In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, explores how relationships grow best when we take time to build a strong emotional foundation—one step (or wave) at a time. Using her ocean and beach analogy, Kaela reflects on the importance of exploring relationships slowly, developing trust, and learning each other’s depths before diving in. Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or simply someone seeking healthier connections, this episode invites you to consider how self-awareness, pacing, and emotional curiosity help us create meaningful, lasting bonds that don’t just float—they thrive.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, holistic grief and trauma therapist Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, addresses a heartbreaking story that shook her community — the loss of a child to a viral social-media “challenge.” Kaela explores the darker side of technology and how digital platforms, algorithms, and online predators can endanger our kids’ safety and mental health. She offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents and caregivers: how to create tech agreements, monitor online use, and open healthy conversations about trust, privacy, and boundaries. This episode is both a sobering wake-up call and an empowering reminder that proactive, mindful parenting can make all the difference in a digital world designed for distraction.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, reflects on the power of connection and the urgency of preserving memories with loved ones while we still have the chance. Drawing on her own experiences with family and her work as a grief and trauma therapist, she explores how sudden loss—whether personal or public—reminds us that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Kaela discusses simple, meaningful ways to capture family stories and histories, from asking intentional questions to recording conversations, and emphasizes how these practices not only honor those we love but also leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, explores the wide spectrum of grief reactions we see both publicly and privately, from anger and numbness to hope and faith. Drawing from personal experiences, professional insights, and reflections on recent events, she emphasizes that no two people grieve in the same way—and that judgment often deepens wounds rather than heals them. Kaela reminds listeners that grief is complex, unpredictable, and deeply human, and encourages us to meet others with empathy, compassion, and support instead of criticism. Whether you’ve experienced loss yourself or are walking alongside someone who has, this episode offers perspective, validation, and practical ways to help without judgment.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, takes listeners behind the scenes of her work not only as a grief and trauma therapist but also as the host of monthly Mental Health Professionals Luncheons and the new president of the Central Ohio Counseling Association (COCA). Kaela shares the heart behind creating spaces where counselors can connect, consult, and collaborate through luncheons, CEU events, coffee and consultations, and social gatherings. Whether you’re a new professional, a seasoned clinician, or simply curious about how community can help sustain mental health providers, this episode highlights the importance of coming together, sharing resources, and building meaningful professional relationships in Central Ohio and beyond.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness, Kaela sits down with Dr. Suzanne Pikula, DC, a trauma-informed, systems-oriented chiropractor and founder of several integrative clinics, to explore how bodywork can accelerate mental health healing. Dr. Suzanne explains why “everything is connected”—from fascia and cranial-sacral flow to the vagus nerve, limbic system, and gut-brain axis—and how gentle, safety-first somatic techniques can help anxious, overwhelmed, or neurodivergent clients actually receive care. We unpack collaboration between psychotherapy (EMDR/brain-based work) and chiropractic approaches, discuss stored trauma after surgeries (like C-sections), and look at practical ways to calm hyper-arousal, improve sleep and focus, and reduce persistent pain. If you’ve ever wondered how nontraditional adjustments, scar work, and nervous system regulation can complement talk therapy, this conversation offers a grounded, trauma-responsive roadmap for healing mind, body, and spirit.

In this milestone 101st episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I take a moment to reflect on what it means to have been sharing conversations, insights, and stories for over two years. What began as a way to connect and share mental health knowledge has grown into a platform for community, interviews, and holistic discussions around grief, trauma, and functional wellness. From solo reflections to engaging dialogues with fellow professionals, this journey has reshaped not only my practice but also the way I approach therapy and life. Join me as I look back on the path so far, the lessons learned, and the vision for what’s to come in the next 101 episodes.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I sit down with therapist and practice owner Emily Hanlon of Spiral Path Counseling to explore the power of Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and expressive arts therapy in supporting trauma recovery and self-care. Together, we dive into how these approaches intersect, offering both clients and clinicians fresh ways to view “self-sabotage,” connect with their inner parts, and practice embodied self-regulation. Emily shares her journey from burnout to discovering somatic and parts-based therapies, highlighting the importance of compassion, creativity, and safety in the healing process. Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or simply curious about holistic approaches to mental health, this conversation offers insight, hope, and practical tools.

In this deeply personal episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela shares her own story of losing her mom to ovarian cancer at the age of seven and reflect on what grief has looked like over the past 30 years. From unexpected triggers, to the ways grief evolves through different life stages, she explores how loss never fully disappears, but grows and changes alongside us. She talks about the mementos her mom left behind, the special connections she still feels today, and how becoming a parent has reshaped her understanding of grief. This episode is a vulnerable reflection on love, memory, and the way grief continues to shape who we are—decades later.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we tackle the exhausting myth that you’re supposed to “do it all” — perfectly, all the time. From the picture-perfect lives we see on social media to the increasing demands of modern life, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. I share personal reflections, the reality behind those polished images, and a practical exercise to help you assess your life’s priorities without burning out. You’ll learn why trying to change everything at once sets you up for failure, how to focus on one key area for a ripple effect of positive change, and why it’s time to let go of impossible standards.

In this episode of The Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I’m joined by Molly Olejownik, a licensed mental health specialist working in a local school district, to discuss the essential and often overlooked collaboration between school-based counselors and community therapists. We explore the evolution of her career from cheer coach to school counselor to private practice clinician—and now, back into schools as a mental health specialist serving students with IEPs. Molly shares the challenges of large caseloads, how emotional regulation is central to her work, and why building strong partnerships with parents, teachers, and therapists is key to supporting students. We also dive into the reality of burnout, perfectionism in high-achieving districts, and the importance of self-care for those who serve others.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance sits down with K Preston Moore—TEDx speaker, national mental health and addiction advocate, and person in long-term recovery—to have a powerful, honest, and energizing conversation about the real roots of emotional dysfunction and the stigma that keeps people stuck. Preston shares how his own experiences with addiction, recovery, and emotional growth shaped his work, and why building a culture of proactive mental and emotional wellness is more critical than ever. Together, they explore how vulnerability, consistency, and community can reshape lives—long before a crisis forces change. Whether you're a clinician, a parent, or someone who just wants to live more intentionally, this episode offers both insight and practical inspiration.

In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, dives into the emotional complexity of difficult relationships and why setting boundaries can feel so hard—even when we know they’re needed. Whether it’s with a parent, friend, partner, or coworker, Kaela explores the common fears we carry—fear of rejection, fear of loss, fear of change—and how those fears can prevent us from speaking our truth. She offers insight on how to navigate relationships with compassion and clarity, highlights the power of vulnerability, and gently challenges listeners to consider: What am I really afraid of—and what could happen if I finally spoke up?

Have you ever wondered if your therapist thinks about you after your session ends? In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I pull back the curtain on the inner world of therapists and share what really goes on beyond the therapy room. I talk openly about the emotional residue of sessions, how clients often stay in our hearts and minds, and why you’re never just a job to us. From church pews to community events to scrolling through social media, therapists like me are often reminded of the people we care for. If you’ve ever questioned your impact as a client, this episode will affirm your importance and shed light on the deeper connections we hold with those we serve.

In this powerful episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance sits down with fellow LPCC-S and trauma specialist Rikki Grace to explore the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), a therapeutic approach designed specifically for complex trauma. Rikki shares her journey into the world of counseling and how she discovered NARM, explaining what sets it apart from other trauma modalities like EMDR and DBT. Listeners will gain insight into how NARM integrates relational, emotional, cognitive, and somatic elements while emphasizing client agency, consent, and non-pathologizing therapeutic relationships. Whether you’re a clinician, a trauma survivor, or simply curious about healing through connection, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on what it means to experience and process trauma in a safe, supportive way.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we welcome Rebecca Dunaway, a certified HeartMath® practitioner, Reiki master, and sound therapy trainee, to explore the healing power of HeartMath®. Drawing on her decades-long career in the medical field and her personal experience with burnout, Rebecca shares how HeartMath® tools—like heart-focused breathing and coherence techniques—can help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and bring heart, mind, and body into harmony. We discuss how these tools complement traditional therapy, how they're used in everyday life (even in traffic!), and how they support healing from trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress. This episode is a heart-centered guide to reconnecting with yourself and supporting your clients more deeply.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we explore the powerful connection between our inner dialogue and the world we experience. Inspired by a video featuring Peter Crone, “The Mind Architect,” we dive deep into the concept of negative core beliefs—those deep-rooted thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m unlovable”—and how they silently shape our lives, reactions, and relationships. Drawing from real-life examples, therapeutic insight, and EMDR techniques, this episode unpacks how past experiences wire our brains for defense and how we can begin to rewrite our inner narratives to live with more confidence, compassion, and freedom.

In this eye-opening episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela is joined by functional dietitian and founder of Nourished by Taylor, Taylor Lechner, to discuss the often-overlooked connection between hormonal birth control and mental health. Taylor shares her personal and professional journey of recovering from the pill, uncovering root causes like high copper and gut dysfunction that can trigger anxiety, depression, and more. Listeners will gain insight into the importance of functional testing, how birth control alters the brain and body, and what steps women can take to start healing naturally. This conversation empowers women with informed consent and reminds us that when we feel something is off—our intuition is often right.

In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we take a deep dive into Father’s Day—a time to celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives, but also a moment to acknowledge the grief that may accompany this special day. Whether you're grieving the loss of a father, experiencing a challenging relationship, or simply reflecting on the role fathers play in our lives, this episode offers insights and compassionate guidance for navigating the complexities of the day. From offering practical ways to show appreciation to fathers to suggestions for honoring those who are no longer with us, this episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing fathers in their many forms. Tune in for heartfelt reflections, support for grieving individuals, and tips for making Father’s Day meaningful in whatever way feels right for you.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela is joined by Jonathan Miller from Miller Counseling to discuss social anxiety, a disorder that often slips under the radar in therapy. Jonathan, with his 25 years of experience, sheds light on what social anxiety is, its subtle but powerful impact on daily life, and the role of exposure therapy in overcoming it. Together, they explore how social anxiety manifests, how it can sneak up on individuals, and the importance of addressing it with compassion and practical strategies. Jonathan also shares his personal experiences with social anxiety, offering insight into how it can affect self-esteem and social interactions. Tune in to learn how we can help clients face their fears, build confidence, and create lasting change.