In this episode I?m joined by writer and former Wall Street professional Joanne Redding to discuss her powerful memoir House of Pretend, releasing May 19th. Joanne shares the heartbreaking story of losing her father to suicide when she was just six years old, growing up in a home where grief was silenced, and later discovering the truth her mother had hidden from her for years. She speaks candidly about emotional neglect, family trauma, losing her brother to suicide as well, and the long journey of healing through trauma therapy and self understanding. Together we talk about the survival mechanisms so many people develop after trauma, including pretending everything is okay, emotional armor, perfectionism, and pushing through pain in high pressure environments. We discuss how grief never truly disappears but instead comes in waves, the importance of crying and releasing emotion, the impact of EMDR therapy, and how mental illness should be treated with compassion rather than shame. Joanne also shares the signs and moments of connection she still feels with the loved ones she has lost. This episode is an honest and emotional conversation about resilience, healing, kindness, and learning how to keep going even after unimaginable loss. If you or someone you love is struggling, please know there is help available and you are not alone. Reach out, talk to someone you trust, and remember that healing is possible. For questions, topic ideas, or stories  Learn more and pre-order Joanne?s book House Of Pretend: A Memoir here: https://joannereddingauthor.com/  I?d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you?d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you?re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #ChildhoodTrauma #Grief #GriefJourney #SuicideLoss #SuicideAwareness #988Lifeline #YouAreNotAlone #HouseOfPretend #JoanneRedding #TraumaRecovery #EMDR #Therapy #Healing #Resilience #EmotionalHealing #BreakTheSilence #MentalIllnessAwareness #KindnessMatters #SelfReflection #HopeAfterLoss #PodcastEpisode #MentalHealthPodcast #WomenWhoWrite #Memoir #AuthorInterview #GriefSupport #CPTSDAwareness #EmotionalWellness #HealingIsPossible #SurvivorStory #ChooseCompassion #RealConversations #PodcastCommunity #JoanneRedding #HouseOfPretend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I welcome wellness advocate Kavita Sahai, founder of Vibe Tribes, along with Dr.Azin Shah Shaw, a gynecologist and urogynecologist specializing in perimenopause and menopause, for an honest and empowering conversation about women?s health, hormones, mental health, and what it really means to thrive in midlife. I talk openly about my own experiences with fibroids, my hysterectomy, weight gain, depression, and hormone therapy, while sharing why I believe mental health, fitness, nervous system regulation, and hormone health are all deeply connected. Kavita shares how her own struggles with symptoms like brain fog inspired her to create Vibe Tribes, a daily wellness platform designed to help women feel more balanced, energized, and connected to themselves again. We discuss how simple, bite sized practices like breathwork, meditation, movement, mindfulness, and education can help regulate the nervous system and create meaningful changes in both physical and emotional well being.  Dr. Shah brings both medical expertise and compassion to the conversation as we discuss the realities of perimenopause and menopause, including sleep struggles, anxiety, mood changes, and the importance of self advocacy in women?s healthcare. She explains how progesterone and magnesium can support better sleep and nervous system health, while also emphasizing the powerful connection between the mind and body.  Find out more on: https://vibestribe.co/  Follow Kavita on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavitasahai/  and Find out more about Dr. Shah: https://asktia.com/team/Azin-Shahryarinejad/  I?d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me or any topics you?d like discussed, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #JudgingMeghan #MeghanJudge #WomensHealth #Perimenopause #Menopause #HormoneHealth #HormoneTherapy #HRT #MentalHealth #MidlifeWellness #WellnessJourney #HealthyAging #SelfAdvocacy #WomenSupportingWomen #VibeTribes #KavitaSahai #DrShaw #Gynecology #Urogynecology #NervousSystemRegulation #MindBodyConnection #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #CPTSDAwareness #BrainFog #SleepHealth #Magnesium #Progesterone #EstrogenPatch #HormoneBalance #MidlifeWomen #MenopauseSupport #FitnessAndWellness #MentalWellness #WomenOver40 #WomenOver50 #EmpoweredWomen #SelfCare #Mindfulness #Breathwork #Meditation #HolisticHealth #WellnessPodcast #PodcastEpisode #HealthPodcast #WomenEmpowerment #Healing #ThriveInMidlife #YouAreNotAlone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with award winning trial lawyer, civil rights advocate, and podcast host Robert ?Bob? Simon for an urgent and deeply honest conversation about justice, truth, activism, and the state of our country. What begins as a discussion about politics becomes something much bigger as we talk about right and wrong, human dignity, and why staying silent is no longer an option. Bob shares his journey from a working class upbringing in Pittsburgh to becoming a respected attorney who fights for survivors, victims, and communities harmed by abuse and injustice. We discuss the power of the courtroom, the importance of accountability, and how ordinary people can create real change when institutions fail them. From immigration and the treatment of vulnerable communities to ICE abuse cases, corporate negligence, and misinformation, Bob offers insight into the battles happening behind the scenes and why advocacy matters now more than ever. We also talk about propaganda, media influence, and the dangerous rise of artificial intelligence being used to spread fear, lies, and division. I open up about my own journey from avoiding politics to becoming increasingly outspoken about the issues shaping our everyday lives, especially as a mother and trauma survivor living with complex PTSD. Protecting democracy, empathy, and human rights feels deeply personal to me, and this conversation reflects why. We also dive into California politics, homelessness, mental health, voting, consumer protections, and how local leadership can create meaningful change faster than many people realize. Follow Bob here: https://www.instagram.com/planetfunbob/  Listen to Bob?s podcast Bourbon Of Proof on all podcast platforms. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #RobertSimon #BobSimon #Podcast #PodcastHost #NewEpisode #MustListen #JusticeMatters #Truth #TruthWins #SpeakTruth #UseYourVoice #YourVoiceMatters #BeTheChange #ChangeStartsLocal #StayInformed #CivicEngagement #Vote2026 #VoteLocal #ElectionSeason #DemocracyMatters #ProtectDemocracy #HumanDignity #CivilRightsAdvocate #Equality #WomenMatter #EndMisogyny #ProtectFamilies #ProtectChildren #ParentingToday#OnlineSafety #SocialMediaAwareness #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #CPTSDAwareness #Resilience #Strength #HopeInHardTimes #CompassionWins #CommunityMatters #StandUp #DoTheRightThing #BourbonOfProof #RealTalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with mental health advocate and founder Juliette Blake of Moxies for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about resilience, empathy, and raising children in a rapidly changing digital world. Juliette opens up about her childhood in Connecticut and how early experiences, including her time as a Girl Scout and being raised by hardworking parents, shaped her drive, empathy, and entrepreneurial spirit. She reflects on how those foundations carried into adulthood, influencing both her career path and her perspective as a mother of three. A major focus of the conversation is the impact of technology and social media on mental health, especially for children and teens. Juliette breaks down how many platforms are designed to maximize attention and engagement, often creating addictive patterns that can negatively affect mood, confidence, and emotional regulation in developing brains. She also introduces Moxies as a safe-by-design digital platform for tween girls that prioritizes well-being over screen time and engagement metrics. Together, we explore the challenges parents face in navigating technology today and emphasize the importance of empathy, digital literacy, and intentional design in building a healthier digital future for the next generation. Follow Julliette at: https://www.instagram.com/julietteblake_/  Learn more about Moxies here: https://joinmoxies.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnGKLmsmGKADlOPaIlQgWhgW947h9fm5vk9xX_2UlWgFFm9Su4Qn5Ny_wBkhY_aem_xhFo-FhW6Iu5sc1EKIRo6g  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #JudgingMeghan #MeghanJudge #JulietteBlake #MoxieApp #Moxie #PodcastEpisode #NewPodcast #ListenNow #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #ChildrensMentalHealth #TeenMentalHealth #DigitalWellbeing #DigitalSafety #OnlineSafety #SafeByDesign #TechAndKids #KidsAndTechnology #SocialMediaAwareness #SocialMediaImpact #ScreenTime #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #ModernParenting #ConsciousParenting #ParentingTips #RaisingGirls #TweenGirls #GirlEmpowerment #ConfidenceForGirls #KindnessMatters #EmpathyMatters #EmotionalWellness #Resilience #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #ComplexPTSD #GrowthAndHealing #WomenSupportingWomen #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounder #MomLife #WorkingMoms #GenAlpha #FutureOfTech #AIandKids #DigitalLiteracy #HealthyHabits #PositiveParenting #MindfulTechnology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this revisited episode from November of 2025 I had sat down with Dr. Celeste Birkhofer, a licensed clinical psychologist, longtime Stanford educator, mother, and upcoming author whose work centers on grief, suicide prevention, and the emotional weight of perfectionism. Dr. Celeste opens up about growing up in a military family, navigating a parent?s alcoholism, and how her own experiences with depression, compulsive exercise, and an eating disorder eventually led her into psychology. She also shares her forty?year marriage, a partnership strengthened through separation, therapy, and hard-won healing. The heart of our conversation is the greatest loss of her life: the death of her son, Wiley, who fought bipolar two disorder with everything he had for nine years. Dr. Celeste speaks with heartbreaking honesty about his vibrant childhood, his acceptance into Stanford, the onset of his illness, and the unpredictable nature of suicidal ideation. She talks about the day Wiley died, the grief that reshaped her family, and the fears she faced returning to work as a therapist while questioning everything she believed about mental health treatment. We explore the complexity of suicide grief, the stigma that deepens the pain, and the small everyday mercies that slowly help you breathe again. She shares how her loss softened her, slowed her down, and shifted her spirituality, including the signs from Wiley that still show up in the most beautiful ways. This conversation is honest, grounding, emotional, and filled with compassion. It is for anyone who has lost someone to suicide, loves someone living with mental illness, or simply wants to understand grief on a deeper, more human level. It is a reminder that healing is not about perfection but about awareness, connection, and extending kindness to ourselves, especially on the days we feel anything but kind. Stay tuned for more information on Celeste?s upcoming book ?Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Inner Resources for Good Mental Health & A Fulfilling LIfe? on her site: https://www.drcelestebirkhofer.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #GriefSupport #SuicideAwareness #MindfulLiving #EmotionalWellness #SelfCompassion #MentalHealthAwareness #Resilience #LifeAfterLoss #TherapistTalks #HumanExperience #InnerStrength #MentalHealthResources #OvercomingLoss #MentalWellness #TraumaRecovery #ParentingThroughLoss #BipolarAwareness #MentalHealthEducation #EmotionalHealing #FindingHope #CopingWithGrief #HealingTogether #EndTheStigma #Wellbeing #MentalHealthCommunity #SelfCareJourney #PersonalGrowth #FaithAndHealing #DrCelesteBirkhofer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with author, activist, and leader Deborah Santana for an honest conversation about resilience, identity, and what it truly means to keep going after life tries to break you. Deborah shares the foundation of her strength, growing up in a family rooted in hard work, faith, and perseverance. From generational stories of resilience to her mother?s experience as a farmworker in California, those early lessons instilled a deep sense of independence and purpose. We talk about her memoir Loving the Fire and the idea that life?s most painful moments can also be transformative, pushing us through the fire and into growth on the other side. We also dive into her marriage to musician, Carlos Santana, her own identity, and what it means to remain your own person, even when your life is intertwined with someone well known. After more than three decades of marriage, Deborah reflects on how she maintained her independence, building a full and meaningful life through motherhood, friendships, creativity, and community. Her spirituality is at the core of it all, from her roots in Christianity to meditation and deep inner work, she shares how staying connected to that inner voice has guided her through every transition and challenge. From becoming an ?accidental? documentary filmmaker to traveling the world and advocating for marginalized communities, Deborah?s journey is a testament to growth, curiosity, and purpose. We talk about her work with the Smithsonian, her passion for equity, and the importance of using your voice to create change. At its heart, this episode is about motherhood, legacy, and hope, holding both rage and faith in difficult times while still choosing light. It is a reminder that it is never too late to choose yourself, to evolve, and to step fully into the life you are meant to live. Learn more about deborah and her new memoir ?Loving The Fire? here: https://deborahsantana.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #CPTSDRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #EmotionalHealing #SurvivorToThriver #FindYourVoice #OwnYourStory #WomenSupportingWomen #FemaleEmpowerment #Resilience #InnerStrength #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #SpiritualHealing #FaithAndHealing #ChooseYourself #HealingIsPossible #GrowthMindset #DeborahSantana #PurposeDrivenLife #Advocacy #UseYourVoice #InspirationDaily #RealConversations #PodcastCommunity #YouAreNotAlone #LovingTheFire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I?m joined by author, advocate, and mother Samina Ali. After months of trying to make this conversation happen, we finally sit down to talk about her memoir Pieces You?ll Never Get Back and the life changing medical trauma she experienced during childbirth at one of the top hospitals in the United States. What should have been a joyful pregnancy turned into something much more serious, as Samina repeatedly asked for help and was dismissed again and again. She shares what came next, a devastating medical emergency and a seven year recovery where she had to relearn how to speak, walk, and function, all while raising a newborn. We talk about those early days after her coma, when she didn?t recognize her husband, couldn?t speak English, and had to slowly reconnect with her life while her son fought in the NICU. We also get into the reality of the medical system, especially for women of color, and how often women are dismissed even when they know something is wrong in their own bodies. This conversation goes beyond her story into something bigger. We talk about grief and how it stays with you, about finding purpose after trauma, and about the world we?re living in right now where women are still fighting to be heard. It?s about learning to trust your voice, advocate for yourself, and stop shrinking to make others comfortable. If you?ve ever felt overlooked or dismissed, this episode is a reminder that your voice matters, your story matters, and you deserve to be heard. Get her book and find out more on her site: https://saminaali.net/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #ListenToWomen #BelieveWomen #StopMedicalGaslighting #WomenDeserveBetter #PatientAdvocacy #HealthCareInequality #MaternalMortality #BlackMaternalHealth #WomensRights #HealthcareJustice #MedicalNegligence #SurvivorStory #TraumaRecovery #LifeAfterTrauma #StrengthInSurvival #UnheardVoices #BreakTheSilence #RealStoriesMatter #HumanConnection #EmpathyMatters #StrongerTogether #HopeAfterTrauma #PurposeAfterPain #YouAreNotAlone #KeepGoing #StoriesThatMatter #PodcastLife #PodcastEpisode #NewEpisode #MustListen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply personal solo episode I share my story of being diagnosed with complex PTSD in 2020 and how it connects back to the trauma and loss I experienced as a child, including the death of my sister when I was just two years old and losing my father at thirteen. I talk about the anxiety, guilt, and confusion that followed me growing up, and how those early experiences shaped the way I see myself, my relationships, and the world. This episode is about more than just my past. It is about what it looks like to live with complex PTSD as an adult, the quiet ways it shows up, and the moments that can feel overwhelming and isolating. I share honestly about my struggles with mental health, including times I have felt hopeless, and what it has taken to keep going even in the hardest moments. Throughout this conversation, I speak about the importance of empathy, connection, and being honest about the hard things so many of us carry. In a world that feels especially heavy right now, this is an important conversation to have, one that reminds us we are not alone in what we?re feeling. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor MentalHealthAwareness #ComplexPTSD #TraumaHealing #GriefJourney #HealingOutLoud #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #EmotionalHealing #AnxietySupport #DepressionAwareness #TraumaRecovery #InnerHealing #SelfHealingJourney #RealTalk #VulnerabilityIsStrength #MentalHealthMatters #GriefSupport #HealingJourney #PodcastLife #StorytellingHeals #SpeakYourTruth #SurvivorStory #KeepGoing #HopeAndHealing #HumanConnection #EmpathyMatters #HardConversations #LifeAfterLoss #HealingInProgress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I welcome author and radio personality Nancy Howard Cobb for an honest conversation about grief, loss, and the ways we continue to carry the people we love after they are gone. Nancy?s book In Lieu of Flowers: A Conversation for the Living is being rereleased 25 years after its original publication, bringing its message about grief, storytelling, and human connection to a new generation. Together we explore the idea that grief is not something we ?get over,? but something we move through. Nancy shares why she has always rejected the idea of closure, believing instead that relationships do not end with death but simply change. Through memory, storytelling, and the small moments that reconnect us to those we have lost, the bonds we share continue to live on. Our conversation also touches on spirituality, hospice care, and the sacred moments that often surround the end of life. Nancy reflects on caring for her mother through hospice and the powerful realization that birth and death are deeply connected experiences. We talk about how spirituality can take many forms and how, for many people, believing that our loved ones remain with us in some way offers comfort, meaning, and hope. Throughout the episode we reflect on the importance of empathy, compassion, and human connection in a world that can often feel overwhelming and divided. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for one another is simply listen. A conversation, a shared memory, or a moment of kindness can remind someone they are not alone in their grief. Learn more at: https://www.nancyhowardcobb.com/  Follow Nancy here: https://www.instagram.com/nancyinconversation/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #GriefJourney #LivingWithLoss #HealingThroughGrief #GriefAwareness #LossAndLove #RememberingLovedOnes #SignsFromBeyond #CarryThemWithYou #LoveBeyondLoss #StoriesThatHeal #JudgingMeghan #PodcastConversations #HeartfeltTalks #StorytellingHeals #ListenAndReflect #SpiritualConnection #LifeAfterLoss #CompassionAndEmpathy #GriefAndHope #EmotionalHealing #BereavementSupport #MemoryAndLove #HopeAfterLoss #NavigatingGrief #HealingTogether #LifeAndLoss #SharedHumanity #SignsOfLove #HonoringTheDeparted #MindfulHealing #EmbraceTheJourney #LivingFully #SpiritualHealing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this revisited episode originally recorded in 2024, I sit down with licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and relationship coach Carolyn for a powerful conversation that touches on the intersection of mental health, relationships, and personal healing. Carolyn brings raw insights from her work with couples navigating challenges like infidelity, addiction, and the complexities of co-parenting, particularly in the wake of difficult times like the pandemic. We explore the emotional intricacies of communication, the importance of avoiding judgment, and the need for curiosity when things feel overwhelming. Together, we talk about  the mental health crisis impacting so many lives, highlighting the challenges of accessing affordable care and the tragic consequences of untreated emotional pain. Carolyn shares her expertise on how chronic stress, trauma, and emotional trauma can impact not only our mental health but also our physical health and relationships. She also offers practical strategies for fostering open communication, embracing vulnerability, and rebuilding trust. As we talk about navigating grief, loss, and the emotional ups and downs that come with life?s transitions, Carolyn reminds us that healing is a process?one that takes time, patience, and support. Whether you're coping with the aftermath of trauma, facing difficulties in your relationships, or simply seeking inspiration to reclaim your power and live a thriving life, this episode is filled with hope, wisdom, and encouragement. We also take a sneak peek at Carolyn's upcoming book ?Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship?, offering tools for building stronger relationships and deeper connections. Plus, Carolyn shares advice for navigating the holidays, especially if you?re facing your first holiday without a loved one or dealing with a tough life transition. If you're ready to break through barriers, reconnect with your power, and create meaningful relationships, this episode is for you. Find out more about Carolyn here: https://www.secureconnectionsretreats.com/carolyn-sharp and preorder her upcoming book Fire It Up here: https://www.secureconnectionsretreats.com/thebook  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #overcomingchallenge #support #healing #author #comunication #rebuilding #connection #holidays #inspiringconversations #fireitup #relationships #carolynsharp #healing #therapy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with anxiety specialist and psychiatrist Dr. Tracy Foose for a raw, compassionate, and deeply human conversation about trauma, panic, healing, parenting, identity, and learning to live alongside anxiety instead of fighting it. Dr. Foose brings extraordinary insight into what anxiety truly is, why our brains react the way they do, and how reframing anxiety as a protective force rather than an enemy can transform the way we heal.  Our conversation also covers womanhood, identity, and the pressure to fit in, succeed, and be perfect. From Dr. Foose?s journey from aspiring surgeon to psychiatrist, to my own winding path from actress to sales to podcast host, we explore how terrifying and liberating it can be to change direction and give yourself permission to choose a new path. We reflect on how women carry immense expectations and judgment, often internalizing pressure that quietly fuels anxiety and self doubt. We also speak candidly about parenting in an anxious world, especially the heartbreak and fear that comes with raising teenagers in the age of social media, constant comparison, and nonstop exposure to danger and tragedy. As a mother, I share the emotional struggle of letting go, trusting your child?s independence, and learning how to balance protection with freedom. Dr. Foose offers grounding wisdom on how modeling vulnerability, honesty, and bravery helps children feel safer, stronger, and more capable of navigating their own anxiety and emotional challenges. Learn more at: https://www.drfoose.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #AnxietyAwareness #TraumaHealing #ComplexPTSD #HealingJourney #Anxiety #YouAreNotBroken #PanicDisorder #TraumaRecovery #EmotionalHealing #TracyFoose #MentalHealthMatters #LivingWithAnxiety #SelfCompassion #HealingNotHustle #Resilience #HopeAndHealing #TherapyTalk #Psychiatry #HealingTogether Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with stand-up comedian Max Meisel who's currently touring with fellow comedian Tom Arnold for a candid, funny, heartfelt, and deeply insightful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really means to bet on yourself when life forces you to start over. Max shares his journey from the East Coast to Los Angeles, navigating the uncertainty of acting, the isolation of COVID, and the emotional toll of chasing success in an industry built on rejection.  We dive into the pressure of auditions, the fear that every opportunity could change your life, and how that mindset can sabotage both confidence and performance. Max reflects on hitting his breaking point, letting go of desperation, and choosing himself by taking creative risks and building his own comedy shows from the ground up, transforming frustration into opportunity and momentum. We talk about the deep hunger for real community and connection, and how Max?s shows have evolved into a space where laughter, vulnerability, and human interaction collide. This episode is about survival, reinvention, courage, and choosing to build the life you want instead of waiting for permission. Whether you are navigating trauma, chasing a dream, rebuilding after disappointment, or simply trying to make it through the day, this conversation is a reminder that your story matters, your voice deserves to be heard, and it is never too late to start again. Want to see oneof Max?s shows? You can learn more on his instagram https://www.instagram.com/maxmeisel86/?hl=en or website! https://www.maxmeisel.