Welcome to the premiere episode of Witches and Rewilding, a new podcast from Maritza the Curandera. This is the Hyphenated Episode, in which a Latinx-American witch-helper and an Asian-American psychologist-author-educator-speaker discuss what lives in the spaces the hyphens create. More about today's guest: Dr. Han Ren — Licensed Psychologist, Author, Speaker, Educator IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.han.ren TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drhanren Web: https://www.drhanren.com/ , https://www.pivotpsychologyatx.com/ Book: The Hyphenated Life Dr. Han Ren is a proud Hyphenated human and professional — licensed clinical and school psychologist, speaker, educator, content creator, author, 1.5-generation Chinese-American immigrant, neurodivergent mind, mother, partner, and only child (which explains a lot). Rooted in anti-oppressive liberation psychology, Dr. Ren works from an interpersonal, culturally humble, and systems-informed framework. She is committed to making mental health accessible and resonant, especially for historically overlooked communities. Through her widely viewed social media content, she translates complex psychological concepts into everyday wisdom with humor and compassion. Her work centers fellow Hyphenates, helping those who live between cultures, identities, and expectations move from the margins toward their own growth edges. Dr. Ren earned a doctorate in child clinical and school psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, a master of education in special education from the University of Houston, and a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Michigan. A lifelong educator, she has served as an adjunct professor at UT Austin and began her career teaching pre-K special education in a Title 1 school as part of Teach for America. Her work has been featured on the TEDx stage, the Headspace app, NPR, Healthline, and other major media outlets. Whether she's supporting clients, teaching workshops, or giving keynote talks, Dr. Ren brings a blend of clinical expertise, cultural attunement, humor, and deep commitment to collective healing and community care. Outside of work, you'll find Han traveling to explore new food scenes, seeking out sunshine, and dancing (enthusiastically and offbeat) to live music. She lives in Austin, Texas, where she coleads Pivot Psychology Austin, a group private practice dedicated to inclusive and affirming care. About the Podcast: WItches and Rewilding, a podcast with Maritza the Curandera and friends, is dedicated to uplifting people, projects, and stories of everyday decolonization and the necessary ongoing work of divesting from oppression in all areas of life. About Maritza the Curandera:Maritza Valle (They/Them) is a Curandera – a mental and emotional health professional with two decades of experience using various modalities to help the marginalized divest from and heal while still under oppression. Maritza is a creative whose visual art, creative writing, and other explorations can be found on: IG: https://www.instagram.com/maritza.the.curandera/ Website: https://maritzathecurandera.com/Chapters: 0:00 Trauma books done wrong 0:40 Welcome & meet Dr. Han Ren 3:27 Decolonizing & rewilding 5:22 Writing through the backlash 8:55 Why Dr. Ren’s book is gentle 12:55 TBRI & staying playful 16:31 The immigration story 18:32 Borders in a just world 21:36 Neurodivergence, no shame 24:35 Doing your best 28:09 A self with parts 31:48 Rainbow journaling 42:07 Intelligence vs. wisdom 46:17 Clinical humility 51:30 Just deciding to start
