In this episode, our conversation centers on redefining midlife and menopause not as a period of decline but as a transformative threshold. The conversation challenges long-standing cultural narratives that tie women's value to youth and productivity. Guest Julie Cardoza, a licensed marriage and family therapist, shares her insights and experiences on navigating midlife. Julie provides midlife-informed programs, somatic tools, and nature-based healing practices to support women's personal transformation. She highlights the profound opportunities present during this stage and underscores the importance of embracing these changes with curiosity. The episode also delves into the nervous system's role and how hormonal shifts affect mental and physical health. Julie emphasizes the need for rituals and community support to navigate this transition, fostering a sense of empowerment and sovereignty.00:00 Introduction to Midlife and Menopause00:59 Challenging the Decline Narrative02:31 Embracing the Midlife Journey with Julie Cardoza05:38 Julie's Personal and Professional Journey10:48 Defining Midlife and Menopause18:20 The Importance of Rituals and Thresholds26:05 The Nervous System and Midlife26:53 Understanding the Role of Estrogen and Progesterone27:46 The Impact of Hormonal Changes on Stress and Resilience30:07 Unmasking in Midlife: Hormonal Shifts and Neurodiversity31:45 Embracing the Crone Archetype and Midlife Transformation35:18 Creating Rituals and Embracing Impermanence41:49 The Importance of Quality of Life and Presence43:29 Taking Up Space and Sharing Wisdom45:14 Connecting and Supporting Midlife Women
Guest Bio:
ulie Cardoza is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant with over two decades of experience in behavioral health care. She is also the founder of Heartscapes, LLC—an integrative holistic coaching and wellness company supporting women in midlife through menopause-informed programs, somatic tools, and nature-based healing practices.
In both her therapy and coaching work, Julie helps clients move through thresholds of burnout and disconnection into deeper embodiment, nervous system regulation, and personal transformation. Her approach blends EMDR, polyvagal theory, expressive arts, and ritual to support healing at the intersections of trauma, identity, midlife, and hormonal change.
She believes midlife isn’t the end of something—it’s the threshold of becoming. And she’s passionate about helping women reclaim their voice, power, and well-being in this transformative season of life.
Connect with Julie Cardoza LMFT:
Connect with Cassie Krajewski LCSW:
In this episode of Taking Up Space, host Cassie Krajewski is joined by Erika Yourdan, trauma therapist and EMDR specialist, for a powerful and illuminating conversation on generational trauma.
Together, they explore what generational trauma is, how it shows up in our lives, and the ways it’s passed down through both family dynamics and epigenetics. But this conversation doesn’t just focus on what’s heavy — it also highlights the strengths, adaptations, and resilience that are part of our inheritance.
Erika introduces the concept of "warrior genetics" — the idea that alongside trauma, we also carry ancestral strengths that can be accessed and mobilized for healing. They dive into how therapists can identify these strengths, as well as the importance of looking for "glimmers" — those micro-moments of hope, safety, and connection.
For clinicians, this episode offers grounded, practical strategies for assessing and treating generational trauma, including how to adapt EMDR to work with complex family legacies. Erika also shares a free downloadable guidefeaturing 10 powerful history-taking questions to deepen trauma assessment through a generational lens.
Whether you're a therapist or someone curious about your own healing, this episode offers a compassionate, hopeful, and deeply insightful approach to understanding and transforming what we carry — and what we can choose to let go of.
Resources Mentioned:
Free Download: History Taking with Generational Trauma
Deb Dana’s Polyvagal Card Deck
Erika Yourdan’s upcoming training on EMDR & Generational Trauma LIVE: August 21-22, 2025 | 8AM - 11:30AM MTN. Offered on demand after
Connect with Cassie Krajewski:
@inneratlastherapy | inneratlastherapy.com
@iristrainingcollective | iristrainingcollective.com
Guest Bio:
Erika is an LMFT-Supervisor, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Clinical Fellow, EMDRIA approved consultant, and an EMDRIA approved CE provider. She is a licensed addiction counselor and a licensed chemical dependency counselor practicing in both Texas and Colorado. Erika is the practice founder for The Sum of You Counseling, PLLC, in Abilene, Texas where she regularly offers EMDR intensives and specializes in complex and generational trauma, substance use, and EMDR with couples and families. Erika is an assistant professor at National University where she provides a 1:1 teaching model to students pursuing their Master’s in Marriage in Marriage and Family Therapy. Both in therapy and in teaching roles, Erika approaches with curiosity, compassion, and an invitation to gently lean into the unknown. Outside of work, Erika enjoys connecting with nature, game nights, and watching movies with her family.
Connect with Erika:
In this expansive and heartfelt conversation, Cassie sits down with therapist, healer, and joy-seeker Amy Rose Lynch, LCSW (she/they), whose approach to therapy and life is anything but traditional — and deeply, refreshingly human. This conversation discusses therapy, identity, embodiment, and the liberating practice of choosing joy.
Amy brings a radically honest and intuitive approach to therapy, shaped by her lived experiences as a biracial (Mexican and Irish), queer, neurodivergent, ethically non-monogamous, and highly sensitive person. Together, Cassie and Amy explore how healing happens not in spite of complexity, but through it.
Together, they explore:
Why embracing joy (especially in small, "unproductive" moments) is both revolutionary and necessary
How Amy integrates non-traditional practices like tarot, ancestral work, and humor into therapy
What it means to practice therapy through a decolonized, embodied, intuitive lens
The impact of embracing neurodivergence, spiritual connection, and ethical non-monogamy in both life and practice
The beauty of relationships that don’t fit the mold — and how therapy can honor our complexity
How Amy is redefining success, rest, and meaning as she enters her 40s
Whether you're a therapist, a curious human, or someone craving permission to live more fully in your truth, this episode is a deep exhale — a reminder that healing can be joyful, sacred, and unapologetically real.
Guest Bio:
Amy Rose Lynch (she/they) is an LCSW in private practice and is continually curious about all things decolonizing therapy (shoutout Dr. Jennifer Mullan), trauma healing and metabolization, somatics, polyvagal theory (she loves a flexible nervous system) and learning and growing with the Tarot as well as keeping it as real as she can. Person to person and nervous system to nervous system.
Amy is a mother, a partner, queer, neurodivergent, ethically nonmonogamous, highly sensitive, deliberate about regulating her dopamine levels, biracial (of Mexican and Irish descent) and funny to boot. Amy is a joyful survivor of childhood trauma and finds it a sacred calling to use her training and life to walk alongside others in this wide, wild world.
More from Amy Lynch:
🌐 Website: Wild Open Joy
📝 Sign up for her newsletter, book a session, or read her reflections
📱Follow Amy on Instagram: @wildopenjoy
Let’s Connect:
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💬 Leave a review & share the episode with someone who needs a little joy and realness today
In this episode, we welcome Nisha Patel, a therapist, sobriety coach, and speaker, who shares her personal journey of achieving sobriety and transitioning into helping others through their own recovery processes. Nisha discusses her decision to pursue a career in therapy following her own sobriety, which has now spanned over 16 years. She opens up about the challenges of staying sober, the importance of aligning personal and professional life, and how she helps others navigating similar paths. From practical tips to deeper reflections, this conversation is a treasure trove for anyone interested in mental health, holistic wellness, and finding purpose beyond addiction. She offers insights into her holistic approach to wellness that integrates mental, spiritual, and emotional health. Nisha emphasizes the importance of personal alignment and shares practical strategies for navigating sobriety, maintaining healthy relationships, and creating a fulfilling life post-sobriety. The conversation also touches on the growing sober curious movement, societal perceptions of sobriety, and how Nisha helps individuals connect with their true selves to lead purpose-driven lives.
In this Episode, We Talk About:
Nisha's Journey to Sobriety
Navigating Sobriety and Personal Growth
Challenges and Strategies in Maintaining Sobriety
Building Trust and Inner Connection
Redefining Relationships and Social Interactions
Owning Your Sobriety Narrative
Thriving Beyond Sobriety
Embracing Sobriety and Taking Up Space
Starting the Journey of Curiosity
The Sober Curious Movement
Holistic Health and Wellness
The Role of Caretakers in Personal Change
Creating a Life of Freedom
Guest Bio:
Nisha Patel is a dedicated professional committed to guiding individuals toward healing and leading a fulfilling life. As the owner of TheNishe, Nisha’s work is rooted in her deep commitment to empowering others to find healing and purpose. Whether working one-on-one, in group settings, or speaking to large audiences, Nisha brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and expertise to her practice.
Nisha’s holistic approach is tailored to meet each person, offering not just emotional support but also practical tools to create lasting change. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practices, Nisha is a licensed professional counselor and sobriety coach. She is skilled in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), hypnotherapy, and brainspotting, using these techniques to help individuals navigate challenges and reach their full potential.
Connect with Nisha:
https://thenishe.com
IG: nishapatelcoaching
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In this episode of Taking Up Space, Cassie sits down with Dr. Michelle, a Denver-based physical therapist who’s redefining what healing can look like—especially when it comes to movement and eating disorder recovery.
