In this solo episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier tackles a question that still floats around out there: is chiropractic "scientific," and what does it really have to do with stress relief? It starts with a surprising grocery store comment and turns into a clear, practical breakdown of the nervous system, what chiropractors are actually assessing, and why the spine matters for both the central and peripheral nervous system.

Stephanie explains the difference between the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (the network of nerves leaving the spinal cord), then zooms in on the autonomic nervous system, the part most people are talking about when they say "fight or flight" and "rest and digest." She also clears up a common misconception: every chiropractor is working with the nervous system, regardless of technique, because the goal is the same, reduce interference and restore communication.

From there, this episode turns into a toolkit. You'll hear simple, doable ways to support a stressed-out system, including breathing patterns that cue safety, sensory grounding, rhythmic movement, vagus nerve stimulators like humming and gargling, and sleep habits that help your body actually power down at night.

• Why "nervous system health" usually means the autonomic nervous system, not the whole nervous system

• The difference between central vs peripheral, and somatic vs autonomic function

• Why chiropractic is about communication, not "chasing pain"

• What "fight or flight" is designed for, and why modern life keeps it stuck on

• Simple ways to support regulation: breathwork, rhythm, grounding, sleep cues, and naming emotions

• Easy vagus nerve activators you can do anywhere (yes, even humming in your car)

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor:
Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro
Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness
Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: drstephaniewautier@yahoo.com

Credits:
Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing brandsoundpodcasts@gmail.com.

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor
00:48 The Nervous System and Chiropractic
02:12 Understanding the Nervous System
02:54 Autonomic Nervous System Explained
05:17 Balancing the Nervous System
07:17 Choosing the Right Chiropractor
09:21 Supporting Your Nervous System
10:00 Breathing Techniques for Nervous System Health
11:15 Grounding and Vagus Nerve Stimulation
11:54 Preparing for Restful Sleep
12:47 Final Thoughts and Closing

In this episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with local Marquette pastor Mike Walter for a conversation that moves from the most personal kind of struggle to the most practical kind of impact.

Pastor Mike opens up about being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis early in life, what it's like to carry an "incurable" label into adulthood, and the daily choices that became non-negotiable as he worked to stay functional, present, and hopeful. He also talks candidly about faith when the pain does not go away, the difference between knowing the right answers and actually living them, and how internal battles can show up even in people who look steady from the outside.

Then the conversation widens. Pastor Mike shares the story behind Prodigal Preacher International, including the moments and relationships that pulled him toward refugee support, safety for girls, school sponsorship, and hunger prevention work in East Africa. You'll hear what small donations actually do, why recurring giving matters, and how transparent, consistent support can turn into real protection and education for kids who need it most.

If you've ever wondered how someone keeps going with chronic pain, or how to make generosity feel real instead of abstract, this one lands.

• Pastor Mike's early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and what helped him cope day to day

• The ways pain and faith collide, and what he learned in the hard seasons

• His journey to becoming a pastor, including seminary life and the road that shaped him

• How his connection to African culture began and why it became personal

• The danger and fear along the border, and the harsh realities of trafficking

• Real success stories, including refugees who went on to graduate college

• How PPI supports safety and education for girls, plus feeding programs that meet basic needs

• Why "small" donations can create outsized impact, especially through Giving Tuesday matches

• How to help, and what transparency looks like when you give

Support Pastor Mike Walter's Work (Prodigal Preacher International / PPIKids):
PPI Website: https://www.ppikids.org/
Donate (one-time or monthly): https://www.ppikids.org/donate
PPI on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ppikids.org/

Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor:
Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro
Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness
Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: drstephaniewautier@yahoo.com

Credits:
Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing brandsoundpodcasts@gmail.com.

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor
00:41 Mike's Early Life and Diagnosis
01:55 Coping with Ankylosing Spondylitis
04:17 Faith and Personal Struggles
05:52 Journey to Becoming a Pastor
07:30 Life in Colorado and Seminary Experiences
13:10 Connection to African Culture
20:03 The Danger and Fear Along the Border
20:27 Success Stories: From Refugee to College Graduate
21:21 The Harsh Realities of Human Trafficking
21:42 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Africa
22:27 Providing Safety and Education for Girls
23:49 The Impact of Small Donations
26:26 The Power of Giving Tuesday
27:44 How to Help: Education and Feeding Programs
30:41 Personal Commitment and Transparency
34:41 The Emotional Burden and Call to Action
36:14 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Episode Description
What actually happens when you travel the world alone—on purpose? In this warm, high-signal episode, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with a dear friend, a seasoned solo traveler who's collected stories from San Francisco to Morocco, Palau, Vietnam, and Greece. You'll hear how one spontaneous weekend changed everything, why a great meal can open doors, and how culture, safety, and serendipity weave together when you give yourself permission to go.

She shares her simple starter plan for first-time solo travelers, the "prop" that makes dining alone easier, and the mindset that turns awkward moments into invitations. From sharing a table with strangers who became friends to a full picnic waiting atop an Atlas Mountain summit, this conversation is a reminder that most people, most places, are better than the headlines. As one Moroccan shopkeeper told her: "You are welcome."

• The four-day San Francisco trip that set a lifelong travel rhythm

• How food became a passport to conversation—and unexpected invitations

• Why many countries treat meals as time, not a task

• Scuba in Palau, giant clams, and ocean awe moments

• A practical playbook for solo women: micro-adventures, simple itineraries, and social "props"

• Getting locked inside a Greek castle—and rescued by strangers

• The line between freedom and fear, and how to stay on the right side of it

• Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro

• Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness

• Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: drstephaniewautier@yahoo.com

Credits:
Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing brandsoundpodcasts@gmail.com.

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor
00:41 Meet our Guest: The Solo Traveler
01:10 The First Solo Trip to San Francisco
04:24 Memorable Moments in San Francisco
08:30 Dining Adventures Around the World
19:55 Cultural Differences in Dining
21:28 Scuba Diving Adventures in Palau
22:10 Advice for Solo Female Travelers
24:14 Embracing Solo Travel
25:01 Unexpected Encounters While Traveling
30:35 Travel Bucket List and Future Plans
32:00 Locked in a Castle in Greece
36:17 The Beauty of Human Kindness
38:18 Final Thoughts on Solo Travel

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. Stephanie is going tender and practical. This solo episode isn't medical advice—it's a heartfelt walk through our relationship with our breasts, how the lymphatic system supports breast health, and a simple self-care practice you can start today: breast "phluffing."

Stephanie unpacks cultural pressure and self-talk, then shifts into clear, accessible basics on lymph flow (what it is, where it goes, why movement, hydration, posture, and deep breathing matter). She also introduces PHLUFF—Personal Hand Lymphatic Undulation Flow Facilitation—a light, loving technique popularized by nurse-educator Cheryl Chapman. You'll learn gentle tapping under the armpit and soft circular motions upward toward the axilla—no digging, no pain—just mindful care.

This one's about kindness, body literacy, and giving your chest the love it deserves. Long live the tatas. 💗

• Why so many women link confidence to breast appearance—and how to soften the inner critic

• Lymph 101: vessels, nodes, and the role of movement, water, posture, and breath

• Why raising your arms overhead and regular walking help lymph flow

• Breast phluffing (PHLUFF): what it means, where it came from, and how to do it gently

• A compassionate reminder: awareness and self-care matter, and grief is part of the story for many

• Follow Us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro

• Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness

• Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships: drstephaniewautier@yahoo.com

🎙️ Credits:
Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing brandsoundpodcasts@gmail.com.

00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor
00:51 Breast Cancer Awareness Month
01:08 Self-Esteem and Breast Size
02:26 Breast Care and Self-Love
05:49 Understanding the Lymphatic System
10:07 Breast Fluffing Explained
12:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts