Still Becoming with Monica DiCristina

Episode 6: Naming Your Pain as a PracticeIn this six part series I sit down with my friend, author, and podcast host, Sarah Bragg to discuss my new book!!We will unpack and introduce you to the concepts of Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist's Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are from What Hurts.Sarah is funny, relatable, and asks the best questions. This is a sneak peek at the book, the writing of the book, as well as extra commentary. I loved recording these episodes. They will work as a countdown to the book coming out May 13th, or once you get your book a companion series.

Episode 5: Naming Specific PainsIn this six part series I sit down with my friend, author, and podcast host, Sarah Bragg to discuss my new book!!We will unpack and introduce you to the concepts of Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist's Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are from What Hurts.Sarah is funny, relatable, and asks the best questions. This is a sneak peek at the book, the writing of the book, as well as extra commentary. I loved recording these episodes. They will work as a countdown to the book coming out May 13th, or once you get your book a companion series.

Episode 4: You are Not Your PainIn this six part series I sit down with my friend, author, and podcast host, Sarah Bragg to discuss my new book!!We will unpack and introduce you to the concepts of Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist's Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are from What Hurts.Sarah is funny, relatable, and asks the best questions. This is a sneak peek at the book, the writing of the book, as well as extra commentary. I loved recording these episodes. They will work as a countdown to the book coming out May 13th, or once you get your book a companion series.

In this six part series I sit down with my friend, author, and podcast host, Sarah Bragg to discuss my new book!!We will unpack and introduce you to the concepts of Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist's Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are from What Hurts.Sarah is funny, relatable, and asks the best questions. This is a sneak peek at the book, the writing of the book, as well as extra commentary. I loved recording these episodes. They will work as a countdown to the book coming out May 13th, or once you get your book a companion series.Episode 3: The Quest to Find Names for Our Pain

In this six part series I sit down with my friend, author, and podcast host, Sarah Bragg to discuss my new book!!We will unpack and introduce you to the concepts of Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist's Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are from What Hurts.Sarah is funny, relatable, and asks the best questions. This is a sneak peek at the book, the writing of the book, as well as extra commentary. I loved recording these episodes. They will work as a countdown to the book coming out May 13th, or once you get your book a companion series.Episode 2: Why We Don't Name Our Pain

SPECIAL SERIES!!In this six part series I sit down with my friend, author, and podcast host, Sarah Bragg to discuss my new book!! We will unpack and introduce you to the concepts of Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist's Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are from What Hurts.Sarah is funny, relatable, and asks the best questions. This is a sneak peek at the book, the writing of the book, as well as extra commentary. I loved recording these episodes. They will work as a countdown to the book coming out May 13th, or once you get your book a companion series.Episode 1: Introduction to the Book

I am so excited and honored to have writer, artist, and author Jenai Auman on the Still Becoming Podcast. I enjoyed every minute of speaking with Jenai and instantly wanted to be her friend. Jenai's perspective on topics around church hurt and spiritual abuse were so wise, nuanced, and refreshing. I imagine you, like me, will find yourself thinking, "I never thought of it like that." And I imagine you, like me, will leave this conversation thinking in new ways, changed, and more hopeful.Jenai Auman is a Filipina American writer, artist, and author of Othered: Finding Belonging in the God Who Pursues the Hurt, Harmed, and Marginalized. She draws from her years in church leadership as well as her trauma-informed training to write on healing and holistic spiritual formation. She received her bachelor's degree in behavioral health science and is currently pursuing a master's in spiritual formation at Northeastern Seminary. Jenai lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Tyler, and their sons, Quinn and Graham.Instagram: instagram.com/jenaiaumanSubstack: jenaiauman.substack.comPurchase OTHERED: jenaiauman.com/otheredbook (or you can use this Amazon link if you prefer: https://a.co/d/eFyPs2g)

I am so excited and honored to have therapist and author Tasha Hunter back on the Still Becoming podcast. In this conversation we talk about Tasha's most recent book: tell me where it hurts. From Tasha's book, we discuss "excavating the wound," and "healing the wound." Tasha infuses an enormous amount of love in her writing and this book is no exception. Tasha is the author of Liberation: an IFS-Inspired Companion for Psychedelic and Ancestral Medicine Experiences, Tell Me Where It Hurts: Poetry, Meditations, and Divinely Inspired Love Notes, and her memoir What Children Remember. Her writing has been featured in She Lives Her Truth. She hosts the podcast When We Speak and resides in North Carolina, where she also runs a small, mental health private practice. Tasha Hunter (she/her/we) is a Black queer writer, teacher, and deep listener. A liberation-centered mental health therapist, she focuses on serving Black women, femmes, and the LGBTQIA community, believing that healing thrives in spaces where we are fully seen, heard, and valued. For her, personal liberation is inseparable from community and collective freedom. Tasha is a Level 3 Certified Internal Family Systems therapist and Certified Consultant, approaching healing through a decolonized, non-pathologizing lens. To learn more about Tasha Hunter and her work visit her website, or subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.tashahunterlcsw.com/about-tasha https://substack.com/@tashathewriter

