Episodes

How is it that stress seems to run the show in our lives? In this solo episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, Kate O’Donnell takes us beyond the usual “stress management” advice and introduces a more empowering approach: stress shifting. Instead of treating stress like an unchangeable force that we just have to “handle,” Kate breaks it down into clear categories, reveals how much of it is actually self-generated, and explains why so many of us are living in a constant stress reflex. From an Ay...

In this warm and practical conversation, Kate sits down with her longtime friend and colleague Emilie Reid, co-owner of the beloved Ayurvedic lifestyle brand Farmtrue. Emilie shares the full-circle story of discovering Ayurveda through cracked knuckles and toasted sesame oil, building a thriving yoga studio, navigating its closing during COVID, and ultimately finding her dharma in reviving Farmtrue with her husband. Emilie walks listeners through the process of making thousands of pounds of ghe...

Kate is a self-described holiday dork who loves parties, cookies, cocktails and a good stuffing situation. She also remembers what it felt like to stagger out of Thanksgiving week bloated, gassy, constipated and anxious for days. In this solo episode, she downloads her personal Holiday Health Guide, honed over two decades of living Ayurveda, healing her gut from parasites, and still saying yes to celebration. You will learn the one shift that made the biggest difference in her digestion during ...

Kate sits down with Ashley Turner to explore midlife as a true rite of passage. Yes, hormones matter. But Ashley makes a compelling case that what many of us feel in our 40s and 50s is also a psychospiritual reorganization. We cover what’s actually happening with progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone; why anger and irritability spike; how Ayurveda explains the energy shift after menstruation; and where tools like sisterhood, sleep, nutrition, and thoughtfully facilitated psychedelic therapy m...

In this solo episode, Kate shares the low-lift routines that keep her nourished all week: the exact groceries she buys, what she soaks at night, her quick morning setup, how she uses an Instant Pot without babysitting the stove, and why cooked water can be a total game-changer for hydration and digestion. Expect straightforward practices—soaked legumes, a pot of greens, a weekly chutney, and a simple condiment strategy—so you’re never stuck at the snack cabinet again. What You’ll Learn Why pre...

Cookbook author and Ayurvedic educator Claire Ragozzino joins Kate to talk about real Ayurvedic eating—beyond dogma and into daily life. They explore how routine and relaxation transform digestion, why many of us actually need more nourishment (not less), and how an omnivorous approach can be deeply aligned with Ayurvedic principles. Claire shares how she meal-preps on Kauaʻi, why porridges and stews are her anchors, and how sourcing food locally (and ethically) connects us back to the ecosystem...

Dry skin showing up already? In this solo, Kate shares Ayurveda’s whole-body approach to dryness—how to exfoliate without stripping, why oiling before a hot shower matters, which fall oils absorb best, and how to hydrate at the cellular level with hot water, soups, and a simple evening milk tonic. Plus, the once-a-week mung bean body scrub (with a cleanup hack) that makes a big difference when you’re feeling “lizardy.” What You’ll Learn If it’s dry on your skin, assume dryness is present syste...

Author and teacher Kate O’Donnell sits down with Mysore-based cook and educator Sahana Murthy to explore seasonal eating, real hydration, and the quiet genius of traditional South Indian cooking. You’ll learn why soupy meals hydrate better than constant water chugging, when to lean on salted buttermilk (and when not to), how to make coriander “coffee” to cool excess pitta, and why food combining matters for digestion. Sahana shares travel hacks, fall-friendly meals, and a simple approach to cook...

Feeling hungry, unprepared, and tempted by the snack cabinet? In this solo episode, Kate shares her real-life Ayurvedic plan for those “what do I eat?” moments—especially in fall. You’ll learn easy, grounding meals that come together quickly: 15-minute dals and greens, creamy porridges, tortillas with eggs or beans, “eggs + greens” anytime meals, and the evening hot-milk ritual for deep sleep. You’ll also hear Kate’s minimal prep habits (chia soaks, toasted pepitas, soaked almonds) that make fas...

In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, Kate O’Donnell sits down with Ayurvedic doctor and podcast host Sasha Bershadsky for an eye-opening look at how Ayurveda is taught, practiced, and evolving in the United States. Many listeners ask: What’s the difference between an Ayurvedic health counselor, practitioner, and doctor? How do you know who to see—and for what kind of health concerns? What kind of training do Ayurvedic doctors in the U.S. actually receive? Will insurance ever cove...

As the season cools and dries, your body changes too. Kate shares exactly how to pivot your meals toward warm, moist, grounding foods, plus easy spice pairings and a gentle two-week transition mindset that protects digestion at the seasonal “joint” (the ṛtu sandhi). Expect soups and stews, cooked fruit, warm water rituals, and smart use of fat and seeds. If you’re feeling the first signs of dryness—skin, eyes, stools—this episode gives you simple, delicious ways to respond. What You’ll Learn W...

Everywhere you look, there’s another shop selling cannabis products. But how do you separate hype from helpful? Kate welcomes Stefanie Reiser of Acknowledge Farms back to demystify hemp, CBD, THC, and the often-mentioned but rarely explained CBDV. They trace hemp’s history in the U.S., unpack how research and regulation shape today’s products, and explain why regenerative, organic farming can influence how you feel a tincture or gummy. You’ll learn what the endocannabinoid system is, what the “e...

In this solo teaching, Kate gets real about finishing creative work—and whether your idea truly needs to become a book. She walks through practical next steps for authors and educators (hello, market comps and outlines), and widens the lens: podcasts, audio, YouTube, and Substack might serve your message—and your audience—better right now. If publishing is your path, you’ll hear where to start, how to think like a marketer (not just a writer), and why building audience before pitching changes ev...

In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, Kate O’Donnell is joined by longtime friend and colleague Nea Ferrier, a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher, international retreat leader, and founder of Nilaya House in Dubai. Together, they explore the interplay of yoga, Ayurveda, and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on how women can align with life stages and menstrual seasons to live more integrated, balanced, and joyful lives. Nea shares her journey from the hedonistic nightlif...

Back-to-school season isn’t just about school supplies and new schedules—it’s also a time of significant change for body and mind. In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, host Kate O’Donnell explores how both seasonal shifts and cultural transitions (like returning to school or work routines) can stir up anxiety, digestive upset, and sleep disturbances. Drawing from Ayurveda’s timeless wisdom, Kate offers practical strategies to bring balance and rhythm back into your life. What You’ll ...

Kate O’Donnell welcomes Dr. John Douillard, DC, CAP, a pioneer in Ayurveda and modern health integration. Together, they explore some of the most confusing and most-asked questions in wellness today: Which cooking oils are truly healthy? How do we eat seasonally in a modern world? And how can breathwork provide nourishment as powerful as food itself? Dr. John shares his personal journey from competitive triathlete to living in India, studying Ayurveda, and eventually creating LifeSpa.com, one o...

Hair loss, thinning, and lackluster strands are often blamed on products, genetics, or age — but Ayurveda sees the story differently. In this episode, Kate O’Donnell takes you beyond shampoos and serums into the deep connection between your bones, digestion, stress, and hair health. You’ll learn how hair is considered an upadhatu (secondary tissue) of the bones, why fats and proteins are essential, and how stress, grief, and poor digestion show up in your hair, nails, and teeth. From foods rich...

In this practical and passionate solo episode, Kate O’Donnell unpacks the Ayurvedic ritual of oil massage—known as Abhyanga—and shares everything you need to know to make it a regular part of your wellness routine. Whether you’re looking to improve your skin, calm your nerves, age with grace, or detox gently, this episode offers a complete guide to integrating this timeless practice into your life. Kate walks you through the how, why, and when of oil massage, including shortcuts, contraindicatio...

Why is Ayurveda so obsessed with oils? In this beautifully textured conversation, Kate O’Donnell welcomes Osi Mizrahi—founder of OSI Oils—to explore the sacred role of oils in Ayurvedic practice. From cooking herbs for three days to customizing breast, belly, and hair oils, Osi shares her personal healing journey, business wisdom, and why oil is truly love (Sneha). You’ll learn what oils to use, how to use them, and even how to keep your sheets and shower clean in the process. This episode is an...

In this powerful roundtable discussion, Kate O’Donnell is joined by three renowned practitioners—Dr. Scott Blossom, Jennifer Boyd, and Kimberly Giunta—to explore how perimenopause and menopause affect the heart, brain, hormones, and spirit. Together, they challenge conventional narratives, emphasizing that this sacred transition isn’t something to fix, but to support and honor. From hormone replacement therapy and bioidenticals to the role of self-breast massage, fiber intake, and spiritual trus...

In this solo episode, Kate O’Donnell invites you into a candid conversation on wellness shaming, the complexities of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the true Ayurvedic perspective on supplementation. With equal parts compassion and clarity, Kate offers her evolving thoughts on what it means to feel confident in your health choices, how to engage with controversial wellness topics without judgment, and why prana—not pills—may be your most powerful daily nutrient. Whether you’re navigating...

This special replay episode features a timeless and transformative conversation between Kate O’Donnell and Emma Balnaves, senior teacher of Shadow Yoga. Originally released a year ago, this episode continues to resonate with women navigating life’s big transitions—from menstruation to menopause and beyond. Emma shares wisdom from her decades of daily yoga practice, weaving together Ayurveda, subtle body awareness, and feminine life cycles. You’ll hear her speak frankly about perimenopause, agin...

Is your morning cup of coffee a life-enhancing ritual—or a daily stressor for your body? In this candid solo episode, Kate O’Donnell breaks down the Ayurvedic perspective on coffee, caffeine, and the signals your body may be sending you about both. From bloat to breakouts, adrenal fatigue to mood swings, Kate explores how the bitter brew impacts digestion, hormones, and emotional well-being—especially during perimenopause and beyond. Whether you thrive on a daily dose of java or suspect it migh...

What if the key to resolving your hormonal imbalance, easing perimenopause symptoms, and supporting detoxification was as simple as eating more beans? In this episode, Kate is joined by renowned nutritionist and biochemist Karen Hurd—affectionately known as “The Bean Queen”—to explore how soluble fiber plays a vital role in removing toxins and excess hormones from the body. This deep-dive into the biochemical detox process is packed with actionable wisdom, from understanding bile recirculation ...