Pulling Threads, Weaving Authenticity

Food as Medicine: How Food Dyes, Chemicals, and Nutrition Shape Children’s Health & Behavior | Pulling Threads Podcast

In this powerful episode of Pulling Threads, host Leslie Mathews, MSW sits down with Dr. Kelly Cross, a board-certified pediatrician and integrative medicine practitioner, to explore how what we eat influences the mind, mood, and overall health — especially in children.

💬 Topics we cover:

• The impact of food dyes, preservatives, and ultra-processed foods on behavior and attention

• How chemical sensitivities can mimic symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and mood swings

• Dr. Cross’s journey from traditional pediatrics to integrative medicine

• Practical ways parents can create healthier eating habits without spending a fortune

• The connection between nutrition and mental health in kids and teens

• Honest conversation about food system challenges, upcoming legislation, and the complex landscape of vaccines

✨ Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Pulling Threads

00:34 Meet Dr. Kelly Cross

02:07 Kelly’s Journey to Integrative Medicine

06:33 Balancing Traditional and Holistic Approaches

11:06 The Impact of Chemicals and Dyes on Health

17:52 Nutrition Tips for Kids and Teens

26:14 Affordable Organic Options (Aldi + Costco)

31:08 Diet and ADHD Connections

39:31 The Future of Food Safety & Policy

41:28 Vaccine Conversations

48:12 Practical Steps for Healthier Living

If you’ve ever wondered how food choices shape our children’s mental and emotional health, this conversation will change the way you think about your plate — and your pantry.

👉 Subscribe for more episodes on mindfulness, holistic health, and emotional healing.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full video here on YouTube.

💬 Share your thoughts below — how have food choices impacted your family’s well-being?

#FoodAsMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #ChildrensHealth #FoodDyes #ADHD #NutritionAndMentalHealth #HolisticHealth #MindBodyConnection #PullingThreadsPodcast #LeslieMathewsMSW #DrKellyCross

Rebuilding Self-Trust & Finding Your Voice After Toxic Relationships & Narcissistic Abuse | Pulling Threads

With guest Clarissa Stolte – Therapist & Toxic Relationship Coach

In this emotionally resonant episode of Pulling Threads, host Leslie dives into the journey of healing and transformation after toxic or narcissistic relationships. She’s joined by Clarissa Stolte, therapist and founder of The Reclaiming Her Voice Method, who shares her personal story of growing up in a narcissistic family system—and how she now helps women break cycles of self-doubt, restore self-trust, and reclaim their authentic voice.

🎙 What we cover:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection

01:18 Guest Introduction: Clarissa Stolte

02:12 Clarissa’s Background and Personal Story

03:53 The Impact of Narcissistic Family Systems

12:14 Healing Journey and Professional Experience

15:02 Misconceptions About Healing from Narcissistic Abuse

21:33 Rebuilding Self-Trust and Emotional Regulation

28:52 Overcoming Relationship Chaos

29:33 Setting Boundaries Without Guilt

32:58 The Importance of Self-Care

35:44 Rebuilding After Toxic Relationships

37:11 Navigating the Dating World

46:37 Finding Your Voice Again

51:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🔗 Resources + Connect with Clarissa:

LinkedIn ➤ www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-stolte-reclaiming-her

Instagram ➤ @clarissastolte

Facebook ➤ facebook.com/share/1CccF1gE2K/?mibextid=wwXIfr

✨ About Clarissa:

“I help women healing from narcissistic abuse break the cycle of toxic relationships, rebuild self-trust, and create a life of calm, confidence, and authentic connection through The Reclaiming Her Voice Method.”

🎧 Why listen?

If you’ve experienced emotional or narcissistic abuse, feel stuck in self-doubt, struggle to trust your voice or set boundaries—or you’re simply ready to reclaim your authentic self and step into greater confidence—this episode offers heart-felt insights, practical steps, and a reminder that healing and authentic connection are absolutely possible.

📌 Don’t forget:

Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and the BELL icon so you never miss an episode of Pulling Threads. Share this with someone who needs it. Leave us a comment: What’s one boundary you’re ready to set for your next chapter?

#ToxicRelationships #NarcissisticAbuse #SelfTrust #Boundaries #AuthenticConnection #TraumaRecovery #WomensHealing #PullingThreadsPodcast

From Burnout to Deep Rest: Healing Women’s Sleep with Melissa Good | Pulling Threads Podcast

Exhaustion. Overwhelm. Sleepless nights.So many ambitious, heart-centered women are running on empty — but rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline.

In this episode of Pulling Threads, host Leslie Mathews, MSW—therapist, coach, and founder of The LooM Life—sits down with Melissa Good, licensed therapist and sleep coach, for a transformative conversation on how to move from burnout and insomnia to true restoration.

Melissa opens up about her journey from correctional officer to therapist and sleep coach, and how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and chronic stress quietly steal our rest. Together, Leslie and Melissa unpack:✨ The link between the nervous system and sleep✨ Myths that keep women stuck in exhaustion✨ How to navigate sleep changes during perimenopause and menopause✨ Simple, science-backed strategies for deep, lasting rest

Whether you’re struggling with insomnia, waking up at 3 a.m., or just feeling disconnected from your body’s natural rhythms, this episode will help you understand your nervous system, regulate stress, and reclaim restorative sleep.

🪶 Join us to learn how rest becomes the most radical form of self-care.

🎧 Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome + Introduction

01:41 – Melissa’s Journey to Becoming a Sleep Coach

05:47 – The Importance of Sleep and Common Issues

08:09 – Myths & Misconceptions About Sleep

12:08 – Perfectionism, People Pleasing & Stress

16:10 – The Nervous System + Sleep Connection

19:38 – Behavioral Techniques for Better Rest

24:42 – Personal Struggles with Sleep

29:06 – Midlife, Perimenopause & Menopause Challenges

32:26 – Self-Advocacy and Women’s Health

37:13 – Practical Sleep Tips

40:51 – Join the Community for Better Sleep

45:28 – Final Thoughts + Connect with Melissa

💫 Follow Melissa Good

Insta: @melissa__good ;

Facebook: Melissa Good (melissagoodsleepcoach),

LinkedIn: Melissa Good ;

Website www.melissagood.com👉

Link to her Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/yourbestsleep

👉 Learn about her 8-week Better Sleep program

💛 Connect with Leslie Mathews + The LooM Life:

Instagram: @the.loom.lifeand @loomlifetherapy

TikTok: @parandpeace

Podcast: [Pulling Threads on YouTube]

YouTube Golf Channel: @ParandPeace

Website: www.theloomlife.com

In this episode of Pulling Threads, we welcome Melanie Miller, a licensed professional counselor, to discuss the intricacies of parallel parenting in blended families and the journey of living an alcohol-free life. Melanie shares her personal journey and the challenges of dealing with adverse childhood experiences, emotional neglect, and parental substance use. She explores her transition into therapy and sobriety coaching, offering valuable insights on overcoming alcohol dependence and creating a sober community. The episode delves deeply into creating realistic expectations within blended families, setting boundaries in co-parenting and parallel parenting, and the profound impact of emotional regulation and mindset in navigating these transitions. Melanie also discusses her innovative 'Off the Rocks' sobriety program and shares advice for those considering an alcohol-free life. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on maintaining mental wellness, the importance of self-care, and developing resilience through life's toughest challenges. Don't miss this episode filled with practical advice, personal stories, and professional insights!