I am so excited and honored to have Terry Hargrave, Ph.D. and Sharon Hargrave, M.A. on the Still Becoming Podcast. I had the honor of being trained by them in their model: Restoration Therapy. I respect them clinically, and I love them personally. They are wise, experienced, and so relatable. Terry and Sharon take difficult concepts in marriages and break them down into actionable insights and behavior changes. They have a new book out today! Their new book : The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself. Terry Hargrave, Ph.D. and Sharon Hargrave, M.A. are nationally recognized for their work in founding and developing Restoration Therapy and RelateStrong.  Terry has authored over 35 professional articles and sixteen books including 5 Days to a New Self (co-authored with Sharon Hargrave).  He is a former professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary and his work has been featured on ABC News 20/20, Good Morning America and CBS Early Morning.  Sharon formerly served as Executive Director of Pepperdine University’s Boone Center for the Family, works with program development, and was an affiliate faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary.  She specialized in working with conflicted couples, leadership relationships and intergenerational issues.  Both are licensed marriage and family therapists and have worked with individuals, couples and families for over 35 years. https://www.restorationtherapytraining.com/ SharonHargrave.com The Mindful Marriage- Amazon.com

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming music. This is a short meditation for the holiday season. Hopefully it can be a quiet moment away for you during this season, however it lands for you. To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

This week's Mental Health Check-In is about preparing for the holidays from a mental health and emotional health perspective. We often prepare in so many ways for this season, but rarely for our hearts, minds, souls, and frankly our mental health. We will talk about different topics ranging from boundaries to grief. Unfortunately I can't cover every topic is a short episode, but I hope this episode will be validating and start your own conversation with yourself. For more Still Becoming find Monica at ⁠⁠⁠monicadicristina.com⁠⁠⁠, and on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@monicadicristina⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠ too!

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞⁣⁣⁣⁣ Conversation with Sarah E. Westfall The Way of Belonging Episode # 135 I am so excited to have author Sarah E. Westfall on the Still Becoming Podcast. In this interview Sarah invites her into her unique lens on the topic of belonging. We discuss the common longing to belong, the desire for "withness," and my favorite part of her book and this conversation: "Belonging is not something to attain, but someone to become." This is a tender and insightful conversation. We touch faith, grief, God seeing us, and belonging. I can't wait for you to hear this interview! Sarah E. Westfall is a writer, speaker, and host of the Human Together podcast. Her previous work includes serving as director of community for online writing groups and as a student development professional on college campuses. She has been published in RELEVANT, Fathom Mag, and (in)courage. Sarah lives in Indiana with her husband, Ben, and four sons. Visit her website at sarahewestfall.com. Follow her on Twitter: @sarah_westfall Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_westfall   For more Still Becoming find Monica at ⁠⁠⁠monicadicristina.com⁠⁠⁠, and on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@monicadicristina⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠ too!

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming music. In a world that is loud, busy, chaotic, and hurting, it can feel difficult to create a moment of space to breathe. It can also be hard to feel grounded and at home in your body with so much stress surrounding you. This is a meditation I have done in session with clients. I hope it is a calming exhale for your day. To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞⁣⁣⁣⁣ Conversation with Drew Jackson Uncertainty, Becoming, and Poetry Episode # 133 ⁣⁣ I am so honored and excited to have poet, speaker, public theologian, and author Drew Jackson on the Still Becoming Podcast. This interview is one of my favorite conversations I've ever had on the podcast. Drew invites us into looking  at life, uncertainty, faith, mental health, political acts and more through the lens of poetry. The lens of poetry, as he describes it, is one that we can all practice applying in our own ways to reconnect with where we are, how we feel, what we believe, and what we need. Through this deep and thoughtful conversation Drew shares some of his own journey as well as his own insights through his process of writing and grappling with questions, uncertainty, faith, and his own journey of becoming. Drew's wisdom creates such an expansive space. Finally we talk about Drew's words as a model for living, “When I forget beauty, poetry is there to invite me to slow down and notice the small blossoms of God’s new creation breaking through. When I become numb to heartache, poetry brings me back in touch with the tears of the world.” We begin this interview with Drew reading one of his beautiful new poems. We end this conversation with a moving description of how Drew's mom and his wife have each impacted his own becoming. I can't wait for you to hear this conversation. Drew Jackson is a poet, speaker, and public theologian. He is author of God Speaks Through Wombs: Poems on God’s Unexpected Coming and Touch the Earth: Poems on The Way. His work has appeared in Oneing from the Center for Action and Contemplation, The Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad, Made for Pax, The Journal from the Centre for Public Christianity, Fathom Magazine, and other publications.  Drew received his B.A. in Political Science from the Univ. of Chicago and his M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He currently works as the Director of Mission Integration for the Center for Action and Contemplation, and lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and daughters. Find Drew Here: https://drewejackson.com/ https://www.instagram.com/d.jacksonpoetics

