Whole by Design

EP 23: Complicated Grief and Life Beyond Loss with Aurena Green

Grief doesn’t always follow a clear path. For many people, it can feel layered, disorienting, and difficult to move through, especially when the emotions don’t resolve in the ways we expect. If you’ve been feeling stuck in your grief or unsure how to carry both the love and the pain, this conversation offers a way of understanding what’s happening beneath the surface. In this episode, Dr. Julie Lopez and grief expert Aurena Green explore the reality of complicated grief, why it can feel so complex, why it doesn’t follow a predictable timeline, and what it can look like to begin moving through it in a way that honors your full emotional experience. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to stay present with intense emotions without shutting down, how to hold both the beauty and difficulty of your relationships, and how to begin reconnecting with yourself in a way that feels more grounded, more open, and more alive. This is a thoughtful, honest look at grief that makes space for the full experience, without rushing it or trying to simplify what it means to move forward.   Learn more about Aurena Green and her work: https://www.inner-compass-therapy.com/ [https://www.inner-compass-therapy.com/]   https://hackyournervoussystem.org/products/planetgrief [https://hackyournervoussystem.org/products/planetgrief]  https://www.instagram.com/planet.grief [https://www.instagram.com/planet.grief]  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/aurena-r-green-clifton-va/1407401 [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/aurena-r-green-clifton-va/1407401] Learn More about Dr. Julie’s Work: https://drjulielopez.com/ [https://drjulielopez.com/]  Learn More about The Viva Center: https://www.vivapartnership.com/ [https://www.vivapartnership.com/]

EP 22: The Stress Equation and the Hidden Path to Resilience with Amanda Good

Stress is often treated like something to eliminate, but what if understanding it differently could help you move through life with more clarity, strength, and intention? In this episode of Whole by Design, Dr. Julie Lopez is joined by clinician and clinical director Amanda Good to explore the stress equation, a practical framework for understanding why stress affects people differently and how lasting balance is created. Together, they break down how demands, coping capacity, internal beliefs, and support systems interact to shape your experience of stress. Amanda explains why managing stress is not just about coping in the moment, but about identifying where imbalance lives and knowing how to shift it. This conversation also explores how difficult experiences can become catalysts for growth, offering insight into resilience, deeper self-awareness, stronger relationships, and renewed meaning after hard seasons of life.   Learn more about The Sibley Group & Amanda Good:  thesibleygroupdc.com [http://thesibleygroupdc.com]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-good-85844a1ab [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-good-85844a1ab]  https://www.instagram.com/amandagoodlicsw/ [https://www.instagram.com/amandagoodlicsw/] Learn More about Dr. Julie’s Work: https://drjulielopez.com/ [https://drjulielopez.com/]  Learn More about The Viva Center: https://www.vivapartnership.com/ [https://www.vivapartnership.com/]

EP 21: The Unseen Patterns Behind Strong Relationships with Lee Collins

What do high-pressure emergency response and intimate relationships have in common? Communication under stress. In this episode of Whole by Design, Dr. Julie Lopez sits down with Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) Lee Collins to explore what truly strengthens connection in relationships. Drawing from his background in corporate leadership, emergency response, and clinical counseling, Lee shares how high-pressure environments reveal the communication patterns that either build trust or break it down. He unpacks the subtle shifts that move relationships from conflict to connection and explains why emotional awareness is the foundation. This episode offers actionable insight into relationship skills, communication, and emotional regulation, helping you show up stronger in love, work, and life.   Learn More about Dr. Julie’s Work: https://drjulielopez.com/ [https://drjulielopez.com/]  Learn More about The Viva Center: https://www.vivapartnership.com/ [https://www.vivapartnership.com/]

EP 20: The Hidden Factors Shaping Every Type of Fertility with Dr. Natalie Grigorian

Fertility is often framed as a purely biological issue, but what if there’s more shaping our ability to create and receive in life than we realize? In this episode of Whole by Design, Dr. Julie Lopez is joined by Dr. Natalie Grigorian, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Master of Acupuncture, to explore the hidden factors that influence fertility, not just in conception, but across all areas of life. Together, they discuss how stress, the nervous system, and natural rhythms shape fertility and vitality. Dr. Gregorian shares how listening to the body’s signals, honoring cycles, and creating conditions for safety and receptivity can support healing, growth, and resilience. This conversation offers perspective, insight, and practical guidance for anyone feeling stuck, depleted, or curious about how fertility extends beyond reproduction into creativity, work, relationships, and overall well-being.   Learn more about Dr. Natalie Grigorian & Aetherium Health:  https://aetheriumhealth.com/ [https://aetheriumhealth.com/dr-grigorian/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliegrigorian/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliegrigorian/] https://www.instagram.com/aetheriumhealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/aetheriumhealth/] https://www.instagram.com/dr.natalieg/ [https://www.instagram.com/dr.natalieg/] Learn More about Dr. Julie’s Work: https://drjulielopez.com/ [https://drjulielopez.com/]  Learn More about The Viva Center: https://www.vivapartnership.com/ [https://www.vivapartnership.com/]

EP 19: Could AI Be Your Next Therapist? Expert Insights from Dr. Rachel Wood

AI is changing the way we approach mental health, but what does that mean for our relationships, emotions, and even therapy itself? In this episode, Dr. Julie Lopez sits down with Dr. Rachel Wood, a licensed counselor and leader in cyber psychology, to explore the growing role of AI in mental health. They discuss how AI is being used for therapy, companionship, and self-reflection, the potential benefits and risks of synthetic relationships, and the one crucial step to stay empowered and safe when interacting with AI. This conversation offers insight, clarity, and practical guidance for anyone curious about how technology is reshaping mental well-being.   Learn more about Dr. Rachel Wood: www.dr-rachelwood.com [http://www.dr-rachelwood.com]  Learn More about Dr. Julie’s Work: https://drjulielopez.com/ [https://drjulielopez.com/]  Learn More about The Viva Center: https://www.vivapartnership.com/ [https://www.vivapartnership.com/]