The Beautiful Grit

This week I sat down with Jenna Laski Scott, renowned psychotherapist, founder of becoming EPIC, and a coaching client to share a powerful tool that she developed from 20 years of private practice in the field of emotional development and a lifetime of study. Jenna integrates insights from Interpersonal Neurobiology, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, EMDR and Positive Psychology to guide you on this transformative journey through her process becoming EPIC, Emotionally Powerful Internally Connected ™ (EPIC).

Jenna shares the reality that all of us can fall into, one of the most insidious culprits that disconnects us from our authentic selves and the liberation we feel when we retire one simple word from our vocabulary. Instead of focusing on what we should be doing, we can shift our attention to who we are and who we aspire to become.

Jenna’s vision, and the heart of Becoming EPIC, is to contribute to a world with heightened collective emotional intelligence. A world where self-acceptance and acceptance of others are the norm, not the exception. A world where inner peace isn't a fleeting experience but a resilient presence, accessible in every moment, at every age, and in every stage of life. This isn't just about feeling better; it's about creating a better world, one emotionally hydrated soul at a time.

About the Guest:

Follow Jenna Laski Scott on Instagram @becomingepic

Learn more about The Sting Lab, visit https://www.becomingepic.com

About Gwen:

Follow Gwen on Instagram @gwendittmar

The Grounded Group is a 6-week, virtual group container for high achievers to slow down to gain momentum and success in life. The group includes a personalized Safe and Sound Protocol through Polyvagal Institute, Limbic Retraining for rewiring our thoughts and stress, and Somatic Medicine and Breath for deeper regulation and healing. Only when you are grounded can you experience true success. https://www.gwendittmar.com/grounded-group

In this empowering episode of the Beautiful Grit, Cate Luzio, a former financial executive and the founder of Luminary, self-funded a groundbreaking professional women’s community in 2018 with the mission to up-lift, up-skill, and propel women and allies forward through all phases of their professional journeys.

In the episode, Cate shares her journey from non-profit to corporate finance, her approach to working within a male dominated industry, cultivating leadership skills, the importance of being mentored and mentoring women.

Cate shares how she’s grown Luminary to several thousand members individually across 30 countries, supports more than 60+ corporate partners (representing more than 500,000 employees worldwide), has weathered the pandemic, and led well over 3,000 in-person and virtual events, workshops, and programs.

They dive deep into the challenges women face in traditionally male-dominated industries and explore how to create a supportive ecosystem for women to thrive in their careers. Cate discusses the importance of mentorship, networking, finding your voice in the workplace, and how Luminary is reshaping the landscape of female leadership.

In the episode, Cate also shares about her personal health journey and how she’s used the concepts of leadership, community, mentoring, and courage to heal with resilience.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to break through barriers, build community, become a leader, give and receive feedback, use mistakes as learning opportunities, and how to thrive in your career. Cate’s insights offer practical, professional, and personal advice having moved through a recent breast cancer journey, and inspiration for women who are looking to succeed and lead in work and life with authenticity and confidence.

Our Guest:

Cate Luzio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cluzio/

Website: https://www.weareluminary.com/about

Instagram: @cateluzio

About Gwen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwendittmar

Website: https://www.gwendittmar.com

Instagram: @gwendittmar

The next 6-week Grounded Group starts May 8, 2025. You are not overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck. Your nervous system is. In the group, you’ll get grounded through science-based tools, retrain your brain, learn how to hold your emotions, access your innate energy, and utilize practical and spiritual tools to experience sustainable success.

www.gwendittmar.com/grounded-group

The investment is a sliding scale, meaning you invest what you can. Suggested investments start at $350 up to the usual cost of the group of $1500. The calls are recorded if you cannot join live.

In her critically acclaimed, groundbreaking, NYT New and Noteworthy book I Had a Miscarriage, Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist, advocate, and author Dr. Jessica Zucker boldly exposed the silence, stigma, and shame that surround pregnancy loss and demonstrated the need to normalize conversations around painful reproductive events that too often go unspoken.

In her new book Normalize It, a #1 New Release on Amazon in Sex & Sexuality coming April 22, 2025, Dr. Zucker expands her lens to address a multitude of challenges women face—including girlhood, body image, motherhood, reproductive choice, sexual trauma, menopause, and more—that so often incite shame and overwhelming cultural pressure to stay silent. Based on patient stories, coupled with cutting-edge psychological research, Zucker fearlessly shares her insights into the shame and stigma that shroud so many women’s experiences and explores the liberation that can follow when we get vulnerable and talk about the hard stuff.

