Making Sense of It with Rachelle

Marsha Newell
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Join Rachelle to take a realistic approach to tackling the daily issues of parenting, self improvement, mindfulness, joy and struggle, and, in the end, make sense of it. Reach out to Rachelle with your thoughts, comments, and questions at podcast@doit4meryl.org

  1. Jul 5

    Solitude Is Not Loneliness

    What if solitude isn't loneliness at all but sanctuary? In the opening episode of Season Three, Rachelle explores her lifelong relationship with solitude and how it evolved from childhood refuge to adult practice. Growing up as the youngest of nine children in rural Kentucky, solitude became a place to think, observe, imagine, and survive in a world where belonging often felt uncertain. This episode traces solitude through every chapter of life, as sanctuary, protection, identity, motherhood, grief, and ultimately, a path toward authenticity and self-acceptance. This is a conversation about the inner worlds we build, the reasons we build them, and what it means to return to ourselves, not to hide, but to finally belong. Welcome to Season Three of Making Sense of It with Rachelle.

  2. May 3

    Raelinn's Voice

    In this long-awaited episode, Raelinn joins Making Sense of It with Rachelle to share her story in her own words. Listeners are invited into her perspective for the first time, offering a deeper understanding of what was happening beneath the surface. This conversation is honest, emotional, and centered on growth, reflecting on mental health, misunderstanding, and the ongoing work of finding connection again. It’s not a perfect ending, but a real one. As the Season 2 finale, this episode brings the story full circle while reminding us that healing is still unfolding, and that listening matters. Contact Rachelle by emailing support@cogizantascent.com

  3. Season 2 Trailer

    Season 2 Episode 9 Preview

    New episodes return on May 2. Take some to catch up on Raelinn's story by listening to Season 2 episodes 6, 7, and 8.  Reach out to reach by email at support@cogizantascent.com

  4. Apr 5

    Standing at the Threshold

    In this deeply personal episode, Rachelle reflects on the moment every parent fears but few talk about, the moment you have to let your child walk into something you cannot follow. What was supposed to be structured care and support becomes something far more complex, as hope, fear, and uncertainty collide at the doorway of an inpatient residential facility. This episode explores the emotional reality behind “getting help,” the grief that comes with separation, and the quiet, painful truth that love does not always look like rescue. It is a story about standing in that in-between space, between holding on and letting go, and learning what it means to trust a process you cannot see. This is a continuation of a powerful series on motherhood, mental illness, and the kind of love that stays, even when it hurts Reach out to Rachelle by emailing support@cogizantascent.com

  5. Mar 29

    When the Scratches Became Voices

    Season 2, Episode 7 — When the Scratches Became Voices In this deeply personal continuation, Rachelle shares what happened after the moment that changed everything. The faint scratching and whispers her daughter once described begin to take shape, becoming voices, shadows, and a reality no one else can see. As fear grows, so does the intensity of her daughter’s behaviors, transforming their home, their routines, and the very meaning of safety. After years of searching for answers, failed treatments, and systems that fall short, Rachelle is faced with an unthinkable decision: returning to a courtroom she once stood in to become a mother, now to temporarily give up her rights to try to save her child. This episode is a raw and honest reflection on motherhood in its most painful form, the kind that doesn’t fix or rescue, but stays, endures, and breaks when it has to. Email Rachelle at support@cognizantascent.com to share your thoughts, comments, or show ideas. Rachelle would love to hear from you!

  6. Mar 15

    Can You Hear the Walls?

    In this deeply personal episode, Rachelle begins sharing the story of her first daughter and the long, confusing road that followed. What started as small signs in early childhood slowly unfolded into something far more complex than anyone expected. After years of searching for answers, one moment changes everything when her daughter asks a question that stops her in her tracks: “Mom… can’t you hear the walls?” This episode is the first in a powerful series about motherhood, mental illness, grief, and the fierce love it takes to walk beside a child through the unknown. Reach out with your questions, comments, or show ideas. Emails can be sent to support@cogizantascent.com.

  7. Mar 1

    Raising Kids in a World That Never Logs Off

    What does it mean to raise children in a world where attention is constantly pulled somewhere else? In this episode of Making Sense of It with Rachelle, we move past simple conversations about screen time to explore a deeper question: What kind of environment are we creating for our kids without realizing it? This episode looks at the quiet ways technology competes with connection, how notifications interrupt conversation, why boredom matters, and how children learn what’s important by where our attention rests. Instead of quick fixes, we explore the idea of building emotional “architecture” that helps kids stay grounded in a fast-moving world. If you’ve ever felt the tension of raising children in a world that never logs off, this episode offers a thoughtful and honest place to start. We would love to hear from you. Send your comments, thoughts, questions or show ideas to support@coginzantascent.com.

  8. Feb 22

    Hope That Isn’t Fragile

    What if hope isn’t supposed to be light and shiny? What if it’s supposed to have muscle? In this episode of Making Sense of It with Rachelle, we talk about the kind of hope that doesn’t ignore what’s happening in the world but stays awake inside it. The kind that acknowledges the exhaustion of constant headlines, the toll of always witnessing, and the way it all settles into the body. This isn’t about “just staying positive.” It’s about building a steadier, more grounded way to live with what we know. If you’ve been feeling worn down, restless, or quietly overwhelmed, this conversation might feel like a deep breath. Download the episode and sit with me for a little while. I would love for you to share your thoughts, comments, or episode ideas. Email support@cognizantascent.com.

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Join Rachelle to take a realistic approach to tackling the daily issues of parenting, self improvement, mindfulness, joy and struggle, and, in the end, make sense of it. Reach out to Rachelle with your thoughts, comments, and questions at podcast@doit4meryl.org

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