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 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

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, holistic grief and trauma therapist Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, addresses a heartbreaking story that shook her community — the loss of a child to a viral social-media “challenge.” Kaela explores the darker side of technology and how digital platforms, algorithms, and online predators can endanger our kids’ safety and mental health. She offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents and caregivers: how to create tech agreements, monitor online use, and open healthy conversations about trust, privacy, and boundaries. This episode is both a sobering wake-up call and an empowering reminder that proactive, mindful parenting can make all the difference in a digital world designed for distraction.

Episode #106 - Digital Dangers: Keeping Kids Safe on Social Media

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, explores how relationships grow best when we take time to build a strong emotional foundation—one step (or wave) at a time. Using her ocean and beach analogy, Kaela reflects on the importance of exploring relationships slowly, developing trust, and learning each other’s depths before diving in. Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or simply someone seeking healthier connections, this episode invites you to consider how self-awareness, pacing, and emotional curiosity help us create meaningful, lasting bonds that don’t just float—they thrive.

Episode #108 - How We Build Trust One Step at a Time

In this week’s episode of The Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela dives into what she calls “sugar overload season”—that stretch of holidays from Halloween through Valentine’s Day where candy, cookies, and cocktails dominate. She explores how excess sugar impacts the immune system, why you might feel run down despite taking vitamins, and how small, mindful choices can strengthen your body’s natural defenses. Drawing on her holistic and functional mental health approach, Kaela also shares practical ways to listen to your body’s early warning signs, use food and supplements intentionally, and teach your family to recognize those same cues. This episode offers a compassionate reminder to enjoy the season while nurturing your physical and emotional wellness.

Episode #109 - The Hidden Cost of Holiday Sugar

In this week’s episode of Cultivate Calmness, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, shares exciting updates about Teal Saguaro Wellness’s upcoming CEU luncheon for mental health professionals, as well as new online CEU courses now available through her website. Kaela discusses the heart behind these events—building community, collaboration, and growth among Ohio clinicians—and offers insight into how therapists, counselors, and social workers can get involved as presenters. Whether you’re looking to attend a luncheon, earn CEUs online, or share your expertise as a presenter, this episode is your invitation to connect, contribute, and grow together.

Episode #110 - Bringing Connection to Continuing Education

In this week’s episode of Cultivate Calmness, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, shares her personal reflections on the arrival of Ohio’s first snow and explores how the shift in seasons affects our mental and physical health. Kaela explains how sunlight, vitamin D, and movement influence mood and energy, and offers holistic strategies to prevent the “winter blues.” From mindful outdoor walks and light therapy boxes to nutritional support and joyful winter activities, she guides listeners through simple, functional steps to help their bodies and minds adjust to the colder months. Whether you love winter or dread it, this episode reminds you that the season doesn’t have to control your mood — you can prepare, stay grounded, and find calm no matter the weather.

Episode #111 - How to Prepare Your Mind and Body for the Season

In this heartfelt Thanksgiving episode of the Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, takes time to pause and reflect on gratitude — for her clients, her colleagues, her community, and the journey that brought her here. She shares the lessons she’s learned from the brave clients who trust her with their stories, the clinicians who collaborate and present at her CEU luncheons, and the loved ones who help her bring her mission to life. From running a small private practice to leading in her professional community, Kaela explores how gratitude can anchor us through challenges and strengthen our connection to purpose, people, and healing.

Episode #112 - Gratitude, Growth, and Grace

In this week’s Cultivate Calmness Podcast, Kaela Vance, LPCC-S, trades New Year hype for honest holiday momentum—sharing why she believes in “testing, not guessing” and how small, compassionate steps create real change. From Christmas-sweater cheer to practical first moves, Kaela walks through lab options she’s using herself (basic bloodwork, hair mineral analysis, and stool testing), what those results can illuminate, and how to translate insights into doable habits—hydration, nutrient support, movement, and mindset—without waiting for January 1. If you’re curious about a functional, root-cause approach to mental health and want a therapist who will walk the path with you, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and an invitation to begin.

Episode #113 - Holiday Hustle: How to Begin Your Health Reset

In this week’s episode, we explore the powerful connection between mental health, physical symptoms, and the body’s natural communication system. I share candidly about my own wellness journey—from chronic sinus issues to shedding chemicals, adjusting nutrition, and pursuing functional testing to better understand what my body has been trying to tell me. We talk about how trauma, emotions, diet, and lifestyle choices influence everything from digestion to mood regulation, and how learning to recognize internal cues can transform the way we approach healing. Whether you're navigating unexplained symptoms, exploring natural health, or simply wanting to feel more aligned with your body, this conversation offers compassionate guidance and practical insights for tuning in rather than pushing through.

Episode #114 - What Your Symptoms Are Trying to Tell You

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 #98 - Slowing Down: From Overwhelm to Balance

Cultivate Calmness Podcast

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