I've Been Better

On episode 24, join host Susan as she sits down with good friend, Tabatha Gagliardo, to talk about social anxiety, depression, and holding on for one more day.

Tabatha, Tabby for short, is from a small unincorporated town in Wisconsin where the most booming businesses were the local bar and a hot air balloon take off pad. Growing up in the country shaped her worldview and appreciation for nature. Her original plan to become a surgeon took a sharp turn when she realized She viewed human existence differently. Tabatha graduated with a BS in Biology and a minor in chemistry from UW Eau Claire. She has pledged to be a voice for animals who cannot speak, and conserve the environment in anyway possible. She is currently finishing up a master's degree from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Entomology. In her free time, she loves to garden and spend time hiking flipping logs looking for insects.  

CW: suicide, mental health, depression, anxiety, bullying, stigma, medication

Instagram: @tabbycat_02

If you, or anyone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone. Please go to www.NAMI.org or utilize local crisis services. You can also text HOME to 741-741. If you are experiencing an emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

On Episode 23, join host Susan as she sits down with friend in field, Brice Bradshaw, to discuss one of the many experiences that shaped him into he is today. 

CW: wilderness camp, alternative therapy styles, drug use, expulsion

Brice Bradshaw works as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and is passionate about helping members of the trans community at varying stages of coming out and living as their authentic selves. As a hobby, Brice has turned his apartment into a jungle with plants, whereas before this pandemic he didn't have a single one. He has 2 chihuahua's, Pebbles and Layla - both of whom are sweet and love people. 

If you, or anyone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone. Please go to www.NAMI.org or utilize local crisis services. You can also text HOME to 741-741. If you are experiencing an emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. 

On Episode 22, join Susan as she talks with Mackenzie Seidl about an unexpected *millennial* injury that rocked her world. 

CW: medical emergency, broken bones, isolation, recovery, physical therapy

Mackenzie works as a digital marketing specialist in Raleigh. She spends her free time watching movies and TV, listening to podcasts, and playing trivia with her longtime team, Quiz Khalifa. She love's all things pop culture, and will always be able to tell you who that actress in that thing was.

Instagram: @ms46848

Twitter: @mackncheesin

On Episode 21, join host Susan as she talks with her friend, Aly Stone, on expectations of getting it right the first time when taking a job out of college and remembering that you are enough. 

CW: healthcare, job loss

Aly Stone is a Raleigh native working as a Physician Assistant in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She is married to her husband Alan, whom she met at a Halloween party senior year of college. The two have a 6 1/2 year old Greyhound named Avery. In her free time, Aly likes to decompress from the work grind in several different ways-- playing on a Women's adult soccer league, running, using the peloton bike, walking with Avery around Raleigh, and listening to audio books and podcasts. 

Instagram: @aly.stone_pac

On episode 20, join host Susan and this week’s guest, Vicki, as they talk about medical emergencies, people pleasing, and living in the “inside”. 

CW: medical emergency, medical trauma and procedures, anxiety, and medication use

Victoria Hoogland, originally from North Carolina, lives in beautiful and crisp Anchorage, Alaska with her husband, Travis. She has worked in youth development for over 10 years. She enjoys bikes, her two dogs, Suna & Frankie, and being outside. As a mental health enthusiast, Vicki also started a podcast called The Memoir Excerpts Podcast for others to share stories and help break down stigmas surrounding mental health. Check them out @thememoirexcerptspodcast! 

Season 4 of IBB is here!

On Episode 19, Susan talks with friend and local comedian, Spencer Bland, about his journey with mental health and his career as a comedian. 

Spencer Bland is a comedian, writer, and podcaster that wants you to know that his last name has no effect on his humor. He is a regular host and feature at the Raleigh Improv and Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, NC where he was born and raised. He produces a monthly comedy show in Neptunes Comedy, and cohosts the quickly growing Bop or Flop Podcast.

He’s created and written TV commercials starring Donald Faison’s Turk from Scrubs on top of many others for companies like Bojangles, Cigna, Vicks, and others.

Instagram: @SpencerSpicy

You can check out his podcast at Boporflop.com

CW: mental health, suicide, death, loss, psychiatric crisis and hospitalization, alcohol use, humor as a coping skill

If you, or anyone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone. Please go to www.NAMI.org or utilize local crisis services. You can also text HOME to 741-741. If you are experiencing an emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency departments. 

On Episode 18, host Susan talks with friend-turned-family, Dr. Harold Dorrell Briscoe, about his journey to becoming a pastor, his experience in the church as a black man, and how he hopes to restore the mission and value of the gospel in his community. 

Dr. Harold Dorrell Briscoe is a writer, speaker, pastor, and public theologian. He focuses on the intersectionality of race, religion, law, and power. Dorrell also taught at the university level as an adjunct professor teaching public administration, management, and leadership to undergraduate students. While teaching, Dorrell pursued and was awarded a master's degree in Theological Studies at Liberty University in 2015. Dorrell finished his Doctor of Ministry degree at Duke University in 2017.He has a strong passion for the local church, politics, racial justice, equality and international affairs.

He is the founder and Lead Pastor of The Six:Eight Church in Durham, North Carolina. Six:Eight’s vision is to build a gospel community that is intentionally diverse, cross-cultural and neighborhood-centered by engaging and developing ministries in Downtown Durham. To follow along with Six:Eight and Dorrell, check out his Instagram: @drbriscoe and click the links below!

On Episode 17, host Susan really gets into her feels with close friend and fellow DPC (Dead Parents Club) member, Kyle Duryea. Join Susan and Kyle as they talk about their cosmic connection, shared experiences in the death of a parent, and how Kyle continues to cope and prepare for all life will throw at him. You may need to grab some tissues for this one!

Kyle Duryea works in the wine and beer distribution industry. His ideal evening is a good home cooked meal watching a movie with his partner, Katie, and cats, Charlotte and Thor. Fun fact: Kyle is color blind!

Instagram mentions: @griefhungry

CW: death, loss, death of a parent, suicide, grief, therapy, brief mention of pastoral counseling

On Episode 16, join host Susan as she shares a vulnerable conversation with friend, Alix Robbins, about the unplanned birth of her daughter and the failures and success along the way.

Alix Robbins is an HR professional and manager of an international team of specialists. She plays Ultimate Frisbee competitively and enjoys many team sports. Alix is a mother to one human child and multiple household pets. 

CW: pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, postpartum depression

On Episode 15, host Susan talks with friend Alex Brandt about his battle with depression after college, the pressures of finding a career, and attending graduate school. Tune in to hear the two talk about how Alex found himself isolated and afraid after graduating undergrad and how he recovered.

Alex Brandt is a graduate of North Carolina State University and currently works as a data consultant at a Financial Technology company. Alex enjoys playing soccer, going to as many breweries as possible with friends, and playing video games. Fun Fact - Alex studied abroad in Australia for a semester during college and still has friends from all over the world. 

CW: depression, mental health, isolation

Barnstock BYOB Music Festival

Instagram: @ahbrandt