Irene Cares

Irene
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

Built by Survivors. For Survivors. 🔗 Learn more or share your story: Irene@irenegpt.ai 🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations on resilience, healing, and community.

  1. 6h ago

    EP44: Surviving Abuse, Foster Care, and Loss

    Roslyn was five years old the first time she watched her father hurt her mother. By six, he'd turned on her. By nine, she was the one raising her two baby brothers feeding them on an EBT card, walking them to school, skipping her own classes, keeping them alive while the adults disappeared. She was in ninth grade when she picked up the phone and told her friend's mom she couldn't do it anymore. That phone call changed everything. CPS came. Foster care came. And for the first time in her life, so did someone who actually showed up. In this conversation, Roslyn talks about what she survived abuse, molestation, neglect, and the years she spent as a child protecting children and what she did with it. She talks about the anger she recognized in herself and refused to keep. The drinking she walked away from cold turkey when the choice became her kids or the bottle. The homelessness she prayed her way out of days before her fourth baby was born. And she talks about 2024, the year she lost her mother in August and her son two months later. She doesn't tell this story from a safe distance. She's still in it. But she tells it anyway, because someone out there is where she was, and she wants them to hear the one thing she says she'd want said to her: you matter, and you can do better for you, because only you can. This is a hard listen. It's also a hopeful one.  Built by Survivors. For Survivors.  00:00 No One Protected Me 00:04 Meet Roslyn 01:16 Who Roz Is Today 02:23 Meaning of Survivor 04:13 Faith and Motivation 06:14 Growing Up Hawaii 07:34 Abuse Begins at Five 12:48 Molestation and Neglect 15:15 Rock Bottom and CPS 17:16 Foster Care Healing 20:03 Losing Mom and Forgiveness 23:20 Losing Son to Suicide 29:22 Helping Siblings Grieve 34:46 PTSD and Prayer 37:47 Breaking the Cycle 40:58 Healing Takes Time 45:21 Parenting Without a Handbook 47:54 Choosing Your Direction 48:16 Institutional Help and Coping 49:01 Quitting Alcohol for Kids 49:55 Foster Mom Superwoman 50:40 Healing Shows Up Later 53:32 Marriage and Mutual Healing 55:57 Facing Trauma Head On 57:31 Parenting With Love 59:54 Grace and Rebuilding 01:02:47 Faith Gratitude and Prayer 01:05:31 Kindness and Giving 01:10:47 Homelessness and Provision 01:16:13 Final Message and Resources  Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube

    EP44: Surviving Abuse, Foster Care, and Loss

  2. Jul 26

    EP43: Rural Utah's Silent Crisis

    Sterling Brown is a therapist in St. George, Utah, on a mission to change how small-town Utah talks about mental health. He grew up skeptical of therapy himself, seeing it as awkward and even manipulative — until losing a classmate to suicide in high school shifted everything for him. In this episode, Sterling breaks down why rural Mountain West communities are hit so hard by the suicide epidemic, what stigma actually looks like in tight-knit rural culture, and why he believes the healing happens in the relationship, not the technique. It's an honest look at what it really takes to ask for help when you come from a place that doesn't talk about these things — and why that silence is costing lives. Built by Survivors. For Survivors. 🔗 Learn more or share your story: Irene@irenegpt.ai  🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations on resilience, healing, and community. 00:00 Suicide And Stigma 00:23 Meet Sterling Brown 01:35 Rural Utah Mentality 02:30 Why Therapy Felt Wrong 05:46 From Skeptic To Therapist 08:12 Asking For Help 09:23 Burdensomeness And Belonging 11:23 Therapy That Heals 12:52 Classmate Lost To Suicide 14:59 Suicide Numbers And Silence 17:30 Grief And Language 20:00 Turning Loss Into Mission 21:32 Veterans And PTSD 23:58 Why Mountain West Rates 25:49 Gender And Firearms 27:45 Normalizing Male Emotions 30:17 Biology Vs Socialization 31:40 Rural Risk Factors 32:00 Guns And Isolation 34:20 Why Therapy Feels Distrusted 35:39 Making Therapy Feel Safe 37:35 What Finally Drives Help 39:28 AI As A First Step 42:32 Community Prevention Ideas 45:02 Connection Over Labels 48:15 Confidentiality In Small Towns 50:25 How Struggles Interconnect 51:34 Warning Signs For Youth 54:47 Becoming A Therapist 55:28 Humor As Coping 58:19 Carrying A Secret 01:00:58 Message To Rural Young Men 01:03:26 Where To Find Sterling 01:05:07 Final Takeaway Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube

  3. Jul 19

    EP42: Trauma, Faith, and Starting Over

    Lisa Renda spent her career as a psychotherapist teaching clients to heal — until a psychic warning, a divorce, a faith crisis, and raising a child with autism forced her to apply everything she knew to her own life. In this episode of Irene Cares, Lisa shares how she walked away from the old belief that trauma can only be managed, not healed, and how neuroplasticity, somatic work, and a life-changing psilocybin journey helped her rebuild her identity from the ground up. We talk about courage, boundaries, why some people never heal (and why that matters too), and what it really takes to get back to peace after chaos. If you've ever had to lose yourself to find yourself, this conversation is for you. 🎧 New episodes of Irene Cares every week — hit subscribe so you don't miss the next one. 💬 IreneGPT: Built by Survivors. For Survivors. Learn more at irene@irenegpt.ai 00:00 Love as Healing Force 01:40 Psychic Childhood Awakening 06:48 Mormon Upbringing and Poverty 08:01 BYU Marriage and Cracks 09:53 Parenting Without Support 12:42 Autism Diagnosis Breakthrough 15:24 Marriage Dynamics and Control 18:54 Trauma Healing and Neuroplasticity 22:45 Catalysts and Psilocybin Insight 27:11 Divorce and Faith Crisis 35:46 EMDR Somatics and Intuition 00:13 Warning Signs of Burnout 38:52 Divorce and Isolation 40:24 Psychic Advice Pivot 41:42 Zion Shuttle Healing 42:28 Metaphysical Awakening 46:41 Trauma Therapy Tools 48:46 Psychedelic Turning Point 54:21 Energy Alchemy Talk 56:01 Autism and Self Focus 57:58 Narcissism Dynamics 01:05:37 No Absolute Truth 01:09:08 Dark Night Explained 01:13:51 Beyond Words Experience 01:14:31 Validation From Source 01:15:32 Dark Night Guidance 01:18:35 Growth Through Challenge 01:20:50 Window Of Tolerance 01:25:31 Somatic Shaking Release 01:29:39 Emotion As Superpower 01:31:49 Love Heals In Therapy 01:34:06 Finding The Right Therapist 01:36:52 Gentle Trauma Integration 01:39:41 Resilience And Neuroplasticity 01:41:00 Closing Thanks And Farewell Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube

    EP42: Trauma, Faith, and Starting Over

  4. Jul 13

    EP41: The Sound Grief Leaves Behind

    Carol's son Dylan was 18 when a motorcycle accident took his life. In this episode, she opens up about the sound of grief she says she'll never get out of her brain, what it was like to sit with the not-knowing before the worst news arrived, and how a friendship forged through shared loss became one of the things that kept her standing. Carol also shares what she's learned about showing up for someone in grief — not asking what they need, but just doing something — and why she believes being brave enough to say "I need help" changes everything. This is a conversation about grief that doesn't resolve neatly, community that carries you when you can't carry yourself, and finding out who you are again after everything falls apart. Built by Survivors. For Survivors. 🔗 Learn more or share your story: Irene@irenegpt.ai  🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations on resilience, healing, and community. 00:00 Living With Grief 01:05 Meet Carol’s Story 01:37 Finding Herself Again 02:59 EMT to Nurse Journey 05:37 Seven Kids and Stepmom Life 11:30 Dylan Remembered 13:45 The Night of the Crash 21:33 What Grief Felt Like 26:47 How People Can Help 30:05 Therapy and Family Support 34:20 Healing and New Normal 37:48 A Friend’s Late Night Call 39:21 ER Waiting Room Dread 40:47 Neurosurgeon Delivers Reality 43:58 Stepping Out For Boundaries 44:45 Supporting Amber Through Loss 45:51 How Grief Really Works 47:35 Helping A Friend Grieve 51:48 Why She Shared Her Story 57:27 What The Newly Grieving Need 59:10 Therapy Tools And EMDR 01:05:51 Show Up Dont Ask 01:06:52 Life Perspective After Trauma 01:10:25 Three Years Later And Hope 01:13:34 Faith After Loss 01:15:52 Final Message Youre Not Alone Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube

    EP41: The Sound Grief Leaves Behind

  5. Jul 5

    EP40: Mental Toughness, Food Noise & the 80/20 Rule with Ashley Larsen

    Ashley Larsen is both a registered dietitian and a personal trainer — a rare combination that gives her a uniquely balanced perspective on health. In this episode, she breaks down why she'd choose exercise over nutrition if she could only give someone one tool for better health, and how starting with movement naturally leads to better food choices instead of the other way around. Ashley unpacks the psychology of dieting: why willpower works like a rubber band that eventually snaps, why restrictive "good food/bad food" thinking backfires, and how her 80/20 approach to eating helped her overcome a serious sugar addiction. She also shares the "stages of change" model she uses with clients, a gut-punch story about a client who quit on herself, and the difference between a fixed mindset ("I got an A, I won") and a growth mindset ("I'm going to put in the work"). This conversation is packed with practical, sustainable strategies for anyone who's tired of the diet rollercoaster and wants real, lasting change — mentally and physically. 00:00 Do Hard Things 00:50 Meet Ashley Larson 02:25 Exercise Before Nutrition 04:20 Willpower And Cravings 06:40 80 20 Food Balance 09:53 Protein Planning Basics 11:59 Practice Not Perfection 13:55 Growth Mindset Goals 18:12 Progress Over Perfection 20:11 Fitness Beyond The Gym 21:50 Vulnerability In Coaching 28:40 The Real Why Behind Weight 30:04 You Don't Need Salads 31:45 Balanced Food Mindset 32:01 Why Clients Show Up 32:29 Exercise For Capability 33:45 Pain Relief Through Strength 34:54 How Hard To Push 36:09 When Clients Quit 38:52 Stages Of Change 42:44 Breaking The Excuse Loop 44:41 Training Hard Things 46:46 Practice Builds Resilience 48:19 Unlocking New PRs 55:07 Progress Beyond The Scale 58:31 Grace After Time Off 01:00:16 Mental Toughness Rich Life 01:01:24 Strict vs Sustainable 01:02:20 Inside 75 Hard 01:03:20 No One Size Fits 01:04:11 Process Goals Monthly 01:07:16 Promises Build Confidence 01:10:28 Flip Your Self Talk 01:14:18 Hard Season Advice 01:15:44 Client Transformation Story 01:21:32 Food Guilt vs Shame 01:25:09 Wrap Up and Where to Find Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube

    EP40: Mental Toughness, Food Noise & the 80/20 Rule with Ashley Larsen

  6. Jun 21

    EP39: From Cult Trauma to Spiritual Awakening: A Musician’s Turning Point

    What do a Doomsday cult, rat poison, and a .357 revolver have in common? They're all part of one man's survival story — and none of them won. Raven is a lifelong musician, martial artist, and author who grew up in a cult, survived abuse at the hands of his stepfather, and spent years inviting death onto his own stage before driving to the woods one night with a loaded gun and one unanswered question: Does my life mean anything? The trigger clicked. The gun didn't fire. And everything changed. In this episode of Irene Cares, Raven shares how a moment of stillness, a shift in perspective, and a profound spiritual awakening turned a lifetime of rage into a mission. His message is simple and unshakeable: Don't quit. You are a rare and unique expression of something greater — and you were born to live it fully. 00:00 Intro 01:08 Meet Raven 02:15 Raised In Doomsday Cult 03:03 Poverty And Fear 05:59 Stepdad Poisoning 08:32 Bipolar Diagnosis 09:42 Mania And Coping 11:24 Hospitalizations And Memory Loss 13:29 Natural Healing Mindset 15:45 Martial Arts And Escape 16:33 Finding His Voice In Music 19:37 Touring And Shock Rock 22:03 Russian Roulette Turning Point 23:57 Satanism Explained 24:39 Meditation Awakening 1999 26:24 Catholic Buddhist Path 27:10 Meeting His Wife 27:37 Marriage And Family Life 28:09 Dojo And Utah Move 28:28 Cowboy Tour Company 29:55 Solo Gigs To UMG Deal 32:23 Six String Revolver Rise 33:52 Empty Eyes And Bipolar 35:20 Martial Arts Mentorship 40:14 School Of Rock And Stage Energy 44:22 Books And Nutrition Healing 48:42 Therapy Trauma And Faith 52:44 Never Quit Final Message 54:53 Where To Find Raven Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube

    EP39: From Cult Trauma to Spiritual Awakening: A Musician’s Turning Point

  7. Jun 20

    EP38: From Survival to Alignment: Carrie Crane on Healing Trauma, Rewriting Patterns, and Self-Worth

