Mystic Dog Mama is the podcast for soul-led dog mamas where you will discover how to best nourish your dog - and yourself - mind, body, and soul. Join me, Dr. Alexia Mellor, as I talk with some of the most inspiring pet experts, spiritual leaders, health professionals, and more, as we explore how our dogs are teaching us about what it means to be human. This is the place for inspiring stories, along with practical tips and tricks on how to lead a more holistic, nourished, and soulful life with your canine companion.
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Beyond the Physical: Healing, Intuition and Our Connection with Animals, with Dr Niikee Schoendorfer
Episode 65
Saturday, October 17, 2026 • Duration 01:13:04
What if healing involves more than addressing our physical symptoms? And what if our relationships with our animals have something to teach us about our own health, emotional wellbeing and personal growth?
In this episode of Mystic Dog Mama, I’m joined by Dr Niikee Schoendorfer, whose journey from naturopathic medicine, nutritional biochemistry and scientific research has led her into the world of energy medicine and intuitive healing.
We explore what it means to look beyond the physical body and consider the bigger picture of health - including the emotions, beliefs and patterns that shape our experience. Dr Niikee shares her perspective on the relationship between emotional and physical wellbeing, the effects of stress, and how we can begin to reconnect with ourselves when life leaves us feeling disconnected or out of balance.
We also get practical, exploring how breathwork can help us become more present and reconnect with our inner wisdom. From intuition and trusting what we sense to the role of energy in our experience of the world, this conversation invites us to become curious about dimensions of healing that may sit beyond our usual ways of understanding health.
And, of course, we bring it back to our animals. Could our dogs be catalysts for our own healing and growth? What might our relationships with them reveal about ourselves, and how might the work we do within ourselves change the way we show up for them?
We also venture into a bigger conversation about consciousness, energy and the idea of a New Earth — and what it might mean to live with greater awareness, connection and trust in our own intuitive knowing.
This is an invitation to look at healing from a different perspective: not simply as a battle against what is wrong, but as a process of coming back into balance, reconnecting with ourselves and deepening the relationships that make life meaningful.
If you’ve ever felt that your own wellbeing and your relationship with your dog are more deeply connected than we might ordinarily acknowledge, this conversation is an invitation to explore that connection with curiosity.
Because nourishing our dogs - and ourselves - mind, body and soul begins with being open to what we might discover.
Get your free copy of The Mystic Dog Mma Nourishment Starter Kit: mysticdogmama.com
Join my free community, The Nourished Pack: facebook.com/groups/thenourishedpack
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a fellow dog mama and leave a review. It helps more people discover Mystic Dog Mama and join us in exploring what it means to live a more connected, nourished life with our dogs.
This podcast is for education and exploration and is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent illness or to replace individual veterinary or professional advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and should be considered alongside the available evidence and appropriate professional guidance.
What If We're Looking at Your Dog's Health All Wrong? Cybernetics, Systems and Whole-Body Health with Dr Tom Lonsdale
Saturday, October 3, 2026 • Duration 01:40:07
What if we stopped looking at our dogs as a collection of parts — and started looking at them as living systems?
What if the symptom we're looking at isn't the whole story?
What if health isn't simply about identifying the broken part and fixing it, but about understanding the complex web of communication, feedback, environment and relationship happening within the whole organism?
In this episode of the Mystic Dog Mama podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Tom Lonsdale for our third conversation together, and we dive into one of his favourite — and most challenging — subjects: cybernetics.
Cybernetics offers a way of looking at living systems not as collections of isolated components, but as dynamic, interconnected wholes.
And that gives us a very different way of thinking about health.
We talk about the relationship between the oral health and the rest of the body, chronic inflammation, diet, evolutionary biology and why Tom believes dogs and cats can offer us important insights into how biological systems work.
But this conversation isn't really just about teeth.
It becomes a much bigger conversation about how we think.
And about what can happen when we start to question the assumptions underneath the systems we've inherited.
We also explore what cybernetics might teach us about our relationship with nature.
What happens when we stop seeing “humans” and “nature” as separate?
What happens when we consider the ripple effects of our choices — from the food we feed our dogs to the chemicals we use, the food systems we depend upon, and the wider ecosystems of which we're part?
In this episode, we explore:
Field Note: Mabon and Redefining Balance
Episode 154
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 • Duration 09:05
Field Notes from Mystic Dog Mama
Field Notes are my short musings from walks with Lucky - the things I find myself noticing, wondering about, and turning over as we move through the seasons together.
For this first Field Note, I'm thinking about balance as we arrive at Mabon and the Autumn Equinox.
What if balance isn't fixed? What if it doesn't mean everything being equal, or getting everything right all the time, but instead means paying attention to what this particular moment, and this particular season, is asking of us?
A reflection on our dogs, our own lives, our search for certainty, and the wisdom that can come from coming back to the present moment and asking:
What does balance look like for me, right now?
And a little invitation to notice the season in the small things - a change in the air, an autumn leaf, cinnamon in your coffee, or what your dog stops to investigate on your walk.
Keep exploring
Continue the season with the Seasonal Nourishment Journal. The Mystic Dog Mama Seasonal Nourishment Journal is a field guide to living a more nourished life with your dog - with space to notice the seasons, reflect on what you need, and make room for the small rituals and moments that often pass us by.
Rooted in the Wheel of the Year, it follows the changing seasons with weekly reflections, mandalas, rituals and prompts for nourishing life with your dog, mind, body and soul.
Revisited: Samhain, Story and the Spiritual Dog. Reconnecting with the Magic of Irish Mythology with Jen Murphy
Episode 153
Saturday, September 19, 2026 • Duration 01:10:34
What if the old stories still have something to teach us?
As we move towards Mabon — the Autumn Equinox and a turning point on the Celtic Wheel of the Year — I’ve been thinking about what it means to live more in tune with the seasons, rather than simply following the dates on a calendar.
So it felt fitting to end this summer’s Revisited series with my conversation with Irish mythologist Jen Murphy.
We talk about dogs in Irish mythology, the role of the hound as guide and companion, animism, the wisdom held within the seasons, and the Irish concept of dán — our soul’s gift or creative destiny.
It’s a beautiful conversation about mythology, purpose, nature and the ways our dogs can call us back into deeper relationship with the world around us.
In this episode, we explore:
Dogs and the hound in Irish mythology
The Celtic Wheel of the Year and seasonal living
Animism and our relationship with nature
Mythology as a living practice
Dán — the idea of our soul’s gift or creative destiny
Following the breadcrumbs rather than needing to know exactly where they lead
As we cross this seasonal threshold, perhaps it’s a good moment to ask: what is ready to be harvested, what are you ready to let go of, and what is calling you towards what comes next?
Start your holistic journey Download my free Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit for practical guidance on fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity, and holistic health:
Revisited: Dampness - The Hidden Pathogen You Need to Know About with Dr Neal Loh
Episode 152
Saturday, September 12, 2026 • Duration 01:08:22
Could “dampness” be part of what’s going on with your dog?
Maybe your dog has recurring yeast or ear problems. Maybe their digestion seems to be constantly up and down, or you’re dealing with symptoms that improve for a while only to come back again.
What if, instead of looking at each of these things as a separate problem, we started to look at the bigger picture?
In this Revisited episode of the Mystic Dog Mama podcast, I’m bringing back my conversation with Dr. Neal Loh, holistic and integrative veterinarian, because there is so much in this conversation that continues to shape the way I think about nourishment and whole-dog health.
Neil introduces us to the traditional Chinese medicine concept of dampness — a pattern that can sit beneath and contribute to a whole range of health imbalances.
We talk about what dampness is, how it can show up in our dogs, where stagnation fits into the picture, and why food and food energetics can be such an important part of supporting the individual dog.
But perhaps what I love most about this conversation is that it moves us away from the idea that there is one perfect food, one perfect diet, or one perfect solution.
Because in traditional Chinese medicine, context matters.
The individual dog matters. Their constitution matters. Their digestion, their environment, their emotional state and the foods they are eating all form part of a much bigger picture.
In this episode, we explore:
Dampness in traditional Chinese medicine — what it is, how it develops, and why it can be such a stubborn pattern
How dampness can show up in our dogs — including recurring yeast, ear problems, digestive upset and other patterns of imbalance
Stagnation and damp heat — and how these concepts can help us think differently about chronic or recurring symptoms
Revisited: A Deep Dive into Allergies, Intolerances, and Sensitivities with Dr Katie Woodley
Episode 151
Saturday, September 5, 2026 • Duration 01:04:55
Is your dog “allergic” to everything?
Maybe they can only eat one protein. Maybe you’ve been told to avoid chicken, beef, grains, dairy, or a whole list of other foods. Maybe you’ve tried food after food, supplement after supplement, and you’re still dealing with itchy skin, recurring ear problems, digestive upset or unexplained reactions.
But what if we’ve been too quick to call all of these things an allergy?
In this Revisited episode of the Mystic Dog Mama podcast, I’m bringing back my conversation with Dr. Katie Woodley, holistic veterinarian and founder of The Natural Pet Doctor, because this conversation feels particularly relevant right now.
Since announcing my upcoming cook-along, I’ve had several dog guardians get in touch to ask whether it’s suitable for their dogs because they have allergies, sensitivities or intolerances — and some dogs apparently have an ever-shrinking list of foods they’re “allowed” to eat.
And it got me thinking about how much fear and confusion can surround food when our dogs are struggling.
Because allergies, intolerances and sensitivities are not necessarily the same thing.
In this conversation, Katie helps us untangle some of that confusion and look beyond the ever-growing list of foods our dogs supposedly can't have.
In this episode, we explore:
Allergies vs intolerances vs sensitivities — what’s actually happening in the body, and why these terms are so often confused
Food and allergy testing — which types of testing can provide useful information, and why some tests may leave you with more questions (and fewer foods) than you started with
The gut–immune connection — and why gut health can be such an important piece of the puzzle when we’re seeing skin and digestive symptoms
Why it isn’t always about the food — and what digestion, absorption, the microbiome, stress and the nervous system might have to do with the picture
Revisited: Redefining Reactivity, Recognizing Trauma in Your Dog with Dr Laura Donaldson
Episode 150
Saturday, August 29, 2026 • Duration 01:21:23
What if “reactivity” isn't the whole story?
What if the behaviour we find difficult in our dogs is actually communication - an expression of fear, overwhelm, a nervous system on high alert, or a dog who simply doesn't feel safe?
In this Revisited episode of Mystic Dog Mama, I return to my very first conversation with Dr Laura Donaldson, a conversation that had a profound impact on how I understood Lucky and the way I approached our relationship.
I first discovered Laura's work when I was desperately looking for help with Lucky's reactivity. At the time, I was experiencing so much of what can come with living alongside a dog who finds the world difficult: overwhelm, fear, isolation, grief, and the constant worry that somehow you're letting your dog down.
Laura introduced me to a different way of seeing things.
Rather than asking “How do I stop this behaviour?”, she encouraged me to become curious about what was happening underneath it - and to ask:
“What do I need to learn from you to help you feel safe in this context?”
That question has stayed with me. And over time, it became part of a much bigger shift in how I related to Lucky. Learning to listen differently, understanding regulation, paying attention to my own nervous system, supporting his gut health, and bringing together the physical, emotional and relational pieces of his wellbeing have all played a part.
Today, Lucky is a dog who genuinely enjoys being in the world, and I enjoy being in it with him.
That's why I wanted to revisit this conversation.
In this episode, we explore:
Why the language of “reactivity” can sometimes limit how we understand our dogs
What might be happening underneath behaviours such as reactivity and aggression
Understanding trauma and its potential impact on our dogs
Revisited: The One Key Ingredient for Your Dog's Health with Dr Tom Lonsdale
Episode 149
Saturday, August 22, 2026 • Duration 01:17:29
What if understanding what dogs need begins with a much simpler question:
What is a dog?
In this revisited episode from the Mystic Dog Mama archives, I return to my very first conversation with veterinary surgeon and author Dr. Tom Lonsdale - a conversation that laid the groundwork for so much of my own thinking about canine nourishment.
Tom has spent decades challenging conventional approaches to feeding and caring for carnivores, and in this conversation we explore one of the foundations of his work: why he believes raw meaty bones are so important to canine health and wellbeing.
But this conversation goes far beyond what belongs in the bowl.
We explore the dog as a facultative carnivore and what that might tell us about nourishment, behaviour and physiology. Tom also introduces his thinking around cybernetics — the idea that living systems are interconnected and regulated through feedback — and how this framework led him to develop a hypothesis about the relationship between periodontal disease and the wider health of carnivores.
In this episode, we explore:
Why Tom believes raw meaty bones are fundamental to the health of carnivores
What it means to consider the dog as a facultative carnivore
The relationship between food, behaviour, physiology and environment
Why the mouth may be far more significant to whole-body health than we traditionally consider
Start your holistic journeyDownload my free for practical guidance on fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity, and holistic health:
Revisited: Why Neutering Is No Longer an Option with Dr Lise Hansen
Episode 148
Saturday, August 15, 2026 • Duration 01:13:30
What does it mean to be a responsible dog guardian when science asks us to rethink what we've always believed?
In this Revisited episode of Mystic Dog Mama, I'm joined by holistic veterinarian Dr. Lise Hansen for one of the podcast's most listened-to and talked-about conversations.
For many of us, routine neutering was simply part of responsible dog ownership. It was the advice we were given, and we made those decisions with the best information available at the time.
But science evolves.
As our understanding of the body's interconnected systems has deepened, so too has our understanding of the long-term health implications of routinely removing a major part of the endocrine system. This conversation explores what that growing body of research means for our dogs, and how it invites us to rethink not only neutering itself, but our wider role as their guardians.
Together, we explore:
✨ Why routine neutering has become one of the biggest paradigm shifts in modern canine healthcare
✨ What the latest research tells us about the role of the endocrine system and why sex hormones influence far more than reproduction
✨ The changes to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's reproductive guidelines and what they mean for dog guardians
✨ Common concerns around pyometra, testicular cancer and population control, and how these fit into the current evidence
✨ Alternative approaches, including hormone-sparing procedures, and when they may be appropriate
✨ Why holistic health isn't about focusing on one decision in isolation, but supporting the whole dog through nutrition, lifestyle and informed healthcare choices
✨ What this conversation teaches us about curiosity, discernment and allowing our understanding to evolve as new evidence emerges
One of the themes I return to throughout this conversation is that we all make the best decisions we can with the information available to us at the time. This episode isn't about blame or guilt. It's about remaining open to learning, asking thoughtful questions, and becoming more informed advocates for the dogs who share their lives with us.
Revisited: When We Don't Know the Way - Tarot, Dogs & Trusting the Journey with Sarah Vrba
Episode 147
Saturday, August 8, 2026 • Duration 01:10:56
What if your dog isn’t just your companion, but also your teacher?
In this episode of Mystic Dog Mama, I’m joined by intuitive tarot and astrology expert and fellow Mystic Dog Mama, Sarah Verba, for a conversation about dogs, the mystical path, intuition, and what our animal companions reveal about ourselves.
I have followed Sarah’s work for years, and I’ve always been drawn to the way she uses tarot and astrology not as tools for predicting a fixed future, but as invitations to reconnect with ourselves, explore our inner landscapes, and move through life with curiosity and compassion.
Together, we explore what it means to embrace the unknown, to question the conditioning we’ve inherited, and to allow ourselves to be works in progress rather than constantly striving towards some imagined finished version of ourselves.
In this conversation, we dive into:
✨ How intuitive tarot differs from traditional approaches and why tarot can be a tool for self-reflection rather than fear
✨ The mystical path as a process of deconditioning, unlearning, and reconnecting with our own inner wisdom
✨ Why being “in process” can feel so uncomfortable — and why allowing ourselves to be seen while we’re figuring things out can create deeper connection
✨ The appearance of dogs in tarot, particularly in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, and what the dog archetype can teach us about companionship, instinct, intuition, and returning to our wild selves
✨ Why dogs are such powerful guides back into nature, the present moment, and the magic of everyday life
✨ The wisdom of Chihuahua time (something Lucky has taught me very well!)
Sarah shares her own journey with her rescue dog and the ways he has challenged her to embrace her instincts, her needs, and her wild nature. We talk about how our dogs often invite us into the very places we might otherwise avoid — uncertainty, vulnerability, change, and the unknown.
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What is cybernetics? — and how communication, control and feedback help us understand living systems
Periodontal disease in dogs and cats — why Tom believes the mouth can offer us a window into much bigger biological processes
Evolution and the carnivore — what looking at dogs and cats through an evolutionary lens might tell us about their biology
Our relationship with nature — and what changes when we stop thinking of ourselves as separate from the ecosystems we inhabit
Challenging the status quo — what happens when new ways of thinking collide with established systems and professional orthodoxies
The power of the individual dog guardian — and why Tom and I believe there is significance in the choices we make for the animals in our care
Perhaps the biggest question I took away from this conversation is this:
What becomes possible when we stop asking only, “What is wrong with this part?” and start asking, “What is happening within the whole system?”
Because our dogs aren't collections of symptoms. They're living, responsive, interconnected beings — embedded within families, communities and ecosystems. And perhaps learning to see those connections is one of the most important forms of nourishment we can offer.
This episode is sponsored by Aspirationery
Aspirationery creates books, notebooks and stationery to support you in becoming all you aspire to be.
If this episode gave you something to think about, I'd love to hear what stayed with you. Come and find me @mysticdogmama or share the episode with someone who might enjoy the conversation.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow, leave a review and share it — it really helps more people find Mystic Dog Mama.
This podcast is for education and exploration and is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent illness or to replace individual veterinary or professional advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and should be considered alongside the available evidence and appropriate professional guidance.
Download the free Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit - an introduction to fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity and holistic health.
Please consider following the podcast and leaving a rating or review. It helps more soul-led dog guardians discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community.
And if someone came to mind while listening, I'd love for you to share this episode with them.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.
Food energetics and individual constitution — why the same food can have very different effects on different dogs
Why “balanced” doesn’t have to mean perfect — and how TCM can help us move away from the pressure to get everything right in every single bowl
Looking beyond the symptom — and beginning to see health as an interconnected picture rather than a collection of isolated problems
The question I really want you to take away from this conversation is:
What changes when we stop asking only “What symptom are we trying to fix?” and start asking “What is the whole dog telling us?”
So whether you’re completely new to Traditional Chinese Medicine or you’ve been exploring food energetics and constitutional approaches for years, I think there’s something here for you.
Start your holistic journey Download my free Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit for practical guidance on fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity, and holistic health: https://mysticdogmama.com
Please consider following the podcast and leaving a rating or review. It helps more soul-led dog guardians discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community.
And if someone came to mind while listening, I'd love for you to share this episode with them.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.
The question I really want you to take away: instead of only asking “What food is causing this?”, what happens when we start asking “Why is my dog reacting in the first place?”
So if you’ve been stuck in the cycle of food elimination, testing, changing diets and wondering what on earth your dog can actually eat anymore, this conversation is for you.
And if you’re wondering whether my upcoming cook-along might be appropriate for your dog, I’d definitely give this episode a listen first.
Start your holistic journey Download my free Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit for practical guidance on fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity, and holistic health: https://mysticdogmama.com
Please consider following the podcast and leaving a rating or review. It helps more soul-led dog guardians discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community.
And if someone came to mind while listening, I'd love for you to share this episode with them.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.
The importance of safety and emotional resilience
How our own nervous systems and experiences can become part of the picture
Asking better questions of our dogs rather than simply trying to stop unwanted behaviours
How we can become stronger advocates for our dogs
Supporting dogs who carry emotional charge in their bodies
Laura's approach to grounding and regulation
EFT and energy work as possible tools for supporting emotional wellbeing
The relationship between compassion for our dogs and compassion for ourselves
Start your holistic journey Download my free Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit for practical guidance on fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity, and holistic health: https://mysticdogmama.com
Please consider following the podcast and leaving a rating or review. It helps more soul-led dog guardians discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community.
And if someone came to mind while listening, I'd love for you to share this episode with them.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.
Please consider following the podcast and leaving a rating or review. It helps more soul-led dog guardians discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community.
And if someone came to mind while listening, I'd love for you to share this episode with them.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.
Whether you're making decisions for a young puppy, caring for an adult dog, or simply interested in how science continues to shape the future of canine health, I hope this conversation gives you plenty to reflect on.
Continue the conversation
Learn more about Dr. Lise Hansen Visit Dr. Hansen's website to learn more about her work and her book The Complete Book of Cat and Dog Health: https://alternative-vet.co.uk/
Start your holistic journey Download my free Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit for practical guidance on fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity, and holistic health: https://mysticdogmama.com
Please consider following the podcast and leaving a rating or review. It helps more soul-led dog guardians discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community.
And if someone came to mind while listening, I'd love for you to share this episode with them.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that our dogs are not just animals who walk beside us. They are beings who can help us see ourselves more clearly, reconnect with the natural world, and remember that the path is rarely a straight line.
Continue the conversation
Learn more from Sarah Vrba Visit Sarah’s website to explore her resources https://sarahtarot.com
Start your holistic journey Download my free Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit for practical guidance on fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity, and holistic health: https://mysticdogmama.com
Join the waitlist for my Mystic Dog Mama Oracle Deck! https://mysticdogmama.com/oracle-deck
Please consider following the podcast and leaving a rating or review. It helps more soul-led dog guardians discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community.
And if someone came to mind while listening, I'd love for you to share this episode with them.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.
