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:

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 

Do you struggle with emotional eating or a negative body image? Are you working toward a healthy lifestyle but feel at odds with food and your body?

Learn how to embrace your body and find freedom with food in this episode. Discover how to break free from emotional eating and “unlearn” negative self-talk about your body.

My guest, Marla Mervis-Hartmann is a coach, Reiki master and TEDx speaker. She is the author of “BE-Friend Yourself – Finding Freedom with Food and Peace With Your Body.”

With her spiritual approach, Marla helps people counteract negative self-talk about their bodies, heal their relationship with food, and break free from emotional eating. Marla also personally healed from a dysfunctional relationship with her body and food.

We talk about:

Learn more about Marla at https://www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com/

Why is sensitivity a strength? If you’re a highly sensitive person (HSP), you have an enormous amount of empathy for others, heightened perception and intuition, and feel things deeply. You’re probably a natural healer and are creative. Highly sensitive people have a lot of empathy for others, are often highly creative, feel things deeply, have a strong intuition or gut instinct, and have heightened perceptions.

However, being highly sensitive can be detrimental if you don’t have strong boundaries in place.

Have you ever “known” something without evidence to back it up? Have you felt “off” about a situation or person, but couldn’t pinpoint why you felt that way? That’s your intuition talking to you.

What is intuition? Basically, it is the subconscious part of your brain sending you “hunches” based on its analysis. It’s a second kind of intelligence, but one that is unfamiliar to most of us.

Trusting our intuition can be difficult for those of us who are logical, trained in the sciences, or who spend a lot of time in our heads. 

How do you tune into your intuition? Listen and find out how!

Are you a recovering people pleaser? If so, you aren’t alone!

While it’s okay (and great!) to be a little bit of a people pleaser – most of us want to keep harmonious relationships with friends and family – research shows that being too much of a people pleaser can contribute to added stress.

If you find yourself having difficulties saying no, standing up for yourself, and articulating your own beliefs and wishes, you will find some tips on how to break these habits! This is something I have personally had to get better at, so these are some steps that have helped me in my life. I hope they will help you, too!