Your weekly exhale where science meets soul. Join Mary Wissinger (nervous system nerd and your new bestie) as we blend real life with real science so you can shift out of stress and into ease. We’ll laugh. We’ll breathe. We’ll remember that you’re not doing it wrong, you’re just a human in a very messy world.

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We&#39;re closing out the season together: you, me, and the wisdom of trees. You share some super important cellular code with trees - ya know, the kind that keeps you alive - and we&#39;ll dive into how trees and our bodies hold our stories. Plus we&#39;ll do a quick somatic practice to help you shift into a calmer mode. <a href="https://marywiss.kit.com" rel="nofollow">Get the Weekly Magic here!</a>

You're Wise, Ancient, and Part Tree

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Positive self-talk isn&#39;t just a nice idea, it&#39;s a science-backed technique that can help you navigate life with more calm and ease. Join Mary and special guests Steenz, Kaylen Wissinger, Alain McAlister, and Laurie Brockhaus for pep talks that could change the way you show up today, tomorrow, and here on out.

Words You Didn't Know You Needed: Secret Project

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If you&#39;ve been stuck in binary, all or nothing thinking lately - it&#39;s all good or all bad, perfect or a disaster, hear this: it&#39;s not your fault. It&#39;s your human nervous system doing a very old thing. We&#39;re gonna talk about the nervous system, what&#39;s going on biologically when we hit these spirals, and how to exhale our way into a tiny bit of calm.Get the <a href="https://marywiss.kit.com" rel="nofollow">Weekly Magic</a>, your new favorite deep breath shaped newsletter.

When Everything Feels Urgent...But Isn't.

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When you&#39;re in the habit of carrying all the things, it can be hard to slow down and rest. Mary breaks down the biology, psychology, and culture behind why it&#39;s hard to rest, and leads a quick somatic practice designed to ease you into rest.

You're Allowed to Rest and Do Less (here's how!)

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Join Mary and Alain McAlister, a luminous artist who went from pushing through everything to actually listening to their body (and kept creating anyway!).We get into what it really means to assess your bandwidth, how to scrap projects without shame, and why befriending your self-doubt might be better than fighting it. Alain shares what changed after an autism diagnosis in college, how they structure their days around energy instead of shoulds, and why sometimes the most creative thing you can do is stop.If you&#39;ve been ignoring your limits (or maybe pretend you don&#39;t even have them!), this conversation will feel like a gentle permission slip to assess your own bandwidth and move forward more gently.Follow Alain on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/a.mca.art" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>!Check out their <a href="https://www.amcaart.com/" rel="nofollow">website</a>!

Beyond Your Limit? Permission to Rethink w/ Alain McAlister

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You&#39;re allowed to look for hope and experience joy, even now. Especially now. An upbeat chat with Kaylen Wissinger, owner of Whisk Bakeshop, that touches on baking (of course!), glimmers of hope, and making hard decisions. Plus, a super quick meditation practice to bring you back to here, now.Last call - join us at the Rad Self-Care Summit! <a href="http://marywissinger.com/rad" rel="nofollow">Save your spot here!</a>

Glimmers of Hope: Covo w/Kaylen Wissinger of Whisk Bakeshop

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A gentle, science-backed look at why we scroll, especially when we’re tired, bored, or overwhelmed, and how to be a little kinder to ourselves about it. Plus, a somatic practice to land in your body and give your nervous system what it needs. Hey, join us at the <a href="http://marywissinger.com/radselfcaresummit" rel="nofollow">Rad Self-Care Summit</a>!

Let's chit chat about the phone thing...

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If being hard on yourself worked, it would have worked by now. Explore the science of why self-criticism is the opposite of what we need when the going gets tough, plus dive into a quick exhale for practicing compassion. Join us at the Rad Self-Care Summit <a href="http://marywissinger.com/radselfcaresummit" rel="nofollow">right here!</a> Feb. 2-6, totally free, totally awesome, five days of bite-sized practices for reconnecting with yourself.

