Episode Description:

Transitions—big or small—have a way of shaking up everything we thought we had figured out. In this solo episode, I’m opening up about a deeply personal season of change—from healing after surgery to embracing motherhood through surrogacy after a long and challenging fertility journey. I’m not just sharing the milestones—I’m talking about the messy middle, the identity shifts, and what it really means to stay grounded when everything around you is changing.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re supposed to “have it all together” in the middle of a life transition, this one’s for you.

• Redefine what balance looks like in your current season—because what worked before may not work now, and that’s more than okay.

• Simplify your nutrition with realistic, feel-good meals that support energy, healing, and clarity (no perfection required).

• Shift your movement mindset: consistency over intensity, and curiosity over pressure.

• Build simple rituals—like journaling, breathwork, or stepping outside—that help anchor you when life feels chaotic.

• Protect your energy (especially online), set boundaries, and give yourself full permission to curate what you consume.

No one teaches us how to care for ourselves when the ground is shifting. But we can learn to respond with gentleness, presence, and a few small habits that make a big difference. You don’t have to be thriving to be growing—and self-care doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective.

If you’ve read The Little Book of Game Changers, you’ll recognize a few of these small-but-mighty habits that I keep coming back to—especially in seasons where everything feels uncertain. And if you’ve read The Farewell Tour, you’ll hear echoes of the lessons I learned about caring for others and for myself when life takes unexpected turns. This episode pulls from both.

Tune in, take what you need, and if this episode speaks to you, pass it along to someone who might need it too.

Curious about surrogacy? This article from the Cleveland Clinic offers a great overview:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23186-gestational-surrogacy

You can also stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com

👉 If you like what you hear, leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts HERE

YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/cku9PvQAokc

📌Make sure to check out Maggie’s new book ‘The MIND Diet: A Scientific Approach to Enhancing Brain Function’ https://amzn.to/4je5NPt

📌 Also check out The United States of Arugula https://amzn.to/3Qvw0Me

👉 In this episode of the Drama Free Healthy Living, Maggie Moon, a Columbia University-educated, culinary school-trained registered dietitian, and bestselling author, shares her journey and expertise in nutrition focused on brain health.

We delve into the principles of the brain health focused diet, which combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets tailored to enhance brain function.

The discussion covers the diet's practical application, its flexibility in accommodating cultural and individual preferences, and its broad array of food recommendations. We also address common misconceptions about dietary fats, alcohol, and the importance of balance and psychological safety in dietary patterns. Throughout, Maggie offers practical tips for incorporating mind diet principles into simple everyday meals.

🖋️ Some key points

(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome

(00:24) Maggie's Background and Achievements

(01:39) The Mind Diet Overview

(02:33) Maggie's Journey to Becoming a Dietitian

(03:57) Brain Health and the Mind Diet

(07:19) Implementing the Mind Diet

(17:42) Cultural Adaptations and Practical Tips

(24:27) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🌎 Connect with Maggie Moon

Website https://maggiemoon.com/
https://minddietmeals.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minddietmeals/?hl=en
LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiemoon


🌎 Connect with Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, IFNCP

JessicaCordingNutrition.com

Instagram / Facebook

Author of The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep, and

The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety and (Viva Editions)

and

The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep

🎤 Podcast post-production by Seamless Multimedia

YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/2QjjQk9FWrA

If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts HERE.

Connect with me on IG @jesscording

📌Get innovative & effective vaginal healthcare, powered by our state-of-the-art vaginal microbiome test: check out EVVY https://www.evvy.com/

📌EVVY on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/evvy/?hl=en

👉In this episode of the Drama Free Healthy Living Podcast, host Jess Cording dives into women's health with Priyanka Jain, co-founder and CEO of Evvy, and Kate McLean, Evvy's lead medical director.

The discussion focuses on the disparities in women's healthcare and how Evvy aims to address these gaps through pioneering research on the vaginal microbiome. Priyanka and Kate explain how Evvy's innovative testing and data analytics provide comprehensive insights into vaginal health, fertility, and offer personalized treatments.

The conversation also touches on systemic issues in healthcare, the importance of self-advocacy, and how data can empower women to achieve better health outcomes. With a focus on access, experience, and innovation in women's health, this episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in closing the gender health gap.

🖋️ Some key points

(00:00) Welcome to the Drama Free Healthy Living Podcast

(00:53) Disparities in Women's Healthcare

(02:58) Challenges in Diagnosing and Treating Women's Health Issues

(06:37) Barriers to Women's Healthcare Access

(15:25) Evvy's Mission and Innovations

(20:41) Understanding Vaginal Microbiome Pathogens

(21:37) Linking Bacteria to Health Outcomes

(24:18) Impact of Vaginal Microbiome on Fertility

(25:48) Challenges in Women's Healthcare

(30:55) Advice for Women Seeking Better Healthcare

(35:44) How to Learn More About Evvy

(36:35) What Healthy Living Means to Us

(40:11) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🌎 Connect with Priyanka Jain

LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjain16

🌎 Connect with Kate McLean

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-mclean-md-mph-facog-b875aa176


🌎 Connect with Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, IFNCP

JessicaCordingNutrition.com

Instagram / Facebook

Author of The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep, and

The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety and (Viva Editions)

and

The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep

🎤 Podcast post-production by Seamless Multimedia

👉 If you like what you hear, leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts HERE

YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/j3iE0qWUNpc