All Things Vagus

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 ancient spiritual ways. As both a scientist and spiritual healer, she has a passion for exploring the edges of our knowledge of health, state of being, and how we understand the world. She is the author of Finding Eagle: A Journey Into Modern-Day Shamanism. To learn more about Marge and her practice visit: http://www.blueeaglewoman.com/

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 relaxation, restful sleep, more energy, mental focus, clarity, and calm in their lives, as well as freedom from pain. If you're interested in learning more about James' work you can visit his website: https://yourenergyfix.com/

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. Interested in learning more? Kathy's contact information can be found below: kathy@redwillowlearning.org kathy@layinggroundwork.com

Susan Waters is a wellness instructor and coach, she's also a Reiki master practicing restorative bodywork. She utilizes modalities from Eastern, Western, and sacred traditions. With an integrative approach, she provides instruction on how to release stress, gain clarity and focus, and develop skills to manifest positive change and full potential. Providing a safe and supportive environment she helps those seeking healing, personal growth, and well-being. Susan is a certified Reiki master in the Usui tradition and is certified in energy medicine, mindfulness, meditation, and stress management. To learn more about Susan visit www.SusanWatersWellness.com or email WatersWellness@yahoo.com. For even more tips on how to manage your self care visit https://tinyurl.com/2p885zhk

Dr. Melissa Neff is a clinical psychologist, educator, speaker, and trainer in Missoula, MT. The main focus of Dr. Neff’s practice is neurofeedback. She is a certified neurofeedback provider and the proud owner of Well Up, a business whose goal is to help people stress less and live well. Her research background is in the area of post-traumatic growth and she has a passion for creative writing. To learn more about Dr. Neff visit www.melissaneffphd.com

Joan Hoedel is a life coach and an energy healing practitioner with a background in nursing. She is passionate about her work and is always learning something new. Joan focuses on the combination of modalities that helps her clients heal in the fastest, least invasive, most effective way. She works with the subconscious and the energy field, striving to meet people where they are and gently invite them to expand their concept of what is possible. To learn more visit www.joanhoedel.com or email her at joan@joanhoedel.com.

Clinical Hypnotherapist, Patrick Marsolek talks about what hypnosis is and isn't and how you can use it as a self-awareness and self-care tool. Patrick Marsolek works with organizations, individuals and families using transformative self-understanding and communication. He is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, facilitator and mediator. He is the author of two books, a series of self-empowerment audio recordings and DVDs. Learn more at www.InnerWorkingsResources.com

Spirituality can be defined as how we find meaning in our lives and how that meaning is expressed in our lives, including our work. Greg Grallo joins us to talk about the importance of recognizing this connection and how it relates to how we care for ourselves. Greg Grallo is an ordained Dharma Teacher in the PlumVillage Community of Engaged Buddhism. He is a member of the Open Way Sanga and serves as a chaplain at St. Patrick Hospital and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Missoula. He is the owner of Foundational Dialogues Mediation and Facilitation and can be reached at foundationaldialogues@gmail.com.

Description: Why talk about sleep? It is important to our health, so we need to get clear on the types of insomnia and how we can cope with distress and anxiety that might be disrupting our rest. John Sommers-Flanagan is a professor of counseling at the University of Montana, a clinical psychologist and author or coauthor of over 100 publications. John has published many newspaper columns, op-ed pieces, including articles in Psychotherapy Networker, Counseling Today and Slate Magazine.

Russell Kolts is a Professor of Psychology at Eastern Washington University and Director of the Inland Northwest Compassionate Mind Center in Spokane, Washington, USA. An internationally-recognized expert on Compassion-Focused Therapy, he has authored or co-authored scientific articles on various areas of psychology and has authored several books about Compassion-Focused Therapy and compassion, including An Open-Hearted Life: Transformative Lessons on Compassionate Living from a Clinical Psychologist and a Buddhist Nun (with Thubten Chodron), CFT Made Simple, and Experiencing Compassion Focused Therapy from the Inside Out (with Tobyn Bell, James Bennett-Levy, and Chris Irons). Russell Kolts, Ph.D. Director, Inland Northwest Compassionate Mind Center New Book, Experiencing Compassion-Focused Therapy From the Inside Out, currently available. TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG4Z185MBJE

Nina Kahm MSW, LCSW, has been working as a psychotherapist for fifteen years, during which she has worked with a wide variety of modalities that lead to wellness. Her diverse background—with clinical, energetic, and interdisciplinary training—allows her to assess the relationship between body and mind, taking the whole person and their life experiences into consideration. She is passionate about breathwork and awakening our body's own innate ability to heal. Nina’s goal is to explore and address the multifaceted aspects of imbalance and disease through holistic approaches, mind/body connections, and soul-level healing.

Kim Brown-Campbell holds a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from the George Washington University and an Education Specialist degree from the University of Montana. She has been practicing art therapy since 1996 with children, adolescents, and families. She also works as a private practitioner in art therapy providing individual and group treatment in Missoula. Kim enjoys working in mixed media collage and assemblage formats in her artwork.

Dr. Laura Stuve is a PhD molecular biologist, researcher and instructor of science-based intuitive medicine. Her academic background includes a PhD at UCSF in bio-chemistry and that’s followed by a post-doc fellowship at Stanford working on the Human Genome Project. From there Laura went on to become Senior Director of Research and Development at two California biotech companies, working on identifying genes involved in chronic disease. Laura spent 26 years in basic research in human molecular genetics, academia and in the biotech industry before shifting her to full time teaching, practicing and researching mind-body medicine in 2008.

Our inner wisdom or intuition can be a wise guide for our well-being even in the most difficult of times. Learning to listen to, what can be a soft voice, is a skill available to everyone. Even if you don't feel like you have that guidance available, you do. Learn how to start tapping in! If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Robin Mochi: robin.mochi@mso.umt.edu

Dr. Tracy Clark is a board certified manual Osteopathic practitioner and holds a doctorate and a PhD in integrative medicine from the International Quantum University of Integrative Medicine in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Clark's doctoral research focused on the influence of observation, entanglement, placebo, and nocebo on the outcome of healing.This passion for quantum science has enabled Dr.Clark to create courses for anyone who wishes to incorporate these concepts into their professional practice or personal healing journey. This podcast is brought to you by Western MT AHEC and Red Willow Learning Center. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Robin Mochi: robin.mochi@mso.umt.edu Contents of the podcast: 00:00 - Intro 01:42 - Different view of emotions 08:06 - Understanding what emotions are trying to tell us 11:30 - The ebbs and flows of emotions throughout our body 15:55 - Chemistry as a resource 29:50 - Connecting it back to the nervous system 33:46 - Outro

Janet Galipo is a doctor of Oriental medicine who has been in private practice since 1993. Her areas of study and expertise include acupuncture, homeopathy, nutrition, and both Chinese and herbal medicine. Dr. Galipo has traveled the globe as an advanced instructor and ambassador of leading edge mind body energy medicine.Today, her Miami based practice is a testament to the powerful integration of all aspects of her holistic mind body spirit approach to health and wellbeing. If you're interested in learning more about Dr. Galipo's approach to health and well being, please visit her website at bodyintuitive.org. This podcast is brought to you by Western MT AHEC and Red Willow Learning Center. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Robin Mochi: robin.mochi@mso.umt.edu Contents of the podcast: 00:00 - Intro 01:19 - Overview of the Foundations of Chinese Medicine 05:07 - Using and applying this style of medicine in the modern world 15:00 - Explanation of Yin and Yang 19:13 - Connecting applications of Chinese Medicine to stress and trauma 26:21 - Regular deposits is the key 31:10 - Let’s talk about acupuncture 40:07 - Outro

Our guest today is Carilyn Ellis who received her doctorate in clinical psychology from George Fox University and then her postdoctoral masters in clinical psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is the former president of the Oregon Psychological Association, has her own private practice, and also teaches graduate psychology and behavioral medicine for George Fox University. She has worked in a variety of medical settings and has completed formal training as well as professional development in the areas of trauma, chronic medical conditions, pain, and end of life care. This podcast is brought to you by Western MT AHEC and Red Willow Learning Center. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Robin Mochi: robin.mochi@mso.umt.edu Contents of the podcast: 00:00 - Intro 01:32 - What We Understand Emotions To Be 03:07 - Components Of Emotions 07:17 - The Emotion Exercise 12:18 - Taking Control Of Your Emotions 29:20 - Decriminalizing Your Emotions

Diana I. Lurie, PhD., is a Professor of Neurophamacology in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana. She recieved her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania. She directs a research laboratory focusing on dysfunction and the response of the nervous system to natural products, including Ayurvedic herbs. The Lurie laboratory is currently studying neuroinflammation in the brain, and is evaluating the ability of select Ayurvedic herbs to inhibit the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Dr. Lurie teaches in the areas of neuroscience pathophysiology. She is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and teaches courses in Ayurveda. This podcast is brought to you by Western MT AHEC and Red Willow Learning Center. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Robin Mochi: robin.mochi@mso.umt.edu Contents of the podcast 00:00 - Intro 01:17 - What Is Circadian Rhythm? 08:10 - Chronotypes And Clock Proteins 18:50 - Making Your System Happy 32:54 – Technology Effects Your Sleep Cycle 41:55 - Sleep Cycle Tips