POPULARITY
Categories
Friendship gets tested in crisis, and sometimes the hardest grief isn't just what happened, it's what gets revealed about who can actually stay with you. In this episode, Vanessa Bennett, LMFT sits down with her friend Lena to talk about friendship through trauma after both of them lost their homes in the LA fires, and what real support looks like when your life falls apart. We unpack the difference between being witnessed and being fixed, why small practical help matters more than perfect words, and how adult friendships change when roles, distance, and capacity shift. If you've been grieving friendships, struggling to receive, or trying to rebuild community after a rupture, this conversation is for you.Additional ResourcesExplore: VanessaBennett.comBook: The Motherhood MythCommunity: Inner Compass CollectiveTraining: Inner Compass AcademyConnect with Inner CompassFollow on InstagramConnect with Vanessa Bennett:Follow on InstagramFollow on TikTokLearn more on SubstackConnect with Vanessa Bennett on LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
n Valente is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist based in Los Angeles who works with adults, couples, and families seeking healing and connection. She specializes in trauma-informed therapy, EMDR, somatic awareness, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy — blending evidence-based methods with sensitivity to the human experience. Erin helps clients reconnect with their inner voice, process past wounds, and build meaningful relationships while offering both in-person and virtual sessions.In This EpisodeErin's websiteErin on IGBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you'd like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app
Kelly Higdon, LMFT, and Miranda Palmer, LMFT, review the growing use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy and explore both its potential advantages and important ethical and practical limitations for clinical care. Presentation. This episode has been proudly sponsored by AutoNotes, an AI-powered clinical workspace helping therapists save time on documentation while supporting ethical, HIPAA-aligned care. To celebrate the episode, AutoNotes is offering Clearly Clinical listeners 50% off any plan with code CLEARLY50. Visit autonotes.ai to learn more. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com.
This week's guests, perinatal mental health therapists Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel, share the story behind their book Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience—a guided journal created to help families process the emotional impact of a NICU stay. Mahaley also opens up about her daughter, Sachi, who died after a NICU stay, and how storytelling and narrative healing became a lifeline in her grief. She and Emily talk with Katie about why so many NICU parents carry trauma long after discharge and how writing your story can help families reconnect with what they experienced. They also discuss the emotional weight of making medical decisions during a NICU stay, the importance of compassionate healthcare providers, and why healing sometimes begins months or even years later. If you've ever struggled to process a NICU experience—or wondered how to revisit it in a way that feels safe and meaningful—this conversation offers powerful insight and hope. Emily and Mahaley's biggest message? Your story deserves space, compassion, and time—and reflecting on it can be an important step toward healing. We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website. Resources & Ways to Connect: Book: Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience Available wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores. Emily Souder, LMFT, PMH-C Website Instagram Mahaley Patel, LMFT, PMH-C Instagram Connect & Support from Child Life On Call: Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes easily Follow us on Instagram for updates and opportunities to connect with other parents Download SupportSpot: receive Child Life tools at your fingertips. Leave a Review: It helps other families find us and access our resources! Medical information provided is not a substitute for professional advice—please consult your care team. Keywords: NICU trauma, healing after NICU, NICU parent mental health, NICU journaling prompts, birth trauma support, NICU loss support, perinatal mental health therapist, processing NICU experience, life after NICU discharge, NICU storytelling, guided journal for NICU parents, neonatal intensive care support, grief after NICU, NICU parent resources
PURCHASE THIS PODCOURSE! If you are a therapist or counselor looking for continuing education, check out my NBCC Approved $5 Podcourses and other continuing education offerings.Plus, get your first Podcourse half off. In this 60-minute NBCC-approved podcourse, I'm joined by Michelle Page, PharmD, to explore perimenopause and menopause as neuroendocrine developmental transitions that significantly influence mood, sleep, cognition, stress regulation, relationships, and identity. We break down the clinical definitions of perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, discuss common and underrecognized symptom presentations, and examine how hormonal variability may contribute to new-onset anxiety, mood instability, sleep disruption, and relational strain in midlife clients. We also explore differential diagnosis considerations, interdisciplinary referral thresholds, and practical psychotherapy interventions that remain within scope of practice. When you purchase this podcourse, you will also receive a Clinical Companion Guide, which includes a structured Menopause-Informed Clinical Formulation Model, differential diagnosis considerations, expanded symptom awareness, and applied case studies to support real-world clinical integration. This training supports therapists in recognizing menopause-related symptom clusters, differentiating endocrine-driven presentations from primary psychiatric disorders, and collaborating effectively with menopause-informed medical providers. Our hope is that you'll walk away with fresh strategies you can integrate into your clinical work right away and you can also earn one NBCC continuing education contact hour by completing this Podcourse. Michelle's other Podcourse: Beyond Digestion: How Your Gut Influences Your Mental Health
If eating disorder recovery has made your stomach feel worse instead of better, you are not alone. Many people experience bloating, constipation, reflux, stomach pain, and fullness during recovery. These symptoms can feel frightening and discouraging, especially when they show up after you start nourishing your body more consistently. In this solo episode, Dr. Marianne Miller, LMFT, explains why gastrointestinal symptoms are common during eating disorder recovery and why they do not mean recovery is failing. You will learn how restriction affects the digestive system, why symptoms sometimes intensify during early recovery, and what helps the gut heal over time. Dr. Miller also shares practical strategies for coping with GI discomfort while continuing recovery. This episode offers compassionate guidance for navigating one of the most misunderstood parts of eating disorder healing. Why GI Issues Are Common in Eating Disorder Recovery Many people are surprised when digestive symptoms worsen after they begin eating more consistently. Bloating, constipation, reflux, nausea, and stomach pain can make recovery feel confusing or even frightening. In this episode, Dr. Marianne Miller explains how restrictive eating, purging, inconsistent nourishment, and limited food variety affect the gastrointestinal system. When the body does not receive enough energy, digestion slows in order to conserve resources. Motility decreases, stomach emptying may become delayed, and the muscles of the digestive tract lose strength over time. When nourishment increases during recovery, the digestive system must relearn how to function. This recalibration process can temporarily intensify symptoms. While uncomfortable, these changes are often part of the gut rebuilding normal digestive rhythms. Common Digestive Symptoms During Eating Disorder Recovery People in eating disorder recovery frequently report symptoms such as bloating, constipation, reflux, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and early fullness. These symptoms may appear during early refeeding or after increasing meal consistency. Dr. Miller discusses how slowed gastrointestinal motility, microbiome changes, and nervous system activation contribute to these experiences. She also explains why bloating can feel especially distressing in a culture that places intense pressure on stomach appearance and body size. Understanding the physiology behind these symptoms can help reduce fear and prevent the eating disorder from using GI discomfort as justification for returning to restriction. The Gut Is Adaptable and Healing Is Possible One of the most important messages of this episode is that the digestive system is highly adaptable. With consistent nourishment, hydration, and medical support when needed, the gastrointestinal tract can recover significant function. Over time, stomach emptying can improve, bowel patterns can normalize, and abdominal discomfort can decrease. The gut lining regenerates, digestive enzymes adjust, and the microbiome can become more balanced. Recovery does not always follow a straight line, but healing is possible when the body receives consistent energy and care. Practical Ways to Cope With GI Symptoms in Recovery This episode also explores practical ways to cope with digestive discomfort while continuing eating disorder recovery. Dr. Miller discusses the role of mechanical eating in helping retrain digestive rhythms and why regular meals often support gastrointestinal healing. Sensory supports can also help regulate the nervous system, including wearing loose clothing, using a heating pad on the abdomen after meals, and creating calming eating environments. Hydration can support bowel function, and gentle abdominal massage may help stimulate motility. For some individuals, medical providers may recommend medications or short term treatments to reduce symptoms such as constipation, reflux, or delayed gastric emptying. Dr. Miller emphasizes that any movement during eating disorder recovery must be cleared by a medical provider first. If a physician has determined that movement is safe, gentle activities such as short walks or stretching may sometimes support digestion. Medical clearance is essential before incorporating movement into recovery. The Role of Medical Support in GI Healing Because digestive symptoms can overlap with other medical conditions, collaboration with an eating disorder informed medical provider is important. Physicians can help assess symptoms, rule out other causes, and recommend appropriate treatments when needed. Medications or medical supports may be helpful for constipation, reflux, nausea, or delayed gastric emptying. Seeking medical care for GI symptoms does not mean recovery is failing. It means symptoms are being treated compassionately and responsibly. Intersectionality and GI Symptoms Dr. Miller also highlights how systemic bias can affect how digestive symptoms are treated. People in larger bodies may have GI concerns dismissed as weight related rather than recognized as recovery related. People of color may experience undertreatment of pain. Neurodivergent individuals may experience sensory distress that is misunderstood or minimized. Acknowledging these realities helps contextualize why some people struggle to receive appropriate care and why compassionate, informed providers are so important. A Message of Hope for Eating Disorder Recovery GI distress during eating disorder recovery can feel discouraging, especially when symptoms appear after you begin nourishing your body more consistently. But digestive discomfort does not mean recovery is harming you. In many cases, it means the digestive system is relearning how to function. With time, consistent nourishment, appropriate medical support, and nervous system regulation, many people see meaningful improvement in digestive symptoms. Your body is not failing you. It is adjusting and healing. Work With Dr. Marianne Miller Dr. Marianne Miller, LMFT, is a fat eating disorder therapist who specializes in binge eating disorder, ARFID, and complex eating disorder recovery. She works with clients in California, Texas, Washington DC, and internationally through virtual therapy and coaching. If you are looking for eating disorder therapy that integrates physiology, neurodivergent affirming care, and liberation informed approaches, you can learn more about working with Dr. Miller at her website drmariannemiller.com. She also offers self-paced courses and resources designed to support sustainable eating disorder recovery.
