Been There, Dunn That

In this episode of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge speaks with Le-an Lai Lacaba about the intersection of grief and entrepreneurship. Le-an shares her personal journey, including the traumatic experiences that shaped her path as a Virtual Assistant consulting business owner and digital nomad. The conversation explores how loss can lead to personal growth, the challeng...

In this engaging conversation, Angela Dunn-Cartledge and Peter Anderson explore the dynamics of relationships, focusing on the importance of vulnerability, communication, and playfulness. They discuss the challenges of managing expectations, navigating change, and the role of anger in relationships. The dialogue emphasizes the need for intention and understanding in fostering a safe and joyful con...

Elizabeth Wilson shares her journey of writing, publishing, and promoting her memoir 'Lonely Girl; with Host Angela Dunn-Cartledge. This episode explores emotional growth, resilience, and the creative process. Discover practical insights for writers and the power of owning your story. Grieving your story, working with your inner self to accept your story, and writing it for others are all topics c...

In this episode of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, Angela Dunn-Cartledge and Elinor Moshe delve into the complexities of grief, exploring its multifaceted nature beyond just the loss of loved ones. They discuss the unraveling of identity, the chaos of internal turbulence, and the journey of self-discovery that often accompanies grief. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding...

In this episode of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, Angela Dunn-Cartledge and Tonya Peck engage in a heartfelt conversation about healing, vulnerability, and the journey of overcoming shame. They explore the importance of finding safe spaces to share personal stories, the role of community in healing, and the courage it takes to speak one's truth. Tonya shares her experiences and insights as a p...

In this episode of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge speaks with Kendall Saretsky about her personal journey through caregiving for her father, who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. Kendall shares her experiences of grief, the challenges of being a young caregiver, and the emotional complexities of ambiguous and anticipatory grief. She used writing as a means...

In this deeply honest and compassionate episode of Been There, Dunn That, Angela sits down with holistic psychotherapist, author, and trauma survivor Santa Molina-Marshall for a powerful conversation about grief, trauma, healing, and the losses we often don’t realize we’re carrying. Together, they explore the grief of lost childhoods, dysfunctional family systems, abuse, unmet dreams, and the invi...

In this episode of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge speaks with Kent Maxson about his journey through grief and resilience, as detailed in his book 'No Way Out But Through.' Kent shares personal stories of significant life stressors, including health crises, divorce, and job loss, and how these experiences shaped his faith and understanding of forgiveness. Kent emphasi...

Your host, Angela Dunn-Cartledge, and Shermin Kruse delve into the concept of emotional regulation and its intersection with stoic empathy. Shermin shares her personal journey, insights from her book, and practical applications for listeners to enhance their emotional intelligence and navigate life's challenges. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, the power of emotions as...

In this episode of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge speaks with Felicity Ashley, a cancer survivor and ocean rower, about her incredible journey through adversity. Felicity shares her experiences of rowing the Atlantic Ocean, facing a cancer diagnosis, and navigating the complexities of grief after losing her father. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the impo...

In this episode, Angela Dunn-Cartledge and Patrick Eilers discuss the complex issues surrounding partner betrayal and the grief that follows. Patrick shares his journey as a licensed professional counselor, detailing his experiences in various therapeutic settings and his specialization in sex addiction recovery. The conversation delves into the intricacies of partner betrayal trauma, the healing...

In this heartfelt conversation, Angela Dunn-Cartledge and Diane Haworth explore the profound themes of grief and resilience. Diane shares her personal journey through the loss of her husband, discussing the complexities of family dynamics during grief, the tools she utilized to cope, and the importance of love and forgiveness in the healing process. The conversation emphasizes the significance of...

In this episode of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge and psychotherapist Catherine DeMonte explore the complex themes of grief, healing, and manifestation. They discuss the importance of honoring grief, understanding the concept of stuckness, and the cultural perspectives that shape our experiences with loss. Catherine shares practical techniques for reflective listenin...

