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Wellness, QuestionedBreath Work, QuestionedIn this episode of Wellness, Questioned, Katie and Annabel explore the complexities of breathwork and its commercialisation in modern wellness practices. Throughout the episode they discuss how traditional practices like Pranayama are often simplified and sold as one-size-fits-all solutions, potentially stripping away important context and lineage. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding individual breath needs and the impact of breath practices on anxiety and sports performance.(0:48) Exploring breathwork and Pranayama(4:40) Modern practices losing cultural context(9:45) Breathwork in yoga and sports(15:03) Teaching breathwork(22:08) Practical advice for breathwork(24:07) Season Three Wrap-Up2024-07-2327 minWellness, QuestionedHot and Cold Therapy, QuestionedIn this episode of Wellness, Questioned, Katie and Annabel dive into cold plunging and saunas to uncover how effective hot and cold therapies really are. They explore the popularity of these activities, discussing their potential benefits and risks and touch on notable figures like Wim Hof and the rise of biohacking, while also considering the social and cultural aspects of these wellness trends. (0:51) Dipping into Cold Plunges(8:53) Saunas and heat therapy(12:18) Community and accessibility in wellness(17:28) Stepping out of our comfort zonesThe wellness industry is as weird and wild as ever, with m...2024-07-1624 minWellness, QuestionedInflammation, QuestionedIn this episode of Wellness, Questioned, Katie and Annabel explore the complex topic of inflammation, starting with the concept from physical, societal, and individual perspectives. The conversation touches on how our diet, lifestyle, and stress levels can contribute to inflammation in our bodies. They also discuss how societal structures and cultural norms can foster and provoke inflammation.(0:25) Understanding inflammation(5:15) Anti-inflammatory diets(13:52) Information overload!(23:50) Community and connection as a path to wellnessThe wellness industry is as weird and wild as ever, with more of us looking to alternative ways to stay healthy and...2024-07-0929 minWellness, QuestionedWorkplace Wellness, QuestionedIn this episode of Wellness, Questioned, Katie and Annabel explore wellness within the workplace. They discuss the effectiveness and impact of these wellness programmes and examine the tendency of companies to implement workplace wellness practices as quick fixes rather than addressing structural issues.(3:04) Workplace wellness in the UK vs US(10:25) Wellness distracting from the real issue(19:12) Challenges for wellness practitioners(23:16) Tech and workplace wellnessThe wellness industry is as weird and wild as ever, with more of us looking to alternative ways to stay healthy and improve our wellness. But while wellness tells...2024-07-0228 minWellness, QuestionedTherapy Speak, QuestionedIn this episode of Wellness, Questioned, Katie and Annabel delve into the world of Therapy Speak, exploring the impact of wellness language on everyday conversations and relationships. They discuss the prevalence of terms such as 'narcissist', 'gaslighting', and 'boundaries' in our everyday language and how these terms, initially intended for therapeutic contexts, are now being used in casual conversations, often without a full understanding of their clinical meanings.(0:22) Therapy speak and defining terms.(7:52) Narcissism(14:14) Gaslighting(17:36) Understanding boundariesThe wellness industry is as weird and wild as ever, with more of us looking to...2024-06-2530 minWellness, QuestionedThe History of Wellness, QuestionedIn this episode of Wellness, Questioned, Katie and Annabel explore the history of wellness. Through their discussion, they trace the evolution of wellness practices from ancient times to the present day, examining how societal changes and technological advancements have shaped these practices. They also explore the intersection of wellness with healthcare, diet culture, and social media, questioning the impact of these influences on our understanding and pursuit of wellness.(1:51) Ancient Wellness Practices(4:01) Homeopathy and Early Modern Wellness(9:10) 20th Century Wellness Trends(16:34) Modern Wellness and Social Media(19:47) The Future of WellnessThe wellness...2024-06-1833 minWellness, QuestionedWellness Marketing, QuestionedIn this episode of Wellness, Questioned, Katie and Annabel question the world of wellness marketing and explore its potential pitfalls. They discuss the phenomenon of ethics-washing, the issue of credibility and other marketing tactics like scarcity marketing, the selling of individual experiences as universal truths, and the use of controversial statements for engagement.