Summary

This episode explores the complex issues surrounding internalized weight bias, disordered eating, and the societal messages that shape our perceptions of body image. Dr. Jess Hayden and Dr. Jessica Tomasula discuss how these biases begin at a young age, the impact of humor on self-worth, and the limitations of traditional health metrics like BMI. They also delve into the importance of promoting body acceptance and awareness in a society that often prioritizes appearance over health.

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Jessica Hayden, PhD

Jessica Tomasula, PhD

In Part 2, we expand the conversation with Dr Meagan Padro to include digital safety, the reality that consent begins long before dating, and why removing shame from conversations about sex is essential for raising safe, empowered kids.

We explore how children learn consent through everyday interactions, how online spaces introduce boundary challenges earlier than many parents expect, and why fear-based or shame-based messaging can actually increase risk rather than reduce it. This episode offers a grounded, research-informed approach to helping kids develop body awareness, autonomy, and the confidence to speak up—both offline and online.

Simply Centered Psychological Services

Content note: This episode includes discussion of body safety, consent, digital behavior, and sexual development. Some topics may not be appropriate for young ears. Caregivers may want to listen privately.

Content Warning: Gentle, non-graphic discussion of consent and sexual abuse prevention.
In this episode, we explore how the words we give children shape their safety, confidence, and boundaries. Jess and Dr. Meagan Padro share how language, consent, and connection form the foundation of sex-positive parenting.

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

LifeLine

How to Talk to Kids Canadian Website, Great Info for Parents

Simply Centered Psychological Services

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TikTok @Dr.JessHayden

Thanksgiving Day Special

In this mini-episode, Dr. Jess Hayden explores the layered reality of the holiday—gratitude, grief, family dynamics, and the complicated history beneath it.

Jess shares a personal reminder to slow down, the message from the tea, and a truth about constant change and how people evolve too.

If today feels tender, busy, or complicated, this episode offers a breath of steadiness.

Part 2 with Meredith Grimes, LCMHC, dives into the psychology of youth athletics and what happens when performance becomes a measure of worth.
We explore why so many athletes push through pain and injuries, how “performing for the likes” fuels burnout, and how Self-Determination Theory can transform the way coaches motivate young players. Meredith shares how imposter syndrome shows up in sport — and why the simple phrase “I don’t know” can be one of the most powerful tools for connection and growth.

This episode is for parents, coaches, and athletes navigating performance pressure, mental health, and the emotional side of competition.

Links:

⁠Simply Centered Psychological Services⁠

⁠Cognitive Distortions⁠

⁠Find Meredith

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, therapist and former athlete Meredith Grimes shares how softball shaped her identity, influenced her path from Sports Business and Marketing into mental health, and taught her early lessons about pressure, performance, and resilience. She also reflects on how learning DBT has allowed her to teach her current clients—especially athletes—the skills she wishes she had back in high school and college.

This episode explores the space where sport, identity, and emotional skills meet.

Links:

Simply Centered Psychological Services

Cognitive Distortions

Find Meredith

In this first episode, Dr. Jess Hayden gets real about perfectionism — and how hard it can be to begin when you’re afraid of getting it wrong.
From overexplaining to overediting, she unpacks why so many of us tie our worth to doing things “right,” and how to start trusting yourself to show up imperfectly.
Because connection doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from being real.

We talk all the time — but most of us don’t feel heard.

We dress up control veiled as love,
We think we're in a state of calm, but we're really just suppressing
We're told to be strong, yet it feels like disconnection.

Simply Heard: The Space Between is where psychology meets the heart —
where we slow down enough to listen to what’s really being said,
and what’s quietly asking to be understood.

Because every relationship — with ourselves, our partners, our children, our past —
lives in a space between two truths.

When we can hold both with compassion,
we stop needing to fix, and start learning to really hear.

I’m your host, Dr. Jessica Hayden — psychologist, writer, and founder of Simply Centered Psychological Services.

I’m so excited to share this space with you —
a place for honest conversations about love, parenting, connection, and the messy, beautiful work of being human.

Simply Heard: The Space Between premieres November 7th,
with new episodes every week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts,
and wherever you listen.

Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @drjesshayden,
and join me as we explore the quiet truths that live between us.