Claim Ownership12 Degrees: A Wellness Podcast
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If you're motivated to improve your wellness but struggle to fit it into daily life, 12 Degrees is for you! This podcast offers real-life strategies for nurturing full-spectrum wellness. Produced by WPSU in collaboration with the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, 12 Degrees blends personal stories, practical tips, and research-backed insights to explore the dimensions of wellness that shape how we feel and function.
20 Episodes
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You don’t need incense, chanting, or a passport stamp to tap into something sacred. In this episode, 12 Degrees' Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with somatic therapist, ritualist, and Penn State faculty member Elisha Tichelle about practical, embodied ways to tap into meaning, connection, and creativity—without the fluff. From heart coherence to moon cycles to the underrated power of fuzzy socks, we explore how small, intentional rituals can support your nervous system, ignite your intuition, and bring a little sacredness to your everyday life. Whether you’re ritual-curious or spiritually skeptical, this one’s for you!
Spiritual wellness isn’t just for monks or mystics. It’s for anyone craving meaning, connection, or a little peace in a noisy world. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Deshna, and Christina explore how everyday moments—like snuggling a pet, coloring a mandala, or journaling with intention—can become portals to something deeper. You’ll hear about the power of personal ritual, the comfort of sensory grounding, and why getting a little morbid might just help you live more fully. Spoiler: it’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s way more accessible than you think.
It can be difficult to find time for service, but what if there was something you could do from your own backyard that had the potential to change the world? In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with Connie Schmotzer, coordinator of Penn State’s Pollinator Habitat Certification Program, about how caring for pollinators can be a simple, flexible way to give back. Connie explains how small choices like planting native flowers, rethinking pesticides, or even setting out a few logs can create ripple effects that strengthen ecosystems, food systems, and community well-being.
You don’t need a sign-up form to make a difference. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna invite you to rethink what it means to serve. From smiling at a stranger to writing a review, donating blood, or letting someone cry without trying to fix it, they explore how small, everyday acts can nurture both personal and community wellness. You’ll get heartfelt stories, research-backed insights, and a ton of accessible, real-life strategies for giving back—without burning out or buying matching volunteer T-shirts.
What if your strongest source of support was right outside your back door? In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with Penn State researcher Dr. Erica Husser about how everyday connections to nature shape identity, resilience, and emotional well-being. Drawing on Erica’s research interviews with older rural women, they explore nature as a quiet but powerful wellness tool. They also discuss the broader impacts of climate change on health, housing, and community care and why nurturing our relationship with the natural world is more urgent than ever.
Wellness isn’t just about what’s going on inside you, it’s also about what’s around you. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna explore the environmental degree of wellness, from air quality and cozy décor to third spaces and time in nature. Whether you’re a plant-murdering maximalist or a master of organized chaos, you’ll find practical tips, science-backed insights, and a few unexpected laughs along the way.
When we think about cultural identity, we often think about things like race, religion, or language. But what about neurodivergence? In this episode of 12 Degrees, Deshna Nagar talks with Cailyn Ann Teague, an autistic attorney and alumna of Penn State Law, about how autism shapes not just how she thinks but who she is. They explore what it means to see neurodivergence as a culture, not a condition, and how embracing that identity can be a strength in work, relationships, and everyday life.
Whether it’s the language(s) we speak or the candy we crave, we all carry culture with us. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna explore the Cultural Degree of Wellness, diving into everything from emoji etiquette and generational slang to disability pride, holiday obsessions, and spicy family recipes. You'll hear personal stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and practical strategies to deepen self-awareness, nurture inclusion, and foster connection.
Could better sex mean a better memory? In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with Dr. Marty Sliwinski, director of the Center for Healthy Aging at Penn State, about surprising research that links sexual satisfaction, heart health, and cognitive sharpness as we get older. They unpack what’s really happening behind the sheets and why connection, conversation, and even hearing aids matter just as much as puzzles and leafy greens when it comes to keeping our brains fit for life.
