Casually Crunchy

Your Body Isn't Broken: Home Birth, Postpartum Recovery & Trusting Your Design (ft. Jessie Rockwell, Licensed Midwife)

Here's the thing no one tells you about birth or motherhood: you don't have to do it perfectly and your body isn't broken.
We've been conditioned to second-guess our instincts, to Google every sensation, and to assume that somebody else knows our bodies better than we do. But women were literally designed for this: birth, healing, adapting, mothering.
In this episode, Dr. Danielle sits down with Jessie Rockwell, a licensed home birth midwife, wellness coach, and mom of four who helps women reclaim confidence in their bodies and trust the physiological process of birth.
This conversation is the opposite of fear-based motherhood. It's physiology. It's nervous system support. It's strength. It's the casually crunchy version of wellness that actually fits real life.
In this episode, we cover:
Jessie's journey from doula to home birth midwife to fitness coach
How she balances midwifery, homeschooling four kids, and personal wellness
Why the gym is Jessie's non-negotiable (and the therapeutic release of pushing past limits)
The power of structure and rhythm for busy moms
Jessie's crunchy flexes: raw dairy, milling her own grain, chickens, and red light therapy
The silky side: Coke Zero, gel manicures, Sculptra, and finding balance
Why home birth isn't just for "super crunchy" people
The safety of home birth with licensed midwives in California
Misconceptions about home birth and who it's actually for
How to know if you can birth (spoiler: your body already knows)
Why birth education is about surrender, not strength or pain tolerance
The difference between midwifery care and traditional OB care
What prenatal visits with a midwife actually look like
Dr. Danielle's home birth experience (the real, unfiltered version)
The importance of trust and relationship in birth outcomes
Tactical tools for pregnancy: mind, body, and spirit practices
The 555 rule for postpartum recovery (and why it's non-negotiable)
Why asking for help postpartum is just as important as rest
Key Takeaways:
✨ Your body was designed to birth, it's not something you need to figure out
✨ Home birth is safe for low-risk pregnancies with licensed midwives
✨ Midwifery care is family-centered, relationship-based, and holistic
✨ Birth is a physiological event, rarely does it need to be medicalized
✨ Resistance creates tension, tension creates pain
✨ The best parents are the ones without kids yet (lower your expectations)
✨ Surrender and flexibility are your first lessons in parenthood
✨ Postpartum recovery requires the 555 rule: 5 days in bed, 5 days on bed, 5 days around bed
✨ Don't rush postpartum healing (bounce back culture can fuck off)
✨ Structure and rhythm create freedom for busy families
Jessie breaks down the physiology of birth, why women have been taught to fear their own bodies, and how reclaiming trust in your body's design changes everything. She gets real about balancing all the things, finding your crunchy-ish sweet spot, and why asking for help is a postpartum non-negotiable.
Mentioned in this episode:
Gold Soul Midwifery (Jessie's practice)
The 555 postpartum recovery rule
Raw dairy and Amish co-ops
Red light therapy for circadian rhythm support
Non-flicker light bulbs
Born in the USA (book about medicalization of birth)
Postpartum doulas
Chiropractic care during pregnancy
Acupuncture for pregnancy support
Gestational diabetes screening options
If you've been told your body needs to be managed, if you're second-guessing your instincts, or if you're curious about home birth but think it's not for you, this episode will shift everything.
CONNECT WITH JESSIE ROCKWELL: Instagram: @goldsoul.midwifery (midwifery practice) Instagram: @jessie.rhoads.rockwell (personal & wellness coaching) Location: Southern California (serving LA and Orange County) Specialties: Licensed home birth midwife, postpartum wellness coach, fitness training

What Postpartum Really Feels Like: Mom Guilt, Screen Time & Finding Your Village (ft. Marisa Burdi, New Mom School)

No one tells you this part of motherhood: postpartum isn't just about the baby. It's about you, your identity, your nervous system, your healing, your support system, your confidence.
In this episode, Dr. Danielle sits down with Marisa Burdi, founder of New Mom School in Yorba Linda, for one of the most honest conversations about what postpartum actually feels like. Marisa is a postpartum educator and community builder who helps new moms feel supported, informed, and confident instead of overwhelmed and isolated.
This isn't the Pinterest perfect version of motherhood. This is real talk about lowering your expectations, giving yourself grace, and finding community when everything feels out of control.
In this episode, we cover:
How Marisa and Dr. Danielle met (spoiler: Kyle knew her in third grade)
What New Mom School actually does and why postpartum support is so needed
Why society expects moms to do it all (but that's not how it used to be)
The gap in postpartum care that nobody talks about
Mom guilt over formula feeding, going back to work, and screen time
Why wanting two things at once is completely normal in motherhood
The difference between week one and week eight of new motherhood
Birth plans vs. birth reality (and why empowerment matters more than the plan)
Breastfeeding guilt and why your mental health matters more
The best parents are the ones who don't have kids yet (lowering expectations)
iPads, Pop Tarts, and Happy Meals (finding your crunchy-ish balance)
Why proximity matters when building your mom community
Second time mom struggles (the guilt is real)
How to support moms making "unpopular" decisions
Key Takeaways:
✨ Postpartum is for survival, nourishment, bonding, and recovering (not productivity)
✨ Babies haven't changed, but our society and expectations have
✨ Lower your expectations significantly (seriously, a lot)
✨ Wanting two things at once is completely normal
✨ Your baby's birthday determines their developmental stage, not comparison
✨ Community and vulnerability are more powerful than perfection
✨ Fed is best, and your mental health matters
✨ You're allowed to be excited to go back to work
✨ Screen time so you can connect with your partner? That's okay too
Marisa breaks down the real patterns she sees in new moms, from deer in headlights in week one to confidently grabbing drinks from the fridge by week eight. She gets honest about Pop Tarts, Botox, Big Macs, and why she prioritizes her marriage even when it means putting the kids in front of an iPad.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
New Mom School (37 locations nationwide and growing)
Bumps and Bagels prenatal events
Free breastfeeding support classes
The Venn diagram of mom friendships (kids same age + parents get along + proximity)
Kendamil organic formula
HiPP formula from Europe
Fridge snacks as the only after-bath option
Baby Mama (the Tina Fey movie about birthing classes)
If you've ever felt like you don't recognize yourself postpartum, or like you're mourning the birth or feeding journey you didn't get, or like you're the only one struggling (or the only one NOT struggling), this episode is for you.
 
CONNECT WITH MARISA BURDI: Instagram: @newmomschool_yorbalinda Email: yorbalinda@newmomschool.com Location: Yorba Linda, CA (serving Orange, Placentia, Anaheim Hills, Corona & surrounding areas) Pre-register while pregnant for classes starting at 3-8 weeks postpartum

The Truth About Tongue Ties, Feeding Struggles & Mom Guilt (ft. Brittany, Pediatric OT)

Your baby won't latch. Your pediatrician says everything's fine. You're crying, your baby's crying, and you're starting to wonder if you're doing something wrong.
Spoiler: You're not.
In this episode, Dr. Danielle sits down with Brittany Cheng, pediatric occupational therapist and feeding specialist at Wayz to Play, for a raw, real conversation about infant feeding struggles, tongue ties, developmental milestones, and the mom guilt that comes with all of it.
Brittany gets brutally honest about starting her business during a pandemic, navigating her own kids' feeding challenges (yes, even as a feeding therapist), and why perfection in parenthood is a myth we need to stop chasing.
This is the episode for every mom who's been told "it's normal" when everything feels wrong, and for every parent drowning in conflicting advice about what's "best" for their baby.
In this episode, we cover:
How Brittany started her business during COVID while juggling a newborn
Why feeding is a whole-body experience (not just about the mouth)
The real signs your baby might have tongue tie or tethered oral tissues
When a tongue tie release makes sense (and when it doesn't)
Why addressing nervous system tension BEFORE a release matters
The developmental impact of skipping milestones like crawling
How birth interventions affect babies' feeding and development
Why "normal" and "common" are NOT the same thing
The judgment Brittany faced from another provider about bottle feeding
How to know if you need a release, OT, chiropractic, or all three
Mom guilt, imposter syndrome, and feeling like a "failure" when your baby struggles
The bucket theory: managing stress and toxins without perfection
Screen time, SpaghettiOs, and finding your crunchy-ish balance
Key Takeaways:
✨ Trust your mom gut, always (if something feels off, seek help)
✨ A tongue tie release isn't a magic fix, it's one piece of a complex puzzle
✨ Feeding struggles are NOT your fault, even if you're a feeding expert
✨ Babies need their nervous systems regulated before bodywork interventions
✨ There's no "one right way" to parent, feed, or raise your kids
✨ It's never too late to intervene and support your baby's development
✨ If a provider makes you feel judged, RUN
Brittany breaks down when tongue tie releases are necessary, what pre and post-op care should look like, and why collaboration between providers (OT, chiropractor, lactation consultant) gives the best outcomes.
Mentioned in this episode:
Wayz to Play (Brittany's practice)
Daisy Co collective space in Orange County
Oral motor exercises for babies
Cranial facial development and palate fusion
The importance of crawling for neurological development
Why "pump and dump" is about supply, not detoxing milk
Hot Cheetos and SpaghettiOs (guilty pleasures, no shame)
If you've ever felt like you're failing as a parent because feeding is hard, or if you're navigating tongue tie decisions and feeling overwhelmed, this episode is for you.
CONNECT WITH BRITTANY: Wayz to Play Location: Daisy Co, Orange County, California Specialties: Pediatric OT, feeding therapy, tongue tie support, infant development
Website: https://www.wayztoplay.com/
IG: @wayztoplay

Gut Health 101: Why Your Digestion Controls Your Mood (ft. Kacie Hill, Acupuncturist & Functional Medicine Provider)

Ever feel like you're doing "all the things" for your health but still feel off? Bloated, anxious, exhausted, or just... not yourself? Your gut might be screaming for help.
In this episode, Dr. Danielle sits down with Kacie Hill, acupuncturist and functional medicine provider at Flora Fauna Wellness in Costa Mesa. Kacie gets real about gut health, what it actually means (hint: it's way more than just digestion), and how to start feeling better without overhauling your entire life.
This conversation is equal parts science and girlfriend therapy. We're talking about the gut-brain connection, why your breakfast matters more than you think, and how to enjoy life (yes, including drinks with friends) without completely wrecking your body.
In this episode, we cover:
Kacie's journey from wanting to be a dermatologist to becoming obsessed with gut health
The real connection between your gut and anxiety (hello, vagus nerve)
Why 70-80% of women have blood sugar issues they don't even know about
Subtle signs your gut is out of balance (beyond just bloating)
How leaky gut leads to autoimmune conditions and skin issues
The three foundational things every woman should do for gut health
Why eating breakfast matters MORE for women than men
The order you should eat your food (this will blow your mind)
Kacie's honest take on sourdough, carbs, and the 90s food pyramid
How to drink alcohol without destroying your gut or getting hangover anxiety
Why Kacie is obsessed with parasite cleanses (yes, really)
Key Takeaways:
✨ Your gut and brain are directly connected via the vagus nerve
✨ If you're stressed, you're not producing enough stomach acid to digest properly
✨ Blood sugar dysregulation is the hidden root of anxiety and hormonal issues
✨ Eating warm, savory breakfast with protein is the #1 game-changer
✨ Eat veggies first, protein second, carbs last to stabilize blood sugar
✨ You don't have to be perfect to feel good, just consistent with the basics
Kacie breaks down complex topics like functional medicine, leaky gut, and nervous system regulation in a way that actually makes sense. No fear-mongering, no perfectionism, just practical tools you can start using today.
Mentioned in this episode:
Whole30 and paleo eating
Insight Timer app for meditation
Cellcore biotoxin binders and parasite cleanses
Blood sugar stabilization strategies
The importance of B vitamins when drinking
Kabocha squash (the green pumpkin that tastes like sweet potato)
If you've been told "everything looks normal" but you still feel like garbage, this episode is for you.
CONNECT WITH KACIE HILL: Instagram: @kaciehillhealth Flora Fauna Wellness: @florafauna.wellness Location: Costa Mesa, California Virtual functional medicine appointments available nationwide

When Your Partner Isn't Crunchy: How We Bridge the Gap (ft. Kyle)

What happens when a chiropractor obsessed with the nervous system falls in love with a guy who eats Domino's three times a week? Spoiler: they get married, have kids, and figure it out along the way.
In this episode, Dr. Danielle brings her husband Kyle on the podcast to talk about their very different health journeys and how they've found balance as a family. If you've ever felt like you're the "crunchy one" in your relationship while your partner just doesn't get it, this conversation is for you.
In this episode, we cover:
How Kyle went from breakfast burritos and pizza to understanding the food-performance connection
Why removing gluten changed everything for Kyle's brain fog and focus
The "bucket theory" for managing stress and toxins in your family
How we approach nutrition with our kids without being restrictive
The real impact of chiropractic care on toddler behavior, sleep, and tantrums
Why our family rarely gets sick (and what we do when we do)
The crunchiest things Danielle has made Kyle try (mouth tape, anyone?)
Key Takeaways: 
✨ Health isn't about being perfect, it's about feeling the difference in your body 
✨ Your nervous system impacts everything from sleep to behavior to immune function 
✨ Kids don't need restriction, they need balance and healthy options most of the time 
✨ When you minimize stressors (food, toxins, stress), your body can handle occasional indulgences 
✨ Experience better, do better (not just know better, do better)
This is a real, honest conversation about raising kids with a holistic approach when you and your partner started in totally different places. No judgment, no perfection, just two people figuring out what works for their family.
Mentioned in this episode:
Whole30 and the "tiger's blood" effect
The bucket theory for stress and toxins
Chiropractic care for kids and nervous system regulation
Mouth taping for better sleep (and Kyle's thoughts on it)
Finding balance between crunchy and real life
If your partner isn't on the same page yet, share this episode. Sometimes hearing it from another guy who's been there makes all the difference.

TRAILER: Welcome to Casually Crunchy | Holistic Health for Real Moms

Welcome to Casually Crunchy: Where Holistic Health Meets Real Life
This is Casually Crunchy, the podcast for moms who want holistic health options without the perfection pressure or black-and-white thinking.
Hosted by Dr. Danielle from Verve Chiropractic, we're here to change the conversation around natural parenting, nervous system health, and family wellness. Because your body is resilient, your nervous system is everything, and healthy living doesn't have to be all or nothing.
In this trailer, you'll discover:
✨ What makes Casually Crunchy different from other wellness podcasts
✨ Why we believe your nervous system is the foundation of your family's health
✨ How we're building a judgment-free community for curious moms
✨ What kind of conversations and expert interviews to expect each week
Whether you're exploring chiropractic care for your baby, researching natural birth options, trying to regulate your nervous system while raising tiny humans, or just tired of wellness culture making you feel like you're doing it wrong, this podcast is for you.
Coming soon: Weekly episodes featuring:
Local holistic providers (midwives, doulas, chiropractors, sleep consultants & more)
Real stories about natural birth, postpartum, and modern motherhood
Nervous system education made simple
Mindset shifts for ambitious moms
Community over competition
This isn't about being perfectly crunchy. It's about being casually crunchy. Trusting your intuition, exploring your options, and making informed choices that feel right for YOUR family.
Ready to join the community? Hit subscribe and get ready for real conversations about raising resilient families.
📍 Based in Orange County (Orange, Costa Mesa, Long Beach) but relevant for moms everywhere
🎙️ New episodes drop weekly starting Tuesday, February 2nd
🤍 Brought to you by Verve Chiropractic