• 343 - 7 Ways to Tone Your Vagus Nerve and Build Real Stress Resilience
    Apr 4 2025

    Ever feel like your mind and body just can’t chill—no matter how much lavender oil, deep breathing, or “self-care” you try?

    You might be missing the real MVP of nervous system regulation: your vagus nerve.

    It’s not just some wellness buzzword. The vagus nerve is your nervous system’s on switch for calm—and if it’s not firing well, neither are you.

    In this episode, we’re breaking down why your system won’t stop buzzing, even when you’re doing all the “right” things (deep breathing, journaling, nightly tea… anyone?).

    And more importantly?

    Exactly how to reset your system in a way that’s simple, science-backed, and actually doable in real life.

    You’ll learn:

    • What the vagus nerve actually is (and why you should care)
    • The difference between high vs. low vagal tone—and how it impacts your stress, digestion, sleep, and mood
    • 7 science-backed, ways to naturally tone your vagus nerve starting today


    No expensive gadgets. No hour-long routines. Just real tools for real life.

    🎧 Hit play to start rewiring your stress response from the inside out.


    Related Episodes:

    • Previous Episode
    • The 4 Rs of Stress Relief: A Simple Framework to Calm Your Mind and Body
    • Why Your Nervous System May Be Dysregulated Even If You Don’t Feel Stressed Out
    • Surprising Ways We’ve All Experienced Childhood Trauma – 3 Categories of Trauma and Toxic Stress
    • 3 Daily Practices to Calm Stress and Anxiety (Part 1)
    • 3 Daily Practices for Calming Stress and Anxiety (Part 2)

    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<

    >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE <<<

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    25 mins
  • 342 - 5 Signs You’re Parenting in Fight-or-Flight—and How to Shift Out of Survival Mode
    Apr 1 2025

    You love your kids. But lately? You feel irritated, overstimulated, and straight-up overwhelmed.

    This isn’t just “normal mom stress.”

    You’re likely parenting from survival mode—with a nervous system stuck in overdrive.

    In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the 5 signs that you're parenting in fight-or-flight—and what to do when the chaos feels constant and your patience is MIA.

    We’re talking about:

    • The nervous system patterns behind overstimulation, urgency, and disconnection
    • Why you feel guilty for resting (and how to rewire that belief)
    • Small, doable shifts to get out of fight-or-flight (even when your kids are climbing the walls)

    Because it’s not just about getting through the day.

    It’s about feeling grounded, present, and actually liking the life you’re building.

    You and your kiddos deserve that.

    🎧 Hit play for a new way forward.

    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<

    >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE <<<

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    25 mins
  • 341 - You Are Not a Hypochondriac: Understanding Hypothyroidism and Autoimmune Diseases with Dr. Heather Stone
    Mar 28 2025

    You know something’s off—your energy is tanked, your moods are all over the place, and your body feels like it’s waving a red flag.

    But every time you get your labs done? “Everything looks normal.” 🙄

    You’re not imagining things. And you’re definitely not a hypochondriac.

    In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Heather Stone—a functional medicine practitioner, hormone expert, and regenerative farmer (yep, we go there)—who’s here to break down the real, often-missed signs of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune disease that so many high-achieving women are silently living with.

    We’re talking about the emotional toll of being dismissed, the early signs no one talks about, and the exact steps you can take to start feeling better in your body.

    She also shares how stress, blood sugar, and even your exercise routine might be affecting your symptoms—and how to start replenishing your body’s reserves with small, practical shifts.

    Things you’ll learn in this episode:

    • ✅ Why your labs might be “normal,” but you still feel exhausted, anxious, or off
    • ✅ The difference between dysfunction and disease—and why catching it early matters
    • ✅ The first 3 things to focus on if you’re ready to start rebuilding your health and energy


    This episode is your permission slip to trust yourself, ask better questions, and stop settling for feeling “meh.”

    Let’s get into it. 🎧👇

    Connect with Dr. Heather Stone:

    • IG:@drheatherstone
    • FB Group: Happy Healthy and Lean: Women Overcoming Low Thyroid


    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<


    Related Links:

    • Previous Episode
    • Is Suppressing Your Emotions Making You Sick? Surprising Ways Your Emotional Health Impacts Your Physical Health
    • 5 Ways to Tell Whether Your Productivity is Toxic or Healthy
    • How to Prioritize our Mental Health
    • Why Am I Like This?! How The 3 States of Our Nervous System Affect Motherhood, Health, and Productivity
    • Prioritize Your Wellbeing Without Mom Guilt With Robin Rhine McDonald

    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<

    >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE <<<

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    38 mins
  • 340 - 5 Habits I Stopped Doing to Heal My Nervous System & Balance My Cortisol
    Mar 25 2025

    If you’ve been trying to balance your hormones, fix your fatigue, or finally regulate your nervous system—but still feel like a burnt-out zombie in yoga pants—it might not be what you are doing…

    It might be what you need to stop.

    In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on 5 sneaky habits I cut out that made a massive difference in how I feel—physically, emotionally, mentally, hormonally (hi, cortisol).

    And no, this isn’t about a 17-step morning routine or becoming someone who cold plunges at 5 a.m.

    This is about doing less, but doing it more intentionally.

    We’re diving into:

    • Why your “healthy habits” might actually be stressing out your nervous system
    • The 5 habits I quit that gave me my energy, patience, and sanity back
    • How to get your cortisol to chill—without quitting your life and becoming a hermit

    If you’re tired of being tired, anxious for no reason, or just running on vibes and caffeine—this one’s for you.

    🎧 Hit play and let’s talk about 5 habits you don’t need in your life anymore.


    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<


    Related Links:

    • Previous Episode
    • My 5 Step Mourning Routine
    • 4 Signs You're Addicted to Cortisol (And How to Fix It)
    • Stuck in Bad Habits? Stop Spinning Your Wheels and Learn the 3 Requirements for Lasting Change
    • These 5 Habits are Causing Your Burnout

    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<

    >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE <<<

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    36 mins
  • 339 - Morning Meditation: Grounded, Grateful, and Energized
    Mar 21 2025

    Ever wake up and feel like your brain is already going a mile a minute—kids, work, schedules, the endless to-do list?

    This guided meditation invites you to start your morning differently—to wake up grounded, grateful, and energized.

    In just a few minutes, you’ll:

    • Anchor into a deep sense of calm and presence
    • Cultivate gratitude to shift your mindset before the day even begins
    • Boost your energy with a simple, intentional practice that supports your nervous system


    You can listen before you even get out of bed, while sipping your coffee, as you get ready, or on your morning commute.

    Wherever you fit it in, let this be a moment of calm before the day picks up speed.

    🌿 PRO TIP: Save this episode and come back to it every morning for the next week. Notice how it shifts your energy, your focus, and how you move through the day.

    Now, take a deep breath… and let’s begin.

    Related Episodes:

    • Previous Episode
    • Cranky in the Morning? 3 Things I Do When I Wake Up Feeling Irritable
    • 5 Morning Mistakes that Wreck Your Nervous System and Cause Burnout
    • A Powerful Nighttime Routine to Optimize Your Health


    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<

    >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE <<<

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    14 mins
  • 338 - The Real Reason You Procrastinate, People-Please, and Chase Perfection (It’s Not What You Think)
    Mar 18 2025

    You know that sinking feeling when you’re about to start something important—but instead, you scroll, organize a drawer, or suddenly need to deep-clean your entire kitchen?

    Or when you say yes to something you definitely don’t want to do, just to avoid disappointing someone?

    Or when you rewrite an email seven times before sending it, making sure there’s no room for anyone to judge you?

    But here’s the truth: These aren’t personality traits. They’re actually stress responses.

    Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and procrastination aren’t random habits—they’re deeply wired patterns your nervous system created to keep you safe.

    At some point, your brain learned that being perfect, avoiding failure, or making everyone happy helped you avoid rejection, criticism, or disappointment.

    And now? These patterns are running on autopilot.

    But here’s the good news: You can rewire them.

    In this episode, we’re breaking down:

    • Why these patterns feel impossible to shake (spoiler: it’s not a willpower issue)
    • How your nervous system keeps you stuck in stress loops—and what to do about it
    • The first steps to rewiring these patterns so you can move through life with more ease, confidence, and peace


    Because you’re not stuck this way.

    And the sooner you stop seeing these patterns as your personality and start seeing them as something you can rewire, the sooner you’ll finally feel free.

    Let’s get into it. 🎧👇

    Related Links:

    • Previous Episode
    • Break Free from Perfectionism & Procrastination and Build Habits That Stick
    • The Spiritual Solution to People Pleasing
    • How to Break the People-Pleasing Cycle
    • Are You a Perfectionist? 3 Reasons Perfectionists Have High Anxiety
    • Is it Perfectionism or Excellence? How to Tell the Difference and What to Do About It

    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<

    >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE <<<

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    33 mins
  • 337 - Is Your Past Running the Show? How Unresolved Trauma Shapes Your Parenting with Dr. Chinwé Williams
    Mar 14 2025

    Ever catch yourself reacting to your kids in a way that shocks you?

    Maybe you hear your own mother’s voice coming out of your mouth, or you feel like you’re constantly walking the tightrope between patience and losing it.

    You’re not crazy. You’re not failing. And you’re definitely not alone.

    The truth is, unresolved experiences from your past don’t just disappear—they live in your body, shaping the way you respond to stress, relationships, and, yes, parenting.

    And until you recognize what’s happening under the surface, you’ll keep repeating the same patterns, no matter how much you “know better.”

    That’s why I’m sitting down with Dr. Chinwé Williams, a trauma therapist, EMDR specialist, and bestselling author, to unpack how past experiences influence our nervous system, emotions, and the way we show up as parents.

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying invisible weight, or you find yourself snapping, shutting down, or over-controlling (even when you don’t want to), this conversation is going to be a game-changer

    We unpack what trauma really is, how it manifests in our bodies, and how it influences the way we show up as mothers, partners, and professionals.

    3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    1. What Trauma Really Is – It’s not just the “big” stuff. Chronic stress, emotional neglect, or even parents’ high expectations can shape your nervous system.
    2. How Your Past Shows Up in Parenting – Unresolved trauma can resurface in emotional triggers, parenting patterns, and unexpected reactions to your child’s behavior.
    3. Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System – Learn simple, effective strategies to calm your body and model emotional resilience for your children.


    You can break the cycle. You can rewrite the script. And it starts here.

    Hit play, and let’s talk about it. 🎧💛


    🔗 Connect with Dr. Chinwé:
    Website: drchinwewilliams.com
    Instagram: @dr.chinwewilliams


    Related Episodes:

    • Previous Episode
    • Overcoming Trauma and Discovering Your Courage for Change
    • Surprising Ways We’ve All Experienced Childhood Trauma – 3 Categories of Trauma and Toxic Stress
    • How Helicopter Parenting is Impacting Your Kids
    • Co-Parenting? 4 Steps to Move out of Toxic Communication, Conflict, & Chaos
    • 5 Surprising Ways Anxiety Can Show Up in Parenting

    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<

    >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE <<<

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    43 mins
  • 336 - The Productivity Trap: This Is Why Being Busy Isn’t Moving You Forward
    Mar 11 2025

    Do you ever feel like you’re constantly busy but never truly productive?

    Your to-do list is endless, you’re always running from one task to the next, and yet, at the end of the day, it feels like you haven’t really moved the needle on what actually matters.

    If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

    In today’s episode, we’re breaking down why busyness isn’t the same as productivity—and why understanding this is crucial to creating a stress-free, fulfilling life.

    The truth is, constantly being in “go mode” keeps your nervous system stuck in a state of reactivity, making it harder to focus, prioritize, and accomplish meaningful work.

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing more but achieving less, it’s time to shift from just checking boxes to true, intentional productivity.

    Listen in to learn:

    • Why stress hijacks your brain and keeps you trapped in the cycle of busyness
    • The difference between reactive busyness and true, fulfilling productivity
    • How regulating your nervous system can help you work smarter—not harder—so you can finally feel calm, focused, and in control of your time.


    Related Links:

    • Previous Episode
    • Cure Your Busy Brain: The Protocol to Calm an Anxious Mind
    • Unlock Inner Peace: 5 Strategies for Busy Moms
    • Breaking Busy: 5 Reasons Why You Might Struggle with Rest
    • Time with God as Busy Mom: How Prioritizing a Spiritual Practice Helps Calm the Chaos
    • Get Organized! How Busy Moms Reduce Clutter & Manage Their Time

    >>> REGISTER FOR THE CALM & COLLECTED WORKSHOP <<<

    >>> 💌 DOWNLOAD THE NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET GUIDE <<<

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    22 mins