the tara bixby podcast

Are you struggling to get pregnant? Do you want a baby in the future? Have you been told you're infertile? Want to learn how to improve your fertility? If yes, this episode is for you. Dr. Cleopatra is a scientist and university professor specializing in the intersection of reproductive health, human flourishing, and how health is transmitted from one generation to the next. She provides fertility and pregnancy consulting to women and families nationally and internationally through her signature In Bloom Programs, Inner Circle, and personalized, comprehensive one-on-one consulting. Dr. Cleopatra combines a lifetime of scientific knowledge with Eastern traditions and experiential wisdom to guide women through the many unknowns and mountains of conflicting, confusing information that they face as individuals, mothers, and professionals. And she does this in the most green, natural, compassionate, objective, real, heart-centered way possible. This rare combination of qualities is her signature and the gift that she offers with love, joy, gratitude, and dreams of blissful mommies, babies, and families, everywhere. YOU WILL LEARN:  Why you don't want to "just have sex and make your baby" (8:36) Why you can not outsource your fertility pyramid (11:41) What fertility is (12:05) What a "primemester" is (13:56) Whether or not you can reverse reproductive aging (16:35) What a "super baby" is (19:54) The rate of miscarriage and common reasons for why they occur (21:23) The role lifestyle and mental health plays in fertility (25:52) Why the brain will always prioritize safety over reproduction (30:00) The five levels of the fertility pyramid (34:42) Why you should avoid caffeine if you are trying to get pregnant (38:41) The role foods play in fertility (43:29) How birth control impacts fertility (48:03) What involuntary childlessness is (55:44) The first step to take to improve fertility (1:02:06) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@doctor_cleopatra and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Get 10% off your first Primally Pure order with code: COURAGE10 __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/alex-korb/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Today's guest is Robert Whitaker. Robert is an American journalist and author who has won numerous awards as a journalist covering medicine and science, including the George Polk Award for Medical Writing and a National Association for Science Writers' Award for best magazine article. In 1998, he co-wrote a series on psychiatric research for the Boston Globe that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. His first book, Mad in America, was named by Discover magazine as one of the best science books of 2002. Anatomy of an Epidemic won the 2010 Investigative Reporters and Editors book award for best investigative journalism. He is also the publisher of madinamerica.com. Today's episode focuses on a topic very near and dear to my heart. I hope the information and awareness you gain adds value to your life the same way it did mine. If you're ready, lets head into today's courageous conversation with the one and only, Robert Whitaker.  P.S. Take a screenshot of you tuning in, share it, and tag @courageously.u __________ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/robert-whitaker/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Given the season of life we are in, I felt it was only fitting to do an episode on depression. I don't know about you, but I'm no stranger to struggling with depressed mood.  Today's guest is Dr. Alex Korb.  Dr. Korb is a neuroscientist, writer, and coach. He has studied the brain for over 20 years and is the bestselling author of The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time. He earned his undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Brown University and then later completed a Ph.D. in neuroscience at UCLA. He has published over a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles on depression, neuromodulation, and other topics. He is currently an adjunct assistant professor at UCLA in the department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, as well as vice-president of research and development for BrainSonix.  In today's episode, we talk about:  What depression looks like in the brain (5:40) The roles the cortex and limbic system play in depression (8:31) How the "spiral" begins (11:25) The role genetics play in depression (18:09) What the upward spiral is (23:44) What contributes to seasonal depression and how you can manage your symptoms (28:52) Why feeling terrible is a natural part of life (38:03) The correlation between suicide and depression (41:09) The importance of moving your body (48:32) Why there is power in putting emotions into words (50:53) Why you should start small if depressed (57:16) The role habits play in the upward spiral (1:00:54) Dr. Alex Korb's thoughts on postpartum depression (1:07:03) I hope this episode adds tremendous value to your life! Hit play, and join us inside today's episode!  Take a screenshot of you tuning in, share it, and tag @courageously.u __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Four Sigmatic: Save 10% on your purchase when you use the code: COURAGE10 __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/alex-korb/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Today's guest is the insanely courageous Jane Hart.  Jane is a mother of two courageous boys, a forever student, and a passionate advocate. She also lives with Dissociative identity disorder, formally known as multiple personality disorder. Before starring in A&E's hit documentary series, Many Sides of Jane, Jane wrote articles and spoke out about childhood abuse and the normalization of mental health. She loves to spend her time hiking with her boys, reading, writing, and figuring out more ways to advocate for those who don't have a voice. Did I mention she's also from Boise, Idaho?!?  My passion for mental health advocacy is real, so I had to shine a light on DID. According to the DSM 5, the defining feature of DID is the presence of two or more distinct personality states or an experience of possession. DID is associated with overwhelming experiences, traumatic events, and/or abuse in childhood. Why does this episode matter? Over 70% of outpatients with DID have attempted suicide, and other self-injurious behavior is frequent.  In today's episode, we talk about:  What Disassociate Identity Disorder (DID) is according to Jane (5:58) When Jane began to notice her parts (6:48) The pros and cons of DID (7:52) What parts are and the many parts of Jane (8:37) The movie that inspired Jane to share her story on A&E (14:58) How backlash has impacted Jane's life (16:37) What it's like to be a mom with DID (20:52) What it looks like to switch between identities (23:42) Jane's day to day life living with DID (26:31) What treatment looks like for individuals living with DID (28:08) Jane's advice to individuals living in silence with DID (34:53) Parenting tips if you live with DID and have kiddos (39:05) How Jane landed a documentary series on A&E (40:40) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@real.janehart and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: The doors are currently open to Anxiety Management 101, but they close on September 20th. If you're tired of feeling anxious, and are ready to find freedom from your anxiety, click here to join me inside Anxiety Management 101. I hope to see you there!  __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/jane-hart/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Dr. Uma Naidoo is a Harvard trained, board-certified psychiatrist, nutritionist, and professional chef who married both psychiatry and nutrition to create a beautiful treatment modality designed to help you improve your overall mental health.  She founded the first hospital-based nutritional psychiatry service in the United States, where she serves as the director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. In her new book, “This Is Your Brain On Food,” Dr. Naidoo explores the fascinating science behind the food-mood link and offers actionable nutrition recommendations and recipes to optimize your mental health. Having this conversation excited me because it gives me hope for the future of mental health treatment.  In today's episode, we talk about:  The influence food has on our brain (7:46) How physical problems can manifest as mental illness (10:32) How psychiatric treatments are integrated with nutritional interventions (13:03) When Dr. Uma Naidoo recommends pharmaceutical treatment and when she recommends nutritional treatment (16:20) If Dr. Naidoo has seen any improvements in symptoms with individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder when utilizing nutrition as a form of treatment (21:41) What foods to avoid if you're anxious (25:59) Foods to add to your diet to help improve anxiety (29:09) Why you should speak to your medical provider prior to taking passionflower or chamomile if you are on a blood thinner (31:47) Whether or not organic foods play a role in using foods as medicine (33:15) How long, on average, it takes to see an improvement in symptoms when dietary changes are made (34:12) How to navigate healthy eating if you're an emotional eater (37:15) If dieting impacts your mental health (41:48) What role alcohol plays in mental health (43:23) The role omega 3s play in anxiety (45:52) Dr. Uma Naidoo's thoughts on the role food plays in ADHD and autism (46:58) Whether or not blood sugar plays a role in panic attacks (50:00) Simple tips to improve mental health symptoms (51:19) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@drumanaidoo and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Anxiety Freebie: Get your free 4 week action plan with tips and tricks to help you not only reduce anxiety, but also coexist peacefully with it. Click here to download. Four Sigmatic: Save 10% on your purchase when you use the code: COURAGE10 at checkout. __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/uma-naidoo/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Dr. Jennifer Freed is the bestselling author of Use Your Planets Wisely and a renowned psychological astrologer and social and emotional education trainer. She has spent over thirty years consulting clients and businesses worldwide on psychological, spiritual, and educational topics. She has served as the clinical director of Pacifica Graduate Institute and is a national consultant for EMDR.  As a regular contributor to goop, Dr. Freed has written over 23 articles on wellness and Astrology and has penned ten books relating to personal growth. She has also been interviewed for her expertise by the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Vogue. And that's not all. In 1999, Jennifer and her partner Rendy Freedman created the non-profit AHA!, which is dedicated to teens, families, and educators feeling safe, seen, and celebrated. AHA! has served over 35,000 children and families in Santa Barbara, and Jennifer has trained educators throughout the country in the five pillars of social and emotional learning.  Dr. Freed is the real deal, and she blew my mind in today's episode. If you're ready, let's dive into today's conversation with the one and only, dr. Jennifer Freed.  In today's episode, we talk about:  What psychological astrology is (5:37) The archetypes of astrology (6:43) What a birth chart is (8:30) How the planets give us insight into our potential and purpose (8:48) What a session looks like with Dr. Jennifer Freed (15:45) The five competencies of social and emotional intelligence (16:22) Dr. Jennifer Freed's thoughts on horoscopes (18:12) How to improve your relationship by using your birth chart (19:27) What it looks like to awaken (20:24) What it looks like when we don't lean into our native gifts (22:25) What new moons mean (25:00) The three levels of planets energies that can be expressed (30:50) All about AHA! and the importance of emotional and social learning (32:30) Tips to help regulate emotions (35:31) How to work with Dr. Jennifer Freed (40:39) __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Get 10% off your first Primally Pure order with code: COURAGE10 __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/medicating-normal/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Inside Episode 19 of The Courageously.u Podcast, Angela Peacock shares her courageous story of how the overprescribing of mental health medication almost killed her. Angela Peacock is a former U.S. Army Sergeant whose normal response to deployment led to fifteen years of being overprescribed medications, multiple hospitalizations, and a whirlwind of disability. Over that time, Angela was prescribed forty plus mental health medications, and at the height of the prescribing, eighteen medications at once. Four and a half years off all medications, Angela is now sharing her courageous experience in the mental health care system. As she continues to heal from the neurological damage and psychological trauma caused by being a "compliant patient," she facilitates discussion of the issues presented in Medicating Normal for communities worldwide.  Later on in the episode, co-producer Wendy Ractliffe joins us in our discussion of the documentary Medicating Normal. In today's episode, we talk about:  What led Angela to seek help from psychiatry (3:51) How Angela's normal emotional response to readjusting to Germany led her to being overprescribed mental health medications (6:08) What withdrawal from over thirty-six mental health medications looked like for Angela (9:07) How Angela went from a very successful army leader to a hermit (13:05) What the current system of care for veterans looks like (14:00) How Angela became involved in the documentary Medicating Normal (14:50) All about Medicating Normal (20:16) What inspired the making of Medicating Normal (23:23) How people responded to Medicating Normal (26:23) The advice Angela and Wendy have for someone considering mental health medication (31:22) __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Anxiety Freebie: Get your free 4-week action plan with tips and tricks to help you not only reduce anxiety, but also coexist peacefully with it. Click here to download. __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/medicating-normal/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Dr. Belisa Vranich is a clinical psychologist, a leading expert in mental health and fitness, and a breath work guru. She is also the founder of the breathing class, and the author of Breathe: The Simple, Revolutionary 14-Day Program to Improve your Mental and Physical Health.  In today's episode, we talk about:  The psychology of breathing (9:34) The difference between chest breathing and belly breathing, and why it's important to breathe from your belly (12:15) The three patterns of anxious breathing (14:50) How breath can worsen your anxiety symptoms (16:11) The role breath plays in physical wellness (18:22) Why you should take your breathing IQ (22:39) How to strengthen your breathing muscles (24:56) The role breath plays in IBS (29:03) Why you have to advocate for your own health (32:30) The role breath plays in labor (34:43) How to teach kiddos to breathe (37:29) Why breathing helps you fall asleep and the importance of sleep hygiene (40:05) How we are doing kegels wrong (44:37) Today Dr. Belisa is bringing all her breath work knowledge to the show, so I won’t keep her all to myself any longer. Let’s dive into today’s episode with Dr. Belisa Vranich.  You can find Dr. Belisa on Instagram at @drbelisa, and we’d both love to hear your reactions to this episode, so please screenshot and write any thoughts or questions that come up as you’re listening and tag us both (I’m @courageously.u). __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Anxiety Freebie: Get your free 4 week action plan with tips and tricks to help you not only reduce anxiety, but also coexist peacefully with it. Click here to download. __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/dr-belisa-vranich/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Do you remember lying awake all night as a kid, overcome with anticipation and excitement, waiting for Christmas morning to arrive? That was exactly how I felt waiting to chat with today's guest, Dr. Ellen Vora. Dr. Ellen Vora is a board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. She takes a functional medicine approach to mental health and addresses the root problem rather than reflexively prescribing medication to suppress the symptoms. She also considers the whole person, focusing on everything from physical health, sleep, nutrition, digestion, thought patterns, relationships and community to our connection with nature and creativity, and the ways we find meaning in life. In today's episode, we talk about:  Postpartum anxiety and depression  Caffeine and alcohols impact on mental health  What it looks like to withdrawal off mental health medications Holistic approaches to mental health treatment  How inflammation impacts mental health  The importance of sleep for your overall well-being  Why panic attacks occur in your sleep and so much more! I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@ellenvoramd and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Anxiety Freebie: Get your free 4 week action plan with tips and tricks to help you not only reduce anxiety, but also coexist peacefully with it. Click here to download.   Four Sigmatic: Save 10% on your purchase when you use the code: COURAGE10 at checkout. __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/?p=2700   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

I'm so excited to have on Mark Wolynn, the founder and director of the Family Constellation Institute in San Francisco. Mark is a leading expert in the field of inherited family trauma and the author of the book It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle. His articles also appear in Psychology Today, Mind Body Green, MariaShriver.com, Elephant Journal, and Psych Central, and his poetry has been published in the New Yorker.   In today's episode, we talk about:  How trauma is passed on from generation to generation How phobias can be inherited from parents The importance of attachment with mothers The science behind inherited family trauma  How to heal and break the cycle of family trauma  Unconscious loyalty to the suffering of parents  What you should do if you don't know your family history  How symptoms of mental illness might not be your symptoms What makes trauma repeat  How we can heal from parents hurtfulness What is trauma language The role divorce plays in attachment The role dads play in attachment  What courage looks like to Mark    You can find Mark on Instagram at @markwolynn, and we’d both love to hear your reactions to this episode, so please screenshot and write any thoughts or questions that come up as you’re listening and tag us both (I’m @courageously.u).    Enjoy!  __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/?p=2640   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/