Natallia came to the podcast after reading one of Renée's posts on anger in the hopes that Renée could help her understand why she is often angry at her children for "no reason." So while the conversation started out as a rescue mission for an overworked mom, it evolved into a much more complex and at times shocking case. Renée traces Natallia's path from an abusive, poverty stricken childhood in Belarus to her current life as a married mom with two master's degrees. In a mind-blowing twist, Ren...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Molly had, in her words, "a rare, special, trauma-free childhood." She currently lives a beautiful life. Plus, she has done extensive work in therapy and with other healing practices. Then why she is experiencing a long list of distressing symptoms? Her days are plagued by anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, headaches, insomnia, and more. She asks Renée to help her figure out what is going on and what to do about it, which means sorting through a complicated conglomeration of content. Spoil...
Sep 03, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 26
When Marcella was 12 years old, her mother woke her in the middle of the night and forced her to make a life and death decision for her entire family. That was neither the first nor the last time that young Marcella would be charged with adult responsibilities, and decades later, her sleep is still disrupted by recurring dreams fueled by the fear she has stuffed away since childhood. Even with these reminders, it has been only in the last year that Marcella has begun to unpack the realities of h...
Aug 20, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 24
To use her own words, Kes is currently "cracking open." As a younger person, she was taught to avoid vulnerability and ignore her own needs. Lately, though, her system has been revolting against these positions - so much so that she recently dropped an F-Bomb on her very conservative father. So, what's going on? How can she best navigate this expansion? Can she really put herself first? And what about the persistent anxiety that plagues her daily? Renee answers these questions and more in a live...
Aug 13, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Cee Cee has been experiencing intrusive, violent images and sensations so intense that she has taken time off of work to address them. But because of the severe depression that is almost always present, along with the many obstacles to getting the right therapy, she has not yet untangled her debilitating symptoms. Renee shows Cee Cee the connections between her current experiences and her past and develops a plan to get Cee Cee out of the house and into healing. Cee Cee's story is heavy, but Ren...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Regan was diagnosed with Lupus when she was 9 years old. Three decades later, Regan has finally resolved the medical mysteries that defined her childhood, though she is still reckoning with the trauma of growing up in a chaotic home with a mentally ill parent. Renee gives a developmental frame to Regan's endlessly compelling narrative and helps Regan chart the next steps in reclaiming her life from the intersecting traumatic experiences under which it began. (Plus some laughing, naturally.) Supp...
Jul 23, 2023•1 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Sarah's dad gave her a shot of Goldschlager liqeur when she was 12 years old. Now, 26 years later, after losing her mother to heart disease and her sister to an overdose, Sarah finds herself struggling with her relationship to alcohol. She is currently studying for a career in counseling while also raising a tween, jobs that take up enough time and energy to distract her from her own pain, but still she knows she needs to heal. Should she go to rehab? What's best for her daughter? Renee sorts ou...
Jul 16, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Kimberly and her daughter, Ella, have been struggling with tension and distance in their relationship. Now that Ella is a mom herself, both she and Kimberly want to forge a healthier relationship, but they can't seem to untangle the misunderstandings and resentments - and this is where Renee comes in. At first, Renee thinks boundaries are the issue, but as she finds out, the story goes much deeper. As with all things mother-daughter related, it isn't easy and the minefields are many! Renee untan...
Jul 09, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Maya is, in her own words, from a "lineage of fucked-up women." After losing her mother decades ago to a tragic accident, Maya was left with a case of arrested development as well as the gripping fear that she, too, will die young with a body full of unresolved trauma. Renee helps her forge a path out of the existential anxiety and physical distress that have recently dominated her days. Maya's brilliant dark humor and unflappable spirit transcend the many layers of trauma she holds, and somehow...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Ciara had to be an adult when she was a child. Taking care of everyone else left her little time to know herself. Now in her early 30s, Ciara tells Renée that she doesn't know what she wants and needs. This is affecting her 4 year relationship and activating a lot of old wounds. Did we mention that she and her family were Somali refugees who came to the States when Ciara was 4? Oh yeah, that too. Ciara and Renée cover a lot, from traumatizing cultural practices to misattuned mom to sex. Despite ...
