Welcome to your safe space to be messy, weird, dark, nervous, and excited! The purpose of "Mentally Chill" is to promote mental health awareness and normalize the highs and lows of life. We're spreading awareness one story at a time from real people with real struggles. Additionally, this is a place to get the inside scoop on mental health resources (therapy, medication, etc.), and find out what it's really like to ask for help. Also, we laugh a lot. Because life is hard, but it's also quite funny. Thank you for choosing to be here, you are where you need to be.
Host discusses Noa Reuveni's experiences growing up near the Gaza envelope and the impact of current events on her childhood friend, Ziev Berman, in this interview.
1 Feb 2025TRANSCRIPT
18. A Talk With My Current Therapist l Dr. Ibn Sharif Shakoor, EdD
Dr. Ibn Sharif Shakoor, EdD, shares his experiences growing up in the inner city and overcoming childhood narratives, including a psychotic break that led him to become a therapist, in an interview with the host.
15 Dec 2024TRANSCRIPT
17. I Almost Missed This l Ashley Pernasilice
Ashley Pernasilice shares her experiences with abortion, eating disorders, and suicide, expressing gratitude for being alive in this interview with the host.
15 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
16. We're Too Hot to Be Depressed l Alyssa Shlapak
Buckle up for my first episode to surpass 1 hour alongside my younger sister, Alyssa! Pay attention because we sound alike, talk fast, and often finish each other's sentences. We discuss Alyssa's least favorite topic ~weight~ and how she's learned to chase her cravings. She takes us on her journey of quitting corporate America to travel Central/South America followed by becoming a hostess. We end on the concept of self-preservation; how Alyssa is good at that and Emily is working on it. This ...
1 Aug 2024TRANSCRIPT
15. The Pros and Cons of Being Violently Monogamous l Carly Potomic
I'm a little nervous to post this episode because I feel ~exposed~. But I guess that's the point, right? Come hang with me and one of my college friends, Carly, as we unpack what it means to be demisexual. We talk about what it's like not being a casual hookup person in a casual hookup culture. We also talk about how violently monogamous we are and how that has helped & hurt us in the dating world. There's a lot going on here - mom, close your ears!
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
1 Jul 2024TRANSCRIPT
14. Friendly Reminder - We're All Going to Die l Jacquie Aiello
**Trigger Warning** The following episode contains sensitive and potentially triggering content, including discussions about eating disorders, drug abuse, and overdoses. Since the content of this episode may be upsetting and overwhelming, listener discretion is advised.
I missed you guys! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as we sit down with one of my closest friends, Jacquelyn Aiello. Jacquie opens up about what it was like losing her sister, Brooke, months before she started freshman year at James Madison University. We discuss her sister's struggle with addiction and how she wasn't able to grieve the loss properly. Jacquie talks about why it's important to eat "yummy foods" and shares her new adventures as A PILOT. Also, we disclose why we love to talk about death so much. So yeah, there's a lot going on here.
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
1 Mar 2024TRANSCRIPT
13. A Talk With My Former Therapist l Mr. Charles Alperin, LICSW
Today I bring you even deeper into my world as I introduce you to one of my favorite people and former therapist, Charles Alperin. Charles and I worked together for 2 years, so this episode means a lot to me. I'm excited to share this episode for those that are on the fence about therapy and want to hear more about it from an actual therapist. Charles' objectivity and deadpan humor will keep ya intrigued and entertained. Enough yapping from me, time to listen to a professional!
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
1 Feb 2024TRANSCRIPT
12. When Resilience is the Only Option l Gale Weinberg
**Trigger Warning** The following episode contains sensitive and potentially triggering content, including discussions about drug abuse and overdosing. Since the content of this episode may be upsetting and overwhelming, listener discretion is advised.
We're sitting down with the first mom to be interviewed on Mentally Chill! This conversation blew me away. Gale opens up about losing her dear son, Michael, to a drug overdose a little over a year ago. While she shares the ups and downs of Michael's journey, one thing remains steady - her relentless support and unconditional love for her son. Following Michael's passing, Gale got involved with numerous bereavement/recovery groups, started speaking at family support groups, and even created a scholarship in Michael's honor. I'm inspired by the way she was able to turn profound loss into profound meaning.
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
15 Jan 2024TRANSCRIPT
11. Emily Reflects on 2023
On this solo episode I share my top 5 biggest lessons from 2023:
1. Spend more money on experiences over material things
2. Listen to your body before your mind
3. Setting boundaries is one of the highest forms of self-love
4. Choose romantic partners that make you feel more like you
5. The people that love you can't always give you what you need
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
1 Dec 2023TRANSCRIPT
10. You're Messed Up, but It's Not Your Fault I Brandon Eyring
Buckle up as we chat with one of my mentors, Brandon Eyring. We've gone from monthly Zoom calls catching up on sales to our first in-person conversation - live and recorded for you! We skip all the small talk and jump right into "generational trauma," discussing how we're products of the environment that we grew up in. Brandon shares how his mental health journey started with his divorce and how therapy has helped him unpack his trauma & learn to disrupt toxic patterns. Lastly, we talk about our favorite topic - sales. He sheds light on what's been the correlation between mental health and his sales career and how to answer the question "how much stress is too much?" You are here, and once again, I am obsessed with that.
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
1 Nov 2023
9. ADHD, Bullying, & Video Games l Geoffrey Shlapak
The title speaks for itself but ~gather 'round~ for my first episode with a family member, my younger brother Geoffrey! We talk all things ADHD, his childhood diagnosis, and how living with it has affected all aspects of his life (then and now). Geof gives us an inside look at what it's like living with ADHD and how it's a constant uphill battle mentally. We wrap on my brother's favorite subject: video games. We talk about the games that got him into the gaming world and his current struggles controlling his relationship with gaming/social media. You are here- thank god!!
