🧠 Want a strong and resilient brain and teach your kids how to be resilient, confident, and creative? It all starts with how we think. In this episode of the MindBodySpace Podcast, Dr. Juna Mom-M.D. Harvard trained educator and expert in Lifestyle Medicine, explores how an entrepreneurial mindset empowers moms and kids to bounce back from stress, solve real-world problems, and build lasting resilience through flexible thinking. 👩👧 Whether you're parenting a sensitive child or a high-achiever...
Jul 03, 2025•9 min•Ep. 147
Thinking about starting a business while raising kids? You’re not crazy — you’re powerful. In this motivating episode of the MindBodySpace podcast, Dr. Juna talks with Jenny Woo , a mom, Harvard grad, and founder of the viral 52 Essential Conversations card deck — about building a meaningful business without sacrificing your values or your sanity. If you’ve ever wondered: Do I really have what it takes to build something of my own? How do I model emotional resilience and growth for my kids while...
Jun 26, 2025•51 min•Ep. 146
After my kids left for college and building a career in medicine, I felt like my brain was stuck on repeat. So I did something drastic—I went back to Harvard for a Master's degree in education. But it wasn’t just about getting a new degree. It was about rewiring my brain. In this episode, we talk about: 🧠 How environment + input reshape the brain 📊 Why novelty protects against cognitive decline 💬 My meeting with Jasmin Hemdani (CMO of Oura) 👧 How we can raise emotionally resilient, data-lite...
Jun 19, 2025•8 min•Ep. 145
In this episode of the MindBodySpace Podcast , we explore how data can empower us to build resilience by motivating us to change and choose healthy behaviors! I sit down with Jasmin Hemdani , a software and data engineer at Oura Ring , to talk about her inspiring journey in tech and how data science can support everyday wellness. Jasmine shares how moms can use simple, engaging ways to introduce data concepts to their kids—boosting both resilience and future-ready skills. We also dive into how O...
Jun 12, 2025•41 min•Ep. 144
Staying Well to Fend Off Colds and Flus: Practical Tips with Dr. JunaIn this episode of the MindBodySpace podcast, host Dr. Juna shares practical tips on how to stay healthy when those around you are sick. She discusses a variety of preventative measures, including the importance of maintaining good hygiene, using saline rinses, and managing stress. Barnard Psychology and Marketing Student, Christina Nelson joins the conversation, sharing her own experiences with illness and college life. Dr. Ju...
Mar 14, 2025•20 min•Ep. 143
Exploring Non-Alcoholic Wellness Beverages with Jen Batchelor In this episode of the MindBodySpace podcast, Dr. Juna interviews Jen Batchelor, a mom and entrepreneur known for her work in developing non-alcoholic functional beverages. They discuss the adverse effects of high-intensity alcohol consumption, the cultural shift towards healthier alternatives, and the science behind adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals used in Jen's brand—Kin Euphorics. Jen shares her personal journey, including in...
Dec 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 142
Overwhelmed? Tips to Increase Productivity and Decrease Stress with Organizational Psychologist Fiona Murden In this episode, we dive into strategies for overcoming life's challenges, whether it's applying for college, working on major projects, or launching a new product. Drawing from organizational psychology, the discussion highlights the importance of getting started and inspiring action in others. They explore how high achievers, like CEOs, approach large endeavors by breaking them down int...
Dec 08, 2024•24 min•Ep. 141
In this episode of the MindBodySpace podcast, Dr. Juna interviews Isabel Hagen, a classically trained violist turned stand-up comedian. Isabel shares her journey from rigorous training at Juilliard to performing comedy on stage, detailing her struggle with performance anxiety and her path to finding joy and resilience through comedy. They discuss the transferable skills acquired through classical music, the challenges of making career pivots, and the importance of perseverance. Isabel also talks...
Nov 22, 2024•37 min•Ep. 140
How to Transform Anger Using Compassion with Dr. Russell Kolts In this episode of the MindBodySpace podcast, Dr. Juna explores the complexities of anger as a 'threat emotion' with Dr. Russell Kolts, a clinical psychologist and expert in compassion-focused therapy. They discuss how recognizing anger as a threat emotion rather than a character flaw is more beneficial. They also explore the nature of anger and how it is a common struggle similar to fear and anxiety. Dr. Kolts shares his personal jo...
Nov 01, 2024•38 min•Ep. 139
Returning to School: A Transformative Journey in Education In this episode, Dr. Juna shares an exciting personal update about returning to school at Harvard Graduate School of Education to pursue a master's degree in education focused on Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology. Juna discusses the inspirations behind this decision, including influential figures like Karen Brennan and a physician named Morty. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe for upcoming expert interviews and tips on enha...
Sep 27, 2024•5 min•Ep. 138
Can a single, brief session significantly improve your mental health? Join Dr. Juna and Benji Kaveladze, PhD., researcher at the Lab for Scalable Mental Health at Northwestern University as they discuss the power of Single Session Interventions (SSI). Discover the potential of SSI in addressing loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Benji shares insights from his research team headed by Dr. Jessica Schleider. Learn how brief, impactful interventions can offer long-term benefits. Learn about the ...
Sep 20, 2024•31 min•Ep. 137
This is an antidote to any type of stress, but especially if you're feeling anger or frustration with yourself or others. The brain really can't appreciate the positives about someone or something and at the same time process feelings of anger. You might think that simply wishing yourself wellness and happiness is a lot of fluffy nonsense because I thought that too! But priming your brain with loving kindness activates your parasympathetic nervous system, or your rest and relax system. I hope yo...
Jul 12, 2024•11 min•Ep. 136
Manifestation and Growth Mindset Connection Boost Your Performance with the Science of Manifestation and Growth Mindset Ever wondered how your mindset can shape your reality? In this episode of the MindBodySpace Podcast, Dr. Juna is joined by her intern, Christina Nelson, a psychology major from Barnard College. The pair delve into the scientific explanations behind concepts like manifestation and self-fulfilling prophecies, touching on key ideas like growth mindset and neuroplasticity. They sha...
Jun 28, 2024•22 min•Ep. 135
Health doesn’t have to be complicated! Don't miss this fascinating conversation on how yoga can stress less, boost performance, and improve overall happiness. Join Dr. Juna on the MindBodySpace podcast featuring Dr. Jonathan Rosenthal, a board certified neurologist and yoga enthusiast. This episode explores the intersections between neuroscience, yoga, and mental wellness. Learn about the importance of randomized controlled trials in yoga research, the impact of yoga on heart rate variability, a...
Jun 14, 2024•44 min•Ep. 134
Enhancing Mental Health Through Lifestyle Medicine: A Mind-Body Connection Dr. Juna, host of the MindBodySpace podcast, alongside monthly special guest, Dr. April Hirschberg, Harvard Psychiatrist specializing in Mind-Body and Lifestyle Medicine Coaching discuss the significant impact of lifestyle choices on mental health. They emphasize the mind-body connection, focusing on how diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management can improve mental well-being. The discussion highlights their backgrounds...
May 31, 2024•21 min•Ep. 133
The Impact of Nutrition on Mental and Physical Well-Being In this episode of the MindBodySpace podcast, Dr. Juna discusses the rising rates of anxiety and depression among teens and young adults, attributing part of the issue to poor nutrition. She is joined by Susan Greeley, MSRDN and Senior Vice President at SENS Wellness — Castle Connolly Private Health Partners . Susan shares insights on the four pillars of wellness—sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management—and explains how her team ...
May 24, 2024•34 min•Ep. 132
What is silent reflux? Find out in this episode of the MindBodySpace podcast, hosted by Dr. Juna. Every last Friday of the month, she is joined by her guest Dr. April Hirschberg to discuss evidence backed ways to decrease stress and increase resilience. Dr. April is a board certified psychiatrist specializing in lifestyle and mind-body medicine at Mass General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. They delve into how stress management and healthy lifestyle choices play a critical role in combating m...
Apr 26, 2024•31 min•Ep. 131
Transforming Life through Mindfulness and Lifestyle Medicine with Dr. Rak In this detailed conversation, Dr. Rak shares his professional and personal journey of overcoming burnout and unhealthy lifestyle habits through mindfulness and lifestyle medicine. Initially struggling with stress, depression, and an unhealthy relationship with food, Dr. Rak's turning point came from a candid conversation with his wife, which prompted him to reassess how he managed stress and his overall health. He delves ...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 130
Dr. Juna, host of the MindBodySpace podcast, alongside monthly special guest, Dr. April Hirschberg, Harvard Psychiatrist specializing in Mind-Body and Lifestyle Medicine Coaching, delves into the significance of opting for a plant-based diet. They discuss how to make lifestyle adjustments for better physical, mental, and planetary health. The conversation, underscored by the science of resilience, explores how behavioral changes and a plant-based diet can profoundly affect one's wellness and env...
Mar 29, 2024•19 min•Ep. 129
Can't get yourself to exercise but you know you really need it? Get motivated just by listening! This is a short meditation designed to prime the listener's mind for exercise, similar to warming up muscles before physical activity. Dr. Juna discusses the importance of mental motivation, explaining how visualization and affirming exercise goals can shift the brain from reluctance to readiness. The meditation guides listeners to visualize themselves exercising joyfully and feeling energized post-w...
Mar 22, 2024•9 min•Ep. 128
“We saw that the recommended behaviors everyone knows about — eating fewer high-fat or high-sugar foods and fewer calories, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time — can slow down biological aging associated with obesity in children,” said the study’s senior author, Thomas Robinson , MD, who is the Irving Schulman, MD, Professor in Child Health and a professor of pediatrics and of medicine. “It’s remarkable to see effects on the chromosomes with behavioral treatments,” he said.": ...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 127
Why do we crave junk food when we're stressed and what can we do about it? Choosing healthy foods can feel like a losing battle when we're stressed out, causing us to crave fatty, sugary comfort foods. Our hormones and emotions spiral out of control. The root of the issue can be traced back to chronic stress. The good news is, you can train your nervous system to access wise decision-making with simple, daily mini-relaxations, e.g., one conscious breath per hour along with a calming phrase. [00:...
Mar 09, 2024•8 min•Ep. 126
Dr. Hani Chaabo, a physician specializing in family medicine, LGBTQ community advocate, and mindfulness practitioner shares his personal journey struggling with weight and anxiety. He ultimately transformed his life with personal and professional practices that incorporate the kindness found within the mindfulness community. Learn about Dr. Chaabo's passion for mindfulness and gratitude, and how these principles have positively impacted not only his own well-being but also his patients. Dr. Chaa...
Mar 06, 2024•35 min•Ep. 125
We are so happy to announce that on the last Friday of each month, April Hirschberg, M.D., DipABLM, will be joining Dr. Juna for regular conversations about the science of resilience. We will share what we learn on our journey as mom-M.D.s specializing in lifestyle and mind-body medicine. We will also discuss evidence based, simple tools that can prevent and mitigate common mental and physical health problems. April is an instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and Medical Co-Directo...
Feb 23, 2024•24 min•Ep. 124
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Valerie Cacho, an integrative sleep physician and women's sleep expert. Listen for insights on how to prioritize sleep, recognizing signs of sleep issues like snoring, and practical tips to improve sleep quality. Dr. Cacho Has been featured in SELF , POPSUGAR , Wall street journal , MINDBODYGREEN , and more. "Snoring is certainly not normal. It can be associated with high blood pressure, can be associated with metabolic syndrome, actually disrupti...
Feb 16, 2024•45 min•Ep. 123
LETTING GO OF PERFECTIONISM - A MEDITATION: Self-compassion is key for productivity and achievement without burning out. After a short recap of perfectionism, Dr. Juna leads listeners through a five minute guided meditation focus on self compassion to help dial back unhelpful perfectionist, tendencies. An excerpt from a conversation with Elizabeth, Pyjov, JD meditation teacher and Founder of The Happiness. Sangha , gives instructions on how to make even short meditations, a powerful practice. Ma...
Feb 09, 2024•10 min•Ep. 122
Just like all things in life, perfectionist tendencies can be good and bad for us, depending on how we use it. The key is knowing how to adjust the dials of perfectionism to make it work for us. "I've learned that, far from being a waste of time or counterproductive to my success, self-care and self-compassion are actually essential for peak performance. For so many years, I believed that my ruthless self-criticism was driving me forward. But I now know that it can more appropriately be viewed a...
Feb 02, 2024•42 min•Ep. 121
We all have a tendency to regress to unhealthy behaviors, especially when we're under stress. In this episode Dr. Beth Frates, President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, advises us on how to practice self-awareness so that our moment to moment decisions and behaviors align with our best selves. Beth Frates, M.D. is the mom of two amazing college age boys; she's also a pioneer in Lifestyle Medicine education, an award-winning teacher at Harvard, and president-elect of the American C...
Jan 26, 2024•23 min•Ep. 120
Visualization Mental Practice And Quiz Inside This Episode. Why does meditation help high-performing athletes and performers boost their skills? We’ll cover different types of meditation and mental training techniques that can be used right before competition or performance to alleviate anxiety and negative thoughts. There’s also a quiz inside to see how good you are at mentally visualization practices, a technique used by high performers. If you haven’t already done so, listen to the last epis...
Jan 19, 2024•11 min•Ep. 119
Whether you’re a student, leader, musician, athlete, or parent, understanding your mind and body connection enhances performance both in your personal life and at work. My guest today is Tom Klisiewicz, CPTD, an educator and colleague, who has dedicated his career to teaching youth how to be resilient and perform at their best so that when inevitable downturns happen in life, they’ll have the tools to fall back on. For more Show notes and info CLICK HERE Find out more about Tom: https://www.sm...
Jan 12, 2024•27 min•Ep. 118
