The Holiday Survival Podcast 2025

By Erin Billings

The Holiday Survival Podcast is your companion for navigating the most emotionally charged time of the year. Hosted by producer and storyteller Erin Billings, this podcast goes beyond picture-perfect ... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Holiday Survival Podcast 2025:

How many episodes does The Holiday Survival Podcast 2025 have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.

The Holiday Survival Podcast 2025 episodes:

December 31, 2025Psychic Predictions for the Year Ahead with Jen Abra
This episode is brought to you by The Disaster Playbook.
In the final episode of season two, Erin is joined by award-winning psychic and medium Jen Abra for an unfiltered conversation about what she sees coming in 2026. Jen shares how she receives psychic information, the moment she went viral after trusting a controversial prediction, and why neutrality—not fear—guides her work. Together, they explore large-scale shifts ahead, including government changes, global disruptions, and how intuition and discernment can help people prepare for what’s next without panic.
In this episode, we explore:
How Jen discovered and developed her psychic abilities
What led to her viral prediction and how it changed her career
Major world events and patterns she sees emerging in 2026
Why fear-based interpretations distort intuitive information
How discernment, intuition, and preparation matter more than panic

This episode closes the season with grounded insight, perspective, and an invitation to trust your own inner knowing as the world continues to change.
✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Jen on her website or on Instagram @spiritmentorjenabra.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:45 Welcome to The Holiday Survival Podcast, Sponsored by The Disaster Playbook
01:54 Meet Jen Abra
08:58 How Jen Went Viral
12:06 Predictions for 2026
26:03 Dealing with Skepticism and Hate
29:06 Closing Remarks
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
Mentioned in this episode:
Give the gift of peace of mind this holiday season with The Disaster Playbook
The Disaster Playbook is a beautifully designed emergency preparedness guide that transforms overwhelming disaster planning into manageable, family-friendly steps. Created by woman-owned small business Here Comes the Apocalypse, this guide makes emergency prep accessible and empowering rather than anxiety-inducing.
Perfect for parents, new homeowners, or anyone who wants practical preparedness without the fear-mongering of typical survival guides. As one customer raved: "I already feel the cortisol receding and I am grateful for this helpful guide."
Order now at thedisasterplaybook.com and give your loved ones the gift of preparedness and peace of mind—because the best gifts make families stronger and communities more resilient. Use our exclusive code HOLIDAYSURVIVAL to get 10% off!
The Disaster Playbook
...more
32min
December 31, 2025How the Astrology of 2026 Changes Everything with Katherine Wehler
In this episode of The Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin sits down with professional astrologer and new paradigm business coach Katherine Wehler to explore the astrology of 2026 and why it marks a major collective and personal turning point. They break down the key planetary shifts shaping the next few years—including Pluto in Aquarius, Uranus in Gemini, and Saturn and Neptune changing signs—and what these transits may mean for identity, leadership, work, technology, and community.
Katherine shares how this next era invites experimentation, authenticity, and a more heart-led approach to life, while offering insight into how individuals can align with these changes, trust their inner authority, and navigate rapid evolution with curiosity rather than fear.
In this episode, we explore:
Why astrologers are calling 2026 a watershed year and how it compares to other major historical shifts
How holiday stress, trauma, and nervous system overload may show up differently as collective energy accelerates
What the “new paradigm” actually means—and why individuality, community, and creativity matter more than ever
Practical mindset shifts to help you prepare for big life changes without burning out
Why following what genuinely lights you up is not selfish—but essential during times of transformation

✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Katherine on her website or on social media @katherine_wehler. Book your 2026 Year Ahead Astrology Reading here - use code HOLIDAY for $100 off.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to The Holiday Survival Podcast
01:51 Meet Katherine Wehler
02:02 Astrological Insights for 2026
15:32 Personal and Professional Alignment for 2026
24:45 Conclusion and Special Offers
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
...more
28min
December 24, 2025Surviving Holiday Family Drama with Kiki Mullican
In this episode of the Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin is joined by Kiki Mullican—also known as the Trauma Drama Mama—for an honest conversation about surviving the holidays when you come from a toxic or dysfunctional family. Together, they unpack how narcissistic abuse, family trauma, and emotional manipulation often resurface during holiday gatherings, leaving many people feeling triggered, guilty, or cast as the “problem.”
Kiki shares practical tools for setting emotional boundaries, recognizing red flags like gaslighting and coercive control, and protecting your peace without over-explaining or self-abandoning. The episode also explores reparenting yourself, releasing guilt, and rebuilding identity after years of survival mode.
In this episode, we cover:
How toxic family dynamics and narcissistic abuse show up during the holidays
Emotional boundaries that protect your peace at family gatherings
Why guilt is often conditioning—not a sign you’re doing something wrong
Red flags to watch for in family, work, and personal relationships
Reparenting yourself and rebuilding joy after trauma

If the holidays bring up family drama, emotional exhaustion, or old wounds, this episode offers validation, clarity, and grounded strategies to help you navigate the season with more confidence and self-trust.
✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Kiki on social media @the.trauma.drama.mama.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast
01:46 Meet Kiki Mullican
03:58 Recognizing and Navigating Family Dysfunction
07:37 Setting Emotional Boundaries During the Holidays
11:49 Understanding Narcissism and Protecting Yourself
18:33 Reparenting Yourself: A Path to Healing
25:59 Building a Joyful Future After Trauma
29:21 Final Thoughts and Farewell
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
...more
33min
December 17, 2025When the Holidays Trigger Your Trauma with Will Rēzin, SEP
In this episode of the Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin sits down with Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Will Rēzin, Founder of Trauma and Somatics, to explore what’s really happening when the holidays bring up reactions that feel bigger than the moment. Together, they unpack how trauma lives in the body, why certain traditions, gatherings, or expectations can activate old survival responses, and how to tell the difference between everyday holiday overwhelm and trauma being triggered.
Will shares practical, body-based tools to help regulate the nervous system when old patterns resurface, including grounding, breathwork, and gentle movement practices you can use in real time. This conversation blends science, intuition, and compassion—offering listeners a new way to understand their reactions and meet themselves with care during a season that can feel anything but peaceful.
In this episode, we explore:
How and why the holidays can trigger unresolved trauma
The difference between normal seasonal pressure and trauma responses
What it looks like when the body goes into survival mode
Simple somatic tools to support regulation and emotional safety
How self-awareness and self-care can change the holiday experience

This episode is an invitation to stop judging your reactions and start listening to your body—so you can move through the season with more understanding, agency, and support.
✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Will on his website or social media @willrezin. For more information about Trauma and Somatics, check out their website and social media @traumaandsomatics.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast
02:00 Meet Will Rēzin
02:47 Understanding Trauma and Somatics
06:43 The Evolution of Trauma and Somatic Practices
16:24 Differentiating Stress from Trauma Responses
22:41 Managing Stress Responses
23:47 Breathing Techniques for Calmness
26:33 Orienting and Grounding Practices
29:49 Self-Contact and Vocal Techniques
34:14 Preparing for Stressful Situations
36:10 Connecting with Your Body After Trauma
41:28 Resources and Final Thoughts
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
...more
45min
December 10, 2025Permission to Pause with Teri Gosselin
In this episode of The Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin talks with grief guide and soul mentor Teri Gosselin to explore how to navigate the emotional intensity of the holiday season. Teri shares her personal story of losing her brother and how it shaped her approach to embracing both grief and joy simultaneously.
They discuss the pressures of performative happiness, the importance of checking in with your nervous system, and practical ways to create boundaries and self-compassion. Listeners will gain tools to honor their emotions, reclaim their energy, and find small moments of joy and presence, even when the season feels heavy.
In this episode, we explore:
Giving yourself permission to pause and honor your emotional needs during the holidays.
How grief and joy can coexist and support deeper presence and awareness.
Practical ways to check in with your nervous system to manage stress and overwhelm.
Setting boundaries to protect your well-being without guilt.
Noticing and appreciating small moments of joy that balance grief and foster presence.

✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Teri on her website or on social media @soulglowandalchemy.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast
01:56 Meet Teri Gosselin
02:38 Personal Journey and Government Shutdown Impact
08:38 Understanding Emotional Duality
17:38 Practical Tools for Emotional Well-being
23:37 The Coexistence of Grief and Hope
27:54 Final Thoughts and Farewell
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
...more
31min
December 10, 2025Holding It All During the Holidays with Dionna Chambers
In this episode, Erin sits down with intuitive business coach Dionna Chambers for a raw and heartfelt conversation about navigating grief, loneliness, and the pressure to “make the holidays magical” as a single mom.
Dionna shares how childhood trauma, financial stress, and major losses shape her holiday experience today, while offering grounded, honest insight into what “enough” truly looks like when you’re doing your best with what you have.
In this episode, we explore:
How grief resurfaces during the holidays and quietly influences emotions
The pressure single mothers feel to create joy while managing survival mode
The longing for connection and partnership during an emotionally loaded season
Practical ways to care for yourself and set realistic expectations
Why love, presence, and meeting basic needs are enough

✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Dionna on Instagram and Threads @dionnachambers.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to The Holiday Survival Podcast
02:01 Meet Our Guest: Dionna Chambers
06:27 Navigating Grief During the Holidays
09:01 Practical Tips for Single Moms
15:32 Final Thoughts and Connection
18:18 Closing Remarks and Listener Support
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
...more
20min
December 03, 2025 Creating Moments of Genuine Connection with Juliette Karaman Van Schaardenburg
This week on The Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin welcomes intimacy expert Juliette Karaman Van Schaardenburg for a grounded conversation about staying connected - to yourself and to the people you love - during one of the most emotionally charged seasons of the year. They talk about why communication can feel harder around the holidays, how touch can soothe or overwhelm the nervous system, and what it really means to create moments of genuine connection in the middle of chaos.
Juliette also introduces her “tell me” prompts and shares gentle, practical ways to check in with your body, regulate your emotions, and honor your boundaries — whether you’re spending the season with family, a partner, or on your own.
In this episode, we explore:
• Why the holidays amplify miscommunication, overwhelm, and emotional triggers
• Simple grounding tools to calm your body when you feel overstimulated
• How to offer touch that actually lands — and how to say no when it doesn’t
• Ways to communicate your capacity and boundaries with clarity and compassion
• Connection practices you can use with partners, family, or yourself
If you’re craving calmer conversations, deeper connection, and more presence this holiday season, this episode offers tools you can use right away.
✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Juliette on her website or on social media @juliettekaraman. You can download Juliette’s Holiday Communication Survival Kit for free if you use the code SCRUMPTIOUS.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast
01:48 Meet Juliette Karaman Van Schaardenburg
03:58 Navigating Holiday Stress and Emotional Triggers
05:52 Practical Tips for Grounding and Connection
12:32 Exploring Physical Touch and Comfort
19:43 The Power of Music and Creativity in Healing
25:11 The Holiday Survival Kit and Final Thoughts
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
...more
33min
November 24, 2025A No Guilt Guide to Holiday Spending with Dr. Severine Bryan
In this episode of The Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin chats with Accredited Financial Counselor Dr. Severine Bryan to break down one of the biggest stressors of the season: money. Whether you’re feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed by expectations, or trying to recover from years of financial strain, this conversation brings clarity, compassion, and practical tools you can actually use.
Dr. Sev shares her own powerful story of rebuilding after financial hardship and offers guidance for approaching holiday spending with intention instead of pressure. Together, she and Erin explore what generosity really means, how to set boundaries around money, and why emotional spending shows up so strongly this time of year.
In this episode, we explore:
How to build a realistic holiday budget you can stick to
Strategies to avoid emotional or guilt-based spending
Ways to cut costs without cutting meaning
What to do if you’re already financially stretched—or in recovery mode
How to set expectations with family (and yourself)
Tools like spreadsheets, apps, and simple systems to track spending
Creating a post-holiday financial reset plan
Why the heart behind a gift matters more than the price tag

This episode is a practical, shame-free guide for anyone who wants to feel more grounded, empowered, and in control of their finances this season.
✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Dr. Severine at sevtalksmoney.com or on LinkedIN.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast
02:16 Meet Dr. Severine Bryan
05:42 Creating a Realistic Holiday Budget
07:15 Redefining Generosity and Holiday Traditions
15:52 Creative Budgeting and Bartering
22:29 Planning for Unpredictable Incomes
27:12 Recovering from Holiday Spending
32:19 Conclusion
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
Mentioned in this episode:
Shop Small This Holiday Season
The Holiday Survival Interactive Gift Guide is packed with makers, creators, artists, and founders who pour their actual heart into what they do.
When you shop small:
✨ A real person does a happy dance
✨ A family feels supported
✨ A dream gets to keep growing
Your dollars matter more here.
Your gifts mean more here.
Your impact is bigger here.
If you want gifts that feel personal, thoughtful, and intentional this guide is for you.
Explore the full interactive guide here.
Gift Guide
Sociology Lab
Give the gift of clarity and confidence for yourself or someone you love.
Learn to navigate relationships, society, and identity with guidance from an Oxford sociologist.
Join the Sociology Lab community and start the new year supported, seen, and empowered.
Visit: https://sociology-lab.com
Sociology Lab
...more
36min
November 24, 2025Healthy(ish) Holidays: Practical Wellness Strategies with Tess Cheng
In this episode of The Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin sits down with Certified Health Coach Tess Cheng to explore what sustainable wellness really looks like during the holiday season. Instead of rigid rules or unrealistic expectations, Tess shares practical, compassionate strategies that help you take care of yourself without sacrificing joy, connection, or your favorite foods.
Together, they dive into the emotional ups and downs of the season—why stress eating happens, how travel disrupts routines, and what it actually means to stay “consistent” when life gets busy. Tess breaks down how to stay grounded, nourished, and supported, even when your schedule (or your feelings) are all over the place.
In this episode, we cover:
Staying connected to your health goals without falling into perfectionism
Navigating emotional eating with more awareness and less shame
Healthier fast food + grab-and-go choices during busy travel days
Easy ways to move your body when routines fall apart
Protecting your sleep when the holidays get hectic
Building habits that last long after the season ends

✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Tess at glowithtess.com or on social media @glowithtess.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast
01:49 Meet Certified Health Coach Tess Cheng
03:14 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Eating Habits
04:45 Dealing with Emotional Eating
07:47 Healthy Fast Food Alternatives
10:05 Staying Active While Traveling
12:40 Importance of Sleep During the Holidays
18:44 Conclusion
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
Mentioned in this episode:
Sociology Lab
Give the gift of clarity and confidence for yourself or someone you love.
Learn to navigate relationships, society, and identity with guidance from an Oxford sociologist.
Join the Sociology Lab community and start the new year supported, seen, and empowered.
Visit: https://sociology-lab.com
Sociology Lab
Shop Small This Holiday Season
The Holiday Survival Interactive Gift Guide is packed with makers, creators, artists, and founders who pour their actual heart into what they do.
When you shop small:
✨ A real person does a happy dance
✨ A family feels supported
✨ A dream gets to keep growing
Your dollars matter more here.
Your gifts mean more here.
Your impact is bigger here.
If you want gifts that feel personal, thoughtful, and intentional this guide is for you.
Explore the full interactive guide here.
Gift Guide
...more
22min
November 19, 2025Your Holiday Wellness Survival Guide with Dr. Shikha Jain
In this episode of The Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin sits down with Dr. Shikha Jain — board-certified hematologist, oncologist, and trusted media voice — for a grounded, no-nonsense conversation about staying well during a season that can push our bodies and minds to the limit.
Dr. Jain breaks down what actually supports your immune system (and what’s just internet myth), how stress impacts your overall health, and simple, evidence-based ways to take care of yourself without adding more pressure to your plate. She also shares compassionate guidance on how to show up safely for immunocompromised loved ones, plus why vaccines matter more than ever during busy family gatherings.
If you’ve ever felt confused by conflicting health advice or just want practical steps to protect your energy and well-being, this episode is full of clarity, comfort, and actionable insight.
In this episode, we explore:
What truly boosts your immune system
Stress vs. overwhelm — and how each impacts your health
How to navigate gatherings with immunocompromised friends and family
Holiday travel considerations
Vaccines, myths, and what the science actually says
Small, doable habits that make a real difference

✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.
Connect with Dr. Shikha at shikhajainmd.com or on social media @shikhajainmd. For more information about her organization, Women In Medicine, check out their website.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast
01:50 Meet Dr. Shikha Jain
02:11 Staying Healthy During the Holidays
08:08 Managing Stress and Immunity
13:28 COVID-19 Updates and Safety Tips
18:30 Combating Misinformation
24:33 Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season
28:22 Conclusion and Next Steps
CREDITS
Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings
Post Production by Isaac Moreno
Music by Erin Billings
Artwork by Diana Pietzryk
...more
31min

FAQs about The Holiday Survival Podcast 2025:

How many episodes does The Holiday Survival Podcast 2025 have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.