Soulful Wahine

Season 1 of Soulful Wahine started with conversations about healing, self-discovery, boundaries, attachment styles, nervous system regulation, and what it means to come home to yourself. But as this first season comes to a close, I’ve found myself asking a deeper question: What made healing necessary in the first place? In this season finale, I’m reflecting on the lessons this podcast has taught m...

When I left Maui at 17 years old, I thought I was simply moving away for college. What I didn’t realize was how much leaving Hawaiʻi would challenge me, shape me, and ultimately help me become the woman I am today. In this episode, I share my experience of moving from Maui to Utah—the culture shock, friendship struggles, loneliness, identity shifts, and lessons that came with building a life away...

One year later… and wow, what a journey it’s been 🥹🌺✨ In this special episode of Soulful Wahine , I’m reflecting on what this podcast has taught me about healing, womanhood, vulnerability, and finally finding my voice as a Hawaiian woman, therapist, and creator. 🤍 When I first started this podcast, I honestly didn’t realize how much I would grow alongside it. Over the past year, Soulful Wahine...

As we step into May—AAPI Heritage Month—I found myself reflecting on what this journey has actually looked like for me. It’s been 5 years of being a therapist, and almost a full year of Soulful Wahine… and if I’m being honest, I don’t always take the time to pause and really sit with that. So instead of jumping into another topic, I wanted to slow down and share what this work has genuinely taught...

Hot takes I have as a therapist… that might piss you off. In this episode, I’m getting real about the patterns I see over and over again—the ones that keep people stuck, even when they’re “doing the work.” We’re talking about the gap between awareness and change, why closure isn’t something other people give you, and how certain behaviors that look like growth are actually rooted in self-abandonme...

You don’t miss them. You miss the relief you felt when they finally treated you right. That’s not love… that’s a trauma bond. In this episode, we’re breaking down the difference between real love and emotional addiction—because trauma bonds aren’t just “toxic relationships.” They’re cycles built on inconsistency, highs and lows, and the nervous system getting hooked on temporary safety. If you’ve...

In this episode, I’m breaking down some of the toxic patterns I’ve had in relationships... but from a healed, accountable perspective. Not to shame myself, but to understand where they came from and how they showed up. I talk about: •Overreacting to conflict •Shutting down instead of communicating •Trying to leave before I could be left •And staying longer than I should have These weren’t just “ba...

Ever found yourself reacting to something minor… and then thinking, “why did that hit me so hard?” In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening when you get triggered—because it’s not about being dramatic, sensitive, or “doing too much.” We’re talking: •how your nervous system stores past experiences •why certain moments feel bigger than they “should” •and how old emotional wounds get a...

There was a version of me that thought I was doing everything right in relationships. I was patient. I was understanding. I avoided conflict. I tried to see the good in people. And for a long time… I thought that meant I was loving correctly. But when I look back now, I can see how often I was choosing them over me. I ignored red flags and convinced myself I was overthinking. I over-explained my f...

Have you ever felt anxious, overwhelmed, or even turned off when someone shows up for you in a healthy way? You’re not broken—and you’re not “too much.” Your nervous system may have simply learned that love isn’t safe. In this episode of Soulful Wahine , we’re diving into how relational trauma and past experiences can wire your body to associate love with inconsistency, anxiety, or emotional pain....

What happens when life teaches you that the world isn’t always safe… and your own instincts feel harder to trust? In this episode of Soulful Wahine , I explore what it really means to relearn safety after emotional pain, betrayal, trauma, or survival mode. When we’ve been hurt—by relationships, systems, or life experiences—our nervous system often adapts by becoming hyper-vigilant, guarded, or dis...

Not every season of growth is loud. Sometimes the most important seasons are the quiet ones. The ones where things slow down, momentum shifts, and you’re left questioning whether you’re still moving in the right direction. In this episode of Soulful Wahine , we’re talking about the emotional reality of slow seasons. The burnout that can come from constantly pushing yourself, the doubt that creeps...