In the episode, Dr. Zucker and I discuss her journey of miscarriage, breast cancer, and the journey of being a woman, a wife, a clinical psychologist, an advocate and author, and how creating space in our lives to share our stories, women will heal the shame, shift the stigma, and heal the suffering that has been silenced.

Our Guest:

Dr. Jessica Zucker

Website and order your copy of Normalize It: https://www.drjessicazucker.com

Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage

About Gwen:

Website: https://www.gwendittmar.com

Instagram: @gwendittmar

Join the next Grounded Group https://www.gwendittmar.com/grounded-group

In this powerful episode of the Beautiful Grit, yoga-meditation teacher, clinical therapist, founder of Yoga.Psyche.Soul specializing in integrating yoga, meditation, breathwork with classical mental health psychology, Ashley Turner explores the profound transitions of womanhood - the interesting overlap that many women who choose to have children later in life have with postpartum, perimenopause, midlife, and the crone.

Ashely is also a mother, wife, writer, and ordained priestess. In the episode, Ashley shares her own experience of the overlap of postpartum and

perimenopause, as well as breaking down the emotional, physical, and spiritual shifts that we

experience as women during postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. In addition to the

current focus on the physiology of perimenopause, Ashley also talks about how we need to support women in reframing the challenges during this time as a spiritual rite of passage rather than a crisis. We discuss personal experiences, cultural shifts, internalized ageism as women, as well as practical tools, spiritual opportunities, and psychedelic support that you can access for yourself during this stage of life in the episode.

Our Guest:

Ashley Turner

Website: https://yoga-psychology.co/

Instagram: @ashleyturner1

About Gwen:

Website: https://www.gwendittmar.com

Instagram: @gwendittmar

To learn more about the Grounded Group and join the waitlist - A 6-week virtual group including the Safe and Sound Protocol, Limbic Retraining, Somatic Medicine, Breathwork, and Practical Spirituality for high achieving women to heal overwhelm and burnout without losing their edge, visit: https://www.gwendittmar.com/grounded-group

In this raw and real episode of the Beautiful Grit, Gwen Dittmar welcomes Gina Lamanna, the visionary behind The Fondle Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women to take charge of their breast health through self-advocacy, awareness, and holistic wellness. Founded by fashion stylist and entrepreneur Gina Lamanna, a breast cancer survivor who detected her cancer through self-examination after two false-negative mammograms and a misdiagnosis, the initiative emphasizes the importance of regular self-exams and early detection.

The Fondle Project’s mission focuses on building community through storytelling, fostering self-love, and promoting holistic wellness. By destigmatizing cancer and encouraging women to embrace their bodies, scars, and vulnerabilities as sources of strength and beauty, The Fondle Project creates spaces where women feel seen, supported, and celebrated in their healing journeys.

Through fashion-forward campaigns and collaborations with female-founded brands, The Fondle Project raises awareness about the importance of early detection and self-advocacy. By merging fashion with advocacy, the organization provides survivors with tools to reclaim their confidence, femininity, and sexuality. These initiatives aim to educate, inspire, and empower women, offering hope and promoting body positivity throughout their breast health journeys.

In the episode, Gina shares about her former career, the beautiful, gritty path of discovering a lump, and following her intuition despite being told otherwise, and how important self-touch, breast exams, and radical self-care is for women. Together, we discuss the importance of breaking through shame, honoring the body’s wisdom, and using mindful practices to cultivate deeper self-awareness and pleasure.

Our Guest:

Gina Lamanna and The Fondle Project

Website: https://thefondleproject.org

Instagram: @thefondleproject

About Gwen:

Website: https://www.gwendittmar.com

Instagram: @gwendittmar

To join the next Grounded Group: https://www.gwendittmar.com/grounded-group

The Reality of Mental Load in Marriage and Motherhood with Paige Connell

In this raw episode of the Beautiful Grit Podcast, Paige Connell, creator of She is a Paige Turner, discusses what mental load means, and how it shows up for women in marriage, and motherhood. Paige shares her story of her breaking point, the part she played in her burnout, embracing life’s unexpected plot twists, and the resilience she discovered as a result.

Through her viral insights on the invisible labor women shoulder at home and the policies needed to support working families, Paige has sparked national conversations on gender equity, the mental load of motherhood, and the urgent need for affordable childcare and paid leave.

As a working mother of four, Paige has built a powerful community of over half a million followers by sharing relatable, thought-provoking content about the realities of modern motherhood. Paige is a passionate advocate for childcare and paid family leave, working closely with organizations like Care.com, Moms First, Fair Play, Caring Across Generations, Mother Forward, and more.

Paige shares her journey of personal transformation, the lessons she’s learned through life’s challenges, and how she helps others rewrite their narratives with courage and authenticity. Through her work, she empowers women to turn the pages of their lives with confidence and grace.

We discuss:

What is mental load, and how do we determine what ours is

How to set boundaries to support our mental load limits and mental health

Paige’s journey to creating She is a Paige Turner and what it means to own your story

How to navigate life’s transitions with resilience and self-trust

The power of storytelling in personal growth and healing

Practical ways to rewrite limiting beliefs and step into your true self

This episode is for anyone standing at a crossroads, ready to embrace change, or looking for inspiration to turn the page on a new chapter. Paige’s wisdom is a reminder that our stories are still being written—and we hold the pen.

Our Guest:

Paige Turner Website: https://www.sheisapaigeturner.com/

Instagram: @sheisapaigeturner Paige's Free Guide: https://paigeconnell.myflodesk.com/freeguide

About Gwen: Website: https://www.gwendittmar.com

Instagram: @gwendittmar

Upcoming Breathwork Certifications: East Coast April-May-June and Virtual Sep-Oct-Nov https://www.gwendittmar.com/activation-training

Use code PODCAST25 for $25 off

Expansion Membership includes monthly virtual events, and $20 off for upcoming events in San Antonio, Baltimore, and Philadelphia

https://gwen-dittmar-consulting-inc.mn.co/plans/1486140?bundle_token=b41146dcb4550dd7325a05ee38eb41e5&utm_source=manual

#TheBeautifulGrit #SheIsAPaigeTurner #PaigeConnell #Storytelling #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #mentalload #motherhoodmentalload #motherhoodburnout

The Terrain of Truth: Rethinking Health with Jacob Diaz

In this eye-opening episode of The Beautiful Grit Podcast, Jacob Diaz, also known as the @undercovervirologist on Instagram, challenges conventional understanding about health and illness and the true nature of viruses, germs, and bacteria.

Jacob attended the Bigelsen Academy of Holographic Blood and earned a Certificate as a Naturopathic Practitioner. As the host of Germs Are Friends Podcast on Spotify, Jacob aims to demystify germ theory and educate on terrain theory. Jacob also assisted in creating a bio-terrain online school, which had over 110K enrollees, headed by Alec Zeck at The Way Forward, Jacob has been assisted with giving a different perspective on the role of viruses, germs, and bacteria in disease, health, and wellbeing.

Through his research and work at Terrain U.V., Jacob has ignited discussions around the flaws in germ theory, the role of toxins and nutrition in disease, and the power of natural healing. His insights encourage listeners to rethink fear-driven approach to illness, everything they’ve been taught about sickness and immunity, sparking curiosity and a desire for deeper exploration, and a return to nature’s wisdom.

We discuss:

The difference between germ theory and terrain theory

How environmental factors impact health and disease

The myths and misconceptions surrounding viruses

Why detoxification and nutrition are key to true wellness

The importance of critical thinking in health decisions

How to reclaim agency over your own well-being

Our Guest:

Jacob Diaz

Website: https://www.terrainuv.com/

Instagram: @undercovervirologist

About Gwen:

Website: https://www.gwendittmar.com

Instagram: @gwendittmar

Upcoming Breathwork Certifications: East Coast April-May-June and Virtual Sep-Oct-Nov. Use code PODCAST25 for $25 off

https://www.gwendittmar.com/activation-training

Use PODCAST25 for $25 off on an upcoming events in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago Baltimore, and Philadelphia

https://gwen-dittmar-consulting-inc.mn.co/plans/1486140?bundle_token=b41146dcb4550dd7325a05ee38eb41e5&utm_source=manual

#TheBeautifulGrit #HealthRevolution #HolisticHealth #WellnessJourney #NaturalHealing #MindBodyConnection #TerrainTheory #GermTheoryDebunked #TheBodyHeals #HolisticMedicine #RethinkHealth

In this soothing and insightful episode of the Beautiful Grit Podcast, Kristen Caissie, founder of Moon Canyon Healing, explores the deep connection between nature and personal transformation.

Kristen shares her beautiful and gritty journey of building a floral design business, making the bold shift into studying herbal medicine, and blending somatic work into her holistic healing art that reveals how plants, rituals, and rhythms of the earth can guide us back to ourselves. She offers wisdom on embracing intuitive living, the power of beauty in healing, and simple ways to invite nature’s grounding presence into everyday life.

