This month's Deep & Shallow gets a little deeper than usual.  Jamie the Great updates us on her oral cancer journey and the experimental treatment she’s currently undergoing for precancerous lesions in her mouth. The good news? The treatment is working. The not-so-good news? It hurts. A lot.

Jamie talks candidly about what it’s like to live with ongoing oral cancer monitoring, travel to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute every three months, undergo a painful six-week treatment, and still try to show up for work, workouts, family and everyday life when eating, sleeping and even talking hurt.

She also shares the emotional blow of learning that the doctor she trusted throughout this process is leaving Dana-Farber. 

As Jamie puts it, right now she feels like she’s “doing life and not living it.”

We talk about the things that help her feel grounded and give her some sense of control, including continuing to work out, trying to follow an anti-inflammatory diet and, in breaking news finally giving up Crystal Light after drinking it since the ’90s.

And because this is Deep & Shallow, we eventually make our way from oral cancer to salmon, sending a kid off to college at UC Santa Barbara, the freedom of walking around in a bikini, New Orleans vs. San Francisco body culture. Plus we go back to our freshman-year cake decorating competition that we bombed! 

In this episode we talk about:

• Jamie’s oral cancer diagnosis and ongoing precancer monitoring
• Experimental treatment for oral precancerous lesions
• The painful side effects of treatment
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and specialized oral cancer care
• Losing a trusted doctor during cancer treatment
• Trying to work, exercise and function while undergoing treatment
• Anti-inflammatory eating when your mouth hurts
• Why Jamie finally quit Crystal Light
• Sending a child off to college
• UCSB and Santa Barbara beach life
• New Orleans vs. San Francisco culture
• And our spectacularly mediocre high-school cake competition

If you’re navigating oral cancer, precancer treatment, chronic illness, cancer survivorship, caregiving or the emotional ups and downs of midlife health, we hope Jamie’s story makes you feel a little less alone.

Talking Smack 415: laughter and friendship to feed your soul.

Subscribe, rate, review and share the episode with someone who could use a little Deep & Shallow in their life.

Share this episode with your friends and family who love to laugh.  Subscribe to Talking Smack 415 and leave us a rating and review so more peeps can find us for laughter and friendship to feed your soul!  

Are muscles deep... or shallow?

In this episode of Deep & Shallow, Debbie and Jamie the Great tackle a topic that's far more complicated than it first appears.

They dive into the pressure women face around body image, the rise of GLP-1 weight loss medications, the difference between pursuing health versus chasing thinness, and why strength matters so much more than the number on the scale.

The conversation gets personal as they share stories about disordered eating, body dysmorphia, aging, Hollywood beauty standards, and how fitness has become a form of mental health—not punishment.

Then, true to Deep & Shallow fashion, they lighten things up with Jersey Shore memories, fly traps, Love Island, hula hoops, ballet classes, pickleball, and why trying something new can reconnect you with the person you used to be.

Whether you're navigating menopause, rebuilding your confidence, or simply trying to stay healthy in a world obsessed with being skinny, this episode is an honest reminder that taking care of yourself isn't vanity—it's longevity.

In this episode we discuss:

• The cultural obsession with being thin
• GLP-1 medications and the changing conversation around weight loss
• Body image and body dysmorphia
• Midlife wellness and women's health
• The mental health benefits of exercise
• Why doing hard things first changes your day
• Heart health wake-up calls
• Returning to childhood passions like dance
• Creativity, movement, and getting out of your comfort zone
• Jersey Shore nostalgia and lifelong friendships
• Pickleball, hula hoops, ballet, and finding joy in movement

If you've ever looked in the mirror and wondered whether you're chasing health—or perfection—this conversation is for you and your bestie! 

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At just 16 years old, Hayden Laufgraven heard the words no teenager expects:

"You have leukemia."

What followed was hospitalisation, chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, remission, relapse, another transplant, months of isolation, and learning how to never give up. 

In this deeply moving episode of Talking Smack 415, Jamie the Great and I sit down with Hayden to talk about what it's really like to be diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) as a teenager, the emotional toll of the diagnosis and surviving cancer, and the often-overlooked reality of PTSD after cancer treatment.

Hayden shares his remarkable perspective on resilience, friendship, identity, and why surviving cancer doesn't mean the journey is over.

Whether you've experienced cancer yourself, love someone who has, or simply need a reminder of the strength of the human spirit, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Hayden is wise beyond his years. 

In this episode we discuss:

• What it's like being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at age 16
• The signs and symptoms that led to his leukemia diagnosis
• Chemotherapy, remission, relapse, and undergoing two bone marrow transplants
• How donor registries and bone marrow matching work
• The physical and emotional impact of cancer treatment
• PTSD and trauma after surviving cancer
• Rebuilding strength after months of chemotherapy and isolation
• The importance of friendship, family, and community during illness
• Mental resilience and finding hope through uncertainty
• Life after cancer and returning to college, sports, and everyday life

Hayden's honesty, maturity, and optimism offer an extraordinary reminder that resilience isn't about pretending you're fearless—it's about continuing to move forward anyway.

Follow Hayden on TikTok: @haydenlauf

If this episode resonates with you...

Please subscribe, rate, and review Talking Smack 415. Sharing this episode may help someone navigating cancer, supporting a loved one through treatment, or healing from the invisible emotional scars that often remain after remission.

Cancer changes lives—but so does hope.

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What does it mean to live in alignment with your truth?

In this episode of Talking Smack 415, Debbie Mink and Jamie the Great sit down with writer, podcast host, actor, yoga teacher, and former corporate executive Kathryn Flaschner to explore authenticity, personal reinvention, creativity, purpose, and what happens when you step away from the life you thought you were supposed to live.

After building a successful corporate career, Kathryn made the bold decision to leave Corporate America and pursue a more creative and purpose-driven path. Through her podcast The Truth Is, she helps people explore the questions that move them and the truths that guide them forward.

Together, we discuss:

•  Leaving a successful corporate career to follow a creative calling
•   Finding your authentic self in work and life
•   Reinvention in your 30s, 50s, and beyond
•   The tension between security and purpose
•   Creativity, writing, podcasting, and self-expression
•   Why women struggle to prioritize themselves
•   Identity shifts, motherhood, menopause, and life transitions
•   The impact of social media on self-worth and authenticity
•   Friendship as a source of truth and personal growth
•   Learning to trust yourself and your next chapter

Kathryn also shares insights from her writing practice, her journey back to acting, and why embracing uncertainty may be the key to building a life that feels truly aligned.

Whether you're navigating a career change, questioning what's next, entering a new life stage, or simply trying to reconnect with yourself, this conversation offers inspiration, honesty, and plenty of laughs along the way.

About Kathryn Flaschner

Kathryn Flaschner is the creator and host of The Truth Is Podcast, where she explores authenticity, creativity, purpose, personal growth, and the stories that shape who we become. Her work focuses on helping people reconnect with themselves and live in alignment with what matters most.

You can find Kathryn on insta:

@Kathrynflaschner

@Thetruthis_podcast

Website:

Kathryn Flaschner

Share this episode with your friends and family who love to laugh.  Subscribe to Talking Smack 415 and leave us a rating and review so more peeps can find us for laughter and friendship to feed your soul!  

Welcome to the very first episode of our new Deep & Shallow Series—where it's just your hosts, Debbie Mink and Jamie the Great, doing what we do best: talking smack.

We wanted to let you in on some of our personal conversations because, honestly, we talk all the time. Sometimes it's deep. Sometimes it's shallow. Usually it's both. And, as you know, we think we're pretty funny.

These shorter episodes will be dropping monthly and are a chance for you to hang out with us, laugh with us, and get a little glimpse into our real-life friendship.

In this first episode, we chat about:

• Mother's Day expectations—and the reality of how the day actually went
•  One Mother's Day involved the police the other involves Prada
•  Cancer
•  A story from our teenage years about how we learned to smoke (although we each remember it very differently)

Think of this episode as your favorite easy summer beach read—but in podcast form.

No heavy lifting. No homework. No commitment.

Just pop in your earbuds, take a walk, dip your toes in the sand (or the water), and come hang out with us for a little laughter and friendship to feed your soul.  

If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend.

Here is the link to Jamie's Oral Cancer Diagnosis story https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/jamie-the-great-shares-her-oral-cancer-story/id1475777819?i=1000613326054&l=en-GB

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In this episode of Talking Smack 415, Jamie the Great and I sit down with Nikki Pearl and Susannah Wallenstrom, founders of Menopausitive Workshop, to talk about one of our favorite (and most needed) topics: menopause, perimenopause, hormone health, and women’s wellness in midlife.

Nikki Pearl, MA Integrative Health, wellness professional and yoga instructor, and Susannah Wallenstrom, MPH, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist, are health educators dedicated to helping women better understand menopause symptoms, hormone changes, healthy aging, and how to advocate for themselves in the healthcare system. Through menopause workshops, wellness retreats, workplace education, and community support, they’re changing the conversation around women’s health in midlife and beyond.

I first met these incredible women a few years ago when I attended one of their first menopause workshops, and it was honestly the first time I understood what was happening to my body. If you’ve ever Googled “Is this perimenopause” during an itchy hotflash with  brainfog, and insomnia… this episode is for you.

We cover everything from perimenopause to post menopause, including:

• Common menopause and perimenopause symptoms
• Brain fog, sleep issues, hot flashes, anxiety, weight gain, and hormone shifts
• How to ask your doctor about HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)- And why you need to find a new one if they can’t help! 
•  Why the medical community knows so little about female health.. Spoiler alert traditionally the medical models were based on men
• Nutrition for menopause and midlife health (yes, eat more protein)
• Why strength training and lifting weights matter during menopause
• Hormones and menopause in the workplace
•  Menopause education for younger women so they don’t suffer
• Menopausitive workshops, retreats, corporate wellness education, and community support

We also talk about why women need better menopause education, better healthcare advocacy, and more open conversations around hormone health, aging, and wellness.

Plus — Menopausitive is offering Talking Smack 415 listeners a special discount to their “Light Me Up!” retreat happening April 23–25, 2027.

Learn more about Menopausitive Workshop, menopause retreats, hormone health education, and women’s wellness resources here:
Menopausitive Workshop

Email them directly and mention Talking Smack 415 for retreat info and special pricing:
[email protected]

Or follow along on Insta

@menopausitiveworkshop

And the book they mentioned by Dr. Stacey Sims

Next Level

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In this episode of Talking Smack 415, we’re sharing our May 2026 Energetic Forecast: Maia’s take. 

It’s  a  bittersweet moment because this is our final monthly forecast (for now) with our intuitive healer , Maia. Many thanks to  Maia who's  been with us for over a year sharing wisdom, perspective, fun, and energy forecasts!

So what’s the vibe for May?

• Transformation is underway
•  You’re in the build phase
•  Discipline = self-love
•  Don’t give up (yes again, just like in April, because you need to hear it)

The animal this month is caterpillar.  And we’re in the caterpillar phase, that messy, unglamorous, “am I doing this right?” middle. You’re not quite in the cocoon, and definitely not the butterfly yet, but something BIG is forming. And we are calling it a Big Life Change - BLC for short and yes we are trying to make it a thing.  

This is the month where you:

•  Stay consistent
•   Protect what you’re building towards your BLC
•  Trust a future version of yourself you can’t fully see yet

The tarot card Maia pulled is the two of cups. Which reiterates this month’s energy is rooted in self-love and self-commitment.
Showing up for yourself consistently is one of the highest forms of self love.  

This month's flower is the peace lilly which symbolizes peace, new beginnings, spring like energy.  

Don’t give up because  Good things are coming they’re just not fully here yet.

And teasing some new launches: 

•  Maia is starting her own podcast and we’ll share once it’s out.  
• Jamie the Great and I are starting a new monthly segment called - deep & shallow.  Because as we say in our intro…sometimes we go deep and sometimes we go shallow! 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Follow along on IG @ringletleader and/or sign up for my newsletter for updates. 

If you’re feeling impatient but still showing up and need a reminder to keep going, this episode is for you.  Grab your ear buds and LFG to BLC! 

Share this episode with your friends and family who love to laugh.  Subscribe to Talking Smack 415 and leave us a rating and review so more peeps can find us for laughter and friendship to feed your soul!  

In this episode of Talking Smack 415, Jamie the Great and I are keeping it in the family—my family.

We sit down with my brother, Sam Mink, owner of Oyster House, who was just named a 2026 America’s Classics Award winner for the Mid-Atlantic region by the James Beard Foundation—one of the restaurant industry’s highest honors.

Not only did he receive this incredible recognition, but Oyster House is also celebrating its 50th anniversary. No big deal… just a third-generation restaurateur keeping the family business alive and thriving.

We go back three generations, tracing the Mink family history in the restaurant industry, the resistance, the “I’m not doing this” moments… and somehow, each generations finds his way back, with his own twist.

We also talk about:
⚡️Growing up Mink (yes, there are stories… and yes, they’re funny)
⚡️ The philosophy behind great hospitality and making every guest feel seen
⚡️Why hiring nice people is non-negotiable
⚡️Creating timeless restaurant interiors and unforgettable experiences
⚡️The real (and slightly terrifying) realities of running a restaurant
⚡️What it takes to keep a legacy business not just alive and iconic

It’s about family, food, tradition, and evolving something meaningful across generations.

If you love Philadelphia, iconic restaurants, or family stories, this episode is for you.

Follow Oyster House on Instagram:

And make a reservation via OpenTable to experience Oyster House for yourself.

Share this episode with your friends and family who love to laugh.  Subscribe to Talking Smack 415 and leave us a rating and review so more peeps can find us for laughter and friendship to feed your soul!  

In this episode of Talking Smack 415, Jamie the Great and I are diving into the April energetic forecast with intuitive healer and therapist Maia Taub—and let’s just say… this month is a whole vibe shift.

If March was about pushing, striving, and figuring it all out, April is asking something completely different:

 Stop forcing. Start trusting.

The message coming through loud and clear?
Don’t give up—but stop trying so hard.

We talk about what it means to surrender and trust that something bigger is working behind the scenes—even when it doesn’t feel like it.

What’s coming through for April:

•  The Rose: beauty and struggle
• The Fox: observe, don’t react  take it all in
•  Prince of Wands (Tarot) : fiery Aries energy, forward movement, creative breakthroughs

There’s a powerful theme woven through all of it:
You’re leaving the darkness and moving into something beautiful
But it requires trust, patience, and surrendering the need to control the outcome

We also get real about:

• Feeling discouraged when things aren’t happening fast enough
• The pressure to “manifest” vs. actually allowing
• How to notice the small wins (because they matter more than you think)
• Why April is both the struggle AND the bloom

This episode is your reminder that:
You don’t have to do it all alone.
Sometimes the most powerful move… is to take a step back and let it unfold.

 Perfect for listeners searching:

April energy forecast 2026, astrology Aries season meaning, spiritual growth podcast, manifestation vs surrender, intuitive guidance April, tarot Prince of Wands meaning, emotional healing podcast, mindset and resilience, spiritual awakening signs, trust the universe themes

 If you’re feeling:

• Burnt out from trying to control everything
• On the edge of giving up
• Like something is shifting but you can’t quite see it yet…

This episode is for you.

Share this episode with your friends and family who love to laugh.  Subscribe to Talking Smack 415 and leave us a rating and review so more peeps can find us for laughter and friendship to feed your soul!  

In this episode of Talking Smack 415, Jamie the Great and I dive into one of the biggest health conversations happening right now: GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

From celebrities like Oprah and Sharon Osbourne to friends, family members, and coworkers, medications like Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs seem to be everywhere. Nearly 10% of U.S. adults are now taking GLP-1 medications, and the cultural conversation around them is growing fast.

Are they a breakthrough for obesity and metabolic health — or the beginning of a new wave of diet culture?

To help us unpack the science and the societal impact, we invited Dr. Erika Siegel, a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, and author of The Nourish Me Kitchen. With more than two decades of experience in integrative medicine, Dr. Siegel blends functional medicine with nutrition and whole-food healing.

In this episode we ask the questions everyone seems to be wondering:

•  Are GLP-1 medications like Ozempic truly a miracle drug for weight loss and type 2 diabetes?
•   What exactly is “food noise,” and how do GLP-1 drugs reduce cravings?
•  Why do many people regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications?
•   What are the most common GLP-1 side effects, including hair loss, muscle loss, and digestive issues?
•   Is micro-dosing GLP-1 drugs becoming a new trend?
•   Can GLP-1 medications actually help reduce cravings for alcohol and other addictions?

Dr. Siegel also explains why nutrition, strength training, and fiber intake (25–30 grams per day) are critical when using these medications — and why protein, sleep, and hormone balance still matter.

We also explore the bigger cultural questions:

• Are GLP-1 drugs fueling a new era of SkinnyTok and diet culture?
• What are the long-term effects of GLP-1 medications, especially for younger people?
• How might these drugs affect fertility, metabolism, and overall health?
• And who were GLP-1 medications actually designed for — versus who is using them now?

Whether you’re curious about Ozempic, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, food noise, addiction, or long-term safety, this conversation takes a deeper look at the science, the culture, and the future of one of the most talked-about medical trends today.

You can follow along with all things Erika : 

Instagram @dr.erikasiegel

Info on her book on nourishme.com

Buy her bookset on Amazon the Nourish Me Kitchen

Share this episode with your friends and family who love to laugh.  Subscribe to Talking Smack 415 and leave us a rating and review so more peeps can find us for laughter and friendship to feed your soul!