The Rediscovered Self

Erica Cortis

The Rediscovered Self is a spiritual growth podcast for women ready to heal, regulate, and remember who they truly are. Hosted by Erica Cortis, this space explores nervous system healing, embodied spirituality, conscious motherhood, creative expression, and the sacred work of becoming more fully yourself. Through honest reflections, grounded teachings, and contemplative conversations, Erica weaves together somatic awareness, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and spiritual awakening — especially through the transformative portal of motherhood. If you’re navigating burnout, identity shifts, parenting as initiation, or the quiet longing to reconnect with your inner light, this podcast is your invitation to slow down, listen inward, and rediscover the self beneath the noise. This is... Spirituality rooted in the body. Healing as remembering. Motherhood as awakening. Presence as practice. Each week, Erica will invite you to lay down the hustle to do more, and invite you to be more of who you truly are.  Until next time friend, don’t forget: Healing is remembering. Your light isn’t lost — it’s waiting to be rediscovered.

  1. Ep 13: You Haven't Lost Your Light– Finding Inspiration in Overwhelming Seasons

    21h ago

    Ep 13: You Haven't Lost Your Light– Finding Inspiration in Overwhelming Seasons

    This week, I almost didn't record this episode. My kids are home for the summer, my healing journey (post hip surgery) has slowed me down, my routines have unraveled, and the inspiration which often moves me - simply wasn't there. Instead of waiting until I felt creative again, I decided to explore what happens when inspiration doesn't come. In this episode, we talk about why overwhelm can make us feel like we've lost ourselves, how our nervous system influences creativity, and why presence—not perfect conditions—may be the true beginning of meaningful work. Together we'll explore: Why creativity isn't something you force, but something you create space to receive. What your nervous system may actually be experiencing when inspiration feels absent. The difference between being disconnected from yourself and simply being overwhelmed. How motherhood, healing, and life's interruptions can become part of the creative process rather than obstacles to it. A simple grounding practice to help you return to the present moment whenever life feels noisy or uncertain or when you are feeling lost.  If you've been waiting to feel motivated, clear, or "ready" before beginning something meaningful, this conversation is a gentle reminder that your light hasn't disappeared. Sometimes the most creative thing we can do is simply become present enough to notice what this moment is asking of us. Because maybe inspiration isn't the starting line. Maybe showing up with presence is. **************************************************************   Thank you so much for being here. My hope is to build community around healing, self rememberance and self re-discovery. Follow along on Instagram so that I know your listening & send me an email: Erica@TheRediscoveredSelf.com Share your experience, what part of the show you're vibing with most, and what you'd like to hear about next.  Getting to know my community is my favorite part of this journey, so don't forget to be in touch! 3  ***************************************************************** Much love,  Erica

    17 min
  2. Ep 12: From Control to Surrender – Flowing with the Current

    Jun 24

    Ep 12: From Control to Surrender – Flowing with the Current

    In the last Episode of The Rediscovered Self Podcast, we reflected on ways in which we’re trying to control life. In this weeks episode, we ask: What happens when we stop trying to control? And we explore the next step: Surrender Not surrender as giving up. Not surrender as becoming passive. But surrender as releasing the grip on what was never ours to control... and returning our energy to what truly matters.   Together we’ll consider... the subtle difference between agency and control, why overcontrol is often rooted in fear and anxiety, and how the practice of letting go allows us to become more present, connected, and available for the life unfolding in front of us (i.e. our purpose) I’ll also guide you through a simple embodied practice to help you notice where you’re gripping, striving, or holding on too tightly—and how to begin releasing that energy through the wisdom of the body. If you’ve been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, stuck in your head, or like you’re carrying the weight of everything on your shoulders... This conversation is an invitation to: Soften, Trust, and Remember that you don’t have to hold it all alone. Thank you so much for being here. Please consider following the show, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with a friend.   You can share your experience, recommend topics for reflection, and connect by sending me an email: Erica@TheRediscoveredSelf.com or finding me on Instagram @TheRediscoveredSelf   Until next time, Healing is Remembering. Your Light isn’t Lost It’s waiting to be Rediscovered

