How can music help us get in tune with ourselves, our stories, and our communities? What is cathartic and healing about certain sounds? What can the musical traditions of indigenous cultures teach us? My guest on this episode, Kenny Kirkwood, discusses these questions with me and more.

Kenny Kirkwood is a musician, educator, and folktivist. A Juno award-winning Canadian musician, he has toured internationally. Kenny spent his childhood in Zambia. This experience influenced his songwriting, his craft, and immersed him in the communal and spiritual aspects of music.

We talk about:

• Why certain songs are cathartic to us
• The lost art of music as an oral tradition
• How music can help us tell our stories
• Tips for learning how to play a musical instrument as an adult
• What we can learn from the indigenous cultures in our area
• Why humming can help us learn rhythm, increase awareness, and keep us in the present moment
• How trauma from early musical education as a youth can impact us as adult learners

Find out more about Kenny and his music at kennykirkwood.com

Fear is something we avoid experiencing and talking about, but it has so much to teach us.

My guest on this episode is Guryan Tighe, leadership coach, workshop facilitator, and communications strategist. She is the author of the book “Unmasking Fear.”

She talks about how understanding and working with our fears, rather than conquering them, leads to more success and personal fulfillment.

We also chat about:

· The difference between rational and irrational fears

· How fear can teach us where we need to grow

· How to use curiosity, purpose, and gratitude to get from fear to creativity

· How to release past hurts so we no longer live our lives trying to avoid triggers

· Why naming and working with our internal “self-critic” helps us

Learn more about what Guryan does on her website: fourage.io.

This episode features an interview with and tracks by Jim Gelcer, jazz drummer, musician, singer, composer and producer. We chat about his background and talk about how music and other art forms can be a balm for the spirit and connects with our emotions. And why music from our youth continues to resonate with us on a soul level throughout our lives. Jim talks about his experience with kirtan and more about this genre.

You can hear two tracks that Jim Gelcer was a part of:

• Ganesha Muntra (14:03)
• Floating Waves (with David "Vito" Gregoli - 31:45 - end of episode)

Jim is also a yoga teacher who teaches daily on the meditation app "Insight Timer."

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

Learn more about Toni and listen to her podcast at toniunleashed.com.

Music is not only a treat for your ears, but it can also be therapy for the soul. Many of us have memories that are unlocked when we hear one of our favorite tunes.

My guest on this episode is David “Vito” Gregoli, producer, composer, artist, and multi-instrumentalist. The episode features two of Vito’s pieces. The first is “On the Road to Windham” (with Jim “Kimo” West). The second one is a newer track called “Hope,” with (with Jim Gelcer).

We talk about why all music, even popular music, can be healing to us, because of how it connects to our hearts. In this way, healing comes from how we receive it, rather than from the music or lyrics themselves. For example, what were we doing when we first heard a specific song? Does it remind us of a broken heart? A wonderful, nostalgic memory?

Vito talks about his background in music and playing rock n roll, as well as working in production and studio work. He also talks about how his interest in transcendental meditation, Buddhism, and heart-centered practices led him to compose and produce new age music.

Vito describes how the music industry is evolving, how AI is affecting it, and shares tips for new musicians.

Listen to Vito’s music here: https://www.youtube.com/c/VitoGregoli

This episode is the first of several episodes coming in future months, with musicians who have an interest in heart-centered practices or have experienced profound healing through their music.

My guest on this episode is Fredric Schiffer, MD, psychiatrist, assistant professor at Harvard, and author.

Many psychiatric issues and addictions stem from past traumas. Dr. Schiffer has researched and developed a theory of psychology called “dual-brain psychology.”

This theory suggests that the brain is made up of two minds, which compete for dominance. Trauma is stored in one of the two brain hemispheres, and that each of those hemispheres can support an entire mind.

When Dr. Schiffer treats the troubled side of the brain with a technique he developed, he states that it can successfully curb anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction.

In this interview, Dr. Schiffer guides me through one of these techniques! You can also try this at home to discover which side of your brain stores trauma.

We also discuss how he uses this and other techniques to help people who are addicted to fentanyl and other substances. He is the author of the book “Good-bye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & PTSD: The Life-Changing Science of Dual-Brain Psychology.” Visit his website at dualbrainpsychology.com.

Brain fog is something that affects a lot of us. Brain fog includes feelings of confusion, forgetfulness, loss of focus and a lack of mental clarity. While there are many potential root causes of brain fog, research shows that changes to nutrition and lifestyle may help alleviate symptoms.

This short (13 minute) episode is a solo one featuring yours truly! I am a registered dietitian and have worked with clients struggling with brain fog and other conditions, such as digestive health, weight management, and emotional eating.

In this episode, I talk about what brain fog is, a few root causes, and some lifestyle and nutrition changes that may help you feel better.

You can learn more about me and the services I offer at True Harmony Nutrition. Read a blog post about this topic at https://www.trueharmonynutrition.com/blog

Did you know that medical error is a leading cause of death in the United States? In this episode, you will learn some tips on how to protect the health and safety of yourself or your loved ones during a hospital stay.

My guest is Dr. Julie Siemers, registered nurse, patient safety consultant, industry nurse leader, and educator. She is the founder of Lifebeat Solutions and the author of “Surviving Your Hospital Stay: A Nurse Educator’s Guide to to Staying Safe and Living to Tell About It.”

We talk about:

• Discovering the safety ratings for your local hospitals (https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org)
• The top medical errors that can happen in the hospital
• The best way to communicate with the health care team
• Why having a loved one or friend advocate for you is vital
• Your rights as a patient
• How to use AI/ChatGPT to translate medical terminology

Find out more about Julie, her book and Lifebeat Solutions at drjuliesiemers.com or on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook at @drjuliesiemers. Check out her Patient Safety Guide here: https://drjuliesiemers.com/patient-safety-checklist

Dr. Julie’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbWkt2P7SKI