Getting Things Done with Self-Compassion

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Self-criticism doesn&#39;t just live in our heads - it lives in our nervous systems. We&#39;ll explore how compassion and nervous system regulation can help us bridge the gap between who we are and who we want to be, along with a simple technique for bringing self-kindness into real life. Join the Rad Self-Care Summit <a href="http://marywissinger.com/radselfcaresummit" rel="nofollow">right here</a>! Five days of real self care, totally free, totally awesome.

Meet Your Own Expectations through Compassion

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Why do New Year’s resolutions fail — even when we really want them to stick? In this episode, we explore how your nervous system prioritizes safety over change, and why lasting transformation only happens when we move slowly, gently, and within our capacity. You’ll learn how to work with your nervous system (not against it), take tiny steps that actually stick, and start the year in a way that feels sustainable instead of exhausting.✨ Plus, a grounding weekly exhale and an invitation to the <a href="http://marywissinger.com/radselfcaresummit" rel="nofollow">Rad Self-Care Summit</a>.

You're Not Failing - Your Nervous System is Protecting You

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This episode starts 400,000 years ago, on a cold winter night, with a tiny piece of pyrite and the discovery of fire. I’ve been thinking about how humans forgot how to make fire, and how that feels a lot like the ways we forget ourselves now. How to rest when we’re tired. Eat when we’re hungry. Cry when we’re sad. As the days get shorter, this is a gentle invitation to slow down and remember. I’ll share a simple somatic practice for warmth and orientation to safety: something small you can carry with you through the long, dark evenings. Pull up close. The fire is crackling. Reminder! We&#39;re going on a winter break but will be back January 7! If you want a special bonus episode in the meantime, sign up for the <a href="https://marywiss.kit.com" rel="nofollow">Weekly Magic here</a>!

A light in the dark

The fire we forgot

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Join comics artist and professor Steenz and Mary as the chat all things creativity, kindness, and hope when the world is...the world. Mary leads a quick body-based practice specially chosen to bring some ease to your day. <a href="https://www.oheysteenz.com/" rel="nofollow">Find Steenz here</a> and on IG <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oheysteenz/" rel="nofollow">@ohheysteenz</a>. Snag a bonus episode of Soften the Edges and <a href="https://marywiss.kit.com" rel="nofollow">The Weekly Magic</a> newsletter right here!

Self-kindness and creativity: Convo with Steenz

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Join Mary and Laurie Brockhaus as they explore the breath as a tool for presence, mindfulness, and social justice. It&#39;s a glorious convo full of invitations to be here, now.You&#39;ll leave this ep with a brand new somatic practice for being with the breath, as well as warm fuzzies (or at least a bit of ease) from reconnecting with yourself.You can find Laurie&#39;s therapy practice <a href="https://www.willettcounseling.com/about-laurie" rel="nofollow">right here</a>.Please visit <a href="https://forms.gle/5XuDyy9YGCeyLu699" rel="nofollow">Dreamin&#39; and Schemin&#39;</a> to tell Mary what&#39;s on your mind - just 2 minutes of your time and she&#39;ll send you an exclusive soothing audio catered to your nervous system! Thanks!

Invitation to be here, now

The potent tool that's always there: Convo with Laurie Brockhaus

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Your nervous system has a secret: it remembers things you don&#39;t, and it&#39;s running survival patterns under the radar. Join Mary for the science behind these old programs and a quick somatic practice that brings you into the present so you can feel calmer, more resilient, and ready for the challenges life throws your way.

Secret Nervous System Programs

The Pep Talk You Need: You Are Today Years Old

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This week, Mary reveals a truth hiding in plain sight: you’re not just managing your own energy. You’re co-regulating with everyone around you, and your nervous system has been doing overtime.Inside this episode, you’ll learn:• Why your emotions, energy, and capacity aren’t separate issues • How the nervous system quietly shapes every interaction. • A simple boundary-setting somatic practice you can use anytime to remind your body where you end and the world begins. You’ll walk away with more clarity, more compassion for yourself, and a practical tool to reclaim some much-needed space in your body.

(The Secret Job You Didn't Know You Had)

Are You Everyone's Nervous System?

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Want to feel steadier, more present, and more creative? Your body holds the key. Mary shares how our bodies store stress and simple, science backed ways to clear the stress and feel better, right in the middle of real life. There are three quick paths to nervous system regulation, and you&#39;ll do them right along with Mary so you can feel calmer and more resilient, nothing fancy or extra required. Download your FREE 2-min nervous system soothing audios at marywissinger.com/softentheedges

Your Body Holds the Key

Want to feel steadier, more present, and more creative? Your body holds the key. Mary shares how our bodies store stress and simple, science backed ways to clear the stress and feel better, right in the middle of real life. There are three quick paths to nervous system regulation, and you&#39;ll do them right along with Mary so you can feel calmer and more resilient, nothing fancy or extra required. 

Download your FREE 2-min nervous system soothing audios at marywissinger.com/softentheedges

Feel Calmer and More Resilient: How to Complete Your Stress Cycles

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You are too precious to be walking around sleep deprived. Make the 3am wakeup a thing of the past. Mary shares the science behind nighttime waking along with simple steps to sneak back into sleep. As always, we&#39;ll do a quick co-regulation practice so you&#39;ll walk away feeling calmer and more resilient, and you&#39;ll catch good Zs tonight!

Real Sleep Support that Works

You are too precious to be walking around sleep deprived. Make the 3am wakeup a thing of the past. Whether you&#39;re up with anxiety or just up with spinning thoughts, Mary shares the science behind nighttime waking along with simple steps to sneak back into sleep. As always, we&#39;ll do a quick co-regulation practice so you&#39;ll walk away feeling calmer and more resilient, and you&#39;ll catch good Zs tonight!

Sleep Better Tonight: Get the Rest You Deserve

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Worthiness is a feeling, not an achievement. Delve into the surprising root of perfectionism and feeling unworthy. Plus, Mary guides you through a quick somatic practice to generate feelings of true worthiness from within so you can rise to the challenges in your life, exactly as you are.

You're worthy as you are

Worthiness is a feeling, not an achievement. Delve into the surprising root of perfectionism and feeling unworthy. Plus, Mary guides you through a quick somatic practice to generate feelings of true worthiness from within so you can rise to the challenges in your life, exactly as you are.

Worthiness from within (not from doing more)

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You&#39;re not too sensitive - your nervous system is trying to protect you. Discover the simple science behind the &#34;too much&#34; sensory response, and easy practices to help you feel calmer, steadier, and less stressed.

Sensitivity is a signal.

Ever felt too sensitive? Here&#39;s down to earth calm for big-hearted souls. Discover the simple science behind the &#34;too much&#34; sensory response, and easy practices to soothe your nervous system so you feel calmer, steadier, and less stressed.

When Life's Too Loud: Sensory Overload Relief

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What if stress isn’t a problem, but a message?Your body isn’t out to sabotage you. It’s trying to keep you alive, but sometimes it&#39;s a little too good at its job.In this episode of Soften the Edges, author, educator, and certified nervous system nerd Mary Wissinger unpacks what your body’s been saying all along: stress isn’t a flaw, it’s communication.You’ll learn how to speak your body’s language, why logic can’t turn off stress, and how nervous system regulation is the key to real calm.Press play, take a breath, and meet your brilliant body right where it is. Subscribe for your next exhale.

Stress isn't the problem. It's the message.

What if stress isn’t a problem, but a message?

Your body isn’t out to sabotage you. It’s trying to keep you alive, but sometimes it&#39;s a little too good at its job.

In this episode of Soften the Edges, author, educator, and certified nervous system nerd Mary Wissinger unpacks what your body’s been saying all along: stress isn’t a flaw, it’s communication.

You’ll learn how to speak your body’s language, why logic can’t turn off stress, and how nervous system regulation is the key to real calm.

Press play, take a breath, and meet your brilliant body right where it is. Subscribe for your next exhale.

Your Brilliant Body

Your Weekly Exhale

Soften the Edges is your weekly exhale where science meets soul.
If you feel all the things, carry all the things, and notice all the things, hi! You’re wildly welcome here.
Join host Mary Wissinger for short, honest episodes that blend nervous system science, real-life softness, and simple tools to help you feel a little more like yourself again.