Modern medicine has dramatically changed how we understand—and often experience—some of the most fundamental processes of life: menstruation, birth, menopause, and death. But in the process, many of the natural rhythms, inner wisdom, and holistic care models have been lost. In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we challenge conventional medical narratives and explore how integrative, trauma-informed care can restore dignity, body-awareness, and holistic support during life’s most transformative transitions.

Joining us is Kara Dobelis, ARNP, an integrative family nurse practitioner, trauma-informed clinician, and co-founder of Integrative Family Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa. Kara’s own path—from critical care and surgical nursing, through healthcare administration, to founding a patient-first holistic practice—gave her frontline insight into the gaps in conventional care.

With dual master’s degrees in Clinical Informatics and Nurse Practitioner practice, and extensive experience treating chronic illness, complex viral conditions, and immune dysfunction, Kara brings a depth of clinical knowledge and compassion to her work. She specializes in caring for patients who don’t find answers through standard medical protocols: those with chronic fatigue, suspected Lyme disease, EBV, long-term immune suppression, or undiagnosed systemic issues.

Kara offers a written and embodied approach to integrative care: trauma-informed intakes, personalized diagnostics, nutritional and lifestyle medicine, IV and NAD+ infusions, herbal and homeopathic support, nervous system regulation, and ongoing follow-up aimed at restoring balance and vitality. Her own healing journey—marked by illness, trauma, and ultimately, resilience—drives her dedication to helping others reclaim their health holistically.

In this conversation, we dig into:

• How modern obstetric and gynecologic practices have shaped our experience of menstruation, birth, menopause, and end-of-life care.
• What gets lost when birth becomes medical procedure, menopause becomes pathology, and death becomes taboo.
• The role of integrative medicine in honoring the body’s natural cycles and transitions.
• What trauma-informed, compassionate healthcare can look like during major life passages.
• How lifestyle, nutrition, nervous-system care, and personalized medicine can support smoother transitions — on the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.

If you’ve ever questioned the standard narrative around these life stages, or felt like medicine overlooked the deeper truths of your body’s experiences, this episode offers insight, compassion, and a different path forward.

Learn more about Kara Dobelis and Integrative Family Medicine:

https://www.integrativemediowa.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

In a world where true connection is becoming rare, the tables we build—and how we invite people to gather around them—may be one of the most powerful forms of relational wealth we can cultivate. In this intimate conversation, we explore how intentional environments, shared experiences, and the simple act of coming together can nourish belonging, open the heart, and help people flourish.

My guest today, David Brower, is an international impresario of live experiences that fuse artistry, intimacy, and inspiration. A #1 best-selling author, poet, and speaker, David creates gatherings that feel like living works of art—immersive, connective, and unforgettable. His events invite beauty, joy, and purpose back into the room, encouraging us to savor the fullness of being alive while forging meaningful bonds with one another. More than entertainment, his work is a catalyst for presence and transformation, reminding us that everyday life can be celebrated as the greatest stage of all.

If you’ve been longing for deeper community, richer conversations, or gatherings that feel intentional rather than obligatory, this episode offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for designing spaces where people feel truly seen, held, and connected.

Learn more about David’s work at:
https://davidbrower.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

Energy healing is often talked about in vague or mystical terms—but beneath the language and symbolism lies a grounded, deeply human truth: we all carry emotional, physical, and spiritual imprints that shape how we feel, respond, and move through the world. In this episode, we explore the foundations of energy healing and the chakra system with Stephanie Ulven, founder of Equanimity Wellness.

Stephanie’s path into this work began long before she knew what to call it. In the early '90s, she studied psychology and sociology, searching for answers about why people feel disconnected from themselves. But it wasn’t until she moved into cosmetology—an unexpected doorway—that she discovered the profound impact of touch, presence, and authentic connection. Clients began asking not just for services, but for what they called a “Stephanie Session”—space to unravel, breathe, and finally feel like themselves again.

When the world unraveled during the pandemic, people turned to her not only for comfort but for clarity. She realized that many were carrying emotional and energetic burdens with nowhere safe to process them. Her calling deepened.

Today, Stephanie is a Master Educator in multiple energy modalities, including Usui Reiki, Kundalini Reiki, Crystal Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, and Sekhem Reiki. Through Equanimity Wellness, she offers a sanctuary for those seeking grounding, emotional release, nervous system regulation, and a return to inner balance. Her work is rooted in understanding the duality of human experience—what we say versus what we truly feel—and guiding clients back to honesty, alignment, and peace.

In this episode, we explore:
• What energy healing is (and what it is not)
• How blocked or overwhelmed energy shows up in the body
• The chakra system as a map for emotional and spiritual wellbeing
• Why touch, presence, and attunement are powerful tools for healing
• How reconnecting to our internal landscape creates resilience

If you’ve ever felt disconnected, emotionally overloaded, or unsure why your inner world feels so heavy, this conversation brings clarity, compassion, and a grounded understanding of how energy healing supports the whole person.

Learn more about Stephanie’s work at Equanimity Wellness:
https://www.equanimity-wellness.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.