Well Considered

Ep 52 | The Soil Beneath Our Health: What It Means to Be Well Considered About Our Food with Mollie Engelhart

How much of our health begins beneath our feet? Farmer, author, and chef Mollie Engelhart joins us for a thoughtful conversation about soil health, regenerative farming, and what it really means to be well considered about the food we trust.
Together, we explore the connection between the microbiome in our soil and the microbiome in our bodies, why modern agriculture has shifted so dramatically in recent decades, and how everyday choices (even those beyond the grocery store) shape not only personal health, but the future of local farming.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The relationship between soil health and human health• How regenerative farming reframes the food conversation• Fertility, microbiome diversity, and modern chemical exposure• Supporting small farmers in an era of agrarian decline• Practical ways families can move toward more intentional food choices
This conversation moves beyond political talking points and into something deeper: stewardship, discernment, and the humility to admit that perhaps we don’t know as much as we think we do.
Resources:
Mollie from Sovereignty Ranch
“Debunked by Nature” Book
Read the free Motherhood Guide
Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 51 | The Science Behind Hypochlorous Acid and Skin Recovery with Justin Gardner

If you’ve ever stood in the skincare or first-aid aisle wondering why there are so many products, and whether any of them actually do what they claim, this episode is for you.
Hypochlorous acid is having a moment. It’s everywhere right now, showing up in wound care, acne treatments, diaper rash solutions, and even high-end cosmetic sprays. It’s often described as “natural,” “non-toxic,” or even miraculous.
But here’s the question: Do most people actually understand what it is, and what makes a formulation truly effective? Justin Gardner, founder of Active Skin Repair, joins us to unpack the real science behind hypochlorous acid and skin recovery.
Together, we explore:
• What hypochlorous acid actually is (and how your body already uses it)• Why pH balance and stabilization matter more than marketing claims• The difference between medical-grade and cosmetic formulations• Why some products on the market may not even contain active levels of the molecule• How to thoughtfully use hypochlorous acid alongside other natural remedies
Justin also shares his history working within hospital structures, and provides valuable insight in how medical products are introduced and regulated across our modern healthcare marketplace.
Resources:
Try Active Skin Repair today with discount code “INSERTS” for 20% off
Read the free Motherhood Guide
Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 50 | Why Root-Cause Medicine Resonates with Patients Who Feel Dismissed: A Conversation with Family Nurse Practitioner Jessica Pawlicki

For some, the phrase “root-cause” medicine sounds like a buzzword. For others, it feels like a lifeline. In this episode, Family Nurse Practitioner Jessica Pawlicki offers a grounded, thoughtful conversation about what root-cause care actually looks like in practice and why it resonates so deeply with patients who have felt dismissed in conventional settings.
Jessica shares her personal journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, advocating for deeper testing when she was told to “wait it out,” and how those experiences reshaped the way she practices medicine today
This is not an episode about rejecting medicine. It’s about restoring context, listening, and discernment, and building a healthcare team that sees the whole person.
In this episode, we discuss:
What “root-cause medicine” actually means (and what it doesn’t)
The difference between symptom management and investigating underlying triggers
Why so many patients feel rushed, dismissed, or unseen in modern healthcare systems
The power of listening as a clinical tool (not just a “soft skill”)
How functional and conventional medicine can work together
Why detox protocols without guidance can sometimes cause harm
The role of community in helping patients feel empowered and informed
Jessica explains how her practice approaches chronic conditions like eczema, recurrent infections, autoimmune issues, fatigue, hormonal shifts, and gut imbalances by asking deeper questions about history, stress, trauma, environment, and nutrient status.
Together, we explore the tension many families feel: wanting thoughtful, individualized care but unsure who to trust. They also address the very real structural pressures in conventional healthcare, including insurance limitations, time constraints, and staffing shortages.
Resources:
Jessica from Well Rooted
Read the free Motherhood Guide
Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 49 | What Women Aren’t Told About Morning Sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum with Jessica Reynolds

Morning sickness is often framed as a normal, unavoidable part of pregnancy... something women are simply expected to endure.
But what happens when nausea becomes debilitating? When vomiting interferes with daily life? When women are told “this is just pregnancy,” yet their intuition says something deeper is happening?
Jessica Reynolds, founder of Born From Her, joins us to explore what women aren’t told about morning sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). We discuss why severe pregnancy nausea deserves deeper questions, why symptom suppression isn’t the same as resolution, and how informed consent applies to pregnancy care just as much as any other medical decision.
In this episode, we discuss:
The difference between typical morning sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)
When nausea becomes a signal rather than an inconvenience
Why pharmaceutical interventions like Zofran are commonly prescribed (and what informed consent requires before taking them)
How preconception health impacts pregnancy outcomes and future generations
What women can do if they feel dismissed, unheard, or rushed toward symptom suppression
Jessica shares her own experience navigating severe pregnancy illness and explains how a holistic, physiology-based approach can shift not only pregnancy outcomes, but long-term maternal and child health.
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, supporting someone who is, or simply want a deeper understanding of how informed consent applies to women’s health, this episode is for you.
Resources:
Follow Jessica on Instagram @born_from_her
Read the free Motherhood Guide
Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 48 | Understanding Disease Risk Without the Fear with Katie Collins, PA-C, MSPAS

How should parents actually think about disease risk without panic, minimization, or pressure?
In this episode, we join Katie Collins, PA-C, for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about how disease risk is framed in modern medicine versus how it shows up in real life. Together, we explore why fear-based messaging leaves families feeling overwhelmed, how nuance gets lost in public health conversations, and what informed consent truly requires.
This episode unpacks:
Why disease discussions are unhelpful when it swings between extremes
The difference between relative risk and absolute risk (and why it matters for families)
What parents are (and aren’t) taught about vaccine-preventable diseases
How baseline health, environment, nutrition, and access to care shape outcomes
How parents can respond calmly to alarming headlines and social media narratives
This is not an episode telling you what choice to make. It’s a conversation designed to help parents feel more grounded, informed, and confident when navigating medical decisions for their families.
If you value informed consent, context, and honest conversations that leave room for complexity, this episode will meet you right where you are.
Resources:
Read the free Motherhood Guide
Find a provider with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska

Ep 47 | How to Equip Your Partner to Be Your Biggest Advocate in the Delivery Room with Stephanie King

Labor is not the moment to start explaining your birth preferences or advocating for yourself while you’re in the middle of a contraction. That’s where a prepared partner can make all the difference.
In this episode of Well Considered, Alexandra sits down with Stephanie King, founder of My Essential Birth, to talk about how partners can become confident, calm advocates in the delivery room and why preparation together matters far more than most couples realize.
Stephanie shares why birth is not something you simply “show up for,” how fear and confusion during labor can derail decision-making, and how education before birth allows moms to stay in their body while partners help manage communication with the care team. Together, they explore what advocacy actually looks like in practice, from holding space during contractions to navigating provider conversations with clarity and respect.
This conversation reframes advocacy as protection, partnership, and presence, not confrontation. It also addresses common pitfalls couples face, including outside opinions, lack of preparation, and unclear roles in the birth space, while offering practical ways to prepare together before labor ever begins.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why partners play a critical role in protecting the birth space
What advocacy looks like during labor without creating conflict
How preparation reduces fear and overwhelm for both parents
Why partners should attend appointments and education together
The importance of clear roles in the delivery room
How advocacy during birth supports postpartum mental health
Why grace, communication, and trust matter more than perfection
Whether you’re pregnant, supporting a partner, or preparing for your first or fifth birth, this episode offers reassurance, practical insight, and a powerful reminder that birth is a shared experience and no one should carry it alone.
Resources:
Myessentialbirth.com
Read the free Motherhood Guide
Build your birth team with our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts @AlexandraGalaska
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Ep 46 | Navigating Vaccine Injury and Medical Exemptions: A Mother’s Story of Advocacy

What happens when a mother follows medical advice, only to watch her child change overnight and realize something is deeply wrong?
In this powerful episode of Well Considered, Alexandra sits down with Kate James, a mom of four, to share her family’s journey through vaccine injury, medical gaslighting, and the long road toward healing, faith, and advocacy.
Kate shares the early signs of her son was not reacting normally after vaccination, the devastating moment she discovered medical records did not reflect what she had consented to, and the emotional weight of realizing trust had been misplaced. What follows is not just a story of injury, but one of perseverance, restoration, and learning how to advocate fiercely for your child in a system that often resists questions.
This conversation also explores the realities of navigating medical exemptions, particularly in states with limited options, and the importance of accessing manufacturer inserts, medical records, and credible information when making healthcare decisions for children.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Early signs of vaccine injury that are often dismissed as “normal”
How delayed schedules and multi-dose injections can differ from what parents expect
Why obtaining medical records matters and how to advocate for them
The emotional toll of medical coercion and broken trust
Navigating religious exemptions and state-specific challenges
Faith, prayer, and lifestyle changes as part of the healing journey
This episode is not about fear or blame. It’s about truth, accountability, and empowering parents to ask questions, seek information, and trust their instincts while extending grace to themselves for what they didn’t know at the time.
If you are navigating vaccine injury, questioning past medical decisions, or trying to understand your rights as a parent in today’s healthcare landscape, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope.
Resources
Search Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Mississippi Patriots for Vaccine Rights
Mississippi Vaccine Religious Exemptions
Weston A. Price
Lindsey Beckham
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts
Subscribe & Leave a Review (It helps more people find this information!) If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend. You never know who needs to hear this conversation.

