Explore every episode of the podcast Forgive Yourself
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 112: Finding Yourself Again After Childhood Trauma | 22 May 2026 | 00:57:26 | |
There are some wounds that change the course of a life, and some healing journeys that change it again. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, I sit down with author and memoirist Heather Conn to talk about surviving childhood incest, the long and layered process of healing, and the unexpected path that eventually led her toward forgiveness. Heather shares how years of therapy, body-based healing, creativity, meditation, writing, and spiritual practice helped her reconnect with herself after trauma disconnected her from her body, emotions, and relationships. Together, we talk about the difference between forgiveness and condoning harm, the complexity of family relationships, the courage it takes to tell the truth, and why healing is never linear. Heather also opens up about the backlash she received after publishing her memoir, “No Letter in Your Pocket,” and why she chose compassion anyway. Please take care of yourself as you move through this episode. What You’ll Learn
Heather will send a free copy of “No Letter in Your Pocket” to the first message she receives on her website! Visit: www.heatherconn.com Get your copy of “No Letter in Your Pocket”: https://www.amazon.com/Letter-Your-Pocket-Memoir-Biography/dp/177183787X Follow Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SixStinkyFeetandaSasquatch Connect with Heather LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hconn/ Watch "Journey to Forgiveness": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Ukq86zVdo Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 111: Trying to Be the Mom You Didn’t Have – The Hidden Pressure No One Talks About | 15 May 2026 | 00:27:32 | |
So many women carry a quiet promise inside themselves: ‘I will be different from my mother.’ Maybe you grew up feeling unseen, emotionally alone, criticized, or responsible for everyone else’s feelings. And when you became a mother yourself, you vowed your children would never feel what you felt. But what happens when that promise turns into pressure? In this episode, I talk about the emotional weight of trying to be the mom you didn’t have and the exhaustion that comes from believing you have to get motherhood “right” in order to break the cycle. I share parts of my own story, the promises I made as a young mother, the wounds that followed me into parenting, and how fear and perfectionism can quietly shape the way we show up for our children. We also explore the role of the inner child, why motherhood can feel so emotionally intense when you’re still healing your own childhood wounds, and how repair, awareness, and self-forgiveness matter more than perfection ever will. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 110: Why Mother Guilt Feels So Heavy – It’s Not Just About Parenting | 08 May 2026 | 00:33:30 | |
Mother guilt is something so many women carry, but rarely say out loud. In this episode, I talk about the kind of guilt that shows up in everyday moments. The guilt of not being present enough, patient enough, or doing enough. The guilt that lingers from the past and the pressure we place on ourselves in the present. But this conversation is not about judging yourself or trying to “just let it go.” It’s about understanding where that guilt comes from, separating it from shame, and beginning to meet yourself with more compassion. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 109: From “What If” to Self-Compassion After Pregnancy Loss | 01 May 2026 | 01:00:41 | |
There are losses we talk about, and then there are the ones we carry quietly. In this episode, I sit down with pregnancy loss coach Shruti Trivedi to talk about a kind of grief that so often goes unspoken. Pregnancy loss is something many experience, but few feel safe enough to fully process. What gets left behind is not just sadness, but guilt, shame, and the constant loop of “what if.” Shruti shares her own story of multiple losses and what it looked like to carry that grief silently for years. We talk about the emotional weight women hold, the pressure to move on, and the moment everything shifted when she finally allowed herself to be supported. This is a conversation about learning how to stop blaming yourself for things you were never meant to carry and finding a way to move forward without leaving your loss behind. What You’ll Learn
Book a complimentary 60-minute breakthrough call with Tulsi: https://calendly.com/shruzee/60min Connect with Shruti:
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 108: Why Receiving Feels So Hard (And How to Begin Allowing It) | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:25:25 | |
Giving comes naturally. Receiving does not. In this episode, I’m diving into why receiving can feel so uncomfortable, especially for high-achieving, high-functioning women who are used to being the ones who give, support, and hold everything together. This isn’t just about brushing off compliments. It shows up in your relationships, your work, your business, and even your ability to receive success, opportunities, and financial growth. Receiving requires vulnerability, and if your nervous system learned that it wasn’t safe to be seen, supported, or open, then of course receiving feels unfamiliar. But it isn’t something you earn, it’s something you learn to allow. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 107: When You Lose Yourself Taking Care of Everyone Else | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:17:04 | |
I didn’t lose myself all at once. It happened slowly, quietly, in ways I didn’t recognize until my body started speaking louder than I could ignore. In this episode, I’m sharing something I’m not just teaching, I’m living. We’re talking about what it really looks like to lose yourself while taking care of everyone else, and how patterns like people-pleasing and codependency can feel loving on the outside, but are actually forms of self-abandonment on the inside. I open up about my own journey through codependency, relationships, burnout, and health challenges, and how my body ultimately forced me to stop and listen. I began to understand that my body wasn’t betraying me—it was trying to get my attention. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 106: What If We Didn’t Walk Away? | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:48:14 | |
When we hear the word dementia, most of us think of loss. Decline. Goodbye. But what if that’s not the full story? In this conversation, I sit down with Marilyn Raichle, who gently challenges everything we think we know about dementia. After being told her whole life to "walk away" when Alzheimer's came, Marilyn, Marilyn did the opposite. She stayed. And what she discovered changed everything. What began as resistance and obligation became something deeply meaningful. Through art, presence, and an unexpected partnership with her mother, Marilyn found connection, creativity, and even joy in a place most of us fear. If you’re walking alongside someone with dementia—or holding regret about how you’ve shown up—this conversation will meet you with compassion, perspective, and hope. What You’ll Learn
Learn more about Marilyn, and get a copy of her book Don't Walk Away, A Care Partner's Journey, here: https://dontwalkaway.net/ Follow Marilyn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.raichle Connect with Marilyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynraichle/ Follow Marilyn on Instagram: instagram.com/raichlem/ Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 105: Why You Don’t Trust Yourself (And How to Start Again) | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:49:10 | |
So many of us have spent our lives outsourcing our authority, worth, and wisdom to expectations, roles, and other people. In this episode, we explore how to bring it back to yourself. In this conversation, I sit down with the deeply insightful Sheila Delaney to talk about what it really means to come back home to yourself, especially after burnout, chronic stress, or years of putting everyone else first. Sheila shares her powerful story of navigating a full-body shutdown, chronic illness, and the moment that changed everything. She also shares the question that led her back to self-trust. What You’ll Learn
Correction: In the episode, Sheila states that 70-80% of women are autoimmune sufferers, per Dr Gabor Matè. The accurate statistic is that 70-80% of autoimmune sufferers are women, per Dr. Gabor Matè. Take Sheila's Insourcing Assessment: http://insourcingway.com/earlyaccess Visit Sheila’s website: insourcingway.com Follow Sheila on Substack: https://substack.com/@sheiladelaney Listen to Sheila’s podcast, Crazy Beautiful Truth: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DAY5vT5sP0wPBzhLc8K77? si=75e26b95d0e64084 Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 104: Self-Forgiveness in a Changing Body | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:34:22 | |
One of the most complicated relationships we have is the relationship with our own body. When chronic illness, pain, injury, or unexpected physical changes show up, many of us quietly begin blaming ourselves or believing our bodies have betrayed us. In this episode, I share how the journey through nerve-damage and chronic pain forced me to confront the harsh inner voices that judged, blamed, and tried to “fix” what felt broken. What I discovered instead was a powerful shift: healing isn’t about fighting your body, it’s about learning to work in partnership with it. Through powerful reflections, compassionate reframes, and practical exercises, I introduce the idea of the “courtroom inside the mind,” the hidden grief that comes with physical change, and how self-forgiveness can transform the way we relate to our bodies. What You’ll Learn
Download your free Body Forgiveness Workbook here. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 103: Forgiving the Body That Hurts | 06 Mar 2026 | 01:07:17 | |
What if the real healing begins the moment we stop fighting our bodies? In this compassionate conversation, I sit down with Tami Stackelhouse—health coach, founder of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute, and host of the Fibromyalgia Podcast—to talk about self-forgiveness in the face of chronic illness. Tami shares her personal journey with lifelong health challenges and fibromyalgia, and we explore what it really means to move from war to partnership with your body. We talk about perfectionism, lost capacity, relationship shame, asking for help, and how learning who you truly are, instead of who you think you “should” be, can become the foundation for healing. If you’ve ever felt betrayed by your body, whispered “Why can’t you just work right?,” or carried shame about not being the mom, partner, friend, or professional you once were, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn
Take Tami’s free Fibromyalgia Wellness Style℠ Quiz: https://fibroquiz.com/ Follow Tami on Facebook: https://facebook.com/FibroCoach Follow Tami on Instagram: https://instagram.com/FibroCoach Subscribe to Tami on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fibromyalgiawellness Connect with Tami on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tamistackelhouse Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 102: Self-Forgiveness When You Feel Behind in Life | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:22:11 | |
“I thought I’d be further along by now.” That’s a sentence I hear all the time, and if I’m honest, it’s one I’ve said to myself, too. In this episode, I’m talking about the quiet ache so many women carry: the feeling of being behind in life. Behind in our careers. Behind in healing. Behind in love, confidence, health, or fulfillment. On the outside, we may look capable and responsible—often the ones everyone else relies on. But inside, there’s a voice whispering I should have figured this out by now. I want to gently explore where that voice comes from. How the feeling of being behind is often grief in disguise. Grief for the life we imagined. Grief for choices we wish we’d made differently. Grief for years spent surviving instead of thriving. And I talk about how self-forgiveness isn’t about excusing or pretending, it’s about softening our relationship with the past and integrating it with compassion. What You’ll Learn
💜 Download your companion worksheets for this episode here. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 101: Learning to Love the Woman You've Been Judging | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:21:12 | |
You don’t have to fix yourself first to deserve your own kindness. So many high-achieving women I work with don’t hate themselves…but they don’t really like themselves, either. They tolerate themselves. They manage themselves. They critique themselves. And often, they live in a quiet, ongoing relationship with judgment. Self-judgment doesn’t always scream. Sometimes it sounds reasonable. Motivating even. It can sound like: “Why am I like this?” “I should be further along by now.” “I know better than this.” But underneath that voice is often a tired, overwhelmed part of us that simply wants understanding. In this episode, I share where that inner critic comes from, how it once tried to protect us, and why being harder on ourselves rarely creates real change. What You’ll Learn
💜 Download your companion worksheets for this episode here. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 100: You Are Not Broken - A Love Letter to the Woman Who's Been Surviving | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:18:29 | |
When we think about forgiveness, we usually think about other people. But some of the deepest resentment we carry is self-directed, and it often hides as guilt, self-criticism, exhaustion, regret, or a constant feeling that something just isn’t quite right. In this episode, I walk through the 10 most common things we struggle to forgive ourselves for, especially as women in midlife: how we showed up (or didn’t), staying too long or leaving too soon, health and caregiving decisions, repeating old patterns, choosing others over ourselves, and grieving the life we thought we’d have by now. This isn’t about “doing forgiveness right,” rushing to closure, or forcing compassion before you’re ready. It’s about telling the truth kindly, creating safety in your nervous system, and understanding that forgiveness comes after witnessing—not before. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 99: 10 Things We Struggle to Forgive Ourselves For | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:29:21 | |
When we think about forgiveness, we usually think about other people. But some of the deepest resentment we carry is self-directed, and it often hides as guilt, self-criticism, exhaustion, regret, or a constant feeling that something just isn’t quite right. In this episode, I walk through the 10 most common things we struggle to forgive ourselves for, especially as women in midlife: how we showed up (or didn’t), staying too long or leaving too soon, health and caregiving decisions, repeating old patterns, choosing others over ourselves, and grieving the life we thought we’d have by now. This isn’t about “doing forgiveness right,” rushing to closure, or forcing compassion before you’re ready. It’s about telling the truth kindly, creating safety in your nervous system, and understanding that forgiveness comes after witnessing—not before. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 98: Holding Two Truths - Finding Your Center in Uncertain Times | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:20:49 | |
In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, overwhelming, and emotionally charged, how do we stay rooted without bypassing what’s real? In this episode, I explore what it truly means to hold two truths at the same time: acknowledging fear, grief, and instability while also choosing presence, agency, and inner steadiness. Drawing from my personal caregiving journey, recent moments of self-doubt, and a powerful realization sparked by therapy, I reflect on how easily our nervous systems get hijacked and how quickly my inner critic can drown out my wise voice. This conversation is an invitation to come home to yourself. I share the simple, grounding practices I’ve returned to in order to rebuild a foundation that doesn’t collapse when fear shows up—one breath, one choice, one moment at a time. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 97: When Healing Meets Timing - What Miraval Taught Me About Letting Support In | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:32:50 | |
Sometimes healing doesn’t come from pushing harder, but from allowing ourselves to receive. In this episode, I share my experience at Miraval Resort in Arizona and the unexpected insights that emerged after a season of caregiving, grief, betrayal, and deep self-awareness. Through equine therapy and the art of Kintsugi, I reflect on perception, self-trust, and what it means to love ourselves deeply without needing external validation. Along the way, I offer gentle practices to help you integrate your own awareness and “aha” moments. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 96: The Difference 2 Years Makes | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:21:44 | |
Two years ago, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: moving my husband into memory care. Last year, I shared the raw shock, grief, and guilt of that first year. This episode is about what the second year has taught me. I thought year two would feel easier. More settled. Instead, it brought new crises, a nervous system stuck on high alert, and an unexpected moment that finally cracked my grief wide open. What followed was a deeper reckoning with loss, with old patterns of over-responsibility, and with the belief that love must be earned through self-sacrifice. This is a reflection on how grief changes over time, how the body decides when it’s safe to feel, and what it looks like to slowly let go without abandoning love, and without abandoning myself.. In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Here are the episodes that I reference in the podcast: Episode 64: A Difference a Year Makes – https://brendareisscoaching.com/2025/01/14/a-difference-a-year-makes/ Episode 94: The Good Girl Syndrome – How People-Pleasing Sneaks Into Adulthood (and How We Break Free) – https://brendareisscoaching.com/2025/12/21/the-good-girl-syndrome-how-people-pleasing-sneaks-into-adulthood-and-how-we-break-free/ Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 95: Why So Many Women Don’t Trust Their Own Gut | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:54:31 | |
What happens when we stop outsourcing our knowledge and begin listening to the wisdom that’s been living inside us all along? Brenda is joined by somatic and expressive arts therapist Cathy Williams to explore what it truly means to come home to your body after trauma, burnout, and self-abandonment. Cathy shares her personal healing journey, from living in her head and overriding her intuition, to reconnecting with her body as a source of safety, guidance, and truth. Together, they unpack how psychological abuse, people-pleasing, and over-intellectualizing can disconnect us from ourselves and how somatic awareness, creative expression, and gentle self-forgiveness can guide us back. This episode is an invitation to soften, slow down, and remember: your body has always been trying to protect you. In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Cathy's Body Wisdom Oracle cards are currently in a crowdfunding campaign till the end of January 2026! If you'd like to participate, click here: https://project.liftwomen.com/p/692f852562daa122b31ea41b Connect with yourself through Cathy’s free resources: https://www.intuitiveself.com.au/category/all-products Follow Cathy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intuitiveself__ Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathywilliams-intuitiveself/ Follow Cathy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntuitiveSelfCathyW Subscribe to Cathy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Intuitive_Self Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 94: The Good Girl Syndrome - How People-Pleasing Sneaks Into Adulthood (and How We Break Free) | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:15:57 | |
In this deeply vulnerable episode, Brenda opens up about a powerful and unexpected moment in her caregiving journey with her husband, who lives in memory care due to dementia. What began as shock and heartbreak became a profound awakening, revealing a pattern so many high-achieving, caring women carry quietly into adulthood: the Good Girl Syndrome. Brenda explores how early conditioning to be “good” evolves into people-pleasing, over-functioning, emotional suppression, resentment, burnout, and the slow abandonment of our own needs. Through raw storytelling and compassionate reflection, she shares how this pattern showed up for her in real time and how it cracked her open to a deeper layer of grief, truth, and healing. This episode is an invitation to gently notice where you may be carrying too much, silencing yourself, or equating your worth with how much you do for others and to begin loosening those patterns with honesty, self-compassion, and courage. Ready to break free from the good girl pattern? This worksheet is for you: https://therecreationcoach.aweb.page/breaking-free-good-girl-pattern What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 93: What Your Triggers Are Trying to Tell You | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:39:29 | |
Edit B. Kiss, a holistic mentor, success habit coach, and humanitarian award-winning author is joining me to share her story of transformation, which is as grounded as it is spiritual. After 15 years as a petroleum engineer, Edit followed a deep inner calling that led her from spreadsheets to source energy, from panic attacks to peace. Together, we talk about trauma, triggers, forgiveness, and why mindfulness is not the first step in healing. Edit shares how she learned to recognize synchronicities, how the body reveals unresolved emotional patterns, and why true change requires tending to the mind, body, and soul. We also explore her 3P and 5-Step methods for closing the gap between where you are and where you want to be. If you're navigating the unknown or feeling pulled toward something new, this conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is possible—and closer than you think. What You’ll Learn
Get Edit’s latest book, The Gap Filler Success: Simple Steps to Reach Your Goals: https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Gap-Filler-Success-Simple-Steps/dp/B0FVG3RVW3 Learn more about Edit on her website: https://editbkiss.com/ Follow Edit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/editbkiss Connect with Edit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/editbkiss/ Follow Edit on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bkissedit Check out Edit’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MagicalKarmaPriestess Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 92: The Healing Power of Daily Rituals - A Guide Through Grief | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:33:32 | |
I sat down with author and executive coach Laing Rikkers to explore how quiet rituals, creativity, and the natural world can become anchors during our deepest seasons of loss. When Laing’s younger sister died suddenly just months before the world shut down, she found herself searching for a way through overwhelming grief. What began as simple morning walks and unfiltered “morning pages” soon unfolded into Morning Leaves, her beautiful collection of plant-inspired poems and reflections. Laing shares how slowing down helped her reconnect with herself, how creativity became a lifeline, and how she gently released the guilt she carried around her sister’s passing. She also offers the powerful checklist she uses to return to balance when life feels heavy: sleep, eat, steep, walk it, talk it, write it, and pay it forward. What You’ll Learn
Get the 2nd Edition of Laing's book Morning Leaves: Cultivating a Life of Beauty, Meaning, and Joy: https://bookshop.org/p/books/morning-leaves-meditations-on-beauty-and-joy-laing-f-rikkers/f8c694a6cc939b5a?ean=9781636284729&next=t&next=t&affiliate=177 Connect with Laing on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laing-rikkers Follow Laing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morning_leaves_and_poetry/ Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 91: Breaking Free from Unhealthy Family Dynamics and Finding Peace | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:23:15 | |
Ever wonder how the roles you played growing up impact your life and relationships today? In this episode, I break down the six most common family dynamics and the archetypal roles we fall into. I share how self-awareness is the game changer that lets you set healthy boundaries and choose who you want to be moving forward. Remember, your family story doesn’t have to define your future. You have the power to give yourself permission to change, grow, and find more peace. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 90: When Grief Calls You Home | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:43:04 | |
