October 29, 2024Love You MoreEp 49:  Beyond the Silence: Real Talk on Women’s Health with Dr. Melanie McKean  Episode summary:In this episode, Jen is joined by Dr. Melanie McKean, a reproductive psychiatrist specializing in women’s health, to talk about perimenopause—a topic that’s often shrouded in silence. As Jen opens up about her own experience with perimenopausal symptoms, like brain fog and forgetfulness, Dr. McKean dives into the neurological and hormonal shifts women undergo during this transition and shares actionable steps to help, from better sleep and exercise to mental health care.They discuss the challenges women face in finding safe spaces and supportive medical guidance for conditions like PMDD, pre- and postpartum mood changes, and menopause-related mental health. Dr. McKean offers expert insights on navigating perimenopause and debunks common myths while highlighting the evolving standards of care, recent advancements in hormone therapy, and when women should consider speaking to a professional.Guest Bio:Dr. Melanie McKean, D.O., Ph.D., a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience across multiple areas of reproductive mental health, recently launched McKean Reproductive Psychiatry, LLC, specializing in comprehensive care for women navigating perimenopause, preconception, postpartum, and more.Favorite Quotes:“We’re finding out more and more that hormone therapy is going to treat a lot more than hot flashes.” - Dr. McKean“Get that team of people … it’s okay to ask for help.” - Dr. McKean“There is a beauty involved in coming into our own.” - JenResources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsiteMcKean Reproductive PsychiatryMenopause SocietyMenopause STRONGDr. Rachel RubinSupport the show

October 15, 2024Love You MoreEp 48: Sleep and the Feldenkrais Method with Sandy Weiss, PT, GCFP Episode summary:In this episode, Jen welcomes back one of her favorite people, her Feldenkrais teacher Sandy, to dive into the transformative power of self-care and sleep. They explore Sandy’s recent sleep camp and how it uses Feldenkrais methods to help participants achieve better sleep and greater body awareness. Jen shares her own experiences from sleep camp and offers tips on how to improve sleep quality at home, even if you can't attend the camp.Together, Jen and Sandy discuss the importance of recognizing the value of self-care choices and how, sometimes, it takes time to be ready for new ideas. They reflect on their personal journeys of embracing what they now value and share techniques to help listeners become more mindful of their physical presence.Favorite Quotes from Sandy:“Go with what you know and appreciate whatever it is. Wherever you are.” “Rest is as valuable as sleep. Especially when you can’t come to sleep.”“This is you exchanging with your environment and having awareness of the abundance in your home and you’re allowing your experience to really enmesh with your kids and an appreciation.”Resources Jennifer's Instagram McDaniel Nutrition Therapy Instagram McDaniel Nutrition Therapy Website Sandy’s Website Feldenkrais Website Sounder Sleep System Sandy's Email: sandy@mindbodyscienceworks.com Support the show

October 1, 2024Love You MoreEp 47: Is Your Self Care Routine Serving You?Episode summary:After a recent talk centering on burnout and self care for a group of registered dietitians, Jen has found herself coming back to the idea of finding the self care practices that serve the individual. In this episode, Jen shares her most effective self care practices and the ways that she has adapted them to work for her. Not all of these will work for everyone, but they are tools to add to your self care toolbox. From techniques for evaluating your current self care routine to determine if it is actually causing stress to ideas for slowing down and removing yourself from the busyness cycle, this episode will help anyone trying to incorporate more meaningful self care practices into their life.Favorite quotes:“Can there be times in your day where … you just sit in your chair, close your eyes for a moment, and feel your breath, your heart rate, your body in the chair?” “There needs to be time in your day in which things are calm, where things just slow down.”“What would it mean to be done for the day?” – Oliver BerkmanAdditional ResourcesThe Burnout BookOliver BurkemanSandy Weiss Sleep CampMcDaniel Nutrition TherapyPast EpisodesFeldenkrais Method for Self Care What are you doing with your 4000 weeks?Calls to actionFollow me on Instagram:  @jenmcdanielrdnEpisode Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835775/episodes/15763562Support the show

September 17, 2024 Love You MoreEp 46: Exploring Sobriety with Alex HighsmithEpisode summary:In this emotional and candid episode, Jennifer and special guest, Alex Highsmith, open up about their sober journeys. From drinking daily and living moment to moment to owning multiple businesses, Alex shares her highs, lows, and tips for staying sober. If you're sober or sober-curious, this episode is a must listen.Check out the links below to visit the first non-alcoholic bottle shop in the US!Favorite Quotes:“[Sobriety] is a lot like yoga, a lot like sports – sometimes you need to use the blocks, sometimes you need the modification. It’s not like you’re going to need it your whole life.” - AlexResources Spirited AwaySober Sallies PodcastAlex's InstagramDon, Pat & TomMeeting Finder appThe Naked MindZero Proof NationJennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesMeal Planning with McDaniel NutritionSupport the show

September 3, 2024Love You MoreEp 45: Getting Real About Infertility with Guest Dr. Maureen "Moe" SchulteEpisode summary:In this episode, Jen talks with Dr. Maureen "Moe" Schulte about self-care strategies for people experiencing infertility. From taking blame out of the conversation to maintaining a healthy exercise program, Dr. Moe draws on her own experience to connect with her patients and guide them through the physical and emotional challenges of infertility.This is an authentic and vulnerable look into the complexities and emotional effects of infertility that you want to listen to. Dr. Schulte's Bio:Dr. Schulte’s accomplishments are vast, however, her passion is treating patients. Building families through personalized fertility care, utilizing the latest technological advancements is career fulfilling for Moe. She approaches her patients with transparency, trust, and compassion and strives to combine the art of human connection with cutting edge-science to care for fertility patients.Favorite Quotes:“I did everything wrong. I share with my patients that I learned the hard way about what not to do.” – Dr. MoeResources Functional Elements in Creve Couer, MODr. Maureen Schulte's InstagramDr. Molina DayalSTL Fertility InstagramSTL FertilityJennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesMeal Planning with McDaniel NutritionSupport the show

August 20, 2024Love You MoreEp 44: Supporting Your EnergyEpisode summary:In this episode, Jen shares her go-to strategies for keeping both her mental and physical energy levels up. She dives into the importance of nutrition, offering tips on building a day's worth of meals that keep your energy steady—from managing blood sugar to finding the right rhythm with meal timing. Jen also opens up about her alcohol-free lifestyle, explaining how it helps her maintain consistent habits and avoid the energy-draining effects of alcohol. Plus, she touches on the vital role of quality sleep and how even power naps can be game-changers when you're running low on rest.But that's not all—Jen also explores how movement can boost your energy, emphasizing the importance of finding exercises that feel good without wearing you out. Whether you're looking to fine-tune your daily habits or just curious about how to feel more energized, this episode has you covered!Favorite Quotes:“What works for me does not work for all.” - JenResources Insight TimerCGM Monitor InformationJennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesMeal Planning with McDaniel NutritionSupport the show

August 6, 2024Love You MoreEp 43: Internal Family Systems Therapy with Karissa MuellerEpisode summary:It seems like everyone is talking about Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. On today's episode, Jennifer talks to IFS certified therapist, Karissa Mueller.  Karissa walks us through the ins and outs of IFS and even walks Jen through a live therapy session in the episode. You don't want to miss this one - it could actually change your life.IFS is good for everyday life, not only when something is wrong. It can be a paradigm shift for living and how you think about your internal experience relating to the world. You can get a lot of long term benefits from learning how to relate to the world.If you're feeling stuck in your current therapy or feel like there is more that you want to explore, sit back and take a listen.Guest Bio: Karissa MuellerKarissa is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) certified therapist who is passionate about helping ironically unhappy, compulsively introspective, functional-but-not-fulfilled women emerge into vibrant clarity. She's an Enneagram 9, can't see magic eye pictures, and brings an energy and focus to every therapy session.Favorite Quotes:“When we’re really in that space where we’re listening, that’s where we want to be relating to our parts from. Where we can have this relationship with them that’s really helpful.” - KarissaResources Karissa's WebsiteWhat is IFS Therapy?EnneagramNo Bad Parts (book)Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesMeal Planning with McDaniel NutritionSupport the show

July 23, 2024Love You MoreEp 42: Reflections on 1 year 7 months Alcohol FreeEpisode summary:Jen's back for a third season and in this first episode she's reflecting on the past 1 year and 7 months that she's spent sober. From more even social energy to feeling more authentic to sleeping better to being more present with her family, Jen has noticed both expected and unexpected benefits from not drinking. But, it hasn't been without struggle and Jen opens up about how she navigates the bumps in the road. As always, Jen would love to connect with other sober and sober-curious listeners via social media (or in real life!). Favorite Quotes:“I worry that people can’t connect with me because I’m not drinking along with them or that I’m judging them or something.”“The more I go, the more I feel confident that I don’t need alcohol to make those connections. I find that I can really be more true to who I am.”Resources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesMeal Planning with McDaniel NutritionSupport the show

April 16, 2024Love You MoreEp 41: Taking Control of Your Pelvic Floor - An Interview with Physical Therapist Jamie KocherEpisode summary:Dr. Jamie Kocher, a leading expert in women's health and fitness,  joins us today to get personal about everything from incontinence to how tight jeans can affect your health. With years of experience helping women work through pelvic floor dysfunction to return to sports and active lifestyles. Pelvic floor concerns can be extremely embarrassing and frustrating. So many people feel really alone with it and pelvic floor physical therapy can be a very conservative way to help with pelvic floor dysfunction. Jen opens up about the her struggles that began in high school and that still plague her today. Dr. Jamie's BioDr. Jamie Kocher is a leading expert in women’s health and fitness on a mission to help women feel confident, strong, and EMPOWERED in their bodies. She created Empower Her Physical Therapy to help women eliminate fear and return to exercise and sport. Favorite Quotes:“Normal bladder function is being able to maintain continence, voiding every 2-5 hours throughout the day, controlling your urgency…for the vast majority of us, you should be able to sleep 6-8 hours without having to get up and pee during the night.” - Jamie KocherResources Empower Her WebsiteDr. Jamie's InstagramJennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesSupport the show

April 2, 2024Love You MoreEp 40: Reframing Masculinity: Navigating Emotions and Self-Care with Dr. Bryan PearlmanEpisode summary:In this episode, Jen's family therapist, Dr. Bryan Pearlman, joins the show as we delve into the topic of self-care for boys and men. From exploring the barriers that get in the way of emotional awareness to the stigma surrounding vulnerability and expressing feelings, this conversation goes deep. In his practice, Dr. Bryan focuses on the power of mindfulness and being present and living in the now. He works with men and boys of all ages and helps them to embrace their emotions as part of their masculinity. From years in the educational system and his recent work as a therapist for men and boys, Dr. Bryan's insights are invaluable. You'll want to tune in for this one! Dr. Bryan's BioDr. Bryan Pearlman is a former school principal & teacher, a keynote speaker, and an adjunct professor of education psychology. He is also the author of three books and the co-founder of a mental health non-profit. Bryan utilizes a customized approach to help people to become the best version of themselves. Bryan works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families to progress in their day-to-day lives, school, careers, and relationships with a focus on achieving balance. Bryan also works with competitive athletes on mental performance. Favorite Quotes:"Self Care doesn't have to be hours of things...you could get a decent amount of self care in 10 minutes if that's all you have." - Bryan"The idea of being open and being yourself and challenging those past ideas of masculinity. I can still be a tough guy, I can still be masculine, I can still be competent and successful and be really in tune with my emotions and be able to express them." - Bryan"Self care doesn't make us selfish." - BryanResources Pearlman and AssociatesDistinguished School of Mental Health & WellnessFind Dr. Bryan's Books on Amazonbryan@stlmentalhealth.comThe New Masculinity BookJennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesSupport the show

March 19, 2023Love You MoreEp 39: Unpacking Anxiety with Rhett SmithEpisode summary:Want to hear two emotionally in-tune professionals talk about all things anxiety? Tune into this conversation between Jen and Rhett. Rhett Smith is a marriage and family therapist, executive coach, speaker, and author with an expertise in the treatment of anxiety. And we already know that Jen is a dietitian with a passion for self care and personal growth.From delving into the root cause of anxiety (a violation of trust) to their own personal struggles to how we can define our anxiety in our own lives, this episode goes everywhere. If you struggle or ever have struggled with anxiety, you won't regret listening. Favorite Quotes:“I find myself, when I have anxiety, instead of running from those things, I approach them and work through them.” - RhettResources Model of Restoration Therapy for AnxietyHuberman LabBook of Awakening (Nepo)Anxious Christian BookRhett's WebsiteRhett's YouTube ChannelRhett's InstagramJennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesSupport the show

March 4, 2023Love You MoreEp 38: Restless in St. LouisEpisode summary:Restless is a word that represents a lot of complicated feelings, but we all know what it feels like in our bodies. In this episode, Jen explores how she deals with restlessness; that feeling that you should clean the house or be productive or make time for volunteering at your kids' school. She reminds us that rest and stillness are also important. Take the challenge to slow down and take some time to just sit and be.Favorite Quotes:“What I want for myself is to be able to quiet the conversation in my mind that says productivity is equal to my worth.”Resources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesSupport the show

February 20, 2024Love You MoreEp 37: The Weight of ItEpisode summary:In this candid, vulnerable episode, Jen opens up about her past struggles with disordered eating and control around food and exercise. This year has re-ignited some of these old thinking patterns and Jen shares openly about how she's still healing this part of her.Favorite Quotes:“Peeling back the artichoke leaves to get to the very juicy heart of peace, acceptance, love, and letting go of some control.”Resources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesSupport the show

February 6, 2024Love You MoreEp 36: Zero Proof, Full Flavor: Unveiling the Non-Alcoholic Napa Cab Crafted by a Family of VisionariesEpisode summary:The Kamat family is the embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, Jen talks to Drs. Vinay and Sona Kamat and their son Ehan. They stopped drinking alcohol 10 years ago, but maintained an appreciation for exploring the complexities of flavors.  Jennifer and the Kamats talk about the benefits of not drinking, how you can still enjoy beer and wine through mocktails and NA options, and how their new non-alcoholic Napa Cab, Domaine Kamat, was created.  Plus, you get to learn how alcohol is removed from wine - cool, huh?The Kamat FamilyEhan Kamat is a true entrepreneur and idea guy. He created his first product when he was only 12 and was on Shark Tank by 17! Since then, he's graduated from UC Berkeley business school and is now working with his dad on this next business endeavor. When they're not creating wine, Vinay and Sona work as physicians in St. Louis, MO. When their son came to them with a dream to buy a vineyard in Napa and create a non-alcoholic Napa Cab, they were all in!Favorite Quotes:"It's kind of the ritual that we were more attracted to than the actual alcohol." - Dr. Vinay KamatResourcesJennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesDomaine Kamat WebsiteSupport the show

January 23, 2024Love You MoreEp 35: Troubleshooting TriggersEpisode summary:Everyone gets triggered. It's normal and a part of life. When you get triggered, do you find yourself asking, "Why can't I get past this?" "Why does this still bother me?" ?In this solo episode, Jennifer processes where she is in her current place of growth when it comes to managing triggers. She explores changing her approach from thinking about the root cause of triggers to experiencing the feelings and emotions that come up and moving through them.Favorite Quotes:"We need to tell the brain, thank you for being there for me but right now these stories you're concocting aren't very important. What's important is getting out of my brain and feeling my body."Resources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesSupport the show

January 9, 2024Love You MoreEp 34: One Year Without AlcoholEpisode summary:The decision to stop drinking was one of the top best choices Jen's made in her life. A Little over a year after her last drink in December of 2022, Jen talks about how her life has changed, the feedback she's received, and what's next for her.In this episode Jen gets personal about why she shares her journey so publicly and how she responds to people's reactions to her decision to stop drinking. She also shares the changes that she's seen in her sober life. Things like presence, calm, and space.If these episodes have sparked an interest in sober living or just drinking a bit less, message Jen. She is here to share stories and tips and to be a sounding board for the sober curious.Favorite Quotes:"Somehow not drinking allows me to get to know myself better.""I've seen myself grow in confidence in my life. I've seen anxiety not place such a big role."Resources Dry JanuaryJennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesThe Emotional Lives of TeenagersSnoop Dog Thank youSupport the show

December 27, 2023Love You MoreEp 33: Grateful for Gratitude, but not Gratitude Gone WrongEpisode summary:What is gratitude? What are the benefits to health? When does gratitude extend beyond the positive and go wrong?In this episode Jennifer reflects on a couple of interactions with her sons over the past few weeks that got her thinking about staying grateful. They also got her thinking about how gratitude can go wrong and more intentional ways to approach gratitude in her own life.  There are times when gratitude goes wrong. These can show up as showing one sided gratitude on social media, feeling like you should be grateful during hard times, and keeping yourself stuck in situations under the guise of gratitude.This one's deep, so if you're looking for an exploration of gratitude and gratitude practices as you move into the new year, this is for you. Favorite Quotes:"[Gratitude] lingers... stays with you. You see it and it just changes your chemistry.""We can be sponges for good moments and moments of gratitude."Resources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesSupport the show

December 12, 2023Love You MoreEp 32: Shaking Yourself Out of Stuck-ness with Becky VollmerEpisode summary:In this episode Jennifer gets to interview one of her dream guests! She sits down with renown writer, teacher, speaker, and leading voice in the recovery and sobriety community, Becky Vollmer. When Jen first started Love You More, she had a vision of the content she would produce and the people she would dream of having on the show. Becky was one of those dream guests.Becky's expertise is in helping people to get unstuck. Jennifer and Becky talk about how you can know if you're stuck and how you can start down a path of freeing yourself from your stuck-ness. Stick around until the end to get an update on Jennifer's alcohol-free journey and hear about the gifts sobriety has given Becky. More about BeckyBecky Vollmer spent a lot of her life feeling stuck. Since she found her freedom, she has dedicated herself to helping others get unstuck and find their freedom.After quitting her job, getting sober, and working through a long and emotional divorce, Becky virtually had a degree in soul guided choices. She learned so much about living life in a different way and found a passion for helping other people live the lives they've dreamed of. Favorite Quotes from Becky:"We can experience that sense of stuckness in lots of scenarios...big and small. In our jobs, our relationships, and our habits.""We don't feel authorized to change our own lives.""We really only make big changes when we can't stand ourselves anymore.""The opposite of fear is choice."Resources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesYou Are Not StuckBecky's Website Becky's InstagramBecky's FacebookThe CircleEmotion Sensation Feeling WheelUnbottled Potential  (Amanda Kuda)Support the show

November 28, 2023Love You MoreEp 31: Exploring Thoughts and Feelings with Life Coach Helen McLaughlinEpisode summary:Today Jennifer sits down with her life coach, Helen McLaughlin, to talk about how you can reframe situations by recognizing your thoughts and feelings for what they are. They unwind the between peace and happiness, discuss the merits of assigning greater meaning to your positive thoughts, and delve into how the brain creates the thought patterns that can have so much control over us.Helen and Jennifer tackle hard questions like: How can we use our thoughts and not focus on them too much? How do you get out of negative cycles of thinking? What advice do you have for people who are using food or alcohol to deal with uncomfortable feelings?  More about HelenHelen McLaughlin has been helping thoughtful people access the insights that change their lives since 2015. She has worked with her clients on career advancement, career change, marriage difficulties, confidence, boundary setting, breaking habits, building a business, growing a business, fitness goals, and self-esteem.Helen believes that deep, lasting change comes from insight and from seeing things differently than you did before. When you see things differently, you behave differently. Favorite Quotes:"If [a thought] hurts or doesn’t feel good, it’s not the train of thought you want to take." – Helen“A feeling is just a fluctuation in energy with a label on top of it.” – Helen“A lot of my work with a client might just be trying to extend the moment between what they’re feeling and what is happening.” - Jennifer“Nothing in life is screw-up-able.” - Helen Resources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesHelen’s Website Helen’s Instagram Support the show

November 14, 2023Love You MoreEp 30: The Power of Hypnosis (in nutrition and everything else)Episode summary:In this episode Jennifer talks with fellow dietitian Sarah Krieger about how she discovered hypnosis and how she integrates it into her nutrition practice. In her current practice, the majority of her clients are seeing her for hypnosis, but are being treated for some type of nutrition issue in the background. Most clients come to her looking for help with weight loss, but she has also used hypnosis to change people's behaviors around smoking, phobias, sleep, and sports performance. If there is something that you want to change about yourself or your life, hypnosis can help you do that. From weight loss to worrying about politics to dealing with difficult family members around the holidays, hypnosis can help you to change your thoughts, habits, and reactions. Favorite Quotes:"It's never too late to change who you are." - Sarah"All hypnosis is self hypnosis. I'm just the guide." - Sarah"It's an hour of a dreamy state where you get to take care of yourself and learn about yourself." - JenniferResources Jennifer's InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy InstagramMcDaniel Nutrition Therapy WebsitePast Podcast EpisodesSarah's WebsiteSarah's InstagramSarah's Book: Weight Loss Surgery CookbookSarah's Book: Coffee Grounds, Banana Peels, and DiapersSupport the show