Episodes

  • 79 | Beyond Your Sun Sign: Navigating Life's Challenges Through Your Chart | Amber Mitchell

    79 | Beyond Your Sun Sign: Navigating Life's Challenges Through Your Chart | Amber Mitchell
    Apr 28 2025

    In this episode of Beyond Trauma, I sit down with Amber Mitchell, The Astro Lotus, to explore how astrology can serve as a powerful tool for self-understanding and healing. We go beyond sun signs to discuss the psychological depth of birth charts, the role of planetary cycles in personal transformation, and how astrology can help us navigate relationships, trauma, and life’s biggest transitions.


    🔮 What You'll Learn:


    • How astrology provides insight into personal psychology, healing, and self-compassion
    • The key planets beyond your sun sign that influence your emotions, relationships, and growth
    • How Saturn and Jupiter returns shape major life changes
    • Understanding Chiron, the wounded healer, and its role in past trauma
    • The 12th house and its connection to subconscious patterns and healing
    • How planetary placements can help you manage daily challenges, emotional needs, and major life events
    • The relationship dynamics revealed through astrology—and why some connections are worth exploring through charts
    • Why astrology is more like the weather than a belief system, offering guidance rather than fate
    • This year’s numerology and how to work with its energy
    • Join us as we explore how astrology can help us feel seen, make empowered choices, and find deeper meaning in our healing journeys.


    Amber is a professional astrologer, writer, podcaster, and intuitive guide. She began studying astrology over 10 years ago and has been working professionally with clients of many different backgrounds since 2018. Her journey started like many others—checking her horoscope, analyzing sun sign traits, and seeing if my friends (or crushes) were "compatible." But as she dug deeper, she realized astrology is so much more than just sun signs—it’s a vast, intricate map of self-discovery. That realization led her down a rabbit hole of cosmic exploration, ultimately intertwining with my passion for understanding human behavior. She has since worked with hundreds of clients, combining my soul-focused approach and Psychology background to provide both a spiritual and practical understanding of the birth chart and everyday energies. Amber views astrology as a tool and language to understand the energetic currents shaping our lives. Her goal is to raise the collective vibration by making this tool easily accessible to everyone. Follow Amber on Instagram at @theastrolotus or on her website.

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    Your support is deeply appreciated!

    Find me, Lara, on my Website / Instagram

    You can support this podcast with any level of donation here.

    Order The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All

    Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.
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    53 mins
  • 78 | Workplace Harm: Who's Most Vulnerable and Why Rethinking Workplace Culture Matters | Monica Amorosi

    78 | Workplace Harm: Who's Most Vulnerable and Why Rethinking Workplace Culture Matters | Monica Amorosi
    Apr 14 2025
    Work is a fundamental part of our lives, yet the workplace can be a uniquely vulnerable space for experiencing trauma. In this episode of Beyond Trauma, Monica Amorosi helps us explore why trauma in the workplace is particularly complex—because we bring our whole selves into our jobs, and because most of us rely on our jobs for survival. We discuss the rapid social and political changes affecting workplace safety, the different types of stress and their impact, and how to recognize the signs of an unsafe work environment. Monica breaks down what it truly means to have a trauma-sensitive workplace, including practical steps to make yourself a safer person at work and to create an environment where harm is acknowledged and addressed. Some key topics we cover: ✅ The four different types of stress—and which one is the most harmful ✅ The two pathways to becoming trauma-sensitive at work ✅ Why environments often make exceptions for perpetrators rather than those harmed ✅ How to recognize if you're experiencing workplace insensitivity—or perpetuating it ✅ The Diathesis Stress Model and who is most vulnerable at work ✅ What it means to take a harm reduction approach to workplace culture Monica reminds us that there’s no such thing as a stress-free workplace—but there is such a thing as a trauma-sensitive one. If you’re a leader, an employee, or someone navigating workplace challenges, this episode is packed with insights on creating a culture of safety and support. Learn more about Monica. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is deeply appreciated! Find me, Lara, on my Website / Instagram You can support this podcast with any level of donation here. Order The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.
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    1 hr
  • 77 | Awakening in Uncertain Times: Meditation for a Shifting World | Spring Washam

    77 | Awakening in Uncertain Times: Meditation for a Shifting World | Spring Washam
    Mar 31 2025
    In times of rapid change, how do we stay grounded, heart-centered, and open to new possibilities? In this episode of Beyond Trauma, meditation teacher Spring Washam shares the deep practices needed for navigating uncertainty—not by over-processing in the mind but by dropping into the wisdom of the heart and body. We explore how to work with anger, why truth is sharper than fire, and how ancestral wisdom can guide us through upheaval. Spring reminds us that “the heart carries the joy and the sorrow of this life”, and that true meditation isn’t an escape into the intellect but a full-bodied practice of presence. As she puts it, “First awaken, then guide, then serve and build.” Join us for a conversation about transformation, resilience, and the sacred call to step into deeper service as the world shifts around us. Spring Washam is considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based meditation practices to diverse communities; She is a well-known teacher, healer, and visionary leader and author of A Fierce Heart: Finding Strength, Courage and Wisdom in Any Moment and The Spirit of Harriet Tubman: Awakening from the Underground. Spring is one of the founding teachers at the East Bay Meditation Center, an organization that offers Buddhist teachings with attention to social action and multiculturalism. She is a member of the teacher’s council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, offering teachings on Buddhist philosophy, Insight meditation, and loving-kindness practices. Spring is also the founder of Lotus Vine Journeys, a one-of-a-kind organization that blends indigenous healing practices with Buddhist wisdom for transformative retreats in South America. She has practiced and studied Buddhist philosophy in both the Theravada and Tibetan schools of Buddhism since 1999. Spring is also a shamanic practitioner and has studied indigenous healing practices since 2008. Spring's Website | Instagram -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is deeply appreciated! Find me, Lara, on my Website / Instagram You can support this podcast with any level of donation here. Order The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.
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    57 mins
  • 76 | Healing Beyond the Physical: The Power of Energy Medicine | Dr. Jamil Sayegh

    76 | Healing Beyond the Physical: The Power of Energy Medicine | Dr. Jamil Sayegh
    Mar 17 2025
    In this episode of Beyond Trauma, we delve into the transformative world of energy healing with Dr. Jamil Sayegh. Dr. Sayegh shares his holistic approach to health, emphasizing the interplay between energy and physical well-being. He discusses how aligning one's energy can lead to profound physical healing, offering insights into the body's innate ability to heal from the inside out. Through compelling testimonials, Dr. Sayegh illustrates the effectiveness of energy medicine in overcoming various health challenges. Join us as we explore the principles of energy healing and discover how removing obstacles can pave the way for a healthier, more balanced life. Leaders, champions, and high-performers hire Dr. Jamil Sayegh as their secret weapon & trusted advisor to remove their invisible emotional, mental, and energetic performance blocks so they can experience their 10 year goals in 10 months. Operating at the intersection of high performance and healing, Dr. Jamil helps his clients achieve peak success while deeply transforming from within. An international spiritual self-mastery teacher, energy healer, life-transformation coach, integrative naturopathic physician, and host of the Transformation Starts Today podcast, Dr. Jamil has worked with world-champion athletes, best-selling authors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals – unlocking their true potential and guiding them to create extraordinary lives. By combining cutting-edge mental and emotional release work, energy healing, and holistic coaching, he empowers his clients to break through limitations, heal at the deepest level, and become the unstoppable force they were meant to be—living extraordinary lives and leaving an undeniable impact on the world. Learn more at https://jamilsayegh.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is deeply appreciated! Find me, Lara, on my Website / Instagram You can support this podcast with any level of donation here. Order The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 75 | A More Connected Self: Using the Natural World to Cultivate Presence | Mark Coleman

    75 | A More Connected Self: Using the Natural World to Cultivate Presence | Mark Coleman
    Mar 3 2025
    In this episode of Beyond Trauma, mindfulness and meditation teacher Mark Coleman explores the deep connection between the natural world and meditation. We discuss the history of nature-based contemplative practices, the difference between concentration and awareness meditation, and how the elements can support our personal growth. Mark shares why practicing meditation outdoors can enhance mindfulness, how nature fosters a deeper sense of self, and what to do if you don’t have access to outdoor spaces. We also confront a common dilemma—how to process the guilt of not doing enough to protect the environment while still finding joy and presence in nature. You will learn: *The difference between concentration meditation and awareness meditation *How the elements can support and deepen your meditation practice *Why meditating outside may feel more easeful and natural than meditating indoors *How nature helps awaken the senses and cultivate a more connected sense of self *Ways to use nature to aid in trauma recovery *Practical ways to bring nature into your meditation when you can’t be outside *The role of mindfulness in navigating eco-anxiety and environmental guilt *How to walk through the natural world with greater reverence and respect Mark has trained extensively both in the Insight meditation and Tibetan tradition. He is a senior teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and has taught insight meditation retreats since 1997. Mark is passionate about guiding people to meditate in nature. He has led wilderness nature retreats for over twenty years worldwide. Through his organization Awake in the Wild Mark leads year-long nature meditation teacher trainings in the US and Europe. Co-founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute Mark also leads year-long mindfulness teacher trainings. He is the author of many books including Awake in the Wild - Mindfulness in nature as a path to Self-discovery; Make Peace With Your Mind - How Mindfulness and Compassion can free you from the Inner Critic; From Suffering to Peace The True Promise of Mindfulness; and his recent book A Field Guide to Nature Meditation - 52 mindfulness practices for joy, wisdom and wonder. Find out more about Mark’s work at www.markcoleman.org & www.awakeinthewild.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is deeply appreciated! Find me, Lara, on my Website / Instagram You can support this podcast with any level of donation here. Order The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.
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    47 mins
  • 74 | Feeding Your Mind: Nutrition's Profound Role in Mental Health | Dr. Bonnie J. Kaplan

    74 | Feeding Your Mind: Nutrition's Profound Role in Mental Health | Dr. Bonnie J. Kaplan
    Feb 17 2025
    In this fantastically informative episode with Dr. Bonnie J. Kaplan, we explore the direct connection between mental health and nutrient intake. The evidence detailed in this episode and in Bonnie's book, The Better Brain is clear and consistent across populations. It is my hope that by releasing this episode folks will be inspired to change their diets and see for themselves the mental health benefits that transpire. I believe that a proper diet can keep us off medications or help us decrease them, but if you are on psychiatric medications make sure to work with a professional if you plan to take micronutrients. You may need medication adjustments. In this episode, we uncover: * what happens to our mental health when we eat processed foods * the definition of what Bonnie calls a "hungry brain" * how the brain gets vitamins and nutrients and what it does with them * the ways focus changes the brain's needs * what it means to eat your cofactor * why focusing on one single nutrient or vitamin will not fix your brain health * why eating whole foods isn't always enough for brain health and what to do about it * how minimally processed foods could be better than nonprocessed * what to look for in a broad spectrum multi-nutrient * cases of psychosis and trauma being modulated by micronutrients * what Bonnie hops all mental health clinics will tell their clients when they're first referred * and so much more... Bonnie's formal training and degrees (masters, PhD, postdoc) were from the University of Chicago, Brandeis University, the West Haven, Connecticut, VA Hospital Neuropsychology Laboratory, and Yale University Department of Neurology. When Bonnie is asked how she became interested in Nutrition and Mental Health, she explains that her training in psychology and neuroscience led her to focus on the biological basis of human behaviour. For many years she studied the role of nutrition in mental illness and brain development. Three awards that she feels very honoured by: are her election in 2017 as one of 150 Canadian Difference Makers in Mental Health, the Dr. Rogers Prize for excellence in complementary and alternative medicine because of her research on nutrition and mental disorders, and in 2021 chosen as one of the top7over70 in Calgary. As Bonnie approached retirement, she decided to focus on two tasks. One was knowledge translation -educating the general public about the role of diet in creating vulnerability to mental health problems. From that goal, her book The Better Brain emerged, written for the general public with Professor Julia Rucklidge, and published in 2021 by Harper Collins. Her second goal was to raise funds to support her junior colleagues who were leaving the field because of their inability to convince government funding agencies that scientific research on nutrition and mental health was worthwhile. She established two charitable funds, one in Canada (managed by the Calgary Foundation) and one in the U.S. (managed by the FJC Foundation in New York City). So far, the two funds have attracted over $1 million CAD. All of it has been distributed, mostly to support clinical trials and biomarker research in relation to nutritional treatment of mental health. Scientists in Canada, the U.S., and New Zealand have been recipients of those funds, and now additional money is being sought for further assays of epigenetic, microbiome, and metabolomic indicators of the benefit of micronutrient treatment. Follow Bonnie on Instagram. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is deeply appreciated! Find me, Lara, on my Website / Instagram You can support this podcast with any level of donation here. Order The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.
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    56 mins
  • 73 | From Pain to Progress: Breaking Toxic Cycles | Dr. Samantha Harte

    73 | From Pain to Progress: Breaking Toxic Cycles | Dr. Samantha Harte
    Feb 3 2025
    In this immensely informative episode with Dr. Samantha Harte, we discuss the kind of work it takes to break our toxic cycles and make changes that last for the long run. Samantha talks about the role our pain plays in helping us to identify the places we need to change and the importance of looking deeply and honestly at our patterns if we want those adjustments to last. She describes the multiple ways we can deceive ourselves, from fixing others to trying to control and perfect ourselves, and offers an alternative that modernizes and incorporates the 12 steps of recovery as a trajectory for spiritual growth. In this episode, we cover: Ways family patterns get passed down through generations. The signs you are ready for change. How to identify your true inner voice. What growth really looks like. Why spirituality is integral to personal development. Plus... Samatha shares the 5 part check-in practice she has been doing daily for the last decade! Dr. Samantha Harte is a physical therapist, author, performing artist, podcast host and sober mom of two. She has been featured on abc7 and CBS and has been written up in People magazine, Time magazine, Best Life and The New York Post for her expertise on the intersection of mind-body health and wellness. Her self-help memoir, Breaking The Circuit: How to Rewire Your Mind for Hope, Resilience and Joy in the Face of Trauma is a reinvention of the 12 steps of recovery so that anyone, addict or not, can turn heartbreak into hope. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is deeply appreciated! Find me, Lara, on my Website / Instagram You can support this podcast with any level of donation here. Order The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.
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    56 mins
  • 72 | Applying Polyvagal Theory in Yoga | Dr. Arielle Schwartz

    72 | Applying Polyvagal Theory in Yoga | Dr. Arielle Schwartz
    Jan 20 2025
    This deeply informative episode is recommended for therapists, yoga instructors, yoga practitioners, and anyone interested in managing their stress levels. Licensed clinical psychologist and certified complex trauma professional, Dr. Arielle Schwartz offers insight into her tremendous work combining the modalities of therapeutic yoga, polyvagal theory, and trauma healing. Arielle shares the central elements necessary for creating a therapeutic space for healing trauma and how she has used these elements to create a vibrant online yoga community. Dr. Schwartz also explains and makes relatable polyvagal theory, mapping it onto ancient yoga and ayurvedic models and providing some accessible two-minute practices that we can use to regulate our nervous systems and offer either calm or energy depending on our body’s needs. In this episode, you will learn: What is optimal vagal tone. How to "talk to" your vagus nerve. Which systems of yoga asana are in alignment with nervous system regulation and when to practice them. The central components of creating a safe enough space for healing And so much more... Dr. Schwartz shares specific stories of individuals she has helped using polyvagal theory and provides two-minute practices we can all do to align our nervous systems. Dr. Arielle Schwartz is a clinical psychologist and a leading voice in the healing of trauma. She is an internationally sought-after teacher and author of seven books including The Complex PTSD Workbook, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, and Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga. As the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, she offers a mind-body approach to therapy for trauma and informational mental health and wellness updates through her writing, public speaking, social media presence, and blog. She believes that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart. Follow Arielle at her links below: Website | YouTube | Instagram -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your support is deeply appreciated! Find me, Lara, on my Website / Instagram You can support this podcast with any level of donation here. Order The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga: How to Create Safer Spaces for All Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
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