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You might not know it, but you have a second brain! New gut-brain research shows that neurons in the digestive system communicate directly with those in the brain. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the gut-brain connection and why it matters.
Join us for an interview with Fred Travis, PhD, one of our era’s leading researchers in the fields of neurophysiology and meditation. In 2015, Dr. Travis co-authored a study on the three Ayurvedic dosha types and how they correspond to three different brain types, which impact everything from a person’s gut health and metabolism to their behavioral functioning, and more. 
You’ll learn: 
All about the gut-brain connectionWhy the enteric nervous system is a second brainWhat Ayurveda has to say about gut healthSigns your gut health is great, vs signs you could use a tune-upWhat your dosha type has to do with your gut health and brain health What foods support brain health and gut healthAnd more!

Could your gut health be making you feel glum? Today we have a far-reaching conversation about gut health, emotional well-being, body-positivity, and dressing to feel your best with one of the coolest celeb stylists around. 
Payton Dale is a Nashville-based, rock ‘n’ roll, body-positive stylist with a decade of experience in the fashion industry. She’s also the author of Hang Up Your Hang Ups: A Radical Guide to Healing Yourself Through Personal Style. Through her business, The Payton Project, she helps others learn to love who they see in the mirror. Join us for a chat with Payton and learn:
About Payton’s journey with body positivityAbout gut health and emotional healthHow meditation helps your microbiome—and stress levelsTips for dressing to feel your bestAnd more!
Trigger warning: we will be talking a bit about eating disorders in this episode, which may be triggering for some people. If you or someone you love is struggling with issues around food and body image, please talk to your physician and go to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org for many helpful resources.

Your digestion impacts every facet of your health—from nutrient absorption and immunity to your emotions and the appearance of your skin. Tune in to this episode with Ayurvedic coach Śankari Wegman, PhD, and learn why strong digestion is the cornerstone of good health in Ayurveda. 
You’ll learn: 
All about agni—your digestive fire, and how to strengthen it naturally using nutrition and herbsAbout ama (digestive toxins)—what causes them and how to avoid themAbout ojas (life essence)—why it’s a byproduct of good digestion, and how to foster itAbout the 4 different types of agni, or digestion: sama agni (balanced digestion), visham agni (irregular digestion/Vata digestion), tikshna agni (fiery digestion/Pitta digestion), and manda agni (sluggish digestion/Kapha digestionAn easy cleanse for balancing ALL types of digestion

Have you ever made a dramatic 180 that changed your life, career… and just about everything? Aruna Shields sure has. At the height of her career as a Bollywood star performing her own motorbike stunts, Shields took a 10-year sabbatical to study meditation and the mind. 
In this very special episode, the Bollywood-Queen-Turned-Spiritual-Therapist joins our host, Śankari Wegman, to share the story of her remarkable journey. The critically acclaimed star of Mr. Singh/Mrs. Mehta and other films also shares her top tips for beauty sleep, natural relaxation, and self-care. You’ll learn: 
Why Shields decided to pivot from the silver screen to self-careHer go-to self-care practices for R&R and sleepHow she helps clients find their calm againWhy Transcendental Meditation is in her wellness toolkitAll about her online restorative journeys

Ever wonder what your brain does at night when you sleep? Turns out, it’s not just parked in neutral, waiting for you to wake up again. A good night’s sleep gives your brain a chance to perform all kinds of vital functions, including “flushing out” stress from the previous day. 
Join Śankari Wegman and our special guest Fred Travis, PhD, for a deep dive into the science of sleep. The author of Your Brain is a River, Not a Rock and Excellence Through Mind-Brain Development, Dr. Travis has spent decades exploring the impact of rest—namely, through sleep and meditation—on the brain and body. 
You’ll learn:
What the brain does at night when we sleepWhy a good night’s sleep is so vital to our mental and physical healthHow the rest you experience during meditation is different from sleepAbout the relationship between sleep, memory, and neuroplasticity

Let’s face it: Americans are more stressed than ever, with chronic job stress and financial concerns among their top concerns. Learn how the Transcendental Meditation technique can help you curb stress, build inner resilience, and experience greater success and contentment on the job and at home.
Join Śankari Wegman for an interview with LA-based Transcendental Meditation teacher Emily Fitz Randolph. Explore the science behind the TM technique, with benefits including decreased anxiety, lower cortisol, and greater happiness and well-being. 
You’ll learn:
Why the stress epidemic is the second pandemic sweeping across America and how stress takes its toll on the mind, body, and emotions.Why it’s so important to put self-care first.What is Transcendental Meditation, and why is it so measurably effective in tackling stress—both short-term and long-term?All about the many other benefits of the TM technique, from enhanced creativity and clarity to better sleep and improved brain health.How you can learn the TM technique and make it part of your daily routine.