Modern medicine has dramatically changed how we understand—and often experience—some of the most fundamental processes of life: menstruation, birth, menopause, and death. But in the process, many of the natural rhythms, inner wisdom, and holistic care models have been lost. In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we challenge conventional medical narratives and explore how integrative, trauma-informed care can restore dignity, body-awareness, and holistic support during life’s most transformative transitions.

Joining us is Kara Dobelis, ARNP, an integrative family nurse practitioner, trauma-informed clinician, and co-founder of Integrative Family Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa. Kara’s own path—from critical care and surgical nursing, through healthcare administration, to founding a patient-first holistic practice—gave her frontline insight into the gaps in conventional care.

With dual master’s degrees in Clinical Informatics and Nurse Practitioner practice, and extensive experience treating chronic illness, complex viral conditions, and immune dysfunction, Kara brings a depth of clinical knowledge and compassion to her work. She specializes in caring for patients who don’t find answers through standard medical protocols: those with chronic fatigue, suspected Lyme disease, EBV, long-term immune suppression, or undiagnosed systemic issues.

Kara offers a written and embodied approach to integrative care: trauma-informed intakes, personalized diagnostics, nutritional and lifestyle medicine, IV and NAD+ infusions, herbal and homeopathic support, nervous system regulation, and ongoing follow-up aimed at restoring balance and vitality. Her own healing journey—marked by illness, trauma, and ultimately, resilience—drives her dedication to helping others reclaim their health holistically.

In this conversation, we dig into:

• How modern obstetric and gynecologic practices have shaped our experience of menstruation, birth, menopause, and end-of-life care.
• What gets lost when birth becomes medical procedure, menopause becomes pathology, and death becomes taboo.
• The role of integrative medicine in honoring the body’s natural cycles and transitions.
• What trauma-informed, compassionate healthcare can look like during major life passages.
• How lifestyle, nutrition, nervous-system care, and personalized medicine can support smoother transitions — on the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.

If you’ve ever questioned the standard narrative around these life stages, or felt like medicine overlooked the deeper truths of your body’s experiences, this episode offers insight, compassion, and a different path forward.

Learn more about Kara Dobelis and Integrative Family Medicine:

https://www.integrativemediowa.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

In a world where true connection is becoming rare, the tables we build—and how we invite people to gather around them—may be one of the most powerful forms of relational wealth we can cultivate. In this intimate conversation, we explore how intentional environments, shared experiences, and the simple act of coming together can nourish belonging, open the heart, and help people flourish.

My guest today, David Brower, is an international impresario of live experiences that fuse artistry, intimacy, and inspiration. A #1 best-selling author, poet, and speaker, David creates gatherings that feel like living works of art—immersive, connective, and unforgettable. His events invite beauty, joy, and purpose back into the room, encouraging us to savor the fullness of being alive while forging meaningful bonds with one another. More than entertainment, his work is a catalyst for presence and transformation, reminding us that everyday life can be celebrated as the greatest stage of all.

If you’ve been longing for deeper community, richer conversations, or gatherings that feel intentional rather than obligatory, this episode offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for designing spaces where people feel truly seen, held, and connected.

Learn more about David’s work at:
https://davidbrower.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Energy healing is often talked about in vague or mystical terms—but beneath the language and symbolism lies a grounded, deeply human truth: we all carry emotional, physical, and spiritual imprints that shape how we feel, respond, and move through the world. In this episode, we explore the foundations of energy healing and the chakra system with Stephanie Ulven, founder of Equanimity Wellness.

Stephanie’s path into this work began long before she knew what to call it. In the early '90s, she studied psychology and sociology, searching for answers about why people feel disconnected from themselves. But it wasn’t until she moved into cosmetology—an unexpected doorway—that she discovered the profound impact of touch, presence, and authentic connection. Clients began asking not just for services, but for what they called a “Stephanie Session”—space to unravel, breathe, and finally feel like themselves again.

When the world unraveled during the pandemic, people turned to her not only for comfort but for clarity. She realized that many were carrying emotional and energetic burdens with nowhere safe to process them. Her calling deepened.

Today, Stephanie is a Master Educator in multiple energy modalities, including Usui Reiki, Kundalini Reiki, Crystal Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, and Sekhem Reiki. Through Equanimity Wellness, she offers a sanctuary for those seeking grounding, emotional release, nervous system regulation, and a return to inner balance. Her work is rooted in understanding the duality of human experience—what we say versus what we truly feel—and guiding clients back to honesty, alignment, and peace.

In this episode, we explore:
• What energy healing is (and what it is not)
• How blocked or overwhelmed energy shows up in the body
• The chakra system as a map for emotional and spiritual wellbeing
• Why touch, presence, and attunement are powerful tools for healing
• How reconnecting to our internal landscape creates resilience

If you’ve ever felt disconnected, emotionally overloaded, or unsure why your inner world feels so heavy, this conversation brings clarity, compassion, and a grounded understanding of how energy healing supports the whole person.

Learn more about Stephanie’s work at Equanimity Wellness:
https://www.equanimity-wellness.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Manifestation gets talked about everywhere—but few people address it with the clarity, groundedness, and integrity that actually creates change. In this episode, we explore the art of aligned creation with vicki abadesco!, a visionary entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, speaker, coach, and mentor who has dedicated her life to helping people step into purpose with intention, courage, and heart.

vicki! is known for her unwavering commitment to personal growth and transformation. Through her organization Soul Shoppe, she and her team have brought conflict resolution, emotional literacy, and peacemaking skills to over one million elementary school students, fostering emotional intelligence and healthy communication in the next generation. Her work has shaped communities, strengthened families, and inspired countless individuals to overcome limitation and live from a truer, more empowered version of themselves.

In this conversation, we break down what aligned manifestation really looks like—beyond trends or wishful thinking. We explore how clarity, values, nervous system regulation, and emotional responsibility shape our ability to create a life that feels grounded, purposeful, and deeply connected to who we actually are. vicki! brings decades of wisdom, real-world experience, and her signature joy to help us understand how purposeful creation becomes possible when the inner and outer world come back into alignment.

Learn more about vicki abadesco! and her work at: https://www.vickiabadesco.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Your immune system is the core of your body’s defense, repair, and resilience — yet most people don’t actually understand how it works or what it truly needs to stay strong. In a world filled with chronic stress, environmental toxins, processed food, disrupted sleep, global travel, and constant exposure to microbes, supporting immune health has never been more essential. But real immunity isn’t about quick fixes or trendy supplements. It’s about understanding how the immune system functions, what weakens it over time, and what actually helps build long-term resilience.

In this episode, we explore the science of immune health through a clear, grounded, and highly accessible lens. We dig into the most common questions people ask:

• What naturally strengthens the immune system?
• What lifestyle factors weaken immunity the most?
• How do stress, nutrition, sleep, and environmental exposures impact immune function?
• What role do vaccines play in long-term immune resilience?
• How do infections, inflammation, and chronic conditions shape the body’s ability to heal?

This is an evidence-based, myth-free conversation designed to help listeners understand how their bodies work — and what they can do today to support stronger, smarter immunity.

About Jay K. Varma, MD

Jay K. Varma, MD is a physician, epidemiologist, and public health expert who has spent more than two decades working to prevent and control infectious diseases around the world. From combating Ebola in Africa to controlling HIV in Asia and the U.S., his career has focused on understanding how invisible forces—microbes, systems, and human behavior—shape our health and communities. Through his writing and health practice, he works to help people see how science and everyday life intersect: how our bodies, environments, and choices are constantly in conversation with one another and how the communities we create, the way we interact with animals and the environment, and the systems we build together determine our collective well-being.

Learn more about Dr. Jay K. Varma:

https://drjayvarma.com

https://www.youtube.com/@thermometerHQ

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fevered-mind

https://www.healthbeat.org/authors/dr-jay-k-varma/

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Your mitochondria are the tiny powerhouses inside every cell — generating the energy that powers your heart, muscles, brain, and immune system. When they’re thriving, you feel it. When they struggle, everything from fatigue and brain fog to chronic illness can follow.

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we explore the foundational role of mitochondrial function in human health: how stress, toxins, infections, nutrient deficiencies, and trauma impact cellular energy — and how integrative strategies like IV nutrient therapy, herbal medicine, and metabolic support can help restore vitality at the deepest physiological level.

We break down what your mitochondria need to run well… and what might be silently draining your system.

About Kara Dobelis, ARNP

Kara Dobelis is a highly experienced integrative family nurse practitioner and healthcare leader whose professional journey spans critical care nursing, healthcare administration, and founding an innovative patient-centered clinic. After beginning her career in critical care and surgical nursing, Kara transitioned into administration and served as a director at major healthcare organizations. It was in that role she became ethically conflicted with traditional care models—leading her to co-found Integrative Family Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa with a mission to prioritize patient care over profit.

Kara holds a master’s degree in Clinical Informatics and a second master’s in Nurse Practitioner practice. She serves patients across the lifespan—newborns to middle-age adults—focusing on those who have long been underserved or have labwork that “looks fine” but symptoms persist. Her specialties include chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, EBV, other lingering viral illnesses, and immune system dysfunction. Kara combines IV nutrient therapies including NAD+, oral supplements, herbal tinctures, and homeopathic medicine with trauma-informed care to help patients reclaim their health and nervous system regulation.

Her approach begins with a 30-minute trauma-informed intake, where history, physical exam, and diagnostic workup are completed in a respectful space. From there, she collaborates with the patient on integrative treatment plans that may include mental health therapy, IV infusions, chiropractic care, nutritional changes, and regular follow-up to monitor progress. Having personally navigated significant trauma and illness herself, Kara is driven by her own healing journey—applying the wisdom of experience to help others heal through holistic, science-based, and empathetic care.

Learn More: https://www.integrativemediowa.com/

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Strategic intelligence is the ability to think ahead, make decisions with clarity, and lead with precision—especially in uncertainty. In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we explore how strategy becomes a learned intelligence: how leaders assess complexity, anticipate challenges, prioritize effectively, and align their actions with the outcomes they want to create. Cara-Lyn and David dig into practical tools for solving problems, eliminating chaos, and building the kind of foresight that strengthens both leadership and life outside of work.

About Cara-Lyn Giovanniello

Cara-Lyn Giovanniello is a coaching power-house out of San Francisco, CA, focusing on performance and emotional intelligence as foundations for leadership. Her mission is to empower individuals and teams to reach their full potential using training mastery, corporate experience, deep empathy, a touch of humor, and an unshakable belief in activating positive forward momentum.

As an ICF certified PCC and CPCC, Cara-Lyn has been providing value for the past 18+ years creating unique programming for managers in fintech, start-ups, non-profits, and academia. She’s worked with inspiring leaders from AWS, Square, Nike, Anthropic, WhatNot, Prime, Prismm, Cut+Dry, Google, CashApp, LinkedIn, Twitter, CUPA-HR, to name a few - and created custom content for teams at Block, UC Berkeley, Halperin Law, Stanford University, Getro, and Evolve Treatment Centers.

Career highlights include creation of the award winning Integral Lead Program at Square, which explores the “being and doing” of exceptional leadership, activating over 5,000 managers to date, as well as, hosting an intensive offsite for Jack Dorsey (Twitter) and his executive team deep diving into the collaborative power of providing real, hardcore feedback. Additionally, she sits on the Boards for Sidebar, a leadership program where small peer groups grow and evolve together, and Coaching for Everyone, providing development opportunities for minority and indigenous coaches.

Learn more about Cara-Lyn:
https://clgcoaching.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Relational intelligence is the ability to understand, navigate, and strengthen the connections we build with others—at home, at work, and within our communities. In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we explore how relational intelligence shapes communication, trust, conflict resolution, and the quality of our relationships. We break down the skills that make relational intelligence a learnable asset: attunement, emotional safety, perspective-taking, boundaries, and the ability to stay present under pressure. Cara-Lyn and David discuss how these principles support healthier teams, more effective leadership, and more meaningful personal relationships.

About Cara-Lyn Giovanniello

Cara-Lyn Giovanniello is a coaching power-house out of San Francisco, CA, focusing on performance and emotional intelligence as foundations for leadership. Her mission is to empower individuals and teams to reach their full potential using training mastery, corporate experience, deep empathy, a touch of humor, and an unshakable belief in activating positive forward momentum.

As an ICF certified PCC and CPCC, Cara-Lyn has been providing value for the past 18+ years creating unique programming for managers in fintech, start-ups, non-profits, and academia. She’s worked with inspiring leaders from AWS, Square, Nike, Anthropic, WhatNot, Prime, Prismm, Cut+Dry, Google, CashApp, LinkedIn, Twitter, CUPA-HR, to name a few - and created custom content for teams at Block, UC Berkeley, Halperin Law, Stanford University, Getro, and Evolve Treatment Centers.

Career highlights include creation of the award winning Integral Lead Program at Square, which explores the “being and doing” of exceptional leadership, activating over 5,000 managers to date, as well as, hosting an intensive offsite for Jack Dorsey (Twitter) and his executive team deep diving into the collaborative power of providing real, hardcore feedback. Additionally, she sits on the Boards for Sidebar, a leadership program where small peer groups grow and evolve together, and Coaching for Everyone, providing development opportunities for minority and indigenous coaches.

Learn more about Cara-Lyn:
https://clgcoaching.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Emotional intelligence isn’t just a soft skill—it’s the foundation of effective leadership, relational health, and sustainable performance. In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we explore what emotional intelligence really is, why it matters, and how it becomes a learned, trainable form of intelligence that directly shapes the way we communicate, lead, regulate, and adapt. We break down the components of EQ, the brain-body science behind emotional awareness, and how leaders can build environments where emotional literacy translates into clearer thinking, better decisions, and healthier teams.

About Cara-Lyn Giovanniello

Cara-Lyn Giovanniello is a coaching power-house out of San Francisco, CA, focusing on performance and emotional intelligence as foundations for leadership. Her mission is to empower individuals and teams to reach their full potential using training mastery, corporate experience, deep empathy, a touch of humor, and an unshakable belief in activating positive forward momentum.

As an ICF certified PCC and CPCC, Cara-Lyn has been providing value for the past 18+ years creating unique programming for managers in fintech, start-ups, non-profits, and academia. She’s worked with inspiring leaders from AWS, Square, Nike, Anthropic, WhatNot, Prime, Prismm, Cut+Dry, Google, CashApp, LinkedIn, Twitter, CUPA-HR, to name a few - and created custom content for teams at Block, UC Berkeley, Halperin Law, Stanford University, Getro, and Evolve Treatment Centers.

Career highlights include creation of the award winning Integral Lead Program at Square, which explores the “being and doing” of exceptional leadership, activating over 5,000 managers to date, as well as, hosting an intensive offsite for Jack Dorsey (Twitter) and his executive team deep diving into the collaborative power of providing real, hardcore feedback. Additionally, she sits on the Boards for Sidebar, a leadership program where small peer groups grow and evolve together, and Coaching for Everyone, providing development opportunities for minority and indigenous coaches.

Learn more about Cara-Lyn:
https://clgcoaching.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Germ theory has shaped every major public health achievement of the last century—from clean water systems to infection control—but it’s also become one of the most misunderstood and debated topics in today’s health landscape. In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we clarify what germ theory actually means, why it remains foundational to modern medicine and public health, and how to engage constructively with people who doubt or distort it. We explore how microbes interact with human behavior, environment, and community systems—offering listeners a grounded, scientific, and accessible framework for understanding disease in the modern world.

About Jay K. Varma, MD

Jay K. Varma, MD is a physician, epidemiologist, and public health expert who has spent more than two decades working to prevent and control infectious diseases around the world. From combating Ebola in Africa to controlling HIV in Asia and the U.S., his career has focused on understanding how invisible forces—microbes, systems, and human behavior—shape our health and communities. Through his writing and health practice, he works to help people see how science and everyday life intersect: how our bodies, environments, and choices are constantly in conversation with one another and how the communities we create, the way we interact with animals and the environment, and the systems we build together determine our collective well-being.

Learn more about Dr. Jay K. Varma:

https://drjayvarma.com

https://www.youtube.com/@thermometerHQ

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fevered-mind

https://www.healthbeat.org/authors/dr-jay-k-varma/

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.