Even Tacos Fall Apart

Welcome to Season 4 of Even Tacos Fall Apart! In this kickoff episode, MommaFoxFire reflects on the incredible conversations from the past year, highlighting powerful moments from guests who shared their experiences with mental health, chronic pain, resilience, and personal growth. From exploring ADHD, trauma healing, and self-improvement to discussing topics like procrastination, binge eating, and mental health in the entertainment industry, last season was filled with raw, real, and inspiring discussions.

Looking ahead, Season 4 promises even more thought-provoking conversations with amazing guests who continue to break down stigma and share their journeys. Tune in for a heartfelt look back, a glimpse of what’s to come, and a reminder that no matter where you are in your journey, you are not alone.

Check out the tacosfallapart.com website for ways to connect with the community, find new episodes to listen to or topics to learn about, and get engaged/involved in the podcast and live shows!

If you’re constantly juggling responsibilities, running on empty or feeling like self-care is just another thing on your to-do list, this episode is for you—real talk on burnout, balance and making time for yourself when life won’t slow down.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/jack-berkenstock-2

Jack Berkenstock Jr. is back, and this time we’re talking about self-care when you’re hella busy. If you don’t remember Jack, he’s a therapist, the executive director of The Bodhana Group, and a huge advocate for using tabletop gaming as a tool for therapy, skill-building, and education. He also co-organizes the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit (TAGS), which we get into later.

Jack kicks things off by explaining how The Bodhana Group started. Originally focused on working with folks dealing with sexually problematic behaviors, they quickly realized how gaming was already helping people process trauma, build confidence, and develop social skills—all without clinical intervention. That realization led them to intentionally structure therapeutic gaming with actual treatment models like CBT and DBT rather than just tossing people into a game and hoping for the best.

One of the biggest questions Jack gets is, “Where’s the research?” While studies are in progress—Bodhana even completed one on RPGs helping adults with social anxiety—Jack makes a strong point: research is useful, but real-world results matter too. Parents see their kids engaging more, developing friendships, and even leading their own game groups, which speaks volumes.

We also talk about the struggles kids and adults faced during COVID isolation. Gaming, especially RPGs, became a way to maintain connections. Jack shares a story about kids playing Monster of the Week who skipped the action and just created a virtual campfire hangout because that’s what they really needed. That kind of flexibility—meeting people where they are emotionally—is what makes gaming such a powerful tool.

Jack also breaks down TAGS, the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit. It’s a professional conference designed to bring together therapists, educators, game designers, and advocates to discuss how geek culture and gaming can be used for mental health and personal growth. The first year’s theme? “Community: Everyone Has a Seat at the Table.” The goal is to make sure voices from all areas—licensed therapists, direct support professionals, educators, and even the people benefiting from these methods—are heard. The event has over 60 panels covering everything from RPGs and mental health to video games, neurodiversity, and grief representation in media. Bonus: attendees can get recordings of the panels for a whole year.

Finally, we hit on self-care—because, let’s be real, burnout is real, especially when you’re passionate about what you do. Jack openly admits that many in mental health suck at self-care (himself included). He talks about recognizing signs of exhaustion, like struggling to focus or pushing through when your body is screaming for rest. His advice? Slow down, listen to what your body and mind are telling you, and don’t ignore what your support system is pointing out.

This episode is packed with insight, laughs, and a real talk about making time for yourself—even when it feels impossible. If you’ve ever wondered how gaming can be used for therapy or just needed a reminder to take care of yourself, this one’s for you.

If you've ever struggled with anxiety, felt unheard, or want to better support someone with selective mutism, this episode with Brittany Krystantos is one you won’t want to miss.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/brittany-krystantos

Brittany Krystantos joined MommaFoxFire on this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart to talk about her journey from adversity to advocacy, focusing on her experience with selective mutism. Brittany is a best-selling author, mental health advocate, motivational speaker, and TED Talk presenter. Her work is deeply personal, inspired by her own struggles with anxiety and depression.

Brittany explained that selective mutism is an anxiety condition where a person can speak but feels unable to in certain situations. She experienced it from infancy to age seven, making childhood isolating and confusing. While she could whisper to her parents, she often hid behind her mother and avoided speaking to others—even family members. Despite passing every hearing test, her inability to speak in certain situations left her feeling invisible and misunderstood.

Teachers and classmates often misjudged her silence, labeling her as shy or different. While she had one close friend she whispered to, she struggled with social interactions, especially compared to her outgoing older sister. Those early feelings of being overlooked still linger in adulthood, making self-advocacy challenging at times.

Brittany credits a high school life coach for helping her break free from her silence. Initially resistant to sharing her story, she was encouraged to turn her journal entries into a book. At just 15, she wrote I Am Not Your Average Teen, sharing her experiences with mental health to help others feel less alone.

At 18, she faced a major turning point—her first public speaking event. A police officer invited her to talk at a high school assembly, and she nearly backed out due to nerves. But after a pep talk from one of the officers, she pushed through. The speech wasn’t perfect, but the impact was undeniable. A student approached her afterward, admitting that Brittany’s story had saved her life. That moment solidified her mission to help others through storytelling and advocacy.

Brittany believes that mental health education needs to improve, especially for educators. She recalled a first-grade teacher who allowed her to whisper instead of forcing her to speak. More teachers should create safe environments rather than pressuring students who struggle with anxiety. 

She also highlighted the need for more parental support. Many parents, particularly those from older generations, struggle to understand mental health issues. She encourages parents to educate themselves and create open, judgment-free spaces for their kids.

Now a confident speaker, Brittany still gets nervous before events but focuses on her audience instead of her fears. She emphasizes that mental health struggles don’t make someone weak—they reveal strength. She wants to erase the stigma around seeking help and reminds everyone that no matter what they’re facing, they are not alone.

She ended the interview by offering support to anyone who needs it, encouraging people to reach out, whether to friends, professionals, or even directly to her. Brittany’s journey proves that even the quietest voices can make the biggest impact.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your schedule, struggling to make time for yourself, or stuck in the cycle of constant busyness, this episode with Peggy Sullivan is for you—learn how to break free, take back control, and start living with more intention.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/peggy-sullivan

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Peggy Sullivan joins us to break down the high cost of busyness and how to take back control of our time, happiness, and mental health. Peggy is a keynote speaker, author, and consultant who’s spent years researching the effects of busyness and helping people escape the never-ending hustle. Her book, Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less, lays out a simple but powerful three-step “busy busting” methodology that’s already changed lives.

We kicked off the conversation with Peggy’s mantra: “I am enough. I have enough. I got this.” She created this saying for herself, and it serves as a reminder that we already have what we need to succeed—we just have to believe it. We also talked about her personal passions, including hot yoga and cold plunges (which, honestly, sound like a nightmare to me, but she swears by them!).

Peggy explained why so many of us struggle to prioritize self-care. Society glorifies busyness as a status symbol, making us think that being overbooked equals being successful. We also get a little rush of adrenaline when we cross something off a to-do list, even if that thing wasn’t important. That’s why busyness becomes addictive. But here’s the kicker—research shows that 75% of Americans feel overwhelmed by their schedules and don’t know how to slow down, and 64% skip basic self-care (like eating meals and getting enough sleep) because they’re “too busy.” Worse yet, 76% of those who identify as overly busy aren’t even happy.

So how do we break free? Peggy shared her three-step busy busting process:

Subtraction: Cut out low-value activities that drain time without adding anything meaningful. Doom scrolling, email rabbit holes, and unnecessary multitasking are some of the biggest culprits.

Mojo Making: Replace that busyness high with intentional happiness rituals. Whether it’s savoring a piece of chocolate, taking a walk, or making time for a real connection, small moments of joy add up.

Values Vibing: Align your decisions with your core values. Peggy’s research identified four values that lead to a fulfilling life: human connection, energy management, growth, and authenticity. When you prioritize these, it becomes easier to say no to the noise and yes to what truly matters.

We also talked about the long-term mental health impacts of busyness—like forgetfulness, burnout, and strained relationships. Peggy shared a wake-up call from her own life: after working late one night, she accidentally ate her cat’s food instead of her own because she was too exhausted to notice. That moment made her realize just how much her busy lifestyle was costing her.

Peggy left us with some solid advice: Try the alternative. Cut one or two things that aren’t serving you and see how it feels. No one she’s worked with has ever regretted slowing down and making more space for what truly matters. She encourages everyone to stop letting busyness steal their joy. Life is richer, healthier, and more meaningful when we step off the hamster wheel.

If you've ever felt misunderstood, struggled with trauma, or wanted a real, unfiltered look at living with CPTSD, DID, and BPD, this episode is for you.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/victor-janzen

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, I had the honor of sitting down with Victor Janzen, a mental health and addictions community reforms advocate, to talk about his experiences living with Complex PTSD (CPTSD), Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Victor’s story isn’t just about diagnoses—it’s about survival, resilience, and the raw reality of navigating life with mental illness.

We kicked things off with a bit of humor, as Victor shared about his life in Ontario, Canada, his career as a project manager, and his love for reading. He talked about his shift from fiction to non-fiction, particularly his obsession with understanding the mental health industry—not just as a patient, but as someone who’s seen firsthand how it's structured more as a business model than a system designed to help people.

Victor opened up about living with DID, explaining that he has 17 distinct personalities, each with its own role and characteristics. Some identities protect him, while others—like Harris and The Beast—can be destructive. He described how his early childhood trauma, starting at just four years old, caused his brain to fragment, creating these identities as a means of survival. He also touched on the eerie experience of reading poetry written by one of his alters, The Poet, often seeing words and ideas that he doesn’t consciously remember writing.

One of the most intense parts of the conversation was Victor’s explanation of his nightly experiences—two-hour episodes where his brain essentially “rewires” itself, forcing him to relive past trauma in vivid, painful detail. He described it as the complete “atomization of self,” where he loses all sense of reality and has to re-teach himself basic motor functions like walking and balancing once it’s over. Despite the overwhelming nature of these experiences, he has learned to approach them with a sense of dark humor, knowing that fear only fuels the fire.

We also talked about the mental health system, both in Canada and the U.S., and Victor didn’t hold back. He described the system as flawed, dismissive, and, at times, outright abusive. His personal battles within the system—from being institutionalized to fighting for his own medical records—highlight the lack of true patient advocacy and care.

Victor also shared his experiences with different therapeutic approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Equine-Assisted Therapy. He praised DBT for being developed by someone with lived experience, but warned that prolonged exposure therapy is not for the faint of heart. His work with horses, however, has been a game-changer, helping him regulate his nervous system and develop a deeper understanding of emotional energy.

Through it all, Victor remains brutally honest about his struggles, his lack of trust in the system, and his belief that there’s no “fix” for mental illness—only the ability to understand and manage it. His goal? To keep fighting, keep learning, and help others in the process.

This conversation was real, raw, and one you don’t want to miss.

If you're a parent trying to break cycles, heal from your past, or just survive the chaos of raising a kid while figuring yourself out, this episode is for you.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/jessica-medina-7

Jessica Medina is back for the seventh time on Even Tacos Fall Apart, and this conversation is all about the wild intersection of parenthood and healing. Jessica, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is also a brand-new mom—so she’s living what she preaches in real time. We talked about what it really means to grow up while raising a kid, how parenting forces you to confront your own childhood, and why healing isn’t always a choice—it’s a necessity.

Jessica opened up about the chaos of her high-risk pregnancy, an unexpected emergency C-section, and the emotional rollercoaster of having her baby in the NICU. She shared how gut-wrenching it was to go home without her newborn and how that experience brought up unexpected grief. Even as a therapist, she wasn’t prepared for how hard those first weeks would be, especially with her son experiencing withdrawal from a medication she had been on during pregnancy. It was a reminder that sometimes, even when you know things logically, they still hit emotionally in ways you don’t expect.

One of the biggest surprises for Jessica was how easily she let go of control when it came to her baby. She had a strict birth plan, and nothing went according to it—but she didn’t care. That shift from being a type-A, control-focused person to embracing the unpredictability of parenting was huge. She also talked about how seeing her son at four months old made her process her own adoption in a whole new way. Looking at him, she realized for the first time that she had been that small and innocent once, which helped her release feelings of self-blame she didn’t even realize she had been holding onto.

Of course, balancing being a therapist and a parent isn’t easy. Jessica is back to work full-time, still breastfeeding, and juggling chronic pain, mental health, and self-care. She talked about the importance of intentionality—finding tiny moments of self-care, whether that’s a five-minute makeup routine, a quick walk with her son, or just grabbing a damn good cup of coffee. She also shared some of the tricks that help her ADHD and OCD brain handle the chaos, like rolling a D20 to decide which chore to tackle first.

We also hit on breaking cycles of emotional immaturity and dysfunction in families. Jessica recommended Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents as a must-read and shared how she sets firm, informed boundaries—without letting guilt or generational expectations get in the way. One of the most powerful moments came when she explained that kids aren’t giving you a hard time, they’re having a hard time. Reframing behavior as communication rather than defiance is a game-changer in parenting.

Her final takeaway? Don’t go at it alone. Parenting can be isolating, and healing while raising a kid is messy. But having support—whether it’s family, friends, or even an online community—makes all the difference. Also, boundaries? Not punishments. They’re necessary.

Oh, and she’s collecting magic wands like Thanos at this point. Seven down—three to go for the ultimate Even Tacos Fall Apart milestone!

If you’re living with chronic illness, struggling with the mental toll it takes, or supporting someone who is, this episode with Blanca Rodriguez is a must-listen—raw, real, and full of insight on healing, resilience, and self-advocacy.

More info, ways to connect & resources (plus a bonus life hack answer from Blanca!): https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/blanca-rodriguez

On this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, I sat down with Blanca Rodriguez to talk about the intersection of chronic illness and mental health. Blanca is a powerhouse—she’s the owner and CEO of Wounded Healer LLC, a licensed massage therapist for humans and canines, a fitness instructor, a holistic life coach, and a bestselling book co-author. She’s also a dedicated volunteer who supports senior dogs, survivors of sexual violence, and no-kill shelters. With a life full of service, she knows firsthand the toll chronic illness can take on mental health.

Blanca opened up about growing up with trauma, including losing her father at age eight in a violent incident and being raised by a mother struggling with untreated mental illness. In an era when mental health wasn’t openly discussed, Blanca absorbed the message that she had to stay silent and keep moving forward. That survival instinct kept her going, but it also led to years of self-destruction—turning to drugs, alcohol, and toxic relationships. It wasn’t until her 40s that she finally broke the cycle, sought support, and started truly healing.

One of the biggest lessons Blanca shared was about forgiveness—not just of others but of herself. She talked about how, for years, she held resentment toward her mother, who was both loving and abusive, sometimes in the same day. But understanding her mother’s struggles helped Blanca release that resentment. Now, at 93, her mother has advanced dementia, and Blanca cares for her with empathy and compassion. She also made a conscious effort to break the generational cycle with her own kids, ensuring open communication, something she never had growing up.

We also talked about how chronic illness affects mental health. Blanca knows this all too well, having watched family members suffer from untreated conditions while navigating her own challenges. She emphasized the importance of seeking support instead of suffering in silence, noting how much progress has been made in mental health awareness over the years. She sees that change firsthand in her daughter, who, despite dealing with anxiety and depression, has built a successful career in engineering—all because she had access to therapy and the freedom to talk about mental health without shame.

Blanca’s passion for healing extends beyond humans—she’s a huge advocate for animals. She spoke about the resilience of shelter pets, especially those who have faced abuse and neglect, and how their ability to trust and love again is a lesson in healing. Through her volunteer work with The Inner Truth Project, she also helps survivors of sexual violence rediscover self-worth and reclaim their lives.

Her biggest takeaway? Healing is work, but it’s worth it. Trauma isn’t your fault, but recovery is your responsibility. And no matter how far down the wrong path you’ve gone, there’s always a way forward. Blanca is proof of that.

If you care about cultural sensitivity, want to understand the impact of racism on AAPI communities, or just want to hear a real, honest conversation about identity and representation, this episode is for you.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/randomlyjme

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, I sat down with Jamie, aka randomlyjme, to talk about cultural sensitivity, racism, and resources for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Jamie, a certified occupational therapist assistant and therapy program manager, shared her personal experiences growing up as a Korean adoptee in a white family in the Midwest.

Jamie opened up about her cultural identity struggles, explaining how she didn’t really think about being different until others pointed it out. Growing up in a small Missouri town, she didn’t have many people around who looked like her, and her parents never really engaged with Korean culture. Things shifted when her family moved to South Korea for three years, where she suddenly felt out of place in a different way. Despite looking like everyone else, she didn’t speak Korean and wasn’t fully accepted by Korean peers. This back-and-forth experience shaped her complicated relationship with her cultural identity.

We discussed the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, misinformation, and the impact of racist rhetoric—especially after COVID-19. Jamie shared a painful moment when an older couple in a store blamed “her people” for the pandemic, leaving her stunned. She admitted that in those moments, she often feels taken aback first, then angry later, wishing she had spoken up. At work, she tries to educate colleagues when they make ignorant comments, helping them understand how language and assumptions can be harmful.

The conversation shifted to the “model minority” myth—the damaging stereotype that all Asians are high-achieving, hardworking, and successful. Jamie broke it down: while some Asians are wealthy and highly educated, a huge number live in poverty, particularly in cities like New York. The stereotype also creates a harmful comparison to other minority groups, suggesting that if Asians can “make it,” then systemic racism isn’t real—when in reality, it's a deeply flawed narrative.

We also touched on the importance of representation, from media to video games. Jamie shared her mixed feelings about Dead by Daylight’s attempt at adding Korean characters. While the killer character was done well, the survivor didn’t actually look Korean—more like a generic white model with an Asian name slapped on. Representation matters, and getting the details right is part of respecting a culture.

For those wanting to learn more or support AAPI communities, Jamie highlighted resources like Stop AAPI Hate and the Asian Mental Health Collective. Stop AAPI Hate tracks hate crime incidents and provides multilingual support, while the Asian Mental Health Collective focuses on breaking the cultural stigma surrounding mental health in Asian communities.

At the end of the day, Jamie emphasized that cultural sensitivity isn’t complicated—it starts with asking thoughtful questions, listening, and being aware of the impact words can have. Understanding someone’s culture is great, but it should always be part of learning about them as a whole person, not just a label.

This conversation was raw, insightful, and a reminder that there’s always more to learn.

If you've ever struggled with communication, boundaries, or making relationships actually work, this episode with Dr. Mark Hicks is for you—whether it’s love, friendship, family, or coworkers, these insights can change the way you connect.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/dr-mark-hicks

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Dr. Mark Hicks joins us to talk about what makes relationships thrive. As an author, counselor, speaker, and relationship expert, Mark is passionate about breaking down what makes love last—whether it’s with a partner, friends, family, or even coworkers.

