Simply Heard: The Space Between

About Simply Heard: The Space Between

Simply Heard: The Space Between explores the quiet truths that live between us — the tension and tenderness of being human. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hayden of Simply Centered Psychological Services, each episode blends psychology, mindfulness, and lived experience to help you navigate connection, control, love, and letting go — without losing yourself in the process.

Publisher

Jessica Hayden, PhD

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Nov 2025

Latest episode

30 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Mar 2026

   Part 2: Conversations on Identity, Race, and Belonging with Shawn "Kool Aid" Brown

   This conversation is an invitation to stay. To stay in the discomfort, in the nuance, in the parts of ourselves we’d rather bypass. In Part 2, I name something I’m still actively working through: my own bias. Not as a performance. Not as a checkbox. But as a lived, ongoing process of noticing, unlearning, and sitting with the discomfort that comes with it. This isn’t easy work. And it’s not supposed to be. Shawn and I move through identity, belonging, and the layered realities that shape both. He shares the story of his grandfather, a World War II veteran who served his country, and returned home to a system that denied him access to the very benefits that built generational wealth for others. We talk about how discriminatory banking practices and redlining didn’t just impact individuals. They shaped entire family trajectories, creating gaps that are still very much present today. We also zoom out. We talk about the legacy of “manifest destiny,” not just as history, but as a mindset that still shows up in how we move through the world, how we relate to land, power, and each other. And we ask a harder question: How do we hold all of this truth, and still choose kindness? Not a passive, dismissive kindness. But an active, grounded one. The kind that doesn’t bypass harm, but also doesn’t dehumanize. The kind that requires accountability and humanity. This episode is not about arriving at answers. It’s about expanding our capacity to sit in the questions. In this episode, we explore: Recognizing and naming personal bias without defensiveness The emotional labor of staying in discomfort instead of avoiding it The long-term impact of redlining and discriminatory lending on generational wealth The disconnect between military service and access to opportunity for Black veterans Manifest destiny as both history and ongoing narrative What it means to hold people accountable without stripping away their humanity The tension between truth-telling and compassion This is a conversation that asks something of you. To listen differently. To reflect honestly. To stay. Simply Heard, The Space Between is a podcast produced by Simply Centered Psychological Services, in Raleigh, NC. Simply Heard, The Space Between is for educational and informational purposes, and not to be used as a replacement for therapy.

2. 

   7 Feb 2026

   Conversations on Identity, Race, and Belonging with Shawn "KoolAid" Brown

   In part one of this mini-series, Dr. Jess Hayden sits down with Shawn Brown, a longtime friend and public servant, to talk about growing up as a Black kid from the city navigating predominantly white suburban schools through Rochester’s Urban–Suburban program. Shawn reflects on high school experiences shaped by race, class, sports, and conditional belonging — what it meant to fit in, stand out, and move between worlds where the rules weren’t the same for everyone. The conversation follows those early lessons into adulthood, where Shawn now works inside the very systems that once shaped his access to opportunity. This episode centers on belonging, identity, and how early experiences in school echo into work, leadership, and how we understand ourselves years later. Find Dr. Jess Hayden at Simply Centered Psychological Services (www.simply-centered.com) Instagram: @Dr.JessHayden

3. 

   31 Jan 2026

   Welcome Home: The Path to Self-Reclamation with Dr. Randie London.

   In this conversation, Jessica Lynne and Randie London explore the profound journey of reclaiming the self amidst the complexities of relationships, emotional regulation, and personal growth. They discuss the importance of building a home within oneself, the challenges of self-abandonment, and the necessity of setting boundaries. Randie shares her personal experiences of healing and the transformative power of community, while emphasizing the significance of self-acceptance and authenticity in navigating life's challenges. Find Dr. Randie London @lotusholistichealing (https://www.instagram.com/lotusholistichealing/#) Register for her series: The Holistic Center For Soulful Living Smithtown, NY (https://www.soulfullivingcenter.com/) Find Dr. Jess Hayden, Raleigh NC @dr.jesshayden (https://www.instagram.com/dr.jesshayden/) Simply Centered Psychological Services (www.simply-centered.com)

4. 

   31 Jan 2026

   The Self-Abandonment Series: Welcome Home, The Path to Self-Reclamation Part 2

   In Part 2 of Welcome Home: The Path to Self-Reclamation, Dr. Jess Hayden and Dr. Randie London continue a grounded, real conversation about what it actually looks like to come home to yourself—especially after heartbreak, loss, or years of over-functioning. Together, they explore how self-abandonment shows up in everyday moments (the subtle “self-editing” we normalize), why control can masquerade as care, and how reclaiming your inner “yes” and “no” becomes the beginning of self-trust. This episode holds space for the messy middle: grief you don’t bypass, discomfort you don’t escape, and the practice—over time—of choosing yourself with compassion. Work with Dr. Randie London Dr. Randie London offers in-person workshops through The Holistic Center for Soulful Living (https://www.soulfullivingcenter.com/)in Smithtown, NY. Find Randie on Instagram: @lotusholistichealing Connect with Dr. Jess Hayden Instagram + TikTok: @dr.jesshayden Website: Simply Centered Psychological Services (www.simply-centered.com) This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or medical care. If you’re experiencing significant distress or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

5. 

   8 Jan 2026

   The Self Abandonment Series: Welcome Home A Path to Self Reclamation

   Simply Heard: The Space Between Welcome Home — A Path to Self-Reclamation (Part 1)-Audio Story Teller Version https://www.soulfullivingcenter.com/workshops/ (https://www.soulfullivingcenter.com/workshops/) This begins our mini-series on self-abandonment and what it truly means to come back to yourself. Not fixing. Not performing. Not becoming a “better” version. But noticing where we learned to leave ourselves — and slowly, gently, learning how to return. In this conversation, Dr. Randie London and I talk about identity, loss, collapse, and the brave work of saying: “I want to come home to me.” Holistic Center for Soulful Living (Smithtown, NY) Workshop: Welcome Home — A Path to Self-Reclamation Learn more / stay connected: Dr. Randie London – Instagram @lotusholistichealing https://www.instagram.com/lotusholistichealing https://www.simply-centered.com (https://www.simply-centered.com) Instagram @dr.jesshayden https://www.instagram.com/dr.jesshayden TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@drjesshayden (https://www.tiktok.com/@drjesshayden) More parts of this series are coming — stay with us.

6. 

   30 Dec 2025

   A Year of Being Clear, Not Perfect

   Ever set a boundary and instantly think: “Ugh… I feel like the bad guy”? Same. This short episode explores why that happens — and how practicing clear, compassionate limits can actually create more honesty, respect, and ease in our relationships. Work with me: www.simply-centered.com (www.simply-centered.com) Find me on Socials: Instagram @dr.jesshayden (https://www.instagram.com/dr.jesshayden/) TikTok @drjesshayden (https://www.tiktok.com/@drjesshayden)

7. 

   25 Dec 2025

   Part 2: When Weight Becomes a Measure of Worth

   In this episode, I continue my conversation with Dr. Jessica Tomasula on internalized and implicit weight bias — and the quiet ways these beliefs shape how we see our bodies, our health, and our worth. We revisit the Girl Scout cookie story and the subtle moments where children learn what bodies “mean,” often long before anyone says it out loud. We talk about grief, identity, and the years many of us spend trying to “fix” ourselves instead of understanding the systems that taught us to feel broken. We also explore the complicated intersection of medicine, control, and hope — including the role of GLP-1 medications — with nuance and compassion, without blame or shame. This conversation isn’t about what bodies should look like. It’s about how to stay connected to them — and how to notice what we may be unintentionally passing down. We discuss: what internalized weight bias actually is how body commentary becomes “normal” in families and culture grief for the time spent chasing smaller bodies the difference between control as care vs control as punishment how weight bias shows up in medical spaces GLP-1 medications and why the conversation is so complex rebuilding trust with our bodies and our values If any of this feels tender, please listen at your own pace, take breaks, and come back when you’re ready. — Guest: Dr. Jessica Tomasula — psychologist, researcher, and clinician specializing in body image, eating concerns, and health psychology. Connect with Simply Heard: (www.simply-centered.com) Podcast • Stories • Conversations about “the space between” Dr Jessica Tomasula at Live Well Psychological (https://www.livewellpsychassociates.com/)

8. 

   19 Dec 2025

   When Weight Becomes a Measure of Worth

   Summary This episode explores the complex issues surrounding internalized weight bias, disordered eating, and the societal messages that shape our perceptions of body image. Dr. Jess Hayden and Dr. Jessica Tomasula discuss how these biases begin at a young age, the impact of humor on self-worth, and the limitations of traditional health metrics like BMI. They also delve into the importance of promoting body acceptance and awareness in a society that often prioritizes appearance over health. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ (https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/) Jessica Hayden, PhD (https://www.simply-centered.com/) Jessica Tomasula, PhD (https://www.livewellpsychassociates.com/jessica-tomasula-phd)

9. 

   13 Dec 2025

   Part 2: Raising Kids Who Know Their Bodies and Boundaries

   In Part 2, we expand the conversation with Dr Meagan Padro to include digital safety, the reality that consent begins long before dating, and why removing shame from conversations about sex is essential for raising safe, empowered kids. We explore how children learn consent through everyday interactions, how online spaces introduce boundary challenges earlier than many parents expect, and why fear-based or shame-based messaging can actually increase risk rather than reduce it. This episode offers a grounded, research-informed approach to helping kids develop body awareness, autonomy, and the confidence to speak up—both offline and online. Simply Centered Psychological Services (https://www.simply-centered.com/) Content note: This episode includes discussion of body safety, consent, digital behavior, and sexual development. Some topics may not be appropriate for young ears. Caregivers may want to listen privately.

10. 

    6 Dec 2025

    Part 1: Raising Kids Who Know Their Bodies and Their Boundaries with Dr Meagan Padro

    Content Warning: Gentle, non-graphic discussion of consent and sexual abuse prevention. In this episode, we explore how the words we give children shape their safety, confidence, and boundaries. Jess and Dr. Meagan Padro share how language, consent, and connection form the foundation of sex-positive parenting. RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline (https://rainn.org/) LifeLine (https://988lifeline.org/) How to Talk to Kids (https://www.actioncanadashr.org/resources/factsheets-guidelines/2023-02-28-sex-positive-parenting) Canadian Website, Great Info for Parents Simply Centered Psychological Services (https://www.simply-centered.com/) Instagram @Dr.JessHayden TikTok @Dr.JessHayden

11. 

    27 Nov 2025

    What We Remember When We Slow Down

    Thanksgiving Day Special In this mini-episode, Dr. Jess Hayden explores the layered reality of the holiday—gratitude, grief, family dynamics, and the complicated history beneath it. Jess shares a personal reminder to slow down, the message from the tea, and a truth about constant change and how people evolve too. If today feels tender, busy, or complicated, this episode offers a breath of steadiness.

12. 

    26 Nov 2025

    Part 2: Pressure, Performance, and Becoming; A Conversation with Meredith Grimes, LCMHC

    Part 2 with Meredith Grimes, LCMHC, dives into the psychology of youth athletics and what happens when performance becomes a measure of worth. We explore why so many athletes push through pain and injuries, how “performing for the likes” fuels burnout, and how Self-Determination Theory can transform the way coaches motivate young players. Meredith shares how imposter syndrome shows up in sport — and why the simple phrase “I don’t know” can be one of the most powerful tools for connection and growth. This episode is for parents, coaches, and athletes navigating performance pressure, mental health, and the emotional side of competition. Links: ⁠Simply Centered Psychological Services⁠ (http://www.simply-centered.com) ⁠Cognitive Distortions⁠ (https://www.simply-centered.com/pressureperformancebecomingpart1) ⁠Find Meredith (https://www.3cfamilyservices.com/clinicians/meredith-grimes/)

13. 

    21 Nov 2025

    Part 1: Pressure, Performance, and Becoming — A Conversation with Meredith Grimes, LCMHC

    In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, therapist and former athlete Meredith Grimes shares how softball shaped her identity, influenced her path from Sports Business and Marketing into mental health, and taught her early lessons about pressure, performance, and resilience. She also reflects on how learning DBT has allowed her to teach her current clients—especially athletes—the skills she wishes she had back in high school and college. This episode explores the space where sport, identity, and emotional skills meet. Links: Simply Centered Psychological Services (http://www.simply-centered.com) Cognitive Distortions (https://www.simply-centered.com/pressureperformancebecomingpart1) Find Meredith (https://www.3cfamilyservices.com/clinicians/meredith-grimes/)

14. 

    7 Nov 2025

    The Myth of Getting It Right

    In this first episode, Dr. Jess Hayden gets real about perfectionism — and how hard it can be to begin when you’re afraid of getting it wrong. From overexplaining to overediting, she unpacks why so many of us tie our worth to doing things “right,” and how to start trusting yourself to show up imperfectly. Because connection doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from being real. Find Dr Jess on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dr.jesshayden/) @dr.jesshayden tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@drjesshayden) @drjesshayden Simply Centered Psychological Services (https://www.simply-centered.com/)

15. 

    2 Nov 2025

    Coming Soon! November 7th

    We talk all the time — but most of us don’t feel heard. We dress up control veiled as love, We think we're in a state of calm, but we're really just suppressing We're told to be strong, yet it feels like disconnection. Simply Heard: The Space Between is where psychology meets the heart — where we slow down enough to listen to what’s really being said, and what’s quietly asking to be understood. Because every relationship — with ourselves, our partners, our children, our past — lives in a space between two truths. When we can hold both with compassion, we stop needing to fix, and start learning to really hear. I’m your host, Dr. Jessica Hayden — psychologist, writer, and founder of Simply Centered Psychological Services. I’m so excited to share this space with you — a place for honest conversations about love, parenting, connection, and the messy, beautiful work of being human. Simply Heard: The Space Between premieres November 7th, with new episodes every week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen. Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @drjesshayden, and join me as we explore the quiet truths that live between us.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

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