Social Anxiety Variety Hour

Sara talks about perfectionism getting in the way of doing the stuff you love to do! Plus, some stuff about living in a haunted house filled with paint-by-numbers paintings. Also, things about artists Christopher Wallace (RIP), Maya Erdelyi-Perez, Alex Stapleton and Francesco Marciuliano. Support the podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa and subscribe to SaraJBenincasa. Substack.com.

Sara talks drugs, sobriety, anxiety and partying with artist, producer, and woman of business Sabrina Cognata, and blows out the mic multiple times in the process, but whatever, you'll love it. Support this podcast and more at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa

This episode is about the joy of lifelong learning and also: Redwood trees! Why it's okay to not be "over" your mental health issues yet, or ever! Something about soccer! Encouragement! Support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa.

The final episode of Well, This Isn't Normal before the relaunch as Social Anxiety Variety Hour. An introduction to meditation & its benefits, including a brief meditation exercise. Support this podcast: Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. Weekly SARATONIN newsletter: Patreon & SaraJBenincasa. Substack.com.

Sara discusses anger and "How to Fight" by Thich Nhat Hanh. Support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa.

Sara talks about going through a rough patch emotionally, and how Breathwork for Recovery with Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp has helped. She also interviews Nathaniel to learn more. Get 70% off the Breathwork for Recovery monthly healing circle on September 10, 2022 with offer code SARA: https://www.breathworkforrecovery.com/trainings-and-workshops. Please listen with care, as this episode includes discu...

Sara learns how Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) got himself out of post-retirement depression, and how we all can benefit from joyful work. A little breathing exercise is also included. Thanks to patrons at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa.

Sara tries to figure out how to go on vacation, talks about why you shouldn't ask strangers when they're gonna start an Only Fans, and offers some ideas on how to relax. Support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa

How do you go about your day? Where do work, art, rest, family, and other elements come into play? We do some relaxing breathwork, consider social media and its role in one's daily schedule, and get a glimpse of the work lives of artists Alma Thomas, Alice Neel, and Lorraine Hansberry. We conclude with a brief self-reflection exercise. Also, Sara sits on a bag of frozen cauliflower puree. Thanks t...

Have you gone through a friendship breakup? Have you met an amazing new friend in the past few years? Are you in the mood to relax and do some breathwork? Do you just want to hear a random writer actress woman in New York City say words on air? Cool, then this episode is for you. The podcast returns thanks to the generosity of patrons at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa . 

Ways to pamper and soothe yourself: meditation, candles, houseplants, floral arrangements, writing, skincare with bizarre French names, body oil from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Buncombe County, North Carolina, therapy, baths, exercise, riding an expensive bicycle to nowhere, and other stuff. We conclude with some guided breathwork. You can support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa . Thank...

In lieu of resolutions, Sara offers two simple methods for getting stuff done: a weekly chore chart, and a list of ten small, achievable goals for the year. You can support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa . Thanks to current patrons!

Sara answers a message from a listener whose spouse is suffering from agoraphobia due to fears around COVID-19 and gun violence. This episode includes resources for mental health assistance, and it tackles some tough topics, including anxiety, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and more. Hopefully it's also uplifting, interesting, and helpful to you. It concludes with a simple breathing exerci...

In this short episode, Sara talks about getting anxious about parties, and not beating yourself up for it. Thank you to all Patreon supporters at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa.

Sara talks to the stylish & saucy Jessica Lanyadoo, who is an astrologer, animal communicator, host of GHOST OF A PODCAST, and author. Jessica is funny, thoughtful, hardworking, and compelling. She's lived in Oakland for many years and she's got a great FREE app called Tiny Spark and a subscription-based app for astrology students called ASTROLOGY FOR DAYS. Sara's cat Polly tells Jessica some stuf...

In our inaugural BOOK REPORT episode, Sara loses her mind over the wonderful LEONARDO DA VINCI by Walter Isaacson, narrated by Alfred Molina. Based on this bonkers Twitter thread , Sara breaks down her favorite moments in a brilliant biography that truly deserves your attention. Also, sobriety, romance, friendship and mental health are discussed. Get two audiobooks for the price of one when you si...

Sara reads a recent essay and talks about some mental health resources. Thanks to subscribers at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa .

Sara is mildly overwhelmed but mostly coherent in this episode, and shares a few simple breathing exercises with you. These techniques are meant to be done for a brief period of time only. Don't push yourself! Remember to only do extended or advanced breathwork when you're in a safe spot (i.e., not while driving or operating heavy machinery, honey!) Thanks to the patrons at Patreon.com/SaraBeninca...

After a few months off, Sara Benincasa and your favorite stress relief podcast are back with an update, some inspiring words, some stories, random laughter, recommendations for great books and nonprofits, and a preview of what's to come. Thanks to all the supporters at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa, many of whom get shout outs on this episode. Please join us, subscribe, rate, review, and have a great...

Speaking in the context of the national news around police brutality this week, Sara leads you through the square breath technique. Support the podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa and rate, review, etc. on your podcast platform of choice. Please support the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and other antiracist organizations in your community.

In the first of a series of mini-episodes on breathwork, Sara teaches the belly breath and talks about snake oil salespeople in the world of wellness. You can support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa - thanks to current patrons!

Sara pays tribute to the late, great Neil Mahoney. Topics include: mourning, friendship, heartburn, love, and weeping. Support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa.

Actor, podcaster (LATE FEES), writer and unusually symmetrically-faced person from Boston Matt Catanzano joins Sara for a freewheeling discussion of the magic of movies, TV, and DIY art projects to evoke delight, heal grief and keep one occupied during the weirdest of times. Please support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. Thank you so much to our current patrons!