What if your lowest moment was the beginning of your greatest transformation?

In this powerhouse episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with six-time American Ninja Warrior, keynote speaker, and Pull-Up Revolution founder Angela Gargano. From tearing her ACL on national TV to moving into her dad’s basement and starting over, Angela’s story is the definition of a comeback. She opens up about identity, healing through movement, and what it really takes to feel strong, mentally and physically. Whether you’re chasing a fitness goal, struggling to find your purpose, or just trying to stay present, Angela’s wisdom will move you. Literally.

Stripping away external validation proves that strength isn’t just physical. It’s about emotional resilience and self-love.

(00:00) From Biochemist to Ninja Warrior: A Wild Career Pivot

• Angela’s unexpected leap from lab work to national television
• She originally had no clue what American Ninja Warrior was
• Her early fitness competition days with Cathy Savage — and how they shaped her confidence
• How being labeled “manly” for having muscles became a source of power, not shame

(08:00) Injury, Identity & Starting Over in Her Dad’s Basement

• The ACL tear that stopped her Ninja dreams — and forced a reckoning with self-worth
• Losing her gym, her career path, and her direction — but finding her mindset
• Why so many high achievers link love to accomplishments (and how to break that cycle)
• “I just didn’t even know who I was anymore” — Angela on redefining her purpose

(16:00) One Pull-Up Can Change Everything: The Birth of a Movement

• How helping Women’s Health editor Liz Plosser get her first pull-up sparked a revolution
• Why the pull-up became a metaphor for doing hard things — at any age
• Creating community and confidence through movement
• Angela’s advice for building your strength, one rep at a time

(20:00) Fitness Without the Finish Line: Training for Life, Not Just Competition

• What her workouts look like now — and why mini goals keep her motivated
• Angela’s tips for functional strength and long-term health
• Her approach to balance: strength training, yoga, and fun 
• Karena shares her 21-day system to stay accountable and avoid burnout

(25:00) Mental Health, Meditation & Getting Unstuck

• How moving your body and getting back to basics can pull you out of a rut
• Meditation and breathwork routines — and why they actually work
• Tips for navigating anxiety and sleepless nights 

(30:00) The New Rules of Wellness: Eat More, Lift More, Live Longer

• Why the fitness world is finally embracing protein, muscle, and rest
• The rise (and cost!) of Pilates — and Angela’s thoughts on biohacking
• What really works for longevity — and what’s just hype
• Why failure is just research, every mistake is a step forward

• Follow Angela on Instagram
• Visit her website
• Listen to her podcast

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

Pssst: Sign up for the Tone It Up Summer Sculpt Challenge (beginning July 14) and get access to 5 Days To Zen—an exclusive meditation series with Karena.

What happens when you confront your darkest moments and choose to heal, instead of staying stuck in the pain?

In this raw and inspiring episode of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn is joined by Dr. Samantha Harte, author of Breaking the Circuit. She’s a physical therapist, author, and sobriety advocate. Harte opens up about rebuilding her life after addiction and navigating a traumatic childhood. Through it all, she discovered the healing power of vulnerability and forgiveness, ultimately learning to rewire her brain and change her story.

Her picture-perfect high school existence masked unbearable pain, leading to a soul-shaking drug overdose. While navigating the challenges of sobriety in the midst of a crumbling marriage and painful loss, Samantha found herself at rock bottom. What came next was a radical reworking of her inner life and the birth of a new identity — one grounded in compassionate curiosity, revolutionary responsibility, and finally, self-forgiveness.

This conversation is a masterclass in what it means to confront your truths, rewire your mind, and write a new story — no matter how broken the past may seem.

Dr. Harte explains why healing begins with self-forgiveness — and how shame, silence, and perfectionism keep us stuck in destructive loops.  Learning to forgive, starting with yourself, is key to breaking free from toxic cycles.

• The internal divide between outward success and private suffering: “Straddling myself between these two worlds, these two identities, like everything is fine and nothing is ok.”
• A very ill-timed overdose that became a wake-up call
• The unbearable weight of feeling stuck with yourself when your inner voice becomes your fiercest critic

(00:10:04) Five Years Sober, Still Miserable: The Trap of White-Knuckling Recovery

• Perfectionism can doom sobriety: “It works until it doesn’t. Perfectionism collapses in matters of the heart.” 
• Her marriage collapses under the weight of unspoken resentment, infidelity, and untreated trauma.
• “All of those mechanisms that kept me safe as a girl were killing me as an adult.”

• How addiction takes hold, even when you’re convinced you have it under control
• Knowing when you’ve hit "spiritual rock bottom" and turning it into a catalyst for change
• Turning your deepest fears and pain into life-altering breakthroughs

• Intercepting your inner critic with the triangle of compassionate curiosity and radical responsibility: “Why did I just do that?” and “What am I gonna do about it now?” 
• The parenting advice we all need: how apology clears shame and models emotional intelligence for your kids.

• The loss of her sister and her declaration to write a book
• Becoming the “girl who 12-stepped the world.” Applying AA’s 12-step program to other aspects of life
• “The fear of any type of judgment absolutely collapsed.” Rising to the level of our goals and creating habits 

(00:31:30) Healing and Forgiveness: Can You Ever Forgive the Unforgivable?

• The struggle and importance of forgiving others (and yourself) in the healing process
• Why forgiving betrayal doesn’t mean condoning hurtful actions
• The spiritual and emotional liberation that comes with true forgiveness

• Samantha explains how trauma loops get locked into our bodies — and how to consciously rewire them.
• “Pain is a circuit breaker...I wish there was another way.” The necessity of pain on the path to change
• Through science, spirituality, and self-inquiry, anyone can change their story.

Guest Resources

• Follow Dr. Samantha Harte on Instagram 
• Order her book: Breaking the Circuit
• YouTube channel
• Facebook
• Book a discovery call or explore 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

What if you built a billion-dollar fitness empire — and then had the courage to tear it down for something better?

In this powerful episode of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn sits down with Carl Daikeler, founder of Beachbody (now known as BODi), the man behind household names like P90X, Insanity, Shakeology, and Morning Meltdown 100. But this isn’t just a story of success — it’s a brutally honest look at motivation, body image, entrepreneurship, and the daily mental work it takes to keep going when things get hard.

From growing up backstage in a Pennsylvania theater to running a global health brand with over a million users, Carl shares the emotional, mental, and spiritual tools that have kept him moving forward. You’ll hear about the behind-the-scenes challenges of rebranding from Beachbody to BODi, the surprising role Broadway played in his journey, and his no-BS take on fitness fads, GLP-1s, and tech obsession.

Carl and Karena unpack the myths of the wellness industry — including why the best fitness “tech” is already inside you.

• Carl created Beachbody to help impatient, goal-oriented people get consistent without loving fitness.
• Success didn’t come from being a guru — it came from being a relatable customer.
• “Day one to day done”: Programs need structure, not endless motivation.
• Community was always the secret sauce: message boards before social media.

• P90X’s breakout success during the 2008 recession changed the game.
• Word-of-mouth became the strategy behind the multi-level model.
• “The customer who solves their lifestyle problem deserves the reward.”
• Carl defends the ethics and intent behind Beachbody’s direct sales shift — and why it had to evolve.

• Carl’s stance: These meds are tools — but not solutions without resistance training and nutrition.
• “Lifestyle change is so hard… but if you can monetize your consistency? That’s powerful.”
• The secret pill culture from the ‘90s is back — but smarter wellness demands a full-picture approach.
• Fitness tech is great — until it overrides your intuition.

• Wake-up time: ~5–6 AM, no alarm.
• Lemon water + ginger + olive oil + kefir shot = ritual jumpstart.
• 3.5-minute cold plunge followed by a 45-min workout.
• Weekend DIY meal prep keeps him on track — and surprisingly, he hates vegetables.

• “It’s about the objective — even if it's just influencing one person.”
• Reads company case studies and biographies to stay grounded.
• Avoids victim mindset: “Self-pity invites fear, and fear kills creativity.”
• Expansion, not perfection, keeps him engaged after 27 years.

• Beachbody = outdated ideals; BODi = well-being and “health esteem.
• Carl wanted his kids to grow up with a healthier message around body image.
• Despite board resistance, he pushed the rebrand through for long-term values.
• “Do I want to be known for six-pack abs… or for helping people love themselves enough to take care of themselves?”

