What if fertility wasn’t just about reproduction — but a reflection of your entire body’s vitality?

In this episode, Kelly sits down with dietitian, researcher, and author Rachel Swanson, whose upcoming book Trying!: A Science-Backed Plan to Optimize Your Fertility is redefining how women think about reproductive health.

Rachel shares her groundbreaking “Fertility 2.0” framework — a whole-body approach that connects gut, oral, and vaginal health, metabolic balance, and even sleep to hormone harmony and long-term vitality. From how your partner’s microbiome might affect conception (yes, even kissing!) to the most common disruptors quietly impacting your hormones every day, this conversation offers science-backed insights and simple, empowering shifts every woman should know.

Whether you’re trying to conceive or simply trying to feel your best, this episode reframes fertility as a vital sign of overall health — one that reveals how well your body, energy, and emotions are truly aligned.

(Rachel’s book, Trying!, releases January 6, 2026.)

RachelSwanson.com

Instagram: @rachelsrx 

Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube!

Email us: theedge@velvetsedge.com

TikTok: @velvetsedge

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast

HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com

What if fertility wasn&rsquo;t just about reproduction &mdash; but a reflection of your entire body&rsquo;s vitality?
In this episode, Kelly sits down with dietitian, researcher, and author Rachel Swanson, whose upcoming book Trying!: A Science-Backed Plan to Optimize Your Fertility is redefining how women think about reproductive health.
Rachel shares her groundbreaking &ldquo;Fertility 2.0&rdquo; framework &mdash; a whole-body approach that connects gut, oral, and vaginal health, metabolic balance, and even sleep to hormone harmony and long-term vitality. From how your partner&rsquo;s microbiome might affect conception (yes, even kissing!) to the most common disruptors quietly impacting your hormones every day, this conversation offers science-backed insights and simple, empowering shifts every woman should know.
Whether you&rsquo;re trying to conceive or simply trying to feel your best, this episode reframes fertility as a vital sign of overall health &mdash; one that reveals how well your body, energy, and emotions are truly aligned.
(Rachel&rsquo;s book, Trying!, releases January 6, 2026.)
<a href="https://www.rachelswanson.com">RachelSwanson.com</a>
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachelsrx/">@rachelsrx</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://m.youtube.com/velvetsedge">Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube!</a>
Email us:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:theedge@velvetsedge.com">theedge@velvetsedge.com</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@velvetsedge">@velvetsedge</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedgepodcast/">@VelvetsEdgePodcast</a>
HOST: Kelly Henderson // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/">@velvetsedge</a> // velvetsedge.com

The Velvet's Edge Podcast is an invitation to explore the beautiful, messy truth that real growth is an inside job. Hosted by Kelly Henderson—a celebrity stylist and men's groomer who has learned firsthand that "looking good" on the outside only gets you so far—this podcast is a space for the conversations you don't always hear out loud.

Life has a way of knocking us flat, and Kelly believes there is purpose in that pain. She uses her own journey of plot twists to show that true beauty is found by going inward. On some days, you'll hear deep dives with therapists, healers, and other people who have turned their pain into something beautiful. On other days, Kelly and Chip Dorsch laugh their way through the weird, messy "WTF is this life?" moments, because growth is easier when you and your bestie can laugh through it together.

This podcast is for you if you've ever felt empty despite doing everything you were "supposed to" do. It's for you if you're stuck in a toxic relationship cycle and don't know how to get out. It's for you if you're in the middle of a total life plot twist and have no idea where to start. You aren't broken beyond repair. You are simply a human on a soul's journey, and even though we each have our own path, it's a lot easier when we have a little help from our friends.

The Velvet's Edge Podcast&nbsp;is an invitation to explore the beautiful, messy truth that real growth is an inside job. Hosted by&nbsp;Kelly Henderson&mdash;a celebrity stylist and men's groomer who has learned firsthand that "looking good" on the outside only gets you so far&mdash;this podcast is a space for the conversations you don't always hear out loud.
Life has a way of knocking us flat, and Kelly believes there is purpose in that pain. She uses her own journey of plot twists to show that true beauty is found by going inward. On some days, you'll hear deep dives with therapists, healers, and other people who have turned their pain into something beautiful. On other days, Kelly and Chip Dorsch&nbsp;laugh their way through the weird, messy "WTF is this life?" moments, because growth is easier when you and your bestie can laugh through it together.
This podcast is for you if you've ever felt empty despite doing everything you were "supposed to" do. It's for you if you're stuck in a toxic relationship cycle and don't know how to get out. It's for you if you're in the middle of a total life plot twist and have no idea where to start. You aren't broken beyond repair. You are simply a human on a soul's journey, and even though we each have our own path, it's a lot easier when we have a little help from our friends.

Velvet's Edge with Kelly Henderson

Fertility Is a Vital Sign: How to Optimize Hormones, Energy, and Longevity with Rachel Swanson (The Velvet)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0d21d433-d6ca-42f3-9ce0-b393008b78b2/transcript