A Teaspoon of Healing

In this episode, I talk to my guest, independent pet store owner and advocate Toni Shelaske about wellness for our dogs and cats. We discuss the benefits of getting a pet from a rescue organization, different types of feeding practices, pet emotional health, the importance of exercise and more. Learn more about Toni and listen to her podcast at toniunleashed.com.

Music is not only a treat for your ears, but it can also be therapy for the soul. Many of us have memories that are unlocked when we hear one of our favorite tunes. My guest on this episode is David “Vito” Gregoli, producer, composer, artist, and multi-instrumentalist. The episode features two of Vito's pieces. The first is “On the Road to Windham" (with Jim "Kimo" West). The second one is a newer track called “Hope," with (with Jim Gelcer). We talk about why all music, even popular music, can be healing to us, because of how it connects to our hearts. In this way, healing comes from how we receive it, rather than from the music or lyrics themselves. For example, what were we doing when we first heard a specific song? Does it remind us of a broken heart? A wonderful, nostalgic memory? Vito talks about his background in music and playing rock n roll, as well as working in production and studio work. He also talks about how his interest in transcendental meditation, Buddhism, and heart-centered practices led him to compose and produce new age music. Vito describes how the music industry is evolving, how AI is affecting it, and shares tips for new musicians. Listen to Vito's music here: https://www.youtube.com/c/VitoGregoli This episode is the first of several episodes coming in future months, with musicians who have an interest in heart-centered practices or have experienced profound healing through their music.

My guest on this episode is Fredric Schiffer, MD, psychiatrist, assistant professor at Harvard, and author. Many psychiatric issues and addictions stem from past traumas. Dr. Schiffer has researched and developed a theory of psychology called “dual-brain psychology.” This theory suggests that the brain is made up of two minds, which compete for dominance. Trauma is stored in one of the two brain hemispheres, and that each of those hemispheres can support an entire mind. When Dr. Schiffer treats the troubled side of the brain is treated with a technique he developed, he states that it can successfully curb anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction. In this interview, Dr. Schiffer guides me through one of these techniques! You can also try this at home to discover which side of your brain stores trauma. We also discuss how he uses this and other techniques to help people who are addicted to fentanyl and other substances. He is the author of the book “Good-bye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & PTSD: The Life-Changing Science of Dual-Brain Psychology.” Visit his website at dualbrainpsychology.com.

Brain fog is something that affects a lot of us. Brain fog includes feelings of confusion, forgetfulness, loss of focus and a lack of mental clarity. While there are many potential root causes of brain fog, research shows that changes to nutrition and lifestyle may help alleviate symptoms. This short (13 minute) episode is a solo one featuring yours truly! I am a registered dietitian and have worked with clients struggling with brain fog and other conditions, such as digestive health, weight management, and emotional eating. In this episode, I talk about what brain fog is, a few root causes, and some lifestyle and nutrition changes that may help you feel better. You can learn more about me and the services I offer at True Harmony Nutrition. Read a blog post about this topic at https://www.trueharmonynutrition.com/blog

Did you know that medical error is a leading cause of death in the United States? In this episode, you will learn some tips on how to protect the health and safety of yourself or your loved ones during a hospital stay. My guest is Dr. Julie Siemers, registered nurse, patient safety consultant, industry nurse leader, and educator. She is the founder of Lifebeat Solutions and the author of “Surviving Your Hospital Stay: A Nurse Educator's Guide to to Staying Safe and Living to Tell About It.” We talk about: Discovering the safety ratings for your local hospitals (https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org) The top medical errors that can happen in the hospital The best way to communicate with the health care team Why having a loved one or friend advocate for you is vital Your rights as a patient How to use AI/ChatGPT to translate medical terminology Find out more about Julie, her book and Lifebeat Solutions at drjuliesiemers.com or on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook at @drjuliesiemers. Check out her Patient Safety Guide here: https://drjuliesiemers.com/patient-safety-checklist Dr. Julie's TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbWkt2P7SKI 

