Today I sat down with Colette Barron-Reid for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, survival, and what it truly means to heal. We explore how complex trauma, ancestral pain, and past experiences quietly shape our nervous systems, relationships, and sense of safety. Colette shares her story of growing up with family trauma, addiction, and shame, offering a raw and validating perspective for anyone who has ever felt different or overwhelmed.

We discuss how healing is not about willpower alone but about understanding the nervous system, honoring the body, and working with sensitivity. Colette opens up about her journey through addiction and recovery, the long road to rebuilding self-trust, and how grief and past wounds can surface unexpectedly, reminding us that healing is a process, not a destination.

The conversation also explores creativity, intuition, and manifestation. Colette shares her unique “doodle your destiny” approach, combining art, science, and spirituality to help align with your higher self and recognize opportunities. She explains how simple daily practices—like art, music, gratitude, and connecting with animals—can restore hope, regulate the nervous system, and open the door to transformation.

At its heart, this episode is about hope, alignment, and reclaiming agency. Colette’s story shows that healing is possible, joy and creativity are essential, and we can move from surviving to thriving. It is a reminder that your story matters, you are not alone, and you have the power to shape your life.

Find out more about Colette on her site: https://www.colettebaronreid.com/

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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 #JudgingMeghanPodcast #ColetteBarronReid #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalWellness #EmotionalHealing #OvercomingTrauma #Manifestation #VisionBoardMagic #DoodleYourDestiny #SynchronicityMagic #MindBodySpirit #SelfHealing #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #SpiritualHealing #NeuroArts #CreativeManifestation #HopeAndHealing #PersonalTransformation #InnerGrowth #SelfEmpowerment #LifeAlignment #JoyfulLiving #ConsciousLiving #EmbraceYourStory #TraumaInformed #HealingThroughArt #ManifestYourDreams #GratitudePractice

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In this episode I sit down with my friend Marisa Coughlan. Marissa shares her journey as an actress and writer, from growing up in Minnesota to building a successful career in Hollywood and eventually choosing to leave Los Angeles to begin a new chapter. We speak honestly about the emotional toll of the industry, constant rejection, power imbalances, and the pressure women face to disappear as they age. 

We also dive into her film Blue Eyed Girl, now available on Amazon, and the deeply personal story behind it. Inspired by her own life, the film explores grief, aging parents, sisterhood, nostalgia, and the disorienting experience of returning home after years away. Writing the script became a form of healing, a way to process the loss of her father and the quiet mourning we carry not only for people we lose, but for the lives we imagined. She also shares meaningful behind the scenes moments working with Beau Bridges, whose kindness, integrity, and love for his wife offered a rare reminder that goodness and humanity still exist in the industry.

At its core, this episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to want more. We talk about midlife, identity, faith, and the ache of not being able to call the person who once knew you best. We reflect on signs from loved ones who have passed, the comfort found in nature, and the permission to cry, remember, and keep going. If you have ever felt stuck, dismissed, or unsure whether it is too late to begin again, this conversation is a reminder that it is not. You are allowed to pivot, you are allowed to grow, and you are allowed to take up space at every stage of life.

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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 #JudgingMeghan #LifeTransitions #RedefiningSuccess #AgingWithPurpose #WomenOver40 #MidlifeAwakening #CreativeReinvention #GriefTalk #LossAndLove #HealingThroughStory #VoiceAndTruth #WomenWithStories #EmotionalHealing #BlueEyedGirl #SuperTrooper #Hollywood #FaithAndGrief #ListeningToYourBody #InnerStrength #ChoosingYourself #SlowDown #BuildANewLife #HomeAndBelonging #MarisaCoughlan

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This week, we’re revisiting a very meaningful conversation — an episode that continues to resonate deeply with so many listeners. If you missed it the first time or simply need the reminder, I’m so glad you’re here.

In this episode, I'm joined by James Francis, a speaker, entrepreneur, and author of the book “There's Coffee in the Fridge: One Man's Journey Through Anxiety and Depression.” Together, we delve into the journey of overcoming trauma, depression, and finding hope. From childhood struggles to navigating the complexities of masculinity and societal expectations, James candidly shares his battles with depression and the transformative power of vulnerability.

He champions the importance of authenticity and self-honesty, paving the way for healing and resilience in the face of adversity. James inspires with his unwavering commitment to breaking the silence surrounding mental health.

You can order James’s book through Amazon or on his website: https://www.therescoffeeinthefridge.com/. Reach out to James through his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therescoffeeinthefridge/.

LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year’s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visitlifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer.

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 #mentalhealthawareness #empathy  #breakingfree #support #resilience #vulnerability #therescoffeeinthefridge #healing #alcoholic #jamesfrancis #depression #anxiety 

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In this episode I sit down with Kim Rogers, better known as the Worm Queen and the founder of Rogers Hood Apothecary. If you’ve seen her parasite cleanse kit going viral, you’re not imagining it. Even Heidi Klum has talked about it, and Kim was recently featured in Cosmo. When her team first reached out, I’ll admit my immediate reaction was that the whole topic sounded gross, but the more I learned, the more fascinated I became. Her story is one of the most surprising and inspiring I’ve heard.

Before any of this, Kim lived a life that was already extraordinary. She grew up in a military family where her father literally carried the responsibility of launching nuclear missiles. She moved through eight states and more than fifty cities, worked for an airline during 9/11, and later transitioned into medicine, where she built healthcare programs, wrote curriculum, and earned two degrees as valedictorian. She talks about feeling different from a young age, leaving home at sixteen, and following her curiosity with a level of determination that shaped everything that came next.

Her life changed dramatically in 2019 when she became gravely ill with undiagnosed Lyme disease, mold toxicity, autoimmune encephalitis, and parasites. After years of misdiagnoses, unnecessary surgeries, and constant dismissals, she and her husband left everything behind to live simply and focus on healing. Even then she still wasn’t getting better. One night she stumbled across a TikTok video about parasites, tried a cleanse out of desperation, and within days realized she had found the missing piece. That moment eventually led her to create the parasite cleanse that has now helped millions.

Kim’s work is rooted in accessibility and empowerment. She researched what other countries did, uncovered hidden ingredients companies refused to share, and created her own tinctures, binders, foot soaks, and detox tools for parasites, Candida, mold, heavy metals, and more. In this conversation, we break everything down in simple language—what parasite cleansing actually is, why sugar cravings can mean more than you think, and why women’s pain is so often overlooked. This episode is raw, eye opening, and surprisingly hopeful. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by the medical system or struggled with symptoms no one could explain, Kim’s story will make you feel seen, informed, and a little less alone.

Learn more here: https://rogershood.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 #JudgingMeghan #KimRogers #WormQueen #RogersHoodApothecary #ParasiteCleanse #WellnessJourney #HolisticHealth #ChronicIllnessAwareness #LymeDiseaseAwareness #MoldToxicity #CandidaDetox #WomenInWellness #HealthAdvocate #BeYourOwnAdvocate #GutHealthMatters #HealingJourney #AlternativeWellness #NaturalDetox #MindBodyHealth #ChronicSymptoms #WellnessEducation #EmpoweredHealing #TakeBackYourHealth #FunctionalHealth

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In this episode I sit down with Kelly Chase, the entrepreneur, coach, podcast host, and familiar face from season one of Love Is Blind. Kelly shares the story of her life before the show, including growing up with big dreams that were discouraged, choosing the “safe” path in corporate America, and reaching the burnout so many women know too well. She talks openly about overworking, overgiving, losing herself in unhealthy patterns, and the moment she finally walked away from a career that did not feel like her own.

We explore her experience on Love Is Blind and what the public never saw. Kelly opens up about the emotional crash that came when the season aired, the panic attacks, the pressure of sudden visibility, and the intense dysregulation that followed. She talks about the healing work that helped her rebuild, including deep inner child work, self-worth work, and finally facing the trauma she had spent years pushing down.

Kelly also shares the painful relationship experiences that shaped her self-esteem, including a frightening and manipulative situation in college that left a lasting impact. She explains how unhealed wounds followed her into adulthood and how she eventually began choosing herself again. Today, Kelly is helping women find purpose and alignment through her coaching and her signature program, Awaken. Her story is honest, vulnerable, and full of hope, reminding listeners that reinvention is possible at any moment.

You can listen to Kelly’s podcast “ChaseLife with Kelly” on apple podcasts, spotify and all podcast services.

Find out more about Kelly and her work here: https://www.chaselifewithkelly.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 #KellyChase #JudgingMeghan #LoveIsBlind #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #BurnoutSupport #SelfWorth #InnerHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #WomenSupportingWomen #PersonalGrowth #Reinvention #Resilience #SurvivorStories #AuthenticLiving #PurposePath #EmotionalWellness #SelfLoveJourney #CourageToHeal #Empowerment #RealityTV #Podcaster #innerhealing #selflove

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With the recent announcement of his run for California governor, we wanted to re-release this episode with Congressman Eric Salwell from a few months back.

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 and shares how he continues to show up for his constituents despite it all Together he and Meghan 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 they remind us 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 Meghan opens up about the healing power of her daily beach walks and her 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 Because as Meghan says We have to find the good right now and I believe there are more of us than there are of them

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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Essential Inner Resources for Good Mental Health & A Fulfilling Life with Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Celeste Birkhofer

This episode I am joined by Dr. Celeste Birkhofer, a licensed clinical psychologist, longtime Stanford educator, mother, and upcoming author whose work centers on grief, suicide prevention, and the emotional weight of perfectionism. Dr. Celeste opens up about growing up in a military family, navigating a parent’s alcoholism, and how her own experiences with depression, compulsive exercise, and an eating disorder eventually led her into psychology. She also shares her forty–year marriage, a partnership strengthened through separation, therapy, and hard-won healing.

The heart of our conversation is the greatest loss of her life: the death of her son, Wiley, who fought bipolar two disorder with everything he had for nine years. Dr. Celeste speaks with heartbreaking honesty about his vibrant childhood, his acceptance into Stanford, the onset of his illness, and the unpredictable nature of suicidal ideation. She talks about the day Wiley died, the grief that reshaped her family, and the fears she faced returning to work as a therapist while questioning everything she believed about mental health treatment.

We explore the complexity of suicide grief, the stigma that deepens the pain, and the small everyday mercies that slowly help you breathe again. She shares how her loss softened her, slowed her down, and shifted her spirituality, including the signs from Wiley that still show up in the most beautiful ways.

This conversation is honest, grounding, emotional, and filled with compassion. It is for anyone who has lost someone to suicide, loves someone living with mental illness, or simply wants to understand grief on a deeper, more human level. It is a reminder that healing is not about perfection but about awareness, connection, and extending kindness to ourselves, especially on the days we feel anything but kind.

Stay tuned for more information on Celeste’s upcoming book ‘Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Inner Resources for Good Mental Health & A Fulfilling LIfe’ on her site: https://www.drcelestebirkhofer.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 #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #GriefSupport #SuicideAwareness #MindfulLiving #EmotionalWellness #SelfCompassion #MentalHealthAwareness #Resilience #LifeAfterLoss #TherapistTalks #HumanExperience #InnerStrength #MentalHealthResources #OvercomingLoss #MentalWellness #TraumaRecovery #ParentingThroughLoss #BipolarAwareness #MentalHealthEducation #EmotionalHealing #FindingHope #CopingWithGrief #HealingTogether #EndTheStigma #Wellbeing #MentalHealthCommunity #SelfCareJourney #PersonalGrowth #FaithAndHealing #DrCelesteBirkhofer

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This episode I’m joined by Dr. Mark Horowitz, a psychiatrist, researcher, and one of the leading voices challenging the conventional approach to antidepressants. Together, we have an open and eye-opening conversation about the truth behind psychiatric medication, withdrawal, and what real healing looks like beyond the quick-fix model.

Dr. Horowitz shares his own experience with dependence and recovery, explaining why stopping antidepressants can be so difficult and how proper tapering, done slowly and with care, can make all the difference. We talk about the science behind withdrawal, how tolerance develops, and why patients deserve more education and compassion from the medical system.

Our discussion also touches on society’s growing obsession with “miracle” treatments, from ketamine clinics to new experimental drugs, and the risks that often get overlooked in the pursuit of instant relief. Dr. Horowitz explains why psychiatry has fallen into the trap of chemical solutions, and how true healing often comes from therapy, mindfulness, exercise, connection, and addressing the deeper roots of suffering.

He also shares his work with Outro Health, a growing network of clinics helping people safely and gradually come off medication through hyperbolic tapering, while supporting them with holistic, evidence-based care.

This episode is both cautionary and hopeful. It is a reminder that healing is not found in a single prescription or one-size-fits-all solution. It is about self-awareness, courage, and learning to trust yourself again. Whether you are questioning your medication, exploring new ways to manage your mental health, or simply searching for hope, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a powerful message that there is always a way forward.

Disclaimer: This conversation is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your medication or treatment plan. While Dr. Horowitz is a licensed psychiatrist, I am not a medical professional, and our discussion is meant to inform, not replace, professional medical guidance.

Learn more at: https://markhorowitz.org/ 

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 #MentalHealthEducation #MedicationAwareness #DepressionSupport #AnxietyRelief #MentalHealthAdvocate #MindfulnessMatters #MentalWellnessJourney #SafeMedicationTaper #RecoveryTools #PsychiatricMedication #MentalHealthTips #SelfCareMatters #EmotionalHealth #TherapyOverMedication #HolisticMentalHealth #MentalHealthCommunity #MentalHealthPodcast #HealingFromWithin #MedicationRisks #MentalHealthRecovery #BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthConversations #SupportMentalHealth #MentalHealthResources

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I am re-releasing one of the most meaningful conversations I have ever had. I recorded this with Bruce and Donna Ellis, two people who have been like second parents to me. I wanted to share it again after recently losing Bruce, who was not only a hero in my life but someone deeply loved by everyone who knew him.

This episode is about love, family, and the people who shape who we become. We talk about their daughter Julie, my best friend since childhood and my soulmate, whose kindness, humor, and wisdom continue to inspire me every day. We share stories that made us laugh until we cried, the silly traditions that made the Ellis home feel magical, and the small signs that remind us Julie is still with us.

Bruce and Donna also open up about their 57-year marriage, a love built on faith, laughter, and deep respect for one another. Even through unimaginable loss, their love remained steady and strong.

This conversation is a celebration of life, love, and the connections that carry us through grief. It is a tribute to Bruce and Julie Ellis, to the beauty of family in all its forms, and to the truth that love never really leaves us.

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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 #GriefAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #RememberingJulie #FamilyLove #FriendshipAndLoss #HealingTogether #LifeStories #LoveAndLoss #FindingHope #EverydayMoments #LaughterAndTears #LifeLessons #FamilyFirst #FaithAndConnection #HeartfeltStories #CopingWithLoss #SupportAndCommunity #CelebratingLife #CherishedMemories #StoriesThatMatter #EnduringLove #KindnessCounts #LoveLivesOn #SoulfulConversations #LifeReflections #HopeAndHealing #LifeAfterLoss #ComfortAndCare #SharedMemories #GriefSupport

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In this powerful episode I sit down with one of the most iconic figures in boxing history, Christy Salters Martin, the first woman ever inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. Her story is one of triumph, trauma, and unbreakable resilience.

Christy shares her journey from a small-town girl in West Virginia who learned early on to hide who she was, to becoming a boxing phenomenon headlining Pay-Per-View events alongside Mike Tyson. But behind the bright lights and roaring crowds, she was living in silence, trapped in a cycle of manipulation and abuse that nearly cost her life.

She opens up about the years of control and fear she endured, where every move was monitored and every word recorded. When she finally decided to leave, she didn’t care if it cost her life. With remarkable courage, she found the strength to rise, fight back, and survive.

Now, through her work with Christy Martin Promotions, she’s mentoring and empowering the next generation of fighters while using her voice to raise awareness about domestic violence and the importance of self-worth. Her upcoming biopic, Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster, brings her story to the big screen and reminds the world that survival is the ultimate victory.

If you or someone you love is struggling with abuse or identity, please know that help is available. You are not alone.

Learn more about the fight against family violence at: https://christyschamps.org/ 

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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 #ChristyMartin #Fighter #Overcomer #Strength #Survival #TrueStory #WomenWhoInspire #Hope #Transformation #BreakingFree #RiseAbove #HerStory #FaithOverFear #SydneySweeney #UnbreakableSpirit #YouAreNotAlone #FindingFreedom #Healing #Bravery #PowerWithin #InspiringWomen #VoiceForChange #ResilientHeart #ChampionMindset #ChristySaltersMartin #SurvivorStrong #CourageToHeal #InspireOthers #VictoryThroughFaith #WarriorSpirit #FightForYourLife #BelieveInYourself #ChristysChamps #christy

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