“The message that I’m trying to get across is that we’re all caregivers, whether we recognize it or not, and the more we can take care of ourselves the more we can spread that into the community.”

This episode feels like a hug.

We are joined by Kris August, veterinarian, herbalist, and educator, to discuss the power of self-care and how she has used natural cycles to create a holistic self-care program for caregivers. Kris' program, Self-Care Through the Cycles of Nature: Creating Your Own Personal Habitat, is a 9 month course that helps people develop self-care habits and practices that reconnect them to nature and their own nature. We explore Kris' journey to discovering the various connective practices that influence her work, the impact compassion fatigue can have on people that work in the world of caregiving, and how starting with self-care can lead to a renewed connection to work and community. We hope you enjoy it!

Read the Podcast Transcript Here

Self-Care Through the Cycles of Nature - Enrollment open through September 2024

Kris' program begins September 1st and there are still openings if you are interested in participating. Learn more about the program and enroll here.

About Kris August, DVM, GDVWHM (Western Herbal Medicine), CHPV (Hospice and Palliative Veterinarian)

Dr Kris August is a veterinarian, herbalist, and educator. She received her graduate diploma in Western Veterinary Herbal Medicine online through the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and co-created the first hands-on veterinary herbal course with Dr. Laurie Dohmen. Kris values compassionate care for animals, people, plants, and our world, with a special focus on caring for the caregiver. We cannot help others unless we continue to care for ourselves. A lifelong learner, Kris also practices qigong and nature meditation. Kris enjoys bringing a holistic approach to learning through sharing her passions with others and has taught in a variety of capacities from Waldorf-inspired playgroups to Tae Kwon Do, to teaching veterinarians and veterinary students in herbal medicine, animal hospice, and self-care topics.

Show Notes & References

• We mention Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature by Jon Young
• We mention the 8 Shields Master Class: Designing with Natural Cycles, Village Building, and the Kamana Naturalist Program. All of these programs will be available soon through Living Connection 1st. Join the mailing list if you're interested.

Scheduling Note: due to travel and more obligations than usual, we have decided to move to an every-other-Wednesday release schedule for a few months. Our next episode will release on Sep 11, 2024.

Visit Living Connection 1st for more information about our work in nature connection and people connection.