Love is Medicine

Latest Episodes:

022: Straight Talk About Infertility w/ Dr. Aumatma Shah Mar 31, 2019

Show notes

Many women feel a primal urge to reproduce and have a child, so how do you cope when your fertility is not serving you the way you intended? Dr. Aumatma Shah is a Naturopathic Medicine Doctor with a Masters in Nutrition who focuses on hormonal health and helping women have a child without shame or regret. Dr. Aumatma abides by the mantra that when you are having trouble conceiving, it is your body's way of telling you to alter something buried underneath. Once you are able to address those root causes, your ability to start or grow your family will be at your fingertips.

By taking a step back and analyzing which symptoms may be inhibiting your body from getting pregnant, understanding how to test for specific egg quality and sperm analysis and the role age plays in pregnancy, and by gaining a sense of what your own unique fertility plan should look like, you can step into your next life phase with ease. Dr. Aumatma believes in customized treatments and an open mindset to get the results you deserve and the healthiest possible baby.

Whatever your personal view on fertility treatments and how you get pregnant, today we are asking the hard questions to get to the answers on what is going to be the best pregnancy plan for you. If you are struggling with fertility, there is nothing wrong with you, all you need is to be able to listen to what your body is telling you with the help of a trained specialist. Dr. Aumatma is looking at fertility issues across the age spectrum to help deliver the most optimal fertility treatment plan for your body.

Have you experimented with alternative fertility treatments such as IVF? Share your story about creating your family in the comments section on the episode page.

In This Episode

Dr. Aumatma's most commonly recommended tests for those struggling with infertility
Analyzing how your supplements could be impacting your functional nutrition status
The top five things you should never consume if you want to have a baby
How natural wine and raw dairy could be impacting your hormones
Gain a clear timeline of the emotional and monetary dedication of fertility treatment

Quotes

"Nothing is wrong with the mere fact that you can't have a child. There are so many reasons why it's gotten so difficult in our time." (5:22)

"Everyone who is on this path is talking to doctors, talking to fertility specialists, but nobody is actually educating the woman on what does this all mean and how do you interpret it." (14:59)

"Not being able to conceive is a signal or a red flag of the body saying, hey you are not paying attention, you are not doing what I really need you to do right now. And once you do those things, often getting pregnant becomes really easy." (30:30)

"We are basing so much of [fertility] on age when we have really good viable tests that could give us way more information, so let's get the information." (46:17)

"I think it is really about customizing and really making sure that we are talking to the woman in front of us." (49:41)

Links

Holistic Fertility Centre with Dr. Aumatma Website

Fertility Secrets: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About Baby-Making

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021: How Poetry Heals You: The Art and Science of Being Moved w/ Razi Berry Mar 29, 2019

Show notes

Throughout time, poetry has been an incredibly powerful art tool that is wonderfully compelling when conveying all of the emotions that make life meaningful. Poetry can connect us across time and space and render even the smallest moments meaningful, but have you ever wondered what powers the art of poetry possesses beyond that?

Join me as I uncover the intuitive, ancestral and physiological responses one can have to poetry, and explore how poetry can bridge the gap between the art and the sciences to encourage higher order thinking. Accepting poetry as a key influencing factor to encourage learning and spiritual growth in a society can help heighten our intuition and in turn, help us to lead more fulfilling lives.

By looking at the movements in our language and the soothing patterns or rhythms found in poetry, it is easy to understand why poetry can be such a powerful outlet for both positive and negative emotions. It is only through the understanding of our physiological responses to poetry, as well as the emotional and mental benefits one can get from interacting with poetry, that we can begin to integrate the coupling of poetry and prose.

When was the last time you calmed the chaos around you and took some time to engage in poetic language? Give yourself a minute and leave me a poem in the comments section below!

