Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if the holiday season could be about joy and connection instead of stress and obligation?

In this timely episode of The Big Silence, Karena welcomes back spiritual teacher, author, and podcaster Monica Berg for a conversation we all need before the holidays. From managing difficult family dynamics to preparing your mind and heart for gatherings, Monica shares practical wisdom on how to show up with presence, set boundaries, and actually enjoy the season. Whether you're dreading a particular family member, feeling financial pressure, or just want to navigate the holidays with more peace, this episode will help you shift your mindset and reclaim your power. It's about being proactive, not reactive—and choosing to be the light in any room.

How do you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for family gatherings and show up with gratitude instead of anxiety?

True holiday peace comes from taking responsibility for your own state of mind and choosing to be a being of sharing rather than lack.

(00:00) Revisiting Past Conversations & How We've Changed

• Monica returns three years after her first appearance (episode 25)
• How relationships evolve and why revisiting old conversations reveals growth
• The importance of being in different environments to recognize change
• An essential holiday conversation about family dynamics

(02:00) The Pressure of the Holidays & Society's "Shoulds"

• Why certain times of year create unrealistic expectations for happiness
• The pressure to be joyful and how that can sabotage gatherings
• Monica's story about feeling the weight of seasonal expectations
• Recognizing that every day can be meaningful, not just holidays

(03:00) Should You Even Go? When to Skip the Gathering

• Monica's honest take: if you hate going, maybe you shouldn't attend
• How negative energy affects everyone in the room
• The responsibility of getting your consciousness right before showing up
• Why forcing it doesn't work

(04:30) Identifying Your Triggers & Preparing for Difficult Conversations

• What to do when you're dreading the holidays but still want to attend
• Identifying the source of your anxiety
• Preparing responses ahead of time for intrusive questions
• Redirecting conversations and setting boundaries with grace
• How to say "I'm not comfortable discussing that right now" with confidence

(05:30) The Morning Routine That Changes Everything

• How to mentally prepare yourself before walking into a family gathering
• Awakening gratitude by imagining what the day would look like if you were alone
• Doing things you love in the morning to release stress and awaken joy
• Showing up with intention rather than worry
• Going in with a plan for the conversations you want to have

(07:50) Being Proactive vs. Reactive in Family Settings

• Understanding the difference between reactive and proactive behavior
• Why reactive people bring chaos, while proactive people create peace
• Taking charge of your own thoughts and emotions
• Honoring your power instead of giving it away to others' opinions

(25:00) Beyond Holiday Gatherings: Tips for All of Life

• How these tools apply to any stressful situation—meetings, dinner parties, etc.
• Addressing financial anxiety around gift-giving
• Breaking free from "Morton's Fork"—the trap of thinking there are only two options
• Creative alternatives to expensive gifts: handmade items, framed memories, heartfelt letters
• Asking better questions to find better solutions

(26:00) The Want Behind the Words: Developing Empathy

• Monica's powerful tool for not taking things personally
• Looking for what someone really wants behind their hurtful or critical words
• Getting out of your own lens to see through theirs
• Understanding that anger or meanness often reflects their own pain
• Holding yourself steady without accepting abuse

(28:00) Monica's Morning Routine & The Power of Silence

• Her simple but effective routine: coffee, prayer, exercise
• Why she wakes up before everyone else
• Karena's tip: taking walks outside when you need to reset during gatherings
• The importance of movement and fresh air for managing anxiety

(29:00) Changing Your State & Being the Light

• When you're feeling down, share with others who need support
• Volunteering or calling someone going through a difficult time
• How giving changes your state and helps you appreciate what you have
• Walking into a room with positive energy—it's contagious
• Using visualization like a white light of protection around you
• You have the power to change the energy of an entire room

Thanks for the support from our partners, including: 

• Visit ForHers.com/BIGSILENCE to get your personalized perimenopause treatment plan today.

Guest Resources

• Follow Monica on Instagram
• Visit Monica's blog
• Listen to her podcast: Spiritually Hungry
• Learn more at Kabbalah.com

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if your intuition was the key to rewriting your story?

