Abbott Elementary actress and SELF cover star Sheryl Lee Ralph gives advice to her younger self at key moments in her life: when she was a young woman, during the early days of the AIDS crisis, when she became a mom, the day before she won her Emmy, and when she was about to turn 40. Read SELF’s March cover profile of Sheryl Get the episode transcript here This podcast was produced by Hayley Fager, Rachel Miller, and Westry Green, and edited by Hayley Fager. Peyton Hayes is our audio production ...
Mar 21, 2024•28 min
In our inaugural episode, soccer star Ali Krieger gives advice to her younger self at four key moments: as a kid, when she was coming out, when she didn’t make the women’s national team, and when she became a mom. Read SELF’s January cover profile of Ali Get the episode transcript here This podcast was produced by Hayley Fager and Rachel Miller, and edited by Hayley Fager. Peyton Hayes is our audio production coordinator, Jake Lummus is our audio engineer, and Caitlin Brody and Sergio Kletnoy ar...
Jan 23, 2024•25 min
In this bonus episode, Dr. Mariel Buquè is back, sitting down with Zahra to talk about how to stay more relaxed throughout our workdays. Dr. Buquè talks about why reducing stress can be such a challenge, offering tips and techniques for staying grounded. She then takes us through a guided mindfulness exercise. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jul 12, 2021•32 min
In this bonus episode, we’re continuing our coverage of the COVID-19 vaccines. We revisit a panel that Zahra hosted with David Kaufman, digital director at Architectural Digest, about myths and myth-busting around the vaccines and Black and Latinx communities. Along with experts Dr. Leon McDougle, Dr. Gbenga Ogedegbe, and registered nurse Sandra Lindsay, they discuss how to address inequitable vaccine access, the valid questions many people may have about these vaccines, and much more. Learn abo...
Jul 05, 2021•47 min
In our last episode of the season, we hear from Victoria, an archivist who was forced to find answers on her own about her endometriosis. Like many others diagnosed with a chronic illness, she’s faced multiple hurdles while navigating the medical system. Even though she’s learned a lot along the way, she wants to know how to continue to advocate for herself to her doctor—and how she can advocate for others in similar positions as well. Zahra consults Lauren Selfridge, L.M.F.T., a psychotherapist...
May 17, 2021•30 min
In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Loree, who is unsure about how to navigate dating right now. Online dating could be difficult even before the pandemic. Now, trust is even trickier to establish when it comes to things like vaccination status, caution levels, and boundaries. Not to mention how daunting dating again can be after so much social isolation. To help Loree figure it all out, Zahra first consults SELF senior health editor Patia Braithwaite about what she’s noticed in her cov...
May 10, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Jenna, a listener who has a question many of us feel deep down during this time: How can we help ourselves feel better when the world is basically a dumpster fire? Sometimes, adding even just one more thing to your to-do list feels insurmountable. Zahra consults Mariel Buqué, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and holistic mental health expert based in NYC. She’s been helping her clients adjust to pandemic life stressors, particularly by emphasizing the c...
May 03, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode we hear from Stasia, a pregnant Black woman who wants to know how to prepare for birth and how to advocate for herself along the way. Zahra chats with Kameelah Phillips, M.D., an ob-gyn and women’s health advocate based in NYC. One of her core interests is health care disparities—and how to help prevent them. Zahra also consults with Latham Thomas, a doula and the founder of Mama Glow who focuses on care along the childbearing continuum. They discuss how to navigate the system as...
Apr 26, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode we hear from Nan, a young woman who is trying to figure out if meditation is right for her. Zahra consults with SELF’s health editor, Carolyn Todd, who has reported extensively on what meditation can and can’t do for your health. Then Zahra speaks with a mindfulness meditation teacher, Kriste Peoples, who walks us through what starting a meditation practice can look like and talks about her work facilitating meditation for people of color. You can follow Carolyn @CarolynLTodd on ...
Apr 19, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome to Season 2 of Checking In with our new host, Zahra Barnes, SELF’s interim editor in chief. In this episode, we hear from several listeners with common questions and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines. Questions like: Where can I get vaccinated? Should I get the vaccine if I have underlying health conditions? What if I’m breastfeeding? How do I manage my anxiety about getting vaccinated? Zahra first consults with epidemiologist and SELF contributor Tara Smith, Ph.D., who takes us throu...
Apr 12, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 1
While we are getting things ready for Season 2 of Checking In, we wanted to share a bonus episode with you from our friends at The Savvy Psychologist ! Dr. Jade Wu takes the science of psychology and makes it both entertaining and relatable – we're excited to be bringing you one of our favorites from their show for our Checking In audience. Some people who continuously care for others burn out and experience compassion fatigue, a very real and natural psychological phenomenon. This episode discu...
Mar 22, 2021•18 min
In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Traci, a listener who has recently given birth and is struggling to rekindle intimacy with her husband. She wants to know: Is this normal? Carolyn shares some of her own postpartum experiences and reassures Traci that she’s far from alone. Carolyn then speaks with journalist Angela Garbes, as well as therapist and sex educater Dr. Lexx-Brown James, to learn more about the challenges, nuances—and yes!—eventual pleasure, of having sex after giving birth...
Feb 15, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Sophie, a listener who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She cares deeply about her career and is worried that her colleagues will make assumptions about her capabilities in light of this diagnosis. She wants to know: How much should she disclose to them? Carolyn consults with Lauren Selfridge, a psychotherapist who lives with multiple sclerosis herself. They discuss the unique challenges of navigating relationships while living with a c...
Feb 08, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Sara, a listener who has struggled with an eating disorder for over a decade. She wants to know what recovery looks like, and she also notes that as a Black woman, she feels that eating disorders are seen as taboo in her community. Carolyn talks to psychiatrist Dr. Erikka Dzirasa about how racial bias can create significant barriers to treatment for BIPOC who live with eating disorders. They also discuss the benefits of a multifaceted approach to trea...
Feb 01, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Monica, a listener who says she knows she should develop a fitness and exercise routine—but she just can't find the motivation to get started. First, Carolyn consults with Amy Eisinger, SELF’s digital director (and a certified trainer). Amy shares useful tips about how to turn exercise into a lifelong habit (for real this time). Amy then speaks with Roz “The Diva” Mays, a pole dancing instructor and trainer, about her experience falling in love with d...
Jan 25, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Robert, a listener whose doctor has told him that he should lose weight in order to bring down his high blood pressure. Robert’s loved ones also frequently make hurtful comments about his body size. He wants to know: Is weight loss the best or only option for him? To find out, Carolyn consults with Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, registered dietitians, SELF columnists, and hosts of the podcast Food Heaven. Wendy and Jess explain why focusing on weight ...
Jan 18, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Elise, a listener who is taking a 90-day hiatus from drinking after realizing that her relationship with alcohol isn’t always healthy. She wants to know what happens next: Is complete sobriety the best or only option? Carolyn consults author and thought leader Glennon Doyle, who shares her personal experiences with addiction and sobriety, as well as advice about navigating life with authenticity. Carolyn also speaks with SELF editor Sarah Jacoby to le...
Jan 11, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 7
On this week's episode of Checking In, we hear from Deanne, a listener who lost her husband of 30 years to leukemia. Deanne's question is about moving past her grief and finding ways to not feel lonely—an especially challenging task given the current pandemic. Carolyn speaks with Dr. Katherine Shear, an internist, psychiatrist, and grief expert, plus Nora McInerny, a writer whose career includes two memoirs and countless conversations about death and grief. Read more about Dr. Katherine Shear he...
Dec 21, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 6
On this week's episode, Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness and sex therapist Casey Tanner, MA, LCPC give some truly servicey advice about how to have sex and start dating when you're newly out as queer. We cover a wide range of topics in this fun, thoughtful, and emotionally moving show, from lube to consent; safety to self-compassion. Here's to finding your person—and having a lot of (safe, consensual!) fun along the way. There are several great resources available if you’re newly out as queer. D...
Dec 14, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode of Checking In we hear from June, a woman who uses a CPAP machine to treat her sleep apnea. June tells us that she experiences a lot of shame and embarrassment about her CPAP machine when sleeping next to her partner, and she wants advice about how to deal. Carolyn chats with Morgan Greene, a chronic illness advocate and writer, and Sari Cooper, a sex therapist. In these conversations, our guests share advice about communicating effectively with your partner, asking for help when...
Dec 07, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode we hear from Ecaroh, a young Black woman who needs help finding a therapist who understands what she's going through. Carolyn consults with SELF’s Executive Editor Zahra Barnes, who has reported extensively on mental health in general, as well as mental health for Black people in particular. Zahra then speaks with psychologist Jennifer Mullan (@DecolonizingTherapy on Instagram) about the beauty of finding a therapist who understands your lived experience, what it means to decolon...
Nov 30, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode, we meet Alexa, a social media editor who is looking for help disconnecting from the internet and creating a healthier work-life balance. Carolyn speaks with author Rachel Wilkerson Miller and psychologist Dr. Neda Gould to get their advice on practicing self-care and mindfulness. Though it might seem tough to unplug these days, there are ways to make it happen. Check out SELF’s guide to cutting back on social media (without actually having to quit), plus some of the potential me...
Nov 23, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In our first episode, we hear from a listener, Sarah, who has been grinding her teeth at night. Carolyn consults with Dr. Andrea Bonior, a psychologist who provides insight into how and why stress can manifest in the body, as well as some techniques to help reduce it. You can learn more about TMJ disorders here . Dr. Antonia Teruel works at the Head Pain Institute where she regularly treats patients who are dealing with orofacial pain, neuropathic pain, sleep apnea, and more. Read more about her...
Nov 16, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Introducing Checking In, the advice podcast where we answer real health and wellness questions from real people like you. Hosted by SELF’s Editor in Chief, Carolyn Kylstra, and featuring trusted experts, doctors, therapists, thought leaders, and even a few celebrities, we’re diving deep into what it really means to be healthy. Checking In launches on Monday, November 16th, with new episodes releasing weekly. Subscribe to get episodes right when they drop at 6:00 am EST. Listen to Checking In her...
Nov 09, 2020•1 min
