What if the root of most chronic symptoms isn’t “one diagnosis”… but cellular stress?

In Part 1, Susan sits down with Dr. Bill Rawls, MD to explore what happens when we live outside the margins set by our genes, and how modern life (processed foods, toxins, blue light, chronic stress, poor sleep, sedentary days) shifts cells into a constant survival state. Dr. Rawls breaks down his Five Elements of Wellness and why supporting the cell is the most practical place to start.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

• Why inflammation and chronic symptoms often trace back to cellular stress
  
  
• What it means to live “outside the margins” of our genetic programming
  
  
• The 5 Elements of Wellness: food, environment, recovery, movement, and microbes
  
  
• Why sleep + downtime matter for cellular repair (autophagy)
  
  
• How simple daily movement helps circulation, lymph flow, and inflammation
  
  
• The power of nose breathing to shift the nervous system and exercise stress

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we go deeper into microbes + herbs.

Learn more about our guest Dr. Bill Rawls, MD:

Vital Plan Co-Founder and Medical Director

For over 30 years, Dr. Bill Rawls has dedicated his life to medicine. When a health crisis with chronic Lyme disease abruptly changed his quality of life, he came face to face with the limitations of modern medicine and began to explore the vast possibilities of alternative treatments. Restoring his health through holistic and herbal therapies inspired him to share his revelations on the importance of cellular wellness for defending against microbes and other root causes of illness. Today, he works to bring life and vitality to others as he helps them establish their own paths to wellness through modern herbology.

Through his bestselling books, Unlocking Lyme and The Cellular Wellness Solution, Dr. Rawls demonstrates why crucial herbal phytochemicals are key to protecting cellular health and strengthening the body's defense against illness. Dr. Rawls is also the founder of Vital Plan, a holistic health company, where he developed the signature RESTORE180 program, an advanced herbal protocol that has helped thousands to reclaim vibrant health. 

Dr. Rawls is a #1 bestselling author and seasoned speaker and interviewee. With a compassionate approach and an incredible depth of knowledge, Dr. Rawls has a distinct ability to make scientific concepts accessible and enriching for everyone.

RESOURCES:

Website: https://rawlsmd.com/resources/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawlsmd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rawlsmd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RawlsMD%20

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-rawls-md/

https://healthyawakening.co/2026/03/02/episode113/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Shift work isn’t “just a schedule.” It’s a full-body stressor that can quietly rewire your circadian rhythm, metabolism, immune function, hormones, and even the way your genes express. And if you’re a first responder, medical professional, or anyone grinding through nights or rotating shifts, this episode is for you.

Susan shares her personal experience working graveyard shift as a police officer (and how fast it affected her body), then breaks down what’s happening beneath the surface: circadian misalignment, blood sugar disruption, inflammation, immune suppression, and the mental health ripple effects that too many people normalize as “part of the job.”

This isn’t doom-and-gloom, it’s empowerment. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to reduce the epigenetic impact of shift work, protect your sleep, support your metabolism, and stay sharp (because your work, and your life, deserve that kind of support).

In This Episode

• Why shift work is a major disruptor of circadian rhythm, and how that impacts gene expression
• The metabolic fallout: insulin resistance, weight gain, cravings, and late-night eating traps
• Immune and mental health effects: increased illness risk, anxiety/depression vulnerability, and brain fog
• Sleep strategies that actually help (blackout curtains, temperature, stimulant timing, nervous system downshifts)
• Shift-worker nutrition basics: what to prioritize, what to avoid, and how to simplify meal prep
• Support tools Susan recommends for resilience (hydration, key nutrients, immune support habits)
• A breakdown of how shift work affects each pH360 health type, and the most supportive adjustments for each
  Why labs matter before symptoms show up (and how often to monitor if you’re on shifts)

RESOURCES:

St. Michael Farms: https://www.stmichaelsfarms.com/

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

Shop the products: http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings (this link will provide you a special discount!)

https://healthyawakening.co/2026/02/23/episode112/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

What if feeling better isn’t about “trying harder”… but about coming back online in your own body, and letting nature do what it’s always done: regulate, restore, and reconnect?

In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan Robbins sits down with licensed psychotherapist, wilderness guide, and educator Katie Asus to explore the powerful intersection of somatic therapy (body + mind) and nature-based therapy, and how both can influence your nervous system, your choices, and even how your genes express.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, stuck in survival mode, or like you’re “getting through life” instead of living it, this conversation is a reminder that health is flow… and you can learn to move with the waves.

In this episode:

• What somatic therapy actually is (and why the body is your first language)
  
  
• How stress becomes “stuck” in the body, and what release can look like (crying, shaking, exhaling)
  
  
• Why many people struggle to tolerate feeling good (and how to build capacity for safety)
  
  
• How nature can lower stress, support the immune system, and gently regulate the nervous system
  
  
• Practical ways to use the outdoors for healing: senses, grounding, metaphor work, even “talking to trees”
  
  
• The difference between healthy activation (eustress) vs chronic overwhelm—and how to find your flow again
  
  

If you’re ready for more presence, more connection, and more aliveness—this one’s for you.

Learn more about our guest Katie Asmus:

Katie Asmus, MA, LPC, BMP is a licensed psychotherapist, life coach, teacher, mentor and wilderness guide with over 25 years of professional experience working with people in and out of the wilderness. Katie incorporates body-mind connection, the natural world, expressive arts and contemplative awareness into her work with others. She works with individuals as well as groups to bring forth their innate wisdom and to support them in opening their minds and hearts to greater possibilities.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Katie Asmus:

Website: https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somaticnaturetherapy/

Events: https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/calendar

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

Shop the products: http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings (this link will provide you a special discount!)

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/12/22/episode-103/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

This week I have my incredible client, Dr. Angela Vossenkuhl, on the podcast! We are talking about how Angela, a professor and mother of three, defied the odds and was able to reclaim her health and well-being. From battling severe migraines and weight issues to discovering she had Hashimoto's disease, Angela’s story is a testament to resilience, personalized health strategies, and the power of dietary changes.

We dive into Angela’s incredible transformation and I share her lab results with you from the past couple of months so you can really get an insider's look at how she was able to turn her health around. This episode is filled with insights that can guide anyone looking to improve their health. Angela shares her profound mental and physical transformation, revealing how understanding her body's unique needs led her to increased energy, weight loss, and a clearer mind. Her story will leave you inspired and ready to take actionable steps towards your own wellness journey!

Ready to work with Susan? Reach out to susan@healthyawakening.co to schedule your free consultation call.

In this episode:

- Angela’s struggles with diet, migraines, and weight before discovering PH 360.

- How detoxing from dairy, gluten, and sugar led to sustainable changes.

- Overcoming initial challenges and learning to feel satisfied with new food combinations.

- The mental and physical benefits of lowering cortisol and animal protein intake.

- Angela's astounding health improvements, including weight loss, improved liver enzyme levels, and reduced migraines.

- The importance of personalized health strategies and the social aspect of exercise in Angela's successful journey.

RESOURCES:

Show Links:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode12

Connect with Susan:

Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach


Learn About Dr. Angela Vossenkuhl

Dr. Angela Vossenkuhl (not that kind of doctor) is a mom to three incredible young adults in their early 20s. She has 4 fur babies (including one cat) and an excellent supportive partner, Rome. Angela is a professor of education at Eastern Oregon University working with pre-service teachers earning their teaching licensure. She specializes in building community and culture through education. 

After years of wondering why she was exhausted and not feeling well, Angela chose to pursue the assistance of a functional medicine doctor, Amie Hornaman, and discovering how to take care of herself. 

Through nutrition, education, labs, consistency and a most good attitude coupled with Susan’s constant support, she is becoming the best version of herself!

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

What if the keys to a healthier, happier, and more authentic life lie within your thoughts? In this illuminating episode of Everyday Epigenetics. Raw. Real. Relatable, I am chatting with Radiant Life Coach and  Licensed Professional Counselor Kate King, we are talking about the hidden power of our mindset and its profound impact on our genetic expression. We explore how positive and negative thoughts can shape our physical well-being, and why embracing both the sunny and shadow sides of life is crucial for authentic living.

Dive into a conversation that bridges science and spirituality, and discover how to harness the malleability of the brain to influence not just your own life but also the future of your children. Kate shares her journey from licensed professional counselor to founder of the Radiant Life Project. We dive into insights on trauma healing, epigenetics, and the significance of living with integrity and authenticity.

In this episode:

- Understanding trauma bonding; is it truly healthy bonding

- The impact of positive vs. negative thoughts on the body's physical response

- The importance of acknowledging both the light and dark aspects of life

- How authentic connections and community support longevity and healing

- Breaking the cycle of trauma and inherited behaviors through inner work

- Practical tips from Kate on promoting healthy behaviors and empathy in children

- The ripple effect of nurturing your "inner pilot light" to create a positive legacy

- An inside look at Kate's book, The Radiant Life Project, and its resources for self-healing and growth

Listen in and transform your mindset for a brighter, more fulfilling life.

**Please note this episode has references to domestic and child abuse

RESOURCES:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode11

Connect with Kate:

Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

Kate’s Book: The Radiant Life Project

Connect with Susan:

Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching!

To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

Learn more about Kate via the show notes: healthyawakening.co/episode11 

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Your most authentic self is your most powerful self.

Listen to this week's episode of "Everyday Epigenetics. Raw. Real. Relatable" podcast, where we unpack the keys to visibility and empowerment with our expert guest, Marta Spirk. 

Marta, a tenacious entrepreneur, author, and singer, takes us on an enlightening journey from her childhood influences and a love for American culture to her current mission of elevating women entrepreneurs by helping them embrace their authentic traits and overcome insecurities. Marta tells us, though, that this can apply to anyone, including men!

In this no-holds-barred conversation, Marta reveals her unique approach to understanding insecurities through her customized types and how this self-awareness can lead to profound personal transformation. This is a lively discussion about the fears that hold us back – fear of risk, being unprepared, and perfectionism – and we share actionable insights to break free from these chains and let our true selves shine. 

In this episode:

- Marta Spirk's journey from childhood to empowering women entrepreneurs

- The three major insecurities and how to tackle them

- Understanding and leveraging the enneagram for self-awareness

- Embracing authenticity and celebrating small victories

- Overcoming fears surrounding visibility and self-promotion

- The importance of self-awareness in personal and professional growth

RESOURCES:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode10

Connect with Marta:

Website:  https://www.martaspirk.com/

Marta’s Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Sx9Ab6c8M&t=347s

Connect with Susan:

Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching!

To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

More About Marta:

Marta Spirk, a Brazilian singer and entrepreneur, embodies resilience and determination in the pursuit of dreams against all odds. A TEDx speaker, award-winning author and visibility strategist, Marta empowers individuals to use their voice and gifts to shine via her keynotes, The Empowered Woman podcast, her best-selling book “The Empowered Woman: The Ultimate Roadmap to Business Success” and The Empowered Woman School membership and workshops.

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

As humans we need to process and release our energy and emotions or it can get trapped and affect us in negative ways.

Today on the podcast I am joined by the amazing Kelly Stout, founder of Colorado Bioenergetics. Kelly shares his journey from unwittingly practicing energy work to mastering the art of emotional release through the Body, Emotion and Belief code methods. Join us as we explore the profound impact of releasing trapped emotions on physical well-being and talk about the transformative power of epigenetics and ancestral emotions on our lives.

Kelly shares the process of energy work and emotional release through his sessions, the significance of belief systems in shaping our lives, and the profound effects of the "Belief Code" on emotional healing. Uncover the role of ancestral emotions in our well-being, the individualized nature of energy work, and the potential for personal transformation through releasing trapped emotions. 

Check out the show note links below to find all of Kelly’s links and schedule your session with him today to help you release and work through your emotions and energy.

Content warning: This podcast contains mention of suicide.

Learn more about Kelly:

Kelly discovered his passion for healing as a teenager when he intuitively helped friends with their health problems. Despite extensive training in vitamins, nutrition, and traditional medicine, he always returned to energy as the core of his healing work. Over the years, Kelly immersed himself in studying mind, body, emotional, and spiritual healing techniques, culminating in his certification as a practitioner in Dr. Bradley Nelson's Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code systems. These techniques help release old traumas, achieve health balance, and remove negative subconscious beliefs, allowing the body to heal itself.

Kelly continues to help others heal themselves, both in person and remotely via phone or Zoom. He also enjoys teaching classes and seminars on energy healing and the role of quantum entanglement in our lives. Kelly's work focuses on holistic healing, integrating emotional, energetic, nutritional, structural, and chemical aspects to promote optimal health.

RESOURCES:
Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast
Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links
SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode9

Connect with Kelly:
Website: https://colobioenergetics.com/

Connect with Susan:
Contact me for your DNA testing or to see if we are a fit for coaching with ph360!
Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Ever wondered what hidden toxins might be lurking in your everyday products or how to make truly informed choices about what you consume? I have an awesome episode of 'Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable Podcast,' where I dive deep with Elizabeth Boulos, MS, an expert in all things toxin-related. From the food you eat to the makeup you wear, Elizabeth shares eye-opening insights and practical advice that will make you rethink your daily lifestyle choices.

In this episode, Elizabeth sheds light on why knowing the source of your food is crucial, the hidden dangers in personal care products, and how stress acts as a toxin in our lives. Learn about the lesser-known risks associated with GMOs, heavy metals in cosmetics, and even the contaminants in home appliances. We also dive into a toxin that left me mind blown.  Discover actionable steps for reducing your toxin exposure and improving your overall health. Whether you're curious about safer makeup brands, the impact of PFAS, or the significance of the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists, this episode has something for everyone looking to lead a healthier, cleaner life.

Show Links:
Environmental Working Groups Website: https://www.ewg.org/ (Clean 15 and dirty dozen list)
Beautycounter Makeup: https://www.ulta.com/brand/beautycounter

RESOURCES:
Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast
Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links
SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode8

Connect with Elizabeth:
Website: theingredientinsider.com
Join Her Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/theingredientinsiders
Find the rest of her links in the show notes: healthyawakening.co/episode8

Connect with Susan:
Contact me for your DNA testing! https://healthyawakening.co/
Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Candice and Christina, who have taken their health and relationship to new heights by diving into the world of epigenetics with me as their coach. Imagine turning your life around by simply aligning your routine with your genetic makeup—that's exactly what Candice and Christina did. We discuss their incredible journey of learning how their unique biologies required unique needs. They discuss cutting out alcohol and processed foods, experiencing how fad diets were not beneficial to them, reintroducing wholesome nutrition that felt right, and creating a wellness routine that perfectly fits their individual needs. Listening to their story, you'll hear about how they tackled obstacles, found harmony in their personal lives, and improved their performance in the sports that they play.

Their transformation is a testament to the power of personalized health plans and how they can truly change your life. Tune in for an episode filled with raw, real, and relatable insights that might just inspire you to look at your health in a whole new light.

RESOURCES:

Show Links:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode7

Connect with Susan:

Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

Learn About Candice and Christina:

Candice and Christina Schrodetzki- Hernadez met six years ago while playing in a flag football league together. Over the last six years, they have continued to advance not only on the field but in their careers. Candice is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner while Christina works as a Sales Analyst at an IT company. Over the last two years, they have embarked on a journey to heal two different autoimmune disorders. Their goal was to become the healthiest versions of themselves through the most natural routes.

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Today I have a jam-packed episode for you! I'm thrilled to welcome a very special guest, Dr. Amie Hornaman, also known as The Thyroid-Fixer. We're diving deep into the world of thyroid health, hormone balance, and how our everyday habits impact our well-being.

In today’s chat, Dr. Amie shares a story that hit close to home for many of us – it’s about how the little things we overlook, like our late-night snack habits or even the so-called “healthy” diet trends, can throw our bodies off balance. You won’t believe the kind of impact a cup of high-calorie “bulletproof” coffee can have!

We also get real about the struggles with sleep and stress, and why popping supplements or more medication might not be the magic fix. Dr. Amie breaks down the crucial labs for thyroid health that go beyond the standard tests and shares why hormone treatment can be a game-changer.

If you're tired of being tired, struggling with excess wait, hormone issues and want to start taking control of your health with some straight talk and practical advice, this episode is for you. Tune in, and let’s get our health back on track together!

RESOURCES:

Show Links:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode6

Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman:

Website: https://dramiehornaman.com/

Thyroid Fixer Podcast: https://dramiehornaman.com/pages/podcasts

Girl Fix Your Thyroid Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dramie

Connect with Susan:

Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

How can you shift your lifestyle to help you live longer and better? Today we are looking at our aging clock! I am joined by Hannah Went the Cofounder of TruDiagnostic. We are diving into the cutting-edge world of the Dunedin pace and epigenetic clocks. We unpack the groundbreaking omic MH, an advanced epigenetic clock designed to radically shift our approach to aging and health. Discover how this tool, paired with vital lifestyle insights, could be the key to reducing your biological age and doubling down on disease prevention. Learn about the exciting promise of epigenetic testing—combining the hardwiring of genetics with the dynamic updates of epigenetics to truly tailor personal health strategies.

This episode will leave you inspired to take control of your health journey. Tune in for a sharper look at technology that could redefine longevity. Join Susan and Hannah now for a transformative conversation — let’s start turning back the biological clock together!Get 12% off at TruDiagnostic - use code SUSANGENES at checkout https://shop.trudiagnostic.com/discount/SUSANGENES

Learn more about Hannah:

Hannah Went has a lifelong passion for longevity and breakthrough, disruptive technologies that drive radical improvement to the human condition. She attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a degree in Biology. During that time, she had multiple research internships studying cell signaling and cell biology. After graduation, she worked for the International Peptide Society as their Director of Research and Content. Through work in the integrative medicine industry, Hannah saw an opportunity for methylation based age diagnostics and started TruDiagnostics in 2020. TruDiagnostic is a company focusing on methylation array-based diagnostics for life extension and preventive healthcare serving functional medicine providers. TruDiagnostic has a commitment to research with over 30 approved clinical trials investigating the epigenetic methylation changes of longevity and health interventions. Since TruDiagnostic’s inception, they have created one of the largest private epigenetic health databases in the world with over 75,000 patients tested to date. Hannah has since created Everything Epigenetics where she shares  insights on  how DNA regulation has an impact on your health.

RESOURCES:

Show Links:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode5

Connect with Hannah Went:

Instagram: @everythingepigenetics

Podcast: https://everythingepigenetics.buzzsprout.com/

TruDiagnostic: https://www.trudiagnostic.com/

Connect with Susan:

Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Today I am joined by the amazing Anne Larsen,  the director of coaching for PH 360 and a seasoned expert in social work and family therapy. Get ready to dive deep into the intricacies of relationships through the lens of epigenetics. We explore how understanding yourself and appreciating differences can significantly enhance your relationships and connections.

As we dive into all things relationship, from discussing the biologics of personality traits like introversion and extroversion to discovering how time orientation and energy conservation play crucial roles in our relationships, this episode unpacks the complexities of human interaction.

Whether you're navigating the dating scene, a new partnership, or looking to deepen an existing one, Anne's insights and personal anecdotes will provide a fresh perspective on making the most of your personal connections. Learn the RIGHT questions to ask in a potential partner, understand what really is important in looking at another in terms of compatibility. So tune in, lean in, and get ready to transform the way you view relationships forever!

Learn more about Anne:

Position: Director of Coaching Qualifications: BSW Bachelor of Social Work, Cert 

Family Therapy, Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

Anne has spent the last 40 years passionately exploring the most successful ways to create change in people’s lives. She has trained as a Mental Health Social Worker, Family Therapist, Health and Wellness Coach, Narrative Therapist and in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as courses in kinesiology, mindfulness, healing meditations, Psych K and Brain Working Recursive Therapy. Anne works collaboratively with people to develop a sense of personal agency that enables them to more fully engage with others and their environment, building a sense of self, place, purpose, belonging and general health and well-being. She has worked extensively with individuals, couples and families, using an epigenetic lens to maximize understanding, acceptance and joy in people's lives. Anne has managed the operational delivery of a large mental health counseling service and provided clinical leadership and supervision to Psychologists, Social Workers, Drug and Alcohol Counselors, Counselors and Mental Health Nurses using reflective practice in both individualand team settings Anne has been a lecturer in a number of accredited counseling courses and a guest lecture at universities as well as running many workshops. She is the co-author of a published article: ‘Group Work with Incest Survivors: A New Context’ Anne is currently Director of Coaching for ph360, educating health professionals and creating courses on relationships and behavior change. Maximizing happiness and fulfillment through understanding yourself and your relationships with the important people in your life is Anne’s passion and current focus in the world.

RESOURCES:

Show Links:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode4

Connect with Susan:

Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Today on the podcast Susan is chatting with Adrienne, a former development professional with infectious energy, to explore the profound impact of her personal health journey, which will resonate with many. Adrienne shares her transition into living a healthier lifestyle that was deepened by the stress of family health scares. 

Together, they dive into the life-altering benefits of personalized health through epigenetics, and embracing changes in diet, exercise, and mindset, leading to remarkable transformations not just for Adrienne, but also for her entire family. 

Adrienne candidly opens up about her challenges, from thyroid and hormonal imbalances,  weight issues and dietary overhauls, revealing how individualized guidance became her pathway to wellness. In this episode, expect a mix of life lessons, laughter, and the genuine connection built on a shared passion for epigenetics, all aimed at inspiring listeners to bring forth their most authentic selves.

RESOURCES:

Show Links:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode2

Connect with Susan:

Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Oxidative stress is happening in your body every single day, but when it builds faster than your body can manage it, it quietly drives fatigue, inflammation, brain fog, premature aging, immune dysfunction, and more.

In this mini episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable, Susan Robbins breaks down oxidative stress in a way that actually makes sense, and more importantly, shows you how to work with your biology instead of fighting it.

In this episode:

• What oxidative stress really is (and why Susan compares it to rust on a car)
• The most common lifestyle, environmental, and internal drivers behind it
• Early and advanced symptoms, from low energy and brain fog to inflammation, skin issues, mood changes, and slow healing
• Why “doing all the right things” can still leave oxidative stress unchecked
• How the six health types respond differently to oxidative stress, and what each one needs to restore balance
  
  

Susan walks through practical, real-world strategies tailored to Activators, Connectors, Guardians, Diplomats, Sensors, and Crusaders — covering nutrition, movement, stress recovery, detox support, mitochondrial health, and supplementation (without the influencer hype).

You’ll also hear universal practices that everyone can use to reduce oxidative load, protect cellular health, and support longevity, without extreme diets, overtraining, or perfection.

Oxidative stress is a normal part of life. But when it becomes excessive, it’s your body’s signal that something is out of balance, and that balance is absolutely something you can restore.

If you’re ready to understand your body better, personalize your health approach, and stop guessing, this episode is for you.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/12/19/episode102

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Welcome to part two with Dr. Cam McDonald on the "Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable," myself host Susan Robbins is joined by Dr. Cam McDonald from Precision Health Alliance. We are continuing our deep dive into the fascinating world of epigenetics, exploring how genetics, BMI, lifestyle, and environmental factors intricately influence our health. Today we introduce the different healthtypes and bringing and understanding to each.

Join us as we uncover the six distinct health types. From the competitive and adrenaline-driven Activators to the nurturing and community-oriented Guardians, each type offers valuable insights into personalized health approaches. Whether you resonate with the goal-oriented Crusaders or the empathetic Connectors craving social connection, understanding your unique biological makeup is key to unlocking your full potential.

Discover how your genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors shape your health journey. From preferred exercise routines to dietary needs and optimal daily rhythms, we explore the nuances of each health type, providing actionable strategies for achieving vibrant health and vitality.

Don't miss this captivating exploration into the world of epigenetics and personalized wellness. Tune in to "Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable" for an enlightening conversation that could transform your approach to health and well-being.

RESOURCES:
Connect with Dr. Cam McDonald:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcammcdonald/
Website: https://precisionhealthalliance.org/

Show Links:
Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast
Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links
SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode

Connect with Susan:
Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Once you start working with epigenetics you can’t unlearn it. Health doesn’t have to be difficult. Learning about yourself is the key!  Welcome to episode 1 of “Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable.” podcast! This is the first part of a two-part series with Dr. Cam McDonald. Cam is a leading figure from Precision Health Alliance. In this groundbreaking first episode, they delve deep into how understanding our genetics can pave the way for a future free of chronic disease by 2050. Discover the amazing interplay between exercise physiology, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine, and how small changes tailored to our unique genetic makeup can lead to significant health improvements.

Cam and Susan are talking all things personalized health. Cam’s journey started when he realized his goal was to try to prevent disease rather than putting bandaids on health issues. They discuss how when someone understands their body and their needs then you can understand how your body reacts to it’s environment.  The goal is to feel more like yourself so that you an be less reactive to your environment. Even the healthiest and most effective diets need to be tailored to the individual. The conversation dives into some very interesting stats about workout results, and the effectiveness of various strategies. The conversation also explores the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy, the significance of understanding children's genetic predispositions, and the revolutionary use of AI technology in crafting health recommendations.

Susan and Cam share personal anecdotes and real-life examples, making the complex world of epigenetics relatable and understandable.This episode is a call to action for listeners to embrace the uniqueness of their genetic blueprint and make informed decisions for a healthier life.  Whether you're a health enthusiast, a parent, or someone looking to take control of your health journey, "Everyday Epigenetics. Raw. Real. Relatable" offers insights into how personalized health strategies can lead to remarkable transformations.

RESOURCES:
Connect with Dr. Cam McDonald:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcammcdonald/
Website: https://precisionhealthalliance.org/

Show Links:
Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast
Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links
SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode1

Connect with Susan:
Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Are you ready for a journey of self-discovery and optimization? Join host Susan Robbins, a Certified Epigenetic Human Performance Coach, in her very first episode of the "Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable" podcast. In this episode, Susan sets the stage for her new podcast and what is in store!

Through her candid storytelling and authentic approach, Susan shares her personal journey from being a police officer to becoming an epigenetic coach. With a background rooted in overcoming health and weight struggles, stress, and self-acceptance, Susan offers a unique perspective on the power of lifestyle choices and their impact on genetic expression.

In her signature raw and relatable style, Susan breaks down the complex science of epigenetics into easily understandable concepts. She explains how lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, and social interactions play a pivotal role in shaping our genetic destiny, with a staggering 95% control over our DNA expression. This podcast isn’t just all the facts, it’s about taking action and making informed choices tailored to your unique genetic makeup. It’s all about embracing authenticity, individuality, and recognizing your true self to prioritize health and well-being.

Through engaging interviews with experts and real-life stories from clients, Susan delves into practical strategies for optimizing health, enhancing performance, and achieving holistic wellness. From debunking one-size-fits-all approaches to navigating the complexities of modern life, Susan offers actionable insights and empowering advice to help listeners unlock their full potential.

If you're tired of feeling lost in a sea of generic health advice and ready to take control of your life and health, get ready and tune in to the "Everyday Epigenetics" podcast. Susan Robbins will guide you towards a life of vitality, resilience, and authentic expression. Don't miss out—your optimal self is waiting to be uncovered!

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Cam McDonald:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcammcdonald/
Website: https://precisionhealthalliance.org/

More About Everday Epigenetics:
Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast
Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links
SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode0

Connect with Susan:
Schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Welcome to the trailer episode of "Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable," your go-to podcast for navigating your relationship between lifestyle, environment, and genetics.

I'm Susan Robbins, your Epigenetic Human Performance Coach, here to guide you on a journey toward optimal well-being. In this podcast, we are talking about how our daily choices impact our genes and overall health. No cookie-cutter solutions here—just personalized insights tailored to your unique biology.

Join me as I chat with experts and clients, exploring real-life stories and practical tips to empower you on your health journey. It's time to shed the facade, embrace authenticity, and discover the keys to a healthier life.

Get ready for our premiere on April 1st, where we'll be releasing three insightful episodes. From then on, tune in every other Monday for new episodes packed with actionable advice.

Get ready to take charge of your health journey—let's share this adventure together!

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

If you’ve ever felt “reactive to everything” food, smells, seasons, stress, and been told it’s all in your head, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

In this conversation, Susan sits down with health engineer and gut specialist Steven Wright, co-founder of HealthyGut.com, to unpack the real story behind histamine, mast cell issues, gut dysbiosis, and why so many highly sensitive, driven people are hitting a wall with their health.

You’ll hear Steven’s raw story of IBS, panic attacks, “supplement graveyards,” and getting called “the stinky guy” at work, and how that pain became the catalyst for his life’s work. Together, Susan and Steven connect the dots between histamine, the microbiome, genetics, stress, perimenopause, mold, Lyme, and the nervous system in a way that finally makes sense.

This isn’t about labeling histamine as the enemy. It’s about understanding why your bucket is overflowing,and what you can actually do about it.

In this episode:

• What histamine really is (and why it’s not the bad guy)
  
  
• The difference between histamine intolerance and mast cell activation, and how they show up in real life
  
  
• The gut–histamine connection: dysbiosis, leaky gut, SIBO/SIFO and DAO
  
  
• Why stress, trauma, and a dysregulated nervous system can keep your symptoms stuck on “high”
  
  
• How genetics (like AOC1, MTHFR, etc.) can raise your histamine risk—but don’t determine your destiny
  
  
• Why perimenopause, estrogen shifts, and even “healthy” habits (like lemon water & fermenteds) can make some people feel worse
  
  
• Practical ideas to start lowering your histamine load: food timing, leftovers, nervous system practices, and smart supplementation to discuss with your provider
  
  

If you’ve been collecting protocols, cutting out more and more foods, and still don’t feel like yourself… this conversation is for you.

Learn more about our guest Steven Wright:

Steven Wright is a Health Engineer, Kalish Functional Medicine Institute Graduate, and gut health specialist.  Since 2009, Steven’s been researching, writing, and building products around gut, brain, and immune related issues.  He’s overcome a host of complex gut, brain, immune issues himself and uses these painful and challenging experiences to help others.  Steven is the co-founder of healthygut.com and he lives in Boulder, CO with his wife Shay and their two dogs. 

RESOURCES:

Connect with Steven Wright:

Website: https://healthygut.com/

Shop the products: http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings (this link will provide you a special discount!)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthygutco/

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

Shop the products: http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings (this link will provide you a special discount!)

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/12/15/episode101

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

In Part 2 of my conversation with the brilliant Dr. Daniella Remy, we go behind the scenes of the pH360 / Shae system, the AI-driven, epigenetics-based platform I use with my clients to create truly individualized nutrition and lifestyle plans.

If you’ve ever wondered why generic diets don’t work for you…Why one person thrives on intermittent fasting while another crashes… Or how food can be mapped to YOUR unique body, genetics, history, and environment…

Dr. Remy was one of the scientific architects behind the food section of pH360, and she breaks down how the system actually works: from measurements, health history, and genetics… all the way to your personal food list, recipe library, and dynamic meal planning that evolves as you evolve.

This isn’t another “eat clean” conversation.
This is: “Here’s how to finally feed the body you actually have.”

In this episode:

• How the pH360 / Shae technology was created and what makes it so different
  
  
• Why nutrient density, timing, and how you cook your food matter more than macros
  
  
• How your age, ancestry, health conditions, stress, and even seasonal changes determine what’s ideal for you
  
  
• Why your food list changes over time (and why that’s a good thing)
  
  
• How the recipe + meal planning system works for your body, not against it
  
  
• Real-world examples from Susan’s own journey using pH360 as an activator
  
  
• How personalized food choices can feel less restrictive and more like freedom
  
  

If you’ve been craving clarity about what to eat, when to eat, and how to support your unique body, this episode is your roadmap.

Learn more about our guest Dr. Daniella Remy:

Dr. Daniella Remy, a naturopathic doctor, health strategist, and one of the sharpest minds in the emerging field of precision wellness. Daniella is the Vice President of Science at Shae.ai, where she’s been part of the core team since inception. She is the scientific architect behind Shae’s groundbreaking AI-based health technology, driving the personalization engine, the precision lab interpretation, and the predictive algorithms designed to help people prevent disease long before it starts.

In September, she launched her newest venture, The Perimenopause Lab, a platform dedicated to helping women cut through the chaos of hormonal changes with clarity, confidence, and science-backed solutions. Her mission is to transform how women understand and navigate perimenopause, making this stage a powerful reset instead of a struggle.

Beyond her work, Daniella is an avid gym buff, a devoted dog lover, and a passionate traveler who speaks four languages and brings a global, human-centered perspective to everything she does. She’s known for blending deep scientific expertise with a warm, grounded, and totally relatable approach to health.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Daniella Remy:

Website: https://drremynd.com/

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/12/08/episode99

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Perimenopause isn’t the beginning of the end, it’s the beginning of understanding your body in a whole new way. And this episode is the one every woman in her 40s and 50s needs to hear.

Today, Susan sits down with her pH360 colleague and one of the brightest minds in precision wellness, Dr. Danielle Remy, naturopathic doctor, VP of Science at Shae, the AI architect behind personalized health tech, and founder of The Perimenopause Lab.

She’s raw. She’s real. She’s brilliant. And she’s not here to sugarcoat anything.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why hot flashes are NOT the first sign of perimenopauseThe real first hormones to shift, and why doctors miss them
• Why so many women feel lost, dismissed, or ignored by conventional medicine
• How lifestyle + genetics + environment shape your symptoms
• What women with different body types actually need
• Why personalized health matters more than ever during perimenopauseEarly signs to 
• look for long before your cycle changes
• Why you should never gaslight yourself about your symptomsThe truth about 
• bioidentical hormones (including testosterone!)How to USE wearables like HRV + CGMs 
• to understand your body

This conversation is a lifeline for every woman navigating this transition, and for the doctors, practitioners, and partners who want to understand it better.

Share this with a woman you love. Your mom. Sister. Friend. Coworker. This information matters.

Part 2 with Dr. Daniella Remy drops on Friday!

Learn more about our guest Dr. Daniella Remy:

Dr. Daniella Remy, a naturopathic doctor, health strategist, and one of the sharpest minds in the emerging field of precision wellness. Daniella is the Vice President of Science at Shae.ai, where she’s been part of the core team since inception. She is the scientific architect behind Shae’s groundbreaking AI-based health technology, driving the personalization engine, the precision lab interpretation, and the predictive algorithms designed to help people prevent disease long before it starts.

In September, she launched her newest venture, The Perimenopause Lab, a platform dedicated to helping women cut through the chaos of hormonal changes with clarity, confidence, and science-backed solutions. Her mission is to transform how women understand and navigate perimenopause, making this stage a powerful reset instead of a struggle.

Beyond her work, Daniella is an avid gym buff, a devoted dog lover, and a passionate traveler who speaks four languages and brings a global, human-centered perspective to everything she does. She’s known for blending deep scientific expertise with a warm, grounded, and totally relatable approach to health.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Daniella Remy:

Website: https://drremynd.com/

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/12/08/episode99

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Everyone’s talking about GLP-1s, but no one’s REALLY talking about them.

In this raw, real, and refreshingly honest mini, Susan Robbins sits down with fellow pH360 coach Lisa St. Ledger to unpack what’s really going on with the weight-loss drug craze, the good, the bad, and the misunderstood.

From the explosion of prescriptions to the deeper emotional and physiological patterns behind weight gain, Susan and Lisa explore the conversation most people aren’t having.

This episode pulls back the curtain on personalized health, epigenetics, and why “doing all the right things” doesn’t always work. Whether you’re on a GLP-1, considering one, or just curious about what’s really driving today’s health trends, this one will get you thinking.

In this episode:

• The truth behind the GLP-1 boom (and why doctors are handing them out like candy)
• The surprising differences between microdosing and standard dosing

Learn More about Lisa St. Ledger:
Accredited Health & Wellness Coach | Endorsed PH360 Health Coach | Advocate for Lasting Health Transformation

With over 28 years of experience as an educator, I have witnessed how knowledge, empowerment, support, and fostering self-efficacy can create lasting change. As an Accredited Health and Wellness Coach, my mission is to guide individuals on their unique health journeys, helping them unlock their full potential by tapping into their personal epigenetics using the PH360 platform.

Over the past decade, I have faced significant health challenges, including a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroid disease and surviving breast cancer. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the emotional and physical toll that chronic health conditions can take. They have also strengthened my resolve to help others overcome their own obstacles, reclaim their health, and live vibrantly.

Outside of my work, I find joy in activities that nurture both my body and soul. I love cooking healthy meals, hiking in nature, and oil painting, which allows me to express my creativity and find peace. These passions help me stay balanced and connected to what matters. I'm honored to support others in achieving lasting health transformation and guiding them toward a life of vitality.

RESOURCES:
Connect with Lisa St. Ledger:

Website: https://resolutionhealth360.com/

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/12/05/episode98

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Today, Susan and Kate welcome back one of the podcast’s most-loved guests Dr. Eric Balcavage, internationally recognized thyroid expert and co-author of The Thyroid Debacle. This conversation is raw, energizing, and packed with clarity as we break down what most people never get told about functional medicine, thyroid health, and the difference between truly recovering your health vs. just managing symptoms.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed by “normal labs,” overwhelmed by Google rabbit holes, this episode will feel like a grounding exhale. Dr. Eric breaks down complex physiology, while Susan and Kate connect it to mindset, trauma patterns, stress, and the psychology behind why so many people stay stuck. It’s empowering, eye-opening, and fun, just what everyday people need to finally understand their health.

In This Episode:

• The real difference between allopathic, integrative, and functional medicine
• Why symptoms are meaningful messages—not random annoyances

Learn more about our guest Dr. Eric Balcavage:

Dr. Eric Balcavage is internationally recognized as a leading authority in functional medicine and thyroid physiology. He’s the co-author of The Thyroid Debacle, host of the Thyroid Answers Podcast, and a trusted mentor to hundreds of practitioners across the U.S. With over two decades of clinical experience, he specializes in helping patients recover from chronic hypothyroidism, metabolic dysfunction, and complex health challenges that haven’t responded to conventional or protocol-based care. He also lectures and consults on topics such as cellular thyroid physiology, GI health, organic acid testing, and methylation—shaping a new standard for thyroid recovery.

