Mental Health & Emotional Healing

Explore physician-led conversations about anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, ketamine therapy, emotional regulation, and the ways mental health affects everyday life.

Learn more about treatment options, nervous system health, emotional resilience, and approaches that may help people better understand what they are experiencing and where to seek support.

PODCAST INTERVIEWS & CONVERSATIONS

Mental Health & Emotional Wellness Videos

Browse conversations about anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, ketamine therapy, emotional health, and evidence-informed approaches to healing and mental well-being.

Understanding Your Emotions | Dr. Reid Robison’s Guide to Emotional Intelligence

What actually are emotions? Why were so many of us never taught how to properly feel them?

Dr. John Sanders welcomes back Dr. Reid Robison for a conversation about emotional intelligence. ...They go back and talk about what it takes to break generational patterns of emotional suppression. Dr. Sanders opens up about his own family history of wartime trauma passed down through generations, and his own process of learning emotional awareness.

Dr. Robison walks through the building blocks of understanding emotional intelligence. He shares how emotions function as signals with bodily senses and an action tendency, and practical tools to help name emotions. He walks through a self-awareness exercise with Dr. Sanders, who shares two stories from his own life. They show how these tools actually work when applied to everyday life. This is an honest look at what it means to become more emotionally aware, and how validating emotions can change our relationships for good.

Chapters
0:00 Generational Emotional Patterns: Dr. Sanders introduces Dr. Robison, and they discuss emotional gaps across generations.
01:28 What Are Emotions?: A look at what emotions really are and how we can learn to better recognize them in ourselves.
12:02 A Self-Exploration Exercise: Dr. Robison guides Dr. Sanders through a self-exploration practice by examining recent emotional triggers.
26:47 Naming Our Emotions: A real father-son conflict resolved through naming and validating emotions.
36:39 Final Takeaways: Dr. Robison shares his parting words and why emotions are so important to understand and feel.

Links & Resources
https://voyageclinics.com/

Connect with Dr. Robison:
https://www.reidrobison.com/Show More

Understanding Your Emotions | Dr. Reid Robison’s Guide to Emotional Intelligence

What actually are emotions? Why were so many of us never taught how to ...

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Explained | The Future of Psychiatry with Dr. Reid Robison

Dr. John Sanders sits down with Dr. Reid Robison, a psychiatrist and ...

Listening Without Judgment: How Chaplains Support Healing | Ronda Weaver

Staying in the hospital can be an unnerving experience for many. The ...

Dr John and Sam Crane | Intentional Health: From Burnout to Biopsychosocial Wellness

Dr. John talks with longtime friend Samuel Crane, a credit union CEO ...

Dr. John talks with longtime friend Samuel Crane, a credit union CEO and entrepreneur from Moab, about Sam’s multi-year health journey from burnout, brain fog, and obesity to intentional, sustainable ...wellness. Sam describes hitting a breaking point when he couldn’t remember the word “cucumber” at Subway, realizing that his stress, extra weight, and poor diet were threatening his future with his family. That wake-up call led Sam to start with exercise, mountain biking with an “accountability buddy,” and then move into a strict whole-food “cleanse” of meat and vegetables, which brought intense sugar/carb withdrawals but meaningful progress.
As Sam shares his journey, the friends dive into how modern processed food and constant overextension create a “metabolic syndrome” culture, people who are technically “well” but tired, foggy, overweight, and inflamed. Dr. John explains the science of mitochondrial function, inflammation, cortisol, and the benefits of morning exercise and intermittent fasting (eating in a shorter window, especially earlier in the day). Sam shares how he used intermittent fasting, periodic prolonged fasts, and ongoing tweaks (guided by DEXA scans and labs) to lose weight, preserve muscle, and reset cravings. Over time, his example, without forcing anyone, shifted his family’s and coworkers’ habits, improved his leadership and energy at work, and helped his kids become more interested in exercise and nutrition.
The episode ends with a practical takeaway: shop the perimeter of the grocery store, reduce processed foods, find movement you actually enjoy with a community, and be “intentionally imperfect”, course-correct when you slip, rather than giving up.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Show More

Dr. John and Justin Olsen | Stress, Resilience, and the Power of Reframing

Dr. John sits down with therapist Justin Olsen, a licensed clinical ...

Dr. John sits down with therapist Justin Olsen, a licensed clinical mental health counselor, to talk about stress, resilience, and mental health. Justin explains that stress is unavoidable, and actually ...necessary in healthy amounts. Too little stress can lead to lack of purpose and depression, while too much overwhelms us. The key difference between “good stress” (eustress) and “bad stress” (distress) is how we frame it in our minds. Using ideas from cognitive behavioral therapy, Justin describes how situations trigger thoughts, which create emotions, which drive our actions, and how we can reclaim power by examining and reshaping those thoughts. They also discuss grief and loss, acknowledging that some pain should hurt, and that time, meaning-making, and reframing help us move from being consumed by the “black hole” of loss to living alongside it.
Human connection comes up as a major buffer against stress. Justin and Dr. John talk about the power of small, consistent acts of kindness, texting a loved one, thanking someone, opening a door, as well as intentionally reaching out instead of waiting to be noticed. They highlight research showing that believing your body can handle stress and staying connected to others is more protective than trying to avoid stress altogether. From a resilience standpoint, Justin uses the metaphor of a reservoir: life’s hardships constantly drain water, so we must actively refill it. He focuses on five core practices, adequate sleep, reasonably healthy eating, regular exercise, supportive relationships, and doing things that genuinely make you happy.
To build resilience, they emphasize simple, repeatable habits rather than dramatic life overhauls, date nights, boundaries at work, hobbies like pickleball or guitar, and movement that boosts brain chemistry and neuroplasticity. They suggest that therapy is especially helpful when stress, grief, or habits are clearly interfering with daily life, work, relationships, motivation, or health. Justin closes with a powerful question from resilience research: “Is what I’m doing right now helping me or hurting me?” If it’s helping, lean in; if it’s hurting, gently choose something kinder for yourself.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Show More

Ketamine Isn’t the Whole Treatment | Why Integration Matters in Trauma Therapy | Jarom Ball

Dr. John Sanders sits down with marriage and family therapist Jarom ...

Dr. John Sanders sits down with marriage and family therapist Jarom Ball for a powerful conversation about trauma, emotional healing, neuroplasticity, and the nervous system. Jarom shares his path into ...therapy, his work with childhood trauma, and why creating safety, support, and trust is such a vital part of healing. Together, they explore how unresolved trauma can continue to shape our bodies, relationships, beliefs, and emotional reactions long after the original wounds occurred.

The conversation dives into EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and psychedelic-assisted therapy, including ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA. Jarom explains the difference between forceful trauma work and gentler, more collaborative approaches that help protective parts of the mind stand down so deeper healing can happen. Dr. John and Jarom also discuss why ketamine can be so helpful for trauma treatment, but why preparation, integration, and therapy matter just as much as the medicine itself.

They also explore how childhood wounds can create deep sensitivity to rejection, how nervous system dysregulation shows up in daily life, and why so many people stay stuck in survival patterns. In the final part of the episode, the discussion expands into modern stress, social media overload, community, nature, intuition, and why reconnecting with a slower, more grounded way of living can be deeply healing.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain emotional reactions feel bigger than they “should,” why trauma still lives in the body, or how therapy, ketamine, and nervous system work can help you heal, this episode is for you.

Topics covered in this episode:

Childhood trauma and nervous system dysregulation
EMDR vs Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Ketamine-assisted therapy and integration
Neuroplasticity and healing
Rejection wounds and relationship triggers
Social media, stress, and modern mental overload
Nature, intuition, and regulation

Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

0:00 Introduction: Jarom Ball and Mental Wellness
0:56 Jarom’s Path to Marriage and Family Therapy
4:15 Creating Safety, Trust, and Emotional Support
6:18 How Support Changes What You Can Survive
10:52 Treating Childhood Trauma with EMDR and IFS
13:47 When Trauma Therapy Becomes Too Intense
17:20 Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Ketamine
19:05 IFS: Protective Parts, Firefighters, and Exiles
21:34 Helping the Brain’s Protective Defenses Stand Down
22:30 Why Ketamine Requires Preparation and Integration
23:46 Set, Setting, and Preparing for the Experience
27:28 Neuroplasticity and Breaking Rigid Emotional Patterns
28:27 How Childhood Trauma Shapes Rejection and Relationships
32:28 Ketamine and the Brain’s Window for Change
33:48 Planting New Beliefs Through Therapy Integration
39:12 How Protective Parts Create Addictions and Reactions
40:44 Combining IFS with Bilateral Stimulation
42:42 Is It Worth Reopening Old Trauma?
45:48 Signs Your Nervous System Is Still Dysregulated
47:16 How Social Media Overloads the Nervous System
51:15 Living Smaller and Reconnecting with Community
53:47 Hunter-Gatherer Instincts and Mental Health
56:11 Nature, Sensitivity, and Intuition
58:37 Forest Bathing and Nervous System Regulation
1:03:14 Jarom’s Practice and Closing ThoughtsShow More

How Nature Resets Dopamine, Stress and Sleep | Zak Hazlett & Dr. John

Join Dr. Sanders with Zak Hazlett, a licensed marriage and family ...

Join Dr. Sanders with Zak Hazlett, a licensed marriage and family therapist and experienced river guide in their discussion of health and healing through nature. John and Zak begin the ...conversation discussing metaphorical “baggage” and the importance of unpacking it alongside others. The speakers stress that real growth and friendship come through vulnerability—sharing our struggles rather than hiding them behind a polished façade. The key message is that we can’t unpack someone else’s baggage for them, but we can unpack together, side by side.

The discussion then shifts into the role of self-awareness, accountability, and the small steps required for growth. Instead of waiting for a big breakthrough, showing up consistently for yourself—much like you would for a close friend—leads to progress. Parenting examples highlight the power of teaching children to own mistakes without shame, reinforcing the idea that accountability fosters resilience and healing. This ties into how relationships and safe environments provide the container we need to reprogram unhealthy patterns from the past.

Finally, the podcast explores nature as both a reset and antidote to modern overstimulation. Phones and technology create addictive dopamine spikes, whereas spending time outdoors restores balance, helps reset circadian rhythms, and reduces stress. Practical “dopamine detox” tips are shared, such as grayscaling phones, moving apps, and setting intentional barriers. The speakers emphasize that meaningful social connection—hugs, time with friends, shared vulnerability—produces lasting neurochemical benefits like oxytocin. Taken together, the message is clear: unpack your baggage with others, be intentional about your environment, and lean into nature and authentic connection for lasting wellness.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

0:00 Introduction: Zak Hazlett, Therapist and River Guide
1:40 How Nature Creates Powerful Human Connection
4:16 Facing Fear and Building Relationships on the River
6:12 Zak’s Mental Health Journey and Learning to Be His Own Friend
9:41 Why Phones and Loneliness Make Friendship Harder
11:32 The Art of Friendship and Showing Up Again
15:04 Stop Proving Your Worth to the Wrong People
17:08 How Self-Awareness Changes the Relationships You Attract
20:01 Unpacking Emotional Baggage Together
20:59 Start Small and Show Up for Yourself
22:01 Vulnerability, Shame, and Authentic Friendship
24:51 Seeing People as Beautifully Broken
27:24 How One Small Act Can Change Someone’s Day
28:30 Recognizing Emotional Blind Spots
29:22 How Nature Helped Dr. John Change an Old Family Pattern
32:41 Accountability Without Shame or Blame
34:38 Teaching Children to Own Their Mistakes
36:53 Why Healing Happens in Safe Relationships
37:54 Phones, Cheap Dopamine, and Nature as a Reset
40:32 What Happens After Three Days Without a Phone
43:48 Practical Ways to Reduce Phone Addiction
49:24 Oxytocin, Hugs, and Real Human Connection
51:50 Nature, Circadian Rhythms, and Better Sleep
54:26 Self-Worth, Comparison, and Your Own Timeline
57:32 Closing ThoughtsShow More

Dr. John and Josh Parry | Why Men Struggle to Feel—and How Breathwork Can Help

In this podcast episode from Voyage Clinics, Dr. John welcomes ...

In this podcast episode from Voyage Clinics, Dr. John welcomes breathwork specialist Josh Parry for a deep conversation about emotional health, masculinity, and healing. Josh shares his background in psychology ...and web development and how his personal healing journey led him to breathwork and somatic practices. Both Dr. John and Josh reflect on how societal norms, particularly those taught to boys and men, discourage emotional expression and vulnerability, creating disconnection from one’s own emotions and from others.
Their conversation explores the emotional conditioning men experience, such as suppressing tears or defaulting to sarcasm as a defense mechanism. Dr. John shares personal stories of growth in self-awareness and emotional regulation, particularly in his relationships and parenting. Josh explains how breathwork helped him bypass the thinking mind to connect with buried emotions like shame and grief, which were previously masked by years of internalized beliefs and coping behaviors. They highlight the value of creating safe, supportive spaces for men to reconnect with themselves and others emotionally.
The discussion also touches on the healing power of music, the role of the voice in emotional release, and the need for culturally relevant tools to support men’s mental health. Josh shares stories of guiding breathwork sessions for youth and adults alike and emphasizes the importance of slow, compassionate entry into emotional work—especially for those who’ve never been invited to feel deeply. The episode closes with encouragement for men to know they are not broken, but rather conditioned—and that with the right tools and community, they can heal, connect, and live more wholehearted lives.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Show More

Dr. Sanders and Chantel Stratton Lund | Beyond Anger: Rethinking Masculinity and Mental Wellness

In this episode of the Voyage Clinics Podcast, host Dr. John Sanders ...

In this episode of the Voyage Clinics Podcast, host Dr. John Sanders interviews therapist Chantel Stratton Lund about her path into the mental health field and the importance of addressing ...men’s mental health. Chantel shares how her career trajectory shifted from an early interest in finance to therapy after realizing her deeper desire to help people on a personal level. Influenced by early exposure to mental health struggles and personal experiences, she pursued a Master’s in Social Work and began focusing on family dynamics and mental well-being. Her clinical work, particularly with ketamine-assisted therapy, has shown powerful results for patients with PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation.

The conversation delves into the unique challenges men face in today’s social landscape, including emotional suppression, addiction to screens and video games, and lack of strong emotional support systems. Both Dr. Sanders and Chantel discuss how traditional masculinity and societal expectations discourage vulnerability, leading many men to feel isolated and emotionally stunted. They touch on the loneliness epidemic affecting men, with data showing a stark decline in male friendships over recent decades. Chantel explains how therapy can provide a safe space to explore emotional intelligence, challenge internalized shame, and learn to express vulnerability constructively.

The discussion also covers the benefits of ketamine therapy, particularly its impact on neuroplasticity, enabling patients to break entrenched mental patterns and form healthier ones. Dr. Sanders emphasizes the need for intention-setting and post-session therapeutic support to maximize ketamine’s transformative effects. The episode concludes with reflections on the power of genuine connection, the art of male friendship, and practical ways to cultivate vulnerability and emotional growth through small group interactions, service, and consistent outreach. Both speakers express a deep passion for supporting men’s mental health and highlight the importance of social connection, both inside and outside the therapy room.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Show More

How Vulnerability Helps People Feel Safe Enough to Open Up | Holly Hawkins

Can artificial intelligence replace your doctor—or does real healing ...

Can artificial intelligence replace your doctor—or does real healing require someone who slows down, listens, and understands the whole story?

In this episode of the Voyage Clinics Podcast, Dr. John Sanders ...sits down with Holly Hawkins for a wide-ranging conversation about preventive health, artificial intelligence in medicine, social connection, vulnerability, and the power of being genuinely seen.

Holly begins by asking what people in their 20s and 30s should do now to protect their future health. Dr. John explains why the fundamentals still matter most: eating primarily whole foods, staying active, building strength, managing stress, understanding family health history, spending time outdoors, and resisting the pressure to optimize every part of life at once. They also discuss the overwhelming amount of health advice online and how to evaluate whether medical information is credible.

The conversation then turns to the future of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Dr. John explains how AI can help organize evidence, generate plans, and support clinical decision-making—but medicine is not only data. Through the story of a patient who had repeatedly been dismissed, he shows how time, careful questioning, body language, intuition, and emotional context can reveal what a rushed appointment or algorithm may miss. Holly shares her own experience of leaving a medical visit feeling fully seen rather than treated as a collection of symptoms.

Dr. John and Holly also explore why loneliness and disconnection can affect both emotional and physical health. They discuss how perfectionism and social media make vulnerability harder, why genuine curiosity helps people open up, and how shifting attention away from self-consciousness and toward care can reduce social fear. The episode closes with a powerful discussion about self-talk, identity, and the words that follow “I am.” Holly shares how changing negative inner dialogue transformed her brother’s experience on the tennis court—and what that lesson can teach us about anxiety, performance, and everyday life.

In this episode:

Preventive health habits for your 20s and 30s
How to evaluate health advice and misinformation online
The role of AI in medicine and patient care
Why doctors still need time to hear the full story
Direct Primary Care and relationship-centered medicine
Loneliness, vulnerability, and meaningful connection
Negative self-talk, anxiety, and identity
Creating a healthcare culture where people feel seen

At Voyage Clinics, we believe healthcare should include both health and care—sound medical evidence combined with time, trust, empathy, and genuine human connection.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition.

0:00 Introduction: Dr. John Sanders and Holly Hawkins
0:54 Holly’s Background and Her Role at Voyage Clinics
1:30 Health Questions From a Younger Generation
2:36 Preventive Health in Your 20s and 30s
5:55 What Dr. John Wishes He Knew at 22
7:10 Exercise, Play, Strength and Preventing Injury
8:27 Health Advice Overload on Social Media
10:33 How to Identify Credible Medical Information
12:05 Medical Research, Paywalls and Evidence-Based AI
14:25 Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Doctors?
16:16 Why Medicine Is More Than Data
17:53 A Patient Story That Required Deeper Listening
21:13 What Direct Primary Care Makes Possible
22:28 Holly’s Experience of Finally Feeling Seen
24:18 How the Healthcare System Turns Clinicians Into Robots
25:41 Trust, Empathy and the Healing Relationship
28:04 Why Doctors Burn Out Without Human Connection
30:46 Loneliness and the Struggle to Make Friends
32:58 Why Social Connection Affects Your Health
34:19 Perfectionism, Social Media and Vulnerability
35:27 How to Help Someone Feel Safe Enough to Open Up
37:38 Replacing Social Fear With Care and Purpose
40:45 How “I Am” Statements Shape Identity
41:55 How Negative Self-Talk Changed a Tennis Match
46:00 Being Careful With “I Am” and “You Are”
46:43 Letting Go of Perfection and Being Yourself
49:48 Creating a Culture of Care at Voyage Clinics
52:03 Vulnerability, Connection and Closing ThoughtsShow More

Dr. John and Aimee Hadfield | A Journey into Psychodrama: Spontaneity, Story, and Self-Discovery

Dr. John meets with Aimee Hadfield, a board-certified practitioner of ...

Dr. John meets with Aimee Hadfield, a board-certified practitioner of group therapy, sociometry, and psychodrama, as she shares her journey into mental health work. Although she initially didn’t believe in ...therapy, the loss of her brother and her drive to help others led her to co-found Hearten House, an experiential therapy center. Aimee recounts a pivotal moment during a psychodrama training that transformed her perspective, emphasizing the embodied, individualized nature of psychodrama and its unique ability to access deeper emotional healing beyond traditional talk therapy.

The episode explores how psychodrama—an action-based, person-centered therapeutic approach—uses embodiment, role reversal, and group dynamics to help individuals access inner wisdom and reshape their internal narratives. Aimee and Dr. John discuss how psychodrama supports healing through spontaneity, movement, and emotional engagement, often unlocking insights unavailable through conventional modalities. Aimee explains tools like spectrograms, sociometry, and role-playing with symbolic figures to access strength-based roles, reframe trauma, and foster transformation.

They also delve into psychodrama's applications for addiction recovery, grief, family roles, and self-perception, emphasizing its research-backed effectiveness in reducing anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Aimee speaks to the power of group therapy and how psychodrama allows clients to physically rehearse new behaviors, leading to neurologically reinforced change. The episode ends with a reflection on spontaneity as a remedy for the impulsivity epidemic fueled by digital overstimulation, and Aimee’s encouragement to seek therapists with rigorous psychodrama training.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Show More

Dr. John and Matt Webster | Healing From Trauma and the Power of Listening

Dr. John interviews Matt Webster, a psychology expert and advocate for ...

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Mental Health & Emotional Wellness Videos

Understanding Your Emotions | Dr. Reid Robison’s Guide to Emotional Intelligence

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