Mystic Dog Mama

When behaviour begins in the bodyWhen a dog struggles with anxiety, impulsivity, or reactivity, the conversation almost always starts with training.But what if behaviour doesn’t only begin with what we see on the outside? What if part of the story begins inside the body - in the gut, the nervous system, and the nutrients that shape them both?In this episode, I’m joined by fellow canine nutrition consultant and behaviour professional Sam van Eggermond for a fascinating conversation exploring the emerging connections between nutrition, the gut microbiome, and behaviour in dogs.Sam’s journey into this work began in shelters and rescue environments, supporting dogs with complex behavioural challenges. Over time, she started noticing patterns. Many of the dogs struggling most with anxiety, impulsivity, or reactivity were also dealing with digestive issues, sensitivities, or diets that simply weren’t supporting their physiology.Those observations sparked a deeper investigation into nutrition and the gut microbiome - as well as a critical look at some of the research shaping behaviour advice today.In this conversation, Sam brings both curiosity and nuance to a rapidly evolving field. Together, we explore how behaviour might sometimes be a biological signal as much as a training challenge, and why supporting the body can be an important part of supporting the mind.In this episode we exploreSam’s early work in shelters and rescues, and how it shaped her approach to behaviour and nutrition• The patterns she began noticing between digestive health and behavioural challenges• How nutrition and the gut microbiome may influence stress, mood, and emotional regulation in dogs• Why some studies on diet and behaviour deserve closer scrutiny• Questions guardians can begin asking when their dog is struggling with anxiety or reactivity• The vision behind the UK Centre for Canine Reactivity and Aggression dedicated to supporting dogs with complex behaviours, and the guardians who love themTo learn more and connect with Sam:https://www.ukccra.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/ukcaninereactivity/https://www.instagram.com/feedingcaninebehaviour/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576355878714Connect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmamaCome join my free Facebook group, First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

Around 80% of the world’s dogs are free-roaming, living in streets, villages, and communities alongside people rather than inside homes. Yet much of what we believe about dog welfare, safety, and rescue comes from a Western model of dog ownership.In this episode, I’m joined by Vanessa of Spicy Dogs, a certified canine behaviour consultant based in Sri Lanka who helps adopters of village and street dogs understand behaviour through the lenses of ethology, trauma awareness, and co-regulation — building trust rather than control.Together we explore the complexity of street dog lives, the tensions that arise when Western rescue impulses meet different cultural realities, and the deeper question: what actually makes a good life for a dog?In this episode we discuss:• What daily life looks like for street and village dogs• Why the narrative of constant suffering can miss the richness of their lives• How language and labels shape the way we see “street dogs”• When rescue helps — and when it can unintentionally cause harm• What can change when dogs are removed from their cultural and ecological context• How different cultures understand dog welfare• What street dogs might teach us about living alongside dogs rather than controlling themThis is a thoughtful, sometimes uncomfortable conversation that invites us to loosen our grip on what we think dogs should be - and see them through a wider cultural and ecological lens.To connect with Vanessa:https://instagram.com/spicydogsbehaviourConnect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmamaCome join my free Facebook group, First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

