Are you feeling overwhelmed by screen time? Ever wondered about the impact of chronic screen use on your mental and physical health? In episode 50 of Counterculture Health, hosts Jen McWaters and Kaitlin Reed chat with Abby Payne, a registered nurse turned screen time and nervous system coach, who shares her journey from nursing to becoming a digital detox advocate. Discover Abby's countercultural approach to combating tech overwhelm through neuroscience, trauma-informed education, and spiritual practices.

We dive deep into the addictive nature of social media and the importance of preventative care in a reactive healthcare system. Abby shares practical strategies to reduce screen time, including tech tools like ScreenZen and minimalist phone setups. Learn how to model healthy screen habits for children and explore the growing recognition of screen addiction. Tune in for practical tips and insights to reclaim your time and mental space. Visit Abby’s Substack, Moss on the Rocks, for more on living slowly and engaging with nature. Don’t miss this enlightening discussion!

Abby Payne's Bio:

Abby is a Registered Nurse turned Screen Time & Nervous System Coach. After growing disillusioned with Western medicine’s focus on disease rather than true health, she became passionate about addressing one of today’s most overlooked risks to wellbeing: chronic screen use.

Blending neuroscience, trauma-informed education, and spiritual practices, Abby guides people back to presence, peace, and purpose through her Digital Detox program. She teaches a no-willpower approach to setting tech boundaries and shares stress-regulation tools to support nervous system health in our constantly connected world.

Abby’s work is all about helping people break free from tech overwhelm and build lasting habits for better mental and emotional health.

Special Offer From Abby:

Free Stop the Scroll Masterclass: https://www.nurseabbyllc.com/masterclass

Learn about the Digital Detox Program and book a consultation: https://www.nurseabbyllc.com/digital-detox

Connect with Abby:

Website: https://www.nurseabbyllc.com

Substack: https://mossontherocks.substack.com/

Connect with us for more insights: Follow Jen at @awaken.holistic.health and check out awakeningholistichealth.com to learn about her 12 week Awaken Transformation virtual coaching program and to request a free Clarity Call. Kaitlin is your go-to for demystifying strength training at @KaitlinReedWellness and www.KaitlinReedWellness.com.

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Can you overcome a binge eating disorder while juggling the demands of being a student-athlete? What role does mindfulness play in breaking free from disordered eating patterns? Join us on the latest episode of Counterculture Health as Dr. Jen McWaters and Coach Kaitlin Reed dive into these questions with our inspiring guest, who will remain anonymous for privacy.

Our guest is a former Division I athlete and mother of three, opens up about her journey from a chaotic relationship with food to finding balance and freedom. Raised in the health-conscious hub of Boulder, Colorado, her early fixation on "bad" foods spiraled into a binge eating disorder. But a pivotal conversation with her husband set her on a transformative path with Coach Kaitlin.

Discover how mindfulness, conscious decisions, and addressing emotional roots can pave the way to recovery. Her story is a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with eating disorders. Tune in for an episode filled with candid insights and practical advice!

Connect with us for more insights: Follow Jen at @awaken.holistic.health and check out awakeningholistichealth.com to learn about her 12 week Awaken Transformation virtual coaching program and to request a free Clarity Call. Kaitlin is your go-to for demystifying strength training at @KaitlinReedWellness and www.KaitlinReedWellness.com.

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Are you a working mom struggling with the transition back to work after maternity leave? Ever feel guilty leaving your child, even with a partner? Join us on Episode of the Counterculture Health podcast as hosts Jen McWaters and Kaitlin Reed dive into these heartfelt topics. Kaitlin opens up about her unexpected reluctance to return to work, sharing her personal journey and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. Jen recounts her own experience of balancing work and motherhood, emphasizing the importance of extended maternity leave and the European model's six-month standard.

We explore societal pressures, the internal struggle of relinquishing control, and the guilt associated with sharing parenting duties. Plus, discover how sleep deprivation impacts mental health and why self-compassion is crucial. Jen and Kaitlin share practical tips on setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and maintaining realistic expectations in the age of social media. Tune in for a supportive and empathetic discussion that offers encouragement and practical advice for navigating the complexities of being a working mom.

Connect with us for more insights: Follow Jen at @awaken.holistic.health and check out awakeningholistichealth.com to learn about her 12 week Awaken Transformation virtual coaching program and to request a free Clarity Call. Kaitlin is your go-to for demystifying strength training at @KaitlinReedWellness and www.KaitlinReedWellness.com.

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Are you ready to redefine consistency in your health journey? In Episode 47 of Counterculture Health, Dr. Jen McWaters and Coach Kaitlin Reed tackle the myth that consistency equals perfection. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t! Discover why aiming for 80% consistency over a month can be your golden ticket to sustainable progress in nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle changes. Kaitlin shares her insights on how to avoid burnout and frustration by setting realistic goals and using practical tools like Cronometer and Trainerize. Plus, learn how a simple consistency calendar can be your new best friend in tracking your progress. We also dive into overcoming barriers like all-or-nothing thinking and the importance of support systems. Tune in to evaluate your own consistency levels and make adjustments for long-term success. Join us on this journey to make consistency work for you, not against you!

Connect with us for more insights: Follow Jen at @awaken.holistic.health and check out awakeningholistichealth.com to learn about her 12 week Awaken Transformation virtual coaching program and to request a free Clarity Call. Kaitlin is your go-to for demystifying strength training at @KaitlinReedWellness and www.KaitlinReedWellness.com.

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How do you find joy in the face of uncertainty? In Episode 46 of Counterculture Health, Dr. Jen McWaters and Kaitlin Reed sit down with the inspiring Dr. Amy Balete, a clinical psychologist and life coach, who shares her unique approach to navigating the emotional complexities of infertility. Dr. Amy, founder of the Brave Hearts Community, opens up about her personal journey through secondary infertility, revealing the resilience she found amidst multiple miscarriages and professional burnout.

Together, we explore the psychological impact of waiting, the importance of surrendering control, and how to maintain balance and pursue life goals during treatment. Dr. Amy also shares her insights on processing anger and fear, advocating for a mindset of surrender and openness. Tune in for practical advice, heartfelt stories, and a free resource to support you through seasons of waiting. Prepare to be uplifted and empowered as we delve into this compassionate conversation.

Amy Balete's Bio:

Dr. Amy Balete, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist, life coach, and the founder of The Brave Hearts Community, where she helps women move from overwhelm, grief, and uncertainty into peace, joy, and purpose. With over 15 years of experience as a therapist, Dr. Amy integrates clinical expertise with faith-based wisdom to guide high-achieving women who are navigating infertility, delayed motherhood, emotional burnout, and questions of identity.

Her mission is simple yet profound: to restore joy and reconnect women with God’s presence and design for their lives—whether or not their story includes children. Diagnosed with secondary infertility after her first child, Dr. Amy went on to welcome three more babies, giving her a unique perspective that bridges both professional insight and lived experience. She knows firsthand the midnight tears, the ache of waiting, and the power of finding hope again.

Through her one-on-one coaching, group programs, and online community, Dr. Amy has supported hundreds of women in releasing self-doubt, processing grief without being consumed by it, and cultivating resilience in the face of uncertainty. Her work dismantles harmful cultural narratives about performance, timing, and worth, replacing them with Heaven’s truth and a renewed sense of identity.

Dr. Amy speaks with the heart of a mother, the wisdom of a therapist, and the boldness of a truth-teller, helping women embrace joy not as a fleeting feeling, but as a mantle for every season of life.

Special Offer from Amy:

Free PDF When Waiting Feels Like Breaking: 5 Soul Practices for When Hope Feels Heavy

https://braveheartsfertilehopes.com/5soulpractices-registration580722

Free 30-minute Consultations

https://dramybalete.as.me/HopeRenewal

Connect with Amy:

Instagram: @dramybalete

Connect with us for more insights: Follow Jen at @awaken.holistic.health and check out awakeningholistichealth.com to learn about her 12 week Awaken Transformation virtual coaching program and to request a free Clarity Call. Kaitlin is your go-to for demystifying strength training at @KaitlinReedWellness and www.KaitlinReedWellness.com.

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Is your understanding of weight loss based on fact or fiction? In this episode of Counterculture Health, Dr. Jen McWaters and Coach Kaitlin Reed are here to set the record straight on energy balance and weight loss. We dive deep into the science of calories in versus calories out and how it aligns with the law of thermodynamics. Are marketing myths and misinformation clouding your weight loss journey? Kaitlin unravels these misconceptions and emphasizes the importance of lifestyle choices and behaviors.

Join us as we explore why maintaining a calorie deficit is crucial, the significance of nutrient-dense foods, and the potential pitfalls of oversimplifying "calories in, calories out." We also share practical tips on accurate calorie tracking and discuss the psychological aspects of eating. Whether you're looking to lose weight sustainably or understand the science better, this episode is packed with insights to guide you on your journey to holistic health.

Connect with us for more insights: Follow Jen at @awaken.holistic.health and check out awakeningholistichealth.com to learn about her 12 week Awaken Transformation virtual coaching program and to request a free Clarity Call. Kaitlin is your go-to for demystifying strength training at @KaitlinReedWellness and www.KaitlinReedWellness.com.

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Ever felt trapped in a job or relationship, wondering if it's time to walk away but fearing the label of a "quitter"? Join us on the latest episode of Counterculture Health, where Dr. Jen McWaters and Coach Kaitlin Reed challenge the stigma around quitting, inspired by Annie Duke's book, "Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away".

We dive deep into the art of quitting strategically—when quitting isn't about giving up but rather making a savvy choice. Discover why "winners quit fast, quit often, and quit without guilt," and how the sunk cost fallacy might be holding you back.

We'll explore "kill criteria" and how setting these indicators can guide you to quit before you're emotionally stuck. Are you ready to create space for something better and align your life with your true values? Tune in for eye-opening insights and practical advice to embrace quitting as a powerful tool for transformation.

Connect with us for more insights: Follow Jen at @awaken.holistic.health and check out awakeningholistichealth.com to learn about her 12 week Awaken Transformation virtual coaching program and to request a free Clarity Call. Kaitlin is your go-to for demystifying strength training at @KaitlinReedWellness and www.KaitlinReedWellness.com.

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What does it truly mean to nurture your soul? How can you balance the busyness of life with personal well-being? In the final episode of our first season on Counterculture Health, I, Dr. Jen McWaters, take you on a solo journey as Kaitlin Reed enjoys a well-deserved break. We’re diving deep into the art of soul care, reflecting on the intricate dance between the soul and spirit through the lens of my Christian faith.

Join me as we explore how overworking, excessive screen time, and unresolved emotional baggage can deplete the soul, and discover the rejuvenating power of rest, nature, and spiritual practices. I’ll share practical tips to cultivate an abundance mindset and align your actions with your values. As we gear up for a summer sabbatical, let’s prepare to return in September with renewed energy and insights. Tune in and start nurturing your soul today!

Connect with us for more insights: Follow Jen at @awaken.holistic.health and check out awakeningholistichealth.com to learn about her 12 week Awaken Transformation virtual coaching program and to request a free Clarity Call. Kaitlin is your go-to for demystifying strength training at @KaitlinReedWellness and www.KaitlinReedWellness.com.

Hey! Do you like our content? Please spread the word! You can rate us, share our content, and subscribe.