Explore every episode of the podcast The Vital Spirit Podcast with Dr. Kelly Livingston

There’s a difference between thinking about your body and actually being in it.

So much of healing can become another thing to figure out. Another symptom to analyze, protocol to follow, supplement to try, or piece of information to understand. And while understanding matters, sometimes the body doesn’t need another answer. Sometimes it needs us to slow down enough to actually listen.

This episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast is a little different. Instead of spending our time talking about embodiment, I’m guiding you through an experience of it.

Together, we’ll turn our attention away from the constant noise of the thinking mind and toward breath, sensation, the felt sense, and the quieter signals happening within your body all the time. I’ll guide you through grounding, a body scan, and a series of gentle questions designed to help you notice what may already be asking for your attention.

We’ll also explore what I mean by healing from the inside out and the naturopathic principle of vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature. The body is already engaged in processes of regulation, adaptation, and repair. Our job isn’t always to demand that it change, but sometimes to create the conditions that allow those processes to unfold.

Find somewhere comfortable where you can give yourself about 30 minutes without needing to do anything else. There’s nothing you need to achieve here. Just come as you are and notice what happens when your attention turns inward.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:08 Why I wanted to make this episode

● 02:09 What the “felt sense” actually means

● 05:37 Where science, mindfulness, and healing meet

● 06:55 Getting comfortable before we begin

● 08:28 Grounding into your body and breath

● 11:56 Moving through the body with awareness

● 16:49 Feeling your body as a whole

● 19:03 Listening for what you already know

● 21:01 Noticing the awareness behind your thoughts

● 23:45 Connecting with the body’s natural healing capacity

● 27:21 Slowly returning to the room

● 28:02 What it means to heal from the inside out

Links and resources:

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if your body is far more capable of healing than you’ve been taught to believe?

Today I’m joined by Dr. Daniel Goodman, a second-generation chiropractor and holistic health practitioner, for a conversation that goes far beyond the idea of chiropractic as simply “cracking” your back.

Daniel takes us back to what chiropractic was originally built around: the central nervous system, communication between the brain and body, and removing interference so the body can do what it already knows how to do. We talk about his approach to upper cervical chiropractic, why such a small and gentle adjustment can have effects throughout the body, and how this work connects with something we talk about often on this podcast: nervous system regulation.

But our conversation also opens into a much bigger discussion about healing.

Daniel and I explore the idea of inborn intelligence and the body’s natural drive toward health. We talk about symptoms as information rather than something we should automatically silence, and why asking “What is my body trying to tell me?” can completely change the way we relate to our health.

If you’ve been trying to understand your symptoms, support your nervous system, or reconnect with trust in your body’s ability to heal, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:18 Meet Dr. Daniel Goodman

● 03:02 What chiropractic is really about

● 03:30 How chiropractic got its start

● 05:36 Why the nervous system is at the center of it all

● 19:58 The biggest misconceptions about chiropractic

● 23:01 What upper cervical chiropractic actually looks like

● 26:33 Who can benefit from this approach

● 28:56 Chiropractic, the nervous system, and the vagus nerve

● 32:43 The body’s inborn intelligence and ability to heal

● 36:19 Building trust in the body’s resilience

37:28 What your symptoms might be telling you

● 40:52 Creating health instead of only treating symptoms

● 45:51 Why the foundations come before the supplements

● 47:46 A simple introduction to nonviolent communication

● 53:17 Bringing nonviolent communication into patient care

● 56:03 Communicating through disagreement and polarization

● 59:56 Dr. Daniel’s everyday habits for health and well-being

● 01:03:38 The mindset shift Dr. Daniel wants you to take with you

● Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation:

Links and resources:

● Flow State Chiropractic Website: www.flowstatenyc.com

● Flow State Chiropractic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowstatechiropractic/

● Flow State Chiropractic Email: help@flowstatenyc.com

● Episode 03. Midlife and the Nervous System: Building Resilience Step by Step: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/03-midlife-and-the-nervous-system-building/id1790365046?i=1000684966973

● Episode 06. What Happens in Vagus: The Missing Link to Resilience, Digestion & Hormone Balance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/06-what-happens-in-vagus-the-missing-link-to/id1790365046?i=1000700362895

● Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163

● Episode 63 Part 1: Fascia: Why Stress, Trauma, and Pain Live in the Body: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/63-part-1-fascia-why-stress-trauma-and-pain-live-in-the-body/id1790365046?i=1000774971717

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Food as medicine isn’t supposed to become food as fear.

In Part 1, we talked about what we can add to our diets to better nourish the body. Now, in Part 2, I want to talk about the other side of that conversation: what might be worth recognizing, auditing, or removing, and how to do that without becoming afraid of everything you eat.

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m walking you through how I think about added sugar, ultra-processed foods, gluten, and dairy when I’m working with patients. These foods tend to get reduced to very black-and-white conversations, but the reality is much more nuanced.

We’ll talk about why I ask patients to start reading food labels, what added sugar can reveal about the bigger pattern of your diet, and why gluten or dairy may affect one person very differently than another.

If you know you want to use food to support your health but feel overwhelmed by everything you’re supposed to eat, avoid, or remove, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:46 Where I start when looking at added sugar

● 05:02 Why I care about sugar beyond the “sugar causes inflammation” conversation

● 07:22 What ultra-processed foods can do to the bigger picture

● 09:23 Why gluten isn’t a simple yes-or-no conversation

● 12:50 How I decide whether dairy may be affecting someone

● 15:24 Why elimination diets aren’t meant to last forever

● 18:23 If you take something out, what goes in its place?

● 19:50 Fermented foods, healthy fats, and hydration

● 24:24 Food sourcing, perfection, and my “rule of 80”

● 28:37 Why how you eat matters just as much as what you eat

● 31:05 Simple ways to start practicing food as medicine today

Links and resources:

● Listen to Episode 72 Part 1. Food as Medicine: What I Teach Every New Patient: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/72-part-1-food-as-medicine-what-i-teach-every-new-patient/id1790365046?i=1000789990226

● Calm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset

● Episode 39. SIBO Isn’t the Problem: Healing the Terrain, Not the Germ (Bloating & Weight Gain in Midlife): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/39-sibo-isnt-the-problem-healing-the-terrain-not/id1790365046?i=1000737383709

● Episode 69 Part 1. Chronic Inflammation: The Signs You May Be Missing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/69-part-1-chronic-inflammation-the-signs-you-may-be-missing/id1790365046?i=1000784256971

● Episode 30. Why Hydration Alone Isn’t Enough: The Power of Hydrotherapy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/30-why-hydration-alone-isnt-enough-the-power/id1790365046?i=1000725855973

● Episode 21. Reclaiming the Herbal Roots of Medicine with Dr. Eugene Zampieron: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/21-reclaiming-the-herbal-roots-of-medicine-with/id1790365046?i=1000716633782

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

If you’ve ever wondered what I actually mean when I say “food as medicine,” this episode is for you.

Food is one of the first places I start with patients because what we eat is one of the most consistent signals we send our physiology every single day. But food as medicine is not about handing everyone the same restrictive diet or labeling foods as universally “good” or “bad.” Your symptoms, labs, hormones, gut health, blood sugar, lifestyle, and even your relationship with food all matter.

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m walking you through the beginning of the Food as Medicine section I create for new patients in my practice.

We’ll talk about why I look at the whole pattern of how you’re eating, not just individual foods, and why some of the most basic changes can have such a meaningful effect on inflammation, blood sugar, energy, mood, gut health, and overall resilience. I’m also sharing one of the simplest meal frameworks I use again and again: protein, healthy fat, fiber, and color. We’ll talk about why protein matters so much in midlife, why I don’t want you to be afraid of carbohydrates or healthy fats, how walking after meals can support blood sugar, and what fiber and plant diversity are actually doing for your microbiome.

If you’ve been overwhelmed by nutrition advice and aren’t sure where to begin, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:08 Food as medicine and where I start with patients

● 01:45 Why the same food plan doesn’t work for everyone

● 03:42 What I really mean by “food as medicine”

● 04:50 What years of working with patients have taught me

● 05:40 How food can contribute to inflammation

● 07:13 The signals your food sends your body every day

● 08:25 What changed after one woman’s 21-day reset

● 10:43 What I look for when I audit someone’s day

● 11:39 Why I pay so much attention to protein at breakfast

● 14:24 My simple framework for building a balanced meal

● 15:01 Why you don’t need to be afraid of carbs

● 17:30 One of my favorite simple habits: walking after meals

● 18:50 Why fiber does so much more than keep you regular

● 20:28 What “30 plants a week” actually means

● 22:13 Why eating the rainbow really matters

● 23:43 What the Mediterranean diet teaches us about dietary patterns

● 24:50 A preview of gluten, dairy, and sugar in Part 2

Links and resources:

● Calm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset

● Episode 69 Part 1. Chronic Inflammation: The Signs You May Be Missing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/69-part-1-chronic-inflammation-the-signs-you-may-be-missing/id1790365046?i=1000784256971

● Episode 69 Part 2. Chronic Inflammation: What’s Driving It and Where to Start: https://youtu.be/ttdlf_c6Co4?si=We-GTX5g332MO56m

● Episode 35. Sleep Masterclass: The Forgotten Medicine of Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/35-sleep-masterclass-the-forgotten-medicine-of-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000732944682

● Episode 46. Movement as Medicine: Restoring Flow, Safety, and Vitality in Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/46-movement-as-medicine-restoring-flow-safety-and/id1790365046?i=1000745111800

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

There are some teachers who shape the way you practice medicine long after you leave the classroom, and Dr. Florence “Flo” McPherson is one of those people for me.

Dr. Flo was one of my professors and clinical mentors during my naturopathic medical training, and so many of the ideas that are foundational to the way I practice today were first introduced to me through her. In this conversation, we get to return to one of the biggest questions she taught me to ask: What does it actually mean to heal?

We talk about the vital force, or the vis, and why vitalistic medicine looks beyond simply diagnosing a disease or getting rid of a symptom. Dr. Flo shares how she found homeopathy in her early twenties, why it became a lifelong study, and what more than two decades of practicing classical homeopathy have taught her about the body’s ability to heal.

We also get into what homeopathic prescribing actually looks like, from observing the subtle ways a person expresses their symptoms to understanding the order in which healing can unfold. Dr. Flo explains the difference between classical homeopathy and cell salts, the role of the repertory and materia medica, and why patience and restraint can be just as important as the remedy itself.

If you’ve been curious about homeopathy, vitalistic medicine, or what it really means to work with your body rather than only treating its symptoms, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:13 Meet Dr. Flo

● 04:32 How Dr. Flo found homeopathy

● 06:35 Why homeopathy became a lifelong study

● 08:28 What is the vital force?

● 14:36 The role of observation and restraint in homeopathy

● 18:15 The naturopathic principles behind healing

● 20:26 What long-term healing can look like

● 23:14 Triage, medication, and working as part of a healthcare team

● 27:06 What Dr. Flo means by a “green pharmacy”

● 29:03 How classical homeopathy actually works

● 31:03 Understanding the order of healing

● 34:47 What it means to live vitalistically

● 36:52 Why clinical training matters in naturopathic medicine

● 38:26 Preserving the wisdom of nature cure

● 40:22 When modern microbiome science meets naturopathic medicine

● 42:18 Bowel nosodes, biofilms, and the microbiome

● 44:25 Homeopathy vs. cell salts

● 48:12 How a remedy can affect the vital force

● 51:55 Understanding the repertory and materia medica

● 54:40 A vitalistic approach to menopause

● 59:07 Aging with vitality

Links and resources:

● Dr. Flo McPherson Website: drflomcpherson.com

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

● 59 Part 1. Homeopathy in Perimenopause: What Your Symptoms Are Really Saying: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/59-part-1-homeopathy-in-perimenopause-what-your-symptoms/id1790365046?i=1000768705747

● 59 Part 2. Homeopathy in Perimenopause: What Your Symptoms Are Really Saying: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/59-part-2-homeopathy-in-perimenopause-what-your-symptoms/id1790365046?i=1000769789282

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if healing doesn’t require adding another supplement, protocol, or health hack, but actually letting some things go?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Peris, ND, naturopathic doctor, breathwork facilitator, and founder of The Poppy Clinic. Michelle and I have so much overlap in how we think about healing, especially when it comes to the body’s innate ability to heal, the importance of nervous system regulation, and creating the right conditions for our vital force to do what it already knows how to do.

Michelle shares how her own experiences with belonging shaped the way she practices medicine and eventually led her to create The Wild Collective. We talk about what “rewilding” means to her and why so much of healing can be an unlearning process: letting go of old identities, expectations, patterns, and even the pressure to constantly be doing more for our health.

If you’ve been overwhelmed by everything you think you “should” be doing for your health, or you’re craving a simpler and more connected way of healing, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 02:11 Meet Dr. Michelle Peris

● 04:16 How belonging shaped Michelle’s work

● 07:07 The beginnings of The Wild Collective

● 13:15 How Michelle found naturopathic medicine

● 17:50 What “rewilding” really means

● 26:33 Why healing can be about doing less

● 27:25 What burnout taught Michelle about letting go

● 34:53 Why we need community to heal

● 36:50 You’re not broken: separating yourself from the diagnosis

● 37:53 A simpler approach to health

● 39:04 Why the “boring basics” work

● 41:24 Unlearning what we’ve been taught about healing

● 43:21 Cutting through wellness trends and noise

● 46:20 Why the foundations matter more than the tools

● 48:47 The connection between safety and metabolic health

● 51:46 When weight becomes a form of protection

● 56:16 Michelle’s breathwork aha moment

● 01:00:07 Finding safety in stillness and community

● 01:01:33 Why joy and play belong in healing

● 01:05:36 How simple practices bring life back into Technicolor

● 01:08:32 The Breathing Hour and Michelle’s work

Links and resources:

● Dr. Michelle Peris Website: www.michelleperis.com

● Dr. Michelle Peris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichelleperis/

● Everlove: https://www.michelleperis.com/everlove-optin

● Wild Medicine: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/wild-medicine/id1438194737

● Poppy Clinic: https://poppyclinic.com/

● Collective Creator Academy: https://join.the-wild-collective.com/rebel-tribe-facilitator1709663546309

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if chronic inflammation isn’t something you need to fight, but a clue pointing you toward what your body needs?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m continuing our conversation about inflammation and moving from understanding what inflammation is to a much more practical question: What is keeping your immune system activated in the first place?

If you’ve been wondering what’s actually driving your inflammation, how to recognize it, or where to begin making changes without chasing another complicated protocol, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:55 Why food is more than fuel and how every meal communicates with your physiology

● 04:10 How unstable blood sugar can contribute to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance

● 05:59 Why an anti-inflammatory diet can’t compensate for poor sleep, chronic stress, lack of movement, or isolation

● 07:00 How infections like EBV, HPV, SIBO, and others can become part of the chronic inflammation picture

● 08:35 The “inflammation bucket” and how multiple small stressors can eventually overwhelm the body’s ability to adapt

● 09:23 The fascinating connection between the nervous system, immune system, hormones, and inflammation

● 13:15 How the vagus nerve communicates with immune cells and helps regulate inflammatory signaling

● 15:52 Why the body doesn’t just create inflammation, it also has an active process for resolving it

● 18:30 The lab markers I use to look for inflammation and what hs-CRP, ESR, ferritin, homocysteine, and stool testing can tell us

● 22:12 Where I begin when inflammation shows up and why finding the source matters more than simply suppressing it

● 24:08 A 21-day reset success story involving joint pain, CRP, blood sugar, cholesterol, and overall well-being

● 26:20 How Calm Gut, Clear Mind creates a practical starting point for recognizing and removing common sources of inflammation

Links and resources mentioned:

● Calm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset

● Listen to Part 1. Chronic Inflammation: The Signs You May Be Missing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/69-part-1-chronic-inflammation-the-signs-you-may-be-missing/id1790365046?i=1000784256971

● Episode 32. What Your Doctor Might Be Missing About Midlife Fatigue (Epstein-Barr Virus EBV): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/32-what-your-doctor-might-be-missing-about-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000728187600

● Episode 65. The Truth About HPV: Why Some Women Clear It and Others Don't with Dr. Doni Wilson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/65-the-truth-about-hpv-why-some-women-clear-it-and/id1790365046?i=1000777846731

● Episode 39. SIBO Isn’t the Problem: Healing the Terrain, Not the Germ (Bloating & Weight Gain in Midlife): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/39-sibo-isnt-the-problem-healing-the-terrain-not/id1790365046?i=1000737383709

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if inflammation isn’t the enemy but your body’s way of trying to protect you?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m breaking down one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—topics in health: inflammation. We hear constantly about anti-inflammatory diets, supplements, and ways to “get rid of inflammation,” but before we try to shut it down, we need to understand why our bodies create it in the first place.

I explain the important difference between acute and chronic inflammation and why acute inflammation is actually essential for healing. We’ll also look at why chronic inflammation can be difficult to recognize. Brain fog, digestive issues, food sensitivities, joint stiffness, skin changes, recurrent infections, and even feeling like you just don’t feel like yourself can all be different expressions of the same underlying process. I’ll share how I use lab markers to look for these patterns and why the bigger question is always: What is your immune system responding to?

And because we can’t talk about inflammation without talking about the gut, we’ll explore intestinal permeability, immune tolerance, and the microbiome—and why what’s happening in your digestive system can influence inflammation throughout your entire body.

If you’ve been trying to “fight inflammation” without understanding why it’s happening—or you’re dealing with symptoms like brain fog, digestive issues, joint stiffness, skin changes, or simply not feeling like yourself—this episode will help you start looking at inflammation differently.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:06 Why inflammation is so misunderstood—and why getting rid of it shouldn’t always be the goal

● 02:17 How acute inflammation protects us, repairs tissue, fights infection, and helps us heal

● 04:18 What actually happens inside your body during the inflammatory cascade

● 06:49 When a healthy inflammatory response becomes chronic and starts affecting the whole body

● 08:50 Why the better question is “What is my body responding to?” rather than “How do I lower inflammation?”

● 11:43 How I use symptoms and lab markers to uncover patterns of chronic inflammation

● 17:13 The connection between the gut barrier, intestinal permeability, immune activation, and inflammation

● 21:50 Why a diverse, resilient microbiome matters for your gut and immune system

Links and resources:

● Episode 15. Inflammatory Depression: What’s Really Behind Low Mood in Perimenopause: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/15-inflammatory-depression-whats-really-behind-low/id1790365046?i=1000710245832

● Episode 37. Guide to Navigating Food Allergies, Sensitivities & Intolerances: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/37-guide-to-navigating-food-allergies-sensitivities/id1790365046?i=1000735368717

● Link 3

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if midlife isn't something to survive but an invitation to come home to yourself?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Kathy Casey, DACM, L.Ac., C.Ht., doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, to explore a completely different way of looking at midlife. Instead of seeing symptoms as something to suppress or simply "get through," we talk about how this season of life can become an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, your body, and the wisdom that's been there all along.

Dr. Kathy shares her own journey into Chinese medicine, the experiences that shaped her philosophy of healing, and why she believes the body is never working against us. We talk about the importance of curiosity over judgment, why symptoms often carry important messages, and how simple daily practices can help shift us from constant survival mode into a place of greater resilience and self-awareness.

Whether you're navigating perimenopause, feeling disconnected from yourself, or simply craving a more grounded approach to health, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what healing can really look like.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:03 Meet Dr. Kathy Casey and the path that led her to Chinese medicine

● 03:20 The meaning behind "the body-mind is the oracle"

● 10:01 The gallbladder health scare that changed the direction of her life

● 14:33 How energy healing became part of her practice

● 20:59 Looking at symptoms as your body's solutions instead of problems

● 33:53 What it means to be a "midwife for midlife"

● 36:55 Why patterns matter more than simply treating symptoms

● 39:27 Creating a safe space where women feel truly heard

● 40:33 Why you're reporting symptoms—not complaining

● 41:59 The "magic wand" question she asks every patient

● 42:59 The everyday stressors that quietly shape our health

● 45:34 Simple "parasympathetic snacks" to help regulate your nervous system

● 57:38 Rediscovering who you are beyond your roles and responsibilities

● 01:00:27 A different way to think about anxiety and emotional health

● 01:04:39 The importance of noticing and naming what's happening in your body

● 01:09:38 Why awareness alone isn't enough without practice

● 01:19:47 The missing rituals of midlife and why they matter

Links and resources:

● Dr. Kathy Casey Website: https://touchstoneacupuncture.com/

● Dr. Kathy Casey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkathycasey/

● Dr. Kathy Casey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-casey-dacm-lac-cht-44680618/

● Dr. Kathy Casey Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047536339240

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I take a deep dive into one of the most overlooked lab markers I run in clinical practice: ferritin. While many people associate iron with anemia, ferritin tells us a much bigger story about your body's iron reserves and can offer important clues when you're dealing with fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, anxiety, poor exercise recovery, or simply feeling like something isn't right.

I explain why ferritin is rarely the diagnosis itself—it's a clue that helps us ask better questions. We explore how iron supports everything from energy production and thyroid function to brain health and the immune system, why two people with the same ferritin level may need completely different treatment plans, and how digestion, inflammation, hormones, and nutrient absorption all influence your iron status.

Most importantly, I want to show you how I think through lab work in practice. Because the goal isn't just to correct a number—it's to understand the physiology behind it so we can create lasting healing.

In this episode, we cover:

● 00:49 The patient story that revealed ferritin as the missing clue

● 02:42 Why ferritin matters and what it can tell us about your health

● 07:07 What ferritin actually is and how it differs from iron

● 10:39 The many roles iron plays in energy, brain function, thyroid health, anxiety, and more

● 14:33 Why low ferritin can look different from one person to another

● 18:59 How I interpret iron studies and why lab numbers should never be viewed in isolation

● 25:32 The most common reasons ferritin becomes depleted, from heavy periods to gut health and inflammation

● 33:27 Food, supplements, and supporting iron absorption the right way

● 37:10 When iron infusions may be appropriate and the biggest takeaway from today's episode

Links and resources:

● Episode 2. The Blueprint for Healing: Naturopathic Principles and the Therapeutic Order: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/02-the-blueprint-for-healing-naturopathic-principles/id1790365046?i=1000684966344

● Episode 12. What Your Thyroid Is Trying to Tell You in Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/12-what-your-thyroid-is-trying-to-tell-you-in-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000706641159

● Episode 41 Part 1. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-1-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000739475942

● Episode 11 Part 1. Which Labs Actually Matter for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-part-1-which-labs-actually-matter-for-women-in-perimenopause/id1790365046?i=1000704570884

● Episode 39. SIBO Isn’t the Problem: Healing the Terrain, Not the Germ (Bloating & Weight Gain in Midlife): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/39-sibo-isnt-the-problem-healing-the-terrain-not/id1790365046?i=1000737383709

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if doing everything “right” is exactly what’s keeping you exhausted?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I sit down with naturopathic doctor Dr. Kirsten Vandenheuvel to talk about something so many women experience but rarely understand: burnout. We explore why high-achieving women often hit a point where the routines that once worked stop working, why perfectionism can quietly keep us stuck, and how chronic stress changes the way our bodies function over time.

Dr. Kirsten shares her own journey into naturopathic medicine, what she's seeing in practice with women navigating burnout and perimenopause, and why healing isn't about adding more to your already full plate.

If you've ever wondered why you don't feel like yourself anymore—or why your lab work says you're "fine" even though you know something isn't right—this conversation will leave you feeling seen and give you practical tools to start moving forward.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:07 How Dr. Kirsten found naturopathic medicine and why she works with high-achieving women

● 02:14 Why healing doesn't have to become another thing to perfect

● 09:33 The hidden habits that lead so many women to burnout

● 16:00 Common lab patterns she sees in women with chronic stress

● 18:53 Why blood sugar and insulin resistance deserve more attention

● 23:14 How strength training supports hormones, metabolism, and long-term health

● 29:01 What nervous system regulation really means and why it isn't just meditation

● 33:40 Simple ways to regulate your nervous system throughout the day

● 37:38 Why safety comes before deeper emotional healing

● 38:31 How beginners can start using breathwork without feeling overwhelmed

● 39:26 The personal experience that made Dr. Kirsten a believer in breathwork

● 43:23 Easy breathing practices you can start using today

● 46:06 How polyvagal theory helps explain your stress response

● 48:41 Why so many women struggle during perimenopause even when nothing else has changed

●51:13 Why symptoms matter just as much as lab numbers

● 57:14 The healing force within us and how to create the conditions for recovery

● 01:00:59 The most underrated daily habit for reducing stress and preventing burnout

Links and resources:

● Dr. Kirsten Vandenheuvel, ND Website: https://www.drkirstennd.com/

● Dr. Kirsten Vandenheuvel, ND Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturallydrkirsten/

● Episode 06. What Happens in Vagus: The Missing Link to Resilience, Digestion & Hormone Balance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/06-what-happens-in-vagus-the-missing-link-to/id1790365046?i=1000700362895

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Receiving an HPV diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to define your future.

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I sit down with naturopathic physician, professional midwife, and women's health expert Dr. Doni Wilson to talk about what's often missing from the conversation around HPV. Instead of asking, "How do we get rid of the virus?" we explore a different question: "Why did the body become more susceptible in the first place?"

Together, we discuss how stress, trauma, gut health, hormones, and the nervous system all influence the body's ability to heal. We also talk about why so many women are left in a cycle of fear and waiting, what proactive options exist beyond the standard approach, and how understanding your body's terrain can completely change the healing process.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with HPV, have been living with it for years, or simply want to better understand the connection between stress, immunity, and women's health, this conversation offers hope, clarity, and practical next steps.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:07 Meet Dr. Doni Wilson and how she's helped thousands of women heal from HPV

● 03:03 The basics of HPV, why it's so common, and why a diagnosis doesn't have to be a life sentence

● 04:46 How Dr. Doni became passionate about helping women heal HPV naturally

● 08:15 Her journey into naturopathic medicine and discovering a different way to care for women

● 14:17 Why some women clear HPV naturally while others struggle with persistent infections

● 18:26 The powerful connection between stress, trauma, and immune function

● 24:05 What conventional screening does well, where it falls short, and what to do after a diagnosis

● 27:53 Healing options beyond LEEP and why women deserve to know all of their choices

● 30:42 Real stories of women who avoided hysterectomy by addressing the root cause

● 32:03 Dr. Doni's framework for supporting the body's ability to heal

● 32:44 The gut-vagina connection and why gut health matters more than most women realize

● 33:51 Leaky gut, food sensitivities, and hidden factors that can make HPV harder to clear

● 36:27 Why testing cortisol and neurotransmitters can change your treatment plan

● 39:10 What it really takes to move your body out of survival mode and into healing

● 41:28 The emotional side of pelvic health, toxic relationship patterns, and reclaiming your power

● 43:51 Why HPV often appears during perimenopause and menopause

● 50:21 Individualized treatment plans, therapeutic dosing, and the role of vaginal suppositories

● 56:09 The transformation Dr. Doni has witnessed after helping thousands of women heal

● 59:27 Where to find Dr. Doni, her free workshop, and additional HPV resources

● 1:02:35 Why healing starts by supporting the terrain, not just treating the diagnosis

Links and resources:

● Dr. Doni Wilson website: https://doctordoni.com/

● How Humans Heal Podcast: https://doctordoni.com/blog/podcasts/

●Clear HPV Now: https://doctordoni.com/hpv/

● Heal HPV Worldwide 5 Day Free Workshop: https://dv296.isrefer.com/go/5day/Kslivingston/

● Say Goodbye to HPV Program: https://dv296.isrefer.com/go/hpv12/Kslivingston/

● Free Training for Healthcare Practitioners: https://dv296.isrefer.com/go/pfc/Kslivingston/

● Dr. Doni’s HPV Protocol Practitioner Certification Program: https://dv296.isrefer.com/go/ppp/Kslivingston/

● Episode 59 Part 1. Homeopathy in Perimenopause: What Your Symptoms Are Really Saying: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/59-part-1-homeopathy-in-perimenopause-what-your-symptoms/id1790365046?i=1000768705747

● Episode 59 Part 2. Homeopathy in Perimenopause: What Your Symptoms Are Really Saying: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/59-part-2-homeopathy-in-perimenopause-what-your-symptoms/id1790365046?i=1000769789282

● Episode 11 Part 1. Which Labs Actually Matter for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-part-1-which-labs-actually-matter-for-women-in-perimenopause/id1790365046?i=1000704570884

● Episode 11 Part 2. Which Labs Actually Matter for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-part-2-which-labs-actually-matter-for-women-in-perimenopause/id1790365046?i=1000705254063

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Almost every week, women tell me the same thing: "I just don't feel like myself anymore."

They may still be managing work, caring for their families, exercising, and checking all the boxes but something feels different. Their energy is gone, their resilience has changed, and despite being told their labs are "normal," they know something isn't right.

In this episode, I unpack one of the most common conversations I had on discovery calls and explain why so many women fall into the gap between feeling unwell and receiving meaningful answers. I share how I approach root-cause medicine, why pattern recognition matters more than isolated symptoms, and how learning to understand your labs can help you become a stronger advocate for your own health. If you've ever felt dismissed, confused, or like your body is trying to tell you something no one else seems to hear, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:09 Why this week's discovery calls inspired today's episode

● 02:13 What women really mean when they say, "I don't feel like myself anymore"

● 04:17 Why "your labs are normal" isn't always the end of the story

● 07:37 The important questions that often get overlooked

● 10:09 A real discovery call about seven years of unexplained exhaustion

● 11:40 How ANA testing can uncover autoimmune patterns

● 14:04 Why true health is about more than having a diagnosis or not having one

● 15:39 What vitality really means and why it matters

● 19:31 What actually happens during a discovery call

● 23:51 The ferritin "pantry" analogy that makes iron stores easy to understand

● 27:31 How your hormones, gut, immune system, and nervous system work together

● 29:53 How to advocate for yourself and ask better questions about your health

● 37:42 A preview of the Know Your Numbers educational series

● 40:34 Final encouragement for women who know something in their body has changed

Links and resources:

● Lab Interpretation Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/lab-guide/Landing

● Rupa Health Lab Shop: https://labs.rupahealth.com/store/storefront_6G8Rzpn

● Episode 11 Part 1. Which Labs Actually Matter for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-part-1-which-labs-actually-matter-for-women-in-perimenopause/id1790365046?i=1000704570884

● Episode 11 Part 2. Which Labs Actually Matter for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-part-2-which-labs-actually-matter-for-women-in-perimenopause/id1790365046?i=1000705254063

● Episode 41 Part 1. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-1-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000739475942

● Episode 41 Part 2. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-2-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000740607767

● Episode 32. What Your Doctor Might Be Missing About Midlife Fatigue (Epstein-Barr Virus EBV): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/32-what-your-doctor-might-be-missing-about-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000728187600

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

If you've ever wondered why your neck is always tight, why your jaw won't unclench, or why your body feels stuck even when your lab work looks normal, this episode offers a different way of seeing what's happening.

I continue the fascia conversation by moving beyond anatomy into real clinical practice, explaining how fascia reflects the body's adaptations to stress, trauma, and chronic nervous system dysregulation. Through patient stories and practical examples, I explore why chronic tension is about more than muscles, how creating safety changes physiology, and why healing isn't about forcing the body to change—it's about restoring the conditions that allow it to heal.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:06 Why fascia becomes most meaningful when you see it in real patients

● 02:06 The simple question I ask every patient: "Where do you hold your stress?"

● 03:27 What hypermobility, rigidity, and chronic tension can reveal about your nervous system

● 05:17 Why trigger points and fibromyalgia involve much more than muscle knots

● 07:14 How living in a constant threat state creates an "armored" body

● 11:04 Why creating safety is often the first step toward healing

● 13:33 Looking at chronic tension through the naturopathic "obstacles to cure" framework

● 15:02 How hypermobility can lead the entire body to compensate for instability

● 17:12 Why touch, bodywork, and fascial release can help your nervous system feel safe again

● 19:28 How herbs, homeopathy, and other subtle medicines support connective tissue healing

● 20:54 The connection between your breath, diaphragm, vagus nerve, and fascia

● 22:22 How slowing down and reconnecting with your body can transform healing

● 23:52 The biggest takeaways from the fascia series—and where the conversation is headed next

● 24:21 Why your symptoms are communications, not signs that your body is broken

Links and resources:

● Episode 63 Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/63-part-1-fascia-why-stress-trauma-and-pain-live-in-the-body/id1790365046?i=1000774971717

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

● Episode 06. What Happens in Vagus: The Missing Link to Resilience, Digestion & Hormone Balance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/06-what-happens-in-vagus-the-missing-link-to/id1790365046?i=1000700362895

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if the system connecting your muscles, organs, hormones, nervous system, and even your emotional health has been overlooked all along?

In this first part of a two-part series, I introduce fascia through a completely different lens. While it's often described as connective tissue, fascia is far more than that. It's a living, responsive network that helps your body communicate, adapt, and heal.

We explore why fascia is becoming an increasingly important topic in modern research, how it responds to stress, posture, movement, hydration, and hormones, and why it may hold the missing link between physical symptoms, nervous system regulation, and whole-person healing. By the end of this episode, you'll begin to see your body not as separate systems, but as one integrated conversation.

In this episode, we cover:

● 00:49 Why fascia may be one of the body's most overlooked systems

● 02:52 What new research says about hormones and fascia

● 06:42 The clinical pattern I keep seeing in women struggling with chronic symptoms

● 08:10 What fascia actually is (and what it isn't)

● 11:52 Why hydration, collagen, and movement all matter for healthy fascia

● 13:02 How fascia acts as the body's communication network

● 16:42 Why fascia changes how I think about development, healing, and spirit

● 18:23 How modern life shapes tension patterns—and how we begin releasing them

● 24:11 The connection between your breath, diaphragm, fascia, and healing

● 25:26 A preview of Part Two: trauma, chronic tension, and restoring movement

Links and resources:

● Episode 02. The Blueprint for Healing: Naturopathic Principles and the Therapeutic Order: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/02-the-blueprint-for-healing-naturopathic-principles/id1790365046?i=1000684966344

● Episode 45. How Depression Heals: The Therapeutic Order for Mind, Body, and Spirit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/45-how-depression-heals-the-therapeutic-order-for/id1790365046?i=1000744134391

● Episode 30. Why Hydration Alone Isn’t Enough: The Power of Hydrotherapy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/30-why-hydration-alone-isnt-enough-the-power/id1790365046?i=1000725855973

● Episode 03. Midlife and the Nervous System: Building Resilience Step by Step: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/03-midlife-and-the-nervous-system-building/id1790365046?i=1000684966973

● Episode 54. Know Thyself, Heal Thyself: Patterns, Nervous System, and the Path to Integration: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/54-know-thyself-heal-thyself-patterns-nervous-system/id1790365046?i=1000758622096

● Episode 60. How the Body Holds Grief: A Conversation on Healing, Nature & Nervous System Resilience with Dr. Mark Romano, ND: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/60-how-the-body-holds-grief-a-conversation-on/id1790365046?i=1000770913362

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Your body is always communicating with you. The real question is: are you listening?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sheena Jongeneel, licensed acupuncturist, founder of Empress, and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, to explore women's hormones through a different lens—one rooted in patterns, vitality, and the body's innate wisdom. We talk about the connection between stress and hormone health, why so many women feel disconnected from their cycles, and how Eastern medicine approaches PMS, perimenopause, and menopause by supporting the whole person rather than simply managing symptoms.

Dr. Sheena shares her own journey from Pilates instructor to acupuncturist, how her daughter's first period and her own perimenopausal symptoms inspired the creation of her wellness brand, and why she believes these midlife transitions can become some of the most empowering seasons of a woman's life.

If you've ever wondered what your symptoms are trying to tell you—or if you're looking for natural ways to support your hormones—this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:06 How Dr. Sheena found her path to Eastern medicine

● 02:48 Why Pilates led her to acupuncture and holistic healing

● 04:35 Burnout, meditation, and lessons from her training years

● 07:52 Understanding hormone patterns through Traditional Chinese Medicine

● 10:35 The personal story behind creating Empress

● 15:33 The connection between stress, qi, and the foods we eat

● 21:26 How herbal formulas support hormones at different life stages

● 26:16 Period packs, first periods, and removing shame around menstruation

● 29:15 Natural options for teens dealing with painful periods and acne

● 30:16 How herbs can help us understand deeper patterns in the body

● 31:20 The relationship between stress and hormone balance

● 33:55 Common signs your body may need extra support during perimenopause

● 37:12 Why your cycle is one of your most important vital signs

● 40:02 The mindset shift that can transform midlife

● 42:09 Mother-daughter hormone stories and cycle synchronicity

● 46:50 Where homeopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine overlap

● 52:04 Why women deserve to know all of their natural options

● 56:11 Where to learn more about Dr. Sheena and Empress

Links and resources:

● The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/214967.The_Web_That_Has_No_Weaver_

● Empress: herempress.com

● Empress Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empressofhealth

● Empress TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@herempress

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Connect with Dr. Sheena Jongeneel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheenajongeneel_l.ac/

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Grief doesn't just live in your mind. It lives in your body, too.

In part two of this series, I move beyond the physiology of grief and into the healing process itself. We explore how grief shapes fascia, nervous system patterns, hormones, and even our sense of safety—and why healing isn't about "moving on," but about creating the conditions for your body to reorganize after loss.

I share the herbs I commonly use to support acute stress and chronic dysregulation, how homeopathy helps us understand grief as an individual pattern rather than a diagnosis, and why somatic practices, breathwork, and spiritual traditions can help us complete what grief has left unfinished. This episode is an invitation to approach loss with more compassion, more understanding, and more trust in your body's ability to heal.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:06 A look back at how grief affects cortisol, hormones, inflammation, digestion, and the nervous system

● 02:28 Why grief isn't just emotional—and how unresolved loss can shape tension patterns, breathing, and tissue health

● 04:03 The healing practices I return to and why we are never truly helpless in the face of suffering

● 05:41 Herbs for acute stress

● 07:32 How herbs like ashwagandha, rhodiola, hawthorn, rose, and mimosa can support resilience and emotional healing

● 10:02 Why homeopathy doesn't treat grief itself, but the unique way grief expresses itself in each individual

● 12:05 Simple techniques like breathwork, orienting, movement, and co-regulation that help the body feel safe enough to heal

● 14:08 Viewing grief as a disruption of life force, and how breath, visualization, and heart-centered practices can support recovery

● 16:25 Why grief changes us, how healing unfolds over time, and learning to trust the waves instead of fighting them

Links and resources:

● Episode 61 Part 1. Why Grief Feels Physical: Understanding Loss Through the Lens of Midlife Health: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/61-part-1-why-grief-feels-physical-understanding-loss/id1790365046?i=1000771997519

● Healing into Life and Death by Stephen Levine: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/263053.Healing_into_Life_and_Death

● Episode 60. How the Body Holds Grief: A Conversation on Healing, Nature & Nervous System Resilience with Dr. Mark Romano, ND: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/60-how-the-body-holds-grief-a-conversation-on/id1790365046?i=1000770913362

● Episode 38. How to Trust Your Inner Knowing in Midlife with Dr. Valerie Simonsen ND: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/38-how-to-trust-your-inner-knowing-in-midlife-with-dr/id1790365046?i=1000736397645

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Grief isn’t just something we feel emotionally—it changes us physically, too.

In this episode, I take a deeper look at what happens inside the body when grief, loss, and major life transitions don’t fully move through our system. Building on my recent conversation with Dr. Mark Romano, we explore how grief affects the nervous system, cortisol rhythm, inflammation, gut health, and hormone balance, especially during perimenopause and menopause.

Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, navigating a divorce, adjusting to an empty nest, or mourning a version of yourself that no longer exists, your body is responding in ways that are both real and measurable. Understanding those responses can help you move from confusion and self-blame toward compassion, awareness, and healing.

In this episode, we explore why grief is more than an emotional experience, how it can disrupt the body's stress response, and what it means to create the conditions for true healing and reorganization after loss.

In this episode, we cover:

● 02:47 A powerful reading on grief and healing

● 05:36 Why grief is different from everyday stress

● 07:23 Understanding the HPA axis and stress response

● 09:21 What happens during an acute cortisol surge

● 11:25 When grief becomes chronic dysregulation

● 13:23 Grief during perimenopause and menopause

● 15:10 Numbness, shutdown, and protective physiology

● 17:26 Inflammation, immunity, and grief

● 21:03 The gut-brain connection during loss

● 23:49 The steroid hormone cascade explained

● 28:24 Progesterone, sleep, and stress resilience

● 30:40 Neurosteroids and emotional regulation

● 34:23 Why grief feels like a threat to the brain

● 38:07 Grief as initiation and transformation

● 40:19 Real-world clinical grief patterns

● 42:46 Practical ways to support healing and regulation

Links and resources:

● Episode 60. How the Body Holds Grief: A Conversation on Healing, Nature & Nervous System Resilience with Dr. Mark Romano, ND: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/60-how-the-body-holds-grief-a-conversation-on/id1790365046?i=1000770913362

● Healing into Life and Death by Stephen Levine: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/263053.Healing_into_Life_and_Death

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

● Episode 33. The HPA Axis Deep Dive (Part 1): Why It Comes Before Hormones: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/33-the-hpa-axis-deep-dive-part-1-why-it-comes-before-hormones/id1790365046?i=1000729491418

● 33. The HPA Axis Deep Dive (Part 2): Why It Comes Before Hormones: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/33-the-hpa-axis-deep-dive-part-2-why-it-comes-before-hormones/id1790365046?i=1000730776671

● Episode 49. IBS vs. IBD: Understanding Gut Inflammation Through Clinical Cases: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/49-ibs-vs-ibd-understanding-gut-inflammation-through/id1790365046?i=1000749212470

● Episode 16. The Gut-Brain Anxiety Loop: Healing Anxiety from the Inside Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/16-the-gut-brain-anxiety-loop-healing-anxiety-from/id1790365046?i=1000711130337

● Episode 10. What is Perimenopause Anyway? Guide to the Transition Before THE Transition: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-what-is-perimenopause-anyway-guide-to-the/id1790365046?i=1000703711772

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if grief doesn’t just live in the mind but in the body too?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Mark Romano, ND for a deeply thoughtful conversation on grief, healing, the nervous system, and what it means to feel at home in your body again.

We explore how loss and transition can live in the body long after the moment has passed, how tension and symptoms can become part of our body’s way of holding what hasn’t fully moved through, and why healing often begins not with fixing—but with feeling safe enough to listen.

Dr. Mark shares his journey into naturopathic medicine, how Lyme disease changed the way he understands healing, and the powerful ways he works with patients through qigong, breath, movement, connective tissue, and nature-based practices.

This conversation moves through science, story, physiology, spirituality, and the very human experience of grief and becoming. We talk about how healing can look like learning to sit with the unknown, reconnecting with your senses, and allowing your body to guide you back toward yourself.

If you’ve been moving through a season of loss, change, burnout, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:06 Meeting Dr. Mark Romano and the path that led him into naturopathic medicine

● 03:19 How discovering naturopathy changed the trajectory of his work

● 09:39 Grief, growth, transitions, and why healing is often more about evolving than fixing

● 11:09 Working with cancer patients, supporting his mother through illness, and what those experiences taught him about presence

● 16:28 Why safety and co-regulation are foundational to healing

● 20:17 Alignment, tension patterns, and how the body reflects what’s happening beneath the surface

● 24:45 Qigong, posture, joy, and how movement influences physiology and emotion

● 30:16 The default mode network, neuroplasticity, and how new sensory input can shift old patterns

● 34:10 Why grief feels so disorienting and why we often struggle to find language for it

● 36:29 Connective tissue, Chinese medicine, and how emotions can be held in the body

● 38:20 Interoception, “life sense,” and reconnecting to your body’s signals

● 39:43 The concept of Po, body exchange, and what it means to release what we’re holding

● 40:21 How grief can live physically in the body and why symptoms can feel tied to unresolved emotion

● 42:45 Safety, connection, addiction, and why healing often requires support

● 44:16 Breathing with trees and how nature can hold us through grief and transition

● 48:12 Sense foraging and using nature as a tool for nervous system healing

● 50:19 Rhythm, movement, listening, and finding the type of movement your body responds to

● 51:32 Stillness, the unknown, and why listening inward can feel difficult but powerful

● 54:25 Dopamine, growth, gut health, and reconnecting with your body’s cues

● 58:03 Unburdening through imagination, creativity, and sensory experience

● 01:05:02 “Nothingness and meaning in grief” and what emptiness can reveal to us

● 01:08:13 Dr. Mark’s Three Hearts meditation practice

● 01:11:19 Final reflections on grief, healing, and learning how to listen to the body again

Links and resources:

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

● Episode 44. Why Healing Requires Learning to Feel with Dr. Jenn Rapkin, ND: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/44-why-healing-requires-learning-to-feel-with-dr-jenn/id1790365046?i=1000743291781

● Better in Every Sense by Norman Farb and Zindel Segal: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/145624853-better-in-every-sense

● Barefoot Living Arts: https://barefootlivingarts.org/

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Perimenopause has a way of bringing everything to the surface.

What once felt manageable can suddenly feel louder. Sleep shifts. Anxiety rises. Your cycle changes. Your nervous system feels more reactive. And many women find themselves saying, “I don’t feel like myself anymore.”

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I continue our deep dive into homeopathy and perimenopause by moving from theory into practice. If part one laid the foundation, this conversation is where it all becomes real.

I walk through how homeopathic remedies actually work in the body, how potency and dilution are understood clinically, and how I think through cases in practice when a woman comes in feeling like something has shifted—but she can’t quite explain why.

If you’ve been trying to understand what your body is asking for in this season, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:03 Part one overview

● 01:42 Coffee remedy explained

● 03:29 How homeopathic remedies are prepared and why potency works differently than most people assume

● 05:40 Potency levels in practice

● 07:14 Why perimenopause often presents with multiple layers happening at once: acute symptoms, deeper patterns, and long-standing constitutional tendencies

● 10:09 How remedies are chosen

● 12:39 Medications and deeper patterns

● 14:51 Real clinical examples of how similar symptoms can reflect very different underlying patterns—and therefore require very different remedies

● 19:28 Common menopause remedies

● 25:01 Dosing nuance and follow-up

● 27:35 How healing often unfolds in patterns—and what I look for when I’m assessing whether someone is moving in the right direction

● 29:05 Perimenopause as initiation

Links and resources:

● Episode 59 Part 1. Homeopathy in Perimenopause: What Your Symptoms Are Really Saying: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/59-part-1-homeopathy-in-perimenopause-what-your-symptoms/id1790365046?i=1000768705747

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

● Episode 54. Know Thyself, Heal Thyself: Patterns, Nervous System, and the Path to Integration: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/54-know-thyself-heal-thyself-patterns-nervous-system/id1790365046?i=1000758622096

● Organon of Medicine by Samuel Hahnemann: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230240.Organon_of_Medicine

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Homeopathy begins with one radical idea: the body is communicating.

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I begin a long-awaited conversation about homeopathy—what it actually is, why it’s so misunderstood, and why I believe it’s one of the most important and underappreciated tools in perimenopause and menopause.

In this first part of the series, I lay the foundation for understanding homeopathy through the lens of physiology, stress response, symptom patterns, and the body’s deeper organizing intelligence.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:03 Why homeopathy gets misunderstood

● 04:21 The Organon and two ways of practicing medicine

● 05:32 Modern medicine vs. the person

● 08:07 What homeopathy actually is

● 09:35 Symptoms as communication

● 11:52 Acute illness examples

● 13:33 Why repeatedly shutting symptoms down without understanding them can sometimes deepen

● 14:55 What “like cures like” actually means in homeopathy

● 16:11 Part two preview

Links and resources:

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

● Episode 54. Know Thyself, Heal Thyself: Patterns, Nervous System, and the Path to Integration: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/54-know-thyself-heal-thyself-patterns-nervous-system/id1790365046?i=1000758622096

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if your seasonal allergies aren’t random and your body isn’t just “overreacting”?

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I walk you through a completely different way of understanding seasonal allergies—one that goes beyond pollen counts and antihistamines and looks at your terrain, your immune system, your nervous system, your gut health, and your body’s overall ability to tolerate the environment around you.

In this episode, I explain how histamine actually works, why some people react more intensely than others, how gut health and stress physiology affect allergies, and the practical tools I use in clinic to help patients reduce symptoms and build resilience long term.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:03 Why allergies matter

● 02:39 Why common symptoms like congestion, itchy eyes, fatigue, and brain fog are not random

● 05:32 How mast cells, histamine, and IgE antibodies create the classic allergy response

● 08:16 The histamine + anxiety connection

● 09:33 How gut health, mucosal barriers, liver function, and nervous system stress shape allergic responses

● 15:36 One of my favorite ways to explain why your body may suddenly feel like it’s reacting to everything

● 19:21 Simple tools I use clinically during allergy season

● 23:52 Herbs and nutrients toolkit

● 33:42 When allergies turn stagnant

● 36:28 Why allergy support should begin before symptoms start—and how to prepare your terrain ahead of the season

● 40:29 The deeper goal of allergy work

Links and resources:

● Episode 51. Sunlight as Medicine: Restoring Rhythm, Mood, and Vitality Through Light: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/51-sunlight-as-medicine-restoring-rhythm-mood-and/id1790365046?i=1000753018736

● Episode 52. Vitamin D Is Not a Vitamin: Light, Immunity, Mood, and Why Supplements Often Fail: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/52-vitamin-d-is-not-a-vitamin-light-immunity-mood/id1790365046?i=1000754637973

● Episode 48. Why IBS Gets Worse in Midlife: A Gut–Brain Perspective: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-why-ibs-gets-worse-in-midlife-a-gut-brain-perspective/id1790365046?i=1000748001710

● Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163

● Episode 47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-2-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746987885

● Episode 37. Guide to Navigating Food Allergies, Sensitivities & Intolerances: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/37-guide-to-navigating-food-allergies-sensitivities/id1790365046?i=1000735368717

● Episode 31. Detox Without Fear: Foundations for Midlife Health: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/31-detox-without-fear-foundations-for-midlife-health/id1790365046?i=1000727168021

● Episode 57 Part 1. The Art of Self-Care as Medicine: Learning to Think Like a Naturopath: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/57-part-1-the-art-of-self-care-as-medicine-learning/id1790365046?i=1000764259452

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What do you do when your symptoms actually get worse?

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I walk you through what to do when an acute illness is fully underway—when the fever rises, your energy drops, and your body clearly commits to fighting something.

This is the phase where most people panic.

But what if nothing has gone wrong?

What if your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do?

I explain how to move from fear-based reactions into understanding what your body is actually trying to accomplish and how to support it in a way that helps you recover more efficiently.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:03 What’s actually happening when symptoms intensify and why this phase matters

● 02:00 Why worsening symptoms often mean your body is doing exactly what it should

● 03:59 How fever supports immune function—and when to support vs. intervene

● 06:35 Supportive care basics

● 08:22 Chills to sweat stages

● 09:37 Hydrotherapy at home

● 11:02 The “magic socks” method

● 15:02 How to use warmth and moisture to support respiratory symptoms

● 16:54 What to have at home so you’re not scrambling when you get sick

● 19:44 Simple at-home tools for congestion, cough, and chest support

● 22:18 How different herbs support different symptoms and stages of illness

● 24:59 How to soothe irritated tissues during illness.

● 26:46 Why not all “immune support” is the same—and how timing matters

● 29:34 When stronger interventions are helpful—and when they’re not.

● 31:52 Homeopathy basics

● 32:48 A breakdown of common remedies and when to use them

● 37:08 How to support vomiting, diarrhea, and gut symptoms without panic

● 40:46 When to stop managing at home and seek additional care

● 42:12 Why how you recover matters just as much as how you respond

● 47:21 How to move from fear-based reactions to confident, at-home care

Links and resources:

● Episode 57 Part 1. The Art of Self-Care as Medicine: Learning to Think Like a Naturopath: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/57-part-1-the-art-of-self-care-as-medicine-learning/id1790365046?i=1000764259452

● Episode 51. Sunlight as Medicine: Restoring Rhythm, Mood, and Vitality Through Light: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/51-sunlight-as-medicine-restoring-rhythm-mood-and/id1790365046?i=1000753018736

● Episode 52. Vitamin D Is Not a Vitamin: Light, Immunity, Mood, and Why Supplements Often Fail: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/52-vitamin-d-is-not-a-vitamin-light-immunity-mood/id1790365046?i=1000754637973

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What would you do if you got sick tomorrow and you didn’t have access to medication?

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I want to shift the way you think about getting sick—and more importantly, how you respond to it. Because for most people, the instinct is to stop symptoms as quickly as possible.

But what if your symptoms aren’t the problem? What if they’re part of the solution?

This is where we start to move out of panic and into understanding. I walk you through how acute illness actually unfolds in the body, what your early symptoms are trying to tell you, and how small, simple shifts can change the entire trajectory of getting sick.

This episode is about learning how to work with your body in real time, instead of overriding it—and why that matters more than any supplement or protocol.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:03 The question I always ask patients—and why most people don’t know how to answer it

● 02:27 Why symptoms aren’t random

● 03:32 What your body is doing before you’re fully sick and how to catch it early

● 06:02 Why overriding fatigue and early symptoms can make illness worse

● 08:06 Why “drink more water” is actually a powerful physiological intervention

● 09:09 How simple things like ginger, chamomile, and warm fluids support your immune response

● 10:38 How water and temperature can shift circulation, immunity, and nervous system state

● 12:48 Why your body’s ability to respond depends on sleep, stress, and overall regulation

● 13:51 What’s actually happening when fever, fatigue, and congestion show up—and why that’s not a bad thing

● 16:19 A preview of Part 2

Links and resources:

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

● Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163

● Episode 47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-2-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746987885

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Healing doesn’t just happen in a doctor’s office—it happens in your daily life.

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I start bringing this work into real life and show you what it actually looks like to care for your body at home.

If you’ve been following along, you might already be seeing your health differently. You understand your symptoms aren’t random. But now the question becomes: how do you actually respond to your body day-to-day?

This is where healing becomes practical.

I walk you through simple, foundational tools—from hydrotherapy to nervous system regulation—that help you work with your body instead of against it. The goal isn’t to do more. It’s to become more aware, more responsive, and more intentional in how you support your system every day.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:03 Why your daily habits matter more than any protocol

● 01:59 How simple things like water can shift your nervous system and immune response

● 03:27 The “magic socks” method

● 05:37 What might be quietly overwhelming your system every day

● 07:05 Allergies and threshold

● 10:20 PMS in midlife

● 12:39 Healing through touch

● 17:58 Why your body needs consistency more than intensity.

● 20:34 Seeds of health in daily life

● 21:06 Becoming your own healer

Links and resources:

● Episode 56 Part 1. Healing at Home: How to Work With Your Body Every Day: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/56-part-1-healing-at-home-how-to-work-with-your-body-every-day/id1790365046?i=1000761770531

● Episode 07. Why Your Health Philosophy Matters + The Seeds of Health for True Healing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/07-why-your-health-philosophy-matters-the-seeds/id1790365046?i=1000700883058

● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568

● Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163

● Episode 47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-2-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746987885

● FREE Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal

● FREE Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Your body already knows how to heal. The problem is how often we interrupt it.

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I walk you through what it actually means to start healing at home—not just understanding your body, but knowing how to respond to it in real time.

I break down how healing doesn’t happen in theory—it happens in your daily life. From how you eat, sleep, and move, to how you respond to your symptoms, your home becomes the place where healing either happens…or gets interrupted.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:03 Why healing doesn’t just happen in a doctor’s office

● 05:08 How working on the gut-brain axis helps you recognize patterns in your body

● 10:14 Herbs as signals

● 10:49 The homeopathy mindset

● 12:17 Cell salts basics

● 15:08 Building your home medicine cabinet

● 15:37 Herbal categories guide

● 19:29 Homeopathy examples

● 23:37 Walking you through how to use this approach day-to-day so your symptoms feel less confusing

● 24:22 What’s coming next on Part 2

Links and resources:

● Episode 07. Why Your Health Philosophy Matters + The Seeds of Health for True Healing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/07-why-your-health-philosophy-matters-the-seeds/id1790365046?i=1000700883058

● Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163

● Episode 47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-2-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746987885

● 30. Why Hydration Alone Isn’t Enough: The Power of Hydrotherapy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/30-why-hydration-alone-isnt-enough-the-power/id1790365046?i=1000725855973

● FREE Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal

● FREE Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Your body already knows how to heal. The problem is how often we interrupt it.

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I bring together everything we’ve been exploring in the awakening series and take it one step further into what actually drives healing.

This is where we move beyond awareness and into relationship. Specifically, your relationship with your body’s healing intelligence.

I introduce the concept of vis medicatrix naturae—the healing power of nature—and explain why your body is constantly working to restore balance, even when it doesn’t feel like it. We talk about why healing has an order, why symptoms are not the enemy, and why so many people feel stuck even after “trying everything.” Because more often than not, it’s not that your body isn’t healing. It’s that the sequence is being interrupted.

If you’ve been jumping from protocol to protocol, trying to fix symptoms without real progress, this episode will help you understand what might be missing, and how to start working with your body in a completely different way.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:08 Why awakening alone doesn’t actually create healing

● 03:25 What is Vis Medicatrix Naturae?

● 04:06 Feeling the energy field

● 05:56 Why healing has an order

● 08:09 Wound healing analogy

● 09:57 How constantly interrupting the healing process can turn acute issues into chronic ones

● 11:38 Nature cure lineage

● 13:50 The therapeutic order as science

● 16:54 Assessing vitality signals

18:10 Belief and the meaning response

● 19:12 State-based healing systems

● 21:29 Seeds of health foundations

● 23:18 Energy medicine and why kids respond quickly

● 24:41 Biohacking vs nature cure

● 28:24 Hands-on relational care

● 30:29 I walk through a real case to show how removing obstacles and restoring safety allows the body to reorganize

● 36:51 A simple breath practice

● 38:14 Resources and next steps

Links and resources:

● Episode 02. The Blueprint for Healing: Naturopathic Principles and the Therapeutic Order: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/02-the-blueprint-for-healing-naturopathic-principles/id1790365046?i=1000684966344

● Episode 53 Part 1. Health Awakening: The Health Crisis That Wakes You Up and Why Midlife Is the Portal: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/53-part-1-health-awakening-the-health-crisis-that/id1790365046?i=1000755916907

● Episode 53 Part 2. Health Awakening: The Health Crisis That Wakes You Up and Why Midlife Is the Portal: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/53-part-2-health-awakening-the-health-crisis-that/id1790365046?i=1000757225580

● FREE Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup

● The Vital Spirit Method Webinar: https://drkellylivingston.com/webinar/signup

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if the reason you keep dealing with the same symptoms… is because the same patterns are still running in the background?

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I shift the conversation from awakening to integration—what actually happens after you realize your symptoms aren’t random. This is where healing becomes more than protocols, labs, or supplements. It becomes about self-knowledge.

If you’ve been trying to “fix” your health but keep ending up in the same cycle, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do differently.

In this episode, we cover:

● 01:18 Why healing doesn’t stop at awareness

● 02:14 The “know thyself” framework

● 03:24 Safety and self-awareness

● 05:24 Perimenopause and stress physiology

● 07:42 Living in your mind vs your body

● 09:28 Nervous system check-in

● 12:15 Five energy-draining patterns

● 16:15 How your relationship with emotions shapes your nervous system

● 19:37 The empath stress pattern

● 20:10 When symptoms speak for you

● 20:50 Simple tool to help you recognize your patterns in real time

● 22:24 Regulation tools menu

● 23:00 Neuroplasticity through repetition

● 24:33 How regulating your nervous system directly impacts sleep, mood, digestion, and hormone balance

● 25:38 Self-acceptance over fixing

● 27:44 External mirrors for patterns

● 31:52 Internal mirrors and practices

● 34:25 Guided support and therapy

● 35:49 A simple starter framework

● 39:05 Closing grounding exercise

Links and resources:

● Episode 53 Part 1. Health Awakening: The Health Crisis That Wakes You Up and Why Midlife Is the Portal: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/53-part-1-health-awakening-the-health-crisis-that/id1790365046?i=1000755916907

● Episode 53 Part 2. Health Awakening: The Health Crisis That Wakes You Up and Why Midlife Is the Portal: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/53-part-2-health-awakening-the-health-crisis-that/id1790365046?i=1000757225580

● Episode 11 Part 1. Which Labs Actually Matter for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-part-1-which-labs-actually-matter-for-women-in-perimenopause/id1790365046?i=1000704570884

● Episode 11 Part 2. Which Labs Actually Matter for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-part-2-which-labs-actually-matter-for-women-in-perimenopause/id1790365046?i=1000705254063

● FREE Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup

● Join Burnout to Balance Waitlist: https://www.rootsdeepmedicine.com/b2bnew

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if the biggest obstacle to your healing isn’t your symptoms but the way you’ve been taught to think about them?

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I go deeper into the concept of a health awakening—this time focusing on the part that often gets missed: deprogramming. This is where healing shifts from just protocols and supplements into something much deeper. It’s about unlearning the belief that your body is broken, that symptoms are the enemy, and that someone else has to fix you.

If Part 1 helped you recognize the awakening, this episode helps you understand how to move through it.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:23 Why so much of healing isn’t about adding more
2. 04:08 What awakening really means
3. 05:15 What it actually looks like when you stop trying to “fix” symptoms
4. 08:02 Why symptoms are not the problem
5. 09:42 Anxiety, thoughts, and emotions
6. 12:19 Why nervous system regulation and physical healing create the foundation for emotional resilience and awareness
7. 14:42 The therapeutic order as a map
8. 17:09 Universal awakening stages
9. 19:44 Psychedelics vs embodiment
10. 22:23 Practical entry points
11. 26:07 How the brain becomes wired to seek problems and urgency
12. 28:30 Different approaches to healing the nervous system and subconscious patterns
13. 31:31 Inner guidance and discernment
14. 34:43 Guided self-worth practice

Links and resources:

1. Episode 53 Part 1. Health Awakening: The Health Crisis That Wakes You Up and Why Midlife Is the Portal: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/53-part-1-health-awakening-the-health-crisis-that/id1790365046?i=1000755916907
2. Episode 36. The Dark Night of the Soul: Descent, Healing, and the Alchemy of Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/36-the-dark-night-of-the-soul-descent/id1790365046?i=1000734013547
3. Episode 41 Part 1. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-1-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000739475942
4. Episode 41 Part 2. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-2-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000740607767
5. Episode 01. Midlife As A Gateway to Your Health Awakening: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/01-midlife-as-a-gateway-to-your-health-awakening/id1790365046?i=1000684965783

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if your symptoms aren’t a problem to fix…but a message trying to wake you up?

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m opening up a deeper conversation about what I call a health awakening—the moment you start realizing that everything you’ve been taught about your body, your symptoms, and your healing might be incomplete.

This isn’t about “love and light” or bypassing what you’re feeling. It’s about understanding why midlife—especially perimenopause and menopause—can feel like everything is falling apart… when in reality, something deeper is coming online.

If you’ve been feeling off, questioning everything, or like you’re not the same person anymore, this episode will help you make sense of it.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:41 What a health awakening actually is and why it often starts with a health crisis
2. 04:32 How we’ve been conditioned to see health (and why that programming keeps you stuck)
3. 07:51 The therapeutic order as a roadmap
4. 09:46 Why menopause is more than a hormonal shift
5. 12:30 Subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs you’re going through a health awakening
6. 14:06 How awakening happens through the body
7. 17:08 A real-life case study: Sarah’s journey from burnout to awareness
8. 23:56 The “cocoon phase”—why you start pulling back and setting boundaries
9. 29:21 The truth about disillusionment, healing crises, and why things can feel worse before they feel better
10. 32:25 Why you cannot wake other people up (and what to do instead)
11. 33:27 Where psychology meets awakening—Maslow, Jung, and the deeper layers of healing
12. 36:53 The responsibility that comes with awareness—and what integration really looks like
13. 37:45 A grounding closing blessing to anchor your journey

Links and resources:

1. Episode 01. Midlife As A Gateway to Your Health Awakening: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/01-midlife-as-a-gateway-to-your-health-awakening/id1790365046?i=1000684965783
2. Episode 36. The Dark Night of the Soul: Descent, Healing, and the Alchemy of Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/36-the-dark-night-of-the-soul-descent/id1790365046?i=1000734013547
3. Episode 44. Why Healing Requires Learning to Feel with Dr. Jenn Rapkin, ND: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/44-why-healing-requires-learning-to-feel-with-dr-jenn/id1790365046?i=1000743291781
4. Join Burnout to Balance Waitlist: https://www.rootsdeepmedicine.com/b2bnew

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Did you know that vitamin D isn’t really a vitamin at all; and the real issue isn’t how much you supplement, but how much light your body receives?

In this episode of the Vital Spirit Podcast, I explore the deeper physiology of vitamin D and why thinking of it as just another nutrient misses the bigger picture. Vitamin D functions as a hormone that communicates information about light, safety, season, and rhythm to the body. That means when levels stay low despite supplementation, the real question often isn’t “How much should I take?” but rather “What upstream signal is missing?”

If your vitamin D levels have ever stayed stubbornly low or you’ve wondered whether supplements are really enough, this episode will help you understand the bigger biological story.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 03:32 Why vitamin D is technically not a vitamin
2. 04:54 Vitamin D’s role in gene regulation and nutrigenomics
3. 06:17 I explore the connection between vitamin D and immune regulation
4. 09:08 How the skin functions as an immune and endocrine organ
5. 10:03 The relationship between vitamin D, mood, circadian rhythm, and serotonin production, including how low levels can contribute to depression
6. 12:58 Why vitamin D becomes even more important in midlife
7. 13:49 The common reasons vitamin D levels remain low even with supplementation
8. 15:37 Which labs actually matter when evaluating vitamin D status
9. 17:12 Practical strategies for raising vitamin D
10. 25:28 I share my frustration about insurance companies increasingly refusing to cover vitamin D testing and why this matters for preventive medicine

Links and resources:

1. FREE Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup
2. FREE Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal
3. Rupa Health Lab Shop: https://labs.rupahealth.com/store/storefront_6G8Rzpn
4. Episode 51. Sunlight as Medicine: Restoring Rhythm, Mood, and Vitality Through Light: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/51-sunlight-as-medicine-restoring-rhythm-mood-and/id1790365046?i=1000753018736
5. Episode 41 Part 1. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-1-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000739475942
6. Episode 41 Part 2. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-2-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000740607767

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Morning sunlight is not optional.

In this episode, I break down why sunlight is one of the most powerful upstream regulators of human physiology we have. This isn’t biohacking nor a trend. It’s remembering something ancient and foundational to how we’re built.

We talk circadian rhythm, cortisol, serotonin, appetite, metabolism, mitochondria, mood, and nervous system safety—and why so many modern health struggles are actually rhythm problems.

If you’re struggling with sleep, burnout, hormonal chaos, low mood, anxiety, food noise, or stubborn weight changes…light is not a small thing. It’s the foundation.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:03 Why I talk about light before supplements, labs, and almost anything else.
2. 02:12 Awareness check-in
3. 03:26 How sunlight was prescribed intentionally in nature cure sanitariums
4. 04:21 Circadian clock basics
5. 06:07 Eyes as timekeepers
6. 07:16 Morning light benefits
7. 08:59 Chronotypes and social jet lag
8. 11:08 Light, appetite, and metabolism
9. 14:49 Movement and timing
10. 16:24 Light and mood pathways
11. 20:10 Mitochondria and energy
12. 22:50 Why we feel better on vacation
13. 25:47 Dark nights matter
14. 27:51 Light boxes and devices
15. 28:46 Morning grounding practice
16. 31:16 Final takeaways

Links and resources:

1. Fullscript Link for Light Therapy: https://us.fullscript.com/plans/klivingston-light-therapy
2. Episode 30. Why Hydration Alone Isn’t Enough: The Power of Hydrotherapy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uO8wB8AOvY
3. Episode 46. Movement as Medicine: Restoring Flow, Safety, and Vitality in Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/46-movement-as-medicine-restoring-flow-safety-and/id1790365046?i=1000745111800
4. Episode 33. The HPA Axis Deep Dive (Part 1): Why It Comes Before Hormones: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/33-the-hpa-axis-deep-dive-part-1-why-it-comes-before-hormones/id1790365046?i=1000729491418
5. Episode 33. The HPA Axis Deep Dive (Part 2): Why It Comes Before Hormones: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/33-the-hpa-axis-deep-dive-part-2-why-it-comes-before-hormones/id1790365046?i=1000730776671
6. Episode 35. Sleep Masterclass: The Forgotten Medicine of Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/35-sleep-masterclass-the-forgotten-medicine-of-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000732944682
7. Episode 41 Part 1. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-1-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000739475942
8. Episode 41 Part 2. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-2-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000740607767
9. Join Burnout to Balance Waitlist: https://www.rootsdeepmedicine.com/b2bnew
10. Download the FREE Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

IBD is not just a diagnosis. It’s a pattern. And if we don’t understand the order in which healing needs to happen, we can unintentionally make things worse.

In this second part of the IBD Master Series, I step into the clinical side of care. We talk about labs, but we don’t reduce healing to numbers. I walk you through how I actually approach inflammatory bowel disease in practice—the sequence, the nuance, and why both extremes (food doesn’t matter vs. food is everything) miss the mark.

IBD healing requires regulation, precision, and a respect for the terrain. This episode is about how to move forward without fear, force, or rigid dogma.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:03 IBD series recap
2. 03:01 IBD types explained
3. 04:26 How to use labs
4. 05:44 Core bloodwork basics
5. 06:20 Why low ferritin is common in IBD
6. 07:24 Fats, micronutrients, and why you cannot rebuild an inflamed gut in a depleted body.
7. 08:37 Thyroid and celiac testing
8. 10:37 Stool markers to track
9. 13:23 Why rigid, one-size-fits-all diets fail
10. 15:08 Histamine and mast cells
11. 16:20 Infections and immune memory
12. 17:24 How I use glutamine, butyrate, and mucosal support to heal and seal the gut lining
13. 19:18 Healing order of operations
14. 21:36 Herbs and plant medicine
15. 23:12 RID and drainage sequencing
16. 24:54 Micronutrient rebuilding, tissue repair, and why remission stabilizes when we reinhabit the body and restore safety

Links and resources:

1. Episode 50. IBD Master Series Part 1: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Beyond the Diagnosis — A Terrain-Based Approach: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/50-ibd-master-series-part-1-inflammatory-bowel-disease/id1790365046?i=1000750306143
2. Episode 12. What Your Thyroid Is Trying to Tell You in Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/12-what-your-thyroid-is-trying-to-tell-you-in-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000706641159
3. Episode 32. What Your Doctor Might Be Missing About Midlife Fatigue (Epstein-Barr Virus EBV): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/32-what-your-doctor-might-be-missing-about-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000728187600

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is not rare. It’s not mysterious. And it’s not just “autoimmune.”

In this first part of the IBD Master Series, I expand the lens beyond conventional conversations and walk you through how I understand IBD as a whole-terrain condition—one that involves the gut, immune system, nervous system, hormones, microbiome, and life context.

This episode lays the groundwork. In Part 2, we’ll move into labs, sequencing, herbs, and clinical treatment. But first, we have to understand what we’re actually looking at.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:03 Why this IBD series matters
2. 02:05 The bigger picture: IBD and the terrain
3. 06:54 What IBD actually is (and isn’t)
4. 08:50 Ulcerative colitis explained
5. 10:36 Crohn’s disease explained
6. 12:27 IBS vs. IBD (and the gray zone)
7. 15:21 Root drivers of inflammation
8. 19:12 The microbiome and butyrate
9. 22:19 Midlife amplification + The Vital Spirit Method
10. 26:13 What’s coming in Part 2

Links and resources:

1. Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163
2. Episode 47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-2-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746987885
3. Episode 48. Why IBS Gets Worse in Midlife: A Gut–Brain Perspective: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-why-ibs-gets-worse-in-midlife-a-gut-brain-perspective/id1790365046?i=1000748001710
4. Episode 49. IBS vs. IBD: Understanding Gut Inflammation Through Clinical Cases: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/49-ibs-vs-ibd-understanding-gut-inflammation-through/id1790365046?i=1000749212470

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if your gut symptoms aren’t random, confusing, or “all in your head” but a story your body has been trying to tell for years?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I take you inside my clinical thinking as a naturopathic physician and walk you through how I differentiate IBS and IBD in real life, not just on paper. This is a case-based, detective-style episode where we look at gut inflammation through the lens of the gut–brain axis, nervous system regulation, immune signaling, and lived experience.

This conversation is for patients who feel misheard or misunderstood—and for practitioners who want to think more clearly, compassionately, and effectively about gut healing.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:03 Why I’m walking you through my actual clinical reasoning
2. 03:19 IBS vs. IBD: what really separates them
3. 05:26 How I approach gut cases in practice
4. 16:33 Real patient cases and what they reveal
5. 23:37 The healing order that actually works

Links and resources:

1. Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163
2. Episode 47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-2-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746987885
3. Episode 48. Why IBS Gets Worse in Midlife: A Gut–Brain Perspective: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-why-ibs-gets-worse-in-midlife-a-gut-brain-perspective/id1790365046?i=1000748001710
4. FREE Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup
5. Calm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

When people hear IBS, they’re often told it’s “just stress,” “just food,” or worse—all in their head. In this episode, I slow things down and walk you through IBS as what it truly is: a gut–brain axis pattern, rooted in nervous system regulation, physiology, lived experience, and meaning.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:03 Understanding IBS through the gut–brain axis
2. 02:28 Why a holistic approach actually matters for IBS
3. 05:22 How IBS symptoms reflect the nervous system
4. 09:24 Top-down and bottom-up healing explained simply
5. 14:55 The Vital Spirit Method for IBS
6. 18:34 The mechanical and energetic layers most people miss
7. 24:10 Labs, testing, and real patient stories
8. 33:34 What IBS is really asking for—and what to do next

Links and resources mentioned:

1. Calm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if your mood, digestion, stress response, and inflammation aren’t separate problems but expressions of the same conversation happening inside your body?

In Part 2 of the Gut–Brain Axis series on The Vital Spirit Podcast, I move out of theory and into real clinical life. We talk about what the gut–brain axis actually looks like in practice—especially for women navigating IBS, IBD, and the amplification that happens in midlife.

This episode is about understanding why symptoms get louder, why so many people feel stuck despite “doing all the right things,” and how to work with the body in the right order so healing becomes sustainable instead of exhausting.

In this episode, we cover:

1. Join Calm Gut, Clear Mind: A 21-Day Journey to Restore Your Gut, Balance Your Hormones & Soothe Your Nervous System: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset/getting-started
2. Listen to Episode 47 Part 1: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/961dcff4-9948-4a9e-a0e7-d385e12c410d/

Links and resources:

1. 01:03 The gut–brain axis in real life
2. 01:56 Why IBS isn’t “just stress” or “just food”
3. 04:40 How inflammatory bowel disease reflects immune dysregulation, depletion, and loss of tolerance
4. 08:09 How perimenopause changes motility, permeability, inflammation, and stress resilience
5. 09:59 The healing order that actually works
6. 17:03 Why safety, meaning, co-regulation, and rest aren’t “extras”

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

#depression #midlifehealth #midlifewomen

The gut–brain axis explains something most mental health models miss.

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I begin a two-part essential series on the gut–brain axis — the communication network between the gut, brain, immune system, hormones, and metabolism that shapes mood, stress resilience, and inflammation.

In Part 1, we explore why mood symptoms — including depression — often emerge during periods of chronic stress, immune activation, hormonal shifts, or gut dysfunction, even when life looks “fine” on the outside. This episode lays the biological foundation for understanding how the body enters survival states, and why healing requires working with physiology, not against it.

In this episode, we cover:

01:03 Why mood symptoms need a new biological framework

01:34 What the gut–brain axis is and why it’s foundational to healing

02:22 How the gut and brain communicate through neural, immune, endocrine, and microbial pathways

08:10 The vagus nerve and why your gut sends emotional signals upstream

10:54 Immune signaling, inflammation, and “sickness behavior”

13:15 Hormones, blood sugar, cortisol, and metabolic pathways

15:08 Microbial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, and neurotransmitter terrain

19:52 Clinical examples that show why mood and gut symptoms are inseparable

21:30 Why this matters — and what’s coming in Part 2

Links and resources:

1. Join Calm Gut, Clear Mind: A 21-Day Journey to Restore Your Gut, Balance Your Hormones & Soothe Your Nervous System: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset/getting-started
2. Listen to Episode 4. Why Healing Your Gut Is the First Step to Hormone Balance: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/47733e90-298c-4bfb-bd76-46b443dd26a4/
3. Listen to Episode 6. What Happens in Vagus: The Missing Link to Resilience, Digestion & Hormone Balance: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b278c36f-eb4e-4004-9cea-44bd78a8db8e/
4. Listen to Episode 15. Inflammatory Depression: What’s Really Behind Low Mood in Perimenopause: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5abc8dca-592f-45c9-8c79-9d31e3327c62/
5. Listen to Episode 43. What Depression Really Is and What It Isn’t: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/448f31be-d209-41f3-a5f5-9a33be355b34/
6. Listen to Episode 45. How Depression Heals: The Therapeutic Order for Mind, Body, and Spirit: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b16d549c-c78e-47b1-b6dd-17ae3f631d3f/
7. Listen to Episode 41 Part 1. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/eef0556d-c3cf-41e5-b944-ef8a3b8a3c8a/
8. Listen to Episode 41 Part 2. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/21b28c90-b987-4658-8429-87e06d3cc1ba/

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Movement is one of the most powerful tools we have to support our health—especially in midlife—but only when we stop forcing it and start using it intentionally.

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I unpack what I truly mean by movement as medicine. This isn’t about workouts, punishment, or doing more. It’s about understanding how movement supports your nervous system, mood, hormones, lymphatic flow, and overall vitality when it’s done in a way that’s attuned to your body.

This episode is especially for you if exercise has ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or disconnected from how your body actually feels.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:08 How I understand movement through the Seeds of Health
2. 03:14 Why movement is foundational for physical and nervous system health
3. 05:24 Why “movement as medicine” is different from “movement is medicine”
4. 09:13 How movement influences mood, stress, and depression
5. 11:38 The power of micro-movements throughout the day
6. 19:25 Why weight-bearing movement becomes essential in midlife
7. 23:54 The psoas as a key nervous system muscle
8. 28:08 Using yoga and stretching to support regulation and flexibility
9. 31:43 How movement supports lymphatic flow and detoxification
10. 34:22 Why rest and recovery are part of the medicine
11. 37:49 Walking and time in nature as underestimated healing tools
12. 42:59 Daily movement essentials that are realistic and sustainable

Links and resources:

1. Download the FREE Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if depression isn’t something to silence but something asking to be understood?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I continue our two-part conversation on depression in midlife by shifting from definition to healing. Instead of focusing on quick fixes or symptom suppression, I walk you through how depression actually heals when we work with the body, the nervous system, and the deeper transitions that often surface in midlife.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:03 Why depression often looks different in midlife
2. 02:28 Moving from symptom suppression to real pathways of healing
3. 04:28 How I use the therapeutic order to guide healing in layers
4. 07:05 Why safety and stabilization come first for the nervous system
5. 10:51 The foundational practices that quietly shape mood every day
6. 15:36 How the gut–brain axis and inflammation influence depression
7. 18:39 Hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause that affect mood
8. 22:47 Mitochondrial health, nutrients, and why emotional fatigue is often physical
9. 24:33 What depletion really looks like and how repletion restores capacity
10. 25:07 Food as medicine and nourishing mood without shame or perfection
11. 28:10 Psychotherapy, mindfulness, and working with the inner landscape
12. 31:04 Botanical medicine and homeopathy as gentle nervous system supports
13. 35:02 Medication and psychedelic therapies: when they help and how I think about them
14. 39:17 Why community, connection, and ritual matter for healing

Links and resources:

1. Listen to Episode 43: What Depression Really Is and What It Isn’t: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/448f31be-d209-41f3-a5f5-9a33be355b34/
2. The Psychobiotic Revolution: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35210457-the-psychobiotic-revolution

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

#depression #mentalheath #midlifewomen

Today, we explore what it really means to feel emotions—not analyze them, suppress them, or power through them—but experience them safely in the body with Jenn Rapkin, a naturopathic physician, body worker, and author of The Feeling Muscle.

This is a deep, grounded conversation about felt emotion, nervous system regulation, and why so many of us were never taught how to sit with hard feelings. We talk about emotional waves, co-regulation, body-based healing, and why midlife can be such a powerful (and overwhelming) invitation to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level.

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or that your feelings are something to manage or minimize, this episode offers a completely different way forward.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 01:09 What felt emotion actually means (and why it’s different from thinking about feelings)
2. 02:11 Dr. Jenn Rapkin’s path into naturopathic medicine and body-centered healing
3. 05:33 What it means to be a “frequent feeler”
4. 08:32 Why naming emotions in the body is so empowering
5. 14:10 Cultural messages that teach us to suppress hard feelings
6. 19:05 The many ways we avoid emotion without realizing it
7. 22:00 How body work helps unlock emotional healing
8. 27:16 Learning to ride emotional waves instead of fearing them
9. 29:41 Why co-regulation matters when feelings feel overwhelming
10. 31:12 A personal story of grief, lockdown, and emotional overflow
11. 33:43 Breathwork as a gentle bridge between mind and body
12. 38:53 Navigating anxiety and panic through felt experience
13. 46:45 What it really means to strengthen your “feeling muscle”
14. 49:51 Midlife overwhelm, resilience, and emotional capacity
15. 59:01 Why mindfulness is foundational in naturopathic medicine

Links and resources:

1. The Feeling Muscle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZDW1R2M

Connect with Dr. Jenn Rapkin, ND:

Website: https://drjennrapkin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennrapkin/

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

#emotionalhealing #mentalhealthawareness #menopausejourney

What if depression isn’t a personal failure—or even a single diagnosis—but a message from the body, the nervous system, and the life you’re living?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I share one of the most personal and important conversations of my career. Drawing from my clinical work, my background in psychology and naturopathic medicine, and my own lived experience with depression—especially through perimenopause—this episode is about redefining what depression actually is…and what it isn’t.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:03 Why this episode matters to me, both personally and professionally
• 01:58 Redefining depression: what it truly is (and what it’s not)
• 02:49 An important safety note and how to think about suicidal thoughts with clarity and care
• 06:33 What depression can actually feel like in the body, especially in midlife
• 16:17 The clinical lens: diagnoses, labels, and where they fall short
• 22:45 Why depression is almost always multifactorial (body, mind, and environment)
• 32:21 Real patient examples that show how different root causes can look the same on the surface

Links and resources:

• Listen to Episode 36. The Dark Night of the Soul: Descent, Healing, and the Alchemy of Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/36-the-dark-night-of-the-soul-descent/id1790365046?i=1000734013547
• Listen to Episode 03. Midlife and the Nervous System: Building Resilience Step by Step: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/03-midlife-and-the-nervous-system-building/id1790365046?i=1000684966973 
• Listen to Episode 32. What Your Doctor Might Be Missing About Midlife Fatigue (Epstein-Barr Virus EBV): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/32-what-your-doctor-might-be-missing-about-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000728187600
• Listen to Episode 41 Part 1. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-part-1-ssris-serotonin-and-the-truth-about/id1790365046?i=1000739475942
• Listen to Episode 41 Part 2. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/42-the-cortisol-cure-healing-hormones-by-working/id1790365046?i=1000741654413

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if stress isn’t the problem—but the way we’ve been taught to override our bodies instead of listening to them?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m joined by my friend and colleague Dr. Erin Kinney, a licensed naturopathic doctor, stress-reset expert, and author of the upcoming book The Cortisol Cure. Together, we unpack one of the most misunderstood hormones in women’s health: cortisol.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:50 Meeting Dr. Erin Kinney and how her own burnout shaped her work
• 03:17 Her path into naturopathic medicine and stress-based healing
• 07:58 Why cortisol isn’t “bad” and what it actually does for your body
• 10:15 What inspired The Cortisol Cure and why the timing matters now
• 14:24 Understanding the stress response in real-life terms
• 20:06 The difference between spending energy and earning it back
• 25:28 Why true rest is essential (and why scrolling doesn’t count)
• 26:32 Small daily habits that rebuild healthy cortisol rhythms
• 30:28 How blood sugar, meals, and nutrition affect stress hormones
• 32:46 Supplements and adaptogens that can support adrenal health
• 35:00 Personal stories of burnout, recovery, and nervous system healing
• 37:07 Reconnecting with joy, creativity, and what truly restores you
• 42:29 Final reflections and where to learn more from Dr. Kinney

Connect with Dr. Erin Kinney:

Website: www.thekinneyclinic.com

Instagram: @drkinney 

The Cortisol Cure VIP list link: https://www.thekinneyclinic.com/book

Podcast: https://www.thekinneyclinic.com/podcast

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if depression isn’t a flaw or a chemical imbalance but a doorway into understanding your physiology, your history, and your deepest unmet needs?

In Part 2 of this powerful two-episode series, I turn inward and share my personal journey with depression, including the moments that brought me to my knees and the practices that helped me rise again. 

If you’ve ever felt numb, disconnected, misunderstood by the medical system, or overwhelmed by your own healing process, this episode will help you understand your experience with more compassion, context, and hope.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:03 A personal story of depression and what it taught me
• 05:09 The daily habits that began to bring me back to myself
• 09:07 How gratitude and coherence shift the nervous system toward healing
• 11:42 What emotional blunting from SSRIs really feels like
• 15:10 What the research reveals about alternative treatments for depression
• 18:15 How to approach mental health through gut, hormones, trauma & spirit
• 25:23 Closing reflections, next steps, and where to find support

Links and resources:

• Listen to Part 1: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/eef0556d-c3cf-41e5-b944-ef8a3b8a3c8a/
• Listen to Episode 36. The Dark Night of the Soul: Descent, Healing, and the Alchemy of Midlife: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f5eab1c4-7d69-4b30-ae72-a8aa8eefb242/
• Listen to Episode 15. Inflammatory Depression: What’s Really Behind Low Mood in Perimenopause: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5abc8dca-592f-45c9-8c79-9d31e3327c62/
• Listen to Episode 16. The Gut-Brain Anxiety Loop: Healing Anxiety from the Inside Out: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/67758b78-8cb3-4870-abfa-1aff7e7fd91b/
• Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup
• Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal
• The Work by Byron Katie: https://thework.com/

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if everything you’ve been told about serotonin and depression was incomplete or entirely wrong?

In this two-part episode, I open a deep, necessary conversation about SSRIs, the serotonin theory, and what depression actually is on a physiological level. So many women are handed antidepressants without any exploration of hormones, inflammation, trauma physiology, gut health, nutrient status, or nervous system state—leaving them confused when the medication doesn’t work, stops working, or creates new symptoms they weren’t warned about.

This episode is not anti-medication—it is pro–informed consent, pro-truth, and pro-root-cause healing. If you’ve ever wondered why you don’t feel better on an SSRI, why you feel numb instead of stable, why withdrawal feels impossible, or whether you were given the full truth—this episode will be deeply validating.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:03 What if everything we’ve been told about serotonin is wrong?
• 03:01 Depression: the full-body condition no one explained to you
• 08:40 SSRIs: what they actually do—and what they don’t
• 17:55 Withdrawal or relapse? The part women are never warned about
• 28:02 Why this matters: A personal story I’ve never shared before

Links and resources:

• Listen to Episode 36. The Dark Night of the Soul: Descent, Healing, and the Alchemy of Midlife: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f5eab1c4-7d69-4b30-ae72-a8aa8eefb242/
• Listen to Episode 39. SIBO Isn’t the Problem: Healing the Terrain, Not the Germ (Bloating & Weight Gain in Midlife): https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ce8800d2-f90a-41b8-9fc5-b0e531dd9117/
• Listen to Episode 3. Midlife and the Nervous System: Building Resilience Step by Step: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b9bd11d6-c86a-45ee-aa19-b7d7ab6685f1/
• Listen to Episode 28. Burnout Isn’t Just in Your Head (It’s in Your Hormones, Nervous System, and Soul): https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2547475f-7323-4fca-955f-b370a0b62b37/

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if healing chronic illness isn’t about chasing symptoms but understanding the deeper terrain of your body, your nervous system, and even your story?

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I sit down with my long-time mentor and colleague, Dr. Ginger Nash, whose work has shaped so much of how I practice today. We explore the complexity of chronic illness, the layered wisdom of homeopathy, and why so many women in perimenopause and menopause experience a powerful awakening—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

If you’ve been craving a deeper, more nuanced understanding of healing, this conversation will feel like coming home to something you’ve always known but haven’t yet put into words.

In this episode, we cover:

• 04:23 Dr. Nash’s personal journey into naturopathic medicine
• 09:30 Why chronic illness is never one-dimensional
• 15:40 Homeopathy explained in a grounded, practical way
• 25:02 Low Dose Immunotherapy and when it actually helps
• 30:03 Perimenopause, sensitivity, and the “overflowing bucket”
• 30:57 Trauma, nervous system patterns, and subconscious beliefs
• 32:22 How perimenopause becomes a catalyst for powerful change
• 33:14 Breath work, bilateral stimulation, and deeper healing tools
• 34:39 Why your body needs stability before doing deeper work
• 35:19 How naturopathic practice evolves as practitioners evolve
• 38:08 The real differences between functional medicine and naturopathy
• 42:56 Professional training, complex homeopathy, and advanced tools
• 47:38 The wisdom that emerges during life’s biggest transitions

Connect with Dr. Ginger Nash:

Website: https://www.gingernash.com/ 

Improved Outcomes in Complex Chronic Illness: Training for Professionals: https://www.gingernash.com/training

Substack: https://substack.com/@gingernash

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc9BAXcWddAc8IlYL5Df5lA

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Have you ever wondered why your bloating, gut issues, or “SIBO flare-ups” keep coming back no matter how many protocols you try? This episode will change the way you think about SIBO—and your gut—forever.

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m breaking down why SIBO isn’t actually the root problem and why real, lasting healing starts with restoring your body’s terrain, rhythms, and nervous system—not just killing bacteria. After 13 years of treating complex gut-brain cases, I’ve seen the same patterns over and over, and I’m sharing the full inside look at why SIBO keeps returning for so many women in midlife.

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of bloating, constipation or diarrhea, food fear, or failed protocols, this conversation will help you finally understand what your gut has been trying to tell you.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:03 Understanding SIBO from a totally different perspective
• 02:33 Why nervous system regulation is the missing link in stubborn gut cases
• 04:30 What SIBO actually is and how it shows up in the body
• 07:49 The most common symptoms (and why they don’t always match your test results)
• 13:34 The real root causes behind SIBO and why bacteria aren’t the enemy
• 18:57 The 5R Framework I use to treat SIBO and rebuild the gut
• 29:04 A powerful patient story that shows how healing actually unfolds

Links and resources:

• 21-Day Gut Healing Reset: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset
• Listen to Episode 19. Beyond the Germ: Why Your Terrain Holds the Real Healing Power: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a7bb01cb-6ee6-4c7c-93a4-9286d22f0eb7/

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What does it really mean to trust yourself especially in midlife? In this rich and moving conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Valerie Simonsen, a deeply intuitive and experienced naturopathic physician who blends science, spirit, and storytelling in her healing work. 

We talk about how your body’s symptoms can be messengers, the power of belief in your healing journey, and how tuning into your intuition can shift the trajectory of your health. We also explore Dr. Valerie’s remarkable life—from rescuing sea turtles to healing through art, honoring ceremony, and sitting with the questions that medicine alone can’t answer.

Whether you're navigating a diagnosis, wondering if there's more to your symptoms than lab work shows, or simply learning to trust yourself again, this episode is an invitation to come home to your knowing.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:08 How to begin trusting your inner knowing in midlife
• 03:30 A story about rescuing sea turtles and what it taught Dr. Valerie Simonsen about purpose
• 08:14 Dr. Simonsen’s winding path into naturopathic medicine
• 15:11 Why healing means listening to both science and spirit
• 23:00 How belief and intention can affect your health
• 29:09 The moment Dr. Simonsen knew she wanted to help women reclaim their wisdom
• 42:36 How creativity and art can be part of the healing journey
• 44:29 A surprising connection between parasites and brain tumors
• 45:42 What fear can teach us and how to make empowered medical decisions
• 46:51 Why trauma work is a critical piece of real healing
• 48:38 Dr. Simonsen’s approach to investigating the root cause
• 59:31 How community, ritual, and ceremony play a role in healing
• 01:07:01 Finding restoration in nature
• 01:14:24 What it takes to build a supportive “healing tribe”

Connect with Dr Valerie Simonsen ND:

Website: https://www.drvaleriesimonsen.com 

Website: https://www.youknowmore.org 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yesyouknowmore  

FB: Valerie Simonsen

IG: yesyouknowmore  

LinkedIN: Dr Valerie Simonsen ND

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

If you’ve ever thought, “I eat clean but I still feel inflamed,” this episode is for you.

We’re breaking down the real differences between food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances—and why understanding them could be the game-changer in your gut and hormone healing journey. From testing myths to elimination diet tips to patient stories that show what’s possible, this is your go-to food reactivity masterclass.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:03 What’s the difference between allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances?
• 02:07 My take on food sensitivity testing and when it’s actually useful
• 06:32 Real patient stories that show how powerful food shifts can be
• 08:02 How food reactions start in the gut (and what your immune system has to do with it)
• 25:13 How to do elimination and reintroductions the right way
• 30:49 My gut-healing approach to help you tolerate more foods again

Links and resources:

• Download the FREE Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal
• Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

What if your hardest season isn’t a setback but an invitation?

In this episode, I’m sharing a deeper conversation about what so many of us go through in midlife—a chapter that’s often messy, uncomfortable, and hard to name. It might look like gut symptoms, burnout, anxiety, or the sense that your old routines and wellness tools just aren’t working anymore. But underneath all of that? There’s a sacred awakening happening.

I talk about what mystics have called the dark night of the soul—why it shows up, what it might be trying to teach us, and how I personally see it unfold in the lives of my patients (and my own). This isn’t just about hormones. It’s about identity, trust, and what it means to heal from the inside out. If you’ve been wondering, “Is this just me?”, I hope this episode brings you clarity and comfort.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:03 Why I believe the “dark night of the soul” often shows up in midlife
• 02:29 How I see the Sacred Descent as a rite of passage into your most authentic self
• 03:57 Biological and psychological signs I often see in this phase
• 06:38 How I help women navigate this health awakening with reverence, not panic
• 09:16 The daily rituals I recommend to help your body feel safe during big transitions
• 22:26 The Three Ps of Perimenopause: Patterns, Power, and Presence
• 27:27 Why I bring in quantum healing and mindset as part of the work
• 39:09 A reminder that you’re not broken—you’re becoming

Links and resources:

• Download the FREE Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal
• Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signup

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. 

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer:

The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.