In this episode of the Core Happiness Podcast, we welcome Julie Hall, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to discuss the deep emotional roots behind repetitive patterns in our daily lives and relationships. Julie shares her journey from the tech industry to becoming a therapist and the personal experiences that catalyzed her career shift. Using a blend of compassion, mindfulness, and trauma-informed therapy, she helps individuals navigate from survival mode to feeling genuinely safe and connected. Listen as we delve into the concept of the 'adaptive child' versus the 'wise adult,' how early family dynamics influence our present behaviors, and the importance of self-compassion. Julie also explores practical steps for nurturing emotional safety in relationships and highlights therapeutic approaches like EMDR and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with valuable insights for achieving emotional well-being and healthier connections.

00:00 Introduction to Adaptive Child

00:34 Welcome to the Core Happiness Podcast

00:52 Meet Julie Hall: From Tech to Therapy

01:46 Julie's Personal Journey with Therapy

08:08 Understanding the Adaptive Child

14:05 The Importance of Self-Compassion

22:14 Navigating Survival Mode and Flow

26:00 Navigating Unfamiliar Emotions

26:38 The Three H's: Help, Hug, or Hear

27:09 Operating from Love vs. Fear

28:31 Practical Steps for Self-Compassion

31:27 Understanding Emotional Safety in Relationships

38:56 Therapeutic Modalities: EMDR and EFT

45:45 Final Takeaway: You Are Worthy of Love

Contact Julie Hall:

• Website: www.juliehalltherapy.com

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (FREE):

- Core Happiness Website: www.corehappiness.com

- Core Happiness Meditations & Affirmations on Youtube

FOLLOW US:

- Instagram: @CoreHappiness and @TheClarityConsultant

- Youtube: @CoreHappiness ​

In this episode, we explore the feeling of being unfulfilled despite having a seemingly perfect life. If you've ever felt flat, numb, or stuck and wondered why, this episode is for you. Host discusses personal experiences of having it all on the outside but feeling restless inside, and provides insights into why this happens when our lives reflect past choices rather than our present truths. Learn how to identify and address the 'discomfort of disconnection,' and discover tools and strategies to realign your life with who you're becoming, not who you've been.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction: Feeling Stuck Despite Success

00:53 Personal Story: Outgrowing Success

02:49 Understanding the Discomfort of Disconnection

04:27 Steps to Realign with Your Evolving Self

06:58 Exploring New Joys and Interests

07:54 Embracing Change and Secret Desires

09:59 Conclusion: Tools for Realignment

RESOURCES:

• Grab Your FREE Fulfillment Gap Worksheet: https://corehappiness.systeme.io/fulfillment_gap
• Join the Core Return Reset! http://thecorereturn.com/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (FREE):

- Core Happiness Website: www.corehappiness.com

FOLLOW US:

- Instagram: @CoreHappiness and @TheClarityConsultant

- Youtube: @CoreHappiness ​

In this episode, we dive deep into how to reconnect with your intuition, stop overthinking, and start making decisions that align with your true self. Discover why your inner voice may feel silent or unreliable and learn practical steps to awaken it. Hear a personal story about overcoming logic-driven decision-making and the pitfalls of people-pleasing, and receive actionable insights into recognizing your body’s intuitive signals.

Download a FREE Intuition Tracker worksheet and explore the 'Core Return Reset' to further strengthen your connection with your inner compass.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction: Trusting Yourself

01:04 Personal Story: Ignoring Intuition

02:18 Understanding Intuition: A Natural Sense

04:42 Reconnecting with Your Inner Voice

06:15 Practical Steps to Trust Your Intuition

08:22 Building Self-Trust Through Action

11:14 Conclusion: Embrace Your Inner Compass

12:03 Resources: Core Return Reset & Intuition Tracker

Can your body lead the way to happiness—even before your mind catches up?

In this inspiring conversation, bestselling author, journalist, and former Parade editor-in-chief Janice Kaplan joins us to explore the real science behind happiness, gratitude, and the body-mind connection.

We revisit the powerful lessons from her global bestseller The Gratitude Diaries, where a year of intentional appreciation reshaped her marriage, mindset, and meaning. Then, Janice takes us inside her newest book What Your Body Knows About Happiness—where posture, soft chairs, gentle movement, and even the warmth of your coffee mug prove that your body is already wired for joy.

You’ll learn:

- How gratitude changes the brain and relationships

- Why emotions begin in the body, not just the mind

- Myths about venting, exercise, and “blowing off steam”

- The surprising science of happiness, posture & space

- 4 easy ways to reset your mood through body cues

- How to feel better—without trying so hard

Whether you're navigating stress, craving fulfillment, or simply ready to feel good again, this conversation offers soul-deep insights backed by science.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Choice

00:23 Meet Janice Kaplan: A Journey in Journalism and Gratitude

02:55 The Gratitude Diaries: A Year of Living Gratefully

04:56 The Science of Gratitude and Happiness

09:51 Exploring Body-Mind Connections

11:51 Debunking Myths: Stress, Movement, and Mood

17:39 The Calming Power of Nature

21:50 Surprising Insights: Warm Coffee and Heavy Clipboards

31:08 Optimism and Success: Lessons from the Famous

33:26 Practical Tips for Happiness and Gratitude

36:31 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

CONTACT JANICE KAPLAN

📘 Learn more about Janice: www.janicekaplan.com

📚 Get the books: The Gratitude Diaries & What Your Body Knows About Happiness

ON Social:

Instagram: janice.kaplan

Substack: janicekaplan.substack.com

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (FREE):

- Core Happiness Website: www.corehappiness.com

- Core Happiness Meditations & Affirmations on Youtube

FOLLOW US:

- Instagram: @CoreHappiness and @TheClarityConsultant

- Youtube: @CoreHappiness ​

You started the work. You expected peace. But what came was more confusion, more emotion, more overwhelm.

In this episode, we talk about why healing can feel worse before it feels better. You'll hear my personal story of feeling completely undone in the early stages of growth—and why that wasn’t failure, but a sign the process was working.

I’ll walk you through 3 truths about healing that no one talks about, plus practical tips and reflective questions to help you feel less alone in your journey.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Starting the Healing Journey

01:06 Personal Growth Story

02:02 The Reality of Healing

03:19 Embracing Emotions

05:47 Seeking Support

08:19 Final Reminders and Course Invitation

✨ Want support as you move through this?Join me in the Core Return Reset — my 5-day self-paced course to move from emotional overwhelm to anchored clarity: www.TheCoreReturn.com

You’re not behind. You’re becoming.

#healingjourney #selfgrowth #innerwork #boundaries #nervoussystemhealing #corehappiness

What if the biggest thing holding you back... was your own mind?

In this deeply moving and eye-opening episode, psychologist, speaker, and author Dr. Ashley Smith shares her personal journey of navigating a rare degenerative eye condition that left her legally blind—and how she used that adversity to unlock a life of boldness, joy, and true psychological strength.

We explore the science behind anxiety, limiting beliefs, and why your brain is wired to keep you stuck—and what to do about it. Ashley breaks down how thoughts shape reality, the real reason happiness doesn’t come from outside success, and how to build self-compassion and resilience in a world that constantly pushes fear and perfection.

Whether you're feeling stuck in self-doubt or seeking a deeper understanding of happiness and human strength, this episode will leave you inspired—and equipped—to live more boldly from the inside out.

CONTACT DR. ASHLEY:

Website: www.drashleysmith.com

Grab the book:

Author of The Way I See It: A Psychologist's Guide to a Happier Life, available in paperback, kindle, and audio

Watch Dr. Ashley's TEDx talk: Your Brain is Deceiving You

CHAPTERS:

Boost Your Courage & Happiness: Insights from Dr. Ashley Smith

Join us in this enlightening episode with Dr. Ashley Smith, a licensed psychologist, speaker, author, and co-founder of Peak Mind, the Center for Psychological Strength. Dr. Ashley, who was born with a rare visual impairment, shares her personal journey of overcoming anxiety, building resilience, and living a bold life. Discover how she blends brain science, storytelling, and practical tools to help individuals reclaim their inner strength. Learn about the importance of self-compassion, facing fear, and leveraging positive psychology to live more fulfilled lives. This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips—don't miss it!

00:00 Introduction: Facing Your Fears

00:19 Meet Dr. Ashley: Science and Soul

01:42 Dr. Ashley's Personal Journey

02:06 Understanding Anxiety and the Mind

02:58 Living Boldly Despite Challenges

18:29 The Power of Self-Compassion

22:43 Building Courage and Openness

24:02 Shifting Language and Building Tolerance

24:56 Resilience and Expanding Possibilities

25:51 Acceptance and Role Models

27:58 Living Boldly and Taking Risks

29:10 Positive Psychology and Happiness

30:34 The Science of Happiness

33:40 Misconceptions About Happiness

41:21 Choosing Hope and Kindness

48:38 Mastering Your Mind

49:48 Connecting and Final Thoughts

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (FREE):

- Core Happiness Website: www.corehappiness.com

- Core Happiness Meditations & Affirmations on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCq8USp4HgCQ_lMoiogO7tUw

FOLLOW US:

- Instagram: @CoreHappiness and @TheClarityConsultant

- Youtube: @CoreHappiness ​

You've been told to be more confident, to speak louder, show up stronger, and finally “get it together.” But what if confidence isn’t the real problem?

In this episode, we reveal the real reason you're feeling stuck, second-guessing yourself, and constantly seeking permission. Spoiler alert: It's not confidence — it's self-trust.

We’ll break down the neuroscience of self-trust, how to rebuild it through micro-decisions, body awareness, and nervous system safety, and why this shift changes everything — from decision-making to self-worth.

💡 Want to take this deeper? Join the 5-Day Core Return Reset — the link is below:

www.TheCoreReturn.com

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro

01:04 - Building Confidence

02:38 - Overcoming Indecision

04:22 - Interoceptive Awareness and Self-Trust

06:40 - Self-Trust vs. Self-Esteem

10:08 - Creating a Self-Loyalty Statement

11:11 - 5-Day Core Return Reset Enrollment

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more mindset shifts that help you unlearn the noise and return to your inner wisdom.

#SelfTrust #ConfidenceVsSelfTrust #PersonalGrowth #InnerWisdom #DecisionFatigue #MindsetShift #ConfidenceMyth #EmotionalResilience #NervousSystemHealing #SelfWorth

Discover how trauma is stored in the body—and why true healing happens from the inside out. In this powerful conversation, internationally renowned psychotherapist and TEDx speaker Tammy Valicenti shares how her groundbreaking Transformation Solution™—a fusion of EMDR, IFS, and body-based healing—helps people reclaim their power, identity, and peace faster than traditional therapy. We explore how trauma shapes our nervous system, the quiet cost of over-functioning, and the path to radical self-trust. Whether you're a high-achieving woman feeling disconnected or someone seeking real emotional freedom, this episode offers insight, hope, and practical tools to begin your journey back home to yourself.

#selfimprovement #traumahealing #achievablegoals #personaltransformation

#ptsd #selfimprovement #mindfulness #traumaawareness #mentalhealthawareness

CONTACT TAMMY:

• WEBSITE: https://www.tammyvalicenti.com/
• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/transformationsolution/
• LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-valicenti-licsw-3925798/
• TED TALK: Addressing Trauma Beyond Talk Therapy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avptKSgd8F8

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - Trauma Healing Journey

02:37 - Impact of Trauma on Identity

08:22 - Body as Gateway to Recovery

10:55 - Unique Transformation Solution

13:17 - EMDR and IFS Therapy Explained

16:32 - Steps to Heal from Trauma

19:01 - Women's Burnout Issues

25:00 - Understanding Overfunctioning

27:33 - Embracing Radical Self-Trust

32:12 - Unlearning Common Client Themes

34:00 - Aligning with Your True Self

37:07 - Transformative Power of Retreats

38:30 - Regulating the Nervous System

42:33 - Myths About Trauma Explained

46:23 - Safety in Group Settings

48:20 - When Nothing Seems to Work

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (FREE):

- Core Happiness Website: www.corehappiness.com

- Core Happiness Meditations & Affirmations on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCq8USp4HgCQ_lMoiogO7tUw

FOLLOW US:

- Instagram: @CoreHappiness and @coachkacee

- Youtube: @CoreHappinessPodcast and @CoreHappiness ​