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
1 Sept 2023
8. Soft Serve Sessions (pt 1) l Carly Potomic & Grant Horun
Gather 'round for the Soft Serve Sessions with my two college buds Carly & Grant! I decided to ditch the interview style for a sec to experiment with a more discussion-based episode. We run the gamut in this one - covering topics like men's mental health, vices, getting cheated on, and being adopted. Join us for the informal kickback that is the Soft Serve Sessions! Xoxo
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
15 Aug 2023
7. What's good? (pt 1)
Welcome to "What's good?" (pt 1) where it's just me and the mic. A bite-sized stream of consciousness from yours truly. No guest, just vibes. Join me as I discuss moving, feeling out of place in a new place, commuter nightmares, and month-to-month leases.
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
15 Jul 2023
6. Stop Telling Me My Dad is in a Better Place l Frank Maiolino
**Trigger Warning** The following episode contains sensitive and potentially triggering content, including discussions about suicide and drug abuse. Since the content of this episode may be upsetting and overwhelming, listener discretion is advised.
We come out swinging in Episode 6 with some heavy-hitting topics. Frank talks about what it's like losing his dad at a young age and how he's learned to cope (or not) with it through the years. We also dive into his experience growing up with an abusive/suicidal mother and how he's reconciled with that toxicity as an adult. Lastly, we discuss the best ways to support your partner if they're dealing with mental illness. Thank you for being here!
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
2 Jul 2023
5. Feelings is Not My First Language l Julie Jeong
The highly anticipated Julie (Jisoo) Jeong finally joins Mentally Chill! If you know Julie, you'll know we rarely get a window into her more serious/vulnerable side. Since moving here from Korea, Julie talks about what it's like growing up as a minority in the US and how that gave her an identity crisis. We discuss her relationship with her parents and how that's evolved through the years. We also shed light on being raised in a Korean household, and how that's made it difficult for her to be vulnerable and learn to ask for help. We wrap on why we love working in the restaurant industry and reveal some cautionary tales too. Happy to see you!
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
3 Jun 2023
4. Cigarettes and Loneliness Are Bad for Your Body l Jeff Stern
This might be my favorite episode I've recorded so far! While recording with my old friend Jeff, I'd forget sometimes I was interviewing him because I was just so fascinated with what he had to say. Come join us as Jeff walks us through his journey into and out of Hollywood as a set designer. We answer questions like "What does it mean to be creative?" and "Can everyone create?" Jeff talks about the profound power of small acts of kindness, and how we can incorporate that more into our daily lives. Lastly, we wrap on the epidemic of loneliness in adults, and how that affects your physical health. I can't get this episode out of my head, I'm so happy you're here, stay a while!
For anyone that wants to practice sending Jeff a kind note, here's his email: tcbjts@gmail.com (mailto:tcbjts@gmail.com) (or just reach out and tell him he's awesome!)
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
5 May 2023
3. Hard Pass on Gastric Bypass l Petey Dandini
**Trigger Warning** The following episode contains sensitive and potentially triggering content, including discussions about eating disorders. Since the content of this episode may be potentially upsetting and overwhelming, listener discretion is advised.
In the 3rd episode of the Mentally Chill, we're joined by my former colleague / close friend Petey Dandini! As a Sales Manager and Orangetheory coach, he walks us through his weight loss journey over the last few years. The rollercoaster ride of losing 130+ lb, running the Boston Marathon, gaining some weight back, and all the highs and lows in between. We discuss society's toxic relationship with the number on the scale and how to practice a healthier approach to fitness/weight loss.
$1M ARR, Rookie of the Year, President's Club, Account Executive turned Sales Manager in a little over a year - Petey gives us insight into his sales journey. He discusses his struggles with maintaining his mental health in the demanding world of sales; we also offer tips on setting better boundaries between work life / personal life. I'm so happy you're here, stay a while!
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
19 Apr 2023
2. Breakups Are Great for Character Development l Kyle Shtern
2nd episode of the Mentally Chill where I'm hanging out with one of my best friends, Kyle Shtern! We dive into what it's like dating in your 20's and how to build yourself up after a breakup. Kyle gives us a window into his own negative self-talk and how he's learning how to be kinder to himself. We wrap with Kyle's self-care routines and how cycling has given him a renewed purpose outside of his professional life. I'm so happy you're here, stay a while!
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
19 Mar 2023
1. Need humbling? Find an Asian parent. l Tiff Tong
**Trigger Warning** The following episode contains sensitive and potentially triggering content, including discussions about suicide and addiction. Since the content of this episode may be potentially upsetting and overwhelming, listener discretion is advised.
1st official episode of Mentally Chill where I have the privilege of interviewing one of my closest friends, Tiffany Tong. We dive into Tiff's journey with anxiety/depression, therapy, medication, and family trauma. She provides an inside look at what it's like being raised by Asian immigrant parents and how that's affected the way she navigates the world. We learn how Tiff's struggles have transformed her into someone that knows best how to protect her own peace and set boundaries. I'm so happy you're here, stay a while!
Follow us on socials for weekly updates!
Instagram: @the_mentallychill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091640934589
Inside a recent episode
19. A Talk With an Israeli l Noa Reuveni
Published 1 Sept 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] It's a mandatory service. You have to serve girls and boys. When you turn 18 and you're finished, you graduated high school if you're 18. You joined the army. You have no choice, even if you don't want to. You could opt in the combat, though, right? That it's... Right. But even that, if you're a guy, there's all these rules. Like if you're, for example, an only child, then your parents have to sign that they agree on your guy and an only child. Their parents have to sign that they agree for you to go into combat. And that's because it's their only son. Yeah. I know, it's bizarre. Yeah. So every child knows they will eventually be 18 and join the army. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
