Alle afleveringen
365 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
-
overcoming existential dread, death anxiety, and religious trauma
19 april 2022 · 44 min
In this episode, we explore the topic of existential dread, death anxiety, spirituality, and religious trauma, and offer strategies for coping with these challenging experiences. You'll join my dog Cody and me for a walk as we discuss insights on how to find meaning and purpose in life despite the inevitability of death, and how spirituality can provide a source of comfort and solace in times of crisis. We also delve into the topic of religious trauma, discussing how to navigate the pain and confusion that can arise from experiences of spiritual abuse or trauma. Join us as we offer practical tips and tools for managing existential dread, death anxiety, and religious trauma, and discover how to live a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Lees meer
Recommended resources:
Movie: “A Ghost Story” (2017)
Book on the tarot that jump-started my spirituality journey: “Fearless Tarot” by Elliot Adam
Episode of the podcast where I interview Elliot Adam
Inspiring talk on the 13th century poet & Sufi mystic Rumi
Talk on St. Teresa of Avila’s Life & Teaching on Surrender
Understanding the Dark Night of the Soul & Spiritual Desolation of St. John of the Cross
Talk on The Centering Prayer Meditation from the Festival of Faiths
The Noble Journey from Fear to Fearlessness with Pema Chödrön
Ho'oponopono Mantra for Healing Everything with Dr. Kim D'eramo
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com.
The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
radical self-compassion: learning to love yourself (and finding your "touch tree")
14 april 2022 · 36 min
In this episode, you’ll join my dog Cody and me for a walk in the witchy woods while I break in my new Dr. Marten boots. On our walk, I’ll explain why a book about self-compassion made me incredibly furious this week. After that, I’ll tell you why my spirit mother archetype is a mixture of RuPaul and Grandmother Willow from the 1995 Pocahontas movie. Lees meer
Recommended resources:
■ Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristen Neff
■ The Life Coach School Podcast with Brooke Castillo
■ We Can Do Hard Things podcast with Glennon Doyle
Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of exclusive content on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.
The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
finding natural relief from PMS and PMDD with menstrual cycle awareness
4 april 2022 · 2 uur 1 min
If you experience intense mood swings, anxiety, or depression around your period, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the effects of PMS, PMDD, and hormonal birth control on our mental and emotional health, exploring how these cycles shape our mood and well-being. Recently, I discovered the practice of Menstrual Cycle Awareness (MCA) through the work of Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, founders of RedSchool. This framework, which sees the menstrual cycle as a series of inner “seasons,” has been a game-changer in helping me navigate emotional waves and manage severe premenstrual symptoms—including those intense enough to qualify for PMDD. Lees meer
Together, we’ll unpack how period stigma has shaped our understanding of menstrual health, often leaving out crucial insights that can help us reclaim a sense of control. You’ll learn about the four distinct phases of the menstrual cycle and how becoming attuned to these natural rhythms can support emotional regulation. We’ll also explore the impact of hormonal birth control on mood, examining how it can sometimes exacerbate symptoms of emotional dysregulation.
Additional topics include:
The difference between PMS and PMDD, and whether premenstrual symptoms should be considered a mental disorder
Cultural attitudes and rites around menstruation from around the world
Practical steps to begin practicing MCA for improved mental health and well-being
The potential benefits of seed cycling for managing mood swings tied to the menstrual cycle
This episode is a guide to understanding the power of the menstrual cycle—a power many of our mothers and grandmothers didn’t have the chance to share with us. Whether you’re struggling with intense symptoms or simply curious about a new approach to emotional regulation, this conversation offers valuable insights for reconnecting with your body and finding greater balance.
Recommended resources:
■ Flo Period Tracking app (I use the free version)
■ Think Dirty …
-
channeling your emotional intensity into artistic expression
28 maart 2022 · 57 min
Alessia Camoirano Bruges is an Italian-Colombian artist based in London. Her unique “fluid art” is inspired by its ever-changing nature – just like humans and our emotions. She combines her passion for color psychology, color therapy, fluidity, and her emotional intensity into her artwork. She sees each piece as a cathartic experience in which she can connect to her inner child and relaxed into fully embodied presence & mindfulness. In this episode, we discuss Alessia's battle with her eating disorder and her struggle with emotional dysregulation & chronic pain that led her to her personal rock bottom moment where she realized *she* was the common denominator in her chaotic life. We also discuss how she bravely decided reach out for help and found healing through DBT and EMDR and how this allowed her to begin channeling her big emotions into creative projects, which resulted in her artwork being published in massive publications and getting hired as a documentary filmmaker for Vice. Lees meer
Questions answered and topics discussed in this episode:
■ Alessia’s experience growing up as an “emotionally intense” child (often being told she was “too much”)
■ How to learn to embrace your emotional intensity as an inherent strength and creative tool
■ Mollie & Alessia discuss their shared struggled with oversharing
■ Getting “the ick” (the sudden desire to rid ourselves of romantic partners or friendships)
■ Alessia’s experience trying to repress her eating disorder/depression with extreme fandom
■ Suffering in silence with “high-functioning” mental health issues (eating disorders, depression, BPD)
■ Alessia’s personal battle with chronic pain
■ How Alessia finally found a therapist that was a good match for her who took a holistic approach to treatment (treated her as person, not a disorder)
■ Alessia’s struggles with emotional flashbacks (and how EMDR therapy helped her with this)
■ How painting has become her most effective therapeutic method
■ Alessia’s early child…
-
when your body isn't your own: what abusive relationships and grooming taught me about love
21 maart 2022 · 1 uur 42 min
Reflecting on the Euphoria character "Cassie," Evan Rachel Wood's new documentary "Phoenix Rising" (about her alleged struggle with domestic violence, grooming, and sexual assault at the hands of singer Marilyn Manson), and recent events with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West inspired me to sit down and reflect on my own chaotic experiences with grooming, domestic violence and sexual assault throughout my teens and twenties. I realized that the thread that connected all of the chaos was an underlying disconnection from my intuition or "gut feeling." In this episode, we discuss how to reconnect to our sense of inner knowing and how to move forward and heal from toxic connections that we previously thought were love but weren't. Lees meer
Questions answered and topics discussed in this episode:
■ Warning signs you've lost touch with your intuition (and how this often happens in childhood)
■ How I learned to overcome my obsession with seeking male validation
■ Sexual grooming (recognizing the signs and my personal experiences)
■ How I learned that rape isn’t black and white
■ Rebound relationships & domestic violence (rushing into things too soon before knowing the person)
■ My experience meeting my current partner and understanding that true love is “friendship first” (finally finding safety in a relationship)
■ Strategies on tapping into our intuition when we’ve lost a connection with it (practical exercises from Martha Beck)
Recommended resources:
Phoenix Rising Documentary with Evan Rachel Wood
The Gathering Room Podcast
5 Steps for Tapping Into Your Intuition (Article by Martha Beck)
“Trip Down Intuitive Memory Lane” Exercise (Lesson 3)
Intuitive Scoring (Lesson 4)
Intuition Conversation with Non Dominant Hand (Lesson 5)
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. St…
-
stuff i've learned the hard way so you don't have to (my most powerful recovery lessons)
14 maart 2022 · 1 uur 20 min
In my most vulnerable and powerful episode yet, I’m opening up about the hardest, yet most transformative lessons I’ve learned on my recovery journey. Healing from complex trauma and traits of borderline personality can be a painful and isolating path, but I want you to know that hope is real—and by the end of this episode, I hope you’ll feel it too. I’m sharing these insights in the way I wish a friend could have shared them with me, and if you’re here, chances are these words are meant for you. We’ll explore the challenges and breakthroughs in friendships and intimate relationships, uncovering what it means to truly set boundaries and deepen connections. I’ll discuss the role of spirituality, social media, and the importance of reconnecting with our bodies as part of reclaiming our true selves. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to live authentically, releasing the need to perform or obsess over appearances. In a special segment, we’ll draw on the tarot card The Tower and the story of Maid Maleen to illuminate how collapse and change can lead to profound rebirth and strength. This episode is for anyone in need of guidance, hope, and the reminder that, even in the darkest times, transformation is possible. Lees meer
Recommended resources:
Yoga With Adrienne
Shaking to release stress and trauma
Vagus nerve reset exercise with Sukie Baxter
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com.
The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
why you keep repeating the same dysfunctional relationship patterns (ft. the holistic psychologist)
7 maart 2022 · 1 uur 24 min
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nicole LePera, known to millions as The Holistic Psychologist, to explore the nature of love, intimacy, and authentic connection. Before her rise to nearly 5 million followers on Instagram, Nicole was a clinical psychologist grappling with the limitations of traditional mental health care—a system that often reduces symptoms to lifelong labels. Through her extensive research into trauma, epigenetics, and conscious awareness, Nicole began to challenge conventional teachings and embrace a more holistic approach to healing. Her bestselling book, How to Do the Work, sparked a movement, and her upcoming work promises to dive even deeper into creating “heart-based, authentically connected relationships.” Lees meer
Together, we unpack the deeper roots of our relationship struggles, exploring why so many of us feel trapped in cycles of dysfunctional patterns. Nicole shares insights on how unresolved fears—like a fear of silence, death, and change—can prevent us from forming genuine, intimate bonds. We delve into the ways in which childhood survival mechanisms, developed to keep us safe, often morph into self-sabotaging behaviors that hinder our attempts at love and connection in adulthood.
In this conversation, Nicole also addresses:
Why treating mental health symptoms without addressing their roots can leave us feeling stuck
The concept of “love” as a universal human need and how it shapes our early development and relationships
How feelings of unworthiness show up in parent-child dynamics and continue in our adult romantic lives
The importance of grieving relationship endings fully, rather than rushing to move on
How boundaries and space can deepen the bonds we share with others
If you’ve ever wondered why certain patterns seem to repeat in your relationships or how to break free from self-sabotage in love, this episode offers transformative insights. Join us as we dive into the psychology of connection and discover how to cultivate rel…
-
using the power of self-inquiry and your window of tolerance in trauma recovery
28 februari 2022 · 1 uur 42 min
In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of self-inquiry—a practice that can illuminate our deepest blind spots and help us navigate the chronic feelings of emptiness and identity struggles often experienced by those who identify with traits of BPD, cPTSD, or complex trauma. Not knowing who we are can be a frightening and isolating experience, but self-inquiry offers a path to reconnect with our authentic selves and cultivate a grounded sense of identity. We’ll begin by exploring what self-inquiry truly is, drawing on techniques from Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT), and discuss how it can reveal patterns of thought and behavior that sabotage our ability to connect with ourselves and others. By finding our “edge” within the window of tolerance, we can start to understand and expand our emotional resilience, staying present even in challenging moments. Lees meer
In this episode, we’ll also cover:
Practical steps for uncovering your personal blind spots
Core principles of self-inquiry that bring clarity and insight
The concept of “outing ourselves,” or sharing the self-understandings we uncover with others as a path to deeper connection
How self-inquiry intersects with spirituality and personal growth, and what symbolism in tarot’s “The Hermit” card can teach us about solitude and self-reflection
Journaling prompts designed to guide you into meaningful self-inquiry and help you start your journey of self-discovery
Whether you’re struggling with self-identity or simply curious about the practice, this episode provides actionable insights to help you cultivate self-awareness and move toward a more grounded, connected life. Join me as we take the first steps on the journey inward, creating space for healing, authenticity, and lasting transformation.
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more…
-
overcoming extreme emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation (ft. CJ THE X)
21 februari 2022 · 49 min
In this episode, I sit down with Toronto-based video essayist, artist, and philosopher CJ THE X, whose creative force extends far beyond YouTube. Known for channeling explosive emotions into music and art, CJ shares his journey through the ups and downs of living with BPD and how he’s worked to escape the mental traps that once held him captive. Lees meer
We explore how CJ’s imaginative childhood eventually clashed with the demands of the “real world” as a teenager, leading him to confront his BPD diagnosis, struggles with self-destructive behaviors, and experiences with inpatient psychiatric care. Despite being labeled “high functioning,” CJ found himself dismissed by mental health professionals, leaving him to face the weight of chronic emptiness, intense shame, and fear of abandonment on his own. In this conversation, CJ opens up about the self-sabotaging beliefs that kept him feeling stuck and how DBT therapy became his lifeline, providing the skills and tools to build a life of resilience and purpose. He describes the powerful impact of his “Favorite Person” relationships, the challenge of finding ways to cope with distress, and the importance of navigating emotions without judgment. By thinking dialectically, CJ has found a way to balance opposing feelings, using them as fuel for his art and creative path.
This episode is a testament to the power of art and community in the healing journey. CJ reflects on how transforming emotions into music and giving back to others has enriched his life, showing that creativity can be a profound source of strength, insight, and connection. Join us as we dive into CJ’s inspiring journey from despair to empowerment and the tools he’s gained to manage life as a self-employed artist forging his own path.
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a…
-
how learning to live within your integrity may be the key to resolving your identity issues
11 februari 2022 · 1 uur 19 min
Many people who are asked to identify their “true self” (apart from their specific beliefs and behaviors) draw a complete blank. This sense of shame-spiraling after being asked to talk coherently about our sense of identity is even more pronounced for those of us who identify with symptoms and traits of various mental health "disorder" or "dysfunction" labels. Being true to yourself requires that your whole Self be “whole” – or “integrated.” In this episode, we’ll dive into how much of what makes our lives miserable (people-pleasing, staying in toxic relationships, self-sabotaging behaviors, and coping styles) is because we are out of touch with what makes us feel whole. In these moments, our defensive emotions and reactive impulses overrule our Higher Selves. In these moments, we are living out of integrity. Lees meer
Questions answered and topics discussed in this episode:
■ Why practical skills and therapy might feel like they’re not “working” if you’re living out of integrity
■ How and why we compromise our integrity
■ How the word ‘integrity’ is intimately related to the psychological concept of ‘integration’
■ History of internal family systems therapy and how it relates to the concepts of integrity and integration
■ Understanding how our different “parts” try their best to protect us from psychological/emotional pain but end instead causing mental health problems and compulsive/maladaptive behaviors
■ Understanding and accepting our caretakers as flawed humans who were disconnected from their “inner conductors” and letting their disowned parts rule the show
■ How we externalize old feelings of inadequacy, abandonment and worthlessness and project them onto our partners and friends in adulthood
Recommended and referenced resources:
Book - The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to You True Self by Martha Beck
Article - How & Why You Compromise Your Integrity
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of…
-
learning to accurately label your emotions with psychoanalyst dr. jayce long
7 februari 2022 · 51 min
In this second part of my conversation with psychodynamic psychologist Dr. Jayce Long, we dive even deeper into the emotional patterns that shape our relationships and the path to genuine healing. Building on part one, where we explored the unconscious mind, this episode uncovers the ways in which unresolved childhood experiences continue to influence our adult relationships, often reenacting trauma in subtle yet impactful ways. Dr. Long offers insights into how attachment styles—particularly avoidant and preoccupied/disorganized—tend to attract each other, creating a dynamic that often leads to conflict. Together, we discuss practical tools for breaking these cycles and learning to approach intimacy and trust as a gradual process, rather than a quick fix. Lees meer
Key topics we explore in this episode include:
The lasting impact of childhood and adolescent bullying on adult relationships
Navigating conflict in family and intimate relationships while setting clear emotional boundaries
Understanding the difference between healthy self-awareness and self-centeredness
Identifying and expressing core emotions—anger, sadness, fear, curiosity, love, and joy—by tuning into our bodies and embracing “complicated” feelings
How perfectionism in our inner critic once served us, and why evolving beyond it is essential in recovery
How giving unsolicited advice may unknowingly undermine our relationships
Moving beyond the concept of “raging” at our inner critic, finding more nuanced ways to build self-compassion
This episode encourages listeners to develop a deeper connection to their emotions and break free from the patterns that keep them trapped in past trauma. Join us as we explore the nuances of emotional healing, offering practical steps for setting boundaries, cultivating trust, and navigating the complexities of self-growth and recovery.
Follow Jayce on Instagram @darebeingwith
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of …
-
understanding your unconscious mind with psychoanalyst dr. jayce long
4 februari 2022 · 1 uur 19 min
n this episode, I sit down with contemporary psychodynamic psychologist Dr. Jayce Long to explore the power of the unconscious mind and how early, repressed experiences shape our adult lives. Dr. Long sheds light on how hidden memories and emotions from our past can fuel self-destructive patterns, leading to behaviors and symptoms commonly associated with various mental health struggles. Together, we dive into how these unconscious defenses impact us and how we can begin to break free. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Long addresses the impact of repression as an unconscious defense mechanism, keeping disturbing or painful thoughts at bay but ultimately driving toxic shame and self-sabotage. We discuss practical ways to work with the unconscious mind, including labeling emotions without judgment, using critical thinking to manage all-or-nothing thinking (or “splitting”), and understanding both healthy and maladaptive forms of dissociation. Lees meer
We also cover:
Recognizing signs of emotional regression and age-stuck behaviors
Understanding how attachment styles, particularly disorganized ones, contribute to relationship struggles
Breaking generational cycles of trauma and healing from toxic family dynamics
Unpacking complex topics like the “paranoid-schizoid” and “depressive” positions, which help explain why we tend to label people or situations as “all good” or “all bad”
Identifying unconscious signs of emotional abuse and dealing with drama addiction
The long-term harm of childhood emotional neglect (CEN) and the need for “parental mirroring” in healthy development
Dr. Long provides guidance on acknowledging and owning our needs, working through repressed anger and grief, and moving toward self-understanding and healing. This episode is an invitation to look deeply into the unconscious mind and gain practical tools to release long-held patterns, fostering genuine growth and transformation.
Recommended resources:
YouTube Video | Decoding Mother-Infant Interact…
-
tarot therapy for trauma recovery and shadow work with dr. elliot adam
31 januari 2022 · 1 uur 1 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Elliot Adam, a seasoned tarot expert with over 25 years of experience, to explore the transformative power of spirituality, tarot, and mythology. Dr. Adam has guided clients worldwide, from Hollywood creatives to doctors and entrepreneurs, using tarot as a tool for accessing the unconscious mind and deepening self-understanding. We dive into the rich symbolism of tarot, examining how archetypes and symbols can illuminate hidden aspects of ourselves and help us move through repressed emotions and self-sabotaging thoughts. Dr. Adam connects the hero’s journey to the major arcana, showing how these timeless archetypes offer a roadmap for personal growth and transformation. Together, we also explore concepts of self-love, reframe our understanding of death, and discuss Carl Jung’s idea of “the shadow.” This episode invites you to look beyond the surface, using symbolism as a powerful lens for healing, self-acceptance, and a deeper connection with your true self. Lees meer
Resources directly mentioned in the episode: Book | Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot by Rachel Pollack
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
are you emotionally overcontrolled or undercontrolled? (ft. dr. anita federici)
20 januari 2022 · 1 uur 9 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Anita Federici, a researcher and clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience specializing in personality and eating disorders. Dr. Federici shares groundbreaking insights into why BPD is so often misdiagnosed, introducing the concepts of emotional undercontrol (UC) and overcontrol (OC)—a new way of understanding behaviors commonly associated with BPD. Lees meer
We’ll discuss the latest neuroscientific research, shedding light on the connection between “quiet BPD” and emotional overcontrol, and examine how these insights are transforming the approach to diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Federici also questions the utility of diagnostic labels, offering a fresh perspective on how to view and support individuals navigating these traits.
Whether you’re seeking treatment options or looking to better understand DBT and other modalities, this conversation provides valuable guidance on finding the right program to meet your needs. Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of mental health treatment and the new frameworks redefining how we view and support emotional experiences.
Recommended resources:
https://behavioraltech.org/ (Marsha Linehan’s Behavioral Tech Website)
https://www.youtube.com/c/DBTRU (Official YouTube page for the DBT clinic at Rutgers University directed by Shireen Rizvi)
Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Start Here.
10 juli 2021 · 3 min
Back from the Borderline explores how human beings construct, inherit, interpret and sometimes misunderstand the ideas and beliefs through which they experience reality. Through depth psychology, religious history, Western esotericism and philosophy, I investigate how we come to believe what we believe, who influences those beliefs and how they affect the way we understand ourselves and the world. Lees meer
A lot of my work comes back to the relationship between consciousness, belief and power.
How do institutions influence what people consider true, and why do we sometimes defend explanations we’ve never seriously questioned? Following these questions has taken me into some pretty unexpected territory, from early Christianity and the Western occult tradition to Jungian psychology, artificial intelligence and anomalous experiences. I’m also drawn to the ways spiritual teachings change as they’re passed between generations, and how institutions can preserve extraordinary wisdom while sometimes interfering with the very spiritual development they were meant to encourage.
You’ll find conversations with scholars and independent researchers here, alongside long-form essays where I spend time with historical sources and competing interpretations. Some of the ideas I explore are controversial. Others have been debated for centuries, although most of us were never taught much about them. I don’t assume an institution is correct because it has authority, or that an unconventional theory is true because someone claims it was suppressed. I’m willing to reconsider my own conclusions as I learn, and I hope you’ll feel encouraged to do the same.
I started this podcast years ago while trying to understand my own mind. Those early investigations into psychological suffering gradually led me toward the philosophical and religious traditions through which people have understood consciousness and human experience for centuries. There’s quite an archive here now, and I’ve kept much of it av…