In this episode of Essentially Soulful, Betty and co-host Dr. DeeAnna Nagel take a thoughtful, grounded look at why the holiday season—especially Thanksgiving—can stir up so much emotional intensity. From old family patterns that get “pressure-tested” during gatherings, to the exhaustion that comes from trying to keep the peace, they unpack why even the most loving families can feel overwhelming this time of year.

DeeAnna introduces the idea of emotional saturation—that point where our capacity is simply maxed out—and offers clear signs to watch for before you hit that wall. Together, Betty and DeeAnna explore how long-standing relational grooves form, why they repeat, and how to gently interrupt them with conscious choice rather than automatic reaction.

The heart of the episode centers on gratitude as a practical, neuroscience-supported tool for emotional steadiness. Not the forced, “everything’s fine” kind, but a grounded practice that builds emotional muscle memory and widens your perspective when family dynamics feel tight. You’ll learn simple approaches such as two-minute morning gratitudes, intention-setting before gatherings, the “pause and appreciate” technique, and DeeAnna’s signature 3-3-3 Practice you can use anytime—yes, even mid-dinner when Uncle Joe starts up again.

This conversation is equal parts validating and empowering: real talk about family stress, paired with accessible tools that can help you stay centered, compassionate, and connected during the holiday season. Whether you’re craving more ease, healthier boundaries, or a fresh way to navigate those well-worn family patterns, this episode offers a gentle pathway toward meaningful and mindful holidays.

Resources

Embracing Thanksgiving as a Path to Self-Discovery ~ Awakened Magazine

https://awakenedmagazine.com/embracing-thanksgiving-as-a-path-to-self-discovery-deeanna-merz-nagel/

The Essential Soul Care® Playbook: Designing an Expansive Life

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-the-book/

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

Stress may feel like an unavoidable part of modern life—but what if understanding one single hormone could change the way you move through your day?

In this episode of Essentially Soulful, Host Betty and co-host Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel take you behind the scenes of your body’s stress response, demystifying cortisol in a way that finally makes it make sense. DeeAnna, a licensed psychotherapist, board certified wellness coach, and certified aromatherapist, breaks down how this powerful hormone can be both your greatest ally and your biggest troublemaker depending on how it’s managed.

Together, Betty and DeeAnna explore:

• How cortisol actually works in the body
• The difference between healthy, short-term stress and chronic overload
• The tell-tale signs your cortisol rhythm is out of sync
• Why coffee first thing in the morning might be working against you
• Practical, doable daily habits to support healthy cortisol regulation
• The surprising role joy, laughter, and connection play in lowering stress
• How sleep, boundaries, and emotional awareness restore balance
• Simple tools—from morning sunlight to deep breathing—that create lasting calm

You’ll walk away with actionable steps, comforting insight, and a renewed sense of agency over your well-being. As always, DeeAnna shares a few holistic strategies—including one beloved essential oil—for supporting your body naturally.

If you’ve been feeling wired-and-tired, overwhelmed, or just curious why your stress feels different lately, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Tune in, take a breath, and learn how to support the rhythm your body has been trying to follow all along.

Resources

Cortisol is a Good Thing- But Not All the Time

https://deeannamerznagel.com/cortisol-is-a-good-thing-but-not-all-the-time/

Lavender Essential Oil

https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/product/lavender-vitality?enrollerId=1551203&sponsorId=1551203

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

 What if supervision could nurture not only your professional skills but also your inner life? Join Betty and DeeAnna as they discuss a supervision model rooted in imaginal depth, shadow work, and spiritual inquiry. Learn how therapists and supervisors alike can  use the Case PREP framework to cultivate presence, reflection, and transformation. 

Additional Resources

Deepening Practice Through Soulful Mentorship: A Case PREP Approach

https://deeannamerznagel.com/a-case-prep-approach/

Preparing Your Supervisee for Clinical Supervision

https://deeannamerznagel.com/preparing-for-clinical-supervision/

A Neo-Jungian-Informed Approach to Clinical Supervision

https://deeannamerznagel.com/a-neo-jungian-informed-approach-to-clinical-supervision/

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

In this inspiring conversation, co-hosts Betty and DeeAnna explore how following intuition and curiosity can radically transform one’s professional life. DeeAnna shares her personal journey from traditional psychotherapy into holistic and integrative healing—revealing how unexpected interests can deepen one’s expertise rather than dilute it.

Listeners learn how DeeAnna’s concept of “professional curiosities” led her to embrace energy work, coaching, and spiritual practices—discoveries that ultimately made her a more authentic and effective practitioner. Through vivid metaphors like the lighthouse with a Fresnel lens and the orchestra of learning, she shows how unconventional exploration amplifies rather than replaces one’s foundational skills.

The episode emphasizes that true professional development isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about listening to your inner compass, connecting seemingly unrelated dots, and allowing your soul’s desire to learn to shape your evolution.

✨ Key Themes

• Trusting intuition as a guide for learning
• The courage to pursue unconventional or “woo-adjacent” interests
• Integrating rather than abandoning traditional foundations
• Overcoming skepticism and self-doubt
• Professional development as a path to wholeness and authenticity

Further Insights

The information shared in this podcast was a summarization of DeeAnna's contribution to a co-authored book, The Complete Small Business Growth Guidebook: Brave Strategies for Authentic Success  ~2025 Category Finalist of The Eric Hoffer Award~  and Amazon Best Seller! Dr. Nagel’s chapter: Lifelong Learning: The Key to Business Growth and Evolution.

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

In this episode of Essentially Soulful, host Betty and co-host Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel explore the extraordinary intersection of scent and soul. Discover how the ancient art of aromatherapy can unlock deeper layers of self-awareness, creativity, and healing through the simple act of contemplative writing.

DeeAnna shares how her innovative Aroma Writing workshops blend essential oils with reflective journaling to help participants find clarity, release emotional blocks, and reconnect with purpose. From frankincense for spiritual insight to lavender for self-compassion, each oil becomes a portal into your inner landscape.

✨ Learn how scent bypasses mental clutter to reveal what your soul most wants you to know.
 🪔 Try an at-home practice with lavender and a simple writing prompt.
 💫 Witness how a two-hour experience can spark transformation that lasts a lifetime.

Tune in—and let your next breath become the beginning of your next breakthrough.

Resources

What is Aroma Writing? 

https://deeannamerznagel.com/what-is-aroma-writing/

Further reading: 

Nagel, D.M. (2024). Therapeutic aromatics: Level up your intuition with contemplative writing and essential oils. In L. Mazzotta (Ed.) Holistic Mental Health: Calm, Clear, and in Control for the Rest of Your Life (Vol. 2). Brave Healer Productions.

Nagel, D.M. (2023). Coaching for clarity: Pairing contemplative writing with essential oils. In D.M. Nagel & M.L. Akridge (Eds). Case Studies in Spiritual Coaching: A Survey Across Life, Wellness and Work Domains. Charles C. Thomas, Publisher.

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

Documentation might not sound exciting—but it’s the lifeline of a healthy, sustainable practice! Join Betty and Dr. DeeAnna Nagel for an eye-opening talk about why skipping the paperwork is like driving a truck full of nitroglycerin down a bumpy road.

From coaching agreements to informed consent, DeeAnna explains what every practitioner needs to have in writing, how to introduce it without sounding stiff, and why documentation is more about protection and professionalism than red tape. You’ll walk away with practical steps to tighten your paperwork, clarify your boundaries, and sleep better at night knowing your practice is built on solid ground.

Do I Need Two Businesses for Therapy and Coaching? 

https://deeannamerznagel.com/do-i-need-two-businesses-for-therapy-and-coaching/

Informed Consent and Energy Healing Modalities

https://deeannamerznagel.com/informed-consent-and-energy-healing-modalities/

Ethical Issues for Therapist as Coach-5 Hour Course

https://deeannamerznagel.com/ethical-issues-for-therapist-as-coach/

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

What if your emotional ups and downs had as much to do with your plate as your past? In this episode of Essentially Soulful, co-hosts DeeAnna Merz Nagel and Betty explore the powerful link between what we eat and how we feel.

From the hidden role of neurotransmitters and blood-sugar crashes to the brain-boosting benefits of healthy fats, DeeAnna unpacks how modern diets quietly influence anxiety, focus, and mood stability. You’ll learn why skipping breakfast can sabotage your serenity, how to spot the sugar-stress cycle, and why “good fat” isn’t a villain—it’s your brain’s best friend.

DeeAnna also shares simple, doable steps—like keeping a food-mood journal and building a balanced breakfast—to bring awareness and compassion into your daily nourishment.

💫 Takeaway: Every meal is an act of emotional self-care. Tune in to discover how mindful eating can restore balance, energy, and ease.

The ideas shared here are for reflection and learning—they’re not a substitute for professional medical or nutritional guidance. 

Article with link to Meal Planner & Food/Mood Tracker:

https://deeannamerznagel.com/nutrition-and-mood/

Coaching for Weight Management & Lifestyle Change 10-hour course (CE avail)

https://deeannamerznagel.com/coaching-for-weight-management/

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

In this eye-opening episode of Essentially Soulful, Betty and co-host Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel uncover the hidden world of digital abuse—where everyday technology becomes a tool of control. From keylogging and GPS tracking to social media surveillance and smart-home manipulation, DeeAnna explains how abusers exploit digital platforms to maintain power long after physical separation.

Listeners will learn how to recognize digital red flags, understand “invisible persistence,” and take practical steps toward digital and emotional safety. DeeAnna also shares vital guidance for helping professionals—therapists, coaches, and advocates—on how to support survivors without compromising online safety.

Key Topics:

• The rise of digital surveillance in domestic violence
• Technology audits and safety planning
• Digital anxiety and its psychological toll
• Safe use of devices, social media, and communication platforms
• Professional ethics in digital support work

Resources Mentioned:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   1-800-787-3224 (TTY)  https://www.thehotline.org/ 
• International Resources: https://www.hotpeachpages.net/
• DeeAnna’s course: Guiding Domestic Violence Victims: Safety Concerns and Considerations https://deeannamerznagel.com/guiding-domestic-violence-victims-safety-concerns-and-considerations/

Closing Note:
Technology can harm, but it can also heal. Learn how to use it as a lifeline instead of a weapon.

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

In this episode of Essentially Soulful, Betty and DeeAnna trace the timeless thread that connects ancient goddess traditions to today’s intuitive aromatherapy.

Discover the mythic story of Asherah, the Mother Goddess whose sacred tree symbol embodies the divine feminine. Explore how tree-based essential oils—like frankincense for spiritual insight, cypress for grounding, and sandalwood for meditation—carry that same energy into modern practice.

DeeAnna shares a simple sacred anointing ritual, explains how scent can create powerful “scent memories,” and invites you to reconnect with the wisdom of the trees. Whether you’re a seasoned aromatherapist or simply curious, this conversation offers a fragrant bridge between ancient roots and your own spiritual journey.

Books:

Asherah: Roots of the Mother Tree by Girl God Books @girlgodbooks on IG

https://www.thegirlgod.com/asherah.php (also available on Amazon)

Intuitive Aromatherapy: Essentially Soulful Practice by DeeAnna Merz Nagel

https://deeannamerznagel.com/intuitivearomatherapybook/

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/

Ever get hit by that “store smell” and wonder what’s really in the air? In this eye-opening conversation, Betty and DeeAnna reveal how everyday products—air fresheners, personal care items, even baby shampoo—can carry a hidden cocktail of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

You’ll learn:

• Why “fragrance” on a label is a trade-secret loophole
• The top ingredients to avoid (and why “unscented” isn’t always safe)
• Simple, effective swaps—from essential oil diffusers to coconut-oil moisturizers—that truly nourish you and the planet

This isn’t about perfection; it’s about reclaiming your power, one conscious choice at a time. Think of it as embodied self-care that protects your health, honors your space, and sends a vote for a cleaner world every time you shop.

References

Hazards of fragrant air fresheners and plug-ins

https://deeannamerznagel.com/just-say-no-to-the-hazards-of-fragrant-air-fresheners-and-plug-ins/

Beware of toxins in your personal care and beauty products!

https://deeannamerznagel.com/beware-of-toxins-in-your-personal-care-products/

Resource

Intuitive Aromatherapy: Essentially Soulful Practice by Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel (available on Amazon)

Essential Soul Care® Academy

https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/