This month's Mental Health Check-In follows along with my current newsletter series called Therapy Notes: Small Bits of Wisdom from Inside the Room. Head over to the link below, or my website, to join in at my newsletter. It's my favorite place to create and connect. About the series : Therapy Notes swill offer insights I wish I could pass out for free (here goes), things that help me in my life, and certainly things I wish I’d known before I became a therapist. Scroll back through all of them if you are new here! Therapy is both an art form and a collection of knowledge. Much of this knowledge is gleaned from the clinical research that informs the science of the field. However, the kitchen table version, simplified down to accessible takeaways, is where I see the most effective help. I hope this series will offer some wisdom from the practice of therapy. My own definition of wisdom is: knowledge you can actually use. For more Still Becoming find Monica at ⁠⁠monicadicristina.com⁠⁠, and on Instagram: ⁠⁠@monicadicristina⁠⁠. Sign up for the ⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠ too!

This is a re-release of a Mental Health Check-In episode for those of us who are ending summer and moving into the business of a new school year, or an approaching Fall with work commitments. We are talking about the myth of balance, and how much shame an unrealistic idea of balance can produce in our lives. In this short episode we will identify why this myth isn't helpful, and how to think about ordering our lives instead. We will explore the ideas of prioritization, values, boundaries, and permission as a replacement for the pressure that "balance" produces. I hope this episode is validating, freeing, and encouraging. For more Still Becoming find Monica at ⁠⁠monicadicristina.com⁠⁠, and on Instagram: ⁠⁠@monicadicristina⁠⁠. Sign up for the ⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠ too!

I am so excited to have author Emily P. Freeman on the podcast. I am such a fan, and I have been for a long time. I appreciate the way Emily shows up in the world and in her work. In a world that is always in a rush to decisions, to certainty, and to judgement, Emily's work is refreshingly curious, patient, and spacious. In this conversation, and in her impactful new book How to Walk Into a Room, Emily invites us to look at endings and decisions in a helpful and wholistic way. We discuss how we moralize decisions, Emily's metaphor of rooms in our lives, and the idea of true peace and decisions. It is such a rich and layered conversation, and I can't wait for you to hear it. Emily P. Freeman is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of five books, including The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions. As a spiritual director, workshop leader, and host of The Next Right Thing podcast (more than 25 million downloads), her most important work is to help create soul space and offer spiritual companionship and discernment for anyone struggling with decision fatigue. Emily holds a master’s degree in spiritual formation and leadership from Friends University. She lives in North Carolina with her family. https://emilypfreeman.com/ https://www.instagram.com/emilypfreeman/

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming music. This short meditation can be used to prepare for something that worries or scares you. It can be used to make space for worrying about someone you love. It is also just for the fear of the everyday. Many carry a lot of fear every day, and this short meditation is a chance to process, make space, and find comfort. To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

I am so honored and happy to have Author and Chaplain J.S. Park back on the Still Becoming podcast. If you have hung out with me for any time, you know my deep admiration of his work, writing, and presence in the world. J.S. Park is an author who refuses to look away from pain, and he invites his readers to both see and feel seen in a way I have never experienced elsewhere. This is a profound and deep conversation, and one I have found myself thinking about long afterwards. That is what J.S. Park's work does - it leaves you reconsidering what you have been through, what you need, what others are facing, and how you can more tenderly show up for all of it. I can't wait for you to listen. Loving CW: We do discuss trauma and loss in this episode. J.S. Park is a hospital chaplain, former atheist/agnostic, sixth degree black belt, suicide survivor, Korean-American, and follows Christ. J.S. is author of an upcoming book, As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve, part hospital chaplain experience and part memoir, published by W Publishing of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. He is also the author The Voices We Carry: Finding Your One True Voice in a World of Clamor and Noise, published by Northfield/Moody. J.S. currently serves at a 1000+ bed hospital, one of the top-ranked in the nation, and was also a chaplain for three years at one of the largest nonprofit charities for the homeless on the east coast.

This week's Mental Health Check-In unpacks the common tendency to compare yourself to others. In this short episode, we will look at it from a different perspective. With a lens of compassion and curiosity, we will explore the hidden "why" under the tendency to compare. Maybe you will find your "why," in this episode, or maybe it will prompt you to discover your own not listed here. Either way, this episode is an opportunity to unpack and get a little more clarity on this common tendency. And clarity, as well as self-awareness, are some of the best places to start with any hope of change. For more Still Becoming find Monica at ⁠monicadicristina.com⁠, and on Instagram: ⁠@monicadicristina⁠. Sign up for the ⁠newsletter⁠ too!

