The Hormone Genius Podcast

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, the hosts sit down with Dr. Marina Suri, an OB-GYN with more than 30 years of experience in restorative reproductive medicine and women’s health. Together, they explore a refreshing and hopeful perspective on fertility, longevity, and what women can do naturally to support their hormone health and reproductive lifespan. Dr. Marina introduces the idea of “biological age” versus chronological age. While we cannot stop time, she explains that the health of our bodies is deeply influenced by lifestyle choices. The same habits that support longevity. The conversation dives into practical, foundational approaches that often get overlooked in conventional medicine. Rather than focusing first on expensive biohacking trends, Dr. Marina encourages women to start simple: eat whole foods, reduce ultra-processed foods and sugar, move the body regularly, and prioritize nutrient sufficiency. She shares how deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and omega-3s are incredibly common in her patients and can significantly impact hormone health and fertility. The hosts also discuss the overwhelming amount of health information women encounter online today. Dr. Marina reminds listeners that the basics matter most. A Mediterranean-style diet, reducing inflammatory foods, regular exercise, and stress management are still some of the most evidence-based ways to improve fertility and overall wellness. Another major topic of the episode is low-dose naltrexone (LDN), a therapy gaining attention in restorative reproductive medicine.More recently, she has seen promising use in fertility support, particularly for women with inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS. She discusses both the potential benefits and considerations of using LDN, including common side effects like vivid dreams and sleep changes. The discussion also highlights the growing concern surrounding endocrine-disrupting chemicals in modern life. From plastics and water contaminants to personal care products and cleaning supplies, Dr. Marina explains how environmental toxins may be impacting fertility, hormone balance, and even sperm counts. She shares practical ways women can reduce exposure without becoming fearful, including using water filters, cleaner products, and tools like the Environmental Working Group’s Healthy Living App. The episode closes with a beautiful reflection on body literacy and the importance of women understanding their cycles and hormones. Dr. Marina encourages women not to take fertility for granted and to become more in tune with the natural rhythms of their bodies. Her mission is simple but powerful: to help women understand that they are not powerless when it comes to their health and fertility. This episode is packed with practical wisdom, encouragement, and empowering reminders that small lifestyle changes can truly transform hormone health, fertility, and long-term wellness. Interested in being a Podcast Sponsor with THE HORMONE GENIUS? Check out these links next to get more detailson our SPONSORSHIP VISION! PODCAST PARTNER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdffY6WpATSUZfVtaQDlgCH1TDvvR5o3u-1G_sxUzQ0iRgHqg/viewform MONTHLY SPONSOR: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBmq62f7FcAs6aGqD_2wrHyWlXRm66bhzvqF2M1Pal5nkGyA/viewform BRAND PARTNER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBu46XqvMbmi8dqt8LBzUE0r22Gj39Ou9tbXSeN6d8-G5qaA/viewform We love partnering with brands that align with our mission of empowering women through hormone education and whole-body health. Visit WeHeartNutrition.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off your first order. The information shared on the Hormone Genius Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or sponsors.

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, Teresa Kenney and Jamie Rathjen sit down with Isabelle Adams, Education Coordinator for Natural Womanhood, to talk about a powerful and growing movement in women’s health education: Cycle Mindfulness Clubs. 👩‍🏫 Meet Our Guest Isabelle Adams is the Education Coordinator for Natural Womanhood and a passionate advocate for holistic, science-based fertility education. She graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Psychological Sciences and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Divine Mercy University. Isabelle has led two Cycle Mindfulness Clubs—one as an undergraduate and another in her hometown after graduation. These experiences deepened her appreciation for women’s health, community-based learning, and the integration of truth, science, and human dignity. As a future counselor, Isabelle hopes to offer marriage and family therapy, walking with couples as they learn Natural Family Planning (NFP) and navigate their fertility journey together. Outside of her work, Isabelle enjoys running half marathons, exploring new coffee shops, and spending time with her husband, Kaleb. 🌱 What Are Cycle Mindfulness Clubs? Cycle Mindfulness Clubs (CMCs), an initiative of Natural Womanhood, provide young women with a safe, supportive, and empowering space to learn about their fertility and menstrual cycles—grounded in science and lived experience. At their core, Cycle Mindfulness Clubs offer: A community-based approach to understanding fertility and cycle charting Education on menstrual and reproductive health rooted in biology and evidence Small-group settings (typically 8–12 women) that encourage discussion and support A non-religious, accessible curriculum open to women of all backgrounds While the curriculum itself is non-religious, club leaders share values rooted in the dignity of the human person, informed by the Christian/Catholic tradition. 📊 Program Snapshot & Impact 28 active clubs currently operating Goal to train 45 new leaders in person next year at the University of St. Thomas in Houston Clubs are hosted on campuses and in local communities (not limited to Catholic centers) https://naturalwomanhood.org/cycle-mindfulness-club-leadership-team/ 💬 Why This Conversation Matters In a culture where menstrual health education is often fragmented, confusing, or purely clinical, Cycle Mindfulness Clubs offer something different: connection, clarity, and community. This episode explores why young women are hungry for better fertility education—and how programs like CMCs are meeting that need with compassion, science, and integrity. Whether you’re a student, educator, clinician, parent, or someone passionate about women’s health, this conversation sheds light on what’s possible when we approach fertility with curiosity instead of fear. Sponsors 💛 We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS 🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery. 🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS 🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius Grazing Beauty Tallow Skin Care! Grazing Beauty is a small-batch, mama-inspired skincare brand specializing in grass-fed tallow products like body balms, bar soaps, and lip balm. Listeners can use the affiliate code HORMONEGENIUS at checkout for 10% off their order. https://grazingbeauty.com/

