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A raw and authentic podcast for those who work or volunteer in animal care, welfare, or activism, who are struggling with compassion fatigue, burnout, grief and loss, secondary traumatic stress, and other mental health concerns. Through both solo and guest episodes, I blend science, psychology, spirituality, and even a touch of "woo woo" to help you manage compassion fatigue, build resilience, and make your passion for helping animals sustainable. If you're involved in animal caregiving, rescue, trap-neuter return (TNR), sheltering, animal control, cruelty investigations, veterinary medicine, fostering, wildlife or marine rehabilitation and conservation, animal law or lobbying, ethical veganism, or any other role in animal care, welfare, or activism, and struggling with the consequences of caring so much that it hurts, this podcast is for you!
The host, Jen Blough, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, compassion fatigue coach and speaker, and author with more than 35 years of experience in animal welfare and activism. She is the author of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior and the upcoming book, Beyond Compassion Fatigue.
Episodes
Friday Feb 13, 2026
Friday Feb 13, 2026
In this episode, I'm joined by coach and intuitive healer Lara Bokovay. We dive into the world of somatic practices and explore how tuning into the body can help regulate the nervous system, relieve stress, and restore balance—especially for those working in high-stress, emotionally intense environments like animal care and welfare. We discuss practical techniques, the science behind trauma in the body, and how somatic work complements traditional talk therapy.
We explore:
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What somatic practices are and how they help regulate the nervous system.
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What happens in the body during stress and trauma, and how somatic work approaches it differently than talk therapy.
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Simple, beginner-friendly somatic techniques you can use in the moment when feeling overwhelmed or triggered.
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How caregivers and animal advocates can reconnect with their own bodies and needs through somatic practices.
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The importance of body awareness in healing from chronic stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
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Insights on how secondary trauma manifests in the body.
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Tips for those who feel unsafe in their body or struggle to notice physical sensations—where to start safely.
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Daily somatic rituals and grounding practices to build nervous system resilience over time.
Resources Mentioned:
Lara's website
Lara's socials:
Instagram and TikTok: @larabokovay
Jen's Resources:
Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here.
Visit my free virtual calming room here.
Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here.
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