Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Raw. Real. EmotionAL.

-Alessandra

This week on EmotionAL Support, actress, filmmaker, author, and storyteller Angela Harger Thompson joins Alessandra for a deeply honest conversation about surviving abuse, finding independence, rebuilding your identity, and learning how to create a life that is truly your own.

Angela shares the incredible true story behind her documentary Quarantine at Sea, documenting the moment she found herself stranded in the Pacific Ocean during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with nowhere to land and no idea what the future would hold. But beyond the adventure is a much deeper story of resilience, faith, healing, and personal transformation.

Together, Angela and Alessandra discuss:

• Overcoming emotional abuse and reclaiming your voice

• Building independence after difficult relationships

• Learning to trust yourself again

• The power of storytelling as a path to healing

• Reinventing your life in your 30s and beyond

• Turning pain into purpose

• Following God-given dreams and creating a future that feels aligned with who you are

• The making of the documentary Quarantine at Sea

• Angela’s powerful new memoir, Worst Tits Ever

• Why every person’s story matters

Whether you’re navigating heartbreak, rebuilding after trauma, seeking greater independence, or stepping into your own “second act,” this conversation is a reminder that your past does not define your future.

About Angela Harger Thompson

Angela Harger Thompson is an actress, filmmaker, author, and founder of The Storytell Initiative. She directed, produced, and starred in the documentary Quarantine at Sea, chronicling her unexpected months stranded in the Pacific Ocean during the global pandemic. Her memoir, Worst Tits Ever, expands on the personal journey behind the film and explores themes of faith, resilience, healing, and self-discovery.

Follow Angela and learn more about her work through The Storytell Initiative.

What if our kids didn’t have to spend their 20s and 30s learning how to regulate emotions we never learned ourselves?

In today’s overstimulated, screen-saturated, anxiety-heavy world, emotional regulation isn’t optional — it’s survival.

In this episode of EmotionAL Support, I sit down with the creators of The Mindful Mantis, a children’s mindfulness movement teaching breathwork, emotional intelligence, meditation, and communication skills to kids as young as three.

As a mom navigating mental health, nervous system healing, and raising a deeply empathetic preschooler, I know first hand how long it can take to understand your emotions. So the question becomes: what if we gave our kids the tools early?

We talk about:

• ​ Why ages 0–7 shape lifelong emotional patterns
• ​ The overdiagnosis conversation happening in schools
• ​ Breathwork and “pause” as powerful parenting tools
• ​ Teaching kids how to communicate instead of suppress
• ​ Modeling emotional regulation (even when you mess up)
• ​ Homeschooling, Montessori, and alternative education
• ​ How to build resilience without raising perfect kids

This conversation isn’t about being the flawless gentle parent. We love Disney and Dippin’ Dots over here. It’s about raising emotionally safe children in a chaotic world — without losing yourself in the process.

If you’re a millennial mom trying to break cycles, regulate your own nervous system, and raise grounded kids who know how to feel, this episode is for you.

Because maybe emotional regulation doesn’t start at 30.

Maybe it starts at 3.

Follow EmotionAL Support for honest conversations about motherhood, mental health, reinvention, and raising emotionally strong children in today’s world.

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

https://www.themindfulmantis.com/

This week on EmotionAL Support, Alessandra sits down with Emmy-award-winning director turned spiritual teacher Mary Madeiras, author of The Akashic Way, to explore the Akashic Records—what they are, how they reveal past lives, uncover hidden emotional blocks, deepen intuition, and reconnect you to your true soul purpose.

Together, they dive into spiritual awakening, self-discovery, motherhood, career reinvention, and the sacred—but terrifying—experience of starting over when life no longer fits. This conversation touches on emotional healing, personal transformation, manifestation, women’s empowerment, and the journey toward inner peace.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, navigating a life transition, searching for meaning, or longing for deeper spiritual growth, this episode is a reminder that nothing in your path is random—and your next chapter may already be written within you.

⸻

In This Episode, We Explore

• What the Akashic Records really are and how they work

• How past lives influence present-day relationships and patterns

• Clearing emotional blocks and reconnecting to intuition

• Spiritual awakening during motherhood and major life transitions

• Career reinvention, purpose, and starting over after loss or change

• Tools for manifestation, healing, and inner peace

Resources & Links

• Mary Medaris’ book: The Akashic Way

If this episode resonated, follow EmotionAL Support, share it with someone on their healing journey, and leave a review—it helps more people find conversations like this.

https://amzn.to/4bJlOf0

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

Julee opens up about her journey — from growing up on a rural farm to becoming one of People Magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful,” walking international runways, and eventually stepping into her purpose as a coach, mother, and confidence mentor.

Together, Alessandra and Julee unpack:

✨ The emotional rollercoaster of motherhood

✨ How to build genuine, unshakeable confidence

✨ Why saying “no” is essential for mental health

✨ The power of empathy and emotional awareness

✨ The importance of finding a supportive community

This episode is for anyone craving more authenticity, connection, and confidence — whether you’re a parent, healing from self-doubt, or rediscovering who you are.

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

Julee Gracey is a business coach, speaker, and author of HIGHLY CONFIDENT: Overcoming Self-Doubt, Apologizing Less, and Finally Living with Freedom. Previously, she was named to People Magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful,” walked international runways as a model in Milan, served as a briefcase model on NBC’s Deal or No Deal, and appeared as a TV host and FX sitcom star.

Today, she leverages that performance background along with two decades of business strategy and coaching experience to help entrepreneurs amplify their message, own their presence, and build businesses that thrive - on camera and off. She now blends the discipline of performance, the strategy of entrepreneurship, and the emotional intelligence of a mom-turned-mogul to guide clients toward growth with clarity, confidence, and conviction.

Her approach isn’t about “faking it till you make it” - it’s about developing authentic confidence, crafting intentional strategies, and building businesses that support the life you actually want. If Julee can transform a modeling career into a movement for impact-driven success, she knows her clients can too - and she’s on a mission to show them how.

https://letsgrowhappy.com/

@letsgrowhappy

Grow Happy

•    GrowHappy's mission is to empower a brave world of food freedom with happy gut microbiomes
    •    We provide education on food allergies and gut health. For example the doctors and I wrote An Ultimate Guide to Feeding Allergens and Pregnancy Guide with top tips from the best experts 
    •    We also make snacks that help families get allergens into the diet in a way that also fosters a healthy gut microbiome. Each snack has a featured allergen with 2g of allergen protein in it.  Also, our 5 flavors have 16 plant based foods across the range. 
    •    To make GrowHappy, I've teamed up with the best allergy and gut health experts. For example, Carina and David wrote the US guidelines for Allergy Prevention, George wrote the LEAP and EAT-On studies, Sharon is the co-director of Stanford's Sean Parker Allergy Centre, just to name a few.  
    •    Families should ideally start feeding GrowHappy at 4-6 months but they can start later too if they only find out about us then. These are nut and seed butters with fruits and vegetables and can be enjoyed at any age - this is not just baby food. A lot of people know about peanut but we really need to care about sesame, walnut, cashew, etc. 
    •    Get our guides on the website for free!

~ Atticus is the anonymous New York Times Bestselling author of Love Her Wild, The Dark Between Stars, The Truth About Magic and LVOE. Dubbed “The #1 Person to Follow” by Teen Vogue and “The World’s Most Tattoo-able Poet” by Galore Magazine, he has been followed, quoted, and retweeted by the world’s top superstars, from Karlie Kloss to Shawn Mendes, Emma Roberts, and Lana Del Rey. His words have been tattooed by tens of thousands of his avid followers. Atticus has been featured in Time Magazine, Elle, The Guardian, Fast Company, Publisher’s Weekly, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He’s worked with Kygo, Maroon 5, Coach, Absolute Vodka, Stance Socks, Target, Urban Outfitters, and Refinery 29, among others. In 2019, Atticus launched his own wine brand called Lost Poet, which became the highest-rated red wine on Winc.com. All this while wearing a mask and keeping his identity a secret, preferring to send love from the shadows.

@atticuspoetry

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.atticuspoetry.com/

A working actor at the time, Tanya was 30 when she met and married her soulmate. Her first foundation has always been her faith in God, but after having her beautiful daughter and suffering from horrific PPD, Tanya was determined to help others and had the forethought for a documentary about PPD. She partnered with two amazing women to co-produce “When the Bough Breaks-a documentary about Postpartum depression”, Executive Produced and narrated by Brooke Shields. Now available in 200 countries and six languages, this film has helped many women and families and saved lives. This launched her transformational speaking career and more recently Coaching as a motivational, trauma and spiritual life coach. Sometimes your mess is your message! The ability to share knowledge, help and let others know “you truly are not alone” is her passion.

 Throughout her adult years, Tanya’s form of enjoyment has always been creating and designing jewelry which led to Del Pozzo Jewelry. Her stunning pieces have been featured in such publications as “Vogue”, “Glamour”, “Variety”, “Conde Naste”, “Angelino” and many more around the world. This also led to the trademarked SOZO Heart. Owning several businesses has not only been a pleasure, she wouldn’t have it any other way. 

www.tanyanewbould.com

www.delpozzojewelry.luxury

www.whentheboughbreaksfilm.com

@tanyanewbould

@delpozzojewelry

@spirituallyinspiredcoaching

@whentheboughbreaksdoc

FB @whentheboughbreaks-adocumentaryaboutpostpartumdepression

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://people.com/health/actress-alessandra-torresani-bipolar-meds-during-pregnancy/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cedars-Sinai Reproductive Psychology Program

Becoming Mother Therapy Group DETAILS.

National perinatal mental health resources include:

·       Maternal Mental Health Now

·       Postpartum Support International

·       Return to Zero: H.O.P.E.

·       RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

Learn about some current education, research and awareness efforts focused on parenthood and mental health:

·       MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

·       Mother To Baby

·       Ongoing Cedars-Sinai Maternal Mental Health Research

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamila M. Dawson, LMFT is the co-author of the innovative book: With Pleasure: Managing Trauma Triggers for More Vibrant and Relationships. A licensed therapist with an expertise in sexuality, trauma, and relationships, Jamila has been a educator since 2005 and has practiced psychotherapy since 2015. She is the founder and owner of the psychotherapy practice Fire & Flow Therapy. She has collaborated with Buzzfeed, MEL, Playboy, Harper’s BAZAAR and other media outlets and has appeared on numerous podcasts, including Girlboner and with Dr. Jess. Jamila uses her Instagram & Facebook accounts to share practices, tools, and reflections on sexuality, relationships, and mental health. @jamila.thesextherapist

August McLaughlin is a nationally recognized journalist and host and producer of the podcast, Girl Boner Radio, a true story-driven podcast where she explores sexual empowerment, relationships and pleasure. Her articles have been featured by Cosmopolitan, the Washington Post, Salon and more. Her 2018 release, Girl Boner, was featured in the New York Times and called “equally fun, risqué, and informative” by Publishers Weekly. She has presented at colleges, recovery centers, and the CDC headquarters, attended the 2016 United State of Women summit as a nominated changemaker and gave a TEDx talk on her experience overcoming an eating disorder she was diagnosed with while working abroad in the fashion industry. @augustmclaughlin

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pooja’s forthcoming picture book, Together for Mama, was inspired by her own experience with postpartum depression and explores a conversation that so many families face but rarely know how to talk about: what happens when a parent is struggling with their mental health?

We often discuss postpartum depression through the lens of the mother experiencing it, but we don’t talk enough about how it affects the entire family—or how children make sense of changes they see in the adults they love most. As someone who has been incredibly open about my own maternal mental health journey, I know firsthand how important it is to reduce stigma, seek support, and create honest conversations around these experiences.

