Oona

“Don’t feel bad when in a normal day you feel happy and unhappy. We’re not called the high happiness index, we’re called The Happiness Index, and all of your emotions are there to teach you something. They are data points.”  - Matt Phelan

Boniface brings us a thoughtful chat with author and co-founder of The Happiness Index, Matt Phelan, to help us give a critical analysis of happiness through a non-judgmental lens. The Happiness Index has collected data from all around the world to help organisations measure the key employee engagement and happiness drivers to power their people strategy. 

We sat down with psychologist Megan Kennedy Woodard and co-author of Turning The Tide on Climate Anxiety in our latest episode of The Oona Series Podcast.

Boniface digs in deep with the question ‘How do you change your habits and feelings involved in ‘knowing’ yet still not ‘doing’ what you should in changing yourself and planet for the better.

Years ago, Megan met her ‘patient zero’ with anxiety sourcing from the worry and care for the state of the planet. Many more soon followed and she saw there was real need for Climate Anxiety support, but the coping resources and actions to put in place simply weren't available. Working with people, corporations and nonprofits, Megan now provides insight and focus on how to understand the mental impact and what to do when faced with the anxiety of climate change.

Our compassionate Oona Series co-founder, Boniface, is back with a fresh podcast to pose the question, Are you engaged by your work or consumed by it? We live in a world where we are only beginning to heal from our addiction to high performance and high achievement. Let’s put our cards out on the table and connect together for this challenge so many of us mutually face in our life and career.  

Take a page of wisdom from Oona Series Co-Founder, Catie, to grasp the reality that it is a juggle and it is never balanced.  

‘I find joy in the chaos…but you have to find your boundaries. When I notice I am lacking in motivation or hearing the voices of self doubt that are constant, its again reaching into your back pockets, and how I do that is I tap into conversations that I know I have safety in my voice, safety in hearing critiques back from somebody I feel I trust and can give me some clear perspective because we do need that.’

Oona Series co-founder, Boniface, welcomes Valerie Gabail to the Podcast! A Singing, Voice and Presentation Skills Specialist, Valerie works with all walks of life to access the power of the voice (and in multiple languages too)! Curious about singing? Nervous about public speaking? Navigating a language barrier? This episode is a must-listen for building confidence in communication and self-expression. Finding harmony within ourselves and the outside world around sometimes feels like a never ending journey. Tune in to find more awareness and strength through tapping in to your voice.

“With Long Covid, you’re constantly putting the work in, and then you get hit with another relapse… It’s forced me to adapt.”

Our latest podcast episode features special guest:Dr. Tamsin Lewis. Medical Doctor, Registrar Level Psychiatrist, Adventurist, Educator, Former GB Athlete, and Ironman Triathlon Champion. In this candid conversation with Boniface, she offers insight into the COVID-19 recovery process, and the important life lessons she has discovered in her own battles with Long Covid. Dr. Lewis dedicates her work to 'human flourishing,' and is the Medical Director of Wellgevity; a medically-led wellness service that brings the science of longevity and health-span to the individual.

How much do you know about the Perimenopause? If you're only thinking 'hot flushes,' you're fallin' out of the loop. Let's not have that. "There are things that we can do to really help to reduce the impact of [menopausal] symptoms. Making that change - that transition - much more manageable.” Dr. Federica Amati is back in the building and covering some serious ground with Boniface in this latest episode. Tune in to learn about the scope of physiological changes that occur in the body, and the best tips and tricks to manage the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.

“It’s really under-spoken about... And actually, the Vaginal Microbiome has a massive impact on really important things like fertility, and propensity for disease. It can impact your likelihood of getting an STI or having HPV." This latest episode features special guest DR. Federica Amati (Ph.D.) Medical Scientist, Research Academic, Registered Nutritionist. Highlights include fertility tips, gynecological health education + the latest, must-know research findings from Dr. Amati and Boniface. Prepare to be empowered!

Meet the multi-award winning company making waves in women’s skincare. In Episode 09, Catie Miller welcomes Fiona Toomey
. Mum of 3, Founder + CEO of Nessa Organics. A 100% natural, vegan and fragrance-free skincare and wellness brand, dedicated to supporting women and mothers from pregnancy through to menopause. Fiona created Nessa after the birth of her first baby, noticing how lost and unprepared she felt in supporting her recovering body. She's passionate about creating products and fostering a community that celebrates and empowers women at every stage of their journey. 

Welcome back to our little podcast corner for female entrepreneurship & personal growth!  In Episode 07, Catie Miller welcomes two special guests: Rosie Speight (entrepreneur, busy working-mum) & Alice Mackintosh (top London nutritional therapist, best selling author)

. Together, these lifelong friends are the founders of Equi London, dedicated to making exceptional supplements for women at every stage of life. Equi was born from a lightbulb moment between the pair. 

Alice managed to resolve the adult acne that Rosie had tried everything to clear since she had stopped taking the pill. Within a month, Rosie was experiencing staggering results, but it was complicated…

In Episode 08 of The Founder Series, host Catie Miller welcomes Allison Hoeltzel Savini Designer & Founder of ODP. Allison studied music throughout her childhood on the coast of South Texas, then moved to Italy after grad school to work at the Bologna Opera House. A chance encounter with a fashion designer launched her into the world of leather goods!

 After a decade of developing and managing product lines for a number of international brands such as Stuart Weitzman and Alfred Dunhill, she partnered with a trusted network of artisans to build her own collection... at last, Officina del Poggio was born. 

New podcast drop! Grab those headphones and take this one for a walk. In Episode 05 of The Founder Series Catie Miller is joined by Dr. Simoné Laubscher, PhD Co-Founder of Rejuv Wellness. Formulator at WelleCo. Clinical Nutritionist & Naturopath.
For over 20 years, Simoné has been helping people around the world to escape the health merry-go-round and find natural pathways to optimum wellness. Along with her team of specialist practitioners, Simoné creates holistic, bespoke protocols that get to the root cause of any health problem. As a survivor of both Breast Cancer and eating disorders, Simoné knows the journey to recovery all too well.
We can't wait to share her story with you.

You don’t want to miss this next installment of 
The Founder Series!  In Episode 05 Catie Miller is joined by Cressida Bonas. Actress, Dancer, Model and Writer, Cressida is also the host of the popular podcast Fear Itself, where guests share their personal stories around fear and how we harness it productively. She shares some of her own fears in this latest chat with Catie, including how she has overcome them to build confidence and strength.

Have you ever dreamt of being your own boss? Of creating a healthy lifestyle alongside a dream business?  Episode 04 of The Founder Series podcast is where it's at. Today we're joined by the ultimate coach of coaches: Lauren Armes of Welltodoglobal CEO, Entrepreneur, Leading Business Coach  Lauren's journey is one that never ceases to inspire us. From passion project in 2014 to global sensation, The Welltodo Group, Lauren has interviewed hundreds of successful entrepreneurs and mindset gurus as well as coached and mentored some of the wellness industry's leading experts. She's learnt that anything is possible in business and lifestyle with the right tools and support - sometimes it just takes a shift in thinking and the right blend of empathy and accountability.

Grassroots meets Global. Prepare to be inspired with our third installment of The Founder Series. In Episode 3 Catie Miller welcomes the powerhouse and London native that is 

Lara Mead - co-founder of Varley, entrepreneur and mum of 2. If anyone understands the importance of dreaming big, pushing boundaries and pivoting through challenge it’s this wonderful woman. We can’t wait to share Lara's story with you. 

She's the Aussie big sister we've always needed, a reformed 'bad girl' now dedicated to creating engaging, evidence-based and relatable content for women everywhere. A warm welcome to the one and only: Casey Beros The next incredible guest on Catie Miller's new Founder Series podcast. Author, speaker, faciliator, presenter and producer of 15 years, Casey's here to shine a light on many of our shared experiences health, life and business - particularly when it comes to reconciling our many different identities.

Meet the newest collaboration on the block, The Founder Series.   Hosted by Co-Founder Catie Miller, these exclusive podcast installments feature the ultimate line-up of female founded companies and brands.  You can expect some seriously cool tales, learnings and insights into the nitty-gritty of entrepreneurship!   First up is an exploration of Self care and Conscious Leadership with the incredible Phoebe Greenacre.

"Go deep first.. That's how I set goals downstream, it's starting with a really big 'why.' Everything else does flow from that." In this episode we welcome Hardeep Kaur to the podcast, hosted by longtime journalist and editor Bridget Arsenault. Hardeep is one half of the innovative and environmentally-conscious design studio, Per Se London. As an entrepreneur, designer, writer and business owner, Hardeep is a wealth of knowledge. She chats to Bridget here on all aspects of goal setting + finding balance in life and business.

Microbiome! It’s one of the buzz-words of 2021 in the world of wellness, but these microcellular entities have been around since the beginning of time.. so what’s it all about? We dive head first into gut health in this upcoming discussion, exploring the science behind the body’s most fundamental source of power.

Do you tend to fall into routines with your food, and eat the same things every week (or even every day)? Do you know much about where your food has travelled from, and if its in season right now? In this fascinating episode, Oona co-founders Boniface and Catie explore the role of the microbiome as well as the danger of mono-culture when it comes to supporting our bodies and the planet around us. Not to be missed - especially Boniface’s tips for achieving greater health through biodiversity in the gut.

Natural birth, C-Sections and finding yourself in the centre of an experience that is simultaneously universal and unique.. yep, we’re going there! A must-listen for anyone considering (or experiencing) the world of motherhood.

In this episode co-founders Boniface and Catie jump into the world of childbirth, specifically considering the stigmas and pressures women experience when it comes to choosing their preferred method of delivery. On one side of the coin, the pair explore the ‘comfort in control’ that can come from Caesarean delivery (as is Catie’s experience), but also the challenge of giving over to the birthing experience in non-elective cases. On the other hand, Boniface has witnessed the immense power of natural birth in both professional and personal experiences… All this and more in episode ##.

It’s not uncommon to be asked about your individual strengths and weaknesses in various situations.. a job interview, for example. But how do these two aspects of our identity operate in a loop? What does it look like when our ‘strength’ begins to have an adverse effect on our lives? We asked Boniface and Catie to elaborate.

It’s not uncommon to be asked about your individual strengths and weaknesses in various situations.. a job interview, for example. But how do these two aspects of our identity operate in a loop? What does it look like when our ‘strength’ begins to have an adverse effect on our lives? We asked Boniface and Catie to elaborate.

We may think of it as a negative, but inflammation can be a wonderful thing for the body in its ability to spearhead the immune system’s natural response; helping you heal from an injury or fight off disease and infection. Boniface breaks down the key principles and processes of Inflammation in this short conversation, inviting us all to know our bodies on a more sensitive level.

How many times do you tend to chew each mouthful when eating? In this latest feature on Mastication, Boniface reveals the recommended range for chewing to support the body’s ability to not only break down food but to also absorb essential nutrients. Weird as it may sound, chewing is something we could all be doing more consciously to great physical and social benefit.

In this latest gut health exploration, Boniface dives into the world of genetics and the gut microbiota, considering the importance of essential amino acids and even the shikimate pathway.

There couldn’t be a more important time to talk about inflammation and immunity than a global pandemic… “If your immune system is already triggered everywhere, in a way, the army is already at war. You become more prone to other infections.” Boniface covers everything from short chain fatty acids to the importance of fibre in this short but important feature.

“Baby you’re the right kind of wrong…” LeAnn Rimes had no idea just how relevant her 2000 pop hit could be to Biology! Welcome to the realms of Hormesis, where we invite a degree of inflammation into the body for the purposes of growth and/or physiological adaption. Boniface breaks down this theoretical phenomenon here to better understand the role of inflammation in our day to day lives.

You may not have heard about it before, but you’ve definitely experienced this in your lifetime! It’s also the third most popular search term on YouTube worldwide… Boniface dives into further detail on this unique brain phenomenon in this latest conversation, exploring the trance-like state that has millions of people around in the world feeling euphoric!

Perhaps one of the more popular diets of the last ten years, promoting good old fashioned healthy eating: more vegetables, fruits, lots of water and a reduction in red meat, processed foods, sugar alcohol and dairy. It’s hard to fault such propositions, but is there enough evidence to suggest that this style of eating also helps to lower the risk of disease and infection? Boniface unpacks the philosophy and specifics of the Alkaline Diet in this short feature, separating fads from facts.

Perhaps not the sexiest of topics, but we don't give the gut lining enough credit for it's extraordinary work! A highly sophisticated (yet fragile) security system for the body, the health of this thin membrane ultimately determines the efficiency of our entire immune system. In this short introduction, Boniface clarifies the nature and function of the gut lining to encourage a little more awareness and care for our bellies.

Diets are never a one-size-fits all approach. In this important conversation, Boniface explores the dangers and risk factors associated with the Keto Diet, offering a series of checklist questions to help you decide if your body is adequately resilient for such a process.

Time to zoom in on another buzzword in today's Health and Wellness industry - Keto. In this quick-fire science class, Boniface breaks down the process of Ketogenesis and the specific way in which the body uses ketones to power through periods of fasting and excessive exercise.

In what way do early ‘rejections’ impact your social skills as an adult? Are you comfortable making time and holding space for others? Boniface explores the two-way choice and level of attraction that leads us towards friendship as a species, and the way in which social/mental compromise plays into our ability to build new relationships.

“Come back inside. Who am I NOW? What are my needs? What can I give? How much time can I offer? Can I hold space for different people to be seen, heard, valued and trusted?”

In this next discussion, Boniface describes the process of building a network that you can not only rely on at the drop of a hat, but one that can also thrive from your continued support.

How much do you know about your own “health identity?” There is a natural resilience to all of the systems in your internal and external environments.. but only to a certain extent. Boniface dives into the topic of personal accountability here, considering how we can each explore the limits of our individual physical, mental and social needs to achieve a healthy, happy lifestyle.

You’re addicted to your phone. So are we, there’s simply no denying this in today’s day and age. The digital world is growing at break-neck speed and it’s more important than ever that we interrogate the usage habits in our own lives in order to set examples and boundaries in our families. Boniface dives into this huge topic through the lens of his experience as a father; exploring the inevitable engagement that must be exercised to maintain a connection with society and the development of his children. An absolute must-listen!

“The speed of information [in today’s society] is incredible now.. But you can’t push a physical inquiry.. It takes time to embody.” We’re back for a second instalment with special guest and renowned Choreographer Russell Maliphant. In ‘The Power to Move,’ Russell graciously shares his insights and experiences of wading through ‘unknown waters’ in the creative process to generate all kinds of movement and momentum.

Settle in for Part 1 of our fascinating discussion with professional dancer, choreographer and movement practitioner, Russell Maliphant. In this episode Russel shares his unique insights into the world of making theatre, as well as exploring movement, dance, physiology and the life-force that is creative play.

In our final session with the wonderful Russell Maliphant we go inward, exploring the role that setbacks have on our development, our growth and sense of resilience: “take something from any of those injuries, those points that feel like it’s the end of your world. When you can’t work for 9 months.. What can I learn now?” We love this episode as a humbling reminder that the body has such wonderful intelligence when we honour it with respect and curiosity.

We dive into the fascinating topic of Anthropology with Catie and Boniface in this latest episode, exploring everything from mirror neurons to empathic communication. Have a pen and paper at the ready for this one to capture some great book recommendations! 

Co-Founders Catie and Boniface give gratitude and a deeper vision for the quickly growing community at Oona Series. Connecting through live events and virtual masterclasses, the platform is awakening and accessible to all seeking a further understanding and fulfillment to self. Let's get Oonafied! 

Conceicao sheds light on the powerful hormone Cortisol, and the ways in which it keeps many of us in its vicious cycle of stress and fear.

In what ways are we shaped and influenced by our experience of connection in life? Is there a cost in our quest for such connection? Episode 24 presents  the third instalment of our special series with Osteopath James Sumerfield, talking all things identity, connection and resilience.

“All medicine is about collaboration.” In this second, fascinating instalment, James and Boniface explore the ways in which medical practise - Osteopathy in particular - is transforming, placing the patient as more of an equal in the treatment process, rather than a ‘silent recipient’. We particularly love their investigation of the ‘no pain, no gain’ narrative. An episode not to be missed.

Are you an over-breather? Boniface breaks down the science of breathing and oxygen saturation, including tips on optimising the circulation of CO2 in the bloodstream for improved wellbeing.

Without this little guy, you wouldn’t be alive! Meet the nerve that is essential to your respiratory system.

You’ve lived with the harsh realities of a global pandemic for the past 12 months.. but how well do you understand the structure, behaviour and nature of a virus? We dive into the science to get a better grasp of exactly what goes on inside the body when exposed to COVID-19.

“We don’t have time to do anything anymore.. we don’t have time [to] feel things.” Boniface takes a look at the impact of overstimulation, and the ways in which we disconnect from our power and potential through numbing the senses.

Boniface and Concaicao discuss the relationship between excess stress and the body’s natural immune response.