12 Degrees: A Wellness Podcast

As this season of 12 Degrees comes to a close, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna reflect on the small wins, navigating challenges, and lessons learned from their own wellness journeys. From hydration hacks and birdwatching adventures to boundary-setting and the battle against inner critics, this episode is a celebration of progress, not perfection. Packed with laughter, insight, and encouragement, it's a reminder that wellness is about doing what works, one thoughtful step at a time.

From piles of unopened mail to digital subscriptions you forgot you were paying for, financial clutter can quietly drain your wallet and your mental energy. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with Julie Heaton, director of the Penn State Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center, to talk about how tidying up your financial life can bring relief, clarity, and even cash back in your pocket.

When it comes to financial wellness, how you relate to money can be just as important as how you spend it. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Christina, Deshna, and Lindsey unpack what it really means to feel in control of your money without the shame-spiral or perfection pressure. They talk through how to handle awkward moments when the dinner bill comes, the importance of recognizing when you're budgeting for the life you wish you had instead of the one you actually live, and why normalizing money conversations can help everyone feel a little more confident, capable, and connected.

Our work shapes so much of who we are, which is why our relationship to it matters for our overall wellness. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Dr. Jessica Henry, a teaching professor in Penn State’s College of Education and licensed mental health counselor, joins host Lindsey Whissel Fenton to talk about what it really means to be “career well.” Dr. Jess shares her framework for the Six P’s of Career Wellness and how they can help us find fulfillment at any stage of our professional journey. 

Career wellness isn’t just about dream jobs or fancy titles. It’s about alignment between your work, your values, and your season of life. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna get real about career plot twists, toxic team dynamics, protecting your time, and redefining success on your terms. They’ll also break down why passion isn’t everything, how purpose can evolve, and what to do when micromanagement is killing your vibe. 

Digital wellness isn’t just about screen time or blue light glasses, it’s about how we show up online, keep ourselves safe, and treat others with respect. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with Joseph Squillace, an associate teaching professor of cybersecurity at Penn State, about a groundbreaking project that uses virtual reality to let students safely experience bullying scenarios and practice how to respond. They also discuss why kids and teens bully, how schools and communities can support both targets and perpetrators, and what caring adults can do to create safer, healthier online spaces for the young people in their lives.

We often think of digital wellness in terms of screen time or social media habits, but tech shapes us physically, too. Sometimes it’s subtle, like slouching through a scroll session. Other times, it’s more serious: disrupted sleep, chronic pain, or even nerve sensitivity. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna explore how our digital lives impact multiple dimensions of wellness, and how to use tech with intention, not autopilot. From movement alarms and screen-free zones to smart notification settings and inbox boundaries, you’ll get practical strategies to stay grounded, present, and in control.

You don’t need incense, chanting, or a passport stamp to tap into something sacred. In this episode, 12 Degrees' Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with somatic therapist, ritualist, and Penn State faculty member Elisha Tichelle about practical, embodied ways to tap into meaning, connection, and creativity—without the fluff. From heart coherence to moon cycles to the underrated power of fuzzy socks, we explore how small, intentional rituals can support your nervous system, ignite your intuition, and bring a little sacredness to your everyday life. Whether you’re ritual-curious or spiritually skeptical, this one’s for you!

Spiritual wellness isn’t just for monks or mystics. It’s for anyone craving meaning, connection, or a little peace in a noisy world. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Deshna, and Christina explore how everyday moments—like snuggling a pet, coloring a mandala, or journaling with intention—can become portals to something deeper. You’ll hear about the power of personal ritual, the comfort of sensory grounding, and why getting a little morbid might just help you live more fully. Spoiler: it’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s way more accessible than you think.

It can be difficult to find time for service, but what if there was something you could do from your own backyard that had the potential to change the world? In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with Connie Schmotzer, coordinator of Penn State’s Pollinator Habitat Certification Program, about how caring for pollinators can be a simple, flexible way to give back. Connie explains how small choices like planting native flowers, rethinking pesticides, or even setting out a few logs can create ripple effects that strengthen ecosystems, food systems, and community well-being.