In this deeply educational and heartfelt interview, Pooja and I dive into the realities of postpartum anxiety, parenting through difficult seasons, and breaking generational cycles of silence. We also discuss how children's literature and storytelling can give families the tools they need to navigate conversations that sometimes feel impossible to start.

Whether you are a parent currently navigating your own emotional health, a family member looking to provide better community support, or someone passionate about breaking mental health stigma, this episode is a reminder that you are never alone.

🕒 Chapters & Timestamps

 00:00 – Understanding Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

 03:04 – The Impact of Maternal Mental Health on Families and Children

 05:56 – The Journey to Seeking Help & Overcoming Stigma

 08:58 – The Crucial Role of Community and Multigenerational Support

 11:51 – Writing as a Healing Process

 15:00 – Creating Together for Mama: A Children's Book on Mental Health

 17:51 – Children's Awareness of Parental Emotions & Emotional Intelligence

 20:27 – Navigating and Validating Children's Big Emotions

 22:17 – The Role of Picture Books in Emotional Understanding

 26:35 – Breaking the Silence on Postpartum Depression

 29:04 – Building Community in Modern Parenting

 34:24 – Lifesaving Conversations to Break the Stigma

 36:07 – Finding Your Own Emotional Support

🔗 Resources & Links

 Learn more about Pooja Makhijani: Pooja Makhijani's Website

 Connect with Alessandra: Follow along on Instagram @alessandratorresani

 Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

This week on EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with Angela Santomero, the Emmy Award-winning creator behind Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Super Why!, and Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things.

Angela shares the intentional philosophy behind creating some of the most beloved children’s programs of all time and why slowing things down, encouraging imagination, and treating children with respect became the foundation for programming that continues to resonate with families decades later.

Together, Angela and Alessandra explore how children’s media shapes emotional development, self-esteem, resilience, and critical thinking—and why kindness should never be underestimated as a superpower.

They discuss the importance of diverse representation, fostering creativity in a screen-saturated world, the emotional impact of Steve’s viral Blue’s Clues farewell message, and practical ways parents can nurture confidence, curiosity, and emotional intelligence in everyday life.

Angela also shares insights from her newest franchise, Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things, a whimsical series designed to help children build empathy, resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills through imaginative storytelling.

Whether you’re raising young children, creating content, or simply interested in how we shape the next generation, this conversation is a powerful reminder that what we teach our children today becomes who they are tomorrow.

In This Episode:

• The surprising philosophy behind the success of Blue’s Clues

• Why slower-paced content supports emotional development

• How children’s media influences confidence, resilience, and self-esteem

• The importance of diverse representation and inclusive storytelling

• Why emotional intelligence is one of the most valuable skills a child can develop

• How parents can foster critical thinking and curiosity at home

• The lasting impact of Steve’s farewell message on an entire generation

• Angela’s newest project, Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things

• Simple ways parents can raise kind, creative, resilient kids

• Why community, collaboration, and creativity matter more than ever

About Angela Santomero

Angela Santomero is a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning creator, producer, and author whose work has helped shape generations of children through educational and emotionally intelligent storytelling. She is the co-creator of Blue’s Clues, creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Super Why!, and the creator of Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things. Her work focuses on helping children develop empathy, resilience, creativity, curiosity, and confidence through research-backed media and storytelling.

Connect with Angela Santomero

Website: https://www.angelasclues.com

Princess Penelope: https://princesspenelope.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelasclues

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasantomero

Connect with Alessandra Torresani

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamalessandratorresani

Podcast: EmotionAL Support

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a parent, educator, or caregiver who believes in raising kind, confident, emotionally healthy kids.

This week on EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with Angela Santomero, the Emmy Award-winning creator behind Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Super Why!, and Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things.

Angela shares the intentional philosophy behind creating some of the most beloved children’s programs of all time and why slowing things down, encouraging imagination, and treating children with respect became the foundation for programming that continues to resonate with families decades later.

Together, Angela and Alessandra explore how children’s media shapes emotional development, self-esteem, resilience, and critical thinking—and why kindness should never be underestimated as a superpower.

They discuss the importance of diverse representation, fostering creativity in a screen-saturated world, the emotional impact of Steve’s viral Blue’s Clues farewell message, and practical ways parents can nurture confidence, curiosity, and emotional intelligence in everyday life.

Angela also shares insights from her newest franchise, Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things, a whimsical series designed to help children build empathy, resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills through imaginative storytelling.

Whether you’re raising young children, creating content, or simply interested in how we shape the next generation, this conversation is a powerful reminder that what we teach our children today becomes who they are tomorrow.

In This Episode:

• The surprising philosophy behind the success of Blue’s Clues

• Why slower-paced content supports emotional development

• How children’s media influences confidence, resilience, and self-esteem

• The importance of diverse representation and inclusive storytelling

• Why emotional intelligence is one of the most valuable skills a child can develop

• How parents can foster critical thinking and curiosity at home

• The lasting impact of Steve’s farewell message on an entire generation

• Angela’s newest project, Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things

• Simple ways parents can raise kind, creative, resilient kids

• Why community, collaboration, and creativity matter more than ever

About Angela Santomero

Angela Santomero is a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning creator, producer, and author whose work has helped shape generations of children through educational and emotionally intelligent storytelling. She is the co-creator of Blue’s Clues, creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Super Why!, and the creator of Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things. Her work focuses on helping children develop empathy, resilience, creativity, curiosity, and confidence through research-backed media and storytelling.

Connect with Angela Santomero

Website: https://www.angelasclues.com

Princess Penelope: https://princesspenelope.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelasclues

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasantomero

Connect with Alessandra Torresani

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamalessandratorresani

Podcast: EmotionAL Support

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a parent, educator, or caregiver who believes in raising kind, confident, emotionally healthy kids.

What happens when traditional mental health treatments aren’t enough?

In this powerful episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with Dr. Jeff McNairy, Psy.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer of Rythmia and one of the leading voices in psychedelic-assisted healing and trauma recovery.

With more than 25 years of experience in psychology, addiction treatment, and mental health care, Dr. Jeff shares how unresolved trauma can become trapped in the body and brain—and why many people struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, and emotional pain continue searching for answers long after conventional treatments have failed.

Together, they explore:

✨ The neuroscience of trauma and emotional memory

✨ How the brain stores unresolved experiences

✨ The growing role of ayahuasca and psychedelic-assisted therapy in mental health treatment

✨ Why emotional healing often requires more than symptom management

✨ The connection between trauma, addiction, depression, and the nervous system

✨ What thousands of patient transformations have taught him about recovery

✨ The future of mental health and psychedelic medicine

Whether you’re curious about plant medicine, trauma recovery, emotional wellness, or the evolving landscape of mental health treatment, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how healing may be possible in ways many people never imagined.

#MentalHealth #TraumaHealing #Ayahuasca #PsychedelicTherapy #PTSDRecovery #DepressionHelp #EmotionalHealing #AddictionRecovery #Psychology #WellnessPodcast #EmotionALSupport

This year, I’m choosing to keep prioritizing my mental health, showing up as the strongest mom I can be, and using my voice to speak up for people who feel unseen, overwhelmed, or alone.

A little birthday check-in. A little gratitude. And a reminder that growth doesn’t stop just because life gets hard, sometimes that’s exactly where it begins. 💛

In this deeply grounding and unexpectedly joyful episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with acclaimed actor, teacher, and author Josh Pais (Joker, Ray Donovan, The Dropout) for a conversation that might just change the way you experience your emotions…forever.

Josh is the founder of the Committed Impulse Method and the author of Lose Your Mind, a powerful guide to transforming anxiety, overwhelm, and self-judgment into presence, creativity, and aliveness. Together, Alessandra and Josh explore why there are no “bad” emotions, how suppressing feelings disconnects us from ourselves (and others), and why learning to get out of our heads is the key to creative freedom whether you’re an actor, a parent, or just a human trying to survive modern life.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why anxiety is not the enemy and how it can become your superpower
• Josh’s 4 access points to instantly quiet the mind and return to presence
• The 7–12 second rule that helps emotions naturally move through the body
• How to raise emotionally literate kids without labeling feelings as “good” or “bad”
• Why creativity, parenting, acting, and healing all rely on the same skill: being here now
• What Josh learned working on Joker alongside Joaquin Phoenix and how staying in the unknown unlocks brilliance

Alessandra also opens up about living with anxiety, panic attacks, motherhood, and what presence feels like in both creative work and real life, making this episode a powerful listen for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in their own head.

This is not a conversation about “fixing” yourself.

It’s about remembering that it’s all good and that everything you feel is part of being alive.

🎙️ If you’re ready to lose your mind… and finally come home to yourself, this episode is for you.

https://www.instagram.com/joshpais/

https://committedimpulse.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

In this deeply grounding and unexpectedly joyful episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with acclaimed actor, teacher, and author Josh Pais (Joker, Ray Donovan, The Dropout) for a conversation that might just change the way you experience your emotions…forever.

Josh is the founder of the Committed Impulse Method and the author of Lose Your Mind, a powerful guide to transforming anxiety, overwhelm, and self-judgment into presence, creativity, and aliveness. Together, Alessandra and Josh explore why there are no “bad” emotions, how suppressing feelings disconnects us from ourselves (and others), and why learning to get out of our heads is the key to creative freedom whether you’re an actor, a parent, or just a human trying to survive modern life.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why anxiety is not the enemy and how it can become your superpower
• Josh’s 4 access points to instantly quiet the mind and return to presence
• The 7–12 second rule that helps emotions naturally move through the body
• How to raise emotionally literate kids without labeling feelings as “good” or “bad”
• Why creativity, parenting, acting, and healing all rely on the same skill: being here now
• What Josh learned working on Joker alongside Joaquin Phoenix and how staying in the unknown unlocks brilliance

Alessandra also opens up about living with anxiety, panic attacks, motherhood, and what presence feels like in both creative work and real life, making this episode a powerful listen for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in their own head.

This is not a conversation about “fixing” yourself.

It’s about remembering that it’s all good and that everything you feel is part of being alive.

🎙️ If you’re ready to lose your mind… and finally come home to yourself, this episode is for you.

⁠https://www.instagram.com/joshpais/⁠

⁠https://committedimpulse.com/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/⁠

Host Alessandra Torresani sits down with Sara Hartley, neurodivergent mom, mental health advocate, and creator of the Purposefully Me children’s book series, for a deeply validating conversation about raising neurodiverse kids with connection instead of control.

Sara opens up about her experience with ADHD, discovering early signs in her son, and how Echo Parenting helped her shift from fear and frustration to empathy and understanding. Together, they explore:

✨ Early intervention and what it really means
✨ Sensory processing differences in young kids
✨ Emotional regulation—for parents and children
✨ Finding community when you feel alone
✨ Why behavior is communication, not defiance
✨ The importance of neurodiversity representation in children’s books
✨ What every burnout-prone parent needs to hear

This is the episode every parent Googling “ADHD symptoms,” “sensory toddler,” or “how to parent with empathy” needs in their queue.

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

https://saralewishartley.com/

https://www.parentshavefeelingstoo.com/

https://www.drjulifraga.com/

EmotionAL Support 

http://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod

Anne Laure Le Cunff

https://www.instagram.com/neuranne

https://nesslabs.com/book

Find Anna's book Modern Friendship: How To Nurture Our Most Valued Connections and her other published pieces from The New York Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post and more below. 

