Mind The Gaps

Welcome to Episode #30: The Equilibrium of Food & Fitness, where Kirsten is joined by Shauna Wallace, Registered Psychotherapist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, and Group Fitness Instructor. Together, they discuss how trauma, shame, and societal pressures affect eating behaviours and body image. Shauna explains returning “home” to your body with compassion, using somatic therapy and yogic principles to find balance, and moving beyond the cycles of bingeing and restrictive eating. This episode offers key insights on intuitive eating, mindful movement, and building a healthy, loving relationship with food, exercise, and yourself. Tune in for a compassionate guide on reconnecting with your body and finding your equilibrium.

Welcome to Episode #29: Crowning The King Within. In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Mike Elliott, an evolutionary relationship coach helping high-achieving men shed societal armour and embrace deeper emotional work. Together, they explore redefining masculinity through vulnerability, inner child work, and the archetypes of the lover, warrior, magician, and king. Mike shares how balancing masculine and feminine energies can deepen relationships and foster authentic connection—a win for everyone. This one's for the men and the mothers, daughters, and partners walking alongside them. Tune in for an inspiring look at evolving masculinity and showing up fully in life and love.

Welcome to Episode 28: ‘DiagNOsis' Reawakened. In this episode, Kirsten re-releases her take on traditional medical models of mental health, featuring insights from Gabor Mate's recent talk on Trauma, Illness, and Healing, in a Toxic Culture. Kirsten exposes the limitations of mental disorder diagnostics and inspiring us to transcend these labels. Embracing a holistic approach to wellness, she invites us to think of one another's emotional states in the context of our unique life journeys, rather than simply categorizing them as 'disordered'. Get ready to unlock your power to rise above suffering, by viewing your emotions as sensations you experience, not as traits you possess.

Welcome to Episode 27: Ancient Healing in the Modern World. In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Dr. Kevin Preston, a trailblazer in Traditional Chinese Medicine, to explore the body's innate wisdom as a guide to healing in 2025. Dr. Preston delves into the profound connections between emotions and the body, explaining how organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and heart reflect and influence specific emotional states. He also shares his unique approach to addressing autoimmune conditions and the impact of modern toxins; blending acupuncture, herbal medicine, and emotional awareness to uncover root causes and restore vitality. Together, Kirsten and Dr. Preston unpack fresh insights into healing by listening to the body and integrating ancient wisdom with modern wellness.

Welcome to Episode 26: Beyond a Couch and a Cardigan. In this episode, Kirsten demystifies the therapy experience—breaking down common stereotypes to reveal its true purpose. She discusses why therapy is more than just venting, the key differences between types of therapists, and why confronting pain is the best way through it. Kirsten also provides guidance on finding the right therapist, getting the most out of sessions, and how she maintains boundaries between clients' issues and her own life. Most importantly, she emphasizes the need to normalize therapy—because everyone deserves the chance to heal and grow.

Welcome to Episode 25: Peaceful Prosperity. In this episode, Kirsten is joined by Oliver Manalese, a transformation coach, spiritual guide, business owner, and author of The Daily Prosperity Method. Together, they explore what it means to align your work with your gifts, diving into themes of fixing energy leaks, ending the war within, and transmuting into our highest selves. Oliver also shares insights from his book, which has empowered readers to ‘own their day' by intentionally creating environments for growth. This episode is a powerful reminder to quit playing it small, and to take bold steps toward a life that is peacefully prosperous.

Welcome to Episode 24: Psychological Wealth. In this thought-provoking episode, Kirsten introduces the concept of filling our ‘mental piggy banks' to create richer, more fulfilling lives. Drawing from her background in existential psychotherapy, Kirsten examines how the four ultimate concerns of life—meaning, isolation, freedom, and death—can serve as currencies for psychological wealth. Tune in to understand how making meaningful investments in yourself can elevate your overall wellbeing.

Welcome to Episode 23: Music to My Heart. In this episode, Kirsten sits down with the talented indie-pop artist goodheart, a singer, songwriter, and producer who has been making music and transforming her world into sound since childhood. Together, they delve into the profound connections between music and the mind, exploring themes including emotions, creativity, flow state, and vulnerability. goodheart also shares her unique perspectives on the art of music-making, performing, and self-expression. Abundant with snippets of goodheart's original songs, this episode offers a heartfelt journey into how music can help us better understand ourselves and each other. All musical rights of goodheart's songs included in this episode belong to goodheart / ℗ © Lianna Marie Boncore: "Make Me Feel" (2022), “Back To You” (2021), “Horses” (2024), “Running From You” (2022), “Just For One Night” (2023), & “I Don't Wanna Know” (2024). goodheart has granted Kirsten Davidson consent to include her original audio tracks into this podcast episode.

Welcome to Episode 22: Love is a Verb. In this heartfelt episode, Kirsten delves into the beauty and complexity of the 5 Love Languages—quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, and receiving gifts. She reveals how understanding your preferred love languages, and others', can transform the way you navigate both dating and relationships. Kirsten also reminds us that authenticity is the cornerstone of every meaningful connection. Join us as we explore the harmony of love languages and uncover how to nurture relationships that are genuine, fulfilling, and alive with intention.

Welcome to Episode 21: From Gaps to Growth in 2024. In this year's final episode, Kirsten brings together her 2024 podcast guests to share how they stepped out of their comfort zones and embraced their growth zones. By 'Minding Their Gaps', Kirsten and 11 guests openly reflect on pivotal growth moments that shaped their year, and will inspire their journey into 2025.

Welcome to Episode 20: Quantum Healing, where Kirsten is joined by Dr. Tracey Clark, owner, director, and master practitioner at Quantum Physician. Dr. Clark, an advanced certified BodyTalk practitioner with a Doctorate in Integrative Medicine and a diploma in manual osteopathy, integrates quantum principles into a holistic model of medicine that bridges Eastern and Western traditions. In this episode, Kirsten and Dr. Clark explore how quantum theory manifests in our everyday lives, discussing topics such as entanglement, downward causation, the observation effect, and quantum leaping. Together, they uncover our universal quantum connectedness and guide us in tapping into our infinite potential.

Welcome to Episode 19: How to ‘Thrise' where Kirsten is joined by Kasia Sitarz, creator of the term blending 'thriving' and 'rising above'. Owner of The Clinic Health and Wellness, and host of the Thrise Podcast, Kasia brings her expertise as a Heart Coherence Coach, Intuitive Healer, and Fitness Ambassador to the conversation. In this episode, Kasia shares her inspiring journey of letting go of perfectionism, embracing authenticity, and embodying what it truly means to ‘thrise'. Together, Kirsten and Kasia explore the heart-brain connection, releasing trauma from the body, and nurturing healthy habits and relationships.

Welcome to Episode 18: Travel as Our Greatest Teacher, where Kirsten is joined by Melanie Caines, an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT-500), Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist, and Neurogenic Yoga & TRE provider. As a lover of travel, Melanie has been leading vibrant international yoga retreats in Costa Rica (where Kirsten first met her), Cuba, Mexico, Indonesia, Morocco, and across Europe for over a decade. On retreat and in this episode, Melanie and Kirsten shared laughter, tears, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of journeys not just destinations. Join them as they ‘unpack' how travel can serve as our greatest teacher.

Welcome to Episode 17: Therapist Remix. In this exclusive episode, Kirsten switches things up by interviewing her Psychotherapist, Daniel Farb, who also writes and records rap music under the stage name, MC FÜBB. Merging his musical talent with his expertise in mental health, Daniel brings us behind the scenes of his song lyrics and personal experiences related to addiction, perfectionism, and the limitations of traditional mental healthcare. As a trained professional in one of Kirsten's favourite therapeutic interventions: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Daniel reveals how we can unburden ourselves from the past by facing multiple ‘parts' of ourselves, leading to a more integrated and fulfilling existence.   All musical rights of Daniel Farb's songs included in this episode belong to MC FÜBB / Daniel Farb: "Dear Doctor", "Perfect", & "Opioid Crisis", Wounded Healer, 2019, 705205 Records DK. MC FÜBB / Daniel Farb, has granted Kirsten Davidson consent to include his original audio tracks into this podcast episode.

Welcome to Episode 16: When Psychology Meets Philosophy, where Kirsten is joined by philosopher and bestselling author, Jonny Thomson. Well known for his books Mini Philosophy, Mini Big Ideas, and Mini Psychology, Jonny also runs the Mini Philosophy instagram account @philosophyminis. In this episode, Jonny shares his philosophical insights on meaning, free will, ethics, consciousness, and how not to be boring. As Kirsten and Jonny fuse their expertise of psychology and philosophy, they reveal how anyone can enrich their life by exploring it more deeply.

Welcome to Episode #15: Long for Nothing. In this episode, Kirsten brings us on a journey into the gap between ‘longing' and ‘looking forward' to things in life. As we learn how to overcome pain from the past, feel grateful for the present, and excitedly anticipate the future, we'll find ourselves longing for nothing. Kirsten endorses that when we feel whole, we get to look forward to life instead of longing for a better one.

Welcome to Episode 14: Word To The Wise, where Kirsten is joined by retired Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Susan Dafoe. Susan specialized in gerontology, health education, relationships, parenting, neurofeedback, and continues to lead classes on yoga and mindfulness. In this episode, Susan's shares her wisdom on wisdom itself through her professional and personal experiences as a mother of three, grandmother to six, daughter to her 99-year-old mother, sister to two brothers, and friend to many. Together, Susan and Kirsten explore the roots relationships, resilience, confidence, story-telling, and timeless life lessons.

Welcome to Episode #13: Taking Back The Morning. In this episode, Kirsten delves into the whole-body benefits of slowing down our mornings to engage in self-care practices. As we get up close and personal with our host, Kirsten shares the 6 habits that make up her ‘slow morning' routine. By minding the gap between rushing and re-charging in the morning, we'll discover how the latter can lead to a happier and healthier life.

Welcome to Episode 12: Olympic State of Mind, where Kirsten is joined by Professional Athlete, Austin Smeenk. Austin has represented Team Canada in wheelchair racing at the two most recent Paralympic Games and in 5 World Championships. In this episode, we'll get a look inside the mind of an elite athlete during peak performance whilst training for the 2024 Paralympic Games held in Paris, France. With gratitude, Austin shares his wisdom on transforming obstacles into opportunities by prioritizing his mental and physical well-being.

Welcome to Episode 11: Love vs. Fear. In this episode, Kirsten reveals how everything we think, feel, and do is rooted in one of two states: love or fear. On this deep dive into into the roles of our emotions, Kirsten uses a variety of metaphors to explain why acceptance equals love and resistance equals fear. As we mind this gap between love and fear, we'll discover our potential for limitless growth, and limitless love.

Welcome to Episode 10: Ever-Evolving, where Kirsten is joined by Professor of Psychology, Dr. Pat Barclay. Dr. Barclay is cross-appointed to the Department of Psychology and the Bachelor of Arts & Science program at the University of Guelph, where he conducts research on the evolution of human cooperation. In this episode, we'll learn the ins and outs of evolutionary psychology; discovering how human psychological adaptations have developed in response to ancestral challenges. Together, Kirsten and Dr. Barclay cover topics ranging from cooperation, taboos, altruism, casual dating and long-term dating, and how nice guys can finish first, all through an evolutionary lens.

Welcome to Episode 9: DiagNOsis. In this episode, Kirsten challenges traditional medical models of mental health by revealing the limitations of mental disorder diagnostics and inspiring us to transcend these labels. Embracing a holistic approach to wellness, Kirsten invites us to think of one another's emotional states in the context of our unique life journeys, rather than simply categorizing them as 'disordered'. Get ready to unlock your power to rise above suffering, by viewing your emotions as sensations you ‘experience', not as traits you ‘possess'.

Welcome to Episode 8: Mind-Body Fusion, where Kirsten is joined by Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Curtis Baker. Dr. Baker is a co-founder and co-owner of Simcoe Naturopathic Clinic in Ontario. In this episode, we'll discover that there is no ‘gap' between mind and body, as they are inextricably fused. Dr. Baker shares his insights on this mind-body fusion through research-based evidence, professional practice, and personal experiences. By exploring the benefits of a holistic approach to overall wellbeing, Kirsten and Dr. Baker aim to close the perceived gap between mind and body.

Welcome to Episode 7: Authentic & Accepted. In this episode, Kirsten explores why we sometimes lose touch with our true self, and how we can get back to living in harmony with our beliefs, values, and desires. Get ready to dive into the ‘gap' between the version of yourself that you show to the world and your authentic self - it's here, where you'll discover that authenticity fosters connection. 

Welcome to Episode 6: Life Lessons from Yoga, where Kirsten is joined by Yoga Teacher, Aneta Pietruszko. Aneta is the proud owner of Power Yoga Canada Burlington, a co-founder and retreat leader of Soulfull Yoga Wellness, and a Lululemon Ambassador. In this episode, we'll hear personal experiences and the science of how yoga can elevate mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Together, Kirsten and Aneta extract key life lessons from yoga, making them accessible to anyone and everyone - on and off a yoga mat. 

Welcome to Episode 5: ‘Blue Zone Living' in Costa Rica. In this episode, Kirsten reveals how the secrets of Blue Zone longevity showed up on her recent solo trip to a yoga retreat in Costa Rica. Get ready to learn how we can all bring the Blue Zone ways of life home with us, no matter where home is.

Welcome to Episode 4: The Power of Action, where Kirsten is joined by Chiropractor & Functional Medicine Practitioner, Dr. Taylor Smeenk. In this Episode, we'll learn how to build and break habits by harnessing the power of action – taking those first and incremental steps into our growth zone. Together, Kirsten & Dr. Taylor explore why action itself can boost our motivation to live with intention and purpose.

Welcome to Episode 3: Gratitude for Pain. In this episode, Kirsten explores how practicing gratitude can help us lead meaningful lives - no matter our circumstances. Get ready to access your 'superpower' of feeling gratitude for the most beautiful things in life and the most painful things. 

Welcome to Episode 2: Breathwork & Mushrooms, where Kirsten is joined by Samantha Gladish, Holistic Wellness Coach. In this episode, we'll learn about the roles of psilocybin in treating mental health concerns, and of breathwork in experiencing altered states of consciousness. Together, Samantha and Kirsten explore how it's possible to take a ‘trip' out of our comfort zones & into our growth zones.

Welcome to Episode 1: Me, Myself, & Mindfulness. Get ready to meet your host Kirsten Davidson, learn how to mind the gaps, and explore the ins and outs of practicing mindfulness.