The Vital Spirit Podcast with Dr. Kelly Livingston

Kelly Livingston, ND
  • 5.0 (9)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Vital Spirit Podcast, where holistic health meets true human potential. Hosted by Dr. Kelly Livingston, Naturopathic Physician and expert in mind-body-spirit medicine, this podcast is your guide to navigating the complexities of life with vitality, resilience, and healing. Each episode blends science, intuition, and practical wisdom to help you harmonize your body, mind, and spirit. From gut-brain health and nervous system regulation to unlocking your full potential during times of transition, we explore transformative tools and strategies to help you thrive—not just survive. Join Dr. Kelly for empowering conversations that will leave you feeling inspired to take the next step toward living fully human and deeply healed. If you’re ready to reclaim your health and embrace your authentic self, this podcast is for you.

  1. 1D AGO

    50. IBD Master Series Part 1: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Beyond the Diagnosis — A Terrain-Based Approach

    Inflammatory Bowel Disease is not rare. It’s not mysterious. And it’s not just “autoimmune.” In this first part of the IBD Master Series, I expand the lens beyond conventional conversations and walk you through how I understand IBD as a whole-terrain condition—one that involves the gut, immune system, nervous system, hormones, microbiome, and life context. This episode lays the groundwork. In Part 2, we’ll move into labs, sequencing, herbs, and clinical treatment. But first, we have to understand what we’re actually looking at. In this episode, we cover: 01:03 Why this IBD series matters02:05 The bigger picture: IBD and the terrain06:54 What IBD actually is (and isn’t)08:50 Ulcerative colitis explained10:36 Crohn’s disease explained12:27 IBS vs. IBD (and the gray zone)15:21 Root drivers of inflammation19:12 The microbiome and butyrate22:19 Midlife amplification + The Vital Spirit Method26:13 What’s coming in Part 2 Links and resources: Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163Episode 47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-2-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746987885Episode 48. Why IBS Gets Worse in Midlife: A Gut–Brain Perspective: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-why-ibs-gets-worse-in-midlife-a-gut-brain-perspective/id1790365046?i=1000748001710Episode 49. IBS vs. IBD: Understanding Gut Inflammation Through Clinical Cases: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/49-ibs-vs-ibd-understanding-gut-inflammation-through/id1790365046?i=1000749212470 Connect with Dr. Kelly: Website: drkellylivingston.com Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com Instagram: a...

    27 min

  2. FEB 11

    49. IBS vs. IBD: Understanding Gut Inflammation Through Clinical Cases

    What if your gut symptoms aren’t random, confusing, or “all in your head” but a story your body has been trying to tell for years? In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I take you inside my clinical thinking as a naturopathic physician and walk you through how I differentiate IBS and IBD in real life, not just on paper. This is a case-based, detective-style episode where we look at gut inflammation through the lens of the gut–brain axis, nervous system regulation, immune signaling, and lived experience. This conversation is for patients who feel misheard or misunderstood—and for practitioners who want to think more clearly, compassionately, and effectively about gut healing. In this episode, we cover: 01:03 Why I’m walking you through my actual clinical reasoning03:19 IBS vs. IBD: what really separates them05:26 How I approach gut cases in practice16:33 Real patient cases and what they reveal23:37 The healing order that actually works Links and resources: Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-1-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746015163Episode 47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/47-part-2-the-gut-brain-axis-how-your-body-shapes/id1790365046?i=1000746987885Episode 48. Why IBS Gets Worse in Midlife: A Gut–Brain Perspective: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-why-ibs-gets-worse-in-midlife-a-gut-brain-perspective/id1790365046?i=1000748001710FREE Vagal Tone Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/vagal-guide/signupCalm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset Connect with Dr. Kelly: Website: drkellylivingston.com Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/ Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine YouTube: a...

    31 min

  3. FEB 4

    48. Why IBS Gets Worse in Midlife: A Gut–Brain Perspective

    When people hear IBS, they’re often told it’s “just stress,” “just food,” or worse—all in their head. In this episode, I slow things down and walk you through IBS as what it truly is: a gut–brain axis pattern, rooted in nervous system regulation, physiology, lived experience, and meaning. In this episode, we cover: 01:03 Understanding IBS through the gut–brain axis02:28 Why a holistic approach actually matters for IBS05:22 How IBS symptoms reflect the nervous system09:24 Top-down and bottom-up healing explained simply14:55 The Vital Spirit Method for IBS18:34 The mechanical and energetic layers most people miss24:10 Labs, testing, and real patient stories33:34 What IBS is really asking for—and what to do next Links and resources mentioned: Calm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset Connect with Dr. Kelly: Website: drkellylivingston.com Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/ Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential. Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect. Disclaimer: The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

    35 min

  4. JAN 28

    47 Part 2. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation

    What if your mood, digestion, stress response, and inflammation aren’t separate problems but expressions of the same conversation happening inside your body? In Part 2 of the Gut–Brain Axis series on The Vital Spirit Podcast, I move out of theory and into real clinical life. We talk about what the gut–brain axis actually looks like in practice—especially for women navigating IBS, IBD, and the amplification that happens in midlife. This episode is about understanding why symptoms get louder, why so many people feel stuck despite “doing all the right things,” and how to work with the body in the right order so healing becomes sustainable instead of exhausting. In this episode, we cover: Join Calm Gut, Clear Mind: A 21-Day Journey to Restore Your Gut, Balance Your Hormones & Soothe Your Nervous System: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset/getting-startedListen to Episode 47 Part 1: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/961dcff4-9948-4a9e-a0e7-d385e12c410d/ Links and resources: 01:03 The gut–brain axis in real life01:56 Why IBS isn’t “just stress” or “just food”04:40 How inflammatory bowel disease reflects immune dysregulation, depletion, and loss of tolerance08:09 How perimenopause changes motility, permeability, inflammation, and stress resilience09:59 The healing order that actually works17:03 Why safety, meaning, co-regulation, and rest aren’t “extras” Connect with Dr. Kelly: Website: drkellylivingston.com Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/ Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential. Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect. Disclaimer: The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult...

    19 min

  5. JAN 21

    47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation

    The gut–brain axis explains something most mental health models miss. In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I begin a two-part essential series on the gut–brain axis — the communication network between the gut, brain, immune system, hormones, and metabolism that shapes mood, stress resilience, and inflammation. In Part 1, we explore why mood symptoms — including depression — often emerge during periods of chronic stress, immune activation, hormonal shifts, or gut dysfunction, even when life looks “fine” on the outside. This episode lays the biological foundation for understanding how the body enters survival states, and why healing requires working with physiology, not against it. In this episode, we cover: 01:03 Why mood symptoms need a new biological framework 01:34 What the gut–brain axis is and why it’s foundational to healing 02:22 How the gut and brain communicate through neural, immune, endocrine, and microbial pathways 08:10 The vagus nerve and why your gut sends emotional signals upstream 10:54 Immune signaling, inflammation, and “sickness behavior” 13:15 Hormones, blood sugar, cortisol, and metabolic pathways 15:08 Microbial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, and neurotransmitter terrain 19:52 Clinical examples that show why mood and gut symptoms are inseparable 21:30 Why this matters — and what’s coming in Part 2 Links and resources: Join Calm Gut, Clear Mind: A 21-Day Journey to Restore Your Gut, Balance Your Hormones & Soothe Your Nervous System: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset/getting-startedListen to Episode 4. Why Healing Your Gut Is the First Step to Hormone Balance: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/47733e90-298c-4bfb-bd76-46b443dd26a4/Listen to Episode 6. What Happens in Vagus: The Missing Link to Resilience, Digestion & Hormone Balance: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b278c36f-eb4e-4004-9cea-44bd78a8db8e/Listen to Episode 15. Inflammatory Depression: What’s Really Behind Low Mood in Perimenopause: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5abc8dca-592f-45c9-8c79-9d31e3327c62/Listen to Episode 43. What Depression Really Is and What It Isn’t: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/448f31be-d209-41f3-a5f5-9a33be355b34/Listen to Episode 45. How Depression Heals: The Therapeutic Order for Mind, Body, and Spirit: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b16d549c-c78e-47b1-b6dd-17ae3f631d3f/Listen to Episode 41 Part 1. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/eef0556d-c3cf-41e5-b944-ef8a3b8a3c8a/Listen to Episode 41 Part 2. SSRIs, Serotonin, and the Truth About Depression: What Women Aren’t Being Told: a href="https://player.captivate.fm/episode/21b28c90-b987-4658-8429-87e06d3cc1ba/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    23 min

  6. JAN 14

    46. Movement as Medicine: Restoring Flow, Safety, and Vitality in Midlife

    Movement is one of the most powerful tools we have to support our health—especially in midlife—but only when we stop forcing it and start using it intentionally. In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I unpack what I truly mean by movement as medicine. This isn’t about workouts, punishment, or doing more. It’s about understanding how movement supports your nervous system, mood, hormones, lymphatic flow, and overall vitality when it’s done in a way that’s attuned to your body. This episode is especially for you if exercise has ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or disconnected from how your body actually feels. In this episode, we cover: 01:08 How I understand movement through the Seeds of Health03:14 Why movement is foundational for physical and nervous system health05:24 Why “movement as medicine” is different from “movement is medicine”09:13 How movement influences mood, stress, and depression11:38 The power of micro-movements throughout the day19:25 Why weight-bearing movement becomes essential in midlife23:54 The psoas as a key nervous system muscle28:08 Using yoga and stretching to support regulation and flexibility31:43 How movement supports lymphatic flow and detoxification34:22 Why rest and recovery are part of the medicine37:49 Walking and time in nature as underestimated healing tools42:59 Daily movement essentials that are realistic and sustainable Links and resources: Download the FREE Seeds of Health Journal: drkellylivingston.com/daily-journal Connect with Dr. Kelly: Website: drkellylivingston.com Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/ Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast as it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential. Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together. If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect. Disclaimer: The information shared on The Vital Spirit Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content reflects the opinions and experiences of Dr. Kelly Livingston, ND, and her guests, and is not a substitute for personalized care from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, lifestyle, or medical treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

    45 min

  7. JAN 7

    45. How Depression Heals: The Therapeutic Order for Mind, Body, and Spirit

    What if depression isn’t something to silence but something asking to be understood? In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I continue our two-part conversation on depression in midlife by shifting from definition to healing. Instead of focusing on quick fixes or symptom suppression, I walk you through how depression actually heals when we work with the body, the nervous system, and the deeper transitions that often surface in midlife. In this episode, we cover: 01:03 Why depression often looks different in midlife02:28 Moving from symptom suppression to real pathways of healing04:28 How I use the therapeutic order to guide healing in layers07:05 Why safety and stabilization come first for the nervous system10:51 The foundational practices that quietly shape mood every day15:36 How the gut–brain axis and inflammation influence depression18:39 Hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause that affect mood22:47 Mitochondrial health, nutrients, and why emotional fatigue is often physical24:33 What depletion really looks like and how repletion restores capacity25:07 Food as medicine and nourishing mood without shame or perfection28:10 Psychotherapy, mindfulness, and working with the inner landscape31:04 Botanical medicine and homeopathy as gentle nervous system supports35:02 Medication and psychedelic therapies: when they help and how I think about them39:17 Why community, connection, and ritual matter for healing Links and resources: Listen to Episode 43: What Depression Really Is and What It Isn’t: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/448f31be-d209-41f3-a5f5-9a33be355b34/The Psychobiotic Revolution: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35210457-the-psychobiotic-revolution Connect with Dr. Kelly: Website: drkellylivingston.com Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com Instagram: instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/ Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine YouTube: a href="http://youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston" rel="noopener...

    49 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    44. Why Healing Requires Learning to Feel with Dr. Jenn Rapkin, ND

    Today, we explore what it really means to feel emotions—not analyze them, suppress them, or power through them—but experience them safely in the body with Jenn Rapkin, a naturopathic physician, body worker, and author of The Feeling Muscle. This is a deep, grounded conversation about felt emotion, nervous system regulation, and why so many of us were never taught how to sit with hard feelings. We talk about emotional waves, co-regulation, body-based healing, and why midlife can be such a powerful (and overwhelming) invitation to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level. If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or that your feelings are something to manage or minimize, this episode offers a completely different way forward. In this episode, we cover: 01:09 What felt emotion actually means (and why it’s different from thinking about feelings)02:11 Dr. Jenn Rapkin’s path into naturopathic medicine and body-centered healing05:33 What it means to be a “frequent feeler”08:32 Why naming emotions in the body is so empowering14:10 Cultural messages that teach us to suppress hard feelings19:05 The many ways we avoid emotion without realizing it22:00 How body work helps unlock emotional healing27:16 Learning to ride emotional waves instead of fearing them29:41 Why co-regulation matters when feelings feel overwhelming31:12 A personal story of grief, lockdown, and emotional overflow33:43 Breathwork as a gentle bridge between mind and body38:53 Navigating anxiety and panic through felt experience46:45 What it really means to strengthen your “feeling muscle”49:51 Midlife overwhelm, resilience, and emotional capacity59:01 Why mindfulness is foundational in naturopathic medicine Links and resources: The Feeling Muscle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZDW1R2M Connect with Dr. Jenn Rapkin, ND: Website: https://drjennrapkin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennrapkin/ Connect with Dr. Kelly: Website: drkellylivingston.com Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com Instagram: a href="http://instagram.com/thevitalspiritmethod/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 5m
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About

Welcome to The Vital Spirit Podcast, where holistic health meets true human potential. Hosted by Dr. Kelly Livingston, Naturopathic Physician and expert in mind-body-spirit medicine, this podcast is your guide to navigating the complexities of life with vitality, resilience, and healing. Each episode blends science, intuition, and practical wisdom to help you harmonize your body, mind, and spirit. From gut-brain health and nervous system regulation to unlocking your full potential during times of transition, we explore transformative tools and strategies to help you thrive—not just survive. Join Dr. Kelly for empowering conversations that will leave you feeling inspired to take the next step toward living fully human and deeply healed. If you’re ready to reclaim your health and embrace your authentic self, this podcast is for you.

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