Stories and Self-Care

A conversation with NaTasha Goodwin about her experience with intimate partner violence. NaTasha reflects on how her experiences shaped the way she understood herself and her relationships, what it was like to leave, and the uncertainty of starting over. We talk about grief, shame, self-care, and reconnecting with parts of yourself along the way.

PLEASE NOTE: This episode includes discussion of intimate partner violence and may bring up difficult memories or emotions, particularly for those who have experienced IPV or know someone who has. Please be mindful of when and where you choose to listen, and consider having a self-care plan in place for before, during, or after the episode. 

This conversation is solely about NaTasha’s personal experience. It is not intended to be an educational resource or a guide for what someone should do in a situation involving intimate partner violence. Our hope is simply that sharing her experience may help someone feel supported and less alone.

EPISODE RESOURCES: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Thehotline.org / 1- 800-799-SAFE(7233) / Text “START” to 88788

myPlan | Everyone Deserves to Be Safe in Their Relationships: Myplanapp.org

In today’s episode, I chat with Leigh Noblin, PhD, about her experience leaving the military and the challenges—and opportunities—that came with starting a new chapter. Leigh shares how the transition impacted her both personally and professionally, from navigating identity changes, managing expectations, processing grief, and finding a renewed sense of purpose. We talk honestly about the uncertainty that comes with creating a new life, the pressure we put on ourselves to “figure it all out,” and the importance of practicing self-care along the way. 

This episode is about bits and pieces of my experience of having a mother who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). I talk about who she was and some of the different stages of her illness. I then touch on some of the challenging parts of grief, how I learned to take care of myself through it, lessons I learned as a caregiver, and lessons I learned about life in general. 

[PLEASE NOTE: If you are currently struggling with grief, this may be difficult to listen to. If you would like to skip over some potentially triggering details, I suggest starting at the 34-minute mark.]  

A conversation with Irving DeShields about his experiences moving for career opportunities. He shares what those transitions have been like, the challenges he's faced along the way, and the valuable lessons he's learned about himself through each move. We also explore practical ways to bring self-care, resilience, and even a sense of excitement to the often daunting process of uprooting your career and home.

In today’s episode, I’ll be reflecting on my experience with solo travel and how it’s shaped my understanding of self-care. I’ll touch on the fears that often come with traveling alone, and how moving through them can lead you beyond surface-level comfort into a more challenging, transformative kind of self-care. 

In this episode, I talk with Melissa Malavet, aka my cousin/ twin, about her experience as a single parent. She shares what it was like being raised by a single mom (Margarita Segarra) and becoming one herself at twenty-four years old. We discuss the meaning of self-care in a life she wholeheartedly dedicates to another person, and how she continues to build strength and resilience in her daughter’s life. 

A collaboration with "Sipping with the Segarras," a podcast hosted by my cousin Jonathan and his wife, Stephanie Segarra. Together, we have an open and honest conversation about astrology and how it can be used as a tool for self-discovery, future planning, and self-care. We also explore how pieces of our personal stories line up with the stars in obvious (and not-so-obvious) ways. 

Sources & Inspiration:
 • CHANI – https://chani.com
• "You Were Born for This" by Chani Nicholas

A conversation with Lawrence Almanzar about navigating limited to no contact with immediate family. We talk about how that distance has shaped our lives, the quiet losses that come with it, and how leaning into friendships, chosen family, and our relationship with ourselves can help us feel grounded and supported.

In this episode I chat with Anthony Puddu, a black belt in jiu-jitsu, about how he uses movement as a form of self-care. He shares pieces of his journey and how jiu-jitsu helps him manage stress and build community.

In this intro, I share a little bit about myself, Daniella, and the purpose behind this podcast. Stories and Self-Care is a space for honest conversations with friends and family about personal stories, life’s challenges, and the self-care lessons we’ve learned along the way. Each episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and feel a little less alone.

You’ll also hear creative (and not-so-creative) ideas for carving out even the briefest moments of reprieve in our day-to-day lives. So grab your comfort items—whether that’s tea, snacks, or your favorite animals—and let’s take care.