the tara bixby podcast

Have you done everything "right"? Followed the rules, built the dream career, checked all the boxes you thought would make you happy — and yet, you still feel that ache inside? Today's guest, Megan Hellerer, knows that feeling well. After graduating at the top of her class from Stanford and spending eight years as a Google executive, she found herself crying on the bathroom floor — successful on paper, but completely miserable inside. Now, as an executive career coach for Underfulfilled Overachievers and author of Directional Living, Megan helps women realign their lives and careers with who they truly are. We talk about the "fulfillment ache," why you should forget your purpose and follow your curiosity instead, how to start making decisions that feel truly aligned, and so much more. 📱 Text this episode to someone who needs to hear it. 💛 Need a friend? Come hang out with me over on Instagram (@thetarabixby). Check out today's show notes here.

Hey friend. 👋 Today, Dr. Ben Rein joins us to explore why connection isn't just a cool idea — it's a biological necessity for a healthy mind. Dr. Rein is an award-winning neuroscientist, author of Why Brains Need Friends, Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University, and a brilliant science communicator. We dive into the neuroscience of connection, how isolation triggers stress in the brain, and how meaningful relationships help us thrive. We also talk about recognizing when you're running low on connection, curating a "social diet" that meets your needs, and how modern life and social media quietly erode real relationships. Ben also shares how the loss of social cues online fuels hostility and division, why disagreement doesn't have to break connections, and how small acts of kindness benefit the brain. ✨ If this episode resonates, share it with a friend — text it, email it, or post it on social. Connection and community are what this podcast is all about. Episode show notes... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/dr-ben-rein-why-your-brain-needs Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/

Feeling like something is wrong with you? Mary O'Malley — author, teacher, and counselor — knows that struggle all too well. After a painful childhood, three suicide attempts, and multiple hospitalizations, she learned that healing isn't about fixing yourself — it's about being present with what hurts. In this conversation, Mary shares how a yoga class changed her life, why our thinking brain gets stuck in struggle, and how our toughest challenges can become a doorway to healing. We also explore facing anxiety with compassion and holding space for others without trying to fix them. If you've ever felt like you're broken, this episode is for you. Mary's wisdom offers a new way to meet your pain with compassion and truly say yes to life — exactly as it is. ✨ If you know someone who's stuck in struggle, share this episode with them — it might be the spark they need. And if you loved today's conversation, leaving a review helps more women find the show and reminds them they're not alone. Episode show notes... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/mary-omalley-healing-starts-when Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/ Sponsor... Feeling tired, foggy, or just meh? These electrolytes changed the game for me. You can try all 8 flavors FREE with any order — click here to feel the difference!

At 35, Erica Lugo's world went dark — depression, OCD, and suicidal thoughts took over, and she kept being dismissed by doctors. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Erica shares how she connected the dots between her mental health and her hormones, and how HRT completely shifted her life. This episode is full of hope for anyone who's been dismissed, overprescribed, or feels like they've "tried everything." Women aren't talking about this enough — Share this episode with all the women in your life. Episode show notes... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/erica-lugo-the-hidden-mental-health Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/ Sponsor... Feeling tired, foggy, or just meh? These electrolytes changed the game for me. You can try all 8 flavors FREE with any order — click here to feel the difference! This conversation discusses thoughts about self-harm. If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting "LEV" to 741741.

If you've ever tried to think your way out of anxiety only to end up more stuck in worry and rumination, this tip is for you. In this quick tip tuesday, Dr. Russell Kennedy — doctor, neuroscientist, and one of the world's most respected voices on anxiety — shares his go-to strategy for getting out of your head and back into your body when anxious. It's simple, practical, and something you can start practicing today to calm your nervous system and find relief fast. He's also a past podcast guest, so if you love today's tip, be sure to listen to episode 33, where he shares a new prescription for anxiety relief. You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you tune in from. 📱If you loved this tip, don't keep it to yourself — text this episode to a friend who could use a little help getting out of their head and back into their body. ✨ Need a friend? Come hang out with me on Insta. I'd love to say hi!

Hey friends. If you're tired of feeling anxious and want a quick, practical way to calm your nervous system, this tip is for you. Today, I'm breaking down how to use visualization to reduce anxiety and shift your nervous system out of a sympathetic state of "fight-or-flight." 📱This tip's too good to keep to yourself — text this episode to a friend who needs to hear it. ✨ Tired of feeling anxious? Craving more calm and joy? I'd love to help you find freedom from your anxiety. I'm currently offering 1:1 coaching—just email hello@tarabixby.com and I'll send you more info.

Hey friends. 👋 Today, we're talking about something you might not realize is fueling your anxiety... blood sugar. When your morning starts with cereal, bagels, or pastries, your blood sugar spikes and then crashes—sending your nervous system into fight-or-flight. That crash triggers stress hormones, which can leave you feeling anxious, irritable, or on edge. The good news? You can hop off the blood sugar roller coaster. In this quick tip episode, I share 3 simple tips to help stabilize your blood sugar so you can feel calmer and less anxious throughout the day. I'll also give a bonus tip for parents on how to set kids up for a better morning (hint: skip the cereal). If you've ever wondered why anxiety seems to hit out of nowhere, this one's for you. ✨ Tired of feeling anxious? Craving more calm and joy? I'd love to help you find freedom from your anxiety. I'm currently offering 1:1 coaching—just email hello@courageouslyu.com and I'll send you more info. 🍌 Skip the sugar crash—bake up my favorite protein-packed banana muffins. Get the recipe here. 📱This tip's too good to keep to yourself — text this episode to an anxious friend.

Hey, friend. Today, I'm hanging out with Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a psychiatrist and former pharmaceutical researcher who now dedicates his career to helping people safely taper off psychiatric medications. He's one of the few voices in medicine willing to speak out — and what he shares may just change the way you think about mental health treatment forever. In today's conversation, we're talking about... What psychiatrists are actually taught about mental health in medical school How drug companies influence the mental health narrative Why medications continue to be prescribed despite their risks The turning point that led Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring to question everything he once believed about psychiatric drugs and mental illness What he believes drives anxiety and depression Why those who speak out against the mainstream mental health narrative are often labeled as "the bad guys" Why some people credit medications with saving their lives, while others feel deeply harmed by them The real story behind side effects, drug tolerance, and psychiatric drug injury The impact psychiatric medications have on fertility The three essential rules for coming off medication safely How to know when it might be the right time to begin tapering What to know before starting a psychiatric medication How parents can best support their child's mental health journey ...and so much more! This conversation isn't about being pro-med or anti-med — it's about being pro-informed. If this episode helped you feel a little more informed and a little less alone, please share it. Someone else might need that too. Episode show notes... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/dr-josef-witt-doerring-the-truth Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/

Hey friend. Are you an anxious soul who's hell-bent on making your anxiety disappear? If you're nodding your head yes, this episode is for you. Today, I'm joined by Dr. David Rosmarin — Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, program director at McLean Hospital, and founder of the Center for Anxiety. He's a clinical psychologist, scientist, author, educator, and keynote speaker who's been featured everywhere from Good Morning America to TED.com. And his message is powerful: Anxiety isn't something to get rid of — it's something to understand, and even embrace. In today's conversation, we're talking about... The two different types of anxiety and how to know which one you're experiencing. Why so many people are struggling with anxiety (and why we've become so afraid of our anxious feelings). Why trying to get rid of anxiety can keep you stuck — and what to do instead. Why the mental health system may be over-diagnosing people. The role uncertainty plays in anxiety, and how avoidance makes it worse. The four-step process that'll help you thrive with anxiety. How to support a child who may be struggling, too. ...and so much more! If this episode gives you even a small burst of hope, would you take a second to share it with another anxious soul who might need to hear it too? Episode show notes... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/dr-david-rosmarin-how-to-stop-fighting Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/ Sponsor... Feeling tired, foggy, or just meh? These electrolytes changed the game for me. You can try all 8 flavors FREE with any order — click here to feel the difference!

Hey friends. If you're a working mom feeling stretched too thin, drowning in demands, and simmering with that all-too-familiar mom rage… this episode is for you. Today, I'm joined by the brilliant Dr. Whitney Casares — a Stanford-trained pediatrician, speaker, mom of two, and founder of Modern Mommy Doc and the Modern Mamas Club app. She's also the host of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast and a powerful voice when it comes to helping moms stop doing it all and start doing what actually matters. We're talking about... Why so many women feel pressure to give 100% to everything they do — and how that belief is burning us out. Why it's important to triage what matters most in the season you're in. What emotion coaching looks like and why mindful self-compassion is essential. The importance of giving yourself grace in the seasons you wish would move faster. The value of outsourcing and delegating, and why half-assing on purpose is important. How to create a more centered life. How to navigate resentment when it comes up and why honest communication with your partner matters. ...and so much more. If this episode resonates with you, please take a second to share it with another mom who might need to hear it too. We're not meant to do this alone — and sometimes, one honest conversation can make all the difference. Episode show notes... https://courageouslyu.substack.com/p/dr-whitney-casares-moms-stop-trying Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/

Today, I'm hanging out with Dr. Claire Plumbly — Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Consultant, and author of The Trauma of Burnout. She's also the founder of Plum Psychology, a UK-based center specializing in trauma-informed care. In today's episode, we unpack... The difference between stress and burnout Why burnout isn't your fault The invisible load that so many women carry How burnout and trauma are connected The impact chronic stress has on your mental health What it looks like when burnout leads to nervous system shutdown How to spot signs of burnout Simple ways to help your nervous system feel safe How our inner critic might be fueling burnout ...and so much more. If this conversation speaks to you, if you find yourself nodding along or thinking of a friend who needs to hear it, please share it. Post it to your stories, text it to someone who's quietly carrying too much, or leave a quick review. It helps more women find these kinds of conversations… and it means the world to me. Episode show notes... Hang out with me on Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/thetarabixby/

Hey friend. Today's chat comes straight from my heart to your ears. I'm opening up about why I think we're overcomplicating healing, the 6(ish) things I want you to focus on, why I really dislike when professionals act like they have it all together, and—yes—my strong craving for friendships too Can you do me a favor? I'd love your honest feedback. What do you think about solo episodes? Are they annoying, or do you actually look forward to them? Don't hold back—friends tell the truth, right? Your input means a lot because it helps me create the episodes YOU need. You can share your feedback with me over on Instagram @courageously.u, or you can email me at hello@courageouslyu.com. Happy listening, my friend.

Hey friends. Today, I'm getting real about the occasional urge that creeps up to self-medicate. If you found this solosode helpful and know someone who'd benefit from hearing it, please share it with them. Want to make sure you never miss a solosode? Be sure to follow the tara bixby podcast so all solosodes (and regular episodes) automatically download when released. Until our next chat, biggest hugs