Thrive the Podcast

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• Introduction of Kristen Gmerek, who worked with my company before starting a new path in social work. We discussed how our connection evolved and how I encouraged Kristen’s career shift.
• Kristen (they/them) shared their journey of identity discovery, starting with a sense of confusion about gender roles as a child and how this led to embracing a non-binary identity.
• We explored the concept of identity crises and how societal constructs, like gender norms, can limit personal growth and self-expression.
• Kristen discussed their experiences with gender expression, the fluidity of pronouns, and how embracing their identity helped them thrive.
• We reflected on how questioning norms, gender-affirming care, and self-acceptance can be empowering, while acknowledging societal pressures.
• I shared my personal experience of coming out as bisexual later in life and how I navigated the internal and external aspects of this realization.
• We discussed the complexities of coming out, societal expectations, and how these constructs can make identity journeys more difficult.
• Kristen encouraged listeners to find safe spaces for self-reflection and questioning, emphasizing the importance of supportive environments in thriving.

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• My top five lessons learned from my 20 years as a trauma therapist.
• I share my background, including my education and experiences in trauma therapy, starting from grad school.
• Hear how I became interested in trauma work, initially sparked by my own experiences and further deepened by reading “Trauma and Recovery” by Judith Herman.
• Neuroplasticity and how our brains can change and heal through new experiences and coping strategies is an incredible human asset to have!
• The power of human resilience and how people are often much stronger than we assume, even after experiencing severe trauma, is humbling.
• Don’t make meaning of someone else’s story or path! Let people find their own way, for it is only through the process of healing that we can discover some of the most valuable lessons.
• Find balance in helping others, ensuring not to walk someone else’s path for them, but to support and empower them.
• I stress the significance of relationships in therapy, especially the unique, safe, and supportive relationship between a therapist and a client.

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• I share personal and professional experiences with overcoming survival mode
• Learn why growth and comfort cannot coexist
• Learn the concept “window Of tolerance” from psychotherapy and how to use it to fund your growth edge
• Explore the research on trigger warnings and their potential to contribute to avoidance behaviors
• Research indicates trigger warnings may increase anxiety rather than reduce it
• Why healing from trauma requires facing discomfort and that therapy is inherently triggering but necessary for growth
• Learn why avoiding discomfort can prevent personal growth and create more suffering
• How to challenge yourself in the right way so you can transform and live a kick-ass life

Helpful Links: 

• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21677026231186625
• https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-10-17/are-trigger-warnings-useless-new-study-says-yes
• https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/what-if-trigger-warnings-dont-work

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• I discuss betrayal trauma, emphasizing that it can occur in various forms beyond infidelity, such as in friendships, relationships, and family dynamics.
• I share some of my personal experiences with betrayal trauma.
• We talk about how betrayal trauma is essentially trust trauma, caused by someone close violating that trust.
• Emphasizes that betrayal trauma is not about the victim but rather the betrayer’s ego and selfish needs.
• Betrayal trauma can manifest in physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, manipulation, dishonesty, and stealing.
• Discuss the symptoms of betrayal trauma, including depression, shame, guilt, self-blame, difficulty trusting others, hypervigilance, and emotional dysregulation.
• I introduce the concept of “betrayal blindness,” where individuals avoid acknowledging betrayal to protect themselves from the pain.
• Healing from betrayal trauma requires time and space, allowing the nervous system to heal and process the grief.
• Stresses the importance of feeling and processing emotions through activities like journaling, therapy, and physical exercise.
• I highlight the duality of people and experiences, acknowledging both the good and bad in relationships to maintain a balanced perspective.
• I encourage listeners to keep moving forward and remind them that betrayal trauma is not about them but about the betrayer’s issues.

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• Important concepts from yoga philosophy and Buddhist studies.
• The Thrive Five framework includes spiritual practices.
• Spiritual belief systems help make sense of suffering in life.
• Suffering is an inevitable part of life.
• Acceptance of suffering helps in dealing with it effectively.
• Attachment can increase suffering.
• Everything in life is impermanent. This can be really scary but also really freeing, depending on how you look at this perspective.
• The story of “maybe” illustrates that events cannot be immediately classified as good or bad.
• Life is happening for you, not to you.

Helpful Links: 

• Insight meditation community: https://imcw.org/

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• I share 3 valuable lessons from my personal and professional journey.
• Lesson 1: Take responsibility for your own happiness; no one else can save you.
  • Relying on external validation and regulation is ineffective.
  • Self-reliance and personal accountability are key.
• Lesson 2: Sustainable change comes from small, consistent habits over time.
  • Neuroplasticity allows for the creation of new neural pathways through repetition.
  • Set realistic, attainable goals to build successful habits.
• Lesson 3: Believe in yourself, even if just a little.
  • Small shifts in self-belief can significantly impact outcomes.
  • Failure is a learning opportunity; maintain a positive mindset to keep trying.

Links to free resources: 

Understanding the Nervous System free download: 

https://kaseandco.com/resources-and-downloads/

Here is what was covered in this week’s episode: 

• Polyvagal theory and it’s relationship with wellness and therapy.
• An introduction to Steven Porges, the developer of polyvagal theory, and his research on the vagus nerve and heart rate variability.
• Explanation of the vagus nerve, its functions, and how it affects physical and emotional health.
• The concept of the vagal paradox: the vagus nerve’s role in both health and potential danger (bradycardia).
• Polyvagal theory as a framework to understand the nervous system and its responses to safety and danger.
• Overview of the autonomic nervous system and its branches: sympathetic (mobilization) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) systems.
• Detailed explanation of the vagus nerve pathways: ventral vagal (safety and social engagement) and dorsal vagal (shutdown and immobilization).
• The fight, flight, freeze, and faint responses mediated by the vagus nerve.
• Importance of vagal tone and how it influences the body’s response to stress and relaxation.
• Techniques and activities to improve vagal tone: yoga, meditation, exercise, breath work, mindfulness, and maintaining healthy relationships.

Helpful Links: 

Polyvagal-Informed EMDR: A Neuro-Informed Approach to Healing Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Polyvagal-Informed-EMDR-Neuro-Informed-Approach-Healing/dp/1324030313

The Applied Polyvagal Theory Flip Chart: A Psychoeducational Tool to Harness the Power of the Vagus Nerve for Emotional Balance, Self-Regulation, and Resilience: 

https://www.amazon.com/Applied-Polyvagal-Theory-Chart-Psychoeducational/dp/1683737547

Webinar with Stephen Porges and Unyte: 

https://kaseandco.com/unyte/

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• Meet my friend Taz Vazquez: an EMDR therapist, retired airforce veteran, and emotional freedom technique practitioner. She teahes us all about EFT and takes us through a self-help technique to use at home. 
• Explanation of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping, is a technique that involves tapping on acupuncture points to calm the nervous system.
• We chat about how EFT helps reprocess and integrate emotions, traumas, and other psychological issues.
• EFT is supported by research and evidence!
• EFT is a useful technique for trauma, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, phobias, postpartum depression, addictions, pain, and performance enhancement.
• Importance of consistent practice to maintain benefits and create new neural pathways.

Helpful Links: 

Taz’s website:

https://tazvazquez.com/

Article

https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/eft-tapping/

Resource

https://eftinternational.org/

Links to free resources: 

• Thriveology Quiz
  • https://tr2vhgt9f7y.typeform.com/to/QLSljJaV
• Why Mindset Matters: 
  • https://rebecca-kase-3d4c.mykajabi.com/mindset-free-resource-3ae938dd-25cb-4b28-b1ed-6ec489ad5fd6

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• Rebecca shares her first experience with yoga at 15 and how it became a significant part of her life.
• Describes how yoga has been a constant source of emotional and physical support, especially during times of trauma.
• Recounts a personal story where a yoga mat provided physical protection during a storm.
• Highlights how yoga taught her interoception, the awareness of inner body sensations.
• Discusses the importance of finding safety and comfort through breathwork.
• Explains the concept of non-attachment and its significance in dealing with life's impermanence.
• Shares her struggle with arthritis in her feet, which led to a change in her yoga practice and identity.
• Mentions how this challenge opened the door to new forms of self-care, like weightlifting.
• Clarifies that yoga is not just about physical poses but includes practices like philosophy, breathwork, and meditation.
• Outlines various forms of yoga classes, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Yin, and Kundalini.
• Offers advice for those interested in starting yoga, suggesting local studios, online resources, and exploring yoga's history.
• Concludes by emphasizing the comprehensive benefits of yoga for mental, physical, and emotional health and the potential to find community through practice.
• Encourages listeners to explore yoga in their own way and integrate its principles into their lives.

Links to free resources: 

• Thriveology Quiz
  • https://tr2vhgt9f7y.typeform.com/to/QLSljJaV
• Why Mindset Matters: 
  • https://rebecca-kase-3d4c.mykajabi.com/mindset-free-resource-3ae938dd-25cb-4b28-b1ed-6ec489ad5fd6

Here is what was covered in this episode: 

• Podcast intro: focusing on combining neuroscience, psychology, spirituality, and personal experience to help listeners thrive.
• Special guest Leah Dawang discusses the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) from Unite, explaining its benefits for the nervous system.
• Leah explains the SSP, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, which uses specially filtered music to aid in nervous system regulation.
• Both Rebecca and Leah share personal experiences with SSP, noting improvements in eye contact and emotional regulation.
• The discussion covers how SSP can be integrated with various therapeutic practices like EMDR, CBT, and more.
• Leah highlights research backing SSP, initially focused on autism spectrum disorders, with broad applications for various conditions.
• Information on SSP training for mental health professionals, featuring an 8-hour online course that includes theoretical and practical aspects.
• Guidance on finding qualified SSP practitioners through Unite's website for those interested in experiencing SSP.
• The episode concludes with a discussion on the human need for connection and how SSP facilitates this, encouraging listeners to consider both experiencing and training in SSP.