In this episode, Jessica speaks with naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, and medical astrologer Kira Sutherland about using astrology as a practical lens for understanding health, stress, and self-care.

They explore how the body reflects emotional and energetic patterns, why symptoms can be understood as meaningful signals, and how small shifts in nourishment, routine, and attention can support long-term wellbeing. Kira shares how she blends natural medicine with astrology in a grounded, ethical way that avoids fear or prediction and instead supports clarity, alignment, and choice.

This episode is for anyone curious about listening more closely to the body and responding with care.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome + introductions03:00 Kira’s path into medical astrology07:00 Jessica’s health origin story10:00 Reading the chart for health14:00 Ethics and why prediction is avoided18:00 Transits as activators22:00 The nodal axis and alignment25:00 Self-care and the body’s signals29:00 Why change is hard33:00 Food as a gateway to healing36:00 Emotions, digestion, and the Moon39:00 Modern food culture and imbalance42:00 Weight, medication, and compassion45:00 Honoring individual differences

About

Kira Sutherland is an Australian naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, and medical astrologer with over 25 years of clinical experience. She teaches and consults internationally, blending astrology and natural medicine to support physical and emotional wellbeing through practical, ethical, and individualized care.

Jessica Shepherd is an astrologer, intuitive guide, and author of five books, including A Love Alchemist’s Notebook. She is the host of Soft Human Voice and the companion newsletter Soft Human Words, exploring sensitivity, embodiment, and self-trust through reflective conversation and practice.

Instead of adding something to your list, this episode is meant to take something off your plate.

During the holidays, many of us are holding more — more people, more emotions, more expectations — while still trying to make everything feel smooth and magical. Sensitive bodies feel this deeply.

In this short, grounding episode, I offer a simple recentering practice you can return to whenever you need a breather. It’s designed for those quiet moments — a few minutes alone, a pause between gatherings, or a chance to come back into your body (the guided practice begins at 8:00).

May this Soft Nudge support your nervous system, your energy, and your ability to receive your own presence this season.

Happy Holidays,

Jessica

What really happens when consciousness goes beyond the brain?

In this illuminating conversation, neurosurgeon and bestselling author Dr. Eben Alexander joins Jessica to explore what he discovered after a rare bacterial meningitis left him in a week-long coma—an experience that forever changed his understanding of life, death, and the mind itself.

Together, they trace the bridge between science and spirituality, discussing how near-death experiences point to the primacy of consciousness, how love underlies all existence, and how meditation can help us access that larger awareness here and now.

Eben shares the story behind Proof of Heaven, Living in a Mindful Universe, and his daily practice of binaural sound meditation. The two also reflect on the nature of soul growth, the purpose of challenge, and the power of remembering that we are not separate but deeply connected.

A conversation about awakening, presence, and the living truth that we are more than our bodies, and love is what holds us together.

ABOUT US:

Dr. Eben Alexander is a neurosurgeon and New York Times bestselling author of Proof of Heaven, The Map of Heaven, and Living in a Mindful Universe. His work bridges science and spirituality, exploring the nature of consciousness and the continuity of life.

Learn more at ebenalexander.com and explore free meditations at sacredacoustics.com. Follow him on Instagram @ebenalex3MD.

Jessica Shepherd is an astrologer, intuitive guide, and author of five books, including Venus Signs and A Love Alchemist’s Notebook. She hosts the Soft Human Voice podcast and writes the companion Substack newsletter, Soft Human Words, exploring intuition, sensitivity, and the art of living connected to inner truth.

Follow her on Instagram @_jessicashepherd_ and Facebook @Moonkissd.

CreditsHost: Jessica ShepherdGuest: Dr. Eben AlexanderProduced and Edited by: Noah TetznerPodcast Theme: Soft Human Voice by Jessica ShepherdLearn more: jessicashepherd.net | Soft Human Words on Substack