This final episode of the All The Wiser Podcast is filled with laughter, tears, and deep appreciation for what the podcast has brought into our lives. You will hear voicemails from our listeners and past guests, discussing the impact and changes this show has brought about in their lives. We're still getting goosebumps! Kimi, Tara, and Erica share their personal transformations. Tara explains how the show helped define her legacy and turned her world into "technicolor" after growing up in a...

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...

In this week's episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi and associate producer, Tara Daigle, reflect on the impact of the 100 charities All The Wiser has supported in the podcast's five years. The people, causes, and organizations we've encountered leave us hopeful and inspired. After getting to know 100 charities and the people behind them, we can report that despite all the suffering, there's so much good happening in the world.  Tara, the point person for all things Charity at All The Wiser,...

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...

In this episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi and producer Erica reflect on the previous interview with Mark Lukach, author of "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward." They explore the emotional depth of Mark's story, his commitment to his wife through her mental health struggles, and the broader themes of love and dedication in relationships. The conversation touches on the challenges of caring for a partner with mental illness, the nuances of staying in a relationship during tough times, and the...

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...

In a heartfelt follow-up to last week's episode, co-hosts Kimi and Erica reflect on the profound stories shared by Kimi's sister-in-law, Lee Henry. They discuss the resilience required to face life's adversities, the significance of maternal health discussions, and the healing that can arise from embracing forgiveness. Reflecting on the need for challenging conversations with our loved ones, Kimi and Erica inspire listeners to seek out these moments of vulnerability in order to foster...

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...

In this episode of "A Little Wiser", Kimi is joined by Erica and Tara. The co-hosts reflect on last week’s interview with Arno Michaelis, a former white nationalist turned peace activist, author and filmmaker. They discuss the role of simple acts of kindness and humanity from the individuals he was "supposed to hate" in altering Arno's belief system. Forgiveness, letting go of past identities, and the troubling rise of cancel culture are discussed. Arno's transformation from hatred to 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...

In this episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi shares her experience of delivering her first TEDx talk titled, “The Transformative Power of Sharing Our Painful Stories.” She expresses her fears of having ex-boyfriends in the audience and her readiness to move beyond mental health as the main focus of her speeches. Kimi, Erica, and Tara discuss the importance of Simon Fung’s story, highlighting the continued prevalence and harm of conversion therapy. Furthermore, they recommend his podcast, Dear...

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...

Kimi and Erica reflect on last week's episode with Matty Fiorenza, a first responder grappling with the invisible scars of PTSD. They emphasize the importance of raising awareness and taking inspired action to support the mental and emotional health of our first responders. Kimi shares the backstory of how we discovered Matty and the heartbreaking connection they have in common.  A valuable takeaway that resonated with both Erica and Kimi was the idea that help can come from the most...

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...

Welcome back, Wise Ones, and Happy New Year! In our first episode of 2024, Kimi, Erica, and Tara discuss holiday highlights, hangovers, and the slow process of post-holiday “re-entry ”. All The Wiser has some big news to share with you. In April, we will celebrate 5 years of brave storytelling, 100 full length episodes, and 100 charity partners.There is an end to all good things, and this season will be the last. We also plan on making it the best yet!  Listen in to hear our thoughts on this...

In the final episode of this season's A Little Wiser, Kimi and Erica reflect on last week's episode featuring Rebecca Kaduru. Kimi explains how an episode of The Happiness Lab inspired her to invite Rebecca onto the show. Erica expresses her admiration for Rebecca's impactful work with women in Africa. They also discuss the pros and cons of public vulnerability, and how Rebecca's story reminded them of the comfort found in podcasts and the potential of human stories to make a...

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...

In this mini episode, we dive into the powerful and touching story of spoken word poet Andrea Gibson. Our host, Kimi, along with producer, Erica Gerard, and associate producer, Tara, reflect on the experiences and insights shared by Andrea in the previous episode. From discussing the transformative power of their cancer diagnosis to exploring the essence of love, authenticity, and gratitude, the conversation delves into the profound impact of Andrea's journey. They also touch on the...

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...

This week’s A Little Wiser is a special Thanksgiving edition. Kimi is joined by producer Erica Gerard and associate producer Tara Daigle in conversation about how to “save your sanity” during the holiday season. They share personal tips that help them prioritize self-care, establish healthy boundaries and protect their space while being surrounded by friends and family. Links: Family Gathering: https://www.amazon.com/TABLETOPICS-Family-Gathering-Questions-Conversations/dp/B001DYOEA4 Table...

Today, we are reairing Kimi's conversation with Alex Lewis. Alex is a quadruple amputee and one of the most hopeful and inspiring guests we've had on the show. When his episode aired, we had a huge reaction from the audience. People wrote to us talking about how hopeful and uplifted they felt. Considering the heaviness of all that is happening in the world right now, we thought this was an opportunity to lay down that weight for an hour and revisit Alex's story and message. *Rebroadcast*...

On today's episode of A Little Wiser is special guest and filmmaker Patty Dillon. Patty's documentary There Will Be No Stay featured last week's guest, Allen Ault. Patty shares with Kimi her deeply personal and thought provoking experience inside the world of capital punishment. They talk about Patty’s extensive research journey, conducting cold calls and the numerous challenges she faced along the way. Through it all, Patty stayed resolute in her mission to shed light on a subject that is...

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. In this episode: The culture of the...

Kimi and Tara reflect on last week's episode featuring Kara Robinson Chamberlain, who was held captive for 18 hours at the age of 15 and managed to escape. They discuss Kara's remarkable ability to regulate her kidnappers' emotions and gather information, all while enduring a highly traumatic situation.  In the aftermath of the trauma, Kara spent decades suppressing and storing her emotions before beginning the hard work of healing. Tara shares her personal experience of trauma, highlighting...