Filled to Flourish

Is “masculinity” a bad thing? Our teenage son asked once when he was trying to make sense of all the things.I think his question is something we are asking as a collective as well.

Find Brendan on instagram @re.masculine and tiktok @remasculine. Visit his site and check out his research at www.remasculine.com⁠.

A regulated nervous system has an important role in a healthy and connected sex life. In this episode we explore how the NS is needed in the 4-stage sexual arousal cycle, how cues of safety and cues of threat play into sexual engagement and the aspect of novelty in a sexual relationship. We are excited to introduce the "M.A.P. of Sexual Responsiveness", a model we created to help guide couples to deepen their sexual connection and pleasure. This episode has A LOT in it -- go slowly if needed. Find us on social and let us know your thoughts or questions once you have listened!

"Many abuse, assault, or trauma survivors experience The Second Wound when they disclose their experiences: a combination of disbelief, minimization, shaming, victim-blaming, silencing, and ostracism." In this episode we talk with Miranda Pacchiana of The Second Wound, and explore the dynamics of this gut-wrenching re-traumatization, how to prevent yourself from unknowingly causing this harm, as well as how to begin to heal from the second wound. We discuss childhood sexual abuse, and the issue of consent, arousal and memory related to this form of abuse. If you are survivor of the second wound, you are sure to leave this episode feeling so affirmed and understood. Some listeners may even feel compelled to reach out to those that they have unintentionally harmed with their minimization, shaming or ostracism. Understanding the second wound is so vitally important for the individual and collective healing of the traumas of our stories. Please share this episode with others who have gone through subsequent harm after their initial abuse as it is a lonely and confusing road to walk. Miranda Pacchiana, MSW is a writer, personal coach, creator of the website The Second Wound, and host of the podcast Truth and Consequences. She writes and speaks about recovery from abuse, family estrangement, parenting, and grief, among other topics. A survivor of child sexual abuse, Miranda applies the lessons she learned through the traumatic events in her own life to provide comfort, information, and support to others. She works and lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. You can find her on: Instagram @thesecondwound, Twitter @SecondWound, Facebook @SecondWound, Website https://secondwound.com/

Today on the podcast we share our interview with the lovely Julia + Jeremiah of @sexvangelicals on the intersection of high-control religions and sexuality. We explore:🎙How to establish safety around sex and conversing about sex 🎙How relationships require a challenge of your sexuality in a way that not being in a relationship doesn’t 🎙How high-control religions prescribe a lens of fear and how this can hinder you from asking questions, being in tune with your desires, exploration, playfulness and pleasure🎙How sex therapy is not glamorous, rather always includes grief and loss 🎙How patriarchal views are incompatible with genuine intimacy 🎙Approaching sexual “dysfunction” diagnoses from the root in a supportive, partnered way…..and more! We think these conversations are a much-needed, unfortunately over-due addition to the mess of information out there that is largely religiously and culturally driven. GUESTS: Jeremiah Gibson and Julia Postema are the co-hosts of the podcast Sexvangelicals: The Sex Education the Church Didn't Want You to Have. They are both licensed psychotherapists in Massachusetts, and certified sex therapists. They are currently living in Utrecht, the Netherlands for the next 18 months to do three of their favorite things--travel, hike, and eat amazing foods. You can learn more about them on IG @sexvangelicals.

We asked Clinician Andrew Bauman to join us as we attempt to explore this landmine topic mindfully and truthfully. While more are becoming "abuse-informed" it is still incredibly common for couples and helpers alike to feel very unsure how to identify these dynamics in themselves, their spouses, or who they're working with. Andrew shares with refreshing honestly what he looks for as he helps couples in his practice, and how he navigates what he finds.

Join us for this episode-with-a-twist! Lauren randomly pulls from a hat 2 distinct therapy modalities, and Luke jumps in with an on-the-spot explanation of how they are connected. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. It's a helpful episode if you are in the trauma healing world (personally or professionally) and are trying to better understand how these worlds connect. We have a tendency to learn through what we already know, to understand what is new, so hopefully that is what we are offering to you here!  Check out our site FlourishTherapy.co if you'd like to learn more about our offerings.

In this latest episode we have a WONDERFUL chat with Bethany, the new mental health practitioner @flourish_therapy! 

In the first half we ask a bunch of fun questions so you call get to know her and the lovely human that she is. 

Then we delve into some questions about therapy.  It's like a refreshing drink from the wellspring of insight and goodness she offers! 

We hope you enjoy this time getting to know Bethany and hearing each of our hearts about this special work we do. 

If you are looking for a partner in your trauma healing journey, please contact us via www.flourishtherapy.co to connect with Bethany!

Parenting can be one of the most dysregulating relationships and there are SUCH legitimate reasons why! We've invited parenting coach Lelia Schott from @leliaschott_synergyparenting on the podcast to explore what it is about parenting that makes you so vulnerable to dysregulation, how to better understand yourself as a parent, creating safety for yourself amidst the triggers of parentings, and how to cultivate a healing relationship with yourself and your child. You will find Lelia to be such a tender, encouraging soul, and we know this episode will be a breath of fresh air to weary parents.   Lelia is a Trauma-Informed Counsellor, NeuroEmotional Practitioner, and a Certified Parent Coach. She is a South African living in a small coastal town in Cape Town with her family. Lelia’s children turn 26, 24, 22, 19, 12, and 9 this year. She loves swimming in the cold ocean and walking in the fynbos mountains. As a family, they are dedicated to softening the hurting and strengthening the healing for generations to come. Find her at https://www.leliaschott.com/ and on IG @leliaschott_synergyparenting   🌿 Lauren + Luke @flourish_therapy