Abundant Wellness With Andrea- From Surviving to Thriving in Mind, Body and Spirit

What if the environment you live in is affecting your ability to heal?
In this episode of the Abundant Wellness Podcast, Andrea Jones sits down with Jason Earle, founder of Got Mold and Mycolab, to unpack the often-confusing relationship between mold, dampness, indoor air quality, and human health.
Jason shares his deeply personal journey—from childhood asthma and severe allergies that mysteriously disappeared after leaving a musty farmhouse, to discovering the connection between buildings and health and eventually becoming one of the early pioneers in mold detection and indoor environmental assessment.
Together, Andrea and Jason discuss why mold-related illness can be so difficult to navigate, why testing alone shouldn't be used to diagnose either a person or a building, and what to look for when you suspect your environment may be contributing to symptoms.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Jason's personal history with asthma, allergies, and environmental exposures
How leaving a moldy farmhouse dramatically changed Jason's health
Why our homes can be thought of as an extension of our immune system
The difference between mold and the larger issue of building dampness
The "Fast Four" (or "Fast Five") questions to ask when evaluating your environment
Why a history of water damage is one of the most important clues
What visual signs of moisture and dampness to look for in your home
Why musty or earthy odors shouldn't be ignored
How your symptoms changing when you leave a building can provide important information
Why recent renovations and new construction can introduce additional chemical exposures
Why Jason believes a mold assessment is really a moisture assessment
How to approach environmental testing without falling into fear or confirmation bias
The limitations and potential problems with ERMI, petri-dish/settling-plate testing, mycotoxin urine testing, and other commonly promoted tests
Why a test from a building cannot diagnose a person—and a test from a person cannot diagnose a building
How conflicts of interest can influence mold inspections and remediation recommendations
What to look for when choosing an independent environmental professional
Why addressing the source of moisture is often more important than simply testing for mold
The importance of considering air, food, and attitude when supporting recovery
The role of the nervous system in environmental sensitivity and healing
How Jason moved from mold avoidance toward resilience and being able to live a normal life again
Why healing doesn't have to mean living in fear of every exposure
A key takeaway
One of the biggest messages from this conversation is that context matters.
Rather than relying on a single test result to determine whether a person is sick or whether a building is unsafe, Jason encourages a more comprehensive approach: look at the history of the building, signs of moisture, odors, symptoms, and how those symptoms change when you're away from the environment.
The goal isn't to create more fear around mold. It's to understand your environment, address problems strategically, and create a healthier space that supports your body rather than constantly challenging it.
Resources mentioned
Jason has created a dedicated resource page for this episode with an educational ebook, inspection guidance, and additional resources:
gotmold.com/abundantwellness
You can also learn more and connect with Jason through Got Mold and find additional information about indoor environmental health.
 

If you've ever found yourself thinking, "What is happening to me?" in your late 30s or 40s, this episode is for you.
Perimenopause isn't just about hot flashes or irregular periods. For many women—especially those with a history of trauma, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, or neurodivergence—it can feel like an unraveling of your emotional resilience, your identity, and even your sense of safety.
In this deeply honest conversation, I'm joined by my friend and fellow functional medicine practitioner, Erin Kerry, to talk about our own experiences navigating perimenopause while balancing motherhood, careers, neurodivergent families, and healing from past trauma.
Together we discuss:
Why perimenopause can feel like you're "coming undone"
The surprising connection between fluctuating hormones, neurotransmitters, and mental health
Why old wounds and trauma often resurface during this season
How declining progesterone and changing estrogen levels affect anxiety, sleep, focus, and emotional regulation
The shift from people-pleasing to stronger boundaries and greater authenticity
Practical strategies that have made the biggest difference for us—including nutrition, movement, sleep support, progesterone, and nervous system care
Why this season isn't simply something to survive, but may actually be preparing you for your next chapter
One of our favorite takeaways from this conversation is the idea that perimenopause may be "the chaos before the calm." While the transition can feel overwhelming, it also creates opportunities for deeper healing, greater wisdom, and a stronger connection to who you truly are.
Whether you're in the middle of perimenopause, wondering if your symptoms are hormone-related, or supporting someone who is, this episode will remind you that you're not losing your mind—and you're certainly not alone.
Resources Mentioned:
Erin Kerry's podcast: Sparking Wholeness
Erin's books: Live Beyond Your Label and Kitchen Therapy
Connect with Erin on Instagram: @SparkingWholeness
If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe to the Abundant Wellness Podcast and share it with a friend who needs the reminder that healing is possible—even in the middle of life's biggest transitions.
 
Ready to get to the bottom of the hormonal chaos? Book a Root Cause Call with the Fit Mom Functional Medicine Team HERE 
 

Is your child eating enough… but still missing the nutrients their growing body and brain desperately need?
In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Cryan, founder and CEO of Food Nerd Inc., to unpack the hidden problem of "silent malnutrition"—where children may have plenty of food but are still lacking the nutrients their bodies need to thrive.
We dive into what really happens during food processing, why two products with similar nutrition labels can have vastly different effects on the body, and how convenience doesn't have to come at the expense of health.
Whether you're raising a picky eater, navigating food sensitivities, or simply trying to make healthier choices without adding more stress to your day, this conversation offers practical hope and encouragement.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why childhood malnutrition is actually increasing despite food abundance
The difference between food and true nutrition
How food processing changes the way your body uses nutrients
Why nutrient density matters more than calorie counts
The connection between processed foods, inflammation, and chronic illness
Simple ways to bridge nutritional gaps without striving for perfection
How Food Nerd is rethinking convenience foods for busy families
This episode is a refreshing reminder that healthy eating doesn't require perfection—it starts with giving our kids more opportunities to nourish their growing bodies, one bite at a time.
Connect with Sharon & Food Nerd Inc.:Website: https://foodnerdinc.comInstagram: @foodnerdinc
 
Ready to dive deeper and get to the bottom of your child's health issues? Schedule a root cause call here https://fitmom.co/kids

What if your child is incredibly bright... but still struggles with emotional regulation, friendships, executive functioning, or everyday life?
In this eye-opening conversation, Andrea sits down with Mark Talaga, counselor, founder of the Center for Identity Potential, and host of the Hopelessly Gifted podcast, to unpack one of the most misunderstood forms of neurodivergence: giftedness.
Together, they explore why highly intelligent children are often overlooked, misunderstood, or even misdiagnosed—and why exceptional intelligence doesn't automatically translate into emotional maturity, flexibility, or executive functioning.
You'll learn why many gifted children experience "asynchronous development," where advanced abilities in one area coexist with significant challenges in another. Mark shares how comprehensive assessment, understanding a child's unique developmental profile, and shifting away from behavior-based assumptions can completely change the way parents support their children.
Andrea also shares personal insights from parenting her own neurodivergent daughter, highlighting the importance of trusting parental intuition, embracing individualized support, and remembering that children do well when they can—not simply when they choose to.
Whether you're raising a gifted child, navigating autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, or simply trying to better understand your child's unique brain, this episode offers practical wisdom, hope, and reassurance that there is always a path forward.
In this episode you'll learn:
What giftedness really means—and why the label is often misunderstood
The concept of asynchronous development and how it impacts behavior
Why gifted children are frequently misdiagnosed with other conditions
How executive functioning, sensory processing, and emotional regulation fit into the picture
Why comprehensive testing can be one of the most therapeutic steps a family takes
How to trust your instincts as a parent while building the right support team
Why children aren't choosing to struggle—and how that perspective changes everything
If you've ever looked at your child and thought, "I know something is going on, but I can't quite explain it," this conversation is for you.
Connect with Mark Talaga:
Center for Identity Potential: https://centerforidentitypotential.com
Hopelessly Gifted Podcast: https://hopelesslygifted.com

Bringing home a new baby is supposed to be one of life's happiest moments—but for many moms, it's also one of the loneliest. In this episode, Andrea sits down with Andrea Ippolito, founder and CEO of Simply Fed, to discuss the hidden gaps in postpartum care and why so many women feel unsupported after birth.
 
Together they explore why breastfeeding is often far more challenging than expected, how postpartum care extends far beyond a six-week checkup, and why maternal mental health deserves to be part of every conversation.
 
Andrea also shares how SimpliFed is helping families access insurance-covered lactation and feeding support while improving outcomes for both moms and babies.
In this episode, you'll learn:• Why so many mothers feel unprepared for the postpartum experience• The connection between feeding support and maternal mental health• Common barriers preventing families from receiving postpartum care• How virtual lactation support is changing maternal healthcare• Why pregnancy and postpartum offer important clues about long-term health• How to access insurance-covered breastfeeding and baby-feeding support
Whether you're expecting your first baby, navigating the newborn stage, or supporting new mothers in your practice, this conversation offers hope, practical resources, and encouragement.
Connect with Andrea Ippolito and learn more about SimpliFed:https://simplifed.com

Groceries are more expensive than ever, and for many families, the mental load of meal planning, budgeting, and shopping has become overwhelming. In this episode, Andrea sits down with entrepreneur and Stretch founder Andy Ellwood to discuss why grocery prices vary so dramatically, how shoppers can make more informed decisions, and why pricing transparency matters.
Andy shares his journey from building tech companies like Waze to creating Stretch, a free app that compares grocery prices across thousands of stores so families can save both time and money. They explore grocery store pricing strategies, loyalty programs, convenience vs. savings, and how technology can help reduce the stress of feeding a family in today's economy.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why grocery prices can vary so much between stores
How loyalty programs and coupons impact pricing
The hidden strategies retailers use to attract shoppers
Ways to reduce the mental load of grocery shopping
How Stretch helps families compare prices and save money
Why consumer transparency matters
Resources Mentioned:
Stretch Groceries App
StretchGroceries.com
Connect with Andy:
Website: www.StretchGroceries.com
Social Media: @AndyEllwood
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone looking to stretch their grocery budget a little further.

