In the season finale, Ina continues with part two of the topic “The body is the catalyst for change,” by exploring the difference between living and existing, releasing the shame that others project onto us about our bodies, and sharing evidence-based strategies for reconnecting with the body.

A person’s relationship with their body is shaped by psychological factors, including social and media pressures, internalized critiques, and the quality of their relationships with others.

These influences contribute to the ways we engage with the world around us including how it affects our body image, self-esteem, mental health, and relationship satisfaction.

In this episode, Ina dives deep into how the personal is political in connection to how the relationship we have with our bodies can serve as a catalyst for change not only in our individual Spears, but in how we approach all aspects of the world around us, including the political climate.

Tune in now, to join the conversation and collaborate with the podcast community to share your thoughts about your relationship to your own body.

Sources Referenced:

Mentalhealthfoundation.org.uk

Instagram @jessicaddickson

Compromise in a relationship becomes excessive when it leads to a loss of self, resentment, or a significant imbalance in the relationship's dynamics.

It's too far when core values are compromised, boundaries are violated, or one person consistently sacrifices their needs and desires for the other.

In this episode, we discuss the most common areas people self-betray and 6 practices for how to identify the signs of one-sided relationship dynamics.

Sources referenced:

From Charm to Harm - Psychology Today

God, It's Me Again Podcast

Dealing with a family dynamic characterized by unhealthy patterns of interaction, communication, and behavior that negatively impact its members can be heartbreaking.

Recent studies show that over half of Americans are experiencing loneliness. This impacts marginalized groups the most.

Why is that? How do we define loneliness? And what types of loneliness are we talking about?

Ina answers all of these questions and more in this episode.

Along with sharing, some practical steps including Dr. Cacioppo's EASE framework for combating the feelings of loneliness that you can start today!

Sources Referenced:

1. UCLA Loneliness Scale
2. British Psychological Society Research Digest
3. Cigna Loneliness Study

Stigma often comes from lack of understanding or fear. Inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness contribute to both those factors.

Stigma not only directly affects individuals with mental illness but also the loved ones who support them, often including their family members.

In this episode, there’s something for everyone because we navigate a society where a large portion of the population is unaware of their mental health needs or the supports they could receive, due to stigma.

Tune in to learn how you can support yourself or others in addressing stigma to get the help needed, not only for yourself, but also for society at large.

We can all benefit from strong networks of social support as well as deep, meaningful friendships, but when it comes to developing them, this can be easier said than done.

Have you heard of the 'crabs in a bucket' mentality, and ever thought it might apply to the experiences you've had socially?…then this episode is for you!

Do you consider yourself more introverted and struggle to develop social connections? Then there's also something in this episode for you!

In this episode, Ina discusses why, despite our efforts to gain social support, our social circles can sometimes hold us back. She leaves the community with crucial reasons why we need to diversify our circles for healthy growth and social development, and small steps forward to achieving this outcome.

Sources Discussed:

When Others Hold You Back

How to manage the "crab bucket syndrome" and herd behavior. By: Loretta G. Breuning Ph.D.

The Blind Men and The Elephant Story

When we are going for our goals, it’s common to think about the destination – the wins, successes, and achievements. However, the biggest part of success is actually the journey, lessons, and challenges that we successfully conquer along the way.

The true test of success is the ability to remain grounded in our mission, resilient, and consistently moving towards the things we want.

What often happens is right when we are in the thick of it, and nearing our destination we get in our heads and feel like giving up.

In this episode, I discuss the importance of being more attuned to your spiritual life as a means to be more resilient and the links to spirituality and resilience during life’s struggles.

Additional references: The Different Types of Soul Contracts by Danielle MacKinnon

Sacred Contracts and Your Archetypes by Caroline Myss