Jun 25, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 16
As a child, Brittny was treated more like her mother's employee than her daughter. Despite the fact that her mom has not been able to participate in repairing the relationship, Brittny is currently thriving - well, on paper, anyway. She asks Renee for guidance in navigating the anger and anxiety left behind from her childhood, emotions which are now manifesting in both her mind and body. Renee and Brittny cover a lot - there are "aha" moments as well as "haha" moments. (Don't hold that last sent...
Jun 18, 2023•2 hr•Season 1Ep. 15
Corey has worked hard to resolve his childhood trauma, both on his own and in therapy. Now, after a failed attempt at EMDR, his healing has stalled. He takes Renée on a circuitous route, dodging the real content with jokes and hilarious anecdotes. But never fear! Halfway through, Renée figures out where the blocks are, and by the end of the episode, Corey has new therapeutic goals and a new treatment plan. Support the show
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Renee likes to say, "There are only two things that cause suffering: trauma and capitalism." So far, she has talked to many guests about trauma. This week, Libby joins her to talk about trying to reverse the damage that capitalism has done to her body and soul. Renee narrates the psychological aspects of this massive undertaking and wrestles with her own rampant consumerism in the meantime. This episode brings a lot of learning and a lot of laughs. You know...the usual! Support the show...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This week: perfectionism, codependency, Fox News parents, medication confusion, and more. Kell (not to be confused with Kelley from Episodes 1 and 4) was overwhelmed by a recent PTSD diagnosis and unsure about treatment options. Renée helps her map a specific path to healing while they manage, as always, to do a lot of laughing. Support the show
May 28, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Adam, a screenwriter/actor, has been Renée's client for the last year. During that time, he realized many of his relationships in Hollywood were reenactments of his childhood trauma. So he did an existential 180! He and Renée talk about his decision to leave LA - and he takes a few swings at Hollywood in the process! Trauma, narcissism, sexual abuse, Al Qaeda, harassment, Mormonism... these are only some of the topics they cover in a conversation that is equal parts intense and hilarious. Suppor...
May 22, 2023•2 hr•Season 1Ep. 11
From secrets and lies to freedom through psychedelics! Jackie has been Renee's client since 2018. When they met, Jackie "didn't believe in therapy." But when her husband died unexpectedly, Jackie dove deeper into her work with Renee. Since then, she has rebuilt her life, only to have the shadows of her trauma return. In this episode, Renee talks to Jackie about her story, from becoming a widow in her early 30s to her recent therapeutic mushroom trip. Not only is it a fascinating story, but Jacki...
May 15, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Following his mother's death, Paul embarked on a mission to resolve the trauma he held after decades of his father's abuse against both his mother and himself. After finding his voice, publicly acknowledging the abuse he endured, and diving into his own healing, Paul finds himself in the midst of a divorce. In this episode, Renée helps him identify the wounds that still need healing as well as understanding why they formed and how they'll resolve. Support the show...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This week we take a break from childhood trauma. A palate cleanser, if you will! In Episode 8, Renée turns a psychological lens on the intense last year of Julia's life. This guest - our first Australian caller - goes where most won't. Marriage, infidelity, reclamation: Julia's candor makes for a fascinating conversation. Support the show
May 01, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 8
For the first time on the podcast, Renée talks with one of her real-life psychotherapy clients! Ari explains how their work in therapy on childhood trauma and identity has led to a major family conflict. It's an intense story peppered with a lot of laughing. Support the show
Apr 10, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Family conflict, grief, gender, sexuality, addiction, parenting, abuse, humor - Sam brings it all! Support the show
Apr 03, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Renée talks to new guest, Rachel, about the childhood trauma and abuse that are interfering with her current relationships and the unprocessed anger she struggles to control. Rachel's stunning vulnerability and insight make for an intense, compelling, and at times laugh-out-loud funny episode. Support the show
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Therapy, psychology, nutrition and assorted irreverences Support the show
Mar 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 1
