Andrew Karas is a chemical engineering Ph.D, father, husband, and die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan. He discusses growing up with his brother, his parents' divorce, and how he met his wife, katie. Andrew also talks about the role sports plays in his life and how he found films fascinating at a time when he may have otherwise found loneliness.

This week's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp Online Therapy. Go to http://www.BetterHelp.com/friendrequest to save 10% on your first month of online therapy.

Looking for a deal on great Non-alcoholic beers? Check out http://www.WellBeingBrewing.com/FRIENDREQUEST to save 10% on your order!

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Season 4 starts on September 5th! Every other week is a brand new episode with some more of the most fascinating people you've never met!

This week, we summarize all that we learned this summer during our Self-Care Summer series. What was your favorite part?

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How much do you use your smartphone? Do you know what that use means? This week we are discussing smartphone use and digitally detoxing or cleansing. We are challenging each other to take a break away from our devices and seeing how long we can last. Report your digital detox story to Justin at [email protected]

Good luck!

Whether it's balancing a budget or learning your money story, this episode covers it all. We are joined by licensed therapist Jenny Helms, as well as Licensed Social Worker andFinancial Therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin to learn all about personal finance and where it fits into a healthy self-care routine. If money is making you feel icky or you find yourself with deep-seeded beliefs about money being evil or good or representative of something more, this may be the perfect time to take a breath and learn about what a money story is and how it affects you in your underlying thoughts and feelings about money.

Jenny Helms, LCMFT - @JennyAnnHelms

Lindsat Bryan-Podvin, LSW, FT - http://www.mindmoneybalance.com

Questions? Email [email protected]

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Sex Therapist Sarah Tomakich joins us to discuss self-pleasure and masturbation. Whether you are looking to reduce body shame and anxiety, have a better sexual relationship with your partner, or you're simply curious about the benefits of a regular masturbation practice, this episode is for you. Among other topics, we discuss what it means to feel distress about touching yourself, the lack of education surrounding self-pleasure, and how orgasm isn't neccesarily the goal of self-pleasure, exploration, and masturbation.

Find out more about Sarah on her website http://www.SarahTomakich.com

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Want to save money on WellBeing beers and CBD waters? Save 10% on your order by visiting http://www.wellbeing.com/friendrequest

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How often are you engaged with another person? How many hugs are you giving and receiving each day? In this Self-Care Summer episode, we are joined by licensed therapist Jenny Helms to discuss the benefits of human contact and physical touch. We will discuss the mass isolation we have faced during the pandemic, as well as what effect that has had on many people across the globe. Then we'll talk about all of the benefits of human contact, physical touch and hugs, including how to get past those awkward hugs where you're wondering if someone is cool with hugging or not. Follow Jenny on all social media platforms @JennyAnnHelms for more on your overall wellbeing!

Questions? Email [email protected]

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Writing in a journal or doing some form of regular writing practice has been proven to be beneficial to your overall mental health and is used in a number of therapy practices for people of all ages to help learn better self-regulating techniques and uncover and process past traumas or hard feelings. Katie Allen joins us to discuss writing practice as a form of self-care and discusses the process and the benefits of doing it regularly. Find out more about Katie or join her writing workshops at http://www.KatieAllen.net

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Meditation can come in many forms, but it is often misunderstood or assumed by people that do not practice it. So what is meditation? How can it benefit you? This week, we discuss what meditation is and how it can improve your overall wellbeing, health, and even alter your genes! Join Stacy Gissal and Aaron Cozaad as they inform your of different types of meditation, some common misconceptions with meditation, and where you might find a good place to start adding in meditation as part of your self-care routine.

Questions? [email protected]

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This week, as Justin celebrates three years sober, we discuss alcohol and its role on self-care. What do we actually know about alcohol? How much of what we know if fact and how much of it is assumed or passed down information? Is a glass of wine good for you? This episode dives into the nitty gritty of drinking and provides a roadmap to assess your own choices when it comes to alcohol. As Justin says many times throughout the episode, he's not telling you to get drinking, just be more aware of what you put into your body.

This show is sponsored by Bravus Brewing and WellBeing Brewing. Head over to Bravus.com or wellbeingbrewing.com and use code FRIENDREQUEST to save 10%

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