53: Nobody Rebuilds a Life Overnight with Elena Khazanova

Elena Khazanova arrived in the United States as a refugee after fleeing the former Soviet Union with her family. In this conversation, we talk about immigration, trauma, somatic therapy, cancer, and what it really takes to rebuild a life one ordinary decision at a time. In this conversation Elena and Kim discuss: The real human experience of becoming a refugee and having to flee the place you call home How trauma can shape the relationship between the body, achievement, and identity The steps it took to shift from a career as a teacher to a psychotherapist and the surprising role Elena took in the midterm What it means to be "relationally homeless" and how we find our way back to connection Understanding American culture, deciphering small talk, and making her first real American friend How somatics work fills the hole that talk therapy can sometimes leave About The Show 10,000 Tabs is a podcast about change, reinvention, and what happens when life no longer fits the way it used to. Each episode explores the moments when something shifts—when the version of life or work that once made sense no longer fits, and the next chapter hasn’t fully revealed itself yet. Through candid conversations with founders, creatives, leaders, and everyday people, the show explores how we make meaning, find clarity, and move forward anyway. Mentions & Links Elena Khazanova Website Kim Wensel Website | Instagram | LinkedIn Subscribe to the 10,000 Tabs Newsletter