Lyena Strelkoff
Benefitting Canine Companion
In this profound and touching hundredth episode of "All The Wiser," we sit down with Lyena Strelkoff, a storyteller, artist, and spiritual counselor. Lyena shares her story of healing, acceptance, and discovering unexpected magic after she was paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a tree while climbing for fun. Through her one-woman show that extended from three weekends to a six-month run, Lyena has touched the lives of many, empowering them to see their own strength mirrored in her narrative. She offers listeners a window into the authentic and complex experiences of living with paralysis, the power of storytelling, and the universal truths about our shared humanity. Join us for a conversation that celebrates resilience, courage, and the beauty nestled within life's harshest trials.
Sonia Vallabh
Benefitting Prion Alliance
Many of us walk different paths before finding our true calling. But what catalyzes such a life-altering pivot? At just 25, Sonia Vallabh, while attending law school, faced a life-altering moment when her mother began to exhibit worrying health symptoms – symptoms that rapidly progressed into a devastating illness. Sonia will share the heartbreaking journey of her mother's battle with prion disease, a fight that not only challenged the family's emotional resilience but also transformed Sonia and her husband Eric's careers and lives.
Mark Lukach
Benefitting Access Institute
Mark Lukach, author of "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward" speaks with Kimi about the profound impact of mental illness on his marriage and family life. He shares the harrowing journey he and his wife Julia have navigated through bipolar disorder, from the frightening onset of her psychosis to the unpredictable waves of recovery and relapse. Mark provides a candid account of the emotional strain, the learning curve of caregiving, and the strength it takes to stay committed to a loved one during their darkest times. The couple's love and resilience shine through as they confront the challenges of the American mental health care system and find ways to involve their children in managing the illness, all while trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy in their lives. Mark's perspective provides invaluable insights into the oft-hidden struggles many caregivers face and underscores the power of unwavering love and hope.
Lee Culp Henry
Benefitting Ronald McDonald House New York
Lee Culp Henry is a mother, psychotherapist, a coach's wife, and host Kimi Culp's sister-in-law. She speaks in conversation with Kimi about her harrowing past five years and the many tides of her postpartum journey. Faced with a traumatic accident following her newborn's birth and subsequent medical scares, Lee openly recounts her battles with postpartum OCD, the shame of secrecy, and her immense strength in overcoming guilt and learning to seek help. But for Lee, the hits kept coming – the death of her father, the uncertain diagnosis of her third child. We're reminded of the universal challenge of motherhood under extreme circumstances. Kimi's warm conversation with her sister-in-law, emphasizes the importance of reimagining postpartum support and the collective embrace of life's unpredictable journey.
Arno Michaelis
Benefitting Parents For Peace
Is extremism a public health issue? Kimi sits down with former neo-Nazi skinhead, Arno Michaelis, to discuss his transformative journey from spreading hate to advocating for compassion and forgiveness. Arno shares candidly about his recruitment into white nationalism, the pivotal role his family played, and the life-changing moments that led him out of the movement. He provides insight into the underlying pain fueling such ideologies and stresses the importance of embracing those seeking to leave hate behind. The conversation delves into Arno's commitment to anti-racism work, his hopes for the future, and the ongoing challenge of self-forgiveness. Join us in this episode to understand the human capacity for change and the potency of kindness in breaking the cycle of violence.
Simon Kent Fung
Benefitting Alana Faith Chen Foundation
Simon Fung is the host and creator of the podcast, "Dear Alana." The show quickly became a hit, touching the hearts of millions with a universal story of coming of age amidst the struggle for self-acceptance. In this episode, Simon discusses his intense pursuit to alter his sexual orientation in order to follow his dream of becoming a catholic priest. He shares his candid revelations, from the depths of conversion therapy to overcoming shame and embracing his true self. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. If there's one thing to take away, it's that vulnerability can pave the way for profound personal growth and lead us to a more honest and compassionate existence.
Matthew Fiorenza
Benefitting Next Rung
Matthew Fiorenza, a former firefighter and paramedic turned mental health advocate shares how the traumas encountered on the job silently chipped away at his mental health. He bravely battled through the depths of depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. We discuss the pivotal moments that ultimately led him to seek help and the healing modalities that made all the difference, including a promising new treatment: the stellate ganglion block. Other life-saving practices include meditation, the Save a Warrior program, and his profound spiritual connections. Matty's story serves as a beacon of hope for first responders facing similar battles and the importance of addressing mental health in high-stress professions.
Rebecca Kaduru
Benefitting Hebrew Free Loan San Fransico
Rebecca Kaduru's life was forever altered by a catastrophic accident in Uganda. But after receiving shockingly insufficient medical care, her nightmare was only beginning. Rebecca endured extensive reconstructive surgeries for her physical wounds, but the emotional trauma had a profound impact on the way she views herself and her personal and professional priorities. She discusses the challenges of recovery in a social-media forward world, the human capacity for pain and empathy, and the importance of a supportive community on the journey to hard-won wisdom.
