Ep. 39: Why Trauma-Informed Spaces Can Create More Shame with Katja Markelova

There’s a part of every transition where you’re no longer who you were, but you’re not fully who you’re becoming yet. That space can feel uncomfortable, unclear, and hard to explain. In this episode, I’m joined by Mel Glaze to talk about the liminal space and how to move through it in a way that keeps you connected to yourself. We talk about: Why this phase can feel so intense in the body Staying with yourself when discomfort rises Understanding what you need and how to access it The kind of support that actually helps How this impacts your relationships A parts-based lens for understanding inner conflict Meeting coping patterns without judgment The real potential that exists inside this phase If you’re in the middle of a transition right now, this conversation will meet you there. — Mel Glaze is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, peer mentor, and founder of Crosscurrent Counseling, a Washington State practice specializing in neurodivergent-affirming therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Her work blends narrative, relational, and values-based approaches to help people navigate identity, grief, and life transitions — with a particular focus on BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, and mixed-neurotype individuals and relationships.   Website: https://crosscurrentcounseling.com/ — If this episode resonated, it means a lot when you subscribe, rate, or share it with someone who might need it too. Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

There comes a point in your work where something starts to feel off. You might not have words for it yet, but you can feel it. In this episode, I’m joined by Tami Sasson to talk about what it looks like when your work begins to unravel, and how that can lead you back to yourself. We talk about: The early pull toward this kind of work Burnout, illness, and the body stepping in Overgiving and losing yourself in the work Finding your own edges again Building work that actually supports you Relating to your work as a practice Trusting that there is something on the other side Why your work shifts when you do If you’re questioning your work right now or feeling a disconnect you can’t quite explain, this conversation will meet you there. Tami is a former somatic psychotherapist and writer of Holding the Thread who now holds spaces for people ready to move beyond healing and into the sacred art of living. She works with the neurocomplex and highly sensitive, guiding the shift from self-fixing into expression, wholeness, and a life that truly holds and supports them. Connect with Tami: 1:1 Somatic Alchemy Connection Call: https://tamisassonschedule.as.me/connectioncall Substack Publication:Holding The Thread: https://tamisasson.substack.com/ Website: tamisasson.com  — If this episode resonated, it means a lot when you subscribe, rate, or share it with someone who might need it too. Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

What happens when the life you built stops working, and pushing through would require abandoning yourself? In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Swoboda—a phenomenal coach, my mentor, and the person who taught me how to coach. Kate is the founder of the Credentialed Life Coach Collective and the host of The Craft of Coaching Podcast. Kate shares a deeply honest story of a season marked by burnout, values misalignment, isolation, and painful family dynamics followed by the courage it took to stop pushing, tell the truth, let help in, and choose herself. This conversation explores what it means to listen to your body, set boundaries that change everything, grieve relationships that can’t meet you, and return to a life that actually feels like home. This episode is for anyone standing at a threshold—where effort no longer works, rest doesn’t restore, and something honest is asking to be named. In this episode, we explore: The “small, reasonable compromises” that quietly lead to burnout When high performance becomes self-abandonment How environment and isolation impact the nervous system Why stability on paper isn’t the same as being okay in your body Letting help in when you’ve been avoiding it Anticipatory grief and the reality of going no contact What becomes possible when you stop negotiating with what hurts Kate Swoboda helps people stop waiting to feel brave and start practicing courage—now. As creator of YourCourageousLife.com, Director of the ICF-accredited Certified Life Coach Collective, and author of The Courage Habit (endorsed by several New York Times best-selling authors), she’s built a movement around unlearning fear patterns and creating courage as a habit. Named a “Top 10 Coach to Watch” by LA Weekly, Kate has been a frequent podcast guest, and her work on the psychology of courage has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, USA Today, and the BBC. Kate also hosts the Your Courageous Life podcast and Craft of Coaching podcasts. Her teaching draws on the psychology of courage and behavioral science to help people break fear patterns and let the truth of who they are on the inside become how they live on the outside. If this episode resonated, it means a lot when you subscribe, rate, or share it with someone who might need it too. Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

What if alignment isn’t about becoming more polished, but more bare? In this episode of Sensitive., Kim is joined by mystic soul doula Kirsten Kelly for a spacious, intimate conversation about life as initiation. Together, they explore how choosing alignment again and again often strips away identity, conditioning, and protection, inviting repeated cycles of death and rebirth that shape us into our truest selves. They speak candidly about surrender, the fear and necessity of the void, and what it means to let life continually kill and resurrect us—through birth, marriage, relocation, and rebuilding from the ground up. This episode is an offering for anyone standing at a threshold, grieving what no longer fits, or learning how to trust themselves when the path forward is still unseen. Connect with Kirsten: Instagram YouTube The Well + The Wild If this episode resonated, it means a lot when you subscribe, rate, or share it with someone who might need it too.   Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

