Changing Seasons: Ayurveda, Women’s Health, Menopause & Food as Medicine

Today Jody welcomes Carly Merlo, owner of Bio Veda to the podcast to discuss the A-Z of Ayurvedic oils and how different medicated oils are prized for the healing process.

Ayurveda has been using oils on the body, hair and internally for thousands of years, black sesame oil or coconut oil are used as the carriers for the medicinal herbs which are warmed and then applied to the skin before bathing.

Bala oil is the oil of choice of Shirodhara, a therapeutic treatment that works to calm Vata in the Body.

Saffron oil...

Today Jody takes a close look at sleep through the lens of Ayurveda. Sleep or nidra is an integral part of your health and there are many factors that influence the quality and quantity of your sleep. The different doshas can all experience their own issues with sleep and as we age sleep can become more disturbed. 

Jody discusses how what you eat before bed,  the time you go to sleep, the pjs you wear, the sheets you tuck into and the room you sleep in can impact the quality of your sleep.

Perimenopause can pl...

Today Jody meets Sonia Lloyd from Rasara Skinfood about how to treat your skin using the principles of Ayurveda. After a skin flare up in her late teens Sonia tried many things unsuccessfully to treat the problem. 

Fast forward to today and Sonia now owns an Ayurvedic Skin & Hair Care range that is so pure you can literally eat it.

In our conversation today we cover the magic healing properties of castor oil and how it is an absolute gift for the skin. We discuss the different skin problems that each of the doshas can e...

Today Jody welcomes whole-food chef and cookbook author Holly Davis to Changing Seasons podcast to discuss Food as Medicine. 

We speak about how Holly discovered macrobiotics at the age of 14 and how it continues to influence how she cooks and prepares food to this day. Holly shares about how she used to be a macrobiotic zealot and these days her approach to food is much more about respect and the nourishment and joy we can get from sharing food we have prepared with those we love.

We discuss Holly's passion for fermentation and that she h...

Today Jody talks about how Ayurveda looks at digestion and how we can learn what foods are best suited for the different body types and their relevant doshas.

Digestive fire or agni is dependent on a range of things, the food we consumed yesterday and how it was broken down, our prana, sleep and lifestyle choices. When digestive fire it can not only impact our digestive system, it can lead to a change in our mood and our behaviour.

Jody discusses the six tastes and the elements that make up each taste and how each...

In today's episode Jody touches on the common physical and emotional symptoms she sees in Perimenopause from an Ayurvedic perspective.

Weight gain, anxiety, hot flashes, anger, forgetfulness, waking up between 1-3am are all ways that our bodies are trying to communicate with us to stay something is not right, something is out of balance, something needs to change and it is up to us whether we choose to listen or medicate the messages.

If you are looking for help navigating your way through perimenopause book an Ayurvedic session with Jody to find out how...

Today Jody talks about the qualities of each of the Ayurvedic Doshas and how they show up in the body, mind and emotions.

She explains how Ayurveda balances disturbances in the qualities of the Doshas by treating with the opposite quality in another Dosha. For example, if your Vata is out of balance and your skin is dry you start incorporating ghee into your diet to balance the dryness.

This is part one of a three part series with Jody that will cover the Doshas and provide simple ways to understand your body from an...

*Caution this conversation contains references to sexual assault.

Today pelvic floor and sexual therapist Lisa Fitzpatrick returns to Changing Seasons podcast to speak to Jody about Sexy Menopause. Lisa believes it is possible for every woman to enjoy sex throughout perimenopause and beyond and describes the blocks standing in the way of women doing so.

We discuss how women store tension and past trauma in the pelvic and how if it is not addressed it can lead to them experiencing pain, discomfort and lack of interest in sex during perimenopause. Lisa explains that many women...

Today on the podcast Jody speaks with Lucette Romy about the death of her baby boy Dash. Lucette birthed Dash at home and the birth was beautiful and without complications. However, six hours after his birth Dash's colour had not improved and after checking with their birth keeper and then their GP they finally made the decision to call paramedics. Unfortunately Dash did not survive. His body was sent away for an autopsy and Lucette describes how this was one of the hardest things for her to reconcile but how the results of the autopsy helped give her answers...

Today Jody speaks to Trauma Therapist Paula Rastrick about how the nervous system impacts our hormones. Paula shares her story of being prescribed HRT and the complications that arose from being over prescribed estrogen. 

Following this she embarked upon a journey of trying to understand how trauma and a disregulated nervous system can play havoc with a womens hormones in puberty, pregnancy and perimenopause. Paula believes that we need to learn how to stay within our Window of Tolerance by learning how to strengthen the Vagus Nerve and describes some of the practices we can do to d...

Today Jody speaks to Shonali Sabherwal Macrobiotic Nutritionist & Chef about the Macrobiotic and Ayurvedic approach to gut health. Shonali shares that she has attended a Panchakarma (an Ayurvedic detox protocol) once a year since she was in her 20's. She discusses what the 3 week protocol involves in Panchakarma and why anything shorter than 21 days is not recommended.

We discuss how gut health can impact the skin, the hair and our brain and how these days there are so many environmental factors impacting our gut in a negative way.

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Nicole Lange is an acupuncturist who has a Masters in Chinese Medicine, she has spent her entire career focused on working with women. Today she chats with Jody about her wholistic approach to supporting women through their fertility journey. We speak about the impact trauma can have on women's fertility and how the process of trying to fall pregnant can be a traumatic experience for some women.

Nicole believes that it is essential for women to understand that their bodies need to be in a relaxed environment to fall pregnant. She works closely with her clients to...

Today Sarah Megginson returns to the podcast to speak with Jody about her decision to be a surrogate for her friend Lisa Messenger. 

Sarah had given birth to three healthy children of her own and at the same time had watched Lisa and her partner go through many years of failed IVF attempts.

One day she asked LIsa if she would be open to her being a surrogate. That was nearly two years ago and Lisa and her partner now have a healthy little boy called Hugo.

Jody and Sarah speak in depth a...

In today's episode Jody explores how the changing seasons of the year impact each of the different Doshas. 

Ayurveda says that we need to protect our bodies around the junctions of the seasons and we discuss how Vata types need to take extra care in the transition from Summer to Autumn. Kapha from Winter into Spring and pitta from Spring into Summer.

Jody then discusses the different seasons of life - Kapha 0-18yrs, Pitta 18-45 yrs and Kapha 45-death and speaks about how each of these life seasons impacts the constitutions.

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Today Dr Jimi Wollumbin returns to chat with Jody about the distressing state of male fertility across the globe. Jimi shares disturbing research figures on the declining rates of male fertility across all age groups of men.

We speak about the negative impact that increased exposure to toxic substances in our environment is having on male sperm count, sperm motility and testosterone levels.

A man with low testerone will struggle with how they interact with women and also how they see themselves. JImi stresses that we have had the role of testosterone in the male...

Today Jody is speaking about the psychological characteristics of the Ayurvedic constitutions (doshas) Vata, Pitta, Kapha. 

The intention of this episode is to help listeners understand why they behave in the way they do. Jody talks about how the different elements - air, space, fire, water and earth can impact how we live our lives, make the choices we make and find it difficult to break out of unhealthy patterns.

Each constitution has its strengths and challenges and often people can take the characteristics of their constitution personally and tell themselves there is something wrong w...

Today Jody speaks about her personal failed fertility journey. 

After realising in her mid-forties that she may not meet the man of her dreams and have a family she embarked on a solo mission to have a child. 

She chose to start with sperm donorship. Approaching male friends first to see if they may be open to donation, after coming to a dead end there she moved onto the internet and interviewed many doctors before finding an anaesthetist who agreed to help her. Failing there she ended up in a fertility clinic where she tried IU...

Today Jody talks to nutritionist, actor and presenter Lola Berry about her and her partner Matt's decision to freeze her embryos instead of eggs. Their choice to delay having a family came after Lola chose to leave her life in Australia to pursue her dream career in acting and presenting in Los Angeles.

Lola is honest and totally open about the IVF process, the harvesting of the egg and the agonising days after the eggs are fertilised where Lola discovered that not all embryos will survive or be considered viable for freezing.

Mental health was...

Today Catie Gett returns to discuss her ongoing experience with HRT. Catie speaks about how HRT is not a fix all and that women need to monitor its efficacy and communicate their symptoms with their doctor. Up until now Catie has been using patches and she is considering changing to a hormone cream or Mirena as she is starting to experience a return in her anxiety.

We cover plenty of ground in this conversation, revisiting how essential it is to monitor our exposure to stress in perimenopause as it can impact the adrenals ability to produce estrogen...

Today Jody speaks with Myra Lewin, founder of Hale Pule about the power of Agni (digestive fire) and how by healing our digestion we can bring our hormones into balance and also change our bodies.

We cover many topics in this episode starting with our dosha and the difference between our Prakriti (constitution) and Vikriti (imbalance) and how important it is to be aware of how our bodies are feeling everyday, after we eat, move and exercise. 

Myra speaks about overeating and the negative impact it had on her own health which eventually led to a...

Today Jody speaks to Ayurvedic Practitioner Christina Covington about how we can use Ayurveda to find beauty in the menopausal journey. We discuss the importance and value in having a regular self care routine (Dinacharya) and how the practice of Abyhanga (self-massage) can bring calming and softening to the body and spirit.

Christina describes a gentle morning practice that women can do to welcome in the elements and emphasizes the importance of slowing down and letting go of old ways of doing life.

Website:

https://www.embodyedayurveda.com/

10 Day...

Today Jody speaks with Brooke McPoyle about the body's scaffolding system - the fascia.

We talk about what it is, it's role in the body and why keeping it hydrated is so important as we age. Brooke describes her experience with Plantar Fasciitis and how often prescribed treatments are not working on the problem area. Emotions are stored in the fascia and we highlight how breath and song can help greatly in relieving the body of stress and tension.

Brooke challenges the current treatment for injury - R.I.C.E and argues why it...

Today Jody interviews Libby Munro, a nutritionist who specialises in the auto immune disease Hashimoto’s, thyroid and gut health. 

Libby describes the symptoms of Hashi’s – hair loss, moon face, brain fog, temperature regulation, insomnia, muscle and bone loss and talks about the crossover with symptoms of perimenopause.

We speak about the treatment options for women living with Hashi’s and how stress needs to be addressed as cortisol is a major trigger for the disease.

Libby encourages all women with Hashi’s to ensure they are consuming adequate protein for their body weight...

Today Jody speaks with Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert and Simone Clarke from UN CEO United Nations Women Australia. Sarah and Simone are two of the authors of the State of Women's Wealth Report 2025.

They report the menopause can mean an average hit of $40,000 to a women's superannuation balance. We discuss ways that women can reduce this impact by contributing more to superannuation in the years leading up to menopause and how we should all be encouraging our daughters to be more mindful about investing in their future at a younger age.

Women 50+ are the...

Today Jody speaks with Dr Anny Fodor about women's approach to perimenopause and how we need less not more in our lives. Anny discusses the importance of slowing down, listening in and disconnecting from all of the noise of the outside world.

Anny talks about the benefits of Qi Gong in supporting the joints and the bones and how she has a vision of every household prioritising touch as a way of supporting our systems.

Website: https://www.annybodywellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annybodywellness/?hl=en

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In todays conversation with Gabriel Perera Founder and CEO of Wellness brand Ora Health.

Jody talks about her journey with the teachings of Ayurveda. She shares how in the first 5 years of practising Ayurveda she was quite rigid in her approach, then overtime her approach has softened. 

Jody and Gabriel discuss practitioner guilt that comes from feeling one has to always be healthy unless they have a sense of failing in the wellness world.

We cover dinacharya (a daily routine) and how to follow a schedule that suits you and is sustainable. 

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Today Jody speaks with Integrative Nutritionist and GAPS Practitioner Elyse Comerford about how she works with women to help the understand the root causes of their menopausal symptoms

Elyse describes how exposure to harmful chemicals, liver congestion, thyroid issues and adrenal function all contribute to the problems women experience during perimenopause and menopause.

We discuss how the decision to take HRT is an individual choice and that no women should feel pressured or ashamed about the option they feel is right for them. Elyse highlights the problem that occurs with any long term hormone use...

Today Jody speaks with Dr Olivia Lesslar about psychoneuroimmunology and how our brain communicates with the body when it perceives it is under threat. 

Olivia breaks down the 8 ancient survival threats and explains that we are now living in a world where humans are constantly being bombarded with messages that tell the brain that our safety is at risk.

Dr Lesslar explains the difference between a disease and a syndrome and how work involves getting the patient to acknowledge that unexplained symptoms are a result of the body trying to protect them.

We d...

Today Jody speaks about some of the current hot topics in the perimenopause and menopause arena. How much protein should we be eating and is eating 120g a day making you very Pitta - hot and smelly. Are you taking care of your bones and if you are Vata how you need to be very aware and cautious in your approach. Brain health and how in Ayurveda it is directly related to gut health which is still something that isn't given much press. 

Jody talks about the spiritual nature of the menopause journey and how important it i...

Today Jody chats with Kris Gonzalez about walking a conscious path through perimenopause. Kris is an acupuncturist and educator who spends most of her time these days bringing awareness to how to help women transition into perimenopause gently.

Our conversation talks about the influence of the breath on the bowel and how important it is in perimenopause for women to be breathing in a relaxed manner.

We also speak about the perimenopause as the autumn season of a woman's life and how we can see dryness in the skin, weight gain, inflammation in the joints...

Lisa Darveniza is a counsellor, psychotherapist. Growth work teacher and group facilitator and the founder of Awareness Work. 

She joins Jody today to talk about the importance of healing the core wounding we experience in childhood. Lisa has developed a 6 month program that guides participants through the steps of rediscovering their authentic self.

We discuss the positive impact work in a group setting can have on growth and healing as it allows people to see there are not broken or different. 

After having made this subject her life’s work Lisa believes that peop...

Dr Jimi Wollumbin returns today to speak with Jody about The Wounded Witch/ Healer archetype and the magnificent unwounded womb. 

We speak about the womb being far more than a home for babies and its important role of connecting a woman to her soul.

In this episode Jimi introduces us to the world of mythopoetic thinking which helps us understand a concept through the lens of myth. He speaks about the importance of owning our wounds if we want to become healers. Suffering is an essential part of life that is taking us close to o...

In this episode Catie talks about her personal perimenopause journey.

As a naturopath entering this phase of life in burnout meant she was acutely aware that had to closely manage her health, especially her adrenals. She became vigilant about avoiding cortisol spikes and started making big changes to her life. 

Catie reveals how she decided to give HRT a go for 3 months after being exhausted and at her wits end after expeiencing a period that had lasted 3 weeks.

This is a must listen episode .

Online Course: Perimenopause Decoded 

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In todays episode Jody speaks with Tahnee Taylor. Tahnee is a Taoist energetic teacher, yin yoga teacher, mother to 3 beautiful babes and owner of Superfeast with her husband Mason.

Jody and Tahnee talk about traditional approaches to menopause and how menopause is considered to be the autumn of a woman’s life in Chinese medicine. 

Tahnee explains the principles of Wu Wei the Taoist concept of non-doing and meeting things as they are instead of where you would like them to be.

We discuss how menopause is a time where a woman is req...

In this episode Jody speaks about her menopausal journey. She reflects on the changes she has seen in the menopausal arena, in the science and the recommendations around hormone replacement therapy. 

Jody looks at how grief has been ongoing for her as she navigates the autumn of her life and she speaks honestly and vulnerably about how she struggled to make her peace with the non-negotiable changes that were happening to her life, body and brain.

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In this episode Jody talks with Kim Vopini, Vagina Coach, about all things pelvic floor. We discuss prolapse, incontinence, urgency and hormones. Kim shares her personal experience with prolapse and Jody reveals her own journey and how strengthening the pelvic floor may not be a good thing and why.

This is an episode you won't want to miss. We cover so many topics including vaginal estrogen and the benefits women can experience from using it.

Instagram: vaginacoach

Website: https://www.vaginacoach.com/

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Edwina Peden guides women through perimenopause using the wisdom of Ayurveda. As a perimenopausal women herself Edwina has learnt to honour rest. Edwina notices how her mood, energy and interactions with her two young boys is impacted if she doesn’t pause more often these days. Nature is a medicine she uses to help calm herself and her clients.

Instagram: @edwina_peden

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Jane McCann is a total inspiration for any aging woman. She has embraced this stage of life with vigour and has no fear around speaking up about the lack of options available to perimenopausal women who have a history of cancer or cancer in their family that means HRT is not an option for them. After being offering anti-depressants that didn’t work for her Jane found herself alone and unsupported by the medical profession during perimenopause. Doctors were unable to offer her any solutions for treatments so she had to work it out herself. She discovered therapy, Chinese me...

Lucy Slater is a Somatic psychotherapist who helped people come home to their bodies and feel their emotions. Jody talks to Lucy about how important it is for women on their perimenopausal women to acknowledge and feel their feelings and what happens if they discount their emotions in this season of life. Disturbances in sleep, digestion and fatigue are symptoms women can encounter if they are bypassing their feelings. We discuss how hormonal changes can impact our feelings and Lucy shares simple somatic practices women can do at home to release big emotions from their bodies.

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