The Human Behind It

Everyone seems to have advice for women in perimenopause.

But what if we've started treating a normal life transition like a problem that always needs fixing?

In this episode of The Human Behind It, Dr. Michelle Thompson and Stephanie explore a different perspective on perimenopause, burnout, and women's health. They discuss why constant self-optimization may actually be adding more stress, the invisible mental load many women carry, and why your body might be asking for something deeper than another supplement.

This isn't medical advice—it's an invitation to ask better questions about health, healing, and the stories we've been told about getting older.

Topics include:

This month on The Human Behind It, Dr. Meesh and Stephaney dive into the psychology of reality dating shows after watching Perfect Match. From height insecurity and "pretty privilege" to attraction, dating apps, and whether reality TV contestants are actually looking for love, we explore what these shows reveal about human behavior. Then we tackle a relatable Human Hotline question: Why do phone calls suddenly feel aggressive, and are social media and texting helping us stay connected—or quietly making us more disconnected?

This week on The Human Behind It, Dr. Meesh and Stephaney react to the wildest 2026 Met Gala outfits, from Rihanna and Beyoncé to Katy Perry, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and the Kardashians. We discuss fashion, fame, attention, identity, and why celebrity culture keeps getting more extreme. Then we dive into “Blue Dot Fever” — the growing trend of canceled tours and unsold concerts from artists like Meghan Trainor, Post Malone, and the Pussycat Dolls.

What happens when we’re always connected… but never actually present?

In this episode, we dive into the growing problem of phone addiction, “brain rot,” and why younger generations are starting to push back. From no-phone parties to kids glued to screens at 10 years old, it’s clear something is off. But the real issue isn’t the phone—it’s the relationship we’ve built with it.

We talk about:

It’s about learning how to actually be present again.

Plus: Michelle shares insights from her new book on connection and how to rebuild it in your daily life. Get your copy here: https://absolutelovepublishing.com/one-throw-at-a-time/

If you’ve ever felt distracted, disconnected, or like your phone is running your life… this episode will hit.

Justin Bieber’s 2026 Coachella performance has everyone talking—but not for the reasons you’d expect.

Instead of a traditional performance, he sat on stage, played old YouTube videos, and stripped everything back. Some people loved it. Others were confused.

But what if this wasn’t about music at all?

In this episode, we break down what might really be happening—and how it connects to something we all do: self-abandonment.

We talk about:

This conversation goes beyond celebrities—it’s about how you show up in your own life. f you’ve ever felt burnt out, disconnected, or stuck trying to be everything for everyone… this one is for you.

We all do it… even if we don’t say it out loud.

In this episode of The Human Behind It, we dive into the secret things people quietly judge—from shopping carts and public behavior to parenting, relationships, and integrity. Inspired by a viral conversation on Johnjay and Rich Show and a list from BuzzFeed, we break down what’s really behind these judgments… and where they cross the line.

Because here’s the truth: Judgment is human—but staying there isn’t growth.

We explore:

Plus, we wrap with a powerful “Human Hotline” segment on breaking out of autopilot and rebuilding routines that actually align with the life you want. This one is real, relatable, and will definitely make you check yourself a little.

In this episode of The Human Behind It, Michelle and Stephaney jump straight into a full conversation with country singer-songwriter  @KyleJenningsMusic .

Together, they explore what makes imperfect performances so powerful, why flaws often create deeper connection than polished perfection, and what artists lose when they get trapped in comparison, pressure, and self-doubt.  

@KyleJenningsMusic  opens up about:

They also dig into food, nurture, health, identity, and the importance of real, face-to-face connection.

Then in the Human Hotline, Michelle and Stephaney respond to a question about struggling to say no, people-pleasing, obligation, and how hard it can be to hold boundaries without guilt.

This episode is about imperfection, individuality, and learning to trust that being human is not something to fix.

What happens when healthy habits stop being healthy?

In this episode of The Human Behind It, Michelle and Stephanie unpack orthosomnia and orthorexia — the obsessive side of sleep, food, and body tracking that can look healthy on the surface but actually create more stress, more disconnection, and less trust in yourself.

They talk about:

Then they sit down with Mark Roberge, drummer and founding member of Prospect Hill, for a conversation about what it really takes to stay in the game for decades. From industry setbacks to the mindset needed to keep going, Mark shares hard-earned perspective on success, resilience, community, and staying grounded in a world that constantly pushes you to chase the next thing.

They close with a Human Hotline question about chaotic sleep patterns, nighttime scrolling, and why so many people struggle to slow their minds down enough to rest.

This episode is about pressure, presence, and learning how to trust yourself a little more.

If you want to go deeper, the assessment is at thehumanbehindit.com/start. Thanks for being willing to see the human behind it.

What happens when the new voice joins one of the biggest radio shows in the country?

In this episode of The Human Behind It, Dr. Meesh and Stephaney sit down with Payton Whitmore, radio personality and digital creator from the nationally syndicated Johnjay & Rich Show.

Payton shares what it was like going from intern to full-time host, navigating public criticism, and learning how to stay authentic while living life in the public eye.

Before the interview, Michelle and Stephanie explore why humans resist change—even when change might be good for us—and how that shows up everywhere from radio audiences to everyday life.

Then in the Human Hotline, they respond to a listener struggling with online trash-talking while gaming and discuss why it’s so easy to dehumanize others online.

This episode is about authenticity, vulnerability, and remembering the real person behind the voice. Because beyond the stories we hear and the personalities we think we know… there’s always a human behind it.

In this episode of The Human Behind It, Michelle and Stephaney start with a deep dive into the America’s Next Top Model documentary and the early days of reality TV. They explore the ethics behind entertainment, the pressure placed on contestants, and why so many reality shows blur the line between storytelling and exploitation.

The conversation expands to modern reality TV, including Love Is Blind, and how insecurity, ego, and public scrutiny play out when real people are placed in high-pressure environments for entertainment.

Then we flip the mic around with a special guest: Rich Berra, nationally syndicated radio host from The Johnjay & Rich Show. Rich shares how he got his start in radio at just 14 years old, the reality of living in the public eye, and what it means to stay authentic while millions of listeners feel like they know you.

We wrap the episode with a Human Hotline question about social status, judgment, and why we sometimes treat people differently based on perceived value or power—and what it means to stay curious and human in those moments.

Because behind every public voice, every reality show, and every opinion… there’s still a human behind it.