Unravel with Elaine Clark

Why Saying No Can Feel So Hard | Self-Worth, Part 2

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Do you find yourself saying yes before you’ve had a chance to ask what you want?

When connection has felt tied to being agreeable or taking care of others, disappointing someone can feel like more than a small discomfort. In part two of our conversation about self-worth, I explore how early relationships can shape the way we respond to uncertainty, express our needs, and experience our own value.

In this episode I unravel:
• The difference between self-esteem and self-worth
• How our early relationships can shape what we expect when we need something from someone
• Erik Erikson’s first three developmental stages and what they can help us understand about trust, autonomy, and expressing ourselves
• Why a distant response or unanswered text can quickly become a judgment about ourselves
• How people pleasing can make it difficult to say what we need or disagree with someone we care about
• Why we don’t need to remember our earliest experiences to notice their possible effects today
• How implicit memory can show up as tension, guilt, or fear when we think about saying no
• How Dr. Dan Siegel’s SIFT practice can help us pause before automatically agreeing
• A simple way to give yourself time to find out what your answer actually is

Stay Connected:
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🌐 Explore therapy or book a free consultation: unravelcare.ca

Why Reassurance Doesn’t Always Make You Feel Better | Self-Worth, Part 1

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 19:00:00 -0400

Think you just need more confidence? Not necessarily.

Research on self-esteem shows something surprisingly counterintuitive: compliments, reassurance, and even positive relationships don’t always make us feel better about ourselves. Sometimes, they can actually create more discomfort.

In this episode I unravel:
• Why compliments and reassurance don’t always make us feel better
• How low self-esteem can become protective by keeping us anchored to a familiar story
• Why our past experiences can shape what we expect from relationships
• The idea that “memories are the database of self-esteem”
• The difference between looking confident and having a solid foundation underneath
• Esther Perel’s definition of confidence
• Why confidence may have more to do with trust than certainty
• Dr. Dan Siegel’s SIFT practice
• How neuroplasticity helps explain why our learned reactions don’t have to stay fixed forever

Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

A note about this episode: This episode includes a paid advertisement for IM8. You can use code UNRAVEL10 at checkout. Advertising partnerships help support the Unravel podcast, and any opinions shared are my own.

How We Learn to Feel Safe: Attachment, Play & Repair with Daphna Lender

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

What helps someone feel safe enough to express who they really are—and what happens when that sense of safety is disrupted?

In this episode, I’m joined by Daphna Lender, a licensed clinical social worker, international trainer, and supervisor specializing in attachment-focused work with children and families. Daphna is a certified trainer and supervisor in both Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and is the co-author of Theraplay, an attachment-based intervention focused on strengthening connection, trust, and joy between children and caregivers.

We explore how secure attachment is shaped through everyday moments between children and caregivers—from how we respond to difficult behaviour to how we reconnect after conflict.

In this episode, we unravel:
• How children communicate emotional needs through behaviour
• Why feeling understood helps children develop a stronger sense of self
• How early attachment experiences can continue to show up in adulthood
• Why rupture is a normal part of relationships—and why repair matters
• What genuine repair looks like beyond simply talking about what went wrong
• How playfulness creates safety, connection, and emotional regulation
• The PACE approach: playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy
• Why parents sometimes need to explore their own attachment histories too
• How small moments of connection can shape a child’s experience of being loved and understood

Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio
Explore more at www.elaineclark.ca

AI, Overthinking, and the Search for Human Connection with Dr. Romith Naug

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400

As artificial intelligence becomes part of how we seek advice, reassurance, and emotional support, what happens to our ability to tolerate uncertainty and trust ourselves?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Romith Naug, a dually board-certified family physician in Canada and the United States who now practices psychotherapy. Dr. Naug completed a fellowship in Medical CBT with CBT Canada and has since expanded his work to incorporate a range of integrative therapeutic modalities. He has developed an individualized model that brings these approaches together within an adapted CBT framework.

Alongside his outpatient psychotherapy practice in Kingston, Ontario, Dr. Naug serves as a senior CBT consultant and supervisor with CBT Canada. He is also an assistant professor at Queen’s University, where he supervises medical residents through the departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry.

We explore a thought-provoking conversation about artificial intelligence, human connection, and what it means to remain deeply human in an increasingly digital world.

In this episode, we unravel:
• Why understanding a pattern does not always change it
• How overthinking can create a perceived sense of safety
• Whether AI is strengthening or weakening our self-trust
• Why reassurance is not the same as genuine human connection
• How AI could begin to function as an attachment figure
• The relationship between consciousness, spirituality, and technology
• Why slowing down and returning to the body matter more than ever

Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio
Explore more at www.elaineclark.ca

How Somatic Work Helps Rewire Emotional Responses

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:00:00 -0400

Sometimes, you can understand a pattern intellectually, but your body still reacts as if nothing has changed.

In this episode, I explore the concept of associative learning through a somatic lens—how experiences, emotions, bodily sensations, and expected outcomes can become connected over time.

We unravel:
• Why insight alone may not be enough to change an established pattern
• How emotional and bodily associations can develop through lived experience
• Why rest, boundaries, intimacy, or calm may sometimes feel risky
• How reproductive loss can create complex and layered experiences around intimacy
• What memory reconsolidation may teach us about updating old emotional learning
• Why protective responses can make sense in the context of what we have lived through
• A simple somatic practice I call "Pause, Place, and Prove"

This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered, “Why am I reacting this way when part of me knows this moment is different?” or “Why does my body pull away when I genuinely want to stay present?”

Stay Connected:

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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🎧 Listen and subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio

The Wound of Abandonment: Adoption, Attachment & Healing the Nervous System with Catherine Moore

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by registered clinical counsellor, author, and adoption advocate Catherine Moore for a tender and deeply insightful conversation about adoption, abandonment, belonging, and healing the nervous system.

Catherine brings a unique perspective as an adoptee, adoptive mother, counsellor, and co-director of We Are Adopted. Together, we explore the emotional complexity of adoption, including the impact of early separation, the longing to know where we come from, and the hidden grief, shame, and anxiety that can live beneath the surface.

Catherine shares her own story of reunion, the silence and secrecy that often surround closed adoption, and how these early experiences can shape attachment, identity, relationships, and the felt sense of safety in the body. We also talk about how somatic therapy, mindfulness, movement, breath, and compassionate presence can help soften old imprints and support healing.

In this episode, we unravel:

The emotional complexity of adoption and reunion
How early separation can shape attachment and belonging
Why abandonment wounds often live in the nervous system
How shame, anxiety, and hypervigilance can show up in adoptees
The difference between who we are and the adaptations we developed to survive
How somatic therapy can help heal preverbal trauma
How to support someone you love who is adopted
Why being seen, heard, and understood can be profoundly healing

Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
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Early Signs of Burnout: Recovery Before Collapse

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Burnout does not always begin with collapse. It often begins quietly, while we are still functioning, still showing up, still getting things done, and still being praised for the very behaviours that are disconnecting us from ourselves.
In this episode, I explore the early signs of burnout. I discuss how burnout can hide inside over-functioning, responsibility, productivity, and being the person everyone relies on.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How burnout can begin long before collapse
Why burnout is different from ordinary tiredness
How over-functioning, productivity, and responsibility can mask depletion
Why rest does not always feel restorative when the body is deeply depleted
How nutritional nourishment may support capacity and recovery
Why burnout recovery may require both physiological support and deeper honesty

Referenced Research & Resources
World Health Organization. (2019, May 28). Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases

Freudenberger, H. J., & North, G. (1985). Women’s burnout: How to spot it, how to reverse it, and how to prevent it. Doubleday.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2025, June 27). Vitamin D: Fact sheet for health professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2025, July 2). Vitamin B12: Fact sheet for health professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/

Whyte, D. (2001). Crossing the unknown sea: Work as a pilgrimage of identity. Riverhead Books.

Stay Connected
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📩 Email: ⁠info@elaineclark.ca⁠

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How Creativity Shapes Us with Menaka Raman-Wilms

Tue, 19 May 2026 23:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by author and podcast host Menaka Raman-Wilms for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, writing, loneliness, and the long process of bringing a story to life.

Together, we explore the inspiration behind her novel The Rooftop Garden, how her time in Berlin shaped the book, and what it takes to stay connected to a creative project over many years. Menaka also shares how writing fiction can help us make sense of the world, process complex emotions, and look beneath the headlines to the human stories underneath.

In this episode, we unravel:

The creative journey behind The Rooftop Garden
How nature, cities, and Berlin inspired the novel
Why writing can help us process complex emotions
What it takes to keep going with a long creative project
How loneliness shows up in the book and in modern life
The human stories behind climate anxiety and extremism
Why creativity can shape us as much as we shape it

Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
🌐 Explore more at www.elaineclark.ca

Why We Feel So Empty in the Age of Connection with John Vervaeke

Wed, 06 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by cognitive scientist, author, and professor John Vervaeke for a profound conversation about the modern meaning crisis, mindfulness, flow states, loneliness, and the deep human longing for connection.

Together, we explore why so many people feel empty in the age of constant stimulation and digital connection, and how practices like mindfulness, contemplation, and self-awareness can help us reconnect to what is truly meaningful. John also shares insights from cognitive science, philosophy, and psychology to help us better understand consciousness, self-deception, intuition, wisdom, and the patterns shaping modern life.

In this episode, we unravel:

What the “meaning crisis” really is
Why social media can leave us feeling more disconnected
The difference between pleasure, happiness, and meaning
How mindfulness helps us become aware of unconscious patterns
What flow states are and why they feel so meaningful
Why insight and transformation require cognitive flexibility
The relationship between self-awareness and human connection
How wisdom is cultivated through relationship, presence, and practice

Stay Connected
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
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Why Nature Calms Your Nervous System with Elaine Clark

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Maybe your nervous system is not asking for more discipline right now. Maybe it is asking for a different relationship to life. In this episode, I explore the connection between the nervous system and nature, and why time in natural environments may support stress recovery, emotional regulation, and a greater sense of inner settling. Drawing from both personal reflection and research, I speak about rumination, restoration, awe, and the quiet ways the body can begin to soften when it feels less overexposed and more rooted. This is an episode about healing, environment, and remembering that regulation is not just psychological — it is physiological too.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How nature may support the nervous system in shifting out of chronic activation
What research suggests about rumination, stress recovery, and time spent in natural settings
Why awe, slowness, and sensory contact with the natural world can feel regulating
How to begin noticing which environments help your body soften and settle
Why regulation is not laziness, and rest is not disengagement

Referenced Research & Resources
Antonelli, M., Barbieri, G., & Donelli, D. (2019). Effects of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on levels of cortisol as a stress biomarker: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Biometeorology, 63(8), 1117–1134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-019-01717-x

Kobayashi, H., Song, C., Ikei, H., Park, B. J., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2019). Combined effect of walking and forest environment on salivary cortisol concentration. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 376. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00376

Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): Evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9

Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567–8572. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112

Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11(3), 201–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7

Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the Mind-Body Connection with Dr. Romith Naug

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Romith Naug, a dually board-certified family physician practicing psychotherapy and hospital medicine, for a thoughtful conversation about cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and the power of reshaping our inner world.

Together, we explore how thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and physical sensations are deeply interconnected, and how CBT can help us become more aware of the patterns that shape our lives. He also shares his own adapted CBT model, offering a practical and compassionate framework for understanding emotional spirals, building awareness, and creating meaningful change.

In this episode, we unravel:

What cognitive behavioural therapy is and how it works
The relationship between thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and physical reactions
How awareness can interrupt negative thought spirals
Why thoughts are not always facts
The connection between breath, mindfulness, and emotional regulation
The difference between false resilience and true resilience
How CBT can help build agency, flexibility, and self-understanding
Why small shifts in perspective can create meaningful change

Stay Connected
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: ⁠info@elaineclark.ca⁠

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
🌐 Explore more at ⁠www.elaineclark.ca

Genetics and Mental Health with Dr. Robyn Murphy

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Robyn Murphy, a naturopathic doctor and scientific advisor for DNA Labs Canada, for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of genetics and mental health.

Dr. Murphy has worked alongside medical geneticists to develop lifestyle genetic panels and is deeply passionate about translating complex genetic research into practical tools that can support people’s health.

Together, we explore the long-standing debate of nature versus nurture, the emerging science of epigenetics, and how our genes may influence everything from stress sensitivity to neurotransmitter function. We also discuss how lifestyle, environment, and daily habits interact with our genetic blueprint—and why your genes are not your destiny.

We dive into the concept of “genetic scars,” how experiences can shape gene expression across generations, and how genetic testing is beginning to inform more personalized approaches to mental health treatment.
This conversation blends science with empowering insights that can help us better understand our bodies, our brains, and the choices that shape our health.

In this episode, we unravel:

The difference between genetics, gene expression, and epigenetics
The debate of nature vs. nurture in shaping health and personality
How genes may influence stress sensitivity, depression, and anxiety
The role of dopamine, serotonin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in mental health
Why lifestyle choices can influence how genes are expressed
What genetic testing can reveal about mental health and medication response
How pharmacogenomics may help personalize mental health treatment
Why understanding your genetics can be empowering rather than limiting

🎧 Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
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One Year of Unravel: Reflections on Healing, the Nervous System, and Being Human

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0500

In this special anniversary episode of Unravel, I’m reflecting on one year of the podcast and the journey that has unfolded since the very first episode.

Over the past year, Unravel has released 23 episodes and reached listeners in 41 countries around the world, with conversations exploring trauma, addiction, nervous system healing, relationships, meditation, psychedelics, and the science of happiness.

This episode is a moment to pause and look back on the insights that have emerged from conversations with psychologists, neuroscientists, therapists, authors, and practitioners who are helping us better understand the human experience.

In this episode:
✨ Reflections on the biggest themes that emerged from a year of conversations
✨ Why healing is rarely linear—and what that means for growth
✨ The powerful role the nervous system plays in trauma and recovery
✨ Why curiosity, compassion, and connection are essential to healing
✨ What’s ahead for the next chapter of Unravel

Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

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Coming Home to the Body After Trauma with Hala Khouri

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

What happens when the body becomes a place we don’t feel safe to inhabit?

In this episode, I’m joined by Hala Khouri—author, trauma-informed yoga teacher, somatic counsellor, and co-founder of Off the Mat Into the World—for an honest conversation about trauma, anxiety, embodiment, and what it truly means to come home to the body.

Hala shares her personal story of growing up as an immigrant after fleeing war in Lebanon, how early experiences of instability and protection shaped her understanding of trauma, and why dissociation is often a brilliant survival strategy—until it becomes a limitation. Together, we explore how the body holds memory, why stillness can feel intolerable for trauma survivors, and how somatic practices can gently restore a sense of safety, agency, and trust in ourselves.

We also dive into Hala’s book Peace from Anxiety, written after her own unexpected encounter with anxiety in midlife, and how anxiety can be a powerful invitation into deeper healing rather than something to “fix” or eliminate.

This conversation weaves together lived experience, trauma science, yoga, and somatic therapy—and offers practical tools you can use right now.

In this episode, we unravel:

Why the body can feel overwhelming or unsafe after trauma
How dissociation protects us—and how to gently reconnect
The difference between performing yoga and truly embodying it
How somatic experiencing reframes trauma healing
Simple grounding and orienting practices for anxiety and panic
Why we can’t force relaxation (and what actually helps instead)
How helpers and practitioners can prevent compassion fatigue
What it means to let the heart break open rather than shut down

📘 Book: Peace from Anxiety by Hala Khouri
A compassionate, body-based guide to understanding anxiety, building resilience, and staying connected amidst uncertainty.

🎧 Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
🌐 Explore more at www.elaineclark.ca

Transforming Trauma: Healing the Nervous System, Body, and Gut with Dr. James Gordon

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I’m joined by world-renowned psychiatrist, mind-body medicine pioneer, and trauma expert Dr. James Gordon, founder and executive director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine.

With over five decades of clinical experience, Dr. Gordon has been at the forefront of trauma healing—working with individuals, communities, war-affected populations, and children across the globe. Together, we explore trauma not as a pathology, but as a universal human experience and one that holds the potential for healing and post-traumatic growth.

This conversation weaves neuroscience, physiology, psychology, and humanity as we unpack how trauma impacts the nervous system, the body, relationships, and the gut, and what actually helps restore balance.

