Fresh Leaf Forever

My guest Emily Reed is an Ayurvedic health counsellor, senior yoga and meditation teacher, life coach and energy worker - to describe the multifaceted persona surrounding her expertise.

In this wonderful conversation with me, Emily delves deep into her journey that transformed her life, bringing her immense well-being; and now being able to offer that to others. Overcoming health issues, or putting the brakes on progression from habits to health conditions, is what this episode is about. It's for anyone and everyone, wanting to lead life vibrantly. So many women wrestle with menstrual issues, hormone related conditions like PCOS and such. Emily offers a fascinating perspective on what to focus on, to regain the much needed balance or homeostasis.
Here are some discussion areas from this chat-
* Emily's journey and how she found the answers to her insomnia and other issues
* Five elements in nature and how a combination of these impact us
* "Sukha" and "Dukha" (Well-being or discomfort/disease state)
* Why discomfort is "NOT the real you"
* Perfectionist mindset leading to conditions
*Vata dosha and nervous system; Pitta dosha and transformations
* Need for positive framework of mind for well-being
* Women's health - Periods, Menopause, PCOS
* Hormonal conditions
* Essential elements to live in rhythm
* Significance of digestive intelligence "Agni" and preserving it
* Digestive health and immune health
* Overuse of senses, screen use, do's and don'ts
* Masculine, feminine energies
* Essential tips for modern living
and more ....
Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or any podcast source/or my website.

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not intended to be medical advice nor is it a substitute for medical advice. Please consult  your doctor for individual case by case needs.

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Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
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"Time Innovative teacher" Rachna Nath was recognized by the magazine as part of its 2022 List of Innovative teachers - an accolade conferred on stand out teachers who improve the learning experience for kids, or solve a problem faced by schools.
With plethora of awards to her credit, my guest Rachna is also a
- NASA Solar System Ambassador
- National Geographic Educator
- Grant writer, Fullbright Scholar
- Innovator, Entrepreneur
This inspiring educator's work is serving a two fold purpose - creating high school innovators, grant writers and more; also in the process, elevating what teachers could do just like she has carved a niche for herself.
In this delightful dialogue, Rachna and I talk about
- Her journey with Science, Tech, Engineering and Math areas
- Each of the hats she adorns from NASA Solar System Ambassador to a company co-founder herself, and everything else in between..
- Research opportunities for high schoolers, career pathways
- STEA(Art)M and girls, boys - how they get involved
- Bringing the best out of students who seem uninterested, yet are full of potential
- How she found her true purpose as a teacher
- Why is scientific enquiry significant and how to bring it into the curriculum
- How she helps kids patent their ideas
- Grant writing as a segue to innovation
- Role of support system around a student and helping them thrive
- Rachna as an innovator and co-founder of Oxi Blast
- Non STEM oriented students working with Rachna and their role in creation
- Bioscience and all her other areas of teaching and work with students
- DRIPBL, her trademark methodology and her students' patented work
& more....

 Fyi Season 1, Episode 40 - Rachna Nath's daughter Diya Nath on #OxiBlast,  leading a healthier life.

Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or any podcast source/or my website.

Click this Buzzsprout link to get started with your own podcast hosting service ; it fetches you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan, helps support  our show.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!

My guest Selina Van Orden is a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, who has talked in the British parliament and European Parliament on integrating Ayurveda into the western system and living.
I found it very appropriate that she come on the show to talk about adapting an Ayurvedic lifestyle in the Western World, or for that matter in other parts of the world. Getting better health outcomes is the most vital role for anyone in life; more so, preventing diseases before they manifest into stages that become perplexing.

In this conversation, Selina and I focus on the following major areas -

* Different stages of conditions per Ayurveda
* Stages of discomfort before a condition becomes a disease
* Being in tune with current and birth conditions
* Different elements and their make up - air, fire, earth , recognized as Doshas by Ayurveda
* What ghee is - based on ancient texts of Ayurveda
* Medicated ghee for certain conditions
* Gritha or ghee as it relates to certain conditions
* Dairy or lactose intolerance and ghee
* Digestive fire - Agni and its importance
* Ghee and Omega 3
* Role of cold beverages and fat deposits
* Aging and role of ghee in combating aging
* Adaptogenic quality of ghee
* Immunity and conditions manifesting; how Ayurveda deals  with it
* Role of Chyawanprash and how it helps immunity
* Selina's daily routine - as an example for life in the Western world and incorporating healthy practices
* Eating based on one's needs, systemic cleanse

and much more .....

Tune in today to benefit from this conversation.Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or the podcast website.

Selina Van Orden may be reached via her website https://atyourbest.one and she answers questions on https://piorliving.com/ask-selina
Instagram -  _atyourbest to be able to follow Selina on social media.

Follow me on Instagram for interesting digital media content and all that I do and follow me on twitter as well.

Also, click this Buzzsprout link to get started with your own podcasting hosting service with Buzzsprout.

Following the above link  let's Buzzsprout know we sent you, gets you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan, and helps support our show.

You can also support this show otherwise by using support the show link at the bottom. 

Fresh leaf forever podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by Host Vai Kumar

DISCLAIMER: This podcast or episodes here  is not a substitute for medical advice, nor is it intended to be medical advice. Please consult your physician for individual medial needs and case by case needs.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!

This conversation with Debbie Reber, founder of Tilt Parenting focuses on helping and embracing kids for who they are, and being inclusive in our approach.
Debbie is a parenting activist, speaker, author and the host of her podcast "Tilt Parenting".

Following aspects are very noteworthy -
1. Neurodiversity proposes that variation in brain functioning within the human population is normal.
2.A boxed approach and categorization is something we need to walk away from when it comes to raising our children.
3.Being inclusive of those who think and express themselves or communicate in a way that is non neurotypical, is not to be stigmatized.

Did you know more than one fifth of children in the world are considered neurologically atypical ? Or what my guest Debbie Reber prefers to call "differently wired" ?

The gift these children bring to this world and how we can embrace them, help them adapt and belong to a conventional environment forms the basis for this conversation.

Here are some highlights from this enchanting dialogue :

* Why do we get tied to a boxed approach in society and how best can we address this
* Achievement culture, peer pressure on kids
* Anger and frustration and reasons these get stirred, addressing the same
* Societal demands on kids, stigmatized approach
* Neurotypical or Neurodiverse and seeing abilities vs differences
* Debbie's story raising her son Asher and her overcoming challenges as a parent
* Psychology lessons for educators, kids or approach that can help mitigate response to children
* Grassroots level approach to education system to help break barriers
* Helping kids channel their energy fruitfully
* Helping parents feel confident raising children who are twice as gifted
* Debbie's book, her 18 "tilts", Ted talk and resources
* Takeaways, showing up for our kids, creating a safe world for kids to thrive

and much more...

Tune in today to benefit from this conversation and spread the word!
Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or on any major podcast source.
Fresh leaf forever  website has all the episodes for anyone to enjoy.

Follow me on Instagram for interesting digital media content and all that I do and follow me on twitter as well.

Also, click this Buzzsprout link to get started with your own podcasting hosting service with Buzzsprout.

Following the above link  let's Buzzsprout know we sent you, gets you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan, and helps support our show.

You can also support this show otherwise by using support the show link at the bottom. 

Fresh leaf forever podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by Host Vai Kumar.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!

In this two part conversation on Heart Health and chronic conditions, I sat down with an expert physician, book author, septuagenarian athlete on the show.
Our guest Dr.Akil Taher, recovered from a heart bypass surgery himself and has transformed his state of health to one of vibrant and robust living by tweaking his diet and lifestyle practices.
Part one  on this show (Season 2, Episode #22) focuses on everything about heart conditions, genetics, epigenetics when it comes to chronic conditions, dietary habits and lifestyle changes.
In this episode , Dr.Taher and I go in depth and he offers further insights on symptom manifestations in men and women, need for restorative sleep and much more.
Here are some  nitty gritties from this chat -
- Whole food plant based diet
- Junk eating versus eating real food
- Keeping it delicious while staying healthy
- Dr.Taher's sample meal ideas in his daily routine
- Eating according to circadian rhythm
- Longevity, living healthy
- Telomeres and DNA impact based on diet
- Role of Vitamin D as it relates to conditions
- Importance of sleep, stages of sleep and restorative sleep
- Men, women and symptom manifestations in heart conditions
- Blue zones and lifestyle
- Smoking, drinking and impact on heart health
- Pillars of lifestyle medicine and significance of body movement
- Need for an integrative approach, nutrition
and much more ....
Please be sure to tune in to Part 1(Season 2, Episode #22) of this conversation on this podcast to get Dr.Taher's wholesome perspective on this topic.

Tune in today to benefit from this conversation and spread the word!
Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or on any major podcast source.
Fresh leaf forever  website has all the episodes for anyone to enjoy.

Follow me on Instagram for interesting digital media content and all that I do and follow me on twitter as well.
Dr.Taher's book,  all  resources and contact information may be found via his website https://www.akiltaher.com

Dr.Taher's book Open Heart may be purchased on Amazon and other sources. 

Also, click this Buzzsprout link to get started with your own podcasting hosting service with Buzzsprout.

Following the above link  let's Buzzsprout know we sent you, gets you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan, and helps support our show.

You can also support this show otherwise by using support the show link at the bottom. 

Fresh leaf forever podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by Host Vai Kumar.
DISCLAIMER: THIS EPISODE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR IN PERSON MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FOR CASE TO CASE NEEDS.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!

Staying heart healthy is becoming more and more significant in this fast paced modern day scenario.
Given this paramount need to focus on heart health, I sat down with an expert physician, book author, septuagenarian athlete on the show.
Our guest Dr.Akil Taher recovered from a heart bypass surgery himself, and has transformed his state of health to one of vibrant & robust living by tweaking his diet and lifestyle practices.
Dr.Taher and I discuss the following aspects in this enlightening conversation:
- Role of success in an individual's life and how this breeds ignorance and arrogance
- Chronic conditions versus conditions needing immediate attention
- Dr.Taher's own journey with heart health
- "Man made conditions" versus genetics
- Role of lifestyle in reversing diseases that are chronic
- How epigenetics can transform body's response to DNA
- Lifestyle implications on health
- How heart health is influenced by cultural habits/diets and across cultures
- Why heart health is compromised a lot in South Asian population
- Susceptibility to heart conditions in the above cohort
- Saturated fats, sugars and connection to oil in our lives
- Impact of illnesses on mental health
- Spirituality, meditation and benefits
- Exercise, cardio protective exercising parameters
- HDL, LDL, Triglycerides and what they mean and ideal levels
and much more ....
Please be sure to tune in to Part 2 of this conversation on this podcast to get Dr.Taher's wholesome perspective on this topic.

Tune in today to benefit from this conversation and spread the word!
Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or on any major podcast source.
Fresh leaf forever  website has all the episodes for anyone to enjoy.

Follow me on Instagram for interesting digital media content and all that I do and follow me on twitter as well.
Dr.Taher's book,  all  resources and contact information may be found via his website https://www.akiltaher.com

Also, click this Buzzsprout link to get started with your own podcasting hosting service with Buzzsprout.

Following the above link  let's Buzzsprout know we sent you, gets you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan, and helps support our show.

You can also support this show otherwise by using support the show link at the bottom. 

Fresh leaf forever podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by Host Vai Kumar.
DISCLAIMER: THIS EPISODE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR IN PERSON MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FOR CASE TO CASE NEEDS.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!

This episode is a very insightful conversation with renowned Ob-Gyn and book author Dr.Nitu Bajekal. She has written a wonderful book "Living PCOS free", co-authoring it with her daughter and nutritionist Rohini Bajekal. To anyone looking to manage PCOS or to get answers to puzzling aspects of women's health, this episode is for you!

Dr.Bajekal has been practicing for over 35 years & has helped several women find answers to  commonly faced gynecological issues. Her book is full of evidence based information to address the stigma associated with a woman's menstrual cycle, PCOS, or in general hormonal health.

In this delightful chat with her, I was able to uncover several intriguing aspects pertaining to women's health.
Here are some focus areas from this conversation:

• About PCOS and the how, why of it
• PCOS & the hormonal connection
• Symptoms that would warrant care & seek medical help
• Rotterdam criteria, periods as fifth vital sign
• Insulin resistance and PCOS - does one cause pre disposition to another
• Social stigma & breaking the barriers
• Reproductive, metabolic and psychological symptoms, including body image issues
• Mental health & PCOS
• Genes vs lifestyle
• Men & PCOS.
• Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.
• Lifestyle medicine for managing PCOS.
• Pill and PCOS; weight management, residual bleeding.
• Gut health , role of fiber.
• Intermittent fasting, & any possible impact on hormones.
• Soya and impact
•  21 day program, all about the book and much more ....

Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or on any major podcast source.
Fresh leaf forever  website has all the episodes for anyone to enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: THIS EPISODE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR IN PERSON MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FOR CASE TO CASE NEEDS.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!

Our guest in this episode is Glen Merzer, who is a playwright, screenwriter, and author/co-author of multiple books. 
He wrote for network television for many years before stumbling into a career writing books that advocate the plant-exclusive diet.
Glen's book "Food is Climate" explains the capacity we humans have to heal our planet and bring good reasoning to the climate debate.

It's an engaging dialogue on how we can preserve planet earth from all the deterioration and stop climate erosion by making wise food choices.
In this episode, host Vai and Glen focus on the following aspects -

- Glen's journey from a standup comic to authoring multiple books.
- Need to take ownership of one's health and how best  one can do it.
- Importance of nutrition.
- How culture impacts eating practices and in turn, well-being.
- Stopping climate erosion.
- Ways in which climate emergency affects human civilization.
- Why is being vegan important for the planet?
- Plastic contamination in the ocean.
- Need for a grassroots movement and why.
- Plant based eating, benefits, its role in warding off inflammation.
and much more….

Tune in today to benefit from this conversation and spread the word!
Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or on any major podcast source.
Fresh leaf forever  website has all the episodes for anyone to enjoy.

Follow me on Instagram for interesting digital media content and all that I do and follow me on twitter as well.

Follow the podcast instagram @freshleafforever for all things relating to the podcast and twitter @freshleafforev1 to provide feedback. 

Also, click this Buzzsprout link to get started with your own podcasting hosting service with Buzzsprout.

Following the above link  let's Buzzsprout know we sent you, gets you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan, and helps support our show.

You can also support this show otherwise by using support the show link at the bottom. 

Fresh leaf forever podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by Host Vai Kumar.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!

My guest Chef AJ has been on a plant exclusive diet for over 43 years. A chef, culinary instructor, and professional speaker, she is the author of the popular book Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight, which chronicles her journey from an obese junk-food vegan to learning how to create foods that nourish and heal the body.  

Her latest bestselling book The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss:  A Revolutionary Approach to Conquer Cravings, Overcome Food Addiction and Lose Weight Without Going Hungry has received glowing endorsement by many luminaries in the plant-based movement.