I am so honored to have Dr. Terence Lester and Zion Lester on the Still Becoming podcast. They recently co-wrote a beautiful and powerful children's book: 𝘡𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘦𝘦.⁣⁣In this wonderful, moving and fun, conversation between co-authors, and also father and daughter, we talk about how 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘥. We talk about combating apathy and the power of moving with compassion and kindness to everyone. ⁣⁣Zion and Dr. Lester describe the fun of writing this book together, and also the message. And as a parent, child, reader, and listener you will be compelled to continue seeing other people, growing in your own compassion and action for other people, and learning to live a lifestyle of service. As a bonus, you will also walk away inspired as a parent by spending time with Dr. Lester and Zion, and getting a small glimpse into their relationship, and the importance of vulnerability, connection, and service. And Zion gives some of the most powerful parenting advice I have ever heard. ⁣⁣Dr. Terence Lester is a storyteller, public scholar, speaker, community activist, and author who is the Founder and Executive Director of Love Beyond Walls, a nonprofit organization focused on raising poverty and homelessness awareness and community mobilization.⁣⁣Zion Lester has loved books all of her life. As early back as she can remember, she has loved to read and loved to write.The 16-year-old Atlanta, GA native is co-author of a forthcoming children’s book. Written alongside her father, a multi-hyphenate preacher, author, and social activist, this children’s book is the story of a young girl who learns the value of helping others. Committed to the cause of helping others, she hatches a plan to recruit others to do the same.⁣ It is a personal story mirroring her life as the daughter of two community activists. https://lovebeyondwalls.org/ https://twitter.com/imTerenceLester/ https://terencelester.org/ https://www.instagram.com/imterencelester/?hl=en https://zionjoylester.com/ https://www.instagram.com/zionjoylester/ To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming music. In a world that is loud, busy, chaotic, and hurting, it can feel difficult to create a moment of space to breathe. In your own world there may be a lot of noise, pressure, obligations, and worry too. This short meditation is a moment for all of us to create space and be present. Just for this moment: Nothing else is required of you. To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

I am so excited to have author Sarah Bragg back on the Still Becoming podcast. Sarah is as kind as she is wise. She's as easy to talk to as she is insightful. I loved this conversation with Sarah, and I think you will too. If you feel stuck, weary, or wonder if everyone else is happier than you - than this is a conversation to spend time with. Sarah points us towards the grounding truths of curiosity and taking note of our lives, the combination can create a shift. Sarah Bragg is a well-loved communicator and author; you can find her hosting the popular podcast Surviving Sarah. Her latest book is Is Everyone Happier Than Me?: An Honest Guide to the Questions that Keep You Up at Night. She is also the author of A Mother’s Guide to Raising Herself: What Parenting Taught Me About Life, Faith and Myself. She is a wife, mother of girls, and a creative entrepreneur. Sarah is a master at brewing coffee and helping others survive well right where they are. Sarah and her family reside in Tennessee.   Social Media: Website: sarahbragg.com Facebook: @survivingsarahpodcast Instagram: @sarahwbragg Twitter: @sarahwbragg YouTube: @sarahbragg8503

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming music. This meditation makes space for us to create a moment of emotional safety. It is a moment away from the world to exhale, learn a little about emotional safety, and most importantly practice it in order to lay the groundwork of having a safe space within ourselves to return to. To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

I am re-releasing this episode because it feels timely: This is a short meditation for the overwhelmed. If you are feeling overwhelmed right now by everything happening in the world, and in your world, this is for you. This short meditation is meant to be a pause in your day to breathe and move through the overwhelm. There is great benefit in taking a few moments to breathe. There are four parts to this meditation, and you will walk through each part as you hopefully experience an exhale and a moment to rest.

We're back with a new Mental Health Check-In Episode! This one is vulnerable, and not without purpose, I am talking all about the inside story of turning in my book manuscript. I have benefited so much from hearing the true awkward and detailed stories of people pursuing things that mattered to them - and as I just turned in my book manuscript this week (yay!), I wanted to share some of the truth of this journey in hopes that it can encourage you today on whatever journey you are on, in whatever you might be pursuing. In this short episode, in addition to the details of my story, we talk about the idea of "staying on the bike, even in the wrong gear." Sometimes the gear you are in is the only one possible, and if you are pedaling at all you are still moving forward. We talk about how courage feels different than it looks (credit to Cha Barefield), and how remembering your "WHY" is essential. I hope this vulnerable share is encouraging to you. Though the specifics may be different, I hope you find encouragement for whatever matters to you - and keep going no matter the pace. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

The Still Becoming Podcast is back! And I can't imagine a better guest to kick this return and season off with! I am so excited to have author Kayla Craig back on the podcast! You might know Kayla already from her beautiful book To Light Their Way, and as the creator of Liturgies for Parents Instagram account. Kayla has a new book out today: Every Season Sacred. It is SO good. There are so many reasons I love Kayla's work, but here are a few: Kayla meets us in the mess of our real ordinary lives, and shows us the extraordinary and sacred that that meets us there. Kayla is all at once incredibly approachable and practically helpful, while pointing to the beauty, mystery, and undeniable hope God's presence and love provides. She points us to the truth of faith and spirituality right here in our everyday chaos. In a time when it may be hard for many to find voices in the Christian faith they feel they can trust, Kayle for me, and so many others, is an anchoring voice. Kayla reminds us that we are the beloved of God, and describes her hopes for this book as an exhale. And, it truly is. We are invited to be present in this book, and in this conversation with Kayla. Kayla is just wonderful, as a person and author, and I can't wait for you to get to hang out with her in this episode. Kayla Craig is a former journalist who brings deep curiosity and care to her writing. She’s the author of Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way. With a poetic, prophetic voice, she created the popular Liturgies for Parents Instagram account, which Christianity Today named an “essential parenting resource.” She also hosts the Liturgies for Parents podcast. Kayla’s nuanced and accessible reflections, essays, and prayers are featured in various books, devotionals, and Bible studies. Kayla lives in a 115-year-old former convent in her Iowa hometown, where she hopes to create spaces of welcome alongside her four children, two dogs, and husband, Jonny. To find Kayla and all the work she is doing in the world, and order her book, go to her website: kaylacraig.com   To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

This episode is a first re-release! As I am working on my book, I am occasionally pulling up previous episodes that really resonated with listeners, this is one of them. Each month, Still Becoming brings you a Mental Health Check-In episode. These episodes are focused on mental health, emotional health, or personal growth, and involve a short teaching and a few take aways in around 15 to 20 minutes. The idea is to take a therapeutic topic or technique and expand it to help us in our everyday lives.⁣⁣ In this episode, we are unpacking the social constructs around age and size of impact. Maybe you are wanting to do something new - something from setting a new boundary to even going back to school. Whatever it is, I hope this episode will be a chance to reflect on where you are, and that you find some encouragement for your own journey. This episode, like all episodes, will find us each at different places as we listen. These are just a few thoughts on deconstructing these false ideas to prompt your own. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

I am so excited and honored to have author Marcie Alvis Walker on the Still Becoming Podcast. Marcie is the creator of Black Coffee with White Friends, as well as the newsletter Black Eyed Stories. We discuss her new book Everybody Come Alive: A Memoir in Essays. I have been a fan and an avid reader of Marcie's work for years now, and I always want to know what Marcie thinks or has to write about everything. Her writing is so layered, complex, honest, beautiful, powerful, and it will change you. I know it has changed me. Her book is available to order now, and I can't recommend it enough. In this powerful and beautiful conversation, Marcie tells us more about her incredible book and some of her own stories she writes about in it. We talk more in depth about all the stories that are missing, and that every story is holy. Marcie tells us about getting "all the stories," so that we really know about what it truly sacred, and how we have been taught only certain stories belong - which couldn't be further from the truth. We also talk about Marcie's family, and the power of language. I am still thinking every day about the way Marcie describes the power and the importance of language, and how language disrupts power. I cannot wait for you to hear this conversation with Marcie Alvis Walker. Marcie Alvis Walker is the creator of the popular Instagram feed Black Coffee with White Friends. She is also the creator of Black Eyed Bible Stories. Marcie is passionate about what it means to embrace intersectionality, diversity, and inclusion in our spiritual lives. She lives in Chicago with her husband, her college-aged kid Max, and their dog, Evie. To find Marcie, her work, her new book, and how to follow her - go to her website here: marciealviswalker.com To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

This episode is our first re-release! As I am working on my book, I am occasionally pulling up previous episodes that really resonated with listeners, this is one of them. Therapeutic Moments are a combination of some of the teaching of the Mental Health Check Ins, the calming of the Meditative Stories and the Guided Mediations. In this short calming episode put to music we are addressing the false narratives that can accompany painful experiences - when we are not only hurt, but are believing it is somehow our fault, or that we deserved it. This is something that I spend a lot of time on in therapy. We untangle the topics of shame and guilt in this episode, as well as unpack how we may have taken on the false narratives that came with the pain. Finally, we take a moment to think about, and practice putting that down. No episode is one size fits all. I always want any work I put out into the world to be filtered by the knowledge that you are the expert on what works for you or does not. And if this idea or episode could be triggering in any way, let's meet up at the next episode. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

I am so excited to have therapist, author, and speaker Molly LaCroix on the Still Becoming Podcast. Molly was one of my very first Instagram therapist friends I made when I started sharing my work publicly, and I have always had admiration for both her presence and her clinical expertise. Molly brings great wisdom and nuance to our conversation about understanding the different parts of ourselves through the lens of Internal Family Systems. I appreciate so much the way Molly talks about things, including the integration of a faith perspective and psychological theory. I hope you leave this conversation the way I did, both informed and refreshed, with a reminder that curiosity and compassion are essential for loving yourself, healing, and growth. Molly is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in treating the impact of trauma and adversity. She earned master’s in marriage and family therapy from Bethel Seminary San Diego, where she returned as adjunct professor. Her book Restoring Relationship: Transforming Fear into Love Through Connection, helps readers identify and resolve barriers to loving themselves, others, and God. Learn more about Molly at https://mollylacroix.com/. Facebook | Instagram | Buy Book |MollyLaCroix.com To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

I am so excited to have Ashlee Gadd on the Still Becoming Podcast, talking about her book Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood. This conversation is centered around being creative while being a parent, however, I believe there is good wisdom about being creative that can also be applied in other contexts. It can be so hard to create in the margins of your life, and I hope this conversation, and Ashlee's real life example and encouragement will be an invitation to keep going in whatever creativity looks like for you. I appreciated how she names the privileges she has in her creativity, and I appreciated the inspiration she offers anyone wanting to create, and insight about how to move past the roadblocks that you may confront. I am with you in this process, and I found Ashlee's presence and outlook really relatable and encouraging. Ashlee Gadd is author of Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood and the founder of Coffee + Crumbs—a beautiful online space where motherhood and storytelling intersect. As a writer and photographer, Ashlee has spent her entire motherhood creating in the margins. When she's not writing or vacuuming Cheerios out of the carpet, she loves making friends on the internet, eating cereal for dinner, and rearranging bookshelves. She and her husband have three kids and live in Northern California. Learn more at ashleegadd.com. https://www.ashleegadd.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ashleegadd/ https://www.pinterest.com/ashlee_gadd/ https://ashleegadd.substack.com/  https://www.amazon.com/Create-Anyway-Pursuing-Creativity-Motherhood/dp/0764240048

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming music. I wasn't allowed to use the word "sucks" when I was a kid, but I did anyway apparently - and I will always remember when my grandmother used it to sum up a hard time to me in her own life. This meditation is for when things suck or are just hard. This may be the everyday grind, or even bigger and deeper - a day, week, month, or season of real struggle. This episode is a chance to provide yourself with a break, an exhale, and some loving sustenance for the journey. We often forget to "hydrate" with the things we need, especially in seasons of difficulty. So whether you are in a sucky, hard time, or you just want some loving encouraging moments of quiet - this is for you. To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

Each month, Still Becoming brings you a Mental Health Check-In episode. These episodes are focused on mental health, emotional health, or personal growth, and involve a short teaching and a few take aways in around 15 to 20 minutes. The idea is to take a therapeutic topic or technique and expand it to help us in our everyday lives.⁣⁣ This episode are the things I tell my middle schoolers - and I have found there is so much crossover between the things that middle schoolers are often forced to confront (maybe for the first time) and the things adults often struggle with. There is a reason there are so many movies about middle school, it is like a distilled concentrated version of human relating, and that is what I focus on in this episode. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming music. This meditation makes space for us to to remind ourselves of some simple loving truths. I think of this like a "note to self." We won't cover it all, but we will also make space for you to add your own personal notes to yourself. Valentine's day can be a strange holiday sometimes, even a sad one, and I thought it could be nice to create a love note to yourself in particular during this week. I hope this is a pause, and an exhale in your day, and in this week. To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

This is a special edition of the Still Becoming Podcast born out of several conversations between therapist (and my dear friend) Tasha Hunter and I. We identified that although there is a lot of talk about "loving yourself," many of us don't know what that actually means in real life. We decided to create a class to address this question: What Does it Really Mean to Love Yourself? And Tasha came up with the beautiful idea of this being a Compassionate Conversation, as two therapists discuss something we are working on in our own lives and as therapists in the practice with clients. We decided to change formats from an online class to a podcast episode because it seemed more accessible and a way listeners could return easily to what was helpful. This conversation is layered, calming, and informed by my work and Tasha's work as therapists, and also our own personal stories. Tasha and I combine our years of training and therapeutic practice to address this all too often oversimplified question: What does it really mean to love yourself? This conversation is more heart talk than clinical lecture, and will include personal stories from both of us. For more about Tasha: Tasha Hunter, MSW, LCSW (she/her) is Black, queer woman currently residing in North Carolina. Tasha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of Ascension Growth Center, PLLC, which is a solo private practice serving women, Black, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ clients. Tasha is also an Internal Family Systems therapist, supervisor, and consultant. Tasha is an Air Force veteran, author of her memoir, "What Children Remember" and host of the podcast " When We Speak". She is passionate about speaking about childhood trauma, suicide, psychedelic- assisted healing, and collective liberation. She has worked as a therapist since 2017 and has experience working in community mental health, schools, and outpatient settings. Find Tasha here: www.tashahunterlcsw.com For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming music. This meditation makes space for us to create a moment of emotional safety. It is a moment away from the world to exhale, learn a little about emotional safety, and most importantly practice it in order to lay the groundwork of having a safe space within ourselves to return to. To sign up for Monica's newsletter - go to this link: https://monicadicristina.substack.com For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.

I am so excited and honored to have Dr. Alison Cook on the Still Becoming podcast. In this insightful, helpful, and applicable conversation we discuss codependency, why people don't often know what they want, how we behave out of our conditioning, looking outside instead of inside of ourselves, and so much more. Dr. Cook's book The Best of You covers this and more. I am most excited about how much I know this will help so many listeners. Dr. Cook is incredibly skilled at breaking down psychological information in a way where we not only see ourselves, but also see our way out to feeling better. I think you will walk away with this grounding and transformative question, "What do I want?" I can't wait for you to hear this conversation. Dr. Alison Cook is a psychologist and the author of two books, including her new book, The Best of You (Thomas Nelson 2022) and Boundaries for Your Soul (Thomas Nelson, 2018). For 20 years, Alison has helped women, ministry leaders, couples, and families learn how to heal painful emotions, develop confidence from the inside out, forge healthy relationships, and fully live out their God-given potential. Dr. Alison Cook is a psychologist and writer who empowers women to heal from past wounds, develop a strong sense of self, forge healthy rela­tionships with others, and experience a loving God who is for them. Her weekly email and podcast reach more than 70,000 people each week. She specializes in bringing faith and psychology together to create real change in people's lives. Find Dr. Alison Cook and her work here: Link to The Best of You Instagram: @dralisoncook Facebook: @dralisoncook For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too! Subscribe to the here App!

It has been awhile since we have had a meditative story. The Meditative Story episodes on the Still Becoming podcast are short essays, put to music meditative music, and a chance to pause and reflect on your own journey through story. It is like a therapeutic adult story time. In this episode we are talking about my recent move, and lessons I have learned from my dear neighbor across the street. We are reflecting on bending with change. I must let you know that my neighbor has since passed away, I found out the day we moved. We will miss him very much. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too! Subscribe to the here App!

I am so excited to have Chanel Dokun, author, life planner, and relationship expert trained in Marriage and Family therapy on the Still Becoming Podcast. This conversation is so rich and so layered, and I know it will meet so many of you exactly where you are today. Chanel will meet you there, help you feel validated, seen, and not alone, and then give you the tools to start to from where you are today to live into the worth of who you are. Chanel has an incredible way of naming things that is so helpful and important. She also talks about what drives the search fro significance, and the freedom of embracing your "ordinary life." Chanel shares wisdom that is accessible right now, that's one of my many favorite things about this conversation. I can't wait for you to hear everything Chanel shares. Chanel Dokun is the author of Life Starts Now: How to Create the Life You've Been Waiting For. She is a certified Life Planner and Relationship Expert trained in Marriage and Family Therapy. Chanel specializes in helping women step into their life’s true calling through her Women of Consequence life planning organization. Prior to running her own business and co-founding a therapy practice, called Healthy Minds NYC, she worked in publishing at Hearst Magazines. She now splits her time between New York City and Atlanta with her psychiatrist husband and son. Chanel's writing and contributions have appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Real Simple, Woman's Day, Essence, Moneyish, Christianity Today, and Relevant Magazine. Find Chanel here: Website: http://www.chaneldokun.com Instagram: @chanel.dokun (http://www.instagram.com/chanel.dokun) Book: http://www.chaneldokun.com/lifestartsnow Reclaim the Morning Course: http://www.chaneldokun.com/reclaimthemorning For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too! Subscribe to the here app!

Welcome to the first episode of Fall 2022 after a break! And a new logo! Each month, Still Becoming brings you a Mental Health Check-In episode. These episodes are focused on mental health, emotional health, or personal growth, and involve a short teaching and a few take aways in around 15 to 20 minutes. The idea is to take a therapeutic topic or technique and expand it to help us in our everyday lives.⁣⁣ This episode we are talking about - Courage to Start (Doing the Thing You've Been Thinking About). In this episode we dive into some perhaps unexpected parts of what can keep us from trying what we are dreaming or thinking about, and some of the awesome things that we may find on the other side of the starting line (hint: it may not be the things we are taught to focus on). This is not a "rah rah" live your best life episode, those are great - but just not the angle we are taking on this. September is often a time of fresh starts and new energy, and so we are taking that energy into this topic and making space to talk about deep and practical ideas around doing things we want to do. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too! Subscribe to the here App!

I am so excited to have Kendra Adachi of the Lazy Genius Collective on the Still Becoming Podcast. This conversation is so rich. We talk about everything from cook books to therapy, and all the things in between. It is my favorite kind of conversation - one that moves from humor, to depth, to everyday life, In this conversation we talk about the power of starting from a place of self compassion and self acceptance to make any changes in our lives. We also talk about the importance of defining what matters most to each of us as we make those changes. All of Kendra's work, including her incredible new book The Lazy Genius Kitchen, encourages us to prioritize what is uniquely important to each of us. That is one of my favorite things about Kendra's work - she encourages us as individuals to define what matters to us most. I can't wait for you to hear this conversation. Make sure to listen until the end when Kendra answers the question I ask at the end of every interview - "what is a person, thing, or event that helped you become who you are today?" Kendra Adachi is a two-time New York Times  bestselling author of The Lazy Genius Way and The Lazy Genius Kitchen. Her podcast, The Lazy Genius Podcast, has over 15 million downloads and covers everything from cooking chicken to making friends. As a systems expert and professional permission-giver, Kendra helps others stop doing it all for the sake of doing what matters. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three kids. To learn more about Kendra Adachi, the Lazy Genius Collective, and her new book The Lazy Genius Kitchen, visit her website: The Lazy Genius Collective. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too! Subscribe to the here app!

This guided mediation is a little different - but it is still a chance for each of us to practice a mindful moment away from the noise of the world to reset and ground ourselves. This week we have a brief, light, airy mental health moment for our meditation. We will practice some really solid mental health coping skills - grounding in the present by paying attention to our surroundings to get back into our bodies, honoring what we are doing right, self forgiveness, and validating ourselves. It's just a break from your day and hopefully something you can return to again. This one is really good for a walk or a drive if applicable. I hope you walk away feeling grounded, and remembering to say to yourself "I see you and I'm proud of you." For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too! Subscribe to the here app!

Each month, Still Becoming brings you a Mental Health Check-In episode. These episodes are focused on mental health, emotional health, or personal growth, and involve a short teaching and a few take aways in around 15 to 20 minutes. The idea is to take a therapeutic topic or technique and expand it to help us in our everyday lives.⁣⁣ This episode we are talking 10ish things that I have learned as a therapist that I wish I'd known - and the hope is that they are helpful for you too. This is real kitchen table talk about the truths I have found over and over again from being a practicing therapist for quite a few years, It is like a cliff notes version of ideas I run into, or now return to, over and over again. I'd love to hear which ones resonated with you! For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

We're continuing with our new genre of Still Becoming episodes. Therapeutic Moments are a combination of some of the teaching of the Mental Health Check Ins, the calming of the Meditative Stories and the Guided Mediations. In this short calming episode put to music we are talking about all the ordinary everyday brave moments where we choose discomfort and do what we need to do. There are so many! So often people, and self help culture, are always "bettering and bettering" to an exhausting point. In this episode we focus on defining the everyday brave moments, discomfort masquerading as fear, and a gentle forward motion of celebrating where we are and what we are doing while making room to continue that. Our lives are not made of highlight reels and large moments, they are made of everyday ordinary choices, and those are our focus this week. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

Each month, Still Becoming brings you a Mental Health Check-In episode. These episodes are focused on mental health, emotional health, or personal growth, and involve a short teaching and a few take aways in around 15 to 20 minutes. The idea is to take a therapeutic topic or technique and expand it to help us in our everyday lives.⁣⁣ This episode we are talking about the idea of Interpretation is Everything. This is taking the idea of how much an interpretation impacts not only our experience and healing from any kind of traumatic event - but also small everyday moments. Our interpretation of ourselves and our experiences, and our journey towards healing will all be impacted by this lens. We will discuss this in big ways and small everyday moments - a lot of therapeutic knowledge can be distilled down to accessible everyday wisdom. . For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

Each month, Still Becoming brings you a Mental Health Check-In episode. These episodes are focused on mental health, emotional health, or personal growth, and involve a short teaching and a few take aways in around 15 to 20 minutes. The idea is to take a therapeutic topic or technique and expand it to help us in our everyday lives.⁣⁣ This month we are talking telling yourself the truth - in a very gentle way. Sometimes learning to practice this in really small ways, without any pressure to act, can help us in seasons of confusion, or feeling overwhelmed, or feeling disconnected from ourselves. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

Welcome to a new genre of Still Becoming episodes. Therapeutic Moments are a combination of some of the teaching of the Mental Health Check Ins, the calming of the Meditative Stories and the Guided Mediations. In this short calming episode put to music we are addressing the false narratives that can accompany painful experiences - when we are not only hurt, but are believing it is somehow our fault, or that we deserved it. This is something that I spend a lot of time on in therapy. We untangle the topics of shame and guilt in this episode, as well as unpack how we may have taken on the false narratives that came with the pain. Finally, we take a moment to think about, and practice putting that down. No episode is one size fits all. I always want any work I put out into the world to be filtered by the knowledge that you are the expert on what works for you or does not. And if this idea or episode could be triggering in any way, let's meet up at the next episode. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

Each month, Still Becoming brings you a Mental Health Check-In episode. These episodes are focused on mental health, emotional health, or personal growth, and involve a short teaching and a few take aways in around 15 to 20 minutes. The idea is to take a therapeutic topic or technique and expand it to help us in our everyday lives.⁣⁣ This month we are talking about the idea of practicing calm. I first heard Brené Brown put the words "practice" and "calm" together recently, and it really resonated with me as a person and as a therapist. I am not a naturally calm person, and practicing calm is very accessible language for what it really looks like to make space in the moment - and in our lives - to choose an emotional response we want over a flooded reaction. I have included some personal and professional thoughts in this episode, with a short experiential moment at the end to practice calm. For more Still Becoming find Monica at monicadicristina.com, and on Instagram: @monicadicristina. Sign up for the newsletter too!

These short guided meditations are ones I wish existed. They are topical, easy to follow, and made to feel therapeutic. They are short and combined with very calming beautiful music. This meditation makes space for us to exhale and nurture our souls if we are feeling tired. It has been a long couple of years and many are reporting a lot of exhaustion. This mediation makes room for all of us to be, to name it, and to nurture those tired places. Think of it like a warm cup of tea for your soul. For more Still Becoming, follow Monica on Instagram @monicadicristina. Or check out monicadicristina.com for resources, articles, and more.