Struggling with anxiety, spiritual burnout, past trauma, or childhood wounds? Join Rachel Votaw Ochoa to discuss clinical psychology, mental health, various healing modalities, and spirituality. Move beyond cycles of brokenness with trauma-informed tools, nervous system regulation, and somatic healing. We explore neuroplasticity, inner child healing, and spiritual wisdom to help you reconnect authentically with God and yourself. Transition from survival to flourishing with faith-based mental health insights. Discover true breakthrough and grow into your destiny.
Apricot Oak: Mental Health, Wellness, & Spirituality with Rachel Votaw Ochoa
Claim This Podcastby Rachel Votaw Ochoa
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32 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
Struggling with anxiety, spiritual burnout, past trauma, or childhood wounds? Join Rachel Votaw Ochoa to discuss clinical psychology, mental health, various healing modalities, and spirituality. Move beyond cycles of brokenness with trauma-informed tools, nervous system regulation, and somatic healing. We explore neuroplasticity, inner child healing, and spiritual wisdom to help you reconnect authentically with God and yourself. Transition from survival to flourishing with faith-based mental health insights. Discover true breakthrough and grow into your destiny.
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Publishing Since
3/16/2024
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Recent Episodes
July 27, 2026
How to Set Boundaries & End Power Struggles -Sustainable Parenting with Flora McCormick
<p><strong>In This Episode, We Discuss:</strong></p><p>As parents working to break generational cycles and raise healthy kids, it’s easy to slip from gentle parenting into total exhaustion. How do we stay regulated when our kids are dysregulated? How do we hold boundaries without crushing their spirit—or burning ourselves out?</p><p>In this episode of Apricot Oak, Rachel sits down with <strong>Flora McCormick, LCPC</strong>—parenting coach, licensed clinician, host of the Sustainable Parenting Podcast, and mom of two. Flora shares her practical, highly actionable framework for <strong>Hybrid Parenting</strong>: learning to be kind and firm at the exact same time.</p><ul><li><p><strong>The Gentle Parenting Trap:</strong> How the shift from "powerless kids" in past generations has overcorrected into "powerless adults" today—and why it leads to burnout.</p></li><li><p><strong>The "32-Mile Marathon" Mindset:</strong> Why staying calm during a tantrum starts with building non-judgmental mental muscles before the chaotic moments happen.</p></li><li><p><strong>Kind & Firm Mantras:</strong> Grounding phrases like "It’s not my job to make my kids happy" and "Kind is clear, clear is kind" to help you stand firm against power struggles.</p></li><li><p><strong>The "25-Year-Old" Exercise:</strong> How shifting your perspective from the quick win to long-term character building changes how you handle daily conflicts.</p></li><li><p><strong>Real-Time Examples:</strong> Practical scripts for getting out the door without yelling, dealing with pushback over screen time/treats, and de-escalating intense meltdowns.</p></li><li><p><strong>The 30-Second Reset:</strong> One game-changing, 24-hour strategy you can try today to instantly shift the energy in your home when your child is defiant.</p><p><strong>Key Quotes & Mantras from Flora:</strong></p></li></ul><p>"All feelings are accepted, but certain actions must be limited."</p><p>"Listen to the music, not the lyrics—look at the tone, not just the argument."</p><p>"Connect before you correct."</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Flora McCormick:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://sustainableparenting.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sustainableparenting.com</a></p></li><li><p><strong>Podcast:</strong> Sustainable Parenting Podcast (Short 8–15 minute weekly episodes)</p></li><li><p><strong>1-on-1 Coaching & Resources:</strong> Check out Flora’s website for free guides and coaching packages.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Apricot Oak:</strong></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://instagram.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@apricotoakpodcast</a></p></li><li><p>If this episode gave you a practical tool for your home today, please <strong>subscribe, rate, and leave a review</strong>—it helps other parents find our community!</p></li></ul><p><br></p>
July 26, 2026
Carrying the Torch: Returning to Apricot Oak After Loss
<p>In this short update episode, I’m stepping back to the mic after a few months away. After pausing the show following the passing of my father in April, I’m sharing a bit about this season of grieving, honoring his legacy of wisdom and kindness, and how carrying his torch forward is shaping the heart of the podcast.</p><p>We’re officially back, and I'm so grateful you're here for the journey.</p><p><strong>What’s coming up next on Apricot Oak:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Parenting & Connection:</strong> Practical strategies, tools, and mindsets you can try right away as a parent or caregiver.</p></li><li><p><strong>Overcoming Hardship:</strong> An inspiring interview on surviving brutal physical health challenges and finding strength through general life struggles.</p></li></ul><p>Thank you for your continued support, ratings, and reviews—it truly helps our community grow!</p><p><strong>Connect with the Show:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://instagram.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@apricotoakpodcast</a></p></li><li><p>Don't forget to <strong>subscribe, rate, and review</strong> if this episode encouraged you today!</p></li></ul>
April 14, 2026
Understanding Your Vagus Nerve: Moving from Survival Mode to Safety with Melissa Armstrong
<p>Do you feel like you can never truly relax, even when your to-do list is empty? In this episode of the <strong>Apricot Oak Podcast</strong>, host Rachel sits down with holistic health coach <strong>Melissa Armstrong</strong> to understand why our bodies stay "on edge."</p><p>We explore <strong>Polyvagal Theory</strong>—the science behind your body's internal map of safety and threat. Melissa explains that many of us aren't just "stressed"; we are living in a chronic state of <strong>functional freeze</strong>, where we get things done but feel completely disconnected from ourselves, others, and God.</p><p><strong>In this episode, we discuss:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Science of Safety:</strong> Why safety isn't just the absence of a threat, but the presence of internal peace amidst chaos.</li><li><strong>Functional Freeze:</strong> How high achievers stay productive while their nervous systems are actually shut down.</li><li><strong>The Trauma-Body Connection:</strong> Understanding how past wounds (from playground bullying to chronic stress) create inflammation and physical symptoms today.</li><li><strong>The Vagus Nerve as a "Communication Superhighway":</strong> How your body sends more messages to your brain than the other way around.</li><li><strong>Practical Somatic Tools:</strong> Simple, "stupidly simple" ways to signal safety to your body right now through breath and awareness.</li></ul><p><strong>Key Quote:</strong></p><p>"Safety isn't the absence of problems... it's the presence of internal peace amidst the chaos." — Melissa Armstrong</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Timestamps & Highlights</strong></p><ul><li><strong>[00:00]</strong> – Introduction: Moving from breakthrough to flourishing.</li><li><strong>[04:15]</strong> – Defining "Functional Freeze": When your body is a place you can't rest in.</li><li><strong>[08:42]</strong> – The Biblical Promise: Why the Bible promises difficulty but offers peace through a regulated spirit.</li><li><strong>[12:10]</strong> – What is Trauma? Gabor Maté’s definition and how it disconnects us from our bodies.</li><li><strong>[18:30]</strong> – The Physical Cost: How "thoughts, traumas, and toxins" lead to gut issues and fatigue.</li><li><strong>[22:15]</strong> – The Vagus Nerve: Your biological path to safety.</li><li><strong>[25:50]</strong> – The "Belly Breath" Exercise: A 30-second somatic tool you can use anywhere.</li><li><strong>[31:10]</strong> – Modeling for the Next Generation: Why regulating your own nervous system is the best gift for your kids.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Melissa Armstrong</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="http://holistichealthbymelissa.com/">holistichealthbymelissa.com</a></li><li><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/holistichealthbymelissa">@holistichealthbymelissa</a></li><li><strong>Podcast:</strong> Holistic Health with Melissa</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Apricot Oak:</strong> Follow the show on Instagram <strong>@ApricotOakPodcast</strong> for more content on healing, trauma recovery, and reconnection. Don't forget to rate, share, and review the show to help others find these tools for flourishing.</p><p><br></p><p>Keywords: Nervous System Regulation, Polyvagal Theory, Vagus Nerve Healing, Somatic Exercises for Anxiety, Functional Freeze, Chronic Stress Recovery, Faith and Mental Health, Holistic Healing</p>
32 total episodes available
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