Anna Goldfarb

https://annagoldfarb.com/

Substack

https://annagoldfarb.substack.com/

Modern Friendships on Amazon

https://amzn.to/4lQULR3

Chapters:

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

Monica Berg:

https://www.spirituallyhungrypodcast.com

John Diggs:

https://johndiggs.com

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Christine Murray:

http://www.christinemurray.info/

https://www.sourceforsurvivors.info/

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

Kate Anthony: 

https://kateanthony.com

The D Word:

https://kateanthony.com/dword/

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Devyn Simone:

https://devynsimone.com

https://www.instagram.com/devynsimone/

EmotionAL Support: 

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Erwin Benedict Valencia: 

https://instagram.com/erwinbvalencia?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Having personally experienced a chaotic childhood, Lily's mission is to empower parents and provide them with peaceful solutions for raising their children. She believes in promoting positive strategies that prioritize understanding and communication, without resorting to shame, guilt, or punishment for both kids and parents.

Through her expertise and dedication, Lily B Coco has become a trusted resource for families seeking useful and helpful strategies in navigating the challenges of parenthood. Her book promises to be a valuable guide, offering insights, support, and practical advice to create a harmonious and joyful parenting experience.

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Lily B Coco

https://www.instagram.com/lilybcoco/

Paisley's Corner

https://www.youtube.com/@PaisleysCorner

Mom Your Own Way Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/mom.your.own.way/

To learn more or work with Ricki, you can find her here:

IG: 

Iamrickifriedman

Tiktok: Iamrickifriedman

Spotify: Steps Forward with Ricki 

Apple: Steps Forward with Ricki

Kelly Houseman LPC, NCC is a licensed therapist and mental health advocate, public speaker, blogger, podcast host, and wellness expert based in the Metro-Detroit area.

Kelly has spent her career advocating for reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues while bringing her unique insight and humor to current topics - from social media to global pandemics. Her platforms include her blog, popular social media platforms, and podcast. Kelly’s expertise has been featured on television, radio, and print including ABC, People Magazine, and Fox.

Outside of her professional career, Kelly is a dedicated wife and mother to two young children. She takes pride in balancing her professional and personal life while giving others advice on how to do the same while being real and authentic in their journey.

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

@kellyhouseman

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

thebigsilence.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-silence/id1607181597 https://youtube.com/@the.big.silence https://thebigsilence.com/pages/memoir https://instagram.com/karenadawn?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://instagram.com/the.big.silence?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://my.toneitup.com/

David Haggerty joins me to talk about the hot topic of Post-Partum Depression, Post-Partum Mood & Anxiety Disorder and Post-Partum Psychosis. Living with Bipolar 1 Disorder, this was something I was very fearful I was going to encounter post-partum. I share my own experience with birth, while David shares the mental health facts and solutions of post-partum depression, mood & anxiety and psychosis. We also raise the conversation about Post-Partum Psychosis in light of the tragic events of Lindsay Clancy and her family of what to do when you having signs of psychosis. We must share our stories so that we know we are not alone! Please share some resources you have found with the EmotionAL Support website/instagram. Thank you! 

@emotionalsupportpod

https://slumberkins.com/

@slumberkins

@emotionalsupportpod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

-Alessandra is best known for playing Zoe Graystone in the science fiction television series Caprica and Claire in The Big Bang Theory. She is the host of EmotionAL Support Podcast and a mental health and illness spokesperson. She spent the day with me to uncover her past lives and get answers to all the questions she had been pondering for years. Alessandra's regression took us in the days of the witch trials, explorations, the 70's, and so much more. Check out what she uncovered and what she wants to share with you from her past lives!

https://alessandratorresani.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotional-support-with-alessandra-torresani/id1476940278

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg1rRRfxY5llD4whjvS0Mng/featured

https://wonderfullightbody.com/

https://www.instagram.com/derekjameson/

https://linktr.ee/DerekJameson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💚 In this Emotional Push-Up, Dr. Emily talks to longtime friend and Hollywood actress, Alessandra Torresani, about taking the time to notice, honor, and enjoy the small things that go right in life, i.e. celebrating the small wins!

Staying emotionally fit takes work and repetition. That's why the Emotionally Fit podcast with psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt delivers short, actionable Emotional Push-Ups every Monday and Thursday to help you build a better practice of mental health. Join us to kickstart your emotional fitness. Let's flex those feels and do some reps together!

Thank you for listening! Follow Dr. Emily on Twitter, and don’t forget to follow, rate, review and share the show wherever you listen to podcasts! #EmotionallyFit 

The Emotionally Fit podcast is produced by Coa, your gym for mental health. Katie Sunku Wood is the show’s producer from StudioPod Media with additional editing and sound design by Nodalab, and featuring music by Milano. Special thanks to the entire Coa crew!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@dlhagger

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@dannylopriore

@1and1otc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.crestbd.ca/

http://victoriamaxwell.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@zakwilliams @youcanpym

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@dlhagger

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@cherylburke

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

https://brogliebox.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Renee opens up about her personal journey—from the confusion of diagnosis to the clarity that followed—and how storytelling became her lifeline. Together, they unpack the misconceptions around OCD, the nonlinear nature of healing, and the idea of radical bravery: choosing courage even when fear shows up.

This heartfelt conversation dives into the emotional layers of parenting with mental health challenges, finding resilience in imperfection, and teaching kids that healing isn’t about getting it right—it’s about staying real.

✨ You’ll hear about:
    •    The power of storytelling in mental health advocacy
    •    Why OCD is so misunderstood
    •    How to parent through fear and vulnerability
    •    Tools for managing anxiety and comparison
    •    The truth about healing—it’s a spiral, not a straight line

A reminder that courage doesn’t mean being fearless—it means feeling everything and moving forward anyway.

https://www.reneezukin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

This week on EmotionAL Support, actress, filmmaker, author, and storyteller Angela Harger Thompson joins Alessandra for a deeply honest conversation about surviving abuse, finding independence, rebuilding your identity, and learning how to create a life that is truly your own.

Angela shares the incredible true story behind her documentary Quarantine at Sea, documenting the moment she found herself stranded in the Pacific Ocean during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with nowhere to land and no idea what the future would hold. But beyond the adventure is a much deeper story of resilience, faith, healing, and personal transformation.

Together, Angela and Alessandra discuss:

• Overcoming emotional abuse and reclaiming your voice

• Building independence after difficult relationships

• Learning to trust yourself again

• The power of storytelling as a path to healing

• Reinventing your life in your 30s and beyond

• Turning pain into purpose

• Following God-given dreams and creating a future that feels aligned with who you are

• The making of the documentary Quarantine at Sea

• Angela’s powerful new memoir, Worst Tits Ever

• Why every person’s story matters

Whether you’re navigating heartbreak, rebuilding after trauma, seeking greater independence, or stepping into your own “second act,” this conversation is a reminder that your past does not define your future.

About Angela Harger Thompson

Angela Harger Thompson is an actress, filmmaker, author, and founder of The Storytell Initiative. She directed, produced, and starred in the documentary Quarantine at Sea, chronicling her unexpected months stranded in the Pacific Ocean during the global pandemic. Her memoir, Worst Tits Ever, expands on the personal journey behind the film and explores themes of faith, resilience, healing, and self-discovery.

Follow Angela and learn more about her work through The Storytell Initiative.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Michelle shares her extraordinary journey from being diagnosed with primary ovarian failure and early menopause at just 20 years old to reclaiming her health through holistic healing, restoring her cycle, and eventually becoming a mother later in life. Her story is a powerful reminder that a diagnosis does not have to define your future.  

Together, they explore the early signs of hormonal imbalance, the connection between gut health, anxiety, stress, and hormone decline, and practical ways women can support their bodies through fertility, perimenopause, menopause, and motherhood.

This episode is packed with empowering tools around bioidentical hormone therapy, personalized testing, nutrition, detoxing, self-care, breathwork, and daily habits that help women restore balance naturally. Dr. Michelle’s work focuses on helping women optimize hormones, navigate perimenopause and menopause confidently, and achieve vibrant health at any age.  

Whether you’re feeling off, navigating fertility later in life, managing anxiety, or simply wanting to understand your body better, this conversation will leave you feeling hopeful, informed, and empowered.

In this episode:

    •    Early signs your hormones may be changing

    •    Fertility, ovarian insufficiency, and pregnancy later in life

    •    Perimenopause and menopause symptoms women often miss

    •    How gut health, antibiotics, and stress affect hormones

    •    Natural and bioidentical hormone support options

    •    Anxiety, burnout, and the emotional side of hormone shifts

    •    Simple daily rituals for hormone balance and energy

    •    Self-care, meditation, and breathwork for nervous system support

✨ Follow EmotionAL Support for more honest conversations on women’s wellness, reinvention, motherhood, joy, and emotional healing.

Dr Michelle Sands:

https://www.glownaturalwellness.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever felt drawn to a place, a person, or a path you can’t explain?

This week on EmotionAL Support, Alessandra sits down with Emmy-award-winning director turned spiritual teacher Mary Madeiras, author of The Akashic Way, to explore the Akashic Records—what they are, how they reveal past lives, uncover hidden emotional blocks, deepen intuition, and reconnect you to your true soul purpose.

Together, they dive into spiritual awakening, self-discovery, motherhood, career reinvention, and the sacred—but terrifying—experience of starting over when life no longer fits. This conversation touches on emotional healing, personal transformation, manifestation, women’s empowerment, and the journey toward inner peace.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, navigating a life transition, searching for meaning, or longing for deeper spiritual growth, this episode is a reminder that nothing in your path is random—and your next chapter may already be written within you.

⸻

In This Episode, We Explore

• What the Akashic Records really are and how they work

• How past lives influence present-day relationships and patterns

• Clearing emotional blocks and reconnecting to intuition

• Spiritual awakening during motherhood and major life transitions

• Career reinvention, purpose, and starting over after loss or change

• Tools for manifestation, healing, and inner peace

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At ViaCord, Kate is involved in the release of stem cell units for clinical indications. These units may be used for transplantation, which includes ViaCord’s directed donor banking program The Sibling Connection, or FDA approved clinical trials. She is also responsible for exploring the utility of cord blood and tissue stem cells through R&D collaborations. 

Outside of the stem cell world, you’ll find Kate spending time with her husband and two young kids, out for a run with her dog Ringo, playing tennis, enjoying live music, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen! 

SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE:

Use the code ‘CB635’ to bring the price of cord blood banking down from $1725 to $635!!!

https://www.viacord.com/?utm_source=Socials&utm_medium=PaidContentCreator&utm_campaign=AlessandraT&utm_term=Sep22

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

Please give us a like, comment or review and be sure to follow for all the newest EmotionAL Support info!!!!

(This description was written by ChatGPT.) WOWWWWW!!!

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Michelle shares her extraordinary journey from being diagnosed with primary ovarian failure and early menopause at just 20 years old to reclaiming her health through holistic healing, restoring her cycle, and eventually becoming a mother later in life. Her story is a powerful reminder that a diagnosis does not have to define your future.  

Together, they explore the early signs of hormonal imbalance, the connection between gut health, anxiety, stress, and hormone decline, and practical ways women can support their bodies through fertility, perimenopause, menopause, and motherhood.

This episode is packed with empowering tools around bioidentical hormone therapy, personalized testing, nutrition, detoxing, self-care, breathwork, and daily habits that help women restore balance naturally. Dr. Michelle’s work focuses on helping women optimize hormones, navigate perimenopause and menopause confidently, and achieve vibrant health at any age.  

Whether you’re feeling off, navigating fertility later in life, managing anxiety, or simply wanting to understand your body better, this conversation will leave you feeling hopeful, informed, and empowered.

In this episode:

    •    Early signs your hormones may be changing

    •    Fertility, ovarian insufficiency, and pregnancy later in life

    •    Perimenopause and menopause symptoms women often miss

    •    How gut health, antibiotics, and stress affect hormones

    •    Natural and bioidentical hormone support options

    •    Anxiety, burnout, and the emotional side of hormone shifts

    •    Simple daily rituals for hormone balance and energy

    •    Self-care, meditation, and breathwork for nervous system support

✨ Follow EmotionAL Support for more honest conversations on women’s wellness, reinvention, motherhood, joy, and emotional healing.

Dr Michelle Sands:

https://www.glownaturalwellness.com/

In this intimate and honest episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with her longtime friend, therapist and former actress Nikki Isbell for a deeply personal conversation about healing, self-care, confidence, and reinventing your life after trauma.

This isn’t a clinical interview — it’s the kind of vulnerable, kitchen-table conversation you have with a friend who’s seen you through every version of yourself.

Together, they talk about:

• Trauma healing for women and how it lives in the body

• The power of friendship as a safe space for growth and support

• Self-care practices that actually help (gratitude journaling, movement, small daily shifts)

• Building confidence in your 30s when you’re doubting yourself

• Leaving the acting industry and navigating career reinvention

• Asking for help and why you don’t have to do it alone

• Creating community as a millennial woman and mom

• Starting over without losing yourself

Nikki shares her journey from navigating her own trauma to becoming a therapist who now helps other women heal — and how small, consistent steps toward self-care can lead to profound transformation.

If you’re healing from trauma, questioning your next chapter, rebuilding after loss, divorce, career shifts, or motherhood transitions — this episode will remind you that reinvention is possible, support is essential, and confidence is something you build one brave choice at a time.

You don’t have to do this alone.

✨ Share this with a friend who’s in her healing era.

Nikki Isbell, AMFT, APCC is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor based in Lake Tahoe, California. She currently provides both Telehealth and in-person therapy through the nonprofit Center for Mental Health Excellence under the supervision of Veronica Viesca, PhD. She also recently started serving as a school-based therapist at Sugar Bowl Academy under the supervision of Kristin Slye, LMFT. Nikki’s work focuses on anxiety, relationships, and mind–body approaches to mental health, integrating attachment-informed and narrative perspectives to support emotional resilience and well-being.

You can find Nikki on Psychology Today or her website at www.nikkiisbell.com

You’ll discover:
    •    Why intuition is a tool we all have—and how to access it daily.
    •    How childhood experiences shape emotional patterns and healing.
    •    The role of mindfulness practices like meditation and journaling in strengthening intuition.
    •    Why creating safe spaces for emotional support and self-care is essential.
    •    How men are increasingly embracing intuitive practices.
    •    The importance of communication and emotional acceptance in relationships.
    •    Practical ways to help children develop intuition for self-awareness.

This conversation is both grounding and inspiring, offering actionable insights and emotional support for anyone looking to deepen their connection to themselves and others.

Whether you’re a parent, partner, or simply on a journey of personal growth and self-discovery, this episode will help you unlock the power of your inner wisdom.

https://www.intuitive-psychology.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@iamjoellleon

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY JINX  🐶

$15 OFF any order of $50 or more at https://www.thinkjinx.com/ with code:

EMOSUPPORT15

Jinx is an online dog nutrition brand that offers balanced food options for modern dogs, like clean-label kibble and healthful treats! You’ll feel so good about feeding Jinx to your very best fur child! JINX, for modern doghood!

For more information, go to ThinkJinx.com and be sure to FOLLOW them on Instagram @thinkjinx  🐕

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Stephanie Szostak:

https://www.instagram.com/stephshortstak/

https://selfishplaybook.com/

https://stephanieszostak.me/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@nadyaokamoto

@itsaugust

@periodmovement

🧠 SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, TELL YOUR FRIENDS  🧠

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Candice King, a woman who has accomplished so much how does one even begin. She's been a teen dream queen on The Vampire Diaries, she is a famous in Japan for her hit pop songs, she is the co-host of the hilarious podcast Directionally Challenged and let's top it all off with the fact that she is a super mom! We dive into the world of mental health, discuss our love of Universal Studios, discuss the "stage mom" world of the Oakwood Apartments and learn even more about each other than we thought we knew! 

http://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@candiceking

@candicekayla

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@brittlovessmoothies

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Berlin is an award winning pregnancy-focused chiropractor, childbirth educator, and labor support doula as well as the host of the Informed Pregnancy Podcast where each week, parents, birth professionals, and parenting experts weigh in on a full range of topics surrounding the perinatal period. Dr. Berlin runs a successful perinatal wellness group in Los Angeles, CA with his wife Dr. Alyssa Berlin, PsyD with whom he shares four kids, two guinea pigs and one dangerously smart Aussiedoodle.

@emotionalsupportpod

@doctorberlin

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://alexandrahewett.com

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@alessandratorresani

@emotionalsupportpod

@therealcarmit

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emagine is an award-winning startup, including Second Prize in Pharrell Williams’s Black Ambition Award, Department of Health and Human Services Hypertension Challenge, Roddenberry Foundation Catalyst Award, Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Award, and the Arizona Innovation Challenge grant. 

Courtney is a Marketing graduate from the University of Arizona and received her MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.  She has 12 years of experience in customer analytics in Fortune 500 companies and international business experience in Africa and Latin America. For five years, she served on the board of Open Windows Foundation in Guatemala. 

In this powerful episode of EmotionAL Support, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak to unpack what’s really happening in your brain after having a baby—and why so many millennial moms are silently struggling with postpartum anxiety, OCD, and depression.

We talk about the things no one prepares you for:

– Why “maternal instinct” is more myth than reality

– The truth behind intrusive thoughts and postpartum OCD

– What “mom brain” actually is (and why it needs a rebrand)

– How hormonal and neurological changes impact your mental health

– Practical tools to feel more grounded, calm, and like yourself again

Dr. Pensak also shares her own postpartum journey, making this conversation feel honest, validating, and deeply relatable for any mom navigating the emotional rollercoaster of early motherhood.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or questioned yourself as a mom—this episode will make you feel seen, supported, and more in control.

This is the conversation every millennial mom deserves to hear.

https://www.drnicoleamoyalpensak.com/

What happens when traditional mental health treatments aren’t enough?

In this powerful episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with Dr. Jeff McNairy, Psy.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer of Rythmia and one of the leading voices in psychedelic-assisted healing and trauma recovery.

With more than 25 years of experience in psychology, addiction treatment, and mental health care, Dr. Jeff shares how unresolved trauma can become trapped in the body and brain—and why many people struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, and emotional pain continue searching for answers long after conventional treatments have failed.

Together, they explore:

✨ The neuroscience of trauma and emotional memory

✨ How the brain stores unresolved experiences

✨ The growing role of ayahuasca and psychedelic-assisted therapy in mental health treatment

✨ Why emotional healing often requires more than symptom management

✨ The connection between trauma, addiction, depression, and the nervous system

✨ What thousands of patient transformations have taught him about recovery

✨ The future of mental health and psychedelic medicine

Whether you’re curious about plant medicine, trauma recovery, emotional wellness, or the evolving landscape of mental health treatment, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how healing may be possible in ways many people never imagined.

#MentalHealth #TraumaHealing #Ayahuasca #PsychedelicTherapy #PTSDRecovery #DepressionHelp #EmotionalHealing #AddictionRecovery #Psychology #WellnessPodcast #EmotionALSupport

This week on EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with award-winning filmmaker and visual artist Louie Schwartzberg (Moving Art, Fantastic Fungi, Wings of Life). Louie has dedicated his life to capturing the breathtaking, slow-motion rhythm of the natural world to help us slow down, breathe, and heal.

Alessandra and Louie dive deep into the science of awe and wonder, explaining how visual storytelling can completely shift our nervous systems from fear to compassion. They discuss the critical impact of digital media on child development, sensory processing in autism, and how changing what our kids watch can drastically improve their emotional regulation. Plus, Louie reveals the evolutionary secrets behind beauty and the mind-expanding world of fungi and plant medicine.

If you are a parent looking to balance screen time, someone struggling with stress, or simply wanting to inject more gratitude into your daily routine, this beautiful conversation is your ultimate guide to reconnecting with the Earth.

"Wonder and awe are gateways to compassion. Beauty is nature's code for survival." — Louie Schwartzberg

🕒 Inside This Episode:

 00:00 - The Healing Power of Nature & Overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder

 12:31 - Mindfulness, Stress Reduction, and Emotional Regulation

 24:01 - Rethinking Screen Time: Fear vs. Wonder in Children's Content

 25:29 - The Evolutionary Power of Beauty and Visual Art

 29:53 - Nature’s Crucial Role in Child Development & Sensory Processing in Autism

 35:27 - Micro-Mindfulness and Gratitude Practices for Busy Families

 39:47 - Exploring the Mind-Bending World of Mushrooms and Fungi

 47:05 - Moving Art: Shifting Human Consciousness Through Filmmaking

🔗 Connect with the Show:

 Follow Alessandra Torresani on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

 Follow EmotionAL Support on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

 Learn more about Louie Schwartzberg’s work:

⁠⁠https://www.movingart.com⁠⁠

 Watch Louie's Films:

Fantastic Fungi & Moving Art on Netflix.

Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to support the show! 

K

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Brian Johnson:

https://www.heroic.us

https://www.heroic.us/arete

Lil Miss Hot Mess is the author of the children's books If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It (Running Press Kids, 2022) and The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish (2020), and serves on the board of Drag Story Hour.  She has appeared on world-class stages like SFMOMA, Stanford University, and Saturday Night Live, was a founding organizer of the #MyNameIs campaign that challenged Facebook’s “real names” policy, and has published in Curriculum Inquiry as well as The Guardian, Wired, and Salon.  When not twirling, Lil Miss Hot Mess is a professor of public humanities and media studies.

Susy Markoe Schieffelin of The Copper Vessel is a Los Angeles-based sound healer, reiki master, Kundalini yoga teacher, and inspirational speaker who has led sound baths viewed or attended by millions of people all over the world. Susy has brought healing to employees at companies such as Google, Pandora, and Nordstrom, has played crystal bowls with notable artists including Leann Rimes and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and has been featured in publications such as WSJ, VOGUE, USA TODAY, and Los Angeles Times. Susy is known for her light-filled presence and ability to guide people towards radiant and empowered lives characterized by self-love, serenity, abundance, and joy. She is the founder of the Sound Healer's Academy, an innovative Crystal Alchemy Sound Healing and Spiritual Business Mentorship training, serves as a self-love advocate for brands, has created custom product lines, and offers deeply restorative crystal alchemy sound bath ceremonies and healing rituals both in person and online.

@thecoppervessel

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

@addisonbrasil

https://www.tethr.men/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod 

International brands including Kiehl’s, Volvo, OBEY, Missoni, TopShop, AG Jeans and Montblanc have commissioned Blanda for art driven collaborations and media outlets such as Vogue, New York Magazine, Vice, WWD, Glamour Magazine, Elle and Rolling Stone have covered her work. Her most recent series of paintings was exhibited during Art Basel Miami 2021. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pooja’s forthcoming picture book, Together for Mama, was inspired by her own experience with postpartum depression and explores a conversation that so many families face but rarely know how to talk about: what happens when a parent is struggling with their mental health?

We often discuss postpartum depression through the lens of the mother experiencing it, but we don’t talk enough about how it affects the entire family—or how children make sense of changes they see in the adults they love most. As someone who has been incredibly open about my own maternal mental health journey, I know firsthand how important it is to reduce stigma, seek support, and create honest conversations around these experiences.

In this deeply educational and heartfelt interview, Pooja and I dive into the realities of postpartum anxiety, parenting through difficult seasons, and breaking generational cycles of silence. We also discuss how children's literature and storytelling can give families the tools they need to navigate conversations that sometimes feel impossible to start.

Whether you are a parent currently navigating your own emotional health, a family member looking to provide better community support, or someone passionate about breaking mental health stigma, this episode is a reminder that you are never alone.

🕒 Chapters & Timestamps

 00:00 – Understanding Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

 03:04 – The Impact of Maternal Mental Health on Families and Children

 05:56 – The Journey to Seeking Help & Overcoming Stigma

 08:58 – The Crucial Role of Community and Multigenerational Support

 11:51 – Writing as a Healing Process

 15:00 – Creating Together for Mama: A Children's Book on Mental Health

 17:51 – Children's Awareness of Parental Emotions & Emotional Intelligence

 20:27 – Navigating and Validating Children's Big Emotions

 22:17 – The Role of Picture Books in Emotional Understanding

 26:35 – Breaking the Silence on Postpartum Depression

 29:04 – Building Community in Modern Parenting

 34:24 – Lifesaving Conversations to Break the Stigma

 36:07 – Finding Your Own Emotional Support

🔗 Resources & Links

 Learn more about Pooja Makhijani: Pooja Makhijani's Website

 Connect with Alessandra: Follow along on Instagram @alessandratorresani

 Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Michael has been a leading voice in dating and relationships, and has been featured in ABC News, Business Insider, Bustle, CBS, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Elite Daily, Good Morning America, The New York Times and The Washington Post. He’s won several industry awards, including PRSA-NY 15 Under 35 Winner 2021 and more.

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

Michael Kaye:

https://www.instagram.com/michaelkayepr/

https://www.instagram.com/okcupid/

Childhood friends, Sage and Kendall, joined forces to create Frame, the amazing mental health platform that helps you along your therapy journey, every step of the way. I ask them every detail and question about how they help others with "matchmaking therapy". What to expect? Is there a right or wrong way to talk with a therapist? Is there someone you should say or not say to your therapist? All these questions and more are answered along with Sage and Kendall sharing their own personal experiences with therapy.

As a platform that connects people to therapy and brings awareness to mental health, Frame is on a mission to normalize the hard days and celebrate the good ones. Frame represents a community where people can learn, grown and find support through it all. From finding the right therapist to making progress in a session, Frame is here to help you through your therapy journey.

https://www.tryframe.com/

@frame.therapy

https://www.instagram.com/frame.therapy/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@sophieberen

@theconversationalist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jane Baecher is the co-founder and CEO of Anya, a postpartum wellness company. Anya is tackling the critical gap in support for moms after birth, by making the postpartum experience better for new mothers.  Anya's Postpartum Recovery Plan, a monthly subscription of clean, breastfeeding safe products tailored to your stage of recovery, helps moms navigate the first year after birth and tackle hair loss, exhaustion, breastfeeding challenges, and everything in between. Supported by a range of women's health experts from OBGYNs to lactation consultants, Anya puts moms first, when she's the last thing on her list. 

ANYA:

https://bit.ly/3L5KWiv

Discount Code: ALESSANDRA15

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@jacobmoore @nostigmas @the5bridges

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY JINX  🐶

Go to THINKJINX.COM and get 50% off your first subscription purchase by using code: “EMOSUPPORT” during checkout.

Jinx is an online dog nutrition brand that offers balanced food options for modern dogs, like clean-label kibble and healthful treats! You’ll feel so good about feeding Jinx to your very best fur child! JINX, for modern doghood!

For more information, go to ThinkJinx.com and be sure to FOLLOW them on Instagram @thinkjinx  🐕

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One on One offerings available here: www.iamsandramack.com

Group experiences: www.womenofthegalaxy.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

Be sure to give the pod some love by leaving a nice rating, writing a review and sharing with your favorite people!!!

What if our kids didn’t have to spend their 20s and 30s learning how to regulate emotions we never learned ourselves?

In today’s overstimulated, screen-saturated, anxiety-heavy world, emotional regulation isn’t optional — it’s survival.

In this episode of EmotionAL Support, I sit down with the creators of The Mindful Mantis, a children’s mindfulness movement teaching breathwork, emotional intelligence, meditation, and communication skills to kids as young as three.

As a mom navigating mental health, nervous system healing, and raising a deeply empathetic preschooler, I know firsthand how long it can take to understand your emotions. So the question becomes: what if we gave our kids the tools early?

We talk about:

• Why ages 0–7 shape lifelong emotional patterns

• The overdiagnosis conversation happening in schools

• Breathwork and “pause” as powerful parenting tools

• Teaching kids how to communicate instead of suppress

• Modeling emotional regulation (even when you mess up)

• Homeschooling, Montessori, and alternative education

• How to build resilience without raising perfect kids

This conversation isn’t about being the flawless gentle parent. We love Disney and Dippin’ Dots over here. It’s about raising emotionally safe children in a chaotic world — without losing yourself in the process.

If you’re a millennial mom trying to break cycles, regulate your own nervous system, and raise grounded kids who know how to feel, this episode is for you.

Because maybe emotional regulation doesn’t start at 30.

Maybe it starts at 3.

Follow EmotionAL Support for honest conversations about motherhood, mental health, reinvention, and raising emotionally strong children in today’s world.

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

https://www.themindfulmantis.com/

From Ozempic face, GLP-1 weight loss drugs, and facial volume loss to filler fear, Botox safety, and collagen-stimulating treatments, this episode breaks down what’s actually behind today’s most talked-about beauty trends — and what women should (and shouldn’t) be doing.

Together, they explore:

• What Ozempic and weight loss drugs really do to the face, skin, and inflammation

• Why so many women are afraid of fillers — and safer, more natural alternatives

• The most requested beauty procedures heading into 2026

• When plastic surgery helps — and when it can quietly backfire

• The connection between mental health, confidence, and appearance

• Budget-conscious beauty choices that actually make a difference

• Motherhood, aging, and how women’s self-image impacts the next generation

This episode is for humans who care about looking good, feeling grounded, and aging with agency - without extremes, shame, or pressure to erase themselves.

Because beauty isn’t about perfection.

It’s about recognizing yourself again.

From Ozempic face, GLP-1 weight loss drugs, and facial volume loss to filler fear, Botox safety, and collagen-stimulating treatments, this episode breaks down what’s actually behind today’s most talked-about beauty trends — and what women should (and shouldn’t) be doing.

Together, they explore:

• What Ozempic and weight loss drugs really do to the face, skin, and inflammation

• Why so many women are afraid of fillers — and safer, more natural alternatives

• The most requested beauty procedures heading into 2026

• When plastic surgery helps — and when it can quietly backfire

• The connection between mental health, confidence, and appearance

• Budget-conscious beauty choices that actually make a difference

• Motherhood, aging, and how women’s self-image impacts the next generation

This episode is for humans who care about looking good, feeling grounded, and aging with agency - without extremes, shame, or pressure to erase themselves.

Because beauty isn’t about perfection.

It’s about recognizing yourself again.

Alisha Tamburri, CCHT, MH

-Alisha is a board certified clinical hypnotherapist, counselor and doula, with over 35 year’sexperience. She is a HypnoBirthing® and HypnoMothering® instructor, HypnoFertility® therapist, domestic violence counselor using EFT(for PTSD, fears & phobias) and NLP during her sessions.

Alisha works with all issues including turning breech babies, lactation, pregnancy fears, stress, panic attacks, insomnia and regression. Alisha experienced two drug free pain free births using hypnosis.

Her practice has helped transform the lives of children, teens and adults. She goes to India every two years to enhance her skills. Known for her intuitive and empathic approach, Alisha helpsher clients discover their maximum potential.

www.clearmindhypnotherapy.com    

818-775-1868

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

Our Sponsors:

FITAID Engergy

http://www.fitaidenergy.com/emotionalsupport

Mossa On Demand:

promo code - EMOTIONAL30 

http://www.mossaondemand.net

From the pressure of societal “shoulds” to the impossible standards around motherhood, career, money, and identity, this episode explores what happens when women stop following the script and start defining success for themselves.

Kelly and Katy, sisters and co-authors of Up! The Playbook for Every Woman on the Rise, share practical tools for career reinvention, overcoming burnout, redefining ambition, and building a life rooted in values, clarity, and emotional well-being.

Whether you’re navigating motherhood, career shifts, burnout, friendship, or simply wondering what your next chapter looks like, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired, grounded, and empowered to trust your own voice.

In this episode:

    •    Why women and moms are feeling more burnt out than ever

    •    How societal “shoulds” shape identity, ambition, and motherhood

    •    Reframing money, success, and what it means to “have it all”

    •    Practical strategies for career and life reinvention

    •    The importance of support systems, friendship, and emotional clarity

    •    How to build a life on your own terms

✨ If this episode resonates, follow EmotionAL Support for more honest conversations on reinvention, motherhood, joy, and emotional growth.

Katy and Kelly Mooney:

https://equiptwomen.com/

@emotionalsupportpod 

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

In this episode of EmotionAL Support, host Alessandra Torresani talks with Darshana Avila, sexological bodyworker, somatic healing practitioner, and intimacy coach featured on Netflix’s Sex, Love & Goop, about why so many women feel disconnected from pleasure, desire, and their own bodies.

This conversation explores:

    •    What sexological bodywork is and how it supports healing

    •    How trauma, dissociation, and nervous system regulation affect sex and intimacy

    •    Why women often lose desire in safe relationships

    •    Sex after motherhood and reclaiming confidence in your body

    •    The Madonna/Whore complex and sexual shame

    •    Consent, boundaries, and communication in relationships

    •    How somatic healing helps women feel present, empowered, and connected

    •    Why erotic energy is about life force, creativity, and self-confidence

This episode is for women navigating:

sexual healing, trauma recovery, motherhood identity shifts, dating, relationships, and reclaiming pleasure without shame or performance.

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

https://darshanaavila.com/

@terrirockovich @thinkjinx

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

$15 OFF any order of $50 or more at https://www.thinkjinx.com/ with code:

EMOSUPPORT15

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

•Are you thinking about getting pregnant, currently pregnant or freshly postpartum? Lexi is offering Founding Member discounts for referrals from peers and friends!

Join the Circle community:

https://confidencecircle.circle.so/checkout/confidence-circle

Interested in being in one of Lexi’s intimate curated groups?

You can email Lexi about her cohorts here:

L@theconfidence.co

Subject: Pregnancy or Postpartum Cohort Request

Code: EMOTIONAL 

⬇️

$100 off membership the first year

https://www.theconfidence.co/pages/join-circle

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Alessandra and Dr. Anhalt explore the seven traits of emotional fitness and discuss practical tips for improving mental wellness, whether you're a high-performing executive or a stressed-out parent. The episode also delves into the importance of community, the benefits of play, and how to navigate personal and professional relationships with empathy and effective communication.

Tune in to discover how you can proactively work on your mental health, learn to embrace discomfort, and find balance in everyday life. This engaging conversation is sure to inspire listeners to flex thier feelings and enhance their emotional well-being.

Alessandra:

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

https://www.tiktok.com/@iamalessandratorresani

Dr. Emily Anhalt:

Grab Dr. Emily's book here: https://www.dremilyanhalt.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dremilyanhalt/

Twitter: https://x.com/dremilyanhalt

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremilyanhalt/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dremilyanhalt

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://amzn.to/4qLJzbj

Http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

http://www.instagram.com/transformingtoddlerhood

Have you experienced being bipolar and pregnant? I would love to hear more about your story in the reviews/comments section. It's time we talk about our fears and break the stigma!

(Conversations on this episode do get graphic and may be triggering to some listeners, so please be advised and use compassion while listening.)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@marshamolinari

@emotionalsupportpod

@emotionalsupportpod

@brianfemminella

@soundmindapp

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

qJHAjIdFmfCO7tyUWN0z

@emotionalsupportpod 

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chelsea Harvey Garner:

http://chelseaharveygarner.com/

https://www.instagram.com/chelseaharveygarner/

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2016/04/04/i-took-antidepressants-while-i-was-pregnant-it-wasnt-a-choice/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@rossszabo

https://rossszabo.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is a celebration of growth, connection, and the messy magic of becoming. Because growth isn’t linear—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

https://www.tiktok.com/@iamalessandratorresani

Highlights you’ll get:

• Personal stories of overcoming adversity and social anxiety
• Concrete pitching and business tactics to launch and scale ideas
• Mindset practices for confidence, self‑love, and persistence
• Advice on navigating entertainment and entrepreneurial industries
• Inspiration to turn side projects into income and build a legacy

Pitch Secrets A to Z — ⁠https://pitchsecretsbook.com⁠

Forbes Riley — ⁠https://forbesriley.com⁠

IG: ⁠https://instagram.com/forbesriley⁠

Listen, subscribe, and share if this episode inspires you to take the next step toward confidence, clarity, and cashflow.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EDEN SHER: I WAS ON A SITCOM

A show about finding out who you are when your TV show ends and your "real life" begins. Because when you've played a character on TV for a decade, what exactly does it mean to "be yourself?" Debut Fringe show from the star of ABC's The Middle.

directed by: Charlie McDermott and Sara Rejaie

LONDON SHOW:

https://www.angelcomedy.co.uk/event-detail/eden-sher-i-was-on-a-sitcom-24th-jul-the-bill-murray-london-tickets-202307242245/

EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL:

https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:4940/

@edensher

@alessandratorresani

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

In this powerful episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with Dr. Joy Kong, a pioneer in regenerative medicine, to explore how women can heal, age better, and feel empowered in their bodies through a truly holistic lens.

From her inspiring journey from China to becoming a leading voice in stem cell therapy and medical innovation, Dr. Joy shares how women’s wellness, hormone balance, peptides, stem cells, detoxification, and East-West medicine can support longevity, anti-aging, and whole-body healing.

Whether you’re a millennial mom navigating stress, energy shifts, inflammation, or simply looking for ways to optimize your health in your next chapter, this conversation offers practical wellness tools and a deeply inspiring story of reinvention.

We cover:

• Stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine

• Peptides for anti-aging and recovery

• Hormone balance and women’s health

• Detox, toxin avoidance, and foundational wellness

• Chinese medicine and holistic healing

• Reinvention, resilience, and second-act wellness

This is the episode for women ready to feel vibrant, informed, and supported in their wellness journey.

Dr Joy Kong:

https://joykongmd.com/

Key Topics:

• The importance of sleep for mental and physical health in both parents and children

• Challenging common sleep myths and polarized parenting advice

• How to adopt a flexible, individualized approach to sleep training

• The role of attachment security and responsive caregiving

• Supporting postpartum mental health through sleep

• Practical analogies for understanding sleep development and independence

• How partner involvement can enhance sleep and bonding

• Addressing the misinformation around sleep training and attachment outcomes

• Strategies for creating effective, personalized bedtime routines

• The significance of prioritizing parental self-care for family thriving

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep or parenting. Empower yourself with knowledge, trust your instincts, and prioritize your well-being for the best outcomes for your family.

It was such a joy having Mark and Chris join me to discuss all things Supergut. The mind/gut connection is truly a key element in taking care of our physical and mental health. These two discuss the science of how critical the mind/gut connection is with passion and expertise and I’m so grateful they come on to share how we can improve that connection through with personal stories that reveal why their hearts and souls are so invested into this future of humanity.

Marc Washington is founder & CEO of Supergut, the leading gut health nutrition company. Marc is a seasoned consumer health & wellness executive who founded Supergut in memory of his sister to empower people with better control of their health through the powerful science of the gut microbiome.

Chris Damman is Chief Medical & Science officer at UR Labs. Prior to joining UR Labs, he was Initiative Lead of Gut Health in the Enteric and Diarrheal Diseases team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He holds an M.D. from Columbia University, an M.A. in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry from Wesleyan University, and is board certified in Gastroenterology. Chris maintains an academic appointment with the University of Washington in the division of Gastroenterology with research interests focused on food and microbiome therapeutics for non-communicable disease.

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

https://supergut.com/

@supergut

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

https://www.instagram.com/jessicaszohr/?hl=en

This conversation dives deep into the patterns that quietly influence our career pivots, identity shifts, and the years that push us toward change.

Ipek explains how certain years invite flexibility, why entering a season with a rigid plan can block new possibilities, and how understanding your personal number can make confusing life changes feel intentional, empowering, and even exciting.

If you’re in a transition, feeling restless, or sensing a shift coming… this episode offers clarity, grounding, and the emotional support you didn’t know you needed.

https://www.instagram.com/thebornmethod/

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

http://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod

Candice King is an Actress most known for her role as Caroline Forbes in the Vampire Diaries Series and least known for her role as Red Headed girl complaining of menstrual cramps in 2007's film Juno. You can listen to her Weekly Podcast A Superbloom Podcast where she interviews guests on the difficult moments in life that taught them  great lessons and created space for self growth. She currently resides in Nashville,TN with her two daughters and many dead houseplants. 

Instagram:

@itscandiceking

@asuperbloompod

EmotionAL Support

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

Pickle is LA's premier live singing Drag Queen and host. She runs the LA chapter of Drag Story Hour and has partnered with organizations such as The Academy Museum, Tinder, The City of West Hollywood and LA Public library to present unique, original drag programming. Pickle is the first Drag Laureate for the City of West Hollywood, the second position of its kind in history.

@pickledragqueen

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.pickledragqueen.com/

As a digitally-savvy growth CEO, Ali has honed her skills in both nimble startups and large, public corporations. Her passion for tackling significant consumer challenges, especially at the nexus of healthy living and technology, shines through in every endeavor.

Currently at the helm of Oobli, Inc., Ali is on a mission to revolutionize the way we think about sugar, all while harnessing the potential of sweet proteins. Join us as we explore her inspiring journey, her innovative approach to problem-solving, and the secrets behind her enterprise-scale success.

Get ready to be inspired, informed, and motivated by Ali Wing's unique insights and experiences. Tune in for a compelling conversation that's bound to reshape your perspective on business and innovation.

• SUBSCRIBE and LEARN MORE

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

@alessandratorresani

•OOBLI

https://oobli.com/

Discount Code: EMOTIONAL

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Sydne Summer:

https://www.sydnestyle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sydnesummer/

Healing from Postpartum Hemorrhage by Sydne Summer

https://www.sydnestyle.com/2023/03/healing-after-postpartum-hemorrhage/

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Tom Payne:

https://www.instagram.com/thetompayne/?hl=en

* Please listen to the episode 'The Suicide Disease with Kyle Ayers' before this episode to understand more about TN and the discussions we have during this episode. 

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

From the pressure of societal “shoulds” to the impossible standards around motherhood, career, money, and identity, this episode explores what happens when women stop following the script and start defining success for themselves.

Kelly and Katy, sisters and co-authors of Up! The Playbook for Every Woman on the Rise, share practical tools for career reinvention, overcoming burnout, redefining ambition, and building a life rooted in values, clarity, and emotional well-being.

Whether you’re navigating motherhood, career shifts, burnout, friendship, or simply wondering what your next chapter looks like, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired, grounded, and empowered to trust your own voice.

In this episode:

    •    Why women and moms are feeling more burnt out than ever

    •    How societal “shoulds” shape identity, ambition, and motherhood

    •    Reframing money, success, and what it means to “have it all”

    •    Practical strategies for career and life reinvention

    •    The importance of support systems, friendship, and emotional clarity

    •    How to build a life on your own terms

✨ If this episode resonates, follow EmotionAL Support for more honest conversations on reinvention, motherhood, joy, and emotional growth.

Katy and Kelly Mooney:

https://equiptwomen.com/

Discover how Kerry's commitment to animal welfare and a desire for social impact led her to pivot from corporate finance to become the founder and CEO of Abbot's Butcher. A twist of fate in the form of an autoimmune disorder propelled Kerry to reassess her life choices, leading to a deep dive into the transformative power of a whole food plant-based diet.

From the corporate boardroom to the kitchen, Kerry shares the story of how missing her favorite dishes sparked the idea for Abbot's Butcher—a plant-based meat alternative that's as trustworthy and satisfying as it is innovative. Get ready for a tantalizing exploration of Kerry's journey, filled with insights into motherhood, conscious living, entrepreneurship, and the delicious world of plant-based cuisine.

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Kerry Song and Abbot's Butcher:

https://abbotsbutcher.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAr8eqBhD3ARIsAIe-buNcA8z2dMq8reilgX0SmBu4z5lMa_bz_eZCgOf9L3ho-ZekAmMdL20aAi4jEALw_wcB

https://www.instagram.com/kerryesong/?hl=en

Links:

Instagram: @thematrescence 
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheMatrescence/_saved/ 
Website: www.thematrescence.com  
Freebies via our Blog (https://www.thematrescence.com/blog/) 
    •    6 week check-up (https://www.thematrescence.com/free_resources/6-week-postpartum-checkup/)
    •    B (https://www.thematrescence.com/free_resources/advocating-for-yourself-in-the-nicu/)aby Blues vs PPD
    •    Anxious, Mama?  Our advice (https://www.thematrescence.com/free_resources/anxious-mama-weve-got-some-advice/)

Code: Checkout the community (https://www.thematrescence.com/matrescence-community/) and get your first month free with coupon code: FREEMONTH

In this powerful and deeply grounded conversation, actor-turned-entrepreneur Cameron Moulène shares what it meant to become a father while facing addiction, uncertainty, and the responsibility of raising a neurodivergent child , a moment that quietly redirected his entire life.

We talk about choosing sobriety when the story stops being about you, unexpected beauty of parenting a child on the spectrum, and why breaking generational cycles doesn’t happen through perfection .. it happens through presence.

Cameron opens up about pausing acting, confronting male loneliness and mental health, and building Augi Health, a mission-driven company using AI and data to help families better navigate a healthcare system that often fails them. What began as personal survival became a larger commitment to community, access, and accountability.

This episode is for fathers trying to show up differently, parents navigating a diagnosis they never expected, and anyone choosing recovery not just for themselves , but for the life watching them.

A conversation about legacy, sobriety, innovation, and becoming safe.

https://augi.health/

https://www.instagram.com/augihealth/

https://www.instagram.com/cameronmoulene/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

@emotionalsupportpod

In this powerful and deeply grounded conversation, actor-turned-entrepreneur Cameron Moulene shares what it meant to become a father while facing addiction, uncertainty, and the responsibility of raising a neurodivergent child — a moment that quietly redirected his entire life.

We talk about choosing sobriety when the story stops being about you, the quiet grief and unexpected beauty of parenting a child on the autism spectrum, and why breaking generational cycles doesn’t happen through perfection — it happens through presence.

From there, Cameron opens up about leaving acting, confronting male loneliness and mental health, and building Augi Health, a mission-driven company using AI and data to help families better navigate a healthcare system that often fails them. What began as personal survival became a larger commitment to community, access, and accountability.

This episode is for fathers trying to show up differently, parents navigating a diagnosis they never expected, and anyone choosing recovery not just for themselves — but for the life watching them.

A conversation about legacy, sobriety, innovation, and becoming safe.

https://augi.health/

https://www.instagram.com/augihealth/

https://www.instagram.com/cameronmoulene/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Join us as we discuss our individual perspectives, unpack the challenges and opportunities brought by AI, and seek out ways to coexist harmoniously with technology in the ever-evolving landscape of our professional lives. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation on the future of work and the entertainment industry! 

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tommy is the creator of Superconscious™ Healing, a groundbreaking meditative modality that connects you to the infinite wisdom of the universe (the Superconsciousness) so you can heal at the root level and unlock your highest purpose, prosperity and peace.

Tommy trains changemakers, entrepreneurs, and spiritual business owners to create a life of full-fledged freedom, so they can earn more, maximize their impact, and be happier. He does this through coaching, healing and community, using his background in energy work, neuroscience and behavior reconditioning.

Book a breakthrough call at

http://www.tommysobel.com/ 

Becoming Superconcious with Tommy Sobel

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/becoming-superconscious/id1830334215

(psychic surgeon, human design, manifesting generator, personal growth, meditation, emotional support, superconscious healing, limiting beliefs, relationships, collective energy)

https://informedpregnancy.teachable.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@mblackspeaks

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.doctorberlin.com/the-afterbirth-plan

"The After Birth Plan" by Dr Alyssa Berlin

In this powerful episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with Dr. Joy Kong, a pioneer in regenerative medicine, to explore how women can heal, age better, and feel empowered in their bodies through a truly holistic lens.

From her inspiring journey from China to becoming a leading voice in stem cell therapy and medical innovation, Dr. Joy shares how women’s wellness, hormone balance, peptides, stem cells, detoxification, and East-West medicine can support longevity, anti-aging, and whole-body healing.

Whether you’re a millennial mom navigating stress, energy shifts, inflammation, or simply looking for ways to optimize your health in your next chapter, this conversation offers practical wellness tools and a deeply inspiring story of reinvention.

We cover:

• Stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine

• Peptides for anti-aging and recovery

• Hormone balance and women’s health

• Detox, toxin avoidance, and foundational wellness

• Chinese medicine and holistic healing

• Reinvention, resilience, and second-act wellness

This is the episode for women ready to feel vibrant, informed, and supported in their wellness journey.

Dr Joy Kong :

https://joykongmd.com/

In this powerful and deeply human episode of EmotionAL Support, I sit down with licensed therapist, author, and mental health educator Kati Morton to talk about the conversations we don’t have enough — perfectionism, parenting through mistakes, staying in unhealthy relationships, and why kids often blame themselves for things that were never their fault.

Kati breaks down mental health in a way that feels accessible, honest, and deeply relatable — from why perfectionism fuels negative self-talk, to how our physical and emotional health are inseparable, to the importance of letting children fail so they can actually grow.

We also dive into:
• Why sharing personal stories helps heal collective shame
• How to communicate big, hard things (like divorce) to kids
• The impact of words, labels, and apologizing as a parent
• Why women feel pressure to constantly prove their worth
• And how real emotional support from friends can change everything

This episode isn’t about having it all figured out — it’s about showing up human, breaking unhealthy patterns, and learning how to talk about emotions in a way that actually helps.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “doing it right,” this conversation is for you.

https://katimorton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/katimorton/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Terri's mission is to empower as many people as possible to stop living out learned boundary behaviors that don't serve them. The techniques, tools, and strategies that Terri shares teach people to align their choices and behaviors with their most authentic self so they can be liberated to psychological concepts accessible and actionable.

Check out Terri's book, Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen and (Finally) Live Free

https://boundarybossbook.com/

Olivia created Hey! VINA on the simple premise that it only takes one friend to change our entire lives, and that nothing makes us feel more confident, secure, happy, and free than a supportive group of friends!

She is also the co-founder of PYM mood chews, which she started with her husband and fan favorite guest of EmotionAL Support, Zak Williams. Olivia shares her journey with PYM during her two pregnancies and the positive influence it had on her!

@emotionalsupportpod

@heyoliviajune

@vinazine

@youcanpym

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D.

drtracyphd.com

Book: Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good for You (Even Though it Feels Bad)

Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer: Arcade Therapeutics 

WSJ Saturday Essay: In Praise of Anxiety

Advice for the Washington Post: Well+Being

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

After Erin's own traumatic birth experience, she strives to empower families as they navigate their own birth journey. It’s with great passion and lots of love that she provides you with the judgement-free support you deserve.

Have you experienced anything like this? Let me know on EmotionAL Support social links!!

https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

https://www.instagram.com/alaylabirth/

https://www.alaylabirth.com/

MOSSA ON DEMAND

https://www.mossaondemand.net

CODE: emotional30

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

http://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod

In this insightful podcast, Andrea delves into the complexities of bipolar disorder, offering a deep understanding of its nuances. Through candid conversations and expert interviews, she explores the latest research, treatment options, and practical strategies for managing bipolar effectively.

Whether you're seeking support, information, or simply a deeper understanding of bipolar disorder, this podcast is your go-to resource. Join Andrea as she combines her personal journey with her professional expertise to shed light on this often-misunderstood condition. Together, we can break down stigma and promote a more empathetic and informed perspective on bipolar disorder. Tune in and embark on a path to empowerment and resilience with Andrea Vassilev.

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Andrea Vassilev:

www.andreavassilev.com

IG @best.life.bipolar

Andrea's Self Stigma Program : www.ossibd.com

Alberto shares his journey through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, competing at the highest levels of martial arts and fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and how the sport shaped his mindset, confidence, and approach to life. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Alberto opens up about being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and how he used movement, discipline, and community to navigate one of the biggest challenges of his life.

Together, they explore how martial arts can improve mental health, build real confidence, and teach the importance of simply showing up, even when life feels overwhelming.

In this episode:

• ​ The mental health benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• ​ Why showing up is the hardest — and most important — step
• ​ How martial arts builds true confidence and resilience
• ​ Why every parent should consider Jiu-Jitsu for their kids
• ​ Finding purpose and happiness through adversity

One of Alberto’s most powerful reminders:

“The journey is the magic.”

This episode is about resilience, growth, and learning how to keep moving forward - on and off the mat.

Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you for being My EmotionAL Support! 

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg1rRRfxY5llD4whjvS0Mng/featured

In this episode of EmotionAL Support, host Alessandra Torresani talks with Darshana Avila, sexological bodyworker, somatic healing practitioner, and intimacy coach featured on Netflix’s Sex, Love & Goop, about why so many women feel disconnected from pleasure, desire, and their own bodies.

This conversation explores:

    •    What sexological bodywork is and how it supports healing

    •    How trauma, dissociation, and nervous system regulation affect sex and intimacy

    •    Why women often lose desire in safe relationships

    •    Sex after motherhood and reclaiming confidence in your body

    •    The Madonna/Whore complex and sexual shame

    •    Consent, boundaries, and communication in relationships

    •    How somatic healing helps women feel present, empowered, and connected

    •    Why erotic energy is about life force, creativity, and self-confidence

This episode is for women navigating:

sexual healing, trauma recovery, motherhood identity shifts, dating, relationships, and reclaiming pleasure without shame or performance.

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

https://darshanaavila.com/

Whether you’re a new mom, navigating postpartum anxiety or depression, or simply trying to keep your mental health steady while raising kids, this intimate conversation will remind you that you are not alone. Join Alessandra for a quick but powerful pep talk about survival, adaptability, and finding light in the messiness of motherhood.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Elysia Rotaru:

https://elysiarotaru.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWd0oTeZbIto6-05TlbmiNQ

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@jessicaszohr

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

- In this episode of NAMI’s podcast, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. speaks with actor, mental health advocate and NAMI Ambassador Alessandra Torresani about her journey with maternal mental health and bipolar disorder. Tune in to hear more about Alessandra’s journey balancing self-care with motherhood, decisions about medication during pregnancy, and living with a mental health diagnosis and stigma. 

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

@emotionalsupportpod

@namicommunicate

@alessandratorresani

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@shiralazar

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NOSOLO is a purpose-driven lifestyle brand with the goal of creating a community that supports and empowers people to take ownership of their mental health. 20% of all proceeds are donated to NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness - to help take action and support those who are working towards bettering themselves.

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.nosolobrand.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

https://www.instagram.com/nosolobrand/

Key Topics:

• The importance of sleep for mental and physical health in both parents and children

• Challenging common sleep myths and polarized parenting advice

• How to adopt a flexible, individualized approach to sleep training

• The role of attachment security and responsive caregiving

• Supporting postpartum mental health through sleep

• Practical analogies for understanding sleep development and independence

• How partner involvement can enhance sleep and bonding

• Addressing the misinformation around sleep training and attachment outcomes

• Strategies for creating effective, personalized bedtime routines

• The significance of prioritizing parental self-care for family thriving

Connect with Chrissy Lawler:

• Website - https://thepeacefulsleeper.com/

• Instagram - https://instagram.com/the.peaceful.sleeper

• Books on Amazon

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep or parenting. Empower yourself with knowledge, trust your instincts, and prioritize your well-being for the best outcomes for your family.

Matt Friend has appeared on the Today Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, NBC’s New York Live TV, Good Day LA, Good Day NY, and WGN. In 2019, Matthew won Kenan Thompson’s Ultimate Comedy Experience at Carolines on Broadway. His professional experience includes hosting HQ Trivia, performing at corporate events, and doing stand-up comedy throughout the country. Matthew’s repertoire includes more than 250 impressions ranging from Rami Malek to Timothee Chalamet. You can catch Matt in Los Angeles at the famous Comedy Store and Laugh Factory this week!

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@mattfriend

http://www.mattfriend.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming into this world, with unlimited potential, we often align with societal norms and suppress our truth. allBOYallGIRL believes in publishing stories that confirms a child’s true self and opens up a world of possibilities.

Their mission is for children and parents to enjoy empowering stories. Also, to connect everyone to resources and community for whatever unique challenges they may be facing.

The founder of allBOYallGIRL and author of “Earth Child, Star Child”, Vincent Van Deilen, grew up in small town Ohio and felt isolated with many of his truths. The narratives and information at the time created doubt and much confusion around his heart. At the age of 15, Vincent’s father came out to him; this became a pivotal moment in which he began to pursue a more authentic life. allBOYallGIRL wants to be a company that points a child towards their authenticity.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

http://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

@inspriringmygeneration

@freicherter

http://www.inspiringmygeneration.org

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emily is a holistic healer and intuitive coach. It’s her intention through her business Soulful Alchemmy to normalize personal & spiritual development, teach others how to heal the relationship they have with themselves while learning how to work with their own energy in order to be their own healer.

🧠 SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, TELL YOUR FRIENDS  🧠

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I am so happy my friend Candace, a Grammy nominated songwriter and recording/touring artist, joins me to talk all things mental health.  She tells me how important horses are to her life and most importantly how they are healers for your emotional well being. Just this week Candace experienced a traumatic event that she bravely shares with me in hopes for other mothers to know they are not alone! Oh and did I mention she has the best podcast…The Creative Convergence Podcast!!!

@candacedevine

🧠 SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, TELL YOUR FRIENDS  🧠

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.ruqayakalla.com/

🧠 SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, TELL YOUR FRIENDS  🧠

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@bakerseebakerdo

(The Estate movie is currently in theaters and VOD)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Barrett has not only become a dear friend, but he is officially the voice of Season 3 EmotionAL Support! Check out the best intro song and be sure to follow Barrett along on his vocal journey!

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@barrettleddy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@woleparks

@alessandratorresani

@emotionalsupportpod 

Http://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@carolinedamore

@pizzagirlofficial

http://www.pizzagirl.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us as we bond over our mutual diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, chat about survival, learn more about Kevin's comic book origin story, and the importance of support from friends and family.

 *This episode has a trigger warning.*

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.kevinhinesstory.com/

@kevinhinesstory

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kitley has an eclectic array of experience using a holistic approach. Her areas of expertise include anxiety and depression, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, enhancing relationships with couples, using a short term model called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT.) Kelley also works with patients in longer term treatment to work through trauma,(including rape and sexual abuse) eating disorders, substance abuse, loss and phase of life issues.

She’s an action oriented therapist who believes the therapeutic process is a partnership and works with clients to define and ultimately achieve their goals. She uses positive psychology and coaching to help people be the best version of themselves.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@dlhagger

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16756399/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@augustmclaughlin @girlbonermedia

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY JINX  🐶

Go to THINKJINX.COM and get 50% off your first subscription purchase by using code: “EMOSUPPORT” during checkout.

Jinx is an online dog nutrition brand that offers balanced food options for modern dogs, like clean-label kibble and healthful treats! You’ll feel so good about feeding Jinx to your very best fur child! JINX, for modern doghood!

For more information, go to ThinkJinx.com and be sure to FOLLOW them on Instagram @thinkjinx  🐕

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@nikkilynette @igetoutalive

🧠 SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, TELL YOUR FRIENDS  🧠

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They explore what it means to rediscover yourself after becoming a mom, embracing your femininity, strength, and confidence along the way. Adriana shares simple, science-backed strategies for building a foundation of wellness — from nutrition and hydration to strength training and self-care routines that fit real life.

The conversation also tackles mental health, protein and creatine for women, mindful eating, and the realities of weight loss medications, offering an honest, educational take on women’s health and empowerment.

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

https://www.cupofdri.com/

Whether you’re navigating postpartum changes or simply trying to reconnect with your best self, this episode reminds you that true self-care starts from within.

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@matthewdennislewis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@kyleayers @neverseenitshow

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

https://www.okayhumans.com/

@okayhumans

@okay_christy

1st Therapy Session FREE with COUPON CODE: EMOTIONAL 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@emotionalsupportpod

@alessandratorresani

@jessicahoovermusic

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year, I’m choosing to keep prioritizing my mental health, showing up as the strongest mom I can be, and using my voice to speak up for people who feel unseen, overwhelmed, or alone.

A little birthday check-in. A little gratitude. And a reminder that growth doesn’t stop just because life gets hard, sometimes that’s exactly where it begins. 💛

We dive into her incredible journey of resilience, from childhood misdiagnoses to discovering the overlap between ADHD and bipolar disorder. Brooke opens up about breaking down stigmas, embracing her full self, and launching Crowning Confidence, her groundbreaking program for youth that promotes mental health education, self-esteem, and bullying prevention.

With warmth, wisdom, and an unshakable sense of purpose, Brooke reminds us that vulnerability is strength—and that owning our truth is the first step to changing the world.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

http://www.leoflowers.com/

🧠 SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, TELL YOUR FRIENDS  🧠

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.patrickdevenny.com/

🧠 SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW, TELL YOUR FRIENDS  🧠

Follow EmotionAL Support:

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

•Website: https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/emotionalpod

•Alessandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is the last of my pregnancy journey. It has been so incredible documenting 9 plus months of pregnancy stories, interviews with specialists and most importantly just being able to hear from YOU about your own personal stories via social media. New episodes about my postpartum life will be coming very soon so be sure to Subscribe and Follow EmotionAL Support and get ready for the next chapter!!! Thank you for being my EmotionAL Support!!!

@joshandshenaebeech

@shenaegrimesbeech

https://www.youtube.com/ShenaeGrimesBeech

@emotionalsupportpod

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.allittakes.org/

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

Highlights you’ll get:

• Personal stories of overcoming adversity and social anxiety
• Concrete pitching and business tactics to launch and scale ideas
• Mindset practices for confidence, self‑love, and persistence
• Advice on navigating entertainment and entrepreneurial industries
• Inspiration to turn side projects into income and build a legacy

Pitch Secrets A to Z — https://pitchsecretsbook.com

Forbes Riley — https://forbesriley.com

IG: https://instagram.com/forbesriley

Listen, subscribe, and share if this episode inspires you to take the next step toward confidence, clarity, and cashflow.

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

Ashley Sumner: 

https://stayliminal.com

In his honor, please consider donating to The Jay Goldberg OBGYN Resident Education Fund: they provide funds to name the resident education chief each year and support resident education programs. He spent his free time hosting educational events for the residents in which he loved working with, educating, and helping grow. The new fund will further his mission in the years to come. Thank you Dr Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz and Cedars-Sinai for providing this information.

Department of OBGYN at Cedars-Sinai

8635 West Third Street

MOT Suit 160W

Los Angeles, CA

90048

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sonni Abatta:

https://wegottatalk.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sonniabatta/?hl=en

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

https://emotionalsupport.bigcartel.com/

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Liz Moody:

https://www.lizmoody.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lizmoody/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is for you if you want to:
    •    Discover your unique energetic blueprint for life
    •    Break free from people-pleasing and societal “shoulds”
    •    Strengthen relationships through emotional awareness
    •    Learn how emotions guide (not control) your decisions
    •    Feel more grounded, present, and fulfilled every day

Whether you’re a parent, navigating relationships, or simply on a journey of self-discovery, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you are meant to live authentically — and Human Design can help you get there.

Together, they explore the power of community, connection, and creating your own village of support. From self-care rituals and gratitude practices to navigating identity shifts and the pressure to “do it all,” this conversation is a reminder that every mom deserves a safe space to be heard, understood, and supported. Alessandra and Lexi share how there is such a fleeting nature of time with our children that we must remember the importance of being present in the moment. Just two mom friends talking about life, love and their children. 

✨ This podcast isn’t just a show — it’s a community for moms walking through the same season of life. Tune in, share your story, and join us on Instagram/Facebook where we’re building a circle of moms who lift each other up.

http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

http://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod

http://www.instagram.com/lexilovescarbs

Old friends. Childhood memories. Deep regrets. And now? A little grace.

🔑 Topics: high school reunion, mental health, parenting, life choices, childhood trauma, trust, self-acceptance, relationships, personal growth, emotional support

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

Style Seat:

https://www.styleseat.com/m/

DISCOUNT CODE - "EmotionAL" for $25 off a service of $100 or more

In this episode, Dr. Bhushan invites listeners on a journey to explore trauma-informed systems, stress and resilience, mental health, and gender and health equity. Drawing from her training at Harvard and Johns Hopkins, as well as her work featured in esteemed publications like JAMA and NPR, she engages in thought-provoking conversations with experts and changemakers in the field.

As a parent, immigrant, and first-generation Indian-American, Dr. Bhushan brings a unique perspective to the table, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and compassion in healthcare. Join her as she leads discussions that inspire hope, destigmatize mental illness, and promote evidence-based insights for holistic well-being.

EmotionAL Support:

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com

Dr Devin’s Bhushan:

https://askdrdevikab.substack.com/p/deep-dive-overcoming-imposter-syndrome

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-08-26/california-surgeon-general-bipolar-disorder-mental-health

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/10/15/1124400056/bipolar-disorder-mental-health

This week on EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with award-winning filmmaker and visual artist Louie Schwartzberg (Moving Art, Fantastic Fungi, Wings of Life). Louie has dedicated his life to capturing the breathtaking, slow-motion rhythm of the natural world to help us slow down, breathe, and heal.

Alessandra and Louie dive deep into the science of awe and wonder, explaining how visual storytelling can completely shift our nervous systems from fear to compassion. They discuss the critical impact of digital media on child development, sensory processing in autism, and how changing what our kids watch can drastically improve their emotional regulation. Plus, Louie reveals the evolutionary secrets behind beauty and the mind-expanding world of fungi and plant medicine.

If you are a parent looking to balance screen time, someone struggling with stress, or simply wanting to inject more gratitude into your daily routine, this beautiful conversation is your ultimate guide to reconnecting with the Earth.

"Wonder and awe are gateways to compassion. Beauty is nature's code for survival." — Louie Schwartzberg

🕒 Inside This Episode:

 00:00 - The Healing Power of Nature & Overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder

 12:31 - Mindfulness, Stress Reduction, and Emotional Regulation

 24:01 - Rethinking Screen Time: Fear vs. Wonder in Children's Content

 25:29 - The Evolutionary Power of Beauty and Visual Art

 29:53 - Nature’s Crucial Role in Child Development & Sensory Processing in Autism

 35:27 - Micro-Mindfulness and Gratitude Practices for Busy Families

 39:47 - Exploring the Mind-Bending World of Mushrooms and Fungi

 47:05 - Moving Art: Shifting Human Consciousness Through Filmmaking

🔗 Connect with the Show:

 Follow Alessandra Torresani on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani/

 Follow EmotionAL Support on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/emotionalsupportpod/

 Learn more about Louie Schwartzberg’s work:

⁠https://www.movingart.com⁠

 Watch Louie's Films:

Fantastic Fungi & Moving Art on Netflix.

Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to support the show! 

In this powerful episode of EmotionAL Support, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Amoyal Pensak to unpack what’s really happening in your brain after having a baby—and why so many millennial moms are silently struggling with postpartum anxiety, OCD, and depression.

We talk about the things no one prepares you for:

– Why “maternal instinct” is more myth than reality

– The truth behind intrusive thoughts and postpartum OCD

– What “mom brain” actually is (and why it needs a rebrand)

– How hormonal and neurological changes impact your mental health

– Practical tools to feel more grounded, calm, and like yourself again

Dr. Pensak also shares her own postpartum journey, making this conversation feel honest, validating, and deeply relatable for any mom navigating the emotional rollercoaster of early motherhood.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or questioned yourself as a mom—this episode will make you feel seen, supported, and more in control.

This is the conversation every millennial mom deserves to hear.

https://www.drnicoleamoyalpensak.com/

https://www.emotionalsupportpod.com/

@emotionalsupportpod

In this intimate and honest episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with her longtime friend, therapist and former actress Nikki Isbell for a deeply personal conversation about healing, self-care, confidence, and reinventing your life after trauma.

This isn’t a clinical interview — it’s the kind of vulnerable, kitchen-table conversation you have with a friend who’s seen you through every version of yourself.

Together, they talk about:

• Trauma healing for women and how it lives in the body

• The power of friendship as a safe space for growth and support

• Self-care practices that actually help (gratitude journaling, movement, small daily shifts)

• Building confidence in your 30s when you’re doubting yourself

• Leaving the acting industry and navigating career reinvention

• Asking for help and why you don’t have to do it alone

• Creating community as a millennial woman and mom

• Starting over without losing yourself

Nikki shares her journey from navigating her own trauma to becoming a therapist who now helps other women heal — and how small, consistent steps toward self-care can lead to profound transformation.

If you’re healing from trauma, questioning your next chapter, rebuilding after loss, divorce, career shifts, or motherhood transitions — this episode will remind you that reinvention is possible, support is essential, and confidence is something you build one brave choice at a time.

You don’t have to do this alone.

✨ Share this with a friend who’s in her healing era.

Nikki Isbell, AMFT, APCC is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor based in Lake Tahoe, California. She currently provides both Telehealth and in-person therapy through the nonprofit Center for Mental Health Excellence under the supervision of Veronica Viesca, PhD. She also recently started serving as a school-based therapist at Sugar Bowl Academy under the supervision of Kristin Slye, LMFT. Nikki’s work focuses on anxiety, relationships, and mind–body approaches to mental health, integrating attachment-informed and narrative perspectives to support emotional resilience and well-being.

You can find Nikki on Psychology Today or her website at www.nikkiisbell.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices