The Galina Rivina Podcastina

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Dylan Sullivan. He talks about the intersection of party and health-obsessed culture, dealing with slumlords, the time the FBI knocked on his door, why it’s easy to be a criminal in LA, what he’s discovered in his meditation practice, finding enjoyable ways to tweak your habits, his relationship with screen time, why he thinks I need to try acid, how some of...

In this episode, I’m joined by communications expert and author Michael Forman. Michael shares how he defines the art of networking, why Gen Z is bad at networking and why it’s negatively impacting their job prospects, how to warm people up to doing business with you, why building trust is key, why being a servant should be your mission, the do’s and don’ts of networking, your perfect question che...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Jenna Sparrow. Jenna shares about her background in fine arts and art history, what it was like to get in with a big museum, what type of art she secretly doesn't like, whether there’s “bad art,” how the government has historically used art to push propaganda,  what the CIA has to do with Jackson Pollock, her favorite era of art,  why certain artists get fam...

In this episode, I’m joined by baker and comedian Pete Souvall. Pete shares why gratitude goes a long way to support mental health, what role men should play in holding problematic men accountable, if having pretty privilege is real, why the bar is so low for men’s behavior in romantic relationships,  what being a provider would mean in an ideal world, why certain men can’t let women be funny, com...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Monarey Martinez. Monarey shares her thoughts on the legitimacy of her zodiac, the problem with taking accountability for who we’re attracted to, how to differentiate judgement from discernment, the biggest hurdles facing single people in their 30’s, when it’s okay to bail on a date, why she deleted hinge, why we’re lucky to have voice prompts, and much more...

In this episode, I’m joined by ADHD coach Leah Carroll. Leah shares what misconceptions we have about ADHD, the trouble with task initiation, what fears often drive our procrastination, why ADHDers struggle with memory and object permanence, why there are more diagnoses now than ever, why people with ADHD tend to people-please, the dopamine problem and the dopamine solution to getting through your...

In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist and relationship coach Dr. Todd Giardina. He shares how societal pressure shapes our expectations for gender roles in relationships, how to navigate splitting household labor and co-parenting, stopping ineffective argument strategies, removing the guesswork out of your conflicts, Dr. Giardina’s relationship equation and how to apply it, which stereotypes...

In this episode, I’m joined by brand advisor and manifesting coach Solène Vangout. She shares her working definition of manifesting, how she reconciled her logic with her ability to believe, how to let go authentically and surrender, how to notice when you’re “forcing it”, tools to help rumination, why you shouldn’t obsess about technique, what identifying blocks can look like, what happens when y...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Sam Lopez. Sam debriefs me on adjusting to Austin, her experience moving in male dominated spaces, how mom life has changed her perspective, why she got hooked on hot yoga, what weird and unsolicited advice she’s gotten about babies, what we might actually need from men, why women have replaced porn with reading, how she deals with intrusive thoughts, the cl...

In this episode, I’m joined by Danielle Mercurio. Danielle works in all things metaphysical; astrology, numerology, your birth chart, and home clearings. She shares how studying the metaphysical supports mental health, the significance of the shift we’re going through in 2026, which cycles are currently changing, how to interpret numerology, why you shouldn’t feel fearful of the planets and predic...

In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Danger. Author of, “No More Mediocre: A Call to Reimagine Our Relationships and Demand More.“  Laura shares why having a boyfriend doesn’t have to be embarrassing and why so many women are moving to de-center men. We discuss the merit of Cher recently calling out Dax Shepard on his podcast, why we’re disillusioned about public couples, spotting signs of an abus...

In this episode, I’m joined by Political Science and Psychology of Politics creator Keegan Tatum. Keegan shares why we merge our identities with politics, what failed ambitions precede many right-wing influencers’ careers, the financial incentive of artists to “grift,” why political party affiliation is emotion-driven, what emotional intelligence has to do with political leaning, why conservatives...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Hanna Dickinson. Hanna shares why she thinks we date people we don’t like, why we might be too picky, how the dating scene is much easier for men than women, why dating a “10” might actually suck, whether Tik Tok is helping or hurting dating culture, her red flags, what different outcomes might arise when a partner cheats and why some people stay, the pros a...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Gary Sprouse, a former primary care physician and author of “Highway To Your Happy Place. He shares how to define stress in your life, what common misconceptions we have about stress, how to define “stress blindness,” why social media plays a large role in today’s heightened stress levels, why most of us experience stress, what differences men and women have arou...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian and tattoo artist Greg Berman. Greg shares his experience doing tattoo residencies and producing comedy shows across Europe, what it’s like to enter the tattooing industry, how you should pick your first ink, why different cultures respond differently to tattoos, how soviet parents react to kids with unconventional career paths, what career paths make the mo...

In this episode, I’m joined by microbiologist and cancer biologist Dr. Emily Lowry. She shares how cancer research became her calling, what common misunderstandings most of us have about cancer, the emotional impact of working with cancer patients, how anti-aging and longevity research is tied to cancer, the dangerous pseudoscience around sugar and cancer treatment, how to do your own research lik...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian and actor Joey Bragg. Joey shares what it’s like to co-star with four-legged friends, why people don’t understand the appeal of LA’s “valley,” what’s changed in comedy over the years, why gratitude for stage time is a slippery-slope, how a union might help comedians and what protections it could provide, why artists need to find their boundaries, where does...

In this episode, I'm going solo! I share some reflections from 2025, why certain lessons stood out, what the Chinese zodiac symbols mean for the upcoming year of the horse, why boundaries are the ultimate game-changer, how we can reframe our thinking about money, relationships, and jobs, why you should embrace your self-belief more than ever, and much more. Oh, and I cry and get a little emo! Happ...

In this episode, I'm joined by my roommate of the past two years Jamie Plaxco! Jamie shares how she always sets her sights on things working out, how to find wisdom in handling anxiety, what insurance companies don't want you to know about therapy and superbills, why she tries not to diagnose her friends, how my type A and her type B personalities made for a fun balance, what made her join Kabbala...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Ian Edwards. Ian returns to share why he loves Christmas, why Vegas is over, how he deals with pressure on panel shows like Kill Tony, where his boundaries are around niceness, how you can be better at small talk, how he finds a way to watch soccer all year round, why our artistic calling isn’t a bad thing, how he reframes making sacrifices, what it was like...

In this episode, I’m joined by Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri. Practicing for over 30 years and authoring the book, "Optimize Your Fertility Naturally: A Holistic Guide to Achieving a Healthy Pregnancy," Dr. Marina offers an approach that is based in functional medicine and taking your fertility into your own hands. She shares what’s going on with plummeting birth rate...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian Francisco Ramos. Francisco shares what he’s learned about observing his thoughts, why it’s beneficial to have a meditation practice, how he navigates his relationship to social media, why going to therapy is for everyone, what happens when you don’t address a savior complex, how we can use our ego to our advantage and when you know it’s hurting you, who’s re...

In this episode, I’m joined by adventurer Tyler Ross. Tyler recently completed Canoe Across America; a three-month long journey down the entire Mississippi River in a canoe. Tyler shares some of his history having completed the “Triple Crown” by hiking the full length of three major U.S. long-distance trails: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.  He sha...

In this episode, I’m joined by comedian and actor Simon Gibson. Simon shares why he fell in love with the Real Housewives, why he’s taking up theatrical acting, what he’s noticed about the state of stand up comedy, the value of being a well-rounded performer, why the novelty of touring wears off, his trick for memorizing lines, his surprising do’s and don’ts for vacation, how he knew his fiance wa...

In this episode, I’m joined by AI consultant and trainer Sophie Theodorou. Sophie shares whether we should fear or embrace artificial intelligence, how AI work slop is slowing down productivity, what environmental impacts the tech might have, how one doctor’s office used AI to see 3x the patients, the pitfalls of our current AI’s capabilities, which skills we can learn to take advantage of AI, whi...