Live Well. Be Wise

Kari Lyons Price
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Deepening the well-being conversation---the podcast that finds the Gold in your stories of hardship and the connection to Wise action and lived Wellness! Hosted by Kari Lyons-Price & Dorrinda Carlson. Our Mission:Sharing stories that reconnect the divide within us and between us through the shared human experience. Sparking connection, inspiration and possibility that helps our community be a place where we can connect, learn and grow—together! Here's how it all began... "Hey Dorrinda, let's do lunch." "Ok, any special occasion?" "Nope, just wanna connect and feast in your presence." (oh and I also have an idea for a podcast?!) The brainstorm began and even though we both work in the mental health & wellness field, we quickly ruled out a Wellness podcast because of how overdone they already are. We felt they primarily skim the surface with a repeat loop of ''expert" advice, gimmicks and trends. We wanted to go deeper--much deeper.   What's the real story I wondered, "how do some people manage to be well amidst all kinds of hardship and others with every resource known to humankind, can't even catch the tail of what it means to be well." What is that thing within us that motivates us to be well--to find our wellness?  We're not talking about a health goal or a number, a state that is achieved.  We're talking about wellness as a state of mind; contentedness, balance, or an optimal state of being.  And then the VISION fully landed... At Live Well. Be Wise, we are on a mission to engage with people beneath the "doing" and the products, to find out how wellness is a living, breathing, personal thing that gets shaped through life itself!  Told directly to you by the individuals who have lived it. No experts, no products, and no judgment. Raw, powerful, real life stories told by everyday people about how they met the challenges and hardships of life and came out the other side.   At Live Well. Be Wise we answer the questions: how do we learn and grow through the storms of life? what is the wisdom process? how do we cultivate it on purpose?And...how does our wisdom process inform our wellness? Live Well. Be Wise is based in North Central Washington State and is explicitly a community-based podcast.  This is a place to hear the stories of your neighbors. To celebrate diversity in all ways and to bridge the divide between us; culturally, economically, politically and personally.  Through the shared human experience called, "story" we hope to connect each of us to one another. To recognize parts of ourselves in our neighbors story. And to allow this shared humanity to be an anchor for building connection, community and goodness, one day at a time. Reach out, share your story, be inspired to cultivate your own wisdom path through hard things. We are 100% in this together! Kari & Dorrinda  

  1. "Rise Up-- A Cancer Warriors Journey"

    JAN 29

    "Rise Up-- A Cancer Warriors Journey"

    Welcome back friends for Season 2!  Dorrinda and I are profoundly grateful for your support (listening & sharing) and are thrilled to be back with a full year worth of episodes that aim to inspire hope, connect us across the divide, and foster learning & growth for ourselves and our communities. Today we kick off Season 2 with an incredible story as told by community member, Kim Fowler. She is a cancer warrior and now a survivor, in full remission from stage-3 metastatic breast cancer. Her journey is not just about the fight against cancer, but what was required to heal her life in multiple layers. Kim shares her fiercely won wisdom on the importance of community, what it means to be your own best advocate, when to ask questions and when to rest. She hides nothing and shares her heart in such a way that will warm your heart and give you hope if you too are living with cancer.  A fierce advocate, a compassionate ally and the “wig lady” at Cancer Support Community Central Washington, (formerly The Wellness Place of Wenatchee).  She is ready to be of service to those who now stand where she once stood.   Kim is an inspiration to us all and her “shine,” as she calls it, is truly the product of her life, cancer and all. She even says how grateful she is to have had cancer, "it's like the weirdest thing, but it changed my life inside out." She closes with saying how cancer has been a mind-altering, soul-altering journey. It helped her find a more meaningful way of living and being in relationship with her body-mind and heart.  Bio: Kim is 64 years-old and married to Mr. Wonderful, Kurt Fowler, her 2nd hubby, of 32 years. Her marriage is his, mine and ours on kids. Three kids from her first marriage, twins from his first and a boy and girl together. All together 5 girls, 2 boys and 13 grandchildren. Kim retired from JCPenneys Salon 4 1/2 years ago, where she was the salon manager. She was in the beauty business around 40 years. She loves to read, do yoga, listen to music and play with her grand-babies. Being in nature is always good medicine for Kim. She loves meeting new people, making friends and connecting with like minded people. Life is beautiful! Local Cancer Care Resources Recommended by Kim: 1. Cancer Support Community Central Washington (formerly The Wellness Place) 2. EASE - Exercise & Survivorship Education

    50 min
  2. "Cultivando Mis Raíces" "Cultivating My Roots"

    12/30/2025

    "Cultivando Mis Raíces" "Cultivating My Roots"

    In episode-11 Briseldy Hernandez - Ramos tells us how growing up Latina in a white world had her constantly wondering what it meant to belong.  Facing the challenges of growing up in a migrant farm-working family, moving from school to school, in environments of racial bias and prejudice, she struggled to see herself in the spaces she found herself in. After years using heavy cosmetics to lighten her dark skin she says, “I had to learn what it was to really be me.”  She began writing in middle school, finding an outlet to express her raw feelings and experiences. It was here she could finally give words to what it was like to walk in her "worn out shoes."  Then she spent 3-years doing community organizing work, with Rural People's Voice. This, she says, helped her fully find her voice and uncover those parts of herself that had previously been hidden. She highlights how she learned to meet conflict with skills of active, intentional listening and personal vulnerability.  Briseldy shares her first published poem, "Minecraft Audios & I" and how she  brought together Minecraft audios and the insidious fear for Latino families in current times. Be inspired by this young woman. She models with grace and vulnerability, how we can all choose to grow through hardship on purpose. She plans to fight for social, racial and economic justice. Bio: Briseldy Herandez-Ramos is a 20-year-old senior at the University of Washington majoring in Law, Economics & Public Policy with a minor in Creative Writing. Briseldy is involved in over six cohorts, multiple political leadership councils, and holds a variety of leadership roles that push for racial, social and economic justice. This includes being a council member for Sage Leader’s Political Leadership Council, a social services intern at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, an Organizer at Rural People’s Voice, a field manager at Environment Washington, an active member for Washington State’s Public Health Association, being awarded the Seattle Poetry Fellowship and selected for the Washington Youth Arts Leadership program and finally, a published author. Briseldy has made a profound impact on the lives of many. Specifically, with in-depth canvassing experience at Rural People’s Voice, she helped stop the repeal of I-2109 and I-2117 (Capital Gains Tax and the Climate Commitment Act) that provided immense support for working families, students, and children. Focusing on creative nonfiction, she writes about immigrant injustices stemming from her own. Briseldy is deeply inspired by her brother, Kevin, who, alongside her, continues paving the way for those who once stood in fear. Resources: 1. Briseldy's poem "Minecraft Audios & I"  2. Rural People's Voice En el episodio 11, Briseldy Hernandez-Ramos nos cuenta cómo crecer como latina en un mundo blanco la llevó a preguntarse constantemente qué significaba pertenecer. Al enfrentarse a los desafíos de crecer en una familia de trabajadores agrícolas migrantes, cambiando de escuela, a menudo en entornos de prejuicios y prejuicios raciales, le costó reconocerse en los espacios en los que se encontraba. Tras años usando maquillaje intenso para aclarar su piel oscura, dice: "Tuve que aprender a ser realmente yo misma." Comenzó a escribir en la secundaria, encontrando una vía de escape para expresar sus sentimientos y experiencias más crudas. Fue allí donde finalmente pudo expresar con palabras lo que era caminar con sus "zapatos desgastados." Luego, pasó tres años trabajando en la organización comunitaria con Rural People's Voice. Esto, dice, la ayudó a encontrar su voz y a descubrir esas partes de sí misma que antes habían estado ocultas.

    46 min
  3. "We Will Know a Tree by its Fruits"

    11/30/2025

    "We Will Know a Tree by its Fruits"

    In episode 10, we sit down with community member Zoe Jaspers to talk about the very real intersection in his life between Christian faith and being transgender (someone whose gender is different than the gender they were assumed to be at birth).  Just as a trans-Atlantic journey crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the trans-gender journey crosses gender (from that assigned at birth). How can we navigate understanding in these waters with grace and curiosity instead of judgment and fear? With incredible depth and clarity, Zoe tells us the story of how he walked into the Christian faith and how it became the safe and supportive community that allowed him to explore his faithful journey through gender.   Zoe shows us what it means to be curious, even with fear, and move forward anyway. He shares... what it means to have lived as a woman but to never feel at home in his body as such.the difference between performing gender norms versus knowing with authenticity who you are.how femininity continues to play a role in his life as a man and how he embodies both.how he intentionally approached his medical transition and how hormone treatment has brought him clarity and peace of body, mind, and spirit. Zoe walks us through multiple pathways to understanding: in terms of Christian scripture and theology, as well as simply through his lived experience. He unpacks concepts around co-creation, resurrection, “knowing a tree by its fruits,” and more. If there is someone out there who can humbly be in service to connecting the people inside the trans experience and those outside of it--it is Zoe Jaspers. Please join us friends and neighbors, as we cross this bridge with compassion and understanding —together. Bio: Zoe Jaspers (he/they) serves as a Christian minister in the Wenatchee Valley, focused especially at the intersection of justice history, contemplative spirituality, and collective liberation. Outside of their work in direct ministry, Zoe loves reading on topics of all sorts (recent topics of note include speleology and mycology), learning various fibercrafts like knitting and embroidery, sipping iced coffee at the farmer’s market, and befriending all cats. Resources: 1. Sunnyslope Church: https://www.sunnyslopechurch.org/ 2. Interfaith Justice Coalition: interfaithncw@gmail.com

    54 min
  4. "This Is Your Day!"

    10/27/2025

    "This Is Your Day!"

    Join us today for Episode-8 as we sit down with Jaime Donegan, a neighbor and creator in the Wenatchee Valley! His story begins and ends with this statement, "this is your day..." "How do we get off the hamster wheel of life, motivated solely by other people's demands, and return to our own rhythm and pace?"  Jaime tells us how to do just this! With purpose and passion Jaime shares how he came to his foundational truth --to live a life that he wanted to live, AND how it has helped him fulfill his life's mission. We talk about: how his first grade teacher helped him find his "voice"how significant loss took him on a 3-month grief trek in the Himalayasthe exact moment he decided to get out of "the race" and live for himselfAND...what it means to live a "home-free" lifeIf you have never met Jaime Donegan or been significantly inspired by someone else's unconventional and creative life, now is your chance.  AND if you are struggling with being the creator of your own life, he gives specific tips to start that journey of finding your own voice and living the life you deserve and desire. Enjoy! Bio: Jaime Donegan is a native of Indiana and a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, IN and is the owner of Jaime Donegan Productions.  Jaime has directed Follies Variety Shows that are used as charity fundraisers for 41 years. He has produced shows in 38 states and has helped to raise over 18 million dollars for various charities and community projects. In addition to his own production company, Jaime has also been the CEO of Meridian Creative Artist Development Company in New York City and continues to work with all types of artists across the country by coaching them and helping them polish their performance skills.  In 2013, Jaime started the Hot August Nights summer theater series at the Numerica Performing Arts Center in Wenatchee, WA and is also co-creator/director of Holiday Spicier at the PAC.   When not directing theatrical productions Jaime can be found growing grapes, landscaping, making, drinking and pouring wine at Fielding Hills Winery on beautiful lake Chelan or traveling the world in search of adventure and incredible life experiences.     Finding balance in life is always the goal.

    46 min
  5. "Life is Happening For Me"

    09/27/2025

    "Life is Happening For Me"

    If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to heal at the deepest layers possible, question everything, leave integral parts of yourself behind, and come out the other side with a smile on your face, you must meet Blake Suzelis. His story of hardship begins at birth, when he is born with his intestines on the outside of his abdomen, a condition called gastroschisis. He has not only survived the prognosis given to his mother of 3-years old, but has gone on to become a mental health practitioner and now a doctor of Mindbody Medicine.  Through decades of physical challenges, cancer diagnoses and a 17-day coma while visiting Peru, Blake shares how he has found himself again and again— awakened. All of which have birthed his incredible 3-part healing system that he teaches through his work at Vital Evolution.  His story is one of profound grit, grace and healing. Blake is a clear teacher and role model of what it means to embody a growth mindset, to Live Lucky, and be committed to learning to Live Well and Be Wise. Bio: Dr. Blake Suzelis, PhD, Mindbody Medicine, is a holistic therapist, researcher, and cancer warrior whose work bridges science and spirituality to understand the innate ability to heal. After being born with a birth defect, diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and surviving near-death experiences, Blake devoted his life to understanding spontaneous remission — leading the first quantitative study on the mind-body-spirit role in cancer healing. He is the founder of Vital Evolution, the only Three-Phase holistic cancer retreat model in the U.S., where he guides individuals through a transformative mind-body-spirit healing approach combining neuroscience, epigenetics, spirituality, and lived wisdom. Resources: 1. 3- Part Healing Guide:  www.vitalevolution.com/healingguide 2. Blake's websites: www.vitalevolution.com; www.liveluckytherapy.com; www.blakesuzelis.com 3. Blake's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vital-evolution/id1637349654  4. Blake's Healing Retreat in East Wenatchee On October 25, 2025. https://www.vitalevolution.com/event-details-registration/awaken-your-bodys-healing-power-in-wa

    44 min
  6. "Learning to Relax into Discomfort" with Kelly Condefer

    08/27/2025

    "Learning to Relax into Discomfort" with Kelly Condefer

    In episode #7 we are honored to sit down with community member and healthcare provider, Kelly Condefer. You may never get this much authenticity from your own doctor, but you will in this episode! She tells about her experience of seeking happiness in achievement and her life-long battle with depression. With humor and humility she shares what she found at the top of "the ladder" of success and what it took to break through this myth and mindset. We unpack the cultural and familial beliefs and values that build a false mindset of acquiring happiness and how growing up this way caused her deepest wound.  The wound of not belonging.  Hear how she walked through her own dark night of the soul and came to know "happiness is within you, you can't acquire it."  Dr. Condefer also shares her wellness practices that have allowed her to re-train her nervous system.  She says, "The cold water has trained my nervous system to relax into the discomfort, and accept that it's there." A story filled with inspiration, and hope that could leave you pondering your own path to happiness and who knows, even considering a cold plunge!!  She leaves us with several powerful questions as prompts for our own path to Wellness & Wisdom:  1. Can you embody a feeling that you want to have in your life?  2. Feel, in your body, what it means to be well? 3. Do you know what your deepest wound is and can you be with it? Bio:  Kelly has been a practicing neurologist in Wenatchee for the past 15 years.  She is fascinated by the mysteries of the nervous system and the challenges she helps her patients face in dealing with neurological conditions.  One of her greatest joys is making heartfelt connections with her patients, and she has a strong interest in helping people understand the connection between experienced traumas and functional neurological disorders.  When not serving as a doctor, she is a dedicated animal lover and plant cultivator, and lives with her partner Neal and scrappy pup Scout (AKA Pupcup), and sweet kitties Nellie and Fitzpatrick. Resources: 1. Book "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle, 2004. 2. Teresa of Avila, The golden palace 3. The “Ice Man,” or Wim Hof Method

    33 min
  7. "The Voice of My Emotion:" Part II

    08/06/2025

    "The Voice of My Emotion:" Part II

    Part II of II in this Series! If you've missed Part I, please go back and listen to that in Episode-5 when we first met Juan Pablo Suarez. Today you will hear us deepen the conversation we began in Part I.  Juan Pablo shares with us how part of his journey to Wellness was realizing the dream of becoming a father. He shares his "domino effect" and how it all came into place. Highlighting how mental and emotional health can impact our physical health and beyond, we celebrate this deeply inspiring conversation with a funny and insightful young man in our community.  We discuss how Juan Pablo found freedom in his life by saying "no" and how it allows him more space to know and accept himself more fully. He unpacks what it means to care for himself and for others and the importance of keeping his agenda and unsolicited advice out of it. His learning around knowing what is his to fix and what is not, is such a powerful lesson for us all!  Beyond and through it all, Juan Pablo has learned in his young 31-years the power of story.  He wholeheartedly believes that if he doesn't share his story, then it will be told incorrectly by the world at large. His passion is to share his life so that others will share theirs and through the process, for people to connect & learn from their mistakes.  He says, "we don't have a straight way to go through life, but we gotta go!" Don't forget to connect with Juan Pablo by checking out his resources! Resources: 1. Book- "Entre los rotos / Among the Broken" by Premio Mauricio Achar 2019. 2. Juan Pablo’s passion project: La Voc de mi Emocion presents, "Al borde del colapso" Find out more & follow on TikTok! Spanish: Hoy nos escucharán profundizar en la conversación que iniciamos en la Parte I. Juan Pablo nos cuenta cómo parte de su camino hacia el bienestar fue hacer realidad su sueño de ser padre. Comparte su "efecto dominó" y cómo todo se concretó. Destacando cómo la salud mental y emocional puede impactar nuestra salud física y más allá, celebramos esta conversación profundamente inspiradora con un joven divertido y perspicaz de nuestra comunidad. Hablamos de cómo Juan Pablo encontró libertad en su vida al decir "no" y cómo esto le permite más espacio para conocerse y aceptarse más plenamente. Nos explica lo que significa cuidar de sí mismo y de los demás, y la importancia de mantener sus intereses personales y los consejos no solicitados al margen. Su aprendizaje sobre qué debe arreglar y qué no es una lección poderosa para todos nosotros. Más allá de todo esto, Juan Pablo ha aprendido a sus 31 años el poder de las historias. Cree firmemente que si no comparte su historia, el mundo la contará incorrectamente. Su pasión es compartir su vida para que otros compartan la suya y, a través del proceso, conectar con otros y aprender de sus errores. Dice: «No tenemos un camino recto por la vida, ¡pero tenemos que recorrerlo!». ¡No olvides conectar con Juan Pablo consultando sus recursos! Recursos: -Libro que le cambió la vida: Entre los rotos (Premio Mauricio Achar 2019). Disponible en cualquier tienda de libros. -El proyecto de pasión de Juan Pablo: La Voz de mi Emoción presenta "Al borde del colapso". ¡Descubre más siguiéndolo en TikTok!

    30 min
  8. "The Voice of My Emotion" Part I

    07/28/2025

    "The Voice of My Emotion" Part I

    This interview takes place in 2 parts: Part I is here & Part II coming soon! Today we hear from community member Juan Pablo Suarez.  He shares about learning to live in the present moment and how living in the past or in the future keeps us from being happy.   We talk about what it means to live an authentic life. He says, “One day I woke up and decided to be myself.” Juan Pablo also shares about the deep impact suicide and death has had in his life.  We unpack the family pattern of how work was non-negotiable and about pushing past your limits. He believes these patterns contributed to the early deaths of his uncle, his grandmother and his father. His wish is not to repeat their mistakes.  Juan Pablo works at Rural People's Voice where he is a community organizer. He says if I can share and open myself to others, maybe I can inspire others to express themselves. He wants people to know, it’s okay not to be okay and there is strength is owning your emotions. He is creating a platform to help people share their stories.  He is currently collecting letters of people’s stories for this project called, “Al borde del collapso."  Resources: 1. Book- "Entre los rotos / Among the Broken" by Premio Mauricio Achar 2019. 2. Juan Pablo’s passion project: La Voc de mi Emocion presents, "Al borde del colapso" Find out more & follow on TikTok! Spanish: En el episodio 5, exploramos el Bienestar y la Sabiduría a través de relaciones fallidas, errores familiares y lo que significa ser vulnerable. Esta entrevista consta de dos partes: ¡La Parte I ya está aquí y la Parte II próximamente! Hoy escuchamos a Juan Pablo Suárez, vecino y miembro de la comunidad. Nos habla sobre aprender a vivir el presente y cómo vivir en el pasado o preocuparse por el futuro nos impide ser felices. Dice: "Cuando siempre deseamos algo más para ser felices, no disfrutamos de lo que tenemos y no vivimos el presente". Hablamos de lo que significa vivir una vida auténtica. Dice: "Un día me desperté y decidí ser yo mismo". Este pensamiento lo infundió en valentía. Dijo que después de esto, todo en su vida comenzó a cambiar. Sabía que tenía que actuar para estar más presente. Juan Pablo también habla sobre el profundo impacto que el suicidio y la muerte han tenido en su vida. Analizamos el patrón familiar de cómo el trabajo era innegociable y sobre superar los límites. Nunca aprender a descansar. Cree que estos patrones contribuyeron a la muerte prematura de su tío, su abuela y su padre. Su deseo es no repetir sus errores. Juan Pablo aprendió a sentir y, en los momentos difíciles, se dio cuenta de que expresar sus sentimientos (incluso cuando son vulnerables) lo hacía más vivo y conectado con su yo auténtico. Juan Pablo dijo que ir a terapia para comprenderse mejor realmente lo cambió todo. Juan Pablo es un joven emprendedor. Dijo: "Descubrí que me gusta mucho intentar ayudar a la gente y, en el proceso, me ayudo a mí mismo". Si puedo compartir historias y abrirme a los demás, tal vez pueda inspirar a otros a expresarse. Al final, quiere que la gente sepa que está bien no estar bien. Y que la fuerza reside en mostrar las emociones. Juan Pablo trabaja en Rural People's Voice, donde es organizador comunitario. Lleva sus perspectivas de vida a su comunidad creando una plataforma para ayudar a las personas a compartir sus emociones e historias. Actualmente recopila cartas (escritas a mano) con historias para su proyecto "Al borde del colapso". ¡Síguelo en TikTok! Recursos: -Libro que le cambió la vida: Entre los rotos (Premio Mauricio Achar 2019). Disponible en cualquier tienda de libros. -El proyecto de pasión de Juan Pablo: La Voz de mi Emoción presenta "Al borde del colapso". ¡Descubre más siguiéndolo en TikTok!

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Deepening the well-being conversation---the podcast that finds the Gold in your stories of hardship and the connection to Wise action and lived Wellness! Hosted by Kari Lyons-Price & Dorrinda Carlson. Our Mission:Sharing stories that reconnect the divide within us and between us through the shared human experience. Sparking connection, inspiration and possibility that helps our community be a place where we can connect, learn and grow—together! Here's how it all began... "Hey Dorrinda, let's do lunch." "Ok, any special occasion?" "Nope, just wanna connect and feast in your presence." (oh and I also have an idea for a podcast?!) The brainstorm began and even though we both work in the mental health & wellness field, we quickly ruled out a Wellness podcast because of how overdone they already are. We felt they primarily skim the surface with a repeat loop of ''expert" advice, gimmicks and trends. We wanted to go deeper--much deeper.   What's the real story I wondered, "how do some people manage to be well amidst all kinds of hardship and others with every resource known to humankind, can't even catch the tail of what it means to be well." What is that thing within us that motivates us to be well--to find our wellness?  We're not talking about a health goal or a number, a state that is achieved.  We're talking about wellness as a state of mind; contentedness, balance, or an optimal state of being.  And then the VISION fully landed... At Live Well. Be Wise, we are on a mission to engage with people beneath the "doing" and the products, to find out how wellness is a living, breathing, personal thing that gets shaped through life itself!  Told directly to you by the individuals who have lived it. No experts, no products, and no judgment. Raw, powerful, real life stories told by everyday people about how they met the challenges and hardships of life and came out the other side.   At Live Well. Be Wise we answer the questions: how do we learn and grow through the storms of life? what is the wisdom process? how do we cultivate it on purpose?And...how does our wisdom process inform our wellness? Live Well. Be Wise is based in North Central Washington State and is explicitly a community-based podcast.  This is a place to hear the stories of your neighbors. To celebrate diversity in all ways and to bridge the divide between us; culturally, economically, politically and personally.  Through the shared human experience called, "story" we hope to connect each of us to one another. To recognize parts of ourselves in our neighbors story. And to allow this shared humanity to be an anchor for building connection, community and goodness, one day at a time. Reach out, share your story, be inspired to cultivate your own wisdom path through hard things. We are 100% in this together! Kari & Dorrinda  

Information

  • Creator
    Kari Lyons Price
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Live Well. Be Wise
  • Show Website
    Live Well. Be Wise