In this episode I sit down with Nikki Eisenhauer, licensed psychotherapist, mental health podcaster, and fellow survivor, to explore the complex realities of healing from childhood trauma and complex PTSD.

Nikki shares her courageous story of growing up in fear and chaos, carrying the impossible burden of protecting her younger sisters, and facing the painful truths of family estrangement. She opens up about how trauma reshapes our nervous systems, why healing is not linear, and the radical patience and self-kindness it takes to reclaim peace.

Together, we talk about the necessity of setting boundaries, not just with others, but within our own minds to silence the relentless critical voice that keeps us stuck. Nikki reveals why finding the right therapist is vital, why sampling different therapeutic approaches is part of the process, and how no contact can be a profound act of self-love and protection.

This conversation is a testament to resilience, and the unshakable belief that we can rise above our past. Nikki also introduces her transformative Boundaries Intensive, a six-week course designed to equip you with practical tools for creating healthy boundaries, especially during challenging family dynamics and holidays.

You can listen to Nikki’s podcast “Emotional Badass” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Find out more about Nikki’s courses or schedule an appointment through her site: https://www.nikkieisenhauer.com/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #HealingTrauma #MentalHealth #Boundaries #SelfKindness #TraumaRecovery #ComplexPTSD #TherapyJourney #SurvivorStrong #EmotionalWellness #SelfCareTips #NervousSystemHealing #PatienceInHealing #EmotionalBadass #MentalHealthPodcast #TraumaInformed #InnerStrength #SelfLove #Mindfulness #EmotionalHealing #TraumaSurvivor #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #TraumaAwareness #BreakTheCycle #HealingIsPossible #SelfCompassion #Resilience #MentalWellness #NikkiEisenhauer

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This episode is a revisited conversation with the incredible Dr. Shah from Empower Her Health Center. The information we discussed continues to be just as relevant—and powerful—today. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or listening again, I know you’ll find this discussion just as insightful and empowering as I did the day we recorded it.

In this episode, we dive into essential topics like perimenopause, menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the journey through hysterectomy. I candidly share my personal experiences with hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, complex PTSD, and the life-changing decision to undergo a hysterectomy.

Dr. Shah explains the nuances of these transitions, debunking myths and offering practical advice on managing these changes effectively. This conversation is full of valuable insights on the types of hysterectomy procedures, the importance of post-surgery recovery, and innovative approaches to weight loss. She emphasizes the critical role of self-awareness and advocacy, encouraging women to trust their instincts and seek personalized care.

Whether you're dealing with hormonal changes, considering HRT, or recovering from a hysterectomy, this episode offers invaluable guidance. My story of resilience, combined with Dr. Shah’s expert knowledge, delivers a heartfelt and empowering message.

To learn more about Dr. Shah and her practice, visit: https://www.empowerherhealthcenter.com/about 

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This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #advocacy #empowerherhealth #perimenopause #menopause #hormonereplacementjourney  #healingjourney #midlifechanges #advocacy #womenshealth #hysterectomy #HRT #honeylovepod

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This episode I’m joined once again by someone I truly admire. Dr. Alexandra Sowa is one of the nation’s first certified obesity medicine physicians, founder of the wellness brand SoWell, and author of "The Ozempic revolution" Together, we dive deep into what it really means to reclaim our health, our stories, and our futures.

Dr. Sowa brings honesty, expertise, and compassion as we discuss the truth behind GLP1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, debunk the stigma and misinformation swirling around them, and explore why they’re not a shortcut. They are a legitimate and life-changing tool in fighting chronic disease. We also talk about the risks of compounded drugs, the billion dollar waste in the weight loss industry, and how to protect yourself from shady med spas and TikTok trends.

We explore the importance of eating enough even when you’re not hungry, the role of protein and fiber, and how natural supplements like berberine, cinnamon, and chromium can support metabolic health with or without medication.

Dr. Sowa opens up about her mission to shift the narrative from shame to science, from quick fixes to sustainable change. We talk about how her SoWell products are designed to help people not just survive but truly thrive, and how healing isn't just physical. It’s emotional, political, and deeply personal.

We’re not just rewriting the weight loss narrative. We’re building a future rooted in honesty, prevention, and power. Your health isn’t a trend. It’s your birthright.

You can find out more and order he book through her site: https://alexandrasowamd.com/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #MentalHealthMatters #JudgingMeghan #GLP1 #WeightLossJourney #Women’sHealth #HormoneHealth #ChronicDiseasePrevention #WellnessJourney #ObesityMedicine #HealthEmpowerment #Supplements #MetabolicHealth #SelfLove #HealthWithoutShame #HealthyAging #PreventionNotCure #WellnessCommunity #MentalHealthAndBody #HormoneReplacementTherapy #Berberine #HealthyLiving #ScienceBasedHealth

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In this episode I sit down with Heather Bellino, CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project, to talk about her unexpected journey from PTA volunteer to leading one of Texas’s most impactful nonprofit legal organizations.

What began as a school carnival fundraiser turned into a life’s mission helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking access the civil legal services they need to reclaim their lives. Heather opens up about the culture of over-apologizing among women, the quiet epidemic of coercive control, and how real abuse rarely starts with violence. It starts with love bombing, manipulation, and slow erosion of boundaries.

We dive into the incredible work her team is doing across Texas, including the powerful Teen Ambassadors of Hope program equipping young people to spot red flags, speak up, and protect each other. You’ll hear an unforgettable story of a brave boy on a school bus whose courage changed a life simply because he had the right tools.

Heather also gets real about how the legal system often fails victims, why civil legal aid can be the only justice many survivors ever receive, and how critical it is that we create space for people to heal without shame.

You can find out more about the Texas Advocacy Project here: https://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/ 

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/  

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #oneskinpod #MentalHealthMatters #JudgingMeghan #HeatherBellino #TexasAdvocacyProject #DomesticViolenceAwareness #CivilLegalAid #WomenEmpowerment #TeenAdvocates #CoerciveControl #SurvivorStories #StopApologizing #FindYourVoice #HealingJourney #NonprofitLeadership #RealLove #TraumaRecovery #HopeAndHealing #SocialJustice #EndAbuse #VoicesThatMatter #PurposeDriven

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In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Marisa Hallsted, a transformation coach and Reality Architect who helps people reconnect with themselves in powerful and gentle ways.

Marisa and I dive into a deeply moving conversation about burnout, grief, and how the pain we carry, often silently can weigh us down without us even realizing it. She shares her own story of trauma, heartbreak, and the moment she almost gave up, and how that breaking point became the beginning of deep healing and self-awareness.

I also talk about my personal session with Marisa. I showed up feeling scattered and skeptical, but by the end, I felt an undeniable shift. She guided me through energy work that helped me release old pain I didn’t even know I was still holding, especially the grief quietly sitting at the back of my heart. Together, we explore how childhood experiences and subconscious patterns shape our lives and how we can begin to shift those patterns with awareness, softness, and intention.

Marisa shares what it means to be a Reality Architect and how we can reclaim our power by asking who’s really running the show. Is it our fear, our inner child, or someone else's voice? She also introduces her new app, Seeded Sound, which uses sound healing and subliminal affirmations to help adults and children reprogram the subconscious and find balance.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about pausing, listening, and choosing yourself with love. If you’ve been feeling disconnected or weighed down by something that isn’t even yours, I hope this episode reminds you that you are not broken. You are becoming. And you are already more okay than you think.

Find out more on Marissa’s site: https://www.marisahallsted.com/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #MarisaHallsted #HealingJourney #EnergyHealing #SubconsciousReprogramming #GriefRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #TraumaHealing #SoundHealing #ChakraHealing #WomensEmpowerment #SpiritualAwakening #HolisticHealing #InnerChildHealing #EmotionalWellness #SelfCompassion #MindBodySoul #BurnoutRecovery #YouAreNotAlone #SeededSound #RealityArchitect #HealingIsPossible #ChooseYou #HopeIsHere #RiseAbove

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The following episode is a revisited episode from a previous conversation with Dr. Ken Druck that I feel is just as meaningful and relevant today as when it first aired.

In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Ken Druck, a Ph.D. and grief expert, for a meaningful conversation about navigating "what now" moments. These moments can arise on a personal level or in response to larger global challenges, and Dr. Ken offers powerful insight into how we can meet them with resilience, compassion, and purpose.

He shares how times of hardship can become opportunities for growth and positive change. We also explore the importance of finding common ground, practicing empathy, and forming unexpected friendships even when our perspectives differ.

The conversation touches on the universality of grief and the unique challenges parents face in today’s uncertain world. Themes of self-compassion, patience, and humility shine through as essential tools for moving forward through uncertainty.

At its core, this episode captures the human experience—the struggle with loss, the strength of love, and the possibility of discovering joy even in the midst of sorrow.

To learn more about Dr. Ken Druck and his work, visit www.kendruck.com where you can explore his previous books and pre-order his upcoming release HOW WE GO ON.

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #abuserecovery #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #selfhelp #addiction #addictionrecovery #lgbtqsupport #GriefSupport #EmotionalHealing #CompassionInAction #FindingCommonGround #DrKenDruck #NavigatingGrief #WhatNowMoments #SharedHumanity #SelfCompassion #HealingThroughConnection #GriefJourney #ParentingThroughGrief #ResilienceAndGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #TheHumanExperience

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In today’s episode, I am so excited to sit down with Congressman Eric Swalwell, representative of California’s 14th Congressional District and former prosecutor, for an unfiltered, emotional, and urgent conversation about the state of our country and what it means to lead with courage and conviction in the face of chaos, fear, and division.

What begins as a conversation about politics quickly becomes something far more personal and profound. Congressman Swalwell opens up about the heavy personal toll of public service in today’s increasingly hostile climate. From receiving weekly death threats to being physically blocked by protestors, he shares how he continues to show up for his constituents despite it all. He and I dive into the alarming rise in ICE raids, the erosion of voting rights, the threat of political apathy, and the real human cost of dangerous policies. Through heart-wrenching stories of families torn apart and communities living in fear, we remind listeners that these aren’t just headlines. They’re real people, our neighbors, and the backbone of our society.

This episode is not just about politics. It’s about humanity. It’s about refusing to be silent when silence means complicity. It’s about staying grounded in your values even when it's hard, and finding strength in vulnerability and truth. Congressman Swalwell shares his personal mental wellness rituals, from daily runs to moments of silence, while I open up about the healing power of my daily beach walks and my mission to hold onto hope, even when it’s hard to find.

With honesty, empathy, and a powerful call to action, this episode reminds us that democracy isn’t just something we inherit. It’s something we fight for. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or uncertain about the future, this conversation will meet you where you are and reignite your belief in what’s possible.

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #MentalHealthMatters #JudgingMeghan #EricSwalwell #LeadershipInCrisis #ProtectDemocracy #ICEraids #HumanRights #PoliticalCourage #VoteForChange #Resilience #TraumaSurvivor #FaithAndPolitics #StandTogether #YourVoiceMatters #SpeakYourTruth #TakeAStand #ManhattanBeachMarch #InspireAction #MentalWellness #WeRiseTogether

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This episode I sit down with journalist, author, and BBC veteran Emily Kasriel to explore something that feels both radical and deeply human: the art of deep listening. At a time when the world is louder, angrier, and more divided than ever, Emily’s message is a lifeline for anyone who’s ever felt dismissed, overwhelmed, or unsure how to bridge the growing gap with someone they care about. As someone who has walked through trauma, loss, and healing myself, I know how hard it is to feel truly heard and how much harder it is to listen when our emotions are high and our beliefs feel under threat. But Emily gently reminds us that we do not have to agree with someone to understand them. We just have to stay curious.

Her new book, Deep Listening: Transform Your Relationships with Family, Friends, and Foes, is more than a guide. It is a call to action for empathy, presence, and connection. Drawing from her decades of research and experience training over a thousand people across more than one hundred countries, Emily shares seven transformative steps to deep listening. These are not just communication techniques. They are practices rooted in radical self-awareness. We talk about how our unhealed trauma often gets projected onto others, how silence can be a sacred space instead of something to fear, and how reflecting back someone’s truth even when we disagree can create profound shifts in understanding. I was struck by how people in her studies became less extreme in their views simply by being heard. That kind of change starts from within.

This conversation touches every corner of life, from political arguments and friend breakups to mother-daughter relationships and everyday moments with strangers. Emily’s compassionate wisdom shows us that deep listening is not about fixing anyone. It is about making room for what is real. If you have ever felt too angry to speak, too hurt to hear, or too disconnected to try, this episode is for you. It reminded me that empathy is not weakness. It is one of the bravest and boldest gifts we can offer each other. Healing, whether personal or collective, begins the moment we choose to truly hear one another.

Find out more about Emily Kasriel here: https://www.emilykasriel.com/ 

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JUDGING at https://www.oneskin.co/

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #DeepListening #Empathy #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #CommunicationSkills #PersonalGrowth #Relationships #Polarization #Mindfulness #MentalHealth #Parenting #Friendship #ConflictResolution #SelfAwareness #HumanConnection #AuthenticConversations #ActiveListening #HealingTogether #Compassion #Curiosity #Resilience #SelfGrowth #BreakingBarriers #TransformativeConversations #ListenToUnderstand #ConnectionMatters #VulnerabilityIsStrength #BraveSpaces #ReigniteYourVoice #oneskinpod

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This week I’m joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr Noelle Santorelli. We get into the invisible wounds left by social rejection and toxic dynamics, especially among women. I share my own deeply personal story of a friendship that turned into covert bullying and the emotional devastation that followed, while Dr. Noelle offers expert insight into how childhood trauma, complex PTSD, and early attachment wounds shape our adult relationships and our responses to betrayal.

Together, we unpack why the pain of losing close friendships can cut deeper than romantic heartbreak, how the biology of shame and the human need for belonging intensify that pain, and why so many of us stay in harmful friendships just to keep the peace, sacrificing our own worth. We challenge the stigma around “mean girl” behavior and explore how people-pleasing, social anxiety, and the pressure to perform for approval keep us trapped in toxic patterns. We also reveal how these toxic dynamics mirror narcissistic abuse and the lasting emotional toll betrayal and exclusion can take on our nervous systems.

Most importantly, Dr. Noelle and I want to empower you to reclaim your voice, set healthy boundaries, and choose peace and authenticity over approval and silence. If you’ve ever felt ghosted, gossiped about, or silenced by the very people you trusted, this conversation offers hope, healing, and a reminder that your pain is valid and you are not alone. This episode is a powerful call to courage and self-love—because sometimes healing means getting uncomfortable, speaking your truth, and walking away to find freedom and belonging on your own terms.

Follow Dr. Santorelli here: https://www.instagram.com/dr.noelle.santorelli/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #FriendshipHealing #ToxicFriendships #RelationalTrauma #MentalHealthMatters #WomenSupportingWomen #FriendshipBetrayal #SelfWorth #HealingJourney #EmotionalWellness #Boundaries #TraumaRecovery #FindingYourVoice #AdultFriendships #Empowerment #LettingGo #SelfLove #EmotionalResilience #ToxicDynamics #FemaleFriendships #BreakTheSilence #DrNoelleSantorelli

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This week I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Bonnie Buckner, dream expert and author of The Secret Mind: Unlock the Power of Dreams to Transform Your Life. Together we take a  journey through the unconscious, as Bonnie shares how one vivid, recurring dream uprooted her life and led her all the way to the south of France. But more than a change of scenery, it was a call from deep within, a soul nudge that she couldn’t ignore.

Together, Meghan and Bonnie explore the mysterious and powerful language of dreams. From childhood nightmares to adult visions that resurface unresolved emotions, they unpack how dreams are more than just nighttime stories. They are deeply connected to our bodies, our healing, and our inner wisdom. You’ll learn why recurring dreams and nightmares are signals from your nervous system, how substances like melatonin can interfere with your ability to hear what your dreams are saying, and why paying attention to what shows up at night can unlock transformation by day.

This is a conversation about the freedom that comes when we stop dismissing what our intuition is whispering. It’s about letting your soul exhale. It’s about realizing that you already have everything you need within you to heal, to grow, and to make bold, beautiful changes even if they feel scary. Whether you’re a tired parent trying to find space, a dreamer seeking clarity, or someone navigating loss, grief, or transition, this episode will awaken something in you.

Because your dreams are not random. They are letters from your deeper self, waiting to be opened.

Find out about bonnie here: https://bonniebuckner.com/ 

Order her book “The Secret Mind: Unlock the Power of Dreams to Transform Your Life” on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #innerwisdom #dreamanalysis #intuitiveliving #dreamlife #spiritualawakening #selfdiscovery #dreamjourney #emotionalhealing #dreammessages #mindbodyconnection #dreamwork #consciousliving #dreampower #awakenthesoul #dreaminsights #transformyourlife #dreamscience #dreamstudy #dreamlistener #dreamspirit #bonniebuckner #thesecretmind #dreams

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