In the episode we discuss:

How Kristen used coaching to walk away from a lucrative floral business into the unknown

Through connecting with plants, Kristen got direct guidance on her next steps

How plants, nature and rituals can support your emotional well-being

Practical ways to incorporate healing practices into daily life

The role of beauty and intuition in personal transformation

This episode is for anyone seeking a deeper connection to themselves through the natural world. Kristen’s gentle wisdom is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and discover the healing power that surrounds us.

Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Our Guest

Website: https://mooncanyonhealing.com/pages/kristen

Instagram: @mooncanyonhealing

About Gwen

Website: https://www.gwendittmar.com

Instagram: @gwendittmar

Upcoming Breathwork Certifications: East Coast in April-May-June, Virtual Sep-Oct-Nov

https://www.gwendittmar.com/activation-training

Use code PODCAST25 for $25 off

Expansion Membership includes monthly virtual events, and $20 off for upcoming events in San Antonio, Baltimore, and Philadelphia

https://gwen-dittmar-consulting-inc.mn.co/plans/1486140?bundle_token=b41146dcb4550dd7325a05ee38eb41e5&utm_source=manual

#TheBeautifulGrit #MoonCanyonHealing #KristenCaissie #NatureHealing #HolisticWellness #IntuitiveLiving #SomaticHealing #HerbalMedicine

This week I sat down with psychological astrologer Danielle Beinstein to explore the cosmic landscape of 2025. Together, we dive into spiritual psychology spiritual bypass, using the human experience to access divinity, astrological transits, planetary shifts, and energetic themes shaping the year ahead and beyond in years to come. In the episode learn about:

Major planetary movements and their impact on global and personal transformation

How Saturn, Pluto, and Uranus will influence societal structures, innovation, and personal evolution

Key retrogrades and eclipses—what they mean and how to navigate them with awareness

The themes of spiritual growth, resilience, and new beginnings emerging in 2025

Practical ways to align with the astrological energies for clarity, purpose, and empowerment

About the Guest:

Follow Danielle Beinstein on Instagram @danibeinstein

To learn more about Danielle, visit https://www.daniellebeinstein.com/

About Gwen:

Follow Gwen on Instagram @gwendittmar

Learn more about Gwen’s coaching, monthly events, and Breathwork Training in Annapolis, MD at www.gwendittmar.com

For $25 off a 1:1 Human Design, Akashic Records, and/or Breathwork Session, use the code PODCAST25:

https://gwencoach.as.me/humandesign

https://gwencoach.as.me/akashic

https://gwencoach.as.me/90breathwork

This week’s guest is Dr. Ashley Beckman, a doctor of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, board certified acupuncturist and herbalist, Functional Medicine practitioner, and epigenetics expert in Los Angeles. She received her doctorate in Healthy Aging and Longevity and wrote her thesis on epigenetics and the study of how our genes are affected by our diet and lifestyle.

Over the last ten years as an acupuncturist at Dr. Soram Khalsa’s busy Functional Medicine practice in Beverly Hills, Dr. Ashley performed over 50,000 treatments and currently practices virtually in Malibu, where she specializes in Root Cause Medicine, cellular detoxification from mold, Lyme and environmental toxins, hormone balancing and epigenetics. She has studied the healing properties of herbs, holistic nutrition, flower essences, essential oils, light color therapy and whole foods for more than twenty years. Dr. Ashley combines all these elements to instill holistic lifestyle change.

In the episode, Dr. Ashley educates about the physiological impact of the California fires on our health, how to use the wisdom of Chinese Medicine for lungs, grief, disruption, as well as the energy of organ optimization in the season of winter.

Our Guest:

Website: https://www.drashley.com

Instagram: @drashleybeckman

Supplements:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/123tvNZBtPWMiRLa15vMqMmweybqukdetzqx3wWdLChY/edit?usp=sharing

Air Purifiers:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ix_JPaNSw9DyCh-qDgyRdDEB5g28C3Yu_YEuaWzZ1JE/edit?usp=sharing

About Gwen

Website: https://www.gwendittmar.com

Instagram: @gwendittmar

If you have been affected or have a loved one affected by the fires, I'm offering a few sessions each week for those in need. Use the link: https://gwencoach.as.me/60sessionprivate and code AWAKENING2025

If you would like to assist someone who has been affected by the fires to receive a healing session, you can send a donation to me, please email for directions on how to do this [email protected]

If you would like to learn how to use the power of somatic, scientific, and spiritual healing of breathwork through a trauma-informed, inclusive lens, in the upcoming Activation Breathwork Certification, please learn more and register at https://www.gwendittmar.com/activation-training