The Hormone Genius Podcast

Welcome to Season 7 of The Hormone Genius Podcast! We're kicking off this new season with a timely conversation about one of the most talked-about topics in medicine today: GLP-1 medications for weight loss.
From Ozempic® and Wegovy® to Zepbound®, these medications have sparked excitement, controversy, and countless questions. Are they safe? Who are they for? Are they simply a shortcut, or could they be a powerful tool for improving long-term health?
In this episode, Teresa breaks down the science behind GLP-1 medications, explaining how these naturally occurring hormones help regulate blood sugar, appetite, digestion, and metabolism. You'll learn how these medications were originally developed for diabetes, why they've become such a breakthrough in obesity treatment, and what the latest research tells us about their benefits beyond weight loss.
Jamie guides the conversation using the B.R.A.I.N. framework, Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, and Next Steps, to help listeners think critically and confidently when discussing treatment options with their healthcare provider.
Together, we discuss:
What GLP-1 medications are and how they work
The difference between semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound®)
Why obesity is now recognized as a chronic disease, not simply a lack of willpower
The concept of "food noise" and how GLP-1 medications may reduce constant thoughts about food
Potential benefits beyond weight loss, including improvements in diabetes, cardiovascular health, inflammation, and even emerging research on addiction
Common side effects, safety concerns, and who may not be a good candidate
The importance of preserving muscle mass with adequate protein intake and strength training
How GLP-1 medications compare to alternatives such as lifestyle changes, metformin, and nutritional supplements
Why these medications should be viewed as one tool within a comprehensive plan not a replacement for healthy habits
Perhaps most importantly, this episode emphasizes the value of an individualized approach. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best treatment plan considers your medical history, goals, lifestyle, and values in partnership with a trusted healthcare professional.
Whether you're curious about GLP-1 medications, considering them yourself, or simply want to better understand the science behind the headlines, this episode offers an evidence-based, balanced perspective to help you make informed decisions about your health.
Join us as we launch Season 7 with one of the biggest conversations in modern medicine, and discover why understanding your hormones and metabolism is key to becoming your own Hormone Genius.

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Medical Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The information shared in this episode is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or before making changes to your healthcare routine.

wondercowAIfinal 2 by Teresa Kenney and Jamie Rathjen

Most of us think of oral health as brushing, flossing, and avoiding cavities—but what if your mouth is actually one of the earliest windows into your overall health?

In this eye-opening episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we're joined once again by holistic dentist Dr. Katie Lee, author of Saved by the Mouth, to explore the remarkable connection between oral health, fertility, hormone balance, inflammation, and even sleep.

Dr. Lee explains why bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, canker sores, dry mouth, and even the shape of your tongue may be signaling much more than a dental problem. We discuss how the oral microbiome influences the entire body, including reproductive health, and why treating the mouth may be a missing piece for women struggling with infertility, endometriosis, chronic inflammation, or unexplained health concerns.

We also dive into one of the most overlooked health issues affecting women: sleep-disordered breathing and sleep apnea. Dr. Lee shares why petite women are frequently overlooked, how airway health changes during perimenopause, and why symptoms like TMJ pain, anxiety, weight gain, high blood pressure, fatigue, and dry mouth may all point to an underlying airway issue rather than "just getting older."

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why healthy gums should never bleed
• What your breath, tongue, and mouth reveal about your overall health
• How oral bacteria may contribute to infertility, miscarriage, endometriosis, and chronic inflammation
• The surprising connection between the oral microbiome and reproductive health
• Why saliva testing can identify hidden pathogens that routine dental exams often miss
• The best floss, toothbrushes, water flossers, and oral care tips for optimal health
• How perimenopause affects the mouth, and why estrogen plays a key role in oral health
• The relationship between sleep apnea, cortisol, blood sugar, weight gain, heart health, and hormone balance
• Signs you may have an airway problem, even if you don't snore
• Why root-cause medicine should include evaluating the mouth

This conversation will completely change the way you think about oral health. Whether you're trying to conceive, navigating perimenopause, or simply looking to optimize your health, you'll discover why caring for your mouth may be one of the most powerful investments you can make for your entire body.

Because your mouth isn't separate from your health, it may be the place your body has been trying to get your attention all along.

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Hormone Genius Perimenopause Program at www.hormonegenius.com

Medical Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The information shared in this episode is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or before making changes to your healthcare routine.

What happens when a labor and delivery nurse begins to realize that the healthcare system she trusted is missing something foundational? In this deeply honest and empowering conversation, Meghan Morin shares her journey from conventional nursing to holistic hormone coaching—and how her own fertility struggles became the catalyst for transformation.
As a nurse, Meghan loved caring for women during some of the most sacred moments of their lives. Yet over time, she began to feel disconnected from the deeper meaning of care. The system often reduced people to numbers, lab values, and symptoms to suppress instead of human beings with stories worth understanding.
Everything changed when Meghan faced her own hormonal and fertility challenges. After months of trying to conceive, she sought medical help only to be dismissed and told she needed to wait longer before anyone would investigate. That moment sparked a deeper search for answers—and ultimately revealed how little education many healthcare professionals receive about foundational hormonal health.
In this episode, Meghan shares how learning to chart her cycle and understand biological markers such as cervical mucus completely changed the way she viewed her body. Rather than relying on apps that simply predict ovulation, she discovered the power of real-time body literacy and how charting could uncover important clues about overall health and fertility.
She also opens up about the surprisingly simple lifestyle changes that transformed her symptoms. By reducing toxic load, improving supplement quality, managing stress, increasing sunlight exposure, and making intentional nutrition changes, Meghan saw severe menstrual cramps resolve naturally. Her story becomes a powerful reminder that symptoms are not random—and that healing often begins with understanding the body instead of fighting against it.
Together, we discuss:
Why severe cramps and hormonal symptoms should never be dismissed as “normal”
The difference between ovulation prediction and true cycle charting
How stress, environment, and lifestyle influence hormones
The gaps in conventional healthcare education around women’s health
Why person-centered care matters now more than ever
The emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing
A hopeful and empowering perspective on perimenopause
This conversation is especially meaningful for nurses, healthcare workers, and women who feel disconnected from their bodies or frustrated by symptom-based care. Meghan offers a refreshing vision of healthcare that honors the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
Whether you are navigating fertility struggles, hormone symptoms, burnout in healthcare, or simply wanting to understand your body more deeply, this episode will leave you feeling informed, encouraged, and empowered.

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Thank you to our podcast sponsors:
We Heart Nutrition: 20% OFF CODE GENIUS
Grazing Beauty Tallow: grazingbeauty.com 10% OFF Code HORMONEGENIUS
Hormone Genius Perimenopause Program at www.hormonegenius.com

Medical Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The information shared in this episode is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or before making changes to your healthcare routine.

When “Normal” Isn’t Safe: Chelsey Painter Davis on Advocacy, Risk, and Real Informed Consent

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we sit down with Chelsey Painter Davis to hear her story, one that challenges assumptions about “routine” medical care and underscores the life-changing importance of informed consent.

At just 18 years old, Chelsey was prescribed hormonal birth control without a full conversation about risks or alternative options. What followed was a series of devastating complications, including a pulmonary embolism and pseudotumor cerebri, ultimately leading to permanent vision loss. Later, she discovered underlying blood clotting disorders—Factor V and Factor II—that had gone undiagnosed.

Chelsey’s journey didn’t end there. During a later pregnancy, she was encouraged to undergo amniocentesis, until she asked deeper questions and uncovered that the recommendation was tied to abortion planning, not medical necessity. She declined, and her son was born healthy.

This episode is a call to awareness, equipping women with the tools and confidence to ask better questions, trust their intuition, and take an active role in their healthcare decisions.

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Thank you to our podcast sponsors:
We Heart Nutrition: 20% OFF CODE GENIUS

Grazing Beauty Tallow: grazingbeauty.com 10% OFF Code HORMONEGENIUS
Hormone Genius Perimenopause Program at www.hormonegenius.com

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10% off code HORMONEHAPPY

Medical Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The information shared in this episode is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or before making changes to your healthcare routine.h