Today, we're joined by the incredible Melody Afkami, CEO and founder of Melody DanceFit, a trailblazing force in the world of dance fitness – from revolutionizing the dance fitness experience to becoming a beacon of empowerment and mental health advocacy. With a knack for infusing humor and inspiration into her message, Melody encourages us to let go of societal pressures and embrace the mental release that dance delivers. Through her innovative classes and online programs, she has touched...

Paul Scanlon has been a mentor, educator, and motivational speaker for over 40 years with a focus on communication, leadership, cultural engineering, and self awareness. I've been following Paul on Instagram and have listened to his podcast for quite some time as I've processed traumas, worked on setting better boundaries, and learned communication skills – all the things that I'm still working on to this day! I’m happy to have him on the podcast today to talk about how our childhood traumas...

Eating disorders are mental health disorders. Period – full stop. (Triggering content warning) Johanna Kandel, today’s esteemed guest and the founder and CEO of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, has dedicated her career to unveiling that commonly misunderstood fact. Eating disorders are biologically-based brain illnesses. They are genetic in nature, and they are absolutely serious mental illnesses. As a passionate (and impressively credentialed) advocate for mental health and eating...

We've never had a podcast episode quick like this one! (Mature content warning) Sex and relationship expert Dr. Tara is here to help us turn up the intimacy in our relationships, leading to better mental health and overall wellbeing. Dr. Tara is not only a tenured professor of sexual and relational communication at California State University Fullerton, she’s an author of Sexual Communication: Research in Action, an award-winning sex researcher, host of the Luvbites by Dr. Tara podcast, and...

We're hitting a huge milestone with our 100th episode of the Big Silence Podcast with Jenna Willis! Jenna’s complete mind-body-spiritual approach to wellness, as well as her remarkable results, have gained her a reputation as one of the most sought after rising celebrity trainers, working with stars like Lala Kent and Camila Cabello. She’s all about embracing the REAL you in fitness, ditching the impossible social media standards of perfection, and making workouts fun again. Jenna has...

Today I’m bringing you a super inspiring episode with the one and only Tori Kruse! Tori is an entrepreneur, author, and a highly sought-after speaker. As the Founder and CEO of Tori Kruse Enterprises, she’s carved a niche in partnering with female speakers and leaders, aligning their internal power with their external image. Tori’s journey is not just about personal style; it's a deeper dive into how one's presence can truly mirror their essence – including personality, aspirations, and...

In this episode, I had the incredible opportunity to chat with Dr. Dave Rabin at SXSW. He is not just any neuroscientist and psychiatrist; he's also a co-founder and the Chief Medical Officer at Apollo Neuroscience. He’s an expert in navigating the fields of Ketamine and MDMA-assisted therapy, and his work is pioneering new pathways for treating PTSD and other mental health issues. His groundbreaking research, including his primary study on MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD, is showing...

Today, we're exploring a fascinating new field in mental health, Nutritional Psychiatry, with Dr. Uma Naidoo. Not only is she a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, but she’s also a professional chef and a nutrition expert. Dr. Naidoo brings a unique blend of expertise to the table, and she’s here to share her insights on the powerful link between our diet and mental health. In this episode, we dive into how our eating habits affect our mood and mental well-being, especially in a post-pandemic...

Get ready for an amazing chat with Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina, the beautiful brains behind CLEARSTEM Skincare, as we highlight the correlation between your skin and mental health, and learn to lovingly embrace the largest organ in our bodies (imperfections and all!) Today, we’re getting real about a reality so many of us face. Today, we are breaking the silence and correcting the stigmas around acne and mental health, together. Danielle, The Acne Guru®, and Kayleigh, her former...

I’m honored to sit down with Sasha DiGiulian, a remarkable figure in the climbing world whose story is not just about reaching new heights in her sport, but also about overcoming personal and physical challenges with incredible resilience and grace. She has won the World Championships for Female Overall, and has placed Silver in the Bouldering World Championships, as well as Bronze in the Duel. Sasha has been the undefeated panAmerican Champion 2004 to the present, and she is a three-time US...

Have you ever felt like you absorbed the emotions of those around you? Or, do you find that people often divulge private thoughts or feelings to you – even complete strangers? Life as an empath can take many directions, but they all lead back to energetic entanglement. Our guest today is energy transmuter and spiritual dot connector, Kate Hobbs. A native of New York City, an intuitive empath, certified energy healer, and relationship consultant, Kate is passionate about helping people release...

Gut health is a topic that intertwines deeply with both mental and physical health, and today’s guests are here to shed light on how a happy gut is key to creating a happy life. I am excited to introduce Jill and Jenna, sisters and hosts of the incredible Gut Talk podcast. These two are on a mission to revolutionize your perspective on health. They believe in simplifying health concepts and championing the notion that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness. It's all about finding...

While Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and affection, it can also stir a whirlwind of emotions for many, particularly those dealing with PTSD, anxiety, or depression. It's like Mother's Day or Father's Day; there’s a variety of different experiences and feelings people face. The reality is, these holidays can be triggering and hard to navigate. That’s why we’ve done our research, and in this episode, Bobby and I are sharing three tips for coping with our feelings and emotions this...

Today’s episode is for anyone who loves to sing and dance. We’re joined by the remarkable Maryn Azoff, a classically trained singer and much more – a spirit lifter, soul emancipator, and fear crusher. Maryn empowers people globally through her Vocal Transformation Method, teaching the transformative power of the human voice. Maryn's method blends ancient wisdom and vocal techniques from diverse cultures, reawakening the body-mind-spirit connection. In this conversation, we explore Maryn’s...

Katie Horwitch is a writer, speaker, mindset coach, and women’s empowerment activist. She’s also the founder of WANT: Women Against Negative Talk, a platform that gives women tips, tools, motivation, and inspiration to live fearlessly. And she’s back for another conversation on the podcast, this time visiting The Big Silence studio in person. Touring in Austin to promote her book, Want Your Self, Katie and I take this opportunity to go even deeper into subjects we covered in October – and...

Get ready to dive into an episode that's all about strengthening your intuition and embracing your best self with Alexis Artin. She's not just a leading growth coach; she's a powerhouse in the world of female embodiment, and she's here to share her incredible journey and tips for strengthening the mind-body-heart-soul connection. Alexis is a master at blending fitness trends with deep, transformative self-care. From her days in Hollywood to becoming a leader in female empowerment, she's got...

When we experience bullying or face emotional hardship, it’s hard to imagine a world in which everything will turn out okay. At just 20 years old, Doug Bopst was addicted to opiates and spent time in jail for “possession with intent to sell.” It felt like a death sentence at the time. But in dedicating himself to doing the work to shift out of a victim mindset, mindful movement, and the people who believed in him, this is not where Doug’s story ends, but where it begins. Doug Bopst is an...

We hear terms like narcissist, love bombing, and trauma bonding a lot on social media. But what do they actually mean? And how can you recognize the signs so you can avoid, or begin to heal from, a toxic relationship? We explore these complex questions with Dr. Nadine Macaluso, a somatic psychologist and psychotherapist, in today’s episode of the podcast. Dr. Macaluso’s mission is to break the stigma of abusive relationships– and her first book, Run Like Hell, will be released this month.  In...

Happy New Year, friends! Bobby and I are excited for 2024, and ready to share our reflections from 2023 and what we’re looking forward to in the new year. In this episode, we get honest about the lessons we learned and challenges we overcame, individually and as a couple, in 2023 before previewing what’s in store for 2024.  We also get into some fun audience questions about our current fitness obsessions, goals, and how to take the first step towards getting mental health support through both...

I’m thrilled to welcome dancer and performer Anya Garnis to the podcast. I met Anya when I took a dance class with a group of girlfriends; the experience was so joyful and meditative. I was touched by her personal journey with mental health and inspired to share it with this community. You may know Anya as a dancer and choreographer from So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars Live, and BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. After years performing all over the world, Anya has returned to...

Today, we have the honor of sitting down with Chase Chewning, an Army veteran and Certified Health Coach who has turned his life's adversities into a source of strength, both for himself and for countless others.  After sustaining injuries that led to bilateral reconstructive hip surgeries, Chase faced the daunting task of learning to walk again, not once, but twice! This physical struggle coincided with an immense personal loss – the passing of his father to a terminal illness. These...

Is trauma passed down in our DNA? How can we break that cycle to heal our families and ourselves? These are questions that have been coming up a lot for me, my friends, and our podcast community. Today, I’m excited to tackle these topics with Dr. Mariel Buqué.  Dr. Buqué is a Columbia University trained psychologist and author of the new book, Break The Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma. In this episode, Dr. Buqué explains what intergenerational trauma is and how it impacts...

We can learn some of our greatest life lessons from those who have passed on. Today, we have a spiritual medium on the podcast for the first time ever. This incredible conversation brought me to tears of joy. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. Rebecca Rosen is an internationally acclaimed medium, speaker, and author of the new book, What’s Your Heaven? Her mission is to open the lines of communication between our world and the spirit world.  In this illuminating chat, Rebecca shares...

Nurses are on the frontlines caring for us, but how can they best care for their own mental and physical health? In today’s episode of The Big Silence, we pose the question to psychotherapist and psychiatric mental health nurse Dr. Donna Gaffney and wellness coach Nicole Foster. Donna and Nicole are the authors of the new book, Courageous Well-Being For Nurses. This book – and today’s warm hug of a conversation – are for you if you are a nurse, know a nurse, or want to be inspired by a nurse....