Struggle Care

By KC DavisEducation Self-Improvement

Favorites
246
Followers
Typical duration
36 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Struggle Care episodes

March 10, 2025 133: BEST OF: Is Too Much Self-Compassion a Bad Thing? with Dr. Lesley Cook
We’re bringing back one of our most insightful and impactful episodes! In our very first episode, you heard my conversation with Dr. Lesley Cook about executive functioning. She had so much wisdom to share that I couldn’t wait to have her back—this time, to explore the topic of self-compassion.
Is it possible to have too much self-compassion? How do we find the balance between being kind to ourselves while still striving for progress? Dr. Lesley shares her expertise, breaking down the complexities of self-compassion and how it plays a crucial role in our personal growth.

About Our Guest:
Dr. Lesley Cook is a psychologist specializing in ADHD and neurodivergence. Born and raised in Hawaii, she now lives in Virginia, where she works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

Show Highlights:
✅ Finding the balance between self-compassion and personal growth
✅ Understanding self-compassion through Dr. Kristin Neff’s work
✅ The role of shame and how it connects to self-compassion
✅ Strategies for shifting from shame to self-compassion
✅ How self-compassion can become a learned behavior we pass down to our children

Link and Resources:
Connect with Dr. Lesley: TikTok and Instagram
Connect with KC: TikTok and Instagram
Get KC's Book, How to Keep House While Drowning

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
28 min
March 03, 2025132: A Big Announcement and A Sneak Peek Ahead
I have big news! Starting now, we will follow a new release schedule for the podcast, going to twice-a-month releases on the first and third Mondays. We’ve done weekly episodes for a couple of years now, and I need to free up some time for exciting upcoming projects. My new book releases on May 6 and is available now for preorder: Who Deserves Your Love? How to Create Boundaries that Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship. My next project is a cookbook that focuses on easy, stress-free meals and gentle nutrition with my compassionate philosophy. I’m also trying my hand at fiction writing with my first draft of a fantasy romance novel. I want every project to reflect my full passion and energy, and I feel strongly that it’s time to reallocate my focus toward these other endeavors. I’ll stick to the twice-monthly podcast release schedule for March, April, and May. The last episode in May will be the final episode of the Struggle Care podcast—for now. You never know what might happen in the future! Let’s keep in touch! Sign up for my newsletter at Struggle Care, and I promise not to overload your inbox!
Show Highlights:
An exclusive sneak peek into my new book, Who Deserves Your Love? How to Create Boundaries that Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship
My second book has the same disability advocacy perspective as my first book.
You’ll find counter-culture messaging for communication and relationships.
My book avoids standard attachment types and the language of codependency.
An overview of the three parts of my book
Listen as I read ch. 7 about The Decision Tree.
It’s tricky to occupy the space between wanting to have compassion and grace for people while still having boundaries for yourself.
Resources and Links:
Preorder my new book: Struggle Care Website, Amazon, and Bookshop
Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20 min
February 10, 2025131: God Didn’t Make Us To Hate Us with Rev. Lizzie
I’m excited to have Rev. Lizzie return to the show today to discuss her new book, God Didn't Make Us To Hate Us. Rev. Lizzie is an Episcopal priest who has become a good friend–and is always a fun guest! Join us!
Show Highlights:
Rev. Lizzie’s new book—and why she wrote it
Considering the question, “Why do I believe what I believe?”
The truth about Christianity means telling the WHOLE story.
The comfort in being loved by God when we’ve been told by people that we are “bad and broken”
Living in joy is THE goal.
The four parts of Rev. Lizzie’s book
A list of books which are foundational pieces of Rev. Lizzie’s faith journey
Listen in while Rev. Lizzie reads a moving excerpt from her book about her birthing experience, sin, and God’s perfect love.
Resources and Links:
Connect with Rev. Lizzie: TikTok, Instagram, and God Didn't Make Us To Hate Us
Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45 min
February 03, 2025130: You Don’t Need a Budget with Dana Miranda
Money, money, money—-today’s show is all about money! I’m joined by Dana Miranda, the author of You Don't Need a Budget: Stop Worrying about Debt, Spend without Shame, and Manage Money with Ease. Dana is here to discuss debt from a refreshing perspective, and she shares her best advice about how to proceed after finding your financial footing. Having a budget is NOT the answer to all of your money problems. Join us for expert advice from Dana!

