Judging Meghan

This episode is especially meaningful as I celebrate my podcast’s six year anniversary during Suicide Prevention Month. I’m joined by Riaz Patel, a two time Emmy nominated director and producer and Broadway producer, who shares his story of growing up Pakistani, Muslim, and gay in rural West Virginia and Maryland. He opens up about feeling like an outsider, constantly navigating prejudice, experiencing hostility after 9/11, and a pivotal moment when the film Maurice helped him see a different future for himself during one of the darkest times in his life. Riaz shares how that experience led him into entertainment, the unexpected path that brought him to reality television, and the story of meeting his husband, Miles, and building a family. We also talk about the importance of hope, connection, and finding a reason to keep moving forward when life feels overwhelming. Riaz is also the creator of Connect Effect, a 53 minute entertainment based experience designed to create "on demand belonging" and help people find common ground. We talk about loneliness, our increasingly screen driven world, political division, and how easily we can focus on anger while missing the light around us. This conversation is a reminder to listen, stay connected, and remember that even in our darkest moments, there can still be hope and a path forward. Follow Riaz here: https://www.instagram.com/riazrpatel/?hl=en  Learn more about ConnectEffect here: https://connecteffect.us/  Our listeners get a FREE MONTH of Primal Queen plus FOUR FREE GIFTS at PrimalQueen.com/JUDGING. #ad Head to AquaTru.com and use promo code JUDGING to get UP TO 20% off today! I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #EndTheStigma #YouAreNotAlone #HopeAndHealing #ChooseConnection #Community #TogetherWeCan #SupportMatters #ReachOut #KeepGoing #LifeAfterCrisis #SuicideAwareness #SuicidePreventionAwareness #PreventSuicide #CrisisSupport #EmotionalWellness #Wellness #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticConnection #SocialConnection #BuildingCommunity #CommonGround #ListenWithEmpathy #Compassion #KindnessMatters #LessLonely #ConnectionOverDivision Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m repeating this episode to honor Will Jimeno, all of the victims of 9/11, the survivors, the first responders who ran toward the danger, and all of their families. This episode originally aired in 2021, but Will’s story is one I believe should never be forgotten. September 11, 2001, is a day so many of us remember exactly where we were when we heard the news. It was a day that changed our country and countless lives forever. Will was a rookie Port Authority police officer when he saw the shadow of American Airlines Flight 11 moments before it struck the World Trade Center. He and his fellow officers knew they had to go in and help. Will shares what it was like to walk into the towers knowing a plane had hit the building, never imagining what was about to happen. When the South Tower collapsed, Will became trapped beneath the rubble alongside Sergeant John McLoughlin and Officer Dominick Pezzulo. Only Will and Sergeant McLoughlin survived. Trapped for hours with little hope of being rescued, the two men shared deeply personal conversations about their families and the people they loved. Will even asked Sergeant McLoughlin to tell his pregnant wife that he wanted their baby girl to be named Olivia. Eventually, Will and Sergeant McLoughlin were found and rescued by former Marines Jason Thomas and Dave Karnes. Both men suffered devastating injuries and faced a long road of surgeries, rehabilitation, and recovery. It was an absolute honor to speak with Will, hear his story, and learn how he chose to move forward from such an unimaginable experience. Will has dedicated his life to serving others, and his courage, resilience, and commitment to service are a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. I’m grateful to revisit this conversation and share Will’s story again as we remember September 11 and everyone whose lives were forever changed that day. I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #abuserecovery #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #WillJimeno #911 #September11 #NeverForget #911Memorial #911Survivor #PortAuthorityPolice #FirstResponders #Heroes #HonorAndRemember #Resilience #Courage #Service #NeverForget911 #Remembering911 #911Anniversary #JudgingMeghan #Podcast NOTE: This Revisited Series is the re-release of my favorite most important episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m joined by Jacob Cooper, an author, therapist, speaker, and past life regression expert, for a fascinating conversation about near death experiences, spirituality, and what may exist beyond this life. Jacob shares the stories behind his two books, Life After Breath, which explores his own near death experience, and The Wisdom of Jacob’s Ladder, which explores the lessons and insights he took from that experience. Jacob recounts experiencing a near death experience at just three years old in 1993 after suffocating from undiagnosed pertussis. He describes seeing a tunnel and a light, experiencing an overwhelming sense of love, encountering guardian angels and numerous other angels, entering what he calls a “soul pod,” and experiencing a life review that included memories of past lives. He also describes the profound feeling of choosing to return to this life with a service oriented purpose. Together, we explore questions about consciousness, spirituality, purpose, and what happens when we come face to face with the possibility of death. Jacob encourages listeners to remain open and curious while still maintaining healthy skepticism, and ultimately to focus on finding joy, serving others, and making the most of the life we have. Find out more here: https://jacoblcooper.com/  I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #JacobCooper #NearDeathExperience #LifeAfterBreath #TheWisdomOfJacobsLadder #Spirituality #Consciousness #Afterlife #LifeAfterDeath #PastLifeRegression #PastLives #SpiritualAwakening #SoulJourney #Angels #GuardianAngels #LifePurpose #FindingPurpose #Gratitude #Healing #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaHealing #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #MindBodySpirit #Faith #Hope #Podcast #MentalHealthPodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I sit down with therapists and coaches EJ and Tara from the Relationship Renovation podcast and a counseling center in Tucson. They share their own relationship story, including meeting, marrying quickly, and then facing intense challenges after having colicky twins while blending a family with four young children. Sleep deprivation, postpartum struggles, constant conflict, and a loss of intimacy put tremendous strain on their marriage and ultimately became the catalyst for a deeper understanding of relationships. Their experience inspired them to create the research based Relationship Renovation Model and eventually train other therapists in their approach. We talk about emotional safety, attachment, family systems, nervous system regulation, and why you sometimes need to “regulate before you communicate.” They also share their “burnt toast” code word, which allows couples to call for a time out during conflict while creating a clear plan to come back together and continue the conversation. We also discuss the importance of men doing their own emotional work, honesty, empathy, appreciation, and finding specialized couples therapy when you need more support. From major life transitions like empty nesting to the rise of “gray divorce,” we explore how relationships can change throughout the years and what it takes to keep choosing each other. Most importantly, this conversation is about being real, doing the work, and creating a relationship where both people feel safe, heard, and valued. You can learn more about EJ and Tara at relationshiprenovation.com. Listen to the ‘Relationship Renovation’ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all podcast platforms. Find out more through their site here: https://relationshiprenovation.com/staff/tarah-kerwin-staff/  I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #RelationshipRenovation #EJAndTara #Relationships #RelationshipAdvice #MarriageAdvice #Marriage #HealthyRelationships #CouplesTherapy #CouplesCounseling #RelationshipTherapy #EmotionalSafety #AttachmentTheory #NervousSystemRegulation #RegulateBeforeYouCommunicate #Communication #ConflictResolution #RelationshipGoals #Intimacy #EmotionalIntimacy #MarriageAfterKids #ParentingAndMarriage #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfWork #MensMentalHealth #Empathy #HealingRelationships #LongTermRelationships  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I’m joined by Nicole Sciacca, a fitness professional and host of Shockin’ Y’all, for a deeply personal conversation about spirituality, “exit points,” divine protection, and the signs we may receive from the other side. We talk about how trauma and major life experiences can create clarity, shift our perspective, and ultimately lead us toward a deeper sense of purpose and faith. Nicole shares her journey from growing up as a dancer in Birmingham, Alabama, to moving to Los Angeles and navigating a major back injury that completely changed her identity. She opens up about transitioning into fitness, mobility, and training women through midlife, with a focus on longevity, recovery, stress, and learning to care for our bodies through every stage of life. Nicole also shares the devastating losses she has experienced, including finding her partner Matt after he passed away in his sleep and later losing her ex-husband. We talk about grief, the signs she continues to experience from those she has lost, and how therapy, EMDR, community, and faith have helped her heal while raising her 13 year old son. This is an honest and emotional conversation about loss, spirituality, healing, and finding meaning and purpose even when life takes us somewhere we never expected. Find out more about Nicole’s fitness classes: https://www.sweatandstillness.com/  Follow Nicole here: https://www.instagram.com/nicolesciacca/?hl=en   I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #NicoleSciacca #Grief #GriefJourney #GriefSupport #HealingAfterLoss #Fitness #Spirituality #SignsFromTheOtherSide #SignsFromLovedOnes #DivineProtection #Faith #HopeAfterLoss #FindingPurpose #Signs #TraumaHealing #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #EMDR #HealingJourney #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #MidlifeWellness #WomensHealth #MindBodyConnection  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a revisited episode with Penny Hawkins Smith, a compassionate hospice nurse, influencer, and author of Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living. With over 2 million followers, Penny uses her platform to educate, inspire, and bring light to the often-taboo topic of death. Together, we delve into the emotional and spiritual depths of end-of-life care, from Penny’s personal journey of overcoming death anxiety to the remarkable, love-filled moments she’s witnessed at the bedside of her patients. We share stories of redemption, forgiveness, and the surprising ways people find peace and purpose in their final days. Penny opens up about the challenges of caregiving, the unkindness of online criticism, and the resilience it takes to continue helping others in the face of negativity. We discuss the cultural taboos surrounding death and the importance of breaking the silence—not just to reduce fear, but to foster deeper connections with those we love. From deathbed visions to spiritual encounters with lost loved ones, this episode shines a light on the beauty, meaning, and energy that emerge when we embrace life’s final chapter. This is an inspiring conversation about vulnerability, compassion, and the lessons we can all learn from the fragility of life. Whether you’ve experienced loss, are supporting a loved one, or are simply curious about what lies beyond, this episode will leave you reflecting on the enduring bonds that transcend life and death. Tune in for a journey of healing, hope, and the reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, there is light. Find out more about Penny through her site: https://www.hospicenursepenny.com/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #resilience #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #podcasts #WellnessJourney #FindingMeaningInLoss #Influencer #Author #Caregiving #LivingFully #Mortality #HospiceNurse #GriefAndLoss #HealingThroughDeath #PennyHawkinsSmith #trauma #DeathAnxiety #EndOfLifeCare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I’m joined by former actor, author, and holistic life and business coach Randy Spelling for an honest conversation about growing up in one of Hollywood’s most famous families. As the son of legendary television producer Aaron Spelling and brother of Tori Spelling, Randy shares what life was really like behind the scenes, the unique challenges of growing up in the spotlight, and how fame shaped both his family and the relationships around him. Randy opens up about his acting career, his experience filming Sons of Hollywood while privately coping with his father’s declining health and passing, and how grief and addiction became deeply intertwined. He candidly shares his journey to sobriety, the lessons he learned after hitting rock bottom, and why leaving Hollywood gave him the fresh start he needed to build a more meaningful life. Today, Randy helps others create lasting change as a holistic life and business coach. We discuss breaking unhealthy patterns, finding confidence and purpose, redefining success beyond money and fame, and why true fulfillment comes from living authentically. It’s an inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, personal growth, and the courage to create a life that aligns with who you truly are. Learn more about Randy’s coaching here: https://randyspelling.com/  I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #RandySpelling #AaronSpelling #ToriSpelling #Hollywood #HollywoodLife #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Healing #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #TraumaHealing #Grief #Resilience #LifeCoach #HolisticHealth #Purpose #Confidence #Mindset #Transformation #Authenticity #Recovery #Podcast #MentalHealthPodcast #SelfImprovement #GrowthJourney #HealingJourney #Inspiration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I’m joined by grief coach, author, speaker, and Penny’s Flight founder Kate Doerge for a heartfelt conversation about loss, healing, and finding purpose after unimaginable tragedy. We begin by talking about the importance of supporting other women, overcoming jealousy, and choosing to lift one another up instead of competing. Kate shares her extraordinary story of losing her father to heart failure, her mother in a tragic car accident, and, most devastatingly, her daughter Penny, who passed away at just 16 years old after years of battling neurofibromatosis, multiple surgeries, and glioblastoma. Kate opens up about the inspiration behind her book, Reimagining Grief, and explains how we can create a greater sense of agency in our healing through five powerful steps: connection, celebration, remaining open to signs from our loved ones, movement, and turning pain into purpose. She shares the meaningful signs she's received from Penny, the beautiful ways families can honor and celebrate those they've lost, and how Penny's legacy lives on through Penny's Flight, an incredible organization that has raised more than $6.4 million and launched over 120 chapters to help fund research for a cure for neurofibromatosis. I also share my own experiences with grief, the signs I've felt from loved ones I've lost, and why faith, hope, and spirituality have become such important parts of my healing journey. This is an emotional and uplifting conversation about navigating life's hardest moments, finding light after loss, and discovering that even in our deepest grief, love never truly leaves us. If you've experienced loss or are supporting someone who has, I hope this episode reminds you that healing is possible, purpose can grow from pain, and you never have to walk through grief alone. Learn more here:https://www.katedoerge.com/  Want to keep up to date with Kate? Follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/doergek/?hl=en  