This week on Everything Is the Best, I sit down with Crappy Childhood Fairy—aka Anna Runkle—to talk about practical recovery for adults who grew up with chaos, neglect, or inconsistency. We get specific about how trauma shows up in daily life (overreacting, shutdowns, people-pleasing, money and relationship spirals) and how to interrupt those patterns with simple, repeatable tools.

Anna—an Oakland resident and Berkeley native—has shown people how to heal symptoms of childhood trauma for nearly thirty years. Known to more than a million followers across platforms (including ~929K YouTube subscribers and 78M+ views), she’s a survivor herself, and her methods are changing lives every day.

We also dive into her forthcoming book, CONNECTABILITY: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, and Feel (At Last) Like You Belong (Hay House; October 7, 2025). Anna explains why a haunting sense of disconnection is an almost universal adult symptom of childhood trauma (and increasingly common even for those with “normal” childhoods), and how to rebuild connection with clear, doable practices.

You’ll learn:

A plain-language framework for nervous system dysregulation—and how to come back online

The two-part daily practice (brief writing + short meditation) to reduce reactivity in under 20 minutes

How to spot “trauma time,” respond to triggers (yes, even unanswered texts), and choose self-compassion over withdrawal

Scripts and boundaries to rebuild trust, navigate conflict, and “read the room” without shame

Why consistency—not perfection—creates the conditions for real connection

About the book:

In Connectability, Anna offers research-backed lessons, self-reflection prompts, and daily connection plans to help you: notice early signs of dysregulation, lean into healthy vulnerability, set confident boundaries, master the art of apologizing, and build the kind of close, reliable relationships that support lifelong well-being. It’s a hopeful, practical path for anyone who struggles with people—whether you have a trauma history or simply carry old connection wounds in a lonely era.

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week I’m joined by my friend Meghan Rose — astrologer, intuitive guide, and spiritual teacher who helps people make sense of their lives through the lens of the cosmos. Meghan and I go deep into what’s happening astrologically right now and how we can work with the current energy in our relationships, careers, and personal growth.

But what I love most about this conversation is how open Meghan is about her own life. She recently broke off her engagement and made the bold move to Rome — fully practicing what she preaches about trusting yourself, following your intuition, and starting over when something no longer aligns. We talk about what it really looks like to live your chart instead of just reading it, and how to lean on astrology as a tool for grounding when life feels uncertain.

If you’re curious about the stars, navigating big transitions, or simply need permission to choose yourself, this episode is for you. ALSO! Don't forget to subscribe to her Substack!!

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Berlingeri, co-founder and co-CEO of HigherDOSE, to explore what it takes to bring wellness tech into everyday life.

From her early career as a model and TV host to becoming a holistic nutritionist and health coach, Lauren’s journey is a blend of grit, curiosity, and reinvention. Together, we dig into what inspired her to co-launch HigherDOSE (with Katie Kaps), how she discovered the power of infrared saunas and red-light therapy, and how she channels biohacking into tools people can use at home. 

Lauren also opens up about:

* Her personal health wake-ups and how they shaped her mission

* Her journey to get pregnant and how its more than OK to take moment to pause

* How she balances motherhood with leading a fast-growing company

* The philosophy behind HigherDOSE’s “natural high” — boosting dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins through tech and ritual 

If you’re curious about how to design self-care that’s rooted in science (not hype), or how a founder leans into disruption and wellness simultaneously—this conversation offers rare access and real wisdom.

Visit HigherDOSE.com and use code PIA15 at checkout for 15% off your first purchase.

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with Amrit Tietz and Lauren Levinger, co-founders of Spread the Jelly, a bold platform reshaping how we talk about motherhood.

Launched by Amrit—a DJ and creative entrepreneur—and Lauren—a veteran creative director and storyteller—Spread the Jelly was born out of frustration with sanitized parenting narratives.
They aim to peel back the layers: covering fertility, miscarriage, postpartum sex, identity shifts, IVF, abortion, navigating motherhood while holding onto selfhood—and everything in between.

In this conversation, we explore:

* How the name “Jelly” became their metaphor for adaptability, warmth, and messy transformation

* The personal “I-wish-someone-had-told-me” moments that drove them to build a platform

* How they balance creative careers, motherhood, and mission

* Their editorial philosophy: radical honesty instead of extremes (doom or glow) 

* The challenges and breakthroughs of building community around deeply personal stories

Whether you’re a parent, an aspiring founder, or someone fascinated by identity & storytelling, this is a raw, inside look at how two women are making space for all the sticky, beautiful truths of motherhood.

PRODUCED BY DEAR MEDIA

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with Jacq Gould for a deeply honest and moving conversation about her journey—from struggling with an eating disorder to navigating the heartbreak of trying to conceive, and ultimately to building a life rooted in purpose and resilience. Jacq shares how those experiences not only shaped her personally but also fueled the creation of her company, Your Inner Babe, a platform and community dedicated to helping women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their worth, and step into their fullest potential.

We talk about the messy middle of healing, the courage it takes to rewrite your story, and the beautiful transformation that can come from the hardest seasons of life. This is a powerful episode about vulnerability, growth, and using your own journey to light the way for others.

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode Davide and I discuss our trip to NY, laugh about me being an idiot, give some life updates and answer some of your questions regarding sex and traveling without kids. Enjoy!

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week I’m joined by one of my closest friends, Whitney Davis, and we go from laughing about our wild high school memories to talking about the incredible work she’s doing now as a mindset coach. We get real about grief, personal growth, family, and what it means to live in flow. It’s equal parts silly, heartfelt, and inspiring — basically just like hanging out with us in real life.

To learn more about Whitney's work, visit wdcoaching.com !

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hi! I realized I’ve never really given a full breakdown of my career over the last 15 years- so here it is. From college, to freelance casting, to my time at People’s Revolution, to becoming Creative Director of LPA, and now building Baroncini Import & Co. with Davide, I’m walking you through the journey.

This isn’t just a highlight reel- it’s the behind-the-scenes of what it really takes to build a career in fashion, start a brand from scratch, and juggle the realities of work. hope my story gives you some perspective, encouragement, and maybe a laugh or two.

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amanda is BACK on the pod to share some more of her wildest dating stories and answer some of your questions! Hope you enjoy as much as we did. x

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hi! In this ep I do a lil Q&A, give you a life update, discuss friend fall-outs, what an average day looks like, going to Pebble Beach and more. xx

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.