Do you struggle with emotional eating or a negative body image? Are you working toward a healthy lifestyle but feel at odds with food and your body? Learn how to embrace your body and find freedom with food in this episode. Discover how to break free from emotional eating and “unlearn” negative self-talk about your body. My guest, Marla Mervis-Hartmann is a coach, Reiki master and TEDx speaker. She is the author of “BE-Friend Yourself – Finding Freedom with Food and Peace With Your Body.” With her spiritual approach, Marla helps people counteract negative self-talk about their bodies, heal their relationship with food, and break free from emotional eating. Marla also personally healed from a dysfunctional relationship with her body and food. We talk about: Breaking free from emotional eating Finding peace with food and your body Using self-compassion to heal your inner critic Making healthier choices without feeling shame about your body How dietitians, nutritionists, and other health professionals can help clients achieve their health goals while fostering a positive relationship with their bodies Learn more about Marla at https://www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com/

Why is sensitivity a strength? If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP), you have an enormous amount of empathy for others, heightened perception and intuition, and feel things deeply. You're probably a natural healer and are creative. Highly sensitive people have a lot of empathy for others, are often highly creative, feel things deeply, have a strong intuition or gut instinct, and have heightened perceptions. However, being highly sensitive can be detrimental if you don't have strong boundaries in place.

Have you ever “known” something without evidence to back it up? Have you felt “off” about a situation or person, but couldn't pinpoint why you felt that way? That's your intuition talking to you. What is intuition? Basically, it is the subconscious part of your brain sending you “hunches” based on its analysis. It's a second kind of intelligence, but one that is unfamiliar to most of us. Trusting our intuition can be difficult for those of us who are logical, trained in the sciences, or who spend a lot of time in our heads.  How do you tune into your intuition? Listen and find out how!

Are you a recovering people pleaser? If so, you aren't alone! While it's okay (and great!) to be a little bit of a people pleaser - most of us want to keep harmonious relationships with friends and family - research shows that being too much of a people pleaser can contribute to added stress. If you find yourself having difficulties saying no, standing up for yourself, and articulating your own beliefs and wishes, you will find some tips on how to break these habits! This is something I have personally had to get better at, so these are some steps that have helped me in my life. I hope they will help you, too!

As Thanksgiving rolls around in the United States, we often think about what we are grateful for. But of course, gratitude is something we should try to practice every day. Gratitude brings us to the present moment, makes us feel better, and there is even evidence that it reduces depression and anxiety! Read more about the benefits of gratitude on this blog post. This was originally recorded in 2021.

In this podcast, I talk about Veterans Day and a little about my grandfather, Richard Morris, who fought in World War 2, was captured by the Nazis and escaped. He was also a very creative person, a prolific writer, and always took a stand against corruption and hypocrisy. He was also a descendant (as I am) of one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, Lewis Morris. My grandfather was a very unique soul. He was very empathetic and had a disdain for hypocrisy and grandiosity. His story differs from most veterans. I often wonder what he would think about our current social climate. This episode is the audio version of the blog post: Honoring Our Veterans - and my Grandfather. You can read the blog post or listen to this short episode, which I recorded in 2021.

Hi! This week's episode is being re-released from 2021. It's a short little episode (audio only) about holiday traditions, and specifically about Halloween traditions. It's a departure from my normal content which will return soon. I talk about the Halloween activities I did as a child, invited listeners to share theirs, and talked a little bit about the origins of Halloween. I also talk about how holiday traditions connect us to our history and past generations. Enjoy! Here is a blog post about the same topic.

Learn why healing your inner child wounds is essential to removing harmful patterns in your life and in your relationships! My guest is Paula Smith, an intuitive healer who specializes in inner child healing. Paula shares her powerful story of how she left a narcissistic, abusive relationship of 15 years. We talk about what narcissistic abuse is, what a trauma bond is, and how to gather the strength to leave a relationship like this. We also discuss how helpful mindfulness and meditation can be during this process. Paula helps people examine their triggers, identify inner child wounds, and heal these inner blockages that can prevent them from forming stable, healthy relationships. Find Paula on Instagram @mindfuladventurecoaching Show timeline: 1:54 What is narcissistic abuse? Trauma bonding? 5:55 Paula's relationship with a narcissist and how she left 11:35 Why we feel that we have to prove our worth to narcissists 12:50 How to identify our inner child wounds by examining our triggers 18:05 Why even 5 minutes of meditation a day can help you become non-reactive & more present 25:00 Why toxic individuals seek out strong people and why people often blame themselves for abuse 33:30 Paula's sessions and how to contact her