RESOURCES:

Check out our other episode with Dr. Eric Balcavage:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/64-rethinking-thyroid-health-with-dr-eric-balcavage/id1736527617?i=1000715108182

Connect with Dr. Eric Balcavage:

Website: http://drericbalcavage.com 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/drericbalcavage 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@askdreric

Private Facebook Group:  www.facebook.com/groups/thyroidrecoverycollective/ 

Free Thyroid Ebook: http://drericbalcavage.com/free-thyroid-ebook  

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thyroid-answers-podcast/id1189585193 

The Thyroid Debacle: https://amzn.to/3zHRZYZ

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://rejuvagencenter.com/newsletter-signup/

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/12/01/episode97

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Just because it’s labeled gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

In this week’s Everyday Epigenetics mini, Susan Robbins and Kate King talk about the truth about gluten-free products, hidden sugars, and high-glycemic “health foods” that might be messing with your gut, your blood sugar, and your energy, without you even realizing it.

Susan, a self-proclaimed label detective, shares her favorite tried-and-true gluten-free swaps that actually taste good and support your body’s epigenetic expression. (Spoiler: one of them fooled Kate’s whole family!)

In this episode:
The gluten-free pasta brand that tastes like the real deal
How to make zoodles that don’t turn to mush
A surprising rice alternative with almost zero glycemic impact
Why “gluten-free” often means “high blood sugar and what to choose instead

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in the grocery aisle or wondered which gluten-free foods are worth it, this episode will help you shop smarter and feel better, one delicious swap at a time.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/11/21/episode94

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

In one of the most powerful conversations on Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan and Kate sit down with Susan’s longtime client, Cal Hoff, to share a transformation that’s nothing short of extraordinary.

From battling alcoholism and metabolic syndrome to reversing kidney damage, dropping 50+ pounds, and getting off medications, Cal’s journey shows the power of science, self-awareness, and radical honesty. His story is raw, hopeful, and deeply human.

If you or someone you love is struggling with health, habits, or hope, this episode will stay with you.

In this episode:

• How Cal went from detox to 1,000+ days sober

• The genetics behind cravings, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance

• Why his lab markers dramatically improved in weeks

• How personalized epigenetics reshaped his nutrition, mindset, and energy

• The surprising role Diet Coke played in worsening his health

• The Guardian health type and why knowing your phenotype matters

• The emotional work that restored his confidence, relationships, and daily life

• What truly creates a radiant life after decades of struggle

About our guest, Callen Hoff:

Cal is a Guardian to his core — devoted, steady, and shaped by a lifetime of service. From defending classmates as a kid to serving in the National Guard as a Sergeant and squad leader, he has always protected and supported others.

Throughout his career in agriculture, Cal championed conservation farming and farmer success. He served as Board Member and Chairman of the Manitoba/ND Zero Tillage Farmers Association and led the North Dakota Dry Pea & Lentil Council, helping expand pulse crops across the region. Farmers still call him for mentorship and guidance.

But his greatest challenge was personal. After retiring, alcohol dependency quietly took hold, and his health declined rapidly. In fall 2022, he made the courageous decision to enter treatment and commit fully to recovery.

Today, Cal is over three years sober — healthier, more present, and grounded in what matters most. His transformation has restored his energy, deepened his marriage of 46 years to his wife, Julie, and increased the joy he finds with his two grandsons.

His journey proves healing is possible at any age — and that change begins the moment we decide we’re worth saving.

RESOURCES:

Show notes + links: healthyawakening.co/2025/11/24/episode95

Connect with Susan: healthyawakening.co

Connect with Kate: theradiantlifeproject.com

Podcast: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Listening links: healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

You might think that evening drink helps you unwind, but science says otherwise.

In this Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable mini episode, certified epigenetic human performance coach Susan Robbins exposes the surprising truth about how alcohol disrupts your sleep, your hormones, and your body’s natural circadian rhythm.

Alcohol may knock you out quickly, but it blocks REM and deep sleep, hijacks your melatonin production, and floods your system with stress hormones that leave you foggy, inflamed, and exhausted. Over time, these disruptions can impact everything from memory and recovery to immune function and even genetic expression.

In this episode:

• How alcohol interferes with REM cycles and deep restorative sleep
• Why “nightcap sleep” is actually sedation, not recovery
• The link between alcohol, dehydration, and next-day fatigue
• How it throws off your circadian rhythm, and how to reset it
• Practical ways to protect your sleep and support detox pathways

Whether you drink occasionally or often, this episode will change the way you think about your bedtime ritual.

Listen now to Part 2 of the Alcohol Series, and discover why your best night’s sleep starts with putting down the glass.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/11/21/episode94

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

What if your “age” isn’t just the number on your driver’s license? In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable, Susan Robbins pulls back the curtain on epigenetic age testing, what it measures, why it matters, and how it can be one of the most empowering tools in your optimization toolbox. Joined by Dr. Lauren Clark of TruDiagnostic, Susan breaks down epigenetics in a way that finally makes sense: your genes are the hardware, but your epigenome is the software, shaped by stress, sleep, movement, nutrition, environment, and the life you’ve lived.

Then Susan brings you behind the scenes of her own TruAge results with Jess Bonthius (medical science liaison at TruDiagnostic), including a real-time walkthrough of her report and what it means for longevity, healthspan, and the pace at which you’re aging. If you’ve ever feared what a test might reveal, or assumed results would be doom-and-gloom, this conversation offers a different lens: data as a guide, not a verdict. You’ll leave understanding how these markers can help you make better decisions now, without panic, perfectionism, or expensive “biohacking” extremes.

In This Episode

• A clear “Epigenetics 101” explanation (and what DNA methylation actually is)
• Genetics vs. epigenetics: why your DNA isn’t your destiny
• What epigenetic age testing measures, and why different tests can give different insights
• The three key TruAge clocks: biological age, healthspan-focused aging, and pace of aging
• Susan’s personal results walkthrough (and why lifestyle still matters especially during a hard season)
• Why low percentile can be a good thing in biological age reporting
• How inflammation, recovery, and training load can show up in epigenetic biomarkers
• The truth about “optimization”: simple lifestyle changes vs. expensive protocols
  
  

Learn more about our guests in the show notes below!

Jessica Bonthius and Loren Clarke, M.D. 

RESOURCES:

Shownotes: https://healthyawakening.co/2026/02/16/episode111/

Discount code: https://shop.trudiagnostic.com/discount/SUSANGENES

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m so tired… but I slept,” this episode will hit home.

After two powerful conversations with Dr. Kirk Parsley and Dr. Chris Winter in our Sleep Series, we’re rounding it out with a perspective everyone needs: rest is not the same as sleep.

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, physician, bestselling author of Sacred Rest, and creator of the Seven Types of Rest Framework, joins Susan to break down the real reasons you feel exhausted… and how to finally replenish your energy in ways sleep alone never could.

This framework is transforming the way individuals, organizations, and high achievers understand burnout, productivity, and wellbeing, and once you hear it, everything clicks.

In This Episode:

• The 7 Types of Rest, physical, mental, emotional, creative, sensory, social, and spiritual
  
  
  
• Why sleep doesn’t fix exhaustion (and what type of rest you may actually need)
  
  
  
• Signs you’re hitting burnout long before you realize it
  
  
  
• Why “rest ethic” matters as much as work ethic
  
  
  
• How rest impacts relationships, intimacy, boundaries, and presence
  
  
  
• Simple restorative practices you can integrate into your daily life
  
  
  
• Why some people feel exhausted even with perfect sleep scores and labs

This episode is the missing piece to the sleep series, tying together sleep, lifestyle, epigenetics, and human wellbeing in a way that’s practical, compassionate, and game-changing.

Learn more about our guest Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and award-winning author. She is an international well-being thought-leader featured in numerous media outlets including Prevention, MSNBC, Women’s Day, FOX, Fast Company, Psychology Today, INC, CNN Health, and TED.com. She is the author of numerous books including her bestseller Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, including insight on the seven types of rest needed to optimize your productivity, increase your overall happiness, overcome burnout, and live your best life. Over 250,000 people have discovered their personal rest deficits using her free assessment at RestQuiz.com. Learn more about Dr. Saundra at DrDaltonSmith.com.

RESOURCES:

Connect with : Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrDaltonSmith
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSaundraDaltonSmith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdaltonsmith/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drdaltonsmith/

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/11/17/episode93

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Think that “a glass of wine a day” is good for you? Think again.

In this raw and real mini episode, certified epigenetic human performance coach Susan Robbins breaks down what alcohol actually does to your brain, body, and genes.and why the effects go far deeper than most people realize. From neurotransmitter disruption and dopamine crashes to inflammation, hormone imbalance, and genetic expression, Susan unpacks the hard science behind your favorite cocktail.

In this episode:

• How alcohol rewires the brain’s chemistry and affects memory, decision-making, and mood
  
  
  
• Why your health type and DNA variants (like MTHFR or APOE4) determine how your body responds
  
  
  
• The real connection between alcohol, Alzheimer’s risk, and chronic inflammation
  
  
  
• Why some people experience faster aging, hormonal shifts, or poor recovery from drinking
  
  
  
• What you can do to support detox pathways and protect your long-term health
  
  
  

Whether you’re curious about your own relationship with alcohol or simply want to make more informed choices, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights on how every sip influences your epigenetic expression and overall wellbeing.

Listen now and come back next week for Part 2: Alcohol and Sleep, you’ll be shocked at what really happens when you mix the two.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/11/14/episode92

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

If you’ve ever laid awake at 3AM, counting sheep, overanalyzing your life, and stressing that you’ll be a zombie tomorrow, this episode, part 2 of our series on sleep, is one  you don’t want to miss.

Today, Susan and Kate sit down with the Dr. Christopher Winter, neurologist, sleep medicine specialist, and author of The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child. He’s the go-to expert for pro athletes, firefighters, and anyone who’s ever wondered, “What’s wrong with my sleep?”

