PODCAST · health
Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation
by Chelsea Bartell-Smith
Dismantling survival loops to set you free
Episodes
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73. How To Have Compassion With Yourself When You Feel Like You're F*cking It All Up
I held myself to an impossible standard this past year. When I froze, when I procrastinated, when I couldn't get out of bed — I said things to myself I would never say to a client. Never say to you. And that impossible standard is exactly what kept me stuck for so much longer than I needed to be....
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72. Why You Keep Freezing Every Time You're About to Do the Thing You Actually Want
You know what you want to do. You've known for a while. You think about it constantly, you've planned it out in your head, and then the moment you go to actually make it real — you go blank. You switch tasks. You suddenly need a snack. You clean your entire bathroom instead. Your nervous system...
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71. What Happens When You Flight-Response, High-Achieve, and Resilient-to-a-Fault Your Way Into Burnout
I've been gone for a month and a half. And I'm back because I finally stopped running from the thing that was keeping me quiet. This episode is the full story of the year I had everything — the $100K, the dream wedding, the business class honeymoon — and sat in a bathtub in Florence looking down…
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70. "She Read It Out Loud for the First Time Ever" — Lexie on Shaking Hands, Survival Patterns, and the Book She Almost Didn't Write
Two years ago, Lexie almost cancelled this call. She sat in her car in the summer heat, shaking so hard she could barely hold her phone. Her co-workers had to take her to lunch first just to keep her from backing out. Today she's releasing a debut poetry collection this summer — and in this...
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69. "I Googled My Own Symptoms Because I Thought Something Was Wrong With My Brain"
Nicole had done everything right. Spiritual work. Energy clearing. Limiting belief reprogramming. She had the vision, the coaching certification, and a clear picture of the stage she wanted to stand on. She was also googling her own symptoms a week before we started working together — convinced...
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68. I Was Pulling the Rope. My Body Was Pulling Back Harder.
You've been fighting your body for years. Controlling the food. Pushing through the workouts. Managing the schedule. Holding everything together. And the harder you pull — the harder it pulls back. Amanda Rurik thought she was doing everything right. Mother. Business owner. Clean eating....
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67. What If Your 'Disorder' Is Just Unprocessed Genius?
ADHD. OCD. GAD. Bipolar. Depression. The mental health industry took every complex, grief-filled, rage-inducing experience that happened to you—every moment your gifts got buried, every time love was taken from you, every time you were told you were too much—and they boiled it all down to a...
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66. Who TF Am I Beyond My Trauma?
Your trauma didn't just happen to you. It shaped you. Buried parts of you. Convinced you that staying small was safer than being seen. And now you're stuck in survival loops—same triggers, same reactions, same life you know you've outgrown. In this episode, Chelsea gets raw about the work no one...
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🔔 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT— The Most Insane Thing I've Ever Done in the History of My Biz
In order to win one of $25,000 in gifts you must submit your screenshot to me below. I deeply value & love the way you've shown up for me. I can't wait to give back to you ☺️ You must submit your screen shot to me before January 15th 2026. If you do not submit by then you will no longer be…
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65. Becoming Someone Else: When Survival Loops Turn You Into a Version of Yourself You Don't Know
Chelsea shares what happened when she turned nasty during a board game - and discovered the six-year-old who's been running her adult reactions. You're in a normal situation. Suddenly you become someone you don't recognize - defensive, mean, shut down. Your reaction doesn't match what's…
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64. Survival Mode is A Slippery Slope, But This Is How I Climbed Back Up
Your ego wants you to believe you're in control. That if you just stay vigilant enough, productive enough, prepared enough—you can prevent bad things from happening. It's a lie. And it's keeping you stuck. In this episode, Chelsea gets raw about slipping back into survival mode after a year of…
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63. The Year I Achieved Everything and Lost Myself Anyway
What happens when you hit every goal on your list and still feel hollow? Chelsea pulls back the curtain on a year that looked successful from the outside—and felt like survival mode on the inside. Goals met. Revenue up. Business growing. And yet: burnt out, creatively depleted, running on fumes....
