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Adam C. comes to the podcast witha whole bunch of juicy content to discuss: his recent diagnoses of borderline personality disorder and type 2 diabetes; self-destructive romantic relationships; and the internet's favorite topic...narcissists! And these are only a few of the stops Renée and Adam make as they endeavor to break Adam out of the relational patterns that keep him from healthy attachment. Adam's candor, insight, and humor set the perfect stage, and Renée digs deep to find the missing piece of his healing puzzle.
Mars has endured a volatile and chaotic childhood, the violent death of her brother, and her own substance abuse battle. And that's not all. Still, it is only now, in her 40s, when she finds herself immobilized by the trauma. She was particularly eager to come on the podcast, hoping Renée can help her out of the social isolation she has creaed. Renée realizes early that what Mars needs most is hope, and she guides Mars through the creation of a narrative that opens up space for joy. The episode starts with tears and ends with laughter — and even includes a surprise update.
Vanessa left home at 17 after a traumatic childhood that positioned her as a parentified child—one who watched her father die of a drug overdose—and that is only the tip of her traumatic iceberg. Despite the fact that she "feels good most days," Vanessa still suffers the fragmentation and self doubt that rooted so early in her tumultuous life. Vanessa and her remarkable, inspiring spirit came to the podcast looking for help sorting through the decades of complex trauma that still live in her body. Renée takes metaphoric fine-toothed comb to Vanessa's life, guiding her through a deeper understanding of the abuse, abandonment, addiction, codependency, loneiness, and sense of inadequacy that have conspired to keep her from wholeness. Vanessa's irrepressible energy marvelously matched Renée's, and the two women bring bright energy to some dark content. It's a juicy, inspring episode: Happy New Year!
Jay breaks our long run of fabulous female guests, and we are here for it. He came to the show after finding one of Renée's Instagram posts about anxiety in the hopes she can help him with this. After a lifetime of intermittent anxiety and depression, Jay felt his symptoms intensify last fall, and they haven't let up since. He is new to therapy and desprate to understand why he suddently feel so bad. Renée traces his symptoms over the last few decades and — spoiler alert! — they figure it out. Jay's relief is palpable by the end, and he leaves with hope and a plan. And, of course, Renée and Josh manage to keep the tomfoolery alive.
Natallia came to the podcast after reading one of Renée's posts on anger in the hopes that Renée could help her understand why she is often angry at her children for "no reason." So while the conversation starte out as a rescue mission for an overworked mom, it evolved into a much more complex and at times shocking case. Renée traces Natallia's pat from an abusive, poverty stricken childhood in Belarus to her current life as a married mom with two master's degrees. In a mind-blowing twist, Renée finds that Natallia's trauma is not limited to her childhood. As always, the episode ends with answers and hope, and there are plenty of laughs along the way.
As a child, Brittny was treated more like her mother's employee than her daughter. Despite the fact that her mom has not been able to participate in repairing the relationship, Brittny is currently thriving — well, on paper, anyway. She asks Renée for guidance in navigating the anger and anxiety left behind from her childhood, emotions which are now manifesting in both her mind and body. Renée and Brittny cover a lot — there are "aha" moments as well as "haha" moments. (Don't hold that last sentence against Brittny.) And in the end, Brittny's path to freedom is clear!
Following his mother's death, Paul embarked on a mission to resolve the trauma he held after decades of his father's abuse against both his mother and himself. After finding his voice, publicly acknowledging the abuse he endured, and diving into his own healing, Paul finds himself in the midst of a divorce. In this episode, Renée helps him identify the wounds that still need healing as well as understanding why they formed and how they'll resolve.
Therapy, psychology, nutrition and assorted irreverences.
