We recorded this episode in early May 2021, before the Delta variant sent us back into lockdown. Austin was still in Stage 2 restrictions, which meant masking was not mandatory for vaccinated people. Unfortunately, our Shot Girl Summer didn’t end up the way we had hoped. While we may not be peopling again for a little while, we talk a lot about Covid anxiety, mourning what we’ve lost, and more. Hell, maybe you can listen again when the world opens up again.

On today’s episode of The Top Knot Squad we will be discussing peopling post pandemic! As more folks have access to the vaccine and masking guidelines change, we now have to figure out navigating our new normal. While we’re excited to be able to do things again and see friends and family, we’re still grappling with various fears and unknowns. And let’s be real - this isn’t post-pandemic, i.e. covid isn’t just magically over! There is still much progress to be made and no matter where science has brought us with the physical illness, the emotional toll still runs deep. The collective trauma of this past year is still alive and well in our nervous systems so how in the world do we recalibrate?! Luckily we have therapist Ilyse Kennedy joining us to help us unpack it all and offer us tips and advice on how to stay connected! A little about Ilyse...

Ilyse Kennedy is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician. She owns a private practice, Moving Parts Psychotherapy in south Austin, where she specializes in trauma recovery. She is a mental health and social justice advocate on Instagram, @MovingPartsPsychotherapy and by night, she is a mother of two and connoisseur of the reality television arts.