It’s hard to believe that an entire year has gone by since The Calming Ground podcast was born! 

What an amazing project this has become in my life. I have loved every minute of reflecting, learning, and sharing the insight and wisdom of so many people throughout this year. As part of this celebration, this episode pulled from some of my favorite interviews throughout this year on The Calming Ground podcast, weaving them together around certain central themes that emerged throughout the year. 

Highlights from (in order of appearance in this compilation):  

• Margy Davis-Mintun ~ Episode 43
• Edie Guaditis ~ Episode 50 (https://ediegudaitiswellness.com/)
• Allison Bruce ~ Episode 25 (https://www.allisonebruce.com/)
• Dawn Glasco ~ Episode 27 (https://www.dawnglasco.com/)
• Kelli Younglove ~ Episode 29 (www.kelliyounglove.com)
• Cari Beyerstedt ~ Episode 2 (https://www.caribeyerstedt.com/)
• Caleb Tipple ~ Episode 51 (https://www.calebtipple.com/)
• Courtney Edwards ~ Episode 15 (www.shineandsoar.com)
• Aura Martinez ~ Episode 52 (www.auraemartinez.com)
• Anne Vainio ~ Episode 12 (https://www.avain.io/)
• Kelli Trinoskey ~ Episode 37 (https://kellitrinoskey.wixsite.com/website)
• Jodi Rose Gonzales ~ Episode 41 (JodiRoseStudio.com)
• Dr. Fred Moss ~ Episode 17 (https://drfred360.com/)
• Donna O’Shea ~ Episode 13 (@innerwild_therapy)

Resources

Schedule your free consultation with Elizabeth by emailing: [email protected] (deadline to reach out to schedule is 10/30/24 at 11:59pm PT)

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

Have you ever wondered what the mind-gut connection actually means? Your gut and brain are in regular communication through all kinds of signaling within your body - so what impacts one affects the other. Have you ever felt your stomach turn because of a distressing thought? There you go! 

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun speaks with functional gut health registered dietician Naria Le Mire about the different ways that gut health and hormone imbalance can impact us. Naria shares a wealth of information in particular about the importance of considering our gut health for clarity of mind. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Prevention in key - our bodies are offering us all kinds of subtle clues when things are out of balance. If we listen and attune, we can respond early and take care of ourselves. 
• Oftentimes brain fog is an indication of imbalance in the gut. 
• Addressing gut health and hormone balance can lead to a much smoother experience of perimenopause and menopause. 

Resources

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

https://narialemirenutrition.com

Social Media: @narialemirenutrition

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Have you ever noticed any correlation between how you feel and the season in nature?

In this episode, Elizabeth uses the framework and foundation of qigong to explore the wisdom of fall and the element of metal, which teaches us the power of refining and letting go. As the season of autumn invites us to slow down and reflect, Elizabeth discusses how the metal element—connected to the lungs, skin, and large intestine—helps us release both emotional clutter and clutter in our physical space. You’ll also learn practical self-care tips for supporting yourself through the wisdom of the fall season.

Whether you’re seeking more emotional clarity or looking to align your self-care with the rhythms of nature, this episode will offer you a reflection on embracing change and finding peace in letting go.

Key Takeaways:

• The symbolism of fall and the metal element in qigong relate to letting go and refinement.
• According to traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs and large intestine play a key role in processing and releasing both physically and emotionally.
• Simple, effective breathwork techniques can help support your lungs and emotional well-being during the fall season.
• Decluttering your environment can help support the process and “okay-ness” of letting go. 

Resources

https://www.thecalmingground.com/opt-in

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

https://www.facebook.com/thecalmingground/

https://www.instagram.com/thecalmingground/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share what you liked about it! Your feedback helps the show grow!

Have you ever noticed how no matter what diet or fitness regimen you might try, it doesn’t necessarily lead to a sense of intrinsic value, inner balance, or sustainable contentment in your life?

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun speaks with author and self-discovery and empowerment coach Aura Martinez about her journey from being a nutritionist to focusing on self-discovery both within herself and for others. Aura shares how she found that, in working with people (and in her own experience), once people are able to connect with and embrace themselves more deeply within, the other wellness habits like eating and fitness, simply come naturally and easily. 

Key Takeaways: 

• If barriers are arising as you attempt to make lifestyle shifts for your wellness, it is likely that there are underlying issues that need attending to first. 
• Often the barriers we experience to balance and wellness within ourselves are unconscious, so it can be very helpful to reach for professional support, if it’s accessible, to identify and move through those barriers. 
• Once we are able to address and heal from the internal struggles that are keeping us stuck, we tend to make choices in life that support and nurture our wellness and wellbeing. 

Resources

Website: www.auraemartinez.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/AuraElenaMartinez

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AuraEMartinezCoach

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AuraEMartinez

Private FB group Inner GlobeTrotters: www.facebook.com/groups/InnerGlobeTrotters

Isn’t it amazing to consider that memory and impulses stored in our body lead to many decisions we make in our lives and impact our ability to be fully present?

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores the therapeutic modality of Somatic Experiencing (founded by Peter Levine) with psychotherapist Caleb Tipple. Caleb discusses his own journey that led him to get trained in this particular modality, as well as the experience and knowledge he has working with clients who have experienced trauma using this modality. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Somatic Experiencing is a natural approach to renegotiating trauma energy energy. 
• Nervous system regulation is a balance and harmony between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. 
• Your body is a wonderful teacher and holds incredible wisdom. 

Resources

https://www.thecalmingground.com/relax-and-energize-playlist

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

https://www.calebtipple.com/

Resma Menakum: https://resmaa.com

His book My Grandmother's Hands: https://resmaa.com/merch/

Peter Levine’s books:https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/se-books

https://traumahealing.org

What if bodies hold an innate wisdom just waiting for us to tap into it? And, what if this wisdom can be particularly potent when we slow down enough to deeply access it? 

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun takes a deep dive with Edie Gudaitis, the CEO & founder of Edie Gudaitis Wellness, into her work and personal experiences with learning to slow down and deeply listen to her body. Edie is certified in yoga and breathwork, she is a best selling author, a meditation facilitator, and a wellness coach. Edie supports clients through retreats, workshops, public speaking, writing, and podcasting on “The Stress DETOX Podcast”. 

Key Takeaways: 

• A deeper belief drives us to maintain current lifestyle patterns. Learning more about this deeper belief can help the process of shifting these patterns. 
• It can be helpful to ask the question: “Who were you before the world told you who you should be?”  
• Simple, accessible practices (like breathwork) can be incredibly helpful to create significant shifts in our internal narrative and lifestyle. 
• 5 deep breaths every morning and every night can make a huge difference. 

Resources

https://www.thecalmingground.com/relax-and-energize-playlist

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

Connect with Edie on IG: @ediegudaitis.wellness

Connect with Edie on LI: Edie Gudaitis

 Self led programs: https://ediegudaitiswellness.com/online-programs/

Mexico Retreat: https://ediegudaitiswellness.com/international-retreats/

Workplace Wellness: https://ediegudaitiswellness.com/employee-wellness/

1-on-1 Coaching - Stress and / or Grief:

https://ediegudaitiswellnessbookinglink.as.me/schedule/3fab735c/appointment/43794315/calendar/4399336?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=43794315

What if by paying attention to what and how we eat, women could improve their experience of the peri and menopausal stages of life? 

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun talked with chef Christine Van Bloem. Christine shared her journey through professional and personal hardships that led her to shifting her nutrition to improve her wellbeing, and then inspired her to help others on their journeys. Christine particularly talked about her focus on lifestyle and nutrition to help alleviate symptoms for women in perimenopause and menopause. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Nutrition that focuses on weight loss tends to not be as sustainable. 
• Small shifts in eating (portion size rather than cutting out sugar, for example) tend more sustainable over time. 
• The Mediterranean diet offers wonderful benefits and can be relatively easy to adopt. 

Resources: 

https://www.thecalmingground.com/mindful-living-challenge

https://emptynestkitchen.com

Facebook: @emptynestkitchen

Instagram: @theemptynestkitchen

https://www.thecalmingground.com/relax-and-energize-playlist

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

What does it mean to live in a mindfully embodied way?

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun speaks with guest Linda Zurak, a trauma-informed Somatic Movement Educator, therapist, and embodiment coach. Linda’s primary vision in her work is to inspire others to live beyond their perceived limitations. Linda talks about both actionable steps that you can begin to practice now to increase your connection with your body, as well as her own journey that brought her to this work. 

Key Takeaways: 

• An important key to living more mindfully is offering ourselves permission and acceptance to be as we are. 
• There is a great emphasis in our society to focus externally; somatic work is about also connecting internally with the “inner landscape” and noticing what is happening within. This is as important as what is happening externally in embodiment work. 

Resources: 

https://lindazurak.com/feel-free-in-relationships/

https://www.facebook.com/lzurak

https://lindazurak.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lindazurak?igsh=MWpyZjhzNGpkbnpodg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

https://www.thecalmingground.com/relax-and-energize-playlist

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

Fear is a natural, protective response, often trying to keep us safe from perceived dangers. But what happens when our fears become blown out of proportion and start guiding our decisions in ways that don’t serve us? 

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores a reframe of many fears as shadow puppets - seemingly ominous and large, when so often they are projected from situations or things that are not actually as large or threatening as they seem. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Naming the fear can help create mental distance between the situation and the fearful emotion. 
• Noticing what is happening non-judgmentally can be very useful in practicing compassion and managing/navigating the fear. 
• Body-based relaxation strategies can help! 

Resources: 

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

https://www.thecalmingground.com/relax-and-energize-playlist

Imagine a life where your potential is no longer confined by limiting beliefs. 

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun speaks with returning guest Dawn Glasco, a community engagement strategist, speaker, author, and consultant. Dawn shares her journey - the empowering path of shedding the restrictions of limiting beliefs and conditioning, trusting the process, and the key role spirituality has played in her journey. 

Key Takeaways: 

• We all receive messages about our limitations due to our upbringing, gender, socio-economic status, roles, appearance, etc. These limiting beliefs can be very restrictive and cause us to believe that we cannot follow our dreams. 
• Trusting and listening to our intuition can serve as a guide along our journey in life. 
• Practicing gratitude towards yourself for all the little steps you’ve taken in your journey can help honor your presence, your process, and foster trust and appreciation in yourself. 

Resources: 

https://www.dawnglasco.com/

https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

Interested in hearing the first interview with Dawn? Check out episode 27.