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Seva: Science + Soul

Seva: Science + Soul

Written by: Angel V. Shannon
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Brain health. Longevity. The inner life. Seva: Science + Soul is where clinical authority meets genuine warmth — and where the science of living well meets the soul behind it all. What if the science of living longer and the art of living well were never actually separate? That question is at the heart of everything Angel Shannon does — and it is the soul of this podcast. Seva: Science + Soul is hosted by Angel V. Shannon, MS, AGPCNP-BC — Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, lifestyle medicine clinician, speaker, author, and Blue Zone retreat host with over 30 years of clinical experience including Johns Hopkins Hospital and the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Each episode sits at the intersection of the clinical and the deeply human. Some episodes go deep into the neuroscience — the gut-brain axis, glymphatic insufficiency, HPA axis dysregulation, the biology of burnout, the lab tests most doctors never order. Others go somewhere quieter — into the inner life, the practice of radical self-compassion, the rituals that restore us, the wisdom of the world's longest-lived communities, the small and sacred choices that add up to a life that is longer, sharper, and more deeply lived. This is not a podcast about hacks or quick fixes. It is a podcast for people who are ready to take their health seriously — not as a project to complete but as a practice to inhabit. For people who know that their labs can be normal and they can still not feel like themselves. For people who have been told they are fine when they know something is off. For people who are done settling for symptom management and are ready for root cause medicine, longevity science, and the kind of self-compassion that actually changes your biology. What you'll find here: Brain health and cognitive longevity — what the research actually says and what to do about it The gut-brain connection — how your microbiome shapes your mood, your memory, and your mornings Lifestyle medicine — food, movement, sleep, stress, connection, and purpose as clinical tools Blue Zone wisdom — what the world's longest-lived people know that the rest of us have forgotten The inner life — mindset, self-compassion, ritual, and the soulwork that underpins every other pillar Conversations with fascinating people doing extraordinary work at the intersection of science and soul This podcast is the audio companion to Seva Living Newsletter — Angel's free biweekly newsletter where longevity meets lifestyle and science meets soul. Subscribe free at joinsevaliving.com. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Build a Better Brain. Design the Life You Deserve.2021-2026, Seva Health and Seva Health Media Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Trauma to Triumph: Harnessing Nature's Power for Healing & Renewal (Extended Episode)

    Trauma to Triumph: Harnessing Nature's Power for Healing & Renewal (Extended Episode)
    Mar 25 2025
    About Norris:Norris “The Fashionfly Hiker” Atkins is an encourager, educator, and nature enthusiast. As the founder and CEO of Norris Explores Outdoors (NEO), an Austin-based company, he provides a safe platform for Black individuals to reclaim their ancestral connection with nature. This connection not only enhances their physical health and mental health well-being but also fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment. His passion for the outdoors was nurtured during his time as a member of the Boy Scouts. Since 2015, he has dedicated himself to increasing outdoor visibility within Black communities. In 2024, he launched #Norris Explores Outdoors, a digital movement that collaborates with influencers to create a diverse and inclusive outdoors for Black individuals. He is actively involved in Outdoor Afro Austin, a nonprofit organization that reconnects Black communities with nature. Norris has been featured in the IG Live Chat Black in National Parks Project and mentioned in the Texas Highways magazine. He has been recognized through the Outdoor Afro Joyful Photo Award. Additionally, he has received The SCBWI Austin Annual Carmen Oliver On-the-Verge Conference Scholarship for his pre-published picture book, “My Hike With Daddy: A Story Of Black Joy In Nature.” He is a Tour Guide Volunteer and advocate of the We Need Diverse Books movement through storytime at Austin Central Library. He leads guided interpretive hikes at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, visits Texas state and national parks, embarks on road trips to visit civil rights sites, and engages in bat watching, and he believes that nature is an integral part of his ancestral identity. Norris lives in the Pease Park area deep in the heart of downtown Austin. Catch up with Norris on Instagram and Threads at: @norrisexploresoutdoors Key Takeaways:Mindfulness and compassion are essential for living better.Norris Atkins promotes outdoor visibility for Black communities.Boy Scouts played a pivotal role in Norris's love for nature.Fishing is both a recreational activity and a life skill.Nature provides a safe space for mental health management.Building community through outdoor activities is vital.Embracing discomfort leads to personal growth.Nature teaches patience and curiosity.Outdoor activities can foster a sense of belonging.We are all interconnected in our experiences. Being outdoors is part of our DNA.We must reclaim our right to outdoor spaces.Nature provides a healing experience.Forest bathing helps wash away negativity.Creating safe spaces allows for emotional release.Journaling can memorialize transformative experiences.Empowerment comes from connecting with nature.Experiencing the night sky can be humbling.It's important to encourage each other in our journeys.Real men cry and it's okay to express emotions.Creating a culture of belongingness is essential for mental health.Silence can be a powerful tool for healing and reflection.Mindfulness practices can help build resilience in challenging times.Nature provides a unique space for connection and community.Introverts can find strength in their desire for solitude.Building a resilient brain is crucial for overall well-being.Engaging in outdoor activities can enhance personal growth.Practicing silence can be started in small increments.Community support is vital for survival and wellness.Norris offers outdoor adventures and collaborations for those interested. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness and Nature02:48 Norris Atkins: A Journey into the Outdoors06:03 The Impact of Boy Scouts on Personal Growth08:59 Fishing: A Family Tradition and Life Skill11:59 Mental Health and Nature Connection15:05 Building Community Through Outdoor Activities17:58 Embracing Discomfort for Personal Growth20:53 Nature as a Teacher of Life Skills25:12 Reclaiming Our Outdoor Heritage29:21 The Connection to Ancestry and Nature31:42 Experiencing the Night Sky34:50 The Healing Power of Forest Bathing39:51 Creating Safe Spaces for Emotional Release42:12 Empowerment Through Nature and WritingExtended Conversation:Creating a Culture of BelongingnessThe Power of Silence and StillnessBuilding Resilience Through MindfulnessCommunity and Connection in NatureFinding Norris: Outdoor Adventures and Collaborations Connect with me:Join over 5,000 happier people on my mailing list! https://www.healthyhousecallswithangel.comWhat area of your life needs the most care and attention right now? Work with me 1:1! Get the support you need and the science you've been searching for in my private community! https://www.thesevacircle.comCheck out my practice Seva Health: https://sevahealthgroup.com/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelvshannon/Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelvshannon Brain health. Longevity. The inner life. Seva: Science + Soul is where clinical authority meets genuine warmth — and where the science of living well meets the soul ...
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Build A Better Brain: The Key To Thriving In Uncertain Times

    Build A Better Brain: The Key To Thriving In Uncertain Times
    Nov 19 2024

    Build A Better Brain: The Key to Thriving in Uncertain Times

    Welcome to a transformative season of Healthy Housecalls With Angel! In this new season, we’re unpacking one of the most powerful yet overlooked keys to thriving in midlife: your brain health.

    Stress, fear, and uncertainty are at an all-time high, but what if I told you that nurturing your brain health could transform how you navigate life’s storms even in the midst of disruption and uncertainty so that you can thrive, not just survive?

    Your brain is more than just an organ - it's the command center of your mood, metabolism and sense of joy. Your brain is your body's control center, orchestrating your thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being. But chronic stress, poor nutrition, sleepless nights and modern-day pressures can wreak havoc on your neurotransmitters—the chemical messengers like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA that regulate mood, metabolism, focus, and ultimately your happiness.

    In this season, we’ll explore:

    The Science of Brain Health: How neurotransmitters like serotonin support emotional balance, dopamine drives motivation, and GABA promotes calm and how you can get them all in balance.

    Stress, Burnout and Brain Resilience: Why prolonged stress disrupts brain function, impacts memory, and causes mood swings—and how to rebuild your brain’s resilience with simple mental fitness exercises.

    Brain-Healthy Functional Nutrition: How the foods you eat directly fuel your brain, stabilize your mood, and boost your cognitive clarity.

    You’ll learn actionable, science-backed strategies to restore balance, enhance focus, and bring joy back into your daily life—no matter what life throws your way.

    If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, foggy, or disconnected, this season is your guide to transforming your mind, mood, and metabolism naturally. Let’s rescue your brain health and unlock your full potential together.

    Tune in now and set the foundation for a healthier, more vibrant you!

    #HealthyHousecallsWithAngel #BrainHealth #FunctionalNutrition #MindMoodMetabolism #Neurotransmitters #LifestyleMedicine #Resilience

    Brain health. Longevity. The inner life. Seva: Science + Soul is where clinical authority meets genuine warmth — and where the science of living well meets the soul behind it all.

    This podcast is the audio companion to Seva Living Newsletter — Angel's free biweekly newsletter where longevity meets lifestyle and science meets soul. Subscribe free at joinsevaliving.com.

    New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Build a Better Brain. Design the Life You Deserve.
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    37 mins
  • Intuition As Inspiration With Special Guest: Mariyah Thompson

    Intuition As Inspiration With Special Guest: Mariyah Thompson
    Jun 15 2023
    In these complex times, with life moving at such a hurried pace, we all yearn for quick answers and simple solutions to life problems that really aren't all that simple. 'Life hacks' are more prevalent now than ever before. Feeling so overwhelmed with information coming from so many corners, it can be comforting to turn to specialists and experts who appear to have the skills to show us the way. But asking others to help us make important life decisions can actually leave us feeling more lost and confused than ever. Tune into this special episode with my very special guest, Mariyah Thompson, Biophilic Designer and Horticultural Educator to learn how honoring intuition can be the simple solution we're searching for to regain a sense of control over our lives and reclaim our own innate power. About Mariyah:Mariyah Thompson is a Biophilic Designer, Horticultural Educator and lover of all things nature-related. She was born and raised in Southern New Jersey where she learned the importance of nurturing intuition from her beloved grandmother. Mariyah is a graduate of Towson University (2020) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Applied Adult Disability Studies. She credits the stillness she cultivated during the global pandemic for awakening a deep desire to "go deeper" within herself. She acknowledges her grandmother's passing - also during the pandemic - as a time in which she answered her heart's calling to pivot from her work in healthcare to her love of all things plant and nature related. Currently, Mariyah is the Manager of Residential and Commercial Horticultural Services at B. Willow in the Remington community of Baltimore, Maryland. Mariyah states frequently, "adding botanical designs to spaces across Baltimore and encouraging people to see themselves as a part of nature is what I love most about my work. We are one. I am so grateful to be in the position that I am, following my intuition, to do work that I truly love." Mariyah lives in Baltimore and spends most of her days celebrating life with her fiance, practicing meditation and yoga and "doing things that bring me joy." Intuition As Inspiration And Initiation: Show Notes Intuition, a profound and often elusive phenomenon, holds the power to serve as both a wellspring of inspiration and a catalyst for initiation. Rooted in our subconscious mind, intuition can guide us toward innovative ideas, uncharted paths, and transformative breakthroughs. It whispers, urging us to explore beyond the boundaries of logic and reason, and invites us to embrace the unknown. As a potent force of insight, intuition bridges the gap between imagination and action, encouraging us to trust our instincts and embark on journeys fueled by inner wisdom.In this episode, I am joined by Mariyah Thompson, who studied Exercise Science from Towson University and is currently working at B. Willow, a bespoke plant boutique in Baltimore, to talk about the power of intuition. Mariyah shares how she managed to make a career shift into biophilic design from Exercise Science, why people get stuck on the judgment about what they should be doing, and the importance of biophilic design and nature exposure in people’s day-to-day lives in the workplace. She also talks about the benefits of celebrating small wins and what it means to have a mirror for yourself, even when there is no mirror. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!Timestamps[04:35] Mariyah Thompson’s background information[05:36] How Mariyah managed to make a career shift into plants and nature[08:05] The inner landscape that enabled Mariyah to realize that Exercise Science is not for her and made the change[17:03] Why do people get stuck on the judgment of the outside about what they should be doing?[20:26] The importance of Bioliphic design and nature exposure in people’s day-to-day lives in the workplaces[26:28] The benefits of celebrating the small wins [30:30] What it means to have a mirror for yourself, even when there is no mirror[34:30] Does Mariyah have a journal practice?[49:16] Mariyah’s trip to Mexico and how it opened her life[57:12] The secrets to overcoming fear and living a more courageous life[01:01:56] The practices that can help nurture the intuition of moving forward regardless of life challenges.Notable quotes:“The smallest shift can create the most fertile ground for growth and awareness.”“The biggest hurdle for most of us to get over is the judgment on the outside about what we should be doing.”“Everything you need is already within you.”“There is fear, but it’s deciding and trusting in yourself that you are going to do what you want to do and fulfill whatever you want to fulfill because you trust yourself.”Upcoming events:September 19 to 24, The Design the Life You Deserve Retreat that will be in Bacalar, Mexico. Connect with me:Website: https://angelvshannon.com/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/...
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    1 hr and 15 mins
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