    On the Irene Cares Podcast, Carrie Crane shares how early trauma, an emotionally unavailable and abusive home, and becoming a mother at 15 shaped lifelong patterns of seeking love, people-pleasing, and survival mode. She describes placing her second baby for adoption at 17, pursuing nursing to prove a principal wrong, and later recognizing destructive relationship cycles, including severe abuse and partners’ addiction and infidelity, after her son confronted her bruises. Carrie discusses healing through self-love, boundaries, and shifting from victim to creator, along with tools like her “five T” trigger framework, nervous system regulation, and the power of language. She explains foot zoning as a mind-body-spirit alignment practice and outlines her work at Reclaim Wellness in Richfield, Utah, offering coaching, peptides, genetic testing, and holistic health support. 00:00 Judgment To Awakening 00:13 Meet Carrie Crane 01:16 Teen Mom Reality 02:22 Chasing Love And Safety 07:18 Victim To Creator Mindset 08:41 Body Image And Eating Disorders 11:46 Triggers Truth Transformation 14:47 Healing In New Chapters 19:42 Words Worthiness And Faith 21:52 Self Love Boundaries And Patterns 32:03 Childhood Abuse And Survival 35:23 Fifteen And Becoming A Mom 36:29 Proving Them Wrong 37:40 Midlife Peace Shift 38:07 Religion Love And Trauma 41:54 Mask Versus Spirituality 46:16 Trusting Intuition 49:45 Nursing And Fixer Roots 52:19 Survival Mode Inside 54:11 Healing Through Water 56:19 Abuse Pattern Wakeup 57:39 Foot Zoning Explained 59:35 Breaking Relationship Cycles 01:10:25 Control And Alone Time 01:11:52 Human Design Hermit Time 01:13:58 Goat Ranch Life 01:14:31 Goats as Land Managers 01:15:40 Reframing Life Events 01:18:16 Health Narratives and Diagnosis 01:20:13 Identity vs Feelings 01:21:35 Affirmations That Stick 01:25:05 Broken or Patterned 01:29:48 Coaching Approach and Identity 01:32:50 Small Changes Big Shifts 01:37:29 Burnout in High Achievers 01:40:23 Intuition vs Survival 01:42:48 Faith Feels Better 01:48:19 Daily Alignment Routine 01:53:03 Reclaim Wellness and Wrap Up Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube

    EP38: From Survival to Alignment: Carrie Crane on Healing Trauma, Rewriting Patterns, and Self-Worth

  8. Jun 14

    EP37: Veteran Tim Leavitt on Combat, TBI, Brotherhood, and Finding Purpose After War

    Veteran Tim Leavitt describes joining the Army National Guard at 17 while in foster care, deploying to Iraq at 18 as artillery, leaving in 2008, then reenlisting in 2009 as a combat engineer and completing two Afghanistan route-clearance deployments. He recounts the realities of combat versus movies, including difficulty seeing shooters, and details a Kunar Province 360 ambush where radio intercepts warned of an attack, RPGs disabled his vehicle, his squad leader was badly wounded, and an RPG blast injured Leavitt with shrapnel and contributed to a TBI; he later suffered another blast and head injury when overrun. He discusses hospital recovery, being pushed toward separation, loss of military brotherhood, struggles transitioning to college, ongoing recovery and coping, and finding purpose through Ironman races, the Baja 1000, and delivering vetted humanitarian aid to Ukrainian villages. 00:00 RPG Ambush Flashback 00:30 Joining at Seventeen 02:55 First Iraq Deployment Reality 04:23 Leaving and Reenlisting 06:19 Route Clearance Mindset 14:23 Combat Myths vs Reality 17:12 Kunar Valley Injury 22:14 TBI and Recovery 25:56 Volunteering to Return 30:09 Final Deployment Fallout 32:29 Ironman After War 34:10 Learning to Swim for Ironman 35:00 Half Ironman Surprise 36:26 Baja 1000 Inspiration 37:12 First Trip to Ukraine 39:14 Aid Runs with Andre 42:14 War’s Other Side 47:29 What Recovery Means 52:38 Losing the Brotherhood 55:34 Almost Going AWOL 59:10 Finding Purpose After Service 01:05:12 Advice for Lonely Veterans 01:06:59 Ongoing Work and Family 01:08:00 Purpose Through Fatherhood 01:09:32 Protective Instincts Kick In 01:11:50 Boundaries Build Safe Kids 01:13:56 Letting Kids Own Choices 01:17:37 Coping With Bad Days 01:21:02 Anxiety Story Served Papers 01:23:49 Living With TBI Changes 01:28:36 Lessons I Wish I Knew 01:32:30 Who Tim Is Now 01:37:27 Adventure Mindset Reframed 01:39:25 Closing Thanks And Farewell Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube

    EP37: Veteran Tim Leavitt on Combat, TBI, Brotherhood, and Finding Purpose After War
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Built by Survivors. For Survivors. 🔗 Learn more or share your story: Irene@irenegpt.ai 🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations on resilience, healing, and community.

Information

  • Creator
    Irene
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Irene Cares
  • Show Website
    Irene Cares