Ep 45 | Better Together: How Nurses and Doulas Can Create Safer Births with Jessica Gable

What if nurses and doulas weren’t seen as opposing forces in the birth room, but as complementary partners working toward the same goal?
In this episode of Well Considered, Alexandra sits down with Jessica Gable, a registered nurse turned doula, to explore how collaboration, education, and advocacy can radically change birth outcomes, especially in hospital settings.
Drawing from her experience in both the medical system and out-of-hospital birth spaces, Jessica offers a rare inside look at why so many women leave birth feeling disempowered, and how informed consent, clear communication, and the right support team can shift that experience entirely. Together, they unpack fear-based messaging, relative vs. absolute risk, and the practical ways parents can prepare to advocate for themselves long before labor begins.
This conversation is not about rejecting medical care or glorifying one birth model over another. It’s about helping families understand their options, build trust within their care teams, and create safer, more respectful births through collaboration (not conflict).
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why fear undermines labor and how education helps restore confidence
The real differences between hospital birth centers and out-of-hospital birth centers
How nurses, doulas, and partners can work together rather than at odds
What childbirth advocacy actually looks like in real hospital scenarios
How partners can play a powerful role in protecting informed consent
Evidence-informed approaches to pushing, pelvic floor protection, and birth support
Why interviewing providers matters more than most parents realize
Whether you’re a parent preparing for birth, a nurse questioning the current system, or a doula seeking stronger collaboration with medical teams, this episode offers practical insight into what safer, more empowering birth can look like when everyone is truly on the same side.
Resources:
Jessica’s website: Gentleheartdoulacare.com
Read the free Motherhood Guide
Build your birth team from our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts
Subscribe & Leave a Review (It helps more people find this information!) If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend. You never know who needs to hear this conversation.

Ep 44 | From Folk Remedy to Functional Medicine: The Evidence Behind Medicinal Honey with Taylor Parra

For centuries, honey has been used as a remedy to soothe, preserve, and heal. But in today’s world of evidence-based health, many people are left wondering: is medicinal honey rooted in real science, or is it just folklore passed down through generations?
We sit down with Taylor Parra, founder of The Local Wild, to explore the intersection of ancient remedies and modern functional medicine. Together, we unpack what an electuary actually is, how honey interacts with the body, and why this time-tested practice still has relevance in contemporary wellness.
This conversation moves beyond trends and talking points, examining how medicinal honey can support the body alongside rest, nourishment, and discernment, without replacing thoughtful medical care. Taylor also shares how sourcing, formulation, and tradition matter when it comes to herbal remedies, and why wellness works best when it’s rooted in community, curiosity, and context.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What medicinal honey and electuaries are and where they come from
How honey preserves and delivers herbal compounds in the body
Why wellness isn’t about a single “magic remedy” but whole-body support
How to thoughtfully integrate natural remedies alongside modern healthcare
What to look for when evaluating herbal and honey-based products
Whether you’re a mom looking for gentler first-line supports, a practitioner curious about traditional remedies, or someone who wants data and discernment, this episode offers a grounded, respectful look at one of nature’s oldest medicines and its place in modern life.
Well Considered Resources:
Read the free Motherhood Guide
Search our Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory
Take our free training course
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts
Subscribe & Leave a Review (It helps more people find this information!) If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend. You never know who needs to hear this conversation.

Ep 43 | When Healing Looks Different Than You Imagined: A Mother’s Honest Story of Childhood Cancer

Have you faced a challenging medical decision for your child? Or maybe a parent in your community is forcibly on a journey they never expected?
In this deeply moving episode, a mother whose seven-year-old son was diagnosed with neuroblastoma after months of confusing symptoms shares her honest perspective about fear, advocacy, and learning to make impossible medical decisions when the stakes feel unbearably high.
Together, we explore what it’s really like to navigate pediatric cancer as a parent, from the shock of diagnosis to the weight of treatment decisions that don’t come with clear answers. Andee shares how prayer, research, community, and intentional pauses helped her find peace in moments where certainty was impossible.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
What it feels like to move from denial to devastating clarity
How parents can thoughtfully advocate for their child in high-pressure medical settings
The difference between protocol-driven care and personalized decision-making
Why community support matters more than most parents realize
What it means to find peace when healing doesn’t look the way you imagined
This episode is not about false positivity or easy answers. It’s about walking through fear with hope, holding space for grief, and learning how to stay present when the future feels uncertain.
If you are a parent facing a serious diagnosis, supporting a family who is, or simply trying to understand how informed consent shows up in the hardest moments, this conversation is essential for you.
Shop Andee’s beautiful jewelry at Freckled Pear Co.
Episode Resources
Neuroblastoma Support Facebook Group
Mindful Cancer Parents Facebook Group
Daily Cancer Devotional
Stem Cell Research
MSK Clinical Trials
Childhood Cancer Strategy with Dr. Sholler
Join our Well Considered Community
Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts
Subscribe & Leave a Review (It helps more people find this information!) If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend. You never know who needs to hear this conversation.