Mike has done a lot of work on himself and came to the show excited to tackle his recent experiences of procrastination and "self-sabotage." Since both he and Renée like to talk a lot about a lot, they tackle not only that but much more - from substance abuse to taking compliments. Renee helps Mike untangle the current manifestations of some long-festering issues, and it's hard to say which one of them has more fun doing so. Most importantly, Mike leaves with a whole new take on some long-standing behaviors and beliefs.

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Timothy is a divorced dad with a beautifully balanced life - a life he worked hard to create. When he found himself in personal crisis 6 years ago, he dove into healing with stunning bravery and commitment, despite having been raised in a repressed and avoidant emotional environment. Now in his 40s, Timothy finds himself facing a tricky life transition. Renée helps him explore the choices that are currently confounding him, and in the process they smooth out some leftover trauma wrinkles. Timothy's resilience and vulnerability make for a juicy, inspiring conversation that answers the question, "How do I move forward?"

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When Aiyana was younger, she liked that her mom was more like a friend than a parent. Now that she is a mom herself, Ayana is starting to realize that her relationship with her mom was problematic - as was much of her childhood. Lately, Aiyana finds herself mired in anger, which is particularly problematic since Aiyana and her daughter live with Aiyana's mom, Josefa. The two women have been arguing a lot, despite a mutual commitment to improving their relationship. And this is where Renée comes in. Ayana and Josefa came to the podcast asking Renée to help them find a way to move forward. Renée helps both women navigate the shame, anger, messy boundaries, and unresolved trauma that is currently straining their communication and cohabitation. Despite the many different strands of pain that are woven throughout the tapestry of this family system, the three women find hope and understanding - at one point, everyone in the studio was crying! But as is always our goal, we managed to find the laughter throughout, and everyone involved finishes the conversation with a sense of excitement for what is to come, largely due to the remarkable resilience and vulnerability that this mom and daughter bring to the table.

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Maeve grew up with a single mom in an abusive household and often dreamt of meeting the dad she never knew, fantasizing that he would rescue her from her isolation and loneliness. When she was 12, her dreams came true - well, sort of. She finally met her father, only to find her dreams of security dashed. Now, at 33, Maeve has risen above the horrors of her upbringing; she is wise, resilient, and insightful. Still, she finds herself struggling to keep old pain patterns out of her adult relationships. Currently in the midst of a divorce, Maeve asks Renée to help her remove the trauma strands from her adult life and answer a burning question: Is it okay to stay connected to her ex? Renee and Maeve sort through the issues and point Maeve towards the relief and wholeness she has worked so hard to reach.

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Justin says it was "synchronicity" that he came across Renee and the podcast in an Instagram ad. After a lifetime of both emotional and physical trauma, Justin has employed many different healing practices, from meditation to cryotherapy. Despite his remarkable dedication, he still suffers extreme anxiety most days. What's going on? Renee helps Justin sort through his past to find the wounds that still need healing. By the end, everyone in the studio can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and Renee and Josh are left stunned by Justin's story.

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Ali's life has been punctuated by abandonment, domestic violence, and homocide. Still, she managed to get a nursing degree and support a family in the wake of so much trauma. Renée helps her create a coherent narrative to support her healing as they sort through the relational complications that are currently blocking her. It's a wild ride, thanks to Ali's remarkable energy, humor, and resilience.

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Despite a horrible childhood, Alena is remarkably happy. With a career she loves, a healthy son, and a brilliant co-parenting relationship, she feels like she has it all. Some of her friends and family, however, think differently; they tell Alena she needs a romantic partner. This is where Renee comes in. Alena comes to the podcast to ask if she is missing something. Is it possible that her unresolved trauma is being repressed and denied? Is she avoiding intimate relationships because of the trauma? Are her friends and family right? Renee helps her answer these questions and more in an upbeat episode that answers the question, "Is a romantic partner necessary for a truly happy life?"

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Last week we talked to Robelle, and this week it's her partner Michael's turn: He does not disappoint. Michael shares his journey from addiction to fatherhood and, along the way, he stumbles across some unhealed wounds. Renee helps Michael identify the pain points and develop strategies for healing, while also weaving Michael's story together with Robelle's to find the best way for the couple to move forward. There is a lot of laughing, a little crying, and some bonus Josh content that is extra juicy.

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Robelle and her partner, Michael, have been together for a decade and are now parents of a 2 year-old. They came to the podcast to get help from Renée with their relationship and their new roles as parents. In this episode, Renee talks to Robelle; next week in Part 2 she will talk to Michael; and in a month or two, after working with them a bit, she will talk to them together. As for Robelle: she is a spitfire! Her childhood was unstable and forced her to grow up fast, and her early experiences definitely set her up for difficulty trusting men. As she tells her story, Renée makes connections between Robelle's past and her present and starts to identify the most important issues facing the couple.

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Jane came to the show to ask Renee for help with two things: her 17 year-old daughter and her own self-esteem. The teenager breaks her curfew regularly, and Jane has repeatedly let it slide. Now, tensions are building in the home as Jane's husband grows increasingly frustrated with his stepdaughter. The conversation starts like most other episodes, but about halfway through it takes a turn when Jane's husband asks to tell us his side of the story - a first time occurrence on the podcast! Renee separates out the strands of this family process knot before taking on Jane's self esteem struggles, pointing the family towards a more unified dynamic.

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