The Healing Odyssey; Finding your own way forward

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Podcast by Emma Gardner

The Healing Odyssey; Finding your own way forward

"The Healing Odyssey: Finding Your Own Way Forward" is a transformative podcast hosted by Emma, dedicated to exploring the intricate world of addiction, recovery, and mental health. This engaging series aims to break down stigmas and shed light on crucial issues affecting millions worldwide. Each week, listeners embark on a journey of resilience and hope, guided by Emma and an array of guests including field experts, survivors, and loved ones. The podcast delves into: Complexities of addiction and the recovery process, Mental health challenges and innovative solutions, and Inspiring stories of personal transformation and resilience. Key topics covered include: Resilience building strategies, Applications of positive psychology, Effective healing techniques, Myth-busting in addiction and mental health, and Relatable experiences and personal narratives. "The Healing Odyssey" caters to individuals struggling with addiction, those supporting loved ones through recovery, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of these vital issues. Members gain access to exclusive training sessions and actionable content to support their personal growth journey. Join Emma weekly for insightful discussions, expert advice, and heartfelt stories that illuminate the path to healing and self-discovery.

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Latest episodes

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01 October 2026

Work, Worth & Wellbeing: Rebuilding Life After Cancer with Caitlin McDonald

This conversation reframes cancer not only as crisis but also as catalyst: many survivors emerge more willing to take risks, change careers or re-prioritise life. Caitlin reflects on her own transition from policy and academia into coaching after her diagnosis and describes coaching’s power to help clients mourn losses, name new values, and make pragmatic decisions, whether scaling back hours, starting new projects, or crafting a legacy. The episode also calls out gaps in workplace empathy and legal understanding, urging employers to train managers and build inclusive policies. Listeners will find hope, practical signposts, and actionable tools to navigate change with dignity and resilience.

Connect with Caitlin here:

Website: https://caitlinmcdonald.com/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinmcdonald/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/

The free Gremlin Getting-Along Guide and signup link for my monthly newsletter: https://caitlinmcdonald.com/sign-me-up/

Continue Your Journey

Thank you so much for listening to The Healing Odyssey.If this episode has helped you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.

FREE RESOURCE: MY COMFORT KIT

Create your own collection of comfort, connection and hope with this free interactive wellbeing guide, including your own personal Back-to-Me Box.

Download My Comfort Kit free here:

evolve-recovery-comfort-kit.subscribepage.io

Join Dopamine Without Danger

A calm, private community for recovery, ADHD, burnout and emotional wellbeing.

First month just £3 with code ONEMONTH3

https://dopamine-without-danger.mn.co/landing/

Read AA Is Not the Only Way

Real stories of recovery, ADHD, trauma and finding your own way forward.

https://emmagardner.uk

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to help keep these conversations free:

https://buymeacoffee.com/emmagardnerwrites

Be a Guest

Therapist, coach, researcher, author or someone with lived experience?I'd love to hear from you.

emma@evolve-recovery.co.uk

Until next time... be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and keep finding your own way forward

00:00

40:38

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29 September 2026

When Redundancy Becomes Rebirth: Trusting Inner Guidance with Kristine Ovsepian, MA, C.Ht.

This conversation centers on practical empowerment: learning to listen to that inner voice, letting go of the ego’s control, and building a sustainable healing practice. Kristine Ovsepian shares actionable insights on working with clients (why one-to-one work fulfils her), how to integrate multiple modalities in a single session, and the timeline needed to rewire habits (21–30 days). Emma and Kristine also reflect on grief, loneliness, and the human need for physical connection during crises like COVID, reminding listeners that small, consistent shifts and self-compassion are core to long-term transformation.

Connect with Kristine here:

www.JourneysToHeal.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeystoheal?igsi=bTJ1dGVnOW1yaXpo&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristine.ovsepian.1?mibextid=wwXIfr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/journeys-to-heal-kristine-ovsepian-ma-cht-0742b2b4

Continue Your Journey

Thank you so much for listening to The Healing Odyssey.If this episode has helped you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.

FREE RESOURCE: MY COMFORT KIT

Create your own collection of comfort, connection and hope with this free interactive wellbeing guide, including your own personal Back-to-Me Box.

Download My Comfort Kit free here:

evolve-recovery-comfort-kit.subscribepage.io

Join Dopamine Without Danger

A calm, private community for recovery, ADHD, burnout and emotional wellbeing.

First month just £3 with code ONEMONTH3

https://dopamine-without-danger.mn.co/landing/

Read AA Is Not the Only Way

Real stories of recovery, ADHD, trauma and finding your own way forward.

https://emmagardner.uk

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to help keep these conversations free:

https://buymeacoffee.com/emmagardnerwrites

Be a Guest

Therapist, coach, researcher, author or someone with lived experience?I'd love to hear from you.

emma@evolve-recovery.co.uk

Until next time... be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and keep finding your own way forward

00:00

59:36

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26 September 2026

Mother Wound, Father Wound: Rewriting Early Attachment with Kate Mayor

Kate and Emma dive into attachment wounds, explaining the mother wound (belonging, having needs met) and the father wound (safety to move into the world, visibility). They discuss common adult patterns such as people-pleasing, over-responsibility, and codependency that originate in childhood survival strategies and later trap us. Through group programs, one-to-one sessions, and guided practices, clients learn to feel what was missing, give themselves those unmet needs, and rewrite relational dynamics. The episode emphasizes small, steady shifts: pulling back to allow others to step up, sensing bodily cues, and creating safe spaces that rewire subconscious survival responses.

Connect with Kate Mayor Here:

Author of All The Parts It Takes

Website: https://www.katemayor.com/

Find me on Substack: https://substack.com/@katemayor

Continue Your Journey

Thank you so much for listening to The Healing Odyssey.If this episode has helped you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.

FREE RESOURCE: MY COMFORT KIT

Create your own collection of comfort, connection and hope with this free interactive wellbeing guide, including your own personal Back-to-Me Box.

Download My Comfort Kit free here:

evolve-recovery-comfort-kit.subscribepage.io

Join Dopamine Without Danger

A calm, private community for recovery, ADHD, burnout and emotional wellbeing.

First month just £3 with code ONEMONTH3

https://dopamine-without-danger.mn.co/landing/

Read AA Is Not the Only Way

Real stories of recovery, ADHD, trauma and finding your own way forward.

https://emmagardner.uk

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to help keep these conversations free:

https://buymeacoffee.com/emmagardnerwrites

Be a Guest

Therapist, coach, researcher, author or someone with lived experience?I'd love to hear from you.

emma@evolve-recovery.co.uk

Until next time... be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and keep finding your own way forward

00:00

43:17

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24 September 2026

Seen at Last: From Hiding in Closets to Speaking Your Truth with Donna Zerger

In this episode Donna shares a raw, relatable story of growing up hyper-alert, craving to be seen, and discovering alcohol as a temporary solution that later became a long-term problem. She traces how childhood responsibility and shame shaped her coping mechanisms from attention-seeking stunts to overworking in adulthood and describes the turning points that led her into recovery. Donna explains how journaling, therapy, AA and sober community gradually helped her peel back old stories, reclaim value, and build new tools for emotional regulation. This conversation centers on compassion, curiosity and one-step-at-a-time change.

Connect with Donna Here:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/donna.zerger

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-zerger/

Continue Your Journey

Thank you so much for listening to The Healing Odyssey.If this episode has helped you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.

FREE RESOURCE: MY COMFORT KIT

Create your own collection of comfort, connection and hope with this free interactive wellbeing guide, including your own personal Back-to-Me Box.

Download My Comfort Kit free here:

evolve-recovery-comfort-kit.subscribepage.io

Join Dopamine Without Danger

A calm, private community for recovery, ADHD, burnout and emotional wellbeing.

First month just £3 with code ONEMONTH3

https://dopamine-without-danger.mn.co/landing/

Read AA Is Not the Only Way

Real stories of recovery, ADHD, trauma and finding your own way forward.

https://emmagardner.uk

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to help keep these conversations free:

https://buymeacoffee.com/emmagardnerwrites

Be a Guest

Therapist, coach, researcher, author or someone with lived experience?I'd love to hear from you.

emma@evolve-recovery.co.uk

Until next time... be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and keep finding your own way forward

00:00

53:53

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22 September 2026

The Trifecta Code: From Broken Leg to Broken Masks with Richard Lobo

This episode blends memoir, therapeutic insight and practical philosophy. Rick walks through a career‑ending athletic injury that triggered an identity collapse and eventual reinvention; he describes shadow integration work rooted in Jungian ideas, nervous‑system healing and the surprising physical responses people experience when they face trauma. Em and Rick discuss performance patterns, shame, forgiveness and how frequency and purpose open doors. Ideal for anyone wrestling with identity loss, caregiving burdens, or creative risk, the conversation offers encouragement: you don’t have to fit one model of recovery to find meaning and impact.

Connect with Richard here:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/rick.lobo?mibextid=wwxifr

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ricklobo7

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricklobo/

Continue Your Journey

Thank you so much for listening to The Healing Odyssey.If this episode has helped you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.

FREE RESOURCE: MY COMFORT KIT

Create your own collection of comfort, connection and hope with this free interactive wellbeing guide, including your own personal Back-to-Me Box.

Download My Comfort Kit free here:

evolve-recovery-comfort-kit.subscribepage.io

Join Dopamine Without Danger

A calm, private community for recovery, ADHD, burnout and emotional wellbeing.

First month just £3 with code ONEMONTH3

https://dopamine-without-danger.mn.co/landing/

Read AA Is Not the Only Way

Real stories of recovery, ADHD, trauma and finding your own way forward.

https://emmagardner.uk

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to help keep these conversations free:

https://buymeacoffee.com/emmagardnerwrites

Be a Guest

Therapist, coach, researcher, author or someone with lived experience?I'd love to hear from you.

emma@evolve-recovery.co.uk

Until next time... be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and keep finding your own way forward

00:00

51:57

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19 September 2026

From Jazz Clubs to Goddess Legacy: Songs that Heal with Lizzie Thomas

In this episode Emma talks with jazz vocalist, songwriter and label founder Lizzie Thomas about how music became a channel for her spiritual awakening and creative expression. Lizzie explains hearing melodies and lyrics in dreams, the role of sound frequencies and chakra resonance in healing, and how embodiment transformed her songwriting. She shares the emotional story behind the ballad “After All This Time,” which explores second chances and meeting yourself, and describes the daily practices, dream reflection, grounding and meal prep that keep her balanced while touring, recording and writing her next book.

Content & Listen to the Amazing Lizzie Here:

Website: https://www.lizziethejazzsinger.com/

Across Social Media: @LizzieTheJazzSinger

Continue Your Journey

Thank you so much for listening to The Healing Odyssey.If this episode has helped you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it today.

FREE RESOURCE: MY COMFORT KIT

Create your own collection of comfort, connection and hope with this free interactive wellbeing guide, including your own personal Back-to-Me Box.

Download My Comfort Kit free here:

evolve-recovery-comfort-kit.subscribepage.io

Join Dopamine Without Danger

A calm, private community for recovery, ADHD, burnout and emotional wellbeing.

First month just £3 with code ONEMONTH3

https://dopamine-without-danger.mn.co/landing/

Read AA Is Not the Only Way

Real stories of recovery, ADHD, trauma and finding your own way forward.

https://emmagardner.uk

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to help keep these conversations free:

https://buymeacoffee.com/emmagardnerwrites

Be a Guest

Therapist, coach, researcher, author or someone with lived experience?I'd love to hear from you.

emma@evolve-recovery.co.uk

Until next time... be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and keep finding your own way forward

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45:42