Everyday Ayurveda with Kate

Kate O’Donnell
  • 5.0 (55)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Everyday Ayurveda, a podcast by Kate O’Donnell, renowned Ayurvedic practitioner, bestselling author, and founder of the Ayurvedic Living Institute. Join Kate as she demystifies the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and translates it into practical, everyday practices for modern living. In each episode, Kate shares her deep knowledge and personal experiences from over two decades of studying Ayurveda in India. Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll discover valuable insights on diet, lifestyle, self-care, and holistic health. Everyday Ayurveda is your go-to resource for integrating the timeless principles of Ayurveda into your daily routine, fostering a life of balance, health, and happiness. Subscribe now and start your journey towards radiant well-being with Kate O’Donnell. Listen, learn, and transform with Everyday Ayurveda – because true health begins with the choices we make every day.

  1. 82. The Autoimmune-Stress Connection: A Chinese Medicine View on Why Americans Are Getting Sicker

    1D AGO

    82. The Autoimmune-Stress Connection: A Chinese Medicine View on Why Americans Are Getting Sicker

    In this episode, Kate O'Donnell sits down with Jiaming Ju — a second-generation Chinese medicine practitioner, former health economist, and founder of the online clinic Kun Health — for a rich, cross-cultural exploration of how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda view the body, health, and healing. Jiaming brings a uniquely layered perspective: she spent a decade running health economics research across New York, India, Jordan, and Singapore before training for four years to become a California-licensed Chinese medicine practitioner. She now practices entirely online alongside her father — one of the early pioneers of telemedicine in Chinese medicine — treating complex chronic cases from around the world, and she still sees everything through the lens of a data economist. What We Cover: How tongue reading works in TCM — and why it differs fundamentally from Ayurvedic tongue assessment The difference between yin deficiency and yang deficiency, and why yang deficiency is far more common in Western patients today The gut-ADHD connection: why so many ADHD presentations begin with early digestive disruption How antibiotic overuse in childhood may have long-term consequences for digestion, focus, and mood The autoimmune-stress connection: Jiaming's "candle wax" theory of burnout and chronic illness Why Americans have disproportionately high rates of autoimmune disease — and what the data shows Seasonal eating in Chinese medicine: where it aligns with Ayurveda and where it diverges Why extreme exercise may harm more than help — and what moderation actually looks like How Jiaming and her father practice true family medicine online, tracking hereditary patterns across generations Guest Bio: Jiaming Ju Jiaming Ju is a second-generation Chinese medicine practitioner and the founder of Kun Health, an online Chinese medicine clinic she runs alongside her father. Trained first as an economist at Columbia University, Jiaming spent over a decade as a health economist leading major think tanks and research initiatives across the globe before returning to the medicine she grew up with. She holds a California license in Chinese medicine and brings a data-driven, prevention-focused approach to her clinical practice. Known for her tongue reading expertise and her candid communication style, Jiaming is on a mission to bring Chinese medicine to a global audience — authentically and rigorously. Website: https://www.kun.health/ Instagram: @byjiamingju  Health Disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals Link:  https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate CCF Tea : https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate7k3 Triphala: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate28g Kate's Discount code 15% off Banyan SPRINGWITHKATE

    52 min
  2. 81. The Ayurvedic Daily Clock: How To Eat, Sleep, and Live in Rhythm With Your Body

    APR 22

    81. The Ayurvedic Daily Clock: How To Eat, Sleep, and Live in Rhythm With Your Body

    Have you ever wondered why you crash at 3pm, crave food late at night, or can't seem to fall asleep before midnight? Ayurveda has a 5,000-year-old answer — and it's called Dinacharya, or the Ayurvedic daily flow.   In this solo episode, Kate walks you through the complete Ayurvedic 24-hour clock — explaining what elements are active in your body at each time of day, and how to align your eating, sleeping, exercising, and resting with those natural rhythms.   Whether you're new to Ayurveda or have been practicing for years, there's something here for you — and Kate's invitation is simple: take one thing and try it.   In this episode: Why 10pm is the magic bedtime hour — and what your body does when you miss it The midnight fire cycle that drives natural detoxification Morning practices that open channels of elimination Why your biggest meal belongs at midday The afternoon energy crash — and the 10-minute reset that beats it How to wind down from 6–10pm for deeper, more restorative sleep   Subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate for weekly episodes on Ayurvedic nutrition, seasonal living, and daily practices. Visit healwithkate.org to learn more. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals Link:  https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate CCF Tea : https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate7k3 Triphala: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate28g Kate's Discount code 15% off Banyan SPRINGWITHKATE

