Sister Science Stories

in 2012, Nicole Dyck walked nervously into her first yoga class at Alchemy. Knowing that something needed to shift for her, a hyper independent widowed Mom, finally choosing to step out of the insular safe life she had created.  From her first yoga class to the leap into Teacher Training in 2019, Nicole shares a story of being vulnerable with strangers, asking for helps, opening up, sharing, and letting her light shine. Today, she's a yoga teacher, diving into intensive Yoga Therapy studies, and living proof that your Yoga mat finds you at exactly the right moment. In this episode, Jill sits down with Nicole - one of the original 16 women in Jill & Jody's very first 2019 Yoga Teacher Training - to trace a journey that has been anything but linear. Weeks after completing that training, Nicole found a lump in her breast. By December 27th, she had a breast cancer diagnosis. And then COVID hit. What unfolded in the years that followed is a story of radical opening learning to ask for help, finding her voice in the seat of the teacher, building a beloved chair yoga community, and recently discovering yoga therapy after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both knees. Nicole shares how yoga gave her the one thing she didn't know she was missing: freedom. Freedom to be imperfect, to grieve, to love again, to run (yes, run!) up a flight of stairs with no pain, and to show up fully for her students, community, family, partner, and the grandbaby on the way. This conversation will move you. Grab a tissue, settle in, and let Nicole's story remind you to trust the timing of your own life. Nicole teaches at High River & District Seniors Friendship Centre and the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex.  She can be reached at lightbulbmoment2020@gmail.com.   Topics explored: breast cancer survivorship, grief and widowhood, vulnerability, yoga teacher training, chair yoga for seniors, yoga therapy, neuroplasticity, osteoarthritis, and the healing power of community.

What does it mean to move through life not just productively, but radically alive? In this rich conversation, host Jill sits down with Ayurvedic coach and soon-to-be author Radhika Mukhija to explore the wisdom woven into her upcoming book, Radiant Rituals (releasing 12.12.2026). Radhika shares how a divorce after a twenty-year marriage, a chance encounter with an astrologer, and a growing unease with surface-level wellness content all converged into a calling she couldn't ignore — to write the book she needed most. Together, Jill and Radhika explore the difference between habits and rituals, the healing intelligence of the three gunas, and why true self-care is never about bypassing what's hard — it's about meeting it. From mindful morning hydration to pratyahara, from the wisdom of Radhika's grandmother's kitchen to the necessity of intuitive rest, this episode is an invitation to reclaim your presence, your pleasure, and your inner resilience. This one is for the high-performing woman who is ready to stop running from stillness — and start letting rest inform what comes next. Topics covered: Ayurveda & yoga philosophy in everyday life · the gunas · dinacharya · pratyahara · seasonal living · ritual vs. habit · grief & transitions · ojas & vitality · santosha & surrender Radhika Mukhija is an author, women’s coach, and integrative wellness mentor whose work bridges Ayurvedic wisdom, yoga philosophy, and modern neuroscience to help women heal from emotional depletion and reconnect with their natural rhythm. Her forthcoming book, Radiant Rituals (Shambhala Publications / Penguin Random House, Fall 2026), explores how ancient wisdom and modern science come together to cultivate presence, intuitive awareness, and inner strength. Before founding Holistic Prana, Radhika worked in executive search, supporting C-level teams in high-growth organizations—an experience that deepened her understanding of burnout and systemic stress among high-performing women. Today, she guides professionals, executives, and creatives through mentoring, seasonal wellness programs, and meditation practices. Rooted in her upbringing in India, Radhika’s work is both intellectual and intuitive, inviting women to slow down, align with nature’s rhythms, and remember their innate wisdom. She lives in Colorado, where her daily rituals and connection to nature anchor her writing and teaching. Links Explore Radhika’s work: www.holisticprana.com Instagram: @holisticprana Free Gift: Schedule a 30-minute Clarity Session

What does it really mean to feel beautiful - and who decided the standard in the first place? In this wide-ranging conversation, Jill and Hannah Levin (from the Vitality Circle), pull back the curtain on the cultural forces that have shaped women's relationship with their bodies: from Botox and the male gaze to beauty standards that reward looking perpetually young and prepubescent. What begins as a conversation about aging and body image opens into something much deeper: a reckoning with systemic power, the wounds of girlhood, and what it truly means to show up in a female body in today's world. Together, Jill and Hannah explore: *How beauty standards have been shaped by toxic masculinity and power imbalances - and what the Epstein files reveal about that *The "fawn response" and how both women and men are conditioned to comply rather than confront *Brahmacharya and the ancient yogic principle of responsible sexuality and why we need it back *The Ayurvedic lens on perimenopause, the adrenals, and why how you live your 30s and 40s matters deeply for your menopausal transition *The "sister wound" and how healing our trust in other women may be one of the most radical things we can do *What Ojas (essential vitality) has to do with true, lasting beauty This episode is an invitation to turn inward, reclaim your voice, and remember that the most magnetic beauty has always come from within.  Find Hannah Levin at www.heartfeltwellbeing.com and on social media @heartfeltwellbeing

What does it mean to truly inhabit your own body - and why has language for the feminine been so hard to find? Jill sits down with Cynthia Abulafia, author of Embodying the Goddess, to hear how she give words to the living wisdom of the Divine Feminine. Cynthia brings her background in yoga, tantra, and her devotion to transcribing ancient texts to untangle concepts that we sense, we know and feel, but struggle to put into words. Together, they unpack the difference between transcending the body and actually living inside it, why curiosity might be the most underrated spiritual practice, and how reframing "triggers" as activations can shift everything.  You can find Cynthia @embodyingthegoddessbook and cynthiaabulafia.com :)

What makes a life stable when everything is changing? In this deeply honest episode of Sister Science, Jill and Chelsea explore the metaphor of building a solid foundation, in construction terms, and as a way of understanding truth, authenticity, and resilience in real life. Using the elements of water, wind, fire, and seismic pressure, they unpack what actually destabilizes us: emotional overwhelm, external opinions, unexpressed truth, identity loss, and life’s inevitable curveballs. Together, they explore what it means to build a life - and a body - on solid ground rather than constant repair. This conversation weaves together: Emotional intelligence and our relationship with feelings Nervous system regulation and grounding practices Ayurveda’s wisdom on Vata, Prana, and Agni (fire) The cost of people-pleasing and performance-based living Why some things must burn down so something truer can grow How community, habits, and daily rituals become the “rebar” that helps us flex instead of collapse This is not about blaming the past or judging old choices. It’s about asking a powerful question: If you were rebuilding your life now - what would you build it on? A conversation for anyone navigating transition, uncertainty, growth, or the quiet knowing that the old foundation no longer fits. Listen in, reflect honestly, and consider what kind of structure you’re ready to build next. Join us at SisterScience.ca to start your own powerful healing journey. The Year of YOU is our signature year-long self discovery course. You can reach jill@sisterscience.ca with questions, comments, and to share your own healing journey.  Perhaps you are our next guest! If you found this episode interesting, please share it with someone else who needs to start believing in their own intuitive wisdom.  Tune in and get ready to be inspired!    

In this episode of Sister Science Stories, we explore what happens when a seed of inspiration becomes a fully embodied practice. My guest, Lucas Arnatt, is the creator of 7th Breath Yoga - his divinely downloaded, modern system that weaves conscious breath, mantra, sacred geometry, and the mystical power of the number seven into a living, breathing practice where intention meets manifestation.  Together, we dive into the tension of creation, the sacred space where intuition meets action, and the Feminine flow finds her home within the Masculine container. Lucas shares how this practice has evolved over the past seven years since its conception in 2018 and why structure serves as a necessary container for spirit. We also explore how this approach can offer an antidote to modern society’s challenges. 7th Breath Yoga offers a powerful practice for a world rediscovering the need to slow down and turn inward.  This conversation is your reminder that the breath itself is the bridge between the masculine and feminine, between the inner and outer realms. 7th Breath Yoga offers a container to reconnect, explore, and amplify the manifestation of your chosen intentions. It does so within a sacred space created by four ancient spiritual principles, yoked together as one uniquely transformative experience. Download the foundational 7th Breath Yoga program and book your spot at the next session at https://www.7thbreathyoga.com Join us at SisterScience.ca to start your own powerful healing journey. The Year of YOU is our signature year-long self-discovery course, or book a call to bite off just one small first step. You can reach jill@sisterscience.ca with questions, comments, and to share your own healing journey.  Perhaps you are our next guest!  If you found this episode interesting, please share it with someone else who needs to believe in their own intuitive wisdom. 

Do you remember those first years after high school? Twelve years of structure behind you - bells, time blocks, assignments, productivity measured and graded. Then suddenly, what now? The system is designed to funnel us neatly into the next institution: university, corporate jobs, more of the same structure. But Noah, at 20 years old, is choosing another way. He’s following an inner calling - one that demands his attention, rewarding him with rich experiences and beautiful music when he follows. At the same time he can feel the flow of creativity needs a container, a, different kind of structure. Not the rigid systems of school or a 9-to-5, but a steady reliable set up, something strong enough to hold the art wanting to flow through him. In this episode, you’ll hear from a young man, still altruistic and deeply tuned to his inner wisdom, navigating the question of how to trust that journey and what he’s building to support it. Listen in, and maybe you’ll recognize parts of your own story in Noah’s.  This season I decided it was important to start getting some male perspectives on this whole Yin Yang balancing act. Important to reinforce the narrative that is goes well beyond a gender stereotype or issue. That each of us works best when we honour the Yin and the Yang, the Feminine and the Masculine energies, in us.  Join us at SisterScience.ca to start your own powerful healing journey. The Year of YOU is our signature year-long self discovery course, or book a call to bite off just one small first step. You can reach jill@sisterscience.ca with questions, comments, and to share your own healing journey.  Perhaps you are our next guest! If you found this episode interesting, please share it with someone else who needs to believe in their own intuitive wisdom.   

What happens when migraines, depression, and burnout push you to completely reinvent how you move through life? In this episode of Sister Science Stories, Corinne shares her healing journey; from childhood migraines that worsened in high-stress jobs, to discovering yoga, reiki, and the medicine of movement and music. At the heart of Corinne’s story is authenticity, resilience, and joy.  Her belief that movement should be medicine, and that classes should leave you feeling alive, not depleted resounds in this conversation. You will be drawn to the joy and optimism in this woman.  Big gratitude to Corinne for joining us today on the Sister Science Stories podcast. If you loved her energy, go check out her own show Connecting with Corinne where she shares really inspiring conversations. You can also catch her in person this fall. She’s teaching Friday evenings at Killarney with Dance Yourself Fit, Yoga, and every other week, a Deep Water Workout. Plus, keep an eye on her Instagram for sound bowl sessions, reiki, and other healing offerings.  The easiest way to find all of Corinne’s work is through her Linktree: linktr.ee/connectingwithcorinne

Yoga Teacher Training: A "Beyond the Poses" Invitation to Personal Growth & Community In this episode, Jill and Jody dive into what truly makes their upcoming Yoga Teacher Training unique. And why this might be the moment for you to step in. They share how this program has evolved since it first launched in 2019, why they’ve returned to offer it again, and how their own transformations shape the way they teach. From moving beyond studio ownership to stepping back into heartfelt collaboration, they’re committed to creating a safe, trauma-informed space where you can grow. 🌿 What you’ll hear about: How this training weaves Yoga & Ayurveda for deep self-knowing The focus on embodiment over exams Why sharing & community are at the heart of transformation The 6-month structure: six in-person weekends + weekly online support The power of investing in yourself - and why it’s hard but necessary Honest answers to Frequently Asked Questions: I don’t want to teach? I'm not practicing yoga? I am nervous to share.  Perfect. If you’ve felt a pull to deepen your practice, reconnect with your intuition, or simply step into a circle of genuine support this training could be your cocoon. Spots are limited, and Early Bird Discounts end soon.  HERE are the details: Sister Science Yoga Teacher Training  

What happens when the world around you subtly teaches you not to trust yourself? In this powerful episode, Chelsey and Jill explore how microaggressions—those seemingly small, often unintentional jabs from institutions, relationships, and even your own inner dialogue—can disrupt your connection to your inner wisdom. We unpack the invisible tension created when what you feel in your body conflicts with what the medical or education system can quantify, record, or diagnose. We talk about how even a loved one’s eye roll or dismissive comment can shake your self-trust. And we shine a light on how internalized voices—the ones trained to seek approval and avoid judgment—keep us quiet, compliant, and out of alignment with what we know to be true. This conversation is a call to slow down, get honest, and reclaim the sacred authority of your own experience. Because the cost of ignoring your intuition is too high. And the world doesn’t need more well-behaved women—it needs embodied ones. Join us at SisterScience.ca to start your own powerful healing journey. The Year of YOU is our signature year-long self discovery course, or book a call to bite off just one small first step. You can reach jill@sisterscience.ca with questions, comments, and to share your own healing journey.  Perhaps you are our next guest! Find Chelsey at https://www.chelseybeda.com/ If you found this episode interesting, please share it with someone else who needs to believe in their own intuitive wisdom. 

In this episode of Sister Science Stories, I’m joined by Sandy Mulroy, a Professional Psychological Astrologer with over 30 years of experience in Astrology, the Gene Keys, and helping people find self acceptance as they understand that they were divinely created. Together, we explore the profound connections between Ayurveda and astrology—two ancient sciences that guide us toward balance and well-being. We dive into: ✨ The elemental connections between Ayurvedic doshas and astrological modes ✨ How seasonal shifts impact personality types and energy levels ✨ Understanding our dominant modes and elements for deeper self-awareness ✨ Why opposites are often the medicine in both Ayurveda and astrology ✨ The importance of self-acceptance and honouring natural rhythms 🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 Sandy and I are hosting a special event blending Ayurvedic Dosha analysis and astrological natal chart readings! This intimate gathering will offer practical tools to understand your unique constitution and find balance through both modalities. Stay tuned for details on our websites and social media! Sandy is passionate about uncovering the deeper layers of self-awareness, bringing light to the shadows, and activating the gifts within. She also leads nature retreats worldwide, weaving together astrology, yoga, herbology, ceremony, and sacred circles to cultivate self-connection and acceptance.  🌞 Website: Solar Power Health 🌞 Instagram: @SolarPowerHealth   🎧 Tune in and discover how the stars and elements shape your well-being!  Join us at SisterScience.ca to start your own powerful healing journey. The Year of YOU is our signature year-long self discovery course, or book a call to bite off just one small first step. You can reach jill@sisterscience.ca with questions, comments, and to share your own healing journey.  Perhaps you are our next guest! If you found this episode interesting, please share it with someone else who needs to believe in their own intuitive wisdom.     

Slowing Down: A Superpower for Awareness, Healing, and Discernment with Jill Novak & Chelsey Beda In this episode of Sister Science Stories, Jill and Chelsey explore the transformative power of slowing down. In a fast-paced world that glorifies busyness and productivity, they discuss how embracing slowness fosters deeper self-awareness, better decision-making, and overall well-being. Topics Covered: 🔹 Embracing Change & Organic Growth – Why slow integration is essential for sustainable transformation. 🔹 Relearning Self-Care in a Fast World – Challenging the “superwoman” myth and prioritizing well-being. (Here is the Under The Influence Episode where we learn how marketing invented this stereotype) 🔹 Prioritization & Discernment – The power of saying yes, saying no, and listening to your body’s wisdom. 🔹 Slowing Down as a Superpower – How slowness cultivates connection, intuition, and clarity. 🔹 Overcoming Dysfunctional Patterns – How journaling and mindfulness help rewire limiting beliefs. 🔹 Mindful Eating & Digestive Health – The link between slowing down and better digestion, both physically and emotionally. 🔹 Slowing Down for Self-Advocacy – Why setting boundaries and tuning into your own needs is essential for true well-being. Throughout the conversation, Jill and Chelsey share personal experiences, insights from Ayurveda and Yoga, and practical strategies to shift from external urgency to internal wisdom. They invite listeners to rethink their relationship with speed, redefine success, and embrace slowness as a path to deeper healing and sovereignty. You can find Chelsey at chelseybeda.com Join us at SisterScience.ca to start your own powerful healing journey. The Year of YOU is our signature year-long self discovery course, or book a call to bite off just one small first step. You can reach jill@sisterscience.ca with questions, comments, and to share your own healing journey.  Perhaps you are our next guest!  If you found this episode interesting, please share it with someone else who needs to believe in their own intuitive wisdom.