Strides To Solutions

Ever wondered what’s really happening inside your brain when stress won’t let go? Meet your microglia—the tiny “housekeepers” of the nervous system. Under normal conditions, they’re helpful, keeping your brain clean and balanced. But under chronic stress, these housekeepers can get overzealous, flipping into “grumpy mode” and fueling inflammation that affects mood, memory, and mental health. In th...

Chronic stress is more than just feeling overwhelmed—it reshapes the brain and body in ways that can directly contribute to depression. In this episode of Strides to Solutions , Esther Adams unpacks the latest research on how stress triggers neuroinflammation , alters brain regions tied to mood and memory, and disrupts key neurotransmitter systems. Listeners will learn: * How the body’s stress-res...

Frustration is something we all experience, but when it becomes chronic, it can do more than wear us down—it can set the stage for depression. In this episode of Strides to Solutions , Esther Adams unpacks the complex relationship between chronic frustration and depression , drawing on research that spans psychology, biology, and everyday life. Listeners will discover: * Why persistent frustration...

Equestrian sports bring unmatched joy but also unique frustrations. Unlike other athletic pursuits, riders work in partnership with a sentient being whose needs, moods, and limitations shape every ride. In this episode, Esther Adams explores the psychology of long-term goal frustration in equestrian life , weaving together research and lived experience. Listeners will discover: * Why riders often...

This podcast explores the rarely spoken realities of horse ownership and equestrian work: the compassion fatigue that arises when constant caregiving, deferred goals, and unrelenting responsibility wear down the body and spirit. While research on this phenomenon in equestrians is almost nonexistent, studies in healthcare and mental health professions reveal how compassion fatigue can impair physic...

Sustaining compassion in animal care requires more than individual effort—it depends on supportive systems, healthy workplaces, and communities that value well-being. In this closing episode of Strides to Solutions , Esther Adams explores research-based strategies for reducing compassion fatigue at both the organizational and personal levels. Listeners will learn: * How supportive supervision and...

Resilience is not about being untouched by stress—it is about learning how to recover, adapt, and continue showing up with compassion even after difficult experiences. In this episode of Strides to Solutions , Esther Adams introduces five research-based skills that help caretakers sustain their well-being: self-regulation, intentionality, perceptual reframing, connection and support, and self-care...

Caring for animals is rewarding, but it can also come with an unseen emotional toll. In this episode of Strides to Solutions , Esther Adams unpacks the reality of compassion fatigue —a form of emotional exhaustion that affects pet owners, animal shelter volunteers, veterinarians, and animal care professionals. Drawing from research, we explore the risk factors, symptoms, and impact of compassion f...

Caring for animals is deeply meaningful, but it can also take an unseen toll. In this episode of Strides to Solutions , Esther Adams explores compassion fatigue —the emotional exhaustion that affects pet owners, shelter volunteers, veterinarians, and animal care professionals. Drawing on research, we look at the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of compassion fatigue, and why it matters n...

When life’s most meaningful goals are delayed again and again, the toll runs deeper than missed timelines. The Weight of Waiting dives into the neuroscience, psychology, and everyday reality of deferred hope—why it hurts, how it shapes us, and the pathways to resilience. This is a space for honest conversations about disappointment, self-compassion, and the courage to keep going. This is a public...

For research buffs and pet grief practitioners.. this specific podcast is for you. Pet-loss grief isn’t a tidy staircase. Emerging research shows it moves in pulses—shaped by attachment, social support, rumination, culture, and continuing bonds—rather than a simple “five stages.” In this episode of Strides To Solutions , Esther Adams unpacks what linear models miss, how non-linear patterns better...

Supporting a rider after losing a horse isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about presence, validation, and timing. In this episode, Esther Adams shares evidence-based ways to help: how to listen without rushing, offer consent-based comfort, keep check-ins low-pressure, and give practical help that actually helps. We’ll cover language that lands, common missteps to avoid, and simple rituals that protect...

You still catch yourself glancing at the door. That reflex is data: this bond wasn’t cute; it was consequential. In this episode of Strides To Solutions , Esther Adams explores the human-animal bond through both nervous system and narrative—oxytocin surges, attachment patterns, and the quiet daily rituals that scaffold our stress chemistry. We name why pet loss can jolt sleep, mood, and focus; how...

Discover the key steps to move from being overwhelmed by equestrian grief to becoming an active participant in your healing. Esther Adams covers emotional engagement, memory work, rituals, restoration, and the continuing bonds that keep your horse’s spirit with you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit esthernava....

Validate your grief and rebuild identity with scripts, rituals, EMDR-informed tips, and step-by-step guides. For owners, trainers, and barn communities. From Esther Adams, author of Horse Shaped Hole . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit esthernava.substack.com

Straightforward, science-informed resources for equestrian grief—acute and complicated grief, identity shifts, and gentle next steps. By Esther Adams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit esthernava.substack.com

Practical guidance on equine bereavement—grief education, identity rebuilding, and barn-tested routines that help. By Esther Adams (Strides To Solutions), author of Horse Shaped Hole. For owners, trainers, and barn communities seeking validation and a path forward. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit esthernava.s...

This Substack unpacks how horses—through the EquiLateral™ EMDR protocol—help trauma survivors reclaim a sense of safety in their own bodies. Drawing on Polyvagal Theory and insights from 20 participants with stress-related disorders, it explores the horse’s calm presence as more than comforting—it’s a potent biological signal that helps shift the nervous system from defense to connection. In that...

A mindful reflection on choosing clarity over clutter, depth over breadth, and quality over quantity. This intention invites you to strip away the nonessential, make decisions from a place of wisdom, and honor the quiet power of simplicity in both thought and action. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit esthernava...

People-pleasing, hypersexualization, numbing—your brain’s trying to keep you safe. In this Strides To Solutions episode, learn how trauma responses work and how to swap survival habits for healing ones. Practical steps: grounding exercises, boundary scripts, time-boxed breaks, therapy paths that actually help. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

Trauma rips up the map. Post-traumatic growth draws a new one. Esther breaks down what PTG is, how it differs from resilience, and the real-world moves that help—finding meaning, building safe support, noticing body cues, testing small steps. No toxic positivity, no quick fixes. Just clear direction for trauma recovery and life after loss. Hit play, breathe, and take the next inch. This is a publi...

Bottled emotions don’t disappear—they leak into your body, relationships, and decisions. In this Strides To Solutions episode, Esther Adams explains the real toll of emotional repression and guides you through proven tools to process feelings safely: naming emotions, mindful breathing, trigger mapping, and compassionate action. You’ll learn how to reduce stress responses, improve sleep and focus,...

Part 2 of the HERO Series In this segment, we dive into the empirical foundations of Psychological Capital—drawing on positive psychology, organizational behavior, emotional intelligence, and growth-mindset research. You’ll discover the four key mechanisms (conation, positive cognitive appraisals, positive emotions, and social support) that make PsyCap both measurable and malleable. We’ll explore...

Part 1 of the HERO Series: Introducing Psychological Capital (PsyCap) In this opening segment, we define Psychological Capital—our mental “wealth” of Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism (HERO) —and trace its origins in positive psychology research. You’ll learn why PsyCap matters for equine-assisted therapy, how horses naturally mirror and amplify each HERO component, and you’ll be guided thr...

In this episode of Strides To Solutions , Dr. Esther Adams uncovers how animal-assisted psychotherapy builds social skills and deepens relationships. You’ll hear how horses and therapy dogs offer nonjudgmental feedback, lower stress to unlock new behaviors, and inspire responsibility—transforming isolation into community and anxiety into confident connection. This is a public episode. If you would...