In this episode of The Authentic Heart Podcast, Amber sits down with therapist Jena Brooks for a heartfelt conversation about healing, people pleasing, self-abandonment, and the journey back to your authentic self. Together, they explore what it means to honor your needs, recognize your inner critic, understand trauma patterns, and create more space for self-trust and emotional growth. Jena also shares insight into therapy, inner child work, nervous system regulation, and why slowing down can be an important part of healing.

This episode is for anyone learning how to stop living in survival mode, set healthier boundaries, and reconnect with the truest version of themselves.

Jena Brooks is a certified restorative therapist specializing in trauma-informed work, self-worth, and relationship patterns. Known for her honest, relatable, and compassionate approach, she helps people move beyond survival mode, transform old emotional patterns, and build healthier relationships with themselves and others. Jena blends depth, humor, and real life insight to make personal growth feel both empowering and approachable. She works with 1 on 1 clients and is able to work with people both inside and outside of Texas.

Find Jena Brooks here:

-https://www.jenabrookstherapy.com/

-https://www.instagram.com/jena_brooks/

-https://www.tiktok.com/@jena_b3

Support the show

-Follow Amber's music journey: https://beacons.ai/amberwesterman

-Listen to Amber's new song "Feel It All"

-Sign Up for Amber's Mailing list

-Follow The Authentic Heart on Socials

Thanks for listening to the The Authentic Heart! If you are enjoying what you hearing a quick rating helps a lot, and sharing with a friend means the world! You can sign up for my email list and find me on socials here, and don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your pods so each episode lands in your feed when released.

Amber welcomes musician and songwriter Jesse Garcia for a heart-centered conversation on presence, ego, creativity, and authentic living. Together they explore the spiritual nature of music, the courage it takes to be fully seen, and the importance of creating from truth instead of pressure, image, or societal norms.

Jesse Garcia grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He began studying classical piano at 9, and his musical interests quickly expanded! Over the course of his youth he studied flute, cello, Zimbabwean marimba, voice, and guitar. After only 1.5 years of study he became the principal cellist for the Santa Fe Youth Symphony and subsequently placed 5th in the New Mexico All-State competition. He began teaching Zimbabwean marimba classes when he was 14; this style of music is taught by ear to groups of 5-10 people. He directed/co-directed The Ande Marimba Band - one of the premier Zimbabwean Marimba bands in the US! The band headlined many times at the Zimbabwean Music Festival and toured successfully for years. In his early twenties Jesse found songwriting. This quickly became his primary focus. His intricate fingerstyle guitar, smooth voice, and vulnerable lyrics are frequently likened to James Taylor. Jesse's broad influences imbue his music with classical phrasings and technique along with world rhythm and syncopation.

Follow Jesse's journey and find his music:

https://linktr.ee/fool_0f_ideas

https://www.instagram.com/fool_0f_ideas/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UyNhYeJ831ZkLZcnVf3zd?si=SLkM_k1LS7iXsnH4jgfhzA

Support the show

-Follow Amber's music journey: https://beacons.ai/amberwesterman

-Listen to Amber's new song "Feel It All"

-Sign Up for Amber's Mailing list

-Follow The Authentic Heart on Socials

Thanks for listening to the The Authentic Heart! If you are enjoying what you hearing a quick rating helps a lot, and sharing with a friend means the world! You can sign up for my email list and find me on socials here, and don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your pods so each episode lands in your feed when released.

Amber sits down with Austin singer songwriter Alison Tucker for a real conversation about starting over. Alison shares how a major life reset, including divorce, and a season of grief, reshaped her identity and ultimately brought her back to music with more honesty than ever. Together they talk about faith, fear versus trust, and what it looks like to keep creating when life feels uncertain. If you are moving through a hard chapter, questioning your next step, or craving proof that a new beginning is possible, this episode will meet you right where you are and gently remind you that your detour can become your direction.

Alison Tucker is an Austin-based singer-songwriter working at the intersection of folk, Americana, and country music. Known for her warm alto voice and story-driven songs, Tucker writes about love, loss, identity, and the long road between who we were and who we’re becoming. Her debut album, Where You Used to Be (2025), marks her return to music after a long hiatus.

-Find Alison and her music:

https://alisontucker.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alison_tucker_music/

https://www.youtube.com/@alison-tucker-music

Support the show

-Follow Amber's music journey: https://beacons.ai/amberwesterman

-Listen to Amber's new song "Feel It All"

-Sign Up for Amber's Mailing list

-Follow The Authentic Heart on Socials

Thanks for listening to the The Authentic Heart! If you are enjoying what you hearing a quick rating helps a lot, and sharing with a friend means the world! You can sign up for my email list and find me on socials here, and don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your pods so each episode lands in your feed when released.