In this wonderfully conceptual discussion, Mason and Tahnee cover the emotions that may arise during Spring, the Spring archetypes and how to essentially, live more aligned to nature and her exquisite rhythms. The dynamic duo discuss their fave Liver Yin herbs to support your Spring experience. Tune in, to be invited to explore seasonal living and what that may look like for you - you are going to enjoy this one.

Mase and Tahns explore:

-The Mason term: Spring trap, just what is it?

-Just how important grounding is

-We are a part of nature (can I get a hell yes to that)!

-Frustration, feeling stuck, menstrual challenges, hay fever... why are these things common in Spring?

-Exactly what is Wood energy and how does it translate in our day to day lives

-The Spring archetypes... the general, the artist

-The natural tendency for us to seek out bitter, cleansing foods during Spring

-Herbs / mineral to consider: Beauty Blend, Schizandra, MSM

Resources:

How To Get Grounded When The Seasons Change Why Chinese Medecine is Failing Us Rhonda episode YinYang Wuxing Rhonda episode 100 Days of Schizandra challenge, join us! Dan Sipple Gut Bacteria podcast episode

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/spring-the-season-of-liver-wood-with-mason-and-tahnee-taylor-ep-90

We're so stoked to have one of our favourite guests, Rhonda Chang, back on the podcast with Mason today. Initially we weren't sure whether our SF community would be ready to receive Rhonda's wisdom, however, to our absolute delight everyone frothed on her first episode - you can check it out here. We always knew we had to have Rhonda back on to continue sharing her deeply authentic application of the traditional philosophy and practice of true Chinese medicine, or what Rhonda refers to as 'Yi'. Rhonda has a brilliant article explaining the difference between Yi and what many of us know as modern Traditional Chinese Medicine, I highly recommend you check it out here.

Mason and Rhonda discuss:

-Yinyang wuxing theory and how that relates to the body and organ systems.

-The qualities of the five elements; Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal.

-The spirit and body as inspearable parts of the whole, and the importance of holding this view when working to heal dis-harmony in the body, mind and spirit.

-Rhonda's classification of tonic herb.

-How the practice of Yinyang wuxing is a method of healing, and not a 'medicine'.

Who is Rhonda Chang? For the past 40 years Rhonda Chang has been involved in the study and practice of traditional healing. The journey has been long and tortuous. Rhonda began her studies at the Beijing College of Traditional Medicine. After graduation Rhonda worked as a physician at a number of hospitals in China. In 1986 she migrated to Australia and opened her own treatment clinic. Rhonda operated her clinic up until 2012, where she felt that government regulation was overly restricting her practice of healing and that the professionalisation of TCM in Australia had subordinated it to modern medicine. Since then Rhonda has focused her energies on writing books and promoting a return to traditional YinYang Wuxing healing principles.

Resources: Rhonda Website Rhonda Podcast Rhonda Books Rhonda's Facebook Group

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/yinyang-wuxing-for-inner-harmony-with-rhonda-chang-ep-89

In this special interview Mason shares a deep conversation with one of his greatest inspirations in work and in life, Stephen Harrod Buhner. Stephen's work in herbalism, heart perception, plant medicine, earth poetry, Lyme's disease, bacterial intelligence and more, has reignited the journey's of many into the indescribable "imaginal" realm that plant enthusiasts, artists and adventures throughout time have known well. In this chat Stephen invites us to reach beyond the reductionistic mental approach to life that our Western culture insists upon and "trains" us for, to discover and dance with the wild non linear spaces that lay within.

Mason and Stephen touch on many beautiful topics ranging from wild terrain medicine, herbal antibiotics and the effect of pharmaceuticals on the planet. Delving into the mystical and empowering realm that is driven by feeling, the place where we can start to develop a deep relationship with the planet and the plants that help us to heal.

Stephen's books and work are transformational, and we cannot recommend them highly enough! Among Mason's favourites are; The Lost Language Of Plants, The Secret Teachings Of Plants, Plant Intelligence And The Imaginal Realms and Sacred And Herbal Healing Beers.

