Critical Conversations

Have you ever wondered why pharmaceutical grade supplements are so much more expensive? Or more importantly, are they even any more effective? Have you heard that 'Over The Counter' vitamin brands are exactly the same whether or not they're generic or brand name? What about your multi-vitamin ... are you actually absorbing any of it, or just peeing it out? Diving into all of this + more, with Jennifer Klotz, MS, RD in this episode. Full Show Notes, Links & Resources from this conversation on our website: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode031 THIS EPISODE IS PART TWO, A CONTINUATION FROM EPISODE 30 … Last week: we dove into the importance of supplement quality, discussed which certifications you should be looking for and which ‘added ingredients’ you really need to avoid, and why.

Branching off from the conversation we had in episode #022, all about the power of taking a high quality multivitamin versus a "bad" quality one that might actually be harming your health. That brief comment really sparked your interest and our inboxes were flooded with the following questions we promise to tackle within this episode: How can I tell if my supplements are actually “high quality”? Which brands can I trust? Which brands should I avoid? How can I tell the difference between "good" versus "bad", and what certifications can I look for? What certifications actually matter? Which added ingredients should I avoid? Is the FDA actually monitoring what's being sold over the counter? Jennifer Klotz, MS, RD is extremely passionate about this topic and very well informed. The information in this episode is imperative to your long term health, especially if you're taking even one supplement, herb, or vitamin on a regular basis. DID YOU KNOW? Taking a poor quality supplement can actually do more harm than taking nothing at all? Quality Matters - especially when it comes to the multi billion dollar supplement industry that's expanding everyday. Just because it's on the shelf - doesn't necessarily mean you should trust it. We explain why in this episode. Important takeaways, resources and links to products we mention can be found in the show notes on our website at: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode030 Join Us on Instagram @CriticalConversations   Get $10 off all tickets for upcoming SHE DAY events in Chicago, Nashville, and Los Angeles. Use promo code: CRITICALCONVERSATIONS

Heather Young, 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher & Certified Yoga Therapist – has a lot of experience working one on one with clients and helping them achieve balance in more ways than one. She might even have the solution to take your health to the next level - when it seems like Nutrition just isn't enough. Keep in mind: It’s never just about one ailment, problem or issue – it’s all connected & we’re diving into a new approach you may never have considered before. Diving into the 4 Main Pilars: - Posture - Emotions - Breath - Mindset ... and the role they play when it comes to impacting your longterm health, stress levels and digestion. & What you can do about it.    Full Show Notes & Additional Links Available at: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode029 Join Us on Instagram @CriticalConversations

“We typically reach for caffeine because the cue is fatigue.” – If you’re reaching for caffeine more than once a day – consider the causes. Continued from Episode 27 - diving into the powerful effects that caffeine is having on your body, how much is too much, adrenal fatigue, cortisol, hormones, decaf and the certification you should be looking for. Lastly, adaptogens - and specialty coffee blends... or is it better to enjoy your coffee black? www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode028 As you know – we’re not here for the fads or promoting the trends.   In this episode: - What effects is caffeine having on my body? Health benefits included. - How much is too much? What’s the “safe’ amount? Is decaf any better? - Is adding all of the adaptogens, or trending superfoods really worth it? - What’s coffee doing to my adrenals? Stress levels? Anxiety? - How can I start cutting back without suffering the consequences? - Can I just drink my coffee black? - Favorite coffee brands, additional links and resources on our website   www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode028 If you haven’t already – here’s how you can support us in three easy steps: SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on itunes, spotify, or whichever app you’re listening on Sign-up for our weekly e-mail newsletter Follow us on instagram @CriticalConversations  

“Do better, once you know better” – Maya Angelou - it’s all about making small changes once you’ve learned something new and giving yourself the chance to upgrade your routine, not only for your health, but for the health of the planet as well. Join us for a Sustainable, Healthy & Ethical conversation around all things coffee - with Heather Young & Jennifer Klotz of shechangeseverything.com What you'll discover in this episode: - The true health benefits of coffee - The Environmental & Humanitarian impacts our purchases create - Conventional vs. Organic vs. Fair Trade certifications and what they mean - What's in that paper cup, the plastic lid, & the coffee filter you're using. - How your daily routine is impacting your health long-term ... & what you can do about it.      Get the Full Show Notes, Additional Links & Resources at  www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode027     THERE’S NEVER A PERFECT ANSWER. We’re all human Consider this Information as empowering insight to help us move forward and create a small ripple effect in our world. Thanks for joining us, we'll see you next Thursday. GET THE SHOW NOTES: criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode027 Join the Conversation on Instagram @CriticalConversations    

This episode with Carly is full of Simple Solutions & Practical Takeaways for EVERYONE whether or not you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, or not. This information, although centered around Thyroid Health - is truly applicable to all of us on so many levels - no matter what we're dealing with. Tackling your top questions all about Thyroid Health & learning from Carly's personal experience. The answers might just surprise you and hopefully even encourage you to look a little closer at your labwork, open up a deeper discussion with your doctor and really start to tune in to a few lifestyle changes, you never knew were so important - until now. Full Show Notes & Resources available at: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode026 Including that recipe we mentioned, the water filters we talked about, the gut health episode with Brigid (#016) - as well as Carly's top resources you won't want to miss. Thank you for being here with us We show up weekly in hopes to expand this much needed conversation around what preventative health truly entails. If you love what we're doing - please take just a minute to subscribe, rate & review this podcast! Your feedback means everything to us and its a great way for you to giveback in return for all of the information we provide. See you Next Thursday!  In the meantime - jump on over to instagram @CriticalConversations

