All The Wiser

In this episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi shares her experience of delivering her first TEDx talk titled, “The Transformative Power of Sharing Our Painful Stories.” She expresses her fears of having ex-boyfriends in the audience and her readiness to move beyond mental health as the main focus of her speeches.

Kimi, Erica, and Tara discuss the importance of Simon Fung’s story, highlighting the continued prevalence and harm of conversion therapy. Furthermore, they recommend his podcast, Dear Alana (and fully support you pausing this episode to listen to it!) 

Kimi and Erica share their personal experiences with religion and reconciliation.

The episode concludes with a reading of an email from our new favorite listener, Joyce, who wrote about how All The Wiser has positively impacted her life.

We hope you will join Joyce and share with us your most cherished episode or standout guest and let us know why it left an impact on you. We're compiling a special episode and your voice or message might just be featured!

Call or text us at 310-243-6364 or you can email us at [email protected].

Listen to Simon’s podcast, Dear Alana here! 

Simon Fung is the host and creator of the podcast, "Dear Alana." The show quickly became a hit, touching the hearts of millions with a universal story of coming of age amidst the struggle for self-acceptance. In this episode, Simon discusses his intense pursuit to alter his sexual orientation in order to follow his dream of becoming a catholic priest. He shares his candid revelations, from the depths of conversion therapy to overcoming shame and embracing his true self. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. If there's one thing to take away, it's that vulnerability can pave the way for profound personal growth and lead us to a more honest and compassionate existence. 

In this episode:

• Navigating Sexual Identity and Conversion Therapy
• The Healing Power of Group Therapy:
• The Philosophical and Religious Underpinnings of Conversion Therapy
• The Essence of Masculinity
• Overcoming Trauma Through Martial Arts
• Impact of Community and Religion on Personal Identity

Links & Resources:

Simonkentfung.com

Dearalana.com

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok: @dearalanapod

Charity: www.alanafaithchen.org

You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting the word HOME to 741741.

Or you can contact the LGBT National Hotline for free, confidential support at 888-843-4564

And you can find a list of these and more resources at AlanaFaithChen.org/help

As of the airing of this episode, 22 states have passed legislation to protect LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy practices. And more states have legislation pending. Organizations like The Trevor Project and Born Perfect are at the forefront of the fight to end conversion therapy.

Want to know where your state stands? You can find out by going to LGBTmap.org

We want to hear from you! Our greatest hope in this final season is that you’ll share with us your most cherished episode or standout guest and let us know why it left an impact on you. We're compiling a special episode and your voice might just be featured!

Call or text us at 310-243-6364 or you can email us at [email protected].

Kimi and Erica reflect on last week's episode with Matty Fiorenza, a first responder grappling with the invisible scars of PTSD. They emphasize the importance of raising awareness and taking inspired action to support the mental and emotional health of our first responders. Kimi shares the backstory of how we discovered Matty and the heartbreaking connection they have in common. 

A valuable takeaway that resonated with both Erica and Kimi was the idea that help can come from the most unexpected places. He referred to the ordinary people who showed him kindness and compassion during his darkest days as "angels." Throughout the episode, he mentioned them by name and credited them with helping him survive.

OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU: Is there someone in your past that showed you compassion when you needed it most? Perhaps it was a teacher, nurse, neighbor, grocery store clerk, family member or friend? Consider how their kindness impacted you then, and thank them for the positive role they played in your life. 

And finally, a reminder to those who may need it:

Everybody has a purpose. We need you here.

We want to hear from you! Our greatest hope in this final season is that you’ll share with us your most cherished episode or standout guest and let us know why it left an impact on you. We're compiling a special episode and your voice might just be featured!

Call or text us at 310-243-6364 or you can email us at [email protected].

Matthew Fiorenza, a former firefighter and paramedic turned mental health advocate shares how the traumas encountered on the job silently chipped away at his mental health. He bravely battled through the depths of depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. We discuss the pivotal moments that ultimately led him to seek help and the healing modalities that made all the difference, including a promising new treatment: the stellate ganglion block. Other life-saving practices include meditation, the Save a Warrior program, and his profound spiritual connections. Matty's story serves as a beacon of hope for first responders facing similar battles and the importance of addressing mental health in high-stress professions. 

In this episode:

• The impact of distressing calls on mental health.
• The lack of behavioral health support for first responders.
• The struggle with alcoholism and the discovery of transformative meditation.
• Attending the Save a Warrior program and its life-changing effects.
• Matty’s advocacy work and teaching his practice to others.
• The positive impact of accountability, peer support and “karma butterflies”.

Links & Resources:

PTSD911 Movie:

http://www.ptsd911movie.com/ 

PTSD911 on Amazon Prime Video

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Charity: www.nextrung.org

We want to hear from you! Our greatest hope in this final season is that you’ll share with us your most cherished episode or standout guest and let us know why it left an impact on you. We're compiling a special episode and your voice might just be featured!

Call or text us at 310-243-6364 or you can email us at [email protected].

Welcome back, Wise Ones, and Happy New Year!

In our first episode of 2024, Kimi, Erica, and Tara discuss holiday highlights, hangovers, and the slow process of post-holiday “re-entry ”.

All The Wiser has some big news to share with you. In April, we will celebrate 5 years of brave storytelling, 100 full length episodes, and 100 charity partners.There is an end to all good things, and this season will be the last. We also plan on making it the best yet! 

Listen in to hear our thoughts on this bittersweet decision and our big dream for the final episode. 

We want to hear from you! Our greatest hope this season is that you’ll share with us your most cherished episode or standout guest and let us know why it left an impact on you. We're compiling a special episode and your voice might just be featured!

Call or text us at 310-243-6364 or you can email us at [email protected].

In the final episode of this season's A Little Wiser, Kimi and Erica reflect on last week's episode featuring Rebecca Kaduru. Kimi explains how an episode of The Happiness Lab inspired her to invite Rebecca onto the show. Erica expresses her admiration for Rebecca's impactful work with women in Africa. They also discuss the pros and cons of public vulnerability, and how Rebecca's story reminded them of the comfort found in podcasts and the potential of human stories to make a difference.

Wishing you all happy holidays and a wonderful New Year! 

If you have a favorite episode or moment you’d love to share with us please email us at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @allthewiserpodcast.

If you enjoy listening to the show and find value and inspiration in the stories you hear, we hope you'll consider supporting our work and becoming an All The Wiser member.

As a thank you for your support, we give you early, ad free access, exclusive content, Zoom meetups with Kimi and the team, and much more. Join us and BECOME A MEMBER ON PATREON!

Or contribute what you can by making a custom pledge.

Follow the show at @allthewiserpodcast on Instagram.

Keep the conversation going! Join our new Facebook group and connect with other listeners like you!

Stay in the know with all things All The Wiser! Sign up for our newsletter for personal reflections from Kimi, new episodes, and recommendations from our team!

Rebecca Kaduru's life was forever altered by a catastrophic accident in Uganda. But after receiving shockingly insufficient medical care, her nightmare was only beginning. Rebecca endured extensive reconstructive surgeries for her physical wounds, but the emotional trauma had a profound impact on the way she views herself and her personal and professional priorities. She discusses the challenges of recovery in a social-media forward world, the human capacity for pain and empathy, and the importance of a supportive community on the journey to hard-won wisdom. 

In this episode:

• Inadequate medical treatment leading to multiple surgeries.
• Emotional impact from realizing the limits of health education in Uganda.
• The influence of KadAfrica on girls and communities in Uganda.
• Setting boundaries for work and prioritizing family time.
• The power of vulnerability in leadership and workplace culture.
• The significance of community and personal support systems.

Charity: Hebrew Free Loan San Francisco

www.hflasf.org

If you enjoy listening to the show and find value and inspiration in the stories you hear, we hope you'll consider supporting our work and becoming an All The Wiser member.

As a thank you for your support, we give you early, ad free access, exclusive content, Zoom meetups with Kimi and the team, and much more. Join us and BECOME A MEMBER ON PATREON!

Or contribute what you can by making a custom pledge.

Follow the show at @allthewiserpodcast on Instagram.

Keep the conversation going! Join our new Facebook group and connect with other listeners like you!

Stay in the know with all things All The Wiser! Sign up for our newsletter for personal reflections from Kimi, new episodes, and recommendations from our team!

In this mini episode, we dive into the powerful and touching story of spoken word poet Andrea Gibson. Our host, Kimi, along with producer, Erica Gerard, and associate producer, Tara, reflect on the experiences and insights shared by Andrea in the previous episode. From discussing the transformative power of their cancer diagnosis to exploring the essence of love, authenticity, and gratitude, the conversation delves into the profound impact of Andrea's journey. They also touch on the importance of vulnerability, storytelling, and embracing change.

If you enjoy listening to the show and find value and inspiration in the stories you hear, we hope you'll consider supporting our work and becoming an All The Wiser member.

As a thank you for your support, we give you early, ad free access, exclusive content, Zoom meetups with Kimi and the team, and much more. Join us and BECOME A MEMBER ON PATREON!

Or contribute what you can by making a custom pledge.

Follow the show at @allthewiserpodcast on Instagram.

Keep the conversation going! Join our new Facebook group and connect with other listeners like you!

Stay in the know with all things All The Wiser! Sign up for our newsletter for personal reflections from Kimi, new episodes, and recommendations from our team!

Are you pushing away joy? Getting stuck in a cycle of anxiety and grief? World renowned spoken-word poet Andrea Gibson (they/them) can relate. In this powerful and personal episode, Andrea shares their battles with stage fright, extreme anxiety, chronic Lyme disease, and stage 4 ovarian cancer. They also explore the transformative experiences brought about by Andrea’s cancer diagnosis, taking ownership of their health, and their commitment to healing modalities that have given them a feeling of radiant health amidst the trials of chemotherapy. Andrea shares profound insights on love, authenticity, fear, gratitude, and the art of cherishing others and self in the harshest of life's storms - not just as a cancer patient, but as an undeniably resilient and wise human. 

In this episode:

• Coming to terms with their queer identity.
• Living with extreme anxiety and panic attacks.
• Overcoming stage fright and finding their voice in spoken-word poetry.
• How suffering can transform into a path for liberation and healing.
• Andrea's struggles with an incurable cancer diagnosis.
• Healing modalities they pursued.
• How self love has led to a new acceptance of their body and identity.

Links & Resources:

Newsletter: Things That Don’t Suck

Website: www.andreagibson.org

Instagram: @andreagibson

TikTok: @andreagibsonpoetry

Facebook: Andrea Gibson Poetry

Twitter: @andreagibson

YouTube: Andrea Gibson Poetry

This episode is benefitting Everytown.

If you enjoy listening to the show and find value and inspiration in the stories you hear, we hope you'll consider supporting our work and becoming an All The Wiser member.

As a thank you for your support, we give you early, ad free access, exclusive content, Zoom meetups with Kimi and the team, and much more. Join us and BECOME A MEMBER ON PATREON!

Or contribute what you can by making a custom pledge.

Follow the show at @allthewiserpodcast on Instagram.

Keep the conversation going! Join our new Facebook group and connect with other listeners like you!

Stay in the know with all things All The Wiser! Sign up for our newsletter for personal reflections from Kimi, new episodes, and recommendations from our team!

This week’s A Little Wiser is a special Thanksgiving edition. Kimi is joined by producer Erica Gerard and associate producer Tara Daigle in conversation about how to “save your sanity” during the holiday season. They share personal tips that help them prioritize self-care, establish healthy boundaries and protect their space while being surrounded by friends and family.

Links:

Family Gathering: https://www.amazon.com/TABLETOPICS-Family-Gathering-Questions-Conversations/dp/B001DYOEA4

Table Topics: https://tabletopics.com/

If you enjoy listening to the show and find value and inspiration in the stories you hear, we hope you'll consider supporting our work and becoming an All The Wiser member.

As a thank you for your support, we give you early, ad free access, exclusive content, Zoom meetups with Kimi and the team, and much more. Join us and BECOME A MEMBER ON PATREON!

Or contribute what you can by making a custom pledge.

Follow the show at @allthewiserpodcast on Instagram.

Keep the conversation going! Join our new Facebook group and connect with other listeners like you!

Stay in the know with all things All The Wiser! Sign up for our newsletter for personal reflections from Kimi, new episodes, and recommendations from our team!