The Spa In Me Podcast
The Spa in Me Podcast focuses on self care practices, spas, health and wellness destinations and practitioners, and acts of compassion and kindness.
Donna Johnson is an avid reader, and has been known to be so since the age of two. According to family folklore, she was born with a book in her hand. She doesn’t recall a time not being surrounded by, or, reading books. Books have been her joy, her peace and her escape. She finds it fitting that she would be involved in every aspect in which literature can be shared and celebrated.
Such a moment happened in 2017 when she stumbled upon the #bookstagram community on Instagram, a corner in the virtual universe where she could share her love for reading with others who also enjoyed the written words of a book. This was the birth of This Browne Girl Reads. Two years later after enduring many of life’s unpleasantness, she needed an escape and wanted to have conversations and more dialogue. Though nervous and unsure, she launched the This Browne Girl Reads Facebook private group and the Public Kulture Page. These three wonderful communities are her pride and joy. She’s thankful for every member of each. She loves the engagement and the connections formed. This Browne Girl Reads focuses on black literature but it includes members of any gender, non-binary, and any race.
She has visions of contributing more to the literary community but will do so in baby steps.
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/276972226398879/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thisbrownegirlreads/
Joyce Ayers discovered her love of Thai Yoga Body Therapy after attending a day long workshop that was part of her yoga teacher training. After the workshop, her energy was balanced, she experienced more clarity, and the muscle tension she had was greatly reduced. Thai yoga body therapy works from the inside out touching all areas of your body, mind, soul, spirit, energy, and emotions. As a Soul Awakening coach, Thai Yoga Body Therapy supports the change in people’s lives they desire through the body’s wisdom and new vibrancy. Joyce received her Thai training in 2014 and completed her 500 level yoga training in 2019. It is Joyce’s passion to help people discover an awakening within themselves that is accessible and possible.
Website: https://awakenwellnesswithinreach.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfuljoyce/
Dr. Cass Naumann is an acupuncturist, an Asian bodyworker, a Reiki master and teacher, and a certified yoga teacher with over 15 years of experience teaching various styles of Yoga, Tai Qi, Qigong, meditation and holistic lifestyle principles. She has completed postgraduate studies in trauma recovery with acupuncture and herbs, certification as an acupuncture detox specialist , Mei Zen cosmetic acupuncture, cupping therapy, Chi Nei, Tsang, Japanese meridian therapy, and a Doctoral study abroad intensive on Japanese techniques. She is also an ordained minister. Although she is trained to treat a number of conditions, her passionate areas of focus and expertise are for the support and symptom management of cancer, trauma, pain, stress reduction, Improved quality of life with focus on prevention, wholeness, wellness, and lightness of being, and helping clients to live life to their fullest potential and manifest destiny.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/originalspirithealingarts/
Erica Grigg received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law and her law license in 2001. She has gained work experience as a criminal prosecutor; general counsel in the Texas Legislature; Special Assistant to the Chancellor of Texas Tech University; and as a personal injury, civil rights, and wrongful death litigator at Spivey & Grigg, LLP. She has appeared on HLN and CNN for commentary regarding her involvement in high profile civil rights cases. She is currently a staff attorney at the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program where she helps connect judges, lawyers, and law students to the mental health and substance abuse recovery resources they need.
Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program Website: https://www.tlaphelps.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TLAPhelps/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLAPHelps
Telephone Number: 1-800-343-TLAP (8527)
Text TLAP to 555888
Deborah Peyton’s life has been transformed by the hand drumming instrument called the djembe. The rhythmic sounds emanating from this instrument, along with the upliftment and connectivity created by group drumming, are what inspired her love and passion for rhythm and drum facilitation. So, in 2017, Deborah created Austin Rhythm and Drum, LLC. Her mission is to provide uplifting, fun, and energizing rhythm and drum programs to groups, communities, organizations and companies. Austin Rhythm and Drum delivers programs for celebrations and special events, community and team building, leadership, wellness and stress reduction, empowerment and spirituality. Deborah’s rhythm and drum facilitation training has been under the guidance of some of the top professionals in the industry. She is also a graduate of a residential, one-year, TTM International Drum Instructor Training Program. Currently, Deborah is also a part-time lead facilitator for Sewa Beats, North America. Deborah is also a retired Army Officer, with an M.S. in Business, and over 30-years of corporate and organizational experience in the areas of leadership, change management, facilitation, and sales and marketing.
Website: https://www.austinrhythmanddrum.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinRhythmandDrum/
Amy Sugeno was a wildlife biologist for over 16 years before becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and ecotherapist. She worked for over 11 years as a trauma therapist with adults and teens, often outdoors in nature. Amy now primarily works as an ecotherapist, giving talks and leading clinical ecotherapy training workshops in Texas as well as out-of-state. She also volunteers with Casting for Recovery, which offers free fly fishing retreats to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, where at each retreat, she provides emotional support and teaches about mindfulness in nature. Amy enjoys leading free mindfulness in nature walks in the Austin area, and she is excited to offer her first two mindfulness in nature retreats this spring.
Website: https://www.amylsugeno.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Texas-Mindfulness-in-Nature-256943471839739/
The Spa in Me, LLC, held its retreat and pajama party on October 26, 2019, at McKinney Roughs Nature Park, in Cedar Creek, Texas.
On this special episode, you will have the opportunity to listen to brief interviews from some of the women who attended.
DJ CASS&RA (pronounced DJ Cassandra) is a female DJ based in Austin, TX. This DJ alter-ego is the product of being a composer and keyboardist. Cass&ra’s main musical passion is a mix of funk, disco and house, but other sets have included classic hip-hop, rap, indie-electronic-pop, club mixes, top-40s, and world music (open format DJ). As a trained musician who understands the musical theory behind songs, Cassie began DJing for friends’ house parties, creating a good vibe, and began growing her audience and clients. She has DJ’d for crowds of over 3,000 people.
Even though Cassie DJs for many different events, she specializes in DJing for health & wellness clients and events. Her day job is working with the Movement Tracks Project designing original Biomedical Music™ to help people move, and “by night,” she creates the perfect sets for movement for her clients, whether it be a morning yoga class, or a late-night dance party. So zen out or get down, because DJ Cass&ra can provide the perfect soundtrack for any crowd.
You can follow DJ Cassandra on her websites and on instagram at:
http://www.cassieshankman.com/djcassandra
Raad Mansour is Chaldean, a part of an ancient tribe. He was born and raised in Baghdad. Raad moved to the Metro Detroit area in the U.S, where he grew up and attended grade school.
Raad shares that he worked in corporate retail after high school, where he managed the top performing stores in the telecommunications Industry. After working long hours and being constantly stressed out, his health suffered as a result of this line of work and led to frequent doctor visits. After a two year addiction to pain medication, he realized one day that this was no longer a path that served him, which was the beginning of his journey to plant-based healing foods.
Raad spent the next few years transforming his health, both mindfully and physically, by going back to nature. He wanted to spread the good news to those around him of how eating plant-based healing foods can change every aspect of their lives. He has been striving to encourage everyone to take control of their health through healing foods. This is why he started ATX FOOD CO., making healthier food options more accessible to everyone!”
Raad attended The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts, with a focus on Plant-Based Healing Foods. He is professionally trained in the following healing cuisines: Ayurvedic cuisine, Macrobiotic cuisine, Raw and Living, Vegan, Vegetarian and Alkaline-boosting cuisines.
You can learn more about ATX Food Co. on its website at https://www.atxfoodco.com/.
You can also follow ATX Food Co. on its instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/atxfoodco/.
Amy Kreydin is a clinical aromatherapist, board certified reflexologist, birth doula, and author who has been in private practice since 2004. Her early training in botanical medicine included mentors in Western herbal medicine, Native American healing, curanderismo (Latin folk healing), and midwifery. She graduated as a Certified Reflexologist in 2004, was board certified by the American Reflexology Certification Board in 2006, graduated from Jane Buckle’s Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner program (CCAP) in 2011, and graduated from Mark Webb’s Advanced Diploma in Aromatic Medicine program in 2016. Amy’s practice, The Barefoot Dragonfly LLC, is located in Austin, Texas, where she sees clients in her studio and conducts consultations with clients across the globe.
You can learn more about Amy Kreydin and the services she provides at The Barefoot Dragonfly, LLC, by reviewing her website at http://www.thebarefootdragonfly.com/.
You can also follow Amy Kreydin and her work on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/barefootdragonfly/ and on her Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/barefootdragonfly.
Vivian Best believes in the value of social connection and in the process of creating support in our modern lives beyond our devices. She inspires positive change, building thoughtful communities to bring greater awareness and hope for growth, change, and possibility through her work with WomanSpeak and Sparked. Vivian supports women to create connections, share resources, and take initiative in their lives by helping them to bring their voices to what truly matters.
She is a facilitator for women’s conversational and public speaking events. She is also a Feldenkrais Practitioner teaching self-aware self-care. Her compassionate guidance helps bring a sense of pleasure in movement and ease to her clients.
Recognized by Honolulu Magazine as one of “6 People Making a Difference in Honolulu” in November 2013, by Pacific Business News as Hawaii’s “40 Under 40” and the Honolulu Star Advertiser as one of “10 Who Made a Difference in 2010”, Vivian moved to Austin in September 2018 and is delighted to be a part of this community.
You can follow Vivian Best on her Sparked in Austin Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/SparkedinAustin/.
Viviane Mitchell is a natural henna artist in Austin, TX, and the founder of Heart Healing. A healer in many ways, she is also Reiki II certified, a physical therapist assistant, and death walker. She utilizes henna to blend her knowledge with body art. She also enjoys working out in groups, nature hikes, and trips to foreign lands.
You can learn more about Viviane Mitchell and how to contact her for henna services at https://www.mehndivaviv.com/?fbclid=IwAR38TbfgLOnKjZthpeZf7lgOCChXOUqiIbp2JTCE4kBqy5cRtc75E62_tMA
You can also follow her on instagram at @mehndivaviiv (https://www.instagram.com/mehndivaviv/)
Jill Dalley is a rare blend of artist and business-person. From Albuquerque New Mexico, she studied violin from the age of 7, but was also known as the neighborhood entrepreneur. As a 20 something, she moved to Dallas, married, went to work in sales for D magazine, had a family, finished a degree in Mass Communication, and made a mark as one of the top competitive runners in her age group in the Dallas area. Raising two kids under the age of 5 she managed to write a highly respected book on the subject of nutrition for breastfeeding moms.
In 2002 Jill and her family moved to the Austin area where she formed a string quartet, Musical Discovery Chamber Players. Little by little, the quartet grew to include many ensembles comprised of more than 45 players. Jill’s company is among the top providers of music for weddings and corporate events in Austin and the Hill Country. Her company has gained the distinction of being the best wedding music provider for 5 consecutive years by “The Knot” magazine, and has been named to the Knot’s Hall of Fame.
Jill’s accomplishments are impressive, but not surprising, especially to anyone who watched her grow up as the neighborhood violist-entrepreneur.
You can learn more about Musical Discovery Chamber Players at https://musical-discovery.com/.
You can learn more about The Spa in Me Rest, Reset, and Restore Retreat and Pajama Party near Austin, Texas, at https://thespainmeretreats.com/
Angela Vlasova, new to Texas, has worked in clinics and medical spas all over the world, including Israel, Russia, New York, and Las Vegas, all leading locations in the skin care industry. Angela has been perfecting her skills in the beauty industry for over sixteen years, ten of which she has spent as an esthetician.
Angela’s love for skin care started when she was a teenager, as she developed her foundations while helping her mother in her school with students. Angela’s love for the industry grew very fast as she began teaching at her mother’s school in Russia. One of the greatest things Angela learned from her mother, at such a young age, was to treat the person and not just do the procedure. By working in three different countries, Angela was able to tailor the best of what she had learned into a personal system that focuses on the needs of the patient/client. This system allows Angela to give the best treatments necessary for optimal results, all while giving a relaxing, pampering experience. Angela specializes in many services at Ann Webb Skin Clinic and her enthusiasm is undeniable. It shines through in every one of her treatments.
You can make an appointment to visit with Angela Vlasova for your skin care needs by going to https://www.awskinclinic.com/.
Lydia Isnanto has always enjoyed a good story, especially those with an impactful message that brings awareness to an issue, empowers women, and are stories about transformation, and healing. Her passion since she was a young girl in her native country of Indonesia was to tell these stories to anybody who would listen.
She has spent the majority of her adult life pursuing this dream, and sometimes doing the grunt work to make ends meet and other times living out the dream. She started her own company in Singapore, doing both photography and film productions. After relocating to the United States with her husband, she has been able to concentrate fully on bringing stories to life. In between film projects, she currently directs and produces a podcast telling stories of great women called DREAMPRENEURS CHAT. She has the opportunity to chat with awesome and incredible women making their stories happen through business and influence.
In her most recent film project, THIS IS ME (2019), filmed in Austin, Texas, where she wrote, directed, co-produced, filmed, and edited, she was fortunate enough to have a great cast and crew to bring this project to life. This story was created for and dedicated to mental illness survivors and warriors. To date, the film has been screened in the San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles, and Texas. It has won nine awards, including a special Mental Health Community Award from the Los Angeles Silicon Beach Film Festival.
She also wrote, directed, co-produced, filmed, and edited THE CALLING (2018), filmed in the San Francisco Bay area. The film tells the story of transformation and healing, based on a true story of a writer, a pastor and a filmmaker, Tony Gapastione. This short film was made entirely with an iPhone celebrating the creative movement of smartphone film making. THE CALLING has been screened in San Francisco and New York. It has won five awards, including the Best Phone Made Film award from Olympus Film Festival Los Angeles.
While back in Singapore, Lydia had the tremendous opportunity to work with a super talented band, FantabulouZ and create a music video for their song, BFF (2017). She had the privilege to write the screenplay, direct and film the music video. The video portrays a fictional story about two best friends with inspiration about true friendship. To date, the music video has won three awards and was screened at the Long Beach Indie International Film Festival and Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase.
Lydia realizes that she could only get this far through the strong tribe of people who believe and support her. She remains hopeful that she will continue bringing impactful and meaningful stories for many years.
Chris Marshall became a licensed counselor in 2010. He worked at Integral Care and other residential programs in the Austin, Texas, area. He observed a disturbing pattern with his patients. They would flourish while in treatment, but soon relapse when they rejoined their old social groups. Chris decided to act. In 2017, Sans Bar was born. Sans Bar is a sober pop up bar and music venue serving alcohol free beverages in a safe and welcoming environment. The first pop up was composed of about six people, but Chris could sense that he was on to something significant. He continued to host monthly pop ups, until he found a permanent location in East Austin in May of 2018. Later that year he decided to go on a national tour to promote the Sans Bar concept. His goal is to have a Sans Bar in every city, and to be the Starbucks of alcohol-free nightlife.
Sans Bar is located at 1818 East 12th Street, Austin, Texas, 78702.
Website: http://thesansbar.com/
Instagram: @sans_bar
Twitter: @thesansbar
In this bonus episode, Cousin Kay responds to a letter from Run Ragged. The listener writes about feeling exhausted all the time, which is believed to be due to bringing required work home on a daily basis. Run Ragged explains that this work means staying up late to complete the assignments. This results in going to bed at odd hours and getting an inadequate amount of sleep.
If you have a question about making more time for yourself and want advice, please email sandra@dearcousinkay.com. Don't forget to use a false name applicable to the subject matter of your situation.
Amanda Dunn started fostering for Austin Pets Alive two years ago. She did it to help her with empty nest syndrome. She took care of two tiny week old puppies the second time that she fostered. She found it exhausting, yet incredibly rewarding. She has now fostered 26 puppies. She has learned how to tube feed and how to give subcutaneous injections. She has found her passion. Amanda believes that fostering is the most fulfilling thing that she does. She says that people always thank her for helping the puppies, but, honestly, they help her.
You can follow Amanda Dunn on Instagram at emptynestbigworld.
Charlie Quareshee is a Master Trainer for Club Pilates. Her passion is to introduce people to Pilates, help them further their practice in Pilates, and help her students turn Pilates into a wonderful new career by teaching Pilates to others through their involvement in the Club Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Program.
Charlie started her own Pilates journey as a dance major in a performing arts school where she took mat Pilates. She continued taking dance and Pilates classes at Northwestern University as a way to stay healthy while she focused more on her love for theater. In college, she noticed the direct effect of Pilates on her dancing and everyday life. Charlie eventually moved to California to pursue acting in 2003 and within months found herself enrolled in a Pilates teacher training program. This move changed her path in such a life altering way. She felt energized, fit, passionate, and ready to share her newfound knowledge with anyone and everyone who would listen.
And listen they did. She was hired as the Pilates Director at Bodies in Motion in Pasadena, California before she graduated from the Teacher Training Program. Her investment in herself through enrolling in the training was recouped within her first month of employment. Other benefits are her ability to set her own hours; to make a real impact in the lives of others; to help her clients to feel empowered, especially in the female community; to belong to a community surrounding those who love Pilates; loving her job; and knowing how to take care of her body.
Brooke Taylor specializes in a holistic approach to facial rejuvenation through ancient Chinese Medicine and acupuncture along with modern techniques. Brooke began a career in skin care after she found her skin in accelerated aging after spending years in the sun as a fly-fishing instructor and guide. She became an esthetician and eventually moved to Seattle, then Australia where she worked as a global educator and brand manager for a range of skincare companies in the spa industry. She has also worked to assist brands with formulation of products, and now teaches her patients how to make good choices for their skin. She chose to study Chinese Medicine knowing she needed the benefit of treating the skin from the inside out, because treating the body as a whole allows healing to take place in systems that have an impact on the skin, not just topically. Her system works for improving health, skin, and well-being; resulting in sleeping better, improved digestion, less stress, less pain, and less inflammation. The difference with Brooke Taylor's treatments and services is the focus on feeling better, not just having less wrinkles. For Brooke Taylor, it's not about anti-aging. Instead, it's about aging well.
As an artist, dancer, and instructor, Chiquitta, also known as Q, has always been dedicated, focused, and diligent. A few years ago, she began working out regularly and applying her same work ethic to athletics and fitness. She saw bodybuilding as a great way to step outside her comfort zone and challenge herself to achieve something extraordinary. Competition training has introduced her to a healthy lifestyle and a network that has changed her life. She is now a wellness coach, a posing coach, the creative director for a bodybuilding event management agency, and a judge for an international bodybuilding organization. Besides training, she enjoys cooking, traveling, theater, pilates, obstacle course racing, and spending time with family and friends. She loves motivating others and helping people to make lifestyle changes. Coach Q practices a holistic approach to health and wellness with a focus on nutrition, fitness, emotional balance, and natural ways to relieve and manage stress. Her goal is to educate, support, and empower everyone with whom she works. To learn more about this amazing woman, please listen to this wonderful interview and follow Chiquitta Harris' inspiring posts on instagram @charrisq.
Jacquie Vo is a Neora brand partner who has been with the company for five years. She joined Neora in its second year in existence while it generated nearly 200 million dollars in revenue. Jacquie Vo is an entrepreneurial world citizen who has the honor of raising three young fellow world citizens. Her passion is empowering individuals of all ages with alternative health solutions and financial options. Her goal is to help people create a world of infinite possibilities.
To learn more about Jacquie Vo and Neora, you can go to Jacquievo.neora.com, or email her at jvowellness@gmail.com.
The Spa in Me, LLC, podcast highlights spa and wellness destinations, health and wellness practitioners, and acts of compassion and kindness. Given the rising levels of stress people experience, this podcast wants to introduce its listeners to rituals and destinations that may prevent the onset of chronic diseases and illnesses.
After every fifth episode, we will include a bonus episode that responds to letters written to Dear Cousin Kay on challenges with self care for a multitude of reasons.
