IT'S FINE. with Rachel Varkey

Today, I am chatting with Morgan Pommells, MSW, a psychotherapist, writer, and doctoral researcher committed to helping anxious adults heal from their dysfunctional parents and live life on their own terms. On this episode, we’ll talk about:  What emotionally immature parents are and what a childhood with them can look like  What it can look like if we are operating from a place of safety due to a...

Today, I am chatting with Jane Ko, is the Austin food blogger behind A Taste of Koko®, Austin’s top food and travel blog, and has been blogging since 2010. On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Jane’s story and her laser focus on building Taste of Koko  How we can evolve as women even when it comes to being cool How cool and authenticity work hand in hand 

I’m chatting with Esha Pathak from the Turn Off the Ringer Podcast to answer your questions about us and our 20s vs. 30s perspective on life, love, and everything in between. For Part 2 of this episode, visit Esha's podcast, Turn Off the Ringer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/turn-off-the-ringer/id1630853999 .

I am chatting with Bob Mathew. He is a real estate agent based here in Austin, TX. He has a passion for building community wherever he is, and I am lucky to be a part of his local community groups here in Austin!  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Why we shouldn’t be afraid to initiate and invite  Why expanding our friendship circles can help support the other key relationships in our life How f...

I am chatting with Nadia Fiorita, a therapist who specializes in anxiety, to talk about how we live with high functioning anxiety.  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  What high functioning anxiety looks like How you can combat anxiety with balance The power of saying no  Tips to manage through high functioning anxiety 

Today, I am chatting with Divya Balakrishnan, a yoga educator, and lifestyle blogger.  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Changing our physical practice from outcomes driven to internal motivation How our body ideals and ways to change are often layered with Western ideals and how to challenge those beliefs How to challenge yourself to build internal values around your health and wellness 

Today, I am chatting with Dr. Ali Rodriguez, OBGYN and lifestyle blogger, educating women about their health and their bodies  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Our 2nd trimester symptoms   Pregnancy weight gain and exercise Feeling our babies move! (and why I haven’t yet)  For my own pregnancy, I am doing a series called "Is This Normal?" for each stage of the Pregnancy Journey (Trying, 1st/2nd...

Today, I am talking with Cherie Smith, an Austin Realtor and Director of Sales for JKB Realty Group. On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Breaking down some of the homebuying misconceptions  Some of the core areas for financing your home (including a discussion on Sept 2023 interest rates, home prices)  First time home buyers “sacrifices” and how to manage through it 

I am talking to Natasha Mahtani, relationship & divorce coach. She helps women, globally, to increase their sense of self-worth, show up for themselves, identify and rewire their limiting beliefs and thrive in all relationships. On this episode, we talk about:  How to deconstruct finding the “one” (your soulmate)  Handling the expectations people place on what “your one” should look like  Managing...

Today, I am chatting with Janelle Hettick, a therapist who specializes in ADHD and also lives with ADHD, anxiety, and depression.  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  How ADHD may manifest for women  What challenges ADHD can bring for adults How to share your ADHD diagnosis with your community

Today, I am talking to Amanda Armstrong, a neuroscience and trauma-informed anxiety & depression coach and Founder of Rise As We, a mental health coaching space.  On this episode, we talk about:  Depression from the lens of the nervous system (Polyvagal Theory)  What it looks like for our nervous system to go from regulated, to not  What high functioning depression can look like  And why self regu...

Today, I am chatting with Teale Kelley (@tealekelleyy), a Fertility Nurse Coordinator. She also is a surrogate and has been sharing her story online!  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Our personal experiences being pregnant via IVF What the first trimester looks like and some of the things we worry about (miscarriage being the biggest)  The science behind getting pregnant and some tips to help...

Today, I am talking to Disha Mazepa, host of But What Will People Say, a South Asian interracial relationship and lifestyle podcast and the founder of Disha Mazepa Designs. On this episode, we talk about:  How our types can transcend what we imagine for ourselves Our relationships with our parents impact how we choose our partners Brown girl guilt and the power of fighting against it with risk tak...

Today, I am talking to Elaine Evans, a trauma informed therapist committed to  bringing peace to the past and confidence to the present.  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  What does grief look like, especially in moments of transition  Why grieving your past  is important, especially for your inner child  Why we might want to consider how and why we are confronting people for the bad things they...

Today, I am chatting with Kim Polinder, founder of the Polinder Coaching Group. She has been counseling for over 10 years and utilizing tools from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Inner Child work. On this episode, we’ll talk all about:  Using values to determine if a relationship is unhealthy  How sometimes we step into relationships because of learned behavior from our past  Some of the things c...

Today, I am talking to Nina Nesdoly, she is a stress and burnout prevention speaker and researcher. She advocates for work-life balance and believes it is possible to be a high-achiever at work without burning out or letting stress take over. On this episode, we’ll talk about:  What burnout actually is and where you experience it  How to think about your life responsibilities as balls of glass and...

 I am talking to Tiye Chamber, a life coach dedicated to empowering individuals to live their best lives by helping people connect the dots of toxic behavior and create healthy boundaries.  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Where why we might lack boundaries How to set boundary foundations Some of the tactics people use to cross our boundaries  What’s at risk if we don’t set boundaries  If you a...

Today, I am talking to Katherine Morgan Schafler the author of THE PERFECTIONIST’S GUIDE TO LOSING CONTROL. In her words, Katherine works with people who can present really well, seem completely put together when they want to be, and whose problems are not immediately apparent to others.  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Katherine’s reframe on what perfectionism means to her - and how different...

Today, I am talking to Peter Mutabazi, foster care and adoption advocate and author of “Now I Am Known”. Peter is a single parent who has fostered 32  young people. I was drawn to his story, and I am excited to share his journey to parenthood and the lessons he’s learned along the way.  On this episode, we talk about:  Peter’s journey to fatherhood  The challenges of fostering and adoption  And ho...

Today, I am talking to Benina Caviggiola, the creator of the Mama Knows Podcast and creator of Balkanina, where she shares lifestyle, fashion, and DIY tips.  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Our changing bodies and biggest insecurities  How we can change our goals for our bodies  Trends for mid-size bodies that you should rock this summer!  If you’re interested in learning more about IT’S FINE,...

Today, I am chatting with Kate McReynolds, LMHC. She is the creator of the mom therapist on Instagram and is a licensed professional clinical counselor. On this episode, we’ll talk about:  How we get to mommy guilt What mommy guilt is and how we can reframe it  Whether or not we think our kids will need therapy  How to find peace in mommy guilt and have meaningful relationships with our kids

Today, I am talking with Dr. JoAnn Hummel, a pastor, teacher, and leader who has served at a large church in Carrollton, TX for over 30 years. She is single and does not have any biological children.  On this episode, we’ll talk about:  The challenges of being single when you’re in your late 60s and the lessons she's learned along the way Where JoAnn finds her confidence as a single person What ma...

Today, I am chatting with Merle Bombardieri, author of ‘The Baby Decision’, and a clinical social worker and psychotherapist of over 30 years. She specializes in parenthood decision-making, infertility, adoption, and making the most of a childfree life. On this episode, we’ll talk about:  Why it’s important to make the ‘baby decision’ - childfree or parenthood  The myth of only children  The tug o...

I am chatting with a woman’s podcast and story who encouraged me in the ups/downs of my fertility journey - Jesse Brown. She is the creator of Uniquely Knitted. Uniquely Knitted is a registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit on a mission to heal the traumas of infertility and end the isolation that goes with struggling to conceive. They do that by running process groups for those affected by infertility. On...

Today, I am chatting with a mother I admire so much - Anita Mannancheril. Anita is  an extremely accomplished board certified Family Medicine physician in New Jersey, my cousin, and has been a big sister to me as I navigated my journey to motherhood.  On this episode, we talk about:  Anita’s approach to mom guilt  Building boundaries as a brown mom  And the biggest its fine thing happening to her...