
Hosted by Malisa Hepner · EN

What does it really take to heal when life feels unbearable? In this episode, Malisa Hepner sits down with author, speaker, and Peace, Love and Bring a Bat podcast host David Chametzky for an honest conversation about mental health, emotional availability, and finding hope. David shares the practices that helped him move from surviving to truly living, including the healing power of havening, self-awareness, authentic love, and forgiveness. Together, they explore what it means to face your pain with compassion and create lasting emotional change. When you're overwhelmed, resist the urge to judge what you're feeling. Instead, pause and ask yourself, "What is this emotion trying to tell me?" Meeting yourself with curiosity rather than criticism creates the safety needed for healing and lasting change. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner Dave's links: Website, insta

Host, Malisa Hepner, welcomes back to the show, Laura Bratton, as they explore what it truly means to be a "villager"—not just offering support when life gets hard, but learning how to ask for help, receive care, and build meaningful connections before a crisis occurs. Through personal stories, practical mental models, and honest conversations about emotional support, Malisa and Laura examine why so many of us struggle to communicate what we need and why supporting others doesn't always mean fixing their problems. They share practical ways to care for yourself, show up more intentionally for the people you love, and create the kind of community where no one has to navigate life's challenges alone. Being part of a village isn't only about showing up for others—it's also about allowing yourself to need, ask, and receive. Meaningful support begins when we move beyond assuming what people need and learn to communicate, listen, and create space for honest connection. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner Laura's website November, 2025 - Uncertain Timelines, Unshakeable Truths: Healing Through the Unknown (Spotify, Apple) January, 2026 - Holding yourself with kindness: Gratitude, Vulnerability and Healing (Spotify, Apple) April 10- Spirituality & Healing: The Truth About Self-Compassion and Spiritual Bypassing

The Problem With Potential: When Giftedness Becomes the Weight of Expectation Host Malisa Hepner sits down with Mark Talaga, owner of Center for Identity Potential, to explore the complexities of giftedness—and the hidden weight that can come with being told you have unlimited potential. Mark shares his unconventional journey from video game developer to working with gifted children and adults and explains how asynchronous development can shape identity, emotional experiences, relationships, and behavior. Together, they discuss how potential can quietly become pressure, why gifted individuals may struggle beneath the weight of expectations, and how parents and professionals can offer support that honors who a person is—not only who they are capable of becoming. The more potential others see in us, the more pressure we may feel to become something extraordinary. Understanding giftedness and asynchronous development can help shift the focus away from achievement and expectations—and toward supporting the whole person as they are. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner Mark's links: Website Hopelessly Gifted Podcast: Spotify, Apple

In this episode of Emotionally Unavailable, host Malisa Hepner sits down with Dr. Heather Taylor to explore the many layers of grief and why becoming "grief literate" can change the way we navigate loss. Together, they discuss how grief impacts the mind, body, and relationships, share personal experiences with loss, and offer practical tools for supporting yourself and others through difficult seasons. Whether you're grieving a loved one, a relationship, or another life transition, this conversation offers compassion, validation, and actionable guidance for moving forward without leaving your grief behind. Grief isn't something to fix or rush through—it's something to understand. Building grief literacy helps us recognize our own experiences, support others more effectively, and create space for healing without judgment. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner Heather's links: Linktree, Insta, Substack Heather's last visit to Emotionally Unavailable

Host Malisa Hepner sits down with comedian Aaron Foster to explore his unconventional path through art, acting, comedy, entrepreneurship, and everything in between. Together they discuss the reality of pursuing creative dreams, navigating uncertainty, protecting your mental health, and why authenticity often matters more than having the perfect plan. This conversation is filled with humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom for anyone questioning their next step or redefining success on their own terms. Success is rarely a straight line. Embracing uncertainty, staying authentic, and continuing to show up—even when the path changes—can lead to opportunities you never could have planned. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner Aaron's links: Website, Insta, Youtube Check out Aaron's last visit to Emotionally Unavailable

In this solo episode, Malisa Hepner explores one of the most common questions people ask in healing: How do I know it's actually working? The answer isn't that life gets easier or that you're never triggered again. Real healing is often much quieter. Malisa shares the subtle signs that your nervous system is beginning to change—from recovering more quickly after difficult moments to noticing old patterns before acting on them. She explains why progress isn't measured by perfection, but by flexibility, self-awareness, and your growing ability to return to safety. If you've ever worried that you're not making progress because you're still struggling sometimes, this episode will help you recognize the evidence that change is already happening. Healing isn't the absence of triggers—it's the increasing ability to recognize what's happening, regulate your nervous system, make different choices, and return to yourself more quickly. Progress is measured by recovery, not perfection. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

What if burnout isn't a sign that you're failing, but a signal that something needs to change? In this episode, Malisa Hepner sits down with Dr. Lorea Martínez to explore burnout, emotional intelligence, purpose, and authenticity. Together they discuss the emotional and physical signs of burnout, why so many people disconnect from themselves, and practical ways to reconnect with what truly matters. Whether you're feeling emotionally exhausted, questioning your direction, or simply looking for healthier ways to navigate life's demands, this conversation offers compassionate insights and actionable tools for creating a more meaningful life. Burnout isn't something to push through—it's information. Learning to recognize your emotions, reconnect with your values, and make choices that align with who you truly are can help you move from surviving to living with greater intention and authenticity. * Emotionally Unavailable is produced 100% in-house. No team, just me and my love for yapping and helping others. If this show has ever helped you in any way and you want to give back, here is your chance to help it keep going strong. Subscribe to the patreon, grab some merch or get a workbook! I appreciate you all. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner Lorea's links: Website, self-assessment, Insta

In this solo episode, Malisa Hepner explores why insight alone doesn't create lasting change. She unpacks how trauma shapes the nervous system, why safety is essential for healing, and how new experiences help integrate what we've learned. Through personal stories and practical examples, you'll discover how connection, regulation, and intentional practice can help rewire old patterns and create lasting transformation. Healing isn't just about understanding your patterns—it's about giving your nervous system enough experiences of safety, connection, and regulation that your brain begins predicting a different future. * Emotionally Unavailable is produced 100% in-house. No team, just me and my love for yapping and helping others. If this show has ever helped you in any way and you want to give back, here is your chance to help it keep going strong. Subscribe to the patreon, grab some merch or get a workbook! I appreciate you all. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

In this solo episode, host Malisa Hepner explores how the brain predicts danger, fills in missing information, and mistakes old emotional patterns for present-day reality. Learn why uncertainty feels so uncomfortable, how your nervous system influences your relationships, and a practical exercise to separate facts from forecasts so you can respond with greater clarity, self-compassion, and emotional regulation. Your anxiety is often fueled less by what has happened than by what your brain predicts will happen. Healing isn't about stopping your brain from making predictions—it's about giving it enough new, safe experiences that it begins predicting connection, security, and possibility instead of danger. * Emotionally Unavailable is produced 100% in-house. No team, just me and my love for yapping and helping others. If this show has ever helped you in any way and you want to give back, here is your chance to help it keep going strong. Subscribe to the patreon, grab some merch or get a workbook! I appreciate you all. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner

In this episode, Malisa Hepner sits down with Joe Elefante for a thoughtful conversation about spirituality, identity, and the healing power of connection. Together, they explore how loss can reshape our understanding of ourselves, why interdependence is a strength rather than a weakness, and how spiritual practices can provide grounding during life's most difficult seasons. Whether you're grieving, searching for deeper meaning, or learning to lean into authentic relationships, this conversation offers compassionate insights and practical reflections on healing, resilience, and living with intention. Healing doesn't require carrying life's burdens alone. By embracing grief as part of our story, cultivating meaningful connection, and remaining open to spiritual and personal growth, we can build lives rooted not in independence, but in resilience, authenticity, and interdependence. * Emotionally Unavailable is produced 100% in-house. No team, just me and my love for yapping and helping others. If this show has ever helped you in any way and you want to give back, here is your chance to help it keep going strong. Subscribe to the patreon, grab some merch or get a workbook! I appreciate you all. Subscribe to Emotionally Unavailable's Patreon! $5 - Early Ad free episodes + Occasional other goodies! $10 - Benefits listed above and access to growing voice library support for spiraling/overthinking (along with workbooks and practices) $30 - Deeper work and group spaces https://patreon.com/Emotionallyunavailablepodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Want to be a guest on Emotionally Unavailable? Send Malisa Hepner a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1739504718415772259d92bc1 https://linktr.ee/Mdhepner Joe's Website