Self Improvement, Mindfulness and Mental Health Tips - The Coached Soul Podcast

In this heartfelt episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins, licensed professional counselor, sits down with Norwegian therapist Therese Tonning to explore the complex emotional terrain of blended or “mosaic” families.

Together, they unpack what really happens when past wounds meet present relationships: the challenges of communication, unhealed trauma, and the hidden dynamics that shape second or third marriages. With honesty, compassion, and professional wisdom, they reveal how self-awareness, boundaries, and community support become the foundation for healing and healthy connection after divorce.

You’ll discover:

Whether you’re navigating a second marriage, co-parenting, or simply learning to heal from the past, this episode will help you see your family and yourself with new clarity.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to build balance, emotional safety, and lasting love - one honest conversation at a time.

Key Moments: 

04:07 Women's Health and Divorce Trends

09:44 Therapists' Approach to Trauma Treatment

12:21 Faith, Divorce, and Attachment Struggles

13:53 "Narcissistic Spouse's Social Media Tactics"

17:38 Attachment Styles and Muscle Memory

20:05 "Healing Before New Connections"

About the guest : 

Therese Tonning embarked on her journey into therapy by joining the inaugural group of students at the EQ Institute in 2010. Founded by Haredes Palstadter and her daughter, Dura, in 2006, the EQ Therapy and subsequently the EQ Institute quickly garnered attention for their innovative approach. Therese completed her education at the institute in 2012, marking the beginning of her professional career in a rapidly growing field. Since its inception, the EQ Institute has expanded to three cities and now graduates about 300 students each year, underscoring its significant impact on modern therapy practices.

Website : https://eqi.no/

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this deeply moving episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with therapist Therese Tonning to unpack how unresolved childhood trauma continues to shape our marriages, families, and the way we love.

From communication struggles and emotional shutdowns to patterns that repeat across generations, this conversation reveals how unhealed wounds from the past silently influence the present, especially within blended or “mosaic” families navigating divorce, co-parenting, and new beginnings.

Together, Steve and Therese explore:

This episode bridges American and European therapeutic insights to show that while cultures differ, human healing is universal. Whether you’re navigating a blended family, healing after divorce, or breaking free from old emotional patterns, this conversation will help you see that your past doesn’t define you - it’s where your healing begins.

🎧 Listen now to learn how awareness, compassion, and emotional honesty can reshape your relationships - and your story.

Key Moments: 

03:29 "Men's Reluctance to Open Up"

07:31 "Removing Emotional Splinters"

12:44 "Mosaic Families: Piecing Together"

15:34 "Relationship Recovery Through Sabbatical"

18:28 Trauma, Growth, and Self-Discovery

About the guest : 

Therese Tonning embarked on her journey into therapy by joining the inaugural group of students at the EQ Institute in 2010. Founded by Haredes Palstadter and her daughter, Dura, in 2006, the EQ Therapy and subsequently the EQ Institute quickly garnered attention for their innovative approach. Therese completed her education at the institute in 2012, marking the beginning of her professional career in a rapidly growing field. Since its inception, the EQ Institute has expanded to three cities and now graduates about 300 students each year, underscoring its significant impact on modern therapy practices.

Website : https://eqi.no/

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this heartfelt episode of Coached Soul, host Dr. Steve Hudgins, a licensed professional counselor and author, redefines what it means to build a marriage that truly lasts. Marriage, he explains, isn’t a contract you sign - it’s a covenant you live, built on grace, forgiveness, and intentional love.

Drawing from both personal experience and professional insight, Dr. Hudgins introduces the Six Anchors every couple needs to weather life’s storms - trust, communication, boundaries, vulnerability, shared purpose, and spiritual connection. This episode becomes a moving conversation about how even the broken pieces of our relationships can form a beautiful mosaic of hope.

You’ll discover:

If you’ve ever struggled to reconnect, repair trust, or reignite love, this conversation will help you see that healing is possible, and that true covenant love is built one intentional choice at a time.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to build a marriage that not only survives, but thrives.

Key Moments: 

04:11 "Marriage as a Mosaic"

09:28 Marital Gratitude and Resilience

11:56 Marriage: Boundaries and Healing

16:52 "Choosing Healing Over Harm"

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this transformative episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins joins co-host Kenya Evelyn for an honest conversation about healing generational wounds, blended families, and the power of vulnerability.

Drawing from his new book and decades of clinical and personal experience, Dr. Hudgins shares the “Mosaic Family” concept - how the broken pieces of our stories can be reassembled into something beautiful, whole, and significant. Together, Steve and Kenya unpack topics like:

If you’ve ever felt defined by your past, labeled by others, or burdened by family dynamics, you’ll find hope, perspective, and healing here.

🎧 Listen now to reclaim your story, rebuild connection, and redefine what family truly means.

05:17 Healing Journey and Personal Insights

08:07 Journey to Therapy and Vulnerability

10:20 "Rising Above Labels and Past"

13:20 "Change: Be the Coffee Bean"

17:39 "Balancing Vulnerability in Therapy"

21:32 "Challenging Parental Alienation Syndrome"

25:03 Raising Courageous Voices

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

Today, Dr. Steve Hudgins and co-host Kenya Evelyn invite you to sit with some of the most fundamental questions of human connection: How do we really listen to one another? Can we move beyond the urge to be "right" and instead build bridges of understanding - even when we disagree?

Through heartfelt stories, personal reflections, and practical wisdom, Dr. Steve and Kenya dive into the dangers of division - whether rooted in language, family dynamics, culture, or even within our own beliefs. They explore how our words, frequencies, and underlying emotions can either fuel separation or foster real community.

This episode is more than a conversation about conflict - it's an exploration of what it means to honor every voice, embrace empathy, and reclaim a sense of belonging in a noisy, often divided world. Along the way, you'll hear actionable steps for better communication, active listening, and cultivating respect - even in moments of tension.

Whether you're navigating family challenges, seeking deeper relationships, or simply craving more connection in your community, this episode offers both the inspiration and practical strategies to help you show up with more compassion - for yourself and for others. So grab a pen, an open heart, and let's embark on this journey toward greater unity and healing.

Key Moments: 

04:54 "Navigating Communication in Therapy"

08:14 Discovering My True Voice

12:26 "Rebuilding Community Bridges"

18:20 Building Bridges Through Understanding

20:32 "United in the American Dream"

23:43 Healing Childhood "Splinters"

27:41 "Embrace Vulnerability and Authenticity"

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this episode, Dr. Steve Hudgins and co-host Kenya Evelyn dive deep into the transformative power of identity, exploring how labels and life’s challenges can fragment our sense of self - but also how healing, self-awareness, and faith help us reclaim our worth and authentic wholeness.

With the release of Dr. Hudgins’ new book, the Mosaic family concept takes center stage, shifting the conversation from “blended families” to something much more hopeful and beautiful. 

Together, Dr. Steve and Kenya reflect on the personal journeys, wisdom, and grace that come from embracing our stories, “mistakes” and all and turning them into sources of strength and connection. Whether you’re a therapist, part of a Mosaic family, or simply seeking to rediscover your truest self, this episode offers heartfelt guidance and reassurance that our identities are forged in unity, love, and the unique light we each bring to the world.

Key Moments: 

00:00 "Steve's Visionary Impact Celebrated"

06:21 "Identity: Warrior or Peacemaker?"

08:46 "Embracing Humanity in Leadership"

12:55 Understanding Blended Family Dynamics

15:59 Identity and Gratitude Journey

19:02 Prayers for Value and Gratitude

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this episode, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down for part two with Brooke Deanne, author, life coach, and survivor of a high-control religious environment. Picking up where their last conversation left off, Brooke opens up about the terror and uncertainty of leaving her marriage and faith community, and the brave journey she took to reclaim her life. 

Together, they discuss the deep impact of trauma bonds, the struggle to overcome fear and financial insecurity, and the powerful process of healing from spiritual and emotional wounds.

Brooke shares how she rebuilt her sense of self after years of emotional abuse, learned to run toward her fears, and ultimately redefined her relationship with faith and God. She also delves into her calling to help others, her work with rapid transformational therapy, and her bestselling memoir, “Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful.” This honest, compassionate conversation is full of insight for anyone navigating faith transitions, trauma recovery, or the scary but transformative process of self-discovery. Tune in to hear Brooke’s inspiring story of resilience, restoration, and how she found peace, faith, and purpose on the other side of pain.

Key Moments: 

01:21 Overcoming Trauma Bond Anxiety

04:01 Facing Fear: Run Into the Storm

08:55 Spiritual Crisis and Redemption Journey

09:57 Surviving Cancer: Embracing Faith

14:43 "Accepting Diverse Perspectives"

17:30 Transformation Through The Subconscious Mind

21:15 Entrepreneur's Big Dreams and Projects

24:24 Faith in the Unseen

How to connect Brooke : 

https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachinggoddess

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

In this episode, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Brooke Deanne, an RTT therapist and trauma healing mentor, to unpack her powerful story of breaking free from the confines of a high-control religious environment.

Brooke opens up about being born and raised as a third-generation Jehovah’s Witness. She shares the painful realities of life inside what she identifies as a cult including the loss of community, fear-based control, and the shunning faced for questioning authority or stepping out of line. Together, Steve and Brooke discuss the psychological tactics used to enforce obedience, how trauma bonds are formed, and the challenges of redefining self-worth and authenticity after decades of indoctrination.

This episode is a candid exploration of grief, resilience, and ultimately learning to choose yourself, even when it means leaving behind family and community. Join us for a raw and inspiring conversation about trauma, healing, and the courage it takes to reclaim your inner authority.

Key Moments: 

05:07 Cult Warnings: Historical Lessons

06:33 Cult Control Through Fear

12:52 Growing Up as a Jehovah’s Witness

15:01 Self-Love Over Parental Expectations

17:15 "Embracing Self-Love for Better Parenting"

20:40 "Understanding Trauma Bonds"

24:17 Journey from Trauma to Healing

About the guest :

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachinggoddess

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

In this second part of two-part podcast, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Mallary Tarpley to explore the complex intersections of grief, identity, and recovery from eating disorders. Drawing on her personal journey and professional expertise, Mallary shares how the loss of her mother at a young age fueled her struggle with anorexia, offering honest reflections on how trauma and control can shape our relationship with food and ourselves.

Together, they break down outdated misconceptions about eating disorders, emphasizing the neurobiological changes that keep people trapped, and shedding light on the genetic and environmental factors at play. Mallary provides heartfelt advice for parents striving to raise children with healthy relationships to food and body image, candidly discussing the language, behaviors, and household culture that matter most.

As the conversation unfolds, Mallary talks about the power of writing - journaling and authoring her new book, Slip- as a means of therapy and self-compassion, sharing what she wishes her younger self could have known in the aftermath of loss. Whether you’ve experienced an eating disorder, are supporting someone who has, or are navigating your own “middle place” of growth and healing, this episode offers comfort, guidance, and the reminder that we are all works in progress.

Tune in for a compassionate, nuanced conversation that reminds us recovery isn’t about perfection—it's about gentleness, acceptance, and giving ourselves permission to be human.

Key Moments: 

01:12 Rethinking Eating Disorder Blame

04:27 Redefining Food Morality for Kids

08:10 Evolving Strength Through Adversity

10:34 Reconnecting with Younger Self

15:14 Journey to Authentic Recovery

16:54 Embracing the Messiness of Recovery

22:18 Recognizing Eating Disorder Warning Signs

23:42 Embracing Self-Love and Inner Growth

About the guest : 

Mallary Tarpley’s journey through recovery has shaped her into a resilient and insightful individual. One year after first finding herself in a hospital bed - sick with anorexia nervosa and unable to eat - Mallary began to recognize the deeply personal struggles underlying her illness. Her first hospitalization was a moment of realization: if she wanted to survive, she would have to seek recovery, though true change would take much longer. 

Over time, with five hospitalizations and a year and a half in residential treatment, Mallary came to understand that her disorder had taken from her, rather than given her control or closeness she once hoped to find. This hard-won insight has informed her perspective and strengthened her resolve on the healing journey.

How to connect Mallary Tarpley : 

Weekly newsletter: https://mallary.substack.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley/?hl=en

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-tarpley

Personal website: https://www.mallarytenoretarpley.com/

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this first part of 2 part podcast,  Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Mallary Tarpley for a moving and candid conversation about grief, identity, and recovery. Mallary shares her personal journey, beginning with the loss of her mother to cancer at age 11, and how that profound grief led to her struggle with anorexia nervosa throughout her adolescence. Together, they explore the complicated landscape of the "middle place" - a space between acute illness and full recovery that’s often overlooked in discussions of both eating disorders and mourning. 

Mallary opens up about her family dynamics, the misconceptions around eating disorders, and how writing became a path toward healing and understanding. This episode is a poignant exploration of what it means to live, grieve, and recover without ever reaching a definitive sense of closure, offering empathy and insight for anyone navigating similar challenges.

Key Moments: 

01:23 Navigating Grief and 'The Middle Place'

05:07 Struggling with Grief and Control

09:05 Exploring Strength and Truth

11:30 Writing as Coping Mechanism

13:59 Healing Through Posthumous Letters

16:52 Anorexia's Unexpected Realization

21:52 Eating Disorder Misconceptions Hamper Treatment

23:24 "Insights on Parenting and Recovery"

About the guest : 

Mallary Tarpley’s journey through recovery has shaped her into a resilient and insightful individual. One year after first finding herself in a hospital bed - sick with anorexia nervosa and unable to eat - Mallary began to recognize the deeply personal struggles underlying her illness. Her first hospitalization was a moment of realization: if she wanted to survive, she would have to seek recovery, though true change would take much longer. 

Over time, with five hospitalizations and a year and a half in residential treatment, Mallary came to understand that her disorder had taken from her, rather than given her control or closeness she once hoped to find. This hard-won insight has informed her perspective and strengthened her resolve on the healing journey.

How to connect Mallary Tarpley : 

Weekly newsletter: https://mallary.substack.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley/?hl=en

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-tarpley

Personal website: https://www.mallarytenoretarpley.com/

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.