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  • Sophie Malahieude: Understanding Anxiety and Grief Through the Body

    Sophie Malahieude: Understanding Anxiety and Grief Through the Body
    2026/11/12
    What happens when you’ve thought through your feelings a thousand times, but still don’t understand what’s underneath them? G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Sophie Malahieude for an honest conversation about lifelong fear, complicated grief, and learning to approach yourself with curiosity instead of judgment. Awards & Downloads Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 8 million downloads and listened to in over 200 countries. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote “Be in your body with curiosity and compassion.” — Sophie Malahieude Content Notice This episode includes discussions of anxiety, the death of a parent, grief, anger, and physical symptoms Sophie experienced while grieving. Episode Description Sometimes the hardest part of an emotion is admitting you’re having it. Especially when it’s anger toward someone you love, fear you think you should have outgrown, or grief that doesn’t look the way you expected. In this episode, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles welcome Sophie Malahieude, author of Beyond Emotions and creator of The Emotion Process. Sophie shares how moving from France to Germany challenged her sense of belonging, and how a yoga class in an unfamiliar language became an unexpected place to feel at home. After more than 28 years of practicing yoga, Sophie describes its greatest gift as knowing and accepting herself. Her morning practice gives her space to notice what she’s feeling before the demands of the day take over. The conversation gets especially honest when Sophie talks about losing her mother. She describes feeling angry, then ashamed of that anger, and trying to convince herself everything was fine. Exploring those feelings helped her recognize how much energy she had spent trying to become the daughter she imagined her mother wanted. Together, the three explore what it means to pause, notice your body, and meet difficult emotions without judging them right away. G-Rex connects that focus to the gym, while Dirty Skittles shares how learning to ski gave her a rare break from multitasking. You’ll hear simple ideas for returning to the present moment, from noticing your five senses to leaving yourself a reminder to breathe. There’s humor, vulnerability, and a reminder that you don’t have to fit someone else’s expectations to deserve peace. Keywords: anxiety, grief, emotional balance, body awareness, yoga and mental health, mindfulness, emotional overwhelm, self-compassion, present moment awareness, parental loss, self-acceptance, Beyond Emotions, Sophie Malahieude Meet Our Guest — Sophie Malahieude Sophie Malahieude is an Emotional Balance Coach & Consultant, author of Beyond Emotions, and creator of The Emotion Process. With more than 28 years studying and teaching yoga, Ayurveda, mindfulness, and breathwork, she brings a body-based perspective to understanding emotions. Her work combines body awareness, movement, breathwork, and self-inquiry to help people navigate stress, grief, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. Website: https://www.sophiemalahieude.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiejimalahieude/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophie.malahieudeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-malahieude Key Takeaways Difficult feelings can come with another layer of judgment. Sophie’s grief included anger and shame about that anger; getting curious helped her understand her experience more clearly.Presence can happen during ordinary activities. The hosts connect mindfulness to exercising, skiing, walking, and focusing on one thing at a time.You can feel afraid and still move forward. Sophie describes continuing to try unfamiliar things while making space for her fear.Self-acceptance means questioning who you think you’re supposed to be. Sophie’s reflection on being the “right” daughter changed how she understood her relationship with her mother.Small reminders can support a practice. A note near your computer or a familiar object can remind you to pause and notice how you’re feeling.Taking a step for yourself can include asking for help. Sophie distinguishes choosing to act from expecting yourself to handle everything alone. Actionable Items Try a brief senses check. Pause and notice something you can see, hear, touch, smell, or taste. Use what’s available, without pressuring yourself to do it perfectly.Replace one judgment with a question. When you catch yourself thinking, “I shouldn’t feel this,” try, “What am I feeling, and what might be underneath it?”Create one gentle reminder. Put a note near your desk that says “...
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    38 分
  • Emily Busby: The Mental Load of Motherhood and Letting Go of Perfection

    Emily Busby: The Mental Load of Motherhood and Letting Go of Perfection
    2026/11/10
    You can love your kids with everything you have and still need five damn minutes to yourself. Emily Busby joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles for an honest conversation about motherhood, mental health, and learning that having limits doesn’t make you a bad parent. Awards & Downloads Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 8 million downloads and listened to in over 200 countries. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote “I don't have to be endlessly available. I don't have to be endlessly patient. I really just need to be present and loving and honest.” — Emily Busby Content Notice This episode includes personal experiences with postpartum depression, anxiety, distressing intrusive thoughts about accidental harm to a baby, and childhood bullying. Episode Description The diapers need restocking. Dinner needs figuring out. A work call is starting, a child needs something, and somehow you’re supposed to remember every appointment while staying calm and grateful. Sound familiar? Emily Busby knows how to run that mental checklist. A mom of two, corporate professional, small business owner, and author of Mommy’s Not an Octopus, she joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk about what happens when pushing through stops working. Her book began with a chaotic evening and her husband’s reminder that Mom doesn’t have eight arms. But writing it brought Emily face-to-face with something deeper: the impossible expectation that a good mother should be constantly available, endlessly patient, and capable of handling everything. Emily opens up about postpartum depression, anxiety, and frightening intrusive thoughts she was afraid to share. Dirty Skittles brings her own experiences into the conversation, including the pressure to instinctively know what her baby needed and the unexpected emotion of finally taking a shower for herself. Together, they explore therapy, making room for exercise, apologizing after losing your patience, and helping children understand emotions without pretending adults have it all figured out. Emily also shares two ideas that helped her rethink overwhelm: recognizing which responsibilities are glass balls and which can bounce, and allowing two feelings to exist at once. You can be grateful and exhausted. Ambitious and overwhelmed. A loving parent and someone who needs support. This conversation reminds you that your worth isn’t measured by your productivity, your house doesn’t need to resemble a social media highlight reel, and your two hands are enough. Keywords: mental load of motherhood, maternal mental health, postpartum depression, motherhood anxiety, intrusive thoughts, mom guilt, parenting boundaries, perfectionism, working moms, self-compassion, asking for help, emotional awareness, Emily Busby, Mommy’s Not an Octopus Meet Our Guest — Emily Busby Emily Busby is a mom of two adventurous girls, a wife, a corporate professional, and the owner of EJL Designs, her creative small business. Her children’s book, Mommy’s Not an Octopus, grew out of a family moment and became a playful way to talk about limits, empathy, and the reminder that doing your best is enough. Book: Mommy’s Not an Octopus Website: https://www.mommysnotanoctopus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommysnotanoctopus/ Key Takeaways The invisible mental load includes the constant planning and remembering that continue even while you’re doing something else.Emily’s experience taught her that discipline and pushing harder couldn’t meet every need motherhood brought.Loving your children and feeling anxious, exhausted, or overwhelmed can coexist.Being honest about your emotions and apologizing after a difficult moment can help children see that adults have limits, too.A shared phrase like “Mommy’s not an octopus” can help families communicate overwhelm before frustration takes over.You don’t have to measure your worth by how productive, needed, or available you are. Actionable Items Name one invisible task. Tell someone what you’re carrying mentally and ask for specific help, such as taking responsibility for scheduling an appointment or planning dinner.Identify what can bounce. Use Emily’s glass-and-plastic-ball analogy to choose one lower-priority responsibility you can postpone today.Practice an honest pause. Try saying, “I’m feeling overwhelmed. I need five minutes, and then I can listen,” using language that fits your child’s age and your situation. Important Chapters 00:01:18 — How Mommy’s Not an Octopus Began00:07:02 — Athletics, Career Changes, and a Mentor Who Made a Difference00:08:...
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    49 分
  • Tsvety Roo: Healing Through Solo Travel and Finding Yourself Again

    Tsvety Roo: Healing Through Solo Travel and Finding Yourself Again
    2026/11/05
    What happens when you’ve done everything society says you should, but still feel completely lost? In this episode of Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Tsvety Roo to talk about emotional healing, overcoming fear, and how one six-hour walk led to a life-changing solo travel journey that helped her rediscover confidence, purpose, and the courage to live on her own terms. Awards & Downloads Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote “What if I gave myself permission to go after it?” — Tsvety Roo Episode Description Imagine living in one of America's sunniest cities and still feeling completely lost. That was Tsvety Roo’s reality in San Diego after a career layoff, years of following the “checklist life,” and the growing belief that she was somehow falling behind. She had checked all the boxes—college, career, bigger opportunities—but happiness wasn't showing up just because she did everything “right.” Then came a six-hour walk. Tsvety cried, questioned what actually made her feel alive, and asked herself something powerful: What if she gave herself permission to pursue it? Nine months later, she sold her car, stored her belongings, and booked a one-way ticket to Málaga, Spain. What she thought would be a three-month adventure became three and a half years of predominantly solo travel. With G-Rex and Dirty Skittles, Tsvety gets real about loneliness, self-worth, fear, and the pressure to hit life's milestones on someone else's timeline. She shares how meeting new people and experiencing different cultures helped her reconnect with herself—and how those small acts of courage eventually gave her the confidence to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, a dream she'd carried since age 12. She also shares lessons from her photobook, 21 Small Acts: Lessons in Living Boldly from Around the World, including how a candle shop in Finland changed her understanding of home. You'll hear practical ideas for starting small: take yourself to lunch, try a weekend trip, connect with new people, and challenge the beliefs holding you back. Because finding yourself again doesn't require a passport. Sometimes it starts with one brave question and the courage to listen to your own answer. Keywords: Tsvety Roo, healing through solo travel, mental health and travel, finding yourself again, self-discovery journey, overcoming fear, building self-confidence, emotional healing, loneliness versus solitude, redefining success, personal growth, women traveling solo, overcoming societal expectations, 21 Small Acts, intentional living Meet Our Guest — Tsvety Roo Tsvety Roo is a speaker, visual storyteller, designer, photographer, and creator of 21 Small Acts: Lessons in Living Boldly from Around the World. After three and a half years of mostly solo travel and visits to 46 countries, she has transformed her experiences with loneliness, fear, and self-doubt into powerful lessons about courage, connection, and personal growth. Through photography, storytelling, speaking, and her book, she encourages others to question limiting beliefs, redefine success, and discover how small, intentional actions can create meaningful change. Connect with Tsvety: Website: https://www.21smallacts.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsvetyroo/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsvety.roo/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TsvetyRooLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsvetyroo/ Key Takeaways You can do everything “right” and still feel lost. Tsvety discovered that career success, financial goals, and following society’s checklist couldn't replace a genuine sense of purpose and connection with herself.Loneliness and solitude aren't the same thing. Feeling isolated in San Diego taught Tsvety that being surrounded by people doesn't guarantee connection. Solo travel helped her discover the difference between feeling alone and becoming comfortable with herself.Confidence grows through small acts of courage. From booking her first one-way ticket to eventually climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Tsvety learned that taking action despite fear helped her recognize abilities she'd underestimated for years.You're not behind in life because your timeline looks different. Whether you're 22, 39, or 62, there's no single right age to travel, change direction, pursue a dream, or redefine success.Home can be a feeling, not just an address. An emotional moment in a candle shop in Finland taught Tsvety that belonging can come from rituals, meaningful ...
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    51 分
  • Stop Trying to Fit In: Eric Gee on Personality Types, Self-Acceptance, and Mental Health

    Stop Trying to Fit In: Eric Gee on Personality Types, Self-Acceptance, and Mental Health
    2026/11/03
    After years of wondering why he felt different from everyone else, Eric Gee turned his curiosity into a way to help people better understand themselves and each other. In this episode, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Eric to talk about personality types, self-acceptance, emotional wellness, and why trying to fit into someone else's version of normal can hold us back. Awards & Downloads Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote "I don't think it's always healthy to try to be like others." — Eric Gee Episode Description Why do we spend so much of our lives trying to become the person everyone else expects us to be? For Eric Gee, Author of The Power of Personality, that question started when he was young and felt different from the people around him. Instead of accepting that he needed to fit in, he became curious about what makes each of us unique. In this funny, refreshingly honest conversation, Eric joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to explore personality types, self-acceptance, and the connection between understanding ourselves and emotional well-being. He introduces his animal-based personality framework, which groups 16 personality types into four packs: gatherers, hunters, smiths, and shamans. But this isn't about slapping another label on yourself. It's about recognizing your natural strengths, understanding your struggles, and realizing that someone else's way of doing things might not work for you. G-Rex shares why her butterfly personality feels ridiculously accurate, while Dirty Skittles opens up about her frustration with traditional personality assessments. Eric explains how his work with students, teachers, and parents revealed the limits of one-size-fits-all expectations. The conversation also gets personal. Eric discusses self-doubt, confidence, the fear of not being good enough, and the advice he'd give his younger self about worrying less about other people's opinions. Whether you've struggled with fitting in, questioned your strengths, or wondered why certain relationships feel complicated, this episode offers a different perspective on personal growth. Because understanding who you are isn't about becoming someone better than everybody else. It's about becoming more comfortable being yourself. Keywords: Eric Gee, The Power of Personality, personality types, self-acceptance, mental health, self-awareness, emotional wellness, self-discovery, personality assessment, confidence building, personal growth, understanding personality differences, healthy relationships, parenting and personality, overcoming self-doubt Meet Our Guest — Eric Gee Eric Gee is an Author, life coach, and writing coach with more than 20 years of experience in personality-based coaching. Through his education company, he developed and applied a personality typing method that has helped more than 20,000 students, parents, and teachers better understand individual differences. His book, The Power of Personality, brings together decades of research and practical experience to help people recognize their strengths, understand others, and embrace what makes them unique. Connect with Eric: Website: https://www.projectyoutopia.com/universityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_power_of_personality/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.c.geeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-gee-3565a79/ Key Takeaways Being different doesn't mean something is wrong with you. Eric's journey reminds us that personal growth starts with understanding our natural tendencies, not constantly trying to meet someone else's expectations.Personality types are tools, not limitations. Eric encourages people to recognize their strengths and motivations without assuming they can only behave in one particular way.Your greatest strengths can also become your biggest struggles. Eric's concept of "deviant roles" explores how our natural tendencies can work against us when they're taken too far.Understanding personality differences can strengthen relationships. Parents, teachers, partners, and coworkers can communicate more thoughtfully when they stop expecting everyone to think and respond the same way.Self-doubt doesn't have to define your confidence. Eric openly discusses questioning whether he's good enough and why reminding ourselves of our abilities matters.Self-acceptance requires letting go of outside expectations. One of Eric's most important life lessons is learning that other people's opinions shouldn't determine how we live. Actionable Items Get curious ...
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    42 分
  • Holly Porter: Near-Death Experience, Long COVID & Mental Health Recovery

    Holly Porter: Near-Death Experience, Long COVID & Mental Health Recovery
    2026/10/29
    Holly Porter survived 70 days in the hospital battling COVID-19, but surviving was only the beginning of her emotional and mental health journey. In this powerful conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Holly to explore her near-death experience, the devastating mental health impact of long COVID, and how she found purpose, peace, and hope after two of the darkest years of her life. Awards & Downloads Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote “Love them where they're at.” — Holly Porter Trigger Notice + 988 Crisis Reminder Content Notice: This episode includes conversations about near-death experiences, serious illness, medical trauma, chronic pain, profound emotional distress, family loss, and wishing for death during difficult periods of recovery. Please listen with care and take breaks if needed. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 or visit: https://988lifeline.org/ For crisis resources outside the United States: https://findahelpline.com/ Episode Description What happens when you survive something that nearly kills you, only to discover that staying alive is an entirely different battle? For Holly Porter, surviving COVID-19 meant 70 days in the hospital, two intubations, a tracheotomy, sepsis, and a near-death experience that changed everything she believed about life, purpose, and healing. In this deeply personal episode of Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, Holly joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to share the mental health struggles that followed her hospitalization. Long COVID, chronic pain, hair loss, and losing her singing voice were devastating enough. But the emotional aftermath brought nearly two years of darkness, broken relationships, overwhelming grief, and moments when Holly questioned why she had survived at all. Holly opens up about her spiritual experiences, the questions she faced about her legacy, and how finding meaning in her suffering became part of rebuilding her life. She also shares the heartbreaking family challenges that tested her resilience and the lessons she learned about surrender, forgiveness, judgment, and loving people exactly where they are. Through her personal development framework, SHIFT—Surrender, Hope, Intuition, Faith, and Transformation—Holly offers a perspective on navigating adversity without pretending healing happens overnight. This conversation isn't about magically fixing everything. It's about surviving the messy middle, recognizing that emotional recovery takes time, and finding one small way to move forward. If you're navigating long COVID, medical trauma, grief, or the emotional weight of starting over, Holly's story reminds us that progress doesn't have to be dramatic to matter. Sometimes, better is simply better. Keywords: Holly Porter, near-death experience, long COVID mental health, mental health recovery, COVID-19 survivor story, medical trauma recovery, emotional healing, chronic illness and mental health, resilience after trauma, finding purpose after illness, mental health struggles, spiritual transformation, surrender and healing, grief and recovery, mental health podcast Meet Our Guest — Holly Porter Holly Porter is an international speaker, bestselling author of 18 books, entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of the International Retreat Association. With more than 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, she also hosts the All Things Retreat podcast and wrote The Near Death SHIFT, a deeply personal exploration of what her near-death experience taught her about life, business, and purpose. Following her 70-day battle with COVID-19 and the emotional challenges that followed, Holly has dedicated herself to helping others transform adversity into purpose, meaningful connection, and positive change. Connect with Holly Porter: Website: https://www.HollyPorter.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyporterinternational/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HOLLYANNPORTER/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IntlRetreatAssociationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyporter/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/hollyporterSubstack: https://substack.com/@hollyporter Key Takeaways Survival and recovery aren't the same thing. Holly's 70-day hospitalization was only the beginning. Long COVID, chronic pain, and profound emotional struggles demonstrated how complicated life after a medical crisis can become.Mental health struggles can follow physical trauma. Losing her hair, singing voice, ...
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    46 分
  • Steve Collins: Living with vEDS, Health Anxiety, and Letting Go of Control

    Steve Collins: Living with vEDS, Health Anxiety, and Letting Go of Control
    2026/10/27
    What happens when a life-threatening medical diagnosis forces you to rethink everything you thought you could control? In this deeply personal episode of Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Steve Collins to explore his journey through vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS), medical trauma, job loss, and the powerful role of faith, humor, and resilience in finding purpose after life changes overnight. Awards & Downloads Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote “Your identity isn't defined by what you can do. Sometimes your greatest purpose comes from learning to let go, accept help, and show up for others in a different way.” — Inspired by Steve Collins Content Notice & Crisis Resources This episode includes discussions of life-threatening medical emergencies, chronic illness, medical trauma, fear of death, and the emotional impact of losing independence and employment. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 or visit: https://988lifeline.org/ For crisis resources outside the United States: https://findahelpline.com/ Episode Description Steve Collins thought he had a stubborn stomach issue. Instead, persistent abdominal pain led to an artery dissection, a 32-day hospital stay, and a diagnosis he'd never heard of: vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS), a rare connective tissue disorder that changed what everyday life could look like. His decision to ask doctors to re-examine his scan became a powerful lesson in speaking up for your health. But surviving the medical crisis was only the beginning. Steve tells G-Rex and Dirty Skittles what happened when he returned home and realized he couldn't simply muscle through life the way he always had. The guy who fixed everything, jumped in to help others, and took pride in showing up at work now had to ask for help, accept physical limits, and reckon with a terrifying question: Who am I if I can't do what I used to do? At the same time, layoffs and the uncertainty of contract work challenged his sense of security. Steve opens up about the emotional fallout of job loss, the urge to control outcomes, and the anxiety that can follow a diagnosis when ordinary aches suddenly feel loaded with meaning. He also talks honestly about how medical emergencies affect spouses and families, not just patients. Through it all, his faith in God, his family's support, a sense of humor, and connections with others living with rare conditions helped him rethink what purpose looks like. You'll hear why he wears a medical alert bracelet, keeps health information handy, and believes that a respectful second question can matter. This isn't a story about pretending fear disappears. It's about learning to live with uncertainty without letting it run the whole damn show. Keywords: Steve Collins, vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vEDS awareness, health anxiety, chronic illness mental health, rare disease diagnosis, medical trauma recovery, patient self-advocacy, faith over fear, letting go of control, job loss trauma, emotional resilience, chronic illness identity, caregiver mental health, finding purpose after illness Meet Our Guest — Steve Collins Steve Collins is a husband, stepfather, business leader, and man of faith living with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS), a rare genetic connective tissue disorder. As Strategic Partner and Principal Consultant at PADE HCM Services, he brings his professional experience into a new chapter of entrepreneurship while navigating the physical and emotional realities of his diagnosis. Through his story, Steve encourages others to advocate for their health, recognize the impact of medical trauma, and find meaning through faith, connection, and accepting what they cannot control. Connect with Steve: Company: PADE HCM Services Website: https://www.padeservices.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevevEDS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-collins-shrm-cp-ms-b47a2538a/ Key Takeaways Self-advocacy can change everything. Steve's decision to ask for another review of his medical scan helped uncover a dangerous arterial dissection. Asking questions and speaking up about persistent concerns can be essential to getting appropriate care.Medical trauma doesn't end when you leave the hospital. Living with vEDS means navigating uncertainty, physical restrictions, medication effects, and the emotional weight of knowing that serious complications ...
