Waves of Joy

Hosted by Shauna Dittl

Business Entrepreneurship Health Fitness Education

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Episodes

267

Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Life happens for you, not to you. Learn how to breathe in joy and positivity amidst challenging circumstances. The most profound awareness can permeate through you as you demystify happiness and turn failure into feedback. The time we spend together will teach you how to live simply, leave the mundane, travel the world, and radiate joy. Told from everyday life experience, passion, and vulnerability.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 4, 2026Episode 26814 min

Daily Poops + Why I’m Never Hangry Anymore

There was a time not that long ago where I could feel it coming. That shift. The irritability… the edge… the feeling like I needed to eat right now or everything in me was going to unravel. And I used to think that was normal. I used to think that was just me being busy, or not eating enough, or training too much.But recently, something changed. And I didn’t even notice it at first. I just realized one day I wasn’t getting hangry anymore. Not the urgency. Not the emotional drop. Not that almost panicked feeling around food.And at the same time—and this might sound small, but it’s not—I realized my body had found a rhythm in another way too… I was going to the bathroom every single day and at the same time every single day. No effort, no second guessing, just consistency. And if you know, you know… that kind of regularity changes how you feel in your body.And as someone who studies physiology, and also lives in a very real human body—this made me pause. Because hunger is supposed to guide us, it’s not supposed to hijack us. And digestion… it’s not just about what we take in, it’s about what we’re able to let go of.So in today’s episode, I want to talk about something incredibly simple that shifted that experience for me in a really profound way—and that’s psyllium husk.Sometimes the most powerful medicine isn’t complicated—it’s something as simple as giving your body the structure it needs to function the way it was designed to.References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26561625/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23885994/Eat Dirt by Dr Josh Axe𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS Connect With Me: https://shaunadittl.com/ Vivo Barefoot 10% Discount: Vivo Barefoot Code VIVOPRO10 https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

April 13, 2026Episode 26722 min

When Childcare Falls Apart (and So Do You)

This week, I’m opening up about something that has completely shaken me—our nanny quit. What followed was more than just a scheduling scramble. It sent me into a spiral of stress, tears, and some really hard questions… including whether I can realistically continue pursuing medical school while being the mom and wife I want to be.But the truth is, this isn’t just my story.Finding reliable, high-quality childcare right now feels nearly impossible—and so many women are quietly carrying the weight of that reality. The pressure to “do it all” starts to crack when one piece (like childcare) falls apart.This has felt unbelievably heavy, overwhelming, and at times defeating. And in the middle of that, I’ve had to come back to what I know keeps me grounded.In this episode, I talk about: Why childcare feels so hard to figure out (and why it’s not just you), the emotional toll this takes—and what this week has really looked like for me, the identity tension between ambition, motherhood, and partnership and how I’m actively managing the stress in real time.Because when everything feels like too much, I come back to what I can control:nourishing my body with healthy food, moving every day, and finding moments to laugh—even in the middle of the chaos.These small things aren’t trivial—they’re vital during stressful seasons like this.If you’re in a season where life feels overwhelming and you're questioning everything, this episode is for you.You are not alone in this.𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉Podcast Episode: Everything Will Be Okay, As Soon As You Are Okay With EverythingBUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLSConnect with Shaunahttps://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

March 9, 2026Episode 2661 hr 2 min

Rhythm of Conception: What You Didn't Know About Fertility Acupuncture, PCOS & AMH Levels with Annie Vedeler L.Ac

Infertility is more common than many women realize, yet it can feel incredibly isolating when pregnancy doesn’t happen as expected. In this episode, fertility acupuncturist, Annie Vedeler L.Ac dives deep into the most common causes of infertility, what AMH levels actually mean, when it's time to seek help, types and causes of PCOS, what fertility testing looks like and lifestyle factors that can significantly impact reproductive health. At the center of this conversation is the role of acupuncture in fertility care. How does it support hormone balance, improve circulation to reproductive organs, and work alongside modern treatments like IVF? We explore how this ancient practice helps regulate the nervous system and support the body’s natural reproductive rhythm.Infertility affects both the body and the heart, and this episode offers both practical insight and hope for women navigating this journey.𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉Connect with Annie for Questions or TreatmentBook Recommendations:It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca FettInfertility Cure by Randine LewisMaking Babies by Sami DavidFind a Fertility Acupunturist NEAR YOU!https://aborm.org/ SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

February 23, 2026Episode 26625 min

Adult Friendships: Why They're Harder Than Dating

We schedule date nights. We put work meetings on the calendar weeks in advance. We block time for workouts, studying, client calls, business planning.But we don’t schedule friend dates.Somehow we expect friendships to just… survive.In high school and college, proximity did the work for us. You saw the same people every day. You studied together. Ate together. Walked to class together. Friendship was built into your environment.Now? There’s no built-in proximity. No shared dorms. No accidental late-night conversations. If you don’t intentionally create time, it doesn’t happen.And then life gets full.Babies.Businesses.Marriage.Deadlines.Dreams.And friendships quietly move to the bottom of the list — not because they don’t matter, but because they don’t feel urgent.Add to that the fact that we’re more emotionally mature now. We’ve been hurt before. We have boundaries. We have standards. But we don’t always have the communication skills to match that growth. So instead of saying, “I miss you,” we withdraw. Instead of asking for more effort, we assume we’re too much.And suddenly, you can have a beautiful, full life… and still feel lonely.Today I want to talk about adult friendships — why they feel harder than they used to, why they matter more than we admit, and how to build them intentionally in the middle of a very full life.𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLShttps://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

January 26, 2026Episode 26541 min

An Infant Abroad: A Holiday Trip That Tested Us

We spent three weeks traveling through four European countries with our seven-month-old, and this episode is an honest reflection of what that really looked like, far beyond the highlight reels.We share the unexpected beauty of traveling with a baby: kind strangers who stepped in without being asked, people speaking to our daughter in languages she’s never heard before, and watching her light up as she absorbed new sounds, faces, and rhythms of life. We talk about wandering through centuries-old streets, standing in places layered with history, savoring unforgettable cuisine, and enjoying truly stellar wine that somehow tastes even better when life slows down.We also get very real about the logistics. Pushing a stroller over uneven cobblestones day after day. Timing everything around naps and how flexible (or not) Airbnb check-in times can make or break a day with a baby. Why renting a car in Italy completely changed our experience and allowed us to see places no train could ever take us. And yes, the inhalation of constant cigarette smoke in Rome, something we weren’t prepared for and had to mentally and physically navigate with an infant.This trip wasn’t effortless. Ten days of the flu in 18-degree weather with a sick baby. No food delivery or takeout when you’re too exhausted to leave the apartment. Navigating a hospital through a language barrier when your child is unwell. Changing flights because we were simply too sick to travel. Learning that Europe takes holidays very seriously, meaning closures, limited hours, and quieter cities that require flexibility. And realizing that overbooking ourselves with too many countries cost us precious time, as each flight took away nearly an entire day of presence and rest.We also share the unsung heroes of this trip: the countless farmacias that truly saved us, offering support, medications, and reassurance when we needed it most.This episode is about presence over perfection. About choosing memories even when things are hard. About what traveling with a baby teaches you about slowing down, surrendering control, and meeting life exactly as it is. If you’ve ever wondered whether international travel with an infant is possible, or if you’re craving a more honest conversation about family travel, this one is for you.𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLShttps://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

December 23, 2025Episode 26433 min

Addressing Your Biggest Travel Fears: An Infant Abroad For the Holidays

This year we are choosing presence over presents. We’re off Europe for the holidays—with a baby—and no, we’re not superhuman, rich, or reckless. We’re just choosing to live our life with our baby instead of waiting for some perfect future version of ourselves.“If part of you is thinking, ‘I could never do that,’ I understand—there was a time I felt that way too.”We’re about to leave for a three-week trip to Europe as a family, with a baby, no presents, and no rigid plan. And yes, it feels a little crazy.But I keep reminding myself that the people around us—on the plane, in the airport, in passing—are just that: passing.Our baby doesn’t need a perfect trip. She needs regulated parents, slow mornings, and the feeling of being carried safely through the world.This episode is an honest look at what traveling with a baby really looks like—and why we’re choosing presence over presents this holiday season.𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS Connect With Me: https://shaunadittl.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

November 10, 2025Episode 26325 min

From Hair Loss + Formula To Migraines, Mom Friends, and Periods: What They Don’t Tell You About the Fourth Trimester

“No one tells you how much of yourself you’ll lose and find again in the months after birth — in the hair on the floor, the ache in your neck, the silence between feedings, and the friends who make you feel human again.”From hair loss and neck pain to postpartum migraines, mom friendships, and even the truth about baby formula — this episode dives into the unfiltered realities of the fourth trimester that most moms never hear about.We’ll talk about the why behind what’s happening in your body: the hormone shifts that cause hair to shed, the neck and shoulder pain that comes from feeding posture, and why migraines often return with your first period. You’ll learn how nutrition, supplements, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and movement can help you feel grounded again in your changing body.We’ll also go deeper — into the emotional side of postpartum healing. Finding mom friends who truly get it, giving yourself permission to rest, and remembering that your health matters as much as your baby’s. And for those navigating feeding decisions, we’ll explore the differences between European and U.S. formulas (like Kendamil) so you can make confident, informed choices.This episode is for every mother standing in that in-between space — healing, adjusting, rediscovering herself. It’s honest, nurturing, and full of real solutions for the season no one really prepares you for.𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 ♥A SURVEY FOR MY MAMAS! ♥BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLShttps://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

November 3, 2025Episode 26250 min

From Stress to Stillness: How Acupuncture Restores Flow With Guest Chris Vedeler, L.Ac

Today I sit down with Chris Vedeler, my acupuncture professor at Sonoran University — a true wellspring of wisdom — to explore the rich philosophy and practical power behind Chinese medicine. We dive deep into the Five Elements and how they mirror our emotional, physical, and reproductive health, from conception through the postpartum journey.Together, we debunk common myths about acupuncture, unpack what’s really happening beneath the needles, and talk about how this ancient medicine supports fertility, balance, and healing.And if you’ve ever wondered, “What if I don’t believe in acupuncture?” — we go there too. You’ll learn why belief isn’t required for your body to respond, and how these time-honored principles still meet the modern person exactly where they are.This episode is a gentle bridge between science and soul — for anyone curious about holistic ways to nurture fertility, recover postpartum, or simply reconnect to the natural rhythms of their own body.𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 Connect with Chris: https://www.oasisacupuncture.com/BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLShttps://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

October 13, 2025Episode 26118 min

Parent, Not People-Pleaser: Setting Boundaries with Childcare Help

Sometimes protecting your peace means losing what isn’t aligned. In this episode, I share a story about setting simple house rules — and what unfolded when those boundaries were met with resistance.It’s not really about a nanny. It’s about the quiet strength it takes to lead your home with clarity and confidence — even when it costs you comfort. We’ll talk about why boundaries aren’t about control, how guilt often disguises itself as kindness, and why standing firm in your values creates safety for your children and freedom for you.Your home is your sanctuary. The people you invite into it should honor the rhythm, respect the rules, and reflect the love you’re building inside those walls.If you’ve ever doubted yourself after setting a boundary, this episode is your reminder: you’re not being too much — you’re being true.𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

October 6, 2025Episode 26024 min

Firing My Pediatrician: Red Flags In Healthcare

The energy in the room matters as much as the credentials on the wall.In this episode, we're talking about a tough but necessary truth: sometimes the person in the white coat isn’t the right one for you or your family. Whether it's a pediatrician, specialist, or any healthcare provider, there are moments when trust is broken, your concerns are dismissed, or your instincts tell you something's off. We’re unpacking the moment I knew it was time to move on, the red flags I couldn’t ignore, and the non-negotiables we all need to hold onto when it comes to our health — especially our children’s. Because at the end of the day, you can respect credentials and still demand care that feels right.References: The Vaccine Book by Robert Sears𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLShttps://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/