Cultivate Calmness Podcast: Find Your Calm, Cultivate Your Mind

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela steps away from clinical topics to share a deeply personal reflection on gratitude, partnership, and support. She opens up about the often unseen work her husband, Robert, does behind the scenes to help bring her vision, events, conferences, and business ideas to life. From encouraging her to step into private practice to coordinating logistics, social media, and event planning, this episode highlights the importance of recognizing the people who quietly help carry the weight of our dreams. Through this heartfelt conversation, Kaela encourages listeners to reflect on the individuals in their own lives who may not always receive the appreciation they deserve—and to take the time to acknowledge them.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela reflects on the emotional complexity of Mother’s Day through the lens of grief, loss, and personal experience. Having lost her mother at a young age, she shares what it has been like to grow up, become a parent, and navigate life without that foundational relationship. From missing milestones and unanswered questions to recognizing alternative mother figures and redefining what “mom” means, Kaela explores how grief can show up in both subtle and profound ways. This episode offers validation for anyone who finds Mother’s Day difficult—whether due to loss, complicated relationships, or unmet needs—and reminds listeners that all emotions surrounding this day are valid and worthy of space.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela explores the powerful connection between our thoughts, emotions, and physical health. Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy principles, personal reflection, and insights from nature, she explains how the beliefs we hold about ourselves can directly impact how we feel—mentally and physically. From the way plants respond to positive and negative environments to the science behind the placebo effect, Kaela highlights how mindset can influence healing at a cellular level. This episode is a reminder that while negative thoughts can become deeply ingrained over time, intentional shifts in perspective—through gratitude, awareness, and practice—can begin to reshape not only how we think, but how we live and heal.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela shares her powerful experience attending the Seeking Whole Health Conference and the profound impact it had on both her personal health journey and her clinical perspective. From gut health and inflammation to nutrition, breathing, and root-cause healing, she explores how many mental health symptoms may be connected to deeper physiological imbalances that are often overlooked in traditional care. Through insights on topics like anxiety, blood sugar, mineral depletion, and the mind-body connection, Kaela reflects on why true healing requires looking beyond diagnoses and addressing the whole person. This episode is an invitation to think differently about health, ask deeper questions, and consider what might be happening beneath the surface.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela shares her honest reflections after attending the American Counseling Association (ACA) Conference in Columbus. From navigating packed schedules and choosing between dozens of sessions to experiencing mental fatigue, networking opportunities, and exploring vendor spaces, she breaks down both the highlights and the challenges of the event. Kaela also offers practical insights for clinicians considering future conferences—how to approach session selection, balance learning with connection, and actually implement what you learn afterward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode gives a real, behind-the-scenes look at what conferences can (and can’t) offer.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela reflects on a powerful moment of insight sparked by something as simple as a song. She explores how memories, grief, and past experiences can take on new meaning as we grow and change over time. Drawing from her personal journey with loss, she shares how it’s normal—and even healthy—for old experiences to resurface in new ways, not as a sign of regression, but as evidence of deeper healing. Kaela also connects this idea to physical health, emotional awareness, and life transitions, reminding listeners that growth happens in layers—and that sometimes, clarity comes when we’re finally ready to see things differently.

In this deeply personal episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela explores one of the most common questions surrounding loss: Does grief ever go away? Drawing from her own experience of losing her mother at a young age and living with that grief for over three decades, she shares an honest and compassionate perspective on how grief evolves over time. Through powerful metaphors—like a bookshelf, glitter, and scars—Kaela explains how grief doesn’t disappear, but instead becomes integrated into our lives. She discusses how grief can resurface during life transitions, how it looks different across ages and experiences, and how healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means learning to live fully while carrying what was lost.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela explores the importance of learning how to recognize and respond to the warning signs your body and mind are constantly giving you. Drawing from personal experiences—including physical strain, nutrition changes, and emotional awareness—she highlights how many of us have been conditioned to push through discomfort rather than listen to it. From anxiety signals and trauma responses to food sensitivities and physical pain, Kaela explains how awareness is the first step toward healing. This episode is a powerful reminder that change takes time, consistency, and intention—and that when you begin to truly listen to your body, it will guide you toward what it needs most.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela shares her thoughts on the upcoming American Counseling Association conference coming to Columbus, Ohio, and reflects on the value of attending professional conferences as a counselor. From earning CEUs and deepening clinical knowledge to building meaningful relationships, exploring new cities, and creating lasting professional connections, she walks through what counselors can expect and how to make the most of the experience. Whether you are attending ACA for the first time, considering a future conference, or wondering if the investment is worth it, this episode offers practical encouragement on balancing learning, networking, and personal enjoyment along the way.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela explores the meaning behind the word idiopathic — a term often used when medical providers can’t determine the cause of symptoms. But is “we don’t know” the end of the story? Drawing from personal experience, client stories, and her functional mental health perspective, Kaela discusses the difference between normal and optimal lab results, why symptoms don’t exist in isolation, and how root causes are often overlooked in traditional care. Using relatable examples—from vitamin D levels to iron deficiency and organ removal—she encourages listeners to ask better questions, advocate for deeper testing, and look beneath the surface rather than settling for symptom management alone. Healing, she reminds us, often requires going beyond what’s visible.

