What if balance isn’t something you “achieve”… but something you practice—over and over again?

In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Sami Estrada sits down with Dr. Haley Parker, integrative medicine leader and educator, to explore East Asian Medicine and how acupuncture, herbs, breathwork, and movement can support real-life wellness—especially for stress, burnout, pain, and women’s health.

Dr. Parker shares her personal “conversion moment” into acupuncture after stubborn athletic injuries, the misconceptions that still keep people from trying East Asian Medicine, and what a first acupuncture visit actually feels like (yes—there are funny intake questions, and no—it’s not as scary as you think). Together, Sami and Haley dive into why stress quietly builds in the body, how burnout shows up in early red flags, and why healing often starts with the simplest step: a deep breath and a small shift forward.

You’ll also hear:

• Why “balance is in motion” (and why life keeps testing us!)
• How acupuncture supports the nervous system’s rest-and-digest state
• The East Asian Medicine view that “where there is blockage, there is pain”
• Movement tips for chronic pain (stretching, walking, gentle cardio, and more)
• Women’s health insights across the lifespan: cycles, fertility, and transitions
• The difference between supporting athletes vs. everyday bodies
• Why early education and prevention could transform healthcare as we know it

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or stuck in pain, this episode is a grounding reminder that you’re not alone—and that healing doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

Learn more / Connect with Dr. Haley Parker & VUIM:

• University: VUIM.edu
• Clinic: VUIMclinic.com
• Campuses/clinics mentioned: Tyson’s Corner, VA • Ridgefield, NJ • Duluth, GA

Enjoy the episode?
Follow Thursday Tea with Sami for weekly conversations that translate mental health and lifestyle medicine into real-life tools you can use. And if this one helped you, share it with a friend who needs a little support today.

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media:

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dignuswellness
• https://www.facebook.com/DignusWellness
• https://www.instagram.com/dignuswellness/
• https://www.pinterest.com/Dignuswellness/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRzVGBRhHdenTAV2yPFhfA

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!

Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com

What does “healthy” look like when you’re living in the real world—busy schedules, stress, travel, cravings, and all?

In this warm, honest conversation, Dr. Sami Estrada sits down with Barry Abrams, a voice artist who used the pandemic as a turning point to create sustainable lifestyle changes alongside his wife. Barry shares how his mindset shifted from dieting to wellness, why the goal of eating is simply to be “not hungry” (not stuffed), and how he balances discipline with compassion—because sometimes you just need a diner burger, and that’s part of being human.

You’ll also hear Barry’s practical, doable strategies:

• “Dinner and done” (and why nighttime snacking—even on “healthy” foods—adds up)
• A simple way to enjoy “treats” without overdoing it (especially on vacations/cruises)
• Carb timing for energy and better sleep
• Easy, satisfying swaps (hello portobello mushroom “bun” and rutabaga fries)
• Why stretching is his #1 daily practice (free, simple, and makes you feel good)
• How movement supports presence, performance, and stamina—especially in voice work
• The power of support at home: “First they ask why… then they ask how.”

If you’re tired of all-or-nothing wellness, this episode is a grounding reminder: you don’t need perfection—you need a plan you can repeat.

Connect with Barry:
Website: BarryAbramsVoice.com
Find his audiobook performances on Audible & Amazon
Social: @BAbramsVoice (plus his thoroughbred racing vlog, The Far Turn)

Connect with Dr. Sami / Dignus Wellness:
DignusWellness.com

Your journey to wellness starts here. 💛

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media:

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dignuswellness
• https://www.facebook.com/DignusWellness
• https://www.instagram.com/dignuswellness/
• https://www.pinterest.com/Dignuswellness/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRzVGBRhHdenTAV2yPFhfA

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!

Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com

In today’s powerful episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, I’m joined by the remarkable Vera Ventura — life coach, yoga instructor, founder of Breast Cancer Goddess, and four-time cancer survivor whose story defies all odds.

Diagnosed with stage IV cancer and given only months to live, Vera chose a radically integrative path: combining Western medicine with fasting, mindset work, metabolic approaches, and deep spiritual practice. What unfolds is not just a story of survival, but of awakening.

Together, we explore:

• How fasting became a life-saving tool in Vera’s healing
• The role of mindset, gratitude, and spiritual presence in navigating illness
• Why so many people feel disconnected from themselves and others
• How to support a loved one with cancer without overwhelming them
• Practical, compassionate steps for anyone seeking prevention or deeper wellness
• The emotional themes — fear, resentment, guilt — that often surface in healing
• The truth about community, mindfulness, and rebuilding your inner resilience

Vera’s journey is raw, courageous, deeply human, and overflowing with wisdom. Whether you're experiencing illness, supporting someone you love, or simply wanting to live more intentionally — this conversation is one you’ll feel long after the episode ends.

🌿 Learn more about Vera’s nonprofit and fasting programs:
breastcancergoddess.org
Instagram: @breastcancergoddess | @verathecancergoddess

Thank you for tuning in to Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health.
Until next time — stay well and keep being your best.

Support the show

Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media:

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dignuswellness
• https://www.facebook.com/DignusWellness
• https://www.instagram.com/dignuswellness/
• https://www.pinterest.com/Dignuswellness/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRzVGBRhHdenTAV2yPFhfA

Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami

🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!

Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com

Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/

Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com