Conscious Michiana Podcast

Some conversations are uncomfortable. This is one of them, and it needs to be heard.

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Van Alstine, MA, child and parent advocate and founder of the Speak Our Truth Project, to talk about what is really happening inside our school systems and what Indiana families can do about it.

Rachel is leading a growing grassroots movement calling on Indiana legislators to make child safety the top budgetary and legislative priority in our state, and she has the data, the stories, and the community behind her to back it up.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• What sparked the Indiana Child Safety Campaign and why it matters right now
• How bullying, neglect, and mental health gaps are showing up in our local schools
• What the school-to-prison pipeline looks like in Elkhart County
• How parents can document and report safety incidents at school
• What it looks like when communities show up to hold school boards accountable
• How you can add your voice to a statewide movement for change

Why You Should Watch:
If you are a parent, educator, faith leader, or community member who believes every child deserves to grow up safe -- this conversation is for you.

Full show notes, resources, and action links: [https://consciousmichiana.org/keeping-our-kids-safe-a-child-safety-conversation-with-rachel-van-alstine-of-the-speak-our-truth-project/

If you or someone you know needs support, please call or text 988. You are not alone.

In this episode of the Michiana Hivecast, we sit down with Dr. Corrina Weihrauch, Doctor of Chiropractic and Registered Nurse, for a conversation about what it truly means to heal at the root cause, not just manage what shows up on the surface. Dr. Corrina shares how she went from nursing school to chiropractic, why she believes the nervous system holds the keys to lasting health, and how her three-pillar approach to structure, emotion, and nutrition is helping people in the Michiana community finally get real answers. What You Will Learn in This Episode: -What root cause healing actually means in practice -How stored emotions show up physically in the body -What muscle testing is and what it can tell you -The symptoms we normalize that are actually the body asking for help -What shifts for patients who have felt dismissed by conventional medicine -One simple thing you can do today to support your nervous system Why You Should Watch: If you have seen the doctors, tried the treatments, and still do not feel like yourself -- this conversation is for you. Full show notes and resources: 

https://consciousmichiana.org/root-cause-healing-a-holistic-conversation-with-dr-corrina-weihrauch-dc-rn/

In this episode of the Michiana Hivecast, we sit down with Tiffany Green-Mikell, licensed clinical therapist and founder of Resilient Mental Health and Wellness Solutions, for a conversation about holistic mental health, somatic healing, and what it truly means to heal beyond the couch.

As we honor Minority Mental Health Month this July, Tiffany shares why cultural context matters in therapy, how the body holds trauma, and what holistic care offers communities that have long been underserved in mental health spaces.

CLICK for full show notes and resources

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, nursing, or mental health advice. While I am a former forensic nurse and nurse faculty, I am not practicing nursing or providing clinical care through this podcast or Aspasia. This content is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health treatment — please consult a licensed provider for your individual needs, and seek emergency care if you are in crisis.

In this episode of the Michiana Hivecast, we sit down with Leanna Alwine, founder of The Aspasia Connection, a somatic breathwork facilitator whose path into this work began in one of the most demanding corners of healthcare, forensic nursing. Leanna brings a rare combination of clinical training, deeply personal healing, and a gift for making the science of the nervous system feel accessible, human, and alive.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• From Forensic Nurse to Breathwork Facilitator: How years of working with people in crisis shaped Leanna's understanding of how the body holds what the mind cannot always process.
• The Body Keeps Score: What her clinical background taught her about trauma, stress responses, and the body's quiet wisdom.
• Doing Her Own Work: Why Leanna's approach is grounded not just in study, but in her own lived experience with nervous system regulation.
• Creating Safe Containers: What actually goes into holding space for real rest, and what quietly breaks it.
• The Aspasia Connection: The story behind the name and the philosophy that anchors her entire practice.
• Breathe to Understand. Breathe to Restore: A look at her upcoming workshop, which pairs nervous system education with a guided yin restorative breath session so your body gets to feel what your mind just learned.

Why You Should Listen:
Whether you are curious about breathwork, navigating stress or burnout, or simply ready to understand your own nervous system a little better, this conversation meets you right where you are. Leanna has a way of making the science feel like a conversation and the experience feel like coming home.

