Right in Front of My Face

For Pride Month, I am re-releasing the very first episode of Right in Front of My Face. The conversation that started it all, and the reason this podcast exists.

I sat down with my cousin, Joe, to talk about what it was like growing up gay in conservative Spokane, Washington in the 1990s, at a time when being part of the LGBTQ community simply wasn't visible or accepted. Joe shares his personal coming out journey in raw, honest detail: the identity confusion of adolescence, a life-changing study abroad experience in Florence, Italy, years of living a double life (including using a fake name around his hometown), and the fear and relief of finally coming out to his family at age 25.

This is more than a coming out story. It's a conversation about LGBTQ identity, family acceptance, religion and sexuality, internalized fear, and what it actually feels like on the other side of telling the truth. Joe also shares his own perspective on supporting LGBTQ youth, the unique challenges faced by effeminate gay men versus those who could "pass," and practical advice for parents whose kids may come out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer.

Whether you're LGBTQ yourself, the parent of an LGBTQ child, or simply curious about real coming out experiences, this episode offers honesty, humor, and hard-won perspective.

We discuss:

• Growing up gay in a conservative Catholic family in Spokane, WA
• Coming out story: hiding your sexual orientation in your teens and 20s
• Living a double life as a closeted gay man in your 20s
• Coming out to parents and siblings
• LGBTQ youth homelessness and family rejection
• Gay marriage and meeting your spouse later in life (Joe & husband Dale)
• Advice for parents of LGBTQ kids
• Religion, the Catholic Church, and LGBTQ acceptance
• Visibility, "passing," and bullying in the LGBTQ community

You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at [email protected]. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face.

What if everything you thought you knew about the Menendez brothers was only half the story? In this season 5 finale, I sit down with one of my oldest friends, yoga instructor and advocate Anamaria Baralt, who also happens to be the first cousin of Eric and Lyle Menendez. Twenty-five years ago, Anamaria quietly told me who her cousins were and asked me to keep it to myself. Today, she is standing in front of walls of cameras, speaking for her family, and trying to change how we think about abuse, justice, rehabilitation, and what it means to hold two truths at the same time. We talk about how Anamaria went from a "normal" life as a mom, yoga teacher, and graphic designer outside of Seattle to serving as a public representative for her family during the resentencing process. She shares what it was like to out herself at a press conference, watch her TikTok explode overnight, and become the person Eric and Lyle trust to use her voice on the outside. Content note: This episode includes discussion of murder, child abuse, sexual abuse, addiction, and the criminal justice system. Please care for yourself as you listen.

In this episode:

• The complexity of holding two truths: grieving her aunt and uncle while supporting her cousins, Eric and Lyle Menendez
• Why Anamaria chose to go public after decades of silence
• How media portrayals, from the '90s to Monsters, skew the real story
• Who Eric and Lyle are today after 35 years in prison
• Why rehabilitation and trauma-informed sentencing matter
• What modern brain science reveals about abuse, trauma, and decision-making
• What happened during the resentencing and latest parole denial
• How Anamaria is navigating advocacy, motherhood, and national attention
• Her vision for prison reform, awareness around child abuse, and using her voice for change

Anamaria Baralt is a yoga instructor, personal trainer, artist, and mom of two living outside Seattle. She is also the niece of José and Kitty Menendez and first cousin of Eric and Lyle Menendez. After decades of living quietly with an unimaginable family history, she stepped into the public eye to speak on behalf of her family during the Menendez resentencing process. References and resources mentioned Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Ryan Murphy series): https://www.netflix.com/title/81665094 The Two Angry Men podcast episode featuring Eric and Lyle Menendez: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-angry-men/id1728521271?i=1000694271365 Lyle Menendez's Green Space Project and Eric Menendez's Life Care and Hospice work inside prison: https://apnews.com/article/menendez-brothers-murder-erik-lyle-freedom-prison-b1eede9677e78df88f6709703cc8b716 Anamaria's TikTok account, where she shares advocacy, education, and a few dog cameos: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@anamariabaralt

You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at [email protected]. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face. Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/

Seattle spends more than $1.2 billion each year on public education, nearly the same as running the entire city. So why do so few people know where that money goes, or who's actually in charge of it? In this episode of Right in Front of My Face, I sit down with Vivian Song, candidate for Seattle School Board District 5, to talk about how local politics directly shape our schools, and why most of us aren't paying enough attention. I'll be honest: I didn't think I'd ever get this invested in local education policy. But the more I've learned through this podcast, the more I realize how deeply city culture, education, and accountability are intertwined. With a $1.2 billion budget nearly equal to that of Seattle's entire city government, the Seattle Public School system has enormous influence, and yet, shockingly little oversight. Vivian and I dig into the Student Outcomes Focused Governance model, how it's changed school board oversight, and what happens when financial committees disappear. We also talk about what accountability really looks like, how to rebuild public trust, and why marketing might actually be one of the smartest tools for saving public schools. This conversation made me think differently about how education works and how my vote connects to it all. No matter where your kids go to school (or if you have kids at all), this episode is for anyone who cares about how our community's future is being shaped.

Topics Covered:

• Why local elections matter more than you think
• The $1.2 billion question: who's watching Seattle's school budget?
• Understanding Student Outcomes Focused Governance
• How public education decisions affect everyone—even private school families
• Lessons from Vivian's first term and why she's running again
• The importance of transparency, community trust, and clear communication
• How public schools can regain enrollment and rebuild confidence
• The role of AI and technology in shaping the future of education

About the Guest: Vivian Song is a Harvard graduate, finance professional, and former Seattle School Board Director now running for District 5. A parent of four, she's passionate about public education, fiscal accountability, and ensuring equitable opportunities for every student in Seattle. https://www.songforseattleschools.com

You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at [email protected]. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face. Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/

This episode is a little different — and honestly, one of the most meaningful conversations I've had on the podcast. It all started when someone threw a rock through the window of my husband's pediatric dental office in Green Lake. That incident led me down an unexpected path of navigating city programs, talking to local leaders, and eventually, sitting across from Sara Nelson, President of the Seattle City Council. Sara joined me in my home studio for a candid, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to lead in this city — and why she's running for a second term. We covered a lot: the realities of public safety, support for small businesses, addiction treatment, housing, and the power (and limits) of what City Council can actually do. She didn't dodge a single question, and nothing was edited out. What you'll hear is an open, honest exchange between two people who care deeply about Seattle and want to see it thrive. In this episode:

• The Back to Business Fund and how it directly impacted my family
• What Seattle City Council members can and can't control
• Sara's approach to public safety, housing, and addiction treatment
• What it's like to lead with integrity under constant public scrutiny
• Her biggest wins — and what she wants to accomplish next term

A quote that stuck with me was: "I ran to fix the city — and I'm not done." If you live in Seattle, I hope this episode helps you feel more informed and connected to the people shaping our future. And I hope it reminds you that your voice matters — not just on social media, but at the polls.

Connect with Sara Nelson: Website: https://www.saraforcitycouncil.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraforcitycouncil

You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at [email protected].

If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face.

Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/

Sometimes the most heartbreaking moment of your life became your most beautiful lesson. In this episode, I sit down with fashion publicist, writer, and mom Sydney Mintle to talk about love, loss, and what it means to face death with presence and peace. Sydney's husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with glioblastoma—an aggressive form of brain cancer—and within just over a year, he passed away. But this isn't just a story about loss. It's about how one family chose beauty over bitterness, honesty over fear, and how Jeff's legacy continues to bloom—literally. From parenting through grief and embracing death doulas, to composting Jeff's remains and traveling the world to spread his soil, Sydney shares a deeply moving journey of intentional living, radical acceptance, and spiritual grace.

In this episode:

• Sydney and Jeff's love story and their shared philosophy on living fully
• How they approached terminal illness with honesty and hope
• The impact of open conversations with children about death
• Why Sydney chose human composting—and how it brought comfort
• What it means to "walk someone home" at the end of life
• Finding signs, miracles, and meaning in unexpected moments

This conversation will change the way you think about grief, death, and what it means to truly live. Whether you've experienced a personal loss or want to better support someone who has, this episode is a gift.

