Psychedelic medicines aren’t "one-dose miracles" —they’re tools that can deepen the therapeutic process when used with skill, intention, and integration. In this episode, Dr. Anne Wagner—clinical psychologist, treatment-development researcher, and founder of Remedy and Remedy Institute— explores how MDMA-assisted therapy is being studied in relational contexts, especially for PTSD and couples work.

We talk about why MDMA is not a curative agent, how non-ordinary states can surface what’s ready to be worked with, and why preparation and integration matter as much as the medicine itself. Dr. Wagner shares insights from her team’s pilot trials (and a randomized study) combining evidence-based therapies with MDMA, plus what clinicians and couples should know before considering this pathway.

Episode Highlights

• Why MDMA is a catalyst—not a cure—and what effective integration looks like
• How non-ordinary states can amplify curiosity, compassion, and emotional tolerance
• The promise of couples-based MDMA protocols for PTSD: communication, safety, and staying with difficult emotions
• Common misconceptions (the “one-dose miracle”) and the importance of context, preparation, and support
• Experiential training for therapists and what it could mean for empathy, burnout, and clinical presence
• Bringing the learnings back home: practicing honest conversations without the medicine

Dr. Anne Wagner is a clinical psychologist and researcher based in Toronto. She is the founder of Remedy, a mental health innovation community, and Remedy Institute, its research and charitable arm. Dr. Wagner has led pilot trials combining cognitive processing therapy and cognitive behavioural conjoint therapy for PTSD with MDMA-assisted therapy, with a new randomized study on the horizon.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Anne Wagner:
 REMEDY - Ph.D., Psychologist & Founder
🌐 Website: https://remedycentre.ca/team/anne-wagner/

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Addiction is often misunderstood as a symptom of trauma, a sign of moral failure, or a secondary issue that will resolve once underlying emotions are treated. But what if addiction is its own disease process, driven by powerful neurobiological loops?

In this episode of Unravel, I’m joined by Dr. Anna Lembke, bestselling author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A renowned psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Lembke brings decades of experience treating addiction to illuminate what’s truly happening in the brain and nervous system when we become addicted—and how to find our way back to balance.

We explore why addiction is not always rooted in trauma, how dopamine shapes compulsive behaviours, and why storytelling alone can keep us stuck. Dr. Lembke shares practical, evidence-based tools for breaking free from addictive cycles and explains her DOPAMINE framework—a step-by-step approach for resetting the reward system and reclaiming pleasure from everyday life.

Episode Highlights:

• Why addiction is a brain-based disease, not just a symptom of trauma
• The myth of self-medication: when anxiety and depression aren’t the cause
• Understanding dopamine’s role in addiction—and how it rewires our reward pathways
• How to recognize the signs of addiction (tolerance, craving, withdrawal, and more)
• Self-binding strategies to reduce access to addictive behaviours
• The power of 30-day dopamine fasts, mindfulness, and somatic practices in recovery
• Why honesty and “radical truth-telling” are essential for healing

🔗 Connect with Dr. Anna Lembke:
📘 Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
🌐 Website: https://www.annalembke.com

💫 Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: [email protected]

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Marriage is more than a partnership—it’s a commitment to transformation. In this episode of Unravel, I’m joined by Veronica Foster, a seasoned marriage and family therapist with over 17 years of experience working with trauma, substance misuse, anxiety, and relational wounds. Together, we explore what it takes to build safe and empowered relationships.

Veronica shares her personal journey into marriage and family therapy, rooted in her own intergenerational experiences, cultural heritage, and lived challenges in long-term partnership. We dive deep into the realities of marriage as both painful and rewarding, discussing rupture and repair, the role of boundaries, and how personal growth is essential for healthy intimacy.

Episode Highlights:

• Why marriage is a catalyst for personal transformation
• The impact of intergenerational and cultural trauma on relationships
• Rupture and repair: navigating conflict as a path to deeper intimacy
• Practical tools for regulation, including mindfulness, nervous system practices, and the “STIC” method
• The role of therapy in rebuilding trust and reshaping relational patterns
• Boundaries as safety and respect—and how to set them consciously
• How attachment styles shape intimacy and conflict dynamics
• Three key lessons for self-discovery in relationships: self-love, growth, and letting go

🔗 Connect with Veronica Foster:
📲 Instagram: @healingmindandheart
🌐 Website: https://theseawithin.me/

💫 Stay Connected:
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📩 Email: [email protected]
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It’s not just the psychedelic that heals—it’s the context, the care, and the meaning we make of it.

