The Equitable Wellness Podcast

I was briefly part of a work group in spring of 2022 that focused on accessibility standards for the spa. We called it the Equity workgroup. Why would that be important? Why would a spa consider how someone in a wheelchair might receive massage therapy? Why would it be important to consider how somebody transgender should be guided to the locker rooms? How they should be addressed? Why would it be...

I am “soul” excited to introduce Kuyate Jemarc in this concluding episode of the Equitable Wellness podcast, before an indefinite break! Our season finale features Jemarc Axinto, Filipinx neurodivergent and nonbinary trauma recovery coach, spiritual guide, and public speaker. Together we ask four intriguing shamanic questions to address soul sickness and burnout. The conversation touches on Buddhi...

In this episode of Equitable Wellness , Jarid Polite and I finally hold the mental health conversation direly needed to be expressed en masse within the unique marching arts activity. The founder and artistic director of the Melanin Mosaic Performance Ensemble dials in from Toronto to talk all things color guard and care: from representation, artistry, and education to the mental health struggles...

In this episode of the Equitable Wellness podcast , we hold conversation with Marisa Guthrie — coach, entrepreneur, and author of the forthcoming book, The Reluctant Capitalist. Together we explore the paradox of surviving and thriving while transforming a system that profits from global injustices. Through the lens of equity, liberation, and holistic business, we unpack anticapitalism and what it...

If yoga is freedom, why has it been used to justify war, uphold caste systems, and mask state violence? In this deep conversation, activist scholar Sheena Sood, PhD unpacks the shadow side of yoga — from its weaponization and “Omwashing” to its long history and present entanglement with state violence among supremacist entities. We explore how governments, militaries, and nationalist movements co-...

Differentiate between doing and being in this episode of the Equitable Wellness podcast. We speak with Irene McKenna, human design specialist, on how to hack the Law of Attraction to step into the aligned version of oneself at their highest vibration. Explore equity as divine alignment as we learn of Irene's midlife rebirth, the human design system's origins, and the application of human design in...

Embrace self-leadership and become unstoppable: insights from coach Ishani Tewari Become unstoppable in this episode of the Equitable Wellness podcast with guest Ishani Tewari, a coach dedicated to helping individuals overcome people-pleasing tendencies. Ishani shares her own journey of healing from chronic health issues and the turning points that led her to embrace self-leadership, authenticity,...

Once a high-impact dancer who moved audiences through performance, Megan now practices healing art and care through therapeutic touch Welcome back to exploring the intersection of holistic health, equity, and the healing arts with the Equitable Wellness podcast. In this episode with Megan Yankee, a high-impact dancer turned licensed massage therapist, we explore Megan’s dearly held values and ask...

Welcome to the Equitable Wellness Podcast, available on Substack, YouTube, and traditional pods. In video and audio format, we will explore passion topics about equitable practices in holistic health and healing arts. For instance, how spas, retreat centers, holistic practitioners and luxury services incorporate collective liberation. We also call out systemic oppression broadly and in health and...

The second episode of the Equitable Wellness podcast is the pregnancy and maternity story of Ariel Herrera-Molina, who in Episode 1 shared her vast experiences as a spa owner and licensed esthetician in the aesthetics world as a person of color. In this emotional and raw installment, we shift the conversation to Ariel’s birthing experience the week after the presidential election. Here Ariel share...

Meet Ariel Herrera-Molina: licensed esthetician, Reiki practitioner, and proud spa owner in upstate New York. Ariel, the mom and star of today’s show, gave birth to Nova Elizabeth Herrera-Molina on November 12. Before we ask Ariel about pregnancy and equitable maternity —which is the next podcast episode, part 2—we’re talking all things holistic skincare and justice and beyond. In this installment...