#Balance Banter

What if one of the most helpful screening tools for mold illness wasn't a blood test, urine test, or expensive laboratory assessment—but a simple visual test you can complete in just a few minutes? In this episode of Balance Banter , Functional Nutrition Practitioner Kristie Calise shares how Visual Contrast Sensitivity Testing (VCS) became one of the first clues in her own journey toward unc...

In one of her most personal episodes, Functional Nutrition Practitioner Kristie Calise dives deep into Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) —a complex mast cell activation disorder that played a major role in her chronic illness journey long before it became widely recognized. MCAS is considered one of several mast cell disorders, where mast cells—an important type of immune cell and part of your...

Mold exposure can contribute to a wide range of chronic health issues—but because symptoms vary so drastically from person to person, indoor mold is often overlooked as a root cause of chronic illness. In this episode of Balance Banter , Kristie Calise shares her personal experience with mold toxicity, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), MCAS, POTS, and severe histamine symptoms after l...

Gut health plays a crucial role in overall health, immune function, and long-term healing—especially for those navigating chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and other chronic health conditions. When the gut lining becomes compromised—often referred to as leaky gut syndrome or intestinal permeability—it can lead to food sensitivities, brain fog, abdominal pain, and...

Cortisol —often called the body’s primary stress hormone—plays a crucial role in your overall health. Produced by the adrenal glands (located on top of your kidneys) and regulated by signals from the pituitary gland and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol helps control your body’s stress response, blood sugar levels, immune function, and circadian rhythm. But when cortisol levels become i...

After six months of behind-the-scenes work, it’s finally here! In this episode of Balance Banter , Kristie Calise shares an exciting announcement about the newly updated Balance: Chronic Illness Care app—completely redesigned to better support individuals navigating chronic illness, fatigue, inflammation, and flare-based lifestyles. Following the October relaunch, Kristie and Frank (husband &...

Histamine intolerance is a complex and often misunderstood condition that can present with a wide range of symptoms—from digestive issues like abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome to allergy-like symptoms such as skin rashes, nasal congestion, runny nose, and headaches. In this episode of Balance Banter , Kristie Calise breaks down the most common symptoms of histamine intolerance and expla...

When daylight saving time arrives on the second Sunday of March, the clocks spring forward and most people suddenly lose an hour of sleep. While a one-hour shift might not sound like much, this sudden change can disrupt your circadian rhythm, affect your sleep schedule, and impact your body’s internal clock. Research from sleep experts—including findings discussed in the Journal of Clinical Sleep...

Chronic diseases are now the leading causes of death in the United States—impacting everything from heart disease and cardiovascular disease to diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease. But are these chronic conditions simply the result of genetic predisposition? In this episode of Balance Banter , Kristie Calise challenges the conventional m...

In today’s episode of #BALANCE Banter, we’re taking a holistic approach to healing that isn’t about supplements, labs, or protocols. We’re talking about something that made a world of difference in my own healing process: healing hobbies. Before my health journey, I lived in constant hustle mode—14-hour days, nonstop productivity, and physical activity as my only “hobby.” But when chronic illness...

Medical gaslighting has become a silent epidemic within the healthcare system—especially for people living with chronic illnesses, invisible illnesses, and complex health conditions. In recent years, more voices across social media, online support groups, and media outlets have highlighted how often patients are dismissed, minimized, or told their symptoms are “just anxiety” despite very real phys...

In this episode of Balance Banter , Kristie Calise, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and founder of the Balance App, dives into the science and lived experience behind vagus nerve stimulation —a powerful tool for nervous system regulation and healing. Kristie explains what the vagus nerve is, where it runs in the body, and why it plays such a critical role in heart rate, blood pressure, digestion...

If mornings feel like your hardest struggle, this episode is for you! ☕ In this episode of Balance Banter , Kristie shares 7 practical tools that helped her wake up with more clarity, energy, and consistency — despite years of living with adrenal fatigue, low cortisol, and chronic illness. This is a judgment-free, pressure-free episode for anyone who wants to start their day with more ease — and...

If setting goals has ever left you feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or burnt out—this episode is for you. In this episode, Kristie Lengel , Functional Nutrition Practitioner and founder of the Balance App, walks through how to set SMART goals that actually support your body and your life—especially if you’re navigating autoimmunity, fatigue, hormone issues, or chronic stress. Kristie breaks down:...

In one of her most personal episodes yet, Functional Nutrition Practitioner Kristie Lengel dives deep into Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) — a condition that played a massive role in her chronic illness journey long before it became widely recognized. Kristie shares how her symptoms began in 2016, years before MCAS had an ICD-10 code or mainstream awareness. Despite “normal” labs, mast cell–t...

In this episode, Kristie chats with Cory from ProShine Professional Cleaning about one of the most overlooked factors in chronic illness—environmental exposure to hidden mold. They discuss how humidity in the Lowcountry makes HVAC systems a breeding ground for mold, why indoor air quality matters more than most people realize, and how professional duct cleaning can make a world of difference in yo...

What if balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly—but learning when to pause? In this empowering episode, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Balance App founder Kristie Lengel shares what true balance looks like beyond the all-or-nothing mindset. After years of navigating chronic illness, burnout, and healing, Kristie has learned that real wellness isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about att...

If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, hair loss, or feeling cold all the time — but your doctor keeps saying your labs look “normal,” this episode is for you. In this listener-favorite rerun, Functional Nutrition Practitioner Kristie Lengel dives into the overlooked world of thyroid testing and explains why so many women are being misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. You’ll...

What happens when chronic illness changes everything — your health, your marriage, your finances, and your future dreams? In this deeply personal episode, Kristie (Lengel)  and Frank Calise share their honest and emotional story of navigating invisible illness, medical gaslighting, and years of searching for answers. They reveal the challenges, heartbreak, and helplessness that came with living th...

This week, we’re revisiting one of the most loved episodes from the Balance Banter vault! If you or your child struggles with ADD or ADHD symptoms , you’ve probably heard about medication—but what about nutritional interventions that support the brain and nervous system from the inside out? In this episode, Functional Nutrition Practitioner Kristie Lengel explores powerful (but practical!) dietary...

Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right and still feel exhausted, dizzy, or ungrounded? In this episode, Functional Nutrition Practitioner Kristie Lengel shares the eye-opening story of how her debilitating POTS symptoms disappeared every time she traveled to Europe—and what she discovered about trace minerals that changed everything. You’ll learn: What trace minerals are and why you...

Cortisol has become a buzzword—but how much do you really know about it? In this clear and empowering episode, Functional Nutrition Practitioner Kristie Lengel breaks down what cortisol is, why it matters, and how to tell if your rhythm is out of balance. You’ll learn: What cortisol does in the body Why DHEA is critical for hormone health What a healthy cortisol pattern should look like What disru...

In this heartfelt follow-up to her personal health story, host Kristie Lengel —Board Certified Integrative & Functional Nutrition Practitioner and founder of the Balance App—shares the next chapter: how her healing journey inspired the complete rebrand of the Balance App , coming Fall 2025 . This is not just a fitness app—it’s a symptom-sensitive wellness hub for those navigating chronic illne...

In this deeply personal episode, host Kristie Lengel —Board Certified Integrative & Functional Nutrition Practitioner and founder of the Balance App—shares her full chronic illness story for the first time. What began as a mysterious rash on Christmas Day in 2016 spiraled into years of debilitating symptoms, medical gaslighting, and unanswered questions. From MCAS, POTS, mold illness, and Lyme...

This listener favorite is back! In this quick and powerful rerun, Kristie shares 5 practical sleep strategies every busy woman can use to feel more rested and energized — without overhauling her entire routine! You’ll learn: Why sleep timing matters more than sleep quantity How morning light and nighttime habits affect your rhythm The role of magnesium in deeper, better sleep Originally aired in J...