“Ah, meditation and yoga, what a beautiful place to hide.”

-Scott’s ex-therapist

While there’s no denying that mindfulness can be a powerful tool, is it the answer to all of our problems, or is it really just a game of playing hide-and-seek from ourselves? In this episode Dr. Scott and Dr. Sará hilariously break down the complexity of mindfulness- differentiating toxic positivity and splashy bypassing from a path of profound connection to oneself and the full spectrum of human experiences.

Dr. Scott and Dr. Sará lead by example, demonstrating how play can help you break free from the bondage of trauma as they approach this episode and life with full-on childhood curiosity and a willingness to let life unfold, providing you with the magic sauce of empowerment and deep healing.

If you’re looking for the kind of mindfulness that cultivates the resilience needed to be in the dance of life and feel a deep sense of belonging to the world while at the same time making you laugh so hard you pee (and question whether mindfulness and bladder control are related) - this episode of The Gently Used Human is for you.

Topics we break down:

• Trauma bonding.
• The importance of play.
• Healing intergenerational trauma.
• Interdependence.
• Harmful narratives of the wellness industry.
• The shadow side of mindfulness.

Connect with Dr. Sará King

Dr. Sará King is a Mother, neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, education philosopher, social-entrepreneur, public speaker, and certified yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. She is also the co-director of Mobius, a home for the development of Liberatory Technology, and the founder of MindHeart Collective, a contemplative tech company that she founded to develop AI-integrated platforms, applications, and courses grounded in neuroscience, “The Science of Social Justice” framework and the “Systems Based Awareness Map” (SBAM) which she developed to explore our capacity to heal intergenerational trauma and promote the well-being of "collective nervous systems" by promoting and mapping loving-awareness. In 2021, she was named “One-To-Watch” by Mindful Magazine, as well as she made the November cover of Yoga Journal Magazine as a “Game Changer” for her work bridging neuroscience, social justice and contemplative practices. In 2022, she was also named one of the "10 Most Powerful Women in Mindfulness" by Mindful Magazine.

Bio | LinkedIn | Instagram | MindHeart Consulting

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Ever felt like you should have it all figured out by now? Like life handed you a script you didn’t exactly sign up for? Well, Tamsen Fadal is here to throw that script out the window.

An Emmy-winning journalist, author, and advocate for midlife reinvention, Tamsen has built a career on telling powerful stories—and now, she’s telling her own. From walking away from a decades-long journalism career to becoming a voice for midlife women, she’s proving that there is no expiration date on reinvention.

Together, Tamsen and Dr. Scott dive into: why milestones don’t define us, the radical shift that happens when we stop asking ‘why me?’ and start saying ‘what’s next?’—and how menopause, career changes, and unexpected pivots are all part of the bigger picture.

• Midlife Myths & Why We’re Doing This All Wrong – Forget ‘aging gracefully’—let’s talk about thriving on our own terms.
• The ‘Now What?’ Moment – Why so many of us hit a point where we question everything—and how to navigate it.
• Reinvention is a Muscle – Why starting over isn’t a setback—it’s a superpower.
• The Unspoken Power of Menopause – Breaking the silence around midlife health and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves.
• The ‘I Get To’ Mindset – Shifting from obligation to opportunity in work, health, and relationships.

✨ This episode is a love letter to second (and third, and fourth) chances. Tune in and get inspired!

Have you ever felt misunderstood? Like the world keeps trying to put you in a box that just doesn’t fit? Then this episode is for you.

Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Dr. Rae Johnson, a leading researcher, professor, and author exploring the intersections of somatics, social justice, and identity. Rae’s work challenges us to reconnect with our bodies, question the systems that shape us, and embrace our full, unfiltered selves.

Together, Scott and Rae explore why we brace ourselves against misunderstanding, how validation changes our nervous system, and what it really means to be witnessed. Plus, they unpack how a simple shift in perspective—or the right words from a total stranger—can change everything.

• Why we over-explain & brace for misunderstanding – The social conditioning that keeps us apologizing for who we are.
• The ‘Validation Reflex’ – How being truly seen creates a physical release in the body.
• Why strangers can sometimes know us better than our friends – The science behind why an outside perspective can feel so powerful.
• The cost of authenticity – What we sacrifice to be fully ourselves—and why it’s worth it.
• Witnessing & being witnessed – How deep presence can transform our relationships and sense of self.

✨ This is a conversation about freedom, embodiment, and breaking free from outdated stories—don’t miss it!

Heartbreak isn’t just emotional—it’s chemical. That’s right, breakups trigger withdrawal symptoms in your brain just like a drug, and if you’ve ever felt literally addicted to your ex, there’s a reason why.

In this episode, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with neuroscientist Nicole Vignola to unpack the science of breakups, love addiction, and how to rewire your brain for healing. Together, they explore why we can’t stop thinking about certain people, the dopamine loops that keep us stuck, and the fastest ways to break free from the past.

Plus, they get real about their own breakups, the neuroscience-backed hacks that actually help, and why blocking your ex might just be the most scientifically sound decision you’ll ever make.

• Why Breakups Feel Like an Actual Addiction – The neuroscience behind heartbreak withdrawal.
• Checking Your Ex’s Social Media? Here’s Why You Can’t Stop – How dopamine fuels obsessive behaviors post-breakup.
• The Power of ‘Cold Turkey’ – Why cutting off contact is the fastest way to rewire your brain.
• Re-Scaffolding Your Life – How to rebuild your identity after a relationship ends.
• Why You Keep Dating the Same Type – Breaking free from unconscious relationship patterns.

✨ Whether you’re freshly single, healing from an old breakup, or just fascinated by the brain’s wild ways—this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward.

Are you letting self-doubt, over-explaining, or other people's opinions keep you small? Not on Niyc Pidgeon's watch. This episode is all about stepping into your power, shifting your mindset, and harnessing the science of success to create a life that actually excites you.

Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Niyc Pidgeon, an award-winning positive psychologist, best-selling author, and high-performance business mentor, to explore the psychology behind resilience, joy, and confidence. Author of Now Is Your Chance and Unstoppable Success, Niyc has helped thousands of people rewire their thinking and create their best lives.

Together, Scott and Niyc unpack what it really means to be happy—not in a ‘toxic positivity’ way, but in a real, grounded, and science-backed way. If you've ever felt stuck, exhausted, or like you're tolerating way too much in life, this conversation will help you break free.

• Why positivity isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff – The difference between real happiness and toxic positivity.
• Over-explaining & self-abandonment – Why we do it and how to stop apologizing for simply existing.
• The ripple effect of awe – How small moments of joy can transform your energy (and impact 135 people around you!).
• What’s your Organizing Principle? – The hidden force guiding your choices, and how to harness it for success.
• The power of curiosity – How asking better questions can lead to deeper connections and greater clarity.

✨ This episode is packed with insights, humor, and some seriously life-changing mindset shifts. Tune in now and get ready to step into your most unstoppable self!

Have you ever felt like you were following invisible rules you didn’t agree to? Do you catch yourself playing small, staying “good,” or holding back while others take up space? And what if those subconscious beliefs—about power, success, and even desire—aren’t actually yours?

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Elise Loehnen, a writer, editor, and cultural critic known for her sharp insights on power, patriarchy, and personal growth. As the former Chief Content Officer at Goop, Elise helped shape the modern wellness landscape before turning her focus to deconstructing the subconscious rules that shape our lives. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of On Our Best Behavior, which explores how deeply ingrained cultural norms—particularly the Seven Deadly Sins—still dictate women’s behavior today.

Together, Scott and Elise dive into the hidden forces that govern us, how to unlearn restrictive narratives, and why recognizing our own internalized biases is the key to true liberation. If you've ever felt stuck in a system that doesn’t quite serve you, this episode will give you the perspective shift you need.

• The Cultural Programming We Can’t See – How we internalize and reinforce social norms without even realizing it.
• The Patriarchy Isn’t Just ‘Men’ – Understanding how women also uphold and police patriarchal structures.
• Envy as a Compass – Why the things (and people) that trigger us the most might be showing us what we truly want.
• How We Keep Ourselves Small – The self-imposed rules that hold us back, and how to rewrite them.
• Moving from ‘Against’ to ‘For’ – Shifting from resistance to creation, and learning how to build the world we actually want.

Tune in for an honest, mind-expanding conversation that just might change the way you see yourself—and the world around you.

Do you ever feel like you’re chasing success, but once you get “there,” the finish line moves again?

If you’re nodding along, then this episode is for you.

This week, we’re getting deep, real, and hilarious with bestselling author and keynote speaker Laura Gassner Otting (LGO)—a woman who has done it all, from working in the White House to writing books that change lives. But here’s the twist: even she has struggled with self-worth, impostor syndrome, and figuring out what success actually means.

What if success isn’t about more money, more titles, or even more standing ovations?

What if success is about feeling aligned with your values and choices—no matter what anyone else thinks?

That’s the conversation we’re diving into today. It’s a mix of wisdom, humor, and real talk (plus a detour into drag queens, rage rooms, and why Malala might just be the best at avoiding awkward small talk).

• Success: Who Defines It? – Laura turns the traditional definition of success on its head. Spoiler alert: It’s not about a corner office, a million-dollar paycheck, or someone else’s approval.
• Why We Suck at Receiving Compliments – Laura’s personal struggle with praise, her therapist’s game-changing advice, and how you can actually accept a compliment without feeling weird.
• The Different Versions of Ourselves – Ever feel like you have a work-self, a home-self, and a totally different karaoke-self? Laura shares how she balances “LGO the speaker” with just being Laura, the introvert who loves bad reality TV.
• Success Does Not Equal Happiness – If money and power automatically made people happy, billionaires wouldn’t get divorced and celebrities wouldn’t have meltdowns. We get real about why external success is often a trap.
• The Everest Analogy – What climbing a mountain taught Laura about life, ambition, and why getting to the top isn’t actually the goal.

What are trauma tingles, you ask? Oh, you know them. They're those wild, exciting, tantalizing, and misdirecting feelings that magnetize you into the same shitty relational dynamics you've been dealing with your whole life.

Oof, It's wild out there in the complex realm of relationships. Sometimes we find ourselves more interested in the chase than the embrace or confusing intensity for intimacy- all the while declaring that we want and need love. If red flags feel like home and you find yourself or people you know in the merry-go-round of relationship pains, welcome to the world of trauma tingles... Let's talk about it.

In this episode, Dr. Scott Lyons chats with Kai Cheng Thom and Nkem Ndefo about red flags in dating and why trauma tingles feel irresistible. If an ordinary life feels risky and red flags cause a buzz of excitement, don't worry—this is a normal part of being human and an adaptive response to trauma. Through witnessing patterns unfolding and learning how to form safer boundaries for ourselves and others, we can heal to the point that those trauma tingles become boring and unsexy- red flag couture no more!

Topics we break down:

• How trauma tingles relate to your attachment style.
• Why dating apps can be dehumanizing.
• Communicating your needs.
• Reconfiguring relationships.
• Maintaining boundaries.
• Choosing yourself.

Kai Cheng's work focuses on the intersection of social justice, pleasure activism, and transformative approaches to healing conflict.

Connect with Kai Cheng

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Arise Embodiment

Nkem is the founder of Lumos Transforms and the creator of the Resilience Toolkit.

Connect with Nkem

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

The Resilience Toolkit

Connect with Dr. Scott

Website | Instagram | TikTok

Addicted to Drama

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