Episodes (16)

In this episode of Unpack with Dr. Julie!, Dr. Julie gently reframes a struggle so many people carry in silence: the fear that they are somehow “too much,” “too sensitive,” or simply broken. Instead, this conversation explores what it means to understand emotional overwhelm through the lens of nervous system overload.

Drawing from Dr. Julie’s attached article along with current mental health research, this episode unpacks why chronic stress, digital overload, comparison, isolation, and nonstop demands can keep the body stuck in survival mode. Listeners will learn how fight-or-flight was designed to protect us, why it was never meant to stay activated all the time, and how anxiety, irritability, shutdown, and exhaustion can be signs of strain rather than personal failure.

This episode also explores:

• why sensitivity is not weakness
• how social comparison quietly reshapes self-worth
• what emotional exhaustion is trying to communicate
• small ways to begin supporting a taxed nervous system with compassion

Warm, practical, and deeply validating, this episode reminds listeners to stop asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and begin asking, “What has my nervous system been carrying?”

Parenting toddlers is exhausting—but at least you still get to buckle them into the car seat and choose their pediatrician. Parenting 20-somethings? That’s a whole different nervous system workout.

In this episode of Unpack with Dr. Julie!, Dr. Julie Sorenson and co-host Kai Mercer have a real, compassionate, and sometimes hilariously honest conversation about what it means to love your child through their twenties—when you can’t swoop in and fix everything anymore.

Drawing from Dr. Julie’s article, “Whoever Invented the Terrible Two’s Clearly Never Raised a 20-Something,” plus current research on emerging adulthood, attachment, and the nervous system, they explore:

• Why the transition from being your child’s protector to being a witness can feel like grief—even when they’re doing “fine” on paper
• How emerging adulthood (18–29) is a normal season of instability, identity exploration, and mistakes that are developmentally necessary—not proof you “failed” as a parent
• What happens in a parent’s body and brain when they watch their 20-something struggle, and why fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses are so common
• Five practical self-regulation tools for parents, including the “helicopter view,” the 90-second emotional wave, separating love from control, protecting your peace, and practicing radical acceptance
• How to hold boundaries, hope, and heartbreak at the same time—and stay connected to your adult child without over-functioning for them

This episode is for every parent who’s ever thought, “I taught you better than this,” panicked over a late-night text, or wondered how to care deeply without constantly feeling like you’re on emotional red alert. You are not crazy, you are not alone, and your nervous system deserves support too.

Discover how emotions serve as essential signals guiding your needs and boundaries. Learn why avoiding feelings can lead to burnout and how embracing emotional regulation builds resilience and connection for both adults and children.

Explore the unique strengths and challenges ADHD brings to relationships, from spontaneous creativity to communication hurdles. Discover practical tools and inspiring stories that transform obstacles into teamwork and deeper connection.

In this episode, Dr. Julie unpacks the myths around self-care, revealing the difference between surface-level soothing and deep, nervous system healing. Listen along as she shares personal stories and invites you to reflect on what real self-care means for you.

Join Dr. Julie as she explores the beautiful complexity of being human and offers compassionate tools for mental health and real-life growth. Together, we'll create a safe space to understand yourself, reconnect with your worth, and embrace healing with kindness.

Dive into the surprising ways gaming can build connection, skills, and confidence, alongside the risks when play turns excessive. Dr. Julie shares real stories and practical tips to help you or your family find a healthy balance in a digital world.

January comes with unique emotional, financial, social, and environmental challenges that can leave many people feeling depleted just as the new year begins. In this episode, Dr. Julie and Kai dive into why January hits so hard and share science-backed, compassionate strategies to move through the fog. Tune in for practical tools, real stories, and new ways to view this season.

Dr. Julie shares a behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming book and how it reframes trauma and anxiety through kindness, neuroscience, and self-compassion. We unpack why nervous-system wisdom matters, why you’re not defective for struggling, and how to move from surviving to feeling safe and connected.

Discover how Dry January can kickstart a healthier, more intentional year, redefining your relationship with alcohol and self-care. Dr. Julie Sorenson and Kai Mercer unpack the science, benefits, and real-life strategies to turn one month of mindful choices into lasting change.