180. Heather Grzych on the Tragic History of the Swastika
Wisdom of the Body
Author and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych explores the tragic and complex history of the swastika — a sacred symbol of well-being and auspiciousness in Indian traditions that was later twisted by the Nazis into one of the most feared emblems of hatred in modern history. Heather traces how the symbol’s meaning shifted as it crossed cultural and historical boundaries, reflecting on how words and images can be deliberately or unconsciously transformed over time. Drawing from her background in Ayurveda, as a writer, and her personal experience as an American mother of child from a...
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179. Wendy Valentine on Midlife Crisis vs. Awakening
Wisdom of the Body
Wellness expert and author Heather Grzych talks with Wendy Valentine, author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play and host of The Midlife Makeover Show. Together they explore how midlife can be a time of awakening rather than crisis: a moment to shed old roles, rediscover joy, and say yes to the life waiting beyond fear. Wendy opens up about divorce, grief, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself publicly, while Heather reflects on the cycles of transformation that every woman faces. This is a conversation about passion, purpose, and learning to trust...
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178. Heather Grzych on Reinventing Primary Care
Wisdom of the Body
Author and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych explores what it means to reinvent primary care through the lens of Ayurveda. She reflects on how modern medicine is good at fixing the body when it breaks, while Ayurveda teaches us to listen long before disease appears. Drawing from her own journey — from studying ancient Ayurvedic methods to partnering with doctors and reading blood work — Heather invites listeners to reimagine a healthcare system rooted in prevention, relationship, and vitality. The episode closes with a short meditation that envisions a future where primary care truly...
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177. Kirti Tewani on Ayurveda, Beauty and Vulnerability on Social Media
Wisdom of the Body
Author and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych sits down with Kirti Tewani to explore a refreshingly holistic and creative approach to beauty, wellness, and Ayurveda. They discuss everything from resisting cultural norms like gray hair and navigating natural beauty influences, to the lessons we inherit from our mothers about health. Kirti shares insights on the joy of skincare routines, the role of Ayurvedic practices like oil pulling, and the importance of listening to what our bodies truly need: including sleep, stress management, and understanding subtle cues, or our “inner body...
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176. Heather Grzych on Mastering Destiny vs Surrendering
Wisdom of the Body
Author and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych explores the journey from darkness to clarity through the lens of yoga philosophy. From the inertia of tamas to the restless empowerment of rajas, and ultimately the purity of sattva, Heather shares how these states show up in daily life, from the foods we eat to the way we breathe. Drawing on stories from films and books, she reveals how individuals and even entire groups cycle through these modes of being, and why true empowerment is found in the balance of control and surrender. Plus, Heather explains why retreat environments are...
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175. Heather Grzych on Top Tips for Dystopian Futures
Wisdom of the Body
Author and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych dives into her fascination with both ancient wisdom and futuristic possibilities to share Ayurvedic tips for surviving a dystopian world. From why the weather in dystopia matters to how simple practices like nasya, ear oiling, and growing herbs can protect your body and mind, Heather reveals five powerful strategies to stay grounded when life feels chaotic. Plus, she explains why oil is your best friend in harsh environments, and various kinds of dystopias. Stay tuned for her upcoming episode on Ayurvedic tips for utopia, because even...
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174. Heather Grzych on Awakening to the Future We Truly Desire
Wisdom of the Body
Wellness expert and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych explores why some ideas and desires flourish while others fade away, and how fear, friction, and scattered attention often hold us back. Heather shares insights from Ayurveda, illustrated through the contrasting personalities of Ferris and Cameron from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, to show that true transformation comes when we face fear and take decisive action. She guides listeners through a short body-awareness exercise to identify which ideas feel alive and ready to grow, reminding us that courage, focus, and energy alignment are the...
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173. Heather Grzych on Mood and Food
Wisdom of the Body
Wellness expert and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych reveals how your digestion, microbiome, and even yesterday’s dessert can shape your mental state. What if your low mood, anxiety or mental disturbance isn’t about some deep, unresolved issue from your past, but about what’s happening in your gut right now? You’ll learn why your mind loves to chase old stories, how to spot the real cause of a mood dip, and simple practices to reset your gut and reclaim peace of mind and clarity. Heather Grzych, ADLC is an American author and expert in Ayurvedic medicine who was formerly the...
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172. Heather Grzych on Ayurveda and Evolution of Humanity
Wisdom of the Body
Wellness expert and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych explores the idea that Ayurveda—far from being just a traditional health system—is actually a powerful tool for ushering in the next evolution of human consciousness. Broadcasting from the heart of the tech-saturated San Francisco Bay Area, Heather reflects on the concept of superconsciousness and why we may need inner technologies more than artificial ones to thrive in the future. Drawing parallels to Paul Atreides in Dune, she reveals how rhythm, breath, intuition, and ancient Ayurvedic practices could be essential for awakening...
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171. Heather Grzych on Cannabis, Weed, Fertility and Longevity
Wisdom of the Body
Wellness expert and Ayurvedic practitioner Heather Grzych explores the complex relationship between cannabis, fertility, and longevity. Drawing from both modern science and ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, Heather discusses how THC can disrupt reproductive hormones, alter sperm and conception, and potentially impact the health of future generations. She explains how cannabis affects vital essence (ojas), nervous system balance, and long-term tissue health – especially as we age. Listeners will contemplate whether cannabis supports or undermines their unique physiology, life stage, and long-term...
info_outlineWellness expert Heather Grzych interviews Rachel Kaplan, a licensed psychotherapist, TEDx speaker, and author of Feel, Heal & Let That Sh*t Go, about emotional resilience, personal growth, and the complexities of healing. Kaplan delves into her unique approach to processing emotions, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and embracing all feelings rather than avoiding them. She explains the concept of "emotional potty training" and why many people are stuck on an emotional rollercoaster, trying to avoid pain instead of allowing emotions to flow. Kaplan also discusses the significance of understanding core wounds, how maladaptive strategies form around them, and why emotional resilience is ultimately more valuable than the pursuit of happiness. They touch on the vulnerability of finding the right therapist, navigating trauma, and how emotional imbalances can affect our lives. The conversation highlights the importance of sitting with discomfort, integrating emotions, and giving ourselves space to heal.
Heather Grzych, AD is an American author and expert in Ayurvedic medicine who was formerly the head of product development for a multi-billion-dollar health insurance company. She currently serves as the president of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and is part of the faculty at Mount Madonna Institute College of Ayurveda. Heather’s first book, The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility, has sold thousands of copies worldwide, and her writing has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Yoga Journal, and the Sunday Independent. Her podcast, Wisdom of the Body, holds an average rating of 5 stars on Apple Podcasts. Visit her online at www.heathergrzych.com
Rachel Kaplan, MFT is a licensed psychotherapist, TEDx speaker, and respected educator, whose first book, Feel, Heal & Let That Sh*t Go: Your Guide to Emotional Resilience and Lasting Self-Love (New World Library), presents a “radically new, extraordinarily effective tool kit for recognizing, embracing, and processing all the feelings that life has to offer” (Eva Hagberg). Creator and host of the acclaimed podcast Healing Feeling Sh*t Show, Kaplan is active on a variety of social media channels. She has studied yoga, meditation, and hands-on healing practices in India and Nepal, earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and trained in cutting-edge trauma modalities such as EMDR. She runs a thriving therapy practice based out of the San Francisco Bay Area and currently divides her time between Oakland and Joshua Tree, California. https://thefeelingsmovement.com/
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This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.