Steeped In Wellness (Formerly The Matcha Guardians)

Ketamine for Mental Health: Fact, Fiction & Future

In this episode, we sit down again with Dr. Matthew Mosquera, a Harvard-trained addiction psychiatrist, for a deep dive into ketamine treatment — from its surprising history to its emerging role in mental health care. We kick things off by clearing up common misconceptions. While ketamine’s party-drug reputation persists, we explore its origins as a surgical anesthetic developed in the 1960s and how it rose to prominence during the Vietnam War. Its safety profile and effectiveness at sub-anesthetic doses have since made it a powerful tool in psychiatric care. We focus on how ketamine works neurologically. It enhances neuroplasticity, helping the brain rewire and reconnect neural pathways damaged by depression and chronic stress. This restoration of “functional connectivity” enables emotional regulation to return more efficiently. Dr. Mosquera explains that ketamine doesn’t just mute symptoms like many SSRIs—it opens a short window where behavior and mindset shifts can take root more easily. From there, we get into the logistics. Most patients begin with an “induction phase” — twice-weekly treatments for four weeks. Sessions typically last two hours and include an active dissociative phase followed by a recovery period. We learn that visuals, out-of-body sensations, and introspective insights are common but not guaranteed. Dr. Mosquera emphasizes the importance of environment and mindset in shaping each session’s impact. Clinics aim to create a calming, supportive space, and providers monitor patients throughout. We also explore the differences between esketamine (the FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression) and generic ketamine, used off-label for conditions like PTSD, OCD, and anxiety. While esketamine is tightly regulated and covered by insurance, off-label use often involves out-of-pocket costs and different methods of administration like IV or IM injections. Toward the end, we tackle common concerns: who shouldn’t use ketamine, potential side effects, and why at-home ketamine therapy can be risky. Dr. Mosquera offers cautious optimism about ketamine’s future, citing the growing data on long-term benefits. He encourages pairing treatment with therapy, movement, and other healthy habits for best results. We wrap with quick-hit facts and personal reflections, including Dr. Mosquera’s thoughts on why he was drawn to this field in the first place — and his belief in helping people reset when traditional treatments haven’t worked. Reach out to Dr. Mosquera: mjmosquera89@gmail.com [mjmosquera89@gmail.com] 00:00 - Intro 01:58 - What Is Ketamine? (History & Origins) 04:02 - Ketamine in Medical Use Today 05:02 - Ketamine for Depression Explained 06:28 - What is Esketamine vs. Ketamine? 08:29 - FDA Approvals and Other Mental Health Uses 09:38 - Off-Label Ketamine Use & Clinic Access 10:31 - Cost of Ketamine Treatment 13:00 - How Ketamine Helps the Brain (Neuroplasticity) 17:01 - What a Ketamine Treatment Session Feels Like 21:28 - Side Effects and How Patients Typically Feel After 22:34 - Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 25:15 - Psilocybin vs Ayahuasca vs Ketamine 28:16 - Who Shouldn’t Use Ketamine 30:13 - How Long Do the Effects Last? 32:49 - Matthew Perry’s Death & Ketamine Safety 34:51 - Ketamine Use Postpartum and While Breastfeeding 38:09 - What to Expect from Treatment 39:03 - Ketamine as a Party Drug & What Is a K-Hole? 42:56 - Long-Term Side Effects of Overuse 43:42 - The Future of Ketamine Clinics 44:55 - Fear of Psychedelics: Advice for First-Timers 47:05 - Fact or Fiction: Ketamine Myths Busted 48:44 - Frequency and Dosage Guidelines 50:59 - Where to Find Dr. Mosquera 51:22 - Outro and Closing Credits Connect with Elara and Diana! On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steepedinwellnesspodcast Or head over to https://www.matcha.com [https://www.matcha.com] And use code GUARDIAN for a generous discount on your order of Matcha & wellness boosts! The Matcha Guardians Podcast is produced by by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ [https://jagpodcastproductions.com/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reduce Toxic Exposure Without Losing Your Mind!

In this episode of Steeped In Wellness, we sit down with Dr. Aly Cohen, a triple board-certified physician in rheumatology, internal medicine, and integrative medicine, and one of the nation’s leading voices on environmental health. We explore how toxic chemical exposures in our daily lives affect our immune systems, hormones, and long-term health — and what we can actually do about it without panicking. Dr. Cohen shares her origin story, which began not with a patient, but with her own dog’s mysterious illness. That incident sparked a deep dive into chemical exposures in water, food, and household products. She quickly discovered the shocking lack of regulation over the 350,000+ synthetic chemicals in our environment, many of which have never been tested for safety. From there, her mission evolved: educating both physicians and everyday people about how these exposures can disrupt hormones, immune systems, and contribute to chronic diseases, including autoimmune conditions and even breast cancer. We talk about the word “toxins” and how the more accurate term is “toxic chemicals” — synthetic compounds not naturally found in the body. Dr. Cohen explains how these compounds, introduced post-WWII to improve convenience, were never required to undergo rigorous testing before ending up in our cosmetics, food packaging, cleaning supplies, and water. She breaks down how endocrine disruptors like BPA mimic hormones even at extremely low doses, and why that’s a problem for both kids and adults. The conversation then shifts to empowerment through action. Dr. Cohen walks us through her “Four A’s of Environmental Health”: Assess, Avoid or Swap, Add, and Allow. She emphasizes the need to assess exposure without guilt, swap out harmful products with vetted alternatives, add in healthy habits like hydration, sleep, and nutrient-rich food, and allow some flexibility to avoid overwhelm. From deodorant dilemmas to plastic bath toys, we reflect on the practical side of reducing exposure while balancing the realities of daily life and parenting. Dr. Cohen encourages us to focus on the controllable: reduce plastic, avoid synthetic fragrances, choose safer personal care products, and invest in a home water filtration system — preferably reverse osmosis. She recommends using apps like EWG’s Healthy Living, Yuka, and Clearya to make better product choices easily and quickly. Despite the seriousness of the topic, Dr. Cohen remains optimistic. She believes in the power of education, especially among younger generations, and shares how kids — when empowered with knowledge — often outpace adults in making better health decisions. As we wrap up, we talk about perspective, self-compassion, and using our energy wisely — taking inspiration from the Serenity Prayer and the classic poem Desiderata. More: The Smart Human – https://thesmarthuman.com [https://thesmarthuman.com] EWG (Environmental Working Group) – https://www.ewg.org [https://www.ewg.org] EWG’s Healthy Living App – https://www.ewg.org/apps/ [https://www.ewg.org/apps/] Yuka App – https://yuka.io [https://yuka.io] Clearya App – https://www.clearya.com [https://www.clearya.com] Dr. Aly Cohen’s Practice – https://alycohenmd.com [https://alycohenmd.com] 00:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome 01:17 – Why Toxins Matter as a Health Concern 02:15 – Dr. Cohen’s Personal Journey into Environmental Health 06:52 – What “Toxins” Really Means 09:32 – How Chemical Exposure Impacts the Body 12:26 – Hormone Disruption Explained 15:07 – It’s Not About Perfection 17:08 – The Four A’s of Environmental Health 21:30 – Top Toxins to Avoid at Home 27:16 – Using Apps to Vet Your Products 40:43 – The Drinking Water Deep Dive 46:19 – Medical System Gaps & the Rise of Misinformation 49:53 – What Gives Dr. Cohen Hope 51:17 – Life Lessons & Final Thoughts Connect with Elara and Diana! On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steepedinwellnesspodcast Or head over to https://www.matcha.com [https://www.matcha.com] And use code GUARDIAN for a generous discount on your order of Matcha & wellness boosts! The Matcha Guardians Podcast is produced by by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ [https://jagpodcastproductions.com/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