In this episode, I talk with the luminous Harper A. Bailey, whose debut memoir It Was Her poured straight into my heart. We talk about the dream that sparked her writing, the spiritual co-creation behind her pen name, and the moment she realized her story wasn’t just hers, it was meant to unlock stories in others. Harper shares how grief became both her wilderness and her teacher, and how processing isn’t about doing, but about learning to be with ourselves again. This conversation is all about reclaiming the wholeness we’ve always carried but sometimes forget. If you’ve ever felt stuck between the pain of the past and the hope of what could be, this episode is a reminder that you can return home to yourself at any time. What You’ll Learn
Download the first chapter of It Was Her: https://www.harperabailey.com/ Get the full book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMH494DB Follow Harper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harper_abailey Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 89: Why Is It So Hard To Ask For Support? | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:10:01 | |
If you’re the one who holds it all together—for your family, your friends, your business—but quietly struggles to ask for help yourself, this episode is for you. I know that story well. For years, I prided myself on being the strong one, the fixer, the problem solver. Until my body and spirit finally broke down. In this conversation, I’m exploring why asking for help feels unsafe for so many high-achieving women, and how that belief was formed long before adulthood. I talk about how childhood conditioning creates the “I should be able to handle it” mindset, and what happens in our nervous system when we even think about reaching out. Most importantly, I’ll share what it looks like to rewrite that story and see asking for help not as weakness, but as wisdom. You are worthy of support. You are allowed to have needs. And when you let yourself be held, you don’t lose your strength—you reclaim your wholeness. What You’ll Learn
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 88: Clearing the Past to Create Extraordinary Love | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:51:03 | |
I’ve always believed that forgiveness is the bridge between who we’ve been and who we’re becoming, and today’s conversation is proof of that. I’m joined by Riana Malia, a board-certified neurosomatic practitioner and creator of the Clear to Create method, who helps high-achieving women break free from painful relationship patterns and finally claim the love that matches the life they’ve built. Riana shares her powerful story of betrayal, loss, and rebuilding from the ground up, and how learning to release stored trauma at the cellular level opened the door to deep peace, purpose, and extraordinary love. We talk about why self-forgiveness is often the hardest kind, how to stop repeating old stories, and why true healing begins when you make the invisible visible. If you’ve ever carried shame, guilt, or old pain that keeps you stuck, this episode will remind you: you don’t have to relive the past to release it, you just have to be willing to clear it. What You’ll Learn
Discover what’s standing between you and extraordinary love with Riana’s free 40-question diagnostic assessment: https://quiz.rianamalia.com/ Connect with Riana on… TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rianamalia121 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RianaMalia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rianamalia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rianamalia Website: https://rianamalia.com Brilliance Brunch Event Page: https://thebrilliancebrunch.rianamalia.com Podcast Page: https://podcast.rianamalia.com Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 87: How Rock Bottom Rebuilt a Marriage | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:36:44 | |
Sometimes, it takes everything falling apart to discover what’s been broken all along. In this episode, I talk with Bryan Power, who went from a “pretty good” marriage to complete collapse before finding the tools that helped him rebuild his relationship stronger than ever. We talk about what really causes relationships to unravel, how childhood wounds and attachment styles shape the way we love, and why forgiveness—for ourselves and each other—is often the key to true healing. Bryan shares how learning Integrated Attachment Theory transformed his marriage, and how facing his own patterns helped him find peace, clarity, and connection again. If you’ve ever hit rock bottom in love or wondered if something broken can truly be made whole, this story will remind you: sometimes the breakdown is the breakthrough. What You’ll Learn:
Take Bryan’s free attachment style quiz: https://www.myrelationshipfail.com/ Connect with Bryan on:
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 86: How High Achieving Women Lose Their Voice | 24 Oct 2025 | 00:25:24 | |
You’re confident, capable, and in control…until it comes to love. At work, you lead with authority. At home, you walk on eggshells. You know how to speak up in the boardroom, but in relationships, your voice gets quieter. In this episode, I’m opening up about how high-achieving women like us lose our voice in love—and how we can reclaim it without losing our softness. I’ll share the five subtle signs that you’ve started to silence yourself, the deeper reasons why vulnerability feels unsafe, and the small daily practices that helped me reconnect to my truth. You’ll hear about the power of micro-boundaries, journaling, and inner-child work, and why learning to speak up with compassion is one of the most radical acts of self-forgiveness we can make. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 85: When “Forever” Ends Overnight: Reclaiming Yourself After Unexpected Divorce | 17 Oct 2025 | 00:30:08 | |
What happens when the life you built for decades disappears in a single moment? When you go to bed a wife and wake up a stranger to your own story? In this episode, I sit down with divorce recovery coach Beth Carroll, who knows that pain all too well. After her 25-year marriage ended without warning, Beth faced the shock, grief, and loss of identity that so many women silently carry. But through subconscious reprogramming and somatic healing, she learned that transformation doesn’t have to take years—it can begin in weeks. Together, we explore what it means to release shame, let go of self-blame, and stop replaying the past so you can finally start asking, ‘What’s next for me?’ Follow Beth on Instagram and Threads: @bethcarrollcoaching Get 65% off of Beth's Belief Breakthrough Audit with code FORGIVE: bethcarrollcoaching.store/shop/beliefbreakthroughaudit Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 84: The Hidden Costs of Hyper-Independence | 13 Oct 2025 | 00:17:13 | |
Today, I’m sharing something deeply personal as well as common, especially for those of us who pride ourselves on being strong, capable, and independent. We’re exploring the hidden cost of hyper independence, that survival strategy that helps us feel safe but often leaves us lonely, exhausted, and disconnected from others. I’ll walk you through how healthy independence can tip over into hyper independence, driven by childhood wounds, betrayals, or cultural conditioning. Together, we'll look at how keeping people at arm’s length may protect us from disappointment but also shuts out intimacy and support. I’ll offer you reflective questions and simple, practical steps to help soften your emotional armor, receive support, and communicate your needs so you can keep your strength and independence while welcoming deeper connection into your life. If you recognize these patterns in yourself or someone you love, I invite you to join me for this honest conversation. Let’s take a breath, grab a cup of tea or coffee, and commit to opening our hearts just a little bit more because you don’t have to carry it all alone, and true freedom lives in connection. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 83: Why You Still Feel Empty (Even When Life Looks Full) | 19 Sep 2025 | 00:17:10 | |
"We all have needs, right? They're not selfish. They're not wrong, and they are not a weakness. They're part of being human." This solo episode dives into something that quietly shapes our emotions, choices, and relationships - unmet needs. Many of our adult struggles stem from basic human requirements that went unfulfilled, often dating back to childhood. If you grew up in a home where safety felt uncertain, you may carry a deeper need for security. If you were only praised for achievements, you may hunger for recognition and validation. If expressing needs was labeled selfish, you may struggle with autonomy or even resting without guilt. I share Sarah's story - a successful woman who looked like she had it all together but came to me exhausted and resentful. As a parentified child, she learned that being loved meant serving others first. Her healing began when she named her unmet need: "I need recognition for who I am, not just what I do." The episode explores five common unmet needs: safety and security, belonging and connection, recognition and validation, autonomy and freedom, and rest and nourishment. For each, I offer practical ways to respond with self-compassion rather than shame. "What we name, we can nurture," I remind listeners. Unmet needs aren't flaws - they're signposts pointing toward healing. The path forward requires self-awareness, honest communication, self-compassion, and the willingness to seek support. Your needs are valid, and meeting them with gentleness is an act of self-love. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 82: Why Your Brain Sabotages the Growth You're Seeking (And How to Work With It) | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:12:55 | |
"Your whole being is saying nope, nope, nope, not right now." Sound familiar? This solo episode dives into something we all experience - that moment when we know change would be good for us, but we find ourselves resisting it anyway. Resistance isn't failure or brokenness. It's often a sign you're on the right track; your system just hasn't caught up yet. After noticing this pattern with clients, friends, and colleagues lately, I felt called to explore why we resist the very growth we're seeking. I break down three core reasons resistance shows up in our lives. First, growth threatens our familiar identity - even when our old self isn't happy, it's what we know. I share the story of a client who'd been the family "fixer" for decades and felt deep unease when setting boundaries because she didn't know who she'd be without that role. Second, change disrupts our sense of safety and control. Our survival brain screams "danger" at the unknown, even when our conscious mind wants the change. I get vulnerable about staying in unfulfilling situations because "the pain I knew felt safer than the uncertainty of change." Third, growth forces us to face discomfort we've been avoiding - grief, anger, shame, hurt. I share how my own resistance to forgiveness work was actually protection from decades of suppressed emotions. Each reason comes with a gentle reframe to help you move forward with self-compassion rather than self-judgment. Because resistance isn't a stop sign - it's a signal that your system is adjusting. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 81: Dime Moments and AFGOs: Finding Sacred Messages in Life's Hardest Chapters | 05 Sep 2025 | 00:46:48 | |
What happens when profound love meets devastating loss? My guest Kathryn Henry, author of "A Dime to Say I Love You," shares her transformative journey through grief after losing her wife Lisa to cancer. After a successful corporate career leading global teams at Lululemon, Gap, and Levi Strauss, Kathryn stepped away to honor a promise to her late wife: to live fully, love deeply, and tell the truth of her experience. Her memoir is a raw, honest account of how walking through illness and death became a profound spiritual awakening. "The profound nature of that and what ensued beyond that opened my aperture of life so much more," Kathryn reflects on Lisa's transition. Through their journey together, they discovered that love doesn't end with death - it transforms. One of the most powerful concepts we explore is AFGO - Another F*cking Growth Opportunity - a phrase that became their healing tool for reframing life's hardest moments. "It was a healing tool for us," Kathryn shares. "It helped us to recontextualize something and shift ourselves from a perspective of victim to a perspective of owning what was happening." We delve into "dime moments" - unexpected appearances of dimes that bring presence and connection to something beyond the visible world. These moments teach us that the present is the only place we can truly operate from. This conversation offers profound insights on using grief as a catalyst for transformation, the power of forgiveness in healing, and how love continues to show up in the most unexpected ways. More info and links:
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 80: From Accusation to Empowerment: Louisa's Journey of Resilience and Self-Forgivenesst | 22 Aug 2025 | 01:01:13 | |
Sometimes the most profound transformations emerge from our deepest wounds. Today I welcome life coach Louisa Hext, whose story of resilience will stop you in your tracks and remind you that healing is always possible. Louisa's journey began with a beautiful friendship - helping an elderly man named Gordy with daily tasks, groceries, and companionship. What started as genuine care and connection became a decade-long nightmare when she was falsely accused of financial exploitation after his death. Despite having only received $300 monthly for gas and time, she faced felony charges and the choice between prison or a plea bargain that would forever change her life. "I could have all of this love for someone else or compassion for someone else, but I didn't have it for me," Louisa shares with raw honesty about her healing journey. Through therapy, inner child work, and learning to love the six-year-old version of herself, she slowly rebuilt her sense of self-worth. The most powerful moment? Last year, after almost a decade, Louisa successfully obtained an expungement - having her record sealed forever. When she called to share this victory, she was surprised by her own flat emotions. As I reminded her, "Your body is letting go of the grief because it could finally let go after holding on for so long." This conversation explores the intersection of shame, resilience, and the courage required to reclaim your story. It's a masterclass in forgiveness - not just of others, but of ourselves. More info and links:
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 79: Smart Women, Toxic Love: Are You Hooked? Break Free! | 15 Aug 2025 | 00:19:18 | |
"I'm smart, I can figure it out at work, but not at home. I know better - why do I keep choosing the wrong people?" If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and this episode is exactly what you need to hear. Trauma bonds are like emotional glue that keeps you connected to someone who's not good for you through cycles of hurt, apology, and reconciliation. They feel like love, but they're actually your body responding to something familiar - even when it's not safe or healthy. The truth is, being smart or strong doesn't make you immune. In fact, the traits that make you successful can make you more vulnerable. You're a problem solver who sees emotional distance as a challenge to overcome. You've normalized emotional labor and giving the benefit of the doubt. Most damaging of all, the pattern feels familiar because if love was inconsistent growing up, your nervous system learned that connection comes with uncertainty. I share my own experience from my third marriage - my "awakener" relationship where I was caught in cycles of warm attention followed by complete shutdown. When he pulled away, I felt anxious and had to fix it. When he came back, it felt like relief, like the sun coming out. I told myself we were "passionate," but really, my nervous system was hooked on those highs and lows. This episode includes five signs you might be in a trauma bond and five concrete steps to break free, including the science behind why these patterns are so addictive and healing. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 78: Rewriting Your Love Story: How to Break Free from Toxic Relationship Patterns | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:24:28 | |