 (00:33:32) Where Fitness Needs to Go: Simple, Sustainable, and Human

• Community > wearables: “I don’t need a device to tell me I’m anxious — I already know.”
• Walking after dinner: a game-changing practice for mental and physical well-being
• Gravity is free. So is listening to your body.

• Visit BODi.com
• Follow Carl Daikeler on Instagram
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daikeler-carl/

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

What if your anxiety is actually your soul speaking to you? In this episode of The Big Silence, Karena reunites with longtime friends and Almost 30 podcast co-founders Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik to talk about life transitions, healing burnout, and the emotional power of their first book. From learning to listen to your intuition to rewriting generational body image beliefs, these two best friends open up about the lessons they wish they knew in their late 20s. With 120M+ downloads and a thriving global community, Almost 30 is a cultural phenomenon — and this conversation is a heart-expanding, soul-grounding glimpse into the wisdom behind it.

Krista and Lindsey share the unspoken signs of burnout — and the practices that helped them break the loop of over-functioning and inner criticism.

(00:00:00) Writing the Book That Didn’t Exist When They Were 29

• The Almost 30 book began as a guide for the women they once were: overwhelmed, uncertain, and hungry for more.
• Their Saturn Returns brought identity shifts, career pivots, and deep self-questioning.
• “No one prepares you for this phase of life — and we wanted to change that.”

(00:06:10) The Truth About Intuition and Why We Don’t Always Trust It

• “Your soul already knows the answer. But the noise of life drowns it out.”
• Quiet, prayer, journaling, and time off social media are keys to tuning back in.
• Anxiety often signals you're ignoring what your soul is trying to say.

(00:10:00) Understanding Burnout as a Mind-Body Loop

• Burnout can look like pushing, people-pleasing, and low-level anxiety you can’t shake.
• Their reframes: the inner critic becomes the inner coach; rest isn’t failure, it’s fuel.
• “If you keep pushing energy out, there’s no room for any to come back in.”

They get real about food shame, generational trauma, and how women can reclaim their bodies — not as objects, but as intuitive allies.

(00:21:30) Rewriting Generational Patterns Around Body and Worth

• Krista shares how her mother’s diet obsession shaped her secret eating disorder.
• Lindsey describes numbing through overworking, overexercising, and overgiving.
• “We learned to hate our bodies before we learned to love ourselves.”

(00:25:00) Body as Compass: What It Means to Truly Be in Your Body

• The body gives you signs — a tight chest, a headache, a gut feeling — and we ignore them at our own risk.
• “My body was trying to tell me I was in the wrong life. But I was too anxious to hear it.”

After a decade of building a business together, Krista and Lindsey get raw about friendship contracts, trust issues, and the hard work behind staying connected.

(00:38:00) Friendship in Transition: Divorce, Babies, and Bicoastal Life

• They explore the myth that friendships shouldn’t change — and why letting go is sometimes the most loving act.
• Their tools: therapy, coaching, and “clearing conversations.”
• “Our connection is the foundation of the podcast. But we had to fight for it.”

(00:41:45) Letting People Evolve Without Expecting Them to Stay the Same

• Real friendship means looser grip, fewer expectations, and more grace.
• “Your life doesn’t begin on the other side of a perfect relationship, job, or weight. It begins when you trust yourself.”

Thanks for the support from our partners, including:

BetterHelp: 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 & Links:

• Order the Almost 30 Book
• Listen to the Almost 30 Podcast
• Follow @itskrista & @lindseysimcik
• Morning Microdose – Daily Podcast

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

What if your symptoms weren’t “just in your head”? On this heartfelt and hilarious episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Katy and Josh, the powerhouse couple behind the wellness brands Joi and Blokes (now unified under Relon). From four miscarriages and lost sex drives to unexpected weight gain and hormone havoc, they candidly share how their personal struggles with health, marriage, and identity led to the creation of a thriving health movement. Whether you're a woman navigating perimenopause, a man feeling off but unsure why, or a couple trying to make love and business work — this episode is packed with hope, humor, and healing.

• Katy and Josh reflect on nearly 10 years together — and how working together began with money, then real estate, and ultimately hormone health.
• Their health journey began in crisis: low libido, anxiety, perimenopause, and postpartum changes.
• A shared commitment to wellness helped them go from rock bottom to building a company based on lived experience.
• Why men’s hormonal health (and mental health) needs more visibility, especially during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

• The couple opens up about enduring four miscarriages and the emotional toll it took on their marriage.
• Josh withdrew while Katy powered forward — causing emotional disconnection until they learned how to communicate again.
• How surrendering control (and stress) may have played a role in two natural pregnancies after IVF and surrogacy attempts.
• A powerful reminder: grief affects everyone differently — and healing takes teamwork.

• Josh shares the shame and confusion of low testosterone — and how addressing it changed everything.
• Katy opens up about anxiety, insomnia, and her game-changing experience with progesterone.
• Why checking both partners’ labs is crucial for a healthy relationship.
• Karena joins in on how sleep, stress, and sex drive shifted in her own hormonal journey.

• Katy and Karena talk lifting heavy, protein struggles, and redefining strength after 40.
• Josh lost over 50 pounds in 5 months — not with fads, but with free tools: sleep, movement, mindset, and consistency.
• “Movement is medicine”: how a simple walk can be the gateway to a healthier life.
• It’s not about quick fixes — it’s about reclaiming ownership over your body, one choice at a time.

• Why entrepreneurship as a couple isn’t for the faint of heart — but also deeply rewarding.
• The importance of boundaries (even when they’re broken at dinner).
• Their secret sauce: divide and conquer, communicate often, and trust each other’s zone of genius.
• Joi and Blokes are scaling — and staying true to its mission of helping others feel better.

This episode was Filmed at the Thompson Nashville. 

Thanks for the support from our partners, including:

BetterHelp: 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 & Links:

Joi and Blokes

Follow Katy & Josh on Instagram

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Merch
• 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.

What if the path to true health wasn’t found in counting macros or cutting carbs—but in listening to your body, regulating your nervous system, and redefining your worth? Karena welcomes integrative nutritionist and mom of four, Cara Clark. From growing up in a chaotic home as one of eight kids to building a health empire rooted in faith and intuition, Cara opens up about performance-based love, disordered eating, menopause, and the transformational power of food. Her feel-good food philosophy, combined with her personal healing journey, is an invitation to slow down, nourish deeply, and redefine success on your own terms.

The Big Question:

How can women reclaim their health by tuning into their body, not society’s expectations?

• Cara grew up as the oldest girl of eight siblings, describing her childhood as “chaos is normal.”
• Her early environment shaped her mindset—performing well earned love and attention.
• She reflects on moving from Indiana to California and the culture shock that transformed her health journey.
• Faith and family were early anchors, but the need for external validation lingered into adulthood.

• Cara discusses how love in her childhood felt conditional—earned through achievements.
• Therapy helped her realize she wasn’t broken in her marriage, but still healing from her upbringing.
• She opens up about marrying young, launching her business with her husband’s support, and finding her calling through her clients.
• Her story of realizing “rejection is protection” redefined her view of failure and success.

• After four kids in five years, Cara traded bootcamps for a sustainable nutrition business.
• Her food philosophy: eat within one hour of waking, all three macros every meal, five colors per day.
• She's passionate about regulating the nervous system as the foundation of healing.
• Her latest book blends recipes with prayer, morning rituals, and intuitive nourishment.

• Cara busts myths about intermittent fasting and explains why it's often harmful for cycling women.
• She teaches why digestion is energy-intensive, and how eating earlier supports better sleep and hormone health.
• Her approach helps women transition through perimenopause and menopause without shame or confusion.
• “Protein doesn’t spike insulin”—a key tip for managing cortisol and energy in midlife.

• Cara believes you have to earn dessert—not by restriction, but by honoring the process and ingredients.
• Cooking is a daily meditation and a form of connection for her family.
• Her favorite part of each day? Building meals around cravings with intention, not guilt.
• Recipes are more than food—they’re rituals, reflections, and healing tools.

This episode was Filmed at the Thompson Nashville. 

Thanks for the support from our partners, including: 

BetterHelp: 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 Info & Resources:

• Order Cara Clark’s Cookbook
• Follow Cara Clark on Instagram

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Merch
• 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.

On this episode of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn sits down with singer-songwriter Lindsey Ray — a powerhouse behind the scenes of the music industry with credits including Mariah Carey, Demi Lovato, and Tiësto. But beyond the accolades lies a story of self-reinvention, mental health awakening, and the hard decision to walk away from “success” in search of authenticity. From her childhood anxiety and people-pleasing tendencies to leaving a thriving music licensing career, Lindsey shares what it means to choose yourself — again and again.

Whether you're a fellow artist, a sensitive soul, or someone standing at the edge of a life change, Lindsey’s story offers hope that the biggest wins come when we stop performing for approval and start living for ourselves.

Lindsey reflects on the emotional toll of chasing external validation — and what it took to finally start writing a new story for herself.

• Lindsey opens up about suffering silently for years — and the weight that lifted once she could name and share her mental health struggles.
• Why childhood wounds often resurface in adulthood — and how Lindsey finds beauty in understanding that connection.
• How Tone It Up, The Big Silence, and building community around mental health gave her a new mission.
• Her journey from hiding anxiety to embracing it as part of her truth.

• How a MySpace video and an open mic night changed everything.
• The unconventional way she ended up featured on a Tiësto track using an iPhone mic — while sick with strep throat.
• Why she created alter egos like Raelle and Aliana to explore different music styles.
• Learning the industry “rules” and why she ultimately rejected them to stay true to herself.

• Despite success in sync licensing, Lindsey realized she wasn’t fulfilled — and decided to walk away from a decade-long partnership.
• The emotional, financial, and identity crisis that followed.
• Discovering that people-pleasing was driving her choices, not passion.
• Learning to let go of needing external approval and define her worth on her own terms.

• Her go-to grounding practices: walks in the woods, bath rituals, lifting heavy weights, and alone time.
• The importance of solitude as a sensitive person and empath.
• Setting boundaries around emotional energy and people-pleasing.
• The ongoing lesson: healing is not a finish line — it’s a lifelong practice.

• Lindsey redefines success as peace, alignment, and the courage to say no.
• How she’s learned to trust her body, her voice, and her path — even when it’s uncertain.
• The power of living authentically and inspiring others to do the same.
• Why letting go of what no longer serves you is sometimes the bravest thing you can do.

This episode was Filmed at the Thompson Nashville. 

Thanks for the support from our partners, including: 

BetterHelp: 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 Info & Resources:

• Lindsey Ray’s new podcast, “Ray Of Light,” out now:
• Instagram: @rayoflightpod
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@rayoflightpod
• Website: https://www.lindseyray.com/
• New Album out now: https://ffm.to/thecyclerepeats?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZfP32v_aPYjjcDfYNxskKwfht-lMfXvDKLiuQectV92iNGIXP8PtJZsHE_aem_cM8QM8AeMXPRftWn_lcr1Q
• Follow Lindsey Ray on Instagram: @lindseyrayrayblue
• Listen to her music on YouTube under her alter egos: Rayelle and Olly Anna

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Merch
• 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.

What if your pain could become someone else’s healing? On this episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with rising country star Avery Anna on the eve of her 10th Grand Ole Opry performance. From humble beginnings recording in her mom’s bathtub to signing with Warner Music Nashville, Avery’s journey is anything but typical. But it’s her vulnerability that sets her apart. Inspired by fan-written “Let Go Letters” — anonymous notes sharing raw experiences of trauma, self-doubt, body image struggles, and more — Avery turned these confessions into her sophomore album, Let Go Letters (out May 16). In this heartfelt conversation, she shares how music became her therapy, how she balances the pressures of social media, and why songs like “Danny Don’t,” “Grave,” and “Self-Esteem for Sale” might just save a life.

Avery reveals how fans’ anonymous letters inspired her to write songs that create community, healing, and understanding — proving we are never truly alone in what we’re going through.

• Pandemic boredom led Avery to post singing videos on TikTok — one went viral, launching her career.
• Discovered by band Parmalee and signed to Warner Music Nashville within months.
• Talks about imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and how faith and family keep her grounded.
• How her upbringing in a close-knit, faith-based family in Flagstaff, Arizona shaped her values.

• Avery began collecting anonymous fan letters at her shows, sparking the concept for Let Go Letters.
• Writing songs like “Danny Don’t” based on a letter from a fan contemplating suicide.
• The emotional toll and responsibility of holding space for her fans' deepest traumas.
• How her music offers a safe space for healing — not just for fans, but for herself too.

• Songs like “Vanilla” and “Grave” tackle sexual trauma with raw honesty.
• “Self-Esteem for Sale” reflects the pressure of being a product on social media.
• Avery shares how she protects her mental health by setting boundaries with technology.
• The importance of reminding herself that her worth comes from who she is, not what she posts.

• Touring isn’t all glitz: van life, flat tires, and DIY road trips with her band.
• Her quirky pre-show routine: honey shots, prayer circles, and unplugging from social media.
• Why “Vanilla” is her favorite song to perform — a moment of collective healing on stage.

• Inspired by a letter about self-harm, “The Butterfly Project” reminds listeners their pain impacts those who love them.
• “My Mother Lies” explores how negative self-talk is passed down through generations.
• Avery’s hope is that these songs help fans find their voice, their healing, and their community.

This episode was Filmed at the Thompson Nashville. 

Thanks for the support from our partners, including: 

BetterHelp: 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 Info & Resources:

• Follow Avery Anna on TikTok and Instagram
• Listen to "Danny Don’t"
• Watch the Let Go Letters Album Trailer
• Pre-Order Let Go Letters
• On tour now with Brad Paisley and Luke Bryan

Connect with The Big Silence Community

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Shop The Big Silence Merch
• 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.

What does it truly mean to live with intention—from the food we eat, to the candles we burn, to how we heal our inner child? This week on The Big Silence, Karena sits down with sustainable living expert and “EcoBabe” Monica Richards for an eye-opening, heart-filling conversation about how sustainability is more than composting—it's a lifestyle of reverence, joy, and healing. Monica shares her journey from a farm girl in Michigan to a TV host, interior designer, and now powerful advocate for the planet and our mental wellness. From practical eco-hacks to personal stories of spiritual alchemy and boundary-setting, this episode is packed with accessible shifts you can make today to live a cleaner, more conscious life—from the inside out.

What does sustainability have to do with your self-worth and mental health?

Monica doesn’t just talk eco-living—she lives it through purpose, resilience, and healing. In this conversation, we explore how your outer world reflects your inner work—and why it all starts with intention.

(00:03:29) Starting Small with Sustainability: The All-or-Nothing Myth

• Sustainability is not about perfection—it’s about intention.
• Monica explains why the “cancel culture” in the eco-space is actually hurting the movement.
• Simple first steps: Start with one drawer, one habit, one food scrap bin.
• How petitions, composting apps, and even your shampoo bar can make a major impact.

(00:08:29) Building a Passion-Driven Life: Career, Risk & Freedom

• Monica opens up about struggling with finances and not always being understood by family.
• Why aligning your purpose with impact is worth every risk.
• The truth about entrepreneurship: sleepless nights, inner healing, and never really “clocking out.”
• Why Monica’s word for the year is “freedom”—and how she’s manifesting it.

(00:12:23) From Scarcity to Sovereignty: Inner Child Work & Alchemy Healing

• How Monica overcame a "play small" mindset around money and worth.
• A deep dive into her practice of alchemy—healing trauma through gratitude, trust, and love.
• A triggering moment with a stranger becomes a portal to growth.
• The unexpected power of talking to your inner child using a favorite childhood photo.

(00:27:12) Sustainable Interior Design & What’s Hiding In Your Home

• The toxic truth about candles, plastics, and your indoor air.
• Top 3 home changes Monica notices immediately (and how you can fix them).
• Favorite low-waste, clean beauty and personal care brands.
• How shampoo and conditioner bars can eliminate plastic and elevate your hair game.

(00:37:10) The Mental Health of Consumption & Conscious Media Detoxing

• How digital overload affects our energy and mental health.
• Monica shares why being selective about what you consume (including the news!) is self-care.
• What it means to create from your “inner space.”
• Final takeaway: Everything you create begins inside. Go inward, connect with your inner child, and start healing.

Thanks for the support from our partners, including: 

Fatty 15 I Fatty15 is on a mission to optimize your C15 levels to help you live healthier, longer. Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/TBS and using code TBS at checkout!

Guest Info:

Website: ecobabe.co

Instagram: @theecobabe

Resources:

Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook

Sustainability & Composting Tools

• Compost NYC App – Drop-off locations for food scraps across NYC
• MakeSoil.org – Connect with local composters and farmers worldwide
• Seafood Watch – Sustainable seafood guide by the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Clean Beauty & Eco Products

• Caudalie – Clean skincare with refillable packaging
• Hear Me Raw – Plant-powered face masks, made in NYC
• Beautycounter – High-performance clean beauty products
• Jane Iredale – Pioneering mineral makeup with eco-friendly packaging
• Ethique – Plastic-free, vegan shampoo & conditioner bars

Mentioned in this episode:

FATTY15 | Fatty15 is on a mission to optimize your C15 levels to help you live healthier, longer. Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/TBS and using code TBS at checkout!

What happens when the pain you’ve been running from becomes the very thing that sets you free? In this moving episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with somatic therapist and author Britt Piper to explore the transformative journey from trauma to healing. Britt shares her deeply personal story—of childhood abandonment, sexual assault, addiction, and eventual redemption—and how somatic therapy became the missing piece in her healing puzzle. Together, they dismantle the silence around pain, trauma, and recovery, while offering tangible tools to begin reconnecting with your body, your story, and your truth.

If you've ever felt like healing was out of reach or wondered if you'd ever be able to trust again—this conversation is your permission slip to begin.

Britt answers this by redefining what healing actually looks like—and how the body always remembers, even when the mind does not.

• Britt shares how she’s choosing to define herself by her humanity, not her job.
• She opens up about being a survivor of complex trauma—and why authenticity matters now more than ever.
• Introduces somatic therapy and how it differs from traditional talk therapy.
• Describes the moment she realized trauma was stored in her body, not just her mind.

• Britt reflects on growing up in a household that ignored pain and buried emotion.
• She recounts the series of self-destructive behaviors that led to hospitalization and arrest.
• Shares how a judge’s unexpected words became a turning point: “You need to learn how to live with your pain.”
• Describes the raw, detox-like physical process of emotional release while in jail.

• Britt explains how somatic experiencing changed her life—and how she got off meds as a result.
• She began training with pioneers like Dr. Peter Levine and launched her own trauma recovery program.
• Her book, Body First Healing, offers a blend of science and memoir to make trauma healing accessible.
• Emphasizes the body’s ability to heal when we stop bypassing it.

• How Britt learned to trust again and build a relationship after abuse.
• She explores attachment styles and how her marriage helped her rewire old trauma.
• Her husband’s wisdom: “You need to learn to love yourself more than you love me.”
• Somatic tools for navigating relationships with grace, even when triggers arise.

• Britt breaks down “parts work” and how our younger selves show up in adult relationships.
• The science behind co-regulation and why calm nervous systems heal together.
• How to track body cues (like tightening or softening) to determine if something is a “yes.”
• The role of touch, consent, and boundary mapping in relational healing.

• Why healing ≠ justice—and why survivors should never be pressured to report.
• Tools for reclaiming agency: from choosing how to share your story to developing a “support plan.”
• The Now What Workbook: Britt’s free guide to navigating life after sexual trauma.
• Key reminder: “You don’t need to relive it to heal it.”

• How becoming a mom triggered Britt’s own unresolved early childhood trauma.
• The emotional and physical signals that led her to understand her anxiety differently.
• A profound airport moment helped her connect the dots—and opened the door to deeper healing with her own mother.
• Insight into “body memory” and why what you don’t consciously recall can still affect you.

• Britt explains how trauma gets stored in muscle memory and procedural patterns.
• Symptoms like TMJ, migraines, fatigue, and gut issues may all stem from unresolved trauma.
• Relearning the body’s language is the first step toward reclaiming power.
• The difference between implicit memory and narrative memory in trauma recovery.

Thanks for the support from our partners, including:

Timeline Longevity | Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timeline.com/TBS

Guest Info:

• Website: bodyfirsthealing.com
• Instagram: @healwithbritt

Resources:

• Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
• Book: Body First Healing
• Program: The Body First Healing Program (6-month guided somatic healing)
• Workbook: The Now What Workbook (free resource for survivors)

Mentioned in this episode:

Timeline Longevity | Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timeline.com/TBS.