This week Cass talks with Dr Ann Kelley, licensed psychologist and co-host of the Therapist Uncensored podcast, about the importance of updating our understanding of attachment styles and the limitations of categorising ourselves and others. Ann proposes a more helpful approach of thinking about attachment as a spectrum. She introduces the idea of secure relating (as opposed to secure attachment), which involves understanding our own nervous system and how it impacts our interactions with others.

Ann introduces the Modern Attachment Regulation Spectrum, helpfully using colours to represent different states of arousal: red for hyperarousal, blue for hypoarousal, and green for secure relating. She shares how our nervous system naturally responds to threats and connection, emphasising the need for self-awareness and compassion in order to create happy, healthy relationships in every area of our lives. She provides practical strategies for warming up or cooling down our nervous system and emphasises the relevance of this in every area of life: friendships, intimate relationships, parenting, work relationships, and the broader community.

Connect with Ann and order your copy of 'Secure Relating':

www.therapistuncensored.com

www.instagram.com/therapist_uncensored_podcast

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.cassdunn.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cass responds to a listener who is experiencing body dissatisfaction during pregnancy. She highlights that while this is relatively common, it can be a concern if it contributes to poor maternal mental or physical health. She shares strategies for managing uncomfortable thoughts and feelings about your changing body and the importance of women feeling free to share their experience of any aspect of pregnancy or parenthood without guilt. Importantly, Cass highlights some of the signs of 'Pregorexia' (disordered eating during pregnancy) and notes that professional help may sometimes be indicated.

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cass chats with Victoria Vanstone, host of the Sober Awkward Podcast and creator of the Drunk Mummy Sober Mummy blog and website, about her decision to leave behind her partying days in order to be a happier, less anxious, more present parent by giving up alcohol. Vic admits she didn't like sober people and that she feared no-one would want to be around her anymore if she stopped being the life of every party.

Vic has recently published her first book, "A Thousand Wasted Sundays" and shares how she felt she never had a choice but to drink alcohol, but after becoming a parent, she realised her social, binge drinking was taking more from her than it was giving.

Vic's message is that you don't have to hit 'rock bottom' to question your relationship with alcohol. Better still, there are plenty of good times still to be had. She realises her habit was fueled by people pleasing and a lack of self-care, and she hopes her message will enable other women to see that they also have a choice when it comes to drinking.

Connect with Victoria:

Buy A Thousand Wasted Sundays

Drunk Mummy, Sober Mummy

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo OR instagram.com/crappytohappypod

www.tiktok.com/@cassdunn__

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cass answers a listener question about what to do when you feel disappointed by people in your life. She shares ideas about how to manage your expectations, how to take responsibility for your own part in the situation, and how to heal from painful feelings of disappointment. Our social connections are the single most important factor contributing to happiness and wellbeing so it's critical we have strategies for communicating our expectations and what to do when they aren't met.

Connect with Cass

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

www.cassdunn.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cass talks with Lizzie Williamson, the founder of Two Minute Moves, about the astonishing benefits of building micro-movement breaks into your day. Whether you're at home or in the office, taking tiny opportunities to move your body will reduce your risk of a range of diseases while improving your productivity, creativity, energy and mood.

Connect with Lizzie: www.lizziewilliamson.com

Connect with Cass: www.cassdunn.com

Find me on socials:

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.tiktok.com/@cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cass explains why 'mindset' approaches to overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome are limited and won't achieve a lasting transformation and what you need to do instead. She shares how imposter syndrome is an activation of your body's threat response triggered by a fear of judgement and rejection.

She also explains that self-criticism can perpetuate imposter syndrome by keeping you stuck in a threat response, and the importance of self-acceptance and forgiveness, allowing you to return to a state of emotional safety.

Find out more about Cass' group coaching program, Beyond Confident here:

www.cassdunn.com/confident

Book a call with Cass.

Connect on Instagram or TikTok

www.cassdunn.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cass chats with Jodie Rogers, a counsellor, sexologist and the relationship coach featured in the hit series, "Love on the Spectrum". Jodi shares her journey of working with people with disabilities and the importance of access to sexuality education and relationship counselling. She discusses the challenges faced by autistic individuals in developing relationships particularly around trust and vulnerability. Jodie emphasises the shift in our understanding of neurodiversity, the evolution of language and identity and the power of storytelling in her brand new book, "Unique: What Autism can teach us about difference, connection and belonging".

Connect with Jodi:

www.birdsandbees.com.au

www.instagram.com/jodirodgers_

Pre-order her book

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cass breaks down some of the key aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice as they relate to living a happier and more peaceful life. She shares a little about how modern approaches to therapy have incorporated some of these key ideas to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing.You don't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the relevance of some of these ideas and apply them to your own life.

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.