Send us a text In this week's episode I welcome functional nutritionist and certified autoimmune coach Risa Groux to discuss the relationship between diet and autoimmune diseases. Risa, who practices in Newport Beach, California, shares her expertise on using whole foods to aid in healing and managing autoimmune conditions. The episode covers her p…

Send us a text Do you ever go through times in your life where you lose your orientation? Where you don't know exactly how you feel or what to do next? In this episode I reflect on recent feelings of emotional exhaustion and a lack of creativity, a certain blankness that I connect to the concept of the "gap" from contact improvisation. This gap rep…

Send us a text If you consider yourself a woman, how do you connect to your feminine resources? Do you have practices that help you to cultivate your intuition and the path of a soul led life? In this episode of The Nourished Nervous System podcast, I welcome guest Deborah Keene. Deborah, an experienced yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner, and wom…

Send us a text Sleep troubles are the worst. Not sleeping well can affect your physical and mental health in a myriad of ways. The most sustainable way to work with sleep issues is to get to the root cause and make the lifestyle shifts to support deep sleep. But what if you are in the midst of a big transition or in a period of high stress and your…

Send us a text In this week's episode of the Nourished Nervous System podcast, I welcome Marietta Skeen. Marietta is a Transpersonal and Somatic Psychotherapist, who offers therapy, movement, meditation and energy practices to help folks come into their bodies and feel more grounded, connected and vital. She received her Masters in Transpersonal Ps…

Send us a text In this episode of The Nourished Nervous System, I reflect on the impact of current global events—from political upheavals to natural disasters—on our nervous systems. The discussion highlights practical steps to anchor ourselves in safety, understand different perspectives, and foster compassion. With a focus on the biological aspec…

Send us a text In the West we are starting to understand the importance of gut health and how it impacts so many other systems in our body. This is an understanding that Ayurveda has held central for thousands of years. Join us for this week's episode as we embark on a journey into digestive health through the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with Erik J…

Send us a text We are constantly hearing how important it is to love ourselves, but what does that really mean? When is self care a form of self love and when is it just going through the motions? And how do we connect with our true needs and accept ourselves as we are? These inquiries are the basis of this week's episode. I explore the tension bet…

Send us a text Do you ever notice changes in your sleep or digestion as you enter into autumn? Does your skin get drier? Do you feel spacier or more anxiety? If so, you may be experiencing excess vata dosha. In Ayurvedic thought, Autumn is Vata season, a time of year where the elements of air and space are more prevalent. In this week's episode, I …

Send us a text You most likely have seen the word "adaptogen" on some type of herbal product or beverage in the past few years. They are incredible herbs with an intelligence that helps our bodies adapt to stress. The thing is, they are so amazing that many companies use this word to market products that don't actually have adaptogens in them. In t…

Send us a text In a world that prioritizes the mind, so much healing happens when we connect back in with our bodies. When we remember that we are nature. In this episode I delve into the powerful connection between Ayurveda and somatic practices. I discuss the rise of 'somatic' as a buzzword, its core meaning, and its profound healing potential in…

Send us a text In this week's episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System', I get into some of the basics of polyvagal theory, its origins, and the significance of anchoring the nervous system in the ventral vagal state for optimal health and resilience. The episode covers the evolution of the nervous system, the roles of dorsal vagal, sympathetic, an…

Send us a text What do immunity, libido, and the nervous system have in common? An Ayurvedic substance called Ojas. Cultivating Ojas is key to health and vitality in any stage of life but especially in mid life. In this episode, Larissa Carlson, an Ayurvedic practitioner and seasoned yoga expert, discusses the importance of Ojas—a substance vital f…

Send us a text It is defintely still summer. But I am beginning to notice the subtle shifts that beckon fall. From an Ayurvedic perspective this is the perfect time to take stock and prepare for Vata Season. In this episode of the 'The Nourished Nervous System' podcast, I discuss the transition from Pitta season (summer) to Vata season (fall and ea…

Send us a text Have you ever read a book that feels like food for your spirit? That nourishes you with insight and stories and practices? 'Returning Home to Our Bodies' by Abigail Rose Clark is one of those books for me. In this episode with author, Abigail Rose Clarke, we discuss her path as a somatic facilitator, the journey of writing her book '…

Send us a text What if stress in itself is not the problem? What if through a shift in mindset you can begin to change your relationship to stress. In this week's episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System,' I revisit the importance of carving out unstructured alone time, drawing from personal experiences of reconnecting with nature and its rejuvenat…

Send us a text In this episode of the Nourished Nervous System, I discuss personal experiences with anger and stress, particularly related to the challenges of balancing parenting and self-care. Emphasizing the necessity of alone time for resourcing oneself, the episode explores the impact of cultural and familial beliefs on feelings of guilt and r…

Send us a text In Ayurveda, summer is Pitta Season. Pitta is all about heat, energy and transformation. I don't know about you, but for me summer can be really intense. In this episode of The Nourished Nervous System, the focus is on the transformational quality of Pitta dosha, particularly during the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere. I exp…

Send us a text In this insightful episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System', Alexandra Beller takes us on a fascinating journey from her career as a professional dancer with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company to her pivotal work in somatics and movement analysis. Alexandra delves into the transformative power of Laban Movement Analysis and …

Send us a text In this episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System,' I delve deeply into the world of herbs that support the nervous system. I share personal experiences and professional insights on five key herbs: Chamomile, Milky Oat Tops, Passionflower, Tulsi (Holy Basil), and Ashwagandha. I explore each herb’s unique properties, benefits, and appl…

Send us a text In this episode, I welcome Grace Secker, as she shares her journey from battling chronic conditions to becoming a licensed psychotherapist, chronic pain and nervous system coach, certified yoga therapist, and Reiki energy healer. Grace discusses the hidden root causes of chronic pain and fatigue, emphasizing the importance of address…

Send us a text In this special anniversary episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System,' I celebrate a year of growth and change, both personally and through the podcast. I delve into the concept of the window of resilience—how much stress we can handle before becoming overwhelmed—and connect it with Ayurvedic principles. Ayurveda is a lens to look at…

Send us a text In this candid and tender conversation, Donna Brooks shares her life story and her transformative journey through somatic embodiment work. She recounts her unconventional path, starting from her childhood in suburban New York, to becoming a dedicated yoga and Feldenkrais instructor. Brooks explores the profound impact of somatic prac…

Send us a text I don't know about you, but I can sometimes feel overwhelmed in busy buzz of summer season. My mind can feel really full trying to process in this busy time of year. That is why, in this episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System,' I delve into Ayurvedic principles to guide you on balancing your mental health through seasonal changes. …

Send us a text In this intimate and enlightening conversation, Irene Morning, a somatic pleasure coach and author of 'The Polyamory Paradox: Finding Your Confidence in Consensual Non-Monogamy,' shares her personal and professional journey. She discusses moving from yoga therapy to coaching individuals exploring non-monogamous relationships, the dee…

Send us a text In this short and sweet episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System,' I reflect on the complex emotions of being human, especially in times of personal and global grief. Balancing moments of joy amidst sorrow, the discussion delves into the concept of yin and yang and the importance of finding resources to support resilience. The episod…

Send us a text In this episode, I welcome Pavini, a queer, trans human who utilizes their diverse background as a park ranger, Montessori teacher, sex therapist, and startup CEO to thrive in their current roles as a somatic coach, author, and advocate for embodying leadership to smash the patriarchal norms in the workplace. Pavini shares their jour…

Send us a text Do you ever feel like you are doing all the right things but still don't feel good? This was the question at the center of this week's episode. Spoiler alert: I don't have the answer to this, but I do have thoughts on it. In this episode I share about my adventure of moving into a new home in Maine and the excitement and challenges t…

Send us a text This conversation is about so much more than just thyroid health, but that is at it's core. In this episode, Carrie Levine, nurse midwife turned functional medicine practitioner, shares her transformative journey towards founding Whole Woman Health in Midcoast, Maine. Carrie is also the author of whole woman health: a guide to creati…

Send us a text This episode uncovers the transformative power of gratitude far beyond clichés. Diving into personal reflections and scientific research, I reveal how gratitude positively affects mental and physical health, counteracts societal pressures of 'not enoughness,' and serves as an unexpected resistance to consumerism. I explore practical …

Send us a text If you've been listening for a bit, you will know how much I value connecting with nature as a way to nourish the nervous system. It's foundational in my own self care practices and today's guest has brought it to the next level. In this episode, Micah Mortali, author of 'Rewilding' and founding director of the Kripalu School of Mind…

Send us a text In this episode, I share my personal experiences and reflections on sobriety, framing it as a form of self-care. There are multifaceted reasons people choose sobriety, from tackling addictions to spiritual practices or simply feeling better physically and mentally. In this episode I candidly discusses my journey with substances, from…

Send us a text The nervous system is connected to everything. So no surprise that if you strength train you can use knowledge of the nervous system to leverage your training. In this conversation with Kali Perry she talks about this and so much more. Kali is a strength coach specialized in sports performance, injury mitigation and chronic pain redu…

Send us a text Did you know that studies show that in the past few decades there has been a 30% increase in people exhibiting perfectionist traits? I never considered myself a perfectionist but I am starting to see areas of my life where I have a perfectionist mindset and how paralyzing it has been for me. And I believe that perfectionism is a form…

Send us a text Do you ever notice that tension that arises in your body when the outside world is not aligning with your expectations? What thoughts do you notice when your current reality is not the way you want it? It's really normal to have these thoughts and feelings, they are a part of our messy human experience, but the practice of "being wit…

Send us a text Does the idea of doing a spring reset sound interesting but maybe a little intimidating? Are you interested in bringing some more energy, simplicity or clarity into your life in this season? Do you have an idea for a spring reset but are having a hard time getting started or following through with it? This week's episode is a little …

Send us a text Spring is a time of fresh starts and new beginnings a time of unfurling and planting seeds. It is also a time for spring cleaning your house and your body. Cleansing diets have grown in popularity over the past few years and they can be healthy for certain constitutions or to work with certain health conditions. Spring is Kapha seaso…

Send us a text Have you ever felt really excited about starting a new practice or new habit only to come up against some resistance a day or two in and drop it? Or maybe it is something that you used to do a lot and are trying to get back into it and it just feels so hard. Resistance is a normal and healthy part of change and is often a sign that t…

Send us a text There is this time between the archetype of the mother and the archetype of the crone sometimes referred to the wild woman years. It is also sometimes referred to as the virgin - not an as in uninitiated but more like a virgin forest - whole and unto herself. Our society teaches us to fear aging and to resist against it, but what if …

Send us a text What is your relationship with resource? How do you know when you are feeling resourced in yourself and how do you recharge when you are not? Building a net of a resource is the idea that the tiny acts of self care that you do each day create a net that can help to catch you when the inevitable challenges of life arise. It doesn't me…

Send us a text In this world that sometimes feels like it is pulling apart at the seams, how do you continue to walk the path of beauty? How do you find resilience and purpose as a gift of the pain of human existence. This podcast episode with Maitreya Wolf is the story of an underworld journey, of initiatory consciousness and of cultivating beauty…

Send us a text When you pay attention to the natural world around you, it can help to inform shifts and changes happening inside of you. Tuning into the subtleties of the seasons is one of these practices. Our society can often feel focused on output, on showing up in the same ways day after day. But when we tune into plants and animals in nature, …

Send us a text What do parenting and being an entrepreneur have in common? Both can have fuzzy boundaries around when you are truly on and off. Both can be all consuming endeavors that make it difficult to easily take time for yourself. The thing is, in order to show up fully as a parent or an entrepreneur, self care needs to be a non-negotiable. I…

Send us a text Have you ever created a vision board or done a meditation that involved imagery or imaging yourself in a certain situation? If so, then you have used the technique of visualization. Visualization is touted as a tool of manifestation culture, an almost magical mystical process of visioning what you want to create and drawing that real…

Send us a text What does self care look like for you? Really, I'd like to know. One of the things I have been loving about hosting a podcast has been connecting with my guests and learning from them. I love the accessibility of a podcast and how it weaves a web of connection and collaboration. I love collaborating with my guests, but I'd also like …

Send us a text Every year between Halloween and New Years my relationship with sugar gets tested. This relationship has grown and evolved over the years, but I still find this time challenging. Anyone else? I know I'm not alone because we are literally wired to seek out the sweet taste and industrialization has made it so that we can find it everyw…

Send us a text Life in the modern world can often feel complicated. Especially after holidays and all that they entail. But even in the day to day we encounter experiences, periods of time and symptoms in our bodies that can feel more complicated. What if your New Year's resolution, instead of adding more to your plate of to dos, was actually to si…

Send us a text This episode was supposed to be about sugar, but as I started it, something else emerged. I was thinking about the New Year and about the state of our world and how each new year just seems to be getting a bit weirder these days. This is the nature of the world and of nature. Nothing is fixed and permanent, everything is always chang…

Send us a text Tea is such a common part of daily rituals. You may even drink tea every day. But do you ever sit with you tea, find a place of stillness and tune into your senses. Do you ever use your tea as tool for meditation? In this episode with Samantha Jones, (a trauma-informed yoga & meditation teacher, tea ceremonialist and retreat facilita…

Send us a text Why are you interested in self care and nourishing the nervous system? What is the long game? Is it just to feel good or is there a deeper reason? These are some of the questions I've been asking myself throughout my self care journey. The answer that I come up with again and again is resilience. To be more resilient in my body, mind…