Together, they explore what it means to return to your body through safe, supported, and attuned movement. Dr. Michelle shares how she helps clients rebuild trust with their bodies, drawing from her expertise in pelvic health and functional movement, while always centering consent, nervous system safety, and body autonomy.
We talk about why traditional approaches to exercise often fall short in recovery—and how mindful, intentional movement can become a source of empowerment rather than punishment. Dr. Michelle also shares her vision for expanding this work through continuing education, advocating for more physical therapists to be trained in eating disorder-informed care.
Whether you're in recovery, support someone who is, or work in a healing profession, this conversation offers a grounded, compassionate look at why movement belongs in the room—and how we can reclaim it on our own terms.
As a weight-inclusive and HAES® informed practitioner, Dr. Michelle recognized the need for greater pelvic floor literacy within the world of eating disorder recovery and completed training as a pelvic floor physical therapist. She has worked with individuals in eating disorder recovery that have experienced gastrointestinal distress, constipation, bloat, distension, pelvic pain, along with abdominal wall muscle dysfunction – all of which make it hard to participate in progress toward recovery. Likewise, she has noted a parallel between individuals with eating disorders and women pre/postpartum regarding decreased body awareness and body dysmorphia, coordination, and drive to return to exercise. Dr. Michelle offers creative solutions to individuals experiencing these issues AND actively invites her clients to reclaim and live in their bodies.
Guest Bio: Dr. Michelle is one of the few eating disorder sensitive and informed physical therapists. She has been providing physical therapy care to individuals with eating disorders for the last 16 years and has woven pelvic health intervention into her practice for the last 6 years. Strength Within Physical Therapy & Wellness, Dr. Michelle’s private practice located in Denver, Colorado, is where she blends her background as a yoga/fitness instructor with her physical therapy skills for rehabilitation, injury prevention, and education to encourage clients to participate in movement and “healthy” reconnection with the body. Throughout her career, Dr. Michelle has advocated for physical therapy to be a recognized profession in the field of eating disorders and, in February 2020, became the first physical therapist to become a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) through iaedp™. Several months later she obtained the Certified Eating Disorders Specialist Approved Supervisor (CEDS-S) designation. In her free time, she enjoys reading and learning ALL the things, dancing and listening to great music, exploring the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and chasing after her 2 kiddos who are just growing up way too fast!
Connect with Dr. Michelle:
https://strengthwithinpt.com/
IG @strengthwithinpt
Connect with Cassie:
https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/
https://www.iristrainingcollective.com/
In this powerful convo with Eli Harwood (@attachmentnerd), we explore how attachment shapes not just our connections with others, but also how we trust, care for, and take up space in our own bodies.
Eli, an author of two books focusing on securely attached relationships, shares her journey influenced by her own experiences of childhood trauma and therapy. She delves into the importance of understanding attachment patterns and fostering secure attachments with both ourselves and our children. Throughout the conversation, Eli emphasizes the necessity of shifting from a control-focused to a connection-focused parenting approach, highlighting the significance of trust and mutual support in forming healthy relationships. Additionally, the discussion touches on how recognizing and healing our own relationship with our bodies and emotions can positively influence our children, creating a legacy of resilience and self-awareness.
She reminds us: Kids can feel what we don’t heal. And that includes how we talk about food, bodies, and emotions. By shifting from control to trust, connection, and self-compassion, we can rewrite the narrative—not just for our relationships, but for our own embodied experience. Hit play & let’s redefine what it means to take up space—in our bodies and in the world.
Guest Bio: Eli Harwood is a licensed therapist, author, and educator who has more than 17 years of experience helping people process relational traumas and develop secure attachment relationships with their children and partners. Eli has three children, one husband, two cats, and an extraordinary number of plants.
Connect with Eli:
https://attachmentnerd.com/
IG @ attachmentnerd/
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In this episode of Taking Up Space, we sit down with Alison Leslie, a Bloomington-based therapist, EMDR trainer and consultant, and somatic experiencing practitioner, to explore the transformative power of embodiment in healing. Alison shares her personal and professional journey—how she moved from being a recreational enthusiast to a dedicated therapeutic practitioner—and the ways in which embodiment serves as a bridge between our internal and external worlds.
While embodiment is often a buzzword in wellness circles, Alison sees it as a dynamic and evolving practice of attuning to thoughts and bodily sensations without judgment. She discusses how her training in somatic experiencing deepened her understanding of self-awareness, both in her personal life and clinical work.
Many of us live in our heads, disconnected from our bodies—sometimes without even realizing it. Alison explains how disembodiment can show up in everyday life, from frequent clumsiness to a lack of awareness of personal space. She encourages listeners to approach their own embodiment with gentle curiosity, making small shifts to notice how their bodies interact with the world.
Embodiment is more than a personal practice—it’s also a tool for social justice. Alison discusses how being present in one’s body enhances co-regulation, resilience, and collective organizing. This attunement allows individuals to show up fully in activism and community work.
Guest Bio:
Alison is a licensed clinical social worker who lives in Bloomington, IN and owns her own private practice, Empower Healing.Alison approaches therapy through the lens of presence and attunement and believes in being a guide to help clients find their own internal healing powers. She has a background in animal-assisted services and includes the human-animal bond and nature in the therapeutic experience. Alison Leslie is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Transforming Touch Therapist as well as an EMDRIA-approved therapist, consultant, and trainer.
www.empower-healing.com
IG: @empowerhealingcc
In this enlightening episode of 'Taking Up Space,' we welcome Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, a renowned internal medicine physician specializing in eating disorders. Dr. Gaudiani discusses her extensive experience and innovative approach to treating eating disorders through her outpatient clinic in Denver. Highlighting the importance of feminist, autonomy-forward, and relationship-focused care, Dr. Gaudiani emphasizes the need for medical interactions that respect and understand the patient's personal journey. The episode also delves into the biological and personal motivations behind Dr. Gaudiani's dedication to this specialized field, her advocacy for inclusivity, and the integration of social justice into medical practice. Additionally, the conversation touches on complex syndromes like POTS and MCAS that often accompany eating disorders, emphasizing the importance of holistic and informed care. Dr. Gaudiani shares valuable insights into how she helps patients connect with and understand their bodies better, fostering a path to recovery that honors their whole selves.Guest Bio:
Jennifer L. Gaudiani, MD, CEDS-C, FAED, is the Founder and Medical Director of the Gaudiani Clinic. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, she completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard, medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, and her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Yale. Dr. Gaudiani served as the Medical Director at the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders prior to founding the Gaudiani Clinic, which is a Denver-based outpatient medical clinic dedicated to people with eating disorders and disordered eating. The Gaudiani Clinic provides weight inclusive medical care and embraces treating people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and genders. The Gaudiani Clinic is licensed to practice in 48 US states via telemedicine and offers international professional consultation and education.
Dr. Gaudiani has lectured nationally and internationally, is widely published in the scientific literature as well as on blogs, is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders, and is a former member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders Medical Care Standards Committee. Dr. Gaudiani’s first book, Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders (Routledge, 2018) is available on Amazon.Connect with Dr. G and her Team:
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Have you ever noticed the parallels between your relationship with food and body and your relationship with money? In this enlightening episode of Taking Up Space, we sit down with financial therapist and intuitive eating counselor Wendy Wright LMFT to explore the complex and often overlooked intersection of money, food, and mental wellness. Wendy shares her unique approach to financial therapy, a field that merges financial coaching with emotional support, helping clients build healthier relationships with money.
Drawing parallels between our relationships with money and food, Wendy introduces her metaphor of "money and milkshakes" to illustrate the shared anxieties and societal pressures surrounding these essentials. Through personal stories and real-world examples, Wendy breaks down how financial therapy invites curiosity and compassion, moving away from rigid, shame-based approaches to finances and instead fostering flexibility and self-acceptance.
Whether you experience anxiety, avoidance, or dissatisfaction with your financial situation, Wendy’s insights reveal the deep emotional layers beneath our money habits. Join us as we dive into a conversation about self-worth, control, and how financial therapy can be a pathway to healing. This episode offers a gentle invitation to rethink your relationship with money, empowering you to step into a more compassionate and fulfilling financial journey.
Guest Bio:
Wendy Wright is a Financial Therapist known for her expertise in merging psychology and finance. With credentials as a licensed therapist, money coach, author, and business owner, Wendy is a trailblazer in her field.
Wendy offers a therapeutic approach to money that helps you name the blocks that get in the way of your best financial life. Her career path includes time in mortgage banking, real estate, house flipper, and business owner! She blends these varied experiences and credentials to create a unique financial therapy approach. Based in Denver, CO, she offers virtual services worldwide.
It is the blend of the therapeutic and the financial that can help you find more clarity and freedom in your relationship with money, spending, saving, and debting.
Wendy offers specialized support for all aspects of financial therapy, giving a safe, non-judging place to work through issues. Her work spans areas such as Wealth Transfer Dynamics, Entrepreneurs, C Suite professionals, Individuals, Couples, Mentoring new financial therapists.
Wendy has been featured recently in Quickbooks blog and the podcast This is Uncomfortable. Other media mentions include : The Financial Diet, We Gotta Talk with Sonni, CNBC Personal Finance, It's Not a Crisis podcast, nav.it podcast, and The Mental Health and Wealth Podcast. You can find her at financialtherapysolutions.com for virtual appointments and online offerings.
When she is not helping others find freedom in their relationships with finances, she is likely on her yoga mat, the ski slope, or a hiking trail!
Get 50% off Wendy's online course The Intersection of Money and Milkshakes!
Wendy's Website: financialtherapysolutions.com
Wendy's Instagram: @financialtherapysolutions
At some point in our lives, all of us will have experiences of crashing into our bodies in ways that we couldn't have anticipated. In this episode, we host Monica Pearson, a therapist specializing in perinatal health based in Vancouver, British Columbia. We delve into Monica's unique background, including her transition from a genetic counselor to a therapist focusing on fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum challenges. Monica shares her personal journey, including her struggles with body shame and premature ovarian insufficiency, and how these experiences shaped her understanding and approach to helping others. The conversation also touches on the impacts of patriarchy, the importance of body attunement, and how ancestral and family stories shape individual experiences. We explore themes of embodiment, the mind-body connection, and the emotional and psychological aspects of fertility and parenthood. Monica emphasizes the importance of compassionate inquiry and self-attunement, offering deep insights into the transformative experiences of becoming a parent. Monica discusses her roles as a doula and lactation consultant and provides insights on navigating postpartum transitions, including the often-overlooked emotional struggles of non-birthing partners. The discussion is framed within a broader spiritual context, considering the interconnectedness of our physical and emotional selves as part of the earth.
Monica's Background and Work in Perinatal Health
Personal Journey and Struggles with Body Image
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Its Impact
Mind-Body Connection and Genetic Counseling
Therapeutic Approaches and Family Stories
Embodiment and the Transition to Parenthood
Challenges and Realities of Pregnancy
Struggles with Infertility
Listening to Our Bodies
The Role of Safety in Pregnancy
A Client's Journey to Pregnancy
Unexplained Infertility as a Defense
Embracing Our Animal Nature
Challenges of Sexual Dysfunction
The Profound Experience of Birth
Impact of Birth Environment
Breastfeeding and Body Image
Postpartum Transitions
Supporting Partners in Parenthood
Spiritual Reflections on Life
Taking Up Space in Life
Connecting with Monica
Guest Bio:
Monica Pearson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Vancouver, BC. Her practice is dedicated to those people moving through the profound transitions inevitable when attempting to become a parent. Her career began in medical genetics as a genetic counsellor, but was disrupted by her own journey to parenthood which inspired her fascination and respect for this life transition. After training as a birth doula and a lactation consultant, it was finally the conversations she was having with individuals and families that held the greatest curiosity and significance to her. A final leap into therapy has led to a private practice in perinatal mental health where she and her clients explore parts work and EMDR to foster a greater compassion and understanding for themselves and their lives.
Connect with Monica at her practice website: https://www.theintentionalpath.ca/
Today we’re exploring the 'witch wound'—an intergenerational and collective trauma affecting women's voices and empowerment. Jacqueline explains how the historical persecution of women labeled as 'witches' continues to manifest today through behaviors like people-pleasing and perfectionism. The discussion also touches on the role of psychedelics in accessing subconscious healing and the importance of embodying one's true self for breaking cycles of trauma.
Jacqueline shares her journey from growing up in Minnesota to becoming a therapist, coach, and herbalist in Boulder, Colorado. She discusses how her passion for nature and foraging as a teenager led her to explore various healing practices, including the significance of intergenerational trauma. Jacqueline delves into her personal experiences with eating disorders and how these struggles informed her professional work with clients dealing with body image and disordered eating.
Jacqueline's Background and Journey
Modeling How to Listen to our Bodies and Being Embodied.
Intergenerational Trauma and Healing
Exploring the Witch Wound
Psychedelics and Healing
the witch wound/historical trauma women experienced on a collective level that is still impact how women feel able to show up today.
Herbal medicine for mental health.
Jacqueline's Future Plans and Conclusion
Guest Bio:
Jacqueline Rose Richards-Shrestha (Shress- Tah) is a mindfulness-based psychotherapist, a self-love and embodiment coach, a clinical herbalist, a podcast host, a nature loving forager, an ecstatic dancer, a wife, and a momma of a rambunctious toddler. Her practice focuses on helping women have better relationships with their bodies so they can overcome self-doubt, and live full and vibrant lives.
Connect with Jacqueline:
www.Jacquelinerosewellness.com
IG @jacquelinerosewellness
Jacqueline Rose Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jacquelinerose
Body Medicine Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bodymedicine-podcast-healing-through-embodied-living/id1737869287
Reclaiming smut and spice! Say hello to Katie Duggan (she/they), a romance author renowned for their spicy contemporary romances, shares their journey in writing and self-discovery. Katie, who identifies as fat, queer, and disabled, brings representation to the forefront of their work, emphasizing the importance of seeing diverse and marginalized identities in literature. Throughout the conversation, Katie delves into their early love for storytelling, the evolution of their writing to include authentic experiences of characters with identities similar to their own, and the impact of romance novels on healing and pleasure, particularly through the lens of body positivity and consensual intimacy. With their witty and heartfelt writing, Katie aims to offer representation and visibility, inspire others, and continue breaking down the barriers set by societal norms.
Katie Duggan's Journey to Becoming a Writer
Exploring Identity and Representation in Writing
Embracing Queerness and Disability
The Healing Power of Romance and Smut
The Impact of Queer Romance and Media
From the Start: A Deep Dive into the Book
Exploring Emotional Depth in Writing
The Fun and Explicit 'Dick-tionary'
Character Companions: Nic and Josh
Creating Authentic Characters
The Writing Process and First Book
Incorporating Music into Writing
Romance Tropes and Their Importance
Katie’s Future Themes and Story Ideas
Taking Up Space as a Writer
Guest Bio:
Katie Duggan is a New England transplant currently living in Northern Virginia. She writes romances that give fat, neurodivergent, and queer characters spicy happily-ever-afters. When Katie’s not writing or being kept up at night by her characters, she can be found drinking iced chai lattes, going to therapy, convincing people to read her favorite books, and doing whatever hobbies give her neurospicy brain the most dopamine at the moment.
Connect with Katie:
IG @katiedugganwrites
https://linktr.ee/katieduggan
What role do politics and power play in shaping the way we understand and treat eating disorders? This episode welcomes Allyson Inez Ford, a multiracial, queer, neurodivergent therapist specializing in Eating Disorders and OCD through a social justice lens. Alison shares insights from her extensive work in the mental health community, particularly through her social media and online courses. She discusses how her personal experiences as an eating disorder and OCD survivor fuel her passion for providing therapy. The conversation delves into topics such as the political nature of eating disorders, the stigmatization within the field, and the importance of incorporating an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens in treatment. Alison emphasizes the value of harm reduction, the perils of coercive care, and the necessity for systemic change in treatment practices. She dives deep into how politics and lived experiences, including race and trauma, impact body image and recovery. Additionally, Alison shares the concept of body justice and offers practical advice for clinicians striving for anti-oppressive care. She also touches on her personal journey, including motherhood and finding balance in her life. The discussion highlights how activism can support recovery and underscores the critical need for inclusive and empowering approaches to mental health care.
Allyson's Background and Work
Allyson’s Personal Experiences and Body Story
The Political Nature of Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
Defining Body Justice in a World of Body Hierarchies
Challenges and Systemic Barriers in Eating Disorder Treatment
What Anti-Oppressive Care and Harm Reduction Can Look Like Within Eating Disorder Treatment
How Activism Can Fuel Recovery
How Allyson is Balancing Personal and Professional Life
Guest Bio:
Allyson Inez Ford, MA, LPCC is a multiracial, queer, neurodivergent therapist specializing in Eating Disorders and OCD through a social justice lens. Allyson is also a new mother, which has fueled her passion for working with new and expecting parents in ED recovery. Allyson has lived experience of an Eating Disorder, and owns a group private practice in California. Allyson is rooted firmly in a relational, feminist and liberation psychology framework. In addition to therapy, she provides supervision, consultation and speaking engagements.
Connect with Allyson:
www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com
IG @bodyjustice.therapist
In this episode, we welcome Jesie Steffes, a licensed professional counselor from Colorado Springs. Jesie specializes in grief and body image and is also the founder of 'She's Well Fed,' a coaching business and podcast focused on body reclamation. The discussion dives deep into Jesie's personal journey with body liberation, the impact of purity culture, and the importance of reclaiming bodily autonomy. Jesie shares heartfelt stories, including her experience with high sensitivity and how she integrates this understanding into her practice and life. This conversation is a profound exploration of how we can all take up more space and foster a nurturing relationship with our bodies.
Guest Bio:
Jesie Steffes is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Body Image Coach and the founder of She's Well Fed. She calls her work "Body Reclamation" and holds the deep belief that peace in our bodies is a birthright. Her work focuses on helping her clients and podcast listeners reclaim that birthright relationship with food, movement, pleasure, and body through a trauma-informed and soulful lens.
Connect with Jesie:
What's trauma and what's OCD and how can we tell which is which? In this episode, we speak with Bronwyn Shroyer, a licensed clinical social worker in Indiana. Bronwyn shares her personal and professional journey, focusing on her work with OCD and PTSD through her private practice and her role as co-founder of OCD Training School. Bronwyn delves into her personal history with OCD, triggered by her mother's illness during her teens, and explores various treatments including Inference-Based CBT (ICBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). The discussion touches on the prevalence of OCD alongside PTSD and other conditions, emphasizing the importance of multiple treatment tools.
In this episode we discussed:
Bronwyn Shroyer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has a private practice focusing on OCD and PTSD. She also co-founded the OCD Training School where she provides training and consultation on OCD, Anxiety Disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Bronwyn is trained in Inference-based CBT by its co-founder, Dr. Frederick Aardema and is also certified in Exposure and Response Prevention by the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at UPENN. She is one of the first I-CBT trainers in the United States, and the co-chair of the International OCD Foundation's Inference-based CBT Special Interest Group. Bronwyn is an EMDRIA approved consultant and utilizes EMDR and ego-states parts work in her treatment of PTSD.
Train and Learn with Bronwyn:
In this episode, we welcome Bre Wolta, a relationship clarity coach, who shares her profound journey and expertise in helping women understand their relationship patterns, especially after experiencing narcissistic or emotionally manipulative relationships. Bre dives deep into her personal story of overcoming a toxic relationship and how it led her to support others facing similar struggles. She explains the nuances of narcissism, the dynamics of love bombing, and the challenges and importance of achieving self-awareness and contentment in aloneness. With a focus on embodiment and emotional regulation techniques such as EFT tapping, Bre provides valuable insights for those wanting to break free from destructive relationship cycles and find clarity and healing.
In this episode, we discuss:
Guest Bio:
Bre Wolta, EFT and The Clearing Work™ Certified Practitioner, is a Relationship Clarity Coach who is passionate about helping women heal from the mindf*ck of confusing relationships so that they can become the confident and secure woman they want to be. Bre's own toxic relationship healing journey, and her ability to hold safe space allows her to walk alongside clients as they find clarity and trust within themselves. It is her life's work, and deep honor, to help women wake up to their life and consciously move outside of their default patterning, so that they can reconnect to and nurture the most important relationship of all: the one they have with themselves.
Connect with Bre:
In this engaging episode, Rachel Flowers, a seasoned clinical therapist from Michigan, shares her story and professional journey. With over 16 years in private practice and a strong background in treating severe disordered eating, Rachel introduces her love for EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. She delves into her specialization in trauma, particularly spiritual and religious trauma, and discusses the effects of conservative religious upbringing on women's embodiment and self-care practices. The conversation explores how Rachel uses EMDR to help clients uncover and process deeply ingrained fear, shame, and disembodiment stemming from their spiritual experiences.
Rachel lists several signs and symptoms that might indicate spiritual trauma, including:
Perfectionistic tendencies and fear of making mistakes.
A pervasive sense of inherent badness.
Disembodiment and difficulty connecting with one’s own body.
Confusion and fear around making decisions.
Shame and moralizing of bodily sensations.
Rachel emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one’s body and intuition. She advocates starting with positive sensations and how they feel in the body. This can be something as simple as recalling a pleasant experience, like spending time with a pet, to help clients recognize and name their bodily sensations.
Rachel, along with her sister, Charis also have a podcast: Beyond Sacred Scars: Women Reclaiming Their Narratives From Religious Wounds. Their hope is to create a safe space with individuals of all religious stories and landings can come together.
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Connect with Cassie:
inneratlastherapy.com
Read our Blog https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/blog
Schedule a Consultation https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/get-in-touch
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In this episode of Taking Up Space, Cassie welcomes Nicola Salmon, a fat positive fertility coach who specializes in supporting fat individuals through their fertility journeys. Nicola shares her personal story of being diagnosed with PCOS at 16 and the impact that had on her life. She discusses her evolution into fertility coaching, her experiences with a positive, textbook pregnancy despite societal expectations, and advocating for fat individuals' rights to fertility treatments and supportive healthcare. Nicola introduces her fat positive fertility framework, which includes components like safety, advocacy, self-compassion, and trust. The conversation delves into the myths and realities around fat bodies and pregnancy, the importance of compassionate care, and the need for advocacy in healthcare settings. Nicola also shares her current pursuits in exploring her body's capabilities, including cold water swimming, Morris dancing, and canny cross running with her dog. Listeners can connect with Nicola through her Instagram, book 'Fat and Fertile,' and various coaching programs.
Nicola's Journey to Becoming a Fat Positive Fertility Coach
Personal Experiences and Challenges in Fertility and Pregnancy
Discovering Fat Positivity and Community
Fat Positive Fertility Framework
Myths and Realities of Fatness and Pregnancy
Advocacy and Self-Compassion in Healthcare
Nicola's Book and Final Thoughts
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Free Offerings to get You Started
Come Home to Your Self guide
Get my Taking Up Space Workbook
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Connect with Cassie:
inneratlastherapy.com
Read our Blog https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/blog
Schedule a Consultation https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/get-in-touch
Cassie on IG https://www.instagram.com/inneratlastherapy/
Cassie on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@inneratlastherapy
In this episode of 'Taking Up Space,' we are joined by Dr. Marianne Miller, an eating disorder therapist specializing in treating binge eating disorder and ARFID. Dr. Marianne shares her professional background and discusses her integrative approach to therapy, which includes leveraging her personal journey with an eating disorder and neurodivergence. They delve into the importance of addressing social justice in therapy, the stigma around atypical anorexia, and the intersections of multiple cultural and systemic influences on eating disorders. Dr. Marianne also highlights the significance of nourishment and self-care in recovery, offering insights into her specialized programs and resources.
Personal Journey and Lived Experience
Impact of Lived Experience on Professional Work
Challenges and Overcoming Barriers
Neurodivergence and Chronic Pain
Therapeutic Relationships and Authenticity
Social Justice and Therapy
Understanding Different 'Splaining' Concepts
The Role of Social Justice in Recovery
Exploring the Roots of Fat Phobia
he Binge Eating Disorder Cycle
Debunking Food Addiction Myths
Atypical Anorexia: Personal Insights
Taking Up Space: Personal Growth and Money Mindset
Connect with Dr. Marianne
Free Offerings to get You Started
Come Home to Your Self guide
Get my Taking Up Space Workbook
Join Our Community
Subscribe and leave a Review!
Connect with Cassie:
inneratlastherapy.com
Read our Blog https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/blog
Schedule a Consultation https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/get-in-touch
Cassie on IG https://www.instagram.com/inneratlastherapy/
Cassie on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@inneratlastherapy
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Mara Gordon, a family physician and medical educator, who shares her journey toward size inclusive medicine. Dr. Gordon, who practices in Camden, New Jersey, and resides in Philadelphia, reveals her transition from a weight-centric approach to a more inclusive practice that avoids emphasizing weight loss as a primary goal. She discusses the influence of reading literature by fat positive authors and the importance of viewing body health beyond just numbers on the scale. Dr. Gordon also provides practical advice for patients seeking size inclusive healthcare and highlights the significance of self-advocacy in medical settings. Additionally, she talks about the role of medical students in advancing this movement and her own experiences of balancing personal growth with professional practice. Join this insightful conversation as Dr. Gordon dives into the nuances of embodying change and fostering a healthier, more supportive medical environment.
Mara Gordon is a family physician on the faculty at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and a size inclusive doctor who writes and speaks frequently about practicing weight neutral medicine. She is working on a book about body liberation.
Dr. Mara Gordon's Journey to Size Inclusive Medicine
Influence of Literature on Medical Practice
Challenges in Traditional Medical Approaches
Reevaluating Weight-Centric Practices
Promoting Movement Over Weight Loss
Navigating Healthcare with Size Inclusivity
Finding a Size-Inclusive Primary Care Doctor
Advocating for Weight-Neutral Healthcare
Doctors' Openness to Patient Advocacy
Empowerment in Healthcare
Doctors' Perspectives on Weight and Health
Medical Education and Size Inclusivity
Complexities of Weight and Health
Systemic Pressures in Primary Care
https://www.instagram.com/maragordonmd
Dr. Mara's Substack: https://maragordonmd.substack.com
Free Offerings to get You Started
Come Home to Your Self guide
Get my Taking Up Space Workbook
Join Our Community
Subscribe and leave a Review!
Connect with Cassie:
inneratlastherapy.com
Read our Blog https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/blog
Schedule a Consultation https://www.inneratlastherapy.com/get-in-touch
Cassie on IG https://www.instagram.com/inneratlastherapy/
Cassie on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@inneratlastherapy