But here’s the twist: according to Dr. Winter, your sleep might not be “broken” at all. In fact, the way we think about sleep, our fears, expectations, and obsession with perfection, might be the real problem.

This isn’t another conversation about blue light and blackout curtains. Dr. Winter flips the script on everything you think you know about insomnia, sleep hygiene, and the infamous “8-hour rule.” You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you might just stop fearing those restless nights once and for all.

Because maybe, just maybe… your body knows exactly what it’s doing.

In this episode:

• Insomnia isn’t a disease, it’s a perception.  Most people who say they “can’t sleep” are actually sleeping more than they realize. The problem isn’t sleep, it’s the anxiety about sleep.
• The real secret? Be happy awake or asleep. When you stop fearing wakefulness, insomnia loses its power.

This conversation will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about sleep, and maybe even help you stop fighting with your pillow.

P.S. This is part 2 of our sleep series! Check out last week's episode with Dr. Kirk Parsley for another perspective on sleep!

Learn more about our guest Dr. Christopher Winter

Dr. Christopher Winter has practiced sleep medicine and neurology in Charlottesville, Virginia since 2004, but has been involved with sleep medicine and sleep research since 1993. Currently he is the owner of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine clinic and CNSM Consulting. He is the author of The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep Is Broken and How To Fix It as well as The Rested Child: Why Your Tired, Wired or Irritable Child May Have A Sleep Disorder--And How To Help. In addition to working with numerous professional sports organizations to help their athletes optimize sleep, he is the host of the podcast Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter which has consistently ranked as one of the most popular medical podcasts in the country. He is also the host of the Sleep.com series Sleeping Around with Dr. Chris Winter.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Chris Winter

Website: https://www.wchriswinter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchriswinter

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SleepUnpluggedPodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drchriswinter

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/11/03/episode89

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

The holidays don’t have to leave you exhausted, bloated, or burned out. In this lively mini episode, Susan Robbins and Lisa St. Ledger share practical, real-world strategies to help you enjoy the season without sacrificing your health, sleep, or sanity.

From nutrition and hydration to stress management and mindset, this episode is packed with realistic tips you can start using now to glide through the holidays with more energy and ease.

In this episode:

• Why “cold and flu season” is really stress, sugar, and sleep deprivation season
• How to set clear intentions before the holidays even begin
• Smart swaps for alcohol, sugar, and party snacks that still feel festive
• Simple movement and hydration hacks to balance your body
• Tips for navigating food sensitivities and avoiding peer pressure at gatherings
• How to wrap up the season feeling vibrant, not depleted

This isn’t about deprivation, it’s about design.

Learn how to honor your body, enjoy the celebrations, and head into the new year feeling your best.

Learn More about Lisa St. Ledger:
Accredited Health & Wellness Coach | Endorsed PH360 Health Coach | Advocate for Lasting Health Transformation

With over 28 years of experience as an educator, I have witnessed how knowledge, empowerment, support, and fostering self-efficacy can create lasting change. As an Accredited Health and Wellness Coach, my mission is to guide individuals on their unique health journeys, helping them unlock their full potential by tapping into their personal epigenetics using the PH360 platform.

RESOURCES:
Connect with Lisa St. Ledger:

Website: https://resolutionhealth360.com/

Holiday Mini Guide: https://resolution-health-360.kit.com/c039956d3f

HistaHarmony:  http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings

Beam Minerals:  https://www.bkd42s7gh.com/AWAKEN/  

Dry Brine Turkey for the Best Thanksgiving Turkey - Primally Inspired

https://www.primallyinspired.com/dry-brine-turkey/

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/11/07/episode90

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
• Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

What if the single most powerful health intervention isn’t a supplement, workout, or therapy, but sleep?

In this conversation, former Navy SEAL and leading sleep expert Dr. Kirk Parsley joins Susan to share how years of working with the world’s most elite warriors revealed the devastating impact of sleep deprivation, and the extraordinary healing that happens when we finally rest.

From Ambien addiction to brain inflammation, hormones, aging, stress, and recovery, Dr. Parsley pulls back the curtain on what happens when we neglect our body’s most essential repair mechanism. He explains why sleep is the foundation of every other “pillar of health,” how it regulates hormones and epigenetic expression, and why six hours a night is slowly destroying your energy, focus, and longevity.

You’ll hear:

• The fascinating story of how a high school dropout became the Navy SEALs’ go-to medical doctor
  
  
  
• What happens in your brain when you use sleep aids, and why they don’t work
  
  
  
• The connection between sleep, hormones, metabolism, and aging
  
  
  
• Why stress, inflammation, and sleep deprivation are at the root of nearly every chronic issue
  
  
  
• How to repair your sleep cycles naturally, and finally wake up feeling restored
  
  
  

This episode is raw, real, and life-changing. If you’ve ever thought “I can get by on six hours,” this conversation will change your mind, and maybe even your future health.

P.S. Stay tuned for part 2 on sleep next week with Chris Winters!

Learn more about our guest Dr.Kirk Parsley 

Kirk Parsley completed SEAL training at the age of 19 and served as a 60-gunner on SEAL Team Five in Coronado, California. He left the SEAL community in 1994 to pursue a college education. Later, he re-entered the US Navy to attend the military's medical school in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was commissioned as a Navy Officer in 2000.

After completing medical school, internship, and residency, Kirk returned to the SEAL teams as the physician for the West Coast SEAL teams. Kirk was tasked with helping the world's most elite warriors optimize and maintain their performance after eight years of sustained combat. It was during this period that he noticed a significant gap between "healthcare" and true "health optimization."

Read Dr. Kirk’s full bio on the show notes!

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Kirk Parsley:

Website: https://docparsley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirkparsley/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepremedy/

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/11/03/episode89

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Some friendships lift you up. Others leave you drained, itchy, or a little emotionally swollen.
(Think of it as a friendship allergy.)

In this fun-yet-insightful mini, Susan and Kate unpack what “friendship allergies” are, those subtle relationship dynamics that your system just can’t tolerate anymore. From lack of reciprocity to emotional one-way streets, they explore how tuning in to what irritates your energy can actually lead you to deeper, more aligned connections.

In this episode:

• What a “friendship allergy” is and why it matters
• How to spot the relationships that drain rather than nourish you
• Why self-awareness is the cure for repeating old dynamics
• How aligned friendships support healthy hormones, mood & genetic expression
  
  
  

This mini will make you reflect, and maybe rethink the company you keep, so you can surround yourself with people who feel like medicine, not hives.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/31/episode88

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Did you know your friendships are shaping your biology every single day?

From the way your genes express themselves to how your body handles stress, your connections literally change your chemistry.

In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable, Susan Robbins and Kate King explore the fascinating science of how friendship affects your mental, emotional, and physical health. They unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface when you feel seen, supported, or stressed in your relationships, and how those interactions send powerful messages to your genes.

Here’s what they dive into:
How healthy friendships boost feel-good hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, and why that matters for longevity and resilience.

Why conflict, disconnection, and toxic friendships can actually increase cortisol and inflammation in the body.

The importance of reciprocity and emotional safety, and how honest communication helps regulate your nervous system.

How different “health types” experience connection, from the social connector to the solo recharger.

 Simple ways to strengthen your social ecosystem and nurture friendships that truly support your biology.

This conversation bridges heart and science, reminding us that friendship isn’t just nice to have, it’s a vital part of our epigenetic health. The people you surround yourself with can either activate your stress genes or your thriving ones.

So, who in your life helps your genes feel safe enough to flourish?

RESOURCES:

Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/27/episode87

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Your nervous system is the command center for how you feel, safety, stress, connection, even joy all start here.

 In this powerful mini episode, Kate takes you deeper into Polyvagal Theory, the science of how your body responds to stress and safety, and how learning this language can change the way you relate to yourself and the world around you.

Building on insights from Dr. Navaz Habib and Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Susan and Kate break down the three core states of the nervous system, how to recognize when you’re stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, and the simple ways to come back home to balance.

In this episode:

• What “polyvagal” really means and how it affects your daily life
  
  
  
• The difference between dorsal, sympathetic, and ventral vagal states
  
  
  
• How to know when you’re dysregulated (and what to do about it)
  
  
  
• Practical tools like breathwork and awareness to restore calm and flow
  
  
  

Whether you’re healing from stress, deepening self-awareness, or simply curious about how to regulate your body and mind, this is a must-listen for understanding yourself on a whole new level.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/24/episode86

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

In this fascinating and much-anticipated conversation, Susan sits down once again with the one and only Dr. Cam McDonald, CEO and Chief Educator of pH360, mentor, and longtime friend, to explore one of the hottest topics in the health world today: AI in medicine.

We’re diving deep into the difference between using general AI tools like ChatGPT to make health decisions versus precision medical AI systems designed specifically for clinical use, like CLIA, the cutting-edge AI developed by pH360.

Dr. Cam breaks down how CLIA has been built over 15 years of real-world medical data from 140 countries, offering a truly individualized, evidence-based approach that considers your genes, environment, biology, and lifestyle, not just generic “one-size-fits-all” answers from the internet.

In this episode:

• Why using ChatGPT for health advice can be risky, and sometimes dangerous
  
  
• How CLIA’s advanced data modeling transforms AI into a medical precision tool
  
  
• The three V’s that make data trustworthy: Volume, Veracity, and Variety
  
  
• How CLIA integrates with your pH360 profile, labs, DNA, and lifestyle data for truly personalized insights
  
  
• Real-world results from Susan’s clients, from dramatic cholesterol drops to reversing early kidney disease

Susan also shares her own story of using CLIA to optimize her thyroid health, improve sleep, and even lower her biological age, proving that the right technology, used correctly, can truly transform human potential.

If you’ve ever turned to ChatGPT or Google for health advice, you need to hear this one.

This conversation will completely change how you think about AI, medicine, and the future of personalized wellness.

Listen in to discover: Why not all AI is created equal — and how precision health technology like CLIA is rewriting the future of healthcare.

Learn more about our guest Dr. Cam McDonald:

Dr Cam McDonald is a leader, educator, PhD scholar and internationally recognised speaker on personalised and precision health. As a key executive & education leader at Precision Health Alliance – his mission is to eliminate chronic disease and pain by 2050, and having ‘healthy’ and ‘resilient’  as the norm. Dr Cam is an exercise physiology, accredited practising dietitian, PhD Scholar, a Fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, an experienced clinician and is an international leader in the application of personalised health, epigenetics. His focus is to educate individuals on how the whole environment impacts physical and mental health and disease. Dr Cam leaves an indelible mark on the audience through his ability to simplify the complexity of health science, infuse hope and stimulate action.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Cam McDonald:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcammcdonald/

Website: https://precisionhealthalliance.org/

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/20/episode85

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

We stare at screens all day long, but what’s that doing to your eyes, your sleep, and even your genes?

In this mini, Susan and Kate dive into the world of blue-light blockers and why these simple glasses can be one of the easiest hacks for better focus, calmer evenings, and deeper sleep.

Susan walks you through her three favorite pairs (clear, amber & red), how each one works, and the science behind how light influences melatonin, circadian rhythm, and recovery. If you spend your days under artificial light, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode:

• How blue light impacts your eyes, hormones, and energy levels
• The difference between clear, amber, and red lenses (when to use each one)
• How nighttime light disrupts melatonin and sleep quality
• Simple bedtime swaps, from red bulbs to blue-light-free evenings
  
  
  

Short, practical, and surprisingly illuminating, this mini will make you think twice before your next late-night scroll.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/17/episode84

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Is walking really exercise, or just something we do between workouts?

In this Raw, Real, Relatable mini episode, Susan tackles one of the most common (and damaging) fitness myths out there: that walking “doesn’t count.” And she’s not holding back.

In a culture obsessed with intensity, sweat, and punishment-style workouts, walking is often dismissed as too easy or ineffective. But science, and real-world results, tell a very different story.

From clients with chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions to high performers and endurance athletes, Susan has seen firsthand how walking can dramatically improve health, metabolism, mood, blood pressure, blood sugar, and longevity. And research backs it up.

This episode reframes walking not as a fallback, but as one of the most accessible, powerful, and personalized forms of movement we have — especially when done with intention.

Susan also explores how walking works differently depending on your unique biology and health type, why “no pain, no gain” thinking is outdated, and how walking can complement, not replace, other forms of exercise.

If you’ve ever said “I only walk”… this episode might completely change how you see movement.

In this episode:

• Why walking absolutely qualifies as exercise
• How walking lowers heart disease risk, blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation
• Why intensity-obsessed fitness culture overlooks powerful daily movement
• The science behind steps, pace, and long-term health benefits
• How walking supports mental health, mood, and cognitive clarity
• Why walking works differently for different health types and nervous systems
• When walking is enough, and when it should be paired with other training
• Simple ways to make walking more effective and intentional

RESOURCES:

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

Shop the products: http://healthygut.com/healthyawakenings (this link will provide you a special discount!)

https://healthyawakening.co/2026/01/26/episode108/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Motherhood is beautiful, and brutally honest.

We hear so much about what to expect when you’re expecting, but what about what comes after?

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable, Susan and Kate sit down with Ellen LeBleu, registered nurse, board-certified coach, and mom of two, to talk about the part of motherhood no one prepares you for the after.

Ellen shares her journey from ICU nurse to postpartum coach, supporting women who feel blindsided, overwhelmed, or completely rocked by new motherhood. Together, the trio dives into everything from the fourth trimester and setting boundaries to healing from birth trauma, balancing self-care, and navigating social media pressure.

This episode is a must-listen for every expecting or new mom, and anyone who loves and supports them.

In This Episode:

The truth about the “fourth trimester” what no one tells you about postpartum life

How to prepare emotionally and practically before the baby comes

Healing from unexpected or traumatic birth experiences

Why your environment and emotional wellbeing shape your baby’s genetics

The role of partners, grandparents, and boundaries in postpartum recovery

How creativity, community, and mindfulness support thriving motherhood

Real talk about social media, comparison, and the myth of the “perfect mom”

Whether you’re a brand-new mom, an expecting parent, or someone supporting a growing family, this episode offers the honest conversations and gentle reminders we all need:
You are not alone. You are allowed to ask for help. You are doing better than you think.

Learn more about our guest Ellen LeBleu:

Ellen LeBleu is a Registered Nurse and Board-Certified Coach who helps overwhelmed moms in the thick of it, whether they’re newly postpartum or a few years into motherhood, reclaim their sense of self. Through compassionate, practical, and values-based coaching, Ellen supports women in prioritizing their well-being, creating nourishing routines, and rediscovering joy, confidence, and calm. She offers virtual coaching sessions designed to meet moms exactly where they are, without guilt or pressure, just real, meaningful support.

And for links:

Website: RenewalWellnessCoaching.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpartum_renewal

RESOURCES:

Connect with Ellen LeBleu

Website: RenewalWellnessCoaching.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpartum_renewal

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

tps://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/13/episode83

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Sometimes the smallest practice makes the biggest impact. In this feel-good mini, Susan and Kate dive into one of their favorite daily rituals, gratitude lists, and how something as simple as writing three things you’re thankful for can shift your entire mood, calm your nervous system, and even influence your genetic expression.

They share personal stories (including one involving a deer, a car, and a life-changing hike!) and practical tips for using gratitude to turn a bad day around.

In this episode:

• How gratitude affects your body, mind, and even your genes
• The simple 3-step practice that can transform your mood
• Real-life stories that show the power of reframing your day
• Why gratitude is the ultimate nervous system reset
  
  

This one’s short, sweet, and guaranteed to leave you feeling lighter and more inspired.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/10/episode82

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

This week on Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable, Susan and Kate sit down for a very special episode, a mix of exciting announcements, heartfelt reflections, and a sneak peek at what’s ahead.

After six months of inspiring conversations and unforgettable guests, Kate shares the big news about her next chapter: the release of her brand-new book Mend or Move On: A Guide to Healing or Leaving Toxic Relationships, now available for preorder! Together, Susan and Kate open up about what it means to stay authentic, honor your energy, and make choices that align with your vision, even when that means saying goodbye.

In this episode:

• Why Kate is stepping back from co-hosting (and what she’s stepping into instead).
• The behind-the-scenes of what it really takes to produce this podcast.
• How relationships, whether they’re friendships, family ties, or professional partnerships, can shape our health, happiness, and epigenetics.
• A raw conversation about toxic vs. misaligned relationships, and how to know when it’s time to mend or move on.

This isn’t goodbye,it’s a celebration of evolution, growth, and new beginnings. Tune in for a mix of real talk, laughter, vulnerability, and inspiration as Susan and Kate close this chapter together and open the door to what’s next.

RESOURCES:

Pre-Order Kate’s New Book!

Publisher Link

https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/54091/mend-or-move?srsltid=AfmBOoqAhkN1Sk3ZpBLFLXPejWKjGQ3oAhRu-43VMjRlmTw5ygteeUlu

 Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421453479?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_2R3BGMCJAVY744SE9D3E_9&bestFormat=true

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/06/episode81

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
• Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Your thoughts shape your reality. But how often do you pause to notice what’s actually running through your mind all day long?

In this quick but powerful mini, Susan and Kate unpack the idea of a Thought Audit, a practice of tracking, noticing, and shifting the stories you tell yourself. From catching negative self-talk to choosing which “wolf” inside you to feed, this episode is full of tools to help you take back control of your mindset.

In this episode:

• What a Thought Audit is (and how to do one)
• Why writing down your thoughts can be an eye-opening reality check
• How to shift from lies you tell yourself → truths that empower you
• The two wolves story: which one are you feeding?
• Tips for self-compassion when negative thoughts show up

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/10/03/episode80

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Your body runs on rhythms, and ignoring them comes at a cost.

In this episode of the Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable podcast, Kate flips the mic to interview Susan on one of her favorite topics: chronobiology, the science of your body’s natural 24-hour clock. From when you sleep, eat, and move to when you’re most creative or focused, your internal timing influences everything.

Susan explains why so many of us are living out of sync with our biology, and how getting back into rhythm can radically improve your energy, mood, digestion, focus, and long-term health. Through personal stories, client experiences, and even a few rants, Susan and Kate make this science both fun and deeply relatable.

It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing things at the right time.

In this episode:

• What chronobiology actually is and why it matters for your health
• How shift work, late-night scrolling, and “fitting in” with others can disrupt your natural flow
• Why early birds and night owls thrive differently, and how couples can navigate these differences
• The surprising impact of timing on hormones, digestion, and even exercise results
• Practical steps to align your lifestyle with your unique chronobiology
  
  

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “all the right things” but still not seeing results, this episode will show you why timing might be the missing key.

RESOURCES:

Episode 1 with Dr. Cam McDonald

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/precision-health-unveiled-revolutionizing-wellness/id1736527617?i=1000651050856

Huberman Podcast Alcohol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkS1pkKpILY

Huberman Podcast Circadian Rhythm:

https://www.hubermanlab.com/topics/light-exposure-and-circadian-rhythm

Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/09/29/episode79

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
• Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Your inner world is made up of many “parts” the perfectionist, the playful child, the protector, the one who craves control. In this creative mini episode, Kate introduces parts cards, an art therapy practice that blends Internal Family Systems with collage and journaling. This fun, hands-on tool helps you personify your inner parts, understand them better, and even create dialogue between them.