(0:26) Wellness Marketing(1:46) Selling Hope(7:20) Focusing on Pain Points(13:44) Overcomplicated Language(19:47) Unqualified Experts(23:50) Engagement is Enragement(27:11) Scarcity Marketing Tactics(30:38) Individual Experiences as Universal SolutionsThe wellness industry is as weird and wild as ever, with more of...2024-06-1137 minWellness, QuestionedWellness Bros, QuestionedIn this episode of Wellness, Questioned, Katie and Annabel dive into the world of "Wellness Bros" and wellness influencers. Listen as they explore the spread of misleading information, the unregulated spaces of alternative and complementary practices and the influence of Wellness Bros in the wellness industry. (3:47) Wellness Bros and Micro Cults(11:43) The search for a definitive answer(13:46) The responsibility of social media platforms(20:13) A healthy skepticismThe wellness industry is as weird and wild as ever, with more of us looking to alternative ways to stay healthy and improve our wellness. But while w...2024-06-0428 minWellness, QuestionedWellness, Questioned Season Three TrailerThe podcast previously known as Selfie Development is back with the classic wellness rebrand, minus the scandal!The wellness industry is as weird and wild as ever, with more of us looking to alternative ways to stay healthy and improve our wellness. But while wellness tells us to drink the green juice, shouldn't we be questioning what's actually in it?Welcome to Wellness Questioned, a podcast looking at how to navigate the wellness industry well, hosted by Katie Gordon and Annabel Lee. In each episode, they cover a different aspect of wellness and self-improvement, looking...2024-05-0700 minWellness, QuestionedAcupuncture and Community CareAcupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating chronic pain, migraines, depression, anxiety and insomnia among many other uses, but how does it work?In the final episode of season two, Katie and Annabel discuss the topic of acupuncture with guest Joe Jennings, an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner who runs Holistic Health Oxford and the Community Acupuncture Team, which aims to make acupuncture accessible to everyone. (0:31) Introduction(2:26) Joe joins the conversation(4:06) How does acupuncture work?(7:31) Supporting evidence(12:43) Integrating acupuncture into the NHS(13:40) The importance of community clinics2023-07-1834 minWellness, QuestionedParental RageParental rage is something that every parent experiences at one point or another. Despite this, the topic is rarely discussed openly due to the societal and personal expectations around parenting.In this week's episode, Katie and Annabel are joined by Dr. Katy Hill, a clinical psychologist with a specialisation in parental stress and burnout, to explain the concept of parental burnout and rage, the societal pressures on parents, the importance of self-care and self-compassion, and strategies for managing stress and anger as a parent.(0:31) Introduction(11:09) Katy joins the conversation(12:34) Parental burnout(18:26) Parental...2023-07-1148 minWellness, QuestionedProcrastination and ProductivityWith productivity culture and optimisation seemingly permeating every aspect of our lives, does it actually help us do more, or are we more inclined to keep scrolling on our feeds? Moreover, how does productivity culture affect our approach to wellness, and can we find a balance?This week Annabel and Katie explore the world of productivity and wellness with guest Catri Barrett, a coach specialising in productivity and procrastination. (0:31) Introduction(5:32) Catri joins the conversation(10:35) Productivity and Wellness(20:35) Positive procrastination(23:56) Productivity "hacks"(33:34) Finding a balance(38:05) Procrastination and neurodivergence(43:45...2023-07-0447 minWellness, QuestionedWhat actually is gut health?This week Annabel and Katie are exploring what actually is gut health? With talk of probiotics, prebiotics, the microbiome and even faecal transplants cropping up online, what does it all mean? And is it just an excuse to sell us more? Joined by Rosie Hogg, a specialist gastroenterology dietitian, Annabel and Katie dive into gut health and the microbiome, to uncover how it affects our immune system, and both mental and physical health.