Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X W

Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X W

Welcome to Ditch the Ick, the podcast for anyone who’s over settling for less. Hosted by Katie Carson (your new favorite hype girl), this show dives deep into what it means to be a whole-a$$ person, worthy of love and success—partner or no partner required. Relationships? Sure, they come up—whether they’re romantic, platonic, or the one you have with yourself (because, let’s be honest, the ick never truly dies). But we’re also here to talk about leveling up your life, chasing your dreams, and living boldly on your own terms. So if you’re tired of waiting for someone else to make your life exciting, stick around. Every week, we’ll talk through what it means to design a life that feels like yours. No fluff, no clichés, no nonsense—just real conversations and a lot of laughs.

  1. 31 JAN

    Doing the Damn Thing: Heather Reese Talks Confidence, Advocacy, and Resilience

    In this week’s episode, Katie chats with the inspiring Heather Reese, a plus-size model, content creator, and attorney, about finding confidence, building community, and embracing life’s curveballs. Heather opens up about her journey from being adopted from Peru and raised in a Jewish household to rediscovering her Latina roots and redefining herself after a life-changing divorce. This episode dives into: How trauma and therapy helped Heather reshape her identity. Her journey to becoming a plus-size model and using her platform to advocate for marginalized communities. The power of showing up authentically in a world that often tries to dim your light. Practical advice for being a true ally and fostering change in today’s turbulent environment. Why boundaries are an act of self-love and how Heather uses them in every area of her life. Heather’s humor, vulnerability, and no-nonsense approach will have you feeling seen, supported, and ready to take on the world unapologetically. **All opinions expressed are Heather's and do not reflect any firm or associations she’s affiliated with** Connect with Heather: Instagram: @heather_rxoxo Quote of the Episode: “Loving yourself is rebellious, but it’s the most powerful thing you can do for yourself and the next generation.” – Heather Reese - Submit your anonymous questions or storie https://www.ditchtheick.com/ask-us-anything  - Email: mailto:ditchtheickpod@gmail.com  - Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ditchtheickpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  2. 24 JAN

    REPLAY: Amplifying Your Voice: Navigating Politics, Power, and Personal Stories in an Unprecedented World

    I’m back with a solo episode where we’re getting real about speaking up and navigating life when things feel a bit, well, wild. I might not be the loudest voice in the room, but I’m here to get vocal about the things that matter – setting boundaries, getting involved, and staying true to yourself when the world wants you to shrink.  Key Takeaways:  • Finding & Using Your Voice: Speaking up isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. I’m sharing how to use your voice effectively, whether it’s at work, with friends, or out in the community. Change doesn’t happen if we stay silent.  • Boundaries, But Make It Real: Setting boundaries isn’t just about saying “no” – it’s about knowing what you stand for and holding firm even in tough conversations. I’m breaking down how I keep things real with people who see the world differently.  •Local Change, Big Impact: Want to make a difference? Start small. I talk about the power of getting involved locally, supporting causes that align with your values, and why small actions matter more than we think.  •The Magic of Storytelling & Listening: It’s not all about shouting from the rooftops – sometimes it’s about sharing your story and truly listening to others. I explore how personal experiences can inspire change and build connection.  • Self-Care While Speaking Out: No one said making a difference was easy. I get into why taking care of yourself while you’re out there speaking up is crucial. Because burnout? We’re not doing that. •Community is Key: Remember, you’re not doing this alone.   Connect with Me Follow me on Instagram @ditchtheick for more relatable takes, and a community that’s all about real talk and real change. Let’s keep it going! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
  3. 17 JAN

    I’m Not Codependent, Ew: Béa Victoria Albina on Emotional Outsourcing and Nervous System Regulation

    This week’s episode is one I’ve been dying to bring you! I finally got to chat with the incredible Béa Victoria Albina, NP, MPH. She’s a somatic experiencing practitioner, feminist wellness coach, and all-around magical human being. We dove into her signature concept of emotional outsourcing—aka relying on other people for our sense of worth, safety, and belonging (yeah, ouch). We talked about EVERYTHING, from breaking free of codependency to staying grounded in your values—even in the messiest of situations. Béa also shared her genius tips for regulating your nervous system and letting yourself actually feel your feelings (not just shove them down or ignore them). Here’s What We Got Into: Codependency vs. Interdependence: What’s the difference? (Hint: interdependence is the vibe we’re going for). Emotional outsourcing: Béa breaks down how it sneaks into our lives and keeps us stuck. Nervous system regulation: What it really means, and why it’s not as simple as tapping your forehead and calling it a day. Sacred rage: Why anger is actually a good thing when it’s intentional and aligned with your values. The beauty of reciprocal relationships: How to stop keeping score and start building connections that energize you. Want More from Béa? She’s got some amazing gifts for you! Head to http://beatrizalbina.com//ditchtheick to grab her free meditations and nervous system exercises. Whether you’re dealing with a stressy day or diving into your healing journey, these are a must-have.Béa also has a book dropping in September 2025 called Emotional Outsourcing. Big Life Moves  I’ve been hinting at a major life change, and here’s the deal: I’m working on my escape plan to move abroad! While I’m not on a plane just yet, I’m getting serious about making it happen, and I want to invite you along for the ride. That’s why I’m joining the Move Abroad Escape Plan Bootcamp with the Move Abroad Coach. It’s a 4-day LIVE virtual bootcamp from January 25th-28th at 11 AM Eastern (with replays available). This bootcamp is all about creating a step-by-step action plan to move abroad in a year or less. If moving abroad has been on your dream list, this is the sign you’ve been waiting for! You can join me by checking out all the details here: https://bit.ly/4gR6VXF Follow me on Instagram @ditchtheickpod for all the behind-the-scenes action. I’ll be sharing what I’m learning, the highs, the lows, and maybe a few tips to help YOU make bold moves, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  4. 10 JAN

    Toxic Positivity

    Welcome to the first episode of Ditch the Ick in 2025!  After taking a much-needed break, we’re kicking off the year by tackling an important and often misunderstood topic: toxic positivity.  We’re unpacking what toxic positivity really is and why the “good vibes only” mindset can do more harm than good. I also share my personal journey with embracing emotions—both good and bad—and how adopting a mindset of realistic optimism has helped me feel more grounded and confident. Plus, we touch on actionable tips for managing emotions, setting boundaries, and showing up for others in a healthy way.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  - What toxic positivity is and why it’s so damaging. - The subtle ways it can show up in daily life (e.g., “Just stay positive!”). - Signs you might be experiencing or perpetuating toxic positivity. - The benefits of realistic optimism and why it’s a better approach. - Actionable phrases and habits to replace toxic positivity with authentic support.  Resources Mentioned: - Why Toxic Positivity Can Be Harmful by Kendra Cherry, MSeD: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-positivity  - Realistic Optimism by Chris Loper: https://becomingbetter.org/realistic-optimism/  - Submit your anonymous questions or storie https://www.ditchtheick.com/ask-us-anything  - Email: mailto:ditchtheickpod@gmail.com  - Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ditchtheickpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 min

About

Welcome to Ditch the Ick, the podcast for anyone who’s over settling for less. Hosted by Katie Carson (your new favorite hype girl), this show dives deep into what it means to be a whole-a$$ person, worthy of love and success—partner or no partner required. Relationships? Sure, they come up—whether they’re romantic, platonic, or the one you have with yourself (because, let’s be honest, the ick never truly dies). But we’re also here to talk about leveling up your life, chasing your dreams, and living boldly on your own terms. So if you’re tired of waiting for someone else to make your life exciting, stick around. Every week, we’ll talk through what it means to design a life that feels like yours. No fluff, no clichés, no nonsense—just real conversations and a lot of laughs.

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