Podcasts

Best of Live Brighter: Emotional Wellness

In this Season Rewind mash-up, we explore why we react the way we do and how to move toward emotional steadiness and nervous system peace. These four episodes dive into the cost of suppressing emotions, the roots of mental and emotional challenges, and how trauma and overwhelm show up in our bodies.
Through practical tools like journaling, somatic awareness, and nervous system regulation, you’ll learn how to shift from survival mode into clarity, calm, and resilience. If you’ve struggled with anxiety, emotional flooding, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode offers insight, hope, and simple steps toward healing.
✨ Grow 1% at a time—toward a calmer, clearer you.

Best of Live Brighter: Season Rewind

In this week’s Season Rewind, we’re revisiting three of the most impactful conversations of the year—episodes listeners returned to again and again. In this compilation, I explore the life-changing choices that shape our future, how to de-weaponize the pain of our past, and why embracing the season we’re in can bring unexpected clarity and peace.

Through personal stories and practical insight, we’ll uncover how our decisions, healing work, and emotional rhythms influence who we are becoming. This rewind brings together powerful reminders about resilience, self-awareness, and choosing growth—even when life feels messy or uncertain.

✨ Ready to reflect, reset, and reconnect with what truly transforms us? Tune in and Live Brighter.

Episode 113

What if your friendships reflected your own emotional and spiritual growth?
In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, I unpack the “flip slide” of friendship—the subtle ways connection can drift from healthy to unhealthy. Through real stories and gentle reflection, we’ll explore how to recognize red flags, take responsibility for our circles, and choose relationships that nurture mutual respect, honesty, and peace.
✨ This conversation will help you trust your intuition, set healthy boundaries, and create friendships that help you live and love from a place of wholeness.

Episode 112

What if the secret to stronger, more meaningful friendships starts with how you love yourself?

In this week’s Live Brighter with Tara, we focus on the most important relationship you’ll ever have—the one with yourself. Because self-love isn’t selfish—it’s the foundation of every healthy friendship, partnership, and purpose-filled life.

Through this special mash-up episode, Tara shares timeless lessons on self-love, balance, and emotional wholeness—exploring how compassion, faith, and inner kindness transform how we connect with others.

✨ Discover why self-love is not arrogance but alignment with who God created you to be—and how loving yourself fully allows you to live, give, and connect from overflow.

Episode 111

What if friendship wasn’t just a part of life—but one of the most powerful reflections of our emotional and spiritual health?
In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, I share how authentic connection is built—through intention, vulnerability, and time. We’ll explore what it takes to create friendships that are grounded in honesty, equality, and love, and why being at peace with ourselves is the foundation of every meaningful relationship.
✨ If you’re ready to deepen your friendships and build the kind of connections that inspire growth and joy, this conversation will remind you that friendship isn’t found—it’s cultivated.

Episode 110

What if finding balance in life and love began with understanding your masculine and feminine energy?
In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, we explore how both men and women carry healthy and wounded expressions of these energies—and how fear, trauma, and control can pull us out of alignment.
Through self-awareness, compassion, and faith, we can learn to create safety, shift from reaction to response, and bring both strength and softness back into balance.
✨ Tune in to discover how embracing both energies can lead to emotional healing, deeper connection, and a life lived more fully from the heart.

Episode 109

What if the very system that promised men strength and control was the same one keeping them silent, isolated, and hurting?
In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, Mike and I dive into the hidden costs of the patriarchal system—how it teaches boys to suppress emotions, shapes relationships into transactions, and leaves many men struggling with shame, guilt, and disconnection.
Together, we share our own experiences of raising sons with emotional intelligence and the lessons we’ve learned about healthy masculinity, vulnerability, and true intimacy. We also explore what it takes to create safe spaces where men and women alike can show up authentically and build relationships rooted in trust, openness, and compassion.
✨ This is a conversation about breaking cycles, healing together, and reimagining what it really means to live and love with freedom.

Episode 108

What if the struggles in your relationship weren’t signs of failure—but opportunities for deeper connection and healing?

In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, Mike and I open up about our own relationship journey, including the challenges we’ve faced recently and the growth that came through them. From inner tubing adventures that mirror the ups and downs of love, to the impact of suppressed trauma and the role of spiritual warfare in healing, this conversation goes deep into what it really means to love with authenticity.

We talk about radical honesty, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to navigate disconnection with an open heart. Along the way, we share how communication, support, and spiritual awareness can transform not only your relationship, but also your personal journey of healing and growth.

