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

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

In this episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I sit down with therapist and practice owner Emily Hanlon of Spiral Path Counseling to explore the power of Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and expressive arts therapy in supporting trauma recovery and self-care. Together, we dive into how these approaches intersect, offering both clients and clinicians fresh ways to view “self-sabotage,” connect with their inner parts, and practice embodied self-regulation. Emily shares her journey from burnout to discovering somatic and parts-based therapies, highlighting the importance of compassion, creativity, and safety in the healing process. Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or simply curious about holistic approaches to mental health, this conversation offers insight, hope, and practical tools.

Episode #100 - Parts Work: Exploring Internal Family Systems

In this milestone 101st episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I take a moment to reflect on what it means to have been sharing conversations, insights, and stories for over two years. What began as a way to connect and share mental health knowledge has grown into a platform for community, interviews, and holistic discussions around grief, trauma, and functional wellness. From solo reflections to engaging dialogues with fellow professionals, this journey has reshaped not only my practice but also the way I approach therapy and life. Join me as I look back on the path so far, the lessons learned, and the vision for what’s to come in the next 101 episodes.

Episode #101 - 101 Episodes: Two Years of Cultivating Calmness

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness, Kaela sits down with Dr. Suzanne Pikula, DC, a trauma-informed, systems-oriented chiropractor and founder of several integrative clinics, to explore how bodywork can accelerate mental health healing. Dr. Suzanne explains why “everything is connected”—from fascia and cranial-sacral flow to the vagus nerve, limbic system, and gut-brain axis—and how gentle, safety-first somatic techniques can help anxious, overwhelmed, or neurodivergent clients actually receive care. We unpack collaboration between psychotherapy (EMDR/brain-based work) and chiropractic approaches, discuss stored trauma after surgeries (like C-sections), and look at practical ways to calm hyper-arousal, improve sleep and focus, and reduce persistent pain. If you’ve ever wondered how nontraditional adjustments, scar work, and nervous system regulation can complement talk therapy, this conversation offers a grounded, trauma-responsive roadmap for healing mind, body, and spirit.

Episode #102 - Brain & Body: Bridging Therapy & Chiropractic Care

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, takes listeners behind the scenes of her work not only as a grief and trauma therapist but also as the host of monthly Mental Health Professionals Luncheons and the new president of the Central Ohio Counseling Association (COCA). Kaela shares the heart behind creating spaces where counselors can connect, consult, and collaborate through luncheons, CEU events, coffee and consultations, and social gatherings. Whether you’re a new professional, a seasoned clinician, or simply curious about how community can help sustain mental health providers, this episode highlights the importance of coming together, sharing resources, and building meaningful professional relationships in Central Ohio and beyond.

Episode #103 - Building Community for Counselors in Central Ohio

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, explores the wide spectrum of grief reactions we see both publicly and privately, from anger and numbness to hope and faith. Drawing from personal experiences, professional insights, and reflections on recent events, she emphasizes that no two people grieve in the same way—and that judgment often deepens wounds rather than heals them. Kaela reminds listeners that grief is complex, unpredictable, and deeply human, and encourages us to meet others with empathy, compassion, and support instead of criticism. Whether you’ve experienced loss yourself or are walking alongside someone who has, this episode offers perspective, validation, and practical ways to help without judgment.

Episode #104 - The Many Faces of Grief and How We Respond

In this week’s episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, reflects on the power of connection and the urgency of preserving memories with loved ones while we still have the chance. Drawing on her own experiences with family and her work as a grief and trauma therapist, she explores how sudden loss—whether personal or public—reminds us that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Kaela discusses simple, meaningful ways to capture family stories and histories, from asking intentional questions to recording conversations, and emphasizes how these practices not only honor those we love but also leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Episode #105 - Preserving Memories Before It’s Too Late

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.

Episode #93 - Trauma: NeuroAffective Relational Model

Cultivate Calmness Podcast

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