I've Been Better

On Episode 29, join host Susan as she chats with her friend Rachel about anxiety, the pandemic, and unplanned loss of a furry best friend.  Rachel Sherlock is a Sales and Marketing Operations guru in the SaaS industry. She is a master in Salesforce Administration and streamlined processes in multiple companies to maximize revenue growth. Rachel has her master’s degree in psychology from the Chicag...

On Episode 28, join host Susan as she talks with fellow podcast host and local comedian, Jordan Huggins, about being ready, or not, for adulthood.    Jordan Scott Huggins is a comic, writer, podcaster, and show producer in Raleigh, North Carolina. As a comic he's featured in a handful of national festivals including the Crom Comedy Festival, Beast Village Comedy Festival, and Cape Fear Comedy Fest...

On Episode 27, join host Susan as she catches up with her friend and colleague, Megan Peedin, about her career in social work and the impact of becoming a caregiver in your 20s.  Megan Peedin MSW, LCSW, LCAS-A lives and works in Durham, NC. She is truly passionate about social work and spends most of her time doing it, including educating folks about what social work is and what it’s not. Megan ha...

On Episode 26, join host Susan as she sits down with friend and coach, Kelly Womack-Adams, to discuss her love for all things math, education, and the impact of having little to no support in the classroom as a teacher.    Currently a grad student at North Carolina State University (NCSU), Kelly is working on her PhD in Education with a focus on Math teaching and learning. Kelly was born in Raleig...

Season 5 is here!    On episode 25, join host Susan and her close friend and fellow D.P.C member, Brooke Waggoner, to talk about the impact of COVID over the last two years, and the important decision to put yourself first.  Brooke works from home as a small business owner. During her spare time, she works part time at a Raleigh luxury upholstery studio. Brooke is always looking for a creative out...

On episode 24, join host Susan as she sits down with good friend, Tabatha Gagliardo, to talk about social anxiety, depression, and holding on for one more day. Tabatha, Tabby for short, is from a small unincorporated town in Wisconsin where the most booming businesses were the local bar and a hot air balloon take off pad. Growing up in the country shaped her worldview and appreciation for nature....

On Episode 23, join host Susan as she sits down with friend in field, Brice Bradshaw, to discuss one of the many experiences that shaped him into he is today.    CW: wilderness camp, alternative therapy styles, drug use, expulsion   Brice Bradshaw works as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and is passionate about helping members of the trans community at varying stages of coming...

On Episode 22, join Susan as she talks with Mackenzie Seidl about an unexpected *millennial* injury that rocked her world.    CW: medical emergency, broken bones, isolation, recovery, physical therapy   Mackenzie works as a digital marketing specialist in Raleigh. She spends her free time watching movies and TV, listening to podcasts, and playing trivia with her longtime team, Quiz Khalifa. She lo...

On Episode 21, join host Susan as she talks with her friend, Aly Stone, on expectations of getting it right the first time when taking a job out of college and remembering that you are enough.    CW: healthcare, job loss   Aly Stone is a Raleigh native working as a Physician Assistant in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She is married to her husband Alan, whom she met at a Halloween party sen...

On episode 20, join host Susan and this week’s guest, Vicki, as they talk about medical emergencies, people pleasing, and living in the “inside”.  CW: medical emergency, medical trauma and procedures, anxiety, and medication use   Victoria Hoogland, originally from North Carolina, lives in beautiful and crisp Anchorage, Alaska with her husband, Travis. She has worked in youth development for over...

Season 4 of IBB is here!   On Episode 19, Susan talks with friend and local comedian, Spencer Bland, about his journey with mental health and his career as a comedian.  Spencer Bland is a comedian, writer, and podcaster that wants you to know that his last name has no effect on his humor. He is a regular host and feature at the Raleigh Improv and Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, NC where he was...

On Episode 18, host Susan talks with friend-turned-family, Dr. Harold Dorrell Briscoe, about his journey to becoming a pastor, his experience in the church as a black man, and how he hopes to restore the mission and value of the gospel in his community.    Dr. Harold Dorrell Briscoe is a writer, speaker, pastor, and public theologian. He focuses on the intersectionality of race, religion, law, and...

On Episode 17, host Susan really gets into her feels with close friend and fellow DPC (Dead Parents Club) member, Kyle Duryea. Join Susan and Kyle as they talk about their cosmic connection, shared experiences in the death of a parent, and how Kyle continues to cope and prepare for all life will throw at him. You may need to grab some tissues for this one!   Kyle Duryea works in the wine and beer...

On Episode 16, join host Susan as she shares a vulnerable conversation with friend, Alix Robbins, about the unplanned birth of her daughter and the failures and success along the way.   Alix Robbins is an HR professional and manager of an international team of specialists. She plays Ultimate Frisbee competitively and enjoys many team sports. Alix is a mother to one human child and multiple househo...

On Episode 15, host Susan talks with friend Alex Brandt about his battle with depression after college, the pressures of finding a career, and attending graduate school. Tune in to hear the two talk about how Alex found himself isolated and afraid after graduating undergrad and how he recovered.   Alex Brandt is a graduate of North Carolina State University and currently works as a data consultant...

CW: death, grief, emergency services and public safety, sensitive material, motor vehicle accident   In this episode, host Susan sits down with good friend, Andre Fanto, to talk about the life of a fire fighter and the not-so-obvious aspects of being in the role of public service. Andre is a flower salesman by day and fireman by night. He has spent the last year buying a house, getting engaged, be...

CW: marriage, separation, divorce, infidelity, loss, grief    For the first episode of Season 3, host Susan sits down with friend in advocacy, Jen Bordeaux. Susan and Jen talk about finding happiness after heartbreak, what she has learned through experiencing divorce, and their shared love of musicals.    Jen is formally known as the Director of Public Relations but informally known as the remover...

CW; graphic language, sports injury, medical procedures, death of parent, therapy, chronic pain, mention of depression     As we wrap up the second season of IBB, host Susan sits down with friend, Kyle Shields, to open up the conversation around life not working out the way we had it planned. Kyle shares about his major sports injury that lead to the end of his baseball career, all while acknowled...

CW: death, loss of life, talk of suicide, accidental death, mental health     On Episode 11, host Susan and one of her best friends and fellow cat mom, Tori Aldrin, record an emotional conversation on the death of a friend. Tori currently works as an office manager. She is passionate about cooking, music and gardening. Some of her hobbies include embroidery, reading, overthinking and obsessing ove...

Episode 10! On this week's episode, join host Susan as she sits down with one of her best friend's, Kimmie Krohn, to talk about making the jump into a passionate life and undoing the "evil stepmom" myth.  Kimmie currently works in the craft beer industry and enjoys having the coast as part of her territory. She is affectionately known as “Kim” by those closest to her and considers everyone in her...

CW: death, death of a parent, addiction, substance use/misuse, pregnancy    On Episode 9, host Susan catches up with her close friend, Tessa Murray. Susan and Tessa cover everything from meeting as Bud Light girls in college, to experiencing death, loss, moving across the country, complex family dynamics, and more.    Tessa is currently in graduate school to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. A...

CW: body image discussion, societal expectations for women/people who identify as women   For Episode 8, Susan sits down with close friend, Jessica Parker. The two cover everything from design, working in IT, being a woman with confidence, and fast fashion.   Jessica currently works in tech, and has a second job at a local record store and beer shop on the weekends for fun. She is currently workin...

CW: pregnancy, childbirth, labor and delivery, medical fragility   As IBB begins Season 2, join host Susan as she catches up with one of her closest college friends, Cheryl Lundegard, as they talk about the unknowns in bearing children, where faith became a savior, and all things adulting in 2021.    Cheryl is currently living in Georgia with her husband and two littles. She spends as much time ou...

As we prepare for Season 2 to drop, host Susan and sound-engineer/partner in life, Josh, share more about the pod, working together, and the vision behind IBB. Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Thank you to all of our listeners.    Instagram: @ivebeenbetter.pod Guest mentions: @boporfloppod

CW: abuse, sexual abuse, sexual assault, advocacy work, disordered eating, recovery      On episode 6, Susan talks with colleague-turned-friend in service, Leigh. Leigh met Susan here in North Carolina while doing work for a not-for-profit organization. They’ve been friends ever since, and bond over memes, social work issues, and their pets. Leigh’s been a professional social worker for 7 years. S...