Happy To Be Here

2024 is off to a great start. In this episode, I talk about my pod hiatus so I can spend time writing the book I'm dreaming up, plus three books I've read this year. While I'm on a pod break, you can find me on Substack writing on the same wellness topics: https://youaredoinggreat.substack.com/

I pulled together 7 of my go-to self-care items for 2023. I think they can be helpful as you head into the holiday season or start to think about how you want to take care of yourself in 2024. Full links below too. Kitsch Satin pillowcase: https://www.mykitsch.com/products/satin-pillowcase-ivory   JL Lawson Breathe Stone: https://www.jllawsonco.com/products/breathe-stone?variant=40386062254146   I...

I consider myself the queen of solo dates. I like spending time with myself and have done it so often that sitting at a restaurant alone doesn't feel as awkward anymore. I know the holidays can be especially hard when you don't get a quiet moment to yourself, so in this episode, I'm sharing tips for guaranteeing even a minute to yourself and planning a solo date no matter how much time...

This is part 1 of a three-part series about the holiday season and protecting your mental health.    During this episode, I share the two questions I use to guide my decisions during this season. I also share how to account for others' expectations of you.  Part 2 will focus on solo date ideas!    This is the episode I mentioned during the pod:  A Therapist Answers: How Do I Set Goals For My F...

Myeisha Essex is a purpose coach and an advocate for meditation. Throughout our conversation, we talk about how life changing grief is, how she is approaching her first holidays without her mom, and what books have helped her learn more about her grief journey. I share more on how it’s like navigating my 21st holiday season without my mom and we compare notes on how much is actually more similar t...

This week is a solo episode, and we're talking about Thanksgiving. I know that the holidays can kick off an emotional rollercoaster, so this year, the pods are dedicated to helping you keep your balance and preserve your peace. I share 3 books to read if you need a distraction, what to do when grief pops up, and how to prioritize yourself no matter how you spend Thanksgiving.

Meghan Riordan Jarvis is a grief therapist and the author of End of the Hour . Her memoir tells her own story of processing grief and trauma after her parents’ deaths. We talk about tips she gives to her patients, how to navigate the holidays if you’re grieving, and how grief is a lot like sex. EPISODE BREAKDOWN 1 — Meet Meghan author of End Of The Hour  3:55 — What happens when you write through...

Emory Hall is a poet and the author of 'Made of Rivers.' Her poetry book is full of reflections on womanhood, grief, mental health, and motherhood. We talk about how she uses writing as a coping tool, plus how it's made it easier for her to offer herself self-compassion. You can find Emory @emoryhall.

We're talking periods, why doctors expect women to manage so much pain, and hormone health on this week's podcast episode. I ask OB/GYN, Dr. Robbins, all of our women's health-related questions and even share a bit about my own colposcopy this past summer. EPISODE BREAKDOWN :45 — Meet Dr. Robbins, OBGYN 4 — Why is there such a gap in women’s health?  6:31 — My colposcopy experience  13...

I’m interviewing Jordan Scott, the founder and CEO of Cobble, an app that helps you plan and agree on date nights and group outings. We talk about how to get those plans out of the group chat and how she’s navigated entrepreneurship in her twenties and now as a mom, too. During our conversation, you’ll learn about the one time we had to arrange sex toys and the life lessons our twenties taught us...

The Born This Way Foundation launched the “Be There” certificate as a way to help you help those around you. Josh Meredith is the Chief of Staff at Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and walks us through everything you need to know about the certificate and their partnership with jack.org.   Learn more: https://www.betherecertificate.org/ EPISODE BREAKDOWN  3 — How the stigma is lifting around m...

Rebeca Landa brings all her sports knowledge to answer our questions about football, Travis Kelce, and picking up hobbies for fun. We also go down a Swiftie conspiracy rabbit hole as she contextualizes Travis' reputation on and off the field. For our Football 101 section, you'll learn what a down is, how the ball gets passed down the field, what to expect from the Jets and Chiefs game this...

Dr. Kara Fanelli is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Clinical Specialist in women's health PT at Indigo Wellness. For 30 minutes, I asked her what pelvic PT is and how it can help you whether you're struggling with painful periods, constipation, or even postpartum. Find Kara: https://www.indigowellnessgroup.com/meet-our-team Or on social: https://www.instagram.com/karafanelli_pt/ EPISODE B...

Elisabeth Morray is a licensed psychologist and Alma’s VP of Clinical Operations. I wanted to go straight to the source to ask some of the bigger questions we probably all have at the beginning of a new season, for starters, how do I not breakdown?  Elisabeth is caring and to the point as she offers tips on how to set goals for your future self, what to do if money anxiety is creeping in, how to e...

Noelle Crooks is the author of "Under the Influence" a fun and cozy read about a twenty-something girl who gets her dream job and then wrestles with questions around social media, influence, and boundaries. AKA all of the things we think about on a daily basis. In our conversation, Noelle shares her inspiration for the book, how she views influence now, and why you should read it this fa...

Gina Moffa is a grief therapist and someone who has navigated grief personally, too. After losing her mother, she realized there was more she wished she could have told patients who had navigated similar experiences. Now, as the author of her first book — Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go — she's able to do just that. We talk about how grief requires you to reset expectations, what role si...

Kathryn Cross is the founder and CEO of Anja Health, a cord blood banking service. During our conversation, she walked us through what inspired her to start Anja, what cord blood banking is, how much cord blood banking costs, and the benefits of cord blood banking.

Stacy Igel is the founder of fashion brand, Boy Meets Girl, and the author of Embracing The Calm In The Chaos: How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration. She also happens to be my first boss ever. Back in college, I interned for Stacy and it sparked my love of social media and entrepreneurship. It's a personal treat to be able to have a conver...

Meet Whitney Hanson a poet and author who has taken to TikTok to share her writing. In our conversation we talk about process, how building a large community impacts your creativity, and she ends the episode by reading one of her favorite poems. 

Welcome to our Sugar 101 episode! Lauren Kelly is the Head of Nutrition and Community at Sound, plus an expert RD Nutritionist. On this episode she answers all of my sugar-related questions. We talk about how sugar impacts energy levels, how sugar can impact your mental health, and how to read a nutrition label.  EPISODE BREAKDOWN  1 — Meet Lauren Kelly of Sound  2:30 — What is Sound?  5 — What ar...

Sarah Becker holds a Masters in Nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian. She's also a warm presence in what can often be complicated conversations around food. Throughout the conversation, we talk about how to listen to your body, especially as seasons change, and how to eat to support your joy, health, and wellness. She offers tips on how to create better habits around mealtime and how to gro...

I've been recording Happy To Be Here for over a year now. I am so thankful for this community and everyone who has listened. Here's to many more episodes.

Varshil Patel is the co-founder of Therapy Notebooks, a wellness company dedicated to creating tools that help people manage their anxiety, trauma, or day-to-day stressors. In our conversation we talk through how anyone can use these notebooks to support their mental health, how Therapy Notebooks got started, and so much more.  EPISODE BREAKDOWN  :30 — Meet Varshil and Therapy Notebooks  1:45 — Wh...

Molly B. Burnham is the author of The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing, a middle grade book that succeeds at explaining the grief journey to kids and adults alike. In our conversation, Molly will walk us through how Dottie (the main character) explains her anxiety and grief, where Molly drew inspiration for the story, and so much more. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month I think it’s import...

Mental Health America started Mental Health Awareness Month back in 1949. Since then the state of mental health awareness has shifted and the conversations are easier to come across. This week I’m joined by Dr. America, Chief Social Impact Officer of Mental Health America. Throughout our conversation she answers questions like, “What should I look for in a therapist?” “What are warm hotlines?” And...