The Hormone Genius Podcast

What if preparing for pregnancy started months before you ever saw a positive test?

In this episode of Hormone Genius, Theresa and Jamie dive into the often-overlooked world of preconception health and why preparing your body for pregnancy shouldn't begin after conception—it should begin before.

We start with the “fifth vital sign”: your menstrual cycle. Your period, cervical mucus, ovulation, and luteal phase can provide valuable clues about your reproductive health. Learn the three simple things to start watching in your cycle and why understanding your body's natural fertility signs can be such a powerful first step.

Then we move beyond the cycle and talk about building a healthy foundation for both women and men, including:

• Why giving yourself at least three months to prepare can be valuable
• The role of whole foods and the Mediterranean-style approach to nutrition
• Key nutrients to consider, including folate, iron, iodine, vitamin D, choline, omega-3s, selenium, and zinc
• Why thyroid, metabolic health, hormones, and nutrient status deserve attention
• Egg and sperm health—and why the months before conception matter
• The potential roles of CoQ10, DHEA, and other targeted approaches for certain individuals
• Why your partner's health matters just as much as yours
• Sleep, exercise, stress, and environmental exposures
• Simple ways to reduce unnecessary exposure to plastics, fragrances, and other household chemicals
• Why dental and medication reviews belong on your preconception checklist
• What to consider if you've recently stopped hormonal birth control

Most importantly, we talk about hope without blame. If you've struggled to conceive, “just relax” isn't helpful—and fertility challenges deserve compassion, understanding, and appropriate care.

Medical Disclaimer

The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every person and pregnancy is unique. Always consult with your qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health, medications, supplements, fertility, and pregnancy-related questions

What if your menstrual cycle wasn't just about fertility, but was actually revealing something profound about your health, your identity, and even your purpose?

In this inspiring episode, we welcome Caitlin Estes, fertility care practitioner, founder of Woven Natural Fertility Care, and author of Woven Well. Caitlin shares how her own journey into fertility awareness transformed the way she understood the female body—not simply as a biological system, but as a beautiful design that speaks to a woman's dignity, health, and capacity for relationship.

Together, we explore why understanding the menstrual cycle is about so much more than tracking fertility. Caitlin explains how hormones are not problems to suppress but important messengers that reveal overall health. Rather than viewing the body as something to "fix" or optimize, women can learn to appreciate the wisdom built into their cycles and seek care that addresses root causes instead of masking symptoms.

The conversation also dives into the growing movement toward restorative reproductive medicine and why more women are searching for alternatives to hormonal birth control when dealing with painful periods, PCOS, irregular cycles, or infertility. Caitlin shares powerful stories from women whose lives were transformed, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually, when they began understanding their bodies through fertility awareness.

We also discuss the importance of community, education, and honest conversations between women. Whether you're a teenager learning about your cycle for the first time, a mother raising daughters, navigating infertility, or simply wanting to better understand your hormones, this episode offers encouragement and hope.

You'll walk away with a renewed appreciation for the incredible design of the female body and practical inspiration to begin paying closer attention to what your hormones are communicating every month.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why your menstrual cycle is a vital sign of health
The difference between suppressing symptoms and treating root causes
How fertility awareness empowers women in every stage of life
The connection between physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being
Why conversations about women's health can change future generations

Join us for this thoughtful conversation celebrating the beauty, purpose, and extraordinary design of every woman's Hormone Genius.

Woven Well: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Reproductive Health, Fertility, and Wholeness
Wovenfertility.com
@wovenfertility - Instagram and YouTube
Substack: Woven Fertility

Also, check out Teresa Kenney WHNP's book as a great Combo for every young woman in your life! The Happy Girls Guide to Being Whole
https://lumenpress.org/product/the-happy-girls-guide-to-being-whole/

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical advice from a doctor, or any medical professional.

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Hill to explore the far-reaching effects of hormonal birth control, not just on the body, but on the brain, relationships, and a woman’s lived experience of the world.

Dr. Hill shares how her research was sparked by a deeply personal moment: after discontinuing hormonal birth control in her early thirties, she was struck by a profound shift in how she experienced life. Colors felt brighter, music more moving, and everyday moments more meaningful. This transformation led her to question what might be lost when the natural hormonal rhythm is suppressed.

Together, we unpack the idea that hormonal birth control creates a kind of “black and white” internal landscape, flattening the natural peaks and valleys of the menstrual cycle. While this can offer predictability and convenience, it may also dampen the richness and intensity that hormones naturally bring to a woman’s emotional and sensory world. This conversation places that trade-off within a broader cultural context, where modern life often prioritizes ease and instant gratification, sometimes at the cost of depth and meaning.

A major focus of the episode is the adolescent brain. Dr. Hill highlights how little we truly understand about the impact of hormonal birth control during the critical window of development between ages 12 and 19. This is a time when the brain is undergoing significant remodeling, guided in part by natural hormonal signals. Emerging research raises important questions about how altering those signals might influence long-term mental health and development. While animal studies suggest measurable changes to brain structure, human data points to a potential association between adolescent use and increased risk of depression later in life. Still, many questions remain unanswered, making this an area in urgent need of further study.

We also explore the fascinating connection between hormones and attraction. Natural hormonal shifts across the menstrual cycle subtly shape preferences, especially around ovulation, when estrogen peaks. During this time, women may be more drawn to cues associated with genetic compatibility. Hormonal birth control suppresses these fluctuations, potentially influencing patterns of attraction in ways that are often invisible but meaningful. For some women, this can translate into changes in relationship dynamics over time, though experiences vary widely.

At the heart of this conversation is a call to awareness. Rather than framing hormonal birth control as simply good or bad, Dr. Hill encourages women to understand it as a powerful intervention with real trade-offs. Hormones are not arbitrary they are part of an intricate system that shapes how women think, feel, and connect.

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The information presented in HGP is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, or any other medical or mental health professional.

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