FUELED | wellness + nutrition with Molly Kimball

I'll be back soon with brand new episodes until then enjoy this highly rated episode of Fueled!

Alcohol is deeply woven into our culture — from celebration to stress relief to social connection. But what does the science actually say about how alcohol affects the brain and body?In this episode, we’re joined by health psychologist and alcohol researcher Dr. Megan Strowger, PhD to explore the physiology behind alcohol’s effects on sleep, anxiety, mood, inflammation, and long-term health. This conversation isn’t about judgment or restriction. It’s about understanding the science so we can make informed, grounded decisions about our own relationship with alcohol.

LINKS

• ⁠www.AlcoholFreeFor40.com⁠
• Podcast: The Science of Alcohol on Mind, Body, Spirit | ⁠https://bit.ly/45IcHXS⁠
• Podcast: Your Sleep Q&A: Cortisol, CBD, Magnesium, and What To Do at 3AM | ⁠https://bit.ly/4k0p8EF

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Getting enough sleep but still feeling exhausted? You may not need more rest. You may need a different kind. Board-certified internal medicine physician, researcher and Sacred Rest author Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith joins FUELED to explore a surprisingly useful question: What kind of tired are you? We break down the seven types of rest – physical, mental, sensory, creative, emotional, social and spiritual – and how identifying what you’re missing can help you feel truly restored.

LINKS 

• Sacred Rest: https://amzn.to/4wFUNj3
• More from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith: www.ichoosemybestlife.com 
• Take Dr. Saundra’s Rest Quiz: www.restquiz.com
• Follow Dr. Saundra on LinkedIn + Instagram:  @DrDaltonSmith

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He grew up in the rainforest of Oaxaca, Mexico, where food wasn't just something you ate—it was a way of life. Today, Chef Gabriel Balderas is one of Louisiana's most respected chefs, known for building remarkable restaurants in Shreveport, Louisiana, while staying deeply connected to the land, the farmers and the traditions that first inspired him. But this conversation isn't just about food. It's about family, craftsmanship, community, identity and what it really means to build a life rooted in purpose. Today on The Raw Truth with Chef Gabriel Balderas.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Energy drinks aren't what they used to be. While some are still packed with sugar and sky-high caffeine, others are bringing more to the table with electrolytes, green tea and functional ingredients. This week on FUELED, Carrigan Chauvin, Kenny Lopez, and I crack open seven popular energy drinks to see which ones deliver, and which ones fall flat. Tune in for our honest taste test, what to look for on the label and how to get the biggest boost without the biggest crash.

LINKS

Check out Molly + Carrigan’s WGNO segment when it airs August 12 | https://bit.ly/4ysy10y  

Energy drinks we sampled for this episode: 

Ketone-IQ Energy Shot   |  bit.ly/4f49qrc

Clean Cause Yerba Mate  |  bit.ly/4gEu6ao

FITAID Energy  |  bit.ly/4flqyYd   

NOCCO BCAA Performance Drink  |  bit.ly/4fiurgH

Sedona Energy Drink  |  bit.ly/4gEnCbA

Local spotlight: Night Shift Energy Drink |  bit.ly/4phseq8

LMNT Lemonade + Iced Tea  | bit.ly/44zn4wi

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do cigarettes, dementia risk and food cravings have in common? They're all part of a fascinating new series of papers in the American Journal of Public Health examining ultra-processed foods. Research scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Erica LaFata helps us understand the science behind food addiction, brain health, industry influence and what these findings mean for our everyday food choices. 

Ultra-Processed Foods – with Erica Lafata, PhD

LINKS

• American Journal of Public Health: Ultra-Processed Foods Special Section | https://bit.ly/43JnOP0
• About Erica LaFata, PhD | https://bit.ly/4vhWaVx 
• Molly’s past podcast, The Truth about Food Addiction, with Ashley Gearhardt, PhD | https://bit.ly/4ozGGcQ 
• A sampling of Dr. LaFata’s publications on ultra-processed foods: 
• 
  
• LaFata EM, Moran AJ, Volkow ND, Gearhardt AN. Now Is the Time to Recognize and Respond to Addiction to Ultra-Processed Foods. Nature Medicine. 2025. doi:10.1038/s41591-025-03858-6
• 
  
• LaFata EM, Gearhardt AN. Ultra-Processed Food Addiction: An Epidemic? Psychother Psychosom. 2022;91(6):363-372. doi: 10.1159/000527322. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and others have changed the conversation around weight, diabetes and metabolic health. But while these medications can help reduce appetite, they also make it more important than ever to focus on nutrient quality. In this episode, obesity medicine specialist Dr. Amanda Fontenot joins us to separate fact from fiction around GLP-1 medications, covering who they’re for, what to expect, and how to protect muscle, gut health, and overall wellness for the long haul.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lymphatic drainage is showing up everywhere right now, from post-surgery recovery plans to spa menus promising detox, debloating and a slimmer-looking shape. But what is it actually doing in the body, and where do the real benefits end and the hype begin? Shannon Oge, PT, DPT, physical therapist and LANA-certified lymphedema specialist with Ochsner Health, joins FUELED to break down how the lymphatic system works, who truly benefits from lymphatic drainage, and what most people misunderstand about it. Walk away with a clearer sense of when this therapy matters medically, when it may offer temporary relief, and what actually supports healthy lymphatic flow day to day.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vocalist, songwriter, and Move Ya Brass founder Robin Barnes joins FUELED for an uplifting conversation about music, motherhood, wellness and living with purpose. Fresh off the release of her first full-length album, Louisiana Love, Robin opens up about protecting her energy, feeling more at home in her body, and how her own health journey shaped this deeply personal project. Her story is a beautiful reminder to stay rooted in what matters and not save life for tomorrow.

https://symphony.to/neworleanssongbird/louisiana-love

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For families living with food allergies, everyday life can feel filled with fear and uncertainty. But what if the goal wasn’t just avoidance, but reducing risk, improving safety, and giving kids more freedom? On this episode of FUELED, leading pediatric allergist Alice Hoyt, MD, F.A.A.A.A.I., joins us to talk about what’s changed, what parents need to know, and what’s offering real hope.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Menopause is often reduced to hot flashes and mood swings, but the reality reaches far beyond that. Ochsner Health OB-GYN and menopause specialist Liz Lapeyre, MD, joins FUELED to explain how hormonal shifts affect the body head to toe — from sleep, brain fog, and joint pain to changes in muscle, metabolism, cholesterol, skin, and more. We break down what’s actually happening, what can help, and how to think about options like lifestyle changes and hormone therapy. If you’ve been feeling off and can’t quite explain why, this conversation helps connect the dots — and outlines what to ask your doctor next.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.