Episode Description: In this episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma speaks with Estefana Johnson, founder and Executive Director of Arise Alliance, about her transformative work in trauma counseling and the creation of the Critical Memory Integration (CMI) method.

Estefana shares her personal journey, including the challenges she faced as a Latina navigating the mental health field, and the deep impact of cultural and early-life experiences on emotional well-being. Together, they explore how CMI differs from traditional therapies—focusing on integrating rather than desensitizing memories—and how this powerful approach is changing lives.

You'll hear:

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:52 Personal Journey into Mental Health

01:55 Guest Introduction: Estefani Johnson

03:21 Critical Memory Integration (CMI) Overview

03:58 Cultural Influences on Mental Health

05:44 Understanding Critical Memories

08:24 CMI in Practice: Techniques and Benefits

17:04 Personal Transformation Stories

18:49 The Impact of CMI on Patients

21:47 Personal Reflections and Experiences

24:44 Recognizing Signs of Trauma

26:10 Understanding Trauma and Integration

27:51 The Role of Caregiving and Personal Boundaries

29:31 The Importance of Self-Care and Authenticity

32:27 Desensitization vs. Integration

34:46 The Continuous Journey of Healing

37:07 Training and Expanding CMI

43:18 Connecting with the Community

45:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Guest Links – Estefana Johnson 🔗 Website: https://arisealliance.org

Connect with Dr. Soma Mandal 🌐 Website: www.somamandalmd.com 📸 Instagram: @drsomamandalmd ▶️ YouTube: Soma Says Podcast

🎧 If this episode moved you, please leave a review, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe to Soma Says for more life-changing conversations.

In this inspiring episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal interviews Virginia “Gin” Oman — a transformational expert, licensed clinical mental health counselor, certified life coach, personal trainer, and harp therapist. Diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis in the late 1980s and told she’d never walk again, Gin rebuked expectations. She used the healing power of the mind-body connection, movement, music, and intuition to reclaim her life — going from wheelchair-bound to cycling and eventually serving as the MS Association’s National Ambassador.

🌟 Topics Covered

• Resilience and defying the odds

• Mind-body healing, intuition, and small daily steps

• Sound and movement therapy for trauma and chronic illness

• Building a life of purpose and inspiring hope

00:00 – Intro & Disclaimer 00:53 – Meet Virginia "Gin" Oman 01:19 – Gin's Journey with MS 04:35 – Intuition & Overcoming Adversity 09:39 – Crafting a Unique Therapeutic Practice 11:21 – Music & Movement as Medicine 18:10 – Therapy’s Triumphs & Trials 22:29 – Learning to Ride Again 26:05 – Becoming a Voice for Hope 26:40 – Inner Voice & Small Shifts 28:49 – From Ashes to Flight 29:27 – Writing for Healing 30:48 – The Joy of Helping Others 34:26 – Daily Rituals for Balance 35:52 – Gratitude & Nature’s Role 41:42 – Engaging the Audience 42:10 – Final Thoughts + Contact Info

Virginia “Gin” Oman

• Instagram: @virginiaomanofficial

• Website: virginiaoman.com

Dr. Soma Mandal aka "Dr. Soma"

• Instagram: @drsomamandalmd

• Website: somamandalmd.com

🧠 Episode Summary: In this powerful episode, Dr. Soma interviews Celine Vignal, founder of Seesaw Health, about her personal journey with chronic migraines and how it inspired the creation of a cutting-edge women’s health tech company. Celine shares how her debilitating symptoms led to the development of Seesaw Health’s patented egg biosensor and breathwork app, which combine neuroscience-backed 0.1 Hz breathing techniques and real-time data to activate the vagus nerve and reduce inflammation.

Together, they explore how consistent breathwork can help regulate hormonal fluctuations, migraines, and menopausal symptoms—and why personalized, holistic tools are the future of women's health.

