Good Girls Gotta Heal

Megan Walsh

Are you tired of playing the "good" girl role? Are you ready to ditch people-pleasing and embrace your most authentic self? Good Girls Gotta Heal is your weekly dose of empowerment and support, hosted by holistic trauma therapist and coach, Megan Walsh. In each episode, Megan & her guests dive deep into the realities of childhood trauma, offering practical tools and actionable strategies for healing. You'll learn: How childhood trauma shows up in your adult life: From anxiety and perfectionism to relationship struggles and difficulty setting boundaries, Megan sheds light on the hidden connections. The mind-body connection in healing: Discover the power of somatic practices, mindfulness, and self-compassion in your recovery journey. How to cultivate inner strength and self-love: Learn how to rewrite your narrative, reconnect with your authentic self, and build healthy relationships. Holistic approaches to healing: Explore a variety of techniques beyond traditional therapy, including creative expression, human design, & spirituality. Whether you're just starting your healing journey or looking for ongoing support, Good Girls Gotta Heal is your safe space for you to explore your experiences and build a life filled with authenticity and joy.

  1. Healing the Mother Wound: Grief, Boundaries, and Coming Back to Yourself with Yelna Alrahman

    FEB 5

    Healing the Mother Wound: Grief, Boundaries, and Coming Back to Yourself with Yelna Alrahman

    For many of us, being a "good girl" wasn't just a personality trait—it was a survival strategy. But what happens when the relationship that is supposed to be our safest foundation becomes a source of enmeshment, codependency, and lost identity?   In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Yelna Alrahman, a former "good girl" turned unapologetic woman, certified psychotherapist, and coach. Yna shares her powerful journey of growing up in a multicultural household where questioning parents was taboo, and how she became her mother’s primary emotional caregiver and "soulmate" by the age of ten.   We dive deep into the Mother Wound—the developmental rupture that occurs when a mother cannot provide the emotional attunement a child needs. Whether your mother is still in your life or has passed away, the effects of this wound follow us into adulthood, showing up in our careers, our body image, and the partners we choose.   In this episode, we explore: The Enmeshment Trap: Understanding the difference between a "deep friendship" and unhealthy codependency with a parent. Complex Grief: Navigating the confusing mix of devastation and relief when a toxic or heavy relationship ends. The "Good Girl" Identity: How attuning to your mother’s nervous system as a child leads to a lack of self-confidence and chronic indecision as an adult. Internal Family Systems (IFS): Why your "inner critic" is actually trying to protect your "inner child"—and how to get them to stop fighting. Professional Blocks: The surprising way the mother wound manifests as a fear of being seen or judged in your career and business.   Healing isn't about blaming; it's about reparenting. It’s about learning to sit with your own sadness without needing to "clean the house" or "fix a project" to escape it. Tune in to learn how to stop abandoning yourself and finally start belonging to you.   Connect with Yelna   Follow her on Instagram  Work with Yelna: Join the Self-Love Mastery group container   Grab Yelna’s My Dear Self journal to begin your own inner child visualization journey.    Connect with Megan   Follow Megan on IG  Learn more about how to work with Megan here! Download Megan's FREE 8 episode private podcast "Healing Starts Here"

    33 min
  2. Soothe, Transcend, Move: A New Approach to Burnout with Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd

    12/18/2025

    Soothe, Transcend, Move: A New Approach to Burnout with Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd

    Feeling like you're running on empty? You're not alone—and you're definitely not broken.   In this heartfelt conversation, host Megan sits down with Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd, a clinical psychologist and burnout expert, to talk about something so many of us are experiencing but rarely name: burnout. Dr. Byrd's new book, Start Here, offers a lifeline for anyone who's ever felt like they're giving everything and getting nowhere.   This isn't your typical "just do more self-care" conversation. Dr. Byrd gets real about what burnout actually looks like (spoiler: it's not just being tired), why our support systems matter more than we think, and how self-compassion—not self-criticism—is the secret ingredient to healing.   Whether you're in healthcare, parenting, teaching, or just trying to keep it together in today's world, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.   What You'll Learn: The early warning signs of burnout (and why catching them matters) Dr. Byrd's three-step approach: soothe, transcend, and move—practical tools you can use today Why self-compassion isn't selfish and how to actually practice it (hint: try writing yourself a letter) The role of support systems in preventing and recovering from burnout How to check in with colleagues (and yourself) in ways that actually help Why fear is normal when you're trying to change and what to do about it The truth about systemic change vs. individual action and why we need both     Connect with Kerry   Check out her website Follow her on Instagram Get on her newsletter list   Connect with Megan   Follow Megan on IG  Learn more about how to work with Megan here! Download Megan's FREE 8 episode private podcast "Healing Starts Here"

    37 min
  3. When Childhood Trauma Shows Up In Your Friendships (and Why We Don't Talk About It Enough) with Stephanie Bagato

    11/20/2025

    When Childhood Trauma Shows Up In Your Friendships (and Why We Don't Talk About It Enough) with Stephanie Bagato

    This conversation explores the very overlooked link between childhood trauma and how we show up in our friendships. We talk about the moments when old wounds get activated, the ways we over-function or under-function with the people we love, and why so many “good girls” feel ashamed of needing support in friendships at all.   We dig into self-attunement as the foundation for healthy relationships—because if you didn’t grow up with parents who attuned to you, it can feel foreign (or selfish) to turn toward yourself now. We break down why friendship feels so tender, why we often look for our friends to be the emotional parents we never had, and why internal self-care is the starting point for deeper, safer connection.   We also name the cultural silence around this topic: childhood trauma isn’t just about your family. It follows you into your adult relationships, especially your friendships. And healing requires both personal responsibility and the courage to let others show up for you. EPISODE TAKEAWAYS When we’re not attuning to ourselves first, our friendships become the place where our unmet needs spill out. Taking care of your emotional world isn’t selfish—it’s what allows connection to deepen. Self-attunement creates the safety needed for honest, nourishing conversations. Validation from friends is beautiful—but it can’t replace inner emotional care. Healthy friendships are built on a balance of self-responsibility and mutual support. Emotionally supporting yourself first prevents burnout, resentment, and over-functioning. The “dance” of friendship becomes easier when both people are attuned—to themselves and each other. Knowing your triggers and patterns enhances communication and reduces conflict. Personal growth directly expands the depth you can experience in friendships. Healing childhood trauma allows your adult friendships to feel more secure, reciprocal, and safe.   Connect with Stephanie Find her on InstagramVisit her website     Connect with Megan Follow Megan on IG  Learn more about how to work with Megan here! Download Megan's FREE 8 episode private podcast "Healing Starts Here"

    46 min
  4. How to Stop Fixing Other People's Problems with Leah Marone

    11/06/2025

    How to Stop Fixing Other People's Problems with Leah Marone

    Summary   In this relatable conversation, Leah Marone joins Megan to unpack the idea of the “serial fixer” — those of us who feel deeply and instinctively step in to solve others’ problems. She explores why people with high emotional empathy often take on this role, how the need for connection can blur into control, and what it means to find balance between caring for others and caring for ourselves.   Takeaways A serial fixer is someone who naturally steps into the role of problem solver in relationships. This behavior often comes from a place of deep emotional empathy and a strong desire to ease others’ pain. The need to connect can sometimes turn into an urge to control, even when the intention is love. What looks like compassion may sometimes be an unconscious way of managing our own discomfort. Helping others can bring a sense of relief and purpose, but it can also be emotionally draining. The push-and-pull of fixing and control can shape the way relationships grow—or struggle. Gaining awareness of why we fix can open the door to healthier, more balanced connections. Our emotional intensity plays a major role in how we relate to those we care about. The longing for connection shows up in many forms—sometimes as love, sometimes as over-helping. Recognizing our inner fixer isn’t about judgment—it’s about self-understanding and growth.   Connect with Leah This link will take you to all the great ways you can connect with Leah, learn more from her and purchase her new book!!   Connect with Megan   Follow Megan on IG  Learn more about how to work with Megan here! Download Megan's FREE 8 episode private podcast "Healing Starts Here"

    33 min
  5. The Gut-Brain Connection: How Food and Feelings Intertwine with Meg Bowman

    10/30/2025

    The Gut-Brain Connection: How Food and Feelings Intertwine with Meg Bowman

    Summary   In this heartfelt episode, Megan Walsh sits down with Meg Bowman, a licensed nutritionist who blends science and compassion in her work on integrative clinical nutrition and mental health. Together, they unpack the deep connection between what we eat, how we feel, and the stories our bodies carry — especially how experiences like trauma can shape both our physical and emotional health.   Meg shares how she approaches nutrition not just as a matter of nutrients and meal plans, but as a healing process that honors both the body and the mind. The two explore the powerful role of the nervous system in eating behaviors, the gut-brain connection, and why personalized nutrition is key to real, sustainable wellness.   The conversation also touches on emotional eating, mindful parenting around food, and the thoughtful use of supplements. Through it all, Meg emphasizes compassion — encouraging listeners to approach food, and themselves, with curiosity, kindness, and the freedom to discover what truly nourishes them.   We Talk About Nutrition is both a bottom-up (body) and top-down (mind) process. Trauma can deeply affect physical health conditions like Crohn’s disease. The gut plays a major role in mental and emotional well-being. Nervous system regulation is essential for balanced eating. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach — personalized nutrition matters. Emotional eating can be met with compassion instead of guilt. Supplements work best when used intentionally and individually. Psychobiotics may support mental health and gut balance. Most importantly — it’s okay to start where you are and grow at your own pace.   Connect with Meg   Stay connected with Meg via Instagram Explore Meg's website and get her new book, This is Your Body on Trauma     Connect with Megan   Follow Megan on IG  Learn more about how to work with Megan here! Download Megan's FREE 8 episode private podcast "Healing Starts Here"

    39 min
4.8
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Are you tired of playing the "good" girl role? Are you ready to ditch people-pleasing and embrace your most authentic self? Good Girls Gotta Heal is your weekly dose of empowerment and support, hosted by holistic trauma therapist and coach, Megan Walsh. In each episode, Megan & her guests dive deep into the realities of childhood trauma, offering practical tools and actionable strategies for healing. You'll learn: How childhood trauma shows up in your adult life: From anxiety and perfectionism to relationship struggles and difficulty setting boundaries, Megan sheds light on the hidden connections. The mind-body connection in healing: Discover the power of somatic practices, mindfulness, and self-compassion in your recovery journey. How to cultivate inner strength and self-love: Learn how to rewrite your narrative, reconnect with your authentic self, and build healthy relationships. Holistic approaches to healing: Explore a variety of techniques beyond traditional therapy, including creative expression, human design, & spirituality. Whether you're just starting your healing journey or looking for ongoing support, Good Girls Gotta Heal is your safe space for you to explore your experiences and build a life filled with authenticity and joy.

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