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62. Perfectionism Is Just Sophisticated Self-Sabotage
Six years of "getting ready" is six years of not serving the people who need you. Chelsea breaks down the sophisticated self-sabotage that keeps brilliant women collecting credentials instead of claiming clients. In this episode, you'll hear a raw voice memo exchange with a fellow coach who's…
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61. The Question That Shattered My Pride
Chelsea gets brutally honest about the moment everything shifted - and why your own liberation story is already writing itself, even if you can't see it yet. How long have you been performing "fine"? Chelsea opens up about her own liberation journey and the exhausting performance of having it all...
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60. Why Your Body Rejects What You Want Most
Chelsea gets raw about the real cost of running from your emotions - and why the edges of your discomfort are actually gateways to the life you're meant to live. Your nervous system is a library of every experience that shaped you. Every time you choose avoidance over feeling, you're adding…
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59. The Lies You Built Your Life On ft. Sarah from Soul Rehab Project
Chelsea sits down with Sarah, creator of the Soul Rehab Project, for a conversation that will make you question everything you think you know about authenticity, healing, and what it actually means to live your truth. How much of your life is actually yours? Sarah drops truth bombs about how most...
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58. When Your Body Rejects Peace: A Love Story With Chaos
Chelsea's Croatia revelation: Standing in paradise while her nervous system threw a tantrum because comfort felt more dangerous than chaos. Picture this: You're in one of the world's most beautiful places, but your body is vibrating with discomfort. Not because anything's wrong - but because...
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57. I Was Addicted to Financial Chaos Until I Wasn't
The moment Chelsea stopped making excuses for her financial chaos and started taking responsibility for the patterns she was unconsciously creating. Chelsea's breakdown wasn't a tragedy - it was her nervous system finally getting loud enough to break through decades of self-deception. Sometimes...
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56. Stranger in My Own Skin: When You Abandon Yourself for So Long You Forget Who You Are
Danielle couldn't tell if she was hungry or having a panic attack. She'd been living like a ghost in her own body for so long that existing felt like wearing someone else's life. This is what happened when she finally came home to herself. Danielle walked into my Beyond Survival program carrying...
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55. Why Leaving Religion Broke My Brain (And How Plants Put Me Back Together)
This week, I'm sitting down with Sydnie—a woman who thought deconstructing her faith was the hard part. Turns out, convincing her body that she was actually free? That was the real work. If you've ever left something that everyone else thought was "good for you," this conversation is going to gut...
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54. Parentified, Terrified & Broke: How Your Childhood Money Trauma Is Still Running Your Life
In this gut-punch of an episode, Chelsea rips open the veil between trauma and your money story, showing how your nervous system's grip might be strangling your financial freedom. The brutal reality that seeking help isn't weakness—it's fucking courage in its purest form How your constricted...
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53. Embracing Grief: Transforming Loss into Love and Resilience
You weren’t meant to grieve in silence. You were meant to be witnessed in your return to wholeness. In this raw and reverent episode of the Start Thriving podcast, Chelsea Bartell-Smith shares her personal journey with grief as a sacred threshold—not something to move on from, but something to…
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52. The Overthinking Lie: Why You’re Not Actually Processing Anything
Ever feel like your brain is running a marathon with no finish line? You replay conversations, analyze every decision, and convince yourself that this mental spinning is productive. But what if I told you it’s not? In this episode, we’re exposing the truth about overthinking — it’s not...
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51. Why "Just Sit With Your Feelings" Is Terrible Advice: The Dangerous Gap in Traditional Emotional Processing
Register for the workshop here📆 In this raw and revealing episode, I pull back the curtain on one of the most damaging pieces of advice in modern therapy: "just sit with your uncomfortable feelings." What happens when this well-intentioned guidance collides with a nervous system that's primed…
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50. Stuck in Autopilot? How Small Acts of Courage Rewire Your Nervous System
Ever feel like you’re just going through the motions — stuck in the same old patterns, knowing you want more but feeling too exhausted or numb to make a change? If you’re nodding along, this episode is for you. In this week’s episode of Start Thriving, I’m getting real about what it takes to…
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49. Burn the Ships: Embracing Fear to Ignite Your Potential
📆 Book your Nervous System Liberation Call 🌊 Burn the Ships: Embracing Fear to Ignite Your Potential 🌊 What if the thing keeping you stuck isn’t your lack of clarity or motivation — but your fear of fully committing to the life you actually want? In this raw and powerful episode of Start...
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48. The Hidden Cost of Shutdown: How to Find Your Way Back (You Asked, We Answered!)
Ever felt like you’ve hit an emotional dead end? Like no matter how much you want to move forward, your body just won’t cooperate? That’s not laziness or lack of willpower — that’s your shutdown response. And it’s more common (and more misunderstood) than you think. In this episode of Start...
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47. Love or Survival Mode? How Your Nervous System Picks Your Partner
💔 Attachment Styles: The Invisible Force Behind Your Relationships 💔 Root Cause → Why does this happen? Ever wonder why you keep attracting the same kind of partners? Or why love sometimes feels more like anxiety than safety? The way we bond (or struggle to) isn’t random—it’s wired deep in our...
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46. Self-Discipline Isn’t Punishment—But Your Brain Thinks It Is
🚨Your Childhood is Messing With Your Self-Discipline (And You Don’t Even Know It) 🚨 If self-discipline feels like a constant battle—forcing, shaming, or white-knuckling your way through—there’s a reason for that. And it has everything to do with what you were taught as a kid. In this episode...
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45. The Mental Masturbation Trap: When Trauma Knowledge Becomes Your Comfort Zone
[Nervous System Liberation Call] 📆 When twelve potential clients ghost their nervous system liberation calls, most coaches would question their worth. But what if the real story isn't about rejection – but about the epidemic of "healing procrastination" that's keeping thousands stuck in survival...
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44. Mom's Best Friend at Age 8: Confessions of a Kid Who Grew Up Too Fast
Ever been the family therapist before you could ride a bike? Pull up a chair - this one's for you. In this raw and real episode, I'm spilling the tea on what happens when you're forced to be a mini-adult way too soon. We're talking: Why my nervous system thought being a pint-sized parent was…
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43. Last Year Reflections & New Year of Softness
🎉 Book your call here Reflect, Reconnect, and Redefine Your Year In this heartfelt episode of Start Thriving, Chelsea Bartell-Smith invites you to pause and reflect on the past year, sharing personal milestones and profound insights from her own journey. From tying the knot with her partner Zack...
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42. Break Free and Thrive: Tough Love and Tools That Work
📆 Book your call here Stuck in survival mode? Let’s change that—together. In this episode of Start Thriving, I’m giving you a no-nonsense pep talk about what it really takes to break free from fear, stop spinning your wheels, and start living a life that feels good—not just in fleeting moments,...
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41. Rewire Your Fear: The 3-Step Method to Reclaiming Your Life
A personal invite to join Fuck Survival Mode: https://theemotionalarcheologist.hbportal.co/public/6501e11ea658ed002446d254 In a world where fear imprisons our potential, this episode of Start Thriving offers a revolutionary roadmap to liberation. Host Chelsea Bartel unveils the hidden language of...
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40. The Ultimate Formula to Create Your F*ck Yes Life ft. Kelly Pender
CLICK HERE to join Mind Body Manifestation Code Chelsea shares her challenges with the mental-only approach to manifestation and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the body's role in the process. Kelly provides insights into overcoming limiting beliefs and the subconscious blocks that...
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39. Healing Beyond the Surface: Trauma, Nervous System Regulation, and Real-Life Breakthroughs
Gift exclusive to my podcast listeners More info about Fuck Survival Mode In this episode, Chelsea invites you into the transformational world of her group program, *Fuck Survival Mode*. This isn’t just a glimpse—it's a real look at the profound shifts happening for women who’ve decided to break...
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38. Invaluable Complex Trauma Coaching For Free
Chelsea Bartell returns with renewed energy after her honeymoon adventures in Italy to share transformative insights into healing the nervous system and reclaiming personal power. Chelsea introduces a fresh format for the podcast, drawing from her group coaching program, "Fuck Survival Mode," to...
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37. Reclaiming Comfort: Tools for Easing Chronic Pain
In this transformative episode of Start Thriving, Chelsea dives deep into the nuances of managing and alleviating chronic pain through practical nervous system tools. Chelsea shares her personal experiences and offers a step-by-step guide to creating more comfort, peace, and ease in the body,...
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36. Rewiring Your Brain for Abundance: No-Fluff Manifestation
In this enlightening episode of Start Thriving, Chelsea Bartell welcomes Kelly Pender, a neuroscience manifestation coach and host of the Badass Babe Manifest podcast. Kelly brings a fresh perspective on manifestation, blending science-backed techniques with quantum physics to offer practical…
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35. Integrating A Decade of Trauma in 90 Days
This episode is a beacon of hope for anyone trapped by past traumas. Shelly's story illustrates that it's possible to break free from the chains of trauma and step into a life filled with joy, adventure, and self-acceptance. Chelsea extends an invitation to listeners who are ready to embark on...
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34. The ONE Thing That Took Me From Surviving My Life to Creating It
Chelsea Bartell shares the pivotal practice that has not only pulled her out of survival mode but has kept her thriving and creating a life she loves. Chelsea delves into her personal journey, from growing up in a dysfunctional home to overcoming deep-seated insecurities and toxic relationships....
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33. My First Client & I Deep Diving into Addiction, Dysfunctional Families and Hope For Healing
In this heartwarming episode of Start Thriving, Chelsea Bartell reconnects with her very first client, Kendall, to explore the profound journey of healing and transformation over the past four years. Kendall shares her story of overcoming deep-seated trauma, moving from a place of fear and hiding...
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32. The Color of Healing: Visualizing and Releasing Traumatic Imprints
In this heart-stirring episode of Start Thriving, Chelsea Bartell returns from a brief hiatus, ready to share the profound breakthroughs and life-altering transformations her clients have achieved. Delving into the power of emotional expression and nervous system regulation, Chelsea recounts a...
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31. The Emotional Gym: Building Resilience to Break Free from Addiction and Escapism
Chelsea Bartell delves into the liberating process of breaking free from the chains of addiction and escapism, reframing them as intelligent, yet misplaced, attempts to regulate emotional pain rooted in trauma. With her signature blend of empathy and expertise, Chelsea shares heartwarming client...
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30. The Apology Paradox: Embracing Healing Without Waiting for Validation From Your Parents
In this deeply personal and transformative episode of Start Thriving, Chelsea Bartell invites us on a journey through the pivotal process of healing without waiting for an apology from our parents. With her unique blend of compassion and insight, Chelsea shares her own experiences and those of…
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29. The Trust Transition: Finding Freedom Beyond the Grip of Control
In this empowering episode of Start Thriving, our esteemed host Chelsea Bartell dives into the complexities of relinquishing control and the journey towards rebuilding trust after trauma. With her characteristic warmth and expertise, Chelsea celebrates the victories of her clients, sharing…
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28. The Unseen Scars: Transforming Childhood Pain into Adult Resilience
Chelsea begins with an energizing nod to her game-changing experience with Everyday Dose mushroom coffee, sharing how this low-acidity, focus-enhancing blend has revolutionized her productivity and even helped clients transition off ADHD medications. She highlights the importance of nervous…
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27. When Past Meets Present: Crafting a Thriving Relationship After Trauma
In this heartfelt and enlightening episode of Start Thriving, host Chelsea Bartell and her beloved fiancé, Zack, pull back the curtain on their relationship, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the journey of building a healthy, loving partnership from the remnants of past traumas. As…
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26. From Discord to Harmony: Isa's Transformation Through Trauma Integration
Chelsea welcomes her first guest, a former client and a beacon of hope for those who fear their own potential. Once a prisoner of her past, Issa has now shattered the chains of fear, stepping into a world of creativity, confidence, and trust in herself to pursue her dreams in music. Isa's journey...
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25. The Grace of Grieving: Embracing Loss as a Pathway to Empowerment
As we navigate the tender terrain of grief, Chelsea offers insights and practical tools for working through the pain to emerge with a renewed sense of self. She emphasizes the importance of nervous system regulation as the bedrock for approaching grief work, providing simple yet powerful…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation have?
Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation currently has 74 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation about?
Dismantling survival loops to set you free
How often does Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation release new episodes?
Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation has 74 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation?
You can listen to Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation?
Courageously Expressed | Post-Traumatic Purpose Reclamation is created and hosted by Chelsea Bartell-Smith.
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