Have you ever wondered if your menstrual cycle has a deeper meaning? Have you tried tracking your cycle, only to find it confusing, overwhelming, or hard to keep up with? Did you receive menstrual health education that felt incomplete or disconnected from the lived experience of womanhood? If so, this episode is for you. In today’s podcast, we’re joined by Annie Schuler, author of Women of All Seasons: The Symbolism of the Menstrual Cycle, for a thoughtful and refreshing conversation about the sacred design of the female body and the deeper significance of the menstrual cycle. 📖 What This Book Explores Women of All Seasons offers a unique lens on menstrual health, weaving together biology, symbolism, and faith into one cohesive and accessible framework. In this episode, we discuss: The menstrual cycle as a reflection of the four seasons, and how each phase carries its own physical, emotional, and spiritual meaning The biological foundations of the cycle, explained in a way that supports and enhances symbolic understanding How symbolism can help women understand, remember, and honor their cycles more intuitively Why many women feel disconnected from their cycles—and how this approach restores meaning and reverence How this book can serve girls experiencing their first period, mothers teaching their daughters, and women in every season of life Annie’s work stands out for its ability to hold scientific evidence and symbolic beauty together, helping women better understand not only how their bodies work, but why they matter. 👩‍🔬 About the Author Annie Schuler is a biologist and author with a deep passion for God’s beautiful design of the female body. She graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a degree in Biology and now lives in Lockport, New York with her husband and children. Her work reflects a heartfelt commitment to educating women with both truth and tenderness. 🤍 Podcast Sponsors This episode is brought to you by brands we truly love and trust: We Heart Nutrition Get 20% off your first order with code GENIUS Thoughtfully formulated supplements to support whole-body and hormonal health. Tiny Gut Health Take $50 off your gut health kit Advanced testing and tools to support digestive and immune wellness from the inside out. Wonder Cow Colostrum Get 30% off your subscription with code HORMONEGENIUS High-quality colostrum to support gut integrity, immunity, and overall resilience. Perimenopause Doesn’t Have to Feel Overwhelming That’s exactly why we created the Hormone Genius Perimenopause Course — to give women a clear roadmap and a sense of community as they build sustainable habits in this season. Podcast listeners can use code HGPFRIEND for 20% off this month. The information shared on The Hormone Genius Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or mental health advice. Please consult your own provider for personal medical needs.

The postpartum period is one of the most dramatic hormonal transitions in a woman’s life, yet it is rarely explained in a clear or compassionate way. In this episode, Teresa and Jamie walk through what is actually happening inside the body and brain after birth, why so many women say they don’t “feel like themselves,” and how much of this experience is rooted in biology , not personal weakness or failure. They begin by unpacking the role of prolactin, the hormone responsible for breast milk production. While prolactin supports bonding and nurturing behaviors, it also suppresses ovulation and lowers dopamine, the brain’s motivation and reward chemical. This helps explain why many postpartum women feel more emotionally flat, less driven, or disconnected from activities they once enjoyed, even while deeply loving their baby. Next, they discuss the massive drop in estrogen and progesterone that occurs within the first 24–48 hours after delivery. During pregnancy, these hormones are higher than at any other time in a woman’s life. Their sudden withdrawal can contribute to mood swings, anxiety, tearfulness, sleep disruption, and the baby blues, and in some women may play a role in postpartum depression or anxiety. Progesterone’s calming effect on the nervous system and estrogen’s support of serotonin help explain why this shift can feel so emotionally intense. The conversation then turns to dopamine and how its suppression during breastfeeding affects motivation, pleasure, focus, and emotional resilience. Teresa and Jamie emphasize that it is possible to feel grateful, bonded, and deeply loving toward your baby while also struggling internally , and that these experiences can exist at the same time. They also explore why postpartum is uniquely demanding when you combine hormonal changes with sleep deprivation, physical healing, and identity shifts. Together, these factors create one of the most neurologically and hormonally vulnerable seasons of a woman’s life. The episode then transitions into the topic of fertility after birth. Many women are told that breastfeeding prevents pregnancy, but ovulation always occurs before the first postpartum period, meaning pregnancy is possible before cycles return. Prolactin levels vary widely depending on nursing frequency, nighttime feeds, pumping, stress, and individual biology, making fertility unpredictable during this time. Finally, Teresa and Jamie discuss how natural family planning and fertility awareness methods can be used postpartum, but require special education and realistic expectations. Cervical mucus patterns can be irregular, estrogen may rise multiple times before true ovulation, and the body may have several “practice runs” before releasing an egg. With proper instruction and postpartum‑specific guidance, natural methods can be used effectively to avoid pregnancy while respecting the body’s recovery process. Sponsors 💛 We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS 🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery. 🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS 🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius 🧬 Tiny Health Gut Testing Advanced stool microbiome testing for moms and babies that evaluates beneficial bacteria levels, inflammatory markers, digestive function, and overall gut balance. Their testing helps guide personalized nutrition, probiotic choices, and lifestyle strategies during the postpartum period when both maternal and infant microbiomes are rapidly developing. 🎁 $50 off with code: HORMONEGENIUS The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

Stephanie Weinert is a Catholic wife, mother of four, convert to the Catholic faith, and founder of Mother & Home Ministries (motherandhome.co), a motherhood collective created to refresh the hearts and minds of women navigating the sacred, demanding, and beautiful vocation of motherhood. But her path to this work was forged through profound suffering, loss, and ultimately, redemption. Before motherhood reshaped her life, Stephanie considered herself deeply health-conscious and wellness-minded. She valued nutrition, movement, and intentional living. Yet nothing could have prepared her for the moment in 2019 when her son Beckett’s birth made her a special-needs mother overnight. The complexity of his medical needs, the emotional weight of caregiving, and the daily fight to keep him safe transformed her understanding of motherhood, dependence, and faith. Eighteen months later, Beckett died. His death shattered Stephanie’s world. In the aftermath of trauma and grief, her own health began to unravel. Hormonal dysfunction, exhaustion, anxiety, and physical decline pushed her into what she describes as “a pit I didn’t think I would ever climb out of.” The woman who once felt vibrant and capable now struggled to recognize herself. But this was not the end of her story. Stephanie began searching for answers — first medically, then holistically, and eventually spiritually. What she discovered was that true healing could not exist in only one dimension. It wasn’t just about labs. It wasn’t just about supplements. It wasn’t just about diet or sleep. Healing required addressing the whole person: the physical body and hormonal systems, the nervous system and trauma stored within it, the emotional wounds of grief and identity loss, the psychological toll of caregiving and chronic stress, and ultimately, the spiritual surrender of a heart learning again how to trust. “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) Stephanie speaks candidly about the reality that healing is rarely linear. There were setbacks. Plateaus. Relapses. Moments of despair. And then small breakthroughs that slowly compounded into stability, clarity, and renewed strength. Through hormone balancing, root-cause medicine, nervous system regulation, faith, prayer, and intentional living, she began to rebuild not only her health — but her sense of purpose. Second, our brand-new Perimenopause Course is officially live. For just $97, women can dive into a simple, science-backed approach to navigating hormonal shifts with clarity, confidence, and peace. Today’s episode of The Hormone Genius is brought to you by WonderCow Colostrum. WonderCow uses high-quality, thoughtfully sourced bovine colostrum that’s easy to use daily and fits well into a foundational, root-cause approach to health. ✨ Exclusive Listener Discount Hormone Genius listeners get 15% off a one-time purchase or 30% off your first subscription. Use code HORMONEGENIUS or visit: 👉 wondercow.com/HORMONEGENIUS A big thank-you to our episode sponsor, We Heart Nutrition, a company we love for clean, effective supplements that support whole-body hormone health. Visit www.weheartnutrition.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off your first order. Tiny Health’s Gut Health Test gives you powerful insight into your microbiome so you can understand digestion, immunity, inflammation, and even hormone balance at the root cause level. It’s an easy at-home test with personalized results you can actually use. Get $50 off with code HORMONEGENIUS. Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.