Cricket Fixes

Gabe Charalambides left a career as an aerospace engineer to found Odyssey Retreats, one of Oregon's legal psilocybin retreat centers. On this episode, he tells Cricket the full story: a Pema Chödrön talk that reshaped how he related to his own anxiety, a psychedelic experience someone once described as letting you "inhabit the same room as the Buddha — you just can't stay there," and a month spent volunteering at a retreat center in the Netherlands that convinced him this was his life's work.

The synchronicities keep stacking up. Gabe once toured a stunning property in Bend, Oregon, that was way out of budget and forgot about it, only to end up leasing that exact property years later as Odyssey's home base, whose owners, it turns out, had been waiting for someone just like him to show up. They also get into the unglamorous reality behind the magic: why Oregon law forces retreats to split the experience between a private lodge and a separate licensed facility in town, and how Odyssey has now expanded into Colorado.

She lost 220 pounds naturally. She survived suicidal ideation. She rebuilt her entire identity. And she did it all by learning -for the first time -to love the woman in the mirror.

In this episode of the Cricket Fixes Podcast, Christa sits down with Tara Wiskow, intuitive energy healer and life reinvention expert, for a soul-level conversation about what it really takes to break free from self-abandonment, people-pleasing, and the patterns that keep us small.

This is one of those episodes that finds you when you need it.

Together, Christa and Tara explore the concept of the identity rupture -that moment when everything you thought you wanted explodes and a new direction starts pulling at you. They talk about why we have four bodies (spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical) and how disease in the body starts long before we feel it physically. They get into the neuroscience of why change feels so unsafe, what's actually happening when you can't stop people-pleasing, and why most of us are still being run by an unhealed inner child -even if we'd never admit it.

And then they get beautifully practical. Tara shares her mirror work technique that starts with your feet (yes, really -and it's genius), the white light grounding visualization, and a simple daily emotion check-in that can crack you open in the best possible way.

This isn't about toxic positivity or "just love yourself." It's about the real, gritty, gorgeous work of coming home.

In this episode:

• The identity rupture and what it's actually telling you

• Why your brain is wired to keep you stuck (and what to do about it)

• Inner child healing vs. reparenting -and why the order matters

• Mirror work you can actually start tonight, even if you hate yourself right now

• A simple grounding and emotion check-in practice

• Why self-love had to come before Tara could heal anything else

Connect with Tara Wiskow: www.tara-wiskow.com | Instagram: @tara.wiskow

Referenced episode: Ep. 10 -"Release, Recalibrate & Reclaim" (Christa's own healing story)

Bonus Episode

This was a bonus episode I had to record.

As we approach the final days of the Year of the Snake and prepare to enter the Year of the Fire Horse, I’m sharing very honestly what this last shedding has looked like in my own life. The relationships, patterns, habits, and identities that can’t come with me into what’s next… even when letting go hurts.

This episode is about grief, nervous system overwhelm, sugar cravings as a symptom (not the problem), and the real work of choosing ease over urgency. It’s about listening to your body, protecting your energy, and understanding that growth doesn’t always look like pushing harder, it often looks like making space.

If you’re feeling like something is coming to an end…

If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or clinging to things that once felt safe…

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consciously choose what you’re ready to release—so you can step into what you’re calling in.

🔥 Three Powerful Moments from This Episode

1️⃣ The Final Shedding: When Letting Go Still Hurts

(1:34 – 3:29)

As the Year of the Snake comes to a close, I open up about losing meaningful relationships and identities—and why grief is still real even when you know it’s time.

“There’s a grieving process we don’t talk about even when you know it’s time to let something go.”

2️⃣ Sugar Isn’t the Problem. My Nervous System Is.

(5:07 – 10:12)

What looked like a willpower issue was actually nervous system overload. I break down how stress, urgency, and dopamine wiring drive cravings—and why “doing all the right things” still wasn’t enough.

“The sugar was just a symptom. My nervous system was overwhelmed.”

3️⃣ Start With What You’re Calling In. Let the Obstacles Reveal Themselves.

(12:43 – 16:22)

Instead of asking what should I let go of? I flipped the question to what am I calling in? Naming ease as my word for 2026 made the shedding obvious—and non-negotiable.

“Once I knew what I was calling in, it became very clear what had to go.”

🔗 Resources & Invitations

​Soul Observation Session​ (Free, Live): January 27th at 5:30 PM PT​

Cricket Fixes Membership​: Access replays, tools, and ongoing support​

Financial Aid Available​: Access matters. If cost is a barrier, there’s an option for you.

💛 Final Reflection

If you’re feeling stuck, start with your desired outcome not the problem.

You don’t have to change everything today. Awareness plants the seed.

And if this episode landed for you, please follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone who’s ready for real change. Those small actions help this podcast reach people who know there’s more available to them—and are ready to step into it.

What if joy isn’t something you chase — but something you practice?

In this deeply honest and energizing conversation, Christa “Cricket” King sits down with Jacques Martiquet, the self-described Party Scientist, to explore what it really means to choose joy through sobriety, radical vulnerability, and conscious connection.

Together, they unpack how alcohol and other cultural “shortcuts” can quietly block authentic joy, and Jacques introduces his powerful framework of the 5 S’s — the common ways we’re taught to outsource happiness: substances, sugar & salt, screens, stuff, and sites. While these offer temporary relief, they often keep us disconnected from the deeper, embodied joy we’re actually craving.

This episode dives into why vulnerability is a skill (not a personality trait), how boundaries protect joy, and how social intelligence, movement, presence, and honest emotional processing create real, sustainable aliveness. You’ll hear reflections on sober joy, grief as a teacher, reframing hardship into fuel, and the courage it takes to be fully seen — especially when your light makes others uncomfortable.

You’ll explore:

• Choosing sobriety as a gateway to clarity, connection, and joy

• The 5 S’s and how they quietly replace true fulfillment

• Why joy is not toxic positivity, but a trainable, embodied practice

• Radical vulnerability, grief, and the gifts hidden inside loss

• Building relationships that support growth, reciprocity, and aliveness

• Why human connection may be the most underrated “antidepressant” we have

This conversation is for anyone who feels called to live more awake, authentic, and joy-forward — without numbing, bypassing, or shrinking to fit old norms.

✨ Joy is available. Sobriety clears the way. Vulnerability opens the door.

Important links:

Zero for Life: The-Science-Meets-Soul Method to Alcohol Freedom

The Party Scientist website

Join Jacques on Instagram>>>

Summary

In this conversation, Angie Hawkins shares her transformative journey from self-loathing to self-love, detailing her struggles with emotional unavailability in childhood, the impact of significant life events, and her eventual realization of purpose. She introduces her Glow Method, which emphasizes the importance of addressing childhood trauma, self-validation, and reconnecting with one's authentic self. Angie provides practical tips for cultivating self-love and highlights the significance of boundaries and intuition in the healing process.

Takeaways

• Angie's journey began with emotional unavailability in childhood.
• Beliefs formed in childhood dictate adult behaviors.
• Moving away from problems does not solve them.
• The catalyst for change often comes from profound pain.
• Finding purpose can emerge from moments of crisis.
• The Glow Method focuses on healing through self-discovery.
• Boundaries are essential for self-respect and love.
• Intuition is a powerful tool for self-trust.
• Healing requires practical tools and consistent effort.
• Connecting with one's authentic self is a sacred journey.

Sound bites

"I can't believe I didn't die."

"It's not your time."

"I have a purpose."

Chapters

00:00 From Self-Loathing to Self-Loving

03:39 The Catalyst for Change

08:14 Finding Purpose After Crisis

13:09 The Journey of Healing and Intuition

16:01 The Power of Coaching and Practical Tools

19:11 The Limitations of Talk Therapy

22:16 The Glow Method: A Journey to Inner Healing

25:45 Practical Steps to Unraveling Old Programming

32:32 Navigating Resistance to Change

35:21 Connecting with Angie Hawkins: Resources and Next Steps

Essential Links for Angie Hawkins

https://www.runninginslippers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/angiehawkins808/

Essential Cricket Fixes Links

https://cricket-fixes-community.mn.co/landing/

https://www.instagram.com/cricket_fixes/

https://www.tiktok.com/@cricket_fixes

https://open.spotify.com/show/06kGoBj7Z1pl4HnC8pCARw?si=8123b8ba52e948fd

In this powerful episode of the Cricket Fixes Podcast, I’m joined by my dear friend and collaborator, Dr. Jennifer Rossi – an allopathically trained ER physician turned longevity and women’s health specialist – to introduce our dream program:

Zero for Life: The Science-Meets-Soul Method to Alcohol Freedom.

We kick things off with the very modern love story of how Jen slid into my DMs, how our dogs became instant besties, and how that one message turned into a life-changing collaboration. From there, Jen shares her journey from the chaos of the emergency room to helping women thrive through perimenopause and menopause, and why she could no longer ignore what alcohol was doing to people’s bodies, brains, and lives.

