Healthy Buzz: Hormone Health, Gut Health, Perimenopause & Women’s Wellness – Details, episodes & analysis

For too many women, endometriosis is dismissed, misdiagnosed, or masked with quick-fix solutions like birth control. But what if there’s a better way to understand and support your body?

In this episode I am sitting down with  Rita Utterback, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P), Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and founder of Radiate with Rita. Having walked her own long road with endometriosis, Rita now helps women move beyond band-aid approaches to truly reclaim their health.

 In this episode:

• Rita’s personal journey with endometriosis, from years of misdiagnosis to finally finding answers
• Why painful periods aren’t the only symptom, and why gut issues are often an early red flag
• The difference between ablation and excision surgery (and why it matters)
• How endo impacts the immune system, gut health, and even fertility
• The role of minerals, gut healing, and stress management in improving symptoms and energy

Connect with Rita Utterback:

Period Fix Blueprint: https://radiatewithrita.kit.com/72b6c467aa 

Instagram: @radiatewithrita

Website: www.radiatewithrita.com

Interested in delicious, high-protein recipes? Download your 7-day high-protein plan here: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/high-protein-recipes  

Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness

Being told you have “unexplained infertility” can feel devastating, and for many women, it’s a diagnosis that comes with more questions than answers.

In this episode I am joined by Laura Ligos, a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in fertility optimization, women’s hormone health, and functional nutrition.

As a mom of two who’s personally experienced the emotional and physical challenges of conception, Laura helps women dig deeper when conventional fertility testing comes up short. She partners with clients and their fertility teams to uncover overlooked factors, from nutrient deficiencies and hidden inflammation to male fertility issues, so couples can improve outcomes naturally or with assisted reproduction.

In this episode:

• What “unexplained infertility” really means, and why it’s often a sign of incomplete investigation
• The fertility tests most women aren’t getting, but should be
• How cycle timing and proper hormone testing days can change the picture completely
• Why male factor infertility accounts for 50% of cases (and how sperm health has declined over the decades)
• The impact of nutrient deficiencies (iodine, vitamin D, iron, B12, folate, choline) on egg and sperm quality
• The importance of the 90-day fertility optimization window for both partners before trying to conceive or starting IVF
• How to advocate for yourself with your fertility team so nothing is overlooked

If you’re navigating infertility, preparing for IVF, or simply want to improve your reproductive health, this episode is packed with insights you can take to your provider—and use to feel empowered in your journey.

Connect with Laura: 

Fertility Optimization Checklist: https://the-sassy-dietitian.kit.com/82a8b41d17

Website: http://www.thesassydietitian.com

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

Interested in delicious, high-protein recipes? Download your 7-day high-protein plan here: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/high-protein-recipes

Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/

Ever felt like you were left in the dark about your own body? You’re not alone. Welcome to Healthy Buzz, hosted by me, Brandee Hommerding!

On this podcast, you can expect stories about my personal journey from confusion to clarity—from flipping through teen magazines for answers, to a late PCOS diagnosis, and now navigating perimenopause with power and purpose.

I am a Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner and self-proclaimed diet culture dropout, created Healthy Buzz to give women what most of us never got: real talk and real answers about our health.

 This podcast is your go-to space for honest conversations about:

• Hormone health and menstrual cycles
• Gut issues and sustainable nutrition
• Debunking wellness myths and toxic health advice

Each episode offers practical tools, expert insights, and empowering reminders that your body is not broken—and you’re not alone.

Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG:https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/

Are you tired of restrictive diets, endless cardio, and chasing a smaller number on the scale—only to feel exhausted and frustrated?

In this empowering episode I am speaking with Hayley from Daily Hayley Coaching, an online fitness and nutrition coach helping women over 30 get strong, confident, and mobile without extreme restrictions.

A former in-person trainer for 10 years, Hayley now works with clients worldwide, focusing on strength through mobility and simple, sustainable nutrition habits that deliver results for life—not just for a season.

In this episode:

• How to break free from diet culture and build a healthy relationship with food
• The difference between mobility and flexibility—and why it’s essential for long-term strength and injury prevention
• Why “strong is the new skinny” is more than a trend
• How to stop the binge/restrict cycle and still enjoy your favorite foods
• The role of strength training in perimenopause and postmenopause for metabolism, independence, and bone health
• Why cardio isn’t the only way to lose weight—and how to use it strategically
• The truth about protein, carbs, and metabolism for sustainable fat loss and muscle gain

If you’re ready to ditch quick fixes, future-proof your body, and feel empowered in your health journey, this conversation will show you how to build strength, improve mobility, and create habits that stick for life.

