Advertise on podcast: Changing Seasons: Ayurveda, Women’s Health, Menopause & Food as Medicine

Kat Villain joins Jody today to speak about all things yoga and alignment. Kat teaches Katonah Yoga, Breathwork and Spirituality and shares in detail about how we need to start with the breath to get us back into the body. Once we are in our body we can begin to see how our feet create the foundation for the rest of the body and that proper cueing for the feet can change everything. Kat describes how misalignment in the feet will show up in our hips and then ripple up through the whole body. She details how we can see where we are weighting in the feet by recognising areas of dryness and hardening and that  leaning back in feet can relate to holding back in life and kidney issues and pressing forward is more about the lungs and liver and the tendency to launch into projects. This is a fascinating conversation about practising yoga, connecting with our bodies and calming our minds so we can find our way back to our deep inner truth. Website: www.katvillain.com  Substack: https://katvillain.substack.com Book: https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000042588677/Kat-Villain-Yoga-as-Origami Foot Mapping: https://stan.store/kat-villain/p/foot-mapping-20 "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Today Jody speaks to Dr Yue Wang, a holistic Chinese Medicine Menopause doctor about the benefits of foot soaking. Yue covers why foot soaking can benefit women with menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, tinnitus, brain fog and anxiety. She walks us through the water temperature, ingredients that can be added to the water, how long the feet need to be soaked and why foot soaking is favoured over hot baths, dry saunas and showers. Dr Yue also speaks about the importance of getting adequate sun exposure and how often women in menopause are deficient in Vitamin D and how this becomes and issue with osteoporosis. She stresses we must be aware of the type of sunscreens we are using and the ingredients that must be avoided. We talk extensively about tinnitus and vertigo, how it is related to liver stagnation and kidney deficiency issues and what women can do to treat it.  Yue stresses that women must not skip breakfast and she recommends a savoury high protein breakfast over a higher carbohydrate sweet breakfast and explains why. There is so much gold in this episode and I hope you like me will give foot soaking a go and report back with the results. Instagram: @menopausedrwang "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Today Jody is joined by Dr Michelle Jorgensen to discuss all things dental. Michelle changed the way she practised dentistry after a health crisis that she discovered was from the removal of mercury fillings. We speak about how root canal treatment leads to the infection in the tooth going deeper into the body, causing auto-immune disease and other serious health issues. Removal of the tooth is the only option Michelle stresses once the nerve is dead. Michelle talks about why flouride is no longer a viable treatment option in dentistry and how hydroxyapatite can help remineralise teeth and the ways it can be used at home. We discuss how all types of sugars create an acidic environment in the mouth and when is best to drink lemon water and why it needs to be 30 minutes away from brushing your teeth. Oil pulling is something that Michelle is a fan of but she explains that oil pulling also pulls good bacteria out of the mouth and that is not a great practice to do daily unless you have gum disease Drinks can have a huge impact on mouth and teeth health and Michelle explains why alkaline water can be doing more harm than good. This is a fascinating conversation about how to take better care of your mouth and health. I hope you get as much out of listening to Michelle talk as I did. "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Dr Shivani Gupta joins Jody on Changing Seasons podcast today to talk about her new book called The Inflammation Code. Shivani describes how she grew up being treated by both western medicine and her Indian grandmother's spices cabinet.  Later in life after dealing with leaky gut issues in her own life she was motivated to research the root causes of what was causing inflammation in our bodies. Shivani came to understand that sleep clears inflammation and as we age sleep is important and vital for health and longevity. We discuss how the different doshas can adjust their lifestyles to seasonal changes and different stages in life and what happens to each constitution if they don't adjust their lives accordingly. Shivani talks about how she organises her year around her Pitta dosha so that she can rest in summer because if she doesn't she is at risk of burning out come autumn. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.shivanigupta/?hl=en Website: https://shivanigupta.com/ 15% promo code: changingseasons "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Today Tahnee Taylor returns to Changing Seasons podcast to discuss The Red Thread, a concept that Tahnee shared a few months back with Jody about the deep connection to our female ancestors and how it impacts our lives. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation today with Tahnee, she shares about seasons within seasons and how she is noticing a shift since turning forty and feeling she is coming out of her summer within summer and moving into the harvest time where she can sense the energy changing. Tahnee talks about how education and the obsession with the known can hinder our natural curiosity and that she uses the phrase "I wonder" from Steiner with her children to encourage them to think for themselves instead of being prescribed answers to all their questions. "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Ronda Holman joins Jody today on Changing Seasons podcast to discuss why mouth breathing is impacting your sleep, your mouth health and how it can lead to severe health issues over time. We discuss mouth tape and who should use it and who should steer away from using it. Ronda explains why strengthening the 8 muscles in the tongue is essential for a good night's sleep and speaks about why floppy tongue can become such an issue as we age. Jody and Ronda look at the Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling and Nasya and why both these practices can aid in a more restful sleep. Guasha, face massage and exercises can also help in opening the muscles and fascia of the face and Ronda provides suggestions for exercises we can do at home and simple equipment people can buy online to aid in strengthening the tongue and the muscle needed to swallow. Ronda tells Jody why humming and Butyko breath are effective practices  to retrain the body to breathe through the nose and improve sleep.  This is a fascinating episode for anyone who lives with a snorer or is a snorer themselves and is looking for ways to stop mouth breathing.  Resources: App to test your sleep for snoring https://www.snorelab.com/ Book Breathe Better While You Sleep - Ronda Holman Breath - James Nestor Water Bottle To Strengthen The Tongue https://www.remplenish.com/collections/shop-all Mouth Piece Chewing Aid https://myomunchee.com/shop/ "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Today Jody welcomes Emily Smith to the Changing Seasons podcast. Emily is a documentary film maker who recently moved to Japan and has found herself reconnecting with her mothers heritage through foraging and the 72 mico seasons. Growing up in England Emily had struggled to find her place, yet always felt at home in nature, she would forage cobnuts with her father and enjoyed the freedom she felt outdoors. Two years ago on a holiday to Japan Emily discovered a house in a small village and immediately felt a deep connection to the land there. She now lives in that house with her husband and two dogs. Emily spends her days foraging and documenting Japan's 72 micro seasons that were adapted from the Chinese calendar. The first season begins in February, each season lasts roughly five days.  Every morning Emily wakes early and takes her camera and dogs outside to forage and observe what is happening in her environment. Currently in the season of "cold sets in" Emily speaks about how the hard frost now appears on the ground and leaves continue to fall from trees. The practice of documenting the 72 micro seasons has allowed Emily to slow down and rediscover a childlike curiosity about the world in which she finds herself living. We speak about her love of foraging sansai (wild mountain vegetables which include warabi, butterbur fiddleheads) with her 93 year old adopted neighbour she calls  grandma, her recent encounter with a serow (Japanese goat like antelope and her secret love of hornets. Instagram @down2forage  @hy_mushroom society "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

In today's episode Jody talks about her recent food tour to Japan and how she was reminded that food can create a beautiful connection between us and the seasons. She shares how she noticed that eating the foods in season and embracing local rituals like bath in onsens calmed her nervous system and in turn meant her digestive system was free of gas, bloating or constipation. Jody goes on to discuss the frustration she is feeling at the moment around the messaging in the world around women and menopause. She speaks about how important the messy middle is as we transition from one season of life to another. Japan Food Tour 2026 Join Jody's next Japan Food Tour October 2026 https://www.jodyvassallo.com/food-yoga-tour-of-japan "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Clara Cohen joins Jody today on Changing Seasons podcast to discuss hormones through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Clara talks in detail about the different ages and stages of development in men and women and how mens cycles are ruled by the sun and women's cycles by the moon and how this  impacts our energy and hormones. We discuss what organ systems govern and balance our hormones and what lifestyle factors are contributing to hormone imbalance. Clara talks about endometriosis and how trauma and emotional disharmony can impact the condition. Links: https://acuproacademy.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Acuproacademy Instagram:  @acuproacademy "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya joins us on Changing Seasons podcast to discuss the power of Dinacharya, a daily Ayurvedic practice that she discovered could help treat  inflammation, thyroid conditions, gut issues and auto- immune diseases.  Bhaswati talks about how she works with her patients to establish daily routines that not only increase ojas but also improve self-esteem. We discuss her favourite Ayurvedic herbs, which include vijaya (cannabis), haritaki,  Shativari, and Bhaswati describes how to use them. I learnt so much from this conversation and hope you will too. Where to find Dr Bhattacharya: Website:   www.drbhaswati.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbhaswati Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdrbhaswati/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbhaswati/ Twitter:  https://x.com/drbhaswati "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Today we welcome Lorie Dechar acupuncturist, psychotherapist, author, teacher, poet and mentor to Changing Seasons podcast to talk about the spirits in TCM. Lorie shares how she came to understand the spirits and describes how her menopausal experience helped her to connect with them. Lorie spends time describing how the five elements are a wheel and the spirits operate more on a central axis. She speaks about how the Po spirit calls us back home to our bodies possibly through grief and loss in younger years and for a lot of us in menopause. We discuss ways we can connect to the Po through the breath, the skin, using essential oils and self massage and returning to our bodies. Website: https://anewpossibility.com/study-with-lorie-eve-dechar/ Books: The Alchemy of Inner Work Five Spirits Kijo https://anewpossibility.com/books/ Instagram: @loriedechar "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Today Jody welcomes author, acupuncturist and artist Ashley Abbs to the podcast to speak about the five different personality types in Chinese Medicine. Ashley describes in detail the occupation that each element is drawn to, the way they approach challenges or setbacks and what sends them out of balance. We discuss how each element is impacted by perimenopause and Ashley gives some helpful tips that she uses with clients to help restore balance. This is a fascinating episode for anyone who is interested in understanding more about themselves through the lens of Chinese medicine. Book: Five Element Alchemy https://www.ashleyabbs.com/5elementalchemybook Website: https://www.ashleyabbs.com/acupuncture "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

In today's episode of Changing Seasons Jody welcomes Ayurvedic Practitioner, teacher and author Nidhi Pandya to speak about her new book 'Your Body Already Knows'. Nidhi shares how growing up and sharing her home with her grandfather whose life was deeply informed by Ayurvedic wisdom informed how she views health and wellness. She believes that we have become so conditioned to asking others to prescribe what is right for us that we have lost touch with the inner wisdom of the body.  In her book Nidhi shares the three principles that she advocates that can help us understand and realign with our bodies - circadian rhythms, inner climate (warm and moist) and understanding the three phases of life (building, transformation and decay). I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Book: Your Body Already Knows Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_ayurvedic_life/?hl=en Website: https://www.nidhi.me/ "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Today Jody discusses how we can balance our doshas when they go out of balance. We look at what we can do with nature, sight, sound, mantra, exercise and emotionally to help settle us. Ayurveda uses the opposite quality to help treat an imbalance so if your body is dry you will need to use moisture internally and externally to remedy that, if  your body is cold eating warm cooked food will be beneficial.   This is a great episode for anyone who is new to Ayurveda and looking to understand how to treat their body holistically to bring it back into balance. "Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

Edwina sits down with Ayurvedic health coach and author Jody Vassallo for a candid, nourishing conversation on meeting perimenopause as a rite of passage - not a problem to “fix.” Through the lenses of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jody shares the practices, foods, and mindset shifts that cooled her hot flushes, eased anxiety, and helped her honour this season with grace. Expect practical guidance (hello, coriander–cumin–fennel tea), nervous-system care (yin yoga, Yoga Nidra, breath), and a powerful reminder to slow down, listen, and trust your body. Key takeaways: Perimenopause is a passage, not a pathology. Treat symptoms as information—signals inviting change, not enemies to mute.Regulate first, then decide. Calm the nervous system (yin yoga, Yoga Nidra, Nadi Shodhana, 10 slow breaths) before changing food or training.“Medicine of subtraction.” Reduce what overheats or overstimulates (alcohol, excess caffeine/cacao, overwork, relentless intensity).Food as seasonal medicine. Use foods and spices to balance doshas: cool excess heat (pitta), oil and warm dryness/anxiety (vata), lighten heaviness (kapha).Rituals that repair. Daily abhyanga (self-oil massage), nasya (nasal oil), warm spiced milk at night, regular meals, and cooked, seasonal food.Weight gain can be protective. A temporary, intelligent “kapha cushion” can steady the body while you transition—trust the arc.Community matters. Seek women who’ve walked before you; shared stories reduce fear and normalize change.Gentle guide: Doshas & simple supports: If you feel hot, irritable, intense (pitta): Choose cooling foods (fresh herbs, leafy greens, cucumber, barley), reduce chili/tomato/ferments/excess salt; schedule heavier meals 10am–2pm; favour calming practices.If you feel anxious, wired, dry (vata): Favour warm, cooked, moist meals (root veg, grains), healthy fats/ghee, soups/stews; avoid icy smoothies/sparkling water; embrace routine, yin yoga, Yoga Nidra, spiced milk before bed.If you feel sluggish, heavy, stuck (kapha): Lighten meals (bitter greens, legumes), add gentle heat/spices, move body—especially 6–10am; create novelty and accountability.Practises, recipes & tips mentioned: CCF digestive tea: 1 tsp each coriander seed, cumin seed, fennel seed in hot water; steep and sip ~20 min before meals.Nighttime spiced milk: Warm milk (dairy or alt) with ginger, cardamom, cinnamon + a little ghee to soothe vata and sleep.Breath & rest: Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Yoga Nidra, yin yoga.Body oiling: Abhyanga with sesame oil (blend with coconut if you ru"Send us a message" Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.