Reclaiming Me: Heal Your Childhood Attachment Wounds, People Pleasing, and Complex PTSD for Women

Summary In this episode, Elise Dean shares her profound journey through chronic health issues, infertility, and motherhood. She discusses her struggles with Lyme disease, the challenges of IVF, and the emotional toll of invisible illnesses. Elise emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-advocacy, and trusting one's intuition while navigating the complexities of motherhood and personal gro...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking, hosts Cindy and Sarah welcome photographer Carmen Rose to discuss her inspiring project, the Over 40 Project, which celebrates the beauty and resilience of women over 40. Carmen shares her creative journey, the importance of creating a comfortable environment for women during photo shoots, and the themes of resilience and growth that emerged from her work with...

Summary In this episode, Dr. Edita Ruzgyte discusses the complexities of intimacy and sexuality, exploring cultural influences, the role of shame and vulnerability, and the importance of communication in relationships. She emphasizes the need for individuals to understand their own sexuality and desires, and how therapists can help navigate these discussions. The conversation highlights the societ...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking, hosts Cindy and Sarah explore the themes of creativity and play for adults, reflecting on their experiences in January and discussing the pressures of societal expectations, especially around Valentine's Day. They emphasize the importance of finding joy in simple creative activities, the role of community in fostering creativity, and the impact of alcohol on s...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking, Cindy and Sarah engage in a heartfelt conversation with Jen Miller about her journey into pottery and the profound impact of creativity on mental health. They explore how art serves as a therapeutic outlet, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Jen shares her experiences of finding community through pottery, the importance of authenti...

Summary In this episode, Karley Hill shares her journey from graphic design to freelancing, emphasizing the importance of creativity in mental health. She discusses her personal struggles with ADHD and depression, the impact of social media on mental health perceptions, and the significance of finding creative outlets. Karley also highlights the lessons learned about healing, the importance of sel...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking with Cindy and Sarah, the hosts discuss the significance of embracing play and creativity in the new year. They reflect on personal experiences and the importance of reducing expectations, fostering curiosity, and rediscovering the joy of play as adults. The conversation also touches on travel as a form of play and the need to shift from rigid thinking to a mor...

Summary In this episode, Cindy and Sarah reflect on the highs and lows of the past year, discussing personal challenges, health scares, and the importance of processing difficult emotions. They share their experiences with family dynamics, the intensity of life, and the joy found in small moments. The conversation also touches on their plans for the future, including the podcast's growth and upcom...

Summary In this episode, Sarah Vaught and Bryna Talamantez discuss the complexities of grief, particularly in children and adolescents. Brenna shares her personal experiences with loss and how it shaped her career as a licensed marriage and family therapist. They explore the prevalence of child grief, the importance of language when discussing death, and the various ways to honor and remember love...

Summary In this episode, Cindy Payne speaks with Mark and Vanessa Hunley about their experiences in grief counseling, the importance of understanding grief and loss, and how to navigate these feelings, especially during the holiday season. They share personal stories, misconceptions about grief, and practical strategies for coping with loss. The conversation emphasizes the need for social connecti...

Summary In this heartfelt conversation, Cindy and Sarah explore the complex interplay between grief and gratitude, especially during the holiday season. They share personal stories of loss, the challenges of navigating grief while parenting, and the importance of finding joy amidst sorrow. The discussion highlights the significance of creating new traditions, honoring memories, and the necessity o...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking, hosts Sarah Vaught and Cindy Payne welcome Sarah's mother, Rebecca Sheinberg, to discuss the themes of Boomer Burnout, childhood trauma, resilience, and creativity. Rebecca shares her personal story of growing up in a tumultuous environment, the impact of her childhood experiences on her health, and how she navigated relationships and boundaries throughout her...

Summary In this enlightening conversation, Amelia Nagoski discusses the concept of burnout, its emotional and physiological impacts, and the importance of understanding stress cycles. She shares her personal journey of navigating identity, gender dynamics, and the experience of masking, particularly in the context of being a woman in a male-dominated field. The discussion emphasizes the necessity...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Cindy Payne interviews Jeanny Gallo, a passionate yoga teacher and wellness advocate. Jeanny shares her journey from a career in fashion to discovering her true calling in fitness and wellness. They discuss the importance of mindful movement, recognizing burnout, and the transformative power of yoga. Jeanny emphasizes the need for self-care, communication in...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking, Cindy Payne hosts her husband Eric Payne to discuss anxiety and burnout from a male perspective. They explore Eric's background, the impact of achievement on mental health, and the differences in how men and women process emotions. The conversation delves into the symptoms of burnout, the importance of emotional processing, and the challenges of navigating new...

Summary In this episode, Sarah and Cindy discuss their personal experiences with anxiety, reflecting on insights gained from previous guests. They explore the impact of anxiety on women, particularly in the context of motherhood, and share coping mechanisms and support systems that have helped them. The conversation also touches on the role of medication and therapy in managing anxiety, the import...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking, hosts Cindy and Sarah welcome Ashley Igo, a licensed professional counselor, to discuss her journey with anxiety, trauma, and resilience. Ashley shares her personal experiences with trauma from a young age, including a tragic train accident that shaped her life. The conversation delves into the importance of therapy, particularly EMDR, in processing trauma and...

Summary In this episode of the Unmasking Podcast, hosts Cindy and Sarah welcome Anne Nicol, a counselor who shares her personal journey with anxiety stemming from her breast cancer diagnosis. The conversation explores the complexities of managing anxiety during and after treatment, the importance of community support, and the empowerment that comes from prioritizing self-care. Anne discusses her e...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking with Cindy and Sarah, the hosts reflect on their back-to-school series, discussing key takeaways from their guests and the challenges of parenting neurodivergent children. They delve into the anxiety that often accompanies the transition back to school and the expectations placed on parents. The conversation also touches on the difficulties of being a therapist...

Summary In this episode of the Unmasking Podcast, Cindy and Sarah engage with Kim Minch, a certified parenting coach, to discuss the challenges of parenting emerging adults. Kim shares her personal journey, including her experiences with her son's addiction and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation delves into the concept of 'failure to launch,' the importance of setting...

Summary In this episode of Unmasking, Cindy Payne interviews Karen Jones, a counselor specializing in animal-assisted therapy. They discuss Karen's journey into counseling, the role of her therapy dog Deuce, and the challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent children. The conversation also covers the importance of early intervention in mental health, the pressures on teens and college stude...

Summary In this episode, Ethan Payne shares his experience transitioning from high school to college, particularly focusing on his journey of sobriety and the support he has received at Texas Tech University. He discusses the recovery program at the university, the challenges he faced leaving home and graduating high school, and how he has been able to excel academically by applying himself and ut...

Summary In this episode, Cindy and Sarah interview Tessa Knickerbocker, a middle school and high school teacher, counselor, and parent. They discuss the challenges and joys of parenting adolescents and the importance of supporting their mental health. Tessa emphasizes the need for curiosity over judgment when understanding and guiding adolescents. She also highlights the significance of creating a...

Summary In this episode, Cindy Payne sits down with her friend Kathy Riojas, a parent of both neurodivergent and neurotypical children. Kathy shares her experience as a mom and a licensed professional counselor, discussing the joys and challenges of parenting in the autism community. She talks about her background in public education and her transition to becoming a school counselor and later an L...

Summary In this episode, Cindy and Sarah discuss their experiences with back-to-school season. Cindy reflects on her journey as a parent and the challenges of finding the balance between overcompensating and empowering her children. Sarah shares her nervousness about her daughter starting kindergarten and the excitement surrounding the new school experience. They also touch on the pressure parents...