What if the future of dog care isn’t about better obedience…but about deeper safety?In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Dr Laura Donaldson and Annie Phenix to explore their new course, Transformation and Healing: New Paradigms for You and Your Dog - and the larger shift happening in the world of canine care.We begin by honouring the late Sarah Fisher, whose work invited us to learn from our dogs rather than simply lead or manage them. Her legacy threads through this entire conversation.This episode challenges the long-held paradigm of compliance in our relationships with dogs. Instead of focusing on obedience and suppression of behaviour, we explore what becomes possible when we centre:Deep safetyEmotional wellbeingAgencyResilienceTrustSocial supportWe discuss what it means to become trauma-informed in our approach, and why that shift is transformative, not additive.We explore:✨ Why compliance has shaped traditional dog training - and why it’s time to question it✨ Dogs as somatic beings (and how we’ve forgotten that we are too)✨ The intelligence and wisdom of all life forms - and dismantling the “humans at the top” worldview✨ Getting curious about behaviour instead of correcting it✨ The links between pain, nutrition, and behaviour✨ The power of a collaborative care team (vet, behaviour professional, nutrition consultant)✨ Becoming your dog’s advocate - and how that often becomes the path to advocating for yourselfWe also speak to something many of us feel but rarely name:Your dog may be your greatest teacher.Your “difficult” dog may be your healer in disguise.At the heart of this conversation is love - the kind that truly witnesses. The kind that listens. The kind that believes healing is possible.Because we can heal from trauma.And so can our dogs.And how embodied, courageous kindness is what moves us forward.If you’ve ever felt there must be another way to be with your dog, then this episode is for you.Join Dr Laura’s and Annie’s course, Transformation & Healing: New Paradigms for Our Lives With Dogs, here:⁠https://laura-s-school-1f3f.thinkific.com/courses/transformationhealing?fbclid=IwY2xjawQAV3lleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJqQzdOVUcyOXdIeVdqeDlqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHg6HnXe2NeStkigpItMingJ2som3QK1q4b0pJ6ON7I0dCHT2xJ_SBOkZojfb_aem_x3TJVAo1bWFCVqDgbLRE4Q⁠Join Annie’s free group The Canine Trauma Clinic here: ⁠https://community.caninetraumaclinic.com/invitation?code=G6686B⁠Connect with me!Website: ⁠https://mysticdogmama.com⁠Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com⁠/mysticdogmamaCome join my free Facebook group, First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection ⁠https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight⁠Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

What if the longings you feel, the questions about leadership, intuition, service, and responsibility… are not random at all?What if the being guiding you into them is the one lying at your feet?In this profound and wide-ranging conversation, I sit down with Kiki Keskinen, founder of Witch School Canada, to explore what it means to become a woman who can trust herself in a time when the world is asking for new forms of leadership.Together we wander through history, lineage, and the living, breathing practice of embodiment.We talk about witches — not as aesthetics or trends — but as women committed to deep listening: to the land, to ancestors, to other generations, to one another, and to the animals walking beside us.And yes… we talk about dogs as familiars, initiators, and mirrors.Because again and again, they ask us the same sovereign question:Who am I?And where are we headed together?Inside this episode, we explore:✨ how the conquering of the wild is intertwined with the conquering of women✨ what feminine leadership looks like as old systems unravel✨ the role of the crone in our particular moment in history✨ expanding our understanding of motherhood (hello, Mystic Dog Mamas)✨ the medicine of discernment✨ learning to serve rather than control✨ why trusting yourself is a practice✨ shapeshifting as a skill we urgently need right now✨ and simple beginning exercises to strengthen your intuitive muscleThis conversation is both philosophical and practical, ancestral and immediate.It will meet you wherever you are on your path - whether you’re just beginning to sense your intuition or already feeling the call to lead, to protect life, and to participate in healing our relationship with the Earth.Your dog may have brought you here.Let’s listen.For more information on Witch School Canada, please visit https://witchschool.caConnect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.comCome join my free Facebook group,  FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

Our dogs have a way of ushering us into the exact lessons we need.In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist and resilience specialist Dr Kate Lund to talk about what happens when the life we imagined falls apart — and how we build something meaningful on the other side.Dr Kate shares the story of her childhood diagnosis of hydrocephalus, the many hospitalisations that followed, and how her dog Peanut helped her cultivate courage, hope, and orientation toward possibility. Those early experiences inspired her life’s work supporting paediatric patients and families navigating illness, trauma, and profound change.We discuss why resilience is not toughness, positivity, or spiritual bypassing. It’s the set of skills, supports, and perspectives that help us optimise within the reality we are living.You’ll hear:✨ What resilience actually means in real life✨ Why we must move through difficulty, not around it✨ How strengthening our own resilience changes the way we show up for our dogs✨ The surprising ways dogs demonstrate resilience every day✨ How Dr Kate supported her own children through the terror of a lost puppy✨ How that experience led her to partner with her therapy dog Wally serving families at a children’s hospital in Seattle✨ Practical ways to build confidence and agency in kids and dogs✨ What it means to “find a new normal”✨ Why dogs so often arrive exactly when we need them mostI also share how Lucky has continually invited me to become more resilient — especially in the moments I doubted myself most — and how recognising his resilience changed our relationship.If you’ve ever wondered how to stay open-hearted while the ground beneath you shifts… this conversation is for you!.Connect with Dr Kate Lund: https://www.katelundspeaks.com/Connect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.comCome join my free Facebook group,  FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

What if our cats aren’t here to be “managed” — but to initiate us?In this episode of Mystic Dog Mama, I’m joined by Pam Roussell of Purrrfectly Holistic -  holistic pet health practitioner and devoted Cat Mom, for a conversation that invites us to slow down, listen more deeply, and rethink what health really means - for our animals and for ourselves.Pam shares her journey from the fitness industry into holistic pet health, shaped by her own healing and profoundly catalysed by the loss of her beloved cat, Snow Bear. His passing became a threshold moment — one that called Pam into a deeper relationship with intuition, energetics, and the wisdom of the body.Together, we explore the medicine of cats - why it’s time to bring cats fully into holistic health conversations, and what they can teach us about curiosity, mysticism, and conscious care. We talk about the importance of getting to root causes rather than treating symptoms, the unique stressors many cats face (especially indoor cats), and how emotional, energetic, spiritual, and physical health are inseparable.This is also a conversation about agency - becoming your pet’s health advocate, trusting your intuition, and how learning to advocate for your animals inevitably helps you step into deeper advocacy for yourself.We touch on the shadow side of the holistic health world, the danger of “doing everything right,” and why asking why matters more than ever. Pam also reflects on the spiritual significance of ailments, the different roles cats and dogs play in our spiritual development, and what the astrological shifts of 2026 and beyond are calling forward in how we think about health, healing, and support.Pam also shares gentle, practical insights for supporting your feline companions, along with her own daily practices with her cats - grounding this expansive conversation in everyday devotion.If your cat feels like a teacher, a mirror, or a guide in your life, this episode is an invitation to listen.Learn more about Pam’s work: https://purrrfectlyholistic.comConnect with me!Website: ⁠https://mysticdogmama.com⁠Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com⁠Come join my free Facebook group,  FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection ⁠https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight⁠Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

Dog waste is one of those everyday realities most of us would prefer not to think about. We bag it, bin it, and move on. But what if the way we currently deal with dog poo is part of a bigger environmental and cultural problem? And what if it could be approached differently?In this episode, I’m joined by Cllr Gill Thomas, a local councillor in Stroud and for litter and clean environment who is exploring an early-stage, experimental initiative to rethink how dog waste is handled - including the possibility of composting it safely and responsibly.Gill brings a background in the creative arts into her work in local politics, and that perspective shapes how she approaches complex, often uncomfortable issues. Rather than defaulting to enforcement or blame, she’s asking questions about responsibility, systems, and what becomes possible when curiosity leads the way.In our conversation, we explore:Why dog waste is more than just a nuisance - and its real impact on the environmentHow creative problem-solving can open new pathways in governanceWhat it means to take initiative without having all the answersThe early conversations Gill is having with scientists and researchersWhy pilot projects matter, and how local experiments can inspire wider changeThis isn’t a polished solution or a finished programme. It’s a live inquiry into how we care for shared spaces, how we relate to waste, and what regeneration can look like at a very local, very human scale.If you’re interested in conscious dog guardianship, environmental responsibility, and how meaningful change often starts with the things we’d rather not see - then this episode is for you.To connect with Cllr Gill Thomas:facebook.com/cllrgillthomasEmail:  cllr.gill.thomas@stroud.gov.ukConnect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.comCome join my free Facebook group,  FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

Some dogs find being handled difficult.And for guardians who are trying to support them, that reality can feel confusing, limiting, and quietly heartbreaking.In this episode, I am joined by Lucy Tyrrell, a Galen Myotherapist and founder of Pawsitive Touch, for an honest, grounded conversation about consent-based bodywork for dogs — particularly dogs who are touch-averse, reactive, sensitive, or carrying trauma in their bodies.Together, they explore what it means to truly listen to a dog’s nervous system, how to move away from the idea that care requires compliance, and how guardians can support their dogs without pushing past their boundaries.As a mama of a dog who finds handling challenging, I know this episode will help other dog mamas who share the frustration of wanting to build a supportive care team, and feeling that some complementary therapies may not be accessible or appropriate for our dogs right now. Fortunately, as Lucy talks about positive and practical ways forward.This episode is for you if:Your dog struggles with being handled by othersYou’ve felt unsure or conflicted about hands-on therapiesYou want to support your dog’s body in a way that feels safe and respectfulYou’re curious about consent-based approaches to careYou want to learn how to do less forcing and more listening✨ Stay tuned until the end of the episode, where Lucy shares details about a special online workshop designed to help guardians learn powerful, practical, consent-based massage techniques they can use themselves to support their dogs at home.This conversation offers a different way forward — one rooted in trust, agency, and meeting the dog in front of you.To connect with Lucy and learn more about her upcoming workshop on Sunday, 8th February at 12pm UK time, email her at: lucy@caninetherapy.co.ukTo find a Galen Myotherapy practitioner near you:https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/teamFor more information on the Galen Myotherapy Distance Support Programme: https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/dspConnect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.comCome join my free Facebook group,  FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

In this rich and soulful conversation, I’m joined by Anja Žekelj, founder of Wigglebeat, to explore what it really means to heal our dogs, and ourselves, when we move beyond fixing, forcing, or striving for perfection.Anja shares her journey of working with dogs and the evolution of her Herbal Ball Therapy, a gentle, deeply intuitive modality that supports the nervous system, circulation, and emotional well-being of dogs - especially those who are sensitive, aging, or navigating recovery.But this conversation goes far beyond any single therapy.Together, we talk about:What it looks like to follow intuition and inner guidance when caring for our dogs, and how to tell the difference between fear and true knowingThe challenges and shadows of the holistic dog world, including pressure, comparison, and the subtle belief that we should be able to “do it all right”Why healing is not the same as fixing, and how acceptance can be one of the most loving and confronting acts of careThe emotional complexity of supporting a dog through change, decline, or uncertaintyAnja’s deeply personal experience of caring for her senior dog after a stroke, and what that journey has taught her about presence, grief, trust, and letting goIf you’ve ever felt caught between your heart, your intuition, and the overwhelming noise of “shoulds” in the holistic space, then this episode is for you.To connect with Anja and learn more about her work, including her upcoming Herbal Ball Therapy workshop, visit her website:https://wigglebeat.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/wigglebeatConnect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmamaCome join my free Facebook group,  FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

This episode is a little different.It was recorded outside, on a quiet winter dog walk with Lucky. No polish. Just presence.As the Winter Solstice arrives I wanted to mark what’s ready to be released, and what’s quietly asking to be carried forward.In this episode, I share:A simple, grounded Winter Solstice ritual you can do with (or without) your dogThe guiding word I’ve chosen for 2026, and how it emerged not from force, but from feelingReflections on rest, darkness, and the wisdom of not rushing the lightInstead of New Year’s resolutions or becoming a “better” version of yourself, this is about declarations.It’s about honouring the in-between.Letting the dark do its work.Come meet me here, at the threshold.Connect with me:https://instagram.com/mysticdogmamahttps://mysticdogmama.comCome join my free Facebook group, FETCH First Light - my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the things you “should” be doing to live a low-tox life, for yourself or for your dog, this conversation is going to feel like a deep exhale.I’m joined by Alexx Stuart, founder of Low Tox Life and someone who has spent over a decade exploring what it really means to reduce our toxic load - physically, emotionally, environmentally, and spiritually. Alexx has interviewed more than 450 leading voices in health and wellbeing, but what I love most about her approach is how permission-giving and grounded she is. This isn’t about perfection. It isn’t about throwing everything out or hitting some imaginary benchmark of purity.It’s about presence.It’s about starting exactly where you are.In this episode, we explore:Alexx’s personal health journey and how it led her to found Low Tox LifeThe most impactful first steps for reducing toxin load for you and your dogWhy “start where you’re at” is the foundation of sustainable changeThe emotional and mental toxins that often go overlookedHow to navigate the destabilisation that can happen when your worldview shiftsThe surprising patterns Alexx has noticed after interviewing more than 450 health and wellbeing expertsHow supporting your dog’s health can become a doorway into deeper self-awarenessSimple, practical, non-overwhelming changes you can make todayIf this episode resonated, please share it with a fellow dog mama who’s craving a simpler, gentler, more conscious approach to supporting her and her dog’s wellbeing.Connect with Alexx Stuart:https://lowtoxlife.comhttps://instagram.com/lowtoxlifeConnect with me:https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.comCome join my free Facebook group,  FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

This episode is an invitation to rethink what “clean,” “healthy,” and “balanced” actually mean - for our dogs, our homes, and the wider living systems we’re part of.I sit down with Joe Flanagan, founder of Ingenious Probiotics, whose journey into the world of beneficial bacteria began in the most unexpected place: temperature control and air quality. What unfolded from there is a story that reaches far beyond products or protocols. It’s about remembering a way of living that honours life instead of fighting it.Together we explore the anti-bacterial paradigm so many of us were raised inside, and what really happens when we wipe life away… and the ways Mother Nature inevitably fills the vacuum we create.We touch on:🌿 Why bacteria aren’t the enemy, and how they actually support balance on every level🐾 Dogs as our early warning system (the “canaries in the coal mine” of our modern environment)🏡 Viewing the home as a living ecosystem, not a battlefield🧴 The quiet harm of chemical cleaning products and the pressure to sterilise everything💧 How probiotic cleaning supports harmony, not domination✨ Why animal lovers are often the ones leading the ecological shift🌍 Wholeness as a practice  💗 Making choices from love rather than fear, for ourselves and our dogsWhat Joe shares isn’t about buying another thing. It’s about a deeper remembering:*that nature is not something to overpower,*that our homes are living systems,*and that our dogs are guiding us toward a more life-affirming way of being.If you’re longing for a gentler, wiser, more connected approach to health - for yourself, your home, and your dog - this episode is for you!Connect with Joe Flanagan:https://ingenious-probiotics.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ingeniousprobioticsConnect with me:https://mysticdogmama.comhttps://instagram.com/mysticdogmamaCome join FETCH First Light - my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

In this final FETCH First Friday of the year, I’m coming to you solo with a gentle winter reflection for you and your dog. There are some exciting developments unfolding behind the scenes, and even though I’m here alone this month, I’ll be sharing more with you soon.Inside this episode:• Winter as a Sacred PauseWhy the darker months call us to slow down, rest, and tend to our inner roots, and how our dogs naturally model this seasonal wisdom.• The Water Element + Kidney Support (TCM) Simple ways to nourish the water element in both you and your dog, including warming foods, broths, lifestyle shifts, and energetic themes of the season.• A Season of ReleaseAs we move from a 9 year into a 1 year (and toward the Year of the Horse in February), this is a natural time to acknowledge what we’ve shed, and what we’re still ready to let go of with gratitude.• Not “New Year, New You”Why I follow the seasonal wheel instead of rushing into resolutions, and how January can become a month of deep rest, clarity, and seed-planting.This episode is an invitation to enter winter with softness, presence, and trust — in yourself, your dog, and the slow magic working beneath the surface.Connect with me!Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysticdogmamaWebsite: https://mysticdogmama.comDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

