Julie McGuire shares her journey from suicidal depression to discovering purpose through the mountains. Using her mantra, “let me see how far I can get,” Julie illustrates how life’s hardest experiences can become tools to help others, even when our lives don’t turn out as we envisioned. Through her story, she demonstrates that you don’t have to be the best at something for it to be meaningful, and that hobbies—especially those pursued for joy, not profit—can guide personal growth, slow down the nervous system, and open you up to life’s signs.

Julie is a high school English teacher, backcountry skier, and the first woman to ski all 33 Catskill High Peaks. She volunteers with Winter4Kids, teaching students from the South Bronx to ski, and maintains trails through the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference in collaboration with the Catskills 3500 Club. She is currently pursuing a project to ski the “lower 67” and hopes to become the first person to ski the 100 highest mountains in the Catskills.

This episode discusses suicide. If you are thinking of suicide, please call 988.

In this episode, we explore:

• The significance of hobbies in trauma healing and personal growth
• How skiing and outdoor challenges helped Julie process grief, betrayal, and depression
• The power of sharing your story to help others feel seen
• Practical ideas about self-talk, goal setting, and connecting with nature
• How experiences of hardship can make us more sensitive and impactful in our relationships
• Julie’s work bringing students into the mountains, and the ripple effect of small gestures of kindness

Julie’s story is also featured in the film Queen of the Catskills and is part of the Girl Winter Film Tour.

Learn more:

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

In this energizing episode of Beyond Trauma, Lara Land sits down with coffee scientist and author Shawn Steiman to explore the surprising intersections between coffee, culture, and mental health. From morning routines to religious rituals, coffee has long been more than a beverage—it’s a way of connecting, bonding, and even healing. Together, they unpack the pros and cons of caffeine, including its impact on memory, mood, and even cholesterol.

Shawn also pulls back the curtain on the ethics of coffee: Does fair trade really work? Should you prioritize organic? And which regions produce the best beans? Along the way, listeners get a mini masterclass in how to think critically about coffee research, plus insights on brewing methods, cultural traditions, and why taste itself can be a benefit. Whether you’re a casual sipper or a true coffee devotee, this episode will deepen your appreciation of your daily cup.

Shawn Steiman, Ph.D, is a coffee scientist, consultant, and entrepreneur. His coffee research has included coffee production, pest management, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, organoleptic quality, and brewing. He owns Coffea Consulting, a coffee-centric consulting firm, and Grok Coffee, a coffee delivery, event, and education company. He was also a co-founder of Daylight Mind Coffee Company. He has authored numerous articles in scientific journals, trade magazines, newsletters, and newspapers. He is the author of The Hawai‘i Coffee Book: A Gourmet's Guide from Kona to Kaua‘i, The Little Coffee Know-It-All: A Miscellany for Growing, Roasting, and Brewing, Uncompromising and Unapologetic, and is a co-editor and author of Coffee- A Comprehensive Guide to the Bean, the Beverage, and the Industry.

grokcoffee.net, coffeaconsulting.com, @grokkingcoffee (IG/FB), https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnsteiman/.

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

In this rich and compassionate conversation, Dr. Mercedes Okosi shares her clinical insights on healing complex trauma—what works, when, and why. We explore her go-to modalities like Prolonged Exposure and Narrative Therapy, and why using the present tense and senses is so powerful when revisiting painful memories. Mercedes breaks down the counterintuitive truth about avoidance, how to prevent emotional flooding, and grounding tools she uses to help clients stay present. We also dive deep into group therapy—how it works, who it helps, and what makes it transformative. Mercedes shares how she builds trust in groups, even for hesitant or shy clients, and why witnessing others’ healing journeys can be profoundly motivating.

With nuance and cultural awareness, she discusses working with immigrants and first-generation clients—addressing multigenerational trauma, value conflicts, and the layered process of acculturation. Plus: the two sides of resilience, the clinician's role in advocacy (and burnout), and why finding authentic community is essential to healing.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating trauma, considering group therapy, or working at the intersection of mental health and identity. Website/Instagram

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

What causes estrangement between parents and adult children—and is reconciliation truly possible? In this powerful and nuanced conversation, psychologist and author Dr. Joshua Coleman unpacks the changing landscape of the modern family. We explore how cultural shifts and even well-meaning therapy can unintentionally contribute to family cutoffs, and what parents can do—now—to prevent or repair disconnection.

Dr. Coleman shares:

*The most common (and often surprising) reasons adult children walk away

*What the research actually says about parenting—and why the answer isn’t “gentle” parenting

*How estrangement ripples through generations

*What to say—and not say—in an amends letter

*Why reconciliation is a phase, not a moment

*How to move forward even if your child chooses not to

He also opens up about his own estrangement and reconciliation with his daughter, offering a deeply human look at what repair really takes. This episode isn’t about being perfect. It’s about what happens after the hurt—when you’re ready to listen, take accountability, and rebuild. Whether you’re a parent hoping for reconnection or someone trying to understand the roots of family rupture, this conversation will stay with you.

Dr. Coleman is a psychologist in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area and a Senior Fellow with the Council on Contemporary Families, a non-partisan organization of leading sociologists, historians, psychologists, and demographers dedicated to providing the press and public with the latest research and best practice findings about American families. Website/Instagram

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

In this episode of Beyond Trauma, Lara Land sits down with psychotherapist Carly Ann to unpack practical, compassionate strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that help us shift negative thought patterns and calm anxious minds. From spirals of self-doubt and perfectionism to managing unmet needs and breaking free from judgment, this conversation is full of real-life tools you can start using today.

Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or simply want more peace in your day, this episode will help you understand how your thoughts shape your feelings—and your behaviors. Carly shares her framework for working with common automatic thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I should be doing more,” and offers insights on how to respond with self-awareness instead of reactivity.

We explore:

• How to stop feeding unhelpful thoughts—even if you can't stop having them
• When affirmations help and when they actually backfire
• Why the first 30 minutes of your day matter more than you think
• How to recognize if your requests of others are truly “reasonable”
• CBT approaches for clinicians working with depressive clients
• How to interrupt thought-feeling-behavior loops and find more ease

Plus: our mutual love of Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy, and how we use it to beat procrastination and reset our mindset.

If you've ever asked yourself, "Why do I keep thinking like this?" or "How can I stop getting stuck in my head?"—this is the episode for you.

Follow Carly Ann on Instagram for more tips!

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

In this heartfelt episode of Beyond Trauma, Lara Land welcomes renowned sex therapist Wendy Maltz to explore how couples can reconnect and reclaim their bond—especially after stress, trauma, or disconnection. Wendy offers compassionate insights and trauma-informed practices that help deepen connection, improve communication, and heal sexual wounds.

Whether you're partnered or on a journey of personal healing, this conversation is for anyone looking to build a more conscious and connected relationship—with themselves or with someone they love.

Learn how to:

• Navigate common stressors that quietly erode intimacy
• Talk about sex in ways that foster safety, clarity, and desire
• Create a shared “sex mission statement” with your partner
• Balance emotional closeness with autonomy in long-term relationships

Wendy also unpacks why foreplay starts long before the bedroom—and how the smallest shifts in how we greet, part, and show up for each other during the day can dramatically shift the energy between us. Plus, we explore the role of creativity in healing trauma, the myth of media-driven sexuality, and why reclaiming agency in sex is one of the most empowering things a survivor can do.

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This episode is brought to you by:

Cozy Earth temperature-regulating sheets and pajamas that naturally wick away heat and moisture from your body. Use code LaraLand (40% OFF)

Moonbrew a natural sleep aid that uses magnesium and superfoods so you can wind down. Get 30% off your first order with code "LARA30".

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Wendy Maltz, LCSW, DST, is an internationally recognized sex therapist, author, and speaker, with more than thirty-five years of experience treating sex and intimacy concerns. She authored many highly acclaimed sexuality books, including the recovery classic, The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse, as well as Private Thoughts: Exploring the Power of Women’s Sexual Fantasies, and The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography. Wendy’s popular educational website, www.HealthySex.com, provides free articles, videos, and other resources to help people overcome sexual problems and develop skills for love-based sexual intimacy.

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

What if your dreams were trying to show you what you’re not ready to say out loud? In this illuminating conversation, trauma therapist and dreamwork expert Dr. Leslie Ellis joins Lara Land to explore the powerful role dreams play in emotional healing. Together, they uncover how dreams give voice to suppressed feelings, internal conflicts, and unresolved trauma—and why they deserve a central place in therapy.

Leslie shares how to remember more of your dreams, decode their meaning without relying on external symbols, and tap into their wisdom through a gentle, body-based approach. From nightmares and recurring dreams to lucid dreaming and suicide risk, this episode is an invitation to rethink how you relate to the messages that come through while you sleep.

PLUS: Lara shares a personal dream, and Leslie helps her uncover its deeper meaning—live on air.

• Why dreams often reflect the feelings we’re avoiding in waking life
• How to start interpreting your dreams—without a dictionary
• What makes dreamwork a powerful tool in trauma recovery
• How nightmares connect to emotional overwhelm and suicide risk
• Tips for remembering more of your dreams
• What therapists should consider before bringing dreams into the room
• Leslie’s approach to blending somatic work, Focusing, and dream interpretation

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This episode is brought to you by:

Cozy Earth temperature-regulating sheets and pajamas that naturally wick away heat and moisture from your body. Use code LaraLand (40% OFF)

Moonbrew a natural sleep aid that uses magnesium and superfoods so you can wind down. Get 30% off your first order with code "LARA30".

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Dr. Leslie Ellis is a leading expert in the use of experiential and somatic approaches in psychotherapy, in particular for working with dreams, nightmares, and the effects of trauma. She is the author of A Clinician's Guide to Dream Therapy (Routledge, 2025) and offers online training in embodied, experiential dreamwork and nightmare treatment. She has a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a somatic specialization, and a Masters in counseling psychology with a focus on depth/Jungian approaches. She was a psychotherapist in private practice in Vancouver, BC for more than 25 years. She is a former adjunct faculty at Adler University, and past president of The International Focusin Institute, where she is currently a Certifying Coordinator.

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

In this enlightening episode of Beyond Trauma, Lara Land is joined by Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a double board-certified expert in psychiatry and sleep medicine, to explore the powerful intersection between trauma, mental health, and sleep. Together, they unpack how trauma disrupts our ability to rest and regulate, why sleep is often the first casualty in a dysregulated nervous system, and how healing the mind and body requires a truly integrated approach.

Whether you’re dealing with disrupted sleep, chronic fatigue, or just want to understand your brain and body better, this episode offers a powerful blend of science, psychology, and practical tools for getting truly restorative rest.

• Why wake-up time matters more than bedtime
• What to do when you wake up at 3 a.m. and can't fall back asleep
• How coffee timing and sleep pressure shape energy and rest
• The truth about sleep trackers—and when to ignore them
• How trauma and mental health disorders impact sleep quality
• When to consider medications or ketamine therapy
• Tips for building an effective nighttime and morning routine
• How visualization and meditation can support deeper rest

This episode is brought to you by:

Cozy Earth temperature-regulating sheets and pajamas that naturally wick away heat and moisture from your body. Use code LaraLand (40% OFF)

Moonbrew a natural sleep aid that uses magnesium and superfoods so you can wind down. Get 30% off your first order with code "LARA30".

Dr. Dimitriu brings a deep respect for science and spirituality into his work. As a consultation psychiatrist, he specializes in the complex interplay between the mind and body. His workhas been nationally recognized by The New York Times, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Psychology Today, NBC News among other media. He also serves as a medical reviewer for Business Insider, the Sleep Foundation and as a contributing author to The Encyclopedia of Sleep Medicine. From Meditation to Medication, his goal is to share the knowledge and experience he has gained through his work. He aims to help people achieve peace, presence, and happiness by discovering the right combination of psychological and biological interventions tailored to their individual needs.

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik