All Things Vagus

Episode 30: The Power of the Present Moment

April 15th, 2025  |  28 mins 53 secs

bilateral stimulation, clinical mental health, emotional regulation, intentionality, jen racicot, kathleen managan, mental wellness, mindfulness, present moment, red willow learning center, somatic awareness, university of montana, western montana ahec, wmt ahec

Jen Racicot is a nationally certified counselor with her master's in clinical mental health from the University of Montana. Jen's life experiences as a fifth-generation non-Indigenous Montanan have been infused in teaching, service, and advocacy in Montana for over 20 years. She has worked with ages 3 through 70, counseling and traveling as a speaker and leading workshops on mental wellness. For more information on Jen's work, you can visit her website, at https://jenracicot.com/.

Episode 29: Mindfulness in Nature

March 20th, 2025  |  21 mins 43 secs

christine lustik, connection, grounding, kathleen managan, meditation, mindfulness, nature, red willow learning center, reflection, self-awareness, university of montana, vagal nerve, western montana ahec, wmt ahec

Christine Lustik is a leadership coach and leadership development specialist focused on guiding authentic, caring, productive, and confident people managers. After earning her PhD, Christine focused on developing her own self-awareness. She obtained two mindfulness teacher certifications, including one from an organization called Awake in the Wild, which certifies teachers to guide mindfulness in nature classes and retreats. Christine has a labyrinth outside of Missoula where she offers retreats. For more information on Christine's work, you can visit her website, Mindfulness Organizations, at https://www.mindfulnessinorganizations.com.

Episode 28: Utilizing the Power of Plant Medicine

February 21st, 2025  |  25 mins 3 secs

adaptogens, elaine sheff, essential oils, green path herb school, herbalist, herbs, kathleen managan, nervines, plant medicine, red willow learning center, tea, university of montana, western montana ahec, wmt ahec

Elaine Sheff, a clinical herbalist and author of several books on herbal medicine and healing, has been passionate about sharing herbal knowledge for over 30 years. She is the co-director of Greenpath Herb School in Missoula, Montana, where she inspires and empowers students and clients to reconnect with the earth, plants, and their own healing journey. A professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, Elaine teaches workshops and speaks at conferences both nationally and internationally.

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 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 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 16: Stinkin' Thinkin'

November 6th, 2023  |  24 mins 46 secs

health, kathy mangan, life coach, personal growth, red willow learning center, therapy, wellness

The Founder and Executive Director of Red Willow Learning Center and its sister organization, Laying Groundwork, Kathy is all about maximizing human potential. She is dedicated to whole mind/body/spirit health and focuses on offering both thought-provoking and practical ideas to help her workshop participants, personal coaching clients and mastermind groups best grow their own individual potential.

Interested in learning more? Kathy's contact information can be found below:
[email protected]
[email protected]