
the tara bixby podcast
If you’re tired of struggling alone in silence and crave real, unfiltered conversations about the good, the hard, the messy, and the inspiring parts of life, you’re in the right place.
Hi, I’m Tara — wife, momma, therapist, and the voice behind the tara bixby podcast. Nothing is off limits here. We talk about mental health, motherhood, addiction, trauma, holistic healing, spirituality, personal growth, and everything in between.
This podcast is a safe space to heal. My hope is that every episode leaves you feeling seen, supported, and just a little more empowered. Whether you're working through the hard stuff, regulating your nervous system, or simply searching for more joy and calm, you’ll find conversations here that meet you where you are.
New episodes drop every Wednesday, with surprise solo chats on Sundays.
If you’re enjoying these conversations, please follow, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear these chats too.
Come say hi on Instagram @thetarabixby. I always love meeting new friends.
Latest episodes

May 29, 2025 • 4min
Solosode: Why you NEED to start saying these two words... choose again.
Hey, friends. In today's solosode, I'm teaching you why I'm obsessed with these two words... choose again. I'm also sharing why you need to become obsessed with them, too. Love this solosode? Please share it with everyone you know. Want to make sure you never miss a future solosode? Be sure to hit subscribe so all future episodes automatically download. Until our next chat... biggest hugs. Join my cozy community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

May 27, 2025 • 49min
163. Neha Ruch: How to pause your career post-kids and come back stronger than ever.
If you’re a momma who wants to hit pause on your career to be home with your little one, this episode is for you. Today, Neha Ruch is hanging out with us to give you all the tips and tricks on how to hit pause on your career post-kids and come back stronger than ever when you’re ready. Neha is a thought leader, influencer, speaker, author of The Power Pause, and momma of two. She’s also the founder of Motherhood Untitled, the leading platform for ambitious women leaning into family life. Her work at Mother Untitled is catalyzing a much-needed shift in how society views stay-at-home motherhood. In today’s episode, we talk about... What a power pause looks like Where to begin if you wish to take a career break post kids How to avoid feeling stuck during your pause Why it’s okay to get outside help The conversations you need to have with your partner if a career break is what you desire How to not let motherhood become your sole identity What you can say to someone when they ask what it is you do How you can transition back to work without guilt ...and so much more. Episode show notes: https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/neha-ruch-how-to-pause-your-career?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/

May 22, 2025 • 18min
Solosode: My new "why" and why YOU need a solid foundation.
Hey, friends. Today's solosode is all about... My new "why" How I stumbled upon this new "why" Why you need a solid foundation How I'm going to help you get said solid foundation If you love this solosode, please share it with anyone and everyone you know. Also... be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss a solosode in the future. Biggest hugs. Join my cozy community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

May 20, 2025 • 1h
162. Brittany Piper: Break free from survival mode and reclaim your life.
I’m so excited for you to hear today’s conversation with Brittany Piper. Brittany is a speaker, author, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, the voice behind the wildly popular @healwithbritt account over on Instagram, and an expert in sexual violence prevention and trauma-informed care. Her book, Body-First Healing, is a science-backed roadmap for trauma recovery and nervous system regulation. She teaches readers how to break free from survival mode and reclaim their lives using simple yet effective somatic practices. In today’s episode, we talk about... How the nervous system can become stuck in a stress response cycle What trauma looks like How your body remembers trauma even when your mind doesn’t What it looks like to armor up when a threat is present The importance of somatic completion How Brittany's nervous system responded during and after a sexual assault How our armor can be cloaked as a diagnosis The impact childhood wounds have on our nervous system What you can do when anxious to shift your nervous system back into a ventral state of calm ...and so much more. Episode show notes: https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/brittany-piper-break-free-from-survival?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/

May 13, 2025 • 1h 1min
161. Kelsey Patel: A raw conversation about mental health struggles, rebirths, and transformations.
In this engaging conversation, Kelsey Patel, a Hollywood wellness expert and author of Burning Bright, opens up about her journey through motherhood at an older age and her profound post-baby transformation. She discusses the struggles surrounding her purpose after having children and shares her experiences with toxic mold poisoning, detailing her path to healing. Kelsey emphasizes the importance of mental health, sacred movement, and self-love, creating a raw and meaningful dialogue about resilience and authenticity in the face of life's challenges.

May 12, 2025 • 17min
Solosode: And we're back.
And we're back, friends! I'm so excited to be back hanging out with you guys again. To say I missed you is an understatement. In today's "solosode (solo episode)," I'm chatting about... Why I changed the podcast name (it used to be called the courageously.u podcast). What my intention is for this show, and how I'm on a mission to make it a top-rated mental health podcast. My recent struggles and how I found myself questioning if I was crazy. ...and so much more. I can't wait for you to hear all the amazing conversations coming your way. To make sure you never miss an episode, be sure to subscribe to the tara bixby podcast. biggest hugs.

Feb 8, 2025 • 24min
Minisode: I'm coming back...
Friends, I'm coming back... in May. May just feels right. Hit play to hear about why I chose May, what the podcast will look like going forward, and why I want a name change. ... and be sure to follow the podcast so you don't miss any episodes when they return. See you in May!!

Dec 17, 2024 • 27min
Minisode: I no longer give a f*ck.
I have something to tell you... ...and I want to take you on this new journey with me. Enjoy! Need a safe space for community? Come hang out with me on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ You can also hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Dec 10, 2024 • 58min
160. Elizabeth Lesser: How difficult times can help us grow.
Hey, friends! I’m so excited for you to hear today’s chat with the fantastic Elizabeth Lesser. Elizabeth is the author of several bestselling books, including Cassandra Speaks, Broken Open, and Marrow. She’s also the cofounder of Omega Institute, which is recognized internationally for its workshops and conferences in wellness, spirituality, creativity, and social change. She has given two popular TED talks and is one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, a collection of a hundred leaders who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity. In today’s episode, we’re talking about… Why we’re all bozos on the bus How we can fully become alive Why remaining in a tight bud can be more painful than taking the risk to bloom The power of meditation How it takes courage to turn in and face what wants to change within you How being human is to be lost in the woods What happens when we stay awake during life changes Why problems are messages Why medicating grief is not the answer Why it’s hard to ask for help …and so much more! Podcast show notes: https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/elizabeth-lesser-how-difficult-times Join my courageous community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/ Sponsor... Get 40% off your first Thrive Market order when you use this link —> Click here!

Dec 3, 2024 • 1h 4min
159. Dr. Ari Calhoun: A much needed conversation about childhood vaccines.
Dr. Ari Calhoun is a Naturopathic Doctor specializing in neurodevelopment and pediatric neuropsychology. Her expertise lies in perinatal and early development optimization, emphasizing prevention in neurodevelopmental health. Recognizing the complex relationship between the immune system and neurodevelopment, she co-founded the Vaccine Empowerment Program, supporting parents in making informed vaccine decisions. Through her multifaceted approach to functional medicine and neurodevelopment, Dr. Calhoun is committed to enhancing health outcomes for the next generation, starting from the earliest stages of life. In today’s episode, we’re talking about… Where the vaccination schedule comes from How she approaches vaccinations with her patients Why you shouldn’t rely on your pediatrician to tell you what to do Why understanding risk is important What vaccine injuries can look like How you can make an empowered decision Why brands matter Why aluminum is a concern How vaccines can impact neurodevelopment What makes someone more susceptible to an inflammatory response Whether or not vaccines create a level of risk for autism The trouble with delayed vaccinations Why it’s important to have a provider that supports your decision no matter the decision Why the Hep B shot at birth is not necessary for the majority of babies The importance of leaning into your intuition …and so much more! Podcast show notes: https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/dr-ari-calhoun-a-much-needed-conversation Join my courageous community on Substack... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/ Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/ Sponsor... Get 40% off your first Thrive Market order when you use this link —> Click here!