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A Healthy Curiosity

Exploring strategies for holistic health, happiness, and personal evolution: what it takes to be well in a busy world. Blending the wisdom of Chinese Medicine, functional medicine, Ayurveda, neuroscience and psychology, you'll get practical tips you can use right away. You know that health and happiness aren’t things you can outsource. You’ve also got a full plate, you're a giver, and making the time to take care of yourself can be challenging. A Healthy Curiosity is here to support you. Host Brodie Welch, L.Ac., is an expert in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, a holistic health coach, as well as a teacher and practitioner of qi gong, meditation, yoga, lifestyle and diet counseling who tries to walk her talk about health and mindfulness as a recovering Type-A, parent, and business owner. You'll find interviews with fellow experts in Chinese Medicine and natural health care about the conditions we treat and strategies we use clinically; simple self-care tips to help you feel calm, centered, and energized; and personal chats where we explore what gets in the way of our best intentions: perfectionism, big goals, habits and routines, chronic pain, overwork and overwhelm, boundaries, limiting beliefs — and what it takes to overcome such obstacles mindfully. While not strictly an acupuncture / Chinese Medicine podcast, it's not "not" an acupuncture podcast.
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Now displaying: Page 9
Apr 12, 2017

When you talk to yourself (which, let’s face it, we all do), are you kind?

Do you speak to yourself like you would speak to a friend, or do you have a tendency to resort to name calling? Do you use words like stupid, lazy, or failure?

In Episode 42, Brodie talks with Catherine Polan Orzech, MA, LMFT, about being kind to ourselves. Many people, and especially Type As (you know who you are), treat themselves more harshly than they would ever want to (or dare to) treat a friend. Catherine wants you to take a lesson out of your own friendship book and turn that treatment inwards to promote peace and compassion within ourselves.

 

In this episode, we explore:

  • What is mindful self-compassion?
  • What is the inner critic? What effect does it have on our overall well being?
  • Does our inner critic affect our physical health?
  • Speaking sweetly to ourselves
  • How stopping to notice a moment can spur lasting change

 

Resources:

Catherine’s Website

Dr. Kristin Neff’s Website

Apr 5, 2017

When someone asks you to tell your story, what do you say? Does the story you tell represent the person you want to project out to the world?

 

Maybe you haven’t noticed, because you’ve never thought about it. Perhaps the answer comes so automatically it’s as though you’re on autopilot. In Episode 41, Brodie talks with Tracey Duncan, writer, yoga teacher, and transformation coach, about telling our stories consciously and authentically.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • Telling stories consciously vs. unconsciously
  • The difference between a story and a collection of things that happened
  • Telling the story you’re in, not the story people want to hear from you
  • How we go about projecting different versions of ourselves to the outside world
  • Changing the arc of the story


Resources:


Tracey’s website, More Yoga, Less Bullshit

Mar 29, 2017

What’s in your first aid kit? If all you’ve got is band-aids, antibiotic ointment, NSAIDs, and antihistamines, you could be missing out.

In Episode 40, Brodie talks with Tiffany Carole Pollard, MS, L.Ac., LMP, about how to use essential oils for first aid. Tiffany is currently in Sri Lanka preparing property for a retreat she’s creating, and she’s been glad to have her essential oils travel kit to aid in healing from ailments ranging from cuts and bruises to allergies to indigestion and beyond.

 

In this episode, we explore:

  • 6 (+) essential oils to keep in your first aid kit
  • Various maladies that can be cured or curbed using essential oils
  • The various uses for essential oils both inside AND outside the body
  • “As without, so within”

 

Resources:

Tiffany’s Website

E-mail Tiffany

Mar 22, 2017

We’ve all heard of stress eating and emotional eating, but could you be exhaustion-eating?

In Episode 39, Brodie talks with Katrina Ubell, MD, a pediatrician turned certified life and weight loss coach, about the ways mindfulness can be a helpful aid in the weight loss journey. Katrina lost 50 pounds using a variety of weight loss methods, but when she reflects on the process, mindfulness and truly listening to her body really stuck out as catalysts for success. She’s now a full-time coach for busy physicians, as well as the producer of the podcast Weight Loss for Busy Physicians.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • Different kinds of needs we try to suppress with food
  • The ways mindfulness can help us understand our cravings
  • How our cultural food habits don’t align with the way our metabolisms evolved
  • The ways group programs can add an extra layer of support to weight loss

 

Resources:

 

Katrina’s Website

Katrina’s Facebook Page

Katrina’s Podcast

Brodie’s Inner Knowing Healthy Eating Meditation – a tool for those looking to lose weight but encountering difficulty on the journey

Mar 15, 2017

In Episode 38, Brodie talks with Jodi Cohen, NTP about the power of essential oils and aromatherapy. Jodi first discovered essential oils after going through an emotionally strenuous time in her life, and the practical knowledge she garnered during her healing journey spurred her to found her aromatherapy and essential oils company, Vibrant Blue Oils.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • The biochemistry behind our sense of smell
  • The function of the amygdala
  • A few essential oils and their various uses
  • The power of intuition in aromatherapy

 

Resources:

Jodi’s Website, Vibrant Blue Oils

Vibrant Blue Oils on Facebook

Mar 8, 2017

 Did you know just 8 weeks of a bodymind practice can change the way your brain is wired, helping you to stay calm and make sound decisions?

 

In Episode 37, Brodie shares a piece she wrote for Huffington Post about 10 reasons to get to know Qi Gong, plus some great research proving the efficacy of qi gong in keeping us healthy.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • What qi gong means
  • How qi gong differs from yoga
  • Health benefits of qi gong
  • Research on the effectiveness of qi gong

 

 

Resources:

12 Treasures: Your Movement Multivitamin – Brodie’s learn-from-home qi gong course

Brodie's Huffpost article: 10 Reasons to Get to Know Qigong: Yoga’s Less Popular Cousin

Mar 1, 2017

When it comes to making changes in your own life, it’s really easy to set yourself up – for success or for failure.

In Episode 36, Brodie shares some lessons she learned last week at a Yoga Coaching Conference about growth: what’s helpful, what’s not, who’s helpful, and what you can do to set yourself up for success. The way we design our lives can have a huge effect on how much we can do and how closely we’re aligned with who we want to be.

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • The natural genius
  • The five people who shape who we are
  • Accountability buddies

 

Resources:

Basics of Chinese Medicine: Your Inner Ecosystem

Feb 22, 2017

Have you ever wolfed down a delicious meal only to find yourself met with the burning discomfort of acid reflux?

In Episode 35, Brodie talks with her colleague, Joe Moceus, L.Ac., about what you can do to avoid feeling the burn. Joe’s family has been genetically plagued by acid reflux, but they’ve managed to not only soothe their symptoms but also alter their lifestyle choices to prevent acid reflux from bubbling up and becoming an issue in the first place.

 

In this episode, we explore:

  • What causes acid reflux?
  • What is the best symptom relief for acid reflux?
  • How can acid reflux be prevented?
  • Why are Tums not the answer?
  • A few acu-points to help with acid reflux

 

 

Resources:

Ren 12/CV 12

ST 36

Feb 15, 2017

Did you know that most of your serotonin is made in your gut?

In Episode 34, Brodie talks with Jenn Malecha, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, about the connection between gut health and autoimmune disease. The connection between your intestines and your overall wellbeing may not seem very intuitive, but gut health can have a huge effect on your daily wellbeing. Listen in to find out how your diet, exercise, sleep, and stress reduction regimens could cause leaky-gut, in turn leading to increased risk of a wide variety of autoimmune disorders.

 

In this episode, we explore:

  • The connection between gut health and autoimmune disease
  • What is leaky-gut?
  • What can one do to heal a damaged digestive system?
  • What diet is best for someone with poor gut health?

  

Resources:

Jenn’s Website

Jenn’s Facebook Page

Feb 8, 2017

Last week, we talked about decluttering your space to make room for your best and brightest self. This week, we’re talking about decluttering your fridge and simplifying your food, to make room for your healthiest and most energetic self.

In Episode 33, Brodie talks with Bianca Osbourne, Certified Holistic Nutritionist and private chef, about how to eat healthy without filling your kitchen with tools, appliances, and ingredients you won’t use.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • What does eating healthy mean?
  • How to simplify meal prep
  • Using leftovers to make something new and amazing
  • Changing your relationship with mealtime
  • Organizing your fridge

 

 

Resources:

Bianca’s Website

Bianca’s Facebook Page

Feb 1, 2017

Do you have so much stuff that it gets in the way of you becoming your best and brightest self?

 

In Episode 32, Brodie talks with Dorena Kohrs, Space Doula, about how to unload shame, old versions of yourself, and lots of STUFF. Dorena helps people reclaim cluttered space that infringes upon their journey to being their best self, and in so doing she helps people unload a lot of emotional baggage. What could you be letting go of?

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • The connection between our emotions and our stuff
  • The 8 blocks to decluttering
  • How things can keep us from moving on
  • How decluttering can help us find ourselves
  • The present as a time of action

 

 

Resources:

Dorena’s Website

Dorena’s Facebook Page

Jan 25, 2017

You’ve heard of the Atkins Diet, the raw food diet, Weight Watchers, and the South Beach Diet, but do you know anything about the Paleo Diet? You might be thinking cavemen… think again.

 

In Episode 31, Brodie hosts Amie Tollefsrud and Andrea Nordling, the nutritional therapist practitioners behind PaleoBossBabe, the personal nutrition course designed for people looking to improve digestion, mitigate PMS symptoms, address adrenal fatigue, nix “hangry” spells, and understand their body’s cravings.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • What is the Paleo Diet?
  • Who will benefit from the Paleo Diet?
  • Who won’t do well on the Paleo Diet?
  • Does going Paleo really mean no carbs?
  • The pitfalls of a low-fat diet
  • The key to delicious veggies

 

 

Resources:

 

Jan 18, 2017

This episode started out being a follow-up to Episode 25 on perimenopause, but we ended up covering so much ground that we decided to rename it and just call it what it is: a total geek-out on women’s hormones.

 

In Episode 30, Brodie talks with Maria Claps, a certified health coach, mother of 4 grown children, and women’s healthy aging advocate, about perimenopause, menopause, women’s hormones, and so much more. As we discussed in E25, perimenopause can be a tumultuous time in the world of hormones, leading to side-effects like anxiety, depression, insomnia, and hot flashes. Learning how to test for, understand, and effectively balance our hormones can makes the process seem far less daunting.

 

In this episode, we explore:

  • Perimenopause and menopause
  • Hormones and how they change
  • Eating our veggies
  • Supplements that can help ease symptoms and balance hormones
  • Talking to physicians and making them hear you
  • The Dutch Test

Maria Claps is a certified health coach, mother of 4 grown children, and women’s healthy aging advocate.

After receiving sub-standard care in NYC, Maria enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in pursuit of a solution for her perimenopausal symptoms that began when she turned 40. Inspired by her training at IIN, Maria pursued 3 additional hormone-centric trainings:

  • Dr. Sara Gottfried’s training program for practitioners;
  • The Functional Diagnostic Nutrition program; and
  • The UK-based 3rd Age Woman Certification program with Burrell Education.

When she’s not facilitating her online community, Maria keeps current in her knowledge of functional health by attending Datis Kharazzian seminars on topics like thyroid, blood chemistry, and brain health. She also enjoys reading, recipe creation, and finding new things to eat at farmers markets.

 

Resources:

Jan 11, 2017

When tragedy strikes, it can be difficult to stay positive and present, but our mindset can really influence the way we deal with, overcome, or power through adversity.

In today’s episode, Brodie talks with JJ Virgin, CNS, CHFS, celebrity nutritionist, health expert, and 4 time NY Times Bestselling Author about paying close attention to our mindset to overcome our greatest challenges. When JJ was about to release The Virgin Diet, her then 15-year-old son, Grant, was in a terrible hit-and-run accident that nearly took his life. Brodie and JJ talk about how JJ’s mindset helped her power through this difficult time, be aggressive when she needed to, maintain her self-care, and keep her eyes on the prize. She never stopped believing that Grant would one day not only recover, but that he would be 110% - even stronger than before. Today, she’s proud to say that against all the odds, he’s nearly there.

 

In this episode, we explore:

  • JJ’s new book, The Miracle Mindset
  • The importance of self-care in times of great upheaval
  • Making it happen while still being imperfect (like everyone else)
  • You can’t course correct standing still
  • Feeling worthy of good outcomes
  • Role-modeling as a parent
  • Tapping

 

 

Resources:

JJ’s Website

Jan 4, 2017

Have you ever made a New Years resolution only to see it peter out a few months later?

Most of us have been there at some point. Changing old habits can be difficult, but there are certain things you can do to greatly improve your chances of success. In today’s episode, Brodie talks about developing systems to create and maintain new, healthier habits in the new year.  

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • Getting started with small steps
  • The three steps of a habit: trigger, behavior, reward
  • Replacing old habits instead of eradicating them
  • Creating reminders to inspire yourself
  • Supportive community

 

Resources:

B.J. Fogg’s Fogg Method

Dec 28, 2016

Do you find it difficult to communicate your needs and wants to friends and loved ones?

You’re not alone. In Episode 27, Brodie talks compassionate communication and boundaries with LaShelle Lowe-Chardé, a certified trainer in Non-Violence Communication (NVC). LaShelle coaches couples and individuals on developing healthy communication skills, with an emphasis on identifying universal needs and staying grounded through mindfulness practices.

 

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • How different people have different needs
  • Helpful vocabulary for expressing needs and wants
  • The difference between sympathy and empathy
  • Things that may feel or seem like empathy, but aren’t
  • Boundaries! Setting them and finding success
  • What happens when we fail to honor our own boundaries

 

 

Resources:

 LaShelle’s Website

 Lashelle’s Feelings and Needs List

Dec 21, 2016

E26 – Brodie’s Holiday Tips

Ah, the holidays. A time of family togetherness, warmth, and cheer… plus hard-to-digest food, alcohol, and stress. Whether you’re celebrating at home or traveling to see family and friends, Brodie has 8 great tips to help you weather the ups and downs of the holiday season.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • Managing digestion in a sea of complex, hard to digest food
  • Making time for self-care
  • Getting good sleep
  • Taking some deep breaths

 

 Resources:

 

Brodie’s Kitchari Recipe

Dec 14, 2016

You’ve heard of menopause, but are you familiar with perimenopause? In this episode, Brodie talks with Dr. Katherine Dale, ND, about perimenopause, the natural transition from reproductive years into menopause. Menopause is well known as the end of a person’s years of fertility, when the menstrual cycle comes to an end. Perimenopause, then, is the transition time in which progesterone and estrogen decrease dramatically, sometimes causing symptoms such as hot flashes, heavy and/or irregular menstruation, or difficulty sleeping.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • Perimenopause as the natural transition out of fertility
  • Common symptoms of perimenopause
  • Ways to mitigate symptoms of perimenopause
  • Hormonal changes during perimenopause
  • The mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause

 

Resources:

 

Dr. Kate’s Website

Dec 7, 2016

Is shame keeping you from recognizing your value? In this episode, Brodie talks with Jennifer Kind, LPC, CDWF, EPC, a Psychotherapist and coach in Portland, OR who works with people cultivating more shame resilience, self-acceptance, and the ability to be kinder to themselves and others. Jen believes shame holds people back; it is not a good motivator for change. Shames breeds fear, anxiety, depression, and paralysis. It keeps us from becoming who we are; it keeps us from living our truth.

 

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • The ways shame holds us back
  • Unhealthy cultural attitudes about vulnerability
  • How there can be no courage without vulnerability
  • Ways shame can manifest in our bodies and emotions
  • Ways to build resilience against shame
  • The connection between shame and body image

 

 

Resources:

 

Jen’s Website

Jen’s Facebook Page

Jen’s Twitter

Brené Brown’s Ted Talk: The Power of Vulnerability

Nov 30, 2016

Brodie talks with Julie Zuzek, the corporate yogi business coach, about the connection between personal growth and business. Whether you're an entrepreneur or you work for someone else, it can be a struggle to show up authentically and allow your work to reflect your true self. Being vulnerable doesn't have to be a weakness; allowing people to see your imperfections allows them to embrace their own imperfections as well. You can create the work environment you need by drawing boundaries, and you might be surprised by your colleagues reactions.  

 

In this episode, we explore:

  • The power of vulnerability in the workplace
  • The importance of the "third entity"
  • How embracing your imperfections empowers others to do the same
  • Servant leadership
  • A lunchtime recharge practice

 

Resources:

Breathing meditations!

Meditation 101 Mini-Course

For more information on Chinese Medicine and to stay in touch with Brodie, visit brodiewelch.com.
Nov 23, 2016

Have you ever felt unlucky in love? Maybe you’ve had partners that made you feel bad about yourself or you’ve been on plenty of dates but can’t get someone to commit. Maybe you're in a long term relationship and simply feel it could be more fulfilling.

It may be time for you to date yourself. In Episode 22, Brodie talks with Veronica Grant, dating coach and private yoga instructor, about ways to improve our love lives, whether we’re dating casually, seeking a long-term relationship, or currently with a long-term partner.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • Dating yourself: what does it mean?
  • Some common reasons people struggle to enter a relationship
  • Some common reasons people struggle to get what they want out of a relationship
  • Treating yourself the way you want to be treated
  • Deciding what you want out of your relationship
  • Setting boundaries (because boundaries are sexy!)

 

Veronica is a Dating Mindset Coach, host of Date Yourself Radio, and creator of the Dating Mindset Bootcamp. She helps smart, savvy women who feel like they have it all except that ONE thing, find and keep their perfect-for-them relationship.

 
On the surface, Veronica helps women enjoy the process of dating + meet higher quality men. But what she REALLY does is teach women how to treat themselves the way they want to be treated.
 
When she’s not writing about herself in third person, you can find her indulging in (probably) too much HGTV, planning her next adventure, or spending quality time (her love language) with her fiance + puppy. To learn more, and to grab her free guide, 37 Ways To Date Yourself, head over to http://www.veronicagrant.com

Resources:

Veronica’s Website

Veronica’s Facebook Page

Marie Forleo’s Book, How to Make Any Man Want You: How to Be So Irresistible You’ll Barely Keep From Dating Yourself

Nov 16, 2016

Uncertainty can be hard to deal with. Not knowing where you’re headed and what’s in store can make us feel like we need to do something to exert control over our experience, but sometimes there’s simply nothing we can do but wait. Wait to see what happens; wait to see what’s coming; wait to see what guidance, inspiration, and truth we may find along the way. In Episode 21, Brodie talks with her sister, Dr. Claudia Welch, DOM, about the feeling of being amid change, and finding ways to be comfortable as reality is shifting around us.

 

In this episode, we explore:

  • The layer of our being: the koshas
  • How do you figure out what is yours to do in times of great change?
  • Sūtaka: a transitional time
  • How can you soften the impact of uncertain times?
  • How does Fall relate to letting go and times of uncertainty?
  • “Unbecoming” our patterns
  • Adjusting hopes, dreams, identities, and plans when we’re in a state of flux
  • Finding truth in the midst of information/media overload
  • The importance of internal stabilization during unstable times
  • Discerning between stable and unstable times

 

Resources:

 Dr. Claudia Welch’s website

Nov 9, 2016

1 in 12 women will get invasive breast cancer. The primary means of screening-- mammograms-- detect more breast cancer, but that doesn't translate into lives saved. In a study of 90,000 women over a 25-year period, women in the mammogram group's mortality rates were even with women who didn't get mammograms. In addition, mammograms are painful, subject women to radiation, and aren't particularly helpful for the 45% of women with dense breast tissue. Enter thermography: a non-invasive, radiation-free, pain-free alternative to mammograms. 

In today's episode, Brodie talks with Dr. Carla Garcia, a board-certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine with more than 30 years of experience in Integrative Medicine, who has been utilizing thermography in her practice since 1999.

In this episode, we explore:

  • What is thermography and how does it work?
  • Screening tools vs. diagnostic tools
  • Why thermography may be a better screening alternative for women
  • The connection between qi stagnation and inflammation
  • Dr. Garcia's top self-care tips for breast health

 

Nov 2, 2016

Did you know acupuncture is being used to treat veterans with PTSD? Or that its's twice as effective and safer than the standard of care for lower back pain? 

Don’t worry, most people don’t.

In Episode 19, Brodie talks with Matthew Bauer, Licensed Acupuncturist and President of the Acupuncture Now Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to clearing up common misconceptions about acupuncture and helping acupuncture reach its full potential around the world. Matt founded the Acupuncture Now Foundation to improve the information about acupuncture that is available to the public, including treatment options, treatable conditions, treatment availability, current research, and more.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • The problems with current acupuncture research
  • Acupuncture information scarcity
  • Some promising acupuncture studies
  • Unexpected places acupuncture is being used
  • Acupuncture on babies(!)
  • How acupuncture could stem the opioid epidemic

 

 

Resources:

 

The Acupuncture Now Foundation Website

 

Twice as Effective and Safer

Oct 26, 2016

Do your daily habits leave you feeling out of balance? Dr. Michele Summers Colon is a physician (specifically a holistic podiatrist), entrepreneur, yoga instructor, and motivational speaker on a mission to inspire women to live happier, healthier lives that honor their own bodies, wants, and desires. Dr. Michele is also an Ayurvedic practitioner bridging the gap between Western Medicine and Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. Michele utilized wisdom from the Ayurvedic tradition to heal herself when Western Medicine could not, and now she uses Ayurveda in her practice to help her patients find balance according to their Dosha and the specific imbalances and challenges they encounter.

 

In this episode, we explore:

 

  • Doshas: what are they?
  • The significance of the number 3
  • Natural sleep cycles
  • Natural eating cycles
  • When is the best time to exercise?
  • Is breakfast always the most important meal of the day?

 

 

 

 

Resources:

 

The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller

The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Decisions into Massive Success and Happiness by Jeff Olson

Michele’s Website

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