Synopsis
Challenging the Collective is a podcast from the founder of popular wellness and lifestyle blog, On Adulting. Katina Mountanos has created a space where we can question everything...so that together, we can all redefine what it means to care for ourselves and our world. She and her guests push your thinking on how to be the Best Human you can be by exploring topics such as spirituality, self-care, minimalist fashion, green beauty, impact investing, healing methods, entrepreneurship, and so much more. So, slow down for a bit and let yourself begin to Challenge your version of the Collective, too.
Episodes
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36. Clean Beauty Warrior, Indie Lee, On Staying Grounded With Nature's Help
24/10/2018 Duration: 53minDo you ever feel like the Universe is giving you a major sign? Indie Lee, the founder of the renowned clean beauty company, had an experience that shifted the course of her life. After spending much of her early career “following the rules” - working a corporate job, traveling the world, raising a family - she decided that she needed to get closer to her passions. So, she built a greenhouse and started growing healing plants. But that complete career shift wasn’t enough. It wasn’t until she found out that she had a life-threatening illness that she knew she had to align with her life’s purpose: help others heal. She started Indie Lee, a clean beauty company, to educate others about the healing power of nature without sacrificing beauty, quality and clean products. Indie’s story will leave you feeling inspired, energized and empowered to make the change you wish to see in your life and find the strength you never knew you had. -- For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina abo
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35. Founder of Modern Fertility, Afton Vechery, On Taking Control Of Our Bodies
17/10/2018 Duration: 49minDid you ever wonder why fertility is something that’s talked about in hushed tones and quiet corners in our modern world? Me neither. And, neither does Afton. During this podcast episode, we will hear from Afton Vechery, the co-founder of the San Francisco-based startup, Modern Fertility. Modern Fertility is an at-home fertility test, where for only $150, you can have access to your fertility hormones in an easy and accessible way. After Afton went through her own difficult experience trying to understand what her fertility options were, she decided that something more needed to be done. So, she set out to democratize women’s hormones - and understanding of our bodies. During our chat, Afton takes us back to the beginning - starting with her passion for melding science and business back in middle school (seriously!). She spent her entire career so far sitting in between these two areas, always asking “why”. No matter what life stage you’re at, this episode is an inspiring take on questioning the status quo.
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34. Acupuncturist, Christine Friel, On Finding Our Ch'i
10/10/2018 Duration: 01h03minWhat does it mean to find your ch’i? In this podcast episode, Christine Friel, an acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner walks us through the many different ways that we can re energize our ch’i, or life force - no matter if needles freak you out or not. Christine walks us through the many different facets of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and her approach to looking at the whole picture for her patients. Think of her as a professional dot-connector; able to see how your angry outbursts might be connected to liver inflammation. In this episode, we walk through the basics of acupuncture: what it is, why needles shouldn’t scare you, and how we can use many different aspects of Eastern and Western medicine to heal. Christine is also an expert on women’s health during all aspects of life - and how our diets, movement, and mindset could impact our vitality. She explains different ways that we could connect the dots ourselves - and live a life filled with Ch’i. -- For more info, visit: www.
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33. Social Entrepreneur, Angela Luna On Creating With A Purpose
03/10/2018 Duration: 58minDid you ever think that a fashionable jacket could double as a place of shelter? Me neither. But, Angela Luna always believed that fashion could be used as a tool for change - even in the most dire situations. After seeing the impact of the refugee crisis firsthand, Angela was not only inspired - but felt responsible - to create something with a purpose. And so, ADIFF was born. ADIFF is a socially conscious clothing brand that is using fashion to aid in global displacement. Angela created ADIFF during her time at Parson’s School of Design, and was name Designer of the Year Award for her work. But, ADIFF wasn’t just a school project - it is a social impact company that is redefining the way that we look at clothing as a tool, a statement, a way to change the world (literally). Tune in to this episode of Challenging the Collective for a raw and real conversation about entrepreneurship, making an impact, and all the unpredictable, unromantic moments that come with starting a company with a purpose. It’s definit
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32. Yogi and Urban Mystic, Darren Main, On Making the Mundane Sacred + Finding Your Breath
