if you know what you need to do to improve your mental health, but struggle to implement these changes into your life, then this episode is for YOU. today’s guest is shireen rizvi— a licensed clinical psychologist who has conducted research and training in dialectical behavioral therapy (dbt) for over twenty-five years. in this episode, dr. rizvi and i discuss how to implement dbt skills into your daily life.  whether you’ve never heard of dbt before, or you’re a dbt expert, this episode isn’t just about learning the skills— it’s about figuring out how to actually apply them in your life. because while awareness is a crucial step in mental health recovery, it’s not the only step that matters. 

are you currently at a low point with your mental health? do you hate when people tell you “it will get better”—mostly because you don’t believe it ever will? in today’s solo episode, i’m talking about depression recovery, suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, asking for help, and what actually helped me start believing that my life could feel different. eight years after being hospitalized for severe depression and suicidality at age 13, i’m looking back on the doubts and fears i had throughout recovery—and answering the questions i wish someone had answered for me then. if you’re asking yourself things like will i always feel this way? what if nothing works? what if i’m not struggling enough to deserve help? what if asking for help makes everything worse? this episode is for you.

want to hear an expert’s opinion on the teen mental health crisis?! today’s guest is dr. blaise aguirre—an assistant professor in psychiatry at harvard medical school in the department of psychiatry. he is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founding medical director of the 3east dialectical behavior therapy continuum of care at harvard affiliated mclean hospital. 

in part two of last week’s conversation, dr. aguirre reflects on his 25 years of experience in the treatment of mood and personality disorders in adolescents to share what teens in 2026 are struggling with most. he also shares actionable steps that gen z can take to improve their mental health– ranging from residential treatment to social media and ai use!

if you want to make changes with your mental health, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone– while also providing you with actionable steps you can take to build your life worth living.  

why are some people afraid to ask for help, even when their mental health is getting WORSE?! today’s guest is dr. blaise aguirre—an assistant professor in psychiatry at harvard medical school in the department of psychiatry. he is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the founding medical director of the 3east dialectical behavior therapy continuum of care at harvard affiliated mclean hospital. 

in this episode, i’m reuniting with dr. aguirre to discuss how my treatment at 3east saved my life– and why this program worked for me when nothing else did. dr. aguirre also draws his clinical expertise to unpack all things teen mental health, breaking down topics including self-hatred, agency, family dynamics, & more! 

whether you’re struggling with your mental health or love someone who is, this episode is your guide to what makes treatment actually work. 

if you want to learn more about how our generation can create lasting change in mental health, this episode is for you!

today’s guest is hailey hardcastle—a gen z mental health advocate who helped pass landmark legislation in oregon allowing students to take mental health days off from school. she was honored by teen vogue as one of the "21 under 21: young women changing the world," and her ted talk on student mental health has been viewed more than 4 million times.

fun fact: this episode was recorded live at the active minds 2026 mental health conference—the nation’s leading mental health conference for young adults!

during this conversation, we discuss our personal mental health journeys, how hailey’s advocacy helped turn an idea into a state law, the most effective ways to advocate for gen z mental health, and so much more– including answering audience questions! 

i’ve recently made a big career change and learned a LOT about my mental health along the way… so let’s talk about it! 

in this solo episode, i’m explaining what sparked this transition in my life & how i’m planning on optimizing this period of change to improve my routines, habits, and overall mental health. 

so, if you’re also going through a major life shift in your 20s– or are wanting to figure out whether you should take the plunge into a new chapter of life– here’s how to do so while optimizing your mental health!

how can someone have high self-esteem but low self-worth??! today’s guest is dr. marisa g. franco— a psychologist, author, professor, and friendship expert. she writes about how to build relationships with yourself and others for psychology today and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like the new york times, the telegraph, and vice. in this episode, we continue last week’s conversation on self-worth and relationships. this time, we’re focused on the internal factors behind self-worth, such as your emotions, identity, and more!

why do some people struggle to accept love?? today’s guest is dr. marisa g. franco— a psychologist, author, professor, and friendship expert. she writes about how to build relationships with yourself and others for psychology today and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like the new york times, the telegraph, and vice.
in this episode, we talk about how our self-worth impacts our ability to love ourselves– and receive love from others. 

wanna know what over a decade of therapy, a psychology degree, and my own podcast have taught me about mental health?! in this solo episode, i’m breaking down the key takeaways that i’ve learned throughout my mental health journey.

in honor of it being mental health awareness month, i’m condensing everything i’ve learned from receiving intensive mental health care and years of dbt therapy as a suicidally depressed teenager– combined with my psychology education at upenn and my experience creating this very podcast– to make your 12-step guide to maintaining your mental health.

by the end of this episode, you’ll know all the mental health tips + tricks i wish i’d known when i was struggling!

if your mental health is getting worse, but asking for help feels like too much, this episode is for YOU. 

in this solo episode, i explain why so many of us can be reluctant to open up about our mental health before breaking down the techniques you can try to be more vulnerable. 

by the end of this episode, you’ll learn how to lower your anxiety around asking for help– because vulnerability is the key to recovery! 

how do you help someone who’s struggling with depression??

in this solo episode, i answer a mom's question on how she can best support her son with his depression. i explain how my mental health journey taught me what the best– and worst!– ways are to be there for someone who’s depressed– and three conversation ideas you can try out.  

whether you’re a parent, sibling, or friend, this advice can apply to anyone who wants to be a support system for their loved one.

when i think about a major turning point in my mental health journey, this one conversation is truly what kickstarted my recovery. 

in this solo episode, i break down the moment in intensive mental health treatment that changed my outlook on mental health recovery, what led me to being hospitalized for my mental health in the first place, & how i began to recover from severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. 

if you are on the fence about whether to ask for help with your mental health (or have a loved one in that exact spot), this episode details when i was in the exact same spot: i explain how i went from not believing i could get better to feeling hopeful that i could recover & build a life worth living. 

are you a chronic emotional over-invester?! in this solo episode, i explain how a simple mental health mantra transformed my mentality around emotional boundaries and even lowered my anxiety!

by the end of this episode, you’ll know how to stop the emotional over-involvement and start prioritizing your mental health.