LaidOPEN Podcast
Welcome to the LaidOPEN Podcast hosted by Charna Cassell. Charna is a Trauma-Trained Psychotherapist and Sexuality Coach with over 20 years of experience. Every day, Charna helps clients heal from trauma and access more bodily joy, emotional regulation, vitality, and hope. Now she’s bringing her expertise to podcasting with interviews from post-trauma thrivers who share creative resources to support living an authentic, passionate, mindful existence. Together they explore how to have a more pleasure-filled, peaceful life while reducing self-sabotaging behaviors and gaining control over reactive behaviors. Charna’s mission is to help people like you understand the impact of trauma on their nervous system and therefore their relationships with an emphasis on ways to heal. In every episode, Charna explores how to build our physical and emotional capacity to be with all that moves through us and around us to ultimately feel more liberated on the other side. Join our community as we embark on this transformative journey by reaccessing our connection to aliveness.
Episodes
Trigger warning: discussion of seggsual assault near the end
In this episode, Charna interviews Ariella Daley, a seasoned dream worker, animist, and beekeeper with over 15 years of experience. Ariella shares her fascinating journey into beekeeping and dream work, influenced by a blen...
In this powerful episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, I sit down with medical researcher, writer, and host of Modern Hysteria, Micah Larsen, to dive deep into her deeply personal and courageous journey through PMDD, menopause, and preeclampsia. With warmth and unflinching honesty, Micah illuminates the painful gaps in our healthcare system and the persistence of medical misogyny—and, more importantly, how we can begin to dismantle those ba...
What do you really want—and how do you even begin to ask for it?
In this episode of laidOPEN, I’m joined by somatic sex therapist Susan Morgan Taylor, a healer and teacher who guides people through the often-overlooked terrain of embodied desire. With over 25 years in somatic healing, Susan brings a grounded, intuitive approach to what she calls the Pleasure Keys Process—a set of practices designed to help...
Welcome to the first episode of July 2025, where I have a fascinating conversation with Nick Brancato, a relationship systems architect and author of 'Prioritize Us.' Nick shares his unique journey from being a professional poker player to stepping into the world of personal development and relationship coaching.
We talk about the significance of aligning priorities within relationships, enhancing communi...
In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, I have an insightful conversation with activist and author Dean Spade about his extensive work in movements for queer and trans liberation, anti-militarism, and the abolition of police and prisons.
Dean and I discuss his new book titled 'Love in a Fucked Up World: How to Build Relationships, Hook Up, and Raise Hell Together,' covering topics such as mindful practices f...
In this episode, Charna Cassell discusses the profound topic of silence, featuring an interview with Justin Talbot Zorn and Leigh Marz, authors of 'Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise.' They delve into experiences and practices from their book that encourage finding clarity and peace amidst external and internal noise. The conversation covers the political and cultural relevance of silence, its role in add...
In this episode of Laid Open Podcast, I welcome back Dr. Keesha Ewers, a specialist in integrative medicine and functional sexology. We discuss the critical yet often overlooked topic of menopause, highlighting how women's health issues, particularly post-childrearing, are neglected in society and underfunded in research.
Dr. Keesha and I provide insights into hormone replacement therapy (HRT), discussing...
Today I welcome two previous guests from earlier this season to share their unique experiences and expertise on the topic of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. Mark Walsh, an embodiment coach, trauma trainer & host of The Embodiment Podcast, and Christian Branscombe, a restorative justice facilitator and coach. Together we dive into the intricacies of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, especially in the con...
This week I welcome Natalie Silva of God's Eye Oils and Made of Stars prayer circle group. She and I discuss the power of self-love, community, vulnerability, and the integration of prayer in daily life.
Natalie also shares how her relationship with former LaidOPEN Podcast guest, Erica Wright, has been integral to her healing journey. The episode highlights Natalie’s involvement in S Factor, a movement pra...
One of the best things about my podcast is all of the wonderful people doing incredible things that it’s brought into my life. People like this week’s guest, Jessica Graham who’s returning to speak with me about their latest creation.
Jessica is an author, actor and trauma resolution guide. Together we discuss Jessica's latest book, 'Being (Sick) Enough,' and talk about their journey of writing, dealing with physical...
This week I want to acknowledge the wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles, which also happens to be home to this week’s guest, actress, drag king and comedian, Ruby Marez.
Ruby shares her incredible journey of using humor and play to heal trauma. She opens up about her clowning and drag king persona Ramón. We talk about how embodying this alter ego has transformed her life and inspired a stage show built...
Happy New Years Eve! In this episode of the LaidOPEN Podcast, I’m joined by Jessica Lindsey, a trauma-informed energy healer, animal communicator, and clairvoyant pet psychic. Jessica shares her journey of discovering her ability to communicate with animals and plants and offers tools to attune to these beings.
We explore topics including different species' forms of communication, end-of-life support for a...
In this episode of the LaidOPEN Podcast, I have an in-depth conversation with my friend Joseph Kramer, Ph.D about my journey into psychotherapy and sex education. Joseph is a sexologist and ex-Jesuit is the founder of Body Electric School for Massage as well as Sexological Bodywork and a past guest of LaidOPEN Podcast. He guided a conversation where I shared my experiences working at Good Vibrations, where I educated people about s...
In this week’s episode, I explore a healthier version of intimacy when interviewing Zach Beach, a coach, poet, and yoga teacher who deeply explores the concept of love through various practices.
His journey from a career in engineering to finding his purpose in love was influenced by the unconditional adoration he received from his parents, especially his mother. Zach emphasizes the importance of the body as an access point ...
In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, I chat with the incredibly insightful Erica Wright, a codependency counselor who spends an hour with me breaking down complex relationship dynamics and sharing wisdom on healing and self-love.
Erica delves into her journey, discussing the roots of codependency within societal frameworks and the transformative role of spirituality and sobriety. From understanding the tr...
In this episode, I welcome Atlanta-based musician Kennedy Ryon. We discuss Kennedy's journey in the music industry, her experiences with self-doubt, the significance of accepting imperfections, and her creative process.
Kennedy shares insights from working on the soundtrack for the Amazon show 'Expats,' the challenges of managing artistic blocks, and the healing powers of music and creativity. The episo...
In this episode of the LaidOPEN Podcast, I welcome my friend and guest Rachel Kaplan. Rachel hosts the “Healing Feeling Shit Show” podcast and is the author of “Feel, Heal, and Let That Sh*t Go: Your Guide to Emotional Resilience and Lasting Self-Love,” which explores the process and importance of reconnecting with and expressing emotions.
The discussion delves into the emotional challenges many face, lik...
This episode of Laid Open Podcast features guest Dr. Joli Hamilton, Ph.D., a research psychologist, relationship coach and founder of 'The Year of Opening.' Together, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of non-monogamous relationships, the importance of creating custom relationship dynamics, and the primal value of jealousy… because jealousy isn’t always a bad thing.
Dr. Joli also shares insights ...
On this week’s episode, I’m excited to have the hosts of The Sex Reimagined Podcast joining me, Dr. Willow Brown, a Chinese medicine doctor and Taoist sexologist, and Leah Piper, a Tantra sex expert.
Together, we delve into the intricacies of shame-free, pleasure-forward sexuality by discussing the integration of Tantra and Taoist practices. Dr. Willow and Leah explain the differences between Tantra and Ta...
This week I welcome, Alreen Haeggquist, a women's rights advocate, lawyer, and author of, “Fired Up: Fueling Triumph from Trauma.” Alreen discusses her journey to founding her own law firm, which specializes in cases of sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination, with a focus on trauma-informed care.
The conversation explores Alreen's personal story of surviving sexual abuse within her family and how it...
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