What if healing didn’t start in a clinic—but in the soil?

On the newest episode of LiveWell, we explore how nature, community, and purpose are transforming Veteran care with Dr. Kaitlyn Fruin, UCLA preventive medicine fellow, and Air Force Veteran Cyntrea Cotton, founder of the Veterans Garden Initiative.

This inspiring episode reveals:
 • How therapeutic gardening is easing PTSD, anxiety, and depression for veterans.
 • Why growing organic food can support whole-person healing—from the inside out.
 • The challenges and triumphs of reviving a 15-acre clinical garden on VA grounds.

Cyntrea shares her personal journey of struggling with panic attacks, isolation, and chronic stress—and how reconnecting with the earth sparked her recovery and purpose. Katie walks us through the science and systems behind food as medicine, highlighting how gardens can be powerful entry points for mental and physical health.

If you’ve ever wondered how nature can heal trauma, build community, and restore well-being, this episode will plant a seed.

Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, offer feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast! 

Episode Resources + Mentions: 

-       Transcript 

-       GrowGood

-       Restoring The Veterans Garden

Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling.

We also have links in the show notes on our website at healthy.ucla.edu/livewellpodcast. If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: livewell@ucla.edu.

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