Real Life with RDU Therapy
Real talk for real life. Parenting, work, relationships, and everything in between — with expert insight and a dose of humor.
Real Life with RDU Therapy is where modern parents, professionals, and families come to take a breath, get real, and find practical ways forward. Hosted by Dr. Melanie McCabe, a practicing licensed child and family psychologist, this podcast explores the everyday challenges that high-achieving parents face while raising kids in a world that rarely slows down.
From navigating burnout at work, juggling childcare, and managing aging parents—to handling big feelings, family chaos, and the constant pressure to “do it all”—this podcast is here to remind you that you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Each episode blends expert insights, real-life stories, and practical information you can use right away. Dr. McCabe also interviews thought leaders, business owners, and specialists across industries, giving listeners access to strategies that go beyond therapy and into whole-life well-being.
If you’re striving to raise resilient kids, care for yourself, and build a meaningful life (while still sneaking in a little humor and humanity), you’ll feel right at home here.
This podcast is an extension of the work we do at RDU Therapy
—helping families break cycles, build healthier patterns, and create more peace at home.
Connect with us on Instagram @rdutherapy or visit rdutherapy.com to learn more.
RDU Therapy from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Real Life with RDU Therapy
Grief, Trauma, and How It Moves Through Us (with Dr. Kat Bracken)
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In this episode, Dr. Melanie McCabe sits down with Dr. Kat Bracken to explore what really happens inside us when we experience grief and trauma. Together, they talk about how loss shows up in the body, why certain reactions are completely normal, and what it means to move through pain instead of getting stuck in it.
This conversation blends humanity, humor, and truly tangible tips—offering language and validation for the parts of grief that feel confusing or isolating, while also giving you practical ways to move forward with gentleness.
Dr. Bracken shares her clinical wisdom and grounded insight, reminding us that healing isn’t linear… and that movement, even when small, is still movement.
Key Topics:
– How grief lives in the body
– Why trauma responses can feel unpredictable
– The difference between “getting over” and “moving through”
– How to stay connected to yourself while healing
– What helps (and what doesn’t) when supporting someone in grief
– The surprising resilience the body carries
– Real-world tools you can use today
About Our Guest:
Dr. Kat Bracken is a clinician known for her compassionate, insightful approach to trauma, grief, and integrative healing.
9/30/25