Sit Around the Fire

Ashlea Dillard
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

🔥 Sit Around the Fire 🔥 For anyone seeking healing, growth, and connection — including first responders, military members, and their families. Welcome to Sit Around the Fire — the space where stories ignite transformation. Hosted by a former first responder turned licensed professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist, this podcast blends real-life experiences, powerful teachings, and practical tools for mental and physical health. Each episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and find your spark again. Together, we explore mindfulness, stress management, trauma recovery, and PTSD healing — all through the lens of someone who’s lived it. You’ll hear raw conversations with first responders, veterans, and mental health experts as well as other incredible human beings with amazing stories and missions who share their wisdom on how to move from burnout to balance, from survival mode to thriving. If you’re ready to break free from old patterns and beliefs, reclaim your peace, and live your most abundant, limitless life, this is your community. ✨ What you’ll learn: How to manage stress and trauma while building emotional resilience.Practical mindfulness and mental well-being techniques that fit your lifestyle.Real stories of healing from first responders and military families.Tools to strengthen both mental and physical health for lasting change. Don’t suffer in silence. Join our community — subscribe, follow, and connect. 👉 Subscribe to Sit Around the Fire wherever you listen to podcasts. 👉 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for daily inspiration. 👉 Visit our site to join the email list and start doing the inner work today. It’s time to heal. It’s time to rise. It’s time to sit around the fire. 🔥Get Connected with Us!  www.sitaroundthefire.org 👉🏻 Interested in doing one to one work with Ashlea... www.ashleadillard.com 🫶🏼 Let's Be Friends  Facebook Instagram Ticktock YouTube

  1. #053 Be the Queen You Already Are

    8H AGO

    #053 Be the Queen You Already Are

    Most women are waiting for permission to fully step into their power — but what if confidence isn't something you build? What if it's already inside you, ready to be claimed? In this special release episode of Sit Around the Fire, licensed professional counselor and clinical hypnotherapist Ashlea Dillard delivers a fiery, unfiltered message for every woman who's been playing small, waiting for the right moment, or surviving behind armor she no longer needs to wear. Ashlea breaks down the neuroscience behind why women hold back — how the nervous system codes growth as danger — and why courage isn't a feeling you wait for. It's a decision. A practice. A rewiring. You'll discover the powerful concept of "living from the future forward": how mental rehearsal and visualization aren't positive thinking — they're a brain-building blueprint. And you'll be introduced to the queen mindset: deep self-possession, unwavering decision, and the ability to walk into any room radiating authority — not because you've healed everything, but because you've decided who you are. This episode is for the woman who's tired of shrinking. Who's ready to stop leading from fear and start leading from love, abundance, and her own unshakeable truth. Your power is already in you. All that's left is to claim it.

    12 min

  2. 1D AGO

    #052 The Power of Mindfulness in Trauma Recovery: Adrianne Lind's Journey

    In this insightful conversation, Adrianne Lind shares her journey through trauma, healing, and the transformative power of mindfulness and yoga. Discover practical tools for managing PTSD, grief, and stress, and learn how to cultivate a resilient nervous system for a healthier, more balanced life. Topics Discussed: Trauma and PTSD recovery The role of yoga and mindfulness in healing Nervous system regulation and resilience Adrianne Lind Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healing Conversations 01:24 The Message of Forgiveness 06:07 Understanding the Nervous System's Role 06:32 Yoga as a Healing Tool 11:39 Navigating Grief and Trauma 12:34 Mindfulness and Daily Life 17:15 Responding vs. Reacting 19:56 Incorporating Music and Meditation 22:05 Mindful Walking and Nature Connection 22:29 The Power of Breath and Posture 25:50 Yoga and Grief Management 29:30 Consistency in Mindfulness Practices 33:10 Breathwork Techniques for Everyday Life 35:54 Navigating Stress and Emotional Responses 38:31 The Connection Between Trauma and Physical Health 39:49 Closing Resources Yoga Nidra for PTSD - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6313445/ Mindful Resilience Certification - https://yogaproject.org/mindful-resilience/ Adrianne Lind's Website & Books - https://adriannelind.com/ https://mybook.to/AdrianneLind

    42 min

  3. MAY 19

    #051 The Real Reason Willpower Isn't Working

    Have you ever known exactly what you should do — and still found yourself repeating the same patterns anyway? That frustration isn't a character flaw. It's neuroscience. In this episode, Ashlea Dillard breaks down why the subconscious mind holds onto emotional patterns — even painful ones — and how modern hypnotherapy gives us a direct pathway to change them. Drawing on the foundational clinical work of Gil Boyne and the transpersonal frameworks of Matthew Brownstein, Ashlea explores how affect bridge techniques, neuroplasticity, and emotionally resonant imagery work together to create the kind of transformation that actually sticks. You'll walk away understanding: Why your subconscious is protecting you, not sabotaging you — and why that matters for healingHow neuroplasticity works and why repetition, emotion, and focused attention are the real drivers of lasting changeWhy intellectual insight alone often isn't enough — and what hypnotherapy does differentlyThe one reflection practice that can help you start identifying the stories keeping you stuck If you've ever felt like you're trying to change but something invisible keeps pulling you back — this episode is for you. 🔥 New episodes every week. Find all resources at sitaroundthefire.org and ashleadillard.com.

    21 min

  4. MAY 14

    #050 Why Constant Fixing Keeps You Trapped—Shift from Doing to Being ft. Mitch Webb

    Are you exhausted from trying to fix yourself? More supplements, better routines, stricter discipline—and still your body feels like it's working against you.   In this episode, I sit down with Mitch Webb to talk about something most healing conversations miss: the idea that your body isn't broken—it's actually doing exactly what it was designed to do. Your symptoms, your anxiety, your need to control everything? Those aren't signs of failure. They're signs of a nervous system that learned to protect you.   Mitch gets raw and real about his own journey with control—how diet rules, rituals, and the relentless pursuit of perfection kept him stuck in a cycle of dysregulation. We trace how that need for certainty is rooted in early wounds, and why the path forward isn't about doing more—it's about finally learning to be.   In this episode, we explore: • Why your survival responses are signs of resilience, not failure • How control becomes a safety mechanism—and what it costs you • The link between trauma, attachment, and the need for certainty • How to build a flexible nervous system by creating new experiences of safety • Why vulnerability isn't weakness—it's your greatest healing tool • Practical ways to shift from doing to being and finally feel at home in your skin   This one isn't just for first responders or trauma survivors. It's for anyone exhausted by the endless chase for perfection and quick fixes. If you're ready to stop fighting your body and start trusting it, this episode is your permission slip.   Connect with Mitch Webb at his website and social channels for personalized coaching and community. @KMitchWebb www.mitchwebb.com   New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss one.   🎧 Listen & subscribe: sitaroundthefire.org | ashleadillard.com

    56 min

  5. MAY 5

    #049 The Hidden History of Hypnosis They Don't Teach You

    What if everything you believe about yourself... isn't actually you? If you've ever felt stuck in the same patterns, overwhelmed by your own thoughts, or like healing is always just out of reach — this episode will change how you see your mind. In this powerful solo episode of Sit Around the Fire, we go deep into hypnosis, the subconscious mind, and emotional healing — exploring how this ancient, misunderstood practice is one of the most accessible tools for real, lasting transformation. You'll discover the surprising history of hypnosis — from ancient Egyptian sleep temples and Greek healing rituals to the revolutionary work of James Braid and Milton Erickson — and why it's always been a natural part of the human experience, not a stage trick. More importantly, you'll learn how your subconscious mind gets programmed through repetition, environment, and emotional experience — and how reprogramming those beliefs is the key to breaking free from overthinking, emotional patterns, and cycles that feel impossible to escape. You're not broken. You've been programmed. And that means you can change. ✨ What you'll learn: How hypnosis works and its role in mental health and emotional healingThe ancient roots of hypnosis across Egyptian, Greek, and shamanic traditionsHow everyday trance states (driving, scrolling, daydreaming) are naturally hypnoticWhy your subconscious is shaped by repetition — not truthHow awareness becomes the first act of reprogramming and personal growth🔥 Quotable moments: "Hypnosis is a natural, universal human experience" — and you're probably already doing it."You're not broken — you've been programmed" — which means the code can be rewritten."Your inner voice is a form of hypnotic suggestion" — so what has yours been telling you?🎧 Episode chapters: 00:00 — Understanding everyday hypnosis 03:50 — The historical context of hypnosis 15:58 — Hypnosis in everyday life 25:21 — Reprogramming the mind 🔑 Keywords: hypnosis for emotional healing, subconscious mind reprogramming, how hypnosis works, mental health podcast, healing podcast, subconscious beliefs, reprogramming the mind, self-healing, trauma healing, hypnotherapy, nervous system regulation, inner transformation, behavior change, mindset shift, personal growth, how to stop overthinking, hypnosis explained, neuro-hypnotism, awareness practice, trance states, ancient healing practices 🌐 Resources mentioned: Ancient Egyptian sleep templesMilton Erickson FoundationJames Braid and neuro-hypnotismFranz Anton Mesmer and animal magnetismReady to rewire? If this episode hit home — share it with someone who's been stuck in the same loop. They need to hear this. And if you're ready to experience this work firsthand, visit ashleadillard.com to book a session or explore how hypnosis can help you break old patterns, shift your subconscious, and step into the life you actually want.

    29 min

  6. APR 28

    #048 From Combat to Civilian: Mental Health After the Military | Anthony Dyer

    What happens when the mission ends — but the war inside doesn't? In this episode, Ashlea Dillard sits down with Anthony Dyer, a former Air Force combat missions aviator, to explore one of the most underrepresented conversations in military mental health: what it truly costs to serve, and what it takes to heal. Anthony opens up about his firsthand experience with trauma, survivor's guilt, and the identity crisis that so many veterans face when they transition to civilian life. He speaks candidly about his battle with alcoholism, the stigma around seeking help in the military, and how he ultimately found healing through community, purpose, and helping others. Whether you're a veteran navigating the transition out of service, a mental health professional working with military populations, or someone who loves a service member — this episode will meet you where you are. In this episode, you'll hear: Why mental health stigma runs so deep in military culture — and how to push past itThe real impact of survivor's guilt on identity and daily lifeHow prolonged exposure therapy became a turning point in Anthony's recoveryWhy "helping is healing" — and how serving others became his path forwardThe story behind his book Moon Child and the inspiration it offers to others still fighting their own battles"It's okay not to be okay." "Helping is healing." "It's not if, it's when that hits." Anthony's journey is one of raw honesty, hard-won perseverance, and the quiet power of community. This is a conversation that needed to be had. 🎧 Listen now — and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. 🔗 Link to Anthony's Book Moon Child ☎️ Ready to dive into your own work? Schedule your free 30 minute consultation and explore more at ashleadillard.com Keywords: military mental health, veteran trauma, survivor's guilt, Air Force veteran, identity after military service, transition to civilian life, alcoholism recovery, healing and perseverance, veteran community support, Moon Child book Anthony Dyer

    43 min

  7. APR 21

    #047 Rewire Your Brain with Words: The Power of Self-Talk

    The most important conversation you'll ever have is the one happening in your own mind. And chances are, you're not paying attention to it. In this solo episode, Ashlea Dillard breaks down how the language you use every day — the phrases you repeat on autopilot, the words you say under your breath when things get hard — is literally shaping your brain. Your subconscious doesn't filter truth from repetition. It just builds around whatever you keep saying. So when you're walking around telling yourself "I'm so tired," "I can't handle this," or "I'm just an anxious person" — you're not being honest with yourself. You're giving your nervous system instructions. Ashlea walks through the most common phrases that quietly keep you stuck, shares practical language swaps rooted in neuroplasticity that shift something real (without bypassing what's true), and goes deeper into how the words you repeat every day stop being things you say — and start becoming who you believe you are. This one is going to hit. Come ready to listen differently. In this episode: — Why your brain treats repetition as reality — How repetition + emotion strengthen the neural pathways behind your beliefs — The four phrases doing the most damage (and what to say instead) — Why "I get to" instead of "I have to" creates genuine agency — How your daily language is quietly building your identity right now Resources mentioned: — Neuroplasticity and the Brain's Ability to Change: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroplasticity — The Power of Positive Self-Talk by Louise Hay: https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Heal-Your-Life/dp/0937611018 — Mindset Works — Developing a Growth Mindset: https://www.mindsetworks.com/ — Learn more about Ashlea: https://ashleadillard.com/ mindset, self-talk, neuroplasticity, mental health, personal growth, language, identity, emotional health

    20 min

  8. APR 14

    #046 He Faced the Unsurvivable — Here's What He Found on the Other Side Ty Gipson

    What does it take to survive the unsurvivable — and come out the other side with purpose? In this episode of Sit Around the Fire, host Ashlea Dillard sits down with Ty Gipson — motivational speaker, organ transplant recipient, and living proof that adversity doesn't get the last word. Ty was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at just 11 years old. For over a decade, life felt normal. Then, without warning, his kidneys began to fail. What followed was a grueling journey through organ failure, transplant surgery, and the slow, uncertain road to recovery — all while holding onto a single question that would define his life: Do I want to grow, or do I want to die? His answer changed everything. In this episode, Ty shares: What it was actually like to face kidney failure and depend on organ donation to surviveThe pivotal mindset shift that transformed his recovery — and how you can apply it todayHis 3-step framework for navigating life's hardest momentsWhy "toxic positivity" is real — and what genuine resilience actually looks likeThe role his mother, his wife, and his faith played in pulling him throughWhat his unexpected journey with Disney taught him about storytelling and communityWhy waiting is the enemy of healing, and what to do insteadTy doesn't sugarcoat the darkness. He walked through it. And what he found on the other side is the foundation of his work as a speaker, advocate, and voice for the organ donation community. "On the other side of adversity are some really amazing things," he says. "You have every tool you need equipped with you right now." Whether you're facing a health crisis, a career collapse, a broken relationship, or simply a season of life that doesn't make sense — this conversation will remind you that the wall in front of you is worth the climb. Key Takeaways: Resilience isn't about feeling strong. It's about taking one small step when everything in you wants to stop.Your "why" is your anchor. Find it before the storm hits.Humor isn't avoidance — it's armor.Sharing your story doesn't just help others. It heals you.Getting 1% better every day compounds into a completely different life.Episode Chapters: 00:00 — Meet Ty Gipson01:50 — Living with juvenile diabetes05:17 — When the kidneys fail: Ty's transplant story09:55 — The life-changing gift of organ donation12:42 — What adversity actually teaches you16:48 — 3 steps to overcome any challenge19:10 — Sitting with the unknowns22:15 — The real power of positive thinking25:20 — Stop waiting. Start now.29:27 — Ty's unexpected chapter at Disney37:24 — Calling out toxic positivity41:31 — Choosing to stay positive when it's hard43:57 — How to connect with Tyadversity and resilience, organ donation awareness, juvenile diabetes story, kidney transplant survivor, motivational speaker podcast, overcoming health challenges, positive mindset tips, personal growth podcast, chronic illness and mental health, Sit Around the Fire podcast

    48 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

🔥 Sit Around the Fire 🔥 For anyone seeking healing, growth, and connection — including first responders, military members, and their families. Welcome to Sit Around the Fire — the space where stories ignite transformation. Hosted by a former first responder turned licensed professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist, this podcast blends real-life experiences, powerful teachings, and practical tools for mental and physical health. Each episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and find your spark again. Together, we explore mindfulness, stress management, trauma recovery, and PTSD healing — all through the lens of someone who’s lived it. You’ll hear raw conversations with first responders, veterans, and mental health experts as well as other incredible human beings with amazing stories and missions who share their wisdom on how to move from burnout to balance, from survival mode to thriving. If you’re ready to break free from old patterns and beliefs, reclaim your peace, and live your most abundant, limitless life, this is your community. ✨ What you’ll learn: How to manage stress and trauma while building emotional resilience.Practical mindfulness and mental well-being techniques that fit your lifestyle.Real stories of healing from first responders and military families.Tools to strengthen both mental and physical health for lasting change. Don’t suffer in silence. Join our community — subscribe, follow, and connect. 👉 Subscribe to Sit Around the Fire wherever you listen to podcasts. 👉 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for daily inspiration. 👉 Visit our site to join the email list and start doing the inner work today. It’s time to heal. It’s time to rise. It’s time to sit around the fire. 🔥Get Connected with Us!  www.sitaroundthefire.org 👉🏻 Interested in doing one to one work with Ashlea... www.ashleadillard.com 🫶🏼 Let's Be Friends  Facebook Instagram Ticktock YouTube

Information

  • Creator
    Ashlea Dillard
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ashlea Dillard
  • Show Website
    Sit Around the Fire