Explore every episode of the podcast Changing Seasons: Ayurveda, Women’s Health, Menopause & Food as Medicine
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67 - Dinacharya: The Daily Routine That Can Reduce Inflammation with Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya. | 05 Dec 2025 | 01:42:42 | |
Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya joins us on Changing Seasons podcast to discuss the power of Dinacharya, a daily Ayurvedic practice that she discovered could help treat inflammation, thyroid conditions, gut issues and auto- immune diseases. Bhaswati talks about how she works with her patients to establish daily routines that not only increase ojas but also improve self-esteem. We discuss her favourite Ayurvedic herbs, which include vijaya (cannabis), haritaki, Shativari, and Bhaswati describes how to use them. I learnt so much from this conversation and hope you will too. Where to find Dr Bhattacharya: Website: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbhaswati Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdrbhaswati/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbhaswati/ Twitter: Connect: | |||
| 66 - Coming Home to Your Body with the Po Spirit with Lorie Dechar. | 28 Nov 2025 | 01:08:48 | |
Today we welcome Lorie Dechar acupuncturist, psychotherapist, author, teacher, poet and mentor to Changing Seasons podcast to talk about the spirits in TCM. Lorie shares how she came to understand the spirits and describes how her menopausal experience helped her to connect with them. Lorie spends time describing how the five elements are a wheel and the spirits operate more on a central axis. She speaks about how the Po spirit calls us back home to our bodies possibly through grief and loss in younger years and for a lot of us in menopause. We discuss ways we can connect to the Po through the breath, the skin, using essential oils and self massage and returning to our bodies. Website: https://anewpossibility.com/study-with-lorie-eve-dechar/ Books: The Alchemy of Inner Work Five Spirits Kijo https://anewpossibility.com/books/ Instagram: @loriedechar Connect: | |||
| 57 - Kimberly Ashton: Making Food Your Medicine. | 26 Sep 2025 | 01:09:27 | |
Today Jody welcomes Kimberley Ashton from Qi Food Therapy to the Changing Seasons podcast. We discuss in detail why certain foods will soothe and nourish the digestive system and other foods will aggravate and inflame it. She highlights the role of the sweet and salty flavours in our body. Kimberly explains why we need to consume good quality sweet flavoured foods to help relax and satiate the body and high and that salt is needed to strengthen the body. We have a diet culture and the reduction approach the western has around food and how we are not being satiated physically, emotionally and mentally. Our earth element which governs our digestive needs us to be eating enough food so we can feel nourished. Website: qifoodtherapy.com Connect: | |||
| 56 - Carly Merlo: The Good Oil - Understanding Ayurvedic Oils. | 19 Sep 2025 | 01:10:50 | |
Today Jody welcomes Carly Merlo, owner of Bio Veda to the podcast to discuss the A-Z of Ayurvedic oils and how different medicated oils are prized for the healing process. Ayurveda has been using oils on the body, hair and internally for thousands of years, black sesame oil or coconut oil are used as the carriers for the medicinal herbs which are warmed and then applied to the skin before bathing. Bala oil is the oil of choice of Shirodhara, a therapeutic treatment that works to calm Vata in the Body. Saffron oil is treasured by many as a transformative oil for the face, Neeli Bhringraj is a wonderful oil we use for thinning or greying hair, Anu Thailum is used to clear sinus congestion and Gum and Mouth oil is used for oil pulling to nourish and strengthen the gums and mouth. Carly speaks in detail about the many benefits of the large range of oils her company sells, she describes how to store and apply them and the oils that are best suited to the different constitutions. Dinacharya is a self care routine that Ayurveda encourages, Carly talks about tongue scraping, oil pulling, sun gazing, nasya and abyangha and how practising these routinely can benefit both our bodies and our minds. Connect with Carly & Bio Veda https://www.bioveda.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOoo6eLoL4lbPby8hNZgiCEjChfCbRZX_eHElXTIYhzPo4rz2l2iI Work with Jody One on One Ayurvedic Consultations https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ayurveda Connect: | |||
| 55 - Jody Vassallo: How Is Your Sleep? | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:41:26 | |
Today Jody takes a close look at sleep through the lens of Ayurveda. Sleep or nidra is an integral part of your health and there are many factors that influence the quality and quantity of your sleep. The different doshas can all experience their own issues with sleep and as we age sleep can become more disturbed. Jody discusses how what you eat before bed, the time you go to sleep, the pjs you wear, the sheets you tuck into and the room you sleep in can impact the quality of your sleep. Perimenopause can play havoc on ones sleep and Jody talks about simple remedies to deal with hot flushes and night sweats, waking early morning and not being able to get back to sleep and waking up feeling heavy and sluggish. A great episode for anyone struggling with sleep. Work With Jody Book a one on one Ayurvedic Consultation with Jody https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ayurveda Connect: | |||
| 54 - Sonia Lloyd: Is Your Skin Care Aging You? | 05 Sep 2025 | 01:21:27 | |
Today Jody meets Sonia Lloyd from Rasara Skinfood about how to treat your skin using the principles of Ayurveda. After a skin flare up in her late teens Sonia tried many things unsuccessfully to treat the problem. Fast forward to today and Sonia now owns an Ayurvedic Skin & Hair Care range that is so pure you can literally eat it. In our conversation today we cover the magic healing properties of castor oil and how it is an absolute gift for the skin. We discuss the different skin problems that each of the doshas can experience and the remedies they can use to treat them. Sonia explains how you can create your own moisturizer by combining a good quality oil and water and why water is such an important ingredient in skin care. We talk about hair care, shampoo and what doshas benefit from washing their hair regularly and those who don't. So many aha moments in this episode. If you or someone you love has skin issues you won't want to miss this one. Find Sonia & Rasasara: Instagram: Connect: | |||
| 53 - Holly Davis: Respecting What We Eat. | 29 Aug 2025 | 00:57:24 | |
Today Jody welcomes whole-food chef and cookbook author Holly Davis to Changing Seasons podcast to discuss Food as Medicine. We speak about how Holly discovered macrobiotics at the age of 14 and how it continues to influence how she cooks and prepares food to this day. Holly shares about how she used to be a macrobiotic zealot and these days her approach to food is much more about respect and the nourishment and joy we can get from sharing food we have prepared with those we love. We discuss Holly's passion for fermentation and that she has more of a learn as you go attitude to cooking than being caught up in the science. Connect With Holly: https://www.foodbyhollydavis.com/ Join Jody's Japanese Food Tour October 21st - November 1st, 2025. https://www.jodyvassallo.com/food-yoga-tour-of-japan Connect: | |||
| 52 - Jody Vassallo: What Should I Eat? | 22 Aug 2025 | 00:54:29 | |
Today Jody talks about how Ayurveda looks at digestion and how we can learn what foods are best suited for the different body types and their relevant doshas. Digestive fire or agni is dependent on a range of things, the food we consumed yesterday and how it was broken down, our prana, sleep and lifestyle choices. When digestive fire it can not only impact our digestive system, it can lead to a change in our mood and our behaviour. Jody discusses the six tastes and the elements that make up each taste and how each one of the six tastes impacts the doshas. Download PDF: Ayurvedic Six Tastes Connect: | |||
| 51 - Jody Vassallo: Understanding Your Body in Perimenopause. | 15 Aug 2025 | 01:06:39 | |
In today's episode Jody touches on the common physical and emotional symptoms she sees in Perimenopause from an Ayurvedic perspective. Weight gain, anxiety, hot flashes, anger, forgetfulness, waking up between 1-3am are all ways that our bodies are trying to communicate with us to stay something is not right, something is out of balance, something needs to change and it is up to us whether we choose to listen or medicate the messages. If you are looking for help navigating your way through perimenopause book an Ayurvedic session with Jody to find out how to better understand the body your are living in. Connect: | |||
| 50 - Jody Vassallo: The Qualities of the Doshas. | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:56:29 | |
Today Jody talks about the qualities of each of the Ayurvedic Doshas and how they show up in the body, mind and emotions. She explains how Ayurveda balances disturbances in the qualities of the Doshas by treating with the opposite quality in another Dosha. For example, if your Vata is out of balance and your skin is dry you start incorporating ghee into your diet to balance the dryness. This is part one of a three part series with Jody that will cover the Doshas and provide simple ways to understand your body from an Ayurvedic perspective. Find Out What Dosha You Are With The Evaluation Chart: Interested In Starting Your Own Podcast? Connect with Sovereign Creator Connect: | |||
| 49 - Lisa FItzpatrick: Sexy Menopause. | 01 Aug 2025 | 01:00:43 | |
*Caution this conversation contains references to sexual assault. Today pelvic floor and sexual therapist Lisa Fitzpatrick returns to Changing Seasons podcast to speak to Jody about Sexy Menopause. Lisa believes it is possible for every woman to enjoy sex throughout perimenopause and beyond and describes the blocks standing in the way of women doing so. We discuss how women store tension and past trauma in the pelvic and how if it is not addressed it can lead to them experiencing pain, discomfort and lack of interest in sex during perimenopause. Lisa explains that many women have focused so much on tightening their core and pelvic floor in exercises like pilates that they now have such a tight pelvic floor it is leading to other problems. Lisa gives us a full run down on the styles of vibrators that women need to use if they are having problems with vaginal atrophy, why clitoral stimulating vibrators are not recommended for this and how overuse of vibrators can be problematic and why. We review the wide range of sexual lubricants available and the best and safest ones to use and why. Lisa also talks about silicon menstrual cups and how their use is being questioned now as it has been associated to organ prolapse. This is a comprehensive episode in which we cover so many questions women in menopause have about how to rediscover their sexuality and confidence in midlife. Web: Instagram: Book: Sexy Menopuase due February 2026 Substack: Blog: New subscribers receive 2 freebies. https://femininebodyspeaks.substack.com/ Connect: | |||
| 48 - Lucette Romy: No Greater Grief. | 25 Jul 2025 | 01:19:20 | |
Today on the podcast Jody speaks with Lucette Romy about the death of her baby boy Dash. Lucette birthed Dash at home and the birth was beautiful and without complications. However, six hours after his birth Dash's colour had not improved and after checking with their birth keeper and then their GP they finally made the decision to call paramedics. Unfortunately Dash did not survive. His body was sent away for an autopsy and Lucette describes how this was one of the hardest things for her to reconcile but how the results of the autopsy helped give her answers to the questions that had been plaguing her. Lucette talks to Jody about how Dash's passing has impacted her relationships with friends and how difficult it has been to continue living in the Northern Rivers surrounded by families with young children. She describes how challenging it has been to get back into her body after the horrible events that occured on that day and that how she still feels easily triggered by day to day events. Connecting with other women who have experienced the death of a child has been incredibly soothing for Lucette and her partner Tom. Lucette has started a podcast called Sanamama that allows other women to share their stories of child loss and has created the opportunity for these women to find comfort in a community where they can feel seen and heard. Connect with Lucette: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucetteromy/ Link Tree: Connect: | |||
| 65 - Know Your Element, Know Yourself with Ashley Abbs. | 21 Nov 2025 | 01:33:16 | |
Today Jody welcomes author, acupuncturist and artist Ashley Abbs to the podcast to speak about the five different personality types in Chinese Medicine. Ashley describes in detail the occupation that each element is drawn to, the way they approach challenges or setbacks and what sends them out of balance. We discuss how each element is impacted by perimenopause and Ashley gives some helpful tips that she uses with clients to help restore balance. This is a fascinating episode for anyone who is interested in understanding more about themselves through the lens of Chinese medicine. Book: Five Element Alchemy https://www.ashleyabbs.com/5elementalchemybook Website: https://www.ashleyabbs.com/acupuncture Connect: | |||
| 47 - Paula Rastrick: Is It Your Nervous System Or Your Hormones? | 18 Jul 2025 | 01:25:10 | |
Today Jody speaks to Trauma Therapist Paula Rastrick about how the nervous system impacts our hormones. Paula shares her story of being prescribed HRT and the complications that arose from being over prescribed estrogen. Following this she embarked upon a journey of trying to understand how trauma and a disregulated nervous system can play havoc with a womens hormones in puberty, pregnancy and perimenopause. Paula believes that we need to learn how to stay within our Window of Tolerance by learning how to strengthen the Vagus Nerve and describes some of the practices we can do to develop vagus tone. We discuss the relationship between estrogen and progesterone and testosterone and Paula explains why high levels of cortisol can play havoc with our hormones. Paula emphasises the importance of recognising when our bodies need rest and why high intensity exercise in perimenopause can often lead to injury. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation and touch on how to stop HRT if you realise it is not working for you and the dangers of not withdrawing safely, bleeding whilst on HRT and the physical and mental health problems that can arise from having too much estogen in your system. Connect with Paula: Upcoming Book: Out late 2025 Sensitive Women: A trauma informed, neurodiverse approach to hormonal sensitivity Instagram: Website: Reference: Dr Arielle Schwartz PHD Resilience Informed Therapy Strengthening the Vagus Nerve Connect: | |||
| 46 - Shonali Sabherwal: Gut Health Is Everything. | 11 Jul 2025 | 00:46:27 | |
Today Jody speaks to Shonali Sabherwal Macrobiotic Nutritionist & Chef about the Macrobiotic and Ayurvedic approach to gut health. Shonali shares that she has attended a Panchakarma (an Ayurvedic detox protocol) once a year since she was in her 20's. She discusses what the 3 week protocol involves in Panchakarma and why anything shorter than 21 days is not recommended. We discuss how gut health can impact the skin, the hair and our brain and how these days there are so many environmental factors impacting our gut in a negative way. Get In Touch: Website: soulfoodshonali.com Instagram: @soulfoodshonali Connect: | |||
| 45 - Nicole Lange: Trauma and How It Can Impact Fertility. | 04 Jul 2025 | 01:07:35 | |
Nicole Lange is an acupuncturist who has a Masters in Chinese Medicine, she has spent her entire career focused on working with women. Today she chats with Jody about her wholistic approach to supporting women through their fertility journey. We speak about the impact trauma can have on women's fertility and how the process of trying to fall pregnant can be a traumatic experience for some women. Nicole believes that it is essential for women to understand that their bodies need to be in a relaxed environment to fall pregnant. She works closely with her clients to educate them about how to prepare for their fertility journey and then how to manage the disappointment of not conceiving and how to move forward after the fertility window comes to an end. We also talk about perimenopause and HRT in this episode. We touch on why it may be beneficial for women to start hormone replacement therapy in their forties instead of leaving until they are in menopause. Nicole describes how women in perimenopause can become YIn deficient as estrogen declines and how estrogen works as a coolant for the body.\ Connect with Nicole: https://www.lifehealinglife.com/ Connect: | |||
| 44 - Sarah Megginson: My Surrogate Journey. | 27 Jun 2025 | 01:02:24 | |
Today Sarah Megginson returns to the podcast to speak with Jody about her decision to be a surrogate for her friend Lisa Messenger. Sarah had given birth to three healthy children of her own and at the same time had watched Lisa and her partner go through many years of failed IVF attempts. One day she asked LIsa if she would be open to her being a surrogate. That was nearly two years ago and Lisa and her partner now have a healthy little boy called Hugo. Jody and Sarah speak in depth about what a woman needs to take into account if she is thinking of becoming a surrogate for a friend or a family member. We speak about the laws in Australia and how it is illegal to be paid a fee to carry another woman's child here. Sarah describes her experience of needing to change Hugo's birth certificate after the birth and the time it took for him to legally be recognised as Lisa and Steven's children. In this conversation we cover the IVF process and how the surrogacy journey took around 2 years from start to finish. Links: Purchase The Book - The Power of Two https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/the-power-of-two-by-lisa-messenger/9780645869019 Connect: | |||
| 43 - How the Changing Seasons Impact Us with Jody Vassallo. | 20 Jun 2025 | 00:44:00 | |
In today's episode Jody explores how the changing seasons of the year impact each of the different Doshas. Ayurveda says that we need to protect our bodies around the junctions of the seasons and we discuss how Vata types need to take extra care in the transition from Summer to Autumn. Kapha from Winter into Spring and pitta from Spring into Summer. Jody then discusses the different seasons of life - Kapha 0-18yrs, Pitta 18-45 yrs and Kapha 45-death and speaks about how each of these life seasons impacts the constitutions. Connect: | |||
| 42 - Dr Jimi Wollumbin: The Distressing State of Male Fertility. | 13 Jun 2025 | 01:28:55 | |
Today Dr Jimi Wollumbin returns to chat with Jody about the distressing state of male fertility across the globe. Jimi shares disturbing research figures on the declining rates of male fertility across all age groups of men. We speak about the negative impact that increased exposure to toxic substances in our environment is having on male sperm count, sperm motility and testosterone levels. A man with low testerone will struggle with how they interact with women and also how they see themselves. JImi stresses that we have had the role of testosterone in the male body all wrong, for years it was believed that increased testosterone led to aggression in men and now those findings have been debunked and we are realising that men and boys need testosterone for both their physical and mental health. Jimi highlights the mental health crisis facing men of all ages and how that matters when it comes to fertility. This conversation is important listening for everyone, as men struggle to be understood by women and find their place in the world. We touch on Jimi's new online course The Unwounded Warrior that is designed to help men reconnect with their physical and soulful vitality as a man. This course will empower men and deepen their understanding of men's health, wellness and wisdom. How to connect with Dr Jimi: Registrations - The Unwounded Warrior Instagram: @drjimiwollumbin Website & Newsletter: Connect: | |||
| 41 - Psychological Characteristics Of The Doshas. | 06 Jun 2025 | 00:43:44 | |
Today Jody is speaking about the psychological characteristics of the Ayurvedic constitutions (doshas) Vata, Pitta, Kapha. The intention of this episode is to help listeners understand why they behave in the way they do. Jody talks about how the different elements - air, space, fire, water and earth can impact how we live our lives, make the choices we make and find it difficult to break out of unhealthy patterns. Each constitution has its strengths and challenges and often people can take the characteristics of their constitution personally and tell themselves there is something wrong with them that needs fixing. After many years working with Ayurvedic clients Jody has come to see that by helping clients understand their innate nature she can support them to make sustainable desired changes. Understanding themselves through the lens of Ayurveda allows people to have more compassion for themselves about perhaps some tasks are harder to start, why time is so difficult to manage, why they are so impatient with themselves and why letting go of unhealthy relationships is more difficult for some people. Connect: | |||
| 40 - Jody Vassallo: Babies Aren't Made By Wishing. | 30 May 2025 | 00:45:41 | |
Today Jody speaks about her personal failed fertility journey. After realising in her mid-forties that she may not meet the man of her dreams and have a family she embarked on a solo mission to have a child. She chose to start with sperm donorship. Approaching male friends first to see if they may be open to donation, after coming to a dead end there she moved onto the internet and interviewed many doctors before finding an anaesthetist who agreed to help her. Failing there she ended up in a fertility clinic where she tried IUI then IVF. Jody talks vulnerably about how difficult she found the whole IVF process and the surprise she felt about the effects the hormones had on her relationship with her body. After several years of failed attempts Jody came to the realisation that becoming a mother would not be a reality for her this time around. She reveals how she dealt with the grief and isolation she experienced following this. Connect: | |||
| 39 - Lola Berry: So you want to freeze your embryos? You may need your therapist on speed dial. | 23 May 2025 | 00:52:27 | |
Today Jody talks to nutritionist, actor and presenter Lola Berry about her and her partner Matt's decision to freeze her embryos instead of eggs. Their choice to delay having a family came after Lola chose to leave her life in Australia to pursue her dream career in acting and presenting in Los Angeles. Lola is honest and totally open about the IVF process, the harvesting of the egg and the agonising days after the eggs are fertilised where Lola discovered that not all embryos will survive or be considered viable for freezing. Mental health was something Lola was vigilant about throughout the entire egg cultivation process and she stresses that she believes anyone embarking on the IVF journey would benefit from the support of a mental health professional. Lola highlights how valuable her good friends were during the process, they listened and gave her information she needed. She talks about how she felt she made a mistake sharing her process in real time on social media as it put her in a situation where she was dealing with other people's experiences when she needed to be focused on her own. Anyone who is considering freezing their eggs would benefit from the step by step description that Lola offers in this episode. She shares vulnerably and authentically about the parts she found difficult and the pieces that caught her by surprise and how she at times needed emergency appointments with her therapists to cope with the choice she had made. How to connect with Lola: Instagram: @yummololaberry Podcast: Fearlessly Failing Connect: | |||
| 38 - Catie Gett: My Experience with HRT (Part 2). | 16 May 2025 | 01:01:45 | |
Today Catie Gett returns to discuss her ongoing experience with HRT. Catie speaks about how HRT is not a fix all and that women need to monitor its efficacy and communicate their symptoms with their doctor. Up until now Catie has been using patches and she is considering changing to a hormone cream or Mirena as she is starting to experience a return in her anxiety. We cover plenty of ground in this conversation, revisiting how essential it is to monitor our exposure to stress in perimenopause as it can impact the adrenals ability to produce estrogen and progesterone if we don't, Catie highlights the joy that she has found in perimenopause from being able to focus on herself and pull back from needing to take care of everyone else. This is a wonderful episode for anyone who is considering HRT and is wanting to hear from a naturopath with lived experience of navigating the path. Connect with Catie: Website: Connect: | |||
| 64 - Stop Asking Others. Your Body Knows with Nidhi Pandya. | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:44:52 | |
In today's episode of Changing Seasons Jody welcomes Ayurvedic Practitioner, teacher and author Nidhi Pandya to speak about her new book 'Your Body Already Knows'. Nidhi shares how growing up and sharing her home with her grandfather whose life was deeply informed by Ayurvedic wisdom informed how she views health and wellness. She believes that we have become so conditioned to asking others to prescribe what is right for us that we have lost touch with the inner wisdom of the body. In her book Nidhi shares the three principles that she advocates that can help us understand and realign with our bodies - circadian rhythms, inner climate (warm and moist) and understanding the three phases of life (building, transformation and decay). I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Book: Your Body Already Knows Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_ayurvedic_life/?hl=en Website: https://www.nidhi.me/ Connect: | |||
| 37 - Improve Your Agni And Heal Your Digestion And Hormones with Myra Lewin. | 09 May 2025 | 00:58:28 | |
Today Jody speaks with Myra Lewin, founder of Hale Pule about the power of Agni (digestive fire) and how by healing our digestion we can bring our hormones into balance and also change our bodies. We cover many topics in this episode starting with our dosha and the difference between our Prakriti (constitution) and Vikriti (imbalance) and how important it is to be aware of how our bodies are feeling everyday, after we eat, move and exercise. Myra speaks about overeating and the negative impact it had on her own health which eventually led to a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis that she has now healed from by strengthening her agni and improving her digestive system. We speak about the Food Lists and how they can lead to disordered eating and people not listening to their bodies. Recently protein has become a focus in women's diets and Myra explains why this can be problematic and how it can elevate Pitta (fire) in the body. So many great takeaways for everyone in this episode and plenty of inspiration to nourish your digestive system by eating the right food for the season in the appropriate quantities to help optimise your health. Instagram: Podcast Everyday Ayurveda and Yoga at Hale Pule Website: Connect: | |||
| 36 - Using Ayurveda to Find Calm & Beauty in Menopause with Christina Covington. | 02 May 2025 | 01:02:24 | |
Today Jody speaks to Ayurvedic Practitioner Christina Covington about how we can use Ayurveda to find beauty in the menopausal journey. We discuss the importance and value in having a regular self care routine (Dinacharya) and how the practice of Abyhanga (self-massage) can bring calming and softening to the body and spirit. Christina describes a gentle morning practice that women can do to welcome in the elements and emphasizes the importance of slowing down and letting go of old ways of doing life. Website: https://www.embodyedayurveda.com/ 10 Day Re-alignment & Ama (toxin) cleanse - Book Here May 11th-20th, 2025 Connect: | |||
| 35 - Why Tending To Our Fascia Is So Vital To Our Health with Brooke McPoyle. | 24 Apr 2025 | 01:02:45 | |
Today Jody speaks with Brooke McPoyle about the body's scaffolding system - the fascia. We talk about what it is, it's role in the body and why keeping it hydrated is so important as we age. Brooke describes her experience with Plantar Fasciitis and how often prescribed treatments are not working on the problem area. Emotions are stored in the fascia and we highlight how breath and song can help greatly in relieving the body of stress and tension. Brooke challenges the current treatment for injury - R.I.C.E and argues why it is outdated and unsuitable for healing. She highlights the benefits of yin yoga and why it is an excellent way of working with the fascia. This is a fascinating episode with so many aha moments. Links: Instagram: Website Courses: Connect: | |||
| 34 - Is it Perimenopause or Hashimoto’s or Both? With Libby Munro. | 18 Apr 2025 | 01:09:19 | |
Today Jody interviews Libby Munro, a nutritionist who specialises in the auto immune disease Hashimoto’s, thyroid and gut health. Libby describes the symptoms of Hashi’s – hair loss, moon face, brain fog, temperature regulation, insomnia, muscle and bone loss and talks about the crossover with symptoms of perimenopause. We speak about the treatment options for women living with Hashi’s and how stress needs to be addressed as cortisol is a major trigger for the disease. Libby encourages all women with Hashi’s to ensure they are consuming adequate protein for their body weight and gives recommendations for suitable protein powders. Gluten is not advised for those with Hashi’s as it suppressed thyroid function and Libby also suggests women monitor the way their body reacts to dairy and sugar. Fibre plays an important role in gut health and we discuss how women in perimenopause with Hashi’s can benefit from increasing fibre as their digestive system is impact as hormones change in this stage of life. Links: www.libbymunronutrition.com.au Courses: Heal my Hashi’s Power & Peace Positive menopause Join the waitlist or book a consultation here: https://www.libbymunronutrition.com.au/specialisedtreatment Join the Heal my Hashis community! If you purchase the Heal my Hashis protocol you will have automatic access to the member's portal - with the option to upgrade to the Premium member's lounge. https://protocol.libbymunronutrition.com.au/heal-my-hashis Connect: | |||
| 33 - What Menopause Does to Women's Wealth with Sarah Megginson & Simone Clarke. | 11 Apr 2025 | 01:05:12 | |
Today Jody speaks with Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert and Simone Clarke from UN CEO United Nations Women Australia. Sarah and Simone are two of the authors of the State of Women's Wealth Report 2025. They report the menopause can mean an average hit of $40,000 to a women's superannuation balance. We discuss ways that women can reduce this impact by contributing more to superannuation in the years leading up to menopause and how we should all be encouraging our daughters to be more mindful about investing in their future at a younger age. Women 50+ are the fastest growing demographic experiencing homelessness in Australia and the fastest growing single person household. These women can be driven into these circumstances through divorce, needing to stop work to care for aging parents, illness, lack of superannuation, working part time or working casually. We highlight the need for women to address financial problems as they arise instead of burying their heads in the sand. We talk about where women can go for support and the type of support that is available to them. This is an episode every woman needs to listen to, no matter what age you are. Links: https://www.finder.com.au/insights/state-of-womens-wealth-report-2025 State Of Women's Health Report https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2025/04/Finder-State-Of-Womens-Wealth-Report-2025.pdf Connect: | |||
| 32 - We Are Addicted to Yang with Dr. Anny Fodor. | 04 Apr 2025 | 01:16:39 | |
Today Jody speaks with Dr Anny Fodor about women's approach to perimenopause and how we need less not more in our lives. Anny discusses the importance of slowing down, listening in and disconnecting from all of the noise of the outside world. Anny talks about the benefits of Qi Gong in supporting the joints and the bones and how she has a vision of every household prioritising touch as a way of supporting our systems. Website: https://www.annybodywellness.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annybodywellness/?hl=en Connect: | |||
| 31 - Making Ayurveda Accessible to Everyone with Gabriel Perera. | 28 Mar 2025 | 01:26:29 | |
In todays conversation with Gabriel Perera Founder and CEO of Wellness brand Ora Health. Jody talks about her journey with the teachings of Ayurveda. She shares how in the first 5 years of practising Ayurveda she was quite rigid in her approach, then overtime her approach has softened. Jody and Gabriel discuss practitioner guilt that comes from feeling one has to always be healthy unless they have a sense of failing in the wellness world. We cover dinacharya (a daily routine) and how to follow a schedule that suits you and is sustainable. This is a wonderful conversation that covers plenty of ground about making Ayurveda accessible to the modern world. Website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orahealthau/ Connect: | |||
| 30 - Understanding the Root Cause of Menopausal Symptoms with Elyse Comerford. | 21 Mar 2025 | 01:09:56 | |
Today Jody speaks with Integrative Nutritionist and GAPS Practitioner Elyse Comerford about how she works with women to help the understand the root causes of their menopausal symptoms Elyse describes how exposure to harmful chemicals, liver congestion, thyroid issues and adrenal function all contribute to the problems women experience during perimenopause and menopause. We discuss how the decision to take HRT is an individual choice and that no women should feel pressured or ashamed about the option they feel is right for them. Elyse highlights the problem that occurs with any long term hormone use is that it impacts on the body's own ability to produce that hormone. We cover a lot of ground in this episode. An excellent episode for anyone who looking to be fully informed about the questions they can ask, the tests they may want to order to assess their thyroid function, iodine levels and menopause symptoms. Instagram: Website: Menopause Masterclass March 29, 2025 - $29 Book for this class and receive another masterclass free simply email support@wellbellyhealth.com.au Connect: | |||
| 29 - How Our Bodies Respond To Perceived Threats with Dr Olivia Lesslar. | 15 Mar 2025 | 01:13:18 | |
Today Jody speaks with Dr Olivia Lesslar about psychoneuroimmunology and how our brain communicates with the body when it perceives it is under threat. Olivia breaks down the 8 ancient survival threats and explains that we are now living in a world where humans are constantly being bombarded with messages that tell the brain that our safety is at risk. Dr Lesslar explains the difference between a disease and a syndrome and how work involves getting the patient to acknowledge that unexplained symptoms are a result of the body trying to protect them. We discuss the impact food has on our bodies and how our relationship to eating can transform our health. This is a wonderfully inspiring episode and hopefully this is the beginning of a new approach to integrative health. Links: Instagram: @drolivialesslar LinkedIn: @drolivialesslar Consultations: Cingulum Health https://www.cingulumhealth.com/ Connect: | |||
| 28 - Menopause - The Long Game with Jody Vassallo. | 08 Mar 2025 | 01:00:36 | |
Today Jody speaks about some of the current hot topics in the perimenopause and menopause arena. How much protein should we be eating and is eating 120g a day making you very Pitta - hot and smelly. Are you taking care of your bones and if you are Vata how you need to be very aware and cautious in your approach. Brain health and how in Ayurveda it is directly related to gut health which is still something that isn't given much press. Jody talks about the spiritual nature of the menopause journey and how important it is for women to listen to their own bodies through this process. She discusses HRT and the importance of finding a good doctor who knows what they are talking about and is prepared to invest their time into helping you navigate the ever changing hormonal landscape. If you want to learn more about Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and navigate menopause with like minded women why not join Jody's online membership Gather. Gather Membership: Connect: | |||
| 63 - Jody Vassallo: Returning to Balance with Ayurveda. | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:41:50 | |
Today Jody discusses how we can balance our doshas when they go out of balance. We look at what we can do with nature, sight, sound, mantra, exercise and emotionally to help settle us. Ayurveda uses the opposite quality to help treat an imbalance so if your body is dry you will need to use moisture internally and externally to remedy that, if your body is cold eating warm cooked food will be beneficial. This is a great episode for anyone who is new to Ayurveda and looking to understand how to treat their body holistically to bring it back into balance. Connect: | |||
| 27 - The Spiritual Nature of Perimenopause with Kris Gonzalez. | 28 Feb 2025 | 01:20:03 | |
Today Jody chats with Kris Gonzalez about walking a conscious path through perimenopause. Kris is an acupuncturist and educator who spends most of her time these days bringing awareness to how to help women transition into perimenopause gently. Our conversation talks about the influence of the breath on the bowel and how important it is in perimenopause for women to be breathing in a relaxed manner. We also speak about the perimenopause as the autumn season of a woman's life and how we can see dryness in the skin, weight gain, inflammation in the joints and a decline in energy. Website: Instagram: Connect: | |||
| 26 - The Importance of Healing Deep Core Wounding with Lisa Darveniza. | 21 Feb 2025 | 00:54:42 | |
Lisa Darveniza is a counsellor, psychotherapist. Growth work teacher and group facilitator and the founder of Awareness Work. She joins Jody today to talk about the importance of healing the core wounding we experience in childhood. Lisa has developed a 6 month program that guides participants through the steps of rediscovering their authentic self. We discuss the positive impact work in a group setting can have on growth and healing as it allows people to see there are not broken or different. After having made this subject her life’s work Lisa believes that people need to be taught how to understand their emotions and be confident enough to feel their emotions instead of avoiding them. Healing takes time and commitment is what she has found so her work now is focused on working with group over a 6 month period which she has found to be totally transformative giving results it would have taken her 4 years to witness in one on one practice. Instagram: Website: Embrace Feelings Audio Free Download Zora Dawn Star Sailing Conference Croatia June 20-28, 2025 Connect: | |||
| 25 - The Wounded Witch & The Unwounded Womb with Dr. Jimi Wollumbin. | 14 Feb 2025 | 01:18:24 | |
Dr Jimi Wollumbin returns today to speak with Jody about The Wounded Witch/ Healer archetype and the magnificent unwounded womb. We speak about the womb being far more than a home for babies and its important role of connecting a woman to her soul. In this episode Jimi introduces us to the world of mythopoetic thinking which helps us understand a concept through the lens of myth. He speaks about the importance of owning our wounds if we want to become healers. Suffering is an essential part of life that is taking us close to our true selves and it is an essential part of human evolution.We discuss how grief can be utilized as a gateway into understanding our darkness, mystery, madness and light. Jimi introduces us to his new course The Unwounded Womb see the link below. Links: The Unwounded Womb Course: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe40unu2ZlktBZVeAq1MQDgj7WAwQJGNE9EywdvotXpH9SnAA/viewform USE PROMO CODE: CHANGING SEASONS to receive 15% off Instagram: @drjimiwollumbin Website: doctorjimi.com Connect: | |||
| 24 - How Your Adrenals Manage Cortisol & Estrogen with Catie Gett | 07 Feb 2025 | 01:21:36 | |
In this episode Catie talks about her personal perimenopause journey. As a naturopath entering this phase of life in burnout meant she was acutely aware that had to closely manage her health, especially her adrenals. She became vigilant about avoiding cortisol spikes and started making big changes to her life. Catie reveals how she decided to give HRT a go for 3 months after being exhausted and at her wits end after expeiencing a period that had lasted 3 weeks. This is a must listen episode . Online Course: Perimenopause Decoded https://thestaplestore.com.au/pages/perimenopause-survival-guide Website: Instagram: Books: Notes to my Daughter Notes to my Son Connect: | |||
| 23 - The magic of fasting the heart and mind with Tahnee Taylor | 31 Jan 2025 | 01:36:34 | |
In todays episode Jody speaks with Tahnee Taylor. Tahnee is a Taoist energetic teacher, yin yoga teacher, mother to 3 beautiful babes and owner of Superfeast with her husband Mason. Jody and Tahnee talk about traditional approaches to menopause and how menopause is considered to be the autumn of a woman’s life in Chinese medicine. Tahnee explains the principles of Wu Wei the Taoist concept of non-doing and meeting things as they are instead of where you would like them to be. We discuss how menopause is a time where a woman is required to let go of preconceived ideas about how her life and body should look and surrender to the yin phase of deep mystery. There is so much gold in this episode we cover a lot of ground and question many of the current recommendations around what women should be doing in this stage of life. Links: Enrol in Tahnee’s Taoist Energetics course starting mid Feb 2025: Connect: | |||
| 22 - Reflecting on my menopausal journey with Jody Vassallo | 24 Jan 2025 | 01:12:20 | |
In this episode Jody speaks about her menopausal journey. She reflects on the changes she has seen in the menopausal arena, in the science and the recommendations around hormone replacement therapy. Jody looks at how grief has been ongoing for her as she navigates the autumn of her life and she speaks honestly and vulnerably about how she struggled to make her peace with the non-negotiable changes that were happening to her life, body and brain. Connect: | |||
| 21 - The Pelvic Floor - what all women need to know with Kim Vopini | 17 Jan 2025 | 00:58:42 | |
In this episode Jody talks with Kim Vopini, Vagina Coach, about all things pelvic floor. We discuss prolapse, incontinence, urgency and hormones. Kim shares her personal experience with prolapse and Jody reveals her own journey and how strengthening the pelvic floor may not be a good thing and why. This is an episode you won't want to miss. We cover so many topics including vaginal estrogen and the benefits women can experience from using it. Connect: | |||
| 20 - Learning how to honour the “pause” with Edwina Peden | 20 Dec 2024 | 01:11:17 | |
Edwina Peden guides women through perimenopause using the wisdom of Ayurveda. As a perimenopausal women herself Edwina has learnt to honour rest. Edwina notices how her mood, energy and interactions with her two young boys is impacted if she doesn’t pause more often these days. Nature is a medicine she uses to help calm herself and her clients. Instagram: @edwina_peden Connect: | |||
| 19 - Navigating perimenopause without HRT as an option with Jane McCann | 12 Dec 2024 | 01:03:33 | |
Jane McCann is a total inspiration for any aging woman. She has embraced this stage of life with vigour and has no fear around speaking up about the lack of options available to perimenopausal women who have a history of cancer or cancer in their family that means HRT is not an option for them. After being offering anti-depressants that didn’t work for her Jane found herself alone and unsupported by the medical profession during perimenopause. Doctors were unable to offer her any solutions for treatments so she had to work it out herself. She discovered therapy, Chinese medicine, lifting weights and giving up alcohol were life changing for her. Instagram: @middleagedgoddess Connect: | |||
| 18 - Trauma and how it can resurface during perimenopause with Lucy Slater | 05 Dec 2024 | 01:04:18 | |
Lucy Slater is a Somatic psychotherapist who helped people come home to their bodies and feel their emotions. Jody talks to Lucy about how important it is for women on their perimenopausal women to acknowledge and feel their feelings and what happens if they discount their emotions in this season of life. Disturbances in sleep, digestion and fatigue are symptoms women can encounter if they are bypassing their feelings. We discuss how hormonal changes can impact our feelings and Lucy shares simple somatic practices women can do at home to release big emotions from their bodies. Instagram: @seedpsychotherapy Website: Seedpsychotherapy.com Connect: | |||
| 62 - Edwina Peden: The Perimenopause Summit - Navigating Perimenopause and Self-Care. | 30 Oct 2025 | 01:11:21 | |
Edwina sits down with Ayurvedic health coach and author Jody Vassallo for a candid, nourishing conversation on meeting perimenopause as a rite of passage - not a problem to “fix.” Through the lenses of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jody shares the practices, foods, and mindset shifts that cooled her hot flushes, eased anxiety, and helped her honour this season with grace. Expect practical guidance (hello, coriander–cumin–fennel tea), nervous-system care (yin yoga, Yoga Nidra, breath), and a powerful reminder to slow down, listen, and trust your body. Key takeaways:
Gentle guide: Doshas & simple supports:
Practises, recipes & tips mentioned:
Connect: | |||
| 17 - How I managed modelling and perimenopause by moving towards challenges with Kate Bell | 29 Nov 2024 | 01:07:19 | |
Today Jody speaks with Gen X model, writer and yoga teacher Kate Bell about her experience working in the modelling as a perimenopausal woman and what it was like being the oldest woman in the room. Instagram: @i_am_katebell Connect: | |||
| 16 - Grey area drinking and how it can slowly unravel your life with Sarah Rusbatch | 21 Nov 2024 | 00:57:05 | |
Sarah Rusbatch is the author of the best-selling book “Beyond Booze”. She is a Grey Area Drinking Coach, menopause coach and key note speaker who shares about her journey to sobriety. In todays conversation we discuss the following:
Sarah runs a 30 day alcohol free program and works with women all over the world to help them lead happy, empowered sober lives Website: Instagram: Connect: | |||
| 15 - Nourishing oneself throughout perimenopause with Dr Lauren Tober | 14 Nov 2024 | 00:57:24 | |
Dr Lauren Tober is a clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, educator and author. Her new book Mental Health Aware yoga is a must have for any yoga teacher. In today’s episode here are some of the questions we have covered:
Website: www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com My new book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers Order today at: www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book Connect: | |||
| 14 - How to maintain health and balance with Brad Hay. | 07 Nov 2024 | 01:07:35 | |
Today Jody speaks with Brad Hay. Brad is an Ayurvedic & Tantra Teacher, father and builder. We talk about how Brad manages the stresses of young children, a mortgage and a busy life using Ayurvedic wisdom. Jody and Brad discuss the different challenges the 3 Ayurvedic constitutions (doshas) come up against as they age and how knowing your weak points can help you avoid burn out. Brad highlights the magic practice of Yoga Nidra and why he recommends that everyone introduce the practice into their days if they are feeling stretched and stressed. Instagram: Website: Connect: | |||