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

In this bonus episode, in honor of Men's Mental Health Awareness month, Rowan and Mark open up an honest, compassionate conversation about the realities of men’s mental health. Together, they explore why so many men feel pressure to appear strong, capable, and unfazed—while quietly carrying heavy emotional burdens. Through personal stories, cultural reflections, and gentle reframing, they unpack the stigmas that keep men silent and the supports that help men heal. This episode invites listeners to rethink what real strength looks like and how vulnerability can become a pathway toward connection, resilience, and wholeness.

Connect with us!

Website - www.embracementalhealthnsc.org

Instagram - @embrace.mental.health

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

Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

Depression is a word we use often, but it carries layers far deeper than many of us realize. In the November edition of the Behind the Label series, we explore what depression actually is—emotionally, physically, cognitively, and neurologically. We break down the difference between feeling depressed and experiencing a depressive disorder, walk through symptoms that aren’t always recognized as depression, and discuss how this condition can look so different from person to person.

We also explore the causes, treatments, and practical strategies that support healing—from therapy and medication to small, achievable steps that help the brain re-engage with life. Finally, we talk about how to support loved ones who are struggling, the signs that professional help is needed, and what crisis care actually looks like. Depression is common, treatable, and deeply human—and you’re not alone in navigating it.

Connect with us!

Website - www.embracementalhealthnsc.org

Instagram - @embrace.mental.health

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

Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

If you’ve ever caught yourself feeling tense after scrolling or overwhelmed by endless notifications, you’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack how technology can both connect and stress us out — from information overload and social comparison to blurred work-life boundaries. We’ll explore why our brains get hooked on digital stimulation, how this affects our emotional and physical well-being, and what realistic steps can help us find more balance. Tune in for mindful strategies, small experiments, and gentle reminders that progress matters more than perfection.

Connect with us!

Website - www.embracementalhealthnsc.org

Instagram - @embrace.mental.health

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

Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

Conflict isn’t the problem—how we handle it is. In this episode, we unpack what conflict really is, and why it’s not inherently bad. You’ll learn about five common conflict styles—winning, yielding, resolving, avoiding, and compromising—and how each can be both healthy or unhealthy depending on the situation. We’ll explore how your upbringing, trauma history, and emotional safety shape the way you approach conflict, and what that means for your mental health. Whether you tend to shut down, blow up, or over-accommodate, this episode offers practical tools to help you navigate conflict with honesty, empathy, and courage—without losing yourself or the relationship in the process.

Connect with us!

Website - www.embracementalhealthnsc.org

Instagram - @embrace.mental.health

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

Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com

We launch our Season 3 Series, Behind the Label, starting out with a deep dive into anxiety. Anxiety is a universal human emotion—but for millions of people, it’s also a diagnosable disorder that shapes daily life in powerful ways. In this episode of Embrace Mental Health, we unpack what anxiety really is: from its neurological roots and physical symptoms to what differentiates everyday anxiety from an anxiety disorder. We also talk about panic attacks, treatment options, and how loved ones can offer real support instead of unhelpful clichés. Whether you’ve experienced anxiety yourself or you want to better understand someone who does, this episode is a deep dive into one of the most common—and misunderstood—mental health challenges.

Connect with us!

Website - www.embracementalhealthnsc.org

Instagram - @embrace.mental.health

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

Email - embracementalhealthnsc@gmail.com