Desire As Medicine Podcast

Celebrating 100 episodes!  In this milestone episode of Desire as Medicine , we pause to reflect on the extraordinary journey we’ve taken together. What began as tentative conversations has blossomed into a bold exploration of desire, self-love, and transformation, for us, and for you. Over the past hundred episodes, we've charted a path for women (and the people who love them) to live more a...

In this episode, we dive into the deep medicine of sacred rest. What happens when you intentionally put everything down and step away from the constant pull of work, screens, and to-dos. Through the lens of Brenda’s personal Shabbat practice, we explore how ritualized pauses create room for desire, clarity, and real connection. We live in a culture that celebrates hustle and constant output. Wheth...

Have you ever noticed how the same desire can be received completely differently, simply based on how you say it? The way we communicate our needs and desires shape the quality of our relationships more than we realize. In this intimate and insightful episode, we unpack the subtle (and powerful) role of syntax , tone , and word choice in expressing desire. Whether you’re navigating romantic connec...

Have you ever asked for something that felt totally reasonable, only to be met with resistance, rejection or discomfort? It can feel disorienting, even painful. In this episode, we explore how to ask for what you want in relationships without attachment, resentment, or collapse. Through stories of diamond earrings, perfume, and simple affection, we reveal the subtle difference between demanding an...

What happens when you ask for something you deeply desire, and it’s met with rejection? In this episode, Brenda and Catherine explore the art of asking for what we want while staying rooted in self-worth, even when the answer is “no.” Through honest personal stories—from diamond earrings to a fridge full of Pellegrino—they unpack how to hold desire cleanly, without attachment to the outcome. This...

What happens when life feels like an all-you-can-eat buffet of desires? When every opportunity feels irresistible and you want it all—right now? In this episode, Brenda and Catherine dive into the emotional terrain of competing desires and the tough choices we must make when we can't have everything at once. They explore what it means to move through life’s “candy store” with discernment, dra...

We all want freedom but are our go-to comforts actually keeping us stuck? In this revealing episode, Brenda and Catherine explore the fine line between real freedom and sophisticated forms of avoidance. From Netflix binges to spontaneous vacations, they examine how common pleasures can sometimes act as distractions from discomfort. Through honest personal stories, they uncover how facing limitatio...

What does it mean to love without losing yourself? Freedom isn't about avoiding responsibility, it's about staying rooted in yourself while loving others fully. When we overextend in small, constant ways, always saying yes, always accommodating, we slowly drift into self-abandonment and codependency. True freedom begins when we trust others to navigate their own journey. Seeing each pers...

What does it really mean to be free? Is it doing whatever you want—or something else? In this episode, we explore the difference between true freedom and false freedom . Many of us chase a version of freedom that actually leaves us feeling more stuck—mistaking impulsivity, people-pleasing, and structure-free living for liberation, when they’re really subtle forms of escape. True freedom arises whe...

When we’re young, freedom feels like staying up late, eating candy for dinner, and having no one tell us what to do. But as we grow up, that surface-level idea of freedom gets challenged. True freedom, is not about indulging in everything, it’s about having genuine choice and the ability to act from our values, not our wounds. Brenda and Catherine explore their personal paths to authentic freedom....

Ever wonder why some people see kindness everywhere while others only notice rejection? It’s not the world that’s different, it’s our perception. Brenda and Catherine explore how our brains filter reality based on our beliefs, often without us realizing it. Using Tony Robbins’ “red car” experiment as a jumping-off point, they speak to how 95% of our brain activity happens unconsciously. These ment...

Brenda and Catherine explore how that anxious inner hum - the persistent urge to do something – might actually be an invitation into stillness, not more action. Brenda shares how her former need for order and perfectionism once kept her from being present with her kids. A pandemic moment of realizing “the dishes don’t have to be done today” shifted everything. Constant motion, she reflects, is oft...

The profound difference between solitary self-discovery and maintaining authenticity in relationships is the heart of this week's conversation. We dive deep into what it means to be "a monk on the mountain versus a monk in the city" – exploring how much easier it is to feel connected to our highest self when alone than when navigating the complexities of human connection. Relationsh...

This episode explores the beautiful complexity of women’s friendships, challenging the myth that deep connection happens effortlessly. Catherine & Brenda share personal stories about how our own relationship grew through intentional investment - what we call “coins in the fountain.” True sisterhood takes time, vulnerability, and the courage to navigate discomfort. Many of us were never taught...

Have you ever considered that all your relationships don't need to serve the same purpose? In this episode, we explore friendships, and dive into seven categories of connection that enrich our lives in different ways.  We decided to reference ~ Lane Moore's book "You Will Find Your People," we unpacked how soul friendships, chosen family, long-distance connections, situational...

Ready to experience what might be waiting on the other side of being busy?  Take a deep breath and join us on this exploration of presence as a radical act of self-care. The phrase "slow down" is often repeated in personal development circles, but what does it actually mean to slow down in a world where moving from thing to thing is a normal way of life in the western world.  Slowing dow...

What happens when we surround ourselves with women who genuinely back our dreams? Our window of possibility expands beyond anything we could imagine alone.  In this soul-stirring conversation, Brenda and Catherine explore how witnessing others achieve what seems impossible fundamentally rewires what we believe is possible for ourselves. Brenda shares a life-altering story about hosting a celebrati...

Brenda and Catherine pull back the curtain and explore their own sisterhood and the transformative power of truth-telling in female friendships. They share how their relationship began with an act of honesty and vulnerability, setting the stage for an authentic connection that transcends conventional women's relationships. Episode Highlights: • How Catherine was mentoring Brenda's daught...

What does your ideal sisterhood look like?  In this episode, we imagine a world where sisterhood is a powerful tool for empowerment and support. This episode explores the often overlooked yet profound dynamics of female connections, encouraging a shift from surface-level interactions to deep, meaningful relationships. We share our personal experiences and discuss how vulnerability can enhance the...

Have you ever struggled with allowing yourself to feel your feelings? Are you someone who gets very involved in the "story"? Where the facts get blurred because the story is so loud. Are you willing to feel the fullness of your emotions?  And perhaps let others see you in your tears and snot? Emotions are the core of our human experience, yet many of us struggle with openly feeling and e...

Ever wonder why receiving feedback (aka honesty) can feel horrendous?  In this conversation, we unravel the art of receptivity in relationships, revealing how to transform unwelcome criticism into opportunities for growth.  Join us as we share our personal stories and practical tips for handling criticism, feedback and honesty with grace and openness. Brenda's reflections on parenting illumin...

What if embracing the art of receiving could transform your relationships and enrich your life?  Join us as we navigate the often overlooked skill of receiving with grace.  We talk about the societal norms that lead women to struggle with the basic art of receiving.  Brenda and Catherine offer a fresh perspective on how mastering the art of receiving leads to deeper connections and a more fulfilli...

Have you ever wondered why after every big moment in life there's a period of things feeling crunchy, or it all just falls apart? We invite you to explore the dance of expansion and contraction, a universal rhythm often overshadowed by society's relentless pursuit for more. We share our personal journeys, revealing how moments of joy and success naturally transition into times of integra...

For our Valentine's Day episode, we explore and demonstrate how to navigate sticky conversations. Often, when disagree or maybe even judge each other, we tend to disconnect. But there's another way. We can hold space for each other and lean in regardless of our differences, connection is still a possibility.  On this episode of the Desire as Medicine podcast, we (Brenda and Catherine) in...

In this Behind the Scenes episode we unravel our personal journey of podcasting, marked by unexpected challenges and triumphs. We vulnerably share how the start of 2025 threw curveballs our way, including a tech glitch that swallowed an entire episode, Catherine's bout with sickness and Brenda's dog unexpectedly dying.  Through these experiences, we discovered the power of balancing desi...