In this episode, we’re digging into a topic that underlies everything we do in functional medicine but rarely gets the airtime it deserves: somatic ways to reduce stress. We step outside the usual conversations about labs, supplements, pathophysiology, and food as medicine to talk about what it actually looks like to regulate your nervous system in real life. Because while “reduce your stress” is one of the most common recommendations in a healing protocol, very few people are ever taught how to do that in a tangible, embodied way.

This is a deeply practical episode focused on helping you release stored tension and trapped stress from the body using simple somatic tools. We explore why trauma and chronic stress don’t just live in your brain--they can show up as disease, pain, and symptoms in your body and can get in the way of healing. You’ll walk away with approachable techniques you can start using immediately to calm your nervous system, improve resilience, and support your body’s ability to heal.

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This episode is sponsored by: 

This episode is sponsored by Naturally Nourished Supplements providing: Purity, Potency, and Efficacy at a value you can’t beat! My goal with Naturally Nourished supplements is to provide you with products that will enhance and reclaim the quality of life for you and your loved ones! 

We will always price formulas 2-5% below market industry standard and competitors. On top of this we offer subscription discounts at an additional 10% off, bundled discounts at an additional 12% off, and seasonal promotions to ensure quality formulas are accessible. 

Use the code PODCAST10 for 10% off your next purchase. 

This week on the Naturally Nourished Podcast, we’re digging into the newly released governmental nutrition guidelines. If you’ve been around here for any length of time, you know our core message has always been simple: eat real food. So imagine our surprise when these updated guidelines actually move closer to that exact philosophy, emphasizing whole foods, nutrient density, and fewer ultra-processed ingredients. It’s not perfect, but it’s a meaningful shift in the right direction, and one we never thought we’d see from official policy.

In this episode, we break down what the guidelines got right, where they still miss the mark, and what this all means for real families navigating grocery stores, school lunches, and confusing nutrition messaging. We also revisit Ali’s Optimal Eating Wheel she developed back in 2014 and compare it side-by-side with today’s recommendations — and yes, she was about a decade ahead of her time. We share our top critiques from a food-as-medicine lens and unpack the potential ripple effects on schools, SNAP, and institutional food systems so you can understand how these changes may actually show up in everyday life.

Also in this episode: 

This episode is sponsored by: 

This episode is sponsored by Naturally Nourished Supplements providing: Purity, Potency, and Efficacy at a value you can’t beat! My goal with Naturally Nourished supplements is to provide you with products that will enhance and reclaim the quality of life for you and your loved ones! 

We will always price formulas 2-5% below market industry standard and competitors. On top of this we offer subscription discounts at an additional 10% off, bundled discounts at an additional 12% off, and seasonal promotions to ensure quality formulas are accessible. Use the code PODCAST10 for 10% off your next purchase. 

Are you intimidated by eating organs or unsure how to add more nutrient density to your diet without it feeling overwhelming? In this episode, we sit down with chef James Barry to take the “yuck” factor out of preparing and eating organ meats. We break down why organs are truly nature’s multivitamin, how sourcing and preparation make all the difference, and how simple tools—like James’s organ-based seasoning, Pluck—can make this powerful superfood an easy, delicious part of everyday meals.

In this conversation, we also dive into why organ meats fell out of favor, how modern food culture has disconnected us from nutrient-dense eating, and why mindfulness around food matters just as much as what’s on your plate. James shares practical, real-life strategies for getting organs into the diet without overwhelm—from beginner-friendly swaps and family-approved recipes to the best ways to season, cook, and source organs for optimal flavor and nutrition. Whether you’re organ-curious or just looking for smarter ways to upgrade your meals, this episode is packed with approachable education and takeaways you can actually use.

More about James Barry: 

James Barry’s 20 years in the culinary field started as a private chef cooking for celebrities such as Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Gerard Butler, Mariska Hargitay (of Law & Order:SVI fame), Barbra Streisand, and John Cusack. James is CEO & Founder of the organ-based, superfood seasoning, Pluck. It's the first of its kind and an amazingly easy and delicious way for people to get organ meats into their diet.

James is also a published cookbook author having co-authored the recipes in Margaret Floyd’s book Eat Naked and Dr. Alejandro Junger’s book, Clean 7. He authored the cookbook The Naked Foods Cookbook. He is the host of the podcast, Everyday Ancestral.

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This episode is sponsored by:

This episode is sponsored by Wild Foods, a company that puts quality, sustainability, and health first in all of their products. They have everything from coffee to turmeric to medicinal mushrooms, and every single product is painstakingly sourced from small farms around the globe. They take their mission seriously to fix the broken food system, and believe real food is medicine. They've partnered with us to give you guys an exclusive discount, so use the code ALIMILLERRD for 12% off your order at WildFoods.co! 

Do you notice your mood dip, energy crash, or motivation fade as the days get shorter? Do winter colds seem harder to shake? Tune in as we unpack Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and why seasonal changes can have a very real impact on both mental health and immune resilience.

In this episode, we highlight key nutrients that support mood, stress response, and immune function, especially during fall and winter. We walk through the physiology behind seasonal mood changes—light exposure, neurotransmitters, inflammation, and circadian rhythm—and share practical food-as-medicine and supplement strategies you can actually implement. If winter tends to leave you feeling flat, foggy, or run-down, this episode offers science-backed support to help you feel more grounded and resilient through the season.

Also in this episode: 

Sponsors for this episode: 

This episode is sponsored by FOND Bone Broth, your sous chef in a jar. FOND’s bone broths and tallows are produced in small batches with premium ingredients from verified regenerative ranches. Their ingredients are synergistically paired for maximum absorption, nutritional benefit, and flavor. Use code NATURALLY to save at fondbonebroth.com and check out their new demi glace and duck fat! 

Are you ready to feel grounded, energized, and confident in your wellness this year? Are you tired of starting January with restriction instead of nourishment? Do you want habits that actually stick and support your metabolism, hormones, and mental health? In this episode, Ali and Becki kick off the new year by sharing five foundational ways to invest in your wellness so your routines feel craveworthy, not forced. We discuss how pleasure, satisfaction, and real food are essential for sustainability, how to navigate cravings without shame, and why creating routines your body desires leads to lasting change.

We also dive into supporting detox pathways, balancing blood sugar, and understanding how hormonal shifts—especially changes in estrogen—impact insulin sensitivity and metabolism as women age. Ali and Becki cover practical strategies for metabolic flexibility, the role of gratitude in nervous system and metabolic regulation, and why getting outside daily may be one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for stress resilience and healing. 

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This episode is sponsored by the Naturally Nourished Food-as-Medicine Keto Reset.

Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to personalize your approach using sliding-scale protocols, understand how stress, hormones, and blood sugar influence metabolism, and build sustainable habits that lead to true food freedom. With weekly live classes, Q&As, and access to Ali and Becki’s combined 20+ years of functional medicine experience, the Keto Reset is designed to work with your physiology—not against it—so you can finally feel confident, clear, and in control of your health. Join us now, use code RESET75 to save

This week on the Naturally Nourished Podcast, Ali shares highlights from her recent experience at Hack Your Health, where she presented on the main stage on Resilience in a Time of Toxicity. Tune in for an inside look at the cutting-edge biohacking and longevity tools shaping the future of health and wellness—from detoxification and metabolic resilience to nervous system regulation and performance optimization. 

In this episode, discuss emerging wellness trends, what’s truly promising versus overhyped, and how functional medicine continues to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application. Hear our thoughts on fulvic and humic acid supplements, EMF mitigation tools, quantum energy, and more!

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Sponsors for this episode: 

This episode is sponsored by Toups & Co, makers of 100% natural skincare and makeup featuring ingredients like grass-finished tallow, organic botanicals, and organic cold pressed plant oils. They never use synthetic chemicals, toxins, fillers, artificial colors or synthetic fragrances. They are a family-owned brand committed to natural living and ingredient transparency--guided by the same unwavering commitment to purity and quality that has changed their own family's health for the better. Carefully selected powerful organic ingredients that nourish for your best skin health. Nourishes with essential fatty acids to balance the skin's microbiome. Use code ALIMILLERRD to save. 

Are you trying to lose body fat but feel stuck despite doing “everything right”? Are calorie tracking and restrictive diets leaving you frustrated or burnt out? Are you curious how to burn fat while supporting hormones, gut health, and long-term food freedom? 

In this episode, we break down how to build a body fat burning protocol using a functional medicine approach that prioritizes macronutrient strategy over calorie obsession. We explain how lowering insulin can unlock stubborn metabolism, why metabolic flexibility is the real goal, and how a Keto Reset can be used therapeutically to reduce inflammation, stabilize blood sugar, support gut health, and shift body composition—all while emphasizing antioxidant-rich, real food and sustainable behavior change. You’ll learn how we translate calorie ranges into macros, adjust targets when physiology demands it, and use food-as-medicine tools to help break a plateau, reduce cravings, balance hormones, and achieve true food freedom.

Also in this episode:

This episode is sponsored by:

This episode is sponsored by Wild Foods, a company that puts quality, sustainability, and health first in all of their products. They have everything from coffee to turmeric to medicinal mushrooms, and every single product is painstakingly sourced from small farms around the globe. They take their mission seriously to fix the broken food system, and believe real food is medicine. They've partnered with us to give you guys an exclusive discount, so use the code ALIMILLERRD for 12% off your order at WildFoods.co! 

In this episode, we sit down with Brenda Bennett, food blogger, coach, author of Good, Better, Best, recent graduate of the Naturally Nourished Academy, and long-time ambassador of the Naturally Nourished supplement line. Brenda shares her personal health journey and how ditching sugar radically changed her life and inspired her to help others do the same. We dive into the deeper layers of emotional eating, “filling the void,” and finding sustainable balance, along with practical, real-world hacks for the holidays, dining out, and staying grounded when food is everywhere.

We also unpack Brenda’s experience inside the Naturally Nourished Academy—how the mentorship sharpened her clinical lens, strengthened her confidence, and helped her bridge the gap between passion and practice. If you’re a health coach, registered dietitian, medical professional, or someone deeply passionate about food as medicine and ready to take your knowledge to the next level, this episode is for you. Early Bird pricing for the next Academy cohort ends 12/31—this is your last call to join us.

Also in this episode: 

Sponsors for this episode: 

This episode is sponsored by FOND Bone Broth, your sous chef in a jar. FOND’s bone broths and tallows are produced in small batches with premium ingredients from verified regenerative ranches. Their ingredients are synergistically paired for maximum absorption, nutritional benefit, and flavor. Use code NATURALLY to save at fondbonebroth.com

Want to knock out your holiday shopping and gift things that actually support wellness? Wondering what’s on our own Naturally Nourished Christmas lists this year? Tune in to this special episode where we unpack our 2025 Gift Guide and help you check off everyone on your list with ease.

We’re sharing our top nontoxic beauty favorites, detox-supporting gadgets we use daily, kids’ gifts that spark creativity and real-food living, and foodie picks that make any kitchen more nourishing and fun. Plus, we round it out with Thanksgiving travel tips, holiday survival strategies, and recipe inspiration to keep you balanced through the busy season. Whether you’re spoiling your bestie, treating yourself, or sending this to your partner as a subtle hint… this episode has you covered.

Also in this episode: 

Sponsors for this episode: 

This episode is sponsored by Toups & Co, makers of 100% natural skincare and makeup featuring ingredients like grass-finished tallow, organic botanicals, and organic cold pressed plant oils. They never use synthetic chemicals, toxins, fillers, artificial colors or synthetic fragrances. They are a family-owned brand committed to natural living and ingredient transparency--guided by the same unwavering commitment to purity and quality that has changed their own family's health for the better. Carefully selected powerful organic ingredients that nourish for your best skin health. Nourishes with essential fatty acids to balance the skin's microbiome. Use code ALIMILLERRD to save. 

SSRI prescriptions are more common than ever—but how much do we really understand about how they work, their true efficacy, and their potential downsides? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of SSRIs, breaking down their mechanism of action and why their use has skyrocketed in recent years.

We unpack the growing concern around emotional blunting, a well-documented effect that can leave individuals feeling flat, disconnected, or lacking drive. You’ll learn why the serotonin deficiency model falls short, what SSRIs actually do in the brain, and why so many people are placed on them without a root-cause approach. We also explore powerful food-as-medicine and lifestyle strategies proven to support mood: from low-glycemic eating and amino acid repletion, to gut health, micronutrients, and more. If you're looking to understand the full picture of SSRIs and discover evidence-backed alternatives for mental wellness, this episode is a must-listen.

Also in this episode: 

Sponsors for this episode: 

This episode is sponsored by FOND Bone Broth, your sous chef in a jar. FOND’s bone broths and tallows are produced in small batches with premium ingredients from verified regenerative ranches. Their ingredients are synergistically paired for maximum absorption, nutritional benefit, and flavor. Use code ALIMILLERRD to save at https://fondbonebroth.com/ALIMILLERRD.