Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World

Have you ever wondered if the oils sitting in your pantry might actually be contributing to inflammation?
In this episode, I'm diving into one of the most overlooked pieces of the inflammation puzzle: the types of fats we're using every day. Many of the oils marketed as "healthy" may actually be disrupting omega balance, stressing the gut, and keeping inflammation quietly simmering in the background.
I'm breaking down:
• What makes certain seed oils inflammatory
• Why the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio matters so much
• Which fats I personally avoid
• The traditional, stable fats I use instead
• How to confidently read ingredient labels at the store
This conversation builds directly on the last two episodes where I shared our personal health journey through a cancer diagnosis and what chronic inflammation really looks like in the body. If you haven't listened to those yet, I encourage you to start there:
👉 Chronic Inflammation: Why It Happens & What to Do About It
https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/chronic-inflammation/
👉 When Your Health Forces You to Stop (and What to Do Next)
https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/when-your-health-forces-you-to-stop/
👉 Learn more about the Whole Health Reset here: https://melissaknorris.com/the-whole-health-reset/
👉 For more information and any links mentioned in today's episode, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/498
Thank you to Azure Standard for sponsoring this episode. I trust them for high-quality, minimally processed pantry staples and traditional fats that align with how I feed my family. You can explore their oils and bulk foods, plus get 15% off your first order of $100 or more with coupon code "Melissa15": https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard 
As always, this isn't about fear or perfection. It's about understanding your body, noticing patterns, and making simple changes that add up over time.

If you feel tired but wired, wake up exhausted even after a full night's sleep, or feel like your body isn't responding the way it used to, this episode is for you.
Chronic inflammation isn't just about inflammatory foods. It's a signal that your stress response, blood sugar, sleep rhythms, and metabolism are out of sync.
In today's episode of the Pioneering Today Podcast, I'm breaking down the hidden drivers of inflammation that many women, especially over 35, are experiencing but don't always recognize.
We'll talk about:
Why inflammation is a signal, not the root problem

How blood sugar swings and insulin resistance impact sleep and hormones

What waking between 2-4 a.m. can really mean

Why under-eating protein and over-training can make things worse

How stress, cortisol, sleep, and metabolism are all connected



This isn't about doing more, dieting harder, or following the latest wellness trend. It's about understanding how your body works as a whole and learning how to support it in a sustainable way.
Whether you're just starting your health journey or feel like you've tried everything, this episode will help you see the bigger picture and take your next step with clarity and confidence.
👉 Learn more about the Whole Health Reset here: https://melissaknorris.com/the-whole-health-reset/
👉 For more information and any links mentioned in today's episode, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/497

I'm so grateful to be back with you after stepping away from the podcast last fall. In this episode, I'm sharing honestly about why I needed to pause and what unfolded during that time.
Over the past several months, I was walking through my own physical limitations while my husband received an unexpected kidney cancer diagnosis. It was a season that forced us to slow down, reevaluate our pace of life, and take a hard look at how we were caring for our health.
In this episode, I talk about what this journey taught me about inflammation, stress, nutrition, and why true healing requires more than just changing what's on your plate. I also share how small, consistent changes can create real, lasting improvement, even in the middle of a full and busy life.
This episode marks the beginning of a new season of the podcast, with a renewed focus on stewardship, sustainable health, and building a life that supports both your homestead and your well-being. If you're in a hard season right now, I hope this conversation encourages you and reminds you that you're not alone.
For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/496

In this throwback episode, we revisit a conversation that is perfect for anyone looking around their home thinking, "Something has to change." I sat down with Tracy Lynn to talk about decluttering in a way that truly lasts — not just a weekend cleanup that slides back into chaos, but real systems that create peace and order for the long haul.
One of Tracy's insights that stuck with me is that clutter is loud. Even in a quiet home, visual clutter speaks to you all day long. It distracts you, drains your energy, and adds mental noise you may not even realize is there. And if you've ever decluttered only to have everything slowly creep back in, you know just how frustrating that cycle feels.
Tracy shares how to break that pattern by pairing decluttering with habit-building. Her month-by-month approach is simple but incredibly effective — each space is tackled in the season where it naturally fits. For example, she recommends organizing the office in March, when many of us are already sorting paperwork for tax season. It's about aligning your home rhythms with your real-life routines so decluttering feels doable, not overwhelming.
If you're longing for a home that feels calm, functional, and easy to maintain — or if your clutter has just been feeling a little "too loud" lately — this episode will give you the clarity and encouragement you need to make lasting change.
For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/495

In this powerful throwback episode, we revisit one of the most meaningful and eye-opening conversations I've had on the homestead. I sat down with Dr. Shannyn Pearce to talk about what's really going on underneath the struggles so many women face — thyroid issues, adrenal overload, hormone imbalance, and the subtle warning signs that often go unnoticed.
We dig into the everyday symptoms many of us tend to brush off: fatigue, unexplained weight gain, mood swings, inflammation, and food sensitivities. I share parts of my own journey, including how I got off thyroid medication, uncovered hidden food reactions, and learned to listen to my body in a deeper, more intentional way.
Dr. Shannyn also explains why individualized lab work matters, how "normal" ranges don't always reflect what's optimal for you, and how adrenal and hormonal shifts can quietly influence your well-being long before bigger issues surface.
Most importantly, this episode focuses on real, actionable steps — from managing stress and removing inflammatory foods to supporting the adrenals and giving your body the time and grace it needs to heal. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" yet still don't feel like yourself, this conversation will give you clarity, hope, and a practical path forward.
For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/494
✨ Sponsor:
This throwback episode is sponsored by Azure Standard. Their Azure Well line of high-quality supplements and herbs is a wonderful resource for supporting thyroid, adrenal, and overall hormonal health naturally. Save 15% off your first purchase of $100 or more with the code MELISSA15