Tend HER Wild Podcast

170. Renee Zukin: Every Day, I’m Brave
In today’s episode we interview author Renee Zukin. In her new book “Everyday I’m Brave” Renee shares her story of her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and her journey of conquering fear in order to live a bigger life. Renee reveals that being diagnosed late in life after having her third child began a healing process that has led to finding freedom and using her gifts to help others conquer their fear.
Today we discuss:
- Renee’s early ability to hold the tension of opposites, both fear and adventure, when her family moved from Detroit to Iowa. Her early love of fashion and how in an effort to fit in, she shut down parts of herself in middle school.
- How in her thirties she was misdiagnosed with anorexia and then finally correctly diagnosed with OCD which suddenly helped her make sense of her life. How getting the right kind of support and strategies changed how she lived her life.
- Her evolution after diagnosis and how having information allowed her to make choices from a more grounded place. The freedom she found when she learned that our thoughts do not define us.
- The impact of her OCD on her children and how they have adapted and supported her different habits. How she has modeled resilience and bravery for her children by embracing fear and allowing herself different experiences to perform such as singing in a band and tap dancing.
- The importance of holding onto glimmers of hope and having trust that it will get better. What she has learned about her own resistance and rebellion and how grace and self-compassion are necessary as we all have set backs.
Find more on Renee’s book, how to work with her, and her book launch part on August 8th at https://www.reneezukin.com
To join the Tend Her 4.0 Course on Hope (It’s Free!), visit here: https://dryogamomma.com/tend-her-4-0-hope/
Past Episodes You Might Like with Kate & Betsy:
Episode 167: Dr. Jackie: Being a Mom is the Best Thing for my OCD
Episode 160: Are You Dysregulated?
Episode 145: Dr. Candida Maurer: Vibrant Explorer
Episode 138: Lily French: Awakening to Human Design
Episode 133: Domestic Abuse: Wisdom from a Survivor, Dr. Lauren Welter
Episode 129: Dr. Sharon Blackie: Hagitude
Episode 115: Dr. Arielle Schwartz: Awakening the Spiritual Heart
Episode 87: Dr. Stacey Shelby: Tracking the Wild Woman Archetype
Today’s Episode sponsored by:
Kate Moreland Coaching
Dr Yoga Momma
Heartland Yoga
Want to go on retreat?
Want to join Betsy in Costa Rica in May 2026 at her favorite retreat center to help you reorganize your inner space using yoga, meditation, energy medicine, and hypnosis? All the details here!