• 70: Loving the Un-Valentine Life: Why You Don’t Need a Partner to Feel Loved
    Feb 7 2025
    Love isn’t just about romance, and Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples! This episode is all about celebrating every form of love—friendships, chosen family, and most importantly, the love you have for yourself. What’s inside this episode? Why society glorifies romance over other types of love The importance of self-love (and why it’s NOT selfish) How to celebrate yourself this Valentine’s Day—no partner required| Real talk on friendships, family, and why your relationships outside of romance deserve just as much love Resources Mentioned: Relationship Anarchy Episode with Jackie Hayes Oh Hell Yes! Guide to Loving Yourself – Free Download Stress Plus Self-Compassion Equals Resilience Benefits of Self-Compassion Valentine's Day Shopping Statistics Join the Conversation: Want a community that gets it? Come hang out in the Ditch the Ick Facebook Group! We’re talking friendships, self-love, and yes—even the icks. Loved this episode? Don’t forget to: Subscribe & leave a review Share with a friend who needs the reminder Tag us on social @DitchTheIckPod with how you are celebrating all the love in your life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 min
  • 69: Doing the Damn Thing: Heather Reese Talks Confidence, Advocacy, and Resilience
    Jan 31 2025
    In this week’s episode, Katie chats with the inspiring Heather Reese, a plus-size model, content creator, and attorney, about finding confidence, building community, and embracing life’s curveballs. Heather opens up about her journey from being adopted from Peru and raised in a Jewish household to rediscovering her Latina roots and redefining herself after a life-changing divorce. This episode dives into: How trauma and therapy helped Heather reshape her identity. Her journey to becoming a plus-size model and using her platform to advocate for marginalized communities. The power of showing up authentically in a world that often tries to dim your light. Practical advice for being a true ally and fostering change in today’s turbulent environment. Why boundaries are an act of self-love and how Heather uses them in every area of her life. Heather’s humor, vulnerability, and no-nonsense approach will have you feeling seen, supported, and ready to take on the world unapologetically. **All opinions expressed are Heather's and do not reflect any firm or associations she’s affiliated with** Connect with Heather: Instagram: @heather_rxoxo Quote of the Episode: “Loving yourself is rebellious, but it’s the most powerful thing you can do for yourself and the next generation.” – Heather Reese - Submit your anonymous questions or storie https://www.ditchtheick.com/ask-us-anything - Email: mailto:ditchtheickpod@gmail.com - Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ditchtheickpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 min
  • 68: REPLAY: Amplifying Your Voice: Navigating Politics, Power, and Personal Stories in an Unprecedented World
    Jan 24 2025
    I’m back with a solo episode where we’re getting real about speaking up and navigating life when things feel a bit, well, wild. I might not be the loudest voice in the room, but I’m here to get vocal about the things that matter – setting boundaries, getting involved, and staying true to yourself when the world wants you to shrink. Key Takeaways: • Finding & Using Your Voice: Speaking up isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. I’m sharing how to use your voice effectively, whether it’s at work, with friends, or out in the community. Change doesn’t happen if we stay silent. • Boundaries, But Make It Real: Setting boundaries isn’t just about saying “no” – it’s about knowing what you stand for and holding firm even in tough conversations. I’m breaking down how I keep things real with people who see the world differently. •Local Change, Big Impact: Want to make a difference? Start small. I talk about the power of getting involved locally, supporting causes that align with your values, and why small actions matter more than we think. •The Magic of Storytelling & Listening: It’s not all about shouting from the rooftops – sometimes it’s about sharing your story and truly listening to others. I explore how personal experiences can inspire change and build connection. • Self-Care While Speaking Out: No one said making a difference was easy. I get into why taking care of yourself while you’re out there speaking up is crucial. Because burnout? We’re not doing that. •Community is Key: Remember, you’re not doing this alone. Connect with Me Follow me on Instagram @ditchtheick for more relatable takes, and a community that’s all about real talk and real change. Let’s keep it going! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 min
  • 67: I’m Not Codependent, Ew: Béa Victoria Albina on Emotional Outsourcing and Nervous System Regulation
    Jan 17 2025
    This week’s episode is one I’ve been dying to bring you! I finally got to chat with the incredible Béa Victoria Albina, NP, MPH. She’s a somatic experiencing practitioner, feminist wellness coach, and all-around magical human being. We dove into her signature concept of emotional outsourcing—aka relying on other people for our sense of worth, safety, and belonging (yeah, ouch). We talked about EVERYTHING, from breaking free of codependency to staying grounded in your values—even in the messiest of situations. Béa also shared her genius tips for regulating your nervous system and letting yourself actually feel your feelings (not just shove them down or ignore them). Here’s What We Got Into: Codependency vs. Interdependence: What’s the difference? (Hint: interdependence is the vibe we’re going for). Emotional outsourcing: Béa breaks down how it sneaks into our lives and keeps us stuck. Nervous system regulation: What it really means, and why it’s not as simple as tapping your forehead and calling it a day. Sacred rage: Why anger is actually a good thing when it’s intentional and aligned with your values. The beauty of reciprocal relationships: How to stop keeping score and start building connections that energize you. Want More from Béa? She’s got some amazing gifts for you! Head to http://beatrizalbina.com//ditchtheick to grab her free meditations and nervous system exercises. Whether you’re dealing with a stressy day or diving into your healing journey, these are a must-have.Béa also has a book dropping in September 2025 called Emotional Outsourcing. Big Life Moves I’ve been hinting at a major life change, and here’s the deal: I’m working on my escape plan to move abroad! While I’m not on a plane just yet, I’m getting serious about making it happen, and I want to invite you along for the ride. That’s why I’m joining the Move Abroad Escape Plan Bootcamp with the Move Abroad Coach. It’s a 4-day LIVE virtual bootcamp from January 25th-28th at 11 AM Eastern (with replays available). This bootcamp is all about creating a step-by-step action plan to move abroad in a year or less. If moving abroad has been on your dream list, this is the sign you’ve been waiting for! You can join me by checking out all the details here: https://bit.ly/4gR6VXF Follow me on Instagram @ditchtheickpod for all the behind-the-scenes action. I’ll be sharing what I’m learning, the highs, the lows, and maybe a few tips to help YOU make bold moves, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 min
  • 66: Toxic Positivity
    Jan 10 2025
    Welcome to the first episode of Ditch the Ick in 2025! After taking a much-needed break, we’re kicking off the year by tackling an important and often misunderstood topic: toxic positivity. We’re unpacking what toxic positivity really is and why the “good vibes only” mindset can do more harm than good. I also share my personal journey with embracing emotions—both good and bad—and how adopting a mindset of realistic optimism has helped me feel more grounded and confident. Plus, we touch on actionable tips for managing emotions, setting boundaries, and showing up for others in a healthy way. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - What toxic positivity is and why it’s so damaging. - The subtle ways it can show up in daily life (e.g., “Just stay positive!”). - Signs you might be experiencing or perpetuating toxic positivity. - The benefits of realistic optimism and why it’s a better approach. - Actionable phrases and habits to replace toxic positivity with authentic support. Resources Mentioned: - Why Toxic Positivity Can Be Harmful by Kendra Cherry, MSeD: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-positivity - Realistic Optimism by Chris Loper: https://becomingbetter.org/realistic-optimism/ - Submit your anonymous questions or storie https://www.ditchtheick.com/ask-us-anything - Email: mailto:ditchtheickpod@gmail.com - Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ditchtheickpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 min
  • 65: It’s Now or Never: How Caitlin Moss Left Purity Culture Behind and Found Her Voice in Romance Novels
    Dec 27 2024
    Today’s episode of Ditch the Ick is one for the books—literally! 🎉 I’m sitting down with Amazon bestselling romance author Caitlin Moss to talk about her journey from purity culture to writing the spicy stories we all know and love. Caitlin dives deep into the unlearning of shame, the reclaiming of pleasure, and how books (yep, including the steamy ones) can empower us to understand our bodies, our desires, and ourselves. We’re unpacking: ✨ Growing up in purity culture and how it shaped our mindset (and icks) ✨ Why romance novels are more than just smut—they’re freeing, fun, and female-centered ✨ The shame, the rebellion, and the “now or never” moment that got Caitlin writing ✨ Toys, taboos, and the beauty of learning to embrace pleasure (yes, girl, we go there) If you’re ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe add a few books to your Kindle library, hit play and let’s ditch the ick together. ✨ Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ditchtheick for more relatable content from the pod! Where to Find Caitlin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlinmossauthor TikTok: @caitlinmosswrites Books: Available on https://www.amazon.com/ (Kindle Unlimited included!) and through local indie bookstores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 min
  • 64: Stay feral, my friends: A single woman's guide to navigating the holidays
    Dec 20 2024
    The holidays are here, party people, and it’s time to lean ALL the way into your feral side. This week’s episode is your ultimate holiday survival guide, specifically for single, child-free women who are constantly fielding those unhinged questions from boomer family members. Whether it’s “Why are you still single?” or “When are you having kids?”, I’ve got you covered with both hilarious and practical comebacks to keep everyone on their toes. But at its core? This episode is about reclaiming the holiday. I also share some wild voice notes from a dear friend who lived through these exact scenarios—and let me tell you, the stories are bananas. In This Episode: Hilarious, wrong-answer-only responses to intrusive family questions. How to handle “Why are you still single?” without breaking a sweat. Wild intergenerational stories that will have you screaming, “Same, girl, same!” Practical tips for setting boundaries and surviving family gatherings. The importance of self-care and building new traditions for yourself. Love this episode? Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform! Don’t forget to follow on Instagram @ditchtheickpod and slide into the DMs to share your unhinged holiday survival stories. Have a story to share? Email me at ditchtheickpod@gmail.com or visit ditchtheick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 min
  • 63: Fax, No Printer: Dropping Facts About Life, Work, and Burnout with Sarah Jones
    Dec 13 2024
    What’s up, party people? This week, I’m joined by my longtime friend and burnout buddy, Sarah Jones, to unpack all things toxic workplaces. From our McKinsey days to corporate chaos, we’re getting real about red flags, micromanaging bosses, and why being single with no kids doesn’t mean you have unlimited free time (looking at you, out-of-touch managers). I’m sharing my own horror stories (yes, I’ve cried in the car post-work) and some hard-earned wisdom on setting boundaries, spotting the signs of burnout, and knowing when it’s time to GTFO. Sarah and I also talk about how to advocate for yourself, sprinkle in a little snark about corporate buzzwords, and dish out advice for surviving the hot mess that is today’s job market. If you’ve ever questioned your sanity after a meeting or had to Google “FMLA,” this one’s for you. Check out the new art of Ditch the Ick and follow me on IG @ditchtheick for more laughs, real talk, and updates! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 3 min