Taking Up Space with Cassie Krajewski

Raising Securely Attached and Body Positive Kids with Eli Harwood

In this powerful convo with Eli Harwood (@attachmentnerd), we explore how attachment shapes not just our connections with others, but also how we trust, care for, and take up space in our own bodies.
Eli, an author of two books focusing on securely attached relationships, shares her journey influenced by her own experiences of childhood trauma and therapy. She delves into the importance of understanding attachment patterns and fostering secure attachments with both ourselves and our children. Throughout the conversation, Eli emphasizes the necessity of shifting from a control-focused to a connection-focused parenting approach, highlighting the significance of trust and mutual support in forming healthy relationships. Additionally, the discussion touches on how recognizing and healing our own relationship with our bodies and emotions can positively influence our children, creating a legacy of resilience and self-awareness.
 
She reminds us: Kids can feel what we don’t heal. And that includes how we talk about food, bodies, and emotions. By shifting from control to trust, connection, and self-compassion, we can rewrite the narrative—not just for our relationships, but for our own embodied experience. Hit play & let’s redefine what it means to take up space—in our bodies and in the world.
 
Guest Bio: Eli Harwood is a licensed therapist, author, and educator who has more than 17 years of experience helping people process relational traumas and develop secure attachment relationships with their children and partners. Eli has three children, one husband, two cats, and an extraordinary number of plants.
 
Connect with Eli:
https://attachmentnerd.com/
IG @ attachmentnerd/
 
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Connect with Cassie:
Cassie's practice: https://www.inneratlastherapy.com
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Embodiment as an Anchor in Challenging Times with Alison Leslie LCSW

In this episode of Taking Up Space, we sit down with Alison Leslie, a Bloomington-based therapist, EMDR trainer and consultant, and somatic experiencing practitioner, to explore the transformative power of embodiment in healing. Alison shares her personal and professional journey—how she moved from being a recreational enthusiast to a dedicated therapeutic practitioner—and the ways in which embodiment serves as a bridge between our internal and external worlds.
While embodiment is often a buzzword in wellness circles, Alison sees it as a dynamic and evolving practice of attuning to thoughts and bodily sensations without judgment. She discusses how her training in somatic experiencing deepened her understanding of self-awareness, both in her personal life and clinical work.
Many of us live in our heads, disconnected from our bodies—sometimes without even realizing it. Alison explains how disembodiment can show up in everyday life, from frequent clumsiness to a lack of awareness of personal space. She encourages listeners to approach their own embodiment with gentle curiosity, making small shifts to notice how their bodies interact with the world.
Embodiment is more than a personal practice—it’s also a tool for social justice. Alison discusses how being present in one’s body enhances co-regulation, resilience, and collective organizing. This attunement allows individuals to show up fully in activism and community work.
 
Guest Bio:
Alison is a licensed clinical social worker who lives in Bloomington, IN and owns her own private practice, Empower Healing.Alison approaches therapy through the lens of presence and attunement and believes in being a guide to help clients find their own internal healing powers. She has a background in animal-assisted services and includes the human-animal bond and nature in the therapeutic experience. Alison Leslie is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Transforming Touch Therapist as well as an EMDRIA-approved therapist, consultant, and trainer.
www.empower-healing.com
IG: @empowerhealingcc

Beyond the Labs: A Feminist Approach to Eating Disorder Medical Care with Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani

In this enlightening episode of 'Taking Up Space,' we welcome Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, a renowned internal medicine physician specializing in eating disorders. Dr. Gaudiani discusses her extensive experience and innovative approach to treating eating disorders through her outpatient clinic in Denver. Highlighting the importance of feminist, autonomy-forward, and relationship-focused care, Dr. Gaudiani emphasizes the need for medical interactions that respect and understand the patient's personal journey. The episode also delves into the biological and personal motivations behind Dr. Gaudiani's dedication to this specialized field, her advocacy for inclusivity, and the integration of social justice into medical practice. Additionally, the conversation touches on complex syndromes like POTS and MCAS that often accompany eating disorders, emphasizing the importance of holistic and informed care. Dr. Gaudiani shares valuable insights into how she helps patients connect with and understand their bodies better, fostering a path to recovery that honors their whole selves.Guest Bio:  Jennifer L. Gaudiani, MD, CEDS-C, FAED, is the Founder and Medical Director of the Gaudiani Clinic. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, she completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard, medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, and her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Yale. Dr. Gaudiani served as the Medical Director at the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders prior to founding the Gaudiani Clinic, which is a Denver-based outpatient medical clinic dedicated to people with eating disorders and disordered eating. The Gaudiani Clinic provides weight inclusive medical care and embraces treating people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and genders. The Gaudiani Clinic is licensed to practice in 48 US states via telemedicine and offers international professional consultation and education. Dr. Gaudiani has lectured nationally and internationally, is widely published in the scientific literature as well as on blogs, is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders, and is a former member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders Medical Care Standards Committee. Dr. Gaudiani’s first book, Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders (Routledge, 2018) is available on Amazon.Connect with Dr. G and her Team: 
⁠www.gaudianiclinic.com⁠
@gaudianiclinic on Instagram and Facebook
 
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The Food and Money Connection (aka Money and Milkshakes) with Wendy Wright, Financial Therapist

Have you ever noticed the parallels between your relationship with food and body and your relationship with money? In this enlightening episode of Taking Up Space, we sit down with financial therapist and intuitive eating counselor Wendy Wright LMFT to explore the complex and often overlooked intersection of money, food, and mental wellness. Wendy shares her unique approach to financial therapy, a field that merges financial coaching with emotional support, helping clients build healthier relationships with money.
Drawing parallels between our relationships with money and food, Wendy introduces her metaphor of "money and milkshakes" to illustrate the shared anxieties and societal pressures surrounding these essentials. Through personal stories and real-world examples, Wendy breaks down how financial therapy invites curiosity and compassion, moving away from rigid, shame-based approaches to finances and instead fostering flexibility and self-acceptance.
 
Whether you experience anxiety, avoidance, or dissatisfaction with your financial situation, Wendy’s insights reveal the deep emotional layers beneath our money habits. Join us as we dive into a conversation about self-worth, control, and how financial therapy can be a pathway to healing. This episode offers a gentle invitation to rethink your relationship with money, empowering you to step into a more compassionate and fulfilling financial journey.
 
Guest Bio:
Wendy Wright is a Financial Therapist known for her expertise in merging psychology and finance. With credentials as a licensed therapist, money coach, author, and business owner, Wendy is a trailblazer in her field.
Wendy offers a therapeutic approach to money that helps you name the blocks that get in the way of your best financial life. Her career path includes time in mortgage banking, real estate, house flipper, and business owner! She blends these varied experiences and credentials to create a unique financial therapy approach. Based in Denver, CO, she offers virtual services worldwide.
It is the blend of the therapeutic and the financial that can help you find more clarity and freedom in your relationship with money, spending, saving, and debting.
Wendy offers specialized support for all aspects of financial therapy, giving a safe, non-judging place to work through issues. Her work spans areas such as Wealth Transfer Dynamics, Entrepreneurs, C Suite professionals, Individuals, Couples, Mentoring new financial therapists.
Wendy has been featured recently in Quickbooks blog and the podcast This is Uncomfortable. Other media mentions include : The Financial Diet, We Gotta Talk with Sonni, CNBC Personal Finance, It's Not a Crisis podcast, nav.it podcast, and The Mental Health and Wealth Podcast. You can find her at financialtherapysolutions.com for virtual appointments and online offerings.
When she is not helping others find freedom in their relationships with finances, she is likely on her yoga mat, the ski slope, or a hiking trail!
 
Get 50% off Wendy's online course ⁠The Intersection of Money and Milkshakes⁠!
 
Wendy's Website: financialtherapysolutions.com
Wendy's Instagram: @financialtherapysolutions

Crashing into Embodiment: Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum with Monica Pearson, RCC

At some point in our lives, all of us will have experiences of crashing into our bodies in ways that we couldn't have anticipated. In this episode, we host Monica Pearson, a therapist specializing in perinatal health based in Vancouver, British Columbia. We delve into Monica's unique background, including her transition from a genetic counselor to a therapist focusing on fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum challenges. Monica shares her personal journey, including her struggles with body shame and premature ovarian insufficiency, and how these experiences shaped her understanding and approach to helping others. The conversation also touches on the impacts of patriarchy, the importance of body attunement, and how ancestral and family stories shape individual experiences. We explore themes of embodiment, the mind-body connection, and the emotional and psychological aspects of fertility and parenthood. Monica emphasizes the importance of compassionate inquiry and self-attunement, offering deep insights into the transformative experiences of becoming a parent. Monica discusses her roles as a doula and lactation consultant and provides insights on navigating postpartum transitions, including the often-overlooked emotional struggles of non-birthing partners. The discussion is framed within a broader spiritual context, considering the interconnectedness of our physical and emotional selves as part of the earth.
Monica's Background and Work in Perinatal Health
Personal Journey and Struggles with Body Image
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Its Impact
Mind-Body Connection and Genetic Counseling
Therapeutic Approaches and Family Stories
Embodiment and the Transition to Parenthood
Challenges and Realities of Pregnancy
Struggles with Infertility
Listening to Our Bodies
The Role of Safety in Pregnancy
A Client's Journey to Pregnancy
Unexplained Infertility as a Defense
Embracing Our Animal Nature
Challenges of Sexual Dysfunction
The Profound Experience of Birth
Impact of Birth Environment
Breastfeeding and Body Image
Postpartum Transitions
Supporting Partners in Parenthood
Spiritual Reflections on Life
Taking Up Space in Life
Connecting with Monica
Guest Bio: 
Monica Pearson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Vancouver, BC. Her practice is dedicated to those people moving through the profound transitions inevitable when attempting to become a parent. Her career began in medical genetics as a genetic counsellor, but was disrupted by her own journey to parenthood which inspired her fascination and respect for this life transition. After training as a birth doula and a lactation consultant, it was finally the conversations she was having with individuals and families that held the greatest curiosity and significance to her. A final leap into therapy has led to a private practice in perinatal mental health where she and her clients explore parts work and EMDR to foster a greater compassion and understanding for themselves and their lives.
Connect with Monica at her practice website: ⁠https://www.theintentionalpath.ca/

Unveiling the Witch Wound and Our Collective Trauma with Jacqueline Rose Richards-Shrestha, LPC

Today we’re exploring the 'witch wound'—an intergenerational and collective trauma affecting women's voices and empowerment. Jacqueline explains how the historical persecution of women labeled as 'witches' continues to manifest today through behaviors like people-pleasing and perfectionism. The discussion also touches on the role of psychedelics in accessing subconscious healing and the importance of embodying one's true self for breaking cycles of trauma.
Jacqueline shares her journey from growing up in Minnesota to becoming a therapist, coach, and herbalist in Boulder, Colorado. She discusses how her passion for nature and foraging as a teenager led her to explore various healing practices, including the significance of intergenerational trauma. Jacqueline delves into her personal experiences with eating disorders and how these struggles informed her professional work with clients dealing with body image and disordered eating.
Jacqueline's Background and Journey
Modeling How to Listen to our Bodies and Being Embodied.
Intergenerational Trauma and Healing
Exploring the Witch Wound
Psychedelics and Healing
the witch wound/historical trauma women experienced on a collective level that is still impact how women feel able to show up today. 
Herbal medicine for mental health. 
Jacqueline's Future Plans and Conclusion
Guest Bio: 
Jacqueline Rose Richards-Shrestha (Shress- Tah) is a mindfulness-based psychotherapist, a self-love and embodiment coach, a clinical herbalist, a podcast host, a nature loving forager, an ecstatic dancer, a wife, and a momma of a rambunctious toddler. Her practice focuses on helping women have better relationships with their bodies so they can overcome self-doubt, and live full and vibrant lives.
Connect with Jacqueline: 
www.Jacquelinerosewellness.com
IG @jacquelinerosewellness
Jacqueline Rose Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jacquelinerose 
Body Medicine Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bodymedicine-podcast-healing-through-embodied-living/id1737869287

Smut, Spice, and Representation with Romance Writer, Katie Duggan

Reclaiming smut and spice! Say hello to Katie Duggan (she/they), a romance author renowned for their spicy contemporary romances, shares their journey in writing and self-discovery. Katie, who identifies as fat, queer, and disabled, brings representation to the forefront of their work, emphasizing the importance of seeing diverse and marginalized identities in literature. Throughout the conversation, Katie delves into their early love for storytelling, the evolution of their writing to include authentic experiences of characters with identities similar to their own, and the impact of romance novels on healing and pleasure, particularly through the lens of body positivity and consensual intimacy. With their witty and heartfelt writing, Katie aims to offer representation and visibility, inspire others, and continue breaking down the barriers set by societal norms.
Katie Duggan's Journey to Becoming a Writer
Exploring Identity and Representation in Writing
Embracing Queerness and Disability
The Healing Power of Romance and Smut
The Impact of Queer Romance and Media
From the Start: A Deep Dive into the Book
Exploring Emotional Depth in Writing
The Fun and Explicit 'Dick-tionary'
Character Companions: Nic and Josh
Creating Authentic Characters
The Writing Process and First Book
Incorporating Music into Writing
Romance Tropes and Their Importance
Katie’s Future Themes and Story Ideas
Taking Up Space as a Writer
Guest Bio: 
Katie Duggan is a New England transplant currently living in Northern Virginia. She writes romances that give fat, neurodivergent, and queer characters spicy happily-ever-afters. When Katie’s not writing or being kept up at night by her characters, she can be found drinking iced chai lattes, going to therapy, convincing people to read her favorite books, and doing whatever hobbies give her neurospicy brain the most dopamine at the moment.
Connect with Katie: 
IG @katiedugganwrites 
https://linktr.ee/katieduggan

Body Politics and Body Justice with Allyson Inez Ford, LPCC

What role do politics and power play in shaping the way we understand and treat eating disorders? This episode welcomes Allyson Inez Ford, a multiracial, queer, neurodivergent therapist specializing in Eating Disorders and OCD through a social justice lens. Alison shares insights from her extensive work in the mental health community, particularly through her social media and online courses. She discusses how her personal experiences as an eating disorder and OCD survivor fuel her passion for providing therapy. The conversation delves into topics such as the political nature of eating disorders, the stigmatization within the field, and the importance of incorporating an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens in treatment. Alison emphasizes the value of harm reduction, the perils of coercive care, and the necessity for systemic change in treatment practices. She dives deep into how politics and lived experiences, including race and trauma, impact body image and recovery. Additionally, Alison shares the concept of body justice and offers practical advice for clinicians striving for anti-oppressive care. She also touches on her personal journey, including motherhood and finding balance in her life. The discussion highlights how activism can support recovery and underscores the critical need for inclusive and empowering approaches to mental health care.
Allyson's Background and Work
Allyson’s Personal Experiences and Body Story
The Political Nature of Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
Defining Body Justice in a World of Body Hierarchies
Challenges and Systemic Barriers in Eating Disorder Treatment
What Anti-Oppressive Care and Harm Reduction Can Look Like Within Eating Disorder Treatment
How Activism Can Fuel Recovery
How Allyson is Balancing Personal and Professional Life
Guest Bio: 
Allyson Inez Ford, MA, LPCC is a multiracial, queer, neurodivergent therapist specializing in Eating Disorders and OCD through a social justice lens. Allyson is also a new mother, which has fueled her passion for working with new and expecting parents in ED recovery. Allyson has lived experience of an Eating Disorder, and owns a group private practice in California. Allyson is rooted firmly in a relational, feminist and liberation psychology framework. In addition to therapy, she provides supervision, consultation and speaking engagements.
Connect with Allyson: 
www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com
IG @bodyjustice.therapist

