It's Okay to Want: Trauma, Embodiment, and Reclaiming Desire with Laura Khoudari

It's Okay to Want: Trauma, Embodiment, and Reclaiming Desire with Laura Khoudari

What if healing isn't about fixing yourself? What if it's about learning how to listen? In this deeply thoughtful conversation, I sit down with trauma-informed wellness expert, author, and educator Laura Khoudari to explore the intersection of trauma, strength training, embodiment, self-trust, and desire. Laura shares her personal journey from experiencing PTSD to developing a trauma-informed approach to strength training that helps people reconnect with their bodies, build nervous system capacity, and cultivate a deeper relationship with themselves. As our conversation unfolds, we move beyond exercise and into something much bigger: ✨ How we learn to feel our feelings without becoming overwhelmed ✨ Why nervous system regulation is a practice, not a destination ✨ The role of boundaries, agency, and self-trust in healing ✨ What strength training can teach us about staying present under stress ✨ How eating disorder recovery opened the door to exploring desire ✨ Why so many of us know what we don't want—but struggle to identify what we do want ✨ The powerful shift from controlling the body to being in relationship with it One of my favorite moments in the conversation is Laura's insight that healing often begins with something deceptively simple: "It's okay to want." Whether we're talking about food, relationships, movement, creativity, or life itself, learning to reconnect with our desires may be one of the most profound acts of healing available to us. This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and explore what becomes possible when we learn the language of our own bodies. About Laura Khoudari Laura Khoudari is a trauma-informed wellness educator, writer, and author of Lifting Heavy Things: Healing Trauma One Rep at a Time. Her work explores the intersection of trauma, embodiment, strength training, eating disorder recovery, desire, and self-relationship. Connect with Laura Website: laurakhoudari.com [https://www.laurakhoudari.com/] Substack: The Desk and Stove [https://laurakhoudari.substack.com/] Book: Lifting Heavy Things: Healing Trauma One Rep at a Time [https://www.laurakhoudari.com/lht#order] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

The Human Side of Healing: Why Medicine Needs More Than Answers with Georgia Tetlow, MD,ABOIM, ABPMR, FMCP-M

Dr. Georgia Tetlow, MD, ABOIM, ABPMR, FMCP-M is the Founder & CEO of Philadelphia Integrative Medicine, an Integrative & Functional Medicine Physician Clinician Mentor and Bravewell Fellow of Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Tetlow, knew long before medical school that she wanted to practice medicine differently. In this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, we explore what it means to care for the whole person, not just their symptoms. Dr. Tetlow shares her journey from yoga teacher to physician, the intentional inner work that helped her stay connected to her values throughout traditional medical training, and why nervous system support is often the missing ingredient in healing. Together, we discuss the importance of practitioner self-care, emotional boundaries, therapeutic relationships, and the role of human connection in an increasingly technological healthcare landscape. Whether you're a healthcare professional, therapist, healer, or someone navigating your own health journey, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing doesn't happen through information alone, it happens through relationship, regulation, and being truly seen. In This Episode We Explore: *  Dr. Tetlow's path from yoga to integrative and functional medicine  *  Staying connected to your values within conventional systems  *  Why healing requires more than symptom management  *  The role of nervous system regulation in lasting change  *  Supporting healthcare practitioners from the inside out  *  Self-care as a clinical responsibility, not a luxury  *  Boundaries, relationships, and the art of patient care  *  The future of medicine in the age of AI  *  Why human connection remains one of the most powerful healing tools we have  Ways to get in touch with Dr. Tetlow: Website: https://philly-im.com/ [https://philly-im.com/] Facebook: PhilaIntegrativeMedicine [https://www.facebook.com/PhilaIntegrativeMedicine/] Instagram: phillyintegrativemedicine [https://www.instagram.com/phillyintegrativemedicine/] X: GeorgiaTetlowMD [https://x.com/GeorgiaTetlowMD] YouTube: georgiatetlowmd-philly-im [https://www.youtube.com/@georgiatetlowmd-philly-im] LinkedIn: philadelphia-integrative-medicine [https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-integrative-medicine/] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

The Nature of Reality: Mystical Experiences, God Consciousness & the Search for Meaning with Michael Monk

What happens when an experience is so profound that it changes the way you understand reality itself? In this thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with Michael Monk, spiritual teacher, healer, and founder of the Avatar Energy Mastery Institute. Michael shares a series of extraordinary experiences that began with what he describes as a direct communication from God and led him on a decades-long exploration of consciousness, healing, spirituality, and human potential.  Together, we explore mystical experiences, God consciousness, energy healing, out-of-body experiences, personal transformation, and the challenges of integrating extraordinary spiritual experiences into everyday life. Whether you find yourself deeply resonating with Michael's perspective, questioning it, or simply feeling curious, this conversation invites us to explore one of humanity's oldest questions: What is possible when we move beyond our ordinary understanding of ourselves and reality? In This Episode We Explore: *  Michael's early spiritual experiences and awakening  *  The role of faith and direct spiritual experience  *  Different understandings of God consciousness  *  Mystical and out-of-body experiences  *  Energy healing and human potential  *  The relationship between spirituality and self-empowerment  *  Discernment on the spiritual path  *  Integrating extraordinary experiences into everyday life  *  Curiosity, consciousness, and the mystery of being human Want to know more about Michael?   Website: www.michaelmonk.bio [http://www.michaelmonk.bio] Facebook: Michael Monk [https://www.facebook.com/avatarmonk?rdid=6lXyVcPVQ4zWRjQu&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F18JNU25d2A%2F#] Youtube: Michael Monk Avatar [https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelMonkAvatar] Tik Tok: @michaelmonkavatar [https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelmonkavatar?_r=1&_t=ZS-95S4qjxHpJJ.] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

Getting Out of the Way: Jessica Maitri on Trauma, Intuition, and the 3 AM Download That Changed Everything

Many of us can explain our patterns, understand our trauma, and tell the story of what happened—yet still find ourselves feeling stuck. In this episode of The Spiritually Curious Therapist, I sit down with Jessica Maitri, LCSW, brainspotting consultant, certified yoga therapist, breathwork practitioner, intuitive energy healer, and creator of the Yothera Method, to explore what happens when healing moves beyond insight and into embodiment. Jessica shares her journey from therapist burnout to developing an innovative approach that integrates yoga therapy, somatic awareness, intuition, and brainspotting. Together, we explore why healing isn't simply about understanding our experiences intellectually, but about creating new experiences within the body and nervous system. We also dive into the role of permission, choice, movement, and attunement in trauma recovery, and discuss how practitioners can support deeper transformation by learning to let go of the agenda and trust the healing process. In this conversation, we discuss: • Jessica's journey from traditional talk therapy to embodied healing work • Why therapist burnout can be an invitation to deeper alignment • The principles of yoga therapy and how it differs from a traditional yoga class • How brainspotting and yoga therapy complement one another • The importance of nervous system regulation in trauma healing • Why choice and permission are essential ingredients for healing trauma • The connection between embodiment, intuition, and transformation • How the Yothera Method was born during a period of deep creative inspiration • The difference between understanding our stories and living a new one • Why healing often requires us to get out of our own way Whether you're a therapist, helping professional, or someone navigating your own healing journey, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of what becomes possible when we stop trying to think our way through healing and begin listening to the wisdom of the body. Connect with Jessica: Website: www.yothera.com [http://www.yothera.com/] Email: hello@yothera.com [hello@yothera.com] instagram: @yothera_method [https://www.instagram.com/yothera_method/] Yothera Method Facilitator Training 26 CE's: (Self-study or Live cohort):  https://www.yothera.com/ymft-sp [https://www.yothera.com/ymft-sp] Professional Mentorships and Brainspotting Consultation: https://www.yothera.com/mentorship/professionals [https://www.yothera.com/mentorship/professionals] https://www.yothera.com/brainspotting [https://www.yothera.com/brainspotting] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]

When the Pain Won't Go Away: Understanding Neuroplastic Symptoms, Fear, and Nervous System Healing with Georgia Thelen

What if chronic pain isn't always a sign that something is broken? In this episode of The Spiritually Curious Therapist, I sit down with certified nutritionist, hypnotist, energy healer, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy coach Georgia Thelen to explore the growing field of mind-body healing and neuroplastic symptoms. After developing long COVID and a host of chronic symptoms herself, Georgia found her way beyond diagnoses, medications, and endless medical appointments into a deeper understanding of the nervous system's role in chronic pain and illness. Together, we discuss how fear, stress, hypervigilance, and nervous system dysregulation can contribute to persistent symptoms, and how healing may begin when we learn to relate to those symptoms differently. Whether you're living with chronic pain, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the connection between the brain, body, and emotions, this conversation offers both insight and hope. In This Episode: * Georgia's personal journey through long COVID and chronic pain * What neuroplastic symptoms are and how they develop * The connection between fear, stress, and persistent pain * Why nervous system regulation matters for healing * How Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) works * Understanding the fear-pain cycle * The difference between acute and chronic pain * Why symptoms can persist long after an injury has healed * The role of somatic tracking and safety reappraisal * How emotions, stress, and unresolved experiences may influence physical symptoms * Why healing often requires curiosity rather than fear Resources Mentioned: * Dr. John Sarno * Alan Gordon and The Way Out * Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) * Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) * Boulder Back Pain Study Connect with Georgia Thelen: www.healyourchronicpain.org [https://www.healyourchronicpain.org] Instagram - @goodmoodnutritionist [https://www.instagram.com/goodmoodnutritionist/] Facebook- @ Peachy Keen Wellness and Nutrition [https://www.facebook.com/peachykeennutrition] Share what resonated for you [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202958/fan_mail/new] Thank you for listening to the Spiritually Curious Therapist Podcast.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it helps us grow and reach more listeners! You can find Jodi Silverman, LCSW at www.therachihealing.com [https://www.therachihealing.com/] www.journeywithkindredsouls.com [https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/] Follow me on Socials: TikTok @spiritcurioustherapist Instagram @therachihealing Facebook @TheraChi Healing [https://www.facebook.com/therachihealing] Stay up to date on our offerings by joining our newsletter here [https://www.therachihealing.com/newsletter] https://journeywithkindredsouls.com/ Are you interested in learning more about Reiki Assisted Psychotherapy? Join our facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians [https://www.facebook.com/groups/psychotherapeuticreikiforclinicians] Are you a mental health professional with a spiritual edge and have something to share?  Complete this form to apply to be on the podcast [https://journeywithkindredsouls.hbportal.co/public/696ba478866c180021d1823f]