In this episode:

• What parts cards are and how to create your own
• Why art therapy helps bypass your inner critic
• Examples of parts cards, from playful to protective
• How this creative process can support healing and self-awareness
  
  
  

Short, creative, and deeply insightful, this mini is all about reconnecting with the many layers of you.

RESOURCES:

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/09/26/episode78

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
• Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Energy isn’t just “woo-woo”, it’s science, it’s connection, and it may be the missing link in your health and healing journey.

In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable, Susan and Kate sit down with Lee Hutchinson, a seasoned massage therapist, Reiki practitioner, sound healer, and certified energy medicine specialist. Lee shares her powerful story of moving from illness and infertility struggles to discovering energy work, a practice she says saved her life.

Together, they explore the profound impact stress, trauma, and energy imbalance can have on the body, how modalities like Reiki and sound therapy really work, and why our energetic field plays such a critical role in shifting from just surviving to truly thriving.

Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or already experienced with energy work, this conversation will open your eyes to new dimensions of health, healing, and epigenetic expression.

It’s time to look beyond the physical and explore the energy that shapes how we think, feel, and live.

In this episode:

• How Lee’s personal health crisis led her to energy medicine and transformed her life.
  
  
• The differences between Reiki, energy medicine, and sound healing, and when each is most impactful.
  
  
• How stress, trauma, and repressed emotions can congest energy flow and affect gene expression.
  
  
• Why the body’s subtle energy systems (chakras, meridians, aura, and hara line) matter for health.
  
  
• Practical ways energy healing helps regulate the nervous system, boost resilience, and support whole-body wellness.
  
  
• How letting go, grounding, and balance are key to thriving in today’s overstimulated world.

Learn more about our guest Lee Hutchinson

Hi, I’m Lee Hutchison. I am a wife, mother of teenage boy/girl twins and a business owner in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. I am a practitioner of Healing Touch and Reiki, as well as a certified Specialist in Energy Medicine and a certified Sound Healer. I am also a massage therapist with 20 years of experience in spas, chiropractic, and healthcare settings. I entered the field of energy medicine in 2016 as I worked through my own health issues and I can honestly attest-it saved my life. I am passionate about educating on the impact stress and repressed trauma has on your health. I offer energy healing therapies to work with your inner child healing. I offer guidance and techniques to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. I would be honored to walk with you on your healing journey and help you create a life you want to wake up to. It’s time to go from surviving to thriving!

RESOURCES:

Connect with Lee Hutchinson

Website: www.holisticbliss-llc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticblissllc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeholisticbliss

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/09/22/episode77/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Body image is complicated. Between cultural beauty standards, personal experiences, and the reality of health, it’s easy to get caught in comparison and self-criticism. In this mini episode, Susan and Kate open up about their own journeys with body image and explore why true beauty has less to do with size and everything to do with health, self-love, and authenticity.

In this episode:

• Why beauty standards miss the mark (and what to focus on instead)
• The difference between loving yourself and ignoring health risks
• How body image challenges show up at any size
• A fresh perspective: shifting from “beauty standards” to “health standards”

RESOURCES:

Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/09/19/episode76/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com

Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

In this raw and deeply personal episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan opens up about her terrifying journey with Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD), a condition triggered by contrast injections commonly used in MRIs. What started as a routine scan for hip pain spiraled into months of excruciating suffering, disbelief from doctors, and a desperate search for answers.

Susan is joined by Dr. Richard Semelka, one of the world’s leading experts on MRI safety and the physician who has dedicated his career to researching, identifying, and treating GDD. Together, they shine light on a condition too often dismissed, ignored, or misdiagnosed, and discuss why awareness could be life-saving for countless people undergoing MRIs with contrast.

This conversation is equal parts personal testimony, medical expertise, and call to advocacy. If you or someone you love has ever had, or may need, a contrast MRI, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

In this episode:

• Susan’s unfiltered story of surviving GDD and finding validation after years of pain and dismissal
• What Gadolinium Deposition Disease actually is, its symptoms, and why it’s often overlooked
• Who is most at risk, and why some people may react while others don’t
• The latest research on heavy metal toxicities and how GDD is treated
• The critical role lifestyle and immune system regulation play in recovery
• Why informed choice matters when doctors recommend contrast MRIs
  
  

This episode is not only about awareness, it’s about reclaiming your voice, listening to your body, and refusing to be silenced when you know something is wrong.

Learn more about our guest Dr. Richard Semelka

Dr Semelka's career is shown to be the #10 in MRI, # 12 in Medical Imaging worldwide by Scholar GPS. He has written 6 editions of textbooks on MRI of the abdomen and pelvis, 5 editions of a textbook on MR physics,  a textbook on quality improvement in Radiology and over 380 peer-reviewed articles, including the broadest range of subjects on safety issues in Radiology. Most recently he has described the entity Gadolinium Deposition Disease, on which he has written more than 16 articles. He has lectured around the world on topics in Radiology over a 35 year career. Presently he devotes his medical career to treating individuals with Gadolinium Deposition Disease and other metal toxicities. He is the president of the nonprofit GadTTRAC, an organization devoted to helping sufferers with Gadolinium and other heavy metal toxicity.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr Richard Semelka:

Website: gadttrac.org

Website: www.richardsemelka.com

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: 

https://healthyawakening.co/2025/0915/episode74

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Sugar is sneaky. It’s not just in desserts, it’s hiding in yogurts, juices, energy drinks, and even “healthy” snacks. In this bite-sized episode, Susan unpacks how to read labels like a food detective and spot the hidden sugars that could be spiking your blood sugar without you even knowing it.

In this episode:

• How to read food labels to uncover hidden sugars
• Why “healthy” items like yogurts and green juices may not be so healthy
• The simple way to measure how much sugar you’re really eating
• Better swaps for satisfying your sweet tooth without overload

RESOURCES:

Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/09/12/episode74

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
• Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Susan Robbins sits down with Shelly Jefferis, M.A. for a high-energy, real-talk conversation about toxins, lifestyle, and how everyday exposures can influence genetic expression. They break down what actually matters (without fear or perfectionism): how environmental toxins can dial up inflammation, impact detox pathways, and contribute to symptoms people often normalize, like brain fog, low energy, and poor sleep.

You’ll learn simple ways to reduce your toxin load starting where you are, reading labels, spotting “health” products that aren’t so healthy, avoiding common artificial sweeteners and synthetic fragrances, and making realistic swaps in food, skincare, and home products. The bottom line: you don’t need to do everything, you just need better awareness, smarter choices, and consistent habits that support your body’s natural detox systems.

In This Episode:

• Why toxins don’t have to be scary, but ignorance can be costly
• How environmental chemicals can influence inflammation, detox genes, and overall health
• The biggest red flags to watch for on food and supplement labels
• Why “sugar-free” and “wellness-branded” products often aren’t what they claim
• Simple, realistic ways to reduce toxin exposure without becoming obsessive
• How lifestyle basics, sleep, movement, hydration, and nutrition, support natural detox pathways
• Why feeling “okay” isn’t the same as feeling your best

Learn more about our guest Shelly Jefferis:

Shelly Jefferis, M.A. is an expert in wellness & longevity and has been in the profession for over 40 years. She is an educator, speaker & mentor. Through teaching & her compassionate nature, she is dedicated to the goal of impacting the lives of others to feel and live their best lives! Shelly is a retired college professor, is partnered with a global wellness company, and is passionate about increasing awareness and educating on toxins and ways to reduce our exposure in order to live healthier lifestyles. She is the podcast host of “Words of Wellness” and is the founder of Moms Who Flourish, a community created to empower moms to put their health and self-care as a priority through 1:1 & group mentorship and live wellness in-person events!!

RESOURCES:

Connect with Shelly Jefferis:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithshellyj/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momswhoflourish

Products Mentioned:

Yuka: https://yuka.io/en/

Primally Pure: https://primallypure.com/

Crunchy: https://crunchi.com/

Branch Basics: https://branchbasics.com/

https://healthyawakening.co/2026/02/02/episode109/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Pre-diabetes is no longer a warning sign, it’s a national crisis. And the most alarming part? It’s not just affecting adults. New data shows that 1 in 3 teens are now considered pre-diabetic. But here’s the good news: pre-diabetes is not your fate. It’s a call to action.

In this eye-opening and empowering episode, Susan and Kate dig deep into the root causes of pre-diabetes in both adults and children, and what you can actually do to prevent or reverse it.

They break down:

• The difference between insulin resistance and pre-diabetes
• What your lab numbers are really telling you
• How your genes + lifestyle habits create your current (and future) health
• The silent damage sugar is doing, and how to catch it before it leads to chronic disease
• The emotional, cultural, and behavioral layers that fuel unhealthy habits
• Actionable steps to start shifting your family’s habits without overwhelm or shame
  
  
  

Susan shares powerful insights from working with clients, her personal experience wearing a CGM (continuous glucose monitor), and why stress, not just food, is a major blood sugar disruptor. Kate brings in the emotional and psychological side of habit change, including generational influences and mindset shifts.

Whether you're managing your own blood sugar, supporting a child, or trying to break generational cycles of poor health, this episode will leave you empowered, informed, and ready to take action.

In this episode:

• The real cost of pre-diabetes (and why we’ve normalized it)
• Why your food choices today shape your health decades from now
• What labs to ask for, and what numbers are actually optimal
• Why sugar is a bigger threat than we think
• The link between chronic stress, lifestyle, and metabolic dysfunction
• How to create small, sustainable changes that impact your genetic expression
• Encouragement and support for families who feel overwhelmed or judged

P.S. Check out our first mini episode coming up on Friday 9/12! 

RESOURCES:

Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup

Show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/09/08/episode73

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

Connect with Susan:

• Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
• Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE Personalized Health Strategy Session, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
  Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
• Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins

Connect with Kate King:

• Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
• Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast