web02.fireside.fm Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:01:47 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) All Things Vagus - Episodes Tagged with “Mental Health” https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/tags/mental%20health Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0700 Welcome to All Things Vagus, nourishing Self Care for the Helping Professional. During our time together, we will explore a wide variety of topics relating to self-care, all especially geared to the Helping professional. Our guests are all thought leaders and cutting edge providers in their respective fields of endeavor. They will offer not only helpful insights, but practical skills that you can begin to use immediately. en-us episodic Nourishing Self Care for the Helping Professional Kathleen Mangan Welcome to All Things Vagus, nourishing Self Care for the Helping Professional. During our time together, we will explore a wide variety of topics relating to self-care, all especially geared to the Helping professional. Our guests are all thought leaders and cutting edge providers in their respective fields of endeavor. They will offer not only helpful insights, but practical skills that you can begin to use immediately. no neuropharmacology, pharmacy, university, montana, neuroscience, nervous system, ayurvedic, herbs, pathophysiology Kathleen Mangan kathymangan@redwillowlearning.org Episode 38: How to Tend to Your Winter Rest https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/38 ca79de70-82fd-4c72-80ec-ee30e1259ab8 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0700 Kathleen Mangan full Kathleen Mangan 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. 35:28 no This episode of All Things Vegas features Dagny Deutschman and Dr. Michael Smith from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula. They explore a holistic approach to sleep for helping professionals. They define sleep as a "slow to form vital sign" that requires curiosity and compassion rather than judgment, noting that patterns emerge over weeks rather than single nights. The discussion highlights how seasonal light changes—particularly at the 45th parallel—impact hormonal balances. A key focus is the "chronotype," or the biological preference for morning or night activity, Finally, they address Seasonal Affective Disorder by reframing winter as a "hermit time" for introspection, art, and even exploring dream content. Dagny Deutchman is the owner and founder of The Art of Rest. They are a nervous system professional who works from a top down, and bottom up approach to the nervous system specializing in not only in stabilizing a nervous system through sleep, rest, and habit formation, but also how to access nervous system health through connection, creativity, wonder, and awe. Dr. Smith received his medical training from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Before that, he completed a master’s degree in New York City where his research focused on epigenetics and neuroscience. Dr. Smith has previously filled roles in the biotechnology and medical devices sector and various community organizations. For more information about Dr. Smith, visit his personal page at www.drmichaelsmithnd.com. For more information about Doctors White and Smith, and their practice at Natura Health and Wellness, visit www.natura.health (https://natura.health/) https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads-2024/images/e/e29f23f4-3861-41b6-bd17-a8f34d0d3e9b/m8zd-iR3.png Special Guests: Dagney Deutchman and Michael Smith. sleep, sleep hygiene, seratonin, melatonin, light therapy, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, chronotype, tiredness, mental health, wmt-ahec, The University of Montana, Natura, Red Willow Learning Center This episode of All Things Vegas features Dagny Deutschman and Dr. Michael Smith from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula. They explore a holistic approach to sleep for helping professionals. They define sleep as a "slow to form vital sign" that requires curiosity and compassion rather than judgment, noting that patterns emerge over weeks rather than single nights. The discussion highlights how seasonal light changes—particularly at the 45th parallel—impact hormonal balances. A key focus is the "chronotype," or the biological preference for morning or night activity, Finally, they address Seasonal Affective Disorder by reframing winter as a "hermit time" for introspection, art, and even exploring dream content.

Dagny Deutchman is the owner and founder of The Art of Rest. They are a nervous system professional who works from a top down, and bottom up approach to the nervous system specializing in not only in stabilizing a nervous system through sleep, rest, and habit formation, but also how to access nervous system health through connection, creativity, wonder, and awe.

Dr. Smith received his medical training from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Before that, he completed a master’s degree in New York City where his research focused on epigenetics and neuroscience. Dr. Smith has previously filled roles in the biotechnology and medical devices sector and various community organizations. For more information about Dr. Smith, visit his personal page at www.drmichaelsmithnd.com.

For more information about Doctors White and Smith, and their practice at Natura Health and Wellness, visit www.natura.health

Special Guests: Dagney Deutchman and Michael Smith.