AI is evolving fast—but what if, instead of pulling us away from our humanity, it could bring us closer to it? In this episode, I’m joined by Emmy-award-winning producer and conscious tech leader Natalie MacNeil to explore how we can use AI ethically, intentionally, and in alignment with our deepest values. We talk about what it means to collaborate with technology through the lens of embodiment, nervous system awareness, and creative sovereignty—especially as highly sensitive and neurodivergent entrepreneurs. Together, we explore: How AI can actually restore balance between the masculine and feminine in business and culture Why ethical AI use starts with consciousness, not tools How automation can free us from overwork and help us return to our humanity What embodied, carbon-aware AI integration can look like day-to-day Ways AI can support executive function, sensory load, and creativity cycles The quiet stigma of using AI in coaching or therapy—and how to reframe it How to know when the soul is missing from AI-generated content What Natalie will never outsource to AI (and why) Whether you’re AI-curious or AI-cautious, this conversation invites you to soften the binary of “good” or “bad” technology and instead build a relationship with it that honors your humanity, your body, and the earth. Natalie MacNeil is a Futurist, Emmy Award-winning media entrepreneur, and creator of AI Dream Team™.  She teaches purpose-driven entrepreneurs how to collaborate with AI ethically, strategically, and creatively—without losing their voice or values. She has been listed on the Levo 100 as a "transformer of our generation" and featured by Inc. as one of "27 women leaders changing the world." Build your own AI Dream Team: Free AI Dream Team Prompt Playbook: https://kimball--coachingevolved.thrivecart.com/ai-dream-team/67acdc27756d0/ Free Masterclass: 3 AI Secrets to Reclaim 10+ Hours per Week: https://kimball--coachingevolved.thrivecart.com/ai-dream-team/67dc60bac6534/ AI Dream Team: https://kimball--coachingevolved.thrivecart.com/ai-dream-team/67acdc42756d1/ *I’m an AI Dream Suite affiliate partner and may earn a commission if you enroll* Connect with Kim: Website Instagram Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

What if your business had a spirit of its own — a living presence you could connect with for guidance, clarity, and support? In this episode, I sit down with shamanic practitioner Laura Horton-Ludwig to explore the profound ways entrepreneurs can deepen their relationship with their businesses. We talk about Laura’s journey into shamanic practice, the care she took around appropriation, and why the steady drumbeat is central to her work. From there, we dive into how shamanic practice intersects with entrepreneurship — and why listening to the spirit of your business can be foundational before you even think about strategy. Together, we explore: Laura’s journey to becoming a shamanic practitioner and her approach to practicing with integrity How her shamanic work became connected with entrepreneurs and business owners Why every business has its own consciousness or aliveness What it means to connect with the spirit of your business — and the benefits of doing so How this practice can ground you before or while engaging with traditional business strategy I share my own experience of connecting with the spirit of my business  Simple ways to begin building a relationship with your business spirit today This conversation is for anyone craving a deeper, more soulful way of leading their business — one that feels alive, relational, and guided.   Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig is a spiritual director, coach, shamanic practitioner, and Unitarian Universalist minister who has a unique perspective on how spirituality can support highly sensitive entrepreneurs because of her background, first as an entrepreneur and highly sensitive person herself, who draws on shamanic journeying and other spiritual practices to help her partner with the spirit of her business, so it can grow and evolve organically the way it wants to. Laura has also served as a highly sensitive congregational minister for 20 years—or in other words, a constantly shifting mix of CEO, creative content producer, public speaker, emergency responder, counselor, and justice activist. And today, she’s the only person in the world (as far as she knows!) who coaches highly sensitive clergy leaders on how to craft ways of leading that honor their sensitive souls.    Resources & Links Mentioned: Learn more about Laura's Partnering with the Spirit of Your Business program and get a special discount just for podcast listeners: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dOW4g0vt7LQfibuv5OfLzCliu9a9eCxt/view?usp=sharing   Download Laura's free ebook Conversations with Spirit to learn more about shamanic journeying (plus start receiving weekly-ish email reflections on spirituality and announcements about new offerings): https://laurahortonludwig.com/free-offerings/  A Gentle Invitation: If this episode stirs something in you, I invite you to explore what it would feel like to be in relationship with your business instead of constantly pushing it. Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

In this conversation with Katja Markelova, we explore the surprising ways that many “trauma-informed” spaces can unintentionally create more shame, fear, and disempowerment. From the myth of “safe spaces,” to the culture of hypervigilance and endless rules, we unpack how these dynamics can leave people feeling fragile and infantilized rather than free and empowered. Together, we explore: Why hypervigilance in trauma-informed spaces often increases shame and fear What to create instead of a so-called “safe space” How to honor real struggles with agency without disempowering people Signs that a community is shame-centric (and how to spot them) What it actually means to hold a non-dogmatic space Katja’s one guiding rule for her containers — and why it matters How all of this connects to cancel culture, difference, and staying in relationship This is a rich, provocative conversation for anyone craving community and leadership that fosters true capacity, agency, and connection — not more fear. Katja Markelova is a seasoned practitioner, educator and creator of the Tales of Bodyverse platform and the professional training Imaginal Body where she teaches human condition through resonance and field dynamics. Trained extensively in somatic trauma resolution, quantum fields, and folklore as somatic maps, Katja developed the "Felt Imaginal Architectural Construction" method - a process that naturally dissolves even most sticky and heavy patterns while building capacity for Effortless, Effective, and Efficient Life Artistry, opening pathways to equanimity and previously unavailable alternatives. Resources & Links Mentioned: Connect with Katja on Telegram → https://t.me/+QtO2QK7U1AMwNGZk Connect with Katja on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/talesofbodyverse/ A Gentle Invitation: If this conversation resonates, I’d love to hear what you’re rethinking about the spaces you’re part of or facilitating-send Katja or I a DM. Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

For HSP and ND entrepreneurs, visibility is often one of the tenderest parts of business. You’ve built offers you believe in. You’ve worked with clients you love. And still, showing up can feel like too much — or not enough. Maybe you overthink every word before hitting “publish.” Maybe you’ve been quiet because showing up feels like a performance. Or maybe you post often but keep your real perspective, artistry, or quirks off the table — hiding in plain sight. If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken. Your nervous system is simply protecting you. In this episode, we’ll explore: -Why visibility often feels wobbly (and why it’s not about mindset). -The difference between performing and authentic expression. -What “hiding in plain sight” looks like. -The ripple effects of safe visibility. -A short reflection to notice your body’s response to being seen. We’ll also talk about The Visibility Lab — a 4-week guided experiment designed to help you practice visibility in ways that feel safe, light, and playful. If this episode resonated, it means a lot when you subscribe, rate, or share it with someone who might need it too. Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

Ep. 37 – What Becomes Possible When You Build a Business Around Your Blueprint What if your business felt like an extension of your essence — rooted in your values, your energy, your brilliance, and your actual needs? In this episode, I share the deeper why behind The Sustainable Growth Sanctuary — a 6-month, high-touch mastermind for HSP and neurodivergent business owners who are ready to grow with more clarity, capacity, and joy. We explore what becomes available when you stop trying to fit your business into someone else’s mold, and instead start building it around your unique blueprint. You’ll hear more about: What it means to lead from your nervous system, not just your strategy How honoring your capacity and desires actually supports growth Why community and belonging can be the key to unlocking sustainable success What it looks like to integrate shadow in leadership, without shame How body-led decision-making transforms your business from the inside out Whether you’re craving more spaciousness, aliveness, or alignment in your work, this conversation offers a glimpse of what’s possible when your business is built to honor you. If this episode resonated, it means a lot when you subscribe, rate, or share it with someone who might need it too. Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work

Episode 36: The Hidden Reasons Your Business Feels Unsustainable as a Sensitive or Neurodivergent Entrepreneur If you’re a highly sensitive or neurodivergent business owner, chances are your business might look like it’s “working” from the outside — but doesn’t always feel that way from the inside. In this solo episode, I walk you through the two most common reasons why your business might feel unsustainable, even if it’s technically successful: ✨ You’re building without your blueprint — following someone else’s formula, without honoring your energy, capacity, sensory needs, or actual desires ✨ You’ve been pushing through resistance instead of learning to partner with yourself — leaving you in a cycle of burnout, shame, or self-doubt These are the foundational areas we work with inside The Sustainable Growth Sanctuary, and I’m sharing more about how addressing them can transform your business from something you’re surviving... into something that supports you. You’ll hear: Why common business strategies backfire for HSPs and ND entrepreneurs What “working with your blueprint” really means (and why it matters) The cost of forcing yourself through fear, shame, and visibility wounds How your business can start giving you energy — instead of draining it Why deep community and nervous-system-safe growth matter If you’ve been craving a new way of doing business — one rooted in your truth, your pacing, and your lived experience — this is for you. Learn more + apply to join The Sustainable Growth Sanctuary Work with me If something in this episode stirred something in you, Threshold Mapping Day is where I’d start. It’s a live somatic coaching session plus a day of Voxer support, where we map what’s ending, what’s emerging, and your next right step. Learn more and book here. Not ready for that yet? Some of my most honest writing goes only to my newsletter. Stories from my own thresholds, practices to try in your body, and questions to sit with. No schedule. Just letters, when there’s something worth saying. Sign up here. Find me on Instagram More about my work