Live Brighter With Tara

What if the very system that promised men strength and control was the same one keeping them silent, isolated, and hurting? In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, Mike and I dive into the hidden costs of the patriarchal system—how it teaches boys to suppress emotions, shapes relationships into transactions, and leaves many men struggling with shame, guilt, and disconnection. Together, we shar...

What if the challenges in your relationship weren't roadblocks—but invitations to deeper love and healing? In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, Mike and I get real about the ups and downs of our own relationship journey. From inner tubing adventures that mirror connection and support, to facing the weight of suppressed trauma and spiritual warfare, we explore what it takes to move toward au...

What if your emotions weren't chaotic or random—but a group of cartoon squirrels, each with its own voice and message? 🐿️ In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, we explore a lighthearted yet powerful way to look at your inner world. Each "squirrel" represents a different emotional state—anxiety, protection, joy, or even playfulness—and together they create the chatter we all feel inside. Rath...

What if your emotions weren't your enemy—but younger versions of you asking to be heard? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I share the "school bus analogy," a powerful way to understand how your inner child, teenage self, and past experiences still ride along with you today. We'll explore how these voices shape your reactions, why self-acceptance matters, and what it looks like to...

The pain you've carried isn't the end of your story—it's the beginning of your freedom. In this special mash-up of Live Brighter with Tara, three powerful stories remind us that pain doesn't have to define us: Dr. Deb Muth shares her journey of chronic illness and reveals how true healing requires going beyond symptoms to address root causes. Dawn Dominguez explains how trauma shapes our relations...

What if your deepest struggles—anxiety, trauma, or broken relationships—were actually pointing you toward healing and purpose? In this special mash-up of Live Brighter With Tara, I bring together three powerful voices: Eric Gilbert on transforming anxiety into freedom through faith and somatic healing, Susan Scott (Fierce Love) on courageous conversations and redefining love, and Terri Cole (Bound...

What do you do when the faith you trusted becomes the source of control, shame, and betrayal? In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara , Aubrey Taylor shares her raw and courageous story of life inside purity culture, an 18-year destructive marriage, and the loneliness of religious abuse. From public shaming in her church to private heartbreak at home, Aubrey's journey reveals the cost of silenc...

What comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus Christ? Was He just a historical figure, a wise teacher, a liar—or truly God? In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, I share my personal journey of wrestling with these questions, especially after experiencing the pain of religious abuse and spiritual confusion. For years, distorted church teachings made me doubt God's goodness. Through divorce,...

What if the God you were taught to fear was never who He truly is? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I open up about the painful reality of religious abuse, particularly in Christian settings, and how distorted interpretations of scripture can lead to guilt, control, and emotional manipulation. Drawing from my own experiences, I share how harmful church culture and legalistic teac...

What if the symptoms you're treating are just the surface—and the real healing lies deeper? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I'm joined by Dr. Deb Muth, a naturopathic women's health expert who shares her powerful personal journey through illness, healing, and the transformative power of integrative medicine. Together, we explore how nutrition, trauma, and stress are often the mi...

What if the world's definition of "smart" has been limiting your potential? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, we dive into the hidden brilliance within us all. From Einstein to Richard Branson, history is filled with visionaries who were told they weren't intelligent—only to go on and change the world. So why do we still let old labels define our self-worth? This empowering episod...

What if the loudest voice holding you back… is your own? In this episode of Live Brighter With Tara, we dive into the power of self-talk and how it shapes your mental health, relationships, and sense of self. I'll guide you through identifying negative inner dialogue, practicing self-compassion, and building a more loving, supportive relationship with yourself. You'll learn simple, effective tools...

What if the silent expectations in your relationship are the very things breaking your connection? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I dive into the unspoken agreements we carry into our relationships—and how they silently shape the way we love, argue, and grow (or don't). We'll explore how creating a relationship plan can bring clarity to emotional labor, love languages, money co...

  What if the laws and myths you believed about abuse are actually keeping you silent? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I sit down with Meilyn from Haven—a leading organization supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We unravel the common misconceptions about abuse, explore how power and control dynamics can be subtle yet pervasive, and uncover th...

Is your definition of love helping you grow—or keeping you stuck? In Part 2 of this conversation with Fierce Love author Susan Scott, we unpack how fierce conversations transform the way we love, connect, and communicate. We talk about the power of authenticity, the necessity of setting conditions in relationships, and how cultural messages around love can distort our sense of self. You'll learn h...

What if the conversations you're avoiding are the ones that could change everything? In this episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I'm joined by Susan Scott, best-selling author of Fierce Conversations and Fierce Love, to explore how honest, courageous communication is the foundation of every meaningful relationship. We talk about the essence of fierce conversations, how to build emotional intellige...

What if the habits that once protected you are now sabotaging your peace? In this episode of Live Brighter With Tara, we explore how subconscious patterns formed in childhood—often rooted in trauma, emotional survival, or unmet needs—can shape our adult behavior, relationships, and self-worth. These protective responses may have helped you once, but now, they might be keeping you stuck. I'll share...

Overwhelmed by anxiety or buried under the pressure to stay strong? You're not alone. In this episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I sit down with Christian mental health coach Eric Gilbert to explore how somatic healing, faith, and emotional readiness can help us overcome anxiety and trauma. We unpack the silent struggles many men face, the impact of societal pressure, and how practical tools like...

Could your deepest growth be hiding in the season you're trying to escape? In this episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I dive into the idea that life is made up of emotional and spiritual seasons, each one offering unique lessons. From moments of growth and clarity to times of grief, rest, and recalibration, I'll explore how learning to honor the season you're in can unlock deeper healing and alig...

Are the beliefs you formed in childhood still running your life today—without you even knowing it? In this episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I explore the subconscious "agreements" we make as children that often go on to limit our growth, relationships, and self-worth. I'll share a powerful hypnotherapy case study with a client named Jane, who overcame a deep fear of men by reprogramming her int...

What if the life you're living isn't the one you were meant to settle for? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara , realtor and domestic abuse survivor Sara Young shares her powerful 17-year journey through emotional and psychological abuse—and how she finally found the courage to reclaim her life. We explore the invisible signs of emotional abuse, the mental and spiritual toll of stayi...

Is your nervous system stuck in survival mode—and you don't even know it? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I open up about my personal journey through grief and how it led to unexpected dysregulation in my nervous system. We'll dive into the powerful connection between emotional pain, trauma, and our physical bodies—and why recognizing the signs of nervous system overwhelm is cru...

What does it really mean to live a meaningful life? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I open up about the recent loss of my beloved niece, Arielle—and the profound life lessons her legacy left behind. Through this heartfelt reflection, I'll share how grief can become a powerful teacher that calls us into deeper presence, authenticity, and connection. We'll explore the importance o...

What if the man in your life is silently suffering? In this episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I sit down with my husband, Michael Schaan, to have an honest and vulnerable conversation about male victims of domestic abuse—a topic rarely discussed, but deeply important. We explore how societal conditioning teaches men to suppress emotion, how childhood dynamics influence adult relationships, and t...

Have you been taught that being selfless means silencing your voice? In this week's episode of Live Brighter With Tara, we're exploring the emotional and spiritual cost many Christian women face when they've been raised to prioritize others at the expense of their own identity and well-being. I'll be diving into my personal story—how traditional belief systems shaped my view of womanhood, and how...