The Vital Spirit Podcast with Dr. Kelly Livingston

Kelly Livingston, ND
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Alternative Health
  • 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. 6d ago

    77 Part 1. Hypermobility: The Missing Link Between Your Chronic Symptoms?

    Have you ever wondered if your migraines, chronic muscle tension, digestive issues, or constant fatigue might be connected? Especially when you've been dealing with these symptoms for years without really understanding why? When we hear the word hypermobility, we usually think of someone who's incredibly flexible or double-jointed. But there's so much more to it than being able to bend your body into unusual positions. In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I'm kicking off a new series on hypermobility and why it deserves a much closer look, especially when we're trying to understand symptoms that seem completely unrelated. This topic is personal for me. I've known about hypermobility clinically for years, but it wasn't until I started looking more closely at my daughter's experiences that I began connecting some of the dots in my own health history. From fainting spells and migraines as a child to chronic hives, muscle tension, and joint instability, there were clues I hadn't fully put together. We'll talk about what hypermobility actually means, how it differs from hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), and why being flexible doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong. I'll also walk you through the connections researchers are exploring between hypermobility, the nervous system, gut health, histamine, and even neurodivergence. And importantly, why recognizing these patterns doesn't mean one condition explains every symptom. Because when we start looking at the body as a whole, we can ask better questions about what's happening and what might actually help. In this episode, we cover: ● 01:08 Why I've been thinking so much about hypermobility lately ● 03:13 The surprising symptoms that go beyond flexible joints ● 04:11 What we'll explore in this hypermobility series ● 06:39 Looking back at the early clues in my own health ● 09:27 My childhood experiences with hives, migraines, and stress ● 12:05 Why one diagnosis doesn't explain everything ● 14:28 How my daughter's hypermobility helped me connect the dots ● 17:11 What does it actually mean to be hypermobile? ● 17:58 Understanding the difference between HSD and hEDS ● 20:08 How common is hypermobility? ● 22:01 How connective tissue and fascia connect different parts of the body ● 23:37 Why seeing different specialists can make it harder to connect the dots ● 26:49 Why you can be really flexible and still feel incredibly tight ● 29:37 Rethinking yoga: Why stability matters as much as flexibility ● 30:47 The connection between hypermobility, migraines, and neck pain ● 33:31 How chronic pain, fatigue, and anxiety can overlap ● 35:21 What hypermobility may have to do with your gut ● 38:20 Understanding the role of mast cells and histamine ● 42:02 What we're learning about hypermobility and neurodivergence ● 43:20 Why dizziness, fainting, and POTS are part of the conversation ● 45:57 Simple "parasympathetic snacks" to support your nervous system ● 47:06 What we'll cover in Part 2 and where to start if this sounds familiar Links and resources: ● Beyond Your Numbers Masterclass: https://drkellylivingston.com/beyond-masterclass/Landing ● Episode 63 Part 1: Fascia: Why Stress, Trauma, and Pain Live in the Body: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/63-part-1-fascia-why-stress-trauma-and-pain-live-in-the-body/id1790365046?i=1000774971717 ● 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=1000746015163 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.

