Papaya Talk

"Google told me I was going through menopause." In this episode, Alyssa and Nadia delve into the complexities of women's health, particularly focusing on menstrual changes, menopause, and the societal perceptions surrounding these topics. They discuss personal experiences, the influence of social media on health awareness, and the challenges women face in accessing appropriate healthcare. The conv...

Nicole Sahrling, the video editor and marketing assistant for Papaya Talk Podcast, shares her untraditional journey from being a ballet dancer in Eastern Europe to attending community college and now transferring to UC San Diego. She discusses the challenges and decisions she faced, including taking a gap year and pursuing her passion for ballet. Nadia Herrera-Set, a gymnast, also shares her exper...

In this episode, Alyssa, Nadia, and Lucy discuss Lucy's upcoming college semester in Prague. Nadia shares some great advice for starting college, and Lucy does the same for those entering their senior year of high school. Alyssa reflects on the transition in her role as a mother and at the same time, feelings of excitement for new opportunities. We all ended this episode feeling open-minded an...

"Not everyone has a relationship with their mom like we do. So it could be a helpful guide or addition to whatever they have going on to hear people having conversation like this." In this final episode of the season, Alyssa and Nadia reflect on their experience with the podcast and discuss the impact they have made. They also talk about their plans for the future and potential topics fo...

"It's really like on the spot type thing. You can't really prepare for what the kind of calls you're going to get that day." In this episode of Papaya Talk, Nadia reflects on her experience working as a medical secretary at a community health center for the past six months. She describes her daily tasks, such as answering phone calls, booking appointments, and dealing with pa...

"Are you doing it because you want to or because you want to look like somebody else?" In this week’s podcast episode, Nadia and Alyssa explore body image and the pressure to have a certain body shape for “bathing suit season.” We chat about the influence of social media and advertising on body ideals, the importance of feeling comfortable in one's own skin, and the challenges of bod...

"With dating apps, with like all of that stuff, you can reach out to so many people." This episode covers topics such as social media usage across different generations, the evolution of dating terminology and practices, and the impact of social media on professional and personal perceptions. It also delves into the concept of oversharing on social media and the differences in the use of...

In this episode, Alyssa and Nadia discuss various topics including the dynamics of their relationships, the concept of helicopter parenting, and the challenges of making and maintaining friendships. They also touch on dating and the use of dating apps. Nadia reflects on her experiences in college and the importance of finding true friends. Overall, we’re exploreing themes of independence, personal...

"If you don't set your body up for an optimal healing environment, you're not gonna get all the way there." We are so fortunate to be joined by Dr. Stacey King, a physical therapist and functional medicine coach in this episode of Papaya Talk. Stacy discusses her journey into physical therapy and functional medicine. She emphasizes the importance of nutrition in the healing proce...

"The big difference between midwives and doctors are midwives spend time building a relationship with you." We are so excited to be joined in this episode by Melissa Dean, a midwife and founder of Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center! We discuss her journey from being a doula to becoming a midwife. We also answer many of the questions we had in our previous episode on labor and delivery,...

In this conversation, we’re chatting about our eating habits and preferences! Nutrition and finding the right food to fuel our bodies is an everyday struggle, and we’re discussing where Nadia buys her food and the cost of groceries. We also touch on topics such as meal prepping, the nutritional value of different types of food, and the challenges of maintaining a healthy diet in college. We’re end...

In this week’s episode, we’re discussing our experiences of being asked about ethnicity and identity, as well as the impact of microaggressions and racism on mental health. We also touch on the sense of community and camaraderie among people of color: feeling a sense of kinship with people of color, exploring the city outside of campus, the importance of good customer service in healthcare, the ro...

In this episode, Alyssa and Nadia discuss childbirth and share Alyssa shares her personal experiences. Nadia has limited knowledge about childbirth and relies on assumptions and what she has seen in TV shows. Alyssa explains the basics of childbirth and the individuality of this incredibly life experience. They also discuss pain management options such as epidurals and natural births. Alyssa share...

“It’s not where you are, it’s what you do when you get there.” In this conversation, we are so lucky to be joined by college admissions consultant Haley Friedman! As a UC Berkeley graduate, she provides us with first-hand insights and tips on the college application process and managing stress. She emphasizes the importance of breaking down the application process into manageable chunks and stayin...

This episode revolves around Nadia's college application and decision process! She discusses her experience with college applications, now two years out and a second year at Northeastern University in Boston, including the challenges of writing essays and completing supplementals. Nadia also reflects on her decision to apply early decision to Barnard and her feelings of relief when she was def...

In this conversation, we're talking about Nadia's growth and maturity, her confidence in adult settings, and her experiences with social anxiety. We're reflecting on the things Nadia took for granted at home, such as the weather and family time. Nadia also hares her thoughts on friendships in high school and her perspective on finding a future partner. We end by touching on Nadia's...

Summary In this episode, Alyssa and Nadia play a game of “truth or dare” with Alyssa asking Nadia a few unfiltered questions. The questions cover topics such as alcohol consumption, kissing strangers, smoking cigarettes, and using drugs other than marijuana. Nadia answers honestly and shares her thoughts and experiences. Alyssa also answers the questions, reflecting on her own past. The conversati...

Dr. Mira Sinha, a board-certified family physician in Redwood City, shares her insights and advice on various medical topics for young women embarking on independence and college. These are all the things we wish we knew before heading to college! She emphasizes the importance of self-care, staying safe, and knowing when to seek help. Dr. Sinha explains the differences between acetaminophen and ib...

Dr. Nishi Bhopal, a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep specialist, discusses various aspects of sleep and its impact on health. She shares her journey into psychiatry and sleep medicine, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing sleep for college students. The conversation also explores the effects of shift work on sleep and long-term health. Dr. Bhopal provides insights into using phones bef...

In this conversation, we're chatting about our sleep schedules and the challenges of getting enough rest. We go into the impact of work and other activities on our sleep patterns, as well as the difficulty of going to bed early. We also explore the long-term effects of chronic under-sleeping and the possibility of catching up on sleep. Next, this episode explores our dependency on coffee and e...

Summary In this conversation, Alyssa and Nadia discuss various aspects of self-care in college. They chat about surprises in college life, how to take care of yourself on your own, managing medications, seeking medical advice, personal care products while studying abroad, and the cost of self-care. Nadia shares her experiences and challenges in taking care of herself while navigating college life....

In this episode, we’re chatting about what it's like to live in cold weather, specifically in Boston. Nadia shares her experiences and thoughts on the cold after being a California girl her whole life. We also discuss the effects of cold weather on the skin and allergies. We also touch on seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a serious challenge for many who are already prone to depressi...

Summary In this episode, we’re exploring various topics related to fitness, body image, and beauty standards. It begins with a discussion about going to the gym as a woman, Nadia’s experience with the male gaze at the gym, and feeling intimidated by the male-dominated weight room. The conversation then shifts to the use of medications like Ozempic for weight loss and the influence of social media...

In this podcast episode, Alyssa interviews Nadia about her new job as a medical secretary at a community health center in Boston. They discuss Nadia's experience as a co-op student at Northeastern University, the challenges of working full-time (and Nadia’s first big job), and the importance of patient communication. Nadia also shares her thoughts on applying to medical school and making a pos...

In this conversation, we're chatting with Dr. Nichole Tyson, a pediatric and adolescent obstetrician and gynecologist at Stanford. She discusses her journey to becoming a specialist in this field and the reasons why families seek pediatric ob/gyn care. She also explains the basics of the menstrual cycle and how different stages relate to the likelihood of pregnancy, safe sex practices, tips on...