In this deeply human conversation, therapist and host Malisa Hepner sits down with Gretchen Schoser—suicide attempt survivor, mental health advocate, award-winning podcast host, and tech entrepreneur—to explore vulnerability, self-discovery, and the power of sharing our stories. Together, they discuss how kindness, imperfection, and honest conversations can transform pain into connection. This episode highlights the importance of self-care, supportive communities, and using lived experience to normalize mental health and create meaningful change.

Your story doesn't need to be polished to be powerful. Healing often begins the moment we let ourselves be seen—messy, honest, and imperfect. Choose one safe space this week to tell the truth about how you're really doing, whether that's with a friend, a therapist, or on paper. Vulnerability isn't weakness; it's an invitation for connection, compassion, and collective healing.

Gretchen's links: Website, Insta, Facebook Podcast

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Jen Taylor rejoins host Malisa Hepner for a raw, soul-centered conversation about grief, guilt, and the ripple effects of addiction on families. As mothers and licensed social workers, they share personal experiences with loss, the heartbreak of parenting through addiction, and the spiritual questions that follow. Together, they explore open communication, the autonomy of the soul, astrology as a meaning-making lens, and how connection can transform pain into purpose—offering listeners compassion, clarity, and hope on the healing path.

Choose one honest conversation this week—within yourself or with someone safe—where you name the guilt you've been carrying without trying to fix it. Let it be witnessed. Then ask: What would it look like to honor my loved one by living with a little more tenderness today? Healing begins when pain is allowed to speak and purpose is invited to listen.

Jen's links: Facebook, Insta, Books

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• $5-Ad free episodes

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

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In this heartfelt solo episode, therapist and host Malisa Hepner shares her journey through grief after the death of her son, Jake. She explores the emotional and physical toll of loss, the loneliness of grieving in a grief-avoidant culture, and the necessity of self-compassion during heartbreak. Malisa reflects on vulnerability, community, and the slow process of rebuilding life while honoring a love that never leaves.

Release the idea that grief should look a certain way. Let today be enough. Your emotions are not a problem to solve—they are love finding its voice.

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.

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Therapist and host Malisa Hepner sits down with Joni Woods, author of, "Burned, Blocked and Better Than Ever", a certified life coach and culture strategist with over 15 years of experience in communication, emotional intelligence, and relationship dynamics. Joni shares her powerful journey from a challenging marriage through addiction, grief, and loss, toward self-discovery and empowerment. Together, they explore how societal expectations shape our relationships, why emotional intelligence and self-awareness are foundational to healing, and how vulnerability and inner-child work open the door to authentic connection, self-compassion, and lasting joy.

Practice conscious vulnerability.

This week, choose one relationship (including the one with yourself) and practice naming your feelings without defending, fixing, or minimizing them. Ask yourself: What does my inner child need right now—validation, safety, or compassion? When vulnerability is paired with emotional intelligence, it becomes a bridge to deeper connection, healing, and joy rather than a risk you have to survive.

Joni's links: Website, Youtube

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• $5-Ad free episodes

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

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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

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Therapist and host, Malisa Hepner, joins Adam Brownlie, Australian author, philosopher, as he breaks down happiness, emotional regulation, and the impact of stress on motivation and mental health. Adam introduces the Happiness Helix and its six pillars, offering practical insight into emotional awareness, vulnerability, and navigating relationships and grief. This conversation highlights how understanding emotions—rather than suppressing them—leads to more meaningful connections and sustainable well-being.

When stress shows up, notice where it lives in your body before reacting. Take three slow breaths and name the emotion without judgment. Emotional awareness is the first step toward regulation—and vulnerability grows when we respond instead of react.

Adam's links: Website, Insta

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• $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.

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In this heart-opening conversation, therapist and host Malisa Hepner sits down with Faith Spencer—certified Happy for No Reason trainer and author of The Oneness Guide for Today—to explore the emotional landscape of Gen Z girls navigating loneliness, technology, and disconnection. Together, they unpack how social media and digital life impact social skills, self-worth, and belonging, while offering grounded wisdom on connection, communication, and cultivating happiness from the inside out. This episode weaves together insights on parenting, personal growth, forgiveness, visualization, manifestation, and the art of surrendering to life's flow—reminding listeners that joy isn't something we chase, but something we allow. A soulful invitation to reconnect with self, trust intuition, and find meaning in the unfolding journey.

Create space for flow instead of forcing certainty.

This week, notice where you're gripping too tightly—your plans, your expectations, or your timeline. Choose one small moment each day to soften: put the phone down, take three intentional breaths, and ask yourself, "What would connection look like right now?" Whether that's reaching out, resting, or simply being present, let joy come from participation in life—not perfection. Happiness grows when we stop trying to earn it and start allowing ourselves to feel it.

Faith's links: Website, Insta, Substack

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In this deeply vulnerable solo episode, therapist and host, Malisa Hepner, shares her raw and unfolding experience of grief after the loss of her son, Jake. Recording alone for the first time, she speaks candidly about the fear, awkwardness, and emotional weight that accompany early grief, as well as the unexpected strength found in family, community, and honest connection. This episode explores what it means to live moment by moment, confront painful memories, and soften toward oneself in a grief-phobic society. With compassion and courage, Malisa reflects on vulnerability, communication, self-forgiveness, and the slow search for meaning in tragedy—offering a space where grief is allowed to be seen, spoken, and held.

Grief doesn't ask you to be brave—it asks you to be honest.

This week, choose one moment where you let yourself name what you're feeling without fixing it. Say it out loud to someone safe, write it down, or simply acknowledge it within yourself. Notice how presence—not productivity—creates the smallest opening for breath, connection, and self-forgiveness. Healing doesn't come from carrying grief quietly; it comes from allowing yourself to be human in it.

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

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Originally titled - Losing My Religion

In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, therapist and host Malisa Hepner sits down with Michela Giordano Castro, LCSW, to explore the journey from religious fundamentalism to spiritual awakening. Together, they unpack how rigid belief systems can shape identity, fuel shame and guilt, and quietly impact mental health—often under the guise of morality or devotion.

Malisa and Michela discuss the courage it takes to question inherited beliefs, the grief that can accompany deconstruction, and the necessity of boundaries when faith spaces become unsafe. This conversation highlights the healing power of curiosity, community, and self-worth, while also calling for greater accountability within religious institutions to prevent harm and abuse. At its heart, this episode is an invitation to reclaim authenticity, integrate mental health with spirituality, and remember that faith should never cost you your sense of self.

Spend time reflecting on the beliefs you carry that were taught through fear, shame, or obligation rather than love. Ask yourself gently: Does this belief help me feel more connected to myself—or more disconnected? Choose one place in your life where you can practice curiosity instead of compliance, and set a boundary that honors your emotional and spiritual safety.

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.

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Original description:

Hello and happy Friday! Today's wonderful guest is DeDe Lyons! Empowerment Coach, author, motivational speaker and angel guide, Dede Lyons is the Founder of the Feel Good Express lifestyle program. Lyons self empowered journey began at age 40 in 1990, when in the midst of a career in broadcast television in NYC, she found herself running out of steam. She witnessed herself and colleagues burning out from the high demands of their jobs. She was determined to find more ways to feel more energized and invigorate herself and her sales team so she embarked on a journey to recharge her mindset and raise her vibration. Utilizing mind/body/spirit tools including self healing books, juice fasting, aromatherapy, journaling and the power of positive thinking, Dede extracted the pearls of wisdom that would eventually become the foundation of Feel Good Express. At age 62 years young Dede stepped away from her successful 32-year career in broadcast sales and management, 25 years in NYC at Cox Media Sales, Petry Television and 7 years at WPTV the NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach. Then began on her Feel Good Express path, relaying she was in "rebootment" not in retirement. She wrote her first book, The Joy of Tweeting and later the Feel Good Journal. Today she writes magazine articles, leads seminars, workshops along with her private coaching practice. She has had numerous podcast guest appearances on the Love Light Show on Voice America, WPTV-NBC Today Show at 11, Next To Madison Podcast, The Power of People Show and the Epic Love Show with Pipers Angels. Most recently Dede has created and produced her own new Mini-Podcast: A Dose of Dede, where she shares weekly on social media, her Feel Good Express practical empowerment tools for life! You can find Dede and her links @ her insta here.

Happy Wednesday (Not Friday as I accidentally say in the intro lol)! Today's guest is the amazing Kat Daou. Kat uses family constellation therapy and ancestral intuitive readings to help you understand your blocks, experience freedom and connect to your truest self. Kat and I both found our path to our own magic through sifting through all of the things we thought we were supposed to hate about ourselves or feel ashamed of. Kat is showing the world that you can't have light without dark nor dark without light and she's saying it with her whole chest. I received so much personal healing from this conversation and I know that you will too! Oh, and if that wasn't enough, Kat also hosts "Healing With Kat", the podcast. You can go here to learn which cyclebreaker archetype you are, here to learn more about working with Kat and here to find Kat on insta. Here is where you can find places to listen to Kat's show! Enjoy!