Thursday Tea with Sami

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What if your skin condition was actually a signal — not just a symptom to manage? In this week's episode, Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Gayle Pritchard, a holistic therapist and rosacea mentor who spent over 10 years navigating her own chronic skin journey before finding relief through a whole-person approach.

Gayle shares how she moved from frustration and conventional treatments to embracing aromatherapy, color therapy, reflexology, and nervous system regulation — and how that shift changed everything, not just for her skin, but for her overall wellbeing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What rosacea really is and how it shows up physically and emotionally
• How the gut, stress, sleep, and emotions are all connected to skin health
• What color therapy is and how simple changes in your environment can calm your nervous system
• Why healing doesn't have to look one particular way — and how to find what works for you

Whether you're navigating rosacea, another chronic skin condition, or simply want to understand the skin-emotion connection, this episode is full of compassionate, practical insight.

🌿 Find Gayle at HarmonieBotanicals.com or on Instagram and Pinterest @Gayle.Pritchard.Mentor

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

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Is anxiety running your life — or is it trying to help you? In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, licensed professional counselor and nervous system expert Alexandria Williams joins us to completely reframe the way we think about anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation.

Alexandria shares how anxiety isn't a flaw or a malfunction — it's a signal, like a check engine light, trying to get your attention. She breaks down what it really means to live in survival mode, how unprocessed anger and unmet needs keep us stuck, and why ignoring your inner world only makes things louder.

In this episode we cover:

• What nervous system dysregulation actually looks like in everyday life
• Why anxiety is your "inner best friend" who just doesn't know how to communicate yet
• The connection between suppressed anger, resentment, and chronic stress
• How the six pillars of lifestyle medicine impact anxiety
• Alexandria's Reflex Method — a five-step nervous system informed approach to emotional healing
• The link between anxiety and substance use
• Simple tools you can use today to feel more grounded

Whether you're dealing with panic attacks, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, or just feeling like you're always running on empty, this episode will give you a new way to understand what your body and mind are trying to tell you.

🌐 Find Alexandria at therya.co | Instagram & LinkedIn: @therya.co

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

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Here's an episode description for this anniversary episode:

Episode Description:

In this special anniversary episode, Dr. Samia Estrada pauses to reflect on one full year of Thursday Tea with Sami. Released on a meaningful date — her grandfather's birthday — Sami shares the personal story behind why this podcast exists and the core lessons that kept showing up across every conversation this year.

From building hope one small step at a time, to the science of connection, layered healing, and the quiet power of your environment, this episode distills a year's worth of wisdom into something warm, honest, and deeply human.

If you've ever felt like you should be further along, like you're not doing enough, or like healing should look more linear — this one is for you.

In this episode:

• Why hope is something you build, not something you have
• How connection is essential, not optional
• What layered healing really looks like
• How your environment shapes your mood more than you think
• A simple framework: one thing to start, stop, and reframe

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Here's to one year — and many more sips of wellness to come.

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

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What if connection is one of the most powerful forms of medicine we have?

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Tamika Carlton, relationship coach and host of The Real Connect, for a heartfelt conversation about how connection, emotional wellness, boundaries, and daily routines shape both our mental and physical health.

Tamika shares her personal journey into relationship coaching, including how the loss of her father at a young age deepened her understanding of the importance of communication, vulnerability, and meaningful relationships. Together, Samia and Tamika explore what it really means to connect — not just with others, but with yourself.

They talk about:

•  why human connection is essential for mental health and longevity 
•  the link between vulnerability, intimacy, and authentic relationships
•  how boundaries support emotional wellness and overall well-being 
•  the importance of self-connection and spending time alone 
•  how routines, energy, and intentional habits affect the way we show up in relationships 
•  lessons learned from Tamika and her husband’s modified 75 Hard challenge
•  practical ways to strengthen your relationships and improve your emotional health 

If you’ve been feeling disconnected, stretched thin, or ready to build healthier relationships, this episode offers encouraging insight and practical takeaways to help you reconnect with yourself and the people who matter most.

Tamika also shares how intentional connection can improve not only communication and intimacy, but also your energy, mood, stress levels, and overall quality of life.

Connect with Tamika:
 Website: tamikacarlton.com
 Instagram: @tamika_carltonjbp

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to follow, share it with someone you care about, and leave a review.

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

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Can what you eat affect your mood, your cravings, and even your recovery from addiction? In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, host Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Charlotte Abbate, Certified Nutrition Specialist and Certified Dietitian Nutritionist, to explore the powerful connection between food, brain chemistry, and mental wellness.

Charlotte breaks down how whole food nutrition supports addiction recovery, why blood sugar balance is key to emotional stability, and how cravings are your body's way of asking for what it needs. She also busts common food myths and shares why there are no "good" or "bad" foods.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How sugar, alcohol, and drug cravings follow similar brain pathways
• Why protein and fiber are essential for mood and focus
• How nutrition supports outcomes in addiction recovery programs
• Simple, sustainable eating habits anyone can start this week
• Why chewing your food might be the most underrated wellness tip

Connect with Charlotte Abatte:

• 🌐 Website: thriveeast.com
• 📱 Instagram: @ThriveEastNutrition

Keywords: nutrition and mental health, addiction recovery nutrition, food and brain chemistry, whole food wellness, managing cravings naturally, blood sugar and mood, mindful eating, gut health and mental wellness, nutrition for recovery, holistic wellness podcast

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

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Did you know your home could be quietly working against your mental health, sleep, and daily habits — without you even realizing it? In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Rebecca West, author of Happy Starts at Home and design psychology specialist, to explore how our living spaces shape everything from how we cope with stress to how well we sleep, eat, move, and even heal from heartbreak.

Rebecca shares powerful client stories, practical low-cost fixes, and a fresh perspective on why your environment might be the wellness tool you've been overlooking. Whether you're going through a life transition, struggling with clutter, working from home, or simply feeling stuck — this conversation will have you looking at your space with completely new eyes.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why your home layout could be sabotaging your health goals
• How to use design psychology to improve sleep, relationships, and daily movement
• Simple, low-cost changes that can have a big emotional impact
• How to reclaim your space after a breakup or major life transition
• What "wishful designing" is and why it creates unnecessary stress

🎙️ Connect with Rebecca West at happystartsathome.com and on Instagram @BeS​eriouslyHappy

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

Send us Fan Mail

What if the anxiety, brain fog, or depression you've been struggling with isn't just in your head — but in your airway? In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Sami Estrada sits down with Dr. Max Kerr, a dentist and sleep health expert, for a conversation that just might change the way you think about sleep forever.

Dr. Kerr shares the deeply personal story of how his mother-in-law's stroke and his partner's father-in-law's heart attack led him to dedicate his career to sleep health — and why he believes untreated sleep apnea is one of the most underdiagnosed threats to our wellbeing today. And the numbers back him up: 1 in 5 people have some form of sleep disordered breathing, and most don't even know it.

Together, Dr. Sami and Dr. Kerr dive into the surprising link between sleep apnea and PTSD, why your body might actually be using insomnia to protect you, how disrupted REM sleep prevents emotional healing, and why this condition affects far more people than the old stereotype suggests. They also break down why CPAP compliance fails 60% of patients, what alternatives exist, and the surprisingly simple ways you can get tested from the comfort of your own home.

If you've been waking up exhausted, feeling irritable, emotionally stuck, or struggling to manage your mental health — this episode is for you. Because untreated sleep apnea can steal up to seven years from your life. But the good news? It doesn't have to.

Connect with Dr. Max Kerr:
🌐 sleepbetteraustin.com
📧 [email protected]
📱 Instagram: @SleepBetterAustin | @DrMaxK

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

Send us Fan Mail

In this week's episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Dr. Candice Seti — licensed clinical psychologist and founder of The Weight Loss Therapist — for an eye-opening conversation about why dieting is failing us and what to do instead.

Did you know that 98% of diets fail? If you've ever felt stuck in the cycle of losing weight and gaining it back, this episode is for you.

Dr. Seti brings her unique blend of psychology, nutrition, fitness, and sleep expertise to break down the real reasons behind our complicated relationship with food — and how to finally change it for good.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why diet culture is designed to keep you stuck in the yo-yo cycle
• The emotional and psychological cost of chronic dieting
• How stress and cortisol silently sabotage your weight management goals
• The surprising connection between sleep quality and cravings, metabolism, and hunger hormones
• What mindful eating actually looks like in everyday life
• How to shift from a weight loss mindset to a sustainable health mindset
• Practical tips for building self-compassion and a healthier body image

Key takeaway: You are not stuck. Whether you've been yo-yo dieting for 2 years or 20, long-term sustainable change is always possible — and it starts with understanding yourself.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Candice Seti:

• Website: meonlybetter.com | theweightlosstherapist.com
• Free Sleep Tips Guide: available on her website

⭐ If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs it and leave us a review — it helps more people find the show!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological care.

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

Send us Fan Mail

Posture, chronic pain, stress, sleep, and movement are more connected than most people realize. In this episode, Dr. Sami Estrada talks with Ellie Dalton (Posture Ellie) about why posture is not just about “sitting up straight,” but about improving the way the whole body moves.

Ellie shares how posture therapy can help reduce pain, improve breathing, support better sleep, and influence stress and nervous system regulation. They also discuss emotional tension in the body, trauma, barefoot shoes, common posture mistakes, and why people of any age can improve how they feel by changing their movement patterns.

Whether you struggle with back pain, neck tension, poor sleep, stiffness, or stress, this episode offers a new and hopeful way to think about healing through movement.

Connect with Ellie:
Website: Posture Ellie / 
Instagram: @postureellie 
YouTube: Posture Ellie 

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

Send us Fan Mail

Can food affect your mental health, mood, or unexplained symptoms?

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Kathlena “The Allergy Chef”, a food allergy expert who has lived with over 200 food allergies and intolerances. After spending more than 20 years searching for answers, Kathlena discovered that food can trigger symptoms far beyond the commonly recognized allergic reactions.

Together, they explore the powerful connection between food, mental health, inflammation, and chronic symptoms — and why many people may be experiencing health issues that are actually related to what they eat.

Kathlena shares her remarkable personal story, including how eliminating certain foods helped resolve symptoms that had once mimicked serious illnesses, autoimmune conditions, and mental health struggles.

This conversation also explores how food can impact anxiety, depression, OCD, behavioral issues in children, and overall brain health, along with simple tools listeners can use to better understand their own bodies.

If you’ve ever wondered whether food could be contributing to unexplained health issues, this episode offers insight, hope, and practical starting points.

🔎 About the Guest

Kathlena “The Allergy Chef” is an expert in food allergies and food intolerance who helps individuals understand how food may be impacting their health. After surviving a life-threatening health crisis caused by undiagnosed food allergies, she dedicated her life to helping others identify hidden triggers and create safer, healthier relationships with food.

Her work focuses on education, food journaling, and empowering individuals to better understand their bodies.

🔗 Connect With Kathlena

Website:
https://theallergychef.com

🎙 About the Podcast

Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health

Hosted by Dr. Samia Estrada, PsyD, this podcast features thoughtful conversations about mental health, lifestyle medicine, wellness, and living a healthier life.

📌 If You Enjoyed This Episode

Share it with someone who might benefit from this conversation.

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! 

 Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com 

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...