Blending Science & Soul: Integrative Psychiatry for the Modern Clinician with Dr. Arwen Podesta

Healing the Healer: Integrative Psychiatry and Whole-Person Care with Dr. Arwen Podesta, MDIn this inaugural episode, Dr. Siri Chand Khalsa welcomes Dr. Arwen Podesta, a psychiatrist and addiction-medicine specialist whose career bridges biochemistry, forensic psychiatry, and integrative care. They explore how mind–body connection, lifestyle medicine insights, breathwork, community, and compassion help clinicians and patients heal. Expect grounded science, spiritual healing practices, and refreshingly practical steps for physician wellness and holistic health.Keywords: Podcast, Stories of Healing, Ayurvedic Lifestyle, Physician Wellness, Holistic Health, Mind-Body Connection, Plant-Based Healing, Women in Medicine, Spiritual Healing Practices, Lifestyle Medicine InsightsChapter Markers00:00 Welcome & show framing — Routes of Healing vision (Podcast, Stories of Healing)00:27 Disclaimer & season theme: Healing the Healer02:15 Arwen’s origin story: commune roots → massage therapy → biochemistry → medicine (Holistic Health)09:05 Parallel journeys: Siri’s early integrative path & the “wake-up” moment10:37 Mentors, capacity building, and choosing MD over PhD12:59 Bridging upbringing & medical training; agency and modifiable risk factors14:18 Where med school fell short; early CAM research and mindfulness science16:46 Biomarkers, meditation, breathwork; when science catches up (Mind-Body Connection)19:41 Siri on Ayurvedic lifestyle principles and interconnected systems21:31 Inflammation, insulin resistance, and mental health (Lifestyle Medicine Insights)25:24 GLP-1s, cravings, cognition; nuance & limits (Physician Wellness)29:09 Long-COVID, gastric emptying, and individualized care30:08 Agency, community, and why group care matters31:10 Counter-/transference as diagnostic skill; finding fit in care teams (Women in Medicine)36:26 Breathwork, yoga, polyvagal tone; practical protocols (Spiritual Healing Practices)42:45 Courage in integrative practice; rising existential distress45:03 Treating existential dread: groups, life-skills, and support networks47:04 Care extenders: therapists, coaches, async tools; collaborative care49:38 “Like-for-like” paradigm; mechanisms before meds52:11 Whole-team referrals, labs, supplements; trauma-informed specialists55:28 Measurement-based care, WHO-5, HERO scale; neurofeedback mindset1:00:15 Professional buoyancy: conferences, peer groups, oxytocin of IRL connection1:02:02 Where to find Dr. Podesta & her courses; patient availability1:03:40 Close & gratitudeKey TakeawaysIntegrative Approaches: Pair conventional psychiatry with breath-work, community, nutrition, sleep, and movement for better outcomes.Inflammation matters: Glucose spikes and systemic inflammation can worsen mood and anxiety; stabilizing them supports mental health.Measure what you change: Simple scales (e.g., WHO-5, HERO) + wearables/CGM create motivating feedback loops.Community heals: Group visits and peer support reduce shame, improve adherence, and sustain recovery “the opposite of addiction is connection.”Courage & nuance: Standard of care first then add evidence-informed spiritual healing practices and lifestyle medicine insights tailored to the person.Resources & LinksGuest: Arwen Podesta MDPractice: podestawellness.comCourses/Book info: drarwen.comBook: Hooked by Arwen Podesta, MD (search “Hooked Arwen Podesta” on Amazon)Referenced Concepts:Mindfulness & biomarkers (BDNF, HR/BP, EEG)Polyvagal theory, intentional breathwork (alternate nostril), yoga/pranayamaMetabolic health & mood (glucose stability, ketone utilization)About Our Guest: Dr. Arwen PodestaBoarded in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Forensic Psychiatry and Holistic & Integrative Medicine, Arwen Podesta MD works in Louisiana, with an office in New Orleans. She authored a book on addiction, HOOKED (available on Amazon, see her website, www.podestawellness.com). She was recently awarded the honor of distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatry Association as well as the American Society of Addiction Medicine and is the immediate past President of the Louisiana Psychiatric Medical Association.She is a national speaker, she teaches, consults and is an advocate for integrative best practices for those with addiction and psychiatric needs.About the Host — Dr. Siri Chand KhalsaPhysician and educator focused on integrative medicine, Ayurvedic lifestyle, and plant-based healing. Founder of Vishuddha which produces Routes of Healing, she sharing stories of healing that reimagine whole-person care.Share & SubscribeApple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTubeNewsletter & transcript: drsirichand.comCommunity for female physicians: vishuddha.comThank you!If this conversation helped, share it with a colleague who might need a reminder that healers deserve healing too.