I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #KateDoerge #ReimaginingGrief #Grief #GriefSupport #GriefJourney #HealingAfterLoss #HopeAfterLoss #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #Loss #Bereavement #Widowed #ChildLoss #Neurofibromatosis #Glioblastoma #PennysFlight #TraumaHealing #Resilience #PurposeAfterPain #SignsFromLovedOnes #FaithAndHealing #HealingJourney #ChooseHope #Podcast #PodcastLife #LifeJourney #Survivor #Hope #Courage #Empowerment #Education #WomenInLeadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Joy Kong, a triple board-certified physician, educator, stem cell expert, and author of Tiger of Beijing. Dr. Kong shares her incredible journey growing up on a university campus in Beijing during a time of major economic change in China. Although her family had very little money, she was surrounded by education and developed an early fascination with America and the opportunities she believed it could offer. Dr. Kong opens up about the many obstacles she faced while trying to build a new life in the United States, including having her visa denied despite earning a scholarship. Determined not to give up, she found creative ways to move forward, from cold-calling hotels for work to becoming a tour guide in Tibet before eventually making it to America. She also shares the painful reality of surviving an abusive and controlling relationship, making the courageous decision to leave with nothing, and rebuilding her life from a shelter with the help of compassionate mentors, an attorney, and supportive professors. Her story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to start over and fight for the life you know you're meant to live. It truly inspired me and reinforced the importance of never giving up on your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. We also explore her journey from training in psychiatry to becoming a leader in holistic medicine and stem cell therapy. Dr. Kong explains how regenerative medicine works, the exciting potential stem cells hold for healing, and why it's so important for patients to be informed and cautious in an industry where misinformation and low-quality treatments still exist. It's an inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, hope, and the incredible things that can happen when you refuse to let your circumstances define your future. Learn more here: https://joykongmd.com/ Get her book ‘Tiger of Beijing’ here: https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Beijing-Inspirational-Regenerative-Physician/dp/1647139740?_ga=2.57404205.664597299.1784342086-2044211131.1784342086  I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #DrJoyKong #TigerOfBeijing #StemCellTherapy #RegenerativeMedicine #StemCells #HolisticHealth #IntegrativeMedicine #Longevity #HealthyAging #MedicalInnovation #Healthcare #Wellness #FunctionalMedicine #MentalHealthMatters #Psychiatry #Healing #HealthPodcast #AmericanDream #Inspiration #PersonalGrowth #NeverGiveUp #LifeJourney #Survivor #Hope #Courage #Empowerment #Education #WomenInLeadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I’m sharing why melanoma awareness has become so important to me. Between recently losing an old family friend to melanoma, having my own skin cancer scare when a spot on my leg thankfully turned out to be benign, and my mom’s history with melanoma, it was a real wake-up call. Those experiences made me realize how important it is to have this conversation and remind everyone that early detection saves lives. I hope this episode encourages you to protect your skin, schedule regular skin checks, and never ignore changes you notice, because it truly could make all the difference. I’m joined by Leah Adams, a melanoma survivor, long-distance runner, and mental health advocate from Cleveland, who shares her incredible story of being diagnosed with stage 1A malignant melanoma at just 26 years old. Leah opens up about years of tanning bed use, skipping sunscreen, and the surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy that ultimately confirmed her cancer had not spread. Together, we discuss the dangers of tanning culture, the alarming rise in melanoma among younger adults, the trend of "tan maxxing," and the misinformation circulating online about UV exposure and sunscreen. Leah also shares her family's ongoing journey after her father was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma that had spread to his brain and lungs, and how advances in treatment have helped keep his disease stable. We talk about practical sun safety, including choosing broad-spectrum sunscreen, understanding SPF, the differences between mineral and chemical sunscreens, the limitations of SPF in makeup, wearing UPF clothing, and protecting yourself while staying active outdoors. This is an important conversation about prevention, awareness, hope, and why regular skin checks could save your life—or the life of someone you love. Learn more here: https://www.curemelanoma.org/blog/from-melanoma-patient-to-caregiver  I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor MelanomaAwareness #SkinCancerAwareness #Melanoma #SkinCancer #SPF #BroadSpectrumSPF #MineralSunscreen #SkinHealth #HealthAwareness #CancerAwareness #LeahAdams #MelanomaSurvivor #CancerSurvivor #Stage4Melanoma #PublicHealth #HealthEducation #RunningCommunity #RunnerLife #OutdoorSafety #BeProactive #EarlyDetection #HealthTips #SelfCare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I'm then joined by Michelle Crosby, a registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in critical care, plastic surgery, and aesthetics. We dive into the connection between internal health and outward appearance, discussing how nutrition, hormones, sleep, and overall wellness can dramatically impact not only how we look but how we feel. Michelle shares how her work with PRP and PRF treatments inspired her to take a more holistic approach to health, focusing on achieving optimal wellness rather than simply falling within "normal" lab ranges. Michelle also introduces her innovative app, IntegratedHER, which helps women track everything from sleep, diet, medications, symptoms, and skincare to identify patterns and provide personalized wellness insights. We also discuss the growing popularity of peptides and GLP-1 medications, why proper testing and medical guidance are so important, Korean skincare, and some of the latest aesthetic treatments, including ONDA Pro and Sofwave. Finally, we talk about how to find qualified injectors, what questions to ask before any cosmetic procedure, and why education is the key to making safe, informed decisions about your health and beauty. Find out more about IntegratedHER here: https://www.integratedher.com/ I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #MichelleCrosby #IntegratedHer #WomensHealth #HormoneHealth #HealthyAging #AgingWell #WellnessJourney #PreventativeHealth #FunctionalMedicine #HolisticHealth #BeautyFromWithin #Skincare #MedicalAesthetics #AestheticMedicine #HealthySkin #SkinHealth #Longevity #GLP1 #Peptides #Biohacking #WellnessTips #HealthyLifestyle #NutritionMatters #SleepHealth #PreventiveCare #MedicalInnovation #BeautyPodcast #WomenSupportingWomen #MentalHealthMatters #MindBodyConnection #Healthcare #PatientAdvocacy #SkinCareTips #AestheticNurse #GlowFromWithin #BeautyAndWellness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with ADHD coach, consultant, podcast host and Beyond ADHD author Sam Led for a conversation about what ADHD actually feels like from the inside. Sam shares his own story of being misdiagnosed with anxiety, OCD and other labels before understanding his ADHD brain. He explains why he believes ADHD is not an attention deficit but an attention difference, why many ADHD brains experience the world in “Technicolor,” and why sensitivity, hyperfocus, creativity and intuition can become strengths once people stop seeing themselves as broken. We also talk about ADD vs ADHD, why the “H” was added, rejection sensitive dysphoria, justice sensitivity, emotional reactivity, sensory overwhelm, panic, thought storms, late diagnosis, medication, school struggles, math, foreign language, SATs, creative careers, podcasting, relationships, men’s mental health and why so many neurodivergent people feel like outsiders before they understand how their brain works. This episode is for adults with ADHD, women diagnosed later in life, people who grew up feeling different, parents trying to understand neurodivergent kids, creatives, empaths, overthinkers and anyone who has ever wondered why their mind feels faster, louder, more emotional or more intense than everyone else’s. Find Sam on: His site: https://www.samledconsulting.com/ Instagram: @samledadhdcoach Or listen to his podcast: The Fearless Now which is available on all podcasting platforms. You can purchase his book “Beyond ADHD” Here: https://www.samledconsulting.com/beyondadhd I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #AdultADHD #ADHD #ADD #Neurodivergent #Neurodiversity #ADHDWomen #ADHDCoach #SamLed #BeyondADHD #Hyperfocus #RejectionSensitivity #OCD #Creative #EmotionalDysregulation #ADHDAnxiety #CPTSD #CreativeBrain #HighlySensitivePeople #MentalHealthAwareness #ADHDSuperpower #The FearlessNow #Coaching #Empath #Anxiety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this revisited episode, I sit down again with clinical psychologist Dr. Noelle Santerelli for a conversation that feels especially important. We talk about adult bullying, relational aggression, and the deep grief that can come from losing friendships and a sense of belonging, particularly within mom groups and close communities. This episode is rooted in mental health and grief, because these losses change how safe the world feels and how we see ourselves. I share openly about why I started this podcast. A devastating friend breakup in 2020 collided with unresolved childhood trauma and brought me to one of the lowest points of my life. What began as subtle exclusion slowly became isolation and public humiliation, leaving me without a community I believed was safe. The shame, loneliness, and grief that followed were overwhelming, especially during COVID, and that loss carried a weight I did not expect. Dr. Santerelli explains why these group dynamics are so harmful and why it is never as simple as just leaving. When kids are involved, fear, guilt, and judgment keep women stuck far longer than they should be. We talk about betrayal trauma, victim blaming, and the cycle many toxic groups follow, and why reacting after months of pressure does not make someone the problem. It makes them human. This episode is about trusting your experience, listening to your body, and choosing self preservation over fixing the narrative. Sometimes healing looks like quiet distance and protecting your energy. If you have ever felt pushed out, shamed, or silenced by people you hoped would support you, this conversation is for you. You can followDr. Noelle Santerelli here: https://www.instagram.com/drnoellesantorelli/ This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #grief #mentalhealth #friendshiploss #adultbullying #relationaltrauma #betrayaltrauma #toxicfriendships #toxicmomgroups #womensmentalhealth #emotionalabuse #socialexclusion #shameandhealing #traumarecovery #boundaries #selfpreservation #healingafterloss #belonging #identityandloss #nervoussystem #emotionalsafety #friendbreakups #communitytrauma #motherhoodandmentalhealth #choosingyourself #psychologicalsafety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hayley Spitaleri, host of A Splash More, opens up about her brother Nick’s 20-year struggle with opioid addiction, his fatal fentanyl overdose, the boundary she set six months before his death, and the federal investigation that followed. This conversation connects the fentanyl crisis to prescription painkillers, athlete injuries, OxyContin, heroin, counterfeit drugs, overdose prevention, Hayley’s story is for siblings, parents, spouses, and children who have loved someone with substance use disorder—and for anyone trying to protect their family without abandoning the person they love. Hayley Spitaleri is the host of A Splash More, a podcast featuring honest conversations about ambition, identity, motherhood, health, reinvention, and personal growth. This one is for anyone who has lost someone to addiction. Hayley not only inspired me with her strength but gave me hope for those fighting battles many will never understand. Connect with Hayley and listen to A Splash More:@ASplashMore Connect with Meghan:@judgingmeghanJudgingMeghan.com #FentanylCrisis #OpioidAddiction #FentanylAwareness #OverdoseGrief #SiblingLoss #FamilyBoundaries #AddictionRecovery #OpioidEpidemic #Narcan #MensMentalHealth #GriefSupport #SubstanceUseDisorder #IVFJourney #ASplashMore #JudgingMeghan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I’m joined by Reshma Kearney, a trauma informed yoga instructor, mental health advocate, and someone I first connected with through Instagram. We begin by talking about my own journey with mental health advocacy, the importance of suicide prevention awareness, a recent personal loss, and the incredible milestone of celebrating six years of the podcast. I also reflect on what it means to see Judging Meghan reach the Top 10 on Apple’s Mental Health charts and why these conversations continue to matter so much to me. Reshma shares her deeply personal story, including her move to California in 2023 to be closer to family after experiencing unimaginable loss. She opens up about her whirlwind love story with her late husband, Sean, an Army orthopedic surgeon who served three deployments and ultimately died by suicide. With honesty and vulnerability, Reshma talks about Sean’s long struggle with depression and anxiety, how his sense of humor, professional success, and constant activity often masked the pain he was carrying, and the heartbreaking challenges they faced together, including the loss of a child through stillbirth. Together, we discuss the realities of grief after suicide, the guilt and overwhelming responsibilities that can follow, and what it looks like to help children navigate loss while grieving yourself. Reshma shares how each of her three children has processed their father's death differently, the support they received from their school and community, and why she believes Sean continues to send signs that he is still with them. We also talk about the healing power of vulnerability, the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, and why sharing our stories can help others feel less alone. This is a heartfelt and powerful conversation about love, loss, resilience, hope, and the reminder that asking for help is one of the bravest things we can do. Learn more on Reshma’s site: https://www.reshmakearney.com/ I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #ReshmaKearney #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #SuicideAwareness #SuicideLoss #SurvivorOfSuicideLoss #MentalHealthMatters #EndTheStigma #YouAreNotAlone #HopeAfterLoss #GriefJourney #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #Resilience #MentalWellness #EmotionalHealing #GriefSupport #LossAndHealing #WidowLife #ParentingThroughGrief #ChildLoss #StillbirthAwareness #MilitaryFamilies #MilitaryMentalHealth #VeteranMentalHealth #ArmyFamily #MentalHealthAdvocate #TraumaInformedYoga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with bestselling author Sandy Malone for a fun and inspiring conversation about her writing career, the stories that have captured readers’ hearts, and what exciting projects she has coming next. Sandy shares the journey behind her popular Gem of the Golden Isle series, which begins with Escape to Jekyll Island, and discusses why the charm, beauty, and close knit communities of Georgia’s Golden Isles continue to inspire her work. Sandy also gives us a preview of her upcoming novel, Thicker Than Blood, which is set to be released this fall. While details are still being finalized, she shares her excitement about bringing another story into the world and what the publishing process looks like behind the scenes. We discuss the realities of being an author, balancing creativity with deadlines, and the anticipation that comes with preparing a new release. In addition, Sandy introduces her brand new series, Under the Oaks, a crossover from her Jekyll Island books that expands into neighboring St. Simons Island. Centered around a wedding planning company, the new series promises fresh characters, familiar connections, romance, community, and all the coastal charm readers have come to love from her novels. Whether you're already a fan of Sandy's books or discovering her work for the first time, this episode offers a wonderful look into her creative world and all the exciting stories readers can look forward to in the coming months. Want to check out the series? You can find her books through this link here or at your local book store: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01BM5JV3I?ccs_id=4f40f626-d994-4a7c-8b2a-88fa1d53e415 I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #SandyMalone #AuthorInterview #BestsellingAuthor #WomenWhoWrite #BookPodcast #BookLovers #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #CoastalFiction #BeachReads #RomanceBooks #ContemporaryRomance #WomensFiction #JekyllIsland #StSimonsIsland #GoldenIsles #GeorgiaCoast #EscapeToJekyllIsland #GemOfTheGoldenIsle #ThickerThanBlood #UnderTheOaks #NewBookRelease #BookCommunity #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #FictionBooks #MustReadBooks #BookRecommendations #IndependentAuthor #Storytelling #BookDiscussion #PodcastEpisode #PodcastGuest #CreativeLife #WomenAuthors #SouthernFiction #CoastalRomance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Neal K. Shah, a Johns Hopkins and NIH funded researcher, former caregiver, and co founder of CareYaya, for an important conversation about dementia, caregiving, and mental health. Neal shares his personal experiences caring for his grandfather during his battle with dementia and later supporting his wife through a multi year cancer journey, opening up about the emotional and physical toll caregiving can take on families. We discuss the lack of support many caregivers receive after a diagnosis, the rising costs of home care and assisted living, and the growing caregiving crisis facing families across the country. Neal also explains how chronic stress, burnout, and sleep deprivation can impact caregivers’ own health, while sharing research on dementia prevention, including movement, social connection, hearing health, and lifestyle habits that may help reduce risk. We also talk about the future of caregiving, including the role artificial intelligence may play in caregiver training and early dementia detection. This is an emotional, informative, and hopeful conversation about resilience, advocacy, and supporting the people who care for others every day. Learn more here: https://www.careyaya.org/neal-k-shah I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #Caregiving #CaregiverSupport #Dementia #Alzheimers #MentalHealth #CaregiverBurnout #CaregiverStress #CaregiverLife #DementiaAwareness #AlzheimersAwareness #MentalHealthAwareness #NealShah #CareYaya #FamilyCaregiver #CaregiverMentalHealth #BrainHealth #HealthyAging #CaregivingCrisis #CaregiverAdvocacy #Healthcare #AgingParents #DementiaCare #BurnoutRecovery #EmotionalHealth #PodcastEpisode #MentalWellness #AIHealthcare #CaregiverResources #Resilience #SupportCaregivers #MemoryCare #WellnessPodcast #JohnsHopkins #NIHResearch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I'm joined by Todd McGuire from Queensland, Australia, a mental health advocate, former undercover detective, and author of the memoir Donny: An Undercover Cop with a Death Wish. Todd opens up about his life before policing, growing up in a loving home with no major trauma, and how everything changed after the devastating suicide of his partner, Karen, on New Year’s Day in 2000 while her young son was in the home. He shares the heartbreaking moments that followed, the guilt he carried for years, and how that loss shaped the course of his life and mental health. Todd speaks candidly about turning to alcohol and risky behavior to cope with his grief while continuing to work in law enforcement. He explains how he eventually pursued undercover work while silently struggling with PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts, often feeling like he no longer cared whether he lived or died. We talk about the psychological toll of undercover operations, the difficulty of returning to normal life afterward, and how trauma can fundamentally change the way a person sees themselves and the world around them. Together we also discuss the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, the lasting impact suicide has on the people left behind, and why so many struggle in silence. Todd shares why he now uses his voice through writing, public speaking, and advocacy to help others feel less alone, while I reflect on the importance of vulnerability, compassion, and honest conversations around trauma. This is an emotional and deeply important episode about survival, grief, PTSD, healing, and the power of speaking openly about mental health. Order Todd’s book and learn more here: https://toddmaguire.com.au/ I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #ToddMcGuire #DonnyBook #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSD #PTSDAwareness #Trauma #TraumaHealing #Grief #GriefJourney #SuicideLoss #SuicideAwareness #MensMentalHealth #UndercoverCop #FormerDetective #PoliceMentalHealth #FirstResponderMentalHealth #Healing #Resilience #MentalHealthPodcast #PodcastEpisode #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #SurvivorStory #SpeakUp #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #DepressionAwareness #AddictionRecovery #HealingJourney #SuicidePrevention #Therapy #MentalWellness #Vulnerability #HopeAfterTrauma #TrueStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I’m