Today, my guest on The Expressive Mom Show is Ellie Laks. She is a renowned animal rescuer, healer, and caregiver dedicated to saving and rehabilitating needy animals.

Ellie has developed her "Gentle Healing" method, which combines animal communication, energy healing, and other holistic approaches to heal animals others have given up on.

Through her work at the Gentle Barn, a nonprofit organization she founded, Ellie has rescued and cared for various farm animals, including horses, cows, pigs, and more.

As an animal advocate, Ellie has encountered the challenge of compassion fatigue, which she describes as a deeper form of burnout that can lead to a desire to quit and walk away from important work.

Recognizing the detrimental impact of this issue, Ellie has developed a "toolbox" of strategies to help herself and others recover from compassion fatigue.

Ellie's expertise and dedication have earned her widespread recognition, with appearances on influential media outlets such as The Ellen Show, People Magazine, and The Huffington Post.

Her mission is to be the voice for animals, share their stories, and inspire compassion within the hearts of humanity. She is also the author of her new book, Cow Hug Therapy.

Through her holistic approach to animal healing and her efforts to address compassion fatigue, Ellie has become a leading figure in the animal welfare community.

She is committed to making a lasting impact and creating a more compassionate world for all living beings.

What Is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue, often referred to as secondary trauma or vicarious trauma, is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that arises from continuous exposure to the suffering of others.

It is especially prevalent among caregivers, healthcare professionals, and those in helping professions who dedicate themselves to supporting individuals in crisis or distress.

Symptoms may include emotional numbness, decreased empathy, irritability, and feelings of helplessness or isolation.
Unlike burnout, which stems from overwhelming workload and stress, compassion fatigue is tied explicitly to the emotional toll of witnessing trauma and suffering.

As caregivers invest deeply in the well-being of others, they may neglect their own emotional needs, depleting their capacity to care.

This can create a cycle of disengagement, reducing their effectiveness in their roles and impacting their overall mental health.
Recognizing compassion fatigue is the first step toward healing. Self-care practices, such as setting boundaries, seeking peer support, and engaging in mindfulness activities, can help restore emotional balance.

Fostering a culture of compassion for oneself and others is essential in mitigating the effects of compassion fatigue and maintaining the resilience of those who dedicate their lives to helping others.

You can connect with Ellie on her website: https://ellielaks.com/. You can also follow her on Instagram, @ellielaks, and Facebook. You can also check out her book, Cow Hug Therapy, on Amazon.

Now you have it, and that is a wrap. Next week, I will be chatting with a guest who is a health coach, and we will cover a lot of the issues regarding the fat acceptance movement.

While it is essential to love and accept your body, there are concerns about this movement. In the meantime, head over to the Expressive Mom website at https://expressivemom.com, on Instagram at anexpressivemom, and on Substack, https://expressivemom.substack.com. You can also find me at medium.com at msmir.medium.com.

Also, follow The Expressive Mom Show. In the meantime, chat next week, and ciao for now.

My guest today on The Expressive Mom Show is Gina Kunadian, a devoted wife, mother, certified massage therapist, TEDx speaker, and alcohol-free sobriety coach dedicated to helping women break free from alcohol dependency.

Through her podcast Shine Within, she offers inspiration, motivation, and guidance, empowering her listeners to gain confidence, clarity, and renewed vitality.

Having overcome her battle with alcoholism, Gina is passionate about helping others on their journey to sobriety.

Her unique Transformation SHINE Process provides compassionate support, leading women through recovery and self-discovery so they can embrace their fullest potential and live with purpose.
Impact of Addictions, Especially Alcoholism, on Parenting

Alcoholism can severely affect parenting, leading to emotional and behavioral challenges for both parents and children.

It impairs a parent’s ability to be present and responsible, creating instability within the family. Children often feel neglected, confused, and insecure due to unpredictable behavior and mood swings, fostering anxiety and low self-esteem.

Alcoholism also hinders decision-making, leading to inconsistent discipline and poor role modeling, which negatively impacts a child’s emotional development.

Over time, this can create a cycle of dysfunction. Addressing addiction helps parents build healthier environments, promoting emotional security and resilience in their children.

You can connect with Gina through her site, https://www.ginakunadian.com/.

Here is a gift for her listeners: 6-Step Blueprint To An Alcohol-Free Life, her FB group: Awakened Souls: Women Embracing Sobriety & Spiritual Wholeness, and her podcast, Shine Within w/ Gina Kunadian

And here are her social media links: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn

Now you have it, and that is a wrap. Next week, I will be chatting with a guest who is a renowned animal rescuer, healer, and caregiver who has dedicated her life to saving and rehabilitating animals in need.

And the main topic of conversation will be about compassion fatigue. In the meantime, head over to the Expressive Mom website at https://expressivemom.com, on Instagram at anexpressivemom, and on Substack, https://expressivemom.substack.com.

You can also find me at medium.com at msmir.medium.com. Follow The Expressive Mom Show Podcast! In the meantime, chat next week and ciao for now.

My guest on The Expressive Mom Show today is Desiree Wolfe, the powerhouse behind the Slightly Unfiltered brand, where confidence meets a bold dose of caffeine. Balancing multiple roles and careers, Desiree excels in the vibrant Las Vegas scene as a working mother with 16 years of parenting experience.

As an accomplished event professional, podcast host, and guest speaker, she brings knowledge and insight to every endeavor. Driven by a deep curiosity about happiness, optimism, and the pursuit of enduring joy, Desiree’s approach is marked by her signature unfiltered and candid wit, making her a sought-after voice in her field.

Today's discussion is about overcoming people-pleasing, and she talks about being a workaholic, too.

What It Means to Overcome People-Pleasing and Workaholism

Overcoming people-pleasing and workaholism often go hand in hand because both behaviors stem from a deep-seated need for external validation and approval. People-pleasers are driven by a desire to be liked, usually sacrificing their own needs to keep others happy.

At the same time, workaholics are fueled by the belief that constant productivity equates to self-worth. These traits can lead to burnout, strained relationships, and a lack of personal fulfillment, as every action becomes a performance to meet others’ expectations or prove oneself through relentless work.

To break free from this cycle, it's essential to cultivate self-awareness and redefine success on your terms. This involves setting boundaries, saying no without guilt, and prioritizing your well-being over the relentless pursuit of approval.

Learning your worth is inherent, not earned through overworking or constant appeasement.

Finding balance requires embracing rest, hobbies, and personal time, recognizing that you are enough without overextending yourself for others or achieving nonstop.

By focusing on self-compassion, authenticity, and mindful choices, you can create a life that honors your true self, fostering healthier relationships, a more sustainable work-life balance, and a deeper sense of inner peace and self-respect.

You can check out Desiree at https://slightlyunfiltered.com.
Next week, I will talk to a guest who shares her story about overcoming alcoholism during motherhood. In the meantime, follow The Expressive Mom Show on IG: @anexpressivemom and the website https://expressivemom.com.