Show Highlights:
Dana’s path to the work she does today
Money decisions are not purely black and white.
What it means to be “Healthy Rich” (Check out Dana’s podcast: Healthy Rich.)
Financial education is more than the demonization of debt.
The fascination with shame as a way to bring behavior change around money (Does it really help to yell at people?)
A healthy (and different) approach to debt
Debt is strategic for the wealthiest 1%?? How?
Understanding how debt products work and impact your credit score
With debt, negotiation is always a possibility. Give it a try.
Dana’s advice about debt products and red flags to look for
Societal attitudes toward “acceptable debt”
Addressing the gaps in financial knowledge for the typical American who finally achieves financial stability
Accessible financial advice is available—where to look and who to trust
Dana’s book: Who is it for and how can it help?
Resources and Links:
Connect with Dana Miranda: Healthy Rich podcast and You Don't Need a Budget book
Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
59 min
January 27, 2025129: Surviving Jeffrey Epstein with Lisa Phillips
Today’s episode is about surviving abuse, and I’m joined by Lisa Phillips, an abuse survivor. She shares her horrifying experience of surviving abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein, along with so many other young girls. Lisa hosts a podcast called From Now On, where she dives headfirst into stories of abuse and recovery. Join us.
Show Highlights:
Lisa’s experience with Jeffrey Epstein when she was a young model in NYC
Understanding the scope of sex trafficking and sexual predators
Common questions survivors ask themselves: “Am I the crazy one? How could I not have known? How could I have been so stupid?”
Red flags, boundaries, predators, and “the switch”
Look out for “love bombers”!
The irony of sharing a history of sexual abuse with a partner (“They want to abuse you in the same way you were abused.”)
It’s hard to leave a relationship if you are trauma-bonded to that partner.
Abuse makes you more at risk of being abused again.
Lisa’s podcast guests, their stories, and universal experiences of abuse
Talking to our kids about evil people and “bad guys”
The main danger is NOT from strangers.
Resources and Links:
Connect with Lisa Phillips: Instagram, From Now On Podcast, Podcast Instagram, Podcast TikTok, and From Now On YouTube
Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47 min
January 20, 2025128: Your Latina Nutritionist Doesn’t Want You to Demonize Cultural Foods
Food rules, pop culture messaging, pressure, and the demonization of certain foods have huge impacts on the meals being eaten every day across the US. There is a better way to ensure we get the nutrition we need without beating ourselves up over the meals we eat. Dalina Soto, Your Latina Nutritionist, joins us for this eye-opening conversation. Join us!
Show Highlights:
Including your culture is an important part of nutrition.
Racial bias, demonized foods (like white rice), and pop culture messaging
Food IS fuel—but there’s more to it than nutrition!
Rethinking your nutritional hierarchy
Decision-making fatigue in meal planning
Reevaluating the “food rules” we follow
The “eating out” vs. “buying more groceries” dilemma for American families
Dalina’s top tips for quick meals and easy hacks (An air fryer saves the day!)
We, as women, put much of the pressure around nutrition on ourselves.
Dealing with kids: the key is to keep offering new fruits and vegetables
The beauty in finding a good nutritionist who doesn’t demonize cultural foods
Dalina’s new book, coming in March: The Latina Anti-Diet
Resources and Links:
Connect with Dalina Soto: TikTok, Website, and The Latina Anti-Diet book
Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49 min
January 13, 2025127: Addiction Treatment is a Cesspool; Here’s How I Would Navigate It with Heidi Voet
Where can you turn when a loved one is in the throes of addiction and needs help? How do you know what professionals to trust and if a treatment center is reputable? So many questions surround the topic of addiction treatment, and it’s a murky industry. We are discussing the seedy underbelly of the addiction industry with my guest. Heidi Voet, LPC, is a longtime mental health professional and the owner of Chapter House Counseling and Sober Living. Heidi and I take on this important topic and explain why, despite the problems, we would still send a loved one into treatment. Join us to learn more!
Show Highlights:
Heidi’s take on the ugliness of the treatment industry
Understanding the medical model of treatment vs. the community model
12-step programs, legalism, insurance corruption, and integrity
The truth: Exploitation has bled into addiction treatment.
The real dilemma for family members
The struggle for political correctness while trying to intervene for an addict
Heidi’s advice to families who want to intervene:
Don’t intervene too fast.
Find the lowest level of appropriate care (think of a ladder of options).
Be wise and ask questions of the consultant, case manager, or interventionist. (“Are you on the payroll of a treatment center?”)
Speak to current clients, alumni, and families of the center.
Red flags in your interaction with a treatment center and helpful questions to ask
The need to consider gender-specific treatment
Why KC would never recommend a wilderness treatment center
Assessing a center’s approach to trauma, medications, and religious philosophies/affiliations

Resources and Links:
Connect with Heidi Voet and Chapter House Counseling: Website
Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 hr 1 min
January 06, 2025126: Your Sensory Health Matters with Virginia Spielmann, Ph.D.
Sensory health goes far beyond discomfort with a scratchy fabric or loud noises. If you are not familiar with sensory health, this episode will be full of new concepts and revelations for you. You WILL realize how important sensory health is for each of us! My guest is Virginia Spielmann, an occupational therapist who did a TEDx Talk on this topic. She explains sensory health, why it’s important, and how it matters in every area of life. Join us to learn more!
Show Highlights:
Virginia’s background and journey to her work today
Sensory health: “how” we feel, what we do with it, and why it connects to everything about our psychological well-being
Understanding sensory health as the bridge between mental and physical health
Active lifestyles and exercise don’t look the same for everyone.
Differences in sensory processing
How we unintentionally gaslight our kids’ sensory reactions
The importance of being curious as a parent
Finding a balance between accommodating and exposure/growth
Understanding systematic desensitization
Comfort AND challenge—not comfort OR challenge
The #1 intervention for improved mental health? Dance and other forms of big play
An overview of the STAR Institute’s programs, services, and events

Resources and Links:
Connect with Virginia Spielmann and the STAR Institute: Website and TEDx Talk
Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47 min
December 30, 2024126: Almond Moms, Metabolic Diseases, and Pediatric Obesity (Part 2) with Dr. Karla Lester
This episode is the second part to my conversation with Dr. Karla Lester about food shaming, weight bias, metabolic diseases, “almond moms,” and more. Dr. Karla lends her professional expertise to the discussion of these important topics. Join us!

Show Highlights:
The effect of “almond mom” parenting on kids: food shaming, eating disorders, and more
The start of binge eating disorder in very young kids
Guarding against “opposite” mistakes with your kids in making good food choices
From KC, a parent’s perspective on food choices and neurodivergent kids
A switch from compliance to compassion
The goal in feeding kids should start with a focus on intentional, daily protein intake (Start with protein at breakfast!)
Aim for habit change in a positive direction.
Understanding “food noise” and what it means to bust common food myths
Dr. Karla’s advice to parents: “Get to neutral.”
Red flags for parents to look for in their kids’ food behaviors
Responding as a parent to your child’s weight gain/loss
The truth about insulin resistance: “It is an epidemic that we cannot ignore!”
Understanding the term healthism
Resources and Links:
Connect with Dr. Karla Lester: IME Community, Dr. Karla, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Dr. Karla's radio show
Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
39 min
December 30, 2024 Introducing Front Row Seat with Ken Coleman
This is a quick recommendation to check out Front Row Seat with Ken Coleman. For professionals looking to get better, move up and lead well in their careers, Front Row Seat offers actionable insights through engaging interviews. I have started checking out new episodes each week and I hope you give it a listen too.
2 min

About Struggle Care

From the publisher's feed

A podcast about self-care by a host that hates the term self-care. Therapist KC Davis, author of the book How to Keep House While Drowning talks about mental health, care tasks, and more.