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #TraumaHealing #Comedy #MaxMeisel #Resilience #Reinvention #StartingOver #PersonalGrowth #ChasingDreams #BetOnYourself #DealingWithRejection #CreativeJourney #LifeLessons #StandUpComedy #ComedianLife #TomArnold #CreativeRisk #Dating #ArtistsOnInstagram #CreativeCommunity #Laughter #Community #vulnerability  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I?m joined by meditation and yoga teacher, activist, and author of ?Sit with Me : A No BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation? Oneika Mays for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about trauma, anger, justice, burnout, and what it really means to find peace in a world that often feels overwhelming and unjust. Together, we explore emotional exhaustion, resilience, mental health, and the toll of witnessing injustice in real time, while searching for ways to stay grounded, present, and human. Onika shares her journey through sexual trauma, suicidal ideation, hospitalization, and the long road toward self-compassion and healing, as well as her work teaching mindfulness inside Rikers Island. We talk about incarceration, systemic harm, moral conflict, and why safety sometimes has to be built internally when external safety does not exist. We also challenge toxic positivity and the idea that healing should look the same for everyone, reminding ourselves that meditation is not about quieting the mind, but about making peace with the one we already have. This episode is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and remember that your feelings make sense. If you are exhausted, overwhelmed, grieving, angry, or struggling to hold onto hope, you are not alone. Healing does not require perfection or calm. You are allowed to be human, complicated, and still worthy of care, compassion, rest, and connection. Found out more about Oneika and purchase her book on her website: https://www.oneikamays.com/ Follow Oneika here: https://www.instagram.com/oneikamays/?hl=en  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #TraumaHealing #ComplexPTSD #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #Mindfulness #Meditation #YogaLife #EmotionalHealing #SelfCompassion #InnerWork #TraumaRecovery #GriefAndHealing #AngerAndGrowth #FindingPeace #Resilience #EmotionalWellbeing #HealingTogether #YouAreNotAlone #SlowHealing #HumanFirst #GentleHealing #HealingInProgress #MentalHealthAwareness #OneikaMays  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply important episode I am joined by two incredible women and dear friends, Tanya Monaghan and Luisa Cabrera Faist, for a powerful and honest conversation about community, courage, and using our voices. Together, we share how South Bay Takes a Stand began as a small idea and grew into a grassroots movement that brought thousands of people together through candlelight vigils and peaceful marches rooted in empathy and solidarity. Standing before a sea of faces became a moment none of us will ever forget, a reminder that even in dark times, collective courage can spark real change. Luisa reflects on growing up as the daughter of an immigrant and how witnessing ICE activity in our own neighborhoods became a catalyst for action, while Tanya shares her experience as an immigrant from South Africa and how the current political and social climate echoes the early warning signs she witnessed during apartheid. We talk candidly about the heartbreak of watching families torn apart, children living in fear, and communities divided, and why this moment must transcend political parties and center on humanity, dignity, and justice. This episode is about grief, trauma, activism, and healing, but at its core, it is about connection. It is an invitation to lean into empathy, use your voice, and choose courage over silence. Whether you are navigating loss, trauma, exhaustion, or a sense of helplessness in a heavy world, I hope this conversation reminds you that you are not alone, that your story matters, and that even in the darkest moments, there is still light to be found. Follow Tanya here: https://www.instagram.com/tanya.monaghan/  Follow Luisa here: https://www.instagram.com/therevecollective/?hl=en Want to learn more about South Bay?s efforts to support democracy follow here: https://www.instagram.com/southbaytakesastand/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #ChoosingEmpathy #CommunityHealing #GriefAndHope #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #CollectiveCare #WomenSupportingWomen #FindYourVoice #HealingJourney #Resilience #ChooseKindness #HumanConnection #HopeInHardTimes #EmpathyOverFear #CommunityPower #TraumaRecovery #SpeakUp #YouAreNotAlone  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I?m joined by Kate King, a licensed counselor, board certified art therapist, and author of Mend or Move On. Kate brings such a compassionate, steady presence as we talk about healing through creativity, grounding in nature, and the quiet ways we carry those we have lost. We reflect on how heavy the world feels right now, and why kindness and support matter more than ever. Kate shares why she focuses on Internal Family Systems therapy, also known as parts work, and how healing doesn?t have to come from shame or the belief that something is wrong with you. We talk about the true Self, the protective and wounded parts we all carry, and how art therapy can help us gently understand what lives inside us. Kate also explains her work around boundaries, emotional safety, and what it means to give yourself permission to step back from relationships that harm you. We close with one of the hardest truths: sometimes closure isn?t possible, and safety has to come first. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, listen to your body, and remember that healing is not a performance, it is a process. Whether you are grieving, carrying trauma, trying to mend, or learning how to move on, I hope this episode reminds you that support exists, there is still light ahead, and you deserve to feel safe, seen, and held as you keep going. You can purchase Kate's books on Amazon or at your local bookstore! This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #KateKing #MendOrMoveOn #TraumaHealing #ComplexPTSD #HealingJourney #InternalFamilySystems #PartsWork #IFStherapy #ArtTherapy #NervousSystemHealing #EmotionalSafety #ToxicRelationships #FamilyEstrangement #SettingBoundaries #SelfTrust #GriefHealing #TraumaRecovery #HealingIsAProcess #ComingBackToYourself #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapyTalk #SelfWorth #ChoosePeace #YouAreNotAlone #GroundingPractices #HealingThroughCreativity #ProtectYourPeace #LettingGo #HopeAndHealing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I?m joined again by Dr. Alexandra Sowa for an honest, and grounded conversation about weight, health, and the quiet mental noise so many women live with every day. We talk openly about GLP 1 medications and the complicated emotions tied to our bodies, food, and self worth. I share my own experience starting and stopping medication, the fear that creeps in late at night, the shame and stigma, and what surprised me most when the mental noise returned. We break down the science in a way that actually makes sense, from hormones and metabolism to why weight gain in midlife is so often blamed on willpower when it?s really about biology. We talk about side effects, safety, and the emotional weight women carry when they feel pressured to pretend it?s all just diet and exercise. Most importantly, we talk about how these medications don?t just change appetite. For many people, they quiet the constant negative self talk that has been running in the background for years. This episode is not about shortcuts or quick fixes. It?s about removing shame, understanding your body, and learning that needing support is not a failure. It?s about choosing compassion over punishment and trusting yourself again. You are not broken. You are not failing. And you are not alone. You can find out more here: https://alexandrasowamd.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #WeightWithoutShame #TraumaInformedCare #MentalHealthPodcast #ComplexPTSD #BodyTrust #GLP1 #HormonesAndHealth #MidlifeHealth #FoodNoise #HealingJourney #WomenSupportingWomen #CompassionOverShame #MentalHealthAwareness #GriefAndHealing #YouAreNotBroken Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down again with clinical psychologist Dr. Noelle Santorelli for a conversation that feels especially important. We talk about adult bullying, relational aggression, and the deep grief that can come from losing friendships and a sense of belonging, particularly within mom groups and close communities. This episode is rooted in mental health and grief, because these losses change how safe the world feels and how we see ourselves. I share openly about why I started this podcast. A devastating friend breakup in 2020 collided with unresolved childhood trauma and brought me to one of the lowest points of my life. What began as subtle exclusion slowly became isolation and public humiliation, leaving me without a community I believed was safe. The shame, loneliness, and grief that followed were overwhelming, especially during COVID, and that loss carried a weight I did not expect. Dr. Santorelli explains why these group dynamics are so harmful and why it is never as simple as just leaving. When kids are involved, fear, guilt, and judgment keep women stuck far longer than they should be. We talk about betrayal trauma, victim blaming, and the cycle many toxic groups follow, and why reacting after months of pressure does not make someone the problem. It makes them human. This episode is about trusting your experience, listening to your body, and choosing self preservation over fixing the narrative. Sometimes healing looks like quiet distance and protecting your energy. If you have ever felt pushed out, shamed, or silenced by people you hoped would support you, this conversation is for you. You can follow Dr. Noelle Santorelli here: https://www.instagram.com/drnoellesantorelli/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #grief #mentalhealth #friendshiploss #adultbullying #relationaltrauma #betrayaltrauma #toxicfriendships #toxicmomgroups #womensmentalhealth #emotionalabuse #socialexclusion #shameandhealing #traumarecovery #boundaries #selfpreservation #healingafterloss #belonging #identityandloss #nervoussystem #emotionalsafety #friendbreakups #communitytrauma #motherhoodandmentalhealth #choosingyourself #psychologicalsafety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I?m joined by two women who feel more like family than friends. Vivian Garcia-Tunon, an executive coach, and Christiane Crowder, my chosen sister, share their own experiences with loss, grief, and the pressures we face growing up and as adults. We talk honestly about childhood wounds, body image struggles, and the inner voices that try to make us shrink, and how we learn to challenge them over time. We dive into what self-love really looks like, journaling, therapy, movement, energy work, and the small daily choices that help us be kinder to ourselves. We talk about aging, going gray, letting go of perfection, and how inner work shifts how we show up in the world. Vivian and Christiane share their journeys of healing, reinvention, and helping others do the same through coaching. At its core, this conversation is about grief, identity, friendship, and transformation. We celebrate the people who see us when no one else does, the signs from loved ones who have passed, and the quiet ways love carries us forward. If you?ve ever struggled with loss, self-doubt, or comparison, this episode is for you.  Want to find out more about Christiane, you can do so here: https://yourwholelifecoaching.org/  Want to find out more about Vivian, you can do so here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviangarciatunon/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #GriefJourney #HealingThroughLoss #LossAndLove #FindingPeace #SelfLoveJourney #InnerWork #MindsetMatters #LoveYourself #ChosenFamily #Sisterhood #SupportiveWomen #FriendshipGoals #MentalHealthAwareness #DailySelfCare #JournalingPractice #MindfulLiving #SignsFromLovedOnes #EnergyHealing #SpiritualGrowth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I?m joined by Peter Bailey, author of The Epic of You: Reframe Your Past to Navigate Your Future, TEDx speaker, and president of the Prouty Project. Peter shares his journey from New York to Minnesota and how his work with urban youth, wilderness leadership, and community shaped his understanding of resilience, identity, and purpose. Peter opens up about his childhood, growing up in a loving but deeply complicated family, and how early trauma shaped his people pleasing, sense of responsibility, and loneliness. We talk about childhood trauma, complex PTSD, and the survival strategies so many of us develop before we ever have language for them. Peter shares a powerful metaphor that stayed with me, explaining that when something grows in darkness, it adapts however it can to reach the light. Those adaptations aren?t flaws. They?re how we survived. We also talk about the heroic journey and how our hardest chapters, addiction, grief, illness, divorce, and loss, don?t mean we failed. They?re part of the story that shaped who we are. We touch on boundaries, expectations, empathy, and what it means to give without attachment. This episode is about choosing connection, gratitude, and life, even when it feels heavy. If you?ve been struggling, feeling responsible for everyone else, or just need the reminder, I want you to hear this clearly. You are not finished. You matter. And there is still so much ahead for you. Find out more about Peter on his site here: https://www.peter-bailey.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #TheEpicOfYou #ChildhoodTraumaHealing #ComplexPTSDRecovery #TraumaSurvivalStrategies #HealingYourStory #ResilienceAndGrowth #ReframeYourPast #OvercomingAddictionAndLoss #BoundariesAndEmpathy #GratitudePractice #ConnectionAndCommunity #YouAreNotFinished #YourStoryMatters #FromSurvivalToThriving #HealingFromThePast #SelfDiscoveryJourney #TraumaToStrength #HopeAndHealing #EmotionalResilience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Jenny Robinson Clark and Travis Clark. It?s the first time I?ve had a married couple on the podcast, and their warmth, humor, and openness make it feel like you?re listening in on a talk between old friends. Jenny and Travis share how they met in a Los Angeles coffee shop and how their relationship unfolded quickly and intuitively. From building a marriage to raising four kids, they talk about choosing presence over perfection, growing through different seasons of life, and how love shifts as children grow and change. The conversation deepens as Jenny opens up about grief, identity, and leaving her life in LA to care for her mother during her battle with cancer. What felt like a sacrifice became one of the most meaningful seasons of her life. Travis reflects on what it means to truly support your partner, especially during seasons that feel unbalanced, and why showing up for each other is at the heart of a lasting marriage. We close by talking about spirituality, grief, and how to have honest conversations with our kids about loss. Jenny shares how her healing journey led to her children?s book, Are You Here, and why staying open to signs, connection, and love matters. This episode is a reminder that grief and hope can exist together, and that talking about hard things makes them feel a little lighter. Find out more as well as pre-order Jennys book ?Are You Here? on her site: https://www.jenny-robinson.com/  LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year?s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visit lifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #AreYouHereBook #GriefSupport #CopingWithLoss #FamilyFirst #ParentingThroughLoss #HealingHearts #FaithAndFamily #MindfulParenting #EmotionalGrowth #MenAndMentalHealth #VulnerabilityIsStrength #LoveNeverEnds #SignsFromLovedOnes #ChildrenBooksWithMeaning #MarriageAndParenting #LifeLessons #HealingJourney #CreativeHealing #ConnectionBeyondLoss #SpiritualGrowth #MentalWellnessMatters #HopeAndHealing #ParentingWithPurpose #RaisingEmotionallyHealthyKids Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I sat down with Colette Barron-Reid for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, survival, and what it truly means to heal. We explore how complex trauma, ancestral pain, and past experiences quietly shape our nervous systems, relationships, and sense of safety. Colette shares her story of growing up with family trauma, addiction, and shame, offering a raw and validating perspective for anyone who has ever felt different or overwhelmed. We discuss how healing is not about willpower alone but about understanding the nervous system, honoring the body, and working with sensitivity. Colette opens up about her journey through addiction and recovery, the long road to rebuilding self-trust, and how grief and past wounds can surface unexpectedly, reminding us that healing is a process, not a destination. The conversation also explores creativity, intuition, and manifestation. Colette shares her unique ?doodle your destiny? approach, combining art, science, and spirituality to help align with your higher self and recognize opportunities. She explains how simple daily practices?like art, music, gratitude, and connecting with animals?can restore hope, regulate the nervous system, and open the door to transformation. At its heart, this episode is about hope, alignment, and reclaiming agency. Colette?s story shows that healing is possible, joy and creativity are essential, and we can move from surviving to thriving. It is a reminder that your story matters, you are not alone, and you have the power to shape your life. Find out more about Colette on her site: https://www.colettebaronreid.com/ LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year?s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visit lifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #JudgingMeghanPodcast #ColetteBarronReid #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalWellness #EmotionalHealing #OvercomingTrauma #Manifestation #VisionBoardMagic #DoodleYourDestiny #SynchronicityMagic #MindBodySpirit #SelfHealing #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #SpiritualHealing #NeuroArts #CreativeManifestation #HopeAndHealing #PersonalTransformation #InnerGrowth #SelfEmpowerment #LifeAlignment #JoyfulLiving #ConsciousLiving #EmbraceYourStory #TraumaInformed #HealingThroughArt #ManifestYourDreams #GratitudePractice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with my friend Marisa Coughlan. Marissa shares her journey as an actress and writer, from growing up in Minnesota to building a successful career in Hollywood and eventually choosing to leave Los Angeles to begin a new chapter. We speak honestly about the emotional toll of the industry, constant rejection, power imbalances, and the pressure women face to disappear as they age.  We also dive into her film Blue Eyed Girl, now available on Amazon, and the deeply personal story behind it. Inspired by her own life, the film explores grief, aging parents, sisterhood, nostalgia, and the disorienting experience of returning home after years away. Writing the script became a form of healing, a way to process the loss of her father and the quiet mourning we carry not only for people we lose, but for the lives we imagined. She also shares meaningful behind the scenes moments working with Beau Bridges, whose kindness, integrity, and love for his wife offered a rare reminder that goodness and humanity still exist in the industry. At its core, this episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to want more. We talk about midlife, identity, faith, and the ache of not being able to call the person who once knew you best. We reflect on signs from loved ones who have passed, the comfort found in nature, and the permission to cry, remember, and keep going. If you have ever felt stuck, dismissed, or unsure whether it is too late to begin again, this conversation is a reminder that it is not. You are allowed to pivot, you are allowed to grow, and you are allowed to take up space at every stage of life. LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year?s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visit lifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #JudgingMeghan #LifeTransitions #RedefiningSuccess #AgingWithPurpose #WomenOver40 #MidlifeAwakening #CreativeReinvention #GriefTalk #LossAndLove #HealingThroughStory #VoiceAndTruth #WomenWithStories #EmotionalHealing #BlueEyedGirl #SuperTrooper #Hollywood #FaithAndGrief #ListeningToYourBody #InnerStrength #ChoosingYourself #SlowDown #BuildANewLife #HomeAndBelonging #MarisaCoughlan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we?re revisiting a very meaningful conversation ? an episode that continues to resonate deeply with so many listeners. If you missed it the first time or simply need the reminder, I?m so glad you?re here. In this episode, I'm joined by James Francis, a speaker, entrepreneur, and author of the book ?There's Coffee in the Fridge: One Man's Journey Through Anxiety and Depression.? Together, we delve into the journey of overcoming trauma, depression, and finding hope. From childhood struggles to navigating the complexities of masculinity and societal expectations, James candidly shares his battles with depression and the transformative power of vulnerability. He champions the importance of authenticity and self-honesty, paving the way for healing and resilience in the face of adversity. James inspires with his unwavering commitment to breaking the silence surrounding mental health. You can order James?s book through Amazon or on his website: https://www.therescoffeeinthefridge.com/. Reach out to James through his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therescoffeeinthefridge/. LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year?s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visitlifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #abuserecovery #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #selfhelp #addiction #addictionrecovery #lgbtqsupport #mentalhealthawareness #empathy  #breakingfree #support #resilience #vulnerability #therescoffeeinthefridge #healing #alcoholic #jamesfrancis #depression #anxiety  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Kim Rogers, better known as the Worm Queen and the founder of Rogers Hood Apothecary. If you?ve seen her parasite cleanse kit going viral, you?re not imagining it. Even Heidi Klum has talked about it, and Kim was recently featured in Cosmo. When her team first reached out, I?ll admit my immediate reaction was that the whole topic sounded gross, but the more I learned, the more fascinated I became. Her story is one of the most surprising and inspiring I?ve heard. Before any of this, Kim lived a life that was already extraordinary. She grew up in a military family where her father literally carried the responsibility of launching nuclear missiles. She moved through eight states and more than fifty cities, worked for an airline during 9/11, and later transitioned into medicine, where she built healthcare programs, wrote curriculum, and earned two degrees as valedictorian. She talks about feeling different from a young age, leaving home at sixteen, and following her curiosity with a level of determination that shaped everything that came next. Her life changed dramatically in 2019 when she became gravely ill with undiagnosed Lyme disease, mold toxicity, autoimmune encephalitis, and parasites. After years of misdiagnoses, unnecessary surgeries, and constant dismissals, she and her husband left everything behind to live simply and focus on healing. Even then she still wasn?t getting better. One night she stumbled across a TikTok video about parasites, tried a cleanse out of desperation, and within days realized she had found the missing piece. That moment eventually led her to create the parasite cleanse that has now helped millions. Kim?s work is rooted in accessibility and empowerment. She researched what other countries did, uncovered hidden ingredients companies refused to share, and created her own tinctures, binders, foot soaks, and detox tools for parasites, Candida, mold, heavy metals, and more. In this conversation, we break everything down in simple language?what parasite cleansing actually is, why sugar cravings can mean more than you think, and why women?s pain is so often overlooked. This episode is raw, eye opening, and surprisingly hopeful. If you?ve ever felt dismissed by the medical system or struggled with symptoms no one could explain, Kim?s story will make you feel seen, informed, and a little less alone. Learn more here: https://rogershood.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #JudgingMeghan #KimRogers #WormQueen #RogersHoodApothecary #ParasiteCleanse #WellnessJourney #HolisticHealth #ChronicIllnessAwareness #LymeDiseaseAwareness #MoldToxicity #CandidaDetox #WomenInWellness #HealthAdvocate #BeYourOwnAdvocate #GutHealthMatters #HealingJourney #AlternativeWellness #NaturalDetox #MindBodyHealth #ChronicSymptoms #WellnessEducation #EmpoweredHealing #TakeBackYourHealth #FunctionalHealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Kelly Chase, the entrepreneur, coach, podcast host, and familiar face from season one of Love Is Blind. Kelly shares the story of her life before the show, including growing up with big dreams that were discouraged, choosing the ?safe? path in corporate America, and reaching the burnout so many women know too well. She talks openly about overworking, overgiving, losing herself in unhealthy patterns, and the moment she finally walked away from a career that did not feel like her own. We explore her experience on Love Is Blind and what the public never saw. Kelly opens up about the emotional crash that came when the season aired, the panic attacks, the pressure of sudden visibility, and the intense dysregulation that followed. She talks about the healing work that helped her rebuild, including deep inner child work, self-worth work, and finally facing the trauma she had spent years pushing down. Kelly also shares the painful relationship experiences that shaped her self-esteem, including a frightening and manipulative situation in college that left a lasting impact. She explains how unhealed wounds followed her into adulthood and how she eventually began choosing herself again. Today, Kelly is helping women find purpose and alignment through her coaching and her signature program, Awaken. Her story is honest, vulnerable, and full of hope, reminding listeners that reinvention is possible at any moment. You can listen to Kelly?s podcast ?ChaseLife with Kelly? on apple podcasts, spotify and all podcast services. Find out more about Kelly and her work here: https://www.chaselifewithkelly.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #KellyChase #JudgingMeghan #LoveIsBlind #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #BurnoutSupport #SelfWorth #InnerHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #WomenSupportingWomen #PersonalGrowth #Reinvention #Resilience #SurvivorStories #AuthenticLiving #PurposePath #EmotionalWellness #SelfLoveJourney #CourageToHeal #Empowerment #RealityTV #Podcaster #innerhealing #selflove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Essential Inner Resources for Good Mental Health & A Fulfilling Life with Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Celeste Birkhofer This episode I am joined by Dr. Celeste Birkhofer, a licensed clinical psychologist, longtime Stanford educator, mother, and upcoming author whose work centers on grief, suicide prevention, and the emotional weight of perfectionism. Dr. Celeste opens up about growing up in a military family, navigating a parent?s alcoholism, and how her own experiences with depression, compulsive exercise, and an eating disorder eventually led her into psychology. She also shares her forty?year marriage, a partnership strengthened through separation, therapy, and hard-won healing. The heart of our conversation is the greatest loss of her life: the death of her son, Wiley, who fought bipolar two disorder with everything he had for nine years. Dr. Celeste speaks with heartbreaking honesty about his vibrant childhood, his acceptance into Stanford, the onset of his illness, and the unpredictable nature of suicidal ideation. She talks about the day Wiley died, the grief that reshaped her family, and the fears she faced returning to work as a therapist while questioning everything she believed about mental health treatment. We explore the complexity of suicide grief, the stigma that deepens the pain, and the small everyday mercies that slowly help you breathe again. She shares how her loss softened her, slowed her down, and shifted her spirituality, including the signs from Wiley that still show up in the most beautiful ways. This conversation is honest, grounding, emotional, and filled with compassion. It is for anyone who has lost someone to suicide, loves someone living with mental illness, or simply wants to understand grief on a deeper, more human level. It is a reminder that healing is not about perfection but about awareness, connection, and extending kindness to ourselves, especially on the days we feel anything but kind. Stay tuned for more information on Celeste?s upcoming book ?Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Inner Resources for Good Mental Health & A Fulfilling LIfe? on her site: https://www.drcelestebirkhofer.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #GriefSupport #SuicideAwareness #MindfulLiving #EmotionalWellness #SelfCompassion #MentalHealthAwareness #Resilience #LifeAfterLoss #TherapistTalks #HumanExperience #InnerStrength #MentalHealthResources #OvercomingLoss #MentalWellness #TraumaRecovery #ParentingThroughLoss #BipolarAwareness #MentalHealthEducation #EmotionalHealing #FindingHope #CopingWithGrief #HealingTogether #EndTheStigma #Wellbeing #MentalHealthCommunity #SelfCareJourney #PersonalGrowth #FaithAndHealing #DrCelesteBirkhofer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I?m joined by Dr. Mark Horowitz, a psychiatrist, researcher, and one of the leading voices challenging the conventional approach to antidepressants. Together, we have an open and eye-opening conversation about the truth behind psychiatric medication, withdrawal, and what real healing looks like beyond the quick-fix model. Dr. Horowitz shares his own experience with dependence and recovery, explaining why stopping antidepressants can be so difficult and how proper tapering, done slowly and with care, can make all the difference. We talk about the science behind withdrawal, how tolerance develops, and why patients deserve more education and compassion from the medical system. Our discussion also touches on society?s growing obsession with ?miracle? treatments, from ketamine clinics to new experimental drugs, and the risks that often get overlooked in the pursuit of instant relief. Dr. Horowitz explains why psychiatry has fallen into the trap of chemical solutions, and how true healing often comes from therapy, mindfulness, exercise, connection, and addressing the deeper roots of suffering. He also shares his work with Outro Health, a growing network of clinics helping people safely and gradually come off medication through hyperbolic tapering, while supporting them with holistic, evidence-based care. This episode is both cautionary and hopeful. It is a reminder that healing is not found in a single prescription or one-size-fits-all solution. It is about self-awareness, courage, and learning to trust yourself again. Whether you are questioning your medication, exploring new ways to manage your mental health, or simply searching for hope, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a powerful message that there is always a way forward. Disclaimer: This conversation is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your medication or treatment plan. While Dr. Horowitz is a licensed psychiatrist, I am not a medical professional, and our discussion is meant to inform, not replace, professional medical guidance. Learn more at: https://markhorowitz.org/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #MentalHealthEducation #MedicationAwareness #DepressionSupport #AnxietyRelief #MentalHealthAdvocate #MindfulnessMatters #MentalWellnessJourney #SafeMedicationTaper #RecoveryTools #PsychiatricMedication #MentalHealthTips #SelfCareMatters #EmotionalHealth #TherapyOverMedication #HolisticMentalHealth #MentalHealthCommunity #MentalHealthPodcast #HealingFromWithin #MedicationRisks #MentalHealthRecovery #BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthConversations #SupportMentalHealth #MentalHealthResources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am re-releasing one of the most meaningful conversations I have ever had. I recorded this with Bruce and Donna Ellis, two people who have been like second parents to me. I wanted to share it again after recently losing Bruce, who was not only a hero in my life but someone deeply loved by everyone who knew him. This episode is about love, family, and the people who shape who we become. We talk about their daughter Julie, my best friend since childhood and my soulmate, whose kindness, humor, and wisdom continue to inspire me every day. We share stories that made us laugh until we cried, the silly traditions that made the Ellis home feel magical, and the small signs that remind us Julie is still with us. Bruce and Donna also open up about their 57-year marriage, a love built on faith, laughter, and deep respect for one another. Even through unimaginable loss, their love remained steady and strong. This conversation is a celebration of life, love, and the connections that carry us through grief. It is a tribute to Bruce and Julie Ellis, to the beauty of family in all its forms, and to the truth that love never really leaves us. Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code JUDGING at Bubsnaturals.com This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #GriefAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #RememberingJulie #FamilyLove #FriendshipAndLoss #HealingTogether #LifeStories #LoveAndLoss #FindingHope #EverydayMoments #LaughterAndTears #LifeLessons #FamilyFirst #FaithAndConnection #HeartfeltStories #CopingWithLoss #SupportAndCommunity #CelebratingLife #CherishedMemories #StoriesThatMatter #EnduringLove #KindnessCounts #LoveLivesOn #SoulfulConversations #LifeReflections #HopeAndHealing #LifeAfterLoss #ComfortAndCare #SharedMemories #GriefSupport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode I sit down with one of the most iconic figures in boxing history, Christy Salters Martin, the first woman ever inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. Her story is one of triumph, trauma, and unbreakable resilience. Christy shares her journey from a small-town girl in West Virginia who learned early on to hide who she was, to becoming a boxing phenomenon headlining Pay-Per-View events alongside Mike Tyson. But behind the bright lights and roaring crowds, she was living in silence, trapped in a cycle of manipulation and abuse that nearly cost her life. She opens up about the years of control and fear she endured, where every move was monitored and every word recorded. When she finally decided to leave, she didn?t care if it cost her life. With remarkable courage, she found the strength to rise, fight back, and survive. Now, through her work with Christy Martin Promotions, she?s mentoring and empowering the next generation of fighters while using her voice to raise awareness about domestic violence and the importance of self-worth. Her upcoming biopic, Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster, brings her story to the big screen and reminds the world that survival is the ultimate victory. If you or someone you love is struggling with abuse or identity, please know that help is available. You are not alone. Learn more about the fight against family violence at: https://christyschamps.org/  Use code JUDGING at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Cool Gloss with your first purchase! #JonesRoadBeauty #ad This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #ChristyMartin #Fighter #Overcomer #Strength #Survival #TrueStory #WomenWhoInspire #Hope #Transformation #BreakingFree #RiseAbove #HerStory #FaithOverFear #SydneySweeney #UnbreakableSpirit #YouAreNotAlone #FindingFreedom #Healing #Bravery #PowerWithin #InspiringWomen #VoiceForChange #ResilientHeart #ChampionMindset #ChristySaltersMartin #SurvivorStrong #CourageToHeal #InspireOthers #VictoryThroughFaith #WarriorSpirit #FightForYourLife #BelieveInYourself #ChristysChamps #christy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicide, depression, and grief?please listen with care. This deeply emotional episode is a revisited talk I had with a remarkable guest: Betsy Thibaut Stephens. Betsy is a mother, writer, and survivor of unthinkable loss. Her son, Charlie, was a bright, compassionate, easygoing 21-year-old who quietly battled depression?a struggle that ended in tragedy. In her beautifully written book, Blackbird: A Mother?s Reflections on Grief, Loss, and Life After Suicide, Betsy invites us into her journey of remembrance, heartbreak, and ultimately, healing. Together, we talk about the raw truth of losing someone who masked their pain behind a smile, the relentless ?what ifs,? and the impossible decision to keep living in the aftermath. She shares the quiet bravery of mothering through sorrow?flying across the country to hold Charlie while he cried, learning to speak his name out loud after his passing, and finding purpose through the pain. This episode is for anyone navigating grief, loving someone through their darkness, or trying to understand the invisible weight so many carry. Betsy?s vulnerability is a lifeline. Her story reminds us that depression doesn?t always look like hopelessness?and that healing isn?t about forgetting, but about remembering with intention. We cry. We reflect. We say their names. And in doing so, we offer a powerful reminder: you are not alone. Your grief matters. Your love still has a voice. And even on the hardest days, there is still a path forward. Blackbird is available everywhere books are sold starting April 8th. Please share this episode with someone who needs to know they are seen and never alone. Find out more about Betsy?s story on her site: https://www.blackbirdbetsy.com/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #MentalHealthAwareness #GriefJourney #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #LossAndHealing #MotherhoodAndGrief #CharliesStory #SpeakTheirName #HopeAfterLoss #BlackbirdMemoir #EndTheStigma #HealingThroughStorytelling #CompassionInGrief #BetsyThibautStephenson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with my friend, psychotherapist, and author John Tsilimparis to explore two of the biggest challenges shaping our world today: the rise of artificial intelligence and the quiet epidemic of loneliness. We?re living in a time when we?re more connected than ever and yet more isolated than we?ve ever been. John and I talk about how technology, social media, and AI are reshaping the way we think, feel, and connect, and how they?re quietly impacting our mental health, relationships, and even the way we grieve. We discuss the heartbreaking story of a teen who took his life after forming an emotional bond with an AI chatbot and why open, honest conversations between parents and children are more important than ever. But this episode isn?t just about what?s going wrong. It?s about finding hope, grounding, and genuine human connection in a digital world. John shares how structure, empathy, and real conversation can help us unplug from the noise, protect our peace, and heal through authentic relationships. We also dive into his powerful book The Magic in the Tragic, exploring how grief doesn?t only stem from loss through death but also from life?s many transitions and heartbreaks. John reminds us that healing isn?t about moving on but moving through, allowing pain to transform into purpose and finding beauty, meaning, and even joy in the process. Find out more about John and his book here: https://www.johntsilimparis.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #JudgingMeghan #JohnTsilimparis #MentalHealthAwareness #HumanConnection #AIandMentalHealth #LonelinessCrisis #GriefHealing #TheMagicAndTheTragic #EmotionalWellness #AuthenticConnection #MindfulLiving #DigitalDetox #SelfAwareness #HealingJourney #MentalHealthMatters #PodcastConversation #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealth #HealingThroughConnection #MeaningfulConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a revisited conversation with the incredible Marianne Williamson, bestselling author, activist, and former presidential candidate, for a discussion that feels more relevant than ever. We dive deep into the power of love, resilience, and the urgent need for healing both individually and collectively. From the state of our nation to the deeper spiritual truths that guide us, we explore how faith, activism, and self-awareness can help us find our footing in uncertain times. Marianne and I talk about what it means to live with purpose in a world that often feels overwhelming and divided. We discuss how to reclaim our voices, challenge the narratives that separate us, and stand up for what truly matters. It?s an invitation to step into courage and consciousness, to face discomfort with compassion, and to believe that change is still possible when we lead with love. This conversation goes far beyond politics. It?s about humanity. It?s about the emotional toll of division, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the fine line between anger and purpose. It?s about finding the strength to speak truth, the grace to listen, and the wisdom to act from love instead of fear. If you?ve been feeling the heaviness of the world lately, this episode is for you. It?s a heartfelt reminder that resilience, faith, and hope are still within reach, and that when we come together in truth and empathy, healing is not only possible but inevitable. You can find more about Marianne here: https://marianne.com/, https://www.instagram.com/mariannewilliamson/?hl=en  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #MarianneWilliamson #SpiritualGrowth #LoveOverFear #PersonalHealing #CollectiveHealing #FaithAndResilience #NavigatingCrisis #ActivismAndSpirituality #HealingTheWorld #JudgingMeghan #PodcastEpisode #Empowerment #Mindfulness #Transformation #SpiritualWisdom #EgoAndHealing #GenerationalTrauma #SelfAwareness #ConsciousLiving Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply moving episode of Judging Meghan, I sit down with Jennifer Levi, a mother who is living every parent?s worst nightmare. Just months ago, Jennifer lost her son Braun, an 18-year-old student-athlete full of life, kindness, and joy, after he was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while walking home with friends. Jennifer shares both the ordinary and extraordinary moments she had with Braun, the ways she reminded him he was loved, the hours spent cheering him on, and the light he carried into every room. She opens up about the shock of that night, the painful phone call no parent should ever receive, and the reality of moving forward when the future you imagined is gone. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Jennifer and her family made the choice to honor Braun?s spirit rather than be destroyed by the tragedy. That decision became the heart of the Live Like Braun Foundation, a growing movement that encourages people to live with courage, joy, and kindness. Through scholarships, community outreach, and even a simple sunshine logo on a hat, the foundation keeps Braun?s legacy alive and has already begun to make waves on college campuses across the country. We talk about the devastating reality of drunk driving, the heartbreaking statistics, and Jennifer?s advocacy work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to push for new technology that could prevent impaired drivers from ever starting their cars. Jennifer also shares the truth about grief, that it has no timeline, that some days are unbearable, and that healing is shaped by community, faith, and small acts of remembrance. Braun?s story, and Jennifer?s courage in sharing it, remind us to think twice before getting behind the wheel, to make safe choices, and to tell the people in our lives how much they mean to us every single day. Visit https://livelikebraunfoundation.org/ or follow @LiveLikeBraunFoundation on Instagram to learn more, donate, or get involved. Every step taken helps keep Braun?s light alive. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #LiveLikeBraun #BraunLeviLegacy #HonorBraun #DrunkDrivingAwareness #DUIPrevention #EndDrunkDriving #SafeRoadsSaveLives #StopDrunkDriving #MothersAgainstDrunkDriving #GriefAndHealing #GriefJourney #YouAreNotAlone #HealingTogether #FromGriefToAction #TurningPainIntoPurpose #HopeThroughLoss #LoveLivesOn #CommunitySupport #ResilienceInGrief #HonoringLovedOnes #ScholarshipsForChange #YouthEmpowerment #InspiringKindness #LegacyOfLove #KeepGoing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I am joined by Ruby Dickulous, a realtor, developer, stand up performer, drag artist, and regular guest on Jeff Lewis Live who was featured on HGTV as America?s first drag queen realtor in the special The Queen of House Hunting in Austin, Texas. Ruby and I discuss what it was like to grow up gay in Texas, the painful messages she absorbed as a kid, and how a cross-dressing step grandfather and the fear of the AIDS era left her hiding parts of herself for decades. She explains why she created Ruby as a persona, why she was afraid to let clients see that side of her, and how shame, addiction, and alcohol slowly took over. Ruby does not hold back about the years she spent drinking, leading to dropping out of school, working just to survive, and hitting rock bottom during the pandemic. She shared what finally made her get sober, the moment she asked herself what she was doing with her life, and how therapy, faith, and community gave her a way back. We talk about the long road of recovery, the small signs that kept her going, and the courage it takes to keep showing up when the voice in your head is telling you to quit. Her journey is also one of creativity and resilience. Ruby turned a joke about ?drag in real estate? into a groundbreaking career that challenged stereotypes and inspired copycats across the country. She went from being told she could never be taken seriously to proving that she could sell homes in heels and build trust with clients who loved her for her authenticity. Along the way she learned to set boundaries, to stop hiding, and to believe in her own worth. To learn more about Ruby you can visit her site: https://www.rubydickulous.com/ Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/   This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #RubyDickulous #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSDRecovery #LGBTQVoices #DragRealtor #SobrietyStory #AuthenticSelf #ResilientLiving #RecoveryJourney #SuicideAwareness #SelfLoveJourney #OvercomingRejection #HealingTogether #JeffLewis #CreativityHeals #AddictionRecovery #LivingAuthentically #TrailblazerStory #HopeInDarkness #YourStoryMatters #LifeReclaimed #CommunityAndConnection #CourageToHeal #BreakingShame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this very special episode I celebrate five years of sharing my story and the stories of so many others by sitting down with Bruce and Donna Ellis, who have been like second parents to me. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about family, love, resilience, and most of all about Julie Ellis, their daughter and my soulmate, my best friend since childhood, whose life was tragically cut short. Julie was kind, wise beyond her years, full of humor, and a light in everyone?s life. She had a way of making ordinary moments extraordinary, and her presence shaped my life in ways that continue to this day. We remember Julie through stories that made us laugh until we cried, through the pranks, and traditions that filled the Ellis household, and through the small signs and moments that remind us she is still with us. Bruce and Donna share memories of Julie?s warmth, her intelligence, her caring nature, and the ways she looked out for others even at a young age. Together we hold space for grief, for the pain of losing a loved one, and for the ways faith and community can help carry us through life?s hardest moments. The conversation also touches on Bruce?s late twin brother, the remarkable love story Bruce and Donna have shared for more than fifty-six years, and the humor that has kept them grounded even in dark times. From family vacations and traditions to silly pranks and shared laughter, we celebrate the ordinary and extraordinary moments that make a life full and meaningful. This episode is about the importance of speaking openly about loss. It is about love in all its forms, the family we are born into, the family we choose, and the friends who become anchors in our lives. Most of all, it is a tribute to Julie and a reminder that even in loss, connection, memory, and love carry us forward. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #GriefAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #RememberingJulie #FamilyLove #FriendshipAndLoss #HealingTogether #LifeStories #LoveAndLoss #FindingHope #EverydayMoments #LaughterAndTears #LifeLessons #FamilyFirst #FaithAndConnection #HeartfeltStories #CopingWithLoss #SupportAndCommunity #CelebratingLife #CherishedMemories #StoriesThatMatter #EnduringLove #KindnessCounts #LoveLivesOn #SoulfulConversations #LifeReflections #HopeAndHealing #LifeAfterLoss #ComfortAndCare #SharedMemories #GriefSupport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this emotional episode I am joined by Christine Magiera, a mother of three, advocate, and survivor, who shares the devastating story of a drunk driving crash that changed her family?s life in an instant. What started as a simple ice cream outing ended in tragedy when their minivan was struck just minutes from home, leaving her youngest son critically injured. Christine recalls the chaos of that night with shattered glass, the blaring horn, and the fear of watching her son airlifted to the hospital. She also speaks of the extraordinary strength of her oldest son, a paramedic in training who stepped in without hesitation, and her husband, a local fire chief who suddenly found himself responding to his own family?s nightmare. She takes us beyond those terrifying moments into the painful aftermath. Her son faced a long recovery, she was left with broken bones and scars, and she lost the career she had built as a transcriptionist. Christine also shares the injustice her family endured when the woman who caused the crash, the wife of a Michigan State Police trooper, was shielded from accountability the night of the accident and refused a breathalyzer. It took months before charges were filed, and reliving the trauma in court, confronting a woman who never apologized, and finally hearing the guilty verdict brought both pain and a small measure of relief. Christine?s story is also about resilience and advocacy. She reminds us that drunk driving is one hundred percent preventable, that one drink can change everything, and that we must start having real conversations with our children about safe choices. We also talk about the promising technology being developed with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to help stop impaired driving, and why accountability, compassion, and community are essential in the healing process. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/   This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #ChristineMagiera #ChristineMagieraStory #DrunkDrivingAwareness #LifeAfterTrauma #ChildSafetyMatters #PTSDRecovery #FamilyStrength #PersonalResilience #HealingJourney #SafetyFirst #AdvocateForChange #RoadSafetyAwareness #EmpowerThroughStory #TraumaAndRecovery #InspirationFromAdversity #FamilyFirstAlways #MakingADifference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I welcome back Chris Burres, chief scientist, co-founder of MyVitalC, and host of the podcast Live Beyond the Norms. Since Chris first joined me last December, I have been taking MyVitalC every single day, and nine months later I have not gotten sick once. For someone who usually catches everything from colds to bronchitis, especially when traveling or when my kids bring home school germs, this has been life changing. I am not a paid advertiser, I just believe in this product and want to share what has worked for me. Chris and I discuss the science behind the esss60 molecule, how it supports immunity, reduces oxidative stress, and promotes better sleep, energy, joint health, and even healthier hair and skin. He explains the groundbreaking Nobel Prize winning discovery, the longevity studies with incredible results, and new research showing its powerful effects on liver health and cellular protection, sometimes up to 172 times stronger than vitamin C. We also talk about how modern stress impacts our bodies on a cellular level, why supporting mitochondria is critical for resilience, and how nutrition and muscle maintenance play a role, especially for those on weight loss medications. Chris addresses skeptics with transparency about safety studies, long term use, and why his company is committed to making this science available to everyone rather than keeping it locked behind big pharma. If you have ever wondered how to better protect your health on a cellular level, strengthen your immune system, or simply feel your best as you age, this episode will give you both the knowledge and the motivation to get started. Start your journey to wellness today with MyVitalC and experience the benefits for your energy, immunity, and overall health: https://www.myvitalc.com/  Listen to Chris Burres on Live Beyond the Norms on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #ChrisBurris #MyVitalC #Longevity #WellnessJourney #HealingJourney #HealthAndWellness #PodcastCommunity #Biohacking #TraumaSurvivor #MentalHealthAwareness #MindBodyHealing #SelfCareMatters #EnergyBoost #BetterSleep #Resilience #InnerStrength #LifeAfterTrauma #ImmuneSupport #NaturalHealing #StressRelief #esss60 #HealthyLifestyle #SelfHealing #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalWellness #MindsetShift #CellularHealth #LiveLonger #Wellbeing #HealingTogether #DailyWellness  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with executive coach, professor, and four-time author Leslie Grossman to talk about the themes of her newest book, Circles of Collaboration. Drawing from her decades of experience in leadership and her upbringing in a family that modeled the power of community, Leslie shares why genuine connection is more essential than ever in our families, friendships, careers, and beyond. We discuss the unique ways women balance caregiving, connection, and career, and how these skills can become powerful strengths when used with intention. Leslie explains why women need trusted circles of support, how empathy and communication make us natural leaders, and why curiosity and authenticity always matter more than ego or desperation. She also shares practical strategies for building strong, reciprocal relationships?whether you are reentering the workforce, navigating career setbacks, or trying to avoid burnout in a world dominated by screens. From reaching out with sincerity, to moving conversations beyond surface-level exchanges, to finding balance by stepping away from technology and reconnecting with nature, this episode is filled with guidance for both personal healing and professional growth. This heartfelt conversation reminded me that none of us succeed alone. True resilience, purpose, and joy are born from connection, curiosity, and community, and small, sincere actions can change not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. Want to find out more? Get Leslie?s newest book Circles of Collaboration here: https://www.amazon.com/Circles-Collaboration-Christine-Merser/dp/B0FKGQD1V2 This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #Collaboration #Connection #AuthenticRelationships #Curiosity #Community #WomenSupportingWomen #LeadershipJourney #Balance #BurnoutRecovery #PersonalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #ThrivingWomen #WorkLifeHarmony #EmpoweredLiving #MeaningfulConnections #Resilience #Mindfulness #WomenInLeadership #InnerStrength #SelfAwareness #LeslieGrossman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of assault, grooming, and trauma that may be difficult for some listeners. In this powerful episode, I sit down with author, nurse, and survivor Stephanie Maley, who bravely shares her story of trauma, survival, and healing. From childhood medical trauma and abandonment to cycles of grooming, and the silence that followed, Stephanie opens up about the hidden scars that shaped her life and the long journey of finding her voice. She describes how growing up in dysfunction and secrecy left her carrying guilt, shame, and fear, while faith and spirituality became both a source of comfort and confusion. We talk about how she sought escape and strength through sports, how therapy and self-discovery became her lifelines, and how her husband?s steadfast love gave her the safety to finally begin healing. Stephanie also reflects on the transformative process of writing her memoir, ?No Longer That Girl: Retracing the Scars of Past and Present?, and how movements like #MeToo gave her the courage to confront her past and break cycles of silence. By reconnecting with her younger self, she was able to finally say the words she once couldn?t: ?I?ve got you. You are safe.? This conversation is raw, emotional, and deeply human. It is about resilience, courage, and the power of telling your story. Not just to survive, but to reclaim your life. Stephanie?s message is clear: You are not alone. Healing is possible. And no matter how heavy the past feels, there is hope. Stephanie's book ?No Longer That Girl? releases November 4th but you can pre-order now at your local bookstore or online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #oneskinpod #StephanieMaley #PTSDRecovery #EmotionalResilience #SelfLoveJourney #SurvivorStrong #HealingThroughStories #FaithAndHealing #BreakTheSilence #EmpowerSurvivors #NoLongerThatGirl #TraumaAwareness #InnerStrength #HopeAfterTrauma #TraumaSurvivorStories #HealingIsPossible #RiseAboveTrauma #AssaultSurvivor #ReclaimYourStory #SurvivorSupport #Faith #PersonalGrowthJourney #HealingHeart #YouAreNotAlone TraumaToHealing #MindBodyHealing #SafeSpacesMatter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Nikki Eisenhauer, licensed psychotherapist, mental health podcaster, and fellow survivor, to explore the complex realities of healing from childhood trauma and complex PTSD. Nikki shares her courageous story of growing up in fear and chaos, carrying the impossible burden of protecting her younger sisters, and facing the painful truths of family estrangement. She opens up about how trauma reshapes our nervous systems, why healing is not linear, and the radical patience and self-kindness it takes to reclaim peace. Together, we talk about the necessity of setting boundaries, not just with others, but within our own minds to silence the relentless critical voice that keeps us stuck. Nikki reveals why finding the right therapist is vital, why sampling different therapeutic approaches is part of the process, and how no contact can be a profound act of self-love and protection. This conversation is a testament to resilience, and the unshakable belief that we can rise above our past. Nikki also introduces her transformative Boundaries Intensive, a six-week course designed to equip you with practical tools for creating healthy boundaries, especially during challenging family dynamics and holidays. You can listen to Nikki?s podcast ?Emotional Badass? on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Find out more about Nikki?s courses or schedule an appointment through her site: https://www.nikkieisenhauer.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #HealingTrauma #MentalHealth #Boundaries #SelfKindness #TraumaRecovery #ComplexPTSD #TherapyJourney #SurvivorStrong #EmotionalWellness #SelfCareTips #NervousSystemHealing #PatienceInHealing #EmotionalBadass #MentalHealthPodcast #TraumaInformed #InnerStrength #SelfLove #Mindfulness #EmotionalHealing #TraumaSurvivor #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #TraumaAwareness #BreakTheCycle #HealingIsPossible #SelfCompassion #Resilience #MentalWellness #NikkiEisenhauer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a revisited conversation with the incredible Dr. Shah from Empower Her Health Center. The information we discussed continues to be just as relevant?and powerful?today. Whether you?re tuning in for the first time or listening again, I know you?ll find this discussion just as insightful and empowering as I did the day we recorded it. In this episode, we dive into essential topics like perimenopause, menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the journey through hysterectomy. I candidly share my personal experiences with hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, complex PTSD, and the life-changing decision to undergo a hysterectomy. Dr. Shah explains the nuances of these transitions, debunking myths and offering practical advice on managing these changes effectively. This conversation is full of valuable insights on the types of hysterectomy procedures, the importance of post-surgery recovery, and innovative approaches to weight loss. She emphasizes the critical role of self-awareness and advocacy, encouraging women to trust their instincts and seek personalized care. Whether you're dealing with hormonal changes, considering HRT, or recovering from a hysterectomy, this episode offers invaluable guidance. My story of resilience, combined with Dr. Shah?s expert knowledge, delivers a heartfelt and empowering message. To learn more about Dr. Shah and her practice, visit: https://www.empowerherhealthcenter.com/about  Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/JUDGING This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #advocacy #empowerherhealth #perimenopause #menopause #hormonereplacementjourney  #healingjourney #midlifechanges #advocacy #womenshealth #hysterectomy #HRT #honeylovepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I?m joined once again by someone I truly admire. Dr. Alexandra Sowa is one of the nation?s first certified obesity medicine physicians, founder of the wellness brand SoWell, and author of "The Ozempic revolution" Together, we dive deep into what it really means to reclaim our health, our stories, and our futures. Dr. Sowa brings honesty, expertise, and compassion as we discuss the truth behind GLP1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, debunk the stigma and misinformation swirling around them, and explore why they?re not a shortcut. They are a legitimate and life-changing tool in fighting chronic disease. We also talk about the risks of compounded drugs, the billion dollar waste in the weight loss industry, and how to protect yourself from shady med spas and TikTok trends. We explore the importance of eating enough even when you?re not hungry, the role of protein and fiber, and how natural supplements like berberine, cinnamon, and chromium can support metabolic health with or without medication. Dr. Sowa opens up about her mission to shift the narrative from shame to science, from quick fixes to sustainable change. We talk about how her SoWell products are designed to help people not just survive but truly thrive, and how healing isn't just physical. It?s emotional, political, and deeply personal. We?re not just rewriting the weight loss narrative. We?re building a future rooted in honesty, prevention, and power. Your health isn?t a trend. It?s your birthright. You can find out more and order he book through her site: https://alexandrasowamd.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #MentalHealthMatters #JudgingMeghan #GLP1 #WeightLossJourney #Women?sHealth #HormoneHealth #ChronicDiseasePrevention #WellnessJourney #ObesityMedicine #HealthEmpowerment #Supplements #MetabolicHealth #SelfLove #HealthWithoutShame #HealthyAging #PreventionNotCure #WellnessCommunity #MentalHealthAndBody #HormoneReplacementTherapy #Berberine #HealthyLiving #ScienceBasedHealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Heather Bellino, CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project, to talk about her unexpected journey from PTA volunteer to leading one of Texas?s most impactful nonprofit legal organizations. What began as a school carnival fundraiser turned into a life?s mission helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking access the civil legal services they need to reclaim their lives. Heather opens up about the culture of over-apologizing among women, the quiet epidemic of coercive control, and how real abuse rarely starts with violence. It starts with love bombing, manipulation, and slow erosion of boundaries. We dive into the incredible work her team is doing across Texas, including the powerful Teen Ambassadors of Hope program equipping young people to spot red flags, speak up, and protect each other. You?ll hear an unforgettable story of a brave boy on a school bus whose courage changed a life simply because he had the right tools. Heather also gets real about how the legal system often fails victims, why civil legal aid can be the only justice many survivors ever receive, and how critical it is that we create space for people to heal without shame. You can find out more about the Texas Advocacy Project here: https://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/  Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/   This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #MentalHealthMatters #JudgingMeghan #HeatherBellino #TexasAdvocacyProject #DomesticViolenceAwareness #CivilLegalAid #WomenEmpowerment #TeenAdvocates #CoerciveControl #SurvivorStories #StopApologizing #FindYourVoice #HealingJourney #NonprofitLeadership #RealLove #TraumaRecovery #HopeAndHealing #SocialJustice #EndAbuse #VoicesThatMatter #PurposeDriven Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Marisa Hallsted, a transformation coach and Reality Architect who helps people reconnect with themselves in powerful and gentle ways. Marisa and I dive into a deeply moving conversation about burnout, grief, and how the pain we carry, often silently can weigh us down without us even realizing it. She shares her own story of trauma, heartbreak, and the moment she almost gave up, and how that breaking point became the beginning of deep healing and self-awareness. I also talk about my personal session with Marisa. I showed up feeling scattered and skeptical, but by the end, I felt an undeniable shift. She guided me through energy work that helped me release old pain I didn?t even know I was still holding, especially the grief quietly sitting at the back of my heart. Together, we explore how childhood experiences and subconscious patterns shape our lives and how we can begin to shift those patterns with awareness, softness, and intention. Marisa shares what it means to be a Reality Architect and how we can reclaim our power by asking who?s really running the show. Is it our fear, our inner child, or someone else's voice? She also introduces her new app, Seeded Sound, which uses sound healing and subliminal affirmations to help adults and children reprogram the subconscious and find balance. This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing isn?t about perfection. It?s about pausing, listening, and choosing yourself with love. If you?ve been feeling disconnected or weighed down by something that isn?t even yours, I hope this episode reminds you that you are not broken. You are becoming. And you are already more okay than you think. Find out more on Marissa?s site: https://www.marisahallsted.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #MarisaHallsted #HealingJourney #EnergyHealing #SubconsciousReprogramming #GriefRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #TraumaHealing #SoundHealing #ChakraHealing #WomensEmpowerment #SpiritualAwakening #HolisticHealing #InnerChildHealing #EmotionalWellness #SelfCompassion #MindBodySoul #BurnoutRecovery #YouAreNotAlone #SeededSound #RealityArchitect #HealingIsPossible #ChooseYou #HopeIsHere #RiseAbove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The following episode is a revisited episode from a previous conversation with Dr. Ken Druck that I feel is just as meaningful and relevant today as when it first aired. In this episode I?m joined by Dr. Ken Druck, a Ph.D. and grief expert, for a meaningful conversation about navigating "what now" moments. These moments can arise on a personal level or in response to larger global challenges, and Dr. Ken offers powerful insight into how we can meet them with resilience, compassion, and purpose. He shares how times of hardship can become opportunities for growth and positive change. We also explore the importance of finding common ground, practicing empathy, and forming unexpected friendships even when our perspectives differ. The conversation touches on the universality of grief and the unique challenges parents face in today?s uncertain world. Themes of self-compassion, patience, and humility shine through as essential tools for moving forward through uncertainty. At its core, this episode captures the human experience?the struggle with loss, the strength of love, and the possibility of discovering joy even in the midst of sorrow. To learn more about Dr. Ken Druck and his work, visit www.kendruck.com where you can explore his previous books and pre-order his upcoming release HOW WE GO ON. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #abuserecovery #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #selfhelp #addiction #addictionrecovery #lgbtqsupport #GriefSupport #EmotionalHealing #CompassionInAction #FindingCommonGround #DrKenDruck #NavigatingGrief #WhatNowMoments #SharedHumanity #SelfCompassion #HealingThroughConnection #GriefJourney #ParentingThroughGrief #ResilienceAndGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #TheHumanExperience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I sit down with journalist, author, and BBC veteran Emily Kasriel to explore something that feels both radical and deeply human: the art of deep listening. At a time when the world is louder, angrier, and more divided than ever, Emily?s message is a lifeline for anyone who?s ever felt dismissed, overwhelmed, or unsure how to bridge the growing gap with someone they care about. As someone who has walked through trauma, loss, and healing myself, I know how hard it is to feel truly heard and how much harder it is to listen when our emotions are high and our beliefs feel under threat. But Emily gently reminds us that we do not have to agree with someone to understand them. We just have to stay curious. Her new book, Deep Listening: Transform Your Relationships with Family, Friends, and Foes, is more than a guide. It is a call to action for empathy, presence, and connection. Drawing from her decades of research and experience training over a thousand people across more than one hundred countries, Emily shares seven transformative steps to deep listening. These are not just communication techniques. They are practices rooted in radical self-awareness. We talk about how our unhealed trauma often gets projected onto others, how silence can be a sacred space instead of something to fear, and how reflecting back someone?s truth even when we disagree can create profound shifts in understanding. I was struck by how people in her studies became less extreme in their views simply by being heard. That kind of change starts from within. This conversation touches every corner of life, from political arguments and friend breakups to mother-daughter relationships and everyday moments with strangers. Emily?s compassionate wisdom shows us that deep listening is not about fixing anyone. It is about making room for what is real. If you have ever felt too angry to speak, too hurt to hear, or too disconnected to try, this episode is for you. It reminded me that empathy is not weakness. It is one of the bravest and boldest gifts we can offer each other. Healing, whether personal or collective, begins the moment we choose to truly hear one another. Find out more about Emily Kasriel here: https://www.emilykasriel.com/  Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #DeepListening #Empathy #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #CommunicationSkills #PersonalGrowth #Relationships #Polarization #Mindfulness #MentalHealth #Parenting #Friendship #ConflictResolution #SelfAwareness #HumanConnection #AuthenticConversations #ActiveListening #HealingTogether #Compassion #Curiosity #Resilience #SelfGrowth #BreakingBarriers #TransformativeConversations #ListenToUnderstand #ConnectionMatters #VulnerabilityIsStrength #BraveSpaces #ReigniteYourVoice #oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I?m joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr Noelle Santorelli. We get into the invisible wounds left by social rejection and toxic dynamics, especially among women. I share my own deeply personal story of a friendship that turned into covert bullying and the emotional devastation that followed, while Dr. Noelle offers expert insight into how childhood trauma, complex PTSD, and early attachment wounds shape our adult relationships and our responses to betrayal. Together, we unpack why the pain of losing close friendships can cut deeper than romantic heartbreak, how the biology of shame and the human need for belonging intensify that pain, and why so many of us stay in harmful friendships just to keep the peace, sacrificing our own worth. We challenge the stigma around ?mean girl? behavior and explore how people-pleasing, social anxiety, and the pressure to perform for approval keep us trapped in toxic patterns. We also reveal how these toxic dynamics mirror narcissistic abuse and the lasting emotional toll betrayal and exclusion can take on our nervous systems. Most importantly, Dr. Noelle and I want to empower you to reclaim your voice, set healthy boundaries, and choose peace and authenticity over approval and silence. If you?ve ever felt ghosted, gossiped about, or silenced by the very people you trusted, this conversation offers hope, healing, and a reminder that your pain is valid and you are not alone. This episode is a powerful call to courage and self-love?because sometimes healing means getting uncomfortable, speaking your truth, and walking away to find freedom and belonging on your own terms. Follow Dr. Santorelli here: https://www.instagram.com/dr.noelle.santorelli/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #FriendshipHealing #ToxicFriendships #RelationalTrauma #MentalHealthMatters #WomenSupportingWomen #FriendshipBetrayal #SelfWorth #HealingJourney #EmotionalWellness #Boundaries #TraumaRecovery #FindingYourVoice #AdultFriendships #Empowerment #LettingGo #SelfLove #EmotionalResilience #ToxicDynamics #FemaleFriendships #BreakTheSilence #DrNoelleSantorelli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I?m joined by the incredible Dr. Bonnie Buckner, dream expert and author of The Secret Mind: Unlock the Power of Dreams to Transform Your Life. Together we take a  journey through the unconscious, as Bonnie shares how one vivid, recurring dream uprooted her life and led her all the way to the south of France. But more than a change of scenery, it was a call from deep within, a soul nudge that she couldn?t ignore. Together, Meghan and Bonnie explore the mysterious and powerful language of dreams. From childhood nightmares to adult visions that resurface unresolved emotions, they unpack how dreams are more than just nighttime stories. They are deeply connected to our bodies, our healing, and our inner wisdom. You?ll learn why recurring dreams and nightmares are signals from your nervous system, how substances like melatonin can interfere with your ability to hear what your dreams are saying, and why paying attention to what shows up at night can unlock transformation by day. This is a conversation about the freedom that comes when we stop dismissing what our intuition is whispering. It?s about letting your soul exhale. It?s about realizing that you already have everything you need within you to heal, to grow, and to make bold, beautiful changes even if they feel scary. Whether you?re a tired parent trying to find space, a dreamer seeking clarity, or someone navigating loss, grief, or transition, this episode will awaken something in you. Because your dreams are not random. They are letters from your deeper self, waiting to be opened. Find out about bonnie here: https://bonniebuckner.com/  Order her book ?The Secret Mind: Unlock the Power of Dreams to Transform Your Life? on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #innerwisdom #dreamanalysis #intuitiveliving #dreamlife #spiritualawakening #selfdiscovery #dreamjourney #emotionalhealing #dreammessages #mindbodyconnection #dreamwork #consciousliving #dreampower #awakenthesoul #dreaminsights #transformyourlife #dreamscience #dreamstudy #dreamlistener #dreamspirit #bonniebuckner #thesecretmind #dreams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From The Walking Dead to Walking Away: Reclaiming Power After Abuse with Actress, Podcaster, and BFF Alliance Co-Founder Lindsay Abernathy Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of emotional abuse, sexual assault, and trauma. Please listen with care. This week on Judging Meghan, I sit down with the remarkable Lindsay Abernathy?an actress, advocate, and survivor whose journey takes us from the set of The Walking Dead to the harsh realities of emotional and financial abuse. Lindsay?s story is raw, real, and deeply moving. What started as a one-time favor for a casting friend became a years-long role on one of television?s most iconic shows. Yet, behind the scenes, she was living through a far more terrifying storyline?trapped in a relationship that, on the surface, seemed picture-perfect but was riddled with coercive control, emotional warfare, and financial abuse. From private jets to pawn shops, Lindsay pulls back the curtain on what it means to survive behind the illusion of privilege. She shares how her ambition, identity, and even basic freedoms were slowly stripped away?and how she fought like hell to reclaim them. We talk about the insidious nature of abuse that hides in plain sight, how abusers use money, shame, and even motherhood as weapons, and why the healing journey often begins after you leave. We dive into the trauma of being gaslit, smeared, and silenced, and the strength it takes to rise, rebuild, and speak out. Now, through her podcast Bitch Is a Bad Word and her nonprofit BFF Alliance, Lindsay is helping other women plan safe exits, rediscover their worth, and take their voices back. This is more than a conversation about abuse?it's a testament to resilience, a call to advocacy, and a reminder that healing is not just possible, it?s powerful. If you?ve ever questioned your reality, felt stuck in something that looked ?good? on the outside but felt crushing on the inside, or given up parts of yourself for someone else?s version of love, this episode will leave you feeling seen, heard, and empowered. Because your story matters. Your truth matters. And you are not alone. You can follow Lindsay here: https://www.instagram.com/lindz_abernathy/?hl=en  And listen to her podcast ?Bitch Is a Bad Word? on all Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other podcast platforms! National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233) This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #TheWalkingDead #DomesticViolence #SurvivorStory #ReclaimYourVoice #LindsayAbernathy #BFFAlliance #EmotionalAbuse #FinancialAbuse #HealingJourney #WomenEmpowerment #PodcastEpisode #Resilience #MentalHealth #Advocacy #BreakTheSilence #TraumaRecovery #NarcissisticAbuse #AbuseAwareness #VoiceForSurvivors #Empowerment #MotherhoodAndAbuse #AbuseSurvivorSupport #HealingAfterAbuse #MentalWellness #SpeakYourTruth #EndDomesticViolence #Inspiration #Strength #SurvivorVoices #HopeAfterTrauma #YouAreNotAlone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with podcaster, author, and MFT John Tsilimparis, to talk about one of the most universal and often misunderstood human experiences: grief. John's book The Magic in the Tragic: Rewriting the Script on Grief and Discovering Happiness in Our Darkest Days is a beautiful testament to the possibility of hope, healing, and even joy after loss. As someone who has walked through the heartbreak of losing my sister, my best friend, and my dad, this conversation felt deeply personal. We talk about what it means to stop running from our pain and instead walk toward it with grace. John shares his own story of loss and how it shaped his path, leading him to a deeper understanding of what he calls grief empowerment, an invitation to not just survive but to grow through what breaks us. Together, we reflect on the nobility of suffering, the myth of closure, and how grounding ourselves in beauty through music, nature, art, and even signs from loved ones can transform the way we carry our sorrow. This episode is not just about grief. It is about becoming a peaceful warrior. We talk about how anxiety distorts both our fears and our faith in ourselves, and how learning to coexist with discomfort can lead to unexpected transformation. You will hear practical, soul-soothing tools to help you sit with hard emotions, honor your story, and find inspiration in the midst of sorrow. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by loss, stuck in avoidance, or unsure how to move forward, this conversation is a reminder that healing does not mean forgetting. It means learning to carry the pain with purpose and allowing even your darkest days to lead you toward light. Found out more about John here: https://johntsilimparis.com/  Follow John here: https://www.instagram.com/jtsilimparis/  Listen to Johns Podcast ?Mindfulness For The Soul? on Apple Podcast, Spotifiy, and anywhere you get your podcasts!  Use code JUDGING at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only. Ready to help your kids grow money skills that will last a lifetime? Just head to acornsearly.com/judging or download the Acorns Early app to get started. Sign up now and your first month is on us! Head to Sittercity.com and find child care that has your back when life does what it does. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #GriefHealing #JohnTsilimparis #TherapistTalks #MentalHealthMatters #GriefJourney #EmotionalHealing #MFT #HealingThroughLoss #PodcastConversation #TheMagicInTheTragic #SelfCompassion #HealingJourney #EmbraceYourPain #TransformYourGrief #GriefSupport #AnxietyRelief #TraumaRecovery #LossAndHealing #HopeAfterLoss #HealingIsPossible #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCareTips #HealingWithGrace #GriefEmpowerment #PeaceInPain #HeartHealing #HealingThroughArt #EmotionalStrength #FindYourPeace #SoulfulHealing #HealingConversation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices