Back to Basics

This week, Anna sits down with LA acupuncturist Lina Bardovi, L.Ac. to unpack the ancient postpartum practices that modern women have largely forgotten: from the importance of 40 days of deep rest to what you should actually be eating to rebuild your body after birth. They talk about the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to postpartum, why new mothers need a “newborn bubble,” how to protect your recovery in a culture that expects you to bounce back immediately, and the simple practices that can support healing for years to come. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Lina's Instagram Book with Lina Lina's Motherhood Course Our Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Fig Wellness. You can head to Figwellness.co and use code BACKTOBASICS for 10% off your order for Anna's favorite prenatals and men's TTC multivitamin.

This week Anna sits down with friend of the pod Natalie Smith -- personal trainer, entrepreneur, and Instagram bestie. They discuss both being pregnant, her journey with Ureaplasma, the first trimester, birth plans, pressure to do everything perfectly "crunchy", body changes, and more. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Natalie Smith First Back to Basics Episode Natalie Smith Instagram Thank you to Fig Wellness for sponsoring this episode of Back to Basics! Use code BACKTOBASICS at checkout at Figwellness.co for 10% off your order.

This week Anna sits down with Mary Haseltine of Made For This Birth. Mary is a birth doula, theologian, mother of seven, and author of Made For This: The Catholic Mom's Guide to Childbirth and the Made For This app. They discuss physiological childbirth, unnecessary interventions, breech, and most importantly how Mary has seen God meet women in pregnancy and birth. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Mary's Instagram Made For This book Made For This app Made For This Website

This week Anna sits down with Cloe Parker of Parker Pastures, a family-owned ranching operation that produces 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, lamb, bison, and pasture-raised chicken. They discuss the dire situation facing American Farmers, Trump's subsidies on foreign meat, labeling in the grocery store, how to properly vet your food, and more. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Parker Pastures Instagram Parker Pastures Website ENTER THE GIVEAWAY - Parker Pastures is giving away two boxes of meat exclusively to Back to Basics listeners. Fill out this link to join! Winners will be announced 08/27/26.

This week Anna sits down with Sophia Rudy, personal trainer and nutrition coach. They dive deep on how to train for longevity, counting macros, fertility as a vital sign, and so much more. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Sophia Rudy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sophiaarudy/?hl=en Align Her Wellness Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alignherwellness/?hl=en Our Sponsor: Thank you to Natural Cycles for sponsoring this episode of Back to Basics. You can Use code FEELWELLBYANNA for 15% off your annual subscription and a free NC° Band at checkout . Natural Cycles is for 18+ and does not protect against STIs. Always read and follow the instructions for use.

This week Anna sits down for a solo episode to discuss her decisions around medical care during pregnancy. She walks through an in-depth list of what she's accepting, delaying, and declining during pregnancy and why. We hope you love this episode! Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Please consult your own doctor or healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns about your health. This podcast is not intended to be used as a source for medical research or as the sole basis for making healthcare decisions. Always do your own research and consult qualified professionals when appropriate.

This week Anna sits down with Lauren Papanos MS, RD, CSSD. Lauren started working as a registered dietician helping athletes feel their best. She later founded functional fueling, her own private practice specializing in hormone, thyroid, and metabolic health. They discuss thyroid health and it's impact on hormones, infertility, the labs she runs on every patient, postpartum, PCOS, endometriosis, and more. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Lauren's Instagram Lauren's Website Lauren's Podcast Our Sponsor: Thank you to Natural Cycles for sponsoring this episode. You can use code FEELWELLBYANNA for 15% off your annual subscription + a free NC° Band at checkout. Natural Cycles is for 18+ and does not protect against STIs. Always read and follow the instructions for use.

This week Anna sits down with Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, MD for an eye-opening conversation about the mental health crisis, SSRIs, and modern psychiatry. They dive into nuanced topics like postpartum depression, SSRI withdrawals, the impact hormonal birth control has on mental health, and the softening of the minds of Gen Z. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Dr. Josef Instagram Dr. Josef YouTube Taper Clinic Website Mentions: Tom Cruise Today Show Interview

This week Anna sits down with Kayleigh Christina, co-founder of viral skincare brand Clearstem. They talk about hormonal acne, the foods everyone struggling with acne should eliminate, tretinoin, accutane, birth control, botox, and so much more. We hope you love this deep dive on all things skin! Our Guest: Kayleigh Christina Instagram Clearstem Instagram Shop Clearstem - Code FEELWELLBYANNA

This week Anna sits down with Mia Rofrano (@oliveoilqueen) to discuss the ultimate baby registry list for crunchy moms. They talk about strollers, bassinets, baby monitors, cosleeping, free birth, and so much more. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Mia's Instagram Mia's Substack Shop This Episode

This week Anna sits down to do a deep dive on the first few months of her pregnancy. We talk the highs and lows of the TTC journey, pregnancy cravings, plans for prenatal care and labor, and much more. We hope you love this episode!

This week Anna sits down with Marie Mazzanti to discuss finding the fullness of truth in the Catholic faith. They dive deep on interfaith marriages, the Catholic beliefs around hot-button topics like IVF and abortion, Sola Scriptura, scandals within The Church, catechizing your children, and much more. Marie is a catechist, mother of five, and creator of Wonder And Reason, a parent's guide to teaching children about the Catholic faith. Our Guest: Marie's Instagram Wonder and Reason Waitlist Our Sponsor: Thank you to Natural Cycles for sponsoring this episode of Back to Bascis. Use code FEELWELLBYANNA for 15% off an annual subscription + a free NC° Band at naturalcycles.com. Natural Cycles is for 18+ and does not protect against STIs. Always read and follow the instructions for use.

This week Anna sits down with Laura Longaneker of Strawberry Moon Sleep to talk all things cosleeping. They discuss Laura's journey from ER nurse to baby-led sleep expert, the differences between sleep training and making a healthy transition, cry it out, how to cosleep safely, and more. We hope you love this informative episode! Our Guest: Laura's Website Laura's Instagram

This week Anna sits down with Dr. Jane Levesque, ND to discuss her experience treating couple with infertility. They talk about the tests allopathic doctors often miss, the best diet and lifestyle changes for couples struggling to conceive, male factor infertility, how you can increase your AMH, and much more. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Dr. Jane's Website Dr. Jane's Instagram

This week Anna sits down with Dr. Betsey Caldwell PT, DPT to discuss pelvic floor health during pregnancy and childbirth. They go in-depth on training your pelvic floor for childbirth, the truth about tearing, the most helpful tools for preparing for natural birth, and more. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Dr. Betsey’s Instagram Dr. Betsey's Website Mentions: 13 Moons Birth

This week Anna sits down with Andra Sitoianu, holistic nutritionist and certified naturopath to discuss all things hormones. They talk about the power of progesterone, common things that disrupt a woman's cycle, the most ideal diet, peptides, and more. We hope you love this episode! Our Guest: Andra's Instagram Andra's Substack Our Sponsor: Thank you to FIG for sponsoring this episode. Use code BACKTOBASICS at FIG for 10% off your order!

This week Anna sits down with Cassidy Morgan of Cassidy Morgan Fitness. They discuss how women can shed weight, build substantial muscle (specifically glutes), and create long term habits without touching a GLP-1. We hope you love this episode! About Our Guest: Cassidy's Instagram Cassidy's App

In a world that constantly pushes us towards convenience, breastfeeding feels like an uphill battle. This week Anna sits down with Therese Dansby, expert lactation consultant and mother of three. They discuss all things breastfeeding - from how quickly the baby needs to be on the boob after birth to the best pump and formula, this episode is perfect for soon-to-be mothers, mothers who want to breastfeed, or just curious women who want to be prepared for the future. We hope you love it! Our Guest: Follow Therese on Instagram Our Sponsor: FIG Prenatal code BACKTOBASICS at checkout - https://figwellness.co?bg_ref=EzMileia1s

This week Anna sits down with Illie Balaj to discuss her experience being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, pushed towards IVF, and eventually finding answers and an endometriosis diagnosis through NaProTechnology. They discuss moving through infertility when you're already into wellness, the reality of big fertility, and how NaProTechnology diagnoses the root cause of infertility. Illie is the founder of Live Healthillie, a one stop shop for vetted, non-toxic products. Mentions: Shop Live Healthillie Illie's Instagram Napro Doctor Database

This week Anna sits down with Kelsey Mehdipour, NTP to discuss all things feeding babies. They talk about the perfect first food for babies (hint: it's not rice cereal), breast feeding (and the best formula option!), snacking, baby-led weaning, and more. We hope you love this episode! Episode Links: Kelsey's Instagram The Return: First Food Foundations Weston A. Price Homemade Formula