Mentally A Badass

In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and author Betsy Holmberg, who specializes in negative self-talk and the powerful role it plays in our lives. Betsy opens up about her own divorce, sharing how she felt emotionally blinded in her marriage and what it took to finally see the truth clearly.

We dive into how negative self-talk can keep us stuck in unhealthy patterns, why it’s often so hard to recognize in the moment, and ho...

In this episode, I sit down with Barrett Young to have an honest conversation about identity, success, and the rarely discussed reality of returning to employee life after entrepreneurship. Barrett opens up about building a successful business, the obstacles that ultimately led him to step away, and the internal struggle of redefining who you are when your title changes.

We talk about ego, burnout, financial pressure, and the quiet ...

In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Paolicelli, the creator of Dare to Be Iconic, to talk about the breakup that shattered her—and ultimately shaped her into the woman she is today. Amanda opens up about trauma, healing, self-worth, and how she turned pain into purpose.
We dive deep into confidence, empowerment, and what it really means to become “iconic” as a woman rebuilding her life. This one is raw, honest, and powerful...

In this powerful episode, Tanya Kach shares the shocking story of how she was groomed, manipulated, and ultimately held captive for 10 years by her middle school security guard. Locked upstairs and hidden from the world, Tanya endured a decade of fear, isolation, and control before finally finding the courage to escape.

We dive deep into:

• How the grooming began at school
• The moment she was taken and hidden
• What daily life in captiv...

Danielle Young was only 18 when she met a man who seemed charming — but turned out to be a complete loser who preyed on her innocence and controlled her every move. What started as attention quickly became abuse, manipulation, and emotional destruction.

In this powerful conversation, Danielle opens up about how she survived years of mistreatment, found the courage to leave, and began rebuilding her life. Today, she’s not just surviv...

Motherhood isn’t always picture-perfect — and in this episode, Kayce Hodos gets real about what moms actually go through. We discuss mental health, self-care, and honest motherhood advice without the sugar-coating. Tune in for a refreshing, relatable chat every mom needs to hear.

Check out Kayce:

https://tinyurl.com/y4d7mvds

Connect with Us: 

• Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@MentallyABadass⁠
• Join our mental health community on Faceboo...

Larry Bograd shares his story of losing his father to suicide and the deep grief that followed. He reflects on how hard it was to mourn in a time when no one talked about mental health or suicide. Through his journey, Larry reveals what it means to heal from a loss that once had no voice.

Order Larry's Book:

https://amzn.to/4oEQZLz

Connect with Us: 

• Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@MentallyABadass⁠
• Join our mental health community on ...

The trauma of the Holocaust didn’t end with liberation — it lived on in families, memories, and silence. Willie Handler shares how growing up as the child of Holocaust survivors shaped his sense of self and mental health. Together, we talk about inherited pain, the invisible weight of survival, and how healing begins with speaking the truth.

Check out Willie:

https://williehandler.com/

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@Men...

Ever feel like your brain just won’t cooperate? Dopamine expert Andy West joins me to talk about how to reset your brain’s motivation system. She shares easy, realistic ways to boost dopamine and find your flow again—especially if ADHD makes it feel like an uphill battle.

Check out Andy:

https://dopaminemountain.com/

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@MentallyABadass⁠
• Join our mental health community on Facebook: ⁠https://ww...

Actor, author, and advocate Perry Power joins me to share his story of surviving sexual abuse. While the abuse itself was painful, Perry reveals that the greatest trauma came from being told to stay silent. In this conversation, he opens up about how silence shapes survivors, why breaking it is powerful, and shares his tips on finding the courage to speak up. 

Check out Perry:

https://www.instagram.com/iamperrypower/

 Connec...

In this episode of Mentally a Badass, I sit down with author Tyler Kania to talk openly about his journey with Bipolar 1 disorder. Tyler shares his experiences navigating manic episodes, struggling to keep a job, and facing the challenges of a serious knee injury and time in a mental health hospital. But this conversation isn’t just about the struggles—Tyler also highlights the surprising positives of living with Bipolar 1 and how ...

In this episode, Morgan Brunner shares her powerful story of surviving a domestic violence marriage. She opens up about why she stayed at first—for her daughter—and the moment she realized that leaving was the only way to protect them both. Morgan talks about the hidden aftermath of abuse: living in constant fight-or-flight, the exhaustion it caused in her body, and the long journey of healing and recovery. If you’ve ever wondered ...

In this episode, I sit down with Brooke Deanne for an honest conversation about her time in a cult and how that experience led to CPTSD. Brooke shares what it’s really like living with trauma, how it shows up in everyday life, and the small steps she’s taking to heal and move forward.

We talk about the hard stuff—control, trust, and the weight of trauma—but also the hope that comes with recovery and rebuilding. This is one of those ...

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Brittany Hansen to talk openly about panic attacks, mental health awareness, and the importance of breaking the stigma around these conversations. Brittany shares her personal experiences with anxiety and panic attacks, and why it’s so important to take them seriously. We also explore the role of boundaries in protecting our mental health, learning to embrace imperfections, and practicing sel...

In this episode, I sit down with Zulma Williams—better known as The Swearing Therapist—to talk about what it really means to be authentic in a world obsessed with perfection. We get into why swearing isn’t a moral failure, how to stop caring about your looks, and why chasing happiness doesn’t have to mean pretending everything’s okay. If you’ve ever felt pressured to shrink yourself to fit in, this conversation will remind you that...

In this powerful and honest conversation, Laura Walton shares her experience with grief after losing her father to suicide and later a close friend. While both losses shaped her, it was the passing of her friend that hit especially hard and stirred a deeper emotional reckoning.

We talk about how grief can feel different depending on the relationship, how she processed it all, and how being raised to stay silent about mental health l...

What happens when you realize the thing you’ve been chasing… isn’t actually what you want? 

In this episode, I sit down with Catherine Crestani to talk about the quiet, powerful moments of self-awareness that shaped her journey. From building a company to prove people wrong, to realizing she no longer wants to spend her energy that way — Catherine shares what it looks like to let go of ego, expectations, and outside validation....

Ever felt like you were doing everything “right,” but still felt off? Ashley Krooks joins us to share how burnout forced her to re-evaluate her definition of success. We talk about the difference between looking successful and feeling satisfied—and how she’s working to build a more grounded, peaceful life.

Check out Ashley:

https://www.instagram.com/ohtheplacesashgoes

https://ohtheplacesashgoes.com/body-scan/

Connect with Us:

• Follow...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with therapist and addiction survivor Blake Hunt to discuss his personal journey with alcohol and how it led him to help others through mental health work. We dive deep into the mental health crisis facing our society—touching on everything from the fentanyl epidemic to borderline personality disorder (BPD), and how caregiver attachment plays a role in long-term emotional health. Blake offers ra...