Today's guest is Shani Tran—therapist and author of Dope Therapy who focuses on educating around cultural humility and working with people of color, who have historically been underserved by the mental health community. We discuss how she began her career and achieved TikTok fame, tips for starting therapy for the first time, red flags to avoid when finding a therapist, the stigmas around therapy and unique mental health challenges faced by teens, and what to do if therapy isn't working for you— including breaking up with your therapist.

Today's guest is Sasha Heinz, PhD, MAPP—a developmental psychologist and life coach who is an expert in positive psychology, lasting behavioral change, and the science of getting unstuck. In her private coaching practice, she teaches clients the tools to change their lives for good. Heinz received her BA from Harvard, her PhD in development psychology from Columbia, and her master’s in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also served as a faculty member (go Quakers!!). We discuss how attending therapy can help you with 'adulting', how to use coping skills in daily life, the myths around toxic positivity, how to improve your life using positive psychology, and misconceptions about improving your well-being.

Today's solo episode is all about optimizing your therapy appointments! I reflected on my 7 years of therapy and my experiences working with almost as many therapists to give you all my best tips to get the most out of your sessions! I talk about setting an agenda for your sessions, using a diary card, tracking your coping skills, celebrating your growth, setting tangible weekly goals (+ following up on them), getting support between appointments, navigating switching therapists, and challenging yourself to be vulnerable!

Today's guest is Lindsey Simcik—the co-host of Almost 30 and Morning Microdose! Almost 30 is a top 50 lifestyle, wellness, and spirituality podcast, with events all over the world, digital courses and workshops, and a community of millions that proves we are not alone. (adapted from almost30.com) Lindsey and I discuss her wisdom for young adults at the beginning of their journies, tips to mitigate anxiety long-term, using movement to maintain your mental health, advice for navigating the chaotic season that is college, using discipline to have more freedom in your life, and being okay with being single in high school and college.

In honor of September being Suicide Prevention Month, I am sitting down with Adia Fadaei—a 19-year-old mental health and suicide prevention advocate. Her passion for eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health and suicidality began 14, working at Teen Line as a hotline listener, outreach presenter, and intern. She is a crisis counselor for 988 Crisis & Suicide Lifeline at Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center. We discuss Adia's background in the suicide prevention industry, reasons to call 988, exactly what happens when you call 988, a role-play of what a 988 call is like, suicidal ambivalence, tools to use during an emotional crisis, warning signs of suicidality, common emotional responses to experiencing suicidal ideation, suicidal phrases being used as slang, what Adia hopes to see in the suicide prevention industry, debunking 988 misconceptions, and so much more! If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal ideation, I highly recommend calling 988 or checking out the resources below. You are not alone!

In honor of September being Suicide Prevention Month, today's solo episode is all about my experiences with suicidal ideation. This episode focuses on skills education to help you navigate SI or support someone struggling white avoiding graphics that could potentially be triggering. I discuss my experiences with SI, what allowed me to shift these thought patterns, psychology facts to remember when feeling suicidal, my top crisis management skills, emotion regulation and long-term skills to build your life worth living, and answer some listener questions!

Today's guest is Dr. Marisa Franco—a psychologist, author, professor, and friendship expert. In this episode, we discuss the untrue beliefs we hold about platonic relationships, how loneliness prevents us from engaging in relationships, first steps to take in building relationships (and why it will scientifically turn out better than you think it will), how to build your social infrastructure, why early interactions are awkward, working through your social anxiety, and Dr. Franco's thoughts on intro/extroverts, friend groups, and best friends.

Today's guest is Dr. Margaret Rutherford—a psychologist, author, podcast host, and writer! We discuss Dr. Margaret's background in the mental health field, how she identified and coined the term "perfectly hidden depression," what perfectly hidden depression is, how perfectionism can cover up emotional pain, the implications of not expressing emotions, high-functioning vs. perfectly hidden depression, warning signs to keep be aware of, Dr. Margaret's healing process for depression, how you can support someone struggling, and so much more!

Today's guest is Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins—a Netflix star, producer, content creator, proud Howard University graduate, and the host of Trials To Triumphs on the OWN Network! In this episode, we discuss Ashley's background in the entertainment industry, her experience starting therapy, why it's important to redefine therapy so it meets your needs, why preventative mental health care is so essential for POC/females/teens, current and past traumas POC are collectively working through, opening yourself up in relationships, trials and triumphs in Ashley's life + relationship, advice for navigating difficult seasons of life, getting in touch with your "why" and life purpose, and building a gratitude practice.

In today's ask me anything/Q+A/advice episode, I am answering your questions about advocating to your parents, knowing what type of therapy is right for you, hitting rock bottom, dealing with judgment, addressing the teen mental health crisis, supporting men struggling with their mental health, talking about mental health on social media, skills coaching, diary cards, troubled teen industry stories, reading recommendations and so much more!!

Today we are going "into the classroom" with my Abnormal Psychology professor, Ayelet Ruscio! Dr. Ruscio's research a the University of Pennsylvania specializes in anxiety and mood disorders–their nature, classification, and comorbidity. (via psychology.sas.upenn.edu) We discuss why adolescence is such a crucial period for depression (and the role stress plays in this), the gender differences that contribute to higher rates of depression in females, tips to counteract rumination, ways teens can reduce their risk for mental illness, what is subclinical depression + ways to take action, why mental health skills are beneficial across the board, the relationship between stress and depression, common cognitive experiences in depression + how to counteract these, how and why comorbidity and cooccurrence of depression and other mental illnesses occurs, and how different are depression and anxiety really?

Today's guest is Michael Slepian—the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Associate Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia University, a recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science, the leading expert on the psychology of secrets, and the author of The Secret Life of Secrets: How Our Inner Worlds Shape Well-Being, Relationships, and Who We Are. We discuss what qualifies something as a secret, the most common secrets people keep, the psychology of secret-keeping, personal/relationship/identity consequences of secrets, the pros and cons of confiding in someone else, why being authentic will almost always be a positive experience, tips to increase your vulnerability, and when you should keep a secret.

Today's guests are Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy, the co-authors of the WSJ bestseller No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotion at Work and Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay. We discuss why the 7 "big feelings" (burnout, perfectionism, comparison, uncertainty, anger, regret, + despair) are so difficult to navigate and tips on working through them, why it's so important to identify the emotions you're feeling, tips to lean into the emotional experience to understand what your emotions are trying to tell you, recovering from suicidal ideation (+ what to say to someone in this headspace), and advice on supporting someone struggling with these feelings.

This week's guest is Dr. Judy Ho—a licensed and triple board-certified Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and published author. (bio via drjudyho.com) We discuss why she started specializing in self-sabotage, what exactly self-sabotage is and why we do it, the 4 factors that predispose people to self-sabotage, red flags to be aware of, how to determine if your goals are realistic, values-based work, the first step to take in your self-sabotage journey, and why negative emotions necessary.

In today's solo episode I am giving you my tips on how to maintain your mental health as a college student! After wrapping up my freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, I've put together this comprehensive episode to help you feel prepared to navigate college life! I've broken it down into 5 categories: routine, relationships, rest, recreation, and resources! I tell you everything I wish I knew before starting my freshman year and cover topics like choosing classes, taking mental health days, avoiding burnout, roommates, making friends, naps, hobbies, free time, exercise, and more! At the end of the episode, I answer YOUR questions about college + mental health!

Today's guests are Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright—the psychotherapists, sleep experts, and the authors of The Happy Sleeper and Generation Sleepless. In this episode, we discuss why teenagers are experiencing more sleep deprivation than any other demographic, the "perfect storm" leading teens to lose sleep, what exactly happens when you sleep + why it's so important that you get enough rest, at-home steps you can take to improve your sleep hygiene, night routine tips, how to combat insomnia, tips to get up in the morning, and so much more! If you are a teen or parent of a teen who struggles with sleep (like most of us do) this episode is for you and will provide so much value!

Today's guests are ShrinkChicks co-hosts and Therapy Group founders Emmalee Bierly, LMFT, and Jennifer Chaiken, LMFT! We dive into how negative therapy experiences led Emalee + Jennifer to become therapists, the reasons college is one of the most challenging seasons for mental health, why you should be therapist-shopping, the biggest determinant of success in therapy, how to optimize your sessions to get the most out of them, debunking therapy myths, what is the family systems modality, and signs therapy may be beneficial for you.

Today's guest is Carmen Applegate—the host of The Girly Girl Podcast! In this episode, we answer all your questions about high school, content creation, podcast growth, Pinterest marketing, dating, boys, flirting, and so much more!

Today's guest is Dr. Edith Eger—a psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, dancer, and holocaust survivor. At 16 years old, Edith and her family were sent to Auschwitz where her parents were sent to the gas chambers. However, Edith’s bravery kept her and her sister alive. During her time in the concentration camps, Edith and her sister were subjected to torture, abuse, and Edith came face to face with the "angel of death," Josef Mengele. After being liberated in 1945, Edith struggled with suicidal depression, survivor's guilt, and the aftermath of the trauma she endured. After 20 years of suppressing her story and emotions, Edith began to share her experiences and help others work through their PTSD and traumas. Today, at 94-years-old Dr. Eger is a prolific author, practicing psychologist, professor, speaker, and advocate. (bio adapted from dreditheger.com)

In this profound conversation, we discuss living in the present, what happens when we suppress emotions, working through guilt, anger, and uncertainty, taking accountability, acting with kindness, how crucial inner dialogues are, Dr. Eger's experiences with suicidal ideation after being liberated, and her life today!

Episode 100—can you believe it?!? I asked you guys on Instagram what you wanted to hear to celebrate and the majority said a solo episode. So, here we are—an episode jam-packed with my top 10 insights/takeaways/tips from the last 5 years (severely struggling with depression and anxiety from 13-16, navigating intensive treatment as a teen, recovering, and recording 100+ podcast episodes about mental health). THANK YOU for listening, supporting, and allowing me to share my story it means more to me than you'll ever know :) PS: make sure to enter the 100-episode giveaway on IG!