Creating Moments of Genuine Connection with Juliette Karaman Van Schaardenburg

This week on The Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin welcomes intimacy expert Juliette Karaman Van Schaardenburg for a grounded conversation about staying connected - to yourself and to the people you love - during one of the most emotionally charged seasons of the year. They talk about why communication can feel harder around the holidays, how touch can soothe or overwhelm the nervous system, and what it really means to create moments of genuine connection in the middle of chaos.Juliette also introduces her “tell me” prompts and shares gentle, practical ways to check in with your body, regulate your emotions, and honor your boundaries — whether you’re spending the season with family, a partner, or on your own.In this episode, we explore:• Why the holidays amplify miscommunication, overwhelm, and emotional triggers• Simple grounding tools to calm your body when you feel overstimulated• How to offer touch that actually lands — and how to say no when it doesn’t• Ways to communicate your capacity and boundaries with clarity and compassion• Connection practices you can use with partners, family, or yourselfIf you’re craving calmer conversations, deeper connection, and more presence this holiday season, this episode offers tools you can use right away.✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.Connect with Juliette on her website or on social media @juliettekaraman. You can download Juliette’s Holiday Communication Survival Kit for free if you use the code SCRUMPTIOUS.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Content Warning00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast01:48 Meet Juliette Karaman Van Schaardenburg03:58 Navigating Holiday Stress and Emotional Triggers05:52 Practical Tips for Grounding and Connection12:32 Exploring Physical Touch and Comfort19:43 The Power of Music and Creativity in Healing25:11 The Holiday Survival Kit and Final ThoughtsCREDITSHosted and Produced by Erin BillingsPost Production by Isaac MorenoMusic by Erin BillingsArtwork by Diana Pietzryk