⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains candid discussion of mental illness, suicidal ideation, and emotional trauma. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. Resources and support are available in the episode description.

This week on Bare & Brutal, I sit down with Ally Loyns, certified peer supporter and advocate for mental health awareness, to challenge the dangerous misconceptions around Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) — and what it actually means to live, feel, and thrive with this diagnosis.

If you Google “BPD life expectancy,” the internet paints a bleak picture. But Ally? She’s living proof that the story doesn’t have to end at 27.

We talk about:

• The horrifying narrative surrounding BPD and suicide rates

• Why shame, stigma, and silence keep us from seeking support

• The role of community, creativity, and advocacy in healing

• What recovery actually looks like when you’re ready to feel again

Whether you live with BPD or love someone who does, this episode holds space for the nuance, pain, and possibility that often gets left out of the mental health conversation.

If you’ve ever felt like your diagnosis was a sentence — this is for you.

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You’re not broken. You’re not lacking. And there’s nothing you need to prove to be worthy.

In this episode of Bare & Brutal, I sit down with Coach Christian Johnson, a mindset coach and speaker from the Elevate It Podcast, to talk about the subtle but powerful shift that happens when we stop chasing healing from a place of emptiness — and start living from a place of abundance.

Christian opens up about his own journey through insecurity, his evolving relationship with religion and spirituality, and what it truly means to believe you are already enough.

We talk about:

• What it means to live in wholeness

• The difference between fixing yourself and finding yourself

• Why first-gen founders, cycle-breakers, and survivor-leaders often struggle with worthiness

• How affirmations and mindset work can actually support healing when it’s authentic

• Reclaiming imagination and abundance as sacred tools

This one is for anyone who’s ever felt like they were behind in life, not good enough, or waiting to “deserve” their next level.

You’re not too late. You’re not too broken. You’ve always had what you needed.

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TW: Abuse, Trauma, Justice System

This conversation contains discussions around emotional and psychological abuse, patterns of manipulation, and systemic injustice toward survivors. We encourage you to prioritize your mental well-being and pause if needed.

This week on Bare and Brutal, Michelle sits down with Noelle Cope, writer and founder of Notes from the In-Between, to talk about what survivor advocacy really looks like. Noelle shares her story and unpacks the complexity of abusive dynamics—like future faking, financial manipulation, and emotional coercion—that the justice system still doesn’t know how to hold.

They explore what it means to be believed, how creative outlets support healing, and how first-gen survivors often carry the weight of both survival and visibility.

If you’re a first-gen founder or creative trying to build something powerful while healing from something painful, this episode will speak directly to you.

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Dr. Lisette Sanchez, a bilingual and bicultural psychologist, joins Michelle Mirza to unpack the complex layers of healing for first-gen professionals and the BIPOC community.

From growing up in the San Fernando Valley to navigating family expectations and becoming a mental health advocate, Dr. Sanchez shares powerful insights on community, cultural dynamics, and reclaiming your narrative.

This episode is a reminder that healing doesn’t happen in isolation—and that your story matters.

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What if the key to healing your deepest wounds was already within you—just waiting for you to breathe?

This week on Bare & Brutal, breathwork coach and trauma survivor Robyn Gutierrez shares how her journey through domestic violence and emotional pain led her to discover the transformative power of breath.

We explore self-love, nervous system healing, inner child work, and how science-backed somatic practices can unlock clarity, peace, and purpose.

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In this powerful episode of Bare and Brutal, host Michelle sits down with Emma To, Vietnamese American nurse anesthetist and grief coach, to explore the deep intersections of childhood trauma, grief, burnout, and intergenerational healing. Emma shares what it was like growing up in Mississippi as a Vietnamese immigrant in a predominantly Black and white community, and how the sudden loss of her two brothers forced her to confront long-buried wounds.

Whether you’re navigating grief, healing from generational trauma, or searching for purpose, this conversation offers raw truth, hope, and a reminder that healing is possible—even when it feels out of reach.

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Trigger Warning:

This episode contains discussions of trauma, including references to sexual trauma and assault. Please take care while listening and honor your needs—feel free to pause, skip, or come back to it when you’re in a safe space.

After an 8-month hiatus, Bare and Brutal returns with Carrie Hennessy and Ellen Garavati of Smash Up Somatics. In this powerful conversation, we explore the connection between voice, movement, and trauma healing.

If you’ve felt disconnected from your body or struggled to express emotions in words, this episode reveals how somatic work and sound can reconnect you to your inner truth and support deep emotional healing.

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TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions on sensitive topics, including suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation, which some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

Andrew Jang, an entrepreneur and trailblazer in the fashion industry, shares his journey of resilience and transformation. From facing legal challenges and personal struggles to rebuilding his life and pursuing his passion in the fashion industry, Andrew's story is a testament to the power of accountability and personal growth.

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Angela Wu, a Taiwanese-American licensed mental health therapist, shares her journey of reclaiming her cultural identity and supporting mental health within the Asian American community.

In this episode, we hear her experiences as a former teacher, the impact of discovering her undocumented status, and the challenges she faced. Angela also opens up about her conflicts with her identity and the trauma of experiencing assault, highlighting the importance of therapy and healing.

The conversation covers themes of mental health, cultural identity, intergenerational trauma, and healing within the Asian American community. It explores the impact of shame, guilt, and the model minority stereotype on mental health. The journey of reclaiming cultural identity and the importance of open, vulnerable conversations with parents are also highlighted.

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