Wired & Worthy

Hosted by Dr. Amelia Kelley

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180

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Ever been told you’re too sensitive, too emotional, or just too much? You’re not. You’re wired differently, and you’ve been worthy all along. Hosted by Dr. Amelia Kelley, Wired and Worthy explores the beautifully complex ways humans experience the world, from sensitivity, ADHD, and trauma to relationships, burnout, and personal growth. Through honest conversations, humor, and practical trauma-informed tools, Dr. Kelley and her guests create a space to laugh, learn, and stop apologizing for who you are, reminding you that what once felt like “too much” may actually be part of your strength.

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September 10, 2026Episode 1550 min

How to Live Without Regret at the End of Your Life

What if the biggest regret isn’t failing, but never trying? Dr. Amelia Kelley welcomes psychologist Dr. Maike Neuhaus to Wired & Worthy to explore regret, finding your purpose, and making choices that reflect who you are. They discuss why success can feel unfulfilling, how ADHD and sensitivity can shape your path, and why self-compassion matters when you feel stuck. Through an honest conversation about difficult decisions and missed possibilities, they explore how to live more intentionally, and make peace with the regrets you cannot avoid. Key Takeaways Recognise “miswanting”: chasing goals you expect to make you happy that leave you unfulfilled. Use your values to guide decisions instead of other people’s expectations. See midlife change as an opportunity to grow. Allow yourself to grieve a path you didn’t take, even when your decision was right. Replace self-criticism with curiosity about what you need. Build a meaningful life with varied experiences, rather than expecting constant happiness. About Dr. Maike Neuhaus Dr. Maike Neuhaus (she/her) is a psychologist, speaker, coach, educator, and founder of The Flourishing Doc. Specialising in positive psychology and behaviour change, she helps individuals and organisations improve well-being and realise their potential. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a PhD in Public Health from The University of Queensland, where she previously developed and led consultancy services for two research centres. Connect with Dr. Maike Neuhaus Website: The Flourishing Doc LinkedIn: Dr. Maike Neuhaus Instagram: @theflourishingdoc Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: 🌍 Website: ⁠https://www.ameliakelley.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/ ⁠ 👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

September 3, 2026Episode 1447 min

The Psychology of Violence: How It Develops and How We Can Stop It

What if someone on the path to violence is not beyond reach, but waiting for someone to listen? In this powerful episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley speaks with Paul Krauss about what happens psychologically before violence occurs, and how compassionate intervention may help prevent tragedy. The National Violence Prevention Hotline supports people experiencing violent thoughts and those concerned about someone in their life. Call: 888-664-6652 Visit: violencepreventionhotline.org Paul explains how unresolved pain, rejection, anger, and trauma can develop into grievances and violent thoughts. He and Amelia discuss the nervous system’s role in anger, why having violent thoughts does not automatically make someone dangerous, and how feeling heard can create an opportunity for a different outcome. Anger is a natural nervous-system response. Unresolved pain can develop into violent thoughts. Violent thoughts do not always lead to action. People contemplating violence may still want help. Early, compassionate intervention can prevent tragedy. Loved ones can also contact the hotline. About the guest: Paul Krauss, MA, LPC, is the co-founder of Health for Life Counseling, home of the Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. He is a private-practice psychotherapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Certified Clinician, behavioral health consultant, clinical trainer, and counseling supervisor. Paul created the National Violence Prevention Hotline and the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Therapists. He also hosts the Intentional Clinician podcast, leads weekly EMDRIA consulting groups, and developed the online course Parenting Young Adults . National Violence Prevention Hotline: violencepreventionhotline.org Health for Life Counseling: healthforlifegr.com Instagram: @violencepreventionhotline YouTube: Violence Prevention Hotline LinkedIn: National Violence Prevention Hotline Content note: This episode discusses homicide, suicide, domestic violence, mass violence, and violent thoughts. Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: 🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/ 👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

August 27, 2026Episode 131 hr 5 min

Rejection Sensitivity Isn't a Mindset Problem, It's a Nervous System Response

You know the goal. You've had the idea circling in your head for a while now. What's actually missing isn't more willpower or another productivity system. It's the people who see you clearly and carry the belief when yours runs out.In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley welcomes back two of her closest friends and past guests: Tara Lafon Gooch, TEDx speaker and CEO of Best Branding Solutions, and Dr. Amna Shabir, physician and wellbeing expert whose TEDx talk on socially prescribed perfectionism has resonated with high-achieving women everywhere. Together, the three unpack how real female friendship, the kind that says "I see you, girl" without needing an explanation, can defuse rejection sensitivity, quiet the perfectionism spiral, and actually get you to the finish line of the goals you've been circling for years.If you've ever gotten yourself to the starting line of something big and then frozen, this one's for you.In this episode you'll learn:- Why "borrowing belief" from a trusted circle is often the missing ingredient for ADHD and neurodivergent women chasing big goals- How rejection sensitivity (RSD) shows up as a nervous system response, not a mindset failure, and what actually helps you move through it- The difference between internal and external locus of control, and how to build it on purpose even if it wasn't your default- Why socially prescribed perfectionism is rising fastest in young adults, and how it quietly robs joy from every micro-moment- Dr. Amna's four ways to get objectivity when you're too close to your own problem to see it clearly- Tara's "ridiculously small steps" method for anything that feels too big to start- Why every "no" you collect is proof you're closer to a yes, not further from itConnect with Tara Lafon Gooch:🌐 https://taralafongooch.com/🎧 Grasp Confidence Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3CpfzhPSQxCUiuC1fvYaqW?si=c47d73bef4b2490d📸 https://www.instagram.com/taralafongooch/Connect with Dr. Amna Shabir:🌐 https://dramnashabbir.com/ 🎧 Success Reimagined Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/0m8I4sx8DFI7tz73aO4yTU📸 https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

August 20, 2026Episode 1246 min

How to Let Go of Resentment Without Forcing Forgiveness

You said you forgave them. So why does your body still flinch? Forgiveness isn't a decision. It's a somatic process, and if you've been trying to think your way through it, your nervous system has been quietly keeping score. In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with Dr. Deborah Sandella, PhD, award-winning psychotherapist and creator of the Regenerating Images in Memory (RIM®) Method, to unpack why traditional forgiveness advice fails highly sensitive people and neurodivergent women, and what actually moves the pain out of the body. In this episode: Why forgiveness is somatic, not a mental decision The over-empathizer trap that keeps sensitive women stuck What "waiting for the other shoe to drop" says about self-trust The difference between anger and disgust in relationships A real-time self-compassion exercise to try along with Dr. Amelia How the RIM® Method shifts what years of talk therapy sometimes can't Dr. Deb's morning nervous system practice for low-serotonin hours About Dr. Deborah Sandella Author of the international bestseller Goodbye Hurt & Pain , award-winning psychotherapist, university professor, and originator of the evidence-backed RIM® Method. Featured in USA TODAY, CBS, and NBC. Connect with Dr. Deb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdebsandella/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkPositivewithDebSandella/ Published Research: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1539079/full Learn about the RIM® Method YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrDebRIMinstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riminstitute/ Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

August 13, 2026Episode 1154 min

Inherited Trauma: How to Break Generational Cycles That Didn’t Start With You

You've named every wound you can remember. You've done the childhood work. And still, the same pattern, the same panic, the same quiet fear of being too much keeps coming back like it doesn't belong to you. This week on Wired & Worthy, inherited trauma pioneer Mark Wolynn sits down with Dr. Amelia Kelley to explain why it might not have started with you. Mark is the author of the international bestseller It Didn't Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle , translated into 40 languages with over 3 million copies sold. In this conversation, he unpacks how the traumas of our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents live in our unexplained depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and relationship patterns, and how epigenetics, attachment, and what he calls "the turbulent womb" shape us long before we have memory. If your struggle has ever felt too big for your story, this episode gives you a name for it and a starting place for what to do next. Key takeaways: Why "just how I am" is often inherited family trauma, not personality What Mark calls the turbulent womb and how prenatal stress wires the nervous system before memory The one sentence that repairs a child's nervous system in real time Why highly sensitive people carry what their family shut down, and how to give it back Why forgiveness is not the point, and what the real inner work is instead About the guest: Mark Wolynn is a leading expert in the field of inherited family trauma. He’s the director of The Family Constellation Institute in the US and is renowned for his work that bridges epigenetics, neuroscience, and somatic healing, and shows how the traumas of our parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents, can live in our bodies as unexplained depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and chronic health conditions. His book It Didn't Start with You is an international bestseller, which has sold more than three million copies worldwide. It won the Silver Nautilus Book Award for Psychology and has been translated into 42 languages. Mark has just released the 2025 revised edition of It Didn't Start with You and The Official It Didn’t Start with You Workbook. Connect with Mark Wolynn: Website Instagram (@markwolynn) Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: 🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

August 6, 2026Episode 1045 min

Complex PTSD in Women: The Plateau No One Talks About

You did everything right. Why don't you feel different? You've done the reading. You've journaled. You've reframed the thought. You know exactly where the pattern started and why it kicked in. And your body still isn't listening. That plateau, the one no one warns you about, is where trauma therapist Debbie Missud starts this episode. Because for complex PTSD, especially in women, the wound isn't always what happened. Sometimes it's what didn't. The connection that was missing. The attunement that never came. The consistency that never held. Your body registered every absence, and it's been carrying the response ever since. If you've ever thought, "nothing that bad happened to me, so why do I feel this way," this conversation is going to name something in you that hasn't been named yet. Key takeaways: What complex PTSD actually is, and how it's different from the type of PTSD the DSM defines Why women are twice as likely to develop complex trauma, and why so much of the clinical literature misses this The healing plateau in trauma recovery, why doing the "right" cognitive work stops producing change, and what to do next The difference between freeze and shutdown, and how to recognize which state you're actually in Practical nervous system tools to come out of a shutdown response, including movement, sensory input, and what not to reach for Why fawning is a survival response, not a personality trait, and how to tell if the person across from you is actually safe How to know if you're processing or just looping, and the simple question that tells you which one it is Parts mapping and self-forgiveness, the two tools Debbie names as most important for long-term complex trauma healing Why forgiving the people who hurt you is not required to heal from complex trauma About the guest: Debbie Missud is a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of the Manhattan Psychotherapy Collective, a group practice in New York City specializing in trauma-informed care for women. She's also a mental health content creator, consultant, and the author of Self-Directed Complex PTSD Exercises for Women. Connect with Debbie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapydebbie/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therapydebbie Grab her book: https://a.co/d/09yDvxfn

July 30, 2026Episode 828 min

House Mapping for ADHD: Organize Your Home Around How Your Brain Works

You've been told your messy counter means you're lazy. Your brain says otherwise. If a viral reel has ever made you feel behind for not spending "just 20 extra seconds" tidying up, this one is for you. Dr. Amelia Kelley breaks down house mapping, an ADHD-friendly approach to home organization that stops forcing your life to fit your home and starts designing your home around how your brain actually moves. Born from a reel that lit up with hundreds of listener questions, this episode tackles shoes, mail piles, kitchen counters, laundry hampers, and the family nervous system, with the clinical grounding of a trauma therapist who lives it too. In this episode, you'll learn: - What house mapping is and why it works for ADHD brains - How your environment silently cues your behavior - Why the viral "just take 20 more seconds" advice is a neuronormative trap - How landing zones reduce executive function load - How to talk to family members who aren't on board - The one-bag-a-day method for overwhelmed spaces Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: 🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/ 👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

July 23, 2026Episode 848 min

Why You Avoid the Doctor: Medical Anxiety, ADHD and Trauma

What if you’re not avoiding the doctor because you don’t care, but because fear, trauma, or overwhelm makes the appointment feel impossible? In this episode of Wired and Worthy , Dr. Amelia Kelley and Dr. Amna Shabir explore medical anxiety, healthcare avoidance, and why neurodivergent and highly sensitive people may struggle to seek care. They discuss the difference between fearing a diagnosis and fearing the procedure itself, the impact of cognitive overload, and how trauma-informed care can help patients feel safer. They also share practical ways to reduce anxiety, advocate for yourself, rebuild trust with healthcare providers, and treat preventive care as an important form of self-care. Key Takeaways: Medical anxiety may come from fear of the diagnosis, the procedure, past trauma, or an overwhelming healthcare system. ADHD and cognitive overload can make scheduling and attending appointments much harder. Understanding each step of a procedure can reduce fear and avoidance. Trauma-informed care should prioritise trust, communication, choice, and autonomy. Believing your symptoms and seeking help are acts of self-care—not weakness. About the guest: Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, is a dual board-certified physician, TEDx speaker, and certified health and wellness coach. With advanced training in integrative well-being, performance, and leadership development, she helps high achievers navigate perfectionism, workplace stress, and burnout. Through speaking, coaching, and consulting, she supports individuals and organisations in creating healthier, more sustainable approaches to success. Connect with Dr. Amna Shabbir Website: https://dramnashabbir.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ Listen to her podcast: https://dramnashabbir.com/podcasts/success-reimagined-with-amna-shabbir-md-exploring-the-crossroads-of-ambition-and-wellness/ Take her quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: 🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/ 👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

July 16, 2026Episode 753 min

Gifted or ADHD? Understanding Twice Exceptionality with Julie Skolnick

What if the parts of you that seemed inconsistent, overly intense, distracted, or difficult were actually clues to how your brain works? In this episode of Wired & Worthy, Dr. Amelia Kelley speaks with Julie Skolnick, author of Gifted and Distractible , about twice exceptionality, also known as 2E. Julie explains why giftedness is about far more than intelligence and how it can coexist with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, and other learning differences. Together, they explore why highly capable children and adults are so often misunderstood, how shame develops when strengths hide real struggles, and what it takes to finally feel seen, supported, and safe enough to unmask. In this episode you’ll learn: Why giftedness is about more than being smart. How ADHD and giftedness can look very similar. Why highly capable people can still struggle with everyday tasks. How sensory needs, perfectionism, and anxiety can affect learning. Why some gifted children and adults are overlooked or misunderstood. How reframing behavior can reduce shame and build confidence. Why understanding how your brain works can make self-advocacy easier. About the guest: Julie Skolnick is the author of Gifted and Distractible and the founder of With Understanding Comes Calm. Her work focuses on supporting gifted and twice-exceptional children, adults, parents, educators, and clinicians. Through consultations, training, courses, and her Haystack community for 2E adults, Julie helps people better understand the overlap between giftedness, ADHD, learning differences, sensory needs, perfectionism, anxiety, and emotional intensity. Her approach centers on practical strategies, positive reframing, advocacy, and helping people understand how their brains work so they can feel supported rather than broken. Connect with Julie Skolnick Website: https://www.withunderstandingcomescalm.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieskolnick/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-rosenbaum-skolnick-5b582351/ Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: 🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/ 👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

July 9, 2026Episode 61 hr 0 min

Why Your ADHD Emotions Feel So Big with Dr. Tamara Rosier

Have you ever had one vague email, one “we need to talk,” or one small disagreement send your whole nervous system into overdrive? If you have ADHD, are highly sensitive, or feel emotions intensely, this episode will help you understand why your feelings can feel so urgent and convincing. Dr. Amelia Kelley talks with Dr. Tamara Rosier, author of Your Brain’s Not Broken and founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, about ADHD emotions, relationships, shame, trauma, self-trust, and emotional regulation. Through humor, real-life examples, and powerful metaphors, Tamara explains why emotions are “informants,” but not always reliable ones. You will walk away with a clearer way to understand your ADHD brain, separate emotion from truth, and see your sensitivity as part of your strength, not proof that you are broken. In this episode you’ll learn: Why ADHD emotions can jump from zero to ten so quickly. How working memory differences can create conflict in ADHD relationships. Why some arguments are not worth the nervous system crash. How humor and repair can help couples reconnect. Why ADHD shame can feel embarrassing, but does not define you. How to question intense emotions without dismissing yourself. Why ADHD and trauma are connected, but not the same thing. About the guest: Dr. Tamara Rosier is a leading voice in the ADHD and neurodiversity space, known for making complex brain science feel human, relatable, and deeply practical. With her signature mix of warmth, humor, and honesty, she helps people understand ADHD not as a character flaw, but as a different way of moving through the world. As the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, Dr. Rosier has dedicated her work to helping individuals, families, couples, and organizations better understand the strengths and challenges of ADHD. Her background as a college administrator, professor, leadership consultant, high school teacher, business owner, and ADHD coach gives her a rich, real-world understanding of how ADHD shows up in everyday life, from relationships and emotional regulation to work, shame, and self-trust. Connect with Dr. Tamara Rosier Website: https://www.tamararosier.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tamararosier Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: 🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/ 👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/