Natural Born Red Head

In this heartfelt episode, Joanne shares her deeply personal experiences caring for her mom with dementia and Alzheimer's. She discusses the emotional challenges of managing her mom's disease, the cognitive cruelty of current standard testing for said, and her mixed feelings about Hospice care. Joanne provides insight into the ways she maintained her mom's dignity and her mom’s use of THC to ease...

In this introspective episode, Joanne ventures deep into her personal journey through grief, self-sabotage, and spiritual awakening. She shares vivid anecdotes from her life, like witnessing a poignant moment in nature and recalling childhood memories, to illustrate her emotional and psychological experiences. Joanne also discusses self-care, recognizing the impact of her choices, and uncovering r...

In this episode, Joanne, still joined by Dr. Stein, delves into the complexities of PTSD and C-PTSD. They discuss the impacts of grief, dissociation, and coping mechanisms such as alcohol use. Dr. Stein shares poignant stories from his experiences, including the survival mechanisms of a Holocaust survivor and the dissociative states observed in abuse victims. They also explore differences in how i...

In this episode of Natural Born Red Head, Dr. Stein and Joanne discuss the complexities of grief, PTSD, and C-PTSD. She shares her personal experiences and explores how acute stress responses can evolve into long-term conditions. The conversation dives deep into the differences between wartime trauma experienced by veterans, the failures of early debriefing interventions, and the impact of chronic...

In this episode of Natural Born Red Head, Joanne is joined by Dr. Robert Stein, a neuropsychologist and partner at the Center for Neurobehavioral Health in Lancaster, PA. They discuss the impact of brain injuries, the roles of the frontal lobe, and techniques for cognitive rehabilitation. Dr. Stein shares his professional journey and insights into compensatory and remediative strategies, including...

Join Joanne as she shares a deeply personal and candid conversation about dealing with trauma, estrangement, and the challenges of emotional and psychological abuse. Listen in as she delves into personal anecdotes, the effects of substances, and the importance of mental health awareness. Joanne explores her experiences with laughter and crying as coping mechanisms and discusses broader themes of f...

In episode four of the series, Joanne and her guest, Pam, discuss the complexities of family estrangement, the challenges of maintaining relationships, and personal growth. They delve into personal anecdotes about the impacts of familial relationships on their lives and the difficult decisions they've faced. Conversations touch on estrangement from children, the influence of siblings, and the emot...

In episode three, Red Head and Pam continue to discuss Pam's childhood, family struggles, and journey to self. Pam reflects on attending Joanne’s Aunt Carol's funeral and the impact her Aunt Carol had on her life. They delve into painful memories of Pam's upbringing, including the blatant favoritism shown to her brother and the emotional abuse she endured. She also explores the strained relationsh...

In this gripping episode, Joanne continues the conversation with Pam, diving deep into the complex relationships with her children and the lasting impact of her tumultuous relationship with her parents. Pam shares her struggles with estrangement, the heartbreaking experiences with her daughter, who suffered a traumatic brain injury, and the revelation of being cast out of her family. Join us as Pa...

In this episode, Red Head sits down with her childhood North Fork friend, Pam, to discuss her traumatic upbringing with an abusive alcoholic mother and a father who struggled to provide protection. Pam shares her journey from experiencing emotional and physical abuse, dealing with the resurfacing of repressed memories in college, to the challenging interaction with her family when confronting her...

In this episode, Red Head delves into the topic of reactive abuse, highlighting how individuals often mirror abusive behavior in response to being targeted. Reflecting on personal experiences within her marriage and family, she discusses the challenges of standing up for oneself as an Autistic, navigating passive-aggressive behavior, and the journey toward self-awareness and healing. Joanne also e...

In this episode, Joanne shares more of her personal journey being Autistic and having Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), highlighting the challenges and triumphs she's experienced. Jersey is still with her this week, discussing the impact of these diagnoses on their lives, coping mechanisms, and the importance of self-acceptance. From humorous anecdotes to profound insights, the conversation delves into the c...

In this deeply moving episode, Red Head continues with Jersey, who courageously opens up about her struggles with overt/covert abuse inflicted by her ex-husband. The conversation navigates through the manipulation and challenges she faced while ensuring her son knew she was always present despite the obstacles. From the emotional turmoil of being alienated at community events to navigating legal a...

In this episode, Joanne and her guest, Jersey, discuss the emotional and legal journey of dealing with divorce, custody battles, and covert abuse. The conversation touches on court-appointed psychological evaluations, personality disorders, and the long-term effects on Jersey's son. This episode provides a raw and candid insight into the complexities of family court systems and the personal strugg...

Join Joanne as she brings you an emotional conversation, with her longtime friend 'Jersey,' about her experiences with covert and overt abuse. In this episode, Jersey shares intimate details of her life, from caregiving for her elderly father to navigating significant marital issues. The episode delves deep into the complexities of Jersey’s marriage, including manipulation and estrangement from he...

In this episode, Red Head, per usual from the studio at ConversionWorx, shares personal reflections and, shocker, a bit of emotional vulnerability.  She recites Andrea Gibson's moving poem 'A Love Letter from the Afterlife,' expressing deep sentiments following the loss of Andrea and her mom. Joanne also reads her poem, 'Ode to Not Jim Carrey,' revealing the part of her that is so very grateful fo...

In this lively episode, Joanne dives into her methods of creating impactful one-liners and discusses the importance of brevity in both comedy and writing. She shares her thoughts on various comedians, including Louis CK, Bill Burr, and Ralphie May, and emphasizes her appreciation for comedians with good relationships and respect for women. Joanne also reflects on her personal growth, her attention...

In this recorded session, Joanne brings up her favorite character concept: a sapiosexual dominatrix.  Farrah Moan? She discusses her ideas, including a humorous on-stage act aimed at harmonizing a man's energy with his love interest while using props.. Joanne shares some personal anecdotes about her experiences and challenges related to sapiosexual interactions, and she delves into potential expan...

In this episode, Red Head engages in conversation with Hesham about faith, cultural identity, and the experiences of survivor's guilt. The discussion starts with a brief mention of job exams, transitions to sharing anecdotes about travel and religion, and explores personal spiritual journeys to include Buddhism. The conversation deepens as it covers the significance of Ramadan, the concept of Jinn...

In this episode, Joanne sits down with her friend Hesham to explore his unique experiences growing up Muslim in North Carolina. Hesham shares his family's immigrant journey, his struggles with racism post-9/11, and the resilience he learned from his parents, especially his mom. They delve into Hesham's life challenges, his interest in finance, and common misconceptions about Islam. This episode pr...

In this episode, Joanne opens up about her personal journey through a traumatic dissociative episode after the loss of her mother, the challenges of maintaining boundaries with family, and the complexities of re-establishing connections. She delves into her experiences with C-PTSD, being Autistic, and the emotional toll of being a family scapegoat. Joanne also reflects on her dissociative episodes...

Join Red Head as she dives into the world of right brain psychotherapy, inspired by the work of Dr. Allan Schore and her personal experiences. In this episode, she discusses brain development, attachment styles, and the interplay between science and spirituality. Joanne reflects on her journey being Autistic with an ADHD kicker, and personal growth while sharing insights from Gabi Kovanlenko’s boo...

In this episode, Red Head shares personal stories intertwined with humor to discuss the topic of overcoming abusive family dynamics. The discussion includes sharing traumatic experiences, using comedy as a processing mechanism, and the journey of healing from psychological abuse. Emphasis is placed on the importance of enforcing boundaries, recognizing abusive behaviors, and the power of using hum...

In this insightful episode, Lucia and Joanne converse about the therapeutic impact of storytelling and personal tid bits towards understanding one's past. The discussion spans Lucia's childhood in an Italian immigrant family, the socio-emotional challenges she faced, and complex family dynamics. They delve into the themes of overt and covert trauma/abuse, particularly highlighting the impact on se...

Join Joanne, aka Natural Born Red Head, as she dives deep into a conversation with Lucia Severtson. Lucia shares the journey behind the Brave Women’s Project, her personal battles with OCD, and her dedication to aiding women through their traumas. Learn about Lucia's unique approach to therapy using creative arts, the inception of Brave Women's Community Theater, and her powerful mission to amplif...