LaidOPEN Podcast
Welcome to the LaidOPEN Podcast hosted by Charna Cassell. Charna is a Trauma-Trained Psychotherapist and Sexuality Coach with over 20 years of experience. Every day, Charna helps clients heal from trauma and access more bodily joy, emotional regulation, vitality, and hope. Now she’s bringing her expertise to podcasting with interviews from post-trauma thrivers who share creative resources to support living an authentic, passionate, mindful existence. Together they explore how to have a more pleasure-filled, peaceful life while reducing self-sabotaging behaviors and gaining control over reactive behaviors. Charna’s mission is to help people like you understand the impact of trauma on their nervous system and therefore their relationships with an emphasis on ways to heal. In every episode, Charna explores how to build our physical and emotional capacity to be with all that moves through us and around us to ultimately feel more liberated on the other side. Join our community as we embark on this transformative journey by reaccessing our connection to aliveness.
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Unlocking Healing Power: Dr. Keesha Ewers on Emotional Trauma, Sexual Energy, and Autoimmune Recovery
03/19/2024
Unlocking Healing Power: Dr. Keesha Ewers on Emotional Trauma, Sexual Energy, and Autoimmune Recovery
In the season 4 finale of LaidOPEN Podcast, Charna welcomes , an expert in integrative medicine, functional sexology, and a survivor of autoimmunity induced by trauma. And shares her personal journey from starting as a conventional nurse to exploring alternative healing modalities like Ayurveda, hypnotherapy, and EMDR after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She illuminates the profound connection between unresolved trauma and physical health, including autoimmune disorders and sexual vitality. The discussion delves deep into the science of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), highlighting the impact of trauma on long-term health and well-being. Dr. Keesha also discusses the concept of 'libido' as life force vitality and emphasizes the importance of healing and digesting trauma for reclaiming one's full vitality and sexual freedom. The episode encourages personal reflection and offers insights on how to embark on a healing journey with an exercise from Dr. Keesha that teaches how to embrace your inner 'eagle' and live a more embodied and liberated life. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to LaidOPEN Podcast with Dr. Keesha Ewers 01:06 Embarking on a Journey of Healing and Transformation 01:23 Dr. Keesha's Personal Battle with Autoimmune Disease 04:55 Discovering the Power of Ayurveda and Yoga 07:34 The Profound Connection Between Trauma and Health 13:57 Exploring the ACE Study and Its Implications 21:56 Navigating Trauma and Its Impact on Health 25:34 Personal Stories of Overcoming and Healing 27:21 The Importance of Self-Care and Boundary Setting 32:39 Embracing Vulnerability and Overcoming Shame 34:12 The Power of Plant Medicine in Healing 35:01 Navigating Life's Developmental Milestones and Achieving Unity Consciousness 35:43 Understanding the Human Condition: From Victim to Perpetrator 36:42 The Journey to Self-Compassion and Liberation 42:26 Exploring Sexual Liberation and Vitality 52:17 The Importance of Play and Embracing Different Perspectives 59:40 Concluding Thoughts on Community, Healing, and Empowerment
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Beducated: The AI Revolution & Sex Education with Mariah Freya
03/05/2024
Beducated: The AI Revolution & Sex Education with Mariah Freya
In this latest episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, Charna Cassell speaks with Mariah Freya, a sex coach and founder of Beducated, an online platform for sex education that offers a vast library of resources for pleasure-focused sex education. Mariah delves into the innovative role of AI technology in revolutionizing sex education, making it more accessible and tailored to individual needs. Highlighting how Beducated’s AI sex coach aids users in navigating their expansive library and provides personalized sex education resources. She also shares the challenges and experiments involved in developing their AI-powered tool. She also speaks on the challenges of balancing parenthood with entrepreneurship to the transformative power of embracing one's sexuality, this conversation explores the intersections of personal growth, intimacy, and empowerment. We end this episode with Mariah sharing a mindful shower practice. Join us as we delve into the importance of self-discovery, boundary-setting, and cultivating a sex-positive mindset at any stage of life. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation 01:48 Exploring Sexuality and Motherhood 06:25 The Impact of Parenthood on Business 12:55 The Journey of Sexual Empowerment 31:04 The Role of AI in Sex Education 40:09 The Vision for BBeducated 50:20 Closing Thoughts and Farewell
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OPEN Advocacy: Pioneering Legal Rights for Non-Monogamists with Brett Chamberlin
02/20/2024
OPEN Advocacy: Pioneering Legal Rights for Non-Monogamists with Brett Chamberlin
This week, Charna interviews Brett Chamberlin, the founder and executive director of . Brett opens by sharing his journey of transitioning from environmental activism to the advocacy for more awareness and legal rights for non-monogamists. This includes anyone who subscribes to relationship designs outside the norm of one man and one woman, including single people. He also discusses the cultural implications of nonmonogamy, the impact of societal norms, the progressing nonmonogamy movement, and the importance of community, consent, and cooperative living in practicing non-monogamy. When it comes to having a successful non-monogamous relationship, Brett emphasizes the relevance of developing effective communication skills, having a clear understanding of personal desires, and the establishment of healthier relationships. He calls for the questioning and challenging of the supremacy of monogamous relationships in society and how dismantling this norm will lead to a more inclusive, loving society. Charna ends the episode by sharing resources for people looking to explore the world of non-monogamy, as well as, an exercise designed to help you focus in on the characteristics and nuances you’re looking for in a partner when choosing a potential mate. Show Notes 00:04 Introduction of Brett Chamberlin and OPEN 01:09 Brett Chamberlin's Journey to Polyamory Advocacy 03:31 The Birth of OPEN: Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Nonmonogamy 04:09 The Challenges and Privileges of Advocacy 05:38 OPEN's Theory of Change and Advocacy Strategies 11:07 The Reality of Nonmonogamy in America 13:23 The Importance of Visibility and Acceptance 17:22 The Legal Challenges Faced by Nonmonogamous People 28:31 The Role of Polyamory in Broader Human Liberation 35:42 The Liberatory Potential of Non-Monogamy 35:51 The Social and Environmental Impact of Extractive Systems 36:31 The Rise of Social Issues and the Role of Non-Monogamy 38:08 The History and Evolution of Monogamy 38:58 The Impact of Industrial Revolution on Relationship Structures 40:55 The Importance of Relationship Education 50:07 The Role of Media in Normalizing Non-Monogamy 54:43 The Impact of Pandemic on Non-Monogamous Relationships 59:41 The Importance of Self-Acceptance and Authenticity in Relationships 01:00:58 Understanding and Navigating the Complexities of Relationships 01:03:57 Conclusion: The Power of Open Conversations and Community
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From Heartbreak to Happily Ever After: Dating Insights with Celeste Moore
02/06/2024
From Heartbreak to Happily Ever After: Dating Insights with Celeste Moore
Get ready for Valentine's Day with , a personal image and dating consultant in the latest pre-Valentine's Day episode of LaidOpen Podcast. In this episode, Celeste offers invaluable guidance for those navigating new beginnings, particularly men who are navigating the complexities of dating post-long-term relationships or marriages. She also explores the importance of communication and authenticity in relationships, strategies for building confidence, and the art of crafting effective digital dating profiles. Discover how Celeste's experience as a sole parent informs her approach and the invaluable insights she offers for single parents dipping their toes back into the dating pool. From debunking common profile pitfalls to unveiling the top lies men tell online, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration for anyone seeking love in the modern world. Charna wraps up the episode with a powerful visualization exercise, enhancing focus and attention skills for a more mindful dating experience by pulling one's energies back from the past or future and directing them towards the present moment. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 00:54 Introducing the Guest: Celeste Moore 02:07 Celeste's Journey to Becoming a Dating Coach 04:05 The Challenges of Working with Men and Women 05:13 The Evolution of Celeste's Career 07:08 The Ideal Client for Celeste 08:59 The Challenges of Dating and Image Consulting 09:38 The Importance of Image in Dating 10:30 The Different Types of Clients Celeste Works With 13:44 The Importance of Adventure in Dating 18:35 The Role of Mock Dates in Celeste's Coaching 24:25 The Challenges of Being a Sole Parent 32:51 Parenting and Dating: A Delicate Balance 34:59 The Importance of Timing in Relationships 35:57 Transferable Skills: From Parenting to Dating 37:23 The Power of Collaboration in Personal Growth 38:21 Breaking Communication Barriers 42:21 Building Confidence and Desirability in Dating 53:45 The Art of Online Dating: Profile Dos and Don'ts 59:09 The Journey to Self-Love and Acceptance
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Mapping Pleasure: Navigating Trauma, Healing, and Sexuality with Freya Graf
01/23/2024
Mapping Pleasure: Navigating Trauma, Healing, and Sexuality with Freya Graf
In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast Charna is joined by holistic sex educator and Yoni Mapping therapist, to discuss Freya's approach to dismantling shame and taboos around sexuality. She also explains the practice of Yoni Mapping Therapy, a method she uses to help people with vulvas and vaginas understand their bodies, relationships, and the impacts of trauma. Additionally, Freya opens up about her personal journey with sexuality, offering a unique perspective on holistic sexual practices. The discussion delves into the realm of sex education, focusing on reconnecting individuals with their bodies, enhancing pleasure, and challenging societal narratives surrounding sex. The conversation culminates with Graf explaining her exercise, The Seven Gates of Female Arousal, and sharing about her online course 'Queen Out', a guide to Yoni self-massage, de-armoring, multiple orgasms, and the release of trauma and tension. 00:38 Guest Introduction: Freya Graff 02:40 Understanding Yoni Mapping 03:44 The Process of Yoni Mapping Therapy 04:40 The Impact of Yoni Mapping on the Nervous System 08:42 The Importance of Sex Education and Body Reconnection 19:58 The Role of Neurofeedback in Healing 25:21 Personal Journey Towards Sexual Healing 31:32 Acknowledging the Courage to Change 32:24 Healing Ancestral Trauma 34:14 Breaking the Cycle: A Personal Journey 35:33 Family Reactions to Unconventional Career Choices 43:50 Finding a Calling in Yoni Mapping 49:14 The Seven Gates of Female Arousal 55:48 Freya's Online Course "Queen Out" use code LAIDOPENPODCAST to get $100 off. 58:28 Conclusion: The Journey Continues
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Navigating Life's Path Using The Wisdom of Human Design with Evelyn Levenson
01/09/2024
Navigating Life's Path Using The Wisdom of Human Design with Evelyn Levenson
Join us this week on LaidOPEN Podcast, for an insightful conversation with certified Human Design expert, Evelyn Levenson. In this episode, Evelyn shares her journey of discovering Human Design and its profound impact on her life. She recounts how understanding herself as a Projector within Human Design redirected her path from a successful yet unfulfilling business career to a deeper exploration of Human Design's transformative possibilities. She also sheds light on how uncovering her Human Design type propelled her towards a fulfilling pursuit of assisting others in navigating their unique paths. Throughout the episode, Evelyn and Charna eloquently break down the fundamental principles of Human Design, using it to illuminate how this system serves as a valuable tool for self-discovery, providing a roadmap for individuals to optimize their choices and live fulfilled, authentic lives.
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Magical Realism, Inner Wisdom and Divine Connection with Aline Ra M
12/26/2023
Magical Realism, Inner Wisdom and Divine Connection with Aline Ra M
Welcome back to LaidOPEN Podcast. Today, we're joined by ., a remarkable spiritual guide sharing her unique journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. At the age of 12, Aline found herself attuned to voices from the other side, an experience that led her to an enigmatic island school off the Brazilian coast, a sanctuary where she began unraveling the mysteries of her gift. In her late 30s, facing significant discontentment, Aline underwent a profound transformation. She ingeniously blended her mystical knowledge with the profound teachings of Buddhism, creating a practical and meaningful approach to spirituality. Aline's approach is refreshingly down-to-earth. She doesn't deal in esotericism but offers a practical roadmap to connect individuals directly to their inner divine, integrating spirituality into their everyday lives. She facilitates healing, expansion, and purpose amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life. Join us as Aline Ra M. shares her journey, delves into the essence of inner magic, and illuminates the path to a deeper connection with the divine within ourselves.
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Somatics as the Antidote for a Polarized Society with Staci Haines
12/12/2023
Somatics as the Antidote for a Polarized Society with Staci Haines
This week on LaidOpen Podcast I’m joined by renowned somatic expert . Together we delve into transformative methods to mend our fractured society, exploring the power of somatic practices in fostering unity and healing. Staci and I talk about the journey from individual healing to collective transformation, and unraveling the intersections between somatics and spirituality. We also explore the pivotal shift from fragmentation to wholeness and how to navigate the path from polarization to love through somatic principles. Listen in as Staci candidly reflects on her evolution as a leader, acknowledging personal limitations while embracing growth, and offering invaluable insights on becoming a more adept authority figure. Plus, we speak on the enigmatic process of healing the collective, activism, and the intricate task of disentangling societal beliefs from the body. Join us for an episode brimming with wisdom, guidance, and the promise of societal healing through the transformative lens of somatic practices.
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Suffering As A Portal To Creative Awakening with Adrienne Shamszad
11/28/2023
Suffering As A Portal To Creative Awakening with Adrienne Shamszad
Hey there! Have you ever thought about how we discover ourselves through the different voices we try on in life? I'm excited to share an amazing conversation in this episode where we explore exactly that. I sit down with , a talented musician I got introduced to through my friend Ned Buskirk from You're Going To Die. Adrienne's story is truly inspiring—she found her true voice when she began losing it. That struggle led her on a journey to uncover the ways she'd been silenced, and it changed everything for her. We dive deep into Adrienne's artistic process, how she channels her art, and the mind-body connection in her journey as an artist. But it's more than that; it's about growing up as an artist, finding paths by tapping into something higher, and letting that energy flow through her art. One thing Adrienne said that stuck with me is, "Suffering can sometimes be this incredible portal in life, pushing us toward awakening or awareness." That hit hard, reflecting on how challenges can shape us in unexpected ways. Join us as we uncover Adrienne Shamszad's story—a story of resilience, artistry, and the search for authenticity. We'll explore how she found her voice amid life's hurdles and how her journey might resonate deeply with your own. Come along and let's discover together the transformative power of self-discovery through art and resilience.
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Disorientation, Eroticism, and Traumatophilia with Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou
11/14/2023
Disorientation, Eroticism, and Traumatophilia with Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou
Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou is a New York-based psychoanalyst and therapist with extensive experience with trauma, queerness, gender diversity, and the nuances of consent. In her latest book, “,” Dr. Saketopoulou argues that we have become culturally obsessed with healing trauma and points to the ways traumatized people synthesize their pain. In her book, she also makes an important distinction between limit and affirmative consent, which we dissect as concepts through art and creative expression at large. This leads to an enriching conversation about the evolution of self, coming out whole after trauma, how trauma brings us into a new awareness and chances who we are fundamentally, and the ever-important question… is trauma ever healed? We also pull apart the crossover between eroticism and consent, the erotics of racism, and how through traumatic experiences we can unlock our potential as these encounters are not about guarding the self but about risking experience. In this episode, I have a truly fascinating conversation with Dr. Saketopoulou that begs us each to look at the traumas we’ve experienced, how we can relate to these events, not pathologize them and use them not to master trauma but to rub up against it so it opens us up to encounters with opacity.
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Navigating Callouts, Cancelation and Accountability with Misha Byruck
10/31/2023
Navigating Callouts, Cancelation and Accountability with Misha Byruck
This season, we have been loosely exploring “cancelation” what it means for the canceled person if it works, and how we can integrate the canceled person back into society. This week’s episode continues with that theme and is an extension of our last episode featuring canceled sexuality coach Charlie Glickman. This episode features , a sexual integrity coach who works to support people to live their sex lives in line with their values. He specializes in supporting subjects of public callouts and cancelations and assists over three dozen men to take accountability for sexual harm and return to their lives transformed. He also leads courses and workshops on sexual integrity, kink, and consent. Mischa is also part of Charlie’s accountability team. Mischa and I explore how we can put preventative systems in place to avoid a power dynamic that prevents people in a passive position from approaching the more powerful person with feedback or notes on unintentional abuses of power. This all starts with an awareness that leaders in a power position (bosses, coaches, teachers) need to acknowledge the lack of power their audience has. Tools like these can help to avoid many harmful situations that result in leaders feeling scrutinized. We also talk about why, as a society, we wait for harm to occur to establish accountability systems. What if this became the norm? Of course, this takes understanding and acknowledging the power differentials built into our roles, socioeconomic, gender, and race. We end with an exercise that briefly explains how to somatically navigate defensiveness as it arises and staying present when being called out.
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The Process of Repairing When You’ve Been Canceled with Charlie Glickman
10/17/2023
The Process of Repairing When You’ve Been Canceled with Charlie Glickman
As a society, we are struggling with how to hold people accountable. The trend of cancel culture is public shaming with the hope that those who are canceled will lose their power and position. Often, they regroup anyway and do the same thing again in a new place and a new community. This is the cycle of abuse at play. This week, I welcome Bay Area sex educator on the podcast to talk about being canceled and the self-discovery that unfolded in the multi-year accountability process of healing himself, his relationships, and his place in his community. While speaking on his experience, Charlie explains how to set up an accountability team, how essential somatic therapy is in rewiring the ways in which we respond when under stress, and how he discovered his own trauma response. We also talk about the ways that gender role conditioning impacted him, how the patriarchy sets up boys to be divorced from their emotions at a young age, and how this makes it impossible to have the men these boys grow into communicate responsibly until they unlearn the characteristics of toxic masculinity. Charlie is a case study of how we can approach people whom we need to hold accountable. He also models what can be expected when someone addresses their own trauma. This is an important episode and an even more important topic that we will all need to address if we want to make changes in our society to move forward and end cycles of violence.
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The Impact of Systemic Dis-ease on the Collective with Fariha Róisín
10/03/2023
The Impact of Systemic Dis-ease on the Collective with Fariha Róisín
These days, lots of us are being forced to see how the ways we exist in the world both help and harm. Today’s guest is queer, Bangledeshy author and artist, Fariha Róisín aka @fariha_roisin. Her latest book “” does a tremendous job of tackling this topic through the narration of her own life. She uses her story of surviving childhood sexual abuse and a mentally ill mother to guide us through the resources that aided in her healing. While also, attributing all of our traumas to the lack of wellness within society and how that’s all reflected in the larger systems we live within. Fariha’s vulnerability on her journey with wellness and dis-eased history and the way it mirrors the global systems of capitalism, colonialism, and white supremacy speak on the ways oppression is designed to repeat itself. Part of this has been done through the destruction of ancient ways of knowing, better known as epistemicide. This includes a near wipeout of magical women with witch hunts executed globally, which is really an attack on the knowingness of womanhood. Although there is much to learn from Fariha, this remains one of my most tender episodes to date, as it speaks on a variety of topics including selective wellness and how that sends ripples globally. We end with an energetic composting exercise on how to clear everything from the energy we collect throughout our day to the energy that’s been attached to us for generations.
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The Complexity of Desire, Shame, and Trauma with Dr. Lori Beth Bisbey
09/19/2023
The Complexity of Desire, Shame, and Trauma with Dr. Lori Beth Bisbey
It is such an honor to welcome this week’s guest onto LaidOPEN Podcast. (@drbisbey) is a clinical psychologist, acclaimed sex/intimacy coach, author, podcast host, and GSRD (gender, sexuality, relationship diversity) therapist with over 30 years of experience. She’s also the Specialist Relationship Therapist on the UK show “” (you have to watch!) and host of the weekly podcast “” In this episode, we talk about her journey moving from a trauma victim to a survivor and how she integrated her life into her work to help others step into joy and vibrancy in their own lives. Plus, we cover a variety of topics related to this including: the nuances of boundaries and consent inside powerplay BDSM relationships, learning to discern and listen to danger signals, healing PTSD and shame, and life after becoming a survivor. The episode ends with Dr. Bisbey breaking down the Four Parts Of Consent so have your pens handy, you’ll want to take notes.
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The Magical Art Of Self Acceptance with Christina Carlson
09/05/2023
The Magical Art Of Self Acceptance with Christina Carlson
This week we welcome , an embodiment and energetic coach, speaker, teacher, and the host of the podcast, “." Christina and I talk about her experience of being raised as an Evangelical Fundamentalist Christian, leaving the church, and how dance helped free not only her body but her mind. Eventually, Christina discovers another church, and falls in love, but over time signals in her body help her to recognize that the church environment is not for her. We also talk about how this paved the way for what she currently does, working as an embodiment and energetic coach, and the ways she employs practical spirituality in all that she does especially her work. Christina ends this incredible conversation with an exercise that eases us into the practice of observing ourselves and staying inside our bodies.
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Healing Ways To Love Yourself with Catherine Drysdale
08/22/2023
Healing Ways To Love Yourself with Catherine Drysdale
Welcome back to LaidOPEN Podcast! This week we welcome , a pleasure activator and sex & relationship coach. She’s also the host of Your Pleasure Path Podcast, which went viral on TikTok earning over 16 million monthly listens. It’s easy to see that helping bring joy and vibrancy into people’s lives is Catherine’s calling. We chat about life as a sex educator and all the roads that can lead to healing–even though not all healing roads are meant for everyone. We also talk about her success as a coach, finding a sex-positive audience at Cosmopolitan Magazine, and her sex magic master class Multi Orgasmic, featured in the magazine. We end this episode with an EFT Tapping exercise designed to help people incorporate self-love and acceptance into their lives, and most importantly, feeling worthy of pleasure. You’re not gonna want to miss this episode Catherine is a true delight.
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The Art Of The Conscious Conversation with Nick Palladino
08/08/2023
The Art Of The Conscious Conversation with Nick Palladino
On today’s episode, our guest is certified conscious executive and leadership and life coach (). In addition to coaching Nick’s spent his career training and teaching movement, breathwork, meditation, and entrepreneurship to clients. He brings these tools to his podcast . Together with his co-host, Nick focuses on having conversations with guests that elevate the consciousness of the planet through conversations that change people's lives. Nick brings his conscious conversations to LaidOPEN Podcast where we talk about the matrix of coaches, teachers, and therapists that have begun to emerge since the onset of the Pandemic. And how this community works together to support and refer clients in order to get people the help they need. We end this episode with Nick leading a short meditation that can help you learn to check in with yourself and regulate your system in a quick and easy way.
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Cumming As You Are with Sexpert Susan Bratton
07/25/2023
Cumming As You Are with Sexpert Susan Bratton
Welcome back to LaidOPEN Podcast. This week we have renowned intimacy expert , author and publisher of 34 books and programs, including “Relationship Magic,” “Revive Her Drive,” “The Steamy Sex Ed®️ Video Collection,” and her Amazon #1 International Bestseller, “Sexual Soulmates: The Six Essentials for Connected Sex, as well as, . Susan joins us this week to talk about her expanded orgasm practice, which can help you to have better and better big Os your entire life. She also speaks with Charna about female arousal, embracing ageless sexuality and how getting off is a learned skill any of us can accomplish if we put in the effort to learn. Plus we end this episode with an exercise from Suaan about how to slowly warm up and turn on a vulva owner’s whole system and all aspects of their genitals. Find the visual component for this exercise .
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Putting An End To Socially Acceptable Medical Rape with A’magine
07/11/2023
Putting An End To Socially Acceptable Medical Rape with A’magine
Did you know that you can go in for any kind of surgery at a teaching hospital, and while under anesthesia receive pelvic exams, from multiple students, (yes this happens to men with anal or prostate exams) without your consent? Most people are shocked to discover that they could go in for a knee surgery and be given an anal or pelvic exam they did not consent to. However, let’s call it what it is, medical rape and 85% of medical students currently report having done this. On today’s episode I speak with activist, author, educator, speaker and filmmaker about her award winning documentary film that tackles this topic, . These pervasive exams are still very much legal in 27 states in the US and continues to occur where it is illegal despite laws meant to prevent this practice. Together A’magine and Charna talk about when pelvic exams happen when you’re unconscious, medical rape, sexual assualt in Western medicine, and unlearning the dehumanization that causes sexual assault in the medical filed and society at large. The conversation is capped with an embodied mindfulness practice led by @Amagine.
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The Curious Case Of The Bait & Switch with Sabrina Cognata
06/27/2023
The Curious Case Of The Bait & Switch with Sabrina Cognata
On the season opener of LaidOPEN Podcast, we welcome LaidOPEN Podcast producer Sabrina Cognata as our guest. When Charna receives a message from a listener who wants to potentially work with her and then sends a sexually explicit message, Charna reaches out to producer Sabrina who says, “Make art, not war. In addition to being a producer of a variety of podcasts and projects, @sabrinasee is the creator of The Dickoupage Project aka @thedickoupageproject, which you can find on IG. Initially, the dick pic art project was available online, but you can sign up to read it via her , to get a better idea of her work and how it influenced and informed the conversation she has with Charna. Together the two talk about consent, vulnerability, boundary crossing, the motivation behind sending unsolicited dick pics, fight, flight, and freeze responses, anger, manipulation, and of course, the bait and switch. The episode ends with a fantastic exercise from Charna to help address a variety of reactions when you find yourself in a situation where someone you trust or attempted to trust has set out to manipulate you.
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One Taste into the World of Cults with Rebecca Farrar, William Winters & Tyson Adams
02/28/2023
One Taste into the World of Cults with Rebecca Farrar, William Winters & Tyson Adams
This week we welcome, William Winters, Rebecca Ferrar, and Tyson Adams to talk about their various experiences with cults or cult-like communities with a special focus on the One Taste community. is an integrated men’s work practitioner and happens to have done a lot of searches around cults after having his own experiences in different communities. You may also remember @tysonadams_ as a returning guest from Episode 55. William Winters is the founder of the , @bonobotribe on IG, a sex-positive community that throws parties, teaches workshops, and offers general resources to poly people. And is a well-known astrologer better known on IG as @wildwitchofthewest, who also participated in the One Taste courses. She is still integrating and understanding what she took away from her experience there. Together we spend an hour dissecting our own experiences, yes, even I have my own experiences with the One Taste community and chat about a variety of things related to One Taste and cults at large. This includes the differences between cults and communities, our natural desire to belong, how to spot a cult, the sense of language or jargon these communities often have, and what it means if you leave the group and ultimately are forced to abandon the community you’ve learned to lean on. If cults, the brainwashing used by nefarious leaders, and how people become drawn to and eventually a part of cults is something that interests you, make sure you check out our episode when it comes out tomorrow.
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From The Mixed Up Files of Sara J. Benincasa
02/21/2023
From The Mixed Up Files of Sara J. Benincasa
For our penultimate episode of Season 3, we welcome author, actress, comedian, and mental health advocate, Sara Benincasa. She’s the author of four books, "Agorafabulous!: Dispatches From My Bedroom," which explores her journey with anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia. You may also have seen her on the hit drama “Law & Order: SVU.” Sara and I sit down to talk about the importance of therapy and all the different ways we heal. Plush, we explore generational trauma, substance abuse, and watching your parents do their own work. We end this episode with a great little exercise led by Sara.
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Happy Valentine’s Day: A Relationship Advice Episode with Charna Cassell
02/14/2023
Happy Valentine’s Day: A Relationship Advice Episode with Charna Cassell
Hello! Happy Valentine’s Day. Today I am going to do something a little bit different. I’ll be doing this episode all by myself where I answer the questions you’ve sent in looking for advice. I love being able to connect with my listeners, especially on a day like today, Valentine’s Day, which can often put a lot of societally based pressure on people to feel like they should be coupled up, or simply feel like their relationship should be at a certain place. We’re going to do a deep dive into questions like “How do I communicate to someone on a dating app that I want to feel safe” and “How to slide into someone’s DMs and not seem like a creep” and even “How to be single and date casually when you love intimacy.” If you’re new here, don’t worry if you have something you want me to answer, I plan to do more of these episodes. Just head to my website CharnaCassell.com and click on the link in the header that says “Ask Charna” to submit your question.
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Journeying Into the K-Hole with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with Carrie Katz
02/07/2023
Journeying Into the K-Hole with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with Carrie Katz
Today’s episode is a special one. I’m joined by my friend and birthday twin, , on our birthday, February 7th. Carrie’s a fellow somatic psychotherapist and as you’ve probably surmised, my birthday twin extraordinaire. Together we celebrate our birthday and discuss ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and answer listeners' questions about the ins and outs of determining whether you could benefit from ketamine. I candidly share how I’ve benefited from ketamine-assisted journeys to reboot my nervous system. While Carrie shares about her client work, using her knowledge to answer all your questions. We discuss the recent large transitions Carrie has gone through with the loss of her dad, her son going to college, and the disbanding of Rosen Coven, a band she’s traveled the world with for over two decades. If you’ve ever considered doing a Ketamine journey with a professional to help you with your anxiety, depression, PSTD, complex PTSD, ODC and more–this is the episode for you. We do a deep dive into people who are potentially good candidates for ketamine therapy and circumstances when it’s inappropriate. We also talk at length about the difference between social use, versus therapeutic use, especially since so many people self-medicate. Carrie ends the episode with a beautiful rose in the heart meditation sometimes used in the ketamine space.
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Becoming An Expert Witness with Dr. Walter Sipe
01/31/2023
Becoming An Expert Witness with Dr. Walter Sipe
Please welcome this week’s guest, Dr. Walter Sipe. He’s a beloved colleague and friend of mine, who started his career as a pediatric gastroenterologist, before switching gears and becoming a psychiatrist. He has a private practice where he works with adolescents and adults. More importantly, he’s inherited the unusual legacy of being an expert witness around cases of institutional abuse of power and child sexual abuse. Walt was born to parents who met when they were both members of the Catholic clergy. His mother was a nun and his father was a priest who both eventually quit the cloth. Walt's father, A.W. Richard Sipe, became a psychiatrist whose specialty was testifying as an expert witness thanks to his experience in the church and his research and writing about celibacy. In this week’s episode, we explore a variety of interesting topics, including cults and how to spot the difference between a cult and a spiritual community focused on personal evolution. This opens the door to conversation on many of the learning communities in the bay area that blur this line. Plus, we even talk about what makes a leader sociopathic and how to determine when one is. Walt’s story is an unusual and compelling one. I hope he decides to write a memoir one day. He ends his episode with a simple breathing and grounding practice that can help you reset.
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Claiming Your Cock: Semen Retention and Healing the Earth with Tyson Adams
01/24/2023
Claiming Your Cock: Semen Retention and Healing the Earth with Tyson Adams
This week’s guest wants to help men unlock their soul force. Tyson Adams is an integrated men’s work practitioner. His leadership program for accelerated self-awareness is aimed at giving men the tools to lead better lives. With over 2 years of celibacy, Tyson developed a self-practice to release himself from and heal himself from an addiction to porn. He uses this work to help men in this same way, but also in their relationship with their cock, and claiming their cock. In the time we were together, we talked about how certain ailments can be related to ancestral trauma or past lives, as well as, mindful masturbation, mirror masturbation, and being your own lover. Tyson also speaks on the importance of connecting to yourself rather than objecting yourself and how that simple practice can shift men’s relationships with women and the earth. He also lets us in on the ways in which healing from a chronic physical ailment that forced him to relate to his cock differently. We end the episode with Tyson leading a breathing practice that helps shift attention away from compulsive behavior.
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Healing Birth Trauma: Repattern Your Life with Annie Brook
01/17/2023
Healing Birth Trauma: Repattern Your Life with Annie Brook
If you haven't heard of Annie Brook before, you should have. She has a Ph.D. in perinatal psychology and is a seasoned somatic psychotherapist who works with birth trauma and developmental trauma. Her work is key to discovering why you repeat the same behaviors, resulting in the same disappointing outcomes over and over again. If you are curious about why you keep repeating the same patterns, and want to change but don’t know how--this is the episode for you. Annie explains the different courses she offers so anyone can become ready for the relationship they’ve always wanted or heal their birth trauma. Additionally, she's trained therapists for decades in how to work with complex trauma in a sustainable and effective way. Plus, how to facilitate the unwinding and repatterning of patients on a cellular level. We talk about all the ways birth trauma can imprint and show up in adults, how to detect it, and integrate it to fully heal, something most of us want, even if we can't admit it to ourselves. We also, both share our in-utero and birth experiences and Annie provides some case studies from her over 4 decades of experience.
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Using Breathwork To Connect To Yourself with Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp
01/10/2023
Using Breathwork To Connect To Yourself with Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp
This week we welcome , a drug and alcohol counselor, breathwork practitioner, and founder of the American Breath Work Association and , an 800-hour breathwork clinician that provides more intense training for teachers and practitioners. We sit down and talk about Nathaniel’s journey of becoming involved with breathwork, his decision to help create Breathwork For Recovery, and the necessity of developing equity, ethics, and regulation in the field of breathwork. I also share my story about attempting to learn breathwork and that it was a traumatizing experience. Nathaniel offers a compassionate take on what I went through, which may have also happened to some of you. We end the episode with two breathing practice options you can choose to do to reset and reframe yourself anywhere, and at any time. This episode is a must for anyone looking into breathwork who wants to know about it from a real expert.
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Ascending Multiple Lifetimes with Sarah Strong
01/03/2023
Ascending Multiple Lifetimes with Sarah Strong
This week we welcome Sarah Strong. She is a star seed coach, divine feminine activation coach, medium empath, telepath, and psychic. She also channels star beings, beings from other dimensions, and many other beings of the light, including the ascended masters angels, and fairies. Together we speak about how trauma can be a gateway to spiritual awakening, paranormal phenomenon, how trauma is associated with spiritual awakening and what can happen when you push a young person well beyond what they’re capable of handling, and how a reaction to that manifests in a variety of ways. She also guides us in a lovely meditation that’s sure to help you clear space as you start 2023.
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Transformation Through Movement with Lucy Wallace
12/27/2022
Transformation Through Movement with Lucy Wallace
I was thrilled to have Lucy Wallace, the founder of , as a guest. I strongly support her mission of bringing dance to incarcerated women to help heal trauma. I share a little about my own experience growing up with a father who was in prison and my own volunteer work teaching kids in an orphanage in Nepal so they could teach their peers. This coincides with Lucy’s program, as she identifies the importance of the teacher training program for the prisoners rather so they can continue to help people instead of going in to “save” them. In addition, we talk about how this mission found her and unfolded with dedication despite all of the bureaucracy inside the prison system and how this transformative program has grown into over 15 prisons nationally. We also explore a variety of other topics that align with Lucy’s work and her program including how trust is earned, holding space versus preaching, and how freedom is a perception and state of mind. We end the episode with a practice Lucy uses with her students that you can also use.
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