This week, we’re talking all things imposter syndrome, nervousness, and learning how to feel the fear and do it anyway. We open up about the pressure to perform, perfectionism, comparison, and the disconnect between how things can look externally versus how they feel internally. We talk about our recent experience going on FOX29 and all the emotions, physical anxiety, and internal thoughts that came with stepping into something that felt both exciting and terrifying at the same time. And bittersweetly… we announce that this is the final episode of Season 2! We’re taking some time to lean more deeply into in-person community experiences this summer, but there will be no shortage of Only Human coming your way. Thank you for listening, growing, and being human with us this season. 

This week, we’re talking about social anxiety: the pressure to be liked, the fear of saying the wrong thing, and the mental spiral that can happen before, during, and after social situations. We unpack how social anxiety shows up differently for everyone — whether you shut down completely, overshare to fill the silence, or replay conversations in your head for hours afterward. From work events and friendships to social media and people pleasing, we explore why connecting with others can feel so complicated sometimes. If you’ve ever walked into a room and immediately questioned yourself or assumed everyone else was more confident than you, this one’s for you.

This week, we’re talking about influence: how trends, social media, and the world around us shape what we like, how we show up, and who we think we’re supposed to be. From sardines and matcha to Pilates and matching sets, we explore what's "in" right now, and how easy it is to start liking something just because everyone else does. What starts as a conversation about trends turns into something bigger: the pressure to fit in and how we can lose sight of what we actually like versus what we’ve been influenced to like. If you’ve ever felt confident in your choices until you walked into a room or opened social media and suddenly questioned everything, this one’s for you. It’s a reminder to come back to yourself and ask: do I actually like this, or was I influenced to?

This week, our episode is for anyone whose brain just… won’t turn off. Jess and Karli dive into overthinking, indecision, and the mental loops that come with trying to make the “right” choice, realizing that even the smallest daily decisions are often rooted in something deeper: anxiety, control, and perfectionism. They unpack how these patterns show up in their everyday lives, relationships, and routines, and how constantly trying to optimize for their “future selves” can leave them feeling drained in the present. It’s an honest look into what it’s like to be aware of your overthinking but still feel stuck in it without having all the answers or solutions.

In this episode, Jess and Karli talk about something many of us think about but rarely say out loud: our relationship with food. From “food noise” and the constant inner dialogue around what, when, and how much to eat, to the all-or-nothing mindset, cravings, and guilt, this conversation dives into the mental load that comes with eating in today’s world. Karli shares her journey from binge and restrict cycles as a D1 athlete to finding food freedom, while Jess opens up about being in the thick of it— unlearning old habits and trying to feel more in control. Together, they unpack the tension between nourishment and deprivation, the impact of how we grew up eating, and why “just eat the donut” isn’t always that simple. This episode isn’t about having all the answers, but hopefully it reminds you that if your brain feels loud around food, you’re not alone.

This week, Jess and Karli dive into how seasons and weather impact mental health.

They explore how each season shapes their mood, energy, and routines from the high of summer to the slower pace of winter. They also unpack why this happens, touching on everything from our ancestors’ lifestyles to vitamin D, daylight savings, and the concept of "summer break" following us into adulthood.

Along the way, they share personal insights on seasonal transitions, and yes, the very important debate of when Christmas decorations come down. If you’ve ever felt like a different version of yourself depending on the season, this episode will make you feel a lot less alone.

This week, Jess shares a real-time life update following the sale of her home and her move into her in-laws’ house as she prepares for her next chapter in Florida. She opens up about what it actually feels like to be in a state of transition—the uncertainty, the in-between, and what's keeping her grounded. Jess reflects on the importance of having a supportive partner during times like these, and gets honest about her experience navigating the current job market—from applications to advice she’s received on resumes and standing out in a competitive space. They wrap with a brief conversation about what’s next for The Only Human Project as Jess makes her move to Florida, and what listeners can expect from the podcast moving forward.

This week, Jess & Karli share a behind-the-scenes look at their whirlwind Super Bowl weekend in San Francisco-recorded straight from their hotel lobby. What started as a trip booked with no plan, no credentials, and no connections- quickly turned into a lesson in trusting their craft, adapting in real time, and creating opportunity where none existed.

They reflect on plans coming together and falling apart mid-flight, navigating uncertainty with poise and confidence, and showing up professionally in rooms they were never guaranteed access to. From the energy of Radio Row to meaningful interviews with Peyton Manning, George Kittle, Gary Vee, Carmelo Anthony, and Jaxson Dart, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really took to break into major media moments.

The conversation also touches on the emotional highlights of the weekend, including hosting an intimate Only Human Pilates event, and Karli getting a surprise interview with her childhood idols.

Today we welcome Brandon Saho, mental health advocate, motivational speaker, and founder of The Mental Game podcast. In this conversation, we dive into Brandon’s personal mental health journey— what it was like navigating depression, alcohol addiction, and suicidal ideation while building a high-profile career in sports reporting. Brandon shares candidly about therapy, sobriety, masculinity, and the long, nonlinear process of learning to love himself and ask for help.

We then pivot to the topic of singleness after one of Brandon’s videos went viral where he openly shared his fear of never becoming a husband or father. Together, we explore loneliness, modern dating, rejection, masculinity, and the pressure to have life figured out by a certain age. This episode is an honest, human conversation about healing, identity, and the universal desire to be seen, chosen, and loved, reminding us that even when life looks good on the outside, there’s often so much more happening beneath the surface.

In our very first guest episode, we sit down with Marci Hopkins— award-winning TV host, author of Chaos to Clarity, and mental health advocate— for a conversation about healing, addiction, and breaking generational cycles.

Marci shares her story of growing up in chaos, navigating trauma and alcohol use disorder, and learning the difference between running away and truly reinventing yourself. We talk about how trauma shapes relationships and self-worth, why change happens in small, daily steps, and what it really takes to build a life that feels safe and grounded.

This episode is for anyone who’s felt behind, stuck, or unsure where to start. A reminder that you’re not broken— you’re becoming, and you can start exactly where you are.

Follow Marci on IG: @wake_up_with_marci
Learn more: https://wakeupwithmarci.com/