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 31: Gardening—Nourishing Mind, Body & Soul

May 13th, 2025  |  27 mins 43 secs

connection, emotional health, farm ecology, farming, gardening, grief, kathleen managan, mental health, natural world, nature, philosophy, psychology, red willow learning center, resiliance, university of montana, western montana ahec, wmt ahec

Greg Price has degrees in philosophy and psychology and has been the River Road Farm Director for Garden City Harvest for 24 years. In addition to farming, he teaches classes on soil health, farm ecology, and farming/gardening best practices. He also has taught naturalist classes centered around bear ecology throughout western Montana.

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 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.

Episode 19: The Healing Powers of Sound

February 6th, 2024  |  25 mins 40 secs

arwen kittelson-aldred, healing, kathy mangan, mental health, music therapy, musical healing, red willow learning center, sound therapy, therapy

Arwen Kittelson-Aldred is a trained instructor of Kundalini Yoga and meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan. She is also a classically trained musician and brings her skills to sound therapeutic practices and workshops. Arwen is currently at work earning her Master's in Social Work.

To learn more about Arwen and her practice visit: https://www.arweniansoundscapes.com/

Episode 18: Soul Retrieval: A Path for Finding Wholeness

January 24th, 2024  |  27 mins 25 secs

all things vagus, kathy mangan, marge hulbert, mental health, shamanism, spiritual, therapy

Marge Hulbert is a shamanic practitioner, scientist, and author. She holds a master's degree in hydrology from the University of Arizona and is a graduate of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies three-year program in advanced initiations in shamanism and shamanic healing. She enjoys teaching and helping people heal in mind, body, and spirit by bridging the gap between modern health practices and ancient spiritual ways. As both a scientist and spiritual healer, she has a passion for exploring the edges of our knowledge of health, state of being, and how we understand the world. She is the author of Finding Eagle: A Journey Into Modern-Day Shamanism.
To learn more about Marge and her practice visit: http://www.blueeaglewoman.com/

Episode 17: The Value of Grounding: Techniques for Everyday Life

December 22nd, 2023  |  16 mins 12 secs

grounding, james fix, kathleen mangan, mental health, reiki, relaxation, therapy

James Fix served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring with an honorable discharge. He has been practicing a form of reiki most of his life, but his formal training started in April 2010. He is now a reiki master and teacher. James is also a CranioSacral Therapist with a focus on helping pregnant moms from conception through birthing. He also works with adults, children, and infants who seek relaxation, restful sleep, more energy, mental focus, clarity, and calm in their lives, as well as freedom from pain. If you're interested in learning more about James' work you can visit his website: https://yourenergyfix.com/