Interested in delicious, high-protein recipes? Download your 7-day high-protein plan here: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/high-protein-recipes

Connect with Hayley:

Freebie: www.dailyhayley.com/healthy-hips

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

Website: www.dailyhayley.com

Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness

If you're exhausted, bloated, losing hair, and your period’s gone MIA… you might not be eating enough.

In this spicy episode, I’m joined by Danielle Kepics—aka the unicorn of women’s health—to break down what under-fueling does to your hormones, metabolism, and overall health. We talk about why basic habits (like eating more, sleeping better, and quitting toxic jobs) matter more than biohacks, and how birth control may be masking your body’s real signals.

About Danielle:

Danielle Kepics is an FDN-P, fertility educator, mental health therapist, nutrition coach, and former personal trainer. She’s the founder of Empowered Mind + Body and co-founder of Unconventional Collaborative, helping both clients and practitioners redefine health from the ground up.

We cover:

• Why 1,600 calories isn't enough (even if you're not training hard)
• The real reason your hormones, period, and gut are out of whack
• How chronic stress and toxic jobs sabotage healing
• What a “real” period is—and how birth control masks it
• Why basics beat biohacking every time

Connect with Danielle:

freebie: https://empowered-mind-body.kit.com/hormoneguide

IG connect: @empowered.mind.body and @unconventional.collaborative for the practitioners

Interested in delicious, high-protein recipes? Download your 7-day high-protein plan here: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/high-protein-recipes

Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness

So many of us were taught to be strong, independent, and figure things out alone, but what happens when that mindset sabotages our relationships?

I’m joined by Rachel Elder, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and owner of Connected Couples Counseling, to talk about how therapy can benefit couples at any stage, not just when things are falling apart. We chat about communication, conflict, connection (Rachel’s “3 Cs”), and how being open to being wrong can totally transform your relationship.

Rachel also shares what actually happens in couples counseling, how our past shapes how we show up with our partners, and what to do if only one person wants therapy. If you’re curious about deepening your connection or learning healthier patterns together, this one’s for you.

About Rachel:

Rachel Elder is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and owner of Connected Couples Counseling. She’s passionate about helping couples grow old and grey together and loves getting to the root of what’s really going on. Outside of her work, she’s all about the entrepreneurial journey, iced mochas, and The Office.

In this episode:

Why independence culture can make us resistant to therapy

The three C’s of relationship health: communication, conflict, and connection

What actually happens in a couples counseling session

How your childhood shapes your attachment style

Why both partners need a growth mindset to create lasting change

How to rewire your reactions and stop sabotaging connection

What to do if only one person wants therapy

How to find the right couples therapist for you

 Connect with Rachel:

Grab Rachel’s free Relationship Check-In Guide: https://www.connectedcouplescounseling.com/weekly-relationship-check-in-guide

Rachel's Website: https://www.connectedcouplescounseling.com

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

Blood Sugar Savvy - Do you want to balance your blood sugar and achieve optimal hormone health? Learn more here! https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/blood-sugar-savvy Podcast listeners save $30 when you use the code BUZZ at checkout!

Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter:  https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/

Are carbs the enemy? Is fat making you fat? Should you be eating more protein? In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise and giving you the real, root-cause-based breakdown of what macronutrients actually do for your body—and why you need all three for optimal health.

Host by me, Brandee Hommerding, a Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner and diet culture dropout, I am explaining why your body needs carbs, protein, and fat, and how you can create balanced meals without fear, guilt, or food rules. This isn’t about counting macros! It’s about understanding them.

In this episode:

• What macronutrients are (and how they’re different from micronutrients)
• Why carbs are your body’s preferred fuel, not something to fear
• The truth about protein deficiencies and how protein supports hormones, muscles, and metabolism
• How fat fuels satiety, hormone health, and vitamin absorption
• A simple campfire analogy to understand digestion and energy from food
• Why balanced meals = better energy, mood, and hunger regulation

Blood Sugar Savvy - Do you want to balance your blood sugar and achieve optimal hormone health? Learn more here! https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/blood-sugar-savvy Podcast listeners save $30 when you use the code BUZZ at checkout!

 Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter:  https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/

Feeling exhausted by the hustle and craving more flow in your life? What if your energy dips, your emotional waves, and even your desire to retreat were actually natural—not flaws to fix?

In this episode, I am joined by Krystal Praast, founder of New Moon Mama and creator of the Tides Program. Together, we talk about what it means to live in alignment with your cyclical nature—from your menstrual phases to the lunar calendar to the ever-evolving seasons of womanhood.

Krystal blends her background in corporate leadership and esoteric wisdom to help women reconnect with their inner rhythm, embrace change, and create tools to support their highest selves, no matter the tide.

Whether you’re in a season of burnout, transformation, or deep reflection, this episode will remind you that you’re not broken, you’re just beautifully cyclical.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How syncing with the moon can support your mental and physical well-being
• The four feminine life archetypes: Maiden, Mother, Matriarch, and Crone
• Why honoring your high and low tides can bring more ease and clarity
• How to check in with yourself (in just 30 seconds) and take aligned action
• A breakdown of Krystal's Tides framework for holistic, cycle-based living

Interested in delicious, high-protein recipes? Download your 7-day high-protein plan here: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/high-protein-recipes

Connect with Krystal:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/new.moon.mama.retreat/

Explore the Tides Program (launching Sept 2025): https://www.newmoonmamaretreat.com/tides-program

Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/

Grief is universal, but often deeply isolating. 

In this episode, I sit down with Certified Grief Educator Tamara Kubacki, founder of Listening to Grief, to explore the many layers of loss—and why learning to grieve openly can be one of the most healing things we do.

Tamara shares her personal story of losing both parents and her sister, how that shaped her understanding of grief, and the tools she now uses to support others through one-on-one coaching and communal experiences like her popular grief walks.

Through her work, Tamara provides empathetic, storytelling-based grief coaching and creates events that bring people together to grieve in natural and creative spaces. Her work has been featured in The Seattle Times and West Seattle Blog, and she actively collaborates with artists, yoga instructors, herbalists, and more to destigmatize grief and make it less lonely.

 In this episode:

• Why grief is misunderstood (and why our brains resist loss)
• How grief shows up in everyday tasks and routines
• The difference between grief coaching and therapy
• Helpful tools for regulating your nervous system through grief
• Why platitudes like “everything happens for a reason” can be harmful
• How to truly support a grieving friend (and what not to say)
• Why grief isn’t just about death—and what else can trigger it
• How crying can be healing and how to let it happen without shame

This episode is a beautiful reminder that your grief is valid, whether you’ve lost a person, a pet, a place, or a part of yourself. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Blood Sugar Savvy - Do you want to balance your blood sugar and achieve optimal hormone health? Learn more here! https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/blood-sugar-savvy Podcast listeners save $30 when you use the code BUZZ at checkout!

Connect with Tamara:

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

Website: listeningtogrief.com

Tamara's Top 10 Grief Books: listeningtogrief.com/top-ten-books

Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter:  https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Follow me on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/

Menopause doesn’t have to mean suffering in silence. In this episode, I sit down with Vanessa Weiland to break down what most doctors don’t tell you about hormone health.

Vanessa Weiland is the founder of Phases Clinic, a holistic menopause and sexual wellness clinic based in Washington State. As a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, certified clinical hypnotherapist, and board-certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience, Vanessa is dedicated to providing compassionate care to support individuals through the menopause transition.

If you're navigating perimenopause, thinking about HRT, or just tired of being dismissed—this one's for you.

Interested in delicious, high-protein recipes? Download your 7-dayhigh-protein plan here: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/high-protein-recipes

In this episode:

• What menopause actually is (spoiler: it's only one day)
• The difference between HRT and bioidentical hormones
• What causes weight gain during menopause
• Common symptoms beyond hot flashes
• Why vaginal estrogen is a game-changer
• The truth about testosterone for women
• What to do if your provider won’t talk HRT
• Which supplements might help—and which to skip

Connect with Vanessa:

Website: phasesclinic.com 

IG: phases.clinic 

phasesacademy.com/guide - A free guide of evidence based supplements for common menopause symptoms

Connect with me:

Sign up for my newsletter: https://bcw.beecollectivewellness.com/newsletter-signup

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beecollectivewellness/