The Rainbo Podcast Tonya Papanikolov

A 20-minute Gratitude Meditation to help you access this powerful, healing state. Studies into the science of gratitude show that reliving stories and memories of when gratitude was genuinely given to you or someone else is the most potent way to shift your neural circuitry into gratitude and a pro-social mindset. Repeated gratitude practice changes how one's brain circuits work and how the brain and heart interact.

Most potent form of gratitude practice is not a form where you give it but where you receive it.





Gratitude, as illuminated by the intricate relationship between our brain and body, is a profound force that can revolutionize our lives. Studies underscore the remarkable power of narratives in fostering gratitude, with the benefits spanning a broad spectrum of well-being, from joy to cardiovascular health, mental resilience, and pro-social behavior. Gratitude's neural pro-social circuits offer a pathway to connect with others and dismantle defensive behaviors, countering Freud's notion that happiness is elusive. However, not all gratitude practices are equally effective; the most potent form lies in receiving thanks rather than giving it, as it activates empathy and Theory of Mind. Crafting an optimal gratitude practice involves immersing oneself in meaningful stories of gratitude, grounding the experience in genuine intentions, and repeating it to rewire the brain-heart connection. Ultimately, gratitude serves as a transformative force that, when harnessed effectively, can shift our neural circuitry, shaping a happier and more fulfilling life.



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I'm joined today by my dear friend Kate Taylor Martin, who is not only an amazing mother but also the founder of nutbar, a fan-favourite organic, superfood cafe in Toronto. Kate's journey as a holistic nutritionist and entrepreneur has been incredibly inspiring to witness over the past seven years of nutbar's journey. We have a discussion about Kate's passion for integrating mushrooms into nutbar's nutritious menu, the recent launch of their new product barmilk, and how she balances motherhood and owning a business. 

What I admire most about Kate is her commitment to her own well-being despite her extremely busy and demanding schedule. She shares her advice on defining what truly matters to you, establishing daily routines that support your goals, and her favorite biohacks that help her maintain balance and energy. 

Kate's vision for nutbar is about providing nourishing food and drinks while empowering people to tap into their potential for feeling their best - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Her dedication to this mission is a testament to her authenticity, wisdom, and genuine care for others. 



Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 



Topics Covered: 


A moment of reflection on your goals and priorities


The tension between giving to others and giving to yourself 


Tips for time management, building a strong team, and staying true to your vision


Advice for transitioning into business and parenthood


Kate’s emphasis on quality and nutrient density when choosing foods for her children


Switching from morning coffee to matcha for sustained energy and focus 


The role of medicinal mushrooms in nutbar's menu 


Introducing nutbar’s new product, barmilk 


nutbar’s growth is a sign of the café's commitment to quality and innovation





Guest Info: 


Learn more about nutbar: nutbar.co 


Check out barmilk: nutbar.co/barmilk 





Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: @tonyapapanikolove 

Follow Rainbo on Instagram: @rainbomushrooms 
Shop Rainbo: rainbo.com

I'm thrilled to introduce my new friend, Jasper Degenaars, the educational mycologist who runs Fungi Academy. With over 2000 students from 45+ countries, Jasper has taught people about the wonders of mushrooms with a mission to make learning about mycology easy, fun, and exciting! In our conversation, Jasper dives into Fungi Academy's spirit of community, educational mycology, and the healing power of fungi at the intersection of life and death. 

Fungi Academy serves not only as an educational center for mycology but also as an intentional community. We touch on the array of beautifully produced online courses offered by Fungi Academy that contain everything you will ever need to know about mushrooms. Plus, Jasper shares his story of leaving his corporate sales job after a life-changing encounter with psychedelics and his perspective on structured psychedelic therapy versus self-exploration. 

So many overlook the importance of fungi in our ecosystem. Jasper hopes that through education, people will start to see how crucial they are in sustaining life on Earth and fostering a closer connection between humanity and nature. 

Join us for a deep and insightful exploration of the relationship between fungi, nature, and the human experience. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered: 


An introduction to Jasper and Fungi Academy


Fungi Academy's approach to building intentional communities 


Their new course offering and its comprehensive modules


The often-overlooked importance of lichen in mycology


A brief lesson on the evolution of fungi 


Fungi’s role in sustaining life on Earth


Jasper's perspective on the holistic use of psychedelics


How fungi have aided Jasper and his community during challenging times



Guest Info: 


Follow Jasper on Instagram: @jasperiuss 


Follow Fungi Academy on Instagram: @fungiacademy 


Check out Fungi Academy’s new course: fungiacademy.com 



Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: @tonyapapanikolove 
Follow Rainbo on Instagram: @rainbomushrooms 
Shop Rainbo: rainbo.com

It’s a beautiful time to be in conversation with the lovely Tara Thomas. Tara is a chef, community organizer, and co-founder of the nonprofit, Breaking Bread, and also provides consulting and creative direction in the world of food. In this episode, we chat about her deep hunger (literally) and passion for food ethics and how that evolved into a career focused on bringing awareness to people’s authority over their wellbeing. 

Tara shares how it was important for her work life and personal life to blend, and we discuss Tara’s vision dedicated to food politics and change the world, as well as the importance of rest in contrast to buzzy creative energy. Plus, Tara shares her relationships to fungi and mushrooms and we compare notes on what kind of mushroom we’re currently foraging. 

We can all bring more awareness and appreciation to our food. Tara believes that food sovereignty allows us to understand where our food comes from and serves as gudiance for bringing ethical standards throughout every process of producing food — it affects everything and everyone involved. 

This is a beautiful conversation about creativity, community, and how food sovereignty can provide authority in our own life to nourish ourselves and our communities. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:


Tara’s entrance into food and imagination as a kid


How dropping out of school was Tara’s way of finding authority 


Tara’s interest in studying food politics and the ethics behind food  


The story of Breaking Bread’s launch during the Geroge Floyd protests


Rest as resistance in comparison to the energetic creative buzz


Tara’s love of foraging and what mushrooms have taught her



Guest Info: 


Follow Tara on Instagram @cheftarathomas


Following Breaking Bread on Instagram @breakingbread.ny



Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: @tonyapapanikolove 
Follow Rainbo on Instagram: @rainbomushrooms 
Shop Rainbo: rainbo.com

It’s a beautiful time to be in conversation with my friend and new mother, Chelsea Leyland. Chelsea is the co-founder of the menstrual health and wellness company, Looni, and is an epilepsy and endometriosis plant medicine advocate and activist. In this episode, we chat about her journey with two chronic conditions, natural forms of healing, and the necessity of body literacy throughout the healthcare system.

When there’s no education alongside information, how can informed decisions be made? Chelsea shares her experience with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and how she found cannabidiol to help ease her pain and symptoms. After a later-in-life endometriosis diagnosis, Chelsea began to navigate ways to find healing and ease her pain. Chelsea and I discuss our connection to pain, allopathic vs. naturopathic forms of healing, and how having a “healing toolbox” is powerful for supporting and honoring both our menstrual cycles and the cycles throughout life. 

We can all take steps toward a more holistic, nurturing approach to our bodies, starting with grounding practices to help regulate the nervous system and bring inflammation down. Chelsea believes that education allows us to demand better policies. Because we deserve better. And we deserve awareness and change. 

This is a beautiful conversation about finding personal forms of healing and sharing those findings as an advocate for a healthier, more aware world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:


How Chelsea’s endometriosis story began with epilepsy


Chelsea’s life-changing experience with cannabinoids


Chelsea’s activism and a documentary alongside her sister


Why it took 10 years to diagnose Chelsea with endometriosis 


How endometriosis responds to natural medicine and stress management


Chelsea’s opinion of and connection to pain


The power of an open mind around healing  


Looni’s first year in the menstrual health and wellness space 



Resources Mentioned:


WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source by Alisa Vitti

Guest Info: 


Follow Chelsea on Instagram @chelseleyland


Chelsea’s company, Looni



Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: @tonyapapanikolove 
Follow Rainbo on Instagram: @rainbomushrooms 
Shop Rainbo: rainbo.com

I am delighted to be in conversation alongside my friend and inspiration, Liz Tran. Liz is an executive coach and founder of Reset, an executive coaching company to CEOs and founders, as well as a meditation teacher and Reiki master. In this episode, we talk about Liz’s journey of coming into an altruistic way of life, her struggles along the path, and how sharing her experiences with others ultimately provided her with a newfound sense of purpose. 

External success is inevitable once your internal world is in alignment. Liz shares the process and inspiration around the making of her new book, The Karma of Success, which was built around intuitive work and the inner genius. Liz and I discuss the cycle of comparison, how Human Design shows up in our professional and personal lives, and Liz details the journey of hitting a rock bottom in order to learn true self-worth. 

We can all find professional and personal success once our internal world, actions, and values are in alignment. Liz believes that when we look for the things we love, we are looking for the things in our “zone of genius” —  and can use those findings to tap into our inner voice to find success as our own greatest fan, cheerleader, and leader.  

This is a candid conversation about redefining achievement on your own terms, and Liz’s process for trusting intuition and following it.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:


Liz’s writing process and releasing her book into the world 


Accessing and trusting your intuition 


Why Liz wanted to write her book, The Karma of Success  


How to get off the hamster wheel of comparison


Liz’s journey toward self-worth and self-love 


How sharing experiences with others gave Liz a sense of purpose


Liz’s experience with the “zone of genius” 


Work as sacred and part of the spiritual journey



Resources Mentioned:


My Human Design
Option B by Sheryl Sandberg
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks 



Guest Info: 


Follow Liz on Instagram @heyliztran


Follow Reset on Instagram @resetnyc


The Karma of Success by Liz Tran: 9780593542446 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books


Reset with Liz Tran podcast



Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: @tonyapapanikolove 
Follow Rainbo on Instagram: @rainbomushrooms 
Shop Rainbo: rainbo.com