Like most of us – her story is personal. After struggling with her health for years, Carly was in pursuit of a proper diagnosis over 5 years ago. It didn't happen overnight, but she was ultimately diagnosed with Hashimoto's, a very common autoimmune hypothyroid condition. It's then, that she became increasingly passionate about pursuing answers and identifying the root cause. In this episode: We discuss her health journey pitfalls and successes - including the top 6 changes she made - to heal from the inside out. www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode025 "I had to own my state and know that no one was going to do this for me, because my health is my responsibility. That’s when everything began to improve" - Carly Johnson Brawner of @frolicandflow Carly has also recently launched an online "Healing Hashimoto's" Course - Focused on empowering Hashimoto's patients to work better with their doctors to understand their disease and really begin to build a blueprint for healing, longterm. You won't want to miss it. Next course begins August 2019. Details available in the show notes on our website. Join The Conversation. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the show! Your feedback means the world. & connect with us over on instagram ... @CriticalConversations  

We spend 42% of our day looking at screens. That’s 6 hours and 43 minutes daily – or 7,956 days of your life. Think about how crazy that is. This effects your posture longterm which has direct impact on your mental and physical health. It also changes how people see you, whether or not they take you seriously and whether or not they choose to show you respect. Until something is directly effecting your health – it’s really easy to just brush off the small daily habits – you know you should be doing. But here's the thing - research shows that something as simple as our body posture we maintain while holding our phones, sitting at the computer or even standing in a crowd - has a significant impact on our mood, our confidence, and even our cardiovascular health. We dive into this & so much more with this week's episode - I don't want to give it all away - so be sure to tune in.  FULL SHOW NOTES: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode024 P.S.....  SHE DAY - Orange County is happening this Saturday - May 18th - we can't wait to see you there! Don't miss out - there's still time to grab your ticket. 

It's about time we start paying attention to the symptoms and signals our bodies are sending us on a much deeper level. Skin Issues, Digestive Health, Heartburn, nutrient Deficiencies ... they're all more closely related than we realize. When you start paying closer attention to what your body is trying to tell you, you can get closer to discovering and even possibly reversing the root cause of the problem that has been developing overtime. Lifestyle, Diet, Environment, Toxins, Stress ... It's all connected. We dive into this, and so much more within episode 23 ... it's the perfect continuation and part two of the larger conversation from last week's episode. Jennifer Klotz, RD is at it again with the incredible information, statistics, and simple solutions you can start taking action on right away. Here's another AMAZING ARTICLE she's put together for you to summarize some of the key points from this episode you might want to re-read again and again.   Looking for tickets to SHE DAY? Join Us in Person, HERE.   & JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON INSTAGRAM @CRITICALCONVERSATIONS   FULL SHOW NOTES: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode023    

92% of All Americans have at least ONE nutrient deficiency. Known to cause a multitude of health issues, such as: muscle cramps, joint pain, headaches, skin issues, fatigue, sleep issues, inflammation, bleeding of the gums, autoimmune conditions, etc.  & Yet, instead of paying attention to what intuitively sounds right, tastes good, and makes us feel well - the majority of us are falling victim to fad trends while losing the ability to know what our bodies actually need - intuitively. Access additional resources, articles and get the FULL SHOW NOTES on our website: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode022 Being deficient in just one nutrient is serious, and yet most of us have no idea what our labs look like. These 'imbalances' truly throw your body out of balance and can lead to chronic health issues if left unaddressed, long term. This is why adding something new to your diet with a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals to your morning routine will make you feel instantly better. (This doesn't have to just be Celery Juice. It can be water, a smoothie, a salad, or anything nutrient dense!) + CELERY JUICE USERS BEWARE: there are risks associated with daily consumption of such a large amount of celery on a daily basis – and we’re here to make sure you’re aware of both sides of the story. Are you taking any prescription medications? Do you have a history of thyroid issues? Digestive Issues? Sensitivity to the Sun? … you really need to listen to this episode to understand how celery juice might be (negatively) effecting your health, long-term. Even if it's making you feel great - right now. In a way, it’s the new superfood – think matcha, kale, coconut oil, goji berries – all the things that have come and gone from the health food spotlight with each passing year.  Ultimately, we're hoping to leave you feeling well educated and inspired to make each lifestyle choice a decision of your own - once you've heard both sides of the story. Diving into this conversation with Jennifer Klotz. She's a Registered Dietitian, Holistic Nutritionist and she brings incredible insight and a wealth of knowledge to the table for this conversation.   @CriticalConversations & GRAB YOUR TICKET TO SHE DAY 2019 AT: www.shechangeseverything.com    

According to a recent survey -  88% of Americans report feeling “stressed out” for a multitude of reasons around the holidays. Topics we tackle in this episode: Perceived Weight Gain,  Shocking Statistics about the Diet Industry, Food Rules, Food Allergies, Family Opinions, Food Cravings, (Letting Go of) Meeting Expectations for Others, Food Cravings, Breaking Free from Traditions (if that's what feels right),  & stress management techniques you won't want to miss. Don’t let the “little things” overwhelm you. We’re diving into the most commonly perceived stressors around holiday traditions and gatherings. We’re here to empower you with personal stories and advice to remind you that you’re not alone. Sharing shocking statistics around weight gain and the diet industry you won't want to miss. Don’t let family conversations derail you. & Don’t miss out on the traditions of the day. Relax, Let Go, Take a Deep Breath & Enjoy the time with your family and friends while you can.   links, resources & show notes www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode021 get tickets to SHE DAY:  bit.ly/SHE_DAY_EVENTS_2019   follow us on social media: @CriticalConversations @SheChangesEverything @BeachLifeBri

