The Lindsay Clancy case has us thinking about the Traditional Chinese Medicine concept of Essence- what depletes it, what replenishes it, and how it is impacted by modern life and motherhood.

We talk about how closely spaced births, inadequate postpartum recovery, illness, and chronic overextension can deplete these reserves- and how nourishment, rest, hydration, and mindful use of our energy can help restore them.

We also explore the importance of community and finding a sustainable balance between giving and receiving, depletion and replenishment.

Ultimately, this conversation asks what might change if women treated conserving and replenishing their vitality as essential to lifelong health.

LINKS:

Medicine Stories Patreon- bonus conversation w/ Suuzi

Join Amber & Suuzi at the Healing Waters Nature Immersion Retreat in Costa Rica Nov 3-8 (last day to sign up is 9/13/26)

The first of Suuzi's posts on Essence

Suuzi's Mother's Best Liver Pills

The Mythic Medicine herb shop (big sale!!)

Amber on Instagram

Quiz: Find Your Wise Woman Archetype

Medicine Stories Facebook group

Music by Mariee Siou (from her beautiful song Wild Eyes)

What happens when a daughter watches her mother alter her face? What happens to our sense of rootedness and belonging when we've rejected the face our ancestors gave us? What happens to collective womanhood when we watch our elders cling to the appearance of youth at all costs?

In an age of Choice Feminism (whatever a woman wants to do is inherently empowering!), what do we owe one another and the generations rising after us?

This is a nuanced and non-shaming conversation. While Rachel and I feel securely grounded in our decisions to retain our original faces, we also acknowledge that there is a lot of room for discussion around these topics and that every woman's participatory threshold is going to fall at its own place along the spectrum of beauty treatments.

We spoke in order to make our way through this confusing morass together- as mothers, as women with an audience, as crones in the making who know that there is actually no such thing as anti-aging.

LINKS:

Medicine Stories Patreon- bonus conversation w/ Rachel

Amber's Healing Waters Nature Immersion Retreat in Costa Rica Nov 3-8

Rachel's post that inspired this episode

My post on this topic

The Mythic Medicine herb shop

Rachel's website

Quiz: Find Your Wise Woman Archetype

Medicine Stories Facebook group

Music by Mariee Siou (from her beautiful song Wild Eyes)

In the years since the pandemic, many of us have found ourselves deeply fatigued- not only physically and emotionally, but spiritually. The wellness world that once felt hopeful has become crowded with endless advice, conflicting opinions, and relentless marketing, leaving many people questioning who and what they can trust.

As wellness has become increasingly commodified, it has also become harder to distinguish between what is truly nourishing and what simply captures our attention. Many are stepping back from the noise, longing for a slower, more grounded relationship with health.

And yet, the desire to feel well has not disappeared. If anything, it has become more sincere. If you've ever felt disillusioned by wellness culture but still deeply long to be well, this one's for you.

An off-the-cuff solo episode, I share musings on our collective loss of trust in the wellness industry, where that leaves me as the host of this podcast, and what has remained steady and true for me in the midst of ever-collapsing paradigms.

Tell me your thoughts on Substack

Girls trip this November

Mythic Medicine herb shop