If you've felt like you're living life defaulting instead of deciding, this episode is about stress and how it limits your choices. Chronic stress and being overwhelmed impact how you feel, change how you move, what you reach for, and what you're able to see. You're not stuck, you’re stressed.

We talk about the science of stress and decision-making, why a regulated baseline changes everything, and the reason I bring mental health into a low-tox space… because you can't make more intentional choices about your health, your products, or your life when you're tapped out. The overwhelmed version of you and the regulated version of you operate differently.

This episode will leave you with a question to help you reflect on what stress relief is best for you.

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• Stress Management and Emotional Health - Clevelandclinic.org
• How Stress Impacts Decision Making - Waldenu.edu
• Upward Spiral of Positive Emotion and Coping - Nlm.nih.gov
• Evidence for the Upward Spiral Stands Steady - Nlm.nih.gov

Music has been woven into my life for as long as I can remember… and I mean that generationally. For a while I thought of it as background. Something that hyped me up at the gym or while driving. When I started to notice how certain songs were affecting what I felt, thought, and carried, I realized more was happening. Turns out, science agrees. Music directly affects your brain chemistry: dopamine, cortisol, memory, emotional processing. It’s also feeding your subconscious. Lyrics, frequencies, and the emotional tone of what you play consistently shape your inner environment. In this episode, I'm sharing how my relationship with music evolved, what I pay attention to now, and how a playlist might be worth another look.

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The Transformative Power of Music - nlm.nih.gov

How Music Affects Your Mind, Mood, and Body - tmh.org

How Music Resonates in the Brain – magazine.hms.harvard.edu

The Benefits of Listening to Music – healthline.com

Sometimes life is actually good... and your body is still sounding the alarm. In this episode we're talking about what happens when things are going right but your body hasn't gotten the memo, why receiving good things is harder than it sounds, and how choosing to focus on what's working is a skill, not inherent.

This isn't toxic positivity. This is what eight years of therapy + consistent inner work looks like. Learning to simply receive it. If something good is happening in your life and you still can't quite exhale, this one is for you.

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• Self-Sabotage - Psychologytoday.com
• Self-Sabotage: Why it happens and how to overcome it - Medicalnewsytoday.com
• What Does ‘Regulating Your Nervous System’ Actually Mean? A Doctor Breaks it Down - Healthline.com

Lately, most people seem to struggle to answer: what do you do to take time for yourself or reset? In this episode, I'm sharing the self-care things that restore me: from skincare and shower routines, to making the bed in the morning and doing my own hair. Some of these might sound like to-do list things, but for me they're acts of self-love. Showing up for myself in the small ways helped change my outlook in the big ones too.

Hotels and Airbnbs weren't exactly built with low-tox living in mind... synthetic fragrances, plastic cups, conventional toiletries. In this episode Mimi shares what she's actually learned to pack over the years, the mindset that keeps it from feeling like a whole thing, and why some exposures are simply out of our control and that's okay. Real talk, a little science, and everything you need heading into travel season.

Whether you're visiting family, staying with a friend, or navigating a shared living situation, this episode is for you. Mimi gets real about how to protect your low-tox (or any non-traditional) lifestyle choices without making it weird, without lecturing anyone, and without losing yourself in the process. You can be gracious and take care of yourself at the same time.

You don't need an Erewhon or luxury budget to live low-tox. In this episode, Mimi breaks down three simple, budget-friendly swaps that save you money and cut out toxins too. We’ll start with something you probably do every single day. If you've been waiting until you can "afford" this lifestyle, this one's for you.

Follow along → linktr.ee/hibiscusandmint

One year of The Hibiscus & Mint Podcast. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the journey so far and sharing the vision for what is next. We’re getting into why it started and the new focus: a life designed, not default. From science-backed insight to low-tox expertise and plant-based plates, we’re exploring the mindset shifts and habits that actually stick.

Thank you for being here.

Plant-based, vegan, vegetarian… these labels get used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing.

In this episode, I break down what each term actually means, where the lines blur, and why I personally identify the way I do.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about food, lifestyle, and making choices that align with your own values and preferences. 

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Plant-based, vegetarian & vegan diets - heartfoundation.org.nz

Plant-based diet vs. vegan diet: what's the difference - forksoverknives.com

We’re exposed to microplastics every day, through water, food, clothing, and more. In this episode, we’re getting into what they are, why they matter, and a few simple ways to reduce your exposure without overcomplicating your routine.

This isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about understanding where small, intentional shifts can make a difference over time. If you’ve been curious about low-toxic living but not sure where to start, this is a simple place to begin.

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Yale Experts Explain Microplastics - sustainability.yale.edu

Everything You Should Know About Microplastics - unep.org