In This Episode

Viewing poetry as a tool for stirring emotions and relating to the Divine
How to help your brain recognize poetry as a practical way of transmitting information
Breaking down the neurological similarities and healing properties of poetry and music
Activating your unconscious reward pathways through the use of poetry
Using poetry as a tool to turn your negative emotions into beautiful works of art

Quotes

"Poetry is words put together as an art form, its communication, and it is a human connection." (3:37)

"Thousands of years ago, poems were more accessible to the average person than written communication or spoken prose." (5:45)

"You don't even need to know anything about poetry to appreciate it, it is kind of like wine!" (6:42)

"As humans, we are designed to experience all of our emotions, not just the pleasurable ones or the happy ones." (10:45)

"Aesthetic beauty, emotional depth, connection to the human and the divine, communication and education, all of this and more can amazingly be found in a book of poems." (16:50)

Links

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020: Fear: The Trickster and the Teacher w/ Rhonda Britten Mar 28, 2019

Show notes

A life-changing and inspirational pioneer in the field of life coaching, and one of my childhood heroes, Rhonda Britten needs no introduction. A master coach and bestselling author, Rhonda has taken the horrific traumatic events of her childhood and harnessed them into a powerful ability to embrace fear, and help her clients do the same. The founder of Fearless Living and an expert in helping others find their innocence and giving yourself the compassion that you need, Rhonda is here today to help you live your life with your soul intention.

While it may be easy to read a book or go to a workshop and say you will live your life without fear, the reality is much different. Rhonda is here to lay the groundwork so you can begin to understand how fear works within your body mind and heart, and how to teach yourself to shift your perspective and use the power of your fear to propel yourself forward in your life. By embracing your scars and getting to the real underlying fear underneath the superficial one, you can begin to be more open to the freedom inside of you.

Rhonda wants you to know that you are not your fear. Instead of constantly running, you can embrace your fear to the point of having a love-filled relationship with this emotion, and use your fear as fuel to guide and support you going forward. While fear shows up differently for every person, the importance of releasing shame, letting go of blame and embracing freedom is equally important for all. Rhonda truly leads her life by example and is passionate about helping others find their freedom too.

Have you let fear hold you back from experiencing the joy of the unknown? Let us know what steps you have taken to face your fears in the comments section.

In This Episode

Looking at the phenomenon of fear from a real-life perspective, not based in clinical studies
Common fear patterns found on the 'Wheel of Fear' and ways to heal
Accepting fear and freedom as your two filters when experiencing anger
Questions to ask yourself to learn if you are living in subconscious fear
Understanding how fear undermines your confidence and how to embrace it as your friend

Quotes

"I will stand for you until you can stand for yourself, I will guide you until you can listen to your own intuition, I will be there and that is what I am committed to." (7:17)"Intellectually you know the truth. But intellect does not run our lives, its the feelings inside of us that we take on. And I took on the guilt and the shame and the blame of my mother dying." (14:45)

"Everything that I teach is not based on research, even though I read a lot of books and do the research. Everything I teach is based on my personal experience and the experience of my clients." (19:41)

"Once you get into the unknown, it isn't scary anymore, it is exhilarating and it is exciting." (32:15)

"As we all know, it is our pain, it's our tragedies, it's our suffering that actually helps us to actually become who we are meant to be." (37:13)

"I change your filter so you no longer see yourself and the world through the 'fear eyes', and instead see it through freedom." (45:30)

Links

Stretch Risk or Die! Free Bonus

Fearless Living Website

Master Coach Mindset Podcast

Rhonda Britten Full Book Catalog

Follow Rhonda Britten on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

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019: Physiology of Rejection: An Emotional and Physical Pain w/ Razi Berry Mar 24, 2019

Show notes

Everybody has been rejected at some point in their lives. Whether big or small, rejection can hurt just as much as a broken arm or bruised knee, so why don't we treat it the same? On this episode, I am redefining pain to include the social component and examining exactly why rejection can hurt so bad.

The lingering pain of rejection can change our lives forever, so it is necessary to understand the emotional, cognitive and social components of a distressing experience. Get ready to learn how the brain is impacted by pain regardless of its origin, how to use top-down processing to change your perceptions, and ways to soothe yourself using your neuron processors. In addition to the science behind pain, I am also explaining how social rejection impacts the immune system, the destruction pain killers could be having on your body and relationships, and how to use self-care to stay in the good graces of those that we love.

While rejection is a very common thing in everyday life, ranging from economic issues to forming friendships and familial bonds, learning how to move on from rejection is your best tool to handle it with grace and ease. Whether you have dealt with rejection from a close loved one directly, or social rejection, there are strategies out there to help you move forward without becoming more isolated. Although we can never fully avoid rejection, by recognizing the physical pain caused by it we can take steps to heal together.

Do you have a lingering memory of rejection? How has it impacted how you interact with the world? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!

In This Episode

Understanding the physical-social overlap of how we process pain
The main difference between pain from a physical component and social rejection
Why rejection from those closest to you hurts the more than rejection from strangers
Reasons developing defense mechanisms against rejection is not a good thing
Using physical exercise and social interaction as a way to naturally heal

Quotes

"Rejection is a component of being a social creature. But it hurts us so deeply, that it is embedded into who we are as humans." (5:34)

"Pain that has no physical cause, emotional or social pain, is just as real as pain from a broken arm, cancer, or any other physical ailment." (8:38)

"Because humans are social creatures, any definition of pain that does not include the social component is incomplete." (9:17)

"There is a reason why we experience emotional pain. It is often necessary for introspection, insight, maturity, and personal grown." (19:51)

Links

LIM 006: How We Are Loved Impacts Us For A Lifetime

LIM 015: Vulnerability Can Save Your Relationships

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018: Consciousness & Conscience: Good, Bad and What Makes As Aware of it All w/ Razi Berry Mar 21, 2019

Show notes

Scientists have long been amazed by the human ability of consciousness, and how our awareness of our environments impacts our bodies. Regardless of whether you believe consciousness stems from the brain or is a more non-local phenomenon, our ability to have consciousness and conscience is what makes us truly unique to be human. Join me as I explore the fundamentals of consciousness and what it means to be a thinking and contemplative human being.

Our physical sensations, memories, and goals are all ingredients into our consciousness, and your entire body is involved in the process. On this episode, learn why your three hearts are connected to the three levels of consciousness, the neuro and atomical correlates of consciousness, and how to balance the struggle between self-interest and ultimate truth in modern society.

By becoming more aware of your mind, body and the world, you can harness your conscience to create a more beautiful experience out of life. The more we develop our consciousness, the better we will all treat ourselves, each other and the world around us. Has the physical manifestation of consciousness had an impact on how you interact with life? Share your story in the comments section on the episode page.

In This Episode

An overview of the many scientific theories surrounding consciousness
Exploring the 'off and on switch' scientists have discovered for conscious awareness
Looking at a consciousness mind like a lemon meringue pie
How to listen to your conscience as a guiding light for a better life
The lasting toxic effects of silencing your conscience and immoral actions

Quotes

"While we are living here on Earth in this beautiful human experience, we were designed to have this body to relate to the world around us, our consciousness is not just in our body." (4:14)

"Without consciousness, we would simply exist, like a grape growing on a vine." (4:49)

"The brain needs to combine all of the thoughts, memories, emotions that you are having at any given moment plus all the data you that you take in from all of the sense at any moment into a seamless whole." (7:32)

"Our level of consciousness is not the only thing that separates us from other animal life. Conscience, or the awareness of right and wrong, is another fundamental factor that makes us humans." (13:17)

"Conscience can be seen as a guiding force, directing us to act in accordance with a divine truth." (14:11)

Links

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017: Find Your Feminine Fire! w/ Amanda Testa Mar 19, 2019

Show notes

Amanda Testa is a sex, love and relationship coach who noticed that the women she saw were all struggling to find self-love and embrace the feminine fire within. As a result, Amanda created Fine Your Feminine Fire, a process combining ancient tantric tools with neuroscience to help high performing women ditch the guilt and unworthiness to embody confidence, radiance, and vitality in all areas of their lives.

Often as women, it can feel like a struggle to find a balance between our femininity and being taken seriously in a man-centric world. Today Amanda shares how to stay in your femininity while remaining in control of your life, and why you should embrace your softness to feel a deeper connection with yourself and others. She explains the importance of being more intentional, how to connect with your sensuality again, and why we should be celebrating and encouraging exploring our own bodies.

By tapping into your feminine essence and womanly intuition, Amanda believes you can cultivate a love affair with yourself and ultimately feel strong and safe in your feminity. Through embracing your opportunities you can feel comfortable to make a feminine choice as a proud part of what it means to be a woman. Are you ready to put your relationship with yourself first? Let us know in the comments section!

In This Episode

How to negotiate your feminine softness while being taken seriously
Getting clear on what your desires and what lights you up
Transition rituals to help you move from one stage of your sensuality to another
Steps to help raise other women to experience sexuality as a creative energy
Teaching men how to honor, respect and nurture your feminine nature

Quotes

"Its totally okay to be soft, and you can also be very strong in that softness and very grounded." (6:12)

"What I love to help women do is start to brush off all of the conditioning and let your fire start to shine again so that you can really let it be liberated throughout your system. And it feels so delicious." (13:51)

"It's kind of like getting off of autopilot and survival mode, and connecting to what you truly want and what is going to feed you." (28:26)

"We often don't give to ourselves what we most need. And when we can learn how to do that, it is easier for other people to give that to us as well." (33:01)

Links

Amanda Testa's Website

Download the Sensuality Practice Here

Find Your Feminine Fire Podcast/Blog

Follow Find Your Feminine Fire on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

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016: The Emotional Rollercoaster Of Social Media w/ Razi Berry Mar 17, 2019

Show notes

There is no denying that the advancement of social media has allowed us to connect in ways we never thought possible before. However, it is also undeniable that these developments have had an emotional impact on the way we view ourselves, others, and the world around us. Social media has drastically impacted how we relate to other humans on a daily basis, and how we communicate with ourselves and those we are in relationships with.

On this episode, I break down just what exactly about social media makes us feel good and bad about ourselves, the benefits and repercussions of becoming heavily reliant on social media, and the reality of building up an emotional social media tolerance. Plus, I dive into the role mirror neurons are playing in your ability to empathize, the link social media use has to anxiety and depression, and what you can be doing to make your social media feed a more positive place.

Don't be left feeling unfulfilled by social media and with less-than-satisfying in-person relationships. Prioritize what reinforces your beliefs and makes you feel connected in order to get the same level of joy and excitement out of everything you do. Do you put any restrictions on yourself or your family and social media use? Let us know your family strategy in the comments section.

In This Episode

Exploring the phenomenon of positive and negative social contagion
The critical role dopamine, cortisol, and oxytocin play in social media thrills
Factors that dictate the amount of envy you experience when using social media
How to create a more positive relationship with your social media feed
Framing the context of social media to how it is relevant to your life experiences

Quotes

"The consensus is that we are spending too much time engaging with each other through platforms like social media, and less time engaging in person in real meaningful ways." (1:15)

"By connecting us to others and providing emotional stimulation, social media can allow us to take in pieces of all the pleasure that is portrayed using that medium." (8:11)

"Scrolling through your social media feeds at night might mean sacrificing time that would otherwise be spent developing quality relationships." (10:48)

"The emotional influence of social media is bi-directional. It causes both joy and pain, and is complicated by both internal and external factors." (14:50)

Links

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015: Vulnerability Can Save Your Relationships w/ Razi Berry Mar 14, 2019

Show notes

We're all familiar with the discomfort of vulnerability. When we open ourselves up we are increasing our chances of getting hurt, or being rejected for who we truly are. However, did you know that vulnerability can also increase your oxytocin, or the love hormone, and can actually be used to strengthen your relationship?

On this episode, I break down the hormones and chemicals that mediate our experience of being vulnerable, the role oxytocin plays in both intimacy and feeling unsafe, and why you need to be using your vulnerability to strengthen your relationship rather than pushing it away.

When you give yourself permission to be yourself in your relationship, no matter what relationship it is, it helps you live your own life more authentically. By being honest to yourself and those around you by coming from a place of love, you can become more comfortable asking for helping and have more courage in yourself.

It is time to stop living in fear for what might happen, and let someone see you for who you truly are. While it is not easy to share our more innermost selves with others, if you have the strength, the rewards are worth the risk.

In This Episode

Understanding the role oxytocin plays in intimacy and vulnerability
Using your vulnerability as a strength to make relationships more fulfilling
Fostering attention and motivation to take care of any relationship
Questions to ask yourself to assess how vulnerable you are being with yourself
How to increase your oxytocin to motivate yourself to live authentically

Quotes

"Falling in love and revealing our innermost selves to another can be terrifying for some people. But being vulnerable can actually be the key to a more successful relationship." (6:41)

"The brain identifies vulnerability in a relationship, and then invests in trying to strengthen it." (10:01)

"Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable in our most intimate relationships, even when it is really really scary, can ultimately lead to the relationship we truly desire." (12:43)

Links

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014: Ninety Seconds To A Life You Love w/ Dr. Joan Rosenberg Mar 12, 2019

Show notes

Dr. Joan Rosenberg is a cutting edge psychologist, best selling author, consultant, media host, master clinician and leading influencer on thought leadership and personal development. Dr. Rosenberg helps people just like you build confidence, increase resilience and find emotional strength and relationship mastery. Today she is here to help you get in touch with your difficult feelings in order to accept your emotions rather than avoiding them, and in turn, gain the confidence you need to approach any situation without hesitation.

By focusing on how to build confidence and the reasons we all universally struggle with negative emotions, Dr. Rosenberg has created the Rosenberg Reset, along with her book 90 Seconds To A Life you Love. Dr. Rosenberg is sharing the resources behind her '1 choice 8 feelings 90 seconds' theory in order to become more capable and resourceful. She is also letting you in on why she believes harsh self-criticism and anxiety are just distractions from other unpleasant feelings, how to tolerate your bodily emotional sensations and the importance of making sense of your life history to understand the impact it has had on you.

When you are aware and in touch with your moment to moment experiences, you can begin to gain the confidence and resilience to live life more authentically and with intention. Dr. Rosenberg is an expert in helping people get unstuck and master their memories and emotions to live a more fulfilled life. Do you let negative self-talk or the constant fear of 'what-if' keep you from facing your difficult feelings head on? Let us know what you think about Dr. Rosenberg's advice in the comments section.

In This Episode

Understanding how to navigate your everyday life reactions
Asking yourself questions in order to make sense of your life history
Acknowledging your needs and limitations in order to ask for help
How to cultivate your vulnerability to use it as your greatest strength
Why speaking up for yourself is the most important thing you can do

Quotes

"Lots of times, what we don't allow to move through us on an emotional level often has to show up someplace else." (8:20)

"Confidence develops when you have the deep sense that you can handle the emotional outcome of whatever you pursue." (23:11)"The truth is none of us succeed alone. Not any single person succeeds alone." (29:31)

"We make decisions that we are not even aware that we are making, and they have an impact on how we allow ourselves to experience feelings." (40:02)

"If you can ride one or more 90-second waves of one of eight unpleasant feelings, you can pursue anything you want in life." (54:32)

Links

90 Seconds to a Life you Love by Dr. Joan Rosenberg

Dr. Joan Rosenberg Website

Follow Dr. Joan Rosenberg on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Emotional Mastery TEDx Talk

Grief TEDx Talk

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013: Play Is Medicine For Your Mind And Body w/ Razi Berry Mar 10, 2019

Show notes

As a society, we play much less often than we used too. While playtime and imagination used to take up hours of a child's day, our modern society has shifted away from play and forgotten the vital role it can play in long-term health and wellbeing. Social play as a child is essential to the ability to develop critical thinking skills, resiliency and brain plasticity, problem-solving and quick adaptation, and much more. So why has our society rejected our innate natural need to have a little more play in our lives?

Today we break down the exact science behind why our brains are hardwired to play, the roles of different neurotransmitter systems in the body when reacting to play, and why play is critically important during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The thinking and cognitive aspects of play increase our ability to bounce back, think for ourselves and most importantly, have fun. Although the frequency and type of play we engage in changes as we age, it is no less important.

It is time to stop letting our overscheduled lives take away from the joyful experience of play. Both adults and children need social interaction and playfulness to keep their brains sharp and keep their lives full, and I believe we should embrace this desire. By encouraging your children to play more and become adventurous, you are encouraging everyone to take the time and enjoy the simplicity of play. Are you ready to invite more play into your life? Let us know how you play in the comments.

In This Episode

How playing impacts the functionality and plasticity of your brain
Understanding why we are driven by an animalistic need to play
What happens to the chemicals in your brain and body when we play
Highlighting the vital health benefits of play that extend from childhood into adulthood
Breaking down how behavioral inhibition is naturally developed through play

Quotes

"Play is essential for the development of an individual and the function and survival of humanity as a whole." (5:04)

"The world, our nature, our consciousness rewards us for playing, that's where the fun is. And that is a clue to the fact that we should play more." (9:06)

"Play is vital in physical health, as well as emotional and cognitive development." (21:51)

"Play is not just wasting time. Play is something we are naturally drawn to do." (23:28)

"Invite more play into your life, because play is a way that we show our love for each other and that we love ourselves." (24:40)

Links

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