In this episode, Ukrainian psychologist Kateryna Bikir shares the moments that shaped her before and after the 2022 Russian invasion — growing up with limited resources, the generations of trauma from war and conflicts, the realities she confronted as a young mother, and the choices she faced when safety could no longer be taken for granted.

We explore how she and her family faced sudden displacement after years of asking the question of "what if?" became reality, what it meant to restart life in unfamiliar countries, and how her work in mental health evolved through each stage. This conversation weaves together identity, motherhood, migration, professional reinvention, and the quieter emotional layers behind beginning again — without sensationalising the circumstances that forced the change.

Key Takeaways

• Children normalise hardship when they have nothing to compare it to. Kateryna recalls accepting scarcity as “just life” until she saw other ways of living.
• Generational trauma shaped every branch of her family tree, from starvation to war to economic instability.
• Education was a turning point, giving her access to worlds and opportunities her family didn’t have.
• A health scare shifted her toward psychology, prompting her to rethink how she wanted to spend her life.
• Motherhood revealed the gaps in Ukraine’s medical and social systems, influencing her desire to support others.
• The 2022 invasion required immediate decisions, including whether her children would be safe or have access to medication.
• Migration is not linear—the Czech Republic was a temporary refuge, not a long-term landing place.
• Professional identity is often lost during immigration, especially when degrees are not recognised.
• Rebuilding life requires routine, community, and structure, particularly for children.
• Her current work focuses on bridging cultures, supporting refugees, and helping individuals find stability in new environments.

About: Kateryna Bikir is a Ukrainian psychologist, entrepreneur and educator who advocates for refugees’ mental health and equitable access to resources.

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In this special episode, we are guided through a 20-minute meditation with returning guest Mindfulness Coach Carolina Gonzalez.

During this episode, Carolina will gently lead listeners through a self-compassion meditation designed to soothe the mind, soften the body, and nurture self-trust. Carolina begins with grounding through posture, the senses, and breath. She then guides you to offer appreciation and love to each part of your body —from the head and face to the arms, organs, and everything within —acknowledging all that they are and all that they hold. This is a gentle reminder that it’s okay to feel what you feel and that you are doing beautifully.

Benefits:

• Feel more relaxed, calm, and centred in the present moment
• Strengthen self-trust and a deeper appreciation for the body and inner self
• Leave with a gentle uplift, knowing they have themselves to rely on

Carolina Gonzalez is an advanced certified mindfulness coach and creator of The Midlife Reclaim—a 1:1 program helping women in midlife reclaim their voice, energy, and sense of self to live the second chapter of life on their own terms. Based in Sydney, she shares her work through mentoring, workshops, and speaking.

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We'd love to hear from you 🥰.

Support the show

✔️ Like, Comment & Subscribe
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Stephanie Ann Webb grew up in conservative evangelical culture, surrounded by fear, control, and purity teachings that silenced curiosity. In this candid episode, I speak with Stephanie about the lifelong effects of religious trauma, binge eating, anxiety, and being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).

Through therapy, critical thinking, and mindful deconstruction, Stephanie began healing from fear-based faith and rebuilding self-trust. Together we explore how trauma lives in the body, why leaving the church can feel like both grief and freedom, and how spirituality can evolve into grounded self-connection, compassion, and peace.

Key Takeaways

• Leaving belief systems can feel like grief, not rebellion. You’re mourning identity as much as doctrine.
• Therapy and critical thinking are spiritual tools. Understanding your nervous system is part of healing.
• Sensitivity is strength. Awareness of energy, emotion, and environment can deepen empathy instead of overwhelm.
• Boundaries are not betrayal. Saying “no” to control is saying “yes” to self-trust.
• Deconstruction isn’t destruction. It’s the rebuilding of integrity after years of suppression.
• Healing includes humour. Laughter is what keeps the human story grounded and real.
• You can outgrow fear without losing connection. Spirituality can expand beyond rules and remain deeply loving.

About: Stephanie Ann Webb is an Encouragement & Empowerment Mentor, writer, speaker, and host of the StephUp Podcast. She’s passionate about holding space for growth, emotional honesty, and meaningful conversations. Through storytelling and mindset work, Steph helps people navigate life with grace, empathy, curiosity, and hope.

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