Episodes

  • The Armor You Had To Wear

    The Armor You Had To Wear
    Sep 8 2025

    In this deeply personal episode, I explore the armor we build to survive — the hyper-independence, the walls, and the defenses that once kept us safe but now weigh us down. We talk about how cycles of control and abuse can shape our sense of self, the difference between love and control, and why sometimes staying in hard situations isn’t weakness — it’s survival.

    Together, we’ll uncover ways to notice your patterns, experiment with asking for help, and gently begin to soften the armor that’s kept you alive. If you’ve ever felt trapped, isolated, or burdened by the weight you carry, this episode is for you. There are always exits, sometimes hidden, sometimes small, but you are never alone.

    Show Notes / References:

    • Siegel, D. J. (2010). The Mindful Therapist: A Clinician’s Guide to Mindsight and Neural Integration. Norton.

    • Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. Viking.

    • Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. Norton.

    • Schore, A. N. (2012). The Science of the Art of Psychotherapy. Norton.

    • Neff, K. (2011). Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. HarperCollins.

    Safety & Support Resources:

    If you ever feel unsafe or overwhelmed in a relationship or at home, there are confidential resources available. In the U.S., you can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1‑800‑799‑SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org. They provide support, guidance, and strategies for staying safe, no matter your situation.


    Song: Fragments

    Composer: AERØHEAD

    Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoZbM1a4PKQ6haa2Ap4TSdg

    License: Creative Commons (BY-NC 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

    Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com


    Song: Lights Of Elysium

    Composer: AERØHEAD

    Website: No URL available

    License: Creative Commons (BY-NC 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

    Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com


    Song: Adrift Among Infinite Stars

    Composer: Scott Buckley

    Website: https://youtube.com/user/musicbyscottb

    License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
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    27 mins
  • You’re Not Lazy, You’re In Protective Mode

    You’re Not Lazy, You’re In Protective Mode
    Sep 1 2025
    Content WarningThis episode discusses grief, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Please take care of yourself while listening. If you’re in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.When stress, grief, or trauma hit, your brain can shift into protective mode—withdrawing, numbing out, or feeling “lazy.” That isn’t a moral failing; it’s biology doing its best to keep you safe. In this episode, Rachel/Ray shares Brian’s story of profound loss and the slow return to connection, and offers simple, biology-backed practices (grounding, micro-movements, temperature shifts, voice notes, and music) to help you work with your nervous system instead of against it.Song spotlight: Sleep Token — “Infinite Baths.”Excerpt shared in-episode. Listen here: https://youtu.be/noWUQci7BsU?si=dk1nBeZV5DqIvph35-4-3-2-1 grounding to orient to safetyMicro-movements (stand, stretch, tap fingers, short walk)Temperature shift (splash cold water/hold an ice cube/step outside briefly)Paced breathing to nudge the vagus nerve and calm arousalVoice note from “future you” (record on a good day; play on a hard day)Music as regulation (one song that matches your state, then one that lifts it slightly)Connection/co-regulation (reaching out; even quiet presence helps)U.S. — 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat via the official site. 24/7, free & confidential. Hey NHSCrisis Text Line (U.S.): Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a live, trained Crisis Counselor. 24/7.The Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ youth, U.S.): Call, text, or chat for 24/7 support. Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation TrustTrans Lifeline (peer support, U.S./Canada): Community-run hotline for trans people. MDPISAMHSA National Helpline (U.S.): 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for mental health/substance use treatment referrals. Hey NHSOutside the U.S.: Find your country’s helpline via Find a Helpline (global directory). PMCThese services are not a substitute for ongoing care. If you can, consider reaching out to a licensed mental-health professional in your area.Stress, amygdala & prefrontal “offline”Review of how acute stress chemistry (e.g., catecholamines) can impair prefrontal cortex functions (planning, motivation) and bias us toward survival responses. PNASNaming emotions (“affect labeling”)Putting feelings into words can reduce amygdala reactivity and engage regulatory networks. (Accessible review summarizing classic findings.) AcademiaGrounding / 5-4-3-2-1A commonly recommended sensory grounding technique in clinical guidance (NHS). PubMedPaced/slow breathing & vagal activitySlow, regular breathing is associated with increased heart-rate variability (a marker linked with vagal regulation) and calmer arousal. SCIRPTemperature shifts & the “diving reflex”Brief cold-water facial exposure can trigger parasympathetic responses (slowing heart rate), which some people find calming. PMCSocial support & threat reduction (co-regulation)Supportive presence/handholding can dampen neural threat responding; perceived support matters. Oxford AcademicMusic and the brain’s reward systemPowerful musical moments engage dopamine-related reward circuitry, which can help with mood regulation. PMCGuest story: Brian (shared with permission).Music mention: Sleep Token — “Infinite Baths.” Please support the artist via official channels.Host/Producer: Rachel (“Ray”).Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational information; it is not therapy or medical advice.
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    29 mins
  • Why Music Feels Like Magic

    Why Music Feels Like Magic
    Aug 25 2025

    What is it about music that feels like magic? Why do certain lyrics cling to us like whispers in the dark, reshaping how we see ourselves, the world, and even what we believe?

    In this episode, Rachel explores the hidden power of music — not just as entertainment, but as language, rhythm, and resonance that speaks directly to the subconscious. From the way artists like Sleep Token weave hypnotic patterns into their songs, to how our own interpretations of lyrics can become prayers, spells, or survival tools, we dive into why music so often feels otherworldly.

    You’ll hear about:

    • ​How lyrics and rhythm bypass logic to hit us on a deeper level.
    • ​Why music can feel like prayer, spellwork, or therapy in disguise
    • ​What makes certain songs linger in our minds and hearts long after the last note fades.

    This episode is for the seekers, the skeptics, and anyone who’s ever had a song save their life.


    Feel free to reach out to my on one of the platforms below.

    Instagram: @thestarlitpathwc84

    Facebook: @ The Starlit Path Tarot and Transformation

    Tiktok: @thevoidandtheflame
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    27 mins
  • Survival Patterns: Freeze, Fawn, Dissociation

    Survival Patterns: Freeze, Fawn, Dissociation
    Aug 18 2025

    In this episode, I open the door to my story — not as a lecture, but as an invitation. I take you into the patterns I’ve survived, the heaviness I’ve carried, and the turning points where I chose not to be crushed by it. Through raw honesty, metaphor, and reflection, this episode is both a beginning and a mirror — showing how darkness and light can exist side by side, and how choice lives inside that tension.

    If you’ve ever felt like the weight you carry might break you, this is for you. You’ll hear not only my story, but tools and perspectives you can hold onto when the ground feels unsteady.


    Feel free to reach out to my on one of the platforms below.

    Instagram: @thestarlitpathwc84

    Facebook: @ The Starlit Path Tarot and Transformation

    Tiktok: @thevoidandtheflame
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    30 mins
  • Who Wrote Your Blueprint?

    Who Wrote Your Blueprint?
    Aug 11 2025

    Dive deep into the subconscious programming and limiting beliefs that shape your life — often without your awareness. In this episode, Rachel unpacks the inherited “blueprints” we carry from childhood: the internalized stories, silent rules, and root beliefs that influence how we see ourselves and the world. Through personal storytelling and practical guidance, discover how to start recognizing these patterns and gently begin rewriting the narratives that no longer serve you.

    Key topics:

    • Limiting beliefs and internalized stories

    • Subconscious programming from childhood

    • Healing generational patterns and trauma

    • Practical journaling prompts for self-awareness

    • Emotional resilience and self-compassion

    If you’ve ever felt trapped by an “I’m not good enough” voice or wondered who wrote the story you live by, this episode offers space to question, heal, and reclaim your power.

    Tune in and keep the fire lit.
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    18 mins
  • The Fire Starter — How to Burn Down the Lies You Tell Yourself

    The Fire Starter — How to Burn Down the Lies You Tell Yourself
    Aug 4 2025

    Episode 1: The Fire Starter — How to Burn Down the Lies You Tell Yourself

    Ever feel like your inner voice is holding you back?

    In this powerful first episode of The Void & The Flame, we dive into the psychology of self-sabotage, limiting beliefs, and the hidden ways fear disguises itself as logic. You’ll learn how to spot the lies you’ve been telling yourself — and what it takes to finally set them on fire.

    Through hypnotic storytelling, practical NLP tools, and a guided “Rewrite Drill,” you’ll start to reclaim your power, shift your mindset, and rewrite the inner script that’s been running your life.

    Whether you're struggling with fear, perfectionism, procrastination, or old patterns that no longer serve you — this episode will help you start the fire you need to change everything.


    🔥 Connect with Me
    📲 Instagram: @starlitpathwc84

    💬 Facebook: The Starlit Path Tarot & Transformation

    🎥 TikTok: @thevoidandtheflame

    💌 Want to hear your story featured on the podcast? Email me at [rachel@starlitpathwc.com] or DM me on IG.
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    14 mins
  • The Void & The Flame Intro

    The Void & The Flame Intro
    Jul 29 2025

    The Void & The Flame is where healing meets rebellion. Raw, poetic, and unapologetically real, this podcast is for cycle-breakers, black sheep, and wild souls ready to stop carrying what was never theirs. Hosted by Rachel, each episode blends unfiltered storytelling, spiritual fire, and trauma-informed truth to burn through the bullshit and reclaim your life. This isn’t self-help—it’s self-rescue.
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    2 mins