In this second conversation in a series with Deb Matlock - a spiritual ecologist and guide in embodied, Earth-rooted spirituality, and the founder of Wild Rhythms - we move beyond the idea of having one power animal or soul dog and into a more expansive, reciprocal relationship with the wild world. We explore how connection is our birthright, why your dog is walking beside you on your unique spiritual path, and how every being in your life carries its own medicine. Together, we dive into intuition, ceremony, meaning-making, and practical ways to open the door to the more-than-human world — without cultural appropriation and without getting lost in rules. If you’ve ever wondered how to deepen your spiritual relationship with your dog, the land, or the beings you meet along the way, this is your permission slip.Topics We Explore:What “empowered spirituality” really meansWhy our dogs walk with us on our personal spiritual pathsRethinking power animals, spirit animals, and soul dogsHow to honour your own ancestry and lived experienceWhy seeking just one special guide can limit your spiritual growthHow to validate your own intuitive experiences and simple, practical tools to check in with your intuitionMentioned in this episode: Emily Esfahani Smith, The Power of MeaningConnect with Deb MatlockWebsite: https://wild-rhythms.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/wildrhythmsConnect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.comCome join my free Facebook Facebook group, my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

In this episode, Deb Matlock, a professional nature-based spiritual life coach and a nature connection practitioner and educator for more than 25 years, and I explore what it means to live in deeper relationship with the more-than-human world. We talk about wild rhythms, junction points, and the moment we’re living in - a moment when old systems are falling away and new forms of kinship are calling us forward.Deb shares how her childhood bond with her dog Jenny, and a lifetime of connection with animals and the outdoors, led her into environmental education, life coaching, and nature-based work. Together, we look at kinship as re-membering - bringing the members back into a world shaped by extractive models - and what shifts when we understand “community” as all beings, not just humans.We explore communication with other species, reimagining ceremony, and creating the kind of inner spaciousness where wisdom can land. We sit with the hard, beautiful questions too: What does it mean to be human among so many beings? Why are our particular dogs with us? How do we bring our wild soul forward and be of service to the highest good each day?We also touch on how AI might offer new perspectives on interdependence - and how empathy, when allowed to lead, changes everything.This episode is an invitation to remember that there is no real disconnection, only the perception of it - and that every relationship, especially the one with our dogs, can guide us back into the wild web we’re already part of.Connect with Deb MatlockWebsite: https://wild-rhythms.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/wildrhythmsConnect with me!Website: https://mysticdogmama.comInstagram: https://instagram.comCome join my free Facebook Facebook group, my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

