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

Follow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

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.

Gut health is everywhere — IBS, inflammation, leaky gut, food fear — yet so many of us still feel confused, bloated, exhausted, and unsure where to even begin.

In this episode, Tess sits down with board-certified gastroenterologist and bestselling author Dr Will Bulsiewicz for the release of his new book Plant-Powered Plus. Together, they unpack why inflammation has become one of the biggest health issues of our time — and why the solution might be far simpler (and more hopeful) than we’ve been led to believe.

Will explains why the gut microbiome is the command centre for human health, how 70% of the immune system lives in the gut, and what’s actually happening when people say they feel “inflamed.” They dive into IBS, leaky gut (aka increased intestinal permeability), histamine intolerance, chronic fatigue, bloating, hormonal symptoms, and why so many women feel dismissed when their tests come back “normal.”

This conversation cuts through wellness noise and extremes — from restrictive diets to supplement overload — and brings things back to basics: food quality over food rules, consistency over perfection, and simple daily habits that genuinely support healing.

In the episode:

• Why inflammation is so widespread in modern life
• The real science behind leaky gut and IBS
• How ultra-processed foods quietly disrupt the microbiome
• Why fiber helps some people — and hurts others (and how to approach it safely)
• The four pillars of a gut-healing diet
• Why fermented foods aren’t for everyone
• The surprising gut benefits of coffee ☕
• How morning light, routine, and circadian rhythm affect digestion and energy
• Why healing doesn’t have to be complicated — and can begin quickly

This episode is empowering, practical, and deeply reassuring — especially if you’ve ever felt stuck in a loop of symptoms, restriction, or overwhelm.

Healing is possible. And it often starts in the gut.

Find more here:

Purchase ‘Plant Powered Plus’ Here

Follow Dr Will Bulsiewicz: @theguthealthmd

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.