In this episode of Carrie's Always Talking, Adriene Caldwell shares her harrowing life story, detailing her experiences with trauma, mental illness, and the complexities of family dynamics. She discusses her journey through foster care, her relationship with her mother, and the impact of supportive figures in her life. Adriene emphasizes the importance of understanding mental illness and the choices we make in the face of adversity. Her story is one of resilience, personal growth, and the power of gratitude as she navigates her path to healing and self-acceptance. Please be advised- There are some more in depth examples of physical abuse shared in the episode which may be triggering for some listeners. 

Adriene's Website: https://www.unbrokencaldwell.com/

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Bluesky- @carrie-is-talking.bsky.social 

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In this episode of Carrie's Always Talking, Carrie interviews Jenna Udenberg, a disability advocate and author, who shares her personal journey with juvenile arthritis and the challenges she faced growing up. Jenna discusses her experiences with self-advocacy, the importance of creating inclusive spaces, and her nonprofit organization, Above and Beyond with U, which aims to enhance accessibility for all. She also reflects on her memoir, 'Within My Spokes,' and the power of storytelling in fostering empathy and connection among individuals. Jenna emphasizes the need for authentic relationships and the importance of understanding the unique experiences of those with disabilities.

Jenna's Website: https://www.aboveandbeyondwithu.org/

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Bluesky- @carrie-is-talking.bsky.social 

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In this episode of Carrie's Always Talking, Carrie speaks with Julie Barth, a mother of six and trauma survivor, about her journey through grief, emotional abuse, and the challenges of parenting a child with special needs. Julie shares her experiences and insights on resilience, the importance of support systems for women, and recognizing red flags in relationships. The conversation emphasizes the need for community support, the lessons learned from adversity, and the significance of finding peace in life after trauma.

Julie's Website: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

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In this conversation, Carrie speaks with  Dr. Lynn Banis who shares her personal journey through grief, discussing the profound impact of losing loved ones and how it led her to help others navigate their own grief. She emphasizes the importance of community support, self-care, and the need to honor one's emotions while moving forward. The discussion also touches on societal attitudes towards grief, the physical effects of loss, and the significance of creating new traditions. Dr. Lynn offers insights into how to support others in their grief and the importance of communication during such times.

https://app.widowsrisingtogether.com/about

f you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Bluesky- @carrie-is-talking.bsky.social 

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In this episode of Carrie's Always Talking, Carrie speaks with Lisa Sugarman, a mental health advocate and author, who shares her personal journey as a survivor of suicide loss. Lisa discusses the creation of the Help Hub, a comprehensive online resource for mental health support, and emphasizes the importance of language in discussing suicide. They explore the stigma surrounding mental illness, the role of crisis hotlines, and how to support someone in crisis. Lisa also highlights the mission of the Trevor Project, which provides crisis support for LGBTQ youth. The conversation underscores the need for open dialogue about mental health and the resources available to those in need.

https://www.thehelphub.co/

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

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In this engaging episode of Carrie's Always Talking, Dr. Sue McCreadie shares her journey from being a pediatrician to coaching women in midlife. She discusses the evolution of her career, the importance of self-discovery during midlife, and how healing can be a fun and transformative process. Dr. McCreadie also delves into the significance of tarot and numerology as tools for understanding oneself and navigating life's patterns. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities that arise during midlife, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's authentic self and the power of personal growth. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Sue shares her journey from being a pediatrician to a life coach, emphasizing the importance of soulful strategy sessions in navigating life's changes. The discussion delves into the significance of inner child work, midlife transitions, and the ripple effect of healing generational trauma. Dr. Sue also explores personality types in midlife, sharing insights on how understanding these can aid personal growth. Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates the strength found in adversity and concludes with a powerful message about life being a love story, encouraging listeners to embrace their journeys with joy and resilience.

Dr Sue's website: https://www.drsuemccreadie.com/

Midlife personality quiz: https://www.drsuemccreadie.com/soulfull-medicine-quiz-abundant

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Bluesky- @carrie-is-talking.bsky.social 

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In this episode of Carrie's Always Talking, Carrie has a powerful conversation with Jennisue Jessen where she shares her harrowing journey from childhood trauma and exploitation to becoming a resilient advocate for survivors of trafficking. She discusses the importance of empathy, the misconceptions surrounding trafficking, and the healing process. Jennisue emphasizes that trauma does not define us, but rather equips us to create a more just world. Through her work, she aims to empower others to find their voice and navigate their healing journey, highlighting the significance of survivor-led organizations and the need for compassion in addressing these complex issues. This episode serves as a reminder that there is hope even in the darkest of places. 

Jennisue's website: https://compass31.org/

 https://www.facebook.com/jenni.jessen

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Bluesky- @carrie-is-talking.bsky.social 

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In this episode of Carrie's Always Talking Carrie speaks with Malisa Hepner about her profound journey through trauma, healing, and self-discovery. Malisa discusses her complex childhood, the impact of family dynamics, and the struggles with emotional availability. Carrie and Malisa emphasize the importance of vulnerability, curiosity, and compassion in building healthier relationships and understanding oneself. Malisa also reflects on her experiences with shame, self-worth, and the journey towards acceptance, ultimately conveying a message of hope and the significance of being true to oneself. It's an honest and open discussion about trauma, and as always there is some appropriate use of levity as well. 

Malisa's Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Bluesky- @carrie-is-talking.bsky.social 

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In this episode of Carrie's Always Talking, Carrie interviews Susan Snow, the daughter of a slain LAPD detective, who shares her profound journey from trauma to resilience. Susan recounts the tragic day her father was killed, the immediate aftermath, and the long-term effects of grief and trauma on her mental health and family dynamics. She discusses the importance of finding the right therapist, the role of vulnerability in healing, and the power of sharing stories to help others. Susan emphasizes that healing is a journey, not a sprint, and encourages listeners to take responsibility for their own healing process while recognizing that they are not alone in their struggles. 

It's a bit of a longer episode, but it's well worth a listen. There is some discussion of gun violence, so listener discretion is advised. 

Susan's website: https://susansnowspeaks.com/

 http://a.co/d/fFuR4iT

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Bluesky- @carrie-is-talking.bsky.social 

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In this episode of Carrie's Always Talking, Carrie and Sara Kantner explore the world of clowning, discussing its significance, the journey of self-discovery through performance, and the importance of vulnerability and audience connection. Sara shares her experiences in clown training, the joy of audience participation, and the transformative power of humor in difficult times. They also touch on the physicality of clowning, the spiritual aspects of performance, and the potential for community building through laughter and play. 

Sara's Instagram:

Sara Kantner (@saknasty) 

If you have a story you'd like to tell, send me an email at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Bluesky- @carrie-is-talking.bsky.social 

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