🕰️ Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Introduction and Disclaimer 00:52 – Meet Celine Vignal and Seesaw Health 03:07 – Personal Journey with Chronic Migraines 05:35 – The Science Behind Seesaw Health 16:19 – Daily Use and Benefits of the Device 29:49 – Broader Applications and Future Plans 31:59 – Privacy and Data Security 36:03 – Conclusion and Contact Information

🌐 Learn More About Seesaw Health: Website: https://www.seesaw.health Instagram: @seesaw.health

🔗 Connect with Dr. Soma Mandal: Website: www.somamandalmd.com Instagram: @drsomamandal YouTube Channel: Soma Says Apple Podcasts: Soma Says Podcast

🎙️ Money Mavericks: How Women Are Redefining the Rules of Wealth with Melissa Murphy Pavone

In this empowering episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma welcomes back Melissa Murphy Pavone, founder of Mindful Financial Partners and a seasoned financial advisor with over 25 years of experience. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Melissa brings not just numbers—but compassion, strategy, and clarity—to the table when helping women navigate the complex financial terrain of divorce.

They dive into the emotional and financial realities many women face during and after separation, from hidden financial pitfalls to the power of preparation. Melissa shares how women can protect their assets, gain financial literacy, and confidently take charge of their futures.

Whether you're contemplating divorce, in the middle of one, or supporting someone who is—this episode is full of practical insights and thoughtful guidance to help you move forward with strength and purpose.

🔑 Topics Covered: 00:00 – Introduction and Disclaimer 00:52 – Meet Melissa Murphy Pavone 01:38 – Understanding Financial Challenges in Divorce 02:28 – The Role of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst 03:27 – Common Financial Issues Women Face 05:17 – The Importance of Financial Literacy and Support 11:42 – Planning Ahead: Pre-Divorce Essentials 14:50 – Melissa’s Mission and Why She Does This Work 16:12 – Divorce Myths and Creative Solutions 18:40 – Key Documents and Post-Divorce Transitions 24:34 – Real Stories of Financial Empowerment 31:42 – Final Thoughts and How to Connect

🌐 Learn more about Melissa: Website: mindfulfinancialpartners.com LinkedIn: Melissa Murphy Pavone Instagram: @mindfulfinancialpartners

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: Subscribe to Soma Says Podcast here → https://www.youtube.com/@SomaSays/videos

In this inspiring episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal sits down with Amy White, board-certified holistic nutritionist, functional nutrition & lifestyle practitioner, and certified life coach. As the founder and CEO of The Simplicity of Wellness, Amy shares her journey from healing her daughter’s gut issues to transforming the health of thousands of midlife women.

Amy unpacks her signature Hangry to Healthy™ program and how it helps women balance hormones, break free from food guilt, and create sustainable, science-backed habits—without restrictive diets. From understanding how food acts as information, to addressing metabolic shifts and hormonal imbalances in perimenopause and menopause, Amy offers empowering insights and tools for lasting wellness.

You’ll also hear about her private AI coaching platform designed to support clients in real time with personalized nutrition guidance. If you're navigating the complexities of midlife health, this episode is for you.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction and Disclaimer 00:52 – Meet Amy White: Transforming Women's Health 02:36 – Amy's Personal Journey into Nutrition 05:39 – Understanding Food as Information 06:33 – Tailored Nutrition Strategies for Midlife Women 07:07 – The Role of Habits in Health 15:50 – Addressing Food Guilt and Collecting Data 21:50 – Innovative Tools for Nutrition Coaching 25:10 – Stress Eating and Awareness 26:32 – Hormonal Imbalances and Gut Health 27:30 – Rebalancing Metabolic Hormones 28:17 – Managing Insulin Resistance 30:51 – Hangry to Healthy Program 33:55 – GLP-1 Medications and Weight Loss 40:49 – Perimenopause, Menopause, and Weight Management 43:33 – Client Success Stories 47:46 – Conclusion and Contact Information

Connect with Amy White: 🌐 Website: https://www.thesimplicityofwellness.com 📸 Instagram: @thesimplicityofwellness 📧 Free Resources & Program Info: https://www.thesimplicityofwellness.com/resources

In this episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal welcomes Shalvi Singh, AI visionary and founder of Health Engine—a groundbreaking platform using artificial intelligence to bridge the $50 billion gap in women’s healthcare.

From her personal journey with PCOS to building an app that decodes biomarker shifts and predicts women’s health transitions, Shalvi shares how Health Engine is reimagining care for conditions like PCOS, perimenopause, and more. They unpack the importance of integrating AI into traditional care, discuss the potential for clinic partnerships, and address data privacy concerns—all while empowering women to understand and advocate for their bodies like never before.

🔍 Whether you're a healthcare provider, technophile, or just fed up with feeling dismissed in the exam room, this conversation is your front-row seat to the future of women’s health.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction and Disclaimer 01:06 – Meet Shalvi Singh: AI Visionary and Women's Health Advocate 02:48 – Shalvi's Personal Journey with PCOS 04:56 – Challenges and Critiques of Traditional Medicine 09:55 – The Birth of Health Engine 13:42 – AI and Women’s Health: The Future of Proactive Care 18:25 – How Health Engine Works 21:42 – Community and Support Systems 31:03 – Data Privacy and Security in AI 33:04 – Conclusion and Future Prospects

Guest Links: 💼 LinkedIn: Shalvi Singh 📰 TechBullion Feature

In this episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma welcomes chiropractor and former pro golfer Dr. Terry Zachary to explore a surprisingly overlooked topic: grip strength. From his transition out of professional golf to his work with athletes, musicians, and everyday professionals, Dr. Zachary shares the science and strategy behind Handmaster Plus, a tool that helps train all 27 muscles of the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow.

They discuss how balanced muscle training can prevent injury, improve recovery, support lymphatic drainage, and even help new mothers and aging adults maintain strength and function. Whether you're navigating menopause, recovering from carpal tunnel, or just typing away at a laptop all day, this conversation will change the way you think about your hands.

Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction and Disclaimer 01:30 – Welcome Dr. Terry Zachary 02:25 – From Golf to Chiropractic: Dr. Zachary’s Journey 05:17 – The Birth of Handmaster Plus 06:26 – How Handmaster Plus Works 15:52 – The Importance of Balanced Muscle Training 19:44 – Who Benefits from Handmaster Plus? 24:39 – Carpal Tunnel and Rehabilitation 27:32 – Middle-Aged Women & Muscle Recovery 30:07 – Why Staying Active Matters 30:41 – Grip Strength as a Health Indicator 32:55 – Training Methods and Patient Stories 35:50 – Recovery Exercises for Seniors 36:48 – The “Figure Eight” Exercise 46:09 – Blood Flow, Lymph Drainage & Hand Health 47:35 – What’s Next for Handmaster Plus 55:35 – Final Thoughts and Contact Information

👉 Learn more about Dr. Zachary and his work: www.doczac.com

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@SomaSays/videos

In this episode of Soma Says, host Dr. Soma Mandal sits down with Lindsey Sozio, the visionary founder of Lavender Coffee Boutique in Denver, Colorado. With a background in branding and interior design, Lindsay shares how she transitioned from creative agency life to building a woman-owned coffee boutique centered on wellness, ritual, and community.

Together, Dr. Soma and Lindsey explore:

• The power of daily rituals and how they support women’s well-being

• How Lavender Coffee Boutique blends style, soul, and specialty drinks

• The role of connection and intention in building a wellness-focused brand

• The highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and how Lindsey maintains balance as a business owner and mom

• How Lindsey builds authentic community through marketing and customer experience

Whether you’re a coffee lover, creative entrepreneur, or simply navigating midlife wellness, this episode will leave you inspired to build a life—and business—with heart.

⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Lindsey Sozio and Lavender Coffee Boutique 02:01 – Lindsay's Journey: From Interior Design to Coffee Entrepreneurship 05:34 – The Wellness Focus of Lavender Coffee 09:30 – Unique Coffee Products and Customer Experience 10:58 – Marketing Strategies and Community Building 21:37 – Challenges and Successes in Entrepreneurship 26:52 – Future Plans and Balancing Life as an Entrepreneur 33:48 – The Importance of Human Connection in a Digital Age 38:10 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

✨ Connect with Lindsey Sozio & Lavender Coffee Boutique: 🌐 Website: lavendercb.com 📸 Instagram: @lavender.cb

🎧 Subscribe to Soma Says and leave a review to help others discover stories of empowered, modern women navigating midlife with strength and soul.