From the Heart with Rachel Brathen

Latest Episodes:

A Story About a Bear Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

How do you say goodbye to the most important thing in your life? In today’s episode, we take notes and learn from Lea Luna, Rachel’s 4-year old daughter, and how she dealt with losing her best friend, Bear.

Did you have a special toy as a child that meant everything to you? When you’re young, a stuffed animal can mean structure, support and love. It can mean everything. In today’s episode, Rachel tells the story of Bear - Luna’s most beloved stuffed animal. Since dealing with mold, Bear was among the countless things that were too toxic and dangerous to keep. But unlike many things, Bear held important significance in Luna’s life, and would be the hardest for her to let go.

Tune in for the full story, from where Bear came from, his close bond with Luna, how he lost one ear, and what Rachel did to lessen the pain of losing him for her daughter. Sometimes saying goodbye is too much to bear, but other times a goodbye can lead to new experiences, new stories, and new adventures. Today’s episode will let you connect to your own inner child and give you hope in the midst change.

You Can’t Heal In a Toxic Environment - What Mold and Environmental Toxins Did To Our Bodies Apr 23, 2021

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The environment we live in, the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe play a massive role in our overall health and wellbeing. The good news? While this may seem overwhelming, a lot of it is within our control.

On this week’s episode, Rachel opens up about her family’s environmental toxicology test results. While they were in for some shocking insights, now they have the answers they need to move forward. The truth is, we are all exposed to toxins on a day-to-day basis, but there are changes we can make to minimize both our exposure to them, and their impact on our bodies. For Rachel and her family to move forward, it requires a huge lifestyle shift. Rachel shares the changes she is making in her life and what you can do in yours as well.

This episode will remind you to pay attention to the environment you are living in - and listen to your body when it speaks to you. The body has a deep inner knowing and if you listen to it, it could just save your life. After listening comes knowledge, and from there, we can make the decisions we need to change the course of our health for all days to come.

Let It Go - How Losing My Belongings Made Me Remember I Belong Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

As Rachel purges all of the items in her house, she reflects on the process of letting go and the human experience of it. Knowing that our life isn’t in our things is one of the most fundamental spiritual lessons - but that doesn’t make it any easier.

No matter who we are, where we’re from, or how we live, we will all have to deal with loss. We could lose relationships with people who mean everything to us, jobs that stabilize us, or our homes that keep us safe. Loss is a reoccurring theme in our lives. So, how do we move forward?

Ultimately, in every loss there is something amazing to be gained. Energy is in constant motion and will always come back to you - just in a future where you feel totally free and not held down by past worries. Tune in to let go and get light.

Tiny Miracles, Everywhere Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

The mold saga at Rachel’s house continues this week, but with some major lessons, miracles, blessings and resiliency sprinkled in. Now with somewhat of a game-plan on how to move forward, Rachel has been able to reflect on the past few weeks with a clearer head and a lighter heart - and that is when she noticed something miraculous. Even in the darkest times, grace can still find you.

On the show today, Rachel shares the true miracles that have come her way since finding toxic mold in her house. They come to her in the form of genuine kindness from strangers, a cabin in the woods and chance encounters that have reminded her that there is a purpose to life’s hard times, and when you learn to let go, beautiful things can come your way. Now able to tap into her true power and resiliency, Rachel is ready to get things done.

Today’s episode will make you believe in miracles - one of them being the strength you have in yourself to get through any challenge that comes your way. You can do hard things, because you’ve done them before. Tune in to lean into trust - in those around you, in the universe, and especially in your own ability to make it through.

You’re Not Crazy: Trust Your Instincts When It Comes to Your Health (It Can Save Your Life!) Apr 02, 2021

Show notes

Still deep in a mold crisis, Rachel’s entire future shifted when a mystery mold man fell out of the sky and landed in Aruba. After a few minutes in her house with a flashlight, this man could tell Rachel one very important thing: she is not crazy. Even after being forced to leave her home, losing all her belongings and suffering from mold illnesses, the worst part of this journey for Rachel has been that nobody has believed her. No one has been able to see her in this trauma.