Continuing our last conversation from episode 16 with Brigid all about the imperative role our gut health plays in our overall health, mood, and well-being. This week – we’re focusing in on GLUTEN & why so many people are experiencing improved health once going “gluten free”, the right way. As the saying goes – “you are what you eat”. But, now we know, it’s actually more about what you “absorb” that makes you who you are. Is gluten affecting all of us negatively, or is it just a small percentage of the population? Should we all be eating gluten free? Could you potentially be intolerant and not even know it? We answer all of your questions and more. Additional show notes, links & resources available at: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode020 & Sign-up for Monday Motivation e-mails here: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/contact Americans are predisposed to having increased issues & developing a sensitivity to gluten due to the “Standard American” diet and lifestyle – otherwise known as “the perfect storm” . Only 50% of people with celiac disease will actually experience GI symptoms The second most common symptom will be neurological – seizures, fatigue, headaches, migraine, mood disorders, cognitive decline.  Other issues may include: Autoimmune conditions, skin rashes, itchiness, redness and generalized inflammation (joints and body aches). Osteoporosis especially in younger people is a huge red flag for celiac disease (& it may just be the underlying cause no one is aware of.) Should you get tested for celiac if you think you’re sensitive to gluten? Is there benefit to putting yourself through the testing? Or is strictly avoiding gluten enough? – Brigid answers it all in this episode. Including the “correct way” to go gluten free. She warns us about the “HEALTH HALO EFFECT” & reminds us to remain open minded when it comes to shifting away from current food norms in order to establish a wider variety of nutrition in our daily routine. Future Questions You Want To Get Answered? Direct Message us On Instagram @CriticalConversations www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode020  

Amanda Huggins is back from Bali and here to shatter the notion of “perfection” in your life while helping you to see the real, raw, authentic potential within. In this episode: We talk about letting go of the grip on your life with ease, kindness, simplicity - while sharpening your inner perspective to cultivate happiness from within, along the way. What you focus in on – you’ll create more of in your life. links, resources & show notes: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode019

What if we told you that you could significantly reduce your chance of developing or even begin to reverse most weight problems, skin issues, hormone imbalances, autoimmune conditions or metabolic disorders? These are statistically significant problems in our society & this week, we're here to tell you: We still have the chance to drastically reverse most of these issues - all by reducing/minimizing our exposures to a special group of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, found in most everyday items that most of us are being exposed to without even thinking twice about it. Jennifer Klotz, MS, RDN, LDN is here to empower us to make more informed choices when it comes to the widely available (chemical) products most of us are using on a daily basis and still bringing into our homes. It's time to take our power back and realize that everything we're exposed to - has the ability to impact our health. It's no longer just about calories in, calories out. (that's an old and very inaccurate way of looking at health by the way.) We now know, there's such a larger influence on our bodies than just the foods that we're eating. THIS episode is full of actionable takeaways you won't want to miss. We dive deeper into the products you need to be aware of and give you simple solutions to start taking action and potentially improve your health, TODAY. Extended show notes, links & resources available on our site: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode018   thanks for being a part of the conversation. It'd mean the world to us if you helped us spread the word. Be sure to leave a rating & review, take a screenshot of the episode or show notes and share it with your friends on social media or tell your friends and family what you've learned. Be the change you wish to see in the world. LEAD BY EXAMPLE.   We're here for you. your host, Briana Reesing @CriticalConversations Jennifer Klotz, MS, RDN, LDN @jenniferklotz_rd   www.criticalconversationspodcast.com www.shechangeseverything.com    

Are you eating your clothes? That’s a crazy question, right? But, the answer is most likely, YES. Your clothes are shedding microfibers with every wash & these microfibers might just be a bigger deal than plastic straws when it comes to the environmental impact we all need to be aware of. Studies have shown that microfibers are flooding our planet – in fact, they've even been detected in beer, sea salt, small fish, and more. No one is talking about this loudly enough yet, so we're excited to bring Heather Young, co-founder of SHE Changes Everything, back to talk about something she’s so passionate about: microfibers and how they're impacting your health and the health of the planet. FACT: The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources estimates that 0.6 – 1.7 million tons of microfibers are released into the ocean every year. In this episode: We talk about the canary in the coal mine, plastic and how it effects your health, what microfibers are, where they come from, how you’re creating them – and why it’s not your fault! Honestly, if you are dealing with a chronic illness, you are fatigued, and your skin is breaking out and elimination diets aren’t helping, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. We break down a new way to look at the clothes you wear, which can be a powerful step to healing your body and taking a chemical load off of it.   We have a lot of simple solutions you can start immediately and Heather has her favorite 14 ways you can stop creating microfibers here. Extended Show Notes & Resourceful Links can be accessed on our website at www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode017 - The Critical Conversations Team -  LASTLY, we want to get the solution into your hands!We wish we could give one to everybody, but until then - we will be choosing one lucky winner on December 19th, 2018. SHE Changes Everything and Critical Conversations are teaming up to GIVEAWAY one Guppyfriend Bag as a gift to one lucky listener. TO ENTER: all we ask in return is for you to leave us a rating & review on iTunes for this particular episode and share what simple changes you've made since discovering us. Mention "Episode 17" in your review and include your name & instagram handle if you can. If you prefer to keep private - you can always take a screenshot of your review and send it to us with your name and contact info via email to enter the giveaway. contact@criticalconversationspodcast.com Each review helps new listeners find us within the podcast app & we can't thank you enough for helping us grow! We will announce the winner on our Instagram @CriticalConversations – so make sure you’re following us there!  This Giveaway Period will close on December 18, 2018 at 11:59pmPST.  

