Untamed & Unfiltered Wellness

Jo Swensson
  • 5.0 (4)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

When stress, sleep, focus, or energy start shifting—and the strategies you used to rely on stop working—this podcast helps you understand why and shows you what to do next without spinning your wheels. Untamed and Unfiltered Wellness is a grounded, no-nonsense podcast for people who want to live well in the real world, busy schedules, demanding jobs, aging bodies and all.Each episode explores the foundations of holistic living, including:-Nervous system regulation and stress resilience-Sleep patterns, recovery, and daily rhythms-Blood sugar, hydration, and energy stability-Environmental and lifestyle stressors most people overlook-Herbal support and somatic practices for sustainable change This is practical, integrative wellness for real lif, not trends, not hacks and not one-size-fits-all advice. You’ll walk away with clear insights, usable tools, and realistic shifts you can apply immediately—so your body and mind feel steadier, more supported, and easier to live in. Hosted by Jo Swensson, Herbalist and Founder of Olivia Bell. Olivia Bell Co., where education, herbal support and somatic practices meet everyday life.

  1. 4D AGO

    When Did Society Redefine Living Well?

    Episode 45: When Did Society Redefine Living Well? Every generation inherits a definition of what it means to live well, but how often do we stop and question it? In this episode, we explore how society’s idea of the “good life” quietly shifted over the last century from slower, more physical daily living to a culture built around speed, convenience, and productivity. The question isn’t whether modern life is good or bad, it's whether the definition of living well we inherited still makes sense. This episode is an invitation to pause, notice the pace of modern life, and ask a simple but important question: Are we living well… or just living fast? If you’d love to keep the conversation going, I’ve written a companion piece over on my Substack where we’ll explore this idea a little further and continue the discussion about what living well actually looks like in modern life. And if you want to sit with the questions we talked about today, that’s also where you’ll find the journal prompts from this episode. You can find the link here: Substack article Substack blog: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Website: https://oliviabell.co I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws! ☮️🌿🐾 Jo

    6 min

  2. MAR 9

    What Does it Actually Mean to Live Well?

    Episode #44: What does it actually mean to live well? In modern life, most of us are doing everything we were taught to do: working hard, staying productive, building stability and keeping up with the responsibilities of daily life. Yet many people quietly feel like something is missing. Life can feel busy, efficient, and full… but not necessarily fulfilling. In this first episode of a six-part series on living well, we explore a timeless question that philosophers, psychologists, and everyday people have wrestled with for centuries: What does it really mean to live a good life? Using a quote often attributed to the Dalai Lama as a starting point, this episode looks at how modern culture may have quietly reshaped our definition of the “good life.” We’ll talk about the difference between productivity and meaning, why modern life can feel strangely disconnected from well-being, and how to begin reflecting on what living well might actually look like in your own life. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why modern life feels so busy but not always satisfying, this conversation will invite you to pause and reconsider the question at the center of it all: What does it mean to live well? If you’d love to keep the conversation going, I’ve written a companion piece over on my Substack where we’ll explore this idea a little further and continue the discussion about what living well actually looks like in modern life. And if you want to sit with the questions we talked about today, that’s also where you’ll find the journal prompts from this episode. You can find the link here: Substack article Substack blog: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Website: https://oliviabell.co I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws! ☮️🌿🐾 Jo

    6 min

  3. MAR 4

    Why Your Gut Still Feels Off Even When You're Eating Healthy

    Episode #43: Why Your Gut Still Feels Off Even When You're Eating Healthy If your gut has been unpredictable lately, bloating, constipation, random reactions and you’ve already cleaned up your diet, this episode might explain why. A lot of gut advice focuses on food: probiotics, elimination diets, cutting gluten, adding fiber. But there’s another variable that often gets ignored...Chronic stress. When the nervous system stays in a constant state of alert, digestion adapts to that environment. Blood flow shifts, motility changes, and the microbial balance in the gut can shift as well. Even sleep loss alone has been shown to alter gut microbiota and metabolic function. In this episode, we look at what research shows about the relationship between chronic stress, poor sleep, and gut health. We’ll also talk about an important point many people miss: the gut is highly adaptable. The lining regenerates quickly and the microbiome can shift with changes in lifestyle and nervous system regulation. If you’ve been doing “all the right things” for your gut but still feel off, this conversation may help you zoom out and see the bigger picture. Substack blog: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Website: https://oliviabell.co I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws! ☮️🌿🐾 Jo

