This week's guest brings a different type of problem to the show.  Malin comes to the podcast with a puzzle. She's had some persistent physical symptoms for a while now, and she has started to wonder if they aren't all in her head - or maybe because of her head? She comes to the podcast hoping Renee can help her figure it out. Is she making herself sick with her mind? And, if she is, can she make herself well with her mind? Renee is determined to solve the puzzle, and she leaves no stone unturned. By the end, Malin has some working hypotheses and new healing practices to try. The conversation  touches on a bunch of topics on the way, from family dynamics to nutrition to the limitations of traditional medicine.

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Mars has endured a volatile and chaotic childhood, the violent death of her brother, and her own substance abuse battle. And that's not all. Still, it is only now, in her 40s, when she finds herself immobilized by the trauma. She was particularly eager to come on the podcast, hoping Renee can help her out of the social isolation she has created. Renee realizes early that what Mars needs most is hope, and she guides Mars through the creation of a narrative that opens up space for joy. The episode starts with tears and ends with laughter - and even includes a surprise update.

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Patty has suffered and healed from the worst pain possible: her newborn baby died in her arms. And this was not the first major trauma she endured. Despite a serious of abusive experiences punctuated by this massive tragedy, Patty has not only survived but  has legitimately thrived: she worked hard to heal the wounds she accumulated through the first 4 decades of her life and has built a career that is consistent with her soul. Why, then, is she now facing a new bout of debilitating anxiety and persistent distress? And what can she do about it? Patty came to the podcast hoping that Renee can answer these questions. The two women sort through Patty's remarkable past before tackling the prickly circumstances of her present. And thanks to Patty's irrepressible spirit, there is joy and laughter throughout.

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After marrying at a very young age, Sidney (who is still at a very young age!) has found herself in constant movement. When she isn't working, she is running; when she isn't literally running, she is figuratively running. In her own words, Sidney finds it "such a struggle" just to breathe. Renée helps Sidney understand what is happening in her body and mind and designs practices to ease Sidney into her body when even breath feels overwhelming. Sidney's lovely sweetness is in stark contrast to the prickliness of her past, and her nervousness belies her remarkable strength. Spoiler alert: she's cracking jokes by the end of the episode. 

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Kelvette's last partner cited some rather dubious reasons for ending their relationship. And despite the fact that he told her directly that he does not want to spend his life with her, Kelvette cannot let go. This is even more surprising once you get to know Kelvette: she is an absolutely hilarious, delightful, intelligent, insightful, no-BS firecracker. So what the heck is going on? This is exactly the question Kelvette came to the podcast to answer. Renée sorts through Kelvette's  relationship history and helps her understand why she is not only accepting but actually pursuing someone who doesn't value her. In the meantime, Kelvette cracks Josh and Renee up at every turn.

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Vanessa left home at 17 after a traumatic childhood that positioned her as a parentified child - one who watched her father die of a drug overdose - and that is only the tip of her trauma iceberg. Despite the fact that she "feels good most days," Vanessa still suffers the fragmentation and self doubt that rooted so early in her tumultuous life. Vanessa and her remarkble, inspiring spirit came to the podcast looking for help sorting through the decades of complex trauma that still live in her body.  Renée takes a metaphoric fine-toothed comb to Vanessa's life, guiding her through a deeper understanding of the abuse, abandonment, addiction, codependency, loneliness, and sense of inadequacy that have conspired to keep her from wholeness. Vanessa's irrepressible energy marvelously matches Renée's, and the two women bring bright energy to some very dark content. It's a juicy, inspiring episode: Happy New Year!

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Max says his mother and father approached parenting on a "sliding scale from permissive to neglectful." Currently an undergrad psychology student who has done some intense therapy, Max understands a lot about his family. But even with his vast experiential and academic knowledge, he still finds himself confounded by his dad. He comes to the podcast hoping Renée can help him crack the code. Together they sort through Max's formative experiences with his dad, and Renee helps Max make some sense out of otherwise senseless wounds. Max's fast mind and incredibly soothing voice add extra layers to an already layered (and fun) conversation.

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Rebecca is whip-smart and wildly witty. Growing up in a family that, as she says, "never met boundaries," Rebecca was a parentified child who has since endured assault, harassment, and the loss of her brother. She has tenaciously pursued healing, but finds herself still mired in anger that she fears she will never release. She asks Renee for help harnessing this anger as she prepares for a therapy session with her dad during which she hopes to finally set the boundaries that her parents could not. There is a lot for the two women to cover, and they do so without missing any chance for a laugh. It's a juicy episode that manages to bring light to some dark topics while squeezing in a whole lot of learning.

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Paule's childhood was dominated by religious abuse, the scars from which still conspire to rob his days of joy. Nonetheless, Paule has taken his healing work head-on; his lifeforce is indefatigable. He came to the show hoping Renee could help him make greater strides in his healing, and as she does they discuss a wide range of details, from his diagnosis to his recent relationship with a woman 20 years his senior. Renee sets Paule on track for deep healing, and Paule keeps the conversation going with his infectious spirit.

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JD has a challenging mental health diagnosis, regrets about her last relationship, and a fantastic sense of humor. She brings all of these to the show in the hopes that Renee can help her resolve her problematic romantic patterns. The two women discuss the validity of JD's diagnosis as well as how the early attachment trauma of JD's adoption contributes to her current challenges in love. Renee outlines a plan for JD's healing that will help her practice new relational behaviors by starting with the relationship she has with herself. Their conversation moves through topics like suicide and abandonment with unflappable levity, and in the end JD's hope transcends her diagnoses and doubts.

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