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Alyson, an artist who attended the renowned "Fame" school in New York City, was 14 the first time she met with a therapist. Despite some prickly family dynamics that would have been perfect therapy content, Alyson had had a different agenda. "I was afraid I was going to die a virgin!" Spoiler alert: she didn't. This theme of longing, however, became a constant presence in Alyson's life. Now, after marriage and divorce, Alyson is back in the dating world and cannot seem to figure out why she is a...
This episode features Tyler, who recounts a life marked by profound adversity, from growing up in an "active war zone" of parental abuse to an abusive marriage that culminated in a grueling custody battle, where his ex-wife and mother colluded against him. Despite decades of depression, anxiety, physical pain, and the loss of his children, Tyler demonstrates remarkable resilience, finding a new spiritual path, a supportive partner, and coping mechanisms. Renee helps trace the trauma's impact and offers insights into healing complex trauma, emphasizing the importance of community, self-compassion, and innovative therapeutic approaches like EMDR and psychedelics.
Yvonne is a firecracker! An actor, writer, and comedian who has been sober for 31 years, Yvonne has done a lot of therapy to unburden herself of the codependent behaviors she developed while growing up with an emotionally withholding, narcissistic father and hypercritical, dysregulated mother. But despite her hard-won confidence, compelling personality, and many tries at dating, Yvonne hasn't met a man who can hold her interest. What's going on? That's the question Yvonne brings to the show, and...
Andrew grew up in a small town that left his voracious, neurodivergent mind profoundly bored. As a teen, this boredom bred criminal behavior and depression. As an adult, however, his energy found outlets in tremendously successful entrepreneurial endeavors. His peripatetic lifestyle and demanding career kept Andrew safely away from his deeper emotions until a recent breakup cracked him open. He has been working on himself with characteristic commitment since then and comes to the podcast wonderi...
Morgan is a former Olympic athlete who can't stop moving - moving homes, moving her body, moving away from pain. She comes to the podcast hoping Renee can help her move from self-criticism to compassion and from distraction to contentment. And since Morgan has recently pivoted from sports to psychology as she studies to become a therapist herself, she deftly unrolls her trauma stories, from her experiences as the parentified child of a single mom to recent familial betrayal. Renee finds the conn...
Maya comes to us from New Zealand hoping Renee can get her unstuck. She suffered an emotional trauma during the birth of her second child for which she holds her husband responsible. Now, three years later, Maya still hasn't been able to let go - she hasn't forgiven her husband, and she doesn't understand why. Renee doesn't understand why either, at first! But she realizes Maya will have to go back in order to go forward, so they put together the psychological puzzle with pieces made of Maya's c...
Adam C. comes to the podcast with a whole bunch of juicy content to discuss: his recent diagnoses of borderline personality disorder and type 2 diabetes; self-destructive romantic relationships; and the internet's favorite topic...narcissists! And these are only a few of the stops Renee and Adam make as they endeavor to break Adam out of the relational patterns that keep him from healthy attachment. Adam's candor, insight, and humor set the perfect stage, and Renee digs deep to find the missing ...
"I feel like I just got off Dr. Phil. I don't even know what just happened!" So said Shana towards the end of her conversation with Renee. Shana had come to the podcast without ever having listened to it; she had no expectations. Having noticed from Renee's Instagram bio that she is a nutritionist as well as a therapist, Shana figured they could discuss her recent weight gain. A few minutes into their conversation, though, Renee had other ideas. They talk through Shana's experiences with addicti...
Amy has gone from a controlling mother to controlling girlfriends to controlling partners. She comes to the podcast looking to better understand this pattern and, ultimately, to break it. Renee traces through Amy's history - with stops for closer looks at issues from abandonment fear to toxic masculinity- as she helps Amy develop a plan to break the pattern deepen her trust in herself. Plus, Josh tells the story of his harrowing Valentine's Day dinner! Support the show...
This week's guest brings a different type of problem to the show. Malin comes to the podcast with a puzzle. She's had some persistent physical symptoms for a while now, and she has started to wonder if they aren't all in her head - or maybe because of her head? She comes to the podcast hoping Renee can help her figure it out. Is she making herself sick with her mind? And, if she is, can she make herself well with her mind? Renee is determined to solve the puzzle, and she leaves no stone unturned...
Mars has endured a volatile and chaotic childhood, the violent death of her brother, and her own substance abuse battle. And that's not all. Still, it is only now, in her 40s, when she finds herself immobilized by the trauma. She was particularly eager to come on the podcast, hoping Renee can help her out of the social isolation she has created. Renee realizes early that what Mars needs most is hope, and she guides Mars through the creation of a narrative that opens up space for joy. The episode...
Patty has suffered and healed from the worst pain possible: her newborn baby died in her arms. And this was not the first major trauma she endured. Despite a serious of abusive experiences punctuated by this massive tragedy, Patty has not only survived but has legitimately thrived: she worked hard to heal the wounds she accumulated through the first 4 decades of her life and has built a career that is consistent with her soul. Why, then, is she now facing a new bout of debilitating anxiety and p...
After marrying at a very young age, Sidney (who is still at a very young age!) has found herself in constant movement. When she isn't working, she is running; when she isn't literally running, she is figuratively running. In her own words, Sidney finds it "such a struggle" just to breathe. Renée helps Sidney understand what is happening in her body and mind and designs practices to ease Sidney into her body when even breath feels overwhelming. Sidney's lovely sweetness is in stark contrast to th...
Kelvette's last partner cited some rather dubious reasons for ending their relationship. And despite the fact that he told her directly that he does not want to spend his life with her, Kelvette cannot let go. This is even more surprising once you get to know Kelvette: she is an absolutely hilarious, delightful, intelligent, insightful, no-BS firecracker. So what the heck is going on? This is exactly the question Kelvette came to the podcast to answer. Renée sorts through Kelvette's relationship...
Vanessa left home at 17 after a traumatic childhood that positioned her as a parentified child - one who watched her father die of a drug overdose - and that is only the tip of her trauma iceberg. Despite the fact that she "feels good most days," Vanessa still suffers the fragmentation and self doubt that rooted so early in her tumultuous life. Vanessa and her remarkble, inspiring spirit came to the podcast looking for help sorting through the decades of complex trauma that still live in her bod...
Max says his mother and father approached parenting on a "sliding scale from permissive to neglectful." Currently an undergrad psychology student who has done some intense therapy, Max understands a lot about his family. But even with his vast experiential and academic knowledge, he still finds himself confounded by his dad. He comes to the podcast hoping Renée can help him crack the code. Together they sort through Max's formative experiences with his dad, and Renee helps Max make some sense ou...
Rebecca is whip-smart and wildly witty. Growing up in a family that, as she says, "never met boundaries," Rebecca was a parentified child who has since endured assault, harassment, and the loss of her brother. She has tenaciously pursued healing, but finds herself still mired in anger that she fears she will never release. She asks Renee for help harnessing this anger as she prepares for a therapy session with her dad during which she hopes to finally set the boundaries that her parents could no...
Paule's childhood was dominated by religious abuse, the scars from which still conspire to rob his days of joy. Nonetheless, Paule has taken his healing work head-on; his lifeforce is indefatigable. He came to the show hoping Renee could help him make greater strides in his healing, and as she does they discuss a wide range of details, from his diagnosis to his recent relationship with a woman 20 years his senior. Renee sets Paule on track for deep healing, and Paule keeps the conversation going...
JD has a challenging mental health diagnosis, regrets about her last relationship, and a fantastic sense of humor. She brings all of these to the show in the hopes that Renee can help her resolve her problematic romantic patterns. The two women discuss the validity of JD's diagnosis as well as how the early attachment trauma of JD's adoption contributes to her current challenges in love. Renee outlines a plan for JD's healing that will help her practice new relational behaviors by starting with ...
Mike has done a lot of work on himself and came to the show excited to tackle his recent experiences of procrastination and "self-sabotage." Since both he and Renée like to talk a lot about a lot, they tackle not only that but much more - from substance abuse to taking compliments. Renee helps Mike untangle the current manifestations of some long-festering issues, and it's hard to say which one of them has more fun doing so. Most importantly, Mike leaves with a whole new take on some long-standi...
Timothy is a divorced dad with a beautifully balanced life - a life he worked hard to create. When he found himself in personal crisis 6 years ago, he dove into healing with stunning bravery and commitment, despite having been raised in a repressed and avoidant emotional environment. Now in his 40s, Timothy finds himself facing a tricky life transition. Renée helps him explore the choices that are currently confounding him, and in the process they smooth out some leftover trauma wrinkles. Timoth...
When Aiyana was younger, she liked that her mom was more like a friend than a parent. Now that she is a mom herself, Ayana is starting to realize that her relationship with her mom was problematic - as was much of her childhood. Lately, Aiyana finds herself mired in anger, which is particularly problematic since Aiyana and her daughter live with Aiyana's mom, Josefa. The two women have been arguing a lot, despite a mutual commitment to improving their relationship. And this is where Renée comes ...
Maeve grew up with a single mom in an abusive household and often dreamt of meeting the dad she never knew, fantasizing that he would rescue her from her isolation and loneliness. When she was 12, her dreams came true - well, sort of. She finally met her father, only to find her dreams of security dashed. Now, at 33, Maeve has risen above the horrors of her upbringing; she is wise, resilient, and insightful. Still, she finds herself struggling to keep old pain patterns out of her adult relations...
Justin says it was "synchronicity" that he came across Renee and the podcast in an Instagram ad. After a lifetime of both emotional and physical trauma, Justin has employed many different healing practices, from meditation to cryotherapy. Despite his remarkable dedication, he still suffers extreme anxiety most days. What's going on? Renee helps Justin sort through his past to find the wounds that still need healing. By the end, everyone in the studio can see the light at the end of the tunnel, a...
Ali's life has been punctuated by abandonment, domestic violence, and homocide. Still, she managed to get a nursing degree and support a family in the wake of so much trauma. Renée helps her create a coherent narrative to support her healing as they sort through the relational complications that are currently blocking her. It's a wild ride, thanks to Ali's remarkable energy, humor, and resilience. Support the show
Despite a horrible childhood, Alena is remarkably happy. With a career she loves, a healthy son, and a brilliant co-parenting relationship, she feels like she has it all. Some of her friends and family, however, think differently; they tell Alena she needs a romantic partner. This is where Renee comes in. Alena comes to the podcast to ask if she is missing something. Is it possible that her unresolved trauma is being repressed and denied? Is she avoiding intimate relationships because of the tra...
Last week we talked to Robelle, and this week it's her partner Michael's turn: He does not disappoint. Michael shares his journey from addiction to fatherhood and, along the way, he stumbles across some unhealed wounds. Renee helps Michael identify the pain points and develop strategies for healing, while also weaving Michael's story together with Robelle's to find the best way for the couple to move forward. There is a lot of laughing, a little crying, and some bonus Josh content that is extra ...
Robelle and her partner, Michael, have been together for a decade and are now parents of a 2 year-old. They came to the podcast to get help from Renée with their relationship and their new roles as parents. In this episode, Renee talks to Robelle; next week in Part 2 she will talk to Michael; and in a month or two, after working with them a bit, she will talk to them together. As for Robelle: she is a spitfire! Her childhood was unstable and forced her to grow up fast, and her early experiences ...
Jane came to the show to ask Renee for help with two things: her 17 year-old daughter and her own self-esteem. The teenager breaks her curfew regularly, and Jane has repeatedly let it slide. Now, tensions are building in the home as Jane's husband grows increasingly frustrated with his stepdaughter. The conversation starts like most other episodes, but about halfway through it takes a turn when Jane's husband asks to tell us his side of the story - a first time occurrence on the podcast! Renee s...
Jay breaks our long run of fabulous female guests, and we are here for it. He came to the show after finding one of Renée's Instagram posts about anxiety in the hopes she can help him with his. After a lifetime of intermittent anxiety and depression, Jay felt his symptoms intensify last fall, and they haven't let up since. He is new to therapy and desperate to understand why he suddenly feels so bad. Renee traces his symptoms over the last few decades and - spoiler alert! - they figure it out. J...
