Ciara had to be an adult when she was a child. Taking care of everyone else left her little time to know herself. Now in her early 30s, Ciara tells Renée that she doesn't know what she wants and needs. This is affecting her 4 year relationship and activating a lot of old wounds. Did we mention that she and her family were Somali refugees who came to the States when Ciara was 4? Oh yeah, that too. Ciara and Renée cover a lot, from traumatizing cultural practices to misattuned mom to sex. Despite three decades of emptying herself out, Ciara is a resilient BOSS! Her insight, intelligence, honesty, and humor make for a compelling session.

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Corey has worked hard to resolve his childhood trauma, both on his own and in therapy.  Now, after a failed attempt at EMDR, his healing has stalled. He takes Renée on a circuitous route, dodging the real content with jokes and hilarious anecdotes. But never fear! Halfway through, Renée figures out where the blocks are, and by the end of the episode, Corey has new therapeutic goals and a new treatment plan.

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Renee likes to say, "There are only two things that cause suffering: trauma and capitalism." So far, she has talked to many guests about trauma. This week, Libby joins her to talk about trying to reverse the damage that capitalism has done to her body and soul. Renee narrates the psychological aspects of this massive undertaking and wrestles with her own rampant consumerism in the meantime. This episode brings a lot of learning and a lot of laughs. You know...the usual!

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This week: perfectionism, codependency, Fox News parents, medication confusion, and more. Kell (not to be confused with Kelley from Episodes 1 and 4) was overwhelmed by a recent PTSD diagnosis and unsure about treatment options. Renée helps her map a specific path to healing while they manage, as always, to do a lot of laughing.

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Adam, a screenwriter/actor, has been Renée's client for the last year. During that time, he realized many of his relationships in Hollywood were reenactments of his childhood trauma. So he did an existential 180! He and Renée talk about his decision to leave LA - and he takes a few swings at Hollywood in the process! Trauma, narcissism, sexual abuse, Al Qaeda, harassment, Mormonism... these are only some of the topics they cover in a conversation that is equal parts intense and hilarious.

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From secrets and lies to freedom through psychedelics! Jackie has been Renee's client since 2018. When they met, Jackie "didn't believe in therapy." But when her husband died unexpectedly, Jackie dove deeper into her work with Renee. Since then, she has rebuilt her life, only to have the shadows of her trauma return. In this episode, Renee talks to Jackie about her story, from becoming a widow in her early 30s to her recent therapeutic mushroom trip. Not only is it a fascinating story, but Jackie is hilarious, making all this trauma talk somehow fun.

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Following his mother's death, Paul embarked on a mission to resolve the trauma he held after decades of his father's abuse against both his mother and himself. After finding his voice, publicly acknowledging the abuse he endured, and diving into his own healing, Paul finds himself in the midst of a divorce. In this episode, Renée helps him identify the wounds that still need healing as well as understanding why they formed and how they'll resolve. 

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This week we take a break from childhood trauma. A palate cleanser, if you will! In Episode 8, Renée turns a psychological lens on the intense last year of Julia's life. This guest - our first Australian caller - goes where most won't. Marriage, infidelity, reclamation: Julia's candor makes for a fascinating conversation.

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