• Ep. 68: Uncomfortable Truths and Radical Humanity with Corey Leak
    Dec 7 2025

    This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Corey Leak, host of The Existential Podcast, and this one goes deep.

    We talk about everything — from his journey through a cancer diagnosis, to the realities of working in DEI in today's world, to his powerful story of faith deconstruction and how it shapes the way he moves through discomfort.

    It's one of those conversations that doesn't tie things up neatly — it opens them. We explore identity, growth, courage, and what it really means to stay human when life tests you.

    It's raw, rich, and full of the kind of insights that stay with you long after listening.

    MORE ABOUT COREY:

    I'm a 47 year old cancer survivor, husband and father spending my time contending for a better world. Instagram: @coreyevanleak

    MORE ABOUT ME:

    I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

    I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

    MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

    * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

    * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

    * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

    * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

    Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

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    49 mins
  • Ep. 67: The Power of Naming the Uncomfortable with Maria Brewer
    Nov 24 2025

    What happens when you're the only one in the room — the only woman, the only Latina, the youngest voice at the table?

    In this episode, I sit down with Maria Brewer, former U.S. Ambassador and longtime State Department leader, for a deeply human conversation about what it means to navigate spaces where you don't always see yourself reflected.

    We talk about the power of naming the uncomfortable, how to reality-check your experiences when things feel unclear or isolating, and the importance of bringing what's subconscious into awareness so you can coach yourself through challenging moments instead of getting stuck in them.

    Maria shares candid reflections from her diplomatic career — the courage it took to stay grounded in her values, to lead with integrity, and to find belonging even when she was breaking new ground.

    If you've ever found yourself in spaces where you felt like the "only," or if you're learning to move through discomfort with self-awareness and strength, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and emotional intelligence.

    MORE ABOUT MARIA:

    Accomplished global leader and twice-confirmed U.S. Ambassador with 29 years of distinguished Foreign Service experience. Now leveraging expertise in leadership and executive coaching to help individuals "Bloom Where Planted" by navigating challenges, seizing opportunities, and achieving lasting impact.

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maria-brewer-b100m Website: https://paperbell.me/maria-brewer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrewerCoachingServices

    MORE ABOUT ME:

    I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

    I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

    MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

    * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

    * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

    * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

    * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

    Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

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    34 mins
  • Ep. 66: Listening for Your Own Wisdom in Grief with Sundari Malcolm
    Nov 9 2025
    A TIME SENSITIVE NOTE FROM SUNDARI: A Healing Doula Academy Winter Scholarship In honor of Anandi Malcolm, A Healing Doula Academy is offering one Full and one Partial Scholarship for its Winter Cohort. Founded by her daughter, Grief & Death Doula and Author Sundari Malcolm, this spiritually rooted training prepares Grief and Death Doulas to hold space through ancient ritual, modern grief care, and soul-centered guidance. Recipients will receive lifetime access to the Academy's online, and self-paced, certification program and a personal mentorship session with Sundari. Apply by November 15thRecipients announced November 17th Learn more & apply Feel free to reach out to Sundari at info@ahealingdoula.com with any questions! Now for our scheduled programming... In this week's episode, I sit down with the luminous Sundari Malcolm - grief expert, author of Grief Gems, and founder of A Healing Doula Academy - to explore what it really means to quiet our lives and listen for our own wisdom, especially in seasons of grief. Sundari shares how grief can untether us from who we thought we were—and how simple, ancestral practices can anchor us back to ourselves. Together, we talk about why stillness isn't avoidance, but an act of deep care, and how tending to grief can become a portal to transformation, freedom, and truth. If you've ever wondered how to hold yourself through loss - or how to begin again - this conversation will meet you where you are. MORE ABOUT SUNDARI: Sundari Malcolm is the founder of A Healing Doula Academy, an online training program for Grief and Death Doulas rooted in ancient ritual, spiritual wisdom, and intuitive care. She is the author of Grief Gems and a recognized Grief Expert with the For Grief Speakers Bureau. A lifelong practitioner of spiritual care, ancestral healing, and ritual, Sundari's work is informed by both personal loss and deep spiritual lineage. At 27, after nearly a decade as her mother's caregiver, she lost her to breast cancer. Four years later, she lost her father to brain cancer. These profound experiences transformed her path and ignited her devotion to guiding others through death, grief, and the rebirth that follows. Today, Sundari has trained and mentored grief and death doulas around the world, offering a lineage-based approach that honors cross-cultural traditions, sacred ceremony, and intuitive energy care. Her teachings blend reverence for the ancestors with practical tools for navigating life's thresholds. A Healing Doula Academy, an online training program for Grief and Death Doulas rooted in ancient ritual, spiritual wisdom, and intuitive care Author of the book Grief Gems and a Grief expert with the For Grief Speakers Bureau. BIPOC Grief Educator for The Dinner Party. Instragram MORE ABOUT ME: I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces. I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding. MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME: * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.
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    37 mins
  • Ep. 65: Ruin, Rise and Return with Sarah Carter & Corinne Shark
    Nov 3 2025
    NOTE: IF YOU'RE IN THE PHOENIX AREA, SARAH AND CORINNE WILL BE SIGNING COPIES OF THEIR BOOK AT CHANGING HANDS (PHX LOCATION) BOOKSTORE ON NOVEMBER 21ST! What if the moments that break us open are the same ones that reveal our deepest creative power? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Carter and Corinne Shark, authors of The Skies Are Full of Us and hosts of the Spiritual Pyros podcast, for a luminous conversation about the arc of life we all travel — ruin, rise, and return. We talk about the courage it takes to tell our stories honestly, how their own creative process became a dambreaker for healing and expression, and how each of us has the ability to transmute hurt and harm into creative energy — the kind that fuels Good Work in the world. If you've ever wondered how to alchemize pain into purpose or turn your own story into a force for connection and light, this conversation will remind you that wholeness isn't about perfection — it's about returning to yourself, over and over again. MORE ABOUT CORINNE AND SARAH: Corinne Shark is a storyteller, dreamer, and wild soul forever in search of adventure. Her writing is equal parts anthem and memoir fueled by the glow of honesty and the power of women finding each other by finding their own voice. As a recovering rule-follower who exchanged her death-grip on certainty to return to the wide-open wandering of her Arizona desert, she has deep convictions about what constitutes a good taco, stopping for sunsets, and always needs more ice. She is forever sending up flares and lighting bonfires on the bluff for women telling the truth about their lives - even if only a whisper, even if only to themselves. Sarah Carter is a writer, poet, and artist. Her writing explores the evocative dynamic between poetry and life, creatively braiding story, memoir, and myth into a language of holistic embodiment, and feminine empowerment. She grew up on an Arizona horse ranch and spent most days stowed away under giant Mesquite trees, imagining adventures and losing track of time. Now, she resides near a wildlife preserve outside Chicago, writing stories, riding horses, hiking with her dogs, creating abstract paintings in her studio, and hanging with loved ones. She still loves the desert and always stands barefoot under a full moon. Nothing makes her happier than witnessing women reclaim their worth and return home to themselves. Shared instagram @sarahandcorinne and linktree: linktr.ee/sarahandcorinne MORE ABOUT ME: I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces. I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding. MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME: * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.
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    53 mins
  • Ep. 64: Stay Uncomfortable With EJ Jamele: The Real Edge of Growth
    Oct 19 2025
    In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and dynamic EJ Jamele — CEO of crowdMGMT, producer, brand architect, and talent manager to some of the most sought-after artists in the beauty and entertainment industries. Our conversation goes far beyond brand strategy and success stories. EJ and I explore how discomfort can be one of our greatest teachers — especially when it comes to learning how to learn, growing our social awareness, and navigating a diverse world in values-based ways. EJ's insight into leadership, collaboration, and creative excellence is both inspiring and grounding. He reminds us that growth doesn't come from staying comfortable — it comes from being curious, humble, and willing to stretch beyond what we know. If you've ever wondered how to align ambition with authenticity, or how to lead with both courage and compassion, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Tune in to hear how EJ uses discomfort as a tool for doing better, being better and building communities that thrive on awareness, integrity and creative freedom. MORE ABOUT EJ: EJ Jamele is the CEO and founder of crowdMGMT, a brand & talent management and full-service productions firm representing an exclusive roster of multi-faceted artists in the beauty and lifestyle industries. As a dynamic production house, crowdMGMT creates compelling content across all media - from targeted social campaigns to major advertising spots, television shows, streaming content, and film projects. The company's prestigious client list includes leading publications, global brands, TV networks, fashion houses and celebrities such as VOGUE, Vanity Fair, Essence, L'Officiel, #LEGEND, ABC, VH1, FX, The Kardashians, Ciara, Mary J. Blige, Jeep, Balmain, Versace, L'Oreal, PUMA, Jennifer Hudson, V Magazine and countless others. EJ's dedication to the industry extends beyond production and management - he served as a board member and annual state scholarship pageant producer for the Miss America Connecticut chapter, and co-produced the EFFIE Award-winning "Know Your Status" LIFE BEAT org stage concert series, where all attendees took confidential HIV tests as entry to the venue. He serves as an executive contributor to The Makeup Show and regularly speaks and advises for a network of over sixty thousand pro and aspiring beauty industry artists globally. His commercial and entertainment work has garnered billions of impressions, featured on Good Morning America, VH1, MTV, BET, Billboard Magazine, V Magazine, Essence Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Complex Media and many more. As a talent manager to some of the industry's most sought-after artists, EJ brings his keen eye for talent development and media projects to every endeavor. He fosters a culture of high-level collaboration among clients and colleagues, facilitating inclusive projects within the crowdMGMT artist roster and network. EJ states, "I believe that by elevating one another, my clients will maintain both longevity and creative advantage in their respective industries and it's my job to curate a roster of like-minded elite talent to maintain and elevate that advantage for us all." Television audiences may recognize him from appearances on VH1's "Lala Anthony's Full Court Life" and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," highlighting his expertise and clients. He continues to forge forward in all aspects of his career, as he would say, "AVANTI!" IG: instagram.com/EJ_Jamele MORE ABOUT ME: I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces. I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding. MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME: * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok Disclaimer: My podcast ...
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    39 mins
  • Ep. 63: Welcome to Season Four! Big Changes Ahead...
    Oct 12 2025

    A solo episode to introduce the next season of the podcast!

    ABOUT ME:

    I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

    I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

    MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

    * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

    * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

    * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

    * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

    Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Ep. 62: When Grief Becomes a Guide: Finding Wisdom, Resilience, and Resolution with Ursula Taylor
    Sep 29 2025

    What if grief isn't just something to overcome, but a guide toward deeper wisdom and wholeness?

    In this episode, I sit down with Ursula Taylor - former litigation attorney turned holistic conflict resolution expert - to explore how grief, when approached with awareness, can transform both healing and leadership. Together, we discuss the power of emotional intelligence, embodied awareness, and the ways unresolved pain shows up in our personal and professional lives.

    Ursula shares how listening to the body's signals - rather than relying solely on strategy - can foster resilience, unlock intuitive guidance and create more human-centered solutions, even in the most complex conflicts.

    If you're navigating loss, holding space for others, or leading through challenging conversations, this episode will invite you to slow down, tune in, and reimagine what resolution truly means.

    MORE ABOUT URSULA:

    Ursula Taylor empowers individuals and teams to navigate and resolve conflicts effectively through strategic, holistic approaches that extend beyond traditional dispute resolution. With a unique blend of intuition, discernment, analytical expertise, and hands-on experience, she helps clients uncover the full scope of conflicts, including their emotional and psychological dimensions. She collaborates with individuals and leaders who value business success, collaboration, and productivity, offering innovative solutions to address and prevent costly, unpredictable disputes.

    Website: www.conflictreimagined.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursula-taylor-b0ba4729/

    MORE ABOUT ME:

    I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

    I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

    MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

    * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

    * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

    * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

    * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

    Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

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    34 mins
  • Ep. 61: Turning a Diagnosis Into Direction with Brandon Marshall
    Sep 15 2025

    In this episode of Make Discomfort Your Btch*, I talk with Brandon Marshall about the moment everything shifted - when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as an adult. Brandon shares how that unexpected and life-altering diagnosis became a catalyst for radical self-responsibility, deeper self-awareness, and a renewed sense of purpose in both life and business.

    We explore how learning to live with a chronic illness forced him to stop outsourcing his well-being and start taking ownership of his mindset, habits, and choices. From this deeply personal journey came the values that now shape his leadership in his work.

    This is a conversation about resilience, rethinking your limits, and the power of turning a hard moment into your greatest teacher. You don't want to miss it.

    MORE ABOUT BRANDON:

    Brandon is a driven entrepreneur and the founder of a specialized staffing agency focused on education and healthcare. With a background in recruiting and business development with nearly a decade of experience in the industry, he has built a reputation for creating people first staffing models that balance purpose and performance.

    Since launching his agency, Brandon has been recognized for his relationship driven approach—prioritizing trust, transparency, and long-term partnerships with both clients and clinicians. His leadership style reflects a deep commitment to supporting communities through meaningful, high-quality placements.

    Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Brandon remains active in local AZ initiatives and is a familiar presence at education and healthcare conferences across the country.

    MORE ABOUT ME:

    I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

    I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

    MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

    * Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

    * Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

    * Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

    * Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

    Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

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    38 mins