26/09/2018 Duration: 58minHave you ever thought about the power of our minds and breath? Darren Main, one of the most well-respected yogis, authors and spiritual thinkers in San Francisco and truly, around the world, invites us to see “what a clusterfuck our lives might be” - and how we can use our own selves to transform. Darren is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, and has this amazing ability to make extremely deep topics like religion, addiction and spirituality light. He takes us through his own life experiences as a gay man who is HIV-positive - and a yogi. He also explains the science and spirituality behind breathwork. Remember: you may not be able to change the facts, but you can change the narrative. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-mail onadulting@gmail.com. To join the On Adulting Tribe + email newsletter, please visit http://eepurl.com/dhaq_T
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37. Founders of Almost 30 Podcast, Lindsey + Krista, On Navigating Our 20s And Beyond
25/09/2018 Duration: 48minDid you ever think...I’m almost 30 (or 25 or 20) - and I have no clue what I’m doing with my life? Krista and Lindsey felt the same exact way (same). But now, they’re here to help. It seems fitting that for the last episode of Challenging the Collective, Season 1, we’re lucky enough to hear from the coolest ladies on the block about Growing Up: Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik, the founders of the Almost 30 Podcast. Krista and Lindsey have spent the last two years chatting with some of the brightest and most inspiring minds in health, wellness, entrepreneurship, self-development. Their podcast, Almost 30, has been named one of iTunes Top 100 - and they’ve reached hundreds of thousands of women around the world. So, in honor of growing up in a mindful & happy way - let’s all lean in and have a real, raw, unfiltered chat about Growing Up. -- For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please email katina@onad
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31. Corporate Idealist, Christine Bader, On Bending The Rules for Good
22/09/2018 Duration: 01h18minIf you’ve ever had the urge to save the world, but had no clue where to start: this is it. Christine Bader, who was most recently the Director of Social Responsibility at Amazon, is on Challenging the Collective today - talking about her path towards bending the rules for good - and how we can all do the same. Christine started her career before CSR was the wildly popular field that it is today, back when British Petroleum was at the forefront of using business for good. She takes us through her winding career path, though always circling back to staying within the system and wielding her power for the betterment of our world. Christine reminds us that most of life is grey - and it’s up to us to create our path forward with grace and persistence. Here’s to making the world a little bit brighter. -- for more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast to connect with katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-mail katina@onadulting.com. to join the on adulting tribe + e
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30. EFT Tapping Expert, Kate Winch, On Releasing Fear With Our Fingertips
12/09/2018 Duration: 55minHave you ever known that you should be doing something, but a little voice in your head tells you to do the opposite? It could be about drinking that third cup of coffee, or quitting your job (we’ve all been there). Oftentimes, hearing your true inner guidance is really, really hard. But, that’s exactly what Kate Winch helps you find. Kate Winch is an experienced healer, and expert in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), or Tapping. Essentially, tapping is like acupuncture without the needles. It’s a tool to erase fear, worry and anxiety with the touch of our fingertips. Tune in and experience an EFT Tapping workshop with Kate - stopping your stress in it’s tracks. You won’t want to miss this! For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-mail onadulting@gmail.com. To join the On Adulting Tribe + email newsletter, please visit http://eepurl.com/dhaq_T Resources: To learn more about Kate's work, visit her w
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29. Co-founder of Apothecanna, Joie Meffert, On The Healing Power of Plants
05/09/2018 Duration: 52minDid you know that you could use cannabis...on your skin? And, that it provides pain relief almost immediately? Joie Meffert is one of the co-founders of Apothecanna, the first all-natural body care line supercharged by plants - such as cannabis compounds like CBD. In today’s podcast, we’ll be hearing from Joie about the importance of listening to your body...and how you can use the power of plants to heal it. Joie has been body aware for nearly her whole life - growing up as a competitive dancer and then moving into the art world. She and her husband soon became interested in the power of plants, especially cannabis, for heaiing and jumped into the industry nearly 10 years ago (in the very early days!). After much experimenting, Apothecanna was born. In this podcast episode, Joie takes us through the experience of starting a wellness company in a somewhat controversial space, and making that conversation available to everyone. She also walks us through the variety of ways we could leverage plant medicine to
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28. Doula and Cannabis Mama, Ozzie, On Bringing Women Up
22/08/2018 Duration: 54minThere are many different ways that you can build a tribe. And, Ozzie is kind of an expert on all of them. She’s been building communities, especially those that bring women up, since she’s been a little girl. And, after spending time as a doula advocating for women’s rights during one of the most precious times in their lives - she’s now turned her sights to a new area of focus: Cannabis. Ozzie has spend the past year reducing stigma on using various forms of cannabis for health and wellness - especially after her own experience in postpartum haze/depression. Ozzie walks us through the different ways you can incorporate cannabis into your wellness routine (shout out CBD). But most importantly, we reflect on how we can continue to respect other humans choices in all that they do. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-mail onadulting@gmail.com. To join the On Adulting Tribe + email newsletter, pleas
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27. Neurologist and Environmental Scientist, Ilene Ruhoy, On How Our Environment Affects Our Brain
15/08/2018 Duration: 57minHave you ever wondered what impact our environment can have on our health? Ilene Ruhoy is the perfect person to ask. As a neurologist, holistic health practitioner and with a phd in environmental toxicology - she has an extreme understanding of how our environments affect our health over the long haul. This conversation with Ilene digs into the various ways we can heal chronic conditions - and how we may even prevent them by making more conscious choices about our environments. Ilene also chats about her own health experience and how it’s impacted her perception of the health system. If you’re in need of some inspiration, direction on your path in life, and especially if you’re interested in learning more about how to take control of your environment - tune in. You won’t want to miss this! For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-mail onadulting@gmail.com. To join the On Adulting Tribe + email newsl
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26. Founders of Fair Harbor, Caroline and Jake Danehy, On Using Trash For Good
08/08/2018 Duration: 49minDid you know that you can make swimsuits out of recycled plastic? Well - Fair Harbor, a sustainable swimsuit and lifestyle brand uses 11 plastic bottles in each of their swimsuits. Yes, you heard that right - all of their products are created from recycled plastic or other upcycled materials such as coconuts! And, they’re the most humbling, sweet siblings you could imagine. We talk about their process and inspiration behind starting this company (Jake was a geography major who studied the scientific properties of plastic and its effect on our oceans), the different ways we can make change in our world, and the importance of community. This conversation is equal parts inspiring, equal parts humbling, equal parts educational. And reminds us that we are all human beings at the end of the day, responsible for our earth...and each other. And, becoming awake to the impact we can have. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or
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25. Community Healer, Polina Smith On Getting Better From The Inside Out
01/08/2018 Duration: 45minWe all have different definitions of healing. For some of us, it looks like going for a walk in the park. For others, it’s adjusting our diets. But, we all know deep down what it is - we just need to listen. Polina Smith is a holistic healer and health coach who went through her own health issues in her early 20s, and after countless doctors told her different things (none of which solved the issue at hand) she took matters into her own hands. After Polina healed herself from the inside out, she knew she needed to pass that knowledge and experience on to others. Polina is the founder and creator behind the Holistic Health Saloons, a staple in the Bay Area community that brings hundreds of healers together to share their wisdom with the general public. Because, we can’t stop when we’ve fixed ourselves. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-mail onadulting@gmail.com. To join the On Adulting Tribe + em
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23. Founder of PiperWai, Jess Edelstein, On Making A Side Hustle Your Reality
25/07/2018 Duration: 46minHave you ever wondered about what goes on in the mind of a true entrepreneur - especially one in the wellness world? Jess Edelstein is a prime example of someone who took her side hustle to a multi-million dollar business in a few years - and has still stayed humble and vulnerable along the way. Jess had a “typical millennial” experience after college. Which looked like working at a pet store and trying to make it on Broadway. After being fired for being too independent and too assertive (multiple times) she knew that she would be her own boss one day. Cue making natural deodorant products in her kitchen. Jess started a natural deodorant company, PiperWai, from scratch. Since then, she’s been named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, appeared on Shark Tank, and a host of other respected media outlets for her work in creating a natural deodorant that doesn’t stink. Tune in for a dose of inspiration, and a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship, the wellness world, and going for your dreams. Because according to Jes
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24. Founder of WearWell, Erin Houston, On Using Fashion To Change The World
18/07/2018 Duration: 44minAre you confused about how you could make an impact in the world? Do you feel like you have to make a choice between working at a big bank or sacrifice everything to work at a nonprofit in Kenya? Erin proves that you could fit somewhere in the middle. Erin Houston is the founder of an innovative fashion company called WearWell, which enables consumers to purchase clothes that speak to both their styles and values. During our conversation, she reflects on how her unwavering passion to change the world (since middle school!) hasn’t stopped, but the methods in which she accomplished her goals has. After working in the global development space for over 7 years, Erin decided to mold her own interest in sustainable fashion with her career - and thus, WearWell was born. Tune in for an invigorating conversation not just about the ever-changing conscious fashion world, but about how we could continue to make the world a bit better overall. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about
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22. Feng Shui expert, Amanda Gibby Peters, On Creating Space For Your Best Self
27/06/2018 Duration: 53minHave you ever noticed that things weren’t going right in your life - and your space (whether it’s your home or your desk) is mirroring it back to you? In this episode of Challenging the Collective, we dive deep into the ancient practice of Feng Shui, and how by making small changes in your space - your life could change drastically. Amanda Gibby Peters is Feng Shui expert, and has built the latter half of her career around this ancient practice - though it wasn’t always that way. As a researcher by trade, Amanda came into the world of Feng Shui with a healthy dose of skepticism. But, after implementing small changes in her own life, the effects were drastic - and she knew she had to share it with others. Tune in for an episode about a form of healing we don’t often talk about - the remaking of the spaces that we inhabit daily. It got me so interested, I went into a hole of research on the topic after our conversation! For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, c
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21. Solo Travel Expert, Sahaj Kohli, On Doing Something Scary Every Day
20/06/2018 Duration: 53minWhat’s the worst that could happen? That’s a question that Sahaj asks herself each time she decides to do something kind of scary...alone. Sahaj Kohli, a solo travel extraordinaire and senior editor at the Huffington Post, talks us through her adventures traveling abroad alone...before it was cool. And, she encourages us to just go, just do it, to Just Say Yes, especially when things feel scary. During our vulnerable and raw discussion about Sahaj’s journey through her 20’s - through the breakups that pushed her out of her comfort zone, to living on a couch in New York City as she searched for jobs - to now, coming almost full circle as she begins sharing with others how they could do something a little bit scary each and every day. So, if you’ve ever had the itch to travel abroad by yourself, but maybe are a little too scared, this podcast episode is for you. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-m
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20. SOLO EPISODE: Katina Mountanos On Being Okay With Growing Up
06/06/2018 Duration: 41minWhat's the scariest part about getting older? In this solo podcast episode (on her birthday, no less!), Katina digs into everything she knows about Growing Up. She turns around some of the questions she asks her own guests on herself (yes, the ever-famous: "How do you Challenge the Collective in your everyday?" is in there). Katina also has collected some questions from you all - her listeners, followers and regular humans alike. This episode is a funny, honest, refreshing take on what it means to get older - and why it's okay to actually like adding a notch to your belt each year. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-mail katina@onadulting.com To join the On Adulting Tribe + email newsletter, please visit: http://eepurl.com/dhaq_T
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19. Natural Hair Color Extraordinaire, William Scott Blair, On Finding Joy & Treating Your Hair with Care
30/05/2018 Duration: 59minDid you know that your scalp is actually part of the largest organ in your body - and by putting toxic hair dyes on it we could be doing major damage to it? William Scott Blair, a NYC-based Natural Hair Color Extraordinaire walks us through the science behind natural hair color - and why it’s extremely important for anyone who might be thinking about getting a touch up from CVS. During this week’s episode of Challenging the Collective, William not only shares tons of exciting facts about the movement of natural hair coloring, but he also delves into his own wellness journey on his path of Challenging the Collective. And, it all begins with figuring out what brings him (and all of us!) the most joy. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments, speaker ideas, or sponsorship inquiries please e-mail onadulting@gmail.com. To join the On Adulting Tribe + email newsletter, please visit: http://eepurl.com/dhaq_T Resources: For more on O&M (and maybe snaggin
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18. Author of Bouncing Forward, Michaela Haas On Channeling Resiliency In Your Darkest Hour
23/05/2018 Duration: 52min89% of us will go through a trauma at some point in our lives. That’s trauma with a Big T or a little one. It’s surviving a car crash or a ending a toxic relationship. It’s losing a loved one or a limb. It’s getting sick or getting laid off. It’s something that happens to nearly all of us. This podcast episode will feature researcher, author, and 20-year student of Buddhism, Michaela Haas, and will focus on the art and science of resiliency in times of trauma. Michaela’s most recent book. Bouncing Forward: Transforming Bad Breaks into Break Throughs, features over 60 science-backed strategies to channel resiliency after a life-changing event--and on this podcast she will share a few of them with us. So, even if you haven’t (yet) experienced a traumatic life event--being an Adult counts. Tune in for Michaela’s refreshing view on how we can all take charge of our lives, even when we don’t believe it’s possible. For more info, visit: www.onadulting.com/podcast To connect with Katina about questions, comments,