Human First Podcast

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Madison Desjarlais (@madisondesj). As a protective mechanism against family trauma, Madison found herself leaning heavily on her partner at the time and falling into codependency. Waking up one morning hungover with self-harm wounds, she was admitted into hospital and found herself facing her trauma for the first time....

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Ameri Dy to discuss Body Dysmorphic Disorder, also known as BDD. Through her personal experience, Ameri shares with us the effects social media and family culture had on her thoughts, and how difficult it was to shift her perspective on her self appearance. By setting up boundaries and allowing herself to open up to he...

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by nutritionist and therapist, Brendan Callaghan (@bdlc_cognition_and_wellness), for a second time in a special Q&A episode. Together we talk all things mental health, therapy, resources and tools. Thank you to everyone who sent in these amazing questions! 1. I’ve never been to counsellor before. What can I expect? (2...

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Romeo Monte (aka Junior). Growing up in an environment and culture where life was framed as one big to-do list, checking one milestone off at a time, Romeo found himself questioning his purpose in life. After experiencing periods of anxiety and panic attacks, Romeo sought help and was told he was going through an exist...

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast) Alia is joined by new mama Abby Hildebrand (@wellnesscreek). After miscarrying a baby she did not know she was even pregnant with, prenatal anxiety set in as she began to question her body and her fertility. Once she had gotten pregnant and given birth at the end of 2019, Abby’s mental health continued to be a challenge to navigate as sh...

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Alex Charleton (@alex_charleton). After the death of her friend and the end of a relationship, Alex found herself finding control in her life through restricted eating. After a year of restriction, she then moved from one end of the spectrum to the other where she spent 3 years of her life coping through binging. Alex...

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Natalie Chow. At a young age, Natalie, her older sister, and her mother were left by her father, and found themselves navigating a new normal. Natalie discusses her relational trauma, and how the impact of her father leaving shaped the way she approached her own relationships. In this episode, Natalie tells us about he...

Today on Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by her older sister, Wyncel Chan, MD (@wjoy.fit.corgimama.md). Now practicing as a pediatrician in Indiana, USA, Wyncel reflects back on her medical journey and how the pressure to be successful played a big role in her self-worth. Through numerous tests and examinations, her fear of failure escalated and Wyncel had to work th...

Today on Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), I am joined by therapist and nutritionist, Brendan Callaghan (@bdlc_cognition_and_wellness). Brendan and I had a fun and very insightful conversation about party culture, drugs, alcohol and the effects all of this can have on one’s well-being in the long term. After experiencing major changes in his hormones, liver, and the ability to feel emotio...

Today on Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Vanessa Boutilier. At the age of 21, Vanessa experienced a mental disruption that admitted her into the psychiatric ward. Upon her admittance, Vanessa was diagnosed with schizophrenia (now revised to schizoaffective bipolar disorder), a diagnosis that is now very much intertwined into her life. On this episode, Vanessa walks us...

Today on Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Megan Livesey. Megan takes us through her mental health journey, beginning with an eating disorder at a young age. Following her struggles with anorexia and an unplanned pregnancy, Megan opens up about her decision to terminate and the grieving process that came after. She shares her honest experience with loss, and how self-lov...

It is no secret that life has its challenges, so why don't we talk about it more? On Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia Chan will talk to inspiring people about their mental health journey in an effort to help increase mental awareness, normalize struggle, and end stigma. With the help of her guests, Alia's intention is to embrace hope and celebrate all parts of the human experience.