Mental Health-ish

Send us Fan Mail The moment I held my daughter for the first time, my heart felt like it would burst with love. That powerful experience became the catalyst for my healing journey, highlighting a painful question: why wasn't my own mother ever affectionate with me?  Parenting after experiencing childhood neglect creates a complex emotional landscape where many of us find ourselves overcompens...

Send us Fan Mail Help! My daughter won a goldfish and now I'm 8 again! Emma returned from the fair clutching a plastic bag with a tiny orange fish, my initial reaction of dread quickly transformed into a childhood flashback. Let's talk emotional support animals and "ugly" sandal summer tans.  Whether you're navigating summer with kids, processing your own childhood memorie...

Send us Fan Mail When Debbie accepted messages from a man who found her through a tagged Instagram post, she couldn't have predicted the 18-month nightmare that would follow. Her story reveals how narcissistic abuse escalates from subtle control tactics to full-blown emotional and physical violence. The warning signs appeared immediately – aggressive physical behavior on their first meeting,...

Send us Fan Mail This episode also explores the evolution of co-parenting during holidays—moving from tears when my daughter leaves to a mature understanding that supporting her relationship with her father isn't about my feelings. I share the unexpected adventure of emergency gallbladder surgery that kept me away for weeks, complete with hospital stays and a painful recovery. From vacation f...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the success stories you're told don't match your reality? For Raul Lopez, this disconnect became the catalyst for creating something new. Growing up undocumented with a truck driver father who pushed college as the only path forward, Raul found himself disillusioned when mainstream success narratives felt unrelatable to his experience. During our candid...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a reflective conversation on the critical importance of the friends we choose to keep in our lives. We dive deep into how friendships can impact our decisions—positively or negatively—and the ways they shape our well-being. The discussion unfolds through personal stories and examples, such as the consequences of hanging out with individuals who frequently engage in rec...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, we unpack how our internal narratives often exaggerate the challenges of everyday tasks, making even simple chores feel overwhelming. We explore how reframing our thoughts can lead to action. We also discuss the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones, especially when it comes to making new connections and friendships.  Don’t miss out on the chance to ch...

Send us Fan Mail Rain has a unique way of wrapping the world in a soothing embrace, and during a cold, rainy week, I found myself recording from my cozy home studio, reminiscing about the delight and calm these days bring to my life. Let's talk transitions from childhood to her pre-teen years and nostalgia.  Listening to our bodies and prioritizing personal well-being over comparison.  Let&ap...

Send us Fan Mail Relationships after divorce can be challenging, and reflecting on past decisions often leads to valuable life lessons. The episode emphasizes the importance of taking time for self-discovery, avoiding the rush into new relationships, and the central feelings of loneliness and longing for connection. • Exploring post-divorce reflections on relationships  • Personal stories highligh...

Send us Fan Mail Its been a wild start to 2025. I've found myself grappling with a mysterious illness, the aftermath of wildfires decimating California, advocating for Emma through the educational maze. The digital landscape, too, has been disrupted as TikTok went dark following a ban, stirring conversations on the vital role social media plays in our lives. While some dismiss it as mere pixe...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt the rush and then the crash after the holiday season? This episode of Mental Health-ish takes you on a personal journey through the whirlwind of Christmas madness, from the exhilarating highs of gift shopping and gingerbread house building to the post-festivity fatigue that hits hard.  But wait, there's more! Just when everything seemed to be going perfectly, an une...

Send us Fan Mail Remember those endless days of childhood when summer seemed to stretch on forever? Now, as adults, many of us feel like time slips through our fingers, with packed schedules and constant busyness. On this episode of the Mental Health-ish Podcast, we reflect on why time feels like it accelerates as we age. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast laun Have you ever wanted to start your...

Send us Fan Mail Can the magic of the holidays coexist with loneliness and unmet expectations? Join me as I navigate the bittersweet journey of the festive season and what has helped me find peace in a season that once brought sorrow. Lets talk about coping mechanisms that have turned my holiday blues into moments of contentment. Whether you're looking for solace in your own festive challenge...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever noticed that as the years go by, your tolerance for life's little annoyances seems to shrink? Join me as we unpack this common thread many of us encounter: growing irritability. In this episode of Mental Health-ish, we talk about anger and its unexpected role in personal growth.  This episode invites you to reflect on the emotional patterns you've been noti...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the first week of school can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. The transition back to school can be challenging for both parents and children, especially in terms of adjusting to a stable routine. There has been an increase in crisis calls involving kids and teenagers during the back-to-school period, highlighting the importance of supporting children during this tr...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt overwhelmed by a boss who seems to shower you with praise just to get what they want? Join me in this revealing episode of Mental Health-ish, where I share my personal run-in with "flattery bombing"—a manipulative tactic my supervisors used in a recent meeting. Listen as I also read a listener's heart-wrenching story about battling unfair treatment from a...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could unlock profound healing and release deeply held traumas through your breath alone? Join us as we journey with Megan, and discover her life-changing encounter with conscious connected breathwork. Megan is the founder of Unity Breathwork and a passionate, caring, intuitive, and highly experienced Breathwork Facilitator and teacher. Ever since her life-changing firs...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt the weight of money trauma shaping your financial habits and mental health? Listen as I recount the challenges of rebuilding friendships and a new identity post-divorce, and the pivotal moments that made me confront my financial fears head-on. Let's talk about the tough topic of setting financial boundaries, especially when it comes to feeling used by those...

Send us Fan Mail Personal Story: Esperanza shares her journey of dealing with rheumatoid arthritis and mental health challenges. She discusses the connection between childhood trauma and her physical health, as well as the importance of seeking help and finding the right medication. She emphasizes the need to prioritize one's well-being and not be ashamed of getting help. Esperanza also highl...

Send us Fan Mail Experience a new era of health transformation with our special guest, a leading expert in mind-body functional transformative medicine. Lera Mikhailova is the founder & CEO of Whole Womanhood, a holistic practice integrating functional medicine + nervous system repair + feminine alchemy. Her goal is for women to dive into root cause revival & feminine energy together to fe...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Orr shares her transformative journey into energy medicine, which began at the age of 18 when she successfully overcame severe phobias using neuroemotional technique (NET) and other energy practices. Explore the fascinating interplay between feminine and masculine energy and its impact on relationships and personal well-being. Dr. Orr discusses how feminine energy, which thriv...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine facing the darkest moments of your life and emerging not just as a survivor, but as an advocate for others. That’s exactly what Debbie Debonair has done. In our heartfelt conversation, Debbie shares her tumultuous journey through three suicide attempts and the crushing weight of negative self-talk during motherhood. Debbie opens up about the profound impact of an inappropr...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to break free from the conventional nine-to-five grind and embrace a life full of travel and adventure?    Addie Wieland is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, entrepreneur, private practice owner, and travel and mindset coach.  Addie and her family have been living an alternative lifestyle for the past four years, traveling around the US in an RV.  She...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how a simple name change can redefine an entire podcast? Today, I share the exciting transformation of the Imperfect Mellow Podcast into the new Mental Health-ish Podcast! After months of contemplation and hard work, I’m thrilled to present a title that truly captures the diverse range of conversations and topics we explore—everything from mental health discussions to...

Send us Fan Mail Join me as I share my personal experience of helping my daughter, Emma, acclimatize to her new school environment, while also managing my recovery from COVID.  This episode also shines a spotlight on the importance of patience and understanding in our everyday interactions. We also touch upon mental health, offering resources and coping strategies. Lastly, I share a sneak peek int...