

the tara bixby podcast
Tara Bixby
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 Thursday, with quick tip episodes on Tuesday.
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.
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 Thursday, with quick tip episodes on Tuesday.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 25, 2025 • 53min
167. Danika Brysha: Postpartum(and beyond) is a lot—let’s talk about it.
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/

Jun 17, 2025 • 35min
166. Dr. Kim Gorgens: Is a brain injury at the root of your mental health struggles?
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/

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 2min
165. Kenzie + Brandee: A vulnerable conversation about postpartum psychosis, suicide, and more.
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/

Jun 5, 2025 • 18min
Solosode: Never give up hope... and other thoughts.
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.

Jun 3, 2025 • 46min
164. Julia Hotz: Social prescribing - a new way of prescribing.
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/

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.