A very happy holidays to everyone out there, whichever holidays you may be celebrating! As we settle into December, it is a great time to look at some ways to take care of yourself during the festive season. This year has been a difficult and different one for so many of us and the time off with family that most of us are lucky enough to enjoy is just another reason to be grateful. Part of that gratitude means doing what you owe yourself: taking care, being kind, and not overdoing it! The most wonderful gift you can give your loved ones is to be present and healthy during this time, and this starts with the way you think about and treat the different parts of yourself! It is a time of giving and generosity, but remember to start this on the individual level. In line with all this, Sarah will be taking some time off until early January, when you can expect more great episodes and further explorations into the topics that will help you grow. Remember, the universe is here to help you and teach you the lessons you need to learn, give yourself a break and stay open to these, and the happiest of holidays to all!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Time for family during the holidays and the short break that Sarah is taking.  
• Self-care and self-love at this time of the year.
• This year has been a challenging gift that we can be grateful for. 
• Ideas for better sleep by avoiding blue light, syncing your body clock, and good nutrition.
• Making sure to enjoy the holidays and all its pleasures, while staying mindful and healthy. 
• Exercise, fresh air, and sunshine; listen to your body and its needs.
• Setting aside time for fun and laughter, whatever that might look like for you!  
• Being kind, loving, and patient with yourself while staying open to new lessons from the universe.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

The Social Dilemma

Today the GroWise Be Well team discusses Christmas, a time usually spent feasting with family and sitting in front of a warm, cozy fire. For some listeners, Christmas may feel like it’s ages away but for others, it’s just around the corner. Early in our conversation, Amanda shares why she’s already begun her shopping before sharing her future Christmas aspirations, like having seven Christmas trees throughout her home. We then dive into different ways that we celebrate the season. On the topic of food, we speak about how Kayli’s family, reflecting their Mediterranean and Italian heritage, enjoy seafood for their Christmas Eve dinner. After chatting about making gingerbread houses, we talk about a true Montana alternative — making a log cabin from pirouette sticks. Near the end of the episode, we touch on the virtues of eating in moderation, and Sasha gives listeners an insight into how her Russian Orthodox heritage influences how she spends Christmas. A significant time of the year for many cultures, tune in for our unique perspectives on the holiday. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• With Thanksgiving over, hear why the GroWise Be Well team is talking about Christmas.
•  How far Amanda has already gotten with her Christmas planning. 
• From having seven Christmas trees and decorating every room, hear our top Christmas aspirations.
• Exploring different Christmas foods and traditions. 
• Debating the merits of using glue to make your gingerbread house — or making a log cabin from pirouette sticks. 
• How Sasha’s Russian heritage has given her two Christmases to celebrate. 
• Using Christmas to tell stories, sing songs, and be together as a family.
• Eating in moderation and creating your own traditional recipes. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

The Bodyguard 

Yahtzee on Amazon

Pepperidge Farms Pirouette

In today’s episode, host Sarah Southwell speaks about COVID-19 and wades into waters that are so thick that they’re more like boiling tar pits. A key theme that’s raised early in our discussion, Sarah highlights the importance of trusting your intuition and making up your mind on what you should be doing about the pandemic. Accordingly, we talk about the need to have conversations with our loved ones about what makes us feel safe. Sarah also recommends that we develop a strict set of parameters for feeling safe — parameters that we should embrace so that we don’t live in a state of fear. After sharing why she has developed a distrust for the government, Sarah points to government practices that are harmful to our health. Wading even further into the tar pits, Sarah questions whether the government has our best interests at heart before exploring what they could be doing to keep us healthy. We then reflect on the mental health dangers of social isolation and what the pandemic is costing us. Near the end of the episode, Sarah emphasizes her mission to empower people. As she explains, it’s up to us to decide how we want to handle COVID-19. Tune in to hear more of Sarah’s insights into managing your health and home during the COVID-19 crisis.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Sarah reflects on the importance of making decisions based on your intuition.
• Why we need to start asking ourselves tough questions about COVID-19.
• Finding our levels of comfort and safety when seeing people during the pandemic. 
• How we can end up in a state of constant fear.
• Hear why Sarah has developed a healthy distrust for the government. 
• Contradictions between the government’s COVID response and their failure to act in other areas. 
• Asking yourself the question — “Does our government have our best interests at heart?”
• What the government should be doing to keep us healthy.
• The mental health dangers of social separation.
• Exploring what we lose by living in fear of the pandemic. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

Roundup

Clorox

There are only two industries that refer to their clients as users — the drug and the tech industry. Today, host Sarah Southwell unpacks key lessons from The Social Dilemma, an alarming documentary on the negative impact of social media. Early in the discussion, Sarah highlights how the documentary interviews industry insiders, many of whom created the code behind platforms like Facebook and Instagram. We chat about how social media has taken away our ability to be in the present moment before talking about its addictive properties. Drawing from the movie’s insights, we dive into the advanced state of the artificial intelligence employed by platforms and how it may be smarter than we are. Sarah shares specifics on how social media damages our children and spreads division through fake news, before providing listeners with advice on how we can better handle our media usage. After touching on why we should regulate media use, Sarah calls on us to take a stand to live more joyous and intentional lives. Social media is everywhere. Tune in to hear more about why this might be a bad thing and what we can do about it. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Parallels between Sarah’s book idea and the documentary, The Social Dilemma.
• How many of the creators behind social media platforms are fearful of what they’ve made. 
• The virtues of being present in the moment and not being distracted by social media.
• Why social media can be as addictive as taking drugs.
• Exploring views on artificial intelligence and why it may be smarter than we are.
• Ways that we can wean ourselves off of social media.  
• Limiting your children’s access to devices and media. 
• From self-harm to suicide, how social media negatively affects our children. 
• How the spread of fake news over social media is spreading division.
• Regulating social media and placing age restrictions on its use. 
• How apps gather your information even when you’re not using them. 
• “Love will save the day;” Sarah shares the antidote to social media. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

The Social Dilemma

The Social Dilemma on IMDB 

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

From date changes to what actually transpired, a lot that we’ve been taught about Thanksgiving is a myth. Today the GroWise Be Well team asks themselves what the holiday means to them, and how we can celebrate it while staying true to the spirit of gratitude. We explore the history of Thanksgiving, it’s similarities to the pagan festival of Lúnasa, and dive into reasons why the day has been created. Later, we touch on why America holds so tightly onto many of its myths before discussing what it means to be American. While we focus on some of Thanksgiving's worst qualities, including its excesses, we also highlight the positives, like food, family, and feasting. Another hallmark of Thanksgiving, we talk about dealing with conflict through open communication and setting boundaries. Near the end of the episode, we reflect on the question — are our old holidays worth keeping? A key insight, host Sarah Southwell shares why we should each holiday with intentionality and thoughtfulness. Tune in to hear more from our informative discussion on Thanksgiving. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why Sarah doesn’t celebrate traditional Thanksgiving.
• ‘Friendsgiving;’ an alternative way to spend the holiday.
• Sasha shares how she celebrates Thanksgiving while neglecting its historical roots.
• Comparing the timing of the pagan festival of Lúnasa with Thanksgiving.
• How Thanksgiving has become a time for excess and shopping. 
• Exploring the reasons why Thanksgiving was popularized in the 20th century.
• How some Native Americans perceive Thanksgiving.
• Lindsay opens up about her issues with Christopher Columbus Day.
• Insights into why America holds onto its myths and what it means to be an American.
• Dealing with conflict and setting healthy boundaries. 
• Practicing giving not only around holidays but throughout the year.
• Answering the question — are our old holidays worth keeping?

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

ABC Acres

Many people have overcome their medical challenges; some even come out of it healthier than ever. Today we speak with GroWise Be Well Maven, Amanda Wheeler, about living with Ménière's disease and how she’s taken back control of her body. After we introduce the episode, Amanda opens up about her early struggles with Ménière's disease and the confusion of not knowing what was happening to her. From being forced to miss work to not being able to drive, we discuss how Amanda’s condition robbed her of self-sufficiency. We talk about how focusing on negative possibilities can help manifest them before touching on the medication that Amanda was prescribed. We then reflect on the incredible turn that Amanda’s life took after she moved back home and reset her body. Now, Amanda explains, she uses natural approaches along with Oriental medicine to treat her condition — leading to fewer and shorter spells with the disease. Near the end of the episode, Amanda shares her top tips on dealing with Ménière's disease. Wonderful things can happen when you begin to understand your body’s unique needs. Tune in to hear more of Amanda’s incredible story. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Amanda’s journey with Ménière's disease first began.
• The fear of not knowing what is happening to your body.
• Amanda explains how employers would react to her Ménière's episodes. 
• Details on how Ménière's disease has affected Amanda’s life.
• Manifesting negativity; how Amanda’s doctor made her see the worst in her condition. 
• How Ménière's disease robbed Amanda of her self-sufficiency. 
• Hear about how Amanda reset herself and has rediscovered her health.
• Top tips on dealing with Ménière's disease and not giving up on your body.
• What Amanda has done to keep hope during her difficult times.
• The links between what Amanda eats and her condition. 
• How our struggles can help us become wiser people. 
• The importance of dealing with inflammation — everybody gets it. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

Amanda Wheeler on Facebook

GroWise Be Well

Welcome to the second part of our interview with sage Oriental medicine practitioner Steve Delvo. Today we continue our conversation into the power of Oriental medicine and how it can help us lead balanced and healthy lives. Early in our discussion, we ask Steve when people should use his services. His answers highlight a common medical issue — that many patients only seek help when they feel discomfort, and often not as a preventative measure. We then touch on the history of acupuncture and acupressure before Steve shares a story about how he used cupping to heal a patient — before Steve, they had been struggling with their injury since 1977. A key part of Oriental medicine, we explore how diet impacts your health and energy and, from mucous in our throats to developing IBS, how our bodies give us feedback that tells us to change our diets. Diving deeper into his practice, Steve unpacks the eight pillars of Oriental medicine and explains how having the right attitude is the most significant aspect of the healing process. Near the end of the episode, we reflect on the Oriental method, which favors a holistic and considered approach versus the ‘quick fix’ of going to a Western doctor. Tune in to hear the second part of our fascinating talk with Steve and learn more about how Oriental medicine can impact your life.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Steve explores the reasons why people seek his help as a practitioner of oriental medicine. 
• Shedding light on the practice of acupuncture, acupressure, and cupping.
• How Steve provides preventive care to keep his patients healthy.
• Healing yourself through your diet; a cornerstone of oriental medicine. 
• Hear how everything that we take into our body has either an energetic.
• The feedback that our bodies give us that tell us to change our diet.
• Why our current food culture is failing us — we’re both overweight and nutrient-starved.
• Unpacking the hierarchy that makes up the eight pillars of oriental medicine.
• Looking for quick fixes versus doing the work required to unlock greater health.
• Steve shares details about the medical successes that have made him the happiest. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

GroWise Be Well Episode 16

As you may well know, here on the GrowWise Be Well podcast we truly believe that Oriental medicine is an absolute live saver. Today on the show we are so fortunate to welcome Steve Delvo to help us all understand just how important Oriental medicine is. Steve is a doctor of Oriental medicine, first raised in North London, England, and then moved to the Philippines. On his 9th birthday, he apprenticed to Grand Master Lee until the age of 19, studying traditional martial arts and Oriental medicine. From there, he moved back to the States where he did a two-year apprenticeship under Master Rolfer; rolfing is facial release deep tissue massage. After that, Steve moved to San Francisco working intensely on professional athletes, doing Oriental medicine, deep tissue massage, and postural work. Steve’s journey then took him back to Asia for further training and practice. He then moved to Sante Fe, New Mexico to do a four-year accelerated program to obtain his Masters Degree. In Tucson, Arizona he became the Dean of an Oriental Medicine School, and finally, he moved on to Hamilton, Montana where he has spent the last 20 years in private practice. During our interview, we dive into the concepts of understanding the body and its energies as yin and yang. We also unpack the true meaning of illness in the terms of unbalance, why stagnation causes the body to be in a state of dis-ease, and so much more. So if Oriental medicine is a tool that resonates with your life, stay tuned for part one of this incredible conversation!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Steve’s background in studying martial arts and Oriental medicine. 
• Why Steve prefers to use the term “Oriental medicine” as opposed to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
• The history of Oriental medicine, dating back to before the Orient.
• Oriental medicine explained: cosmological principles applied down to the human body.
• The energies that drive and make up the body: coarse and refined energies.
• Everything in the universe explained as yin and yang; understanding the world around us.
• Understanding illnesses in the body as an imbalance between the systems.
• Discovering the events that cause “stagnations” in your body.
• The symptoms of stagnation — the three evil sisters: swelling, inflammation, and pain.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

We’re all guilty of following traditions without understanding why. For example, how do you recognize Samhain? — A Gaelic festival that’s more commonly known as Halloween. Today the GroWise Be Well team discusses what Halloween means to them and how they celebrate it. From Samhain to the Mexican Day of the Dead, we open the conversation by talking about how differently Halloween is celebrated across the cultural spectrum. For Lindsay, Halloween is a stepping-stone towards Christmas, an occasion that she prepares well in advance for. With a focus on Thanksgiving, we discuss the importance of questioning our traditions and who they serve. Kayli provides some insight into this, commenting on how she reimagines traditions so that they resonate with her. For some of the team, this can mean doing your spring cleaning during fall or replacing Thanksgiving with Mabon, a festival that happens one month earlier. We touch on how each team member experiences Halloween before exploring the German ‘wild women’ night of Hexennacht and how Hollywood has distorted the image of witches and voodoo. After chatting about our favorite Halloween movies — Hocus Pocus gets a mention — Sarah highlights this episode’s key theme which is to find the reason that you partake in traditions. And if they bring you joy, then that’s reason enough. Tune in to hear more on how the incredible team behind GroWise Be Well recognizes Samhain

Key Points From This Episode:

• Comparing how people from different heritages celebrate October 31st. 
• How Lindsay ties Halloween in with her Christmas preparations. 
• Seeing communities come together to make Halloween a magical experience.
• Exploring Thanksgiving and questioning the purpose of tradition and who it serves.
• Easter versus Ostara and the importance of recognizing the story behind the tradition. 
• Reimagining traditions according to how they fit into your life. 
• Spring cleaning in fall; hear why Kayli has been cleaning her home for Samhain.
• How German women cut the neckties off of men during Hexennacht.
• The historical transition from being scared of spirits to wearing them as costumes. 
• How Hollywood has distorted our views of witches and voodoo. 
• Celebrating Halloween by staying in, eating chocolates, and watching movies. 
• Why having fun is a good enough reason to engage with tradition. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

The Hershey’s Company

The Suicide Squad

Hocus Pocus

Halloweentown

Practical Magic

Sandra Bullock 

Nicole Kidman

Freddy Kruger

Michael Myers

Our bodies are put under enormous pressure as we move into fall and a chill starts creeping into the air. A common flu season, it’s difficult to keep your family safe, especially when your kids are likely to take off that jacket and hat that you insist they wear. Today, host Sarah Southwell shares her top tool for boosting her family’s immune system — her Magical Elderberry Elixir of Life. Something that anyone can begin preparing, Sarah shares how she makes her medicine, touching on sourcing her ingredients through wildcrafting and the other ingredients that she includes in her elixir. Sarah emphasizes that her medicine is preventative and that it should be used in combination with other strategies, like avoiding eating mucus producing foods. Later, Sarah highlights the power of intention when creating her medicine, which she channels through crystals and ritualistically updating her herbal medicine book. As Sarah explains, creating your own medicine is easy, you just need a little bit of guidance and to rely on your intuition. Tune in to hear more about Sarah’s Elixir of Life and how you can start making medicine — without sounding too grand, it’s a tradition that all cultures have followed since the dawn of humankind. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Stresses that the body is put under due to seasonal changes. 
• Getting ready for the seasonal shift by preparing herbal medicines. 
• The preventative benefits of elderberries in avoiding flu.
• Creating your own healing elixirs using herbal medicine and crystals.
• The idea of wildcrafting your medicine — harvesting from the wild. 
• Cutting mucus-producing and ‘cold essence’ foods out of your diet.
• Covering up your neck and ears to avoid sore throats and coughing. 
• Including ingredients like Aronia berries and sea buckthorn in your elixir.
• Updating your “Grimoire,” AKA, your herbal medicine book.
• Boosting your medicines through the power of intention. 
• From ginger to licorice root, hear what else Sarah includes in her elderberry elixir.
• Marking your own chest rub, tiger balm, or fever-reducing tea.  
• The importance of not feeling too limited by recipes and using your intuition.
• Finding the workshop, mentor, or book that will help your medicine-making journey. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sarah Southwell on LinkedIn

GroWise Be Well

Rosemary Gladstar

Mountain Rose Herbs