Inner Source - Healing from Toxic Abuse

In this episode, Sydney Curtin shares her inspiring journey of overcoming personal trauma and her dedication to child-centered adoption practices. Growing up with a mother struggling with addiction, mental illness and dealing with significant family challenges, Sydney chose to channel her experiences into actionable advocacy. Through her work, including drafting a powerful adoption reform book, sh...

In this episode, host Deborah Ashway, LCMHCS, LCAS, welcomes De’Ann Richter, head coach at Breast Cancer Conqueror, to discuss the interplay between traditional and holistic approaches to health, particularly in the context of breast cancer recovery. De’Ann shares her journey from working in health food stores with her grandmother to becoming a surgical trauma nurse and advocate for integrative me...

If you've contemplated leaving a toxic relationship but then get confused and question your decision because of the 'good times,' then this episode is for you. This episode explores the fluctuating dynamics of toxic relationships, focusing on the cycle of extremes in good and bad experiences, which leads to abuse and trauma bonding. The host, Deborah Ashway, LCMHCS, LCAS, discusses the...

In this episode, our special guest Corey Levy, co-founder of We Inspect and a leading expert in indoor environmental health, shares his journey and insights into the profound effects of mold and other hidden environmental toxins on our physical and mental wellbeing. Levy discusses the history of his family's involvement in indoor air quality, the evolution of his company, and the critical conn...

In this episode, we are joined by Diana Esther, an acclaimed author, poet, speaker, transformational coach, and inspirational teacher. Diana shares her remarkable life story, including her recovery from lymphatic cancer and her extraordinary journey from the dark times in the Soviet Union to becoming a beacon of light and wisdom. She discusses her path to discovering the importance of inner light,...

Breaking Free: Embrace Your True Self and Let Go of These Toxic People In this empowering episode, we dig into the hard part of the journey of healing, which is letting go. You have to set boundaries in order to reclaim your authentic self. The focus is on letting go of toxic relationships and people who thrive on your submissive and people-pleasing nature. As you start putting yourself first and...

In this episode, Lori Pappas, a humanitarian and entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey of overcoming personal struggles and transforming them into catalysts for growth and positive change. Lori's life story includes surviving a tumultuous childhood and being forced in to a mental institution in the 1960s by her over-religous parents. Pioneering as one of the first women in computer sales,...

In this episode, award-winning and best selling author Kennerly Clay discusses her memoir, 'Letters from East of Nowhere; Daddy’s Words to Live, Drink & Die By' offering valuable insights into forgiveness, dealing with family complexities, and the journey of personal growth and healing. If you’re a fan of ‘The Glass Castle’ and ‘Lit’ then you’ll love hearing about Kennerly’s life. She...

In this episode, host Deborah introduces Melanie Weller, a pioneer in mental health and holistic healing. Melanie discusses her approach of integrating intuition into clinical practice and how she has evolved her unique practice over 30 years. By focusing on the vagus nerve, Melanie reveals the profound connection between physical and emotional wellbeing and discusses the significance of time perc...

In this insightful episode of Healing from Toxic Abuse, host Deborah Ashway, LCMHCS, LCAS welcomes Thomas LaGrave Jr., LCSW, an expert with over 35 years in the field of adolescent mental health. Thomas, a former Navy SEAL and currently a licensed clinical social worker, shares his compelling journey from addiction to recovery and his dedication to helping young individuals. He discusses his book...

In this episode, the host interviews Dr. Michelle Sherman, a clinical psychologist and author, known for her work on family dynamics related to mental health and trauma. Dr. Sherman talks about her books, 'Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma: Skills, Hope, and Strength for Your Journey' and 'I'm Not Alone: A Teen's Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness or His...

“What do you mean I’m avoiding? I’m facing everything head on.” I hear this frequently and sometimes catch myself  in a state of avoidance.  It takes a lot of self-reflection and awareness to notice this. Avoidance can be a natural built-in protective tendency in our body’s nervous system. We might not even realize when our bodies are keeping us from processing, cleaning out and re-writing the scr...

Exploring Neuroplastic Pain: Insights from Dr. David Clarke In this episode, host Deborah interviews Dr. David Clarke, President of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS). They discuss the chronic pain epidemic, neuroplasticity, and its link to stress-related and brain-generated medical conditions. Dr. Clarke highlights various conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, and...

In this episode, I have the privilege of talking to Kim Davis, the multifaceted talent behind the true crime podcast, 'Slaycation'. Known for her diverse background in performing arts, social work, and raising awareness on domestic violence, Kim dives deep into her passion for true crime and storytelling. She discusses how her podcast began, the psychological aspects of crime, and the impo...

The Hidden Dangers of People Pleasing: Identifying and Overcoming People Pleasing Habits In this episode, we dive into the complex world of people pleasing, a behavior often linked to toxic relationships. We explore the origins, signs, and detrimental impacts of people pleasing, including how it fosters low self-esteem, burnout, and unhealthy relationships. Key points include the importance of ide...

In this episode, we meet Mark McNicol, the creator of Anonymous Drama Therapy, an innovative program making profound impacts in prisons and rehab centers by fostering emotional resilience through creative expression. Mark shares his journey from mainstream theater to developing this groundbreaking approach, addressing inherited trauma among individuals with substance use disorders. He delves into...

What is the most important factor in healing? In this episode, we explore the integral role of accountability in personal growth. We look into how accountability fosters self-awareness, emotional maturity, trust, respect, and healthy relationships. The discussion highlights the contrast between accountable individuals and those within the dark triad, such as narcissists, who struggle with this con...

In this compelling episode, Gloria Grace Rand, known as the Light Messenger, discusses her path of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. Gloria shares insights from her life, including her journey with her sister’s cancer diagnosis, her divorce, and her upbringing in a challenging family environment. She reveals how these experiences influenced her work as an inspirational speaker, author, and s...

In this episode, we go further into the concept of gaslighting, building on the foundation laid in a previous episode. We look at how gaslighting manipulates your internal reality, and how it can cause long term effects, as explored through Anil Seth's theory of consciousness and controlled hallucinations. The question of ‘Who Am I’, is examined, because after being in a toxic relationship, your s...

Sugar as a toxin: In this episode, the host welcomes Mike Collins, a renowned expert in sugar addiction, to discuss the often overlooked issue of sugar addiction and its impact on overall well-being. If you don’t have a goal for 2025, you’ll want to consider reducing or eliminating sugar after hearing what Mike has to say. Mike shares his personal journey, which started with his family's history o...

In this episode, our host welcomes Kimberly Grustas, the inspiring founder of Good For You Girls, a natural skincare company for young girls. Kimberly shares her journey from working in the fitness and advertising industries to creating a line of healthy skincare products driven by her daughters' severe allergies and asthma. She discusses the importance of self-care, the psychological transformati...

In this episode Deborah Ashway, LCMHCS, LCAS looks at the complexities of gaslighting, one of the most insidious and difficult forms of manipulation to detect and combat. Discover how programming from gaslighting often originates in childhood, particularly in environments where parents or caregivers use this tactic. Explore the deep psychological impact it has on self-doubt and distorted reality,...

In this episode, I talk with Stacy Blemaster, author of the transformative book 'To Be or Not to Be, Shedding Innocence'. Stacy shares her journey from growing up in a family with generational secrets and emotional withholding, to enduring the struggles of a personality forged to please others. She discusses the critical turning points in her life, including her experiences in college and therapy,...

Curse or Schema? Either way, in this episode I’m talking about overcoming inherited traumas. What is a generational curse? And are you plagued with it? We look closley at the negative behavior patterns passed down through families. These patterns, often referred to as 'isms' such as alcoholism, gambling, abuse, and mental illness, can have severe impacts on various life aspects including health, r...

Talking Trauma with Cindie Henry, LMFT, BCETS: Exploring Therapeutic Approaches In this episode, Cynthia Henrie, founder of the Los Angeles Therapy Network, joins the discussion on her extensive experience and multifaceted approaches to PTSD treatment. Cindie talks about various therapeutic methods such as EMDR, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and sensomotor therapy that she uses in her practice....