EP 19. We all crave connection but sometimes we don’t know how to get it. In this episode of Well Done, I chat with Jena Catalano, the founder of the LA-based luxury wellness community AIRE Wellness, to explore how connection can help alleviate stress, burnout and isolation in a post-pandemic world. We talk about how Jena’s own experience from corporate burnout and gut health struggles led her to create AIRE, and how everything from poolside lymphatic massages to mini retreats and member picnics, are helping AIRE community members build real, authentic connections and friendships, while also discovering cool new wellness brands along the way.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why community-building is the new influencer marketing
• How Jena turned her TikTok following into a real thriving business and community
• How chronic stress can lead to major gut health issues
• Jena’s favorite wellness tools and trends, including her favorite wellness splurges
• The wellness trend she doesn’t subscribe to—and what she recommends instead
• A simple method for celebrating wins and quieting self-doubt

Resources from this episode:

• Follow AIRE Wellness on Instagram and TikTok: @airewellness
• Learn more about AIRE: airewellness.life
• Brands mentioned:
  • Oura Ring
  • Energy bar brand: B.T.R. Nation
  • Lip syrup brand: Ahyun
• Tools mentioned: Ear seeding, lymphatic drainage massages, red light therapy
  
  

Guest Bio

Jena Catalano is the founder of AIRE Wellness, a luxury wellness community born out of burnout and a desire to challenge hustle culture. After leaving a high-stress career in fashion PR, she launched AIRE to create intentional spaces where movement, connection, and self-care take center stage. Since its 2022 debut, AIRE has hosted over 50 curated events in Los Angeles, collaborated with top wellness and lifestyle brands, and launched Club AIRE—a membership program designed to deepen community and make holistic wellness more accessible.

Liked this episode? Share with a friend and follow Well Done wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode!

Connect on Instagram:

• Follow the show: @thewelldonepod
• Follow Kat Vong (me, the host): @iamkatvong

Have a topic suggestion or want to nominate a guest? Email me at:

kat@thewelldonepod.com

EP 18. Is your daily posture silently fueling chronic pain and stress? In this episode of Well Done, I am joined by Ramin Waraghai—mind-body coach, posture expert, author of Effortless Back Pain Solutions, and founder of Rectify, a revolutionary smart posture wearable—to unpack the hidden drivers behind back pain and physical misalignment.

We’ll dive into Ramin’s personal journey from being a semi-professional soccer player with debilitating back pain and knee arthritis to discovering the root causes of chronic pain that conventional medicine often misses. Find out how modern approaches to posture, breathwork, and nervous system balance, combined with daily habits and stress levels, are revolutionizing the way we move and feel in this insight-packed episode

You’ll Learn:

• The "barrel theory" and why one movement is usually not the cause of injury
• How to use breathwork to instantly improve your mobility and posture
• The role of the diaphragm and nervous system in improving posture and flexibility
• How Ramin's innovative sensor shirt technology is revolutionizing posture training
• The link between posture, mood and long-term health and longevity
• How most traditional physical therapy fails to address the root cause of back issues
• How your daily habits may be quietly contributing to bad posture and chronic pain
• The truth about barefoot shoes, high heels, and their impact on your entire body

Resources:

• Ramin's website: www.raminwaraghai.com
• Online Training Platform: www.rebalanced-athlete.com
• Smart Posture Sensor Shirt: www.rectify.care
• Instagram: @raminwaraghai
• Youtube: @raminwaraghai
• Book: Effortless Back Pain Solutions

Guest Bio

Ramin Waraghai is a mind-body coach, author of Effortless Back Pain Solutions, and founder of Rebalanced, an online training platform focused on posture, pain relief, and functional movement. After overcoming his own career-ending injuries as a semi-professional soccer player, he now helps others realign their bodies and nervous systems for lasting health. Ramin is also the founder of Rectify, a posture-correcting, smart wearable device that blends sensor technology with personalized movement tracking to support long-term physical alignment.

Liked this episode? Share with a friend and follow Well Done wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode!

Connect on Instagram:

• Follow the show: @thewelldonepod
• Follow Kat Vong (me, the host): @iamkatvong

Have a topic suggestion or want to nominate a guest? Email me at:

kat@thewelldonepod.com

EP 17. What are the game-changing wellness trends for 2025 and beyond? In this solo episode of Well Done, I discuss some of my favorite wellness trends right now, from brain-rewiring apps you can use while brushing your teeth, to Sardine Girl Summer, and what’s actually worth your time and money. These trends aren't flashy gadgets or snake-oil remedies, but more subtle wellness trends that have been getting attention on social media and have the scientific evidence to back them up.

But this episode is more than just a listicle. It opens up with an honest reflection on the accessibility gap in wellness, asking us to all think about what it truly means to live well in a world where wellness is commercialized and only accessible to certain groups.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The neuroscience-backed app I swear by for daily mental rewiring (and how my twins surprisingly love it too!)
• The reason wellness social clubs are booming post-pandemic
• Whether mood-boosting foods and drinks are proven to work
• The apps that can potentially help you create a better relationship with your partner
• A superfood that’s been an Asian staple for centuries that is having a wellness moment on social media
• My honest take on what wellness really means, outside of the commercialized trends and products

Resources:

• Activations App by Mimi Bouchard
• AIRE Wellness
• Alice Functional Chocolates
• Lively Cycle Syncing App
• Fishwife
• Crown Prince Sardines
• Fly By Jing Chili Oil
  
  

Liked this episode? Share with a friend and follow Well Done wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode!

Connect on Instagram:

• Follow the show: @thewelldonepod
• Follow Kat Vong (me, the host): @iamkatvong

Have a topic suggestion or want to nominate a guest? Email me at:

kat@thewelldonepod.com

EP 16. When mysterious allergic reactions, unexplained weight gain, and chronic fatigue hit former graphic designer and blogger Adriana Green Thompson, doctors dismissed her symptoms as "just getting older." But Adriana refused to accept that answer. In this powerful episode, we dive deep into Adriana’s Hashimoto's diagnosis and what ultimately inspired her to create Esteli, a clean, botanical skincare brand.

From gaining 30 pounds despite training for a half marathon, to waking up with swollen eyes daily, Adriana's story reveals how toxin overload from beauty products can wreak havoc on our immune system. Yet her story offers hope for anyone struggling with mysterious symptoms, and serves as an inspiration those working on turning their struggles into purpose.

You’ll discover:

• The surprising symptoms that could be Hashimoto’s disease
• How to become your own health advocate when doctors dismiss your symptoms
• Why reading ingredient labels is more important than believing marketing labels
• Why we need to stop using makeup to “fix” problems and instead use it to enhance natural beauty
• What rosewater, rosehip oil, and other plant-based ingredients really do for your skin
• How motherhood inspired Adriana's approach to beauty, business, and wellness
• A skincare myth about oils and acne-prone skin!

Resources:

• Adriana’s skincare line: estelibody.com
• Email Adriana with questions: hello@estelibody.com
• Follow Esteli on Instagram: @estelibody
• Dr. Isabella Wentz’s work on thyroid health
• Sandra Velasquez, founder of Nopalera

Guest Bio

Adriana Green Thompson is the founder of Esteli, a clean botanical skincare and body care brand rooted in her personal health journey. After experiencing unexplained allergic reactions and debilitating fatigue, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease—an experience that inspired her to rethink not just what she ate, but what she put on her skin. With a deep love of nature, Adriana handcrafts plant-based skincare designed to nourish and support healthy skin from the outside in. Today, she’s on a mission to empower others to look beyond beauty marketing claims and make choices that truly support long-term wellness.

Liked this episode? Share with a friend and follow Well Done wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode!

Connect on Instagram:

• Follow the show: @thewelldonepod
• Follow Kat Vong (me, the host): @iamkatvong

Have a topic suggestion or want to nominate a guest? Email me at:

kat@thewelldonepod.com

EP 15. Ellen Postolowski was a professional chef who "walked the talk" — eating perfectly, exercising daily, even helping NBA stars with their nutrition! Then she got a diagnosis that shattered everything she thought she knew about health: at 50, she had the bone density of an 80-year-old.

Now health coach and author, Ellen joins me to discuss how the gut is the epicenter of wellness, and how health is not about what you can eat, but what you can DIGEST. Ellen is the author of Gut Driven: A Practical Guide to Whole Body Healing, and in this episode, she shares how her shocking health diagnosis forced her to completely rethink everything she knew about nutrition. We explore the critical connection between gut health and everything from bone density to mood, why traditional medical approaches often miss the mark, and how to become your own best health advocate.

You’ll learn:

• Why your blood work might look “normal” even when your body is screaming for help
• How you could be eating all the right foods but not absorbing any nutrients
• How long-term use of common acid blockers and pain relievers can destroy your gut lining
• A 4-step functional approach to gut healing
• Why probiotics alone won’t fix your gut—and what to do instead
• The top inflammatory foods to eliminate during gut healing (and why it's not forever)
• Where serotonin is actually produced in the body (spoiler: it’s not your brain)
• Simple daily practices for maintaining gut health long-term

Resources:

• Read Ellen’s book: Gut Driven: Jump-Start Digestive Health to Nourish Body, Mind, and Spirit
• Visit Ellen's website: www.chefellen.com
• Follow Ellen on social: @chefellen

Guest Bio:

Ellen Postolowski is a professionally trained chef, integrative health coach, and author dedicated to helping others heal their guts and reclaim their health. After spending years as a private chef for high-profile clients—including an NBA star—Ellen faced a life-changing osteoporosis diagnosis despite a seemingly “perfect” healthy lifestyle. Determined to find the root cause, she immersed herself in functional nutrition and gut health, ultimately healing herself and writing Gut Driven to share what she learned. Today, Ellen supports clients with personalized coaching and practical strategies to restore digestive health, balance hormones, and age vibrantly.

Liked this episode? Share with a friend and follow Well Done wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode!

Connect on Instagram:

• Follow the show: @thewelldonepod
• Follow Kat Vong (me, the host): @iamkatvong

Have a topic suggestion or want to nominate a guest? Email me at:

kat@thewelldonepod.com

EP 14. Are you drowning in beauty products but your skin still looks dull, irritated, or aged? In this episode of Well Done, I sit down with Jessica Rose, licensed cosmetologist, wellness educator, and author of "Healthier Beauty," to completely flip the script on everything you think you know about skincare and beauty.

Jessica reveals why the "more is better" approach to beauty is actually aging your skin faster, how your immune system is directly connected to your skincare routine, and why that expensive retinol might be doing more harm than good. As someone who's struggled with chronic skin issues myself, this conversation opened my eyes to how overuse of actives and products, and not paying attention to toxins, may contribute to a weakened skin barrier, and how a simpler, science-backed approach can transform not just how you look, but how you feel.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The surprising link between skin health and immune function
• What most people get wrong about “clean” and “natural” labels
• A game-changing method for achieving great hair that goes beyond knowing your hair type
• The ingredients Jessica considers most overrated
• Three product swaps you need to make TODAY
• The NUMBER ONE factor affecting how your skin looks
• The food that Jessica calls "liquid beauty gold"
• How lifestyle factors can age your skin faster than sun damage
• How Jessica uses goat kefir as a natural exfoliator and other must-try DIY beauty recipe

Resources from this episode:

• Jessica’s book: Healthier Beauty: The Ultimate Guide to Radiant Skin, Hair and Wellness (available on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, or Jessica’s website)
• Jessica’s Website: jessicarosewellness.com
• Follow Jessica on social media: @jessicarosewellness_

Guest Bio:

Jessica Rose is the Author of Healthier Beauty: The Ultimate Guide to Radiant Skin, Hair, and Wellness, Certified Nutritionist, Licensed Cosmetologist, and Holistic Beauty Expert. With over 15 years in the beauty and wellness industry, her mission is to empower women to create a wellness focused lifestyle for radiant beauty, inside and out.

Liked this episode? Share with a friend and follow Well Done wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode!

Connect on Instagram:

• Follow the show: @thewelldonepod
• Follow Kat Vong (me, the host): @iamkatvong

Have a topic suggestion or want to nominate a guest? Email me at:

kat@thewelldonepod.com

EP 13. Joy Kirst, founder of Modern Age Skin, joins me in this eye-opening episode of Well Done, to discuss how sudden skin breakouts, mood swings and sleepless nights could be a sign of perimenopause, and how she turned her own experience into a beauty brand supporting the changing needs of maturing skin. We talk about the beauty industry's "anti-aging" narrative, how Joy took matters into her own hands, and her mission to empower conversations about whole-body health and feeling good as we age.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How perimenopause can start in your 30s—and why most doctors still miss it
• The surprising connection between cortisol spikes, sleep issues, and food sensitivities
• How hormonal fluctuations affect your skin
• The concept of "anti anti-aging" and how it's gaining momentum in the beauty world
• Ingredients to look for in skincare if you’re navigating hormonal changes
• What it really takes to launch a skincare brand in a saturated market

Resources

• Modern Age Skin
• Follow @modernageskin on Instagram

Guest Bio

Joy Kirst is the founder of Modern Age Skin, a skincare line formulated specifically for the needs of women navigating perimenopause and beyond. After a successful career as an executive search consultant, Joy combined her research background and personal journey through hormonal upheaval to create products that work with the body—not against it. Her mission is to destigmatize aging, educate women about whole-body wellness in midlife, and create skincare that truly serves.

Liked this episode? Share with a friend and follow Well Done wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode!

Connect on Instagram:

• Follow the show: @thewelldonepod
• Follow Kat Vong (me, the host): @iamkatvong

Have a topic suggestion or want to nominate a guest? Email me at:

kat@thewelldonepod.com

EP 12. What if the products you use to feel beautiful are actually making you sick? In Part 2 of my solo Toxin Detox series, I reveal the hidden dangers lurking in our everyday beauty and personal care products and provide practical tips on how to reduce our toxin exposure. We get into the harmful ingredients to watch out for, the marketing buzzwords we can ignore, and how to read labels. Plus, I share my holy grail products, ones I’ve used since having ultra-sensitive, eczema-prone skin, and which I still use today because they’re just that good.

What You'll Learn

• The harmful ingredients hiding in everyday beauty and personal care products
• How to spot red flag ingredients on labels and marketing buzzwords
• What third-party certifications and patient advocacy seals mean
• How common acne treatments could contribute to long-term health risks
• My exact method for vetting products I can’t find on clean beauty apps
• My current skincare essentials for ultra-sensitive skin

Studies & Research

• 2024 Front Public Health Article: “The Dark Side of Beauty”
• EWG Article on The Toxic 12 Ingredients in Cosmetics
• 2022 study that uncovered that 83% of products contained parabens
• ScienceNews article on PFAs found in cosmetics
• Helpful article breaking down Fragrance and Natural Fragrance
• Article on benzoyl peroxide causing benzene in common acne treatments
• 2022 study - “Natural is not always better”

Other Resources Mentioned

• EWG Skin Deep app/database for product safety ratings
• Think Dirty app for ingredient analysis
• Perplexity AI tool for researching product ingredients

Products Mentioned

• Hanskin Hyaluron Skin Essence
• Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil PHA
• The Klog Plant Rich Antioxidant Cleansing Oil
• Soon Jung 2x Barrier Cream
• Earth Mama Nose & Cheek Balm
• Ciele Prime & Protect SPF 30

Liked this episode? Share with a friend and follow Well Done wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode!

Connect on Instagram:

• Follow the show: @thewelldonepod
• Follow Kat Vong (me, the host): @iamkatvong

Have a topic suggestion or want to nominate a guest? Email me at:

kat@thewelldonepod.com