Courage to Heal

In this deeply moving episode of Courage to Heal , Anna sits down with Rhoda Banks, motivational speaker, coach, and author of the powerful memoir Daughter of an Assassin . Rhoda shares her extraordinary story of growing up amid violence, intergenerational trauma, and emotional neglect – and how she rose above it all to become a successful executive and advocate for healing and self-worth. Togethe...

In this episode of Courage to Heal , Anna speaks with Laurel Roberts-Meese, licensed psychotherapist and founder of Laurel Therapy Collective, about the power of EMDR therapy for healing trauma. With warmth and clarity, Laurel walks us through the eight phases of EMDR, explains how it rewires the brain’s trauma responses, and offers practical insights for those considering EMDR for PTSD or complex...

What is a trauma trigger—and why does it have such a powerful grip on your nervous system? In this episode of Courage to Heal , we explore what trauma triggers are, how they form, and why they show up in everyday moments. You’ll learn how to recognize your unique triggers and gently regulate overwhelming emotional responses. Anna shares two powerful somatic tools—the Spiral Technique and the Pictu...

In this heartfelt and illuminating episode of Courage to Heal , we dive deep into a conversation that’s long overdue—exploring the often misunderstood and overlooked experience of ADHD in women and those socialized as female. Host Anna Khandrueva sheds light on the quieter, masked forms of ADHD that don’t match the typical, boy-centric stereotypes. Through tender storytelling and deep compassion,...

Discover the truth about grief beyond the outdated five-stage model. This episode dismantles common misconceptions about grief, reveals why Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's famous stages were never meant for bereavement, and explores the diverse grief responses. Learn about anticipatory grief, complicated grief and the crucial differences between intuitive and instrumental grieving patterns. Whether yo...

What if your emotions started in your body – not your brain? In this insightful conversation, Anna sits down with licensed clinical counselor, author, and international trainer Amy Sullivan to explore the life-changing lens of Polyvagal Theory. Known for her warm, accessible teaching style, Amy breaks down the nervous system's three core states and how they shape our sense of emotional safety,...

Join host Anna as she talks with therapist Alyssa Scarano about healing generational trauma. Discover how childhood experiences shape our beliefs and relationships, and how these patterns get passed down through families. Alyssa explains what generational healing really means and shares how trauma creates survival strategies that might have helped us as kids but now hold us back as adults. Learn t...

Discover how connecting with your inner child can revolutionize your relationship with self-worth in this episode of Courage to Heal. Learn the crucial difference between self-worth and self-esteem, understand what inner child work really means, and explore practical techniques to begin healing childhood wounds that may be blocking your sense of inherent value. Through personal stories, guided vis...

In this heartfelt episode, Anna explores the challenging dynamics of emotionally immature parents and provides practical guidance for healing. Discover the four types of emotionally immature parents, recognize common patterns from childhood that might be affecting your adult relationships, and learn effective boundary-setting techniques that preserve your well-being. Whether you're experiencin...

Discover the power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in this comprehensive episode. We break down the science behind EMDR's Adaptive Information Processing model, explain bilateral stimulation's role in healing, and walk through all 8 treatment phases step by step. From PTSD and complex trauma to anxiety, depression, phobias, and substance misuse—find out how...

Discover the most effective trauma therapy approaches in this comprehensive guide to healing. In this episode, we explore trauma and the symptoms of PTSD that millions struggle with daily. Whether you're dealing with a single traumatic event or complex trauma, we break down seven evidence-based therapy methods that can help: Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive...

In this eye-opening episode of "Courage to Heal," host Anna welcomes Suzanne Culberg, the self-proclaimed "Nope coach" who specializes in helping over-givers and people pleasers set healthy boundaries and prioritize themselves. Suzanne shares practical wisdom on: How to start setting boundaries (hint: don't begin with family and friends!) Practical strategies for dealing with p...

In this powerful episode of "Courage to Heal," host Anna welcomes Jonathan Schechter, founder of Blue Magic Alchemy. Jonathan shares his remarkable personal journey from a challenging marriage to discovering the transformative power of breathwork, somatic experiencing, and psychedelic integration. Jonathan candidly discusses how recreational psychedelic use evolved into intentional healing...

In this episode of Courage to Heal, Anna interviews Craig Polsfuss, author of "Reality Shattering Insights." Craig shares his powerful journey of personal awakening that completely transformed his life and professional approach. Discover how Craig combines psychology, spirituality, and brain science to reveal the profound truth that everything we're seeking is already within us. Learn...

This episode features a conversation with Jill McMahon, a licensed professional counselor, trauma specialist, and gun violence survivor who shares her personal journey and professional insights. In this deeply moving interview, Jill discusses the unique challenges faced by gun violence survivors, the neurobiological effects of trauma on the brain, and effective approaches to healing. Drawing from...

In this episode of Courage to Heal, host Anna interviews Leah Carey, a sex and relationship coach and host of the "Good Girls Talk About Sex" podcast. Leah shares her personal journey from growing up in an emotionally abusive household to becoming a respected voice in sexual education and healing. She discusses her work with clients affected by purity culture, trauma, and societal conditio...

In this episode of Courage to Heal, Anna interviews Nicole Laurent, an experienced psychotherapist specializing in the use of ketogenic diets for treating mental illness and neurological disorders. Nicole discusses the mechanisms of how ketogenic diets work, their potential benefits for conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety, as well as the support systems needed...

In this episode of Courage to Heal, Anna interviews Larry Bilotta, an expert with a unique approach of reviving relationships on the brink of collapse. Larry emphasizes that it takes one person to heal a marriage and the importance of shifting from fear to love through conscious effort. He also discusses tools like the 'Love Strands Test' and concept of the 'Chaos Kid' to help indi...

In this powerful episode, Family Constellation Therapy facilitator Kat Daou shares her transformative journey from being the "black sheep" of her family to becoming an empowered cycle breaker. She explains how generational trauma gets passed down through epigenetics and discusses practical ways to heal ancestral wounds while maintaining family connections. Kat also reveals the unique thera...

In this powerful and inspiring episode of Courage to Heal , I sit down with Molly Booker—author, speaker, and advocate for authenticity. Molly shares her transformative journey of coming out in her 40s, overcoming perfectionism, and rediscovering her true self. Together, we explore the deep connections between self-worth, identity, and the courage it takes to step into your most authentic life. Di...

In this episode of Courage to Heal, we hear a profound interview with Jamie Fleming, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who found remarkable healing through psychedelic assisted therapy. Jamie recounts her traumatic experiences from a young age, the long-term effects of this trauma, and her journey through various therapeutic modalities. She eventually found significant healing via Ibogaine and...

Tim Thomas, former UFC fighter and Special Forces veteran, shares his transformative journey from warrior to wellness advocate in this powerful episode of Courage to Heal. Drawing from his unique experiences, Tim reveals how he created some of Australia's most successful veteran mental health recovery programs and discovered the healing power of breathwork. In this episode, you'll learn: T...

In this episode of Courage to Heal , Anna interviews Chloe Jiménez-Peters, a transformational hypnotherapist and trauma-informed coach specializing in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Chloe shares her personal journey of overcoming chronic fatigue, depression, and PMDD, leading to her profound work helping others heal root cause traumas. Together, they explore the connection between early-l...

This insightful episode of "Courage to Heal" features an interview with Tammy Cox, a transformational coach specializing in inner child healing and women's emotional wellbeing. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming childhood trauma and her father's early death, Tammy shares how she transformed her personal struggles into a mission to help others heal. The conversation explores...

In this episode of Courage to Heal, we explore a fresh approach to New Year's planning that replaces traditional resolutions with the power of intentional living. Learn why only 9% of people keep their resolutions and discover a more meaningful alternative: choosing a single word to guide your entire year. We dive deep into the concept of wholeness across six key dimensions of life - physical,...