Authentically Connected with Dr. Rachel Faust

In this episode, I explore the idea that each of us holds an innate potential that never disappears, but can become obscured when we learn to disconnect from our authentic emotional experience. Drawing on insights from When the Body Says No by Dr. Gabor Maté, I unpack how early attachment experiences shape the coping styles we carry into adulthood—often leading us to suppress emotions, especially...

In this episode of Authentically Connected, I sit down with psychiatrist Theresa Anderson, founder of the Anderson Clinic in Cincinnati, OH, to explore emerging treatments for depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. Together, we talk about how shifting our internal narratives can transform healing and what happens when traditional treatments aren’t enough. We also dive into innovativ...

What does play look like when you’re an adult—with responsibilities, guilt, and a nervous system that doesn’t always settle easily? In this episode, I explore what it means to find your way back to play: discovering your own play style, working through differences in how others play, and relearning play as a vital part of connection and well-being. Drawing on polyvagal theory, play research, and p...

Listening note: This episode builds on the concepts introduced in Episode 4 on polyvagal theory and is best enjoyed after listening to that episode first. In this episode of Authentically Connected, I sit down with my friend Jen Schneeman for a grounded, deeply human conversation about nervous system regulation, energy, and what authentic resilience really looks like. We explore how resilience isn...

In this episode of Authentically Connected, join me in a gentle exploration of Polyvagal Theory — the science of how our nervous system moves between safety, stress, and shutdown. I'll explain how to map your own “ladder,” understand your body’s signals, and find your way back to connection. From the wandering vagus nerve to the power of co-regulation and tiny steps out of overwhelm, this episode...

In this episode, I sit down with Arielle Schmidt, my Thai yoga therapist, for a conversation about the body's energetic pathways, Chinese meridians, and the wisdom of the elements. We explore how somatic practices can support emotional release, what it means to listen to the body's subtle signals, and how spirituality weaves into healing. This is a gentle, grounding discussion about coming back in...

In this episode, I open up about my personal journey to heal — a path shaped by the power of imagination, the gentle practice of self-compassion, and the transformative lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). I share how learning to befriend my inner parts allowed deep emotional wounds to begin softening. Together, we’ll explore how visualization and imagination can become healing tools, how compas...

Welcome to the podcast! In this first episode, I share about my own healing journey and what inspired me to create this space. I talk about how Internal Family Systems (IFS) has changed my life — helping me see my inner world with compassion, curiosity, and love. My hope is that, as you listen, you’ll connect with your own inner parts and discover that healing is less about fixing yourself and mor...