The Connected Health Podcast

Can acupuncture really help balance hormones? In this episode of The Connected Health Podcast , I sit down with licensed acupuncturist and herbalist Amy Cohn Rieselman to discuss how Traditional Chinese Medicine supports women through hormone imbalances, perimenopause, fertility challenges, painful periods, PMS, and more. We explore how acupuncture works, the connection between stress and hormones...

What exactly is an Integrative Health Practitioner—and how is it different from being a doctor, nutritionist, health coach, or personal trainer? In this solo episode, I share my approach to helping women uncover the root causes of symptoms like fatigue, hormone imbalances, digestive issues, weight loss resistance, brain fog, poor sleep, and low energy. You'll learn about my education and certi...

If you’ve ever had to shop for individual health insurance, you know how brutal it can be. You type your info into an online inquiry, and within minutes, your phone is being blown up thirty times a day by aggressive agents looking for a quick sale. Stop the endless scrolling and pause the search bar! In this episode of the Connected Health Podcast, we are pulling back the curtain on a broken healt...

Spotify Description In this episode of The Connected Health Podcast , I’m joined by nurse practitioner and longevity-focused provider Sam the NP to break down the truth about peptides—what they are, how they work, who they may help, and the risks people need to understand before jumping on the trend. We discuss: What peptides actually are GLP-1s, BPC-157, tesamorelin, CJC/ipamorelin & more Wei...

On this episode of The Connected Health Podcast, I’m sharing my personal experience wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and what it revealed about my blood sugar, energy, stress levels, cravings, and overall metabolism. I used the Freestyle Lingo and tracked my glucose patterns in real time—watching how meals, movement, sleep, stress, and even simple daily habits impacted my body. In this e...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with Ellen Lubenski to share her story of misdiagnosis, long-term psychiatric medication use, and her ongoing journey through benzodiazepine withdrawal. Ellen was originally diagnosed with autism in childhood, but later misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder—leading to decades of treatment with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. What followed w...

If your weight loss has stalled—and you feel like you’re doing everything right—this episode is for you. With summer right around the corner, a lot of people start tightening up their routines… eating less, working out more, trying to “get results.” But what if the very things you’re doing are actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, I’m breaking down the 4 real reasons weight loss stalls —and...

If you’re dealing with bloating, irregular digestion, IBS, or even diagnoses like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis… and you feel like nothing is actually fixing the problem—this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I sit down with Dr. Thomas Kuchenbrod, a chiropractor and functional nutrition practitioner who specializes in gut health and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We break down: The r...

What does it really look like to build a business, evolve it, and know when it’s time to move on? In this episode of the Connected Health Podcast , I sit down with Nashville entrepreneur Steve Harlow , who has owned multiple gyms and is now building a local coffee brand. We talk through his journey in the fitness industry, what it was like to transition ownership of his gym, and how he’s stepped i...

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women , yet it can take 7–10 years to be properly diagnosed —if it’s diagnosed at all. Many women are told their pain is “normal,” leaving them frustrated, dismissed, and searching for answers. In this episode of the Connected Health Podcast , we break down endometriosis from a holistic and integrative perspective . You’ll learn what endometriosis actuall...

Most people are told that high blood pressure is simply caused by eating too much salt. But blood pressure regulation is far more complex than that. It’s influenced by hormones, mineral balance, the nervous system, inflammation, and even the bacteria in your mouth. In this episode of the Connected Health Podcast , we break down the real physiology behind blood pressure from a holistic and function...

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), really—and what does acupuncture actually do in the body? In this episode, I’m joined by licensed acupuncturist Skyler Levine (Diplomate of Oriental Medicine) to break down acupuncture in plain English: meridians, qi, the fascia/electrical “circuit” concept, and why so many people feel calmer (sometimes immediately) after a session. We talk through what...

Weight loss isn’t glamorous or exciting. And it definitely isn’t driven by motivation. In this episode of The Connected Health Podcast, I’m breaking down the unsexy truth about fat loss — the part no one wants to talk about. We cover: Why motivation fades (and why that’s normal) How your brain is wired to resist change The neuroscience behind cravings and comfort habits The difference between disc...

Is your metabolism actually “slow”… or have you just been taught the wrong things about it? In this episode of The Connected Health Podcast, we break down the most searched metabolism questions and the biggest misconceptions keeping women stuck. We cover: What metabolism actually is (and what it’s not) Why eating less can backfire How stress and cortisol impact fat loss The role of thyroid health...

What does sustainable wellness actually look like in real life? In this episode of The Connected Health Podcast, I sit down with Haven Quinlan — founder of Health by Haven, Pure Barre instructor, former D1 dancer, and holistic health coach in training — to talk about building healthy habits that actually stick. We dive into: Why so many high-achieving women struggle with stress and digestive issue...

If you’ve ever felt like your thyroid symptoms suddenly worsened—fatigue, brain fog, hair shedding, anxiety, or stubborn weight gain—you might be in a thyroid flare . In this short and actionable episode, I’m breaking down: What a thyroid flare is (and why it happens) Common signs and symptoms to look out for What a flare could be telling you about your body And most importantly— how to respond an...

In this special guest episode, Vanessa sits down with Bre Doucette , integrative health practitioner turned business mentor, to talk about what’s changing in the wellness world—and what it means for both clients and coaches in 2026. They dive into the real shifts happening in health coaching: Why cookie-cutter programs are out—and personalization is in The rise of integrative and functional medici...

Struggling with brain fog, fatigue, stubborn weight, or mood swings—but your doctor says your labs are "normal"? You might be missing the real root cause: autoimmune thyroid disease. In this episode, we dive deep into Hashimoto’s , Graves’ disease , and how your gut health , immune system , and daily stress all play a role in your thyroid symptoms. We’ll cover: • What autoimmune thyroid...

If you’ve been told your thyroid is “fine” but you still feel tired, bloated, anxious, or off—you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. In this episode, we break down what your thyroid actually does, why TSH is only one piece of the puzzle, and which lab markers truly matter for understanding your thyroid function. You’ll learn the real signs of hypo- and hyperthyroidism, how stress impacts your thy...

What does it really mean to be a healthy man in today’s world? In this raw and honest conversation, I sit down with Dr. Tony Krohn — a holistic doctor who blends functional health with deep emotional and spiritual healing — to explore the full-spectrum reality of men’s wellness. We go beyond testosterone labs and supplements to talk about what’s really weighing men down : unprocessed emotions, str...

In this episode, we’re breaking down the science of goal setting that actually works —no more all-or-nothing resolutions or burnout by February. Whether you’re working on healing your hormones, building strength, losing weight, or simply feeling better in your body, this is your blueprint for change. We’ll cover: How to set long-term AND short-term goals that keep you motivated Why your identity m...

In this episode of The Connected Health Podcast , we’re breaking down the gut-health basics every woman needs to know. Whether you're dealing with bloating, food sensitivities, cravings, brain fog, breakouts, or hormone issues—your gut is likely at the root. You’ll learn: What common gut symptoms actually mean How digestion influences mood, skin, and hormones The truth about leaky gut, candida...

This episode is your deep-dive into the emotional blueprint —the powerful mix of thoughts, biology, and beliefs that shape your daily mood and long-term health. We’ll explore: Why anxiety and overwhelm are so common (and how they affect your body) The link between limiting beliefs and emotional patterns The role of neurotransmitters, hormones, and inflammation in your mood How your subconscious, R...

Think you need a fancy juice cleanse to detox? Think again. In this episode, I’m teaching you how to support your body’s natural detox pathways with simple, sustainable habits that actually work. We’re exposed to thousands of toxins daily—but your body is built to handle them if it’s supported properly. You’ll learn: Why so many symptoms are rooted in toxic overload What your liver, lymph, and gut...

Are you sleeping but still waking up tired? You may be missing one of the most foundational health habits: rest . In this episode, I teach the difference between rest and sleep , how to build supportive habits for both, and why your body needs nervous system calm—not just hours in bed—to truly heal. You’ll learn about: The role of circadian rhythm in your health How stress affects your ability to...