Nature of Wellness ™️ Podcast

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

One of the biggest fears we face as a species is change. We have been socialized to believe that change is “bad,” or “scary,” or “hard.” While some changes are unpredictable and require more effort, change is the one true constant in our lives.

It is also important to remember that every good thing you've ever experienced, or accomplished in life was the result of change.

Change is a foundational part of our health and wellness journeys. Helping others make positive, lasting lifestyle changes lies at the very center of the wellness field.

What does it mean to “Elevate Change?”

Mark recently had the opportunity to gather with hundreds of wellness professionals to discuss this concept. He was lucky enough to be able to interview many of the speakers and change makers involved in the event. We are excited to share their wisdom with you.

Welcome to a bonus SPECIAL EDITION of The Nature of Wellness Podcast.

The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) Summit was held in San Diego, at the end of September. Professionals from all corners of the wellness industry, from around the world were in attendance.

Mark provided a keynote session on “The Nature of Wellness” He was blown away by the response to the session, but also to our mission and this show.

On this compilation episode, Mark sat down with multiple speakers, entertainers, and change-makers who made the WELCOA Summit successful.

Join us as we speak with Human Resources Guru Julie Develin, Musicians Manas Itene and Mike Blankenship, Author and Summit MC Lucas Mack, Co-founders of Meet Your Magic Jana Wilder and Molly Strong, CEO and Speaker Andrew Sykes, Best-Selling Author and Speaker Dr. Daren Martin, and WELCOA CEO Ryan Picarella.

The depth and breadth of these powerful conversations were truly inspiring. They all represented ways to “Elevate Change,” which was the theme of the WELCOA Summit. We covered topics ranging from what it means to “be human,” managing traumatic situations, owning your “first and last name” identity, how music enhances spiritual wellbeing, discovering and embracing your personal magic, why a return to in-person gatherings (such as the summit) are desperately needed to combat loneliness and the future direction of health and wellness.

Mark often gets asked, “Who motivates the motivator?” After listening, you will truly understand the answer to that question, and why each of these amazing humans made the event so special.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.
Stay tuned. Season Two is right around the corner...

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW

Links for Each Episode Guest:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-people-purpose-podcast/id1567454260

https://www.manasitene.com

https://www.mike-blankenship.com/music
https://www.jabstepproductions.com
https://www.yeahart.org

https://www.lucasmack.com

www.meetyourmagic.com

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

One of the greatest measures of our quality of life is our ability to have proactive control of our health and well-being.

Sometimes we all need a bit of support along our journey to living well.

Occupational Therapy is often associated with workplace health issues such as returning to work after an injury or improving worksite ergonomic systems.

Occupational Therapists also help individuals focus on improving their ability to participate in activities of daily living by focusing on all of the ways they meaningfully, and independently occupy their time.

Welcome to Episode Fifty-Four of the Nature of Wellness TM️ Podcast!!!

In this episode with sat down with Occupational Therapist (OT), brain injury specialist, and health and wellness coach Dr .Natalie King. Natalie is the owner of Vibrant Living Skills, a company that is designed to holistically “help clients recover and regain their independence, all in the comfort of their homes.”

Join us as we speak to Natalie about all of the roles an OT can play in our health and wellness pursuits, how holistic support can help us effectively manage adversity, and practical techniques for improving our quality of everyday life.

She discusses the relationship her family shares with the natural world, her motivation for working with disabled veterans managing traumatic brain injuries, and how building nature into therapeutic programming can help elevate recovery.

This meaningful conversation set the stage for us to conquer our day.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW TM️
Vibrant Living Skills Website:
https://www.vibrantlivingskills.com/
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA):
https://www.aota.org/

The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.
*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Trees are vital to our world for many reasons. They cool the air, stabilize the soils, provide food and habitat for wildlife, and help to increase our Natural Killer (NK) Cells, which help us combat different diseases.

Trees also clean our air and act as the planet's "lungs," absorbing billions of tons of carbon dioxide annually.

It is essential to understand our relationship and reliance on the world's tree population and what we can do to ensure our own survival by helping them thrive.

Welcome to Episode Fifty-Five of the Nature of Wellness TM️ Podcast!!!

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Richard Olsen, Director of the US National Arboretum. Dr. Olsen guides the mission to enhance ornamental and landscape plants' economic, environmental, and aesthetic value through long-term, multi-disciplinary research, conservation, and interpretative gardens and displays.

He is a recognized international authority who provides scientific expertise and practical knowledge to arboreta, urban forestry groups, and professional associations.

Join us as we discuss how he turned a lifelong passion for nature into his professional purpose and his philosophy on how trees have a major impact on human health and well-being.

Richard shares the incredible mission of the US National Arboretum, how many "green industries" benefit from the important research conducted by his team, how communities and organizations can benefit from nature-based educational practices, and the need for continued research into how plants can lead to life-enhancing advancements.

We left this discussion feeling like trees... rooted in our values yet able to remain flexible in the storm.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW TM️

Links:

US National Arboretum Website: https://www.usna.usda.gov/www.instagram.com/cameroncush

USDA Agricultural Research Service Links

https://www.facebook.com/AgriculturalResearchService

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbY4NfKJTwEO1rxTdNGjYbA

https://www.linkedin.com/company/usda-ars/

The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.
*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Mental health is a topic that we hear about often. Managing the mental dimension of wellness is essential at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

It is estimated that nearly 20 million of our nation's young people can currently be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated that 1 in 5 U.S. children (ages 3–17) has a mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental disorder.

Many more are at risk of developing a disorder due to biological, family, school, ecological, political, peer, and community risk factors.

Our relationship with the natural world is critical in supporting good mental health and preventing mental and emotional distress.

Welcome to Episode Forty-Four of The Nature of Wellness Podcast.

In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Matthew Biel, Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Join us as we speak to Matt about how he interacts with the natural world, how time in nature can be a powerful mental health service, and how one's environment plays a vital role in developing and maintaining a child's mental well-being.

Matt discusses the impact of adversity and stress on children and families, the importance of reducing health disparities, and ways to improve access to mental health services.

This conversation was just what the doctor ordered...literally.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW

Dr. Biel Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-biel-ab97163/
Georgetown University Center for Trauma and the Community:
https://ctc.georgetown.edu/
Youtube-Child Psychiatry: Ask Dr. Matthew Biel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifUr2Pmh7_4
Dr. Biel Publications:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew-Biel

The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.
*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Food is one of the foundational components of human existence that unites us all.

Whether food is part of our social and cultural interactions, part of our recreation or hobbies, or to simply survive... we need it to be at our best. We all eat.

But do you know where your food comes from?

Humans began farming independently in various world regions around 12,000 years ago. This shift from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture is considered one of the most significant transitions in human history. In cultures worldwide, farmers have been revered as some of our most important citizens.

But small farmers are facing threats of never-before-seen proportions.

What will it mean for our health and wellness if we lose those who feed us?

Welcome to Episode Sixty-Three of the Nature of Wellness TM️ Podcast!!!

In this episode, we spoke with Dana DiPrima, founder of the For Farmers Movement, a dedicated advocate for small farmers, and the host of the One Bite is Everything podcast on Heritage Radio Network. With a corporate leadership and grassroots activism background, Dana brings a strategic, solutions-driven approach to conversations about food and farming. She believes that food is more than just what’s on our plates—it’s a powerful force shaping our health, communities, environment, and economy.

Join us as we discuss Dana’s personal journey with nature, how she became an “accidental farmer,” the challenges that small farmers face, and our detachment from our food.

Dana discusses the For Farmers Movement, which provides grants to help small farms manage modern demands and how buying local helps strengthen communities.

This conversation taught us how to plant the seeds of change, nurture and grow them, and harvest them when the time is right.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW TM️

www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl/

www.forfarmersmovement.com

www.thelocalfoodchallenge.com

https://venmo.com/u/forfarmersmovement (for $1 donations or a $7 latte!

The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.
*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify