In this episode, I sit down with my sister Kim and give her an update on my EMDR journey and share more of the process with her.

We talk about some of the memories, experiences, and family dynamics that have come up as I've worked to better understand my anxiety, depression, insecurities, and the ways my childhood shaped the person I became. Along the way, we get into some difficult conversations about our upbringing, including physical abuse, generational patterns, and the complicated reality that understanding our parents isn't the same thing as excusing the harm.

As always, this conversation isn't about blame. It's about curiosity, healing, and making sense of the stories that helped shape us.

This one is raw, imperfect, and was super hard to share—but I think that's exactly why it matters.

This week’s episode is vulnerable, emotional, and probably one of the most difficult thing I’ve shared.

What started as a simple intro somehow turned into a live emotional breakdown, reflections on healing, and the decision to finally release a collection of EMDR audio journals that I recorded during a really difficult stretch this past winter.

These recordings were raw check-ins from the middle of the work — conversations about anxiety, depression, shame, childhood wounds, feeling like a burden, learning how to receive love, and what happens when therapy starts pulling old pain to the surface.

This episode is what healing sometimes actually sounds like: awkward pauses, crying, overthinking, nervous system exhaustion, small breakthroughs, and trying to stay present through all of it.

If you’ve ever felt emotionally “too much,” struggled to feel safe being vulnerable, or found yourself somewhere between breaking down and healing… this one might hit home.

In this episode of Earth to Gert, I sit down with my sister Kim and my niece Reagan for a conversation about generational trauma, anxiety, survival mode, and how the emotional environments we grow up in shape us in ways we don’t always understand until later in life.

We talk about parenting differently than the generations before us, how anxiety and hypervigilance can quietly get passed down, and what it’s like to look back on childhood through adult eyes. We also dive into the idea of epigenetics and the growing understanding that trauma, stress, environment, and nervous system patterns may impact future generations in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

This conversation touches on counseling, EMDR, survival mode, emotional disconnection, single motherhood, grief, and the realization that sometimes our parents were just humans trying to survive too.

More than anything, this episode is about understanding instead of blame.

About asking “why?” instead of just judging the behaviors we developed to cope.

And about realizing that healing ourselves may also help heal the generations that came before — and the ones that come after.

As always, thank you so much for listening.

And a huge thank you to Kim and Reagan for their openness, vulnerability, humor, and willingness to have these conversations out loud.

Welcome back to season two of Earth to Gert💜

In this episode, I talk about the mental and emotional work I’ve been doing this off season, and what it’s felt like to move through grief, healing, more EMDR therapy, and some really big life changes. From starting a new job in mental health to realizing my kids are actually about to leave for college (which feels rude, honestly), this season starts from a very real place.

I also share the story of finally reaching out to someone I’ve not-so-secretly had a crush on for basically my entire life — local firefighter Micki Guy — and how this podcast brought us together just weeks before her devastating accident.

This episode is about healing, timing, vulnerability, growth, awkward lesbian panic, and learning how to keep creating even when life completely knocks you on your ass.

I’m really grateful you’re here

In this heartfelt episode, I reflect on a transformative nine-year journey through counseling. I discuss the impact of counseling and the various therapeutic tools used for me mental health and personal growth. Conversations delve into the power of vulnerability, the significance of relationships, and the role of gratitude in finding inner peace. Real-life journal entries from 2019 and 2020 highlight the challenges and triumphs experienced along the way. The episode also addresses the importance of intentional living, the interplay between body and mind, and the dynamic nature of healing. Tune in to discover how consistent counseling and the incorporation of holistic practices can lead to profound personal growth and resilience.

In this episode of Earth to Gert, I delve into the impactful story of Michael through a heartfelt letter from his friend and licensed mental health counselor, Korah. This episode explores crucial warning signs of suicidal ideation, reflections on personal mental health, and the importance of community and support in overcoming grief. I emphasize the need for self-awareness and reaching out for help, while also sharing personal experiences and advice on maintaining mental health.

Today’s episode is a very personal and emotional conversation with my ex-girlfriends Mom. Laura and I dive deep into the painful journey of grief, healing, and mental health awareness. Laura reflects on the loss of her son, Michael, a high-achieving Marine and architect, and the difficulties she faced in her grieving process. The conversation also highlights the important work done in advocating for suicide awareness and support for veterans. The episode sheds light on coping mechanisms, the impact of mental health challenges, and the significance of community and emotional support. Join us for an honest discussion about the complexities of surviving loss and finding purpose in advocating for mental health awareness.

In this episode of Earth to Gert, I sit down for a deeply moving conversation with my former coworker, Jen. In this episode we explore the complexities of parenting, identity, and loss. Jen shares her journey as a mother supporting her child through coming out, navigating gender identity, and the challenges of mental health. Together, we discuss the realities of suicide loss, survivor’s guilt, and the ongoing process of healing and advocacy.

This episode offers an honest look at the struggles families face, the importance of listening and support, and the power of community in the aftermath of tragedy. Jen’s story is a testament to resilience, love, and the need for open conversations about mental health and acceptance.

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide, mental health struggles, and loss. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support: dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.