Gut Health is one of the major key factors we should all be becoming increasingly aware of when it comes to protecting our long-term health. We’re only just beginning to understand, as a society, how intricately related the balance of our microbiome is to our mood, our energy and our immune system. In this episode: Antibiotics, processed foods, refined and artificial sugars, prescription medications, pesticides covering conventional produce & all of our community parks, living in sterile work and home environments, willpower & calorie counting, as well as the impact that a lack of exposure to the outdoors, fermented foods, pre-biotics and pro-biotics are all having on our long term health. According to Brigid Titgemeier, MSN, RD, LDN -  Food cravings aren't actually a willpower problem at all – she says it’s actually a problem with the food environments that are being made available to us. Change your food “norms” - from what you believe to be acceptable, to what is actually nourishing and healing you. Within 3 days of changing your diet – you can alter the balance of your microbiome for better or worse. It's important to be cognizant of the relationship, because it truly has everything to do with the foods we're eating. Food provides us with more than just nutrients, vitamins and minerals – it's also providing the potential to feed or starve certain bacteria living within our digestive tract - which therefore triggers a cascade of signals that are sent out based on the size of the colonies and the chemical messages released from the bacteria living within us. Actionable Takeaways from This Conversation: Really focus in and begin paying even closer attention to what you’re eating on a daily basis If it’s in a package – take a second & turn it around to read the ingredient label. If there are more chemical ingredients than there are real food ingredients – you should consider not eating it, or at least not buying it again Increase the variety of the fruits and vegetables you’re eating – more color. Eat the rainbow. Pay attention to the colors on your plate. Manage your stress . it’s wreaking havoc on our digestive system, microbiome balance, food cravings and long term health outcomes Make changes in your life to decrease external stressors and chemical exposures wherever possible Get outside & get exposed to your outdoor environment Find a hiking trail, explore a nearby park, book a trip to somewhere new Switch up your cleaning products to something less toxic. The less chemicals you're exposed to on a daily basis, the stronger your microbiome will be.   It’s no longer just about sugar and alcohol and calorie counting. We need to be informed. We need to be aware. We need to be motivated to nourish and fuel our bodies with the best options available to us and decrease our exposures to the harmful things within our control. Join me this Saturday - Nobvember 17th for a Healthy Holidays & Wellness Workshop at Prana: REGISTER HERE -Briana Reesing & Brigid Titgemeier -   Questions? Comments? Ideas for future Episodes? Reach Out! additional resources & extended show notes available at: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode016 EVENTS & UPDATES: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/events & Direct Messages always welcomed @CriticalConversations

 When you make small - Sustainable, Healthy, Ethical- changes that matter, over time, it truly can change everything. Simply becoming aware of the changes you can make is all we ask. Making an impact with the information you discover along the way is up to you!  In this episode, we only scratch the surface of it all, while discussing plastics, Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, the invisible chemicals making you fat, formaldehyde, and the clothing you didn’t know was labeled as "toxic waste" before it made it to your closet. Sisters Heather Young & Jennifer Klotz are the faces behind the truly impactful website: shechangeseverything.com & hosts of the incredible events you may have already heard of, known as SHE DAY.The event will be hitting four major cities across the U.S. in 2019 & Listen closely, because there's a discount code offered specifically for podcast listeners - in this episode! They're here to inspire you, encourage you, provide you with the information you need - to make simple changes that matter. Full show notes can be found at criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode015 Event Details for Wellness Simplified & SHE DAY can be found at criticalconversationspodcast.com/events Heather Young, C-IAYT, RYT 500-E- has her Master’s in Communication, a love for journalism and impactful content development, as well as a 500-hour certified yoga teacher & Yoga Therapist passionate about functional movement.   Jennifer Klotz, MS, RDN, LDN -has her Master’s Degree in Nutrition and works in Los Angeles as a Registered Dietitian & Holistic Nutritionist. Her professional experience will bring so much insight to the conversation we’re having around health, which is why she has been deemed our expert in holistic healing. We're here to have the conversations no one else is talking about or finding solutions for!   Don't hesitate to join in and let us know what you're excited about, confused about, or inspired by. We always love hearing from you and read every comment and question you guys send our way!   Your Host, Briana Reesing @CriticalConversations & your co-hosts, Heather & Jennifer @SheChangesEverything

Welcoming Brigid Titgemeier M.S., R.D.N, L.D aka @beingbrigid as the newest co-host of the Critical Converations Community. She's here to help expand the conversation around health and nutrition via her incredible experience in the field of functional nutrition. Brigid graduated with her Master’s of Science in Public Health Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University & completed the (IFM) Institute for Functional Medicine’s Advanced Functional Medicine Training for Clinicians. She has even trained under and worked along side Dr. Mark Hyman, one of the top functional medicine doctors in the industry - while working as a founding dietitian of the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine. Brigid is now also teaching as an adjunct instructor in a graduate level course in Integrative and Functional Nutrition as well as developing a new functional nutrition consulting practice that we will be sure to dive into deeper, soon.  At the age of 14 – Brigid was diagnosed with a rare condition known as narcolepsy with associated cataplexy episodes which were debilitating her performance in life and in school, requiring in depth testing and evaluation by a Neurologist. After multiple doctors visits and deeper conversations into lifestyle factors that were playing a part of her condition – Brigid ultimately healed her body by bridging the gap between both western and functional lifestyle modalities & is here to talk about her story and the progress she has made, in this episode. She knows better than anyone - that diet can play a huge role in our health. Brigid’s own personal and professional experience will allow us to dive deeper into this conversation around food & nutrition – with more certainty and experience than ever before. Learn more & read the extended sho notes with additional resources on our website - www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode014 & connect with us on instagram @CriticalConversations

Have you ever pushed yourself for the sake of commitment - until you realize you’ve pushed yourself too far? We can push ourselves over the edge & develop unnecessary stress, anxiety, overwhelm and even illness in our lives because of it. As we discuss in this episode - Health is about so much more than just what’s on your plate and how often you’re working out.  Your mindset around the life you’re living - is truly everything.  Amanda Huggins, aka @thefeistyyogi – joins us as our FIRST GUEST on the critical conversations podcast as our newest co-host & she’s here to expand the conversation around mental health, anxiety and self worth. She started her career in tech start-ups, transitioned slowly into yoga, became a certified yoga teacher and has now found her calling – diving deeper into the realities of mental health & how your perspective of it all is affecting your life.   THIS CONVERSATION IS POWERFUL.    She’s expanding the conversation around health in a way we’ve never discussed before & I can’t tell you how important her message truly is. After working in the ER for the past decade – I’ve had the opportunity to work with thousands of people. If I’ve learned anything, it’s this -  Mindset. Perspective. How you see & interpret your world – can have a major impact on your overall health, wellbeing & longevity of your life.   With each episode, we will continue to dive deeper & expand the conversation. Amanda will help us get there. Learn more about her at www.thefeistyyogi.com & if you reach out to her on instagram or directly to discuss what she can offer you via her private coaching programs – let her know you found her on the critical conversations podcast.   Let’s expand this conversation & community. TOGETHER. Thank you for listening, I’m happy you’re here.   Briana Reesing, RN , BSN, CEN @CriticalConversations www.criticalconversationspodcast.com

The Critical Conversations Podcast was created by two friends that just so happened to be critical care nurses with a decade of experience taking care of extremely sick people - motivated by the things we knew we could change - frustrated by the capabilities & time made available to us within the American healthcare system. We ( Briana Reesing & Laura Gluck ) created this podcast for YOU & whole heartedly believe in the potential around the power of taking things into your own hands after seeing the true handicaps of the traditional system.We know from personal experience - that seeking out constant education and motivation when it comes to everything preventative health - is the most powerful thing you can do for your health and your life. Sadly, Laura has decided to step away from this podcast. Our friendship remains strong . & our passion to motivate you to take care of yourself is still very much - common ground between us - life has just pulled us in two different directions, and that's OK. Things Change. People Change . & We have to learn to follow our hearts. If it's not a Hell YES, then it's a NO. ... Even if that means having difficult conversations with the people we love and saying "NO" to the things that no longer serve us. Choose You. Always put yourself and your health - above all else. Seriously - you are the most important thing in this world . In your world . and we can't encourage you enough to seek out the things that light you up . the things that motivate you . the things that make you feel your best.    x, bri. you can message me on instagram @CriticalConversations I love hearing from you.  More resources: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com  

We’ve all heard sugar is bad for us. But, have you ever stopped to think about the consequences of substituting sugar for ‘DIET’ alternatives – such as those brightly colored, zero-calorie, artificial sweeteners instead? Sucralose (Splenda), Saccharin (Sweet & Low), Aspartame (Equal or NutraSweet), Stevia (Sweet Leaf), & Sugar Alcohols (like Xylitol) are hiding in too many standard American food items to count. They’ve all been made in a lab by chemists discovering how to make our food sweeter with less calories – at the expense of our long term health. Plus, we can’t deny the fact that they’ve been perfectly marketed to us as one of the most recognizable condiments available to us at almost every coffee shop and restaurant in America – for FREE. If you don’t know them by name – we can confidently assume that you know them as the little “pink, yellow and blue packets” always crammed in next to the sugar. What’s not to like about FREE stuff? Or better yet … SWEET stuff? We hope to make you stop and think about this long and hard today.   Are they good for us? Are they harmless? … Is zero calories really better? We dive into all of this and more during this episode while expanding on the bigger conversation from episode 10 where we discussed Added Sugar, the popular motto YOLO & It’s Hidden Effects on Your Long-Term Health   We want to give you your Power back. What you do with this information is up to you. We're two critical care nurses on a mission to inspire you, motivate you, and empower you.   - Briana Reesing & Laura Gluck -    More information about us & this show can be found on our website at www.criticalconversationspodcast.com (including full show notes and resources from each episode.) Join Our Community on Instagram @CriticalConversations

YOLO (you only live once). It may be a 'fun' common way to say 'live a little' - but we take it's meaning - Quite Literally. SUGAR – is known to cause cavities, diabetes (type 2) and weight gain when consumed in high amounts on a regular basis. But, DID YOU KNOW – it has now also been linked to digestive issues such as leaky gut and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, high blood pressure, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia and has even been linked to increase the likelihood and growth rate of certain cancers? That being said... What if we told you, you had the power to take your health back and do your best to prevent these above mentioned diseases solely by paying attention to what you’re eating …. Would you do something about it? Change your habits? Switch up your morning routine? Maybe skip the coffee & donut combo every single day and reach for something more nutritious for the health of it? How much sugar have you eaten today? Truly take a minute to think about it. Google it – Look into it. Turn the package around.   According to the World Health Organization - It’s recommended that women consume no more than 25 grams of ADDED sugar on a daily basis at most. (For men – the recommended amount is no more than 30 grams – max.) Use that information & go from there. Information is Power. & The sole reason we show up every week for this podcast is simple..   We want to give you your Power back. What you do with this information is up to you. We're two critical care nurses on a mission to inspire you, motivate you, empower you.   - Briana Reesing & Laura Gluck -    More information about us & this show can be found on our website at www.criticalconversationspodcast.com (including full show notes and resources from each episode.) Join Our Community on Instagram @CriticalConversations  