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    47 分
  • You Are More Than Your Worst Mistake: Ranae on Healing After Prison, Resilience, and Second Chances — Part 2

    You Are More Than Your Worst Mistake: Ranae on Healing After Prison, Resilience, and Second Chances — Part 2
    2026/10/22
    Can prison become the place where someone finally begins to heal from a lifetime of trauma? In Part 2, Ranae Van Roekel returns with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to discuss surviving a serious mental health crisis, discovering healthier coping skills during incarceration, rebuilding relationships, and creating a new purpose through Connecting to Cope. Awards & Downloads Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote “You are not the worst thing you ever did.” — Ranae Van Roekel Trigger Notice + 988 Crisis Reminder Content Notice: This episode includes discussions of suicidal thoughts, severe depression, childhood sexual trauma, incarceration, and mental health treatment. The conversation also explores recovery, self-worth, and the importance of supportive relationships. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 or visit: https://988lifeline.org/ For crisis resources outside the United States: https://findahelpline.com/ Episode Description Imagine walking into prison carrying decades of shame, untreated childhood trauma, and the belief that your worst decisions are all you'll ever be remembered for. Now imagine discovering that healing is still possible. In Part 2, Ranae Van Roekel returns to Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads for a powerful conversation with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles about mental health recovery, resilience, incarceration, and rebuilding a life after devastating choices. Before entering prison, Ranae experienced severe depression and suicidal thoughts that led to a stay at a mental health treatment facility. Although she had begun recognizing her need for help, it wasn't until incarceration that she started confronting the childhood trauma she had spent decades suppressing. Ranae shares how therapy, psychiatric care, physical activity, self-esteem classes, and meaningful friendships helped her challenge deeply ingrained beliefs about herself. A mental health professional who refused to accept her avoidance became especially important in helping her recognize destructive thinking patterns. After serving 36 months, Ranae returned home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reconnecting with her husband and sons, setting healthier boundaries, and welcoming her beloved dog, Cope, helped shape her next chapter. That journey inspired Connecting to Cope, her platform for emotional wellness, self-care, and compassionate support. Together, the trio explores how forgiveness differs from accountability, why healing requires ongoing effort, and how supportive relationships can help people rebuild without erasing the harm they've caused. Ranae's message is simple but powerful: your past is part of your story, not your entire identity. No matter how far you've fallen, the next step still matters. Keywords: Ranae Van Roekel, healing after prison, mental health recovery, trauma healing, resilience and recovery, prison rehabilitation, second chances, suicide prevention, emotional resilience, mental health treatment, self-worth and shame, coping skills, rebuilding after incarceration, Connecting to Cope, personal transformation Meet Our Guest — Ranae Van Roekel Ranae Van Roekel is a mental health advocate, justice reform advocate, and founder of Connecting to Cope, an initiative focused on helping people find healing and growth beyond their circumstances. Drawing from her experiences with childhood trauma, federal incarceration, mental health treatment, and rebuilding her life, she encourages others to recognize their worth while taking responsibility for their actions. Ranae is also a wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted dog lover who believes that empathy, honest conversations, and ongoing personal work can create meaningful change. Connect with Ranae: Website: https://connectingtocope.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectingtocope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-to-cope/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnectingtoCopeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectingtocope/ Key Takeaways Healing can begin in unexpected places. Ranae started confronting decades of unresolved childhood trauma while serving her prison sentence, although she acknowledges that incarceration itself does not guarantee healing.Mental health recovery happens one step at a time. Counseling, physical activity, better sleep, and learning new ways of thinking helped Ranae build a healthier foundation.Your past does not have to define your identity. Ranae encourages people to ...
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    44 分
  • You Are More Than Your Worst Mistake: Ranae on Childhood Trauma, People-Pleasing, and Accountability — Part 1

    You Are More Than Your Worst Mistake: Ranae on Childhood Trauma, People-Pleasing, and Accountability — Part 1
    2026/10/20
    What happens when unresolved childhood trauma, decades of people-pleasing, and the fear of being judged lead you down a path you never imagined? In Part 1, Ranae Van Roekel joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles for a deeply honest conversation about childhood sexual trauma, anxiety, shame, financial fraud, and the life-changing decision to take responsibility for her actions. Awards & Downloads Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries. Feedback We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a Mental Health Quote “I’m not saying I’m stupid. I’m saying I made a stupid choice.” — Ranae Van Roekel Trigger Notice + 988 Crisis Reminder Content Notice: This episode includes discussions of childhood sexual assault, rape, suicidal thoughts, depression, financial fraud, and the emotional impact of incarceration. Please listen with care and take a break if you need one. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 or visit: https://988lifeline.org/ For crisis resources outside the United States: https://findahelpline.com/ Episode Description What happens when the trauma you've spent your entire life hiding starts shaping decisions you never thought you'd make? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles welcome Ranae Van Roekel, a wife, mother, grandmother, and founder of Connecting to Cope, for an unfiltered discussion about childhood sexual trauma, people-pleasing, shame, and taking accountability when everything falls apart. As a young girl, Ranae experienced sexual assault and tried to tell trusted adults what happened. Instead of receiving the support she needed, she learned to associate her experience with being "bad." That belief followed her into adulthood, contributing to a pattern of overcommitting, seeking approval, and struggling to face difficult truths. Years later, what began as a small ticket-reselling business spiraled into fraudulent transactions. Ranae admits she made illegal choices while desperately trying to fix a situation that kept getting worse. The pressure, anxiety, and fear became overwhelming. Eventually, she faced a terrifying crossroads: end her life or come forward and take responsibility. She chose to tell the truth. Ranae shares what happened when she voluntarily contacted authorities, confessed to her husband, and began reaching out to the people she had harmed. The conversation also explores the emotional cost of apologizing, the impact of public judgment, and how her family's reactions changed everything. This isn't a story about using trauma to excuse wrongdoing. It's about understanding how unresolved pain can shape behavior while recognizing that accountability and healing can coexist. Sometimes, the first step toward changing your life is admitting that you can't keep living the way you have been. Keywords: Ranae Van Roekel, childhood trauma recovery, people-pleasing, mental health and shame, sexual assault survivor, unresolved trauma, trauma responses, anxiety and depression, accountability and healing, overcoming guilt, mental health crisis, emotional resilience, family support, Connecting to Cope, mental health podcast Meet Our Guest — Ranae Van Roekel Ranae Van Roekel founded Connecting to Cope, a platform that helps people navigate trauma, emotional struggles, and personal growth through education, self-care, and community. After serving 36 months in federal prison, Ranae transformed her experiences with unresolved childhood trauma, accountability, and mental health recovery into a mission centered on compassion and second chances. Today, she also advocates for justice reform and a greater understanding of the human experiences behind incarceration. Connect with Ranae: Website: https://connectingtocope.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectingtocope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-to-cope/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnectingtoCopeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectingtocope/ Key Takeaways Unresolved trauma can affect choices decades later. Ranae's childhood experience shaped how she saw herself, handled conflict, and sought others' approval.People-pleasing can become a damaging coping pattern. Constantly trying to make everyone happy made it harder for Ranae to acknowledge problems and set boundaries.Trauma explains context, not responsibility. Ranae distinguishes between the experiences that influenced her thinking and the criminal decisions she ultimately made.Shame can keep people trapped in unhealthy cycles. Believing she was ...
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