In this episode of Unravel, I’m joined by Andrew Penn—psychiatric nurse practitioner, psychedelic researcher, and co-founder of Open Nurses. Together, we explore the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and how substances like MDMA and psilocybin are being studied for their potential to transform treatment for PTSD, depression, and beyond.

We dive into the neuroscience of trauma, the cultural evolution of psychedelics, and the essential role of integration. Andrew offers grounded insight into what these medicines can—and can’t—do, cutting through the hype to highlight why safety, preparation, and skilled support are non-negotiable in this work.

Episode Highlights:

• The promise and limitations of MDMA and psilocybin in trauma healing
• How PTSD impacts the nervous system and window of tolerance
• Why integration is the heart of psychedelic therapy—not an afterthought
• The cultural history and ethical complexity of Western psychedelic use
• The neuroscience of rumination, depression, and neural “resets”
• What professionals and seekers alike need to know before engaging

🔗 Connect with Andrew Penn:
🌐 Website: openurses.org
📄 Article: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies – American Journal of Nursing

💫 Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: [email protected]
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Feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode? In this episode, we explore how to support your nervous system through small, science-backed practices I call “micro-doses of safety.”

You’ll learn:
• What stress really is—and how it impacts your hormones, brain, and body
• Why your nervous system operates like a bank account (and what happens when it’s overdrawn)
• 5 simple practices you can use today to regulate and replenish
• The role of cortisol, vagal tone, and sensory pathways in healing
• Why stepping away from the grind is essential for nervous system health 

I also share about Somatic Waves, my upcoming training retreat in Costa Rica where we explore the art and science of embodied healing. Whether you're a therapist, teacher, coach, or simply on your own healing journey—you can apply now at elaineclark.ca.

Let this episode be your reminder: regulation doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Small steps can shift your state—and your life.

Stay Connected:
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📩 Email: [email protected]
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
💫 Learn more or apply for the Somatic Waves retreat: www.elaineclark.ca

Show Notes

Harvard Study: https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/29407593/5022094.pdf?sequence=1
PubMed Central: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5022094 

What if the emotions we carry—and the beliefs that shape our lives—aren’t entirely our own?

In this episode, I’m joined by Judy Wilkins-Smith: author, motivational speaker, and expert in decoding multigenerational patterns. Judy’s groundbreaking book, Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint, explores how inherited emotional DNA silently shapes our behaviours, beliefs, and limitations—and how we can transform those patterns into possibility.

Together, we explore epigenetics and systemic constellations, how family systems subtly influence our choices, and why our most significant breakthroughs often emerge from emotional storms. Judy shares her powerful insights on breaking unconscious loyalties, rewriting internal narratives, and claiming the life we’re truly meant to live.

Episode Highlights:

• What emotional DNA is—and why it matters more than we think
• How inherited trauma and unconscious family patterns impact mental health
• The science of epigenetics, neuroplasticity, and transformation
• How to begin mapping your own emotional blueprint
• A breakdown of systemic constellations and their therapeutic power
• The difference between your truth and the truth—and how to shift it
• Why we’re not “train wrecks,” just waiting for the right question

🔗 Connect with Judy Wilkins-Smith:
🌐 Website: www.judywilkins-smith.com
📘 Book: Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint

💫 Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: [email protected]
🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
🌐 Explore more: www.elaineclark.ca

What if conflict wasn’t something to fear—but something to work with? In this episode, I’m joined by David Cooley, conflict resolution specialist and creator of the Restorative Relationship Conversation (RRC) model. Together, we explore how attachment styles, nervous system responses, and relational patterns shape the way we move through rupture and repair.

David shares his personal journey from working in restorative justice to developing a powerful framework for couples navigating relational pain. We unpack why conflict often feels life-threatening, how childhood wounds resurface in adult intimacy, and what it takes to transform those moments into meaningful growth.

Episode Highlights:

• Why conflict triggers a fight-or-flight response in close relationships
• How attachment styles replay childhood patterns in adult intimacy
• The link between nervous system dysregulation and emotional shutdown
• How consent and structure create safety during hard conversations
• A step-by-step overview of the RRC model
• The role of mindfulness and somatic awareness in repairing connection
• Why conflict is a profound opportunity for intimacy and growth

🔗 Connect with David Cooley:
🌐 Website: www.restorativerelationship.com
📩 Email: [email protected]

💫 Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: [email protected]
🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
🌐 Explore more at www.elaineclark.ca

Dr. Christopher Willard is a clinical psychologist, Harvard Medical School faculty member, and internationally renowned mindfulness educator. In this episode, we explore how we can transform pain into resilience, drawing from his latest book, How We Grow Through What We Go Through.

Blending neuroscience, lived experience, and compassion-based practices, Chris shares how post-traumatic growth is not only possible but deeply human. He speaks candidly about addiction, grief, and the healing journey, while offering tangible tools to tend and befriend our inner worlds.

Episode Highlights:

• What post-traumatic growth is—and how it differs from post-traumatic stress
• The story behind writing his book during his mother’s final days
• Why self-compassion accelerates healing and recovery
• The “language of addiction” and how it hijacks our nervous system
• How to regulate emotions through posture, breath, and embodiment
• The neurobiology of physical touch and self-soothing practices
• Why community, humility, and hope are essential for long-term change
• The role of mindfulness in healing trauma and transforming relationships
• Practical tools for moving through crisis with courage and care

Connect with Dr. Christopher Willard:
📖 Book: How We Grow Through What We Go Through
📲 Instagram: @drchriswillard
🌐 Website: www.drchristopherwillard.com

Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: [email protected]
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings

Liana Werner-Gray is a best-selling author, certified nutritionist, and cancer survivor who is passionate about the healing power of food. In this episode, she joins Elaine to explore the direct relationship between what we eat and how we feel, drawing from her book, Anxiety Free with Food.

Blending personal experience, Indigenous wisdom, and functional nutrition, Liana dives into the science behind anxiogenic (anxiety-producing) and anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) foods. She shares how neurotoxic ingredients can disrupt the gut, brain, and nervous system, while offering hopeful, practical tools to reclaim emotional and mental well-being through nutrition.

Episode Highlights:

• Liana’s personal healing journey—from tumour and chronic fatigue to vibrant health
• What inspired Anxiety Free with Food, and how omega-3s changed everything
• Why food is more than calories—it’s biological information that shapes mood, genes, and hormones
• The top anxiety-inducing foods (and why they’re called “neurotoxic”)
• What neurotoxic actually means and how it impacts your endocrine and nervous systems
• 10 proven anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) foods that support the brain and gut
• The emotional and financial myths about healthy eating
• A sneak peek at Liana’s 7-Day Anxiety-Free Plan
• The creation of Liana’s “Anxiety Free” supplement—and how it supports focus and calm

Connect with Liana Werner-Gray:
📖 Book: Anxiety Free with Food
📲 Instagram: @lianawernergray
🌐 Website: www.lianas.us

Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: [email protected]
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings

Dr. Christiane Wolf is a physician-turned-mindfulness teacher, authorized Buddhist instructor in the Insight (Vipassana) tradition, and a global retreat leader. In this episode, she joins Elaine to explore how mindfulness and self-compassion can help transform our relationship with chronic pain.

Drawing from her powerful book Outsmart Your Pain, Dr. Wolf unpacks the neuroscience of suffering, the role of early life experiences, and why all pain—physical or emotional—is valid and real. With both scientific depth and compassionate presence, she guides listeners toward embodied strategies for healing and relief.

Episode Highlights:

• Dr. Wolf’s journey from medicine to mindfulness
• Core teachings from Outsmart Your Pain: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion to Help You Leave Chronic Pain Behind
• Why “all pain is real pain”
• Understanding the 3 components of pain
• Acute vs. chronic pain: what’s the difference?
• How we can “outsmart” pain through awareness and compassion
• The role of somatic practices in pain reduction
• The healing power of physical touch
• How Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shape chronic pain patterns 

Connect with Dr. Christiane Wolf:
📖 Book: Outsmart Your Pain
📲 Instagram: @christianewolfmindfulness

Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: [email protected]
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings