In this episode, Emily talks about how her understanding of holistic living has evolved beyond the “natural lifestyle” checklist into a deeper, more textured practice. She shares why true holistic living is less about controlling every variable and more about cooperating with the body’s innate intelligence through rhythm, seasonal awareness, simple rituals, and herbs as allies. What you’ll hear: Why “holistic” is a worldview, not an aesthetic or a shopping list The difference between “natural,” “healthy,” and truly holistic living A systems-biology lens for everyday choices, without the reductionist trap How cycles matter: circadian rhythm, seasons, and the flows of a life Practical ways to make life feel nourishing instead of like a to-do list Gentle energy management: noticing leaks and restoring vitality Connect with Emily: Shop curated goods and favorites: Shop here Learn and explore: Visit the website Watch and subscribe: YouTube channel Get the Monday love letter: Moonday Notes If this episode resonated, share it with a friend and let Emily know what landed for you. Next week, she dives into what herbalism really is and how she weaves herbal wisdom into skincare.      

In this episode, Emily guides you through one of her favorite seasonal rituals, the Fall Shed.  This is a powerful process of releasing clutter, stagnant energy, and outdated identities in order to create spaciousness for renewal, vitality, and aligned growth as we transition into a new year. Rather than approaching decluttering as a chore, Emily reframes it as an intentional act of energetic refinement. She explores six key areas that hold energetic weight in our lives: Physical environment Digital space Finances Social life & relationships Time & schedule Health & fitness Through this practice, Emily discuses how clearing these spaces can restore flow, increase clarity, regulate the nervous system, and invite abundance and creativity back into one’s life. This episode is an invitation to slow down, release what no longer resonates, and prepare the inner and outer landscape for a fresh season of vitality. Whether you choose to shed in one of these areas or move through all six, this episode will help you reconnect to your own natural rhythms and step into the coming season with a renewed sense of peace, sovereignty, and purpose.   Mentioned In The Episode:  Banyan Botanicals Article: A Traditional Ayurvedic Cleanse   Connect with Emily 🌿 Moonday Notes Newsletter – Receive weekly seasonal guidance, skincare wisdom, herbal teachings, and rituals for aligned living: Newsletter Sign Up 🌿 Website – Explore offerings, workshops, and resources: stratumaesthetics.com🌿 The Shop – Browse curated skincare, herbal remedies, and body care selected to support your skin and nervous system: stratumaesthetics.com/shop 🌿 YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/

What really happens when you step away from social media: mentally, emotionally, and as a business owner? In this candid episode, I share my field notes from three weeks off Instagram: the unexpected grief, newfound peace, surprising business clarity, and the stories I didn’t know I was living inside of. This is an honest exploration of identity, self-worth, and whether our nervous systems and businesses can thrive outside of the algorithm. We explore: The false sense of self-importance created by constant visibility How algorithmic bubbles shape our worldview (without us realizing it) The difference between being seen and being watched The story I told myself about not being able to run a business without Instagram, and what actually happened when I stepped away What begins to flourish when we stop performing and start living again Whether you’re social-media-free-curious, deeply burnt out, or simply rethinking how you want to be visible in the world, this episode will speak to that longing for a slower, more sovereign, more embodied way of doing life and business. Connect with Me ✨ Website:https://stratumaesthetics.com 🛒 Shop the Apothecary:https://stratumaesthetics.com/collections/all 🎥 YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@StratumAesthetics 📬 Subscribe to Moonday Notes (my weekly email sanctuary): https://stratumaesthetics.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup    

This week, Emily shares her Fall Self-Care & Wellness Bucket List. This is a cozy, grounding lineup of ideas designed to help you feel nourished, rooted, and more at home in your body as the season shifts.   If you’ve been feeling dry, scattered, or craving warmth, this episode is for you.   From breath work and warming foods to herbal cold-season prep and evening routines, you’ll learn how to align your self-care with the rhythms of fall: the season of lungs, letting go, and renewal.   Grab a cup of tea and your notebook; this one’s full of inspiration.   Mentioned in This Episode Fall Face Massage Workshop — now open for enrollment Fire Cider Recipe Blog Pavoni Tri-Dosha Abhyanga Oil Raw Silk Garshana Gloves Episode 40. The Art of Letting Go Through Decluttering   🌿 Connect with Emily ✨ Website → stratumaesthetics.comExplore the apothecary, current workshops, and seasonal offerings. Everything here is curated to support your skin + spirit through every season. 🛍️ Shop the Apothecary → stratumaesthetics.com/collections/allBarrier-supportive skincare, herbal oils, teas, and tools — hand-selected with integrity and intention. 💌 Join the Weekly Newsletter → Subscribe HereThis isn’t promo spam — it’s a weekly letter full of nourishment, slow-living inspiration, and gentle reminders to come back to your body and the seasons. 🎧 Listen + ShareIf this episode resonated, share it with a friend who could use a little grounding this fall. Word-of-mouth is how this community grows since Emily has stepped away from social media.

In this episode, Emily explores wrinkles through a vitalist lens... seeing them not as flaws to fix, but as messages from a living, intelligent body. She unpacks how aging became something we fear, how modern culture taught us to see our faces as broken parts, and what it means to come home to vitality instead of perfection. You’ll hear about: Emily’s own shift from “fix it” thinking to reverence for the aging face Why modalities like facial massage, cupping, and face taping aren’t “natural Botox,” instead, they’re the antidote to stagnation The 3 types of wrinkles: dehydration, dynamic, and static How modern beauty ideals grew out of industrial, mechanical views of the body What energetics really means (hint: it’s not vibes, it’s qualities) The five core patterns that can show up in the skin as wrinkles: dryness, tension, stagnation, heat, and depletion.. and how to restore balance in each Through herbal wisdom, lifestyle practices, and a vitalist approach, you’ll learn how to listen to what your skin is saying instead of waging war against it. Workshop Emily’s next Live Facial Massage Workshop begins November 17th, with tickets opening October 13th. Six weeks of live community practice centered around facial massage, gua sha, cupping, and intra-oral work. Join the waitlist HERE   Connect with Emily : Shop Moonday Notes: The weekly newsletter YouTube Flora x Face Substack Publication Website

In this episode, I explore the idea that beauty is sacred: not something to pathologize, fix, or commodify. We’ll talk about how cultural grooves train us to see flaws instead of presence, why fix-it culture is actually a desecration of the holy, and how we can begin to shift into reverence instead of panic.   This episode is the foundation for next week, where I’ll share practical, sacred ways to tend to wrinkles with love instead of fear.   Mentioned in the episode:  Nephrite Pro Gua Sha Stone   Connect with me further:  🌿 Instagram: @stratumaesthetics 🎥 YouTube: Stratum Aesthetics 🛒 Website + Shop: stratumaesthetics.com 📆 Sign up for the waitlist for my face massage workshop, sale of the workshop will open Monday October 13, 2025.    💌 Join my email list: Sign up here to get weekly updates and insights from my newsletter: Moonday Notes 🌘    ✨ Thank you for sharing this podcast with your friends on Instagram—it means the world to me! If you loved today’s episode, please leave a 5-star review so more people can find this work.

This week, we’re exploring how autumn invites us to tend to ourselves in deeper, more nourishing ways. In a world where beauty is often defined by surface fixes and staying forever young, this episode redefines beauty as harmony with nature and vitality from within. We’ll look at what it means to live in rhythm with the seasons, why this matters for your skin, and how practices drawn from Ayurveda and Western herbalism can help you build reserves of vitality: what’s called ojas in Ayurveda and jing in Chinese medicine. Autumn (Vata season) brings airy, dry, restless energy, and I’ll share grounding foods, rituals, and self-care practices to stabilize and resource yourself. This isn’t a checklist.  Instead, take what feels delicious and leave the rest. Links & Resources Mentioned: My favorite raw silk garshana gloves Abhyanga oil available in my shop Ear oil Connect with me further:  🌿 Instagram: @stratumaesthetics 🎥 YouTube: Stratum Aesthetics 🛒 Website + Shop: stratumaesthetics.com 📆 Sign up for the waitlist for my face massage workshop   💌 Join my email list: Sign up here to get weekly updates and insights from my newsletter: Moonday Notes 🌘    ✨ Thank you for sharing this podcast with your friends on Instagram—it means the world to me! If you loved today’s episode, please leave a 5-star review so more people can find this work.

In this midweek bonus episode, Emily speaks  about emotional, energetic, and cognitive sovereignty in a time of chaos. In the wake of violent, uncensored media flooding our social feeds, she explores what it means to protect your mind, body, and spirit from the collective swirl of fear. Why doing so is more than self-care: it’s soul care. We talk about: Why witnessing horror without consent is traumatizing, and how to step out of the outrage loop The difference between tribal thinking and true discernment Reclaiming your attention, ritual, and nervous system as daily forms of sacred resistance The energetic cost of constant consumption, and what happens when we unplug Why tending to your temple is a way of keeping humanity intact in a dehumanizing world What it means to create new timelines instead of feeding existing fear loops How to choose creation over collapse : without bypassing real grief or shadow Herbs, nervous system practices, and grounding routines to bring you back to earth ✨ Plus: Emily’s nighttime rituals for energetic protection The herbal nervines she reaches for in chaotic times A recommendation for the book Humankind: A Hopeful History Why she’s obsessed with Yoga Nidra and how it changed her relationship with fear 🌿 Mentioned in this Episode: Cal Newport podcast episode on Better Thinking  Allie Boothroyd’s Yoga Nidra on YouTube Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman Herbs: Passionflower, Milky Oat Seed, Chamomile, Tulsi, Lemon Balm, Hops, Catnip Connect with Emily: Shop curated skincare & herbal goods → stratumaesthetics.com Instagram → @stratumaesthetics Sign up for the email list for more grounded seasonal wisdom and offerings Leave a 5-star review if this episode supported you — it helps others find the show 🌿

Every organ, every cell, even your skin, is timed by your circadian clock.  The 24 hour clock that is governed by light and dark, eating patterns, even movement.  When you live in sync with this rhythm, your body anticipates what it needs: your skin repairs itself overnight, your digestion runs smoothly, your mood feels grounded.     In this episode, I share:  Why light is the most powerful signal for your circadian rhythm (and how different spectrums: sunrise, midday, sunset, and firelight affect your skin and hormones). How your circadian rhythm controls skin repair, barrier strength, microbiome balance, wound healing, and antioxidant defenses. Practical ways to reset your rhythm in modern life: morning light, eating with the sun, firelight evenings, true darkness, and more.  Why syncing your daily habits with circadian rhythms isn’t a “hack” but a way of reclaiming your  self healing potential. ✨ Mentioned in this episode: Carrie B Wellness Viva Rays Glasses Bagby alarm clock  Bon Charge Book Lamp  This isn’t just about sleep or skincare. It’s about remembering you are nature, you are not separate from it, and beauty begins with rhythm.   Connect with me further:  🌿 Instagram: @stratumaesthetics 🎥 YouTube: Stratum Aesthetics 🛒 Website + Shop: stratumaesthetics.com 💌 Join my email list: Sign up here to get weekly updates and insights from my newsletter: Moonday Notes 🌘 

In this episode I share my own journey from feeling like beauty was “shallow” to realizing it is sacred. Along the way we unravel:How Big Beauty thrives on shame, scarcity, and impossible standards The difference between natural consumption and the frenzy of consumerism Why excess is actually scarcity in disguise How capitalism and commerce aren’t inherently the enemy but it’s our relationship with them that matters How to start untangling your own relationship with beauty as conditional worth I also leave you with pointed questions: an invitation to go deeper with yourself around beauty, scarcity, and consumerism. This is big, lifelong work, but it’s where the shift begins. 🛒 Shop with Intention If this conversation resonated, explore my curated collection of skincare, body care, and wellness products at Stratum Aesthetics. Every product in the shop is hand-selected by me with beauty, integrity, and vitality in mind. SHOP HERE 🌿 Connect with Me Let’s keep this conversation alive: Instagram: @stratumaesthetics for daily shares, reflections, and beauty as ritual. YouTube: Stratum Aesthetics for deeper dives into holistic skincare, herbalism, and seasonal living. Website: stratumaesthetics.com for shopping, workshops, and all my offerings. Sign up for the waitlist for my Fall Facial Massage Workshop here ✨ If you loved this episode, leave a five-star review! It helps other kindred spirits find the show.

After a nourishing summer pause, I’m back in the studio with a fresh season of episodes that dive deeper into the heart of holistic skin health. In today’s episode, we’re opening the conversation around hyaluronic acid. Is it worth the hype? Is it helping or hurting your skin? We’ll explore: Why context is everything. The difference between internal vs. topical hydration. When it can be helpful, and when it may actually dehydrate you! The bigger question behind dryness: what is your skin trying to tell you? If you've ever used a hyaluronic acid serum or been curious, this one's for you!  ----more---- Mentioned in this episode:🌿 Ambient Moisture Liquid : my favorite HA serum (with herbs + lipids that actually support the skin)🛍️ Shop the Apothecary – curated, herbalist-vetted skincare and body care📝 Join me on Substack – for essays, seasonal reflections, and all the analog beauty musings📧 Got questions or feedback? Email me at emily@stratumaesthetics.com📸 Let’s hang out on Instagram: @stratumaesthetics If you found this episode helpful or if it got you thinking differently about hydration, let me know! Your reviews, shares, and messages truly mean the world.

This summer, we’re diving deep into ingredient literacy to build discernment. In this short intro episode, I’m setting the stage for a new summer series where each week, I’ll unpack one skincare ingredient through a holistic lens. You’ll learn not only what the ingredient does, but why it’s used, how it interacts with the skin, and how to start thinking more critically about your products. This series is for both consumers who want to feel more connected to their skin and estheticians who want to deepen their education beyond protocols and product hype. I’ll also touch on: Why reading an ingredient list is helpful, but not the whole story The difference between ingredients that sit on, penetrate, and absorb into the skin How ingredient quality and energetic vitality matter just as much as the INCI name Why I believe skincare should empower, not create dependency How to start recognizing the difference between barrier-supportive skincare and trend-driven marketing If you've ever looked at a label and wondered if a product was actually good for your skin, or felt overwhelmed by conflicting skincare advice, this series is for you. 🔍 Want me to cover a specific ingredient? Send me a message on Instagram @stratumaesthetics or email me. I'm covering both herbal and earth-based ingredients, as well as lab-derived actives, always through a holistic, barrier-focused lens. 📬 Stay Connected Instagram: @stratumaestheticsWebsite: stratumaesthetics.comEmail: emily@stratumaesthetics.com 

What does it really mean to age with vitality—and does Botox fit into that conversation? In this episode Emily explores how Botox affects the body’s energy, tissue health, and natural aging process—explored through holistic principles, fascia science, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the concept of terrain. This episode goes far beyond “natural alternatives” and dives into what it truly means to support skin health from the inside out. Whether you’re considering Botox, currently using it, or looking for meaningful ways to support aging skin, this episode offers a grounded, informative, and compassionate take on a widely normalized practice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What Botox is and how it works in the body Why Botox carries a black box warning from the FDA The long-term impacts of Botox on fascia, lymph, muscle tone, Qi, and facial expression Why the forehead and third eye region matter from a holistic and energetic perspective The emotional messages behind facial tension and wrinkles Why holistic practices are not "alternatives" to Botox—they are antidotes Tools and therapies that support the skin’s natural function and vitality Holistic Practices Discussed as Antidotes to Botox: Gua Sha Facial Cupping Face Taping Microneedling Red Light Therapy Nervous System Regulation Who This Episode Is For: Individuals curious about Botox but wanting more holistic context before making a decision Current Botox users who are wondering how it may affect their skin and body over time Estheticians and holistic beauty professionals looking to deepen their understanding of terrain-based skincare Anyone interested in supporting aging skin with intention, intelligence, and care Want to dive deeper into holistic skincare, herbal rituals, and terrain-based beauty practices? Follow Emily on Instagram @stratumaesthetics for behind-the-scenes content, skincare education, seasonal wisdom, and thoughtful conversations on aging, nourishment, and vitality. Explore online offerings, courses, and curated skincare and facial tools at https://stratumaesthetics.com Subscribe to the Skin Earth Vitality newsletter to get new episodes, skin tips, and holistic insights delivered to your inbox.

This episode is for anyone navigating business, burnout, personal growth, or the uncomfortable gap between where you are and where you want to be. In this reflective episode, you'll hear 7 hard-earned lessons from year seven of running a business. The kinds of lessons that come from pushing through doubt, hitting capacity, and choosing to grow anyway. If you’ve ever felt like you're doing everything alone, second-guessing your direction, or trying to find a more sustainable way to build what you love, this conversation will resonate.   Mentioned in this episode (affiliate links): Essentialism by Greg McKeown Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life by Bob Proctor Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert The Four Desires by Rod Stryker To Be Magnetic (neural reprogramming work) Past year-in-review reflections: Year 5: Written Reflection Year 6: Podcast Episode If this episode speaks to you, send it to a friend, leave a review, or subscribe to catch future episodes.   Stay connected:Follow on Instagram @stratumaestheticsExplore the shop + courses  stratumaesthetics.comSign up for emails HERE

Today’s episode is all about something most skincare podcasts never touch—your kitchen. Not the fridge contents (though that matters too), but the actual space, tools, and energy you bring to it. I’m sharing why a nourishing kitchen setup is one of the most underrated skin-care tools you can have. We’ll talk about what whole food meals actually are (and aren’t), why cooking from scratch matters so much for your skin, and how to create a kitchen that feels not just functional, but sacred. Whether you’re just starting out or already love to cook, this episode will help you reconnect to the energy of food as a ritual, not a chore. 🔗 Resources & Links: 💌 Join the waitlist for Reclaim Your Radiance (returns June 1): https://stratumaesthetics.myflodesk.com/ay1hs3jd96 🛠️ Download the Well-Equipped Kitchen Guide (PDF)  🕯️ Episode 64: Energetic Hygiene for Your Home 🌿 Learn more about my work: https://stratumaesthetics.com 🧴 Shop skin tools + products I love: https://stratumaesthetics.com/collections 📲 Follow along on Instagram: @stratumaesthetics 🎧 Challenge of the Week: This week, try making one dinner where you set the vibe. Turn on a playlist you love, light a candle, pour your drink into a pretty glass, and cook like it’s your ritual. No podcast, no TV—just you, your space, and the food. Then DM me and let me know how it felt.

In this episode , we’re diving into one of the most foundational (and underrated) elements of skin health: your circadian rhythm. As modern life pulls us further away from natural light cycles and seasonal rhythms, our skin—and whole body—feels the strain. From wound healing to breakouts, pigmentation to premature aging, your body’s 24-hour clock influences it all. Whether you’re new to circadian health or ready to deepen your seasonal living practices, this episode will give you tangible insights and gentle inspiration to support your skin from the inside out. ✨ Featured Product Blissoma Free Herbal Gel Cleanser & Makeup RemoverGentle, effective, and filled with botanicals like yerba mate, self-heal, plantain, linden, and raspberry leaf to calm inflammation, support your microbiome, and cleanse without stripping.🔗 Shop it here  🔁 Want to Go Deeper? Reclaim Your Radiance returns June 1st!This 8-week foundational program blends holistic skincare with lifestyle, nutrition, and circadian alignment. It’s perfect for estheticians and skin-lovers alike who want to go beyond products and tap into the real roots of vibrant, healthy skin.🌿 Join the waitlist: Here 💻 Hang Out With Me Online Website & Shop: stratumaesthetics.com Instagram: @stratumaesthetics YouTube: Stratum Aesthetics Podcast Hub: Skin Earth Vitality Newsletter: Sign up for weekly herbal skin tips + seasonal inspiration at stratumaesthetics.com 🧾 Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individualized skincare or medical advice. Please seek out the support of a qualified practitioner who resonates with your unique path and needs.

In this episode, I’m sharing a deep dive into one of my favorite skin foods—pearl powder. This gentle, mineral-rich tonic has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda for centuries to support not just the skin, but the nervous system, emotional balance, and deep cellular nourishment. We’ll explore how pearl powder supports collagen production, antioxidant defense, moisture retention, and the internal terrain behind breakouts. I’ll also touch on sourcing ethics, the difference between collagen powders and pearl, and how to incorporate it into daily rituals like moon milk.   🛍 Products Mentioned: 🌿 Ambient Moisture Liquid Serum by Live Botanical – Available in the Stratum Aesthetics shop 🦪 Pearl Powder by Cultivate Elevate – The one I personally use (not sponsored) 🧡 Stay Connected: ✨ Instagram: @stratumaesthetics 🎥 YouTube: Stratum Aesthetics on YouTube 🌐 Website + Shop: www.stratumaesthetics.com 🌙 Related Links & Resources: Rose + Pearl Moon Milk Recipe  

What even is energetic hygiene — and why does no one teach us how to do it?This episode is a deep dive into the practices, mindset shifts, and daily habits that protect your life force, stop energy leaks, and bring clarity back into your body, your mind, and even your skin. Emily shares her personal energetic hygiene rituals — from oil pulling to digital boundaries and shaking out heavy energy — and unpacks why so many of us were never taught how to tend to our energy field in the first place.   📌 Resources + Links Mentioned: Fontana Candle Co. (non-toxic beeswax candles) Brenda’s Botanicals (pine + copal incense) Paavani Ayurvedic (rose water eye drops) Book: Essentialism by Greg McKeown Book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Episode 40: The Fall Shed: The Art of Letting Go Through Decluttering Join the waitlist for Reclaim Your Radiance: The eight week program that supports the foundations for great skin!  📲 CONNECT WITH EMILY Want more rituals, reflections, and skin-deep wellness?Here’s where to find me and explore more of my work: 💻 Website: stratumaesthetics.com 🌿 Instagram: @stratumaesthetics 🛍️ Shop: My favorite holistic skincare tools + products If this episode spoke to you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a friend, tag me on IG stories, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps others find this work.  

In this episode, I’m sharing the 10 things I’m doing right now — in my late 30's — to support the skin I want to live in during my 40's, 50's, and beyond. This isn’t about trying to stay young or avoid aging. It’s about creating a foundation of nourishment, strength, and intention so that I can move through perimenopause and beyond with vitality and softness. We’ll talk collagen, fascia, blood sugar, breathwork, circadian rhythm, and why I believe your skincare routine is only as powerful as the lifestyle behind it. Whether you’re in your 30s too, already in your 40s and beyond, or just starting to think about skin longevity, I hope this episode inspires you to care for your future self — one intentional practice at a time.   🛍 Product Mentioned: Skin Earth Vitality Cupping Cups — My cupping set designed to support lymphatic flow, fascia, and collagen with gentle, effective suction. Includes a guide to help you get started at home. 📚 Resources & Next Steps: Join the Reclaim Your Radiance Waitlist — my 8-week lifestyle program for healthy, resilient skin returns June 1st as an evergreen, self-paced experience. Click here to join the waitlist. Try my favorite overnight herbal infusion recipe for skin hydration and mineral support.

In this episode, Emily dives into why acne should be considered a sensitive skin condition and how treating it gently, with a focus on supporting the skin barrier, is key to healing. Learn how conventional acne treatments can strip and irritate the skin, leading to a cycle of inflammation and chronic breakouts. Plus, discover which ingredients to avoid and which products to embrace for healthier, more balanced skin. Products Mentioned in This Episode: Free Herbal Gel Cleanser by Blissoma Support Cooling Cleanser by Laurel Pure Moisturizer by Blissoma Recovery Balm by Laurel Smooth A+ Serum by Blissoma Temperate Forest Serum by Live Botanicals Unburdened Serum by Laurel Oasis Enzyme Mask by Live Botanicals Shop all products mentioned here:Stratum Aesthetics Special Offer: The Art of Slow Beauty course launches May 1st, 2025!A transformative course for both consumers and practitioners to shop smarter, cut through marketing noise, and build a skincare routine that supports your skin's health from the inside out.Join my mailing list to be the first to sign up! Join Here Downloadable Resource: The Ultimate Barrier Guide — Your go-to checklist for smarter skincare shopping.Get it here: Download Guide Follow Stratum Aesthetics:Instagram: @StratumAesthetics Thanks for listening!If you found this episode valuable, please leave a 5-star rating to help others discover the show!