Safe Space with Laura Caruso

Ep 35 - Goodbye, NYC

In this emotional episode of Safe Space, Laura records just one day before permanently leaving New York City after seven years. With her apartment in boxes and a cross-country drive ahead, she reflects on the bittersweet reality of endings, the fear and excitement of new beginnings, and the patterns we carry with us into each chapter. Laura opens up about how she processes major life transitions, revisiting her past cycles — from escaping an abusive relationship by moving to Italy, to using distraction as a coping mechanism, to realizing how often she dissociates instead of feeling her emotions in real time. She shares what it’s like to leave behind the comfort, safety, and community she built in New York, and the grief of saying goodbye to the people who supported her after a painful breakup and months of suicidal ideation. Timestamps 00:00 – 01:00 Introduction & Leaving New York 01:00 – 02:30 Endings, Processing, and the Fear of Being Alone With Your Thoughts 02:30 – 04:00 Recognizing a Chapter Has Truly Ended 04:00 – 06:00 Letting Go of Patterns That No Longer Serve 06:00 – 07:40 A Rough Year: Breakups, Darkness & Being Carried by Community 07:40 – 09:20 Grieving the Support System You're Leaving Behind 09:20 –0 9:40 Embracing the Unknown Stay Connected 📱 Follow Laura on Instagram → @lauracaruso.therapy 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Safe Space → Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] | Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/] 🔗 Explore more resources → www.lauracaruso.com [https://www.lauracaruso.com]

Ep 34 - Dealing with Parents Who Can't Emotionally Regulate

In this episode of Safe Space, Laura explores the complex and often painful reality of growing up with emotionally immature parents—those who struggle to regulate their own emotions, often resorting to criticism, withdrawal, or outbursts. She breaks down why emotionally immature behaviors develop, how they impact children long-term, and what healing can look like as an adult. Listeners will learn how to set healthy boundaries, protect their peace, and begin the process of reparenting themselves—offering the emotional safety and compassion they may have never received. The episode also shares guidance on breaking cycles of emotional dysregulation and maintaining stability even when family relationships remain difficult. Timestamps: 00:00 – 00:54 Introduction to Emotionally Immature Parents 00:54 – 02:10 Understanding Emotional Dysregulation 02:10 – 03:09 The Impact on Children 03:09 – 05:17 Reasons Behind Emotional Immaturity 05:17 – 06:27 Coping Strategies and Setting Boundaries 06:27 – 08:47 Reparenting Yourself and Limiting Exposure 08:47 – End Final Thoughts and Encouragement Stay Connected: 📱 Follow Laura on Instagram → @lauracaruso.therapy [https://www.instagram.com/lauracaruso.therapy] 🔗 Explore more resources → www.lauracaruso.com [https://www.lauracaruso.com]

Ep 33 - How Do I Rebuild Trust After It’s Been Broken?

In this episode of Safe Space, the focus is on understanding and rebuilding trust after it’s been broken in a relationship. The discussion explores what trust truly means between partners, the common causes of betrayal—from infidelity to repeated neglect—and the complex process of trying to repair what’s been damaged. Laura breaks down the key steps for rebuilding trust, including radical honesty, accountability, transparency, and empathy, while also reflecting on the emotional challenges both partners face in the process. The episode offers a reflective guide for those who’ve been hurt, helping listeners assess whether repair is truly possible—or if it’s time to let go. Timestamps: 00:00 – 00:07 Introduction to Safe Space 00:07 – 00:51 Understanding Broken Trust 00:51 – 01:54 Defining Trust in Relationships 01:54 – 03:33 Examples of Trust Breaches 03:33 – 05:50 Rebuilding Trust: Accountability and Actions 05:50 – 09:22 Steps to Rebuild Trust 09:22 – 10:16 Reflecting on Safety and Accountability 10:16 – 10:51 When Not to Repair Trust 10:51 – End Conclusion and Final Thoughts Stay Connected: 📱 Follow Laura on Instagram → @lauracaruso.therapy [https://www.instagram.com/lauracaruso.therapy] 🔗 Explore more resources → www.lauracaruso.com [https://www.lauracaruso.com]

Ep 32 – We’re Tired, We’re Done, and We’re Voting for Empathy (So I Wrote A Book About It)

This week on Safe Space, Laura reflects on one of the most powerful moments in recent history—the New York City mayoral election—and what it means for empathy, hope, and social change. Recorded the morning after the election, Laura shares an unfiltered, emotional reflection on what this political shift represents for a country that’s been running on burnout. She explores how collective exhaustion, disconnection, and chaos have defined the last five years—and why this moment feels like a turning point toward kindness, compassion, and community. Laura also celebrates the release of her debut book, The Empathy Deficit, and unpacks how the themes of her writing—care, connection, and the ripple effect of small acts—mirror the change happening in our culture. Through storytelling, social commentary, and personal reflection, she paints a picture of a world on the edge of healing—and how we can each play a role in it. If you’ve felt discouraged by the state of the world, this episode offers a reminder that momentum starts with us—that empathy is not just an idea, but a movement. Timestamps 00:00 – 00:55 Introduction: The Morning After the Election 00:55 – 02:30 The State of the World and the Power of Change 02:30 – 04:30 What The Empathy Deficit Is Really About 04:30 – 06:00 How One Person’s Change Impacts a Collective 06:00 – 08:30 The Role of Burnout and Disconnection in Society 08:30 – 10:00 Hope, Politics, and the Power of Community Stay Connected 📘 The Empathy Deficit is out now — purchase on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Empathy-Deficit-Restore-Divided-Society-ebook/dp/B0FTK27XBZ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xJyI4WqzGitBLuYwq0CNvg.qLrg4ToZCzFJBkGDV_z6fBtWW5eChX3tnY9fZh--SLc&qid=1762367518&sr=8-1] 📱 Follow Laura on Instagram → @lauracaruso.therapy [https://instagram.com/lauracaruso.therapy] 🔗 Explore more episodes & resources → www.lauracaruso.com [https://www.lauracaruso.com] 🎙 Want to sponsor this podcast? → Email media@lauracaruso.com [media@lauracaruso.com]

Ep 31 - The Episode I Moved to Denver

This week on Safe Space, Laura shares the story of one of the biggest changes in her adult life: moving to Denver. From boarding the flight out of New York City to the moment she stepped into her new apartment, she reflects on the grief, excitement, clarity, and deep nervous system regulation that came with letting go of the life she had to build the one she truly wants. This deeply personal episode explores the chaos and magic of major life transitions. Laura opens up about what it’s felt like to slow down, feel at peace, and start over after burnout. She talks about finding community, leaning into connection, and what happens when you finally give yourself permission to choose joy—even if it means leaving everything familiar behind. Whether you’re navigating a big life change or just fantasizing about a fresh start, this episode is an emotional roadmap for what it means to trust yourself and take the leap. Timestamps 00:00 – 00:30 Welcome & Intro 00:30 – 02:00 The Emotional Flight Out of NYC 02:00 – 04:30 Touching Down in Denver: A Feeling of Home 04:30 – 06:30 First Impressions & Why Denver Feels Magical 06:30 – 08:00 Unexpected Kindness, New Community & Serendipitous Support 08:00 – 10:00 Airbnb Chaos & Deciding to Apartment Hunt Early 10:00 – 12:00 Finding the Perfect Apartment (and Getting 3 Months Free!) 12:00 – 14:30 Nervous System Healing & the Contrast With NYC 14:30 – 15:50 Surrendering Control & Trusting the Unknown Stay Connected 📱 Follow Laura on Instagram → @lauracaruso.therapy [https://instagram.com/lauracaruso.therapy] 🔗 Explore more episodes & resources → www.lauracaruso.com [https://www.lauracaruso.com] 🎙 Want to sponsor this podcast? → Email media@lauracaruso.com [media@lauracaruso.com]