Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Everyday Ayurveda with Kate
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 108. Why Resting Isn't Lazy: 4 Mental Hindrances That Keep You From Rest | 28 Oct 2026 | 01:01:04 | |
When was the last time anyone gave you a trophy for resting? Nobody does, and that's part of the problem. In this episode, Kate sits down with her colleague Lizzie Lasater, daughter of restorative yoga teacher Judith Hanson Lasater and co-author of Savasana: The Practice of Radical Rest, just as the Northern Hemisphere heads into its season of long nights. Lizzie is honest about why she wrote the book: not because rest comes easily, but because she is a self-described high-achieving workaholic who finds it hard. Together, she and Kate explore why teachers and students sign up for restorative training and then don't practice, why rest feels frightening, and how rest can be a stand-alone practice rather than the five minutes at the end of class. In this episode:
Take-home practices:
About Lizzie Lasater: Lizzie grew up in a yoga household (her mother has taught since 1971), began her own practice at 18, and now leads retreats and teacher trainings and an online yoga community with her mother. She studied architecture and has a master's in design, and she lives in Austria. Savasana: The Practice of Radical Rest is her first book and her mother's twelfth. Links:
Health disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, movement, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 107. What to Eat in Fall When You Don’t Know What to Eat: Easy Ayurvedic Meals | 21 Oct 2026 | 00:38:31 | |
When the weather turns dry and cold, the bowl-of-salad habit stops working. Your digestion starts asking for food that is warm, cooked, soft, and a little moist. In this solo episode, Kate answers the question “what do I actually eat?” with the quick, repeatable go-tos she uses every fall. Kate explains why fall calls for warm and moist qualities to balance the dryness and coldness of the season, and how that dryness can show up in hair, skin, nails, thirst, and sluggish elimination. Then she gets practical: three kitchen tools, three breakfasts, a prep-ahead routine, soups, pickles, protein, and simple sides, all designed for people who like homemade food but don’t want to spend hours at the stove. What we cover
Health disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 106. Soil Health and Your Health: Pat Miletich on What Your Food Was Grown In | 14 Oct 2026 | 00:49:56 | |
If our food isn't "full power," will we feel full power? In this conversation, Kate talks with Pat Miletich, a UFC champion, martial arts coach, and Hall of Famer whose life mission is now soil health. Pat shares how a childhood of respiratory illness set him on a lifelong search for answers, and how that search led from human performance to the soil that grows our food and our herbal medicines. Kate and Pat explore why they see soil as a living ecosystem, how they see the diversity of microbes in soil mirroring the microbiome in our gut, and why Pat believes mineral diversity in soil matters for the plants, animals, and people who depend on it. They talk about what organic and regenerative labels may leave out, what to ask the grower at your farmers market, and what you can do whether you have a backyard, a tiny plot, or no garden at all.
What We Cover
Take-Home Practices
About Pat Miletich Pat Miletich is a UFC champion, martial arts coach, and Hall of Famer who grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa. Following a childhood shaped by respiratory illness, he spent decades researching health, performance, and nutrition. Today his mission is soil health: regenerating the soil that grows our food and our herbal medicines. Links
Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 105. Apples in Ayurveda: Are They Good for You? Cooling, Cooked & Easier to Digest | 07 Oct 2026 | 00:29:25 | |
Are apples good for you according to Ayurveda? It depends on your digestion, and on how you prepare them. In this solo episode, Kate O'Donnell explains why apples are one of the best fall foods for cooling excess heat (pitta), why a raw, crisp apple can feel hard on a cold or sensitive gut, and how to cook apples so you get all of the medicine and none of the bloat.
Kate starts with the Ayurvedic qualities of apples: cold, hard, juicy and fibrous. She explains why those qualities calm pitta and move the bowels, and why they can aggravate vata and kapha when the apple is eaten raw. Then she shares the principle behind her "Apple Madness" recipes. Knowing a food's qualities is step one. Step two is how you process it: raw or cooked, pureed, warm or cold, with or without digestive spices.
From there, it's a tour of her fall kitchen: gingered applesauce with the skins left on (pink is a feature), stewed apple compote, stuffed baked apples with cider and dried fruit, apples stir-fried in ghee, apple crisp with an oat and almond flour topping, grated-apple overnight oats and gingerbread chia pudding, a curried apple butternut squash soup, and a simple apple cup filled with nut butter and spice.
In this episode:
Take-home tip: If a raw apple feels cold and hard on your belly, don't skip it. Cook it, puree it, or warm it with ginger and cinnamon.
Mentioned in this episode:
Share your Apple Madness: Tag Kate on Instagram at @kateodonnell.ayurveda, leave a comment on your podcast platform, or email hello@ayurvedicliving.institute.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before changing your diet or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 104. How GLP-1 Drugs Really Work (and Where Ayurveda Fits In) | 30 Sep 2026 | 01:02:42 | |
So many of you have written in asking about GLP-1s, the Ozempic class of drugs. This week Kate talks with Dr. Sheena Sooraj, chief clinical officer at Kerala Ayurveda Academy and Wellness Center, who sees clients on these medications every month. Dr. Sheena explains how GLP-1s work in the pancreas, stomach and brain, who tends to need them long term and who may be able to come off them with their doctor, and how Ayurveda supports digestion, hydration and the enjoyment of food while someone is on them. This isn't a conversation about Ayurveda versus modern medicine. It's a clinician's honest look at the pros, the cons, and where the two can work together. Stay for Kate's post-roll on the vata imbalances that can come with rapid weight loss. What We Cover
Vaidya Sheena Sooraj is the Chief Clinical Officer, Ayurvedic Specialist, and Academy Faculty at Kerala Ayurveda Academy in Milpitas, California.Coming from a family with a strong Ayurvedic heritage, Vaidya Sheena developed a deep connection with Ayurveda from an early age. Her grandfather, a respected Ayurvedic physician and astrologer, played an important role in shaping her interest in and commitment to the traditional science of healing. She holds a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medical Sciences (BAMS) from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, and brings 23 years of experience in clinical practice, patient care, education, and professional training. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to bringing the wisdom of classical Ayurvedic principles into contemporary clinical practice and wellness. As a clinician and educator, she is passionate about making Ayurveda accessible, practical, and relevant to modern healthcare and everyday life. Her work encompasses clinical care, Ayurvedic education, practitioner training, wellness program development, and community education, with a particular interest in translating traditional Ayurvedic knowledge into meaningful, evidence-informed approaches for modern health and well-being. Website:https://keralaayurveda.us/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsheenasooraj Please work with your healthcare provider and a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before changing any medication, starting herbs, or trying nasya. Mentioned in This Episode
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never stop, start or change a prescribed medication without talking to your healthcare provider. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 103. The Ayurvedic Signs You're Out of Balance This Fall (and What to Do) | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:34:50 | |
Every year around this time, Kate notices it first in her eyes. A little heat, a little dryness, a little irritation — the same early signal, right on schedule. In this solo episode, she uses that personal example to explain one of Ayurveda's most practical seasonal concepts: sandhi, the juncture between seasons, when the body is considered most vulnerable to imbalance. Kate walks through why the accumulated heat (pitta) of summer can tip into aggravation as the weather turns — through hot, acidic foods and drinks, alcohol, iced coffee, or plain old stress — and why that aggravation shows up differently in every body. For her, it's the eyes. For someone else, it might be skin, digestion, headaches, or mood. She explains the physiology behind fall allergies, heartburn, irritability, and looser digestion, and why catching these signs now — rather than waiting two months — makes all the difference. She also covers why the incoming dryness and wind of vata season (heaters, cold air) can quietly make pitta symptoms worse, and walks through her full fall reset: oiling the skin, a simple at-home ghee nasya for the nose, bringing ghee back into meals to support digestion and detox, and leaning on naturally pacifying foods. She closes with a reminder that none of this requires doing everything at once — and an invitation to join her Ayurvedic Fall Community Cleanse if a more structured reset is what's needed. In this episode:
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 102. 15 Years, 4 Books, One Photographer: The Story Behind Everyday Ayurveda | 16 Sep 2026 | 01:02:59 | |
For fifteen years, Cara Brostrom has been the photographer — and co-author — behind every one of Kate's Everyday Ayurveda books. In this episode, Kate and Cara sit down together for the first time to tell the whole story: how a free PDF of five spring recipes and five photographs, made on a whim and shared on early Facebook, racked up 30,000 downloads and landed in front of an acquiring editor — and became The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook, now a perennial classic translated into seven languages. From there, they walk book by book through the evolution of the series and Cara's own evolving relationship to the materials she was photographing:
Cara also shares an early look at her forthcoming book (title still under wraps for now, expected to be announced around January), which brings together 19th-century poetry, plant lore from her own Anglo-European lineage, and present-day Western herbalism practice — including a surprising thread she's uncovered about how 19th-century New England housewife manuals centered almost entirely on digestion. The episode closes with a fun rapid-fire round: Cara's morning tongue-scraping and oil-pulling ritual, her go-to first drink of the day, and her seasonal wind-down (bare feet in the grass in summer, wood stove in winter). About Cara Brostrom: Cara Brostrom is a writer, artist, and herbalist, and co-author of The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook, a perennial classic translated into seven languages. She is a Nautilus Book Award Gold Winner, and her creative work has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts. Cara holds a Master of Arts from Aberystwyth University, where she conducted practice-based research on landscape narratives, performance documentation, and the archive; her performance art and installations have been shown at festivals across the US, England, Wales, Scotland, Canada, and Finland, and her photography has appeared in group shows in Boston, New York, and San Francisco. Her words and photography have been published in The Boston Globe, Wildling Magazine, Origin, Mother Earth Living, t.e.l.l. New England, and others. She has spent many years in apprenticeship and study with master herbalists in the Northeast, and now teaches workshops on herbalism and folklore. Cara lives in Western Massachusetts. Connect with Cara: https://linktr.ee/carabros Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is supported by: Banyan Botanicals — Triphala tablets for digestion and daily detox: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 101. Sync Your Life to the Moon: A 28-Day Guide to Energy and Rest | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:24:36 | |
Did you know the moon moves through a full cycle — dark to full and back again — in about 28 days, which is also the length of the average menstrual cycle? In this solo episode, Kate explores lunar rhythms: one of her favorite topics, and a subject she covers in Chapter 9 of her book Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health. Ayurveda already asks us to live in tune with daily rhythms (sun up, sun down) and seasonal rhythms (what grows and changes through the year). The lunar rhythm sits alongside both of these — a roughly two-week arc of waxing energy followed by a two-week arc of waning energy, repeating all month long. Kate explains why attuning to this cycle matters for everyone, not just people who menstruate: it connects us to something larger than our day-to-day worries, and it offers a built-in, nature-guided balance of activity and rest that modern "always-on" life tends to erase. Kate walks through the physical logic, too — the same gravitational pull that raises ocean tides and draws moisture into topsoil (which is why farmers plant near the full moon) also affects the water element in our own bodies, which is part of why energy can feel more "juicy" as the moon waxes. She maps out what to focus on during each phase: building, moving, and socializing during the waxing moon; celebrating, baking, and gathering at the full moon; tapering down and finishing projects during the waning moon; and resting, self-care, and simplifying food at the new moon. She also addresses how this maps — or doesn't — onto an individual menstrual cycle, and what to prioritize if the two aren't in sync. In this episode:
Mentioned in this episode:
Have you noticed your own patterns with the moon? Kate would love to hear about it — leave a comment or send her a message. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 100. How to Talk to Your Doctor About Perimenopause and Menopause | 02 Sep 2026 | 01:01:16 | |
Ever leave the doctor's office feeling like you didn't get to say what you actually needed to say? In this episode, Kate sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Bostock — a practicing OBGYN for 30 years, a yogi, an Ayurvedic counselor, and a contributor to Kate's book Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health — to talk about self-advocacy in the doctor's office, especially around perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Bostock shares what she's seen across three decades and hundreds of thousands of patients: the number one thing women tell her is that they haven't felt heard. She and Kate break down how symptoms shift by decade, why perimenopause often starts quietly in the late 30s, and why menopause care doesn't end at menopause — it extends through your entire life. Dr. Bostock offers a simple set of questions to bring into any appointment, explains when and how to ask for a referral, and makes the case for symptom tracking (with pen and paper, an app, or your wearable data) so you can walk in prepared instead of going blank. The conversation also covers the current, more nuanced understanding of hormone therapy — where the evidence is strong, where it isn't yet, and why the framing of "who do you want to be at 80" matters more than chasing a number on a chart. They talk through the cost and insurance side of hormone therapy and physical therapy too, plus Dr. Bostock's take on movement: it should be fun, and it's never too late to start. In this episode:
About Dr. Elizabeth Bostock: Elizabeth is a practicing OBGYN, yogi, Ayurvedic counselor, and women's health leader and advocate who believes that combining medical traditions in a "yes, and" way gives the best of all worlds. She weaves together real science and human living to explore how we all live healthier, happier, more contented lives — and is a fierce advocate for helping people figure out who they are, find their path forward, and speak up for themselves. Connect with Dr. Bostock: Instagram: instagram.com/empoweredwomanshealthmd YouTube: youtube.com/empoweredwomanshealthmd LinkedIn: linkedin.com/elizabethbostock Substack: substack.com/@elizabethbostockmdphd Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is supported by: Banyan Botanicals — Triphala tablets for digestion and daily detox. Get it here: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider — including regarding hormone therapy — before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 99. The Ayurvedic Guide to Preserving Summer's Bumper Crops | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:32:50 | |
The farmers market is overflowing right now — but how do you keep all that fresh, local food from going to waste before you can eat it? In this solo episode, Kate answers a listener question about preserving the late-summer and early-fall haul, and shares the exact kitchen tricks she uses to make her produce last.
Kate tackles the question she gets every time she mentions saving or freezing food: doesn't Ayurveda say no leftovers, no frozen food? Her answer is a grounded, seasonal one. When you live where the growing season is short, local food that's been thoughtfully preserved carries far more prana (life force) than "fresh" produce trucked in from thousands of miles away. Short-term freezing has its place — and so does eating with the wheel of the year.
From there, Kate walks through her whole late-summer kitchen: heirloom and cherry tomatoes (and the traditional parboil method that removes the acidity Ayurveda cautions against), the parboil-and-freeze trick for kale, kale pesto in jars, and her famous jar-and-towel storage method that keeps hardy greens and fresh herbs alive for up to three weeks. She covers herbs all winter, zucchini and summer squash, pickling root vegetables to build digestive fire in the cold months, freezing berries and making fruit compotes, and storing winter squash in a root cellar (or a pretty bowl on the counter).
In this episode:
Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is supported by:
Have a preservation trick Kate didn't mention? She'd love to hear it — leave a comment or send her a message. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 98. Perfectionism Disguised as Wellness: Rethinking What Health Really Means | with Nidhi Sunil | 19 Aug 2026 | 01:00:57 | |
Model Nidhi Sunil — Vogue India Model of the Year and the first Indian global ambassador for L'Oréal Paris — joins Kate for a very candid conversation about how her work affected her mental and physical health. After more than a decade of image-building, red-eye flights to Paris and back, and relentless external pressure, Nidhi hit a full-body burnout in 2022. In this episode, she opens up about depletion, self-worth, complex trauma, colorism in the fashion industry, and the slow, honest work of healing — beginning with a simple bowl of kitchari. Together, Kate and Nidhi explore how Ayurveda "decentralizes" the pressure to optimize, why ojas (our life-force reserve) matters more than output, and what it looks like to put the "juice" first. A grounding, deeply relatable listen for anyone in a season of transition, exhaustion, or reevaluation. In this episode:
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 97. Is Your Phone Making You Crazy? The Ayurvedic Fix Isn't a Detox | 12 Aug 2026 | 00:29:04 | |
Is your phone making you a little crazy? Kate opens this episode with a confession: even as a longtime Ayurveda teacher, she has to actively manage her relationship with her phone — because the device, and the apps on it, are engineered to keep you glued. If she's working at it, most of us are too. The heart of this episode is a reframe. We tend to swing to all-or-nothing: "I need to throw my phone in the desert," or nothing changes at all. Kate makes the case that what we actually need is steady, doable boundaries at specific times of day — not a fundamentalist detox overhaul. From an Ayurvedic perspective, the reason phones are so taxing is the nervous system. The sense organs — eyes, ears, skin, tongue, nose — are windows into the mind. The phone is relentlessly stimulating through the eyes (and ears), which is essentially non-stop sensory consumption. As Kate points out, you wouldn't eat food all day long; why do we consume information and stimulation all day long? Rest, in Ayurveda, is when the senses finally power down — which is exactly why winding down on a stimulating screen backfires, especially for sleep. In this episode, Kate shares:
If your phone use is nudging you toward overwhelm or a mental-health imbalance — increasingly common — Kate offers the Ayurvedic counterweight: nature. Attuning the senses to the natural world is the opposite energy of the phone, and an easier on-ramp than forcing yourself into silence. Come study at the source. Join Kate in India next February for a 10-day culinary and nutrition immersion (2027) in Mysore — cook, study, and come home confident to make food your medicine. Learn more and enroll at ayurvedicliving.institute. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 96. Lift Heavy, Then Glide: A Smarter Recovery Plan for Women Over 40 | with Karen Kirkness | 05 Aug 2026 | 00:57:46 | |
Dr. Karen Kirkness has spent decades in the yoga world and the last ten-plus years in anatomy labs earning a master's in clinical anatomy and a PhD in medical sciences. In this episode she and Kate go straight into fascia — not as packing material, but as a signaling system — and into hyaluronan, the molecule that makes your tissue juicy. The surprise: more lubrication is not better. Fresh, long-chain hyaluronan tells your cells everything is regulated. But movement shears those chains into fragments, and fragments are inflammatory. Clearing them matters as much as making them. That's what a recovery day is actually for. Karen breaks down what changes at perimenopause and after, why losing lean muscle and mitochondria puts the brakes on your body's own hydration, and what to do about it: vigorous training a few times a week, active recovery in between, and 'movement snacks' scattered through the day — the twist, the reach, the sprint to the stop sign. Find Karen at spiralsyllabus.com and on Instagram at SpiralSyllabus or Karen Kirkness. Questions for a follow-up episode? Email hello@ayurvedicliving.institute or leave a comment on your podcast platform. Referenced in this episode Links: https://www.instagram.com/karenkirkness https://www.instagram.com/spiralsyllabus https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1649-7221 Latest paper: The Myofascial Rheostat: H yaluronan Molecular Weight Dynamics and Purinergic Signalling as a Physiological Feedback System https://www.spiralsyllabus.com/ Work with Karen: Experience Spiral Motion Autumn Program KEY REFERENCESCaon, I., Bartolini, B., Moretto, P., Parnigoni, A., Caravà, E., Vitale, D. L., et al. (2020). Sirtuin 1 reduces hyaluronan synthase 2 expression by inhibiting nuclear translocation of NF-kB and expression of the long-noncoding RNA HAS2–AS1. J. Biol. Chem. 295, 3485–3496. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA119.011982 Caon, I., Parnigoni, A., Viola, M., Karousou, E., Passi, A., and Vigetti, D. (2021). Cell energy metabolism and hyaluronan synthesis. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 69, 35–47. doi: 10.1369/0022155420929772 Kirkness, K. B., and Scarlata, S. (2025). Understanding fascial tissue on the molecular level—how its unique properties enable adaptation or dysfunction. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 27,
Kirkness, K.B., da Silva, Schleip,R, Cruvinel-Júnior R., and Scarlata, S. (2026). The Myofascial Rheostat: Hyaluronan Molecular Weight Dynamics and Purinergic Signalling as a Physiological Feedback System. Frontiers in Physiology 17 (June 2026). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2026.1854585.
Raghavan, P. (2018). Emerging therapies for spastic movement disorder. Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am. 29, 633–644. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2018.04.004 Raghavan, P. (2025). Muscle physiology in spasticity and muscle stiffness. Toxicon 259,
Raghavan, P., Lu, Y., Mirchandani, M., and Stecco, A. (2016). Human recombinant hyaluronidase injections for upper limb muscle stiffness in individuals with cerebral injury: A case series. eBioMedicine 9, 306–313. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.05.014 Rauhala, L., Jokela, T., Kärnä, R., Bart, G., Takabe, P., Oikari, S., et al. (2018). Extracellular ATP activates hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) in epidermal keratinocytes via P2Y2, Ca2+ signaling, and MAPK pathways. Biochem. J. 475, 1755–1772. doi: 10.1042/BCJ20180054 Slater, A. M., Barclay, S. J., Granfar, R. M. S., and Pratt, R. L. (2024). Fascia as a regulatory system in health and disease. Front. Neurol. 15. doi: 10.3389/ fneur.2024.1458385 Stecco, C., Pratt, R., Nemetz, L. D., Schleip, R., Stecco, A., and Theise, N. D. (2025). Towards a comprehensive definition of the human fascial system. J. Anat. 246, 1084–
Stecco, A., Stecco, C., and Raghavan, P. (2014). Peripheral mechanisms contributing to spasticity and implications for treatment. Curr. Phys. Med. Rehabil. Rep. 2, 121–127. doi: 10.1007/s40141-014-0052-3 Stecco, A., Stern, R., Fantoni, I., De Caro, R., and Stecco, C. (2016). Fascial disorders: Implications for treatment. PM&R 8, 161–168. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.06.006 Theise, N. D., Kohnehshahri, M. N., Chiriboga, L. A., Fyfe, B., Cao, W., Zee, S., Imam, R., Pichler-Sekulic, S., and Wells, R. G. (2025). Evidence of interstitial continuity within and beyond the human pancreas. Human Pathology 161, 105855. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2025.105855 Vigetti, D., Clerici, M., Deleonibus, S., Karousou, E., Viola, M., Moretto, P., et al. (2011). Hyaluronan synthesis is inhibited by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase through the regulation of HAS2 activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells.
Vigetti, D., Deleonibus, S., Moretto, P., Bowen, T., Fischer, J. W., Grandoch, M., et al. (2014). Natural antisense transcript for hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2-AS1) induces transcription of HAS2 via protein Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 95. Pitta Season Survival: Ayurvedic Tips for Managing Summer Heat in Your Body | 29 Jul 2026 | 00:35:31 | |
If summer heat is leaving you irritable, bloated, broken out, or just plain wiped out, this solo episode is for you. Kate O'Donnell offers a midsummer check-in through the lens of Ayurveda — explaining why this particular point in the season is such an important juncture, and what to do now to keep summer's heat from setting the stage for a fall burnout.
Kate walks through the Ayurvedic concept of samprapti — the slow, predictable way a dosha moves out of balance — and helps you recognize the early signs of pitta accumulation: heat, sharpness (acidity), spreading (prickly heat, breakouts, itchy skin), dryness, loose stools, and a short emotional fuse. She explains how accumulation turns into aggravation, and why that unchecked heat can cause real imbalances like acid reflux and inflammation down the line.
Drawing on hard lessons from her own burnout last fall, Kate shares exactly what she's doing differently this year — from lying on the cool basement floor and eating her big meal at 10am, to giving up cold and raw foods, adding dry ginger to smoothies, and "slowing her roll" with a stay-home day each week. She also speaks directly to those in perimenopause and menopause about why extreme temperatures feel harder to manage now, and why that's something to be aware of rather than fixed.
In this episode:
Mentioned in this episode:
If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause and summer feels harder than it used to — this one's for you. Keep in touch, and I'll see you next time. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 94. A Naturopathic Doctor Reads My Real Lab Results | with Dr. Stephen Cabral | 22 Jul 2026 | 00:58:45 | |
This week, Kate is joined by Dr. Stephen Cabral, a board-certified naturopathic physician, bestselling author, and founder of EquiLife and the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute. Dr. Cabral shares the health crisis that launched his career — a cascade of autoimmune diagnoses at age 17 — and how naturopathic medicine, functional lab testing, and his clinical training in Ayurveda helped him fully recover. The heart of the episode is a live read of Kate's own hair minerals and metals test, the same test that was the first lab Dr. Cabral ever ran on himself. He walks through her electrolyte ratios, mineral levels, and heavy metal results in real time, translating what each pattern means for stress, thyroid function, and detoxification. They also cover his concept of Personomics — personalized medicine built on lab data rather than one-size-fits-all protocols — and dig into why cortisol, progesterone, and estrogen have to be read together rather than in isolation, illustrated through a client case study. What We Cover
Dr. Stephen Cabral is a Board Certified Doctor of Naturopathy, bestselling author, and founder of EquiLife and the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute. He specializes in personalized Integrative Health & Functional Medicine, at-home lab testing, and data-driven wellness protocols, and has seen over 300,000 clients in his practice to help them restore their health in both mind and body. He is the author of The Rain Barrel Effect and Personomics. Website: stephencabral.com | Podcast: The Cabral Concept Podcast Lab Discount for Your AudienceFor 50% off labs, listeners can use StephenCabral.com/Kate to receive the discount on the Hair, Minerals, and Metals Test. About the Hair, Minerals, and Metals TestMineral deficiencies can deplete energy, while toxic heavy metals often cause bodily inflammation. This simple at-home test — the first one Dr. Cabral ever ran to help restore his own health — provides insight into chronic issues like low energy, anxiety, and brain fog by measuring:
If this episode has you curious about your own mineral and stress patterns, run your own hair minerals and metals test at half off using StephenCabral.com/Kate, and subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate for more conversations at the intersection of Ayurveda and integrative health. Visit healwithkate.org to go deeper. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 93. When Should You Actually Eat Fruit? An Ayurvedic Timing Guide | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:44:45 | |
Fruit has more Ayurvedic baggage than almost any other food group — and in this solo episode, Kate O'Donnell tackles it head-on. Prompted by one of the questions she hears most often from students around the world, Kate breaks down where the popular "fruit rules" actually come from, which ones hold up, and why timing and digestion — not willpower — are the real story. Along the way she shares a personal (and slightly painful) lesson from a winter in India spent eating papaya and yogurt, and lays out practical, dosha-aware guidance for eating fruit without the bloat, burps, or breakouts. What We Cover
Have a fruit question of your own? Send it to Kate on Instagram at @kateodonnell.ayurveda[ or leave it in your podcast platform's comments — she's keeping the fruit conversation going. And if you've ever dreamed of studying Ayurveda at the source, join Kate in India next February or a 10-day culinary and nutrition immersion in Mysore. Learn more and enroll at ayurvedicliving.institute. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 92. 63 and Still Kicking A**: Reinventing Your Work After Menopause | 08 Jul 2026 | 00:53:53 | |
Kate sits down with her longtime colleague Susan Weis-Bohlen — author of three bestselling books on Ayurveda — for one of the most candid conversations on the show. At 63, Susan offers straight talk on menopause, hormone therapy, and why Ayurveda alone wasn’t enough for her, alongside the unlikely path that took her from journalism in Israel to a new-age bookstore to bestselling author. They also explore how your dosha shapes the way you write and create, and why evolving your work isn’t giving up — it’s growing up.
IN THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH SUSAN WEIS-BOHLEN Website: susanweisbohlen.com Email: susan@susanweisbohlen.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542583953225370 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanweisbohlen/ Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 91. The Truth About Summer Sunscreen: An Ayurvedic Approach to Sun Care | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:37:34 | |
In this solo episode, Kate unpacks the summer sunscreen debate through an Ayurvedic lens. Her surprising first principle: use less sunscreen. She shares the daily skin-oiling practice that bolsters the body before sun exposure, why she now covers up with sun shirts and a big hat (and what Ayurveda says about keeping the head cool), and the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens — including why she swore off chemical formulas two years ago. You'll learn what to look for on a label: reef-safe, non-nano zinc, and recognizable, oil-based ingredients. Kate also shares her current favorite, a tallow-based mineral sunscreen from Sky & Sol, and why its richness solves the dryness most mineral sunscreens cause.
In this episode:
Sponsor / Resource: Sky & Sol tallow-based mineral sunscreen — Kate's current favorite. Shop Sky & Sol Use code KATEO at checkout. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 90. Your Daily Oral Care Routine, Backed by Ayurveda and Naturopathy | 24 Jun 2026 | 00:48:30 | |
We spend a lot of time thinking about wellness — what we eat, how we sleep, how we manage stress — but one part of the picture often gets left out: the mouth. In this conversation, Kate welcomes naturopathic doctor Dr. Michael Murray, who has spent more than four decades studying natural approaches to health and healing and authored over 30 books, including The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine and The Magic of Food. Dr. Murray opens with the heart of naturopathic medicine: the healing power of nature, removing obstacles to health, and treating the cause rather than only the symptom. He shares the story that drew him into this work — watching natural therapies restore his father's facial movement after Bell's palsy and bring strength back to his own injured knee — and explains why he believes the medicine of the future will lean heavily on food, herbs, and lifestyle. From there, the conversation turns to oral health. Dr. Murray makes the case that, as Hippocrates suggested, health begins in the gut — and the gut begins in the mouth. He introduces the idea of "leaky gum": when gums are inflamed and form pockets, that highly absorptive tissue can let undesirable compounds into the bloodstream and seed harmful bacteria further down the digestive tract. He walks through the research connecting the oral microbiome to systemic inflammation, rising colon health concerns, and even the gingipain theory associated with Alzheimer's research. Practically, the two cover what actually helps: tongue scraping, oil pulling (which Dr. Murray frames as both mechanical cleaning and a way to draw out fat-soluble toxins), and smart flossing. They also dig into what to avoid — flosses coated in PFAS "forever chemicals," abrasive microplastics once used in toothpaste, and harsh conventional mouthwashes that can wipe out the beneficial oral microbiome. Dr. Murray highlights the value of Ayurvedic herbs like neem, the role of xylitol, and the importance of a flavonoid-rich diet for healthy gums and collagen. Kate shares her own experience: facing a periodontist referral for gum recession, she committed to oil pulling (gandusha) and tongue scraping, and six months later her dentist confirmed the recession had stopped — a result that has held for two years. Together, she and Dr. Murray reassure listeners that the exact order of a routine matters less than doing it consistently. The episode closes with Dr. Murray's broader mission — training practitioners, writing, and his free Thrive program — and a warm rapid-fire round on his own daily rhythms, ending with a gratitude and intention practice he learned from his grandmother. Topics covered:
Resources & Links:
Health Disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 89. What To Eat When It's Too Hot To Cook: Kate's Summer Meal Formula | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:33:56 | |
Ever stare at the kitchen in the dog days of July and go completely blank? Kate O'Donnell has. And in this solo episode, she opens up her real summer kitchen — not the aspirational one, but the actual one — full of quick meals, prepped-ahead staples, and cooling drinks she's been making for decades.
Summer is Pitta season in Ayurveda, which means the digestive fire is strong but easily overwhelmed by heat, heaviness, and poor food choices. The solution isn't complicated. It's about working with the season: more fiber, more bitter and astringent foods, less oil and heat, and smarter hydration.
What Kate covers in this episode:
DIGESTION AND SUMMER FIBER Summer warmth and humidity support the breakdown of high-fiber foods like beans and vegetables that might cause bloating in fall. Kate explains how to take advantage of this seasonal window.
LIQUID NOURISHMENT FOR HOT AFTERNOONS Kate's afternoon strategy: cooling blender drinks between meals to manage blood sugar without overloading digestion. Highlights include black grape juice with cardamom, cantaloupe-cinnamon cooler, and watermelon with fresh basil.
CHANA DOSA: THE SUMMER FRIDGE STAPLE Chickpea flour, water, yogurt, and salt. Kate whisks it together, keeps it in the fridge for five days, and fries up a couple at a moment's notice alongside summer soups. High protein, high fiber, endlessly adaptable.
WARM SUMMER SOUPS Even in summer, Kate leans warm. Her rotation includes corn chowder with chipotle and coconut milk, the "only zucchini soup" (ghee, zucchini, salt, pepper, blended), and creamy green soups with coconut milk and fresh herbs.
QUINOA SALAD FOR THE BEACH BAG Kate's most portable summer meal — quinoa with steamed vegetables, a simple olive oil and lemon dressing, and a tabbouleh version with parsley and Sun Gold tomatoes. Pairs perfectly with tahini sauce from a jar.
COOLING CREAMY DRINKS When fruit drinks aren't enough, Kate turns to cardamom lassi (yogurt + water + cardamom + sweetener) and homemade cardamom almond milk — both cooling, nourishing, and easy on digestion.
THE CUCUMINT MOCKTAIL Two cucumbers, two cups of coconut water, the juice of a lime, a few sprigs of mint. Blended, not strained. Served with a lime wedge, optionally salted or tajín-rimmed. Kate's go-to for hot summer evenings.
Resources mentioned:
Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 88. Ayurvedic Summer Foods: Cool Your Body & Balance Pitta Naturally | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:34:35 | |
Summer isn't just a season — it's a whole shift in how your body functions, digests, and eliminates. In this solo episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, host Kate O'Donnell offers a thorough and practical Ayurvedic guide to navigating the summer months with intention. Drawing on the classical concept of Ritucharya (seasonal routines), Kate explains why summer is actually the time of year when the body is weaker and digestive fire (agni) is more diffuse — and what that means for how you eat, move, and care for your skin. This episode also makes an important distinction that many wellness guides miss: not all summers are the same. Whether you're experiencing humid coastal heat or the dry fire of the desert Southwest, Kate's guidance is tailored to help you work with your unique climate.
Key Takeaways
Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 87. How to Rebuild Your Digestion After Antibiotics: An Ayurvedic Recovery Protocol | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:32:51 | |
Antibiotics are sometimes necessary — Kate shares her own experience with a 2019 sinus infection that required treatment, and how she tracked the recovery process closely. What she learned from that experience forms the backbone of this episode.
What We Cover:
Kate also addresses the all-important listener concern: 'Do I really have to be careful for a full week after I finish the antibiotics?' Yes, friend. And she explains exactly why — with warmth, zero judgment, and a lot of practical wisdom.
Resources mentioned:
For deeper support on seasonal routines, digestion, and Ayurvedic wellness, visit healwithkate.org.
Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 86. What One in Four Women Experience and No One Talks About | 27 May 2026 | 00:48:29 | |
Pregnancy loss touches one in four pregnancies — yet it remains one of the least discussed experiences in women’s health. Kate O’Donnell sits down with Jenny June Arnold, certified Ayurvedic practitioner, postpartum doula, and Reiki master, to have the conversation that too many women have never been able to have.
Jenny June is also the author of Held, a new e-book on healing after pregnancy loss, and shares her own deeply personal story of two ectopic pregnancies, emergency surgeries, the loss of both fallopian tubes, and the years-long journey through grief, identity, and eventually a profound reconnection with her body through Ayurveda.
This is a rich, compassionate episode for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss, loves someone who has, or wants to understand why this topic deserves far more care and conversation than our culture currently gives it.
What We Cover
Guest Bio: Jenny June Arnold Jenny June Arnold is a certified Ayurvedic practitioner, postpartum doula, and Reiki master based in Maine. She is the founder of Pearl and Moon Ayurveda, where she works primarily with women navigating pregnancy loss, infertility, and IVF. Her practice centers on helping women befriend their bodies after loss and rebuild a relationship with themselves through Ayurvedic tools, energy work, and ceremony.
Jenny June is the author of Held: Healing After Pregnancy Loss, an e-book offering practical tools, recipes, and rituals grounded in Ayurveda and her own nine-year healing journey. She draws on personal experience — including two ectopic pregnancies that led to the loss of both fallopian tubes — to meet her clients with deep compassion and lived understanding.
Website: pearlandmoonayurveda.com E-book: Held: Healing After Pregnancy Loss — available at pearlandmoonayurveda.com Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 85. Is Alcohol Making Your Perimenopause Worse? The Ayurvedic Framework You Need | 20 May 2026 | 00:35:33 | |
You asked. Kate answered — honestly. In this solo episode, Kate O'Donnell goes deep on one of the most-requested topics from her community: alcohol. Drawing on the Charaka Samhita, seven years of personal observation, and her clinical work with women in perimenopause, she unpacks the Ayurvedic properties of alcohol, why it complicates midlife health, and how to build a more self-aware — and shame-free — relationship with this very common substance.
What We Cover
Host: Kate O'Donnell | healwithkate.org | @katedonnell.ayurveda Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 84. Morning Protein for Women Over 40: An Ayurvedic Perspective | 13 May 2026 | 00:34:02 | |
You've been asking, and Kate is answering. The trend of eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking — popularized in part by exercise physiologist Dr. Stacy Sims — has taken the women's wellness world by storm. In this solo episode, Kate O'Donnell brings her 25-plus years of Ayurvedic practice and teaching to bear on this contemporary nutritional conversation, offering a response that is neither dismissive nor uncritical. The result is a deeply useful framework for approaching morning nourishment on your own terms. What We Cover
Key Takeaways
Referenced Episodes
Health Disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 83. How Your Home Is Quietly Affecting Your Health (And What to Do About It) | 06 May 2026 | 00:51:29 | |
What if your home is either supporting your health or quietly working against it — and you haven't noticed yet? In this episode, Kate sits down with France Brunel, holistic interior designer and RISD graduate working between Brooklyn and Paris. France combines sensory psychology, Ayurveda, and design expertise to help people transform their homes into active wellbeing tools — not just pretty spaces. They explore France's three-step method — clear the stress, align with your space, design the support — and dig into the design pillars of beauty, order, color, and calm. France shares why your brain is constantly scanning your environment for safety cues, and how small intentional shifts can regulate your nervous system, improve your sleep, and reshape your daily habits. Whether you're overwhelmed by clutter, intimidated by color, or just feel "off" in a room you can't explain, this conversation gives you practical, budget-friendly tools to start immediately.
What we cover:
Find France Brunel at francebrunel.com and @iamfrancebrunel on Instagram.
Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 82. The Autoimmune-Stress Connection: A Chinese Medicine View on Why Americans Are Getting Sicker | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:51:40 | |
In this episode, Kate O'Donnell sits down with Jiaming Ju — a second-generation Chinese medicine practitioner, former health economist, and founder of the online clinic Kun Health — for a rich, cross-cultural exploration of how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda view the body, health, and healing. Jiaming brings a uniquely layered perspective: she spent a decade running health economics research across New York, India, Jordan, and Singapore before training for four years to become a California-licensed Chinese medicine practitioner. She now practices entirely online alongside her father — one of the early pioneers of telemedicine in Chinese medicine — treating complex chronic cases from around the world, and she still sees everything through the lens of a data economist. What We Cover:
Guest Bio: Jiaming Ju Jiaming Ju is a second-generation Chinese medicine practitioner and the founder of Kun Health, an online Chinese medicine clinic she runs alongside her father. Trained first as an economist at Columbia University, Jiaming spent over a decade as a health economist leading major think tanks and research initiatives across the globe before returning to the medicine she grew up with. She holds a California license in Chinese medicine and brings a data-driven, prevention-focused approach to her clinical practice. Known for her tongue reading expertise and her candid communication style, Jiaming is on a mission to bring Chinese medicine to a global audience — authentically and rigorously. Website: https://www.kun.health/ Instagram: @byjiamingju Health Disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 81. The Ayurvedic Daily Clock: How To Eat, Sleep, and Live in Rhythm With Your Body | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:33:32 | |
Have you ever wondered why you crash at 3pm, crave food late at night, or can't seem to fall asleep before midnight? Ayurveda has a 5,000-year-old answer — and it's called Dinacharya, or the Ayurvedic daily flow.
In this solo episode, Kate walks you through the complete Ayurvedic 24-hour clock — explaining what elements are active in your body at each time of day, and how to align your eating, sleeping, exercising, and resting with those natural rhythms.
Whether you're new to Ayurveda or have been practicing for years, there's something here for you — and Kate's invitation is simple: take one thing and try it.
In this episode:
Subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate for weekly episodes on Ayurvedic nutrition, seasonal living, and daily practices. Visit healwithkate.org to learn more. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 80. I Brought 12 People to India for Panchakarma. Here's What Happened | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:43:59 | |
After decades of traveling to India for her own Panchakarma practice — a tradition she kept almost entirely private — Kate O'Donnell finally brought a group. Twelve people. Twenty-one days. An Ayurvedic healing village nestled in the countryside near the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border, surrounded by coconut palms, temple chanting, and the gentle rhythm of cows heading out to pasture each morning. In this episode, Kate offers a day-in-the-life travel log of the experience, walking listeners through the structure of a Panchakarma day from sunrise chanting to evening group meetings. She describes the food, the treatments, the classes, the restricted screen time, and the unexpected depth of community that formed among strangers who became lifelong friends. Then she hands the mic to five participants — Susan, Sarah, Maya, Allison, and Bethany — who share, in their own words, what changed. WHAT WE COVER
Kate will be leading another group Panchakarma journey to India in mid-January 2027. The trip is approximately three weeks, ending around the first week of February.
To get on the waitlist:
Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 79. How To Eat For Spring: Simple Ayurvedic Meal Ideas That Actually Work | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:27:33 | |
Spring has its own hunger. In this solo episode, Kate shares what's actually stocked in her kitchen this time of year and how Ayurveda shapes the way she cooks and eats when the season shifts. No complicated recipes, no pressure to be perfect — just practical, seasonal ideas for when you open the fridge and feel completely lost.
Kate covers spring pantry staples including sprouted mung beans, white beans, chickpeas, asparagus, celery, kale, goat cheese, rye crackers, and corn tortillas. She walks through her signature blended soups (cream of asparagus, cream of celery, carrot-ginger-chickpea), a simple breakfast bok choy broth, quinoa cereal with hemp milk, and the goat cheese pinwheel that has officially earned its place as a lazy-kitchen hero.
Part two of the beloved "What To Eat When You Don't Know What To Eat" series. Recipes and seasonal guidance also in the Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook. Visit healwithkate.org for more. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 78. How To Get Comprehensive Bloodwork and Actually Understand the Results | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:54:45 | |
The bloodwork conversation is everywhere right now — but are you getting the right tests, and do you know what to do with the results? Kate sits down with two functional medicine practitioners: Tracey O’Shea, medical director at the California Center for Functional Medicine and program director at the Kresser Institute, and Danielle Dellaquila, functional nutritionist and founder of Eagle Vision Nutrition. Together they demystify the comprehensive blood panel from both a clinical and nutritional perspective. What We Cover:
Find resources and practitioners at healwithkate.org. Order bloodwork with Danielle Dellaquila: https://www.eaglevisionnutrition.com/comprehensive-blood-analysis/ Danielle's Supplement Dispensary: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/ddellaquila/store-start
Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 77. How To Clear Kapha This Spring: Simple Ayurvedic Remedies That Work | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:32:26 | |
If spring feels heavier than it should — slow digestion, morning congestion, low appetite, a persistent heaviness you can’t quite name — Ayurveda has a precise and practical explanation for what’s happening. In Episode 77, Kate O’Donnell goes deep on Kapha season: the Ayurvedic name for the late-winter-into-spring transition when excess moisture in the body starts moving, filling the cavities of the stomach, throat, lungs, and sinuses. This is not a malfunction. It’s biology. And once you understand it, you have real tools to work with.
This solo episode covers:
Kate also offers an important note of nuance: these recommendations are seasonal medicine for those experiencing seasonal imbalance. If you feel great, that means your constitution is managing the transition beautifully. These tools are remedies, not obligations.
Resources mentioned:
Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 76. The Vedic New Year and What It Means for Your Health Right Now | 18 Mar 2026 | 01:17:54 | |
This week, Kate welcomes Vedic astrologer Kaya Mindlin for a one-of-a-kind episode: a full tour of the Vedic solar year, month by month, through the lens of health and Ayurveda. Kaya has spent 25 years studying the Vedic wisdom traditions — Jyotisha (the “eye of the Vedas”), yoga therapy, Vedic scripture, and Ayurveda — and brings a rare combination of depth and practical accessibility to everything she teaches. In Jyotisha, the sun rules health and vitality. As it moves through the 12 signs of the zodiac, it illuminates a different region of the body — from the head in Aries all the way down to the feet in Pisces. Each solar month offers specific guidance on what to cultivate, what to protect, and how to live in alignment with the patterns already built into the cosmos. Kate brings her deep Ayurvedic knowledge to each month, layering in herbs, body care practices, and seasonal wisdom at every turn. This is a conversation that rewards taking notes — and one you will return to throughout the year. What We Cover
Take-Home Practices
Guest Links Website: https://yogawithkaya.com/ Nectar of Time Program - monthly Vedic Astrology Forecasts, Rituals and Sacred Stories: https://yogawithkaya.com/nectar-of-time-membership/ ***10% Off Any Program with Kaya for Listeners with the coupon code: everydayayurveda10*** Private Vedic Astrology Consults: https://www.jyotishresolution.com/ Call to Action If this episode reframes how you move through the year, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who needs a new framework for seasonal health. For deeper support, visit healwithkate.org. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 75. How Much Should You Actually Eat? An Ayurvedic Answer | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:29:55 | |
One of the most common questions Kate hears no matter where she’s teaching in the world: How much food should I eat? Her answer is deeply Ayurvedic — it depends on your body, your season, your activity, and the density of what’s on your plate. In this solo episode, Kate delivers a practical, body-based framework grounded in ancient Ayurvedic nutrition principles. What You’ll Learn:
Take-Home Practices:
RESOURCES healwithkate.org HEALTH DISCLAIMER The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 74. What Most Yoga Teachers Never Learn About the Full Spectrum of Practice | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:45:42 | |
What happens when yoga becomes more than postures? In this conversation, Kate O'Donnell is joined by Amy Landry, Australian yoga teacher, classical Odissi dancer, Ayurveda practitioner, and author of the forthcoming book The Ocean of Yoga. Together they explore what it means to walk yoga as a full spiritual path rather than a fitness practice.
Amy shares her rare journey through India's sacred arts, studying Odissi classical dance in Orissa, deepening in Ayurveda, and eventually channeling years of study and teaching into a book designed to give practitioners the broad, cohesive foundation most yoga trainings don't provide. What We Cover
About Amy Landry Amy Landry is an Australian yoga teacher, classical Odissi dancer, Ayurveda practitioner, and the author of The Ocean of Yoga, published by Shambhala Publications (March 31). She has spent decades studying in India across multiple traditions, including Odissi dance at a traditional school in Orissa, and holds a diploma in Ayurveda. She currently teaches yoga and leads an online 300-hour teacher training in Melbourne.
Website: https://amyelandry.com/oceanofyoga/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/00uecEGOZwCLAs9V9q6Gfp?si=d26499131bc74b1f Book: The Ocean of Yoga — available March 31 Take-Home Practices
Relevant Links
Call to Action If this conversation sparked something in your practice, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with a yoga teacher or student in your life. To explore Ayurveda support, visit healwithkate.org. Health Disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 73. Stop Letting Wellness Trends Decide What Your Body Needs | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:39:52 | |
Every week, a new wellness trend goes viral. Every month, someone tells you what to eat, when to exercise, and which supplements you're missing. And somehow, after all that information, you feel less certain about your health than ever. In this solo episode, Kate O'Donnell names what's happening — and she calls it the hive mind. It's the way social media algorithms, trending health content, and urgency-driven information push us away from our own bodies rather than toward them. Drawing on 25 years of Ayurvedic practice, Kate offers a grounding alternative: the ancient, individualized framework that asks not "what does everyone say?" but "what does this body need, right now, in this season of life?"
What We Cover:
Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 72. Is Your Makeup Toxic? How To Read Labels And Find Safe Products | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:53:26 | |
Is your makeup toxic? Beauty industry insider Laura Olson—who spent decades writing product labels for major luxury brands—reveals what clean beauty actually means, why "fragrance" is the biggest red flag, and how to navigate greenwashing and health-washing. Learn which apps help you shop safer (Yuka, EWG Skin Deep), which stores you can trust (Credo), and which ingredients to avoid (parabens, sulfates, nano zinc). Laura shares her honest approach: she still uses conventional hair gel because no clean version works, but prioritizes clean products for eyes, lips, and daily use. Discover how to balance effectiveness with safety, why beauty regulations are stuck in 1938, and how to enjoy products for fun without falling for industry manipulation. Key Timestamps[00:00] - Introduction: Questions about clean beauty [03:00] - Laura's background as beauty editor and copywriter [06:00] - How yoga changed everything [09:00] - What "clean beauty" actually means (unregulated) [12:00] - Major ingredient offenders: sulfates, parabens, fragrance [18:00] - Why "fragrance" is the biggest red flag [21:00] - Apps and resources: Yuka, EWG Skin Deep [27:00] - Trusted stores and brands: Credo, Beautycounter [33:00] - The effectiveness problem: when clean products don't work [38:00] - Beauty regulations stuck in 1938 [42:00] - How copywriters use language to mislead [45:00] - Nail polish and acetone [48:00] - Where products touch your body matters [50:00] - Treats versus daily rituals [53:00] - Industry manipulation and women's insecurities [55:00] - Rapid fire questions
Find Laura on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lauraannolson/
Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 71. How To Start A Spiritual Practice Without Trying To Fix Yourself | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:31:20 | |
Broadcasting from South India, Kate talks with her partner Rich Ray about the hidden pitfalls of learning Eastern spiritual traditions. They explore why so many of us turn spiritual teachings into self-judgment, how to recognize karmic conditioning without shame, and what Buddhist practice actually looks like when you stop chasing spiritual highs. This is an honest, grounded conversation about duality, ego, Maya, and the surprisingly simple path toward acceptance. If you've ever felt like you're doing spirituality wrong, this episode offers a compassionate reset. What We Cover
Rich Ray is a longtime Zen Buddhist practitioner who spent four years living in silence at a meditation center. He is trained in awareness practice, karmic conditioning, and contemplative psychology. Rich has studied with Cheri Huber and continues to support practitioners in recognizing and working with ego patterns, duality, and suffering. He lives with Kate in the Berkshires and co-leads retreats integrating Ayurvedic and Buddhist wisdom. Take Home Practices
If this conversation resonates, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone navigating their own spiritual questions. To explore deeper support for integrating Ayurvedic awareness into daily life, visit healwithkate.org. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 70. The Complete Ayurvedic Guide to Winter Foods: Grains, Spices, Oils & More | 04 Feb 2026 | 00:37:22 | |
Feeling bloated, constipated, or constantly cold this winter? Your body is telling you it needs different foods. In this solo episode, Kate breaks down the Ayurvedic approach to winter eating—what to embrace, what to avoid, and why seasonal nutrition matters more than you think. You'll Learn:
Quick Wins: ✓ Swap salads for steamed vegetables with ghee ✓ Add tahini to your morning toast ✓ Try baked grapefruit with honey ✓ Cook with warming spices (ginger, cumin, turmeric) ✓ Drink licorice tea for dry lungs and intestines Resources: Kate's cookbooks available at healwithkate.org Subscribe for weekly Ayurvedic wisdom and share with someone who needs winter food guidance. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 69. Stop Obsessing Over Your Dosha: What Vikriti Means And Why It Matters More | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:54:33 | |
Have you ever wondered what your dosha is? You're not alone—but that question might be keeping you stuck. In this groundbreaking conversation, Kate sits down with Arjita Sethi—serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and founder of Shanti, an AI-powered wellness platform that's revolutionizing how we access Ayurvedic wisdom. Arjita shares her remarkable journey from childhood illness to Silicon Valley burnout to postpartum healing, and how each crisis brought her back to the Ayurvedic roots planted by her grandmother. This episode tackles one of Ayurveda's stickiest problems: our obsession with finding our dosha. Arjita explains why understanding your vikriti (current state of imbalance) matters far more than your prakriti (constitutional type), and how this shift in perspective makes Ayurveda accessible to everyone—no certification required. She walks us through her incredible 90-day postpartum recovery protocol (which brought her hemoglobin from 4 to 11.5 in one week), explains how she's training an AI brain on Ayurvedic knowledge, and shares why Ayurveda isn't about being a purist—it's about meeting yourself where you are and taking one step closer to your center. If you've ever felt confused by dosha quizzes, overwhelmed by Ayurveda's complexity, or curious about how AI might make ancient wisdom more accessible, this conversation will change everything. What We Cover
Arjita Sethi is a serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and recognized leader at the intersection of AI and wellness. Originally from India and now based in San Francisco, Arjita has spent over a decade in the AI space, starting before machine learning became mainstream. Raised by a grandmother deeply versed in Vedic and Ayurvedic studies, Arjita grew up immersed in practices like meditation, yoga, and circadian living—though she didn't realize this wasn't 'normal' until much later. After recovering from childhood illness through Ayurveda, co-founding a successful vocational school with her mother, and experiencing Silicon Valley burnout, she returned to her roots during the pandemic. Arjita founded Shaanti, an AI-powered wellness platform that makes Ayurvedic wisdom accessible without overwhelming complexity. By training an AI brain on Ayurvedic studies and combining it with personalized vikriti assessments, she's helping people make wellness decisions aligned with their current season of life—not just their dosha. She holds certifications in Ayurvedic health practice, is a certified manual therapist with a background in physical therapy, and practices Kundalini yoga. Arjita is also an advocate for women in technology and runs a virtual school teaching AI skills to entrepreneurs.
Website: findshaanti.com Instagram: @arjitasethico Key Concepts ExplainedPrakriti: Your natural constitution or body type—essentially your elemental DNA. This is what most people think of when they hear 'dosha,' but it's only part of the picture. Vikriti: Your current state of imbalance—where you are TODAY based on life circumstances, stress, season, age, and health. This is what you actually need to address for healing. Season of Life: The concept that your body changes based on what you're going through—whether you're fundraising versus post-funding, child sick at school versus family vacation, perimenopause versus postpartum. Same person, different needs. AI Brain Training: The process of feeding publicly available Ayurvedic studies and traditional knowledge into an artificial intelligence system so it can provide personalized recommendations based on your prakriti and vikriti. Take Home Practices
Arjita shares her mother's 90-day postpartum healing plan that brought her hemoglobin from 4 to 11.5 in one week: First 40 Days - Focus: Healing
Next 1.5-2 Months - Focus: Restoring Nutrition
If this conversation helped you stop obsessing over dosha quizzes and start focusing on where you are TODAY, please subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share this episode. To explore Arjita's AI-powered Ayurveda platform, visit findshanti.com. For more support with Ayurvedic living, visit healwithkate.org. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 68. How To Buy Ethical Herbs: The Complete Guide To Organic And Fair Trade Supplements | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:56:04 | |
Where does your ashwagandha really come from? Tyler Wauters, VP of Herbal Affairs at Banyan Botanicals and Director of Banyan Farm, shares the truth about ethical herb sourcing, sustainable farming, and what happens when wellness trends commodify plants. Learn what organic, fair trade, and regenerative certifications actually mean, discover bioregional Ayurveda and analog herbs, and get practical steps for becoming a conscious consumer who knows the story of what's in their medicine cabinet. Key Timestamps[00:00] - Introduction: The problem with trending herbs [04:00] - Tyler's journey from fish farmer to wildcrafter to Banyan [09:00] - What is bioregional Ayurveda? [12:00] - Analog herbs and criteria for substitution [18:00] - Chemical ecology: How plants change based on environment [23:00] - Banyan Farm as research facility [27:00] - 30 years of relationships with Indian suppliers [32:00] - Organic vs. Regenerative Organic vs. Fair Trade [38:00] - What happens when ashwagandha trends [43:00] - How to be a conscious consumer [49:00] - Action steps: research, relationships, local + global [54:00] - The Living Ayurveda internship [56:00] - Rapid fire questions
Tyler is the VP of Herbal Affairs at Banyan Botanicals, Director at Banyan Farm, a place-based herbalist, Ayurvedic practitioner, and founder of Hawthorn Institute.
He grew up amongst the weeping willows and cattails. A lifelong naturalist and plant enthusiast, Tyler has dedicated his life to the practices of bioregional Ayurveda and place-based herbalism. Tyler began teaching in 2008 and brings his passion and knowledge into everything he shares. His intention is to ignite deeper connections to place, people, and plants through the lens of stewardship and reciprocity.Tyler has studied with Vasant Lad, MASc, Dr. Claudia Welch, Sonia Masocco, Isla Burgess, 7song, and Frank Cook. He thanks all of his mentors for sharing life's wisdom. Related Episodes
Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 67. The Ayurvedic Guide To Building Immunity And Staying Healthy This Winter | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:30:17 | |
Did you notice how many people got sick over the holidays this year? In this solo episode, Kate breaks down the Ayurvedic perspective on immunity—and it might surprise you. Instead of focusing on antibodies and white blood cell counts, Ayurveda teaches us about Ojas—the "nutrient cream of the body" that creates resilience and protects tissues against pathogens. Kate explains why moisture is the foundation of immunity, especially in dry winter months, and why conventional approaches like green juices and cold smoothies might actually be working against you during this season. This episode is packed with practical, actionable tools you can implement immediately: from nasal oiling and warm milk tonics to turmeric honey and skin massage protocols. Kate walks you through exactly how to create a protective barrier—both internally and externally—that keeps you robust, refreshed, and resilient all winter long. If you're tired of getting sick every season, or if you're looking for a deeper understanding of what true immunity means, this episode offers ancient wisdom with modern application. What We Cover
Ojas: The "nutrient cream of the body"—a milky, protective substance that results from properly digested food and creates resilience against pathogens. It's what keeps living beings refreshed, robust, and resistant to disease. Resilience vs. Immunity: Ayurveda focuses on making the patient stronger than the disease, rather than just fighting specific pathogens. It's about building overall robustness. The Moisture Principle: Moisture anywhere is moisture everywhere. Keeping the body moist—especially nasal passages, lungs, skin, and digestive tract—is essential for maintaining the protective barriers that prevent illness. Take Home Practices
Ojas Milk:
Turmeric Milk:
Turmeric Honey:
If this episode helped you understand immunity from a new perspective, please subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who keeps getting sick. For more Ayurvedic wisdom and support, visit healwithkate.org. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 66. Why Your Nervous System Is Dysregulated And How To Fix It Using Ayurveda | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:53:39 | |
This week, Kate sits down with Mel Cunningham, founder of Yogi Fuel and the Integrative Ayurveda Practitioner Certification, for a groundbreaking conversation about nervous system regulation through the lens of Ayurveda. Mel shares her remarkable journey from professional rugby player who sustained over 10 concussions to becoming a leading expert in nervous system health. Her personal experience with anxiety, panic attacks, and dysregulation led her on a healing journey that ultimately brought her to Ayurveda—the system that finally connected all the dots. This episode demystifies nervous system regulation, moving beyond the buzzwords to offer practical, accessible tools rooted in ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience. Mel explains why so many of us yo-yo between anxious, overwhelmed states and complete shutdown, and how understanding the doshas can help us recognize our unique patterns of dysregulation. The conversation covers everything from the surprising connection between blood sugar and false anxiety, to why protein at breakfast matters (or doesn't), to the simple act of wiggling your fingers as a powerful mobilization tool. This is Ayurveda at its most practical and accessible. What We Cover
Mel Cunningham is the founder of Yogi Fuel and creator of the Integrative Ayurveda Practitioner Certification. A former rugby player who sustained over 10 concussions, Mel's personal journey with nervous system dysregulation led her to specialize in the intersection of Ayurveda, polyvagal theory, and neuroscience. Mel holds a background in kinesiology and exercise physiology, and studied at Goddard College. She combines her understanding of Western nervous system science with traditional Ayurvedic wisdom to help people regulate their nervous systems and restore balance. Originally from Canada, Mel now lives in Goa, India, where she moved in 2020 and has built a thriving online practice. Her approach emphasizes practical, accessible tools that meet people where they are, recognizing that regulation is multidimensional and deeply individual. Website: www.yogifuel.com Instagram: @yogifuel Podcast: Yogi Fuel Podcast Take Home Practices
If this episode helped you understand your own nervous system patterns, please subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who needs to hear this message. For deeper support with nervous system regulation and Ayurvedic living, visit healwithkate.org. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 65. How to Reset Your Digestion After the Holidays Naturally | 31 Dec 2025 | 00:31:16 | |
This week, Kate delivers a solo episode packed with practical Ayurvedic tools to help you reset after the holiday season—without the restrictive yo-yo dieting that disrupts your system. She breaks down why extreme cleanses don't work in winter, shares simple warming practices that actually support digestion, and offers a compassionate approach to turning the ship around in the new year. Kate covers warm herbal waters, the magic of kanji and kitchari, how to work with cravings instead of against them, why cold juices don't belong in winter resets, the role of ghee and licorice for winter dryness, and daily oiling as a nervous system reset. This is a grounding, realistic episode for anyone who wants to feel better without punishing themselves in January. What We Cover
Kate O'Donnell is an Ayurvedic practitioner, teacher, and author of four bestselling books on bringing Ayurvedic practices into modern life. She has been living and teaching Ayurveda for over 25 years and studied extensively in India. Kate is known for translating complex Ayurvedic principles into accessible, practical tools that work for real people in real kitchens. She hosts the Everyday Ayurveda with Kate podcast and teaches online programs through healwithkate.org. Kate lives in New England and brings a grounded, honest approach to wellness that balances tradition with modern life. Website: https://www.healwithkate.org Instagram: @everydayayurvedawithkate Take Home Practices
If this episode helped you rethink your New Year reset, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who needs a kinder approach to January. For personalized Ayurvedic support and seasonal programs, visit healwithkate.org. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 64. How To Create Powerful New Year Rituals Using Ayurveda And Food | 24 Dec 2025 | 00:26:00 | |
What if the key to meaningful New Year's intentions isn't more goal-setting, but preparing your body as sacred ground? Kate walks listeners through her annual practice of a mono diet—eating simple, nourishing foods like kitchari, congee, or oatmeal for 1-3 days around the New Year. This isn't about deprivation or typical "cleansing." It's about creating sacred relationship with food, transforming meals into offerings, and preparing the soil before planting seeds. In this special replay episode, Kate O'Donnell joins Harmony Slater on the Finding Harmony Podcast to share her personal approach to New Year's rituals—one that honors the body as the vessel through which all transformation happens. Rather than jumping straight to resolutions, Kate explains how Ayurveda teaches us to strengthen and purify the physical form first, creating the ideal conditions for intentions to take root. SPECIAL NOTE: This episode features a segment originally from the Finding Harmony Podcast, repurposed for the Everyday Ayurveda audience. Both podcasts are part of the Awkward Sage Media network.
This episode is perfect for anyone tired of resolutions that fizzle out, anyone drawn to ritual and ceremony, or anyone seeking a more embodied approach to personal transformation. Kate's wisdom offers a refreshing alternative to typical New Year's advice—one rooted in thousands of years of Ayurvedic wisdom and surprisingly practical for modern life. Recipes & ResourcesBasic Kitchari Recipe:
Congee (Rice Porridge):
Simple Oatmeal:
Oil Hierarchy for Cooking:
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who's feeling overwhelmed by typical New Year's pressure. Subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and help us reach more people seeking embodied, ritual-based approaches to transformation. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or wellness routine, especially if you have existing health conditions. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 63. Morning Cortisol Spike: 3 Natural Ways to Balance Hormones Without Food | 17 Dec 2025 | 00:39:12 | |
In this solo episode, Kate addresses one of the most frequently asked questions: should you eat breakfast or not? Drawing from Ayurvedic wisdom, she explores why the answer depends on your individual constitution, life stage, exercise routine, and digestive capacity. Kate shares her personal journey from decades of yoga practice on an empty stomach to discovering she needed breakfast when she started weightlifting. She breaks down the relationship between cortisol, hormones, protein needs, and morning routines, while introducing the crucial concept of prana as an alternative source of life energy beyond food. This episode offers practical guidance on reading your body's signals, understanding Kapha time, managing morning cortisol spikes through breathwork, and finding the breakfast routine that actually serves your unique needs. What We Cover
If this episode helped you understand your breakfast needs better, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who's been confused about morning routines. To dive deeper into personalized Ayurvedic guidance, visit healwithkate.org. Health DisclaimerThe information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 62. How To Rewild Your Daily Life And Feel More Grounded This Winter | 10 Dec 2025 | 00:55:14 | |
This week, Kate talks with Micah Mortali, author of Rewilding and founding director of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership. Together they explore what it means to reconnect with nature in a culture shaped by screens, artificial light, and constant productivity. Micah shares simple, realistic practices to reintroduce natural rhythms into daily life, especially during winter. The conversation covers candle rituals, light hygiene, the physiology of rest, the lost rhythm of second sleep, nesting, outdoor rituals, seasonal awareness, and the restorative impact of what Micah calls the green mirror. This is a deeply grounding conversation for anyone feeling scattered, overstimulated, or out of sync with seasonal changes. What We Cover
Micah Mortali is an author, public speaker, and leader in the fields of mindfulness, rewilding, traditional archery, and nature connection. He is the author of Rewilding: Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature, a guide that blends yoga, contemplative practice, ancestral skills, and earth based wisdom. Micah is the founding director of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership, where he designed one of the first training programs to certify mindful outdoor guides. His teaching centers on restoring human relationships with the natural world through presence, awareness, and direct experience. He is also the creator of the online School of Rewilding, an ongoing community for people looking to live more nature centered lives. Micah holds a Masters degree in Health Arts and Sciences from Goddard College and lives in the Berkshires with his family. Website: https://www.micahmortali.com Instagram: @micah_rewilding Take Home Practices
Relevant Links
If this episode leaves you craving more rhythm and rest, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who has been feeling winter fatigue. To explore deeper support for seasonal routines, visit healwithkate.org. Health Disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 61. Stop Managing Stress: Start Shifting It With Ayurveda | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:34:22 | |
How is it that stress seems to run the show in our lives? In this solo episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, Kate O’Donnell takes us beyond the usual “stress management” advice and introduces a more empowering approach: stress shifting. Instead of treating stress like an unchangeable force that we just have to “handle,” Kate breaks it down into clear categories, reveals how much of it is actually self-generated, and explains why so many of us are living in a constant stress reflex. From an Ayurvedic perspective, she connects this to Vata imbalance, nervous system agitation, and the feeling that “everything is not okay” even when nothing is actively wrong. Kate shares practical ways to reconnect with nature’s rhythms, anchor the mind in something larger than the to-do list, and use simple daily routines to change your internal relationship with stress. You’ll learn how to stop overscheduling, how to say yes less, why morning and afternoon “sense breaks” matter, and why rest is not a luxury but the direct antidote to stress. If you’ve ever felt like stress is calling the shots in your digestion, sleep, mood, or hormones, this episode will help you see it more clearly, soften its grip, and choose a different way of living inside your life. What You’ll Learn In this episode, Kate explores:
For more on daily routines, lunar rhythms, and women’s health, explore Kate’s books and resources at healwithkate.org. If this conversation helped you see your stress patterns in a new light:
Ready to shift your relationship with stress, rather than just survive it? Join Kate and the community at healwithkate.org for more Ayurvedic tools, courses, and seasonal support. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 60. What Happens When You Switch to Ghee for Cooking, Skincare, and Ritual | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:57:08 | |
In this warm and practical conversation, Kate sits down with her longtime friend and colleague Emilie Reid, co-owner of the beloved Ayurvedic lifestyle brand Farmtrue. Emilie shares the full-circle story of discovering Ayurveda through cracked knuckles and toasted sesame oil, building a thriving yoga studio, navigating its closing during COVID, and ultimately finding her dharma in reviving Farmtrue with her husband. Emilie walks listeners through the process of making thousands of pounds of ghee each year, the subtle differences in butter quality, why Farmtrue’s ghee is casein-free, and why ghee behaves differently than other fats inside the body and on the skin. She also breaks down the skincare line, the philosophy behind their dosha-specific body oils, why ghee makes an effective nasal oil, and how slow medicine has reshaped her life and routines. If you love ghee, natural skincare, seasonal routines, or small-business stories rooted in purpose, this episode will be a favorite. Episode Breakdown
Guest Bio: Emilie Reid Emilie is co-owner of Farmtrue, a modern ayurvedic lifestyle brand. Together with her husband, she handcrafts face care, body care, teas and spices using ayurvedic herbs and ghee. Emilie is also Faculty at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Ma. She leads workshops, retreats and yoga classes online and in-person. Emilie’s superpower is sharing meditation, Ayurveda and Yoga in a way that is practical, useful and fun. Emilie leads retreats, teaches Ayurveda, creates handcrafted herbal products, and brings her love of slow medicine into every batch she makes. Kate's Cardamom limeade Fix Stick: https://shopfarmtrue.com/products/fix-stick-ghee-based-balm-cardamom-limeade Skin mask Recipe from Emilie: 1 tsp Triphala powder 1 tsp Neem powder 1 tsp peppermint powder* 1 tsp coconut oil Mix into a paste with a spoon or your fingers. Massage all over your face, avoiding the eyes. Then let sit for 5 minutes. Wash thoroughly with warm water and pat skin dry. Relevant Links Farmtrue Products
If this conversation inspired you to rethink how you use ghee in your kitchen or your skincare routine, explore the full Farmtrue line at farmtrue.com. For more Ayurvedic wisdom, seasonal routines, and practical tools, follow Kate at @kateodonnell.yoga and visit healwithkate.org for programs, books, retreats, and resources. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||
| 59. Ayurvedic Holiday Guide: Eat, Drink, And Actually Feel Good | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:38:24 | |
Kate is a self-described holiday dork who loves parties, cookies, cocktails and a good stuffing situation. She also remembers what it felt like to stagger out of Thanksgiving week bloated, gassy, constipated and anxious for days. In this solo episode, she downloads her personal Holiday Health Guide, honed over two decades of living Ayurveda, healing her gut from parasites, and still saying yes to celebration. You will learn the one shift that made the biggest difference in her digestion during feast season, how she navigates appetizers, cocktails and desserts without deprivation, and the simple kitchen and travel tools she never shows up to a party without. From meal spacing and spritzers, to CCFT in a thermos and fennel seeds in a mint tin, this is a realistic Ayurvedic survival guide for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. If you want to enjoy the cheese board and the pumpkin pie and still feel like yourself the next day, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Key topics and practices Kate covers
Kate explains why heavier, fattier, sweeter foods make sense in colder seasons from an Ayurvedic lens. Root vegetables, meats, fats and harvest feasts can be supportive when digestion is strong and timing is thoughtful.
The main problem is not necessarily eating “too much” but eating too often. Constant grazing on treats, candies and cookies between meals means the previous meal never fully digests, building ama and weakening agni. Kate’s simple focus:
Appetizers used to be a major trigger. Now she:
Kate shares her go to supportive blend: equal parts cumin, coriander and fennel seeds simmered in water, then strained into a thermos. She uses it to:
She also chews fennel seeds after meals to calm indigestion, gas and heaviness, often carrying them in a small mint tin.
Kate still enjoys a party and usually has around two drinks across an event. She:
A big part of her success is presence. She closes her eyes for a sip, or quietly steps aside to savor a favorite cheese or dessert so her senses register the pleasure. That presence helps her feel satisfied with less.
One of the biggest shifts Kate names is learning to savor. When there is a lot of stimulation, conversation and family dynamics, it is easy to eat and drink on autopilot. She now:
To kindle agni before a big meal or when she feels heavy, Kate uses:
She eats this about 20 minutes before a meal to wake up digestive fire or first thing the next morning if she feels sluggish. Important nuance: she avoids this ginger shot right before alcohol on an empty stomach because that much fire plus alcohol can create acidity. In that case, she may switch to a gentler ginger tea or skip the ginger altogether.
Kate’s Ayurvedic doctor once told her to “run about” after sweets to help her body metabolize sugar. She now:
Rather than hoping a holiday table magically matches her digestion, Kate brings what she wants to eat and share, such as:
This lets her fully participate in the feast while lowering the burden of poor quality ingredients.
Instead of letting holiday cookies creep into a multi week sugar marathon, Kate:
When feast days are done, she balances heavy, sweet and salty foods with:
About Kate O’Donnell Kate O’Donnell is a nationally certified Ayurvedic practitioner, longtime yoga teacher and the founder of the Ayurvedic Living Institute. She is the bestselling author of the Everyday Ayurveda series, including The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook, Everyday Ayurveda Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind, The Everyday Ayurveda Guide to Self Care and Everyday Ayurveda for Women’s Health. Through her books, online courses and live teachings, Kate is known for translating traditional Ayurvedic wisdom into simple, doable practices for modern life. Call to actionIf this episode helped you rethink your holiday habits, share it with a friend or family member who wants to feel better this season too. Subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate in your favorite podcast app so you never miss a new episode. To go deeper with these practices, explore Kate’s books and online courses, or join the Ayurvedic Living Membership community for ongoing seasonal support. Health disclaimer Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Culinary Training in India https://ayurvedicliving.institute/ayurvedic-culinary-nutrition-training Fall Cleanse https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-fall Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Panchakarma in India: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india Thanks to our Sponsors: Banyan Botanicals https://alnk.to/eOQb34q Triphala Support: https://alnk.to/bPhiKjx | |||