Just about all of us carry emotional bruises from childhood—some subtle, some deeply painful. As adults, those old family dynamics don’t magically disappear; they often resurface in moments of stress, conflict, or closeness, pulling us back into roles we learned long ago. In this episode, Rowan and guest host Lawana explore why family-of-origin wounds run so deep, why we can feel “smaller” or more reactive around the people who raised us, and how early attachment patterns continue to shape our relationships today.

Together, we’ll unpack common family roles, unspoken rules, and survival strategies that once protected us but may no longer serve us. Drawing from family systems theory, differentiation of self, and parts-based approaches, we’ll talk about how to show up as your adult self—setting healthier boundaries, regulating your nervous system, and choosing which patterns you want to carry forward. Whether you’re navigating difficult family gatherings, considering emotional distance, or learning how to reparent yourself with compassion, this conversation offers both understanding and practical tools for creating healthier relationships and a freer inner life.

Connect with us!

Website - www.embracementalhealthnsc.org

Instagram - @embrace.mental.health

Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/

Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

Music isn’t just background noise — it’s one of the most powerful tools your brain has for emotional regulation, memory, connection, and healing. In this episode, Autumn and guest host Myka break down the research behind why a single song can shift your mood, unclench your chest, or transport you back in time. From dopamine boosts to cortisol drops, to the way music activates both memory and emotion centers at the same time, we explore what’s actually happening in your brain when you hit play.

We also talk about how listening, creating, and experiencing music in community can shape your mental health. Whether it’s the comfort of sad songs, the grounding ritual of replaying the same track, the belonging found in music communities, or the emotional release of live shows — music is deeply human. And yes, we even get into the downside: when playlists become rumination loops or emotional crutches. This episode is all about harnessing music as a tool for healing rather than staying stuck.

Connect with us!

Website - www.embracementalhealthnsc.org

Instagram - @embrace.mental.health

Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/

Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

In this episode, we reframe forgiveness as a well-being practice — not a moral obligation. Many of us replay painful interactions, feel stuck in old stories, or carry anger far longer than we want to. Today, we’re drawing on the work of Dr. Frederic Luskin, Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project, to explore what forgiveness really is, why it matters for our mental health, and how anyone can begin practicing it.

We break down Luskin’s research on stress reduction, resilience, and emotional healing. We clarify what forgiveness is (an internal shift toward peace) and what it’s not (forgetting, excusing, or reconciling). We explore why we get stuck — rumination loops, “unenforceable rules,” and the way unprocessed hurt becomes chronic stress.

We also walk through Luskin’s 9-Step Forgiveness Model, a practical and research-backed guide anyone can try. From grounding techniques (like PERT) to letting go of impossible expectations to rewriting your personal story, these steps help us create safety in the nervous system and move toward freedom rather than continued suffering.

Resources:

• https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/nine_steps_to_forgiveness

• https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_is_forgiveness

• https://a.co/d/2pygWHN

• https://www.virtuesforlife.com/qa-on-forgiveness-with-dr-fred-luskin/

• https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/the-practice-and-power-of-forgiveness-with-fred-luskin

Connect with us!

Website - www.embracementalhealthnsc.org

Instagram - @embrace.mental.health

Facebook - www.facebook.com/emh.nsc/

Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com