Ever wonder why your sibling drives you insane—or why you lead, love, or lose yourself the way you do?
In this powerful kickoff to tHE ARTichoke Podcast mini-series, we peel back the layers of birth order psychology, blending raw truth, neuroscience, trauma, and humor.

This isn’t pop psych. It’s brain science in real life. Discover how family roles, societal norms, ACEs, and survival patterns silently sculpt your adult identity.

You’ll never see your position—or your people—the same again.

References

Brant, J. M., Perry, M. L., & Dunlap, K. E. (2022). Neural correlates of hyperresponsibility in firstborn adults: A cognitive-emotional analysis. Journal of Applied Neuropsychology, 29(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/09084282.2022.1983047

CDC. (2020). Preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): Leveraging the best available evidence. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/preventingACES.pdf

Chen, S. Y., Wang, T. R., & Li, Y. (2021). Sibling position and reward-related brain activity in adolescence. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 657302. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.657302

Keller, E. A., Smith, L. A., & Nguyen, T. (2023). Reconstructing family roles through neuroplastic intervention: A sibling-order identity study. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 145, 104724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.104724

Moreno, H. K., Abrahams, T. S., & Liao, M. (2020). Emotion regulation and birth order: Neurodevelopmental insights into middle-child social cognition. Developmental Psychology, 56(4), 711–723. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000904

Silva, R. C., & Yoon, J. H. (2021). Longitudinal changes in executive functioning linked to perceived sibling roles. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 33(11), 2222–2235. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01733

We are not emotionally empty—we are emotionally overloaded and under-equipped.

This episode holds a mirror to the quiet chaos many have normalized ~ high emotional reactivity with low emotional fluency. It’s not a conversation about managing emotions, it’s a call to understand them with precision, presence, and depth.

I explore what happens when people know how to express however, not regulate. When they feel deeply, but cannot name what’s there.

This is where most of us live, in the gap between emotional performance and emotional maturity.

You’ll leave this episode with three non-negotiable tools for emotional clarity, and one hard truth—if you cannot sit with your emotions, they will sit inside everything you do.

This is not for your highlight reel.

This is for the you that’s ready to live clear.

Reference

Brackett, M. A., Bailey, C. S., Hoffmann, J. D., & Simmons, D. N. (2020). Emotions matter: How emotional intelligence education improves learning, relationships, and mental health. Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

An educational, humanistic episode exploring the hidden reality of balanced connections, grounded in evidence-based research

Most people hear the word transactional and picture money, goods, or contracts. But what if the quiet exchanges happening in your daily relationships, your time, your energy, your presence, are just as transactional, and just as vital? In this episode, we peel back the assumptions surrounding connection and explore the undeniable truth: all relationships involve exchange. Backed by social neuroscience and psychological theory, we’ll reframe what it means to give, receive, and find peace through balanced connection.

Whether you’ve called it love, support, loyalty, or service, maybe it’s time to call it what it is.

References

Cropanzano, R., & Mitchell, M. S. (2005). Social exchange theory: An interdisciplinary review. Journal of Management, 31(6), 874–900. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206305279602

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352

Lieberman, M. D. (2013). Social: Why our brains are wired to connect. Crown Publishers.

Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.

In Mindset Matters in Manchester, England w/ Gemma, this dialogue gives voice to the often-overlooked mental and behavioral challenges faced by children in disadvantaged environments.

Gemma, a seasoned educational leader, shares critical insight into what students need to feel safe, supported, and emotionally grounded. Her experiences in Manchester, England mirror the very same struggles seen across classrooms in the United States, revealing a global pattern of unmet needs and fragmented support.

This episode highlights the urgent call for a consistent, unified system that includes not only educators, but also parents, communities, and institutional leaders. Children cannot thrive without collective accountability. Their mental wellness is not a privilege, it is a necessity.

We’re told to do the work. To heal. To grow. To stay aligned. However, what happens when we’re still living inside systems that are unstable, systems that often overlook our needs, deny rest, and demand performance?

In this episode, I’m speaking to the quiet weight many of us carry: the pressure to become our best selves while holding everything together.

This isn’t a motivational pep talk. It’s a conversation about what it means to grow in environments that don’t always support our wholeness.

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why do I feel like I’m unraveling when I’m doing everything I can to stay grounded?”—this is for you.

You are not the problem.

The weight was never yours alone.

🎙️ New Episode: Unfiltered: Love, Loss, and the Long Road of TBI” with J. Jackson

An Unscripted Conversation on Traumatic Brain Injury, Family, and the Weight of Care

In this raw, unfiltered episode, I sit down with J. Jackson, a dedicated case manager working closely with individuals and families affected by traumatic brain injury. We talk honestly—no script, no edits—about what it really looks like to walk through the stages of TBI, from the chaos of acute care to the quiet unraveling that can happen in post-care.

Jackson opens up about the emotional toll of this work, the compassion fatigue, the burnout, and the heartbreaking realities that don’t always get talked about. We explore what happens when families are stretched thin, when love is tested, and when the decline sets in after everyone else has gone home.

This is a conversation about commitment, about staying when it’s hard, and about the people who carry more than we’ll ever know. If you’ve ever cared for someone deeply or worked in the margins of medical recovery, this one’s for you.

We’ve been taught to search the mind for answers, but what if the truth lives deeper?

In this episode, I explore how the gut, often overlooked, is a powerful force in shaping our emotional and mental health.

From L-glutamate to leaky gut, we’ll look at the real science behind neuroinflammation, and how the imbalance inside our bodies can manifest as anxiety, depression, and disconnection. This isn’t about trends. It’s about truth.

Reference

Jiang, H., Ling, Z., Zhang, Y., Mao, H., Ma, Z., Yin, Y., Wang, W., Tang, W., Tan, Z., Shi, J., Li, L., & Ruan, B. (2023). Altered fecal microbiota composition in patients with major depressive disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, Article 1123541. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1123541

Kelly, J. R., Minuto, C., Cryan, J. F., Clarke, G., & Dinan, T. G. (2020). Cross talk: The microbiota and neurodevelopmental disorders. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, Article 720. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00720

Strandwitz, P. (2020). Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain Research, 1711, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2018.10.010

In this episode of tHE ARTichoke Podcast, we unravel the deep psychological impact of war, mass shootings, and prolonged exposure to violence.

How does trauma reshape the brain? What happens when hypervigilance becomes a way of life? From PTSD and transgenerational trauma to the hidden influence of epigenetics, we explore how fear rewires our minds and what it means for individuals, communities, and society at large.

Whether war zones or mass shootings, the psychological wounds linger far beyond the event itself. Join us as we discuss real research, survivor experiences, and strategies for healing in a world increasingly shaped by violence.

📌 Loving Me Differently Burnout Recovery

This self-paced course is designed for individuals experiencing deep emotional and physical exhaustion from prolonged stress. Learn how to recognize burnout, reset your nervous system, and cultivate sustainable self-care strategies that restore balance. Through guided exercises, psychological insights, and practical tools, you will reclaim your energy, redefine your boundaries, and embrace a healthier relationship with yourself.

https://theempowermentcoachtdm.com/products/loving-me-differently-burnout-recovery

📌 Narcissistic Trauma Detox

Breaking free from narcissistic abuse requires more than distance—it demands intentional healing. This course provides a structured approach to detoxing from emotional manipulation, gaslighting, and self-doubt. Through evidence-based strategies, trauma recovery techniques, and empowerment exercises, you will unlearn toxic imprints, rebuild self-trust, and step into a life of clarity and confidence.

https://theempowermentcoachtdm.com/products/the-narcissistic-trauma-detox

Reference

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Betz, M. E., Azrael, D., Barber, C., & Miller, M. (2022). Exposure to firearm violence and mental health outcomes in the United States. JAMA Network Open, 5(6), e2216459. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.16459

Somer, E., Tamir, M. L., Maguen, S., & Litz, B. T. (2019). The impact of chronic war trauma on PTSD and related mental health outcomes in children. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 32(4), 623-633. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22456