What does it mean to belong when you’ve grown up everywhere—and nowhere—all at once?

In this expansive and deeply resonant conversation, we’re joined by Vicki Abadesco, a visionary entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, speaker, coach, and mentor whose life and work are rooted in personal growth, transformation, and global perspective. Raised across Asia, Europe, and North America, Vicki embodies the lived experience of a Third Culture Kid—someone shaped by many cultures, languages, and worldviews, yet often left navigating questions of identity, home, and belonging.

Vicki is renowned for her unwavering commitment to empowering others to live purposeful, heart-led lives. Through her organization, Soul Shoppe, she and her team have touched the hearts and minds of more than one million elementary school students with a transformative conflict-resolution and peacemaking curriculum. Her work has helped nurture a generation of emotionally intelligent young people—capable of building strong relationships, resolving conflict with compassion, and fostering inclusive, connected communities.

Together, we explore the emotional, psychological, and spiritual terrain of Third Culture journeys—the gifts of adaptability, empathy, and global awareness, alongside the grief, rootlessness, and quiet loneliness that can accompany a life in motion. Vicki shares how growing up between worlds shaped her sense of self, relationships, leadership, and purpose, and how true rootedness doesn’t always come from one place, but from learning how to belong within yourself.

This episode is for anyone who has:

• Grown up internationally or between cultures
• Felt deeply connected yet perpetually out of place
• Learned to read rooms, people, and cultures early in life
• Questioned identity, home, and where they truly belong

It’s a conversation about liminality, resilience, emotional intelligence, and the beauty of living beyond borders—externally and internally.

🔗 Learn more about Vicki and her work:
https://www.vickiabadesco.com

If you’ve ever felt like your roots travel with you, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

What if the spine isn’t just structural—but central to how the body heals, adapts, and thrives?

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we sit down with Dr. Brad Wolf to explore how chiropractic spinal care can serve as a powerful form of nervous system preservation—and why it plays a critical role in long-term health, resilience, and aging well.

Dr. Wolf shares his deeply personal journey, beginning with a childhood marked by asthma, allergies, and chronic immune weakness. From frequent ER visits and inhalers to gasping for air on the soccer field, simply breathing felt like a daily struggle. As a young adult, he searched relentlessly for answers—exploring Tai Chi, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, herbs, Ayurveda, massage, and eventually becoming a licensed bodyworker himself.

But it was his first chiropractic adjustment—initially driven by curiosity—that changed everything.

As Dr. Wolf began receiving regular chiropractic care, his immune system strengthened dramatically. Illnesses that once lingered for weeks began resolving in days—or even hours. This profound shift set him on a lifelong path, ultimately leading him to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis in 1996.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The spine’s relationship to the nervous system and immune function
• Why chiropractic care is about preservation—not just pain relief
• How the body can heal without drugs or surgery when interference is removed
• Aging better, living pain-free, and reclaiming agency over your health
• Why modern health culture urgently needs a paradigm shift

With obesity on the rise, ultra-processed foods everywhere, and medication often used as a first response rather than a last resort, Dr. Wolf makes a compelling case for returning to foundational principles of health—starting with the nervous system.

Over the course of his career, he has helped tens of thousands of people avoid spinal surgery, recover from herniated and bulging discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and discogenic pain—and most importantly, get back to truly living.

It’s never too late to take control of your health.
To age better.
To live pain-free.
To become the best version of yourself.

🔗 Learn more & connect with Dr. Brad Wolf:
Website: https://ihealthnc.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovationhealth1609

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingHealthyForLifeNow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovationhealthcharlotte?igsh=MTJlNnp1aG52MndqaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

🎧 Listen in and discover why chiropractic care isn’t an alternative—it’s essential.

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

What if happiness wasn’t a personality trait—or a fleeting emotional high—but a skill your brain can actually learn?

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we explore the neuroscience, psychology, and cultural conditioning behind lasting and permanent happiness with globally recognized speaker, author, and thought leader Valerie Alexander. Drawing from decades of experience across law, tech, storytelling, and leadership development, Valerie breaks down how the brain forms habits of thought—and how those patterns can be consciously rewired.

Together, we unpack why so many people feel “stuck” chasing happiness, how unconscious bias and cultural narratives shape our emotional lives, and what science reveals about sustainable joy, fulfillment, and resilience. This is a grounded, intelligent conversation that bridges brain science with real-world application—without bypassing complexity or humanity.

Valerie Alexander is a globally sought-after keynote speaker on workplace happiness, inclusive leadership, and the advancement of women. She has delivered transformative talks for Fortune 500 companies, global conferences, and government agencies including NASA, the CDC, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the Air National Guard. Her TED Talk, How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias, has been viewed over a million times and is used worldwide as a training tool in leadership and education.

Before stepping fully into her work on culture and happiness, Valerie built a diverse career as a corporate securities lawyer, investment banker, tech executive, startup founder, and later as a screenwriter and director in Los Angeles. Her creative work includes the Hallmark film Memories of Christmas and multiple award-winning advocacy campaigns supporting marriage equality.

She is the bestselling author of Happiness as a Second Language, Success as a Second Language, and How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace, and holds the registered trademark on “…as a Second Language” for self-help publishing. Valerie currently serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Culture, Leadership and Narrative at Launch Fayette in Georgia and sits on the board of the Peachtree City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

If you’re curious about how happiness actually works in the brain—and how to make it sustainable—this conversation offers both clarity and hope.

🔗 Learn more about Valerie’s work:
https://www.speakhappiness.com/

https://www.speakhappiness.com/about-valerie/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakhappiness-keynotespeaker/

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

What if healing didn’t require force—only presence?

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, we explore sound healing as a channel for tenderness, attunement, and genuine care. Rather than approaching healing as something to fix or override, this conversation invites a softer way of listening—to the body, the nervous system, and the emotional field.

Jessica Maria Garcia joins us to share how sound-based practices can support emotional regulation, nervous system balance, and a sense of internal safety. We discuss how vibration reaches places words often can’t, why gentleness is essential in trauma-informed work, and how sound can help release unhelpful patterns while restoring connection and resilience.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, soften, and remember that healing can unfold through compassion, presence, and listening.

About Jessica:
Jessica Maria Garcia is an Advanced Biofield Tuning Practitioner, Associate Counselor, sound healer, Kundalini meditation teacher, and Emotional Empowerment Guide with over 10 years of experience in emotional and energetic wellness. Her work integrates sound-based practices, meditation, and biofield awareness to support emotional regulation, nervous system balance, and personal growth. She is deeply committed to creating safe, supportive environments where individuals can release unhelpful patterns and cultivate greater alignment, resilience, and wellbeing.

Learn more at: https://healingforallhumans.com

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

What if the same choice that supports your hormones could also help heal the planet?

In this episode, I sit down with Sachi Singh, founder of Rootless, to explore the powerful intersection of personal health and environmental regeneration. With over 13 years of experience in international climate change solutions and a Master’s in Environmental Management from Yale University, Sachi knows exactly what we’re up against globally—and where real hope can still be found.

That hope, surprisingly, is seaweed.

Seaweed is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet and actively regenerates the ecosystems where it’s grown. Yet most of us don’t consume it daily. Through Rootless and its hero product, The Daily Bite, Sachi is changing that—making seaweed accessible, delicious, and deeply supportive of women’s health.

Since launching in 2022, The Daily Bites have helped women support hormonal balance, sustain all-day energy, and nurture gut health through a truly food-based supplement. In this conversation, we dive into why hormone health and planetary health are inseparable, how food can be both medicine and climate action, and what it means to care for ourselves during major hormonal transitions—menopause, pregnancy, and beyond—without extracting from the Earth in the process.

This is a grounded, hopeful conversation about nourishment, systems change, and remembering that our bodies and the planet thrive best when cared for together.

🔗 Learn more about Rootless:
www.getrootless.com

📸 Follow Rootless on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/get.rootless/

📸 Follow Sachi on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sachisings/

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

What if manifestation isn’t about visualization, vibration, or forcing outcomes—but about radical honesty with yourself?

In this episode, Showing Up Sober: Why Authenticity Is the Manifestation Portal, we’re joined by Anneka Reece, an Executive Health and Mindset Coach specializing in alcohol-free living and conscious manifestation. Anneka supports clients in releasing alcohol as a coping mechanism and reconnecting with their clarity, power, and purpose—so change isn’t just imagined, but embodied.

Together, we explore what it means to walk through discomfort without numbing, to meet despair without bypassing, and to choose presence over escape. This conversation weaves psychology, neuroscience, and energetics into a grounded discussion about authenticity as the true catalyst for transformation.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to move through life sober—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually—and come out more whole on the other side, this episode is for you.

🔗 Learn more about Anneka’s work:
https://coachingbyanneka.co.uk

🎧 Listen to Anneka’s podcast, The Alcohol-Free Vibes Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alcohol-free-vibes-podcast/id1606704134

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

The medicine journey may be profound—but what happens after is where real transformation is either embodied… or lost.

In this episode of Rooted & Wild, I’m joined by executive transformation coach, bestselling author, and psychedelic integration guide Garet Free to explore the often-overlooked days and weeks following psilocybin-assisted therapy. Together, we unpack what integration actually means—beyond insights, visions, or peak experiences—and how lasting change is built through nervous system regulation, somatic awareness, and grounded daily practice.

Garet brings a rare blend of lived experience and professional depth to this conversation. A former paramedic turned healthcare technology executive, he now bridges science and soul through his work at The Resilience Edit, helping high-performing leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives move beyond burnout, self-doubt, and internal fragmentation. His approach weaves neuroscience, somatic practices, and psychedelic therapy into a framework for sustainable, embodied clarity.

We explore:

• Why the days after a psychedelic journey matter more than the experience itself
• Common integration pitfalls—and how to avoid spiritual bypassing
• How to translate insight into action without overwhelming the nervous system
• What true resilience looks like when it’s lived, not performed
• How leadership, purpose, and peace emerge from inner alignment

This episode is for anyone navigating post-journey terrain—whether you’ve worked with psychedelics personally, support others as a practitioner, or are simply curious about what ethical, grounded integration really requires.

Learn more about Garet’s work:
🌐 https://www.garetfree.com

📘 Buy Garet’s bestselling book, The Imposter Within:
https://a.co/d/h3vVnjq

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.

As the New Year begins, many people feel motivated to set health goals—but often struggle to maintain them beyond the first few weeks. In this episode, we explore a more realistic and sustainable approach to health goal-setting—one that honors real life, existing responsibilities, and long-term wellbeing.

I’m joined by Dr. Melanie Gray, a PhD-prepared nurse, educator, and trauma-informed wellness strategist who helps women and leaders move out of burnout and into grounded, intentional ways of caring for themselves. With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and higher education, Dr. Gray brings a thoughtful, practical perspective to what it actually takes to create health goals that last.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why so many New Year health goals fail—and how to rethink them
• How to set goals that are realistic, values-driven, and sustainable
• Letting go of all-or-nothing thinking around health and habits
• Building supportive routines that fit your current season of life

This episode is for anyone who wants to approach health goals with clarity instead of pressure—and create changes that can truly be sustained over time.

About Dr. Melanie Gray

Dr. Melanie Gray is a PhD-prepared nurse, educator, coach, speaker, and author who helps women, caregivers, and mission-driven professionals heal from burnout by reconnecting with their bodies, boundaries, and inner wisdom. Drawing from decades of experience in healthcare, neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and spiritual insight, she translates complex concepts into simple, real-world practices that support meaningful and lasting change.

Free Gift for Listeners

🎁 UNBURNT: Break Free from Burnout
Access Dr. Gray’s free gift for listeners here:
https://melanie-s-site-95ba.thinkific.com/courses/unburnt-break-free-from-burnout

Connect with Dr. Melanie Gray

Website:
www.DrMelanieGrayTheConfidenceCoach.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/melanie.gray.550422

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577286124894

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drmelaniewellnesscoach/

X (Twitter):
https://x.com/MelanietheRN

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmelaniegray/

Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.