Episodes

Author and teacher Kate O’Donnell sits down with Mysore-based cook and educator Sahana Murthy to explore seasonal eating, real hydration, and the quiet genius of traditional South Indian cooking. You’ll learn why soupy meals hydrate better than constant water chugging, when to lean on salted buttermilk (and when not to), how to make coriander “coffee” to cool excess pitta, and why food combining matters for digestion. Sahana shares travel hacks, fall-friendly meals, and a simple approach to cook...

Feeling hungry, unprepared, and tempted by the snack cabinet? In this solo episode, Kate shares her real-life Ayurvedic plan for those “what do I eat?” moments—especially in fall. You’ll learn easy, grounding meals that come together quickly: 15-minute dals and greens, creamy porridges, tortillas with eggs or beans, “eggs + greens” anytime meals, and the evening hot-milk ritual for deep sleep. You’ll also hear Kate’s minimal prep habits (chia soaks, toasted pepitas, soaked almonds) that make fas...

In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, Kate O’Donnell sits down with Ayurvedic doctor and podcast host Sasha Bershadsky for an eye-opening look at how Ayurveda is taught, practiced, and evolving in the United States. Many listeners ask: What’s the difference between an Ayurvedic health counselor, practitioner, and doctor? How do you know who to see—and for what kind of health concerns? What kind of training do Ayurvedic doctors in the U.S. actually receive? Will insurance ever cove...

As the season cools and dries, your body changes too. Kate shares exactly how to pivot your meals toward warm, moist, grounding foods, plus easy spice pairings and a gentle two-week transition mindset that protects digestion at the seasonal “joint” (the ṛtu sandhi). Expect soups and stews, cooked fruit, warm water rituals, and smart use of fat and seeds. If you’re feeling the first signs of dryness—skin, eyes, stools—this episode gives you simple, delicious ways to respond. What You’ll Learn W...

Everywhere you look, there’s another shop selling cannabis products. But how do you separate hype from helpful? Kate welcomes Stefanie Reiser of Acknowledge Farms back to demystify hemp, CBD, THC, and the often-mentioned but rarely explained CBDV. They trace hemp’s history in the U.S., unpack how research and regulation shape today’s products, and explain why regenerative, organic farming can influence how you feel a tincture or gummy. You’ll learn what the endocannabinoid system is, what the “e...

In this solo teaching, Kate gets real about finishing creative work—and whether your idea truly needs to become a book. She walks through practical next steps for authors and educators (hello, market comps and outlines), and widens the lens: podcasts, audio, YouTube, and Substack might serve your message—and your audience—better right now. If publishing is your path, you’ll hear where to start, how to think like a marketer (not just a writer), and why building audience before pitching changes ev...

In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, Kate O’Donnell is joined by longtime friend and colleague Nea Ferrier, a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher, international retreat leader, and founder of Nilaya House in Dubai. Together, they explore the interplay of yoga, Ayurveda, and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on how women can align with life stages and menstrual seasons to live more integrated, balanced, and joyful lives. Nea shares her journey from the hedonistic nightlif...

Back-to-school season isn’t just about school supplies and new schedules—it’s also a time of significant change for body and mind. In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, host Kate O’Donnell explores how both seasonal shifts and cultural transitions (like returning to school or work routines) can stir up anxiety, digestive upset, and sleep disturbances. Drawing from Ayurveda’s timeless wisdom, Kate offers practical strategies to bring balance and rhythm back into your life. What You’ll ...

Kate O’Donnell welcomes Dr. John Douillard, DC, CAP, a pioneer in Ayurveda and modern health integration. Together, they explore some of the most confusing and most-asked questions in wellness today: Which cooking oils are truly healthy? How do we eat seasonally in a modern world? And how can breathwork provide nourishment as powerful as food itself? Dr. John shares his personal journey from competitive triathlete to living in India, studying Ayurveda, and eventually creating LifeSpa.com, one o...

Hair loss, thinning, and lackluster strands are often blamed on products, genetics, or age — but Ayurveda sees the story differently. In this episode, Kate O’Donnell takes you beyond shampoos and serums into the deep connection between your bones, digestion, stress, and hair health. You’ll learn how hair is considered an upadhatu (secondary tissue) of the bones, why fats and proteins are essential, and how stress, grief, and poor digestion show up in your hair, nails, and teeth. From foods rich...

In this practical and passionate solo episode, Kate O’Donnell unpacks the Ayurvedic ritual of oil massage—known as Abhyanga—and shares everything you need to know to make it a regular part of your wellness routine. Whether you’re looking to improve your skin, calm your nerves, age with grace, or detox gently, this episode offers a complete guide to integrating this timeless practice into your life. Kate walks you through the how, why, and when of oil massage, including shortcuts, contraindicatio...

Why is Ayurveda so obsessed with oils? In this beautifully textured conversation, Kate O’Donnell welcomes Osi Mizrahi—founder of OSI Oils—to explore the sacred role of oils in Ayurvedic practice. From cooking herbs for three days to customizing breast, belly, and hair oils, Osi shares her personal healing journey, business wisdom, and why oil is truly love (Sneha). You’ll learn what oils to use, how to use them, and even how to keep your sheets and shower clean in the process. This episode is an...

In this powerful roundtable discussion, Kate O’Donnell is joined by three renowned practitioners—Dr. Scott Blossom, Jennifer Boyd, and Kimberly Giunta—to explore how perimenopause and menopause affect the heart, brain, hormones, and spirit. Together, they challenge conventional narratives, emphasizing that this sacred transition isn’t something to fix, but to support and honor. From hormone replacement therapy and bioidenticals to the role of self-breast massage, fiber intake, and spiritual trus...

In this solo episode, Kate O’Donnell invites you into a candid conversation on wellness shaming, the complexities of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the true Ayurvedic perspective on supplementation. With equal parts compassion and clarity, Kate offers her evolving thoughts on what it means to feel confident in your health choices, how to engage with controversial wellness topics without judgment, and why prana—not pills—may be your most powerful daily nutrient. Whether you’re navigating...

This special replay episode features a timeless and transformative conversation between Kate O’Donnell and Emma Balnaves, senior teacher of Shadow Yoga. Originally released a year ago, this episode continues to resonate with women navigating life’s big transitions—from menstruation to menopause and beyond. Emma shares wisdom from her decades of daily yoga practice, weaving together Ayurveda, subtle body awareness, and feminine life cycles. You’ll hear her speak frankly about perimenopause, agin...

Is your morning cup of coffee a life-enhancing ritual—or a daily stressor for your body? In this candid solo episode, Kate O’Donnell breaks down the Ayurvedic perspective on coffee, caffeine, and the signals your body may be sending you about both. From bloat to breakouts, adrenal fatigue to mood swings, Kate explores how the bitter brew impacts digestion, hormones, and emotional well-being—especially during perimenopause and beyond. Whether you thrive on a daily dose of java or suspect it migh...

What if the key to resolving your hormonal imbalance, easing perimenopause symptoms, and supporting detoxification was as simple as eating more beans? In this episode, Kate is joined by renowned nutritionist and biochemist Karen Hurd—affectionately known as “The Bean Queen”—to explore how soluble fiber plays a vital role in removing toxins and excess hormones from the body. This deep-dive into the biochemical detox process is packed with actionable wisdom, from understanding bile recirculation ...

Are you feeling irritable, inflamed, bloated, or just plain overheated? Summer brings a surge of energy and sunlight—but it can also push your body out of balance. In this solo episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, Kate O’Donnell breaks down what’s happening in your body during the summer season, and how to work with nature (not against it) using time-tested Ayurvedic principles. Whether you’re dealing with digestion issues, summer skin flare-ups, or mood swings, Kate offers practical, soothin...

In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate, we sit down with the wise and inspiring Victoria Moran—Oprah-featured author of Age Like a Yogi and host of the Main Street Vegan Podcast. At 75, Victoria shares honest reflections on what it truly means to age like a yogi in a youth-obsessed culture. Together, she and Kate unpack topics including Ayurveda’s role in healthy aging, the importance of strength training, the evolution of yoga, and finding authenticity in the digital age. This conversat...

This episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate O’Donnell unpacks the complex relationship between weight gain and the Ayurvedic doshas. Kate explains the different types of weight gain—Vata, Pitta, Kapha, and toxins (ama)—and shares practical tips for addressing each type. She dives deep into the root causes of weight gain, from stress and metabolic dysfunction to diet and lifestyle choices. Whether you’re feeling stuck with extra pounds or simply curious about how Ayurveda interprets weight gain, ...

Metabolic flexibility might just be the missing link between your digestion and your cognition. In this illuminating episode, Kate O’Donnell is joined by Dr. Scott Blossom, a licensed acupuncturist and integrative medicine practitioner who has studied with Ayurveda legend Dr. Robert Svoboda and is certified in Dr. Dale Bredesen’s ReCODE Protocol for cognitive health. Together, they explore the rising rates of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline—especially among women—and uncover what the science ...

Kate O'Donnell unpacks Ayurvedic insights into PMS, explaining how Vata, Pitta, and Kapha imbalances manifest as period problems. Listeners will learn how to identify doshic imbalances causing PMS symptoms, practical remedies for each type, and why tracking symptoms can help restore balance. Kate shares how subtle lifestyle adjustments can transform the menstrual experience and offers clear guidance for bringing harmony to each phase of the cycle. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Ayurvedic persp...

In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate , Kate O’Donnell is joined by Amadea Morningstar, a trailblazer in the field of holistic health with over 40 years of experience. Amadea shares her journey from studying nutrition and Ayurveda under Dr. Basant Lad to becoming a practitioner who bridges Western and Eastern healing modalities. Listeners will discover how Amadea’s unique approach combines Ayurveda, biochemistry, polarity therapy, and Tibetan Buddhism to support holistic well-being. ...

In this episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate , Kate O’Donnell is joined by Amadea Morningstar, a trailblazer in the field of holistic health with over 40 years of experience. Amadea shares her journey from studying nutrition and Ayurveda under Dr. Basant Lad to becoming a practitioner who bridges Western and Eastern healing modalities. Listeners will discover how Amadea’s unique approach combines Ayurveda, biochemistry, polarity therapy, and Tibetan Buddhism to support holistic well-being. ...