In this episode, we unravel:

What trauma really is and why it looks different for everyone
Why trauma is a universal part of being human, not something that only happens to “other people”
The two core trauma responses (fight/flight and freeze) and how they shape adult patterns
Why slow, deep breathing is one of the most powerful antidotes to trauma
How movement, shaking, and dancing help thaw freeze responses and restore vitality
Groundbreaking research on mind-body group interventions for war-traumatized children
How trauma disrupts the gut microbiome and why healing the gut is essential for nervous system repair
The role of diet, inflammation, and the vagus nerve in trauma recovery
What readers can expect from Dr. Gordon’s book Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing

🔗 Learn more about Dr. James Gordon & the Center for Mind-Body Medicine
Website: https://cmbm.org

📘 Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing
Available wherever books are sold (link in show notes)

🎧 Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
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The Science of Happiness with Dr. Gillian Mandich

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 20:00:00 -0500

What if happiness isn’t something you arrive at—but something you practice?

As we step into a new year, many of us find ourselves chasing happiness through goals, achievements, or self-improvement plans. But decades of research tell a very different story.

In this episode of Unravel, I’m joined by Dr. Gillian Mandich, health science researcher, two-time TEDx speaker, and founder of the International Happiness Institute of Health Science Research. Together, we explore happiness not as a destination, but as a daily, embodied practice shaped by our thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and nervous systems.

We unpack why happiness doesn’t come from money, success, or achievement, and what actually sustains wellbeing over a lifetime.

In this conversation, we unravel:

Why happiness is deeply personal—and why many of us struggle to define what truly makes us happy
The science behind happiness as a practice, not a personality trait
The “happiness pie chart” and what portion of wellbeing is actually within our influence
The myth of a fixed happiness set point—and whether lasting change is possible
Evidence-based happiness hygiene practices, including gratitude, meditation, and small daily habits that make a big difference
How embodiment, awareness, and meaning play a role in sustained wellbeing

🔗 Connect with Dr. Gillian Mandich
Website: https://www.gillianmandich.com

🎧 Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
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📚 Research Reference
The Harvard Study of Adult Development
A longitudinal study spanning more than 75 years, examining what predicts health, happiness, and longevity across the lifespan.
Learn more: https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/

The Social Nervous System: How Human Connection Keeps Us Thriving

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0500

In this short and meaningful mini-episode, I’m sharing one powerful insight I learned at a trauma and addictions conference in Las Vegas—one that completely reframed how I think about human connection.

As we shift into the winter season and naturally spend more time indoors, this episode offers a gentle reminder about the role connection plays in our emotional wellbeing, and why cultivating it intentionally matters more than we realize.

In this episode:
✨ A surprising fact about loneliness that stopped me in my tracks
✨ Why adult friendships feel harder—and what we often overlook
✨ The quiet power of vulnerability and shared presence
✨ How our nervous system responds to real, face-to-face interaction

Stay Connected
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

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How Meditation Can Reshape Our Brains with Dr. Sara Lazar

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

What if the calm you feel after yoga or meditation isn’t just emotional—but structural?

In this episode, world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Sara Lazar joins me to explore how meditation and yoga create measurable changes in the brain. Dr. Lazar was one of the first researchers to use brain imaging to understand mindfulness—and her findings have shaped the global conversation on mental health, neuroplasticity, and the power of presence.

We dive into her personal story of walking into a yoga class purely for physical therapy (and very skeptically), only to discover that something far deeper was happening—something that sparked a 25-year career in contemplative neuroscience.

Together, we unravel:

How meditation and yoga change brain structure and function
Why neuroplasticity makes healing possible at any age
The default mode network and why a wandering mind fuels anxiety, rumination, and low mood
How stress shrinks certain regions of the brain—and how mindfulness can reverse those effects
Why mindfulness increases emotional regulation, compassion, and resilience
Whether yoga or meditation is “better,” and how to choose the practice that fits your nervous system
How much practice you actually need to see changes (hint: even small doses matter)

Whether you’re new to mindfulness or deep in your practice, this conversation offers both scientific insight and grounded encouragement—showing how everyday practices can literally reshape the brain toward calm, clarity, and wellbeing.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Sara Lazar
TED Talk: How Meditation Can Reshape Our Brains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8rRzTtP7Tc

Stay Connected
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The Sugar–Mood Connection with Julie Daniluk

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:00:00 -0500

What if your mood swings, anxiety, or fatigue weren’t just emotional—but biochemical?

In this episode, award-winning nutritionist, bestselling author, and TV personality Julie Daniluk joins me to explore the deep connection between sugar, mental health, and emotional regulation. Together, we unravel how chronic sugar spikes affect mood, inflammation, and the brain–gut axis, and why emotional eating so often masks deeper needs for safety and soothing.

Julie shares her personal journey from eating disorders and digestive illness to radiant health, along with evidence-based insights on:

The biochemical link between sugar, dopamine, and anxiety
How intermittent fasting and balanced blood sugar can stabilize mood
The role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in aging and inflammation
Simple swaps and sugar alternatives that support brain and gut health
Practical ways to replace sugar with real pleasure and nourishment

Whether you’re navigating sugar cravings, burnout, or emotional eating, this conversation reminds us how nutrition can be a powerful gateway to emotional balance and embodied healing.

🔗 Connect with Julie Daniluk
🌐 Website: https://www.juliedaniluk.com/

💫 Stay Connected
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Trauma, Fascia, and The Realization Process with Judith Blackstone

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0400

What does it mean to inhabit your body as consciousness itself? And how might that change how we heal from trauma, connect with others, and experience intimacy?

In this episode, Judith Blackstone—psychotherapist, spiritual teacher, and founder of The Realization Process—joins me to explore the transformative power of embodied awareness. Drawing from over 30 years of practice, Judith shares how trauma-based constrictions form in the body’s fascia, how they shape our emotional and relational patterns, and how reconnecting to what she calls fundamental consciousness allows deep psychological and spiritual integration.

We discuss the intersection of embodiment and awakening, how to reclaim the “uninjured” part of the self, and what it really means to connect core to core—within ourselves and in relationship with others.

Episode Highlights

The origins and principles of The Realization Process
How trauma lives in the body’s connective tissue (fascia)
Reclaiming wholeness by attuning to fundamental consciousness
Healing boundaries: connection without absorption
Cultivating intimacy and resonance through embodied presence
Simple practices to reconnect with your core

Judith Blackstone is the founder of The Realization Process, a method for embodied psychological and relational healing and non-dual spiritual awakening. She’s the author of Trauma and the Unbound Body, Belonging Here, The Enlightenment Process, and The Fullness of the Ground.

🔗 Connect with Judith Blackstone:
🌐 realizationprocess.org

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The Slow Rebuild: Four Nervous System Truths for Healing Burnout

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

After a season of travel, celebration, and teaching, I returned home feeling what so many of us know well — that post-burnout fog where the mind wants to rest but the body doesn’t quite remember how.

In this episode, I explore what I call “the slow rebuild” — the process of relearning safety, energy, and trust after prolonged output or stress.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How the HPA axis and chronic cortisol elevation create the physiology of burnout
Why women experience stronger emotional ripple effects from jet lag
What neuroplasticity and “micro-moments of safety” teach us about rebuilding trust in the body
Four science-backed steps to restore energy, focus, and calm
Why safety, not productivity, is the ultimate measure of healing

Referenced Research & Resources

McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators. The New England Journal of Medicine, 338(3), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199801153380307

Czeisler, C. A., Duffy, J. F., Shanahan, T. L., Brown, E. N., Mitchell, J. F., Rimmer, D. W., Ronda, J. M., Silva, E. J., Allan, J. S., Emens, J. S., Dijk, D. J., & Kronauer, R. E. (1999). Stability, precision, and near-24-hour period of the human circadian pacemaker. Science, 284(5423), 2177–2181. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.284.5423.2177

Walton, J. C., Bumgarner, J. R., & Nelson, R. J. (2022). Sex differences in circadian rhythms. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 14(7), a039107. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a039107

Sims, S. (2019, September 23). Women are not small men: A paradigm shift in the science of women’s health [Video]. TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5LYGzKUPlE

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Relational Psychedelics: MDMA, Trauma, and Healing with Dr. Anne Wagner

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Psychedelic medicines aren’t "one-dose miracles" —they’re tools that can deepen the therapeutic process when used with skill, intention, and integration. In this episode, Dr. Anne Wagner—clinical psychologist, treatment-development researcher, and founder of Remedy and Remedy Institute— explores how MDMA-assisted therapy is being studied in relational contexts, especially for PTSD and couples work.

We talk about why MDMA is not a curative agent, how non-ordinary states can surface what’s ready to be worked with, and why preparation and integration matter as much as the medicine itself. Dr. Wagner shares insights from her team’s pilot trials (and a randomized study) combining evidence-based therapies with MDMA, plus what clinicians and couples should know before considering this pathway.

Episode Highlights

Why MDMA is a catalyst—not a cure—and what effective integration looks like
How non-ordinary states can amplify curiosity, compassion, and emotional tolerance
The promise of couples-based MDMA protocols for PTSD: communication, safety, and staying with difficult emotions
Common misconceptions (the “one-dose miracle”) and the importance of context, preparation, and support
Experiential training for therapists and what it could mean for empathy, burnout, and clinical presence
Bringing the learnings back home: practicing honest conversations without the medicine

Dr. Anne Wagner is a clinical psychologist and researcher based in Toronto. She is the founder of Remedy, a mental health innovation community, and Remedy Institute, its research and charitable arm. Dr. Wagner has led pilot trials combining cognitive processing therapy and cognitive behavioural conjoint therapy for PTSD with MDMA-assisted therapy, with a new randomized study on the horizon.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Anne Wagner:
REMEDY - Ph.D., Psychologist & Founder
🌐 Website: https://remedycentre.ca/team/anne-wagner/

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Dopamine Nation: Rethinking Addiction with Dr. Anna Lembke

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Addiction is often misunderstood as a symptom of trauma, a sign of moral failure, or a secondary issue that will resolve once underlying emotions are treated. But what if addiction is its own disease process, driven by powerful neurobiological loops?

In this episode of Unravel, I’m joined by Dr. Anna Lembke, bestselling author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A renowned psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Lembke brings decades of experience treating addiction to illuminate what’s truly happening in the brain and nervous system when we become addicted—and how to find our way back to balance.

We explore why addiction is not always rooted in trauma, how dopamine shapes compulsive behaviours, and why storytelling alone can keep us stuck. Dr. Lembke shares practical, evidence-based tools for breaking free from addictive cycles and explains her DOPAMINE framework—a step-by-step approach for resetting the reward system and reclaiming pleasure from everyday life.

Episode Highlights:

Why addiction is a brain-based disease, not just a symptom of trauma
The myth of self-medication: when anxiety and depression aren’t the cause
Understanding dopamine’s role in addiction—and how it rewires our reward pathways
How to recognize the signs of addiction (tolerance, craving, withdrawal, and more)
Self-binding strategies to reduce access to addictive behaviours
The power of 30-day dopamine fasts, mindfulness, and somatic practices in recovery
Why honesty and “radical truth-telling” are essential for healing

🔗 Connect with Dr. Anna Lembke:
📘 Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
🌐 Website: https://www.annalembke.com

💫 Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca

🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
🌐 Explore more: www.elaineclark.ca

Marriage & Family Therapy with Veronica Foster

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Marriage is more than a partnership—it’s a commitment to transformation. In this episode of Unravel, I’m joined by Veronica Foster, a seasoned marriage and family therapist with over 17 years of experience working with trauma, substance misuse, anxiety, and relational wounds. Together, we explore what it takes to build safe and empowered relationships.

Veronica shares her personal journey into marriage and family therapy, rooted in her own intergenerational experiences, cultural heritage, and lived challenges in long-term partnership. We dive deep into the realities of marriage as both painful and rewarding, discussing rupture and repair, the role of boundaries, and how personal growth is essential for healthy intimacy.

Episode Highlights:

Why marriage is a catalyst for personal transformation
The impact of intergenerational and cultural trauma on relationships
Rupture and repair: navigating conflict as a path to deeper intimacy
Practical tools for regulation, including mindfulness, nervous system practices, and the “STIC” method
The role of therapy in rebuilding trust and reshaping relational patterns
Boundaries as safety and respect—and how to set them consciously
How attachment styles shape intimacy and conflict dynamics
Three key lessons for self-discovery in relationships: self-love, growth, and letting go

🔗 Connect with Veronica Foster:
📲 Instagram: @healingmindandheart
🌐 Website: https://theseawithin.me/

💫 Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
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Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy & Integration with Andrew Penn

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

It’s not just the psychedelic that heals—it’s the context, the care, and the meaning we make of it.

In this episode of Unravel, I’m joined by Andrew Penn—psychiatric nurse practitioner, psychedelic researcher, and co-founder of Open Nurses. Together, we explore the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and how substances like MDMA and psilocybin are being studied for their potential to transform treatment for PTSD, depression, and beyond.

We dive into the neuroscience of trauma, the cultural evolution of psychedelics, and the essential role of integration. Andrew offers grounded insight into what these medicines can—and can’t—do, cutting through the hype to highlight why safety, preparation, and skilled support are non-negotiable in this work.

Episode Highlights:

The promise and limitations of MDMA and psilocybin in trauma healing
How PTSD impacts the nervous system and window of tolerance
Why integration is the heart of psychedelic therapy—not an afterthought
The cultural history and ethical complexity of Western psychedelic use
The neuroscience of rumination, depression, and neural “resets”
What professionals and seekers alike need to know before engaging

🔗 Connect with Andrew Penn:
🌐 Website: openurses.org
📄 Article: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies – American Journal of Nursing

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Micro-Doses of Safety: Building a Nervous System Bank Account

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode? In this episode, we explore how to support your nervous system through small, science-backed practices I call “micro-doses of safety.”

You’ll learn:
• What stress really is—and how it impacts your hormones, brain, and body
• Why your nervous system operates like a bank account (and what happens when it’s overdrawn)
• 5 simple practices you can use today to regulate and replenish
• The role of cortisol, vagal tone, and sensory pathways in healing
• Why stepping away from the grind is essential for nervous system health

I also share about Somatic Waves, my upcoming training retreat in Costa Rica where we explore the art and science of embodied healing. Whether you're a therapist, teacher, coach, or simply on your own healing journey—you can apply now at elaineclark.ca.

Let this episode be your reminder: regulation doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Small steps can shift your state—and your life.

Stay Connected:
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
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💫 Learn more or apply for the Somatic Waves retreat: www.elaineclark.ca

Show Notes

Harvard Study: https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/29407593/5022094.pdf?sequence=1
PubMed Central: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5022094

Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint with Judy Wilkins-Smith

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

What if the emotions we carry—and the beliefs that shape our lives—aren’t entirely our own?

In this episode, I’m joined by Judy Wilkins-Smith: author, motivational speaker, and expert in decoding multigenerational patterns. Judy’s groundbreaking book, Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint, explores how inherited emotional DNA silently shapes our behaviours, beliefs, and limitations—and how we can transform those patterns into possibility.

Together, we explore epigenetics and systemic constellations, how family systems subtly influence our choices, and why our most significant breakthroughs often emerge from emotional storms. Judy shares her powerful insights on breaking unconscious loyalties, rewriting internal narratives, and claiming the life we’re truly meant to live.

Episode Highlights:

What emotional DNA is—and why it matters more than we think
How inherited trauma and unconscious family patterns impact mental health
The science of epigenetics, neuroplasticity, and transformation
How to begin mapping your own emotional blueprint
A breakdown of systemic constellations and their therapeutic power
The difference between your truth and the truth—and how to shift it
Why we’re not “train wrecks,” just waiting for the right question

🔗 Connect with Judy Wilkins-Smith:
🌐 Website: www.judywilkins-smith.com
📘 Book: Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint

💫 Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & iHeartRadio
🌐 Explore more: www.elaineclark.ca

Navigating Conflict in Relationships with David Cooley

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0400

What if conflict wasn’t something to fear—but something to work with? In this episode, I’m joined by David Cooley, conflict resolution specialist and creator of the Restorative Relationship Conversation (RRC) model. Together, we explore how attachment styles, nervous system responses, and relational patterns shape the way we move through rupture and repair.

David shares his personal journey from working in restorative justice to developing a powerful framework for couples navigating relational pain. We unpack why conflict often feels life-threatening, how childhood wounds resurface in adult intimacy, and what it takes to transform those moments into meaningful growth.

Episode Highlights:

Why conflict triggers a fight-or-flight response in close relationships
How attachment styles replay childhood patterns in adult intimacy
The link between nervous system dysregulation and emotional shutdown
How consent and structure create safety during hard conversations
A step-by-step overview of the RRC model
The role of mindfulness and somatic awareness in repairing connection
Why conflict is a profound opportunity for intimacy and growth

🔗 Connect with David Cooley:
🌐 Website: www.restorativerelationship.com
📩 Email: david@restorativerelationship.com

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🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
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🌐 Explore more at www.elaineclark.ca

Growing Through What We Go Through with Dr. Christopher Willard

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Dr. Christopher Willard is a clinical psychologist, Harvard Medical School faculty member, and internationally renowned mindfulness educator. In this episode, we explore how we can transform pain into resilience, drawing from his latest book, How We Grow Through What We Go Through.

Blending neuroscience, lived experience, and compassion-based practices, Chris shares how post-traumatic growth is not only possible but deeply human. He speaks candidly about addiction, grief, and the healing journey, while offering tangible tools to tend and befriend our inner worlds.

Episode Highlights:

What post-traumatic growth is—and how it differs from post-traumatic stress
The story behind writing his book during his mother’s final days
Why self-compassion accelerates healing and recovery
The “language of addiction” and how it hijacks our nervous system
How to regulate emotions through posture, breath, and embodiment
The neurobiology of physical touch and self-soothing practices
Why community, humility, and hope are essential for long-term change
The role of mindfulness in healing trauma and transforming relationships
Practical tools for moving through crisis with courage and care

Connect with Dr. Christopher Willard:
📖 Book: How We Grow Through What We Go Through
📲 Instagram: @drchriswillard
🌐 Website: www.drchristopherwillard.com

Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings

Anxiety Free with Food with Liana Werner-Gray

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Liana Werner-Gray is a best-selling author, certified nutritionist, and cancer survivor who is passionate about the healing power of food. In this episode, she joins Elaine to explore the direct relationship between what we eat and how we feel, drawing from her book, Anxiety Free with Food.

Blending personal experience, Indigenous wisdom, and functional nutrition, Liana dives into the science behind anxiogenic (anxiety-producing) and anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) foods. She shares how neurotoxic ingredients can disrupt the gut, brain, and nervous system, while offering hopeful, practical tools to reclaim emotional and mental well-being through nutrition.

Episode Highlights:

Liana’s personal healing journey—from tumour and chronic fatigue to vibrant health
What inspired Anxiety Free with Food, and how omega-3s changed everything
Why food is more than calories—it’s biological information that shapes mood, genes, and hormones
The top anxiety-inducing foods (and why they’re called “neurotoxic”)
What neurotoxic actually means and how it impacts your endocrine and nervous systems
10 proven anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) foods that support the brain and gut
The emotional and financial myths about healthy eating
A sneak peek at Liana’s 7-Day Anxiety-Free Plan
The creation of Liana’s “Anxiety Free” supplement—and how it supports focus and calm

Connect with Liana Werner-Gray:
📖 Book: Anxiety Free with Food
📲 Instagram: @lianawernergray
🌐 Website: www.lianas.us

Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings

Outsmart Your Pain with Dr. Christiane Wolf

Tue, 13 May 2025 16:00:00 -0400

Dr. Christiane Wolf is a physician-turned-mindfulness teacher, authorized Buddhist instructor in the Insight (Vipassana) tradition, and a global retreat leader. In this episode, she joins Elaine to explore how mindfulness and self-compassion can help transform our relationship with chronic pain.

Drawing from her powerful book Outsmart Your Pain, Dr. Wolf unpacks the neuroscience of suffering, the role of early life experiences, and why all pain—physical or emotional—is valid and real. With both scientific depth and compassionate presence, she guides listeners toward embodied strategies for healing and relief.

Episode Highlights:

Dr. Wolf’s journey from medicine to mindfulness
Core teachings from Outsmart Your Pain: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion to Help You Leave Chronic Pain Behind
Why “all pain is real pain”
Understanding the 3 components of pain
Acute vs. chronic pain: what’s the difference?
How we can “outsmart” pain through awareness and compassion
The role of somatic practices in pain reduction
The healing power of physical touch
How Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shape chronic pain patterns

Connect with Dr. Christiane Wolf:
📖 Book: Outsmart Your Pain
📲 Instagram: @christianewolfmindfulness

Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings

The Neuroscience of Addiction with Dr. Judith Grisel

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Dr. Judith Grisel is a behavioural neuroscientist, TEDx speaker, and the New York Times bestselling author of Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction. In this episode, Dr. Grisel joins Elaine to explore how addiction rewires the brain, why some people are more vulnerable to substance use, and how long-term healing is not only possible but deeply human.

With both scientific clarity and personal insight drawn from her journey through addiction and recovery, Dr. Grisel sheds light on the powerful interplay between biology, trauma, and choice.

Episode Highlights:

Dr. Grisel’s powerful personal journey through addiction and long-term sobriety
“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety—it’s choice.”
The science and story behind her bestselling book Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction
Why the solution to addiction lies beyond medication alone
The essential role of human connection in recovery
How early substance use affects the developing brain—and increases long-term risk
Why young adults are more vulnerable, yet also more capable of transformation
A look inside the addicted brain: what actually changes with substance use
Understanding the “debt” addiction creates in our neurobiology
Key signs of dependence and how to recognize them
How to compassionately support a loved one battling addiction
Exploring the metaphor of the “hungry little ghosts” that fuel craving
Why movement and embodied practices are crucial for brain healing
Hopeful insights for those who can’t yet envision a brighter future.

Connect with Dr. Judith Grisel:
📖 Book: Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction
🎙️ TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/judy_grisel_never_enough_the_neuroscience_and_experience_of_addiction

Stay Connected: 🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings

How to Break the Cycle of Anxiety in 3 Simple Steps

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Anxiety isn’t just in your head—it lives in the body, in our patterns, and in our past. In this episode of Unravel, I walk you through 3 science-backed steps to help you break the cycle of anxiety and return to a sense of groundedness in your body, your relationships, and your life.

Step 1: Drop-In
Step 2: Discern
Step 3: Disarm

We explore:
• How anxiety shows up somatically—tight chest, shallow breath, restlessness
• The role of the amygdala, neuroplasticity, and inherited sensitivity
• A simple, powerful breath practice to reset your nervous system
• Why emotional boundaries are essential for nervous system regulation
• The neuroscience of walking and how it mirrors EMDR
• How social connection and co-regulation calm the release of tachykinins

This episode is for anyone who’s felt the inner buzz of anxiety and wants to experience it in a more compassionate, embodied way.

Let this be your reminder: you don’t have to live in a constant survival mode.

Stay Connected:
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📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings

From Pain To Power with Blake D. Bauer

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Blake D. Bauer, international bestselling author of You Were Not Born To Suffer, is a world-renowned teacher and speaker with a background in psychology, traditional healing, alternative medicine, nutrition, and mindfulness meditation. In this conversation, he shares wisdom from his journey and offers practical insights on moving beyond pain, shame, and self-neglect to reclaim a life rooted in self-love and self-respect.

In this episode, we explore what it truly means to value ourselves, recognize how we unconsciously choose self-pity over self-worth, and take radical responsibility for our healing. We dive into how trauma is held in the body, the role of generational pain, and how forgiveness and love play a central role in our path to wholeness.

Episode Highlights:

Insights from his book You Were Not Born To Suffer
Blake’s personal healing journey
How stuck energy, blood, and emotion hold trauma in the body
Choosing self-respect over self-pity
Recognizing a victim mentality in ourselves
Taking personal responsibility for how we’re not valuing ourselves
Generational trauma and how to break the cycle
Two important steps we can take in our healing
Why forgiveness is essential
Giving and receiving “good, healthy love”
The Butterfly metaphor and the beauty of becoming.

This is a powerful conversation about softening, seeing ourselves clearly, and remembering our worth.

Connect with Blake D. Bauer:
🌍 Website: www.blakedbauer.com
📖 Book: You Were Not Born To Suffer
✨ Instagram: @blakedbauer

Stay Connected:
🌿 Follow the show: @elaineclark_
📩 Email: info@elaineclark.ca
🎧 Listen + Subscribe to Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
💫 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more resources and offerings

Understanding Narcissism with Wendy Behary

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Elaine Clark explores the complexities of narcissism with Wendy Behary, author of the international bestseller Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving and Thriving with the Self-Absorbed. Wendy shares a step-by-step guide to navigating relationships with narcissists, setting boundaries, and breaking free from self-blame.

Episode Highlights:

What narcissism really is and how it manifests.
The difference between overt and covert narcissists.
Why empathic confrontation is key to effective communication.
The reality of being in a relationship with a narcissist.
Red flags and traits to watch out for.
How narcissism develops: The most common paths.
Establishing healthy boundaries without guilt.
Breaking the cycle of self-blame, shame, and self-sacrifice.
Tools to disarm a narcissist’s control.
Why professional intervention is often necessary for change.
Understanding Schema Therapy and its role in healing.
The dysfunctional dance between codependents and narcissists—and how to step away.

Join us as we unravel the truth behind narcissism and discover ways to reclaim your power.

Connect with Wendy Behary:
🌍 Website: www.disarmingthenarcissist.com
✨ Instagram: @donsanddivas

Explore Her Book:
📖 Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving and Thriving with the Self-Absorbed – Amazon Link

✨ Follow the show on Instagram: @elaineclark_
📩 Email the show at info@elaineclark.ca
🎙️ Subscribe or Follow Unravel with Elaine Clark on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📖 Find resources mentioned in the episode show notes
🌍 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more offerings

Healing Through Grief with Dr. Patti Ashley

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Dr. Patti Ashley is a Psychotherapist, international speaker, and the author of three books. In this episode, she shares her wisdom on grief, shame, and vulnerability.
This conversation delves into how grief and shame intertwine, the role of vulnerability in the healing process, and how self-compassion can become a powerful tool for transformation. Drawing from both her personal experience and professional expertise, Dr. Patti Ashley offers profound insights on navigating grief with resilience, tenderness, and authenticity.

Episode Highlights:

Dr. Patti Ashley's personal experience of loss & grief
Insights from her book Letters to Freedom
The phases of grief and how they impact emotional healing
Vulnerability without shame
The importance of somatic practices in the healing journey

Connect with Dr. Patti Ashley:

🌍 Website: ⁠⁠pattiashley.com⁠⁠
📷 Instagram: ⁠⁠@pashleyphd⁠⁠

Explore Dr. Patti Ashley's Books:

📖 Living in the Shadow of the Too-Good Mother Archetype
📖 Shame-Informed Therapy
📖 Letters to Freedom

The Unravel Podcast

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🌍 Visit www.elaineclark.ca for more offerings
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