✨ Whether you’re in a relationship or simply seeking tools for deeper connection, this episode will remind you that honesty and love can truly change everything.

👉 If this resonates, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Live Brighter with Tara for more conversations about healing, relationships, and living brighter.

Episode 107

What if your emotions weren’t chaotic or random—but a group of cartoon squirrels, each with its own voice and message? 🐿️
In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, I explore a playful yet powerful way to understand our inner world. Each “squirrel” represents a different emotional state—some anxious, some protective, some lighthearted—and together they create the chatter we often feel inside.
Through humor, self-awareness, and compassion, we can learn not to silence our emotions, but to notice them, listen to them, and guide them with kindness. Along the way, I share why self-care and honest communication are essential tools for managing the squirrels instead of being managed by them.
This isn’t about pushing feelings away. It’s about giving them a healthy space while still staying grounded in who you are. 🌿
✨ Ready for a new way to look at your emotions? Tune in now for insights that are equal parts lighthearted and life-changing.

Episode 106

What if your emotions weren’t your enemy—but younger versions of you asking to be heard?
In this week’s episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I share the “school bus analogy,” a powerful way to understand how your inner child, teenage self, and past experiences still ride along with you today. We’ll explore how these voices shape your reactions, why self-acceptance matters, and what it looks like to step back into the driver’s seat of your own life.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in old patterns or silenced by your emotions, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope.
✨ Tune in now to discover how listening to your inner passengers can guide you toward healing, growth, and a brighter way forward.

Episode 105

The pain you’ve carried isn’t the end of your story—it’s the beginning of your freedom.
In this special mash-up of Live Brighter with Tara, three powerful stories remind us that pain doesn’t have to define us:

Dr. Deb Muth shares her journey of chronic illness and reveals how true healing requires going beyond symptoms to address root causes.


Dawn Dominguez explains how trauma shapes our relationships—and how breaking cycles through Depth Therapy opens the door to freedom and love.


Tara Wolfe Schaan shares her personal story of surviving domestic and religious abuse, learning empowered kindness, and discovering freedom through faith, truth, and authentic connection.


Together, these conversations reveal how pain can become purpose when we face it with honesty, courage, and compassion.

✨ Tune in now to begin your journey toward healing, freedom, and living brighter—one conversation at a time.

Episode 104

What if your deepest struggles—anxiety, trauma, or broken relationships—were actually pointing you toward healing and purpose?
In this special mash-up of Live Brighter With Tara, I bring together three powerful voices: Eric Gilbert on transforming anxiety into freedom through faith and somatic healing, Susan Scott (Fierce Love) on courageous conversations and redefining love, and Terri Cole (Boundary Boss) on setting boundaries and breaking cycles of self-abandonment.
Each story is a reminder that pain doesn’t define you—it refines you. When you choose to face life’s hardest moments with honesty and courage, you step into freedom, authentic love, and deeper purpose.
✨ Tune in now to begin moving from pain to purpose—one conversation at a time.

Episode 103

What do you do when the faith you trusted becomes the source of control, shame, and betrayal?

In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, Aubrey Taylor shares her raw and courageous story of life inside purity culture, an 18-year destructive marriage, and the loneliness of religious abuse. From public shaming in her church to private heartbreak at home, Aubrey’s journey reveals the cost of silence—and the power of choosing freedom.

Her story is not just about surviving abuse. It’s about reclaiming joy, finding healing, and stepping into a brighter future.

If you’ve faced religious trauma, betrayal, or felt trapped in a system that stole your voice, this episode offers hope, courage, and the reminder that you are not alone.

Episode 102

What comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus Christ—a teacher, a liar, or truly God? In this episode of Live Brighter with Tara, I share my raw journey through religious abuse, doubt, and healing, and how I came to see Jesus not as a distant judge, but as my North Star and closest friend.
This isn’t about religion or rules—it’s about discovering intimacy, love, and freedom in the story of Jesus. If you’ve ever questioned your faith or longed for a more authentic connection with God, this episode offers hope, clarity, and renewal.

Episode 101

What if the God you were taught to fear was never who He truly is?
In this week’s episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I open up about the painful reality of religious abuse, particularly in Christian settings, and how distorted interpretations of scripture can lead to guilt, control, and emotional manipulation. Drawing from my own experiences, I share how harmful church culture and legalistic teachings shaped my view of God—and how I discovered His true nature as loving, relational, and full of grace.
We’ll explore the signs of spiritual abuse, why it’s so important to process religious trauma, and how to break free from fear-based faith. You’ll learn how to recognize unhealthy spiritual dynamics, rebuild your connection with God on a foundation of love, and reclaim your spiritual autonomy.
This heartfelt conversation isn’t about abandoning faith—it’s about finding the courage to pursue a faith that heals, restores, and empowers.
Whether you’ve been wounded by church culture, are questioning long-held beliefs, or simply want a more authentic relationship with God, this episode offers hope, clarity, and a path toward spiritual freedom.
✨ Ready to release the weight of fear and embrace the God who loves without condition?
Tune in now to begin your journey toward healing, truth, and spiritual wholeness—one conversation at a time.

Episode 100

What if the symptoms you’re treating are just the surface—and the real healing lies deeper?
In this week’s episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I’m joined by Dr. Deb Muth, a naturopathic women’s health expert who shares her powerful personal journey through illness, healing, and the transformative power of integrative medicine. Together, we explore how nutrition, trauma, and stress are often the missing links in conventional health care—and what it means to truly heal from the inside out.
Dr. Deb reveals why addressing the root cause of health issues—not just masking symptoms—is key to sustainable wellness. We also dive into her daily practices for vibrant living, and how emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being are deeply connected.
Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, hormonal imbalance, stress, or simply want to feel more alive in your body—this episode will inspire you to take your health into your own hands.
✨ Ready to stop chasing symptoms and start healing from the root?
Tune in now to restore your energy, reconnect to your body, and live brighter—one empowered choice at a time.

Episode 99

What if the world’s definition of “smart” has been limiting your potential? In this week’s episode of Live Brighter With Tara, we dive into the hidden brilliance within us all. From Einstein to Richard Branson, history is filled with visionaries who were told they weren’t intelligent—only to go on and change the world. So why do we still let old labels define our self-worth? This empowering episode explores the many forms of intelligence—word, number, body, picture, and more—and why creativity isn’t just for artists. I share inspiring stories, practical tools, and powerful affirmations to help you reconnect with your own gifts and value. Whether you’ve struggled with self-doubt, comparison, or feeling “not enough,” this conversation will remind you that you were never broken—just uniquely designed. ✨ Ready to unlock your brilliance and live from a place of worthiness? Tune in now to reclaim your identity, awaken your creativity, and live brighter—just as you are.

Episode 98

What if the most damaging voice in your life… is your own? In this week’s episode of Live Brighter With Tara, we’re diving into the power of self-talk—and how the way you speak to yourself can either heal you or hold you back. I’ll share how our internal dialogue influences mental health, relationships, and self-worth—and why becoming friends with yourself is a radical and necessary act of healing. This heart-centered conversation explores how to recognize and reframe negative self-talk, the connection between inner dialogue and emotional resilience, and why self-compassion isn’t just fluff—it’s a foundational tool for personal growth. We’ll also explore powerful tools like visualization, affirmations, and daily mindset shifts to help you replace inner criticism with clarity, kindness, and confidence. ✨ Ready to silence your inner critic and speak life into your soul? Tune in now to shift your self-talk, embrace emotional wellness, and live brighter—from the inside out.

Episode 97

Silent agreements are silently breaking your relationship—here’s how to change that.
In this episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I explore the unspoken expectations that quietly shape our relationships and often lead to miscommunication, resentment, and disconnection. From emotional labor to money talks, love languages to conflict resolution—this episode walks you through how to create a relationship plan that actually works.
You’ll learn why clarity, communication, and shared growth are non-negotiables—and how healthy relationships start with healthy individuals.
✨ Tune in now to break the silence, communicate with intention, and live brighter—together.

Haven Special Episode

What if the laws and myths you believed about abuse are actually keeping you silent?
In this week’s episode of Live Brighter With Tara, I sit down with Meilyn from Haven—a leading organization supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We unravel the common misconceptions about abuse, explore how power and control dynamics can be subtle yet pervasive, and uncover the early warning signs of an unhealthy relationship.
You’ll hear why education, especially for young people, is essential in recognizing red flags early—and how Haven’s support services—from crisis advocacy to counseling and community education—are creating pathways to empowerment and freedom for survivors.
This episode is a beacon of awareness, hope, and actionable insight for anyone who wants to understand, intervene, or heal.
✨ Ready to step into clarity and support healthier connections?
Tap in now to learn how to see the signs, speak up, and live brighter.