Who We Are Inside

What does it take to be kind  and  unshakeable? In this episode, Dr. Rickquel Tripp reflects on her path through medicine, military service, and emergency care leadership — and how she stays grounded in empathy without losing her edge.

How do you show up with confidence in spaces not built for you? In this episode, Dr. Nancy Gauvin joins host Susan Graff to explore the power of “confidence as armor” — especially as a Black woman in academic leadership. Together, they unpack vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and the price and power of showing up fully. Show notes

Join Susan and Adriana for the second part of their conversation with Dr. Victoria Grieve. They discuss dress codes, professionalism, and the joy of wearing the clothes you like. Show notes

Join Susan and Adriana for the first part of their conversation with Dr. Victoria Grieve. They discuss Dr. Grieve's Origin Story - from boardgames to CCAC; Eckerd Drug to assistat professor at Pitt. Show notes

Dev opens up about living with ARFID—what it’s like when food feels unsafe, and how that’s tangled up with class, shame, and family dynamics. Susan and Adriana join the conversation, bringing their own stories and questions about how culture, parenting, and healthcare shape the way we think about eating. It’s honest, emotional, and enlightening. Show notes

Monica Ruiz, Executive Director of Casa San Jose in Pittsburgh, shares her journey from a case manager to an advocate for minority communities. She discusses challenges faced by Latino newcomers in the city and stresses the importance of embracing immigrants for future growth. Show notes

Join Susan in conversation with Jule Arney in the second half of their conversation about their journey beyond acceptance to radical self love. They discuss struggles with conforming to societal expectations, coming out to their parents, and finding acceptance within their black and LGBTQ+ communities. Influenced by their experiences navigating sexuality and gender identity, Jule shares poignant i...

Join us for this two-part conversation with Jule Arney about their journey beyond acceptance to radical self love. They discuss struggles with conforming to societal expectations, coming out to their parents, and finding acceptance within their black and LGBTQ+ communities. Influenced by their experiences navigating sexuality and gender identity, Jule shares poignant insights on the struggles of c...

Dr. Elizabeth Miller is a pediatrician and public health researcher who’s spent her career listening deeply — to young people, survivors, and the communities she works with. In this episode, she talks about what it takes to build real trust, how vicarious resilience can be just as powerful as vicarious trauma, and why joy and accountability can go hand in hand. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversati...

Imagine being a student who cannot go home during breaks because she will not be safe – who must focus on her doctoral work while carrying the fear of not knowing if her family will be okay tomorrow. This episode digs into these realities that many international students face and how one student finds joy in celebrating her culture and staying true to herself. Show notes

Join us for a powerful conversation with Dr. Sidharth Kannan as he candidly shares his experiences with “ragging” in India, addiction, and the power of surrender to enable us to live with grace. If you or someone you know is or has ever struggled with addiction, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Show notes

Todd Whysong is co-founder, with his wife Alisa, of the Positive Painting Project, in honor of their daughter Katie who they lost to depression in March of 2021. Join us for a beautiful conversation about what it means to survive losing a child to depression and how Katie’s legacy heals others through art and community service. This week's episode is the second part of a conversation that I ha...

Todd Whysong is co-founder, with his wife Alisa, of the Positive Painting Project, in honor of their daughter Katie who they lost to depression in March of 2021. Join us for a beautiful conversation about what it means to survive losing a child to depression and how Katie’s legacy heals others through art and community service. This week and next week's episodes are two parts of a conversation...

Dr. Sean Simon shares his experiences navigating this world as a dentist and a person with a disability. Join us as we talk about the frustrations and joys of having a disability and the power of having one person believe in you. Show notes

This week we are joined by Courtney Lucas, a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and so much more. Courtney and the panel discuss navigating academia and life in general as an introvert. What people expect you to say when they ask how you are; the unexpected consequences of taking the time to think and process before responding; the dance between code switch...

In this episode, we celebrate the gift of being a multicultural cis woman leader in the field of environmental health with Dr. Maureen Lichtveld. This episode strings together Dr. Lichtveld’s experiences being the first cis female physician working in the Amazon rainforest, starting a chocolate sprinkle trend in her children’s school, and the four environmental issues keeping her up at night. This...

Some days go really well and some days I end up crying at 9 o’clock because I feel like I was bad at my job and bad at momming. If you’re a parent chances are you have felt this way. In this episode, Susan, John and Adriana talk to Carrie Benson on the triumphs, challenges, and beautiful moments of being a mother working outside of the home. Please know we are intentionally choosing the word “moth...

This week on the podcast, we continue to explore the importance of being rather than doing with Dr. Mario Browne. The conversation touches on recovery, creating community, and challenging masculine stereotypes. The group share ways that they create space for people to share what's going on in their lives, and the importance of checking in with others. Show notes available here .

In this episode of Who We Are Inside, Dr. Mario Brown shares his insights on balancing humanity with the demands of a high-pressure academic environment. Dr. Brown discusses the challenge of being a "human being" versus a "human doing" in a culture that often equates worth with productivity. He explores strategies for self-care, such as escaping the desk and connecting with nat...

In this episode we are speaking with clinical psychologist and Executive Director of the University Counseling Center on why we should practice gratitude, how gratitude intersects with emotions like grief and joy, and how gratitude can be an antidote to loneliness by helping us feel more connected. For anyone who needs a pick-me-up, this episode is for you! Show notes: https://cupid.pitt.edu/episo...

Emiola Oriola ultimately sees himself as a lover of people who strives to build unity in diversity proactively and intentionally, wherever he goes. Join us as we discuss the idea of being our whole selves in all aspects of our lives. Show notes: https://cupid.pitt.edu/episodes/0003-Emiola-Oriola

Join us in conversation with Katelan Hudson as she shares her journey of identity formation and healing her primal wound as a Vietnamese transracial adoptee. Show notes: https://cupid.pitt.edu/episodes/0002-Katelan-Hudson

Imagine wearing a metaphorical “pinback button” that boldly declares your internal struggles, emotions, and triumphs to the world. Adriana, John and Susan challenge the norm of concealing our authentic selves, offering a refreshing perspective on the liberation that comes with being genuine. Get the full show notes here: https://cupid.pitt.edu/episodes/0001-Susan-Graff

Our podcast, Who We Are Inside, will begin releasing episodes in January! We have been interviewing amazing guests from all corners of the Pitt community and can’t wait to share them with you! Episodes will be released weekly all spring semester. In our first episode, we explore what it can be like to be a Deeply Feeling Human with some high functioning anxiety in the workplace as well as in life....