The Hormone Genius Podcast

Teresa Kenney and Jamie Rathjen
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Jan 24, 2024 • 34min

S4 Ep. 16: The Importance of Sleep for Your Health

Here is why we are doing a Hormone Genius Podcast solely on the benefits of sleep for your health! The reasons are numerous but some of the most important are: -Improved immune system -Improved hormone regulation -Decreased stress -Improved emotional stability -Brain detoxification -Improved daytime energy, mind clarity, and daily performance -Reduced chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease & obesity Sleep at many points in life has been hard for us to attain; think college, having babies, working shift jobs, or just trying to fit too much in during the day. According to the CDC: 70 million Americans have chronic sleep problems (CDC, 2017). 1 in 3 U.S. adults regularly don’t get enough sleep (CDC, 2016). Insufficient sleep is experienced by about 30% of the general population that’s over the age of 18 (CDC, 2018). 48% of Americans report snoring during the night (ASA, 2021). 88% of American adults reportedly lose sleep due to binge-watching (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2019). If you are between the ages of 18 to 65 you need on average 7 to 9 hours asleep. Best Tips to get the needed 7 to 9 hours of sleep: -Get up at the same time every day. -Within the first 2 hours expose your skin to 20 minutes of sunlight, and try a second time during the day to get another 20 minutes of sunlight on your skin. -Avoid caffeine after the early morning, or at least 8 to 10 hours before sleep. -Avoid napping during the day, and if you must keep it to 45 minutes or less. -Avoid bright lights after 8 to 10 pm, especially artificial lighting, all digital/screen lights ( get blue blocker glasses if you must use screens). -Keep your room as dim/dark as possible during bedtime hours. -Keep your room 1 to 3 degrees cooler while sleeping -For those who struggle with anxiety, or trouble falling asleep, consider adding 200 to 400 mg of magnesium glycinate, and/or 3 to 5 mg of melatonin, and/or 200 mg L-theanine 20 minutes before sleep. We cannot stress how important sleep is, the closer you get to 9 hours a night, the more you erase years of lack of sleep and its toll on your health. You cannot continue to rationalize that you must get up at 5 AM for working out, for meditation/prayer/quiet time, or any other reason if you do not get a full night’s sleep. In the end, you will suffer the effects of lack of sleep and you will not make the progress you want to make. Here is another couple good resources to read on sleep! https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/sleep/healthysleepfs.pdf https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/toolkit-for-sleep Thanks to Fiat Institute for sponsoring this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast! To learn more about becoming a hormone coach, visit www.fiatinstitute.com. If you are looking to work with a hormone coach, please visit www.fiatinstitute.com/directory. Medical disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.
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Jan 10, 2024 • 37min

S4 Ep. 15: Magnesium 101: The Mighty Mineral You Might Be Missing

There are nutrients that grab headlines—and then there are the silent powerhouses like magnesium that quietly support hundreds of essential bodily functions without the fanfare. Until now. In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, Jamie and Teresa shine a much-needed spotlight on magnesium—an often-overlooked yet crucial mineral. They’ll walk you through a simple but essential Magnesium 101: why your body needs it, how it functions, the different types (yes, not all magnesium is the same!), and how to know if you should be supplementing or simply eating smarter. Whether you're struggling with insomnia, anxiety, low energy, muscle cramps, headaches, or you're just trying to up-level your health, magnesium might be the missing piece you didn’t even know to look for. You'll learn: What magnesium actually does in your body The best foods rich in magnesium Which magnesium supplements work for different symptoms How to determine if you're getting enough each day This is a must-listen episode for anyone looking to feel more balanced, energized, and hormonally supported—naturally. 💥 BONUS: Join the Book Study! Teresa Kenney, author of The Happy Girl’s Guide to Being Whole, is teaming up with Jamie Rathjen for a live 3-part book study! For only $27, you’ll get: Live discussions with the author herself A PDF guide with discussion questions Deeper insight into the science and heart behind the book 🎉 Sign up here: Book Study Registration Thanks to our sponsor, Fiat Institute! Thinking about becoming a certified hormone coach? Visit fiatinstitute.com to learn more. Looking to find a hormone coach? Check out our directory: fiatinstitute.com/directory Medical Disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for medical or mental health advice from a licensed professional.
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5 snips
Dec 20, 2023 • 50min

S4 Ep. 14: Regulating Your Blood Sugar & Metabolism with Victoria Peck-Gray RD

Welcome to The Hormone Genius Podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to introduce you to Victoria Peck-Gray, RD, an integrative and functional registered dietitian and the founder of Wonderfully Made Nutrition. Victoria is on a mission to help women heal from hormone imbalances, fertility struggles, weight loss resistance, and chronic digestive issues—by addressing the root causes rather than just masking symptoms. Through 1-on-1 coaching and her signature group program, The 4 Method, Victoria helps women transform their metabolic and hormone health using a powerful combination of personalized nutrition, advanced lab testing, lifestyle strategies, and targeted supplementation. Her holistic approach is grounded in the belief that when we nourish our bodies the way they were designed to be nourished, true healing and thriving become possible. Victoria shares her passion, practical tips, and insight into how women can take back their health and find hope in their fertility journeys—all while embracing the unique design of their bodies. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and their little one on the way! 💬 Mentioned in This Episode: 👉 Sign up for the LIVE book study of Teresa Kenney’s book, The Happy Girl's Guide to Being Whole — starting February 2024: www.hormonegenius.com/so/21Ol8-zkT 👉 Grab the book on Amazon: The Happy Girl’s Guide to Being Whole
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Dec 13, 2023 • 39min

S4 Ep. 13: Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Hunger, Hormones & Healthy Choices

Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to stick to New Year’s resolutions? Or why, even when you know the right thing to do, following through feels almost impossible? You’re not alone. Many of us struggle with making healthy choices and maintaining them long-term. In this episode, Jamie and Teresa dive into the fascinating interplay between hormones, behavior, and decision-making—especially around food and lifestyle habits. Together, they explore why we often choose what feels good in the moment, even if it doesn’t support our long-term health or happiness. This episode blends both philosophical and biological perspectives to uncover how our bodies and minds shape our habits—and how understanding this can help us develop greater discipline and empowerment over our health. It’s not easy, but with a clearer picture of what’s happening beneath the surface—physiologically and psychologically—we can take charge of our well-being in 2024 and beyond. Join us as we commit to becoming healthier and happier together! Join the Live Book Study! Sign up for the February 2024 live book study of Teresa’s The Happy Girl’s Guide to Being Whole: www.hormonegenius.com/so/21Ol8-zkT?languageTag=en Additional Resources: Get your copy of The Happy Girl’s Guide to Being Whole on Amazon and please leave a review! www.amazon.com/Happy-Girls-Guide…Caps%2C176&sr=8-1 Interested in hormone coaching? Check out Jamie’s Fiat Institute: www.fiatinstitute.com Please share the podcast, leave a review, and help empower women everywhere to become the geniuses of their own hormones! Medical disclaimer: The information presented on The Hormone Genius Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care.
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Dec 6, 2023 • 31min

S4 Ep. 12: Taking Care of Your Skin & The Surprising Symptoms Of Menopause with Helen Marray-Finlay

Do you want beautiful skin & a healthier path for your whole body in menopause? Then this episode if for you, as we dive into some surprising symptoms of menopause with our guest Helen Marray-Finlay. Helen is a Hollywood makeup artist and skincare expert with over 20 years' experience. Having worked on blockbuster movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and popular TV shows including Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Modern Family, Barry, and The Goldbergs, Helen has tried every product imaginable. Through her work, and as a woman going through menopause, Helen realized the lack of safe and effective skincare products specifically formulated for menopausal skin. This realization fueled her passion to create her own line of products that are straightforward, effective, and made with clean and healthy ingredients. As a strong advocate for education around menopause and menopausal skin, Helen is dedicated to empowering women and ensuring they feel confident and beautiful in their skin. Finlay+Green’s skincare line embodies her passion and commitment to making a positive impact on women’s lives. Check our Helen's skincare line for menopause and holiday deals here: https://finlayandgreen.com/ Opinions, statements, and beliefs of our interviewees are not necessarily a reflection of the HG podcast's beliefs and opinions as a whole. Medical disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.
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Nov 29, 2023 • 52min

S4 Ep. 11: Demystifying Cycle Tracking Methods with Jamie & Teresa

There have been many myths circulated about cycle tracking methods over the last 50 plus years, and Jamie & Teresa are going to go through the most common ones. We want you to be able to understand the truth and science to back up our abiity as women to know our bodies, and be able to fully intepret our fertility day in and day out. So buckle up, because this is a good ride through dispelling the old and reclaiming the new, to be able to truly see the goodness and truth of our hormone genius! Also, remember how Jamie mentioned the INITO monitor and the code to get 15% off! Well don't forget to go to www.inito.com and put in Jamie15 and you can start tracking your hormones daily! https://shop-us.inito.com/4758962247/checkouts/87536f42392b9d464310522d844acfea?_ga JAMIE15 PROMO CODE Medical disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.
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Nov 15, 2023 • 47min

S4 Ep. 10: Grandmotherly Wisdom & Breastfeeding Truths with Susan Wirtjes, RN, IBCLC

