Next Level NP

Episode 34: Fired By Her Doctor

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:37:31 GMT

In this episode of The Next Level Podcast, Marcia Jones, NP, sits down with Marla Ballard to to discuss being dismissed by healthcare providers, hormone imbalance, thyroid challenges, learning to trust your body, and discovering a more holistic path to healing.

Together, they discuss the importance of listening to your body, asking deeper questions, and embracing a more holistic approach to health and healing. Marla shares how her experiences led her beyond conventional medicine and into a lifelong passion for helping others reconnect with their own inner wisdom and vitality.

In This Episode

Why so many women feel dismissed in today's healthcare system
The connection between hormones, stress, trauma, and overall wellness
Learning to trust your body and advocate for your health
Looking beyond symptoms to discover root causes
Encouragement for women seeking answers and providers committed to changing women's healthcare

Connect with Our Guest – Marla Ballard

Marla Ballard is the CEO of YU2SHINE and an intuitive healing practitioner with more than 30 years of experience in leadership, coaching, EFT, and transformational healing.

Follow Marla:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marla.ballard.9
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marla.ballard/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlafballard/

Connect with Marcia Jones, NP

🌐 MarciaJonesNP.com
🌐 NextLevelNP.net
📧 marcia@marciajonesnp.com

Follow Me on Social Media

Facebook (Women's Health)
https://www.facebook.com/MarciaJonesNP

Facebook (Next Level NP)
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Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/marciajonesnp

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciajonesnp

Interested in Working Together?

For Women:
If you're looking for answers to hormone concerns, fatigue, thyroid issues, gut health, weight struggles, or simply aren't feeling like yourself, I'd love to help you discover a personalized path to healing through a functional medicine approach.

For Nurse Practitioners & Healthcare Providers:
If you're passionate about transforming women's healthcare, growing your confidence in functional medicine, or building a thriving women's health practice, learn more about Next Level NP and our education, mentorship, and membership opportunities.

Interested in Being a Guest?

Whether you have a story to share, an area of expertise, or would like to be considered as a future guest, leave a comment or reach out directly.

📧 marcia@marciajonesnp.com

Transforming Women's Healthcare

Marcia Jones, NP — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:29:03 GMT

Welcome to The Next Level Podcast, where we bridge the gap between traditional healthcare and a root-cause, whole-person approach to women's health.

In this episode, I share my journey from traditional medicine to functional medicine, why I believe women's stories matter, and the vision behind this podcast. We explore why symptoms are rarely isolated, the changing landscape of women's healthcare, and why both women and providers deserve better conversations, better education, and better options.

Whether you're searching for answers about your own health or you're a healthcare provider wanting to better serve your patients, I'm so glad you're here.

In This Episode

Traditional medicine and functional medicine: working together
Navigating health information and misinformation
The future of women's healthcare
What to expect from future episodes
Why providers have an incredible opportunity to transform women's healthcare

Ready to Take the Next Step?

For Women

If you're tired of being told your labs are "normal" while you still don't feel like yourself, I'd love to help. Learn more about personalized functional medicine consultations at MarciaJonesNP.com.

For Nurse Practitioners

If you're ready to grow your confidence in women's health, integrate functional medicine into your practice, or build a thriving business you love, visit NextLevelNP.net to learn about mentorship, consulting, and the Next Level NP Membership.

Coming Fall 2026: The Next Level NP Women's Health Retreat—an intimate, immersive experience designed for Nurse Practitioners who are ready to elevate their clinical skills, expand their practice, and connect with like-minded providers.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes women's healthcare can be better.

Connect with Me
🌐 MarciaJonesNP.com
🌐 NextLevelNP.net
📧 marcia@marciajonesnp.com

Interested in Being a Guest?

One of the most meaningful parts of The Next Level Podcast is hearing real stories and real conversations.

If you're a woman whose healthcare journey could encourage or inspire others, or you're a healthcare providerpassionate about changing the future of women's health, I'd love to hear from you.

Whether you have a story to share, an area of expertise, or you'd like to be considered as a future guest, leave a comment or reach out directly.

📧 marcia@marciajonesnp.com

Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

Follow Me on Social Media

Facebook (Women's Health):
Marcia Jones NP

Facebook (Next Level NP):
Next Level NP

Instagram:
@MarciaJonesNP

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Marcia Jones, NP

Episode #26: Don’t Be “That Provider”

Marcia Jones, NP — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:27:50 GMT

It can be overwhelming when a patient has multiple concerns that may seem all over the place. Don't just assume that the symptoms are depression or anxiety. Take the time to listen. Most often it is a hormone imbalance. Hormone management isn't just for gynecologists and psychologists.

https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/NextLevelNP

marciajonesnp.com

The Hormone Connection Page: https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/thehormoneconnection

Make sure to subscribe to this podcast!

#20 Adipose: The Newest Endocrine Organ!

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 11:00:10 GMT

This episode I hope to blow your mind! We have a new endocrine organ. That organ is adipose. Adipose actually secretes hormones and functions. It’s not just a storage unit. I am going to tell you all about the hormones and functions of adipose. And of course the impact adipose has on the body.

Episode #23 5 Reasons To Manage Obesity in Your Practice

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 12:00:50 GMT

Obesity is on the rise at alarming rates. The implications of this are endless. You know that your patients need to be encouraged to maintain a healthy weight, but do you know how to guide them? This episode is going to give you the 5 reasons you MUST learn to manage obesity in your practice.

Episode #24 Blessings of a Nurse Practitioner

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. So many blessings can be found in every encounter and every patient experience. Just getting to practice as a Nurse Practitioner is a blessing to be thankful for. Take time to reflect on your path and be grateful for how you’ve gotten to where you are.

#12 What’s the Big Deal about Vitamin B12?

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 11:00:00 GMT

All about Vitamin B-12. Find out WHY it is so important. How a deficiency occurs and what you can do to manage it. Enjoy! You may hear a little something that helps you with your patient practice.

#2- What it "Means" to Be a Nurse Practitioner

Marcia Jones, NP — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 22:41:53 GMT

On today's episode I’ll be sharing my thoughts on what it MEANS to be a Nurse Practitioner. We are going to cover a little history of the evolution of the profession, what our role as a nurse practitioner involves, the power this degree holds and SOOOO much more! There are currently over 270,000 NPs in the US now. There are countless studies that show patient outcomes are at least equal to or surpass those of other patients managed by other professions. Whether you are brand new, building your skills and confidence, or a seasoned provider looking to stay sharp in on an ever changing patient population, you will find real world information to use in everyday practice. Health Interventions for your practice focuses on a solid evaluation, lifestyle management, and patient involvement.

#3-How to Master the Initial Visit!

Marcia Jones, NP — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Welcome back to another episode of Health Interventions for your practice with me, Marcia Kesner, NP. We have talked so far about me, how I’ve gotten to where I am and what it means to be a nurse practitioner. Now I would like to dive a little deeper into the actual clinical practice as a nurse practitioner and some challenges that may be encountered along the way. Let's talk about that initial patient visit. In this episode we will cover: ■ How to prepare for a patient visit ■ Building a provider-patient relationship ■ Boosting your clinical confidence ■ ...and so much more! Whether you are brand new, building your skills and confidence, or a seasoned provider looking to stay sharp in on an ever changing patient population, you will find real world information to use in everyday practice. Health Interventions for your practice focuses on a solid evaluation, lifestyle management, and patient involvement.

#11 The Plant Based "Prescription"

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Let food be thy medicine?

One of the ways that you can reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, treat diabetes and hyperlipidemia without medications is by adopting a plant-based diet. It is actually becoming more main stream to adopt a plant-based diet. Which makes it easier to have this conversation with patients.

I’m going to start with the benefits of a plant-based diet, how to do this healthfully, some of the things to be aware of in a plant-based diet and how to start the conversation with your

#6 The Thyroid Nutrition Connection

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 11:00:00 GMT

In this episode I will cover:

■ Chronic Fatigue and Weight Gain: When Thyroid Gets the Blame

■ Thyroid Assessment

■ The Nutrition Connection to Thyroid Function

This episode I want to continue down our path of nutritional influence on health. We have started to get into the nutritional influences and deficits of our current patient population in previous episodes. As we continue, I want to focus in on a topic that you may not commonly connect to dietary influences. The thyroid. I have some insights into the connection between food intake and thyroid function that may surprise you! So listen in!

#16 Protecting Your Personal Life

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:00:07 GMT

When you are working in the medical profession there is a lot of demand on you. You are seeing patients, charting, managing authorizations and if a business owner, the business. There is a lot of stress and time involved in that. The time and stress can start to creep in and take over your personal life. In this episode, we are going to take a look at how that happens, how it looks from your family’s point of view and ways to protect your personal life from being consumed by your work life.

#19 Metabolic Syndrome

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 11:00:40 GMT

Metabolic Syndrome is the focus of this episode. It’s a catchy term used to show that a patient is at a greater risk for having a heart attack or stroke because they have at least 3 concurrent diagnoses associated with heart attack and stroke. I am going to review all of the 5 diagnoses you have to select from and then give you more of a connectivity among them. A common causality is also in play and I believe the core to treating Metabolic Syndrome.

Episode #25: Next Level NP: Let’s Catch Up

Marcia Jones, NP — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:41:37 GMT

Health Interventions for your practice is now Next Level NP. It has been three years since we last met, but I am back. Marcia Kesner is now a Marcia Jones and we have a lot to catch up on. You can now find me at marciajonesnp.com which is my website focused towards balancing hormones for women and preventing hormone related cancers, using a Functional Medicine approach.This is also where you will find access to NextLevelNP resources.

# 7 The Patient Connection

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 11:00:00 GMT

○ This episode I’ll cover ■ The Patient - Provider Relationship ■ How to establish that connection ■ And how that connection benefits both you and patient. I know that we are living in a modern techie world with EMRs, electronic devices and apps to track it all, but what about the human experience? The provider patient connection? What about those subtleties that you pick up on in human interaction, communication and observation that are not included in all of these tracking devices? In this podcast we will discuss therapeutic connections with your patients. How to establish that therapeutic connection. How that will benefit you as the practitioner. And how that will benefit the patient.

#10 Assessing Tremor

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:00:00 GMT

This episode we will: -Take a look into the neurologic system -Review useful information for the evaluation of tremor -Walk through differentiating the diagnosis of tremor -And you know so much more! The field of neurology can sometimes be intimidating. Tremor has so many possible etiologies that you may be nervous about going through the differential diagnosis process. . With just a little guidance in the right direction, you will be more confident in your understanding, diagnosis, interview skills and plan of action.

#1- Meet Your Host! Marcia Kesner, NP

Marcia Jones, NP — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT

This is the inaugural episode of health interventions for your practice. This episode will allow you to “meet” your host Marcia Kesner, NP. Marcia will share a little bit about her background and path to starting this podcast for other nurse practitioners who want to grow and develop their skills and build camaraderie within their profession. Marcia has a particular interest in health and wellness, weight management and functional medicine. Over the course of this podcast and future podcasts, Marcia will share many of the tips and tricks she has learned along the way to help her open two successful practices and develop online courses to take other Nurse Practitioners to the next level in their practice. Listen in to see how it all got started along with a little bit of what’s to come.

#9 The Pre Assessment Assessment

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 11:00:55 GMT

In this episode we discuss: The Observation phase of your assessment. What you can assess during the interview portion of visit. How you can use this portion of the assessment to guide you in patient care.

The Observation phase of your assessment begins the minute you open the door to the exam room. This episode I will give you tips on what you can assess during the interview portion of visit and how you can use this portion of the assessment to guide you in patient evaluation.

#15 Preventing Provider Burnout

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:00:00 GMT

The medical profession is a very stressful profession. You literally take the lives of others into your own hands. Provider burn out is something that creeps up on you and can interfere not only with your own health, but the health of your patients. We are going to take a look at how this happens, how to identify it’s happening to you and what to do about it.

#18 Fatty Liver

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 11:00:36 GMT

This episode is all about the fatty liver. This is commonly found on ultrasound or CT of the abdomen when you aren’t even looking for it. But once you have found it, you can’t ignore it. We are going to take a look at what is means, how it happens and why you should take action.

#14 Obesity and the Immune System

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 10:52:41 GMT

A poorly functioning immune system can increase our risks for infections and make it harder to recover from the illnesses. COVID has shown us that viral illnesses are more likely to be fatal in persons with a poor immune system. Our immune system also plays a role in cancer and disorders like Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. This episode we are going to take a look at how the rising rate of obesity correlates with a weakening immune system.

#4- Today’s Patient

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 11:07:15 GMT

Let’s talk about is our current patient population. The patient that you see in your office today, no matter what they seem at face value are very complex and have multiple underlying conditions lurking. This is a product of the world in which we live. Today’s society is one of increased stress, Processed foods, on the go living, lack of exercise and increased screen time. and that is just the tip of the iceberg for contributing factors to the ever-changing and declining health of our US population.

Episode #22 Should You Open Your Own Practice?

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 12:00:57 GMT

For all of you entrepreneurial NPs out there that have ever considered your own practice this episode is for you. We are diving into the 10 steps you need to follow to launch your business. Your successful weight management business!

#8 How to Maximize That 15 Minute Visit

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 11:00:20 GMT

In this episode we’ll cover getting the most out of the the typical 15 minute office visit. How to organize yourself for the visit. How to guide the visit. How to get in and get out with all you need.

You might be thinking, “oh my goodness there is so much to take in and how am I ever supposed to fit all of this into a visit! If I get 15 minutes for my patient. How do I ask them everything that needs to be asked in 15 minutes?” It is possible! In this episode, we will cover tips on just that. Get in and get out, get all you need, have a plan to chart it all and keep your patient happy!

#17 Managing the Unsatisfied Patient

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 11:00:52 GMT

With every patient encounter you do your absolute best to give the most appropriate care. You listen to the patient, you review the labs, you develop a plan of care together. Of course, you have educated them on the need to make implement certain things to reach desired outcomes. The visit ends and everyone is happy and in agreement, or so you thought. What happens when they come back angry? Or you hear they were less than satisfied with you or the care you gave? That’s what this episode is all about!

