When love feels scary, relationships feel confusing, or self-doubt won’t quiet down, the roots often go deeper than we realize. In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Sheleana Aiyana, founder of Rising Woman and author of Becoming One, to explore how childhood wounds quietly shape our adult relationships, emotional triggers, nervous system responses, and sense of self. Together, we unpack what inner child healing actually looks like in real life, beyond buzzwords and therapy language. We talk about attachment wounds, why some of us crave closeness while simultaneously pushing people away, and how early experiences can shape the stories we tell ourselves about love, safety, and worthiness. Sheleana shares her own healing journey following deep heartbreak and explains why healing isn’t about endlessly revisiting pain; it’s about creating more freedom, joy, connection, and self-trust. In this episode, we discuss: What inner child work really means Why childhood experiences impact adult relationships Attachment wounds and the “come close, go away” dynamic Nervous system regulation and emotional triggers Learning to respond instead of react Healing self-worth and letting go of survival patterns How to reconnect with yourself through curiosity and nature Reclaiming joy, play, and childlike wonder We also talk openly about mental health struggles, feeling disconnected from yourself, and what it looks like to stop living purely in survival mode. If you’ve ever struggled with trusting people, feeling emotionally overwhelmed, self-doubt, relationship anxiety, or understanding why certain patterns keep repeating, this conversation is for you. Listen now and, if this episode resonates, follow Normalize The Conversation and share it with someone who may need this reminder: healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