Raising a neurodivergent child often comes with questions that traditional parenting advice doesn't answer—especially when it comes to food, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, and mealtime struggles.
In this episode, Andrea sits down with ADHD Life Coach, Certified Teacher, and Functional Nutrition Practitioner Amy Jones to explore the powerful connection between ADHD, autism, nervous system regulation, blood sugar balance, and eating behaviors.
Together, they discuss why picky eating is rarely just a behavior problem, how metabolic demands impact neurodivergent brains, and practical ways parents can reduce stress around meals while supporting their child's health and regulation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why picky eating is often a nervous system issue—not a behavior problem
The connection between ADHD, emotional regulation, and blood sugar balance
How sensory sensitivities influence food choices and mealtime challenges
Why traditional mealtime expectations often don't work for neurodivergent children
Practical strategies for expanding food variety without pressure or power struggles
How to navigate comments and criticism from family members around your child's eating habits
The importance of honoring capacity, flexibility, and nervous-system safety around food
Why neurodivergent brains often require a different approach to nutrition and daily routines
Connect with Amy Jones:Website: www.amyjonesnutrition.comInstagram: @amyjonesnutrition
If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent who could use some reassurance that they're not doing it wrong—they may just need a different roadmap.

Mothering Through Perimenopause: Why Neurodivergent Parenting Hits Differently
If you've found yourself feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why perimenopause seems to be hitting you harder than everyone else, this episode is for you.
Andrea explores the unique challenges of raising neurodivergent and medically complex children while navigating the hormonal shifts of midlife. She explains how years of chronic stress, caregiving demands, disrupted sleep, and the invisible mental load can leave mothers depleted long before they realize they're in burnout.
In this episode, you'll learn why hormones are often responding to deeper issues like nervous system dysregulation, cortisol imbalance, poor nutrient absorption, and chronic stress—and why waiting until your child is "better" before taking care of yourself may be keeping you stuck.
Andrea shares practical mindset shifts and simple strategies to help you begin prioritizing your own healing, so you can continue showing up for the people who need you most.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why parents of neurodivergent children experience a different type of chronic stress
The connection between burnout, perimenopause, and nervous system depletion
How chronic stress impacts hormones, digestion, and the microbiome
The belief that keeps many mothers from prioritizing their own health
Why self-care is a necessity—not a luxury
Practical ways to begin supporting your nervous system today
If you're ready to stop surviving and start thriving, this conversation will remind you that your healing matters too.
 
Ready for more support? Hop into the Thriving Together community here 

In this powerful conversation, Andrea sits down with pediatric chiropractor and airway-focused practitioner Dr. Kathy Cantwell to discuss one of the most overlooked contributors to behavior issues, sleep struggles, nervous system dysregulation, ADHD symptoms, and long-term health concerns in children: airway dysfunction.
Dr. Cantwell shares her own personal journey with severe sleep-disordered breathing and explains how mouth breathing, tongue ties, narrow palates, and poor airway development can affect everything from emotional regulation to brain development.
This episode is a must-listen for parents of children struggling with:
ADHD or focus issues
Chronic congestion or mouth breathing
Snoring
Bedwetting
Poor sleep
Behavioral challenges
Picky eating
Frequent illness
Anxiety or nervous system dysregulation
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Why snoring in children is never “normal” or “cute”
The connection between airway issues and ADHD-like symptoms
How tongue ties can impact feeding, sleep, and nervous system development
Signs of airway dysfunction in infants, toddlers, and older children
Why open-mouth breathing changes facial development over time
The relationship between airway issues, sleep deprivation, cortisol, and behavior
How poor oxygenation impacts the developing brain
The connection between sleep-disordered breathing and bedwetting
Why many children with airway dysfunction crave carbs and struggle with picky eating
How airway issues affect growth hormone, blood sugar regulation, and emotional regulation
What parents can look for at home
Why this issue is so commonly missed by providers
The importance of a team approach when supporting children with airway dysfunction
Key Signs Parents Should Watch For:
Mouth breathing
Snoring
Dark circles under the eyes (“allergic shiners”)
Chronic congestion
Poor sleep quality
Frequent waking
Bedwetting past typical potty-training age
Picky eating or gagging on tougher foods
Hyperactivity or behavioral dysregulation
Daytime fatigue
Head-forward posture
Recessed jaw or narrow palate
Connect with Dr. Kathy Cantwell
Follow Dr. Cantwell on Instagram
 
Connect with Andrea 
Not sure where to start with your child's behavioral issues, mood and sleep? Schedule a discovery call with Andrea HERE
Get a FREE airway consultation with Toothpillow by using the code ABUNDANTWELLNESS

Every child experiences fear at some point in their lives, but how we as their parents, help them through it can make all the difference in their emotional development. 
 
In this episode, guest Randolph Schiffer shares his personal journey of helping children overcoming fear as a pediatrician and father. 
 
Grab a copy of his book here