The Heart and Bones Podcast Brea Johnson

Can building a deeper relationship to the land help with sleep? Discover the wisdom of plants, their lifecycle, and how they support rest, sleep, and even dream work with Leigh Joseph (she/her), PhD, founder of the Squamish-based plant-based skincare business Skwalwen Botanicals. Leigh joins Brea Johnson to explore the deep connections between plants, people, and the places they inhabit. 
In this episode, Leah shares insights from her dual perspective as an ethnobotanist and a member of the Squamish First Nation. She discusses the importance of establishing reciprocal relationships with plants and the land, emphasizing the role of Indigenous plant knowledge in nurturing these connections.
Leigh explains the wisdom of plants, their lifecycle, and how they support rest, sleep, and even dream work. She illustrates how plants like mint and coastal sage can soothe and prepare us for sleep, and how plants appear in our dreams to teach us. The episode also covers the transformative power of visualization practices in connecting us to meaningful places and memories, offering a meaningful way to engage with the natural world, even from urban settings.
About Leigh Joseph
Leigh Joseph, also known by her ancestral name Styawat, is a trained ethnobotanist, researcher, activist, and the Indigenous founder of Sḵwálwen, a plant-based skincare company dedicated to sustainable and culturally informed practices. As a mother, wife, daughter, and community leader within the Squamish Nation, she integrates Western scientific methods with the rich teachings from her community to foster deeper connections between people and the natural world. Her work is driven by a passion to heal the intergenerational effects of cultural trauma, protecting collective knowledge and bringing indigenous plants into modern wellness practices.
Website
Instagram @skwalwenbotanicals
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More Sleep Resources:
If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.
Explore the program and start your free trial to here.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Description of Skincare Business
02:23 Leigh Joseph's Background as an Ethnobotanist
05:13 The Importance of Reconnecting with Nature
09:01 The Simplicity and Wisdom of Plants
11:24 Plants that Support Rest and Sleep
20:07 Trusting the Intangible and Listening to the Natural World
24:54 Honouring and Respecting the Natural World as a Radical Act
28:08 The Healing Power of Visualization Practices
30:00 Reconnecting with Indigenous Heritage through the Land
36:23 Finding Meaning in Small Acts of Connection with Nature

What if our daily struggles with energy and sleep aren't just personal problems, but a clash between modern life and ancient biological rhythms? Jessa Gamble she/her, an award-winning science writer and journalist, takes us into the world of circadian rhythms in this episode. Through her book The Siesta and the Midnight Sun, Jessa explores how deeply these rhythms are embedded in the fabric of all living organisms, influencing our alertness, health, and even emotional well-being.
Jessa discusses the profound impact of artificial light on our natural sleep cycles and how societal pressures further skew our body clocks. She advocates for realigning our lives with the natural cycles of light and darkness to not only improve sleep but also enhance our overall health.
About Jessa Gamble
Jessa Gamble is a prominent Canadian science writer and co-owner of the Last Word on Nothing blog. Her fascination with how circadian rhythms shape life on Earth has led her to explore how aligning more closely with these natural patterns could revolutionize our approach to health and productivity. Jessa’s insights challenge us to rethink our daily routines and advocate for a healthier integration of natural rhythms in a technology-driven world.
Blog: https://www.lastwordonnothing.com/
Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/417234/the-siesta-and-the-midnight-sun-by-jessa-gamble/9780143185857
More Sleep Resources:
If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.
Explore the program and start your free trial to here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/better-sleep-program/
Chapters
00:00 The Fascination with Circadian Rhythms
04:20 The Role of Light in Regulating Circadian Rhythms
09:04 Cultural and Societal Influences on Sleep Patterns
13:16 Prioritizing Rest and Honoring Biological Needs
29:21 Living in Sync with the Natural Light-Dark Cycle
39:45 Recreating a 12-Hour Light-Dark Cycle for Better Sleep
43:31 The Benefits of Restful Practices for Sleep
 
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Enjoy tips and inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga/

What do you do when lying awake in bed, stressed about not sleeping? Sleep specialist, Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell joins the podcast today to discuss the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being and gives us important strategies and perspectives on creating healthy bedtime routines and reducing sleep anxiety.

What? Don’t be good at teaching, what kind of advice is that? Sounds wild, but it’s true. The secret to being a good yoga teacher is to not be good at teaching. Take a listen to find out what that actually means!

Is labeling your classes beginner or advanced doing more harm than good? Listen as we explore this important question!

Are you a good teacher if you can’t do all the poses? Absolutely