#5 Insights into Food and Health

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 11:00:00 GMT

This episode I will be sharing:

■ Factors involved in our current focus on food in our society

■ Insights into some hidden factors contributing to poor nutrition

■ Our role as NPs in managing the current nutrition crisis

■ ...and so much more!

It is an extremely daunting task to care for today’s patient. We we live in a society that is getting their information from social media and mass marketing. We are fighting every step of the way to get people to control their co-morbidities. People are going to the Internet to find health tips. We go through a different fad every few years. The people who are giving out information, most often are looking for their own monetary gain or are not educated in managing a person with complicated health conditions. This can be dangerous! Re-educating our patient population, as well as ourselves is going to be the new way of life.

I have spoken to so many other NPs that don’t know how to teach patients about nutrition or even how to mange their own nutrition. BUT WE ARE EXPECTED TO KNOW it all! Society and patients look to us as medical professionals to guide them into the right direction. So listen in for insights addressing this issue!

Episode #27: The Truth About Cancer

Marcia Jones, NP — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 17:17:20 GMT

This episode dives deep into the truth about cancer, shedding light on cancer, treatment options, and prevention strategies. In this episode, the focus is on hormone-related cancers, which is escalating out of control. Hormone related cancers are the number one type of cancer. There is no cure for cancer.

We as NPs are positioned to make a difference and play a pivotal role in cancer care.

There is a lot we don't know about cancer, but there is a lot that we DO know. It is important to be aware of the risk factors and guide our patients through the cancer journey.

Together, we can create a future where knowledge conquers fear and saves lives. Tune in to "The Truth About Cancer" and embrace the power to make a difference in the fight against hormone-related cancers.

Go to https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/NextLevelNP to sign up to receive show notes and free downloads!

Get the Female Hormone Panel Guide here. https://marciajonesnp.com/femalehormonepanel

If you would like to take your Practice to the Next Level with coaching and consulting https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/nextlevelnpconsulting

Episode 32: Pregnenolone for The Win

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 19:55:06 GMT

Pregnenolone is a precursor to hormones necessary for a variety of functions in the human body. Based on the body’s demands, pregnenolone can be converted into many hormones including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone, estrogens, testosterone, cortisol, and aldosterone. Balancing hormones without actually using hormone replacement therapy IS possible. There is a lot that can be done with food, lifestyle changes, detoxification and supplementation before going with hormone replacement. The system of hormones can get pretty complicated. One hormone can increase, decrease or block the production of another hormone. For example, stress hormones can decrease the sex hormones testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. When you are in need of an overall repair of hormone imbalance and want to start by balancing your body one of my favorite recommendations is pregnenolone. Thinking about hormone replacement may cause a little anxiety. I get it! When you think about genetics, cancer risk and read conflicting opinions on social media and even from medical providers you may be hesitant to dive into hormone replacement therapy. If you haven't already, be sure to join the Next Level NP Community! The is where NPs connect and I will offer Live Masterclasses! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nphealthinterventions Learn to manage hormones in your practice. Get the guide to hormone levels here. https://marciajonesnp.com/femalehormonepanel Subscribe to the Next Level NP Email list to get all the information you need to take you practice next level. https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/NextLevelNP https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/links

#13 Vitamin D for Obesity Management?

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 11:00:25 GMT

Vitamin D plays a role in so many of the body’s functions. From the immune system, to bone building, to mood, to neurological function. You name it and vitamin D is there for its function. But obesity? Listen in!

Episode #21 What Does the Future of Healthcare Look Like?

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 11:43:35 GMT

What does the future of healthcare look like? And are you prepared for it? There is a changing patient population in a broken system. Healthcare costs are not slowing down. And patients are getting more complex. I believe there is still a promising future ahead for us.

Episode #28: 5 Signs of Hormone Imbalance You Don't Want To Miss

Marcia Jones, NP — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 11:06:00 GMT

A discussion of the top 5 symptoms of hormone imbalance you hear in your practice every day, that you may not realize are related to a hormonal imbalance. By looking for the root cause of a symptom, you can impact the whole system in a positive way. Correcting imbalance gives back life and hope, while decreasing the risk of hormone related cancers. Check out the video of this podcast! ⁠https://marciajonesnp.com/nextlevelnpinvideo⁠ Consultation services are now available! Let me help you take your practice to the next level with coaching and consulting. ⁠https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/nextlevelnpconsulting⁠ Subscribe and share!

Episode #29: Don't Lose The Passion

Marcia Jones, NP — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:13:36 GMT

Never sacrifice your passion. Whether you are considering starting to practice, or have a practice that may need a little revamp, remember to do what you love in profession that offers vast array of opportunities. In this episode I cover some insights on practice management and development in your area of expertise. https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/nextlevelnpconsulting Course Link: https://marciajonesnp.mykajabi.com/MasterTheHormonesofCancer