IVF to CEO: Work Life Balance with Kait Stephens

In this episode, we sit down with Kait Stephens, CEO and co-founder of Brij, to explore what it really means to build a business and a family at the same time — and do it with intention. Kait walks us through her shift from a career in finance and investing to launching Brij, a platform that helps brands capture first-party data and build lasting customer relationships through QR technology. What began as a pain point around brands losing the consumer connection at retail grew into a full-fledged SaaS solution used by over 150 brands. We unpack how the pandemic accelerated QR adoption, e-commerce growth, and customer data awareness — all of which validated Brij’s direction. But this conversation isn’t just about startup strategy. Kait shares the deeply personal and emotional journey she went through while building the company: a long and painful road through infertility, five rounds of IVF, miscarriages, and the isolation that came with it. All of this was happening in parallel with launching her business. Her message? You can do both — but it’s messy, nonlinear, and hard. We discuss the role of proactive decision-making in fertility, the emotional toll of early motherhood, and how she structured her life — and calendar — to make space for both work and family. Kait shares how she blocks time for bathtime and bedtime with her daughters, why she doesn’t apologize for it, and how she encourages her team (mostly women) to do the same. She also opens up about sharing her journey publicly — from vulnerability hangovers to going viral on LinkedIn. We explore how blending personal stories into professional spaces builds trust, strengthens leadership, and creates a more connected team. Kait talks candidly about online criticism, gendered expectations, and the double standards that still persist for working moms. We close with a discussion about managing burnout, raising strong daughters, hiring Gen Z talent, and redefining what success looks like as a parent and a leader. Kait leaves us with one powerful reminder: parenting doesn’t diminish your ability to lead — it expands it. The negotiation, multitasking, and empathy required in motherhood? Those are executive skills too. 00:00 - Intro & Meet Kait Stephens 01:50 - Breastfeeding on Zoom: Hands-Free Parenting Hacks 03:08 - Kait’s Career Pivot: From Finance to Founder 10:45 - Kait’s IVF Journey & Emotional Toll 13:58 - Balancing IVF and Startup Life 18:00 - Crying at Work & Reframing Vulnerability 23:32 - Social Media Criticism & Gender Bias 28:42 - Marriage, Kids & “You” Time 41:31 - Sharing Family Online: Boundaries & Hangovers 45:19 - Hiring Gen Z: The Culture Clash 57:43 - Kait’s Superpower & Final Thoughts   More: Brij Website: https://brij.it/ [https://brij.it/] Kait Stephens on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kait-margraf-stephens [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kait-margraf-stephens/]/ Newton Baby - https://www.newtonbaby.com [https://www.newtonbaby.com] My Brest Friend Pillow – https://www.mybrestfriend.com [https://www.mybrestfriend.com] Modern Fertility – https://modernfertility.com [https://modernfertility.com] The Anxious Generation (Book) – https://www.anxiousgeneration.com [https://www.anxiousgeneration.com] Tin Can (Kid’s landline alternative) – https://tincan.kids/ [https://tincan.kids/] Connect with Elara and Diana! On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steepedinwellnesspodcast Or head over to https://www.matcha.com [https://www.matcha.com] And use code GUARDIAN for a generous discount on your order of Matcha & wellness boosts! The Matcha Guardians Podcast is produced by by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ [https://jagpodcastproductions.com/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Elara Before and After Baby Number 2!

In this two-part episode of Steeped in Wellness, we sit down with Elara just a few weeks before her due date, and again four weeks postpartum, to track her journey into life with two under two. Starting with a check-in during her 37th week of pregnancy, we cover everything from how she’s feeling physically and emotionally to how different this pregnancy has been from her first. Right away, Elara shares that her baby is tracking big—over seven pounds at 37 weeks—and while the measurements aren’t always accurate, she’s mentally preparing for another big baby, maybe even over nine pounds. We revisit her desire to attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section), and how she’s weighing the pros and cons as her due date approaches. The goal is simple: a healthy baby, a healthy mom, and as short a hospital stay as possible. We talk through what she’s hoping for in her second labor—ideally, an unmedicated vaginal delivery with minimal tearing and a quick discharge—but she’s also staying flexible. We go into her thoughts on epidurals, eating during labor (spoiler: she’s not doing the ice chips-only route again), and why she’s planning to bring snacks and electrolytes, including matcha.com’s MATCHA-AID, to help stay energized. The conversation drifts into fertility tracking, how baby #2 came to be (some great honesty there about apps, timing, and yes, the pullout method), and the emotional whirlwind of finding out she was pregnant again with a baby who was not necessarily “planned,” but very much wanted. We also laugh through some pregnancy side stories—like how Elara, in a burst of nesting energy, ended up buying two guinea pigs named Baloney and Bonsai. But beneath the humor, there’s real emotion. She opens up about the sadness of saying goodbye to her solo time with her firstborn Koa, and the anxiety of wondering how her heart will stretch to love a second child as much as the first. Fast forward, and we’re back 4-weeks post-birth. Elara shares the full story: she ended up having a scheduled C-section after her 40-week ultrasound estimated the baby would be over 9.5 pounds. With growing concerns about blood pressure and her history of postpartum preeclampsia, she chose the safest option for herself and baby—and it turned out to be the right call. Archer Kai was born at 9 lbs, 9 oz, and despite her disappointment about not going for a VBAC, she had a smoother recovery this time. No mag drip, fewer hospital days, and more confidence in herself. We dive deep into the postpartum experience: the balance between a newborn and toddler, nursing the second time around, the mental health side of recovery, and the small but crucial routines that make the days work—like hot showers, face care, and more. Elara talks candidly about her more relaxed attitude with Archer: feeding on demand, saying "no" to rigid wake windows, and not stressing over being the baby’s only food source. She’s open to formula, combo feeding, and just doing what works for the whole family. Elara shares how Archer's temperament is already so different from Koa’s. He’s chill, calm, and easier to nurse. And somehow, through the chaos of managing two kids, two dogs, a cat, and guinea pigs, she’s found more love and patience than ever. The episode ends with a powerful “Just You Wait” that celebrates the beauty of the postpartum period—not just the hard parts. She reminds us that yes, it's exhausting, but it’s also full of wonder, growth, and unexpected love. Connect with Elara and Diana! On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steepedinwellnesspodcast Or head over to https://www.matcha.com [https://www.matcha.com] And use code GUARDIAN for a generous discount on your order of Matcha & wellness boosts! The Matcha Guardians Podcast is produced by by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ [https://jagpodcastproductions.com/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Birth Plans, Postpartum Truths & Shutting Out the Noise

