Mama Knows

In this conversation, Nina Caviggiola and Dr. Danica Harris delve into the complexities of trauma, particularly focusing on the concept of complex trauma. They discuss the differences between big T's and little t's, the impact of childhood experiences on emotional development, and the importance of repair in parent-child relationships. Dr. Harris explains how trauma can be trapped in the body and offers insights into recognizing and releasing tension. They also explore the connection between trauma and gut health, the ongoing nature of healing, and the significance of self-compassion in the journey. The conversation concludes with empowering advice for parents on how to navigate their own healing while supporting their children.

00:00 Understanding Trauma: Big T's and Little t's

02:55 Defining Complex Trauma

06:12 The Impact of Childhood Experiences

09:00 Repairing Relationships and Emotional Responses

11:57 Trauma Trapped in the Body

14:55 Recognizing and Releasing Tension

17:57 The Connection Between Trauma and Gut Health

23:54The Importance of Self-Compassion

26:55 Parenting and Trauma Awareness

Dr. Danica Harris is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and complex trauma expert, working internationally as a coach, facilitator, presenter, and educator. Trained as a Counseling Psychologist, Danica prioritizes helping folks heal so they can live more embodied and empowered lives. Danica is the Co-Owner and Executive Director of Empowered Healing Dallas, a group therapy practice where her team provides trauma-informed therapy, using somatic and relational approaches when working with clients. Danica is also passionate about support for therapists and healers and provides mentorship and consultation to providers looking to increase their trauma-informed knowledge and business practices. She considers herself a co-journeyer, and hosts healing focused retreats and intensives for fellow complex trauma survivors. You can find Danica on her Instagram platform, @theempoweredtherapist where she provides education and support to the broader community.

IG: @theempoweredtherapist

www.theempoweredtherapist.com

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This week we are re-releasing one my personal favorite conversations and a fan favorite episode! This is a MUST listen (or re-listen!)

Body image and and neutrality is something I didn't really learn about until I was an adult, after struggling for years. Especially after having my own kids I began to wonder, how do we do better for our kids so that they don't have to struggle with the same body image issues like most of us did as kids? On this weeks episode we dive into the topic and address some important questions!

Dr. Morgan Francis is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and a Licensed Mental

Health Therapist. She is the owner of Scottsdale Premier Counseling, in

Scottsdale, Arizona. At her private practice she treats young adults, individuals, couples, and families. Her mission is to break through the mental health shame game. With over 20 years of experience specializing in the treatment of Body Image and Eating Disorders, Dr. Francis can empower you to make peace with your body and food. She is a frequent guest on Fox News Phoenix, she has been featured in local and national publication, she is a public speaker and consultant on mental health helping churches, schools, and community organizations. You can work with Dr. Francis by accessing her online courses or attending her webinars. Dr. Francis lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her three children and husband.

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In this conversation, Nina and psychologist Malina discuss the importance of having difficult conversations in relationships, the patterns that can lead to defensiveness and blame, and how to shift these dynamics towards understanding and effective communication. They explore the significance of awareness, the role of boundaries, and the potential benefits of written communication in navigating emotional discussions. Malina shares practical strategies for fostering a healthier dialogue between partners, emphasizing the need for vulnerability and teamwork.

00:00 Navigating Difficult Conversations in Relationships

02:13 Understanding Patterns and Personal Growth

04:53 Identifying Toxic Patterns in Relationships

06:30 Shifting Blame to Understanding

10:37 Effective Communication Strategies

12:37 Dealing with Defensiveness in Partners

16:38 Setting Boundaries for Healthy Conversations

20:38 Using Written Communication for Clarity

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In this conversation, Nina Caviggiola and Dr. Kara Natterson explore the complexities and awkwardness surrounding puberty discussions. They emphasize the importance of open communication between parents and children, addressing the emotional and physical changes that occur during puberty. Dr. Natterson shares insights on how to approach these conversations, the role of trusted adults, and the impact of social influences on children's understanding of their bodies. The discussion highlights the need for early education and normalization of these topics to foster a healthy understanding of puberty and sexuality.

05:01 Understanding Puberty: A Pediatrician's Perspective

09:54 The Role of Parents in Discussing Puberty

15:09 Normalizing Conversations About Bodies and Emotions

19:47 Setting Boundaries and Discussing Self-Exploration

24:48 The Importance of Early Conversations About Puberty

30:05 Empowering Kids Through Knowledge and Open Dialogue

Cara Natterson, MD, is a pediatrician and New York Times bestselling author dedicated to demystifying the tween and teen years with science and humor. As the founder of Less Awkward and co-host of the This is So Awkward podcast, Cara empowers kids – and the adults who care about them – with essential knowledge about growing up.

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In this conversation, Nina and Zara discuss the profound impact of labeling children, both positively and negatively. They explore how labels can limit a child's potential and the importance of fostering a growth mindset. The discussion also delves into the effects of parental venting, sibling comparisons, and gender labels, emphasizing the need for parents to advocate for their children and recognize the internalized effects of labels. Zara provides practical strategies for reframing conversations about children and highlights the importance of acknowledging both challenges and strengths in parenting.

04:32 Understanding Developmental Psychology in Labeling

06:30 The Fine Line of Complimenting Children

09:49 Venting and Its Effects on Parenting

16:27 Sibling Comparisons and Team Dynamics

23:10 The Impact of Child Comparisons

26:43 Understanding Gender Labels in Parenting

30:58 Reframing Shyness and Caution

38:24 Recognizing and Addressing Internalized Labels

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In this conversation, Nina Caviggiola and Alivia Hall explore the significance of understanding and processing emotions in the body. They discuss the importance of sitting with feelings, the challenges of emotional awareness, and the necessity of self-compassion. The dialogue also touches on how to navigate feelings of exclusion, the impact of core beliefs on emotional responses, and practical strategies for emotional regulation. Finally, they emphasize the importance of modeling emotional awareness for children, highlighting that parents must first regulate their own emotions to effectively teach their kids.

Alivia Hall, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and the founder of LiteMinded, a boutique private practice based in New York City. Her work focuses on helping young adults in their 20s and 30s navigate the quiet struggles of modern adulthood—like anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and complex trauma. Through a relational and compassionate lens, she supports clients in untangling what’s weighing them down so they can feel more grounded, connected, and like themselves again.
You can find her on Instagram at @litemindedtherapy, where she shares honest insights about mental health, relationships, and the emotional growing pains no one talks about.

00:00 Understanding Emotions in the Body

03:03 The Importance of Sitting with Feelings

06:04 Navigating Emotional Awareness

08:47 Judgment and Self-Compassion in Emotions

14:49 Healing Core Beliefs

18:01 Accessible Emotional Practices

21:06 Modeling Emotional Regulation for Kids

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In this conversation, Nina and Karley explore the complexities of gender roles, ambition, and the unique shame that women often experience. They discuss how societal expectations shape women's self-perception and the pressure they feel from both themselves and other women. The conversation also highlights the importance of supportive relationships and the empowerment that comes from vulnerability and acceptance of needing help.

03:06 The Impact of Shame on Women

06:01 Societal Expectations and Self-Perception

11:51 Empowerment Through Vulnerability

20:48 Stereotypes and Shame Among Women

23:35 Navigating Shame and Self-Perception

27:35 Social Media's Influence on Self-Comparison

29:43 Coping Mechanisms and Acceptance

Karley Weinberg is a working mom of two, stepmom of one, and content creator with a background in Sociology, Public Health, and Law. She is passionate about mental health and uses her social media platform to put complicated and sometimes contradictory emotions into words. With a focus on self-esteem, trauma, and neurodivergence, Karley’s goal is to use humor and relatability to help others feel seen and slightly less alone. 

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In this conversation, Nina and Charlotte delve into the complexities of perfectionism, exploring its protective nature and how it often leads to procrastination. They discuss the impact of perfectionism on self-worth and inner dialogue, and provide practical steps for breaking the cycle of self-sabotage. The conversation also touches on parenting and how to nurture children without imposing perfectionist standards.

00:00: Understanding Perfectionism
06:11: The Protective Nature of Perfectionism
12:00: Procrastination and Perfectionism: A Vicious Cycle
16:26: Breaking the Cycle: Practical Steps to Overcome Perfectionism
24:50: Parenting and Perfectionism: Nurturing Without Pressure

Charlotte Grimmel is a psychologist (MSc) and holistic business coach who works at the intersection of mindset, high-performance psychology, and strategy. She helps high-achieving entrepreneurs develop the internal clarity and capacity to grow the business they actually want—without relying on hype, hustle, or someone else’s playbook. Her work focuses on the mental models, emotional habits, and self-concepts that shape how we lead, make decisions, and show up in the world. Through her coaching practice and platform @themindfriend (195k+ followers), Charlotte turns deep psychological insight into practical tools for navigating visibility, leadership, and growth. Known for her direct yet compassionate approach, she helps people transform their relationship with their minds—rather than fighting against themselves.

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In this conversation, Nina and Dr. Cindy explore the concept of boredom, particularly in the context of parenting. They discuss how societal pressures often lead parents to keep their children busy, which can hinder emotional development. Dr. Cindy emphasizes that boredom is an emotion that needs to be acknowledged and managed, rather than avoided. The discussion highlights the importance of allowing children to experience boredom as a means of fostering creativity and emotional regulation. They also provide practical strategies for parents to support their children in coping with boredom and understanding their emotions. In this conversation, Cindy and Nina explore the importance of scaffolding in learning and emotional reflection for children. They discuss how to manage boredom, the impact of technology on emotional regulation, and the significance of teaching coping skills. The dialogue emphasizes the need for parents to validate their children's feelings and revisit emotional experiences to foster better emotional intelligence and regulation.

00:00: The Challenge of Boredom
05:01: Understanding Boredom as an Emotion
10:02: Supporting Children Through Boredom
15:01: Coping Mechanisms for Boredom
20:11: Practical Strategies for Parents
21:09: Understanding and Managing Boredom
24:42: The Impact of Technology on Emotional Regulation
27:28: Teaching Emotional Coping Skills
30:43: Revisiting Emotions and Validating Feelings

Dr. Cindy Hovington, a mom of three and Ph.D. in neuroscience, is the founder of Curious Neuron—an evidence-based platform dedicated to helping parents understand and regulate their emotions, so they can model healthy coping strategies for their children. She also hosts The Reflective Parenting Podcast, where she dives into the emotional challenges of parenthood with compassion and science-backed insights. Many of us grew up without learning how to manage stress or emotions effectively, and now, as parents, we face the difficult task of unlearning old patterns while trying to teach our kids something better. Curious Neuron bridges that gap, offering not just information about emotions, but real tools to build emotion regulation skills through its Reflective Parent Club. Start building your self-awareness today by grabbing one of our free resources!

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In this conversation, Nina and Dr. Alexandra Solomon explore the nuanced differences between secrecy and privacy in relationships, emphasizing the importance of trust and communication. They discuss how technology has changed relationship dynamics, the impact of childhood experiences on adult behavior, and the necessity of understanding emotional needs in partnerships. The dialogue highlights the significance of approaching sensitive topics with curiosity rather than accusation, fostering a deeper connection between partners. In this conversation, Nina and Dr. Alexandra explore the complexities of vulnerability in relationships, the importance of understanding boundaries and privacy, and how healthy privacy can enhance intimacy. They discuss the significance of emotional safety and the need for couples to invest in connection and fun to maintain a strong relationship. The dialogue emphasizes self-awareness and the impact of past experiences on current relationships, providing insights into navigating challenges and fostering growth.00:00: Understanding Secrecy vs. Privacy in Relationships
02:56: The Evolution of Relationship Dynamics
06:00: The Impact of Technology on Trust
08:56: Navigating Privacy and Secrecy
11:55: Childhood Influences on Relationship Behavior
15:11: Effective Communication in Relationships
19:45: Navigating Vulnerability in Relationships
24:43: Understanding Boundaries and Privacy
28:31: The Role of Healthy Privacy in Intimacy35:55: Investing in Connection and Fun in RelationshipsAlexandra H. Solomon, PhD, is internationally recognized as one of today’s most trusted
voices in the world of relationships, and her framework of Relational Self-Awareness has
reached millions of people around the globe. A couple therapist, speaker, author, professor,
podcast host, and media personality, Dr. Alexandra is passionate about translating cutting-edge
research and clinical wisdom into practical tools people can use to bring awareness, curiosity,
and authenticity to their relationships. She is a clinician educator and a frequent contributor to
academic journals and research, and she translates her academic and therapeutic experience to the public through her popular and vibrant Instagram page, which has garnered over 200K
followers. She is an adjunct professor in the School of Education and Social Policy at
Northwestern University and is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice. Her hit
podcast, Reimagining Love, has reached listeners across the globe and features high-profile
guests from the worlds of therapy, academia, and pop culture. She is the award-winning author
of Taking Sexy Back: How to Own Your Sexuality and Create the Relationships You
Want, Loving Bravely: 20 Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want,
and Love Every Day: 365 Relational Self-Awareness Practices to Help Your Relationship Heal,
Grow, and Thrive. You can visit her online at https://dralexandrasolomon.com/ and on Instagram
at @dr.alexandra.solomon.

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