the tara bixby podcast

188. What no one told you about the female brain with Dr. Sarah McKay.

For too long, women have been told their brains are "broken" or that every struggle is just hormones. In this episode, we shift that narrative. Dr. Sarah McKay — Oxford-trained neuroscientist and author of The Women's Brain Book, Baby Brain, and Brain Health For Dummies — joins me to break down what's really going on in the female brain. We talk about postpartum changes, perimenopause, anxiety, sleep, libido, and why so much of women's mental health is shaped not just by biology, but by support systems, stress, and societal expectations. This conversation will help you understand the female brain with more clarity, compassion, and empowerment. If you've ever been told "it's just your hormones," this episode will give you a whole new perspective. Send this to a friend who needs it — this one's too good not to share. 💛 Love the show? Hit follow and leave a short review — it helps more than you know. And if someone you love needs this message, share it with them today. Need a friend? Come hang out with me over on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/?hl=en] (@thetarabixby). Check out today's show notes here [https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/what-no-one-told-you-about-the-female?r=29mstw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]. ✨ Tired of anxiety taking over your life? Ready to feel more calm, joy, and adventure? I'm now offering 1:1 anxiety coaching and would love to help. Email me at hello@tarabixby.com to get started!

Bonus: How to thrive this winter if you struggle with seasonal depression.

Feeling a little off as the days get shorter and colder? You're not alone! In this bonus episode, we're diving into seasonal depression (aka the winter blues) — what it is, why it happens, and how to recognize the signs. I'm sharing cozy, practical, and playful ways to lift your mood and thrive during the darker months — from light therapy and getting outside to fun seasonal activities, connecting with friends, and enjoying cozy indoor moments. So grab a cozy blanket, a warm beverage, and join me — let's navigate this season together, feeling a little lighter, warmer, and more like ourselves. P.S. If you loved this bonus episode, send it to a friend who might be struggling with seasonal depression — sometimes that tiny act of sharing can make a big difference. Click here [https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/how-to-thrive-this-winter-if-you?r=29mstw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] to share your ideas.

187: Quiet your inner critic and build confidence with Dr. Rachel Goldsmith Turow.

Do you have an inner critic that's always judging, shaming, or demanding perfection? You know — that little voice that quietly shapes how you see yourself and move through the world. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you! Today I'm joined by Dr. Rachel Goldsmith Turow, clinical psychologist, researcher, mindfulness and compassion teacher, and author of The Self-Talk Workout. We chat about where our inner critic comes from, why self-criticism can sometimes feel "safe," and how it affects confidence, motivation, and mental health. Dr. Goldsmith Turow also shares practical, evidence-based tips to shift your self-talk, build more self-compassion, and even help kids develop a healthier inner voice. If you're ready, let's learn how to quiet the critic, shall we? 💛 Love the show? Hit follow and leave a short review — it helps more than you know. And if someone you love needs this message, share it with them today. Need a friend? Come hang out with me over on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/?hl=en] (@thetarabixby). Check out today's show notes here [https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/quiet-your-inner-critic-and-build?r=29mstw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]. ✨ Tired of anxiety taking over your life? Ready to feel more calm, joy, and adventure? I'm now offering 1:1 anxiety coaching and would love to help. Email me at hello@tarabixby.com to get started!

186. A true story of overmedication, recovery, and the courage to rewrite your life with Anne Bracken.

What happens when the systems meant to heal us end up causing more harm? In this powerful conversation, Tara sits down with Anne Bracken — activist, poet, and author of Crash: A Memoir of Overmedication and Recovery — to explore what it really means to heal beyond labels and prescriptions. Anne shares her deeply personal story of growing up with a mother who struggled with mental illness, her own experiences with medication and ECT, and the journey back to herself through alternative healing. Together, they challenge the "chemical imbalance" narrative, discuss the importance of informed consent, and shine a light on the flaws within our mental health system. This episode is a reminder that recovery is possible, your voice matters, and sharing your story can help someone else feel less alone. 💛 Love the show? Hit follow and leave a short review — it helps more than you know. And if someone you love needs this message, share it with them today. Need a friend? Come hang out with me over on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/?hl=en] (@thetarabixby). Check out today's show notes here. [https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/a-true-story-of-overmedication-recovery?r=29mstw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] ✨ Tired of anxiety taking over your life? Ready to feel more calm, joy, and adventure? I'm now offering 1:1 anxiety coaching and would love to help. Email me at hello@tarabixby.com to get started!

185. The power of sound baths with Sara Auster.

Hey, friends! I'm so excited for today's episode — I've fallen in love with sound baths as a way to invite more calm and stillness into my day, and today's guest is one of my absolute favorites. Sara Auster is a world-renowned sound therapist, meditation teacher, and creator of the PAUSE app. She's been featured in Oprah Magazine, the New York Times, TIME, Vogue, Billboard, and partnered with the World Health Organization to bring mindfulness to global health. In this episode, we explore what sound healing is, why sound baths are transformative, how to get the most out of them, and how Sara used sound to heal her own trauma. She even guides us through a quick sound bath! Whether you're new to sound meditation or curious about making it part of your life, this episode is packed with practical tips and calming insights. P.S. Sara is giving you three months free on the PAUSE app when you use code TARABIXBY. 📱 Text this episode to a stressed out friend. 💛 Need a friend? Come hang out with me over on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/?hl=en] (@thetarabixby). Check out today's show notes here [https://open.substack.com/pub/courageouslyu/p/the-power-of-sound-baths-with-sara?r=29mstw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]. ✨ Tired of anxiety taking over your life? Ready to feel more calm, joy, and adventure? I'm now offering 1:1 anxiety coaching and would love to help. Email me at hello@tarabixby.com to get started!