Ever been told "it's all in your head" by a doctor?

Yeah, us too. In this episode, we're getting real about medical gaslighting, perimenopause symptoms that get dismissed, and why we're done apologizing for taking care of ourselves.

We talk about:

• Why doctors still don't take women's health seriously (and what to do about it)

• Perimenopause, hormones, and the tests that don't exist

• Teaching our ADHD kids to advocate for themselves in school

• Secret naps, productivity guilt, and why your worth isn't tied to your to-do list

• ADHD hacks that actually work (spoiler: keep your shoes on)

This is two moms, two cities, same frequency—navigating ADHD, burnout, and a healthcare system that wasn't built for us. No filter, no apologies.

Resources:

Mind Circuit App - tiny moments of calm when your nervous system needs support

Available in App Store & Google Play

Hosts: Erin & [Co-host name]

Part of: Notes to My Nervous System podcast

In this episode of Notes to My Nervous System, Erin Vandermore (therapist and creator of the Mind Circuit app) welcomes guest Liz Martin @northcarolizzy for a vulnerable conversation on trauma, resilience, and the reality of living with Bipolar Disorder.

Liz opens up about a harrowing physical attack by a friend, the grief of losing her father and her dog, and the challenge of navigating a mental health crisis during Hurricane Helene. Together, Erin and Liz explore the physiological impact of trauma on the nervous system and the practical tools used to find the way back to "safe."

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Anatomy of Trauma: Liz recounts her experience at Chick-fil-A and the "ripple effect" of a sudden violent event.

• Navigating Bipolar Disorder: Breaking down the stigma, the importance of medication, and managing manic episodes.

• Healing Tools: The concept of "Mental Maps" and visualization techniques to replace traumatic memories.

• Reclaiming the Narrative: Why Liz chose to share her journey on social media to empower others.

• The Power of Forgiveness: How letting go of anger became a survival strategy.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Mind Circuit App: Science-based tools to calm your nervous system.

• Helene Network: Free therapy sessions for those affected by the storm (DM Erin for info).

• Mental Maps: Visualization techniques for trauma recovery.

Connect with Us:If you found this episode helpful, please follow the podcast and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more people navigating their own nervous system journey.

Mind Circuit⁠⁠⁠is your pocket-sized support system for emotional balance and stress relief.With guided breathing, mood tracking, bilateral stimulation, and affirmationsbacked by neuroscience, it helps you calm your mind and reconnect with yourbody anytime you need it

⁠⁠⁠DownloadNow⁠⁠⁠:Google Play →⁠⁠⁠https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.ageOfUncertainty&hl=en⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠DownloadNow⁠⁠⁠at App Store →⁠⁠⁠https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindcircuit/id6478664305⁠⁠⁠

Follow Us: Instagram →@mindcircuitapp

YouTube → @MindCircuitApp

Website →⁠⁠⁠https://mindcircuit.org⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠@Mindcircuit

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, burned out, or quietly convinced that something is wrong with you, you’re not alone.

Many of us were taught — directly or indirectly — that growth requires self-criticism. That kindness toward ourselves has to be earned. That rest comes after we do enough.

But from both lived experience and neuroscience, we know this isn’t how healing actually works.

In this episode of Notes to My Nervous System, I spoke with meditation teacher and author Kimberly Brown about mindfulness, loving-kindness, and what self-compassion really means when life feels heavy.

Kimberly shared a message she would give her younger self — and one so many of us need to hear now: There’s nothing wrong with you.

For years, she described trying to fix herself, feeling frustrated and angry at who she was. Mindfulness didn’t magically erase struggle — but it helped her stop turning pain inward.

We explore:

• Why self-compassion isn’t selfish or complacent

• How self-criticism quietly fuels burnout and nervous system overload

• A simple, accessible three-step path to self-compassion: notice, pause, practice

• How loving-kindness (metta) meditation supports emotional regulation and resilience

• Why just a few minutes a day of mindfulness can make a meaningful difference

• Meditation tips for busy people, parents, and anyone who struggles to sit still

Kimberly also shares insights from her books — including Steady, Calm and Brave, Navigating Grief and Loss, and Happy Relationships — all centered on using mindfulness and loving-kindness to support ourselves and our relationships through difficult seasons.

This conversation isn’t about fixing yourself.

It’s about remembering that kindness doesn’t need to be earned — and that a regulated nervous system grows best in an environment of safety, not shame.

You can find Kimberly and her work at meditationwiththeheart.com, where she offers classes, one-on-one support, and a free weekly newsletter with guided meditations. IG: @kimberlyjbrown FB: @meditationwithheart

If your nervous system has been tired lately, this episode is a gentle place to land.

⁠⁠⁠👉 Mind Circuit⁠⁠⁠ is your pocket-sized support system for emotional balance and stress relief. With guided breathing, mood tracking, bilateral stimulation, and affirmations backed by neuroscience, it helps you calm your mind and reconnect with your body anytime you need it

⁠⁠⁠DownloadNow⁠⁠⁠ :Google Play →⁠ ⁠⁠https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.ageOfUncertainty&hl=en⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Download Now⁠⁠⁠at App Store →⁠ ⁠⁠https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindcircuit/id6478664305⁠⁠⁠

Follow Us: Instagram →@mindcircuitapp

YouTube → @MindCircuitApp

Website →⁠ ⁠⁠https://mindcircuit.org⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠@Mindcircuit

In this insightful short, Leadership & Career Coach Shira Baron (@shirabaroncoaching) addresses the paralyzing fear that keeps high-achievers stuck in roles that no longer serve them. Whether it's the "Golden Handcuffs" of a stable income or the comfort of a flexible schedule, Shira explains why the leap to something new feels so terrifying—and why you don't actually have to leap yet.

Shira breaks down the transition from burnout to breakthrough:

• The Stability Trap: Understanding why we cling to "safety and security" even when we are at a breaking point of unhappiness.

• The One-Conversation Rule: Why one simple talk about possibilities is the antidote to the fear of the unknown.

• Reconnecting with "Flow": How to rediscover the activities and moments that once made you feel confident and alive.

• Coaching vs. Therapy: Why Shira believes these two worlds should collaborate. While therapy often heals the past, coaching focuses on the "here and now" to build your future.

If you are feeling disconnected from yourself and overwhelmed by the "six months from now" anxiety, Shira’s "baby step" method offers a manageable path back to your most confident self.

Work with Shira:Elevate your leadership and rediscover your professional spark:📸 Instagram: @shirabaroncoaching💼 LinkedIn: Shira Baron Coaching

Explore MindCircuit:🌐 Website: mindcircuit.org – Where mental health and professional growth meet.

🔗 Connect with Coach Shira BaronExplore More Resources: 🌐Visit our website for articles and support: ⁠mindcircuit.org⁠

Take the Journey on the Go: The MindCircuit Appoffers guided tools for your healing process. Download it today: 📲Download on Apple App Store: ⁠https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindcircuit/id6478664305⁠📲Get it on Google Play: ⁠https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.ageOfUncertainty⁠Stay Connected: Follow us for daily insights on resilience and recovery.

In this candid and high-energy short, Liz breaks down the stark contrast between the lows of depression and the "super duper hyped up" reality of being manic. With her signature blunt honesty, she explores why society finds it so easy to ignore someone in a depressive state while immediately labeling manic behavior as being "off your rocker."

Liz dives into the "Kanye West vibes" of a manic episode, discussing:

• The "High" of Mania: Navigating delusions of grandeur, "spinning dollar bills," and the intense rush of energy.

• The Invisible Struggle: Why depression is often overlooked by friends and family because it doesn't "make a scene."

• The "Off Your Meds" Stigma: The frustrating societal assumption that any high-energy or "off" behavior means a total lapse in treatment.

• The Social Perception Gap: Why we react to the "loud" symptoms of mental health while ignoring the quiet ones.

Whether you've experienced these cycles yourself or are trying to understand a loved one, Liz’s breakdown offers a raw, relatable look at the bipolar spectrum without the clinical jargon.

Find Liz athttps://www.instagram.com/northcarolizzy/

@northcarolizzy

Explore MindCircuit:🌐 Website: mindcircuit.org – Helping you navigate the highs and lows of mental wellness.

Download the MindCircuit App:Track your moods, identify triggers, and find balance with the MindCircuit toolkit.

📲Download on Apple App Store: ⁠https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindcircuit/id6478664305⁠📲Get it on Google Play: ⁠https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.ageOfUncertainty⁠Stay Connected: Follow us for daily insights on resilience and recovery.

Ever feel like your nervous system is hijacked by a story you can't stop telling yourself? In this episode, Aaron sits down with Inner Glow Coach and suicide attempt survivor Angie Hawkins to bridge the gap between "woo-woo" spirituality and nervous system science.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The 90-Second Rule: A simple scientific trick to shut down the physiological stress response instantly.

• Safety vs. Science: Why "aligning with your soul" and "regulating your nervous system" are actually the same thing.

• The "Baby" Method: A transformative framework for treating your anxiety with radical attentiveness.

Connect with Angie:Visit runninginslippers.com to grab Angie’s memoir or apply for one of her five monthly free coaching calls.

⁠⁠👉 Mind Circuit⁠⁠ is your pocket-sized support system for emotional balance and stress relief. With guided breathing, mood tracking, bilateral stimulation, and affirmations backed by neuroscience, it helps you calm your mind and reconnect with your body anytime you need it

⁠⁠DownloadNow⁠⁠ :Google Play → ⁠⁠https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.ageOfUncertainty&hl=en⁠⁠

⁠⁠Download Now⁠⁠at App Store → ⁠⁠https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindcircuit/id6478664305⁠⁠

Follow Us: Instagram →@mindcircuitapp

YouTube → @MindCircuitApp

Website → ⁠⁠https://mindcircuit.org⁠⁠

⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠@Mindcircuit

Does your self-worth feel tied to your to-do list? In this special edition of Notes to the Nervous System, we are tackling the ADHD burnout cycle and the toxic myth that "doing more" equals "being more."

Join us for a candid conversation about practical productivity hacks that actually work for the neurodivergent brain (and the exhausted parent). We’re diving deep into the emotional side of receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult and why that label isn’t a limitation—it’s a "permission slip" for better self-care.

In this episode, we cover:

• 🧠 The "Secret Nap" Strategy: A nervous system reset tool that doesn't require sleeping.

• 📝 Quick Wins: How to hack your dopamine by changing how you start your to-do list.

• 🏫 School Advocacy: A step-by-step on how to navigate the public school system and request a 504 plan for anxiety or ADHD.

• ❤️ Parenting Real Talk: Learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

whether you are navigating your own diagnosis or fighting for accommodations for your child, this episode is packed with tools to help you find your frequency.

Train Your Nervous System Looking for a fun, interactive way to build resilience? Download ⁠Mind Circuit⁠. It’s designed to help you reduce stress and feel more grounded every single day.

• 📲 App Store (iOS): ⁠Download Here⁠

• 📲 Play Store (Android): ⁠Download Here⁠

💡 Integrate the Insights Don't just listen—do the work. Try the Notes to My Nervous System guided tool to help you process emotions and track your growth alongside this episode.

#HealingSessions #SafeSpace #NervousSystemRegulation #SomaticHealing #MindCircuit #BrainFloss #BrainFlossing #ErinVandermore #NotesToMyNervousSystem #Regulatedish

@embracing_my_weirdness to follow Meghan

"Constantly trying to fit into a world not built for you doesn't just drain your battery—it breaks the machine."

In this raw and essential short, Kara Nash (@autisticautismconsultant), a Registered Nurse and Autism Consultant, explains why autistic masking is more than just a social tool—it’s a physical health risk. Kara discusses the "sickness" that comes from the relentless pressure to perform neurotypicality, leading to chronic exhaustion and autistic burnout.

Following the collective trauma of Hurricane Helene in WNC, Kara reflects on how high-stakes survival makes masking impossible and why letting the "mask" fall is a prerequisite for true healing.

🔗 Connect & Heal With Us

Learn More About Kara Nash:Follow Kara for neurodiversity-affirming resources and advocacy:📸 Instagram: @autisticautismconsultant

Explore MindCircuit:🌐 Website: mindcircuit.org – Healing resources for the neurodivergent community.

Download the MindCircuit App:Get the tools you need to manage burnout and practice unmasking safely.

Download on Apple App Store: ⁠https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mindcircuit/id6478664305⁠📲Get it on Google Play: ⁠https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.ageOfUncertainty⁠Stay Connected: Follow us for daily insights on resilience and recovery.