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

Next Generation of Thinkers Happens at the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery

Today's show highlights a favorite non-profit, the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery, https://www.sccmod.org/ for Santa Cruz Gives which is a year-end fundraising campaign for donors to learn about and support multiple local nonprofits with one transaction.

On the show we feature Bonnie Keet and Patrice Keet, the original founders, board member Emily Jacobson and long-time employee Heaven Reagan.

The Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery is a unique place creating the next generation of thinkers, creators and problem-solvers - it's a one wonder filled experience at a time, says MOD visionaries! Listen in to learn more!

Why give through Santa Cruz Gives?

• • Your dollars stay local, strengthening our County’s economy.
  • Donations are increased through matching funds.
  • You can learn about and support many local nonprofits on one website.
  • Organizations are vetted by an experienced committee.
  • You’re part of a community, and can watch donations make an impact in real-time on the leaderboard.

• November 19 – December 31, 2025

Give online

• Visit SantaCruzGives.org to donate by credit card, e-check, ApplePay, or GooglePay.

https://www.sccmod.org/

Thanks everyone for listening, liking and subscribing to your favorite streaming services.

Check out our upcoming Holistic Nutrition Education Classes for 2026.

The Food Tree 101 begins January 20th. Registration is now open for enrollment.

Link here. https://santacruzholisticnutrition.com/classes/

Holiday time is one hundred percent related to increase in stress levels. From family obligations, work parties, kids, grandparents, and dealing with you wider community- just driving around or shopping can trigger even our most chill and centered of our friends.

Can hanging around stressed people increase your own levels of stress? Yes, via pheromones, bringing along your baggage filled with your lifetime of stress, even positive good events like celebrating the holidays can indeed stressful.

And if those obstacles aren’t enough, American women are under tremendous amounts of stress while trying to balance the demands of home, work, and relationships. Common medical opinion is that 96% of all illness is either a direct result of stress, or greatly aggravated by it according to the Anxiety Center.

Let’s be resilient to stress this year and how?

Today we are talking with Alisha Slaughter is an Integrative Health and Mind-Body Practitioner

Short Bio

Alisha Slaughter is an Integrative Health and Mind-Body Practitioner who helps women navigate midlife transitions with resilience, ease, and clarity through her three pillars of health: Nourish, Move, and Thrive. With expertise in nutrition, somatic healing, and therapeutic support, she guides women to restore balance, reclaim energy, and feel at home in their bodies. Her work is enriched by her own lived experience of trauma, grief, and burnout, as well as her background as a mother, wife, and former corporate executive. Alisha is also pursuing her license as a Marriage and Family Therapist, expanding her ability to address mental health with the same inclusive and holistic approach she brings to all of her work. Nutrition, Movement, & Somatic Healing

Alchemy - Nutrition & Movement Phone: 831-588-2008 Web: myalchemy.life Insta: @wellnesswithalisha

Jill Troderman Holistic Nutritionist, Counselor, Coach, Teacher, Speaker

831-239-1021

www.santacruzholisticnutrition.com

Going Crazy or is it Just Peri-menopause?

Anxiety, depression, mood-swings, irritability? These are common symptoms of hormone imbalances that many women experience especially as they transition into menopause. If you can identify, no, you are not going crazy but it may feel like you are and your loved ones may agree!!

These changes affect women physically, mentally, and emotionally.

• The gross imbalance manifests as a spectrum presenting over 150 different aliments and symptoms.

• If hormone change in the climacteric woman is natural and normal why do so many millions of women suffer? Some women slide right through into menopause with mild to no significant discomfort or symptoms. However, the other unfortunate women suffer hormonal imbalance predominately estrogen dominance caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, a high stress lifestyle, and exposure to xenoestrogens just to name a few.

Biography:

Michelle Dwyer is a Holistic Health Coach and Certified Nutrition Consultant. Her areas of specialty include: healthy weight loss from a holistic perspective, blood sugar regulation, lifestyle balance support in (peri)menopause, digestive well-being, and lifestyle management (sleep, stress, movement). She has Master of Science degree in Health and Nutrition Education, is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, and was trained as a Hormone Cure Coach with Dr. Sara Gottfried. She is also founder of Whole Life Nourishment, a mind-body-spirit program for women who are desiring greater accountability, clarity and support in prioritizing their health and wellness on a daily basis. Michelle’s telehealth services are available across the country via Zoom or phone. For more information about her services or to book a complimentary Discovery Session, please go to HealthCoachMichelle.com.

Website: HealthCoachMichelle.com

Email: michelle@healthcoachmichelle.com

510-919-4921

Jill Troderman - Counselor, Coach, Teacher, Speaker

831-239-1021

santacruzholisticnutrition.com

Join Jill flying Solo -

Nutrition in the News – Trump and PFAS Pesticides allowance regulations

The Food Tree Holistic Nutrition Curriculum: Mindfulness. Kids on I-pads are becoming addicted. How Toddler Screen Time in 2 and 3 years olds is changing they way they cope, learn, grow and feel.

Mindfulness Mindless Eating Study

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Science Side Dish – Elderberries- Immune System

Recipes for Growing Healthy Families Elderberries for Immune Health

www.santacruzholisticnutrition.com

https://www.youtube.com/@JillTroderman