Andrea Gibson
Benefitting Everytown
Are you pushing away joy? Getting stuck in a cycle of anxiety and grief? World renowned spoken-word poet Andrea Gibson (they/them) can relate. In this powerful and personal episode, Andrea shares their battles with stage fright, extreme anxiety, chronic Lyme disease, and stage 4 ovarian cancer. They also explore the transformative experiences brought about by Andrea’s cancer diagnosis, taking ownership of their health, and their commitment to healing modalities that have given them a feeling of radiant health amidst the trials of chemotherapy. Andrea shares profound insights on love, authenticity, fear, gratitude, and the art of cherishing others and self in the harshest of life's storms - not just as a cancer patient, but as an undeniably resilient and wise human.
Dr. Allen Ault
Benefitting the FCC Children & Youth Ministries
What is it like to witness the darkest corners of our justice system? Dr. Allen Ault is a former warden and commissioner of corrections. He recounts his experience with the death penalty and the lasting emotional impact on those involved in the process. He also gets deeply personal about his own struggle with feelings of guilt as a result of “murdering somebody,” and his subsequent journey grappling with the moral implications of capital punishment.
Kara Robinson Chamberlain
Benefitting South Carolina Victim Assistance Network
At 15, Kara Robinson Chamberlain was kidnapped. While her remarkable bravery and quick thinking allowed her to escape, the coping mechanisms she employed to survive impeded her ability to heal from the ordeal. In this harrowing episode, Kara dives into the importance of authentic emotions in healing, and the dangers of toxic positivity culture. She sheds light on the complexity of trauma and its long-term effects on the mind and body. She also shares how the experience led her to a career in law enforcement, educating and empowering other survivors of traumatic experiences.
Alice Marie Johnson
Benefitting Taking Action for Good
Alice Johnson has a knack for finding hope in hard circumstances. Even though a terrible mistake cost her everything she knew and loved, Alice still found a way to help and inspire others. From fighting for education and against discrimination, to finding solace in writing poetry, Alice shares how she became a force for change and an advocate for the incarcerated. She also shares her own story of clemency after being taken under the wing of one Ms. Kim Kardashian.
Haley Holm
Benefitting The Paseo Project
Haley Holm is a veteran air force pilot. She completed 22 combat missions in Afghanistan. But during this time, Haley was known as Jim. Jim was described by friends as a very masculine man from a military family. But Jim had a secret. He longed to be female. How does a person find the courage to explore a new identity in one of the most male dominated workplaces in the world? For Haley…it was one sock at a time.
Amy Chesler
Benefitting The Army of Survivors
Amy Chesler always knew her brother Jesse struggled with anger. He never developed the tools to manage his emotions. But then he started taking his frustrations out on her in harmful and abusive ways. The power and control he exerted over Amy was just the beginning. In this chilling and powerful episode, Amy shares the story of the day her brother killed their mother, her fight to navigate a difficult legal system for justice, and ultimately how she stayed alive.
Fernando Murillo
Benefitting Humane Prison Hospice Project
At the age of 16, Fernando Murillo was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes. After serving 20 years, he was transferred to California Medical Facility (CMF), a prison that focuses on caring for the elderly and terminally ill, among others. It was there that he first stepped foot into CMF’s hospice unit, the first of its kind in a prison setting.
Zack Robidas
Benefitting Marnie's Army
Today we are checking in with one of our favorite past guests, actor Zack Robidas. It's been a year since his beautiful wife Marni passed away from breast cancer. Zack and Marni were on this show together during the pandemic talking about her diagnosis and the challenges they faced head-on during treatment. So on the anniversary of her death, we wanted to see how Zack was doing, and ask him to share some thoughts on the changing nature of grief and loss, and the glimmers of hope and healing he's found all around him.
Rebecca Berger
Benefitting Peace Over Violence
Rebecca Berger survived a childhood of chaos and abuse before becoming pregnant at the age of 14. Many adults looked at her with pity and shame. Though the physical and emotional abuse from men continued in Rebecca’s life, she kept putting one foot in front of the other, chasing a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. She finished her education and as a mother of three, pursued a career in medicine. Rebecca, now a family medicine physician, shares her story of survival and why you should never let others define your potential.
Michelle Gonzales-Reed
Benefitting The Jed Foundation
Dajon was a true mama’s boy. His mother Michelle, a devoted single mom, adored him. When Dajon was 15 he started showing signs of mental illness. By the age of 18, his personality was disintegrating. He started hearing voices and even tried to jump off of an 11th floor building. After an official diagnosis of schizophrenia, Michelle did everything she could to get Dajon the help he needed to live a stable life. What are the options for a family seeking help from the system? We explore the promises and pitfalls of caring for the mentally ill, and the toll it can take on those who love them.