140: The Surprising Healing Benefits of Eroticism

Access the Audacious Embodiment recordings here.What’s the real difference between erotic energy and sexual energy, and why has that distinction been so deeply confused?In this episode, I respond to a question that opens into embodiment, sensation, and what I call erotic artistry, not as sex or stimulation, but as vital force. I talk about how many of us live in functional freeze, moving through life on autopilot, and how practices that bring us back into sensation can interrupt dissociation and anchor us in our felt experience. This episode explores female embodiment, eros vs sex, and how prioritizing the senses—comfort, pleasure, movement, and presence—can awaken creative energy and aliveness in the body, moment by moment.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[00:01:02] The real difference between eros and sexual energy[00:02:46] Living in functional freeze turns life into autopilot and disconnects you from sensation[00:04:41] Prioritizing the senses moment by moment awakens creative energy and embodied aliveness[00:06:54] Intense sensation can be completely non-sexual and still bring you back into your felt experience[00:08:58] Choosing vitality over survival becomes a conscious, embodied practice rather than an ideaWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Find more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.

Learn more about Kelly's Relaxed Woman System here.What if women aren’t broken—but exhausted from living by values that don’t belong to them?Emotional suffering is often framed as pathology. But what if it’s information? What we call anxiety or depression can arise when our lived priorities are fundamentally misaligned with our inner values. When a life is organized around productivity, achievement, approval, or external validation, while deeper values point toward connection, intimacy, creativity, or pleasure, the psyche resists.For many women, this conflict shows up as burnout, resentment, guilt, or a persistent sense of futility. Not because something is wrong, but because self-abandonment has become normalized. Priorities are inherited, absorbed, and performed long after they stop feeding us.This episode explores women’s mental health through a different lens: symptoms as signals. Guilt as guidance. Exhaustion as feedback.When fulfillment is chased where it was never available, the system eventually collapses. Depression as a signal may be the moment a deeper truth insists on being heard.This is an invitation to examine your priorities and values, question what you’ve been taught to want, and consider what becomes possible when reprioritizing your life restores authentic expression.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[01:02] Depression reframed as the futility of living by priorities that cannot fulfill you[03:12] Resentment and frustration as early signals that your values and actions are misaligned[05:18] Self-abandonment as a learned strategy for belonging and approval[08:04] Burnout as the cost of organizing life around values that don’t actually feed women[10:02] The “hungry ghost” cycle created by chasing success, productivity, or validation[12:37] Guilt as an invitation to reorganize priorities rather than suppress discomfort[14:48] Alignment as the relief that comes from fully owning the choices you’ve already made[17:06] Reprioritization as a doorway to connection, intimacy, and renewed life force👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Find more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.Learn more about Kelly's Relaxed Woman System here.Go to the Juvent Store and use code KELLY300 at checkout to get $300 off your purchase.

Hear Amerly's first interview here, and listen to this related podcast on food boundaries here.What if your so-called food intolerances are really about your parents?In this episode, I sit down with my friend and mentor Amerly Centeno, a Family Constellation trainer and teacher whose work braids German New Medicine with ancestral dynamics. We trace my long, rigid history of cutting out gluten and dairy and lay it alongside the symbolic lens where those foods stand in for mother and father. From my Hashimoto's diagnosis to the first croissant I chose to eat in Europe after fifteen years without a molecule of gluten or dairy, I walk you through the inner shifts that made that experiment even possible. Tune in if you suspect your patterns with eating might be about much more than food.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[04:52] Why cutting out gluten and dairy can turn into an identity instead of a choice[09:47] What one bite of a “forbidden” food exposes about hidden rules in your body[12:36] How a small yes to pleasure can disrupt years of rigidity[14:52] Why feeling safer inside shifts how you digest the same foods[18:41] The reason symptoms can act as a biological solution when you can’t find one consciously[21:32] How early attachment patterns shape the way you take in nourishment[27:54] Why gluten and dairy often mirror the father and mother in the ancestral field[33:12] What changes when you stand as the adult child of two imperfect parents[40:52] How rigid health protocols can echo immature containment instead of true choice[44:10] Why some eating disorders reflect an unconscious loyalty to someone who didn’t get to live👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Check out Amerly's programs here and use code Kelly10 for 10% off.You can connect with Amerly and her work through her Website, and be sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.Find more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.Learn more about Kelly's Relaxed Woman System here.You can head to lotuswei.com and use the code Kelly15 for 15% off.

Learn more about Kelly's Relaxed Woman System here.What if relaxing around money was the very thing that made it flow?In this episode, I sit down with my friend, ally, and esteemed colleague Kate Northrup, a business owner and author of bestselling books about money and doing less, as well as the host of a top ranking podcast. I still remember exactly where I was when I first read her work on making money a love story and realized I was nowhere near ready to change my own unconscious relationship with it. That title alone has reverberated through my reclamation experience of wealth and even helped me eventually say out loud that I love money.When money has always meant scarcity or panic, being with it in the body can feel like either gripping tight or checking out completely. Tune in to learn how that shows up as lived patterns and how a different kind of nervous system safety slowly makes other choices possible.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[05:14] Why redefining money as an energetic “yes to life” shifts your entire relationship with it[11:07] How noticing your open versus closed responses shows you exactly where money triggers your nervous system[16:42] What happens when you identify whether you’re in protector mode or expander mode around money[19:14] How family patterns of scarcity and abundance imprint your adult money behavior[22:01] Why kids often mirror the money fears you’re not consciously expressing[27:33] How your inherited beliefs shape whether money feels chaotic or organized in daily life[34:58] The reason your capacity to hold money expands only when your body feels safe[41:22] Why recognizing your upper limit with “havingness” changes what you allow yourself to receive[55:49] What shifts when you see every financial exchange as human-to-human rather than system-to-entity👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Resources Mentioned:Money: A Love Story by Kate Northrup | BookDo Less by Kate Northrup | BookLearn more about Kate's Relaxed Money program here.Find more from Kate:Kate Northrup | FacebookKate Northrup | WebsiteKate Northrup | InstagramKate Northrup | PodcastFind more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.Go to the Juvent Store and use code KELLY300 at checkout to get $300 off your purchase.

What if the holidays you grew up with were never actually the real story?In this episode, I sit down with Lara J. Day, whose work around the winter season grew out of her own frustration with commercial holidays and her unexpected discovery of a practice that changed how she moved through the entire year. She brings a careful, deeply researched lens to where our modern traditions came from and how they were reshaped long before we inherited them.Old narratives begin to crumble when you hear how many of our rituals were engineered, borrowed, or rewritten. Fresh space opens when you realize there’s a quieter rhythm beneath the noise that most of us have never been taught to notice. The opportunity is choosing how you want to relate to this season without blindly repeating what was handed down. By the end, you’ll see why small shifts during this window can ripple through your entire year.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[03:50] Why rejecting commercial holidays can open the door to a more meaningful ritual season[06:26] What happens when solstice becomes the anchor that replaces the pressure of traditional celebrations[08:14] The reason skepticism about holiday stories can point toward a deeper desire for truth[10:05] How a practice discovered after becoming a parent reshaped an entire relationship to the season[13:47] Why understanding the origins of holidays changes how you participate in them[19:02] What the four-layer pattern behind modern holidays reveals about power, culture, and control[23:39] How aligning with seasonal rhythms shifts your inner world during the darkest part of the year[28:56] Why the curated version of Christmas was engineered to replace chaotic, older winter traditions[36:30] What ancient myths about reindeer, mushrooms, and midwinter spirits hint about cultural blending[44:05] How the 13-night practice uses nature, dreams, and synchronicity to map the coming yearResources Mentioned:The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissenbaum | Book or Audiobook13 Sacred Nights Oracle Deck by Lara J. Day | Website👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Find more from Lara:Lara J. Day | FacebookLara J. Day | WebsiteLara J. Day | InstagramLara J. Day | TikTokGet Lara's 13 Sacred Nights Oracle deck in time for the winter solstice here and use code Reclamation20 for 20% off your order.Find more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.Go to the Juvent Store and use code KELLY300 at checkout to get $300 off your purchase.You can head to lotuswei.com and use the code Kelly15 for 15% off.

How do I know if my sexual energy is healthy?Between attention-seeking and embodied confidence lives a messy gap. There is an old Madonna–whore tug-of-war that lives in many of us, and an archetypal maturation arc to reclaiming sexuality that won’t look the same for everyone.We start by noticing the judgments that flare and then gently trying on the characters we’ve rejected. Temptation to chase the gaze shows up, and it exposes the little parts that want to be applauded. The work is learning to relate to attention differently until the whole spectrum has a place. Press play to hear why developing a healthy relationship with your impulses changes everything.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[00:35] Why the question “Is my sexual energy healthy?” opens a doorway into your relationship with power[01:32] The difference between attention-seeking and embodied confidence in real life[02:44] How judgment toward “that kind of woman” reveals the parts of yourself asking to be reclaimed[04:09] What happens when you slowly step into the characters you’ve rejected[05:13] Why exploring erotic expression in movement can become a spiritual practice[06:02] The moment you realize your desire to be seen is a natural stage, not a flaw[07:08] How your relationship to the gaze evolves as you mature into self-sourced confidence[08:03] The reason skipping stages of feminine development keeps you stuck in judgment[09:00] Why trusting your impulses is the only true compass for authentic expression👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Resources Mentioned:The Spiritual Lessons I’ve Learned Through Pole Dance | BlogDear Lover by David Deida and Marianne Williamson | BookThe 3 Stages of Men & Women - Masculinity & Femininity | YouTubeFind more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.

Learn more about Kelly's Relaxed Woman System here.What if everything we’ve been told about birth, the body, and belonging to the system was backwards?In this episode, I sit down with Veda Ray, a wife, a mother, and a guide for families reclaiming sovereignty through conception, pregnancy, and birth. Her work brings a calm, grounded clarity to topics that most of us were taught to fear, from ancestral trauma to the spiritual role of the placenta. She lives what she teaches, and her story begins long before the birth room.We trace how disconnection begins generations before conception, how modern birth rituals mirror that separation, and what it looks like to restore the bond to your body, your baby, and even your lineage. We go where few conversations dare to go: birth certificates, circumcision, and the quiet decision to raise children outside the system. You’ll see why remembering what’s natural isn’t rebellion, it’s homecoming.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[08:52] The turning point that forced Veda to stop outsourcing her health and trust her body again[16:03] How ancestral trauma can pass through generations, and what it takes to break the pattern before birth[19:47] The surprising imprint a mother’s first thoughts can leave on her baby[27:04] Why revisiting your own birth story can rewrite more than memories[35:56] What a lotus birth really is and the spiritual logic behind letting nature finish the process[47:15] How questioning routine procedures like circumcision can wake you up from medical hypnosis[55:59] The hidden legal meaning of a birth certificate and what opting out actually means[1:06:39] Why redefining motherhood beyond career or convenience can rewire your entire sense of purpose👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Resources Mentioned:The Business of Being Born | DocumentaryPlacenta: The Forgotten Chakra by Robin Lim | BookThe Elephant in the Hospital by Dr. Ryan McAllister | YouTubeThe Way Forward with Alec Zeck episode on The Great Birth Revival with Veda Ray | Spotify or AppleFind more from Veda Ray:Instagram: @veda.revivalYoutube: @veda.revivalWebsite: vedarevival.comLearn more about Veda's Your Sovereign Baby system here.Find more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.

Learn more about Kelly's Relaxed Woman System here.What if the cavity story is bigger than sugar and brushing?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nirvani, a leading dental surgeon who has gone holistic in over a decade of practice. Nirvani gets honest about the limits of germ theory in the mouth and the oral–body connection that keeps showing up in real cases.We get into cavities, root canals, wisdom teeth, and amalgams, then shift to what a day-to-day, truly holistic routine looks like. Expect tongue posture, chewing with intention, a five-minute face massage, and simple at-home care, alongside the emotional layer that many families notice but can’t quite name. You’ll hear a clear way to think about what each choice might mean for your whole system, without the hype.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[05:41] Why the “brush and floss more” story doesn’t explain what’s really going on in your mouth[12:19] What your teeth reveal about the rest of your body’s health[18:06] The surprising link between chronic inflammation, emotions, and dental pain[25:54] Why drilling and filling may not solve the deeper cause of decay[32:47] The mouth–gut connection that changes how you think about oral care[39:02] How to support your teeth naturally using minerals and mindful daily habits[45:38] The five-minute face massage that improves lymph flow and jaw tension[52:15] What tongue posture can teach you about your nervous system👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Find more from Dr. Nirvani:Instagram: @drnirvaniholisticWebsite: drnirvani.comYouTube: @Dr.NirvaniFind more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.Learn more about the GLOW program here.

Learn more about Kelly's Relaxed Woman System here.To dive deeper, listen to Reclamation Radio episode Unmasking the Narcissist and How to stop being controlled by Ego.Even the darkest voice in your head is trying to help.In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist David Coates, trained in Internal Family Systems, to explore parts work with men. Together we trace how the mind operates like a family system of parts, and how those parts show up in relationships when they’re driving the bus. We also map the four extreme male strategies David has observed across years of clinical work and what shifts when they’re seen clearly.The problem is simple to name and hard to live with: when I blend with a part, it runs the show and pulls the relationship to the perimeter. The move is to unblend, get curious, and stay centered while refusing the bait.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[04:17] Why Internal Family Systems can finally make sense of your chaotic mind[06:01] How regulating your inner world stops the suffering loop you keep replaying outside yourself[08:12] The radical reason there are no “bad parts” because even suicidal thoughts have a protective logic[10:02] What happens when a therapist meets every part with zero agenda or judgment[14:55] The real patterns behind “toxic masculinity” and why labeling men as narcissists misses the point[20:46] How to recognize when you’re getting pulled into someone else’s chaos, and hold your own center[26:15] Why your partner’s most frustrating traits might just be old survival strategies[37:54] How reconnecting with exiled “little-boy” parts unlocks lost power and presence[51:15] What true healing looks like when an identity built on defense finally collapses👉🏻 Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Find more from Dr. David Coates:David’s Book: Be Less DickishInstagram: @belessdickishFacebook: Be Less DickishWebsite: davidcoates.worldFind more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.

Ask Kelly your burning questions in our monthly Vital Life Project membership here.What if your body knows who to trust before your mind does?In this episode, I explore the distinction between discernment and being inflexible or judgmental, and why nervous-system safety matters. I look at how surrounding myself with people who share my values gave my system the signal it needed to read truth. I point to embodied examples of leadership where trust and betrayal are felt, not computed.The real shift is letting your body tell you who feels like an ally and where something feels off. Not everyone has to be everything to you. Some relationships are for deep safety, others are for a hike or a dance, and that’s healthy. When judgment shows up, it’s a mirror inviting you to own the part you’ve pushed into the shadows.Sometimes the smartest move is giving your body what it already needs.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[01:15] Why discernment isn’t about judgment but about nervous system safety[02:20] What binge-watching warrior shows taught me about embodied leadership[03:05] How to sense betrayal and trust through your body instead of logic[03:50] The real reason some people can’t engage in truth conversations[04:45] How to tell when someone’s nervous system can’t handle reality[05:10] Why different relationships serve different energetic purposes in your life[05:50] The healthy way to view relationships as conscious, reciprocal exchanges[06:05] How judgment reveals the parts of yourself still waiting to be lovedWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Find more from Kelly:Instagram: @kellybroganmdWebsite: kellybroganmd.comJoin Kelly's monthly membership, Vital Life Project here.Get Kelly’s new book The Reclaimed Woman here.