For show notes and links, visit ConsciusMihciana.org

In this episode of the Conscious Michiana Hivecast, we sit down with Desiree Denae, founder of The Sugar Studio in Granger, Indiana. With more than 15 years of experience in skin, hair, and nail care, Desiree has created a private, one-on-one wellness space rooted in holistic skin health, intentional touch, and a belief that self-care is for everyone. Her own journey with cystic acne and hair growth shaped a philosophy grounded in empathy — and her work today reflects that deeply personal foundation

For more information, visit consciousmichiana.org

🎶by Gary Cope

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Natalie Kilheeney, a doctor of Acupuncture and Herbalism, to explore the meaning of the Lunar New Year and the vibrant energy of the Year of the Fire Horse. We talk about how this dynamic year can inspire passion, creativity, and motivation, while also learning how to stay balanced and avoid burnout.

Dr. Natalie shares how Qigong helps cultivate inner vitality, align with seasonal cycles, and support gentle transformation through breath and mindful movement. This conversation reflects the mission of Conscious Michiana, connecting ancient wisdom with modern life and supporting whole-person wellness.

Visit ConsciousMichiana.org for full episode show notes.

In this episode of the Conscious Michiana Podcast, we sit down with Lisa Kelly, Founder and Executive Director of Mental Health Awareness of Michiana (MHAM), to explore their second annual community art exhibit, Journey of the Mind through Visual Artistic Expression. Running February 21 through March 26, 2026, this traveling exhibit partners with the Elkhart Public Library and the St. Joseph County Public Library to create accessible, welcoming spaces for reflection, connection, and mental health awareness.

For additional information, visit the show notes page at consciousmichiana.org

In this episode, our board president, Leah Benevente, sits down with Jen Hacker & LaRae Perrin, the team behind Funktional Bar & Bottle Shop, a South Bend–based concept that’s boldly rewriting drinking culture. Funktional is creating space for everyone—whether you’re sober, sober curious, pregnant, or simply opting for a night off—by removing the barriers that often come with traditional social scenes.

At its core, Funktional is about belonging. Through intentional, elevated craft beverages and a welcoming environment, they’re proving that you don’t need alcohol to enjoy a premium experience or feel part of a vibrant community.

For more information, please visit our show notes at https://consciousmichiana.org/connection-without-the-alcohol-the-funktional-story/

Mental Wellness as Care, Not Crisis is a compassionate conversation with Mary Beth Schramlin, a local social worker, exploring mental wellness as an ongoing practice—not something we only address when things fall apart.

In honor of Mental Wellness Month, this episode of the Michiana Hivecast dives into the mind–body connection, the role of community care, and why support is valid even when you’re “functioning.” We talk about gentle signs of overwhelm, accessible grounding practices, and how to seek or offer support in trauma-informed ways.

This episode is for anyone feeling stretched thin, curious about mental wellness, or looking for more compassionate ways to care for themselves and others.

For full show notes visit consciousmichiana.org

January is a time for intention, renewal, and conscious choice—and for many, that begins with how we nourish ourselves.

In this episode of the Michiana Hivecast, we sit down with Michael Pound, Chair of the Michiana VegFest organization, to explore Veganuary through the lens of wellness, compassion, and community. This conversation invites listeners to approach plant-based eating with curiosity rather than perfection, and to see food as a powerful gateway to personal and collective well-being.

We discuss:

• What Veganuary is and why January is a meaningful time to explore plant-based eating
• How plant-forward choices can support mind–body wellness and energy
• Common misconceptions about Veganuary and how to approach it with self-compassion
• The importance of progress over perfection
• How food connects us to the planet, animals, and one another
• The role of community—especially local VegFest spaces—in making change accessible and joyful
• Gentle ways to integrate plant-forward habits beyond January

Whether you’re plant-based, plant-curious, or simply interested in more mindful living, this episode offers grounded inspiration rooted in connection, care, and conscious living.

✨ Subscribe for more conversations on wellness, community, and intentional living.
🌿 Learn more about Conscious Michiana: www.consciousmichiana.org