We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

American Essayist, lecturer, minister, and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Life is a journey, not a destination."

It is always tough to let go of a season of this podcast. These are some of our absolute favorite times.

I always find strength and comfort in the above quote. Letting go of a season only reinforces the importance of focusing on the journey, rather than an idea of an endpoint or destination.

We are deeply humbled by the response to Season Three. The milestones we've reached, the number of people around the world who consistently tune in, and the continued caliber and variety of our guests are all beyond anything we could have ever expected.

One of our hopes for this project has always been to offer an experience that is "different and fun" for all of our guests. We continue to get that feedback from each of our guests, with almost all of them asking if they can come back on for another episode.

We are living a dream with each episode.

Welcome to Episode Seventy Three of the Nature of Wellness™️ Podcast.

We wanted to sit down again and catch up with one another, discuss why this season has been successful, and some of the behind-the-scenes happenings of the show.

Join us as we answer listener questions, discuss some of our favorite moments from the season, and some of our BIG changes to come in Season Four and beyond.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast. It will help us extend the reach of these powerful messages.

Additionally, please follow us across social media at @natureofwellness to stay updated with new content, compilation episodes, and more.

Make sure to spend some time in the natural world. We will hopefully see you out there.

In the words of one of my favorite authors, Garrison Keillor, who captures the beauty and harshness of nature in his writing,

"Be well, do good work, and keep in touch."

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW

* The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.

*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them.

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Few clichés have had as profound an impact on human development as the phrase “You are what you eat.”

Our dietary choices have a significant impact on our overall health and wellness, shaping the composition and function of our bodies.

The foods we eat supply the nutrients our bodies need to maintain brain, muscle, bone, nerves, skin, blood circulation, and immune system functioning. Proper nutrition also helps protect us from various illnesses and diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis.

Nutrition is one of the most popular topics on social media, with programming and experts dominating the market. However, following a healthy eating plan is one of the first things we sacrifice when life feels busy or overwhelming.

With so many challenges, where do we turn for the most accurate advice?

Welcome to Episode Seventy-One of the Nature of Wellness ™️ Podcast!!!

In this episode, we spoke with registered dietitian and health designer Beth Machnica. A leader in designing spaces and systems to maximize human health, Beth is the Director of Health and Well-Being at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, where she created and oversees a portfolio of Food as Medicine programs.

Join us as we talk to Beth about her relationship with nature, the role and function of a registered dietician, the meaning of “food as medicine,” and the role proper nutrition plays in both lifespan and health span.

Beth discusses the barriers to proper nutrition, the health inequities and disparities associated with food insecurity, the importance of nutrition and lifestyle changes for women’s health, and practical tips for anyone wanting to begin eating healthier.

This was a conversation we could really sink our teeth into.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW ™️

BNMC website: https://bnmc.org/

Beth’s website: https://linktr.ee/bethmachnica?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Beth’s email: emachnica@bnmc.org

Work with Beth at this link, insurance accepted:https://www.flourishnutrition.io/providers/beth-machnica

Agenda to the 5th Annual Food as Medicine Symposium:https://bnmc.org/health-and-wellbeing/health-and-wellbeing-food-as-medicine-2025/

Get tickets for the hybrid (virtual + in-person) Symposium:https://theticketing.co/e/famsymposium2025

social media tags:

Instagram:

• @bitesbybethh
• @bnmcinnovates
• @beth.machnica

LinkedIn:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmachnica/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/buffalo-niagara-medical-campus-inc./

* The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.

*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subs

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

According to 2025 data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people are living with mental health disorders.

US survey data collected in March and April 2025 indicate a substantial portion of adults experienced a mental health crisis in the past year, with many facing barriers to accessing help.

The US is experiencing a significant shortage of mental health providers, which has led to a reduction in access to care. We must find proactive ways to manage the rising mental and emotional challenges that we consistently face.

Creativity and wellness are deeply connected. Engaging in creative activities like art, music, and writing has been shown to reduce stress and lower symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Making time for creative outlets as a form of self-care allows for emotional management and expression, stimulates brain function, and promotes a sense of connection to oneself and others.

Welcome to Episode Seventy-One of the Nature of Wellness ™️ Podcast!!!

In this episode, we spoke with artist, mental health advocate, and keynote speaker Jeffrey Sparr. Diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as a college athlete, he struggled to live a "normal' life. Jeff co-founded PeaceLove Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes mental health through creative expression.

Join us as we talk to Jeff about his journey with mental illness, how a friend's suggestion to try painting changed the course of his life, and how his new digital teaming tool, Scribl, is reshaping human connection through creativity.

Jeff discusses the challenges mental illness can impact health and wellness, how creativity can serve as a superpower, and how any creative endeavor has a profound impact on quality of life.

This conversation is a work of art (pun intended).

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW ™️

Jeffrey's Website: http://www.jeffreysparr.com/

Scribl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scribl-co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scribl.co/

PeaceLove

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peacelovefoundation

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacelovefoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peacelovestudios

* The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.

*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.