The Inner Space Project Podcast

Dr. Patti Ashley
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
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The Inner Space Project Podcast, hosted by Dr. Patti Ashley, explores the full spectrum of emotions - from joy and love to sadness and fear. Drawing from personal anecdotes and expert insights, we explore practical strategies for fostering empathy, building meaningful connections, and navigating interpersonal relationships. Episodes alternate between topics related to the cycles of life: Beginnings- parenting, early childhood, and the school-age years; Middles- relationships, careers, identity, and the overall life journey; and Endings- the heart of loss, grief, transition, and change.

  1. MAR 17

    S2Ep7 Helping Children Grieve with Dr. Micki Burns

    In this powerful “Endings” episode of The Inner Space Project, Dr. Patti Ashley sits down with psychologist and CEO of Judy’s House, Micki Burns, to explore the profound impact of grief—especially in children—and how we can better support those navigating loss. Micki shares the mission of Judy’s House and the JAG Institute, which provide free, research-informed care to grieving children and families. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal loss, she highlights the critical importance of addressing grief early and compassionately. The conversation dives into eye-opening research, including the statistic that 1 in 11 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling before age 18, and discusses how unaddressed grief can have lasting effects. Patti and Micki also offer practical, meaningful ways to support grieving individuals—moving beyond “let me know what you need” to intentional, concrete acts of care. Together, they explore the emotional landscape of grief, challenging the idea of “stages” as linear and emphasizing the importance of allowing the full spectrum of emotions without judgment. The episode also touches on how to talk to children about death with honesty and clarity, avoiding confusing euphemisms and supporting their developmental understanding. Ultimately, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to become more compassionate, present, and courageous in the face of grief—reminding us that while we cannot fix loss, we can walk alongside one another through it. For information about Micki and Judi's House https://judishouse.org For information about Dr Patti https://www.pattiashley.com

    41 min

  2. FEB 18

    S2Ep6 How Prison and Music Saved My Life with Christian Austin

    In this episode of the Inner Space Project podcast, Dr. Patti Ashley interviews Christian Austin, whose life journey from a chaotic childhood filled with trauma, addiction, and incarceration to recovery and academic success serves as a powerful testament to resilience. Christian shares his experiences with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the role of music in his healing process, and the importance of agency in overcoming adversity. The conversation delves into the impact of shame, the significance of mental health awareness, and the exploration of inner space as a means to foster emotional literacy and personal growth. Christian is a writer, musician, and speaker who spent much of his early life in chaos-including over a decade behind bars and almost two decades addicted to heroin. Today, he holds a master's degree from Cambridge University and speaks openly about trauma, recover, and resilience. His work bridges the gap between lived experience and public understanding drawing from a life shaped by both systemic neglect and fierce personal transformation. For more information about Christian and his book- https://www.christianaustin.org Former information about Dr Patti -- https://pattiashley.com

    58 min

  3. JAN 20

    S2 Ep 5 Navigating Motherhood in the Early Years

    In this episode, Dr. Patti Ashley is joined by maternal mental health clinician Amber Chamberlain for a thoughtful conversation about navigating motherhood in the early years. Together, Patti and Amber explore why maternal mental health has reached a critical turning point, how anxiety and depression often predate pregnancy and intensify postpartum, and why the early weeks of motherhood can feel uniquely overwhelming to the nervous system. They speak candidly about the cultural pressure to be a “good mother,” the grief that can accompany becoming a parent, and the shame many women carry when bonding and joy don’t unfold as expected. Rather than offering formulas or advice, this conversation emphasizes emotional literacy, mindfulness, and the importance of tending to our inner space. This conversation recognizes the layered reality of motherhood, and offers perspective on how healing and connection are built over time. Amber Chamberlain is a behavioral health industry professional based in the Washington, D.C. area. With over 30 years of experience, she is an accomplished speaker and consultant. Her career includes work with many national health care entities to include, Managed Care Organizations (MCO), Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Department of Defense (DoD) Psychological Health Programs, and Hospital Systems. Amber currently works in Maternal Health providing clinical support to people during the perinatal phase of their parenthood journey. She also provides consultation in the field of spirituality and consciousness integration. Learn more at www.pattiashley.com

    1h 8m

  4. 12/19/2025

    S2 Ep4 Dreamifesting with Dr. Kelly Sullivan Walden

    In this episode Dr. Patti talks with dream expert, spiritual counselor, and bestselling author Dr. Kelly Sullivan Walden (aka “Dr. Dream”) about how exploring your dreams can become a practical, soul-led guide for change. Together, Patti and Kelly talk about why dreams aren’t random or meaningless—but a kind of spiritual GPS that helps us walk forward with more clarity, confidence, and grace. Kelly introduces her new book Dreamifesting and explains her memorable JET SET method for working with dreams in a grounded way: J — Just the facts (write the dream as-is) E — Emotion (name what you felt) T — Title (as if it were a movie) S — Standout symbols (your personal associations first) E — Embodiment (become a symbol and let it speak) T — Tangible action (take a real-world step) You’ll also hear a vivid story of a client whose dream encouraged him to “walk through the door”—leading to a major career shift, increased happiness, and a dramatic upgrade in his life. Patti and Kelly reflect on the hero’s journey, the importance of integrating growth without “preaching,” and how true inner work creates a ripple effect that uplifts communities. Even if you don’t remember your dreams, Kelly offers simple ways to begin: start writing anything down upon waking, use daydreams as dream material, and prime your psyche by reading dream-centered content before sleep. This conversation is a playful, soulful reminder that the outer world can distract us—but the answers we’re seeking are often waiting inside. Key themes: dreams + manifestation, unfinished nightmares, inner space, spiritual bypass vs. embodiment, soul-led goals, symbols, intuition, and tangible action. For more information: www.kellysullivanwalden.com www.pattiashley.com

    55 min

  5. 11/24/2025

    S2 Ep 3 "Grieving Well" with Dr. Patti

    In this episode, Dr. Patti Ashley explores some profound lessons about grief that she learned from losing her father at age eleven and the mid-life man of her dreams, Laurence Freedom nine years ago. Patti emphasizes the importance of embracing grief as a transformative experience and highlights the value of being present and aware of our emotions. Through mindful awareness, we honor our grief and ultimately find deeper connections to life. Patti's memoir Letters to Freedom: From Fear to Love to Grace offers a glimpse into her life-long journey of learning how to "grieve well." She shares excerpts from her book with you in this episode, including quotes from the book Enchanted Love by one of her favorite spiritual teachers, Marianne Williamson. Learn more about Patti, her books, and much more at www.pattiashley.com

    51 min

  6. 10/21/2025

    S2 Ep2 Overcoming Body Hatred with Dr. Kathryn Holt

    In this episode of the Inner Space Project Podcast, Dr. Patti Ashley engages with Dr. Catherine Holt, a depth psychotherapist, to explore the complexities of body image, body hatred, and the intersection of behavioral and depth psychology. They discuss the symbolic meanings behind body discontent, the importance of integrating different therapeutic approaches, and the role of cultural norms in shaping our perceptions of ourselves. The conversation emphasizes the need for body neutrality and respect, the mundane nature of recovery, and the significance of mental health awareness in today's society. Dr. Holt shares valuable insights and tools for personal growth, encouraging listeners to embrace their inner space and learn from their experiences. Kathryn C. Holt, PhD, LCSW, is a depth psychotherapist in private practice in Longmont, CO, specializing in body acceptance, soul work, and postpartum support. She writes about bodies, motherhood, and spirituality while bridging the fields of Jungian and behavioral psychology. She studied dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) at Columbia University and completed her PhD in depth psychology with a focus on Jungian and Archetypal Psychology. Her research focused on how people make peace with their bodies after suffering with body hatred. Her therapeutic approach draws from Jungian, behavioral, and feminist psychology. Dr. Holt is the author of 'Overcoming Body Hatred Workbook' and the co-author of the well-received 'Stronger Than BPD Journal'. For more on her perspectives and offerings, visit her blog at www.kathryncholt.com Books: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648482076/overcoming-body-hatred-workbook/ https://www.newharbinger.com/9781684030613/the-stronger-than-bpd-journal/ Freebies: True Hunger Workshop/Book Launch https://kathryncholt.com/booklaunch Mothers and Bodies Workshop https://kathryncholt.com/mothersandbodies Stuffed and Starved Worksheet: https://mailchi.mp/kathryncholt/stuffed-and-starved-worksheet

    43 min

  7. 09/16/2025

    S2 Ep1 Post Traumatic Parenting with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz

    In this episode Dr. Patti talks with psychologist and author of the book Post Traumatic Parenting about repairing the trauma from your own childhood as you parent your children. Such an important topic as no one these days is exempt from trauma. Learn how trauma impacts your responses and parenting behaviors. Do you ever wonder why you are yelling at your child when you know that is not the best practice? Dr. K will help you understand and feel more at ease with your children. For more information about Dr. Koslowitz and her book please visit https://www.drrobynkoslowitz More on Dr. Patti https://www.pattiashley.com

    31 min

  8. 09/16/2025

    Intro to Season Two

    In this episode Dr. Patti tells you about what to expect in Season Two of The Inner space Project Podcast. There will be one episode each month that will air on the third Tuesday. She is asking for sponsors and resources to continue to bring these important messages to you. Spread the word. Like, subscribe, and share. Her upcoming guests so far include experts on children and trauma, disordering eating, grief, and dreams. Tune in this week for the first episode with Dr. Robyn Kosklowski where she shares the importance of raising children consciously and repairing early childhood trauma.

    6 min
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About

The Inner Space Project Podcast, hosted by Dr. Patti Ashley, explores the full spectrum of emotions - from joy and love to sadness and fear. Drawing from personal anecdotes and expert insights, we explore practical strategies for fostering empathy, building meaningful connections, and navigating interpersonal relationships. Episodes alternate between topics related to the cycles of life: Beginnings- parenting, early childhood, and the school-age years; Middles- relationships, careers, identity, and the overall life journey; and Endings- the heart of loss, grief, transition, and change.

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