Reclaiming Bodily Autonomy from Purity Culture with Jesie Steffes, LPC

In this episode, we welcome Jesie Steffes, a licensed professional counselor from Colorado Springs. Jesie specializes in grief and body image and is also the founder of 'She's Well Fed,' a coaching business and podcast focused on body reclamation. The discussion dives deep into Jesie's personal journey with body liberation, the impact of purity culture, and the importance of reclaiming bodily autonomy. Jesie shares heartfelt stories, including her experience with high sensitivity and how she integrates this understanding into her practice and life. This conversation is a profound exploration of how we can all take up more space and foster a nurturing relationship with our bodies.
Jesie's Professional Background
Jesie's Personal Body Story and Body Liberation
Understanding Body Reclamation
Body respect and neutrality vs. "body positivity."
The Impact of Purity Culture and other oppressive systems have created a barrier to our sacred experience in our own "homes."
Reasserting authority within our own body experience and bodily autonomy.
Locating Spirituality Within the Body
High Sensitivity and Body Reclamation
Taking Up Space
Guest Bio:
Jesie Steffes is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Body Image Coach and the founder of She's Well Fed. She calls her work "Body Reclamation" and holds the deep belief that peace in our bodies is a birthright. Her work focuses on helping her clients and podcast listeners reclaim that birthright relationship with food, movement, pleasure, and body through a trauma-informed and soulful lens.
Connect with Jesie:
Coaching Website: https://www.sheswellfed.com/ 
Therapy Website: https://www.riverbendcolorado.com/
IG: @sheswellfed
She's Well Fed Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-well-fed/id1684074563

The Intersection of Trauma and OCD with Bronwyn Shroyer, LCSW

What's trauma and what's OCD and how can we tell which is which? In this episode, we speak with Bronwyn Shroyer, a licensed clinical social worker in Indiana. Bronwyn shares her personal and professional journey, focusing on her work with OCD and PTSD through her private practice and her role as co-founder of OCD Training School. Bronwyn delves into her personal history with OCD, triggered by her mother's illness during her teens, and explores various treatments including Inference-Based CBT (ICBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). The discussion touches on the prevalence of OCD alongside PTSD and other conditions, emphasizing the importance of multiple treatment tools.
In this episode we discussed:
Bronwyn's Personal Journey with OCD
Understanding the Concurrence of OCD and PTSD
Defining What OCD Really Is and Dispelling the Myths of Obsessions and Compulsions
Recognizing OCD Symptoms
OCD Treatment Approaches and Being Trauma-Informed
Behavioral vs Cognitive Approaches in Therapy
Choosing the Right Treatment for You
Exploring Ego State and Parts Work
OCD and Co-occurring Conditions
Understanding ICBT Sessions
Finding the Right Therapist
Personal Journey and Professional Impact
OCD Resources
 
Bronwyn Shroyer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has a private practice focusing on OCD and PTSD. She also co-founded the OCD Training School where she provides training and consultation on OCD, Anxiety Disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Bronwyn is trained in Inference-based CBT by its co-founder, Dr. Frederick Aardema and is also certified in Exposure and Response Prevention by the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at UPENN. She is one of the first I-CBT trainers in the United States, and the co-chair of the International OCD Foundation's Inference-based CBT Special Interest Group. Bronwyn is an EMDRIA approved consultant and utilizes EMDR and ego-states parts work in her treatment of PTSD.
Train and Learn with Bronwyn:
Instagram: @ocdtrainingscoool
OCD Training School on FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/OCD-Training-School-61550722538216/?paipv=0&eav=AfaRFfvJsBl3yOv8o2JGDnvCIW8pul94Xdz0jgWhUlRDFJpq4k8BO__D-X5AbyULfjw&_rdr
Website: ocdtrainingschool.com