Have you ever met someone whose wisdom is so deep, nurturing, and seasoned by life that you could sit and listen for hours? The kind of wisdom that carries both the gentleness of a mother and the insight of a scholar? That’s exactly what you’ll experience in today’s episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast. We’re thrilled to welcome Susan Wirtjes, RN, IBCLC, a true treasure in the world of women’s health and lactation. Since 1996, Susan has been guiding and supporting mothers and babies with extraordinary compassion and clinical expertise. From her years in the Family Birth Center and NICU at her local medical center to her current work at Guiding Star Cedar Valley, Susan has left a legacy of care, education, and heartfelt service. She has taught everything from childbirth education and breastfeeding to parenting and newborn care, and she continues to share her knowledge through conferences, workshops, and virtual consultations across the state. Susan is not only a lactation consultant—she’s a woman of deep wisdom and grace, and her passion for supporting women and babies shines through in everything she shares. In this conversation, you’ll hear timeless truths about motherhood, breastfeeding, and the feminine genius that speaks through a mother’s body. Whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned parent, a birth professional, or simply someone who values life-giving insight, this episode is for you. Please listen, share, and be encouraged.
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Nov 8, 2023 • 45min

S4 Ep. 9: The Full Scoop on Acne with Jamie & Teresa plus Bonus Acne Toolkit!

Acne effects a huge amount of women up to 85% of women have experienced a form of acne in her lifetime. Up to 25% of women will still struggle with acne even in their 40's, so needless to say, acne is something most of us have experienced this condition and therefore, understanding how acne occurs and how to treat it will be a help to so many of our listeners. Jame & Teresa take a deep dive into the physiology of our skin and why acne occurs, how hormones relate to acne, and how our lifestyles also effect this inflammatory condition. The great news is that there is things that we can do to prevent and get to the root cause of acne. Acne is an inflammatory condition, and reducing inflammation through lifestyle factors including nutritional changes, reducing toxins and stress as well, and supplements to help inflammation as well. There is also good dermatological treatments that can truly help our skin look beautiful and clear. Remember, it is also important to consult your doctor, or consult a good dermatologist for skin help, as well as seek holistic treatment options as well. With all this in mind, we wanted also to provide a FREE TOOLKIT to give you practical solutions to help with acne, available on our website www.hormonegenius.com. So after listening to our podcast and sharing with your friends, go to our website to get the free tool kit today! Medical disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.
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Oct 25, 2023 • 47min

S4 Ep. 8: Putting Women's Health Back in Women's Hands with Dr. Kavita Desai

Welcome Dr. Kavita Desai to the Hormone Genius Podcast! Dr. Desai is a women’s health specialist and author of the newly released book, Lady Parts: Putting Women’s Health Back Into Women’s Hands. She has 13 years of clinical pharmacy experience and running her own integrated medical center. After being faced with her mother’s personal journey with Alzheimer’s, Dr. Desai was inspired to redirect her clinical skills to focus on brain health, neurological disease prevention and how these diseases and chronic illnesses affect women. We all want to live long, with a healthy and happy quality of life. We worry about the big diseases like cancer, heart disease, and many of us worry about Alzheimers Dementia. Especially those who have this disease effect a loved one in our family. We will take a deep dive into discussing this disease and how as women we can be aware of the symptoms, how we can change lifestyle factors, how hormones are an important factor in our cognitive health. This is a very informative and helpful podcast is for every woman to listen to, and don't forget to check out Dr. Desai's new book and her new supplement line called Revivele which is just launched! Dr. Desai has a special offer for our Hormone Genius listeners, $100 off her soon to launch supplement system, Essentials by Revivele. Below is the link so please check it out and take advantage of her amazing offer!!! PROMO CODE is Essentials100; Go to the Revivele website link, https://www.revivele.com/. Medical disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.
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Oct 18, 2023 • 40min

S4 Ep. 7: Learn all about Ovarian Cysts; Q&A with Teresa WHNP

Have you ever been told you have an ovarian cyst? Many women have...in fact, up to 18% of women have had an abnormal ovarian cyst in their lifetime and 4% of women have visited the ER due to pain with an ovarian cyst. Did you know what type of cyst you had? was it functional, or pathological? Is it PCOS cysts? These are all questions we will dive into as we discuss all ovarian cysts today on The Hormone Genius Podcast. Jamie will be asking Teresa all the questions that you put in our social media thread so make sure to tune in! This podcast and the information in it today will allow you to be so much more informed when your doctor tells you that you have an ovarian cyst. You will know the right questions to ask and what is typical for treatment going forward. So fasten your seatbelt because this is a fast informational ride and you do not want to miss one bit! Medical disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

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