<h3>Trigger Notice + Support</h3> <p>This episode includes discussion of <strong>suicidal ideation, abuse, cancer, and trauma recovery</strong>.<br>If you or someone you love is struggling, you’re not alone.<br>In the U.S., you can call or text <strong>988</strong> for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.<br>For international support, visit: <a href="https://findahelpline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://findahelpline.com</a></p> <p>What happens when life tries to break you—and you decide not to let it? In this powerful, unfiltered conversation, <strong>G-Rex and Dirty Skittles</strong> sit down with therapist and survivor <strong>Zulma Williams</strong> to talk trauma, healing, and why you don’t need to be “fixed” to move forward.</p> <strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind. <p>We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></p> <p> </p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <p><em>“If you woke up today, your mission in life is not complete.”</em> — <strong>Zulma Williams</strong></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Episode Description</h3> <p>Zulma Williams has survived more than most people can imagine—breast cancer, abusive relationships, depression, and suicidal ideation. But she never saw herself as a victim. In this raw, honest episode, Zulma joins <strong>G-Rex and Dirty Skittles</strong> to share why survival isn’t about toughness—it’s about truth.</p> <p>Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Zulma moved to the United States in her 30s, reinvented herself in midlife, and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker after cancer forced her to stop and reevaluate everything. Along the way, she learned something powerful: trauma doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you adapted.</p> <p>Zulma opens up about emotional and verbal abuse, how subtle control can dismantle your sense of self, and why so many people don’t realize they’re being harmed until they’re already isolated. She also explains why therapy only works when you’re allowed to be fully yourself—swearing included.</p> <p>As a Certified Master ART Practitioner, Zulma talks about trauma recovery, nervous system healing, and why short-term, evidence-based therapies can create real change. This conversation is bold, validating, and deeply human—especially for anyone who feels “too old,” “too damaged,” or “too far gone” to start over.</p> <p>This episode is a reminder that healing doesn’t require perfection. It requires honesty, courage, and the willingness to honor your own internal hero.</p> <p><strong>SEO Keywords:</strong> <em>Zulma Williams, trauma recovery, mental health podcast, therapy healing, PTSD support, emotional abuse recovery, anxiety and depression, ART therapy, survivor mindset, suicide prevention, healing trauma, self-worth, resilience, therapy that works</em></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Meet Our Guest — Zulma Williams, LCSW, ACSW, CTMH</h3> <p>Zulma Williams is the founder of <strong>Dragonfly Therapy Services</strong> and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma recovery. A breast cancer survivor and Certified Master ART Practitioner, Zulma brings lived experience, direct honesty, and evidence-based care to help clients stop surviving and start healing.</p> <p><strong>Connect with Zulma:</strong><br>Website: <a href="https://www.dragonflytherapyservices.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.dragonflytherapyservices.net/</a><br>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DragonflyTSLV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.facebook.com/DragonflyTSLV</a><br>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theswearingtherapist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/theswearingtherapist</a><br>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@theswearingtherapist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.youtube.com/@theswearingtherapist</a><br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulma-williams-ab7609214/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulma-williams-ab7609214/</a></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li>Trauma doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you adapted to survive.</li> <li>Emotional and verbal abuse are real, damaging, and often invisible.</li> <li>You’re never “too old” to change your life or start over.</li> <li>Therapy only works when you’re allowed to be your authentic self.</li> <li>Being vulnerable is a strength, not a weakness.</li> <li>You are allowed to choose yourself—even if others don’t like it.</li> </ul> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Actionable

<h3>Trigger Notice & Support Reminder</h3> <p>This episode includes discussion of <strong>suicide, sexual assault, trauma, addiction, and cancer</strong>.<br>If you or someone you love is struggling or in crisis, help is available.<br>Call or text <strong>988</strong> in the U.S. or visit <strong><a href="https://findahelpline.com/" rel="noopener">https://findahelpline.com</a></strong> for global resources.</p> <hr> <p>What if forgiveness wasn’t about letting someone off the hook — but about finally setting <em>yourself</em> free? In this powerful conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Katherine Giovanni to talk about trauma, anger, and how forgiveness can be a deeply personal, life-changing act of self-healing.</p> <p><strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind.</p> <p>We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <p><em>“Forgiveness isn’t about them. It’s about getting your life — and your peace — back.”</em><br>— Katherine Giovanni</p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Episode Description</h3> <p>Forgiveness gets thrown around a lot — but nobody really teaches us how to do it, or what to do when we <em>don’t</em> want to. In this deeply human and eye-opening episode, Katherine Giovanni joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to flip the script on forgiveness, trauma, and healing.</p> <p>A three-time award-winning author, transformation mentor, and stage 3 breast cancer survivor, Katherine shares her powerful personal journey through childhood trauma, addiction, loss, and survival — and how forgiveness became the tool that helped her reclaim her life. Not as a pass for harmful behavior, but as a boundary-setting, self-preserving act of freedom.</p> <p>Katherine introduces her practical, step-by-step forgiveness process, including her unique approach to forgiving not only people but also the <em>energy</em> around painful memories. Together, the trio explores why forgiveness is selfish (in the best way), why you don’t owe anyone a relationship, and why some things may never be forgivable — and that’s okay.</p> <p>They also dive into forgiving yourself, releasing guilt and shame, and even unpack why our relationship with money often needs forgiveness, too. This conversation is raw, insightful, and unexpectedly empowering — especially for anyone who feels stuck replaying old wounds or carrying anger that’s quietly draining their joy.</p> <p>If you’ve ever said, “I’ll never forgive them,” this episode might just change how you think about healing — and about yourself.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> <em>Katherine Giovanni, forgiveness, emotional healing, trauma recovery, self-forgiveness, mental health podcast, letting go, emotional freedom, healing from abuse, guilt and shame, boundaries, cancer survivor, addiction recovery, forgiveness process</em></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Meet Our Guest — Katherine Giovanni</h3> <p>Katherine Giovanni is a three-time award-winning best-selling author, speaker, and one of the original founders of the independent concierge industry. A stage 3 breast cancer survivor and transformation mentor, she helps people release guilt, shame, and emotional blocks through forgiveness, intuition, and self-awareness.</p> <p><strong>Connect with Katherine:</strong><br>Website: <a href="https://www.katharinegiovanni.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.katharinegiovanni.com/</a><br>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/katharine.giovanni" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.facebook.com/katharine.giovanni</a><br>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katharinegiovanni" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/katharinegiovanni</a><br>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0PPtlSUPldGNl9mIRRtAmA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0PPtlSUPldGNl9mIRRtAmA</a><br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinegiovanni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinegiovanni/</a><br>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kathgiovanni" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.tiktok.com/@kathgiovanni</a><br>Substack: <a href="https://katharinegiovanni.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://katharinegiovanni.substack.com/</a></p> <p></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li>Forgiveness is not weakness — it’s a powerful act of self-protection.</li> <li>You can forgive someone without allowing them back into your life.</li> <li>Holding onto anger keeps you stu

<p>What happens when you do everything right, earn the degrees, land the title, and build security, yet still feel empty inside? In this powerful Season 16 opener, G Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Dr. Esther Zeldon to talk honestly about burnout, anxiety, people pleasing, and the moment you realize the life you built is slowly eroding your mental health.</p> <p><strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind.</p> We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a> <h3></h3> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <em>“There is no such thing as real safety if you are betraying yourself to keep it.”</em> — Dr. Esther Zeldon <h3></h3> <h3>Episode Description</h3> Burnout does not always come from failure. Sometimes it comes from success. In this raw and deeply human conversation, Dr. Esther Zeldon joins G Rex and Dirty Skittles to unpack what happens when a lifetime of chasing stability, titles, and external validation leads straight to anxiety, depression, and disconnection from purpose. <p>Esther shares her powerful story, from surviving a life-threatening illness as a child, to becoming a high-achieving diplomat and international development professional, to realizing that the “safe” life she built was quietly damaging her mental health. Together, they explore how childhood trauma can disguise itself as ambition, why people pleasing keeps so many of us stuck in toxic jobs, and how fear of failure often hides a deeper fear of finally being honest with ourselves.</p> <p>This episode is not about reckless quitting or overnight success. It is about alignment. It is about learning to say no. It is about recognizing that security is often an illusion, and that true safety comes from knowing you can rebuild, pivot, and survive hard seasons without abandoning who you are.</p> <p>Esther also opens up about anxiety, financial fear, boundaries, and the realities of entrepreneurship, including losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts and choosing purpose anyway. If you are quietly burning out, questioning your career, or feeling guilty for wanting more meaning in your life, this conversation will resonate.