Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast!

Health insurance premiums are skyrocketing, deductibles are climbing, and millions of Americans are being forced to make impossible choices about their healthcare. But here's what rarely gets discussed: the financial stress of navigating expensive, confusing health insurance policies. This isn't just frustrating, it's literally affecting your health, and the quality of healthcare you may be receiving, especially if you're a woman experiencing metabolic or hormonal concerns.

On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers continues Season 4’s new format by reviewing this headline-making topics. She will be discussing an article from CNN titled "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐂𝐀'𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰" and will be spilling "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞."

Synopsis

• Discover why the expiration of ACA enhanced subsidies is causing insurance premiums to spike by 114% for millions of Americans, hitting middle-class families hardest
• Understand the hidden costs of "affordable" insurance plans, including high deductibles, narrow provider networks, and limited access to care
• Explore how chronic financial stress about healthcare costs may be directly affecting your metabolic and hormonal health, amongst other chronic health conditions
• Compare traditional insurance health practices to direct care practices including the research on the difference in health outcomes
• Get Dr. Shayla’s “Direct Care Tea” on how paying cash for your healthcare can actually give you more comprehensive care for less money than your current health insurance plan’s limited care

Today’s Highlighted Article:

“The ACA’s enhanced subsidies have expired. Here’s what you need to know”

https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/politics/aca-subsidies-cheap-plans-enrollment

Connect with Essence of Health:

– ATLANTA Residents: We are currently enrolling in our Atlanta Founder's Circle! The first 10 members who enroll at our new Atlanta location will receive free comprehensive metabolic lab analysis. Learn more at www.DrShayla.com/EOH

– Grab all of our FREE Resources at www.DrShayla.com/Freebies

– Get your 30% off discount for Handful Athletic Wear at www.handful.com/discount/EOHWC or use Promo Code: EOHWC

–Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert

–Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast!

–Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube or @DrShayla on TikTok.

The Essence of Health is in You!

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast!

There has been major news in the nutrition world that affects every single one of us. In January 2026, the U.S. government announced brand new dietary guidelines, representing a major shift from what we’ve been told for decades. The centerpiece of these new guidelines is a brand new food pyramid that is literally turned upside down compared to the original 1990s version.

On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers continues Season 4’s new format by reviewing this headline-making topic. She will be discussing an article from NPR titled "RFK Jr.’s new dietary guidelines go all in on meat and dairy" and spilling “The Tea on YOUR Metabolism and The Food Pyramid Flip.” Listen as she analyzes the new recommendations through the lens of an integrative and functional medicine specialist, and breaks down what these changes mean for women dealing with hormonal changes, metabolic dysfunction, and insulin resistance.

Synopsis

• Discover how the new food pyramid has inverted previous advice.
• Learn about the controversial call to "end the war on saturated fats" and Dr. Shayla's nuanced expert opinion on why quality sources matter and why plant-based fats remain superior for cardiovascular health.
• Understand why the new emphasis on protein is actually a win for women in perimenopause and menopause.
• Hear why the strong stance against highly processed foods is a major public health win.
• Get Dr. Shayla’s “full fat tea” as she shares why she disagrees with the blanket recommendation for full-fat dairy and cheese.

Today’s Highlighted Article:

“RFK Jr.’s new dietary guidelines go all in on meat and dairy”

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/07/nx-s1-5667021/dietary-guidelines-rfk-jr-nutrition

Connect with Essence of Health:

– ATLANTA Residents: We are currently enrolling in our Atlanta Founder's Circle! The first 10 members who enroll at our new Atlanta location will receive a free comprehensive metabolic lab analysis. Learn more at www.DrShayla.com/EOH

– Grab all of our FREE Resources at www.DrShayla.com/Freebies

– Get your 30% off discount for Handful Athletic Wear at www.handful.com/discount/EOHWC or use Promo Code: EOHWC

–Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness.

Submit your questions for this segment here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert

–Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast!

–Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok.

The Essence of Health is in You!

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast!

New Year's resolutions typically focus on eating better, exercising more, and losing weight. While these goals matter, many other health habits that shape your well-being just as much, if not more, than a new gym routine.

On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers kicks off Season 4 with a brand new format, reviewing popular health and wellness news articles together and sharing her expert take as a physician specializing in integrative medicine, functional medicine, metabolic health, and hormone optimization.

In this premiere episode, Dr. Shayla reviews an article from the American Medical Association (AMA) titled "𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐊𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬" and will be spilling “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫-𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬”.

Synopsis

• Discover the 10 health areas that doctors recommend focusing on for New Year's resolutions, beyond just diet and exercise.
• Understand the deeper connections between common symptoms like decision fatigue, joint pain, afternoon exhaustion, and winter blues, and how they may all be related to hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance.
• Learn how hormone shifts during perimenopause and menopause affect immune function, mood disorders, cognitive function, sleep quality, and chronic inflammation.
• Learn why healthy aging starts in your 30s, 40s, and 50s, and how choices you make now determine how you'll feel in your 60s, 70s, and beyond.
• Get Dr. Shayla's “New Year New You” tea on each recommendation, along with her FREE "𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭", your practical step-by-step guide covering the five areas she assesses with patients before recommending weight loss, hormone optimization, and aggressive lifestyle changes.

Today’s Highlighted Article:

“What doctors wish patients knew about healthy New Year’s resolutions”

https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-healthy-new-year-s

Connect with Essence of Health:

– Grab all of our FREE Resources at www.DrShayla.com/Freebies

–Learn more about Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching at www.DrShayla.com/EOH

–Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness.

Submit your questions for this segment here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert

–Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast!

–Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok.

The Essence of Health is in You!

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast!

It’s Heart Health Awareness Month! While you may be aware that Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, did you know that Cardiovascular Disease takes the life of one woman every 80 seconds?

It's important to be proactive about your health, particularly for women who are disproportionately affected by heart disease and knowing your risks with lipid testing is a good place to start. We’ll tackle this “heavy hearted” subject in today’s episode by looking at our “internal highways” and the “trucks” and “sweepers” that help us to keep cardiovascular balance.

On today’s episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers will be spilling “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮”.

Synopsis

• Understand the evidence based screening recommendations for Cholesterol Screening by age group
• Discover what exactly is included in cholesterol testing and why
• Explore the impact that your hormones may be having on your Cholesterol and heart health
• Discover available Advanced Lipid Testing that goes beyond traditional testing to determine your cardiovascular risks
• Get Dr. Shayla’s “Fat Free Tea” on Lifestyle Factors and practical strategies to lower your cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risks without medication

Connect with Essence of Health:

– Join the FREE Nourish & Flourish 5 Day Challenge at www.DrShayla.com/NFchallenge

–Learn more about Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching at www.DrShayla.com/EOH

–Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness.

Submit your questions for this segment here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert

–Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast!

–Get your FREE "Healthy Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle" Guide to get you started on your health and wellness path. https://essenceofhealth.link/e-book

–Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok.

The Essence of Health is in You!

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast!

Studies have shown that gardening provides significant physical and mental health benefits and have found that regular gardening can lower risk of developing age related cognitive issues and lower one’s risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to non-gardeners. Additionally, research has demonstrated the superior nutritional value of homegrown fruits and vegetables compared to store-bought produce including providing more natural vitamins and antioxidants in their homegrown state.

Incorporating gardening into your healthy lifestyle is a good way to improve your physical and mental well-being, for better overall health.

On today's episode, Dr. Shayla will be joined by a special guest, Karen Creel and they will be spilling “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”.

Karen Creel is a Retired Nurse and seasoned Gardener with over 30 years of experience cultivating her own backyard vegetable gardens. Through her company, Gardenchick, as a certified garden coach, she shares her passion for gardening by offering personalized garden consultations, private coaching, and local gardening workshops. She has developed a signature online garden course “The No Fuss Garden” which provides clear and concise guidance for beginners looking to grow their own vegetables without the overwhelming complexity often associated with gardening. Karen's expertise lies in simplifying the gardening process, and empowering busy individuals to create thriving gardens.

Synopsis:

• Discover the best “easy-to-grow” plants and how to get started as a new gardener
• Explore options for Gardening even when you have limited spaces using specified growing methods
• Understand the physical and mental benefits of growing and consuming your homegrown produce
• Get Karen’s “rooted tea” in the best ways to avoid common mistakes and achieve success from the moment you get started on your garden

Connect with Essence of Health:

– FREE Nourish & Flourish 5 Day Challenge: www.DrShayla.com/NFchallenge

–FREE Class “Ditch The Diet: Mindful Strategies for Lasting Metabolic Health”: www.DrShayla.com/DTD

–Learn more about Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching: www.DrShayla.com/EOH

–Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast!

–FREE "Healthy Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle" Guide to get you started on your health and wellness path. https://essenceofhealth.link/e-book

–Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok.

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Connect with Karen Creel:

Website: www.Gardenchick.com

Get your FREE Seasonal Planting Guide at https://gardenchick.myflodesk.com/gardenguide

Instagram: @thegardenchick

The Essence of Health is in You!

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast!

Neurodivergent conditions affect both children and adults alike. According to a 2022 report, approximately 1 in 44 children in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder and around 6.1 million children aged 2-17 years (9.8%) have an ADHD diagnosis. Amongst adults, it is estimated that 4.4% of U.S. adults aged 18 and over have been diagnosed with ADHD, highlighting the prevalence of these conditions across the lifespan.

While these conditions highlight our unique differences, there are targeted integrative approaches that can be helpful in optimizing the brain and cognitive function for thriving with these conditions.

On today's episode, Dr. Shayla will be joined by a special guest, Dr. Noemi Adame and they will be spilling “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐎𝐧 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬”.

Dr. Noemi Adame, also known as the Veggies Over Pills doctor, is a board-certified Pediatrician, whole-foods, plant-based (WFPB) home cook and baker, writer, public speaker, and holistic wellness expert. She is the owner of Culver Pediatrics Center, a pediatric clinic that transforms the mind, body, and spirit health of children by empowering and educating their families, communities, and schools in holistic nutritional wellness.

Synopsis:

• Discover some of the most common nutritional gaps that may be affecting those with neurodivergent conditions
• Understand the gut brain connection and the part our gut plays in our brain health
• Explore ways to expand the palate for those with food aversions in a healthful way
• Discover tips beyond medication therapy that can help to improve brain health
• Get Dr. Adame’s “veggie tea” on key foods to integrate to nurture neurodivergent and neurotypical brains alike

Connect with Essence of Health:

– FREE Nourish & Flourish 5 Day Challenge: www.DrShayla.com/NFchallenge

– FREE Class “Ditch The Diet: Mindful Strategies for Lasting Metabolic Health”: www.DrShayla.com/DTD

–Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching: www.DrShayla.com/EOH

–Get your FREE "Healthy Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle" Guide to get you started on your health and wellness path. https://essenceofhealth.link/e-book

–Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok.

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Connect with Dr. Noemi Adame:

Website: www.CulverPediatrics.com

FB/IG: @CulverPeds

PANDAS/PANS Clinic: https://www.culverpediatrics.com/pandas-pans

Mind, Body, Spirit Events: https://www.culverpediatrics.com/events

The Essence of Health is in You!

Welcome to the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast!

Today we are “reheating” The Tea About Cycling For Healthful Aging with a fresh listen to reignite your motivation to get started on achieving your health goals this year!

Are you a former athlete who has found it challenging to “get back in the game” and enjoy your previous level of activity?

Have you never considered yourself to be an athlete but would like to move more in an effort to achieve your health goals?

On today’s episode Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers will be spilling the tea with guest, cycling coach, Marissa Axell. As Founder and Cycling Coach at AXN Fitness and Coaching, Marissa has used her personal and professional accomplishments combined to aid peri/post menopausal athletes in thriving through new adventures in cycling and fitness as they age.

Synopsis:

• Learn new ways to level up in your fitness safely as you age.
• Understand how our bodies physically change as we age and how that can impact your fitness.
• Discover the importance of what you eat, and how and when you incorporate rest into your fitness routine.
• Explore options for developing your own inner athlete through cycling whether indoors or outdoors.
• Get the tea on a few important tips to stay healthy, strong and fit as you age.

Connect with Essence of Health:

– FREE Nourish & Flourish 5 Day Challenge: www.DrShayla.com/NFchallenge

–FREE Class “Ditch The Diet: Mindful Strategies for Lasting Metabolic Health”: www.DrShayla.com/DTD

–Learn more about Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching at www.DrShayla.com/EOH

–Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok.

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Connect with Marissa Axell:

FREE Cycling Training Plan: https://marissaaxell370.lpages.co/jumpstart/

Website: https://www.axnfitnessandcoaching.com/our-mission

Cycling Training Program: https://www.axnfitnessandcoaching.com/css

Facebook: https://www.faceb

The Essence of Health is in You!

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast!

According to a 2019 study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, approximately 39 million people in the United States suffer from migraines, with women being about three times more likely than men to experience them. Studies also show that about 85% of chronic migraine sufferers experience 15 or more headache days per month, with at least 8 of those being migraines. Many individuals suffer in silence, however, there are practical solutions that can help you to find support and relief right now.

On today's episode, Dr. Shayla will be joined by a special guest, Dr. Alison Alford and they will be spilling “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐎𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.”

Dr. Alison Alford is a wife, mom of 2, and Pediatric Neurologist in Richmond, VA. She knows what her patients live with, having lived with migraines since she was in medical School. Dr. Alford opened the Pediatric Headache Center of Richmond in 2016 to provide world class care for headache and concussion patients. She has served over 5,000 patients, providing quality care and by enhancing the lives of her patients suffering from migraines.

Synopsis:

• Gain a deeper level of understanding about how migraines develop and why they develop
• Understand common and uncommon migraine triggers
• Explore options for migraine treatment beyond prescription management
• Get Dr. Alford’s “Splitting Tea” on ways to track your migraines that may be helpful for optimizing your treatment options

Connect with Essence of Health:

– Join the FREE Nourish & Flourish 5 Day Challenge at www.DrShayla.com/NFchallenge

–Take our FREE Class “Ditch The Diet: Mindful Strategies for Lasting Metabolic Health” at www.DrShayla.com/DTD

–Learn more about Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching at www.DrShayla.com/EOH

–Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness.

Submit your questions for this segment here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert

–Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast!

–Get your FREE "Healthy Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle" Guide to get you started on your health and wellness path. https://essenceofhealth.link/e-book

–Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok.

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Connect with Dr. Alison Alford:

Pediatric Headache Center: www.pediatricheadachecenter.com

Facebook/Instagram: @PHCR4U and @NourishIV4u

The Essence of Health is in You!