Parenting has never come with a manual—but today's parents are navigating challenges that previous generations could never have imagined.

In this episode of Rooted & Rising, Dr. Carmela Maxell explores the emotional, mental, and physical weight of raising children in an era of constant comparison, technology, social media, financial stress, and ever-changing expectations. From the pressure to be the "perfect parent" to balancing careers, relationships, and personal well-being, many parents are carrying far more than anyone realizes.

Together, we'll talk about parental guilt, burnout, overstimulation, the invisible mental load, and why so many parents feel like they're failing—even when they're doing their absolute best. Most importantly, we'll discuss why it's okay to ask for help, why breaking down doesn't make you a bad parent, and how giving yourself grace may be one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.

If you've ever questioned whether you're enough, felt overwhelmed by the demands of parenting, or simply needed someone to remind you that you're not alone, this conversation is for you.

Because strong parents don't never break down...

Strong parents learn how to get back up.

Have you ever picked up your phone to check one notification...only to realize an hour has disappeared?

In this episode of Rooted & Rising, Dr. Carmela Maxell explores the hidden psychology behind doomscrolling and why endless scrolling affects more than just your screen time—it can quietly influence your creativity, motivation, decision-making, and even your ability to pursue the life you truly want.

Together, we'll unpack concepts like the Zeigarnik Effect, decision fatigue, the psychology of infinite scrolling, and why watching productive people can trick our brains into feeling productive ourselves. More importantly, we'll discuss practical strategies to break the cycle, reclaim your attention, and start investing your time in building your own dreams instead of endlessly consuming someone else's.

If you've ever felt mentally exhausted after scrolling, struggled to focus on your own goals, or wondered where your creativity has gone, this conversation is for you.

It's time to stop doomscrolling your dreams...and start living them.

In this episode of Rooted & Rising, Dr. Maxell sits down with Joy Larkin, narcissistic abuse recovery coach and founder of Live Narc Free, for an honest conversation about narcissistic abuse, trauma bonds, emotional manipulation, healing, and reclaiming a sense of self.

Together, they explore the signs and patterns commonly associated with narcissistic abuse, including love bombing, gaslighting, triangulation, future faking, emotional dependency, and the challenges many survivors face when trying to leave unhealthy relationships. They also discuss recovery, self-worth, boundaries, and practical strategies for rebuilding a life after abuse.

Whether you've personally experienced narcissistic abuse, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to better understand these relationship dynamics, this conversation offers insight, education, and hope. Joy's work focuses on helping individuals overcome narcissistic abuse, rebuild self-esteem, and move forward with confidence and healing.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of emotional abuse, coercive control, trauma bonding, manipulation, stalking behaviors, and narcissistic abuse.

Learn more about Joy Larkin and her work:
🌐 Live Narc Free

What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted… and you're still unhappy?

In this episode of Rooted & Rising, Dr. Carmela Maxell explores the quiet disappointment that can accompany success when the life you're living no longer aligns with who you truly are. From careers and relationships to family expectations and personal dreams, we examine what happens when we spend years climbing a ladder only to discover it was leaning against the wrong wall all along.

Drawing from personal experience, Dr. Maxell reflects on the pressure to pursue a path that looked successful on paper but never felt fully her own. Together, we'll discuss the difference between achievement and fulfillment, the cost of abandoning ourselves to meet others' expectations, and how to begin reconnecting with the person beneath the titles, accomplishments, and obligations.

If you've ever looked around at a life you've worked hard to build and wondered, "Why am I still not happy?" this conversation is for you.

Because sometimes the bravest thing we can do isn't climb higher—it's choose a different wall.

How do you know when loyalty has crossed the line into self-abandonment?

In this episode of Rooted & Rising, Dr. Carmela Maxell explores the relationships, friendships, jobs, and situations we stay committed to long after they've stopped serving us. Many of us wear devotion as a badge of honor, convincing ourselves that enduring pain is proof of our character. But what happens when our commitment comes at the cost of our peace, identity, and well-being?

Join Dr. Maxell as she unpacks the difference between healthy perseverance and unhealthy attachment, the hidden ways people-pleasing keeps us stuck, and why walking away is sometimes the most loving thing we can do for ourselves.

If you've ever found yourself holding on because of who someone used to be, what something once meant, or because leaving felt like failure, this conversation is for you.

Because sometimes the bravest thing we can do is stop abandoning ourselves in the name of devotion.

What does it cost to survive systems that weren't built for you? In this episode Dr. Carmela Maxell explores the mental health impact of navigating institutions as a person of color or marginalized identity — examining weathering, racial battle fatigue, and intergenerational trauma. This isn't abstract. It lives in your body. And there are ways through.

In this first episode, Dr. Carmela Maxell introduces

herself — not just the credentials, but the human

underneath them. A clinician, author, professor,

director, mother, and Black and Filipino woman who has been

carrying a lot and finally decided to say something

about it out loud.

This episode covers who Dr. Maxell is beyond her

titles, what Rooted and Rising is (and isn't), the

publication of her debut novel Bereavement, and why

done and imperfect will always beat perfect and

silent.

For the healers who need healing. The strong ones

who are tired of being strong. The creatives who've

been told to be practical. Welcome to Rooted and

Rising.

Connect:

Instagram: @therealcarmelamaxell

Search: Bereavement by Carmela Maxell (on Amazon)

Website: http://carmelamaxell.com

Email: info@carmelamaxell.com