Turn The Lens Inward

In this solo episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I open up about my relationship with alcohol, emotional escape, and the realization that I spent much of my adult life connecting substances with joy, freedom, and relief from stress.I reflect on growing up feeling emotionally isolated, discovering drinking as a teenager, and how survival mode quietly became my normal. As my daughter faced her own mental health struggles, I was forced to look inward and question the habits and coping mechanisms I had normalized in my own life.This episode is about identity shifts, healing, learning to find joy in everyday moments, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself. I share how slowing down, connecting with nature, and becoming more intentional helped me stop numbing and start truly living._________________________________KEY TAKEAWAYS The connection between alcohol, emotional coping mechanisms, and unresolved traumaHow childhood conditioning and survival mode can shape adult behaviours and mental healthWhy many people use substances, distractions, or addictions to numb stress and emotional painPractical mindset shifts for healing, self-awareness, identity transformation, and finding authentic joy_________________________________EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: alcohol and mental health, emotional healing journey, trauma and addiction, survival mode, identity shift, self-awareness, emotional coping mechanisms, healing childhood trauma, finding joy without alcohol, substance use and trauma, personal growth podcast, mental health awareness, emotional resilience, self-reflection, healing through mindfulness, parenting and addiction, overcoming emotional numbness, nervous system healing, authentic joy, turning the lens inward, emotional intelligence, breaking unhealthy patterns, mental health recovery, healing from trauma, thriving after survival mode_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together._________________________________RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONEDInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/heyitslisataylor/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/ Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/ _________________________________CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro01:30 – Alcohol & Escaping05:07 – Childhood Conditioning07:21 – My First Drink09:43 – University & Drinking12:04 – Parenting Through Addiction13:49 – Trauma & Escapism16:06 – Finding Joy Naturally17:50 – Earning Joy20:12 – Identity Shifts23:45 – Numbing vs Healing25:41 – Turning the Lens Inward26:31 – The Intersection Point28:27 – Final Thoughts

In this episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I sit down with Claudine Pereira, also known as The Pink Coach, a leadership coach, bestselling author, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in financial services and leadership development.Together, we have an honest and emotional conversation about what it’s like to support a child through a serious mental health crisis.Claudine shares her daughter Courtney’s journey with anxiety, bipolar disorder, mania, psychosis, hospitalization, and ultimately, recovery. Together, we talk about the fear, guilt, stigma, and helplessness that can come with navigating the mental health system as parents, especially when your child is an adult and you feel shut out of the process.We also discuss the importance of proper diagnosis, the dangers of misdiagnosis, the role organizations like CAMH played in their healing journey, and why parents need support too. This conversation is deeply personal, but above all, it is hopeful. It’s a reminder that healing is possible, that families can come through the other side, and that no parent should have to carry this weight alone._________________________________Episode Highlights: mental health crisis, parenting a child with mental illness, bipolar disorder, young adult mental health, mania and psychosis, CAMH mental health support, mental health stigma, single motherhood, family support, mental health recovery, parenting through crisis, caregiver burnout, emotional resilience, tough love, turning the lens inward_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together._________________________________Resources & Links MentionedInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/heyitslisataylor/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/ Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/ Sash Bear | https://sashbear.akaraisin.com/ui/SW2026/p/4b3627b67cf84f0fa157f41826196dcdClaudine’s Website | www.claudinepereira.com | www.thepinkcoach.com Claudine’s Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepinkcoach/ Claudine’s LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudinepereira/ _________________________________Chapters 00:00 Introduction02:15 Early Signs of Anxiety05:00 Misdiagnosis & Medication07:30 Hospitalization Decisions09:00 CAMH & Recovery11:00 Bipolar Disorder Explained13:30 Support Systems Matter16:00 Mental Health Stigma20:30 A Parent’s Experience23:30 Caregiver Burnout25:30 Tough Love & Boundaries27:30 Faith Through Hardship30:00 Navigating the System34:00 Mental Health Resources37:00 Surviving as a Parent40:00 Adult Children & Consent43:00 Life After Crisis45:00 Lessons Learned47:00 Final Advice

In this episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I share a time in my life when everything felt overwhelming—financial stress, supporting my daughter through her mental health struggles, and trying to carry it all on my own. The pressure became so intense that it affected my body, leaving me in a constant state of anxiety where I could barely breathe.I open up about the moment things began to shift and how reaching out, exploring healing practices, and reconnecting with nature and community helped me start moving forward. If you’re in a heavy season, this is a reminder that you don’t have to do it alone—and that healing can begin with one small step._________________________________Episode Highlights: anxiety symptoms, nervous system regulation, healing trauma, emotional stress, mental health struggles, breathwork healing, fight or flight response, stress and body connection, overcoming anxiety, personal healing journey, grounding techniques, community healing, self awareness, mindset shift, inner dialogue, limiting beliefs, manifestation mindset, stress relief tools, healing practices, emotional regulation, somatic healing, energy healing, support systems, personal growth journey, mental resilience_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together._________________________________Resources & Links MentionedInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/lisa_taylor_ellet/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/ Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/ Sash Bear | https://sashbear.akaraisin.com/ui/SW2026/p/4b3627b67cf84f0fa157f41826196dcd_________________________________Chapters 00:00 When Life Feels Overwhelming02:00 Living in Constant Anxiety04:30 The Breaking Point06:30 Seeking Help & Trying Something New09:00 A Powerful Emotional Release11:00 Why You Can’t Do This Alone13:00 The Role of Community in Healing15:00 Grounding & Nature as Medicine17:00 Changing Your Inner Dialogue19:00 Beliefs That Keep You Stuck21:30 How to Start Your Healing Journey

In this episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I share why the traditional path of getting a job wasn’t working for my daughter and how that led us to start a cleaning business together.With her struggles around anxiety and overstimulation, I realized we needed to stop forcing a system that didn’t support her and instead create a path that allowed her to thrive.This episode is an invitation to rethink what success looks like for our kids, let go of control, and start guiding them toward independence in a way that actually works for who they are._________________________________Episode Highlights: parenting in 2026, alternative paths for teens, ADHD and work challenges, anxiety in the workplace, raising independent kids, entrepreneurship for teens, traditional education vs real world, parenting mindset shift, teaching kids financial literacy, breaking societal norms, self employment for youth, emotional regulation and work, redefining success, parenting with intention, how to help kids thrive_________________________________What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy traditional jobs don’t work for every young personHow to support your child’s independence in a way that actually fits themThe power of entrepreneurship as an alternative pathWhy turning the lens inward is key to better parenting_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together._________________________________Resources & Links MentionedInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/lisa_taylor_ellet/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/ Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/ Sash Bear | https://sashbear.akaraisin.com/ui/SW2026/p/4b3627b67cf84f0fa157f41826196dcd_________________________________Chapters 00:00 Why We Started a Business03:30 When Jobs Don’t Work07:00 Rethinking School & Success10:15 Teaching Real-Life Skills13:30 How the Real World Works17:00 You Are the Example20:00 Turn the Lens Inward22:00 Money & the Future24:00 Final Thoughts

Sign up for The Sash Bear Walk → https://sashbear.akaraisin.com/ui/SW2026/p/4b3627b67cf84f0fa157f41826196dcdIn this episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I’m joined by my very first guest, Sheila Marina, for a deeply meaningful conversation about parenting through emotional dysregulation and finding your way back to yourself. Sheila shares her personal journey raising a son with complex challenges, the impact it had on her nervous system, relationships, and sense of identity, and how everything began to shift when she found support through Sash Bear’s Family Connections program.Together, we talk about the weight of shame, the power of validation, and how our central nervous system drives our reactions in ways we don’t always understand. We explore what it really means to turn the lens inward, how healing ourselves can transform our family dynamic, and why even in the hardest moments, there is still hope.If you’re a parent who feels overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure of what to do next, this conversation is here to remind you that change is possible and you are not alone._________________________________Episode Highlights: central nervous system regulation, emotional dysregulation, parenting a dysregulated child, trauma healing for parents, family connections program, Sash Bear Foundation, validation skills for parents, subconscious beliefs, emotion code, reiki healing, parent shame and guilt, nervous system healing, DBT for families, mental health support for parents, parenting tools for emotional regulation, healing family dynamics, trauma release, support for parents of struggling teens, hope for parent_________________________________What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow emotional dysregulation in a child can deeply affect the entire family systemWhy shame, blame, and isolation are so common for parents in these situationsHow validation can change communication between parents and childrenWhat the central nervous system does during stress, fear, and conflictHow subconscious beliefs and trauma responses shape parenting patternsWhy healing yourself can help shift your child’s behavior and your family dynamicWhat Sheila does through Planet of Peace, including Emotion Code and Reiki work_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together._________________________________Resources & Links MentionedInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/lisa_taylor_ellet/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/ Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/ Shelia’s Website | planetofpeace.orgBooking | planetofpeace.setmore.comShelia’s Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/planetofpeacenrghealing/Shelia’s Facebook |  https://www.facebook.com/grow.planetofpeace/Shelia’s YouTube |  https://www.youtube.com/@sheilamarina-planetofpeace440_________________________________Chapters00:00 First Guest Introduction00:55 Meet Sheila03:01 Parenting Challenges & Shame07:00 The “Holland” Metaphor13:34 Finding Sash Bear16:16 Learning Validation18:25 It Gets Better24:53 The Nervous System Explained27:48 Changing Beliefs31:40 Becoming Change-Makers35:08 Silent Struggles37:08 Energy Healing & Emotion Code44:30 Releasing Trauma47:21 Sash Bear Walk49:17 Healing the Parent, Helping the Child51:02 Final Thoughts & Support

In this episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I share my journey with dating during a really challenging season of life as a single mom supporting a child through mental health struggles.I open up about the relationships I chose, the red flags I ignored, and how my lack of emotional availability impacted what I attracted. Even though I wanted connection, I wasn’t truly ready for it—and that showed.Over time, I learned the importance of timing, self-worth, and trusting my intuition. I ultimately chose to stop dating and focus on healing, being present for my daughter, and reconnecting with myself.This episode is a reminder that being alone isn’t something to fear—it can be where the most growth happens._________________________________Episode Highlights: dating while healing, single mom dating journey, emotional availability in relationships, self worth in dating, intuition in relationships, unhealthy relationship patterns, dating after divorce, healing before relationships, choosing yourself first, personal growth and relationships, parenting and dating balance, learning from toxic relationships, being present in relationships_________________________________What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy emotional availability matters more than desire when datingHow your energy and circumstances impact the relationships you attractThe importance of listening to your intuition early onHow low self-worth can lead to unhealthy relationship dynamicsWhy timing is everything when it comes to loveThe power of choosing yourself and embracing solitudeHow stepping away from dating can lead to deep personal healingWhat it means to truly be ready for a healthy relationship_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together._________________________________Resources & Links MentionedInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/lisa_taylor_ellet/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/ Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/ _________________________________Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Let’s Talk About Dating01:30 Dating as a Single Mom in Crisis03:30 Emotional Availability & Energy in Relationships05:00 Life After Divorce & Entering the Dating World07:00 Red Flags & Letting the Wrong Person In10:30 Struggles with Intimacy12:30 Escaping Through Relationships14:00 The Wake-Up Call: Lack of Support16:00 Choosing Your Child Over Relationships18:00 Dating Someone in the Same Situation20:00 The Lesson: You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have21:30 Choosing to Stop Dating22:30 Learning to Love Being Alone23:30 Rebuilding Self-Worth & Healing24:00 Feeling Ready Again

In this episode of Turn the Lens Inward, I talk about one of the hardest things we can do in life: change.We often hear that people don’t change, but I believe they can. The challenge is that real change requires us to look at ourselves first. When my relationship with my daughter reached a breaking point, I realized that if anything was going to shift in our family dynamic, it had to start with me.In this episode, I share my experience navigating stress, financial struggles, and emotional chaos while learning how to regulate my nervous system, create boundaries, and communicate differently. I also talk about a powerful exercise my daughter and I used to rebuild trust and understanding between us.If you feel stuck in painful patterns with your children or family, this episode is a reminder that meaningful change begins when we’re willing to turn the lens inward._________________________________Episode Highlights: personal growth and change, breaking generational patterns, family dynamics and parenting, improving relationships with adult children, emotional regulation and nervous system healing, setting boundaries with family members, overcoming stress and anxiety, parenting through conflict, healing family trauma patterns, communication strategies in difficult relationships_________________________________What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy real change in family dynamics starts with youHow generational patterns can keep families stuckThe role of nervous system regulation in emotional healingWhy creating boundaries can be difficult but necessaryHow fear, stress, and anxiety influence our parenting and relationshipsA practical framework for calming emotional conflict (REST strategy)How clear communication can rebuild trust in strained relationshipsWhy authenticity is essential for personal transformation_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together._________________________________Resources & Links MentionedInstagram | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lisa_taylor_ellet/⁠ Facebook | ⁠https://www.facebook.com/lisa.taylor.ellet/⁠ Website | https://www.glowingconfidence.com/ _________________________________Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:00 The Myth That People Don’t Change02:25 Why Change Starts With You04:00 Living in Survival Mode06:20 Regulating Your Nervous System08:45 Facing Family Resistance12:10 Setting Boundaries That Stick19:00 The REST Strategy for Conflict

In this episode, I take you back to January 2021 — living in my parents’ basement during the pandemic, supporting my mother through stage four lung cancer, and struggling deeply in my relationship with my daughter.I made a choice that felt selfish at the time: I left for three months to pet sit 40 minutes away. That space became transformational. During that season, I committed to personal growth, discovered the power of validation through Sash Bear’s Family Connections program, and began to see how conditional love and generational patterns were shaping our relationship.This is a conversation about hard truths, healing family dynamics, and learning how to love without conditions._________________________________Episode Highlights: conditional love vs unconditional love, validation in parenting, emotional dysregulation, borderline personality disorder in families, DBT for parents, Sash Bear Foundation, pandemic parenting struggles, codependent relationships with adult children, generational trauma patterns, healing family dynamics, turning the lens inward, personal growth for parents, 75 Hard challenge during pandemic, breaking emotional conditioning, supporting adult children without rescuing_________________________________What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy stepping away can sometimes strengthen a parent-child relationshipWhat validation truly means (and how it transforms communication)The difference between conditional and unconditional loveHow to support an adult child without enabling themWhy emotional growth requires uncomfortable reflectionThe power of allowing your child to sit in their own consequencesHow guilt can become a doorway to growthWhy healing starts with loving yourself first_________________________________Chapters 00:00 – Welcome Back01:15 – Living in the Basement During the Pandemic03:50 – Leaving for Three Months (Choosing Myself)06:20 – Codependency & Control08:05 – Discovering Sash Bear & DBT10:40 – The Power of Validation14:50 – Conditional vs. Unconditional Love19:30 – My Own University Story24:00 – Generational Patterns & Emotional Conditioning27:45 – Guilt, Growth & Spiritual Perspective30:50 – Letting Her Sit in Her Decisions31:45 – Loving Without Conditions33:00 – Final Reflections & What’s Next_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together._________________________________Resources & Links MentionedSash Bear Foundation (Family Connections Program)The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan HolidaySash Bear Annual Walk

In this episode, I’m speaking directly to the parent who is quietly struggling while their teen or adult child is in crisis. Whether it’s mental illness, self-harm, substance use, dropping out of school, or emotional instability, I know how heavy this can feel.We talk about the guilt, shame, exhaustion, and overwhelm that often go unspoken. I share my own experience navigating this season of life and why the first real shift doesn’t start with fixing your child — it starts with turning the lens inward.This episode is about self-compassion, recognizing the ego and fear that protect us from uncomfortable truths, and becoming aware of the inner dialogue running in the background. When we begin there, we build the steadiness we need to support our children without losing ourselves in the process._________________________________Episode Highlights: parenting a teen with mental illness, adult child mental health crisis, parent guilt and shame, parenting through self-harm, suicidal teen support for parents, overwhelmed parent, parenting burnout, emotional dysregulation in parents, conscious parenting, turning the lens inward, letting go of parent guilt, supporting a struggling child_________________________________What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy guilt and self-blame show up so strongly when your child is strugglingHow ego and fear can keep you stuck in avoidance or denialWhy your child is not choosing to suffer for attentionThe importance of recognizing the “programming” running in the background of your own mindHow self-compassion and awareness are the foundation for helping your childWhy internal work must come before external solutions_________________________________Chapters 00:00 – Speaking Parent to Parent01:57 – You’re Not the Only One03:08 – You Matter Too05:14 – When Parents Become Resentful07:43 – Choosing the Long Haul08:28 – The Weight of Shame and Exhaustion10:40 – Understanding the Ego12:11 – Releasing Guilt13:36 – They Aren’t Choosing to Suffer15:33 – The Programming in the Background18:22 – Changing the Inner Narrative22:52 – Internal First, External Second_________________________________⭐If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together.

Welcome to the very first episode of Turn the Lens Inward. I’m Lisa Taylor, and in this episode I share why I felt called to create this podcast and who it’s truly for.I open up about my journey as a mother, a professional, and a woman who once felt completely overwhelmed by her relationship with her teenage daughter. I talk honestly about divorce, emotional dysregulation, mental health diagnoses, navigating limited resources, and the shame that so many parents carry silently.For years, I searched for solutions outside of myself. Eventually, I realized the most powerful work I could do was to turn the lens inward. This episode is about what that shift looked like, what it taught me, and why I believe change is possible even when things feel hopeless.If you’re feeling exhausted, scared, or unsure how to help your teenage or young adult child, this podcast is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why I created Turn the Lens InwardHow divorce and family disruption impacted my relationship with my daughterWhat emotional dysregulation looked like in our homeMy experience navigating the mental health systemHow labels can help without defining your childThe difference between control and true supportWhat turning the lens inward actually meansWhy healing myself changed everythingChapters 00:00 – Welcome and Why This Podcast Exists02:00 – When Life Looked Fine but Felt Empty04:45 – Choosing Change and Its Impact07:45 – Watching My Child Struggle10:30 – Navigating the Mental Health System13:45 – Labels, Diagnosis, and Fear16:30 – Losing Control and Hitting Bottom18:45 – Turning the Lens Inward21:15 – Boundaries, Growth, and Healing24:30 – Who This Podcast Is For and What’s Ahead⭐ If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to subscribe and continue this journey with me. In future episodes, I’ll share personal reflections, practical tools, and conversations with other parents who are walking a similar path.You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn the lens inward, together.