The Nutrient Dense Podcast

Travel can be one of the biggest triggers for digestive symptoms.
 
Between disrupted routines, less sleep, dehydration, eating out more often, time zone changes, alcohol, and increased stress, it's no surprise that so many people experience bloating, constipation, reflux, or stomach discomfort while traveling.
 
In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how I approach eating at restaurants while traveling to support my digestion without becoming restrictive or obsessive.
 
You'll learn how I choose meals, what I prioritize on a menu, the supplements I travel with, how I support my nervous system while away from home, and the mindset shifts that have helped me enjoy travel without constantly worrying about my gut.
 
Because the goal isn't perfection — the goal is supporting your body while still enjoying the experience!



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Travel stress, disrupted routines, dehydration, and sleep changes can all impact digestion.
Packing your own snacks can help prevent blood sugar crashes and poor food choices while traveling.
Constant snacking can disrupt the migrating motor complex (MMC) and contribute to bloating and constipation.
Prioritizing protein at every meal is one of the simplest ways to support blood sugar, digestion, and energy levels.
Nervous system regulation is just as important as food choices when it comes to digestion.
Breathwork, journaling, gut-directed hypnosis, and mindfulness can improve digestive function while traveling.
Digestive enzymes, bitters, electrolytes, and herbal teas can provide additional support on the road.
Trusting your body and releasing food fear often improves digestion more than chasing perfection.






 
 
 
 
  









LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Join our Fullscript dispensary to gain access to practitioner-grade supplements at a discount!
Listen to Episode 72 - The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) — Your Gut's Natural Cleaning Cycle
Listen to Episode 49 - Gut Health Hacks for Healthy Holiday Travel
Listen to Episode 10 - My Go-To Travel Hacks for Gut Health & Better Digestion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website



 
 
 
 




 
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In this episode, I sit down with Faith Ashenden, nervous system and subconscious reprogramming expert and founder of That Healing Feeling, to explore one of the most overlooked pieces of the healing journey: the subconscious mind.
 
Faith shares her incredible story of recovering from Graves' disease, IBS, POTS, chronic fatigue, chronic UTIs, and a long list of debilitating symptoms that ultimately left her bedridden and unable to work. After years of pursuing both conventional and functional medicine approaches, she discovered that while many of those tools helped her improve, they didn't fully give her freedom back. That realization led her down the path of studying neuroplasticity, nervous system regulation, and subconscious reprogramming.
 
Together, we discuss how chronic illness can become intertwined with identity, why many people unknowingly develop beliefs that keep them stuck, and how the subconscious mind influences everything from stress responses to healing capacity.
 
We also dive into perfectionism, people-pleasing, symptom patterns, trauma responses, nervous system regulation, and how creating safety in the body may be one of the most important components of long-term healing.
 
If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" but still aren't seeing the progress you want, this conversation could completely change the way you think about healing.







 
 
 
 
 
 




WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Chronic illness often becomes part of a person's identity, which can unintentionally make healing more difficult.

The subconscious mind acts as the bridge between conscious thoughts and the nervous system.

Neuroplasticity demonstrates that the brain and nervous system can change throughout life.

Many people improve physically but still don't feel truly free because the fear and symptom monitoring remain.

Perfectionism, hyper-independence, overachievement, and people-pleasing are often nervous system adaptations rather than personality traits.

Creating safety in the body is a foundational component of recovery.

Nervous system regulation can benefit people regardless of diagnosis, whether they are dealing with gut issues, thyroid conditions, MCAS, fatigue, or autoimmune disease.

Healing often requires addressing both physical root causes and subconscious patterns simultaneously.

Recovery is not about finding the perfect protocol—it's about creating an environment where the body believes healing is possible.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 










LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE

Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!

Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off

Listen to Episode 1 - How Trauma Impacts Gut and Hormone Health

Listen to Episode 25 - Is Nervous System Dysregulation Causing Chronic Gut Issues w/ Jessica Maguire




 
 
 
 
 
 
 





CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website




 
 
 
 
 
 





CONNECT WITH FAITH:
Instagram  |  The Full Breakthrough Healing Experience Live Masterclass
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨

Low progesterone is one of the most common hormone patterns we see in women struggling with chronic digestive issues, burnout, thyroid dysfunction, inflammation, blood sugar imbalances, and chronic stress. But here's the truth: low progesterone is rarely the root problem.
 
In this episode, I break down why progesterone is often a downstream symptom rather than the true cause. We'll dive into how stress, under-eating, poor gut health, blood sugar dysregulation, thyroid issues, and nervous system dysfunction can all contribute to low progesterone levels and hormone imbalances. You'll learn the key signs of low progesterone, why ovulation matters, how progesterone and estrogen work together, and practical ways to naturally support healthy hormone production from a root-cause perspective.
 
Whether you're dealing with PMS, painful periods, fertility struggles, anxiety before your cycle, insomnia, spotting, or feeling like a completely different person during your luteal phase, this episode will help you understand what's really going on beneath the surface.
 
 
 
 
 
  





WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Low progesterone is often a symptom of deeper dysfunction rather than the root cause itself.
Progesterone is primarily produced after ovulation, making healthy ovulation essential for healthy progesterone levels.
Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation are among the most common drivers of low progesterone.
Under-eating, low-calorie diets, inadequate carbohydrates, and nutrient deficiencies can impair ovulation and hormone production.
Blood sugar instability increases cortisol production, which can negatively impact progesterone levels.
Thyroid health and progesterone are deeply connected, and thyroid dysfunction can impair ovulation.
Gut dysfunction and inflammation can contribute to hormone imbalances through poor nutrient absorption and impaired estrogen clearance.
Many cases of "estrogen dominance" are actually low progesterone relative to estrogen.
Supporting progesterone naturally requires addressing stress, nutrition, blood sugar, thyroid function, and gut health simultaneously.





 
 
 
 
 








LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 11 - Top 5 Tips for Balancing Your Blood Sugar
Listen to Episode 70 - Are You Addicted to Stress Hormones?
Listen to Episode 28 - How Your Gut Is Messing With Your Hormones: The Estrogen & Thyroid Connection
 
 
 
 
 
  





CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨

What if women stopped feeling like they need to be smaller… and instead focused on getting stronger? In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I sit down with health coach, author, and podcast host, Ashleigh VanHouten, for a powerful conversation about muscle, metabolism, longevity, and redefining what fitness means for women.
 
Together, we unpack the harmful messages many women receive about dieting, shrinking themselves, and chasing thinness—and explore why building strength may be one of the most important investments you can make in your long-term health.
 
We'll also discuss protein intake, body composition, injury prevention, muscle loss with aging, the power of organ meats, nutrient density, and practical ways to fuel your body for energy, resilience, and longevity.






 
 
 
 
 
 




WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Training to be strong is often far more empowering than training to be skinny.
Muscle mass is critical for longevity, metabolic health, injury prevention, and healthy aging.
Many women are under-consuming protein. Protein helps stabilize blood sugar, reduce cravings, improve satiety, and support hormone health.
Confidence often comes from competency—not appearance.
Strength training can improve bone density and help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and age-related muscle loss.
Building muscle requires adequate protein, recovery, and progressive overload—you don't need to spend hours in the gym, and you don't need endless cardio.
Organ meats are some of the most nutrient-dense foods available and can help support micronutrient status.
Recovery is when muscle growth actually occurs, making sleep and recovery just as important as training.
 
 
 
 
 









LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 67 - Why Cutting Out Gluten, Dairy, and Sugar Didn't Heal Your Gut
Listen to Episode 39 - How to Eat for Optimal Fertility with Lily Nichols RDN



 
 
 
 
 
 




CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website




 
 
 
 
 
 




CONNECT WITH ASHLEIGH:
Instagram  |  Website  | Book: It Takes Guts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨

In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I sit down with integrative veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan to explore the surprising parallels between human health and pet health.
 
From gut health and microbiome balance to toxin exposure, mold illness, ultra-processed food, nervous system regulation, and chronic inflammation, this conversation dives deep into what it truly means to support our pets at the root-cause level.
 
Dr. Judy shares how conventional veterinary medicine often focuses on symptom suppression, while holistic veterinary medicine looks at the entire picture: diet, environment, toxic load, lifestyle, stress, immune function, and more.
 
You'll learn why ultra-processed pet food may be harming your animals, why gut health matters just as much for animals as it does for humans, natural approaches to supporting your pet's immunity, detoxification, longevity, and overall wellness, and more!





 
 
 
 
 




WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE:
Holistic veterinary medicine focuses on identifying and addressing root causes, not just suppressing symptoms
Many chronic pet conditions (itching, GI issues, allergies, arthritis) are tied to inflammation and toxic burden
Ultra-processed kibble can negatively impact gut health, hydration, immune function, and longevity in pets
Cats are obligate carnivores and thrive on high-moisture, minimally processed diets
Flea and tick medications are neurotoxins and may contribute to toxic load in pets and households
Mold exposure and environmental toxins impact pets similarly to humans
Gut health and the gut-brain axis exist in animals too — affecting mood, anxiety, behavior, and immune health
Fresh foods like eggs, sardines, bone broth, berries, and mushrooms can significantly support pet health
Circadian rhythm, movement, enrichment, and sunlight matter for animals too
Lab testing such as microbiome testing, vitamin D, mineral analysis, and stool testing can provide valuable insight into pet health
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 







LINKS:
Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE
Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free!
Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off
Listen to Episode 71 - Q&A with Hannah: SIBO, GLP-1s, Low Progesterone, Histamine Issues, and More!
Listen to Episode 62 - The Hidden Gut Disruptor: How Mold Exposure Impacts Your Digestion, Gut Microbiome & Histamine



 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 



CONNECT WITH HANNAH:
Instagram  |   Website




 
 
 
 



CONNECT WITH DR. JUDY:
Instagram  |  Website   | Use code NUTRIENT50 for 50% off Dr. Judy authored books found on NaturallyHealthyPets.com
 
 
 
 
 
 




If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