The Pain Factor

A Project Fourtress Podcast
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What is pain? Where does it come from? Is there anything we can do to control it, overcome it, even leverage it?This podcast is a comprehensive exploration of physical, mental, and emotional pain. Through shared information, personal narratives, and professional insight, we aim to understand this complex reality. We want to be clear: this is not a self-help podcast. It is about fostering accountability while maintaining a human approach to sensitive issues. Religion, mysticism and positive thinking are things we purposefully, and adamantly, distance ourselves from. Before facing the challenge, we get to know it better. This is what this podcast is about.Join us on this essential quest for understanding, empowerment, and ultimate freedom.

  1. 20H AGO

    TPF #20: Gwen Bernardo - The emotional weight of pain

    Gwen Bernardo is a myofascial release therapist specializing in fascial health and chronic pain relief In this episode of The Pain Factor, Gwen Bernardo shares her personal journey through chronic pain and the transformative power of myofascial release therapy. Gwen recounts her traumatic horseback riding accident in 2004, which led to years of physical and emotional pain. She discusses how pain can manifest from both physical trauma and emotional baggage, emphasizing the importance of understanding pain as a complex experience rather than merely a physical sensation. Through her own healing journey, Gwen discovered the profound impact of addressing the emotional aspects of pain, leading her to a breakthrough with myofascial release therapy that ultimately changed her life. Follow Gwen on Instagram: #performancemfr Learn more about Gwen at performancemfr.com. Learn more about MRT at myofascialrelease.com. The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast. Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

    40 min

  2. JAN 30

    TPF #19: Lynn Banis - You are not broken: Navigating grief

    Dr. Lynn Banis is a Doctor of Philosophy, with a PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She is also a Grief and Resilience Mentor, an Expert Transformational Coach, international best-selling author, and the founder and owner of Widows Rising Together, compassionate community dedicated to empowering widows as they navigate their new realities, provide unwavering support, foster resilience, and inspire transformation. In this episode of The Pain Factor, Dr. Lynn Banis discusses the complexities of grief and the journey of healing. She shares her personal experiences of loss, having lost her mother, brother, and husband within a short span of time. She emphasizes that grief is not merely sadness but a disorienting experience that can leave individuals feeling lost and unsure of their identity. The discussion delves into the misconceptions surrounding grief, the role of guilt and shame, and the importance of accepting loss as a part of life. Dr. Banis advocates for a supportive approach to helping those in grief, highlighting the need for understanding rather than fixing, and the significance of simply being present for someone in pain. Follow Dr. Banis: on Instagram: #banislynnon Facebook: facebook.com/lbanison LinkedInLearn more about Widows Rising Together here. The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast. Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

    51 min

  3. JAN 23

    TPF #18: Garret Wood - Pain beyond physical symptoms

    Garrett Wood is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Executive Functioning Specialist, Founder of Gnosis Therapy and developer of the A³ Framework —Assess, Accommodate, Align— which maps capacity across seven drivers of performance: sensory intelligence, bio-budgets, emotional regulation, core beliefs, attachment patterns, values, and executive functioning strengths. He applies outcome-based coaching, somatic regulation, and clinical hypnotherapy to end the boom-and-bust cycle of burnout. In this conversation, we explore the intricate relationship between pain, burnout, and emotional well-being. Garret describes how societal pressures and misalignment in personal and professional lives contribute to burnout, emphasizing the importance of understanding pain beyond physical symptoms. He shares his personal experiences with chronic pain and burnout, highlighting the biopsychosocial model of health and the need for compassion and curiosity in addressing these issues. The discussion also touches on the role of guilt and shame in our perceptions of pain and the importance of aligning our needs with our environments for better mental and physical health. Follow Garret on Instagram: #gnosistherapy Learn more about Gnosis Therapy here. The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast. Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

    1h 2m

  4. JAN 16

    TPF #17: Megha Parekh - Surviving trauma and transforming pain into strength

    Megha Parekh is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and she has been with the Jaguars since 2013. In this conversation, Megha shares her journey of trauma recovery, emphasizing the importance of living authentically and embracing complexity. She discusses the nature of pain and suffering, the impact of guilt and shame, and the value of seeking professional help. Megha highlights the stigma surrounding mental health and the difference between being a victim and feeling victimized. She offers insights on how to support loved ones in crisis, the dangers of misguided advice, and the need for societal change in perceptions of mental health. Ultimately, she reflects on finding gratitude in adversity and transforming pain into strength. Follow Megha on Instagram: #meghalegalgirl10 Learn more about: The Fire Watch, an organization hat has trained more than 10,000 Floridians in Veteran Suicide prevention. Be Nice (Notice - Invite - Challenge - Empower), a foundation in West Michigan dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and preventing suicide The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast. Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

    57 min

  5. JAN 9

    TPF #16: Lisa Franz - A Life to Love

    In this conversation, Lisa Franz, a nutrition coach and trainer, discusses the multifaceted nature of pain and its impact on life quality, particularly in relation to nutrition and weight loss. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the deeper sources of pain, the role of shame and motivation in weight loss, and the necessity of consistency in achieving long-term health goals. Lisa shares her personal journey from a life of discomfort to one of fulfillment, encouraging listeners to embrace discomfort as a part of growth and to strive for a life they love. You can learn more about Coach Lisa at nutritioncoachingandlife.com Follow her on Instagram: #nutritioncoachingandlife The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast. Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

    53 min

  6. JAN 2

    TPF #15: Judy Gaman - Pain, balance and being at peace

    Judy Gaman is the CEO of Executive Medicine of Texas, an award-winning author, speaker, and host of the Stay Young America! Podcast In this conversation, she shares her insights on pain, its management, and the interconnectedness of emotional and physical health. With over 25 years in the healthcare industry, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing pain as a valid experience and understanding its origins. You can learn more about Judy's work and journey at https://www.judygaman.com/ The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast. Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

    56 min

  7. 11/21/2025

    TPF #14: Darkness and Light

    In this episode of TPF, we explore the interaction between darkness and light. We discuss how true victory isn't about eliminating darkness entirely, but about understanding how to navigate and "walk on" it. The conversation concludes by challenging the fear of shadows, reframing them as the ultimate indicator of brightness. The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast. Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

    12 min

  8. 11/14/2025

    TPF #13: Pain and Noise

    On this episode of TPF, we explore how constant external noise—coming from news, social media, and other people's endless chatter—distracts us from our goals. We examine how this relentless input debilitates our minds and bodies, ultimately worsening our pain. The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast. Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

    17 min
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About

What is pain? Where does it come from? Is there anything we can do to control it, overcome it, even leverage it?This podcast is a comprehensive exploration of physical, mental, and emotional pain. Through shared information, personal narratives, and professional insight, we aim to understand this complex reality. We want to be clear: this is not a self-help podcast. It is about fostering accountability while maintaining a human approach to sensitive issues. Religion, mysticism and positive thinking are things we purposefully, and adamantly, distance ourselves from. Before facing the challenge, we get to know it better. This is what this podcast is about.Join us on this essential quest for understanding, empowerment, and ultimate freedom.

Information

  • Creator
    A Project Fourtress Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pain Factor
  • Show Website
    The Pain Factor