The Hormone Genius Podcast

Video Project HTMA by Teresa Kenney and Jamie Rathjen

What if doing ALL the things for your health is actually keeping you from healing?

In this powerful conversation, Teresa and Jamie sit down with Ashton Popple, chiropractor and nervous system health advocate, to discuss her personal journey with two autoimmune conditions: Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis (APD) and Dermatomyositis.

Ashton shares how seemingly small symptoms, including rashes, anxiety, brain fog, fatigue, muscle weakness and pain, eventually led to a complicated journey toward answers and diagnosis. Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes our bodies whisper before they scream, and we need to learn to listen.

We dive into the connection between hormones, autoimmunity, chronic stress and the nervous system. Ashton opens up about her experience of trying everything from functional medicine and biohacking to conventional medical treatments, and why she ultimately discovered that healing required going back to the basics.

In this episode, we discuss:

What autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is and how it can affect women throughout their cycles.

The connection between progesterone, hormonal fluctuations and autoimmune conditions.

Early warning signs that your body may be struggling.

How chronic stress and living in fight-or-flight mode can affect our ability to rest, recover and heal.

Why constantly chasing the next wellness trend can sometimes add more stress instead of helping.

The importance of balancing conventional and holistic approaches to healthcare.

How nutrition, sleep, sunshine, movement, relationships and nervous system regulation create a foundation for health.

Why women need to trust their intuition, advocate for their health and stop putting themselves last.

One of our biggest takeaways? Your body doesn't need another 20-item wellness checklist. Sometimes it needs you to slow down, eat lunch, get outside, rest, reconnect and feel safe.

Ashton reminds us that healing isn't always about adding more interventions. It's about rebuilding the connection between our brain and body, recognizing what we need, and finding the right team of practitioners to support us.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by wellness culture, frustrated that you're doing everything right but still not feeling better, or dismissed when you know something isn't right in your body, this conversation is for you!

CONNECT WITH OUR AMAZING PODCAST SPONSORS:

Wonder Cow – Support your gut and immune health with their colostrum products and more! Get 30% off your first subscription order with code HORMONEGENIUS at WonderCow.com.

We Heart Nutrition – We love their commitment to high-quality, bioavailable nutrients that your body can actually use. Get 20% off with code GENIUS at WeHeartNutrition.com. Take their supplement quiz to find what may be right for you!

Radiant Clinic with Dr. Monica Minjeur – Looking for a medical team trained in Restorative Reproductive Medicine? Visit RadiantClinic.com to learn more and book a FREE discovery call.

Find Ashton:
Honest Chiropractic – Gretna, Nebraska
Instagram: @doctor_ashtonpopple_dc

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health concerns. The experiences shared by our guest are personal and may not reflect the experience or treatment needs of every individual.

Are your periods so heavy that they leave you exhausted, depleted, and wondering if this is just something you have to live with? You're not alone! Heavy menstrual bleeding affects millions of women, yet many don't realize there may be underlying reasons for their excessive flow—or that there are ways to address it.

In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, Teresa and Jamie break down what actually qualifies as heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), why it happens, and what you can do to find answers and regain your energy.

We explore FIVE important contributors to heavy menstrual bleeding:

Estrogen and Progesterone Imbalance: How insufficient progesterone relative to estrogen can contribute to excessive uterine lining buildup and heavier periods.

Uterine Fibroids: What these common benign growths are, which types are most likely to cause heavy bleeding, and when intervention may be necessary.

Adenomyosis & Endometriosis: Understanding how these conditions contribute to inflammation, pain, and excessive menstrual flow.

Thyroid & Iron Health: Why thyroid function, iron stores, and ferritin deserve attention when you're experiencing heavy periods—and how low iron can become part of a vicious cycle.

Age & Hormonal Transitions: Why heavier bleeding can occur during the early years of menstruation and again during perimenopause.

We also discuss the role of progesterone, cycle tracking, gut health, bowel regularity, cruciferous vegetables, blood sugar balance, and lifestyle habits in supporting healthy estrogen metabolism.

Plus, we discuss medical options such as ibuprofen and tranexamic acid, when pelvic ultrasounds and additional testing may be needed, and what women should understand before considering procedures like endometrial ablation.

Our biggest takeaway? Your period is a vital sign! Heavy bleeding isn't something you should simply accept or learn to live with. It's important information about what may be happening in your reproductive and overall health.

A special thank-you to our podcast sponsors!

Wonder Cow: Check out their colostrum and delicious beef protein powder. Get 30% off with code HORMONEGENIUS.

We Heart Nutrition: Find supplements to support your health in every season of life. Visit WeHeartNutrition.com for 20% off with code GENIUS.

Radiant Clinic: Looking for personalized women's healthcare? Visit RadiantClinic.com to schedule a FREE consultation.

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your qualified healthcare provider before making changes to medications, supplements, or treatment plans. Heavy menstrual bleeding, particularly when accompanied by dizziness, faintness, or severe fatigue, warrants medical evaluation.

What determines the health of our eggs, and can we do anything to support them? In this fascinating episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, Teresa and Jamie welcome Dr. Alison Ermisch, PhD, Education Programs Manager at FACTS About Fertility, to explore the incredible science of ovarian physiology, egg quality, and the earliest moments of human development.

Dr. Ermisch holds a PhD in reproductive physiology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, with research focused on oocyte metabolism and ovarian physiology. She explains how egg development begins before birth, why the final months of an egg’s maturation matter, and how our metabolic health can influence the environment in which eggs grow.

We dive into the role of mitochondria, the energy-producing powerhouses of the egg, and how oxidative stress and inflammation may disrupt the delicate cellular processes necessary for healthy development. You'll also learn what happens when sperm meets egg, how fertilization initiates early embryonic development, and the fascinating science behind the “zinc spark” associated with fertilization.

So, what can women do to support their reproductive health? Dr. Ermisch emphasizes the importance of understanding your menstrual cycle, getting adequate sleep, eating well, and recognizing how metabolic and hormonal health are interconnected. Teresa and Jamie also discuss lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and nutrients often explored in conversations about egg health.

Dr. Ermisch shares her own experience with miscarriage and progesterone support, highlighting why identifying and treating underlying reproductive health concerns matters. Her work with FACTS About Fertility is helping educate future physicians about fertility awareness, cycle charting, and the menstrual cycle as a vital sign.

Whether you're preparing for pregnancy, navigating infertility, or simply want to understand your body more deeply, this episode offers a remarkable look at the biology of fertility and the importance of whole-body health.

FACTS About Fertility: Upcoming Virtual Conference

Join FACTS About Fertility November 20–21, 2026, for its virtual conference featuring research and clinical insights into fertility awareness and reproductive health. Dr. Ermisch is among the featured speakers! Healthcare professionals, medical students, and fertility educators are encouraged to attend. CME options are available.

Register: https://www.factsaboutfertility.org/2026-facts-virtual-conference/

Our Sponsors

We Heart Nutrition — Thoughtfully formulated supplements to support your wellness journey. Visit https://www.weheartnutrition.com and use code GENIUS at checkout for 20% off!

Radiant Clinic — Looking for personalized support for menstrual concerns, hormone health, infertility, or recurrent pregnancy loss? Radiant Clinic uses a restorative reproductive medicine approach to investigate underlying causes and support women's health. Free discovery calls are available.

Learn more: https://radiantclinic.com

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your care or starting supplements.

Have you registered for the fall FACTS virtual conference yet?

Do not miss this two-day educational event featuring expert presentations, networking with like-minded medical professionals, and connecting with exhibiting organizations in this space! November 20th-21st.
Register now at https://www.factsaboutfertility.org/2026-facts-virtual-conference/

Join us on Friday, November 20th in the evening and Saturday, November 21st during the day.The postpartum period can be beautiful, challenging, unexpected—and a time when women need more support than they realize. In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we’re joined by Anne Marie Williams, host of the Postpartum on Purpose podcast, to discuss how women can prepare for postpartum with greater understanding, intention, and community.

Anne Marie shares her personal journey through postpartum struggles, including panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, and her eventual diagnosis of postpartum OCD. Her story reminds us that frightening, unwanted thoughts can happen to many new mothers, and experiencing an intrusive thought does not automatically mean you want to act on it.

We discuss the importance of recognizing when postpartum anxiety, depression, or OCD may need professional attention. Anne Marie explains exposure and response prevention (ERP), an evidence-based therapy for OCD, and why it’s important to consider both mental health support and possible physical contributors, such as nutritional deficiencies or other medical conditions.

We also explore the dramatic hormonal changes that occur after birth, how women can support themselves through this transition, and why preparing for postpartum should include more than stocking the freezer with meals. Building a community of support, what Anne Marie calls a “grandma tribe”—can help mothers feel less isolated and give them the practical help they need.

Plus, Anne Marie shares three simple practices for navigating postpartum: free things to be grateful for, one small change to notice, and a daily dose of discomfort. These reminders can help mothers approach this season with greater perspective, flexibility, and purpose.

Find Anne Marie’s postpartum plan and habit tracker at PostpartumOnPurpose.com or follow @postpartumonpurpose on Instagram.

OUR SPONSORS

We Heart Nutrition : Support your nutritional wellness with quality supplements, including postnatal nutrients, iron, omega-3s, and magnesium. Visit WeHeartNutrition.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off.

Radiant Health Clinic : Looking for a root-cause approach to women’s health, fertility, PMS, PCOS, or perimenopause? Learn more about Dr. Monica Minjeur and telehealth services at RadiantClinic.com.

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare professional about your specific needs. If you experience frightening or distressing postpartum symptoms, seek professional support promptly. If you believe you may harm yourself or your baby, seek immediate emergency help. Call 988 for immediate mental health concerns.