Humans Are Dope | Mental Health, Trauma Healing & Personal Growth
Unlock Your Authentic Self: Join Deana Panza, licensed therapist and international mental health coach, for raw, transformative conversations about healing trauma, breaking generational patterns, and embracing personal growth. Each episode features intimate discussions mixed in with expert insights from mental health professionals, helping you navigate life's challenges with clarity and purpose. Whether you're healing from past wounds, seeking personal development, or ready to break free from limiting beliefs, my hope is this podcast will help you understand yourself a little bit better so you can find more compassion and kindness for who you authentically are along your journey to self-discovery. Through real stories and professional expertise, you'll learn practical tools for building better relationships, setting boundaries, and cultivating self-compassion. I believe all humans are pretty dope and I’m here to help you see that you’re dope too!
Follow along on Instagram + TikTok @deanapanza and connect at deanapanza.com for more resources and connection.
Episodes
39 episodes
The Truth About Stress & Your Nervous System with Danielle Brunson
Most of us move through life reacting—stressed, overwhelmed, and disconnected—without ever realizing why. But what if the key to feeling more grounded, resilient, and in control isn’t about “doing more” but about understanding how your...
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Episode 39
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49:04
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Healing Through Yoga Therapy with Katie Leasor
What does it take to truly tune into yourself and trust your inner voice? In this episode, I sit down with Katie Leasor—a certified yoga therapist, sound healing practitioner in training, and former college athlete turned mindfulnes...
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Episode 38
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43:59
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When Plans Change: Understanding Your Body's Need for Predictability
Ever feel your blood pressure rise when plans suddenly change? You're not alone. I’d like to share a personal story about my own frustration when my carefully planned Friday night got completely derailed. This seemingly ...
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Episode 37
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12:33
Unmasking Authenticity: Breaking Free from Societal Boxes
How often do you let the world see the real you? Let’s revist the very first episode of Humans Are Dope—the one where I wrestled with my own vulnerability and authenticity.Together, we’ll dive into what it means to truly embr...
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Episode 36
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28:21
Breaking Cycles: Parenting, Trauma, and Healing with Amber Trejo
Ever felt like breaking cycles in your family feels impossible? Or wondered how trauma impacts the way you show up as a parent? In this replay of our most-played episode of the year, I sat down with Amber Trejo—a licensed marriage a...
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Episode 35
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50:00
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Connecting with Your Authentic Self: Understanding Self-Energy
Have you ever wondered how to truly connect with your authentic self and understand the different parts of your inner world? Let’s dive into the concept of Self-energy through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. In th...
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Episode 34
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22:49
Transforming Personal Pain into Profound Purpose with Elyce Mandich
TW: Mention of suicideThis week, I sat down with Elyce Mandich, a licensed therapist who turned her experience of losing her mother to suicide at age ten into a powerful mission of healing and connection. We dive into the complex landsca...
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Episode 33
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34:44
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Healing Doesn’t Have to be a Solo Journey: The Power of Community
Have you ever felt like healing is a solitary journey that you have to navigate alone?Join me in this episode as I dive deep into the transformative power of healing in community. Drawing from scientific research and personal experiences...
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Episode 32
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22:02
Healing Your Inner Child Through Creativity with Megan Walsh
Curious how creativity and play can be powerful tools in healing childhood trauma? In this deeply intimate conversation, therapist Megan Walsh and I dive into understanding our inner child, breaking generational cycles, and embracin...
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Episode 31
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40:33
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Navigating the Holidays with Ease and Authenticity
Are you dreading the upcoming holiday season due to family drama, social obligations, and high expectations? In this episode, we explore strategies to help you take back control and create the holiday experience you truly...
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Episode 30
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13:42
Parenting with Purpose: Inner Work and Generational Healing with Chelsea Clifton
Have you ever wondered how much your own emotions impact your parenting? In this episode, I sit down with Chelsea Clifton, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in helping parents understand and manage the...
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Episode 29
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47:04
Releasing the Burden of Societal and Personal Judgments
Have you ever stopped to question where your judgments truly come from? In this episode, I dive deep into the world of personal judgment, exploring how our primal survival instincts have transformed into modern-day mental patterns t...
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Episode 28
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12:44
Reframing Mental Health & Mindfulness with Gianna LaLota, LMHC
How do we balance growth and self-acceptance while navigating anxiety, depression, and the constant pressure to have it all figured out? In this episode, I sit down with Gianna LaLota, LMHC a New York-based therapist and speaker, w...
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Episode 27
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42:47
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The Dark Side of People Pleasing
In this conversation, I explore the complexities of people pleasing, highlighting its roots as a defense mechanism that often stems from early relational experiences. I discuss how people pleasing can inhibit connections and lead to emotional d...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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13:34
Unlearning Anti-Fat Bias and the Healthcare System with Vinny Welsby
Vinny Welsby (they/them) is a fat activist and diversity, equity and inclusion leader. They are a world-leading expert on dismantling anti-fat bias and diet culture, a TEDx speaker, podcast host and best-selling author. Vinny is trans-non-binar...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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41:28
Trauma, Urgency, and Pausing
In this conversation, I emphasize the importance of taking pauses in our daily lives and during significant life transitions. I discuss how modern society's urgency can lead to a lack of presence and connection with ourselves. By incorporating ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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12:07
Embodying Safety and Healing Your Nervous System with Lauren Zoeller
In this episode, we discuss the power of somatic work in finding and maintaining healthy partnerships. Lauren shares her personal journey of discovering somatic experiencing and how it transformed her relationships and overall well-being. We di...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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44:54
Chronic Stress and the Nervous System
In this episode, I discuss the impact of chronic stress on the body, particularly its effects on the nervous system.I emphasize the importance of balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and introduces a practical to...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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13:44
Religious Trauma and Trusting Yourself with Lauren Auer, LCPC
Lauren Auer is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and the owner of Steadfast Counseling, specializing in comprehensive trauma care. With extensive training in EMDR and certification in Brainspotting, she offers a holistic ap...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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57:27
Reclaiming Choice: A Path to Healing
This episode is must listen if you or someone you know is on a healing journey or has experienced any type of trauma.In this conversation I explore the importance of reclaiming your power of choice in your healing journey afte...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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12:03
Emotional Release, Psychosomatic Bodywork, and the Nervous System with Michele Bolona
Michele Bolona is a compassionate guide on your journey to self-discovery. Trained in Neuro Somatic Intelligence and Neo Emotional Release, she provides a supportive space for others to explore their depths. Her mission is to help others reclai...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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44:00
Burnout and Proving Yourself
In this episode, I share my own personal experience with burnout and discusses the contributing factors and consequences of burnout. I discuss: Burnout’s physical, mental, and emotional consequence...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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23:46
Manipulation, Accountability, and Childhood Trauma with The Anxious Therapist
Jaclyn V, The Anxious Therapist, is a licensed therapist specializing in trauma & she openly shares about her own mental health struggles. She believes everyone deserves a safe space to be vulnerable & heal.In this dee...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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41:34
Breaking The Argument Cycle and Finding Joy
In this episode, I discusses the concept of process versus content in relationship with ourselves and others. This impacts the way that we finding joy and happiness and connect with others.I discuss: <...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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17:17
Chronic Illness, Trauma, and Holistic Healing with Shenikka Moore-Clarke
Shenikka Moore-Clarke is a licensed holistic psychotherapist and transformational coach, she operates within a trauma-informed, culturally conscious, and anti-oppressive framework. With close to 20 years of experience, her personal journey with...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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51:11
