UNPACKED

UNPACKED

By Wellness with SamHealth & FitnessMental Health
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UNPACKED episodes

  • Therapist Dares You to Do These 6 Things for a Better Life

    In this episode, I'm sharing six things I wish more people would dare to do. Not because they're trendy or aesthetic, but because they create a life that's more authentic, connected, and joyful.


    If you are ready to begin your own healing journey or explore therapy with me, visit:

    👉 wellnesshubtherapy.com

    Connect with me on Instagram:📸 @thewellnesshub.ri💬 @wellnesshubtherapy


    ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health services.For crisis support, please call or text 988.


    In this episode:

    • Why authenticity gives other people permission to be authentic too

    • The hidden cost of constantly trying to look "put together"

    • How social media has distorted our expectations of everyday life

    • Why adults need play, curiosity, and whimsy just as much as children

    • The courage it takes to embrace your quirks instead of hiding them

    • How accepting your humanity reduces shame and increases self-compassion

    • Rediscovering joy through childlike wonder and faith

    • Authenticity breeds authenticity.

    • Life is built in the messy, ordinary moments—not the curated ones.

    • Play isn't childish—it's necessary.

    • Your uniqueness is what helps you genuinely connect with others.

    • Being human means being imperfect, and that's something to embrace, not hide.


    00:00 — Introduction: The Joy of Sitting with People and Their Stories
    02:16 — The Problem with Aesthetic Culture and Social Media Standards
    04:00 — Living in the Messy, Unpolished Moments of Life
    05:30 — The Importance of Whimsy and Adult Play
    06:53 — The Power of Being Weird and Authentic
    09:09 — Embracing Your Human Nature and Imperfections
    09:47 — Returning to Childlike Wonder and Faith
    12:07 — The Value of Play and Creativity in Adulthood
    13:00 — The Call to Be Human and Accept Our Messiness
    16:00 — Living Authentically and Courageously in Your Life

    If this conversation resonated with you, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs permission to stop performing and start living authentically.

    Keywords: authenticity, authentic living, mental health, therapist advice, self-acceptance, perfectionism, vulnerability, mindfulness, childlike wonder, play, personal growth, self-improvement, emotional wellness, confidence, shame, joy, faith, living intentionally, wellness, psychology.

    15 min
  • Why Waiting Until You’re Ready Is Keeping You Stuck

    What if you stopped waiting until you felt “ready”… and just started?

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michel Georges, chiropractor and entrepreneur, to talk about what actually builds a healthy, purpose-driven life — and spoiler: it’s not perfection.


    We talk about the messy middle. The doubts. The risks. The seasons where you don’t have it all figured out but you move anyway. Dr. Georges shares his journey from high school uncertainty to building Thryve and Stryve, and why self-belief, time management, and the right support system matter more than any “perfect plan.”


    We also unpack why habits, honesty, and consistency will always beat shortcuts.

    This is your reminder that growth doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from starting messy… and staying honest with yourself along the way.


    SPARK NOTES✨ 

    • You don’t need to be perfect — you just need to start.

    • Messing up isn’t failure, it’s feedback.

    • Choose work that actually gives you purpose.

    • The people you surround yourself with will shape your future.

    • Growth requires risk — comfort rarely builds anything meaningful.

    • Strategy matters more than impulse when building something sustainable.

  • Your time is one of your biggest wellness tools — protect it.

    Build habits before relying on supplements.

    • You’re allowed to begin your health journey imperfectly.
    • Radical honesty with yourself changes everything

  • If you are ready to begin your own healing journey or explore therapy with me, visit:👉 wellnesshubtherapy.com

    Connect with me on Instagram:📸 @thewellnesshub.ri💬 @wellnesshubtherapy

    ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health services.


    For crisis support, please call or text 988.


    #WellnessJourney #HolisticHealth #PersonalGrowth #SelfBelief #EntrepreneurMindset #WellnessPodcast #GrowthMindset #HealthFromWithin #StartMessy #SustainableSuccess


    1 hr 1 min
  • Acceptance Is Hard. Avoiding It Is Harder.

    Acceptance is not always the easy choice...but it it is the necessary one.If you are in a season that feels heavy, confusing, or just plain exhausting, this conversation will make you feel seen.

    In this episode, I sit down with fellow therapist Jon Tryhubczak, LMHCA, to talk about what it actually looks like to face your challenges head on. We explore the moments that push you to your limits, the patterns that hold you back, and the kind of honesty it takes to admit that you cannot keep doing life the same way and expect a different outcome.

    We talk about the courage it takes to ask for help, the reality of falling down and getting back up, and why acceptance is often the first step toward real change.


    👥 Connect with Jon

    Jon Tryhubczak, LMHCA
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/jonathan-tryhubczak-cranston-ri/1438711

    https://zencare.co/provider/therapist/jonathan-tryhubczak?state=rhode-island


    🔥 Spark Notes Version

    • Life gets easier when you stop white knuckling your way through it.

    • Acceptance is not giving up, it is the beginning of growth.

    • You cannot face every challenge alone.

    • Asking for help is one of the strongest things you can do.


    If you are ready to begin your own healing journey or explore therapy with me, visit:

    👉 wellnesshubtherapy.com

    Connect with me on Instagram:
    📸 @thewellnesshub.ri💬 @wellnesshubtherapy


    ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health services.
    For crisis support, please call or text 988.


    #acceptance #challenges #mentalhealth #growth #selfawareness


    52 min
  • When You Feel Like the Last Single Friend

    "Sometimes I wondered if I was meant to be single.” In this episode, I am sitting down with Allie Cummins, a Mental Health Coach with an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling and the founder of Stay Salted, to talk about something so many of us navigate quietly: singleness, timing, and what it feels like to sit in a waiting season.

    Allie gets really honest about the moments she wondered if marriage was even part of her story, how she coped through loneliness and uncertainty, and the self reflection that shifted the way she sees relationships, faith, and her own path. We also talk about the pressure women feel to be at a certain point in life by a certain age, and what it looks like to release that expectation.

    If you are in a season where life does not look the way you thought it would, or you are questioning what your story is supposed to look like, this conversation will feel grounding, validating, and like a breath of fresh air.

    👥 Connect with the Guest

    Allie Cummins, Mental Health Coach

    M.S. Clinical Mental Health CounselingWebsite: https://www.staysalted.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allie_staysalted/

    🔥 Spark Notes

    • Singleness is a season of purpose, not punishment.

    • Self-reflection brings clarity when life feels uncertain.
    • Coping mechanisms support emotional + spiritual growth.
    • Understanding yourself leads to acceptance and peace.

    🌿 Work with Samantha

    If you’re ready to begin your own healing journey visit:⁠👉 wellnesshubtherapy.com⁠

    Follow along for therapy insight, empowering conversations, and community connection:

    ⁠🌊 @thewellnesshub.ri

    ⁠⁠🛋️ @wellnesshubtherapy⁠


    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health services.If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.


    #singleness #selfreflection #personalgrowth #relationships #faithjourney

    59 min
  • Why Men Struggle to Open Up: Masculinity & Mental Health

    I’m sitting down with Ian Brownhill, owner of Life’s Bettah, host of the SO New England Podcast, and founder of Bettah Socials to talk about men’s mental health and what it really looks like to break the stigma.

    It's Men’s Mental Health Month, so we wanted to have a real, honest conversation about the pressure men feel to appear strong, the fear of judgment, and how much ego impacts the way men show up emotionally. Ian opens up about why vulnerability feels risky, how societal expectations shape masculinity, and why true strength comes from self-acceptance and emotional safety.

    👥 Connect with the Guest

    Ian Brownhill Life’s Bettah | SO New England Podcast | Bettah SocialsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ian.brownhill/Website:https://www.ianbrownhill.com/

    🔥 Spark Notes

    • Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.

    • Expectations placed on men often silence emotional truth.

    • Ego can block emotional expression and healing.

    • Redefining masculinity starts with self-acceptance.


    🌿 Work with Samantha

    If you’re ready to begin your own healing journey visit:
    👉 wellnesshubtherapy.com

    Follow along for therapy insight, empowering conversations, and community connection:🌊 @thewellnesshub.ri🛋️ @wellnesshubtherapy


    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health services.
    If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

    #vulnerability #masculinity #mentalhealth #ego #strength #judgment #societalexpectations #emotionalexpression #mensmentalhealth #selfacceptance


    1 hr 7 min
  • Are They Really Your Person? Signs You're Forcing It

    If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why isn’t this working even though I care about them?” This episode is going to hit home. I’m sitting down with licensed therapist Jen Weaver to talk about one of the hardest truths in modern dating: that attraction and connection don’t always equal compatibility.

    We get into why so many of us try to make relationships work that were never meant to be, how to tell when you’re forcing something, and the difference between emotional attachment and real alignment. Jen and I also talk about what it means when someone isn’t your person, how to let go without guilt, and why healthy relationships should feel natural, not exhausting.

    If you’ve ever stayed because it felt almost right, or held onto someone because you hoped they’d become who you needed, this conversation is going to bring so much clarity and peace.

    👥 Connect with the Guest

    Jennifer Weaver, LMHCWebsite: https://polarisri.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlweaverllc/

    🔥 Spark Notes Version

    • Fun and chemistry don’t always mean compatibility.

    • You shouldn’t have to force someone to be your person.

    • Letting go can be the most loving thing you do for both people.

    • Healthy relationships feel peaceful, not pressured.

    🌿 Work with Samantha

    If you’re ready to unpack your own relationship patterns or explore therapy with me, visit: 👉 wellnesshubtherapy.com

    https://www.instagram.com/wellnesshubtherapy/


    For more content and connection:📸 @thewellnesshub.ri

    This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health services.
    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

    46 min
  • Attachment Styles & Dating in Your 20s w/ Jennifer Prendergast, LMHC

    I got to sit down with Jennifer Prendergast, LMHC, owner of Placid Soul Counseling, to talk about the messy middle of finding yourself in your 20s and what it really looks like to grow through it.

    Jennifer shares her journey from navigating imposter syndrome and early career doubt to building a private practice that actually aligns with her life. We unpack how childhood experiences shape our core beliefs, why attachment styles play out so strongly in relationships, and how to create a more flexible, grace-filled plan for your life.

    🔥 Spark Notes Version

    • Failure is a sign of growth, not a setback.
    • Attachment styles reveal where we still need healing.
    • Imposter syndrome is normal — especially when you’re evolving.
    • You can change your path without losing your purpose.


    👥 Connect with the Guest

    Jennifer Prendergast, LMHC

    Website: placidsoulcounseling.com


    🕓 Episode Chapters

    00:00 — Embracing Failure in Your 20s

    02:45 — The Journey to Becoming a Therapist

    05:23 — Imposter Syndrome and Early Career Challenges

    08:04 — Taking the Leap: Starting a Private Practice

    10:57 — Navigating Fear and Uncertainty

    13:37 — Understanding Clients in Their 20s

    16:20 — The Impact of Comparison on Mental Health

    19:14 — Identifying Core Beliefs and Patterns

    21:55 — The Role of Childhood in Adult Relationships

    24:56 — Curiosity Over Judgment in Therapy

    27:27 — Attachment Styles and Their Influence

    30:22 — The Importance of Self-Reflection

    32:07 — Understanding Attachment Styles

    34:47 — The Evolution of Attachment Styles

    37:23 — Navigating Relationships in Your 20s

    42:52 — Becoming More Secure in Relationships

    46:40 — The Anxious-Avoidant Dynamic

    51:59 — Communicating Needs Effectively

    🌿 Work with Samantha

    If you’re ready to begin your own healing journey or explore therapy visit:

    👉 wellnesshubtherapy.com


    Follow along for inspiration, wellness events, and community connection:

    🌊 @thewellnesshub.ri

    💬 @wellnesshubtherapy


    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health services.

    If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.


    1 hr 2 min
  • Healing for the One Who Feels Behind

    Ever feel like you’re falling behind in life? Like everyone else is running ahead while you’re stuck in the slow lane?
    This episode is your permission slip to breathe. God is not in a rush with your story — and that’s actually really good news. 🕊

    We’re unpacking why your waiting season isn’t wasted, how alignment is more powerful than acceleration, and why God might be writing a bestseller with your life.

    Good stories take time. And so do the good ones God is writing. 💌

    Verses from today's episode:

    • Isaiah 30:21

    • Ecclesiastes 3:11

    • Isaiah 60:22

    • Psalm 27:14

    DO YOU WANT TO BE BESTIES?! 🎀✨
    TikTok: @wellnesswithsam_

    Join The Wellness Hub Community

    26 min
  • Habits to Create Consistency (Key to Reach Your Goals)

    The Biggest Thing Keeping You from Your Goals. Ever feel like you’re so close to reaching your goals, but something keeps holding you back? Spoiler alert: It’s not a lack of motivation, a fancy planner, or the latest wellness trend—it’s consistency. Small, intentional actions can lead to massive results.

    I’ll be sharing 3 practical tips to help you build consistency in your daily habits so you can stop starting over and finally see the progress you’ve been craving. 

    CAN WE BE BESTIES?! 🎀 ✨

    TikTok:⁠ ⁠@wellnesswithsam_ ⁠⁠

    14 min
  • Healing from Diet Culture: Body Image & Food

    Is “Wellness” just diet culture in disguise? If you’ve ever felt guilt around your weight, food, or exercise, this episode is for you. Diet culture can trap us in cycles of shame and restriction, keeping us from truly living our best lives—and for many, it’s the root of disordered eating. Tune in for practical steps to recognize and break free from the diet culture that surrounds you.

    DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?! 🎀 ✨

    TikTok:⁠ ⁠@wellnesswithsam_ ⁠⁠

    25 min

About UNPACKED

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to 'UNPACKED' hosted by, Licensed Counselor Associate, Samantha DeSalvo. Your free weekly therapy session. 

We chat all things mental health and wellness to break strongholds…

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