Redemption, Bravery, and Forgiveness featuring Christian Branscombe
Release Date: 07/30/2024
Ep. 106 Dreaming Your Life Into Beeing: Healing, Intuition and Animism (Part 2) with Ariella Daly
LaidOPEN Podcast
Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions of sexual assault. In part 2 of this powerful conversation, Charna sits down again with : dream worker, animist, and beekeeper — to continue exploring how dreams can become profound guides for healing, recovery, and transformation. Ariella shares more of her personal path, weaving together the wisdom of dreams, ritual, and the natural world to show how the subconscious can support deep repair after trauma. Together, we discuss practical tools for reclaiming your body, rebuilding your relationship with eros and creativity, and...
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Ep. 105 Dreaming Your Life Into Beeing: Healing, Intuition and Animism with Ariella Daly (Part 1)
LaidOPEN Podcast
Trigger warning: discussion of seggsual assault near the end In this episode, Charna interviews , a seasoned dream worker, animist, and beekeeper with over 15 years of experience. Ariella shares her fascinating journey into beekeeping and dream work, influenced by a blend of naturalism from her mother and mysticism from her father. She recounts a significant experience where wild bees moved into her home, deeply intertwining her dream work with her beekeeping practice. Ariella and Charna discuss the profound healing and intuitive lessons bees can impart, the importance of intentional...
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Ep. 104 Medical Misogyny and the Medical Me Too Reckoning with Micah Larsen
LaidOPEN Podcast
In this powerful episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, I sit down with medical researcher, writer, and host of Modern Hysteria, , to dive deep into her deeply personal and courageous journey through PMDD, menopause, and preeclampsia. With warmth and unflinching honesty, Micah illuminates the painful gaps in our healthcare system and the persistence of medical misogyny—and, more importantly, how we can begin to dismantle those barriers. We explore: The courage it takes to speak openly about taboo topics like incontinence, childbirth, postpartum challenges, and menopause. How narrative and advocacy...
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Ep. 103 The Pleasure Process: Keys To Cultivating Embodied Desire with Susan Morgan Taylor
LaidOPEN Podcast
What do you really want—and how do you even begin to ask for it? In this episode of laidOPEN, I’m joined by somatic sex therapist , a healer and teacher who guides people through the often-overlooked terrain of embodied desire. With over 25 years in somatic healing, Susan brings a grounded, intuitive approach to what she calls the Pleasure Keys Process—a set of practices designed to help individuals and couples reconnect with their sensuality, emotional truth, and authentic connection. We dive into how early wounding, stress, and disembodiment can short-circuit intimacy—and what it...
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Ep. 102 Strategies For Being A Better Partner In Love, Life and Everything In Between with Nick Brancato
LaidOPEN Podcast
Welcome to the first episode of July 2025, where I have a fascinating conversation with , a relationship systems architect and author of Nick shares his unique journey from being a professional poker player to stepping into the world of personal development and relationship coaching. We talk about the significance of aligning priorities within relationships, enhancing communication, and strategies to maintain focus under stress. Nick also introduces his 'Prioritize Us' test, a powerful framework designed to help couples (and friends and anyone else you want to build a more connected...
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Ep. 101 Cultivating Love in a Burning World featuring Activist Dean Spade
LaidOPEN Podcast
In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, I have an insightful conversation with activist and author about his extensive work in movements for queer and trans liberation, anti-militarism, and the abolition of police and prisons. Dean and I discuss his new book titled ',' covering topics such as mindful practices for managing stress, the evolution of his book over nine years, and personal growth in relationships. We also delve into the romance myth, decentralizing romantic relationships, and the importance of community support. Dean shares valuable insights and practices for generating...
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Embracing Silence: The Golden Path to A More Peaceful Existence
LaidOPEN Podcast
In this episode, Charna Cassell discusses the profound topic of silence, featuring an interview with Justin Talbot Zorn and Leigh Marz, authors of '' They delve into experiences and practices from their book that encourage finding clarity and peace amidst external and internal noise. The conversation covers the political and cultural relevance of silence, its role in addressing trauma, and techniques to incorporate it into daily life. The episode concludes with an invitation to listeners to reflect on their personal relationship with silence. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction to the Concept and...
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Menopause Unplugged: Health & Hormones at Midlife with Dr. Keesha Ewers
LaidOPEN Podcast
In this episode of Laid Open Podcast, I welcome back Dr. Keesha Ewers, a specialist in integrative medicine and functional sexology. We discuss the critical yet often overlooked topic of menopause, highlighting how women's health issues, particularly post-childrearing, are neglected in society and underfunded in research. Dr. Keesha and I provide insights into hormone replacement therapy (HRT), discussing various options like pellets, patches, and creams and emphasizing the importance of bioidentical hormones. We explain why not everyone needs HRT and the significant role of lifestyle...
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From Prisons to War Zones: Navigating Vicarious Trauma with Mark Walsh and Christian Branscombe
LaidOPEN Podcast
Today I welcome two previous guests from earlier this season to share their unique experiences and expertise on the topic of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. , an embodiment coach, trauma trainer & host of , and , a restorative justice facilitator and coach. Together we dive into the intricacies of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, especially in the contexts of working in prisons and war-torn Ukraine. The two of them share experience to help us delve into the ways self-awareness, self-compassion, and structured self-care practices are crucial for managing...
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The Song Of Life: Prayer, Presence and Connected Living with Natalie Silva
LaidOPEN Podcast
This week I welcome Natalie Silva of and . She and I discuss the power of self-love, community, vulnerability, and the integration of prayer in daily life. Natalie also shares how her relationship with former LaidOPEN Podcast guest, Erica Wright, has been integral to her healing journey. The episode highlights Natalie’s involvement in S Factor, a movement practice that helps women embody their sensuality and heal past traumas. Throughout the conversation, we discuss the importance of community, self-acceptance, and slowing down to truly connect with oneself. The episode concludes with...
info_outlineIn this incredibly moving episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, Charna engages in a powerful discussion with Christian Branscombe, who, after being sentenced to life in prison for murder, transformed his life through meditation, reading, and community healing initiatives. This profound experience led him to become an advocate for transformative justice and healing initiatives in the prison system and beyond.
Together they delve into Christian's transformative journey and his work developing prison programs to provide healing. Christian also recounts an emotional courtroom experience highlighting the power of forgiveness in healing from trauma.
A key focus in this episode is on how self-compassion helps free us from our trauma and sham with Christian sharing his insights and experiences on the subject. Overall, the conversation explores the impacts of generational trauma, coping mechanisms, and the steps toward personal and communal transformation. Something we can all use in this highly polarized world we’re living in.
01:00 Guest Introduction: Christian Branscombe
01:43 Christian's Transformative Journey
04:00 The Power of Community and Healing
08:06 Facing Shame and Trauma
10:22 Generational Trauma and Coping Mechanisms
19:54 Buddhism and Finding Purpose in Prison
28:05 Transparency and Accountability in Healing
36:27 The Power of Embodied Wisdom
37:00 Rewiring the Brain Through Physical Practices
37:54 The Role of Somatic Experiences in Healing
38:32 Victim Offender Dialogue: A Transformative Experience
39:06 The Journey from Trauma to Compassion
40:47 The Importance of Self-Acceptance and Compassion
42:28 Balancing Life's Ecosystem
44:07 The Impact of Childhood Trauma
48:16 Forgiveness and Compassion in the Healing Process
55:25 The Role of Community in Healing
01:00:26 Embracing New Experiences for Growth
01:04:58 Defining Freedom Through Interconnection