At The Helm with Jessie and Karelin

As our parents age, many of us find ourselves navigating an unexpected transition: the people who once cared for us begin needing care from us. In this episode of At The Helm, therapist Karelin Wadkins and educator/coach Jessie Wadkins reflect on a recent family visit that challenged our assumptions about independence, responsibility, and what it means to support the people we love. Together, we explore the emotional reality of the sandwich generation—balancing the needs of aging parents, our own families, and ourselves. We talk about the grief that can accompany role reversal, the stories we tell ourselves when expectations aren't met, and the importance of shifting from judgment to curiosity. Through the lenses of self-compassion, nervous system awareness, and healthy boundaries, we discuss how to care deeply for others without losing ourselves in the process. If you've ever struggled with aging parents, caregiving, family expectations, or the complicated emotions that come with watching the people you love grow older, this conversation is for you.

What happens when your partner wakes up in a bad mood—and your anxiety immediately wants to fix it? In this episode of At The Helm, therapist Karelin and educator/coach Jessie share a real-life example of how codependency, anxiety, emotional triggers, and protective parts can quietly take over a relationship. What started as an ordinary Saturday morning quickly became an opportunity to examine a familiar pattern: one partner feeling responsible for the other's emotional state. Through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS), self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and healthy relationship boundaries, we explore how learning to recognize these patterns can dramatically change the way couples communicate and connect. In this episode, we discuss: • Codependency and emotional responsibility • Why we try to fix the people we love • Relationship anxiety and hypervigilance • Cognitive distortions and "thinking traps" • Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work • Emotional regulation and self-awareness • Boundaries in healthy relationships • How childhood experiences shape adult relationships • The stories we tell ourselves when we're triggered • Learning to identify who is really "at the helm" Whether you're working through codependency, navigating relationship challenges, healing old attachment wounds, or learning to respond differently to anxiety and emotional triggers, this conversation offers practical insights and compassionate reflection. 🎙️ ABOUT AT THE HELM At The Helm is a podcast hosted by therapist Karelin Wadkins and educator/coach Jessie Wadkins. Together, we explore relationships, personal growth, anxiety, self-compassion, neurodivergence, nervous system awareness, parenting, emotional well-being, and what it means to navigate life with intention and authenticity. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and practical tools, we examine how to stay connected to ourselves and each other—even when fear, anxiety, codependency, or protective parts try to take the wheel. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations about: • Relationships and communication • Codependency recovery • Anxiety and emotional regulation • Internal Family Systems (IFS) • Self-compassion and mindfulness • Neurodivergence • Personal growth and healing • Parenting and family life #Codependency #Relationships #RelationshipAdvice #Anxiety #IFS #InternalFamilySystems #SelfAwareness #EmotionalRegulation #PersonalGrowth #Boundaries #MentalHealth #SelfCompassion #CommunicationSkills #Neurodivergence #AtTheHelmPodcast

In the very first episode of At the Helm, we're diving into a recent experience that perfectly illustrates what this podcast is all about. What happens when anxiety shows up before a big trip? What happens when plans start going sideways, stress levels rise, and old patterns threaten to take over? As we prepared to travel to Austin for our daughter's graduation, we found ourselves facing a series of unexpected challenges before we even made it to the airport. Historically, travel has been one of those situations where anxiety, overwhelm, frustration, and conflict can surface quickly. This time, however, something was different. In this conversation, we explore how increased awareness of our nervous systems, a better understanding of the protective parts of ourselves, and intentional co-regulation helped us navigate a stressful situation without repeating some of the mistakes and meltdowns of the past. Along the way, we discuss: • Anxiety and anticipatory stress • Parts work and self-awareness • Co-regulation in relationships • Nervous system regulation during challenging moments • How old patterns can show up under pressure • The difference between reacting and responding • Why compassion is often more effective than control At the Helm is a podcast hosted by Karelin, a therapist, and Jessie, a teacher and coach. Together, as two neurodivergent humans navigating life's challenges, we explore what it means to live with greater awareness, self-compassion, and connection. Whether you struggle with anxiety, find travel stressful, or simply want to better understand how emotions show up in everyday life, we hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone and a little more equipped to stay at the helm when life gets rough. Helping you notice what's at the helm—so you can meet life with more awareness, compassion, and choice.