Changing Seasons: Ayurveda, Women’s Health, Menopause & Food as Medicine

Jody Vassallo
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast exploring women’s health through the wisdom of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, with empowering conversations on menopause, natural healing, and food as medicine to support every stage of life.  Hosted by Jody Vassallo, Ayurvedic guide, intuitive cook, and founder of ‘Gather’.  Each episode is an invitation to slow down, listen in, and reconnect with the wisdom of your body and the cycles of nature. Through the lens of traditional medicine and lived experience, we dive into the big topics: perimenopause, menopause, fertility, gut health, grief and loss, surrogacy, Ayurveda, and food as medicine. This is a space for real conversations, tender truths, and practical ways to nourish yourself no matter what season you're in.

  1. MAR 13

    81 - Your HRT Questions Answered with Jennifer Gularson.

    In today's episode Jody chats with Jennier Gularson, a physician assistant who specialises in hormone health for women in perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer is a functional medicine practitioner who spends her days helping women understand the type of HRT they may need for their symptoms. We discuss the different types of HRT, pellets, transdermal, shots and why. Some women benefit from taking HRT daily in the form of a trans dermal cream or others with busy lives may be better off with a patch that is applied several times a week. We speak about some of the side effects of HRT, like reflux and why it occurs.  How HRT differs from birth control and what a compounding chemist does and how what you get from a prescription you get from your pharmacy. Jennifer talks about how she uses a compounding pharmacist for progesterone for women experiencing anxiety as it is not dumped into the system. Jennifer describes the ingredients used for bio identical hormones, soy and yam and why this type of HRT is the best choice for women.  We talk about the different doshas and their approach to menopause and their HRT treatment. This is a very interesting episode for women considering HRT or who are looking for questions answered around HRT. Podcast: The Optimal Body Podcast Instagram: @jennifergularson "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

    1h 7m

  2. MAR 6

    80 - Rachel Nokes: The Magic In Mantra On The Mind.

    Today Jody welcomes Rachel Nokes, yoga teacher and Ayurvedic Lifestyle consultant to the podcast to discuss the healing powers of mantra. Rachel has been a devoted yogi for many years and initially introduction to mantra came on her first yoga training. At first she didn't warm to the practice but after being introduced to it again on another yoga teacher training she was hooked. Rachel recognised the transformative power of the practice of quieting the mind and she now incorporates mantra into all of her yoga classes. Reciting mantra can be challenging, Rachel says and one needs to practise humility and patience as we are rewiring neural pathways in the brain and often learning sounds tricky, adding sanskrit to the mix and you have a practice that requires deep devotion and commitment. Rachel is currently organising Bhakti Women's Summit which this year will be dedicated to Sacred Sound. The free online Summit will run from March 25-27, 2026 and offers the perfect opportunity for people to practice mantra and other sound practices and discover what appeals to them. Work With Rachel https://www.rayoflightyoga.com/ Bhakti Women Summit Sacred Sound March 25th-27th 2026 https://www.rayoflightyoga.com/sacredsoundsummit2026 Sanskrit Course https://the-ray-of-light-collection.teachable.com/p/sanskrit-experience-the-language-of-love Instagram https://www.rayoflightyoga.comhttps://www.instagram.com/rayoflight000/ "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

    49 min

  3. FEB 27

    79 - Yogi Cameron: Ayurveda Asks "Is This The Life You Want?

    Jody welcomes Ayurvedic practitioner Yogi Cameron to the podcast today to speak about how Ayurveda treats the person, not the symptom.  He speaks about how he works with clients these days to the capacity they are able to hold and that a person with only heal if they believe healing is possible. We discuss the importance of getting to know the patient and asking the right questions, one of his favourite questions being "Is this the life you want?" Yogi Cameron describes how the ego can confuse our minds and have us questioning everything because of its need to know. The remedy for this is acceptance and curiosity in the mystery of life as nothing is truly certain or known. Cameron describes how aging happens when we are stressed and doing things that don't feel aligned with our truth and purpose. Spending time in contemplation, out in nature and in stillness are all ways to quieten the mind and get the ego out of the way. Instagram: @yogicameron Website: inspireliving.co Ayurvedic Oils and Incense https://www.mytemple.love/collections/ayurvedic-skin-oils "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

    58 min

  4. FEB 20

    78 - Nature Is The Medicine with Jody Vassallo.

    Jody talks us through what it is like to experience one of her Back to Nature retreats and why she has chosen camping over luxe accommodation.  The benefits of being on the land quickly help guests relax and ground, right from the moment they arrive and start setting up the tent, Jody can see the elements working to connect them into the space and ground their energy. Jody describes how she has designed these retreats to help bring people back home to themselves through reminding them of their natural connection with the elements. Doing yoga under the stars, bathing in mountain water, sunning themselves on rocks and gazing out at the trees are all ways guests find to settle their nervous systems. Having minimal access to technology Jody notices that the vata settles in the fearful anxious retreat participants and their love of creating comes alive. "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

    35 min

  5. FEB 13

    77 - The Benefits Of Breathwork with Brett Aldrich.

    Brett Aldrich joins Jody on the podcast today to discuss the benefits of breathwork for the different doshas. Brett is a yogi, breathwork teacher and Ayurvedic practitioner. She talks about how emotions are stored in the body and that breathwork can help people release those emotions. We chat about cyclical breathwork, in through the mouth and out through the mouth can create a deep awareness in the body and activate relaxation. Cyclical breathwork takes people into their parasympathetic nervous system and can regulate the nervous system. Brett speaks about how different doshas may require a specific approach to the breathwork practice and they may even require different styles of breathwork depending on what is going on in their bodies. This is a fascinating episode and will be of particular interest for yoga teachers or anyone working with clients who are emotionally disregulated. "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

    1h 2m

  6. FEB 6

    76 - Your Misaligned Feet May Be Creating Your Knee And Hip Issues with Kat Villain.

    Kat Villain joins Jody today to speak about all things yoga and alignment. Kat teaches Katonah Yoga, Breathwork and Spirituality and shares in detail about how we need to start with the breath to get us back into the body. Once we are in our body we can begin to see how our feet create the foundation for the rest of the body and that proper cueing for the feet can change everything. Kat describes how misalignment in the feet will show up in our hips and then ripple up through the whole body. She details how we can see where we are weighting in the feet by recognising areas of dryness and hardening and that  leaning back in feet can relate to holding back in life and kidney issues and pressing forward is more about the lungs and liver and the tendency to launch into projects. This is a fascinating conversation about practising yoga, connecting with our bodies and calming our minds so we can find our way back to our deep inner truth. Website: www.katvillain.com  Substack: https://katvillain.substack.com Book: https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000042588677/Kat-Villain-Yoga-as-Origami Foot Mapping: https://stan.store/kat-villain/p/foot-mapping-20 "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

    1 hr

  7. JAN 29

    75 - Foot Soaking And How It May Help Hot Flushes And Tinnitus with Dr Yue Wang.

    Today Jody speaks to Dr Yue Wang, a holistic Chinese Medicine Menopause doctor about the benefits of foot soaking. Yue covers why foot soaking can benefit women with menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, tinnitus, brain fog and anxiety. She walks us through the water temperature, ingredients that can be added to the water, how long the feet need to be soaked and why foot soaking is favoured over hot baths, dry saunas and showers. Dr Yue also speaks about the importance of getting adequate sun exposure and how often women in menopause are deficient in Vitamin D and how this becomes and issue with osteoporosis. She stresses we must be aware of the type of sunscreens we are using and the ingredients that must be avoided. We talk extensively about tinnitus and vertigo, how it is related to liver stagnation and kidney deficiency issues and what women can do to treat it.  Yue stresses that women must not skip breakfast and she recommends a savoury high protein breakfast over a higher carbohydrate sweet breakfast and explains why. There is so much gold in this episode and I hope you like me will give foot soaking a go and report back with the results. Instagram: @menopausedrwang "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

    1h 2m

  8. JAN 23

    74 - Is Your Root Canal Ruining Your Health with Dr Michelle Jorgensen.

    Today Jody is joined by Dr Michelle Jorgensen to discuss all things dental. Michelle changed the way she practised dentistry after a health crisis that she discovered was from the removal of mercury fillings. We speak about how root canal treatment leads to the infection in the tooth going deeper into the body, causing auto-immune disease and other serious health issues. Removal of the tooth is the only option Michelle stresses once the nerve is dead. Michelle talks about why flouride is no longer a viable treatment option in dentistry and how hydroxyapatite can help remineralise teeth and the ways it can be used at home. We discuss how all types of sugars create an acidic environment in the mouth and when is best to drink lemon water and why it needs to be 30 minutes away from brushing your teeth. Oil pulling is something that Michelle is a fan of but she explains that oil pulling also pulls good bacteria out of the mouth and that is not a great practice to do daily unless you have gum disease Drinks can have a huge impact on mouth and teeth health and Michelle explains why alkaline water can be doing more harm than good. This is a fascinating conversation about how to take better care of your mouth and health. I hope you get as much out of listening to Michelle talk as I did. "Send us a message" Support the show Connect: Website • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/ Gather • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/gather Instagram • https://instagram.com/jodyvassallobeautifulfood Newsletter • https://jodyvassallo.substack.com/ Contact • https://www.jodyvassallo.com/contact Support the Show: Leave a review on Apple • https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/changing-seasons-podcast/id1757970211 Credits: Host: Jody Vassallo Production: Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io © Changing Seasons. All rights reserved.

    1h 3m
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About

A podcast exploring women’s health through the wisdom of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, with empowering conversations on menopause, natural healing, and food as medicine to support every stage of life.  Hosted by Jody Vassallo, Ayurvedic guide, intuitive cook, and founder of ‘Gather’.  Each episode is an invitation to slow down, listen in, and reconnect with the wisdom of your body and the cycles of nature. Through the lens of traditional medicine and lived experience, we dive into the big topics: perimenopause, menopause, fertility, gut health, grief and loss, surrogacy, Ayurveda, and food as medicine. This is a space for real conversations, tender truths, and practical ways to nourish yourself no matter what season you're in.

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