    34 min
  3. 80. I Brought 12 People to India for Panchakarma. Here's What Happened

    APR 15

    80. I Brought 12 People to India for Panchakarma. Here's What Happened

    After decades of traveling to India for her own Panchakarma practice — a tradition she kept almost entirely private — Kate O'Donnell finally brought a group. Twelve people. Twenty-one days. An Ayurvedic healing village nestled in the countryside near the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border, surrounded by coconut palms, temple chanting, and the gentle rhythm of cows heading out to pasture each morning. In this episode, Kate offers a day-in-the-life travel log of the experience, walking listeners through the structure of a Panchakarma day from sunrise chanting to evening group meetings. She describes the food, the treatments, the classes, the restricted screen time, and the unexpected depth of community that formed among strangers who became lifelong friends. Then she hands the mic to five participants — Susan, Sarah, Maya, Allison, and Bethany — who share, in their own words, what changed.   WHAT WE COVER Why Kate kept her India Panchakarma practice private for decades — and what changed What a day actually looks like at an Ayurvedic healing village (chanting, meals, treatments, classes, rest) The role of ritual, ceremony, and spirituality in Ayurvedic medicine How the healing village limits screens, sunlight, and stimulation during treatment Why community deepens the Panchakarma experience The common threads Kate observed in all participants after coming home: less internal noise, knowing what to do, and restored relationships Real participant voices: what shifted physically, mentally, and spiritually for five travelers NEXT TRIP: JANUARY 2027 Kate will be leading another group Panchakarma journey to India in mid-January 2027. The trip is approximately three weeks, ending around the first week of February.   To get on the waitlist: Visit: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/panchakarma-in-india DM @kateodonell.ayurveda on Instagram with the word INDIA Email hello@ayurvedicliving.institute Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals Link:  https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate CCF Tea : https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate7k3 Triphala: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate28g Kate's Discount code 15% off Banyan SPRINGWITHKATE

    44 min
  4. 79. How To Eat For Spring: Simple Ayurvedic Meal Ideas That Actually Work

    APR 8

    79. How To Eat For Spring: Simple Ayurvedic Meal Ideas That Actually Work

    Spring has its own hunger. In this solo episode, Kate shares what's actually stocked in her kitchen this time of year and how Ayurveda shapes the way she cooks and eats when the season shifts. No complicated recipes, no pressure to be perfect — just practical, seasonal ideas for when you open the fridge and feel completely lost.   Kate covers spring pantry staples including sprouted mung beans, white beans, chickpeas, asparagus, celery, kale, goat cheese, rye crackers, and corn tortillas. She walks through her signature blended soups (cream of asparagus, cream of celery, carrot-ginger-chickpea), a simple breakfast bok choy broth, quinoa cereal with hemp milk, and the goat cheese pinwheel that has officially earned its place as a lazy-kitchen hero.   Part two of the beloved "What To Eat When You Don't Know What To Eat" series. Recipes and seasonal guidance also in the Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook. Visit healwithkate.org for more. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals Link:  https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate CCF Tea : https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate7k3 Triphala: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate28g Kate's Discount code 15% off Banyan SPRINGWITHKATE

    28 min
  5. 78. How To Get Comprehensive Bloodwork and Actually Understand the Results

