This conversation with Leigh Ankrum, the founder of The Ankrum Institute in Oklahoma, was recorded in October of 2022. The temperatures here in Oklahoma were still in the 90s, but we decided to discuss some of the things that we need to watch out for as colder weather approaches. Wishful thinking? Leigh always has great information to share about health and wellness. As the founder of a Functional Bodyworks Institute, her insights into the workings of the mind, body and spirit are inspirational. She tells a great story about one of her clients that was pregnant and how functional bodywork helped resolve her severe pain. Very inspirational for those of us who remember pregnancy pain and for those who might be experiencing it now. Enjoy this great episode. 

It is always fun to interview Leigh Ankrum, the Founder of The Ankrum Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma - not just for the wealth of information she shares, but also because I know we will have fun talking together. She always inspires and brings great insight. And I always have questions. In this episode, I ask about kidney stones because my hubby was suffering through one that week. (And when HE suffers, believe me, I suffer too.) 

The Ankrum Institute is starting a new class of students soon, specializing in Functional Bodywork. Leigh gives us a preview of what students can expect and what the community can expect when visiting the student-led clinic. Hope you enjoy this fun interview. 

On this episode of the Mind-Body-Spirit Podcast from Natural Awakenings magazine in Oklahoma, we take a deep dive into spirituality. Our guest is Leticia Pizano, founder of OSNAC (OneSpirit Native American Church) and Divine Lotus Wellness Co-Op in Oklahoma City. She is also the creator of Oklahoma's "Entheogen & Spirituality" Conference. She discusses all of this and much more on this episode. Pizano has deep roots in the Native communities of North America, both in the USA and Mexico. She discusses traditionally-used plant medicines and how the Entheogen & Spirituality conference is an educational event that will help attendees understand more many varieties of plant medicines. 

VEG FEST is Oklahoma's largest (and super fun) veggie festival. Devoted to all things veggie and delicious, VEG FEST is a one-day festival where attendees can hear from doctors, gerontologists, chefs and regenerative farmers. Vendors with all sorts of wonderful products will be there along with food trucks for a wide variety of tasty and healthy treats to purchase and enjoy.  Speakers and visitors are coming from across the nation. 

VEG FEST is the passionate project of Melissa Furman, a health coach dedicated to the veggie lifestyle. She is the co-Founder of VEG FEST and President of Plant-Based Green Country. She shares her vision for VEG FEST and discusses her commitment to healthier eating for creating healthier lives. 

Listen in (or watch along) on another great conversation with Leigh Ankrum, founder of The Ankrum Institute in Oklahoma. Leigh has in-depth insights into the workings of the human body, built up from decades of work and expertise. She started the Institute to train other body-work professionals in her style of cooperative bodywork, where the highly trained professional is a partner in healing with the client. 

The ideas expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the views of Natural Awakenings magazine. The ideas presented here are for information and educational purposes only. 

Candi Boyer and Tiffany Stuhr are the founders of Sacred Pillars Church in Oklahoma. This is a non-sectarian group that focuses on spiritual transformations by being open to the use of entheogens, also known as plant medicines. Sacred Pillars focuses on the use of psycho-active mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms. While they focus on plant medicines as a path to spiritual awakenings, they also offer services to their community where plant medicines are not used. Boyer and Stuhr are quick to point out plant medicines are not necessarily the right path for everyone. Sacred Pillars utilizes plant medicines in tiny amounts, called micro-dosing, so that the positive spiritual effects are gained without the negative connotation of psychoactive ingredients. Boyer and Stuhr are strong proponents of integration - where usage and ceremony are combined within the community to talk through spirituality and spiritual  goals for harmony and growth. 

Shanna interviews Dr. Brandy Valentine of Lotus Acupuncture in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. They discuss acupuncture, herbs, traditional Chinese medicine and Dr. Valentine's journey to become an Acupuncturist. Along the way, they laugh - a lot - and talk about how people (like Shanna) who are frightened of needles can still experience acupuncture and it myriad benefits. We hope you enjoy listening to this fun interview. To watch the video version, visit the Natural Awakenings Oklahoma YouTube channel. ENJOY!

Dr. Michelle McElroy always knew that she wanted to be a doctor. From the time she was a little girl, she was fascinated with the idea of helping people. She became an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and helped women bring happy, healthy babies into the world. She also helped older women with hormone replacement as they aged. But something was missing from her practice. She kept handing out medicines and realized that while her patients might get better, the root causes of disease were often still in place. She began looking for solutions instead of what she felt were just "bandages" on the symptoms. This is when she found Functional Medicine, often called "root cause" medicine. Dr. Michelle McElroy found just what she was looking for! She shares her passion with us in this edition of the podcast. 

Dr. Brad Roach of HolisticPetCare.Vet and BestFriendsAnimalClinic.Vet, joins us on the podcast to talk about the things he sees with his clients and patients. Taking a holistic view of animal care often means that one must think outside of the traditional mindset. Human holistic doctors and their patients can come to an understanding and communicate with each other. But when the patient is furry, feathered or scaly, the doctor must be more in-tune with their non-verbal responses! Dr. Roach talks about knowing when his patients are getting relief and how they respond to acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal remedies, and nutritional adjustments. This podcast is the first of 2 - in the NEXT episode, we will discuss CANCER in our pets. Cancer has rightfully been called "The Emperor of All Maladies." So check back in often for our next conversation with Dr. Roach.