I've Got Guts!

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 nervous system regulation.

We talk about:

•...

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 gastroparesis, celiac disease, endometriosis...

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 disease, and fatigue impact healing ti...

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, endometriosis, IVF, and intermittent flare...

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 illness affect the nervous system

• Why “...

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 role of hormone therapy in overall ...

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 cancel positivity. We’re here to make it...

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 may also recognize Tori from The Weakest...

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, supportive place to land..

In this ep...

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 episode, we talk about:

• Navigating th...

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 her family thrive.

In this conversation, ...

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:

• Why Lauren felt peace while others...

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:

• What actually happens during a gentle ch...

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, and ways to protect your energy so you...

In this episode, Stef and Lauren dive into how chronic illness reshapes relationships—from friendships to partnerships—and what real, meaningful support actually looks like.

✨ How relationships shift after chronic illness: the grief, the growth, and the people who truly show up

✨ What chronic illness feels like on the inside vs. how it looks on the outside

✨ Common mistakes loved ones make (even with good intentions)

✨ What genuinel...

In today’s episode of I’ve Got Guts!, we’re diving into the ripple effect…how one decision, one conversation, or one brave “what if?” moment can change the entire course of your healing journey.

What started as two best friends talking about life with chronic illness has grown into a movement that’s touching lives around the world. In this heartfelt conversation, we open up about how this podcast sparked powerful new chapters in bot...

Join us on this episode of I've Got Guts! as we welcome our friend and colleague Kaylee Kelley to the hot seat! Kaylee shares her 11-year journey with chiropractic care, debunking common myths about "aggressive cracking" and revealing the real, life-changing benefits she’s experienced.

In this episode, we cover:

• Kaylee’s first experience with chiropractic care and how it surprised her

• Common misconceptions about chiropractors and ...

What if aging wasn’t about loss, but about becoming? In this heartfelt episode of I’ve Got Guts!, Stef and Lauren explore how living with chronic illness can actually deepen your understanding of aging, gratitude, and growth.

Inspired by Hoda Kotb’s new book and the work of Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy and author of Learning to Love Midlife, they dive into the idea that midlife isn’t a crisis…it’s a chrysalis. Th...

Today, we’re joined by the amazing Hanna Fritz (@hannafritzfertility) — a fertility advocate and holistic practitioner passionate about helping women reconnect with their bodies and feel empowered throughout every step of the fertility journey.

Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or through IVF, this heartfelt conversation dives into what it really means to support your fertility…body, mind, and spirit. Together, we talk abo...