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Ep. 209 A Good Death: Sensuality, Life and Learning to Die Authentically with Katy Butler

Spirit Sessions Podcast Ep. 209 A Good Death: Sensuality, Life and Learning to Die Authentically with Katy Butler

Today Katie is joined by Buddhist journalist and New York Times bestseller, Katy Butler. Her books examine how our culture has over-medicalized death and lost touch with its sacredness. In this episode, Katy and Katie candidly discuss the topics others often avoid including food addictions, death and finding your voice in the bedroom!

If you’re ready to deepen your spiritual practice we invite you to join the 2025 class of our Divine Feminine Ayurveda School. Doors close soon, so click here to learn more and enroll today!

CW: Abuse against women and childhood abuse are mentioned in this episode which may be triggering for some listeners.

In this episode with Katy Butler, you’ll hear:

~ An invitation to our Feminine-Form Ayurveda School!

~ How Katy overcame her food addiction

~ How to start shedding shame

~ Katy Butlers’s experiences studying with Thich Nhat Hanh

~ The importance of telling your story

~ How Katy Butler found her journalistic voice

~ The five Buddhist remembrances

~ Lessons learned from watching a loved one die

~ What is a good death?

~ The Ars Moriendi (The Art of Dying)

~ Bringing homegrown ritual into your life and death

~ Finding your voice in the bedroom

~ How Katy keeps her relationship steamy in her 70s

~ Get our free mini-course about Women’s Wisdom and Ayurveda!

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

~ Learn more about our Ayurveda School

~ Connect with Katy Butler on her website and Facebook

~ Katy’s first book, Knocking on Heaven’s Door

~ Katy’s latest book, The Art of Dying Well

~ Read Katy Butler’s article in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Not Empty, Not Full

~ The Hite Report: A National Study of Female Sexuality

~ Our Spirit Sessions Membership

~ Follow The Shakti School on Instagram and Facebook

Related episodes:

~ Ep. 142 360 Degree Love: It Ain’t All Sex, Bonbons and Roses

~ Ep. 205 Winter Magic, Death and Dignity

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

  • Ayurveda Certification
  • The Shakti School Subscription

Help Us Spread Our Pod Wings!

I hope you loved this discussion with Katy Butler! This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you love show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to yours,

Katie

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Ep. 186 Menopause Made Me Look Like My Mother with Mary Thompson

This is a picture of Mary Thompson and Katie Silcox. It links to the show notes for and episode of the Spirit Sessions podcast about menopause.

If you’re perimenopausal or know someone in menopause, this episode is for you! Unfortunately, much of the mainstream conversation around menopause shames women for experiencing symptoms, but in this episode, Katie and fellow Ayurveda wise woman Mary Thompson offer a softer, more spiritual perspective. They discuss common symptoms of perimenopause, simple Ayurvedic practices you can use to mitigate these symptoms and the spiritual gifts of menopause!

Want to learn more about menopause and women's wellness from Mary Thompson and our other amazing teachers? Our year-long Ayurveda School is open for registration!

 

In this episode you’ll hear: 

~ What's going on in your body during menopause?

~ Freeing yourself from shame

~ Common perimenopause symptoms

~ Ayurvedic practices to prevent and soothe symptoms of menopause

~ The deeper meaning of our symptoms and struggle

~ What does Ayurveda say about bioidentical hormones?

~ The maiden, mother, creatrix and crone

~ The Ama - Agni - Ojas formula

~ Benefits of seasonal Ayurvedic Cleansing for hormone balance

~ The spiritual gifts of menopause

~ Sign up for our free mini-course about Women’s Wisdom and Ayurveda!

 

Other links mentioned in this episode:

~ Mary's Podcast: Ayur.. What Now?

~ Mary’s website: The Ayurvedic Approach

~ Herbalist Susun Weed

~ Book: Strong Women Stay Young

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

  • Ayurveda Certification
  • The Shakti School Subscription

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

Did you love listening to this conversation about menopause and Ayurvedic practices to sooth perimenopause symptoms? This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

Have fun stepping into the menopause energy of the Creatrix!

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

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Ep. 31 Better Digestion, Sex and Less Wrinkles? Thanks, Ghee!

Learn the ancient healing knowledge of Ghee and how it can be used to boost your digestion, sex and nourish skin.

In this episode I discuss:

~What the heck is a fat free burger?

~A dream about Ghee

~The truth about Fat

~How Ghee is healing and why Fat is your friend

~A fat-free lifestyle is a sex-free lifestyle.

~The mama energy

~The nectar of love

~Ghee as a Gut Balm

~Ghee moisturizer I love!

~Other Ghee products for the body: Banyan’s Beauty Balm, other balms

~How Ghee effects different tissues in your body

~How Ghee effects our fertility

~Ghee as a metaphor for love

~The use of Ghee in detoxification

~How to MAKE Ghee!

~Lineage of Love Free Trial!

~We have new friends in the Ahara Ghee family! Use promocode GHEESPOT at checkout for $5 off your order.

Studies Cited:

~Harvard Study: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine_article/is-butter-really-back/

~Fats: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/the-skinny-on-fats/

Or Subscribe on iTunes

Learn more:

Shakti Ayurveda School

Lineage of Love Community

HELP US SPREAD OUR POD WINGS

This show is a passion project that I produce for the love of sharing. If you enjoy this show and want a free and easy way to help it grow, the most effective way you can help is to:

  1. Subscribe to the show by clicking “subscribe” in iTunes
  2. Write us a review in iTunes
  3. Share this show with one friend right now!

It’s seems simple, but you’d be AMAZED to know how much it helps my little love project reach more people. iTunes’ algorithm uses ratings and reviews to know who to show our show to in their app.

Here’s the link to leave us reviews in iTunes.

From my heart to your screen,

Katie

Continue Reading

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OR… they’ll say something in the most emotiona OR… they’ll say something in the most emotionally intelligent way imaginable. 🌿🌊 Kaphas often tolerate a lot before speaking because they value peace, loyalty and preserving connection. Under stress, they may withdraw, over-accommodate, or hold onto hurt longer than they let on. But when conflict needs tending, Kaphas are often the ones bringing patience, forgiveness and calm nervous systems into the room. There’s a reason they’re the people you want beside you during heartbreak, illness or major life changes.

Tag your favorite kapha below (or maybe it’s you!) 👇🏼

🌱 Are you curious to learn more about the three Ayurvedic doshas? Comment “179” and I’ll send you the link to my podcast episode, “The Three Doshas: Are You a Bullfrog or an Orchid?”

Meme inspired by @mytherapistsays
The doors to our 2027 Ayurvedic Wellness Coach Cer The doors to our 2027 Ayurvedic Wellness Coach Certification are officially open! 🌹✨ ⁠
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If you’ve felt the quiet nudge to deepen your healing, understand women’s health in a whole new way, or become the grounded guide your community needs…this may be your year. ⁠
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Ayurveda School is more than an education - it’s a year-long mentorship with your own body and soul. ❤️‍🔥 ⁠
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Register before June 5th and we’ll gift you all the books you need for class (a $200+ value) completely free, in addition to Early Bird pricing. ⁠
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📚 If your heart already knows, don’t wait too long. Comment AYURVEDASCHOOL (one word) or visit the link in bio to learn more and claim your spot.
Mama nature usually gives us clear indications of Mama nature usually gives us clear indications of her changes if we open our eyes to her subtlety. The more we can align with these rhythms, the easier it is to maintain body/mind health. Just as seasonal shifts transform the weather where we live, they also shake up the internal landscape within our bodies. ⁠
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In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s time to start gently incorporating pitta-balancing elements into our food and lifestyle. ⁠
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Depending on where you live, it’s generally a good time to lean into pitta-balancing practices when you start to notice:⁠
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☀️ Warmer temperatures⁠
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☀️ Longer daylight hours⁠
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☀️ A shift from the lush, wet heaviness of spring to a drier, sharper heat⁠
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☀️ Increased internal heat (like irritability, skin flare-ups or digestive intensity)⁠
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Most simply put, once you start feeling more heat and dryness in your body than you do watery heaviness, it’s a green light to start introducing some pitta-balancing practices into your routine. ⁠
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Save these tips for navigating the spring > summer transition with watery ease. 🌊⁠
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🌱 If you're ready for more, comment WISDOM to access our free Divine Feminine Ayurveda course now.
What does the emerging research on stevia and othe What does the emerging research on stevia and other artificial sweeteners reveal, especially when considering Ayurvedic teachings on the sweet taste? Learn how erythritol, a common additive in stevia, affects your blood vessels and the subtle body. Blending modern science with Ayurvedic wisdom, Katie offers practical, nourishing alternatives for satisfying sweet cravings while supporting long-term health in the latest episode of Spirit Sessions Podcast.

In this episode about stevia, you’ll hear:

~ The latest science about stevia and what it means for your health
~ Recent erythritol study from the University of Colorado at Boulder
~ Negative side effects of erythritol
~ What does Ayurveda say about the sweet taste?
~ Where is stevia hiding in your kitchen?
~ Your body’s response to natural vs. artificial sweeteners
~ The subtle effects of artificial sweeteners on our emotions and spirit
~ Ayurveda-aligned stevia alternatives

🌿🎧 Comment “244” below for the link to the episode to listen now.
You know the one, they always seem to be doing a l You know the one, they always seem to be doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that, traveling the globe, producing an avante garde short film and launching a new company all at the same time… 🪄🧬🛫 (Pssstt, we envy you. 😉)

Vata energy is creative, spontaneous, full of ideas and always moving… and even if vata’s path doesn’t always look linear from the outside, it’s usually filled with deep meaning, purpose and spiraling intelligence.

Out yourself or tag your favorite Vata below. 👇🏼💫

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