Less Stressed Life: Helping You Heal Yourself

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#463 From the Archives: Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest with David Romanelli Jul 29, 2026

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The Less Stressed Life turns 10 next year🤯, and as I started looking back through some of the earliest episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. This week, we're revisiting Episode 54 from 2019 with bestselling author and wellness innovator Dave Romanelli. While this conversation was recorded before the world experienced the isolation of the pandemic, its message about connection, loneliness, and learning from older generations feels even more meaningful today.

In this episode, Dave shares what he learned from years of connecting with people in their 80s, 90s, and even 100s through his Drinks With Your Elders events and the conversations that inspired his book, Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest. We explore the importance of preserving family stories, why slowing down to truly listen matters, and the perspective that only comes from a lifetime of experience. We also discuss parenting, resilience, loneliness, and why meaningful relationships—not accomplishments or possessions—are what matter most at the end of life.

Find David's books here: https://davidromanelli.com/#books

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Why older generations hold wisdom we can't afford to lose
The importance of preserving family stories before it's too late
Life lessons on parenting, resilience, and showing up for the people you love
How perspective can help us navigate life's everyday challenges
Why relationships matter more than achievements at the end of life
The value of creating connections across generations
Simple ways to start meaningful conversations with the elders in your life

ABOUT GUEST:
Dave Romanelli is a bestselling author, wellness innovator, entrepreneur, and lifelong meditator. He is the author of several books, including Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest, and is known for bringing generations together through his Drinks With Your Elders events. His work explores connection, mindfulness, relationships, and the lessons we can learn from those who have lived the longest. His work has been featured in The New York Times, O Magazine, Newsweek, Food & Wine, and The Wall Street Journal.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://davidromanelli.com/#
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeahdave/

SPONSOR:
Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎 Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off!

NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:
🍽️ Over restriction is dead
🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best
🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)
🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone
❤️ Do your best and leave the rest

WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
Quick Links: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Cortisol Shop: https://christabiegler.com/cortisol-shop

❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

#462 From the Archives: How to Be a Flavor Scientist with Olivia Wagner, RDN, IFNCP Jul 22, 2026

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The Less Stressed Life turns 10 next year🤯, and as I started looking back through some of the earliest episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. This week, we're revisiting Episode 47 from 2019 with functional dietitian Olivia Wagner, whose practical approach to food as medicine continues to inspire how we think about nourishing our bodies.

In this episode, we explore how every bite of food provides information to the body, why becoming a "nutrient seeker" can transform the way you think about healthy eating, and simple strategies for building meals that are both nourishing and delicious. We also discuss practical meal prep techniques, easy ways to increase the variety of plants on your plate, creative tips for helping the whole family enjoy more nutrient-dense foods, and how small, consistent changes can have a lasting impact on your health.

Bonus Resource: Download the free Food as Medicine Checklist created for this episode, packed with simple, practical ways to put these nutrition strategies into action.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Food as information and the food-as-medicine approach
How to become a "nutrient seeker"
Simple ways to build colorful, nutrient-dense meals
Practical meal prep and batch cooking tips
Easy strategies to help the whole family eat more vegetables
Flavor-building techniques to make healthy meals delicious
Kitchen tools and resources that simplify healthy cooking

ABOUT GUEST:
Olivia Wagner, MS, RDN, LDN, IFNCP, is a functional women's health and fertility dietitian and the founder of Liv Nourished. She specializes in helping women uncover the root causes of hormone imbalances, fertility challenges, and metabolic concerns through a whole-woman approach that combines functional nutrition, advanced lab testing, and nervous system support. Olivia is passionate about empowering women to better understand their bodies and create lasting health from the inside out.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://livnourishednutrition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livnourishednutrition/

❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

#461 From the Archives: Functional & Medicinal Mushrooms for Beginners with Jeff Chilton Jul 15, 2026

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The Less Stressed Life celebrates 10 years next year🤯, and as I looked back through some of the early episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. This week, we're revisiting Episode 39 from 2018 with Jeff Chilton, one of the world's leading experts on medicinal mushrooms and the founder of Nammex.

In this episode, we explore the science behind functional mushrooms, what makes mushrooms like lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga, and shiitake unique, and why not all mushroom supplements are created equal. We also discuss beta-glucans, immune and cognitive support, how to identify quality mushroom products, and simple ways to incorporate mushrooms into your daily routine.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Functional mushrooms and their unique benefits
Lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, and chaga explained
Beta-glucans and immune support
How to choose a quality mushroom supplement
Mushroom myths and common misconceptions
Cooking with mushrooms for maximum flavor
Simple ways to add mushrooms to your wellness routine

ABOUT GUEST:
Jeff Chilton is a mycologist, author, and founder of Nammex, one of the world's leading suppliers of certified organic functional mushroom extracts. With more than 50 years of experience in mushroom cultivation and research, Jeff has been a pioneer in bringing medicinal mushrooms to the North American natural health industry. He co-authored the bestselling book The Mushroom Cultivator and has spent decades working alongside leading mushroom researchers and growers throughout China to advance quality standards, education, and scientific research on functional mushrooms. Today, he continues to advocate for transparency, proper labeling, and evidence-based mushroom products.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://www.nammex.com/
Website: https://realmushrooms.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_mushrooms/
Educational: https://www.nammex.com/mushroom-education/
Research White Paper: https://www.nammex.com/redefining-medicinal-mushrooms/

❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

#460 From the Archives: The Life Changing Benefits of Sauna Use with Dr. Raleigh Duncan Jul 08, 2026

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The Less Stressed Life celebrates 10 years next year🤯, and as I looked back through some of the early episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. We're kicking off this replay series with Episode 30 from 2018, featuring Dr. Raleigh Duncan, one of the early pioneers in the infrared sauna industry.

In this episode, we talk about what makes infrared saunas different from traditional saunas, what's happening in the body during a sauna session, and the research behind many of sauna's health benefits. We also discuss detoxification, nervous system regulation, recovery, cardiovascular health, and simple ways to get more out of your sauna routine.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Infrared vs. traditional saunas
The science behind sauna
Detoxification and sweating
Nervous system support
Sauna and exercise recovery
Simple sauna best practices
Building a sustainable wellness habit

ABOUT GUEST:
Dr. Raleigh Duncan is a Doctor of Chiropractic and the founder and CEO of Clearlight®, one of the world's leading infrared sauna companies. A pioneer in infrared sauna technology for nearly three decades, he has dedicated his career to researching how infrared therapy can support healing, recovery, and overall wellness. Dr. Duncan has developed numerous patented infrared technologies and continues to advance innovations in sauna and wellness products used by individuals, health practitioners, and fitness professionals around the world.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://infraredsauna.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearlightsaunas

#459 Quantum Leap in Your Sleep with Louise Wilson Jun 24, 2026

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In this episode of the Less Stressed Life, I’m joined by Louise Wilson for a conversation about dreams, intuition, and the possibility that some of our best ideas may arrive while we're asleep. We explore the concepts of 3D, 4D, and 5D reality, why Louise believes dreams can be a powerful source of guidance, and how sleep may be an overlooked opportunity for problem-solving, creativity, and personal growth. We also discuss the power of asking better questions, creating space for deeper rest, and why the answers we're seeking may be closer than we think.

Take Louise's 90-Second Wealth Mapping Quiz and discover whether you're operating in 2D, 3D, 4D, or 5D: https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68bb3263f9cddc0015d2b866

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Ancient cultures viewed dreams as a powerful source of wisdom and guidance
• How questions can shift your focus toward solutions and possibility
• The difference between 3D, 4D, and 5D perspectives
• Sleep may be an untapped tool for problem-solving and creativity
• Dreams, even the strange ones, may contain valuable messages
• Your intuition grows stronger when you learn to trust it
• Some of the answers you're seeking may already be within you

ABOUT GUEST:
Louise Wilson is a Business and Quantum Manifestation Coach who helps entrepreneurs combine intuition, mindset, and practical action to grow thriving businesses. A former Finance Manager for Greenpeace International and successful serial entrepreneur, she has spent the past 15 years coaching business owners through her proprietary Quantum Leap In Your Sleep framework, helping them create greater clarity, alignment, and results.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://louise-wilson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.infinite.entrepreneur/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPptpAbR6oG-oXgkoQm2bPg

WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop

#458 Energy Leaks, Building Capacity & Martyrdom with Helen Eimers Jun 17, 2026

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This week, I’m joined by Helen Eimers for a conversation about the hidden beliefs, energy leaks, and patterns that may be keeping us stuck. Helen is also my sister-in-law and one of the very first guests I ever had on the podcast, so it was a special treat to welcome her back for a second conversation. We explore why so many high-achieving women find themselves exhausted despite doing all the “right” things, how self-sabotage often stems from parts of ourselves that simply want to be seen, and why healing isn’t about fixing or erasing our wounds. Helen shares her perspective on building capacity from the inside out, the role of self-compassion in lasting change, and how gratitude, curiosity, and learning to receive support can help us create more energy, fulfillment, and freedom in our lives.

If you'd like to listen to Helen's first appearance on the podcast, you can find that episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/775589/episodes/2341202

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
✨ Stop fighting yourself and start getting curious
✨ Hidden beliefs may be draining more energy than you realize
✨ You can't think your way through everything—you have to feel it too
✨ Martyrdom, burnout, and people-pleasing often go hand in hand
✨ Receiving support is just as important as giving it
✨ Lasting change happens when you build capacity from the inside out

ABOUT GUEST:
Helen Eimers is a Success Coach, certified conscious heart hypnotherapist, speaker, and author who helps ambitious women overcome self-doubt, burnout, and inner resistance so they can create sustainable success and fulfillment. Drawing on her background as a registered nurse, Helen combines practical strategy, mindset work, and hypnotherapy to help women build confidence, clarity, and alignment from the inside out. She has spent more than a decade guiding women toward greater capacity, purpose, and intentional living.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://www.heleneimers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.eimers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneimers/

WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop

#457 Anxiety, Panic, Complex Trauma, Ayurveda & a functional perspective with Dr. Nicole Cain Jun 10, 2026

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This week, I’m joined by Dr. Nicole Cain for a conversation about anxiety, panic, stress, and what our symptoms might be trying to tell us. We talk about the difference between fear, anxiety, and panic, why anxiety may be more of a signal than a problem, and how chronic stress can quietly build beneath the surface long before we recognize it. Dr. Nicole shares her perspective on complex trauma, nervous system regulation, and the ways modern life constantly pulls us into reactivity without us even realizing it. We also explore why awareness is often the first step toward healing, how nature can help bring us back into balance, and why anxiety isn’t necessarily something you have to live with forever.

Check out Dr. Nicole's Free Gifts here: https://drnicolecain.com/free-gifts/

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Anxiety may be a signal rather than the problem itself
Panic often builds long before it feels like it comes out of nowhere
Chronic stress can become invisible when it feels normal
Complex trauma develops through repeated experiences over time
Nature and nervous system regulation can support healing

ABOUT GUEST:
Dr. Nicole Cain is a naturopathic physician, EMDR-trained clinician, author, and expert in trauma-informed mental health care, holistic anxiety treatment, and panic recovery. Holding a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, she combines evidence-based psychology with integrative and functional medicine to help people address the root causes of anxiety and chronic stress. She is the author of Panic Proof (Rodale, 2024) and host of the Holistic Inner Balance: Natural Mental Health Podcast, where she shares research-backed strategies for emotional well-being. Dr. Nicole is also a regular contributor to Psychology Today and has been featured in numerous national health and wellness publications.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://drnicolecain.com/
Book Website: https://www.panicproof.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnicolecain/

WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop

#456 Thriving with Autoimmunity with Michele Spring, CHC Jun 03, 2026

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This week, I’m joined by Michele Spring for a conversation about Hashimoto’s, autoimmune healing, and the often-overlooked role stress plays in chronic illness. We talk about why food can be a powerful tool for uncovering inflammation, how restrictive diets are meant to be temporary, and what happens when symptoms return after you've already done the work to feel better. We also explore the connection between perfectionism, people-pleasing, overachievement, and autoimmune disease, along with why nervous system regulation became such an important piece of Michele’s healing journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Hashimoto’s is about more than thyroid hormones
• Food can uncover hidden sources of inflammation
• Healing often requires more than dietary changes
• Overachievement and people-pleasing can fuel chronic stress
• Nervous system support is a missing piece for many people

ABOUT GUEST:
Michele Spring is an autoimmune health coach, founder of Thriving Autoimmune, and a Hashimoto’s and Celiac disease warrior. After struggling for years with fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and other symptoms despite conventional treatment, she discovered a root-cause approach that transformed her health. Today, Michele helps women with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism reclaim their energy, clarity, and confidence through nutrition, gut health, nervous system support, and sustainable lifestyle changes. Through her coaching programs, educational resources, and personal experience, she has helped hundreds of women take control of their health and thrive.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://thrivingautoimmune.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivingautoimmune/

WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop

#455 New treatments for dry eye, light sensitivity, rosacea and eye mites with Dawn Wattenhofer, OD May 27, 2026

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This week, I’m joined by optometrist Dr. Dawn Wattenhofer for a conversation about dry eye, light sensitivity, and the surprising ways our modern lifestyle impacts eye health. We talk about how screen use, inflammation, and environmental stressors affect the eyes, why dry eye is becoming increasingly common, and what newer therapies are changing the way practitioners approach treatment. Dr. Dawn also shares how her perspective on sunlight and eye care has evolved over the years and why supporting long-term eye function requires a more whole-body approach.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Your eyes need healthy blinking habits
• Modern life is hard on eye health
• Sunlight isn’t always the enemy
• New therapies are changing dry eye care
• The eyes reflect what’s happening in the body

ABOUT GUEST:
Dr. Dawn Wattenhofer is co-owner of Vision Source Specialists in Rapid City and has practiced optometry since 1998. She specializes in dry eye testing and treatment through the clinic’s Ocular Surface Disease Clinic and has completed extensive post-doctoral training focused on overall health, wellness, and their impact on the eyes. Dr. Wattenhofer has also completed specialized dry eye training through the Dry Eye Institute and Dry Eye University.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://www.visionsourcespecialists.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sd_visionsource/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDVisionSource/

WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop

#454 Two Words that can Amplify Your Authentic Self with Rianne Klein Getlink May 20, 2026

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This week, I’m joined by my friend and fellow mastermind member, Rianne Klein Getlink, for a conversation about authenticity, self-expression, and the subtle ways we learn to wear masks to fit into the world around us. We talk about how conditioning, professional expectations, and social pressure can slowly disconnect us from who we naturally are, along with why the things that feel most effortless to us are often the biggest clues to our authentic selves. We also explore two Dutch words that don’t have direct English translations but completely change the way we think about ease, joy, anticipation, and possibility. This episode is a reminder that reinvention is always available and that maybe the parts of yourself you’ve been trying to tone down are actually the parts that were meant to shine the brightest.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Many women unknowingly wear “masks” to fit in
• What feels effortless may reveal your authentic self
• Conditioning can disconnect us from our natural energy
• Anticipation and joy are experiences worth cultivating
• “Yes, and” thinking creates more creativity and possibility
• Small mindset shifts can change your energy quickly
• Reinvention is possible at any stage of life

ABOUT GUEST:
Most of us desire to BE ourselves in every context, yet as we age we create a multitude of filters and masks between who we are and how we express ourselves. Rianne (49, The Netherlands) is on a mission to bring out all and more that what makes you YOU into the world.
We're all born with an innate energy that wants to be expressed and instead of dimming your light, let's amplify all that lives in you so that we get to witness the real you and in return you feel actually seen as you.
A Less Stressed Life because you get to live it as YOU.

WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riannekleingeltink/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kies.vanuit.je.kracht

WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop

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