the tara bixby podcast

Today I’m joined by Dr. Jessica Zucker — clinical psychologist, author of "Normalize It" and "I Had a Miscarriage", and a powerful voice in the movement to help women speak openly about what’s often left unsaid. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Vogue, and Harvard Business Review, among others. She’s been featured on NPR, CNN, The Today Show, and Good Morning America and earned advanced degrees from New York University and Harvard University. In today’s episode, we talk about... Why it’s essential for women to start speaking their truths — even when it feels uncomfortable How to share hard things without being labeled as negative or too much The power of normalizing struggle instead of staying silent about it How to truly support someone when they’re opening up about something difficult Why we need to talk more openly about the identity shift and emotional impact of becoming a mother What it takes for women to drop their armor and step into real vulnerability How to stop taking it personally when others can’t hold space for your pain The unspoken pressure on women to show up perfectly  ...and so much more. If this conversation resonates with you, please share it with a friend, post it on Instagram, or leave a quick review. You doing this helps more women find the show, and it means so much to me. Episode show notes...    Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Hey friend.  Today's chat comes straight from my heart to your ears. I'm opening up about why I think we're overcomplicating healing, the 6(ish) things I want you to focus on, why I really dislike when professionals act like they have it all together, and—yes—my strong craving for friendships too Can you do me a favor? I’d love your honest feedback. What do you think about solo episodes? Are they annoying, or do you actually look forward to them? Don’t hold back—friends tell the truth, right? Your input means a lot because it helps me create the episodes YOU need. You can share your feedback with me over on Instagram @courageously.u, or you can email me at hello@courageouslyu.com.   Happy listening, my friend.         

If you ever think motherhood is hard, or maybe even hate parts of it, then this episode is a must for you. Today, Dr. Margo Lowy is hanging out with us to help me create a conversation about maternal ambivalence. Dr. Lowy is a mother to three, author of Maternal Ambivalence, and a psychotherapist who specializes in mothering. It’s safe to say that maternal ambivalence is her jam as she has spent a significant amount of time researching the topic, speaking about it at universities and in media, and has even written an academic book on the topic.  In today’s episode, we talk about... What maternal ambivalence is Why it’s important to own the hard parts of parenting What causes judgment to creep in Why it’s important to surround yourself with people who don’t judge you Why mothering isn’t about being perfect The power of being vulnerable Why it’s important to be open and genuine with your kids Tips on how to observe your mothering The importance of being compassionate towards yourself ...and so much more. Episode show notes...  https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/dr-margo-lowy-the-loving-moments Join my cozy community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Hey friends. Today, I'm getting real about the occasional urge that creeps up to self-medicate.  If you found this solosode helpful and know someone who'd benefit from hearing it, please share it with them.  Want to make sure you never miss a solosode? Be sure to follow the tara bixby podcast so all solosodes (and regular episodes) automatically download when released.  Until our next chat, biggest hugs 

Dr. Julia Britz is a licensed naturopathic doctor who specializes in helping people who are struggling with mental health issues such as OCD, eating disorders, and psychiatric medication tapering. She utilizes natural and integrative modalities including targeted amino acid therapy, peptide therapy, micronutrient therapy, bioresonance, botanical medicine, and epigenetic analysis. As a “hopeless case” who got better, her passion for helping others is real. Dismissed by doctors, Julia was told over and over that there was nothing else she could try beyond pharmacotherapy, and so she was inspired to create my OCD diary, a site dedicated to documenting the daily life of OCD and related disorders. Through this project and holistic therapies, she found new levels of wellness. In today’s episode, we talk about... Julia's past mental health struggles Her self-harming history What she did to find freedom from OCD What inspired her to get into naturopathic medicine Her thoughts on the root causes of OCD Her thoughts on how western medicine approaches mental health What she wished more people knew about psych meds Her experience with benzodiazepines One thing you need to practice to heal faster Her thoughts about safely tapering off psych meds ...and so much more.  ✨ If this podcast has ever made you feel seen, less alone, or added any value to your life, would you do me a quick favor? Leaving a review only takes a minute, but it truly helps more women like you find these conversations. It’s one of the biggest ways you can support me and the show. So if you’re here, if you’ve been listening, if this podcast has impacted you in any way, please take a quick second to scroll down and tap those 5 stars. You can even write a little review telling me how the show has helped you. I’d be forever grateful. Episode show notes...    Join my cozy community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Hey, friends. Since having a baby, I’m all about normalizing the hard parts of motherhood, and today Danika Brysha is helping me do just that. Danika is America’s leading Self-Care Expert and founder of Self-Care Society and Model Meals. She is a 3x Wellness Entrepreneur, former Plus Size Fashion Model for brands like Bare Minerals, Old Navy, and Lands End, Host of the Podcast and YouTube series "Your Morning Mindset Practice,” and mother to two young daughters. Danika has been featured on Chopped, People, InStyle, Shape, PopSugar, Create & Cultivate, and more. In today’s episode, we talk about... Danika’s postpartum experience How to protect your mental health postpartum The importance of social connection as a mom How to make self-care a priority without the overwhelm Danika’s tips for navigating body image issues post-baby The importance of knowing the hard parts won’t last forever How to cope with stressors without resorting to alcohol How to prioritize your partner post-baby Why Danika gave up social media for a year ...and so much more.  ✨ If this podcast has ever made you feel seen, less alone, or added any value to your life, would you do me a quick favor? Leaving a review only takes a minute, but it truly helps more women like you find these conversations. It’s one of the biggest ways you can support me and the show. So if you’re here, if you’ve been listening, if this podcast has impacted you in any way, please take a quick second to scroll down and tap those 5 stars. You can even write a little review telling me how the show has helped you. I’d be forever grateful. Episode show notes...  https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/danika-brysha-postpartum-and-beyond Join my cozy community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

I’m excited for you to hear my chat with the brilliant Dr. Kim Gorgens. Dr. Gorgens is a board-certified rehabilitation psychologist and Professor of Psychophysiology, Clinical Neuropsychology, and Psychology of Criminal Behavior at the University of Denver. She manages a large portfolio of brain injury-related research and has lectured extensively on those issues around the world. She has a 2010 TED talk on youth sports concussions and a 2018 TED talk on brain injuries in criminal justice.  In today’s episode, we talk about... What brain injury is How many people don’t recognize they’ve had a brain injury What mild injuries due to the brain How brain injuries can present as mental health struggles The correlation between brain injuries and anxiety Why it’s important to tell your provider about past brain injuries when seeking mental health help The importance of supporting kids post-brain injury What you can do to heal your brain after an injury Why it’s never too late to do the recovery work The correlation between suicide risk and brain injuries  ...and so much more. Episode show notes...  https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/dr-kim-gorgens-is-a-brain-injury Join my cozy community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Today’s conversation is a special one. The hosts of the Just Stay Podcast, Kenzie and Brandee, are here to share how mental health has impacted their lives. Kenzie’s story resonated with me when she discussed her postpartum mental health experience, which included postpartum psychosis and a stay at a behavioral health center. Kenzie gets raw about her mental health struggles and her journey towards healing in today’s conversation.  Brandee’s story is just as powerful. She’s a wife and mom to three teenagers. In today’s conversation, Brandee courageously shares how she lost her oldest son to his battle with mental health and how she found purpose as she navigated through grief.  I’m telling you, friends, this conversation is raw and will have you feeling big feels.  If you have been impacted by suicide, you know someone who is struggling with suicidal ideations, or you are experiencing thoughts of wanting to die, please listen to episode 48 of the podcast. It was a conversation with Dr. Rudd, whose primary focus of his research is clinical suicidology, with an emphasis on understanding acute and chronic distinctions in risk. Episode show notes:  https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/kenzie-brandee-a-vulnerable-conversation?r=29mstw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Join my cozy community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

God gave me a mic, and I'm gonna use it.  Today, I'm sharing a few thoughts on psych meds, why I want the mental health narrative to change, why I'm passionate, and why I never want you to give up on hope.  If you love today's solosode, please share it with someone you know will love it too.  Need a friend? Come hang out with me on Insta. I'll gladly be your friend!  Until next time, biggest hugs.     

Today, the fantastic Julia Hotz is hanging out with us to unpack all things social prescribing and why it’s time to update the sort of prescriptions that are being given out. Julia is a solutions-focused journalist based in New York. Her stories have appeared in The New York Times, WIRED, Scientific American, The Boston Globe, Time, and more. She helps other journalists report on the big new ideas changing the world at the Solutions Journalism Network. She’s also an award-winning author of the book The Connection Cure.  In today’s episode, we talk about... What inspired Julia to write the connection cure What social prescribing looks like Why it’s important to do more of what matters to you What Julia would say to someone who questions the power of social prescribing Why Julia thinks big Pharma got so big The power of movement for improving depression Why we need to reframe how we view movement  How belonging and connection impact our mental health Why nature captures our attention Where to start with social prescribing ...and so much more. Episode show notes:  https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/julia-hotz-a-new-way-of-prescribing?r=29mstw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Join my cozy community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/