Who is Stephen Harrod Buhner ?

Stephen Harrod Buhner is a interdisciplinary, independent scholar, polymath, Fellow of Schumacher College UK and head researcher for the Foundation for Gaian Studies. Stephen is an extraordinary human who, like many (if not all), cannot be summed up in a simple paragraph, to read more about the universe that is Stephen Harrod Buhner, please see his extensive bio here.

Resources:

Stephen's Website Stephen's Books Stephen's Articles The Foundation For Gaian Studies

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/entering-the-imaginal-realms-with-stephen-harrod-buhner-ep-88

We've got our favourite Movement Monk, Benny Fergusson, back on the show with Mason today. The gents continue the conversation around embodied movement and the many elements involved when exploring life and personal growth through the physical form. As always Benny is humble in his delivery and intelligent in his approach, inviting us to delve beyond the gross layers into the subtleties that lurk beneath our habits, patterns and intentions. Another beautiful and insightful chat to wrap your ears around.

Mason and Benny journey through various terrain, discussing both the tangible and intangible aspects of movement as experienced through the lens of the body, mind and spirit. The gents explore:

-Movement practices as a continuation of both Yin and Yang, Benny shares how he is embodying this concept in his current practice and what is showing up for him as he explores.

-Changing your relationship to discomfort through stretching "to me stretching first and foremost is a metaphorical idea, a symbol of going to where there is discomfort and finding resolve in that." - Benny.

-The Western approach to chronic pain and how to address it through a consistent and curious movement practice.

-Pain as an effect, not a cause of dis-ease in the body, mind or spirit.

-The Western perspective that a diagnoses is the pathway to a cure, how to release our attachment to this ideology and begin to view pain and discomfort as malleable information as opposed to a static state.

-Feeling safe in your experience of the body as a foundational tool for embodiment and healing.

-Benny's hardware vs software analogy, and the importance of addressing both the physical and mental/emotional programs that inhibit us from feeling ease within our experience of the human form.

-Honouring the seasonality of practice without judgement.

-An introduction into Benny's 5 levels of activity; physical, work, contentment, spiritual, and silence.

-Benny's new Movement Monk platforms and the courses he offers.

Who Is Benny Fergusson?

After living with chronic scoliosis & pain for years, and getting no lasting relief from mainstream fitness and therapies.. Benny embarked on a journey to heal his body and get to know himself better. Through years of research and the practice of movement & meditation arts, Benny found a way to restore his physical freedom, leading to profound personal growth. Benny now shares his findings with his students at MovementMonk.xyz.

Resources:

The Movement Monk Website The Movement Monk YouTube The Movement Monk Facebook The Movement Monk Instagram

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/from-physical-pain-to-freedom-with-benny-fergusson-ep-87

We know that gut health is trending, it's pretty hot right now, right?! Well, tune in to today's episode as Mase explores SIBO with a bonafide SIBO doctor. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, it's a deep dive today, exploring what the heck is this actually?! Mason and Dr Nirala cover the nuanced approach required to treating SIBO, exploring why it may be overdiagnosed and other gut symptoms (constipation, food sensitivities and more).

If you've ever traveled to a third world country, got some sort of bug, 'fixed it' and then realised you never truly recovered, then today's episode is for you! (Also, if gut health and immunity are important to you, you are going to love today's episode.)

Dive in, here are some of the stuff discussed in today's episode:

-The nuanced nature of SIBO when compared to irritable bowel syndrome

-To heal from SIBO, a strategic approach is required, not just a one-size-fits-all

-What role chronic stress plays in suffering from SIBO

-How hypothyroidism, mould exposure and other autoimmune diseases are connected to SIBO

-The misunderstanding around 'reseeding' the gut

-How the 'breath' test works in diagnosing SIBO

-Which foods to avoid during SIBO

-Dr Nirala's dietary treatment plan

-Dr Nirala covers the three possible treatment plans (herbs, antibiotics, diet)

-A brief touch on the Blood Type diets

Who is Nirala Jacobi? Dr. Nirala Jacobi, BHSc, ND (USA) graduated from Bastyr University in 1998 with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. Dr Nirala practiced as a primary care physician in Montana for 7 years before arriving in Australia and is considered one of Australia's leading experts in the treatment of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a common cause of IBS.

Dr Nirala is the medical director for SIBOtest, an online testing service for practitioners. Dr Nirala is so passionate about educating practitioners that she founded "The SIBO Doctor", an online professional education platform. Dr Nirala lectures nationally and internationally about the assessment and treatment of SIBO and is the host of the popular podcast The SIBO Doctor podcast for practitioners.

Dr Nirala is the medical director and senior naturopathic physician at The Biome Clinic, center for functional digestive disorders in Mullumbimby, New South Wales. Dr Nirala is the co-founder of the Australian Naturopathic Summit. When she is not actively researching, seeing patients or lecturing, Dr Nirala can be found enjoying the beauty of nature

Resources:

Dr Nirala's Instagram The Human Microbiome Project Dr Nirala's FREE SIBO Questionnaire The SIBO Success Plan 8 Hour Course SIBO Mastery Program (for practitioners) Visceral Manipulation Barral Institute Feeding Your Microbiome (Dr Nirala Podcast with Dr B) The Blue Zones book Healthy to 100 book Blood Type Diet

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/gut-health-and-healing-sibo-with-dr-nirala-ep-86

Welcome to the second installment of the SuperFeast Water Series. Today Mason chats to Chris Sanborn. Chris is the lead visionary behind Alive Water and the director of the Find A Spring foundation. Chris is an absolute living water enthusiast who devotes a large portion of his time and energy to sourcing and harvesting the most nutritious spring water available. In this chat the gents explore the differences between the various water sources available to the modern human, and how these sources can either nourish or impair the health of the body, mind and spirit. The question of focus is; could obtaining good health really be as simple as consuming raw spring water? Tune in to hear our take.

Mason and Chris explore:

-Chris's spring water journey.

-The health outcomes that occur when consuming wild spring water.

-How wild spring water connects us back to the earth and our innate nature as human beings.

-The difference between raw spring water, processed spring water and water that has been treated through the municipal system.

-The water filters Mason and Chris are loving.

-Bitcoin, meteor mining and US currency.

Who is Chris Sanborn? Chris Sanborn is the leading visionary for Alive Water and the Find A Spring foundation. When Chris is not building tools to access fresh spring water in the worlds best glass he enjoys spearfishing, hunting, and foraging. Chris envisions a future where water is more deeply revered as sacred. Through this process people will return to a deeper connection with the spirit and beauty of this earth.

Resources:

Find A Spring Website Alive Water Website Alive Water InstagramAlive Water Facebook Alive Water Youtube The Water Shop Website

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/is-spring-water-the-ultimate-medicine-with-chris-sanborn-ep-85

Mason is joined by his best mate, and CEO of Clearlight Saunas International, Sebastian Mierau. The gents explore the medicinal wonders of infrared sauna technology and the many very tangible health outcomes that one can experience by spending time in them. Tune in for a fun and insightful chat between two of our favourite health nerd legends.

Mason and Sebastian explore:

-Sebastian's journey with Clearlight Saunas.

-Infrared saunas and weight loss.

-Infrared saunas and detoxification; the times and temperatures that work best.

-The healing power of the infrared vibrational frequencies.

-The pro's of getting full body exposure whilst in the infrared sauna.

-Sauna technology and EMF exposure.

-Stress as a foundational component to all illness and dis-ease within the body.

-The health benefits of extreme temperature exposure.

-The importance of replenishing the body with hydration and minerals post sauna.

-The link between heat therapy and longevity.

-Saunas and skin health.

Who is Sebastian Mierau?

Sebastian is a lifelong wellness enthusiast with a passion for the outdoors, sustainability and happiness. Sebastian grew up in Germany and started his career as an environmental engineer, before starting his company in Australia. Sebastian is the co-founder and CEO of Clearlight Saunas International, specialising in luxurious and state-of-the-art infrared saunas, with huge demand around the world from residential and commercial customers. Clearlight has a focus on bringing wellbeing, health, and happiness to staff, customers, and their families. Some of Clearlight's points of difference are their lifetime guarantee, exceptional customer care, ultra-low EMF and ELF heaters, and full-spectrum infrared technology.

Resources: Clearlight Infrared Sauna's Website The Sauna Show Podcast Clearlight Life Facebook Page Clearlight Life Instagram Page

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/healing-heat-infrared-saunas-with-sebastian-mierau-ep-84

Mason is joined by Jake Cassar on the show today. Jake is a bushman, conservationist, youth mentor and all round legendary character, who is out there doing good things for the planet and the community. Jake is a passionate bushcraft teacher with specialist knowledge in the area edible and medicinal plants native to both Australia and beyond. Jake works passionately to protect and conserve sacred land within Australia, and speaks with us today about the proposed development of the Kariong Sacred Lands by the Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council. "Good people have just got to band together and do as much good as we can. It's the journey, not the destination." - Jake Cassar

Mason and Jake discuss:

-The mysterious big cat Jake has been tracking in the scrublands of Northern Sydney.

-Jake's work as a 'responsible adult' (Jake doesn't like the term activist) in the protection of the Kariong Sacred Lands and the politics involved.

-The nature of activism; the sacrifice and the satisfaction.

-The value of coming together as a unified community, and doing what you can to preserve the land we live on with patience and persistence.

-The importance of appealing to the humanity in each person, and treating people with respect, even if you don't agree with their beliefs or behaviours.

-Moving from a survival of the fittest to a survival of the most co-operative mentality. Asking ourselves how can we best work together to create a safe and sustainable future.

Who is Jake Cassar ?

Jake Cassar is a passionate Bushcraft teacher, youth mentor and conservationist specialising in edible and medicinal native and introduced plants in Australia. Jake is well known for leading successful campaigns to create new National Parks on the Central Coast and for his devotion to raising funds and awareness for local charities such as homeless outreach centres, mental health support services, suicide prevention networks, youth support organisations, animal welfare groups and many more. Jake is fast becoming known as one of Australia's foremost authorities on edible and medicinal plants, and has been referred to as a "Bush Tucker Guru" by the Daily Telegraph and "Aussie Bear Grills" by the Today Show on Channel 9. Jake has featured on Triple J radio, ABC radio, The History Channel, and National Indigenous Television (NITV). Jake has spent most of life fine tuning his survival knowledge in what he calls "The University of the Bush" and has taught himself much of what he knows through personal experience spending over 20 years doing annual trips 'out bush' and living from the land for weeks at a time. Jake has worked with much respected Aboriginal elders in NSW and Central and Western Australia and has given presentations with well known people in Botany such as Les Robinson, Alan Fairley, Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia) and Aboriginal Bush Tucker Chef, Mark Olive. Jake has presented at Universities for nearly a decade with a presentation he calls " The Science of Survival" where University lecturers, Indigenous Elders and Indigenous students, all collaborate to share knowledge regarding the uses of native plants.

Jake's presentations, courses and tours are upbeat, interactive, engaging and include a comprehensive display of native and exotic plants and an in-depth description of some of the plants uses. Jake will share information on how to make rope from tree bark, fire from sticks, soap from Wattle leaves and much more.

Resources:

Jake Website Jake FacebookJake Youtube Coast Environmental Alliance Facebook Group

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/saving-sacred-land-from-corruption-with-jake-cassar-ep-83

Mason welcomes building biologist Nicole Bijlsma, back on to the podcast today, to take a deep dive (pun intended) into the realm of water. The pair discuss the contaminants that lurk in the municipal water supply, the serious implications they can have on human health, and the things we can do in the home to reduce our exposure. Nicole delivers punchy truth bombs from the minute the tape starts rolling on this chat. Nicole is a woman who is fully loaded with information gathered from her thorough research and clinical practice. Nicole uses her insights as an arsenal against a system that is generally corrupt and ill-informed. Today's chat is juicy and eye opening. The speed and precision in which Nicole hits her target when sharing her knowledge is truly impressive. An important and informative listen for all. "If you don't get a filter, your body and your kidneys will be the filter." So a water filter is absolutely necessary. It's not a luxury. " - Nicole Bijlsma

Mason and Nicole discuss:

-Nicole's upcoming 'Healthy Homes' 6 week e-course.

-The importance of water quality, not just quantity, in regards to health.

-Chlorine as an antibacterial agent, and the threat chlorinated water can have on microbiome diversity.

-The use of Fluoride as a pharmaceutical drug, and the health implications associated with its use in municipal water supplies.

-Australia as a minority in comparison to 95% of the global community who do not fluoridate their water supply.

-The common contaminants that can lurk in your local water supply, and how to reduce harmful exposure.

-Water filters, the ins and outs, and what to look for when purchasing.

-The obesogen hypothesis; how the body responds to a high exogenous toxic load.

-The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, and the loopholes that allow international products to enter into Australia without chemical testing.

-The correlation between tank water and lead exposure.

-The diet, supplement and lifestyle measures you can take to reduce your toxic load.

-Detoxication, prebiotic foods and dis-ease prevention.

-The dangers of recycled water.

-Alkaline water and low stomach acid.

-Water as an energetic medium.

Resources: Nicole's Website Nicole's Book Nicole's Water Resources Australian College Of Environmental Studies Website The Australian Government Recalls Website

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/reducing-your-exposure-to-toxic-water-with-nicole-bijlsma-ep-82

Tahnee is thrilled to be speaking with the wonderful Clare Pyers on the Women's Series today. Clare is an integrative medical practitioner who specialises in women's health, particularly in the areas of reproductive health and complex health conditions. Clare has a broad educational background including Chemical Engineering, Chinese Medicine, Integrative Medicine and Yoga. Clare is a leader in the industry of Chinese Medicine, having written the first comprehensive textbook that shows practitioners how to translate between the paradigms of Conventional, Functional and Chinese Medicine. A true renaissance woman, Clare also hosts Qiological, a podcast specifically crafted for Chinese Medicine practitioners. Clare joins Tahnee today, to bridge the gap between the East vs West approach to women's health, sharing her insights in a manner that is highly informative and easy to understand. Clare's clinical work is practical and thoroughly grounded in a holistic approach. Clare's methods allow women to feel safe, held and completely nourished on their journey to harmonious health.

Tahnee and Clare explore:

-How Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views hormones, and the East vs West approach to addressing hormonal issues.

-The natural ebs and flows of the female reproductive cycle and the importance of the 'Chong Mai' vessel in TCM.

-The significance of the transitions between the body's phases of Yin and Yang, and how a disturbance in the body's natural course of Qi interferes with establishing menstrual harmony.

-The masculine nature of Western society, and how operating a system that is dominated by this energy impairs female reproductive health.

-The Heart as the female palace of glory, and the Daoist system views this important organ.

-The misdiagnoses and misuse of herbs in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

-Reproductive capability as a reflection of overall health, the idea that an organism cannot create new life in an environment (the body) where life is deficient.

-The Liver's role in female reproductive health.

-The difference between deficiency and excess.

-How TCM views menopause.

-The connection between the thyroid, iodine and salt.

-Hashimoto's and Graves Disease.

Resources: Clare's Website Clare's Facebook Clare's Instagram Heavenly Qi Podcast

Check Out The Transcript Here:

https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/menstruation-menopause-with-clare-pyers-ep-81