In this episode of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge speaks with Adaku Mbagwu about the unique challenges and strengths of firstborn daughters, particularly in the context of business and personal development. They explore cultural expectations, the psychological impact of being a firstborn daughter, and the importance of community in healing generational patterns. Adak...

In this enlightening conversation, Angela Dunn-Cartledge and Barbara J Hunt delve into the often misunderstood concept of forgiveness, exploring its significance as a mental health practice rather than merely a spiritual or religious act. They discuss the weight of grievances we carry, the reasons behind our reluctance to forgive, and the intricate relationship between grief and forgiveness. Barba...

In this first episode of season 3 of the Been There, Dunn That podcast, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Andrea Corn about the complexities of healing, particularly in the context of divorce and grief. Dr. Corn shares her insights from nearly 30 years as a psychologist, emphasizing the importance of understanding emotions, the role of grief in family dynamics, and...

What we don’t say, we store. In this episode, Angela and Courtney unpack why unspoken thoughts keep looping in our bodies and how expression—not external validation—creates relief. Courtney shares the origin story of Air Out , a simple, anonymous app that “greenlights” self-expression: no usernames, no likes, no comments—just space to move the energy so your mind gets quiet and your body can exhal...

In this deeply grounding conversation, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge talks with death doula, grief guide, and ritualist Alyssa Ackerman about building a grief-literate culture—before and after loss. We explore why untended grief behaves like trauma in the body, how pre-existing connection boosts resilience, and practical ways to create containers that let us ask for what we need. Alyssa walks us thro...

Author and Inner Mammal Institute founder Dr. Loretta Breuning joins Angela to demystify our “animal brain”—why cortisol makes small triggers feel huge, how dopamine drives relief-seeking, and what it actually takes to build new emotional pathways. You’ll learn the 20-minute half-life rule for stress, how to spot social-comparison loops, and practical ways to design healthy, fun rewards so change...

Angela sits down with writer, stand-up comic, and professional “build-your-own-table” human Amanda Graham for a raw, funny, and fiercely honest convo about breaking into TV/film late, navigating gatekeepers, living through “the wilderness years,” and choosing hope when life keeps piling on. Amanda shares how discovering she’s autistic (and likely ADHD) reframed her direct communication style, why...

TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide is discussed in this episode. Please listen at your discretion. Rebecca shares an extraordinary life story—losing both parents to suicide, surviving childhood sexual abuse, and being separated from her brother for 20 years—then finding deep healing through storytelling, spirituality, and the love of her “soul dog,” Gus. After Gus’s unexpected passing in 2023, Rebecca exper...

Angela and Hadassah dive into adoptee secrecy, shame and identity, the power (and pitfalls) of the story we tell ourselves, and how to move from rumination to repair. Hadassah explains her “tell the true story, then heal it” approach, why secrecy fuels shame, how to prepare emotionally before a search/reunion, and what open vs. closed adoption looks like in practice. Angela shares her family’s emb...

In this episode of Been There, Dunn That , Angela sits down with author and writing mentor Leigh Shulman to explore what it really takes to start—and sustain—a writing life. From the “just 10 minutes” practice to separating writing from publishing, Leigh shares a compassionate, practical path for anyone ready to tell their story. You’ll learn how to handle harmful feedback, why perfection blocks m...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes candid discussion of addiction and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care. In this powerful conversation, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge sits down with author and speaker Daryl Dittmer to unpack the long, honest work of recovery and resilience. Daryl shares how a downward spiral through his teens ended with a life-or-death crossroads on New Year’s Eve 1984—an...

TRIGGER WARNING: Unaliving, su*cide, and drug overdose are discussed heavily in this episode. Please listen at your discretion. After the casseroles stop and the world moves on, grief can feel like being dropped in a forest without a map. In this deeply honest episode, host Angela Dunn-Cartledge sits down with grief counselor and child-loss survivor Harold Polus to talk identity, judgment, communi...