In this episode of Cultivate Calmness, I share a personal update on my own health journey—mineral deficiencies, supplement protocols, energy shifts, and even a stubborn eye twitch—and how it mirrors the therapeutic process I guide my clients through every day. Healing doesn’t happen from insight alone; it requires intentional action between appointments. Whether it’s adjusting nutrition, resisting cravings driven by deeper imbalances, setting boundaries in relationships, or putting down your phone earlier at night, meaningful change requires consistent effort. As a holistic/functional mental health counselor specializing in grief and trauma, I explore the connection between body, mind, and behavior—and why real progress happens not just in the therapy room, but in the daily choices you make when no one is watching.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela dives into the powerful connection between minerals and mental health. From iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper to gut health and nutrient absorption, she explores how internal imbalances can directly impact mood, anxiety, energy, focus, and emotional regulation. Drawing from her own recent testing experience—including hair mineral analysis and stool testing—Kaela explains why “normal” lab ranges may not mean optimal health and why talk therapy alone may not be enough if the body is depleted. This episode encourages listeners to advocate for themselves, explore deeper root causes, and consider how addressing internal health can transform emotional wellbeing.

In this February episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela explores the deeper meaning of love beyond romance and Valentine’s Day traditions. Drawing from biblical concepts like eros, storge, philia, and agape, she reflects on how love shows up differently in marriage, friendship, family, and even in relationships marked by disagreement or tension. In a world saturated with information, political division, and emotional reactivity, this episode invites listeners to consider what it means to show respect, compassion, and humanity—especially when it feels uncomfortable. Through both spiritual reflection and psychological insight, Kaela challenges us to examine how we love, how we forgive, and how we can strive toward a more unconditional, mature expression of care in our daily lives.

In this week’s episode of Cultivate Calmness, I explore the powerful parallels between plant care and mental health therapy—especially when it comes to grief, trauma, and emotional healing. From watering and soil to boundaries, support systems, and growth spurts, plants offer a surprisingly accurate reflection of what humans need to thrive. Using real-life examples from my office plants, I talk about recognizing signs of distress, honoring individual needs, adjusting care when something isn’t working, and why healing is never one-size-fits-all. This episode is a gentle reminder that with the right environment, patience, and nourishment, both plants and people can recover, grow, and flourish.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we explore the complex gray areas of family, romantic, and interpersonal relationships—especially when conflict, hurt, or disconnection arise. Drawing from both clinical experience and personal reflection, this conversation invites listeners to gently “turn the camera around” and examine their own role in relational dynamics without minimizing the harm they may have experienced. We talk about boundaries, reconciliation, accountability, and the reality that relationships often cannot return to what they once were—but can still evolve into something healthier or more aligned. This episode offers compassionate perspective for anyone navigating relational stress while trying to honor both their emotional truth and their well-being.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I share my first personal experience with myofascial release massage and explore the powerful connection between fascia, trauma, and emotional healing. As a holistic, trauma-informed therapist, I discuss how physical and emotional traumas can be stored in the body, how fascia functions as connective tissue that holds these experiences, and why body-based work can complement trauma therapies like EMDR. I reflect on the physical sensations, emotional release, and unexpected insights that emerged during and after the session, while also offering important considerations for anyone curious about myofascial work—especially those already engaged in trauma therapy. This episode invites listeners to consider what the body may still be holding and how intentional, integrated healing can support both mind and body.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I explore what functional mental health really means and how it differs from traditional approaches that focus only on symptom management. I share how I integrate functional principles into my own clinical work, including looking at nutrition, sleep, stress, gut health, mineral balance, and environmental factors that impact mental and emotional well-being. I also take you behind the scenes of my personal health journey, discussing recent functional testing such as blood work, GI mapping, and hair mineral analysis, and why understanding root causes matters for both healing trauma and supporting long-term mental health. This episode offers an honest, accessible look at how mind and body are deeply connected—and why meaningful mental health care must address both

