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In this episode of Pulling Threads, we explore the complexities of personal growth, evolving past old patterns, and how to navigate relationships with those who may still see us through an outdated lens. We discuss the importance of allowing ourselves and others the space to grow, and when it might be necessary to set boundaries or even walk away to protect our progress. With examples from personal experiences and insights as a therapist, this conversation aims to offer guidance on maintaining authenticity and honoring our evolution, despite external perceptions.
00:00 Introduction and Personal Growth
01:23 Challenges of Being Seen in a New Light
05:07 Personal Story: Golfing with Frank
15:13 Healthy Boundaries and Self-Protection
17:54 When It's Time to Walk Away
22:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Embracing Entrepreneurship and Home Organization with Kirsten Fisher
In this episode of 'Pulling Threads,' we are joined by Kirsten Fisher, a home organizer and entrepreneur, as she shares her journey from a career in sports marketing to starting her own business in home organization. Kirsten discusses the challenges and triumphs of being a female entrepreneur, adapting to market uncertainties, and the importance of mental health through decluttering. She also offers practical tips on home organization and discusses how her unique 'letting go' bins and membership programs help maintain an organized and stress-free environment. Join us for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and the profound impact of an organized home on mental well-being.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:41 Kirsten's Journey to Home Organization
04:09 Starting and Growing a Business
07:11 Navigating Challenges and Pivots
09:35 Lessons Learned and Advice for Entrepreneurs
12:07 The Importance of Community and Support
28:41 Shifting Gears: Mental Health and Home Organization
29:39 Emotional and Mental Shifts from Home Organization
33:54 The Membership Program: Ongoing Support for Organization
37:16 Dealing with Emotional Clutter
41:55 Decluttering as Emotional Self-Care
48:53 Practical Tips for DIY Decluttering
55:00 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Understanding Trauma and Self-Preservation: Why We Sabotage Opportunities
In this episode of 'Pulling Threads,' we explore how trauma influences self-preservation behaviors that can unintentionally sabotage relationships and career opportunities. Learn what trauma is, how it manifests as hyperarousal and self-sabotage, and ways to identify and overcome these patterns. We delve into attachment issues, fear of intimacy, and avoidance in relationships, as well as fear of failure and hyper-independence in professional settings. Discover therapeutic approaches like CBT and EMDR to reframe traumatic experiences and build a supportive community to encourage growth and healing. Don't miss this insightful discussion on how to reclaim your potential and break free from the constraints of past trauma.
00:00 Introduction to Self-Preservation
01:29 Understanding Trauma and Self-Preservation
02:15 Impact on Personal Relationships
05:32 Impact on Career and Professional Life
06:58 Steps to Healing and Overcoming Self-Preservation
10:52 Personal Experiences and Examples
20:16 Practical Techniques for Healing
23:25 Conclusion and Encouragement
Welcome to another episode of 'Pulling Threads.' Today, our host sits down with Chelsea Larkins, a renowned hairstylist and entrepreneur from The Little Black Door Salon in Tampa. Chelsea shares her inspiring journey from working at a local salon to owning her own business, touching on her early love for cosmetology, the steps she took to become independent, and the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. They discuss the powerful role of beauty and hair in personal identity and mental health, as well as the importance of patience, resilience, and trusting the process in entrepreneurial ventures. Chelsea also offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and reflects on her personal growth, professional satisfaction, and how she maintains a healthy work-life balance. Join us for this captivating conversation about beauty, bravery, and the transformative power of hair.
Find Chelsea on Instagram at @chelseaschairllc and @thelittleblackdoorsalon
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:21 Chelsea's Entrepreneurial Journey
06:14 Starting the Salon Business
09:36 Balancing Business and Personal Life
14:36 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
17:58 The Power of Beauty and Hair
23:13 Emotional Connections with Clients
33:03 Managing Energy and Setting Boundaries
37:33 The Physical and Mental Demands of the Job
37:57 Memorable Client Experiences
39:53 Gratitude and Personal Growth
41:06 Balancing Work and Personal Life
44:21 Dreams for the Salon's Future
45:42 Advice to Younger Self and Reflections
52:32 Embracing Beauty and Self-Care
01:06:13 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Us
In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of self-discovery, moving from societal expectations to finding one's true path, and finding unexpected tools in AI. Rebecca shares her personal experience of leaving a conventional job, listening to her intuition, and not conforming to others' expectations. Leslie and Rebecca discuss the importance of understanding oneself, rebuilding one's foundation, and the liberation that comes from reframing one's story. The episode emphasizes the power of personal responsibility, mindset shifts, and the fundamental human desires for love, worthiness, and self-honor. Rebecca also tells the story of creating a course and AI tool that she is using to transform the lives of her clients! It concludes with a powerful message that everything we seek is already within us, waiting to be uncovered.
00:00 From Teenager to Working Adult: A Life Realization
00:05 The Turning Point: Resignation and Intuition
00:20 Questioning Life's Norms
00:26 Piecing Together Life's Puzzle
00:33 Living for Others vs. Living for Yourself
00:50 Rebuilding Your Foundation
01:05 Diverse Beliefs and Personal Convictions
01:29 Finding Self-Understanding and Purpose
02:04 The Power of Personal Responsibility
02:27 The Desire for Love and Worthiness
02:39 Reframing Your Journey
02:47 The Freedom of Non-Personalization
02:53 The Message: Everything is Within
In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of self-discovery, moving from societal expectations to finding one's true path. Today’s guest is Rebecca, a heart-led coach who once walked the halls of law and art and now walks with the energy of others. Leslie and Rebecca discuss the importance of understanding oneself, rebuilding one's foundation, and the liberation that comes from reframing one's story. The episode emphasizes the power of personal responsibility, mindset shifts, and the fundamental human desires for love, worthiness, and self-honor. Rebecca has uncovered and is sharing how she has trained AI tools to help her in her journey and with her clients. She explains why and how AI can be a powerful tool that accompanies it's users on their individual journeys! It concludes with a powerful message that everything we seek is already within us, waiting to be uncovered.
Rebecca's course Divine Alchemy Coach can be found here https://www.divinealchemycoach.com/divine-alchemy-ai
You can follow Rebecca on Instagram @heart.led.revolution
Show Notes
00:00 From Teenager to Working Adult: A Life Realization
00:05 The Turning Point: Resignation and Intuition
00:20 Questioning Life's Norms
00:26 Piecing Together Life's Puzzle
00:33 Living for Others vs. Living for Yourself
00:50 Rebuilding Your Foundation
01:05 Diverse Beliefs and Personal Convictions
01:29 Finding Self-Understanding and Purpose
02:04 The Power of Personal Responsibility
02:27 The Desire for Love and Worthiness
02:39 Reframing Your Journey
02:47 The Freedom of Non-Personalization
02:53 The Message: Everything is Within
In this episode of 'Pulling Threads,' we delve into the common human desire to control what we fear losing, particularly in the context of relationships. Whether you're in the early dating stages or years into a partnership, the urge to define, predict, and control the relationship can often lead to its downfall. Through personal anecdotes and insightful reflections, we explore why we cling to control and how we can shift towards a more grounded, mindful approach to love. Learn how to embrace connection, practice self-love, and navigate the complexities of modern dating with grace and openness. Join us as we unweave old patterns and build stronger ties for a more fulfilling romantic journey.
00:00 Introduction to the Human Experience of Love
00:17 The Desire to Control in Relationships
00:43 Early Stages of Dating and Relationship Sabotage
01:37 The Importance of Connection and Common Behaviors
03:12 Exploring the Fear of Getting Hurt
08:20 The Role of Control and Safety in Love
09:01 Navigating Modern Dating and Seeking Advice
16:07 Understanding Attachment Styles
17:15 Embracing Love Without Guarantees
21:29 Conclusion: Trusting Yourself and Finding Peace
In this episode of Pulling Threads, the host is joined by Bev to discuss the often-overlooked topic of grief during and after breakups and divorce. The conversation delves into the emotional complexities of ending marriages and relationships, the unique type of grief associated with it, and practical tips to help both the individuals going through it and their support systems. They cover a range of topics, including the unexpected waves of grief, the process of healing, the importance of having a support system, and strategies for moving on. They also discuss what not to say to someone going through a divorce and how to be there for friends in these difficult times.
00:00 Introduction to Grieving Breakups and Divorce
02:15 Understanding the Emotional Impact of Divorce
06:16 Navigating the Complexities of Divorce Grief
07:51 The Decision-Making Process Before Divorce
13:36 Financial and Social Challenges Post-Divorce
16:40 Stages of Grief in Divorce
22:13 Rebuilding After Divorce
30:34 Advice for Those Considering Divorce
38:29 Setting Personal Goals and Evaluating Relationships
39:29 Assessing Compatibility and Support in Relationships
42:21 Making Decisions and Taking Action
43:37 Navigating Divorce and Emotional Challenges
44:47 Effective Communication During Divorce
47:31 Self-Advocacy and Understanding Others
57:26 Coping Strategies and Professional Support
01:03:29 Final Thoughts and Moving Forward
Have you ever felt off around a certain time of year—sad, anxious, or even physically drained—without knowing why? Then suddenly, you realize: This is the anniversary of that thing that happened. Maybe it was a loss, a breakup, a trauma, or a life-changing event.
This is called an anniversary reaction, and it happens because our bodies remember even when our minds don’t. Trauma isn’t just a memory—it’s stored in our nervous system, emotions, and even our physical sensations. When that anniversary arrives, your body keeps score, resurfacing old pain, triggers, and feelings you thought you had moved past.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
🧠 Why our bodies hold onto trauma and how anniversary reactions work
💭 How trauma anniversaries might show up emotionally and physically
📅 How to prepare for these difficult dates so they don’t catch you off guard
💖 Practical strategies to move through the pain and use it for healing
🌱 How grief can be an opportunity for growth and deeper self-compassion
If you’ve ever struggled with feeling the weight of your past around certain dates, this video is for you. You are not alone, and you don’t have to just suffer through it. Let’s talk about how we can honor our grief, process our emotions, and reclaim our healing—one step at a time.
💬 Have you experienced an anniversary reaction before? How did it show up for you? Let’s start a conversation in the comments.
✨ If this video helped you, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need it. You deserve healing, and we’re in this together.
🔔 Subscribe for more videos on trauma healing, emotional wellness, and self-care: [Insert Your Channel Link]
📚 Resources & Further Support:
📖 The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
#traumahealing #thebodykeepscore #grief #mentalhealth
From the publisher's feed
Pulling Threads is a podcast for women navigating life, career, past and current trauma, breakups and divorce, motherhood, reinvention, and the brave work of becoming who they’re meant to be. Hosted by therapist, coach, and founder of The LooM Life, Leslie Mathews, JD, MSW, this show blends trauma-informed guidance, nervous system education, and meaningful conversations about the patterns that shape our relationships, identity, and purpose.
Each episode explores the complicated places where life asks us to grow — healing from emotional abuse, rebuilding after divorce, midlife identity shifts, attachment wounds, dating again, motherhood, and rediscovering your voice. Many guests share their own stories of reinvention, entrepreneurship, career pivots, and stepping into authenticity, offering inspiration and practical wisdom for women building new chapters.
Through expert interviews, personal storytelling, and mindfulness-based tools, Pulling Threads supports women who are healing, expanding, and creating aligned lives and businesses. It’s a space for those navigating toxic dynamics, strengthening emotional regulation, or following the pull toward something more authentic and more fulfilling.
If you’re ready to untangle old patterns, trust your intuition, and weave a life — and identity — that feels grounded, empowered, and true, this podcast is where your next chapter begins.