My guest on this episode is Alicia Rodriguez, writer and storyteller. Join us as Alicia shares her compelling story about her relationship with a shaman that turned toxic, and how tuning into her intuition enabled her to reclaim her self-worth and leave the relationship. This led her to heal her inner wounds to become able to enter into relationships and navigate life as a whole, healed human being. After a divorce, Alicia met a shaman named Napo and, being a spiritual person, moved to Ecuador to work with him and open a spiritual retreat center. They eventually developed a relationship and Alicia lost herself in it. She recounts her story about how she began to trust her body's “alarms” and intuition to find her power again, leave Ecuador, and heal. Her advice can help women or men who are in toxic, codependent situations, so they can tap into their courage, enforce boundaries and reclaim their power. Alicia wrote a memoir about her experience which is called “The Shaman's Wife, A Mystical Journey of Surrender and Self-Discovery.”

My guest on this episode is Alicia Rodriguez, writer and storyteller. Join us as Alicia shares her compelling story about her relationship with a shaman that turned toxic, and how tuning into her intuition enabled her to reclaim her self-worth and leave the relationship. This led her to heal her inner wounds to become able to enter into relationships and navigate life as a whole, healed human being. After a divorce, Alicia met a shaman named Napo and, being a spiritual person, moved to Ecuador to work with him and open a spiritual retreat center. They eventually developed a relationship and Alicia lost herself in it. She recounts her story about how she began to trust her body's “alarms” and intuition to find her power again, leave Ecuador, and heal. Her advice can help women or men who are in toxic, codependent situations, so they can tap into their courage, enforce boundaries and reclaim their power. Alicia wrote a memoir about her experience which is called “The Shaman's Wife, A Mystical Journey of Surrender and Self-Discovery.”

Take your meditation practice to the next level and optimize performance in your life with some of the techniques on this episode! My guest is Jeff Patterson, martial arts and meditation teacher. He owns a martial arts academy in Portland, Oregon. Jeff is the author of “The Yielding Warrior.” Jeff talks about different types of meditation practice: ritual, meditative, and philosophical, and how to incorporate each of them. He also talks about how meditation and the practice of “yielding” can be used to optimize performance in many areas of your life, including athletics, interpersonal relationships and your career. You can get his book at theyieldingwarrior.com/book. Find out more about Jeff's programs at theyieldingwarrior.com

Learn about the different attachment styles in relationships, and join my guest and I for a discussion about anxious attachment in this episode. My guest is Jennifer Nurick, clinical psychotherapist, couples therapist, energy healer, and author of “Heal Your Anxious Attachment.” Some of us have a secure attachment style, while others have a type of insecure attachment style: anxious, avoidant, and/or disorganized. Attachment styles develop in childhood. People with anxious attachment need a lot of closeness in relationships, because their caregivers were only sometimes available. Avoidants learned to rely on themselves because their caregivers were not available, and need a lot of distance in relationships. Disorganized attachment, caused by a trauma background, have the need for both closeness and separation. Jennifer talks about how people with the anxious attachment style can become secure in relationships. We also talk about why anxious attachment styles are attracted to avoidants, how to make a relationship like this work, and why women are often attracted to unavailable or avoidant men. Learn more about Jennifer and her book at psychotherapycentral.health.

How can our own personal healing lead to collective and societal healing? How does activism and finding our purpose help with this? My guest on this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz, and I talk about these topics and more! Dr. Zeitz is a preventative medicine physician, epidemiologist, author and award-winning champion of global justice and human rights. He is the author of Revolutionary Optimism: 7 Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist. We talk about how healing, taming our “inner dragons” and harnessing optimism can help us rise to the task of helping to heal the collective and lead from a place of love. Paul also goes into detail about a few of the steps in his book, and we talk about how to find our purpose to spark a peaceful revolution. When we feel anxious about our lives and the future, we lose touch with our power and the connection to our purpose. When we reclaim our power and unify with others on the path of love, this is when we can start to make a difference in the world. Learn how to break free from feelings of confusion and cynicism and step into self-empowerment, resourcefulness and inspiration. Dr. Zeitz is the host of the “Revolutionary Optimism” podcast and the organizer of unifymovements. Find out more about Paul and his work at drpaulzeitz.org and find the book at revolutionaryoptimism.com.

