We loved this episode so much that we are re-releasing it for all of our listeners! You can access 16 episodes and counting just like this one by becoming a paid subscriber! In this deeply honest episode, Amber and Melanie crack open the complicated relationships we have with our moms. From laughing about cough-sneezing in public to exploring how childhood wounds show up in adulthood, this conversation gets real. Melanie shares how therapy and psychedelic experiences helped her shift from resent...
Aug 19, 2025•32 min
Lee Kimbrell is back, and he’s glowing. Not with sweat, but with impending fatherhood panic, marital bliss, and just the right amount of self-aware spiraling. In this episode, we talk about what it means to shift from main character energy to background dad vibes, how childhood friend wounds show up in green rooms, and why being a chill guy isn’t always chill on the inside. Lee shares stories about meeting his now-wife on the open mic circuit, navigating male friendships, watching her hips liter...
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, Amber and Melanie dig into the emotional dynamics of relationships, especially when one partner (usually a man) seems emotionally avoidant—or at least a little too chill for comfort. They explore how culture, family systems, gender norms, and trauma responses shape how we show up (or shut down) in relationships. With plenty of laughs, real-life stories, and therapist-backed insights, they ask: What actually creates emotional safety? Why is silence so damn triggering? And can cou...
Jul 22, 2025•48 min
In this vulnerable and funny episode, Amber dives into the mess of beauty standards, insecurity, and being in the public eye. From teen wounds and goofy photos to nose bumps and laser hair removal, she gets real about the need to feel beautiful. and how complicated that can be. Melanie brings her trauma therapist wisdom to the table, exploring inner-child work, body image, and how to define beauty on your own terms. Topics Include: * Why compliments don’t always land * Objectification vs. affirm...
Jul 08, 2025•57 min
In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Ford Middleton, comedian, influencer, and soon-to-be mom, for a funny and brutally honest conversation about what it means to be seen. We talk about the emotional toll of online hate, navigating snark forums, the identity crisis of being “too much,” and why stand-up comedy feels more vulnerable than anything else. Shannon opens up about bombing in front of friends, and how pregnancy changed the way she speaks to herself. This one is hilarious, real, and ...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 7 min
This week, we’re joined by the wildly funny and refreshingly grounded Heather Shaw, and we honestly didn’t stop laughing. From her plans for escaping Kentucky after finding love, to what it’s like headlining road gigs surrounded by 60-year-old retirees in Naples, Heather shares how she built a successful comedy career without the classic trauma origin story. She talks ADHD, getting sober in Austin (no small feat), resisting anxiety culture, and living life with zero pressure and maximum rest. If...
Jun 10, 2025•54 min
Amber and Melanie dive deep into the underrated magic of boredom. The two of them, no guests, no snacks, and apparently no dopamine. They talk about how the pressure to constantly produce and perform robs us of the stillness needed for true creativity. From setting boundaries as entrepreneurs to unlearning toxic hustle culture, they explore what it means to rest on purpose, reclaim quiet moments, and stop mistaking productivity for worth. Expect honest laughs, a few existential wake-up calls, an...
May 27, 2025•41 min
Comedian Alex Kumin joins us for a raw, funny, and deeply honest conversation about trauma, healing, and the comedy world. Alex talks about navigating stand-up as a woman, teaching at Chicago’s Lincoln Lodge, and what it was like to work in sexual violence prevention before comedy. We go deep into how sexual trauma shaped her early life and relationships, how she uses therapy and psychedelics for healing, and the very real struggle of trying to make dark material work on stage. This episode cove...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In this episode of I’m Fine, It’s Fine, hosts Amber and Melanie sit down with musician Molly Grace for a conversation full of laughter, honesty, and sneak peeks into her rising career. Molly shares how her Bonnaroo performance led to a major pinch-me moment, the process of creating her first full-length album, and the emotional journey behind some of her most personal songs. They dive into attachment styles, the highs and lows of being a full-time artist, navigating social media pressure, and wh...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Artist Madeline Kiel joins us to share the winding road that led her back to art after quitting at 13 due to bullying. From missionary work in China to living in public housing and working with addicts, Madeline’s story is anything but linear. We talk about her shift from music to visual art, the visions of Black, Native, and Mexican cowboys that wouldn’t leave her alone, and how a viral portrait of Snoop launched her unexpected art career. She opens up about being misunderstood online, wrestlin...
Apr 15, 2025•54 min
Hello friends, First off, thank you. Each of you reading this. Whether you’ve been with I’m Fine, It’s Fine from the start or just joined our community, it means the world to us. Over the past three years, we’ve poured our hearts into this podcast, and knowing that you are on the other end listening, laughing, and maybe even tearing up along with us is what keeps us going. We feel so lucky to have built this little corner of honesty and support with you. We wanted to share something important wi...
Apr 11, 2025•7 min
Courtney Michelle is a hilarious, silly, and beautiful person who opens up to Amber and Melanie in a lovely conversation. She shares how insecurities and self worth have impacted how she moves through life. From personal relationships she could show up for in a codependent way and feel safe in, to her approach to career and comedy. We are so grateful for the conversation and her willingness to share so much of herself with us. Support Courtney wherever you can! This is a public episode. If you'd...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Aubrey Holden, LPC-MHSP, NCC joins Amber and Melanie to shar her story of her origins and what brought her into becoming a therapist and a member of the Trauma Therapy of Nashville family. She talks about her early career in the music industry and the pivot that happened when she began to unpack her own identity in therapy. Aubrey shares her journey through her transition and how her lived experience now helps inform her approach to helping others. This is a public episode. If you'd like to disc...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Cocoa Speaks is a Nashville based comedian who shares her heart and her joyful energy with us. She opens up about the impacts of ADD meds as a child, trying again as a college athlete and now, for the first time in adulthood, she is trying it again and looking forward to the focus it could bring into her life. A self identifying “Hooper” she talks about how different the environment is on a team compared to the sparing within the comedy scene. Seeking out joyous vibes to be her best creative sel...
Mar 04, 2025•56 min
Comedian Brandi Augustus opens up in an incredibly honest way. Sharing the circumstances of her childhood, and the abuse she both witnessed, and experienced directly. She so easily opened up about the impacts it’s had on her life, her relationships and her parenting decisions. Diving into her past relationships, she believed there was safety in a casual non committal dynamic and unpacking now, that she actually wants much more. Presenting a harder masculine energy attracted a certain availabilit...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Hannah is like no guest we have ever had. She’s sharply funny, whip smart, and self actualized. She shares the practices in her life that have shaped her, informed her art, comedy, and wellness. The daughter of a pastor, she has learned how to take the great parts of childhood lessons, and has dismantled the rest all while continuing to love her parents. She’s unapologetic about where her life has taken her and simultaneously kind and empathetic. Easily one of our favorite episodes to date. Find...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Madeline Finn joined Amber Autry and Melanie Reese and proved to be one of the most open, self aware, loving humans they have had a chance to sit with and learn about. She brought with her the ideologies and practices of Buddhism shared how that has help reframe her relationship with spirituality. From her emo and pop-punk music beginnings to a sober, vulnerable and honest place in her music now, her growth is undeniable. We loved this conversation and her spirit so much! Please listen to her mu...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Suz Ballout, a hilarious Chicago comedian joins Amber and Melanie in their brand-new studio space for a hilarious and enlightening episode. Suz has had an experience unlike any that an American can relate to and that is being a child in the middle of a war in your homeland. She talks about that experience and dives into what it’s like being the child of conservative Middle Eastern parents who have drastically different ideologies. Follow Amber Autry !Follow Melanie Reese and Trauma Therapy of Na...
Jan 07, 2025•54 min
Our producer Kaylee opens (cries a lot) up about the complicated grief of losing a husband to addiction and how it doesn't play out like the typical loss of a spouse. She shares how it's helped inform her approach the being a death doula and how she shows up in a room for others. Her story is very layered and this only scratched the surface. We are grateful to her for opening up when it's not in her nature to share publicly. Follow Dewey Comedy Follow Parting Laughs Subscribe to I'm Fine, Could ...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Comedian Emma Willmann, joins Melanie Reese and Comedian Amber Autry and shares her experiences. She opens up about how a childhood where she wanted for nothing, didn't make up for neglect in other facets of her life. She discusses growing up around fighting and divorced parents and the experience of small town Maine, underage drinking, and wild fun. She also shares her growth in relationships as a serial monogamous and cheater, and how she's correcting patterns in her current partnership. We ar...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 20 min
In this episode of I’m Fine It’s Fine, comedian Amber Autry and trauma therapist Melanie Reese sit down with musical comedian Jamie Shriner to dive deep into life after divorce. Jamie shares her personal journey, the revelations she's had about relationships, and her hopes for the future. Tune in for a heartfelt and humorous conversation filled with insights and laughs. Don't miss out on extra content! Subscribe to I’m Fine It’s Fine for only $5 a month and enjoy two bonus episodes each month. I...
Oct 15, 2024•55 min
Therapist Leah Lennox joined Amber and Melanie to share her story of becoming a therapist and how her own diagnosis aided in helping her along the way. She is the kindest and takes on the challenges of working with kids experiencing hard things. We loved chatting with her and if you would like to learn more about her practice, you can find her at www.therapycentertn.com . We are so grateful she shared her story with us! Subscribe to I'm Fine, Could Be Better! Follow Amber Autry ! Follow Melanie ...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Caroline West host of @thebroadwaygirlspodcast joins us to breakdown what the heck is going on down on Nashville's Broadway and what it's like to be in the mix daily. She opens up about what growing up in Texas was like and how divorced parents, and problematic tendencies did to shape who she is now. She was a blast! Be sure to follow her podcast The Girls of Broadway and see where her Barstool adventures take her! Subscribe to I'm Fine, Could Be Better! Follow Amber Autry ! Follow Melanie Reese...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Comedian and writer Zavior Phillips shares how he has learned to navigate sharing emotions that are 100% all of the time, how that has helped in his relationship and in the relationship he has with his family. He talks about parents divorcing later in life and then reconnecting and what it's like for mom and dad to be dating each other. He is truly so fun and hilarious and we are grateful that he opened up and let us in on what it's like being handsome and perfect all of the time! Subscribe to I...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Comedian Derek Humphrey joins Melanie and Amber and shares his experiences as a husband, comedian, and dad dog. He opens up about the positive outcomes of marriage counseling and how he and his wife navigate both growth and challenges as they come. Derek shares the pain of losing his beloved dog and how it made him more emotional than losing his dad, a reflection on the relationship he had with him. He speaks to how the ebb and flow of the entertainment industry can be exhausting and yet, seekin...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 11 min
In this episode of I’m Fine, It’s Fine, Melanie and Amber catch up with comedian Rob Wentz who opens up about his mom’s glioblastoma brain cancer diagnosis. Since February 2024, Rob has been navigating this emotional journey by using humor, writing jokes, and preparing himself for the inevitable call that she’s passed. Rob shares the experience of saying goodbye to his mom, remembering her as the hardest-working, most successful businesswoman he knew, who was also deeply caring and funny. Her ou...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome comedian Sydni Stephens to the show. Sydni takes us on a rollercoaster ride through her fascinating and tumultuous life. Growing up in a dysfunctional family with a particularly complicated relationship with her mother, she has experienced it all. Sydni’s career path is anything but ordinary: from working in wheat fields to driving trucks overnight, from a stint at a vape shop to becoming a competitive vaper, she’s done it all. Sydni also served in the...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Amber and Melanie hit the stage at the Den Theater in Chicago with special guest comedian Pinky Patel! Pinky dives into her journey of becoming a comedian, sharing how she built a circle of strong women to support her through the ups and downs of touring, motherhood, and marriage. From PTA mom to an absolute sensation on TikTok, it's a ride! Subscribe to I'm Fine, Could Be Better! Follow Amber Autry ! Follow Melanie Reese and Trauma Therapy of Nashville ! If you have a story to share email us at...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Comedian Kate Carter leans into dark comedy and shares hard experiences that led her to start standup. Using both childhood experiences and more recent events, she leans into facing heavy topics with unmatched quiet humor. It was such a great conversation and we are grateful for her openness. Subscribe to I'm Fine, Could Be Better! Follow Amber Autry ! Follow Melanie Reese and Trauma Therapy of Nashville ! If you have a story to share email us at imfinesometimes@gmail.com Produced by Kaylee Harm...
Jun 25, 2024•59 min
Join Amber Autry and Melanie Reese on this week’s I’m Fine It’s Fine as they chat with the hilarious Anjelah Johnson. Anjelah opens up about her favorite therapy techniques, what it’s like to become a mom in her 40s after thinking kids weren’t in her plan, and how she crafts comedy that connects with everyone. She also shares how therapy has played a role in her marriage. This episode is full of laughs, real talk, and relatable moments. Catch Anjelah’s comedy specials on YouTube, Netflix and Ama...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 21 min
