I've Been Better

As we wrap up season 9 of IBB, join host Susan and her friend Lauren Harris as they hold space to discuss undergoing physical and medical trauma in your 20s, being an aunt to 10, and really resonating with Sia's hit song, Titanium.    Lauren grew up split between Lynchburg, VA and Kernersville, NC. After high school, Lauren moved to Raleigh to attend NC State (go pack) and study business administr...

On this week’s episode of IBB, host Susan sits down with friend and gamer Clare Kurdys. The two begin the conversation talking about writing fan fiction, but then the story evolves into how Clare has embraced being radical in every aspect of her life.  Clare is an independent legal researcher and drafter. She attended UNC Chapel Hill for both undergrad and Law School, and lives with her husband, B...

On this week's episode, join host Susan and friend/fellow DPC member, Deanna Bullard, as the two talk books, Alzheimer's disease, and caretaking for a parent with a terminal illness.    Deanna works in higher education in North Carolina. She recently participated in her first Walk to End Alzheimer's with a team of supportive friends and raised money for the Alzheimer's Association. In her free tim...

On episode 50, join host Susan as she sits down with close friend, Harrison Luttman, to talk about becoming a dad, including all the things society forgets to warn you about.    Harrison identifies as an energetic spontaneous dad of 2 kiddos trying not to drive my wonderful wife crazy. He is a fan of doing everything possible to help others, spending time on the Golf course, and fixing on cars. Ha...

On this week's episode of IBB, our host Susan sits down with co-owner of Raleigh's Glow Fitness, Marisa Huffman. The two discuss uprooting your life for a dream you didn't know you had, redefine weakness and strength, and finding community.    Marisa’s love for athleticism began when she was just old enough to start playing soccer and continued to grow throughout the years with sports and dance. A...

Welcome back to I've Been Better, Season 9!  To kick things off, IBB host Susan sits down with friend and fellow DPC member, Trent Stanforth, to hold space as Trent shares about the unexpected and tragic death of his father. We explore feelings of possible disappointment, engineering and golf, and the power of the universe.    Trent works as a STEM Outreach Coordinator for BioNetwork, a community...

On our final episode of season 8, IBB host Susan sits down with colleague turned friend, Kendall Phillips, to talk about her role as the pandemic began, and learning how to prioritize yourself when the burnout hits.   Kendall Phillips is a public health professional who is currently finishing her graduate degree. She has primarily worked in health education and health communication on a variety of...

On this week’s episode of IBB, join our host Susan as she talks with esthetician turned friend, Erin Kelly, about the transition to motherhood and rediscovering your passions.  Erin Kelly is a licensed Esthetician and makeup artist. She has been in the beauty industry for 10 years and specializes in event makeup. Her style of makeup is about enhancing someone's features, not covering up what makes...

On episode 45, IBB host Susan talks with friend Tony Templeton about his life experiences, including the many traumas and trials he’s encountered along the way.  Tony is just a regular millennial trying to make it in society. He has two bachelors degrees, Sports Medicine & Sports Management from Indiana University. his greatest  accomplishment is still being here and trying to figure out life....

On this week’s episode, Susan talks with friend and fellow DPC member, Fiona Cordova Paul, about coming to the US as a child, having a parent with a terminal illness, and how her plans for a baby were delayed due to caring for her ailing mother.  Fiona is a licensed structural engineer and lead bridge inspector at HDR. She was born in Bolivia, is a citizen of Ireland, and naturalized American citi...

On this week's episode of I've Been Better, our host Susan Youngsteadt talks with good friend and fellow griefy, Sarah Smith. The two cover everything from the shared experience of the death of a parent, finding joy in the metaphysical world, and our healthy skepticism of the unknown being challenged. Sarah currently serves as the Assistant Director of Civic Engagement at the Campus Y (UNC-Chapel...

Welcome back for Season 8 of I've Been Better!   On our first episode of the season, our host Susan Youngsteadt, talks with friend Gregory Womack-Adams about his work, his passions, and what happens when the two no longer align.    Greg is the Senior Structural Engineer and founder of his own consulting firm and is a licensed Professional Engineer in NC. Graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering an...