On this episode, I chat with an eclectic and creative guest, Susan J. Farese. Susan is a public relations professional, a registered nurse, a military veteran, author, and actor. She worked as a nurse in the military, and in general nursing, and is a poet. Susan is the author of the book “Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring.” Susan reads a few poems from her book, which is dedicated to nursing and recounts some of her experiences working in the field. She talks about the haiku poetry workshops she hosts and the healing power of creativity. Writing or experiencing poetry and the literary arts can help reduce stress, reduce anxiety and depression and promote a positive mindset. She also reads a few poems from her book, which is dedicated to nursing and recounts some of her experiences working with veterans and other hospitalized patients. Find out more about Susan at sjfcommunications.com.

In this episode, I chat with Claire Uncapher, intuitive and transformational life coach. Claire helps people uncover the root causes of their depression and anxiety by helping clients tap into the subconscious mind. Healing the beliefs that cause depression and anxiety can help us step out of the darkness. Claire shares a little bit about her 28-year journey with depression and anxiety, and how medication and therapy didn't work for her. She talks about how she helps people access their subconscious mind, so they can examine and release unprocessed traumatic events from their past. A former mental health nurse, Claire talks about why depression and anxiety show up as symptoms of past, unhealed, traumatic experiences. And how validating people's experiences and helping them process the trauma, can help them truly heal. We also chat about the importance of self-acceptance and why it is normal to “backslide” during healing. Find out more about Claire and how to work with her at claireuncapher.com or on Instagram @claire.uncapher 

My guest on this episode is Dr. Maiysha Clairborne, physician, thought leader, consultant, and trauma-informed communication trainer. Dr. Maiysha is also trained in coaching, hypnosis, and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). NLP incorporates spoken and unspoken language to empower people, and examine the “programs” we run in our heads. By helping people tap into their subconscious mind, Dr. Maiysha helps them reframe their mindset and transform their lives by examining what “programs” work for them, and which ones they should remove. We discuss how finding the source of our limiting beliefs can help us change our thoughts about ourselves and others, release these unhelpful beliefs, and propel us to a more positive direction in our lives. We also discuss tips for building confidence as entrepreneurs, goal-setting, and the importance of community. The founder of Mind Re-Mapping Co. and a 2022 TEDx Asheville Speaker, Dr. Maiysha is also the co-author of Conscious Anti-Racism. She also helps organizations create a culture of safety, trust, inclusiveness, belonging, and well-being. Find out more about her on mindremappingacademy.com.

On this episode, I am joined by Michel Pascal, meditation teacher and singer. Michel resided at the Kopan Monastery in the Himalayas, where he studied under the late Buddhist master Chepa Dorje Rinpoche before moving to the US. He has written 20 books and, along with the Amity Foundation, created the first meditation program designed to reintegrate “lifers” (people who have spent 15+ years incarcerated) back into society after prison. He has also performed at Carnegie Hall since 2016. We discuss overthinking, which can lead to burnout, anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions. By calming our mind, we can feel immediately better and reverse the ill effects of overthinking. Michel details why learning how to quiet and calm our minds helps us to increase our focus and achieve inner peace. He describes the importance of integrating meditation into our daily lives. We often think that meditation is something that should only be done in a peaceful surrounding, but Michel emphasizes why learning how to meditate within stressful situations is essential. Learn more about Michel at michelpascal.tv.

In the latest episode, I am joined by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD founder of Nutrivore.com and New York Times best-selling author of Nutrivore: The Radical New Science for Getting the Nutrients You Need from the Food You Eat. The Nutrivore database and her educational materials help people create meals with the best foods for their unique lifestyle, using nutrient density and sufficiency as guiding principles. Dr. Sarah describes how she experienced profound healing via dietary changes and lifestyle modification. We discuss the issue of nutrient deficiency among Americans, and why nutrient density is so important. Dr. Sarah also shares her experience with overly restrictive diets and how she broke free of that mindset. Her book navigates the world of nutrition, dispels diet myths, and empowers people to embrace a nutrient-focused lifestyle tailored to their unique needs. Visit Dr. Sarah's website at Nutrivore.com to learn more.