WARNING: Everybody poops. But, no one is talking about it. So, we’re taking the liberty of opening up the conversation around digestive health to a much deeper level today. Do you poop often enough? Do you pay attention to what it looks like? More on this (diarrhea and constipation), along with a multitude of other symptoms that may be silent symptoms of poor gut health that you’ve been ignoring. Psoriasis, Eczema, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes, Weight Gain, Fatigue, Brain Fog, Hypoglycemia, ADHD, MS, headaches …. You name it . It’s all connected. In this episode we dive deeper into the importance of your microbiome as well as the simple solutions that are in your hands on a daily basis. Get the full breakdown, show notes, quotes, links, & resources on our website: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode009 & join our incredible community on instagram @CriticalConversations   Your hosts: Laura Gluck & Briana Reesing   *LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information in this podcast is to be viewed as general knowledge and is not a substitute for professional medical help. Our opinions are our own and do not reflect that of our employers. We are registered nurses, not doctors, pharmacists or nutritionists. We are providing general information and are here to open up conversation on heath care related topics. The content found here is our educated opinions and, should you require medical assistance, we urge you to seek medical professionals who are equipped to give you the personalized care you need.

Leaky Gut. Microbiome. #GutHealth. IBS. Food Sensitivities. Probiotics … There’s a chance you may have heard these words mentioned in recent conversation with your doctor, coworker, friend or possibly even on social media. But, do you truly understand why “gut health” is such a hot topic of conversation lately? You can access the full show notes, links and resources at www.criticalconversationspodcast.com/episode008 Or join the conversation on instagram @criticalconversations With this episode, we hope to help you understand the microbiome on a deeper level while leaving you with tangible tips and tricks of what you can do about it – how to avoid the things that may be harming you – and how to replenish the good bacteria in your body that’s trying to help you thrive and survive.     Still eager to learn more? We Highly recommend you checkout Dr. Josh Axe’s website as a resource for easy to understand information about the microbiome and more. - - - He also has a book with deeper information and solutions for gut health you might find interesting: it’s called Eat Dirt & it’s available to purchase on Amazon.com     - - - lastly, we'd love to see you at SHE DAY – APRIL 29th, 2018 - in Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more & purchase tickets at: shechangeseverything.com/she-day-phoenix We will be speaking on one of the panels with Integrative Dietitian Nutritionist Jennifer Klotz, MS, RD, LDN who also happens to be one of the founders of the event. Learn more about her HERE & follow her on Instagram @jenniferklotz_rd   LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information in this podcast is to be viewed as general knowledge and is not a substitute for professional medical help. Our opinions are our own and do not reflect that of our employers. We are registered nurses, not doctors, pharmacists or nutritionists. We are providing general information and are here to open up conversation on heath care related topics. The content found here is our educated opinions and, should you require medical assistance, we urge you to seek medical professionals who are equipped to give you the personalized care you need. Thank you for listening to our podcast, we hope you enjoy it. Please take a few moments to leave us a rating & review so we can continue to show up each week.     - laura gluck & briana reesing -  www.criticalconversationspodcast.com    

In this episode, Laura Gluck of www.fitasgluck.com shares her personal story with us for the first time. Ironically, it starts just like anyone else & we have a feeling you’ll be able to relate. It begins … when she was born. Healthy. Strong. Without Complications. Until a multitude of childhood infections led to multiple antibiotic prescriptions, resulting digestive issues, ovarian cysts, birth control, gallbladder surgery, hospital admission for sepsis - and so much more. Laura takes us through her personal medical history and reveals how, what seemed to be a moment in time, was the middle piece of a very complex puzzle. She starts by explaining parts of her history she didn’t realize were so important or so connected to other areas of her health until recently.  From labs showing glucose intolerance, elevated stress hormones and altered thyroid function, to casually being put on oral birth control to manage symptoms at age 15, no questions asked. We realize now how connected it truly all was.  More than a decade later - after taking “the pill” without knowing any better - Laura discusses the various research she has since uncovered linking her seemingly harmless prescription pill to potentially be the cause of her gallbladder issues and multitude of other digestive symptoms when she was younger.  As always, we encourage you to do your own research and continue to seek out answers to your questions for yourself. For your reference, here’s the article about gallbladder disease and certain oral contraceptives that Laura refers to in this episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3091897/ It’s because of this complex history - that Laura decided to explore her own health under a new lens, while employing the listeners to truly understand the risks associated with medications.  Ultimately, while discussing their own health histories in episodes 6 & 7, Laura Gluck & Briana Reesing - the co-hosts of this podcast - hope to remind each of you listening to approach your health story holistically - while being mindful of bio-indivduality, realizing that the risk/benefit of each medication, diagnosis  or treatment decision will be different for each person.  Nothing in life is a one size fits all, especially when it comes to health and the treatment prescribed. In this episode, Laura helps to bridge the gap to make her primary message extremely clear - everyone has their own story & although it’s possible to learn from eachother’s experiences, we also need to approach our own health in our own way - while figuring what solution works best for you, individually. Never stop pursuing what ‘health’ looks like to you - as we hope to inspire each and everyone of you to persistently learn, educate yourselves and expand your knowledge around your health. That is, after all - at the core of why we show up for this podcast every week.   Learn more about Laura Gluck, the face behind @FitAsGluck over at: www.fitasgluck.com  ---  Discover more information behind this podcast and the hosts at www.criticalconversationspodcast.com & Join our community on instagram for daily motivation @criticalconversations   Thank you so much for your support! Please be sure to ‘subscribe’ leave us a rating and review if you haven’t already and share this episode with your friends or family!   We truly appreciate YOU. – Laura Gluck & Briana Reesing –   *LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information in this podcast is to be viewed as general knowledge and is not a substitute for professional medical help. Our opinions are our own and do not reflect that of our employers. We are registered nurses, not doctors, pharmacists or nutritionists. We are providing general information and are here to open up conversation on heath care related topics. The content found here is our educated opinions and, should you require medical assistance, we urge you to seek medical professionals who are equipped to give you the personalized care you need.   Thank you for listening to our podcast, we hope you enjoy it. 