(0:31) Introduction(5:06) Rosie joins the discussion(5:59) The microbiome(8:57) Antibiotics and Probiotics (14:25) Gut health and the immune system(22:49) Supplement...2023-06-2746 minWellness, QuestionedExercise VS MovementThis week Annabel and Katie are unpacking the difference between movement and exercise, why movement is often discussed less and if too much exercise can be a problem.They are joined by Wendy Welpton, founder of Reclaim Movement, to discuss the benefits of natural movement, the effects of modern sedentary lifestyles on our bodies and the importance of being a generalist when it comes to movement. (0:39) Exercise and movement(2:30) Wendy joins the conversation(7:27) Gym-content online(9:30) How we view movement(25:49) Coaching movement(32:48) Closing discussion2023-06-2043 minWellness, QuestionedShould We All Be Sober Curious?This week Katie and Annabel are joined by guest Yasmin Spark, the founder of Align Events, a UK-based mobile bar service that specialises in non-alcoholic options to discuss the rise of the sober curious movement and the societal pressures surrounding drinking culture. (0:31) Sober curiosity(8:33) Yasmin joins the conversation(15:43) The evolution of drinking culture(20:21) Drinking and mental health(25:40) Sober representation(29:55) Yasmin's recommendations(36:33) Closing discussionAbout the guest:Yasmin Spark is the founder of Align Events, the UK's first fully non-alcoholic, vegan mobile cocktail bar and drinks catering provider...2023-06-1343 minWellness, QuestionedCan Psychedelics Make Us Well?This week Katie and Annabel are joined by Dr Valerie Bonelle, Chief Scientific Officer at The Beckley Foundation, to discuss their research and clinical trials into psychoactive drug use to explore how such substances act upon the human brain to explore new avenues for treatment and well-being(0:32) Introduction(9:43) Valerie joins the conversation(11:46) Microdosing(17:42) Potential shortcomings(19:16) The therapeutic benefits of psilocybin(24:24) Ensuring safe use(26:44) Closing discussionAbout the guest:Dr Valerie Bonelle joined the Beckley Foundation in 2017 to contribute actively towards the scientific investigation into the effects of...2023-06-0635 minWellness, QuestionedDo We Need Wellness Tech?A survey conducted in the United States suggested that wearable tech was the number one trend within health and fitness for 2023. With watches, heart rate monitors and even glucose monitoring growing in popularity, is all this equipment actually helpful?This week Katie and Annabel are joined by fitness and nutrition expert Arj Thiruchelvam to share his thoughts, help explain the jargon and unpack whether we actually need wellness tech.(1:51) Introduction to wearable tech(13:55) Arj joins the conversation(15:11) The growing popularity of wearable tech(19:33) Where to start(27:07) The power of monitoring(33:22...2023-05-3048 minWellness, QuestionedSeason Two TrailerWellness is as confusing as ever. What is the microbiome? Should I be micro-dosing? Is all this stuff really important or just a way to keep us working hard and buying new stuff? Join us for the new season of Selfie Development where we unpack the trillion-dollar wellness and self-development industry to try and figure out how to do wellness well-ish. This season Katie and Annabel will be joined by experts about the science and reality behind some of this stuff to figure out what's good, what's bad, and what's just weird. Th...2023-05-2301 minWellness, QuestionedThat's a wrap on Season OneThis week, a quick update from Katie and Annabel wrapping up Season One of Selfie Development. Thank you for listening and see you in 2023 for Season Two!The wellness industry is booming, but with all these new classes, experts and ways to heal, how do we know what's fact and what's just good marketing?People are craving community, connection and meaning - adrift from religion, traditional structures, and even the office. We're a generation of searchers. We want purpose, ritual and a place to belong. But where are we getting it, and is...2022-12-1305 minWellness, QuestionedIs coaching legit?With Life and Wellness Coaches seemingly dominating social media, how do you find the one that's right for you, and how do you avoid those just looking to make a quick buck? In the final episode of this season, Katie and Annabel explore coaching, what to look out for and how you can get the most out of a coach.(0:54) Introduction to Coaching(5:13) The Problem with Life Coaching(11:20) Coaching and Social Media Influencers(20:12) What is a Wellness Coach?(22:23) What to Watch Out For in a Coach(33:28) Identifying What You Want From Coaching.2022-11-2241 minWellness, QuestionedSound Therapy and Primal ScreamsHow can sound help with wellness? Are sound bowls able to heal or do they just provide a calm environment? This week Katie and Annabel explore sound therapies and primal screaming.(0:52) Introduction to Sound Healing(9:12) The Science of Sound Therapies(19:57) Can Sound Baths heal?(32:33) Primal ScreamingResources Discussed on the Episode:The Primal Scream by Arthur Janov Rage rooms and primal screams: how stressed-out workers are letting off steamCarry on screaming: why letting it all out, especially for women, can make you calmer and happier2022-11-1539 minWellness, QuestionedAtomic Habits and the Problem with OptimisationTo achieve our goals of maximising our productivity, can small daily improvements have a big impact? This week, Katie and Annabel explore Atomic Habits, the problems that can arise from over-productivity and optimisation culture.(0:42) Introduction to Atomic Habits(6:28) Discussion of James Clear(11:54) The Four Laws of Atomic Habits(23:40) The issue of relentless productivity(27:38) Optimisation Culture(32:57) Cognitive Dissonance(39:58) Selfish Development?Resources Discussed on the Episode: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearLaziness Does Not Exist by Devon P...2022-11-0844 minWellness, QuestionedThe Power of Ritual and Small PleasuresAs our lives become busier, particularly in a post-pandemic Britain, even small pleasures can help you to feel mentally and physically refreshed. This week Annabel and Katie explore the little things we do to make ourselves feel better, looking at self-care and wellness practices.(01:00) Katie and Annabel's Small Pleasures(3:30) The Power of Touch(9:37) The Effect of Capitalism on Enjoyment(15:37) Exercising Regularly in a Post-Pandemic Britain(25:31) The Issue of Monetising Your HobbiesThe wellness industry is booming, but with all these new classes, experts and ways to heal, how do...2022-11-0135 minWellness, QuestionedWTF is EFT?As EFT continues to grow a following online, Katie and Annabel explore WTF EFT (also know as tapping) is and whether these techniques actually help as advertised.(0:55) What is Tapping and EFT?(9:47) The Founder of Tapping(20:23) Questioning the Effectiveness of EFT(27:28) The Other EFTThe wellness industry is booming, but with all these new classes, experts and ways to heal, how do we know what's fact and what's just good marketing?People are craving community, connection and meaning - adrift from religion, traditional structures, and even the office...2022-10-2535 minWellness, QuestionedIs wellness unethical? Ethics and boundaries in the wellness worldThis week, Katie and Annabel discuss ethics and boundaries within the wellness industry, helping you to navigate the wellness world to find therapists, trainers and teachers that will best suit your needs.(1:49) What are Ethics Within Wellness?(9:41) Working Within the Scope of Practice.(15:51) Nutritionist vs Dietician(20:36) Power Dynamics Within Wellness(24:37) What is Transference?(32:39) What to look for in a Wellness Instructor.The wellness industry is booming, but with all these new classes, experts and ways to heal, how do we know what's fact and what's just good marketing?2022-10-1841 minWellness, QuestionedDivine femininity and women’s circlesWomen’s circles are having a comeback – but are they legit or just for a certain type of woman? Annabel’s been to a couple, but Katie’s not sure. In this episode, they unpack women’s circles and divine femininity to explore how they might help and what to watch out for.(1:51) What is divine femininity?(3:59) Women's Circles and Reconnecting with Ancestral Sisterhood(11:51) Cult Concerns(15:31) Empathy and Speaking Out(19:37) Circular Spirituality vs Secular Cynicism (24:43) Divine Femininity Reinforcing Traditional Gender Roles?The wellness industry is booming, but with all these new classes...2022-10-1143 minWellness, QuestionedManifestation and The SecretCan your outlook on life affect your future? Does the law of attraction really work or are things that happen to us beyond our control? This week, Katie and Annabell are looking at The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and the concept of manifestation.(3:01) The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (6:28) Manifestation and Personal Outlook(14:03) The Rationale Behind the Law of Attraction (17:43) Manifestation and the Subconscious (21:01) The Effect of Cynicism on Manifestation The wellness industry is booming, but with all these new classes, experts and ways to heal, how...2022-10-0434 minWellness, QuestionedWelcome to Selfie Development: The Podcast about doing Wellness, WellWe love wellness, but it can be weird - and despite the claims of love and light, there are a lot of questionable claims and behaviour. We want to get better. But are we actually broken in the first place? Or did we just get convinced that we need all this stuff?The wellness industry is booming, but with all these new classes, experts and ways to heal, how do we know what's fact and what's just good marketing?People are craving community, connection and meaning - adrift from religion, traditional structures, and even the office...2022-09-2101 min