Do You Need Community to Be Happy? Having a healthy and happy life filled with fun and joy are goals many of us want to achieve and as we know, to achieve or move towards that moment, occasion, experience, thought,

and whenever it arrives and forever long it lasts, is not just what you eat and put in your body, but, also, what you put in your mind and how you feed your soul.

So, what are some ways to find that happiness and joy?

Today we are talking about how valuable the role of community, IRL In Real Life, is to finding that said happy life.

My next guest Susan Fraser!

Welcome

Susan O’Connor Fraser is co-founder of Tam Communications. Since 1979, Susan has written and produced literally thousands of programs for broadcast and cable, and for Northern California leading organizations. In commercial production, Susan has been the Executive Producer/Creative Director/Writer for spots for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, West Marine, and Granite rock. Susan worked with her partner Tam to co-develop and executive produce the internationally syndicated television series, Coast Guard that ran for three seasons on over 100 stations throughout the country. From there she has created, written and produced programming for Discovery, The Travel Channel, Discovery Health, The Military Channel and National Geographic Television. In the non-broadcast world, she has earned a reputation for crafting customized media solutions to drive sales, build image, motivate employees, or communicate corporate or product messaging through video and other digital media. Susan has received top honors from numerous industry competitions and was the 1988 recipient of the McFarland Award, presented in recognition for her many contributions to the Northern California media production community. She served on the board of the Mexican Heritage Corporation and the Professional Media Network of Greater San Jose. She was also the organization’s president for two years. Susan is also on the Treasurer of Think Local First Santa Cruz, is a member of the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force, the Scotts Valley Chamber Board of Directors, and the Steering Committee for Santa Cruz Voice.

Ep. 34 Susan O'Connor Fraser

Unravel the Knot and The Healing Begins

When we unravel the knot, the healing will begin, says my next guest, Dr. Rachel Farber Acupuncturist, from Santa Cruz, CA.

That may sound to some a bit woo woo but really it is philosophical statement rooted in anatomy and physiology, based on thousands of years of experience.

Today I want to explore if Is it necessary to check in with your inner self to really figure out why you have any certain conditions or ailments? For instance, if you are running around, staying out late, not eating well, and then pull your back out… are these incidents links or are they random?

What about being in a toxic work or relationship, for decades, and you develop anxiety and seek medication, valid, but is it also necessary to take a look at what are the foundational drivers of any imbalances?

Here to discuss this and more is Dr. Rachel Farber!!

Dr. Rachel Farber, DAOM, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist with over 25 years of clinical practice. She has also served on the faculty Five Branches University and Yo San University teaching Ob/Gyn, Clinical Nutrition and Management of Autoimmune Disease.

She uses a natural approach to help people feel (and look!) their best with an emphasis on pain relief, autoimmune disease management and holistic facial renewal. She practices Integrative Chinese Medicine including acupuncture, herbs, dietary therapy, cupping, gua sha, heat therapy, deep tissue massage and micro-needling.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Farber leads online groups in her 21-Day Seasonal Reset Programs designed to help participants practice gentle nourishment for optimal health. She is also a certified yoga teacher, loves reading and baking, and hanging out with her kids, husband and dog outdoors.

Healing Your Inner World to Heal Your Physical World.

https://rachelfarber.com/

USDA new inverted food pyramid 2026, SNAP restrictions in certain states, plus California Gov. bans UPF’s in schools.

Ep 32 Feeding the Family January 7, 2026

You know the famous Chinese proverb, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now."?

Well, the same goes for dealing with health and prevention of disease. Of course, preventing illness is always a great goal but sometimes even those who are healthy, will get sick. Think of a time of illness as a time to reset, cleanse and restore.

To continue with the planting a tree analogy, the best time to prepare for illness, is, yesterday!

My guest and co-host today is Abby Klein, medical expert and pharmacist from the San Francisco Bay Area.

We talk about the latest health news, USDA new inverted food pyramid, SNAP restrictions in certain states, plus California Gov. bans UPF’s in schools. It is a start. Let’s see how things go.

Please support my work, buy me a coffee, and like and subscribe to your favorite streaming services! Thanks everyone for listening in!! I am so grateful. 😊

Peace and love,

Jill

www.santacruzholisticnutrition.com