Taboo Talk with Sarah

Sarah Jordan-Ross
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

Taboo Talk with Sarah is the podcast that breaks the silence on life’s toughest challenges. From grief and mental wellness to caregiving and the cracks in the healthcare system, we dive into the topics no one talks about but everyone feels. Together, we’ll foster hope, build connection, and remind you that you’re never alone.

  1. Taboo talk Season 2 Episode 13 More Than Skin Deep: Confidence, Self-Care & Growing Up in a Body That Feels Different with Dr. Angela Casey

    5d ago

    Taboo talk Season 2 Episode 13 More Than Skin Deep: Confidence, Self-Care & Growing Up in a Body That Feels Different with Dr. Angela Casey

    🔑 Main Topics & Takeaways Why skin conditions affect much more than physical appearance The connection between skin health, inflammation, and overall wellness How self-care routines build confidence and emotional resilience The powerful role parents play in modelling healthy habits Why sunscreen may be the most important skincare product you'll ever use     🗣️ Memorable Quotes "Our skin is really the billboard that announces what's going on inside of us." "Self-care is healthcare." "Skincare doesn't have to be complicated, but it does have to be consistent."     ⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps 00:01 – Introduction to skin confidence and identity 02:11 – Why skin issues feel so overwhelming during adolescence 04:24 – The "snow globe" analogy for puberty and teenage development 05:45 – Self-care as a critical part of mental and physical health 08:55 – Why teenagers follow what parents do, not what they say 12:00 – Skin health is far more than a cosmetic issue 13:30 – The connection between skin, inflammation, and overall health 15:37 – Using your skin as an early warning system 18:09 – The story behind Bright Girl Skincare 20:20 – Social media skincare trends and teen skin damage 22:10 – Why simple skincare routines work best 24:12 – Oily skin still needs moisturiser 25:13 – Sarah shares her melanoma experience 26:00 – Skin cancer prevention and early detection 31:57 – The emotional impact of acne and skin conditions 35:59 – Why consistency beats complicated routines 38:11 – The one skincare product everyone should use daily 42:12 – Modelling healthy habits for children 43:23 – The truth about moisturiser and acne-prone skin 46:47 – Where to find Bright Girl and learn more 🌟 Resources Mentioned   Bright Girl Skincare A dermatologist-developed skincare line specifically designed for teen and tween skin, focusing on gentle, effective ingredients and healthy self-care habits. Website: BrightGirl.com

    50 min
  2. Taboo talk Season 2 Episode 12 The Grief That Stays: Finding Hope, Purpose & Presence After Loss with Kelly Edmondson

    Jun 2

    Taboo talk Season 2 Episode 12 The Grief That Stays: Finding Hope, Purpose & Presence After Loss with Kelly Edmondson

    🔑 Main Topics & Takeaways Why grief doesn't end after the funeral—it often begins there The importance of remembering and speaking the names of those we've lost How rituals, memories, and meaningful traditions help us navigate grief Why support is often needed most after everyone else has moved on Turning personal pain into purpose through service and connection     🗣️ Powerful Quotes from the Episode "People say they don't want to remind someone of their loss. It's the one thing I can't forget." "Great loves are great losses. But the love is the gift." "Grief will reshape you, but it doesn't have to limit you."     ⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to grief beyond the immediate aftermath 01:37 – Why grief becomes a lifelong companion 03:30 – Kelly shares the story of losing her son, Darius 05:37 – The silence that comes after the funeral 07:58 – Learning to give yourself permission to grieve 10:19 – The Mother's Day experience that changed everything 13:46 – "I will make room for purpose in this pain" 15:07 – The inspiration behind Timely Presence 17:04 – Why people need support on milestone dates 19:40 – Supporting mothers through pregnancy and infant loss 22:43 – A story that confirmed the impact of Timely Presence 23:27 – Advice for those navigating grief alone 24:20 – Creating rituals that bring meaning and healing 26:48 – The importance of self-care during grief 29:35 – "The cost of loving is losing" 31:13 – Legacy, memory, and keeping loved ones present 38:50 – Why unprocessed grief can be dangerous 41:17 – Final reflections on grief, healing, and hope

    42 min
  3. Taboo talk Season 2 Episode 11 You’re Not Broken: Trauma, the Nervous System & Learning to Feel Safe Again with Steve Soporn

    May 12

    Taboo talk Season 2 Episode 11 You’re Not Broken: Trauma, the Nervous System & Learning to Feel Safe Again with Steve Soporn

    🔑 Main Topics / Takeaways Why trauma is a nervous system adaptation, not a personal failure How childhood trauma impacts the brain, emotional regulation, addiction, and relationships The difference between “fixing” emotions and learning to stay present with them How men are conditioned to suppress emotions—and the long-term cost of that Why healing happens through small consistent steps, not perfection     🗣️ Intriguing Quotes “I didn’t come out of the womb broken.” “Your brain adapted… and it can adapt again.” “We all came into the world as a bright shining light… and life covered it up.”     ⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps 00:03 – Introduction: trauma beyond mindset 02:26 – Steve’s brain scan and the moment everything changed 06:54 – Trauma as adaptation, not damage 09:39 – The impact trauma had on parenting and relationships 11:35 – “Man up, stuff it down” and emotional suppression in men 14:22 – Leaving a 30-year finance career to pursue healing work 17:58 – Understanding trauma through nervous system regulation 20:51 – Breathwork, neurofeedback, psychedelics & inner child work 22:56 – Why trauma responses aren’t conscious choices 27:04 – How healing changes relationships and attracts healthier people 28:37 – Addiction, trauma, and the body trying to feel safe 34:33 – Post-traumatic growth and reclaiming your life 37:59 – Final takeaway: “You are not broken.” 📚 Resources Mentioned 🎧 The Neuro’s Journey Podcast (A podcast exploring trauma, healing, leadership, nervous system regulation, and personal growth.) 🧠 Neurofeedback / QEEG Brain Scanning 📖 Work and concepts from Dr. Daniel Amen

    42 min
  4. Taboo Talk Season 2 Episode 10 When Who You Were No Longer Fits: Rediscovering Your Spark in Midlife with Heike Yates

    May 5

    Taboo Talk Season 2 Episode 10 When Who You Were No Longer Fits: Rediscovering Your Spark in Midlife with Heike Yates

    🔑 Main Topics / Takeaways The quiet unraveling of identity in midlife and why it’s more common than we think Letting go of old identities (like “the runner”) and grieving who we used to be Why “reinventing yourself” is the wrong approach—and what to do instead The importance of resetting, not restarting, and honoring your lived experience How to find your “spark” again through curiosity, small steps, and self-trust     🗣️ Intriguing Quotes “Something that once fit really well… doesn’t anymore.” “You don’t need to reinvent yourself—you need to reset.” “Stop dimming your light and pursue your spark.”     ⏱️ Key Moments 00:00 – Introduction: the quiet shifts of midlife 02:14 – Heike’s “aha moments” and evolving identity 05:30 – Pushing harder… until the body says no 06:59 – The wake-up call: burnout and physical breakdown 10:32 – Losing identity as a runner and grieving the change 15:04 – The healing power of Pilates and slowing down 18:00 – Identity, community, and letting go of who you were 21:53 – Moving forward without looking back 23:34 – Why sparks change over time 28:04 – The story behind Pursue Your Spark 32:50 – Your spark doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be yours 38:07 – Why “reinvention” is the wrong mindset 42:09 – Finding your next step when you feel stuck 44:29 – Final message: stop dimming your light 👤Guest Heike Yates is a Midlife Fitness Expert, author, and creator of the SPARK Framework. She helps midlife women navigate seasons when what used to work no longer fits and routines feel harder to follow than they used to. With over 35 years of experience in fitness, nutrition, and mindset coaching, Heike supports women who feel stuck in the gap between knowing what matters and actually following through. Her approach is practical, compassionate, and designed for real life — not ideal days. She is the host of the Pursue Your Spark Podcast and award-winning author of Pursue Your Spark, where she blends science and lived experience to help women rebuild self-trust and move forward with steady steps, without guilt, extremes, or starting over.

    48 min
  5. Taboo talk Season2, Episode 9 Surviving the Unthinkable: Grief, Trauma & Finding Your Way Back with Todd Maguire

    Apr 28

    Taboo talk Season2, Episode 9 Surviving the Unthinkable: Grief, Trauma & Finding Your Way Back with Todd Maguire

    🔑 Key Takeaways   Grief—especially from suicide—can transform identity in ways people don’t understand. Avoiding pain doesn’t remove it… it delays and often deepens it. Trauma isn’t just emotional—it can shape behaviour, identity, and self-worth. Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the new definition of strength. Healing isn’t linear—but it is possible with the right tools and support.     🗣️ Quotes to Remember   “The grief transforms you into someone you don’t recognise.” – Todd Maguire “You’ve got to face it now… or it’ll be worse down the track.” – Todd Maguire “The new definition of strength is being vulnerable.” – Todd Maguire “You don’t have to do it alone.” – Sarah Jordan-Ross     ⏱️ Key Moments   00:00 – Introduction: grief beyond death and the weight we carry 02:38 – Todd shares the unseen reality of suicide grief 03:37 – Finding his partner: the moment that changed everything 07:46 – Turning to alcohol and survival coping mechanisms 11:30 – “Surviving badly” vs learning to survive well 13:17 – The alter ego: Donnie and life undercover 17:46 – The turning point: stopping another suicide 20:57 – Losing identity and returning to “normal life” 23:45 – Fatherhood as a wake-up call 26:28 – PTSD, anger, and the delayed impact of trauma 28:18 – Writing the book: the moment everything shifted 31:24 – Redefining strength: vulnerability over silence 37:01 – Message to those struggling: “You are loved. You will be missed.” 46:31 – PTSD explained like a physical injury 48:11 – Final reflections: you don’t have to do it alone

    50 min
  6. Taboo talk season 2, Episode 8 The Conversations We Avoid: Legacy, Loss & Living Before It’s Too Late with Jermaine Ee

    Apr 7

    Taboo talk season 2, Episode 8 The Conversations We Avoid: Legacy, Loss & Living Before It’s Too Late with Jermaine Ee

    🔑 Key Takeaways What we focus on shapes our reality—and we can train that intentionally. Avoiding end-of-life conversations creates emotional and logistical burdens for loved ones. Legacy isn’t just money—it’s stories, memories, and how we show up in everyday life. Most people delay estate planning not because it’s hard—but because it’s uncomfortable. The real opportunity isn’t just planning for death… it’s learning to live more fully now.     🗣️ Quotes to Remember “What we focus on shapes our entire reality.” – Jermaine Ee “Urgent beats important every time.” – Jermaine Ee “Clarity is love in practical form.” – Jermaine Ee “Those stories disappear only when we stop telling them.” – Jermaine Ee “Every day is a special occasion… we just forget.” – Conversation theme     ⏱️ Key Moments 00:00 – Introduction: Why we avoid conversations about death and legacy 01:58 – Jermaine’s perspective: What we focus on shapes reality 03:19 – Why humans avoid estate planning (urgent vs important) 07:59 – The emotional cost families pay when planning isn’t done 12:31 – What legacy really means (and how it shifts after loss) 15:57 – Jermaine’s story: discovering who his mum was before motherhood 20:01 – Capturing stories before they disappear 24:39 – Why asking your parents questions matters 27:54 – The surprising reason people avoid estate planning 33:45 – “Clarity is love in practical form” 36:04 – Regret, saving, and not fully enjoying life 38:02 – Living differently when you realise life is fragile 41:52 – Choosing joy, using what you have, living intentionally

    49 min
  7. Taboo Talk Season 2, Episode 7 Beyond Survival: Grief, Caregiving & Finding Life Beyond the Horizon with Lani Almanza

    Mar 23

    Taboo Talk Season 2, Episode 7 Beyond Survival: Grief, Caregiving & Finding Life Beyond the Horizon with Lani Almanza

    🔑 Key Takeaways Grief is not only about death. It can also come through change, transition, identity loss, and the life we thought we were going to have. After caregiving or crisis, many people do not know how to stop “treading water” and begin living again. Healing often starts with small moments of awareness, especially breath, rest, and reconnecting with yourself. Grief does not necessarily get smaller. We grow around it and learn how to carry it differently. Looking beyond the horizon is not betrayal. It is a way of honoring what has been while still allowing yourself to live fully. 🗣️ Quotes to Remember “Life experience becomes your credentials.” – Lani Almanza “Grief isn’t a one-time thing that you experience and then it goes away.” – Lani Almanza “You’re not in crisis anymore, but you haven’t quite figured out what’s next.” – Sarah Jordan-Ross “We grow around our grief.” – Sarah Jordan-Ross and Lani Almanza conversation theme “Remember to come up for air.” – Advice from the whale, shared by Lani Almanza ⏱️ Key Moments 00:01 – Sarah introduces Lani and frames the conversation around life after crisis 01:59 – Lani answers the season’s opening question: what she notices and cannot unsee 04:04 – What happens when caregiving ends and you no longer know where you fit 05:42 – Lani shares her own experience after losing her son Jacob and later caring for both parents 07:19 – The moment she realized she could finally turn her phone off after more than 20 years 10:00 – “Been there, done that” as real-life credentials 12:18 – Finding joy after grief without feeling disloyal 16:22 – Why grief never fully disappears, but we grow around it 20:32 – The inspiration behind Beyond the Horizon 26:08 – One small shift to begin healing: meeting yourself in your breath 29:06 – Advice from the whale: make a splash, come up for air, no blubbering 31:03 – Sarah reflects on honoring the past while still choosing life ahead

    34 min
  8. Taboo Talk Season 2, Episode 6 Authenticity, Energy & Owning Your Space with Jennie López

    Mar 16

    Taboo Talk Season 2, Episode 6 Authenticity, Energy & Owning Your Space with Jennie López

    🔑 Key Takeaways Authenticity is not a nice extra — it is the foundation for impact, energy, and sustainable success.   Hiding parts of yourself to fit in drains your confidence, performance, and joy.   You do not have to choose between credibility and creativity, seriousness and spark.   Social media often shows the highlight reel, not the full human story behind the success.   You are never starting from zero — every chapter of your life brings experience, wisdom, and tools for the next one.   🗣️ Quotes to Remember “Intentionality plus authenticity equals impact.” – Jennie López   “You’re not starting from zero. You’re bringing all of that experience with you.” – Jennie López   “Stop hiding. Walk into your life truly as who you are.” – Sarah Jordan-Ross   ⏱️ Key Moments 00:01 – Sarah introduces Jennie and the many hats she wears   01:31 – The obvious question: what’s it like being named Jennifer Lopez?   04:38 – Jennie answers the season’s opening question: what she’s noticed and can’t unsee   07:26 – Life as a Latina woman in engineering and manufacturing spaces   09:13 – The cost of changing yourself to be taken seriously   13:36 – Why old advice about “working harder” doesn’t always serve women now   17:46 – Jennie’s journey with dance, energy, and filling her own cup   23:30 – Sarah and Jennie talk about movement, music, and stress release   31:59 – Mexico, uncertainty, and focusing on what you can control   37:19 – How to stop shrinking and start integrating all parts of yourself   41:21 – Why community, mentors, and support matter   44:09 – Jennie’s biggest takeaway: invest in yourself and be yourself   👤 Guest Jennie López Author of Intentional Unicorn Co-host of Very Caliente podcast

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Taboo Talk with Sarah is the podcast that breaks the silence on life’s toughest challenges. From grief and mental wellness to caregiving and the cracks in the healthcare system, we dive into the topics no one talks about but everyone feels. Together, we’ll foster hope, build connection, and remind you that you’re never alone.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Jordan-Ross
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Taboo Talk with Sarah
  • Show Website
    Taboo Talk with Sarah