Well-Informed by Source & Self

Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Susan Bank, a veteran psychiatrist with over three decades of experience, as we navigate the complex landscape of teen mental health. Dr. Bank shares her wealth of knowledge on the concerning rise in mental health conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, and depression among children. With a refreshing outlook on psychiatry, she integrates functional medicine practices into her approach, advocating for lifestyle changes, meditation, and supplements. As we discuss the importance of self-care and community, Dr. Bank sheds light on the multifaceted influences affecting our youth today.
We delve into the impact of modern life on mental health, scrutinizing diet, healthcare practices, and family dynamics. The prevalence of highly processed foods and their potential health effects are juxtaposed against healthier lifestyles from global blue zones. Challenges within the mental health system, including overmedication and insurance hurdles, are highlighted, emphasizing the need for individualized care. Our dialogue also touches on the role of family in managing mental health issues, reinforcing the critical nature of robust support systems.
Media's pervasive influence, particularly on women and young girls, is another focal point. The constant stream of negative news and social media pressures often leads to feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness. We explore how these factors, combined with environmental stressors like air quality, contribute to the mental health challenges of our time. Dr. Bank offers insights into the biological, genetic, and environmental facets of mental health issues and discusses innovative approaches to preventing teen mental health crises. From the benefits of telehealth to the nuances of seasonal anxiety, this episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the mental health landscape.

Join us on an inspiring journey as we celebrate the privilege of aging with Sally Mueller, the visionary co-founder of Womaness. Sally's remarkable career, from her early days at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to her pivotal role at Target Corporation, set the stage for her entrepreneurial leap into creating a brand dedicated to middle-life women's health. Her insights on consumer trends and passion for empowering women to thrive beyond menopause are at the heart of Womaness's success.
Explore the collaborative essence behind the Womaness brand with us, where Sally and her partner Michelle, through a network of experts, crafted a holistic approach to women's wellness. From skin and body care to supplements and sexual wellness, they launched 13 innovative products, each addressing the unique needs of perimenopausal and menopausal women. With favorites like "Let's Neck" and "Fountain of Glow," discover how their creativity and consumer engagement propelled Womaness into the spotlight, including its presence in major retailers like Walmart.
Our conversation goes beyond products, delving into the profound changes in women's health and beauty, guided by experts like Dr. Kapoor and Dr. Anita Sadati. We navigate the landscape of hormone therapy and celebrate the importance of elegant packaging that speaks to a woman's journey. The episode wraps with reflections on building meaningful connections and the joys of personal growth, underscoring the endless work-in-progress that life is — much like a never-ending sentence, filled with personal projects and fulfilling transitions.

Rebecca Glick, the trailblazing founder of Nefesh Living and a certified functional medicine health coach, joins us for an enlightening conversation on midlife wellness. Rebecca, who transitioned from executive coaching to health coaching, shares her profound insights on helping busy midlife women achieve optimal health. She passionately discusses the importance of understanding the root causes of health issues and her advocacy for a holistic approach that seamlessly combines functional medicine with lifestyle changes.
Listeners are in for a treat as we explore Rebecca's unique, customized health coaching approach that empowers individuals to carve their own paths toward wellness. We uncover the collaborative and supportive nature of health coaching, where success is measured by the alignment of strategies with personal goals and lifestyles. Rebecca elaborates on how health coaches serve as a bridge between medical advice and practical implementation, working closely with clients and their healthcare providers to ensure that lifestyle changes are sustainable and effective.
Throughout our conversation, Rebecca sheds light on the powerful concept of "disease delusion," urging us to consider that our genes are not our destiny. She highlights the critical role of diet, exercise, and stress management in shaping health outcomes. From nourishing our bodies with nutritious food to embracing a holistic approach that prioritizes prevention and early detection, Rebecca's philosophy challenges us to break personal narratives and be proactive in our health journeys. With insights on navigating healthcare expectations and discovering personal superpowers through mindful morning routines, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone seeking balance and grace in their health journey.

Join me, Abby Starr, as I sit down with Terry Ntovas, the creative force behind Yasu Skincare, for an inspiring conversation about her journey from a corporate career in visual communications to founding her own Greek-inspired skincare line. Terry shares how her Greek heritage and the natural beauty of summer holidays in Greece fueled her desire to create products that embody clean beauty principles. From her initial challenges of finding the perfect formulator and manufacturer to her dedication to using quality, local ingredients, Terry's story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and cultural roots.
As we explore the creation of Yasu's first product—a hydrating body cream—Terry opens up about her personal experiences with hormonal changes and the importance of nourishing the skin across all seasons. We reminisce about the influence of familial traditions, drawing from generations of homemade creams and natural remedies passed down through her family. Terry also shares delightful memories of the contrasting rhythms of rural and urban Greek life, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to sustainable skincare practices.
In this enriching episode, Terry and I discuss the world of collagen, superfoods, and their roles in our wellness routines. From the benefits of often-overlooked dandelions to a curated Greek-inspired skincare box featuring Yasu Gel Cleanser and Costa Rica Extra Virgin Body Oil, the insights are both practical and inspiring. We wrap up with a discussion on the power of rituals, encouraging listeners to incorporate gratitude and personal mottos into their daily lives for well-informed wellness. Tune in to uncover the secrets of blending tradition with innovation in the realm of skincare, all while nurturing a deeper connection to one's cultural heritage.

Unlock the secrets to elevating your health by exploring the world of dietary supplements in our latest episode of Well-Informed. Discover why glutathione, the antioxidant produced by your liver, is capturing headlines for its potential to combat inflammation and autoimmune issues. With our experienced guest, we unravel the mysteries of supplement quality, liposomal delivery, and the dynamic role of prebiotics and probiotics in nurturing your gut health. Prepare yourself to navigate the supplement aisle with newfound confidence and insight.
Journey with us as we demystify the nuances of gut health and the essential role of supplements. We explore the impact of antibiotics on gut flora and emphasize the importance of personalized experimentation with supplements over a three-month period. Our conversation shifts to the often-overlooked mineral, magnesium, highlighting its diverse benefits from better sleep to muscle rejuvenation. We stress the importance of consulting health professionals when embarking on your supplement journey and understanding possible drug interactions.
Witness the future of personalized supplement plans, where the balance of convenience and efficacy guides innovation. Explore groundbreaking delivery methods that ensure nutrients bypass stomach acids and reach their intended destinations. By placing a spotlight on the lack of FDA regulation, we underscore the necessity for informed consumer decisions. 
Join us for a comprehensive exploration that promises to enhance your understanding of supplements and their role in your health journey.

Your nervous system might be trying to tell you something. And the real question is, are you listening?
 
In this episode, Abby Starr continues her conversation with Christie Jordan, an acupuncturist and the founder of Source Healing, about how the way we feel physically often starts with what’s happening beneath the surface. Christie shares how unresolved emotions, environmental factors, and even the foods we eat can affect everything from anxiety and fatigue to more complex conditions like PCOS or alopecia.
 
Christie also introduces a wellness box curated in partnership with Source & Self, filled with purposeful tools like candles, tinctures, and smudge sticks. These aren’t just pretty add-ons. They’re rooted in Chinese medicine and chosen to help bring the body back into balance. Christie explains why lighting a candle on a damp day does more than set the mood, and how tending to our bodies is a lot like tending to the earth.
 
Christie opens up about her own journey, moving through depression, rediscovering connection through meditation, and watching her father defy a late-stage cancer diagnosis through sheer will and lifestyle shifts. It’s a story about healing that doesn’t rely on shortcuts or fixes but instead asks: What if we gave ourselves permission to slow down and pay attention?
 
You’ll walk away with a new understanding of what it means to feel safe in your body, and how to return to that feeling, one breath at a time.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Calming Box Collaboration
02:55 Balancing the Body with Fire
03:59 Internal Dampness and Diet
04:54 Root Cause Healing Approach
07:21 Clearing Energy as a Daily Ritual
08:31 Nervous System Support with Tinctures
10:28 Christie’s Personal Healing Journey
12:01 A Father’s Will to Live
13:37 Finding Purpose in Acupuncture
15:20 Rethinking Preventative Care
15:56 Moment-by-Moment Self-Regulation
 
Links
Connect with Christie Jordan:
Website: sourcehealing.com
 
Source & Self:
Website: https://source-self.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceandself
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceandself
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceandselfboxes
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

When your shoulders are always tense, your thoughts won’t slow down, and sleep feels just out of reach, your body may be trying to tell you something important.
 
In this episode, Abby Starr talks with Christie Jordan, an acupuncturist and the founder of Source Healing, about why so many of us are stuck in a constant state of low-grade fight or flight and how to shift out of it. Christie shares what she sees in her practice: people dealing with anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, and physical pain that often trace back to an overwhelmed nervous system.
 
Together, they unpack how stress shows up in the body, why our minds can’t always be trusted to tell us the truth, and how to create a felt sense of safety without waiting for external circumstances to change. Christie introduces a three-part approach that anyone can use: notice what the mind is saying, reconnect to the heart, and listen closely to the body’s signals. She also leads a powerful exercise that helps anchor you in the present where safety can actually be felt.
 
This isn’t about perfection or getting rid of anxiety. It’s about learning to respond with awareness, compassion, and clarity even when the world feels chaotic.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Meet Christie Huang Jordan
00:58 Why Our Nervous Systems Feel Constantly Threatened
03:51 Understanding Fight or Flight in Daily Life
05:11 The Monkey Mind and Its Impact
06:04 How Thoughts Create Physical Symptoms
09:24 Listening to the Body’s “Dashboard Lights”
10:14 Rethinking Anxiety as a Signal
16:06 A Practice to Feel Safe in the Present
27:16 Why Suppressed Emotions Show Up Physically
30:31 Daily Rituals
 
Links
Connect with Christie Jordan:
Website: sourcehealing.com
Source & Self:
Website: https://source-self.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceandself
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceandself
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceandselfboxes
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“One of the things I think about when it comes to food is balance. And one of the biggest goals in nutrition is balancing your blood sugar,” says dietitian Barbara B. Lincoln, who joins host Abby Starr on this episode of Well-Informed to discuss how small, practical changes can reshape our health. Barbara shares her approachable philosophy on nutrition that focuses on a balanced diet that doesn’t require drastic measures. Is sugar a part of that balance? Barbara thinks so, especially if it’s enjoyed on special occasions rather than as a daily habit.
 
Barbara talks about how small indulgences, like savoring a square of dark chocolate or a cup of coffee, can fit into a healthy lifestyle when paired with meals that keep blood sugar steady. Beyond diet, Barbara points out the often-overlooked importance of hydration and sleep. How can drinking enough water or getting quality rest make a difference? Barbara believes these essentials help prevent cravings and fuel better choices.
 
With her experience and science-backed insights, Barbara offers realistic ways to build a diet and lifestyle that support long-term wellness. Tune in to get a glimpse into her own routines and her favorite ways to stay balanced.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
03:22 How to Balance Blood Sugar
04:52 Sugar and Special Occasions
06:24 Daily Chocolate: How Much Is Too Much?
07:33 Should You Snack or Stick to Three Meals?
09:52 How Sleep and Hydration Affect Hunger
13:17 Electrolytes and What to Look For
17:03 How Much Protein Do You Really Need?
18:45 Nutrition Myths and What to Unlearn
20:06 A Balanced, Sustainable Approach to Wellness
 
Links
Connect with Barbara Lincoln:
barbarablincolb@gmail.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-lincoln-a258aa37/
 
Source & Self:
Website: https://source-self.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceandself
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceandself
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceandselfboxes
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Are we asking the right questions about our health? For Dr. Nathalie Bloom, a practitioner of functional medicine and clinical nutrition, the journey starts with why. “In functional medicine, we focus on the root cause, the why behind a problem or a condition or an ailment,” she explains to host Abby Starr in this episode of the Well-Informed Podcast.
 
Dr. Bloom peels back the layers of functional medicine, a practice rooted in addressing the whole person, not just their symptoms. Through her thoughtful and compassionate approach, she shows how personalized care and lifestyle adjustments can make a real difference in addressing the interconnected factors behind chronic conditions, stress, and inflammation.
 
How does stress manifest differently in the body? Why is prevention often misunderstood in mainstream healthcare? And what can we all do to optimize our well-being? Dr. Bloom provides insights, from understanding “perceived stress” to uncovering hidden patterns in our health through advanced blood tests.
 
This episode points out the importance of patient empowerment and the value of working collaboratively with healthcare providers. Dr. Bloom reminds us that wellness is deeply individual and begins with understanding our unique needs and goals.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 What Is Functional Medicine?
03:40 How Lifestyle and Stress Affect Chronic Conditions
07:22 Prevention vs. Detection in Healthcare
09:06 Functional Medicine’s Approach to Bloodwork
15:06 Inflammation and Autoimmune Conditions
22:03 Simple Ways to Reduce Inflammation
26:03 Thoughts on Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic
30:15 Why Active Participation in Your Health Matters
 
Links
Connect with Dr. Natalie Bloom:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nathalie-bloom-73278430
Website: atnucare.com 
 
Source & Self:
Website: https://source-self.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceandself
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceandself
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceandselfboxes
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“It’s all about that balance and finding it,” says Sylwia Matula, the founder of Aurum Health. “That’s what I strive to find and have in my practice and with my clients,” she adds, reflecting on her mission to deliver personalized wellness solutions that blend Eastern and Western medicine.
 
Sylwia, a board-certified registered nurse with over 15 years of experience in diverse healthcare settings, joins Abby Starr to share her journey from traditional acute care to establishing her own wellness practice. Her path to wellness began with her own health challenges, sparking a passion for healing that goes beyond quick fixes. Through her practice, she emphasizes quality care by understanding each person’s unique needs and crafting tailored plans that support the body’s natural healing process.
 
How do we reclaim our health in a world of one-size-fits-all solutions? Sylwia believes it starts with being informed and advocating for ourselves. Whether it’s ensuring the quality of treatments or integrating practical habits like staying hydrated with electrolytes, her insights challenge us to take an active role in our wellness journey.
 
This episode allows listeners to consider what true balance looks like in their own lives. Join Sylwia and Abby to explore what it means to prioritize healing, embrace quality, and take ownership of your wellness journey.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction 
02:23 Sylwia’s Background and Founding of Aurum Health
05:10 Integrating Eastern and Western Medicine
10:00 Quality and Cost of Wellness Products
16:01 Importance of Product Quality and Authenticity
19:39 Importance of Knowing Your Supplements
22:10 Personal Hydration Practices
25:09 Sylwia’s Personal Favorites and Practices
28:14 Nutritional Preferences and Autoimmune Condition
 
Links
Connect with Sylwia Matula:
hydration4you.com
 
Source & Self:
Website: https://source-self.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceandself
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceandself
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceandselfboxes
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm