laineyslovinglifestyle Kira 📸Instagram: @kiraoberle 🎵TikTok: @kiraoberle Support The Show If you enjoyed this episode, we would love your support! Your support helps us continue creating conversations around health, personal growth, and living a more intentional life. ⭐ Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ⭐ Share this episode with a friend or family member ⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episode Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, supplements, or medical care.

  8. Jul 30

    Hormones 101: Understanding Your Hormones

    Episode Summary Hormones seem to be everywhere on social media, but what do they actually do and how much of the advice online is accurate? In this episode, we break down the basics of hormone health, explain how hormones influence everything from energy and mood to acne and your menstrual cycle, and discuss common misconceptions around “hormone balancing,” PCOS, cycle syncing, and birth control. Whether you're just starting to learn about hormones or looking to better understand your own body, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights without the overwhelm. Specifically, We Discuss: 01:33 – What hormones actually are and how they work 04:29 – Is cortisol really bad? Understanding stress hormones 07:53 – Hormone myths & misinformation on social media 11:35 – Male vs. female hormones and understanding your menstrual cycle 17:45 – What is PCOS/PMOS? Symptoms, diagnosis & hormone imbalances 20:58 – Hormonal acne: what causes it and why it happens 27:04 – Breaking down the four phases of the menstrual cycle 32:27 – Should you cycle sync your workouts and nutrition? 38:42 – Why you're hungrier before your period 44:50 – Hormonal vs. non-hormonal birth control 56:56 – Final thoughts Key Takeaways ✨ Hormones regulate nearly everything in the body from metabolism and stress to reproduction and mood ✨ Cortisol isn't the enemy! Healthy cortisol rhythms help you wake up, respond to daily challenges, and function throughout the day ✨ Your body is designed to regulate hormones naturally, but nutrition, sleep, stress, environmental exposures, and lifestyle can throw that out of balance ✨ The menstrual cycle naturally affects your energy, mood, hunger, and exercise preferences throughout the month ✨ Cycle syncing can be a helpful tool, but your own intuition and needs should also guide your choices ✨ Birth control isn't one-size-fits-all. The best option depends on your goals, symptoms, and personal preferences. Work with your provider for the best care for you Resources We Mentioned Graph of cortisol throughout the day: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSIGwpTjyzUhslGQ91TQ8aoIVQms28FbY9pDYUPk_52CjQ2ivXeKMSEewI&s=10 Mentioned Episodes Episode #8: Morning Routines Connect With Us! Follow along for more health, wellness, mindset, and lifestyle content: Sisterhood & Self 📸Instagram: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎵Tiktok: @sisterhoodandselfpod 🎥Youtube: @sisterhoodandselfpod Elena 📸Instagram: @laineys_loving_lifestyle 🎵TikTok: @laineyslovinglifestyle Kira 📸Instagram: @kiraoberle 🎵TikTok: @kiraoberle Support The Show If you enjoyed this episode, we would love your support! Your support helps us continue creating conversations around health, personal growth, and living a more intentional life. ⭐ Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts ⭐ Share this episode with a friend or family member ⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episode Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, supplements, or medical care.

About

Welcome back to Sisterhood & Self where we talk about all things health, wellness, mindset, spirituality and everything in between. We’re your hosts Elena and Kira. Together, we combine the science of health and wellness with intuition and alignment. We help you simplify the information you hear online so you can feel empowered to apply these practices to your own life and feel your best from the inside out. We’re so excited for you to be tuning in with us and we hope you enjoy