Taking Up Space with Cassie Krajewski

In this episode, our conversation centers on redefining midlife and menopause not as a period of decline but as a transformative threshold. The conversation challenges long-standing cultural narratives that tie women's value to youth and productivity. Guest Julie Cardoza, a licensed marriage and family therapist, shares her insights and experiences on navigating midlife. Julie provides midlife-inf...

In this episode of Taking Up Space, host Cassie Krajewski is joined by Erika Yourdan, trauma therapist and EMDR specialist, for a powerful and illuminating conversation on generational trauma. Together, they explore what generational trauma is, how it shows up in our lives, and the ways it’s passed down through both family dynamics and epigenetics. But this conversation doesn’t just focus on what’...

In this expansive and heartfelt conversation, Cassie sits down with therapist, healer, and joy-seeker Amy Rose Lynch, LCSW (she/they), whose approach to therapy and life is anything but traditional — and deeply, refreshingly human. This conversation discusses therapy, identity, embodiment, and the liberating practice of choosing joy. Amy brings a radically honest and intuitive approach to therapy,...

In this episode, we welcome Nisha Patel, a therapist, sobriety coach, and speaker, who shares her personal journey of achieving sobriety and transitioning into helping others through their own recovery processes. Nisha discusses her decision to pursue a career in therapy following her own sobriety, which has now spanned over 16 years. She opens up about the challenges of staying sober, the importa...

In this episode of Taking Up Space, Cassie sits down with Dr. Michelle, a Denver-based physical therapist who’s redefining what healing can look like—especially when it comes to movement and eating disorder recovery. Together, they explore what it means to return to your body through safe, supported, and attuned movement. Dr. Michelle shares how she helps clients rebuild trust with their bodies, d...

In this powerful convo with Eli Harwood (@attachmentnerd), we explore how attachment shapes not just our connections with others, but also how we trust, care for, and take up space in our own bodies. Eli, an author of two books focusing on securely attached relationships, shares her journey influenced by her own experiences of childhood trauma and therapy. She delves into the importance of underst...

In this episode of Taking Up Space, we sit down with Alison Leslie, a Bloomington-based therapist, EMDR trainer and consultant, and somatic experiencing practitioner, to explore the transformative power of embodiment in healing. Alison shares her personal and professional journey—how she moved from being a recreational enthusiast to a dedicated therapeutic practitioner—and the ways in which embodi...

In this enlightening episode of 'Taking Up Space,' we welcome Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, a renowned internal medicine physician specializing in eating disorders. Dr. Gaudiani discusses her extensive experience and innovative approach to treating eating disorders through her outpatient clinic in Denver. Highlighting the importance of feminist, autonomy-forward, and relationship-focused care, Dr. Gaudia...

Have you ever noticed the parallels between your relationship with food and body and your relationship with money? In this enlightening episode of Taking Up Space, we sit down with financial therapist and intuitive eating counselor Wendy Wright LMFT to explore the complex and often overlooked intersection of money, food, and mental wellness. Wendy shares her unique approach to financial therapy, a...

At some point in our lives, all of us will have experiences of crashing into our bodies in ways that we couldn't have anticipated. In this episode, we host Monica Pearson, a therapist specializing in perinatal health based in Vancouver, British Columbia. We delve into Monica's unique background, including her transition from a genetic counselor to a therapist focusing on fertility, pregnancy, and...

Today we’re exploring the 'witch wound'—an intergenerational and collective trauma affecting women's voices and empowerment. Jacqueline explains how the historical persecution of women labeled as 'witches' continues to manifest today through behaviors like people-pleasing and perfectionism. The discussion also touches on the role of psychedelics in accessing subconscious healing and the importance...

Reclaiming smut and spice! Say hello to Katie Duggan (she/they), a romance author renowned for their spicy contemporary romances, shares their journey in writing and self-discovery. Katie, who identifies as fat, queer, and disabled, brings representation to the forefront of their work, emphasizing the importance of seeing diverse and marginalized identities in literature. Throughout the conversati...

What role do politics and power play in shaping the way we understand and treat eating disorders? This episode welcomes Allyson Inez Ford, a multiracial, queer, neurodivergent therapist specializing in Eating Disorders and OCD through a social justice lens. Alison shares insights from her extensive work in the mental health community, particularly through her social media and online courses. She d...

In this episode, we welcome Jesie Steffes, a licensed professional counselor from Colorado Springs. Jesie specializes in grief and body image and is also the founder of 'She's Well Fed,' a coaching business and podcast focused on body reclamation. The discussion dives deep into Jesie's personal journey with body liberation, the impact of purity culture, and the importance of reclaiming bodily auto...

What's trauma and what's OCD and how can we tell which is which? In this episode, we speak with Bronwyn Shroyer, a licensed clinical social worker in Indiana. Bronwyn shares her personal and professional journey, focusing on her work with OCD and PTSD through her private practice and her role as co-founder of OCD Training School. Bronwyn delves into her personal history with OCD, triggered by her...

In this episode, we welcome Bre Wolta, a relationship clarity coach, who shares her profound journey and expertise in helping women understand their relationship patterns, especially after experiencing narcissistic or emotionally manipulative relationships. Bre dives deep into her personal story of overcoming a toxic relationship and how it led her to support others facing similar struggles. She e...

In this engaging episode, Rachel Flowers, a seasoned clinical therapist from Michigan, shares her story and professional journey. With over 16 years in private practice and a strong background in treating severe disordered eating, Rachel introduces her love for EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. She delves into her specialization in trauma, particularly spiritual and rel...

In this episode of Taking Up Space, Cassie welcomes Nicola Salmon, a fat positive fertility coach who specializes in supporting fat individuals through their fertility journeys. Nicola shares her personal story of being diagnosed with PCOS at 16 and the impact that had on her life. She discusses her evolution into fertility coaching, her experiences with a positive, textbook pregnancy despite soci...

In this episode of 'Taking Up Space,' we are joined by Dr. Marianne Miller, an eating disorder therapist specializing in treating binge eating disorder and ARFID. Dr. Marianne shares her professional background and discusses her integrative approach to therapy, which includes leveraging her personal journey with an eating disorder and neurodivergence. They delve into the importance of addressing s...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Mara Gordon, a family physician and medical educator, who shares her journey toward size inclusive medicine. Dr. Gordon, who practices in Camden, New Jersey, and resides in Philadelphia, reveals her transition from a weight-centric approach to a more inclusive practice that avoids emphasizing weight loss as a primary goal. She discusses the influence of reading lite...

In this episode, Dawn Serra, a counselor and coach from British Columbia, shares her journey from hosting MLM sex toy parties to becoming a sex and relationship coach. She discusses her experiences with fat activism, body trust, and the importance of non-stigmatizing mental health care for people in larger bodies. Dawn emphasizes the significance of self-worth, boundary setting, and reclaiming ple...

Today we’re talking about dating and relationships in diet culture with therapist, Becca Moravec. The world of dating, where our bodies often feel like battlegrounds of judgment and bias. It's no secret that our culture's obsession with diets and body ideals can make finding love feel like an uphill battle, especially if you don't fit into society's narrow mold of beauty. Join us as we delve into...

Today, we’re diving into the tangled relationship between ADHD and our struggles with food and body image. Here’s the truth—people with ADHD are four times more likely to develop an eating disorder. And it’s a cycle that can feel impossible to break. When eating disorders go untreated, they can make ADHD symptoms even worse. And when ADHD isn’t managed, it can wreak havoc on our relationship with...

Today we explore the transformative journey of reclaiming movement. Our guest, Rachel Millner, an Eating Disorder Psychologist specializing in Body Trust, Joyful Movement, and Fat Activism, sheds light on the profound impact of systemic fatphobia in fitness and wellness spaces, and she articulates how mainstream fitness fails to consider diverse body types, leaving many individuals feeling unseen...

In today’s episode we’re talking about our pelvis with pelvic health expert and physical therapist, Dr. Brittney Ellers. In this enlightening conversation, we explore the often overlooked realm of pelvic health, addressing common misconceptions, and shedding light on the importance of connecting with this aspect of our bodies. Whether you're seeking to enhance your understanding of pelvic health o...