In This Body

Navigating Strained Family Relationships with Joanna Townsend

Ailey Jolie Season 1 Episode 21

Join Ailey Jolie and Joanna Townsend, a therapist, teacher, and mentor specializing in integrative approaches to trauma, spirituality, and personal transformation, for this episode of In This Body. Ailey and Joanna discuss how embodiment can help manage family interactions, set boundaries, and handle unresolved trauma. In particular, Ailey and Joanna focus on family relationships, including the significance of setting boundaries, and practical ways to stay grounded and true to oneself amidst the societal pressures of the upcoming holiday season. We hope you enjoy the episode. 

They discuss In this episode: 

  • 00:00 Introduction to 'In This Body' Podcast
  • 01:00 Meet Joanna Townsend: Expertise and Experience
  • 01:25 Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays
  • 05:33 Understanding Therapy and Its Relational Impact
  • 09:14 Holiday Anxiety and Socialization
  • 14:24 Inner Child Work and Family Interactions
  • 23:45 Setting Boundaries with Family
  • 29:00 Dealing with Guilt and Shame in Setting Boundaries
  • 30:27 Understanding Emotions Underneath Guilt and Shame
  • 31:59 Strategies for Handling Guilt and Shame During Holidays
  • 32:51 Redefining Holiday Traditions
  • 37:15 The Role of Holidays in Self-Discovery
  • 40:36 Mindfulness and Body Connection During Holidays
  • 45:05 Listening to Our Bodies and Setting Boundaries
  • 50:51 Compassion and Connection: Final Thoughts
  • 53:47 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

You can read the show transcript here.

To find out more about Joanna: 

Learn more about Ailey Jolie:


To follow along with the In This Body podcast: