When we talk about delaying care, we’re not talking about rare, dramatic situations. We’re talking about everyday things. Symptoms that we easily brush off because we don’t want to be a burden. But when little things add up, that can lead to more complex treatment needs.  

My guest today is Dr. Michelle Kitsis, a general surgeon at Hancock Health, who is here to share patterns and trends she sees day in and day out.  

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- What are the typical steps to expect when meeting with a surgeon

- Common conditions and symptoms seen in women that often lead to surgical intervention

- There’s no such thing as TMI - let’s talk about colonoscopies, gall bladders, hemorrhoids, hernias and more!

- The daily mental load we carry and tips to navigate

Episode Timestamps

[0:51] - Topic Intro - Conditions Women Put Off & Delayed Care

[4:00] - Guest Interview with Dr. Michelle Kitsis

[39:31] - Final Thoughts

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

Learn more about Michelle Kitsis, MD

https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/michelle-kitsis-md/ 

General Surgery at Hancock Health 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/general-surgery/ 

Hancock Health Video - Robotic Assisted Surgical Technology

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBRJ-3WWxMA 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 3 - The Symptom You Shouldn’t Ignore - One Woman’s Story

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-symptom-you-shouldnt-ignore-one 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 12 -How to Make Confident Decisions about Undergoing Surgery

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/how-to-make-confident-decisions-about 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 2 - The Mental Load is Real

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-mental-load-is-real 

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Cholecystitis (Gall Bladder) 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/cholecystitis/ 

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Colonoscopy

https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/colonoscopy/ 

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Hemorrhoids

https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/hemorrhoids/ 

Learn more about what it means that Hancock Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network

https://www.hancockhealth.org/about/mayoclinic/ 

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You

https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/

Today’s topic feels timely. We’re diving deep into how much the way we consume media has changed and how the comparison game has evolved as we’ve transitioned into the relentless digital media world of social media, AI, and 24/7 news. 

Our guest brings a really unique perspective on all of this because she spent years inside the media world itself. Nicole Pence Becker is the owner and operator of Pence Media Group and an award-winning former news anchor, which means she has spent years not only understanding media — but living inside it.

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- Behavior shifts in media consumption 

- Social media content and the power of comparison

- The influence of AI in media

- Building a healthy relationship with social media

Episode Timestamps

[1:18] - Topic Intro - Media Consumption & Body Image

[5:31] - Guest Interview with Nicole Pence Becker

[49.12] - Final Thoughts

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

Learn more about Nicole Pence Becker 

https://pencemediagroup.com/team-member/nicole-pence-becker/ 

Learn more about the Connection Center at Hancock Health

https://www.hancockhealth.org/wellness-education/connection-center/ 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 04 - Your Friend Group Feels Like a Lifeline Because It Is

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/your-friend-group-feels-like-a-lifeline 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 13 - Dealing with Diet Culture

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/dealing-with-diet-culture 

SmartHerNews

https://smarthernews.com/ 

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You

https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/

There’s something a lot of women are doing at work that no one really talks about: managing their menopause symptoms. So today we’re talking about it. Because so many of us are navigating this shift without the right language, support, and community when it’s something all women experience. 

My guest today is Ashleigh Guenin. Ashleigh is a Nurse Practitioner at Hancock Health, working in  the James T. Anderson Women’s Clinic.   

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- Menopause symptoms that interfere with work

- How to manage disruptive symptoms

- Why this is an important topic to discuss

Episode Timestamps

[1:12] - Topic Intro - Menopause at Work

[4:58] - Guest Interview with Ashleigh Guenin

[22:27] - Final Thoughts

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

Learn more about Ashleigh Guenin, NP 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/ashleigh-guenin-np/ 

Learn more about services at Hancock Health’s Center for Women’s Health https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2023/12/hancock-healths-womens-clinic/ 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 03 - Menopause Hormone Therapy

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-2-menopause 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 06 - How Menopause Impacts Relationships

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-5-how-menopause 

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Menopause

https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/menopause/ 

Menopause Society - Visit for helpful resources

https://menopause.org/ 

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/ 

Pressure is interesting, because it rarely announces itself as pressure. Today, we’re having a conversation that unpacks that pressure and deconstructs the idea that there’s one “right” timeline or path we’re supposed to follow.

Wherever you are in this conversation — wanting kids, not wanting kids, grieving kids, raising kids — you’re in good company.

My guest today is Shanelle Bender a licensed clinical social worker with the Hancock Health Connection Center

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- Resources provided by the Hancock Health Connection Center

- What outside pressures women face in their life

- Boundary-setting exercises and tactics

- How to navigate tough and vulnerable conversations

Episode Timestamps

[0:55] - Topic Intro - Pressure to Have Kids

[3:52] - Guest Interview with Shanelle Bender, LCSW

[54:55] - Final Thoughts

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

Learn more about Shanelle Bender, LCSW: https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/shanelle-bender-lcsw/ 

Learn more about the Connection Center at Hancock Health: https://www.hancockhealth.org/wellness-education/connection-center/ 

Learn more about Counseling at Hancock Health: https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/counseling/ 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 02 - The Mental Load is Real: https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-mental-load-is-real 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 04 - Your Friend Group Feels LIke a Lifeline Because It Is: https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/your-friend-group-feels-like-a-lifeline 

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Mental Health: Know When to Get Help: https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/mental-health-know-when-to-get-help/ 

Learn more about Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3877861/ 

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/

Today, we’re diving into one of the more emotionally complex topics out there: infertility. If you’ve ever been trying to get pregnant and wondered, “Is this normal? Should I be worried? When do I call a doctor?” you’re not alone.

My guest today is Dr. Audrey Martin. Dr. Martin is an OBGYN at Hancock Health, helping women navigate their own reproductive journeys.  

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- Definition of infertility 

- Ways to support someone facing infertility

- Step to take if you’re facing infertility

- Support after a miscarriage

Episode Timestamps

[1:25] - Infertility Topic Intro

[3:55] - Guest Interview with Dr. Martin

[28:45] - Final Thoughts

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

Experienced a loss? Find Support Resources here for moms and dads: https://postpartum.net/ 

Learn more about Dr. Audrey Martin: https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/audrey-martin-do/ 

Learn more about OBGYN at Hancock Health: https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/obgyn-pelvic-health/ 

Learn more about Labs & Screenings available at Gateway Hancock Health: https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/labs/ 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 05 - Advocating for Yourself 101: https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/advocating-for-yourself-101 

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Infertility: https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/infertility/ 

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/

For women especially, diet culture often starts young and follows us through every stage of life—puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and beyond. That’s why we didn’t want this to just be a cultural conversation. Listen in to understand what decades of dieting and food guilt actually do — not just emotionally, but physically.

My guest today is Dr. Rudo Mashindi. Dr. Mashinidi is a family physician at Hancock Health, working with women at all stages of life.

Specifically this episode highlights:

* How we’re impacted by diet culture in today’s society

* Ways to think about weight in a healthy way

* How metabolism changes in women as we age

* Unhealthy diet habits & eating disorders

* How to work with your health providers to monitor and manage weight

Episode Timestamps

[2:30] - Diet Culture Topic Intro

[6:36] - Guest Interview with Dr. Mashindi

[54:38] - Final Thoughts

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES

We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: [email protected]

Learn more about Dr. Rudo Mashindi

https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/rudo-mashindi-md/

Learn more about Family Medicine at Gateway Hancock Health https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/family-medicine/

Learn more about Wellness at Hancock Health

https://www.hancockhealth.org/wellness-education/

Hancock Health - Day in the Life of an Exercise Specialist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ScFx7HBjXo&list=PLvxgtlzFUFz8MvwFTphLaAJ1mIET0N7lT&index=18 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 05 - Let’s Talk Menopause, Midlife Weight Gain

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/lets-talk-menopause-part-4-midlife 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 08 - Preventative Health Isn’t About Being Perfect

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/preventative-health-isnt-about-being 

Psychology Today - Why Dieting is Bad for Your Mental Health - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/eating-disorder-recovery/202410/why-dieting-is-bad-for-your-mental-health

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/

When considering surgery, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Today, we're not just talking about whether surgery is recommended. We’re talking about making a decision in a way that feels informed. Grounded. Like the options are clear and the decision belongs to you. 

My guest today is Dr. Amelie Medley. Dr. Medley is a general surgeon at Hancock Health, working with women at all stages of life. 

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- How to know if surgery is truly necessary versus optional

- What questions to ask (urgency, risks, alternatives, recovery expectations)

- How to weigh benefits vs. risks in a way that feels personal and grounded

- What robotic-assisted surgery is and how it compares to traditional methods

- How to seek second opinions

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: [email protected] 

Learn more about Dr. Amelie Medley 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/amelie-medley-md/ 

Learn more about Hancock’s Surgery Center https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/general-surgery/

Surgical Site Infection Prevention from the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/surgical-site-infection/index.html 

Hancock Health Video - Why Can’t I Eat Before Surgery? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-tJCLyGdlI&list=PLvxgtlzFUFz98eNym78kedeVs_oeEbg7i&index=3

Hancock Health Video - Robotic Assisted Surgical Technology

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBRJ-3WWxMA&t=3s 

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Minimally Invasive Surgery

https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/minimally-invasive-surgery/ 

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You:

https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: some doctor’s appointments are going to feel awkward. 

In this episode, we’re leaning in to talk about that embarrassment from a clinical point of view. We’re discussing why talking about body parts and functions can feel so weird or abnormal or just plain hard to vocalize the question.  .

My guest today is Angela Trackwell, nurse practitioner with Gateway Family Medicine. 

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- Common embarrassing topics (that are actually quite common in the exam room)

- A clinician’s perspective and tips to bring up hard topics

- What to expect from your clinician during an exam

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: [email protected] 

Learn more about Angela Trackwell, NP 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/angela-trackwell-np/ 

Learn more about Family Medicine at Hancock Health’s Gateway Center https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/family-medicine/ 

Preventative Care Guidelines from the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 09 - Decoding Common Labs

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/decoding-common-labs

Hancock Health Blog - What is Primary Care and Why It Matters More Than You Think: https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/07/what-is-primary-care-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/

Hancock Health Blog - Essential Appointments to Make: https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2025/06/5-essential-medical-appointments-to-make-this-fall/ 

Today is all about breasts. Boobs. Ta-tas. The girls. Whatever you call them, we all have a name for them. 

In this episode, we’re sitting down with a breast health provider to talk about the changes women should pay attention to. We’re chatting about what’s common, what’s worth watching, and what deserves a conversation.

My guest today is Calee Hochstedler, a nurse practitioner with the High Risk Breast Clinic at Hancock Health.

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- Common symptoms and signs to watch out for on your breasts

- What to expect during a clinical breast exam

- Ways to schedule an appointment and start a conversation with your primary care provider

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: [email protected] 

Learn more about Calee Hochstedler, NP 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/calee-hochstedler-np/ 

Learn more about breast health services at Hancock Health https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/breast-health/ 

Learn about the High Risk Breast Clinic at Hancock Health 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/2024/12/hancock-healths-high-risk-breast-clinic-is-your-breast-friend/ 

Mayo Clinic Care Network Health Library Resource - Dense Breast Tissue

https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/dense-breast-tissue-what-it-means-to-have-dense-breasts/ 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 01 Episode 03 - The Symptom You Shouldn’t Ignore - One Women’s Story 

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/the-symptom-you-shouldnt-ignore-one 

Hancock Health Blog - Breast Health is a Year-Round Priority: https://www.hancockhealth.org/2023/10/breast-health-is-a-year-round-priority/ 

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/

There are few things more overwhelming than opening your patient portal and seeing a bunch of numbers, letters, and ranges and being told they’re either normal or abnormal, without knowing what that specifically means for you.

Today’s conversation is about taking the mystery out of common lab work. We’re discussing what labs are and how they provide critical trend data for your health and well-being. 

My guest today is Angela Trackwell, a nurse practitioner at Gateway Hancock Health for Family Medicine and Primary Care.

Specifically this episode highlights: 

- Common labs ordered as part of preventative care

- Common misunderstandings when it comes to lab work

- Things to keep in mind about lab results

- How labs fit into a patient’s health plan

- Ways to schedule an appointment and start a conversation with your primary care provider

MENTIONED LINKS & RESOURCES 

We want to hear from you! Submit your mailbag questions here: [email protected] 

Learn more about Angela Trackwell, NP 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/doctor/angela-trackwell-np/ 

Learn more about Family Medicine at Hancock Health’s Gateway Center https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/family-medicine/ 

Labs & Pathology at Hancock Health 

https://www.hancockhealth.org/healthcare-service/labs-pathology/ 

Preventative Care Guidelines from the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html 

Just Jenn Blog - Season 02 Episode 08 - Preventative Health Isn’t About Being Perfect

https://thisisjustjenn.substack.com/p/preventative-health-isnt-about-being

Hancock Health Blog - What is Primary Care and Why It Matters More Than You Think: https://www.hancockhealth.org/2025/07/what-is-primary-care-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/

Hancock Health Blog - Essential Appointments to Make: https://www.gatewayhancockhealth.org/2025/06/5-essential-medical-appointments-to-make-this-fall/ 

Hancock Health - Women’s Health Built for the Whole You: https://www.hancockhealth.org/just-jenn/