Because Life

In today’s extra special episode, I am joined by lifestyle and fashion tastemaker and the star of the hit Netflix series, Love is Blind, Giannina Milady Gibelli. We discuss being authentically and unapologetically yourself in an unnatural setting - especially in front of TV cameras - the mental toll of isolation in ‘The Pods,’ and radical honesty in romantic relationships. Plus, you know I couldn’t have Giannina on and not get some tea on ‘Love is Blind,’ and her current dating life….

 

I am so grateful she joined us to share her mental health journey and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

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Follow Giannina Gibelli:  @gianninagibelli

In today’s episode, Minaa B. joins me in the co-host chair for the second installment of our ‘Ask a Therapist’ series! Today, we’re discussing all things relationships and mental health. We get into how to identify a codependent relationship, setting boundaries in an existing relationship, overcoming dating anxieties, determining if breaks are healthy, and much more! We love hearing from you and hope these episodes help you in some way get through your mental health challenges.

 

Be sure to follow @becauselifewithsydel to submit your questions for future ‘Ask a Therapist’ episodes!  

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel

Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee

Follow Minaa:  @minaa_b  

 

Produced by Dear Media

In today’s episode, Dr. Ebony joins me in the co-host chair to catch up on all things mental health in both our personal lives and in the culture. I talk further about the mental toll of the abortion ban with our resident Texan, along with facing the uncharted territory that is grieving your identity pre-baby, and more.

 

For our interview, we are joined by Aaron who is pioneering conversations about mental health as a Black man in the South, to discuss generational trauma, generation gaps in mental health literacy, and learning to forgive while holding people accountable.

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Abortion Support Groups and Counseling:  plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-texas

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel

Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee

Follow Dr. Ebony:  @drebonyonline

 

Produced by Dear Media

In today’s episode, Jordan joins me in the co-host chair to discuss the goings on in our lives and the world. We discuss some unfortunate personal news becoming public in my life, balanced with a love-filled week of my baby shower and anniversary. Then, we get into current events in the world of mental health, including the Texas Abortion Restrictions and the toll this takes on not only feminine health but on mental health as well.

 

For our interview, we are joined by the amazing Zoya, who suffered a traumatic breakup years ago and is learning to build herself back up and her walls back down as she heals.

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Abortion Support Groups and Counseling:  plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-texas

Donate to the Trevor Project:  give.thetrevorproject.org/

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel

Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee

Follow Jordan Madison:  @therapyismyjam

 

Produced by Dear Media

In today’s very special episode, we are continuing our podcast collaboration streak with the incredible and trailblazing Hunter and Michaela McGrady. The superstar models, podcast hosts, entrepreneurs, and sisters join me today to have an honest conversation about all things relationships. We discuss the beauty of being an Auntie, how our upbringing influences our approach to relationships, opening up about mental health struggles in new relationships, navigating body image in the public eye (especially as a model), and so much more. I am so thankful and lucky these incredible ladies joined me, shared their stories and insights, and brightened my day. I hope it brightens yours as well!

 

To hear more from Hunter and Michaela, subscribe to their amazing podcast, ‘Model Citizen’ or cop their incredible ‘All Worthy’ fashion products.

 

“You’ve survived all of your worst days”

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel

Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee

Follow Hunter McGrady:  @huntermcgrady

Follow Michaela McGrady:  @michaelamcgrady

 

Produced by Dear Media

In today's very special episode, I am joined by philanthropist, award-winning OB-GYN and the self-proclaimed Olivia Pope of Vaginas, Dr. Jackie Walters! We discuss the inextricable link between feminine health and mental health, Dr. Jackie shares her own harrowing fertility journey, and the societal pressures on women in the realm of fertility. I had so much fun, learned so much, and was so inspired having Dr. Jackie on the pod and I hope you enjoy it too!    “Pain has a purpose. Misery gives you ministry. And struggles give you strength. And I can certainly say that my fertility struggle has made me stronger every day.”   Listen to Dr. Jackie's podcast, 'Dr. Jackie's Point of V" or pick up her book, "The Queen V." For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources   Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.     Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee Follow Dr. Jackie:  @therealdrjackie   Produced by Dear Media

In today’s episode, my girl Jordan joins me as our cohost to kick off our new series, Ask a Therapist! We asked you to submit your questions about all things mental health on Instagram (follow us at @becauselifewithsydel if you aren’t already to join the conversation) and today, we are here to answer them and provide insights that will hopefully help you wherever you are in your journey. We get into stress vs. anxiety, techniques to practice when anxiety grips you, and processing triggers in a healthy way when they arise in our daily lives. We also share insights on how to support loved ones who are struggling with their mental health, navigating your own mental health in a relationship, and taking the step to start therapy.

 

We so enjoyed answering your questions today and we hope we can provide some help or support to someone out there. We’ll be rolling out more ‘Ask a Therapist’ episodes in the future, so be sure to follow us on Instagram to join the conversation going forward!

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel

Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee

Follow Jordan Madison:  @therapyismyjam

In today’s episode, our resident ‘Healing Consultant’ from across the pond, Tasha Bailey, joins me as our co-host.  We check in on our feelings today and how to treat our feelings, especially the negative ones, as guests in our home, rather than annoyances we want to get rid of. Also, we do have a kiki about our shared obsession with ‘Love Island’ (which, to our delight, our very special guest shared as well).

 

Speaking of our very special guest…today, we are joined by the amazing Brittany Sinitch, also known as FiveFootOneTeacher. A survivor of the Parkland, Florida school shooting, Brittany is fostering hope and change through her platform on social media. After her world was turned upside down in February 2018, the classroom that was once her “favorite place in the world” became a crime scene she never wanted to revisit. In the year following the tragedy, she made the difficult decision to step away from the classroom and during that time, she started the Unbreakable Organization, which gives back to communities and schools who have been impacted by tragedy. She joins us today to talk about experiencing tragedy, how she found the strength to get through it and how she navigates PTSD and triggers to this day now that she’s returned to the classroom. We are so honored she joined us to share her story and we hope you are as touched as we are by her.

 

To learn more about Brittany and her incredible work with the Unbreakable Organization, check out their site here:  https://theunbreakableorg.com/

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel

Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee

Follow Brittany Sinitch:  @fivefootoneteacher

 

Produced by Dear Media

Our resident ‘healing consultant’ (still my favorite job title), Tasha Bailey, joins me as our cohost today. After a little catch-up, we assign flavors to our moods. Tasha is feeling vanilla with sprinkles and I am the happiest flavor I could think of – the one that brings me back to field days at school…rainbow sherbet. Today’s guest is the wonderful Raechel. We discuss grappling with anxiety growing up with a family that doesn’t recognize mental health struggles, learning how to become the parent you needed when anxiety is triggered, or finding your own rainbow sherbet moment that can bring you joy in a dark moment. We also talk external pressures seeping into self esteem, establishing safe spaces in your life, and the conversation surrounding mental health in the Black community.

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel

Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee

Follow Molly:  @realtalk.therapist

In today’s very special episode, I am joined by my new friend, the amazing, Molly Carmel. Molly is an addictions and eating disorder therapist, author of ‘Breaking Up with Sugar,’ and host of the podcast ‘What You’re Craving.’ We talk about the complicated relationship we have with food, the toxic impact diet culture has on that relationship, recovering from food addiction and disordered eating, and how we can learn to love and appreciate our bodies. Molly details her own journey overcoming disordered eating and addiction, her experience breaking up with sugar, and the ongoing road to recovery.

 

“The harder the choice, the better the outcome.” 

 

If you enjoyed our guest as much as I did, you can check out her podcast, ‘What You’re Craving’ or pick up her book, ‘Breaking Up with Sugar’

 

For more information on mental health, learning how to help a loved one, developing coping skills and more, visit the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library at thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources 

 

Because Life is a Dear Media Production in association with Scale Productions.  

 

Follow Because Life:  @becauselifewithsydel

Follow Me:  @sydelcurrylee

Follow Molly:  @mollycarmel