The Cultivating Calmness Podcast, hosted by Kaela Vance, offers a heartfelt exploration of grief, trauma, and healing. Kaela, a trauma and grief therapist based in Dublin, Ohio, shares her personal journey of coping with the loss of her mother to Ovarian Cancer at a young age and how it shaped her path towards therapy. In this episode, she candidly discusses how grief evolves over time and how it can resurface in different phases of life. Kaela provides insights into the complexities of grief and trauma responses, offering comfort and relatability to listeners who have experienced similar losses. This podcast is a compassionate and informative space for those seeking understanding and healing in the face of life's challenges.

Episode #21 - Navigating Grief: From Trauma to Resilience

In this episode of the Cultivating Calmness Podcast, host Kaela Vance explores the representation of therapy in movies and television. Drawing from her recent viewing of Law and Order SVU, Kaela reflects on how therapists are portrayed on screen and the discrepancies between media portrayals and real-life therapy. She discusses popular films like Patch Adams and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, as well as TV shows like In Treatment and Couples Therapy, highlighting both accurate and inaccurate depictions of therapy. Through this exploration, Kaela invites listeners to consider their own perceptions of therapy in media and how it may influence their views on seeking therapy in real life.

Episode #27 - On-Screen Therapy: Hollywood vs. Reality

Welcome to the Cultivating Calmness Podcast, where healing is the journey we embrace. I'm your host, Kaela Vance, and on this podcast, we explore the multifaceted nature of healing, particularly in mental health. Just as a physical wound requires care, time, and sometimes discomfort before it fully heals, emotional and mental healing can be a process of facing and processing past traumas, pains, and experiences. Through insightful discussions and personal anecdotes, we delve into various aspects of healing. From the importance of therapy and different therapeutic modalities, to the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, we uncover the paths to healing and self-discovery. Join me as we navigate the twists and turns of the healing journey, offering guidance, support, and a gentle reminder that healing is a process, not a destination. Tune in to the Cultivating Calmness Podcast and let's embark on this transformative journey together.

Episode #30 - Healing: Mind-Body Harmony

Welcome to the Cultivating Communist Podcast with Kaela Vance. In this episode, Kaela reflects on her weekend, discussing the importance of self-care and how she spent her time enjoying the outdoors and working on her her medicinal garden. She explores the concept of self-care and its different forms, encouraging listeners to find what fills their cup and empowers them. Join Kaela as she shares her insights and experiences, offering a moment of relaxation and reflection in your day.

Episode #31 - Growing Wellness: Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Soul

In this episode of the Cultivating Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance delves into the topic of anxiety and change, particularly in the context of the busy month of May. She discusses the various manifestations of anxiety, from fear of the unknown to past-oriented worries, and highlights how anxiety can be exacerbated during times of change. Kaela shares personal experiences of anxiety related to her expanding wellness practice, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and holistic approaches in managing anxiety. She explores the impact of diet, lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, and therapeutic techniques in addressing anxiety, providing valuable insights and practical tips for listeners seeking to cultivate calmness amidst life's challenges.

Episode #38 - Anxiety Unmasked: Holistic Approaches for Inner Peace

In this episode of the Cultivating Calmness Podcast, we explore the importance of accurate diagnoses in the mental health field. Host Kaela Vance discusses her experiences with differential diagnoses, where clients receive labels that may not fully align with their symptoms. She highlights the challenges of diagnosing mental health conditions, the need for thorough evaluations, and the potential overlap between various disorders like bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder. Kaela emphasizes the importance of seeking second opinions and gathering comprehensive information to ensure that diagnoses are accurate and truly reflective of the individual's experiences. Join us as we delve into the complexities of mental health diagnoses and the pursuit of clarity and understanding in the therapeutic process.

Episode #45 - Diagnoses: When Diagnoses Don't Align

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, host Kaela Vance dives into the complexities of narcissism, challenging common misconceptions and exploring its traits as outlined in the DSM. She discusses the spectrum of narcissistic behaviors, distinguishing between traits and the full diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and reflects on how personal experiences and environmental factors play a role in shaping these behaviors. With insights from her upcoming mental health professionals’ luncheon featuring a guest speaker on narcissism, Kaela emphasizes the importance of understanding and recognizing these traits in ourselves and others, encouraging listeners to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about this often-misunderstood personality trait.

Episode #55 - Narcissism: Beyond the Buzzword

In this episode of the Cultivating Calmness Podcast, we’re diving into the often-stressful dynamics of holiday gatherings with family and friends. As the season approaches, many of us feel both excitement and anxiety about seeing loved ones, especially when difficult relationships or unresolved conflicts come into play. Join Kaela as we discuss practical strategies for setting boundaries that protect your peace and well-being. Whether you’re navigating conflicting family traditions, managing expectations, or dealing with challenging conversations, we’ll explore tips for preparing yourself mentally and emotionally, so you can approach the holidays with confidence, calm, and a renewed sense of joy.

