Love Letters and Mixtapes

In this exploration of family estrangement, we examine how ongoing conflict, betrayal, or long-standing dysfunction can drive us to seek minimal, low, or even no contact with relatives. Acknowledging the intense emotional weight of this decision—such as guilt, grief, or unexpected relief—this discussion invites listeners to reflect on the hurt they’ve experienced and the changes they can initiate. From those who feel compelled to g...

In this candid love letter, listeners are invited to embrace the messy, uncertain sides of life without shame or apology. There’s no neat script or single “right” way to cope with challenges—only the encouragement to accept where you are, however imperfect it may look. 

By touching on topics like self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, and the pressure to maintain a polished exterior, this episode underscores the reality that everyone dese...

In this deeply reflective episode, I sit down with my friend, colleague, and creative collaborator, Lauren Summers, host of the It’s Only Up From Here podcast, to explore the power of honoring our younger selves and tapping into our calling and natural gifts—even when the road feels uncertain. We explore how staying connected to our early hopes, dreams, and imagination can guide us through adult challenges like career changes, lone...

In this deeply personal conversation, we explore what happens when those closest to us become our earliest bullies—using intimidation, humiliation, or gaslighting to undermine our self-worth. We clarify the difference between typical family conflict and true bullying. We explore how this pattern of making ourselves small can persist in adulthood and manifest as low self-esteem, codependency, or an inability to set healthy boundarie...

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut or lingered at the crossroads while yearning for a different life? Being stuck in an in-between space can stir up unexpected emotions, from confusion and self-doubt to envy and paralyzing fear. In this episode, we explore the complexity of wanting change but not knowing where to begin. We discuss identifying external versus internal barriers, rewriting limiting beliefs, and acknowledging the very r...

What is a “legacy of dysfunction,” and how can a family history of dysregulation, chaos, and self-sabotaging behavior create lasting blueprints for adulthood? In this episode, we will explore the hidden scripts we unconsciously follow—whether it’s people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, or self-sabotaging financial habits—and learn why self-exploration and curiosity are the first steps toward breaking generational cycles. The conversa...

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked concept of anticipatory grief—that wave of emotion experienced when we sense a loss before it actually happens. Building on the previous discussion of toxic positivity, we unpack the confusion and shame that can surface when we feel dread about a likely life change—be it a health crisis, the end of a relationship, or a loved one’s impending transition. 

We explore how anticipatory gri...

In this episode, we are going to have a heartfelt conversation about toxic positivity—how it’s different from healthy optimism and how it can inadvertently shut down the very people we want to support. We’ll explore the harm caused by well-meaning platitudes that dismiss or minimize real pain. You’ll hear honest reflections on how insisting that someone “look on the bright side” or focus on “gratitude” can deepen their isolation, m...

Let's explore the pressures of “new year, new me,” the illusion of control, and how life rarely follows our carefully laid plans while making room for compassion—both toward ourselves and others—when setbacks and unexpected detours arise. Throughout this episode, we'll question the stories we tell ourselves about “deserving” or “earning” hardship, and find the hidden gifts in uncertainty. Let's move through life’s inevi...

Discover the transformative power of the age-old adage "Keep what you have by giving it away.” In this episode, we explore how this simple yet profound concept can shift our perspective on self, relationships, limitations, deprivation, boundaries, motives, and life's challenges. Through candid anecdotes and reflections, we identify opportunities to apply this principle in everyday situations, from navigating workplace dyna...

“If the only tool you have in your emotional toolkit is a hammer, then everything in your life will look like a nail.”

Explore the depths of emotional sobriety and learn practical tools to navigate life's challenges and opportunities with serenity, empathy, and resilience. From professional endeavors to personal relationships, discover how emotional sobriety can transform our approach to conflict, self-awareness, and compassion...

This week, I spoke with Dylan Hundley, an artist, mother, punk, and lover. Dylan is the lead singer of the New York post-punk/new wave band Lulu Lewis. We discuss mental health, including addiction, PTSD, and panic disorder, the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued, the transformative power of extending a compassionate hand to others (and ourselves), and the liberating (and sometimes profoundly ch...

Is wellness an extra treat we allow ourselves when we think we deserve it, or is it sustainable, transformative, and nourishing? Does our healing journey have to be aesthetic and social media-friendly to be impactful? I spoke with Sabrina Rollo of @VigorAndSage (https://www.instagram.com/vigorandsage) about how so many of the lessons we learn through holistic practices have clear applications in our everyday lives, including bounda...

I decided to share more about my recent journey of navigating life on life’s terms, including medical emergencies, relationships, fears, and judgments, while contemplating the power of showing up with willingness and compassion. Let’s explore our struggles with societal expectations of how and when we choose to do this, the healing power of surrender, and the transformative experience of challenging our habitual judgments. We’ll un...

Is it possible to find self-acceptance and wholeness in relationships, workplaces, and locations where we don’t belong? The relationship is ending, we need to find a new job, and we should have started packing our things and looking for a new home weeks ago. Instead of tenderly connecting with our wholeness, our flaws, or the parts of ourselves we’re insecure about, we lean into perfectionism. We attempt to control outcomes and not...

I am so excited to introduce all of you to Wendi Eckstein, my long-time friend and teacher. We sat down for a beautiful discussion about Reiki, energy work, boundaries, energetic hygiene, and the importance of honoring and cultivating our intuition. We explore what it means to be a deeply sensitive person while living a spiritual life in this human world and how it can be humble, powerful, and completely counterintuitive to the ide...

Let’s explore the phrase, "I am less than the actions I take," and reflect on the profound implications of aligning thoughts with actions. Originating from a talk by Earl Hightower, the phrase serves as a powerful catalyst for introspection, urging listeners to release themselves from the stories all have running on a loop in our minds about who we are and who we could be “if only…” We explore the nuances of self-percepti...

Today, we're exploring the physical, mental, and financial impact of work trauma. Toxic and abusive work environments can be so commonplace in our culture that we feel pressure to accept the unacceptable. They begin to chip away at our self-esteem, negatively impact our health,  and drastically increase both social isolation and our fears of deprivation. So, what can we do when we start noticing the red flags? Do we automatical...