Ep. 113 - Why You Still Feel Stuck After Therapy: Neurofeedback, Chronic Stress & Trauma with Shale Maulana, MPH, LMSW

Ep. 113 - Why You Still Feel Stuck After Therapy: Neurofeedback, Chronic Stress & Trauma with Shale Maulana, MPH, LMSW

Have you ever done therapy, read the books, prayed, journaled… and still felt stuck? Still anxious. Still overwhelmed. Still on edge in your own body. In this powerful episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, sits down with Shale Maulana, MPH, LMSW, a Brooklyn-based therapist and public health professional, to explore a deeper question many people are quietly asking: Why do I still feel this way even after doing "the work"? This conversation goes beyond surface-level coping skills and gets into what's really happening in the brain and body when healing feels stuck. Together, Diana and Shale break down: * Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation * Why talk therapy alone is not always enough * How trauma, environment, and lived experiences shape mental health * What liberation-based therapy actually means (in simple terms) * How neurofeedback (brain training) works and why it may help * The impact of ACE scores (Adverse Childhood Experiences) on long-term health * Real-life examples of how culture, environment, and stress affect mental health * Practical tools to calm your nervous system and start healing This episode is honest, real, and deeply educational — without being overwhelming. Two Powerful Quotes from This Episode Diana S. Rice: "We're not here to get political. We're here to get clear." Shale Maulana: "You are not broken. Your nervous system is responding to things. These are adaptations, not failures." What You'll Learn * Why you can understand your patterns but still feel stuck * The difference between chronic stress, trauma, and survival mode * Signs your nervous system may be dysregulated (sleep issues, anxiety, hypervigilance) * How public health connects to mental health and burnout * Why your environment and lived experiences matter in healing * How neurofeedback helps retrain the brain using neuroplasticity * Why healing is not a quick fix — and what actually works long term * Simple, science-based tools you can start using today About Shale Maulana, MPH, LMSW Shale Maulana, MPH, LMSW, is a liberation-based therapist specializing in trauma healing for marginalized communities and high achievers. She integrates neurofeedback, EMDR, somatic therapy, and clinical hypnotherapy to help clients regulate their nervous systems and break free from anxiety, trauma patterns, and chronic stress. With a background in public health research, Shale brings a unique perspective that connects individual mental health struggles with larger patterns like chronic stress, environment, and lived experience. She is based in Brooklyn, New York, and works with clients both locally and online. Resources & Links Connect with Shale Maulana: https://www.shalemaulana.com/ [https://www.shalemaulana.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://www.shalemaulana.com/speaking-and-media [https://www.shalemaulana.com/speaking-and-media?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Diana S. Rice & Services: https://www.throughthevalleytherapy.com/ [https://www.throughthevalleytherapy.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://www.transformedmindcc.com/ [https://www.transformedmindcc.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html [https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://www.cdc.gov/aces/communication-resources/index.html [https://www.cdc.gov/aces/communication-resources/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/resource/original-ace-questionnaire/ [https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/resource/original-ace-questionnaire/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Free Breathing App (mentioned in episode): https://breathly.app/ [https://breathly.app/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathly/id1454852966 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathly/id1454852966?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mmazzarolo.breathly [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mmazzarolo.breathly&utm_source=chatgpt.com] Why This Episode Matters Too many people have been told they are the problem. But what if your anxiety, burnout, or emotional overwhelm is not a failure… …but a nervous system response to chronic stress, trauma, and lived experience? This episode helps you understand: You are not broken. You are responding. And once you understand that — you can begin to heal differently. Support the Podcast If this episode helped you understand yourself better, please: * Share it with someone who needs it * Leave a written review on Apple Podcasts * Follow and subscribe on your favorite platform Your support helps more people find faith-based, science-informed, stigma-breaking mental health conversations. https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/ [https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/] Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or medical advice. Please seek support from a licensed professional for your specific needs. Closing Reminder Trust in the Lord, guard your heart, and renew your mind.

Ep. 112 - From Addiction to Purpose: Recovery, Incarceration, Trauma, and Rebuilding Life w/ Andrew Drasen

Hello there, fearfully and wonderfully made humans. In this powerful episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana S. Rice sits down with Andrew Drasen, author of A Vision of Hope, to explore the reality of addiction, recovery, incarceration, trauma, relapse, identity, and second chances. Andrew shares his lived experience with substance use, overdose, jail, prison, repeated treatment attempts, and the long, difficult road toward healing. This is not a polished highlight reel. It is a real conversation about how addiction can hijack the mind, body, and nervous system, why shame keeps people stuck, and why recovery is about far more than just stopping a behavior. Together, Diana and Andrew unpack what people often misunderstand about addiction, how early pain and emotional struggles can shape later substance use, why community and accountability matter, and what it really takes to rebuild a life with purpose after hitting rock bottom. They also discuss gaps in treatment, the difference between punishment and rehabilitation, the role of identity in lasting recovery, and why hope is often the very first step toward change. Whether you are struggling with addiction, love someone who is, work in mental health, serve in ministry, care about justice reform, or simply feel stuck in a painful cycle, this conversation offers honesty, compassion, and hope. What We Cover in This Episode * what addiction feels like from the inside * why addiction is not simply a willpower problem * the connection between trauma, shame, nervous system dysregulation, and substance use * Andrew's progression from marijuana and alcohol to Xanax, Adderall, opioids, and heroin * what repeated treatment and incarceration taught him * why identity is a missing piece in many recovery conversations * how writing became part of his healing process * the story behind A Vision of Hope and his recovery curriculum * why Andrew believes group work and closed-cohort support can be so powerful * what needs to change in systems of treatment, reentry, and rehabilitation * why hope, purpose, and community matter in healing Why This Episode Matters People are actively searching for answers to questions like: * How does addiction start? * Why do people relapse? * Can someone rebuild life after prison or overdose? * What actually helps addiction recovery last? * How do families support a loved one without losing themselves? * What is the difference between punishment and rehabilitation? * Is there hope after years of addiction? This episode speaks directly to those questions with both lived experience and compassionate reflection. Key Takeaways Addiction is all-consuming. Andrew describes addiction as something that can take over the thought process, hijack the nervous system, and become as urgent as basic survival. Compassion matters. He reminds us that people struggling with addiction are not just making random bad choices. Many are hurting deeply, trying to cope, and often feel trapped inside patterns they do not know how to break. Recovery is not just behavior change. One of the biggest themes in this conversation is that recovery is not only about saying no to a substance. It is also about learning who you are becoming and why that life is worth protecting. Identity matters. Andrew shares that one of the missing pieces for him was adopting a new identity and filling the void that addiction once occupied with meaning, purpose, and connection. Hope is the prerequisite to change. If someone cannot imagine a different future, they are far less likely to fight for one. Community matters. Healing often happens in safe, honest, connected spaces where people are seen, challenged, encouraged, and supported. About Andrew Drasen Andrew Drasen is the author of A Vision of Hope, a memoir trilogy rooted in lived experience with addiction, incarceration, and intentional living. His work focuses on resilience, accountability, and community rebuilding through narrative and reflective practice. He is the creator of: * A Vision of Hope: A Story of Redemption and Purpose * A Vision of Hope: Reflections * A Vision of Hope: The Workbook Andrew speaks on the intersection of personal transformation, systemic experience, recovery, and purposeful growth. His goal is to help individuals, communities, and systems better understand what real change can look like. Connect with Andrew Drasen Website: https://avisionofhopebook.com [https://avisionofhopebook.com/] Facebook: https://facebook.com/drewwithad [https://facebook.com/drewwithad] LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/andrewdrasen [https://linkedin.com/in/andrewdrasen] Instagram: https://instagram.com/andrewdrasen [https://instagram.com/andrewdrasen] X: https://x.com/andrewdrasen [https://x.com/andrewdrasen] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58297825.Andrew_Drasen [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58297825.Andrew_Drasen] Resources Mentioned A Vision of Hope trilogy by Andrew Drasen * A Vision of Hope: A Story of Redemption and Purpose * A Vision of Hope: Reflections * A Vision of Hope: The Workbook Find mental health or substance use treatment SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov [http://findtreatment.gov/] is a confidential, anonymous treatment locator for mental health and substance use services in the United States. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 for immediate support during a mental health, emotional, or substance use crisis. SAMHSA [https://drugfree.org/drug-and-alcohol-news/samhsa-announces-first-national-family-support-technical-assistance-center/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=PTEA_PMAX&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=4449235478&hsa_cam=23276488203&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23276492829&gbraid=0AAAAAD_EJxWX8ApFAk_HJk2GS2XW_zyEn&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9-PNBhDfARIsABHN6-1sxg1L3pV4_jD0D7Oupjx-Boaf5sOsaZFE_EQvi8YCE7RxP8NL-U0aAvUIEALw_wcB]states that 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors by call, text, and chat. Naloxone / Narcan Naloxone is a medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. NIDA [https://nida.nih.gov/] explains that it works by attaching to opioid receptors and reversing the effects of an overdose. Why treatment during incarceration matters An NIH-supported 2025 study found that providing medication treatment for opioid use disorder in jail was associated with lower overdose risk, lower death risk, and lower reincarceration after release. Support for loved ones Andrew mentions the importance of support for family members too, including groups like Al-Anon [https://al-anon.org/]. For broader behavioral health help, SAMHSA also offers national support and treatment resources. Andrew Drasen Quotes * "Addiction is all-consuming." * "It hijacks your body, mind, and soul." * "No one wants to be addicted." * "At the end, like, I didn't get high anymore, it just made me feel okay." * "If you're relying on any kind of substance or anything external for you to feel okay inside, it's temporary." * "Change is possible. You just have to believe it." * "That's, like, the prerequisite to change, in my opinion. If you don't have hope that your circumstance can improve, you're not gonna put the effort forth to change the circumstance." * "We need to stop punishing drug users, because it's a public health issue." * "Our policy should keep people alive long enough to get help." * "I don't even identify as an addict anymore." Diana S. Rice Quotes * "Addiction is not just about substances. It's about pain. It's about patterns. It's about the brain, the body, trauma, and survival." * "Healing is not just about stopping a behavior. It's about rebuilding identity, learning accountability, and finding purpose again." * "We're meant to be in community." * "Do not give up on yourself." * "Understand that you have a purpose, and there's forgiveness." Who This Episode Is For This episode is for: * people struggling with addiction * people in recovery * loved ones trying to understand addiction * therapists and mental health professionals * pastors, coaches, and ministry leaders * reentry and justice reform advocates * anyone trying to break unhealthy cycles and build a better life Support the Show If this episode encouraged you, please share it with someone who needs hope today, leave a review, and support The Holistic Counselor Podcast by checking out Diana's resources, offerings, and merch through https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/ [https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/] Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical care, psychiatric care, addiction treatment, or legal advice. If you or someone you love is in immediate crisis, call or text 988 right now for 24/7 crisis support. If you suspect an opioid overdose, call emergency services immediately and administer naloxone if available.

Ep. 111 - Men's Mental Health, Church Hurt, and Nervous System Healing with Sacred Grit's Spiritual Coach, Jason Lyle

Hello there, fearfully and wonderfully made human. In this episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP sits down with Jason Lyle, founder of Sacred Grit, spiritual coach, and host of The Sacred Grit Podcast, for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about men's mental health, addiction recovery, church hurt, nervous system regulation, and faith reconstruction. Jason shares parts of his personal story—from growing up in the Southern Baptist church, to becoming a pastor, to navigating addiction, shame, and ultimately stepping away from traditional ministry. Through that journey, he began exploring how nervous system regulation, breathwork, cold exposure, meditation, and embodied practices can help people create space between emotional triggers and destructive behaviors. Together, Diana and Jason discuss why so many people today are wrestling with faith deconstruction, religious trauma, pornography addiction, and identity confusion, and why healing often requires both personal responsibility and compassionate support. They also explore the connection between neuroplasticity, nervous system regulation, spiritual formation, and behavioral change, along with the importance of building a supportive team that may include therapists, recovery communities, coaches, and healthy relationships. This episode may resonate with listeners searching for: • men's mental health and addiction recovery • healing from church hurt or religious trauma • nervous system regulation and emotional resilience • faith reconstruction and spiritual growth • pornography addiction and shame recovery • breathwork, cold exposure, and mind-body healing practices As always, the goal of this podcast is to create space for honest conversations that help people grow in clarity, responsibility, compassion, and hope. In This Episode We Discuss • Jason's story: from pastor to men's coach • Growing up in church and early exposure to pornography • Purity culture and the impact of shame on identity • Faith deconstruction and reconstructing spiritual beliefs • Nervous system regulation and trauma responses • The amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and impulse control • Breathwork, cold plunging, and discomfort training • Addiction recovery and behavioral patterns • The role of discipline, accountability, and daily practice • Why healing is rarely a quick fix Quotable Moments "Dysregulation is an attempt to soothe a trauma." — Jason Lyle "When your feet touch the floor in the morning, take five minutes and do one thing that makes you feel radically loved by yourself." — Jason Lyle "They still want to keep their faith… they still want to love the Lord and be in the Word, and it's like disentangling." — Diana S. Rice "The goal of this podcast is not to give quick fixes, but to create space for honest conversations that help people grow in clarity, responsibility, compassion, and hope." — Diana S. Rice Connect with Jason Lyle Sacred Grit Website https://thesacredgrit.com [https://thesacredgrit.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Sacred Grit Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sacred-grit-daily-nervous-system-tools-and-spiritual/id1611084095 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sacred-grit-daily-nervous-system-tools-and-spiritual/id1611084095?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Coaching and Retreat Information https://thesacredgrit.com/explore-coaching [https://thesacredgrit.com/explore-coaching?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Contact Jason https://thesacredgrit.com/contact [https://thesacredgrit.com/contact?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Adventures in Recovery (AIR) https://www.recoveryadventures.org [https://www.recoveryadventures.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Books and Resources Mentioned Dopamine Nation – Dr. Anna Lembke https://www.annalembke.com/dopamine-nation [https://www.annalembke.com/dopamine-nation?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Widen the Window – Dr. Elizabeth Stanley https://elizabeth-stanley.com/books-publications/widen-the-window/ [https://elizabeth-stanley.com/books-publications/widen-the-window/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] The Body Keeps the Score – Dr. Bessel van der Kolk https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score [https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma – Dr. Peter Levine https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/shop/waking-the-tiger-healing-trauma/ [https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/shop/waking-the-tiger-healing-trauma/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] The Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning https://www.brennanmanning.com/books/the-ragamuffin-gospel [https://www.amazon.com/Ragamuffin-Gospel-Brennan-Manning/dp/159644133X] The Cosmic Christ – Richard Rohr https://cac.org/books/the-universal-christ/ [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cosmic+christ+richard+rohr&adgrpid=187381727218&hvadid=779548164475&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9012024&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=15516846820863397644--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15516846820863397644&hvtargid=kwd-354774606848&hydadcr=17808_13794509_2332230&mcid=7ac2ac800fe137e8a61892c1be516ed4&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_7punl2yfm8_e] The Sin of Certainty – Peter Enns https://peteenns.com/books/the-sin-of-certainty/ [https://a.co/d/0cickyng] Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Dr. Richard Schwartz https://ifs-institute.com [https://ifs-institute.com/] Support The Holistic Counselor Podcast If this conversation encouraged or challenged you in a meaningful way, please consider supporting the podcast. • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify • Share this episode with someone who may benefit • Explore podcast merch and resources [https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/] The Holistic Counselor Podcast Merch and Support https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.com [https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/] Disclaimer The Holistic Counselor Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace professional mental health treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy. Jason Lyle is a coach and spiritual mentor and is not a licensed therapist. If you are struggling with addiction, trauma, or thoughts of self-harm, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional. In the United States, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Ep. 110 - When Words Aren't Enough: How Art Therapy Heals Trauma, Anxiety & Relationships (MBT Explained) | Anna Green, LMHC

In Episode 110 of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP sits down with Anna Green, LMHC, Chief Clinical Officer at Thrive, to answer questions people are actively searching for, including: * What is art therapy (really)? * Do you have to be "good at art" for art therapy to help? * Why can creativity feel safer than talking about trauma? * What is MBT (Mentalization-Based Treatment) in simple terms? * How do curiosity and the "not-knowing stance" support healing and relationships? * What do therapists need right now to prevent burnout and stay grounded? Anna brings over a decade of experience across mental health, addiction, and palliative care, along with training in art therapy, EMDR, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and MBT. Together, Diana and Anna explore how creativity can help people process emotions, reduce shame, and reconnect to themselves—especially when words feel too hard, too risky, or simply not available. This conversation is for clinicians, creatives, trauma survivors, people of faith, and anyone who wants more emotional clarity, better communication, and more compassion in relationships. About This Episode's Guest: Anna Green, LMHC Anna Green, LMHC is the Chief Clinical Officer at Thrive and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with clinical experience in multiple levels of care. She has worked in education settings, hospice/palliative environments (supporting families and siblings), and clinical leadership roles—bringing both depth and practicality to the work of healing. What You'll Learn (Key Takeaways) What Art Therapy Is (and what it's NOT) Art therapy is psychotherapy that uses art as a tool for expression and exploration, alongside conversation. It is not an art class, and you do not need talent or skill to benefit. Why Art Can Feel Safer Than Words Some experiences happen before language, or in environments where speaking up led to punishment or shame. Art can help people express what's inside in a way that feels less exposing and more contained. MBT: Mentalization-Based Treatment in Plain Language Anna explains mentalizing as the ability to understand what's happening in your own mind and in someone else's mind—including thoughts, feelings, intentions, and beliefs—so relationships become clearer and less reactive. Curiosity as a Healing Skill This episode repeatedly returns to one theme: curiosity. Curiosity interrupts mind-reading, slows assumptions, strengthens relationships, and supports trauma-informed care—for clients and clinicians. Burnout Prevention for Therapists Anna shares what clinicians need most right now: higher-quality supervision that includes the therapist's inner experience, role-play and skill modeling, personal therapy when needed, transition rituals between work and home, and ongoing learning. Practical Tools You Can Try This Week (No Therapy Required) 1) "Take a line for a walk." Grab a pen and paper. Start with one line. No plan. No pressure. Just begin. This is a powerful way to start when the blank page feels intimidating. 2) Turn assumptions into questions Instead of mind-reading, practice checking things out: * "Can I clarify what you meant by that?" * "I noticed I felt unsure—can we talk about it?" * "Help me understand what was going on for you." Quotes Worth Replaying (From This Episode) Diana S. Rice (Host) 1. "Sometimes talk therapy isn't enough." 2. "Healing is not just about diagnosis. It's about clarity. It's about connection." Anna Green (Guest) 1. "You do not have to be an artist to do art therapy." 2. "Mentalizing is a process of understanding what's going on in your mind and what's going on in somebody else's mind." Resources Mentioned (Links) * Thrive (Anna's organization): https://gothrivemh.com [https://gothrivemh.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Anna Freud Centre (MBT training / background): https://www.annafreud.org/training/ [https://www.annafreud.org/training/] * Mentalization-Based Treatment (overview page for learning more): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentalization-based_treatment [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentalization-based_treatment?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (Helpful starting point for general readers; not a substitute for clinical training.) * Book Anna recommends: On Learning from the Patient [https://psptraining.com/wp-content/uploads/Casement-P.J.1985-1991.-Learning-from-the-patient.pdf]— Patrick Casement * Art4Healing (Diana's COVID-era group experience; they note they are not art therapy): https://art4healing.org/ [https://art4healing.org/] * Understanding MBT: https://www.annafreud.org/training/health-and-social-care/mentalization-based-treatments-mbt/mentalization-based-treatment-adults/about-mbt/ [https://www.annafreud.org/training/health-and-social-care/mentalization-based-treatments-mbt/mentalization-based-treatment-adults/about-mbt/] * 'Art Therapy and Sexual Offending' - https://us.jkp.com/products/arts-therapies-and-sexual-offending [https://us.jkp.com/products/arts-therapies-and-sexual-offending] Connect + Learn More If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, share it with a friend, and leave a review—it genuinely helps more people find these conversations. And as always: trust in the Lord, guard your heart, and renew your mind. Support the Podcast This podcast is independently created — no sponsors, no big production team. Each episode takes 3–5 hours to research, record, edit, and publish because these conversations matter. If this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you grow, one simple way to support the mission is by visiting the merch store. Every purchase directly helps sustain this work and keep these faith-centered, evidence-informed conversations going. Shop here: https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/ [https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/] Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or psychotherapy. Listening does not create a therapist-client relationship with Diana S. Rice or any guest. If you are in crisis or believe you may be experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

Ep. 109 - Church Hurt, Religious Trauma & High-Achieving Christian Women: Healing Perfectionism & Burnout in Leadership | Robin Goad, Author & AWS Executive

What happens when a high-achieving woman climbs the corporate ladder—but is still carrying unresolved trauma, religious fear, and deep shame beneath the surface? In this episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP sits down with Robin Goad, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) executive, speaker, and author of Girl by Birth. Woman by Fire. to talk about the intersection of trauma healing, church hurt, perfectionism, and leadership for Christian women. Robin shares her story of survival and transformation—childhood trauma, religious control, perfectionism, abortion-related grief, divorce, and the turning points that brought her into deeper healing and freedom through faith. This conversation is for anyone who has ever wondered: * How do I heal from church hurt without walking away from God? * Why does trauma show up as overworking, perfectionism, or burnout? * Can I be ambitious and still honor Jesus? * How do I lead with confidence without self-abandonment? If you're a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus but feels tired, conflicted, or invisible… you are not alone. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN (KEY TAKEAWAYS) * How unresolved trauma can drive perfectionism, overworking, and burnout * The difference between "religion as performance" vs. a life-giving relationship with God * What Robin means by a "healthy church" (imperfect, but accountable and Scripture-rooted) * Why quiet, stillness, and "pause" are essential for healing and discernment * How shame and secrecy keep women isolated—and why safe community matters * Post-abortion healing: forgiveness vs. true healing and freedom * How to identify your "superpower" in corporate leadership (without comparison or imposter syndrome) ABOUT ROBIN GOAD Robin Goad is a wife, mother, grandmother, and "warrior in heels." She is a seasoned technology executive with over 25 years leading innovation at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Dell, Gartner, and more. Robin currently leads AWS Global Industry Solutions, delivering record-breaking growth and transformation. She is also the author of Girl by Birth. Woman by Fire, a raw and redemptive guide for women who want to stop performing and start healing. (Guest bio provided by Robin.) CONNECT WITH ROBIN Website: https://www.therealrobingoad.com [https://www.therealrobingoad.com/] Email: robin@therealrobingoad.com LinkedIn: (Search "Robin Goad" on LinkedIn) Free Call: On Robin's website, look for the option to schedule a "Superpower" call. RESOURCES MENTIONED Rachel's Vineyard (post-abortion healing retreats): https://www.rachelsvineyard.org/ [https://www.rachelsvineyard.org/] CliftonStrengths (Gallup): https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths [https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths] 16 Personalities (MBTI-based): https://www.16personalities.com/ [https://www.16personalities.com/] DISC Personality Assessment (general info): https://www.discprofile.com/ [https://www.discprofile.com/] SHAPE Spiritual Gifts Test: https://www.freeshapetest.com/ [https://www.freeshapetest.com/] DISCLAIMER This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy. If you are in crisis, contact 988 (U.S.) or your local emergency services.