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In Part 2 of Lynn’s story, we continue a deeply personal journey through struggle, resilience, and transformation.

Lynn opens up about her ongoing battle with alcoholism and the overwhelming pressures that shaped her life during some of her darkest moments. She reflects on the complexities of a blossoming relationship—one that brought both hope and challenge—and how those experiences pushed her to confront difficult truths about herself and her path forward.

At the heart of this episode is a story of growth. Through faith, self-reflection, and perseverance, Lynn began to find a sense of peace she had long been searching for. Her journey is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of chaos, healing and purpose are possible.

Since this recording, Lynn has continued to grow in meaningful ways—becoming a Eucharistic Minister, volunteering her time hosting a radio program reading stories to the blind through DownEast Radio, and celebrating the anniversary of her baptism.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism or bipolar disorder, support is available:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Visit aa.org to find meetings and support near you
• SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential help 24/7
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): Visit dbsalliance.org for resources and peer support
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 in the U.S. for immediate support

You are not alone—reaching out can be the first step toward healing.

In this Tiny Talk, we explore the true meaning of Autism Acceptance Month. We discuss the everyday challenges of autism, the importance of understanding over assumptions, and what it means to create a more inclusive world.

We also highlight the often-overlooked experience of adults who discover later in life that they may be autistic—how that realization can bring both clarity and complex emotions, and reshape how they see themselves and their past.

Helpful Resources available:

• Autism Society of America Helpline: 1-800-328-8476
• Autism Speaks Helpline: 1-888-288-4762
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7 support)

This episode is a reminder that acceptance starts with listening—and that no one has to navigate this journey alone.

Lynn’s story is not an easy one—but it’s a real one.

From her early days making fake IDs in high school to long nights bartending that spiraled into alcoholism, Lynn’s life became a cycle of searching—for stability, for identity, and most of all, for love. After stepping into a more traditional career in human resources, she was faced with a life-changing diagnosis of bipolar disorder, leading to multiple psychiatric hospitalizations in New York.

In the midst of that instability, Lynn turned to survival in whatever ways she could—selling herself online, battling addiction, and mixing alcohol with medication in ways that pushed her into dangerous mental states. Her desire to be loved led her into a marriage she hoped would save her, but instead brought deeper addiction, abuse, and heartbreak.

After hitting rock bottom, including time in prison, Lynn’s story takes a turn. Through faith, the unwavering love of her parents, and a growing sense of self-worth, she begins the long and difficult journey toward healing.

This episode explores the realities of mental illness, addiction, trauma, and the human need for connection—and reminds us that even after everything, change is still possible.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  Call or text 988 (24/7, free, confidential)
• Crisis Text Line
  Text HOME to 741741
• SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Use & Mental Health)
  1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  1-800-799-7233
  Text START to 88788
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
  1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
  1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
• Al-Anon Family Groups (Support for loved ones)
  1-800-344-2666
• 211 Helpline (Local resources & services)
  Dial 211

You are not alone. Support is out there.

Today’s episode lingers.

I’m joined by Pamela Topjian, whose path winds through nursing, holistic healing, hypnotherapy—and a personal transformation shaped by trauma, resilience, and something harder to name. After more than a decade inside the healthcare system, she began to question not just how we treat illness, but what healing really means… and what might be missing.

This conversation is more than a career shift. It’s a story of survival, of leaving abuse, of reaching a breaking point—and stepping into the unknown. From a cross-country bus ride with nothing but hope, to guiding others through their own inner landscapes, Pamela’s journey carries the quiet weight of starting over when everything falls apart.

We explore the edges of traditional healthcare, the misunderstood nature of hypnotherapy, and the deeper pull that leads people to help others—especially after they’ve walked through darkness themselves.

This episode touches on domestic abuse, trauma, and moments of emotional crisis. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic/spousal abuse or struggling with suicidal thoughts, confidential help is available 24/7:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text: 988
Chat: 988lifeline.org

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Text: START to 88788
Chat: thehotline.org

• Crisis Text Line
Text: HOME to 741741

• RAINN (Sexual Assault Support)
Call: 800-656-HOPE
Chat: online.rainn.org

• StrongHearts Native Helpline
Call: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)

• Love is Respect (for young people)
Call: 1-866-331-9474
Text: LOVEIS to 22522

And if you would like to support Pamela's work, Please feel free to follow her Podcast or purchase any of her books linked here:

Pamela Topjian YouTube

Behind the Mask, Gloves and Scrubs

I Didn't come this far to only come THIS far

This episode is a deeply personal and honest conversation with Carlie Sterling. In this interview, Carlie opens up about her journey navigating ADHD, bipolar disorder, and an eating disorder—all while balancing work, college, and the everyday challenge of trying to understand herself.

This episode touches on identity, mental health, resilience, and the complicated process of learning how your brain works while the world expects you to keep moving forward.

A quick note before we begin: this episode includes discussions around mental health challenges, including eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. Please take care while listening and pause if you need to.

If anything in this episode resonated with you, or if you’re struggling, please know that support is available.

For immediate help in the U.S., you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. You can also chat via 988lifeline.org.

For eating disorder support, visit the National Eating Disorders Association at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org or call their helpline at (800) 931-2237.

For ADHD resources and support, check out CHADD at www.chadd.org.

For bipolar disorder support, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance is available at www.dbsalliance.org.

If you’re navigating Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, organizations like the American Thyroid Association (www.thyroid.org) offer reliable information and guidance.

In this episode, we sit down with Evie and Axel, two escorts based in Australia who share an honest and deeply reflective conversation about their work, their bodies, and the power of human connection.

Rather than focusing on stereotypes, Evie and Axel open up about the personal growth they’ve experienced through learning to be fully present in their bodies and developing a deeper understanding of intimacy. They discuss how self-awareness, boundaries, and emotional intelligence can transform the way we relate to ourselves and others.

This episode explores what it means to be truly in sync with your body and how embracing sexuality with mindfulness and respect can be both uplifting and life-changing. Evie and Axel share stories about connection, vulnerability, and the surprising ways their work has helped them—and their clients—feel more confident, grounded, and human.

If you would like to support there work or reach out for services, please feel free to click on the following links:

https://www.evieplusaxel.com.au/

https://www.evieelysian.com.au/

https://www.axelmeridius.com.au/

Living with Multiple Sclerosis and ocular melanoma, Rachel has faced challenges that would shake even the strongest among us. From navigating the unpredictability of MS to confronting the life-altering reality of eye cancer, her journey has been anything but easy. Yet through every setback, hospital visit, and moment of uncertainty, Rachel chose hope.

What makes Rachel’s story so remarkable isn’t just the battles she’s fought — it’s how she’s fought them. She refused to let illness define her. Instead, she leaned into gratitude, humor, and an unshakable belief that every day still holds purpose. She continued to uplift others even while enduring her own difficulties, proving that strength isn’t about denying hardships — it’s about rising in spite of it.

If you would like to get Rachels book: From a kick in the head to a kick in the ass, You can find it wherever you find books (Barns and noble) and Amazon!

Link here!

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan O’Neal for a deeply personal conversation about family, identity, and the complicated love between a mother and son.

Ryan opens up about his relationship with his mom—how her values, expectations, and strength helped shape the man he is today. He reflects on the lessons he absorbed growing up, the moments of tension that pushed him to define himself more clearly, and the gratitude he carries for the foundation she gave him, even when they didn’t always see eye to eye.

A central thread of our conversation explores their political differences. In a time when ideological divides can fracture families, Ryan shares how he’s chosen to navigate those disagreements in his own way—with patience, boundaries, and a commitment to understanding without compromising his own beliefs. He talks candidly about what it means to love someone deeply while holding fundamentally different worldviews, and how he’s learned to separate political identity from personal connection.

This episode is an honest, thoughtful look at how our parents shape us, how we grow beyond them, and how respect can coexist with disagreement. It’s a conversation about maturity, empathy, and the ongoing work of maintaining family bonds in a polarized world.