Health Raisers

Welcome to another episode of Health Raisers, Wise Women! Today's guest is Abra Berens. Abra Berens is a Michigan chef, author, and former farmer. Through every recipe written and meal served, she aims to tighten the connection between eaters and growers. She believes we can invest in a stronger, more equitable food system for everyone, from producers to grocers to consumers. She is the author of Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables, a 2020 Michigan Notable Book winner and James Beard Award nominee, and Grist: A Practical Guide to Cooking Grains, Beans, Seeds, and Legumes. Her dinners at Granor Farm in Three Oaks, Michigan, made her a James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Chef: Great Lakes.What We Learn💭 Abra invites us to ask discover the foods that make us feel good and eat that.✨ How Abra shows up as herself at work, at home, and everywhere in between, cultivating a healthy relationship with herself.🧘 How Abra's relationship with food shapes her relationships with people.🍽️ Why Abra's farm-to-table dinners at Granor Farm are about connection, not performance.🥗 Sustenance vs. pleasure — why being intentional about that is at the heart of a healthy relationship with food.🎊 Her newest venture coming soon!💚 And much more…🎙️ Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell❤️ Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters and Mak Salon and Spa

Welcome to another episode of Health Raisers, Wise Women! Today, my guest is Noelani Sagapolutele, a licensed clinical social worker, native Hawaiian therapist, and founder of The Waʻa Collective. Noelani brings a unique perspective on blending indigenous wisdom with modern mental health practices. In this episode, we dive deep into the power of curiosity in relationships as we navigate the many transitions of long-term partnerships.What We Learn✨ The importance of curiosity and self-discovery in sustaining healthy relationships🧠 How intellectual health is nurtured by asking questions and keeping an open mind💬 Why assertive communication and understanding your own needs are foundational🌱 The value of individual therapy as a tool for better partnership🤝 Creative solutions for work-life balance and evolving boundaries as couples grow💡 Navigating major life transitions—parenthood, empty nest, and retirement—with curiosity and compassion❤️ The role of mutual respect, compromise, and reconnecting through life’s changesAnd much more!More about NoelaniNoelani Sagapolutele, LCSW, is a Native Hawaiian therapist and founder of Waʻa Collective—a directory and growing community of independent, culturally grounded mental health professionals serving Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islander communities across Hawai’i pae ʻāina and the continental U.S.. Raised in North Kohala and deeply rooted in Waiʻanae, Noelani has spent over 20-years supporting ʻohana on Oʻahu’s Leeward Coast. Through Waʻa Collective, she is reimagining what mental health care can look like when led by and for our communities. By creating intentional pathways for local and Pacific Islander voices in therapy, Noelani works to shift the perception of Western mental health models—offering a lens that centers Pacific Islander identity, values, and lived experience. Her vision is one where individuals and families who have historically felt unseen by the system can now access care that reflects who they are and where they come from.🎙️ Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell ❤️ Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters, Mak Salon and Spa, and Fernwood Botanical Garden.

Welcome to another episode of Health Raisers, Wise Women! My guest is Nancy Griffin, CEO and founder of Women Worth and Wellness. In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore the powerful connection between your financial well-being and health. Nancy, who considers herself a connector and influencer, brings decades of experience as a wealth advisor. Drawing inspiration from her forward-thinking mother, who taught her about the importance of women's financial independence, Nancy teaches us that owning our lives is the key to overall health and well-being.What we learn:🏦 What Mom taught her: How every woman needs her own bank account.🤝 Nancy's advice: How you need a qualified financial advisor who has your back, just like you need a good doctor for your health.💝 Give to grow your worth: How charitable giving elevates both financial and self-worth by putting you in a position to help others.💪 Own your life completely: How true wellness comes from taking ownership of both your health and wealth decisions rather than blindly deferring to others.🌟 Financial prowess builds confidence: How financial security creates confidence that enhances well-being, creating ripple effects throughout communities.⭐️ Fun fact: Successful women support their communities more than men!And more!!More about Nancy:Nancy is a connector and influencer. She attributes her success to personal courage, determination, and joy, when focusing on women’s health and wellness, hence creating Women,Worth & Wellness®. Nancy enjoys every opportunity to inspire and inform women about their personal health and wealth, net worth and self-worth, philanthropy and legacy—so that women feel fabulous, generous, joyful, confident, and on top of their game every day.Nancy Griffin established Women, Worth & Wellness in 1994 as a Private Client Wealth Advisor for her female clients and their families.Nancy continues to promote and inspire Daring & Caring Leaders, encouraging them to step up and lead in the world, following in the footsteps from many other powerful Women Leaders in the past.Nancy’s overall purpose is to connect and influence for positive impact every chance she gets.“My Mom was a trailblazer as a women business owner and felt that women should have their own money and wealth – including their own ideas about what to invest in. She was my inspiration for focusing on health, along with wealth, as she would often say “if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” This has always been my focus as I worked with my clients, especially women, as women often have a disproportionate responsibility to family’s health and wellness. An equal focus on health and wealth is inseparable.”🎙️ Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell ❤️ Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters, Mak Salon and Spa, and Fernwood Botanical Garden.

Welcome to another episode of Health Raisers, Wise Women! Today, my guest is Rebecca Gardner-Reilly, founder of Mobilitywise and a dedicated physical therapist with over 20 years of experience helping adults stay active and pain-free as they age. Inspired by her father’s resilience after a life-changing injury and her mother’s compassionate caregiving, Rebecca is passionate about optimizing movement and joint health. In 2024, she launched her full-time practice, offering personalized care through Physical Therapy, Manual Therapy, Fitness Training, and Dry Needling. Rebecca thrives on building one-on-one connections, problem-solving in clients’ environments, and, as a bonus, meeting their pets along the way.Here's what we learn:🎯 Adaptability Over Adversity: Rebecca's father taught her to stay active, proving, "You still have to move, you still have to live."🎯 Start Where You Are: Integrate movement throughout your day—progress comes with consistency, not perfection. 🎯 Know Good vs. Bad Pain: Forget "No Pain, No Gain!" Productive soreness (24-48 hours) is normal; sharp, shooting, and burning pain means stop immediately.🎯 Tools Aren't Weakness: Props and modifications help you stay active—find what brings you joy🎯 Real Solutions in Real Spaces: In-home therapy creates immediate, practical solutions in clients' actual environments🎯 The Mindset Shift: Move away from anti-aging mentalities toward acceptance and adaptation. As she puts it, "We're not going to do the same activities in our 70s as we did in our 20s, and there's nothing wrong with that." The goal isn't to fight aging but to age with grace, finding new ways to stay active and present in our lives.🎙️ Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell❤️  Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters, Mak Salon and Spa, and Fernwood Botanical Garden.

Hello, Wise Women! Welcome to my virtual living room. Today’s guest is Al Zonsius, a registered nurse with nearly a decade of experience in reproductive health. In the summer of 2024, she founded The Period Academy, an initiative aimed at empowering and educating young kids about menstrual health. As a mother of two daughters who will one day experience their own menstrual journeys, she is passionate about creating a future where all young people have the knowledge and confidence to navigate reproductive health with ease.Al shares how her work helps children and families navigate puberty with confidence, using correct terminology to remove stigma and empower self-advocacy. She provides practical tips on period management, the role of parents in fostering open conversations, and the need for comprehensive sex education. Currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in midwifery and to become a women’s health nurse practitioner. She is dedicated to advancing education and care in the field. Please tune in to learn:🩸Why early education on menstruation matters🩸Practical tips for managing periods and puberty conversations 🩸 Why using correct terminology supports body awareness and safety.🩸 The importance of self-advocacy for women's health at every stage of life.🩸 Connect with Al Zansios & The Period Academy:Instagram TikTokFacebook 🎙️ Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell☕️ Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters.

Welcome to the second ever recorded episode of Health Raisers before a live audience during the Herb Symposium at Fernwood Botanical Garden! In part two of a two-part series, my guest is Lindsey Feldpausch. She is The Herbal Academy's Programs Coordinator and a clinical herbalist. Here's what we learned:🌿 Lindsey Feldpausch, registered herbalist and Herbal Academy program coordinator, shares her journey from suburban Michigan to clinical herbalism.🌱 Discover how reconnecting with nature through herbalism can transform your health and wellbeing.❓ Common misconceptions about herbalism debunked - learn why plant medicine is deeply connected to human health.🌼 Therapeutic properties of everyday herbs: chamomile, violets, mint and more.🍹 Creative ways to incorporate herbs into your life through botanical cocktails and mocktails.💊 How bitters support digestion and natural detoxification processes.📚 Practical advice on plant identification and recommended herbal courses for beginners.More about Lindsey:Lindsey Feldpausch RH(AHG) is the Herbal Academy’s Programs Coordinator. An experienced clinical herbalist, educator, guest speaker, and author, she also serves as a board member of the American Herbalists Guild’s Education Advisory Committee. Lindsey's approach to herbalism is deeply rooted in the belief that humans have an innate connection to the powers of plants. She enjoys making complex herbal concepts accessible for herbalists of all skill levels, bridging the gap between herbal wisdom and practical application. Lindsey is honored to have completed more than 2,000 study hours with knowledgeable herbal mentors, including Thomas Easley and Jim McDonald. She gratefully pairs this knowledge with years of hands-on experience and a degree in Journalism. Lindsey’s calling lies in blending the science and magic of herbalism to help others explore the profound connection of plants for wellness. You can find Lindsey online at www.PlantMatters.org and on Instagram at @plant.matters and @herbalacademy.🎙️ Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell❤️ Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters, Mak Salon and Spa, and Fernwood Botanical Garden.

Welcome to another episode of Health Raisers! Today's guest is Kevin O'Connor, author of "Two Floors Above Grief", an Amazon bestseller, in which Kevin reflects on his unique childhood above a family-run funeral home, based on decades of family letters.  Kevin guides individuals and families through grief with compassionate resources and insights. Drawing on his background in the funeral industry and family history preservation, Kevin shares thought-provoking perspectives on family-owned businesses, capturing legacies, and preserving family archives. Through his social media handle @thegriefnavigator and a popular newsletter, he supports his readers in navigating loss with clarity and empathy.In this episode, we learn about:✉️ how living above a funeral home taught him the importance of community service. ✉️ reflecting on his evolving relationship with mortality due to the impact of his family's profession on his life. ✉️ the importance of addressing grief due estrangement.✉️ small acts to navigate the loss of our loved ones.🎙️ Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell❤️Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters, Mak Salon and Spa, and Fernwood Botanical Garden.

Want to demystify the mysteries of the pelvic floor? Look no further than the wisdom and experience of our guest, Dr. Nicole Fleischmann, who is board-certified in urology, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Reconstructive Surgery. She received her medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, NY, where she graduated summa cum laude. Dr. Fleischmann completed her surgery and urology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, and continued her training in a fellowship at NYU School of Medicine.She is passionate about practicing an integrative approach to urogynecology, correcting the pervasive, unconscious, and paradoxical behaviors that can turn into the structural problems and bothersome symptoms that prompt women to seek care. She is the author of the new book “The Second Mouth,”, which addresses the powerful mind-body connection in functional urology.Dr. Fleischmann serves as Director of FPMRS at White Plains Hospital Center, where she has been in clinical practice for the last 25 years. She holds an active appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor in Obstetrics and Assistant Clinical Professor of Gynecology and Urology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Additionally, she is a member of the American Urologic Association and Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology (SUFU). Dr. Fleischmann is the author of several research publications and presentations. She lives and practices in New York.In this episode, learn to:🚺 Properly "sniff" to engage the pelvic floor.🚺 Avoid clenching or sucking in the abdomen, as this can damage the pelvic floor.🚺 Adopt the proper "toilet posture" with a straight back and leaning forward while releasing the abdomen.🚺 Manage your stress and anxiety for healthy organs.🚺 Seek the right help for pelvic dysfunction.🎙️ Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell☕️ Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters.