The Viva Podcast

We’re getting real folks. The phrase “mental health crisis” has been thrown around quite a bit as we collectively struggle to grapple with the ongoing pandemic and recent surges. But, what does that mean? Are we REALLY in a mental health crisis as a society? Tune in as licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo explore what a crisis of mental health means and how certain figures only...

Have you ever felt the pressure to be happier than you were actually feeling? If so, you might have been dealing with toxic positivity. All emotions are a part of the human experience and you deserve the right to feel all the feels! Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El reflect on toxic positivity culture and offer up some thoughts on embracing how you really feel (and creating space for others to do so to...

2022 is almost here! No matter what you've been through this year, if you want to take a moment to reflect and process your year then this episode is for you! Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El share some thoughts on how to reflect on the year behind you with meaning, authenticity and intention. Enjoy!

More and more we find ourselves having conversations about accountability, especially when it comes to social causes. But this is something we also run into in our own personal relationships - but what does the word actually mean? What does it mean to hold someone truly accountable...and what about yourself? Tune into our latest episode as licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El talk all things acco...

It’s official...holiday season is upon us!  How are you taking care of yourself as you navigate this time of year? Many of us are celebrating in ways similar to last year, but as vaccination rates have increased many more people are traveling and reconnecting in person with family members, and loved ones, for the first time in a long while.   Listen to our latest episode as Rachel and Jor-El talk...

We all have them, but we also shame ourselves for having them. But what’s actually a bad habit and what’s not? HOW CAN WE KNOW?! Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk about the trap of black and white thinking as well as how we view personal habits. We think you’ll gain a lot from this one. Take a listen, share with a friend and rate and review too. Thanks for listening!

“Well, I didn’t mean it that way!” How many times have you heard (or said) that?  When it comes to relationships and conversations, being vulnerable enough to say that you’re hurt is never easy and being told that what you did hurt someone doesn’t feel good either, especially if you didn’t intend to cause harm. Listen in as Rachel and Jor-El discuss how important intent and impact is (and what mat...

How do you feel about dating? Maybe dating is exciting for you as you get to meet new people and have fun, but for many dating isn’t quite as fun. It often can be draining and nerve-wracking.  Well, we’re here to help! In our latest episode licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo talk through some of the challenges of dating and offer up some guidance and support for your journey....

Contrary to popular belief, therapists aren’t perfect because hey, no humans are! In our latest episode Rachel and Jor-El share their perspectives on mental health trends and own up to their own petty behaviors. It’s an exercise in modeling imperfection!  Tune in to learn more about our hosts and revel in your imperfections with us.

Unfortunately, it looks like COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon. This is more true than ever as we now have the Delta variant making its way through communities. How do we cope with the ongoing virus threat? Hosts and licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El offer up some tips on how to manage the next few months and your risk. Also, GET VACCINATED! Related:  F* Your Feelings (from the Viva blog)...

DO YOU LIKE PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA?! No, that’s not actually what this episode is about but helps us illustrate the point of how judgmental all of us can be (you probably had a strong reaction to that question, right?). This week we’re talking through the fallacy of being a “non-judgmental person.” Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk through how to offer yourself some compassion while also trying to man...

Do you feel the constant pressure to stay busy and productive? If so, you’re not alone. Tune in as licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo talk through the perils of productivity and hustle culture and finding the path that works best for you. Join the conversation with us on social media and share this episode with a friend who could benefit from it. Thanks for listening! Related...

The healthcare system has its challenges (particularly in the United States) but how do you go about finding the right care in a seriously flawed system?  Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk through some strategies to navigate the realities of the healthcare system. Hopefully it offers up some tips to consider, as well as some very real validation of the difficulties so many of us face. As always, t...

What gets you going when the struggle is real?  If you’re feeling a bit stuck then we hope this episode will help you power through. In this episode licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo get into the nitty gritty of how to find motivation, how it’s like commitment and ways you can push yourself and embrace self-compassion at the same time. What are you working towards right now?...

Do you ever find yourself enraged by the poor behavior of others? Have YOU sometimes been that person? Tune in as licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El talk about situations in which this poor behavior comes up (there is a bit of ranting in this episode tbh) and offer a call for us all to be more conscious of treating fellow humans with compassion and respect.  As always, we appreciate your though...

Have you ever experienced a break up with a good friend? It can be incredibly difficult to cope and that’s exactly what we’re talking about in today’s episode. Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk about how this happens, what it feels like and maybe some ideas of how to move forward. What’s your experience been with breaking up with a friend? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram and Twitter at @v...

Recently, pro tennis player Naomi Osaka decided to take some time off from the French Open, and upcoming Wimbeldon tournament, after stating she’d be avoiding doing press for mental health reasons. Her statements caused quite a stir and in our latest episode Jor-El and Rachel discuss the dynamics of the statements, and the fallout, and how it relates to how we all respond to setting limits for our...

When you’re exploring social justice issues how often are you exploring the realities of ableism? If you’re like most people, then likely not enough. Tune in to our latest episode as we explore what ableism really means and offer some perspective shifts to be a better supporter of those who live with disabilities, remove stigma and improve access. Additional reading: Supporting Someone with Chroni...

It’s been about a year since everyone posted those black squares on social media but where are we now? Social justice issues are still at the forefront of our lives. Black lives are still at risk. Asian people are experiencing violence and harassment at alarming rates. Queer and trans folks still disporpotionately face violence.  You want to learn more and do better, but where do you start? We’re...

Do you think that you handle conflict well in your relationship? Maybe have some areas in which you’d like to improve?  Don’t worry, we’ve got you! Also: do you know where the phrase “piggyback” come from?! Tune in as licensed therapist Rachel and Jor-El offer some helpful feedback on navigating conflict when you can’t necessarily create a lot of distance.  We hope this helps! You may also enjoy r...

As an increasing number of people get vaccinated against COVID-19 and time charges on, we are getting closer to the next chapter in navigating the coronavirus pandemic.  How do you manage conversations around boundaries and challenge yourself, and others, when appropriate? Therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo weigh in on these tricky times with some things to consider as you move forward...

Unfortunately, mental health has been in the news recently as many have tried to make sense of the high profile gun violence in Atlanta and Boulder.  Listen in as therapists Jor-El and Rachel explain why that conversation is problematic and how we should be exploring the relationship between mental illness and violence (among other things…).  Please join the conversation with us on Instagram and T...

For most of us we’ve spent a year (or more) living with the pandemic of COVID-19. As more people get vaccinated and things start to open up for more in-person services how do we get back to “normal”? Mental health counselors Rachel and Jor-El share some thoughts on how you might think about getting to a new normal in this new world and how to manage some of your thoughts and anxieties about it. Tu...

What role does fear of failure play in your life? Unfortunately, failure is a part of life. By understanding what we’re really scared of when it comes to failure, we can learn how resilient we can be.  Tune into our latest episode to hear licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El explore what failure means and some practical things to consider in facing down our fears and anxieties about not succeedin...

Wanting to move forward on your goals and not feeling the motivation to do so is an uncomfortable feeling. There are many reasons why we might get stuck in these moments and we’re here to help!   Tune in to our latest episode as licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo discuss being stuck and offer up some ideas on how to get un-stuck too.  What helps you find motivation when you ca...