All Things Vagus

How to Tend to Your Winter Rest

January 29th, 2026  |  35 mins 28 secs

chronotype, dagney deutchman, kathy mangan, light therapy, mental health, michael smith, natura, natura health and wellness, neurotransmitters, red willow learning center, sad, seasonal affective disorder, sleep, the university of montana, wmt-ahec

In this episode, Kathy interviews Dagny Deutchman and Dr. Michael Smith from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula. Topics include sleep hygiene, neurotransmitters, light therapy, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Episode 37: Staying Healthy Through the Holidays

November 28th, 2025  |  37 mins 33 secs

5 elements, blood sugar, christine white, cortisol, holiday health, immune support, kathy mangan, michael smith, natura, naturopathic, naturopathic medicine, red willow, sad, seasonal affective disorder, stress, university of montana, vagus nerve, vitamin c, vitamin d, warming spices, wintering, wmt-ahec

In this episode, Kathy interviews Doctors Christine White and Michael Smith from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula. Topics include eating with the season, preparing for stressful events, and the foundations of health that can keep you healthy during the holidays.

Episode 35: Immune Support During the Changing Season

September 30th, 2025  |  26 mins 12 secs

christine white, diet, health, immunity, kathy mangan, naturopath, naturopathic, naturopathy, vitamin c, vitamin d, whole foods

Interview with Dr. Christine White, a seasoned naturopathic doctor who has been practicing in Montana since 2002. Stay tuned as we explore her insights into creating a healthier world through naturopathic medicine on the topic of supporting our immune systems as we move into Fall, go back in doors and back to school.

Episode 27: Balance in the Natural World Through Ayurveda

December 11th, 2024  |  30 mins 33 secs

ayurveda, ayurvedic medicine, balance, dosha, holistic medicine, kathy mangan, laura marx, nutrition, self-care, university of montana, western medicine, wmt ahec

Laura Marx has been a family nurse practitioner for 40 years and has a part-time private practice in Missoula. She has also been an assistant clinical professor for the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing for Montana State University. She teaches psychosocial concepts and health promotion. Laura knew from early in her career that the Western model of medicine was lacking in a holistic approach and sought to become more integrative both in her practice and her teaching. In 2011, Laura studied at the Mount Madonna College of Ayurveda to become an Ayurvedic wellness consultant. She found that this oldest and time-honored medical model gave her a new perspective in our relationship to health and nature.

Episode 26: Finding Compassion During Climate Distress

November 4th, 2024  |  25 mins 22 secs

climate distress, climate issues, climate psychology, eco-anxiety, eco-harmonious lifestyle, kathy mangan, nature and nurture, resiliency practices, sarah aronson, university of montana, wmt ahec

Sarah Aronson was mothered by the landscape of Southeast Alaska at the toe of the Mendenhall Glacier. She maintains a climate-aware psychotherapy practice as a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. She holds an MFA from the University of Montana and her debut collection of poetry and other bodiless powers won the 2018 New American Poetry Prize. Sarah is also a host and producer for the Montana Public Radio, home to her most recent project, Health and Mother Earth.

Episode 25: In Pursuit of Happiness

September 18th, 2024  |  33 mins 28 secs

happiness, john sommers-flanagan, kathy mangan, mental health, montana happiness project, university of montana, wmt ahec

John Sommers-Flanagan is a Professor of Counseling at the University of Montana. He is a clinical psychologist and the author or co-author of over 100 publications, including nine books and many professional training videos. John has published many newspaper columns, and op-ed pieces, including articles in Psychotherapy Networker, Counseling Today, and Slate Magazine. You can learn more about John's latest venture, The Montana Happiness Project, at www.montanahappinessproject.com

Episode 23: The Social Resilience Model

July 12th, 2024  |  37 mins 7 secs

all things vagus, kathy mangan, mental health, red willow learning center, social resilience, therapy, threshold global works

Laurie Leitch has been a practicing psychotherapist, clinical trainer, consultant, and researcher for over 25 years. She is the founder and director of Threshold Global Works, established in 2011. Threshold Global Works is dedicated to cultivating and enhancing natural resilience within communities, organizations, and individuals using the neuroscience-based Social Resilience Model. If you are interested in learning more about Laurie's work you can find her website below:
https://www.thresholdglobalworks.com/

Episode 22: The Alexander Technique

June 12th, 2024  |  31 mins 32 secs

alexander technique, health and wellness, kathy mangan, mari hodges, mobility, pain management, therapeutic, therapy

Mari Hodges is a certified Alexander Technique teacher and pain management specialist. She has a therapeutic pain specialist certificate and a Master of Science in Medicine and Pain Management. She is passionate about empowering people to enhance mobility and performance. Mari also loves helping people discover personal transformation and increase of freedom of movement by changing long-standing habits of posture, movement, and thought. Mari is based in Missoula and is available for individual coaching by appointment. For more information about Mari and the Alexander Technique visit her website: https://marihodges.com/alexander/

Episode 21: Taking Yoga Off The Mat

May 3rd, 2024  |  21 mins 57 secs

julie mackiewicz, kathy mangan, meditation, red willow learning center, therapy, yoga

Julie Mackiewicz attended her first yoga class in 2001 and has been on this journey ever since. She completed her first teacher training in 2007 and began teaching that same year. For the past 15-plus years, she has continued on the concurrent paths of student and teacher, completing further training continually. Immersing herself in learning and sharing her deepening, expanding, and evolving understanding and experiences as a teacher. It is the unending depth and breadth of yogic studies that entices and inspires her to continue on this journey and experience the unfolding and uncovering of ourselves.

If you're interested in reaching out to Julie, her information can be found below:
Website: https://juliemackiewicz.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliemackiewicz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.mackiewicz.9/

Episode 20: Open To Grace

March 28th, 2024  |  22 mins 21 secs

healing, julie rae o'connor, kathy mangan, mental health, therapy, yoga, yoga therapy

Julie Rae OConnor began teaching yoga in Missoula, Montana in 2000 at the request of her then employer and friends. She teaches individual and group yoga classes. Julie Rae is a Registered Yoga Teacher and Licensed Massage Therapist practicing myriad modalities. Traditional Thai Medical Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Structural Integration, Reiki, and yoga are present in a session. Julie Rae earned a BFA in Drama with an emphasis in Acting at the University of Montana. The essence of acting is keen listening, observation and honestly responding. Awareness, self-observation, and reflection inspire action and practice with dedication. Julie Rae is passionate about sharing self-care practices with her hamlet through her business and with her tango dance community.