What if the stories of our ancestors are still shaping us - and still shaping the dogs who walk beside us?In this Samhain-timed episode of Mystic Dog Mama, I sit down with Irish mythologist and anthropologist Jen Murphy, founder of The Celtic Creatives. Rooted in her grandmother’s storytelling and decades of study in Celtic mythology, anthropology, and Jungian psychology, Jen helps people remember their shining soul by bringing ancient wisdom into modern life.Together, we explore:🌑 What it means to be a modern mystic🔥 How Irish myth and folklore reconnect us to our roots🍂 Samhain and the Celtic Wheel of the Year - and why this season matters✨ Simple, meaningful ways to honour the seasons in everyday life🐾 The mythic role of the hound and how dogs guide us spiritually🌙 Dreamwork, archetypes, and living with a story that supports your soul💚 Re-centring the sacred in the ordinaryThis conversation is rich, warm, and rooted in belonging - a perfect listen as the veil thins and we turn inward with our dogs curled at our feet. 🐕✨Jen Murphy is an Irish mythologist, anthropologist and founder of The Celtic Creatives. A Dubliner born and bred, from the time she could talk, Jen's grandmother Frances O'Sullivan filled her ears with tales from Irish myth and folklore, fuelling a now 40-year fascination with the stories of her lineage. Jen's apprenticeship to following her soul's breadcrumbs has guided her formal studies in Medieval Irish and Celtic Studies, Anthropology, and Jungian Psychology. Jen supports people to remember that they have a shining soul, to dream Celtic spirituality into their modern lives by making the Celtic soul a living aesthetic—centring the soul in the everyday experience of life—through mythwork, dreamwork, and the body.Connect with Jen Murphy:Website → https://www.celticcreatives.com/Substack → https://celticcreatives.substack.com/Instagram → @celticembodimentConnect with me:Website → https://mysticdogmama.comEmail → alexia@mysticdogmama.comInstagram → https://instagram.com/mysticdogmamaCome join our F.E.T.C.H. in Action Live Cookalong happening Saturday, November 29th from 10am-1pm UK time! Together, we will make a batch of raw or gently cooked food specific for your dog! It’s limited to 8 participants so you’ll get personal attention and all your questions answered so that you feel confident in the canine kitchen. Email me for more information at: alexia@mysticdogmama.com

Sometimes the best way to understand F.E.T.C.H. is to see it in action.In this F.E.T.C.H. First Friday episode, we wanted to show you what F.E.T.C.H. looks like in real life - beyond theory.We sit down to look at our lovely Learn F.E.T.C.H. members, Sarah’s dog, Jess, a 13-year-old Rottweiler rescue who’s navigating arthritis and ongoing gut issues. Together, Stacey Renphrey and I walk through Jess’s care using the F.E.T.C.H. framework to explore how small, thoughtful shifts across fresh food, energetics, targeted support, curiosity, and holistic care can bring more comfort, balance, and vitality.You’ll hear how Jess’s guardian, Sarah, is already supporting her beautifully, what adjustments could help as the weather cools, and how to think about seasonal nourishment for older dogs in a way that’s practical, compassionate, and deeply attuned.This conversation is an invitation to slow down, observe, and meet your dog right where they are body, mind, and soul.In this episode:How to warm and nourish an aging body in colder monthsFilling the gaps in a homemade dietFresh food ideas for joint and gut supportSimple, targeted additions that make a differenceWhat holistic care really means in daily lifeWhether you’re caring for a senior dog or simply want to deepen your understanding of whole-being care, this episode will leave you inspired to look at your dog with fresh eyes,  and a softer heart.Join our free F.E.T.C.H. First Light Facebook group, our sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection. https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightGrab your FREE copy of our Learn F.E.T.C.H. Starter Pack to begin your F.E.T.C.H. journey with your dog today!  https://www.learnfetch.com/pages/fetch-starter-packFollow us: https://instagram.com/learn.fetchDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

In this deeply nourishing episode, I’m joined by Catherine Grist - a nutritionist and somatic and health coach who helps people reconnect to their innate intelligence through food, pleasure, and the wisdom of the natural world. We explore:✨ The spiritual messages in our relationship with food✨ Food as soul care - for us and our dogs✨ Cooking as the ultimate form of alchemy✨ Reconnecting to instinct and intuition with our dogs as guides✨ Nourishment over just nutrition (always)✨ How food can help us reconnect to the natural cycles✨ Using food as an offering during this season of rememberingThis conversation is a reminder that nourishment is an act of devotion - to our bodies, our animal companions, and the living world that feeds us.And if you’ve been curious about cooking fresh food for your dog but don’t know where to start, I’d love to invite you to join me for a brand new live cook-along workshop happening Saturday, the 29th of November 10am-1pm UK time on Zoom. It’s a small group experience - no more than eight dog guardians - so you’ll get plenty of support.You’ll learn how to make simple, nourishing raw or gently cooked meals with confidence, and you’ll leave feeling excited to feed fresh food your dog will love. The beta price is just £39.If you want to learn more, drop me an email at hello@learnfetch.com, and I’ll send you the information!Connect with Catherine:Website: www.catherinegrist.comEvents: www.catherinegrist.com/eventsEmail: hello@catherinegrist.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/the_health_alchemistFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.thehealthalchemistJoin our free F.E.T.C.H. First Light Facebook group, our sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection. https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightGrab your FREE copy of our Learn F.E.T.C.H. Starter Pack to begin your F.E.T.C.H. journey with your dog today!  https://www.learnfetch.com/pages/fetch-starter-packDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

