In this episode I sit down with stand-up comedian Max Meisel who's currently touring with fellow comedian Tom Arnold for a candid, funny, heartfelt, and deeply insightful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really means to bet on yourself when life forces you to start over. Max shares his journey from the East Coast to Los Angeles, navigating the uncertainty of acting, the isolation of COVID, and the emotional toll of chasing success in an industry built on rejection. 

We dive into the pressure of auditions, the fear that every opportunity could change your life, and how that mindset can sabotage both confidence and performance. Max reflects on hitting his breaking point, letting go of desperation, and choosing himself by taking creative risks and building his own comedy shows from the ground up, transforming frustration into opportunity and momentum.

We talk about the deep hunger for real community and connection, and how Max’s shows have evolved into a space where laughter, vulnerability, and human interaction collide. This episode is about survival, reinvention, courage, and choosing to build the life you want instead of waiting for permission. Whether you are navigating trauma, chasing a dream, rebuilding after disappointment, or simply trying to make it through the day, this conversation is a reminder that your story matters, your voice deserves to be heard, and it is never too late to start again.

Want to see oneof Max’s shows? You can learn more on his instagram https://www.instagram.com/maxmeisel86/?hl=en or website! https://www.maxmeisel.com/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #TraumaHealing #Comedy #MaxMeisel #Resilience #Reinvention #StartingOver #PersonalGrowth #ChasingDreams #BetOnYourself #DealingWithRejection #CreativeJourney #LifeLessons #StandUpComedy #ComedianLife #TomArnold #CreativeRisk #Dating #ArtistsOnInstagram #CreativeCommunity #Laughter #Community #vulnerability 

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This episode I’m joined by meditation and yoga teacher, activist, and author of ‘Sit with Me : A No BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation’ Oneika Mays for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about trauma, anger, justice, burnout, and what it really means to find peace in a world that often feels overwhelming and unjust. Together, we explore emotional exhaustion, resilience, mental health, and the toll of witnessing injustice in real time, while searching for ways to stay grounded, present, and human.

Onika shares her journey through sexual trauma, suicidal ideation, hospitalization, and the long road toward self-compassion and healing, as well as her work teaching mindfulness inside Rikers Island. We talk about incarceration, systemic harm, moral conflict, and why safety sometimes has to be built internally when external safety does not exist. We also challenge toxic positivity and the idea that healing should look the same for everyone, reminding ourselves that meditation is not about quieting the mind, but about making peace with the one we already have.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and remember that your feelings make sense. If you are exhausted, overwhelmed, grieving, angry, or struggling to hold onto hope, you are not alone. Healing does not require perfection or calm. You are allowed to be human, complicated, and still worthy of care, compassion, rest, and connection.

Found out more about Oneika and purchase her book on her website: https://www.oneikamays.com/

Follow Oneika here: https://www.instagram.com/oneikamays/?hl=en 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #TraumaHealing #ComplexPTSD #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #Mindfulness #Meditation #YogaLife #EmotionalHealing #SelfCompassion #InnerWork #TraumaRecovery #GriefAndHealing #AngerAndGrowth #FindingPeace #Resilience #EmotionalWellbeing #HealingTogether #YouAreNotAlone #SlowHealing #HumanFirst #GentleHealing #HealingInProgress #MentalHealthAwareness #OneikaMays 

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In this deeply important episode I am joined by two incredible women and dear friends, Tanya Monaghan and Luisa Cabrera Faist, for a powerful and honest conversation about community, courage, and using our voices. Together, we share how South Bay Takes a Stand began as a small idea and grew into a grassroots movement that brought thousands of people together through candlelight vigils and peaceful marches rooted in empathy and solidarity. Standing before a sea of faces became a moment none of us will ever forget, a reminder that even in dark times, collective courage can spark real change.

Luisa reflects on growing up as the daughter of an immigrant and how witnessing ICE activity in our own neighborhoods became a catalyst for action, while Tanya shares her experience as an immigrant from South Africa and how the current political and social climate echoes the early warning signs she witnessed during apartheid. We talk candidly about the heartbreak of watching families torn apart, children living in fear, and communities divided, and why this moment must transcend political parties and center on humanity, dignity, and justice.

This episode is about grief, trauma, activism, and healing, but at its core, it is about connection. It is an invitation to lean into empathy, use your voice, and choose courage over silence. Whether you are navigating loss, trauma, exhaustion, or a sense of helplessness in a heavy world, I hope this conversation reminds you that you are not alone, that your story matters, and that even in the darkest moments, there is still light to be found.

Follow Tanya here: https://www.instagram.com/tanya.monaghan/ 

Follow Luisa here: https://www.instagram.com/therevecollective/?hl=en

Want to learn more about South Bay’s efforts to support democracy follow here: https://www.instagram.com/southbaytakesastand/

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #ChoosingEmpathy #CommunityHealing #GriefAndHope #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #CollectiveCare #WomenSupportingWomen #FindYourVoice #HealingJourney #Resilience #ChooseKindness #HumanConnection #HopeInHardTimes #EmpathyOverFear #CommunityPower #TraumaRecovery #SpeakUp #YouAreNotAlone 

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In this episode, I’m joined by Kate King, a licensed counselor, board certified art therapist, and author of Mend or Move On. Kate brings such a compassionate, steady presence as we talk about healing through creativity, grounding in nature, and the quiet ways we carry those we have lost. We reflect on how heavy the world feels right now, and why kindness and support matter more than ever.

Kate shares why she focuses on Internal Family Systems therapy, also known as parts work, and how healing doesn’t have to come from shame or the belief that something is wrong with you. We talk about the true Self, the protective and wounded parts we all carry, and how art therapy can help us gently understand what lives inside us. Kate also explains her work around boundaries, emotional safety, and what it means to give yourself permission to step back from relationships that harm you.

We close with one of the hardest truths: sometimes closure isn’t possible, and safety has to come first. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, listen to your body, and remember that healing is not a performance, it is a process. Whether you are grieving, carrying trauma, trying to mend, or learning how to move on, I hope this episode reminds you that support exists, there is still light ahead, and you deserve to feel safe, seen, and held as you keep going.

You can purchase Kate's books on Amazon or at your local bookstore!

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #KateKing #MendOrMoveOn #TraumaHealing #ComplexPTSD #HealingJourney #InternalFamilySystems #PartsWork #IFStherapy #ArtTherapy #NervousSystemHealing #EmotionalSafety #ToxicRelationships #FamilyEstrangement #SettingBoundaries #SelfTrust #GriefHealing #TraumaRecovery #HealingIsAProcess #ComingBackToYourself #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapyTalk #SelfWorth #ChoosePeace #YouAreNotAlone #GroundingPractices #HealingThroughCreativity #ProtectYourPeace #LettingGo #HopeAndHealing

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In this episode, I’m joined again by Dr. Alexandra Sowa for an honest, and grounded conversation about weight, health, and the quiet mental noise so many women live with every day. We talk openly about GLP 1 medications and the complicated emotions tied to our bodies, food, and self worth. I share my own experience starting and stopping medication, the fear that creeps in late at night, the shame and stigma, and what surprised me most when the mental noise returned.

We break down the science in a way that actually makes sense, from hormones and metabolism to why weight gain in midlife is so often blamed on willpower when it’s really about biology. We talk about side effects, safety, and the emotional weight women carry when they feel pressured to pretend it’s all just diet and exercise. Most importantly, we talk about how these medications don’t just change appetite. For many people, they quiet the constant negative self talk that has been running in the background for years.

This episode is not about shortcuts or quick fixes. It’s about removing shame, understanding your body, and learning that needing support is not a failure. It’s about choosing compassion over punishment and trusting yourself again. You are not broken. You are not failing. And you are not alone.

You can find out more here: https://alexandrasowamd.com/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #WeightWithoutShame #TraumaInformedCare #MentalHealthPodcast #ComplexPTSD #BodyTrust #GLP1 #HormonesAndHealth #MidlifeHealth #FoodNoise #HealingJourney #WomenSupportingWomen #CompassionOverShame #MentalHealthAwareness #GriefAndHealing #YouAreNotBroken

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In this episode, I sit down again with clinical psychologist Dr. Noelle Santorelli for a conversation that feels especially important. We talk about adult bullying, relational aggression, and the deep grief that can come from losing friendships and a sense of belonging, particularly within mom groups and close communities. This episode is rooted in mental health and grief, because these losses change how safe the world feels and how we see ourselves.

I share openly about why I started this podcast. A devastating friend breakup in 2020 collided with unresolved childhood trauma and brought me to one of the lowest points of my life. What began as subtle exclusion slowly became isolation and public humiliation, leaving me without a community I believed was safe. The shame, loneliness, and grief that followed were overwhelming, especially during COVID, and that loss carried a weight I did not expect.

Dr. Santorelli explains why these group dynamics are so harmful and why it is never as simple as just leaving. When kids are involved, fear, guilt, and judgment keep women stuck far longer than they should be. We talk about betrayal trauma, victim blaming, and the cycle many toxic groups follow, and why reacting after months of pressure does not make someone the problem. It makes them human.

This episode is about trusting your experience, listening to your body, and choosing self preservation over fixing the narrative. Sometimes healing looks like quiet distance and protecting your energy. If you have ever felt pushed out, shamed, or silenced by people you hoped would support you, this conversation is for you.

You can follow Dr. Noelle Santorelli here: https://www.instagram.com/drnoellesantorelli/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #grief #mentalhealth #friendshiploss #adultbullying #relationaltrauma #betrayaltrauma #toxicfriendships #toxicmomgroups #womensmentalhealth #emotionalabuse #socialexclusion #shameandhealing #traumarecovery #boundaries #selfpreservation #healingafterloss #belonging #identityandloss #nervoussystem #emotionalsafety #friendbreakups #communitytrauma #motherhoodandmentalhealth #choosingyourself #psychologicalsafety

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In this episode, I’m joined by two women who feel more like family than friends. Vivian Garcia-Tunon, an executive coach, and Christiane Crowder, my chosen sister, share their own experiences with loss, grief, and the pressures we face growing up and as adults. We talk honestly about childhood wounds, body image struggles, and the inner voices that try to make us shrink, and how we learn to challenge them over time.

We dive into what self-love really looks like, journaling, therapy, movement, energy work, and the small daily choices that help us be kinder to ourselves. We talk about aging, going gray, letting go of perfection, and how inner work shifts how we show up in the world. Vivian and Christiane share their journeys of healing, reinvention, and helping others do the same through coaching.

At its core, this conversation is about grief, identity, friendship, and transformation. We celebrate the people who see us when no one else does, the signs from loved ones who have passed, and the quiet ways love carries us forward. If you’ve ever struggled with loss, self-doubt, or comparison, this episode is for you. 

Want to find out more about Christiane, you can do so here: https://yourwholelifecoaching.org/ 

Want to find out more about Vivian, you can do so here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviangarciatunon/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #GriefJourney #HealingThroughLoss #LossAndLove #FindingPeace #SelfLoveJourney #InnerWork #MindsetMatters #LoveYourself #ChosenFamily #Sisterhood #SupportiveWomen #FriendshipGoals #MentalHealthAwareness #DailySelfCare #JournalingPractice #MindfulLiving #SignsFromLovedOnes #EnergyHealing #SpiritualGrowth

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This episode I’m joined by Peter Bailey, author of The Epic of You: Reframe Your Past to Navigate Your Future, TEDx speaker, and president of the Prouty Project. Peter shares his journey from New York to Minnesota and how his work with urban youth, wilderness leadership, and community shaped his understanding of resilience, identity, and purpose.

Peter opens up about his childhood, growing up in a loving but deeply complicated family, and how early trauma shaped his people pleasing, sense of responsibility, and loneliness. We talk about childhood trauma, complex PTSD, and the survival strategies so many of us develop before we ever have language for them. Peter shares a powerful metaphor that stayed with me, explaining that when something grows in darkness, it adapts however it can to reach the light. Those adaptations aren’t flaws. They’re how we survived.

We also talk about the heroic journey and how our hardest chapters, addiction, grief, illness, divorce, and loss, don’t mean we failed. They’re part of the story that shaped who we are. We touch on boundaries, expectations, empathy, and what it means to give without attachment. This episode is about choosing connection, gratitude, and life, even when it feels heavy. If you’ve been struggling, feeling responsible for everyone else, or just need the reminder, I want you to hear this clearly. You are not finished. You matter. And there is still so much ahead for you.

Find out more about Peter on his site here: https://www.peter-bailey.com/ 

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #TheEpicOfYou #ChildhoodTraumaHealing #ComplexPTSDRecovery #TraumaSurvivalStrategies #HealingYourStory #ResilienceAndGrowth #ReframeYourPast #OvercomingAddictionAndLoss #BoundariesAndEmpathy #GratitudePractice #ConnectionAndCommunity #YouAreNotFinished #YourStoryMatters #FromSurvivalToThriving #HealingFromThePast #SelfDiscoveryJourney #TraumaToStrength #HopeAndHealing #EmotionalResilience

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In this episode I sit down with Jenny Robinson Clark and Travis Clark. It’s the first time I’ve had a married couple on the podcast, and their warmth, humor, and openness make it feel like you’re listening in on a talk between old friends. Jenny and Travis share how they met in a Los Angeles coffee shop and how their relationship unfolded quickly and intuitively. From building a marriage to raising four kids, they talk about choosing presence over perfection, growing through different seasons of life, and how love shifts as children grow and change.

The conversation deepens as Jenny opens up about grief, identity, and leaving her life in LA to care for her mother during her battle with cancer. What felt like a sacrifice became one of the most meaningful seasons of her life. Travis reflects on what it means to truly support your partner, especially during seasons that feel unbalanced, and why showing up for each other is at the heart of a lasting marriage.

We close by talking about spirituality, grief, and how to have honest conversations with our kids about loss. Jenny shares how her healing journey led to her children’s book, Are You Here, and why staying open to signs, connection, and love matters. This episode is a reminder that grief and hope can exist together, and that talking about hard things makes them feel a little lighter.

Find out more as well as pre-order Jennys book ‘Are You Here’ on her site: https://www.jenny-robinson.com/ 

LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year’s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management

Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visit

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This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #AreYouHereBook #GriefSupport #CopingWithLoss #FamilyFirst #ParentingThroughLoss #HealingHearts #FaithAndFamily #MindfulParenting #EmotionalGrowth #MenAndMentalHealth #VulnerabilityIsStrength #LoveNeverEnds #SignsFromLovedOnes #ChildrenBooksWithMeaning #MarriageAndParenting #LifeLessons #HealingJourney #CreativeHealing #ConnectionBeyondLoss #SpiritualGrowth #MentalWellnessMatters #HopeAndHealing #ParentingWithPurpose #RaisingEmotionallyHealthyKids

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Today I sat down with Colette Barron-Reid for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, survival, and what it truly means to heal. We explore how complex trauma, ancestral pain, and past experiences quietly shape our nervous systems, relationships, and sense of safety. Colette shares her story of growing up with family trauma, addiction, and shame, offering a raw and validating perspective for anyone who has ever felt different or overwhelmed.

We discuss how healing is not about willpower alone but about understanding the nervous system, honoring the body, and working with sensitivity. Colette opens up about her journey through addiction and recovery, the long road to rebuilding self-trust, and how grief and past wounds can surface unexpectedly, reminding us that healing is a process, not a destination.

The conversation also explores creativity, intuition, and manifestation. Colette shares her unique “doodle your destiny” approach, combining art, science, and spirituality to help align with your higher self and recognize opportunities. She explains how simple daily practices—like art, music, gratitude, and connecting with animals—can restore hope, regulate the nervous system, and open the door to transformation.

At its heart, this episode is about hope, alignment, and reclaiming agency. Colette’s story shows that healing is possible, joy and creativity are essential, and we can move from surviving to thriving. It is a reminder that your story matters, you are not alone, and you have the power to shape your life.

Find out more about Colette on her site: https://www.colettebaronreid.com/

LifeMD is offering a Holiday and New Year’s Sale with 50% off their Weight Management

Program plus free shipping, which makes getting started easier and more affordable. Just visit

lifemd.com/JUDGINGMEGHAN to activate the offer.

This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #JudgingMeghanPodcast #ColetteBarronReid #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalWellness #EmotionalHealing #OvercomingTrauma #Manifestation #VisionBoardMagic #DoodleYourDestiny #SynchronicityMagic #MindBodySpirit #SelfHealing #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #SpiritualHealing #NeuroArts #CreativeManifestation #HopeAndHealing #PersonalTransformation #InnerGrowth #SelfEmpowerment #LifeAlignment #JoyfulLiving #ConsciousLiving #EmbraceYourStory #TraumaInformed #HealingThroughArt #ManifestYourDreams #GratitudePractice

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