We’re all unique – with our own health history, symptoms and life events. In this episode, critical conversations co-host: Briana Reesing of www.beachlifeorganic.com shares her own personal story in hopes of motivating you to seek out answers for the symptoms you may be having before it’s too late. It’s not always easy to get a clear diagnosis when the symptoms you’re having are vague or infrequent. But, that doesn’t mean you should give up. Be your own best advocate, listen to the signals and symptoms your body is showing you and begin to dial into those. Briana shares her own personal ‘journey’ of autoimmune issues triggered by increased stress in her adult life accompanied by a multitude of factors that had been leading up to the problem for years before the symptoms began presenting themselves. She was getting married, buying a house, fighting to stop a termite fumigation of her house, and working full time as a charge nurse of a busy ER when her body began shutting down.   If we learned anything from this year long process of uncovering the root cause of Briana’s issues … it’s this: There is power in discovering what is at the root cause of your symptoms. Prescription medications may be a necessary tool to utilize as a short term fix – but keep in mind – they are not the cure. They do not address the root of the problem & it’s up to you to consider seeking out answers about your health in order to solve and reverse the trigger causing it all. In Briana’s case – after struggling with depression and social isolation due to her symptoms – she began strictly following a 3 month guided elimination diet, in which she was ultimately able to uncover the trigger behind all of her symptoms: GLUTEN. Discuss with your doctor if an elimination diet might be right for you. The book Briana used to guide her elimination diet was written by a well known functional medicine doctor, recognized as one of the top leaders of integrative medicine; his name is Dr. Leo Galland & you can learn more by reading his book: The Allergy Solution.    Lear more about Briana Reesing, the face behind @beachlifeorganic over at: www.beachlifeorganic.com   ----   Discover more information behind this podcast and the hosts at www.criticalconversationspodcast.com & Join our community on instagram for daily motivation @criticalconversations   Thank you so much for your support! Please be sure to ‘subscribe’ leave us a rating and review if you haven’t already and share this episode with your friends or family!   We truly appreciate YOU. - Laura Gluck & Briana Reesing –

Let go of the rules, Live simply & Eat real food. That’s obviously easier said than done when you’re just getting started on your health journey – but we want to do our best to help simplify it for you in this episode. We hope to inspire you to become motivated by a meaningful WHY that will leave a positive impact on the long term benefits behind your decisions around food. This episode is part 2 of 2 – in other words – a continuation of episode 4 – in which we dove in to our own personal stories and told you which fad diets and food rules we have both previously subscribed to. Neither of us were able to maintain a restrictive diet long term – due to food cravings, subsequent health issues and underlying flaws that are always associated with restrictive food rules - i.e. – unnecessary stress, shame and guilt around food.   Here are a few of the resources we mentioned at the end: The newest book that we’re both currently reading & loving is written by a well known functional medicine doctor at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Mark Hyman – if you haven’t heard of him – we hope you fall in love with his message as much as we have. It’s called… FOOD: What the Heck Should I Eat? We also briefly mention the book Bri followed for the elimination diet in 2016 which allowed her to pinpoint the symptoms linked to the adult onset food allergies she had developed. You can learn more about the underlying causes and symptoms of food allergies you might be suffering from in this life changing book written by Dr. Leo Galland ... It's called ... The Allergy Solution    & an incredible cookbook that will get you back in the kitchen and inspire you to love your home cooked food again – written by a holistic chef who also happens to be a very good friend of ours, Laura Lea Goldberg, you can learn more about her on instagram at @lauraleabalanced Her cookbook is … The Laura Lea Balanced Cookbook: 120+ Everyday Recipes for the Healthy Home Cook   We dive deeper into the food camps and fad diets during this episode – discussing the differences between – Vegan – Vegetarian – Paleo – Keto – Whole 30 – Weight Watchers – Atkins – 21 day fix – you name it …. Ultimately we believe they actually all have something in common – to help you become aware of the food that you’re eating and how it’s making you feel. However, they don’t reach the ultimate goal like we want them to – for us it’s always about your overall, long-term health & happiness. That’s what needs to be at the center of anything and everything you choose to do.   Stay connected and sign up for our newsletter over on our website www.criticalconversationspodcast.com   & join our supportive community on Instagram for daily motivation @CrIticalConversations       *Links to the two books mentioned above are Amazon Affiliate links. When purchasing a product through affiliate links - your cost is still the same - and we in turn will receive a small commission for referring the product to you. Sharing links via the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program helps us to share our favorite items with you while also covering some of the cost of production that goes into creating this podcast for you, we genuinely appreciate your support & promise to only ever share and link to resources we find beneficial and useful in relation to the topics within each episode. 

Let's dive into the messy and complicated world of FOOD – sorting out fad diets, dogmatic food rules and discussing the different food camps that are currently popular in 2018. As registered nurses, we're not nutritionists or dietitians - but we are human. So we've had many of our own experiences around food. Plus, we've each fallen victim to the peer pressure at different stages of our lives based on our goals & we've each had our own personal journey around the discovery of the nutrition hiding in our food & the way of eating that works best for us individually. In this episode - we discuss how we got to where we our today – what our opinions are on all of it – while trying to uncomplicate it for you to understand it all better and make the best decisions for yourself in regards to food. We get personal – telling you which fad diets and dogmatic food rules we’ve subscribed to in the past and how that worked for us long term. Spoiler alert – it never works long term – it always comes back around to one basic, simple rule. Not any one single way of eating is perfect for everybody. Vegan, Vegetarian, Keto, Paleo, Macro, High Fat – Low Carb, High Carb – Low Fat, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Whole 30, 21 day fix…. The list goes on and on. But the answer is simple. Eat Real Food. Mostly Plants. Not too much. - Michael Polan said it best, and we’ve come to realize – that no matter which dogmatic food camp you may be subscribed to – we can all agree that REAL FOOD is at the core of our ultimate health and well being. Did you know….. Oreos and Coca Cola are vegan? – our point being …. No matter what group you belong too – you still need to take personal responsibility for the daily food choices you’re making while understanding the long-term effects of the foods your choosing to consume and WHY. Understanding the why behind the food we're eating will ultimately allow you to simplify your food choices long term, walk away from the rules, remove the emotional entrapment you’ve most likely felt at least once in your life around food – and we hope to allow you to begin enjoying food and the way it’s making you feel at your core – quite possibly for the first time in your life once you discover the 'why' behind our passion on this topic. If you enjoyed this episode - please share it with your friends and family. Hit the subscribe button and leave us a review if you haven't done so already.   You can find more about us on our website: www.criticalconversationspodcast.com Or join our community over on Instagram to expand this conversation on a daily basis @CriticalConversations   We can't thank you enough for listening. Episode 005 will be a continuation of this two part series.   We hope you enjoyed it.   Laura Gluck RN, BSN, CCRN & Briana Reesing RN, BSN, CEN  

One of the most requested topics - let's discuss the difference between western and holistic medicine modalities. We also announce an exciting event coming up in Phoenix, Arizona - April 29th, 2018 called SHE DAY . We will be speaking on a panel about our food freedom story & also doing a matcha latte demo at the start of the day. Learn More & Buy your tickets here: https://www.shechangeseverything.com/she-day-phoenix   You guys have asked:  What type of doctor should I see? Is my primary care doctor actually listening to me? Are Naturopaths and Integrative Functional Medicine Physicians worth the cost?   ... In this episode, we're diving into the differences between Holistic/Integrative/Functional medicine versus Western Medicine and what you can expect from a visit with your primary care physician.  But, keep in mind - you are the guardian of your own health and you need to show up prepared in order to get the most out of it - no matter which type of physician you choose to see. Start by seeking out a physician covered under your insurance plan to decrease cost and see what baseline lab work and tests you can have done. If you're struggling with additional symptoms that aren't being addressed you can seek out additional help (but keep in mind - you may have to pay higher out of pocket costs) when seeking out Holistic/Functional/Naturopathic Care. You can start searching for a functional medicine practitioner in your area by utilizing this resource: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/ & you can always refer back to Yelp for user submitted reviews based on their experiences with that individual doctor. We can't encourage you enough to seek out a 'wellness visit' before you're sick.  ... You should know your baseline when you're at your HEALTHIEST - that way you have information to compare to if you start having symptoms later on.     Still have questions after listening to this episode?  Reach out to us at www.criticalconversationspodcast.com Instagram @CriticalConversations  

The first episode kicked off introducing ourselves - who we are as critical care nurses - and why we care so much about preventative health.  In this episode, we do our best to simplify the definition of preventative health and discuss simple lifestyle changes you can make to SIMPLIFY your daily life. Prevention should improve your overall health - without overcomplicating your life. Here's the New York Times article that fueled this discussion, it's titled 'Preventive Care Saves Money? Sorry, It’s Too Good to Be True' ... we've linked the article below and share our opinions around it within the episode. (( spoiler alert - we don't agree.)) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/upshot/preventive-health-care-costs.html Prevention starts with you. You're responsible for your health. We truly believe this.  Here are a few other facts we shared during the episode, sourced from NIH.gov      - 33.9% of adults 18 and older in the US are pre-diabetec      - by 2050 1 out of every 3 americans will be diabetic      - Serum Hemoglobin a1c  of 5.7-6.4 is considered pre-diabetic      - Serum Hemoglobin a1c of 6.5 or greater is diabetic       - Serum fasting glucose less than 100 is considered normal      - Serum fasting glucose of 100-125 is considered pre-diabetic      - 2 in 3 American adults (70.2 percent) are considered to be overweight or have obesity   Thank you for listening. Laura Gluck BSN, RN, CCRN Briana Reesing BSN, RN, CEN, MICN     You can find more about us at:   www.criticalconversationspodcast.com Join our amazing online community on instagram: @CriticalConversations     LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information in this podcast is to be viewed as general knowledge and is not a substitute for professional medical help. Our opinions are our own and do not necessarily reflect that of our employers. We are registered nurses, not doctors, pharmacists or nutritionists. We are providing general information and are here to open up conversation on heath care related topics. The content found here is our educated opinions and, should you require medical assistance, we urge you to seek medical professionals who are equipped to give you the personalized care you need. Thank you for listening to our podcast, we hope you enjoy it.   

Welcome to the Critical Conversations Podcast Hosted by two critical care nurses who are doing things differently. We’re here to discuss our healthcare system, why preventative health is so important to us and what YOU can do about it.  Hosted by Laura Gluck, BSN, RN, CCRN & Briana Reesing, BSN, RN, CEN, MICN     What if we told you – You have the power to change the trajectory of your life. Would you do it?   Keep listening to find out more. Help us spread the message by sharing this podcast with your friends & family. & follow along with us on instagram @CriticalConversations    & over on our website www.criticalconversationspodcast.com