What a fantastic season! It's not over, we're just taking a summer break. We want to thank you the listeners for tuning in every single Wednesday and thank you to the amazing guests that have been on the show! Thank you for believing in the importance of health and wellness and for embarking on this journey to help improve our personal overall health and well-being. Stay tuned for next season.
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Jenna Hua, RD, MPH, Ph.D. registered dietitian, environmental health scientist, CEO and founder of Million Marker.
Jenna's past research has focused on how our surrounding environment impacts our behaviors and health. An ardent believer in disease prevention, she wants to provide personalized preventive strategies to everyone to lead a healthier life.
Jenna’s extensive experience as an academic and health advocate led to her founding Million Marker in 2019, shortly after completing a Postdoctoral Fellowship with Stanford University’s School of Medicine. Throughout her career in academia, Jenna has researched and published numerous studies that largely focused on citizen’s science, general health, and the impact of food consumption on a person’s well-being.
In one of her most recent publications, Jenna used machine learning to identify people based on food consumed in order to offer healthier food options. She also published another report that studied the arsenic exposure and risks of eating rice among adolescents in Kunming, China. Jenna has been a Project Manager for UNC’s Carolina Population Center, a Graduate Instructor and Research Assistant at UC Berkeley, and a Project Manager at UCLA’s Center for Population Research. She was also a US Fulbright Fellow at the Institute of International Education in Kunming, China. Jenna holds a BS in Nutrition and an MPH and Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences from UC Berkeley.
During our conversation with Jenna:
Her journey into health and well-being
Why Million Marker? What was her inspiration and passion behind the product/brand?
What does wellness mean to you?
An individual with health challenges wants to make changes in their life and wants to begin by detoxifying, where should they begin?
What does it mean to live a healthy lifestyle and how can someone begin their journey to a better tomorrow?
What are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (or EDCs), how is it affecting us and what can we do to eliminate them in our lives and home?
Show notes: lpdstudio.ca/million-marker
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Laura Di Lorenzo, founder of Sunshine Mattress Co.
Sunshine Mattress Co. is an online organic mattress experience that focuses on solving individual needs, concerns, and preferences when it comes to sleep. The collection of products is handcrafted locally in Ontario at a family-run facility that specializes in manufacturing organic mattresses and other textiles. The simplified collection of products is always made using the highest quality, certified organic raw materials that provide a wealth of benefits, longer-lasting comfort, and an enhanced sleep experience.
Laura opened her first showroom in Toronto in 2020 and has since relocated to Collingwood in April of this year. Her mission is to educate on the importance of high-quality and clean products, that you can feel good about getting into every night. After all - we sleep one-third of our lives!
Laura had the pleasure of serving customers all across Canada, grown partnerships with practitioners and influential people in the space of wellness. Sunshine Mattresses are in an AirB&B in Bancroft, and have received various media recognition through wellness podcasts and blogs
During our conversation with Laura:
We learned about her mission, what sparked her passion for sleep quality?
The journey of opening a sustainable business from the beginning to now.
What does wellness mean to her?
How can a conventional mattress affect your sleep?
What are the symptoms of sleeping on a bad mattress?
How do you know that you need to change mattresses?
Is it better to sleep on a hard or soft mattress?
How often should a mattress be replaced?
Why invest in a healthy mattress, why does it matter and what are the benefits?
Reference Links:
Enter code “DESIGNINGWELLNESS” at checkout for a discount on bedding accessories
Sunshine Mattress Instagram Page
Show Notes: lpdstudio.ca/sunshine-mattress
Air purifiers can be effective in reducing levels of certain pollutants in the air, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and tobacco smoke. However, the effectiveness of an air purifier depends on several factors, including the type of pollutant or particulate you are trying to remove.
If you’re looking for a recommended air purifier, search for HEPA filters. They are highly effective at removing small particles from the air, while others, such as ozone generators, can actually be harmful to human health. It is also important to note that air purifiers are not able to remove all pollutants and may not be able to eliminate odors or chemical fumes. Therefore consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
In this epidose, we dived in:
Show Notes: https://lpdstudio.ca/journal/do-air-purifiers-actually-work
Reference:
Episode 8 - What's Non-Toxic Living and Why is it Important? Insights from a Wellness Architect
Episode 14 - How does a healthy home positively impact our overall health and well-being?
Episode 16 - How to reduce hormone disruptors in your home
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Ahiney Laryea, Associate Therapist with LifeCycle Counselling and Clinical Learning Facilitator at LifeWorks.
She is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Carleton University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Windsor. Ahiney has a passion and heart for serving others and demonstrates it by mentoring other women in her community. She also loves long walks, gastronomic experiences during her travels, and journaling memorable moments.
During our conversation with Ahiney:
We talked about her mission and how she became a social worker
The different facets of wellness and the components that impact our mental health.
As a social worker, which room of the home would you begin with? Why? And what are three major elements you would change or implement in the space?
Reference Links:
Show Notes: lpdstudio.ca/Ahiney
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Seungyeon Hong, Civil Engineering and Modelling and Data Specialist at s2e Technologies Inc:
He is an expert in the field of sustainability and net-zero energy. He holds a bachelor's and master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Carleton University, is a LEED Green Associate and was the Graduate Research And Teaching Assistant on the Northern Nomad Net-Zero Tiny House Project in Ottawa.
During our conversation with Seungyeon:
We dived into his passion for net-zero homes, his involvement with the Eve Park Project and his role as a research and design associate for London's West5 net-zero energy community. We also looked at what it means to live in a sustainable community and how that impacts our well-being.
Show Notes: lpdstudio.ca/netzero
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Tracy Daoud, Montreal-based Interior Designer and owner of Interior Designs by Tracy.
With over 10+ years in the field of interior design and running her own business, Tracy also recently launched an extension of her brand which is a curated collection of home goods - Tryda Collection. She has a diploma in interior design from Lasalle College and a bachelor's degree in business management from John Molson School of Business in Montreal. She is a wife, a mom to young boys, and a passionate luxury residential interior designer who build her business from word of mouth.
During our conversation with Tracy:
We talked about her mission.
What inspired her to become an Interior Designer?
What does it mean to design a space that reflects and tells a story?
Talk to us about bathroom design
Why should someone invest in bathroom design?
How to create a serene/spa-like bathroom?
How did you tell the client’s story through that project?
Reference Links:
Show Notes: lpdstudio.ca/tracy
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Karyn Hughes, RMT and Owner of Kneaded Touch.
Karyn is a proud mother of 3 wonderful kids, has been a Massage Therapist for 22 years, a doula, an IBCLC, and a professor of Massage Therapy at Algonquin College. She opened her first clinic in 2007 and now has 3 in the Ottawa area named after her love of baking - Kneaded Touch. In her free time, she volunteers with the Girl Guides, supports new RMTs, and loves to dote on her pets. She has found her passion in supporting and empowering women and children through their wellness journeys.
During our conversation with Karyn:
We talked about her mission.
What inspired her to become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), specialize in pre/postnatal, and open her own practice?
She specializes in (ie. Prenatal massage, prenatal, infant and child massage, Swedish massage, CranioSacral therapy, and Myofascial Release) - what is her process through each therapy?
Walk us through how a pregnant woman can benefit from massage therapy throughout her pregnancy and post-partum. Let's say she decides to book multiple sessions with you within the 9 months, tell us your process. Which months would you recommend which therapy and why?
Reference Links:
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Tanya Rust, Registered Psychotherapist and Founder of T.RUST Counselling.
Tanya Rust is Registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She completed her Master of Arts in Counselling and Spirituality at the University of Ottawa. Her goal is to help people feel more at home within themselves. She helps individuals gain insight and clarity so they can extend compassion and kindness toward themselves as they journey through life.
During our conversation with Tanya:
We talked about her mission.
What inspired her to become a psychotherapist and start her own practice?
What modality does she use during a therapy session?
What makes therapy so important for our mental health and well-being?
What can someone actually expect from therapy, compared to the myths or stereotypes?
What do you enjoy most about being a therapist?
Reference Links:
Show Notes: lpdstudio.ca/tanya-rust
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Maxi Schönteich, Pain expert and founder of Embodied Health.
Maxi is a trauma-informed Osteopath, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Nutritional Therapist, and Health Coach based in Hong Kong. She has extensive postgraduate training in somatic/body-based trauma therapy, chronic pain management, and mind-body medicine.
Maxi is passionate about helping people recover from chronic unexplained illnesses so they can live a fully expressed life and she’s on the show today to share practical applications that will enhance our health & well-being.
During our conversation with Maxi:
We talked about her mission.
How did she start?
What inspired you to become an Osteopath?
What inspired additional education to become a Certified Medicine Practitioner and the founder of Embodied Health?
What do we need to know and understand when it comes to unexplained chronic pain and the nervous system?
Can you elaborate on your most recent blog post on “How Mindfulness can help you reduce Pain”?
Reference Links:
Embodied Health Resource Library
Embodied Health Blog - How can mindfulness help reduce pain
Psychophysiologic Disorders Association
Show Notes: https://lpdstudio.ca/maxi
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Pierre-Paul Couronne, Media Specialist at Impact Media
PPC is an expert in all things SEO, Digital Marketing, and Social Media. He has innumerable years of experience in the digital marketing sector and has collaborated with a diverse portfolio of creatives and brands. He was the Founder of World Repair, Co-Founder of The Anxious Empath, and Marketing Consultant and Web Developer of Moi D’abord/Me first.”
During our conversation with PPC:
We talked about his mission.
Digital Marketing/Social Media and its impact on our wellbeing
Social Media and the concept of scrapbooking
Artificial intelligence, data, and wellness
Reference Links:
Show Notes: lpdstudio.ca/ppc
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Casey Grey, The Conscious Builder.
Casey is the founder of the award-winning sustainable building company, The Conscious Builder, the host of The Conscious Builder Podcast and The Conscious Builder Show on YouTube and the founder of The Conscious Builder Academy, an online course hub for future-focused builders who want to create better businesses. He has written almost 400 blog posts on topics such as marketing, branding, entrepreneurship, personal development, sustainability, and more. Casey is a husband, father, and dog dad to an Italian Greyhound.
Casey is on a mission to help people build homes, businesses, and lives in a more conscious manner.
During our conversation with Casey:
We talked about his mission.
What inspired him to start his own business and become The Conscious Builder
What is a High-Performance Home (HPH) and how is it sustainable?
Why should we invest in an HPH or Sustainable home?
How does a sustainable home impact our well-being and overall health?
Reference Links:
The Conscious Builder Homepage
Show Notes: lpdstudio.ca/casey-grey
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Carol Bishay, Occupational Therapist.
Carol is an occupational therapist based out of Ottawa, Canada. She is a bilingual mom to a new baby girl, holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Ottawa, mental health advocate and speaker. Carol has a passion working with children as she focuses on helping optimize for their health through meaningful activities.
During our conversation with Carol:
We talked about her mission.
What inspired her to become an occupational therapist
What is the benefit of meeting with an occupational therapist and how does it improve the child’s well-being?
What are elements that should be implemented in the child’s bedroom to enhance their mental health and well-being?
How should the room be designed to promote childhood independence and everyday life skills?
How to create a space that encourages organization and planning?
Show Notes: lpdstudio.ca/carol-bishay
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Tasha Medve, Sustainable Lifestyle Blogger of The Purposeful You
With years of experience in Real Estate, Marketing and Broadcasting, Tasha is now a full-time eco influencer. She is a blogger, writer, teacher, sustainable mama to toddle Quinn and the founder of The Purposeful You. Tasha birthed The Purposeful You, an eco-conscious lifestyle blog when she was expecting her sweet baby Quinn. Since then she has been focused on creating content around sustainable living to inspire others to live a holistic lifestyle. Tasha has been featured on The EcoParent, Waste Free Planet, Virgin Radio 107.3, and RedFin.”
During our conversation with Tasha:
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Kuljit Rakhra, Co-Founder of Takasa Lifestyle Company Inc.
With over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, Kuljit took a huge leap of faith in his personal life and career as he left his banking job in Chicago and moved his family of 4, now 5 back to Vancouver, Canada to step into becoming a social and environmental conscious entrepreneur and the Co-founder and COO of Takasa Lifestyle Company Inc. Takasa is Canada’s first organic and Fair trade Cotton homewares brand. They have been featured in Apartment Therapy, Sustainably Chic, The Marilyn Denis Show, HGTV, Ottawa Citizen, The Eco Hub, Elle Decor, National Post, The Globe and Mail, and BC Living, just to name a few.”
During our conversation with Kuljit:
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Sloane Elizabeth, Food Freedom Coach.
She is a yoga teacher, speaker, podcaster, and ice cream lover! She has an undergraduate from Vanderbilt University, and currently working on her Masters in Holistic Clinical Nutrition at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Her passion is to help women eat and LIVE with love & intuition. Her goal is to coach women to feel properly nourished, satisfied, and confident in their bodies.
During our conversation with Sloane:
We learned about what inspired her to become a Food Freedom Coach and how she helps women change their relationship with food. We dived in on how to care about our health and wellness without diet and nutritional restrictions and how nutrition plays a role in our well-being.
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Dr. Nardine Bekhit, an Ottawa-based Chiropractor.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Ottawa and a Ph.D. from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. She’s a mom to the cutest little girl, speaker, educator, family wellness advocate and curly hair influencer!!
She’s on the show today to give us practical applications on how to improve our sleep quality and mental health.
During our conversation with Dr.Bekhit:
In this week’s episode, my special guest is January Donovan, Self Worth Strategist, Founder Of The Woman School and The Wholeness Coaching School.
She is a #1 best-selling author, an entrepreneur, and a mother of 8 children. January has over 20 years of experience training women in practical skills to help manage their lives. She grew a multimillion dollar company reaching 40 countries in under three years and becoming one of Forbes Magazine’s top coaches.
January’s passion fuels her discipline as a wife, mother, and business owner. She believes that it is time for individuals to understand the value of wholeness, not based on cultural standards but based on our own personal achievements.
During our conversation with January:
Share shared:
In this week’s episode, my special guest is Ariel Green, host of The Sustainable Brown Girl Podcast:
A podcast that dives into the fundamentals of sustainability from a brown girl’s world/perspective. The podcast features many women of colour who are climate activists, farmers, beekeepers, zero waste shop owners, packaging engineers, and much more. The goal of Sustainable Brown Girl is to share incredible women's stories, support them and inspire other women of colour to make better choices for the health of our planet and the health of our bodies. Ariel is a wife, mama to a precious little girl, community activist, urban gardener and she’s on the show today to talk about sustainability.
During our conversation with Ariel:
We talked about:
