Shows
The Big Silence“You Have to Become the Boss of Your Biology” — Dr. Darshan Shah on Mental Health, Longevity & Healing from the Inside OutWhat if your doctor was the one who needed saving?In this eye-opening episode of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn sits down with Dr. Darshan Shah, a surgeon, longevity expert, and founder of Next Health. After decades in medicine and a career spent helping others, Dr. Shah found himself battling chronic disease, obesity, depression, and burnout. But it wasn’t pills or procedures that saved him. It was a radical shift toward root-cause healing and functional medicine. This episode dives deep into the science behind metabolic health, food and mood, hormones, inflammation, and even Alzheimer’s prevention. If y...2025-08-0650 minThe Big Silence“You Can’t Quit If You Care”: Carl Daikeler on Grit, Growth & Why Abs Aren’t the Goal AnymoreWhat 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 Pennsylv...2025-06-2547 minThe Big SilenceYou’re Perfect As You Are: Embracing the New Year with Self-Compassion & Harmony with Karena & DeserayWelcome to 2025: New you, old you, but always improving! I’m kicking off the year with my right-hand woman, Deseray Cummings, from the stunning shores of Punta de Mita, Mexico. Together, we share our takes on New Year pressure —breaking down why resolutions can sometimes backfire and how to shift the focus to sustainable habits that truly nourish your body and mind. Spoiler: it’s not about 75-day challenges or burning yourself out!Deseray and I also answer your community questions about setting boundaries, practicing self-kindness, and finding balance in a world that demands “all or nothing.” From prior...2025-01-2232 minThe Big SilenceThe Dark Reality of Our Food System & How to Make Empowered Choices with Courtney SwanAs an Integrative Nutritionist, passionate food activist, and host of the popular Realfoodology podcast, Courtney Swan is on a mission to fix America’s broken food system and empower us with the knowledge we need to make healthier choices. In this episode, Courtney shares eye-opening insights about harmful ingredients and food practices most of us have no idea about. She breaks down the difference between conventional and regenerative farming, highlights the effects of lax U.S. food regulations, and offers simple strategies for smarter grocery shopping. She even audits my own grocery haul, calling out ingredients to avoid, and sp...2024-12-041h 09The Big SilenceLife Lately with Karena & Deseray: Lessons We Learned in Therapy, Navigating Grief, Manifesting Connections, & Funny Dating StoriesToday we’re catching up on life lately with my dear friend and social media manager, Deseray Cummings. From funny dating stories (yes, there’s a wild one about a celebrity on Raya!) to navigating hormone changes to the healing journey Deseray started through therapy – we’re diving deep and keeping it fun the way true friendships do! Plus, I’ll share some thoughts on grief as I reflect on the three-year anniversary of my mom’s passing, and how I manifested meeting Deepak Chopra – it’s all about that energy, baby. So, pour yourself a glass of wine or a Magic Mind...2024-09-1148 minThe Big SilenceBreaking Infertility Stigmas & Supporting Loved Ones Through Loss with Ali PratoAli Prato is the host of Infertile AF, the number one infertility podcast, an IVF mom and a secondary infertility warrior. Ali’s mission is to create a space she wished existed during her own journey and to ensure that others grappling with similar issues, or simply seeking to understand them, are not alone.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding and perhaps find the support you need!(00:02:58) Ending the Stigma Around Secondary Infertility & IVF(00:10:10) Real Talk on How Infertility Impacts Relationships(00:16:31) IVF Preparation & Protocol 101(00:22:56) Advice for Supporting Loved On...2024-07-3148 minThe Big SilenceLet Go of Old Wounds & Awaken Your Highest Self with Danny MorelI’m super honored and grateful to have connected with today’s brilliant guest, Danny Morel. Danny is a life coach and spiritual leader who has helped millions of people awaken, heal, and transform their lives. His podcast, The Higher Self with Danny Morel, became the number one spirituality podcast within six months – how amazing is that? His event, Awaken Your Highest Self, is quickly becoming the go-to for spiritual awakening. You might even see me there this summer!In this episode, Danny gets really open and vulnerable sharing his journey from rock bottom to spirit...2024-06-2754 minThe Big SilenceCatch Up with Karena! Choosing Peace while Traveling, The New Way to Do Girl Time & Baddie Biohacker RoutineTune in for a special catch-up episode with Karena! In today’s episode, we hear all about the inspirations behind The Big Silence Foundation and how you can be involved in our many programs for mental health support. Then, Karena dives into an update on her summer so far – flying around the country for biohacking and mental health conferences and speaking engagements, including a horror travel story that led to missing her lunch date at the United Nations. True to form, she shares how she was able to navigate the redirection and choose peace, offering important advice to k...2024-06-1929 minThe Big SilenceSasha DiGiulian on Climbing to New Heights, Facing Fears & Cultivating Mental StrengthI’m honored to sit down with Sasha DiGiulian, a remarkable figure in the climbing world whose story is not just about reaching new heights in her sport, but also about overcoming personal and physical challenges with incredible resilience and grace.She has won the World Championships for Female Overall, and has placed Silver in the Bouldering World Championships, as well as Bronze in the Duel. Sasha has been the undefeated panAmerican Champion 2004 to the present, and she is a three-time US National Champion. However, Sasha's mark as a female athlete and impact on the cl...2024-03-0653 minThe Big SilenceVibe Check! Learn How To Process Your Intuitive Energy with Kate HobbsHave you ever felt like you absorbed the emotions of those around you? Or, do you find that people often divulge private thoughts or feelings to you – even complete strangers? Life as an empath can take many directions, but they all lead back to energetic entanglement.Our guest today is energy transmuter and spiritual dot connector, Kate Hobbs. A native of New York City, an intuitive empath, certified energy healer, and relationship consultant, Kate is passionate about helping people release blocks, overcome obstacles, and excel to the next level.We talk about how growing up am...2024-02-281h 04The Big SilenceThe Gut Talk Girls on How Our Gut Health Impacts Our Mental HealthGut health is a topic that intertwines deeply with both mental and physical health, and today’s guests are here to shed light on how a happy gut is key to creating a happy life.I am excited to introduce Jill and Jenna, sisters and hosts of the incredible Gut Talk podcast. These two are on a mission to revolutionize your perspective on health. They believe in simplifying health concepts and championing the notion that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness.It's all about finding what uniquely works for you! Now that’s a message we c...2024-02-2150 minThe Big SilenceKarena & Bobby on How To Navigate Valentine’s Day if You’re Feeling TriggeredWhile Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and affection, it can also stir a whirlwind of emotions for many, particularly those dealing with PTSD, anxiety, or depression. It's like Mother's Day or Father's Day; there’s a variety of different experiences and feelings people face. The reality is, these holidays can be triggering and hard to navigate.That’s why we’ve done our research, and in this episode, Bobby and I are sharing three tips for coping with our feelings and emotions this holiday from Dr. Cortney Warren’s book, Letting Go Of Your Ex. We also...2024-02-1427 minThe Big SilenceConnect to Your Vocal Power: How To Heal Anxiety & Increase Confidence with Maryn AzoffToday’s episode is for anyone who loves to sing and dance. We’re joined by the remarkable Maryn Azoff, a classically trained singer and much more – a spirit lifter, soul emancipator, and fear crusher. Maryn empowers people globally through her Vocal Transformation Method, teaching the transformative power of the human voice. Maryn's method blends ancient wisdom and vocal techniques from diverse cultures, reawakening the body-mind-spirit connection.In this conversation, we explore Maryn’s journey to discovering her voice and passion for singing as she shares insights on our innate vocal instincts from birth, the transfor...2024-02-0747 minThe Big SilenceI Am Always Me: Katie Horwitch Shares Tips for Embodiment & Confidence BuildingKatie Horwitch is a writer, speaker, mindset coach, and women’s empowerment activist. She’s also the founder of WANT: Women Against Negative Talk, a platform that gives women tips, tools, motivation, and inspiration to live fearlessly. And she’s back for another conversation on the podcast, this time visiting The Big Silence studio in person.Touring in Austin to promote her book, Want Your Self, Katie and I take this opportunity to go even deeper into subjects we covered in October – and crack open a few interesting new ones, too. Starting with a rewind to trace her shif...2024-01-311h 10The Big SilenceBecome Your Most Powerful Self: Exploring Embodiment Practices for Inner Strength with Alexis ArtinGet ready to dive into an episode that's all about strengthening your intuition and embracing your best self with Alexis Artin. She's not just a leading growth coach; she's a powerhouse in the world of female embodiment, and she's here to share her incredible journey and tips for strengthening the mind-body-heart-soul connection.Alexis is a master at blending fitness trends with deep, transformative self-care. From her days in Hollywood to becoming a leader in female empowerment, she's got some amazing stories about personal development, letting go of self-judgements and limiting beliefs, how to truly connect with your...2024-01-2450 minThe Big SilenceYou Are NOT Your Past! Take Home Tips for Turning Adversity Into Triumph with Doug BopstWhen we experience bullying or face emotional hardship, it’s hard to imagine a world in which everything will turn out okay. At just 20 years old, Doug Bopst was addicted to opiates and spent time in jail for “possession with intent to sell.” It felt like a death sentence at the time. But in dedicating himself to doing the work to shift out of a victim mindset, mindful movement, and the people who believed in him, this is not where Doug’s story ends, but where it begins.Doug Bopst is an award-winning personal trainer, author of three bo...2024-01-1754 minThe Big SilenceToxic Love: Trauma Bonding & Relationship Red (and Green!) Flags with Dr. Nadine MacalusoWe hear terms like narcissist, love bombing, and trauma bonding a lot on social media. But what do they actually mean? And how can you recognize the signs so you can avoid, or begin to heal from, a toxic relationship?We explore these complex questions with Dr. Nadine Macaluso, a somatic psychologist and psychotherapist, in today’s episode of the podcast. Dr. Macaluso’s mission is to break the stigma of abusive relationships– and her first book, Run Like Hell, will be released this month. In this conversation, Dr. Macaluso shares her story of leaving her mar...2024-01-1044 minThe Big SilenceAccepting Change & Prioritizing Relationships in 2024 with Bobby Goldstein & Karena DawnHappy New Year, friends! Bobby and I are excited for 2024, and ready to share our reflections from 2023 and what we’re looking forward to in the new year. In this episode, we get honest about the lessons we learned and challenges we overcame, individually and as a couple, in 2023 before previewing what’s in store for 2024. We also get into some fun audience questions about our current fitness obsessions, goals, and how to take the first step towards getting mental health support through both the foundation’s growing offering and other reputable means. I’m simply blo...2024-01-0335 minThe Big SilenceMovement Is Medicine: Healing Through Dance & Mindfulness with Anya GarnisI’m thrilled to welcome dancer and performer Anya Garnis to the podcast. I met Anya when I took a dance class with a group of girlfriends; the experience was so joyful and meditative. I was touched by her personal journey with mental health and inspired to share it with this community.You may know Anya as a dancer and choreographer from So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars Live, and BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. After years performing all over the world, Anya has returned to her first passion – teaching, creating The Body Inst...2023-12-2752 minThe Big SilenceEver Forward: Ketamine Treatment, PTSD & Learning to Walk (Twice!) with Army Vet Chase ChewningToday, we have the honor of sitting down with Chase Chewning, an Army veteran and Certified Health Coach who has turned his life's adversities into a source of strength, both for himself and for countless others. After sustaining injuries that led to bilateral reconstructive hip surgeries, Chase faced the daunting task of learning to walk again, not once, but twice! This physical struggle coincided with an immense personal loss – the passing of his father to a terminal illness. These experiences, understandably, had a profound impact on Chase's mental health. In this episode, Chase shares how he l...2023-12-2056 minThe Big SilenceBreak the Cycle: How To Heal From Intergenerational Trauma with Dr. Mariel BuquéIs trauma passed down in our DNA? How can we break that cycle to heal our families and ourselves? These are questions that have been coming up a lot for me, my friends, and our podcast community. Today, I’m excited to tackle these topics with Dr. Mariel Buqué. Dr. Buqué is a Columbia University trained psychologist and author of the new book, Break The Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma. In this episode, Dr. Buqué explains what intergenerational trauma is and how it impacts our everyday lives, offering tangible tips to overcome it, plus ways to gen...2023-12-1339 minThe Big SilenceHow To Create Heaven on Earth & More Lessons From the Spirit World with Medium Rebecca RosenWe can learn some of our greatest life lessons from those who have passed on. Today, we have a spiritual medium on the podcast for the first time ever. This incredible conversation brought me to tears of joy. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.Rebecca Rosen is an internationally acclaimed medium, speaker, and author of the new book, What’s Your Heaven? Her mission is to open the lines of communication between our world and the spirit world. In this illuminating chat, Rebecca shares exactly what a medium is and how she connects with sp...2023-11-1541 minThe Big SilenceEverything You’ve Wanted To Know About Psychedelic Therapy with Derek Du Chesne & Dr. Sam ZandI’m really excited to dig into a new topic you’ve been asking about – psychedelic therapy. Today, Derek Du Chesne and Dr. Sam Zand demystify the sometimes controversial practice and explain how it is transforming the future of mental health treatment. Derek and Dr. Zand are the co-founders of Better U, an alternative mental health platform that offers at-home ketamine therapy and other holistic healing modalities. Their mission is to evolve our understanding of mental health – shifting the conversation from mental illness to mental wellness. In today’s episode, Derek and Dr. Zand break down what ke...2023-11-011h 02The Big SilenceRevisiting Narcissism: Identifying a Narcissist in Your Life with Dr. Jaime ZuckermanToday’s re-air puts the spotlight back on Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, aka Dr. Z. She's a national expert in narcissistic abuse and a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of adults with anxiety and mood disorders. She's also a relationship coach and she has her own podcast.We break down narcissistic personality disorder, harmful Disney messaging, golden child syndrome manipulation, and how to have a healthy relationship with a narcissist who could be a family member, a parent, a sibling. This is a commonly requested topic, and a complicated one to try and understand thr...2023-10-2540 minThe Big SilenceListen to Your Gut: Food as Medicine, Gut Health & Intuition in Entrepreneurship with Kerry SongOn this beautiful new day, we welcome the talented Kerry Song to chat about my favorite topics – healthy eating, mental wellness, and impact-driven entrepreneurship. Kerry is the founder and CEO of Abbot’s Butcher, a brand that makes delicious, plant-based meats from quality, ethically-sourced ingredients. Kerry has always been driven by a mission to serve others. While working with a marketing team for Tony Robbins, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that turned her life upside down. Through her own journey, she discovered the healing power of plant-based eating. On this path, she realized that there were...2023-10-1845 minThe Big SilenceSecrets of a Top Trainer: Fitness Motivation & Finding Inner Strength with Eric RakofskyPersonal trainer and amateur boxer, Eric Rakofsky, has always been a fighter. After a challenging upbringing and losing his father at a young age, Eric found purpose in his passion for fitness. He now helps his clients – including influential CEOs and supermodels – connect with their inner strength, in and out of the gym. Eric is also a trainer at my favorite gym in Austin, The Kollective. I’m excited to share his story today.In this episode, Eric opens up about his childhood in Brooklyn and how he processed grief following his father’s death. He shares...2023-10-1157 minThe Big SilenceRewrite Your Inner Story: How To Shift Your Self-Talk & Live Fearlessly with Katie HorwitchLet’s talk about self-talk. How you speak to yourself sets the tone for everything else in your life. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome Katie Horwitch – passionate writer, mindset coach, and women’s empowerment activist – to The Big Silence podcast today.Katie is the founder of WANT: Women Against Negative Self-Talk, a platform that gives women tools, motivation, and inspiration to shift their internal conversations in a more positive direction. Her first book, Want Your Self: Shift Your Self-Talk and Unearth The Strength In Who You Were All Along, comes out on October 3rd.In...2023-10-0452 minThe Big SilenceHow to Build Unbreakable Confidence & Resilience with Demi-Leigh TebowI’m so excited to welcome Demi-Leigh Tebow, a powerhouse entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe to the show today. After a traumatic carjacking experience, Demi dove into learning about gender-based violence and human trafficking. She then founded Unbreakable, a confidence-building conference that educates, empowers, and equips women to overcome challenges and break barriers. Today, she opens up about the carjacking experience and how she trusted her intuition to fight back. We explore her healing journey through trauma counseling and EMDR therapy. We also talk about ways to tackle our everyday lives wit...2023-09-2744 minThe Big SilenceRewriting 50+ Years of Mental Health Stigma: A Raw Conversation with Rocker Snake SaboSnake Sabo spent years suffering in silence, afraid to talk about his experiences with severe depression, anxiety, trauma, and self-harm. Now, he speaks openly about his journey and shares our passion for breaking the stigma around mental health. We’re thrilled to welcome Snake Sabo, a legendary musician and the guitarist of heavy metal band Skid Row. In this vulnerable conversation, Snake opens up about receiving a mental health diagnosis in the 1970s, before any information or support was available to him. He shares stories of overcoming generational trauma, abuse, and self-harm as a teenager. We talk abo...2023-09-201h 23The Big SilenceYou Can Transform the World: An Unforgettable Conversation with Marianne WilliamsonIt is a great honor to have bestselling author, spiritual leader, and 2024 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson on the podcast. She has changed millions of lives – including mine, I have been following her work since I started my own spiritual journey in my 20s – and she continues to do so every day with her deep passion and purpose for healing our world. In this dynamic, thought-provoking conversation, Marianne and I talk about how we as individuals can impact the collective. We explore the intersectionality of mental health, how to protect America’s youth, how to bring less fear into po...2023-09-1347 minThe Big SilenceConnect With Your Inner Knowing: A Revealing Conversation with Kimberly Van Der Beek & Peggy RometoI am thrilled to welcome Kimberly Van Der Beek and Peggy Rometo to the show. Recently, I chatted with them on their amazing podcast, Bathroom Chronicles, instantly falling in love with their warm energy, vulnerability, and deep insights. I know you will too!Peggy is a spiritual teacher and world-renowned energy expert who helps others discover their intuitive gifts. Kimberly was a strategic advisor, producer, and activist before marrying actor James Van Der Beek, having six children, and moving their family to a ranch outside of Austin. From the ranch’s rustic bathroom, Kimberly and Peggy co-host Ba...2023-09-0656 minThe Big SilenceAre You Living Like You Mean It? And More Big Questions With Author & Cancer Thriver Kris CarrWe’re all going to die. But how many of us live along the way?That is the question that wellness leader, Kris Carr, poses to the community today. After following one another for many years, she finally joins us on the podcast for a deep dive into her journey and mission.As a New York Times bestselling author, wellness activist, and cancer thriver, Kris leads the charge in the fight against disease, empowering people to take back their physical and mental health. You’ll hear examples of her own strength throughout the conversation; we can...2023-08-3050 minThe Big SilenceResilience as a Superpower: Tone It Up Girl Katrina Surdi’s Story of Loss, Love & CommunityI’m honored to introduce you to Katrina Surdi, a radiant Tone It Up girl, mental health advocate, devoted kindergarten teacher, and certified yoga instructor. Katrina has been a leader in the Tone It Up community for more than twelve years, where she has forged lifelong friendships and motivated others with her strength, positivity, and vibrant spirit. You can count me as one of the countless women who Katrina has inspired. Despite facing tragedy and addiction in her family, Katrina remains a shining light. Resilience is her superpower, and she shares it with everyone in her...2023-08-231h 15The Big SilenceUnmasking Resilience: From Messy Minds to Mental Mastery with Dr. Caroline LeafWe are truly honored to welcome Dr. Caroline Leaf, a renowned communication pathologist, audiologist, and clinical and cognitive neuroscientist with an expertise in psychoneurobiology and metacognitive neuropsychology. For over four decades, Dr. Leaf has been at the forefront of mind-brain research, tirelessly exploring the profound ways our minds shape our brains, control our thoughts, and ultimately define our mental well-being. Drawing from her own rich history in the field, and as the host of the widely popular podcast of her own – Cleaning Up the Mental Mess – she has been instrumental in changing lives through her bestselling books, leadi...2023-08-161h 02The Big SilenceFalling into Fulfillment: Unraveling the Inspiring Story & Deep Impact of Jenna Phillips BallardJenna Phillips Ballard remembers experiencing severe depression as a teen, crippled by a fear of being misunderstood, bullied by classmates, ruminating on the experience of her own funeral. Then, she fell – suffering a traumatic head injury that would influence the rest of her life.Today, we’re joined by a powerhouse woman, leader, coach, trainer, author, and now – musician! Jenna Phillips Ballard has worked with the biggest names in the entertainment industry (this conversation includes mention of Ben Stiller, Katy Perry, Blink 182, even Beyonce!).During this time she was one of LA’s most sought-after fitness...2023-08-0956 minThe Big SilenceMacKenzie Bourg’s Journey through Adversity, Grief & Healing Through MusicI am thrilled to have MacKenzie Bourg as our guest today. MacKenzie has carved out a unique path in the world of music. From being an aspiring athlete in Lafayette, Louisiana, to battling a life-threatening virus that triggered congestive heart failure, his journey has been anything but conventional.In this episode, he illuminates how his inability to be physically active at a young age fueled his passion for music and led him to incredible opportunities. On NBC's The Voice and FOX's American Idol, he reached the Top 4 and garnered a loyal fanbase, the "MacPack." Bourg's latest accomplishment...2023-08-0231 minThe Big SilenceHealing After A Toxic Relationship: Finding Harmony in Self-Love with Dr. Najwa ZebianToday, on The Big Silence, we’re joined by Dr. Najwa Zebian, renowned activist, author, speaker, and educator in the mental health and relationships space. Her multifaceted self-help audiobook, Conversations on Letting Go, is a TBS favorite – packed with real-world advice and introspective thought exercises to help people get through the hard times and enjoy the good ones. We cover her inspired path as an educator of young refugees, writer, and mental health advocate – dipping into existentialism, how and why we do the things we do, and set forth ways to hack the system for joy and content...2023-07-1952 minThe Big SilenceWhat is Long COVID? And How to Move Forward with Dr. James C. JacksonToday’s guest, Dr. James C. Jackson, is an internationally renowned expert on long COVID and its effects on cognitive and mental health functioning. He is a research professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt, where he is also the co-founder and director of Behavioral Health at the award-winning ICU Recovery Center, one of the first comprehensive clinical resources devoted to diagnosing and treating survivors of both mild and critical illness, including those who survived COVID-19. He and his team created the first psychologist-led long COVID support groups in the United States early in the pandemic and con...2023-07-1245 minThe Big SilenceBobby & Karena AMA: Lessons from Our 10-Year Relationship, Tips for Calming Race Day Anxiety & MoreIt’s been a while since Bobby and I have gotten together for an AMA, so we’re back with a Wine Not Wednesday AMA episode! As we’re sipping on our Slate Theory Wine, we talk about our first impressions of each other and reflect on my growth, from a shy introvert to being more confident in myself and my mission in this world.We give our honest tips for a healthy marriage and what’s been important to our relationship over the last ten years – describing how we navigate having different hobbies and interests, and unpack how...2023-07-0545 minThe Big SilenceBrain Breakthroughs: Investing in New Mental Health Technology with Dr. Amy KruseToday’s guest Dr. Amy Kruse is the General Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Satori Neuro, a stage-agnostic venture fund focused on mental health, neurotechnology, and human flourishing. Amy leverages her decades of experience as a neuroscientist and her prior roles as an operator and a government program manager to discover transformational companies addressing the largest mental health, brain health, and wellness challenges and opportunities. She also draws on her expertise to support Satori Neuro’s portfolio companies as they evaluate and overcome scientific and implementation challenges, with a specific emphasis on deploying complex technology into real-world environments.2023-06-2249 minThe Big SilenceUnlocking the Mind-Body Connection Through Therabody Wellness Technology with Dr. Jason WerslandToday, we’re talking all about integrating the mind and body through innovative technologies with Dr. Jason Wersland, the Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody. He is deeply involved in Therabody’s R&D process, starting with the invention of Theragun, the world’s first handheld percussive therapy device, to leading a team of scientists and engineers in creating the brand’s full ecosystem of wellness technologies. Having started his wellness career as a chiropractor, Dr. Jason has dedicated his life to giving people access to products that can enhance their health and well-being.In this e...2023-06-1435 minThe Big SilenceRedefining Your Purpose with 2-time Olympian Trey HardeeToday's guest, joining us live in The Big Silence studio, is Trey Hardee, 2-time World Champion and 2-time Olympian (Silver in 2012) in the Decathlon. Trey was the World’s #1 ranked Decathlete four times throughout his career while racking up 4 US titles. A 7-time All-American, he also set the Collegiate Record in the Decathlon – no big deal.Trey is also an ambassador for Flatwater Foundation, a group dedicated to providing mental health therapies surrounding a cancer diagnosis, and a coach at my gym in Austin, the Kollective.He retired in 2017 and this is a discussion about his...2023-06-071h 26The Big SilenceWhat Is Healthy? Reframing Food Language & Diet Lifestyle with Kim Shapira, MS, RDToday’s super informed guest on The Big Silence is Kim Shapira, MS, RD, a practicing celebrity dietitian and nutrition therapist for the last 25 years. She’s famous for her 6 rules to develop and sustain a normal relationship with food, which forms the outline of her new book, This Is What You’re Really Hungry For, and our insightful conversation, today.Kim specializes in helping people lose weight with a healthy mindset, the deep connections between mental health and eating, and disordered eating – all subjects we unpack in this episode. Surviving a rare health diagnosis, a dozen surgerie...2023-05-2444 minThe Big SilenceSasha Pieterse on Knowing Your Value, Rejection Resilience, PCOS & MotherhoodI am so excited to have Sasha Pieterse-Sheaffer on the show. A passionate actress, author, and entrepreneur, she’s been an actress for 22 years with the privilege of working on some fantastic television shows and films, including the hit series Pretty Little Liars. She’s also the author of In Good Taste, a book inspired by her love of hosting and passion for healthy living. Sasha is a proud wife and mother (her favorite role) and most recently, podcast host!We touch on all the juicy stuff in this one… Growing up in Hollywood and her exp...2023-05-1744 minThe Big SilenceMiki Agrawal on Disrupting Culture, Growing from Trauma & Healing Relationship RupturesToday's guest is Miki Agrawal. Miki is a social entrepreneur, advisor, and investor who uses creativity and disruptive innovation to challenge the status quo and change culture. She is the founder of several acclaimed social enterprises: TUSHY, THINX and WILD (collectively valued at over 200 million). She is also the author of the #1 best-selling books Do Cool Sh*t and Disrupt-Her. She passionately speaks about her 15 years of entrepreneurial adventures, from inventing products in taboo categories, to creatively launching them, to marketing and scaling them exponentially, to dealing with shocking setbacks – and shares her colorful, authentic revelations along the...2023-05-1045 minThe Big SilenceMaster Your Stress: Boosting Energy & Beating Burnout with Dr. Doni WilsonToday's guest on The Big Silence is Dr. Doni Wilson, a naturopathic doctor, certified professional midwife, certified nutrition specialist, and author of Master Your Stress, Reset For Health. We go deep on stress, how it manifests in our bodies and minds, long term effects, and ways to effectively manage it in our day-to-day lives.Her diverse background makes her an expert on stress as it relates to women who are pregnant or in labor, how the foods we eat can affect mood and energy levels, and even creative stress – like birthing a book! I also relay a fe...2023-05-0354 minThe Big SilenceMike Lee & Angie Lee: Managing Stress & Depression, Healing with Humor & CBDBrother and sister duo and Soul co-founders, Mike and Angie Lee, are here to share how they’ve made transitions in their career journeys and found natural solutions to managing ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Angie is a highly sought after marketing mentor, keynote speaker, professional podcaster, and serial entrepreneur. Mike is a world-ranked professional boxer who has fought in some of the world’s most iconic arenas in front of millions of fans. In 2014, Mike was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis, which almost ended his career. Mike began searching for natural alternatives which led him to di...2023-04-2656 minThe Big SilenceWell Balanced: Managing Anxiety, Living Authentically & Embracing Play with Liz PlosserToday's guest needs no introduction. Liz Plosser is the Editor-in-Chief of Women's Health. She's been passionately reporting and editing health, fitness, nutrition, sexual health, and mental health content for her entire career. She has a 360-degree outlook on the wellness world, having worked across platforms at print magazines (Self, Cosmopolitan), with video (CosmoBody), overseeing content and strategy for brands like SoulCycle, and as SVP of Content in the digital space (Well+Good).Liz is a strong, powerhouse woman I’m lucky to have known for the past 10 years. She’s someone I look up to and a wond...2023-04-1946 minThe Big SilenceFrom Burnout to Balance: Navigating High-Functioning Codependency with Terri ColeTerri Cole is back for her third appearance on the podcast. Terri is a licensed psychotherapist, global empowerment and relationship expert with a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable. In this episode, we explore the toxic patterns and cycles women experience that keep us stressed and burned out. Whether it’s in relation to our career, external relationships or the relationship with ourselves, Terri gives us some helpful questions to ask ourselves to identify where we need to make a change. Terri shares her definition of high functioning codependency and how it can show up...2023-04-1248 minThe Big SilenceMind Over Matter: How to Build Mental Resilience through Fitness (Live at Kollective)Today’s episode is a panel discussion from a fitness event in Austin at the Kollective social performance club featuring three inspirational trainers; Melissa Alcantara, aka Fit Gurl Mel, Jeremy Hills, founder of Kollective, and my personal trainer, Sandy Brockman. We talk about having a goal with your fitness regardless of your age to keep you accountable and engaged, advice for people new to fitness, how your mindset in the gym translates into your mindset in life, chasing the “hard” to be the best version of ourselves, what we’re manifesting, and so much more. One thing...2023-04-0545 minThe Big SilenceMagic Mike: Spreading Smiles & A Magical Mental Health MessageMichael Webb is unlike any magician you’ve seen in person or virtually on zoom. As a full-time magician with 15 years experience, Sydney magician Magic Mike is a fun, easy going and approachable magician who caught my attention after I watched his inspirational mental health message on Australia’s Got Talent in 2022 that brought me to tears.I loved talking to Mike about his mental health journey; from feeling alone in his struggle with depression to a coworker signing him up to see a doctor to spreading his message of hope and healing to audiences around the worl...2023-03-2938 minThe Big SilenceHow to Start Prioritizing Your Mental Health with Kati Morton, LMFTToday's guest on The Big Silence is Kati Morton. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, as well as a successful author and speaker known for humanizing mental health through her super popular YouTube channel. We cover big and little T traumas, the traits of a good and bad therapist, the cost of therapy, what high functioning depression is, how to overcome the nerves around upcoming therapy sessions, how to help a loved one who may be struggling with depression, attachment styles, and a whole bunch of f...2023-03-1547 minThe Big SilenceWhat’s Not To Love? Saying It Out Loud with Vasavi KumarA first-generation immigrant raised on Long Island, NY, Vasavi Kumar is famous for “Saying It Out Loud.” She’s a former TV host, licensed therapist, and the creator of the Say It Out Loud Safe Haven, an online support community. She holds dual Masters degrees in Special Education from Hofstra University and Social Work from Columbia University.Vasavi is an open book in this one, getting raw and honest about her lived experience in a way that allows others to take solace, and build hope, with regard to their own challenges. We talk about finding radical self-love, honori...2023-03-081h 10The Big SilenceAMA: Learning to Celebrate Your Season with Karena DawnToday, we have a special mixed-AMA episode with a dear, dear friend of mine, Miya. Miya and I met at the gym and have been close friends for over twenty years – witnessing and supporting one another through the many seasons of our lives – the good, the painful, and everything in between.We begin the episode with Miya’s learned experience with love and parenting, how she’s grown to place the utmost importance on her own personal self-worth before seeking it from anyone else. We then dig into a few listener-submitted questions from my Instagram:What is your...2023-03-0252 minThe Big SilenceTaking Responsibility For Our Healing – Not Our Traumas with Debbie WhiteheadToday on The Big Silence, we’re joined by Debbie Whitehead, a licensed therapist with thirty years of experience in mental health and family and marriage counseling. She shares her deep trauma experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse which led to her becoming a thriver and sharing her story with the world.[Content Warning: This episode deals with overcoming difficult traumas, including child sexual abuse and incest. Please listen with care and compassion.]Practicing out of Plano, Texas, Debbie has a holistic approach when it comes to mental health and counseling, leveraging her tr...2023-02-2244 minThe Big SilenceThe Science of Wellness: Discovering the Minimum Method with Joey ThurmanDiagnosed with depression at the young age of thirteen, Joey Thurman’s journey as a young person was more challenging than he made it appear to the outside world as a multi-sport athlete. At home though, his truth was laid bare as he threatened to commit suicide on many occasions.We talk about his journey into the professional fitness space, a success story that sounds similar, and happened around the same time, as the launch of Tone It Up. Joey touches on lessons his childhood has presented for his own son’s life, and what signs other pare...2023-02-1559 minThe Big SilenceAnimal Power: Tapping Into Our Most Primal Positive Energies with Alyson CharlesAlyson Charles, rock-star Shaman and author of Power Animals, started running as a toddler, with her dad as her coach. Making the decision at a young age to suppress her true soul's purpose and calling to maintain a relationship with her dad, she went on to become a national champion athlete and D1 college coach. But as she describes it – she was winning, but lost.Realizing that she had been allowing her physical vessel to be dishonored for almost two decades, her spiritual awakening began with leaving a toxic long term relationship, one wrought with sex...2023-02-011h 11The Big SilenceAlessandra Torresani on Living (and Thriving) With Bipolar 1 DisorderYou may know today’s guest from iconic shows like Malcolm In The Middle, The Big Bang Theory, and Arrested Development. I know her as my new BFF. Alessandra Torresani is a beaming light of positive energy and healthy outlook; she joins the show to talk about being diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder and thriving as an on-screen sensation and mental health advocate. Moving to Hollywood at eleven, her story of child stardom touches on early symptoms that confused her family and doctors. She’d bang her head on the wall. She’d refuse to cross thresholds and enter d...2023-01-2543 minThe Big SilenceTaking A Soul-Centered Approach to Addiction Recovery with Dr. Elisa HallermanDr. Elisa Hallerman is another gracious guest whose story mirrors some of my own. She’s the author of Soulbriety: A Plan to Heal Your Trauma, Overcome Addiction, and Reconnect with Your Soul (released just last month!) and the founder of her own mental health modality by the same name.In this episode, we go deep on the complex interwoven concepts of sobriety and addiction recovery, discussing her own journey with addiction, beginning with drinking at seventeen and progressing to drugs, specifically cocaine.Experiencing relational trauma as a child stemming from her mother's own addiction is...2023-01-1846 minThe Big SilenceBeing Bullied All the Way to Madison Square Garden With Aija MayrockToday, we’re joined by Aija Mayrock, a bestselling author, poet, and performer who was bullied as a child and lives, now, to help alleviate that pain from future generations.Her story starts with her most impressionable years spent suffering in silence, mocked for speech impediments, a lisp and a stutter, and experiencing cyberbullying and harassment seeded by a social post by someone she’d never even met. We learn that even her teachers sometimes took part in the abuse. The starting blocks of her pain-to-purpose journey illustrate the extreme toxicity of mob mentality alongside the dangers of s...2023-01-1140 minThe Big SilenceNavigating the Rough Seas of Addiction with Captain Sandy YawnIt’s time to get this ship in tip top shape, as we’re joined by international leader, speaker, and beloved super yacht Captain, Sandy Yawn. Building upon humble beginnings and overcoming addiction, Captain Sandy retells her story of self-leadership, draws the line between forgiveness and resentment, tells some incredible seas-going stories, and previews her new book – Be the Calm or Be the Storm: Leadership Lessons from a Woman at the Helm.Listening to her, it’s clear she’s at the helm of her own life. And she’s committed to helping others make the same journey she...2023-01-0446 minThe Big SilenceHealing Through Truth & Harnessing the Power of Storytelling with Kindra HallBobby is back to help us kick off this energetic interview with keynote speaker, motivational coach, and professional storyteller, Kindra Hall. Known for her dynamic stage presence for all of the world’s top brands, she’s also the author of Stories That Stick and released Choose Your Story, Change Your Life just about a year before this episode is set to air.Seeing herself an outcast as a child, she made her own way in the world – finding her place as a creative communicator and coach. Now a mommy of two, she aligns her learned lessons with p...2022-12-2849 minThe Big SilenceFinding Hope in Hopelessness with Amber ValdezAmber Valdez is a spiritual awakening guide and bestselling author. She’s also one of my very best friends, someone I’ve connected with here in Austin over hikes and long conversations about our shared backgrounds and experiences.She grew up in a mentally and physically abusive home with a single mother who was mentally ill. As a young girl, she was creative and entrepreneurial, selling cookies and lemonade, and hosting a TV show with her cousin – sound familiar? We talk about her struggles with disordered eating and body dysmorphia, particularly during her time as a cheer...2022-12-2157 minThe Big SilenceAMA: The Continued Evolution of Karena Dawn with Bobby GoldsteinOur ever-elusive co-host joins the show again today, this time, in the captain’s chair as Bobby Goldstein interviews his wife, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn. After all, it’s been nearly forty episodes since we caught up with our fearless host.We learn how Karena has processed her mother’s passing, just over a year after the loss, unpacking her evolving experience with grief and trauma. She’s an open book from the jump in this one, tears included, admitting that she doesn’t miss her mom in a traditio...2022-12-1444 minThe Big SilenceA Child of Magic: Going From Gangster to Goddess with Christine OliviaFrolicking nude in nature, giggling, sweating, even crying – there are a few things we can do as humans that deeply connect us to our inner child magic. My guest today, Christine Olivia, grew up in a toxic and unsafe environment. Shaped by that experience, she has learned to treasure the frolicking, to savor the laughter, and to always embrace the playful side of things.Daydreaming as a kid that she’d be picked up by another family and taken in, her idea of family was broken once more at 22, when her estranged father committed suicide. Spending the rest...2022-12-0137 minThe Big SilenceLiving Life in the Beautiful Greys with Mary Lawless LeeThe truth is, life’s not black and white. Today, we’re embracing the greys. And this means so much more than your favorite muted fall fashion tones.Mary Lawless Lee is a mother, writer, entrepreneur, and creator. She’s the author of Happily Grey, a book about in-between living – and she’s our guest on today’s episode of The Big Silence. We start by unpacking the inspiration and meaning behind her catchphrase, the moment she realized she was stuck, and how that realized truth led to a divorce, and evolution, at the age of twenty-six.This on...2022-11-1637 minThe Big SilenceWhen We Break Down, We Break Through with Dr. Neeta BhushanDr. Neeta Bhushan is a well-known speaker, entrepreneur, and podcaster (check out episode 79 of The Brave Table). She’s also the author of That Sucked. Now What?, hitting bookstores in January. But before she was the evolved and expanded version of Neeta that she is today, she faced a truth that would change everything, forever. We talk about that day, and the painful years that preceded it – a complicated journey and family dynamic that sounds a whole lot like my own. We go deep on her experience moving down a dark road of loss and grief as a you...2022-11-0951 minThe Big SilenceNarcissism 101: There’s Always a Motive with Dr. Jaime ZuckermanToday’s episode features Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, aka Dr. Z. She's a national expert in narcissistic abuse and a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of adults with anxiety and mood disorders. She's also a relationship coach and she has her own podcast.We break down narcissistic personality disorder, harmful Disney messaging, golden child syndrome manipulation, and how to have a healthy relationship with a narcissist who could be a family member, a parent, a sibling. This is a commonly requested topic, and a complicated one to try and understand through the lens of log...2022-11-0241 minThe Big SilenceWhat if Mental Health Is Really Brain Health? With Dr. Daniel AmenThis one is all about reframing the negative, avoidant, and prescription-driven social programming around mental health, and more importantly, mental illness. Our guest today, Dr. Daniel Amen, asks a question that illustrates a fascinating contrast… What if brain health was mental health?We parse vocabulary throughout the conversation, how words can mean so much when it comes between a person feeling hopeless in their symptoms and understanding that they are still in control of their health, no matter their diagnosis. He sheds light on a range of interesting subjects, from categorizing anxiety and depression into sev...2022-10-2638 minThe Big SilenceLearning How To Love Yourself with Gwen DittmarOur guest today is Gwen Dittmar, an incredibly gifted coach and spiritual psychologist. In fact, she’s my own personal coach, and her work has had a huge positive impact on my life since we first met in 2017 – helping me to align with my purpose and find balance within myself.She works with entrepreneurs (like me) who struggle to identify that one important thing that’s missing from their lives, and big brands with the foresight to know that they need to see the big picture. She’s also a breathwork practitioner, the guiding voice that led our dear...2022-10-1956 minThe Big SilenceSahara Rose: Find Your Dharma & Let the Magic UnfoldThe Queen of Dharma, Sahara Rose, joins us in studio, for today’s heart-filled episode of The Big Silence. She is co-founder of the Dharma Coaching Institute and Rose Gold Goddesses, guiding women in their spiritual evolutions with an openness and authenticity that makes her such a treat to be around.We talk about her family’s roots in survival and how that influence has served as a guide in her work as a Dharmic healer. Devoting her life to her mission of saving the world, she describes the hard lessons and failures she encountered along the way...2022-10-1245 minThe Big SilenceThoughts Can’t Kill: Understanding the Roots of Anxiety with Dr. Julia BritzJoining The Big Silence, today, is Dr. Julia Britz, a licensed naturopathic doctor practicing in Las Vegas, NV, who specializes in integrative mental health. Her areas of focus include OCD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and psychiatric medication tapering.Her story to personal health and natural healing starts early in her childhood, as we’ve heard is so often the experience for people who’ve overcome mental health challenges. Julia describes a visceral battle with OCD, the repeated compulsions and illogical thinking that clouded her life with dread, anxiety, and panic.She describes anxiety as stress and...2022-10-0542 minThe Big SilenceFinding Zen: Your Actions Are Your True Belongings with Koshin Paley EllisonToday's guest on The Big Silence is Koshin Paley Ellison. He has devoted his life to the study and application of psychotherapy and Buddhism. He's an author, a practicing monk, and the co-founder, alongside his husband, of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.Connecting on our Ukrainian roots, and shared resulting generational trauma (like we heard about last week with Minaa B.), Koshin highlights the other, more positive side of the same coin – epigenetic courage. It’s a great way to flip the narrative, that we may experience pain, at times in part, at the hand...2022-09-2843 minThe Big SilenceTalk It Out: Overcoming Intergenerational Trauma with Minaa B.In this week’s new episode of The Big Silence, the inspiring and informed Minaa B joins us from the last semblance of summer in New York City to talk about her therapy journey, grieving a loved one, her advanced perspective on trauma, and burnout.She specializes in anxiety and depression, an understanding that’s informed by her own experience with self-harm as a teen. We talk about the harsh environment she faced as a young person, challenged by cultural differences as her family gained footing in America after emigrating from Panama. We swap mother/daughter dynamics to i...2022-09-2139 minThe Big SilenceRebuilding Beautiful: Bringing Suicide Out Into the Daylight with Kayla StoeckleinKayla Stoecklein had it all – then, it was gone in an instant. She joins The Big Silence today to share her tragic experience with suicide and how she’s rededicated her life to exploring grief and understanding the signs that might lead a person to take their own life.Her husband Andrew, processing the recent passing of his father and facing enormous pressure at their ministry to fill his shoes, began experiencing severe panic attacks in 2017. Kayla shares each step they took along the way – medication, counseling, rest, time away from work – before he committed suicide the followin...2022-09-0749 minThe Big SilenceBeing Big Sis: My Sister’s Voice & Perspective with Rachel SahaidachnyMy talented and beloved sister, Rachel Sahaidachny, runs the show here at The Big Silence and takes time to sit with us today for a deep dive sharing her perspective on the events and dynamics detailed in my memoir. In fact, we delve into a handful of great questions posed to me at a recent book club event (shout out to the TIU Books & Babes!).We kick things off with a chat about her background in non-profit work and why it was so important, on both a tactical level and an emotional one, for us to join...2022-08-3147 minThe Big SilenceSchizophrenia, Sobriety & Making Art From It All with Emil NavaToday’s guest on The Big Silence, Emil Nava, is an award winning director and out-of-this-world creative storyteller who’s worked with big brands, like GAP, and big names, like Alicia Keys and Pharrell. His specialty is film, music videos – kaleidoscopic and bursting with energy and color, his work is packed with expression and emotion.In this one, we unpack where some of that inspiration was seeded. Emil lived a tough early life in London, getting in trouble a lot (sound familiar?). In fact, we learn that his father was also diagnosed with schizophrenia. The similarities in our ex...2022-08-2445 minThe Big SilenceCreate a To-Be List (Not a To-Do List) with Monica BergToday's guest is Monica Berg. She's an international speaker, spiritual thought leader, the author of Fear Is Not An Option and Rethink Love, and the host of the Spiritually Hungry podcast. She joins us for an extra special episode as my husband and The Big Silence Executive Handyman, Bobby Goldstein, sits with me for a mini therapy session that’s revealing, honest, and at times, a little uncomfortable. No one said the good work would be easy, after all. Still, it’s important to share these kinds of moments. No relationship is perfect and that’s okay. Monica...2022-08-1753 minThe Big SilenceYour Story is Your Power with Isa WatsonIsa Watson is the founder and creative powerhouse behind the Squad app, an upstart tech brand that promises to use the devices in our pockets for good – for deeper connection with others. She joins the show today to talk about her mental health experience as an entrepreneur in a male-dominated space, the app and its mission, and her traumatic wakeup call – a tragic accident in which she lost her father.Isa, just like all of us working through trauma, still takes small steps each and every day to cope and learn from her experiences with loss and grie...2022-08-1045 minThe Big SilenceYou Don’t Have to Suffer for Your Art with Lindsey MorganLindsey Morgan was one of the lead actors on the TV show, The 100, and the reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger. In this episode, we discuss how success doesn’t always translate into happiness – and the dangers of expecting it to. So many people feel guilty when they hit their goals but still don’t feel happy or fulfilled. We’re here to tell you that what you may be experiencing is normal, that it is okay, and that there is nothing wrong with you. We unpack the ways Lindsey was pouring her trauma and pain into her a...2022-08-032h 19The Big SilenceNo More Shame & No More Blame with EmmeMy guest today is the beaming and beautiful, Emme, a supermodel and body image advocate that’s broken down barriers in the modeling industry with her unique look and dedication to positive change. She was Revlon’s first full-figured model and is known as a, if not THE, pioneer in women’s body empowerment.We learn that she stumbled into the modeling world by accident before finding herself as a sought-after talent by top brands and magazines in the nineties. We talk about the harsh mental and emotional environment in the modeling space, how she’s coached her daug...2022-07-2742 minThe Big SilencePutting in the Work: How The Fitness Marshall Manages ADHD with Caleb MarshallYouTube and social media fitness star, Caleb Marshall, AKA, The Fitness Marshall, joins The Big Silence today to talk about his life long experience with ADHD and how he manages it with regard to both his career and his personal relationships.We connect over our shared Indiana roots and celebrate his recent engagement before going deep on his inspiring journey turning a college hobby into a wildly popular content stream that empowers people to move and have fun all over the world. His story begins, like mine, with going back to what made him truly happy – moving hi...2022-07-2049 minThe Big SilenceMoving On: Facing My Childhood with The Body Coach, Joe WicksMy guest for today’s episode is the energetic and optimistic Joe Wicks. He's a global fitness star with more than 4.5 million followers on Instagram and 100 million views on YouTube, but he has recently started sharing a very new element of his life publicly – his strained childhood living with parents suffering from mental illness and addiction.Joe gets intimate with his early experiences, reckoning with his father’s repeated relapses and mother’s dual-fronted battle with OCD and eating disorders. We swap stories on this front, in a shared effort to normalize the pain, and more importantly, the grow...2022-07-1348 minThe Big SilenceWhat Does Your Soul Choose? with Almost 30Fresh off a night in the org’s tour bus, Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik join the show, live and in-studio, for a very special conversation about coming into your truth and getting comfortable there. I’ve known this dynamic duo since the very beginning and I’m excited to share this heart-filled conversation with you all.We talk about codependency (with a shout out to Terri Cole), therapy, relationships, anxiety, and the similarities in their shared journey launching a business while building a community and how it, in many ways, mirrors that of mine and Kat with T...2022-07-0653 minThe Big SilencePracticing the Spectrum of Advocacy & Acceptance with Rafael De La FuenteRafael De La Fuente, known for his role as Sammy Jo on Dynasty, joins the show for this very special Pride Month episode where he takes us through his experience, as a gay Latino immigrant, rising as a young actor, dealing with the stress and pressures of the business, and growing into an advocate for kids he hopes to inspire.His journey begins at about five-years old, in 1990, when he notices that he’s different. With the AIDS epidemic providing a stark background to his early years, he gets honest about the shame and confusion he grappled wi...2022-06-2943 minThe Big SilenceMoving in a New Season: From Hollywood to Healing with Alyson StonerAlyson Stoner has been in the limelight since she was seven years old, where you’ll remember them as the scene-stealing pigtailed dancer from the famous Missy Elliott: Work It (2002) music video. Just prior, she was plucked from their life in Toledo and placed into an environment that would challenge them in ways that, as we learn, were unfair to a child their age.In this episode, she’s gracious enough to share their mental health journey as she appeared in hundreds of movies, battled an eating disorder, and came out the other side as an empowered and...2022-06-2243 minThe Big SilenceThe Big Silence LIVE: New York City with Terri Cole & Dale MossThe Big Silence book launch is in the Big Apple! We’re joined by brilliant author and psychotherapist, Terri Cole, and the always thoughtful, former NFL player, Dale Moss, who you might also remember from the sixteenth season of The Bachelorette. This lively panel discussion retells stories from the book, highlights the mission of our brand new foundation, and explores other important parental and relational themes as they relate to mental wellbeing. Creating healthy boundaries, recounting family traumas, finding (and losing) love – we cover it all. Don’t miss a special guest performance by James Nicholas Kinney!I...2022-06-1536 minThe Big SilenceThe Big Silence LIVE: Indianapolis with Leslie Bailey of Indy Maven & Maven SpaceWe’re home! Rachel and I were so excited to get together in our hometown of Indianapolis for this special leg of The Big Silence book launch tour. For this extra family-centric episode, Rachel kicks us off with a reading of some of her beautiful poetry from the book.We’re joined by the uber-prepared Leslie Bailey, who’s building something fantastic of her own in Indianapolis as the co-founder and CEO of Indy Maven and the brand new venue where we recorded this interview, Maven Space, a coworking and social club for women. We start w...2022-06-0847 minThe Big SilenceThe Big Silence LIVE: Houston with Yami MufdiThe Big Silence book release tour has landed in beautiful Houston, Texas, where Yami Mufdi, an inspiring Tone It Up fitspo trainer in her own right, joins me to preview this deeply personal memoir, its painful stories, and its important lessons. I share how I first learned of my mother’s schizophrenia diagnosis – only after she disappeared for long stretches of time, forgetting she had a family at all. We close the loop on her story, even just for one day, by recounting one of the last conversations I shared with her, in hospice care, explaining how this...2022-05-2533 minThe Big SilenceThe Big Silence LIVE: Los Angeles with Krista Williams of Almost 30I’m on the road with The Big Silence book launch tour and I want you to come along, no matter where you’re at. On our first stop in LA, we have Krista Williams of Almost 30 leading the conversation. She asks me to dive into more detail on the stories I cover in the book, my thoughts on the writing process, and the hardest chapter for me to write. We also talk about how sharing your story and breaking the silence can jumpstart the healing process. Tune in for this energetic and inspiring episode; this was such...2022-05-1135 minThe Big SilenceEvolving Out Loud with Kyle CeaseKyle Cease was a comedian at the top of his career before something shifted. He realized that living his dream life – or what he believed to be his dream life – only made him more miserable. As he began to explore this, he stepped away from everything he knew to dive into the world of spiritual healing and personal evolution, first for himself, and then sharing with the world what he discovered.In this episode, he coaches me through an evolutionary process, helping me move away from past traumas and step more fully into the Karena I am toda...2022-05-051h 23The Big SilenceMaking Your Art Meaningful with James Nicholas KinneyI first met James Nicholas Kinney over 15 years ago at a barbeque and the vibes were flying as fast as his freestyling. Since then, we’ve played a serendipitous role in each other's lives, including his return to music in recording the amazing theme song for this show. We talk about his mental health journey from anxiety, agoraphobia, and depression, and how he got back into music after taking years away from his passion. James is a dear friend of mine and a very special part of The Big Silence family, which makes this conversation one you don’t want...2022-04-2748 minThe Big SilenceBecoming a Boundary Boss with Terri ColeTerri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist and global empowerment and relationship expert with a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable. Her own experience of being a self-described “boundary disaster” led to writing the book Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free. We discuss some of the fears people have around setting boundaries, the dangers of forgiveness and codependency, and taking the first steps to establishing your own boundaries.Resources:terricole.comRead: Boundary BossGet a free guide on boundaries and codependency at boundaryboss.me/bigsilenceFollow Karena Dawn on I...2022-04-1349 minThe Big SilenceCreating a Better Relationship Between Food & Body with Yovana MendozaYovana Mendoza is a successful wellness and healthy living entrepreneur who made her name on YouTube. Her personal health, starting with the decision to go all-out vegan, has gone on as wild a ride as her career has. After experiencing the kind of trauma no ten-year-old should ever face, Yovana developed serious eating disorders. The road to regaining trust – both in people and in food – was long and difficult. After documenting much of her dietary journey, some personal changes made for health reasons were exposed online, and the pressure of the aftermath was almost too much to bear...2022-04-0644 minThe Big SilenceFind Your Grind & Find Yourself with Luke “The Dingo” TrembathLuke Trembath, aka “The Dingo,” first came to America as an aspiring snowboarder, by himself, at the young age of 15 years old. Like many struggling with depression, he looked like the image of happiness and success. He masked his deep depression by putting a smile on his face every morning, but at night, his thoughts drifted back to dark places.Luke’s brother got into drugs at a young age, and Luke got to see the dark side of that as he grew up. Tragically, his brother was lost to suicide in 2019.Today, Luke knows the st...2022-03-3047 minThe Big SilenceHealing From Our Collective Trauma with Zak WilliamsZak Williams has spent a long time thinking about the ramifications of mental health as a result of traumas experienced within his family. His father, Robin Williams, was tragically lost to Lewy Body Dementia in 2014.Our stories, in that respect, are similar. Today, though, we’re focused more so on, well – today. It’s impossible to avoid acute awareness of the pandemic we all find ourselves (still) in the middle of. But alongside that, there is another, parallel issue, a serious mental health pandemic taking hold. After everything that’s happened over the last few years, we...2022-03-231h 06The Big SilenceThe Big Silence LIVE Launch Event in Austin, TexasWe recently held the launch event for The Big Silence in Austin, Texas and it was incredible from start to finish. Since the podcast listeners are our OG supporters, I wanted to make sure you were included in all of the festivities. In this episode you’re going to hear from our mental health panel and join in on some powerful live music performances by James Nicholas Kinney, the artist responsible for our amazing theme song, Dylan Dunlap, and Shivarasa. I hope it feels like you were all there with us, because you certainly were in spirit!Tha...2022-03-1830 minThe Big SilenceListen, Learn & Love: Supporting Loved Ones on Their Mental Health Journey with Bobby GoldsteinBobby Goldstein is a real estate investor, lover of Pomeranians, executive handyman, and my husband. He’s here to talk about how we can best support loved ones as they go through their mental health journey, offering an outside perspective as he was introduced to my mom’s mental health struggles. He shares his experience of learning to accept, love, and care for my mother after we got married, the resources and support he received to help him, and the biggest lessons he’s learned as part of his journey.Resources:nami.orgPreorder Karena Dawn’s book The...2022-02-2331 minThe Big SilenceBreaking the Silence with Karena DawnWelcome to the first episode of The Big Silence! I’m your host, Karena Dawn, a mental health advocate, wellness entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of the women’s fitness community Tone It Up. I’m also the founder of The Big Silence Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and support to anyone impacted by mental illness, as well as removing the stigma around speaking up about it.What is The Big Silence? It’s the conversation we’re too afraid to have: caring and supporting others dealing with mental health conditions, anxiety, eating disorders, depression...2022-02-0916 minThe Big SilenceWelcome to The Big Silence PodcastWhere there is darkness, there is an immense opportunity for light.The Big Silence aims to normalize conversations around mental health and empower people to turn their challenges into triumphs. Hosted by Karena Dawn – mental health advocate, wellness entrepreneur, co-founder of Tone It Up, and New York Times bestselling author – The Big Silence is creating a safe space to share our story, and for you to share yours.Like so many, Karena has experienced profound grief and trauma. Growing up with a mother diagnosed with paranoid-schizophrenia, her childhood was filled with traumatic experiences that resulted in r...2022-01-2602 min