In this first Cultivate Calmness Podcast episode of the year, Kaela welcomes listeners into 2026 by reflecting on rest, renewal, and growth—and sharing some exciting news that’s been months in the making. She announces the upcoming Mental Health Professionals Conference, a full-day integrative mental health conference designed to bring together therapists to explore whole-person care that honors mind, body, and spirit. Kaela also discusses why therapy alone isn’t always enough, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, and how expanding our referral networks ultimately helps clients heal more fully. This episode is an invitation to connection, learning, and reimagining what mental health care can look like when we step outside the box.

In this final episode of the year, Kaela reflects on the experiences, growth, and lessons of 2025 through a holistic and functional mental health lens. She explores the complexity of the holiday season—how it can hold both joy and grief—especially for those navigating trauma, loss, or emotional exhaustion. Kaela shares gratitude for the mental health community, highlights meaningful professional milestones, including CEU programming and leadership roles, and offers insight into her evolving focus on functional mental health and root-cause healing. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and gently prepare for the year ahead with intention, compassion, and hope.

In this week’s episode, we explore the powerful connection between mental health, physical symptoms, and the body’s natural communication system. I share candidly about my own wellness journey—from chronic sinus issues to shedding chemicals, adjusting nutrition, and pursuing functional testing to better understand what my body has been trying to tell me. We talk about how trauma, emotions, diet, and lifestyle choices influence everything from digestion to mood regulation, and how learning to recognize internal cues can transform the way we approach healing. Whether you're navigating unexplained symptoms, exploring natural health, or simply wanting to feel more aligned with your body, this conversation offers compassionate guidance and practical insights for tuning in rather than pushing through.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, trades New Year hype for honest holiday momentum—sharing why she believes in “testing, not guessing” and how small, compassionate steps create real change. From Christmas-sweater cheer to practical first moves, Kaela walks through lab options she’s using herself (basic bloodwork, hair mineral analysis, and stool testing), what those results can illuminate, and how to translate insights into doable habits—hydration, nutrient support, movement, and mindset—without waiting for January 1. If you’re curious about a functional, root-cause approach to mental health and want a therapist who will walk the path with you, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and an invitation to begin.

In this heartfelt Thanksgiving episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, takes time to pause and reflect on gratitude — for her clients, her colleagues, her community, and the journey that brought her here. She shares the lessons she’s learned from the brave clients who trust her with their stories, the clinicians who collaborate and present at her CEU luncheons, and the loved ones who help her bring her mission to life. From running a small private practice to leading in her professional community, Kaela explores how gratitude can anchor us through challenges and strengthen our connection to purpose, people, and healing.

In this week’s episode of Cultivate Calmness, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, shares her personal reflections on the arrival of Ohio’s first snow and explores how the shift in seasons affects our mental and physical health. Kaela explains how sunlight, vitamin D, and movement influence mood and energy, and offers holistic strategies to prevent the “winter blues.” From mindful outdoor walks and light therapy boxes to nutritional support and joyful winter activities, she guides listeners through simple, functional steps to help their bodies and minds adjust to the colder months. Whether you love winter or dread it, this episode reminds you that the season doesn’t have to control your mood — you can prepare, stay grounded, and find calm no matter the weather.

In this week’s episode of Cultivate Calmness, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, shares exciting updates about Teal Saguaro Wellness’s upcoming CEU luncheon for mental health professionals, as well as new online CEU courses now available through her website. Kaela discusses the heart behind these events—building community, collaboration, and growth among Ohio clinicians—and offers insight into how therapists, counselors, and social workers can get involved as presenters. Whether you’re looking to attend a luncheon, earn CEUs online, or share your expertise as a presenter, this episode is your invitation to connect, contribute, and grow together.

In this week’s episode of The Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela dives into what she calls “sugar overload season”—that stretch of holidays from Halloween through Valentine’s Day where candy, cookies, and cocktails dominate. She explores how excess sugar impacts the immune system, why you might feel run down despite taking vitamins, and how small, mindful choices can strengthen your body’s natural defenses. Drawing on her holistic and functional mental health approach, Kaela also shares practical ways to listen to your body’s early warning signs, use food and supplements intentionally, and teach your family to recognize those same cues. This episode offers a compassionate reminder to enjoy the season while nurturing your physical and emotional wellness.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, explores how relationships grow best when we take time to build a strong emotional foundation—one step (or wave) at a time. Using her ocean and beach analogy, Kaela reflects on the importance of exploring relationships slowly, developing trust, and learning each other’s depths before diving in. Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or simply someone seeking healthier connections, this episode invites you to consider how self-awareness, pacing, and emotional curiosity help us create meaningful, lasting bonds that don’t just float—they thrive.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, holistic grief and trauma therapist Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, addresses a heartbreaking story that shook her community — the loss of a child to a viral social-media “challenge.” Kaela explores the darker side of technology and how digital platforms, algorithms, and online predators can endanger our kids’ safety and mental health. She offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents and caregivers: how to create tech agreements, monitor online use, and open healthy conversations about trust, privacy, and boundaries. This episode is both a sobering wake-up call and an empowering reminder that proactive, mindful parenting can make all the difference in a digital world designed for distraction.

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, reflects on the power of connection and the urgency of preserving memories with loved ones while we still have the chance. Drawing on her own experiences with family and her work as a grief and trauma therapist, she explores how sudden loss—whether personal or public—reminds us that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Kaela discusses simple, meaningful ways to capture family stories and histories, from asking intentional questions to recording conversations, and emphasizes how these practices not only honor those we love but also leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, explores the wide spectrum of grief reactions we see both publicly and privately, from anger and numbness to hope and faith. Drawing from personal experiences, professional insights, and reflections on recent events, she emphasizes that no two people grieve in the same way—and that judgment often deepens wounds rather than heals them. Kaela reminds listeners that grief is complex, unpredictable, and deeply human, and encourages us to meet others with empathy, compassion, and support instead of criticism. Whether you’ve experienced loss yourself or are walking alongside someone who has, this episode offers perspective, validation, and practical ways to help without judgment.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, takes listeners behind the scenes of her work not only as a grief and trauma therapist but also as the host of monthly Mental Health Professionals Luncheons and the new president of the Central Ohio Counseling Association (COCA). Kaela shares the heart behind creating spaces where counselors can connect, consult, and collaborate through luncheons, CEU events, coffee and consultations, and social gatherings. Whether you’re a new professional, a seasoned clinician, or simply curious about how community can help sustain mental health providers, this episode highlights the importance of coming together, sharing resources, and building meaningful professional relationships in Central Ohio and beyond.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness, Kaela sits down with Dr. Suzanne Pikula, DC, a trauma-informed, systems-oriented chiropractor and founder of several integrative clinics, to explore how bodywork can accelerate mental health healing. Dr. Suzanne explains why “everything is connected”—from fascia and cranial-sacral flow to the vagus nerve, limbic system, and gut-brain axis—and how gentle, safety-first somatic techniques can help anxious, overwhelmed, or neurodivergent clients actually receive care. We unpack collaboration between psychotherapy (EMDR/brain-based work) and chiropractic approaches, discuss stored trauma after surgeries (like C-sections), and look at practical ways to calm hyper-arousal, improve sleep and focus, and reduce persistent pain. If you’ve ever wondered how nontraditional adjustments, scar work, and nervous system regulation can complement talk therapy, this conversation offers a grounded, trauma-responsive roadmap for healing mind, body, and spirit.

In this milestone 101st episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I take a moment to reflect on what it means to have been sharing conversations, insights, and stories for over two years. What began as a way to connect and share mental health knowledge has grown into a platform for community, interviews, and holistic discussions around grief, trauma, and functional wellness. From solo reflections to engaging dialogues with fellow professionals, this journey has reshaped not only my practice but also the way I approach therapy and life. Join me as I look back on the path so far, the lessons learned, and the vision for what’s to come in the next 101 episodes.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I sit down with therapist and practice owner Emily Hanlon of Spiral Path Counseling to explore the power of Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and expressive arts therapy in supporting trauma recovery and self-care. Together, we dive into how these approaches intersect, offering both clients and clinicians fresh ways to view “self-sabotage,” connect with their inner parts, and practice embodied self-regulation. Emily shares her journey from burnout to discovering somatic and parts-based therapies, highlighting the importance of compassion, creativity, and safety in the healing process. Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or simply curious about holistic approaches to mental health, this conversation offers insight, hope, and practical tools.

In this deeply personal episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela shares her own story of losing her mom to ovarian cancer at the age of seven and reflect on what grief has looked like over the past 30 years. From unexpected triggers, to the ways grief evolves through different life stages, she explores how loss never fully disappears, but grows and changes alongside us. She talks about the mementos her mom left behind, the special connections she still feels today, and how becoming a parent has reshaped her understanding of grief. This episode is a vulnerable reflection on love, memory, and the way grief continues to shape who we are—decades later.

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we tackle the exhausting myth that you’re supposed to “do it all” — perfectly, all the time. From the picture-perfect lives we see on social media to the increasing demands of modern life, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. I share personal reflections, the reality behind those polished images, and a practical exercise to help you assess your life’s priorities without burning out. You’ll learn why trying to change everything at once sets you up for failure, how to focus on one key area for a ripple effect of positive change, and why it’s time to let go of impossible standards.

In this episode of The Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I’m joined by Molly Olejownik, a licensed mental health specialist working in a local school district, to discuss the essential and often overlooked collaboration between school-based counselors and community therapists. We explore the evolution of her career from cheer coach to school counselor to private practice clinician—and now, back into schools as a mental health specialist serving students with IEPs. Molly shares the challenges of large caseloads, how emotional regulation is central to her work, and why building strong partnerships with parents, teachers, and therapists is key to supporting students. We also dive into the reality of burnout, perfectionism in high-achieving districts, and the importance of self-care for those who serve others.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance sits down with K Preston Moore—TEDx speaker, national mental health and addiction advocate, and person in long-term recovery—to have a powerful, honest, and energizing conversation about the real roots of emotional dysfunction and the stigma that keeps people stuck. Preston shares how his own experiences with addiction, recovery, and emotional growth shaped his work, and why building a culture of proactive mental and emotional wellness is more critical than ever. Together, they explore how vulnerability, consistency, and community can reshape lives—long before a crisis forces change. Whether you're a clinician, a parent, or someone who just wants to live more intentionally, this episode offers both insight and practical inspiration.

In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, dives into the emotional complexity of difficult relationships and why setting boundaries can feel so hard—even when we know they’re needed. Whether it’s with a parent, friend, partner, or coworker, Kaela explores the common fears we carry—fear of rejection, fear of loss, fear of change—and how those fears can prevent us from speaking our truth. She offers insight on how to navigate relationships with compassion and clarity, highlights the power of vulnerability, and gently challenges listeners to consider: What am I really afraid of—and what could happen if I finally spoke up?

Have you ever wondered if your therapist thinks about you after your session ends? In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I pull back the curtain on the inner world of therapists and share what really goes on beyond the therapy room. I talk openly about the emotional residue of sessions, how clients often stay in our hearts and minds, and why you’re never just a job to us. From church pews to community events to scrolling through social media, therapists like me are often reminded of the people we care for. If you’ve ever questioned your impact as a client, this episode will affirm your importance and shed light on the deeper connections we hold with those we serve.

In this powerful episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance sits down with fellow LPCC-S and trauma specialist Rikki Grace to explore the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), a therapeutic approach designed specifically for complex trauma. Rikki shares her journey into the world of counseling and how she discovered NARM, explaining what sets it apart from other trauma modalities like EMDR and DBT. Listeners will gain insight into how NARM integrates relational, emotional, cognitive, and somatic elements while emphasizing client agency, consent, and non-pathologizing therapeutic relationships. Whether you’re a clinician, a trauma survivor, or simply curious about healing through connection, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on what it means to experience and process trauma in a safe, supportive way.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we welcome Rebecca Dunaway, a certified HeartMath® practitioner, Reiki master, and sound therapy trainee, to explore the healing power of HeartMath®. Drawing on her decades-long career in the medical field and her personal experience with burnout, Rebecca shares how HeartMath® tools—like heart-focused breathing and coherence techniques—can help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and bring heart, mind, and body into harmony. We discuss how these tools complement traditional therapy, how they're used in everyday life (even in traffic!), and how they support healing from trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress. This episode is a heart-centered guide to reconnecting with yourself and supporting your clients more deeply.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we explore the powerful connection between our inner dialogue and the world we experience. Inspired by a video featuring Peter Crone, “The Mind Architect,” we dive deep into the concept of negative core beliefs—those deep-rooted thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m unlovable”—and how they silently shape our lives, reactions, and relationships. Drawing from real-life examples, therapeutic insight, and EMDR techniques, this episode unpacks how past experiences wire our brains for defense and how we can begin to rewrite our inner narratives to live with more confidence, compassion, and freedom.

In this eye-opening episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela is joined by functional dietitian and founder of Nourished by Taylor, Taylor Lechner, to discuss the often-overlooked connection between hormonal birth control and mental health. Taylor shares her personal and professional journey of recovering from the pill, uncovering root causes like high copper and gut dysfunction that can trigger anxiety, depression, and more. Listeners will gain insight into the importance of functional testing, how birth control alters the brain and body, and what steps women can take to start healing naturally. This conversation empowers women with informed consent and reminds us that when we feel something is off—our intuition is often right.

In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we take a deep dive into Father’s Day—a time to celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives, but also a moment to acknowledge the grief that may accompany this special day. Whether you're grieving the loss of a father, experiencing a challenging relationship, or simply reflecting on the role fathers play in our lives, this episode offers insights and compassionate guidance for navigating the complexities of the day. From offering practical ways to show appreciation to fathers to suggestions for honoring those who are no longer with us, this episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing fathers in their many forms. Tune in for heartfelt reflections, support for grieving individuals, and tips for making Father’s Day meaningful in whatever way feels right for you.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela is joined by Jonathan Miller from Miller Counseling to discuss social anxiety, a disorder that often slips under the radar in therapy. Jonathan, with his 25 years of experience, sheds light on what social anxiety is, its subtle but powerful impact on daily life, and the role of exposure therapy in overcoming it. Together, they explore how social anxiety manifests, how it can sneak up on individuals, and the importance of addressing it with compassion and practical strategies. Jonathan also shares his personal experiences with social anxiety, offering insight into how it can affect self-esteem and social interactions. Tune in to learn how we can help clients face their fears, build confidence, and create lasting change.

In this episode of The Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we dive into the topic of boundaries—why they are essential for our mental health, how they protect us, and how to set them in a way that fosters healthier relationships. Whether it's managing difficult family dynamics, handling emotional triggers, or learning how to say no, setting boundaries allows us to define what’s acceptable in our lives. This episode explores common misconceptions, practical examples, and the importance of following through with your limits to create the space for growth, peace, and self-respect. Tune in for insightful tips on strengthening your personal boundaries and cultivating emotional well-being.

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness podcast, Kaela Vance discusses the power of analogies in explaining and processing trauma. Kaela shares several effective analogies, such as the car accident, smoke detectors, and backpacks full of rocks, to help listeners understand the complexities of trauma and healing. Through these analogies, she demonstrates how simple comparisons can facilitate emotional understanding and healing for both clients and therapists. If you're looking for fresh ways to grasp and explain your own experiences or to better communicate with others about trauma, this episode offers insightful tools and practical advice.

In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela shares her personal journey of navigating Mother's Day after the loss of her mother at a young age. Reflecting on how her relationship with Mother's Day has evolved over the years, Kaela opens up about her experience of growing up without a mother, finding comfort in non-traditional mother figures, and learning to heal from grief. She explores the complexity of celebrating motherhood while honoring the memory of her own mother, and how she now navigates motherhood with her own children. Whether you're celebrating, grieving, or somewhere in between, this episode offers valuable insights on healing, gratitude, and the importance of honoring the women who shape our lives.

In this episode, Kaela shares her key takeaways from the Seeking Whole Health, Christian Holistic Health Conference, where she gained a wealth of knowledge on holistic healing practices, including the importance of nourishing both the body and mind. From learning about the impact of our modern food systems to exploring the intersection of faith and wellness, Kaela discusses how these insights can improve not just our health, but our overall well-being. Whether it’s detoxing your body, addressing hormonal imbalances, or understanding the connection between farming and food quality, this episode offers a unique perspective on holistic healing that you won’t want to miss.

In today’s episode, Kaela Vance shares her excitement as she prepares to attend the Seeking Whole Health Conference. As a holistic mental health counselor, Kaela is eager to learn more about a variety of topics, from food sensitivities and hormones, to herbalism and gut health. She reflects on how these new insights will help her not only in her personal life but also in supporting her clients and family. Tune in to hear Kaela’s journey of lifelong learning and how conferences like this one provide invaluable knowledge for holistic health practices.