Hello Brave Friends!In this Expert episode, hosts Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with therapist and behavior analyst Monica Fyfe, LMFT, BCBA, to explore the evolving landscape of therapy for neurodivergent youth.Monica brings a unique perspective to her work, blending her experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist with her training as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In this thoughtful conversation, she explains how therapy for neurodivergent children has shifted in recent years toward more compassionate, individualized, and strengths-based approaches.Together, they discuss how modern therapeutic practices—including updated approaches to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)—are increasingly centered on dignity, consent, and the unique needs of each child. Monica also shares how integrating different therapeutic frameworks, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), can help children and teens better understand their emotions, identify their values, and build confidence navigating the world.The conversation also explores the powerful role of language in shaping how families understand diagnoses and neurodiversity. Monica encourages parents to focus less on labels and more on specific goals and supports that help their children thrive. She also discusses the importance of helping neurodivergent youth build “social navigation” skills that allow them to create meaningful connections and engage with their communities.Finally, Monica introduces her children's book series, which uses storytelling and bibliotherapy to introduce therapeutic concepts in accessible, engaging ways for kids and families.This episode is full of practical insight and reassurance for parents seeking thoughtful, respectful, and effective support for their neurodivergent children.Find more about Monica Fyfe's children's series Welcome to Petsville here.Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here. Find Dr. Zoe's book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here. Can't get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer
Keeping Your Sh*t Together in a Stressed World with Michelle & Scott
Episode 306 - “In the Midst of an Emergency”Emergencies don't arrive with preparation. They arrive with urgency, emotion, and the immediate demand to respond. In this Michelle and Scott explore what actually helps in the middle of a crisis—not the plans we wish we had made, but the mindset and choices that help us navigate difficult moments while they're unfolding. They talk about how people steady themselves when life suddenly shifts, how to make clear decisions when emotions are high, and why the way we think about emergencies can shape how we move through them. This isn't about avoiding crisis. It's about learning how to meet it. If you've ever found yourself in the middle of a moment where everything suddenly mattered all at once, this conversation offers practical ways to stay grounded, focused, and able to move forward—one step at a time.Keeping Your Sh*t Together in a Stressed World is a podcast hosted by Michelle Post, MA, LMFT and Scott Grossberg, JD, CLC, CCH, NLP, and is 30 minutes of raw, irreverent, and results-oriented discussion with one purpose in mind . . . to help you cope, thrive, and survive the craziness that's going on in the world.As a reminder, our “Get Your Sh*t Together” Home Retreat can be found here:http://thinkingmagically.com/retreatReplays of prior episodes can be found at:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-grossbergYou can also join our Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepingystMichelle Post can be reached at michelle@postinternationalinc.com http://postinternationalinc.com Scott Grossberg can be reached at sgrossberg@hotmail.com https://www.thinkingmagically.com© ℗ 2026 Scott Grossberg & Michelle Post. All rights reserved."Easy Lemon (60 second)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0DISCLAIMER: MICHELLE IS A THERAPIST, BUT SHE IS NOT YOUR THERAPIST. SCOTT IS A RETIRED ATTORNEY, DOES NOT PRACTICE LAW, AND DOES NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. AS SUCH, SCOTT IS NOT YOUR ATTORNEY. THE INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION THAT TAKES PLACE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL, MEDICAL, NOR MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE. LISTENING TO THIS PODCAST DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT NOR THERAPIST-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. MICHELLE AND SCOTT ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES RELATED TO ACTIONS OR FAILURES TO ACT RELATED TO ANY OF THEIR PROGRAMS OR TRAINING. IF YOU NEED SPECIFIC LEGAL, MEDICAL, OR MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE OR HELP, CONSULT WITH A PROFESSIONAL WHO SPECIALIZES IN YOUR SUBJECT MATTER AND JURISDICTION. NEVER DISREGARD THE MEDICAL ADVICE OF A PSYCHOLOGIST, PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, OR DELAY IN SEEKING SUCH ADVICE, BECAUSE OF THE INFORMATION OFFERED OR PROVIDED WITHIN OR RELATED TO ANY OF MICHELLE'S OR SCOTT'S PROGRAMS OR TRAININGS. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY EITHER MICHELLE OR SCOTT OR BOTH OF THEM ARE OFFERED IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES, OFFERED "AS-IS" AND NO REPRESENTATIONS ARE MADE THAT THE CONTENT OF ANY VIEWS ARE ERROR-FREE.MICHELLE'S AND SCOTT'S PROGRAMS AND TRAINING ARE NOT SUITED FOR EVERYONE. THEY DO NOT ASSUME, AND SHALL NOT HAVE, ANY LIABILITY TO USERS FOR INJURY OR LOSS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THEY MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY CONCERNING ANY TREATMENT OR ANY ACTION FOLLOWING THE INFORMATION OFFERED OR PROVIDED WITHIN OR THROUGH ANY PROGRAM, COACHING, CONSULTING OR STRATEGIC WORK SESSION.
We're carrying a lot of emotion right now, but not much surprise, and that matters because surprise is what you feel when your system expects safety, predictability, and repair. In this episode, Vanessa Bennett, LMFT explores the difference between shock and recognition, how collective and generational trauma live in the body, and why so many women experience harm as familiarity rather than disbelief. We also name why “not all men” is so activating, how the “good guy” archetype can turn defensiveness into avoidance, and why allyship isn't enough anymore. The invitation now is intervention: choosing repair over exemption, and being willing to risk comfort and privilege to protect women and children.Additional ResourcesExplore: VanessaBennett.comBook: The Motherhood MythCommunity: Inner Compass CollectiveTraining: Inner Compass AcademyConnect with Inner CompassFollow on InstagramConnect with Vanessa Bennett:Follow on InstagramFollow on TikTokLearn more on SubstackConnect with Vanessa Bennett on LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Weight stigma affects far more than body size. It shapes healthcare, mental health treatment, and eating disorder recovery for people across all bodies. In this solo episode, eating disorder therapist Dr. Marianne Miller, LMFT, examines how anti-fat bias operates inside medical systems, mental health care, and everyday cultural messages about bodies. Weight stigma does not only harm people in larger bodies. It distorts how clinicians diagnose illness, how providers respond to symptoms, and how individuals relate to food, movement, and self-worth. People in larger bodies often face delayed diagnosis, dismissal of medical concerns, and barriers to eating disorder treatment. At the same time, people in smaller bodies frequently receive praise for behaviors that signal medical or psychological danger, which can hide eating disorders and delay care. In this episode, Dr. Marianne explores how weight stigma disrupts physical health, fuels disordered eating, and complicates recovery. Anti-fat bias increases stress, discourages people from seeking medical care, and encourages shame-based approaches to health. These pressures influence people across body sizes. They can lead individuals to distrust hunger cues, suppress bodily needs, and feel that their worth depends on body size. This conversation also explores how weight stigma interacts with other systems of oppression. Racism, ableism, gender bias, and class inequality can amplify weight-based discrimination in healthcare and mental health settings. When these systems overlap, people often experience greater barriers to accurate diagnosis, compassionate treatment, and sustainable eating disorder recovery. Dr. Marianne also discusses how a liberation-centered approach to treatment can support healing. Recovery becomes more possible when clinicians prioritize autonomy, body respect, and nervous system safety rather than weight control. Challenging anti-fat bias allows providers to offer more accurate care and helps clients rebuild trust with their bodies. If you have ever wondered why eating disorder recovery can feel harder in a culture obsessed with body size, this episode offers an important perspective. Addressing weight stigma creates space for more compassionate healthcare, more effective mental health treatment, and more accessible eating disorder recovery for people in every body. Here are some related episodes: Anti-Fat Bias in Healthcare & Chronic Illness: Healing Body Image in a Marginalized Body With Ivy Felicia @iamivyfelicia on Apple and Spotify. Medical Weight Stigma & Eating Disorders on Apple & Spotify. Having Anorexia in a Larger Body: Navigating Medical Anti-Fat Bias & Lack of Care with Sharon Maxwell @heysharonmaxwell on Apple & Spotify. Dr. Marianne Miller is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in eating disorder recovery, including ARFID, binge eating disorder, anorexia, and bulimia. Her work centers neurodivergent-affirming care, body liberation, sensory attunement, and trauma-informed treatment that supports long-term healing. You can learn more about therapy with Dr. Marianne Miller or explore her self-paced courses on eating disorder recovery via her website at drmariannemiller.com.
Why do we cling to the behaviors that hurt us most? In this episode, Kati Morton, LMFT, dives into the physiological and emotional complexities of eating disorder recovery, trauma responses, and the "why" behind our most difficult survival mechanisms. We explore the "safety" found in cycles like bulimia or anorexia when living in neglectful environments, and Kati provides actionable tools for those navigating C-PTSD, DID, and intimacy after divorce. The "Freeze" Response: Understanding "bed-locking" and C-PTSD. Complicated Grief: Why you might feel numb when an abuser passes away. The Feelings Wheel: Practical tools for naming emotions when you feel disconnected. Dissociation & DID: Managing treatment while living in an unsafe home. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI oneskin.co/KATI Zocdoc: find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes zocdoc.com/kati Remi: protect your teeth from grinding with a custom-fit night guard. Go to shopremi.com/KATI and use code KATI at checkout for 50% off Hers: visit forhers.com/kati to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you 00:00 – Intro: Mind-body responses 00:43 – ED cycles in abusive homes & Mandated Reporting 07:02 – Grieving an abuser: Understanding emotional numbness 12:41 – Why we "enjoy" or miss our eating disorders 25:01 – Tools for naming emotions (The Feelings Wheel) 32:27 – Navigating DID treatment in unsafe environments 39:09 – Is "bed-locking" a normal C-PTSD response? 47:09 – Shame and intimacy after divorce 53:03 – When your therapist challenges your recovery YouTube: youtube.com/@Katimorton Books: Why Do I Keep Doing This?, Traumatized, and Are u ok? Online Therapy: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/kati Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In episode 618, depth psychotherapist and astrologer Shawna McGrath, LMFT (she/her) shares with you the astrology of the month from a depth psychological perspective including Mercury retrograde in Pisces, Venus-Sun conjunct Saturn-Neptune, and more
If you think you don't have autistic clients in your practice… think again.In this episode of Supervision Simplified, Dr. Amy Parks sits down with Jamie Roberts, LMFT — therapist, author, speaker, and founder of NeuroPebble — to unpack what clinicians often miss about neurodiversity in therapy and supervision.From late diagnoses and masking to the gaps in graduate training, this conversation challenges the idea of a “typical brain” and explores how neuroaffirming practice changes the way we supervise, treat, and support clients.We discuss: • Why most clinicians underestimate how many autistic clients they serve • The difference between neurodiversity as a social model vs. a medical model • What grad school didn't teach us about autism and ADHD • How supervision can either reinforce or dismantle neuro-normative assumptions • Universal design in supervision and training • Why flexibility — not rigid scripts — creates better cliniciansIf you are a supervisor, supervisee, or practicing therapist, this episode will challenge your assumptions and expand your lens.The legacy of supervision starts here.
You said, "That sounds really hard," so why is your partner still upset? It's called the Empathy Dash — that moment you touch your partner's pain just long enough to check a box, then sprint toward solutions, silver linings, or your own experience. In over 1,500 couples sessions, Tony has watched this pattern quietly erode trust while both partners swear they're trying. This episode unpacks why your empathy isn't landing, what your nervous system is actually doing when you rush to fix, and a deceptively simple practice that changes everything. In this episode, you'll discover: Why "me too" on the inside lands like "not you" on the outside — and the intent-vs-impact gap where relationships slowly erode Stealing Thunder: the real-time couples session moment that perfectly captures how sharing gets hijacked before it even lands How your Adaptive Child — the survival strategy that kept you safe growing up — is now sabotaging your closest relationship The neuroscience of co-regulation and why your calm presence does more than your best advice ever could The 3-Before-1 Rule: a concrete practice for staying present when every instinct says fix, solve, or flee Tony Overbay, LMFT, draws from over two decades of couples therapy, Terry Real's relational framework, and Dan Siegel's interpersonal neurobiology to redefine what empathy actually looks like in practice. If you've ever left a conversation thinking "I said all the right things" while your partner felt completely unseen — this one's for you. You're not broken. You just don't know what you don't know yet. 00:00 Welcome and Where to Follow 01:15 Retreat Story Mental Load Misfire 04:56 Intent vs Impact in Bids 06:08 Attack Surface and Pathological Kindness 09:37 Sequencing the Conversation 12:26 Stealing Thunder Named 17:02 Catching the Thunder Grab 18:17 Drive By Empathy Metaphor 21:03 Empathy vs Sympathy Basics 22:36 Why Optimism Can Dismiss 24:02 What Empathy Actually Does 26:58 Real Life Fixing Examples 28:39 Spotting the Empathy Dash 29:30 Why We Do It 30:12 Adaptive Child Origins 31:39 Fixer vs Avoider Examples 33:49 Co-Regulation Explained 34:44 Two Ways to Respond 37:16 Four Pillars Framework 38:11 Questions Before Comments 38:58 Curiosity in Action 42:19 Three Before One Rule 45:40 When Effort Feels Unseen 47:35 Handling Your Triggers 49:27 Closing Encouragement Get on the waitlist today for Tony's upcoming Magnetic Marriage live course! Head to https://tonyoverbay.com/magnetic Contact Tony at contact@tonyoverbay.com to learn more about his Emotional Architects men's group.
When stress hits, your nervous system runs the show. In this episode of The Men's Collective Podcast, Travis Goodman, LMFT & Mind-Body coach, teaches the 3N practice, adapted from Dr. Les Aria's work: Notice, Name, Nourish. This is a practical polyvagal-informed tool to help men shift out of fight-or-flight (sympathetic activation) or shutdown (dorsal vagal) and move toward calm, connection, and clarity (ventral vagal).You'll learn how to:Use body-based awareness to catch your state in real timeLabel what's happening to reduce overwhelm and regain perspectiveChoose simple “nourish” actions that help your nervous system reset (long exhale breathing, orienting, pressure through palms, sensory temperature shifts, movement, and co-regulation)Use this before hard conversations, after a stressful workday, during workouts when self-criticism spikes, or at night when your mind won't shut off. This is not about “thinking positive.” It's about building reps that create real emotional regulation, better relationships, and more grounded leadership as a man and father.If you liked the previous episodes on polyvagal theory, neuroception, hierarchy, and co-regulation, this is the next step. Subscribe for nervous system tools that fit real life.If you want deeper coaching or therapy, visit travisgoodmanlmft.com. For more men's mental health tools and community, check out The Men's Collective Podcast. [Life in Silico] by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
In this first of a two part conversation on Sunday School Dropouts, Andrew Kerbs and Laura Anderson sit down with Ashley Buckner, LMFT, to explore her journey growing up in an unorthodox Mormon home in Cedar City, Utah, and the lasting impact of purity culture and childhood sexual abuse. Ashley shares what it was like to grow up in a “less than” Mormon family with a Catholic father prior to his baptism, the pressure to perform worthiness, and the shame of being born to parents who were pregnant before marriage. She reflects on how purity culture shaped her understanding of her body, sexuality, and value, and how secrecy and silence created the conditions for abuse to remain hidden for years.Ashley bravely recounts being sexually abused at age four by an older family member and the way cultural messaging around sex and worthiness reinforced silence and self blame. She opens up about not disclosing the abuse until age twenty, leaving the LDS church after moving to Los Angeles, and how experiences of unconditional love outside Mormonism shifted her perspective. The conversation also explores why talk therapy alone was not enough for trauma recovery and how brainspotting and other nervous system based approaches helped her access healing stored in the body. Together, they unpack how trauma and shame live in the hips and stomach, why embodiment and safe relationships are essential for recovery, and how sharing shame in safe spaces begins to loosen its grip.Share your purity culture stories with us by leaving a voicemail or sending your story to us!Guest Info: Social Media: @ashleyb_therapyResources discussed in this episode: Melissa Urban - The Book of BoundariesNon Violent Communication bookNon Violent Communication graphicThis podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram @andrew_kerbsFollow Andrew's post-SDA account @lifeafteradventismFollow Andrew's account on neurodivergence and high control religion @divergent.faith Join Andrew's Substack (Kerb Your Enthusiasm) www.andrewkerbs.substack.com To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call hereFollow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson
Ep. 57. Justin Gregory Briggs, Ph.D., LMFT and his co-hosts discuss anxiety, one of the most common presenting problems in psychotherapy. They unpack the moments when the fears and worries stop being protective and become part of the problem. This episode features Seth Frank, Jon Nemcek, and Rachel Simon.
Keeping Your Sh*t Together in a Stressed World with Michelle & Scott
Episode 305 - “Book Review: The Knight in Rusty Armor”What if the armor you're most proud of is the very thing keeping you from being known for who you truly are? In this episode, Michelle and Scott explore The Knight in Rusty Armor by Robert Fisher—a deceptively simple allegorical tale about identity, protection, vulnerability, and the slow, sometimes uncomfortable process of removing the layers we've mistaken for ourselves. They'll talk about how the knight's armor represents the roles we cling to, the competence we hide behind, and the emotional distance we justify as strength. And they'll unpack what it means to face the inner journey the story invites—one castle, one truth, one layer at a time. If you've ever felt successful but strangely unseen . . . capable but disconnected . . . this conversation offers a thoughtful reflection on what it might mean to soften without losing yourself. After all, sometimes the bravest act isn't fighting harder. It's taking off the armor.Keeping Your Sh*t Together in a Stressed World is a podcast hosted by Michelle Post, MA, LMFT and Scott Grossberg, JD, CLC, CCH, NLP, and is 30 minutes of raw, irreverent, and results-oriented discussion with one purpose in mind . . . to help you cope, thrive, and survive the craziness that's going on in the world.As a reminder, our “Get Your Sh*t Together” Home Retreat can be found here:http://thinkingmagically.com/retreatReplays of prior episodes can be found at:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-grossbergYou can also join our Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepingystMichelle Post can be reached at michelle@postinternationalinc.com http://postinternationalinc.com Scott Grossberg can be reached at sgrossberg@hotmail.com https://www.thinkingmagically.com© ℗ 2026 Scott Grossberg & Michelle Post. All rights reserved."Easy Lemon (60 second)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0DISCLAIMER: MICHELLE IS A THERAPIST, BUT SHE IS NOT YOUR THERAPIST. SCOTT IS A RETIRED ATTORNEY, DOES NOT PRACTICE LAW, AND DOES NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. AS SUCH, SCOTT IS NOT YOUR ATTORNEY. THE INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION THAT TAKES PLACE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL, MEDICAL, NOR MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE. LISTENING TO THIS PODCAST DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT NOR THERAPIST-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. MICHELLE AND SCOTT ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES RELATED TO ACTIONS OR FAILURES TO ACT RELATED TO ANY OF THEIR PROGRAMS OR TRAINING. IF YOU NEED SPECIFIC LEGAL, MEDICAL, OR MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE OR HELP, CONSULT WITH A PROFESSIONAL WHO SPECIALIZES IN YOUR SUBJECT MATTER AND JURISDICTION. NEVER DISREGARD THE MEDICAL ADVICE OF A PSYCHOLOGIST, PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, OR DELAY IN SEEKING SUCH ADVICE, BECAUSE OF THE INFORMATION OFFERED OR PROVIDED WITHIN OR RELATED TO ANY OF MICHELLE'S OR SCOTT'S PROGRAMS OR TRAININGS. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY EITHER MICHELLE OR SCOTT OR BOTH OF THEM ARE OFFERED IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES, OFFERED "AS-IS" AND NO REPRESENTATIONS ARE MADE THAT THE CONTENT OF ANY VIEWS ARE ERROR-FREE.MICHELLE'S AND SCOTT'S PROGRAMS AND TRAINING ARE NOT SUITED FOR EVERYONE. THEY DO NOT ASSUME, AND SHALL NOT HAVE, ANY LIABILITY TO USERS FOR INJURY OR LOSS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THEY MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY CONCERNING ANY TREATMENT OR ANY ACTION FOLLOWING THE INFORMATION OFFERED OR PROVIDED WITHIN OR THROUGH ANY PROGRAM, COACHING, CONSULTING OR STRATEGIC WORK SESSION.
Welcome back for the next journey of The Family Express Podcast with Kathryn de Bruin, LMFT and Ronda Evans, LMFT where our destination is resilient and connected families. Our guest today is Katie HumildeKathryn de Bruin is an ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer. Kathryn and Ronda are both licensed marriage and family therapists, EFT supervisors and therapists, and AAMFT Approved Supervisors.You can follow Kathryn de Bruin, LMFTFacebook YouTube IG Yelp Google + Twitter WebsiteYou can follow Ronda Evans, LMFT Facebook Facebook IG LinkedIn WebsiteYou can contact and follow Katie Humilde
You're not broken. You're just still in survival mode.I'm Shardé O'Rourke, LMFT, LPC, LSATP "the Barefoot Therapist". I've spent 15 years helping black folks, veterans, military families, and anyone healing from trauma, toxic relationships, or just... life. This podcast is where we get into the stuff that keeps you stuck and I give you actual tools to move through it.No fluff. No toxic positivity. Just real conversations that help you reflect, unlearn, and rebuild.SHOP MY RESOURCES:
Episode E443 | Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan In this episode of Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan, Dr. Foojan Zeine sits down with nationally recognized traumatic grief expert Jennifer R. Levin, PhD, LMFT, FT, to explore the complex realities of traumatic grief, sudden loss, and unexpected death. Sudden death can shatter our assumptive world, dysregulate the nervous system, and create symptoms that go far beyond natural grief. Together, they unpack the critical difference between grief and traumatic grief, how shock impacts the brain and body, and why stabilization must happen before deeper grief processing can begin. As founder of Traumatic Grief Solutions and one of fewer than 300 professionals credentialed as a Fellow in Thanatology, Dr. Levin provides crisis response consulting, grief leadership training, and trauma-informed coaching for executives and HR leaders. She explains how sudden workplace loss affects productivity, morale, and long-term retention — and why most bereavement policies fail grieving employees. You'll also learn how anger, guilt, regret, and loss of control show up after traumatic loss, how collective trauma differs from personal grief, and what truly helps someone heal after unexpected death. Midway through the conversation, Dr. Levin shares practical tools from her new book, The Traumatic Loss Workbook: Powerful Skills for Navigating the Grief Caused by a Sudden or Unexpected Death, offering actionable strategies for coping with grief, regulating the nervous system, and rebuilding meaning after tragedy. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction to Traumatic Grief & Sudden Loss 2:03 – Meet Jennifer R. Levin, PhD, LMFT, FT 6:00 – Grief vs. Traumatic Grief: Key Differences 8:44 – How Sudden Death Affects the Brain & Nervous System 10:53 – Real-Life Cases of Shock & Dissociation 13:51 – Safety, Stabilization & Trauma Recovery 17:17 – Collective Trauma vs. Individual Loss 20:34 – Anger, Rage, Guilt & Loss of Control 25:07 – Bereavement Leave & Workplace Grief Culture 28:23 – The Financial & Emotional Cost of Grief at Work 30:28 – Trauma-Informed Leadership & HR Strategies 36:20 – How to Support Someone Who Is Grieving 41:56 – Facing Mortality & Talking About Death 45:03 – The Traumatic Loss Workbook & Resources This episode is essential for anyone coping with personal loss, supporting a grieving loved one, leading a team after a workplace tragedy, or seeking trauma-informed strategies for healing after sudden death. Whether you are a therapist, executive, HR professional, or someone navigating grief recovery, this conversation offers compassionate insight, evidence-based tools, and practical guidance to foster resilience and long-term healing. Learn more: TraumaticGriefSolutions.com TherapyHeals.com
My friend Mark White (professor, LMFT, aspiring ally, mid-60s, active LDS) joins us to talk about his new children's book—which is focused on an 8-year-old's decision about being baptized in the context of having two gay dads who attend church with her—and what we can do to be better allies/advocates to queer Latter-day Saints and their families. Mark shares the following: Journey to be an aspiring ally/advocate Clinical experience His publishing company (Firefly Inkworks) and new book, Indigo's Baptism George Gerbner's cultivation theory The power of stories Representation matters To be seen Future books Need for all kinds of queer stories, including narratives for a book on LDS Trans and gender nonconforming persons Mark invites a discussion about how we can be a better ally/advocate (friend, parent, local leader, etc.), including asking our queer friends to let us know what they need and indicate whether we truly are an ally/advocate. The children of queer LDS parents are essentially invisible in LDS culture. Mark hopes Indigo's Baptism is a small step in increasing representation. He desires we use all the resources available to better support our queer friends. And if you are queer or have queer parent(s), Mark prays his work will give you hope as he talks about his love for and support of the queer community. Please contact him if you are interested in publishing a book or are willing to contribute a narrative to the book he and colleagues are working on that focuses on the needs and stories of current or former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are trans and gender nonconforming. Thank you, Mark, for being on the podcast. You are making a difference. You give me hope. Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587754991132 Mark's publishing company: www.fireflyinkworks.com Etsy store where you can buy Indigo's Baptism: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FireflyInkworks?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=4459276962&from_page=listing Instagram: fireflyinkworks Mark's e-mail: fireflyinkworks@gmail.com Mark's outline: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/awvy653dh8ubvi44uxcyb/LLL.Podcast-Outline.Indigo-s-Baptism.Feb-2026.pdf?rlkey=2b6fn8xxu4e37iiiqvexk6c20&dl=0
Can a marriage survive infidelity or is it over?Meet Kayla Crane!Kayla is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who helps couples communicate, rebuild trust after infidelity, and feel connected again with research-backed approaches in Castle Rock, Colorado.She is passionate about helping couples strengthen their relationships and create lasting change.Over the past several years, Kayla has supported couples through communication challenges, emotional distance, rebuilding after betrayal, and deepening connection. She specializes in working with couples who are navigating infidelity or struggling to reconnect after trust has been broken.Kayla draws from Relational Life Therapy (RLT) to help couples reach their goals. She is also trained in Systematic Affair Recovery Therapy (SART), an evidence-informed approach created specifically for affair recovery. Listen as Kayla shares:- what compatibility really means- your relational trauma and relationship history- how to rebuild after trust has been broken- why engaged couples need counseling- if there is any chance of staying married after infidelity- whether kids are a good enough reason to stay married- why your spouse feels unheard and unseen- whether nagging is actual communication- if reconnecting is possible after betrayal- bringing trauma into a relationship...and so much more!Connect with Kayla:Website: https://www.southdenvertherapy.comListen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:Apple: Spotify: YouTube: https://youtu.be/fLhS5DjhMVQ
Just how young is too young for kids to wear makeup? More and more companies are targeting children with makeup products, and its prompting concern from parenting experts. Manufacturers of make up for young children insist they prioritize safety, but some medical experts and parents say early exposure to skincare regimens could foster a premature obsession with physical appearance. Others say it's a simple form of artistic expression and as long as kids are doing it for the right reasons, it's okay. In this Deep Dive, Maria Shilaos digs into the issue of body image among young people and the effects of children using makeup. She's joined by Dr. Lauren Barnes, LMFT, a professor at Brigham Young University. She also hears from listeners to get their thoughts and perspectives on this issue.
Your memory has been turned—and the double agent is inside your own mind. After years in a relationship with someone emotionally immature or narcissistic, the damage isn't just that they rewrite history. It's that you stop trusting your own ability to know what happened. This episode unpacks confabulation—the unconscious, real-time rewriting of memory that goes far beyond lying or gaslighting—and explains why the story keeps changing, why you can't win the memory argument, and why your gut is still your most reliable intelligence. Tony Overbay, LMFT, walks through the neuroscience of how memory actually works, why your brain's negativity bias makes you especially vulnerable in these relationships, and what you can do when your explicit memory has been compromised but your body still knows the truth. In this episode, you'll discover: The critical difference between lying, gaslighting, and confabulation—and why confabulation is the most disorienting of the three Why your implicit memory (your gut) can't be gaslit—and how to start trusting the data your nervous system is handing you How the brain's negativity bias creates a lopsided scorecard that someone emotionally immature exploits, often without even knowing it The "false self" vs. a healthy ego—and why confabulation is a fragile identity fighting for survival, not a calculated strategy Real examples from therapy sessions, interrogation rooms, and faith transitions that reveal confabulation in action As a licensed marriage and family therapist who has worked with hundreds navigating emotionally immature relationships, Tony brings both clinical precision and deep compassion to a topic that can finally help you stop questioning your sanity. If you've been told your memory is wrong but your body keeps telling you something isn't right—this episode is your permission to trust what you feel. 00:00 Your Memory Betrays You 02:21 The Double Agent Reveal 02:54 Why You Feel Crazy 04:27 Implicit Memory Saves You 07:15 What Confabulation Means 09:59 How Narcissists Rewrite Reality 15:38 How Memory Gets Shaped 17:20 Negativity Bias And Healing 23:49 Lies Gaslighting Confabulation 26:40 Why The Story Keeps Changing 29:51 Fame Identity Collapse 31:37 Everyday Confabulation Fights 32:51 Faith Crisis Family Story 37:27 Belief Systems Double Down 39:47 Interrogation Room Patching 43:13 Politics Ego Survival 47:06 Healthy vs False Ego 50:48 Course Pitch Pillars 54:30 Final Takeaways Wrap
In this episode of the Strength and Weakness Podcast, hosts Ellen Radcliff, LMFT, and Morgan Roberts sit down with Kyla Gillespie, author of the new book "Transformed." Kyla shares a concise recap of her personal story—growing up in a Christian home, struggling with gender dysphoria and same-sex attraction, her full transition to living as a man named Bryson, and her eventual detransition after a profound encounter with God's love.We dive deep into the messy middle of navigating transgender ideologies: how to humanize the experience with compassion while holding firm to biblical truth. Kyla offers wisdom for parents, young people experiencing gender dysphoria, and Christians grappling with polarized views—whether dismissing it as "ridiculous" or bending to affirmation out of empathy.Hear emotional stories from her book, including pivotal moments with friends who loved her unconditionally through disagreement, and Kyla's reflections on writing such a vulnerable memoir. Discover how surrendering to God brought freedom from self-autonomy and slavery to identity struggles.Kyla's book "Transformed" releases on March 17th—preorder now on Amazon! Preorder Kyla's BookKyla's WebsiteSubscribe for more honest conversations on faith, identity, and redemption. Connect With Strength In Weakness: https://linktr.ee/strengthinweakness
Can Theology of the Body actually deepen shame rather than heal it? And what does JP2's vision for the human person have to say about pornography addiction, scrupulosity, and the cycle of counterfeit love? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down again with Dr. Anthony Isacco, Program Director of the MS in Clinical Psychology program at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, to explore what happens when Theology of the Body meets the clinical realities of sexual shame and addiction. Topics covered: How scrupulosity can turn sexuality into a source of shame rather than a gift Pornography addiction, age of first exposure, and understanding the shame cycle it creates JP2's insight that arousal is a physiological response to something good, and how that reframes guilt The concept of "use" from Love and Responsibility, objectification, and human dignity Viewing addiction as a cry for what is missing rather than simply a behaviour to stop Internal Family Systems, parts work, and how Catholic moral theology fits alongside it Dopamine research and why persevering toward virtue matters more than achieving perfection How St. Mary's University of Minnesota trains the next generation of Catholic clinicians with a full anthropological foundation Theology of the Body applied to exercise, fasting, medication, and trauma healing There is real freedom in knowing your body is not the enemy. This episode brings that truth home through both the wisdom of JP2 and decades of clinical experience. Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623
Licensed marriage & family therapist Kayla Listening joins Dr. Doug to unpack relational trauma, attachment styles, communication that heals, a structured path to infidelity recovery, and healing of deep personal trauma—including a description of EMDR. She treats therapy clients in Colorado and offers relational coaching elsewhere. Learn more: SouthDenverTherapy.comInspire Vision Podcast is broadcast on K4HD Radio (www.k4hd.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). Inspire Vision Podcast TV Show is viewed on Talk 4 TV (www.talk4tv.com). Inspire Vision Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.
