Orient & Occident

In this episode, I speak with T’Keyah Snell, a student in her final year of Naturopathy at the Endeavour College of Natural Health. T’Keyah and I converse over a wide array of topics from natural healing techniques, sex, stress complications and much more. Our rich conversation explores the depths of Eastern and Western medicine in a modern world and how we can utilise the two to create planetary healing. Produced by Sam Findlay You can follow Orient and Occident on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. https://www.orientoccidentyoga.com/

Introducing Orient & Occident, a podcast hosted by Maddalen Isabella about the convergence of Eastern and Western medicine and philosophy in an attempt to understand and heal not only ourselves but the planet.  Produced by Samuel Findlay.

In this episode, I have a hopeful conversation with Justin Sinclair, who is part of the NICM Health Research Institute since 2017 as a Research Fellow who has been researching and studying cannabis in Australia and the United States for the last 15 years. Justin blends the best of both modern science and traditional knowledge, and his clinical interests include osteoarthritis, herb/drug/nutrient interactions, digestive disorders and mental health. In our conversation, we explore a wide range of topics from plant medicine, to our relationship to nature and Earth and the impact of climate change on our mental health. We deep dive into how we can look to plants and First Nations people to explore that inextricable link we have with nature, spirit and place. Justin provides a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience in embodying the lessons of plant medicine and how it can shift the way one can view the world, especially in a time of need like we are experiencing today. Justin also shares his expertise on how climate change will deter medicinal explorations in the future as the loss of plants is rapidly increasing. He determines that with climate change, we will lose a plethora of knowledge on how we can turn to nature for deeper healing and connection. connectiontosourcepodcast.com Produced by Samuel Findlay.

In this episode, I have a hopeful conversation with Kirli Saunders, a proud Gunai Woman and award-winning international writer of poetry, plays and picture books. She is a teacher, cultural consultant and artist. In 2020, Kirli was named the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year. Kirli's latest book 'Bindi' is the winner of the Daisy Utemorrah award. It explores connection to Country, bushfires and the power of community in overcoming hardship. We explore a wide range of topics from yoga, First Nations knowledge and the relationship between time and space. We deep dive into the ideas of place and how connected we are as a person to the Earth and how that governs the way moving around the world. Kirli provides incredible insight into the relationship with ancient text from both First Nations and yogic practices and how the lessons are similar in understanding that the Earth is us, and we are it and we have a responsibility to care for it. Kirli talks about her experiences with First Nations languages and how when embraced, it can foster a deeper connection to the land as you begin to notice the natural rhythms and appreciate the vibrational properties of the plants, trees and everything around you. Kirli exemplifies the deep need for change as it is becoming more evident that the natural rhythms of the earth are being interrupted with climate change. connectiontosourcepodcast.com Produced by Samuel Findlay.

In this episode, I have a hopeful conversation with Erin Miller, currently a student at the University of Sydney and Master of Sustainability candidate. She is currently completing her capstone project with UNICEF Australia, writing their domestic climate, environment and sustainability policy, and works in environmental and sustainability management at engineering construction company Laing O’Rourke. We deep dive into the mental health impacts on young people and Erin explores her work at UNICEF writing a climate change policy for the organisation and how this is instilling hope in young people.  Nearly 86% of young people experience worry and stress around climate change and they often feel like their voices aren’t heard in making real and active change. Erin was able to provide valuable insight into how the policy for UNICEF incorporated the voices of young people in shaping a policy around climate change that tackles health and environmental degradation. connectiontosourcepodcast.com Produced by Samuel Findlay.

In this episode, I have a hopeful conversation with Dr Jarrod White, a clinical psychologist who works with individuals and groups to facilitate life contentment, identity, meaning and passion. His work in helping individuals identify, accept and change repeated harmful patterns, is framed in the context of our broader societal issues including climate anxiety, masculinity stereotypes, increased isolation, loss of connection, interpersonal difficulties in relationships, and existential crises prevalent today.  We explore eco-anxiety as a terminology and how it is the centre of much debate in the environmental sphere. We deep dive into the consequences of when you try to pathologize eco-anxiety and how eco-anxiety is broad in the sense that it should also include climate deniers as there is an element of anxiety and fear around not addressing the issues of climate change. connectiontosourcepodcast.com Produced by Samuel Findlay.

In this episode, I have a hopeful conversation with Dr Sally Gillespie, a member of Psychology for a Safe Climate, the Climate Wellbeing Network, and the Climate Psychology Alliance. A former psychotherapist, Sally researched the psychological terrain of ongoing climate engagement for her PhD. She lectures and facilitates workshops on climate psychology and ecopsychology. We explore the relationship between climate change and psychology and the experience of people on the deepest level when engaging with climate issues. connectiontosourcepodcast.com Produced by Samuel Findlay.

In this episode, I have a hopeful conversation with Tim Flannery, one of Australia's leading writers on climate change and Chief Councillor at Climate Council. He is an internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer and conservationist. Professor Flannery was named Australian of the Year in 2007 and has held various academic positions over the years. Tim shares his wisdom on the impact of climate change locally and globally and how empowered leaders are the way forward when paving a new future.  connectiontosourcepodcast.com Produced by Samuel Findlay.

In this episode, I have a hopeful conversation with James Bradley, a novelist and critic. His books include the novels Wrack, The Deep Field, The Resurrectionist and Clade, all of which have been shortlisted for or won a number of Australian and international literary awards, a book of poetry, Paper Nautilus, and The Penguin Book of the Ocean. We explore the duality of time and space and how these concepts can create a sense of dissonance between what we know is happening and what we see around us. connectiontosourcepodcast.com Produced by Samuel Findlay.

In this episode, I have a hopeful conversation with James Button, feature writer, deputy editor and Europe correspondent at The Age. James also currently works for the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. We explore the impact of technology on the way we move in the world, the way we connect with ourselves and nature and how that is shaping our future. connectiontosourcepodcast.com Produced by Samuel Findlay.