Judging Meghan

This episode I’m joined by Peter Bailey, author of The Epic of You: Reframe Your Past to Navigate Your Future, TEDx speaker, and president of the Prouty Project. Peter shares his journey from New York to Minnesota and how his work with urban youth, wilderness leadership, and community shaped his understanding of resilience, identity, and purpose. Peter opens up about his childhood, growing up in a loving but deeply complicated family, and how early trauma shaped his people pleasing, sense of responsibility, and loneliness. We talk about childhood trauma, complex PTSD, and the survival strategies so many of us develop before we ever have language for them. Peter shares a powerful metaphor that stayed with me, explaining that when something grows in darkness, it adapts however it can to reach the light. Those adaptations aren’t flaws. They’re how we survived. We also talk about the heroic journey and how our hardest chapters, addiction, grief, illness, divorce, and loss, don’t mean we failed. They’re part of the story that shaped who we are. We touch on boundaries, expectations, empathy, and what it means to give without attachment. This episode is about choosing connection, gratitude, and life, even when it feels heavy. If you’ve been struggling, feeling responsible for everyone else, or just need the reminder, I want you to hear this clearly. You are not finished. You matter. And there is still so much ahead for you. Find out more about Peter on his site here: https://www.peter-bailey.com/  This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #TheEpicOfYou #ChildhoodTraumaHealing #ComplexPTSDRecovery #TraumaSurvivalStrategies #HealingYourStory #ResilienceAndGrowth #ReframeYourPast #OvercomingAddictionAndLoss #BoundariesAndEmpathy #GratitudePractice #ConnectionAndCommunity #YouAreNotFinished #YourStoryMatters #FromSurvivalToThriving #HealingFromThePast #SelfDiscoveryJourney #TraumaToStrength #HopeAndHealing #EmotionalResilience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Jenny Robinson Clark and Travis Clark. It’s the first time I’ve had a married couple on the podcast, and their warmth, humor, and openness make it feel like you’re listening in on a talk between old friends. Jenny and Travis share how they met in a Los Angeles coffee shop and how their relationship unfolded quickly and intuitively. From building a marriage to raising four kids, they talk about choosing presence over perfection, growing through different seasons of life, and how love shifts as children grow and change. The conversation deepens as Jenny opens up about grief, identity, and leaving her life in LA to care for her mother during her battle with cancer. What felt like a sacrifice became one of the most meaningful seasons of her life. Travis reflects on what it means to truly support your partner, especially during seasons that feel unbalanced, and why showing up for each other is at the heart of a lasting marriage. We close by talking about spirituality, grief, and how to have honest conversations with our kids about loss. Jenny shares how her healing journey led to her children’s book, Are You Here, and why staying open to signs, connection, and love matters. This episode is a reminder that grief and hope can exist together, and that talking about hard things makes them feel a little lighter. Find out more as well as pre-order Jennys book ‘Are You Here’ on her site: https://www.jenny-robinson.com/  LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year’s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visit lifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #AreYouHereBook #GriefSupport #CopingWithLoss #FamilyFirst #ParentingThroughLoss #HealingHearts #FaithAndFamily #MindfulParenting #EmotionalGrowth #MenAndMentalHealth #VulnerabilityIsStrength #LoveNeverEnds #SignsFromLovedOnes #ChildrenBooksWithMeaning #MarriageAndParenting #LifeLessons #HealingJourney #CreativeHealing #ConnectionBeyondLoss #SpiritualGrowth #MentalWellnessMatters #HopeAndHealing #ParentingWithPurpose #RaisingEmotionallyHealthyKids Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I sat down with Colette Barron-Reid for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, survival, and what it truly means to heal. We explore how complex trauma, ancestral pain, and past experiences quietly shape our nervous systems, relationships, and sense of safety. Colette shares her story of growing up with family trauma, addiction, and shame, offering a raw and validating perspective for anyone who has ever felt different or overwhelmed. We discuss how healing is not about willpower alone but about understanding the nervous system, honoring the body, and working with sensitivity. Colette opens up about her journey through addiction and recovery, the long road to rebuilding self-trust, and how grief and past wounds can surface unexpectedly, reminding us that healing is a process, not a destination. The conversation also explores creativity, intuition, and manifestation. Colette shares her unique “doodle your destiny” approach, combining art, science, and spirituality to help align with your higher self and recognize opportunities. She explains how simple daily practices—like art, music, gratitude, and connecting with animals—can restore hope, regulate the nervous system, and open the door to transformation. At its heart, this episode is about hope, alignment, and reclaiming agency. Colette’s story shows that healing is possible, joy and creativity are essential, and we can move from surviving to thriving. It is a reminder that your story matters, you are not alone, and you have the power to shape your life. Find out more about Colette on her site: https://www.colettebaronreid.com/ LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year’s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visit lifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #JudgingMeghanPodcast #ColetteBarronReid #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalWellness #EmotionalHealing #OvercomingTrauma #Manifestation #VisionBoardMagic #DoodleYourDestiny #SynchronicityMagic #MindBodySpirit #SelfHealing #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #SpiritualHealing #NeuroArts #CreativeManifestation #HopeAndHealing #PersonalTransformation #InnerGrowth #SelfEmpowerment #LifeAlignment #JoyfulLiving #ConsciousLiving #EmbraceYourStory #TraumaInformed #HealingThroughArt #ManifestYourDreams #GratitudePractice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with my friend Marisa Coughlan. Marissa shares her journey as an actress and writer, from growing up in Minnesota to building a successful career in Hollywood and eventually choosing to leave Los Angeles to begin a new chapter. We speak honestly about the emotional toll of the industry, constant rejection, power imbalances, and the pressure women face to disappear as they age.  We also dive into her film Blue Eyed Girl, now available on Amazon, and the deeply personal story behind it. Inspired by her own life, the film explores grief, aging parents, sisterhood, nostalgia, and the disorienting experience of returning home after years away. Writing the script became a form of healing, a way to process the loss of her father and the quiet mourning we carry not only for people we lose, but for the lives we imagined. She also shares meaningful behind the scenes moments working with Beau Bridges, whose kindness, integrity, and love for his wife offered a rare reminder that goodness and humanity still exist in the industry. At its core, this episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to want more. We talk about midlife, identity, faith, and the ache of not being able to call the person who once knew you best. We reflect on signs from loved ones who have passed, the comfort found in nature, and the permission to cry, remember, and keep going. If you have ever felt stuck, dismissed, or unsure whether it is too late to begin again, this conversation is a reminder that it is not. You are allowed to pivot, you are allowed to grow, and you are allowed to take up space at every stage of life. LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year’s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visit lifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #JudgingMeghan #LifeTransitions #RedefiningSuccess #AgingWithPurpose #WomenOver40 #MidlifeAwakening #CreativeReinvention #GriefTalk #LossAndLove #HealingThroughStory #VoiceAndTruth #WomenWithStories #EmotionalHealing #BlueEyedGirl #SuperTrooper #Hollywood #FaithAndGrief #ListeningToYourBody #InnerStrength #ChoosingYourself #SlowDown #BuildANewLife #HomeAndBelonging #MarisaCoughlan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re revisiting a very meaningful conversation — an episode that continues to resonate deeply with so many listeners. If you missed it the first time or simply need the reminder, I’m so glad you’re here. In this episode, I'm joined by James Francis, a speaker, entrepreneur, and author of the book “There's Coffee in the Fridge: One Man's Journey Through Anxiety and Depression.” Together, we delve into the journey of overcoming trauma, depression, and finding hope. From childhood struggles to navigating the complexities of masculinity and societal expectations, James candidly shares his battles with depression and the transformative power of vulnerability. He champions the importance of authenticity and self-honesty, paving the way for healing and resilience in the face of adversity. James inspires with his unwavering commitment to breaking the silence surrounding mental health. You can order James’s book through Amazon or on his website: https://www.therescoffeeinthefridge.com/. Reach out to James through his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therescoffeeinthefridge/. LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year’s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visitlifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #abuserecovery #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #selfhelp #addiction #addictionrecovery #lgbtqsupport #mentalhealthawareness #empathy  #breakingfree #support #resilience #vulnerability #therescoffeeinthefridge #healing #alcoholic #jamesfrancis #depression #anxiety  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices