Is loving your body the goal, or is that expectation part of the problem? What if peace, not passion, is the real rebellion?

In this episode of Rewired Woman Podcast, Kat and Mads get real about body neutrality, sharing personal experiences with body shaming, body image struggles, and the unlearning required to exist comfortably in a body that’s constantly being commented on.

We talk about how body neutrality differs from body positivity, why “just love your body” can feel impossible (and even harmful), and how cultural conditioning, trauma, and the male gaze shape the way we see ourselves. From childhood comments to adult relationships, we unpack how body narratives get wired into our nervous systems, and how to rewire them.

Along the way, you’ll hear vulnerable stories about shame, comparison, and how adolescent experiences shape internal narratives, plus grounded, compassionate practices for building a more neutral, respectful relationship with your body, without forcing gratitude or confidence you don’t actually feel yet.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

The difference between body positivity, body neutrality, and body acceptance

Personal experiences with body shaming (from family, partners, and society)

How early comments about appearance shape lifelong body image

Why “loving your body” can feel inaccessible during stress, trauma, or burnout

The nervous system’s role in body image and self-perception

How body neutrality can create more freedom around food, movement, and clothing

Practical ways to relate to your body with respect instead of judgment

These science girlies have come to a gentle conclusion:

Body neutrality isn’t about giving up, it’s about opting out of the constant mental negotiation around your worth. And that shift can create space for more presence, peace, and self-trust.

💬 If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe wherever you listen, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a little less body pressure and a little more compassion.

Follow us on Instagram @rewiredwomanpod for behind-the-scenes moments, journaling prompts, and science-meets-soul conversations that help you rewire how you relate to yourself.

Don't know where to start? Join Mads 7-day mini course on Body Neutrality!

https://madeline-rose.mykajabi.com/new-year-love-me

Keywords: body neutrality, body image podcast, body image healing, body shaming experiences, women’s body image, body acceptance vs body positivity, body confidence for women, self-worth and body image

In this episode, we continue the conversation around suicide by examining how public policy, personal experience, and community care intersect. While not our direct experience, we approach this topic with care and humility, sharing research and insights that deeply impact LGBTQ+ youth, cisgendered men and other vulnerable groups.

We touch on:

How all mental health is political and why policy decisions can directly increase suicide risk

2024 data from The Trevor Project and the urgency of supporting LGBTQ+ youth

The emotional weight of not knowing what to say and how just showing up still matters

Risk factors like trauma, mental illness, abuse, impulsivity, and lack of access to care

How poverty, homelessness, unsafe environments, and access to firearms contribute to suicide risk

The importance of community support, compassionate dialogue, and stigma reduction

Coping tools and the role of personal safety plans in navigating moments of crisis

How conversations, even imperfect ones, can save lives

We also reflect on how connection, compassion, and clear support systems can make all the difference. If you've ever wondered how to be there for someone or how to be honest about your own struggle, this episode offers both vulnerability and education.

💬 Whether you're personally affected, politically engaged, or just trying to understand more deeply, this episode is a raw, real look at how collective care, not silence, becomes a lifeline.

🧾 References: Also provided in the show notes

CDC. (2025, March 26). Suicide data and statistics. Suicide Prevention; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html

Coleman, D., Feigelman, W., & Rosen, Z. (2020). Association of High Traditional Masculinity and Risk of Suicide Death. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(4), 435. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.4702

Firearm Suicide | Center for Gun Violence Solutions. (2023). Center for Gun Violence Solutions; John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/firearm-suicide

Holt‐Lunstad, J. (2024). Social connection as a critical factor for mental and physical health: evidence, trends, challenges, and future implications. World Psychiatry, 23(3), 312–332. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21224

Lee, W. Y., Nicholas, H. J., Hobaica, S., DeChants, J. P., Price, M. N., & Nath, R. (2024). State-level anti-transgender Laws Increase past-year Suicide Attempts among Transgender and non-binary Young People in the USA. Nature Human Behaviour, 8(8), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01979-5

Marshall, C. A., Crowley, P., Carmichael, D., Goldszmidt, R., Aryobi, S., Holmes, J., Easton, C., Isard, R., & Murphy, S. (2022). Effectiveness of suicide safety planning interventions: A systematic review informing occupational therapy. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 90(2), 000841742211320. https://doi.org/10.1177/00084174221132097

National Institute of Mental Health. (2025, March). Suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide

Nikhil Palekar, MD. (2024, April 19). How To Improve Working Memory with Everyday Habits. Stony Brook Medicine Health News. https://health.stonybrookmedicine.edu/how-to-improve-working-memory-with-everyday-habits/

Siegel, J. Z., & Crockett, M. J. (2013). How serotonin shapes moral judgment and behavior. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1299(1), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12229

Stack, S. (2021). Contributing factors to suicide: Political, social, cultural and economic. Preventive Medicine, 152(1), 106498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106498

The Trevor Project. (2024). 2024 U.S. national survey on the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people. The Trevor Project; The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/

Young, S. N. (2007). How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN, 32(6), 394. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2077351/

Keywords:

Suicide prevention, LGBTQ youth mental health, Trevor Project 2024, Suicide risk factors, Mental health and public policy, Gun control and suicide, Borderline personality disorder (BPD), Depression and suicide, Suicide and trauma, Emotional neglect and mental health, Coping with suicidal thoughts, Suicide safety planning, Personal safety plan mental health, How to support someone suicidal, Mental health stigma, Executive dysfunction and mental illness, Childhood trauma and suicide, Suicide statistics 2024, Mental health podcast, Mental illness and politics, Access to mental health care, Community support and suicide, Neurobiology of suicidal ideation, Suicide awareness podcast, Suicide and marginalized communities, Grief after suicide loss, Suicide prevention coping tools

In this episode, we unpack the question so many people have when they first hear the term Dark Triad: What is it, why is it dark, and what does it tell us about human behavior?

The Dark Triad isn’t a diagnosis, it’s a psychological framework that helps describe personality traits marked by self-interest, emotional coldness, and low empathy. Developed by psychologists in 2002, the model identifies three overlapping yet distinct traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.

Together, these traits form a lens through which researchers study manipulation, exploitation, and self-serving behavior, not as rare pathologies, but as subclinical traits that can show up in the general population.

We touch on:

How narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy connect through shared traits like emotional detachment, aggression, and low empathy

The origins of the Dark Triad concept, and how it was developed it to fill gaps left by the traditional Big Five personality model

How the Big Five (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) focus on adaptive or “positive” human traits — while the Dark Triad highlights the malevolent side of human motivation

Why researchers argue that acknowledging these traits broadens our understanding of human complexity, rather than simply labeling behaviors as “good” or “bad”

The idea that manipulation, self-interest, and strategic thinking are part of the full range of human capacity, not limited to villains or extreme cases

How context, power, and culture shape whether these traits become harmful or merely adaptive

We also reflect on how understanding the Dark Triad can lead to better boundaries, self-awareness, and empathy — both for ourselves and others. Recognizing these traits doesn’t mean demonizing people; it means seeing the full spectrum of what it means to be human.

💬 Whether you’re curious about psychology, fascinated by personality research, or exploring the complexities of behavior and power, this episode offers insight into the unseen forces that drive human interaction and what happens when empathy goes missing.

🧾 References:

If you have ever wondered why your energy, focus, and mood shift throughout the month, this episode will help you understand why.

In Part 2 of our Cycle Syncing series, Mads and Kat explore the neuroscience of the female brain during the ovulation and luteal phases. These phases shape how you think, feel, and perform by influencing key brain chemicals like estrogen, dopamine, and progesterone.

You will learn how hormonal changes impact motivation, memory, and emotional regulation, and how to align your workouts, nutrition, and rest with your natural rhythm. This episode connects evidence-based neuroscience with practical lifestyle tips so you can better support your mind and body through each stage of your cycle.

Why less than one percent of neuroscience research focuses on women’s health

If this episode helped you understand your brain and body on a deeper level, share it with a friend who would love it too.

Follow us on Instagram at @rewiredwomanpod

Understanding your cycle is not just about hormones. It is about knowing your body, rewiring your habits, and working with your brain.

In this episode of the Rewired Woman Podcast, Kat and Mads open up about cycle syncing and what it means to live in rhythm with the phases of the menstrual cycle.

What begins as a light conversation quickly becomes personal and vulnerable, touching on painful teenage periods, the effects of birth control, fertility concerns, and the cultural silence that surrounds menstruation. Together, they explore how neuroscience, spirituality, and lived experience intersect, showing how syncing with your body’s natural cycle can bring relief, clarity, and a deeper sense of connection.

Part one focuses on the “winter” season of the cycle, or menstruation. Kat and Mads share both research and practical strategies for navigating this phase, from nutrition and exercise to self-care and rest.

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who might benefit. Be sure to subscribe to the Rewired Woman Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite listening platform. Leaving a review is one of the best ways to help other listeners discover the show.

Follow us on Instagram: @rewiredwomanpod

cycle syncing, menstrual cycle phases, neuroscience and menstruation, women’s health podcast, PMDD support, feminine health cycles, nutrition during period, cycle syncing workouts, menstrual brain fog, cycle health podcast

Is intuition really just a “woo woo” concept, or is there evidence to support it? 

In this episode of Rewired Woman Podcast, Kat and Mads explore how neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality overlap when it comes to trusting your gut.

We talk about what makes intuition different from impulsivity and insight, how the insula and vagus nerve help explain gut feelings, and why women are often better at reading nonverbal cues. We also unpack Dr. Joel Pearson’s SMILE framework for using intuition wisely and reflect on where science stops and spirituality begins.

Along the way, you’ll hear personal stories about love, relationships, and even adopting a soul-dog, plus practical ways to strengthen your intuition through mindfulness, journaling, and dancing.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

These science girlies have come to a verdict. Intuition is not some pie-in-the-sky concept. It is a blend of unconscious pattern recognition, interoception, and emotional evaluation (with a little dash of mysticism if you ask us).

Understanding how to harness your intuition can help you make better decisions, deepen relationships, and strengthen your confidence.

💬If you enjoy this episode, subscribe wherever you listen, leave a review, and share it with a friend. It helps us grow and reach more women who are ready to rewire their lives with science and soul.

Follow us on Instagram @rewiredwomanpod for more behind-the-scenes, journaling prompts, and neuroscience-meets-girl-chat conversations.

🧾 References: 

Bush, G., Luu, P., & Posner, M. I. (2000). Cognitive and emotional influences in anterior cingulate cortex. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4(6), 215–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1364-6613(00)01483-2

Craig, A. D. (2009). How do you feel — now? The anterior insula and human awareness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(1), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2555

Critchley, H. D., Mathias, C. J., Josephs, O., O’Doherty, J., Zanini, S., Dewar, B.-K., Cipolotti, L., Shallice, T., & Dolan, R. J. (2003). Human cingulate cortex and autonomic control: converging neuroimaging and clinical evidence. Brain: A Journal of Neurology, 126(Pt 10), 2139–2152. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awg216

Dunn, B., Galton, H., Morgan, R., Evans, D., Oliver, C., Meyer, M., Cusack, R., Lawrence, A., & Dalgleish, T. (2010). Psychological Science Listening to Your Heart : How Interoception Shapes Emotion Experience and Intuitive Decision Making On behalf of: Association for Psychological Science. Psychological Science, 21(12). https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610389191

Headspace. (2025, September 15). The Neuroscience of Intuition: How to Rewire Your Brain to Trust Yourself | Radio Headspace. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w1oj4zamDM

Kotler, S., Parvizi-Wayne, D., Mannino, M., & Friston, K. (2025). Flow and intuition: a systems neuroscience comparison. Neuroscience of Consciousness, 2025(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niae040

Lufityanto, G., Donkin, C., & Pearson, J. (2016). Measuring Intuition. Psychological Science, 27(5), 622–634. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797616629403

McCrea, S. (2010). Intuition, insight, and the right hemisphere: Emergence of higher sociocognitive functions. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 1. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s7935

Modinos, G., Ormel, J., & Aleman, A. (2009). Activation of Anterior Insula during Self-Reflection. PLoS ONE, 4(2), e4618. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0004618

Parisi, G. (2023, July 19). Nobel Prize-winning physicist explains the power of intuition in scientific discovery. Big Think. https://bigthink.com/thinking/power-intuition-science/

Tisserand, A., Philippi, N., Botzung, A., & Blanc, F. (2023). Me, Myself and My Insula: An Oasis in the Forefront of Self-Consciousness. Biology, 12(4), 599–599. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12040599

Volz, K. G., & von Cramon, D. Y. (2006). What Neuroscience Can Tell about Intuitive Processes in the Context of Perceptual Discovery. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 18(12), 2077–2087. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2006.18.12.2077

Our first episode we cover the heavy topic of suicide, and how it unexpectedly laid the foundation for our relationship. Join us as we go through our personal experiences and brief research on some of the mechanisms involved. We also reflect on the grief and complexity of losing someone to suicide, and how our own struggles shifted after that loss.

We touch on:

Our personal experiences with suicidal thoughts and attempts

How childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and loneliness shaped our inner worlds

The neuroscience behind suicidal ideation and mood disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD) and depression

The role of brain chemistry, trauma, and executive dysfunction in mental health

How safety plans, support systems, and compassionate conversations can reduce suicide risk

The stigma surrounding suicide and how we can better support each other through it

Join us as we experience the full range of emotions; from laughing about our origins, to crying, to intellectual discussion and our attempt to find meaning in a topic near and dear to our lives. This episode isn’t just about mental health struggles; it's about survival, understanding, connection, and healing.

💬 Whether you're someone who has battled these feelings yourself, know someone who has, or are simply ready for a real and raw conversation about mental health, this episode is a safe space for reflection and hope.

🧾 References: Also provided in the show notes

Gvion, Y., Levi-Belz, Y., Hadlaczky, G., & Apter, A. (2015). On the role of impulsivity and decision-making in suicidal behavior. World Journal of Psychiatry, 5(3), 255. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v5.i3.255

Keilp, J. G., Sackeim, H. A., Brodsky, B. S., Oquendo, M. A., Malone, K. M., & Mann, J. J. (2001). Neuropsychological Dysfunction in Depressed Suicide Attempters. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(5), 735–741. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.158.5.735

Kernberg, O. (2009). The concept of the death drive: A clinical perspective. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 90(5), 1009–1023. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-8315.2009.00187.x

Kirsch, M., Dimitrijevic, A., & Buchholz, M. B. (2022). “Death drive” scientifically reconsidered: Not a drive but a collection of trauma-induced auto-addictive diseases. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.941328

Klonsky, E. D., May, A. M., & Saffer, B. Y. (2016). Suicide, Suicide Attempts, and Suicidal Ideation. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 12(1), 307–330. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-093204

LeGris, J., & van Reekum, R. (2006). The Neuropsychological Correlates of Borderline Personality Disorder and Suicidal Behaviour. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 51(3), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370605100303

Ling, Z., Qing, T., & Chunming, X. (2024). Epigenetic insight into the suicidal biomarker of depression with suicide Ideation: A narrative review. Neuroscience, 560, 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.09.029

Mann, J. J., & Rizk, M. M. (2020). A Brain-Centric Model of Suicidal Behavior. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(10), 902–916. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20081224

Orsolini, L., Latini, R., Pompili, M., Serafini, G., Volpe, U., Vellante, F., Fornaro, M., Valchera, A., Tomasetti, C., Fraticelli, S., Alessandrini, M., La Rovere, R., Trotta, S., Martinotti, G., Di Giannantonio, M., & De Berardis, D. (2020). Understanding the Complex of Suicide in Depression: from Research to Clinics. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.0171

PMC, E. (2020). Europe PMC. Europepmc.org. https://europepmc.org/article/nbk/nbk565877

Whiteley, C. (2023). Suicide Psychology. Cgd Publishing. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=fWOjEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT38&dq=suicide+and+neuropsychology&ots=xZiwF05erl&sig=-52ytsnjyg3-qG9sDZxLgPzYNAE#v=onepage&q&f=false

🧠 Trigger Warning: This episode contains open and honest discussions around suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, trauma, and mental illness. Listener discretion is advised.

Keywords:

Join Kat and Mads as they bring women the science-backed support and soulful reminders they need to feel safe in their bodies, confident in their choices, and powerful in their purpose. We’re reviewing the research and bringing you evidence-based insights and tools with a feminine lens mixed with a little woo, lots of curiosity, endless laughs, and heart-felt magic.