You can contact, follow, and learn more about Melanie on her website, Facebook page, or Instagram.

www.pratidanawellness.com

https://www.facebook.com/PratidanaWellnessCoaching/

https://www.instagram.com/off.the.rocks.sober/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-miller-lpc/"

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:59 Melanie's Personal Journey

02:52 The Path to Sobriety

06:52 Challenges and Misconceptions of Sobriety

20:17 Switching Gears: Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting

27:09 Creating a Safe Space for Children

27:51 The Importance of Self-Care for Parents

28:40 The Rollercoaster of Parenting

29:02 Challenges of Blended Families

31:05 Setting Realistic Expectations in Blended Families

32:32 Navigating Loyalty Conflicts in Children

42:04 The Impact of Alcohol on Co-Parenting

43:59 Mindset and Emotional Regulation

45:04 Creating a New Life Post-Divorce

50:35 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this Pulling Thread episode, we welcome Alina Reary, a licensed therapist and intuitive eating coach. We discuss the impact of diet culture, the journey to food freedom, and how women can reclaim their bodies and lives by trusting their instincts. Alina shares her insights on intuitive eating, overcoming food guilt, and the importance of community support in this transformative process. Listen for an empowering conversation on health, self-trust, and living life to the fullest.

If you want to follow or work with Ellina, you can follow her on IG @eoc.coaching.

You can find her on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578176021050

and her

Facebook Group: Intuitive Eating and Anti-Dieting Community

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:48 Swifties and Chiefs: A Fun Start

01:39 Ellina's Journey into Eating Disorder Therapy

04:08 Understanding Intuitive Eating

07:17 Diet Culture and Its Impact

09:49 Breaking Free from Diet Culture

24:56 The Role of Community in Healing

30:51 Empowering Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Understanding Why Women Stay in Unhappy Marriages | Pulling Threads Podcast

In this episode of Pulling Threads, we dive deep into the complex reasons why women remain in marriages and relationships that are no longer fulfilling or safe. This podcast is dedicated to discussing the visible and hidden factors that keep women from leaving, including financial concerns, cultural expectations, trauma bonds, religious conditioning, and the bleak dating landscape. We touch on the challenges of discernment counseling, the psychological and neurological aspects of attachment, and the internal and external judgments faced by women contemplating divorce. Whether you're in the midst of this struggle or supporting someone who is, this episode aims to unpack the intricate layers of fear, hope, and survival. Subscribe for more episodes focusing on similar topics.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:40 Why Women Stay in Unhappy Marriages

02:14 Cultural and Societal Judgments

04:05 Financial and Emotional Barriers

07:38 Understanding Trauma Bonds

11:03 Religious Trauma and Conditioning

14:26 Fear of Loneliness and Stigma

16:40 Identity Collapse and Learned Helplessness

17:39 Hope and the Trap of Waiting

20:05 The Modern Dating Landscape

21:32 Personal Healing and Moving Forward

25:21 The Tipping Point and Final Thoughts

Do you avoid trying new things because fear tells you that you don’t belong? In this episode of Pulling Threads, I share how childhood trauma wired my nervous system for protection and how I used golf—yes, golf!—to rewrite that pattern.

🔬 We explore the science behind neuroplasticity—the brain’s incredible ability to reorganize itself and change its activity in response to experience

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

verywellmind.com

. Researchers note that the brain can create new neural pathways and adapt throughout life, and mindfulness practices have been shown to foster this plasticity. In other words, even after decades of trauma, your brain can heal.

🧠 I explain how fear of failure, societal narratives, and limiting beliefs kept me from trying new sports for years. With therapy, mindfulness, and lots of small, compassionate steps, I learned to take up space, swing a club with courage, and trust myself again.

Key Takeaways:

• What neuroplasticity is and why it matter

• How trauma rewires the brain and fuels fear of new experiences

• Simple, evidence‑based practices (therapy, mindfulness, gentle movement) to rebuild neural pathways

• Why I chose golf as my healing tool, and how it became a metaphor for life

• An invitation for you: What’s your “golf” — the activity you’ve wanted to try but felt too afraid?

I’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment or DM me on Instagram at @TheLoomLife or @ParInPeace. Remember: your brain is capable of change, and every brave little swing counts. 💛

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro – Where I’ve been & why

02:20 Why trauma makes trying new things scary

05:30 Brain science: neuroplasticity explained

08:45 Evidence‑based ways to rewire your brain

13:30 My golf story & the metaphors it taught me

22:45 Your invitation to try something new

—

Support: If this episode resonates, hit 👍 like, subscribe for future episodes, and share with a friend. Your stories mean everything to me.

Embracing Beauty: Rewriting the Narrative of Shame and Acceptance | Pulling Threads Podcast with Leslie

In this heartfelt episode of Pulling Threads, trauma-informed therapist and coach Leslie Mathews explores the complex relationship between beauty, shame, and self-worth, especially for women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

From societal double standards to generational programming, Leslie unpacks how American culture, media, religion, and family dynamics have shaped women’s understanding of beauty—and how those outdated beliefs can be rewritten.

Whether you grew up idolizing supermodels, navigating the silent pressure to stay small, or feeling confused about whether it’s okay to love your appearance, this episode offers validation, healing, and a new lens.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

• The history of beauty as currency in America

• The “mirror trap” and why women dim their light

• How different generations experience beauty expectations

• The role of therapy in healing body image wounds

• 4 steps to reclaiming your beauty narrative

• How to model healthy beauty for future generations

👁‍🗨 This episode is for every woman who has ever felt ashamed for caring too much or too little about how she looks.

✨ Beauty isn’t the enemy—shame is. Let’s start honoring our bodies, our choices, and our power.

🔔 Subscribe for more healing conversations: @pulling_threads

💌 Connect with Leslie at [Your Website or Link]

📸 Follow on Instagram: @the.loom.life

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify & more.

Unveiling the Layers: Beauty, Medicine & Empowerment with Lisa Hahn | Pulling Threads Podcast

Welcome back to Pulling Threads, where we unravel the deeper stories behind healing, growth, and the human experience. In this inspiring episode, host Leslie Mathews, therapist, coach, and founder of The LooM, sits down with Lisa Hahn, board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Nueva Aesthetics in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Together, they explore the transformative world of medical aesthetics—where science meets self-worth, and beauty becomes a tool for empowerment.

🌟 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Lisa transitioned from trauma ICU nursing to launching a boutique aesthetics practice

• Why skin health and regenerative treatments are changing the face of beauty

• The emotional and psychological layers behind seeking aesthetic treatments

• How aesthetic care can boost self-confidence, mental health, and authenticity

• What aging gracefully really means—and why ageless beauty is more than a trend

• Future-forward insights on lasers, neurotoxins, skincare, and client empowerment

💡 Whether you’re curious about aesthetic procedures, exploring your own journey with aging and self-image, or just love hearing from women who are redefining what beauty means today—this episode is for you.

🔗 Connect with Lisa Hahn & Nueva Aesthetics

Website: https://nuevaaesthetics.com

Instagram: @nueva.aesthetics

✨ Follow Leslie & The LooM

Instagram: @the.loom.life

YouTube: @pulling_threads

Website: https://theloom.life

⸻

🎧 LISTEN, RATE, REVIEW, & SHARE

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s navigating their own beauty or healing journey. We love hearing from you—drop a comment, DM, or tag us in your reflections.

Breakups can leave us feeling emotionally raw, physically disconnected, and unsure of how to get our needs met. In this episode of Pulling Threads, trauma-informed therapist and coach Leslie Mathews shares real, practical strategies for meeting your emotional, physical, and sexual needs after a breakup—with compassion and clarity.

You’ll learn:

• 💔 How to regulate your nervous system and calm heartbreak

• ✍️ How journaling, emotional rituals, and a “validation vault” can support emotional healing

• 🛁 Creative ways to meet physical intimacy needs—like warm baths, massage, pets, and body doubling

• 💖 Why self-pleasure is a powerful, healing tool for reclaiming your body and intimacy

• 🌐 Go-to resources like OMGYes, Goop, and Sex with Emily

• 💡 Tips for approaching casual sex with mindfulness and intention

This episode is for anyone navigating post-breakup loneliness, confusion, or craving deeper self-connection. You can meet your needs without losing yourself—and this conversation will show you how.

👉 Subscribe for more trauma-informed, heart-centered content to help you heal, grow, and thrive.

#BreakupRecovery #SelfCareAfterBreakup #EmotionalHealing #TraumaInformedTherapy #PullingThreadsPodcast