Health and Hormones

Health and Hormones

byRita Johnson, NTP, CFCP

HealthFitnessNutritionChristianityReligionSpirituality

Welcome to Health and Hormones! A conversation about holistic health care centered on women's health (and hormones). Join us as we unpack the many facets that impact our health, hormones, and how we can support our optimal health. My goal is for you to walk away inspired, empowered, and refocused on how you can support your own health!Medical disclaimer: The information presented in Health & Hormones Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

Episodes(40 episodes)

Why Am I Always Bloated? Common Causes of Bloating
Bloating is common, but it’s not something you should have to just live with.If you’re regularly feeling bloated, uncomfortable after meals, overly full, or like your food just isn’t digesting well, your body may be telling you that something deeper is going on.In this episode of the Health & Hormones Podcast, we’re talking about:• Why digestion works “north to south” and why what happens in your stomach matters for everything that comes next • How low stomach acid can contribute to bloating, indigestion, heartburn, and difficulty absorbing nutrients • The connection between...
Published: Sep 4, 2026Duration: 7m 6s
When Life Gets Crazy: The Health Habits You Don’t Drop
When life gets busy, your health habits are often the first things to disappear. But what if you knew exactly which habits mattered most—and how to protect them even when everything hits the fan?In this episode, Rita shares how to identify your personal health and self-care non-negotiables and make them realistic for the season of life you’re actually in.You’ll learn:How to identify the things that truly “fill your cup”Why small, actionable changes are more sustainable than a complete overhaulHow planning ahead can protect habits like sleep and nourishing...
Published: Aug 28, 2026Duration: 7m 55s
Can You Still Get Pregnant in Perimenopause? Fertility & NFP Explained
Perimenopause can bring big changes to your cycle—but it doesn’t mean your fertility has simply disappeared.In this episode, we talk about:Why perimenopause is not a “death sentence” for fertilityHow fertility changes after 35—and why individual assessment mattersUsing NFP to navigate irregular cycles and avoid pregnancyHow stress, hormones, and changing biomarkers affect your chartChoosing the cycle-tracking method you’ll actually use consistentlyWhat your chart can reveal about symptoms like fatigue, hot flashes, and hormonal shiftsWhen working with a certified instructor can help couples feel less “stuck” or fearfulWe also share details about the upcomi...
Published: Aug 21, 2026Duration: 17m 38s
Beyond Procreation: The Gift Of Intimacy in Perimenopause with Dr. Sarah Bartel
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Bartell to talk about intimacy, marriage, and the changes that come with perimenopause and menopause.We discuss:Why intimacy still matters beyond the fertile yearsHow rest and nervous system regulation can support libidoMoving beyond the “just suck it up” mentalitySimple ways to care for your body and strengthen marital connectionJoin me and other experts for the 5-Day Perimenopause Workshop at the end of August. Link below to sign up.https://healthandhormones.org/perimenopause-toolkit/Here is the link to Sarah’s 10 Truth’s https...
Published: Aug 14, 2026Duration: 19m 27s
Fitness After 40: What Women Need To Know
In this episode I sit down with Mau to discuss:What really changes during perimenopause—and what can you do about it?Rita sits down with fitness coach Mo to talk about building strength, navigating hormonal shifts, and letting go of the pressure to do it all.If you’ve ever wondered where to start, this conversation is full of practical encouragement and hope.Book a free discovery call if you’re ready for personalized support, and learn more about the upcoming Perimenopause Workshop at the link below.https://healthandhormones.org/perimenopause-toolkit
Published: Aug 7, 2026Duration: 26m 17s
What Do Christians Struggle With When Seeking Healthcare?
Can caring for your health be part of your faith journey?In this episode of the Health & Hormones Podcast, we discuss:When chronic health struggles are a cross to bear—and when they aren’t.Why seeking healing isn’t a lack of faith.How physical, emotional, and spiritual health work together.Practical ways to prayerfully discern your next step toward healing.Listen now.💛 If you’re looking for personalized support for your hormones, fertility, or pregnancy, book a free discovery call—I’d love to help you get to the root of what’s going on...
Published: Jul 31, 2026Duration: 10m 36s
What I Used To Worry About, What I Now Worry About, Pregnant In My 40’s
In this episode I discuss:Why I’m healthier in my 40s than I was during my pregnancies in my 20s.The habits I prioritize now: nutrient-dense meals, muscle health, and quality sleep.Why blood sugar balance has become one of my biggest health focuses.The fears I still experience during pregnancy—and how I continually surrender them to the Lord.💛 If you’re looking for personalized support for your hormones, fertility, or pregnancy, book a free discovery call—I’d love to help you get to the root of what’s going on.https://app.acuitysched...
Published: Jul 24, 2026Duration: 8m 37s
My Daily Non-Negotiables
In this episode:Why sleep is one of my biggest non-negotiablesHow quiet prayer helps me stay groundedThe importance of sitting down for 3 balanced mealsWhy a daily walk is one of the best things I do for my health and marriageSimple encouragement for finding rhythms that fit your current season of lifeIf you’re feeling overwhelmed or running on empty, I hope this episode encourages you to care for yourself in a sustainable way. ❤️If you're looking for personalized support for your hormones, fertility, or pregnancy journey, book a free discovery call using the link below...
Published: Jul 17, 2026Duration: 10m 20s
Things I am doing and not doing pregnant in my 40's
What does pregnancy look like in my 40s with baby number seven? In this episode, I'm sharing a few of the biggest things I'm prioritizing—and one thing I'm intentionally letting go of.We cover:Why I'm making sleep a priority.How I'm approaching exercise during pregnancy.Why I'm choosing not to worry about every little thing.Simple encouragement for enjoying pregnancy with confidence and peace.🎧 Listen now, and if you're looking for personalized support for your hormones, fertility, or pregnancy journey, book a free discovery call using the link below. I'd love to help you f...
Published: Jul 10, 2026Duration: 10m 50s
Cycle Tracking Isn’t What You Think
In this episode, I share:• Why cycle tracking is one of the most powerful tools for understanding your hormones• How to recognize your body’s natural patterns instead of feeling surprised by them each month• What your moods, energy, and symptoms may be telling you• How cycle awareness can help you care for your health naturally• Why learning this now can help you confidently guide your daughters through their own cycles🎧 Listen now, and if you’re ready to get to the root cause of your symptoms, I’d love to conne...
Published: Jul 3, 2026Duration: 6m 46s
When Is It A Good Idea To Use The Pill For Health Issues?
What if your symptoms aren’t the problem, but the message? In this episode, I explain why hormonal birth control often masks underlying imbalances and why true healing begins with understanding what your body is trying to tell you.✨ You don’t have to settle for simply managing symptoms. If you’re ready to uncover the root cause and create a plan that’s tailored to your body, I’d love to help. Book your free discovery call.https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554
Published: Jul 1, 2026Duration: 6m 29s
Why I Don't Believe In The Pill As A Period Fix for Teens
In this episode, I share why I don’t believe the pill should be the first solution for teens struggling with period symptoms.While it can mask issues like painful periods, irregular cycles, acne, or heavy bleeding, it often doesn’t address the root cause. During the teen years, when cycles are still developing, it’s especially important to understand what the body is trying to communicate rather than simply covering up the symptoms.Healing starts by asking why. When we uncover the root cause, lasting improvements are possible.✨ Ready to understand what your bod...
Published: Jun 26, 2026Duration: 7m 19s
Ways To Know You Need To Heal Your Gut Without Digestive Distress
In this episode, I unpack the many ways gut imbalances can show up beyond bloating, constipation, or reflux. From hormone issues and skin concerns to fatigue, cravings or food sensitivities, and more, your gut influences far more than digestion.When we learn to recognize these signals, we can stop chasing symptoms and start addressing the root cause.✨ Ready to understand what your body is trying to tell you? Book a free discovery call through the link in my bio.https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554
Published: Jun 19, 2026Duration: 9m 47s
Mom Sets The Tone In The Home
As moms, we have more influence than we realize.Our kids are watching how we respond to stress, how we talk about ourselves, how we treat our bodies, and even how we receive a compliment.If someone tells you you’re beautiful and your first response is to roll your eyes, dismiss it, or point out everything you don’t like about yourself, your daughter is paying attention. Over time, she learns that being complimented feels uncomfortable and that beauty is something to argue with instead of receive with gratitude.<...
Published: Jun 12, 2026Duration: 8m 34s
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before My Daughters First Period.
In this episode I share things I wish someone had told me before my daughter had her first period. From fostering open conversations to helping girls understand the beauty and purpose of their changing bodies, this discussion offers practical encouragement for moms who want to raise confident, informed daughters grounded in God’s design for womanhood.Want one on one support? Schedule a free discovery call: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554
Published: Jun 8, 2026Duration: 6m 39s
Before the First Period: Supporting Our Girls Through the Hardest Hormonal Years
In this episode:Why "common" symptoms like painful periods, mood crashes, and headaches aren't actually "normal"—and what they're telling usThe difference between NFP and body literacy, and why cycle awareness is a gift we owe our daughtersHow cycle syncing can shape the way we eat and exercise across the monthThe surprising parallels between puberty and perimenopauseBuilding a healthy relationship with food to help guard against disordered eating later onMissed the mother daughter workshop? You can still register here and watch the replays.https://healthandhormones.org/mother-daughter-2/ Want one on one support? Schedule a free discovery ca...
Published: May 29, 2026Duration: 6m 46s
Is your daughter’s period pain normal… or a red flag?
When a mom takes her daughter to the doctor for painful periods, heavy PMS, or cyclical acne and walks out with a birth control prescription, something has gone wrong. In this solo episode, Rita makes her case plainly: hormonal birth control doesn't solve a hormonal problem — it silences the very symptoms that are asking for help.Rita walks through why teenagers in particular tend to have loud, intense reactions to their hormonal shifts — their bodies are still learning to operate under the surging conditions of a cycle — and why that season, layered on top of the emotional upheav...
Published: May 15, 2026Duration: 7m 19s
What Is The Danger In Not Teaching Young Girls Cycle Tracking?
What if teaching our daughters about their cycles wasn't a slippery slope, but actually one of the most protective gifts we can give them? In this episode, Rita sits down with her dear friend Katie Vidmar — body literacy and fertility awareness educator, founder of the Body Literacy Project. Together they tackle one of the harder questions Catholic and Christian moms quietly wrestle with: Will teaching my daughter about her fertile signs lead her astray? Katie's answer — rooted in faith, science, and real stories — might shift the way you think about this entire...
Published: May 1, 2026Duration: 27m 47s
The gut hormone connection 101
The Gut–Hormone Connection: Why Treating Them Separately Isn't Working Your gut and your hormones aren't two separate stories — they're chapters of the same one. In this episode, Rita unpacks the strong interplay between digestion and hormonal health, why conventional medicine tends to miss it, and the practical swaps you can start making today. Want to Go Deeper? Work with Rita one-on-one → healthandhormones.org Link to waitlist for upcoming Mother–Daughter Health Workshop, May 11–14 https://birdsend.page/forms/9473/Jzy3qWTSy3
Published: Apr 24, 2026Duration: 8m 46s
Season 1 - Episode 59
Why can't you do what you KNOW you should do?
Stuck in your weight loss journey and what you can do about it?This interview covers so much more than just why #weightloss isn't happening but a revolutionary approach to healing your relationship with food so you can experience true and deep healing in your journey. For more on Denise and Weight Loss with the Holy Spirit go here. https://weightlosswiththeholyspirit.com/ To sign up for our upcoming weight loss workshop go here: https://healthandhormones.org/weight-loss/ For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/ <...
Published: Mar 27, 2026Duration: 28m 58s