Connect with Sydney: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydlovesfashion Jeff's Obituary: https://www.sydlovesfashion.com/blog/jeff-mintle-obituary

You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at [email protected]. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face. Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/

What happens when you spend your whole life performing at the highest level, only to realize, in midlife, that you've been quietly carrying a mental health condition that almost no one talks about? In this episode, I am joined by Jud Heugel: pediatrician, health tech CMO, father, ultra-endurance athlete, and now—mental health advocate. After years of living in silence, Jud opens up about his journey with bipolar disorder, why he kept it hidden, and what changed when he decided it was finally time to share his truth. What started as a casual chat about podcasting turned into one of the most powerful conversations this show has ever held—because Jud's story is not just about bipolar. It's about resilience, self-acceptance, and using your life experiences as fuel for something bigger.

In this episode:

• His early struggles during medical residency—and what led to a full mental health breakdown
• The misunderstood highs of hypomania and how they impacted his life and career
• Why he believes sports—especially endurance sports—can be a tool for healing
• The stigma of mental health in medicine—and the long road to acceptance
• How middle age has become a time of radical self-actualization for him

Jud, you're forwarding progress in all ways and it's very humbling that you chose Right in Front of My face to as your starting line to opening up about bipolar. Thank you. You can find Jud at https://www.thebalancedathlete.org/ and Substack: The Balanced Athlete.

You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at [email protected].

If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face.

Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/

What if artificial intelligence is not just the next innovation—but the final one? If you've felt overwhelmed, under-informed, or just plain scared about AI and what it means for your future and your children's—this is the episode you need to hear.

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with author Martha Brockenbrough to explore the real impact AI is already having on our lives—and the terrifying potential it holds for the future. Martha, author of Future Tense: How We Made Artificial Intelligence—and How It Will Change Everything, helps break down incredibly complex issues into relatable truths that all of us—especially those of us in midlife—need to understand.

In this episode:

• The origins of AI and how it mimics human thought
• Why your personal data is now more valuable than oil
• How social media is training our kids (and us) to give it away for free
• Deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and the terrifying reality of synthetic relationships
• Why the tech elite are profiting from a system that displaces the rest of us

But it's not all doom and gloom—we also talk about the power of empathy, the human capacity to care, and how we can reclaim our futures by staying informed, asking questions, and centering people over profit.

Connect with Martha: Website: https://martha-brockenbrough.squarespace.com Get her books: https://martha-brockenbrough.squarespace.com/books Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marthabee/

You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at [email protected]. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face. Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/

We're three episodes into this season, and I'm so excited to bring you this conversation with my friend Cara Rosellini—standup comedian, writer, actress, mom, and just an overall phenomenal human. This episode is a bit of a departure—it's less of an interview and more of a candid chat between two women trying to figure out what it means to show up, be vulnerable, and create something new in middle age. Cara and I talk about: – Coming back to work and creativity after years away – What it's really like to navigate social media and self-promotion when you're 40+ – The fear of being seen—and doing it anyway – The beauty of failing big and trying again – And why staying true to yourself is the only path forward This one's for everyone who's ever felt frozen, stuck, or unsure if they're still relevant. (Spoiler alert: you are.) We see you. We are you. Let's keep going—and maybe even fail big together. Connect with Cara: cararosellini.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cararosellini You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at [email protected]. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face. Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/

How do we truly understand power? And what happens when we reframe the way we give—and take—permission in our lives? In this episode, I sit down with Maria Witkop, a former FBI agent, author of Reach: Rewriting the Story of Power, and a woman with an incredible story of resilience, intuition, and human connection. I have to admit, I was more intimidated by this interview than any I've done before. I mean, how do you sit across from someone trained to see right through people? But from the moment she walked into the studio, Maria defied every expectation I had. Maria's journey from HR recruiter to federal agent wasn't just about shifting careers—it was about shifting her own perception of what was possible. She shares how growing up in a home shaped by addiction gave her an innate ability to read people, a skill that would serve her as she navigated high-stakes FBI interviews and investigations. Grab Maria's book, Reach: Rewriting the Story of Power, here: https://www.amazon.com/Reach-Rewriting-Story-Maria-Witkop/dp/B0BNH11ZS3 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonhull/ Get social and find me on Instagram Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate Get to know them at their website Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcast and get a shoutout in the next few episodes!

OK everyone, as my favorite podcaster Danny Pelligrino says, pull over if you're driving. This episode is one of my absolute favorites because we're talking about something that seems to be of interest to a lot of middle aged people - how do I look my absolute best? With such an overwhelming amount of options on every spa menu, I figured more people than just me might want to know the details of every procedure out there.

The are SO MANY OPTIONS available on how to fight the aging process - injections, lasers, threading, body contouring, GIVE ME IT ALLLLLL! Here we go. We also segue into skin care which is a super passion of mine, so buckle your seatbelt. If you're a beauty junkie like me, this episode is for you.

I invited Audi Padmasuta, Aesthetics Nurse Specialist at SkinSpirit in Seattle, to sit down with me and walk me through alllll the options for maximizing our snatched jawlines, eliminating our pigment, tackling our fine lines and ultimately feeling our best. We mention it all... procedures, facials, and home care. It's quite literally my favorite topic so prepare for a deep dive. In our discussion, we chat about how we can present our best self, but we also discuss how skewed our desires are, how we foolishly compare ourselves to filtered social media images , and how we can all do a better job of presenting our real selves to the world in the healthiest way possible.

A year has passed since this interview and I'm now 46, but this conversation has helped me make my decisions about my body and face in the most informed way possible and I hope it will help you too!

I hope this conversation has prepared you for your next spa trip or treatment. I could literally talk about skin care all day and am going to post some of my favorite things that have worked for me on Instagram. I'm on a constant skin care journey and will share all I've learned. Have fun trying all these new products - let me know on Instagram what you like and what you're trying! Find Audi on IG at beautiflow by nurse audi (all one word). Or in person if you're in the area at SkinSpirit University Village.

If you like this podcast, please give it five stars on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share it far and wide! The people need this information! Have a great day and remember this week to keep asking questions - you never know what's happening right in front of your face.

Audi's IG: https://www.instagram.com/beautiflowbynurseaudi/

Dermalogica Moisturizer: https://www.dermalogica.com/collections/moisturizers/products/dynamic-skin-recovery-spf50

Alastin tinted sunscreen: https://alastin.com/products/hydratint-sunscreen-spf-36?srsltid=AfmBOorNI1ZqRuORywYGIsNIKvISPs6JRFUOxRJY3BCHR3DGUh31S2P-

Clinique Take the Day Off Balm: https://www.clinique.com/product/20011/6424/skincare/makeup-removers/take-the-day-off-cleansing-balm

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm: https://us.elemis.com/pro-collagen-cleansing-balm.html

Paula's Choice Enriched Calming Toner: https://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-recovery-enriched-calming-toner/125.html

Revision Soothing Facial Rinse: https://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-recovery-enriched-calming-toner/125.html

ZO Exfoliating Polish: https://zoskinhealth.com/us/exfoliating-polish-gbl-full-size-900400.html?srsltid=AfmBOorLEy6fPcJat3avzVLkZUekdaBBZPp7BU-ZSe7MZ02IuchQYVbd

Sente Ultra Nourish: https://sentelabs.com/products/sente-dermal-repair-cream?srsltid=AfmBOorJ6rC3CvCzCeBIaFyJ7x4okYrAPdipk4Nej3p1YZEvNZ3e3NQO

ColoreScience Tinted Moisturizer: https://www.colorescience.com/collections/total-protection-collection/products/sunforgettable-total-protection-face-shield-flex-spf-50

Disclaimer:

This info is for general knowledge and entertainment only and doesn't constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any significant lifestyle changes.

Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate

Get to know them at their website

Get social and find me on Instagram.

Leave a 5 star review on Apple Pocasts and get a shoutout in the next few episodes!