Stress Isn’t the Villain - Here’s How to Shut It Off
Stress isn't the villain. It's your body's alarm system, doing exactly what it was built to do. This episode, we get into the actual tools to shut that alarm off.
Last episode, we learned stress isn't the villain. It's your body's alarm system, doing exactly what it was built to do. So in Part 2, we get into the actual tools to shut that alarm off. Because here's the catch: your nervous system is still running ancient software, waiting for an "all-clear" signal that modern life never quite sends. The stress just… stays.
We walk through the surprisingly simple, occasionally ridiculous ways to send that signal yourself: cold water and the diving reflex, breathwork, the vagus nerve, your window of tolerance, and using your values as home base. Some of it sounds strange. All of it could work.
Why your body never gets the "all-clear" — the stress that outlasts the stressor
Completing the stress cycle through movement, not just problem-solving
Cold water & the diving reflex (a DBT "TIPP" skill)
Breathwork, including Wim Hof–style breathing
The vagus nerve & the tongue-out trick
Yin yoga for down-regulating
Your "window of tolerance" and why it shifts day to day
Using your values as home base when stress knocks you off center
How to Actually Cope With Grief: Personal Stories, Crisis Resources & the Dual Process Model
If you've ever felt stuck, ashamed of how you're grieving, or like you should be over it by now—this one's for you.
Grief part two is here, and this time it's personal. Ashley and Marcella pull back the curtain and share their own grief experiences — from sudden loss and unresolved anger to suicide loss and the grief nobody talks about. They break down the dual process model, explore what community grieving actually looks like, and discuss the kinds of loss society still doesn't take seriously—including body grief, disenfranchised grief, and the grief that comes with loving someone through a crisis. If you've ever felt stuck, ashamed of how you're grieving, or like you should be over it by now—this one's for you. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.
The Grief Nobody Names: Pet Loss, Ambiguous Loss & More
Grief has never had one face — so why do we keep acting like it should?
Grief has never had one face — so why do we keep acting like it should? In part one, we break down the models, the myths, and the types of grief that don't always get a name.
Panic Disorder and Anxiety: Racing Thoughts, Survival Mode, and How to Regain Control
The emotions behind “Panic” — the racing thoughts, inner pressure, and quiet moments that often go unseen.
In this episode, we dive into the emotions behind “Panic” — the racing thoughts, inner pressure, and quiet moments that often go unseen. A raw and atmospheric experience about anxiety, survival, and trying to regain control when everything feels too loud.