The Medicine Women Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mary Morrison
Feminine-centered conversations on healing ourselves, each other, and the world. Join me for monthly conversations with healers from all cultures and traditions as we talk about what it means to activate the collective power and wisdom of feminine-centered healing modalities.
After a long journey of sensing something was wrong with his body, my guest Maarten Van Opstal experienced two kidney transplants and a heart attack during the second transplant.
He's now in his mid-50s living and thriving, no longer on dialysis and 100% full recovery from kidney disease. Something unheard of in wester medical paradigms, but not at all unusual in Chinese medical qigong paradigms.
Our conversation is not about illness, but about the body's amazing capacity to heal, regenerate even after the toughest medical challenges. Is this not a blueprint for leadership?
Give a listen to find out Maarten's journey before during and now long after his medical journey.
This interview was recorded months ago but what I'mm still left with are two things. When we first started recording, he felt that his sickness was old news. It's not something he carries with him on a day to day because he's recovered. He does not live in fear. Find out why and how by tuning in.
He said one thing that like an earworm, is still with me daily. It's something that does serve:
When I asked when people don't think they can heal, he offered this:
"Open yourself to all of life."
All. of. it. The fear, sadness, joy.
Start here by listening with those ear holes that are already open :)
May you enjoy!
Please enjoy his book Indomitableness: Finding Your True Nature wherever you purchase your actual books or e-books.
After a long journey of sensing something was wrong with his body, my guest Maarten Van Opstel experienced two kidney transplants and a heart attack during the second transplant.
He's now in his mid-50s living and thriving, 100% in full recovery from kidney disease and no longer on dialysis.
Our conversation is not about illness, but about the body's amazing capacity to heal, regenerate even after the toughest medical challenges.
Give a listen to find out Maarten's journey before during and now long after his medical journey.
This interview was recorded months ago but what I'mm still left with are two things. When we first started recording, he felt that his sickness was old news. It's not something he carries with him on a day to day because he's recovered. He does not live in fear. Find out why and how by tuning in.
He said one thing that like an earworm, is still with me daily. It's something that does serve:
When I asked when people don't think they can heal, he offered this:
"Open yourself to all of life."
All. of. it. The fear, sadness, joy.
I hope you enjoy!
Please enjoy his book Indomitableness wherever you purchase your actual or e-books.
I literally cannot think of anyone better suited to join me for a conversation about the taboos around women and pleasure.
Tune in here as we explore pleasure as a meaningful somatic experience, discover why it’s the perfect antidote to our adrenaline and cortisol flooded systems, and talk about the “pleasure gap”, AKA why women aren’t having the kind of sex we want and deserve.
If you’re struggling with the question, “how do you like to be touched?” on ANY level, I promise you’re one click of a button away from clarity, inspiration, and a long-overdue reminder that you deserve to seek and find pleasure, whatever that might look like for you.
The future of medicine is changing.
At least, that’s what my latest podcast guest, Britta Stalling believes — and I think she could well be right.
As the co-facilitator and organizer of the international Zhineng Qigong Hun Yuan Qi Therapy Program, Britta has a wealth of knowledge and experience of the body’s power to heal, and during the recording of The Medicine Women podcast, she had some fascinating insights to share.
During the course of the episode, we discussed everything from the problems inherent in the dominant paradigm of Western medicine to the incredible case studies that left Britta in no doubt at all about the body’s incredible power to heal itself — when given the right tools.
Hit play to listen to our conversation and then feel free to add your own voice to the conversation here.
I’d love to know what you think about her perspective!
There’s someone I’d like you to meet…
A high school dropout who has worked with the CIA and the NSA and who can increase the effectiveness of a team by 200%, reduce burnout by 30%, and save an organization $1 million…all after just one visit?
If that sounds too good to be true, let me say this:
You’ve obviously never met the remarkable Jade Duggan!
When I first conceived the idea for The Medicine Women podcast, I knew I would be spoiled for choice when it came to potential guests. Having studied and worked in the wellness field for so long, I’ve crossed paths with a plethora of amazing people who are, in one way or another, interrupting the ways in which a body, mind and spirit, and frankly the planet, can truly heal which changes, and I’m not kidding, the very fabric of our society.
Jade and I touch upon the ways that can help you as an individual recognize the innate wisdom of the body, learn how to channel overwhelming emotion, and to reframe upset as a request or a demand, we look at the power of interpersonal relationships in affecting wider social change - and how all this translates into leadership and culture change we need right now.
**Whether you’re an individual navigating the stresses and strains of family life or your relationships with your colleagues, or you’re an organizational leader who appreciates your team’s need to improve their “humaning skills” — this podcast episode offers a wealth of hot takes, inspiring quotes, and actionable tips that you can use to overcome adversity and achieve success — whatever that looks like for you.
To find out where Jade is hanging out these days, go to https://www.mindbodyleadership.com
Find and follow her on Instagram @nsfwleadership or on LinkedIn and Facebook at Jade Connelly-Duggan.**
Did you know that the focus on weight and weight loss is a modern "problem"? And that most primary care doctors have little or no training on this topic and overly-emphasize weight loss as a way resolve a litany of physical complaints and ailments a person has over the course of their lifetime?
There are plenty of standards / measurements / stories embedded into the fabric of our culture about how a body should look at every stage of our life. This conversation is about my friend and colleague Leah Turner, LAc and her journey as black woman navigating yet another white, European standard.
For women (& those who identify as women) body scrutiny and shaming is fierce from our western culture and is predominantly designed by white males. This is a big problem because it's so insidious, one might not question that, for example, Body Mass Index is racist. And for POC, it's one more added layer of being told how you should be different than you are. This has damaging consequences for generations of women.
Now more than ever, out loud, and in public spaces, more people are questioning why are bodies being judged to ridiculous, manufactured standards, based in racism.
Also, you might miss this as you listen, but this is also a conversation about how to know from a body perspective that the path you're on is the right one for you or it's not. Leah talks about this regarding her career choices as well as her wrestling with the dissonance (her words) of joining a weight loss program all the while working with her own clients, teaching them the body is wise, in her acupuncture treatment room.
Leah is an outstanding practitioner, healer and wellness consultant. I feel immense gratitude to have been able to speak with her on this subject. I hope you'll join us in this conversation!
You can find out more about the amazing and inspiring Leah and work here and find her podcast The Whole Five Fifths or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Book resources mentioned in the podcast:
Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings
Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine & Healthy Weight Loss by Juliette Aiyana (for Chinese Medicine geeks).
In this episode, I talk to to my dear friend Erin who dove headlong into the issues of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls crisis (MMIWG) in a very powerful way.
After learning the truth about the actual and current history of the treatment of Indigenous people of Turtle Island, what we know as the United States, Erin gathered her resources and in collaboration with Indigenous women and leaders from First Nations in Canada and Tribes in the U.S., created House of the Moon, an Empowerment and Self-Defense Facilitator Training for Indigenous women in North America. created a program to support First Nation women. She created House of the Moon Indigenous Women's Empowerment and Self-Defense Training Program. This 16 week facilitator training offers Mental, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Empowerment and Self-Defense tools and practices. Graduates earn a certificate of completion and are then eligible to hold Empowerment and Self-Defense gatherings in their own communities. Each woman who finishes the program will then be a facilitator to bring the training back to their community to host their own gatherings.
We explore how Erin pulled from her skills as a practitioner of Chinese medicine, acupuncture and herbs, her love of this beautiful planet combined with white privilege to develop and grow House of the Moon. We talk about the treatment of the Indigenous people by the US government and why this program is needed. And, how to be in this world that we're living in and contribute something incredibly positive, that ethically requires a lot of fighting and sacrificing. And, to be in contribution and also have space for joy and pleasure and, a life worth living as well.
My intention is that you will be inspired and be of service.
Please donate to House of the Moon!