Tess Talks

Your baby’s health doesn’t start at birth. It starts before conception. Tess sits down with registered dietitian and bestselling author Lily Nichols — author of Real Food for Pregnancy, Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, and Real Food for Fertility — to unpack the science behind pregnancy nutrition and why so much of what we’ve been told might be outdated.

From gestational diabetes to seafood fears, liver, folate, nausea and “eating for two” — this conversation challenges conventional guidelines and gives women practical, evidence-based tools to nourish themselves and their future babies.
If you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, or simply want to understand how food shapes the next generation — this is essential listening.

In this episode we cover:
Why 90% of women experience nausea — and what might really be happening physiologically
The truth about eggs, runny yolks & food safety
Why you’re more likely to get food poisoning from fresh produce than eggs
The real risk–benefit conversation around “foods to avoid” in pregnancy
Vitamin A: deficiency vs excess
How much liver is actually safe to eat
The folate vs folic acid debate (especially if you have MTHFR)
Why seafood intake is linked to higher IQ and better neurodevelopment
Mercury, selenium & what fish are safest during pregnancy
Omega-3 vs omega-6 fats — and why seed oils are controversial
What gestational diabetes actually is
Why 1 in 5 women are now diagnosed
How Lily’s real food approach reduced insulin use by 50%
The intergenerational impact of blood sugar in pregnancy
Why preconception nutrition matters more than we think
The one simple habit that could improve your health immediately

If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who’s trying to conceive or currently pregnant.

Follow Lily Nicholes: @lilynicholsrdn

Buy Lily’s Books: Here

Lily’s Website: lilynicholsrdn.com

Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if healing doesn’t always start with talking? Tess sits down with sound healer and breathwork facilitator Jadyen McGrath to explore how frequency, breath and nervous system regulation can support mental health in a modern world that rarely slows down. Jadyen shares his personal experience with depression, how therapy supported him, and why discovering breathwork and sound became a turning point in his healing.
They explore how sound works physiologically in the body, why certain frequencies can ground or energise you, and what happens when the body finally feels safe enough to release stored stress.

In the episode:

• Jadyen’s experience with depression and finding healing through therapy, breathwork and sound
• How sound impacts the nervous system and vagus nerve
• Grounding vs activating frequencies (and when to use each)
• The difference between live sound, speakers and binaural beats
• Can music lyrics affect your psyche?
• Why silence feels uncomfortable in modern life
• Trauma release and emotional responses during sound healing
• What Jadyen learned from Indigenous cultures and traditional songlines
• Practical breath techniques you can use daily
• How to regulate your nervous system in just a few minutes

Follow Jayden: @jaydenmcgrath_

Follow Jaydens’ App: @next_step_collective

Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial

Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the reason you’re tired, foggy, anxious, or constantly getting sick… isn’t stress, hormones, or burnout — but your home?

Raphael from EcoLibria, specialises in testing homes and workplaces for mould, indoor air quality issues, EMFs (electromagnetic fields) and EMR (wireless radiation). This episode is practical, science-backed insight into what’s actually worth paying attention to… and what’s not.

Raphael has worked in this space for 20+ years and shares real case studies that will make you think differently about Wi-Fi routers, baby monitors, smart metres, hidden water leaks and even where you place your bed.

If you’re building, renovating, pregnant, raising kids, working from home, or just tired of feeling tired… this episode will open your eyes.

We cover:

The real difference between EMF (electricity-based fields) and EMR (wireless signals)
Whether living near powerlines or 5G towers is something to worry about
Why distance and duration matter more than panic
The simple swaps that can dramatically reduce EMF exposure in your home
Why your bedroom should be the “quietest” room in the house
The truth about baby monitors and sleeping near electrical metre boxes
Electrical hypersensitivity — and why some people react more than others
How EMF exposure may impact sleep, oxidative stress, melatonin and inflammation
Why mould is often hidden (and how moisture is always the root cause)
Symptoms of mould exposure: fatigue, hormonal disruption, depression, gut issues, skin flare-ups
Why one family member can be severely affected by mould while others feel fine
The connection between inflammation, environment and long-term health
Practical air quality upgrades: ventilation, HEPA filters, rangehoods and reducing VOCs
Whether air purifiers are actually necessary

Mentioned in this episode:

Find Raphael at EcoLibria: Here

Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial

Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tess Talks, Tess sits down with Annabel Karmel, one of the world’s most trusted voices in children’s nutrition and the author of over 50 books that have helped millions of families feed their kids with confidence.
Annabel shares the deeply personal story behind her career — from the devastating loss of her first daughter to building a global food and wellness brand rooted in helping parents feel calm, informed, and empowered at the table.
This is a real, honest conversation about feeding babies and toddlers without the pressure, guilt, or constant second-guessing.

In this episode:
Natasha’s story
Why feeding kids feels so hard — and why it’s not your fault
Baby-led weaning vs purées (and why doing both often works best)
Finger foods, gagging vs choking, and how to feed with confidence
When to start weaning — and why flexibility matters
Allergies, eczema, and why early exposure can be protective
The truth about fussy eaters (spoiler: it’s often genetic)
Why bland food isn’t the answer — and how flavour builds adventurous eaters
Iron, healthy fats, protein & what babies actually need from six months
Sensible snacking, lunchbox swaps & real-life food wins
How to take the pressure off mealtimes and stop power struggles
Parenting guilt, trusting your intuition, and letting go of perfection

This episode is for new parents, parents-to-be, and anyone who’s ever felt anxious, confused, or overwhelmed by feeding advice, especially in the age of social media.

Mentioned:

Annabel Karmel Books: here

Annabel Karmel App: here

GROW tableware range: here

Follow Annabel: @annabelkarmel

Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial

Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chinese New Year isn’t just a cultural moment, it’s an energetic reset. And this year? It moves fast.
In this powerful episode of Tess Talks, Tess is joined by accredited Feng Shui Master and Chinese astrologer Kelly McCloskey to break down what the Year of the Horse really means — and how to work with its energy instead of burning out or being left behind.
Horse energy is bold, fiery and high-momentum. It rewards confidence, leadership and action, but it also exposes chaos, impatience and misalignment. This episode is your guide to navigating the year with clarity, strategy and intention.

In this episode, we cover:
Why Chinese New Year is a more powerful energetic reset than January 1
What Horse energy represents — and why this year feels faster, louder and more intense
How to use Horse energy to your advantage in career, business and life
The biggest mistakes people make during high-momentum years (and how to avoid burnout)
Why your Chinese zodiac animal matters more than you think
A high-level breakdown of what each zodiac animal can expect this year
Simple feng shui shifts to support momentum, health and balance
How to stay grounded while still making bold moves

Follow @kellymccloskey_fengshui

Find Kelly at www.kellymccloskey.com

Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial

Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan

Follow me on YouTube: TessShanahan
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.