Podcast
Wellness Reality Check
Hosted by Jessica Aldredge / Ashley Ihemelu · EN
Jess and Ashley are two health practitioners, moms and best friends trying to navigate the world of holistic health in a balanced productive way that brings health to our lives instead of dogmatic extremes. We'll be breaking down health trends, interviewing your favorite health influencers and always keeping it real. We hope this podcast brings listeners back down to earth, providing a dose of reality in the often idealized world of health and wellness.
New episodes return August 5th
64episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
54 - Healthy Home Building Explained: What Actually Matters for Your Health with Ashley Spanovich
Jan 1301:09:23Tap to summarizeAshley and Jess invite Ashley Spanovich—founder of Awakening Spaces and expert in healthy home design, environmental wellness, and building biology. Dive into Ashley's personal health journey from battling unexplained symptoms to discovering the profound impact of indoor environments on overall well-being.This episode covers everything homeowners, renovators, and wellness enthusiasts need to know about:Creating healthy, healing indoor spaces using principles from building science, interior design, and holistic healthHow mold, mycotoxins, and EMFs affect your nervous system and long-term healthWhat most people overlook when building or renovating homes—from proper ventilation to the dangers of dirt crawl spaces and the pros/cons of building materials like carpet, insulation, and wood productsWhy balancing risk and fear is key to promoting healing in your homeTips for renters and buyers seeking safer, low-toxicity housingPractical advice on hardwiring Ethernet, reducing EMF exposure, evaluating building professionals, and moreWhether you’re building new, renovating, or simply want to optimize your current living space for better health, this episode is full of actionable insights, personal stories, and expert guidance to help you make empowered decisions about your environment. Plus, discover helpful resources—including a free home buying/renting guide and upcoming EMF self-assessment course (links below).We wanted to do this episode for those ready to bring a dose of reality to your holistic health journey and rethink the way you live, work, and heal at home.Find Ashley Spanovich at Awakening SpacesConscious Construction ContainerAshley's Library to Courses, Resources and Guides The Awakening Spaces PodcastVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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53 - New Year, Real You: Ditch the Pressure and do This Instead
Jan 600:52:59Tap to summarizeEvery January we're told to reinvent ourselves: bigger goals, stricter rules, faster results. But what if real change doesn't come from doing more..i.it comes from doing less, consistently?In this episode, Ash and Jess break down why small, realistic changes are often far more powerful than extreme resets; even when the results aren't immediately visible. The girls talk about why progress can feel invisible before it becomes undeniable, how balance in all things creates lasting momentum, and why sticking with something matters more than doing it perfectly.If you're tired of burnout-driven resolutions and ready to build habits that actually fit your life, this conversation will help you shift from pressure to presence. And from quick fixes to real, sustainable change. Because the gaol this year isn't a "new you." It's a real you you can actually maintain.Visit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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52 - Your Period is a Vital Sign - Here's What It's Telling You with Jenna Longoria
Dec 1601:03:31Tap to summarizeIn this week's podcast Ash and Jess are joined by Ashley's good friend Jenna Longoria, better known as The Period Guru. Jenna is a Board-Certified Functional Nutritionist and Certified Midlife Specialist who helps women decode their hormones and thrive through every phase of life, from fertility challenges to perimenopause and beyond. Jenna’s work is deeply personal. After years of struggling with PCOS, endometriosis, irregular cycles, mood swings, and being offered nothing but birth control, she set out to find real answers. Through functional medicine, targeted lab testing, nutrition, and lifestyle shifts, she put her conditions into remission—and even conceived naturally at 37, despite being told it wasn’t possible. Now she’s on a mission to help women do the same. Jenna specializes in PCOS, endometriosis, painful or irregular periods, infertility, PMDD, thyroid issues, and adrenal dysfunction. Her goal is simple: to equip women with the tools to experience pain-free periods, steady energy, healthy digestion, and optimal fertility. We’re excited to dive into her story and her powerful work supporting women’s hormonal health. Jenna is truly an expert in her field and has such a grounding presence and approach to health.You can find Jenna's website here.And her social media @theperiodguruCheck out her course Period Solution course and her free Fertility ChecklistGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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51 - The New Era of Holistic Healing: Nutrition, Energy, and Nervous System Work with Hope Pedraza
Dec 900:58:11Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode Ash and Jess are joined by Hope Pedraza, a powerhouse in the wellness space and someone who truly embodies mind-body healing. Hope is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Reiki Practitioner, and a Certified HTMA expert. She's also the founder of inBalance, a Pilates-based fitness franchise that blends movement with mindful, functional health. And if that wasn't enough, she's the host of the Hopeful and Wholesome podcast, where she dives deep into natural wellness, functional testing, and the holistic tools that help women take back their health. We're so excited to welcome Hope to the show and dive into her unique, integrative approach to healing and empowerment.Hope's website www.hopefulandwholesome.comYou can find Hope on social media @thehopepedrazaAnd listen to her podcast Hopeful and Wholesome here.Visit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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50 - Mouth Matters: The Surprising Link Between Oral Function & Whole-Body Health with Karindy Ong
Dec 201:17:21Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode of Wellness Reality Check, we’re joined by Karindy Ong, a Speech-Language Pathologist who shifted from working with brain and spinal cord injury patients to focusing on airway health after her own children faced ongoing issues. That personal journey led her into the world of Myofunctional Therapy, where she now helps clients of all ages uncover the root causes behind complex airway and feeding challenges. Karindy combines science, biohacking, and holistic medicine to optimize healing and shorten treatment time — all while empowering families to understand the crucial role of airway development in lifelong health. She’s the creator of The Myohacker Podcast and is on a mission to help the next generation grow up healthy, vibrant, and thriving.You can find Karindy at her website www.myohackerslp.com and on social media @myohackerslpShe offers an online course Myo Magic at Home and has free downloads here.You can find Karindy's podcast The Myohacker Podcast here and where you stream your podcastsVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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49 - Your Body Isn't Broken: It's Wired This Way with Adrian Davidson
Nov 2500:55:46Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode we’re joined by Adrian Davidson, the creator behind Capitalism and Glitter — a space where she brilliantly blends honesty, wit, and insight to challenge modern narratives around health and wellness, pop culture and politics. She has had huge popularity as a rising writer on Substack - where you can find long form information on everything from Pregnancy Health and RCCX theory to Secret Societies and the root causes of Gender Dysphoria. Adrian has built a community that embraces both the sparkle and the shadow and we can’t wait to dive into her own story in this episode and all the wisdom she brings to this community. Follow Adrian on Instagram @capitalism.and.glitterSubscribe to her Substack here.Visit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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48 - Your Hormones Aren't Failing, Your Diet and Lifestyle Are: with Carrie Korem
Nov 1800:59:03Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode, we’re diving into a topic that so many of us struggle to truly understand — hormones — and how they impact everything from our energy and mood to our digestion, sleep, and overall well-being. Our guest Carrie Korem, is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner based in Dallas, Texas, with over 22 years of real-life experience helping individuals and families reclaim their health through real, natural, nourishing food. Carrie’s passion for wellness comes from her own powerful story — through food and lifestyle, her family has overcome challenges like Hashimoto’s Disease, chronic migraines, IBS, severe asthma, and eczema. Now, she’s on a mission to share the knowledge and tools that helped transform their lives, so others can experience the same kind of freedom and healing. Together, we’ll explore how hormones work, what throws them off balance, and the natural ways we can begin to restore harmony in the body — without the overwhelm or confusion.You can find everything from blog posts, recipes and courses on Carrie's website Deliciously OrganicFollow her on instagram @carriekoremVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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47 - Why Hustle Culture Is Making Women Sick with Echo Summer Hill
Nov 1101:02:55Tap to summarizeThis week's guest is someone whose energy radiates strength, authenticity, and deep feminine wisdom, Echo Summer Hill. Echo's mission is to help women heal the hustle, recover from burnout, and awaken to their divine feminine essence. She's not just talking about theory - she's lived it. Through her own fires and transformations, she emerged more radiant, grounded, and committed to guiding other women back to themselves. In this conversation, we'll dive into what it really means to reclaim your power, reconnect with your true self, and live in joy, purpose, and alignment - unapologetically. So grab your tea, take a deep break and settle in.You can find Echo on her www.echosummerhill.com and all social media @echosummerhillShe has a beautiful offering The Sacred Union Blueprint and is offering our listeners $100 off with code ROOTEDAnd her Burnout SOS KitVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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46 - Behind the Service: The “Origin” Story You Haven’t Heard
Nov 401:05:02Tap to summarizeThis week's episode is a special one — a little different, a little more personal. We’re sitting down with my dear friends and co-host, Jess & Russell, the incredible minds and hearts behind Origin Kitchen + Bar. For years, Origin has been more than just a restaurant — it’s been a gathering place, a labor of love, and a community built around connection, creativity, and truly good food. But recently, they made the difficult decision to close this beautiful chapter.In this conversation, we’ll talk about the journey — the dreams that sparked Origin, the lessons learned through the grind and the grace of running a restaurant, and what it means to let something so meaningful come to an end. It’s about passion, purpose, evolution, and the courage it takes to follow your truth — even when that means closing a door you’ve poured your heart into.This one’s for anyone who’s ever built something from love, watched it change, and learned to trust the next chapter. Let’s dive into the story behind Origin Kitchen + Bar — and the beautiful people who brought it to life.Visit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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45 - The Missing Link in Wellness: How Light Heals What Medicine Can’t with Brian Richards, founder of Sauna Space
Oct 2801:05:05Tap to summarizeWelcome to our conversation with Brian Richards, the visionary founder and CEO of SaunaSpace. Brian's journey began with a personal quest to overcome health challenges, leading him to discover the profound benefits of near-infrared light therapy. Frustrated by conventional medicine's limitations, he merged ancient healing traditions with modern technology to create SaunaSpace. With a background in chemistry and a passion for innovation, Brian brings scientific rigor and a deep respect for nature to every product. At SaunaSpace, he's crafted tools that harness the transformative power of light and heat therapy, guided by a vision of healthful, fulfilling lives for all. Join us as we explore Brian's insights on wellness, technology, and the healing potential of light and heat.You can find all of Sauna Space products at the website and use discount code 'jessaldredge' at check out. Sauna Space will be running a Black Friday Sale (15% off from November 1–December 1), our code 'jessaldredge' will stack on top of that, so we hope you take advantage of this discount stack. Visit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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