The Live Journal

Kara Ladd is an award-winning multimedia entrepreneur—speaker, writer & creative strategist—in the holistic health and hospitality space. After beating a one-in-a-million synovial sarcoma cancer diagnosis in 2016, Ladd left her 9-to-5 working as Hearst Digital Media’s first-ever E-Commerce & Partnerships Editor, where she wrote and produced content across all 28 digital titles. She went on to launch KL, a conscious marketing consultancy where she has built and partnered with nearly a hundred health & wellness brands — Sakara, Sundays, wthn, Moon Juice and many more.

When not working, coffee shop hopping or traveling, you can typically find her at home in Brooklyn with her partner & plants.

"My self care non-negotiable is meditation. Every morning, 15 min or I squeeze it in during a walk or elsewhere throughout my day."

Light Up List Journal launching this fall — be sure to subscribe to newsletter on-site to stay up to date. Launching a new retail venture next year so taking on very limited 1:1 and consulting clients. If they mention your podcast, happy to provide 15% off a 1:1."

In today's episode I get to chat with one of my favorite humans in the world, my teacher and mentor Nikki Vilella. I first met Nikki in in 2016 at a Yoga workshop in her "house", Kula Yoga, and immediately fell in love with her, the space, their philosophy and the purity and creativity of their teaching. Fast forward to 2024, when I've recently completed my 200-YTT with them in the program she leads.

During today's conversation we discuss what led Nikki to become a Yoga teacher, her foundational beliefs around the practice, and how body and movement awareness can carry you gracefully through life.

Nikki is the co-director of Kula Yoga Project in NYC where she has been teaching for nearly two decades. She is at the helm of the 200 hour Kula Flow Foundations teacher training program, leads an annual 75 hour advanced TT at her home in upstate NY and offers a mentorship program for teachers of all disciplines. 

She has written for Yoga Journal and was named as one of America’s 100 Most Influential Teachers. As a teacher, she strives to include the perfect alchemy of alignment, intelligence, intention, and space into her classes.

As a teacher trainer, she wants to unpack the mystery of putting together an inspired vinyasa sequence so that you can step away from the stress of “following a methodology”, cultivate your authentic voice and enjoy your job! She is also known for giving some of the most sought after assists in NYC.

Zivar and I go way back, we've gone through many shifts of life together, while apart. She's one of those magical beings who exists in the ethers, a living woman who truly is a free spirit. During our chat we discuss the power of simplicity, and how to treat the body as home.

Zivar Amrami ( زیور†امرامی†) is an Iranian-American artist whose path is a testament to the transformative power of healing through storytelling, ritual, and the spirit of grace. Born to a Persian father and Norwegian mother and raised in a tight-knit Chassidic community in Minnesota, Zivar's work endeavors to transcend perceived boundaries by evoking vulnerability and care, and by weaving together shared narratives and compassionate presence.

IG @zivaramrami

I've been a fan of Amity for many years, and finally got to experience her magic hands (which many call her) last year, and let me tell you... no facial will ever be the same. This was a spiritual experience. During our chat we discuss how to approach a beauty routine with simplicity, and how staying tru to yourself will activate your own magic.

About Amity:

I am Amity, a holistic esthetician based in NYC.  My work centers around helping clients experience their healthiest skin, using the most effective and safest products available for humanity and the earth. I feel a deep calling to help people feel their best. 

Known for my "magic hands,” I help clients achieve their skin goals by navigating an ideal skin routine. I create personalized recommendations based on my 17 years of experience and deep product knowledge, paired with supremely healing, nurturing, relaxing and highly effective treatments.  

Amitymurray.com

IG @amity_pmurray

[email protected]

amitymurray.substack.com

"What is your non-negotiable self care routine or habit?" I'm going to have to go be really basic here and say washing my face. The bathroom has always been one of my favorite places and a sanctuary for me. After a long day of taking care of others faces there is truly nothing better than locking myself in the bathroom and giving myself the most tender touch and a nice long face massage with loads of lotions and potions. Also love baths. And therapy/mental health stuff is SO IMPORTANT!

Chloe Harrouche is the founder of The Lanby, a holistic health care center in Manhattan that offers true all-around support. During our conversation we discuss how allowing your authenticity to shine is a true path to thriving your in life.

Prior to founding The Lanby, Chloe Harrouche was a skilled healthcare growth strategist, with experience spanning multiple touch-points within the industry. Through her breast cancer diagnosis at age 23 followed by a complex fertility journey, she realized first hand the challenges of navigating the U.S. healthcare system. With the patient perspective at its core, she built The Lanby to satisfy what patients today want and need to live better, longer. Chloe currently lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

The Lanby’s mission is to modernize primary care to serve as a trusted home base for health and wellness. The Lanby also offers an a la carte service, Just The Labs, which offers access to their functional lab panels and includes a 45-min consultation with the Care Team. Use promo code PAOLA for $50 off.

I loved my conversation with Molly, we spoke all things motherhood, simple self-care, and how to support yourself though the many stages of life.

About Molly: At Feel Good with Molly, I advocate for a simple and straightforward approach to holistic health, believing in the inherent potential for everyone to feel good in their bodies. My mission is to guide and empower individuals through their health journey, drawing from my certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and from my own personal experience. I collaborate with clients to create a personalized toolkit that will help them achieve long term health. I also manage content and partnerships at The Lanby, a primary care members club that takes the work out of getting well. Based in NYC, The Lanby widens the scope of care by placing equal emphasis on medicine, wellness and coordination.

Feelgoodwithmolly.com

IG @feelgoodwithmolly

[email protected]

"What is your non-negotiable self care routine or habit?"

My self-care routine has shifted over the years depending on where I am at in life, but currently the things I try and do everyday that make me feel good are: drink 3 liters of water, morning movement and sunlight, balanced whole food meals, and 7-8 hours of sleep. It’s all about simplicity and consistency! 

If my story resonates with you in any capacity or you’re looking for some extra guidance or accountability as you navigate your own health - I’d love to connect! I’d also love to offer listeners a promo code to get $50 off The Lanby’s latest and greatest service offering - Just the Labs - which includes a comprehensive lab panel and 45 minute analysis by the Lanby’s PA and Wellness Advisor. Use code MOLLY50 for $50 off.

Jenna Levine brings her passion for formulation, ingredient sourcing, botany, and herbal medicine to life through her brand LINNÉ Botanicals. The brand was born out of Jenna's desire to address the diverse skincare needs of her family, from acne and psoriasis, to keratosis pilaris and premature aging. What began as a personal endeavor has flourished into a beloved skincare line embraced by thousands within the LINNÉ community.

With a BA in Environmental Studies and Studio Art, Jenna infuses an esthetic appreciation and a profound commitment to environmental stewardship into every facet of the brand. Beyond exceptional products, Jenna and her devoted team provide an extraordinary level of personalized care and intimate customer service, further enhancing the LINNÉ experience for all who discover its transformative offering.

linnebotanicals.com, 

@linnebotanicals

[email protected]

Non negotiable self-care: refresh mineral mist morning, throughout the day and night, and tongue scraping.

If you'd like to contribute:

Coastal Conservation League

Farmers Footprint

The Wilderness Society

1% For The Planet

---

I have space for 1:1 sessions this month, please email me for details: [email protected]

Chelsea is an angel in human form. Through a journey of self-compassion she has supported her own body in it's healing, and in the process advocated for women by raising their voices and needs.

In this conversation we discuss:

- The need for advocacy for better global health care support

- Symptoms and natural support for endometriosis, menstrual imbalances, and seizures

- Chelsea's fertility journey, and motherhood as a transformative force

Chelsea is the co-founder of Looni, a company dedicated to hormonal health and wellness. Her journey has taken her across the globe, speaking about her personal experience with epilepsy and medical cannabis and her commitment to patient access. She has spoken at institutions such as the European Parliament and Cambridge University. More recently Chelsea has spoken openly about navigating endometriosis, pregnancy losses and reproductive health. 

Previously, she spent over 10 years DJing and curating music for fashion and art clients, including Chanel, Fendi, the Guggenheim Museum, the MoMA as well as opening for Duran Duran and Diplo. Chelsea's super passionate about building community. And with the power of vulnerability and community being central to her ethos, Chelsea started numerous advocacy groups, facilitating personal support for individuals going through challenging experiences with epilepsy, endometriosis, and fertility struggles, in a true combination of her passions.

IG:  @chelsealeyland

Website: looni.co

Whatsapp Community

I fell in love with Bex from the moment I saw her, standing still, eyes closed, facing the sun. Her energy so powerful I floated towards her - she's definitely the coolest girl I know.

During this conversation we discuss:

– How simplifying your daily practices helps them stick

– Ways to regulate your nervous system

– The importance of keeping your word to your-self

Rebecca Urban, known in yoga circles as "Bex," has led yoga and Pilates classes since 2000. Certified through the Yoga Alliance and PMA, Bex’s approach focuses on bringing awareness to our breath as the essential link between mind, body, and movement. She emphasizes finding center, balancing the body from the inside out, and using the physical practice to forge a larger spiritual connection. Her positive energy inspires everyone she works with to show up, release, and build strength.

Bex's YouTube Channel

Free Guided Meditations 

Amina has been a grounding sister in my life for almost two decades, we've seen each other birth and grow versions of ourselves and our business, supporting each other in our alignment.

I love this woman. From the moment I had the spark to follow my dharma, she was the first person I called for guidance.

During this conversation we discussed:

– The importance of supporting your nervous system through challenging moments

– How willingness is a gift

– Tips for navigating entrepreneurship

Amina AITai (pronounced AH-MIN-UH) is a holistic business and career coach, proud immigrant and chronic illness advocate.  A leading coach to notable leaders, executives and founders—Amina's mastery is in connecting us to our brilliance and teaching us to live and lead from it each day. As a woman of color of Iraqi descent, she often works with marginalized communities to help them realize possibilities in a way that honors their particular lived experiences. She is the author of the forthcoming book, The Ambition Trap, with Penguin/The Open Field.

Amina has partnered with progressive companies such as google, Roku, Deloitte, Snap, Outdoor Voices, NYU and HUGE. She's an Entrepreneur Magazine expert-in-residence, a Forbes contributor and was named one of Success Magazine’s Women of Influence. Additionally, she's been featured in goop, Well+Good, The New York Times, Yahoo, NBC, and more.

Amina's non-negotiables: Right now, nervous system work. 

 aminaaltai.com 

[email protected] 

@aminaaltai 

---

I have space for 1:1 sessions in June, email me for details. [email protected]