    APR 1

    78. How To Get Comprehensive Bloodwork and Actually Understand the Results

    The bloodwork conversation is everywhere right now — but are you getting the right tests, and do you know what to do with the results? Kate sits down with two functional medicine practitioners: Tracey O’Shea, medical director at the California Center for Functional Medicine and program director at the Kresser Institute, and Danielle Dellaquila, functional nutritionist and founder of Eagle Vision Nutrition. Together they demystify the comprehensive blood panel from both a clinical and nutritional perspective. What We Cover: What is missing from your standard annual bloodwork How functional medicine ranges differ from conventional lab ranges Full thyroid panels, iron panels, nutrient markers, and insulin Hormone testing in perimenopause: when labs help and when they do not The real out-of-pocket cost of a comprehensive panel ($399-$469) DIY bloodwork services: what they get right and where the gaps are How to balance data with body wisdom Find resources and practitioners at healwithkate.org. Order bloodwork with Danielle Dellaquila: https://www.eaglevisionnutrition.com/comprehensive-blood-analysis/ Danielle's Supplement Dispensary: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/ddellaquila/store-start   Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals Link:  https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate CCF Tea : https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate7k3 Triphala: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate28g Kate's Discount code 15% off Banyan SPRINGWITHKATE

    55 min
  6. 77. How To Clear Kapha This Spring: Simple Ayurvedic Remedies That Work

    MAR 25

    77. How To Clear Kapha This Spring: Simple Ayurvedic Remedies That Work

    If spring feels heavier than it should — slow digestion, morning congestion, low appetite, a persistent heaviness you can’t quite name — Ayurveda has a precise and practical explanation for what’s happening. In Episode 77, Kate O’Donnell goes deep on Kapha season: the Ayurvedic name for the late-winter-into-spring transition when excess moisture in the body starts moving, filling the cavities of the stomach, throat, lungs, and sinuses. This is not a malfunction. It’s biology. And once you understand it, you have real tools to work with.   This solo episode covers: The Ayurvedic science of spring: how cold and dry winter conditions create excess mucus, and why the seasonal thaw causes it to move through the body The primary seats of Kapha Dosha — stomach, mouth, throat, lungs, sinuses — and how each signals imbalance in spring The ginger-cumin water remedy: how to make it, why it works, and how to sip it throughout the day Ginger, lemon, and honey: the spring tonic Kate returns to every year and why Ayurveda insists on raw honey Nasya oil: how to use it in spring, when to skip it, and what to do instead if sinuses are congested Movement practices that mobilize lymph, with specific attention to the armpits and upper body Spring grains to favor: barley, millet, corn, buckwheat — and why oats and wheat tend to compound the problem Legumes as detox allies: mung beans, black beans, white beans, and why Kate reaches for them consistently this time of year What to reduce: cold drinks, heavy oils, daytime napping, wheat, dairy, meat, fried food, and sweets Pungent, bitter, and astringent foods — what they are, why they help, and easy ways to include them The most important single spring habit: not eating when you’re not hungry   Kate also offers an important note of nuance: these recommendations are seasonal medicine for those experiencing seasonal imbalance. If you feel great, that means your constitution is managing the transition beautifully. These tools are remedies, not obligations.   Resources mentioned: Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook by Kate O’Donnell Everyday Ayurveda Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind by Kate O’Donnell Nasya oil: link in show notes healwithkate.org for personalized seasonal support   Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals Link:  https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate CCF Tea : https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate7k3 Triphala: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate28g Kate's Discount code 15% off Banyan SPRINGWITHKATE

    32 min
  7. 76. The Vedic New Year and What It Means for Your Health Right Now

    MAR 18

    76. The Vedic New Year and What It Means for Your Health Right Now

    This week, Kate welcomes Vedic astrologer Kaya Mindlin for a one-of-a-kind episode: a full tour of the Vedic solar year, month by month, through the lens of health and Ayurveda. Kaya has spent 25 years studying the Vedic wisdom traditions — Jyotisha (the “eye of the Vedas”), yoga therapy, Vedic scripture, and Ayurveda — and brings a rare combination of depth and practical accessibility to everything she teaches. In Jyotisha, the sun rules health and vitality. As it moves through the 12 signs of the zodiac, it illuminates a different region of the body — from the head in Aries all the way down to the feet in Pisces. Each solar month offers specific guidance on what to cultivate, what to protect, and how to live in alignment with the patterns already built into the cosmos. Kate brings her deep Ayurvedic knowledge to each month, layering in herbs, body care practices, and seasonal wisdom at every turn. This is a conversation that rewards taking notes — and one you will return to throughout the year. What We Cover The Vedic New Year and why it begins in mid-April, not January 1st How the sun’s movement through the zodiac maps the human body from head to feet Aries season: courage, initiation, and the best time to start new health habits Taurus season: beauty, food, family, and reverence for the earth Gemini season: healing hands, communication, ear care, and sexuality Cancer season: home, heart, emotional health, and gut healing Leo season: vitality, heart health, creativity, and brain-supporting herbs Virgo season: digestion, daily habits, simplicity, and fall cleansing Libra season: balance, hormones, the kidneys, and not too much or too little Scorpio season: secrets, release, the colon, and deep inner work Sagittarius season: aiming before leaping, wise counsel, and why January resolutions fail Capricorn season: structure, strategy, and patiently implementing good habits Aquarius season: healing innovations, hair and nail care, and community healing Pisces season: purification, rest, ritual, foot care, and the end of the solar year Take-Home Practices Note which solar month you are currently in and focus your self-care accordingly Use the first half of January for contemplation and vision before acting on your resolutions Try ear oiling during Gemini season (mid-June to mid-July) Tend to the chest and emotional health during Cancer season (mid-July to mid-August) Simplify your diet and daily habits during Virgo season (mid-September to mid-October) Oil your feet nightly during Pisces season (mid-March to mid-April) and reflect on the year Guest Links Website: https://yogawithkaya.com/  Nectar of Time Program - monthly Vedic Astrology Forecasts, Rituals and Sacred Stories: https://yogawithkaya.com/nectar-of-time-membership/  ***10% Off Any Program with Kaya for Listeners with the coupon code: everydayayurveda10*** Private Vedic Astrology Consults: https://www.jyotishresolution.com/  Call to Action If this episode reframes how you move through the year, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who needs a new framework for seasonal health. For deeper support, visit healwithkate.org. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals Link:  https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate CCF Tea : https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate7k3 Triphala: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate28g Kate's Discount code 15% off Banyan SPRINGWITHKATE

    1h 18m
  8. 75. How Much Should You Actually Eat? An Ayurvedic Answer

    MAR 11

    75. How Much Should You Actually Eat? An Ayurvedic Answer

    One of the most common questions Kate hears no matter where she’s teaching in the world: How much food should I eat? Her answer is deeply Ayurvedic — it depends on your body, your season, your activity, and the density of what’s on your plate. In this solo episode, Kate delivers a practical, body-based framework grounded in ancient Ayurvedic nutrition principles. What You’ll Learn: The cupped-hands (anjali) portion guide from the ancient texts How body type, season, and daily activity affect how much you need Dense vs. light foods — and why the balance determines satisfaction How the six tastes of Ayurveda create true, lasting fullness The burp signal: your stomach’s built-in fullness cue The four-hour meal experiment to calibrate your natural hunger Why multitasking while eating makes it harder to know when you’re full How density needs shift during perimenopause and as we age Take-Home Practices: Cup your hands together and use that bowl as a rough portion reference Build each meal around dense foods, then balance with lighter elements Aim for all six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent After a natural burp during a meal, pause and check in with your body Run the four-hour experiment — track how long each meal sustains you RESOURCES healwithkate.org HEALTH DISCLAIMER The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or wellness routine. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals Link:  https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate CCF Tea : https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate7k3 Triphala: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate28g Kate's Discount code 15% off Banyan SPRINGWITHKATE

    30 min
See All (82)

5
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

Welcome to Everyday Ayurveda, a podcast by Kate O’Donnell, renowned Ayurvedic practitioner, bestselling author, and founder of the Ayurvedic Living Institute. Join Kate as she demystifies the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and translates it into practical, everyday practices for modern living. In each episode, Kate shares her deep knowledge and personal experiences from over two decades of studying Ayurveda in India. Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll discover valuable insights on diet, lifestyle, self-care, and holistic health. Everyday Ayurveda is your go-to resource for integrating the timeless principles of Ayurveda into your daily routine, fostering a life of balance, health, and happiness. Subscribe now and start your journey towards radiant well-being with Kate O’Donnell. Listen, learn, and transform with Everyday Ayurveda – because true health begins with the choices we make every day.

Information

  • Creator
    Kate O’Donnell
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Kate O’Donnell
  • Show Website
    Everyday Ayurveda with Kate

You Might Also Like