Episode #63 - Healthy Boundaries: Setting Limits with Family & Friends

In this episode of Cultivate Calmness, we explore the surprising and often overlooked impact of hormone disruptors on your health and well-being. From everyday household products to hidden chemicals in cookware, personal care items, and more, these endocrine disruptors can wreak havoc on your hormones, affecting everything from metabolism to mental health. Join me as I share practical tips for identifying and avoiding these toxins, healthier alternatives for your home, and the connection between hormone health and emotional balance. Whether you're new to this topic or looking to take your knowledge to the next level, this episode is packed with insights to help you create a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle.

Episode #67 - Clean Living: Avoiding Endocrine Disruptors

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela dives into the powerful connection between exercise and mental health, exploring the science behind how physical activity impacts our brains and emotions. She discusses how exercise increases feel-good hormones like endorphins and helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, but also emphasizes the importance of listening to your body to avoid overexertion. Kaela also touches on the concept of cycle syncing for women, explaining how aligning exercise routines with the different phases of the menstrual cycle can optimize energy levels and mental well-being. Tune in for practical insights on how to move your body in a way that supports both your physical and mental health.

Episode #73 - Exercise: The Mental Health Benefits

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance explores the surprising connection between food aversion, picky eating, and tongue ties. She shares her personal experience with food aversion and reveals how an issue as simple as a restricted tongue movement could affect your ability to eat certain foods. Kaela discusses how tongue ties and lip ties can impact eating habits, speech, and even sleep, and she encourages listeners to consider how these physical conditions might be influencing their health or the health of their children. This episode offers valuable insight into how understanding and addressing these underlying issues can lead to better eating habits and overall well-being.

Episode #77 - Food Phobias: Picky Eaters and Tongue Ties

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance reflects on her recent spring break vacation and how it provided an opportunity to practice mindfulness in a simple and calming way. As she shares her family’s experience searching for sea glass, Kaela connects this activity to mindfulness, highlighting the importance of focusing on the present moment to regulate our body and mind. From the soothing rhythm of the waves to the quiet concentration required to spot sea glass, Kaela discusses how these small, everyday activities can help us cultivate mindfulness and calmness. Whether you're on vacation or at home, learning to focus on one thing at a time can lead to a more peaceful and centered state of mind.

Episode #78 - Mindfulness: Lessons Learned from Sea Glass

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela explores the profound feeling of being "alone" during difficult times, even when surrounded by supportive people. Drawing on the classic poem "Footprints in the Sand," she reflects on how God’s presence remains with us, especially during the darkest moments of our lives. Kaela shares personal insights from her own journey of faith and experiences with clients, emphasizing that despite feeling isolated in our struggles, we are never truly alone—God walks with us through it all. This episode provides comfort for those wrestling with pain, grief, or trauma, offering a gentle reminder that we are seen, loved, and never abandoned.

Episode #80 - Feeling Alone: Finding God in the Darkest Moments

In today’s episode of Cultivate Calmness, Kaela delves into the science of negative thought patterns, or "cognitive distortions," and offers practical tips for shifting those patterns. She discusses the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, introducing listeners to cognitive restructuring techniques that can help them reframe their negative thinking into a more positive and realistic outlook. Whether it's overcoming pessimism, catastrophizing, or black-and-white thinking, Kaela provides actionable insights and exercises for changing thought patterns to promote emotional healing and resilience. Join her as she explores how small shifts in perspective can lead to a more fulfilling, balanced life.


Episode #82 - Negative Thoughts: How to Rethink Your Perspective

In today’s episode, Kaela Vance shares her excitement as she prepares to attend the Seeking Whole Health Conference. As a holistic mental health counselor, Kaela is eager to learn more about a variety of topics, from food sensitivities and hormones, to herbalism and gut health. She reflects on how these new insights will help her not only in her personal life but also in supporting her clients and family. Tune in to hear Kaela’s journey of lifelong learning and how conferences like this one provide invaluable knowledge for holistic health practices.

Episode #83 - A Holistic Journey: The Seeking Whole Health Conference

In this episode, Kaela shares her key takeaways from the Seeking Whole Health, Christian Holistic Health Conference, where she gained a wealth of knowledge on holistic healing practices, including the importance of nourishing both the body and mind. From learning about the impact of our modern food systems to exploring the intersection of faith and wellness, Kaela discusses how these insights can improve not just our health, but our overall well-being. Whether it’s detoxing your body, addressing hormonal imbalances, or understanding the connection between farming and food quality, this episode offers a unique perspective on holistic healing that you won’t want to miss.

Episode #84 - Holistic Wellness: My Experience at the Conference

In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela shares her personal journey of navigating Mother's Day after the loss of her mother at a young age. Reflecting on how her relationship with Mother's Day has evolved over the years, Kaela opens up about her experience of growing up without a mother, finding comfort in non-traditional mother figures, and learning to heal from grief. She explores the complexity of celebrating motherhood while honoring the memory of her own mother, and how she now navigates motherhood with her own children. Whether you're celebrating, grieving, or somewhere in between, this episode offers valuable insights on healing, gratitude, and the importance of honoring the women who shape our lives.

Episode #85 - Mother's Day: Non-Traditional Motherhood

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness podcast, Kaela Vance discusses the power of analogies in explaining and processing trauma. Kaela shares several effective analogies, such as the car accident, smoke detectors, and backpacks full of rocks, to help listeners understand the complexities of trauma and healing. Through these analogies, she demonstrates how simple comparisons can facilitate emotional understanding and healing for both clients and therapists. If you're looking for fresh ways to grasp and explain your own experiences or to better communicate with others about trauma, this episode offers insightful tools and practical advice.

Episode #86 - Analogies: Explaining Trauma in Relatable Ways

In this episode of The Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we dive into the topic of boundaries—why they are essential for our mental health, how they protect us, and how to set them in a way that fosters healthier relationships. Whether it's managing difficult family dynamics, handling emotional triggers, or learning how to say no, setting boundaries allows us to define what’s acceptable in our lives. This episode explores common misconceptions, practical examples, and the importance of following through with your limits to create the space for growth, peace, and self-respect. Tune in for insightful tips on strengthening your personal boundaries and cultivating emotional well-being.

Episode #87 - Boundaries: Learning to Say No Without Guilt

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela is joined by Jonathan Miller from Miller Counseling to discuss social anxiety, a disorder that often slips under the radar in therapy. Jonathan, with his 25 years of experience, sheds light on what social anxiety is, its subtle but powerful impact on daily life, and the role of exposure therapy in overcoming it. Together, they explore how social anxiety manifests, how it can sneak up on individuals, and the importance of addressing it with compassion and practical strategies. Jonathan also shares his personal experiences with social anxiety, offering insight into how it can affect self-esteem and social interactions. Tune in to learn how we can help clients face their fears, build confidence, and create lasting change.

Episode #88 - Social Anxiety: A Deep Dive with Jonathan Miller

In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we take a deep dive into Father’s Day—a time to celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives, but also a moment to acknowledge the grief that may accompany this special day. Whether you're grieving the loss of a father, experiencing a challenging relationship, or simply reflecting on the role fathers play in our lives, this episode offers insights and compassionate guidance for navigating the complexities of the day. From offering practical ways to show appreciation to fathers to suggestions for honoring those who are no longer with us, this episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing fathers in their many forms. Tune in for heartfelt reflections, support for grieving individuals, and tips for making Father’s Day meaningful in whatever way feels right for you.

Episode #89 - Father’s Day: A Special Father's Day Message

In this eye-opening episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela is joined by functional dietitian and founder of Nourished by Taylor, Taylor Lechner, to discuss the often-overlooked connection between hormonal birth control and mental health. Taylor shares her personal and professional journey of recovering from the pill, uncovering root causes like high copper and gut dysfunction that can trigger anxiety, depression, and more. Listeners will gain insight into the importance of functional testing, how birth control alters the brain and body, and what steps women can take to start healing naturally. This conversation empowers women with informed consent and reminds us that when we feel something is off—our intuition is often right.

Episode #90 - Birth Control: Taylor Lechner Talks Women's Health

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we explore the powerful connection between our inner dialogue and the world we experience. Inspired by a video featuring Peter Crone, “The Mind Architect,” we dive deep into the concept of negative core beliefs—those deep-rooted thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m unlovable”—and how they silently shape our lives, reactions, and relationships. Drawing from real-life examples, therapeutic insight, and EMDR techniques, this episode unpacks how past experiences wire our brains for defense and how we can begin to rewrite our inner narratives to live with more confidence, compassion, and freedom.

Episode #91 - Core Beliefs: Rewriting Your Inner Narrative

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we welcome Rebecca Dunaway, a certified HeartMath® practitioner, Reiki master, and sound therapy trainee, to explore the healing power of HeartMath®. Drawing on her decades-long career in the medical field and her personal experience with burnout, Rebecca shares how HeartMath® tools—like heart-focused breathing and coherence techniques—can help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and bring heart, mind, and body into harmony. We discuss how these tools complement traditional therapy, how they're used in everyday life (even in traffic!), and how they support healing from trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress. This episode is a heart-centered guide to reconnecting with yourself and supporting your clients more deeply.

Episode #92 - HeartMath®: Tools for Trauma Recovery

In this powerful episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance sits down with fellow LPCC-S and trauma specialist Rikki Grace to explore the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), a therapeutic approach designed specifically for complex trauma. Rikki shares her journey into the world of counseling and how she discovered NARM, explaining what sets it apart from other trauma modalities like EMDR and DBT. Listeners will gain insight into how NARM integrates relational, emotional, cognitive, and somatic elements while emphasizing client agency, consent, and non-pathologizing therapeutic relationships. Whether you’re a clinician, a trauma survivor, or simply curious about healing through connection, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on what it means to experience and process trauma in a safe, supportive way.

Episode #93 - Trauma: NeuroAffective Relational Model

Have you ever wondered if your therapist thinks about you after your session ends? In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I pull back the curtain on the inner world of therapists and share what really goes on beyond the therapy room. I talk openly about the emotional residue of sessions, how clients often stay in our hearts and minds, and why you’re never just a job to us. From church pews to community events to scrolling through social media, therapists like me are often reminded of the people we care for. If you’ve ever questioned your impact as a client, this episode will affirm your importance and shed light on the deeper connections we hold with those we serve.

Episode #94 - Holding Space: Therapists Do Think About You

In this heartfelt episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, dives into the emotional complexity of difficult relationships and why setting boundaries can feel so hard—even when we know they’re needed. Whether it’s with a parent, friend, partner, or coworker, Kaela explores the common fears we carry—fear of rejection, fear of loss, fear of change—and how those fears can prevent us from speaking our truth. She offers insight on how to navigate relationships with compassion and clarity, highlights the power of vulnerability, and gently challenges listeners to consider: What am I really afraid of—and what could happen if I finally spoke up?

Episode #95 - Relationships: Navigating Tough Connections

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance sits down with K Preston Moore—TEDx speaker, national mental health and addiction advocate, and person in long-term recovery—to have a powerful, honest, and energizing conversation about the real roots of emotional dysfunction and the stigma that keeps people stuck. Preston shares how his own experiences with addiction, recovery, and emotional growth shaped his work, and why building a culture of proactive mental and emotional wellness is more critical than ever. Together, they explore how vulnerability, consistency, and community can reshape lives—long before a crisis forces change. Whether you're a clinician, a parent, or someone who just wants to live more intentionally, this episode offers both insight and practical inspiration.

Episode #96 - Rethinking Stigma: Preston Moore’s Journey and Message

In this episode of The Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I’m joined by Molly Olejownik, a licensed mental health specialist working in a local school district, to discuss the essential and often overlooked collaboration between school-based counselors and community therapists. We explore the evolution of her career from cheer coach to school counselor to private practice clinician—and now, back into schools as a mental health specialist serving students with IEPs. Molly shares the challenges of large caseloads, how emotional regulation is central to her work, and why building strong partnerships with parents, teachers, and therapists is key to supporting students. We also dive into the reality of burnout, perfectionism in high-achieving districts, and the importance of self-care for those who serve others.

Episode #97 - School Counselors: Supporting Kids at School and Beyond

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, we tackle the exhausting myth that you’re supposed to “do it all” — perfectly, all the time. From the picture-perfect lives we see on social media to the increasing demands of modern life, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. I share personal reflections, the reality behind those polished images, and a practical exercise to help you assess your life’s priorities without burning out. You’ll learn why trying to change everything at once sets you up for failure, how to focus on one key area for a ripple effect of positive change, and why it’s time to let go of impossible standards.

Episode #98 - Slowing Down: From Overwhelm to Balance

In this deeply personal episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela shares her own story of losing her mom to ovarian cancer at the age of seven and reflect on what grief has looked like over the past 30 years. From unexpected triggers, to the ways grief evolves through different life stages, she explores how loss never fully disappears, but grows and changes alongside us. She talks about the mementos her mom left behind, the special connections she still feels today, and how becoming a parent has reshaped her understanding of grief. This episode is a vulnerable reflection on love, memory, and the way grief continues to shape who we are—decades later.

Episode #99 - My Story: Lessons From 30 Grief Anniversaries

Welcome to the "Cultivate Calmness" channel, presented by Kaela Rae Vance LPCCS. Kaela is one of Central Ohio's few Holistic Clinical Counselors who specializes in advanced counseling techniques, real world strategies, & guidance around complex grief and trauma issues.

Cultivate Calmness Podcast

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