Inside this episode, we dive into:

• How alcohol impacts every major organ system in the body

• The truth about alcohol as a Class I carcinogen and its links to dementia, gut health, liver damage, hormones, and sleep

• What’s really going on with dopamine, GABA, and neurotransmitters when you “just have a glass of wine”

• Why cravings are not just a willpower issue – they’re deeply biological

• My own story of alcohol abuse, from stealing beer at 13 to drinking 7–8 drinks a day and losing myself completely

• The cultural backlash against women choosing alcohol-free lives (hi, Self Magazine 👋) and why we’re calling BS on “everything in moderation”

• How our nervous systems are chronically dysregulated by modern life – and why alcohol is gasoline on that fire

• What it looks like to reclaim your identity as a non-drinker without losing your social life, your edge, or your joy

We also give you a first peek inside Zero for Life, our 6-week live cohort.

You’ll hear what’s included in the program, including:

• A 6-week, live Zoom cohort (limited to 30 participants) with Dr. Jen and me

• Weekly 90-minute sessions blending science, soul, nervous system tools, and real-life coaching

• The 33 Tools of Transformation (journal prompts, nervous system regulation tools, EFT/tapping, shaking, somatic practices, and more)

• Multiple guided hypnosis sessions to help you rewire your brain and identity around alcohol

• Nutritional guidance + supplement support to ease cravings and support your brain and body

• Daily support in our private cohort chat so you’re never doing this alone

• A full year of Summit Membership with Cricket Fixes (an $895 value)

We’re launching Zero for Life on January 20, 2026, with your Starter Kit available by December 31 so you can begin your alcohol-free journey before the live cohort even starts.

If you’ve been feeling the nudge to change your relationship with alcohol – whether you’re quietly questioning it or fully ready for zero for life – this episode is your invitation.

🎧 Special Offer for Listeners:

Use code PODCAST20 at checkout for 20% off the Zero for Life program.

⁠Join us now>>>⁠

• 00:00 – Welcome to the Cricket Fixes Podcast

• 00:26 – Meet Dr. Jennifer Rossi & how we magically met on social media

• 02:18 – From ER doctor to longevity & menopause medicine

• 04:28 – Why we created Zero for Life: The Science-Meets-Soul Method

• 06:52 – What alcohol really does to your brain & body (GABA, dopamine, carcinogen talk)

• 10:52 – Cricket’s alcohol story: from teen drinking to 7–8 drinks a day

• 16:30 – Inside the ER: the real cost of “normal” drinking

• 19:31 – Alcohol, hormones, perimenopause, menopause & inflammation

• 23:02 – Calling BS on “everything in moderation” & the Self Magazine backlash

• 27:04 – Nervous system dysregulation, burnout & healthier coping tools

• 32:26 – Where to start if you’re rethinking your relationship with alcohol

• 35:44 – Social pressure, breweries & identity as a non-drinker in Bend, Oregon

• 40:10 – Alcohol, vibration & truly connected conversations

• 41:13 – Inside the Zero for Life program: structure, tools & daily support

• 43:49 – Summit Membership, retreats, partner discounts & why this is my dream program

• 46:38 – How to join us + PODCAST20 discount & final Cricket Fixes invitation

In this episode of the Cricket Fixes Podcast, Cricket sits down with Neil Markey, Co-Founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats, to explore how psychedelic-assisted retreats, meditation, and nervous system regulation can help you move from “I’m fine” to truly alive.

Neil shares his powerful journey from Army Ranger and war veteran, to Columbia University, to high-pressure corporate work at McKinsey—where his mental health quietly unraveled—then into deep healing through meditation and professionally facilitated psychedelic experiences.

Together, we talk about:

• Why you don’t have to be “broken” or clinically diagnosed to benefit from psychedelic work

• How journeys act in layers—each one helping you release, rewire, and realign

• The role of meditation as a non-negotiable foundation for purpose, clarity, and peace

• How Beckley Retreats blends science, data, and tradition to create safe, transformative programs

• What actually creates lasting change after a retreat: habits, integration, and nervous system care

• The ache of being “off your path” and how to start listening to your soul’s calling

Cricket also shares how her own psychedelic journey helped her release childhood trauma, quit alcohol for good, and step into a life that feels spiritually aligned and purpose-led.

💫 Special Offer:

Cricket Fixes paid members get $500 off a Beckley Retreat. 🎉

Important links:

Join Cricket Fixes as a paid member to unlock your exclusive discount

Learn more about Beckley Retreats and book a call with their team

Schedule a FREE 1:1 call with Cricket to get your custom healing path.

Summary

In this episode of the Cricket Fixes podcast, host Christa (Cricket) welcomes Neil Maxwell, a master manifestor, to discuss the concept of manifesting as an inside job. They explore Neil's personal journey, the importance of gratitude, the shift from fear to trust, and the necessity of letting go to allow new opportunities to arise. The conversation emphasizes redefining fear, creating from joy, and recognizing the abundance already present in our lives. Neil shares insights on the ripple effect of positivity and the illusion of lack, encouraging listeners to embrace their power to manifest their desires.

Takeaways

We are all expert manifestors by nature.

Gratitude can shift your mindset and reality.

Fear is often just false evidence appearing real.

You have everything you need in this moment.

Letting go is essential for new opportunities.

Redefining beliefs can lead to personal transformation.

Creating from joy leads to a more fulfilling life.

The illusion of lack can be overcome by recognizing abundance.

Positivity has a ripple effect on those around you.

Manifesting is about aligning with your true self.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Manifesting

01:11 Neil's Journey to Manifestation

05:29 The Power of Gratitude and Presence

08:09 Shifting from Fear to Trust

12:46 The Process of Letting Go

15:04 Redefining Fear and Beliefs

18:14 Creating from Joy and Presence

22:03 The Illusion of Success and Happiness

26:16 Energy and Connection in Manifestation

29:47 Conclusion and Resources

Links

https://neilmaxwellenergy.com/

https://www.soulpurposetribe.com/

https://www.instagram.com/neilinjoy/

cricketfixes.com

In this raw and deeply personal episode, I share the story I’ve been sitting on for months—the one that cracked me open and changed everything. This is the journey of releasing a toxic, trauma-bonded relationship, recalibrating through inner child healing and sobriety, and finally reclaiming the powerful, purposeful woman I am today.

I share my story not to expose or blame, but to liberate—myself and anyone else stuck in the cycle of gaslighting, self-abandonment, or addiction. If you’ve ever wondered why you stayed too long, why it felt impossible to leave, or how to rebuild your life after the darkness, this one’s for you.

I talk about:

• The truth behind my breakup, and how I lost—and found—myself again

• Why trauma bonds and love bombing feel like soulmates

• The pivotal role psychedelics played in ending my relationship with alcohol

• The magic of reparenting your inner children and reclaiming your wholeness

• How to take radical responsibility without shame—and finally come home to yourself

Whether you’re in the storm, crawling out of it, or standing in the sun for the first time in years, this episode is a lifeline. May it help you release what no longer serves, recalibrate your nervous system, and reclaim the you that’s been there all along.

💬 Leave a comment and tell me how this landed for you. And if you’re ready for guided support, check out the self-paced inner child course in the Cricket Fixes membership—it could change your life.

🔗 Learn more: https://cricketfixes.com

🌀 Membership details + 30-day trial: cricketfixes.com/pricing

REGISTER HERE>>> for the 5/1 Soul Observation Session on Inner Child Healing

Summary

In this episode, Christa (Cricket) delves into the inner child healing transformative journey, sharing her personal experiences and insights. She discusses the foundational tools and techniques that have helped her heal from complex PTSD, emphasizing the importance of understanding and nurturing one's inner child. Through her narrative, she highlights the significance of following intuition, the role of hypnotherapy, and the necessity of creating a safe space for inner dialogue. Christa invites listeners to explore their own inner child healing journey, offering guidance and support along the way.

Key Takeaways

·      Inner child healing is essential for emotional well-being.

·      Following your intuition can lead to transformative experiences.

·      Hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool for healing.

·      Creating a safe space is crucial for inner child work.

·      Dialoguing with your inner children helps in understanding their needs.

·      Complex PTSD can stem from unresolved childhood trauma.

·      Nurturing your inner child can lead to profound self-love.

·      Healing requires patience and practice over time.

·      You can become the parent your inner child needed.

·      Exploring inner child healing can reconnect you to your true essence.

REGISTER HERE>>> for the 5/1 Soul Observation Session on Inner Child Healing

Timestamps

00:00

Introduction to Inner Child Healing

02:46

The Journey Begins: Following Intuition

05:34

Discovering Hypnotherapy and Inner Child Work

11:49

First Experience with Inner Child Healing

12:49

Understanding Complex PTSD and Inner Children

18:05

Dialoguing with Inner Children

22:40

Becoming the Parent: Nurturing Your Inner Child

24:36

Invitation to Explore Inner Child Healing

Magic Quotes

"You've got to do the healing work."

"I started to follow my intuition."

"I love you no matter what."

"This is powerful work."

"I promise you, if you show up, you will feel the love."