The Viva Podcast

How do you feel about dating?

Maybe dating is exciting for you as you get to meet new people and have fun, but for many dating isn’t quite as fun. It often can be draining and nerve-wracking.  Well, we’re here to help!

In our latest episode licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo talk through some of the challenges of dating and offer up some guidance and support for your journey. Take a listen and don’t forget to tell us what you think by rating and reviewing the episode. 

Thanks for listening!

Contrary to popular belief, therapists aren’t perfect because hey, no humans are! In our latest episode Rachel and Jor-El share their perspectives on mental health trends and own up to their own petty behaviors. It’s an exercise in modeling imperfection! 

Tune in to learn more about our hosts and revel in your imperfections with us.

Unfortunately, it looks like COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon. This is more true than ever as we now have the Delta variant making its way through communities. How do we cope with the ongoing virus threat? Hosts and licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El offer up some tips on how to manage the next few months and your risk. Also, GET VACCINATED!

Related: 

F* Your Feelings (from the Viva blog)Looking to the Future & Having Tough COVID Conversations (podcast episode)

DO YOU LIKE PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA?!

No, that’s not actually what this episode is about but helps us illustrate the point of how judgmental all of us can be (you probably had a strong reaction to that question, right?). This week we’re talking through the fallacy of being a “non-judgmental person.” Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk through how to offer yourself some compassion while also trying to manage your inevitable judgement. 

Please leave a rating and review and share this episode with a friend. And, as always, join the conversation with us on social media @vivawellnessnyc!

Do you feel the constant pressure to stay busy and productive? If so, you’re not alone. Tune in as licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo talk through the perils of productivity and hustle culture and finding the path that works best for you. Join the conversation with us on social media and share this episode with a friend who could benefit from it. Thanks for listening! Related resource:

The Nap Ministry https://twitter.com/TheNapMinistry

The healthcare system has its challenges (particularly in the United States) but how do you go about finding the right care in a seriously flawed system?  Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk through some strategies to navigate the realities of the healthcare system. Hopefully it offers up some tips to consider, as well as some very real validation of the difficulties so many of us face. As always, take some time to join in on the conversation on Instagram @vivawellnessnyc. Thanks for listening!

Related reading: Healthcare Needs to Be More Accessible How Can We Advance the Conversation Around Healthcare for All?

What gets you going when the struggle is real?  If you’re feeling a bit stuck then we hope this episode will help you power through. In this episode licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo get into the nitty gritty of how to find motivation, how it’s like commitment and ways you can push yourself and embrace self-compassion at the same time. What are you working towards right now? Join the conversation with us on Instagram @vivawellnessnyc. Thanks for listening!

Do you ever find yourself enraged by the poor behavior of others? Have YOU sometimes been that person? Tune in as licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El talk about situations in which this poor behavior comes up (there is a bit of ranting in this episode tbh) and offer a call for us all to be more conscious of treating fellow humans with compassion and respect.  As always, we appreciate your thoughts and feedback. Share your thoughts with us on Instagram and Twitter at @vivawellnessnyc.

Have you ever experienced a break up with a good friend? It can be incredibly difficult to cope and that’s exactly what we’re talking about in today’s episode. Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk about how this happens, what it feels like and maybe some ideas of how to move forward.

What’s your experience been with breaking up with a friend? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram and Twitter at @vivawellnessnyc. 

We’d love to hear from you about this episode and what other topics you’d like to see covered on the podcast!

Recently, pro tennis player Naomi Osaka decided to take some time off from the French Open, and upcoming Wimbeldon tournament, after stating she’d be avoiding doing press for mental health reasons. Her statements caused quite a stir and in our latest episode Jor-El and Rachel discuss the dynamics of the statements, and the fallout, and how it relates to how we all respond to setting limits for our mental health.

Additional reading:

Osaka’s Follow Up Statement (via her Instagram)

Outrage over Naomi Osaka shows what we're still getting wrong about mental health (via USA Today)