October has always been my favorite month. It's my birth month, I love the color changes that come with fall, and all things SPOOKY! 👻🎃  It's also the birth month of my aunty and cousin, who I lost in the Maui Wildfires in August 2023. Over time, this month has become both joy and remembrance for me. In this bonus episode, I share what it's been like to hold space for both; celebr...

Toxic love feels magnetic, addictive, and nearly impossible to walk away from. But why? In this episode of Soulful Wahine , we're breaking down the red flags of toxic love, why we stay even when it hurts, and how these relationships can literally rewire our nervous system over time. Whether you've been caught in the cycle yourself or you're supporting someone you love, this conversa...

Before we can break cycles or step into healthier versions of ourselves, we first have to see the patterns we're caught in. In this episode, I dive into why awareness is the very first step of healing and why it has to be paired with grace instead of shame. Together we'll explore the blocks that keep us from seeing clearly, gentle tools to build self-awareness, and how slowing down helps...

After two months away, I'm back and ready to reintroduce myself, my voice, and my vision for Soulful Wahine. In this episode, I share what's been going on behind the scenes, why I stepped away, and what you can expect moving forward. Think of this as a fresh reset. Both for me and for the community we're building together. Welcome back to Soulful Wahine.

This episode is one of the most personal ones I've shared. I was taught to be strong, composed, selfless. I didn't realize until years later that I was also taught to shrink; to silence my needs, to put everyone else first, to be the version of a woman that made other's comfortable. But healing meant I had to unlearn her. In this episode I talk about: - What it looked like to unrave...

We often talk about healing like it's a straight line, from pain to peace, from trauma to transformation. But real healing? It's messy, nonlinear, and layered. In this episode, we unpack the spiral nature of healing-how you can circle back to old wounds AND still be growing. I'll share how your brain and body store emotional pain, how neural pathways and survival patterns show up wh...

In this tender and thoughtful episode of Soulful Wahine , we're exploring attachment styles through the lens of self-compassion and curiosity - not shame. So many of us grew up learning how to love and protect ourselves in ways that made sense at the time... even if they feel messy or confusing now. Whether you find yourself getting anxious in relationships, pulling away when things get too c...

This one's going to sting.... but it's all love. You're not attracting emotionally unavailable people, you're tolerating them. And today, we're unpacking that pattern with honesty, softness, and accountability. In this episode of Soulful Wahine , I'm diving into: - Why chaos feels like chemistry. - How your nervous system mistakes inconsistency for love. - What real s...

Friendship breakups can cut just as deep as romantic ones - especially when it's with a sister you thought would be in your life forever. In this episode, we explore the grief, betrayal, and silence that often surround broken bonds between women. But we're also talking healing- how to restore your sense of sisterhood and call in deeper, more soulful connections with women who truly see y...

Your inner child isn't just a memory - it's a living part of you that still craves joy, play, softness, and imagination. But for so many of us, especially as Polynesian women and women of color, childhood wasn't always safe. Playfulness was shut down. Joy felt conditional. Creativity took a backseat to survival. In this episode of Soulful Wahine , we're diving into: 🌺 What inn...

Why does saying "no" feel so heavy? In this episode of Soulful Wahine, we're diving into the deeper roots of people pleasing - especially in cultures where being "the good girl" or "the strong one" is expected. I talk about how fear of disappointing others can keep us stuck in cycles of burnout, resentment, and self-abondonment. Whether you learned to keep the pe...

Polynesian women are strong - but that strength often comes at a cost. In this episode of Soulful Wahine , we talk about the deep emotional pain that goes unspoken in our communities, and why talking about mental health still feels so taboo. We dive into what it means to break the silence, normalize therapy, and begin honoring your emotional needs without shame. Follow on IG: @soulfulwahine Subscr...

Welcome to the very first episode of Soulful Wahine! I'm your host, Kehaulani, a licensed mental health therapist, and proud Polynesian & Black woman, here to create a space for healing, connection, and truth-telling. In this episode, I'm sharing Soulful Wahine's mission statement, my personal story, how this podcast came to be, and what you can expect from this soulful, raw, an...