I've Got Guts!

Welcome to the first IGG Extra of Summer 2026! ☀️ This week, Stef and Lauren are kicking off summer in two very different ways. Stef shares the story of her unexpected hospital stay after chemotherapy, what led to her admission, what neutropenia actually is, and how she's navigating cancer treatment one day at a time. Meanwhile, Lauren takes us along on a memorable Canadian adventure with her mom...

In our season two finale, we're reflecting on the biggest lessons we've learned while navigating chronic illness, infertility, grief, achalasia, and breast cancer. We discuss why healing isn't linear, how joy and grief can coexist, and why you don't have to wait until everything is fixed to fully live. Together, we discuss: • Chronic illness, cancer, infertility, and grief
• Boundaries, happiness,...

When people hear the word grief, they often think about death. But what about grieving the life you thought you would have? In this episode, Stef and Lauren explore the hidden grief that comes with chronic illness, cancer, infertility, disability, and major life changes. They share their own experiences with breast cancer treatment, achalasia, infertility, and the heartbreak of watching your body,...

What if happiness isn't something you're born with, but something you can influence every day? In this episode of I've Got Guts!, Stef and Lauren explore the science behind happiness, mental health, and epigenetics. We discuss how your daily habits, relationships, environment, and mindset can impact not only how you feel…but even how your genes are expressed. We break down the research behind grat...

In this emotional and honest episode of I’ve Got Guts!, Stef and Lauren unpack a question so many women quietly carry: Why are women taught to suffer in silence? From infertility, chronic illness, mental health struggles, breast cancer, and the pressure to always “stay strong,” the girls explore why so many women feel forced to minimize their pain and protect everyone else’s comfort. Stef opens up...

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month, and in this special resource episode, Stef and Lauren revisit one of the topics closest to their hearts: celiac disease. Lauren shares her 17-year path to diagnosis, Connor’s testing journey, and how their family navigates life with celiac disease. The girls also discuss hidden symptoms, family testing, cross contamination, school accommodations, gluten-free...

In this raw and honest episode, Stef and Lauren talk about what it really looks like to navigate life when everything changes overnight. From Stef’s experience going through cancer treatment to the mindset shifts that help them keep showing up, this conversation is real, practical, and deeply relatable. After Stef returned to work and was asked, “How are you still smiling?” , it sparked a bigger c...

Friendship isn’t just something we have…it’s something we have to nurture. In today’s episode, we’re talking about community, connection, and the powerful impact friendships have on your mental health and overall well-being. Because let’s be real..life gets busy, and friendships can quietly fade without us even realizing it. We’re diving into: • Why adult friendships can feel harder to maintain •...

After an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis, Stef shares the story that changed everything…from early warning signs and ignored screening, to the role of genetic testing in understanding her diagnosis. While Lauren shares her testing journey as well. We break down what genes like BRCA1, BRCA2, and BARD1 mean, how family history plays a role, and why early detection matters more than ever. This epi...

After an unexpected break, this episode explains why. Stef shares her breast cancer diagnosis, walking through the full timeline...from finding the lump, to testing, biopsies, and mammograms, to the call that changed everything. She also opens up about what came next, including putting a pause on her and Anthony's IVF Journey, port placement, starting chemotherapy, and what the first weeks of trea...

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month , and in this episode of I've Got Guts , Stef and Lauren break down what endometriosis actually is…and why it’s still so misunderstood. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people worldwide , yet the average diagnosis takes 7–10 years . We talk about why diagnosis takes so long, common misconceptions doctors still have, and how symptoms can go far beyond painful per...

Earlier this season, we interviewed Dr. Maggie Benham from Chosen Spot Chiropractic Care, and then we did something unexpected…we booked appointments ourselves. In this follow-up episode, we’re sharing our real experiences with upper cervical chiropractic care, muscle testing, and CBCT (Cone Beam CT) imaging…and how it connects to chronic illness, vagus nerve function, swallowing issues, and nervo...

If you’ve used spoon theory to explain your energy, this episode explores what comes next. We’re talking about the shift to energy economics: a physiological lens on chronic illness that looks at nervous system load, immune demand, hormones, inflammation, GI function, and pain as real energy costs. Because this isn’t just fatigue. It’s biology. We break down how energy economics shows up in gastro...

In this episode, we break down the science and lived experience behind surgery recovery with chronic illness. From immune suppression and autoimmune responses to stress, inflammation, and emotional support, healing doesn’t look the same when your body is already working overtime. We talk about: • Why surgery is trauma to the body…even when it’s considered “minor” • How chronic illness, autoimmune...

Living with chronic or invisible illness often means constantly having to prove you’re “sick enough” to be believed…by doctors, workplaces, and even the people around you. In this episode, we talk about medical gaslighting, delayed diagnoses, workplace challenges, and the emotional toll of navigating life in a body that doesn’t always cooperate. We share real experiences with gastroparesis, endome...

Surgery isn’t just physical…it’s emotional, mental, and deeply personal. In this episode, we talk honestly about how to prepare for surgery when fear, anxiety, and medical trauma are part of the experience. Whether you’re facing surgery yourself, supporting someone who is, or carrying past medical experiences in your body, this conversation is for you. We cover: • How medical trauma and chronic il...

In this episode of Ive Got Guts!, Stef and Lauren sit down with Dr. Jason B. Carter, a board-certified urologist, to explore the powerful connection between gut health, bladder function, and hormone balance and why so many people struggle when these systems are not looked at together. We dive into: How the gut and bladder connection works Why hormone balance is essential, especially for women The...

Have you ever opened up about how hard things really are, only to hear, “Just stay positive” or “At least it’s not worse” , and walked away feeling shut down or guilty? In this episode, we break down toxic positivity… what it is, why it shows up so often in chronic illness, healing, and personal growth spaces, and how it can quietly block emotional regulation and real healing. We’re not here to ca...

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Tori (@toritriesit on TikTok) , whose medical journey began before she was even born…and who wasn’t diagnosed with cystic fibrosis until her twenties. Tori shares what it was like growing up sick without answers, finally receiving a life-changing diagnosis, and navigating chronic illness while raising two children with their own medical challenges . You ma...

If the new year has you feeling tired instead of inspired, this episode is for you. We’re letting go of “New Year, New You” energy and choosing something far more sustainable… compassion, realignment, and gentle forward movement . Whether you’re navigating infertility, chronic illness, shifting relationships, burnout, or simply feeling unsure of what comes next, this conversation offers a grounded...

The holidays can feel heavy when you’re living with chronic illness, navigating fertility struggles, or grieving a season that looks different than you hoped. In this shorter, end-of-year episode of I’ve Got Guts , we’re sharing gentle holiday survival tips, laughing through some very real holiday mishaps, and offering permission to rest, set boundaries, and honor your body…without guilt. In this...

In this episode, we’re joined by Andrea Tait , a physical therapist and wellness coordinator, who shares her powerful journey through autoimmune disease, a heart attack, and supporting her daughter after a Crohn’s disease diagnosis . Andrea opens up about how these experiences led her to explore holistic, root-cause approaches to healing , including natural strategies and gut support that helped h...

Lauren shares her latest achalasia update, including learning her esophagus is functioning at 10%. The surprising part? She wasn’t shocked…but everyone else was. This episode unpacks why her calm made sense, why others panicked, and how to stay grounded when people project their fears onto your journey. Stef also reflects on similar reactions during her fertility path. In this episode, we explore:...

In this episode of I’ve Got Guts! , we talk with Dr. Maggie Benham of Chosen Spot Chiropractic about how gentle chiropractic care supports digestion, the vagus nerve, stress, and overall nervous-system function. After our episode with Kaylee sparked so many questions, Dr. Maggie explains what really happens during an adjustment and how this work fits alongside conventional medicine. We cover: • Wh...

It’s our 1-year anniversary AND our 50th episode! 🎉 Today we’re diving into one of the hardest parts of living with chronic illness: not being believed . From “your labs are normal” to “it’s just stress,” we break down what medical gaslighting actually looks like, why it happens, and how it impacts your emotional, physical, and relational health. We also share practical scripts, advocacy tools, a...