Conversations with Toi

In this episode, I sit down with Ashlee Hollis , founder of Helm Creative Studio and Story Factory , for an insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, storytelling, leadership, and company culture. Ashlee shares the journey behind building her businesses, the values that drive her work, and her approach to creating meaningful stories that connect with audiences. We also dive into what makes a...

In this episode of Conversations With Toi , we’re welcoming the radiant Ashia Collins , who brings the character Carol Evans to life in the Broadway‑bound musical Boop! — coming to Ensemble Arts Philly from November 17–29 . Ashia joins us to talk about stepping into a role rooted in joy, friendship, and the kind of bold energy that makes Boop! such a vibrant, modern reimagining of an icon. We dive...

This week on Conversations with Toi , we’re unpacking the Cornell 57 and the very real ways men need to do better — not just in theory, but in practice. This story isn’t just a headline; it’s a mirror. It forces us to look at how accountability, empathy, and emotional maturity are still lacking in spaces where they’re needed most. I’m breaking down why these patterns keep showing up, how they impa...

This season opener of Conversations with Toi is all about preparing your mind, your heart, and your emotional toolkit for fall therapy — whether you’ve been in therapy for years or you’re considering starting for the very first time As the days get shorter and the pace of life shifts, fall brings its own emotional landscape. In this episode, I’m breaking down the key themes you should bring into y...

In this bonus episode of Conversations With Toi , we sit down with Dr. Susan Lloyd , retired Superintendent of Schools, whose extraordinary commitment to one student changed the way an entire community understood compassion, advocacy, and educational access. Her relationship with the Massi family began when their daughter, Makenna , was diagnosed with cancer in elementary school — and instead of t...

A cancer diagnosis can turn a young adult's world upside down in an instant. In this episode, we highlight the inspiring work of the Stephen E. Codella, MD Memorial Foundation and its mission to bring comfort, support, and human connection to young adults undergoing cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center. After the loss of Stephen E. Codella, MD, who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at age...

In this episode of Conversations With Toi , we’re sitting with a story that’s heartbreaking, infuriating, and deeply familiar to anyone who has lived through postpartum depression or supported someone who has. Hayden Panettiere’s death has reopened conversations about how poorly society responds to postpartum mental health — not just in the moment, but long after the headlines fade. I talk about t...

In this episode of Conversations with Toi, we’re breaking down functioning depression — what it is, how it shows up, and why so many people miss the signs in themselves and others. We talk about emotional masking, over-functioning, the invisible load people carry, and accessible ways to begin supporting your mental health with intention. This is a reminder that even when you’re “doing it all,” you...

This week on Conversations with Toi , we’re getting real about what it means to be the face of mental health. Perez Hilton’s recent public breakdown has the internet buzzing, but it also reminds us of a deeper truth: mental health doesn’t have a “look.” There’s no single face, no single narrative. We are the face of mental health — every one of us navigating our own battles, breakthroughs, and hea...

Today’s episode brings a powerful conversation with someone who embodies mindfulness from the inside out — Pax Tandon . Pax is a mindfulness expert, wellness educator, and positive psychology practitioner whose work blends science, spirituality, and everyday emotional intelligence. She’s the author of Mindfulness Matters: A Guide to Mastering Your Life , a book that breaks mindfulness down into pr...

In this episode of Conversations With Toi , we dive into a growing and often misunderstood conversation: the belief that therapists are “encouraging” no‑contact and somehow fueling selfish behavior in the people who choose it. I unpack where this narrative is coming from, why it’s gaining traction, and what’s actually happening inside therapeutic spaces when no‑contact is discussed. We explore the...

In this episode of Conversations with Toi , I’m diving into a topic that so many people quietly wrestle with: whether to medicate or not when it comes to mental health. There are a lot of negative stereotypes and heavy judgments attached to medication, and today I’m unpacking why those narratives exist and how they impact real people trying to heal. I talk about medication as a tool —not the only...

In this episode of Conversations with Toi , I'm unpacking the recent drama surrounding Dr. Cheyenne Bryant—not to add fuel to the fire, but to highlight a deeper conversation we don’t have often enough: why working with a licensed, qualified therapist matters , and why your own clarity and flexibility matter just as much. When public figures in the mental‑health space become the center of controve...

In this episode of Conversations With Toi , we’re unpacking what it really means to have Type A tendencies —the drive, the structure, the ambition, and yes, the pressure we quietly put on ourselves. We talk about how these traits can be both powerful and overwhelming, and how unlearning perfectionism becomes a necessary part of any real wellness journey. Because being “on” all the time isn’t susta...

In this episode of Conversations With Toi , we’re joined by the incredible Amy Impellizzeri to talk about her work with BLOCS and the powerful ways the organization is investing in the next generation of men and women. We dig into the mission behind BLOCS, the importance of educational access, and how community support truly changes futures. We also highlight the upcoming BLOCS Speaker Series happ...

This week on Conversations With Toi , we’re starting with a real check‑in — the kind that goes beyond “I’m fine.” I’m sharing where I am mentally and emotionally as we move through a heavy news cycle and try to stay grounded in our own lives. From there, we’re diving into the rise in viral violence against women and the emotional toll it’s taking on all of us. These stories aren’t just headlines —...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, abuse of power, and the recent CNN “Rape Academy” investigation. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. Your wellbeing comes first. In this episode, we dive into one of the most disturbing and necessary conversations of our time. The CNN “Rape Academy” report has shaken many, and we unpack why these patterns of abuse continue...

Spring is here, but that doesn’t mean our minds and bodies automatically shift into bloom mode. In this episode of Conversations With Toi, I'm talking about the emotional reality of spring — the mood swings, the pressure to “be outside,” the social re‑entry anxiety, and the messy middle between wanting to grow and wanting to rest. Let's explore why seasonal transitions hit so differently, how wint...

There’s a particular kind of heartbreak that happens when you walk into therapy carrying wounds someone else created, yet the work ahead is yours alone. Healing Without the Apology explores that quiet, complicated space where personal accountability meets unresolved hurt. Each episode dives into what it means to rebuild yourself without closure, to take responsibility for your reactions without ex...

In this episode of Conversations With Toi, I'm getting real about something far too many of us normalize—survival mode. It’s that constant state of pushing, grinding, and functioning on fumes, where you’re doing everything except actually living. But here’s the truth: survival mode may help you get through a moment, but it was never meant to become your lifestyle. We’ll break down what survival mo...

In this episode of Conversations With Toi, I'm talking about what it really means to pour from an empty cup — not the cute Instagram version, but the real-life, real-time signs that you’re running on fumes while still trying to show up for everyone else. We’ll break down how to recognize when your cup is drying out, the subtle ways burnout disguises itself as “being strong,” and the emotional toll...

This week on Conversations with Toi, we’re digging into what it really means to reframe your wellness journey—not from perfection, pressure, or comparison, but from honesty, curiosity, and compassion. Wellness isn’t a straight line, and this episode explores how to pause long enough to ask: What is this moment trying to teach me? We also get into a necessary and layered conversation about therapy,...

In this inspiring episode of Conversations With Toi , I sit down with the “People’s Bishop,” Bishop Kevin Foreman, for a conversation rooted in faith, wellness, mental health, and everyday common sense. Bishop Freeman opens up about why he embraces the title “The People’s Bishop” and how his mission is grounded in accessibility, authenticity, and serving people where they truly are. We talk about...

In this episode of Conversations with Toi, I'm diving into the concept of weaponized incompetence—calling out the ways people use it to dodge responsibilities and how we can set better boundaries. We'll also touch on celebrating Black History Month, sharing clear Valentine's Day wishes with your partner, self-care tips for anyone flying solo, and a quick update on my latest adventures with my Hatc...

This week on Conversations With Toi, we’re talking about what it really looks like to take a bold leap — the kind that shifts your entire life. I’m sharing the lessons I learned moving from a small town to Philadelphia, and how that transition forced me to grow, stretch, and trust myself in new ways. We’re also getting into the truth about fear: how it convinces us to stay still, shrink, or wait f...