#15 | Fight-or-Flight, Massage Nightmares & Craniosacral Therapy

#15 | Fight-or-Flight, Massage Nightmares & Craniosacral Therapy

Welcome back to another episode. After years of struggling to relax during massages, I finally tried craniosacral therapy—and it completely changed how my body responds to stress. In this episode, I'm sharing my experience, what the treatment actually feels like, and why it helped shift me out of constant fight-or-flight mode. But first… you'll hear some of my most ridiculous massage stories, including an accidental Russian bathhouse scrub in Chicago, a detox massage that ended in disaster, and the couples massage with my friend Holly that I will never forget. I also talk about the connection between stress, sleep, jaw tension, and chronic pain, why my therapist recommended craniosacral therapy, how it helped me finally relax, and why I'm bringing my daughter Wilson to try it before my upcoming oral surgery. If you've ever felt like your nervous system is constantly "on," or you've wondered what craniosacral therapy actually is, this episode is for you. Follow Along: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural_minded_mama https://www.instagram.com/natural_minded_mama_ Episode Sponsors: Shop GET BLESSED BOTANICALS and use code KASI to save 15% https://getblessedbotanicals.com/KASI Shop NIMA Gluten Detecting Sensor and use code KASI to save 15% https://nimanow.com/KASI Shop Primal Queen Female Focused Beef Organ Supplements and save 25% at checkout https://www.primalqueen.com/KASI Shop Bees & Trees Honey and use code KASIDESTEFANO for 10% off at checkout https://www.beesandtrees.com/?ref=KASI [https://www.beesandtrees.com/?ref=KASI]

#14 | How Sammy’s Milk Started: Erin Hendricks on Clean Goat-Milk Formula, FDA Pushback & Feeding Babies Better

In this episode of Candidly Kasi, Kasi sits down with Sammy’s Milk founder Erin Hendricks to discuss how a mother's search for a better formula option turned into a thriving business. Kasi shares her own experience using Sammy’s Milk when she transitioned her daughter Wilson from breastfeeding, recalling how seamless the switch was and the personal support Erin provided in the company's early days. Erin opens up about the inspiration behind creating Sammy’s Milk after her own daughter struggled with conventional formula. She shares the extensive research, medical guidance, and determination that went into developing a nutrient-dense goat milk formula while navigating FDA regulations and industry challenges. The conversation explores the company's grassroots beginnings, scaling during the COVID pandemic, ingredient sourcing, non-GMO oils, methylated vitamins, and rigorous testing for heavy metals and pesticides. Erin and Kasi also discuss concerns surrounding mainstream formula options, infant formula regulations, customer success stories, and the realities of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. Erin shares her perspective on being present as a working mom, why educating parents matters, and offers advice for new mothers navigating infant feeding choices. Topics discussed: * The origin story behind Sammy’s Milk * Building a formula company from scratch * FDA regulations and industry challenges * Clean ingredients and label reading * Goat milk formula and gut health * Working motherhood and entrepreneurship * Infant nutrition and advocacy * Customer success stories and NICU experiences  Follow Along: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural_minded_mama https://www.instagram.com/natural_minded_mama_ Episode Sponsors: Shop GET BLESSED BOTANICALS and use code KASI to save 15% https://getblessedbotanicals.com/KASI Shop NIMA Gluten Detecting Sensor and use code KASI to save 15% https://nimanow.com/KASI Shop Primal Queen Female Focused Beef Organ Supplements and save 25% at checkout https://www.primalqueen.com/KASI Shop Bees & Trees Honey and use code KASIDESTEFANO for 10% off at checkout https://www.beesandtrees.com/?ref=KASI [https://www.beesandtrees.com/?ref=KASI] SHOP SAMMY’S MILK https://www.sammysmilk.com/ [https://www.sammysmilk.com/] (Use code SAMMYS10) and save 10% Follow Sammy’s Milk on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sammysmilk

#13 | One Vaginal Birth, One C-Section, and Zero Desire to Do Either Again

On this episode of Candidly Kasi, Kasi reflects on motherhood as her oldest daughter, Kiley, approaches her 20th birthday and prepares to join the podcast for a special birthday episode. Inspired by a conversation with a pregnant hairstylist, Kasi shares the stories of her two very different births. Kylie’s pregnancy was relatively smooth but ended with a difficult induction, intense labor, and a challenging postpartum recovery. Wilson’s pregnancy was marked by severe sickness, anemia, iron infusions, and ultimately a breech presentation that led to an unexpected C-section, panic attack, and a recovery that felt like a blur. Kasi compares the two experiences, reflects on how age and life circumstances shaped each journey, and shares updates on upcoming episodes and her own upcoming surgery. Follow Along: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural_minded_mama https://www.instagram.com/natural_minded_mama_ Episode Sponsors: Shop GET BLESSED BOTANICALS and use code KASI to save 15% https://getblessedbotanicals.com/KASI Shop NIMA Gluten Detecting Sensor and use code KASI to save 15% https://nimanow.com/KASI Shop Primal Queen Female Focused Beef Organ Supplements and save 25% at checkout https://www.primalqueen.com/KASI Shop Bees & Trees Honey and use code KASIDESTEFANO for 10% off at checkout https://www.beesandtrees.com/?ref=KASI

#12 | From Wired to Tired: My Wellbutrin Ride pt 2

In this Candidly Kasi update, Kasi shares the ups and downs of adjusting her Wellbutrin dosage over the past six weeks. From early wins to unexpected side effects, she opens up about navigating medication changes, sleep struggles, perimenopause, and mental health. As always, Kasi shares her personal experience—not medical advice—and reflects on the ongoing process of finding what works best for her body and mind. Plus, she previews upcoming episodes and life updates. Follow Along: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural_minded_mama https://www.instagram.com/natural_minded_mama_ Episode Sponsors: Shop GET BLESSED BOTANICALS and use code KASI to save 15% https://getblessedbotanicals.com/KASI Shop NIMA Gluten Detecting Sensor and use code KASI to save 25% https://nimanow.com/KASI Shop Primal Queen Female Focused Beef Organ Supplements and save 25% at checkout https://www.primalqueen.com/KASI Shop Bees & Trees Honey and use code KASIDESTEFANO for 10% off at checkout https://www.beesandtrees.com/?ref=KASI

#11 | Hello Breast Implants, Goodbye Teeth: The Health Journey I Never Saw Coming

In this episode of Candidly Kasi, I'm sharing my personal journey with Breast Implant Illness—from getting my first saline implants in 2011 to "upgrading" to silicone implants in 2015, and the health nightmare that followed. After having my daughter in 2017, I began experiencing hair loss, rashes, brain fog, joint pain, digestive issues, extreme fatigue, and a long list of symptoms that left me searching for answers. Despite seeing multiple doctors, I was told everything from postpartum depression to fibromyalgia, yet no one could explain what was happening to my body. Everything changed when I discovered Breast Implant Illness and made the decision to have my implants removed in 2019. During surgery, I learned that one of my implants had ruptured, and many of my symptoms began improving within days of my explant. While I regained much of my health, the damage to my teeth never fully recovered. Today, I'm preparing for my next chapter: full-arch dental implant surgery. In this episode, I share the ups and downs of my journey, the fears and excitement surrounding this upcoming procedure, and why I'm choosing to document the entire process in hopes that it helps someone else feel less alone.  Follow Along: https://www.tiktok.com/@natural_minded_mama https://www.instagram.com/natural_minded_mama_ Episode Sponsors: Shop GET BLESSED BOTANICALS and use code KASI to save 15% https://getblessedbotanicals.com/KASI Shop NIMA Gluten Detecting Sensor and use code KASI to save 25% https://nimanow.com/KASI Shop Primal Queen Female Focused Beef Organ Supplements and save 25% at checkout https://www.primalqueen.com/KASI Shop Bees & Trees Honey and use code KASIDESTEFANO for 10% off at checkout https://www.beesandtrees.com/?ref=KASI Check out Done In One https://getdoneinone.com/ Watch the video that saved my life: https://youtu.be/hdrnkhiNF6M?si=CJYczxddFfdfqzBr