S3E10 How To Soften Your Edges Without Losing Your Fire with Melissa Wood

Most people are cooking with oils that they think are healthy, but are wreaking havoc on their inflammation levels… and even their olive oil isn’t doing what they think it is. In this episode, Mona sits down with Katina Mountanos, founder of Kosterina, to unpack what real extra-virgin olive oil actually is, how to spot rancid or low-quality bottles on the shelf, and her POV on the notion that you “can’t cook with olive oil.”

In this episode of Mona-vated, Mona reconnects with her roots and explores the timeless rituals and remedies passed down through generations in her family. Long before beauty routines and wellness trends filled the internet, these traditions celebrated the harmony between nature and self. From the golden warmth of saffron and the soothing purity of rosewater to the healing strength of turmeric, Mona shares the powerful ingredients and ancestral wisdom that continue to shape her holistic approach to wellness. She also reveals her grandmother’s secret ritual for glowing summer skin, a timeless reminder that true radiance begins with simplicity and care.

In this episode, Mona reflects on the quiet art of giving yourself time to do nothing. She shares how moments of stillness, whether eating without distractions or simply sitting and being present, can feel meditative and revealing. In a life that is always busy, she invites us to pause, notice the little things, and create space for ourselves.

What if you could reduce ADHD or depression symptoms without medication or supplements? In this episode, Mona sits down with Angie Nowak, Vice President of Brain Code Centers, to explore the science of neurofeedback and how it’s helping people heal from anxiety, insomnia, and even trauma by literally rewiring their brains. Angie shares her own story of recovering from a traumatic brain injury, why she believes neurofeedback found her, and what it means to create lasting change from the inside out. Together, they dive into brain health, emotional regulation, and how understanding your mind on a deeper level can transform your life.

What if the very traits that once made you fiery and competitive could be softened into tools for balance, calm, and growth? In this episode, Mona sits down with her longtime friend Melissa Wood (@MelissaWoodTepperberg) to talk about evolving through life’s hardest moments, embracing spiritual practices, and finding alignment beyond the hustle. Melissa shares the things that have  transformed the way she approaches work, motherhood, and self-care. Together, they explore all of this and more.

What if everything you consume (not just food, but media, conversations, and even the objects in your home) carried energy that affects your well-being? In this episode, Mona shares the hidden energetics behind daily choices and how they shape your mental, emotional, and physical health. She also shares the surprising scientific research behind energetic principles, and personal tips for incorporating energy theory into your daily life.

In this episode, I sit down with fashion industry powerhouse Tara Rudes Dann, who built her career at iconic brands like J Brand and L'Agence, for a conversation packed with life lessons that we can all learn from. Drawing from her decades in fashion and experience as a working mother, Tara shares how she transforms guilt into action, why she chooses to feel emotions fully rather than suppress them, and her approach to cutting toxic energy from her life while staying respectful. From her wisdom on motherhood without mom guilt to running a business with spiritual principles, Tara proves that leading with love and authenticity isn't just feel-good advice: it's a practical strategy for building a meaningful life.To learn more about Tara follow her on Instagram at @tararudesdann and be sure to check out L'Agence.

Do you want to improve your life, but you aren't quite sure where to start? Well, this is the episode for you! Over the years I developed a set of practices that have helped me regulate my nervous system and bring more joy into my everyday life. There are so many small things you can do in your everyday life that when they're added up: will drastically improve your quality of life. In this solo episode, I share all the tips and insights that have helped me like cutting out caffeine, working with my natural energy patterns instead of against them, and building trust in my intuition.

This episode was a dream come true— I got to visit one of the only certified organic supplement farms in the U.S. and see firsthand how real, whole foods are grown, harvested, and turned into powerful, clean supplements. We talk about the difference between isolates and whole food nutrients, what “organic” really looks like at the source, and why your supplement ingredients seriously matter. Even if you’re not buying these products yet, you’ll learn what we can all do to help make organic farming more accessible and more common in this country.You can learn more about Standard Process here.

Being skinny and being healthy aren’t the same thing. In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with my close friend Hanna Park for a heartfelt conversation about something that affects so many of us: our relationship with food. In her 20s, Hanna struggled with bulimia, and she shares her journey to recovery with honesty and vulnerability. I open up about my own gut health challenges and the restrictive habits I developed in the name of healing—and how both of our relationships with food and wellness have evolved in our 30s.We talk about how easy it is to slip into disordered patterns, especially when they’re disguised as “healthy” trends like intermittent fasting, elimination diets, or the pursuit of longevity. And we explore how to recognize when well-intentioned choices might actually be doing more harm than good.If you’re working on healing your relationship with food—or just want to stay grounded in today’s overwhelming wellness landscape—this episode is for you.CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, we discuss personal experiences with disordered and restrictive eating. It’s a conversation we believe is important—but if you’re currently struggling or in recovery, please consider whether this content might be triggering for you.Follow @MonaVaynerchuk and @MonaVatedPod on Instagram, and stay connected with Hanna by subscribing to her Substack.