"I told myself it would be different this time." Sound familiar? Despite being strong and self-aware, many of us find ourselves caught in the same painful relationship patterns over and over again - not because we're broken, but because our inner world is repeating what it learned long ago. In this vulnerable episode, I share my own journey through multiple toxic relationships, including my third marriage where I ignored every red flag because I saw "potential." The wake-up call came when my therapist told me: "Brenda, love isn't like Hollywood movies. It's not supposed to be about intensity." I explore five telltale signs you're caught in a toxic relationship cycle: always doing the emotional labor, confusing chaos with love, ignoring red flags for potential, shrinking yourself to keep peace, and ending up in the same dynamics with different people. As my AA sponsor bluntly told our group: "Any relationship based on potential is fucked." Through my forgiveness work, I discovered my core belief: "Any man that I love will choose another woman or something over me." This pattern played out repeatedly until I could see it and heal it. The empowering truth? You can rewrite your story. I share five practical ways to break these cycles, from validating your experience to choosing peace over familiar chaos. Remember: "Real love doesn't ask you to shrink. It celebrates your wholeness." If you're ready to stop repeating the same painful patterns and create the healthy love you deserve, this episode offers both understanding and hope. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 77: When 'Yes' Becomes Self-Betrayal: Breaking the Nice Girl Trap for Good | 01 Aug 2025 | 00:23:51 | |
What if being "too nice" is actually a form of self-abandonment? This question stopped me cold as I caught myself saying "yes" to yet another request while my body screamed "I can't take one more thing." Sound familiar? Between construction chaos at home, my husband's health issues, challenging client calls, and a friend needing support, I found myself pouring from an empty vessel once again. It's that moment when we smile and agree while everything inside us protests - and I realized this pattern runs deeper than just being helpful. Self-abandonment happens when we dismiss our own needs, emotions, or truth to avoid discomfort - ours or someone else's. We become emotional caretakers of others at the cost of ourselves, and that's not kindness - it's depletion. "Boundaries aren't about keeping people out. They're about keeping yourself in your own integrity." Through stories of clients like Beth and Linda, I explore how childhood programming creates these patterns. We learn that love is earned through being agreeable, that "good girls don't say no," and that boundaries somehow equal meanness. But here's what changed everything for my clients: "Love that demands emotional neglect isn't love. It's obligation." In this episode, I share practical boundary scripts, five steps to reclaim your voice, and why real kindness must include you. As I tell my clients: "Real kindness includes you. If it excludes your needs, it's not being nice and it's not kindness. It's performance." Remember, when you stop betraying yourself to make others comfortable, you begin a powerful journey of self-loyalty and sovereignty. And that, my friend, feels liberating. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 76: From Facade to Freedom: How My Falling-Apart House Revealed My Hidden Truth | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:16:57 | |
"Now I get to be unscripted. Now I get to be authentic. Now I get to practice all these things that I really help other people with on a deeper layer." Sometimes the universe orchestrates exactly what we need when we need it most. As I navigate the ongoing grief of my husband's dementia journey, my home decided to reveal its own hidden wounds - dry rot behind bedroom windows, black mold in his old office, and deteriorating siding that needed complete replacement. What started as routine window repairs became a profound metaphor for my own reconstruction process. Just as the workers discovered years of hidden damage behind beautiful facades, I found myself facing three and a half days of guttural loneliness that had been buried for decades. "I have felt lonely even in a room full of people, feeling like I didn't fit in, feeling like I was different," I share with raw honesty. Through this vulnerable exploration, I recognize how busyness became my lifelong distraction from these deep feelings. Years of people-pleasing, external validation seeking, and maintaining personas that kept me safe but hidden from my true self. The timing wasn't lost on me - as new windows were installed to change how I see the world and how the world sees me, I was simultaneously shedding old ways of being. This episode is about choosing authenticity over performance, connection over hiding, and the courage to be unscripted in a world that often rewards facades. It's my invitation for you to examine what might be hidden behind your own beautiful exterior and to consider what reconstruction your soul might be calling for. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 75: Mold, Rot, and the Feelings We Hide | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:14:59 | |
What do dry rot and black mold have to do with emotional healing? In this deeply personal episode, Brenda shares a surprising discovery during a simple home repair that revealed something hidden—not just in her walls, but in her heart. As black mold and decay were uncovered behind her windows, Brenda realized she had also been carrying hidden emotional toxins: long-ignored sadness, quiet loneliness, and deep unworthiness. Using her signature marine analogy, Brenda reflects on how our outer world often mirrors what we suppress inside—and how powerful healing happens when we finally make space for what we've avoided. Tune in for a story of emotional release, self-forgiveness, and the courage to feel. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 74: Understanding the Ego’s Role in Healing and Self-Acceptance with Dr. Shawdy | 21 Jun 2025 | 00:33:50 | |
What if your ego wasn’t something to fight, but something to understand? In this episode, Dr. Shawdy joins us for a rich conversation about how the ego develops, why it gets triggered, and what it needs in order to relax. We talk about the early wounds that shape it and how those patterns can continue to influence us in adulthood. We also explore the power of forgiveness and what it looks like to truly live a forgiving life. Dr. Shawdy shares insights on self-acceptance, especially when it comes to the parts of ourselves we often try to hide or fix. Throughout the conversation, we look at how curiosity and playfulness can support healing. You’ll hear why it helps to approach yourself with a mindset of discovery rather than judgment, and how engaging with your inner child can lead to growth and a deeper sense of connection. If you’ve ever felt stuck in old patterns or unsure how to move forward, this episode offers clarity, warmth, and a fresh perspective. Press play for a conversation that will help you see ego, forgiveness, and self-awareness in a new light. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 73: The Best Revenge: How Madeleine Black Turned Trauma into Triumph | 30 May 2025 | 00:38:57 | |
"It's never too late to find your voice so that you can heal and live your best life." What happens when a 13-year-old girl's life is shattered by unimaginable violence, yet she emerges decades later as a beacon of hope and healing? My guest today, Madeleine Black, embodies the profound truth that it's not what happens to us, but how we choose to respond that defines our lives. Madeleine's journey from victim to survivor to thriver began when she made a powerful decision: "If I never become a mum, then they've won." This became her "best revenge" – living fully and authentically despite the trauma that tried to silence her forever. Through our conversation, Madeleine reveals how forgiveness became her path to freedom, though not in the way you might expect. As she beautifully explains: "I realized that I don't really have anything to forgive myself for. But for years I felt I brought it on myself... 100% of all rapes without a doubt are caused by rapists. Nothing else." Her story isn't just about surviving sexual violence – it's about the courage to find your voice, the patience required for healing, and the profound impact that sharing our stories can have on others. Madeleine's work as the "Courage Cultivator" reminds us that courage is contagious, and sometimes hearing one person's brave story gives us permission to heal our own wounds. Whether you've experienced trauma or simply need a reminder of the resilience that lives within us all, this conversation offers hope, practical wisdom, and the gentle reminder that it's never too late to reclaim your voice and live your best life. More info and links:
Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 72: How to Master Self-Intimacy: The 'Into-Me-See' Method for Authentic Living | 23 May 2025 | 00:14:48 | |
"What if the most profound form of intimacy isn't about being with another, but it's about being fully present and rigorously honest with yourself?" Today, I invite you to explore a different kind of intimacy – the profound connection you can cultivate with yourself. Playing on the word "intimacy" as "Into-Me-See," I share how true self-knowledge becomes the foundation for authentic living and healthier relationships. For high-achieving women, the pursuit of external validation often masks a disconnection from our own needs, desires, and sense of self-worth. We climb mountains without celebrating achievements, keep ourselves busy performing rather than truly being seen, and look everywhere except within for fulfillment. I share the story of Linda, a successful entrepreneur who appeared to have everything together but felt empty inside, constantly seeking validation from her partner, team, and friends. Through a simple mirror exercise – sitting with herself and asking "What am I afraid to see when I look into myself?" – she began connecting more deeply with herself and needing less validation from others. Using the intimacy metaphor, I guide you through three powerful concepts: looking honestly in the mirror at all parts of yourself, recognizing the armor you wear (achievements, perfectionism, people-pleasing) that shields you from true self-connection, and embracing your shadow – those aspects you hide, deny, or judge. The profound truth is that when we're deeply connected with ourselves, accepting both strengths and flaws, we no longer seek others to complete us. This allows us to show up in relationships as whole, authentic beings capable of giving and receiving love without hidden agendas or unrealistic expectations. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 71: How to Let Go of Others' Opinions, Trust Your Inner Voice and Find Freedom | 17 May 2025 | 00:15:37 | |
"Letting go is not about erasing memory. It's about loosening the grip on the belief that others' words define you." Welcome, I’d like to invite you to explore what "letting go" really means beyond the social media platitudes and catchy phrases. As someone who used to be frustrated by the vague advice to "just let it go," I understand how unhelpful that phrase can be without context or practical guidance. I take you deeper into understanding that true liberation comes not from ignoring or bypassing our feelings, but from releasing our attachment to external validation and others' opinions of us. This isn't about pretending we're okay or erasing painful memories – it's about loosening our grip on the belief that others' opinions define our worth. Drawing from personal experiences and conversations with friends, I explore how often what hurts us isn't really about us at all. When someone projects their pain onto us, we have a choice about whether to carry that burden or release it. Throughout the episode, I share three practical steps to begin this letting-go practice: acknowledging where you're seeking approval, shifting focus to self-affirmation, and reframing rejection as an opportunity for growth. Each step is accompanied by reflective questions to help you identify where external validation might be keeping you emotionally tethered. I emphasize that letting go is not a one-time event but a moment-by-moment practice of creating space for true self-acceptance. Whether you're seeking validation in your work, relationships, appearance, or social media presence, this episode offers gentle guidance to reclaim your power and reconnect with your inner voice. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 70: Forgiving Your Mother - A Mother's Day Invitation to Heal | 08 May 2025 | 00:14:24 | |
Download your free companion resource to this episode here: Forgiving Your Mother Worksheet "Our mothers are often our first mirror. The way they spoke to us, touched us, showed up or did not show up leaves lasting imprints." Today, I explore the tender territory of mother-daughter relationships just in time for Mother's Day. Rather than focusing on cards and flowers, I invite you into a deeper conversation about what it truly means to forgive your mother as an adult. As someone who's navigated my own complicated maternal relationship, I understand that Mother's Day can evoke a spectrum of emotions – from gratitude to grief, from love to resentment. Our mothers are often our first mirrors, and the ways they spoke to us, showed up (or didn't) created lasting imprints that shape our self-perception. For many women, these early experiences translate into patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the persistent fear of being "too much" or "not enough." Throughout the episode, I share my personal journey of having been a parentified daughter who lacked guidance, safety, and encouragement – offering validation for listeners struggling with similar wounds. I guide you through five transformative steps toward forgiveness: acknowledging the impact, humanizing your mother's story without excusing the hurt, feeling your emotions safely, setting appropriate boundaries, and reclaiming your own narrative. Each step is illustrated with personal examples and practical guidance. This episode includes a guided moment to connect with your inner child and healing journal prompts to continue your journey. Remember, forgiving your mother isn't about dismissing your pain or forcing reconciliation – it's about choosing peace for yourself, at your own pace, in whatever way honors your emotional safety and well-being. Click here to download the Forgiving Your Mother Worksheet, a guided tool to help you explore your feelings, reflect on your experiences, and take meaningful steps toward emotional freedom. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 69: Your Worth Is Not Up for Debate: Breaking the Cycle of Seeking Validation | 02 May 2025 | 00:22:05 | |
"When your self worth depends upon the approval of others, you give away your power." In today's episode, I dive deep into a struggle I know intimately well – the exhausting cycle of seeking external validation and approval from others. As someone who spent years over-performing, people-pleasing, and silencing my own needs just to earn a nod of approval, I understand the toll this takes on our emotional well-being and sense of self. I explore how our self-worth often becomes tangled in others' opinions, especially in today's world of social media validation, turning us into emotional yo-yos – high when approved of, low when criticized or ignored. The truth is, when our worth depends on someone else's opinion, we give away our power and lose touch with our authentic selves. Throughout the episode, I share personal stories of how this approval-seeking showed up in my relationships and work, leaving me constantly striving yet never feeling enough. I outline clear signs to help you identify if you're caught in this validation trap – including anxiety without feedback, constant comparison, fear of expressing real thoughts, and achievements that feel empty. Most importantly, I offer a practical, four-step approach to breaking free: identifying limiting core beliefs, practicing self-compassion, reclaiming your inner voice, and building self-trust. These steps are complemented by actionable tools including powerful affirmations, journaling prompts, mindfulness practices, and transformative questions to reconnect with your authentic self. This episode is your invitation to stop chasing approval and start embracing the beautiful truth that you are inherently worthy – not because of what you achieve or who approves, but simply because you exist. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 68: The No Sorry Challenge: Stop Apologizing for Existing | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:12:53 | |
"You don't need permission to be powerful. You don't need to apologize for showing up as you are. Your voice matters. And it's time the world hears your voice clearly and confidently." In this empowering episode, I introduce the No Sorry Challenge – a simple yet transformative 24-hour commitment to stop saying "sorry" unless it's truly warranted. As someone who's navigated my own journey from constant apologizing to confident communication, I understand how this small word can undermine our presence and power. We've all caught ourselves saying "sorry to bother you" or "sorry, can I just ask something?" – phrases that subtly communicate we don't deserve to take up space. I explore why we develop this habit (especially women), how it shapes others' perceptions of us, and most importantly, how to break free from it. This episode isn't just about information – it's an invitation to action. I provide practical alternatives to replace those reflexive apologies: transforming "sorry to bother you" into "do you have a moment?", and "sorry for taking your time" into "thank you for your time." Beyond the words themselves, I delve into the mindset shift required to truly stand in your power. This challenge isn't about being rude or dismissive – it's about recognizing your inherent worth and communicating with clarity and confidence. Whether you're recovering from people-pleasing tendencies or simply want to strengthen your communication skills, this challenge offers a concrete way to practice self-worth in everyday interactions. Remember, you don't need permission to be powerful – your voice matters, and it's time the world hears it clearly and confidently. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 67: The Art of Self-Compassion: Finding Freedom Through Creative Expression with Coach Sara | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:38:08 | |
“If you feel like you're at rock bottom and you've hit a wall and you have nowhere else to go, it's actually an exciting place to be." - Coach Sara Today, I welcome kindred spirit Sara Olson—artist, author, and empowerment coach—who shares her transformative journey from pain to purpose through the healing powers of forgiveness and creative expression. Our conversation flows naturally into deep waters as Sara reveals how facing herself in the mirror—literally and figuratively—became the foundation for both her personal healing and her approach to helping others. Her story of setting a timer for five minutes to look in the mirror and say "I love you" (while naked, no less!) demonstrates the raw vulnerability required for genuine transformation. What makes this episode special is Sara's unique approach to healing through intuitive art. She shares the powerful story of how painting six deeply emotional pieces helped her process grief and heartbreak, eventually leading to her innovative coaching approach that combines creative expression with emotional healing. Throughout our conversation, we explore themes close to my heart: the courage to face yourself despite your flaws, learning to find beauty in painful experiences, and discovering freedom through self-compassion. Sara's insights for single parents and those hitting rock bottom come from authentic lived experience, making her guidance both practical and deeply empathetic. Whether you're struggling to forgive yourself, facing life transitions, or simply yearning to reconnect with your creative spirit, this conversation offers gentle wisdom and practical tools to help you rise from your own ashes and discover the beauty waiting on the other side of pain. Coach Sara’s Website and Links: Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 66: Stop Saying Sorry! Breaking the Habit of Over-Apologizing | 16 Mar 2025 | 00:14:07 | |
"There's a big difference between saying sorry for hurting someone and saying sorry for just existing." In this heartfelt episode, I explore the deeply ingrained habit of over-apologizing – something many of us do without even realizing it. Drawing from both personal experience and historical context, I unpack why women in particular tend to say "I'm sorry" when we've done nothing wrong. Have you ever apologized for asking a question, for taking up space, or even when someone else bumped into you? This pattern isn't just a personality quirk – it's rooted in generations of societal conditioning that taught women to be agreeable, accommodating, and passive. I trace this conditioning from Victorian expectations of women as "moral guardians" to post-World War II pressure to return to submissive roles, to modern media portrayals that still subtly reinforce these patterns. This historical perspective helps us understand why assertive women are often labeled "aggressive" while men displaying identical behavior are seen as "confident." "We teach people how to treat us. When we over-apologize, we teach others that our very presence requires forgiveness." Throughout the episode, I connect over-apologizing to deeper issues of low self-esteem, fear of conflict, and people-pleasing tendencies. Most importantly, I offer practical steps to break this habit: building awareness by tracking your apologies, replacing "sorry" with empowering alternatives, practicing assertiveness, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. The goal isn't to never apologize – it's to save our apologies for when they're truly warranted. By making this simple yet profound shift in our communication, we can transform not just how others perceive us, but how we see ourselves. Remember: you deserve to take up space without apology. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 65: Releasing Regret: Embracing Growth and Momentum for 2025 | 15 Jan 2025 | 00:15:46 | |
In today's episode, I'm sharing e the importance of starting the new year with a clean slate and how to transform perceived mistakes into valuable lessons that propel us forward. We'll dive into a powerful process for identifying and working through regrets, offering you practical and spiritual insights to release what holds you back. Grab a pen and paper as we walk through steps to shift your perspective on regret, rewrite your story, and embrace growth with compassion. Whether you're striving for peace in personal relationships or professional life, this episode is a step toward turning your pain into purpose. Let's get started! Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 64: The Difference a Year Makes | 15 Jan 2025 | 00:23:28 | |
"When you love someone with all your heart and you have dreams and plans and you share these little secrets, right? You have these little code words and they're your person, they're the ones that you call when you see something funny or you have these little symbols, you have these inside jokes, you have these plans and these dreams that are gone, taken out right from underneath you. The rug pulled out. You had no say in it.” Today, I share my profound reflections on the past year since my husband, Doug, moved into memory care. As I recount the heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching, and transformative experiences of navigating dementia, I hope to offer solace and understanding to those in similar situations. Join me as I delve into the emotional turmoil, the difficult decisions, and the invaluable lessons I've learned along the way. We'll also discuss the importance of asking for help, finding compassionate support, and ultimately, turning pain into peace. This episode is a heartfelt message to anyone struggling with a loved one's dementia, affirming that you are not alone and you matter. Get ready to embark on a powerful journey of empathy, rage, love, and hope. Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||
| 63: Navigating Unmet Expectations and Healing Through Forgiveness | 20 Dec 2024 | 00:32:50 | |
"By forgiving ourselves and others, we create room for personal development and expansion. It does require deep introspection, it does require empathy, and it does require courage to confront our own shortcomings." In this episode, we're diving deep into a truly transformative journey—one that takes us through the stages of healing and forgiveness, and how they can radically change our lives for the better. We'll begin by exploring the significance of having our stories heard and validated, a crucial step in the healing process. I'll guide you through the various stages of forgiveness, from moving beyond victimhood to fully integrating forgiveness into our daily lives. Along the way, I'll share personal anecdotes and insights, including a touching story about my own father and the impact of unmet expectations. We'll also tackle the tricky terrain of expectations and resentments, learning how ineffective communication often leads to misunderstandings and emotional pain. I'll offer practical tips on how to communicate more clearly and set healthy boundaries, helping you to break free from the boulders of resentment that may be holding you back. And that's not all. We'll delve into the science-backed benefits of forgiveness, highlighting how it can improve everything from heart health to self-esteem. I'll also introduce you to the concept of radical forgiveness, a process that has brought about significant transformations for many of my clients. Join me as we navigate this empowering journey together. Let's turn our pain into peace and build more harmonious, joyful lives! Resources: Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/ Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
Brenda’s Website/Links | |||