The Rainbo Podcast Tonya Papanikolov

Today, we're exploring the beautiful reclamation of ourselves, our femininity, and the creative power that lives within all of us. To help me dive in, I'm joined by Harmanjot – a leading modern teacher of Kundalini yoga who has a passion for connecting people and expanding magic in the world. Together, we highlight the power of feminine creativity and how embodying and mastering our sexual energy relates to our magnetism, creativity, vitality and sense of personal power.

We touch on the misconceptions of Tantra and its deeper meaning beyond mere sexuality. Harmanjot, with her extensive experience in ancient yoga, explains how the idea that sex is the motivation of all life relates to these teachings. We also discuss the shutdown of chakras, why they shut down, and how to release any blockages to move forward in all areas of life. 

Harmanjot talks about the impact of past partners on present relationships and how to remove oneself from them. We cover many aspects of women's sexual energies, where they can manifest, and how to set boundaries with partners in alignment with your self-love, intimacy, and feminine identity. Plus, Harmanjot shares some incredible Kundalini practices, mantras, and tools for reclaiming our feminine creative power.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:


Why chakras get shut down, and how to recognize and release those blockages


The hyper-sexualization and objectification of women


Connections between sexual energy, creativity, and your second chakra 


Breaking down Tantra and the misconceptions 


Sexual misery, disappointment, and dissatisfaction 


The importance of boundaries and consent in intimacy 


Understanding the imprint and remaining energy of past sex partners 


Kundalini practices, mantras, and tools for feminine creative power


“Feminine reclamation” and the unique ways women experience the world 



Resources Mentioned:


True Love Course 


Eka Mai Recitation by White Sun


Bhand Jameeai by White Sun


RA MA Institute 



Guest Info: 


Follow Harmanjot on Instagram: @katehinkens 


Learn more on Harmanjot’s website: harmanjot.com/sex 


Work with Harmanjot: harmanjot.com/private-coaching 



Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: ⁠⁠@tonyapapanikolove⁠⁠
Follow Rainbo on Instagram: ⁠⁠@rainbomushrooms⁠⁠
Shop Rainbo: ⁠⁠rainbo.com

Inside the fascinating world of apitherapy, I sat down with Kate Hinkens, bee venom therapist, educator, and the founder of Stinglab, to learn how she healed a debilitating condition with Bee Venom Therapy (BVT) and to explore bee venom’s (apitoxin) healing properties as part of the body’s regenerative cycle. 

Kate is an expert in the field, dedicated to the research and therapeutic application of BVT. In our conversation, Kate shares how BVT cured her of Lyme disease through its inflammatory healing properties. She illustrates the specific compounds found in BVT, the application process, and its ability to kill bacteria and viruses found in the body. We discuss the social structure of a bee hive and the relationship between worker bees, queen bees, and the external world.

We also explore how BVT specifically impacts bees. Kate details the balance between bees and beekeepers and the interconnectedness of BVT and death. Empathy and reverence can exist at the same time. Finally, Kate shares a fascinating story about fungi and bees’ ancient relationship and highlights ways for newly diagnosed individuals to train the nervous system and aid the body’s inflammatory response. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:


Various uses for bee venom therapy (BVT)


How Kate found BVT and healed herself 


Why integrity and trust are crucial for healing


The BVT application process


The social structure of a bee hive 


How BVT affects bees’ livelihood 


The connection and history of mushrooms and bees



Resources Mentioned:


Paul Stamets’ work



Guest Info: 


Follow Kate on Instagram: @katehinkens 


Learn more on Stinglab’s website: stinglab.org



Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@tonyapapanikolove⁠
Follow Rainbo on Instagram: ⁠@rainbomushrooms⁠
Shop Rainbo: ⁠rainbo.com

In response to a topic that seeps into every aspect of our lives, I sat down with Dr. Melissa Cugliari, Naturopathic Doctor and expert in naturopathy dermatology, digestive health, and hormones, to explore the burnout cycle, the science behind it, and practical strategies that support personal and professional longevity.

Dr. Melissa is a wealth of knowledge in the world of well-being and also happens to be my naturopathic doctor. In our conversation, Dr. Melissa illustrates the key biomarkers of burnout from a clinical perspective, as well as its early indicators. We discuss the three stages of burnout and how boundaries can support burnout’s mental-emotional impact. She also shares how to add more “deposits” to your energetic bank account and the effect that protein, boundaries, and support have on aiding an overstressed, overworked nervous system. 

We also take a deep dive into intentional self-care and awareness around cycles and seasonality. Dr. Melissa details supplements and lifestyle tools to nourish the body and protect it against the burnout cycle. Finally, we discuss removing narratives in order to create a new reality for ourselves and others. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:


Neglecting of needs and the ability to recover from burnout


Boundaries and the mental-emotional impact of burnout 


Tell-tale signs and symptoms of burnout 


The three stages of burnout and ways to add a “deposit”


Key burnout biomarkers 


The healthy relationship between diet + boundaries + support and burnout  


Supplements + solutions to support yourself in a burnout cycle



Resources Mentioned:


Use code THERAINBOPODCAST for 15% off at checkout on Rainbo products


Research on Biomarkers of Clinician Burnout 



Guest Info: 


Follow Dr. Melissa on Instagram: @drmelissa.co


Learn more on Dr. Melissa’s website: drmelissa.co



Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: @tonyapapanikolove
Follow Rainbo on Instagram: @rainbomushrooms
Shop Rainbo: rainbo.com

With so much fear and misunderstanding around reproductive health these days, I sat down with Anne Matthews, Fertility Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, to learn about her treatment plans for infertility and chronic conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. 

Anne is known as the “fairy godmother of fertility” to the hundreds of patients who seek support at her clinic in Toronto. In our conversation, she walks us through the health markers she looks for when determining the root causes of reproductive health challenges. Anne also highlights the prevalence of male factor infertility and notes lifestyle changes that can dramatically improve a couple’s ability to conceive. 

We also get into how Anne uses medicinal mushrooms in her practice, particularly Reishi, and the research behind other supplements she recommends like N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Plus, Anne shares why she’s so passionate about empowering her patients to look within for answers instead of defaulting to external solutions. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:


Why Anne doesn’t believe there’s an influx of infertility, despite what social media might suggest 


The truth about the impact of stress on reproductive health 


How heat and cold exposure effect sperm and egg quality 


Anne’s advice for anyone nervous about getting pregnant at 35+ years old 


Recommendations for patients who have unexplained infertility 



Resources Mentioned:


Premom App


Ovulation and Pregnancy Test Strips


Expecting Better By Emily Oster 



Guest Info: 


Follow Anne on Instagram: @energytreeanne 


Learn more on Energy Tree Studios: energytreestudios.com 



Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@tonyapapanikolove⁠
Follow Rainbo on Instagram: ⁠@rainbomushrooms⁠
Shop Rainbo: ⁠rainbo.com

I’m joined by Andrew Carter, one of the co-founders of Smallhold, a beloved mushroom farm that is feeding people across America. Andrew’s agriculture journey started in vertical farming and eventually transitioned into growing mushrooms and a mission to feed the world with fungi. We discuss Smallhold’s evolution from a modest start up in a basement to locations around the country, the mushroom grow cycle, why mushroom farming is so important, and what he loves most about the growing mushroom community. 



I appreciate Andrew for his extensive knowledge on mushrooms, despite not considering himself a mycologist. Andrew shares valuable insights about various types of mushrooms and how they can teach us a lot on both personal and environmental levels. With the help of technology, mushrooms can now thrive in new spaces.

 

Andrew's mission with Smallhold involves encouraging people to consume more locally-sourced mushrooms and to explore and experiment with them. It is perfectly fine to cultivate mushrooms for food without having a complete understanding of them. The fact that there is still much to discover about mushrooms is what makes them so fascinating.



Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. 



Topics Covered: 


The mushroom revolution 


How Andrew got started with Smallhold and the company’s mission 


Why Andrew and his co-founder Adam started growing mushrooms out of a shipping container


The role of technology in mushroom farming


The collective obsession with mushrooms and their many benefits


Why mushrooms vary in color and size batch by batch and how this can be challenging to keep consistent 


Interesting experiences with mushrooms and misconceptions about fungi


Why people should eat more mushrooms 





Resources Mentioned:


Derek Sarno’s mushroom steak 


Telluride Mushroom Festival





Guest Info: 


Learn more about Smallhold: smallhold.com


Follow Smallhold on Instagram


Follow Andrew on Instagram





Follow Me:


Follow me on Instagram: @tonyapapanikolove 


Follow Rainbo on Instagram: @rainbomushrooms 


Shop Rainbo: rainbo.com 

A 20-minute Gratitude Meditation to help you access this powerful, healing state. Studies into the science of gratitude show that reliving stories and memories of when gratitude was genuinely given to you or someone else is the most potent way to shift your neural circuitry into gratitude and a pro-social mindset. Repeated gratitude practice changes how one's brain circuits work and how the brain and heart interact.

Most potent form of gratitude practice is not a form where you give it but where you receive it.





Gratitude, as illuminated by the intricate relationship between our brain and body, is a profound force that can revolutionize our lives. Studies underscore the remarkable power of narratives in fostering gratitude, with the benefits spanning a broad spectrum of well-being, from joy to cardiovascular health, mental resilience, and pro-social behavior. Gratitude's neural pro-social circuits offer a pathway to connect with others and dismantle defensive behaviors, countering Freud's notion that happiness is elusive. However, not all gratitude practices are equally effective; the most potent form lies in receiving thanks rather than giving it, as it activates empathy and Theory of Mind. Crafting an optimal gratitude practice involves immersing oneself in meaningful stories of gratitude, grounding the experience in genuine intentions, and repeating it to rewire the brain-heart connection. Ultimately, gratitude serves as a transformative force that, when harnessed effectively, can shift our neural circuitry, shaping a happier and more fulfilling life.



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