Happy New Year! I couldn't think of a better guest to begin 2021 with than Ibrahim Sharkas, graduate student in the realms of positive psychology. In this episode, Ibrahim shares his knowledge on the connection between philosophy, religion, and psychology and how we can use all three to become the best versions of ourselves. He is truly a beam of light, and I have no doubt that everyone who listens to this episode will find solace in his words! To learn more about Ibrahim, you can follow him on ...
Jan 04, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 16
This week I have a very special episode featuring the one and only Carol Rosen, also known as my Grandma! Last Christmas I sat her down to learn about the stigmas around mental health back when she was growing up that vastly affected the ways in which her generation assessed and treated psychological disorders. This year, I wanted to learn more about my Grandma's personal story. Although we couldn't be together for Christmas, she told me the romantic story of how her parents met and love letters...
Dec 28, 2020•44 min•Season 2Ep. 15
This week I had an absolutely incredible conversation with Jacqueline Trumbull, and former contestant on The Bachelor! Jacqueline is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology at Duke University and was able to share her insight into some very important mental health topics. Because her research focuses on Borderline Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Jacqueline is able to break down the nuances of these conditions and how exactly they manifest. She also explains the s...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 14
This week I'm sharing my virtual conversation with Krystal Thompson, Los Angeles-based Human Design Reader and Board-Certified Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner. Her readings and services are a unique blend of conscious mindset work, subconscious reprogramming, energy healing, and inspired action coaching. By uncovering what’s kept them stuck and creating new neural networks for change, Krystal helps her clients and community tap into the clarity, confidence, and empowerment to build the life ...
Dec 14, 2020•39 min•Season 2Ep. 13
The title says it all -- this week I'm sharing my conversation with Danny Padilla from The Bachelor Presents Listen To Your Heart! A native of Los Angeles, Danny gained internet fame thanks to original songs and musical impersonations and then as on the Bachelor's new spinoff series this past year. In this episode we talk about Danny's journey to becoming a YouTube celebrity as well as his experience competing to find both love and stardom. Danny even shares some of his hilarious impressions whi...
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 12
This week I have a pretty unconventional episode for you all. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I first wanted to talk about a few of the things that I am so grateful for, specifically the amazing friendships I have that keep my spirits bright. I then move into sharing a story that has been my lyrical bible for the past five years. Brian Finkelstein (@bsfinkestein) is a writer who has been nominated for two Emmys. He is also a regular performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and is a host/...
Nov 30, 2020•27 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This week I brought back on my incredible friend Liz Gunner to discuss how to approach conversations about depression, whether it be a conversation we are having with ourselves or a friend. We first speak to our own experiences navigating mental health difficulties and, we share how and when we finally came to recognize the benefits that anti-anxiety medication had to offer. After addressing and falsifying the stigmas surrounding psychiatric meds, we move into a discussion on how to support frie...
Nov 23, 2020•52 min•Season 2Ep. 10
This week I sat down with the absolutely INCREDIBLE Olivia Lubarsky, a former D1 gymnast at Towson University and mental health advocate! During her four years at Towson University, Olivia did everything she could to bring awareness to the mental and emotional issues that face athletes. As a gymnast, she was constantly striving to achieve a form of perfection that was impossible to obtain by the very nature of the sport. After addressing her depression and performance anxiety, Olivia founded the...
Nov 16, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Some of you may remember an episode from last February in which I recorded with Brandon Berman, one of the co-hosts of the popular live dating show UpDating. Well if you liked that conversation you're in luck, because this week I was lucky enough to sit down with the other genius behind the New York phenomenon! In this week's episode, Harrison and I talk about the relationship between mental health and dating, both pre- and post-pandemic. I talk about my hatred for first dates and Harrison share...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 8
This week I brought on Mia Davis to talk about sex! Mia is the founder of Tabú Wellness, an expert-driven community for shame-free conversations about all things related to sex, relationships, and mental health. In fact, research actually shows that the more open you are to talking about sex, the more sexually satisfied you will be! Mia answers some of your questions from our Instagram polls to shed light on topics such as the ways depression, medication, and sexual trauma affect your libido. To...
Nov 02, 2020•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 7
This week I sit down with Matt Pavich, a comedian and low-key YouTube phenomenon, to talk about his experience with Bipolar Disorder. Like Caroline who spoke on a previous episode, Matt was not fully diagnosed with anything until his late teens. Since then, Matt has continued to ride the waves of mania and depression but has an incredible support system to help him manage both states. I am so grateful for Matt's willingness to speak so openly on the podcast, and I have no doubt that you all will...
Oct 26, 2020•52 min•Season 2Ep. 7
This week I spoke with Victoria Garrick, who may just be one of the most iconic young mental health advocates in the country right now. After giving a TED Talk on the prevalence of mental health issues in College Athletics, Victoria continued using her platform to be a voice for those who are struggling. In this episode we talk about Victoria's own struggles with mental health which led her to speaking in front of thousands of people. Victoria also shares her battle with Binge Eating Disorder an...
Oct 19, 2020•50 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Welcome to the new spinoff series from Solace and the City and The Real Dietitians of New York City called Hot Girls Hot Takes! Each week, Liz Gunner and I will focus on a topic related to mental health and/or body image. After sharing our own thoughts on the episode theme, we will then call in some male experts (a.k.a. our guy friends and Hinge matches) to get an opinion from the opposite sex. During this week's episode, Liz and I explore the male tendencies to gravitate towards toxic relations...
Oct 15, 2020•54 min•Season 2Ep. 5
I recorded this episode with Vanessa Grimaldi -- a.k.a the WINNER of Season 16 of The Bachelor, a.k.a the most beautiful person to ever walk up the steps of the Bachelor mansion, a.k.a. my girl crush -- and I couldn't be MORE excited to share our conversation with you all! Vanessa explains how she got onto the Bachelor to begin with, despite having never owned a television set and not seeing a single episode prior to her own reality TV show experience. We then talk about her experience on the sh...
Oct 12, 2020•51 min•Season 2Ep. 4
For those who aren't aware, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I thus thought that for the first episode of October, it was appropriate to share my conversation with the amazing, beautiful, and courageous Megan Siniscalchi. Megan is the Chair of the Young Professional Board of Exhale to Inhale, a nonprofit that empowers survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through trauma informed yoga. In this episode, she courageously shares her personal experience with domestic violence...
Oct 05, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 3
On this week's BONUS episode, I sat down with Governor Phil Murphy to discuss how he sees the government's responsibility to address the mental health challenges that face both my home state of New Jersey and the country as a whole. Governor Murphy touches on why he decided to sign a budget earlier this week that would restore a New Jersey school mental health program, and towards the end of the episode, he touches on how the pandemic has affected him both as a prominent political leader and as ...
Oct 01, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 2
I couldn't think of a better first guest for the Solace and the City Season 2 premiere than the one and only Lucie Fink! Lucie and I missed each other by one year at Johns Hopkins, but she is well-known throughout the school for being one of the most successful alumni in recent years. Safe to say I was beyond exited and honored to record with her! In this episode, Lucie talks about her journey from an inspiring doctor to a YouTube sensation, and all of the things she did along the way to turn he...
Sep 28, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This year, my 25th birthday fell on a Monday. Despite this being possibly the worst day of the week to ring in a quarter of a century, I felt that it was a sign to share a full-length solo episode to celebrate! After spending the first portion of this episode opening up about the current state of my own mental health, I then decided to take a look back on this year and share bits and portions of some of the most memorable moments of Solace and the City! You will hear from Matt James, Francis Ell...
Sep 21, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 50
I have a very special episode to share this week. I had a virtual recording with Samantha Tirone, who is an amazing woman with a powerful story. Samantha was engaged to a wonderful man named Ryan, but two months before their wedding he passed away from an overdose. This life-shattering event caused Samantha to reevaluate what was truly important in her life and begin to be an advocate for those suffering from addiction. Despite how painful it is to share, Samantha tells her story as an effort to...
Sep 14, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Happy Labor Day from me and the one and only Mike Johnson!!! I have SUCH an exciting episode to share with you all. I (virtually) sat down with the fan favorite from Hannah Brown's season of the Bachelorette and had the most amazing conversation. We talked about his experience on the show and thereafter. After long talks with executives of the franchise, Mike was unfortunately not picked as the season's male lead. In this episode he opens up about how that decision made him feel as well as his t...
Sep 07, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 48
It's Virgo season so you know what that means! I finally was able to speak with an astrologer to learn more about my own chart and, let me tell you, it was worth the wait. I was lucky enough to speak with none other than Colin Bedell, the co-founder of Queer Cosmos who was featured in my favorite New Yorker article about, you guessed it, astrology! Colin and I talk about the fascinating statistics which show how interest in astrology escalates in times of uncertainty. He also helps me discover t...
Aug 31, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 47
This week I caught up with Catie Orlando, my friend from college who inspired me to open up about my own mental health issues by sharing her story of recovery. Like myself, Catie has a long history dealing with her mental health. In this episode we talk about the ways in which our anxiety helped manifest disordered eating, and Catie opens up about her time in rehab which has led her to sobriety. Catie is such an inspiration to anyone battling some type of addiction or another, and I feel honored...
Aug 24, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Surprise! I decided to release a BONUS episode to give you guys a bit of insight into my life! I’m sure that over the past few months you’ve come to realize that I have a plethora of mental health issues to speak to. I thus wasn’t sure where to begin, and so I decided to use one of my favorite card games as prompts! If you so desire, take 24 minutes out of your day and listen to me answer some deep questions courtesy of @werenotrealylstrangers!! I hope you enjoy. :)
Aug 20, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 45
This week I was lucky enough to speak with one of my favorite podcast hosts and bloggers, Cameron Rogers! Cameron is the founder of the Freckled Foodie account on Instagram, where she works to promote a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle. After working at an intense Investment Banking job for five years, Cameron decided to focus on her passion and make Freckled Foodie a full-time job. We talked about this professional transition as well the payoff of pursuing your dream! In addition to sh...
Aug 10, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 44
I am humbled to be sharing my conversation with actress, model, and transgender activist, Angelica Torres. Angelica stars in Season Two of Pose (an absolutely amazing show), but I first heard her speak on a panel hosted by The Grapevine. I was so inspired by her kindness and eloquence that I took a chance and asked if she would speak on the Solace and the City. Safe to say I was through the moon when she agreed to share her story with my listeners! Angelica and I spoke about the abuse she experi...
Aug 03, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Kanye West. Mariah Carey. Demi Lovato. Robin Williams. Russell Brand. Frank Sinatra. -- What do all of these incredibly talented celebrities have in common? They all have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. With the recent news of Kanye West's tweets, I wanted to sit down with my friend Caroline Moley to learn more about this extremely stigmatized mental illness that is so prevalent in our society and pop culture. Caroline goes into detail about what manic and depressive episodes look and feel...
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 42
BONUS EPISODE! Words cannot express how excited and humbled I feel to be sharing this episode with the amazing Solace and the City community. I had the opportunity to speak with my beautiful friend Brookie McIlvaine about the work she is doing for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Project 2025. The goal of this initiative is to reduce the suicide rate by 20% by the year 2025. We talk about some crazy stats that underlie the suicide epidemic pervading our country and then touch on ...
Jul 23, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 41
This week I'm sharing my conversation with the Founder and CEO of Inception, a dynamic new approach to mind and body wellness. Inception is a mental health gym that's changing the ways we think about exercise and emphasizing the irrefutable connection between physical and mental well-being. During this episode, David talks to me about the story behind Inception and the various over avenues he explore before its launch. Some of the technologies they employ are: Flotation Therapy, a zero-gravity e...
Jul 20, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 40
I had such an incredible conversation with Natasha Tiwari that I am humbled to be sharing with you all! Natasha Tiwari is an award winning Psychologist, Entrepreneur, Mentor Investor. She is also a licensed yoga teacher and psychotherapist, and she combines her command of strategy with he knowledge of neuroscience, the unconscious mind and ancient wisdom both with private clients, and to propel her own entrepreneurial successes, and the successes of those who she counsels and mentors. She has be...
Jul 13, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 39
This week I am SO excited to share my conversation with Ben Greiner. Not only is he an amazing friend, but he also is the founder and CEO of an absolutely incredible organization, TalkAboutDepression.org! After receiving a troubling text from a friend, Ben realized that there aren't many online tools that support the friends and family of those in crisis. The TAD Project provides an online resource that uses the same approach 9-1-1 operators use when receiving a suicide-related call. Ben is trul...
Jul 06, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 38
