
The Gently Used Human with Dr. Scott Lyons
Dr. Scott Lyons and his world renowned guests take us into the delightfully depthful and often hilarious exploration of what it is to be human, to have lived life, and come out gently used. From passion to pain, glory to defeat, comedy to drama to trauma, we’ve all been through it. This show unpacks the psychology and humor needed to keep you thriving on the roller coaster of being human.
Latest episodes

Dec 18, 2024 • 1h 2min
The Alchemy of Rage with Mia Magik
What is sacred rage, you ask? Oh, you know it. It's that fiery, pulsating energy that simmers under the surface when your boundaries are crossed, your voice feels stifled, or injustice has its way again. It’s the eruption waiting for permission to move—to transform from destruction to something breathtakingly beautiful.If you've ever felt like rage and anger are forbidden emotions—villains in your emotional spectrum—this one's for you. In a world where feelings are labeled “too much” or “not enough,” it’s no wonder we suppress, deny, and numb. But what if we stopped? What if we gave our sacred rage a place to breathe and heal?In this episode, Dr. Scott Lyons talks with the dynamic and magical Mia Magik, a healer and guide who has become a voice for emotional release—particularly the misunderstood powers of rage. From volcanic eruptions of suppressed feelings to transformational rituals held in castles (yes, castles!), Mia shares how embracing our emotions can create the paradise we all long for.If you’ve been bottling up your feelings or shamed into toxic positivity, listen up. This is your invitation to feel—fully, fiercely, and safely.If you’re ready to let go, transform, and reclaim your emotions—this episode will light the fire.Listen in, Gently Used Humans, and remember—your emotions are not too much. They're magic waiting to be felt.Topics we Break Down:Why rage and anger are sacred—and essential.The difference between feeling anger and projecting it outward.How suppressed emotions contribute to dis-ease in the body.Creating containers for safe emotional expression.Toxic positivity and the pitfalls of bypassing real feelings.How rage can transform into pleasure, peace, and even paradise.Why healing yourself heals the world.

Dec 11, 2024 • 1h 1min
Closer Together: Healing Through Connection with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
In this powerful episode of The Gently Used Human, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau—advocate, former media host, and author of the insightful new book, Closer Together: Knowing Ourselves, Loving Each Other. Drawing from her own life’s journey and experiences on the global stage, Sophie shares her wisdom on turning pain into purpose, navigating personal transformation, and how embracing our vulnerability is key to meaningful connection.Sophie’s candidness about her own struggles and triumphs creates an inspiring, deeply human conversation. Together, she and Scott explore how cultivating self-awareness and emotional resilience can help us show up more authentically in our lives, for ourselves and for others.This episode will leave you reflecting on your relationship with pain, your patterns of connection, and the steps you can take toward a more empowered and joyful life. Whether you're curious about healing, curious about self-discovery, or just looking for some soulful motivation, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Topics We Break Down:The power of transforming pain into connection and advocacyEmotional literacy: what it is and why it matters in our personal and collective livesTools for regulating the nervous system and finding calm amidst chaosBreaking free from cycles of self-criticism and addictionThe importance of play and joy in rehumanizing ourselves and othersWhy personal healing is a critical piece of global transformation

Dec 4, 2024 • 1h 3min
Dancing Through Life’s Blocks with Erica Hornthal
In this episode, we sit down with Erica Hornthal, a trailblazer in the world of dance and movement therapy. If you’ve ever felt stuck in life, emotionally overwhelmed, or even disconnected from your own body, this conversation is a must-listen. Erica helps us understand that movement is far more than just exercise – it’s a way to rediscover ourselves, heal from past traumas, and connect more deeply with who we are.Are you curious about how movement can be a catalyst for change in your life? Erica invites us to look beyond structured exercise and tune into our bodies’ natural rhythms and movements – like the way we sit, walk, or even breathe. She reminds us that movement starts with the smallest, simplest gestures, and that even when we feel trapped in old patterns, moving our bodies can unlock a path to emotional freedom.Together with Dr. Scott Lyons, Erica shares how our earliest movements – crawling, rolling, and even rocking – shape the way we interact with the world and how we can return to these roots to shift stuck energy. They talk about how reconnecting with play and spontaneity can help us break free of rigid thinking and foster more flexibility in body and mind.Erica offers practical ways to get started: maybe it’s leaning against a wall and letting go for a moment, exploring playful twirling, or simply noticing how our bodies react when we’re tense. She also introduces her Movement Therapy Deck, a tool designed to make reconnecting with movement accessible and engaging for everyone. Whether through mindful practices, body awareness, or gentle movement prompts, the deck offers guidance for tuning into and transforming your physical experience.If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not a dancer,” Erica reassures you: movement is for everyone. Healing through movement isn’t about choreography; it’s about reconnecting with yourself, one step at a time.So, whether you’re someone who struggles with anxiety, feels stuck in their daily routine, or just wants to reconnect with their playful side, this episode holds something for you. Let’s get moving!Topics We Break Down:What is dance and movement therapy, really?The disconnect between movement and traditional exercise.How movement can heal trauma and reconnect us with our bodies.The role of play and spontaneity in finding emotional freedom.Practical tools to integrate movement into your daily life.Using movement to explore and shift anxiety and tension.Rediscovering joy and flow through the body.

Nov 29, 2024 • 34min
Best of November - Highlights from Rainier Wylde, Michelle Boulé, Nicole Sachs and Michael Galyon
In this special Best of November episode, we revisit the most impactful moments from our inspiring conversations with Rainier Wylde, Michelle Boulé, Nicole Sachs, and Michael Galyon. Each of these incredible guests brings unique insights into navigating impermanence, embracing movement as a form of self-expression, understanding the protective nature of pain, and finding meaning in the present moment.Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing through movement, or learning to savor the fleeting beauty of life, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom and powerful reflections to guide you on your journey.What You’ll LearnRainier Wylde shares profound insights on embracing impermanence, challenging us to savor life’s transience and recognize the magic in the moments that melt away.Michelle Boulé explores the transformative power of movement, revealing how creative expression and physical freedom can reconnect us with choice, agency, and vitality.Nicole Sachs unpacks the protective nature of pain, explaining how it serves as a signal from our nervous system and how we can shift from a state of fear to one of empowerment.Michael Galyon inspires us to live fully in the “now,” recounting personal stories that illustrate how to embrace life’s fleeting nature and cultivate joy through presence.Key TakeawaysSavoring Impermanence: Life’s beauty lies in its fleeting nature. Embrace the urgency of now and cherish each moment for what it is.Freedom in Movement: Rediscover your sense of choice and creativity through intentional movement, whether through dance, small daily gestures, or a mindful connection with your body.Reframing Pain: Understand pain as a protective mechanism and explore ways to meet it with curiosity, compassion, and actionable strategies for relief and healing.Living in the Present: Find inspiration in life’s impermanence by connecting deeply to the present moment and focusing on what truly matters.If you enjoyed this Best of November episode, please subscribe, share it with your fellow Gently Used Humans, and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more listeners on their path toward growth and healing.

Nov 27, 2024 • 1h 3min
Finding Calm in Chaos with Michael Galyon
In this episode of The Gently Used Human, we sit down with Michael Galyon, a renowned mindfulness teacher, speaker, and advocate for living authentically. Michael has dedicated his life to guiding individuals toward self-discovery and emotional clarity, focusing on building resilience, embracing vulnerability, and fostering meaningful connections. With a grounded and compassionate approach, he empowers people to navigate life’s complexities with greater ease and self-compassion.In this conversation, Michael shares his personal journey to mindfulness and how he has transformed moments of chaos into opportunities for growth. He explains what it truly means to find calm amid life’s turbulence and how this transformation can impact our everyday lives. Michael guides listeners in exploring how vulnerability, when embraced, can lead to greater resilience and emotional clarity. He offers practical mindfulness tools and self-compassion practices that can help reduce anxiety, enhance resilience, and bring a sense of balance to our daily routines.Listeners will gain insights on how to foster deeper connections with themselves and others, even in overwhelming circumstances, and learn strategies to shift from merely surviving to genuinely thriving. Michael emphasizes the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships through empathy and authenticity, providing actionable ways to deepen those bonds.Topics We Break Down:How to foster resilience and emotional clarity in challenging times.The transformative power of vulnerability and courage in personal growth.Using mindfulness and self-compassion to manage anxiety and find balance.Practical techniques to cultivate calm and resilience in daily life.Navigating relationships with empathy, authenticity, and deeper connection.

Nov 20, 2024 • 1h 8min
Rewriting the Pain Story with Nicole Sachs
In this enlightening conversation, Nicole Sachs, a therapist and mind-body healing expert, shares her journey from chronic pain to empowerment. She introduces her JournalSpeak method, emphasizing how suppressed emotions can manifest as physical pain. Nicole discusses pain as a protective mechanism, urging listeners to embrace curiosity instead of fear. Through humor and personal anecdotes, she highlights the importance of emotional validation, self-compassion, and the transformative power of addressing unresolved trauma for lasting healing.

Nov 13, 2024 • 1h 7min
Transforming through Movement with Michelle Boulé
In this deeply moving episode, Dr Scott is joined by Michelle Boulé, a celebrated dancer, choreographer, teacher, and life coach whose transformative journey has been shaped by the interplay of art, movement, and healing. Michelle’s expansive career has taken her from stages across the world to the realm of personal development, where she now helps others unlock their potential through somatic practices, energy work, and emotional movement. Together, Scott and Michelle reflect on their 22-year-long connection, starting when Scott first witnessed Michelle’s magnetic performance in New York City, sparking a journey of personal and creative evolution for them both.Their conversation delves into Michelle’s personal story, highlighting how significant injuries during her dance career led her to explore somatic healing and energy work, helping her break free from physical and emotional limitations. She shares how these pivotal moments opened new pathways not only in her dance practice but in her coaching work, guiding others toward healing through the body. Michelle and Scott explore the themes of creativity, vulnerability, and resilience—how embracing challenges, whether through physical injury or personal trauma, can lead to profound transformation and greater self-awareness.The dialogue flows through the broader topics of creativity and purpose, emphasizing the importance of remaining present and curious in the face of life’s uncertainties. They discuss the role of community and support systems in moments of vulnerability, and how letting go of control can open doors to deeper healing and connection. Michelle’s philosophy that “life is our greatest creation” resonates throughout the conversation, encouraging listeners to tap into their own potential for change, no matter the obstacles.Topics We Break Down:The transformative power of creativity and how it fosters presence and aweHow trauma and obstacles can serve as doorways to growth, fostering resilience and a renewed sense of purposeThe importance of improvisation in dance and life, allowing for flexibility in navigating uncertaintyThe role of permission in allowing ourselves to fully express and embody our experiencesSurrendering control and finding freedom through yielding, both in physical movement and emotional processesBuilding emotional capacity through mindful practices and how that leads to more harmony and flow in lifeThe importance of community, support systems, and the vulnerability required to truly be held by others

Nov 6, 2024 • 1h 3min
Waking Up to Life with Rainier Wylde
In this compelling episode of The Gently Used Human, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Rainier Wylde, a gifted writer, teacher, and guide known for his candid and insightful approach to life’s toughest questions. Rainier has dedicated his life to helping others awaken to their truest selves through the power of honest reflection, creativity, and storytelling. He leads by example, drawing from his own experiences of profound personal loss and transformation to show us how we, too, can break free from the habits of sleepwalking through life.Rainier’s approach blends wisdom from ancient traditions with a modern understanding of life’s impermanence, challenging us to confront our fears, embrace discomfort, and cultivate the strength to be fully present. Together, he and Dr. Scott unpack what it means to embrace life in all its fleeting beauty, exploring topics like the connection between joy and grief, the need for community, and how we can reclaim the central role in our own lives. This conversation is an invitation to dive deep into the journey of self-discovery, to live with intention, and to find the courage to show up for the life we truly want.So, find a quiet space, tune in, and let this conversation inspire you to live more fully, bravely, and joyfully.Topics We Break Down:Awakening from “sleepwalking” and learning to live fullyThe importance of facing mortality to enhance presenceSavoring life’s impermanent moments as a path to joyFinding solace and strength through grief and personal lossBecoming the main character in our own livesUnderstanding joy versus fleeting happinessUsing artistry and creativity as tools for healing and transformation

Oct 31, 2024 • 36min
Best of October - Highlights from Mastin Kipp, Sabrina Zohar, Rachel Kaplan, Ann Weiser Cornell and Britt Frank
In this special "Best of October" episode, we revisit the most impactful moments from our inspiring conversations with Mastin Kipp, Sabrina Zohar, Rachel Kaplan, Ann Weiser Cornell, and Britt Frank. Each of these incredible guests brings unique insights into personal growth, emotional healing, self-compassion, and relational awareness. Whether you’re working through stuck patterns, seeking emotional freedom, or learning to embrace the full range of human experiences, this episode is packed with practical tools and wisdom to help you along the way.What You’ll Learn:Mastin Kipp shares his experience with the deep-rooted patterns formed in early life, discussing how childhood programming can shape our adult lives and what it takes to rewire limiting beliefs.Sabrina Zohar reveals her journey through relational dynamics and how she’s learned to balance independence with vulnerability, embracing the complexities of dating and attachment.Rachel Kaplan explores emotional literacy, explaining the importance of ‘emotional potty training’ and how we can reconnect with our emotional bodies for a more fulfilling life.Ann Weiser Cornell delves into the transformative process of self-connection, discussing how awareness of bodily sensations can guide us to uncover deeper truths and navigate our inner experiences.Britt Frank offers tools for overcoming stuckness, highlighting the value of embracing discomfort and asking empowering questions to break free from repetitive patterns.Key Takeaways:Practical techniques to understand and reframe early childhood beliefs that may be holding you back.Insights into balancing autonomy and intimacy in relationships and embracing vulnerability.How to recognize, feel, and express emotions as essential steps in healing and self-discovery.The role of body awareness in uncovering subconscious patterns and finding greater alignment.Empowering ways to address stuckness and make room for growth and change.If you enjoyed this "Best of October" episode, please subscribe, share it with your fellow Gently Used Humans, and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more listeners on their journey toward growth and healing.

Oct 30, 2024 • 60min
The Science of Stuck with Britt Frank
In this episode of The Gently Used Human Podcast, Dr. Scott Lyons welcomes Britt Frank, licensed psychotherapist, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck. Britt has dedicated her career to helping people break through their mental and emotional inertia by exploring how trauma, brain science, and emotional wellness intersect. With her approachable and humorous style, Britt offers deep insights into why we get stuck and how we can reclaim agency in our lives.In this conversation, Britt not only explores why we get stuck but also shares actionable skills to move away from procrastination and self-sabotage. She introduces powerful strategies like using "micro-yeses" to overcome inertia, practical tools for grounding yourself, and methods for cultivating self-compassion to stay present in moments of challenge. Whether you're feeling stuck in personal growth, relationships, or habits, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and tools to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.Tune in to learn how to shift from being "insightfully stuck" to living with more clarity, choice, and peace!Topics We Break Down:Why we get stuck and the hidden benefits of staying in unhealthy patternsHow to break free from the cycle of self-sabotage using "micro-yeses"The neuroscience of stuckness and why motivation alone isn’t enoughPractical, actionable tools to overcome procrastination and create momentumHow to cultivate self-compassion and stop self-abandoning in moments of painThe role of trauma in keeping us stuck and how to gently move through itWhy we need to address both the positives and negatives in our lives for true emotional wellnessPractical tools for creating an internal sense of "home" and stability within yourself