Podcast · Learning

Hormones, Metabolism & You!

by Cassie Smith · English · Learning

Your hormones control everything—from energy levels to weight, mood, and overall health. But understanding them shouldn’t feel like decoding a medical textbook. Welcome to Hormones, Metabolism & You!, the podcast where board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Cassie Smith breaks down the scienc

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 51 min
Latest: 11 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026 · 58 min

132: The Chemical Load We Carry: Toxins, EMFs & Hormonal Health

What if I told you right now, this very moment, your body is carrying a chemical load that you have never been tested for, never been warned about, and never asked for? In this episode, I’m joined by Nick Pineault, author of The Non-Tinfoil Guide to EMF and creator of the documentary Body Burden: The Toxins We Carry, to talk about what “body burden” actually means and how the chemicals we encounter through our food, water, air, plastics, household products and technology may intersect with hormones, metabolism and overall health. We talk about how environmental medicine approaches toxic…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

4 Oct 2026 · 1 hr
131: Cell Care Over Self-Care: A New Way to Think About Your Health
Dr. Monisha Bhanote joins me to talk about cellular health and resilience, and why fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, and other everyday symptoms may be signals from our cells rather than things we should simply accept. We talk about her approach to cell care, cellular consciousness, and why health practices need to be personalized rather than copied from the latest trend. We also explore why Dr. Bhanote considers travel a stress test for the body, how digestion, immunity, focus, energy, and recovery are connected, and what Ayurveda can teach us about listening to those signals. We also…
27 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
130: Why Your Hormone Protocol Isn’t Working: Mold, Lyme & Chronic Inflammation
What happens when you’re doing all the “right” things for your hormones and health, but you still don’t feel better? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Neil Nathan to explore why underlying factors like mold, Lyme disease, inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, and detoxification challenges may complicate treatment. We also talk about why some patients react unexpectedly to hormones or supplements, how Dr. Nathan approaches complex chronic illness, and why looking beyond the obvious diagnosis can sometimes change the conversation. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why hormone protocols…
20 Sep 2026 · 49 min
129: Why Is Testosterone Still Off-Limits for Women?
Testosterone in women is finally getting more attention, but what does that actually mean for women and their care? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Terri DeNeui to discuss the FDA’s focus on testosterone, why there still isn’t an FDA-approved testosterone treatment specifically for women, and the questions surrounding safety, dosing, and access. We also talk about symptoms of testosterone deficiency, why “normal” lab ranges don’t always tell the full story, and the larger conversation around medical freedom and individualized care. Topics We Cover in This Episode: Why testosterone…
13 Sep 2026 · 43 min
128: Viral Hormone Trends: What’s Actually Worth Your Time?
Social media is full of hormone hacks promising better energy, easier weight loss, balanced hormones, and fewer symptoms. But how much of it is actually backed by science? In this episode, I’m breaking down seven viral trends, including cortisol cocktails, fiber maxing, pink salt, metabolism morning routines, and “hormone-balancing” foods, and separating reasonable health habits from overhyped claims. I also talk about the way social media approaches PCOS and perimenopause, and why oversimplifying complex hormone conditions can do more harm than good. If you’ve ever wondered whether the…
6 Sep 2026 · 48 min
127: Birth Control Masterclass: The Mash-Up Every Woman Needs to Hear
In this mash-up episode, I’m bringing together key conversations about birth control, PCOS, PMS, and the hormonal changes women experience from their 20s through perimenopause. We unpack why birth control is so often used to manage symptoms, what it may be masking, and how hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, insulin, and cortisol all fit into the bigger picture. We also talk about the different birth control options women may consider as they get older and why the right approach can change throughout different stages of life. From painful and irregular periods to PCOS, weight…
30 Aug 2026 · 49 min
126: Health Care is So Broken - 3 Typical Patient Cases
The healthcare system is not designed to keep you well, and I am done pretending that is okay. In this episode, I am breaking from the usual format to talk honestly about why I believe healthcare in the United States has become so reactive instead of preventative, and how that approach is leaving people sick, frustrated, and without answers. I share my perspective as both a patient and a provider, including the ways insurance companies, healthcare systems, limited appointment times, and a diagnosis-by-diagnosis approach can keep providers from looking at the whole person. I also explain why…
23 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
125: How to Dementia-Proof Your Brain: Dr. David Perlmutter on Hormones, Gut Health, and Inflammation
What if protecting your brain starts decades before memory problems ever appear? In this conversation, I sit down with neurologist and bestselling author Dr. David Perlmutter to talk about what current research says about dementia prevention, why metabolic health may play a much larger role than many people realize, and why waiting until cognitive symptoms develop may be waiting too long. We get into the connection between blood sugar, insulin resistance, inflammation, gut health, sleep, exercise, and brain function, along with why so many of these risk factors begin showing up in our 30s…
16 Aug 2026 · 51 min
124: Heart Disease Myths Exposed: Statins, LDL, Estradiol, Testosterone, & the Truth
Heart disease is still the leading cause of death, yet many people are left wondering whether they're focusing on the right risk factors. In this episode, I sit down with board-certified cardiac surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia to discuss how his perspective shifted from treating advanced heart disease in the operating room to helping people prevent it in the first place. We talk through common questions about cholesterol, LDL, statins, coronary calcium scores, and why he believes heart health requires looking beyond a single lab value to better understand metabolic health, inflammation, and…
9 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
123: Hashimoto’s, Thyroid Labs, and Exercise: Are You Helping Your Body or Stressing It More?
If you have Hashimoto’s and feel like you’re doing everything “right” but somehow feeling worse, this episode is for you. I’m answering your most frequently asked questions about Hashimoto’s, exercise, thyroid labs, thyroid antibodies, medication adjustments, estrogen, and why symptoms don’t always match what your lab work says. Throughout our conversation, I explain why looking at one lab value or one symptom in isolation often leads to frustration, and why understanding the bigger picture is essential when managing thyroid disease. I also share ways to think about exercise, recovery,…
2 Aug 2026 · 48 min
122: Drain Before You Detox: The Missing Link Between Gut Health, Hormones, & Mold Recovery with Marina Ortega (The Poop Fairy)
If you're dealing with constipation, bloating, brain fog, or you feel like every detox protocol makes you feel worse instead of better, this conversation is for you. In this episode, I'm joined by Marina Ortega, founder of Scottsdale Hydrotherapy and co-founder of Trust Your Gut, to talk about one piece of healing she believes is often overlooked: supporting your body's drainage pathways before asking it to detox. Marina shares her own journey through chronic constipation, mold exposure, and years of searching for answers before becoming a gut health educator. We also discuss what colon…
26 Jul 2026 · 48 min
121: Why Successful Men Are Secretly Running Themselves into the Ground: What Every Man and Spouse Needs to Hear
What does it really mean when a man starts feeling constantly exhausted, loses motivation, struggles with brain fog, or notices changes in his physical and sexual health? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Stephen Sanders, founder of Whole Men's Health, to talk about why these symptoms deserve more attention and why men's health is about far more than testosterone alone. We discuss the growing number of younger men experiencing hormone and metabolic challenges, how stress, sleep, nutrition, relationships, and modern lifestyles all intersect, and why so many men delay asking for help until…
19 Jul 2026 · 33 min
120: From PCOS to PMOS; Why Hormones Are Not the Only Problem
In this interview with Terri DeNeui, we explore why the conversation around PCOS is shifting toward a broader understanding of metabolic health with the emerging term PMOS. Rather than viewing irregular cycles, infertility, and hormone imbalances as isolated ovarian problems, we discuss how insulin resistance, gut health, inflammation, stress, and lifestyle factors may be driving many of the symptoms women experience. I also share why this updated perspective could change the way clinicians evaluate and support patients across different stages of life—not just during their reproductive…
12 Jul 2026 · 1 hr
119: Beyond Sick Care: Why Insurance Isn’t Coming To Save You
For many people, the healthcare system becomes frustrating long before they receive a diagnosis. Symptoms are dismissed, lab work comes back "normal," and the next step is often another prescription rather than a conversation about why those symptoms developed in the first place. In this episode, I'm joined by board-certified anesthesiologist and hormone optimization specialist Dr. Mike Fortunato to discuss his journey from conventional medicine into functional medicine, and why he believes many patients are looking for something today's healthcare model wasn't designed to provide. Our…
5 Jul 2026 · 55 min
118: Stop Starving, Start Healing: The Real Root Cause of Weight Loss Resistance
What if the reason you're struggling with weight, low energy, or hormone symptoms isn't just about eating less and exercising more? In this episode, I sit down with functional medicine practitioner Dani Conway to talk about the bigger picture of metabolic health. We discuss why so many women are told their lab work is "normal" even when they still feel exhausted, inflamed, or stuck, and why looking beyond the scale often leads to better answers. Dani shares how her own health journey shaped the way she now helps women address gut health, hormones, inflammation, and metabolism with a…
28 Jun 2026 · 54 min
117. Perimenopause Is Wild: Symptoms, Support, and What Actually Helps
Perimenopause and menopause affect every woman, yet many are still caught off guard by the wide range of symptoms that can come with this stage of life. In this episode, I sit down with nutritionist, menopause researcher, and author Andrea Donsky to discuss what she's learned from studying thousands of women and why so many continue to feel confused, dismissed, or unsupported when seeking answers. We explore common symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, sleep disruption, anxiety, memory issues, and weight changes, along with some of the lesser-known experiences that often go unrecognized. Andrea…
21 Jun 2026 · 58 min
116: What Screen Time Is Really Doing to Your Eyes, Brain, and Stress Levels
One of the most overlooked aspects of health may be influencing how you think, learn, focus, perform, and even respond to stress every single day. In this episode, I sit down with neuro-optometrist Dr. Bryce Appelbaum to explore the difference between eyesight and vision, and why seeing 20/20 doesn't necessarily mean your visual system is functioning optimally. We discuss how the eyes and brain work together, the role vision plays in learning, reading, athletic performance, spatial awareness, and everyday confidence, and why many functional vision problems often go unrecognized. We also…
14 Jun 2026 · 43 min
115: PCOS Has a New Name: Why It’s More Than an Ovarian Disorder
In this episode, I explain why PCOS is now better understood as Polyendocrine Metabolic Syndrome (PMOS). While the traditional name focuses on the ovaries, the reality is that this condition often extends far beyond reproductive health. I discuss why many women with PCOS don't actually have ovarian cysts, how the condition can affect everything from insulin and metabolism to cortisol, inflammation, gut health, and hormone balance, and why this updated framework may lead to more accurate diagnoses and more personalized care. I also walk through the different patterns I commonly see in…
7 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
114. Why Your Brain Feels Drained... and How to Reset It with Dr. Patrick Porter
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Patrick Porter, founder of BrainTap and a longtime researcher in brain fitness and human performance, to explore why so many people today are struggling with brain fog, poor focus, low energy, and chronic stress. We discuss the relationship between the brain, gut, and nervous system, and how modern life may be affecting the way we think, feel, and function. Dr. Porter shares his perspective on brain fitness, why recovery is just as important as stress itself, and how simple daily habits can influence cognitive performance, mood, and resilience. We also…
31 May 2026 · 45 min
113: Why Cholesterol Isn’t the Villain and Estrogen Isn’t the Enemy with Dr. Terri DeNeui
For years, cholesterol numbers have been treated as one of the primary indicators of heart health, but are we focusing on the right markers? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Terri DeNeui to discuss the bigger picture behind cardiovascular risk. We talk through the limitations of looking at LDL cholesterol in isolation, the importance of factors like inflammation, insulin resistance, ApoB, lipoprotein(a), calcium scores, and lifestyle habits, and why a more comprehensive assessment may be necessary before deciding on treatment options. We also discuss the role statins can play, who may…
24 May 2026 · 26 min
112: The Birth Control Conversation We Need to Have: Helpful Tool or Hidden Problem?
What if the birth control pill you’ve been told is safe for decades is affecting far more than just pregnancy prevention? In this episode, I sit down with OB-GYN Dr. Johnny Peet for a powerful and nuanced conversation about oral birth control, hormone health, and the risks many women are never fully informed about, especially as they enter their 40s and 50s. We unpack the real differences between oral contraceptives and progesterone-only IUDs, why birth control pills can impact testosterone, mood, sleep, thyroid function, and gut health, and why the conversation around women’s health needs…
17 May 2026 · 39 min
111: Beyond the Labs: The Metabolic Clues Behind Fatigue, Weight Gain & Thyroid Issues
In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. James LaValle to unpack the deeper metabolic patterns driving symptoms like fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, weight gain, hormone imbalances, brain fog, inflammation, and low energy. We dive into why the body cannot be viewed as isolated systems and how stress hormones, insulin, gut health, thyroid function, sex hormones, and inflammation are all deeply connected. Dr. LaValle shares how his Metabolic Code framework helps identify where people should actually begin when they feel overwhelmed by symptoms and conflicting health advice. We also have a great…
10 May 2026 · 46 min
110: Is Your Thyroid the Missing Piece? Dr. Amie Hornaman on Energy, Metabolism & Real Answers
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amie Hornaman, also known as the Thyroid Fixer, to unpack the real reasons so many people struggle with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and hormone imbalances without getting clear answers. We dive into her personal journey of being misdiagnosed multiple times, what finally led her to answers, and why so many patients today are still being overlooked in traditional medicine. Together, we discuss what is actually happening beneath the surface when it comes to thyroid function, including the critical difference between T4 and T3, the role of reverse T3,…
3 May 2026 · 47 min
109: Why Gut Health Changes Everything: Dr. Vincent Pedre on Healing from the Inside Out
This conversation completely changed the way I think about healing and I know it’s going to shift things for you too. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Vincent Pedre to unpack why so many people are stuck dealing with fatigue, hormone imbalances, inflammation, brain fog, and digestive issues and why the real answer almost always comes back to the gut. We dive into his personal health journey, how years of antibiotics and chronic illness led him to functional medicine, and the moment he realized that healing the gut is the foundation for healing the entire body. We go deep into the…
26 Apr 2026 · 54 min
108: Women, Weightlifting & Longevity: How to Build Muscle, Protect Hormones, and Age Well
If you still think weightlifting is just about aesthetics, this conversation will completely change the way you see your body and your future. In this episode, I sit down with a highly experienced physician assistant and longtime strength training expert to unpack what women have been getting wrong about fitness for decades, especially in perimenopause and beyond. We dive into the real role of muscle when it comes to metabolism, hormones, and longevity, and tackle the questions so many women are quietly asking. Is cardio enough? Will lifting weights make me bulky? Is it too late to start? We…
19 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
107: Why Doing More to Heal Can Backfire | The Cell Danger Response with Dr. Eric Balcavage
In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Eric Balcavage to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface when your body feels stuck, overwhelmed, and unable to heal. We dive into the concept of the cell danger response and why so many people today are living in a chronic state of stress at a cellular level without even realizing it. We also explore the gap between traditional and functional medicine, and why both approaches matter more than we think when used in the right context. Throughout this episode, we challenge the idea that more is always better when it comes to your health.…
12 Apr 2026 · 49 min
106: Akkermansia: The Metabolism Microbe Every Woman Should Know
What if everything you’ve been told about your metabolism is missing the most important piece? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe to uncover the powerful and often overlooked connection between your gut microbiome, your hormones, and your metabolism. We dive into why so many women start experiencing stubborn weight changes, cravings, energy crashes, and insulin resistance, especially in perimenopause and menopause, and how the root cause may go far deeper than calories or willpower. I also ask the big questions you’ve probably wondered about but never had answered…
5 Apr 2026 · 51 min
105: It Takes Two to Gaslight with Dr. E: A New Way to Understand Medical Dismissal
You’ve been told everything is “normal”… but you know something isn’t right. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Efrat LaMandre to unpack one of the most frustrating and isolating experiences in healthcare today: medical gaslighting. We dive into what it actually is, why it happens more often than we think, and the deeper systemic patterns inside medicine that lead providers to dismiss symptoms when labs don’t tell the full story. This is not about blaming doctors, it is about understanding the gap between patient experience and clinical training so we can start to bridge it. Together, we…
29 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
104: Endometriosis Explained: Symptoms, Treatment, and What You Need to Know
This episode is as raw as it gets as I open up about my personal journey with endometriosis and everything it has taken from me and taught me along the way. I share what it really feels like to live with pain that gets dismissed, the long road to diagnosis, and the emotional and physical toll this condition can have on your body, your relationships, and your future. Through my own story, I break down what endometriosis actually is, why it is so often misunderstood, and the critical signs and symptoms so many women are told to ignore. We also dive into the real, often confusing world of…
22 Mar 2026 · 55 min
103: Stop Blaming Yourself: The ‘Normal Labs’ Trap + The Gut-Hormone Fix
>>Join our FREE monthly Gut Health Webinar, so you can begin your Healing Journey.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://modernendocrinewellness.com/join-gut-health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<< What if doing everything “right” still leaves you feeling off because your health is not actually optimal? In this episode of Hormones, Metabolism, and You, Dr. Cassie Smith sits down with Joe Miller, founder of 1st Optimal, to talk about what happens when you are doing all the “right” things but still do not feel like yourself. They unpack why normal labs do not…

About Hormones, Metabolism & You!

Hormones, Metabolism & You! is a English learning podcast from Cassie Smith. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Cassie Smith
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 51 min
Latest episode: 11 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1740199670
Rights: Cassie Smith

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