Meet Nick Thompson, a mental health advocate and former Love Is Blind contestant, who's on a mission to break down the barriers surrounding mental health. After experiencing the ups and downs of reality television and public scrutiny, Nick founded the UCAN Foundation, a nonprofit that supports unscripted television cast members in finding mental health care and understanding their rights. He also hosts the podcast, Eyes Wide Open with Nick Thompson, where he engages in authentic conversations about mental health, culture, and politics, encouraging listeners to embrace open dialogue and understanding.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The power of open dialogue in combating mental health stigma 
• The hidden effects of unscripted cast participation on mental wellbeing.
• Speaking up when something isn't right
• Moving forward when others have unsolicited opinions on your life
• The value of sharing your vulnerability with people who care

Find out more or connect with Nick:
Instagram
Website
Foundation
TikTok

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"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Have you heard these common myths about creating your own path when life doesn't go as expected? Myth #1: You have to have all the answers. Myth #2: You have to be perfect. Myth #3: You have to do it alone. Don't fret, Emma Nadler is here to bust these myths and share the truth with you. 

Emma Nadler is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping people understand their emotions, build deeper relationships, and find meaning in life's challenges. As the author of "The Unlikely Village of Eden" and a parent of a child with disabilities, Emma is no stranger to the unexpected hurdles life can present. Her book is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of the importance of adapting and accepting when life doesn't go according to plan. Emma's unique experiences have shaped her into an empathetic and compassionate guide for others facing similar challenges, inspiring them to create their own imperfect path.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The benefits both of asking for help and of being asked for help.
• The significance of community and support in your caregiving journey.
• The validity of ambiguous loss and ambiguous grief
• Fixing the one person you have the power to fix
• Containment as a means of handling tough emotions.
• Showing up for people and cultivating tenacity

Learn more about Emma:
Website
Instagram

Learn more about ambiguous loss and ambiguous grief:
Ambiguous Loss Website 
A New Kind of Grief: It's Ambiguous (Article by Jessica Fein) 
Soulbroken: A Guidebook for Your Journey Through Ambiguous Grief, by Stephanie Sarazin

Listening to this podcast in no way creates a client/therapist relationship with Emma Nadler. No legal, counseling, or other professional services are being rendered and nothing is intended to provide such services or advice of any kind. If you are having a mental health emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. You can also text or call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Just when Dana Frost  overcame her battle with cancer, life dealt her another devastating blow. But it was a simple concept she called, "Forced Joy," that not only helped her through the darkest of times, but continues to help others in countless ways. 

Through a supportive community and irreverent and unique products, the Forced Joy Project helps people who are grieving  find solace and a path towards healing through joy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Practical ways to find joy even in the darkest times.
• Why "fine" isn't something we should either aspire to or settle for.
• The role of community in easing the pain caused by loss.
• The impact of sharing memories and personal stories in the healing process.

Learn more about Dana

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

What's the difference between joy and happiness? How can our posture and movement affect our mental state? And how can we access joy even when we're suffering?

Dr. Tanmeet Sethi, a family medicine physician, is an advocate for joy who has spent her career caring for marginalized communities. She's worked with survivors of natural disasters, school shootings, and other traumatic events. 

As a mother, she faced the devastating news of her son's degenerative disease diagnosis and embarked on a journey to find joy amidst the pain. 

Tanmeet has shared her insights on gratitude as medicine on two TEDx stages, and her book "Joy is My Justice" offers a powerful exploration of the intersection between ancient spiritual practices and modern neuroscience.

In this episode, you'll:

• Learn how to access joy throughout adversity.
• Discover why joy can be an act of resistance.
• Develop practices of self-compassion and gratitude to nurture emotional well-being.
• Discern the differences between happiness and joy for a richer life.
• Find out how what you do in your body rewrites the way your brain interprets and translates what's happening.

Learn more about Tanmeet and her work:

Website
Instagram
Facebook

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Myriam Steinberg found herself on the cusp of 40, realizing that she needed to take action if she wanted to have a family. As she navigated the world of fertility treatments, Myriam faced a series of challenges and setbacks, including miscarriages and heart-wrenching decisions about her pregnancies. Throughout her journey, she maintained a deep resolve to become a mother, despite the occasional doubts and naysayers. Myriam's determination and resilience eventually paid off when she welcomed her twins into the world. 

Myriam Steinberg documents her journey in the award-winning graphic novel, "Catalogue Baby: A Memoir of Infertility." 

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Master a new kind of decision-making technique for challenging circumstances.
• Separate personal emotional burdens from your child's experience.
• Recognize the importance of reaching out to build community.
• Use laughter as a coping technique

Learn more about Myriam and Catalogue Baby:
Website
Instagram

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

When Nika Stewart received her cancer diagnosis through an email, she was initially confused. She looked at the path in front of her and didn't like what she saw ... so she created a new path. Nika realized that humor and laughter could not only help her cope but also inspire hundreds of millions of other people who began following her journey.  

In this episode you'll learn how to:

• Uncover the magic of laughter in navigating challenges
• Forge a new path when the conventional one isn't working for you
• Share authentically to help yourself and captivate others
• Consciously select your thoughts to change your feelings

Learn more about Nika:
Website: shine-365.com
Youtube: youtube.com/nikastewartshine
Instagram: @nikastewartshine

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

In Erica Derrickson's conversation with Jessica Fein, she shares how her sister's pregnancy and a growing sense of dissatisfaction with her career in photography and acting led her to reconsider her life's direction. Erica's quest for meaning ultimately drove her to embark on a life-changing solo trip to India, which marked the beginning of her journey toward self-discovery and personal liberation. After that first trip, Erica kept on traveling, spending time in Egypt, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, and more. Her experiences and insights have been chronicled in her bestselling book, Leaving America with Erica, which serves as a guide for others who are yearning to follow their dreams. Erica currently resides in Hummingbird Valley, Guatemala, where she's building a permaculture home.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How to take the first step in finding...and following your dream
• What two emotions lead to the most personal growth
• How to deal with the people who can't support your desires
• How to embrace the mindset of a seeker
• How to use frustration as fuel to seek out new experiences, knowledge, and opportunities for growth and fulfillment.

Connect with Erica:
Find Erica's Daily videos on Facebook here
Find Erica's videos on Youtube here
Get on Erica's mailing list for news and travel offers
Join Erica's exclusive subscription group the High Vibe Tribe

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Dr. Maria O'Rourke, a highly respected emergency medicine physician with more than 20 years of experience, has an incredible story of resilience and determination.  Growing up in the foster care system and enduring unthinkable abuse, Maria found solace and inspiration in an unlikely role model on television who guided every decision she made along the way. 

As Maria navigated through life's obstacles, she relied on the three-question system she devised to guide her decisions, ensuring they aligned with her goal of becoming a doctor. Despite facing hardships like leaving college, working multiple jobs, and even experiencing homelessness, Maria's determination never wavered. She joined the army to gain the education and stability she needed, eventually becoming a successful  doctor treating wounded soldiers on the battlefield in Kuwait. 

In this episode, you'll learn: 
1. The power of finding someone who believes in you 
2. How you can turn hope into action
3. Why it's important to breathe and do
4. What not to do with the lessons you learn along the way

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

In May 2016, Kelly and Miguel Cervantes received two life-changing pieces of news: Miguel landed the starring role of Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton: An American Musical  and their then 7-months-old baby, Adelaide, was diagnosed with epilepsy and eventually, infantile spasms, a severe form of childhood epilepsy.

Kelly transitioned from being their family’s primary bread winner to being a stay-at-home mom/nurse/pharmacist/therapist and all the other jobs that come with parenting a medically complex child. A few years later, Adelaide passed away.

In this conversation, we talk about Kelly's journey from career woman to caregiver  while Miguel was starring in one of the most acclaimed shows of all time, how parenting Adelaide changed the way she approaches parenting her other children, and how Kelly's life's work is forever changed.

You'll learn:

1. Why it's okay if you're not okay...but also if you are...while grieving
2. The importance of recognizing and honoring life's inchstones
3. The most important superpower you can have when your life is turned upside down

Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate best known for her blog, "Inchstones," where she shared the stress, love, and joy that came with parenting her medically complex daughter. Since Adelaide's passing, Kelly has continued to write candidly about her grief journey, culminating in her upcoming book, "Normal Broken."

Pre-order "Normal Broken" here
Read Kelly's blog Inchstones here

Read the poem mentioned in this conversation, "Because My Heart is Where You Now Dwell," by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Allison Hong Merrill is an award-winning memoirist whose story of gender inequality, bravery, and finding her voice has inspired many. After being disowned by her traditional Chinese family for dropping out of college and becoming a missionary, Allison movesto Texas with limited English skills to marry a man she doesn't really know. After a cruel betrayal, Allison defies cultural expectations and embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery and resilience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. How making one right choice at a time helped Allison go from being alone and penniless to finding her happily ever after
2. Which obsession can change the world
3. Why celebrating yourself can be the decision that sets you free

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells