This episode of Between the Sessions is a quiet walk through Chapter 9 of Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett.

Chapter 9 focuses on what happens when emotions are ignored, dismissed, or left unnamed—and how that disconnect slowly shows up in our bodies, our relationships, and our work.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why avoiding emotions doesn’t make them disappear

• How unprocessed feelings often surface as tension, burnout, or numbness

• The cost of “pushing through” without checking in

• What it looks like to pause, notice, and name what you’re carrying

This isn’t about fixing yourself.

It’s about making space—between the noise, between the expectations, between the sessions.

If you work in service, caregiving, uniformed roles, or are simply carrying more than you let on, this episode is for you.

🎧 New episodes drop Wednesdays and Fridays.

🤍 Learn more about recovery-based care through MilFirst at https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

Before moving into the next season of Between the Sessions, this episode serves as a pause.

A moment to acknowledge where the podcast is now, reflect on what has taken shape so far, and set direction for what’s ahead ,without rushing or recapping.

Thank you to everyone who has listened along the way. Your time and attention matter.

This podcast exists alongside MilFirst, a nonprofit supporting recovery for military members, first responders, and their families.

• Instagram: @milfirst.npo (DMs always welcome)

• Support the work: https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

If you choose to support MilFirst, it helps fund real recovery sessions for those who serve.

And even if you never visit Instagram or we never see a donation — your presence as a listener is still worthwhile.

New season episodes continue soon.

We didn’t start this podcast in January. We started it when it needed to start.

In this year-in-review episode, I reflect on why Between the Sessions began in October, what these first few months have taught me about burnout, permission, recovery, and why quiet conversations matter.

No highlight reel.

No big promises.

Just an honest look at the beginning-and what I’m carrying forward.

This space exists as a pause between the demands.

A place to notice what we’re holding before it hardens into something heavier.

In this MW episode of Between the Sessions, we continue our walk through Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett, focusing on Chapter 8: Emotion Regulation.

Emotion regulation isn’t about shutting feelings down or “handling it better.” It’s about understanding what emotions are asking of us — and responding with intention instead of reaction.

In this episode, we explore:

• What emotion regulation actually means (and what it doesn’t)

• Why regulation is a skill, not a personality trait

• How stress, service, and constant responsibility affect our ability to regulate

• Practical reflections for first responders, veterans, and anyone carrying a heavy load

These MW episodes are meant to be short resets — moments to pause, reflect, and build emotional awareness that lasts beyond the week.

🎧 Between the Sessions is a podcast about recovery, readiness, and real conversations — because recovery is not weakness, it’s preparation.

🔗 Support recovery for those who serve: https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

Between the Sessions is where we explore the quiet work that happens before healing is ever visible.

In this episode, I sit down with Lori, an educator who helps shape future massage therapists at the very start of their journey. We talk about what it really means to teach—not just techniques, but awareness, curiosity, responsibility, and respect for the stories bodies carry.

This conversation dives into:

• What students really need before they ever touch a client

• The responsibility educators carry in shaping safe, thoughtful therapists

• Why curiosity matters more than confidence

• How education sets the tone for long-term care and recovery

At MilFirst, we believe recovery is readiness—and that kind of care starts long before someone is on the table. It starts with people willing to teach it well.

🎧 If this episode resonated with you, share it, subscribe, or support community-funded recovery for those who serve at:

🔗 https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

Recovery is not weakness. It’s preparation.

New episodes weekly. Short resets on Wednesdays. Full conversations on Fridays.

n this episode of Between the Sessions, we dive into Chapter 7 of Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett and explore an idea: Expressing Emotion.

So often,especially in high-stress roles like military service, first response, healthcare, and caregiving—we’re taught to push through, diagnose quickly, or shut emotions down. But emotions are information. When we slow down enough to understand what we’re feeling, we gain clarity, resilience, and choice.

This conversation connects emotional literacy to recovery, readiness, and real-world application—both on and off the massage table.

Between the Sessions is a podcast about the moments between effort and rest—where real recovery happens.

If this episode resonates and you want to support recovery for those who serve, you can help fund therapeutic sessions for military members and first responders here:

🔗 https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

Career paths aren’t always straight — and sometimes the right move is listening closely to what fits.

In this episode of Between the Sessions, Jason sits down with Stephanie, a former high school student who made the courageous decision to change direction and pursue a career in esthetics.

Stephanie shares what led her to pivot, the challenges of starting over, and how working hands-on in wellness has reshaped the way she thinks about care, confidence, and connection. Her story is a reminder that growth often shows up quietly — in moments of honesty, discomfort, and trust in yourself.

Find her on instagram @lazyhavenesthetics

Between the Sessions highlights real conversations about recovery, resilience, and the people who support those who serve our communities.

💙 Support MilFirst — providing recovery services for military members and first responders:

https://www.givesendgo.com/MilFirst

🎧 If this episode resonated, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating their own next step.

In this episode of Between the Sessions, we continue our review of Permission to Feel by Dr. Marc Brackett, focusing on Chapter 6 -the practice of naming emotions accurately without letting labels become limitations.

We explore why emotional vocabulary matters, how vague labels like “fine” or “stressed” can keep us stuck, and why naming emotions is meant to create clarity, not identity. Drawing from real-world examples- including service culture, caregiving, and recovery -this conversation connects emotional awareness to readiness, resilience, and real recovery.

This episode is especially relevant for military members, first responders, caregivers, and anyone who’s learned to push through instead of pause.

Key themes include:

• Why naming emotions is about understanding, not self-diagnosis

• How mislabeling emotions can intensify stress

• The difference between feeling an emotion and being one

• Why emotional precision supports recovery and performance

• How naming emotions creates choice instead of reaction

If this episode resonates, consider sharing it with someone who carries a lot -quietly.