Send us a text

What if the “weeds” in your backyard are actually part of your wellness toolkit?

In this inspiring episode of Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM sits down with Michelle McAninch, founder of Tamarac Garden, to explore the heart of herbalism and how everyday plants can support natural wellness and self-care.

Michelle shares the personal story that sparked her journey—after her son’s serious illness was initially misidentified, she began researching Northwest medicinal plants, learning to forage, and discovering how herbs and “weeds” can help support the body’s natural healing processes. Together, Michelle and Dr. Sami talk about listening to your body, building confidence in your own intuition, and starting small with practical herbal tools that feel approachable—even if you’re brand new to herbalism.

You’ll also hear beginner-friendly tips on starter herbs like oregano, peppermint, basil, and garlic, plus everyday wellness go-tos like activated charcoal and cayenne—and how these may be used as part of a broader lifestyle approach alongside nutrition, sleep, stress management, movement, and community connection.

As always, this conversation is for educational purposes and encourages listeners to make informed decisions and seek professional care when needed.

✅ In this episode, we cover:

• What herbalism is (and what it isn’t)
• “Weeds as medicine” and how to see plants differently
• Beginner-friendly starter herbs for everyday wellness
• Simple self-care tools that support the body naturally
• Mindset, intuition, and why you know your body best
• How herbalism can complement lifestyle medicine

🌿 Learn more about Michelle’s work at TamaracGarden.com

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!

Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis resource.

Send us a text

What if renewal didn’t require a major life overhaul—but simply a shift in awareness?

In this deeply grounding episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Sandeep Nath, creator of the Renewalism Movement, to explore how energy, consciousness, and simple daily habits can help prevent burnout and restore clarity—both personally and professionally.

Sandeep shares his journey from corporate leadership to spiritual exploration, including time spent learning from Vedic masters, Tibetan monks, and Taoist traditions. Together, they unpack what renewalism really means and how aligning body, mind, and spirit can transform the way we work, lead, and live.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why burnout is often an energy imbalance, not just stress
• A powerful 30-second breathing practice you can use between tasks
• How gratitude and awareness can shift experiences from “happening to you” to “happening for you”
• The role of conscious leadership in creating healthier workplaces
• How renewalism aligns naturally with the six pillars of lifestyle medicine
• Why small, consistent habits matter more than big, dramatic changes

Sandeep also introduces the concept of renewal tourism—an immersive approach to personal and professional transformation through travel, reflection, and conscious practices.

This episode is a reminder that renewal doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with a breath.

✨ Perfect for professionals, leaders, and anyone feeling stretched thin as we move into a new year.

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!

Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis resource.

Send us a text

What if “getting healthy” wasn’t about dieting or chasing a number on the scale—but about building strength, consistency, and confidence in your body?

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health, Dr. Samia Estrada (clinical psychologist and lifestyle medicine specialist) sits down with Fjorino Musaku, a wellness professional with a powerful story: from being the overweight kid in high school to earning a master’s degree in exercise science, working with elite athletes (including the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Lions), and helping thousands of endocrinology patients build sustainable health habits.

You’ll learn practical, realistic strategies for sustainable wellness—without obsession, restriction, or perfection—including:

• Why strength training and flexibility often create better long-term results than focusing only on weight loss
• How to restart exercise if you’ve been sedentary (including the simple 1,000-step approach)
• The mindset shift that makes movement easier: “I get to exercise” vs. “I have to”
• Nutrition without dieting: adding more fruits and vegetables instead of relying on restriction
• How building muscle supports metabolic health, blood sugar control, and overall wellbeing
• How community support improves consistency—and why peer encouragement matters
• How technology (including Frisca AI CCM) can support habit change between appointments
• A hopeful message for anyone managing diabetes, chronic health challenges, or motivation struggles: prepare for good news

If you’re looking for a healthier relationship with food, a more sustainable approach to fitness, or a way to feel stronger in daily life—this conversation is for you.

Connect with Fjorino / Frisca AI CCM:
Search “Frisca AI CCM” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and schedule your first consultation.

Hosted by: Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM
Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health — Your Journey to Wellness Starts Here.

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!

Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com

Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis resource.