Oa’oa: The Sacred and Scientific Art of Joy

About Oa’oa: The Sacred and Scientific Art of Joy

Oa’oa: The Sacred and Scientific Practice of Joy is a podcast about reclaiming happiness through both ancestral wisdom and cutting-edge research. Hosted by Johanne Jensen, a public health researcher with a passion for Indigenous knowledge systems, this show explores how joy can be practiced, embodied, and shared. From the healing power of dance to the neuroscience of gratitude—Oa’oa brings you conversations, stories, and science that illuminate the many paths to feeling better and living more joyfully. Because joy isn’t just an emotion—it’s a practice. And it’s sacred.

Publisher

johannej96

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Jun 2025

Latest episode

14 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

3 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Jul 2025

   The Gut-Brain Connection: How Your Microbiome Shapes Your Mood (Part 1)

   Your gut and brain are in constant conversation—and that chat can shape your mood, anxiety, and depression in surprising ways. In this first part of a two-episode series, we explore the science behind the gut-brain axis, how gut bacteria influence key neurotransmitters, and the role of inflammation in mental health. Discover which foods can boost your mood and which ones might be sabotaging it, all grounded in the latest research and insights from Moody Bitches by Dr. Julie Howard. We also take a journey through Indigenous and traditional diets around the world, showing how ancestral foodways support a healthy microbiome and mental resilience. Citation List 1. Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2019). The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease. Frontiers in Genetics, 10, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2019.00171 2. Smith, P., et al. (2022). Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis: Implications for Mood, Cognition, and Sleep. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16, Article 845297. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.845297 3. Zhang, Y., et al. (2024). The Antidepressant Effects of Psychobiotics: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Gut Pathogens, 16(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-024-00500-9 4. Kim, S., & Park, J. (2022). Prebiotics Enhance Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression via Gut-Brain Axis Modulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(10), 5347. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23105347 5. Jones, A., & Lee, H. (2020). Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Systematic Review. BMC Psychiatry, 20, 360. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02776-4 6. Reyes, M., & Tran, L. (2021). Microbiota-Targeted Dietary Interventions: Effects on Gut Health and Mental Wellness. Nutrients, 13(7), 2201. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072201 7. Food & Wine Magazine. (2025). GAIA Study Links Western Diets to Increased Depression and Burnout. Retrieved from [foodandwine.com] 8. Dubois, L., et al. (2017). Traditional Inuit Diets and Their Impact on Gut Microbiome Diversity. Journal of Microbial Ecology, 74(3), 619–627. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-017-0955-4 9. NiMe Study Group. (2023). Impact of Returning to a Traditional High-Fiber Diet on Gut Microbiota and Inflammation: A Pilot Study. New York Post, Retrieved from https://nypost.com/health/nime-diet-study 10. Howard, J. (2023). Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You’re Taking, The Sleep You’re Missing, the Sex You’re Not Having, and What’s Really Making You Crazy. Grand Central Publishing.

2. 

   30 Jun 2025

   Dance as Medicine

   The host explores dance as a potent medicine for body, mind, and spirit, highlighting its role in Indigenous communities and scientific research on its antidepressant effects.

3. 

   23 Jun 2025

   Welcome to Oa'oa

   The host introduces the podcast, Oa'oa, and previews upcoming explorations into the intersection of spirituality and science regarding the concept of joy.

Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

24

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0