Explore every episode of the podcast Changing Seasons: Ayurveda, Women’s Health, Menopause & Food as Medicine
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 13 - Ayurveda & achieving good gut health in perimenopause with Kate O’Donnell | 31 Oct 2024 | 00:42:46 | |
Today Jody speaks to Kate O’Donnell Ayurvedic Educator and Author about the importance of good gut health as we enter perimenopause. Kate encourages us to include good fats in our diet to avoid dryness that naturally occurs in our body as we age according to Ayurveda. We discuss why leaving adequate time between our meals with aid digestion and how snacking can negatively impact some constitutions. Kate beautifully describes the process of digestion and encourages us to learn to observe our own digestive system and begin to understand the changes that are occurring in our bodies as we enter menopause. Instagram: Website:
Connect: | |||
| 12 - Ayurveda teaches us that nature is regenerative & so are we because we are nature with Laura Plumb | 24 Oct 2024 | 00:58:54 | |
Jody speaks to Laura Plumb, Ayurvedic practitioner and educator about the elder phase in which a woman becomes ready to pass on the chores to the next generation and we rest and consider what is their legacy and purpose. Laura stresses the most fundamental thing a woman can do in their fifties is to find a way to believe in themselves and know their true value. They discuss the importance of having your own relationship with the elements instead of reading and researching. Laura asks would you rather be an encyclopedia than a medicine woman. Laura encourages us to welcome menopause as it prepares us for the next phase of life. She invites us to allow our feelings at this phase of life as we want to soften, not stiffen. We talk about the importance of consuming the six tastes and how they impact our health and longevity. https://food-alovestory.com/ayurveda-cooking-for-beginners-my-book/ Connect: | |||
| 11 - Meditation, mindfulness and perimenopause with Jacqui Lewis | 10 Oct 2024 | 01:12:03 | |
Jacqui Lewis – The Broad Place Jacqui describes her own journey through perimenopause and how she at first struggled to identify what was happening and the shame she felt about entering perimenopause in her early forties. We discuss how meditation is not a silver bullet and that it won’t make us immune to our own human experience and emotions. Jac speaks about how one needs to commit to a daily practice to see results and explains it’s more about how we approach the practice than the time assigned to the practice. Instagram: Website: Connect: | |||
| 10 - My perimenopause & postmenopause journey through an Ayurvedic lens with Jody Vassallo | 03 Oct 2024 | 01:00:22 | |
Jody Vassallo is an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner, cookbook author and yoga teacher. She has written two cookbooks on Ayurveda. Jody has been working in the women's health arena for many years and today she talks about her own journey through perimenopause to postmenopause through the lens of Ayurveda. You can purchase Jody's Ayurvedic cookbook The Yogic Kitchen and find out more about the yoga retreats for women and yin yoga teacher teacher trainings at She has an upcoming Food & Yoga tour of Japan October 5-16, 2024. https://www.jodyvassallo.com/food-yoga-tour-of-japan Connect: | |||
| 9 - Aging, grieving & running a successful online business in perimenopause with Amy Crawford | 26 Sep 2024 | 01:04:00 | |
In today’s episode Jody chats with beautiful Amy Crawford owner of The Holistic Ingredient an online store, host of the podcast Woman, Conversations for the curious. Jody and Amy discuss:
Amy Crawford, founder of The Holistic Ingredient lifestyle brand, is dedicated to inspiring and empowering women to achieve optimal wellness. She is a qualified health coach and Practitioner of NLP, EFT, Hypnosis, and CTC therapy. Amy hosts the popular podcast series 'Woman, Conversations for the Curious', delving into More recently, Amy launched The Holistic Ingredient lifestyle store, offering a personally curated, eco-friendly range of products to celebrate daily moments of joy, nourishment, and beauty. Instagram: Website: Connect: | |||
| 8 - Can you create a sattvic life in perimenopause with 5 kids and a business? with Katie Rose | 19 Sep 2024 | 01:02:42 | |
In this episode Katie Rose and I speak about the importance of living a Sattvic life and how modern life keeps us on this hamster wheel that is challenging to remove ourselves from. We speak about Bhakti, what is and simple Bhakti practices we can incorporate into our lives Katie reflects on being a mother of 5 and a business owner in her forties and how she manages it all with her less in more approach. We speak about rajasic food and stimulants like coffee and alcohol and the price we can pay for choosing to keep them in our lives as we age. Katie Rose is a women’s wellness mentor and educator with twenty five years of experience teaching yoga and Ayurveda. Founder and host of the annual Bhakti Women Online Summit, Kate helps women go from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to living a life that is aligned with their highest values. She lives in Sydney, Australia with her five children in a loud and busy household where her spiritual practices and prayerful connection to the Divine keep her steady. Instagram: Website: Connect: | |||
| 7 - The impact chemicals are having on your health and hormones with Alexx Stuart | 12 Sep 2024 | 01:11:30 | |
In this episode Jody talks with Alex about all things Low Tox and how chemicals can impact women and men as they age. We cover a lot of ground in this podcast talking about:
Alexx Stuart is an educator and change agent who founded Low Tox Life in 2010 after seeing the lack of transparency in our food system, personal care and cleaning products. She’s built a movement that’s non-judgmental, positive, and says low tox peeps are a force to be reckoned with. Alexx is the author of Low Tox Life & Low Tox Food. The Low Tox Life website has a large selection of courses you can purchase if you are looking to learn more about living a low tox life. Instagram: Connect: | |||
| 6 - Invisibility And Aging And Why 40 Is Not The New 30 with Jane Tara. | 05 Sep 2024 | 00:58:48 | |
Today Jody talks to Jane Tara author of Tilda is Visible, a comedic novel about Tilda who is diagnosed with invisibility in her mid forties. Jody and Jane speak in depth about:
Jane Tara has published over 100 children’s books, several plays and five novels. She is a daily meditator, a sucker for a rescue mutt and mother to her two beautiful sons. Connect: | |||
| 5 - The Benefits Of Tonic Herbs & Medicinal Mushrooms with Mason Taylor | 29 Aug 2024 | 01:05:53 | |
In 2011 Mason Taylors passion for health and his desire to access the world’s best supplements, herbs and medicinal mushrooms led to the creation of SuperFeast. From humble beginnings in his mum’s garage SuperFeast has grown into Australia’s leading supplier of Di Dao (meaning they are grown in the right area and harvested at the appropriate time) tonic herbs and mushrooms. In this episode Jody and Mason speak about:
Article on Tonic Herbs and Menopause: https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/articles/tonic-herbs-and-menopause Instagram: Website: Connect: | |||
| 4 - Is It Possible To Have A Healthy Intimate Relationship Whilst Navigating Perimenopause? with Scott & Kate Foster | 22 Aug 2024 | 01:21:50 | |
In this episode Jody has an honest conversation with her friends Scott and Kate Foster about what it is like to be a couple navigating peri menopause and menopause. Scott and Kate own Mrs Birdy Café in South Golden Beach on the Northern Rivers in NSW. Scott has 3 beautiful daughters and he and Kate share a daughter. Scott also works as counsellor specialising in eating disorders. Kate has a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Monash University. She moved to the Northern Rivers in 2017 and returned to the stage with the Bangalow Theatre Company. Jody, Scott and Kate discuss the joys of perimenopause and topics they touch on include:
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| 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: | |||
| 3 - Andropause, Menopause And The Wild Nature Of Mid-Life Hormonal Changes with Dr Jimi Wollumbin | 15 Aug 2024 | 01:05:10 | |
In this episode Jody has a fascinating conversation with her medicine man, Dr Jimi Wollumbin. Their discussion touches on:
Dr Jimi Wollumbin is a passionate Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, poet & Herbal Alchemist living on the Northern Rivers of NSW. He is also the CEO and founder of One Health Organisation, a wellness based charity that has distributed over 10 metric tonnes of herbs and supplements to 100 locations across 13 countries since 2005. Website: Connect: | |||
| 2 - 'I Don’t Have The Estrogen For That' with Lisa Fitzpatrick | 08 Aug 2024 | 01:05:47 | |
In this weeks episode Jody chats with her dear friend Lisa Fitzpatrick. Lisa is a Pelvic Floor physiotherapist and owner of Womankind Pelvic Care Physiotherapy. The practice has been created with a commitment to providing a caring, safe, gentle, kind, judgement-free and thorough approach to pelvic care. Jody and Lisa deep dive into many topics today including:
Holistic wellness, yoga, mindfulness meditation, women’s empowerment and women’s health have underpinned Lisa’s personal and working life over the past 3 decades. She has studied and practiced many different yoga styles and meditation techniques to explore ways of facilitating well-being, particularly for women. Lisa has also taught, presented and lectured in women’s physiology and yoga anatomy since 2007, Australia-wide and internationally. She created wellness programs for the corporate world and women’s yoga anatomy manuals for several yoga schools, including pre and postnatal yoga teacher training curriculum. Where to find Lisa: Bangalow Health & Wellbeing Clinic Bangalow Online Pelvic Floor Trainings: 1. The Womankind Pelvic Floor Yoga Teacher Professional Development Online Training - https://feminine-leadership-summit.teachable.com/p/womankind-pelvic-floor-and-hormone-balancing-yoga-teacher-training1 - for health professionals 2. The Explore and Restore the Pelvic Floor Training - for newbies. - https://feminine-leadership-summit.teachable.com/p/explore-and-restore-the-pelvic-floor-online-course Instagram: Connect: | |||
| 1 - 'Living The Medicine Of Subtraction' with Dr Claudia Welch | 31 Jul 2024 | 00:57:21 | |
In our first episode of Changing Seasons Podcast Jody talks with Dr Claudia Welch about perimenopause and menopause through an Ayurvedic lens. Jody and Claudia chat about:
Dr Claudia Welch has been a lifelong student of life and medicine. She has practiced Āyurveda, has worked in Eastern medicine education, is licensed as Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and the author of Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life: Achieving Optimal Health and Wellness Through Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine and Western Science and, The Four Qualities of Effective Physicians: Practical Ayurvedic Wisdom for Modern Physicians. Dr. Welch has lectured internationally on Oriental medicine and Āyurveda, exploring how Eastern medicine applies to Women’s Health, and today’s reality in general. She has served on the teaching faculty of The Āyurvedic Institute, Kripalu School of Ayurveda, Southwest Acupuncture College, and Acupractice Seminars. Website: Menopause Chronicles: Instagram: 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: | |||