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In this monumental episode, we sit down with Jessica Buchanan—kidnapping survivor, New York Times bestselling author, and advocate for women’s empowerment—to delve into her extraordinary journey of navigating motherhood in the wake of unimaginable trauma.

Jessica shares her motherhood journey as chronicled in the 3rd book of her anthology series, Deserts to Mountaintops. Despite surviving 93 days as a hostage in Somalia before being rescued by a U.S. Navy SEAL team ordered by President Obama, Jessica reveals that motherhood was the experience that truly shook her to her core.

Jessica’s vulnerability in addressing the complexities of motherhood resonates deeply. She sheds light on the shame many women feel about their struggles in motherhood and how society conditions us to “shame ourselves into gratitude." Through her story, Jessica gives permission to mothers everywhere to acknowledge their hardships without guilt.

We also explore:

• The Consequences of Ignoring Intuition: Jessica reveals how ignoring her intuition led to life-altering consequences and explains why trusting our inner voice is vital for reclaiming our power.
• Distinguishing Intuition from Anxiety: Together, we unpack the fragile line between intuition and intrusive thoughts, offering strategies to discern one from the other.
• Reclaiming Our Voices: Jessica explains why solitude and stillness are essential to reconnecting with our inner wisdom and building a life aligned with our true selves.
• Motherhood Without Self-Abandonment: Jessica introduces us to the revolutionary concept of the “good enough mother,” inspired by Winnicott, and emphasizes the importance of living a life that’s yours too.

About Jessica:
Jessica has been named one of the ‘150 Women Who will Shake the World’ by Newsweek, and her story was the most highly viewed 60 Minutes episode to air, to date. Jessica is a highly sought after inspirational speaker and her TEDx Pearl Street talk, ‘Change is Your Proof of Life’ has been the foundation for which she travels the world, inspiring audiences to access their resilience by identifying their own autonomy and chance in the middle of their own life-changing event

As the founder of Soul Speak Press, she empowers women to reclaim their narratives through writing. Her upcoming anthology, Deserts to Mountaintops: The Pilgrimage of Motherhood, launching January 25th, 2025, is a testament to the strength of women’s voices and the healing power of shared stories.

If you’re in Colorado, don’t miss the chance to join Stace and Steph live for Reclamation: The Fempi

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**Find your center and connect with a community that gets it—join the Rituals Library today.**

In this episode of the Mother Plus Podcast, we continue our deep dive into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) with Dr. Rebecca Richey. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by rejection, criticism, or failure, this episode offers practical tools to help you manage your emotional responses and regain control.

Four Tools for Managing RSD:

1. Community Matters
   Surround yourself with people who understand your ADHD experience. Having "your ADHD people" in your corner—friends who won’t judge or dismiss your feelings—can make all the difference.
2. Therapy is a Game-Changer
   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques like recognizing when you're catastrophizing or generalizing are powerful tools. Dr. Richey shares her strategy of "putting your thoughts on trial" to help defuse emotionally charged situations. Pro tip: Seek a therapist experienced with RSD.
3. Self-Understanding Brings Calm
   Recognize when you’re having an RSD response. Simply saying, “This is my RSD talking,” can help you pause and stay mindful until your cognitive clarity returns.
4. Practice Self-Compassion
   Self-compassion is a crucial habit to cultivate. Dr. Richey stresses that being kind to yourself is the foundation of managing RSD effectively.

Special Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Parenting and RSD: Learn how to recover and repair relationships when your child’s behavior triggers feelings of rejection.
• Misdiagnoses and ADHD: Dr. Richey discusses the overlap of symptoms between ADHD and other conditions, why many women are misdiagnosed, and the importance of getting the right diagnosis.
• Advocacy Alert: Partners, parents, and friends—this is for you. Understanding RSD and its impact can make a world of difference in your relationships with ADHD women.

Dr. Rebecca Richey, Psy.D., MBA, serves as the Clinical Director at CWHC, overseeing therapy, psychological evaluations, group programs, and integrated care services. A triple-licensed mental health professional with nearly 20 years of clinical experience, she specializes in psychological testing for women, including ADHD diagnosis.

Dr. Richey’s career highlights include serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she directed behavioral health services and training programs. She is a Past President of the Colorado Psychological Association and currently chairs the APA’s Committee on Early Career Psychologists. With expertise in integrated care, leadership, and advocacy, she is passionate about advancing mental health for women.

Website: https://cowomenscare.com/

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Ready to feel supported, understood, and empowered as an ADHD mom? 🌟
Join the Rituals Library today—a vibrant community with tools, meditations, and real-life strategies designed to help you thrive in motherhood. Don’t wait to find the support and connection you deserve. Click HERE to join us now!

Have you ever been told, “You’re too sensitive,” or felt like a minor rejection hit you like a gut punch? If so, you might relate deeply to this episode. We’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Rebecca Richey, an expert in women’s mental health, to break down Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and its impact on women with ADHD.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🎙️ What RSD is and why it feels so intense, both physically and emotionally.
🎙️ How vulnerability and shame are tied to RSD, especially for girls and women with ADHD.
🎙️ Why minor stressors—like a rude comment—can feel as devastating as major life events.
🎙️ How RSD triggers rumination, anxiety, withdrawal, and overcompensation.
🎙️ The link between RSD, anxiety, and the unique challenges faced by ADHD women.

Through personal stories and expert insight, we uncover how RSD can transport us back to a younger, insecure version of ourselves and “take our cognitive processing offline.” Dr. Richey also shares why this phenomenon is so under-researched—hint: it primarily impacts women—and how it differs from anxiety.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What’s wrong with me?” after a tough interaction or felt shame you couldn’t shake, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, validated, and better equipped to understand your emotional world.

👉 Hit play now to dive into this honest, eye-opening discussion about RSD and ADHD in women!

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