In this episode, I’m joined by trauma therapist, author and podcast host David Polidi. David is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and co-founder of Empowered Through Compassion, a trauma-focused therapy practice he runs with his wife.

David specialises in integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR and Motivational Interviewing to support deep trauma healing for individuals and couples. He is also the editor of the book IFS Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches, which explores how these powerful therapeutic approaches can work together to support recovery.

In our conversation, we explore how trauma therapy continues to evolve through integrative approaches. David explains how combining Internal Family Systems with EMDR can help people understand and relate to their internal world in new ways. By working with different parts of ourselves and processing past experiences safely, people can begin to heal old wounds and move towards a more integrated sense of Self.

We also talk about why compassion plays such a central role in trauma recovery, how therapists can work collaboratively with clients, and why understanding our internal system can transform the way we relate to ourselves and others.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at modern trauma therapy and how integrated approaches can help people process past experiences while building greater self-understanding and emotional resilience.

To learn more about David Polidi and his work, visit:

https://www.empoweredthroughcompassion.com

To learn more about my work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit:

https://wendycastelino.com

If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might benefit.

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In this episode, I’m talking about a pattern I see often, particularly in women who appear to have everything together on the outside, but feel very different on the inside.

You’re functioning. You’re meeting deadlines, replying to messages, remembering everything that needs to be done. You’re dependable, capable, and from the outside, it looks like you’re coping. But internally, you may feel exhausted, overwhelmed, irritable, disconnected or quietly struggling.

I explore why so many high-functioning women experience this kind of hidden stress, and why it can go unnoticed for so long. We look at the pressure to hold everything together, the emotional load that often sits beneath the surface, and why feeling “not quite right” can happen even when life looks fine on paper.

This episode is about making sense of that experience. Not from a place of judgement, but from understanding. When you can recognise what’s really going on beneath the surface, you can begin to respond differently and with more compassion towards yourself.

If any part of this feels familiar, you’re not alone, and there is a way to start addressing it.

To learn more about my work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit:

👉 https://wendycastelino.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Claire Plumbly, a Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Consultant and founder of Plum Psychology. Claire is also the author of the Amazon bestseller Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You.

Together we explore what burnout really is and why so many people find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted and struggling to keep up with the demands of modern life. Claire explains why burnout isn’t simply about working too hard or needing a holiday, but is often connected to how our nervous system responds to prolonged stress.

We talk about how burnout develops, the signs to look out for, and why trying to “think” your way out of burnout rarely works. Instead, Claire shares insights into how understanding and regulating your nervous system can help you recover and prevent burnout from taking hold in the first place.

Claire also shares her journey into psychology, her experience working in the NHS before setting up her private practice, and why helping people understand trauma, anxiety and stress has become such an important focus of her work.

This conversation offers practical insight into recognising burnout, understanding what your body is telling you, and taking steps towards recovery and resilience.

To learn more about Dr Claire Plumbly and her work, visit:

👉 https://www.plum-psychology.com/

To learn more about my work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit:

👉 https://wendycastelino.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might benefit.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Worry is one of the most common mental habits I see, yet so many people feel ashamed of it. That constant stream of “what if?” thoughts. The mental rehearsal of worst-case scenarios. The mind that refuses to switch off at bedtime or before something important.

In this episode, I explain what worry actually is from a psychological perspective. Worry is not a sign that you’re broken. It’s your brain trying to problem-solve the future without having the information it needs. In other words, it’s a very human process.

We explore why worry is so persistent in modern life, how our brains are wired for threat, and why technology and advancement haven’t removed this tendency. I also talk about the difference between productive problem-solving and unhelpful mental loops, and how the way we respond to worry can either reduce it or feed it.

Most importantly, I share practical strategies to help you relate to worry differently. The goal isn’t to eliminate it entirely, but to stop it running the show.

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t switch your mind off, this episode will help you understand what’s happening and what you can do about it.

For more information and resources, head to https://wendycastelino.com/

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In this episode, I’m joined by Christina Robinson, an employee turned business owner who has been described by her peers as a natural entrepreneur. Christina is a blogger, podcaster, public speaker and multi-award winner, but what stood out most to me in our conversation is her honesty about the journey it took to get there.

Christina shares how she grew up with a difficult background, left home early, dropped out of education twice, experienced toxic relationships and neglected her mental health. In her own words, she drifted through life for a time before realising it wasn’t too late to take control.

We talk about what that turning point looked like, the mindset shifts that helped her rebuild, and what success really means when you’ve had to create stability for yourself. This is a conversation about resilience, ownership and the courage to rewrite your own story, even when the starting point feels stacked against you.

If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck or unsure whether you can change direction, this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to take responsibility for your future and move forward with intention.

To learn more about Christina and keep up to date with her work, you can connect with her here:

👉 https://linktr.ee/Christina_Talks

If you’d like to learn more about working with me, explore my resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, you can visit:

👉 https://wendycastelino.com

And if you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might benefit.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dopamine is often talked about as if it’s the brain’s “happiness chemical”, with phrases like dopamine detox or dopamine addiction becoming increasingly popular. In this episode, I unpack what dopamine actually is, and what it really does.

Dopamine isn’t the pleasure chemical. It’s a neurotransmitter involved in motivation, learning and helping the brain decide what’s worth our effort. When we understand this properly, it can change how we think about productivity, procrastination, compulsive habits and even low mood.

I explore concepts like reward prediction error, why novelty can feel so compelling, and how we can get caught in “wired but tired” loops that leave us overstimulated and under-satisfied. I also share evidence-based strategies to help you work with your dopamine system rather than against it.

This episode is about cutting through the myths and using neuroscience in a practical way. When you understand how dopamine shapes motivation and follow-through, you can begin to make more intentional choices about your habits, your focus and your energy.

Find out more: https://wendycastelino.com

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Why We Doomscroll and How to Break the Cycle

Doomscrolling has become a familiar part of modern life, especially during times of uncertainty, stress or overwhelm. In this episode, I explore what doomscrolling actually is, why so many of us find ourselves stuck in it, and what’s happening in our brains when we can’t stop scrolling through bad news.

I talk about the role of our nervous system, how fear and threat keep us hooked, and why doomscrolling can feel compulsive even when it leaves us feeling worse. This isn’t about blaming ourselves or relying on willpower, but about understanding the psychology behind the behaviour and responding with curiosity rather than judgement.

I also share practical ways to interrupt the cycle, reduce its impact on your mental health, and build more awareness around how and when you consume news and social media. Small, intentional changes can make a real difference to how safe, grounded and present we feel.

This episode offers a compassionate look at doomscrolling, why it makes sense in the context of how our brains work, and how we can begin to regain a sense of choice and balance.

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Trauma doesn’t just live in our thoughts and memories. It also shows up in the body, often in ways we don’t consciously recognise. In this episode, I explore how EMDR therapy and the concept of the body score can support recovery from trauma.

I talk about what the body score is, how it’s used within EMDR, and why paying attention to physical sensations can be such an important part of healing. Rather than focusing only on what we think or remember, EMDR helps us notice how trauma is held in the body and gently work with those sensations in a safe, structured way.

I also reflect on why this approach can be especially helpful for people who struggle to put their experiences into words, or who feel “stuck” despite understanding their trauma intellectually. By involving the body as well as the mind, EMDR can support deeper processing and integration.

This episode offers an accessible introduction to EMDR and the body score, how they work together, and why body-based approaches can play a vital role in trauma recovery.

You can find out more, and support resources at www.wendycastelino.com

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