  2. Oct 21

    76. How to Build Self-Trust and Heal Your Nervous System with Heather Waxman

    Have you ever felt like you understand your patterns, know why you react the way you do, and have done so much work on yourself, but still struggle to truly trust yourself? Sometimes, understanding what's happening in our minds is only part of the healing process. We also need to learn how to feel safe in our bodies, make room for difficult emotions, and trust that we can handle whatever life brings. In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I'm joined by Heather Waxman, licensed therapist, author of the Your True Nature Oracle deck, and co-founder of Come Home Therapy and Healing. Heather and I explore what it really means to come home to yourself and why healing goes beyond intellectual understanding. We talk about how somatic therapy helps us reconnect with our bodies, why nervous system regulation isn't about staying calm all the time, and how the patterns that once protected us can eventually keep us stuck. We also explore the deeper transformation that can happen during perimenopause, why fear might actually lead us closer to our purpose, and what nature can teach us about slowing down, letting go, and honoring our own seasons of life. Heather also shares her morning meditation album, Rise, Sweet Darlin', Rise, and guides us through a grounding practice at the end of the conversation. If you've spent years taking care of everyone else, pushing through your emotions, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this conversation is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and begin coming home to yourself. In this episode, we cover: ● 01:50 Meet Heather Waxman ● 03:56 What does it mean to come home to yourself? ● 07:07 Why understanding your patterns isn't always enough ● 11:31 Heather's journey into spirituality and somatic healing ● 18:37 How a wellness blog led Heather to becoming a therapist ● 23:08 How do you start building self-trust? ● 28:09 What actually happens in a somatic therapy session? ● 31:11 What nervous system healing really means ● 35:17 Why we need connection to process grief and big emotions ● 39:22 Why we're afraid of being overwhelmed by our feelings ● 41:05 How to recognize when you're avoiding your emotions ● 42:46 When overachieving and caretaking become coping mechanisms ● 45:37 Letting go of old identities during perimenopause ● 47:49 Kelly's three Ps: Patterns, power, and presence ● 49:26 What if fear is actually leading you toward your purpose? ● 53:57 What nature can teach us about healing ● 01:03:49 Creating a morning routine that feels nourishing, not forced ● 01:15:12 Heather's morning meditation album, Rise, Sweet Darlin', Rise ● 01:17:31 A guided grounding and breathing practice with Heather ● 01:24:02 Final thoughts on slowing down and coming home to yourself Links and resources: ● Heather Waxman Website: https://www.heatherwaxman.com/ ● Heather Waxman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherwaxman/ ● Come Home Therapy: https://www.comehometherapy.com/ ● Come Home Therapy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comehometherapy ● Your True Nature Oracle Deck: https://www.heatherwaxman.com/your-true-nature-oracle ● Rise, Sweet Darlin', Rise Morning Meditation Album: https://heptagon-lily-d8z7.squarespace.com/morning-meditation-album ● Beyond Your Numbers Masterclass: https://drkellylivingston.com/beyond-masterclass/Landing ● Ferritin Guide: https://drkellylivingston.com/ferritin-guide/Landing-Page 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.

  3. Oct 14

    75. Why Being “Fine” Isn't the Same as Being Healthy with Dr. Meghan Walker

    Somewhere along the way, we've confused being well enough to function with actually being healthy. We go to the doctor, get our symptoms under control, and return to our everyday lives. But we're often returning to the same stress, habits, and circumstances that contributed to our health struggles in the first place. And just because we're no longer in crisis doesn't necessarily mean we're experiencing the kind of health we want. My guest, Dr. Megan Walker, calls this the “line of fine,” and it's a concept that has completely changed how I think about healthcare and the work I do with my patients. In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I'm joined by Megan, a naturopathic doctor, entrepreneur, and longtime mentor of mine, to explore why our healthcare system has become so focused on getting people back to “fine,” and what it would take to help people move beyond that point. But our conversation goes beyond healthcare. Megan shares how moving her family to Europe challenged her to rethink what's possible, and why taking small, manageable risks can help us build the confidence to pursue things we might otherwise talk ourselves out of. We discuss imposter syndrome, getting uncomfortable in midlife, and the connection between having our health and having the capacity to live a life that feels meaningful to us. If you've been told everything looks fine but feel there's more to your health than simply getting by, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: ● 01:03 Meet Dr. Megan Walker ● 02:37 Why we tell ourselves “I could never do that” ● 05:03 How taking small risks builds confidence ● 07:58 What imposter syndrome can teach us ● 10:17 Getting comfortable with discomfort in midlife ● 13:27 How Megan's career and mission have evolved ● 17:55 Why good practitioners still need marketing ● 23:39 What it means to live at the “line of fine” ● 27:47 What makes naturopathic medicine different ● 30:15 What needs to change in our healthcare system ● 34:23 How patients can help create change ● 36:28 Why professional standards and credibility matter ● 39:35 Why better care and a sustainable business go together ● 42:23 The real financial challenges of running a practice ● 45:59 How we can make holistic care accessible to more people ● 48:15 Why practitioners need a clear plan for patient care ● 53:15 What patients should understand about holistic healthcare ● 57:26 What makes Megan feel most alive right now ● 59:58 Where to connect with Dr. Megan Walker ● 01:03:50 Moving beyond the “line of fine” with your own lab results Links and resources: ● Dr. Meghan Walker Website: https://www.meghanwalker.com/ ● Dr. Meghan Walker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmeghanwalker/ ● Hiveality: https://www.hiveality.com/ ● Health Hives: https://healthhives.com/ ● Impact Medicine by Dr. Meghan Walker: https://www.clinicianbusinesslabs.com/get-your-copy-1 ● Sign up for Beyond Your Numbers: https://drkellylivingston.com/beyond 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.

  4. Oct 7

    74. A Guided Meditation for Nervous System Regulation and Healing

    There’s a difference between thinking about your body and actually being in it. So much of healing can become another thing to figure out. Another symptom to analyze, protocol to follow, supplement to try, or piece of information to understand. And while understanding matters, sometimes the body doesn’t need another answer. Sometimes it needs us to slow down enough to actually listen. This episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast is a little different. Instead of spending our time talking about embodiment, I’m guiding you through an experience of it. Together, we’ll turn our attention away from the constant noise of the thinking mind and toward breath, sensation, the felt sense, and the quieter signals happening within your body all the time. I’ll guide you through grounding, a body scan, and a series of gentle questions designed to help you notice what may already be asking for your attention. We’ll also explore what I mean by healing from the inside out and the naturopathic principle of vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature. The body is already engaged in processes of regulation, adaptation, and repair. Our job isn’t always to demand that it change, but sometimes to create the conditions that allow those processes to unfold. Find somewhere comfortable where you can give yourself about 30 minutes without needing to do anything else. There’s nothing you need to achieve here. Just come as you are and notice what happens when your attention turns inward. In this episode, we cover: ● 01:08 Why I wanted to make this episode ● 02:09 What the “felt sense” actually means ● 05:37 Where science, mindfulness, and healing meet ● 06:55 Getting comfortable before we begin ● 08:28 Grounding into your body and breath ● 11:56 Moving through the body with awareness ● 16:49 Feeling your body as a whole ● 19:03 Listening for what you already know ● 21:01 Noticing the awareness behind your thoughts ● 23:45 Connecting with the body’s natural healing capacity ● 27:21 Slowly returning to the room ● 28:02 What it means to heal from the inside out Links and resources: ● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568 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.

  5. Sep 30

    73. Chiropractic, the Nervous System, and the Body’s Innate Intelligence with Dr. Daniel Goodman

    What if your body is far more capable of healing than you’ve been taught to believe? Today I’m joined by Dr. Daniel Goodman, a second-generation chiropractor and holistic health practitioner, for a conversation that goes far beyond the idea of chiropractic as simply “cracking” your back. Daniel takes us back to what chiropractic was originally built around: the central nervous system, communication between the brain and body, and removing interference so the body can do what it already knows how to do. We talk about his approach to upper cervical chiropractic, why such a small and gentle adjustment can have effects throughout the body, and how this work connects with something we talk about often on this podcast: nervous system regulation. But our conversation also opens into a much bigger discussion about healing. Daniel and I explore the idea of inborn intelligence and the body’s natural drive toward health. We talk about symptoms as information rather than something we should automatically silence, and why asking “What is my body trying to tell me?” can completely change the way we relate to our health. If you’ve been trying to understand your symptoms, support your nervous system, or reconnect with trust in your body’s ability to heal, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: ● 01:18 Meet Dr. Daniel Goodman ● 03:02 What chiropractic is really about ● 03:30 How chiropractic got its start ● 05:36 Why the nervous system is at the center of it all ● 19:58 The biggest misconceptions about chiropractic ● 23:01 What upper cervical chiropractic actually looks like ● 26:33 Who can benefit from this approach ● 28:56 Chiropractic, the nervous system, and the vagus nerve ● 32:43 The body’s inborn intelligence and ability to heal ● 36:19 Building trust in the body’s resilience 37:28 What your symptoms might be telling you ● 40:52 Creating health instead of only treating symptoms ● 45:51 Why the foundations come before the supplements ● 47:46 A simple introduction to nonviolent communication ● 53:17 Bringing nonviolent communication into patient care ● 56:03 Communicating through disagreement and polarization ● 59:56 Dr. Daniel’s everyday habits for health and well-being ● 01:03:38 The mindset shift Dr. Daniel wants you to take with you ● Episode 47 Part 1. The Gut–Brain Axis: How Your Body Shapes Mood, Stress, and Inflammation: Links and resources: ● Flow State Chiropractic Website: www.flowstatenyc.com ● Flow State Chiropractic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowstatechiropractic/ ● Flow State Chiropractic Email: help@flowstatenyc.com ● Episode 03. Midlife and the Nervous System: Building Resilience Step by Step: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/03-midlife-and-the-nervous-system-building/id1790365046?i=1000684966973 ● Episode 06. What Happens in Vagus: The Missing Link to Resilience, Digestion & Hormone Balance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/06-what-happens-in-vagus-the-missing-link-to/id1790365046?i=1000700362895 ● 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=1000746015163 ● Episode 63 Part 1: Fascia: Why Stress, Trauma, and Pain Live in the Body: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/63-part-1-fascia-why-stress-trauma-and-pain-live-in-the-body/id1790365046?i=1000774971717 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.

  6. Sep 23

    72 Part 2. Food as Medicine: Sugar, Gluten, Dairy & When to Remove a Food

    Food as medicine isn’t supposed to become food as fear. In Part 1, we talked about what we can add to our diets to better nourish the body. Now, in Part 2, I want to talk about the other side of that conversation: what might be worth recognizing, auditing, or removing, and how to do that without becoming afraid of everything you eat. In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m walking you through how I think about added sugar, ultra-processed foods, gluten, and dairy when I’m working with patients. These foods tend to get reduced to very black-and-white conversations, but the reality is much more nuanced. We’ll talk about why I ask patients to start reading food labels, what added sugar can reveal about the bigger pattern of your diet, and why gluten or dairy may affect one person very differently than another. If you know you want to use food to support your health but feel overwhelmed by everything you’re supposed to eat, avoid, or remove, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: ● 01:46 Where I start when looking at added sugar ● 05:02 Why I care about sugar beyond the “sugar causes inflammation” conversation ● 07:22 What ultra-processed foods can do to the bigger picture ● 09:23 Why gluten isn’t a simple yes-or-no conversation ● 12:50 How I decide whether dairy may be affecting someone ● 15:24 Why elimination diets aren’t meant to last forever ● 18:23 If you take something out, what goes in its place? ● 19:50 Fermented foods, healthy fats, and hydration ● 24:24 Food sourcing, perfection, and my “rule of 80” ● 28:37 Why how you eat matters just as much as what you eat ● 31:05 Simple ways to start practicing food as medicine today Links and resources: ● Listen to Episode 72 Part 1. Food as Medicine: What I Teach Every New Patient: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/72-part-1-food-as-medicine-what-i-teach-every-new-patient/id1790365046?i=1000789990226 ● Calm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset ● Episode 39. SIBO Isn’t the Problem: Healing the Terrain, Not the Germ (Bloating & Weight Gain in Midlife): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/39-sibo-isnt-the-problem-healing-the-terrain-not/id1790365046?i=1000737383709 ● Episode 69 Part 1. Chronic Inflammation: The Signs You May Be Missing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/69-part-1-chronic-inflammation-the-signs-you-may-be-missing/id1790365046?i=1000784256971 ● Episode 30. Why Hydration Alone Isn’t Enough: The Power of Hydrotherapy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/30-why-hydration-alone-isnt-enough-the-power/id1790365046?i=1000725855973 ● Episode 21. Reclaiming the Herbal Roots of Medicine with Dr. Eugene Zampieron: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/21-reclaiming-the-herbal-roots-of-medicine-with/id1790365046?i=1000716633782 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.

  7. Sep 16

    72 Part 1. Food as Medicine: What I Teach Every New Patient

    If you’ve ever wondered what I actually mean when I say “food as medicine,” this episode is for you. Food is one of the first places I start with patients because what we eat is one of the most consistent signals we send our physiology every single day. But food as medicine is not about handing everyone the same restrictive diet or labeling foods as universally “good” or “bad.” Your symptoms, labs, hormones, gut health, blood sugar, lifestyle, and even your relationship with food all matter. In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I’m walking you through the beginning of the Food as Medicine section I create for new patients in my practice. We’ll talk about why I look at the whole pattern of how you’re eating, not just individual foods, and why some of the most basic changes can have such a meaningful effect on inflammation, blood sugar, energy, mood, gut health, and overall resilience. I’m also sharing one of the simplest meal frameworks I use again and again: protein, healthy fat, fiber, and color. We’ll talk about why protein matters so much in midlife, why I don’t want you to be afraid of carbohydrates or healthy fats, how walking after meals can support blood sugar, and what fiber and plant diversity are actually doing for your microbiome. If you’ve been overwhelmed by nutrition advice and aren’t sure where to begin, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: ● 01:08 Food as medicine and where I start with patients ● 01:45 Why the same food plan doesn’t work for everyone ● 03:42 What I really mean by “food as medicine” ● 04:50 What years of working with patients have taught me ● 05:40 How food can contribute to inflammation ● 07:13 The signals your food sends your body every day ● 08:25 What changed after one woman’s 21-day reset ● 10:43 What I look for when I audit someone’s day ● 11:39 Why I pay so much attention to protein at breakfast ● 14:24 My simple framework for building a balanced meal ● 15:01 Why you don’t need to be afraid of carbs ● 17:30 One of my favorite simple habits: walking after meals ● 18:50 Why fiber does so much more than keep you regular ● 20:28 What “30 plants a week” actually means ● 22:13 Why eating the rainbow really matters ● 23:43 What the Mediterranean diet teaches us about dietary patterns ● 24:50 A preview of gluten, dairy, and sugar in Part 2 Links and resources: ● Calm Gut, Clear Mind: https://drkellylivingston.com/gutreset ● Episode 69 Part 1. Chronic Inflammation: The Signs You May Be Missing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/69-part-1-chronic-inflammation-the-signs-you-may-be-missing/id1790365046?i=1000784256971 ● Episode 69 Part 2. Chronic Inflammation: What’s Driving It and Where to Start: https://youtu.be/ttdlf_c6Co4?si=We-GTX5g332MO56m ● Episode 35. Sleep Masterclass: The Forgotten Medicine of Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/35-sleep-masterclass-the-forgotten-medicine-of-midlife/id1790365046?i=1000732944682 ● Episode 46. Movement as Medicine: Restoring Flow, Safety, and Vitality in Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/46-movement-as-medicine-restoring-flow-safety-and/id1790365046?i=1000745111800 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.

  8. Sep 9

    71. Your Body Knows How to Heal: Vitalism, Homeopathy & the Healing Power of Nature with Dr. Flo McPherson, ND, AFHom

    There are some teachers who shape the way you practice medicine long after you leave the classroom, and Dr. Florence “Flo” McPherson is one of those people for me. Dr. Flo was one of my professors and clinical mentors during my naturopathic medical training, and so many of the ideas that are foundational to the way I practice today were first introduced to me through her. In this conversation, we get to return to one of the biggest questions she taught me to ask: What does it actually mean to heal? We talk about the vital force, or the vis, and why vitalistic medicine looks beyond simply diagnosing a disease or getting rid of a symptom. Dr. Flo shares how she found homeopathy in her early twenties, why it became a lifelong study, and what more than two decades of practicing classical homeopathy have taught her about the body’s ability to heal. We also get into what homeopathic prescribing actually looks like, from observing the subtle ways a person expresses their symptoms to understanding the order in which healing can unfold. Dr. Flo explains the difference between classical homeopathy and cell salts, the role of the repertory and materia medica, and why patience and restraint can be just as important as the remedy itself. If you’ve been curious about homeopathy, vitalistic medicine, or what it really means to work with your body rather than only treating its symptoms, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: ● 01:13 Meet Dr. Flo ● 04:32 How Dr. Flo found homeopathy ● 06:35 Why homeopathy became a lifelong study ● 08:28 What is the vital force? ● 14:36 The role of observation and restraint in homeopathy ● 18:15 The naturopathic principles behind healing ● 20:26 What long-term healing can look like ● 23:14 Triage, medication, and working as part of a healthcare team ● 27:06 What Dr. Flo means by a “green pharmacy” ● 29:03 How classical homeopathy actually works ● 31:03 Understanding the order of healing ● 34:47 What it means to live vitalistically ● 36:52 Why clinical training matters in naturopathic medicine ● 38:26 Preserving the wisdom of nature cure ● 40:22 When modern microbiome science meets naturopathic medicine ● 42:18 Bowel nosodes, biofilms, and the microbiome ● 44:25 Homeopathy vs. cell salts ● 48:12 How a remedy can affect the vital force ● 51:55 Understanding the repertory and materia medica ● 54:40 A vitalistic approach to menopause ● 59:07 Aging with vitality Links and resources: ● Dr. Flo McPherson Website: drflomcpherson.com ● Episode 55. The Healing Power of Nature: Understanding Vis Medicatrix Naturae: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-the-healing-power-of-nature-understanding/id1790365046?i=1000760210568 ● 59 Part 1. Homeopathy in Perimenopause: What Your Symptoms Are Really Saying: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/59-part-1-homeopathy-in-perimenopause-what-your-symptoms/id1790365046?i=1000768705747 ● 59 Part 2. Homeopathy in Perimenopause: What Your Symptoms Are Really Saying: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/59-part-2-homeopathy-in-perimenopause-what-your-symptoms/id1790365046?i=1000769789282 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.

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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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