In this episode, I’m joined by trauma therapist, author and podcast host David Polidi. David is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and co-founder of Empowered Through Compassion, a trauma-focused therapy practice he runs with his wife.

David specialises in integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR and Motivational Interviewing to support deep trauma healing for individuals and couples. He is also the editor of the book IFS Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches, which explores how these powerful therapeutic approaches can work together to support recovery.

In our conversation, we explore how trauma therapy continues to evolve through integrative approaches. David explains how combining Internal Family Systems with EMDR can help people understand and relate to their internal world in new ways. By working with different parts of ourselves and processing past experiences safely, people can begin to heal old wounds and move towards a more integrated sense of Self.

We also talk about why compassion plays such a central role in trauma recovery, how therapists can work collaboratively with clients, and why understanding our internal system can transform the way we relate to ourselves and others.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at modern trauma therapy and how integrated approaches can help people process past experiences while building greater self-understanding and emotional resilience.

To learn more about David Polidi and his work, visit:

https://www.empoweredthroughcompassion.com

To learn more about my work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit:

https://wendycastelino.com

If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might benefit.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m talking about a pattern I see often, particularly in women who appear to have everything together on the outside, but feel very different on the inside.

You’re functioning. You’re meeting deadlines, replying to messages, remembering everything that needs to be done. You’re dependable, capable, and from the outside, it looks like you’re coping. But internally, you may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, irritable, disconnected or quietly struggling.

I explore why so many high-functioning women experience this kind of hidden stress, and why it can go unnoticed for so long. We look at the pressure to hold everything together, the emotional load that often sits beneath the surface, and why feeling “not quite right” can happen even when life looks fine on paper.

This episode is about making sense of that experience. Not from a place of judgement, but from understanding. When you can recognise what’s really going on beneath the surface, you can begin to respond differently and with more compassion towards yourself.

If any part of this feels familiar, you’re not alone, and there is a way to start addressing it.

To learn more about my work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit:

👉 https://wendycastelino.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Claire Plumbly, a Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Consultant and founder of Plum Psychology. Claire is also the author of the Amazon bestseller Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You.

Together we explore what burnout really is and why so many people find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted and struggling to keep up with the demands of modern life. Claire explains why burnout isn’t simply about working too hard or needing a holiday, but is often connected to how our nervous system responds to prolonged stress.

We talk about how burnout develops, the signs to look out for, and why trying to “think” your way out of burnout rarely works. Instead, Claire shares insights into how understanding and regulating your nervous system can help you recover and prevent burnout from taking hold in the first place.

Claire also shares her journey into psychology, her experience working in the NHS before setting up her private practice, and why helping people understand trauma, anxiety and stress has become such an important focus of her work.

This conversation offers practical insight into recognising burnout, understanding what your body is telling you, and taking steps towards recovery and resilience.

To learn more about Dr Claire Plumbly and her work, visit:

👉 https://www.plum-psychology.com/

To learn more about my work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit:

👉 https://wendycastelino.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might benefit.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.