Intellectual wellness isn’t just about formal education—it’s about staying curious, challenging your mind, and finding joy in the process. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna explore everyday ways to support intellectual wellness, from aligning with your natural chronotype to reframing negative self-talk and embracing playful learning. Whether you're navigating burnout, learning a new language, or going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole, this episode offers creative, realistic strategies for keeping your brain engaged and your mind open.
We know that stress takes a toll—but what happens when we face it alone? In this episode of 12 Degrees, host Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with Dr. Jee eun Kang, a Penn State researcher whose work explores the connection between loneliness, emotional resilience, and long-term health. Dr. Kang shares insights from her research on how loneliness can extend the impact of everyday stress and offers practical ways to support emotional recovery—for ourselves and others.
Social wellness goes beyond close friendships—it includes the daily interactions, community moments, and even weak ties that help us feel seen and supported. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna explore practical ways to build and maintain meaningful social connections, whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between. From redefining community and nurturing friendships to creating inclusive spaces and reframing rejection, this conversation is full of realistic tips for cultivating connection in a busy, often isolating world.
Is AI here to take over our creativity…or help us grow it? In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey Whissel Fenton talks with Penn State researcher Paul DiStefano about what human–AI collaborations really mean for our creative wellness. They explore why true creativity is more than just generating ideas, how our expertise keeps the human spark alive, and how we can keep our creativity healthy and resilient in the age of AI.
Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s an everyday practice that anyone can incorporate into their life, and it’s great for your wellness! In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Deshna, and Christina explore easy ways to boost creative wellness, from upcycling to improv games—even chili cook-offs. They share simple, fun strategies for sparking creativity on your own and in your community, plus the surprising benefits for problem-solving and connection. Join the conversation for plenty of laughter and practical ideas to bring more creativity into your daily life—no special skills required!
What we say to ourselves can shape how we handle stress, setbacks, and everyday life. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Dr. Christina Lightner joins Lindsey Whissel Fenton to talk about MINDSTRONG, an evidence-based program developed at Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing. From reframing negative thoughts to practicing emotional regulation, learn simple strategies that support long-term resilience and wellness—both inside and outside of healthcare.
Lindsey, Deshna, and Christina explore the power of small, intentional acts of self-care and their impact on mental and emotional well-being. From creative expression to moments of mindfulness, they discuss how simple practices can offer comfort, connection, and resilience in everyday life. The hosts share personal stories of finding unexpected encouragement and reflect on how these seemingly small gestures can make a big difference. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on honoring your well-being in ways that feel natural, meaningful, and sustainable.
In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey Whissel Fenton explores the surprising health benefits of cocoa with Penn State food science professor Joshua Lambert. Much to Lindsey’s delight, research suggests this delicious treat may help reduce inflammation, support metabolic health, and even influence fat digestion. They also discuss Lambert’s USDA-funded study on how cocoa’s effects differ by gender—and what these findings could mean for future health recommendations.
Small changes can make a big impact on your physical wellness. In this episode, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna share doable, evidence-informed strategies to support your body in everyday life—even on your busiest days. From breathwork to creative hydration tips to easy ways to add movement, this conversation is packed with practical ideas to help you feel and function your best. Check it out for realistic, accessible wellness habits you can start right away.
Wellness can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. This episode offers a fresh perspective: less pressure, more intention. Lindsey, Deshna, and Christina share simple, sustainable practices rooted in the 12 interconnected degrees of wellness. From self-compassion to small daily shifts, it’s a reminder that your wellness journey doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.
What does wellness really mean—and why does it so often feel out of reach? In the premiere episode of 12 Degrees, hosts Lindsey Whissel Fenton, Christina Lightner, and Deshna Nagar kick off the conversation with personal stories, relatable struggles, and a breakdown of what wellness, well-being, and health actually look like in real life. They also explore the powerful role of community and systems in shaping how we feel and function.
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