Real Food Stories

If you are curious about alternatives to Menopause Hormone Therapy, Dr. Chloe Weber and I dive deep into the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine and how customized herbal formulations can offer powerful support through menopause, whether you're taking MHT or seeking natural alternatives to manage symptoms and support overall wellbeing.

• Chloe explains how Chinese medicine differs from Western approaches by addressi...

What would you do if your 37-year-old husband had a stroke out of the blue—while raising six kids, including twin babies? That’s the moment Allie’s world turned upside down and became the start of a total shift in how her family approached food, health, and healing.

Frustrated by vague advice like “eat a heart-healthy diet,” Allie dove into the research and discovered the power of a plant-centered plate—especially the role of fiber ...

What if a humble pizza shop could hold the history of an entire family?

In this heartwarming episode, Erica D’Arcangelo shares the extraordinary legacy of her Italian immigrant grandfather, who began working in Pennsylvania coal mines at just nine years old—and went on to found a beloved pizzeria that became the cornerstone of a three-generation family story.

Erica brings us inside the walls of that 65-year-old institution, where the...

Ever found yourself staring into the refrigerator, completely drained by the thought of cooking yet another meal? After decades of feeding others and managing everyone's food preferences, midlife often brings a peculiar relationship with cooking – what once felt like an act of love now feels like just another chore to check off your list.

This burnout is completely normal. The mental load of cooking isn't just about the ph...

From dreaded adversary to unexpected ally, menopause transforms from something women merely survive into a doorway to authentic living. This candid conversation between two menopause specialists—one navigating perimenopause in her 40's, the other firmly in menopause at 57—delivers the straight talk about hormones, fitness, nutrition, and identity that's missing from most menopause discussions.

Erika Shannon revea...

What does the next chapter of your life really look like? Whether you're dreaming of a slower pace, planning a big adventure, or simply craving clarity about your future, this conversation with Camille Walsonovich offers a fresh perspective on reimagining what comes next.

After 35 magical years at Disney, Camille found herself at age 50 searching for guidance on transitioning to her next chapter. When she couldn'...

When did you first learn your body was “wrong”?

For nutrition coach Elizabeth Dahl, it started with a comment about her legs—and from there, years of restriction, shame, and disconnection followed.

In this honest and hopeful conversation, Elizabeth shares how she broke free from diet culture and found food freedom rooted in self-trust, not perfection. We talk about why "perfect plans" don’t work in real life, how to re...

Change is a part of life—but in your 40s and beyond, it can feel messier, more emotional, and a lot harder to navigate. In this episode, I’m digging into why change often hits differently in midlife, the feelings it stirs up (spoiler: you’re not alone!), and how to move through it with more ease and self-compassion. 

Whether you’re facing shifts in your health, relationships, career, or sense of self, this conversation is here to re...

What if your biggest challenge became your greatest calling?

That’s exactly what happened to Debra Erickson, who lost her vision to retinitis pigmentosa. At age 59, she did something extraordinary: she enrolled in culinary school — and became the only blind graduate in her class.

Today, Debra is the founder of The Blind Kitchen, where she’s making it possible for people with vision loss to cook independently and confidently.

The truth...

What does homesteading look like when you live in suburban Los Angeles? Elizabeth Bruckner never imagined she'd become a passionate advocate for self-sufficient living – especially after years of killing every houseplant that crossed her threshold. However, a long-term chronic illness that left her bedridden forced her to reimagine her relationship with food and healing.

Desperate to regain her health, she abandoned p...

Were going beyond kegels and talking about real solutions for incontinence in midlife

This week, we’re talking about something so many women deal with — but almost no one talks about: urinary incontinence.

After having twins, I thought leaking was just something I’d have to live with. I was told to do kegels and move on. But they didn’t help — in fact, they made things worse.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Nigel Brayer, creator of...

Discipline, perfectionism, and "healthy habits" can sometimes mask a dangerous relationship with food and exercise. Allison Yamamoto opens up about her journey from NCAA cheerleader to marathon runner, revealing how her pursuit of athletic excellence led her down a path of restrictive eating, overtraining, and eventually losing her period for several years.

What makes this conversation particularly powerful is ho...

Emily Allen transformed her relationship with alcohol while raising her children, and now guides women in creating an exciting next chapter filled with clarity, authentic connections, and true freedom as they transition to their empty nest years.

• Daily wine had become a numbing ritual, especially during COVID lockdowns
• A horrible Christmas morning hangover became the turning point
• Dry January 2021 became the ...

Elizabeth Cush, licensed clinical counselor and women's life coach, explores the complex challenges of midlife and menopause for women who feel overwhelmed by physical changes, shifting family dynamics, and societal expectations.

• Menopause brings significant physical and emotional changes that can make women feel disconnected from their former selves
• Brain fog, memory issues, and body changes are common experi...

If there is one thing that women in midlife women contend with it is our ageing skin. Today I am talking with skincare expert and the owner of Magnolia Skin Essentials Lisa Duffy. Lisa inspires women to embrace aging with confidence through well-tested, clean skincare. We explore the significance of combatting aging and maintaining beauty in midlife.

• Importance of aging gracefully while embracing beauty 
• The journe...

Menopause is not just a personal issue, it's also a workplace issue—but too often, it’s ignored, misunderstood, or left out of corporate wellness conversations. In this episode, I sit down with employment attorney Mark Carey to break down the legal protections (or lack thereof) for women navigating menopause at work and what companies can do to support midlife employees.

We discuss:
✔️ Your rights as an employee—Can you ask...

Have you ever considered how menopause might be affecting your career or your workplace wellbeing? 

Many women, despite making up half of the workforce, grapple with challenges during menopause that often remain unspoken, from brain fog and fatigue to anxiety. In this episode of Real Food Stories, I address a crucial conversation around menopause in the workplace that needs to be addressed.  By sharing startling statistics and real-...

This episode dives deep into the confusion surrounding menopause hormone therapy, discussing the historical stigma, outdated research, and contradictory medical advice women face. By understanding these complexities and advocating for themselves, women can navigate their menopause journeys with more confidence and clarity.

• Examination of outdated beliefs about hormone replacement therapy
• Discussion on the impact o...

What if you could throw away the burden of New Year's resolutions and instead embrace a mindset brimming with exciting possibilities?

Join me as I share a personal journey of transforming the post-holiday pressure into an opportunity for joy and curiosity. This episode of Real Food Stories is all about breaking free from the constraints of societal "shoulds" and redefining our goals into aspirations that tr...