Beauty in the Break

Vulnerable is beautiful. In this conversation about mental health, depression, and healing, Cesar shares his life-long struggle with clinical depression. He describes how it manifested in childhood, relationships, substance use, and moments of crisis. Together on Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar break down what depression actually feels like inside the mind and body, why so many people don’t recognize their symptoms, and how tools like SSRIs, meditation, and Buddhist philosophy helped him move toward clarity and peace.

Foster brings essential insight into postpartum depression (PPD), perinatal mood disorders, and the alarming mental health statistics among birthing people, especially Black and Brown parents who face systemic inequities. Together, they unpack why depression often hides behind confidence and how to speak about suicidal thoughts with compassion. This powerful episode will help you better understand depression whether it lives in you or someone you care about. 

In this episode they explore: 

• What depression actually feels like from the inside
• The truth about alcoholism and depression’s chemical grip
• How SSRIs transformed Cesar’s relationship with his own mind
• The surprising connection between Buddhism, meditation, and healing
• The moment Cesar nearly ended his life, and the tattoo that saved him
• Postpartum depression statistics everyone should know
• How to best support someone in a depressive episode

If you or someone you know needs support: 

• Call or text 988 for the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US
• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
• Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Also mentioned: 

• Maternal Health Advocate Angelina Spicer and her non-profit Spicey Moms

If this episode spoke to you, you will love The Eating Habits We Didn’t Choose where we explore disordered eating and food insecurity. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter
• Get guided meditation from Cesar on his website 
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Send us Fan Mail

What does your relationship with money say about you? In this Beauty in the Break conversation, Foster and Cesar open up about ancestral scarcity, financial anxiety, overspending, and avoidance, revealing how their opposite money styles both clash and connect as they build a life together. We’re not giving our financial advice here, but instead having an honest exploration of healing your relationship with money and learning to see money as energy, emotion, and connection.

Together they explore money trauma, inherited beliefs, and the ways nervous-system triggers shape our money mindset. What happens when one partner hoards while the other avoids? Can we learn to feel safe with money and open to abundance at the same time? This episode invites awareness, compassion, and a gentler path toward money healing, trust, and emotional abundance.

In this episode they explore: 

• How attachment theory shows up in your relationship with money
• The truth behind “money can’t buy happiness”
• How ancestral stories and family history shape money beliefs
• Learning to trust your partner with money
• How to find flow between scarcity and abundance
• Real-life examples of moving from tension to tenderness with money

Also mentioned:

• Daniel Kahneman’s 2010 happiness and income study
• Matthew Killingsworth’s 2021 follow up study

If this episode spoke to you, you will love How to Spot A Gatekeeper where we explore reclaiming authentic power. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

Self-care has become a buzzword, but what does it really mean? In this conversation, Foster and Cesar dismantle the myth that self-care is something you buy, and reveal how it’s something you build from within. From exercise and rest to asking for help and receiving compliments, they explore the small, daily acts that nurture your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Whether you’re a recovering perfectionist, a new parent, or someone trying to slow down in a productivity-obsessed world, this episode invites you to reconnect with what truly matters: listening to your body, honoring your needs, and cultivating inner peace. You’ll walk away inspired to create a self-care practice that’s grounded in love, not obligation.

In this episode they explore: 

• The hidden link between self-talk, healing, and emotional regulation
• Why asking for help might be the most radical act of self-love
• Breaking free from societal values like productivity and perfectionism
• Learning to receive compliments as a spiritual practice
• How rest, stillness, and listening to your body change everything
• Building a community-based, interdependent model of care

Cesar mentions his struggle with “learning how to learn”, which is explored deeper in Episode 2: The Beauty of Letting Go. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Send us Fan Mail

In part two of this powerful conversation, licensed therapist JJ Brake sits down with Foster and Cesar for a live couples session, revealing how her Internal Family Systems and Intimacy from the Inside Out work helps partners connect beneath conflict. You will hear Foster and Cesar unpack a real moment of tension, guided by JJ’s compassionate framework for understanding triggers, defensiveness, and emotional parts within relationships.

JJ also shares her own breaking moment: losing her family home in the devastating Altadena fires. She opens up about grief, resilience, and the concept of “post-traumatic growth”, reflecting on how tragedy can become fertile ground for healing and renewal. This episode is a raw and heart-centered exploration of love, trauma, and the courage to stay connected through it all.

In this episode they explore: 

• What happens when a therapist leads her clients (live!) through a real couples conflict
• How Internal Family Systems (IFS) reveals the hidden “parts” behind our reactions
• The surprising power of humor in therapy and emotional repair
• What it really means to feel seen versus dismissed by your partner
• How anger, grief, and resilience can coexist in the healing process

To connect with JJ Brake, visit jjbrake.com. Her app Unblend.me is the first platform designed for between-session mental wellness. Try it for free now! 

Also mentioned: 

• The Gottman Method
• Intimacy From The Inside Out
• Non-Violent Communication / Courageous Communication
• Internal Family Systems

Listen to Part 1 of our conversation with JJ Brake here: Curiosity Over Conflict: How to Heal Relationships with JJ Brake. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Special Guest: JJ Brake

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 1 of this moving conversation, Cesar and Foster sit down with Foster’s longtime therapist, JJ Brake, to explore what truly makes relationships thrive. JJ is an expert in couples therapy, parent education, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and shares the three keys to lasting connection. She breaks down how to navigate conflict, communicate courageously, and offers tangible tools for more mindful relationships.

In this episode they explore: 

• The 3 relationship skills that every couple should know
• Why context doesn’t matter in conflict and what to focus on instead
• The power of the U-turn: how to take ownership of your triggers and communicate from the heart
• Why “I’m sorry” often misses the mark and what real accountability sounds like
• The surprising emotional truth behind your child’s “tantrums”

To connect with JJ Brake, visit jjbrake.com. Her app Unblend.me is the first platform designed for between-session mental wellness. Try it for free now! 

Also mentioned:

• Episode 7: The Eating Habits We Didn’t Choose
• Episode 14: What We Learned in Therapy
• The Gottman Method
• Intimacy From The Inside Out
• Non-Violent Communication
• Internal Family Systems
• Punished By Rewards by Alfie Kohn
• The Sound Relationship House

You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Special Guest: JJ Brake

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

In this laid-back bonus episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar explore the sacred feminine and sacred masculine energies, going beyond gender to uncover how these forces live within all of us. Drawing inspiration from Rise, Sister, Rise by Rebecca Campbell, they unpack balanced vs. unbalanced expressions of feminine and masculine energy, touching on sexuality, support, protection, and partnership. You will come away from this conversation with a deeper understanding of how to recognize and nurture balanced feminine energy and masculine energy in yourself and your relationships.

In this episode, they explore: 

• What sacred feminine energy really looks like beyond stereotypes
• How sexuality can shift from shame to empowerment
• Why the sacred masculine includes worshipping the feminine
• What it means to be a protector versus being protective
• The dance between feminine and masculine energies in partnership

Be sure to listen to the full episode on Gender Roles & Invisible Labor that spawned this conversation. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show! Send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram.

Cesar Cardona: 

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson: 

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Beauty in the Break, Foster and Cesar unpack the complexity of gender roles, invisible labor, and how cultural expectations affect everything from parenting and relationships to careers and self-expression. They share deeply personal stories: crying in secret as a boy, being the first girl on a football team, navigating motherhood and invisible labor, and redefining what masculinity and femininity actually mean.

They offer insights into why gender roles persist, how the mental load affects families, and why recognition and appreciation matter as much as sharing responsibilities. This conversation also dives into modern masculinity, equity in household labor, and the invisible expectations placed on women. It’s a powerful exploration of what it means to break free from outdated gender scripts and create more authentic, equitable lives.

In this episode: 

• The hidden weight of invisible labor in households
• Why the “mental load” often falls on women and how to shift it
• The unlearning process of masculinity and the freedom in crying
• Breaking molds: sports, church, and challenging tradition
• Parenting during the pandemic and the cost of invisible work
• Masculine vs. feminine energies and how both live in everyone
• Redefining modern masculinity and femininity on your own terms

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Sexuality Isn’t Simple where we explore our sexual identities. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

Send us Fan Mail

In this bonus meditation episode of Beauty in the Break, Cesar guides you through a Growth Mindfulness meditation to quiet your inner critic and reconnect with the present moment. You’ll learn how to release tension, calm the noise in your mind, and cultivate mindful awareness. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, emotional healing, or a simple practice to ground yourself, be sure to save this guided mindfulness meditation so you can return to it anytime.

To work with Cesar on Growth Mindfulness and meditation one-on-one, you can reach out to him via his website at www.cesarcardona.com.

Be sure to listen to How to Quiet Your Inner Critic: The 4 Steps of Growth Mindfulness. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Send us Fan Mail

What if your loudest inner critic could become your greatest teacher? In this conversation, Foster and Cesar explore Growth Mindfulness, a practice that helps us separate from negative self-talk and uncover the calm, clarity, and confidence already living inside us. From childhood wounds to social fears, they reveal how our thoughts can hold us back—and how meditation, awareness, and simple mantras can free us to live with authenticity and courage.

You will hear Cesar guide Foster through a live coaching session, offering a step-by-step approach to identifying and naming inner struggles, reframing self-doubt, and reconnecting with inner wisdom. This episode is for anyone who struggles with overwhelm, comparison, or fear of judgment, and wants practical tools to step into peace, self-trust, and personal growth.

In this episode they explore: 

• Why your inner critic may be stuck in childhood fears
• A four-step framework for calming your inner struggle
• How meditation is NOT what you think it is
• Why external success can never quiet internal unrest
• Small daily practices that build authentic confidence
• Why peace—not happiness—is the root of growth
• A live coaching session on overwhelm and self-trust
• PLUS, learn where you can find Cesar’s exclusive Growth Mindfulness meditation!

To work with Cesar on Growth Mindfulness and meditation one-on-one, you can reach out to him via his website at www.cesarcardona.com.

Foster mentions her eating disorder brain, which they talk about in The Eating Habits We Didn’t Choose. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Editor: Bessie Fong

Send us Fan Mail

Sexuality isn’t always so simple. And in this intimate, unfiltered conversation, Foster and Cesar share how their identities, attractions, and labels have shifted over time. From growing up in environments that suppressed queerness to exploring pansexuality, demisexuality, and life beyond the binary, they reflect on love, desire, and self-acceptance. And for the first time on the show, Cesar opens up about a part of his sexuality he’s never shared publicly before, offering an honest and deeply personal look at his journey. If you’ve ever questioned a label, felt in-between, or wanted to understand the fluid spectrum of queer identity, this episode will leave you feeling seen.

In this episode they explore: 

• Cesar’s journey to finding his sexual identity and what that means to him
• How labels can help communication but never fully define you
• Foster’s discovery of being demisexual and how that shapes her relationships
• The difference between bisexuality and pansexuality explained clearly
• The safety found in queer spaces and communities
• Why curiosity matters more than knowing “the label”

If this episode spoke to you, you might love Finding Your Authentic Voice with Mel Collins. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [email protected] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Send us Fan Mail