This happens to us so much in life, especially as women. Our lived experiences are denied. When this happens, there is one thing that we must do: it is imperative that we trust our intuition. If the universe is pushing you toward something, that is likely the way forward. Tune in for an episode that will remind you that even in the hardest of times, the universe has your back.

How To Make It Through a Crisis Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

How do you make it through when your world is crumbling around you? In today’s episode, Rachel shares her best advice, resources, and practices when it comes to crisis management.

The first thing we need to do is acknowledge when we’re in a crisis. Sometimes big life events feel manageable, while smaller things make us unravel. Instead of trying to soldier on, admitting that you’re having a hard time can take a huge weight off your shoulders. Rachel defines what a crisis is and shares some personal examples from her own life of different crises she has moved through and the causes behind them. Ultimately, no one else can tell you when you’re in a crisis or not. It all depends on how you’re coping.

If you’re having a hard time right now, tune in to learn the steps Rachel takes to keep her sanity in an insane world. Lower your expectations, take care of your basic needs, vent, feel, and move. The only way out is through.

A Mold Nightmare: How to Cope When You Lose Everything Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

As of last week, Rachel received the devastating news that she has dangerously high levels of mold in her house. Her family has had to move out immediately, get tested for mycotoxins, find contractors, doctors and mold experts that can help, and they will possibly lose all of their belongings… including their home. Trigger warning – bring tissues for this episode.

After years of taking great care of herself and her family (eating vegan, taking supplements, investing in water and air filtration systems, etc) it has been a complete mystery as to why Rachel is constantly feeling unwell. The answer came with the results to a mold test that told them to get out now.

In today’s episode, Rachel shares openly about this entire experience. How did she find the mold in her house? What tests did she use? How can you get rid of mold? What impact does this have on your health and wellbeing? And if there is a solution to this… what is it? Tune in for the whole story, and send Rachel, Lea and Dennis lots of love in the coming weeks.

For more resources on mold, follow @drjillcrista, @dr.jess.md, @themoldguy, @pjharlowwellness, @frolicandflow, @survivingmold, and @lifeaftermold on Instagram.

The Accidental Influencer, Olivia Rothschild Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

On today’s episode of From the Heart, Rachel is joined once again by her best friend: the accidental influencer, Olivia Rothschild!

While laughing their way through this episode, they tackle all topics best friends usually discuss, from Botox, running, and that time Rachel was arrested while driving Olivia’s scooter, to deeper conversations on true friendship, home births, empowering women, and allowing joy into your life.

This fun, light-hearted and positive episode will have you laughing until your stomach hurts. Grab your best friend and some popcorn and tune in now!

Learn to Hold All Parts Of Yourself Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

What does self-love mean to you? We spend so much of our day-to-day lives rejecting our whole selves. When we feel bad, we usually try to make ourselves feel better rather than sitting with what is true for us in that moment. But how could this denial ever be considered self-love?

As Rachel continues to battle pneumonia, she reflects on the mental stress of not feeling her best. Diving deeper, she uncovers a cyclical pattern rooted in deep childhood trauma as her daughter approaches the same age Rachel was when she first experienced her asthma attacks.

Ultimately, life comes with ebbs and flows. If we reject certain parts of that experience, we reject ourselves. Self-love needs to be rooted in loving all parts of who we are. Tune in to hear Rachel’s journey toward self-love, and find a little more compassion for yourself along the way.

A Permission Slip To Let Go Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

What should you do when you want to let go, but can’t? In today’s episode Rachel is not only battling pneumonia, she is battling her own mind as well. In order to heal, we need to rest. But what if resting just gives rise to anxious thoughts, limiting beliefs and the added pressure of feeling like a failure?

The truth is, life will always throw us curveballs that remind us we are not in control. The only thing we can do from there is to pray, to ask for help, and to sit with it. Tune in as Rachel shares a story that shines a light on the path toward healing.

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