Mark’s book, Learning Love: Building a Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last, explores five key components of love that anyone can practice to create stronger, healthier connections. And guess what? The first one might surprise you—grief. He explains that people who struggle with relationships often have past wounds that make them put up walls. Learning to grieve and heal is the first step in opening up to real connection. The other components—emotion, practicality, acceptance, and passion—build on that foundation, giving us the tools to communicate, work through conflict, and genuinely enjoy our relationships.

We also talk about the cultural stigma around mental health and relationships, particularly how people hesitate to seek therapy. Mark is firm: everyone should see a counselor. Just like we go to doctors for physical health, therapy should be a regular part of life. He even suggests treating it like going to the dentist—check in every six months, whether or not you think you need it.

One of the biggest relationship mistakes? Trying to “go it alone.” Mark points out that relationships are shaped by how we grew up, and let’s be real—most of us didn’t get a perfect roadmap from our families. Whether it’s through therapy, coaching, or just being open to learning, improving relationships starts with improving yourself. And that means self-love. He reminds us that we can’t love others more than we love ourselves—so if we’re struggling to show up for our relationships, it might be time to look inward.

Of course, we also get into the fun stuff. Mark and his wife travel the country as professional house and pet sitters, which means he’s often writing his books (or ghostwriting others) from someone else’s home while caring for their pets. He also shares his unexpected fascination with the Manson family case, how past heartbreak shaped his views on love, and why laughter—even forced laughter—can completely shift your mindset.

This conversation is packed with insight, practical advice, and encouragement for anyone looking to improve their relationships. Whether you’re trying to heal from a breakup, struggling to communicate, or just want deeper connections, Mark’s approach gives you real tools to make it happen. His book is being republished by Morgan James Publishing, with pre-orders opening in November and a full release in June 2025. In the meantime, you can grab his free eBook for a breakdown of the five components of love.

If you’re feeling the weight of stress or need a fresh perspective on managing your health, this episode is for you—discover how laughter, self-awareness, and small changes can transform your life.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/pete-alexander

In this episode, MommaFoxFire welcomes Professor Pete Alexander to discuss the unexpected intersections of stress, diabetes and laughter yoga. Pete, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author and certified laughter yoga instructor, shares his journey of transforming his own health challenges into tools for helping others reduce stress and live healthier lives.

The conversation kicks off with Pete explaining his career shift to interior landscaping, a field he grew to love despite the initial stress of running a business. Pete candidly discusses how chronic stress manifested in his life, eventually leading to a diagnosis of stress-induced diabetes. Ignoring warning signs like rapid weight loss, exhaustion and headaches, he powered through until a near-death experience in 2018 forced him to reevaluate everything. This wake-up call led him to adopt stress management techniques that not only improved his mental health but also positively impacted his blood sugar levels and overall well-being.

Pete highlights how stress creates cellular inflammation, which contributes to chronic diseases like diabetes. He shares practical tips to identify stress early, such as noticing mood swings, sleep disruptions or physical tension in the shoulders. Importantly, he urges listeners not to trade their health for their careers, emphasizing that health and time are our most valuable assets.

The conversation takes a lighter turn as Pete dives into the magic of laughter yoga. He explains how even fake laughter can trigger the release of endorphins, improving mood and lowering stress. Pete shares moving stories from his laughter yoga classes, including how participants overcame grief, trauma and depression simply by laughing together. Laughter yoga, he notes, connects us to our inner child and reminds us of the joy we experienced as kids.

Pete also encourages listeners to try simple strategies like laughing at red lights or stressful moments to instantly shift their mindset. He describes laughter yoga as a way to build community and break down barriers, helping people of all ages and backgrounds find relief in laughter’s universal language.

The episode wraps up with advice for high-achieving professionals: define your core values. Pete explains that aligning decisions with personal values can prevent unnecessary stress and create a more balanced life. He also stresses the importance of setting boundaries with work, like unplugging during vacations, to fully recharge.

Packed with relatable anecdotes, humor and actionable tips, this episode is a reminder to listen to your body, embrace joy and prioritize your health before it’s too late.