Insights with Us

E33 What is Trauma with Amanda Ng

Today I am joined by Amanda Ng, an integrative mind-body therapist  and founder of Mind to Matter. She works with clients around the world in navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, and chronic stress - along with the ripple effects these have on their physical health, sense of connection, and work performance. You can find her at mindtomatter.co
Together in this episode we explore the differences and similarities within the human experience across cultures in how it relates to trauma. We connect on our life experiences, process the mind-body connection and how it shifts when there is trauma present. We process what it means to slow down and build insight into reactions we don’t understand, and rethink how we show up in the world (which is a difficult change to make).

E32 Conflict in Relationships

Do you ever get stuck in an old pattern? React to something in your present moment in that way that you wish you hadn’t? Do you and your partner snap at each other or even blow up at each other and it feels like you can’t stop? In this episode, I explore some of the research behind what creates wedges in relationships and increased fighting within your conflict or disagreement. 
 
You are not alone, these are common interactions within any relationship, but if you can build language around what these patterns are, you have a better chance of navigating them without exploding at the people you love.
 
Join me, and let’s see if we can build insight today.

E31 Emotional Attunement and Coregulation with William O'Connor

What happens when we pull away from intellectualizing and “logical” thought, and instead take a moment to notice our reactions and show up in our relationships in a truly relational way? Join me as I learn what it means to build honest and real connection within a community with William from Inventive Wellness. We dive deep into regenerative connection, grounding within the group instead of focusing on the individual, and how to show up in this world as yourself.
 
What you can expect from this episode:
3:26 Shifting life plans towards community connection
5:00 Emergent language and relational ecology
7:30 Separating from thought based reactions
10:20 Get out of processing and into process
16:45 The Mindfulness Revolution 
21:00 Coregulation and the shared nervous system
31:30 Regenerative connection and unconditionality
41:00 Accepting the unknowing of life
52:00 Find coherence in the chaos
59:44 Accepting others and your experience

E30 Change Sucks - Here's How I Navigate It

Do you try to convince yourself not to be anxious when you have a big life change? Do people tell you you should be happy or excited about what's happening, when really all you're feeling is dread or panic? You're not alone.
 
There are a lot of different reasons leading to these adverse or contrary reactions. Listen in as I explore a big change in my life and the insights I've built around my reactions followed by ways to navigate it and how to give yourself grace when you have no motivation.
 
What you can expect from this episode:
2:08 Change can be difficult, and we all respond differently 
5:20 Different layers behind our reactions
9:09 Change as a catalyst for adverse reactions
10:47 Mantra for navigating stress
 14:45 Mental Health Hacks when you're feeling off 
18:20 A meditation to help you slow down and settle in to the good
 
And yes, I dropped the season from the episode name, I decided it was arbitrary and I didn't need it. 

S2E29 Gratitude with Mr. Gathercole

How do you get out of your head? How do you share gratitude? How do you slow down and remember what life has to offer?
 
Listen to an powerful advocate of slowing down and enjoying the little moments, and an influential person in my life. My coach, my counselor, Mr Gathercole. He spent most of his career working overseas as a school counselor and is now retired and working as a college admissions counselor helping young adults find their spark. 
 
What to expect from this episode:
2:25 How did you become a school counselor?
5:51 Living abroad
9:09 Lightbulb moments from your career
14:15 Learning from and trying to understand each other
22:30 We tend to underestimate ourselves
27:57 What makes you, you?
30:53 What are you grateful for?
36:04 How to get out of the details and enjoy existence?
43:00 Following dreams, chronic pain, and gratitude

S2E28 Authenticity

What does it mean to show up as your true self? What does showing up authentically mean? Some assume it’s being the same way 100% of the time and never shifting or changing depending on the situation, but this does not allow for flexibility within your experience. Join me as I talk about the differences in authenticity and how to find balance within your social circles. 
 
What to expect in this episode:
1:15 Putting on a mask and pretending
2:40 Aggressive authenticity
4:08 We are all different people with different needs
5:00 Listening to the inner voice
6:20 Examples of compassionate authenticity
9:10 Compassionate Authenticity
9:39 How do I know what is authentic for me? 
11:48 Give people space to show up. It’s okay to walk away if they can’t.
14:00 Find your safe people

S1E27 Awfully Hilarious with Heather Hendrie

“It is not normal to be in pain, it has just been normalized.” 
Have you ever had an experience that felt just awful, and then you share it with a friend, and you end up laughing about it? Us too. In today’s episode, I connect with the author of the Awfully Hilarious series, Heather Hendrie. We talk about her books, building connection through discomfort, being seen, and how to navigate the throws of being human.
Learn more about Awfully Hilarious at: www.awfullyhilarious.com
Learn more about Heather Hendrie at: www.heatherhendrie.com
 
Socials:
@awfullyhilarious
@heather.hendrie
 
What you can expect from this episode:
00:55 Introductions with Heather Hendrie
2:56 What are the Awfully Hilarious books? 
7:48 It’s okay to talk about women’s health
12:20 Who are we behind the mask? Transpersonal therapy.
16:20 Overcoming the fear of talking about taboo topics
23:14 Talking openly helps us all be ourselves, no matter who you are
28:00 Connection matters, and therapy might be the only connection for some
29:15 More about the authors of the short stories in Awfully Hilarious
34:40 Misdiagnosis in women’s health and PMDD
43:40 You are trying hard enough, it isn’t always the answer to try harder.
47:00 Blue Zones and Connection Points
50:00 Hope for our future and future generations
55:30 Read Awfully Hilarious, and a plug for future projects
 
Resources from this episode:
Lucy Peach - The Period Queen
Shalene Gupta - The Cycle 
Liz Plank - For the Love of Men
 
Shopping for these amazing books:
If you’d like to buy the books and are in North America:
https://bookshop.org/a/99252/9781738803507
https://bookshop.org/a/99252/9781738803521
 
If you live internationally, you can find the books here:
awfully hilarious pp paperback
https://amzn.to/3YoN2jP
 
" kindle
https://amzn.to/3YjXp7r
 
awfully hilarious stories paperback
https://amzn.to/3zRsZkJ
 
" kindle
https://amzn.to/3BWmH3M
 
 

S1E26 Finding Freedom with Krisa Gonna L'Whor

We are all raised to think, act, and believe a certain way. What if you realize how you were raised does not fit who you are? Would you continue to pretend to be someone you’re not, or would you find a way to be authentically you? In this episode, I speak with a kind and accepting human who broke free from the rules of others and built a life of freedom and safety while helping others feel the same. Join myself and Krisa Gonna L’Whor as we explore freedom, building insight into our authentic selves, and the strength it takes to be that person, even when the world is telling you not to be. 
 
Check Socials for Upcoming Events:
@krisagonna 
Watch Krisa’s Ted Talk here: https://youtu.be/c28KESnrzEo?si=mEqOku9qoBac1Ppy
Watch Krisa’s animated movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhWfVF0nP4I
What you can expect from this episode: 
2:00 Introductions 
3:30 Rules we are taught as children to survive 
5:50 Making sense of the world
12:30 Unspoken moments of safety
16:35 Building and understanding who you are, away from rules
 22:08 Authenticity
26:50 Changing the rules and trusting it will get better
35:00 What helps you feel safe?
44:50 Dream big, but know our reality
50:22 A message for our allies: be a safe person (especially during holidays)
56:00 Finding small spaces where you feel safe and build from there

S1E25 Friendship Part 2: Trust and Vulnerability

True and deep friendships are great, but how do you even find them? Once you think you’ve found one, how do you strengthen it? What does it mean to be yourself, even if you feel like being who you are won’t be accepted? Listen to this episode on friendship and maybe find some answers. 
 
What you can expect from this episode:
1:48 Separate yourself from the situation
3:40 Vulnerability as a factor in friendship
9:00 Going through similar seasons together
11:00 The connection between trust and vulnerability
15:04 Do you have any advice for anyone trying to build friendships?
19:46 Feeling safe to be yourself
29:52 Find your space first, make friends second
35:55 Having uncomfortable conversations helps friendships grow
38:45 Do you have any advice for your younger self?
50:55 Your friendships can help you process what’s happening in your life
 

S1E24 Why Are We So Separate?

Numerous people this week have asked me the same questions over and over: Why are we so separate? Why is there so much hate? How can we build a better world when we are so divided? Today I will explore this separation and what it would mean to find connection and acceptance. 
 
1:50 Intentions for this episode
2:55 Division across the American nation
3:38 Staying inside our bubbles feels safe, but then we lose insight and understanding
6:54 Having conversations with people different from us is how we know ourselves and the world
10:45 Finding your own faith, and accepting others living their faith their own way
13:00 A little aside on supporting the life of a child
13:57 Everyone’s opinion matters, every life matters
15:30 Look to your leaders and notice their language
16:50 I will fight for what choice gives the most people the most freedom
17:45 Find one safe person to start conversing with