Rachel Bernstein is a licensed marriage‑and‑family therapist in Los Angeles and a seasoned cult specialist with more than 35 years of experience. Rachel specializes in helping individuals exit authoritarian cults and narcissistic relationships and begin healing. She works on a one-on-one basis, hosts group therapy sessions, and speaks more broadly through education and media appearances. Rachel also hosts the weekly podcast, IndoctriNation, which explores cults, manipulators, and strategies for protecting oneself from systems of control. Over the course of the show, she has interviewed hundreds of cult survivors, journalists, and experts. Through the years, I've had the pleasure of working with Rachel on cases, witnessing firsthand the depth of her expertise and her commitment to empowering survivors. “I never thought this would be happening in the United States, that people would be looking for ways to escape for their safety,” Rachel observed of recent national events. We discussed the assaults on peaceful protesters and the recent killing of Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. Rachel noted that her own children, who are within the trans community, worried about their personal safety, and many in different communities are looking for routes of citizenship to other countries. Rachel also noted the quote from Kamala Harris about Trump turning the military against his own country, and how that was once deemed “hysterical”; now, it is spot-on predictive. Her newest book, Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation, combines psychoeducation, therapist notes, journaling prompts, and integration practices into a self‑paced guide for individuals emerging or healing from a manipulative relationship. The accompanying Companion Notebook offers additional activities and provides space for personal reflection and notes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When the world feels like it's on fire, codependency can look like “staying informed,” “staying useful,” and carrying everyone else's feelings, but it's often just overfunctioning in the face of chaos. And collapsing doesn't make you more compassionate.In Episode 3, Vanessa Bennett, LMFT offers a grounding reset for anxious times: you are not required to carry the whole world to prove your goodness, your compassion, or your worth. You're allowed to pause, breathe, hydrate, sleep, laugh, and step away from doomscrolling long enough to come back intact. Recovery isn't disengagement. It's learning how to hold yourself in the storm so you can act from integrity instead of urgency, and show up for others from a rooted place.If this landed, follow the show, share it, and leave a rating or review.Additional ResourcesExplore: VanessaBennett.comBook: The Motherhood MythCommunity: Inner Compass CollectiveTraining: Inner Compass AcademyConnect with Inner CompassFollow on InstagramConnect with Vanessa Bennett:Follow on InstagramFollow on TikTokLearn more on SubstackConnect with Vanessa Bennett on LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In today's episode, I welcome my friend Marcella Cox back to the podcast. Marcella is a certified IFS therapist, approved consultant, and somatic IFS assistant trainer. She's also a certified Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and Rest and Restore provider, and the lead author of the new guidelines for integrating IFS with these listening therapies. We talk about: The basics of polyvagal theory How our nervous system states impact our parts Why co-regulation is central to healing The difference between SSP (connection to others) and Rest and Restore (connection to Self) How listening therapies can support safety in the body and allow more Self Energy to emerge I also share my own experience trying SSP with Marcella. I experienced some surprising physical shifts and insights that came up after a few short listening sessions. If you're curious about nervous system regulation and how it can deepen your IFS work, I think you'll really appreciate this conversation. About Marcella Cox Marcella Cox, LMFT, is a therapist, author, and presenter devoted to exploring the intersection of embodiment, trauma healing, and eating disorder recovery. She is a Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist, an Approved IFS Clinical Consultant, and an Assistant Trainer for Somatic IFS, the model developed by Susan McConnell. She provides consultation and leads workshops, trainings, and retreats for professionals on IFS for disordered eating, Somatic IFS, and integrating IFS with the Safe & Sound Protocol and is the lead author of the IFS and Listening Therapies (Safe and Sound Protocol and Rest and Restore Protocol) Combined Delivery Guidelines, published through Unyte in January 2026. Marcella is the founder and executive director of Kindful Body, which provides online therapy and nutrition counseling for eating and body concerns in California. She is also the co-founder of the IFS Consultation Collective, offering weekly consultation with IFS lead trainers. To learn more about combining IFS and Unyte's listening therapies: https://integratedlistening.com/resources/ifs-and-listening-therapies/ Marcella's SSP & IFS groups: https://www.kindfulbody.com/somatic-ifs-and-ssp-group/ Sign up for Marcella's newsletter to find out about upcoming offerings Kindful Body on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kindfulbody/ Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by Therapy Training Boston. Therapy Training Boston offers live, in-person, and online workshops, plus consultation for therapists and other helping professionals, designed to support you as a whole person while satisfying your CE requirements. All of their offerings are taught with an eye toward context, power, and relational justice, and draw on the family systems theories and best practices that shaped the IFS model. They also offer an Intensive Certificate Program in Couples and Family Therapy to help you build confidence and capacity in community. About The One Inside I started this podcast to help spread IFS out into the world and make the model more accessible to everyone. Seven years later, that's still at the heart of all we do. Join The One Inside Substack community for bonus conversations, extended interviews, meditations, and more. Find Self-Led merch at The One Inside store. Listen to episodes and watch clips on YouTube. Follow me on Instagram @ifstammy or on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger. I co-create The One Inside with Jeff Schrum, a Level 2 IFS practitioner and coach. Resources New to IFS? My book, The One Inside: Thirty Days to Your Authentic Self, is a great place to start. Want a free meditation? Sign up for my email list and get "Get to Know a Should Part" right away. Sponsorship Want to sponsor an episode of The One Inside? Email Tammy.
FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:
318 | Diego Vitelli, LMFT Today I'm joined by Diego Vitelli, a Colombian adoptee and adoptee-focused therapist. Diego shares his own adoption story with us, including what it has looked like for him to have been assigned an artificial date of birth. We also talk about the accuracy of using terms like "reunion" and "adoption trauma". Full Show Notes and Transcript Here Join our adoptee community on Patreon here Check out our upcoming live events here! Find out more about Adoptees for Family Preservation here! Support Haley's new podcast here! This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing stated on it, either by its hosts or any guests, is to be construed as psychological, medical or legal advice. Please seek out professionals in those fields if you need those services. The views expressed by the hosts of Adoptees On or any guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organization or other person unless otherwise stated.
Are you supporting a loved one through eating disorder recovery and feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to help? In this episode, Tiffany Phillips, LMFT, founder of Restoring Hope Therapy Services, shares the step-by-step strategies she uses in her sessions with families, based on Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), an evidenced-based approach originally developed by Dr. Adele LaFrance, PhD and Dr. Joanne Dolhanty, PhD. From understanding emotional “blocks” to mastering emotion coaching, Tiffany explains how parents, partners, and loved ones can validate big emotions, apologize therapeutically, and break unhelpful communication patterns. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone you love, or a provider seeking practical tools, this episode offers emotion-focused strategies to deepen connection, repair emotional wounds, and promote lasting recovery. To learn more about Tiffany, visit: https://restoringhopetherapy.org If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends and colleagues! Interested in being a guest on All Bodies. All Foods.? Email podcast@renfrewcenter.com for a chance to be featured. All Bodies. All Foods. is a podcast by The Renfrew Center. Visit us at: https://renfrewcenter.com/
Brad Kammer, LMFT, LPCC, is a licensed psychotherapist, educator, and the Founder and Director of the Complex Trauma Training Center. He's the co-author of The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma and executive producer of the Transforming Trauma podcast.For more than 25 years, Brad has worked at the intersection of psychology, neurobiology, and somatics—training therapists worldwide through the NARM® model and his SPACE Program for inner development. Beginning his career in humanitarian aid work across Asia, he's dedicated his life to understanding and transforming complex trauma and the effects of early adversity.Brad lives in Northern California with his family and finds balance through music, food, travel, and time outdoors.In This EpisodeBrad's websiteThe Workbook for Healing Developmental Trauma: Tools and Techniques from the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARMBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you'd like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.appArizona Trauma Institute at https://aztrauma.org/
Tiffany McLain, LMFT, and I have a frank conversation about why filling a practice is harder right now, how big therapy tech is reshaping the industry, and why an optimized solo practice often beats chasing passive income or group practice growth. PS: You can also find this episode over on Tiffany's The Money Sessions podcast. I highly recommend exploring all the incredible content there! It's an absolute treasure trove, y'all. Sponsored by TherapyNotes®: Looking to switch EHRs? Try TherapyNotes® for 2 months free by using promo code ABUNDANT at therapynotes.com. Ready to fill your practice faster? Join the Abundance Party today and get 99% off your first month with promo code PODCAST: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/abundanceparty
In episode 616, depth psychotherapist and astrologer Shawna McGrath, LMFT (she/her) is joined by astrologer and scholar Kenneth Miller (he/him), MA, ACVA II, Jyotish Kovid. We discuss our thoughts about working with the tarot as a spiritual practice as we prepare for our upcoming course on this topic. Please enjoy this episode!
In episode 617, depth psychotherapist and astrologer Shawna McGrath, LMFT (she/her) talks about eclipses from a symbolic and depth psychological perspective.
In this solo episode, Dr. Marianne Miller explores how the Emmy-winning and Golden Globe–winning medical drama The Pitt portrays eating disorders, emergency medicine, and bias in ways that feel both culturally meaningful and clinically relevant. She reflects on how the show separates two critical themes across seasons: the medical system's tendency to miss eating disorders in Black women, and the role of weight bias in emergency department diagnosis and care. Drawing from years of clinical experience, Dr. Miller discusses how many clients first encounter medical crisis in emergency rooms, often because of dangerously low heart rates, dizziness, fainting, or other complications linked to disordered eating. She explains how ER responses vary widely, and how bias, time pressure, and assumptions about body size or race can shape whether clinicians recognize eating disorder symptoms. The episode highlights a season two storyline in which a Black woman presents to the ER without classic eating disorder signs, making diagnosis more complex. Dr. Marianne examines why missing textbook symptoms often leads clinicians to overlook bulimia and other eating disorders, especially in populations that medicine historically underdiagnoses. She also reflects on how the show names this reality directly and why that representation matters for visibility, validation, and future care. Dr. Marianne then turns to season one's depiction of a physician challenging a resident's assumption that body weight predicts health. She explores how medical weight bias affects diagnosis, delays treatment, and reinforces stigma in emergency medicine. She also shares the change she wishes the episode had made, noting that many people with bulimia live in bodies that are not thin, and that anti-fat bias and racial bias together create additional barriers for Black women seeking care. Throughout the episode, Dr. Marianne centers a liberation-informed lens that honors intersectionality, context, nervous system safety, and autonomy in eating disorder recovery. She invites listeners to consider how accurate media representation can shift clinical awareness and expand who medicine recognizes as deserving care. You can watch The Pitt on HBO and HBO Max. Topics Covered in This Episode Eating disorders in Black women Missed diagnosis in emergency medicine Low heart rate and medical risk in eating disorders Bulimia without classic symptoms Medical weight bias in ER care Race, stigma, and underdiagnosis Media representation and clinical awareness Liberation-informed eating disorder therapy Related Episodes Boundaries, Therapy While Black, & Eating Disorders with Kaela Farrise, LMFT on Apple and Spotify. Avoidance, Body Image Standards, & the Notion of the Strong, Black Woman with Jasmine Jacquess, MA, PLPC on Apple and Spotify. Recommended Books -Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat: A Story of Bulimia, by Stephanie Covington-Armstrong -The Body Is Not An Apology, 2nd ed., by Sonya Renee Taylor -Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia, by Dr. Sabrina Strings Resources and Support If you are looking for eating disorder therapy that centers intersectionality, lived context, and liberation-informed care, you can learn more about working with Dr. Marianne Miller through therapy or consultation on her website, drmariannemiller.com. Her approach honors autonomy, neurodivergence, trauma history, body diversity, and systemic realities that shape recovery. You deserve care that sees the full picture of your life, not just symptoms on a chart.
How Social Conditioning Teaches Women to Ignore Their Own NeedsIn this powerful and deeply validating episode, Julie explores how social conditioning shapes women's lives in ways that often go unrecognized.From an early age, many women are taught to be agreeable, accommodating, and easy to be around. Over time, this conditioning can lead to overriding, dismissing, or ignoring their own needs in order to maintain connection and avoid discomfort for others.Julie explains how this pattern becomes automatic, how masking develops as a survival strategy in childhood, and the significant internal cost that is often invisible from the outside. She introduces the concept of capacity versus demand, helping listeners understand how chronic overload occurs when life demands exceed what the nervous system can sustainably manage.This episode also explores why so many women are treated for multiple conditions such as anxiety, depression, burnout, and chronic health issues without recognizing the underlying pattern. Without understanding neurotype, needs go unmet, and the wrong framework is applied, often leading to ongoing suffering.Julie shares how many women reach a breaking point where their system can no longer sustain the load, and how this moment often leads to the realization of an autistic neurotype, particularly in those with high-masking and internal presentations that have historically been missed.She also discusses the lack of clinical training in recognizing autism in women, the limitations of deficit-based models, and why a shift toward a neurodiversity-affirming understanding is essential. Using the analogy of biodiversity, Julie highlights how different neurotypes bring valuable strengths when supported in the right environments.Julie shares the exciting news of her upcoming clinical book, coming out in summer 2027, which will help clinicians better understand, identify, and support autistic women. This moment reflects a larger shift toward recognizing the gaps that have caused harm and moving toward more accurate, compassionate care.This episode offers both clarity and hope, helping listeners understand their experiences in a new way and begin reconnecting with their needs, their nervous system, and themselves.About JulieJulie Bjelland, LMFT, is a psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. She specializes in high sensitivity and adult-discovered autism, especially in women, with a focus on helping people understand their nervous system, reduce overwhelm, and build self-trust.Julie is the creator of the Sensitive & Neurodivergent Community, a global support space offering connection, education, and resources for those exploring high sensitivity, autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence.She provides autism assessments for women and offers a wide range of resources including courses, free classes, a top-ranked podcast, and educational content designed to support deeper self-understanding and meaningful change.Julie is a proud neurodivergent and queer therapist who is passionate about shifting the conversation toward neurodiversity-affirming care. Her upcoming clinical book on autistic women will be published in summer 2027 and aims to transform how clinicians understand, identify, and support high-masking and late-discovered autistic women.Learn more at JulieBjelland.com
Ep. 56. Justin Gregory Briggs, Ph.D., LMFT and his co-hosts talk about the power of inner narratives in an episode called "Rewrite." Discover how rewriting your inner narrative can boost life satisfaction and mental health without straying from facts and reality. This episode features Seth Frank and Dr. Dave Morgan.
Do you ever wonder if God is actually speaking to you, or if you're just making it up? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623), explores how every baptized Catholic has the ability to hear God's voice through the power of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from his experience in Encounter School Ministry and years of integrating faith with therapy, Adam challenges the belief that God is distant or silent. He shares practical wisdom on cultivating daily listening prayer, discerning God's voice from other influences, and responding to the Father's heart for your personal healing. Topics covered: Your baptismal identity as priest, prophet, and king What prophetic ministry really means for everyday Catholics Practical steps to listen for God's voice daily How to discern what you're hearing through peace and good fruit Common obstacles that prevent us from hearing God Why God speaks directly to our wounds and healing journey Whether you're new to listening prayer or have struggled to hear God clearly, this episode offers hope-filled encouragement that your Heavenly Father wants to speak to you right now. Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623
There's a version of love many of us were trained into: the kind you earn. Be agreeable, be impressive, don't need too much, don't make waves. When belonging becomes conditional, love becomes performance, and shame becomes the inner enforcer that keeps you “good,” useful, and exhausted.In Episode 2, Vanessa Bennett, LMFT explores how conditional belonging turns intimacy into obedience and management, why being “low maintenance” is often a survival strategy, and how over-attunement (often mislabeled as being an “empath”) can be a trauma response rooted in vigilance. You'll learn the difference between healthy empathy vs trauma empathy, how to spot the somatic signs you're performing safety, and two experiments to move from performance to presence: the pause and one honest sentence.If this landed, follow the show, share it, and leave a rating or review.Additional ResourcesExplore: VanessaBennett.comBook: The Motherhood MythCommunity: Inner Compass CollectiveTraining: Inner Compass AcademyConnect with Inner CompassFollow on InstagramConnect with Vanessa Bennett:Follow on InstagramFollow on TikTokLearn more on SubstackConnect with Vanessa Bennett on LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trauma-informed leadership, psychological safety, and accountability in group practice culture. The TL;DR takeaway from today's episode is: to change the systems and institutions harming us, we must commit to the work. All of it, the intra- and interpersonal. Poonam Natha can help us with this assignment. She views "the work" as a lifelong process of balancing individualism and collectivism rather than choosing one over the other. Poonam's nuanced opinion is rooted in her lived experience as the eldest daughter of immigrant parents and a self-described cycle-breaker. GUEST BIO Poonam Natha, LMFT, is a co-founder of Level Up Leaders Inc. She aims to support group practice owners to cultivate psychological safety values-aligned workplaces by stepping into their authentic leadership with clarity, compassion, and courage. Along with her co-founder, Julianne Guso, their philosophy of trauma-informed leadership begins with honoring your own humanity so you can honor the humanity of your team. Join our Authentic Leaders Group! Next cohort starts May 1, 2026. This is a journey of self-discovery and leadership mastery, where you'll not only enhance your leadership skills but also forge meaningful connections with fellow therapists who are committed to their own growth and the betterment of the therapy field. Apply now! Thank you to The Therapist Network for sponsoring the show! The Therapist Network is a global community built by and for therapists. You'll find live consult groups, an ever-growing library of workshops and courses, plus a community that really sees you. Sarah's group, Tending to the Wounded Healer, meets every other Monday from 1–2pm CT, and it's a space to explore the intersection of your lived experience and your clinical work. So if you want to feel more supported and less alone, visit TheTherapist.Network—or join Sarah's group directly at tinyurl.com/HealerConsultTTN. SUPPORT THE SHOW Conversations With a Wounded Healer Merch Join our Patreon for gifts & perks Shop our Bookshop.org store and support local booksellers Share a rating & review on Apple Podcasts *** Let's be friends! You can find me in the following places… Website Facebook @headheartbiztherapy Instagram @headheartbiztherapy
Inner Compass is a depth psychology and relationships podcast with Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, for people who are tired of self-improvement that leaves their lives unchanged.Each episode explores codependency, attachment, boundaries, intimacy, shame, desire, resentment, and nervous system patterns - alongside the cultural myths shaping love, worth, womanhood, and power.Grounded, direct, and reflective, Inner Compass bridges depth psychology, lived experience, and cultural analysis without reducing healing to “tools and tips.” This is a space for honest inquiry, not performance - and for rebuilding an inner compass you can actually trust.Follow the show to receive new episodes weekly.For educational purposes only. This podcast is not therapy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Most of us were raised inside an invisible contract: if you try hard enough, improve yourself enough, and play your role well enough, you'll be loved, safe, and chosen. So we become diligent students of “better.” Better habits. Better productivity. Better mindset. Better communication.But when that contract stops working, it's not a personal failure. It's often the psyche refusing to keep participating. In Episode 1, Vanessa Bennett, LMFT explores the difference between growth and self-optimization as a survival strategy, how people-pleasing and overfunctioning once kept you attached, and why your anxiety, burnout, or identity unraveling may be a threshold into something more honest. You'll leave with prompts and one “micro-moment” practice to start rebuilding an inner compass you can trust.If this landed, follow the show, share it, and leave a rating or review.Additional ResourcesExplore: VanessaBennett.comBook: The Motherhood MythCommunity: Inner Compass CollectiveTraining: Inner Compass AcademyConnect with Inner CompassFollow on InstagramConnect with Vanessa Bennett:Follow on InstagramFollow on TikTokSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OCD is often misunderstood as being about cleanliness, checking, or perfectionism. In this episode, Dr. Taz sits down with therapist and author Melissa Mose, LMFT, to unpack why OCD is frequently misdiagnosed for over a decade and what's really happening beneath the surface of obsessions and compulsions. Melissa's book Internal Family Systems Therapy for OCD bridges compassionate parts-based work with proven science to offer a richer path to lasting change.Using clear science and compassionate explanations, this conversation explores how OCD hijacks the brain through a cycle of alarm and relief, why reassurance and family accommodation can quietly reinforce symptoms, and what actually works in treatment. Melissa breaks down why talk therapy alone often fails OCD, how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) retrains the nervous system, and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) adds depth, self-compassion, and relational healing to recovery.In this hol+ conversation, Dr. Taz sits down with therapist, educator, and author Melissa Mose, LMFT, to unpack what OCD really is and why it often goes undiagnosed for over a decade. Melissa shares why OCD disguises itself as “just anxiety,” how well-meaning reassurance can quietly reinforce the disorder, and why many people spend years in talk therapy without real relief.Using clear science and compassionate language, this episode explores how OCD operates through a cycle of alarm and relief, why the brain learns to depend on compulsions, and how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps retrain the nervous system. Melissa also explains how Internal Family Systems (IFS) adds a relational, self-compassionate layer to treatment, helping people work with their inner world instead of battling it.This conversation also looks at the bigger picture. OCD does not exist in isolation. Dr. Taz and Melissa explore how neuroinflammation, PANS and PANDAS, hormonal shifts, trauma, ADHD, eating disorders, and chronic stress can overlap with or intensify OCD symptoms. They discuss why intrusive thoughts can be disturbing and taboo, why intolerance of uncertainty sits at the core of OCD, and how relationships and intimacy are often quietly impacted.From shame and self-blame to clarity and support, this episode offers a grounded reframe of OCD as a treatable condition rooted in brain-body patterns, not personal failure. Whether you are seeking help for yourself, supporting someone you love, or trying to understand OCD beyond the stereotypes, this conversation replaces fear with understanding and helplessness with practical pathways forward.Dr. Taz and Melissa Mose, LMFT discuss: Why OCD often goes undiagnosed for 11 to 17 years How reassurance and family accommodation make OCD worse The obsession-compulsion cycle and why it gets reinforced Why talk therapy alone often fails OCD What ERP actually does to retrain the brain How Internal Family Systems supports compassion and healing The role of uncertainty intolerance in OCD How OCD affects families, partners, and intimacy Neuroinflammation, PANS, PANDAS, hormones, and symptom flares Why intrusive thoughts do not define who you areAbout Melissa Mose, LMFT Melissa Mose is a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, and specialist in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she works with individuals and families navigating OCD and anxiety, and trains clinicians in evidence-based treatment approaches. Melissa integrates Exposure and Response Prevention with Internal Family Systems to support deep, sustainable change that goes beyond symptom management. Melissa is the author of Internal Family Systems Therapy for OCD: A Clinician's Guide, a resource designed to help therapists bring compassion, parts-based awareness, and relational healing into gold-standard OCD treatment.Stay Connected:Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.Follow Melissa Mose, LMFT Learn more about Melissa's work: https://melissamosemft.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissamosemftFollow Dr. Taz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribeSubscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcastsGet your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and MenopauseHost & Production TeamHost: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)
Marriage has a way of bringing both our deepest joy—and our deepest pain—to the surface. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the same frustrating patterns, wondering why you keep ending up here, you’re not alone. In honor of National Marriage Week, I want to share a meaningful conversation from The Love Offering Podcast with Ron Deal about his book, The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself. This book—and our conversation—is especially powerful because it’s rooted in both neuroscience and biblical truth. Ron openly shares how the devastating loss of their child nearly shattered his marriage, pushing him into painful and destructive cycles he and his wife Nan didn’t know how to stop. At their breaking point, they found help through Restoration Therapy, developed by pioneering therapists Dr. Terry Hargrave and Sharon Hargrave, LMFT—a model that has helped millions learn emotional mindfulness and self-regulation in relationships. Real change in marriage begins not by fixing your spouse, but by understanding and managing yourself in moments of emotional distress. Ron and Nan, alongside the Hargraves, challenge many popular myths about how relationships work and offer a proven path to healing, connection, and lasting love. If you’re longing for a stronger, healthier marriage—or simply want to love your spouse more faithfully—this conversation is for you. My prayer this National Marriage Week is that you would be encouraged to believe that healing is possible, patterns can be broken, and love can grow again—even in the places that feel tender or worn. Much love, Rachael Connect with Ron: https://rondeal.org/about Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download your free Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ National Marriage Week: https://www.marriageweek.org/ Grab Your Every Woman's Bible: https://hubs.la/Q0427vjP0 Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Why does your spouse get to want things while you're drowning in responsibility? That resentment you feel watching your partner pursue hobbies while you manage everything isn't petty—it reveals what Tony identifies as one of the "fundamental wounds" in modern marriages: the split between duty and desire. Through the story of Sarah and Michael—a couple weeks from divorce—Tony explores how one partner can become a pure, exhausting obligation while the other escapes into hollow pleasures. Both are starving for what the other has, but neither can see it. You'll discover why the "serpent's trick" convinces us that what we want and what we should do are enemies when they were always meant to work together. In this episode, you'll learn: Why feeling like "a machine that keeps everyone running" signals you've lost connection to your own desires—and why reclaiming them is actually part of your duty as a parent and partner The difference between discipline that crushes your soul and discipline that creates freedom (hint: it depends on whether it's aligned with your actual values or just "socially compliant goals") How asking "what can I do to help?" often puts the mental load right back on your overwhelmed spouse. Why Michael's gaming and biking felt hollow even though Sarah assumed he was "living his best life." The concept of impermanence—and why accepting that your beliefs will evolve is liberating, not threatening Tony Overbay, LMFT, draws from over 20 years of couples therapy and 1,500+ couples to share the exact framework that helped Sarah and Michael move from combat to connection. Ready to stop the cycle? Join the Magnetic Marriage waitlist at tonyoverbay.com/magnetic and learn what you don't know you don't know about reconnecting with your partner. 00:00 Introduction and Host Background 00:35 Common Relationship Challenges 01:53 The Magnetic Marriage Program 02:59 Today's Episode: Overwhelmed by Responsibilities 03:37 Meet Sarah and Michael: A Struggling Couple 03:57 Sarah's Perspective: Duty Over Desire 13:12 Michael's Perspective: Desire Over Duty 17:49 The Core Wound: Duty vs. Desire 21:50 Connecting to Universal Archetypes 28:10 Embracing Change and Growth 28:26 Embracing Impermanence 28:45 Healing Through Change 29:34 The Paradox of Certainty 29:55 Sarah and Michael's Journey 32:20 The Garden of Eden Metaphor 33:07 The Serpent's Trick 34:40 Modern Examples of Duty vs. Desire 38:00 The Role of Discipline 40:42 Integrating Duty and Desire 48:42 Personal Reflections on Duty 49:53 Values vs. Socially Compliant Goals 54:05 Sarah and Michael's Progress 56:24 Conclusion and Call to Action Get on the waitlist today for Tony's upcoming Magnetic Marriage live course! Head to https://tonyoverbay.com/magnetic Contact Tony at contact@tonyoverbay.com to learn more about his Emotional Architects men's group.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our January Jumpstart series so far, and that you’ve been able to step into the new year with ease and intention. To wrap up the series, we're excited to share a few conversations that we had with some amazing women. Today, we’re talking about identity. You’ll hear from Nina Westbrook, LMFT and Oludara Adeeyo, LCSW on what it looks like to ask yourself, “Who am I?” and begin to search for the answers. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements If this episode resonated, JOIN US ON PATREON for a deeper conversation on getting clearer on who you are and what you value. Where to Find Our Guests Oludara Adeeyo, LCSW IG - @oludaraadeeyo Website - oludaraadeeyo.com Nina Westbrook, LMFT IG - @ninawestbrook Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Gabrielle Collins Director of Podcast & Digital Content: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.