In this honest and emotionally grounded conversation, therapist and host Malisa Hepner sits down again with Holli Howard, trauma-informed life coach, gentle guide, and founder of Positive Living Coaching, to explore the layered experience of grief, anger, and personal growth. Together, they unpack the role of vulnerability, the weight of the labels we carry, and how our inner narratives shape our emotional reality.

Malisa and Holli discuss the neuroscience behind habit formation, the impact of expectations on our well-being, and why self-compassion is essential when navigating grief and change. This conversation is a reminder that healing isn't about perfection—it's about awareness, softness, and learning how to meet yourself where you are.

Pay attention to one label you've given yourself (e.g., "I'm too emotional," "I'm not strong enough"). Gently question it: "Is this a fact, or is this a story I learned?"

Holli's Links: Website, Insta

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https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Spotify link for Holli's last visit on Emotionally Unavailable

Apple link for Holli's last visit on Emotionally Unavailable

Contact Jen Taylor: [email protected]

Jen Taylor Books

Jen Taylor Insta

Therapist and host, Malisa Hepner, and John Borden, Author, Ultramarathon runner, psychonaut, visionary, explore the complex intersection of psychedelics, trauma healing, and personal transformation. In this deeply reflective conversation, they discuss the importance of intention and guidance when working with altered states, the role of shame in shaping our internal world, and the courage it takes to confront unresolved pain.

Together, they examine how personal loss and grief can become catalysts for deeper self-awareness, and how mindset influences the way we experience both suffering and healing. This episode invites listeners to consider what it means to show up authentically in relationships, to release self-judgment, and to cultivate a deeper sense of self-love. Ultimately, it is a conversation about remembering who you are beneath the noise—and allowing that truth to guide your healing journey.

Actionable Takeaway:

Create a moment of intentional self-connection this week:

Ask yourself, "What am I avoiding feeling right now?"

Instead of trying to fix or analyze it, sit with the feeling for a few minutes.

Place a hand on your body, breathe, and remind yourself: "I can be with this."

Healing doesn't come from escaping discomfort—it comes from learning how to safely stay.

John's Website, Insta, youtube

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

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• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

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Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Contact Jen Taylor: [email protected]

Jen Taylor Books

Jen Taylor Insta

Therapist and host, Malisa Hepner, shares her lived experience of navigating grief after the loss of her son, Jake. She opens up about the waves of isolation, the disorienting nature of loss, and the quiet ways grief can reshape identity, connection, and daily life.

Malisa explores the challenge of asking for support while grieving, the importance of being seen and held by others, and how community can become a lifeline in moments of profound pain. She reflects on her evolving spiritual beliefs, the complexity of finding meaning after loss, and the tension between carrying deep sorrow while still allowing moments of joy.

This conversation offers an honest and compassionate look at grief—not as something to fix, but as something to be lived with—while gently guiding listeners toward connection, self-compassion, and intentional living.

Grief can make it incredibly hard to know what you need—let alone ask for it. But you deserve support that actually meets you where you are. If you don't know what to say, you can borrow these:

1. Ask for practical help

• "I'm overwhelmed—could you help me with groceries / a meal / a small task?"

2. Ask to not be rushed

• "I'm not trying to 'move on'—I'm learning to live with this."

3. Ask for grounding connection

• "Can we do something normal together? I need a break from the heaviness."

Ask even when it feels hard. You are not "too much." Your needs are not a burden. Asking is not weakness—it's how we stay connected when grief tries to isolate us.

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

• $3-Become a friend of the show and support its mission

• $5-Ad free episodes

• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Jen Taylor Books:

Jen Taylor Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jentay1231/

Contact Jen Taylor [email protected]

Therapist and host Malisa Hepner sits down with Keegan Read, host of the Retrieving Sanity podcast, for an honest conversation about trauma, health, and emotional recovery.

Keegan shares his journey through childhood emotional abuse, family dynamics, autoimmune disease, substance use, and the long road toward self-discovery. Together, they explore how unresolved trauma impacts the body, how internalized beliefs shape identity, and why expressing emotion is essential for healing.

This episode unpacks:

• The mind-body connection in trauma recovery

• How emotional suppression can manifest physically

• The impact of family systems and shame

• Breaking free from internalized narratives

• The role of authenticity and storytelling in healing

• Practical tools for emotional awareness and self-care

If you've ever questioned how your past is affecting your body, your relationships, or your sense of self, this conversation offers grounded insight and hope.

Healing begins when we stop hiding from what hurts — and start listening to what it's trying to teach us.

Keegan's Links: Website, Spotify, Youtube

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

• $3-Become a friend of the show and support its mission

• $5-Ad free episodes

• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Contact Jen Taylor: [email protected]

Jen Taylor Insta

Jen Taylor Books

In this powerful conversation, therapist and podcast host Malisa Hepner sits down with Angel Howard, Certified Somatic Therapist, Executive Coach, and inspirational speaker, to explore how somatic healing and movement can transform trauma. Angel shares her personal journey of resilience, uncovering family secrets, and using dance as a pathway to healing. Together, they discuss the role of the body in emotional expression, the importance of authenticity, and how movement supports nervous system regulation, communication, and personal growth.

Choose one small way to let your body speak this week. Instead of processing everything through words, set a timer for five minutes and move however your body wants—stretching, swaying, shaking, or dancing. Notice what emotions surface without trying to interpret or fix them. Healing doesn't always begin in the mind; sometimes it starts by giving the body permission to lead.

Angel's Website

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

• $3-Become a friend of the show and support its mission

• $5-Ad free episodes

• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Contact Jen Taylor: [email protected]

Jen Taylor Insta

Jen Taylor Books

Therapist and host, Malisa Hepner, sits down with Licensed Somatic Psychotherapist and author of "Shake Yourself Free", Melanie Smithson, to explore the power of somatic practices and authentic movement as tools for emotional healing. Melanie shares her journey from CPA to somatic practitioner and explains how practices like breathwork, shaking, and intuitive movement help release emotions stored in the body. Together, they discuss meeting yourself where you are emotionally, working with resistance, building self-trust, and allowing grief and big feelings to move through without falling apart. This conversation offers practical, accessible tools for managing stress, emotional overwhelm, and deepening body-based self-awareness.

Choose one simple somatic practice—such as 2–3 minutes of gentle shaking, slow intentional breathing, or intuitive movement—and practice it daily with the intention of listening rather than fixing. Notice what sensations or emotions arise, allow them to move through without judgment, and reflect afterward on what your body communicated. This builds self-trust and creates emotional regulation through the body.

Melanie's links: Website, Insta, Youtube

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

• $3-Become a friend of the show and support its mission

• $5-Ad free episodes

• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Jen Taylor contact info: [email protected]

Jen Taylor Insta, Books

Therapist and host, Malisa Hepner, and Cindy Woulfe,certified meditation teacher and wellness advocate and author of, "In the Weeds: A Guide to Saving Your Own Soul on This Crazy Journey Called Motherhood", explore the realities of motherhood, from postpartum identity shifts to the pressure of unsolicited advice. They discuss the importance of self-validation, co-regulation in parenting, breaking generational patterns, and practical ways parents can nourish themselves while raising emotionally healthy children.

Create a daily self-nourishment ritual—no matter how small—that reinforces your identity outside of parenting. Practice self-validation before seeking external reassurance, and model co-regulation by tending to your own nervous system first. When parents care for themselves with intention, they build the emotional capacity to parent with presence, clarity, and connection.

Cindy's website

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

• $3-Become a friend of the show and support its mission

• $5-Ad free episodes

• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Jen Taylor Books, Insta

Contact Jen Taylor: [email protected]

In this thoughtful conversation, therapist and host, Malisa Hepner, and Michelle Henderson, Author, speaker, mystic channeler, healer, explore the journey of spiritual awakening and the evolution of belief systems. They discuss intuition, healing, self-love, and compassion, examining how personal experiences shape spiritual understanding while emphasizing the balance between spiritual growth and our shared humanity.

Identify one moment each day where you can respond from compassion instead of habit—toward yourself or someone else. Practice grounding that choice in your body and emotions, allowing spiritual insight to support your humanity rather than override it.

Michelle's links: Website, Insta, Youtube

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

• $3-Become a friend of the show and support its mission

• $5-Ad free episodes

• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Jen Taylor's Books, Insta

Contact Jen Taylor: [email protected]

In this solo episode, therapist and host Malisa Hepner unpacks why grief can feel so activating when someone says they "understand" your loss—especially when comparisons miss the mark. She explores how these moments often trigger deep neglect wounds and a fear that our pain isn't being seen or honored. Rather than staying in victimhood or demanding external validation, Malisa invites listeners into a more grounded truth: our pain does not need to be validated by others to be real. Through compassionate reflection, she shares how healing begins when we recognize our triggers, take responsibility for our inner safety, and learn to validate ourselves—without minimizing the depth of our grief, or others.

• Notice the trigger: when you feel invalidated, name the neglect wound being activated.

• Release victimhood by separating your pain from others' capacity to understand it.

• Practice self-validation: affirm the reality and depth of your grief without comparison.

• Create internal safety by meeting your pain with compassion before seeking it externally.

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

• $3-Become a friend of the show and support its mission

• $5-Ad free episodes

• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Contact Jen Taylor: [email protected] Jen Taylor Insta, Jen Taylor Books

In this solo episode, therapist and host, Malisa Hepner, reflects on the subtle but profound ways grief continues to shape her inner world—especially in relationships. She shares why she chose to shift the format of her podcast, honoring authenticity, capacity, and self-care over expectation. She explores attachment patterns, independence, and the emotional responses that surface when grief meets intimacy. This conversation names the often-overlooked micro losses of grief—the small, daily moments that remind us of what's changed—and underscores the importance of community, self-honesty, and compassion as ongoing companions on the healing path.

Notice where you are asking yourself to "push through" instead of listening in. Today, choose one small act of self-trust—whether that's changing a plan, naming a feeling out loud, or letting yourself need support—and remind yourself that healing isn't about doing more, but about being more honest with where you actually are. Where are you imposing expectations on yourself around a label you never needed to carry in the first place? Shed that shit.

Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon!

• $3-Become a friend of the show and support its mission

• $5-Ad free episodes

• $10-Benefits listed above and free access to monthly workbook

• $30- In addition to the above benefits, you can receive recurring ad space on episodes posted outside of Patreon. (Perfect for single owner/operator small business looking for low budget ad space)

https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1

https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

Jen Taylor's Book