54: Embracing Slow Living with Courage, with Jody Vassallo

I chat with author and journalist Kerri Sackville around all things dating in midlife. Kerri shares how she learnt to manage her expectations and encourages women to get comfortable being alone before they start the search. We discuss her biggest mistakes and lessons learnt, and even how she kindly rejected unsuitable suitors. Kerri recommends google pic searches for every potential suitor and explains how she protected herself along the way. We learn about ‘ghosting’ and ‘negging’ and the rollercoaster that is dating in midlife.  This is a must listen conversation for every woman dipping their toe into the world of online dating. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store go here.

In this episode I talk with the Founder of One Seed Organic Perfume, Liz Cook. Liz is a trailblazer in the natural fragrance industry, inspiring us to make better choices for our health and for the environment. We discuss what sets One Seed apart from conventional perfume brands, and her guarantee of ingredient transparency. She highlights the health risks associated with synthetic fragrance, and the problematic matter of ‘cleanwashing’. This episode will open your eyes to the concerning lack of regulation in the perfume industry, and bring awareness to the products you invite into your home and onto your skin. For the sake of your health (and your hormones!) this is an episode you mustn’t miss. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store go here.

In this episode, I share my own difficult journey of anticipatory grief and finding solace amidst the impending loss of my Dad. Anticipatory grief is a journey that many of us embark on when facing the imminent loss of someone we hold dear. It's a journey fraught with emotions, uncertainties, and profound changes. But it's also a journey of love, connection, and resilience. I delve into the depths of anticipatory grief, exploring its nuances, challenges, and unexpected moments of grace. Whether you're in the midst of this journey or supporting someone who is, I hope this episode serves as a beacon of understanding and validity for all that you experience. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store go here.

This is the second of two really important and powerful conversations with author Nicole Mathieson.  Nicole guides us towards self compassion on our inevitable journey of being brought up in today’s society - a journey that pressures us to look or be a certain way. She asks us to be mindful of self judgement, and to trust that if we focus on creating a healthy culture of people around us, people who value us for more than our looks, we will create a kinder and more positive way forward for ourselves and those around us. This conversation will foster greater self acceptance and self love. Listen to episode 45 ('How to feel enough under the weight of The Beauty load, with Nicole Mathieson) here. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations ⁠here⁠. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go⁠⁠ here⁠⁠.

In part 2 Sarah helps us understand how we get our power back by leaning on what she calls ‘aligned bravery’ (even if it feels scary as hell), how we can use where we are at right now as a launching pad into newness, and how to avoid what she calls ‘evidence distortion’. Sarah shares real life examples of how her life has propelled forward, even when her current reality would suggest it impossible. This episode is a must listen for those feeling sick of their current reality and ready to experience positive and significant change. Listen to Episode 55 (Part 1 - The Power of Letting Go of Maybe’s in Your Life, with Sarah Tynan) here Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go⁠ here⁠.

This conversation is for anyone and everyone trying to make a decision and create positive change in their life – perhaps you’re stuck at a crossroads, in a pattern, career or relationship – and you’re frustrated because you can’t move forward, you simply don’t know how and/or you’re fearful of how you’ll manage the change. Sarah helps us understand the power of yes, no and maybe energy in our lives, and just what happens when we let go of the lagging ‘maybes’. She helps us understand what she calls the ‘evidence distortion’, encourages us to let go of the ‘how’ in our lives, and suggests we set an alarm on our phone to break the looping patterns of thought.. this episode is the first of 2 I would consider, life changing episodes. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

During this goosebump inducing episode, Jody touches on our addiction to improvement and encourages us instead to get to know ourselves, to ask ourselves why we are seeking change – is it health, fear or old patterning? She asks us to reconsider our fear of carbs and fats and instead look at where in our day we are consuming them. Jody breaks down the different types of anxiety and the importance of understanding where it is coming from. She reminds us of our building sensitivity and the increasingly abrasive nature of harsh sounds and personalities as we age. Of course, she highlights the importance of slowing down, getting creative, doing what we love and stillness. If you have not yet listened to the first 3 podcast episodes with Jody, I urge you to do so here: Episode 39 - Ageing well with Ayurveda with Jody Vassalo (part 1) Episode 46 - Ageing well with Ayurveda with Jody Vassalo (part 2) Episode 47 - Ageing well with Ayurveda with Jody Vassalo (part 3) Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

In this brief episode I share the life-changing reasons behind my yearlong podcast hiatus – these will in turn provide context for the podcast series to come. I touch on one of the biggest decisions of my career, the anticipation and eventual loss of a parent and how remarkably, life always lets us know when it’s time to carry on. I’m so ready to have these conversations again, and I truly hope they help you feel seen, understood, and comforted during what it is an incredible chapter of our lives. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations ⁠here⁠. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go ⁠here⁠.

In this episode we hear from Anxiety Mindset Coach & Author Georgie Collinson about high functioning anxiety in women – what it is, how it impacts us and some practical tools to help break a thought spiral and bring us back into our bodies. A qualified Naturopath and Nutritionist, Georgie also touches on several holistic solutions to support psychological and practical factors contributing to anxiety including the importance of gut and hormone health, and shares more about her 12 week program The Anxiety Reset Method her first book is now available for purchase here. Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.

With 25 years experience, Jacqueline Kalab is one of Australia’s most in demand makeup artists having made up to 56,000 faces of makeup! Hollywood actors, rockstars, sports stars, heroes, politicians, through to local television celebrities and international models, she’s THE makeup artist for the stars. 9 years ago, out of demand from her clients, Jacqueline added her own brand of professional artist quality makeup brushes to her offerings. Since then she’s gone on to produce eye liners, mineral foundations, eye shadow and more. Jacqueline has also created an online self-makeup course, designed especially for busy women to build confidence, and change the way they use makeup. Prepare to have any long-held beliefs about make up, make up application and skin care products turned on their heads – this is a juicy conversation! Get the full show notes for this episode along with links, downloads, guest recommendations here. To access The Holistic Ingredient store, go here.