60 acast.com innercalling https://www.innercalling.org en Dr. Victoria Chialy Ranade mental health,therapy,depression,anxiety,bipolar,existential depression,personal growth,emotional well being,relationships,loneliness,life questions,women,dating,self-compassion,spirituality Dr. Victoria Ranade innercalling is hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, a board-certified clinical psychologist, who brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us. Through storytelling and honest, organic conversation, we explore how to navigate difficult seasons of life, and discuss timeless questions related to existence and the nature of life itself. Above all, innercalling is an old-fashioned kind of place where human connection still matters. It's a space where you are safe to be yourself, where there is nothing to gain, accomplish, or prove. A space where we come together to listen deeply to the inner calling that the chaos of modern life would have you forget but which is always there within you, quietly guiding you home. Learn more at www.innercalling.org.

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

]]> innercalling is hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, a board-certified clinical psychologist, who brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us. Through storytelling and honest, organic conversation, we explore how to navigate difficult seasons of life, and discuss timeless questions related to existence and the nature of life itself. Above all, innercalling is an old-fashioned kind of place where human connection still matters. It's a space where you are safe to be yourself, where there is nothing to gain, accomplish, or prove. A space where we come together to listen deeply to the inner calling that the chaos of modern life would have you forget but which is always there within you, quietly guiding you home. Learn more at www.innercalling.org.

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

]]> false Dr. Victoria Ranade drvictoria@innercalling.org 67f4259a546af57906928621 inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/67f4259a546af57906928621/1768090603053-6abee277-18d7-41ec-a0b0-0dbe5207aafc.jpeg https://www.innercalling.org innercalling <![CDATA[ #53. How do we find kinship & connection in a world pulling us apart? with Dr. Jennifer Young]]> Sat, 04 Apr 2026 01:28:35 GMT 43:34 69d069443a785fb94b2c7f52 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69d069443a785fb94b2c7f52 69d069443a785fb94b2c7f52 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 53 How do we stay connected to one another even when the world is pulling us apart? How can we remember a sense of kinship and cultivate it in our communities? I invited my friend and colleague, Dr. Jennifer Young, onto the show to share her thoughts on this very topic as well as the nonprofit she recently started to support refugee mental health. We talk about what it's like to follow an inner calling to become a psychologist when your immigrant parents think you're crazy for wanting to listen to people for a living. We talk about being the only Asian American in the room, finding your voice when the standard doesn't look or sound like you, and what it took for each of us to keep going anyway.


Dr. Young shares why she started Kin-nection, why she believes human compassion will be the thing people are searching for 20 years from now, and why we can't rely on AI to do the work that requires human connection. We go places I didn't expect — intergenerational trauma, Guan Yin, a clairvoyant, and what our ancestry and lineage has to do with the work we feel called to do.


***

Dr. Jennifer T. Young is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified EMDR therapist, and intercultural psychology consultant. She is the founder and president of Kin-nection, a nonprofit building community among mental health and language professionals to serve vulnerable, displaced populations. Jennifer has served as a psychologist at U.S. Peace Corps Headquarters, a consulting psychologist at the Headington Institute supporting humanitarian aid workers, and was appointed co-chair of UNICEF's IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. She holds a PsyD from Alliant International University and a BA in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine.


https://drjennifertyoung.com/

https://www.kin-nection.org/

**

2:00 she knew at nine — the first inner calling

4:00 the high school hotline

6:00 becoming a psychologist as a woman of color

16:00 when your immigrant parents think you're crazy

25:00 advice for young people of color in the field

27:00 finding your voice as an Asian American clinician

35:00 what are your roots, really?

44:00 the path to working with refugees internationally

49:00 why refugee mental health matters now

53:00 founding Kin-nection

57:00 what Kin-nection is and how it works

1:00:00 why human compassion will outlast AI

1:06:00 the inner calling that wouldn't leave

1:12:00 intergenerational trauma and ancestry

1:17:00 what an inner calling really feels like

1:24:00 Asian American women and leadership

1:31:00 advice if you feel an inner calling

1:39:00 100 years from now — what do we hold onto?


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr. Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> How do we stay connected to one another even when the world is pulling us apart? How can we remember a sense of kinship and cultivate it in our communities? I invited my friend and colleague, Dr. Jennifer Young, onto the show to share her thoughts on this very topic as well as the nonprofit she recently started to support refugee mental health. We talk about what it's like to follow an inner calling to become a psychologist when your immigrant parents think you're crazy for wanting to listen to people for a living. We talk about being the only Asian American in the room, finding your voice when the standard doesn't look or sound like you, and what it took for each of us to keep going anyway.


Dr. Young shares why she started Kin-nection, why she believes human compassion will be the thing people are searching for 20 years from now, and why we can't rely on AI to do the work that requires human connection. We go places I didn't expect — intergenerational trauma, Guan Yin, a clairvoyant, and what our ancestry and lineage has to do with the work we feel called to do.


***

Dr. Jennifer T. Young is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified EMDR therapist, and intercultural psychology consultant. She is the founder and president of Kin-nection, a nonprofit building community among mental health and language professionals to serve vulnerable, displaced populations. Jennifer has served as a psychologist at U.S. Peace Corps Headquarters, a consulting psychologist at the Headington Institute supporting humanitarian aid workers, and was appointed co-chair of UNICEF's IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. She holds a PsyD from Alliant International University and a BA in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine.


https://drjennifertyoung.com/

https://www.kin-nection.org/

**

2:00 she knew at nine — the first inner calling

4:00 the high school hotline

6:00 becoming a psychologist as a woman of color

16:00 when your immigrant parents think you're crazy

25:00 advice for young people of color in the field

27:00 finding your voice as an Asian American clinician

35:00 what are your roots, really?

44:00 the path to working with refugees internationally

49:00 why refugee mental health matters now

53:00 founding Kin-nection

57:00 what Kin-nection is and how it works

1:00:00 why human compassion will outlast AI

1:06:00 the inner calling that wouldn't leave

1:12:00 intergenerational trauma and ancestry

1:17:00 what an inner calling really feels like

1:24:00 Asian American women and leadership

1:31:00 advice if you feel an inner calling

1:39:00 100 years from now — what do we hold onto?


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr. Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #52. What exactly is consciousness, and is AI a form of it? with Zen teacher Ryushin Marchaj #52. What exactly is consciousness, and is AI a form of it? with Zen teacher Ryushin Marchaj Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:19:18 GMT 1:11:15 69cc4866e8519e977f89bcfa false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69cc4866e8519e977f89bcfa 69cc4866e8519e977f89bcfa 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 52 Could AI be conscious? What exactly is consciousness in the first place? I ask my teacher Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj for a conversation on AI, consciousness, plant medicine, as well as the nature of oneness. Ryushin draws on 40 years of Buddhist practice and his work with sacred plant medicine to explore ordinary versus extraordinary states of consciousness, why separateness is an illusion, and what this all means about consciousness. We talk about intimacy with reality, and what happens when we simply pay attention to the present moment. Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn when we explore: if everything is made of the same fabric of reality, where does AI fit in?


***

Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, is a Zen priest in the tradition of Zen Buddhism, and a dharma heir of the late John Daido Loori, Roshi. Ryushin Sensei was the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Born in Warsaw, Poland, he immigrated to the United States in 1967. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Yale University in 1976, and his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1980. He worked first as a pediatrician in Portland, Maine, later serving in the US Navy as a physician for three years. He then returned to Albany for postgraduate training in psychiatry. After completing his residency, he served as medical director for a community psychiatric outreach program, the Mobile Crisis Team, which served Albany County’s disenfranchised and homeless population. He entered full-time residential training at the Monastery in 1992. In addition to his roles as the Monastery’s abbot and director of operations, he explored contemplative practices in higher education, collaborating with several liberal arts educators and administrators in the Northeast to look at ways for college students to engage religious practice as part of their education. He has been practicing Buddhism since 1983. Since 2014, he has been rigorously exploring and training in ayahuasca ceremonies in various traditions, guided by several teachers. Drawing on his background as a physician and psychiatrist, Ryushin’s infectious interest and thorough training in the workings of the mind and compassionate expression of unconditional love, combined with his skill at translating complex concepts into the accessible, everyday language, characterize his unique teaching style. Currently, he resides and guides at River Refuge Zen Temple in Roxbury, Connecticut.


Contact: Ryushin Marchaj at 845-282-4278 or fusanryushin@gmail.com


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. ✌🏼💛


Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Could AI be conscious? What exactly is consciousness in the first place? I ask my teacher Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj for a conversation on AI, consciousness, plant medicine, as well as the nature of oneness. Ryushin draws on 40 years of Buddhist practice and his work with sacred plant medicine to explore ordinary versus extraordinary states of consciousness, why separateness is an illusion, and what this all means about consciousness. We talk about intimacy with reality, and what happens when we simply pay attention to the present moment. Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn when we explore: if everything is made of the same fabric of reality, where does AI fit in?


***

Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, is a Zen priest in the tradition of Zen Buddhism, and a dharma heir of the late John Daido Loori, Roshi. Ryushin Sensei was the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Born in Warsaw, Poland, he immigrated to the United States in 1967. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Yale University in 1976, and his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1980. He worked first as a pediatrician in Portland, Maine, later serving in the US Navy as a physician for three years. He then returned to Albany for postgraduate training in psychiatry. After completing his residency, he served as medical director for a community psychiatric outreach program, the Mobile Crisis Team, which served Albany County’s disenfranchised and homeless population. He entered full-time residential training at the Monastery in 1992. In addition to his roles as the Monastery’s abbot and director of operations, he explored contemplative practices in higher education, collaborating with several liberal arts educators and administrators in the Northeast to look at ways for college students to engage religious practice as part of their education. He has been practicing Buddhism since 1983. Since 2014, he has been rigorously exploring and training in ayahuasca ceremonies in various traditions, guided by several teachers. Drawing on his background as a physician and psychiatrist, Ryushin’s infectious interest and thorough training in the workings of the mind and compassionate expression of unconditional love, combined with his skill at translating complex concepts into the accessible, everyday language, characterize his unique teaching style. Currently, he resides and guides at River Refuge Zen Temple in Roxbury, Connecticut.


Contact: Ryushin Marchaj at 845-282-4278 or fusanryushin@gmail.com


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. ✌🏼💛


Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #51. What the heck is Qi and how does it make complete sense? with Taoist teacher Deng Ming Dao #51. What the heck is Qi and how does it make complete sense? with Taoist teacher Deng Ming Dao Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:02:55 GMT 1:07:19 69c71aaf26c1fb9c07fd1518 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69c71aaf26c1fb9c07fd1518 69c71aaf26c1fb9c07fd1518 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 51 I believe everything is energy and that this is obvious and not woo woo at all. Chinese medicine refers to energy as qi, and it is a fundamental part of understanding life and health. In this episode, I invite Deng Ming-Dao, author and Taoist teacher, to talk about what the heck qi is, why it makes complete sense, what Western medicine is critically missing.


***

Deng Ming-Dao studied qigong, internal martial arts, and meditation under Taoist master Kwan Saihung for thirteen years. He is the author of 365 Tao, Chronicles of Tao, and Scholar Warrior, among other books translated into fifteen languages. His work explores how ancient Taoist practices, including the cultivation of qi, can be integrated into modern life.


***

In this episode of innercalling, Dr. Victoria Ranade interviews Deng Ming-Dao, an author and martial artist who has practiced Daoism throughout his life, to explore Qi as breath and universal energy, the mind-body integration in traditional Chinese medicine, the spiritual dimensions of martial arts practice, and how societal structures suppress our natural vitality. They discuss the importance of checking in with one's energy, the decline of intact communities, and living in balance with the Dao by supporting all life.


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046


#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> I believe everything is energy and that this is obvious and not woo woo at all. Chinese medicine refers to energy as qi, and it is a fundamental part of understanding life and health. In this episode, I invite Deng Ming-Dao, author and Taoist teacher, to talk about what the heck qi is, why it makes complete sense, what Western medicine is critically missing.


***

Deng Ming-Dao studied qigong, internal martial arts, and meditation under Taoist master Kwan Saihung for thirteen years. He is the author of 365 Tao, Chronicles of Tao, and Scholar Warrior, among other books translated into fifteen languages. His work explores how ancient Taoist practices, including the cultivation of qi, can be integrated into modern life.


***

In this episode of innercalling, Dr. Victoria Ranade interviews Deng Ming-Dao, an author and martial artist who has practiced Daoism throughout his life, to explore Qi as breath and universal energy, the mind-body integration in traditional Chinese medicine, the spiritual dimensions of martial arts practice, and how societal structures suppress our natural vitality. They discuss the importance of checking in with one's energy, the decline of intact communities, and living in balance with the Dao by supporting all life.


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046


#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #50. How students and leaders can use AI masterfully with Psychologist-Provost Dr. Carl Lejuez #50. How students and leaders can use AI masterfully with Psychologist-Provost Dr. Carl Lejuez Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:34:15 GMT 41:13 69c1bfe71a160b44dbc836d5 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69c1bfe71a160b44dbc836d5 69c1bfe71a160b44dbc836d5 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 50 I've been wondering how best to support students, kids, and young adults with AI, so I reached out to one of the most brilliant scientists, leaders, and visionaries I know — Dr. Carl Lejuez, Provost of Stony Brook University. He is a former clinical psychology mentor of mine who had a huge impact on my career and taught me a lot about leadership. Whenever he talks, I listen — so of course I invited him on the show to share his thoughts with us.


***

Carl W. Lejuez is the provost at Stony Brook University, New York State’s top-ranked public university and a flagship of the State University of New York. As the university’s chief academic officer, he oversees a broad portfolio of schools and colleges; academic services; and research centers and institutes. He is also renowned in the field of Clinical Psychology, with research that focuses on the use of basic laboratory research findings for the development of behavioral interventions to address a wide range of psychological conditions including mood disorders, addictions, and personality disorders for marginalized and underserved populations.


***

0:00 innercalling: why a provost followed purpose over comfort

2:00 Redefining success: happiness vs. value in leadership

4:00 Ego and leadership: the hardest thing about stepping up

6:00 How a university provost actually uses AI day to day

8:00 The one rule for using AI: never first, never last

9:00 Using AI for self-reflection and psychological honesty

11:00 Is using AI cheating? Where is the line for students?

14:00 Why students are afraid of being accused of AI cheating

16:00 First-generation college students and the AI gap

18:00 Moving from fear to creativity with AI in education

20:00 Can AI help you become a better leader?

25:00 How to stop AI from being sycophantic

26:00 Advice for parents: how to use AI with your kids

27:00 AI removes friction, but friction is how we learn

30:00 AI limitations: why humans are still more creative

32:00 Should parents be worried about AI?

35:00 Honest leadership and the power of self-examination

36:00 The difference between solving problems and empowering others

40:00 The future of AI: what life could look like in 100 years


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is an authentic, unhurried conversation that honors nuance, truth, the human spirit, and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board-certified clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a proud neurodivergent first-generation Taiwanese American and Welsh Terrier lover. Rooted in the humanistic tradition of clinical psychology, I created this podcast because I believe in the healing power of organic conversation, and because I want you to know that whatever you may be facing, you're not alone.


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

drvictoria@innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> I've been wondering how best to support students, kids, and young adults with AI, so I reached out to one of the most brilliant scientists, leaders, and visionaries I know — Dr. Carl Lejuez, Provost of Stony Brook University. He is a former clinical psychology mentor of mine who had a huge impact on my career and taught me a lot about leadership. Whenever he talks, I listen — so of course I invited him on the show to share his thoughts with us.


***

Carl W. Lejuez is the provost at Stony Brook University, New York State’s top-ranked public university and a flagship of the State University of New York. As the university’s chief academic officer, he oversees a broad portfolio of schools and colleges; academic services; and research centers and institutes. He is also renowned in the field of Clinical Psychology, with research that focuses on the use of basic laboratory research findings for the development of behavioral interventions to address a wide range of psychological conditions including mood disorders, addictions, and personality disorders for marginalized and underserved populations.


***

0:00 innercalling: why a provost followed purpose over comfort

2:00 Redefining success: happiness vs. value in leadership

4:00 Ego and leadership: the hardest thing about stepping up

6:00 How a university provost actually uses AI day to day

8:00 The one rule for using AI: never first, never last

9:00 Using AI for self-reflection and psychological honesty

11:00 Is using AI cheating? Where is the line for students?

14:00 Why students are afraid of being accused of AI cheating

16:00 First-generation college students and the AI gap

18:00 Moving from fear to creativity with AI in education

20:00 Can AI help you become a better leader?

25:00 How to stop AI from being sycophantic

26:00 Advice for parents: how to use AI with your kids

27:00 AI removes friction, but friction is how we learn

30:00 AI limitations: why humans are still more creative

32:00 Should parents be worried about AI?

35:00 Honest leadership and the power of self-examination

36:00 The difference between solving problems and empowering others

40:00 The future of AI: what life could look like in 100 years


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is an authentic, unhurried conversation that honors nuance, truth, the human spirit, and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board-certified clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a proud neurodivergent first-generation Taiwanese American and Welsh Terrier lover. Rooted in the humanistic tradition of clinical psychology, I created this podcast because I believe in the healing power of organic conversation, and because I want you to know that whatever you may be facing, you're not alone.


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

drvictoria@innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#49. Are we being conned by big tech's AI hype? What big tech doesn't want you to know with Dr. Emily Bender]]> Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:56:26 GMT 48:56 69bdecbb62f6c66afeddadf7 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69bdecbb62f6c66afeddadf7 69bdecbb62f6c66afeddadf7 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 49 I've been trying to understand AI on a more in depth, nuanced level, but all I could find were youtube videos predicting AGI and the eventual doom of the human species. I found this awesome book called The AI Con and am excited to host one of the authors, Dr. Emily M. Bender, on the show today. We talk about how language shapes our understanding of AI, the dangers of synthetic text generation, accountability in tech companies, and the importance of human connection. We reflect on how chatbots exploit our natural language processing, the environmental costs of large language models, and how to stay connected with our humanity even with the rise of this new technology.

***

Dr. Emily M. Bender is a Professor of Linguistics and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer Science and the Information School at the University of Washington. Her research interests include multilingual grammar engineering, computational semantics, and the societal impacts of language technology. She is the co-author of recent influential papers such as Climbing towards NLU: On Meaning, Form, and Understanding in the Age of Data (ACL 2020) and On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? 🦜(FAcct 2021) and the book (with sociologist Dr. Alex Hanna), The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want.


In her public scholarship, Bender brings linguistic insights to lay audiences to cut through the hype about "AI" and facilitate understanding of the actual functionality of the systems being sold under that name. In 2022 she was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and in September 2023 she was included in the first-ever TIME100AI list.


https://faculty.washington.edu/ebender/

bsky: @emilymbender.bsky.social

fedi: @emilymbender@dair-community.social

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebender/


***

SHOW LINKS

Look behind the curtain: Don’t be dazzled by claims of ‘artificial intelligence’. Emily M. Bender. The Seattle Times May 11, 2022.

The Myth of AGI, Alex Hanna and Emily M. Bender, Tech Policy Press, June 3, 2025.

https://faculty.washington.edu/ebender/stochasticparrots/

Moral crumple zones: https://estsjournal.org/index.php/ests/article/view/260


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors nuance, truth, the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board-certified clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a proud neurodivergent first-generation Taiwanese American and Welsh Terrier lover. Rooted in the humanistic tradition of clinical psychology, I created this podcast because I believe in the healing power of organic conversation, and because I want you to know that whatever you may be facing, you're not alone.


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

drvictoria@innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> I've been trying to understand AI on a more in depth, nuanced level, but all I could find were youtube videos predicting AGI and the eventual doom of the human species. I found this awesome book called The AI Con and am excited to host one of the authors, Dr. Emily M. Bender, on the show today. We talk about how language shapes our understanding of AI, the dangers of synthetic text generation, accountability in tech companies, and the importance of human connection. We reflect on how chatbots exploit our natural language processing, the environmental costs of large language models, and how to stay connected with our humanity even with the rise of this new technology.

***

Dr. Emily M. Bender is a Professor of Linguistics and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer Science and the Information School at the University of Washington. Her research interests include multilingual grammar engineering, computational semantics, and the societal impacts of language technology. She is the co-author of recent influential papers such as Climbing towards NLU: On Meaning, Form, and Understanding in the Age of Data (ACL 2020) and On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? 🦜(FAcct 2021) and the book (with sociologist Dr. Alex Hanna), The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want.


In her public scholarship, Bender brings linguistic insights to lay audiences to cut through the hype about "AI" and facilitate understanding of the actual functionality of the systems being sold under that name. In 2022 she was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and in September 2023 she was included in the first-ever TIME100AI list.


https://faculty.washington.edu/ebender/

bsky: @emilymbender.bsky.social

fedi: @emilymbender@dair-community.social

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebender/


***

SHOW LINKS

Look behind the curtain: Don’t be dazzled by claims of ‘artificial intelligence’. Emily M. Bender. The Seattle Times May 11, 2022.

The Myth of AGI, Alex Hanna and Emily M. Bender, Tech Policy Press, June 3, 2025.

https://faculty.washington.edu/ebender/stochasticparrots/

Moral crumple zones: https://estsjournal.org/index.php/ests/article/view/260


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors nuance, truth, the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board-certified clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a proud neurodivergent first-generation Taiwanese American and Welsh Terrier lover. Rooted in the humanistic tradition of clinical psychology, I created this podcast because I believe in the healing power of organic conversation, and because I want you to know that whatever you may be facing, you're not alone.


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

drvictoria@innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#48. Deconstructing Power: How to take back your power & live from your inner authority| Dr. Nancy Wadsworth (PT 3)]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2026 23:08:31 GMT 1:26:17 69b498ef4266c9b1c7a77e2a false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69b498ef4266c9b1c7a77e2a 69b498ef4266c9b1c7a77e2a 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 48 Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/


***

Today on innercalling, Drs. Victoria and Nancy Wadsworth break down the difference between grounded power and toxic power. Nancy reflects on how power feels different in the body, why confirmation bias can work for or against us depending on our beliefs, the courage required to follow intuition over external approval, and what leaders like Desmond Tutu and Michelle Obama teach us about holding power with dignity.


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. Fun fact: I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046


#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/


***

Today on innercalling, Drs. Victoria and Nancy Wadsworth break down the difference between grounded power and toxic power. Nancy reflects on how power feels different in the body, why confirmation bias can work for or against us depending on our beliefs, the courage required to follow intuition over external approval, and what leaders like Desmond Tutu and Michelle Obama teach us about holding power with dignity.


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. Fun fact: I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046


#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#47. Deconstructing Power: What's the psychology behind toxic power? | Dr. Nancy Wadsworth (PT 2)]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:50:30 GMT 1:33:34 69aefa5608944255d559acb2 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69aefa5608944255d559acb2 69aefa5608944255d559acb2 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 47 This is the second episode in our series on Reclaiming Power. In this one, Nancy and I dig into the Epstein files, elite networks, and what we can actually do when the systems meant to protect us fail. I hope it's helpful to you!


Content warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, the Epstein case, trafficking, and the psychological dynamics of destructive power. Listener discretion is advised


***

Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/

***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


00:00 — Introduction: powerlessness and what's happening in the world

00:04 — Destructive power vs. grounded power

00:05 — Epstein files: elite networks and unaccountable power

00:10 — Agency: power as capacity to influence outcomes

00:14 — Epstein: how power moves through elite circles

00:20 — Why did Epstein's abuse get so extreme before exposure?

00:25 — Epstein's rise: charisma, charm, lies, failing up

00:30 — Epstein's emails: arrogance, dehumanization, blasé cruelty

00:37 — Collusion of power: NDAs, secrecy, destructive power over bodies

00:41 — Sex as instrument of power: rape culture, patriarchy

00:48 — Wounded power: soul wounds beneath destructive leaders

00:55 — Narcissism and power: which comes first?

00:58 — Leadership: moral compass, true north, grounded power

01:00 — Wise Mind: inner wisdom, Dialectical Behavior Therapy

01:05 — Using your platform: therapists, activists, local agency

01:11 — Cracks in power: resistance, Jenga metaphor

01:14 — Paradigm shift: empire falling as opportunity for renewal

01:21 — Mass movements: protest, pressure on institutions

01:41 — History: slavery, Jim Crow, women's rights

01:46 — Advice for young people

01:54 — Preview of Part 3: grounded power


CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. Fun fact: I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046


#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> This is the second episode in our series on Reclaiming Power. In this one, Nancy and I dig into the Epstein files, elite networks, and what we can actually do when the systems meant to protect us fail. I hope it's helpful to you!


Content warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, the Epstein case, trafficking, and the psychological dynamics of destructive power. Listener discretion is advised


***

Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/

***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


00:00 — Introduction: powerlessness and what's happening in the world

00:04 — Destructive power vs. grounded power

00:05 — Epstein files: elite networks and unaccountable power

00:10 — Agency: power as capacity to influence outcomes

00:14 — Epstein: how power moves through elite circles

00:20 — Why did Epstein's abuse get so extreme before exposure?

00:25 — Epstein's rise: charisma, charm, lies, failing up

00:30 — Epstein's emails: arrogance, dehumanization, blasé cruelty

00:37 — Collusion of power: NDAs, secrecy, destructive power over bodies

00:41 — Sex as instrument of power: rape culture, patriarchy

00:48 — Wounded power: soul wounds beneath destructive leaders

00:55 — Narcissism and power: which comes first?

00:58 — Leadership: moral compass, true north, grounded power

01:00 — Wise Mind: inner wisdom, Dialectical Behavior Therapy

01:05 — Using your platform: therapists, activists, local agency

01:11 — Cracks in power: resistance, Jenga metaphor

01:14 — Paradigm shift: empire falling as opportunity for renewal

01:21 — Mass movements: protest, pressure on institutions

01:41 — History: slavery, Jim Crow, women's rights

01:46 — Advice for young people

01:54 — Preview of Part 3: grounded power


CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.


WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. Fun fact: I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046


#drvictoriaranade #innercallingpodcast

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #46. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish (Chapters 13 through end) #46. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish (Chapters 13 through end) Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:12:14 GMT 23:58 69ab432f6ffdcd8188a793cd false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69ab432f6ffdcd8188a793cd 69ab432f6ffdcd8188a793cd 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 46 Dr. Victoria Ranade and creative producers Carlisle and Western wrap up the innercalling Book Club with the final chapters of Kristen Kish's memoir, Accidentally on Purpose. In this closing conversation,we reflect on Kristen's remarkable full-circle journey from a teenager who felt she didn't belong, to a celebrated chef, Top Chef host, and woman fully at home in herself and her life. We explore what it means to surrender control without losing agency, how trusting your inner truth opens doors you never planned for, and why authentic community becomes the foundation for everything. We also touch on representation, identity, and queer visibility.


[00:00] — Welcome & intro to the final Book Club episode

[00:45] — First reactions: the ending as a "happily ever after" wrap-up

[02:00] — Full circle: from needing control to trusting flow

[03:45] — The closing passage: "we intend for the unintended"

[05:00] — Wanting something vs. needing it — and the faith that comes from community

[06:00] — Taoism, flow states, and life beyond your original goals

[07:00] — The trip to Korea: letting go of the planned narrative

[08:30] — Meeting Bianca and the friends-to-lovers arc

[09:30] — Arlo Gray, synchronicity, and the plate called "Arlo"

[11:00] — How Kristen became the host of Top Chef (Western's favorite part)

[12:00] — Most relatable moments: middle school, hiding, finding yourself (Carlisle's pick)

[13:00] — COVID, the restaurant industry, and what was left on the page

[14:30] — Who should read this book?

[16:00] — Representation matters: seeing yourself makes the possible feel real

[17:00] — The audiobook moment: Kristen crying on her wedding morning

[18:00] — Hot takes on the ending — appetizer, main course, dessert

[20:00] — What we're carrying with us: focus, saying yes, and finding your place

[22:30] — Closing thoughts + call for next Book Club suggestions


CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Dr. Victoria Ranade and creative producers Carlisle and Western wrap up the innercalling Book Club with the final chapters of Kristen Kish's memoir, Accidentally on Purpose. In this closing conversation,we reflect on Kristen's remarkable full-circle journey from a teenager who felt she didn't belong, to a celebrated chef, Top Chef host, and woman fully at home in herself and her life. We explore what it means to surrender control without losing agency, how trusting your inner truth opens doors you never planned for, and why authentic community becomes the foundation for everything. We also touch on representation, identity, and queer visibility.


[00:00] — Welcome & intro to the final Book Club episode

[00:45] — First reactions: the ending as a "happily ever after" wrap-up

[02:00] — Full circle: from needing control to trusting flow

[03:45] — The closing passage: "we intend for the unintended"

[05:00] — Wanting something vs. needing it — and the faith that comes from community

[06:00] — Taoism, flow states, and life beyond your original goals

[07:00] — The trip to Korea: letting go of the planned narrative

[08:30] — Meeting Bianca and the friends-to-lovers arc

[09:30] — Arlo Gray, synchronicity, and the plate called "Arlo"

[11:00] — How Kristen became the host of Top Chef (Western's favorite part)

[12:00] — Most relatable moments: middle school, hiding, finding yourself (Carlisle's pick)

[13:00] — COVID, the restaurant industry, and what was left on the page

[14:30] — Who should read this book?

[16:00] — Representation matters: seeing yourself makes the possible feel real

[17:00] — The audiobook moment: Kristen crying on her wedding morning

[18:00] — Hot takes on the ending — appetizer, main course, dessert

[20:00] — What we're carrying with us: focus, saying yes, and finding your place

[22:30] — Closing thoughts + call for next Book Club suggestions


CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#45. Deconstructing Power: So...what is power, anyway?: Power, Agency, & Democratic Erosion | Dr. Nancy Wadsworth (PT 1)]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:21:23 GMT 1:19:17 69a4f42347697ac8032486ca false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69a4f42347697ac8032486ca 69a4f42347697ac8032486ca 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 45 I've been trying to process everything going on in the world these days by studying history, watching documentaries, talking with friends and family, patients and people in the community. Based on all of this, it seems that many of us are wondering: what's going on, and how the did we get here??! That's why I invited my good friend Dr. Nancy Wadsworth to the show. She is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver. She has been studying power for the last 30 years. I asked her to help us understand what is going on in the world from the perspective of power. Why is it that we feel so disempowered, and how can we get our power back? Why does power corrupt? This is our series on Reclaiming Power, and this is the first episode. I hope it's helpful to you!


***


Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


00:00 — why none of us feel okay right now

01:00 —Nancy left a 24-year career to follow her inner calling

03:00 — the week everything fell apart at once

04:00 — what's really broken about higher education

07:00 — does Nancy regret leaving? her honest answer

09:00 — what a political scientist learned by turning toward the heart

10:00 — why so many of us feel helpless and don't know where to start

14:00 — what actually is power? (it's not what you think)

15:00 — power vs. agency — the difference that changes everything

18:00 — power over, power with, power within — which one are you missing?

24:00 — what justifies power? (and who decides)

28:00 — what actually puts the brakes on power?

31:00 — how democracies are supposed to keep power in check

46:00 — Greenland, Venezuela, and what's really going on

47:00 — why does the hunger for power never stop?

51:00 — is the will to dominate just human nature?

54:00 — why authoritarianism is rising all over the world right now

59:00 — is democracy actually in crisis?

1:01:00 — what can one person actually do about any of this?

1:03:00 — what is a general strike and could it work?

1:04:00 — the most powerful thing you can do right now

1:15:00 — it only takes 3.5% of people to change everything

1:17:00 — what comes next in the power series


CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> I've been trying to process everything going on in the world these days by studying history, watching documentaries, talking with friends and family, patients and people in the community. Based on all of this, it seems that many of us are wondering: what's going on, and how the did we get here??! That's why I invited my good friend Dr. Nancy Wadsworth to the show. She is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver. She has been studying power for the last 30 years. I asked her to help us understand what is going on in the world from the perspective of power. Why is it that we feel so disempowered, and how can we get our power back? Why does power corrupt? This is our series on Reclaiming Power, and this is the first episode. I hope it's helpful to you!


***


Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/


***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4


00:00 — why none of us feel okay right now

01:00 —Nancy left a 24-year career to follow her inner calling

03:00 — the week everything fell apart at once

04:00 — what's really broken about higher education

07:00 — does Nancy regret leaving? her honest answer

09:00 — what a political scientist learned by turning toward the heart

10:00 — why so many of us feel helpless and don't know where to start

14:00 — what actually is power? (it's not what you think)

15:00 — power vs. agency — the difference that changes everything

18:00 — power over, power with, power within — which one are you missing?

24:00 — what justifies power? (and who decides)

28:00 — what actually puts the brakes on power?

31:00 — how democracies are supposed to keep power in check

46:00 — Greenland, Venezuela, and what's really going on

47:00 — why does the hunger for power never stop?

51:00 — is the will to dominate just human nature?

54:00 — why authoritarianism is rising all over the world right now

59:00 — is democracy actually in crisis?

1:01:00 — what can one person actually do about any of this?

1:03:00 — what is a general strike and could it work?

1:04:00 — the most powerful thing you can do right now

1:15:00 — it only takes 3.5% of people to change everything

1:17:00 — what comes next in the power series


CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

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

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com


* * * *

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛


I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org


1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #44. Can death be sacred? What death teaches us about life: Stories with end of life companion Deborah Pascuzzi #44. Can death be sacred? What death teaches us about life: Stories with end of life companion Deborah Pascuzzi Fri, 20 Feb 2026 23:38:38 GMT 49:48 6998f07e240b4a2d75f261fa false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/6998f07e240b4a2d75f261fa 6998f07e240b4a2d75f261fa 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 44 I'm turning 40 this year and it's gotten me thinking about death and existence. I've always struggled with knowing that I'd die one day. That's why I've decided to lean into learning more about death to understand what it might have to teach us about life.


My guest today is Deborah Pascuzzi, who serves as an End of Life Companion and Complementary Alternative Medicine Certified Practitioner.


We talk about:


Death & dying:


  • What it's actually like to be present at the moment of death
  • Feeling a loved one's presence after they pass
  • Signs and communication from those who have died
  • How death has been medicalized and taken out of our hands


End of life wisdom:


  • What people regret at the end of their lives
  • How the dying teach us to live differently
  • The difference between quantity and quality of life
  • Reclaiming agency over your own death


Spirituality & presence:


  • The soul and what happens after death
  • Synchronicities and what they mean
  • Energy, essence, and how we sense others
  • Being fully present vs. living in your head


Personal journeys:


  • How Deborah's mother's death called her into this work
  • Leaving corporate life to follow an inner calling
  • Her husband's death and turning an ICU into a sacred space


Practical & psychological:


  • Why we avoid talking about death as a culture
  • How facing mortality can reduce anxiety about living
  • What end of life doulas actually do
  • The fear underneath our relationship with death


**

Deborah Pascuzzi serves as an End of Life Companion and Complementary Alternative Medicine Certified Practitioner. She is skilled at building partnerships with clients to enable profound self healing and transformation. She helps clients establish balance and wholeness through the use of the energy based therapy of Healing Touch and Qigong. Deborah moved to Green Valley Arizona in 2021 and enjoys sharing her expertise and wisdom as an End of Life Companion.


***

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS


00:00 – Introduction: turning 40 scream joy , mortality, and why we avoid talking about death

02:05 – Meeting Deborah: what an end-of-life companion really does

04:30 – Deborah’s first experience with death: her mother’s passing

07:20 – Presence after death: sensing essence beyond the body

10:15 – Signs, feathers, and ongoing connection with loved ones

13:40 – Why death makes us uncomfortable as a culture

16:10 – Death as a teacher: emotions, presence, and meaning

19:05 – Storytelling at the end of life: legacy and being heard

22:45 – Harvesting wisdom, confession, and emotional release

26:30 – Curiosity and awe: unconditional love without judgment

29:15 – Companioning the dying: surrender, planning, and letting go

33:40 – Graceful vs. difficult deaths: regret, resistance, and peace

38:10 – “Don’t wait”: what dying people teach us about living

41:55 – Legacy work and ethical wills: preserving soul stories

46:20 – Grief, widowhood, and walking the path together

50:05 – Rituals, celebration of life, and honoring the dead

53:40 – Miracles, synchronicity, and being in flow

56:40 – Listening to your inner calling and becoming a companion

59:30 – Closing reflections: awe, presence, and walking each other home


***

RESOURCES MENTIONED:


The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life by Katie Butler

The Five Invitations by Frank Ostaseski

The Tibetian Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche


PODCAST LINKS:

✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408

✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354

✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS:

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

✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS

✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> I'm turning 40 this year and it's gotten me thinking about death and existence. I've always struggled with knowing that I'd die one day. That's why I've decided to lean into learning more about death to understand what it might have to teach us about life.


My guest today is Deborah Pascuzzi, who serves as an End of Life Companion and Complementary Alternative Medicine Certified Practitioner.


We talk about:


Death & dying:


  • What it's actually like to be present at the moment of death
  • Feeling a loved one's presence after they pass
  • Signs and communication from those who have died
  • How death has been medicalized and taken out of our hands


End of life wisdom:


  • What people regret at the end of their lives
  • How the dying teach us to live differently
  • The difference between quantity and quality of life
  • Reclaiming agency over your own death


Spirituality & presence:


  • The soul and what happens after death
  • Synchronicities and what they mean
  • Energy, essence, and how we sense others
  • Being fully present vs. living in your head


Personal journeys:


  • How Deborah's mother's death called her into this work
  • Leaving corporate life to follow an inner calling
  • Her husband's death and turning an ICU into a sacred space


Practical & psychological:


  • Why we avoid talking about death as a culture
  • How facing mortality can reduce anxiety about living
  • What end of life doulas actually do
  • The fear underneath our relationship with death


**

Deborah Pascuzzi serves as an End of Life Companion and Complementary Alternative Medicine Certified Practitioner. She is skilled at building partnerships with clients to enable profound self healing and transformation. She helps clients establish balance and wholeness through the use of the energy based therapy of Healing Touch and Qigong. Deborah moved to Green Valley Arizona in 2021 and enjoys sharing her expertise and wisdom as an End of Life Companion.


***

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS


00:00 – Introduction: turning 40 scream joy , mortality, and why we avoid talking about death

02:05 – Meeting Deborah: what an end-of-life companion really does

04:30 – Deborah’s first experience with death: her mother’s passing

07:20 – Presence after death: sensing essence beyond the body

10:15 – Signs, feathers, and ongoing connection with loved ones

13:40 – Why death makes us uncomfortable as a culture

16:10 – Death as a teacher: emotions, presence, and meaning

19:05 – Storytelling at the end of life: legacy and being heard

22:45 – Harvesting wisdom, confession, and emotional release

26:30 – Curiosity and awe: unconditional love without judgment

29:15 – Companioning the dying: surrender, planning, and letting go

33:40 – Graceful vs. difficult deaths: regret, resistance, and peace

38:10 – “Don’t wait”: what dying people teach us about living

41:55 – Legacy work and ethical wills: preserving soul stories

46:20 – Grief, widowhood, and walking the path together

50:05 – Rituals, celebration of life, and honoring the dead

53:40 – Miracles, synchronicity, and being in flow

56:40 – Listening to your inner calling and becoming a companion

59:30 – Closing reflections: awe, presence, and walking each other home


***

RESOURCES MENTIONED:


The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life by Katie Butler

The Five Invitations by Frank Ostaseski

The Tibetian Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche


PODCAST LINKS:

✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408

✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354

✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS:

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

✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS

✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #43. Connecting to your divine feminine and healing ancestral wounds with Nicole Casteel #43. Connecting to your divine feminine and healing ancestral wounds with Nicole Casteel Fri, 13 Feb 2026 03:50:58 GMT 1:16:19 698e9fa2b0cb4fc2fde45553 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/698e9fa2b0cb4fc2fde45553 698e9fa2b0cb4fc2fde45553 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 43 Um, I have the biggest mother wound ever and I know many other women do too. When you have a mother wound, it affects you deeply. Thats why I invited my friend and teacher, Nicole Casteel, for some girl talk about healing our mother wounds and the crazy, spiral journey it so often involves. Fun times... !


***

Nicole Casteel is a classically trained vocalist, transformational guide, and medicine musician. With a Master's in Opera Performance from Texas Tech University, Nicole spent years in classical voice before a profound awakening set her on a different path. Struggling with anxiety, depression, and disconnection, she began a decade-long journey into the healing arts—studying breathwork, sound healing, shamanic practice, and ceremonial traditions with teachers from around the world. She now helps women reconnect with their bodies, intuition, and inner knowing through sound ceremonies, breathwork, and one-on-one healing sessions. https://www.nicolecasteel.com/


***


Episode Highlights


03:00 – Classical opera training & losing the joy of music

04:00 – Singing to her father through his death transition

08:00 – Saturn return, depression & disconnection from self

12:00 – First ayahuasca ceremony & the call to sound healing

13:00 – Healing as a spiral path, not a straight line

15:00 – What ayahuasca teaches: ancestral healing & the mother wound

21:00 – Receiving songs from ancestors & the gift of sound medicine

25:00 – Song from the land: "Heartbeat of the Mother"

28:00 – Reconnecting with the earth & animism

32:00 – Self-trust, intuition & how we get disconnected

37:00 – The power of listening & healing the mother wound

40:00 – Finding your inner voice & knowing when it's truth

45:00 – Pregnancy, intuition & the divine feminine awakening

47:00 – Embodiment: learning to feel your feelings

50:00 – Breathing into the pelvic floor & Tami Lynn Kent's work

53:00 – Healing from trauma & reclaiming your power

55:00 – Integrating the victim archetype

57:00 – The role of ritual & ceremony in healing

1:02:00 – The power of prayer & calling things forth

1:07:00 – How to start connecting with your spirituality

1:10:00 – Following an inner calling: Nicole's story of moving home

1:14:00 – Closing: walking your medicine path



PODCAST LINKS:


✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/


✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408


✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354


✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS:


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


✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS


✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care


👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Um, I have the biggest mother wound ever and I know many other women do too. When you have a mother wound, it affects you deeply. Thats why I invited my friend and teacher, Nicole Casteel, for some girl talk about healing our mother wounds and the crazy, spiral journey it so often involves. Fun times... !


***

Nicole Casteel is a classically trained vocalist, transformational guide, and medicine musician. With a Master's in Opera Performance from Texas Tech University, Nicole spent years in classical voice before a profound awakening set her on a different path. Struggling with anxiety, depression, and disconnection, she began a decade-long journey into the healing arts—studying breathwork, sound healing, shamanic practice, and ceremonial traditions with teachers from around the world. She now helps women reconnect with their bodies, intuition, and inner knowing through sound ceremonies, breathwork, and one-on-one healing sessions. https://www.nicolecasteel.com/


***


Episode Highlights


03:00 – Classical opera training & losing the joy of music

04:00 – Singing to her father through his death transition

08:00 – Saturn return, depression & disconnection from self

12:00 – First ayahuasca ceremony & the call to sound healing

13:00 – Healing as a spiral path, not a straight line

15:00 – What ayahuasca teaches: ancestral healing & the mother wound

21:00 – Receiving songs from ancestors & the gift of sound medicine

25:00 – Song from the land: "Heartbeat of the Mother"

28:00 – Reconnecting with the earth & animism

32:00 – Self-trust, intuition & how we get disconnected

37:00 – The power of listening & healing the mother wound

40:00 – Finding your inner voice & knowing when it's truth

45:00 – Pregnancy, intuition & the divine feminine awakening

47:00 – Embodiment: learning to feel your feelings

50:00 – Breathing into the pelvic floor & Tami Lynn Kent's work

53:00 – Healing from trauma & reclaiming your power

55:00 – Integrating the victim archetype

57:00 – The role of ritual & ceremony in healing

1:02:00 – The power of prayer & calling things forth

1:07:00 – How to start connecting with your spirituality

1:10:00 – Following an inner calling: Nicole's story of moving home

1:14:00 – Closing: walking your medicine path



PODCAST LINKS:


✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/


✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408


✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354


✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS:


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


✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS


✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care


👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #42. Voices on AI: AI, ethics, and mental health: What clinicians are really thinking | Dr. Colleen Byrne #42. Voices on AI: AI, ethics, and mental health: What clinicians are really thinking | Dr. Colleen Byrne Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:42:53 GMT 1:00:50 6984e4b665974c013f6bae29 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/6984e4b665974c013f6bae29 6984e4b665974c013f6bae29 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 42 Can generative Artifical Intelligence actulally understand your problems, or is it just mimicking a connection? What are the ethical risks of using AI? Will AI one day replace your therapist? In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Colleen Byrne talk openly about AI to help explore this emerging technology and how people can use it thoughtfully and intentionally for mental health needs—without giving away your agency, or connection to your own self trust and inner voice.

 

About our Guest

Dr. Colleen Byrne is a Clinical Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she serves as the Director of the Psychology Clinic. Since 2005, Dr. Byrne has served continuously on the Executive Committee for the Association of Psychology Training Clinics (APTC) including a term as President.  Dr. Byrne has been active member of the Maryland Psychological Association, serving 3 terms on the Continuing Education Committee and 3 terms on the Ethics Committee with one term as Chair. Currently she holds professional services roles as Chair of the Council of Chairs of Training Councils (CCTC, 2025-2027) and Chair-Elect of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP, 2023-2027). She holds active licenses in Virginia and Maryland as well as an inter-jurisdictional license through PSYPACT.

 

About the episode:

In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Colleen Byrne—two clinical psychologists—talk candidly about AI and mental health, balancing real-world excitement with ethical considerations. Drawing on Dr. Byrne’s expertise in ethics, they explore what it means to use AI responsibly in clinical and everyday life: transparency and consent, the risks of “over-validation” and hallucinated certainty, and the growing question of accountability when technology influences mental health of vulnerable people. They also discuss how AI can shape identity and relationships (especially for adolescents), why human presence still matters in therapy, and what these tools can and can’t replace. They also discuss how to protect inner trust in a world that’s changing fast.


“It starts to feel like this AI kind of sees you – but not in the way another human can.” - Dr. Victoria

“If you're feeling anxious until you check with AI—that's a red flag.” - Dr. Byrne

“Intuition isn't always right—but it's still a form of intelligence.” - Dr. Bryne

 

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction: AI enthusiasm meets ethical concern

01:42 – Practical uses of AI in clinical and personal workflows

04:00 – Entering the world of ethics: real-life dilemmas and learning

06:47 – Transparency, consent, and APA’s early AI guidance

09:38 – The sycophantic AI: validation, delusion, and self-trust

13:00 – Emotional bonds with AI and the risk of human replacement

17:35 – Adolescents, identity, and the impact of algorithms

21:30 – Comparing AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Bastion, Perplexity

25:50 – Human presence in therapy: what AI can’t replicate

30:06 – Sentience, consciousness, and what makes us human

36:48 – Parenting, protection, and ethical development of AI

43:50 – Final reflections: hope, responsibility, and inner trust

 

PODCAST LINKS:

✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408

✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354

✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS:

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

✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS

✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com




 

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Can generative Artifical Intelligence actulally understand your problems, or is it just mimicking a connection? What are the ethical risks of using AI? Will AI one day replace your therapist? In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Colleen Byrne talk openly about AI to help explore this emerging technology and how people can use it thoughtfully and intentionally for mental health needs—without giving away your agency, or connection to your own self trust and inner voice.

 

About our Guest

Dr. Colleen Byrne is a Clinical Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she serves as the Director of the Psychology Clinic. Since 2005, Dr. Byrne has served continuously on the Executive Committee for the Association of Psychology Training Clinics (APTC) including a term as President.  Dr. Byrne has been active member of the Maryland Psychological Association, serving 3 terms on the Continuing Education Committee and 3 terms on the Ethics Committee with one term as Chair. Currently she holds professional services roles as Chair of the Council of Chairs of Training Councils (CCTC, 2025-2027) and Chair-Elect of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP, 2023-2027). She holds active licenses in Virginia and Maryland as well as an inter-jurisdictional license through PSYPACT.

 

About the episode:

In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Colleen Byrne—two clinical psychologists—talk candidly about AI and mental health, balancing real-world excitement with ethical considerations. Drawing on Dr. Byrne’s expertise in ethics, they explore what it means to use AI responsibly in clinical and everyday life: transparency and consent, the risks of “over-validation” and hallucinated certainty, and the growing question of accountability when technology influences mental health of vulnerable people. They also discuss how AI can shape identity and relationships (especially for adolescents), why human presence still matters in therapy, and what these tools can and can’t replace. They also discuss how to protect inner trust in a world that’s changing fast.


“It starts to feel like this AI kind of sees you – but not in the way another human can.” - Dr. Victoria

“If you're feeling anxious until you check with AI—that's a red flag.” - Dr. Byrne

“Intuition isn't always right—but it's still a form of intelligence.” - Dr. Bryne

 

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction: AI enthusiasm meets ethical concern

01:42 – Practical uses of AI in clinical and personal workflows

04:00 – Entering the world of ethics: real-life dilemmas and learning

06:47 – Transparency, consent, and APA’s early AI guidance

09:38 – The sycophantic AI: validation, delusion, and self-trust

13:00 – Emotional bonds with AI and the risk of human replacement

17:35 – Adolescents, identity, and the impact of algorithms

21:30 – Comparing AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Bastion, Perplexity

25:50 – Human presence in therapy: what AI can’t replicate

30:06 – Sentience, consciousness, and what makes us human

36:48 – Parenting, protection, and ethical development of AI

43:50 – Final reflections: hope, responsibility, and inner trust

 

PODCAST LINKS:

✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408

✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354

✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS:

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

✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS

✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com




 

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#41. Voices on AI: Artists: ignore algorithms & all the digital craziness. Trust your creative intuition | Justin Jun Lee]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:58:33 GMT 1:07:32 697559e979d88bc8ee7fed13 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/697559e979d88bc8ee7fed13 697559e979d88bc8ee7fed13 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 41 Justin Jun Lee is a New York City-based photographer whose work spans editorial fashion, fine art weddings, and portraiture. His photography has been featured in Vogue, LA Times, New York Times, New York Times Bride, and more. He brings a minimalist style and emotional depth to each unique event he captures. His approach as a photographer is to not only create images that feel honest and interesting, but to document a story.


https://www.justinjunlee.com/

https://www.instagram.com/justinjunlee/

https://www.justinleeweddings.com/



About the episode:


In this episode of innercalling, Dr. Victoria Ranade talks with photographer Justin Jun Lee about learning to trust your inner voice as an artist in a fast paced world full of distractions and algorithms. Justin also reflects on growing up Asian American, navigating family and cultural expectations, and how he built confidence in his creative voice over time. He shares how intuition, personal projects, and tuning out digital distraction helped him stay true to himself—and how the importance of knowing who you are matters more than following trends. Tune in to learn when you really know to trust an innercalling to follow your dream and the difference it can make when you take the leap :)


Quotes:


“I think it was always great that there was this voice that was always there being like, ‘Justin, I think you can do this.’” — Justin Jun Lee


“Growing up, honestly, I really didn't see that many Asian Americans on covers of magazines. And I think now as a photographer, I just wanna see more of my people represented. 'cause it's, it was so rare for me growing up to see anyone that looked like me.” — Justin Jun Lee


“That's the thing about intuition is like when you hear it, listen to it and then follow it, then it gets stronger. 'cause you see where it goes and you begin to trust it more. It's like this trust relationship. It's a faith relationship.” - Dr. Victoria


“To be a true artist is to have a voice and to believe in your art, even when no one else does.” - Dr. Victoria



Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction and Justin’s artistic journey

01:52 – Discovering art and photography in childhood

03:41 – Got Milk ads, faces, and falling in love with portraiture

05:14 – Academic pressure, shame, and finding safety in art

08:41 – Favorite artists and creative influences

10:16 – Building confidence through personal projects

11:56 – Portraits, trust, and capturing someone’s essence

13:36 – Celebrity shoots and creating connection quickly

15:21 – Fear, money, and choosing photography anyway

17:04 – Listening to teachers, friends, and inner calling

20:05 – Asian American identity and lack of representation

23:57 – Photographing community and creating change

26:11 – Embracing voice and vision through personal work

28:56 – Advice for young artists: notebooks, intuition, and courage

31:08 – Advice for parents of creative children

34:45 – Authenticity, honesty, and resisting the algorithm

45:09 – The story of neighbors John and Suzie

50:42 – Photographing his father during the pandemic

54:00 – Squid Game editorial, pressure, and preparation

57:56 – Closing reflections on intuition, faith, and self-trust


**


PODCAST LINKS:

✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408

✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354

✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS:

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

✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS

✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Justin Jun Lee is a New York City-based photographer whose work spans editorial fashion, fine art weddings, and portraiture. His photography has been featured in Vogue, LA Times, New York Times, New York Times Bride, and more. He brings a minimalist style and emotional depth to each unique event he captures. His approach as a photographer is to not only create images that feel honest and interesting, but to document a story.


https://www.justinjunlee.com/

https://www.instagram.com/justinjunlee/

https://www.justinleeweddings.com/



About the episode:


In this episode of innercalling, Dr. Victoria Ranade talks with photographer Justin Jun Lee about learning to trust your inner voice as an artist in a fast paced world full of distractions and algorithms. Justin also reflects on growing up Asian American, navigating family and cultural expectations, and how he built confidence in his creative voice over time. He shares how intuition, personal projects, and tuning out digital distraction helped him stay true to himself—and how the importance of knowing who you are matters more than following trends. Tune in to learn when you really know to trust an innercalling to follow your dream and the difference it can make when you take the leap :)


Quotes:


“I think it was always great that there was this voice that was always there being like, ‘Justin, I think you can do this.’” — Justin Jun Lee


“Growing up, honestly, I really didn't see that many Asian Americans on covers of magazines. And I think now as a photographer, I just wanna see more of my people represented. 'cause it's, it was so rare for me growing up to see anyone that looked like me.” — Justin Jun Lee


“That's the thing about intuition is like when you hear it, listen to it and then follow it, then it gets stronger. 'cause you see where it goes and you begin to trust it more. It's like this trust relationship. It's a faith relationship.” - Dr. Victoria


“To be a true artist is to have a voice and to believe in your art, even when no one else does.” - Dr. Victoria



Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction and Justin’s artistic journey

01:52 – Discovering art and photography in childhood

03:41 – Got Milk ads, faces, and falling in love with portraiture

05:14 – Academic pressure, shame, and finding safety in art

08:41 – Favorite artists and creative influences

10:16 – Building confidence through personal projects

11:56 – Portraits, trust, and capturing someone’s essence

13:36 – Celebrity shoots and creating connection quickly

15:21 – Fear, money, and choosing photography anyway

17:04 – Listening to teachers, friends, and inner calling

20:05 – Asian American identity and lack of representation

23:57 – Photographing community and creating change

26:11 – Embracing voice and vision through personal work

28:56 – Advice for young artists: notebooks, intuition, and courage

31:08 – Advice for parents of creative children

34:45 – Authenticity, honesty, and resisting the algorithm

45:09 – The story of neighbors John and Suzie

50:42 – Photographing his father during the pandemic

54:00 – Squid Game editorial, pressure, and preparation

57:56 – Closing reflections on intuition, faith, and self-trust


**


PODCAST LINKS:

✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408

✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354

✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS:

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

✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS

✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #40. Finding your authentic style, navigating body image | Cat Bushera #40. Finding your authentic style, navigating body image | Cat Bushera Fri, 16 Jan 2026 02:23:16 GMT 1:05:30 6969a11571ed352e2eb7b301 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/6969a11571ed352e2eb7b301 6969a11571ed352e2eb7b301 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 40 Cat Bushera is a personal stylist and founder of Style by Cat. As a stylist, she partners with you to curate a wardrobe and personal style that matches your needs and personality perfectly. Cat has over 10 years of experience working in the fashion industry, from retail management to consulting to working behind the scenes at fashion events! Cat serves clients in the Washington DC metropolitan region, including Maryland and Northern Virginia, and also serves clients virtually across the country. Learn more about Cat at her website here: https://stylebycat.com

***

In this episode, Dr. Victoria and personal stylist Cat explore how clothing can be a powerful doorway back to authenticity—an invitation to embody yourself rather than perform. Together, they talk about body image, confidence, and how dressing in alignment with who you are can support greater ease, self-trust, and a deeper sense of presence in your body.


They also speak candidly about the harder parts: accepting your body, navigating body image struggles, and the ways style can intersect with eating disorder recovery, motherhood, and postpartum changes.


Cat also brings in her experience as a leader and entrepreneur, sharing how pursuing a career in fashion required trusting her inner knowing—and how that trust ultimately paid off, even when it didn’t make sense by society’s standards at the time.

**

“I’m actually shocked at how empowering it is to show up as yourself in clothes that you feel like reflect who you are.” — Dr. Victoria Ranade

“What is trending is your personal style. Not what Instagram is telling you to wear, not what everyone else is doing – what works for you.” — Cat Bushera

 **

Timestamps

00:00 – Feeling empowered by clothing and embodiment

02:00 – Introduction to Cat and the question of authentic style

07:30 – Growing up in Paris and discovering fashion

13:00 – Body image, belonging, and early identity

20:00 – Trusting an inner calling when it doesn’t make sense

28:30 – Leadership, retail, and redefining success

36:30 – Getting fired and facing shame

44:30 – Starting a business during COVID and motherhood

52:00 – How Cat identifies personal style

01:01:00 – Body image, postpartum changes, and confidence

01:10:00 – Eating disorder recovery and healing process

01:20:00 – Raising daughters and body-positive messaging

01:29:00 – Unlearning expectations placed on women

01:37:00 – Inner calling, intuition, and “cleaning up your own backyard”

01:44:00 – Closing reflections

**

PODCAST LINKS:

✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408

✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354

✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS: 

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

✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS

✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Cat Bushera is a personal stylist and founder of Style by Cat. As a stylist, she partners with you to curate a wardrobe and personal style that matches your needs and personality perfectly. Cat has over 10 years of experience working in the fashion industry, from retail management to consulting to working behind the scenes at fashion events! Cat serves clients in the Washington DC metropolitan region, including Maryland and Northern Virginia, and also serves clients virtually across the country. Learn more about Cat at her website here: https://stylebycat.com

***

In this episode, Dr. Victoria and personal stylist Cat explore how clothing can be a powerful doorway back to authenticity—an invitation to embody yourself rather than perform. Together, they talk about body image, confidence, and how dressing in alignment with who you are can support greater ease, self-trust, and a deeper sense of presence in your body.


They also speak candidly about the harder parts: accepting your body, navigating body image struggles, and the ways style can intersect with eating disorder recovery, motherhood, and postpartum changes.


Cat also brings in her experience as a leader and entrepreneur, sharing how pursuing a career in fashion required trusting her inner knowing—and how that trust ultimately paid off, even when it didn’t make sense by society’s standards at the time.

**

“I’m actually shocked at how empowering it is to show up as yourself in clothes that you feel like reflect who you are.” — Dr. Victoria Ranade

“What is trending is your personal style. Not what Instagram is telling you to wear, not what everyone else is doing – what works for you.” — Cat Bushera

 **

Timestamps

00:00 – Feeling empowered by clothing and embodiment

02:00 – Introduction to Cat and the question of authentic style

07:30 – Growing up in Paris and discovering fashion

13:00 – Body image, belonging, and early identity

20:00 – Trusting an inner calling when it doesn’t make sense

28:30 – Leadership, retail, and redefining success

36:30 – Getting fired and facing shame

44:30 – Starting a business during COVID and motherhood

52:00 – How Cat identifies personal style

01:01:00 – Body image, postpartum changes, and confidence

01:10:00 – Eating disorder recovery and healing process

01:20:00 – Raising daughters and body-positive messaging

01:29:00 – Unlearning expectations placed on women

01:37:00 – Inner calling, intuition, and “cleaning up your own backyard”

01:44:00 – Closing reflections

**

PODCAST LINKS:

✨ Podcast Website: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling-with-dr-victoria/id1809177408

✨ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=41beac3235054354

✨ Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_zIrjdevY1Q91PX5woaNtjTDvell1ZJ8&si=lvYtBD2PHmF3bVAX


SOCIAL LINKS: 

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

✨ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchranade


WORK WITH DR. VICTORIA + HOPE+WELLNESS

✨ Therapy & Psychological Testing at Hope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care

👉 https://www.hope-wellness.com

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #39. What It Was Like Being Gay in the 1960s South: Stories from a Queer Elder| Wayde Louviere #39. What It Was Like Being Gay in the 1960s South: Stories from a Queer Elder| Wayde Louviere Sat, 10 Jan 2026 23:19:17 GMT 1:27:46 6962de7623ce58f1467d6a01 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/6962de7623ce58f1467d6a01 6962de7623ce58f1467d6a01 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 39

What was it like to be gay when no one talked about it? How did you come to know who you were when no one around you even acknowledged it was possible?


These are the questions I asked my guest today, Wayde Louviere — a respected queer elder and longtime pillar of the West Hollywood community who grew up gay in the Catholic Deep South in the 1950s and 60s, at a time when there was no language, no representation, and no safe way to be who he was.


Wayde and I talk about:


Identity & coming out:


Growing up gay in the Catholic Deep South in the 1950s and 60s

Having no language or concept for being gay as a young person

Dating women and getting engaged while suppressing his true identity

The moment he finally admitted to himself he was gay

What it felt like to come out in an era when it wasn't safe


The AIDS crisis:


Living through the AIDS epidemic as a gay man

Losing friends and community members to the virus

The drug AZT and how it affected people

Surviving an era that decimated the gay community


Spirituality & energy:


How he protects his energy field

Working with crystals and selenite

Palo santo cleansing and spiritual practices

Not believing in hell and what he thinks happens after death


Identity & labels:


Whether labels help or limit us

Why he thinks validation has to come from within

The difference between inner knowing and needing external affirmation

Pronouns and identity in today's culture


Wisdom & resilience:


What 71 years of living teaches you

Finding ease and peace after a lifetime of hiding

How openness has led him to richer experiences

Protecting your peace and who you let into your field


***

“I just knew. Listening to my intuition saved my life.” — Wayde


“You don’t need the world to affirm who you are if you already know it inside yourself.” — Wayde

***


Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

07:45 – Growing Up Gay in the South

14:30 – Suppression, Silence, and Survival

22:10 – Discovering Community and Belonging

36:00 – Trusting Intuition

43:20 – Spirituality vs. Religion

52:40 – The AIDS Epidemic and Loss

01:07:00 – Energy, Healing, and Reiki

01:20:30 – Labels, Identity, and Discernment

01:29:00 – Advice for Younger Generations

01:31:00 – Closing Reflections

***

✨ Learn more + stay connected: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Looking for kind, compassionate, evidence-based mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness, a mental health practice founded by Dr. Victoria, where hope can be found even in the most difficult seasons of life. https://www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Instagram: @‌drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]>

What was it like to be gay when no one talked about it? How did you come to know who you were when no one around you even acknowledged it was possible?


These are the questions I asked my guest today, Wayde Louviere — a respected queer elder and longtime pillar of the West Hollywood community who grew up gay in the Catholic Deep South in the 1950s and 60s, at a time when there was no language, no representation, and no safe way to be who he was.


Wayde and I talk about:


Identity & coming out:


Growing up gay in the Catholic Deep South in the 1950s and 60s

Having no language or concept for being gay as a young person

Dating women and getting engaged while suppressing his true identity

The moment he finally admitted to himself he was gay

What it felt like to come out in an era when it wasn't safe


The AIDS crisis:


Living through the AIDS epidemic as a gay man

Losing friends and community members to the virus

The drug AZT and how it affected people

Surviving an era that decimated the gay community


Spirituality & energy:


How he protects his energy field

Working with crystals and selenite

Palo santo cleansing and spiritual practices

Not believing in hell and what he thinks happens after death


Identity & labels:


Whether labels help or limit us

Why he thinks validation has to come from within

The difference between inner knowing and needing external affirmation

Pronouns and identity in today's culture


Wisdom & resilience:


What 71 years of living teaches you

Finding ease and peace after a lifetime of hiding

How openness has led him to richer experiences

Protecting your peace and who you let into your field


***

“I just knew. Listening to my intuition saved my life.” — Wayde


“You don’t need the world to affirm who you are if you already know it inside yourself.” — Wayde

***


Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

07:45 – Growing Up Gay in the South

14:30 – Suppression, Silence, and Survival

22:10 – Discovering Community and Belonging

36:00 – Trusting Intuition

43:20 – Spirituality vs. Religion

52:40 – The AIDS Epidemic and Loss

01:07:00 – Energy, Healing, and Reiki

01:20:30 – Labels, Identity, and Discernment

01:29:00 – Advice for Younger Generations

01:31:00 – Closing Reflections

***

✨ Learn more + stay connected: https://www.innercalling.org/

✨ Looking for kind, compassionate, evidence-based mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness, a mental health practice founded by Dr. Victoria, where hope can be found even in the most difficult seasons of life. https://www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Instagram: @‌drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#38. Voices on AI: AI, magic eight balls, & what you deserve to know | Dr. Julie Carpenter]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:33:57 GMT 1:34:28 695d7fc564fe6d2127810cd6 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/695d7fc564fe6d2127810cd6 695d7fc564fe6d2127810cd6 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 38 “AI does not understand you, care about you, or know what it means to be human.” – Dr. Julie Carpenter

“What worries me is how easily we stop trusting ourselves.” – Dr. Victoria Ranade


Is Artificial Intelligence really helping us or is it actually reshaping our minds, relationships, and humanity? Can a technology that feels supportive, validating, and “human” actually be undermining our self-trust, autonomy, and mental health? In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Julie Carpenter explore the psychological, emotional, and ethical impact of generative AI. Together, they unpack why AI feels so compelling, how it is intentionally designed to engage and retain us, and what happens to humans when we outsource our thinking, emotional processing, and decision-making to AI. This conversation looks under the hype and examines the development of AI through the lenses of mental health, attachment, surveillance, education, power, and what it means to remain human in an increasingly automated world. Dr. Carpenter explains why AI should not be used as therapy, why children are especially vulnerable to overreliance on these systems, and how confirmation bias, emotional manipulation, and surveillance are built into the technology itself.


About Our Guest:

Dr. Julie Carpenter is a social scientist and user experience researcher who studies how humans form trust, intimacy, and emotional relationships with AI systems. She is the author of The Naked Android: Synthetic Socialness and the Human Gaze and an external research fellow with the Ethics and Emerging Sciences Group. For over two decades, her work has examined how emerging technologies quietly reorganize culture, relationships, and everyday life. https://www.jgcarpenter.com/


In this episode, we will explore:

  • Why AI feels emotionally supportive and why that’s risky
  • How AI exploits human attachment, trust, and vulnerability
  • Why AI should not be used for therapy, mental health, or parenting advice
  • The illusion of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
  • How bias and misinformation are baked into AI systems
  • The environmental and surveillance costs of generative AI
  • What parents, educators, and clinicians should be thinking about right now in regards to AI
  • How overreliance on AI erodes self-trust and critical thinking
  • What AI can never replicate about being human


Timestamps

0:00:00 Introduction: Why AI Feels So Compelling

0:02:45 Meet Dr. Julie Carpenter

0:05:12 What Is Generative AI—Really?

0:08:40 Why AI Sounds So Human

0:12:30 Emotional Attachment & AI Companionship

0:17:45 AI as a “Funhouse Mirror”

0:22:10 Why AI Is Not Neutral

0:27:40 Surveillance, Data, and Power

0:33:15 AI, Children, and Learning Concerns

0:40:20 Why AI Should Never Be Used as Therapy

0:47:55 Confirmation Bias and Emotional Manipulation

0:55:30 The Myth of Artificial General Intelligence

1:03:10 Environmental Costs of AI

1:10:45 Reclaiming Human Judgment and Autonomy

1:18:20 What AI Can Never Replace

1:24:30 Cleaning Up Our Own “Backyard”

1:30:10 Final Reflections on Humanity and Hope


Show notes

DAIR Institute

Dr. Julie Carpenter's blog, where she explains the ideas behind AGI and who is chasing this philosophy, "Why AGI Won’t Save the World And Who Wants You To Think It Will"


✨ Learn more + stay connected: https://innercalling.org/

✨ Looking for kind, compassionate, evidence-based mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness, founded by Dr. Victoria based in the belief that hope can be found even in the most difficult seasons of life. https://www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Instagram: @‌drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> “AI does not understand you, care about you, or know what it means to be human.” – Dr. Julie Carpenter

“What worries me is how easily we stop trusting ourselves.” – Dr. Victoria Ranade


Is Artificial Intelligence really helping us or is it actually reshaping our minds, relationships, and humanity? Can a technology that feels supportive, validating, and “human” actually be undermining our self-trust, autonomy, and mental health? In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Julie Carpenter explore the psychological, emotional, and ethical impact of generative AI. Together, they unpack why AI feels so compelling, how it is intentionally designed to engage and retain us, and what happens to humans when we outsource our thinking, emotional processing, and decision-making to AI. This conversation looks under the hype and examines the development of AI through the lenses of mental health, attachment, surveillance, education, power, and what it means to remain human in an increasingly automated world. Dr. Carpenter explains why AI should not be used as therapy, why children are especially vulnerable to overreliance on these systems, and how confirmation bias, emotional manipulation, and surveillance are built into the technology itself.


About Our Guest:

Dr. Julie Carpenter is a social scientist and user experience researcher who studies how humans form trust, intimacy, and emotional relationships with AI systems. She is the author of The Naked Android: Synthetic Socialness and the Human Gaze and an external research fellow with the Ethics and Emerging Sciences Group. For over two decades, her work has examined how emerging technologies quietly reorganize culture, relationships, and everyday life. https://www.jgcarpenter.com/


In this episode, we will explore:

  • Why AI feels emotionally supportive and why that’s risky
  • How AI exploits human attachment, trust, and vulnerability
  • Why AI should not be used for therapy, mental health, or parenting advice
  • The illusion of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
  • How bias and misinformation are baked into AI systems
  • The environmental and surveillance costs of generative AI
  • What parents, educators, and clinicians should be thinking about right now in regards to AI
  • How overreliance on AI erodes self-trust and critical thinking
  • What AI can never replicate about being human


Timestamps

0:00:00 Introduction: Why AI Feels So Compelling

0:02:45 Meet Dr. Julie Carpenter

0:05:12 What Is Generative AI—Really?

0:08:40 Why AI Sounds So Human

0:12:30 Emotional Attachment & AI Companionship

0:17:45 AI as a “Funhouse Mirror”

0:22:10 Why AI Is Not Neutral

0:27:40 Surveillance, Data, and Power

0:33:15 AI, Children, and Learning Concerns

0:40:20 Why AI Should Never Be Used as Therapy

0:47:55 Confirmation Bias and Emotional Manipulation

0:55:30 The Myth of Artificial General Intelligence

1:03:10 Environmental Costs of AI

1:10:45 Reclaiming Human Judgment and Autonomy

1:18:20 What AI Can Never Replace

1:24:30 Cleaning Up Our Own “Backyard”

1:30:10 Final Reflections on Humanity and Hope


Show notes

DAIR Institute

Dr. Julie Carpenter's blog, where she explains the ideas behind AGI and who is chasing this philosophy, "Why AGI Won’t Save the World And Who Wants You To Think It Will"


✨ Learn more + stay connected: https://innercalling.org/

✨ Looking for kind, compassionate, evidence-based mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness, founded by Dr. Victoria based in the belief that hope can be found even in the most difficult seasons of life. https://www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Instagram: @‌drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #37. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 9 - 12) #37. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 9 - 12) Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:56:13 GMT 36:54 6954204dcb029db757464f82 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/6954204dcb029db757464f82 6954204dcb029db757464f82 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 37 Hi innercallers! In this episode, Dr. Victoria and producers Carlisle and Western return for the third installment of our Book Club series, diving into Chapters 9–12 of Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish, which dives into the heart of Kristen’s Top Chef journey and the personal transformations that followed this victory!


Dr. Victoria and Western are self-proclaimed long-standing Top Chef nerds, so they love diving into the lore about Top Chef and all that this experience signified in public figure Kristen Kish turned out to be! Carlisle might be less versed in Top Chef versed, but has been a long-standing fan of food, so she is equally excited to discuss this topic.


In this episode, we explore:

  • What Top Chef is really like behind the scenes
  • Representation and identity for Asian American and LGBTQ+ communities
  • Kristen Kish’s coming out journey and family support
  • Toxic workplace culture and knowing when to leave
  • How self-trust grows through adversity
  • Why presence was the key to winning
  • How following what feels like “home” can guide life decisions


Timestamps

0:00:00 Welcome to Book Club (Ch. 9–12)

0:01:15 Snacks, Pickles, and Top Chef Behind-the-Scenes

0:03:00 The Top Chef Audition & Emeril Lagasse

0:05:40 Pressure, Presence, and Cooking with Focus

0:09:00 Competing Against Your Best Friend

0:12:30 Elimination & Last Chance Kitchen

0:15:45 Winning Top Chef and Keeping It Secret

0:18:30 Representation and Unexpected Community Support

0:22:00 Queerness, Identity, and Coming Out

0:26:30 Family Acceptance & First Relationships

0:30:15 Life After Winning: Delayed Opportunities

0:34:00 Toxic Work Environments & Bullying

0:38:30 Walking Away from Status and Power

0:42:00 Trusting Yourself Through Uncertainty

0:45:30 Presence as the Key to Success

0:48:30 Final Reflections & What’s Next in the Book


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

Learn more at innercalling.org

‌

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Hi innercallers! In this episode, Dr. Victoria and producers Carlisle and Western return for the third installment of our Book Club series, diving into Chapters 9–12 of Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish, which dives into the heart of Kristen’s Top Chef journey and the personal transformations that followed this victory!


Dr. Victoria and Western are self-proclaimed long-standing Top Chef nerds, so they love diving into the lore about Top Chef and all that this experience signified in public figure Kristen Kish turned out to be! Carlisle might be less versed in Top Chef versed, but has been a long-standing fan of food, so she is equally excited to discuss this topic.


In this episode, we explore:

  • What Top Chef is really like behind the scenes
  • Representation and identity for Asian American and LGBTQ+ communities
  • Kristen Kish’s coming out journey and family support
  • Toxic workplace culture and knowing when to leave
  • How self-trust grows through adversity
  • Why presence was the key to winning
  • How following what feels like “home” can guide life decisions


Timestamps

0:00:00 Welcome to Book Club (Ch. 9–12)

0:01:15 Snacks, Pickles, and Top Chef Behind-the-Scenes

0:03:00 The Top Chef Audition & Emeril Lagasse

0:05:40 Pressure, Presence, and Cooking with Focus

0:09:00 Competing Against Your Best Friend

0:12:30 Elimination & Last Chance Kitchen

0:15:45 Winning Top Chef and Keeping It Secret

0:18:30 Representation and Unexpected Community Support

0:22:00 Queerness, Identity, and Coming Out

0:26:30 Family Acceptance & First Relationships

0:30:15 Life After Winning: Delayed Opportunities

0:34:00 Toxic Work Environments & Bullying

0:38:30 Walking Away from Status and Power

0:42:00 Trusting Yourself Through Uncertainty

0:45:30 Presence as the Key to Success

0:48:30 Final Reflections & What’s Next in the Book


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

Learn more at innercalling.org

‌

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#36. Believing in Yourself When Your Dreams Don't Fit Your Culture | Breaking into Hollywood as an Asian American | Isabelle Du]]> Sat, 20 Dec 2025 19:20:07 GMT 1:30:21 6946f6e7e2b7985fa28d7228 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/6946f6e7e2b7985fa28d7228 6946f6e7e2b7985fa28d7228 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 36 Isabelle Du was my girl crush in high school. I admired how she went after her dreams with everything she had. When we graduated, I dutifully majored in biology and followed the pre-med path my strict Taiwanese father outlined while Isabelle went all out and pursued hers.


In Asian culture, following your dreams is often looked down upon. We're told we'll fail, that we won't make money, that it brings shame to the family. So I wanted to know what was Isabelle's journey really like? How did she find trust and confidence in herself when the culture around her said otherwise?


Isabelle is now an actress and international model, and I am so proud of her for representing us as Asian Americans in Hollywood and film. Thank you for going out there Isabelle and for your courage!


This episode is dedicated to anyone who is struggling with wanting to follow what is in their heart — but is afraid of what their culture, family, or society will think. DO IT! :)


We talk about:

Identity & representation:

  • What it's like being Asian American in Hollywood and film
  • The lack of Asian representation in media growing up
  • Being a first generation Vietnamese American pursuing an unconventional path
  • Breaking barriers and representing Asian Americans on screen

Following your calling:

  • Knowing from a young age she wanted to model and act
  • Going after her dreams against cultural expectations
  • What it feels like in your body when you're on the right path
  • Trusting your intuition even when everyone doubts you

The industry:

  • Getting scammed early on as a young model
  • What it's really like to break into Hollywood
  • The hustle, rejection, and resilience required
  • Navigating the film and modeling world as an Asian woman

Asian culture & family:

  • The pressure to follow a "safe" path
  • Shame, saving face, and family expectations
  • What it costs to go against your culture
  • The hush hush nature of struggle in Asian families

Spirituality & inner life:

  • How spirituality helped her through hard times
  • Listening to your inner knowing
  • Finding confidence and trust in yourself

Loss & grief:

  • The suicide of a family member
  • How grief ripples through an Asian family
  • Hope and what to say to someone who is struggling


***

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and suicide loss. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You are not alone.


***


Isabelle Du is a SAG-AFTRA actor, host, and international model working across television, film, and major commercial campaigns. A former Miss Vietnam USA, she has appeared in network and cable series, feature films, and global productions, and continues to advocate for greater Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in Hollywood. https://www.isabelledu.com/


***

Episode Highlights


00:00 – Introduction

10:52 – Living the Dream

13:35 – Choosing Your Own Path

16:54 – Reframing Setbacks

20:12 – Navigating a Strict Upbringing

23:20 – Developing Discernment

36:50 – Seeking Guidance Beyond Yourself

43:20 – A Life-Saving Moment

52:51 – No Carbon Copies

01:07:50 – The Kaizen Mindset

01:20:40 – Persistence & Perspective

01:28:32 – Believing in a Bigger Life

01:29:15 – Closing Thoughts


**

“I think confidence comes from being your own best friend—really knowing yourself, enjoying who you are, and continuing to have that relationship with yourself.”

— Isabelle Du


“All the answers I had sought were answered by just continuing to live. When you continue to live, you’ll get the answers anyway.” — Isabelle Du


***

Web: www.drvictoriaranade.com

Looking for mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness at www.hope-wellness.com

IG: @drvictoriaranade

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or write a review. We're an indie podcast so your support means a lot! :)

Learn more at innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Isabelle Du was my girl crush in high school. I admired how she went after her dreams with everything she had. When we graduated, I dutifully majored in biology and followed the pre-med path my strict Taiwanese father outlined while Isabelle went all out and pursued hers.


In Asian culture, following your dreams is often looked down upon. We're told we'll fail, that we won't make money, that it brings shame to the family. So I wanted to know what was Isabelle's journey really like? How did she find trust and confidence in herself when the culture around her said otherwise?


Isabelle is now an actress and international model, and I am so proud of her for representing us as Asian Americans in Hollywood and film. Thank you for going out there Isabelle and for your courage!


This episode is dedicated to anyone who is struggling with wanting to follow what is in their heart — but is afraid of what their culture, family, or society will think. DO IT! :)


We talk about:

Identity & representation:

  • What it's like being Asian American in Hollywood and film
  • The lack of Asian representation in media growing up
  • Being a first generation Vietnamese American pursuing an unconventional path
  • Breaking barriers and representing Asian Americans on screen

Following your calling:

  • Knowing from a young age she wanted to model and act
  • Going after her dreams against cultural expectations
  • What it feels like in your body when you're on the right path
  • Trusting your intuition even when everyone doubts you

The industry:

  • Getting scammed early on as a young model
  • What it's really like to break into Hollywood
  • The hustle, rejection, and resilience required
  • Navigating the film and modeling world as an Asian woman

Asian culture & family:

  • The pressure to follow a "safe" path
  • Shame, saving face, and family expectations
  • What it costs to go against your culture
  • The hush hush nature of struggle in Asian families

Spirituality & inner life:

  • How spirituality helped her through hard times
  • Listening to your inner knowing
  • Finding confidence and trust in yourself

Loss & grief:

  • The suicide of a family member
  • How grief ripples through an Asian family
  • Hope and what to say to someone who is struggling


***

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and suicide loss. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You are not alone.


***


Isabelle Du is a SAG-AFTRA actor, host, and international model working across television, film, and major commercial campaigns. A former Miss Vietnam USA, she has appeared in network and cable series, feature films, and global productions, and continues to advocate for greater Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in Hollywood. https://www.isabelledu.com/


***

Episode Highlights


00:00 – Introduction

10:52 – Living the Dream

13:35 – Choosing Your Own Path

16:54 – Reframing Setbacks

20:12 – Navigating a Strict Upbringing

23:20 – Developing Discernment

36:50 – Seeking Guidance Beyond Yourself

43:20 – A Life-Saving Moment

52:51 – No Carbon Copies

01:07:50 – The Kaizen Mindset

01:20:40 – Persistence & Perspective

01:28:32 – Believing in a Bigger Life

01:29:15 – Closing Thoughts


**

“I think confidence comes from being your own best friend—really knowing yourself, enjoying who you are, and continuing to have that relationship with yourself.”

— Isabelle Du


“All the answers I had sought were answered by just continuing to live. When you continue to live, you’ll get the answers anyway.” — Isabelle Du


***

Web: www.drvictoriaranade.com

Looking for mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness at www.hope-wellness.com

IG: @drvictoriaranade

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or write a review. We're an indie podcast so your support means a lot! :)

Learn more at innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #35. Dana Bridger and Luis Fabiano | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Women: Mental Health, Confidence, and Empowerment #35. Dana Bridger and Luis Fabiano | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Women: Mental Health, Confidence, and Empowerment Sat, 13 Dec 2025 01:36:53 GMT 1:42:44 693cc3359278bf5c1c6e8ace false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/693cc3359278bf5c1c6e8ace 693cc3359278bf5c1c6e8ace 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 35 Professor Dana Bridger and Luis Fabiano join me to talk about how Jiu Jitsu changed their lives—and mine. We explore fear, confidence, healing the nervous system from trauma, the power of community, its importance for women, and the surprising ways this sport teaches you confidence and to trust yourself again to step into your power.


0:00:00  Introduction: Jiu-Jitsu's Power to Change Lives

0:00:24  Host's Introduction: Background for the Episode

0:02:47  Welcome to the show!

0:04:15  Misconceptions of Jiu-Jitsu

0:05:34  A Jiu-Jitsu Love Story

0:08:33  Fabiano's Battle with Depression and Return

0:11:54  Jiu-Jitsu Eliminates Trauma-Induced Anxiety

0:14:46  The Core Philosophy: Be Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations

0:22:53  What is Control?

0:27:18  Finding the "Warrior" Archetype

0:33:02  A Lesson in Listening from a Student

0:36:11  Women are Fighters, too!

0:44:03  The Even Playing Field of the Kimono

0:47:21  The Importance of "Mat Chats"

0:52:10  Aggression as Human Nature and Safe Release

0:53:59  BJJ's Impact on Children's Confidence

1:03:38  The Black Belt Paradox

1:10:47  The Price to be a Champion

1:14:46  Hard Work vs. Natural Talent

1:20:05  Clarity, Listening, and Calmness in Competition

1:28:13  How to Achieve Calmness Under Pressure

1:29:40  Life Hack: The 10-Second Stop-and-Breathe Rule

1:33:06  The Hardest Belt is the White One

1:33:40  Jiu Jitsu: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

1:39:31  Fabiano's Greatest Challenge: Leaving Home

1:41:00  The Emotional Toll of Distance


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

Learn more at innercalling.org

 

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Professor Dana Bridger and Luis Fabiano join me to talk about how Jiu Jitsu changed their lives—and mine. We explore fear, confidence, healing the nervous system from trauma, the power of community, its importance for women, and the surprising ways this sport teaches you confidence and to trust yourself again to step into your power.


0:00:00  Introduction: Jiu-Jitsu's Power to Change Lives

0:00:24  Host's Introduction: Background for the Episode

0:02:47  Welcome to the show!

0:04:15  Misconceptions of Jiu-Jitsu

0:05:34  A Jiu-Jitsu Love Story

0:08:33  Fabiano's Battle with Depression and Return

0:11:54  Jiu-Jitsu Eliminates Trauma-Induced Anxiety

0:14:46  The Core Philosophy: Be Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations

0:22:53  What is Control?

0:27:18  Finding the "Warrior" Archetype

0:33:02  A Lesson in Listening from a Student

0:36:11  Women are Fighters, too!

0:44:03  The Even Playing Field of the Kimono

0:47:21  The Importance of "Mat Chats"

0:52:10  Aggression as Human Nature and Safe Release

0:53:59  BJJ's Impact on Children's Confidence

1:03:38  The Black Belt Paradox

1:10:47  The Price to be a Champion

1:14:46  Hard Work vs. Natural Talent

1:20:05  Clarity, Listening, and Calmness in Competition

1:28:13  How to Achieve Calmness Under Pressure

1:29:40  Life Hack: The 10-Second Stop-and-Breathe Rule

1:33:06  The Hardest Belt is the White One

1:33:40  Jiu Jitsu: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

1:39:31  Fabiano's Greatest Challenge: Leaving Home

1:41:00  The Emotional Toll of Distance


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

Learn more at innercalling.org

 

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #33. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 5 - 8) #33. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 5 - 8) Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:39:48 GMT 22:35 692dfd14dbfd5f4e72d25f13 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/692dfd14dbfd5f4e72d25f13 692dfd14dbfd5f4e72d25f13 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 33 Hi innercallers! In this episode, Dr. Victoria and producers Carlisle, and Western return for the second installment of our Book Club series, diving into Chapters 5–8 of Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish.


We explore Kristen’s turbulent "messy middle", that intense period of young adulthood where ambition often outpaces experience. We discuss her rapid rise to executive chef, the ego and intensity that fueled her early career, and the necessary "humbling" that occurred when it all came crashing down.


This conversation is all about the power of support systems. We reflect on Kristen’s incredible parents, the life-changing magic of finding a "work bestie," and the unique dynamic of the "Heartbreak Hotel" :).


Join us as we break down the journey from trying to "prove yourself" to finding your voice.


  • 00:00:00 - Intro: Book Club Round 2 (Chapters 5-8)
  • 00:01:00 - Recap: From Culinary School to Executive Chef
  • 00:03:30 - Obsessed with Status: The Drive for Upward Mobility
  • 00:04:45 - Kitchen Culture: "Screaming Chefs" & Intensity
  • 00:07:45 - Why Her First Executive Chef Job Failed
  • 00:09:15 - The "Humbling": Substance Use & Moving Home
  • 00:10:45 - Moving to Boston & Finding a "Work Bestie"
  • 00:13:00 - Mentorship at Stir: A Woman-Led Kitchen
  • 00:16:15 - Dating Scott & Learning What Love Is
  • 00:18:30 - The 2AM Phone Call: A Story of Parental Support
  • 00:21:00 - Living in the "Heartbreak Hotel"
  • 00:22:15 - Outro: Looking Ahead to the Top Chef Era


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

Learn more at innercalling.org

‌

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Hi innercallers! In this episode, Dr. Victoria and producers Carlisle, and Western return for the second installment of our Book Club series, diving into Chapters 5–8 of Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish.


We explore Kristen’s turbulent "messy middle", that intense period of young adulthood where ambition often outpaces experience. We discuss her rapid rise to executive chef, the ego and intensity that fueled her early career, and the necessary "humbling" that occurred when it all came crashing down.


This conversation is all about the power of support systems. We reflect on Kristen’s incredible parents, the life-changing magic of finding a "work bestie," and the unique dynamic of the "Heartbreak Hotel" :).


Join us as we break down the journey from trying to "prove yourself" to finding your voice.


  • 00:00:00 - Intro: Book Club Round 2 (Chapters 5-8)
  • 00:01:00 - Recap: From Culinary School to Executive Chef
  • 00:03:30 - Obsessed with Status: The Drive for Upward Mobility
  • 00:04:45 - Kitchen Culture: "Screaming Chefs" & Intensity
  • 00:07:45 - Why Her First Executive Chef Job Failed
  • 00:09:15 - The "Humbling": Substance Use & Moving Home
  • 00:10:45 - Moving to Boston & Finding a "Work Bestie"
  • 00:13:00 - Mentorship at Stir: A Woman-Led Kitchen
  • 00:16:15 - Dating Scott & Learning What Love Is
  • 00:18:30 - The 2AM Phone Call: A Story of Parental Support
  • 00:21:00 - Living in the "Heartbreak Hotel"
  • 00:22:15 - Outro: Looking Ahead to the Top Chef Era


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

Learn more at innercalling.org

‌

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#32. Sandra Morse & Dr. Victoria | Finding Hope in the Darkness of Depression]]> Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:11:59 GMT 45:12 69210de039f2ac6a4f840351 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/69210de039f2ac6a4f840351 69210de039f2ac6a4f840351 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 32 ”In my darkest hour, I heard a voice inside me that said, ‘It’s not your time yet. I’m with you. All you have to do is listen to me and follow me.” - Dr. Victoria Ranade


"Do all things in love. This is my spiritual practice and what all of us are called to do." - Dr. Victoria Ranade


Sandra interviews Dr. Victoria in this episode. She talks about what it was like growing up first-generation Asian American in a complicated household, navigating bipolar disorder, and how suffering has shaped the clinician and person she is today. They also explore the intersections of psychology and spirituality, the power of both connection and inner work in healing depression, and what it means to practice love in a world so often overwhelmed by fear.


00:00 – Finding Light in Darkness

01:25 – Why She Became a Psychotherapist

03:36 – Working with Teenagers

05:11 – The Power of Listening

07:25 – A Voice That Saved Her Life

10:11 – Wise Mind & Highest Self

13:26 – Do All Things in Love

15:44 – Seeing No Strangers

16:53 – Fear and Faith

20:19 – Life Responds to Love

22:19 – The Practice of Stillness

24:14 – Spiritual Inclusivity

26:26 – A Universal Map to Healing

27:21 – Living with Bipolar

29:25 – Meeting Depression with Compassionate Presence

29:56 – Bipolar as a Teacher

30:15 – Surfing the Waves of Bipolar

31:00 – Relationship with God as Liberation

32:00 – Making Spirituality Your Own

33:00 – Expanding Spiritual Inclusivity

34:30 – Universal Map to Healing

36:00 – Depression as a Constant Visitor

37:00 – Compassionate Presence Defined

38:00 – Pain as Teacher

39:00 – Courage to Keep Surfing

39:38 – Closing Reflections on Psychotherapy Today

42:00 - Summary and Wrap-up


Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of the InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> ”In my darkest hour, I heard a voice inside me that said, ‘It’s not your time yet. I’m with you. All you have to do is listen to me and follow me.” - Dr. Victoria Ranade


"Do all things in love. This is my spiritual practice and what all of us are called to do." - Dr. Victoria Ranade


Sandra interviews Dr. Victoria in this episode. She talks about what it was like growing up first-generation Asian American in a complicated household, navigating bipolar disorder, and how suffering has shaped the clinician and person she is today. They also explore the intersections of psychology and spirituality, the power of both connection and inner work in healing depression, and what it means to practice love in a world so often overwhelmed by fear.


00:00 – Finding Light in Darkness

01:25 – Why She Became a Psychotherapist

03:36 – Working with Teenagers

05:11 – The Power of Listening

07:25 – A Voice That Saved Her Life

10:11 – Wise Mind & Highest Self

13:26 – Do All Things in Love

15:44 – Seeing No Strangers

16:53 – Fear and Faith

20:19 – Life Responds to Love

22:19 – The Practice of Stillness

24:14 – Spiritual Inclusivity

26:26 – A Universal Map to Healing

27:21 – Living with Bipolar

29:25 – Meeting Depression with Compassionate Presence

29:56 – Bipolar as a Teacher

30:15 – Surfing the Waves of Bipolar

31:00 – Relationship with God as Liberation

32:00 – Making Spirituality Your Own

33:00 – Expanding Spiritual Inclusivity

34:30 – Universal Map to Healing

36:00 – Depression as a Constant Visitor

37:00 – Compassionate Presence Defined

38:00 – Pain as Teacher

39:00 – Courage to Keep Surfing

39:38 – Closing Reflections on Psychotherapy Today

42:00 - Summary and Wrap-up


Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of the InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #31. Bennett Crawford, LCSW | Healing the Inner Critic with Lovingkindness and Self-Compassion #31. Bennett Crawford, LCSW | Healing the Inner Critic with Lovingkindness and Self-Compassion Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:29:25 GMT 1:13:18 691720a5c66f88b0921e6458 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/691720a5c66f88b0921e6458 691720a5c66f88b0921e6458 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 31 “When we rest into presence, we discover a larger field of loving awareness holding all our fears, anxieties, and pain — our ultimate resource for healing.” - Bennett Crawford, LCSW


Therapist and mindfulness teacher Bennett Crawford, LCSW, discusses how loving-kindness and self-compassion can become medicine for self-hate and the inner critic. He discusses how the inner critic often tries to protect us, why meeting it with compassion can transform our relationship with ourselves, and how simple daily practices—like grounding, self-talk, and visualization—can rewire the brain toward healing. A conversation about patience, presence, and remembering the love that’s already within you. https://www.hope-wellness.com/bennett-crawford-lcsw


00:00 Understanding Loving Kindness

01:39 Introduction

02:17 Definition of loving kindness

04:00 Loving kindness and self-compassion

06:38 When you hate yourself

09:50 Origins of the inner critic

13:13 Compassion as medicine

16:41 Voice dialogue and IFS tools

21:57 Navigating Self-Hate and Compassion

27:54 The Inner Critic and Its Origins

33:57 Practices for Self-Compassion

40:48 The Nature of Self-Compassion

45:40 Cultivating Love Through Visualization

50:43 Understanding and Embracing Our Stories

55:49 Reparenting and Healing Through Love

01:00:42 The Journey of Being Human and Embracing Vulnerability

01:05:47 The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery

01:08:24 Experiencing Unconditional Love

01:10:22 Qualities of Secure Attachment


Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of the InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade


Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> “When we rest into presence, we discover a larger field of loving awareness holding all our fears, anxieties, and pain — our ultimate resource for healing.” - Bennett Crawford, LCSW


Therapist and mindfulness teacher Bennett Crawford, LCSW, discusses how loving-kindness and self-compassion can become medicine for self-hate and the inner critic. He discusses how the inner critic often tries to protect us, why meeting it with compassion can transform our relationship with ourselves, and how simple daily practices—like grounding, self-talk, and visualization—can rewire the brain toward healing. A conversation about patience, presence, and remembering the love that’s already within you. https://www.hope-wellness.com/bennett-crawford-lcsw


00:00 Understanding Loving Kindness

01:39 Introduction

02:17 Definition of loving kindness

04:00 Loving kindness and self-compassion

06:38 When you hate yourself

09:50 Origins of the inner critic

13:13 Compassion as medicine

16:41 Voice dialogue and IFS tools

21:57 Navigating Self-Hate and Compassion

27:54 The Inner Critic and Its Origins

33:57 Practices for Self-Compassion

40:48 The Nature of Self-Compassion

45:40 Cultivating Love Through Visualization

50:43 Understanding and Embracing Our Stories

55:49 Reparenting and Healing Through Love

01:00:42 The Journey of Being Human and Embracing Vulnerability

01:05:47 The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery

01:08:24 Experiencing Unconditional Love

01:10:22 Qualities of Secure Attachment


Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of the InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade


Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #30. Leslie Stirms | Self-Trust in Leadership and Business for Women #30. Leslie Stirms | Self-Trust in Leadership and Business for Women Sat, 08 Nov 2025 13:30:27 GMT 1:23:22 690f45f46d62d4e03db5ad45 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/690f45f46d62d4e03db5ad45 690f45f46d62d4e03db5ad45 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 30 “Women entrepreneurs, have the difficult conversation. Speak up. Be the loudest person in the room… Get in there. Just do it.”


“When I’m following my inner calling, I find myself in amazing places that I didn’t expect.”


In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade sits down with entrepreneur and leader Leslie Stirm to explore what it truly means to listen to your intuition and trust your inner wisdom. From a painful childhood to building one of the most successful music stores in the country, Leslie shares how self-trust became her inner compass—guiding her through trauma, healing, and the complexities of leadership.


Together, they reflect on the courage it takes to hear your own truth, the quiet power of intuition in business, and how following signs and wonders can unfold into unexpected adventures. This conversation is a reminder that when you learn to listen within, life itself begins to guide you to greater success, joy, and wholeness.


**

Leslie Stirm is a person who has followed her own guidance her whole life. With unreliable parents, she decided to trust her own wisdom and observations. She studied science and math in college and currently operates one of the most successful music stores in the country. Leslie sees her work with music as the perfect platform to help people accept and express themselves. She listens to the signs and wonders of the world. Leslie relies on her inner guidance to get her where she is today. Find Leslie here: https://www.imc-az.com


Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade


Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> “Women entrepreneurs, have the difficult conversation. Speak up. Be the loudest person in the room… Get in there. Just do it.”


“When I’m following my inner calling, I find myself in amazing places that I didn’t expect.”


In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade sits down with entrepreneur and leader Leslie Stirm to explore what it truly means to listen to your intuition and trust your inner wisdom. From a painful childhood to building one of the most successful music stores in the country, Leslie shares how self-trust became her inner compass—guiding her through trauma, healing, and the complexities of leadership.


Together, they reflect on the courage it takes to hear your own truth, the quiet power of intuition in business, and how following signs and wonders can unfold into unexpected adventures. This conversation is a reminder that when you learn to listen within, life itself begins to guide you to greater success, joy, and wholeness.


**

Leslie Stirm is a person who has followed her own guidance her whole life. With unreliable parents, she decided to trust her own wisdom and observations. She studied science and math in college and currently operates one of the most successful music stores in the country. Leslie sees her work with music as the perfect platform to help people accept and express themselves. She listens to the signs and wonders of the world. Leslie relies on her inner guidance to get her where she is today. Find Leslie here: https://www.imc-az.com


Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade


Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #29. Chris Kovacs LCSW | How Pain Becomes Healing in Addiction Recovery #29. Chris Kovacs LCSW | How Pain Becomes Healing in Addiction Recovery Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:33:47 GMT 1:20:05 6904f2fb3906f8011acb9fbb false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/6904f2fb3906f8011acb9fbb 6904f2fb3906f8011acb9fbb 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 29 “There was this quiet voice inside me saying, Don’t give up. I used to ignore it. Now I know—that voice saved my life.”

— Chris Kovacs, LCSW


“Addiction took everything from me. But recovery gave me something I never had before—myself.”

— Chris Kovacs, LCSW


In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, therapist Chris Kovacs joins Dr. Victoria Ranade to share how addiction nearly took his life—and how listening to his inner voice helped him find the courage to heal.


Chris opens up about the early influences that shaped his path, the pain and loss caused by addiction, and the pivotal moments that led him toward recovery. He reflects on how his lived experiences inform his inner calling as a therapist and offers heartfelt guidance for those currently struggling in the darkness of addiction, as well as insights for family members seeking to support loved ones on their healing journey. He also discussed the gift of desperation and the critical importance of social relationships and community in recovery, and the tension between enabling vs. support. Join us for this inspiring story of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of the inner voice that can lead us not only to survive, but to return to wholeness.


**

Chris Kovacs, LCSW, LCADC is an award winning licensed clinical social worker specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. Hes drawn to this work through his professional experiences, as well as the personal adversities he has personally faced. Just like he was able to receive, he believes that everyone deserves the help they need to begin to self-actualize. https://www.hope-wellness.com/chris-kovacs-lcsw


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris's Journey

03:10 The Early Years of Addiction

06:04 The Dark Side of Substance Use

08:43 Relationships and Their Impact

11:07 The Turning Point: Desperation and Honesty

14:00 The Role of Tough Love

16:56 Finding Acceptance and Forgiveness

19:48 The Path to Becoming a Therapist

24:35 Finding Your True Calling

25:57 The Struggle of Overcoming Addiction

28:33 The Role of Community in Recovery

28:40 The Journey of Becoming a Therapist

39:23 Support vs. Enabling in Addiction Recovery

42:52 Navigating the Pain of Addiction

43:33 A Message by Hope and Wellness

47:01 Setting Boundaries with Loved Ones

48:34 The Importance of Relatability in Recovery

50:09 Exploring the Role of AA and NA

52:41 Finding Quality Treatment for Addiction

55:41 The Necessity of a Full Continuum of Care

56:33 Understanding Stigma and Sharing Stories

58:10 The Journey of Rebuilding Relationships

59:07 Spirituality and Higher Power in Recovery

01:02:52 Encouragement for Those Struggling

01:06:16 Advice for Therapists Working with Teens

01:08:18 Confrontational Approaches in Therapy

01:11:34 The Future of Psychedelics in Treatment

01:13:45 Listening to Your Inner Calling and Conclusion

01:16:42 The Gift of Desperation and Pain as a Teacher

01:19:27 The Power of Community in Healing

01:20:52 Support vs. Enabling: Setting Boundaries


✨ Subscribe for more heartfelt, old-fashioned conversations about mental health, spirituality, authentic leadership, self-trust, and how people make their way through this difficult yet beautiful thing called life.

✨ Share this episode with someone who might find it helpful.

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice: www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to get emails connecting you with others who believe in the power of the human spirit

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> “There was this quiet voice inside me saying, Don’t give up. I used to ignore it. Now I know—that voice saved my life.”

— Chris Kovacs, LCSW


“Addiction took everything from me. But recovery gave me something I never had before—myself.”

— Chris Kovacs, LCSW


In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, therapist Chris Kovacs joins Dr. Victoria Ranade to share how addiction nearly took his life—and how listening to his inner voice helped him find the courage to heal.


Chris opens up about the early influences that shaped his path, the pain and loss caused by addiction, and the pivotal moments that led him toward recovery. He reflects on how his lived experiences inform his inner calling as a therapist and offers heartfelt guidance for those currently struggling in the darkness of addiction, as well as insights for family members seeking to support loved ones on their healing journey. He also discussed the gift of desperation and the critical importance of social relationships and community in recovery, and the tension between enabling vs. support. Join us for this inspiring story of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of the inner voice that can lead us not only to survive, but to return to wholeness.


**

Chris Kovacs, LCSW, LCADC is an award winning licensed clinical social worker specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. Hes drawn to this work through his professional experiences, as well as the personal adversities he has personally faced. Just like he was able to receive, he believes that everyone deserves the help they need to begin to self-actualize. https://www.hope-wellness.com/chris-kovacs-lcsw


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris's Journey

03:10 The Early Years of Addiction

06:04 The Dark Side of Substance Use

08:43 Relationships and Their Impact

11:07 The Turning Point: Desperation and Honesty

14:00 The Role of Tough Love

16:56 Finding Acceptance and Forgiveness

19:48 The Path to Becoming a Therapist

24:35 Finding Your True Calling

25:57 The Struggle of Overcoming Addiction

28:33 The Role of Community in Recovery

28:40 The Journey of Becoming a Therapist

39:23 Support vs. Enabling in Addiction Recovery

42:52 Navigating the Pain of Addiction

43:33 A Message by Hope and Wellness

47:01 Setting Boundaries with Loved Ones

48:34 The Importance of Relatability in Recovery

50:09 Exploring the Role of AA and NA

52:41 Finding Quality Treatment for Addiction

55:41 The Necessity of a Full Continuum of Care

56:33 Understanding Stigma and Sharing Stories

58:10 The Journey of Rebuilding Relationships

59:07 Spirituality and Higher Power in Recovery

01:02:52 Encouragement for Those Struggling

01:06:16 Advice for Therapists Working with Teens

01:08:18 Confrontational Approaches in Therapy

01:11:34 The Future of Psychedelics in Treatment

01:13:45 Listening to Your Inner Calling and Conclusion

01:16:42 The Gift of Desperation and Pain as a Teacher

01:19:27 The Power of Community in Healing

01:20:52 Support vs. Enabling: Setting Boundaries


✨ Subscribe for more heartfelt, old-fashioned conversations about mental health, spirituality, authentic leadership, self-trust, and how people make their way through this difficult yet beautiful thing called life.

✨ Share this episode with someone who might find it helpful.

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice: www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to get emails connecting you with others who believe in the power of the human spirit

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> <![CDATA[#28. Pastor Carl Park | On Christ's Radical Love, Freedom from Shame, and the Courage to Answer Your Calling]]> Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:24:08 GMT 1:11:23 68fb8c08deee754a72b43c42 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/68fb8c08deee754a72b43c42 68fb8c08deee754a72b43c42 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 28 Pastor Carl Park of Great Commission Community Church joins Dr. Victoria Ranade for a heartfelt conversation about the countercultural love of Jesus — a love rooted in humility, faith, and radical acceptance. Together they explore what it means to live with compassion, courage, and inner freedom in today’s world. Thank you for being here!


Chapters

00:00 Finding Light in Darkness

03:00 The Counter-Cultural Love of Jesus

06:08 The Power of Being Seen

08:54 Understanding God's Nature

12:01 The Journey of Faith

15:10 Hearing God's Voice

17:45 The Call to Ministry

21:00 The Role of Community

24:01 Authenticity and Humility

27:04 Spirituality and Mental Health

30:00 The Intersection of Science and Faith

32:54 Living Authentically

36:08 The Importance of Community

39:06 Finding a Church

42:12 The Healing Power of Scripture

44:56 The Role of Love and Acceptance

47:56 The Tree of Life

51:07 Exploring Spirituality

54:07 The Burden of Anxiety and Depression

56:54 The Invitation to Rest

01:00:08 Closing Thoughts

01:03:45 Summary and Reflection


Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Pastor Carl Park of Great Commission Community Church joins Dr. Victoria Ranade for a heartfelt conversation about the countercultural love of Jesus — a love rooted in humility, faith, and radical acceptance. Together they explore what it means to live with compassion, courage, and inner freedom in today’s world. Thank you for being here!


Chapters

00:00 Finding Light in Darkness

03:00 The Counter-Cultural Love of Jesus

06:08 The Power of Being Seen

08:54 Understanding God's Nature

12:01 The Journey of Faith

15:10 Hearing God's Voice

17:45 The Call to Ministry

21:00 The Role of Community

24:01 Authenticity and Humility

27:04 Spirituality and Mental Health

30:00 The Intersection of Science and Faith

32:54 Living Authentically

36:08 The Importance of Community

39:06 Finding a Church

42:12 The Healing Power of Scripture

44:56 The Role of Love and Acceptance

47:56 The Tree of Life

51:07 Exploring Spirituality

54:07 The Burden of Anxiety and Depression

56:54 The Invitation to Rest

01:00:08 Closing Thoughts

01:03:45 Summary and Reflection


Join us as we walk each other home:

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

✨ Share this episode

✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #27. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 1 - 4) #27. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 1 - 4) Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:42:48 GMT 29:30 68f19f18ace6eea8f8527452 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/68f19f18ace6eea8f8527452 68f19f18ace6eea8f8527452 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 27 Welcome to the Inner Calling Book Club!!!!!


We’re excited to kick off our book club with Accidentally On Purpose by Kristin Kish, which is a memoir that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about food. Read along with us: join Inner Calling Creative Producers Carlisle and Western, and me, as we share our thoughts on Chapters 1 through 4.


Kish is known for her brilliance in the culinary world and her genius on Top Chef. She invites readers into the raw, unpolished parts of her life including her adoption from South Korea, her struggles with belonging, her journey as a gay woman in a high-pressure male-dominated field, and her journey in learning to trust herself.


In these opening chapters, we dive into themes of identity, adoption, and belonging, reflecting on Kish's childhood and her experiences growing up queer in the 80s and 90s.

Her memoir sparked conversations on the significance of food as a connector to our childhood memories and emotions, and the importance of supportive relationships. We also reflect on how early experiences of disconnection and identity confusion can transform into the very soil that grows authenticity and artistry.


This conversation was really fun! Get some coffee, put on your sweats and join us. LETS READ THIS BOOK TOGETHER!!!



Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Book Club and Kristin Kish

01:25 Exploring Kristin Kish's Background and Early Life

04:12 Childhood Reflections and Themes of Identity

11:02 Adoption and Its Impact on Identity

13:05 Navigating Queer Identity in the 80s and 90s

18:01 Finding Passion and Purpose in Cooking

23:10 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance

29:02 Anticipating the Next Chapters and Themes


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here


Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


Check out our free resource library at innercalling.org with handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit.

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Welcome to the Inner Calling Book Club!!!!!


We’re excited to kick off our book club with Accidentally On Purpose by Kristin Kish, which is a memoir that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about food. Read along with us: join Inner Calling Creative Producers Carlisle and Western, and me, as we share our thoughts on Chapters 1 through 4.


Kish is known for her brilliance in the culinary world and her genius on Top Chef. She invites readers into the raw, unpolished parts of her life including her adoption from South Korea, her struggles with belonging, her journey as a gay woman in a high-pressure male-dominated field, and her journey in learning to trust herself.


In these opening chapters, we dive into themes of identity, adoption, and belonging, reflecting on Kish's childhood and her experiences growing up queer in the 80s and 90s.

Her memoir sparked conversations on the significance of food as a connector to our childhood memories and emotions, and the importance of supportive relationships. We also reflect on how early experiences of disconnection and identity confusion can transform into the very soil that grows authenticity and artistry.


This conversation was really fun! Get some coffee, put on your sweats and join us. LETS READ THIS BOOK TOGETHER!!!



Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Book Club and Kristin Kish

01:25 Exploring Kristin Kish's Background and Early Life

04:12 Childhood Reflections and Themes of Identity

11:02 Adoption and Its Impact on Identity

13:05 Navigating Queer Identity in the 80s and 90s

18:01 Finding Passion and Purpose in Cooking

23:10 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance

29:02 Anticipating the Next Chapters and Themes


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here


Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


Check out our free resource library at innercalling.org with handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit.

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #26. Sandra Morse | How to Stay Open-Hearted in a Closed World #26. Sandra Morse | How to Stay Open-Hearted in a Closed World Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:18:50 GMT 1:02:03 68de7bba078f9d9c72ee7ad2 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/68de7bba078f9d9c72ee7ad2 68de7bba078f9d9c72ee7ad2 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 26 Have you ever thought of love as a form of energy or a frequency? In this episode, I sit down with communication expert Sandra Morse to explore the transformative power of love, as well as its profound connection to language. We talk about what it means to move from a closed system of fear and defensiveness into an open system of receptivity, forgiveness, and connection. Sandra shares how love can be practiced in everyday life — in our words, our relationships, and our communities — and how trusting our inner callings can help us align with life’s flow. This episode with Sandra invites you to embrace love not just as a feeling but as a daily practice.


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here


Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


Check out our free resource library at innercalling.org with handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit.


00:00 The Essence of Love and Communication - Opening

02:46 Language as a Tool for Love

06:00 The Impact of Personal History on Love

08:57 Love as a Frequency

12:07 Receptivity and Openness in Love

14:56 Building Community Through Love

18:06 The Role of Dance in Connection

20:59 Navigating Conflict with Love

24:05 Forgiveness and Self-Compassion

26:53 The Power of Inner Callings

29:49 Creating Safe Spaces for Love

32:58 Love in the Workplace

36:00 The Importance of Community

38:59 Trusting Your Inner Voice

42:06 The Magnificence of Human Connection

45:06 Expressing Needs in Relationships

47:55 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Love

50:56 The Call to Action: Love in Practice

53:59 Conclusion: Embracing Love as a Way of Life

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Have you ever thought of love as a form of energy or a frequency? In this episode, I sit down with communication expert Sandra Morse to explore the transformative power of love, as well as its profound connection to language. We talk about what it means to move from a closed system of fear and defensiveness into an open system of receptivity, forgiveness, and connection. Sandra shares how love can be practiced in everyday life — in our words, our relationships, and our communities — and how trusting our inner callings can help us align with life’s flow. This episode with Sandra invites you to embrace love not just as a feeling but as a daily practice.


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here


Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


Check out our free resource library at innercalling.org with handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit.


00:00 The Essence of Love and Communication - Opening

02:46 Language as a Tool for Love

06:00 The Impact of Personal History on Love

08:57 Love as a Frequency

12:07 Receptivity and Openness in Love

14:56 Building Community Through Love

18:06 The Role of Dance in Connection

20:59 Navigating Conflict with Love

24:05 Forgiveness and Self-Compassion

26:53 The Power of Inner Callings

29:49 Creating Safe Spaces for Love

32:58 Love in the Workplace

36:00 The Importance of Community

38:59 Trusting Your Inner Voice

42:06 The Magnificence of Human Connection

45:06 Expressing Needs in Relationships

47:55 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Love

50:56 The Call to Action: Love in Practice

53:59 Conclusion: Embracing Love as a Way of Life

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #25. Dr. Nancy Wadsworth | How Stories and Narrative Shape Power — and How Aliveness Sets Us Free #25. Dr. Nancy Wadsworth | How Stories and Narrative Shape Power — and How Aliveness Sets Us Free Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:47:08 GMT 1:28:31 68d5e28c730cf5a7470546fa false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/68d5e28c730cf5a7470546fa 68d5e28c730cf5a7470546fa 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 25 In this episode of Inner Calling, Dr. Nancy Wadsworth joins me for a candid conversation about the state of our democracy, the dangers of polarization, and the power of resilience. We explore how stories can unite or divide us, why conflict competence is essential for families and communities, and what it would take to address the deeper structural flaws in our political system. We also discuss losing hope in America as a country but not in humanity itself, and where Dr. Wadsworth sees real transformation beginning: in individuals who learn to take responsibility for their own aliveness.


Thank you for listening!


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here


Find Dr. Nancy Wadsworth here


Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


You can find free resources at innercalling.org—handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit. They’re designed to go along with the episodes and help you take the work a little deeper.


Timestamps

00:00 - Understanding Power Dynamics - Introduction

03:03 - The Story Behind Dr. Wadsworth's interest in Power

05:55 - Collective Power and Its Challenges

09:11 - The Role of Narratives in Power

12:06 - Hegemonic Power and Its Implications

15:06 - The Impact of Technology on Power

17:47 - Empowering the Next Generation

20:55 - Redefining Success and Failure

24:03 - The Importance of Self-Perception

30:05 - The Importance of Self-Care Over Performance

31:50 - Empowerment Through Personal Responsibility

32:25 - Generational Patterns of Power and Responsibility

34:57 - Navigating Anxiety and Resilience in Young People

36:21 - The Role of Labels in Identity and Power

39:05 - The Dilemma of Marginalized Identities

42:31 - The Impact of Identity on Power Dynamics

46:34 - The State's Role in Identity Validation

51:07 - Conversations Across Differences

54:57 - Love and Acceptance Amidst Differences

55:18 - Navigating Conflict and Difference

01:01:38 - Understanding Power and Victimhood

01:07:10 - Parenting in a Complex World

01:11:25 - The Role of Stories in Society

01:16:48 - Hope for Humanity and the Future



Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> In this episode of Inner Calling, Dr. Nancy Wadsworth joins me for a candid conversation about the state of our democracy, the dangers of polarization, and the power of resilience. We explore how stories can unite or divide us, why conflict competence is essential for families and communities, and what it would take to address the deeper structural flaws in our political system. We also discuss losing hope in America as a country but not in humanity itself, and where Dr. Wadsworth sees real transformation beginning: in individuals who learn to take responsibility for their own aliveness.


Thank you for listening!


Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here


Find Dr. Nancy Wadsworth here


Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


You can find free resources at innercalling.org—handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit. They’re designed to go along with the episodes and help you take the work a little deeper.


Timestamps

00:00 - Understanding Power Dynamics - Introduction

03:03 - The Story Behind Dr. Wadsworth's interest in Power

05:55 - Collective Power and Its Challenges

09:11 - The Role of Narratives in Power

12:06 - Hegemonic Power and Its Implications

15:06 - The Impact of Technology on Power

17:47 - Empowering the Next Generation

20:55 - Redefining Success and Failure

24:03 - The Importance of Self-Perception

30:05 - The Importance of Self-Care Over Performance

31:50 - Empowerment Through Personal Responsibility

32:25 - Generational Patterns of Power and Responsibility

34:57 - Navigating Anxiety and Resilience in Young People

36:21 - The Role of Labels in Identity and Power

39:05 - The Dilemma of Marginalized Identities

42:31 - The Impact of Identity on Power Dynamics

46:34 - The State's Role in Identity Validation

51:07 - Conversations Across Differences

54:57 - Love and Acceptance Amidst Differences

55:18 - Navigating Conflict and Difference

01:01:38 - Understanding Power and Victimhood

01:07:10 - Parenting in a Complex World

01:11:25 - The Role of Stories in Society

01:16:48 - Hope for Humanity and the Future



Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #24. Bennett Crawford, LCSW | The Healing Power of Presence #24. Bennett Crawford, LCSW | The Healing Power of Presence Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:54:01 GMT 1:13:02 68cca9a99c7ab07d62682278 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/68cca9a99c7ab07d62682278 68cca9a99c7ab07d62682278 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 24 Did you know your presence is healing not only to yourself, but to others? Presence is a quality of brightness, aliveness, and warmth we bring to ourselves, to others, and to the world—and when we offer it, it is incredibly healing. In this episode, Dr. Victoria chats with psychotherapist Bennett Crawford, LCSW, to explore what presence really means, how it differs from mindfulness, and how it can transform the way we live and connect.


Bennett explains that each of us carries presence—the embodied awareness of the here and now, compassionate and deeply grounding. Together, we explore practical ways to access presence through the body and breath, how it helps us hold difficult emotions like anxiety and depression, and how it can serve as a secure base in our lives. We also discuss how to stay connected to presence in the face of modern technology, the role it plays in healing and relationships, and how nature can reflect our own presence back to us. Reconnecting with this ever-available awareness can bring greater safety, clarity, and joy into everyday life.


Find Dr. Victoria here.

Find Bennett Crawford, LCSW here


Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


Explore our free resource library at innercalling.org, where you’ll find handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit, which are designed to go along with episodes.


00:00 The Beauty Within: An Introduction to Inner Calling

00:28 Exploring Presence: Understanding Its Depth and Meaning

03:11 Felt Sense: Connecting with the Body

04:04 Mindfulness vs. Presence: Distinctions and Interconnections

07:10 The Essence of Presence: A Field of Awareness

10:11 Experiencing Presence: Personal Insights and Transformations

12:55 The Goodness of Presence: A Source of Positive Qualities

14:01 Buddhism and Presence: Perspectives on Being and Wholeness

18:00 Trusting Reality: Embracing Presence Amidst Pain

21:53 Emotions as Messengers: Understanding and Integrating Feelings

24:55 The True Self: Connection to Presence and Authenticity

28:04 Awareness and Presence: The Importance of Being Present

30:26 The Impact of Technology: Distractions from Presence

34:40 Practicing Presence: Techniques for Connection

41:08 Conscious Connection with Technology

44:52 The Importance of Presence

46:56 Understanding Consciousness and Awareness

50:36 Exploring Altered States of Consciousness

55:22 The Role of Inner Knowing

01:00:21 The Power of Presence in Relationships

01:02:08 Cultivating a Daily Practice of Presence

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Did you know your presence is healing not only to yourself, but to others? Presence is a quality of brightness, aliveness, and warmth we bring to ourselves, to others, and to the world—and when we offer it, it is incredibly healing. In this episode, Dr. Victoria chats with psychotherapist Bennett Crawford, LCSW, to explore what presence really means, how it differs from mindfulness, and how it can transform the way we live and connect.


Bennett explains that each of us carries presence—the embodied awareness of the here and now, compassionate and deeply grounding. Together, we explore practical ways to access presence through the body and breath, how it helps us hold difficult emotions like anxiety and depression, and how it can serve as a secure base in our lives. We also discuss how to stay connected to presence in the face of modern technology, the role it plays in healing and relationships, and how nature can reflect our own presence back to us. Reconnecting with this ever-available awareness can bring greater safety, clarity, and joy into everyday life.


Find Dr. Victoria here.

Find Bennett Crawford, LCSW here


Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


Explore our free resource library at innercalling.org, where you’ll find handouts and workbooks with evidence-based practices to support your mind, body, and spirit, which are designed to go along with episodes.


00:00 The Beauty Within: An Introduction to Inner Calling

00:28 Exploring Presence: Understanding Its Depth and Meaning

03:11 Felt Sense: Connecting with the Body

04:04 Mindfulness vs. Presence: Distinctions and Interconnections

07:10 The Essence of Presence: A Field of Awareness

10:11 Experiencing Presence: Personal Insights and Transformations

12:55 The Goodness of Presence: A Source of Positive Qualities

14:01 Buddhism and Presence: Perspectives on Being and Wholeness

18:00 Trusting Reality: Embracing Presence Amidst Pain

21:53 Emotions as Messengers: Understanding and Integrating Feelings

24:55 The True Self: Connection to Presence and Authenticity

28:04 Awareness and Presence: The Importance of Being Present

30:26 The Impact of Technology: Distractions from Presence

34:40 Practicing Presence: Techniques for Connection

41:08 Conscious Connection with Technology

44:52 The Importance of Presence

46:56 Understanding Consciousness and Awareness

50:36 Exploring Altered States of Consciousness

55:22 The Role of Inner Knowing

01:00:21 The Power of Presence in Relationships

01:02:08 Cultivating a Daily Practice of Presence

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #23. Nick Sholley, MFT | Rediscovering Joy and Vitality Through Play #23. Nick Sholley, MFT | Rediscovering Joy and Vitality Through Play Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMT 1:25:02 68c23d281f1b04aa321be10b false https://www.innercalling.org 68c23d281f1b04aa321be10b 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 23 When was the last time you truly played? You might be surprised to learn that play isn’t just for kids, it’s essential at every stage of life. In this conversation, Dr. Victoria Ranade sits down with actor, playwright, and somatic psychotherapist Nick Sholley to explore the power of play in life. Together they unpack how play is vital to our mental health and well being. It sparks creativity, sharpens critical thinking, strengthens problem-solving skills, and deepens your connections with others. Nick shares why play is relational, embodied, and creative, and how it reconnects us to our vitality, joy, and life force energy. They discuss the impact of technology on our ability to play, the healing role of creativity, and how saying “yes” to play—especially with children—brings us home to our truest selves. So the next time you see a dog drop into a playful bow, or a child invites you into their world of make-believe, remember: you’re not just doing it for them. You’re also nurturing the playful spirit that’s always been a part of you. :)


Find Nick here.

Find Dr. Victoria here.


SUPPORT our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


CONNECT with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


GET ACCESS to our free resource library at innercalling.org, including handouts and workbooks on evidence-based ways to support your mind, body and spirit, including guides on how to meditate, find your life's purpose, and explore your spirituality. 


Chapters

00:00 - The Essence of Play

09:07 - Play in the Digital Age

18:41 - Reclaiming Play for Adults

28:15 - The Essence of Playfulness

30:00 - Connecting to Our True Selves

34:11 - The Impact of AI on Play

38:01 - Navigating Technology and Self-Identity

45:08 - The Importance of Struggle in Play

48:57 - Inviting Play Back into Our Lives

56:00 - Connecting with Feelings and Play

59:00 - The Impact of Technology on Vitality

59:49 - Exploring What Lights Us Up

01:00:58 - Creativity as Play

01:06:00 - The Mystical Nature of Play

01:10:10 - Engaging with Shadows through Play

01:18:08 - Play as a Homecoming


Keywords

#play, #vitality, #creativity, #healing, #digitalage, #embodiedplay, #connection, #mental health, #self-discovery

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> When was the last time you truly played? You might be surprised to learn that play isn’t just for kids, it’s essential at every stage of life. In this conversation, Dr. Victoria Ranade sits down with actor, playwright, and somatic psychotherapist Nick Sholley to explore the power of play in life. Together they unpack how play is vital to our mental health and well being. It sparks creativity, sharpens critical thinking, strengthens problem-solving skills, and deepens your connections with others. Nick shares why play is relational, embodied, and creative, and how it reconnects us to our vitality, joy, and life force energy. They discuss the impact of technology on our ability to play, the healing role of creativity, and how saying “yes” to play—especially with children—brings us home to our truest selves. So the next time you see a dog drop into a playful bow, or a child invites you into their world of make-believe, remember: you’re not just doing it for them. You’re also nurturing the playful spirit that’s always been a part of you. :)


Find Nick here.

Find Dr. Victoria here.


SUPPORT our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


CONNECT with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


GET ACCESS to our free resource library at innercalling.org, including handouts and workbooks on evidence-based ways to support your mind, body and spirit, including guides on how to meditate, find your life's purpose, and explore your spirituality. 


Chapters

00:00 - The Essence of Play

09:07 - Play in the Digital Age

18:41 - Reclaiming Play for Adults

28:15 - The Essence of Playfulness

30:00 - Connecting to Our True Selves

34:11 - The Impact of AI on Play

38:01 - Navigating Technology and Self-Identity

45:08 - The Importance of Struggle in Play

48:57 - Inviting Play Back into Our Lives

56:00 - Connecting with Feelings and Play

59:00 - The Impact of Technology on Vitality

59:49 - Exploring What Lights Us Up

01:00:58 - Creativity as Play

01:06:00 - The Mystical Nature of Play

01:10:10 - Engaging with Shadows through Play

01:18:08 - Play as a Homecoming


Keywords

#play, #vitality, #creativity, #healing, #digitalage, #embodiedplay, #connection, #mental health, #self-discovery

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #22. Deng Ming-Dao | The Courage to be an Artist and Stay True to Your Voice #22. Deng Ming-Dao | The Courage to be an Artist and Stay True to Your Voice Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:47:40 GMT 1:26:59 68ba332cf8dc6bde38212472 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/68ba332cf8dc6bde38212472 68ba332cf8dc6bde38212472 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 22 Lately, I’ve been facing an existential crisis around being a writer and artist—what it means to create in a world that doesn’t seem to value art, particularly with the rise of AI. The path can feel lonely and uncertain. To explore this, I invited artist Deng Ming-Dao to offer his perspective.


In this conversation, we explore how to find your voice as an artist. Ming-Dao reminds us that art is not about sales, fame, or approval—it’s about being true to your inner voice and creating simply because your soul calls you to.


We talk about discipline and developing a commitment to your craft as an artist. We also talk about the courage it takes to stay authentic when the world may not understand your art, and how art is a sacred response to life. This episode is an invitation to trust your innermost voice, keep creating, and measure success by your integrity.


Ming-Dao’s advice is extremely helpful. If you have been struggling with the idea of pursuing a career as an artist, definetely check this episode out!. Thank you for joining us! :)


00:00 - Welcome back: Deng Ming-Dao


01:28 - Does my art have value if no one buys it?


05:27 - What if I got popular for the wrong reasons?


14:16 - How do you find your voice as an artist?


20:12 - How can I make money while maintaining my integrity?


30:16 - Who is Jade Snow Wong?


34:46 - Does prestige mean good art?


40:27 - How to reconcile your feelings as an artist


46:23 - It's not easy to make money as an artist


50:33 - Is Ming-Dao a nonconformist?


53:50 - Advice for aspiring writers to get published


56:22 - How to keep up with AI in this busy world


01:02:59 - Where do you get your ideas?


01:08:10 - Is writing joyous if it’s laborious?


01:13:45 - What is the life of an artist?


01:18:24 - What advice would you give your younger yourself?


01:22:00 - Summary of our talk


01:25:50 - Outro



SUPPORT our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


CONNECT with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


LEARN more about Dr. Victoria at drvictoriaranade.com


Join our mailing list at innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Lately, I’ve been facing an existential crisis around being a writer and artist—what it means to create in a world that doesn’t seem to value art, particularly with the rise of AI. The path can feel lonely and uncertain. To explore this, I invited artist Deng Ming-Dao to offer his perspective.


In this conversation, we explore how to find your voice as an artist. Ming-Dao reminds us that art is not about sales, fame, or approval—it’s about being true to your inner voice and creating simply because your soul calls you to.


We talk about discipline and developing a commitment to your craft as an artist. We also talk about the courage it takes to stay authentic when the world may not understand your art, and how art is a sacred response to life. This episode is an invitation to trust your innermost voice, keep creating, and measure success by your integrity.


Ming-Dao’s advice is extremely helpful. If you have been struggling with the idea of pursuing a career as an artist, definetely check this episode out!. Thank you for joining us! :)


00:00 - Welcome back: Deng Ming-Dao


01:28 - Does my art have value if no one buys it?


05:27 - What if I got popular for the wrong reasons?


14:16 - How do you find your voice as an artist?


20:12 - How can I make money while maintaining my integrity?


30:16 - Who is Jade Snow Wong?


34:46 - Does prestige mean good art?


40:27 - How to reconcile your feelings as an artist


46:23 - It's not easy to make money as an artist


50:33 - Is Ming-Dao a nonconformist?


53:50 - Advice for aspiring writers to get published


56:22 - How to keep up with AI in this busy world


01:02:59 - Where do you get your ideas?


01:08:10 - Is writing joyous if it’s laborious?


01:13:45 - What is the life of an artist?


01:18:24 - What advice would you give your younger yourself?


01:22:00 - Summary of our talk


01:25:50 - Outro



SUPPORT our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


CONNECT with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


LEARN more about Dr. Victoria at drvictoriaranade.com


Join our mailing list at innercalling.org

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #20. Raphael | 60 Years of Psychedelics: Stories from the Underground #20. Raphael | 60 Years of Psychedelics: Stories from the Underground Fri, 22 Aug 2025 02:51:45 GMT 1:02:52 68a7db41352b565deb65a09d false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/68a7db41352b565deb65a09d 68a7db41352b565deb65a09d 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 20 Research shows psychedelic medicine can profoundly affect depression, anxiety, trauma, and end-of-life suffering. By entering non-ordinary states of consciousness, people often find deep healing and transformation. At institutions like Johns Hopkins, studies on MDMA, psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline reveal lasting shifts in mood, perception, and connection. For many, these states of insight and release open new ways of relating to pain, the self, and the world.


But beyond the science lies the lived experience. Today’s guest, “Raphael,” has explored these inner landscapes for over fifty years in the underground psychedelic community. He shares personal accounts of spirit encounters, realms of consciousness, and the lessons water and plant medicine have taught him about awareness, healing, and release from trauma.


Together we explore how psychedelic medicines can help quiet the ego, reconnect you with your true self, and offer a profound sense of interconnection and transcendence that can ease depression, anxiety, and trauma.


Thank you for joining us.


00:00 - Introduction

00:52 - Today’s Episode - Research Supporting Psychedelic Medicine and Mental Health, how non ordinary states of consciousness can be healing 

04:43 - Raphael, our guest! 

05:59 - Conversation Start 

07:50 - What difference does water make? 

13:00 - A journey with Ayahuasca 

17:41 - Where you are in the world 

18:27 - How sound affects consciousness

21:35 - Ayahuasca 

22:45 - Heart Openers - MDMA

28:54 - Have you met your true self? 

32:36 - How do you leave your body? 

37:00 - You need to experience nature! 

38:26 - What is cactus (mescaline) like? 

40:28 - Drop out, Tune in!, LSD

43:08 - Raphael’s Life 

46:27 - People have a dark side

48:05 - What about Mushrooms? 

50:21 - Finals thoughts for interested people 

52:18 - How do you connect to your inner light? 

54:17 - Takeaways from today's conversation 

59:48 - Outro


Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Research shows psychedelic medicine can profoundly affect depression, anxiety, trauma, and end-of-life suffering. By entering non-ordinary states of consciousness, people often find deep healing and transformation. At institutions like Johns Hopkins, studies on MDMA, psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline reveal lasting shifts in mood, perception, and connection. For many, these states of insight and release open new ways of relating to pain, the self, and the world.


But beyond the science lies the lived experience. Today’s guest, “Raphael,” has explored these inner landscapes for over fifty years in the underground psychedelic community. He shares personal accounts of spirit encounters, realms of consciousness, and the lessons water and plant medicine have taught him about awareness, healing, and release from trauma.


Together we explore how psychedelic medicines can help quiet the ego, reconnect you with your true self, and offer a profound sense of interconnection and transcendence that can ease depression, anxiety, and trauma.


Thank you for joining us.


00:00 - Introduction

00:52 - Today’s Episode - Research Supporting Psychedelic Medicine and Mental Health, how non ordinary states of consciousness can be healing 

04:43 - Raphael, our guest! 

05:59 - Conversation Start 

07:50 - What difference does water make? 

13:00 - A journey with Ayahuasca 

17:41 - Where you are in the world 

18:27 - How sound affects consciousness

21:35 - Ayahuasca 

22:45 - Heart Openers - MDMA

28:54 - Have you met your true self? 

32:36 - How do you leave your body? 

37:00 - You need to experience nature! 

38:26 - What is cactus (mescaline) like? 

40:28 - Drop out, Tune in!, LSD

43:08 - Raphael’s Life 

46:27 - People have a dark side

48:05 - What about Mushrooms? 

50:21 - Finals thoughts for interested people 

52:18 - How do you connect to your inner light? 

54:17 - Takeaways from today's conversation 

59:48 - Outro


Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #17. Deng Ming-Dao | How to Align with the Tao #17. Deng Ming-Dao | How to Align with the Tao Fri, 01 Aug 2025 02:03:25 GMT 1:08:42 688c206efc150bcf7f10acd2 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/688c206efc150bcf7f10acd2 688c206efc150bcf7f10acd2 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 17 Deng Ming-Dao joins Dr. Victoria in an enlightening discussion on the fundamentals of Taoism. Together, they explore what the Tao (or Dao) truly means and how each of us can connect with our unique, personal Tao. Ming-Dao reminds us that the journey to self-acceptance, especially in our fast-paced modern world, is essential yet often challenging.


Ming-Dao offers practical insights into maintaining purpose and a genuine sense of fulfillment. By learning to be dynamic and practice surfing the waves of life, we can flow more freely with the energy and movement all around us.


Listen with us today as we explore Taoism and practice living in harmony. Open yourself to the energy around you and learn to align your life force with it.



Find Deng Ming-Dao here: https://www.dengmingdao.com/


***


SUPPORT our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


CONNECT with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


LEARN more about Dr. Victoria at drvictoriaranade.com


WORK with Dr. Victoria and the team at Hope+Wellness—the mental health practice she leads—at hope-wellness.com.


Tags

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #HighFunctioningAnxiety #Bipolar #Mood #ExistentialConcerns #Spirituality #Intuition #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #ConsciousLiving #Psychology #Resilience #Connection #Relationships #OvercomingObstacles #Leadership #Happiness #Wisdom #Inspiration #PersonalStories #RadicalAcceptance #ModernSpirituality #Mindfulness #SelfDevelopment #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #TraumaInformedHealing #PsychedelicTherapy #DBTTools #CBTTechniques #DepressionRecovery #LifePurpose #InnerTransformation #IntuitiveLiving #WomensMentalHealth #InnerVoiceWork #HighlySensitive #SuicidePrevention

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Deng Ming-Dao joins Dr. Victoria in an enlightening discussion on the fundamentals of Taoism. Together, they explore what the Tao (or Dao) truly means and how each of us can connect with our unique, personal Tao. Ming-Dao reminds us that the journey to self-acceptance, especially in our fast-paced modern world, is essential yet often challenging.


Ming-Dao offers practical insights into maintaining purpose and a genuine sense of fulfillment. By learning to be dynamic and practice surfing the waves of life, we can flow more freely with the energy and movement all around us.


Listen with us today as we explore Taoism and practice living in harmony. Open yourself to the energy around you and learn to align your life force with it.



Find Deng Ming-Dao here: https://www.dengmingdao.com/


***


SUPPORT our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


CONNECT with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


LEARN more about Dr. Victoria at drvictoriaranade.com


WORK with Dr. Victoria and the team at Hope+Wellness—the mental health practice she leads—at hope-wellness.com.


Tags

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #HighFunctioningAnxiety #Bipolar #Mood #ExistentialConcerns #Spirituality #Intuition #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #ConsciousLiving #Psychology #Resilience #Connection #Relationships #OvercomingObstacles #Leadership #Happiness #Wisdom #Inspiration #PersonalStories #RadicalAcceptance #ModernSpirituality #Mindfulness #SelfDevelopment #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #TraumaInformedHealing #PsychedelicTherapy #DBTTools #CBTTechniques #DepressionRecovery #LifePurpose #InnerTransformation #IntuitiveLiving #WomensMentalHealth #InnerVoiceWork #HighlySensitive #SuicidePrevention

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> #16. The Subtle Art of Seeing True Beauty: Stories from Make Up Artist Connie Tseng #16. The Subtle Art of Seeing True Beauty: Stories from Make Up Artist Connie Tseng Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:53:43 GMT 1:00:21 688273283781311f91f0bdd1 false https://shows.acast.com/inner-calling-with-dr-victoria-kind-encouragement-for-diffic/episodes/688273283781311f91f0bdd1 688273283781311f91f0bdd1 67f4259a546af57906928621 full 1 16 Connie Tsang has done my make up for years and has always made me feel beautiful, yet still authentically myself. She has done make up for CEOs to politicians, from models to working women, from celebrities to the girl next door, and above all, she invites us to see beauty as a relaxed, powerful tool for self-expression.


What I love about Connie is how she emphasizes every person is inherently beautiful even if they don't realize it; it's simply a matter of learning how to truly see it. We talk about how beauty is deeply personal, it reflects our energy, shapes how we move through the world, and evolves as we carry different emotions through life. We also talk about how make up can be a fun way to help people step into new versions of themselves, and explore new ways of being, boosting confidence and presence. Her wisdom reminds us that owning our appearance and our stories starts with protecting our ability to truly see beauty and curating what we consume.


Connie discusses beauty in a way I never thought of before, so I'm really excited for you to listen and see if it helps reshape how you think of beauty too!!


*Note: This audio for this episode was actually lost due to the mike malfunctioning, but AI helped rescue it! So you might notice this at some points.. :)


Find Connie here:

https://www.instagram.com/connietsangbeauty/?hl=en


https://www.connietsangbeauty.com/


https://www.faceandcrown.com/


***


SUPPORT our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


CONNECT with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


LEARN more about Dr. Victoria at drvictoriaranade.com


WORK with Dr. Victoria and the team at Hope+Wellness—the mental health practice she leads—at hope-wellness.com.


Tags

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #HighFunctioningAnxiety #Bipolar #Mood #ExistentialConcerns #Spirituality #Intuition #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #ConsciousLiving #Psychology #Resilience #Connection #Relationships #OvercomingObstacles #Leadership #Happiness #Wisdom #Inspiration #PersonalStories #RadicalAcceptance #ModernSpirituality #Mindfulness #SelfDevelopment #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #TraumaInformedHealing #PsychedelicTherapy #DBTTools #CBTTechniques #DepressionRecovery #LifePurpose #InnerTransformation #IntuitiveLiving #WomensMentalHealth #InnerVoiceWork #HighlySensitive #SuicidePrevention

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]> Connie Tsang has done my make up for years and has always made me feel beautiful, yet still authentically myself. She has done make up for CEOs to politicians, from models to working women, from celebrities to the girl next door, and above all, she invites us to see beauty as a relaxed, powerful tool for self-expression.


What I love about Connie is how she emphasizes every person is inherently beautiful even if they don't realize it; it's simply a matter of learning how to truly see it. We talk about how beauty is deeply personal, it reflects our energy, shapes how we move through the world, and evolves as we carry different emotions through life. We also talk about how make up can be a fun way to help people step into new versions of themselves, and explore new ways of being, boosting confidence and presence. Her wisdom reminds us that owning our appearance and our stories starts with protecting our ability to truly see beauty and curating what we consume.


Connie discusses beauty in a way I never thought of before, so I'm really excited for you to listen and see if it helps reshape how you think of beauty too!!


*Note: This audio for this episode was actually lost due to the mike malfunctioning, but AI helped rescue it! So you might notice this at some points.. :)


Find Connie here:

https://www.instagram.com/connietsangbeauty/?hl=en


https://www.connietsangbeauty.com/


https://www.faceandcrown.com/


***


SUPPORT our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.


CONNECT with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon


LEARN more about Dr. Victoria at drvictoriaranade.com


WORK with Dr. Victoria and the team at Hope+Wellness—the mental health practice she leads—at hope-wellness.com.


Tags

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #HighFunctioningAnxiety #Bipolar #Mood #ExistentialConcerns #Spirituality #Intuition #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #ConsciousLiving #Psychology #Resilience #Connection #Relationships #OvercomingObstacles #Leadership #Happiness #Wisdom #Inspiration #PersonalStories #RadicalAcceptance #ModernSpirituality #Mindfulness #SelfDevelopment #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #TraumaInformedHealing #PsychedelicTherapy #DBTTools #CBTTechniques #DepressionRecovery #LifePurpose #InnerTransformation #IntuitiveLiving #WomensMentalHealth #InnerVoiceWork #HighlySensitive #SuicidePrevention

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

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

]]>