EMDR Therapy has become a recognized modality for psychotherapeutic healing. Its a treatment for everything from eating disorder and addictions to the unkind or unhealthy ways that we talk to ourselves, treat other people, or react to moments of adversity. In this episode, an unidentified guest shares his own experience of turning from skeptic to believer. He talks about his resistance to this non-traditional therapeutic modality, the bizarre experience of participating in EMDR sessions, and the ways in which EMDR Therapy has contributed to his healing and forever changed his life. If you or someone you know could benefit from learning about EMDR, this episode is a rare change hear from someone who’s been in the driver’s seat. For more information about EMDR Therapy, visit my website at RedRocksCounseling.com and click on the “About” link. You can also visit EMDRIA.org to learn more, explore the research, or find an EMDR-specialized clinician in your area.

Most of us probably say we live a life of integrity. But do we really? Do you actually stop to rumble with whether or not your choices and responses are in alignment with your core values? My guest in this episode is Shalisa Pouw. We talk about the process of working to know who you authentically and truly are, at your core. Shalisa shares about her own ongoing self identification journey and the utilization of personal values in a variety of life experiences including her navigation through a divorce, owning a business, being remarried and becoming a first time mom.

Perhaps we are all on a shared journey of coming to more fully know ourselves and function from a place of truth. If that's true, then knowing the name and work of a brilliant Deep Self Designer ain't a bad thing. Sunni Brown is a best selling author, a creator, a speaker, a long time student of American Zen, a lover of Internal Family Systems, and an expert in visual thinking. Her TED Talk has received more than 1.5 million views. Sunni is also super funny and generally just fascinating to listen to. In this episode, Sunni tells us about the process of internal exploration and the roles of readiness, fear and pain in personal evolution.

The tension in communities all over the country reached a new level when school districts announced their learning options for the fall 2020 semester. Some parents asked me questions and voiced their concern about our local school board's decision and the detriment it may have on the psychological wellness of their kids. I wrote my answer in a blog post that went viral the day after I posted it on my business website. This episode is the reading of that article. I hope it feels helpful to someone.

If you've spent any significant amount of time in the great outdoors, you know that being in nature just makes us feel good. But have you ever wondered why that is? My guest, Natalie Richardson, has turned adventuring in nature into a passion and a lifestyle. She tells us, in this episode, how spending time engulfed in nature returned her mind, body and spirit to herself after trauma. We talk about the connection between nature and neuroscience. And Natalie shares some fascinating goals, destinations and jaw-dropping moments from her life out in the arms of Mother Nature.

Regardless of where you land with opinions and thoughts on Black Lives Matter, nobody can deny that this is a monumental moment in history. The CuriosiFy Podcast was created from the intention of wanting to use more question marks in hopes that it would increase a felt sense of human connection. This conversation with Terita Walker helps us to step into her shoes and learn just a little bit about what it feels like (to her) to be a black mother, educator, woman, and human living in our country these days. We talk about how healing and connection are created when hurt + anger meets curiosity + empathy. My hope is that every listener will approach this episode with a learner’s mind so that you can expand your own personal perspectives and contribute to the improvement of humanity... because we can do better.

Alcoholism affects more people and more homes in each of our immediate lives than any of us probably want to realize. Its hard to talk about. Its uncomfortable and far too easy to douse with judgement and bias. Carly Malsom is a wife and home-schooling mom of 3 kids. She is smart and funny and creative and bold, and she’s been a role model to many young lives, especially throughout dance industry. But behind the scenes, she sometimes battles with a craving to escape. For many years, binge drinking was her solution to that. Carly caught my attention with a 7-minute video, posted to Facebook on her first day of sobriety, describing her struggle with addiction and her plan to document her wellness pursuit in the form of 30-day video blog that she titled The Sober Chronicles. Now, nearly 3 months sober, Carly shares her vulnerable experience with alcoholism and the destruction it was causing within her family and inside of herself. She knows she’s not out of the woods yet, which makes her willingness to have this conversation just that much more awe-inspiring. My hope is that this episode will resonate with someone who can relate to Carly and to the pain she’s been in. If that person is you, be assured… you are not alone.

The likelihood is high that you know someone using Benzodiazepines. They are among the most common psychotropic prescription medications prescribed in the United States, used for symptoms of anxiety, troubles with sleep, and migraine headaches. Some of the most recognizable benzos are Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan. Kelsi Kraus lost her husband, Max, to suicide this spring on April 14th. It is believed that he had been living in torment and fighting to survive the torturous symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal Syndrome. This episode is the audio from an Instagram Live interview that I had with Kelsi just 4 weeks after Max died. Kelsi is convicted about using her voice to inform people of the symptoms of BWS and the dangers associated with these medications.

Something magical happens when an individual knows and believes in themself enough to chase their dream, especially when doing so involves going against the grain. Tristin Gleason has led an incredibly fulfilling and successful career in the highly male-dominated construction industry. She has proven that by relentlessly pursuing a passion, odds can (and will) be overcome. Tristin also reminds us that it also doesn't hurt to surround ourselves with wonderfully supportive people, choose to focus on the positive, and hold tight to our sense of self-worth. She also shares ways that young women interested in STEM can seek out guidance and direction.

Many of us have an inner perfectionist component to our personalities. Candice Jones is a technically trained dancer, model, and high performing career woman. She shares stories that describe how the perfectionist part of her psyche showed up in childhood and has served her well throughout life. We also explore ways that perfectionism, when not balanced out with more grace-filled parts, can chip away at our sense of self worth. Its an interesting conversation that looks at both sides of the perfectionism coin.