Sponsored By:

]]> This episode of All Things Vegas features Dagny Deutschman and Dr. Michael Smith from Natura Health and Wellness in Missoula. They explore a holistic approach to sleep for helping professionals. They define sleep as a "slow to form vital sign" that requires curiosity and compassion rather than judgment, noting that patterns emerge over weeks rather than single nights. The discussion highlights how seasonal light changes—particularly at the 45th parallel—impact hormonal balances. A key focus is the "chronotype," or the biological preference for morning or night activity, Finally, they address Seasonal Affective Disorder by reframing winter as a "hermit time" for introspection, art, and even exploring dream content.

Dagny Deutchman is the owner and founder of The Art of Rest. They are a nervous system professional who works from a top down, and bottom up approach to the nervous system specializing in not only in stabilizing a nervous system through sleep, rest, and habit formation, but also how to access nervous system health through connection, creativity, wonder, and awe.

Dr. Smith received his medical training from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Before that, he completed a master’s degree in New York City where his research focused on epigenetics and neuroscience. Dr. Smith has previously filled roles in the biotechnology and medical devices sector and various community organizations. For more information about Dr. Smith, visit his personal page at www.drmichaelsmithnd.com.

For more information about Doctors White and Smith, and their practice at Natura Health and Wellness, visit www.natura.health

Special Guests: Dagney Deutchman and Michael Smith.

Sponsored By:

]]> Episode 31: Gardening—Nourishing Mind, Body & Soul https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/31 f78c2122-616c-40ea-8f47-586b0137f708 Tue, 13 May 2025 08:00:00 -0600 Kathleen Mangan full Kathleen Mangan 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. 27:43 no 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. Sponsored by: Community Medical Center (https://www.communitymed.org/) CMC Logo Small https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads-2024/images/e/e29f23f4-3861-41b6-bd17-a8f34d0d3e9b/lIiUpHPw.png Kathleen Managan, University of Montana, Western Montana AHEC, wmt ahec, Red Willow Learning Center, gardening, farming, philosophy, psychology, farm ecology, nature, natural world, resiliance, grief, mental health, emotional health, connection 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.

Sponsored by: Community Medical Center
CMC Logo Small

]]> 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.

Sponsored by: Community Medical Center
CMC Logo Small

]]> Episode 25: In Pursuit of Happiness https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/25 2fc41c19-71bc-4c23-aa35-e22ad12461c9 Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0600 Kathleen Mangan full Kathleen Mangan 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 33:28 no 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 Montana Happiness Project, Kathleen Mangan, John Sommers-Flanagan, Red Willow Learning Center, University of Montana, Happiness, Therapy, Therapy Podcast, Counseling Podcast, Mental Health, Mental Health Podcast, Montana Therapy, Western Montana 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

]]> 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 https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/23 b56c0ac1-8972-45c2-a41a-aa9734737550 Fri, 12 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0600 Kathleen Mangan full Kathleen Mangan 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/ 37:07 no 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/ therapy, mindfulness, psychotherapy, natural resilience, threshold global works, social resilience, neuroscience, laurie leitch, kathy mangan, all things vagus, mental health, health and wellness, 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/

]]> 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 https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/20 6e516026-7eb6-45fe-b549-77ecbec8c637 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:30:00 -0600 Kathleen Mangan full Kathleen Mangan 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. 22:21 no 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. yoga, reiki, self care, therapy, massage, therapist, kathy mangan, university of montana, red willow learning center, healing, mental health, meditation 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.

]]> 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 https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/19 5879facd-9c9d-4f3e-ae40-2f2a66b6d8aa Tue, 06 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0700 Kathleen Mangan full Kathleen Mangan 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/ 25:40 no 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/ sound therapy, yoga, mental health, kundalini yoga, therapy, kathy mangan, arwen kittelson-aldred, healing, music therapy, musical healing, classical music, all things vagus, therapist, psychologist 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/

]]> 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 https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/18 5789a949-bcce-43d7-b067-1b3f7060307c Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0700 Kathleen Mangan full Kathleen Mangan 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/ 27:25 no 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/ therapy, mindfulness, spiritual, red willow learning, kathy mangan, marge hulbert, shamanism, mental health, health, well-being, therapist 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/

]]> 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 https://allthingsvagus.fireside.fm/17 3baff39a-2160-4cf2-b9c8-675e4460e4d9 Fri, 22 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0700 Kathleen Mangan full Kathleen Mangan 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/ 16:12 no 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 to 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/ grounding, craniosacral therapy, therapy, reiki master, reiki, relaxation, thoughtfulness, pain relief, mental health, kathleen mangan, james fix 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 to 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/

]]> 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 to 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/

]]>