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> <em>Esther Zeldon, career burnout, anxiety, mental health, toxic workplace, purpose-driven life, people pleasing, trauma healing, entrepreneurship stress, alignment, emotional wellness, burnout recovery, meaningful work</em></p> <h3></h3> <h3>Meet Our Guest, Dr. Esther Zeldon</h3> Dr. Esther Zeldon is a coach, best-selling author, social entrepreneur, and former diplomat dedicated to helping people uncover their unique superpower and live purpose-driven lives. With global experience spanning governments, nonprofits, and communities, Esther blends strategy, science, and compassion to help individuals and organizations create sustainable impact without sacrificing mental health. <p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://beactchange.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://beactchange.com</a><br> <strong>Facebook:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beactchange/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.facebook.com/beactchange/</a><br> <strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/be.act.change/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/be.act.change/</a><br> <strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/beactchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/beactchange</a></p> <h3></h3> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li>Burnout can come from success just as easily as failure.</li> <li>Anxiety often stems from living out of alignment, not weakness.</li> <li>Safety is often a trauma response, not a true motivator.</li> <li>People pleasing keeps you stuck in toxic environments.</li> <li>Saying no is a mental health skill, not a personality flaw.</li> <li>Purpose is not found; it is remembered.</li> </ul>   <h3>Actionable Items</h3> <ul> <li>Write down what safety really costs you emotionally.</li> <li>Identify one boundary you need to set this month and honor it.</li> <li>Ask yourself, am I chasing security, or am I chasing alignment?</li> </ul>   <h3>References Mentioned</h3> Purpose-driven coaching and alignment work: <a>https://beactchange.com</a> <p> </p> <h3>Important Chapters</h3> <strong>00:02 - </strong>Esther’s childhood trauma and how safety became her driving force <strong>06:30 - </strong>High achievement, toxic workplaces, and silent burnout <strong>12:45 - </strong>Anxiety, depression, and people pleasing patterns <strong>18:00 - </strong>Leavi

<p>Season 15 reminded us why this podcast exists. In this special season ender, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down as friends — not interviewers — to reflect on the stories, lessons, laughter, and growth that defined the season, and how healing shows up when you keep showing up for each other.</p> <strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind. <p>We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></p> <p> </p> <hr> <h2></h2> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <p><em>“Healing is easier when you’re not doing it alone — sometimes all it takes is someone willing to sit with you in the mess.”</em> — G-Rex</p> <p></p> <hr> <h2></h2> <h3>Episode Description</h3> <p>This episode is different — and intentional. There are no guests this time. Just G-Rex and Dirty Skittles closing out Season 15 together, reflecting on what they learned, how they grew, and why this podcast has become more than just a show.</p> <p>Throughout the season, we heard stories about anxiety, OCD, PTSD, medical trauma, parenting through crisis, creativity as healing, and learning how to advocate for yourself when life doesn’t play fair. But as we looked back, something else stood out just as clearly — the power of connection, humor, and friendship in the middle of hard seasons.</p> <p>In this season ender, we talk honestly about growth, boundaries, resilience, and the lifelong work of healing. We reflect on how our guests helped us learn, laugh, and sometimes rethink the way we handle our own mental health. This conversation is about choosing hope, staying curious, and reminding ourselves that it’s okay to still be learning.</p> <p>Season 15 comes full circle here — grounded, grateful, and hopeful for what’s next.</p> <p><strong>SEO Keywords:</strong> <em>mental health podcast, season recap, healing journey, resilience, trauma recovery, anxiety support, PTSD healing, emotional wellness, self advocacy, hope, therapy tools, mental health awareness</em></p> <p></p> <hr> <h2></h2> <h3>Season 15 Episodes, Air Dates & Lessons Learned</h3> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://goesoninourheads.net/episode/melissa-on-ocd-anxiety-recovery-real-tools-that-actually-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Melissa — OCD & Anxiety Recovery: Real Tools That Actually Help</strong></a><br><em>Aired 12/2/2025</em><br><strong>Lesson:</strong> Intrusive thoughts don’t mean you’re broken — they’re signals you can learn to respond to instead of fear.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://goesoninourheads.net/episode/rising-inch-by-inch-virginia-on-hope-healing-and-reclaiming-your-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Virginia — Rising Inch by Inch: Hope, Healing, and Reclaiming Your Life</strong></a><br><em>Aired 12/4/2025</em><br><strong>Lesson:</strong> Healing doesn’t require giant leaps; consistent, small steps can rebuild an entire life.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://goesoninourheads.net/episode/michael-on-trauma-without-the-pain-the-cortina-method-thats-changing-ptsd-forever" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Michael — Trauma Without the Pain: The Cortina Method That’s Changing PTSD Forever</strong></a><br><em>Aired 12/9/2025</em><br><strong>Lesson:</strong> You don’t have to relive trauma to heal it — effective therapy can reduce pain without re-traumatization.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://goesoninourheads.net/episode/kelly-on-traumatic-brain-injury-neurofatigue-and-the-fight-to-feel-normal-again" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kelly — Traumatic Brain Injury, Neurofatigue, and the Fight to Feel ‘Normal’ Again</strong></a><br><em>Aired 12/11/2025</em><br><strong>Lesson:</strong> Invisible injuries are still real, and listening to your body early can change long-term outcomes.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://goesoninourheads.net/episode/jenn-robb-on-supporting-a-child-through-anxiety-depression-and-suicidal-thoughts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jenn Robb — Supporting a Child Through Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts</strong></a><br><em>Aired 12/16/2025</em><br><strong>Lesson:</strong> Loving someone through a mental health crisis requires fierce advocacy — and caregivers need care too.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://goesoninourheads.net/episode/adriene-caldwell-foster-care-abuse-suicide-survival-and-the-power-of-hope" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Adriene Caldwell — Foster Care, Abuse, Suicide Survival, and the Power of Hope</strong></a><br><em>Aired 12/18/2025</em><br><strong>Lesson:</strong> Even the hardest beginnings don’t define your ending — hope can be learned and r

<h3>Trigger Notice</h3> <p>This episode includes discussions of trauma and past suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised.<br>If you or someone you love is in crisis, you can call or text <strong>988</strong> to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S., or visit <strong><a href="https://findahelpline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://findahelpline.com</a></strong> for global resources.</p> <hr> <p>What if healing trauma didn’t require reliving every painful detail? In this powerful conversation, <strong>G-Rex and Dirty Skittles</strong> sit down with trauma therapist <strong>Alisa Gracheva</strong> to discuss EMDR, self-awareness, and how real healing occurs without retraumatization.</p> <strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind. <p>We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></p> <p> </p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <p><em>“You don’t have to relive the pain to heal it — you just have to feel safe enough to let it go.”</em><br>— <strong>Alisa Gracheva</strong></p> <hr> <h3>Episode Description</h3> <p>Trauma healing doesn’t have to mean reopening every wound — and in this deeply grounding episode, <strong>Alisa Gracheva</strong> explains why. Joining <strong>G-Rex and Dirty Skittles</strong>, Alisa shares her journey from surviving early trauma and immigration upheaval to becoming a licensed trauma therapist specializing in <strong>EMDR</strong> and nervous-system–informed care.</p> <p>Together, they unpack one of the biggest myths about trauma therapy: that you have to relive every painful detail to heal. Alisa explains how trauma lives in the body, not just the mind, and why safety, pacing, and self-awareness matter more than storytelling alone. The conversation weaves through personal healing, therapy, “speed dating,” seasonal depression, grounding practices, and the reality of holding space for others without losing yourself.</p> <p>Alisa also shares the hardest lessons she’s faced — including financial loss, burnout, and learning to ask for help — while offering listeners a compassionate framework for change: <strong>self-awareness, willingness, and readiness</strong>. From boundaries and daily rituals to art, nature, and spirituality, this episode is a reminder that healing is not a destination — it’s a relationship with yourself.</p> <p>If you’ve ever felt broken by trauma, exhausted by therapy that didn’t fit, or afraid that healing would hurt more than staying the same, this conversation offers hope, clarity, and permission to do it differently.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> <em>Alisa Gracheva, trauma therapy, EMDR, healing trauma, nervous system regulation, mental health podcast, PTSD recovery, self-awareness, grounding techniques, therapy without retraumatization, spiritual healing, emotional wellness</em></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Meet Our Guest — Alisa Gracheva</h3> <p><strong>Alisa Gracheva</strong> is a licensed trauma therapist, EMDR practitioner, and author dedicated to helping people heal without re-traumatization. Blending evidence-based trauma therapy with spiritual awareness, Alisa supports clients in reconnecting with safety, self-trust, and wholeness after trauma.</p> <p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://since.life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://since.life/</a><br><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alisa_art/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/alisa_art/</a><br><strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisa-gracheva-61081670/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisa-gracheva-61081670/</a><br><strong>Book:</strong> <em>Walking with Spirit: A Sacred Path to Wholeness</em></p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li>You don’t have to relive trauma in detail to heal it.</li> <li>Trauma lives in the body — healing must involve the nervous system.</li> <li>Finding the right therapist matters more than sticking with the first one.</li> <li>Self-awareness is the first step toward real change.</li> <li>Boundaries are essential for helpers, healers, and caregivers.</li> <li>Healing is a lifelong relationship, not a finish line.</li> </ul>   <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Actionable Items</h3> <ul> <li>If therapy hasn’t worked before, give yourself permission to try a different approach.</li> <li>Add one grounding practice to your day (stretching, nature, breathwork, or art).</li> <li>Ask yourself: <em>“What would safety feel like right now?”</em> — and honor that answer.</li> </ul>   <hr> <h3><

<h3>Trigger Notice</h3> This episode includes discussions of anxiety, depression, trauma, and suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised. <p>If you or someone you love is in crisis, you are not alone. In the U.S., call or text <strong>988</strong> to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For international resources, visit <a href="https://findahelpline.com/" target="_blank">https://findahelpline.com</a>.</p> <h3></h3> What if anxiety wasn’t your enemy—just old programming that needs an update? In this powerful conversation, <strong>G-Rex</strong> and <strong>Dirty Skittles</strong> sit down with <strong>Amy Koford</strong>, also known as <em>The Happy Hypnotist</em>, to talk about fear, trauma, and how hypnotherapy can help rewire the subconscious mind for lasting emotional healing. <p><strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind.</p> <p>We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></p> <p> </p> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <em>“You don’t have to believe every thought you have—especially the ones rooted in fear.”</em> — <strong>Amy Koford</strong> <p> </p> <h3>Episode Description</h3> Anxiety has a way of convincing us that control equals safety—but what if letting go is where healing actually begins? In this eye-opening episode, <strong>Amy Koford</strong>, bestselling author, clinical hypnotist, and motivational speaker, joins <strong>G-Rex</strong> and <strong>Dirty Skittles</strong> to break down how hypnotherapy helps people release fear, process trauma, and find real emotional peace. <p>Amy shares her personal journey through depression, postpartum struggles, and life-threatening illness—experiences that shaped her mission to help others heal faster and deeper than traditional talk therapy alone. Together, the trio explores why anxiety often becomes a “security blanket,” how subconscious beliefs shape emotional reactions, and why so many people struggle to quiet their minds at night.</p> <p>This conversation dives into how hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind to reframe trauma, release stored emotional responses, and replace fear with calm, confidence, and clarity. Amy also explains why sleep improves, anxiety eases, and emotional healing accelerates when the nervous system finally feels safe.</p> <p>If you’ve tried therapy, medication, or coping strategies and still feel stuck, this episode offers a hopeful, practical alternative. It’s a reminder that you’re not broken—you’re responding exactly how a nervous system learns to survive. Sometimes healing doesn’t come from pushing harder. It comes from reprogramming what’s been running quietly in the background all along.</p> <p><strong>SEO Keywords:</strong><br> <em>Amy Koford, hypnotherapy for anxiety, trauma healing, fear and anxiety, subconscious mind, emotional healing, mental health podcast, anxiety relief, hypnosis therapy, healing trauma, sleep anxiety, mindset reprogramming</em></p> <p> </p> <h3>Meet Our Guest — Amy Koford</h3> <strong>Amy Koford</strong>, known as <em>The Happy Hypnotist</em>, is a bestselling author, clinical hypnotist, motivational speaker, and CEO of Amy Koford. With thousands of one-on-one hypnotherapy sessions completed, Amy helps people overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, fear, insomnia, and self-doubt by reprogramming the subconscious mind. Her mission is to create a world where <strong>love wins over fear</strong>. <p><strong>Connect with Amy:</strong><br> Website: <a href="https://www.amykoford.com/" target="_blank">https://www.amykoford.com/</a><br> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amythehappyhypnotist/" target="_blank"> https://www.instagram.com/amythehappyhypnotist/ </a><br> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.koford" target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/amy.koford </a><br> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-koford-012637184/" target="_blank"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-koford-012637184/ </a></p> <h3></h3> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li>Anxiety is often learned, which means it can be unlearned.</li> <li>Fear is not protection—it is outdated programming.</li> <li>Hypnotherapy works by addressing subconscious patterns, not just surface thoughts.</li> <li>You do not need to remember trauma for healing to occur.</li> <li>Letting go of control can be the most empowering step toward peace.</li> </ul> <h3></h3> <h3>Actionable Items</h3> <ul> <li>When anxiety hits, ask yourself: <em>What thought am I believing right now?</em></li> <li>Practice allowing calm instead of fighting fear; resistance fuels anxiety.</li>

<h3>Trigger Notice</h3> This episode includes discussion of trauma, mental health challenges, and suicide statistics. If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., call or text <strong>988</strong> to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For global resources, visit: <a href="https://findahelpline.com/">https://findahelpline.com</a> <p> </p> <hr> <p>What better way to kick off 2026 than with a conversation about emotional resilience? In the very first episode of the new year, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Susanna Calvert to talk about healing trauma, reclaiming personal power, and learning the skills most of us were never taught — but desperately need.</p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind.</p> We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a> <p> </p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <em>“Resilience isn’t about being tough or pushing through — it’s about learning how to come home to yourself after life knocks you down.”</em> — Susanna Calvert <p> </p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Episode Description</h3> As the first episode of <em>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</em> for 2026, this conversation sets the tone for the year ahead — honest, hopeful, and rooted in real tools for mental health. Resilience is often treated like a personality trait — something you either have or you don’t. But Susanna Calvert is here to dismantle that myth and show why emotional resilience is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened at any stage of life. <p>In this deeply thoughtful episode, Susanna joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to share how her own experiences with generational trauma, spiritual awakening, and repeated “dark nights of the soul” led her to create the Foundation for Family and Community Healing. Drawing from decades in higher education and well-being research, she explains why grit and “toughing it out” aren’t enough — and how unhealed trauma quietly shapes families, schools, workplaces, and entire communities.</p> <p>The conversation explores why emotional education should be as foundational as reading or math, how kids and adults alike benefit from learning resilience together, and why community-wide healing is the missing piece in today’s mental health crisis. Susanna also introduces the concept of the Hero’s — or “Shiro’s” — Journey, offering a powerful framework for turning crisis into growth and hopelessness into meaning.</p> <p>This episode is a reminder that healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken — it’s about reclaiming your power, learning new skills, and choosing to grow even when life feels overwhelming. If you’re looking for a grounded, hopeful way to start 2026, this conversation is it.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> <em>emotional resilience, mental health healing, trauma recovery, generational trauma, resilience skills, emotional wellness, community healing, childhood trauma, mental health education, personal growth, coping skills, self-healing</em></p> <p> </p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Meet Our Guest — Susanna Calvert</h3> Dr. Susanna (Sanna) Wu-Pong Calvert, MAPP, PhD is the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Family and Community Healing, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching emotional resilience and well-being as learnable life skills. She is also the Founder of Sanctuary of Earth and the Community Director at MentalHealth.com, blending science, education, and spiritual growth to support healing for individuals and communities worldwide. <p><strong>Connect with Susanna:</strong><br> Website: <a href="http://www.healingedu.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.HealingEdu.org</a><br> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/familyandcommunityhealing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/familyandcommunityhealing/</a><br> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FamilyandCommunityHealing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.facebook.com/FamilyandCommunityHealing</a><br> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanna-wu-pong-calvert-551b616/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanna-wu-pong-calvert-551b616/</a></p> <p> </p> <hr> <h3></h3> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li>Emotional resilience is a skill — not a personality trait.</li> <li>Unhealed trauma often gets passed down quietly through generations.</li> <li>Grit alone doesn’t heal; awareness and skill-building do.</li> <li>Kids and adults learn resilience best when communities heal together.</li> <li>A crisis can become a doorway to growth when we

<p>What happens when your body knows something is wrong, but the system refuses to listen? In this robust conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with cancer thriver and advocate Talaya Dendy to talk about medical gaslighting, emotional survival, and what it takes to fight for your life, literally and emotionally. This is our final episode of 2025, and we are closing the year with a reminder that you deserve to be heard.</p> <p><strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind.</p> <p>We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here:<br> <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a></p> <p> </p> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <em>“Those gaps in the system are the problem, you’re not.”</em> — Talaya Dendy <p> </p> <h3>Episode Description</h3> Being told “it’s probably nothing” nearly cost Talaya Dendy her life. <p>In this candid, emotionally grounded episode, Talaya joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to share what it was like to be dismissed by a doctor, diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma a year later, and then left alone with the news on a Friday afternoon. What followed was not only a fight against cancer, but a battle against medical gaslighting, isolation, and a healthcare system that too often forgets the person behind the chart.</p> <p>Talaya opens up about navigating cancer in her early 30s, enduring months of chemotherapy and radiation, and managing the stress of a new workplace while trying to protect her insurance and privacy. She also shares the heartbreak of learning who shows up and who disappears when your life is upended, and how boundaries become survival tools, not “nice-to-haves.”</p> <p>Along the way, Talaya explains how journaling, mindset work, faith, and self-advocacy helped her stay grounded when support systems fell short. That lived experience ultimately became her purpose: serving others as a cancer doula and board-certified patient advocate, helping people ask better questions, get better care, and feel less alone.</p> <p>As we close out our last show of 2025, this episode is a powerful reminder as we enter the new year: you are not a burden, you are not “too much,” and you have every right to demand care that is competent and compassionate.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> <em>Talaya Dendy, cancer thriver, medical gaslighting, emotional healing, cancer trauma, self-advocacy, patient advocacy, cancer support, mental health podcast, emotional wellness, boundaries, healthcare trauma, survivorship, healing journey</em></p> <p> </p> <h3>Meet Our Guest — Talaya Dendy</h3> Talaya Dendy is a cancer thriver, Cancer Doula, Board-Certified Patient Advocate, Health & Wellness Coach, and host of the Navigating Cancer TOGETHER podcast. After surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma, she dedicated her work to filling the emotional and advocacy gaps in cancer care. Hence, patients and families feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout the journey. <p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://www.ontheotherside.life/" target="_blank">https://www.ontheotherside.life</a><br> <strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ontheotherside17/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/ontheotherside17/</a><br> <strong>X (Twitter):</strong> <a href="https://x.com/NCTpodcastfan" target="_blank">https://x.com/NCTpodcastfan</a><br> <strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/talayadendy/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/talayadendy/</a></p> <p> </p> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li>Medical gaslighting is real, and trusting your body can save your life.</li> <li>You have the right to ask questions, seek second opinions, and walk away.</li> <li>Cancer impacts mental health just as much as it affects the body.</li> <li>Not everyone will show up, and that clarity can change your life.</li> <li>Advocacy is a skill that can be learned, even in survival mode.</li> </ul>   <h3>Actionable Items</h3> <ul> <li>Write down symptoms and concerns before appointments, and bring them with you.</li> <li>Practice one boundary this week that protects your health or energy.</li> <li>Ask yourself: “Do I feel heard here?” If not, consider another provider or a second opinion.</li> </ul>   <h3>References Mentioned</h3> <ul> <li>Journaling as a therapeutic practice</li> <li>Patient self-advocacy in healthcare</li> </ul>   <h3>Important Chapters</h3> <ul> <li><strong>00:01</strong> — Talaya’s lump is dismissed, and the path to diagnosis begins</li> <li><strong>05:00</strong> — Getting the diagnosis by phone and feeling abandoned</li> <li><strong>12:30</strong> — Learning self-advocacy and

<p>What if the thing that saved your mental health wasn’t therapy alone—but your hands, your creativity, and your ability to choose differently? In this powerful conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Carrie to discuss trauma, abandonment, people-pleasing, and how creativity became her lifeline amid chaos.</p> <p>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over <strong>3 million downloads</strong> and counting.</p> <p> </p> <h3><strong>We Have Been Nominated</strong></h3> We are thrilled to share that <strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> has been nominated in the <strong>Podcast Tonight Awards</strong> for <em>Best Mental Health Podcast</em>. This is a listener-driven award, which means <strong>your vote genuinely matters</strong>. <p><strong>Vote here:</strong> <a href="https://www.podcasttonightawards.com/voteheads" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.podcasttonightawards.com/voteheads</a><br> <strong>Important Dates:</strong><br> • Voting ends <strong>December 25, 2025</strong></p> <p>Your support has carried us this far, and we are grateful beyond words.</p> <h3>Listener Feedback</h3> We would love to hear your thoughts. Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a> <p> </p> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <em>“You can visit devastation, but you can’t live there.”</em> — Carrie <h3>Episode Description</h3> Carrie’s mental health journey didn’t begin in adulthood—it started in childhood, shaped by sudden moves, family instability, abandonment, and the quiet expectation to “be okay” no matter what. In this deeply honest episode, Carrie joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to share how creativity became her survival tool when life felt completely out of control. <p>From waking up to moving trucks without warning to becoming a parentified child at twelve, Carrie learned early how chaos can wire the nervous system. Rather than numbing out or self-destructing in obvious ways, she chose a more socially accepted—but equally damaging—path: people-pleasing, over-functioning, and carrying everyone else’s emotional weight.</p> <p>Through art, crafting, and intentional use of her hands, Carrie discovered a way to temporarily shut off trauma, regulate her nervous system, and reclaim a sense of power. This episode explores how creativity isn’t just a hobby—it’s a form of mental health care. Carrie also opens up about breaking generational trauma, setting boundaries with family, redefining self-care, and teaching her children emotional agency instead of emotional suppression.</p> <p>This conversation is raw, validating, and deeply human. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, trauma, abandonment wounds, or the pressure to be “the strong one,” this episode will remind you that healing doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be intentional.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> <em>Carrie, mental health, trauma healing, creativity and mental health, childhood trauma, abandonment issues, people-pleasing, anxiety coping skills, generational trauma, boundaries, self-care, emotional regulation, creative healing</em></p> <h3>Meet Our Guest</h3> Carrie is a creative mother and lifelong advocate for using hands-on creativity to support mental health and emotional regulation. Shaped by childhood trauma, family instability, and abandonment, she learned to transform chaos into meaning through art, crafting, and intentional self-reflection. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing is often built—not found. <h3></h3> <h3>Key Takeaways</h3> <ul> <li>Creativity can regulate the nervous system and quiet trauma responses.</li> <li>People-pleasing is a socially accepted form of self-abandonment.</li> <li>You can choose healing—even if you have to choose it daily.</li> <li>Boundaries protect mental health, even when they disappoint others.</li> <li>Trauma doesn’t disappear, but it can lose control over your life.</li> </ul>   <h3>Actionable Items</h3> <ul> <li>Find a “busy hands” activity that helps calm your mind (drawing, knitting, baking, crafting).</li> <li>Give yourself permission to feel devastation—then set a limit on how long you stay there.</li> <li>Ask yourself daily: <em>Am I choosing myself or abandoning myself?</em></li> </ul>   <h3>References Mentioned</h3> <ul> <li><em>Between Two Worlds</em> (book on the impact of divorce on children)</li> </ul>   <h3>Important Chapters</h3> <ul> <li><strong>00:04:20</strong> – Waking up to a moving truck and the roots of abandonment</li> <li><strong>00:10:30</strong> – How creativity helps turn off trauma</li> <li><strong>00:17:10</strong> – People-pleasing as a hidden destructive coping skill</li> <li><strong>00:18:30</strong> – “You can visit devastation, but you can’t live th

<p>This episode contains <strong>explicit discussion of severe trauma</strong>, including emotional and physical abuse, childhood sexual assault, foster care abuse, extreme poverty, mental illness, eating disorders, homelessness, death, and <strong>suicide attempts</strong>.</p> <p>Adriene herself urges listeners to proceed with caution. Please prioritize your well-being and pause or skip this episode if needed.</p> <p>If you or someone you love is struggling or in crisis, help is available:<br> <strong>United States and Canada:</strong> Call or text <strong>988</strong>, Suicide and Crisis Lifeline<br> <strong>International resources:</strong> <a href="https://findahelpline.com/" target="_blank">https://findahelpline.com</a></p> <p>You matter. You are not alone.</p> <h3></h3> From foster care and extreme poverty to abuse, homelessness, and surviving suicide attempts, <strong>Adriene Caldwell has lived through more trauma than most people can imagine</strong>. In this raw, unfiltered, and deeply human conversation, <strong>G-Rex and Dirty Skittles</strong> sit down with Adriene, author of <em>Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines</em>, to talk about what it means to survive when the odds are stacked against you, and how hope can still take root in the most unforgiving places. <p>Adriene shares the reality of growing up in systems that failed her, the teachers who quite literally saved her life, and the truth behind the statistic that fewer than 3 percent of former foster youth ever attend college. This is not a story wrapped in platitudes or false positivity. It is honest, heavy, and courageous. It is about staying when leaving felt easier, and choosing to believe that life could be different, even when there was no proof.</p> <p>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over <strong>3 million downloads</strong> and counting.</p> <p></p> <h3><strong>We Have Been Nominated</strong></h3> We are thrilled to share that <strong>Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads</strong> has been nominated in the <strong>Podcast Tonight Awards</strong> for <em>Best Mental Health Podcast</em>. This is a listener-driven award, which means <strong>your vote genuinely matters</strong>. <p><strong>Vote here:</strong> <a href="https://www.podcasttonightawards.com/voteheads" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.podcasttonightawards.com/voteheads</a><br> <strong>Important Dates:</strong><br> • Voting ends <strong>December 25, 2025</strong></p> <p>Your support has carried us this far, and we are grateful beyond words.</p> <p> </p> <h3>Listener Feedback</h3> We would love to hear your thoughts. Leave us written or voice feedback here: <a href="https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a" target="_blank">https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a</a> <p> </p> <h3>Mental Health Quote</h3> <em>“I have done more than survive. I have thrived. Hope is the reason I am still here.”</em> — Adriene Caldwell <h3>Episode Description</h3> Adriene Caldwell’s story is not easy to hear, but it is necessary. In this deeply honest conversation, Adriene joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to share what it means to grow up in extreme poverty, endure horrific abuse, survive foster care, and attempt suicide, yet still choose to stay. <p>From childhood trauma and an untreated mentally ill parent to homelessness and abusive foster placements, Adriene’s life was shaped by systems that failed her again and again. School became her refuge. Education became her way out. And hope, quiet, stubborn, and hard won, became her anchor.</p> <p>Adriene also opens up about the teachers who risked everything to protect her, the reality that fewer than 3 percent of foster youth ever attend college, and why emotional abuse can leave deeper scars than physical violence. She shares what finally led her to write her memoir, <em>Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines</em>, and how revisiting her trauma forced healing she never expected.</p> <p>This episode is raw, heavy, and deeply human. It is also a reminder that your current chapter is not your final one. If you have ever felt trapped by your past or unsure whether staying is worth it, Adriene’s story offers proof that hope can survive even the cruelest circumstances.</p> <p> </p> <h3>Meet Our Guest — Adriene Caldwell</h3> Adriene Caldwell is the author of <em>Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines</em>, a memoir documenting her journey through foster care, extreme poverty, abuse, mental illness, and suicide survival. A former foster youth who defied overwhelming odds, Adriene uses her story to offer real, grounded hope that trauma can end and life can improve. <p><strong>Connect with Adriene:</strong><br> Website: <a href="https://www.unbrokencaldwell.com/" target="_blank">https://www.unbrokencaldwell.com/</a><br> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575765845419&sk=professional_dashb