Modern Bodies

Are humans actually built for modern life? Felicia and Ehud Ur explore how cities, technology, social media, AI, and ultra-processed food are reshaping human biology and behavior faster than evolution can keep up. From ancient civilizations like Akrotiri and Çatalhöyük to smartphones and digital overload, this episode examines the growing mismatch between ancient human systems and modern environme...

Why do human females live decades after they stop reproducing?  We take a deep dive with Dr. Ehud Ur into the grandmother hypothesis, a theory that suggests postmenopausal women played a critical role in human survival.  In a world where child mortality was high and resources were scarce, grandmothers weren’t just helpful, they were essential.  They gathered food, shared knowledge, reduced materna...

Why do we celebrate Easter and how did we end up with bunnies, eggs, and chocolate? In this episode of Modern Bodies, we explore the history, symbolism, and human meaning behind Easter — from ancient seasonal rituals to modern traditions. Long before Christianity, people across different regions were already marking this time of year. The arrival of spring meant survival and the return of food, li...

What is the spring equinox and why has it mattered to humans for thousands of years? In this episode of Modern Bodies, we explore the science, history, and meaning behind the spring equinox  Why does the equinox happen? How did early humans track time long before calendars or clocks existed.  What does the equinox represent and why these seasonal turning points still matter, even in a modern world...

In this episode of Modern Bodies, we explore the ancient biological clock that still governs the human body. Long before electricity, cities, and digital clocks, human life was structured by light — the rising and setting of the sun, and the changing seasons across the year. Inside the brain, a tiny group of neurons track light levels and coordinates circadian rhythms that influence sleep, hormone...

How do we actually know what early humans ate? There are no photographs from two million years ago. No written records. No preserved daily menus. What we have are fragments: stone tools, fossilized bones, and teeth. In this episode of Modern Bodies, we explore how archaeologists and paleoanthropologists reconstruct the prehistoric world using surviving evidence. From 3.3-million-year-old stone too...

For decades, the story of human evolution has centered on hunters, weapons, and conquest. But what if the real engine of our survival has been hiding in plain sight? In this episode of Modern Bodies, we turn toward the overlooked labor that sustained our ancestors — the steady, skilled, and deeply strategic work that fed communities, protected children, and shaped the very structure of human socie...

For most of human history, we weren't just hunters, we were foragers, scavengers, gatherers, and opportunists. In this episode, we challenge the dramatic hunter narrative and look at what foraging actually looked like. You'll learn why gathering was the foundation of survival, how scavenging likely came before hunting, and what modern foraging populations like the Hadza reveal about human flexibil...

The drive to feed ourselves is innate. The desire to share a meal with others is deeply rooted in our past. The disappointment when we reach for that second slice of cake — that’s new. In this episode, we look at how human evolution shaped our brains, our guts, and our appetite, and why the instincts that once kept us alive feel confusing in the modern world. From cooking and plant foods to honey...

Carnivore. Vegan. Mediterranean. Paleo. Each one tells the same story: that there was once a natural, correct way of eating.  Everyone wants to believe there is a one size fits all diet.  In this episode of Modern Bodies, we start with food to ask a deeper question: Do humans actually have a natural diet at all? And if we do… is it the “paleo diet” we’ve all heard so much about? This episode isn’t...

This episode marks a new chapter for the show. Well With Felicia is now Modern Bodies — a podcast about how humans became human, and how ancient biology still shapes our experience of modern life. In this short episode, I share why the show is evolving, what hasn’t changed, and the lens we’ll be using going forward: evolution, anthropology, and history. For most of human history, survival depended...

Ginger has been used for thousands of years across food and medicine — but what does the evidence actually say? In this episode of WELL with Felicia, we explore the history of ginger, how it’s traditionally been used, and where modern research supports its benefits. Felicia breaks down why ginger is best known for helping with nausea, including pregnancy-related and chemotherapy-associated nausea,...

On this episode of Well with Felicia, we’re diving into how to prevent colds and flu naturally, how to strengthen your immune system all year long, and what actually works (and doesn’t work) when it comes to immunity. If you live in Vancouver or anywhere with long rainy winters, you’ll want to save this one. We cover why people get sick more during colder months, how indoor heating affects your mu...

Can you lose fat and build muscle at the same time? Yes but only with a strategy.  In this episode, I sit down with Forest Nash (CPT, Nutrition Coach) to break down body recomposition without the burnout. What we cover: Why phasing goals beats “doing it all at once” Setting a sustainable fat-loss pace  Protein targets that protect muscle  Beginner-friendly resistance training  Set-point theory and...

School mornings are hectic enough without battling over lunchboxes. In this episode, Felicia shares simple, realistic, and kid-approved snack and lunch ideas that won’t take hours to prep—and are way more likely to actually get eaten. From freezer-friendly protein pancakes to chia pudding cups, DIY bento boxes, and even nut-free energy bites, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas to make mornings smoo...

You’ve probably heard someone say, “All my muscle turned into fat when I stopped working out” — but is that even possible? In this episode of Well with Felicia, we bust one of the biggest fitness myths out there: the idea that fat and muscle can magically transform into each other. I’ll break down: Why fat and muscle are completely different tissues. What actually happens when you lose fat or buil...

In this introspective episode of Well with Felicia, we’re talking about something deceptively simple: rest. After months of intense output—Pilates teacher training, travel, and work—I attempted a much needed break. But instead of rejuvenation, I found myself stuck in a cycle of passive scrolling, overstimulation, and disconnection. This episode dives into the difference between true rest and digit...

Welcome back to Well with Felicia! After a little hiatus (hello, Pilates reformer teacher training), we’re diving into a topic close to my core—literally. Pilates! In this episode, I break down the different types of Pilates: Mat vs. Reformer Classical vs. Contemporary Fitness Pilates vs. the traditional method I’ll share my personal journey—how Pilates helped me recover from injury, why I tempora...

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic can be life-changing—but they’re not always easy to tolerate. In this episode, I sit down with endocrinologist Dr. Ehud Ur to explore the most common side effects of Ozempic and, more importantly, how to reduce or avoid them altogether. We break down how this powerful medication works in the body, why it causes GI distress for some people, and what to do if you’re st...

Is keto really the golden ticket to weight loss and blood sugar control? Or are we missing the big picture when it comes to long-term health and sustainability? In this solo episode of Well with Felicia, I am going to give your keto a diet a makeover.   Whether you’re keto-curious, deep in bacon territory, or just want to make your meals work better for your gut, heart, and hormones — this one's f...

Is keto the miracle fix it claims to be—or just another glossy fad with a hidden cost? In this episode, we break down the not-so-sexy side of the ketogenic diet, especially for people living with chronic health conditions like diabetes, gallbladder or pancreatic issues, disordered eating, and kidney disease. We unpack: Why keto causes fast weight loss The hidden risks for blood sugar, cholesterol,...

If you’ve been told you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the good news is that early intervention can help manage the condition and even put it into remission! In this episode of Well with Felicia, we’re diving into one simple and delicious way to improve liver health: polyphenol-rich drinks. From light roast coffee and herbal teas to antioxidant-packed mocktails, I’ll walk you thro...

Fatty liver disease is on the rise, but the good news? It’s manageable—and even reversible—with the right approach. In this episode, I sit down with registered dietitian Andy De Santis, RD, also known as AndyTheRD, to break down who’s at risk, which key biomarkers to watch, and how diet plays a critical role in liver health. He shares practical, actionable tips—including simple lifestyle tweaks—to...

Ever wondered “how often should I weigh myself” - you’re not alone.  It is a question that comes up with almost every weight loss client and is not a one size fits all answer.    In this episode of WELL with Felicia, we break down:  The best weigh-in schedules based on your goals and lifestyle.  How factors like hydration, sodium intake, and menstrual cycles affect your weight.  Why daily weigh-in...

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Spencer, a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in women’s health, wellness, and spirituality. Lauren integrates traditional healing practices such as Reiki, yoga, and Mayan abdominal massage to support women in reconnecting with their bodies and their innate wisdom. We dive deep into the transformative power of Mayan abdominal massage, a practice th...