With Love and Aloha - A Life Coaching Podcast

Episode 22: Joana Castro - Food Therapy Expert 👨‍🍳✨

Today I’m honored to be joined by Joana Castro, a food therapy expert — who tuned in all the way from Portugal! 🇵🇹💫
 
Joana is passionate about the science behind food and healing 🌱- blending modern research, ancient wisdom from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and her own lived experience. She reached out to share her story of what led her to focus on food medicine, and I found it very inspiring (and relatable in different ways) 🩵
 
With an impressive background in biomedical engineering 🧬 working in hospitals, researching molecular physics, and later serving as an engineer and program manager at Microsoft for 7 years — Joana’s path shifted after a health collapse. That turning point led her to reprioritize her life and dive deep into medicinal practices, ultimately guiding her to food therapy.
 
How we nourish our bodies is at the core of our health and wellness 🍎 Tune in to hear Joana’s journey and learn how food, nutrition, and tailored meal plans can help heal your body from the inside out 🥘🤍
 
Joana now runs her own business, “My Own True Balance”, offering personalized meal plans and food therapy sessions. As a special gift for listeners of this show, Joana has provided discount codes for her services 🎁 :
 
🔹 Food Therapy Consultation (1:1) – promo code: TB20myowntruebalance.com/food-therapy-consultation
 
🔹 Rebalance Meal Plan – promo code: TAKE15myowntruebalance.com/mealplans
 
📬 Joana’s Contact:🌐 Website: myowntruebalance.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joanadscastroInstagram: @myowntruebalanceTikTok: @myowntruebalance_
If you are enjoying these shows, please feel free to follow, share, and rate the “With Love and Aloha Podcast” 🎧🩵✨ and give @love_and_aloha_life a follow on IG :)

Episode 21: Life of a Maui Girl - Meaning of “Opalite” 💃✨ (Life of a Show Girl 🧡)

Episode 21: Life of a Maui Girl - Meaning of “Opalite” 💃✨ (Life of a Show Girl 🧡)
 
Today I was inspired to make a mini episode inspired by Taylor Swift’s new album, Life of a Showgirl. I gave it a listen last night and also caught an early screening of the theatrical release today, where she gave her own commentary before each song. 🎬✨
 
And one song that caught my eye, even just by name at first, was “Opalite.” 💎 Because opalite is a crystal or man-made glass resin, that I associate with peace, inner healing, and manifesting balance in your life. So to see a song titled that, I was curious to hear it and know its meaning. 🌿☮️
 
In this episode, I share Taylor’s meaning of the song as well as my own interpretation (manifesting her next new era with Travis Kelce), and what opalite as a crystal even means to me. Tune in as I chat about themes in that song and in the album that go with the themes of this podcast — manifestation, creating your own happiness, and balance / inner peace 🤍
 
You don’t need to be a Swiftie to enjoy this, btw!  I am a Swiftie, but these concepts apply to anyone 🫶🏼💕
 
If you are enjoying these shows, please feel free to follow, share, and rate the “With Love and Aloha Podcast” 🎧🩵✨ and give @love_and_aloha_life a follow on IG :)

Episode 20: 🌴 Aloha Friday 🌴 Words of Nature — Āina, Kai, Mauna, and Lani

Episode 20: 🌴 Aloha Friday 🌴 Words of Nature — Āina, Kai, Mauna, and Lani
 
In this Aloha Friday episode, we explore Hawaiian nature words that connect us to the land, ocean, mountains, and sky — and the deeper wisdom they hold. 🌿
 
I share four nature words — ʻāina, kai, mauna, and lani — along with related words that expand their meaning. These are all powerful and spiritual words, and these elements of the islands are often personified.  We touch on caring for these elements (mālama and kuleana), and how the Hawaiian culture promotes seeing all of nature as part of who we are. 🩵
 
Hope you find this informative and that you can learn that much more to allow you to carry aloha wherever you go 🌺
 
If you are enjoying these shows, please feel free to follow, share, and rate the “With Love and Aloha Podcast” 🎧🩵✨ and give @love_and_aloha_life a follow on IG :)

Episode 19: Sommer Bennett – Sound Healer & Sound Bath Facilitator 🧘🩵

Episode 19: Sommer Bennett – Sound Healer & Sound Bath Facilitator 🧘🩵
 
Today I’m joined by the lovely Sommer Bennett, who I met on a trip to the Grand Cayman 🏝️🐠
 
Sommer is an experienced sound healer who facilitates sound baths as a form of meditation and therapy. Through her work, she helps people connect with the power of sound to calm the mind, restore balance, and support healing 🤍✨
 
In our conversation, we discuss:
🔬 How sound resonates with the body and supports healing, from both a spiritual and scientific perspective
🧘 Why sound & music can be such a powerful form of meditation
 
🌊 How nature offers very healing sounds, like the ocean and birds (She has an ocean drum, btw! 🩵)
🎵 What you may experience during a sound bath
🏢 How she’s introduced meditation and sound healing into her workplace and community
🌟 How to ease into sound healing at home - like starting with just 5 minutes of sound meditation before attending a full session 🤍
 
Whether you’re brand new to sound baths or simply curious to learn more deeply, this episode will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and ready to explore the healing world of sound 🎶🤍
 
If you’d like to get in touch with Sommer for a sound healing session, you can contact her at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sommer-bennett-36b8882/
Instagram: @somlifeluv
TikTok: @somaste
 
If you are enjoying these episodes, please feel free to follow, rate, review, and share my podcast :) Also, you can follow me on my life coaching IG at @love_and_aloha_life
 

Episode 18: 🌴 Aloha Friday 🌴 Words of Kindness — Aloha, Kōkua, Kuleana, & Pono

Welcome to my first Aloha Friday mini-episode! 🌺 Each Friday will be a fun special edition episode where I share something about the Hawaiian language or words, fun facts about the islands, and or cultural history to bring a little island spirit to your day.
Today we’re exploring four beautiful Hawaiian words — aloha, kōkua, kuleana, and pono — all about kindness, respect, giving back to others, and caring for the ʻāina (land). In this episode you hear about their meanings, how to pronounce them, and understand how they are values that you can carry in your own day-to-day life.
If you are enjoying these episodes, please give the show a follow, rating and review :) And you can also follow my IG for the podcast at @love_and_aloha_life

Episode 17: Dr. Allysha Maragh-Bass – Her 150 lb Weight Loss Journey

Today I’m joined by the inspiring Dr. Allysha Maragh-Bass, a wellness and leadership coach with a background as a behavioral scientist and professor.
 
Allysha reached out to share her story of losing 150 pounds — not once, but twice — and how that transformation led her to the coaching work she does today 🌟 She opens up about finding the “right way” to lose weight for her, what caused her to boomerang after the first time, and the mental and emotional challenges that come with transformation. 🤍
 
We dive into topics like:💡 Body dysmorphia and societal treatment around weight💡 Why shows like The Biggest Loser set unrealistic expectations💡 How weight loss, leadership skills, and personal growth intersect
 
Today she coach women leaders, and in the show she speaks about how leadership skills like communication, boundary-setting, and stress management translate to all areas of our lives. ✨
 
This conversation is a powerful reminder that wellness isn’t optional. If you’re navigating your own health journey or simply looking for inspiration to improve your wellbeing, this episode is for you. 💛
 
🔗 Connect with Allysha on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/acmaragh/
📚 Book Mentioned: The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
 
If you are enjoying these shows, please feel free to follow, share, and rate the “With Love and Aloha Podcast” 🎧🩵✨ and give @love_and_aloha_life a follow on IG :)

Episode 16: Disconnecting in a Connected World

Episode 16: Disconnecting in a Connected World 🌍📱
 
In this episode, I share how to find a healthy balance with technology and social media in a world where we are very connected. 🌐
 
I talk about my personal journey in building a healthier relationship with these digital tools and what I’ve learned about setting boundaries, managing screen time, and staying focused on what truly matters. 🤍  We also explore the psychology behind why different platforms keep us hooked (the attention economy) and how to take back control without giving up the benefits of being connected. 🧠
 
When used intentionally, technology and social media can be incredible tools for connection, learning, and even business growth. But without boundaries, they can quickly become distractions that drain our focus and energy.
 
As someone who deeply values connection with nature and the real world, I know this balance can be tricky, but I’ve found ways that work for me and share my tips in this episode. 🌿
 
If you want more presence and peace in your life while still showing up for your community and business online, this episode is for you. 🤍✨

Episode 15: Bobby Ansari – Spiritual Wellness Provider

Today I’m excited to welcome my special guest, Bobby Ansari, who is a Spiritual Wellness professional I recently met at the Annual Wellness Summit in Austin. At the summit, she led a session on spiritual wellness that I found both fascinating and eye-opening, as it’s an area of health that often gets overlooked but can enhance every other aspect of our well-being.
 
In this episode, Bobby shares what spiritual wellness really is, how it differs from religion, and her own journey into this work. We also talk about how spirituality can be integrated into organizations and communities, creating deeper connection, integrity, and balance.
 
One of the most intriguing parts of our discussion is Bobby’s unique practice of spiritual travel. Through her “Travel Prescription”, she helps people experience the transformative energies of particular places, blending ritual, inquiry, and sacred travel to support healing and growth.
 
Bobby is the founder of Rose of Jericho Wellness, where she integrates wisdom from multiple traditions to guide individuals and organizations with safety, integrity, and cultural sensitivity.
 
You can learn more on her website at: roseofjerichowellness.com
You can also connect with her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyansari/
 
If you are enjoying these shows, please feel free to follow, share, and rate the “With Love and Aloha Podcast” 🎧🩵✨ and give @love_and_aloha_life a follow on IG :)

Episode 14: The Science of Sleep & Tips to Sleep Better

In this episode, I dive into the fascinating science of sleep. Sleep is such a core foundation of our health and well-being, and has a big effect on our state of mind. Sleep isn’t just downtime, it’s an active process where your brain and body repair, reset, and prepare you for the day ahead.
 
In this episode, we explore:
Why we sleep - from evolutionary theories to how it fuels memory, learning, and emotional balance.
 
What happens in the brain & body while you sleep - including restoring tissues, REM cycles, the glymphatic system (your brain’s built-in cleaning crew), and how memories are consolidated overnight.
 
The consequences of missing sleep - from slower reaction times and foggy thinking to long-term health risks and mood disorders.
 
Tips to sleep better - tips for aligning with your circadian rhythm, managing light exposure, and building healthy bedtime routines.
 
I also share my personal journey with improving sleep and my realizations of the importance of sleep. As well as fascinating sleep studies and experiments like Randy Gardner’s 11 day sleepless marathon.
 
Whether you’re looking to optimize your sleep or just are curious to learn more about it, this episode will leave you with science-backed insights and actionable tools to help you get the rest you need.

Episode 13: Jeremy Udugampola - AWS, FBI, and Microsoft Internships & Early Career Advice

Today I’m joined by a special guest, Jeremy Udugampola :)
 
Jeremy was a mentee of mine at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and it’s been inspiring to watch him grow and land internships at incredible places like the FBI and Microsoft.
 
In this episode, Jeremy shares his early career journey and offers advice for students on finding opportunities, building a network, and exploring different paths. We also talk about his education at the University of Maryland in Information Science, and his experiences working at AMC, Best Buy, AWS, the FBI, and Microsoft.
 
This is a great episode for anyone curious about what it’s like to work at these companies. Or for those looking for guidance on how to kick off their own career journey.
 
Your career is such a big part of life, so take the time to explore, try new things, and find a path that feels right for you :)
 
If you’d like to connect with Jeremy, his LinkedIn is at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-u/ 
 
If you are enjoying this podcast, please feel free to follow, like & share :) I would appreciate too if you rated and reviewed the show as well.
 
If you’re interested in being a future guest on the show or would like to propose a topic, please feel free to reach out on my website:
https://aloha-lifecoach.com/life-coaching-podcast