Bare and Brutal Podcast

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains candid discussion of mental illness, suicidal ideation, and emotional trauma. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. Resources and support are available in the episode description. This week on Bare & Brutal , I sit down with Ally Loyns , certified peer supporter and advocate for mental health awareness, to challenge the dangerous miscon...

You’re not broken. You’re not lacking. And there’s nothing you need to prove to be worthy. In this episode of Bare & Brutal, I sit down with Coach Christian Johnson, a mindset coach and speaker from the Elevate It Podcast, to talk about the subtle but powerful shift that happens when we stop chasing healing from a place of emptiness — and start living from a place of abundance. Christian opens...

TW: Abuse, Trauma, Justice System This conversation contains discussions around emotional and psychological abuse, patterns of manipulation, and systemic injustice toward survivors. We encourage you to prioritize your mental well-being and pause if needed. This week on Bare and Brutal , Michelle sits down with Noelle Cope , writer and founder of Notes from the In-Between , to talk about what survi...

Dr. Lisette Sanchez, a bilingual and bicultural psychologist, joins Michelle Mirza to unpack the complex layers of healing for first-gen professionals and the BIPOC community. From growing up in the San Fernando Valley to navigating family expectations and becoming a mental health advocate, Dr. Sanchez shares powerful insights on community, cultural dynamics, and reclaiming your narrative. This ep...

What if the key to healing your deepest wounds was already within you—just waiting for you to breathe? This week on Bare & Brutal , breathwork coach and trauma survivor Robyn Gutierrez shares how her journey through domestic violence and emotional pain led her to discover the transformative power of breath. We explore self-love, nervous system healing, inner child work, and how science-backed...

In this powerful episode of Bare and Brutal , host Michelle sits down with Emma To, Vietnamese American nurse anesthetist and grief coach, to explore the deep intersections of childhood trauma, grief, burnout, and intergenerational healing. Emma shares what it was like growing up in Mississippi as a Vietnamese immigrant in a predominantly Black and white community, and how the sudden loss of her t...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trauma, including references to sexual trauma and assault. Please take care while listening and honor your needs—feel free to pause, skip, or come back to it when you’re in a safe space. After an 8-month hiatus, Bare and Brutal returns with Carrie Hennessy and Ellen Garavati of Smash Up Somatics. In this powerful conversation, we explore the co...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions on sensitive topics, including suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation, which some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised. Summary In this episode, Anhtuan Do, a Vietnamese American, shares his journey through suicidal thoughts and how it led to a creative awakening in his life. He opens up about his struggles with...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions on sensitive topics, including suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation, which some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised. Summary Andrew Jang, an entrepreneur and trailblazer in the fashion industry, shares his journey of resilience and transformation. From facing legal challenges and personal struggles to rebuild...

Angela Wu, a Taiwanese-American licensed mental health therapist, shares her journey of reclaiming her cultural identity and supporting mental health within the Asian American community. In this episode, we hear her experiences as a former teacher, the impact of discovering her undocumented status, and the challenges she faced. Angela also opens up about her conflicts with her identity and the tra...

Lena Kassim shares her powerful healing journey, the transformative impact of somatic practices, and the process of finding the right therapy. She discusses her childhood struggles, toxic relationships, and the catalyst for her healing journey. In this episode, she shares her journey of healing and self-discovery, discussing the importance of understanding the mind-body connection and the therapeu...

We're back with Episode 16, babyyy! Today we are joined with a featured guest duo - Kas and Kai, a Blasian Hapa mom and son duo, who are hosts of the Real Talk with Kas & Kai Podcast! In this episode, we discuss their experiences and perspectives as multicultural individuals. They share insights into growing up in two different cultures, the struggles they faced, and how their heritage influen...

Welcome to Episode 15! Today we are joined with featured guests - Celia and Camellia, hosts of the Mom Betch Podcast and our resident big sisters! Celia and Cami both have an entire arsenal of advice and experience to share with us all. In this episode we explore topics what to expect in marriage and motherhood, how to be a boss mom, and the changes women experience from their 20's to their 30's....

Welcome to Episode 14! Today we're joined with Jane a.k.a. @rroomfies - the "hard-working lazy girl" sharing her candid journey to financial freedom. In this episode, we talk about Jane's start into content creation, the goals we're both manifesting so we can make that SHMONEEEYY, and how your upbringing can affect your relationship with money. We also discuss the over-glamorization of being a cor...

Introducing Episode 13! Today we're joined with Valentina a.k.a. @styled_by_valen. She is a fellow 20-something year old who is just tryna figure out how to make it in this world. She's our resident baddie here to educate us on sustainable fashion and what it's like living with ADHD as a woman. In this episode we'll hear Valentina's firsthand experience from getting diagnosed with ADHD to handling...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions on sensitive topics, including miscarriage and pregnancy loss, which some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised. Welcome to Episode 12! Today we are joined with a featured guest - Kathy Mou, a certified holistic coach, who is on a mission to help women who are ready to break free from the cycle of disappointment and step i...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions on sensitive topics, including child abuse, death, and dying which some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised. Welcome to Episode 11! Today we are joined with a featured guest - David Allen Tracy, a serial entrepreneur who has made it his life's mission to radically embrace multiple passions and to live authentically! Davi...

HAPPY EPISODE 10! Today we're back with a good ol' solo dolo episode! In this episode I dive into my recent experiences spent out of my comfort zone, we’ll walk through some of Forbes magazine’s top 3 actionable tips for stepping out of your comfort zone, and examine how you too can begin taking control of your growth potential. P.S. I completely misspoke and meant to say "No DISRESPECT to y'all i...

Welcome back for Episode 9! Today we are joined with a featured guest - Lexy Leigh, host of the Peace of Me Podcast! Lexy comes with a wealth of wisdom as she outlines her mission to help people discover how to ignite their spark and live their best lives. In this episode we explore topics like overcoming insecurities to pursue your passion, how to define what "peace" looks like for you, and the i...

Buckle up for Episode 8! Today we are joined with another special guest on the podcast - Naomi Nwosu! She’s a badass registered nurse, the most thoughtful human being in existence, a fiery Scorpio who is single and ready to mingle, and my bestie for the restie for the past 12 years! It is safe to say that we have been through a lot together, including the trenches of dating in your 20's. This epis...

Welcome to Episode 7! We are FINALLY BACK and somewhat better than ever! After a long hiatus, I have returned from the depths of seasonal depression. In today's episode, I give everyone a little glimpse into what I've been up to since I last published an episode. We touch on topics like seasonal depression, the story about how my therapist ghosted me, and my friends accusing me of hiding a pregnan...

Welcome to Episode 6! We are diving into the last topic that won in the Instagram poll I held a while ago — Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger. Listen along as I detail the top 2 lessons that I wish I knew when I was younger according to the specific life phase I was in. We also have a little twist in today's episode where I reveal some responses from our listeners! Hear what my friends and f...

Buckle up for Episode 5! Today we are joined with our second special guest on the podcast - Alyssa Wilbert! As my fellow introvert in crime, Alyssa and I explore various aspects surrounding the life of being a self-proclaimed introvert. We discuss in great lengths what people's misconceptions of us are, what our own individual experiences entail with the challenges that we've faced, and how being...

In Episode 4, we explore the winning topic of last week's poll: The Child of Immigrant Parents Experience. Listen along as I detail growing up as a Vietnamese American, navigating the power struggles between complex and conflicting cultures, and expand on the intricacies and nuances of Western American and Eastern Asian foundations of culture. I also get bare and brutal sharing my fear of losing m...

Welcome back to this week's episode! Today we introduce our very first special guest on the podcast - my boyfriend and my number 1 fan, Michael Luu ! Together we discuss the 5 Stages of Relationships and our own personal journey through the phases. We detail the inner workings of what it takes to commit to and maintain a longterm relationship, while also reminiscing our toxic days and the insurmou...