All Things Vagus

In this episode, Kathy talks with Dr. Christine White and Dr. Michael Smith, from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula, about factors affecting sleep. Dr. Christine White and Dr. Michael Smith emphasize the complexity of sleep problems, highlighting common issues like mind racing and pain. They discuss the importance of understanding individual factors, such as caffeine intake, stress, and blood...

Kathy interviews Dr. Michael Smith and Dagny Deutchman from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula. This interview features a discussion on the neuroscience and physiology of sleep, highlighting its critical roles in memory consolidation, emotional processing, and the "glymphatic" clearing of brain toxins like amyloid beta proteins. The experts emphasize that sleep quality is inextricably linked t...

This episode of All Things Vegas features Dagny Deutschman and Dr. Michael Smith from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula. They explore a holistic approach to sleep for helping professionals. They define sleep as a "slow to form vital sign" that requires curiosity and compassion rather than judgment, noting that patterns emerge over weeks rather than single nights. The discussion highlights how...

In this episode, Kathy interviews Doctors Christine White and Michael Smith from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula. They discuss self-care strategies for the winter and holiday season. Key points include the importance of aligning with the natural cycles of the seasons, managing blood sugar and stress levels through mindful eating, and the role of herbs and supplements in supporting immune he...

Kathy interviews Dr. Michael Smith of Natura Health and Wellness about the effects of trauma on the body and how we can mitigate the symptoms. Dr. Smith received his medical training from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Before that, he completed a master’s degree in New York City where his research focused on epigenetics and neuroscience. Dr. Smith has previously f...

Welcome to today’s episode with Dr. Christine White, a seasoned naturopathic doctor who has been practicing in Montana since 2002. With a background in family medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine, Dr. White brings a wealth of experience in complex case management, including chronic infections, gastrointestinal issues, hormone balancing, and Long-COVID treatment. She is a found...

Dr. Nico is a passionate chiropractor who blends athleticism, neuroscience, nutrition, and holistic well-being into his practice. He developed a deep understanding of the human body, injury recovery, and preventative care due to his kinesiology background. He uses a comprehensive approach that integrates exercise, nutrition, and chiropactic adjustments to address discomfort, stress-related issues,...

Anne Martin is an integrative trauma coach who specializes in working with first responders as well as motivated individuals looking to do better in their careers, their relationships, and in communications. She's trained in hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming, breathwork, and mental and emotional release. Her focus is to collaborate with clients and groups to create positive transformation...

Betty Higgins has over 30 years of experience in business management, teaching, and coaching. She is a registered behavioral therapist, a master Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner, and is certified as a clinical hypnotherapist, cognitive behavioral therapist, as well as a life coach. Betty is also certified as an energy system practitioner for the last 20 years. Betty has had a private prac...

Greg Price has degrees in philosophy and psychology and has been the River Road Farm Director for Garden City Harvest for 24 years. In addition to farming, he teaches classes on soil health, farm ecology, and farming/gardening best practices. He also has taught naturalist classes centered around bear ecology throughout western Montana. Sponsored by: Community Medical Center

Jen Racicot is a nationally certified counselor with her master's in clinical mental health from the University of Montana. Jen's life experiences as a fifth-generation non-Indigenous Montanan have been infused in teaching, service, and advocacy in Montana for over 20 years. She has worked with ages 3 through 70, counseling and traveling as a speaker and leading workshops on mental wellness. For m...

Christine Lustik is a leadership coach and leadership development specialist focused on guiding authentic, caring, productive, and confident people managers. After earning her PhD, Christine focused on developing her own self-awareness. She obtained two mindfulness teacher certifications, including one from an organization called Awake in the Wild, which certifies teachers to guide mindfulness in...

Elaine Sheff, a clinical herbalist and author of several books on herbal medicine and healing, has been passionate about sharing herbal knowledge for over 30 years. She is the co-director of Greenpath Herb School in Missoula, Montana, where she inspires and empowers students and clients to reconnect with the earth, plants, and their own healing journey. A professional member of the American Herbal...

Laura Marx has been a family nurse practitioner for 40 years and has a part-time private practice in Missoula. She has also been an assistant clinical professor for the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing for Montana State University. She teaches psychosocial concepts and health promotion. Laura knew from early in her career that the Western model of medicine was lacking in a holistic approach...

Sarah Aronson was mothered by the landscape of Southeast Alaska at the toe of the Mendenhall Glacier. She maintains a climate-aware psychotherapy practice as a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. She holds an MFA from the University of Montana and her debut collection of poetry and other bodiless powers won the 2018 New American Poetry Prize. Sarah is also a host and produc...

John Sommers-Flanagan is a Professor of Counseling at the University of Montana. He is a clinical psychologist and the author or co-author of over 100 publications, including nine books and many professional training videos. John has published many newspaper columns, and op-ed pieces, including articles in Psychotherapy Networker, Counseling Today, and Slate Magazine. You can learn more about John...

Susan Stone is a senior faculty member for the Eden Method and is in her 16th year of teaching for Innersource. She brings to her students and patients an extensive 47 years in holistic health. She is an acupuncturist, nutritionist, and an Advanced Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner. Susan's unique approach delves into the causative factors of imbalances and her gentle but laser-like modalities can...

Laurie Leitch has been a practicing psychotherapist, clinical trainer, consultant, and researcher for over 25 years. She is the founder and director of Threshold Global Works, established in 2011. Threshold Global Works is dedicated to cultivating and enhancing natural resilience within communities, organizations, and individuals using the neuroscience-based Social Resilience Model. If you are int...

Mari Hodges is a certified Alexander Technique teacher and pain management specialist. She has a therapeutic pain specialist certificate and a Master of Science in Medicine and Pain Management. She is passionate about empowering people to enhance mobility and performance. She also loves helping people discover personal transformation and increase of freedom of movement by changing long-standing ha...

Julie Mackiewicz attended her first yoga class in 2001 and has been on this journey ever since. She completed her first teacher training in 2007 and began teaching that same year. For the past 15-plus years, she has continued on the concurrent paths of student and teacher, completing further trainings, continually immersing herself in learning, and sharing her deepening, expanding, and evolving un...

Julie Rae OConnor began teaching yoga in Missoula, Montana in 2000 at the request of her then employer and friends. She teaches individual and group yoga classes. Julie Rae is a Registered Yoga Teacher and Licensed Massage Therapist practicing myriad modalities. Traditional Thai Medical Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Structural Integration, Reiki, and yoga are present in a session. Julie Rae earne...

Arwen Kittelson-Aldred is a trained instructor of Kundalini Yoga and meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan. She is also a classically trained musician and brings her skills to sound therapeutic practices and workshops. Arwen is currently at work earning her Master's in Social Work. To learn more about Arwen and her practice visit: https://www.arweniansoundscapes.com/

Marge Hulbert is a shamanic practitioner, scientist, and author. She holds a master's degree in hydrology from the University of Arizona and is a graduate of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies three-year program in advanced initiations in shamanism and shamanic healing. She enjoys teaching and helping people heal in mind, body, and spirit by bridging the gap between modern health practices and an...

James Fix served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring with an honorable discharge. He has been practicing a form of reiki most of his life, but his formal training started in April 2010. He is now a reiki master and teacher. James is also a CranioSacral Therapist with a focus on helping pregnant moms from conception to birthing. He also works with adults, children, and infants who seek relaxati...

The Founder and Executive Director of Red Willow Learning Center and its sister organization, Laying Groundwork, Kathy is all about maximizing human potential. She is dedicated to whole mind/body/spirit health and focuses on offering both thought-provoking and practical ideas to help her workshop participants, personal coaching clients and mastermind groups best grow their own individual potential...