Welcome to the Medium Well podcast with Sara Weinreb, your host and guinea pig. Medium Well follows Sara's adventures and misadventures with navigating transitions, embracing uncertainty, and figuring out what it means to be human on this very fine and often confusing planet. Along the way, Sara op…
herbalism, sustainability, great first episode, wellness, entrepreneurship, journey, interviewer, honest, intelligent, kind, genuine, discovered, open, relatable, highly recommend, refreshing, important, wonderful.
Listeners of Medium Well that love the show mention: sara brings, sara s podcast,This episode is a bit of a rant— I am so frustrated seeing folks on the internet telling others what to do. The truth is they have no idea how you operate, what your privilege and access is, your mental and physical health, your trauma response, how your brain works, or more. I break down why this frustrates me so much, and how to avoid it. In this episode, I discuss: How no one can or should give general advice to an audience knowing what each individual should do How folks giving generalized advice don't know your personal unique situation, yet tell you what to do Why it's problematic that often people giving advice on the internet come from massive privilege and don't acknowledge that Why you should focus on sharing experiences and your stories, versus giving (or taking) blind advice Mentioned in this episode: Want to request an episode topic or question you'd like me to answer? Contact me here or shoot me a DM on Instagram (@saraweinreb). How to keep up with my work: IMBY, my new virtual community center, where we talk about the topics discussed on this podcast and more. Follow @gatherimby on Instagram to keep up with what's going on in the community center. Follow me, @saraweinreb, on IG for more podcast episodes, mediocre reels, and rants
Someone asked me how I approach seeing folks I know posting or re-posting conspiracy theory and conspirituality-focused content on social media. In this episode, I break down my approach to these conversations, when I engage, when I do not engage, and how I assess the situation! In this episode, I discuss: My process when I see someone I know post something problematic How I decide when to engage and when not to engage Why I (generally) don't engage with true conspiracy theory folks Mentioned in this episode: Conspirituality Podcast Want to request an episode topic or question you'd like me to answer? Contact me here or shoot me a DM on Instagram (@saraweinreb). How to keep up with my work: IMBY, my new virtual community center, where we talk about the topics discussed on this podcast and more. Follow @gatherimby on Instagram to keep up with what's going on in the community center. Follow me, @saraweinreb, on IG for more podcast episodes, mediocre reels, and rants
Of course this title is a little tongue-in-cheek, but the question remains: how do we be anti-capitalist and also thrive within the capitalist structure we exist under? I don't have the answer, but in this episode, I break down how I am thinking about this question which I am asking and you might be too. In this episode, I discuss: Questions I am asking myself as I explore existing as an anti-capitalist in my daily life Considering your “enough” point Rethinking your pricing if you're an entrepreneur Exploring redistribution of your wealth and income Mentioned in this episode: My amazing coach Alexis Rockley Want to request an episode topic or question you'd like me to answer? Contact me here or shoot me a DM on Instagram (@saraweinreb). How to keep up with my work: IMBY, my new virtual community center, where we talk about the topics discussed on this podcast and more. Follow @gatherimby on Instagram to keep up with what's going on in the community center. Follow me, @saraweinreb, on IG for more podcast episodes, mediocre reels, and rants
Today's topic of conversation came about from something that recently came up at an IMBY gathering about standing out as an entrepreneur in a saturated market. Is there really space for everyone? How do you find your people? I don't have all the answers, of course, but in this episode, I share some ideas to play around with. If you try them out, I'd love to hear how it went! In this episode, I discuss: The beauty and challenges of everything moving online during the pandemic How to narrow in your audience to be clearer on who you're trying to reach Explore creating a more specific offering Seeking local partnerships How there are no clear answers for the uncertain times we're in Mentioned in this episode: Want to request an episode topic or question you'd like me to answer? Contact me here or shoot me a DM on Instagram (@saraweinreb). How to keep up with my work: IMBY, my new virtual community center, where we talk about the topics discussed on this podcast and more. Follow @gatherimby on Instagram to keep up with what's going on in the community center. Follow me, @saraweinreb, on IG for more podcast episodes, mediocre reels, and rants
There's a lot of talk about anti-capitalist business in my communities, and while I have been embodying some of the principles for some time now, I built IMBY with anti-capitalism as a core value. In this episode, I break down four ways that I am approaching anti-capitalism in my business, with specific examples. Please note— I am not an expert on this topic! I am still learning and growing, and if there are things you've learned that you'd like to share or ways I can evolve my understanding of the topic, I am always open to feedback and conversation. In this episode, I discuss: How I am approaching anti-capitalism as an entrepreneur with a small business How I define anti-capitalism (a work in progress!) Using a sliding scale for equity and accessibility How we focus on the collective Why we are transparent with our finances Mentioned in this episode: Jennifer Patterson of Corpus Ritual's sliding scale IMBY's sliding scale details and transparency reports Want to request an episode topic or question you'd like me to answer? Contact me here or shoot me a DM on Instagram (@saraweinreb). How to keep up with my work: IMBY, my new virtual community center, where we talk about the topics discussed on this podcast and more. Follow @gatherimby on Instagram to keep up with what's going on in the community center. Follow me, @saraweinreb, on IG for more podcast episodes, mediocre reels, and rants
Welcome back to Medium Well! Today I am launching a solo series where I break down topics I am thinking about, learning about, or have expertise in-- all in 5-15(ish) minute episodes. More about this format at the beginning of this episode! In today's episode, I speak about something I am thinking about as I learn more about equity-centered design (a reframe of design thinking)-- who's in the room, and who has access to making decisions within our businesses? I break down what I am learning and thinking about in my business and beyond! In this episode, I discuss: What my new solo series is all about How I am changing my thinking about design thinking, and learning more about equity-centered design Evaluating who has decision-making power in your organization and if it's the same folks who are impacted by the decisions being made (and why it's problematic if the latter folks aren't included) Valuing lived experience in addition to professional experience Mentioned in this episode: Episode 45 on design thinking 101 (please note this episode was recorded 2 years ago, and my relationship to and understanding of design thinking is shifting as I learn about taking an equity-centered design approach) The most popular design thinking strategy is BS (Fast Company) Links to keep up with my work: IMBY, my new virtual community center, where we talk about the topics discussed on this podcast and more. Follow @gatherimby on Instagram to keep up with what's going on in the community center. Follow me, @saraweinreb, on IG for more podcast episodes, mediocre reels, and rants
Well hi! It's been a while. Today I am sharing about my journey towards determining that I was out of alignment with my deep values and passion in social justice work, and my journey back, including launching a new business! If you've been listening to this podcast for a bit, you know I started it to figure out what I wanted to do after closing my ethical fashion business, and I am so excited to share my new business, one that feels so right for my interest, passions, and the community I seek to build and be a part of. Listen in for the journey and the details! PS— This episode is being posted about 6 weeks after it was recorded, so the events I mentioned already past. Apologies! Lots of great offerings coming up. In this episode, I discuss: How I realized that I was not in alignment with my true roots in social justice work Why I am finding wellness more and more problematic these days as it's lacking a “so what” My journey over the past year to find my way back to the work I truly want to pursue in the world Working with a new coach and what that process was like What my new business is— IMBY! A virtual community center for people who give a shit about co-creating a more just and equitable future. Mentioned in this episode: IMBY, my new virtual community center! Learn more about the IMBY membership and our upcoming events. Use the code “mediumwell” for 50% off your first month (at any price point on our sliding scale). Alexis Rockley, my incredible coach! My rose cardamom hot cacao mix via the IMBY merch shop. Follow @gatherimby on Instagram to keep up with what's going on in the community center!
In today’s solo episode I give a life update on what I’ve been thinking about and working on personally and professionally, my break from Instagram, returning to the intention of this podcast, and why I am wrapping up season two. I also discuss my commitment to you as a community, and how a recent experience allowed me to further realign with that mission. That’s a wrap on season two— if you want to stay in the loop with my offerings, thoughts, and when season 3 is released, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, Sara… lately, or say hi on the ‘gram! In this episode, I discuss: Update on where I am at in my business How I have been exploring experiments all year, and what it has taught me A return to the original intention of this podcast Why I am wrapping up season two My commitment to community and integrity Mentioned in this episode: My newsletter, Sara… lately. Subscribe to keep up to date with curated resources, my offerings, and new podcast launches. Starter, my business fundamentals course (you can sign up for the waitlist!). All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well at saraweinreb.com/podcast Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite episodes and takeaways from season two!
In this episode, I chat with and receive an Akashic Records reading from Hilary Pearlson, a healing guide and Akashic Records reader, and a very dear friend. Hilary is such a talented healing guide as someone who has been on a powerful healing journey for quite some time (more on that in episode 11, her first episode of Medium Well!) and a year ago she started reading the Akashic Records. In this episode, we chat about her experience reading the records and evolving her business, and she gives me a full hour-long Akashic Records reading which you get to eavesdrop on! In this episode, we discuss: What are the Akashic Records? (more on from Hilary here) Hilary’s journey into reading the Akashic Records How Hilary evolved her business to include Akashic Records readings Dealing with skepticism and embracing possibility What Hilary has learned through her readings with clients How the Akashic Records have supported Hilary’s personal healing What’s nourishing and inspiring Hilary lately Hilary gives me (Sara) a full hour-long Akashic Reading (starting at 40:45) Mentioned in this episode: Episode 11 of Medium Well with Hilary where we talk about her healing journey and much more All the deets: Register for Hilary’s “How to read the Akashic records course” with the special Medium Well discount here. Check out The Dreamerie where you can read Hilary’s blog, listen to her podcast Heal With Hilary, and sign up for an Akashic Records Reading or her new mentorship program Follow Hilary on Instagram at @hilarypearlson to learn from her and keep up to date with course and program launches Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Hilary on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and what type you are— we’d love to hear! Related episodes: Episode 67: Embracing courage, the art of demanifestation, and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary with Deborah Hanekamp of Mama Medicine Episode 64: All we have is the present moment (and how to build a practice to support that) with Laura Ahrens Episode 70: Plants for the people, celebrating local plants, and nourishing yourself with Erin Lovell Verinder Episode 67: Seeking your soul's purpose and exploring the Akashic Records with Ashley Wood
A long time in the making, I finally chat with my wonderful and talented friends Sarah Kate Benjamin and Summer Singletary, herbalists, and co-founders of the Kosmic Kitchen. We talk about their journey into herbalism, how they chose to focus on kitchen medicine, their thoughts on how the field of herbalism is evolving, and so much more. We also talk all about their new cookbook (which is really also an herbalism textbook!), The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook, which they recently published. In this episode, we discuss: How they Sarah and Summer came to herbalism through gardening How they decided to start The Kosmic Kitchen Where and when elemental living came into their herbalism practices Themes related to the elements playing out Sarah and Summer’s thoughts on herbalism is evolving as it becomes more popular Why it’s important to take a more nuanced approach to herbalism instead of an allopathic “pill for every ill” approach Sarah and Summer’s advice for getting started with herbs How to connect more deeply to herbs and plants How and why to start a tea practice Sarah and Summer’s tips for dealing with skeptics How they are thinking about cultural appropriation in herbalism Their favorite recipes and rituals from their book, The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook Mentioned in this episode: The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook Atomic Habits by James Clear Traditional Medicinals Woke without the work by Rootwork Herbals All the deets: Learn more about The Kosmic Kitchen, their book, and their workshops at thekosmickitchen.com Sign up for The Kosmic Kitchen’s One-on-One Virtual Cooking Classes, which are open for registration now! Through western herbalism and Ayurvedic practices, you’ll feel confident creating kitchen rituals that are not only tasty, but help you stay well each day. Follow The Kosmic Kitchen on Instagram at @thekosmickitchen (one of my favorite herbalism accounts to follow— Sarah and Summer provide so many helpful tips and graphics!). Tag me (@saraweinreb) and The Kosmic Kitchen on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and what type you are— we’d love to hear! Related episodes: Episode 43: Connecting with the energies of plants, nature, and our bodies through herbalism with Erin Lovell Verinder Episode 61: Balancing wellness with real life, relationship building, and evaluating trends with Rachelle Robinett Episode 70: Plants for the people, celebrating local plants, and nourishing yourself with Erin Lovell Verinder Episode 73: Forging relationships with plants, evolving as an herbalist, and building an herbal Apothecary brand with Lauren Haynes of Wooden Spoon Herbs
Marielle Elizabeth is a writer, photographer, blogger, and fat activist. I had the pleasure of chatting with Marielle in today’s episode all about her journey towards where she is now as an ethical fashion blogger and influencer fighting fatphobia and advocating for size inclusivity in the industry. I really enjoy Marielle’s no-BS approach to her work and how she’s not afraid to say things how they are. We talk about her work building community, different business models for being an influencer, and how brands can move towards being more size-inclusive in a holistic way. In this episode, we discuss: How Marielle got into size inclusivity in fashion and ethical fashion How Marielle got started in advocating for size inclusivity in ethical fashion If and when the word "fat" is appropriate Marielle’s thoughts on how ethical fashion has evolved over the past 5 years in regards to size expansion How to approach expanding sizing as a brand, including the barrier How to make expanded sizing a core tenant of your business How to course correct when you make a mistake and use it to learn and grow How Marielle’s business model has evolved as a blogger and influencer with her move towards Patreon What's inspiring Marielle How small brands can work with influencers without a budget Advice for bloggers and influencers looking to get started Lessons Marielle's learned from improv Mentioned in this episode: Episode 69 with Hanna of ethical fashion brand Sotela on expanding sizing for small businesses Brands mentioned: ARQ, Sotela, Free Lable, Nettles Tale Everlane Ex-Wives Club Maries beech's post Marielle's response to Lululemon's expansion Influencers mentioned: Lydia of @Styleisstyle, Lydia Hudgens All the deets: Learn more about Marielle and her work at marielleelizabeth.com, and support her Patreon Follow Marielle on Instagram at @marielle.elizabeth to learn from her and her important work. Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Marielle on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and what type you are— we’d love to hear! Related episodes: Episode 69: Building and growing a size-inclusive slow fashion brand with Hanna Baror-Padilla of Sotela Episode 47: Ethical and sustainable fashion 101 (solo series) Episode 30: The history and heritage of artisan fashion and why fast fashion is a threat, and getting started with ethical fashion with Livia Firth of Eco-Age and Marianne Hernandez
I am elated to chat with my friend Lauren Haynes on today’s episode. Lauren is an herbalist and the founder of Wooden Spoon Herbs, an herbal line she started over five years ago. We chat about a bunch of things related to herbalism, her background, how she formulates (for insane efficacy!), and more, as well as her journey with entrepreneurship and building Wooden Spoon Herbs to be the much-loved and trusted brand it is now, including her recent rebrand and new tea line launching this week! In this episode, we discuss: How Lauren found herbalism and how Wooden Spoon Herbs came to be How herbalism shapes Lauren’s lens and world view Plants Lauren has deep relationships with How she's balancing her political views and her response to civil unrest with showing up as a business owner Wooden Spoon Herb’s brand relaunch and how it came to be What the new brand means to Lauren How Lauren artfully balances selling products with avoiding over commercialization How Lauren built her community and have such deep brand loyalty, including marketing tips and how to approach collaboration Lauren’s approaches formulation The importance of having fun What continues to keep Lauren motivated What Lauren’s finding nourishing lately The new products in her line including herbal coffee and the herbal tea line that launches this week! Lauren's process for evaluating products and supplements The challenges with safety of herbs as they become more and more trendy What's inspiring Lauren lately and what she hopes we carry forward from this time Lauren’s quick and passionate thoughts on essential oils Mentioned in this episode: Sarah Chappel's podcast, So you want to be a witch Erin Lovell Verinder (she’s been on Medium Well twice, listed below!) Alexis Smart Flower Remedies American Herbal Products Association newsletter PubMed for research studies Rosemary Gladstar— Sage Mountain + The Science and Art of Herbalism school, plus her books The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook Chestnut School of herbal medicine Woke without the work by Rootwork Herbals Dive In Well’s Pivot into Equity course All the deets: Learn more about Wooden Spoon Herbs and shop her herbal line at woodenspoonherbs.com, use code MEDIUMWELL15 for a discount (not an affiliate code!) Follow Lauren and Wooden Spoon Herbs on Instagram at @woodenspoonherbs and check out her gorgeous guides, tips, and more. Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Lauren on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and what type you are— we’d love to hear! Related episodes: Episode 43: Connecting with the energies of plants, nature, and our bodies through herbalism with Erin Lovell Verinder Episode 61: Balancing wellness with real life, relationship building, and evaluating trends with Rachelle Robinett Episode 70: Plants for the people, celebrating local plants, and nourishing yourself with Erin Lovell Verinder
In this episode, I chat with Certified Human Design Business Advisor Shaadi Oreyzi all about using human design to navigate your work environment, how you show up in your business, and beyond. Shaadi shares about my chart and how I am wired and explains how to use the powerful Human Design system for navigating all things work and career. In this episode, we discuss: How Shaadi found her way to working with Human Design Why Shaadi decided to focus on HD for business What the five Human Design types are called in a business framework Shaadi breaks down my chart, my strengths, shadows, and beyond All the deets: Learn more about Shaadi and her work, grab your free career map, and book a session with her on her website, ElevateHumans.com Snag a career map and report here, using code MEDIUMWELL for 10% off Follow Shaadi on Instagram at @elevatehumansofficial and check out her gorgeous guides, tips, and more. Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Shaadi on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and what type you are— we’d love to hear! Related episodes: Episode 3: What is human design and how can it help me? with Jaclyn Michelle Episode 57: Digging deeper into human design with Erin Claire Jones
We’re back with more episodes! I am so honored to speak with Leah Thomas and Sabs Katz, founder and co-founder respectively of Intersectional Environmentalist, in today’s episode. We chat about several topics regarding how being an advocate for the environment must be in tandem with doing anti-racism work, how sustainability has been commoditized, and more. This is such an important episode, and I hope you learn from it as much as I did when recording! In this episode, we discuss: How Leah and Sabs got into environmentalism Why Leah and Sabs focus on environmentalism over sustainability How we need to move past zero waste and “mason jar” sustainability How to be more intersectional in your environmentalism and ask harder questions How to call out and call in individuals Why Leah chooses compassion over shaming The challenges of “Columbusing”— people reclaiming things that BIPOC or other cultures have been doing for awhile Cultural appropriation and its impacts on the environmentalism movement The future of Intersectional Environmentalist And more! Mentioned in this episode Kimberle Crenshaw and her TEDTalk, The Urgency of Intersectionality All the deets: Learn more about Intersectional Environmentalist and support their work on their website, intersectionalenvironmentalist.com Check out Leah’s blog and Sab’s YouTube Follow @intersectionalenvironmentalist, @greengirlleah, and @sustainablesabs on Instagram and share their important work Tag me (@saraweinreb) and IE, Leah, and Sabs on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode— we’d love to hear them!
Erin Lovell Verinder, herbalist, naturopath, and author of Plants for the People, is back for round two on Medium Well! In this lovely winding conversation, we discuss what this time of lockdown has meant to her and the planet, how plant medicine feels more important and relevant than ever, what the process of writing her book was like, how she has grown her business, and so much more. In this episode, we discuss: What’s on Erin’s mind as of late What Erin learned in the process of writing her book, Plants for the people How this time is uniquely aligning people with nature Her second book and what it’s about Launching her book during COVID and the challenges Erin’s tips for medicinal herb gardening and connecting to nature at home Erin’s recommendations on how to decide what plants to start with How to balance the trendiness of herbs with deep inner knowing and history How Erin has build a business outside of Instagram for business How Erin deepens her learning as an herbalist Erin’s advice for building intuition and tapping in How Erin finds inspiration for formulating and medicine making What she hopes remains post-COVID from this time What Erin’s finding nourishing right now and what tea she’s drinking lately Dealing with skeptics Erin’s views on being a teacher versus an influencer on Instagram Audience questions since we recorded this live on Zoom! Mentioned in this episode Erin’s gorgeous book, Plants for the People: A modern guide to plant medicine Rosemary Gladstar’s online courses All the deets: Learn more about Erin and her work, and book a session with her, on her website, erinlovellverinder.com Follow Erin on Instagram at @erinlovellverinder and check out her gorgeous guides, tips, and more. Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Erin on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode— we’d love to hear them!
In today’s episode, I chat with my dear friend Hanna Baror-Padilla, founder of Sotela, an ethical and sustainable, size-inclusive fashion line. Hanna and I connected over ethical fashion five or six years ago, when she was an ethical fashion blogger, and I was just starting my ethical fashion journey. Since then we’ve become very close friends, and supported one another in growing our businesses. We chat about her journey starting Sotela and as an entrepreneur, her decision to pivot to made to order, how and why she doubled her sizing, and much more. In this episode, we discuss: Why Hanna decided to launch her own fashion brand after being a blogger Working full time while launching a business How has Sotela evolved since she started it How Hanna decided to pivot to made to order How getting her own studio contributed to her growth How Hanna decided on which risks are worth taking in her business Hanna’s mistakes with Sotela, and what she’s learned from them How Hanna decided to double her sizing and what it entailed The demand for her extended sizes Hanna’s thoughts on the evolution of ethical fashion How to justify the cost of ethical fashion How Hanna has approached financial decisions in her business, and her advice for seeking part-time jobs as an entrepreneur Mentioned in this episode: Marielle Elizabeth Brands that inspire Hanna: Elizabeth Suzann, EILEEN FISHER How I Built This podcast Sotela’s blog post breaking down their pricing All the deets: Check out Hanna’s clothing like Sotela. Sotela’s blog has lots of fashion inspiration, as well as behind-the-scenes look into how Hanna approaches many aspects of her business. Follow along with Hanna at @sotelaco on Instagram Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Hanna on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode! Sign up for my newsletter, Sara… lately, for curated resources, sustainability and mindful living tips, and to keep up with my podcast and work.
In today’s episode, I dive into a topic that’s been on my mind for some time now in regards to wellness. If you’re keeping up with trends, taking fancy supplements and powders, doing the face masks, and beyond— that’s great. But what is it in service of? What are you using your now resilient mind and strong body for? If we aren’t taking care of the collective, showing up to do anti-racism work, and protecting others, what is the point of our wellness? In this episode, I discuss: What is wellness, really? Why you should care about anti-racism work if you care about wellness How wellness has become commoditized and is oppressive How wellness can be overly individualistic and why I believe wellness is about the collective What is your wellness is in service of? Why do you take care of yourself? Why I engage in wellness practices What questions I am reflecting on during this moment How I am part of the problem and what I am working on to unravel that Mentioned in this episode: Sophia Roe Starter, my live 8-week mindful business fundamentals course My newsletter, Sara… lately. Subscribe to keep up to date with what I am thinking, writing, learning, exploring, and launching. Rasa adaptogenic coffee alternative (discount MEDIUMWELL) All the deets: Given the state of the world, my podcast may be released on a less-than-regular basis. Thanks for your patience while I navigate how I hope to evolve this podcast. Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well at saraweinreb.com/podcast Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your takeaways!
Today’s episode is the first episode in the Medium Well… Live! series and it was such a joy to chat again with Deborah of Mama Medicine. We chatted about her experience moving her business to 100% virtual, the themes she’s seeing in her medicine reading, why courage is so important right now, and Deborah answered questions from the audience. It’s such a helpful and assuring listen during this chaotic time. In this episode, we discuss: Deborah’s experience working from home What her shift to a virtual business has been like What grief is teaching us right now What Deborah is finding comfort in, and how she’s spending her time during quarantine What is demanifestation? And how to practice it How to connect to nature at home What is unity consciousness? Themes Deborah is seeing in readings right now How to integrate more fun and play into daily life Deborah’s advice for mindful Instagram consumption Deborah’s advice for entrepreneurs looking to start a wellness or healing-based business Deborah answers the audience’s questions! Mentioned in this episode: Jane Goodall’s conservation work Poetry Deborah is reading: Joy Harjo, Rumi, Hafez The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben Join in on a future Medium Well… Live! podcast recording. All the deets: Connect with Deborah and her work at Mama Medicine, or sign up for her new membership, SPACE. Follow along with Deborah at @mamamedicine on Instagram Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Deborah on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode! Sign up for my newsletter, Sara… lately.
I’m diving into herbal actions in today's episode! I break down what herbal actions are, discuss some of the most common herbal actions like adaptogens, nervines, and alternatives, and give you examples for the different herbal actions I discussed. I also discuss why understanding herbal actions are important, and how we can use them to pick the right herbs to take or formulate with. Nothing in this episode should be taken as medical advice, always consult your doctor or holistic practitioner to ensure you find the right herbs for you! In this episode, I discuss: What are herbal actions? An overview of some of the most common herbal actions we work with, and relevant hers Why herbal actions are an integral part of herbalism How you can use herbal actions to pick the right herbs for you Mentioned in this episode: Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman (my current herbalism textbook) My newsletter, Sara… lately. Subscribe to keep up to date with new program launches. Rasa BOLD, new caffeine-free adaptogen-powered energy tonic from one of my favorite herbal brands, Rasa (discount MEDIUMWELL) Episode 16 with Lopa van der Mersch, founder of Rasa, where we talk a lot about herbal medicine and adaptogens! All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well at saraweinreb.com/podcast Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your takeaways!
Today I chat with Davida Lederle, the founder of The Healthy Maven, all about her decision to quit Instagram as a content creator. We recorded this a couple of weeks before the pandemic shut down most of our country, so while the world we live in is quite different now, this episode is full of insight into the question “how could I possibly run a business in 2020 without Instagram?" Davida shares her experience as a blogger and content creator moving off the platform, how it’s impacted her and her business, and more. In this episode, we discuss: How Davida decided to leave Instagram and what impact it’s had on her and her business Davida’s takeaways from being off of Instagram for over six months How Davida’s business, The Healthy Maven, has shifted since she transitioned off of Instagram Davida’s revenue streams, and why Instagram only played a small role The challenges Davida faced when moving off of Instagram How Davida redefined her metrics Her decision to end her podcast, That’s So Maven Davida’s advice for people thinking of starting a blog All the deets: Check out Davida’s blog, The Healthy Maven, for tons of wellness and healthy lifestyle content Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
In this episode, I chat with yoga teacher Laura Ahrens about how to cope with what’s going on in the world around us. We dive into why the present is really all we have, and how clear COVID-19 has made that for us, how to build your own contemplative practice, why resistance can be a good thing, how to find teachers, and more. It’s a beautiful conversation that is so insightful into how to deal with these times, and how to be present with it. In this episode, we discuss: Why this situation (COVID-19) is forcing us to be present and face uncertainty How to start a contemplative practice right now Laura’s recommended tools to be present and to give room for your emotions Why we feel resistance right now and how it can actually serve us How to make meditation work for you How to ensure you are investing your attention in the right places How to not get overly distracted right now with all the offerings, and why to focus on your practice Laura’s advice on being intentional in your practices How to find great teachers (yoga and beyond) Laura’s views on the cultural appropriation of yoga How to ensure a teacher is in it to serve, not for themselves Can we disassociate the teacher from the teachings? How to balance being a teacher and not being pushy on your agenda Why yoga teachers need to stay in their own lane Mentioned in this episode: Sharon Salzberg’s Instagram post on washing hands to a loving-kindness meditation All the deets: Check out Laura’s work, her upcoming events and virtual yoga classes on her website. Laura is offering 50% off private sessions to make yoga more accessible, and $5 off of the Meditation for Self-Compassion online series with code MEDIUMWELL. Say hi to Laura over on Instagram at @ahrensyoga. Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Laura on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
Psychological Astrologer Dani Beinstein’s last episode of Medium Well (episode 21, where she read my natal chart!) was my most downloaded episode to date, so I have a feeling you will love today’s candid, open, and vulnerable conversation. We talk about astrology and what to expect from 2020, how Dani decided to restructure her work, how innovation and leadership are evolving, her new membership program, how to get into alignment using your chakras, and much more. She even recommends a potential career path for me! I love chatting with Dani because she’s incredibly smart, but also down to earth and funny, and we are both open books, so our conversation organically flows into so many interesting spaces. In this episode, we discuss: Why the last mercury retrograde was so intense How Dani chose to restructure her work, and the importance of unstructured time What’s the deal with 2020, and what do we need to know? The scoop on generalized horoscopes Why disruption is helpful even when it’s painful This year’s transits and eclipses, and what to do about them Dani’s take on how actively involved we should be with aligning with what’s happening astrologically How Dani personally integrates aligning her day to day with her astrology What her new membership community, The Cosmic Compass, looks like The cycles and patterns of innovation and the impact on us What role Instagram plays in Dani’s business and how she uses it The differences between being an influencer and being influential What are the chakras, and how can they show us where we are out of alignment? How to get back into alignment using the external world as a feedback mechanism Dani’s thoughts on a potential career path for me Dani’s thoughts of the astrology apps We answer some of your questions from Instagram! Mentioned in this episode: Dani’s first episode on Medium Well, episode 21, where she reads my natal chart All the deets: Check out Dani’s work, take her courses, and/or book a session with her on her website. Explore Dani’s new membership program, The Cosmic Compass Say hi to Dani over on Instagram at @danibeinstein. Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Dani on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
I discussed all things sustainability in business with today’s guest, Ashley Koller, who is the Sustainability Specialist at Lundberg Family Farm. I visited Lundberg Family Farm back in the fall for their rice harvest, and I really enjoyed learning about how many facets of business they took into consideration for their sustainability efforts— it was quite eye-opening to me. As consumers, we often just see the end product on a shelf, but we don’t see the impact that the product does or doesn’t make in order to get to the shelf. In this episode we dive into multiple elements of sustainability at Lundberg Family Farm— my hope is that it will help you to consider and understand the holistic view of sustainability in business! In this episode, we discuss: How Ashley ended up working in sustainability The history of Lundberg’s sustainability efforts How Lundberg approaches sustainability and their areas of focus How Lundberg prioritizes where to focus their sustainability efforts each year Lundberg’s sustainability efforts in regards to their farming, energy consumption, lowering waste, and packaging, as well as advocacy Why many of Lundberg’s products still come packaged in plastic and the impact of packaging waste How we can be discerning about the brands we support All the deets: You can visit Lundberg Family Farm’s website to learn more about their business and products Tag me (@saraweinreb) and @lundbergfarms on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
In today’s episode, I chatted with Rachelle Robinett, Holistic Health Practitioner, Clinical Herbalist & Founder of Supernatural, for a second time on the pod. Her first episode, episode 4, is one of the most listened to episodes to date— feel free to scroll back and take a listen if you want to hear more about Rachelle’s background and approach. In this episode, we dive into balancing wellness with everyday life, evaluating trends, how Rachelle builds relationships in her business, and beyond. In this episode, we discuss: How to balance your wellness routine with everyday life How to set boundaries with friends and family members How Rachelle evaluates trends like The Bean Protocol and the Meat Diet How to do your own research on trends How Rachelle tests out and evaluates new supplements and herbal products Rachelle’s tips for relationship building How Rachelle sets boundaries and plans her time in business Her tips for a mindful relationship with Instagram Where Rachelle turns to for sound information Mentioned in this episode: T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutritional Studies Hippocrates Health Institute Rachelle’s teacher Wendy Green PubMed and examine.com for research The Game Changers documentary All the deets: Check out Rachelle’s website, where you can find her HRBLS, Supernatural Series, and information on her cafe in Brooklyn and wellness sessions Rachelle’s first episode of Medium Well Say hi to Rachelle over on Instagram at @rachellerobinett and at @ursupernatural for her cafe Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Rachelle on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
In this episode, I discuss my thoughts around the importance of having empathy for others, for not judging others based on your lived experience and preconceptions, and why it’s important to do what’s best for you. The internet and the planet can be such a challenging, hard, lonely, and judgemental place. What if we focused on the things we can control, the life we want to live, and sharing from a place of empathy and understanding, instead of assumptions and judging? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic as well— feel free to message me on Instagram. All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well at saraweinreb.com/podcast Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your thoughts!
This week’s episode was recorded live with my friend Katie in my home in Denver in the company of some lovely women. We discussed overwhelm, freelancing, sustainability, making money, and so much more in this candid, open conversation between friends. In this episode, we discuss: Why we love podcasting How to manage overwhelm, especially as a freelancer Why making money is confusing and weird, especially on the internet The importance of community for freelancers How we made new friends while moving to a new city Why wellness is challenging All the deets: Check out Katie’s work. Katie’s first episode (ep. 22) on Medium Well. Say hi to Katie over on Instagram at @katiedalebout and her course @letapodcastout. Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Katie on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
In this episode, I am answering a question I am asked often: “how did you get started as a freelance writer?” I share my journey with writing, how I got my first clients, relationship building, pitching, pricing and project structure, why sometimes you might take on free work, and more. I spill all my secrets, and while some are specific to writing, I offer tips that will likely help you in any freelance or consulting endeavor. Topics covered: How I started writing Why it’s so important to put your talents out into the world How to build relationships with brands How to pitch publications How pitching works How I price my writing, and what packages I offer Why taking free work might be a great idea to start Mentioned Facebook groups: binders, Dreamers + Doers // jobs & gigs Episode 18 with Erin Halper— all about consulting Episode 15 with Kerry Diamond All the deets: You can find my writing portfolio at saraweinreb.com/writing Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well at saraweinreb.com/podcast Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your thoughts!
Erin Claire Jones and I have crossed paths in many different ways over the years, and I am so thrilled to have her on Medium Well to dive even more deeply into Human Design! I am somewhat skeptical of some of these modalities, but the more I learn about Human Design, the more spot-on I find it. Erin is a wealth of knowledge on the topic, and we dive into some of the areas of human design she doesn’t speak about much— the gates and the lines (profiles), as well as how she built her business, finding purpose, and more. In this episode, we discuss: What is human design? Tips for each of the energy types The wisdom and shadows of each open center How to balance your design with societal expectations How Erin does human design in her own unique way What lines and profiles mean What human design says about finding your purpose What is set in your chart, and what is more flexible All the deets: You can find Erin on Instagram at @erinclairejones and on her website at erinclairejones.com Order your blueprint with discount code MEDIUMWELL (I just got mine and it was really interesting and helpful!) Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Erin on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
In this episode, I chat with Shannon Scott, an Experiential Marketing Consultant, all about building impactful events, her experience moving and building roots in three cities in three years, working in seasons, and so much more. I really enjoy Shannan’s thoughtful, light-hearted, and accessible approach to her work and lifestyle, and I learned a lot from her in this episode about building events that matter! In this episode, we discuss: Shannan’s advice for running events How to build your offline events using an online presence Why Shannan believes events should be simple yet significant Shannan’s experience with moving to three cities in three years How Shannan builds roots in each location she moves to How to make friends in a new place How Shannan approaches working in seasons Shannan’s best practices in building amazing events How to connect to local community All the deets: You can find Shannan on Instagram at @shannanscott and visit her website at shannanscott.com Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Shannan on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
In today’s episode, I chat with Jenni Kayne— you may know her d’orsay flats and cozy sweaters in her namesake brand. We talk about how she built her business to a cult following, what it means to live and work seasonally, why slow, high-quality fashion is pricey, and how Jenni practices self-care as an entrepreneur and mother. Jenni has so much to share as she has been building and growing her business for nearly a decade as a mindful entrepreneur. Dive in and soak up Jenni’s wisdom! In this episode, we discuss: How Jenni started her business and acquired her first customers How and when she decided to hire a CEO for her brand, and how she built her team How Jenni stays motivated after so many years in her business Why higher-end, sustainable clothing is more expensive How Jenni ensures her business decisions are in alignment Jenni’s self-care routine What living seasonally means to Jenni in her business and personal life How everyone can approach effortless entertaining All the deets: You can find Jenni Kayne on Instagram at @jennikayne, and shop her collection on her website, jennikayne.com Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Jenni on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
If you are interested in sustainability or if you are simply a human living on this planet, Kamea Chayne, Conscious Creator and Host of Green Dreamer Podcast, dig in deep in today’s episode. We talk about sustainability from a holistic standpoint, looking at militarism, banking, and more in addition to living a low waste lifestyle. Kamea is a wealth of information in regards to sustainability, and this conversation was so eye-opening for me! We also dove into the details of how she runs her business and her transitioning business model, which offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective. In this episode, we discuss: How Kamea has evolved her brand beyond blogging What Kamea considers the most pressing issues in sustainability How militarism plays a role Is the zero waste movement overhyped? Banking and what you can do regarding fossil fuels Kamea’s focus on restoration, rewilding, and regeneration Why it’s so important to plant native species Why we need to address the underlying causes of consumerism How Kamea evaluates brands and avoids greenwashing Kamea’s revenue streams and challenges with being a “blogger” vs. being a journalist How Kamea is pivoting to run a platform that is run by community support How to make a difference with big brands What gives Kamea hope Mentioned in this episode: Kiss the Ground and their Soil Advocacy Training Cancel Prime movement Fibershed (sustainable textile education, advocacy, and support for farmers) Regenerative Organic Alliance (and certification) NATIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems) by Sean Sherman Aja Barber All the deets: You can find Kamea on Instagram at @kameachayne and her podcast at @greendreamerpodcast Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Kamea on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode! Related episodes: Episode 16: Sustainable business with Lopa van der Mersch of Rasa Episode 26: Going zero waste personally and in business with Leslie Campbell of Sustain LA Episode 33: Connecting to mother earth with Deborah Hanekamp of Mama Medicine Episode 43: Exploring the energies of plants with Erin Lovell Verinder
Medium Well is back for season two! In this episode, I recap what I've been up to the past two months, what I've been exploring and enjoying, and what I envision for the next season of the podcast. All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your thoughts!
Just a short episode to talk about the season break I am taking for a few weeks, and a request for your thoughts and feedback. Thank you for listening to Medium Well! All the deets: Sign up for my new newsletter, Sara… lately Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work.
I am, by default, a very curious person, which means I question everything and always want to dig deeper. Lately, I’ve been wondering what the impact of convenience culture has on our lives— our ability to be present and focus inwards, on our planet, on our connection to one another. How does our fast and cheap lifestyle impact our wellbeing? In this episode, I share my thoughts on the topic. In this episode, I discuss: How to always take a pause before buying something new or making a decision How slowing down allows for possibilities, synchronicity, and magic Why faster sometimes bypasses the point The impact of shortcuts on people involved in making and selling products How convenience culture can disconnect you from your intuition Mentioned in this episode: My article on The Fullest about convenience culture Zach Bush on our soil health and the impact of roundup (glyphosate) on our soil Sign up for my new newsletter, Sara… lately (bottom of my website!) All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work.
Stressed out, worried, and anxious used to be my norm— and now, while I am not exactly stress-free, it’s no longer a given. In this episode I talk about how my journey into sustainability and mindful living lead me to intentionalism, living an intentional lifestyle, and the tools and resources I use to slow down and be less stressed. As stress is one of our biggest contributors to disease, it’s so important to manage your stress levels. Plus, it just feels better! In this episode, I discuss: How ditching fast fashion was the first step in a slower lifestyle Swapping out things that keep me “busy” for things that support my health and wellbeing How I now take time off from work and moved away from “hustling” Why it’s important to curate the people, things, experiences, and everything in my life My favorite tools for stress and anxiety Why I love morning pages— the form of journaling I do every morning How I choose easy Why it’s important to feel your feelings Mentioned in this episode: Morning pages Meditation apps: Insight Timer, Headspace, Calm Kirtan Kriya Asana project management tool (Hilary talks about this in her episode!) Rasa herbal coffee alternative— use code MEDIUMWELL for 20% off My favorite herbal products for anxiety are Anxiety Ally by Wooden Spoon Herbs and HRBLS My article on Forest Bathing My article on intentionalism Sign up for my new newsletter, Sara… lately (bottom of my website!) All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work.
Like many of us, I have had a long and winding health journey, consisting of several chronic conditions. In this episode, I share my health story including being diagnosed with chronic migraines at age 13, and my nearly 3-year journey to get a cancer diagnosis. I also share my tips for navigating your own health journey, if you or someone you love is going through it (though I hope that’s not the case!). In this episode, I discuss: My chronic migraine diagnosis at age 13 How I struggled with chronic pelvic pain My nearly 3-year journey to receive a cancer diagnosis What I believe my cancer diagnosis taught me My advice for navigating your own health journey The importance of being your own advocate Trusting your gut in your health journey How to use downtime for treatments, driving to doctors, and more Mentioned in this episode: Heal your headache by Dr. David Buchholz (the migraine elimination diet that radically helped me!) Sign up for my new newsletter, Sara… lately (bottom of my website!) All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work.
Okay, I know this might be a bit controversial. And I am a big advocate for reducing waste, of course. The problem is, I think the way zero waste is presented doesn’t present or allow for the complexity of the situation. We are often pigeon-holed into picking the “non-plastic” item in order to keep up with what’s presented as best for the planet, but there are so many other considerations at stake. In this episode, I break down my thoughts on the matter. In this episode, I discuss: Why I think the zero waste movement is important but also reductionistic Other things we can do to be eco-friendly The complexity of the environmental crisis The different factors I consider when making a purchase How we produce waste, even if we don’t see it Why I don’t believe in the “mason jar” approach to documenting your trash Why we need a lot of people trying to do their best, not intimidated by the zero-waste movement How to avoid eco-anxiety Mentioned in this episode: Sustainable Sabs’ piece on why the mason jar is a myth Sign up for my new newsletter, Sara… lately (bottom of my website!) All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work.
I am a huge fan of avoiding the trap of sunk costs, and so I am excited to share all about this concept in today’s episode. Understanding sunk costs really changed my perspective and even my life in some ways. In this episode, I discuss: What is a sunk cost? How to avoid getting trapped in a sunk cost Examples of common sunk costs How to shift your mindset in regards to sunk costs Why understanding sunk costs is another tool for mindfulness and presence Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for my new newsletter, Sara… lately (bottom of my website!) All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work.
Today’s episode is all about ethical and sustainable fashion. I discuss my experience with transitioning to ethical fashion and starting an ethical fashion business. I explain how to evaluate which items are ethically and sustainably made, why ethical fashion was a mindset shift and how it helped me live a more intentional life and save money. In this episode, I discuss: The difference between sustainable and ethical fashion My journey with ethical fashion and starting my business How I saved money by transitioning to only buying ethical fashion Why ethical fashion is a mindset shift How to avoid impulse shopping What story do your clothes (and material items) tell? Why you should start with what you have Sustainable materials and how to evaluate them Why shopping small and local is so important Mentioned in this episode: Resources to evaluate ethical brands: Good on you Articles I have written on ethical fashion: Clothing swaps, how my life changed with ethical fashion, the importance of shopping small, why we need to know where our clothes are made Learn about sustainable fabrics Some of my favorite brands: Sotela, Miakoda Episode 30 with Livia Firth on ethical fashion Sign up for my new newsletter, Sara… lately (bottom of my website!) I am hosting Design Thinking 101 virtual webinars for $11! Tickets and details here. All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work.
This episode is my reflection on how challenging it is to have “business as usual” when there is seemingly an endless amount of suffering in the world at the moment. Between the Amazon fires, mass shootings, immigration issues… I am struggling to balance my work in “wellness” with the overall challenges in the world. It’s hard to feel like my work is making an impact when there are so much huge issues to tackle. In this episode, I discuss: How I am having trouble balancing my work with my emotions and the feeling like it’s not enough What wellness is and isn’t in my perspective Why it’s important to connect to others How if you are feeling this way too, you’re not alone Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for my new newsletter, Sara… lately (bottom of my website!) I am hosting Design Thinking 101 virtual webinars for $11! Tickets and details here. Come say hi and hear me chat about sustainable living at the Coco Bakes popup in LA on 9/7. Tickets + deets here. You can use code SEESARA for a discount! All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work.
Today’s episode is the first in my new solo series! Today I am teaching the fundamental principles and steps in the design thinking process, a creative problem-solving methodology that puts user empathy at the center point of your offerings. This way you are designing for your market and making it inherently desirable, not creating something and then convincing your market that they need it! I have taught and used this tool for 7 years now, and I can say confidently it will change the way you do business. You can skip to 6:40 if you want to bypass the part where I talk about the solo series and why I am launching it! In this episode, I discuss: Why I am launching a solo series What is design thinking? And why is it useful? (Starts at 6:40) The roles of desirability, feasibility, and viability What user empathy is and why it’s fundamental to your business The three phases of design thinking: inspiration, ideation, implementation What happens in each phase of design thinking Examples of design thinking and how I have used it in my business Mentioned in this episode: My offering to you: a live 75-minute design thinking workshop where I will walk you through each of the steps and how to use them in your business Helpful graphics to reference All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and how you will use design thinking in your work. Related episodes: Episode 44: Practical and mystical tools for building and scaling a wellness startup with Michelle Pellizzon of Holisticism
I am thrilled to have Michelle Pellizzon, founder and CEO of Holisticism, as my first repeat guest on Medium Well! Michelle’s first episode (episode 25) on her health and healing journey, her career, wellness, and how she came to start Holisticism was well-loved, and she’s back for round two to talk all things business. This episode is a deep dive into how she started Holisticism, what practical and mystical tools she used, her advice for starting something new, and lots of helpful nitty-gritty details on building a mission-driven business. If you are an entrepreneur, someone considering starting a side hustle, or just want to learn about the behind-the-scenes of a fast-growing startup, you will love and learn so much from this episode. In this episode, we discuss: Why Michelle is sharing more of her behind-the-scenes at Holisticism Using KPIs (key performance indicators) to chart your growth How to determine which KPIs to use in your business The importance of starting with why What Michelle’s KPIs currently look like for Holisticism Why entrepreneurship is really a personal development tool How to build a content business model Why Holisticism has two business models How Michelle uses her intuition to run her business How to use content as a laboratory The importance of vulnerability in business How Michelle used user interviews to scale her business How Michelle integrates mysticism and spiritual tools into her operations How to not get distracted by all the tools out there Which tools Michelle used to start her business and which she uses regularly now The question Michelle asks herself every day to stay in alignment in her business Michelle’s approach to alternative revenue streams and funding options— and why she gave the money she fundraised back How Michelle scaled her business The importance of reaching out to your network and strategic partnerships How to increase your SEO (search engine optimization) Michelle’s productivity tips How Michelle determines what she wants to focus on next in her business Michelle’s advice for learning new things in business Mentioned in this episode: How great leaders inspire action, Simon Sinek’s TED Talk Kirtan Kriya— the Kundalini meditation Michelle used when starting her business Wild Oat, Bach flower remedies Human design: read about it on Holisticism, listen to our episode on human design (episode 3) Akashic records: read about it on Holisticism, listen to our episode (39) with Ashley Wood Golde superfood company The soul writing exercise from The Intuitive Way: A Guide to Living from Inner Wisdom by Penney Peirce, or read the recap on Holisticism Michelle’s super helpful pieces on how she runs her business on Holisticism: 19 Mystical And Practical Tools I Use Daily To Run My Business Want To Get More Eyes On Your Content, Product, Or Service? Here Are 8 Steps You Can Take To Start Right Now: Part 1 8 Mystical And Practical Processes That Drive More Traffic To Your Site: Part 2 All the deets: Sign up for the newsletter, read the blog, f ind upcoming online workshops and/or sign up to work with a facilitator at Holisticism.com (or sign up as a facilitator!) You can find Holisticism on Instagram at @holisticism, and Michelle’s personal account at @betterbymichelle Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Michelle/Holisticism on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode! Related episodes: Episode 39: Akashic Records with Ashley Wood Episode 40: Connecting to your intuition with Jessica Peppler Episode 6: Tarot reading with Helen Miamii Moon Episode 21: Natal chart reading with Dani Beinstein Episode 3: Human design reading with Jaclyn Michelle
You’re in for a treat with today’s episode, where I chat with the lovely Erin Lovell Verinder. Erin is an Herbalist, Nutritionist, Energetic Healer, and Author, and she is one of the most comforting people to talk to! Her knowledge of plant-based living and medicine is deep, and in this conversation we explored her background in herbalism, how to connect to the energy of nature and plants, gut health, being more present, healing yourself from burnout, and much more. In this episode, we discuss: Erin’s perspective on herbalism— combining science and tradition How to tap into the energy of plants The easiest ways to start taking herbs Why local herbs are more powerful What herbal infusions are and how to get started with them How to truly tap into the power of herbs Erin’s advice for using muscle testing to get to know your body How to connect to nature and why it’s so powerful Being more present in a digital age Erin’s thoughts on disconnecting and creating digital boundaries, including her nighttime routing Erin’s recent experience with burnout and how she approached healing Her advice for healing and preventing burnout How to create space for your wellbeing in your schedule if you are super busy Erin’s tips for gut health How her business has evolved with the changing times The trends Erin sees in her work Erin’s advice for aspiring herbalists How to find your authentic voice - how to unblock and unlock Erin’s recent plant safari when shooting photography for her upcoming book All the deets: Learn more about Erin and her work, and book a session with her, on her website, erinlovellverinder.com Follow Erin on Instagram at @erinlovellverinder (check out her story highlights for info on herbal infusions and muscle testing, as discussed!) Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Erin on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode— we’d love to hear them!
Today’s episode is so packed with useful information about our health and wellbeing! I chatted with Victoria Albina, Functional Medicine Life Coach and Breathwork Facilitator, all about ways to heal. Victoria was my functional medicine practitioner in NYC, and it’s been fascinating watching her evolve her practice from externally-focused to internally-focused, helping her clients to be their own healer, which we discuss at length in this episode. In this episode, we discuss: Victoria’s health journey and how it led to where she is now Why Victoria decided to become a Nurse Practitioner How she learned about herbs and nutrition How Victoria’s practice is evolving from external to internal-focused, shifting the power to the patient How she is moving towards a more feminist healing framework in her practice What are energy leaks and how do they affect us? How symptoms are a way of your body telling you something helpful How Victoria balances science and softer practices What the vagus nerve is, and what polyvagal theory is, and why they are so important Victoria’s personal practice How to balance intuitive eating and therapeutic nutrition Victoria’s tips for managing stress What is breathwork? How it works and what her routine looks like with it. Victoria’s advice for connecting inwards to know what your body actually needs so you can self-heal Mentioned in this episode: Victoria’s Breathwork playlist on Spotify Victoria’s post on the Vagus Nerve Episode 40 with Jessica Peppler (who Victoria did her breathwork training with) The Human Path, Sam Kaufman’s herbal school Victoria’s free breathwork workshop on August 14 All the deets: Victoria’s life coaching, functional medicine practice, breathwork sessions, and podcast can be found on her website, victoriaalbina.com Follow Victoria on Instagram at @victoriaalbinawellness Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Victoria on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode— we’d love to hear them!
Seher Sinkandar is a multi-hyphenate— she’s a photographer, writer, community facilitator, speaker, and creative strategist, amongst other things. In this episode we talk about having various identities, Seher’s process to explore what she enjoys and what she wants to offer, how she chooses projects, and her healing journey. In this episode, we discuss: Seher’s journey into freelance creative work How she’s evolving beyond photography and what she is focusing on expanding into How she started her writings on Instagram How her Sudanese Healing Database project came to be What exploration really looks like and how she structures it How to be known for anything when you do many things Seher’s healing journey How she uses Qi Gong for healing Mentioned in this episode: Seher’s Sudan Healing Database project All the deets: Seher’s Qi Gong class schedule, in-person events, 1:1 insight sessions, photography work, and upcoming online workshops can be found on her website, seher.co Follow Seher on Instagram at @seher Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Seher on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode— we’d love to hear them!
On this episode of Medium Well, I chat with Jessica Peppler, a Psychic Medium & Breathwork Healer, all about intuition. Instead of relying on external advice, Jessica shares how to connect to your own inner wisdom and strengthen your connection to your intuition. In the second half of the episode, Jessica shares a psychic reading for me (starting at 1:08:06), which was very interesting and informative! I think you will love this episode and learn so much. In this episode, we discuss: How Jessica came to be a professional psychic and medium, and why it surprised her How Jessica started as a skeptic Can everyone be psychic? What it means to surrender Jessica’s definition of intuition How to access and strengthen your intuition How signs play a role in intution How to differentiate between ego and intuition The various of methods of accessing intuition, what Jessica calls the “clairs” The difference between thinking and inution How to follow your intuition without insulting people Tips and resources for accessing intuition most regularly Lifestyle changes that may aid your connection to your intuition Jessica’s psychic reading for me— reading my chakras and answering questions (starting at 1:08:06) Mentioned in this episode: Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker Jessica’s free Awaken Your Intuition course for Medium Well listeners All the deets: Jessica’s sessions, courses, and upcoming workshops (including her breathwork workshop on 7/31!) are available on her website, jessicapeppler.com Follow Jessica on Instagram at @jessicapeppler Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Jessica on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode— we’d love to hear them!
I was thrilled to chat with Ashley Wood, an International Akashic Records Reader and host of the Manifest This podcast, to learn more about the Akashic records, how they may serve us, and how we can find our soul’s purpose, for this week’s episode. Ashley also opens my Akashic Records for a mini-reading so you can get a sense of what the experience is like! Ashley has so much wise advice, and is so in her power— she’s an expander for me and I hope you’ll learn a lot from today’s episode as well. In this episode, we discuss: What are the Akashic Records? How do they work? Ashley’s approach to skeptics How nothing is a coincidence. How Ashley differentiates self-awareness versus soul-awareness How to find your soul’s purpose and why it may look differently than you though Why Ashley is not afraid to change her mind or pivot How micro-decisions can make a big impact on your life How to allow yourself to feel your feelings Ashley opens the Akashic Records for me for a mini reading Mentioned in this episode: To Be Magnetic- Lacy Philip’s manifestation and unblocking work All the deets: Ashley’s work and courses, as well as information about her podcast, are available on her website, ashleywood.life Follow Ashley on Instagram at @_ashleywood. Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Ashley on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode— we’d love to hear them!
In today’s episode I talk about Plastic Free July and my tips for getting started with sustainable and zero waste living. It can feel overwhelming at first, but there are so many easy steps you can take to get started on reducing your environmental footprint. Whether you’re brand new to this lifestyle or a pro, I hope this episode provides you with some new tips and insight into sustainable living. In this episode, I discuss: The Plastic Free July Movement How to get into the mindset of sustainable living Why reduce, reuse, recycle isn’t a circle— it’s a hierarchy, and what it’s missing How to audit your trash What to include in your zero waste toolkit for reducing waste on the go How to use your own containers while shopping in the bulk section How reducing your waste is not the end all, be all of sustainability and what the bigger picture is Why zero waste “fails”, to me, are actually wins What to do if you can’t find something plastic-free How to help others get on board with your sustainable lifestyle Why composting is another useful tool and a helpful tip Prioritizing multi-use over single-use Why you should give yourself grace in the process How getting into nature is important for your sustainability practice Mentioned in this episode: A handy PDF guide to the topics I discussed in the episode Plastic Free July All the deets: Find all the previous episodes of Medium Well on my website. Tag me (@saraweinreb) on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode and what you want to try. Related episodes: Episode 7: Sustainable living, global health, and building an impact-driven business with Megan Faletra Episode 15: Building a brand that sticks, celebrating women in food, and going green with Kerry Diamond Episode 16: Grounded wellness, adapting through adaptogens, and living with curiosity and empathy with Lopa Van der Mersch Episode 26: Living a zero waste lifestyle, sustainable events, and green business with Leslie VanKeuren Campbell Episode 33: Reconnecting to mother earth, financial responsibility and healing, mindful confrontation, and conscious consumption with Deborah Hanekamp of Mama Medicine Episode 35: Taking the pressure off your passions, rooting sustainability in nature, setting boundaries, and managing burnout with Rebecca Magee
Emmalea Russo is an astrologer and a writer. In this episode, we discuss astroplanning, what she calls planning your schedule, life events, and more around astrology, and get into what astrology is really about. We also talk about the upcoming eclipse season and what you need to know about it! In this episode, we discuss: Emmalea’s path to working with astrology Her favorite astrological and spiritual tools How to incorporate astrology in day to day life How the moon is a grounding element of astrology, and how to plan around the moon Emmalea’s approach to astroplanning How does Astrology actually work? What to know about the upcoming eclipse season How the eclipse season effects my chart Mentioned in this episode: The Alphabet Versus the Goddess By Leonard Shlain Get your own chart at astro.com All the deets: Learn more about Emmalea and her services: emmalearusso.com (use code MEDIUM for 15% off her services) Listen to Emmalea’s podcast, Avant Galaxy Follow Emmalea on Instagram at @avant_galaxy
We dive into all things CBD in today’s episode, where I chat with Amy Duncan, Founder and CEO of Mowellens. Amy launched Mowellens last year after her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer, and we talk about her journey with her husband, launching the company, and deep dive into the world of CBD. Is it the cure-all it’s being touted as? And so much more. In this episode, we discuss: Amy’s career path How her husband discovered he had a brain tumor Why Amy decided to launch Mowellens What it’s like to make your personal story your business Amy’s experience with being a caregiver, and her advice for caregivers What is CBD? Why the CBD industry has exploded Is CBD a cure-all? How CBD is the movement of our generation Why low-quality CBD can be dangerous, and how to find a good brand How to evaluate CBD lab tests The best ways to take CBD Who should not take CBD and why some people have adverse reactions How CBD can become more accessible What Amy does for fun How to do your own research on wellness trends Mentioned in this episode: PubMed for research Growth Hacking with Vin Clancy Natural Products Expo West All the deets: Check out Mowellens and use code MEDIUMWELL for 10% off your purchase Keep up with Amy’s personal story on her website Follow along with Amy at @livingduncan, and Mowellens at @mowellens on Instagram Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Amy/Mowellens on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!
This week’s episode is with my dear friend Rebecca Magee. Rebecca is a sustainability professional in the fashion industry, a facilitator, and a women's retreats host. She is deeply knowledgeable about sustainability in fashion and beyond, and I am constantly learning from her! This episode is a peek into our conversation in my home in Denver— our interests have evolved as has our friendship— and I am excited for you to learn from Rebecca as well. In this episode, we discuss: What it’s like when your passions change and how to flow with it What it means to be a “light green” vs. “dark green” sustainability advocate How to navigate feeling disconnected from yourself How Rebecca got interested in the sustainability space The lowdown on ethical and sustainable fashion Protecting your passions instead of putting pressure on them The difference between dreams and goals The challenges of perfectionism and let down your barriers How Rebecca realized she was experiencing burnout and what she did about it Rebecca’s newest project Mentioned in this episode: Jessica Peppler’s Empowered Intuition course The Modern Manager Podcast by Mamie Kanfer Stewart All the deets: Keep up to date with Rebecca’s future retreats and project launches by signing up for her newsletter Follow along with Rebecca at @thisiwear on Instagram Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Rebecca on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!