In this episode of Steeped in Wellness, we sit down with Caitlin Wilder, a mom, full-spectrum doula, lactation consultant, and the founder of Wilder Beginnings. With Diana out sick, Elara and Jon step in to guide a raw and real conversation about motherhood, postpartum truths, and breaking free from rigid norms around birth and parenting. Caitlin shares how her own births inspired her to become a doula and create an online space where moms feel less alone in the messy, unfiltered parts of parenthood. We explore the pressures moms face online, where parenting content often feels extreme and leaves little room for nuance. Caitlin talks about how her own content aims to live in the middle ground — validating the many shades of motherhood that exist between joy and struggle. She opens up about how important it is to mute accounts that spark self-doubt and how vital it is to trust ourselves over influencers who claim to know what’s best for our babies. We dig deep into the common misconceptions about doulas, especially in places like LA where some doulas push narrow birth agendas. Caitlin shares her belief that doulas should meet women where they are — whether that’s an unmedicated home birth or an epidural at the hospital. She recounts her own births, including a whirlwind second birth that nearly happened in the car, showing just how unpredictable and personal birth experiences can be. We also hear Elara’s concerns about having a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-Section), fighting unnecessary pressure from doctors to schedule another C-section, and the importance of self-advocacy in pregnancy and postpartum care. The conversation touches on postpartum preeclampsia, the stress of recovering in the hospital on magnesium drips, and how fear and lack of information can pile onto an already vulnerable time. Caitlin explains how her second breastfeeding journey was shaped by lessons learned from her first — this time letting go of expectations, focusing on what worked for her, and not forcing herself to make it perfect. She reminds us that mental health is reason enough to formula feed if that’s what keeps things balanced. We end with relatable talk about the everyday realities of raising kids: screen time trade-offs, sleep arrangements with multiple kids, and giving ourselves permission to drop the guilt and do what actually works — even if that means dad sleeping in the toddler’s room while mom handles night feeds solo. Caitlin leaves us with two strong reminders: trust ourselves over the noise, and let babies be babies. They don’t need constant stimulation — sometimes they just need a safe spot to lie down and look at the world. This episode is an honest look at how messy, funny, exhausting, and beautiful motherhood really is when we stop pretending it’s perfect. Caitlin's website Wilder Beginnings: https://www.wilderbeginnings.com/  [https://www.wilderbeginnings.com/ ] Caitlin's podcast- You're So Right: https://www.wilderbeginnings.com/podcast  [https://www.wilderbeginnings.com/podcast ] Wilder Beginnings Instagram: https://instagram.com/wilderbeginnings  [https://instagram.com/wilderbeginnings] Rachael’s Instagram (Hey Sleepy Baby): https://instagram.com/heysleepybaby [https://instagram.com/heysleepybaby] Connect with Elara and Diana! On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steepedinwellnesspodcast Or head over to https://www.matcha.com [https://www.matcha.com] And use code GUARDIAN for a generous discount on your order of Matcha & wellness boosts! The Matcha Guardians Podcast is produced by by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ [https://jagpodcastproductions.com/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.