186. A true story of overmedication, recovery, and the courage to rewrite your life with Anne Bracken.
Release Date: 11/06/2025
188. What no one told you about the female brain with Dr. Sarah McKay.
the tara bixby podcast
For too long, women have been told their brains are “broken” or that every struggle is just hormones. In this episode, we shift that narrative. Dr. Sarah McKay — Oxford-trained neuroscientist and author of The Women’s Brain Book, Baby Brain, and Brain Health For Dummies — joins me to break down what’s really going on in the female brain. We talk about postpartum changes, perimenopause, anxiety, sleep, libido, and why so much of women’s mental health is shaped not just by biology, but by support systems, stress, and societal expectations. This conversation will help you understand...
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Bonus: How to thrive this winter if you struggle with seasonal depression.
the tara bixby podcast
Feeling a little off as the days get shorter and colder? You’re not alone! In this bonus episode, we’re diving into seasonal depression (aka the winter blues) — what it is, why it happens, and how to recognize the signs. I’m sharing cozy, practical, and playful ways to lift your mood and thrive during the darker months — from light therapy and getting outside to fun seasonal activities, connecting with friends, and enjoying cozy indoor moments. So grab a cozy blanket, a warm beverage, and join me — let’s navigate this season together, feeling a little lighter, warmer, and...
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187: Quiet your inner critic and build confidence with Dr. Rachel Goldsmith Turow.
the tara bixby podcast
Do you have an inner critic that’s always judging, shaming, or demanding perfection? You know — that little voice that quietly shapes how you see yourself and move through the world. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you! Today I’m joined by Dr. Rachel Goldsmith Turow, clinical psychologist, researcher, mindfulness and compassion teacher, and author of The Self-Talk Workout. We chat about where our inner critic comes from, why self-criticism can sometimes feel “safe,” and how it affects confidence, motivation, and mental health. Dr. Goldsmith Turow also shares...
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186. A true story of overmedication, recovery, and the courage to rewrite your life with Anne Bracken.
the tara bixby podcast
What happens when the systems meant to heal us end up causing more harm? In this powerful conversation, Tara sits down with Anne Bracken — activist, poet, and author of Crash: A Memoir of Overmedication and Recovery — to explore what it really means to heal beyond labels and prescriptions. Anne shares her deeply personal story of growing up with a mother who struggled with mental illness, her own experiences with medication and ECT, and the journey back to herself through alternative healing. Together, they challenge the “chemical imbalance” narrative, discuss the importance of...
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185. The power of sound baths with Sara Auster.
the tara bixby podcast
Hey, friends! I’m so excited for today’s episode — I’ve fallen in love with sound baths as a way to invite more calm and stillness into my day, and today’s guest is one of my absolute favorites. Sara Auster is a world-renowned sound therapist, meditation teacher, and creator of the PAUSE app. She’s been featured in Oprah Magazine, the New York Times, TIME, Vogue, Billboard, and partnered with the World Health Organization to bring mindfulness to global health. In this episode, we explore what sound healing is, why sound baths are transformative, how to get the most out of them, and...
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184. How to stop living a life that looks good on paper but feels empty inside with Megan Hellerer.
the tara bixby podcast
Have you done everything “right”? Followed the rules, built the dream career, checked all the boxes you thought would make you happy — and yet, you still feel that ache inside? Today’s guest, Megan Hellerer, knows that feeling well. After graduating at the top of her class from Stanford and spending eight years as a Google executive, she found herself crying on the bathroom floor — successful on paper, but completely miserable inside. Now, as an executive career coach for Underfulfilled Overachievers and author of Directional Living, Megan helps women realign their lives and careers...
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183. How a prescription for sleep became an addiction with Laura Cathcart Robbins.
the tara bixby podcast
Today’s episode is a raw and powerful conversation about how a prescription for sleep turned into something much darker. Best-selling author and host of The Only One in the Room, Laura Cathcart Robbins, joins me to share her journey of Ambien addiction — from stockpiling pills in her Louboutins to secretly managing withdrawals between PTA meetings and tennis matches. We talk about how her Ambien use began, what her addiction looked like behind closed doors, and the toll of keeping that secret while raising kids and trying to hold it all together. Laura shares the moment she knew she needed...
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182. Why your brain needs connection and how isolation impacts your mental health with Dr. Ben Rein.
the tara bixby podcast
Hey friend. 👋 Today, Dr. Ben Rein joins us to explore why connection isn’t just a cool idea — it’s a biological necessity for a healthy mind. Dr. Rein is an award-winning neuroscientist, author of Why Brains Need Friends, Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University, and a brilliant science communicator. We dive into the neuroscience of connection, how isolation triggers stress in the brain, and how meaningful relationships help us thrive. We also talk about recognizing when you’re running low on connection, curating a “social diet” that meets your needs, and how modern life and...
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181. Sleep tips that actually improve your mental health with Dr. Sarah Silverman.
the tara bixby podcast
Poor sleep doesn’t just make you tired — it can fuel anxiety, worsen depression, and leave you stuck in survival mode. The good news? You can improve your sleep quality, and today’s guest is here to teach you how. I’m joined by Dr. Sarah Silverman, a Stanford-trained sleep psychologist and insomnia expert, to unpack the powerful connection between sleep and mental health. We cover the difference between sleep deprivation and insomnia, how to manage nighttime worries, and what to actually do when you wake up at 2 a.m. We also dive into navigating new mom sleep, whether quality or...
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180. Healing starts when you stop trying to fix yourself with Mary O’Malley.
the tara bixby podcast
Feeling like something is wrong with you? Mary O’Malley — author, teacher, and counselor — knows that struggle all too well. After a painful childhood, three suicide attempts, and multiple hospitalizations, she learned that healing isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about being present with what hurts. In this conversation, Mary shares how a yoga class changed her life, why our thinking brain gets stuck in struggle, and how our toughest challenges can become a doorway to healing. We also explore facing anxiety with compassion and holding space for others without trying to fix them....
info_outlineWhat happens when the systems meant to heal us end up causing more harm?
In this powerful conversation, Tara sits down with Anne Bracken — activist, poet, and author of Crash: A Memoir of Overmedication and Recovery — to explore what it really means to heal beyond labels and prescriptions. Anne shares her deeply personal story of growing up with a mother who struggled with mental illness, her own experiences with medication and ECT, and the journey back to herself through alternative healing.
Together, they challenge the “chemical imbalance” narrative, discuss the importance of informed consent, and shine a light on the flaws within our mental health system. This episode is a reminder that recovery is possible, your voice matters, and sharing your story can help someone else feel less alone.
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Check out today’s show notes here.
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