“Ah, meditation and yoga, what a beautiful place to hide.”

-Scott’s ex-therapist

While there’s no denying that mindfulness can be a powerful tool, is it the answer to all of our problems, or is it really just a game of playing hide-and-seek from ourselves? In this episode Dr. Scott and Dr. Sará hilariously break down the complexity of mindfulness- differentiating toxic positivity and splashy bypassing from a path of profound connection to oneself and the full spectrum of human experiences.

Dr. Scott and Dr. Sará lead by example, demonstrating how play can help you break free from the bondage of trauma as they approach this episode and life with full-on childhood curiosity and a willingness to let life unfold, providing you with the magic sauce of empowerment and deep healing.

If you’re looking for the kind of mindfulness that cultivates the resilience needed to be in the dance of life and feel a deep sense of belonging to the world while at the same time making you laugh so hard you pee (and question whether mindfulness and bladder control are related) - this episode of The Gently Used Human is for you.

Topics we break down:

• Trauma bonding.
• The importance of play.
• Healing intergenerational trauma.
• Interdependence.
• Harmful narratives of the wellness industry.
• The shadow side of mindfulness.

Connect with Dr. Sará King

Dr. Sará King is a Mother, neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, education philosopher, social-entrepreneur, public speaker, and certified yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. She is also the co-director of Mobius, a home for the development of Liberatory Technology, and the founder of MindHeart Collective, a contemplative tech company that she founded to develop AI-integrated platforms, applications, and courses grounded in neuroscience, “The Science of Social Justice” framework and the “Systems Based Awareness Map” (SBAM) which she developed to explore our capacity to heal intergenerational trauma and promote the well-being of "collective nervous systems" by promoting and mapping loving-awareness. In 2021, she was named “One-To-Watch” by Mindful Magazine, as well as she made the November cover of Yoga Journal Magazine as a “Game Changer” for her work bridging neuroscience, social justice and contemplative practices. In 2022, she was also named one of the "10 Most Powerful Women in Mindfulness" by Mindful Magazine.

Bio | LinkedIn | Instagram | MindHeart Consulting

Discount Codes:

Save 10% on The Embody Lab with offer code GENTLYUSED10

Ever felt like you should have it all figured out by now? Like life handed you a script you didn’t exactly sign up for? Well, Tamsen Fadal is here to throw that script out the window.

An Emmy-winning journalist, author, and advocate for midlife reinvention, Tamsen has built a career on telling powerful stories—and now, she’s telling her own. From walking away from a decades-long journalism career to becoming a voice for midlife women, she’s proving that there is no expiration date on reinvention.

Together, Tamsen and Dr. Scott dive into: why milestones don’t define us, the radical shift that happens when we stop asking ‘why me?’ and start saying ‘what’s next?’—and how menopause, career changes, and unexpected pivots are all part of the bigger picture.

• Midlife Myths & Why We’re Doing This All Wrong – Forget ‘aging gracefully’—let’s talk about thriving on our own terms.
• The ‘Now What?’ Moment – Why so many of us hit a point where we question everything—and how to navigate it.
• Reinvention is a Muscle – Why starting over isn’t a setback—it’s a superpower.
• The Unspoken Power of Menopause – Breaking the silence around midlife health and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves.
• The ‘I Get To’ Mindset – Shifting from obligation to opportunity in work, health, and relationships.

✨ This episode is a love letter to second (and third, and fourth) chances. Tune in and get inspired!

Have you ever felt misunderstood? Like the world keeps trying to put you in a box that just doesn’t fit? Then this episode is for you.

Dr. Scott Lyons sits down with Dr. Rae Johnson, a leading researcher, professor, and author exploring the intersections of somatics, social justice, and identity. Rae’s work challenges us to reconnect with our bodies, question the systems that shape us, and embrace our full, unfiltered selves.

Together, Scott and Rae explore why we brace ourselves against misunderstanding, how validation changes our nervous system, and what it really means to be witnessed. Plus, they unpack how a simple shift in perspective—or the right words from a total stranger—can change everything.

• Why we over-explain & brace for misunderstanding – The social conditioning that keeps us apologizing for who we are.
• The ‘Validation Reflex’ – How being truly seen creates a physical release in the body.
• Why strangers can sometimes know us better than our friends – The science behind why an outside perspective can feel so powerful.
• The cost of authenticity – What we sacrifice to be fully ourselves—and why it’s worth it.
• Witnessing & being witnessed – How deep presence can transform our relationships and sense of self.

✨ This is a conversation about freedom, embodiment, and breaking free from outdated stories—don’t miss it!