Menopause Pruning: Clearing Space for Authenticity, with Inés Zabalaga & Kate Hazlitt, ND
Release Date: 10/30/2025
Reducing Relationship Issues Through Proactive Design & Planning, with Dr Stan Tatkin and Leila Bahri-Lucas
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes & Leila Bahri-Lucas. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This episode reminds us that the unconscious processes that drive humans, our memories and survival instincts, often lead to misunderstandings and reactive behaviors. Consequently, most relationship issues, while they may seem personal, actually stem from our innate drives. Stan outlines that rather than being approached casually, successful relationships require deliberate design, shared purpose, defined roles, and agreed-upon principles. We also explore: - The PPPRRR Approach: Couples can...
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Polyamory: Attachment, Trauma & Relational Growth Unpacked, with Jessica Fern, David Cooley & JP Bolhuis
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This episode introduces Polyamory, a form of consensual non-monogamy, as a relational style involving multiple loving, consensual, romantic partners simultaneously. It emphasizes trust, open communication (as opposed to secretive ‘cheating’) and mutual agreement. Jessica and David, themselves polyamory practitioners and co-authors of two books on Polyamory, are joined by JP Bolhuis, a Psychosocial Therapist, Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner and Private Mentor who recently entered the world of polyamory. Jesica and David...
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Rethinking Sex Addiction: Trauma, Shame & Compulsive Sexuality, with Diana Safta & Silva Neves
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by J’aime Rothbard and Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this soft and flowing conversation, Silva Neves differentiates the term "sex addiction" from "sexual compulsivity," as addiction is an independent disorder, while compulsion arises from environmental distress. Like food, sex is a primary drive, and has a natural physiological stopping point not present in other addictions. The analogy of food and diverse cuisines to normalize conversations about sexuality, highlighting that different tastes and preferences in food are accepted, but similar...
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Healing Northern Ireland: From Personal Trauma to Societal Change, with Dr Paul Gallagher
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this conversation, Kevin introduces us to Dr Paul Gallagher, a lecturer in trauma studies at Cork University who started his formal education at age 40, after a significant "gap" in his life. Born in Belfast in 1972 at the height of "The Troubles," Paul recounts growing up in a war zone, where at 21, his home was invaded and his family held hostage. During this attack, he was shot and paralysed, and while physical and medical care were provided, psychological support was not. Paul highlights: - The crucial roles of...
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Psychedelics, Hakomi, and the Gift of Self-Discovery, with Tony Hoare
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. Tony shares his personal journey, from growing up gay in the 60s, to experiencing sexual trauma and seeking healing in his 50s. He views safety, kindness, and gentleness as essential for healing, as they invite us to lower our shields and ‘just be.’ Having worked in the psychedelic world for 2 decades, Tony stresses that profound psychedelic experiences are only valuable if they lead to a greater sense of ease and conscious awareness with which we can navigate our challenging world. He also recounts: - The development of gentler, more...
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The Trauma of Infertility, with Leila Bahri-Lucas
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this gentle, heart-felt conversation, Leila guides us through the emotional landscape of infertility debunking common myths and misconceptions. She also shares her personal story, from 11 rounds of IVF to complete emotional collapse, which led her to agency, freedom, a new beginning and a baby. Leila also addresses: - How Infertility, as a trauma in its own right can unearth feelings of shame and worthlessness - Why trauma-informed support can ease the emotional toll of infertility medical interventions...
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Menopause: From Estrogen Washing to Social Silence, with Dr Aisling Quiery & Rati Roberta Riccardi
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Kevin Young. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. In this conversation, our guests forge a link between childhood trauma and the severity of menopausal symptoms. Aisling, a GP who is herself experiencing perimenopause, notes that the menopausal women who consult her often carry immense stress from being "sandwiched" between their peak career responsibilities and caring for children, grandchildren and aging parents. Together Aisling and Rati contrast: - "Estrogen Washing" a term Aisling coined to suggest that HRT often serves as a "wash" which may offer temporary relief but is...
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Menopause: From Multitasking Queen to Second Girlhood, with Dr Priya Duggal and Rosio Fuentes
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard Join us for this wide ranging conversation between a Menopausal Naturopathic doctor and a Therapist who lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome while mothering a neurodivergent family and experiencing Menopause. Together, Rosie and Priya address the many physiological, emotional and practical implications of Menopause "tipping points" for women’s health. They highlight that: - Living an inauthentic life (always "doing" for others) can create physical symptoms, likewise addiction patterns may emerge or intensify if unmet...
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Menopause Pruning: Clearing Space for Authenticity, with Inés Zabalaga & Kate Hazlitt, ND
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard This conversation moves from the medicalization of menopause to reclaiming it as a natural process; an important, transformative life stage marked by growth, development, and renewal, not an illness or pathology. Kate and Inés advocate for shifting from symptom management to trusting the body's innate capacity and involving the entire community in understanding this transition. Inés and Kate highlight:: - Brain Pruning which "chops away" old ways of thinking and being, making way for authenticity, new identity, and a...
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Unveiling Indian Cultural Trauma, with Mansi Poddar
The Gifts of Trauma
Hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard. This conversation exposes the impact of cultural trauma on Indian mental and emotional well-being and the conflicts these cultural pressures can cause. After outlining how therapeutic approaches can ease the pain, transform lives and begin to shift cultural norms, expectations and beliefs, Mansi asserts that having dreams, desires, and boundaries is an expression of one's wholeness, not a betrayal of others. Cultural dynamics explored include: - The expectation that women will sacrifice their personal happiness for family...
info_outlineHosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. Produced by J’aime Rothbard
This conversation moves from the medicalization of menopause to reclaiming it as a natural process; an important, transformative life stage marked by growth, development, and renewal, not an illness or pathology. Kate and Inés advocate for shifting from symptom management to trusting the body's innate capacity and involving the entire community in understanding this transition.
Inés and Kate highlight::
- Brain Pruning which "chops away" old ways of thinking and being, making way for authenticity, new identity, and a renegotiation of roles
- How psychedelic therapies can support post-pruning regeneration by fostering neuroplasticity
- The invitation to “redo” by challenging universal beliefs, interrupting obsolete patterns, releasing societal expectations, and embracing one's authentic, "limited," and "inconvenient" self.
- The natural grief associated with the loss of the predictable menstrual cycle
- How hormonal shifts influence mood and energy, which often require rest and repair.
Kate and Inés both emphasize the importance of women educating themselves about their bodies' cycles, informing their communities, and approaching menopause with wisdom, self-attunement, honesty, kindness, and patience.
About Dr. Kate Hazlitt, ND
A naturopathic doctor, speaker, and Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner specializing in women’s health and midlife transitions, Kate helps women move through burnout, hormonal shifts, and stress with clarity, compassion, and nervous system awareness—guiding them back to safety in their bodies and authenticity in their lives.
Her clinical practice integrates Eastern and Western philosophies of the nature and cause of disease and focuses on the interweavings of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Kate’s primary therapeutic tools are Asian medicine and acupuncture, clinical nutrition with diet and supplementation, botanical, homeopathic and auricular medicine, counseling, detoxification and drainage.
About Inés Zabalaga, MEd, MA in Systemic Therapy, Clinical Psychologist, Psychedelic Assisted Therapies Facilitator.
With over 25 years of clinical experience in family, individual, couples and group therapy, Inés is a Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner, a Family Constellations Facilitator, Director of Spontaneous Theatre, Bach and Uruguayan Flowers Practitioner, trained in psychodrama. She also leads Horse-Assisted Constellation workshops to create collective fields of human and equine energies that support her clients’ wholeness.
After completing a psychedelic integration training with Iceers, Inés is training in the 3-year Grof Legacy Program for therapists oriented towards psychedelic work. Along with her partner, Inés co-leads psychedelic assisted sessions and co-facilitates retreats.
Promotional Message:
If you've been listening to our podcast and are curious about the transformative power of Compassionate Inquiry®, join us for a 6-hour online experiential introduction to the Compassionate Inquiry approach and community. This link takes you to a web page where you can get information and, if you choose, register for the next CI Experience event coming up on on November 8.
Resources:
Websites:
Inés' Compassionate inquiry Profile
Related Links
Claiming Your Power in Perimenopause Podcast
Pruning, Myelination, and the Remodeling Adolescent Brain - Dr Dan Siegal
Dying To Live Workshop on Friday 31st October 2025
Books:
Roar Like a Woman – Emma Thompson
Wise Power: Discover the Liberating Power of Menopause
to Awaken Authority, Purpose and Belonging
Quotes:
“I went through my own process, I'm in my mid-40s, so I can often literally feel my brain pruning, as it's chopping away old, like, long outdated ways of thinking and being in my life.” - Kate Hazlitt, ND
“...can we just be this very limited, very ordinary, delicious creature that has stopped trying to be more than enough?” - Inés Zabalaga
“...there is this cultural obsession with the evidence based menopause, and we're leaving out lived experience of women who are elders who have wisdom to share with us. If we leave them out of the conversation, we're missing a real opportunity of learning and growth and self understanding.”
- Kate Hazlitt, ND
“We lose so much time because of the archetype of that ideal lady that is non existent. We are not ideal mothers. We are not ideal partners. We might even be...not so convenient. The archetypal information is playing a big role in preventing us from connecting with love in life.” - Inés Zabalaga
Social Media:
IG: @drkatehazlittnd. (IG)
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