In this special episode, I take you through my journey—who I am, where I’ve been, and what brought me to where I am today. From my childhood in a diverse community outside Washington, DC, to my transition from teaching to trauma counseling, I’ve followed a path shaped by curiosity and a passion for helping others. I share the personal struggles, professional milestones, and life experiences that give me a unique perspective on mental health, wellness, and resilience. Whether you’re new here or have been following for a while, this episode is about connection, authenticity, and why I’m committed to guiding you through life’s challenges with evidence-backed insights and empathy. Welcome to the conversation!

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Ever wondered how to heal from past trauma, navigate parenting challenges, or manage life transitions? Dr. Cristie Ritz-King, a Doctor of Psychology and former Master’s Level Educator, dives deep into these questions and more. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for healthy communication, navigating divorce, career changes, and raising emotionally sensitive children. Join Dr. Cristie on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Let's connect:

➡️Website https://wonderincwellness.com/

➡️Join the Women of Wonder Community: https://wonderincwellness.com/work-with-me/

➡️Let's conect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderincwellness/reels/

In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on boundaries and self-care—two topics that have been life-changing for me. I’ll break down what boundaries really are (hint: they’re for you, not rules for others) and why self-care is so much more than a buzzword. I’ll also open up about how I’ve navigated these practices in my own life, especially during times of personal and family challenges.

This episode is also a little different because I have a big announcement about the future of the I Wonder podcast and YouTube channel. I’m so excited to share my plans for creating a deeper sense of community and connection as we head into 2025.

Join me as I take a short break to recharge and reflect, and stay tuned for new ways we can grow and connect together. Until then, stay curious and take care of yourself—you deserve it!

Ever wondered how to heal from past trauma, navigate parenting challenges, or manage life transitions? Dr. Cristie Ritz-King, a Doctor of Psychology and former Master’s Level Educator, dives deep into these questions and more. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for healthy communication, navigating divorce, career changes, and raising emotionally sensitive children. Join Dr. Cristie on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Let's connect:

➡️Website https://wonderincwellness.com/

➡️Join the Women of Wonder Community: https://wonderincwellness.com/work-with-me/

➡️Let's conect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderincwellness/reels/

In today's world, information overload and extreme views seem to be everywhere, especially online. As parents, how do we guide our kids through this digital landscape filled with opinions and polarized narratives? In this episode, we explore the importance of teaching our children critical literacy—helping them question sources, avoid blind trust, and embrace nuance. I share personal stories, tips on nurturing curiosity, and the impact of balanced perspectives. Join me as we dive into strategies to help our kids make sense of complex topics with open minds and thoughtful consideration.

Ever wondered how to heal from past trauma, navigate parenting challenges, or manage life transitions? Dr. Cristie Ritz-King, a Doctor of Psychology and former Master’s Level Educator, dives deep into these questions and more. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for healthy communication, navigating divorce, career changes, and raising emotionally sensitive children. Join Dr. Cristie on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Let's connect:

➡️Website https://wonderincwellness.com/

➡️Join the Women of Wonder Community: https://wonderincwellness.com/work-with-me/

➡️Let's conect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderincwellness/reels/

In this episode, we explore the challenging yet enriching journey of navigating life’s inevitable ups and downs. Reflecting on personal experiences with loss, resilience, and unexpected joy, we dive into what it means to live in the “messy middle” — a place where hardship and hope coexist. Join us as we redefine resilience, embrace our right to feel the full spectrum of emotions, and discover how small glimmers of joy can be life’s anchor in the storm. This episode is a call to find wonder amid the weeds of life, giving ourselves permission to live fully, no matter what.

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Ever wondered how to heal from past trauma, navigate parenting challenges, or manage life transitions? Dr. Cristie Ritz-King, a Doctor of Psychology and former Master’s Level Educator, dives deep into these questions and more. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for healthy communication, navigating divorce, career changes, and raising emotionally sensitive children. Join Dr. Cristie on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Let's connect:

➡️Website https://wonderincwellness.com/

➡️Join the Women of Wonder Community: https://wonderincwellness.com/work-with-me/

➡️Let's conect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderincwellness/reels/

Halloween can be a fun time of year, but for some kids, the holiday brings more anxiety than excitement. In this episode, we dive into how parents can help children who may be nervous or overwhelmed by Halloween. Learn the principles of 'explicit parenting' to better understand and support your child’s unique needs, from handling costumes and sensory overload to managing expectations. Discover actionable tips for making Halloween a positive experience, even if it looks a bit different than you might expect. Tune in and find out how to help your child feel safe, heard, and valued this Halloween season.

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Ever wondered how to heal from past trauma, navigate parenting challenges, or manage life transitions? Dr. Cristie Ritz-King, a Doctor of Psychology and former Master’s Level Educator, dives deep into these questions and more. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for healthy communication, navigating divorce, career changes, and raising emotionally sensitive children. Join Dr. Cristie on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Let's connect:

➡️Website https://wonderincwellness.com/

➡️Join the Women of Wonder Community: https://wonderincwellness.com/work-with-me/

➡️Let's conect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderincwellness/reels/

In this heartfelt episode, I dive deep into the complexities of grief and how we can find our way to thriving, even in the face of profound loss. As a therapist, I often hear that grief is something to "get over," but in reality, it’s something we live with. Today, I open up about my personal story, sharing the pain of losing my father at a young age, the impact of my mother's death when I was still trying to figure out adulthood, and the recent loss of my sister, who was not just family, but a keeper of my history.

I reflect on what it means to thrive in the "gray area"—the space between grief and joy, where both can coexist. I’ll share how grief is not a linear process, how it’s okay to feel angry or like life is unfair, and how to honor those we've lost by continuing to live fully. For anyone who has ever experienced loss, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about how we can carry our grief with us, without letting it hold us back from experiencing joy, love, and connection.

From personal stories to professional insights as a trauma therapist, I explore the nuanced relationship between grief and healing, showing that there is no "right" way to grieve—but there are ways to thrive alongside it. Whether you're in the early days of loss or years into your journey, I hope my words resonate and bring comfort, hope, and perhaps even a little peace.

Let's start the conversation. Comment your thoughts or share your own story below—I’d love to hear from you.

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Ever wondered how to heal from past trauma, navigate parenting challenges, or manage life transitions? Dr. Cristie Ritz-King, a Doctor of Psychology and former Master’s Level Educator, dives deep into these questions and more. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for healthy communication, navigating divorce, career changes, and raising emotionally sensitive children. Join Dr. Cristie on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Let's connect:

➡️Website https://wonderincwellness.com/

➡️Join the Women of Wonder Community: https://wonderincwellness.com/work-with-me/

➡️Let's conect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderincwellness/reels/

In this episode, I dive into the challenges we face as parents when managing our children's behavior, especially during times of transition when tantrums, meltdowns, and emotional outbursts are at their peak. I share my personal journey of learning and why I moved away from B.F. Skinner's behaviorism and punishment-based approaches. Instead, I’ve embraced a teaching-centered method that focuses on fostering growth, mutual respect, and understanding.

I’ll talk about how I’ve learned to approach my kids' behaviors as forms of communication rather than simply something to correct or punish. By using grace, curiosity, and grit, I've created an environment that promotes positive behavior and allows for self-awareness and growth—for both me and my kids. We’ll cover how positive reinforcement, emotional intelligence, and self-care can make a huge difference in how we show up as parents and help our kids grow into their best selves. If you're navigating tantrums, defiance, or emotional challenges with your child, this episode will give you practical strategies for shifting from punishment to teaching, so you and your children can thrive.

Get a Copy of my Book Explicit Parenting Here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/649a0cbbc1c665538c72379c

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Ever wondered how to heal from past trauma, navigate parenting challenges, or manage life transitions? Dr. Cristie Ritz-King, a Doctor of Psychology and former Master’s Level Educator, dives deep into these questions and more. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for healthy communication, navigating divorce, career changes, and raising emotionally sensitive children. Join Dr. Cristie on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Let's connect:

➡️Website https://wonderincwellness.com/

➡️Join the Women of Wonder Community: https://wonderincwellness.com/work-with-me/

➡️Let's conect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderincwellness/reels/

In this insightful episode, I sit down with Sarah Sparks, an international bestselling author, top 10% globally ranked podcast host, and successful business owner, who has transformed her life and career by embracing curiosity and divine guidance. Sarah’s journey, like many of ours, began with a search for external approval, love, and validation. She shares how this pursuit led her to a path that wasn’t aligned with her true self, and how she eventually broke free by asking one simple, yet powerful question: “I wonder.”

Throughout the episode, Sarah explains how this mindset shift allowed her to let go of societal expectations and start living a life guided by intuition. Whether it was leaving a marriage that didn’t serve her, shifting careers, or starting her own business, Sarah’s story is one of transformation through self-awareness, healing, and divine inspiration. She speaks about the importance of understanding the difference between living for external validation and living for inner fulfillment.

Sarah offers practical advice on how to tune into your intuition, explaining the subtle signals our bodies give us when something is right or wrong. She highlights the need to release emotional baggage, live authentically, and stop repeating patterns that don’t serve us. By staying curious and asking the right questions, Sarah believes we can all break free from self-imposed limitations and step into a life of joy, freedom, and success.

We also dive deep into Sarah’s healing process—an acronym called "HEALED"—designed to help people shift their mindset, let go of past wounds, and live in alignment with their true selves. Her philosophy is especially helpful for those feeling stuck in their careers, relationships, or even in their own personal development. If you’re ready to live a life of purpose, abundance, and fulfillment, this episode is a must-listen.

To learn more about Sarah Sparks and her incredible journey, visit her website at https://www.sarahsparks.love/about. Here, you’ll find more resources on how she’s helping others discover their true path through spiritual guidance, coaching, and transformational healing.

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Ever wondered how to heal from past trauma, navigate parenting challenges, or manage life transitions? Dr. Cristie Ritz-King, a Doctor of Psychology and former Master’s Level Educator, dives deep into these questions and more. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for healthy communication, navigating divorce, career changes, and raising emotionally sensitive children. Join Dr. Cristie on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Let's connect:

➡️Website https://wonderincwellness.com/

➡️Join the Women of Wonder Community: https://wonderincwellness.com/work-with-me/

➡️Let's conect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderincwellness/reels/