    8 min

  4. FEB 25

    Are You “Stress Hangry”? The Early Signs You’re Ignoring

    Episode 42:  Are You “Stress Hangry”? The Early Signs You’re Ignoring  Ever been hangry? You’re snapping at everyone, irritated for no clear reason… and then you realize you haven’t eaten all day. Nothing changed except one thing: you were hungry. Stress works the same way. In this episode, we talk about why most people only notice stress at the breaking point and how to catch it earlier. I break down the concept of interoception (your ability to sense internal signals), why stress always shows up physically, and how a simple 60-second body scan can help you recognize your personal stress pattern before it spirals. We’ll also talk about early intervention, nervous system awareness and how herbs like passionflower can support regulation without numbing you out. If you’ve ever said, “I didn’t realize I was that stressed,” this episode will change how you listen to your body. Substack blog: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Website: https://oliviabell.co I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws! ☮️🌿🐾 Jo

    10 min

  5. FEB 16

    If You’ve Been Avoiding People Lately, This Is For You

    Episode 41:   If You’ve Been Avoiding People Lately, This Is For You  At some point, “I’m just tired” turns into “I don’t feel like going out.” And if you’ve been saying no more than yes lately, it’s worth asking why. In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between loneliness and self-isolation and why that distinction matters for your mental health, your stress levels, and your long-term well-being. We’ll talk about: How chronic stress quietly pushes you toward social withdrawalWhen it’s time to outgrow a friend groupWhat research says about isolation and physical healthAnd how to recognize when someone you care about is slipping awayThis isn’t about forcing yourself to be social, it’s about noticing patterns. Are you protecting your peace? Or are you avoiding connection? And if you’re not the one isolating, this might be your moment to reach out. Connection doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic, but it does require intention. Substack blog: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Website: https://oliviabell.co I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws! ☮️🌿🐾 Jo

    6 min

  6. FEB 2

    If You’ve Been Indoors a Lot Lately, Listen to This

    Episode 40:  If You’ve Been Indoors a Lot Lately, Listen to This  If you’ve been spending more time indoors lately because of the weather, work, or life, this episode matters. Most people assume their home air is “clean enough,” but indoor air quality is often worse than we realize. Between synthetic fragrances, cleaning products, furniture, poor ventilation, and sealed-up winter homes, what you’re breathing can quietly affect your sleep, focus, energy, and stress response. In this episode, we talk about why indoor air quality matters, how it shows up in real life (without dramatic symptoms), and simple, realistic shifts you can make without turning your house upside down. We’ll also cover a few low-maintenance plants that support cleaner air and a calmer environment. This isn’t about perfection or panic. It’s about making your indoor space work with your body, not against it. Substack blog: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Website: https://oliviabell.co I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws! ☮️🌿🐾 Jo

    7 min

  7. JAN 26

    Stress, Immunity and Why You Keep Getting Sick

    Episode 39: Stress, Immunity, and Why You Keep Getting Sick Stress doesn’t just make you moody, it directly impacts your immune system. Most people don’t get sick when life is calm, they get sick when they’re already under pressure. In this episode, we’re talking about how chronic stress impacts your immune system in real life. Why stress changes immune signaling, why piling on “immune support” often makes things worse, and what actually helps when your system is already carrying too much. We’ll walk through practical ways to reduce immune load during stressful seasons, support nervous system regulation, steady blood sugar, protect sleep timing, and use herbs like hawthorn and elderberry with intention instead of overreaction. Substack blog: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Website: https://oliviabell.co I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws! ☮️🌿🐾 Jo

    9 min

  8. JAN 18

    Why Kindness Matters More Than Ever for Stress and Mental Health

    Episode 38: Why Kindness Matters More Than Ever for Stress and Mental Health In a world that feels louder, harsher and more divided than ever, kindness can feel rare and even suspicious.  In this episode, I break down how acts of kindness directly impact stress levels, mental health and nervous system regulation. We’ll talk about the science behind kindness, why small moments matter more than big gestures and how both giving and receiving kindness can create real physiological shifts.  This is a grounded, honest conversation about staying human in a stressed-out world, without wearing rose-colored glasses.  Substack blog: https://oliviabellwellness.substack.com Website: https://oliviabell.co I hope you find some time today for some peace, some plants and some paws! ☮️🌿🐾 Jo

    8 min
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About

When stress, sleep, focus, or energy start shifting—and the strategies you used to rely on stop working—this podcast helps you understand why and shows you what to do next without spinning your wheels. Untamed and Unfiltered Wellness is a grounded, no-nonsense podcast for people who want to live well in the real world, busy schedules, demanding jobs, aging bodies and all.Each episode explores the foundations of holistic living, including:-Nervous system regulation and stress resilience-Sleep patterns, recovery, and daily rhythms-Blood sugar, hydration, and energy stability-Environmental and lifestyle stressors most people overlook-Herbal support and somatic practices for sustainable change This is practical, integrative wellness for real lif, not trends, not hacks and not one-size-fits-all advice. You’ll walk away with clear insights, usable tools, and realistic shifts you can apply immediately—so your body and mind feel steadier, more supported, and easier to live in. Hosted by Jo Swensson, Herbalist and Founder of Olivia Bell. Olivia Bell Co., where education, herbal support and somatic practices meet everyday life.

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