    36 min
  3. Ep 11: The Puzzle of Motherhood–  When Caring Becomes Control

    Jun 18

    Ep 11: The Puzzle of Motherhood– When Caring Becomes Control

    As mothers, we want what is best for our children. We care deeply about them and their wellbeing. We research. We plan. We think stress over every decision--trying to make the right one. We carry the weight of wanting to create a life where our children can thrive. But what happens when care quietly becomes control? In this deeply personal reflection, I explore the moment I realized that my search for the "right" educational path for my children had become something more than thoughtful decision-making. It had become anxiety. It had become an attempt to control uncertainty. It had become a way to protect a younger part of me that still felt wounded and afraid.   In today's episode... Together we'll explore: When caring turns into controlling Why anxiety disguises itself as problem-solving When optimization keeps us from presence, relationship, and true wellbeing How our own childhood experiences influence our parenting decisions and the things we get *stuck on* The nervous system cost of trying to optimize every outcome The role of trust in motherhood (and in our own lives) Why our children need our presence more than perfect situations If you've ever found yourself obsessing over decisions, endlessly researching, or feeling responsible for creating the perfect childhood for your child/children... this episode is a gentle invitation to exhale, soften, and remember: You can love your children deeply without carrying the impossible responsibility of controlling every outcome.   Thanks so much for being here. If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend, and let me know your experience.  You can email me at Erica@therediscoveredself.com or DM me on Instagram at @TheRediscoveredSelf   Until next time, friend, don't forget... Healing is Remembering Your light isn't lost-- It's waiting to be REDISCOVERED.   With love, Erica    **Note: When this episode first uploaded, a chunk of audio was missing around 5 min & 5 seconds. The episode has now been fixed. If you are experiencing the error, try removing your download of the episode and re-downloading again. To do so, from your homes screen on Apple Podcast, find the episode. Do not open the episode fully. Click the 3 dots. Scroll all the way down. Select: Remove Download - it's in red writing. Now, to re-download: From the same screen click on the three dots. This time, instead of scrolling down, you should see a download icon at the very top (I think on the left).

    35 min
  4. Ep 10: Beyond Control: A Different Relationship with Anxiety

    Jun 10

    Ep 10: Beyond Control: A Different Relationship with Anxiety

    In this episode, Erica explores a different way of relating to anxiety—one that moves beyond trying to fix, control, or eliminate uncomfortable feelings. As mothers and caregivers, it's easy to assume that anxiety means something is wrong or that immediate action is required. Yet many of the situations that stir anxiety are not problems to solve, but natural responses to change, uncertainty, growth, and caring deeply. Together, we'll explore the difference between anxiety and intuition, the hidden cost of resisting our emotions, and how creating space to be with ourselves can help us respond more consciously instead of reacting from fear. This conversation is an invitation to soften, to listen inwardly, and to discover the steadiness that can emerge when we stop fighting what we're feeling. If you've been caught in cycles of overthinking, planning, researching, or trying to make life feel certain, this episode offers a gentle reminder: not every feeling requires fixing. Sometimes anxiety is simply part of being alive. In This Episode Why anxiety isn't always a sign that something is wrong The difference between responding and reacting How resistance can create more suffering than the emotion itself Anxiety versus intuition: learning to discern the difference Creating an inner sense of safety through presence and self-compassion The practice of allowing emotions without letting them take the wheel Gentle Reflection What if the feeling you're trying so hard to get rid of is simply asking to be acknowledged?   What if the feeling of anxiety that you're experience is not signaling that something needs to change, be controlled, or figured out -- but that something needs to be acknowledged and felt? Let's Continue the Discussion... I encourage you to reach out, ask questions, challenge the notions, and share your experience.  You can email me: Erica@TheRediscoveredSelf.com Instagram: @TheRediscoveredSelf  Thanks so much for being here! With love, Erica

    22 min
  5. Ep 9: The Layers of Self: Returning to Coherence, Alignment & Wholeness

    May 29

    Ep 9: The Layers of Self: Returning to Coherence, Alignment & Wholeness

    What if the fatigue, overwhelm, burnout, anxiety, or sense of disconnection you’re experiencing isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you—but an invitation to come back into alignment? In this episode, Erica explores the concept of the Layers of Self and how many of the challenges we experience physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually may arise when these layers begin to fall out of coherence with one another. Together, we’ll explore: The physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual layers of self • Why burnout often signals more than exhaustion • The hidden cost of living primarily from the mind while neglecting the body and soul • How nervous system states influence creativity, problem-solving, and perspective • The difference between survival mode and living from your deeper inner wisdom • Practical ways to begin checking in with yourself and returning to wholeness This episode is a gentle invitation to pause, listen, and remember the parts of yourself that may have been overlooked along the way.   Because healing isn’t becoming someone new. It’s remembering who you’ve always been and the parts of you that are always present. Until next time, friend, don’t forget: healing is remembering. Your light isn’t lost— it’s waiting to be rediscovered.   If you are interested in receiving the Layers of Self Meditation, please send me an email: Erica@therediscoveredself.com of find me over on Instagram @TheRediscoveredSelf and send me a DM!  I'd love to send it your way!  (Website: Coming Soon)   Thanks for being here, friend. With love, Erica

    23 min
  6. Ep 8: Remembering the Body: Returning to Safety, Sensation, and Aliveness

    May 20

    Ep 8: Remembering the Body: Returning to Safety, Sensation, and Aliveness

    In this deeply grounding and experiential episode of The Rediscovered Self, Erica explores the journey so many of us experience of disconnecting from the body — and the gentle path of returning home to ourselves again. Together, we explore how stress, trauma, overwhelm, cultural conditioning, survival responses, and painful life experiences can slowly pull us away from the felt sense of being alive and embodied. Erica reflects on the ways many of us learn to fear sensation, suppress emotion, or disconnect from the wisdom of the body in order to survive. This episode includes a guided embodied reflection and gentle nervous system supportive practice to help listeners reconnect with safety, sensation, awe, gratitude, and the experience of simply being present within the body again. Inside this episode: The connection between embodiment, nervous system states, and aliveness How disconnection from the body develops over time Why many people feel numb, exhausted, disconnected, or “not fully here” A compassionate guided embodiment and grounding practice Relearning safety within the body Moving from disconnection toward presence, softness, and self-inhabitation The relationship between spirituality, healing, and embodiment This episode is an invitation to slow down, soften, and remember: Your body is not the enemy. Your body is an important part of your path and purpose. If this episode resonates, Erica would love to hear from you. Feel free to share your reflections, experiences, or the parts of the practice that felt most supportive for you. You can send Erica a DM on Instagram @TheRediscoveredSelf. Website and email address coming soon. Don't forget to follow and rate the show on Apple Podcast and to share this episode with a friend!

    20 min
  7. Ep 7: From Survival Mode to Sacred Connection: Understanding Motherhood Overwhelm

    May 13

    Ep 7: From Survival Mode to Sacred Connection: Understanding Motherhood Overwhelm

    *** This episode has a companion guided practice to help you gently connect with a felt sense of safety and support in your body. Click the link below to join my email list and the link to the practice will be sent your way***  https://the-rediscovered-self.kit.com In this episode of The Rediscovered Self, Erica explores motherhood overwhelm through the lens of the nervous system — not as a personal weakness, failure, or character flaw, but as an intelligent response from a body carrying too much for too long. If you have been feeling reactive, overstimulated, exhausted, touched out, emotionally stretched thin, or quietly wondering why you “can’t just get it together,” this conversation is an invitation to see yourself with more compassion. Together, we explore the invisible load so many mothers carry — emotional labor, decision fatigue, mental tabs, sensory overload, constant planning, and the pressure to hold everything together — and how this chronic demand can shape the way the autonomic nervous system responds. Through a grounded and accessible introduction to the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, Erica shares how fight, flight, fawn, and shutdown can show up in motherhood, parenting, relationships, creativity, and daily life. This episode offers a reframe: your overwhelm may not be proof that you are failing. It may be your nervous system asking for more safety, support, restoration, and reconnection. This is a conversation about moving from self-blame to self-understanding, from survival mode to sacred safety, and from inner criticism to a more compassionate relationship with your body, mind, and heart. Because healing is not about becoming someone new.
Healing is remembering how to come home to yourself. This coming home to self will foster safety, connection, and healing within that will ripple out to your loved ones around you.     *** This episode has a companion guided practice to help you gently connect with a felt sense of safety and support in your body. Click the link below to join my email list and the link to the practice will be sent your way***  https://the-rediscovered-self.kit.com   Thanks for being here! With love,
Erica

    37 min

About

The Rediscovered Self is a spiritual growth podcast for women ready to heal, regulate, and remember who they truly are. Hosted by Erica Cortis, this space explores nervous system healing, embodied spirituality, conscious motherhood, creative expression, and the sacred work of becoming more fully yourself. Through honest reflections, grounded teachings, and contemplative conversations, Erica weaves together somatic awareness, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and spiritual awakening — especially through the transformative portal of motherhood. If you’re navigating burnout, identity shifts, parenting as initiation, or the quiet longing to reconnect with your inner light, this podcast is your invitation to slow down, listen inward, and rediscover the self beneath the noise. This is... Spirituality rooted in the body. Healing as remembering. Motherhood as awakening. Presence as practice. Each week, Erica will invite you to lay down the hustle to do more, and invite you to be more of who you truly are.  Until next time friend, don’t forget: Healing is remembering. Your light isn’t lost — it’s waiting to be rediscovered.