Nurturing Resilience

Lesha Nelson
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Mental Health

Welcome to Nurturing Resilience, where your host, Lesha Nelson weaves together the worlds of somatics, science + energy to nurture a deeper connection to yourself. From guests storytelling rights of passage that catalyzed their resiliency, to nervous system + mind-body health education, to deep contemplation on topics such as cultivating connection to ourselves and others in a complex world. Lesha is an occupational therapist, somatic bodyworker, attachment specialist, and baby whisperer with over 20 years of experience with mind-body connection and supporting matrescence.

  1. Jun 25

    Preparation Isn’t About Birth Plans, It’s About Learning to Receive w/ Jean Madson

    What if the most important preparation for birth isn't actually about the birth itself? In this conversation, I sat down with entrepreneur, coach, and mother Jean Madson to explore what it really means to prepare for birth and postpartum. While we expected to spend much of our time talking about postpartum, the conversation naturally unfolded into something much bigger: trust, support, and the often-overlooked challenge of learning to receive care. Jean shares her first birth experience, including an unexpected transfer from a birth center to the hospital, how intentional preparation allowed her to navigate those changes with confidence, and why she believes the support she accepted during postpartum made all the difference. We also explore the realities of preparing for twins, the privilege and barriers that exist within maternity care, and why building a trusted support team may be one of the most important parts of preparing for parenthood. In this episode, we talk about: Why preparation is about more than creating a birth plan How trust in your care team can shape your birth experience The role of doulas, midwives, and building a support system Navigating unexpected changes, including hospital transfers Why allowing support can be one of the hardest parts of postpartum The tension between independence and receiving care Setting boundaries while still letting people help The realities of breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and early postpartum How privilege, access, and community shape the transition into parenthood One of my favorite reminders from this conversation: "The reason the challenging moments didn't lead me into depression or anxiety... was because of the support I allowed." Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating postpartum, or simply reflecting on what it means to let yourself be supported, I hope this conversation leaves you feeling a little less alone. Connect with Jean: Website: https://whole-human-co.myflodesk.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmadison_/ Connect with Lesha: Website: https://www.leshanelson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/

    1h 9m

  2. May 25

    We Aren't The Same Every Day w/ Shara Jackson Harper

    What if the problem isn’t that you’re inconsistent… but that you were never meant to be the same every day? In this conversation, I sit down with mental health therapist, childbirth educator, doula, and mother of five Shara Jackson Harper to explore the intersection of hormones, nervous system health, motherhood, and life transitions. This conversation felt both validating and expansive, especially in a world that asks us to perform with the same capacity every single day. We talk about the realities of cyclical living, how stress and cortisol shape our emotional experiences, and why so many women feel like they’re failing when their bodies may actually be asking for something different. This conversation also moves into pregnancy, postpartum, caregiving, self-trust, and the cultural pressures that make rest feel impossible. In this episode, we talk about: Why women are not meant to feel the same every dayThe four phases of the menstrual cycle and how they impact mood, energy, communication, and capacityHow hormones and the nervous system work together (and sometimes against us)Why cortisol hits differently depending on where you are in your cycleWhat actually happens hormonally after birth and why postpartum can feel so emotionally intenseThe nervous system cost of modern motherhood, overstimulation, and productivity cultureRest as a biological need and not a luxuryMom guilt, self-trust, and learning to listen to your body Why repair matters more than perfection in parentingCommunity, play, and connection as nervous system medicineOne of my favorite reminders from this conversation: “Rest is productive.” If you’ve ever wondered why some days you feel clear, social, and energized and other days everything feels like too muchthis episode is for you. Connect with Shara: https://www.instagram.com/growthinherseasons/ Website: https://growthinherseasons.com/ Link to all of her awesome downloads and resources: https://linktr.ee/sharalea?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGna9XxC6MU_i--FZyOLHU4fPqENmUemrxTQHcxA9NtLu_4GvHZhlG4sulvavc_aem_eB46ADTgPmtFx74qn21_Qw Work with and support Lesha: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/ www.leshanelson.com

    1h 21m

  3. 12/31/2025

    Birth, Blame & the Myth of Spiritual Readiness w/ Annalee Muse

    In this episode of Nurturing Resilience, host Lesha Nelson speaks with Annalee Muse, a birth worker and doula, about her journey through birth experiences, the impact of societal narratives on birthing individuals, and the importance of community and connection in the birthing process. They discuss the role of spirituality, the significance of birth story medicine, and the need for ritual and ceremony in navigating the complexities of motherhood. Annalee shares her insights on healing from birth trauma and offers advice for expecting mothers, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and learning in the postpartum period. Main Takeaways: Anna Lee's journey into birth work began after her own challenging birth experiences.The societal narrative often blames birthing individuals for outcomes that are beyond their control.Spirituality and preparation are important, but they cannot guarantee specific birth outcomes.Birth story medicine helps individuals process their experiences and find healing.Community support is crucial for navigating the complexities of birth and postpartum.Ritual and ceremony can play a significant role in honoring the birthing experience.Social media can create unrealistic expectations around birth and motherhood.Healing from birth trauma is a long process that requires time and self-compassion.Expecting mothers should focus on learning how to mother rather than performing perfectly.Acknowledging the gray areas in birth experiences can lead to deeper understanding and healing.Work with Annalee: https://musebirth.com/ https://www.instagram.com/muse.birth/ Work with Lesha: https://www.leshanelson.com https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Anna Lee's Journey 02:04 Exploring Birth Experiences and Spirituality 04:05 The Complexity of Birth Narratives 05:57 Navigating Birth Expectations and Reality 09:56 Cultural Perspectives on Birth Outcomes 12:28 The Role of Birth Story Medicine 14:34 Understanding the Nuances of Birth Preparation 20:26 The Impact of Social Media on Birth Narratives 27:25 Earning Worthiness in Motherhood 35:28 Advice for New Mothers in Postpartum 38:44 The Influence of AI on Birth Support 42:30 Environmental Impact of AI and Human Connection 45:18 The Importance of Initiation and Knowledge in Birth 47:50 The Role of Ceremony and Ritual in Healing 49:47 Navigating Spiritual Practices in Birth 53:18 Presence and Authenticity in Rituals 56:17 Preparing for Birth: Personal Reflections and Insights 01:00:51 Processing Birth Trauma and Personal Growth 01:06:52 Unraveling Beliefs Around Birth Experiences 01:11:29 The Journey of Healing and Support in Birth

    1h 13m

  4. 11/19/2025

    The Golden Hour: Healing Birth When it Doesn’t go as Planned w/ Briana Georjae

    What happens when the golden hour is missed? When the first imprint we carry is one of separation and rupture- not safety or skin-to-skin? In this episode, we explore the blueprint of connection we’re born with and what’s possible when that blueprint is interrupted. I begin by sharing some personal reflections on being born via C-section and how that shaped my own attachment patterns. Then I’m joined by Briana Georjae, practitioner, doula, and guide, who shares her story of being separated from her mother at birth and the lifelong healing that followed. Together, we explore: When something goes out of plan, how can we shift our perspectives that something happened for us. Recognizing your power can transform experiences.There is a blueprint in nature that can guide us.The innate intelligence runs through all living things.Communication with our life force fosters resilience and understanding our connection to creation is vital.What it means to respond to rupture with power and presence This is a conversation about the places we begin, the patterns we inherit, and the possibility of reconnecting with our bodies, our babies, and the blueprints written in nature itself. About Briana: Briana Georjae serves from the critical need to preserve and foster the innate intelligence of women’s bodies. Within a traditional, intuitive, and woman-led container, she offers herbal consultations, holistic womb care, psychedelic integration, and doula services. Work with Briana: https://www.heirlooms.love/ Work with Lesha: https://www.leshanelson.com keywords: power, response, blueprint, innate intelligence, life force, nature, communication, self-awareness, creation, energy, golden hour, birth trauma resolution

    1h 28m

  5. 10/20/2025

    HTMA: Depletion and the work of Replishment

    In this rich and revealing conversation, Lesha Nelson and Sena Maria explore the transformative power of Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) and its profound connection to both physiological and emotional health. Sena shares her personal journey from deep depletion to vibrant vitality, highlighting the importance of mineral balancing and the subtle interconnectedness of minerals within the body. Together, they unpack the concept of the calcium shell as a protective mechanism, the mineral-depleting impact of modern diets, and the thoughtful, individualized use of supplements. Their dialogue weaves through the terrain of body image, self-acceptance, and healing, offering insight into how societal pressures shape our inner landscape. With a focus on women’s experiences, they explore the effects of sympathetic dominance, the cost of overriding physical limits, and the influence of birth imprints on long-term health. This episode bridges spiritual seeking with physical grounding, and offers grounded, practical guidance for postpartum mothers—including ways to nourish and restore the body while honoring the deep emotional and energetic layers of healing. Work with Sena Maria: https://www.sena-maria.com/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sena__maria/ Work with Lesha: https://www.leshanelson.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/

    1h 35m

  6. 10/06/2025

    Clearing the Pathways: The Perrin Technique

    In this podcast episode, Lesha Nelson discusses the Perrin Technique, a method developed by Dr. Raymond Perrin for detoxifying the body and brain. She shares her personal journey through the 12-week program, explaining the importance of the lymphatic and glymphatic systems in health and recovery, particularly for those suffering from chronic fatigue and long COVID. Lesha emphasizes the need for consistency in treatment and the potential benefits of the Perrin Technique for fertility and overall wellness. In this episode:• What the Perrin Technique is and how it works• Why lymph and glymphatic flow matter for detox and recovery• How this method supports Long COVID, fatigue, and potentially fertility• Lesha’s personal experience through the 12-week program Perrin Website: https://theperrintechnique.com/ Lesha's Website: https://www.leshanelson.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Parent Technique 00:56 Understanding the Lymphatic and Glymphatic Systems 06:34 The Impact of the Parent Technique on Long COVID 11:09 Personal Journey and Experience with the Parent Technique 16:51 The Importance of Consistency in Treatment 22:21 Exploring Fertility and Women's Health 25:04 Bridging Science and Healing Keywords Perrin Technique, Lymphatic System, Glymphatic System, Chronic Fatigue, Long COVID, Detoxification, Health, Wellness, Craniosacral Therapy, Fertility

    30 min

  7. 08/30/2025

    Homeopathy, Postpartum, and the Natural Laws That Shape Us w/ Rachel Grenley

    In this episode, I’m joined by Rachel of The Root Celler Co., a classically trained homeopath whose work bridges the wisdom of natural law with the tender continuum of pregnancy and postpartum. We talk about: The principle of “like cures like” and how homeopathy works with the body rather than against it. Why suppression (through pharmaceuticals) can create chronic patterns. The law of polarity and the law of correspondence — and how they apply to both individual and collective healing. Pregnancy as a portal where lineage imprints rise to the surface. Postpartum as a fulcrum where mothers attune to both baby and culture. Remedies Rachel turns to that carry deep blueprint energy, including fungal remedies, matrodonal remedies (birth substances), and mammalian milks. Rachel’s reflections reveal why tending to mothers is not just personal care — it is collective healing. Resources & Links: Rachel’s Website: therootcellerco.com Rachel's Instagram: @therootcellerco Lesha's Website: www.leshanelson.com Lesha's Substack: substack.com/@lesha Lesha's Instagram: @lesha__nelson⁠

    1h 19m

  8. 01/21/2025

    Burnout, Birthwork + Strategies for Sustainability

    In this heartfelt episode, I share my personal journey of navigating and recovering from burnout as a birth worker. Through honest reflection, I explore the unique challenges caregivers face in this deeply emotional and demanding field—from the unpredictable schedules to the weight of holding space for others. You’ll hear the turning points that helped me recognize the need for change and the strategies that transformed my approach to work and life. From setting boundaries to integrating nervous system regulation practices, I offer actionable steps to help birth workers create sustainable, aligned careers that honor both their passion and their well-being. Whether you’ve experienced burnout yourself, are feeling the early signs, or simply want to ensure longevity in your caregiving work, this episode is packed with insights, encouragement, and practical tools to support you. Quote shared in episode was by Prentis Hemphill Purchase your very own copy of Replenish + Thrive: a mini workbook for birth and bodyworkers to prevent burnout and secondary trauma https://leshanelson.kit.com/products/replenish-thrive Stay connected with me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/

    37 min
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5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Nurturing Resilience, where your host, Lesha Nelson weaves together the worlds of somatics, science + energy to nurture a deeper connection to yourself. From guests storytelling rights of passage that catalyzed their resiliency, to nervous system + mind-body health education, to deep contemplation on topics such as cultivating connection to ourselves and others in a complex world. Lesha is an occupational therapist, somatic bodyworker, attachment specialist, and baby whisperer with over 20 years of experience with mind-body connection and supporting matrescence.

Information

  • Creator
    Lesha Nelson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lesha Nelson