In this episode we focus on :

• Chef AJ’s weight loss  journey, health journey before, and how these translated into her professional journey.
•  Impact of junk foods though one remains a vegan.
•  Reason people gain weight.
• Conquering cravings, food addictions.
• Need to approach  one’s weight loss journey meticulously. Crash diets and negative impact.
•  Feeding right so as not to go malnourished in one’s weight loss process.
• Eating right, yet not being hungry.
• Steps involved in weight loss & Chef AJ’s 7 C’s to success.
• Common frustrations that occur and overcoming them.
• Importance of nutrient dense foods and consuming calories that way versus junk calories.
• Role of eating real foods, Whole Foods, plant based vs processed foods.
• Eating plant based and keeping it delicious.
• Simple substitutes for meat eaters

and much more….

Tune in today to benefit from this conversation and spread the word!
Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or on any major podcast source.
Fresh leaf forever  website has all the episodes for anyone to enjoy.

Follow me on Instagram for interesting digital media content and all that I do and follow me on twitter as well.
Chef AJ may be contacted via her website www.chefaj.com

Follow the podcast instagram @freshleafforever for all things relating to the podcast and twitter @freshleafforev1 to provide feedback. 

Also, click this Buzzsprout link to get started with your own podcasting hosting service with Buzzsprout.

Following the above link  let's Buzzsprout know we sent you, gets you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan, and helps support our show.

You can also support this show otherwise by using support the show link at the bottom. 

Fresh leaf forever podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by Host Vai Kumar.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!

Our guest Gigi Mortimer is the founder of EyeJust, a blue light blocking screen protector product that helps users adopt a healthier approach to technology. 
 In this conversation, Gigi and host Vai talk about the impact of blue light from screens, detrimental effects and how her company is making a difference in a virtual world.
 
 Some focus aspects from this conversation include:

• How Gigi decided to create EyeJust screen protectors and the story behind it.
• Her background in the fashion accessories market and how that translated into creation of this product.
• Sudy from Harvard and how blue light triggers our brains; suppresses melatonin and changes circadian rhythm.
• HEV -high energy visible rays embedded technology and its role in filtering blue light.
• Gigi's role as a Member of Women in Science at Rockefeller university;  scientific research, the time lag when compared to rapid technological advancement.
• Healthier approach to tech and the need for it.
• Harmful effects of blue light and it’s impact on sleep, eyes and even skin.
• Symptoms of overexposure and need to guard oneself against blue light.
• Benefits from blue light blocking and where EyeJust comes in.
• Surviving and thriving in the digital world, covid and virtual global scenario.
• Sleep score study results; EyeJust vs competition.
• EyeJust as a screen protector vs blue light blocking glasses.
• Need to limit EMF exposure.
• Impact and success stories, need for every techie to guard themselves.
• Road ahead for EyeJust and product compatibility.
• Need for young entrepreneurs on taking the lead and being creative.
• Corporate vs Entrepreneurial; how can one overcome fear of failing?

and much more....

Tune in today to benefit from this conversation and spread the word!
Follow the podcast on Spotify, Google, Apple , Amazon or on any major podcast source.
Fresh leaf forever  website has all the episodes for anyone to enjoy.

Follow me on Instagram for interesting digital media content and all that I do and follow me on twitter as well.

Follow the podcast instagram @freshleafforever for all things relating to the podcast and twitter @freshleafforev1 to provide feedback. 

Also, click this Buzzsprout link to get started with your own podcasting hosting service with Buzzsprout.

Following the above link  let's Buzzsprout know we sent you, gets you a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan, and helps support our show.

You can also support this show otherwise by using support the show link at the bottom. 

Fresh leaf forever podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by Host Vai Kumar.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Videos  on  YouTube channel.
Follow host Vai on socials -  Instagram , YouTube, LinkedIn  for  thought leadership content.
Head to my website for enlightening blogs & service offerings.
This podcast comes to you from Listen Ponder Change LLC, founded by  Vai Kumar.Every  support the show contribution is much appreciated !!
Subscribe https://www.buzzsprout.com/1436179/support and help us amplify our voice and reach!