This episode is about power of our subconscious mind and how to tap into it to heal our past trauma, help with anxiety, shift our mindsets, and remove blockages to achieving our dreams! I chat with Dr. Tara Perry, clinical hypnotherapist and doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. She has extensive experience helping individuals access their subconscious mind to remove old, unwanted programming and rewrite it. We chat about the usefulness of meditation to tap into the subconscious. We also discuss how hypnotherapy can help us access our subconscious mind, even deeper than meditation can. Dr. Perry describes the process of hypnosis, dispels myths about it, how patterns become clearer, and how this can help us shift our lives and heal our childhood trauma. Find out more about what Dr. Perry does and how to work with her by visiting consulttara.com or nashvillehealer.com. If you message her by clicking the "Let's Talk" button on her website, and say that you heard her on A Teaspoon of Healing, Tara will send you her relaxing audiotape called "Unzipped" as a free gift!

Mindful eating is something I have used with clients and patients, to help them tune into their hunger and fullness cues, heal their relationship with food, manage weight, and help with digestive upsets. So, what exactly is mindful eating? Mindful eating is not a diet! Mindful eating is about focusing on how to eat, rather than what to eat. Mindful eating is being aware and present when you eat. Listen to the episode to find out more about mindful eating and how it can help you optimize your digestion, reduce bloating, boost nutrient absorption, manage weight, and heal your relationship with food. Presented by me, Dawn DiMare Thiery, MPH, RD, registered dietitian nutritionist.

Telling our stories can be one of the most empowering things we can do for ourselves! In this episode, I chat with international best-selling author, speaker, and global community builder Lynn Abaté-Johnson. Lynn is a co-author of a recently-released bestselling book called “Voices of The 21st Century: Women Empowered Through Passion & Purpose." In this episode, we delve into the profound impact of sharing our narratives, exploring how they serve as catalysts for healing and liberation from the victim mindset. Lynn candidly recounts a chapter from her life documented in the book. Like many of us, Lynn experienced an abusive relationship when she was younger. She shares how she healed from it, and provides valuable insights for those presently dealing with similar situations. We also discuss how to show up authentically on social media to connect and share our stories with others, while avoiding the pitfalls that one can sometimes encounter online. She also discusses her transformative personal wellness journey. Lastly, we chat about how women can celebrate their accomplishments. Learn more about Lynn and order her book here.

Do you suffer from insomnia? While occasional insomnia affects nearly 50% of adults, an estimated 10% of adults suffer from chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia lasts 3 days a week or more and for at least 3 months. In this episode, I chat with Katelin Gates, a registered nurse and insomnia coach. Katelin shares her 30-year struggle with chronic insomnia, and how she finally found how to get a good night's sleep consistently. She tried pretty much everything under the sun, nothing seemed to work until she learned a technique that she shares in this episode. Katelin talks about the influence of fear on our brains, and how reactions to sleeplessness can create a vicious cycle of being unable to sleep. She shares how to “trick” your brain into thinking everything is ok, and why this helps us get the sleep we need. Get in touch with Katelin about her coaching program at katelingates.com

Learn how food can affect your mood and mental health, not just physical health! My guest, David Wiss, Ph.D., is a registered dietitian, mental health researcher, and the founder of the Wise Mind Nutrition app. Dr. Wiss has studied the intersection of nutrition and mental health. In his private practice, Nutrition in Recovery, he provides nutrition education to people recovering from substance use disorder. We chat about the gut-brain connection, and how what we eat can help us stabilize our moods and give us more energy. Dr. Wiss also details how food choices can affect depression. We also discussed the concept of rigidity and the need for more nuance within the nutrition field. You can read his blog post about this topic here: "How I Overcame the Rigidity of My Mind and the Toxicity of the Nutrition Profession." David's Wise Mind Nutrition app is designed for people with mental health issues like anxiety disorder, depression, ADHD, OCD, and substance use disorder. Using a non-diet approach, the app is designed to help one's symptoms improve over time.

Learn how to create a healing sanctuary within your home! My guest, Mahwish Syed, is a fashion and interior designer, author, and cancer survivor. In this episode, she talks about how the elements in your home - including fabrics, windows, lighting, and more - help you heal. Mahwish, a breast cancer survivor, wrote about her journey in her book "Purgatory to Paradise." While she was in the chemotherapy ward of the hospital, Mahwish realized that the design elements of the hospital room were not conducive to healing. She began bringing in her own fabrics and lighting to help her during her long treatment days. When she returned home, she surveyed her home, and changed several things to create a sanctuary that would support the healing she needed. We talk about the impact of lighting on our circadian rhythms, why indoor air can be harmful, and how to choose non-toxic fabrics for carpeting, Mahwish shares how reclaiming beauty in our lives, especially while healing from illness, is vital. With her extensive background in design, Mahwish helps clients design spaces that are optimized for optimal health. Learn more.

Learn how food can affect mood and mental health, and in this case, anxiety. In the USA, 6.8 million people have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Research shows that consuming certain nutrients and changing other food-related habits may reduce anxiety symptoms. This includes adding more fiber, probiotics and specific nutrients, avoiding blood sugar spikes and lows, and more. If you want more of a deep dive into this topic, you can read the blog post I wrote about it on teaspoonofhealing.com. This is the first of the "food and mood" series, so more will come in the future.

How do we keep a positive mindset in the face of challenges or adversity, or when viewing the news and reading about distressing events? I chat with Vicky Roncero, reiki master healer, in this episode. We talk about how to cultivate and remain in a positive mindset through a nightly gratitude practice, self-love, mindful breathing, and using technology mindfully. Vicky also shares an example from her own life, when she cultivated a positive mindset in the face of an injury. She also talks about how her reiki practice helped her and her clients remain hopeful and grateful for small things during the challenges of the pandemic. Lastly, Vicky walks listeners through a breathing exercise to help regulate the nervous system, as well as a short chakra-balancing technique.

Learn how to discover your purpose in life, recognize your worth, take your power back, and live the life that works for you! My guest, Petia Kolibova, is a business coach for women. She empowers women to build businesses that help support their lives. She provides tips on how to take inventory of your life, discover what works and what doesn't, and we discuss a common fear: the fear of success. Visit Petia's website at petiakolibova.com to learn more about her services and programs.

In this episode, veteran Teaspoon of Healing guest Joe aka "Reiki Joe" returns to the podcast. He discusses his healing journey from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a form of cancer that begins in the body's lymphatic system. He describes his journey through chemotherapy, radiation, hospital stays, and recovery, and how it gave him strength and a new outlook on life.

Are you a recovering people pleaser? If so, you aren't alone! While it's okay (and great!) to be a little bit of a people pleaser - most of us want to keep harmonious relationships with friends and family - research shows that being too much of a people pleaser can contribute to added stress. If you find yourself having difficulties saying no, standing up for yourself, and articulating your own beliefs and wishes, you will find some tips on how to break these habits! This is something I have personally had to get better at, so these are some steps that have helped me in my life. I hope they will help you, too!

Learn how cultivating inner peace and practicing forgiveness can help you manage chronic stress, lower your blood pressure, and live a life with less anxiety. Inner peace can be created with mindfulness, deep breathing, a gratitude practice, or spending just 20 minutes in nature. Read more about this topic on my blog.

Learn how to manage chronic pain without medications! My guest, orthopedic physical therapist and author Rick Olderman, talks about his "Fixing You" method. We talk about the three patterns of dysfunction that cause back pain, daily habits that contribute to pain, and how changing these habits can make you feel better. Rick also provides physical therapy exercises that you can do at home! One exercise will help with chronic lower back pain and the other one will help people manage chronic neck and shoulder tension. Find out more about Rick's downloadable home physical therapy programs, and his books, including free chapters of his new book at his website: rickolderman.com.

Food insecurity, which is the lack of access to sufficient food of adequate quality to meet one's basic needs, affects millions of Americans, as well as people worldwide. This has only worsened during the pandemic. College students in particular have high rates of food insecurity. Studies show that 1 in 3 students lack the financial means to support themselves, leading to food insecurity. Los Angeles-based non-profit organization Student Lunch Box (SLB) is working to change that. Led by Karlen Nurijanyan, SLB is a 501(c)3 approved, tax-exempt non-profit organization that is fighting food insecurity among college students. I chatted with Karlen about the issue of food insecurity and how it affects students, and how his organization is helping to address this in the Los Angeles area. Currently, SLB operates pop-up food distribution centers and other food access sites at colleges and universities in Los Angeles. Visit Student Lunch Box's website or their Instagram to learn more about their mission.

Becoming a caregiver for a loved one is a difficult, life-changing task. My guest on this episode, author, speaker, and community builder Lynn Abaté-Johnson, was a caregiver for her mother, who suffered from ovarian cancer, for over six years. Like most caregivers, Lynn also juggled a full-time career with her caregiving duties. She truly understands the storm of emotions and the huge responsibility that comes with being a caregiver. Using her strong organizational and leadership skills, Lynn designed a system that helped her navigate the world of caregiving and helped transform her, even after her mom's death. In this episode, we chat about: The challenges of being a caregiver for a loved one How to juggle caregiving with a full-time career or business Designing systems to help you navigate this new world How to handle the role reversal when becoming a caregiver for a parent The "sandwich" generation: caring for growing children and aging parents We also talk about Lynn's book, “Out Of Love, A Daughter's Journey With Her Mom To The End.” She also has a community on her website, lynnabatejohnsonbook.com, to help other caregivers feel less alone in the journeys and gives them tools to navigate this process.

This is the audio version of the blog post about the same topic. A big part of healing your relationship with your body is learning to accept it. Accepting your body includes appreciating all that it does for you and being grateful for it. We often direct a lot of judgment toward our bodies. While it's great to have health and fitness goals, unnecessary self-criticism can be harmful to our relationship with our bodies and to meeting these goals. Body acceptance is a component of body neutrality, which is a position that lies between body positivity and being judgmental or critical of your body. Forcing ourselves to say that we love our bodies can be intimidating, and frankly, not always genuine. Body neutrality means that there's no pressure to love your body when you don't (although it's wonderful if you do!). Instead, it's about accepting, respecting, and appreciating what it can do for you. It's also about detaching your inherent worth from your body or how it appears.

This is the audio version of the blog post of the same title. In this podcast, I talk about showing grace to ourselves and others, and being gentle with ourselves during our health journeys. I also talk a little about how a fear of judgment leads to less utilization of health care services, the social determinants of health, moralization of food, and choosing exercise that brings joy, rather than viewing it as a chore. Accepting our bodies and appreciating what they can do for us goes a long way! More to come in this series!

This is the audio version of the blog post, "Fermented Foods: Benefits and Basics." Have you ever tried fermented foods? Do you make your own fermented food or drink, like sauerkraut or kombucha? In this post, I will introduce the benefits of fermentation. What is fermentation? Fermentation is an ancient technique used to preserve food. Fermented food and drink are full of bacteria and yeast that are beneficial for our bodies, rather than harmful. These are called probiotics. While you can take probiotics in capsule form as a supplement, adding fermented food and drink to your diet can have the same benefit, while also tasting great!

This is the audio version of the blog post "Finding Fitness Activities That You Enjoy." To stick with a fitness routine over the long term, it's important to find a variety of activities that you enjoy! You're more likely to stick to a fitness routine if you enjoy what you are doing. Knowing yourself, what you enjoy, your schedule and lifestyle, and your strengths and limitations will go a long way when deciding what exercise activities you undertake.

When spring cleaning your home, it might be good to think about inspecting it for mold. In this episode, I chat with Jason Earle, the CEO of the Got Mold? company. He suffered from childhood asthma, and other health issues throughout the years. He shares his story of discovering that his childhood home had mold, and describes the process of mold testing. Many of us have hidden mold in our homes, especially those of us who live in damp, coastal or humid areas. Mold is very common in homes, especially in damp environments. Exposure to mold can trigger asthma in people who are allergic to the microbe, and is one of the top drivers of childhood asthma. It also can affect people with weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness, and cause other health issues. We talk about the basics of mold, common misconceptions, and how this fungus can affect our health. While mold is everywhere, without any ill effects, a proliferation of mold can wreak havoc on our health. Find out all about it and how to tell if your home may have too much of it. Mold grows where there is moisture, and treating the problem of moisture can help alleviate the issue. Find out how in this episode.

This episode covers a little about healthy fats and oils, and a little bit about inner peace! I chatted with Udo Erasmus, founder of Udo's Choice supplement line, which can be found at Whole Foods, as well as Udo's Choice oil. He is the author of the best-selling book "Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill," and has extensive background in biochemistry, nutrition, and genetics. We chat about a few things in this podcast. First, we talk about oils, the importance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid balance, the proper creation, storage, and use of oils, the seed oil debate, and more. We also talk about how to cultivate peace in chaotic times. Udo was a toddler during World War II in Europe and has made cultivating peace in his life a priority. He shares tips on how to avoid stress, panic, and reactivity during the pandemic, or during any turbulent time in our lives.

As the year comes to a close, it's common to reflect on what went well and what could have been better. Forgiveness is a powerful way to end the year and forge a path for yourself for 2022. While it is important to forgive others, remember to forgive yourself! Listen to the audio for more. This is the audio version of the Teaspoon of Healing blog.

Gratitude is something we should try to practice in our daily lives. Gratitude brings us to the present moment, makes us feel better, and there is even evidence that it reduces depression and anxiety! This is the audio version of my blog post: The Benefits of Gratitude I talk about the benefits of gratitude and what I am grateful for in November 2021!

In this audio blog, I talk about Veterans Day and a little about my grandfather, Richard Morris, who fought in World War 2, was captured by the Nazis and escaped. This is the audio version of the blog post: Honoring Our Veterans - and my Grandfather.

If you're an empath, you're highly intuitive, very giving, and are a literal "sponge" for other people's emotions, pain, and joy. You may find yourself “feeling” for people you don't even know. You identify strongly with how someone feels, and try to put yourself in their shoes. Self-care is essential for empaths, to preserve your own energy, and avoid burnout, compassion fatigue, and depression. This is the audio version of the blog post: Empath Self-Care Tips. I chat about what an empath is, how empaths differ from highly sensitive people, and provide self-care tips that have worked for me. The Teaspoon of Healing “audio blog” is an audio version of my written blog posts. You can “listen” to my blog anywhere!

When Halloween rolls around each year, it feels like the official kickoff to the holiday season, at least here in the United States. With the holidays, come celebrations – and also traditions. Traditions help forge strong bonds with family and friends, and to our communities. They give us a sense of belonging. This is the audio version of the blog post: Halloween and Holiday Traditions I talk about Halloween traditions growing up, the cool haunted houses in my childhood neighborhood, and other memories. I also talk about how holiday traditions connect us to our history and past generations. The Teaspoon of Healing “audio blog” is a conversational version of my written blog posts. You can “listen” to my blog anywhere!

Why is sensitivity a strength? If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP), you have an enormous amount of empathy for others, heightened perception and intuition, and feel things deeply. You're probably a natural healer and are creative. This is the audio version of the blog post: Sensitivity Is a Strength. Listen to the audio for more! The Teaspoon of Healing “audio blog” is a conversational version of my written blog posts. You can “listen” to my blog anywhere!

Earlier this month (October 2021), there was an oil spill off the coast of Orange County, California. In this audio version of the blog post with the same name, I talk about the lessons we can learn from this oil spill as well as other environmental disasters on our planet, especially ones with human contributions. As well, our health is tied to the health of the planet. Our personal health doesn't exist in a vacuum, and we are connected to everything. This is the audio version of the blog post: Lessons from the California Coastal Oil Spill The Teaspoon of Healing “audio blog” is a conversational version of my written blog posts. So, if you're someone who doesn't have time to read blog posts, or prefers audio, well, these are for you! You can “listen” to my blog anywhere!