What if grooming was actually one of the most intimate and insightful forms of care your dog receives?In this episode, I’m joined by Liz Hampton, Master Groomer and Director of Grooming and Education at Fluffology in North Hollywood, California. Liz has spent over three decades redefining what grooming can be. She is part of a growing movement to raise the standards of education in an unregulated industry -  and to remind us that a good groomer isn’t just about style, but about whole-being care.We talk about:💫 The deep relationship you can build with your groomer as an essential part of your dog’s healthcare team👁️ What groomers can notice about your dog’s health and behaviour that you or even your vet might miss🌬️ How your energy influences your dog’s experience at the groomer🧠 How to choose the right groomer — and the questions to ask🐕 The importance of nail care, regular maintenance, and how small changes can have big effects on your dog’s comfort and mobilityConnect with Liz: https://fluffology.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizsizzers/Join our free F.E.T.C.H. First Light Facebook group, our sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection. https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightGrab your FREE copy of our Learn F.E.T.C.H. Starter Pack to begin your F.E.T.C.H. journey with your dog today!  https://www.learnfetch.com/pages/fetch-starter-packFollow us: https://instagram.com/learn.fetchDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.

What if our obsession with “complete and balanced” feeding isn’t really about our dogs at all… but about our fear of losing them?In this rich, honest conversation with Georgina of Georgina’s Kitchen, we unpack the deeper story beneath the formulas - the way fear, control, and love can all blur together when we just want to do right by our dogs.Georgina shares how her own journey began when her dog started having seizures at just three years old - a moment that led her to question everything she’d been told about nutrition. Her curiosity opened a door to independent research, including a small but eye-opening study testing zinc levels in local beef liver samples that completely changed her understanding of “balance.”Together, we explore what it really means for a dog to thrive - not through micromanaging numbers, but through trust, intuition, and food as a living, intelligent force.We talk about:Why “complete and balanced” guidelines were never meant to define thriving — and how they became a tool of fear-based marketing.What Georgina’s zinc testing revealed about the wild variation in natural foods, and why that’s not a flaw but a sign of life.The quiet freedom that comes when we loosen our grip on control and let nature take the lead.What street dogs in India can teach us about adaptability, intuition, and the power of relationship with place.The growing push toward vegan diets for dogs, and why honouring individuality matters more than ideology.How we can support balance across seasons, climates, and energies - without falling into “just in case” or “more is better.”The difference between food-based and nutrient-based thinking, and why one nourishes the whole being while the other fragments it.This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by information, scared of getting it wrong, or tangled in the pressure to be the “perfect” dog guardian. It’s a reminder that the goal isn’t control - it’s connection.When we feed from trust instead of fear, food relationship, and magic.Connect with Georgina:https://georginaskitchen.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/georginaskitchen.blrJoin our free F.E.T.C.H. First Light Facebook group, our sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection. https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlightGrab your FREE copy of our Learn F.E.T.C.H. Starter Pack to begin your F.E.T.C.H. journey with your dog today!  https://www.learnfetch.com/pages/fetch-starter-packFollow us: https://instagram.com/learn.fetchConnect with me!https://mysticdogmama.comhttps://instagram.com/mysticdogmamaDisclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.