Welcome to the Aware and Prepared podcast

where I, Mandi, a trained domestic violence victim advocate helps those feeling vulnerable learn emotional self defense and how to be street smart.

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You deserve to live in peace and safety! Hear safety tips that will help us enjoy empowered lives. Let’s leave worry behind so we can be savvy, aware, and prepared

Beyond Calm: How to Heal Anxiety by Building True Safety in Your Body

Mandi Pratt

Published on: 30/03/2026

True anxiety relief isn't about calm, it's about safety. We explore what it actually means for your nervous system to feel safe, how small, repeatable daily actions build that safety over time, and why your body may still feel on alert even when your mind knows you're okay. You'll also walk away with a simple audit to identify who and what is draining your sense of safety, plus a curiosity-based affirmation technique to try today.

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Understanding Panic Attacks: Tools for Relief and What NOT to Say to Someone Struggling

Mandi Pratt

Published on: 24/03/2026

Hear real tools that actually help during a panic attack AND find out what NOT to say to someone who's struggling. In this episode, I sit down with certified life coach and author Tom Seaman to talk about what really happens in the brain and body during anxiety and panic and why fighting it often makes it worse. Tom brings his expertise on panic attacks and anxiety in the context of chronic health conditions, sharing practical tools, mental models, and compassionate approaches to help you navigate the hard moments and build real resilience. This one is full of grace, hope, and tools you can really use! Listen and share! In this episode you'll learn: The difference between anxiety and panic attacks What your brain is actually doing during anxiety and why it's not working against you Practical tools for moving through panic: curiosity, distraction, movement and more Why self-compassion and naming your feelings are more powerful than you think What NOT to say to someone struggling with a panic attack and what actually helps

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Mindfulness for Managing Emotional Triggers, Even When Co-Parenting with a Narcissist – Dr. Dorian

Mandi Pratt

Published on: 10/12/2024

Master The Art of NOT “Biting The Hook” with Dr. Marina Dorian, a psychologist and meditation instructor. She shares wisdom from her personal journey of co-parenting with a narcissist. Building on last week’s conversation about her challenges, Dr. Dorian dives into practical mindfulness strategies to help anyone avoid being emotionally "hooked" by others' triggering behaviors. She shares about our tendency to get attached or triggered—and provides actionable steps to recognize and interrupt emotional reactivity. Whether you're dealing with difficult co-parenting dynamics or simply navigating daily stressors, her advice is universally valuable. Dr. Dorian also explores the power of self-compassion and loving-kindness meditation as tools for grounding and emotional resilience. Listeners will learn how to redirect their energy and cultivate inner peace amidst external chaos!

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Recovering From Narcissistic Abuse and Complex PTSD: Dr. Dorian’s Story and Advice

Mandi Pratt

Published on: 02/12/2024

What happens when the person you most trusted turns out to be the source of your deepest pain? Hear Dr. Marina Dorian, a psychologist and mindfulness-based counseling professor share her powerful journey of reclaiming her life from narcissistic abuse. She unveils the psychological and physical toll of living with and co-parenting alongside a narcissist, offering a profound exploration of manipulation, gaslighting, and coercive communication. What are the different types of narcissists, the signs of abuse, and its complex impact on survivors? Learn invaluable tools for healing!

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