The Science of Trauma & Joy with Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald - Trauma Researcher, Speaker and Author

🧠 Episode Overview:

In this compelling episode, we’re joined by Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald, a trauma researcher affectionately called the “Brené Brown of trauma.” Dr. McDonald brings a deeply compassionate, science-backed perspective on trauma and healing—reframing the trauma response not as a weakness, but as a strength-based adaptation.

We explore why joy can actually feel threatening to people with a history of trauma, and how we can begin to retrain the nervous system to trust, feel safe, and reconnect with joy, peace, and hope.

🔍 In This Episode, We Discuss:

✨ Why joy can feel scary
For trauma survivors or those in chronic stress, joy often feels unsafe. Dr. McDonald explains why our nervous system may reject joy as a protective defense—and how to gently change that.

✨Hope isn’t Fluffy, it’s Neuroscience

How joy and hope rewire the brain for resilience.

⚠️ The 6 barriers to joy
Learn the six common blocks that keep us from experiencing joy and hope:

1. Hypervigilance
   
   
2. Emotional numbing
   
   
3. Fear of loss
   
   
4. Conditioning
   
   
5. Guilt
   
   
6. Shame
   
   

🧠 Fear vs. Hope
Fear inhibits imagination, creativity, and joy. But here's the twist—hope can inhibit fear. Discover how reclaiming hope helps calm the fear center in the brain.

🔁 The problem with numbing
You can’t selectively numb your pain without also numbing joy. Find out why numbing as a coping strategy keeps you stuck—and how to reawaken your emotional life gently and safely.

🌿 Joy as a healing practice
Joy isn’t frivolous—it’s a form of nervous system regulation. Dr. McDonald shares practical tools like the “20-second joy practice” to prove to your brain and body that joy is safe.

🌟 Trauma reframed
You are not broken. Your trauma response is your body’s brilliant way of keeping you safe. And you can heal. Learn how to honor the wisdom of your nervous system while helping it learn new patterns of safety.

🛠️ Resources & Links:

• Visit Dr. McDonald’s website: alchemycoaching.life
  
  
• Connect on Instagram: @alchemycoaching.life
  
  
• Explore her books, trauma curriculum, and online courses to begin your healing journey.
  
  

🎧 Listen now and learn:

• Why joy and gratitude regulate the nervous system
  
  
• How trauma impacts your belief that things will be okay
  
  
• How to slowly and safely reintroduce joy into your daily life
  
  
• Why your nervous system might be afraid of letting its guard down—and how to teach it that it’s safe now
  
  

Whether you're a trauma survivor, a clinician, or simply someone looking to reconnect with hope and wholeness, this episode offers deep insights and gentle, actionable tools to begin reclaiming joy—one breath at a time.

🎙️ Turning Trauma into Triumph with Alisa Gracheva
🌐 Website: https://since.life/
📱 Follow Alisa on social media for healing insights and inspiration. https://www.facebook.com/alisagracheva89 and @alisa_art

💫 "Every experience in our life, no matter how traumatic, can lead us to something much greater—maybe even our purpose." – Alisa Gracheva

In this powerful and heart-opening episode of Linda’s Corner, I sit down with licensed psychotherapist and trauma specialist Alisa Gracheva to explore how we can transform deep wounds into meaningful growth, resilience, and even our life's purpose.

Alisa shares her own inspiring story—growing up in the Soviet Union, arriving in the U.S. at 18 with no money and no English, and rising through perseverance and healing to become a guide for others. She reminds us that trauma doesn’t have to be dramatic to be damaging. Even subtle emotional wounds or unmet childhood needs can shape our lives in painful ways—until we find the courage to face and heal them.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How generational trauma affects us, and how to begin healing inherited wounds
  
  
• Why spirituality (in any form) can help us shift perspective and restore safety
  
  
• The importance of logotherapy and meaning-making, inspired by Viktor Frankl
  
  
• Alisa’s 3-step healing process:
  
  
  1. Become self-aware
     
     
  2. Be willing to explore your past and patterns
     
     
  3. Be ready to change — intentionally and courageously
     
     
• Tools for healing, including EMDR, somatic work, and rewriting self-limiting beliefs
  
  
• Why chaos is a necessary part of change—and how it can lead to freedom
  
  
• How to shift out of autopilot, end self-sabotage, and truly live
  
  

🛠️ Healing is not easy. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re willing to do the inner work, there is hope, freedom, and a fulfilling life waiting for you on the other side.

🎧 Tune in now and be inspired to begin your own transformation from trauma to triumph.

✨ “There’s always a solution. You’re not broken. You’re just stuck—and you can get unstuck.” – Alisa Gracheva

🔗 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
#TraumaHealing #MentalHealthMatters #PodcastForHealing #AlisaGracheva #SinceLife #Logotherapy #SelfAwareness #RewriteYourStory #YouCanHeal #LindasCornerPodcast #HolisticHealing #FromStuckToFree #EMDR #SpiritualHealing #HealingIsPossible

Becoming Your Best Self with Beth Young: Small Steps to Big Change

In this inspiring episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, I sit down with Beth Young — keynote speaker, health and wellness coach, founder of The Great Calm, and recipient of the Houston Women in Excellence Award — to talk about how to become your best self through small, consistent changes.

Beth’s life is a testament to the power of intentional living. Raised in a home surrounded by smoking and drinking, she made a bold decision early on: “That’s not how I want to live.” That choice, rooted in self-awareness, would go on to serve her through some of life’s toughest challenges — including surviving a brain tumor and a traumatic brain injury from a devastating car accident. Her neurologist was amazed by her recovery, saying, “You’re six months ahead of others with the same injury because you live your 5 pillars.”

Beth shares her powerful 5 Pillars of Health:

1. Nutrition
   
   
2. Movement
   
   
3. Relationships
   
   
4. Quality Sleep
   
   
5. Mindfulness
   
   

These pillars are simple, accessible, and profoundly effective — especially when practiced consistently. “It’s not rocket science,” Beth explains. “We just do the basics, and we do them consistently.”

We also dive into:

• A unique breathing technique that can prevent anxiety attacks
  
  
• The importance of “starting small” when making life changes
  
  
• Why movement-based meditations, like tai chi, are perfect for those who struggle with traditional meditation
  
  
• How “walkie talkies” — walking with a friend — can enhance both physical and emotional wellness
  
  

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: “Did you know you cannot have an anxiety attack if you're getting enough oxygen to your brain? So I'm going to show you this really cool, unique way to breathe...”

This episode is a beautiful reminder that becoming your best self doesn’t require perfection — just consistent, mindful effort.

Connect with Beth Young:
🌐 https://thegreatcalm.com/

Instagram @findthegreatcalm

Choosing You First – with Michelle Bishop
Guest: Michelle Bishop – Master Certified Life Coach, Podcast Host, and Amazon #1 Bestselling Author of Choose You First

Guest Links:
🌐 bishoplife.com
📸 @MichelleBishopLife
📧 Michelle@BishopLife.com

💡 Episode Overview:

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with the incredible Michelle Bishop, who embodies the essence of resilience, courage, and transformation. Michelle is a Master Certified Life Coach and bestselling author of Choose You First. She opens up about her personal journey from surviving childhood trauma and losing 100 pounds, to overcoming a traumatic brain injury — all while discovering the true meaning of choosing herself first.

Michelle’s story reminds us that choosing yourself is not selfish — it’s essential. From that place of inner strength and self-love, we can live more authentically, influence others more positively, and raise the next generation to thrive rather than just survive.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Your past doesn’t define your future. Michelle grew up in an environment of abuse and dysfunction, but instead of letting it limit her, she used it to fuel her passion to help women heal and rise.
  
  
• Choosing you is an act of courage. It means facing the uncomfortable truths, feeling the hard feelings, and making intentional choices to move in a new direction.
  
  
• Trauma doesn’t have to be the end of your story. After a traumatic brain injury, Michelle had to relearn basic life functions and rebuild her career. Her comeback story is a testimony to the power of resilience and mindset.
  
  
• Self-love isn’t vanity — it’s vitality. Michelle emphasizes that when we are full from within, we become the best version of ourselves and give more to others, not less.
  
  
• You have the power to change generational patterns. When you choose you first, you model emotional courage and agency for your children, showing them what it looks like to thrive.
  
  
• You are enough — in every chapter of your story. Whether you’re in the middle of the storm or walking into the sunshine, you matter. You have value.
  
  

💬 Memorable Quotes:

“Self-love is so important because from within that self-love I am full, and I get to be the best version of myself with someone else — a version I never even thought was possible.”

“To put yourself first is to choose. To be brave enough to look at hard things and to say, ‘I matter. I can do something different.’”

“You are enough in every chapter of your story.”

What does it mean to live boldly when life throws you curveballs that knock you off your feet? In this powerful episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, we’re joined by adventurer, photographer, podcaster, and resilience expert Travis Robinson.

Travis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at just 35 years old—a life-altering moment that forced him to confront a new reality. But instead of giving up on his passions, he’s chosen to adapt and thrive in the face of ongoing physical and emotional challenges.

And if that weren’t enough, Travis recently lost his home and all of his photography equipment in the devastating Eaton Fire in January 2025. His journey isn’t one of past struggle—it’s a present-day battle that he meets with unwavering courage and determination.

Travis’s story is raw, inspiring, and a true testament to the human spirit. Whether you’re facing your own mountain or walking beside someone who is, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune into Travis’s podcast “I’m Not Dead Yet!” for more stories about living vibrantly with Parkinson’s at indypodcast.net.

#ParkinsonsAwareness #Resilience #PodcastEpisode #Inspiration #Adventurer #Photographer #TravisRobinson #LindasCornerPodcast #LiveBoldly #OvercomeChallenges #MentalStrength #FireSurvivor #MountaineerMindset #ImNotDeadYetPodcast

Mind, Body, and Energy: Breaking Free with Dr. Amy Albright

In this powerful episode of Linda's Corner, we’re delighted to welcome Dr. Amy Albright, a transformational healer and expert in neuroscience, energy work, and spiritual integration. With a background in cognitive psychology and Chinese medicine, Dr. Amy has spent over two decades helping people break free from trauma, anxiety, and limiting beliefs by harmonizing the mind, body, and energy.

Dr. Amy shares how our brainwaves—from delta to gamma—function like colors in a rainbow, each serving a different purpose in our mental and emotional health. She explains how getting stuck in high beta can lead to overwhelm and anxiety, while accessing gamma opens the door to insight, forgiveness, innovation, and deeper consciousness.

We also explore the truth about mental health from a neurobiological perspective. “If your car is pinging, you don’t feel shame—you just take it to the mechanic,” Dr. Amy says. “The same should go for your brain.” Her work integrates highly precise neurological diagnostics, spiritual insight, and intuition to help people rediscover who they truly are underneath the layers of trauma and societal expectations.

🧠 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How different brainwave states affect your thoughts, emotions, and energy
  
  
• Why high beta brainwaves can feel like being trapped on a hamster wheel
  
  
• What an EEG can reveal about your personality, trauma history, and thinking patterns
  
  
• How neurofeedback, spiritual insight, and intuition can unlock rapid, lasting healing
  
  
• Why you are not broken—and how to step into your wholeness and potential
  
  

✨ Dr. Amy reminds us: “We expect miracles for our clients.” Healing is possible. Wholeness is within reach.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Amy Albright:
Website: https://www.holonexperience.com

Unlocking Fulfillment and Empowerment with Zerina Derveni: A Life Coach for High-Performing Women

In this empowering episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, we welcome Zerina Derveni, a distinguished Life Coach who specializes in helping high-performing women and organizations unlock their full potential. With over a decade of experience in strategic consulting for Fortune 500 companies, Zerina brings a unique blend of executive insight and transformational coaching to her clients.

Zerina’s personal transformation journey is a powerful testament to her work—she achieved traditional success but felt unfulfilled. Now, she’s on a mission to help other women experience deep, lasting change. Her “bespoke coaching” is individually tailored to each client, creating a path to clarity, purpose, and fulfillment.

Together, we explore thought-provoking questions like “What is success?” and “Who am I?”, diving into how curiosity, alignment with values, and personal investment are essential to living a meaningful life. Zerina shares her holistic five-aspect framework for transformation, including:

1. Subconscious: 95% of our behaviors and emotions are shaped subconsciously—true change starts here.
   
   
2. Somatic: The body keeps the score. Tuning into our physical self helps reduce anxiety.
   
   
3. Spiritual: Awakening and personal growth are key to holistic healing.
   
   
4. Behavioral: Awareness leads to change—transform unhelpful habits.
   
   
5. Emotional: Learn to feel good and trust your intuition.
   
   

Zerina emphasizes that she doesn’t “fix” clients—she awakens the greatness already within them. She reminds us that confrontation is just a conversation, and it's okay to clarify and stand in your truth.

We also dive into practical strategies to overcome anxiety and overwhelm:

• Anxiety is wisdom. Shift from absorbing stress to observing it to regain control.
  
  
• Prioritize your priorities. Focus on 1–3 meaningful things each day instead of getting lost in a task list.
  
  

This episode is a must-listen for any woman seeking clarity, courage, and empowerment on her self-discovery journey.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired to say, “I know what I want—and nothing is going to stop me.”

Connect with Zerina Derveni:
🌐 Website: www.zerinalifecoach.com

🎙️ Healing Addiction and Trauma with Microdosing Mushrooms | Keegan Downer of Mindful Meds

📘 Show Notes:

In this deeply moving episode of Linda's Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, we sit down with Keegan Downer, founder of Mindful Meds, to talk about the healing power of microdosing mushrooms, and how it’s helping people overcome addiction and trauma.

Keegan’s journey is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring. Born into generational trauma, he watched his father self-medicate with alcohol and die young. Keegan himself rose to early success, but one decision haunted him and sent him spiraling. After cheating on his girlfriend and hiding it for a year, he was overcome with shame and guilt. He began to drink to numb the pain, ultimately ending up on the edge of a building, contemplating ending it all.

✨ “Don’t ask ‘why the addiction,’ ask ‘why the pain.’” — Gabor Maté
This quote beautifully frames our conversation. Addiction is not a moral failing; it’s a coping mechanism. Keegan’s story illustrates that truth vividly.

Despite surviving that harrowing moment, Keegan continued down a destructive path until his body gave out and landed him in the hospital. That moment was his wake-up call. He entered rehab, learned tools like breathwork and mindfulness, and began the long journey of healing.

But sobriety isn’t a straight line. When life got stressful again, Keegan felt the familiar pull of addiction. That’s when he was introduced to microdosing psilocybin mushrooms—and everything changed.

In 2020, he launched a study involving 40 people struggling with addiction. The results? Life-changing. People found healing not just from substances, but from the root causes of their pain.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How trauma lies at the root of many addictions
• Healing is all about reverse engineering how you got there
• Why guilt and shame can be just as deadly as any substance
• The powerful role mushrooms can play in trauma recovery
• How microdosing helps rewire the brain and release emotional pain
• The difference between managing addiction and healing from it

🎁 Free Gift: Keegan is offering a free 62-page Microdosing Guide and a complimentary 1-on-1 session with a facilitator. Just DM him on Instagram to claim yours!

👉 Connect with Keegan:

• Website: mindfulmeds.io
• Instagram: @mindfulmeds_
  
  

This is a conversation about pain, truth, healing, and the courage it takes to face your darkest moments—and rise. Whether you or someone you love is struggling, this episode offers hope.