joined by writer and former Wall Street professional Joanne Redding to discuss her powerful memoir House of Pretend, releasing May 19th. Joanne shares the heartbreaking story of losing her father to suicide when she was just six years old, growing up in a home where grief was silenced, and later discovering the truth her mother had hidden from her for years. She speaks candidly about emotional neglect, family trauma, losing her brother to suicide as well, and the long journey of healing through trauma therapy and self understanding. Together we talk about the survival mechanisms so many people develop after trauma, including pretending everything is okay, emotional armor, perfectionism, and pushing through pain in high pressure environments. We discuss how grief never truly disappears but instead comes in waves, the importance of crying and releasing emotion, the impact of EMDR therapy, and how mental illness should be treated with compassion rather than shame. Joanne also shares the signs and moments of connection she still feels with the loved ones she has lost. This episode is an honest and emotional conversation about resilience, healing, kindness, and learning how to keep going even after unimaginable loss. If you or someone you love is struggling, please know there is help available and you are not alone. Reach out, talk to someone you trust, and remember that healing is possible. For questions, topic ideas, or stories Learn more and pre-order Joanne’s book House Of Pretend: A Memoir here: https://joannereddingauthor.com/ I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me, topics you’d like discussed, or stories you want to share, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram at @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review really helps support the show and helps more people find these conversations. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #ChildhoodTrauma #Grief #GriefJourney #SuicideLoss #SuicideAwareness #988Lifeline #YouAreNotAlone #HouseOfPretend #JoanneRedding #TraumaRecovery #EMDR #Therapy #Healing #Resilience #EmotionalHealing #BreakTheSilence #MentalIllnessAwareness #KindnessMatters #SelfReflection #HopeAfterLoss #PodcastEpisode #MentalHealthPodcast #WomenWhoWrite #Memoir #AuthorInterview #GriefSupport #CPTSDAwareness #EmotionalWellness #HealingIsPossible #SurvivorStory #ChooseCompassion #RealConversations #PodcastCommunity #JoanneRedding #HouseOfPretend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I welcome wellness advocate Kavita Sahai, founder of Vibe Tribes, along with Dr.Azin Shah Shaw, a gynecologist and urogynecologist specializing in perimenopause and menopause, for an honest and empowering conversation about women’s health, hormones, mental health, and what it really means to thrive in midlife. I talk openly about my own experiences with fibroids, my hysterectomy, weight gain, depression, and hormone therapy, while sharing why I believe mental health, fitness, nervous system regulation, and hormone health are all deeply connected. Kavita shares how her own struggles with symptoms like brain fog inspired her to create Vibe Tribes, a daily wellness platform designed to help women feel more balanced, energized, and connected to themselves again. We discuss how simple, bite sized practices like breathwork, meditation, movement, mindfulness, and education can help regulate the nervous system and create meaningful changes in both physical and emotional well being. Dr. Shah brings both medical expertise and compassion to the conversation as we discuss the realities of perimenopause and menopause, including sleep struggles, anxiety, mood changes, and the importance of self advocacy in women’s healthcare. She explains how progesterone and magnesium can support better sleep and nervous system health, while also emphasizing the powerful connection between the mind and body. Find out more on: https://vibestribe.co/ Follow Kavita on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavitasahai/ and Find out more about Dr. Shah: https://asktia.com/team/Azin-Shahryarinejad/ I’d love to hear from you. If you have questions for me or any topics you’d like discussed, please reach out through my website at judgingmeghan.com or send me a message on Instagram @judgingmeghan. Your questions may be featured and answered in an upcoming episode. This podcast is a place for trauma survivors as well as their friends and family. This is a safe environment to be vulnerable but it's also a place for celebration and moving forward. Let's all start to embrace who we are becoming by #mentalhealth #selfcare #self #judgingothers #judgingmeghan #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #survivor #JudgingMeghan #MeghanJudge #WomensHealth #Perimenopause #Menopause #HormoneHealth #HormoneTherapy #HRT #MentalHealth #MidlifeWellness #WellnessJourney #HealthyAging #SelfAdvocacy #WomenSupportingWomen #VibeTribes #KavitaSahai #DrShaw #Gynecology #Urogynecology #NervousSystemRegulation #MindBodyConnection #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #CPTSDAwareness #BrainFog #SleepHealth #Magnesium #Progesterone #EstrogenPatch #HormoneBalance #MidlifeWomen #MenopauseSupport #FitnessAndWellness #MentalWellness #WomenOver40 #WomenOver50 #EmpoweredWomen #SelfCare #Mindfulness #Breathwork #Meditation #HolisticHealth #WellnessPodcast #PodcastEpisode #HealthPodcast #WomenEmpowerment #Healing #ThriveInMidlife #YouAreNotAlone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices