Episodios

  • EP 129 – Podcaston Special: The Medusa Project – Ending Human Trafficking
    Mar 16 2026
    To watch the video of this podcast, please go to: https://youtu.be/PMUwpHrp8Uw How do we begin to heal the deep-seated trauma that arises from the shadows of domestic violence and human trafficking? Is it possible to transform experiences of profound injustice into a powerful platform for community change? What can we do as a collective to move from awareness to action in protecting the most vulnerable among us? In this special Podcasthon episode—part of a global charity initiative dedicated to amplifying the work of non-profits—Dr. Adriana Popescu sits down with Diana Lopez, a seasoned legal professional with over 30 years of experience. Diana shares her transition from pro bono asylum cases to founding The Medusa Project, a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit on a mission to end human trafficking through education, advocacy, and connection. Diana shares the three pillars that The Medusa Project works with, education, advocacy, and connection, to bridge the alarming gap between mandatory school safety laws and the reality of vulnerable youth who remain unaware of the human trafficking "red flags" in their own communities. This conversation is a heart-centered invitation to look beneath the surface of our legal systems and join a collective effort to support the holistic healing, justice, and reintegration of those finding their way back to freedom. In this episode: The Power of Advocacy: Discover how over 30 years of legal expertise can be channeled into a platform for social change and survivor support.Defining the Mission: An inside look at The Medusa Project and its dedication to uplifting those impacted by domestic abuse and trafficking.Breaking the Silence: The role of Medusa’s Awakening Podcast in raising awareness about critical issues that plague our communities.Community Call to Action: Practical ways to get involved, from financial donations to hosting educational Zoom calls for your local area.The Podcasthon Mission: Why it’s vital to use podcasting as a tool for charity and raising awareness for holistic healing. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Medusa Project Website: themedusaproject.net Contact Email: info@themedusaproject.net Podcast: Medusa’s Awakening Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/medusas-awakening-podcast/id1765996124 or https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL56rK_Iz6Afv3acy6iIEKnreqJwzSMqq9 About Diana: Diana Lopez is a seasoned legal professional with over 30 years of experience in the field. Currently Diana is dedicated to advocating for victims and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. As the Founder of The Medusa Project, Inc., a non-profit located in the Bay Area, Diana has channeled her expertise into creating a powerful platform for change and support. Her commitment to justice and empowerment extends beyond her organization; she is also the host of Medusa's Awakening Podcast, where she engages in impactful conversations, raises awareness about critical issues that plagues our communities, while inspiring hope for the future. A passionate public speaker, Diana uses her voice and experience to inspire and educate, driving forward the mission to support and uplift those most vulnerable. “The Medusa Project isn’t just about legal help; it’s about restoring a person’s agency.” – Diana Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/) About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/ You can also follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu? Medium: https://medium.com/@dradrianapopescu Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions. This website or podcast is not to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to ...
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    49 m
  • EP 128 – Healing Patterns with Energy Intelligence Method™ with Janell Rae
    Mar 11 2026
    To watch the video of this podcast, please go to: https://youtu.be/J20bwxFIjB4 Have you ever felt like you were wearing a mask, hiding your truest self from the world just to fit in? What if the "outlaw" behaviors we see in ourselves or our animals are actually biological signals of energetic misalignment? How can we bridge the gap between our internal intuitive world and the external demands of a professional life? In this episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities, Dr. Adriana Popescu is joined by Janell Rae, founder of the Energy Intelligence Method™ and a master energy healer with nearly 30 years of intuitive practice. Janell shares her fascinating journey from being a professional horse trainer—where she learned to read the "silent language" of animals—to discovering her gifts as a medical intuitive. She opens up about her personal struggles with neurodivergence, specifically dyslexia and auditory processing disorder, and how these challenges initially forced her to shut down her sensitivities to survive. Janell also explains how her method helps visionary professionals interpret emotional signals not as obstacles, but as a roadmap for personal evolution. This episode invites you to look beyond the surface of your struggles and recognize the deeper energetic patterns that, once cleared, allow for effortless momentum and authentic expression. In this episode: The Animal Connection: How working with "outlaw" horses served as the catalyst for Janell's awakening and helped her reconnect with her intuitive gifts.Navigating Neurodivergence: Janell discusses her personal experience with dyslexia and auditory processing disorder, and how these challenges led her to shut down parts of herself as a child.The Energy Intelligence Method: Understanding the framework Janell developed to help people interpret emotional signals and clear inherited imprintsSomatic Memory and Patterns: Exploring the intersection of intuitive perception and emerging research on how the body stores memory and emotional patterns.Healing the Lineage: How clearing identity-level imprints creates alignment and momentum in every area of life. Resources mentioned in this episode: Janell’s Website: janellrae.comJanell’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellraeofficial/Contact Janell: janelle@janellrae.com About Janell: Janell Rae is the founder of the Energy Intelligence Method™ and a master energy healer known for helping people see the deeper energetic patterns that shape their clarity, choices, and momentum. With nearly 30 years of intuitive practice, she teaches individuals and visionary professionals how to interpret emotional signals, clear inherited or identity-level imprints, and reconnect to the inner guidance that creates alignment in every area of life. Her work blends intuitive perception with emerging research on somatic memory, emotional patterning, and the human energy field, offering a grounded and highly practical approach to personal evolution. “When we’re in alignment, there is a momentum that is undeniable. When we aren't, we are constantly pushing against ourselves.” – Janell Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/) About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/ You can also follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu? Medium: https://medium.com/@dradrianapopescu Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions. This website or podcast is not to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in any legal sense or as a basis for legal proceedings or expert witness testimony. Listening, reading, emailing, or interacting on social media with our content in ...
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    52 m
  • EP 127 – Breaking the Cycle of Codependency with Michelle Farris
    Feb 23 2026
    To watch the video of this episode, please go to: https://youtu.be/ac57AfOSXAA?si=cTjUcEL8MBI5XMjO Are you tired of putting everyone else’s needs before your own? Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to say "no" or set a boundary without feeling a wave of guilt? What if finding your voice and reclaiming your self-trust is the key to the healthy, connected relationships you’ve always wanted? In this episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities, Dr. Adriana Popescu is joined by Michelle Farris, a psychotherapist and expert in codependency and anger management. This episode is a dive deep into the patterns of people-pleasing and the underlying struggle for self-worth that often drives codependent behavior. Michelle also shares her professional and personal journey—from an 11-year-old seeking her own healing to a seasoned clinician—to explain how codependency is often a survival strategy rooted in childhood. Together, they explore the vital difference between helping and enabling, the role of suppressed anger as a messenger, and the practical "how-to" of setting boundaries without the crushing weight of guilt. This conversation is an invitation to stop managing everyone else’s "internal weather" and finally reclaim your own self-trust and agency. In this episode: Defining Codependency: Understanding it as a loss of self and an over-focus on others.The Power of Boundaries: Learning how to say "no" as a form of self-respect rather than a rejection of others.Anger as a Signal: Exploring how suppressed emotions often manifest as resentment or outbursts.The Journey to Self-Trust: Practical steps to stop seeking external validation and start trusting your own gut. Resources mentioned in this episode: Michelle’s Website: Counseling Recovery: https://www.counselingrecovery.com/ YouTube Channel: Relationships That Work with Michelle Farris: https://www.youtube.com/%40MichelleFarris&authuser=1 Free Resource: The 4-Step Resource on Codependency https://www.counselingrecovery.com/ About Michelle: Michelle Farris is a licensed psychotherapist, codependency expert, and anger management specialist based in San Jose, California. Known for her down-to-earth approach and deep clinical expertise, Michelle empowers individuals to break the cycle of people-pleasing, reclaim their self-trust, and cultivate the healthy, connected relationships they’ve always desired. Through her online courses and digital resources, she provides practical tools for codependency recovery, emotional regulation, and lasting relationship success. “Be gentle with yourself if you are struggling...if it’s starting to make sense and it's painful, you're in the right place.” – Michelle Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/) About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/ You can also follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu? Medium: https://medium.com/@dradrianapopescu Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions. This website or podcast is not to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in any legal sense or as a basis for legal proceedings or expert witness testimony. Listening, reading, emailing, or interacting on social media with our content in no way establishes a client-therapist relationship.
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    42 m
  • EP 126 – Holistic Healing and the Power of NET with Dr. Kim Makoi
    Feb 11 2026
    To watch the video of this episode, please go to: https://youtu.be/q2yj2Jvh2lg Have you ever considered that the physical pain you carry may actually be a silent cry from your liver or your heart? Can the simple act of practicing gratitude actually lower your blood sugar and transform your metabolic health? What if healing could be a journey filled with humor and lightheartedness? In this episode, Dr. Adriana Popescu is joined by Dr. Kim Makoi, a San Francisco-based chiropractor and author who bridges the gap between science and spirit. Together, they explore the connection between our physical organs and our stored emotional energy. Dr. Kim shares insights from his new book, Booze Balance, offering a "chill" yet deep approach to liver healing that moves beyond clinical rigidity into a realm of compassion and self-awareness. In this episode: Connecting Science and Spirit: Discover how physical spinal alignments are often influenced by deep-seated emotional patterns.The Emotional Liver: Understand why the liver is the "seat of anger" and how clearing emotional blocks can improve physical vitality.The Power of NET: Explore how Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) helps release stored trauma from the body's tissues.Gratitude as Medicine: Learn how Dr. Kim lowered his fasting glucose by 20 points simply by shifting into a "love and gratitude" state. Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Kim's website: https://www.drkimsf.com/Book: Booze Balance: A Chill 30-Day Liver Healing Program by Dr. Kim Makoi: https://www.amazon.com/Booze-Balance-30-Day-Liver-Healing-Program/dp/1963667247Video Project: 88 Blessings by Dr. Kim Makoi: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmUlbjeewreMOwaVIHOWKAYqHzfUu_D0o&si=5Q-KVONqY9JJmm0jModality: Neuro Emotional Technique (NET): https://netmindbody.com/ About Dr. Kim: Dr. Kim Makoi bridges science and spirit to help people release the emotional energy stored in the body. A fellow Level III NET practitioner, he’s the author of the new book Booze to Balance: A Chill 30-Day Liver Healing Program — a lighthearted yet profound journey of liver healing. He’s also the creator of 88 Blessings, a daily video project celebrating the sacred and the silly in our human experience. With humor, compassion, and deep insight, Dr. Kim reminds us that enlightenment doesn’t have to be so serious — and that balance is more attainable than we think. "I went through a phase earlier this year where I was just suddenly in this weird, intense, like gratitude, love state, and I couldn't believe what a difference it made on my blood sugar numbers." – Dr. Kim Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/) About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/ You can also follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu? Medium: https://medium.com/@dradrianapopescu Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions. This website or podcast is not to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in any legal sense or as a basis for legal proceedings or expert witness testimony. Listening, reading, emailing, or interacting on social media with our content in no way establishes a client-therapist relationship.
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    50 m
  • EP 125 – Somatic Nature Therapy with Katie Asmus
    Jan 26 2026
    To watch the video of this podcast, please go to: https://youtu.be/q26VN0EWhbg How can we reclaim our connection to the Earth to find deep, somatic healing? What if nature therapy is actually a return to our most essential human blueprint? What if the thresholds of our lives—those messy, in-between spaces—are actually sacred ceremonies waiting to be honored? In this episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities, Dr. Adriana Popescu is joined by Katie Asmus, a somatic and nature-based psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience leading individuals back to themselves through the natural world. Together, they explore the intersection of somatic psychology, wilderness therapy, and the ancient art of ceremony. This conversation invites you to step out of the digital noise and back into the grounded wisdom of your own body and the greater web of life. In this episode: The Power of Somatic Nature Therapy: Discover how combining body-based awareness with the natural world creates a unique "co-therapy" relationship with the Earth.The Science of Connection: Explore how nature acts as a natural regulator for the nervous system, offering a safe container for trauma processing.Healing the "Source of Trauma:” Why nature and animals often feel safer than humans for those recovering from interpersonal trauma.Normalizing the Human Experience: Bringing compassion to the "human-ness" of our struggles through the lens of nature's cycles. Resources mentioned in this episode: Katie’s website: Somatic Nature Therapy Institute: https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/Free Resources: Ceremony Creation Guide and Nature Meditations: https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/downloadable-resources About Katie: Katie Asmus is a Somatic and Nature-Based Psychotherapist. With a Master’s degree in Somatic Psychology, over 30 years of leading individuals and group programs out in nature, and a lifetime of apprenticing to ceremony and rites of passage, Katie says the essence of her work is normalizing, celebrating, and bringing compassion to what it means to be human. For the past 20 years, alongside maintaining a private psychotherapy practice, she has taught graduate students at Naropa University and Prescott College in the areas of Somatic and Nature-based Therapies. In addition, through the Somatic Nature Therapy Institute (and in collaboration with other inspiring colleagues), she created and facilitates both online and in-person workshops and trainings in Somatic Trauma work, Ceremony & Rites of Passage facilitation, as well as in a wide variety of wilderness, adventure, and nature-based therapy skills. Having sat with thousands of people from around the world and from all walks of life, Katie is a tender of the thresholds and strongly believes in the necessity of following our deepest longing while simultaneously knowing and feeling our interconnection and belonging to the greater web of life. “The essence of my work is normalizing, celebrating, and bringing compassion to what it means to be human.” – Katie Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/) About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/ You can also follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu? Medium: https://medium.com/@dradrianapopescu Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions. This website or podcast is not to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in any legal sense or as a basis for legal proceedings or expert witness testimony. Listening, reading, emailing, or interacting on social media with our content in no way establishes a client-therapist relationship.
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    48 m
  • EP 124 – Unlocking Trauma with Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) with Catherine Varino
    Jan 13 2026
    To watch the video of this episode, please go to: https://youtu.be/IkHy0R5ryig Have you ever felt that traditional talk therapy wasn't reaching the deep roots of your trauma? What if the key to healing eating disorders and anxiety lies in the body's energy centers? How can a modality like Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) help us clear the "emotional fractals" that keep us stuck in the past? In this episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities: Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health, Dr. Adriana Popescu is joined by Catherine Varino, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience specializing in trauma and eating disorders. Catherine shares her journey from traditional psychodynamic psychotherapy to discovering the transformative power of Energy Psychology. Together, they explore Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT), a gentle yet profound modality that treats the origins of trauma by clearing the energetic disturbances lodged in the body’s chakras. In this episode: From Talk to Energy: Catherine’s transition from traditional social work to Energy Psychology and how it changed her practice.What is AIT? An introduction to Advanced Integrative Therapy, developed by Asha Clinton, and how it differs from other methods like EMDR.Treating the Origin: The importance of treating the "originating trauma" rather than just the symptoms.Eating Disorders & Trauma: Insight into the deep connection between trauma, control, and eating disorders. Resources mentioned in this episode: AIT Institute (Advanced Integrative Therapy): https://ait.institute/ACEP (Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology): https://www.energypsych.org/ About Catherine: Catherine Varino is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, practicing in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has been in full time private practice for over 20 years. She primarily works with individuals and couples ranging in age from young adult to geriatric. She specializes in treating trauma, including its origins and effects. Ms. Varino received her MSW from Tulane University in 1992 and subsequently worked as a social worker in inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient psychiatric settings. She has extensive experience conducting individual, family, and group psychotherapy. In addition, she has worked in the field of eating disorders, serving as the Program Director of the Eating Disorders Program at River Oaks Hospital in New Orleans. Ms Varino has lectured in the field of eating disorders on a national basis and served as a supervisor and mentor to therapists working in the field. Ms. Varino has a particular interest in energy psychology modalities and is a member of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology. She received training in Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) eighteen years ago and has worked in the field ever since. She is certified as an AIT practitioner, teacher, and supervisor, and is on the Board of the Advanced Integrative Therapy Institute. “With AIT, we aren't just coping with symptoms; we are going back to the originating event and removing the traumatic charge so it doesn't have power over you anymore.” – Catherine Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/) About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/ You can also follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu? Medium: https://medium.com/@dradrianapopescu Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions. This website or podcast is not to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in any legal sense or as a basis for legal proceedings or expert witness testimony. Listening, reading, emailing, or interacting on social ...
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    46 m
  • EP 123 – The Somatic Path to Forgiveness with Sharon Laflamme
    Dec 29 2025
    To watch the video of this episode, please go to: https://youtu.be/u34-haBpeKM How does childhood trauma get stuck in our nervous system and manifest as physical illness? Is it possible to truly forgive and let go without bypassing the pain or condoning the behavior? What simple, body-based tools can we use to regulate our emotions and find peace in a chaotic world? Join Dr. Adriana Popescu in another empowering episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities: Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health. In this episode, Dr. Adriana sits down with Sharon Laflamme, a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Yoga Teacher, and founder of Creating Serenity Now. Sharon shares her powerful personal journey of healing from childhood trauma and chronic health issues, revealing how she moved from merely surviving to thriving. Together, they dive deep into the mechanics of the nervous system, the importance of somatic awareness, and Sharon's unique approach to forgiveness as a path to ultimate freedom and self-love. In this episode: Trauma and the Body: Understanding that trauma is not in the event itself, but in how it gets locked in the nervous systemSomatic Experiencing: How this modality helps "complete" the fight-or-flight cycle and restore balance to the bodyThe Empath’s Journey: Navigating the world when you feel everyone else's emotions and learning to differentiate "mine" from “theirs"Polyvagal Theory Simplified: A look at the vagus nerve and practical ways to move out of "freeze" states into connection and safetyThe Art of Forgiveness: Why forgiveness is often misunderstood and how Sharon’s course, "Making Friends with Forgiveness," reframes it as an act of self-liberationGut-Brain Connection: Exploring the link between early trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and digestive healthPractical Tools: Breathing techniques and simple exercises to self-regulate and create internal serenity now Resources Mentioned: Sharon’s Website: CreatingSerenityNow.comOnline Course: MakingFriendsWithForgiveness.comSharon’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SharonLaflammeBook: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748 About Sharon: Meet Sharon Laflamme. Facilitator/founder of Creating Serenity Now LLC. She has taken her life’s passions of human behavior, health, nutrition, yoga, meditation and incorporated them into creating an internal space for healing. Healing herself and others has been a lifelong passion. Her journey through childhood trauma created a need to heal, and as an empath, that meant everyone she was in contact with. She became a certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, where she helps transform pain into peace, where trauma symptoms resolve, and clients feel integrated and whole. Vitality is restored, clients finally feel at home in their bodies. She works with people with childhood trauma, resolving the many health issues that present, due to the nervous system’s dysregulation. She is a seeker of knowledge & evolution, a certified Kripalu yoga teacher, with a Associates Degree in Chemical Dependency, Online course creator: Making Friends With Forgiveness; The Art of Letting Go, member of the Polyvagal Institute, Ayurvedic/Functional medicine advocate, a summit presenter, YouTube creator, podcast guest speaker and she is on the board of LoveMakers Foundation. “Forgiveness is the highest form of self-love. It’s about cutting the cord that drains your energy.” – Sharon Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/) About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/ You can also follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu? Medium: https://medium.com/@dradrianapopescu Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please ...
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    47 m
  • EP 122 – Breaking the Cycle of Enabling with Candace Plattor
    Dec 10 2025
    To watch the video of this episode, please go to: Do you feel held hostage by the rollercoaster of a loved one's addiction? What is the crucial difference between helping someone and enabling their destructive behavior? Is it possible to stop the chaos and help the entire family heal, even if the addict isn't ready to change? Join Dr. Adriana Popescu in another empowering episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities: Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health, where she explores the complex dynamics of addiction within the family system. In this episode, Dr. Adriana sits down with Candace Plattor, an addiction therapist and author who specializes in helping families stop enabling their loved ones. They discuss the often-overlooked reality that addiction is a family disease, exploring how "loved ones" can inadvertently keep the addict sick through enabling behaviors. Candace shares her personal journey of recovery and offers a transformative roadmap for families to establish boundaries, prioritize their own self-care, and ultimately "raise the bottom" for the addict in their lives. In this episode: A Journey of Recovery: Candace shares her personal story of overcoming 15 years of opioid addiction and celebrating over 36 years of sobriety. Addiction Defined: Understanding addiction not just as a substance issue, but as a displacement of anxiety and a symptom of underlying trauma. Helping vs. Enabling: A clear, game-changing definition of the difference between truly helping a loved one and enabling their addiction. The Family System: Why treating the addict in isolation rarely works and the importance of healing the entire family unit. Raising the Bottom: Debunking the myth that you have to wait for an addict to hit "rock bottom" and learning how to raise that bottom sooner. Love with Boundaries: Practical steps for loved ones to regain their sanity, stop being held hostage, and love without losing themselves. Holistic Healing: The role of hypnotherapy and addressing the root cause of the "hole in the soul.” Resources mentioned in this episode: Candace’s Website: LoveWithBoundaries.com Book: Loving an Addict, Loving Yourself: The Top 10 Survival Tips for Loving Someone with an Addiction by Candace Plattor: https://lovewithboundaries.com/loving-an-addict-loving-yourself-3/ Free 3-Minute Quiz: Available on Candace’s website to see if you are an enabler. Complimentary Strategic Consultation: A free 30-minute call for families. About Candace: Candace Plattor, author of Loving an Addict, Loving Yourself: The Top 10 Survival Tips for Loving Someone with an Addiction and Loving an Addict, Loving Yourself: The Workbook, knows from personal experience what it means to be an addict. Within a year of being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 1973, she found herself in the throes of prescription drug addiction. Her Crohn’s Disease diagnosis came at a time when the medical community had a very limited understanding of the disease and how to treat it. As a result, the treatment included some very addictive medications such as Valium, Demerol, Codeine and Oxycontin, which she took faithfully for a number of years. Additionally, she discovered that marijuana took away a lot of her physical pain and helped her escape from feelings of powerlessness, hopelessness, and isolation. In no time at all, she became a daily pot smoker and had one more addiction to deal with. And when she ran out of pot, she abused alcohol. After more than 15 years of abusing substances, she "reached bottom" in 1987. Thus began her journey of recovery and self-discovery. In her books, Candace draws from her experience as an addict, as well as from the stories of those she continues to help in her practice, to uncover the reality of loving someone with an addiction. All too often, people with an addicted loved one in their lives will neglect themselves in an attempt to "help." But, as she points out in her books, this is a lose-lose situation that doesn’t help the addict at all. Instead, loved ones must make their own needs a priority and learn to focus on their own self-care. “Helping is doing something for someone that they are not capable of doing for themselves. Enabling is doing for someone things that they could and should be doing for themselves.” – Candace Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/) About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: ...
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