Kate O’Donnell is the author of four books on Ayurvedic cooking, lifestyle, and women’s health, including the bestseller The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook. With 25 years of experience studying the Vedic arts, she is an international presenter, a senior Ashtanga yoga teacher, and the founder of The Ayurvedic Living Institute—an online community space dedicated to Ayurveda education.

In today’s conversation, we dive into the inspiration behind her first bestseller and its newly revised 10th-anniversary edition. We break down what Ayurvedic cooking truly is, the role of tapas (discipline) in Ayurveda, and the ongoing Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian debate. We also explore how to balance pleasure with discipline, navigate changing desires, and find harmony between rigidity and flexibility in lifestyle choices.

This conversation was a full-circle moment for Sasha, reconnecting with Kate after first crossing paths in India five years ago. We know you’ll love this discussion as much as we did.

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Addiction, from an Ayurvedic lens, is more than just a physical dependence—it’s a deep imbalance in the body, mind, and spirit. It often arises from a disconnect from one’s true self (Prakriti) and an accumulation of toxins (Ama), whether physical, emotional, or energetic. Many turn to substances in an attempt to soothe inner suffering, regulate emotions, or fill a void left by trauma or unresolved pain.

• Vata imbalances can manifest as anxiety, restlessness, and a pervasive sense of emptiness, driving the urge to escape through addiction.

• Pitta imbalances fuel intense cravings, impulsivity, and self-destructive tendencies.

• Kapha imbalances create stagnation, attachment, and emotional heaviness, making it harder to break free from addictive cycles.

Substance use depletes Ojas (vital essence) and Prana (life force energy), but Ayurveda offers a path to rebuild through nourishment, breathwork, meditation, and detoxification practices like Panchakarma and Rasayana (rejuvenation therapy). By restoring balance through daily routines (Dinacharya) and sattvic living, we cultivate clarity, resilience, and self-awareness—key elements in long-term healing.

Today, we're honored to sit down with Rob Loud, a yoga teacher whose journey through drug and alcohol addiction led him to a path of deep transformation. Rob describes his teaching style as embodied vinyasa, drawing wisdom from multiple yogic lineages. His passion for yoga is evident—not just in his classes, which are creative, intelligent, and dynamic—but in the way he lives his practice.

In this conversation, Rob opens up about his early struggles with addiction, the trauma that shaped him, and how rewiring his nervous system through yoga became the foundation of his recovery. We discuss how yoga not only supports sobriety but also helps navigate both daily stressors and the deeper emotional wounds that addiction often masks.

This is a raw, vulnerable conversation—one that invites us all into a deeper intimacy with ourselves, our inner child, and the universal thread that unites us: compassion for the suffering we all experience as human beings.

Rob, thank you for your wisdom, your presence, and the light you bring to your students, on and off the mat.

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Over the past seven years, Carson Meyer has had the privilege of supporting hundreds of parents through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. As a doula she meets her clients where they’re at on their unique journey and offers resources, education and support for home or hospital birth. She helps parents navigate the many choices they have so they can feel confident, connected and empowered throughout this sacred time. In addition to her birth work, Carson has a celebrity-favorite clean skincare line, C & The Moon.

She believes that the way we approach birth has the potential to change the world.

A supported mother who is respected in her autonomy is not only less likely to experience birth trauma or postpartum depression but will feel better equipped to show up as a mother with all that she has to give. The imprinting that takes place for a child on the day they are born and the days and weeks that follow informs their worldview and lifelong physical health more than we may realize.

After years of working as a doula she was shocked to learn how rare it was for doctors to talk to clients about good nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and environmental health.

The impact of a healthy lifestyle for mom and baby are well studied and she believes should be a central point of prenatal and postpartum care. In 2020 she became certified a nutrition consultant through the Oh Baby Academy so she could support her clients in feeling their best. And in 2022, she became a mother herself. She gave birth to her daughter Lou in her home in North Carolina.

Today Sasha and Carson sat down to explore her new book, Growing Together: Doula Wisdom & Holistic Practices for Pregnancy, Birth & Early Motherhood, being released by Chronicle Books on March 25. We chat about Carson’s own journey in becoming a doula and educator, understanding the roles of a Doula vs Midwife, the impact of the medicalization of childbirth, the importance of sisterhood and female friendships, and empowering women through knowledge and their own intuition. We also explore the need for slowing down in preparation for motherhood, and how to create a supportive environment for new mothers.

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Dylan Smith is a devoted Ayurvedic Practitioner and holistic health educator, rooted in the lush Byron Bay Shire, Australia. As the founder of Vital Veda, he seamlessly blends ancient Vedic wisdom with a grounded, relatable approach, helping people unlock vibrant health through consultations, immersive courses, and his popular Vital Veda Podcast. Trained under the legendary Raju family of South India, Dylan brings authenticity and depth to his practice, making Ayurveda accessible and transformative for a global audience.

As the co-founder of One Eleven Health, an Ayurvedic health brand in Australia, Dylan also champions the daily use of rasayanas—powerful herbal longevity elixirs—to elevate nourishment beyond just organic or high-quality food. His work invites us to refine the way we care for ourselves, embracing Ayurveda’s most potent formulations for true vitality.

In this conversation, Dylan and Sasha explore the Ayurvedic principles of Vyayama (exercise)—why movement is medicine, how to honor the body’s signals, and the wisdom of exercising to Ardha Shakti (half of one’s capacity). We discuss aligning movement with our Vikruti (current state of imbalance), injury prevention and recovery, sustainable exercise practices, body image and self-perception, the vital role of oil in joint health and aging, and how consciousness plays a role in metabolizing nourishment.

May you bask in the light of this insightful, delightful deep dive on all things Ayurvedic exercise.

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Today, Erin and Sasha dive into the beauty of the Sahasrapadma Chakra.

“Sahasrara” means thousand and “Padma” means lotus. Together, it is referred to as the “thousand-petaled lotus.” Much like the human experience, a lotus begins its life in the depths of muddy, murky waters—our struggles, attachments, desires, and ignorance (Avidya). Just as the lotus remains rooted in the mud, we too are born into the material world, facing suffering, karmic cycles, and obstacles. As the lotus stem rises through the water, it symbolizes the seeker’s journey through self-awareness, discipline, and inner purification. The phrase represents the infinite layers of consciousness. And through our efforts in Yoga, Meditation, and Self-Inquiry, overcoming obstacles, refining the mind, and aligning with higher consciousness, we unfold one petal at a time, moving closer to Divine realization.

Sahasrapadma Chakra is located at the crown of the head, and is the gateway to pure consciousness. When it is balanced, we experience deep inner peace, clarity, and a profound connection to universal wisdom. Life flows effortlessly, and we feel aligned with our highest purpose.

When imbalanced or blocked, it can manifest as mental fog, chronic stress, anxiety, or depression. On a physical level, disharmony in this chakra is often linked to neurological disorders, migraines, hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances, and even autoimmune conditions. Some may struggle with disconnection from their spiritual path, while others might experience an overwhelming sense of isolation or existential confusion.

Through meditation, pranayama, acts of surrender, nourishing ourselves with sattvic foods like coconut, almonds, and ghee, occasional fasting with fresh juices or herbal teas, and using Ayurvedic herbs such as Brahmi, Shankhpushpi, Gotu Kola, and Tulsi, we unlock the potential of this energy center. Yoga asanas like Sirsasana (headstand), Savasana (corpse pose), Vrikshasana (tree pose) and Padmasana (lotus pose) further help stimulate this center of Divine connection.

When the lotus reaches the surface, it blossoms in the sunlight, untouched by the water below. This represents the final stage of spiritual awakening, the self-realization (moksha), where one transcends suffering, duality, and illusion (maya). The enlightened being, like a lotus, remainds in the world but is no longer affected by its turbulence. Despite its impure surroundings, the lotus remains pristine and beautiful, symbolizing that true beauty and purity arise from within, regardless of external circumstances.

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Trent Navran is a seasoned expert in program, project, and product management, with a diverse background spanning artificial intelligence, digital health, digital marketing, and sustainability. Currently, he supports social media and communications for the Save Soil Movement, a global initiative led by Sadhguru dedicated to restoring and safeguarding agricultural soils. His work has contributed to raising unprecedented awareness for soil health, influencing government policies, and advocating for climate finance to support smallholder farmers.

Previously, Trent led health data and device strategy at Wellsmith, a health technology startup focused on empowering individuals to manage chronic diseases through AI-driven insights and lifestyle-based healthcare solutions. His expertise also includes three years in Customer Success at CognitiveScale, where they worked at the forefront of AI-driven business solutions.

With a background in Cognitive Science and Neuroscience, Trent has rich and varied experience in social entrepreneurship, management consulting, biomedical and social science research, leadership development, civic service, and musical performance. Passionate about the intersection of AI, healthcare, and entrepreneurship, he is driven to solve complex challenges through systematic and innovative approaches.

Today, Sasha and Trent sat down to explore his journey into Vedic wisdom, the transformative power of consistent Ayurvedic and Yogic practices, the challenges of keeping said practices consistent and how to overcome those challenges, navigating the dawning of a new age of automation and AI, the role of AI in enhancing quality of life, and the power of community and collective Dharma. You will certainly feel the joy that Trent and I felt through out our conversation, as we burst with enthusiasm over the potentiality of shared Dharma in opening Ayurvedic centers, as we usher in a modern, Golden Age for wisdom sciences and holistic healing.

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From a 30-year career in television across the globe to facing profound personal challenges—including a cancer diagnosis and major career pivot—Geoff Rupp’s path led to the timeless wisdom of Vedic Meditation. This practice, rooted in a tradition spanning over 5,000 years, became a cornerstone of his healing and self-discovery. Fueled by an insatiable curiosity, he delved deeper into Vedic knowledge, Sattva Yoga (Himalayan Breathwork), and Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), uncovering the interconnectedness of body, mind, and cosmic influences. Now, as a teacher, guide, and lifelong student, he helps others unlock their highest potential, offering tools like meditation, breathwork, and astrology to navigate life with clarity, purpose, and transformation.

Today, Geoff and Sasha explore how one lives in accordance with their astrology chart, the influence of planetary periods, the role of spiritual teachers or guides, practical remedies for astrological challenges, and how one can work with planetary influences, or transits, to plan important life decisions. Geoff and Sasha share a joyous exploration of this vast knowledge, and trust that it will serve you well.

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Sasha and Erin continue the Chakra series with Agnya, meaning “Divine Permission.” This is the sixth chakra, which is considered the master chakra. It is located at the third eye, the space between the eyebrows, where the pineal and pituitary glands are, which is also where the Ida and Pingala nadis originate. The pineal and pituitary glands play crucial roles in regulating hormones, consciousness, and perception.

The Pineal Gland is considered “the seat of the Soul.” It regulates circadian rhythms by producing melatonin which helps regulate sleep cycles, dreams, and altered states of consciousness. Associated with inner vision, intuition, and spiritual awakening, the pineal gland responds to light and darkness, mirroring the duality of perception (Maya vs. Truth). Considered the “Eye of Shiva” in yogic traditions, Agnya Chakra is linked to higher wisdom and deep meditation. Practices like Kriya Yoga, Trataka (candle gazing), and deep meditation activate the pineal gland, enhancing spiritual perception.

The Pituitary Gland is considered “The Master Gland.” It regulates hormonal balance by controlling the thyroid, adrenal glands, reproductive organs, and metabolism. It produces growth hormone, oxytocin (the love hormone), and stress hormones. It governs physical and emotional equilibrium. It also works as the bridge between the body and higher consciousness.

So when you think Pineal Gland, think Inner Vision, Allowing higher perception, deep meditation, and spiritual connection. When you think Pituitary Gland, think Master Regulator, ensuring hormonal and mental balance, helping integrate spiritual experiences into daily life.

Activating the Agnya Chakra (through Ayurvedic herbs, diet and lifestyle, breathwork, meditation, and chanting mantra such as “Om Namah Shivaya”) influences pituitary function, leading to enhanced mental clarity, intuition, and self-mastery.

The Rudra Granthi (or knot of Shiva) gets untied here, allowing access to the inner guru (intuition, a deeper knowing, natural intelligence, a state of clarity). Rudra Granthi is the final energetic blockage that must be untied for spiritual awakening. This knot represents ego, attachment to identity, and intellectual limitations. When untied or dissolved, Shiva-consciousness, or pure awareness, arises. There is no thought here, because we transcend thought. And we can have phenomenal impact on the field, as it gives rise to genius mind and more kundalini shakti moving up.

Agnya brings Prana to the nervous system. So when we are balanced here, we go beyond habit and the causal plane. We have access to deep self-healing and a quantum mind. We receive the energy and knowledge of the timeless dimension, a state of dynamic stillness.

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