Ariza Inspire Podcast

Season 4 of The Ariza Inspire Podcast is all about stories. Stories of people's mental health journeys and the lessons they learned along the way. This week, I sat down with Muzna Mahmood to discuss her mental health journey.

Muzna shares her mental health journey, navigating identity, culture, and belonging as a Muslim immigrant growing up between Pakistan and the United States. Struggling with depression, anxiety, and feeling caught between two worlds, she opens up about isolation, family conflict, and the pressure of balancing cultural expectations. Muzna discusses the impact of identity, race, and religion on mental health, as well as her experience with suicidal thoughts and recovery through therapy, family counseling, and self-acceptance. Her story highlights the challenges of being a first-generation immigrant and finding your place while honoring who you are. If you’ve ever felt torn between cultures, struggled with anxiety or depression, or are working toward healing and self-acceptance, this conversation offers hope, validation, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

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Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode, as well as support docs and resources to aid you on your mental health journey.

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If you enjoy these conversations, you’ll find deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website—from the Resilience Workshop to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, plus workbooks and self-paced resources to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through challenges.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop

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Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you’re brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step by step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

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Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

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Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

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Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to replace medical, clinical or professional advice, diagnosis, or intervention. Downloading, subscribing to and/or listening to this podcast, or using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co., does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Special Guest: Muzna Mahmood.

Season 4 of The Ariza Inspire Podcast is all about stories. Stories of people's mental health journeys and the lessons they learned along the way. This week, I sat down with Jon Anderson to discuss his mental health journey.

Today, Samantha sits down and chats with Jon Anderson about his own mental health journey growing up and now as a mental health professional.

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Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode, as well as support docs and resources to aid you on your mental health journey.

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If you enjoy these conversations, you’ll find deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website—from the Resilience Workshop to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, plus workbooks and self-paced resources to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through challenges.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilien...

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Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you’re brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step by step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

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Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

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Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to replace medical, clinical or professional advice, diagnosis, or intervention. Downloading, subscribing to and/or listening to this podcast, or using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co., does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Special Guest: Jon Anderson.

Season 4 of The Ariza Inspire Podcast is all about stories. Stories of people's mental health journeys and the lessons they learned along the way. This week, I sat down with Dr. Sarika Agarwal to discuss her mental health journey.

Sarika grew up facing physical and emotional abuse, which led her to believe that anything less than perfection was unacceptable. Even after the abuse ended, she struggled with tying her self-worth to the approval of others. Today, as a clinical psychologist in New Jersey specializing in anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders, she uses both her personal and professional experience to encourage others to seek help, practice self-compassion, and believe that healing can transform pain into strength.

Follow Sarika online:

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Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

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If you enjoy these conversations, you’ll find deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website—from the Resilience Workshop to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, plus workbooks and self-paced resources to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through challenges.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop

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Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you’re brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step by step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence, because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

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Hosted by: **Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

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Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to replace medical, clinical, or professional advice, diagnosis, or intervention. Downloading, subscribing to, and/or listening to this podcast, or using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co., does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Special Guest: Dr. Sarika Argwal.

Season 4 of The Ariza Inspire Podcast is all about stories. Stories of people's mental health journeys and the lessons they learned along the way. This week, I sat down with Kristen Harootunian to discuss her mental health journey.

Tiffany shares a powerful mental health story of trauma, resilience, and healing. After surviving childhood abuse, loss, bullying, and abusive relationships, she struggled with anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide attempts before finding support through therapy and diagnosis, including borderline personality disorder. Tiffany opens up about breaking cycles of trauma, navigating mental illness, and learning to heal. Her journey highlights the realities of PTSD, emotional pain, and recovery—while offering hope, strength, and encouragement for anyone struggling with their mental health.

Follow Tiffany Online:

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Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode, as well as support docs and resources to aid you on your mental health journey.

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If you enjoy these conversations, you’ll find deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website—from the Resilience Workshop to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, plus workbooks and self-paced resources to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through challenges.

===============

Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you’re brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step by step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

Web: https://arizainspire.com

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

===============

Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to replace medical, clinical, or professional advice, diagnosis, or intervention. Downloading, subscribing to, and/or listening to this podcast, or using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co., does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Special Guest: Tiffany Guerriero.

Season 4 of The Ariza Inspire Podcast is all about stories. Stories of people's mental health journeys and the lessons they learned along the way. This week, I sat down with Kristen Harootunian to discuss her mental health journey.

Author | Speaker | Holistic Coach: Brooke is dedicated to the intersection of overall wellness and ancestral wisdom. By integrating Earth-based healing, such as herbalism and nature immersion, with evidence-based modalities like somatic and cognitive behavioral therapies, Brooke facilitates a deep, restorative connection between the self and the natural world.

Follow Brooke online:

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Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

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If you enjoy these conversations, you’ll find deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website—from the Resilience Workshop to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, plus workbooks and self-paced resources to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through challenges.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop

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Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you’re brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step by step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence, because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

===============

Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to replace medical, clinical, or professional advice, diagnosis, or intervention. Downloading, subscribing to, and/or listening to this podcast, or using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co., does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Special Guest: Brooke Marie Bridges.

Colin looked like he had it all. He was a popular three-sport varsity athlete, always trying to improve his social status by partying or not trying too hard in school. He needed to be the “cool” kid. But behind that mask, he was struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and substance use. Feeling stuck, he made a plan to end his life, but sought help instead. He shares his story so others know it is okay to not be okay, and there is always hope. He is a college student and will be graduating in May. He’s a former college athlete and is pursuing a career in sports psychology. Colin is a mental health advocate and shares his story so that others will feel more comfortable sharing theirs, encourages people to chase their dreams, and to keep on fighting

Follow Colin on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/colinquinn__/

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

If you love these conversations, you’ll find even deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website. From the Resilience Workshop, a hands-on training to help you rebuild strength and adaptability after life’s challenges, to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, a trauma-informed video lesson that teaches real-time tools for calming overwhelm. You’ll also find workbooks, guides, and self-paced resources designed to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through what you go through.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop

===============

Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you're brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step-by-step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

===============

Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to be a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Downloading, subscribing, and/or listening to this podcast and using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co. does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Special Guest: Colin Quinn.

Kristen's childhood was marked by significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. As she grew older, she struggled with mental illness and substance use disorder as a way to cope with her pain. At one point, she even believed she wouldn't live past 18. However, through numerous treatment efforts, Kristen was able to attend long-term treatment, go to a recovery high school, and eventually become a Penn State graduate, where she earned her BA in Corporate Communications. She was honored to be the commencement speaker at her own graduation. Kristen's childhood was marked by significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. As she grew older, she struggled with mental illness and substance use disorder as a way to cope with her pain. At one point, she even believed she wouldn't live past 18. Throughout this process, she has replaced harmful coping mechanisms with positive ones. She has been sharing her story all over the country since 2016 alongside Minding Your Mind, talking about the importance of therapy, a support structure, and how to ask for help.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

If you love these conversations, you’ll find even deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website. From the Resilience Workshop, a hands-on training to help you rebuild strength and adaptability after life’s challenges, to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, a trauma-informed video lesson that teaches real-time tools for calming overwhelm. You’ll also find workbooks, guides, and self-paced resources designed to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through what you go through.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop

===============

Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you're brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step-by-step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

===============

Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to be a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Downloading, subscribing, and/or listening to this podcast and using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co. does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Special Guest: Kristen Harootunian.

The Ariza Inspire Podcast is back for a new season. This time around, Samantha is bringing a different guest on each episode to share their mental health stories and journeys. Join us each Tuesday at noon for a new episode, a new guest with a new story.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

If you love these conversations, you’ll find even deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website. From the Resilience Workshop, a hands-on training to help you rebuild strength and adaptability after life’s challenges, to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, a trauma-informed video lesson that teaches real-time tools for calming overwhelm. You’ll also find workbooks, guides, and self-paced resources designed to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through what you go through.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop

===============

Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you're brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step-by-step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

===============

Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to be a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Downloading, subscribing, and/or listening to this podcast and using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co. does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Sometimes it’s not one big stressor—it’s hundreds of small ones. This episode explores micro stressors, the subtle, repeated demands that quietly shrink your stress tolerance over time. We break down how chronic low-level stress affects the nervous system, why you may feel “less resilient than you used to,” and what helps rebuild capacity without pushing yourself harder.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

If you love these conversations, you’ll find even deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website. From the Resilience Workshop, a hands-on training to help you rebuild strength and adaptability after life’s challenges, to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, a trauma-informed video lesson that teaches real-time tools for calming overwhelm. You’ll also find workbooks, guides, and self-paced resources designed to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through what you go through.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop

===============

Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you're brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step-by-step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

===============

Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to be a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Downloading, subscribing, and/or listening to this podcast and using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co. does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Links:

• Master Your Worry Workshop

Burnout isn’t always about your job. In this episode, we break down the difference between emotional burnout and workplace burnout, explaining how emotional labor, chronic invalidation, and unprocessed stress drain the nervous system—even outside of work. You’ll learn how to recognize emotional burnout, why rest alone doesn’t always fix it, and what helps restore emotional capacity and resilience.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode, as well as support docs and resources to aid you on your mental health journey.

===============

If you love these conversations, you’ll find even deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website. From the Resilience Workshop, a hands-on training to help you rebuild strength and adaptability after life’s challenges, to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, a trauma-informed video lesson that teaches real-time tools for calming overwhelm. You’ll also find workbooks, guides, and self-paced resources designed to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through what you go through.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop

===============

Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you're brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step-by-step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)

===============

Disclaimer:

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to be a replacement for medical, clinical, or professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Downloading, subscribing, and/or listening to this podcast and using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co. does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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©2026 Samantha Ariza

Links:

• Ariza Inspire Co.