On this week's episode, join host Susan as she talks with guest/friend and colleague, Kayleen Schepper, about her journey with religious deconstruction and how this influenced various aspects of her life.    Kayleen is a fellow LCSW and completed her MSW at Wayne State University (Detroit). She loves to travel and has done solo traveling in Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia. For fun she enjoys podca...

Join host Susan on this week's episode as she sits down with colleague and friend, Amanda Jones Stanforth. The two talk about Amanda's transition from teacher to therapist and how she came to shift her understanding of what it means to fail and succeed.    Amanda is a psychotherapist, specifically a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and holds a graduate degree in social work. She is intensively tra...

Join host Susan on this week’s episode as she talks with friend and colleague, James Voltz. The two cover James’ involvement in a local nonprofit, surviving childhood cancer, and experiencing a traumatic health event that has reshaped his view on life.  James Voltz is a Husband, Raleigh Wine Shop proprietor, and President of SAFEchild Board of Directors; Credentials. He has a PhD from Duke in Cell...

On this week's episode, join host Susan and her colleague, Kristie, as Susan hold's space for Kristie to share her coming out story.  Kristie Ashton is a psychiatric Physician's Assistant. She completed PA school at age 47 as the oldest member of her class. She enjoys endurance sports and frequently participates in marathons and long-distance triathlons. You'll almost always find Kristie outdoors...

We’re back!  Join host Susan for the start of season 7 of I’ve Been Better as she sits down with friend and sibling of a previous guest, Hannah Sherlock. The two discuss how Hannah’s childhood and adolescence shaped her career path and how to care for yourself when feeling alone.  Hannah Sherlock is from Asheville, NC but currently resides in Nashville, TN. Her biggest passions are caring for othe...

We’re back!! After taking the summer off to move and get the new podloft set up, host Susan and sound engineer and tech guru, Josh, are preparing to bring you season 7 of I’ve Been Better.  Get ready for another season of real stories from real people 💚🧡

On episode 36, join host Susan as she talks with friend, Danny Gallager about sacrificing for your relationship, Autism, and what it means to be subtle as a brick.    Danny Gallager is a SEO specialist who works remotely for Transcat Calibration. He currently based out of Edmond, Oklahoma, but will be moving to Gainesville, Florida, at the end of May 2022. He is also getting married in June 2022 t...

On Episode 35, join host Susan as she catches up with her friend, co-worker, and roommate from college, Kate Fox. Kate shares about her time in the Peace Corps, learning to ditch diet culture, and her fight for self-acceptance and discovery.    Kate Fox works as an U.S. EPA Outreach and Engagement Strategist, is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Tanzania 2017-19), a badass Pole Fitness Instructor...

On Episode 34 of I've Been Better, join host Susan as she talks with her colleague, Kristin, on her journey to becoming a therapist, grief, and recognizing all of your parts, even the ones you may not be ready to acknowledge.    Kristin Brandon is a LCSW, LCAC, and overall BADASS. Kristin raised 3 exceptional children and then went back to school at age 39 for her Master of Social degree. She is p...

On Episode 33, join host Susan and her yogi inspiration and friend, Logan Wheless, as they talk about not only finding your Zen, but also finding yourself.    Logan works in marketing for the Carolina Hurricanes and is the owner/founder of Zenmeowt Yoga, a local yoga practice. Logan is highly passionate about bringing yoga to all and hope that yoga can help more people with their journey in findin...

On Episode 32, join host Susan and good friend Melissa, talk about the impact of COVID-19 from a New York perspective and being forced to make tough life-altering decisions.    Melissa Ruggiero is a brand strategist and marketer passionate about creative strategy and brand building. Skilled in translating brand insights into powerful storytelling, driving results from brand to demand. Melissa beli...

On Episode 31, join host Susan and her longtime friend Tyler as they talk about being an artist, struggling to find footing after college, and the impact of getting into legal trouble with alcohol.   Tyler Sherlock is a Graphic Designer specializing in magazine layout for The N2 Company based out of Wilmington, NC. Tyler has had a passion and a natural gift for art since he was old enough to hold...

On Episode 30, join host Susan and new friend, Alex Allen, as the two talk about trolling on Twitter and toxic work culture.   Alex is a southerner living in Denver, Colorado. By day, he leads product strategy for the OpenTable app, and by night, he is competitive volleyball player. In his spare time, he loves doing pro-bono work through the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute and Taproot. Fun f...