In this illuminating episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with bestselling author and renowned intuitive Laura Day, whose new book The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future offers a groundbreaking roadmap for change. From a traumatic childhood and family loss to becoming a sought-after healer for global leaders and celebrities, Laura opens up about how she turned survival into spiritual alchemy, proving that transformation is not about escaping your past. It’s about learning to use it as your light source.

How Do You Heal the Parts of You That Formed Before You Could Choose Them?

Our early experiences shape us long before we’re aware of them. Laura shares how understanding the ego’s formation can help us rewrite our internal programming.

(1:00) The Prism and the Power of the “I”

• The Prism is about reclaiming the much-maligned ego, the “machinery” that allows us to create our world
• By age seven, our ego is fully formed; from there, every challenge becomes a catalyst for change.
• Why change should be taught in second grade
• The ego isn’t the enemy of spirituality; it’s the structure that gives creation shape.

(06:00) Breaking the Cycle of Trauma and the Parentified Child

• Becoming the adult at age five for her younger siblings
• The difference between being a motherless child and a parentified child, and how early responsibility shapes identity
• Normalized a chaotic environment 
• Building resilience through trauma, and observing life rather than collapsing into it

(14:00) Intuition, Empathy, and Doing the Work

• Why empathy is “a psychiatric illness”
• True healing comes not from identifying with others’ pain but from finding solutions for them.
• “Understanding comes five years after you’ve solved the problem.”
• Small, tangible shifts, the “doing”, over endless introspection

(21:00) Moving Through Pain: Tiny Goals and Practical Healing

• When life feels unbearable, start with small, manageable goals
• “Deal with the mammal first.” Care for your physical body before chasing spiritual breakthroughs.
• Hope doesn’t precede healing; it follows it. You don’t have to feel better to start acting better.
• “You won’t find hope in the depths of your misery. You’ll find it in movement.”

(29:00) Love, Trust, and Boundaries

• Love is a choice, not blind faith: “Trust means belief without evidence. I have evidence of my love.”
• Learning boundaries later in life and how porosity versus structure is a lifelong balance.
• Avoid “magical thinking” in relationships. Build proof, not fantasy.
• The healthiest relationships are co-created and constantly evolving

(31:00) Turning Intuition Into Impact

• How predicting major business outcomes and aiding in medical breakthroughs became her life’s work
• Intuition is not mystical — it’s mechanical: “We are machines in a mechanical world. Change how you operate, and your world changes.”
• The Prism offers practical exercises for identifying where you feel discomfort and taking one small, different action.
• You don’t need to understand your trauma to heal it. You just need to do something new.

(48:00) Living What You Teach

• How she lives in constant creation, even after surviving deep trauma and loss.
• Transformation doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from doing one tiny brave thing differently each day.
• “What you want is the indicator, not what’s happened to you.”

Thanks for the support from our partners, including: 

• Visit ForHers.com/BIGSILENCE to get your personalized perimenopause treatment plan today.

Guest Resources

• Read the book: The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future
• Visit her website: LauraDay.com
• Find her on Instagram @lauradayintuit
• Send an Email: [email protected]

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if your lowest moment became the foundation for your purpose?

In this heartfelt episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with country music artist Chase McDaniel, who transformed generational trauma, addiction, and mental illness into powerful storytelling through his debut album Lost Ones. From growing up in rural Kentucky with an addicted father to facing panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, and the long road to self-love, Chase’s story is both devastating and deeply inspiring. He shares how music became his therapy, how faith reshaped his outlook, and how he learned to live and love again.

How Do You Heal When Pain Feels Like the Only Thing You Know?

Chase opens up about breaking generational trauma, finding purpose through art, and learning that strength isn’t about faking perfection; it’s more like honesty.

(01:00) Growing Up in Chaos — Finding Strength in Small-Town Kentucky

• A childhood surrounded by addiction, violence, and uncertainty
• How he discovered stability and unconditional love
• His family’s gym became both a sanctuary and a symbol of survival
• That bond inspired “What I Didn’t Have”

(10:00) Breaking the Cycle of Pain and Addiction

• Mental illness and suicide ran deep, stories long kept silent
• The moment he chose to live differently: “I don’t have to live as the victim.”
• How truth-telling frees families from generational trauma
• Healing begins when we stop protecting the lie

(17:00) Panic Attacks, OCD, and the Search for Control

• The concussion that ended Chase’s athletic career and triggered relentless panic attacks
• Years of isolation led him to believe he was losing his mind
• “My dorm room felt like it was shrinking every day.”
• Learning to identify triggers, seek help, and rebuild trust in his mind became his turning point

(24:00) Love, Faith, and Learning to Stay

• Love once felt like a survival tactic—until he learned to receive it
• “Imagine a version of you that doesn’t feel this way anymore. That’s who you’re fighting for.”
• Now in a healthy, patient relationship, he calls love “an act of courage.”
• Faith re-entered his life while writing Lost Ones, reframing his survival as purpose.

(33:00) Finding Purpose Through Music: The Making of Lost Ones

• Chase wrote Lost Ones to process trauma and leave a legacy of hope.
• “Before I Let You Go” became a letter to his late father—and to himself.
• His favorite track, “What I Didn’t Have,” honors the grandparents who saved him
• “I was desperate to get this album out before I died. It’s my reason to live.”

(43:00) Turning Pain into Purpose

• Fans have shared how his songs saved their lives and, in turn, healed him.
• “You’re not alone” isn’t just a slogan; it’s lived experience
• Authenticity over image and purpose over fame
• “If I can make someone’s life a little easier, that’s the real mission.” 

Thanks for the support from our partners, including: 

• Visit ForHers.com/BIGSILENCE to get your personalized perimenopause treatment plan today.

Guest Resources

• Listen to Chase McDaniel’s album Lost Ones
• Follow Chase on Instagram
• If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if one terrifying night became the catalyst for a lifetime of healing?

In this powerhouse episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Angelo Keely, co-founder and CEO of Kion, to unpack his extraordinary path—from a near-fatal stabbing at 16 to building a company rooted in simple, consistent habits that support both muscle and mood. Angelo breaks down protein (in plain English), and you’ll learn how small, repeatable choices can stack up into real change. He also explains why essential amino acids and creatine are especially impactful as we age. If you’ve wondered how to protect muscle, sharpen your mind, or support mental health without going “all or nothing,” this one’s for you.

How Do We Build Muscle and Mood—At Any Age—With Protein, Aminos, Creatine, and Consistent Habits?

Angelo shares the science and the systems that actually work, and how to choose one tiny action you can repeat every day for real impact.

(00:01:00) What Kion Is—and Why Angelo Says You Don’t “Need” It

• Principle first, product second: Food comes first; EAAs are a targeted way to stimulate muscle protein synthesis with fewer calories.
• Non-workout days matter: EAAs still drive protein synthesis—even on rest days.
• Consistency > intensity: Angelo takes EAAs every morning (often with creatine) to “tell” his body to rebuild.
• Better together: Taking EAAs before training leverages increased blood flow for greater impact.

(00:05:30) From Bad Trip to Bigger Life: Trauma, Accountability, and 20 Years of Integration

• The turning point: A severe LSD episode led to assault and multiple stab wounds—sparking a decades-long healing journey.
• Whole-person recovery: Talk therapy, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, movement, and study.
• Daily rhythm: 15k steps, basic strength work, slow “zone-2” runs, and short family meditations.
• One thing rule: Pick one change you’ll actually do every day; stack from there.

(00:14:30) Protein 101: Why EAAs Can Beat Whey—and Whey Often Beats Steak

• Energy vs. materials: Carbs/fats fuel; protein rebuilds tissues, enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters.
• Quality counts: Higher essential amino acid content + digestibility = stronger protein synthesis signal.
• Practical takeaway: EAAs can deliver the goal of protein (rebuild/retain muscle) with fewer calories—useful for fat loss without muscle loss.
• Aging advantage: As we age, we’re less sensitive to protein; powders and EAAs become more useful.

(00:31:30) Creatine & Women: Strength, Cognition, and Mood—Minus the “Bloat” Myth

• How it works: Creatine saturates muscle (and brain) phosphocreatine stores, making reps and sprints feel slightly easier—strength builds over time.
• Brain benefits: Higher intakes in studies have shown improvements in memory/focus; emerging research suggests better depression outcomes.
• Myth-busting: Quality creatine monohydrate doesn’t cause true “bloat”; women tend to gain strength/endur­ance—not bulk.
• Dosage mindset: Daily use matters (not just on lift days). Pair with protein/EAAs and strength work for the compounding effect.

(00:40:30) Weight Loss Without Muscle Loss: GLP-1s, Deficits & The Case for More Protein/EAAs

• The risk: Calorie deficits (drug-assisted or not) can strip muscle unless protein/EAAs are substantially higher.
• Target outcome: Lose fat, keep muscle—use EAAs as a “cheat code” to shore up a day’s protein gap.
• Real-world hacks: Track a week, then set up defaults: fridge proteins (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs), shake + EAAs on busy days.
• Habit stack: Morning water → EAAs/creatine → walk after meals → short meditation. Tiny actions, big compound returns.

Visit getkion.com/bigsilence for 20% off.

Guest Resources

• Learn more about Angelo on his website
• Shop Kion Aminos:

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if redefining success started with your nervous system?



In this powerful, live from New York conversation, Karena sits down with therapist and author Israa Nasir to unpack why achievement alone can still leave us feeling empty. You’ll learn how to rebuild self-worth and regulate anxiety in a content-saturated world, and how to set boundaries that deepen connection. From cultural myths about “hustle” to cognitive distortions, this is a grounded, practical path back to yourself.

How do we reclaim self-worth beyond achievement in a content-saturated world?

Stepping off the productivity hamster wheel shows that worth isn’t earned by output. It’s built through nervous-system safety, self-trust, and boundaries that honor your life.

(00:59) Toxic productivity, defined- spot the drivers

• Naming the emotions behind the urge to do more 
• Ask: “What value am I sacrificing for this outcome?”
• Track when achievement ≠ fulfillment to find misalignment
• Swap “more” for “meaning”: one priority per day

(06:11) High-achiever mind traps + overcommitment fixes

• Challenging the idea “If I did it, it must’ve been easy—so it doesn’t count.”
• Log weekly wins before raising the bar again
• Recalibrate unrealistic timelines without self-shaming
• Build buffer time into every “yes”

(10:47) 7 types of rest & creative regulation

• The 7 Types of Rest Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
• Rotate rest: physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, spiritual
• Emotional rest = time you don’t process feelings—protect it
• Try “mediocre hobbies” for nervous-system care
• Schedule short, low-stakes creative breaks to prevent rumination

(14:29) Anxiety in an info storm: design your media diet

• Practice monotasking to lower baseline arousal
• Long-form inputs lengthen dopamine loops and build patience
• Reduce tab clutter; batch-check news/social to curb hypervigilance
• Notice fragmentation triggers and step away

(25:41) Boundaries that deepen connection (and when to go firm)

• Lead with “I can/can’t…” vs. policing others—invite dialogue
• Expect pushback; validate feelings without abandoning limits
• Context matters: choose low-drama exits on charged topics
• Distinguishing privacy from secrecy

Thanks for the support from our partners, including:

Guest Resources

• Read the Book: Toxic Productivity
• Explore: The Well Guide 
• Follow Israa on Instagram

JOIN US: "Fall Into Motion" with Tone It Up! The Program begins October 20th, sign up now: https://my.toneitup.com/pages/fall-into-motion

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if the moment you thought would end your life became the start of a mission to save millions?

In this extraordinary episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with suicide prevention advocate, storyteller, and best-selling author Kevin Hines. At 19, Kevin jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge — and lived to talk about it. Since then, his journey has become a beacon of hope, proving that resilience, love, and the right words at the right time can rewrite any story. From the sea lion that kept him afloat to the love story that began in a psych ward, Kevin shares the lessons he’s learned about staying, surviving, and thriving.

How do you find the will to live when your own mind tells you otherwise?

Kevin shows us that survival is not just possible. It can be the foundation for a life full of purpose, healing, and connection.

(00:00) From Trauma to Adoption: The Early Years

• Kevin’s childhood of neglect, poverty, and losing his brother in foster care
• How the Hines family gave him stability, love, and a new beginning
• Hiding behind the mask of “everything’s fine”

(07:57) Living With Bipolar Disorder & Suicidal Ideation

• Why silence and shame keep so many from getting help
• Kevin’s mantra: “My thoughts do not have to become my actions”
• The four words that have kept him alive for 25 years

(11:40) The Golden Gate Bridge Attempt & Miracles That Followed

• The instant regret that 19 survivors reported feeling
• The sea lion that kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived
• How a stranger’s phone call set off a chain of lifesaving miracles

(15:27) Turning Pain Into Purpose: Speaking, Writing & Advocacy

• Kevin’s mission to share his story 
• His workbook The Art of Wellness and the daily practices he lives by
• How routines like breathwork, exercise, and sleep protect his brain health

(18:51) Love in the Psych Ward: Kevin & Margaret’s Story

• Meeting his future wife during his third involuntary stay
• The “worst first date ever” 
• Why unconditional love and partnership became his ultimate source of strength

(21:13) The Fight for Safety at the Golden Gate Bridge

• How Kevin and his father co-founded the Bridge Rail Foundation
• The long battle to install suicide prevention nets
• Why saving lives matters more than “aesthetics” or money

(23:58) How to Save a Life: What to Say When Someone’s in Pain

• The exact questions anyone can ask when they see someone struggling
• Why simply stopping and caring could make the difference
• Kevin’s reminder that suicide is never the solution; it’s the problem

(25:58) Daily Mental Health Habits That Work

• The 23-minute rule for exercise and better mood
• Using logic and support to combat paranoia
• Why therapy, meditation, and medication all play a role

(31:01) Living Proof That Healing is Possible

• How Kevin’s work has reached over 3 billion viewers worldwide
• The thousands of people who’ve written to say his story saved their lives
• His message: every waking moment is a gift worth staying for

Guest Resources

• Follow Kevin on Instagram
• Explore his books
• Listen to the Hindsights Podcast

JOIN US: "Fall Into Motion" with Tone It Up! The Program begins October 20th, sign up now: https://my.toneitup.com/pages/fall-into-motion

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if fear wasn’t an enemy to conquer, but a source of fuel for creativity? 

In this powerful episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with actor, teacher, and Committed Impulse founder, Josh Pais. From growing up in New York’s gritty Alphabet City to starring in over 150 films and shows alongside legends like Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Joaquin Phoenix, Josh’s story is one of resilience, presence, and creative freedom. He opens up about his new book, Lose Your Mind, how anxiety can become fuel instead of a roadblock, and why the unknown is the most powerful space for growth. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply trying to quiet the self-judgment in your head, Josh’s wisdom will shift the way you experience fear and creativity.

How can we reframe fear as a source of creative energy?

Josh reveals how fear, anxiety, and even sadness aren’t enemies to suppress but sensations to ride — opening the door to authentic expression, connection, and freedom.

(00:01:00) From Ninja Turtles to Neuroscience

• How Josh’s father, a physicist who worked with Einstein, influenced his view of emotions as atomic vibrations.
• Early struggles with anxiety and why suppressing fear disconnects us from authenticity.

(00:11:30) The Four Access Points to Presence

• Josh’s simple framework: “I’m back,” body awareness, breath, and environment.
• Why tuning into sensation creates connection, from courtroom lawyers to surgeons in the OR.
• How these tools help shift from self-judgment into creativity.

(00:20:00) Feeling Without Fixing

• Why any sensation, even anxiety, shifts in 7–12 seconds when fully felt.
• Josh guides Karena through noticing “atomic” sensations in her body.
• Why honoring sadness, joy, and fear unlocks energy instead of draining it.

(00:27:30) Growing Up in Alphabet City

• Josh’s childhood surrounded by artists, danger, and addiction in Lower Manhattan.
• How play and imagination became his lifeline.
• The decision to step away from drugs and lean into creativity as a survival tool.

(00:34:50) Lessons from Legends

• Stories from working with De Niro, Streep, Joaquin Phoenix, and more.
• Why the most powerful acting lesson he ever learned was simply: “Just talk to the person.”
• Josh’s mantra before every scene: “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Guest Resources

• Follow Josh Pais on Instagram
• Get his new book Lose Your Mind
• Learn more about Committed Impulse training

JOIN US: "Fall Into Motion" with Tone It Up! The Program begins October 20th, sign up now: https://my.toneitup.com/pages/fall-into-motion

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What happens when a cancer diagnosis collides with raising $10 million in venture capital?

On this episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Vanessa Rissetto, registered dietitian, CEO and co-founder of Culina Health, and cancer survivor who’s redefining resilience. From growing up in a Haitian household to building the only nutrition company backed by a big insurance provider, Vanessa’s story is proof that success is about more than grit — it’s about honesty, boundaries, and balance. She opens up about her diagnosis, how entrepreneurship pushed her to the brink, and why learning to say “no” has become her ultimate health strategy.

How Do We Redefine Health and Success Beyond Hustle Culture?

Vanessa shares how her cancer journey shifted her perspective from chasing external validation to prioritizing joy, mental health, and self-care, while still leading a groundbreaking health-tech company.

(00:01:00) From Dietitian to Tech CEO: Building Culina Health

• Why Vanessa decided to take insurance when most dietitians catered only to the elite
• How COVID opened doors for telehealth and scaled her business to $1M in under a year
• The bold move that got Blue Cross Blue Shield on her cap table — a first in the industry
• Her mindset shift: every investor “no” was just practice for the next “yes”

(00:10:30) Cancer, Entrepreneurship, and the Cost of External Validation

• The overlooked symptom that led to Vanessa’s breast cancer diagnosis
• Raising $10M in venture funding while undergoing treatment — and why she now calls it “f***ing stupid”
• How avoidance, anxiety, and resentment crept in post-diagnosis
• The power of saying “no” as a complete sentence

(00:17:00) Back to Basics: Nutrition, Myths, and Mental Health

• Why she believes restrictive diets like keto miss the bigger picture
• The truth about protein, fasting, and why micro-counting often backfires
• How Vanessa balances Doritos, home-cooked meals, and plant-based principles
• Nutrition as behavior change, not just “eat more vegetables”

(00:29:00) Therapy, Caregiving, and Whole-Person Healing

• How Culina Health integrates with physicians and therapists for 360° care
• The role of dietitians in eating disorder recovery and mental health support
• Why therapy for caregivers is just as important as therapy for patients
• Vanessa’s own two-therapist system: one for trauma, one for feelings

(00:35:00) Menopause, Midlife, and Finding Joy

• Her experience with medically induced menopause and brain fog 
• Why women need different strategies after 35 
• How AI is reshaping the future of nutrition and health-tech
• The freedom of midlife: smaller circles, more joy, and living on your own terms

Thanks for the support from our partners, including:

Guest Resources

• Follow Vanessa on Instagram
• Learn more about Culina Health
• Follow Culina Health on Instagram

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What happens when the “perfect” relationship is powered by control, confusion, and intermittent kindness?



In this powerful conversation, Dr. Nadine Macaluso, somatic psychologist and author of Run Like Hell, breaks down trauma bonds. She explains why love-bombing feels so intoxicating at first, and how to rebuild trust in yourself after leaving a toxic dynamic. We cover red flags, green flags, co-parenting with a difficult ex, and why “boring” can actually mean safe, steady, and good.

How do you recognize when love turns into control, and find the courage to walk away from a trauma bond?

Escaping toxic cycles isn’t just about leaving the situation. It’s about relearning safety, trusting your own signals, and choosing peace over chaos.

(00:26) Origin Story & Reinvention at Any Age

• Going back to school at 39 and finishing a doctorate at 45 proves reinvention is possible at any age
• How early exposure to feelings and psychology sparked Nadine’s path
• Therapy as a lifeline when chaos became overwhelming

(04:03) Love-Bombing & Early Red Flags

• The intoxicating “soulmate” language and excessive attention of love-bombing
• Why mismatched words and actions are an early signal to notice
• Tuning into your body’s warning signs when something feels off

(07:09) What a Trauma Bond Really Is

• Two defining conditions: intermittent abuse and a power imbalance
• How Nadine’s Trauma Bonds Assessment and the Big Five test can offer clarity
• Why it’s critical to drop self-blame and focus on prevention

(11:20) Healing Timeline, Boundaries & Green Flags

• Why healing from a trauma bond takes about two years
• The relief of “I hear you” as a sign of safety
• Quick red flags to avoid: boundary-plowing, sudden rage, and chronic inconsistency

(21:50) Co-Parenting, Somatic Tools & Choosing Peace

• Co-parenting from authenticity instead of rebellion or people-pleasing
• How to track emotions somatically—where feelings live in the body
• Reframing “boring” as safe, steady, and priceless for long-term peace

Thanks for the support from our partners:

Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home. Visit https://betterhelp.com/thebigsilence and enjoy a special discount on your first month.If you have any questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are licensed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation model, check out this FAQ: https://www.betterhelp.com/your-questions-answered/

Guest Resources

• Visit Dr. Nae’s Website
• Follow her on Instagram
• Read her book, Run Like Hell
• Take The Big 5 Personality Quiz

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation

Mentioned in this episode:

Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home. Visit betterhelp.com/thebigsilence and enjoy a special discount on your first month.

If you have any questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are licensed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation model, check out this FAQ: betterhelp.com/your-questions-answered.

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if the breakdown you feared was actually the doorway to your greatest sense of peace?

In this transformative episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author, spiritual teacher, and Dear Gabby podcast host Gabby Bernstein. From uncovering repressed childhood trauma in her mid-30s to navigating postpartum depression with courage and honesty, Gabby shares the tools that helped her move from chaos to calm. She opens up about EMDR therapy, medication without shame, reparenting the inner child, and finding relief one step at a time. Whether you’re in the depths of anxiety, grieving a loss, or simply craving a gentler way to heal, Gabby’s wisdom offers both compassion and practical next steps.

How do you combine spiritual tools and evidence-based therapy to heal trauma without shame, guilt, or overwhelm?

Healing isn’t about being “fixed.” It’s about creating safety, awareness, and compassion so you can finally live in peace.

(02:06) Naming the Why Behind Patterns

• Spirituality and sobriety can plant seeds, but trauma will still surface in anxiety, addiction, or control.
• Memory of trauma can return much later in life; healing doesn’t require forcing recall.
• Recognizing “what happened to me” instead of “what’s wrong with me” reframes the path forward.

(05:09) EMDR, Demystified

• Bilateral stimulation (eye movement, tapping, sounds) opens a safe “window of tolerance.”
• Starting with a present trigger often links back to earlier wounds.
• Small issues may shift quickly; deeper trauma requires more time but reduces triggers steadily.

(09:02) Postpartum Depression: When Meditation Isn’t Enough

• Signs include panic attacks, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts. This is biochemical, not a personal failing.
• Antidepressants can create a baseline of safety so therapy becomes effective.
• Meds are not a shortcut but a foundation; Gabby paired them with three therapy sessions a week.

(14:37) Grief Without Guilt

• Approach grief in doses: feel some, then step back before re-engaging.
• Notice when numbing shows up; honor it as a protective strategy.
• Relief through TV, rest, or joy is part of healthy grieving, not a failure.

(18:51) Getting Unstuck: The 3-Question Inventory

• After each trigger, ask: 1) What triggered me? 2) What do I feel? 3) How do I run from it?
• Recognize patterns as protective, not personality flaws.
• Writing it down builds compassion and creates room for change.

(20:30) Reparenting Yourself with the 4 S’s

• Safe: Breathwork, sleep, and grounding to calm your nervous system.
• Seen: Validate your wins and speak to yourself with compassion.
• Soothed: Make therapy and support part of your routine.
• Secure: Consistency builds an inner foundation of trust and resilience.

(24:54) Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Proceed with Care

• Should only be done with trained clinicians under clinical guidelines.
• Medication conflicts exist; research protocols carefully.
• Curiosity is valid, but sobriety and safety must guide decisions.

(28:57) Resources & Next Steps

• Read Gabby’s book Happy Days for deeper practices.
• Tune into Dear Gabby for live coaching and tools you can try right away.

Guest Resources

• Follow Gabby on Instagram: @gabbybernstein
• Visit her website: gabbybernstein.com
• Listen to her podcast: Dear Gabby
• Explore her NYT bestseller book: Happy Days

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Donate to The Big Silence Foundation