Growing up in a large family with strong religious roots can shape a person in profound ways. My brother, Keith AKA Tony, and I share a personal journey, recounting our upbringing from South Dakota to Colorado. Together, we reflect on family dynamics, personal identity, and the courage it takes to embrace vulnerability. Keith's story of coming out as gay 25 years ago is a focal point, shedding light on the challenges he faced within our religious household and the evolution of societal and familial acceptance over time.

From navigating the varied reactions of our family to Keith’s coming out, to discussing the emotional intelligence necessary to maintain strong sibling relationships, our conversation is both personal and universal. We delve into the importance of privacy in romantic introductions and the ongoing process of understanding and acceptance within our family. The dialogue extends beyond our family, offering insights into self-improvement, confronting personal triggers, and the power of vulnerability in fostering meaningful relationships.

Addressing broader themes, we explore the influence of religious beliefs on identity and acceptance, and the journey of healing from childhood trauma. We discuss the significance of breaking free from cycles of emotional suppression and the value of curiosity and introspection in personal growth. This episode aims to inspire listeners to embrace vulnerability as a path to authenticity, encouraging a more inclusive and accepting world where everyone can find connection and understanding.

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).

Have you ever wondered how someone transforms chaos into self-love? This episode dives into Lauren’s powerful journey from addiction to empowerment. Raised in a traditional Mormon family in Salt Lake City, Lauren’s story reveals how genetic and environmental influences shaped her early struggles with alcoholism. Despite having non-drinking parents, Lauren identified her challenges from a young age, underscoring the importance of acknowledging personal battles and embracing the path to healing.

Through this self-help story, we uncover the transformative benefits of a 12-step program and the essential role of community support in maintaining a fulfilling, sober life. Lauren shares her evolution from victimhood to empowerment, highlighting the value of gratitude, accountability, and continuous personal growth. Her journey underscores the joy of aligning her internal and external selves, showing how sobriety brings incredible transformation.

Our conversation touches on the emotional work involved in recovery, where confronting and processing past feelings is key to healing. Lauren opens up about redefining self-identity and relationships, the challenges of leaving a party lifestyle, and the fears of losing identity without alcohol.

Spirituality and faith are central to her recovery, as Lauren reflects on Alcoholics Anonymous, the impact of authentic connections, and the courage required to embrace vulnerability. As we explore her self-help journey, we invite listeners to reflect on their own relationships with alcohol and consider the profound shifts sobriety can offer. Tune in to celebrate the transformative power of authenticity and the deep sense of belonging it nurtures.

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This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).

Ever thought a simple act like making tortillas could symbolize powerful emotional connections in relationships? Join me and my best friend, Belinda, as we dive into the roots of emotional intelligence, tracing it back to childhood influences and unpacking its role in today’s relationships. Belinda shares insights from her transformative journey to Texas, where she discovered profound lessons about her past and present connections. Our candid conversation sheds light on how understanding and acknowledging emotions can create healthier, more authentic bonds. 🌱💖

In this episode, we explore the impact of past traumas, the importance of accountability in healing, and share personal stories of overcoming challenges like abuse and complex family influences. With insights inspired by Brene Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, we discuss expanding our emotional vocabulary and cultivating self-awareness to break generational cycles and redefine our emotional landscapes.

Preparing children for emotional intelligence is a central theme as we reflect on our journeys toward becoming grandparents. I also share my own experience of overcoming numbing behaviors like alcohol, shaping my approach to parenting and setting a resilient emotional foundation for the next generation. 🌿

Tune in to Let's Get Naked to discover how embracing self-help, personal growth, and emotional intelligence can lead to more fulfilling and genuine connections with ourselves and others. 🎙️

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).

Imagine a trip to New Orleans that was meant for fun but ended up being the cornerstone of a life-changing journey. My good friend Amanda and I reminisce about our chaotic days back in 2016, when my excessive drinking reached a boiling point, forcing me to confront the need for sobriety. Together, we reflect on the power of friendship and authenticity as we navigated the turbulent waters leading to my decision to enter rehab. Amanda’s support was invaluable, helping me grasp the growth that followed such a pivotal moment.

Our conversation doesn’t shy away from the messiness of healing and self-discovery. We talk about the societal urge to be "fixed" and how embracing one’s traumas can be a catalyst for personal evolution. By sharing our experiences with disassociation and delving into the protective mechanisms of memory, we encourage listeners to face uncomfortable truths. The journey of self-healing is continuous, and, through reflections, we emphasize the importance of pausing, confronting memories, and using these as opportunities to heal and grow.

The episode takes a turn towards family dynamics, where we explore parenting with accountability and vulnerability. I open up about my early life in Oklahoma, the challenges faced, and how they shaped my parenting approach. By setting healthy boundaries and maintaining open communication, we strive to improve our relationships with our children. We even consider innovative strategies like "exit interviews" with kids to better cater to their needs. By embracing radical acceptance and accountability, we aim for stronger, more trusting family connections, underscoring the transformative power of vulnerability in parent-child relationships.

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).