Real Vibes Only

What happened to you? Listening to the answer to this question for ourselves and others helps shift the framework of how we view our experiences and their impact. "Listening to Trauma" is a new curriculum created by Karen Iverson Riggers and Lynn McLaughlin that seeks to deepen understanding of trauma and how to support our own healing and the healing of others. Listening to Trauma explores what trauma is, the types of trauma we might experience, the effects of trauma, and paths to healing. Connection is prevention, and when our stories are believed, we can begin to heal.

How often have you tried to share difficulties with another person and you experience dismissal, minimization or deflection. It's hard saying life is hard! Yes having struggles or challenges in life is a normal part of our human experience and it does not mean you are difficult, defective or less than any other person. Join Karen and Lynn as they talk through the hard parts of their lives and fully embrace them as part of being human.

Every experience we have ever had creates a personal perception lens with which we see the world. In order to connect with others and meet them where they are requires us to set aside what we know based on our experiences alone. To create relationship and connection, we need to approach people with curiosity and an open mind that creates space for definition and understanding. Join Karen and Lynn as they talk through their experiences of meeting people where they are.

THIS IS OUR 50TH EPISODE FRIENDS! When we began our journey as podcasters on May 17, 2022, we had no idea what would become of "Real Vibes Only." All we knew for certain was that we were committed to sharing in real, authentic ways what we were learning about ourselves and others engaged through our training, presentations and Community Living Room. 22 months later and we are celebrating our 50th episode and a deeper connection with ourselves and each of you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Doesn't it always feel like there is always someone who is smarter, more capable or better at navigating life than we are? Let me fill you in on a secret. There is NO ONE more qualified to live your life or make decisions about your life than YOU. The problem is that we are taught to look for our answers outside of ourselves and are rarely taught to trust ourselves to know what's best. Like any new skill or muscle, it takes practice and repetition to get good at it. Join Lynn and Karen as they talk through their own journeys of learning to trust themselves and encourage you to do the same.

There are so many pieces of life that are simple in concept, but are not easy to implement. Working with emotions, supporting others, and essentially a lot of the framework of Emotional CPR is simple ... but sitting with the discomfort, practicing new ways of engaging with others, and deepening our relationship with ourselves is anything but easy. Join Karen and Lynn as they talk through the "simple things" and acknowledge how difficult they can be and how important self-compassion is to our process.

As human beings, most of us cringe at the word "fail" or "failure" because it can feel like success eluded us. But what if it could be reframed in a way that had a gentle and encouraging meaning? Join Lynn and Karen as they share a new acronym that can accomplish just that!

Our lives are filled with uncertainty. This was amplified exponentially when we were in the throes of a pandemic. Not only did we have questions specific to the pandemic, but political divide and the the rampant distribution of misinformation created even more uncertainty. Join Karen and Lynn as they talk through the discomfort of uncertainty and the importance of feeling our emotions to move beyond it.

Remember the childhood game "Chutes & Ladders?" Our journey of self-awareness can be similar. Sometimes we slide backwards and sometimes we are able to move forward in life in big ways. And, even with the discomfort that results, both pieces are important to our journey. Join Karen and Lynn as they sift through their awareness embracing their “Chutes & Ladders” in the process.

January hits and the dark, cold reality of winter often sets in for people. But it is exactly as nature intended. It provides us with time to journey inward and learn more about ourselves. In nature, many creatures hibernate. Winter gives us the opportunity to slow down, rest our bodies, and listen to what our bodies actually need. Join Lynn & Karen as they talk through the hard spots and opportunities that winter provides.