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We explore how dropping the “strong” mask, choosing sobriety, and learning the language of play can transform a family during and after separation. Jacintha shares tools for co-regulation, boundaries without shame, and building emotional literacy at home and through her platform, Happy Souls Kids.

• why sobriety opened space for healing and presence 
• drawing and play as entry points to feelings 
• co-regulation before conversation during meltdowns 
• holding boundaries while welcoming emotions 
• reparenting self to break people-pleasing patterns 
• practical scripts and rituals that reconnect parent and child 
• asking for help when parents are at capacity 
• generational healing with grandparents and extended family 
• the Happy Souls Kids app using heroes to teach regulation 
• 20-minute focused play as a daily reset

Please email: [email protected] to join the beta and help us reach 100,000 kids by 2027

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We challenge the belief that shame is useful and take aim at the “inner critic,” reframing it as an inner narcissist that feeds on your energy and keeps you small. We share a clear method to cut its supply, regulate your body, and return to authentic choice.

• redefining the inner critic as an inner narcissist
• family roles of scapegoat, golden child, and enabler
• how shame scales into workplaces and politics
• shame versus guilt and why the difference matters
• why “healthy shame” is a myth and a control tool
• the BREAK method to break the trance and disengage
• nervous system anchoring for real-time relief
• shifting from hustle and perfectionism to quiet confidence
• practical examples and outcomes after releasing shame
• resources to go deeper and start today

Grab Emma's free guide, five signs you need to break up with your inner narcissist: tinyurl.com/nottodaynarc. Follow Emma on Instagram and Facebook at trauma.matrix, and read her Substack at trauma-matrix.substack.com. 

You can also find her at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-lyons-traumamatrix/

https://www.youtube.com/@trauma.matrix

https://www.tiktok.com/@trauma.matrix

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

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We sit with Melanie Cohen to unpack the human side of hoarding—how trauma and OCD shape clutter, why trust matters more than trash bags, and how tiny goals build real change. We share language for hard family talks, safety-first priorities, and ways to give belongings a second life.

• early signs of hoarding masked as productivity and space mismatch
• divorce, bankruptcy, and trauma as drivers of escalating clutter
• OCD, depression, perfectionism, and executive function hurdles
• the failed doctor-room reveal and rebuilding trust over time
• mental clutter vs physical clutter and why both matter
• “ridiculously simple goals” that create momentum
• safety triggers for change and emergency access needs
• donate, sell, recycle strategies and second-life framing
• talking to a hoarding partner without blame
• aging parents, paper mountains, and shred-or-scan decisions
• digital hoarding patterns and small, weekly rituals
• coaching options via Zoom and sustainable wins

Free 30-minute discovery session—find me at thoughtfullycoaching.com

Thank you for being here, for listening, and for holding space for conversations just like this. If this episode made you feel seen, understood, or reminded you that you're not the only one walking through hard things, I'd be so grateful if you'd leave a review, share it with a friend, or just reach out and let me know you were here. And if you want more support like this, real talk, soulful tools, and reminders that you are not alone, you can join my newsletter at advancingwithany.com

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

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Get a free WHO AM I Journal to learn more about yourself: https://advancingwithamy.com

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Leslie Draffin shares her expertise as a women's microdosing and somatic guide, helping women tap into body-held trauma through various modalities including psilocybin mushrooms and embodiment practices.

• Microdosing psilocybin involves taking tiny amounts that don't cause intoxication but improve mood and brain function
• Psilocybin calms the default mode network where deeply ingrained habits live, allowing better pattern recognition
• Unlike pharmaceuticals, microdosing is used for a season rather than long-term, without addiction potential
• The womb holds trauma for many women, serving as an "energetic junk drawer" for unprocessed experiences
• The SHIFT method (Sensation, Honor, Inhale/exhale, Flow, Take stock) helps regulate emotions in just 9 minutes
• Somatic healing means decoding body sensations to understand what emotions are trying to communicate
• Women can work with cyclical awareness even after menopause by aligning with moon phases
• Sexual healing often requires addressing underlying blocks to receiving pleasure, safety and vulnerability
• Psychedelic work can be particularly helpful for treatment-resistant depression
• Those with conditions like bipolar disorder should only explore psilocybin with professional guidance

Grab Leslie's free guides for microdosing and the SHIFT method by visiting lesliedraffin.com or finding her on Instagram and TikTok.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewombmystic

Website: https://www.lesliedraffin.com/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-light-within/id1554915881

Free Microdosing Guide: https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/microguide

Free Somatic Healing Guide: https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/shift

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

Sign up for Amy's Inbox Coaching and receive unlimited e-mail responses to your e-mails in a safe and non-judgmental environment where you don't have to be on, not on zoom, not on a phone call, just e-mailing in your pjs or on your lunch at work, or at 2am when you can't sleep, on your time.

Get a free WHO AM I Journal to learn more about yourself: https://advancingwithamy.com

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Discover how inner child work and emotional healing can empower your journey.' Anat Pari, an inner child expert with over a decade of experience, shares her powerful methodology for helping people break free from survival mode and become empowered creators in their own lives.

• The distinction between traditional mindset work that "trims weeds" versus deep healing that addresses root causes
• How childhood experiences shape our adult patterns even without major trauma
• The five stages of healing: awareness, acceptance, getting to the root, reparenting, and integration
• Learning to work with your nervous system to cultivate safety instead of constant protection
• Using the "90-second rule" to fully express emotions and allow your nervous system to metabolize them
• Why integration takes an average of 18 months for significant life changes
• Understanding your "bodyguards" – the protective mechanisms that take over when you don't feel safe
• Developing emotional resilience by learning to ride the waves in the ocean of your emotions

The greatest gift you can give yourself is to embark on the deep healing journey. With today's resources and knowledge, we have everything we need to transform our lives and end generational trauma. As Anat says, "The only way to feel better is to get better at feeling."

Check Anat Peri out at: https://trainingcampforthesoul.com/

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

Sign up for Amy's Inbox Coaching and receive unlimited e-mail responses to your e-mails in a safe and non-judgmental environment where you don't have to be on, not on zoom, not on a phone call, just e-mailing in your pjs or on your lunch at work, or at 2am when you can't sleep, on your time.

Get a free WHO AM I Journal to learn more about yourself: https://advancingwithamy.com

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Support the show here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2434582/supporters/new

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Want to be a guest on Mental Health Warrior & Neurodivergent Advocate? Send Amy Taylor a message on PodMatch, here:

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Learn how to maintain mental health while balancing care for neurodiverse children and elderly parents.'Mary Ann Hughes shares her experience as part of the sandwich generation, balancing care for her two adult sons with autism while supporting her elderly mother after a health crisis. She brings wisdom, compassion, and practical strategies for maintaining boundaries and finding yourself amid overwhelming caregiving responsibilities.

• Navigating the simultaneous care of aging parents and neurodiverse adult children
• Finding appropriate support systems when crises emerge
• Building a business to help families navigate special needs and divorce
• Managing the grief process while adapting to changing family dynamics
• Creating boundaries to maintain mental health and personal identity
• Becoming more compassionate and open through caregiving challenges
• Understanding that some days are neat "finger sandwiches" while others are messy "club sandwiches"
• Learning when and how to ask for help

If you're interested in connecting with Mary Ann Hughes, visit her website at www.specialfamilytransitions.com or find her on social media under Special Family Transitions. All her other sites are here:

Special Family Transitions Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/specialfamilytransitions

Special Family Transitions on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialfamilytransitions/

Special Family Transitions YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@specialfamilytransitions

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@SpecialFamilyTransitions

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-hughes-special-family-transitions/

Personal Facebook profile:

https://bit.ly/MaryAnnPanoHughes

Private Facebook group:

bit.ly/specialneedsdivorcesupport

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

Sign up for Amy's Inbox Coaching and receive unlimited e-mail responses to your e-mails in a safe and non-judgmental environment where you don't have to be on, not on zoom, not on a phone call, just e-mailing in your pjs or on your lunch at work, or at 2am when you can't sleep, on your time.

Get a free WHO AM I Journal to learn more about yourself: https://advancingwithamy.com

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Support the show here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2434582/supporters/new

WE NEED YOU!

Want to be a guest on Mental Health Warrior & Neurodivergent Advocate? Send Amy Taylor a message on PodMatch, here:

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Explore how shadow work and psychology converge to elevate our mental health. Michele Lefler joins us to explore shadow work, revealing how this misunderstood practice combines psychology with spiritual elements to help us embrace all parts of ourselves.

• Shadow work addresses aspects of our personality society conditions us to suppress or hide
• Michele describes her approach as "spicy psychology" – blending traditional psychology with spiritual elements
• Emotions like anger aren't negative – they're signals that boundaries are being crossed
• Repressing parts of ourselves creates anxiety, depression, and disconnection from our authentic selves
• The things that irritate us about others often reflect unacknowledged aspects of ourselves
• Simple practices like journaling, voice recording, or oracle cards can be entry points to shadow work
• Shamanic healing and soul retrieval can help recover aspects of ourselves we've disconnected from
• Reconnecting with nature helps us become more attuned to our own bodies and minds
• Toxic positivity prevents us from processing difficult emotions authentically
• Balance is key – "You can't have all light, you can't have all dark. You need to be a panda"

For Michele's free "Breaking Up With Toxic Positivity" email series check it out here. To learn more about shadow work, shamanism and much more, visit michelelefler.com or email [email protected].

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

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Get a free WHO AM I Journal to learn more about yourself: https://advancingwithamy.com

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Join Sally Raymond as she unveils the complexities of grief and mental health. Sally Raymond, a psychotherapist and mother, shares how her brilliant son John's suicide catapulted her into a lifelong mission to understand what she missed and help other parents recognize warning signs. Through her heartbreak and professional training, she discovered how early childhood experiences and developmental stages can create vulnerabilities that might contribute to suicidal thoughts later in life.

• John's broken collarbone at birth created trust issues that affected his entire life
• Early childhood developmental stages create foundations for later resilience or vulnerability
• Academic success can sometimes mask internal struggles
• Signs of suicidal thoughts include isolation, sleep changes, and sudden mood improvements
• Asking directly about suicidal thoughts doesn't put the idea in someone's mind
• Sally developed school programs teaching communication and leadership skills
• Every person is the center of a galaxy of relationships that changes when they're gone
• Processing grief requires finding purpose and meaning in the loss

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please reach out. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24-7, or look for your local helpline.

Check out Sally's Book here: The Son I Knew Too Late: A Guide To Help You Survive And Thrive

Check out her website at: https://sallyaraymond.com/

*Please know that some links I share will give me a small amount of money to thank me for sending you their way.  This is at no extra cost to you and helps me buy a cup of coffee if I'm lucky. :-)

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

Sign up for Amy's Inbox Coaching and receive unlimited e-mail responses to your e-mails in a safe and non-judgmental environment where you don't have to be on, not on zoom, not on a phone call, just e-mailing in your pjs or on your lunch at work, or at 2am when you can't sleep, on your time.

Get a free WHO AM I Journal to learn more about yourself: https://advancingwithamy.com

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A debilitating fear that often goes unacknowledged – but what if that fear has four legs and follows you everywhere you go? 

Stefani Cohen, a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience helping children and families, joins us to shed light on an overlooked phobia that restricts countless lives. Unlike fears of heights or spiders that only occasionally interfere with daily activities, cynophobia (fear of dogs) creates constant limitations in a world where our canine companions are everywhere – from neighborhoods and parks to friends' homes and outdoor cafes.

Through fascinating insights and practical wisdom, Stefani reveals how well-intentioned actions often backfire. When parents help children avoid dogs or hosts put their pets away during visits, they inadvertently reinforce the message that dogs are dangerous, creating a cycle where fears intensify rather than fade. "By putting the dog away, that inadvertently reinforces the fear... the translation is: wow, that dog must be dangerous," Stephanie explains.

The conversation takes us through her unique methodology combining exposure therapy with education about dog communication. We learn why meeting dogs outside on leash reduces anxiety, how to recognize the warning signs that precede 99% of dog bites, and why standing still like a tree rather than running is essential safety knowledge. For those facing immediate threats, Stefani shares the life-saving advice to "crouch down like a rock and cover your head."

What makes this approach truly transformative goes beyond dog interactions. When children overcome significant fears, they develop confidence that transfers to other life challenges. "I want you to remember – if you can do this, you can do anything," Stefani tells her clients. Her success stories – from the seven-year-old who progressed from crying in her car to confidently petting a therapy dog, to the six-year-old who went from hiding behind furniture to showing a dog her dance moves – demonstrate the profound impact of facing fears with proper support.

Whether you're personally affected by dog phobia or supporting someone who is, this eye-opening conversation offers hope, practical strategies, and a path forward. Connect with Stefani through her books "Overcoming Your Child's Fear of Dogs" and "How to Face My Fear of Dogs," or reach out directly for consultation that could cha

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

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Get a free WHO AM I Journal to learn more about yourself: https://advancingwithamy.com

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"When you die, you're never going to wish you worked more." These words from Tori Jenae's grandfather became a guiding light through her darkest moments. As a trauma-informed confidence coach who has walked through fire – from childhood trauma to profound loss, from adrenal failure to divorce – Tori brings hard-earned wisdom to women caught in cycles of burnout and overwhelm.

The modern woman's burnout crisis isn't just about being busy. Women today are primary breadwinners, caregivers, emotional laborers, and household managers – all while our society still operates on outdated schemas about who should handle what. We've only had access to our own bank accounts since 1974, yet we're expected to excel in every domain without letting anything drop. The result? An epidemic of exhaustion that manifests as mood swings, disrupted sleep, digestive issues, and a pervasive feeling of hopelessness.

For Tori, burnout became life-threatening when her extremely long workweeks and perfectionism led to Addison's disease – her adrenal glands simply quit functioning. Her healing journey revealed that burnout stems from deeper patterns: people-pleasing, boundary challenges, and finding worth in achievement rather than existence. The path forward begins with what she calls the ABCs: Awareness something needs to change, examining the Beliefs driving our behavior, and Calming our nervous systems through practices that regulate our bodies' stress responses.

When we heal and evolve, our relationships often face growing pains too. Tori shares how her own marriage ended when her personal growth created an energetic imbalance the relationship couldn't bridge. Yet she emphasizes that couples who choose to "fall in love with new versions of each other over and over" can transform together rather than grow apart.

Whether you're running on empty or supporting someone who is, this episode offers both practical tools and soul-deep permission to put yourself back on your own priority list. Connect with Tori at www.torijenae.com or @ToriJenae on Instagram to continue your journey from burnout to breakthrough.

Support the show

Join a group of great women talking about living while having mental health and / or neurodivergent struggles. Currently free for a limited time here.

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Get a free WHO AM I Journal to learn more about yourself: https://advancingwithamy.com

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WE NEED YOU!

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