Podcast, Autoimmunity, Mindset & Relaxation Christina Tidwell Podcast, Autoimmunity, Mindset & Relaxation Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | Ep #22 - Caregiver Burnout When Caring For Others With Chronic Illness With Shonda Palmer

Shonda Palmer is trained as a holistic wellness coach, meditation mentor and Qi Gong instructor. Today on episode #22 of The Live Well Podcast, Shonda and I discuss caregiver burnout when caring for others with chronic illness.

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Shonda is trained as a holistic wellness coach, meditation mentor and Qi Gong instructor. She helps caregivers who spend their life taking care of everybody else learn how to take care of themselves using mindfulness and self compassion practices. Shonda lives on a small farm in San Diego where she raises teenagers, llamas, and chickens with her husband of 26 years.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 0:40 Introducing Shonda Palmer

  • 2:00 Shonda’s story as a mother caring for her family and daughter with chronic autoimmune disease (Crohn’s Disease)

    • “This isn’t going to help me help them”

    • “I’m holding everyone together”

  • 5:00 Shonda’s introduction to Mindful Self Compassion

  • 6:30 What is caregiver burnout? Aka Empathy Fatigue

    • “What will happen if I am not well?”

    • You’re giving out more than you are replenishing

  • 11:00 Where do you start once you realize you are burnt out?

  • 11:50 The 3 pillars of Mindful Self Compassion and how to practice it in the moment of struggle

    • Mindfulness: kind and curious attention to the suffering you are experiencing

    • Common Humanity: opening your heart and connecting those in the world that have felt the same pain that you are currently feeling

    • Kindness and Compassion: extending compassion to yourself in this moment. “It will be ok” or giving yourself a “kind wish”

  • 20:00 How these practice have changed Shonda’s life

    • Less reactive

    • Less overwhelmed

    • More energy

    • Showing up differently in the world

  • 25:05 Outro

You can find Shonda on Shonda Palmer Wellness and Instagram. Shonda hosts regular meditation challenges to start a practice or deepen your existing practice.


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


livewell_previews-12+(1).jpg

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More
Autoimmunity, Podcast Christina Tidwell Autoimmunity, Podcast Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | Ep #20: Chronic Illness and the Evolution of Medicine with James Maskell

James Maskell, CEO and founder of KNEW Health, is on the Live Well Podcast to speak about chronic illness, functional medicine and the evolution of healthcare.

James Maskell

James Maskell, CEO and founder of KNEW Health, is on the Live Well Podcast to speak about chronic illness, functional medicine and the evolution of healthcare.

James graduated from University of Nottingham with a degree in health economics. He’s the creator of Functional Forum, the world’s largest integrative medicine conference. He lectures and hosts internationally and has been featured on TEDMED, Huffpost Live, TEDx and more. He serves on the faculty of George Washington University’s Metabolic Medicine Institute.

James is the author of The Evolution of Medicine: Join the Movement to Solve Chronic Disease and Fall Back in Love with Medicine which provides step-by-step instruction for building a successful "community micro-practice", one that engages both the patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership focused on the body as a whole rather than isolated symptoms.

I love James’ work because his ultimate goal is to empower more doctors to transition to the functional medicine model which will allow them to run their own thriving practices, infuse more meaning and connection into their work, and get back to the business of helping people the way they’d always imagined they would.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 0:40 Introducing James Maskell

  • 2:00 James speaks about the KNEW Health tour, traveling around the US on a big, green tour bus to facilitate the transformation of healthcare.

    • Step 1: Build an army of providers who provide predictive, preventative healthcare

    • Step 2: Deliver functional medicine in an affordable, accessible way

    • Step 3: Make this available and accessible to everyone

  • 7:00 Addressing the cost issues and access to functional medicine

    • Breaking down the real costs of functional vs. conventional medicine

    • Lifestyle driven chronic disease makes up of 86% of healthcare costs

  • 11:30 Therapeutic order in relation to chronic illness: do the least costly and least invasive procedures first

  • 16:50 Becoming a custodian of healthcare resources in the cost sharing model of healthcare

  • 18:30 How exactly does KNEW Health work?

  • 23:57 Who is the ideal person that benefits from KNEW Health? Who does not benefit?

  • 28:40 Outro


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


livewell-289+(1).jpg

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues? You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More
Podcast, Hormones, Autoimmunity Christina Tidwell Podcast, Hormones, Autoimmunity Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | Episode #19 - Improving Thyroid Health and Finding Your “Normal” with Tina Christoudias-Spyrou

TIna Christoudias Spyrou is on the podcast today to speak about navigating your thyroid health and “finding your normal” when it comes to lab values.


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Tina Christoudias-Spyrou is on the podcast today to speak about navigating your thyroid health and “finding your normal” when it comes to lab values.

Tina, also known as ‘The Thyroid Dietician’, is a Harvard-trained registered dietitian, certified as an autoimmune protocol coach and currently training as a functional medicine practitioner. She’s also the author of the book, “Tired of Feeling Tired?”. She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009 and used diet, lifestyle and a more holistic approach to health to recover.

Through consulting, writing, speaking, and workshops, it’s Tina’s mission to inspire and enable as many people as possible to take their health into their own hands and be an advocate for themselves in their health journey.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 0:40 Introducing Tina Christoudias-Spyrou the Thyroid Dietician

  • 3:00 Tina’s personal experience with Hashimoto’s (an autoimmune thyroid condition)

    • Probably had a thyroid problem since the age of 15 but not diagnosed until later

    • Flare up after giving birth to daughter

  • 5:00 The journey of finding an integrative doctor and doing own personal research

    • Gluten-free

    • Dairy-free

    • Nutrient density

  • 9:30 Definition of autoimmune disease and thyroid autoimmune disease

  • 10:20 Diagnosis and treatments for autoimmune thyroid conditions

    • TSH

    • “The normal range of TSH has been predicted and sampled from a group of sick people”

    • Normal TSH range should be between 0.5 and 2

  • 14:00 The importance of measuring thyroid antibodies

  • 17:00 Finding the right practitioner

  • 20:00 What to eat for thyroid health

    • Remove inflammatory triggers like sugar and processed foods

    • Consider removing gluten and dairy

    • Place a big emphasis on nutrient dense foods

    • “Any healing diet is a process and it’s a process of trying to figure out what works for your body. Finding your normal.”

  • 33:30 The importance of self-advocacy and finding the right practitioner for you

  • 35:00 Common root cause factors tied to thyroid conditions

    • SIBO or gut dysfunction

    • Toxic overload

    • Nutrient deficiencies (Vit D, B12, Zinc, Folate, Selenium)

    • Liver health

  • 38:00 The importance of being on the right medication

    • T3 + T4 Combo

    • Desiccated Thyroid

    • Levothyroxine

  • 40:00 Normal ranges vs. optimal ranges for lab values

    • Download Tina’s guide to lab values

  • 44:00 Where can you find Tina?

  • 45:15 Outro

Download your complete guide to thyroid lab testing for free here >>


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


livewell_previews-12+(1).jpg

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.



Read More
Podcast, Mindset & Relaxation Christina Tidwell Podcast, Mindset & Relaxation Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | EPISODE #18 - Avoiding burn out and the trap of “doing it all” with Kari Owens

Join us as we speak with certified Life & Wellness Coach Kari Owens about how to deal with burnout, fatigue and that feeling of having to “do it all” on episode #18 of the Live Well Podcast.


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Are you feeling exhausted? Drained? Burnt out? Join me and the amazing Kari Owens as we speak about how to deal with burnout, fatigue and the feeling of having to “do it all.” Kari is a Certified Life & Wellness Coach, and a yoga teacher working to empower women to listen deeply to themselves. She helps women put themselves first and reconnect with their body. Kari is the Founder of Soul Power for Women, a membership community with online courses teaching women all over the world how to connect to yourself, listen more deeply to your body, and honor your soul. Listen below for practice ways to prevent and manage burnout!

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 0:40 Introducing Kari Owens, certified life & wellness coach and founder of Soul Power for Women

  • 2:30 Kari speaks about the work she does in Soul Power and her own personal experience with autoimmune disease and toxic relationships

  • 6:00 Christina talks about the phenomenon of burnout in our society

  • 7:30 The different levels of burn out

  • 9:10 How do we PREVENT burnout?

    • Understanding our needs is the first step

  • 9:50 “Kari, I’m here and I’m burnt out, what do I do?”

    • 1. Noticing that you’re burnt out and knowing your threshold

    • 2. What is the thing you are missing in your life?

    • 3. What are the sustainable things that can carry you through a season of burnout?

  • 16:00 The power of asking yourself “What do you need?”

  • 17:30 What if someone is saying “I know what I need to do, but I can’t find the time”

    • Ask yourself, “Who gets to decide that burnout is inevitable?”

  • 24:00 Women entrepreneurs and the pitfalls of comparison

  • 32:21 Kari’s practices she uses to help herself not burn out

    • Create space

    • Built in time to avoid building up stress

  • 41:50 Kari’s thoughts on being attached to burnout

    • What is the fear behind doing less for yourself?

    • What is the reality that you can implement?

  • Kari’s Journal Prompts to avoid burnout >>

  • FInd Kari on Instagram @karisfullsoul

  • 45:22 Outro


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


livewell_previews-12 (1).jpg

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More