Beyond Trauma

lara land
  • 5.0 (30)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Beyond Trauma is where healing, growth, and mental health come alive. Each week, host Lara Land sits down with leading voices in psychology, mindfulness, and wellness to explore practical tools and transformative insights for everyday life. While rooted in trauma recovery, the conversations go far beyond—covering anxiety, OCD, attachment, resilience, relationships, and the surprising connections between mind, body, and spirit. Guests include world-renowned teachers and clinicians such as Sharon Salzberg (meditation pioneer), Harville Hendrix & Helen LaKelly Hunt (founders of Imago Relationship Therapy), and Dr. Pauline Boss (creator of the concept of ambiguous loss), alongside many other inspiring thought leaders. Whether you’re a mental health professional, a trauma survivor, or simply curious about human resilience, Beyond Trauma offers guidance, perspective, and hope for navigating life with more clarity and compassion.

  1. 99 | Healing Political Polarization: Braver Conversations Across Difference | Dr. Bill Doherty

    FEB 2

    99 | Healing Political Polarization: Braver Conversations Across Difference | Dr. Bill Doherty

    What happens when politics begins to tear families—and communities—apart? In the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk, I spoke with Bill Doherty—family therapist, author, and co-founder of Braver Angels—about how political polarization is straining relationships and what it takes to begin repair. Drawing on family and couples therapy, Bill explores how the dynamics of divided households mirror our national divide, and how structured dialogue can help people see beyond labels and into one another’s humanity. Bill shares what actually happens inside Braver Angels workshops, how this work has changed him personally, and what each of us can do—right now—to ease political tension in our own families and communities. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why political conflict so often breaks families apartHow therapy principles apply to healing political dividesWhat makes Braver Angels conversations workHow to lower defensiveness without giving up your valuesPractical steps for bridging political tension in everyday life Bill Doherty is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, where he taught marriage and family therapy for 38 years. Following the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, he cofounded Braver Angels, a citizen initiative bringing conservatives and liberals together to counteract political polarization and restore the fraying social fabric in American society. Braver Angels now has volunteers working in all 50 states. Among his awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Family Therapy Academy. --------------------------------------- Your support keeps this podcast going! Please consider donating if you found this episode helpful. Follow Lara at Website | Instagram | YouTube Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

    55 min
  2. 98 | What Trauma-Informed Yoga Really Means — A Yoga Therapy Perspective | Greg Nardi

    JAN 19

    98 | What Trauma-Informed Yoga Really Means — A Yoga Therapy Perspective | Greg Nardi

    In this re-aired episode, I’m joined by Greg Nardi (E-RYT 500, C-IAYT) for a nuanced conversation about what trauma-informed yoga actually means — particularly when viewed through the lens of yoga therapy. Greg shares how yoga supported his own healing from childhood illness, anxiety, and depression, and how decades of study — including extensive training in yoga therapy, long-term study in Mysore, India, and leadership within trauma-informed programs — shaped his commitment to consent-driven, person-centered, and trauma-responsive practice. Together, we explore: How trauma-informed yoga differs from — and overlaps with — yoga therapyWhy choice, agency, and nervous system awareness are central to healingWhat ethical, trauma-responsive teaching actually looks like in real classroomsHow yoga therapy supports both individual healing and broader social changeWhy trauma-informed approaches matter not only for survivors, but for all studentsGreg brings clarity to common misconceptions about trauma-informed yoga, offering grounded insight for yoga teachers, therapists, educators, and practitioners seeking approaches that are clinically informed, accessible, and rooted in respect for lived experience. ✨ This episode is being re-released in anticipation of our upcoming Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training on January 24–25, where Greg and I will be teaching together. This training is designed for yoga teachers, therapists, and educators who want to deepen their understanding of trauma-responsive practice, consent, and embodied safety.

    1h 2m
  3. 97 | Certified but Unprepared: The Dangerous Gaps in Yoga Teacher Training | Michelle Lehrman

    JAN 5

    97 | Certified but Unprepared: The Dangerous Gaps in Yoga Teacher Training | Michelle Lehrman

    Yoga teachers shape experiences that can either support healing or inadvertently cause harm—yet most yoga teacher trainings still leave graduates profoundly unprepared. In this episode, Certified by Unprepared: The Dangerous Gaps in Yoga Teacher Trainings, I sit down with my friend and colleague Michelle Lehrman to pull back the curtain on why so many YTT programs miss the mark. Despite teaching yoga for more than 25 years, I’m asked almost daily to recommend a solid teacher training—and the truth is complicated. Programs vary dramatically, evolve constantly, and too often reinforce outdated, unsafe, or shame-based approaches. Michelle and I explore some of the most troubling patterns, including: Forced hands-on adjustments and the pressure to accept physical touchShaming or silencing students and teachers who think or move differentlyRigid, one-way interpretations of an ancient and inherently adaptable practiceMichelle is a certified 200-hour and trauma-informed yoga instructor who has taught in New York City since 2016, currently at Crunch (yoga and spin), Sacred Space Astoria, Lionheart Health, and with private clients. I first met her through the Three and a Half Acres Yoga Trauma-Informed Teacher Training, where she began to unlearn harmful norms and rebuild her teaching from a place of choice, agency, and compassion. A New Way Forward: Trauma-Informed Training for Yoga Teachers and Yoga TherapistsIf you’ve ever left a YTT feeling unprepared, overwhelmed, or unsure how to support students with real-world bodies and histories, you’re not alone—and there is a better way. Join my Trauma-Informed YTT this January 24th-25th. Details HERE!

    2 min
  4. 96 | Design Your Year: Guided Visualizations + Journal Prompts to Manifest What You Want

    12/22/2025

    96 | Design Your Year: Guided Visualizations + Journal Prompts to Manifest What You Want

    In this solo episode of Beyond Trauma, I guide you through the creative visualization and journaling practices from My Bliss Book to help you intentionally “map” the year you want—across all the categories that make a life feel whole: spirituality & personal growth, education, professional goals & wealth, romantic partnership, friendships & family, health, and travel & recreation. You’ll be walked step-by-step through guided meditations and prompted journaling, plus I break down some of the biggest reasons people abandon resolutions (hello: perfectionism, all-or-nothing thinking, unrealistic pacing, and motivation that isn’t values-based) and what to do instead—so your vision becomes something you can actually live. Bring a notebook, your Bliss Book if you have it, and a few quiet minutes to come home to yourself. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of what you’re calling in—and the mindset shifts to help you follow through gently, consistently, and sustainably. In this episode: A guided visualization to connect with your desired yearJournaling prompts for each life category (love, money, health, growth, community, play)Why resolutions fail—and how to set goals you’ll keepPractical ways to stay consistent without shame, rigidity, or burnout Best enjoyed with: journal + pen, a cozy seat, and an open heart. COMING UP: Don't miss my trauma-informed yoga teacher training LIVE online January 24th & 25th. More information and registration HERE.

    32 min
  5. 95 | Money, Trauma, and the Nervous System | Rahkim Sabree

    12/08/2025

    95 | Money, Trauma, and the Nervous System | Rahkim Sabree

    This episode dives deep into the often-overlooked intersection of money, identity, and emotional well-being with financial trauma expert and empowerment speaker Rahkim Sabree. Together, we explore how financial trauma shapes our behaviors, relationships, and sense of freedom—and how these patterns can be passed down through families, communities, and systems. Rahkim shares powerful insights on: How financial trauma shows up in daily choices and conflicts.Regulating the nervous system when money stress arises.The psychology of scarcity, survival states, and why “just knowing” financial facts isn’t always enough for change.Money’s connection to status, safety-seeking, and identity across race, class, and culture.The hidden role of advertising, PR, and childhood financial socialization in shaping lifelong beliefs.Practical tools for setting financial boundaries, aligning values with goals, and creating intentional family cultures around money.We also discuss how to break out of the time-for-money binary, balance present needs with future goals, and rethink spending habits without shame or blame. Rahkim reminds us that “a deregulated person is a profitable one”—and that true financial empowerment begins with awareness, healing, and choice. Tune in for a conversation that will shift the way you see money, yourself, and what’s possible for your financial future. Follow Rahkim: Website/Instagram --------------------------------------- Your support keeps this podcast going! Please consider donating if you found this episode helpful. Join my next trauma informed yoga teacher training! Follow Lara at Website | Instagram | YouTube Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

    1h 1m
  6. 94 | ADHD, Mindfulness, and the Power of Neurodivergent Strengths | Ron Souers (Part 1)

    11/24/2025

    94 | ADHD, Mindfulness, and the Power of Neurodivergent Strengths | Ron Souers (Part 1)

    In this first of a two-part series, Lara Land sits down with Ron Souers—ADHD advocate, podcast host of Don’t Mind Me, I’m Different, and author of The Self Discovery—to explore the lived experience of ADHD and the unexpected strengths that come with it. Ron shares his personal journey with ADHD and depression, from the challenges of racing thoughts and emotional dysregulation to the harmful impact of being told “you’re not good enough” at a young age. He breaks down the three types of ADHD, common misconceptions, and how sensitivity often fuels both overreactions and deep empathy. This episode highlights how ADHD is not a deficit but an overload of information, and how reframing that difference can unlock creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Ron also offers practical strategies—mindfulness adaptations, projecting into your future self, and nature-based practices—that help him stay grounded and focused. Together, Lara and Ron discuss: What ADHD feels like from the inside How friends, family, and colleagues can better support those who are neurodivergent The dangers of forced conformity and the power of self-acceptance Why mindfulness is Ron’s go-to tool for balance, resilience, and presence This conversation is full of wisdom, honesty, and encouragement—whether you’re living with ADHD or simply want to understand it better. Stay tuned for Part Two of this conversation on Ron’s podcast: Don’t Mind Me, I Just Have ADHD. Website | Instagram --------------------------------------- Your support keeps this podcast going! Please consider donating if you found this episode helpful. Follow Lara at Website | Instagram | YouTube Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

    47 min
  7. 93 | Getting to the Root: Patterns & Healing | Estefana Johnson

    11/10/2025

    93 | Getting to the Root: Patterns & Healing | Estefana Johnson

    In this powerful episode of Beyond Trauma, I sit down with therapist and CMI™ practitioner Estefana Johnson to explore why we get stuck in loops, triggered by small things, and repeating the same patterns—despite our best efforts to change. Together, we dive into: The three tiers of trauma memory and why self-talk or breathing techniques don’t always workHow culture and past experiences shape present reactionsWhy focusing on whether an event was “traumatic” can miss the point—and how looking at critical memories and congruence offers a path forwardThe essential difference between managing symptoms and addressing root causesHow the CMI™ method protects clinicians from burnout while helping clients access lasting healingWhy letting clients lead—making their own connections and discoveries—creates sustainable transformationEstefana shares how trauma is less about the event itself and more about how the body reacts without our consent in moments of survival. If you’ve ever felt “stuck,” overresponsive, or weighed down by the past, this conversation will show you why deep healing means going beyond symptom relief—and how finding and transforming the root of our hampering beliefs can free us to live fully, authentically, and with congruence. Website --------------------------------------- Your support keeps this podcast going! Please consider donating if you found this episode helpful. Follow Lara at Website | Instagram | YouTube Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

    47 min
  8. 92 | From Struggle to Strength: How Hobbies Can Heal | Julie McGuire

    10/27/2025

    92 | From Struggle to Strength: How Hobbies Can Heal | Julie McGuire

    Julie McGuire shares her journey from suicidal depression to discovering purpose through the mountains. Using her mantra, “let me see how far I can get,” Julie illustrates how life’s hardest experiences can become tools to help others, even when our lives don’t turn out as we envisioned. Through her story, she demonstrates that you don’t have to be the best at something for it to be meaningful, and that hobbies—especially those pursued for joy, not profit—can guide personal growth, slow down the nervous system, and open you up to life’s signs. Julie is a high school English teacher, backcountry skier, and the first woman to ski all 33 Catskill High Peaks. She volunteers with Winter4Kids, teaching students from the South Bronx to ski, and maintains trails through the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference in collaboration with the Catskills 3500 Club. She is currently pursuing a project to ski the “lower 67” and hopes to become the first person to ski the 100 highest mountains in the Catskills. This episode discusses suicide. If you are thinking of suicide, please call 988. In this episode, we explore: The significance of hobbies in trauma healing and personal growthHow skiing and outdoor challenges helped Julie process grief, betrayal, and depressionThe power of sharing your story to help others feel seenPractical ideas about self-talk, goal setting, and connecting with natureHow experiences of hardship can make us more sensitive and impactful in our relationshipsJulie’s work bringing students into the mountains, and the ripple effect of small gestures of kindness Julie’s story is also featured in the film Queen of the Catskills and is part of the Girl Winter Film Tour. Learn more: Instagram --------------------------------------- Your support keeps this podcast going! Please consider donating if you found this episode helpful. Follow Lara at Website | Instagram | YouTube Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

    1h 9m
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5
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About

Beyond Trauma is where healing, growth, and mental health come alive. Each week, host Lara Land sits down with leading voices in psychology, mindfulness, and wellness to explore practical tools and transformative insights for everyday life. While rooted in trauma recovery, the conversations go far beyond—covering anxiety, OCD, attachment, resilience, relationships, and the surprising connections between mind, body, and spirit. Guests include world-renowned teachers and clinicians such as Sharon Salzberg (meditation pioneer), Harville Hendrix & Helen LaKelly Hunt (founders of Imago Relationship Therapy), and Dr. Pauline Boss (creator of the concept of ambiguous loss), alongside many other inspiring thought leaders. Whether you’re a mental health professional, a trauma survivor, or simply curious about human resilience, Beyond Trauma offers guidance, perspective, and hope for navigating life with more clarity and compassion.

Information

  • Creator
    lara land
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Beyond Trauma